“Why?”
“It wouldn’t matter what I say, that’s just how most male designers in women’s couture are seen. What difference does it make to my life? If at all, they see me as a god of both men and women. An enigma is always good for business.”
“For the record, I don’t judge you for either.”
He smiled. “Good to know.”
She nodded. “Let’s go.”
“Ritu,” he held her steady by the waist again. It was so effortless for him to hold her and manoeuvre her. Not in a controlling way. In a stay-with-me way. Ritu snapped out of her head. Why was she suddenly thinking like Maya?
“What, Nilay?”
“Can I kiss you again?”
Her mouth dropped open.
“Is that a yes?” He thumbed her lower lip. Saliva pooled in her mouth.
“You are my patient.”
“I was your patient five minutes ago as well.”
“I…”
His face changed. Something stretched taut on it and his fingers began to loosen from her waist — “I’m sorry. If there is somebody else… I didn’t even stop to think there might be. I am so sorry…”
“There’s nobody.”
How did those words come to her mouth? Moreover, how did she utter them out loud? But it stopped his fingers from leaving her waist and everything inside her liked that. His fingers tightened, and something began to bloom.
“You don’t want to kiss me?” He asked.
“Youdon’t want to kiss me,” she scoffed. “It’s not what you think. I am not what you think. I am not… all this happy 5 Whats game. Ok?”
“Then tell me who you are.”
“For starters, I am the woman on whom none of those couture clothes of your standard fit. Even if they do, they don’t look good, as proven from our first meeting.”
His mouth pursed. And his fingers tightened even more if that was possible. They stared at each other. Silent. Breathing loudly, too loudly, even for the pelting rain roaring outside.
“What?!” She fought. “What now?”
“You said starters. I am waiting for the main course.”
“I am not here to joke. Move your hands now. We are done,” she began to push at his forearms. They didn’t budge. His fingers squeezed.
“Nilay, I am not joking anymore.”
“I am not either.”
“What do you fucking want?!”
“You.”
She laughed bitterly. “I am not that kind of a girl. We are in a village but you will find plenty when we return to Mumbai tomorrow…”
Her words were cut off as he silenced them with his mouth. This time his hips pushed into her stomach and she felt it. He wasn’t messing with her or play-acting or enjoying a stray moment. The physical evidence was vividly apparent. And instead of making her body lock up and freeze, for the first time, it made something in her feel free. He moved, and she moved with him, the sounds between them turning indecent but still music to her ears.
