Neil softened his lips, nibbling at her full, lower lip. “Open for me, Tanya.” His husky plea caused warmth to pool around her belly. Her traitorous body threatened to succumb to his expert kiss. Thankfully, her mind rebelled at the last moment. “No.” What was supposed to be forceful, came out as a gasp. His mouth moved to her collarbone, his lips gently sucking at the base of her throat. “I..don’t want...to!” Tanya closed her eyes as her trembling increased.
Neil dragged his mouth back to hers. This time, she was powerless against his sensuous mouth. “I moved away, gave you space to let you make your choice. The minute you kissed me, all bets were off. Break up with him, Tanya. Do it right away.” He bit her lower lip, causing her to come out of the sexual stupor.
“No!” Tanya pushed him away, her shocked eyes meeting his dark ones. “You waited? Really? And, now you’re staking your claim, as if…as if I am some commodity? You, who didn’t even bother to tell me before you left? No! I won’t allow you to demean me anymore. You can officially go to hell. If you want to fire me, go ahead! Do it!” She turned around and marched out of his cabin. Walking out of the building after taking her phone and handbag, she went to her car, shaking in rage and sexual frustration. Just then, her phone rang loudly, causing her to startle. Without looking at the caller, Tanya snapped into the receiver. “Hello.”
“Tanya, are you okay? Where are you?” Natasha’s voice rose in concern at her friend’s angry and teary voice.
“I am at work. I mean, I am getting back home.”
“It’s barely two. Are you unwell? I can accompany you to the doctor. Should I pick you up?” Natasha was searching for her handbag as she spoke.
“No, No! I am okay; rather, I will be. I am heading home.”
“Then I’ll meet you there.” Natasha’s tone brooked no argument.
Tanya didn’t realize when or how she drove back home. She noticed her hand trembling against the door. With a muffled curse, she finally managed to open the door. She turned around to close the door, just as Natasha stepped out from her car. “You look pale. Sweetie, are you okay?” Natasha hurried inside, already talking, pulling Tanya into a hug.
“I don’t know.” Tanya’s frame shook with sobs. She felt strange and bereft, stripped of all her beliefs in love, in forever after. Natasha calmed her down and led her to the couch. Tanya absently noticed GI Joe stand by her closed door, his expression neutral, almost blank.
Natasha noticed Tanya’s gaze shift towards her shadow, also known as her bodyguard. Before either of these women could speak, the tall, handsome man spoke. “I will give you two some privacy.” With a nod, he stepped out, closing the door with a soft thud.
“He actually speaks, eh?” Tanya was momentarily distracted by her friend’s handsome protector.
For some reason, Natasha blushed. “He isn’t as bad as you think.”
Tanya’s jaw almost hit the ground. “Really? GI Joe? That’s the reason you haven’t been dating?” Natasha blushed harder. “Oh, my God! You are doing him, isn’t it?” Tanya’s lips broke into a smile despite her misery.
“No, I am not!” Natasha protested vehemently. “Anyway, enough about me! Why are you upset?”
Immediately, Tanya sobered. “I kissed him. Twice!” Her voice was a mere whisper.
“Him? Who? Ritwik?” Natasha frowned.
Tanya shook her head, her eyes downcast. “Neil.”
Natasha’s eyes almost popped out. “Neil? What on earth is happening? When did Neil come to Bangalore? For heaven’s sake, how did you end up kissing him?”
Tanya’s eyes welled up once more. “I don’t know.”
Natasha immediately sat next to her friend. “Sweetie, don’t cry. Do you want some water?”
Tanya shook her head no. She sniffled before speaking again, “Where do I start?”
“The beginning. That usually works.” Natasha’s quiet voice soothed Tanya’s nerves. Tanya narrated the whole story, starting from Neil’s first day at work.
“Wow! That’s quite a lot to take in.” Natasha blew a breath. “Wait, I think I need some caffeine.” Natasha went into the kitchen and made three cups of tea. She placed two cups by the couch and took one to the front porch.
Several minutes later, a flushed and flustered Natasha came in and sat by the couch. “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” Tanya barely touched the hot liquid. She looked at her hands in brooding silence.
“You do realize you need to break up with Ritwik first?” Natasha’s gentle voice brought a sigh from Tanya.
“I know. What will I tell him? I mean, I feel so stupid. I thought I was in love with him.”
Natasha placed a hand on Tanya’s. “You love him, but you aren’t in love with him. Isn’t it?” When Tanya nodded mutely, she continued, “Talk to him then. Come clean. He will understand, he has to. He is after all your best friend, Tan.”
“You’re right. I will speak to him sometime tomorrow. He deserves someone better than me.”
