“We all went through nightmares that killed our innocence, yet we tried to protect our loved ones.”

The constant trepidation of getting exposed to the darkest truth of your life gradually eats you alive. Though you were never at fault, yet the face only people see makes you a culprit.

I know I was never accountable for the things I'm blamed for. But the guilt I'm responsible for someone's death was burning me alive and like a slow poison killing me.

I was terrified of handling the daggers my family pointed at me. After dinner, there was a whole crime investigation session with my parents and Aditi.

Like, what's the relationship between Vikram and me? Probably Aditi spilled beans. Why am I so close to Mr. Malhotra? Why am I not visiting them so often? Why do I distance them, ignoring their most asked queries?

They continuously interrogated me. Thank my good heavens that I managed to answer them; after being convinced with my response, our facetime ended.

Certainly zipping Aditi's lips, I asked her to sleep. Sometimes I wonder why Aditi is fascinating about others' lives. She dozed in my room, and confirming she slept, I dialed Mr. Problem Malhotra.

The culprit of my current situation, it's all because of him right now. I'm answerable and standing like a miscreant before my family. My brains were going nuts dealing with all these crackheads.

After having a vociferous conversation with Mr. Malhotra, I got under comforters to get some not so peaceful slumber.

*

It's late evening, and the beach was a very beautiful and inviting scene. The water's blue shades were illuminating under a crescent moon glow spreading all over the beach.

The sand underneath the feet was as soft as silk. The rhythmic and soaring sound of waves hitting shores echoed. As I put my toes down warm, gritty sand slipped from my toes.

Orange and yellow hues of fire emitting from the bonfire lighten the surroundings, spreading its comforting warmth into the air. I leaned back on the deck chair, and I felt two strong arms on my shoulder pulling close to him.

Smiling, I leaned on his chest as our fronts collided. The whole beach was empty and peaceful. He pecked my hair, soothingly massaging my shoulders. It's the tranquility I ever dreamed of.

He further peppered feathery kisses all over my face, stopping at my lips. I placed my palm on his chest. His dark orbs stare intensely into mine. He leaned, placing his lips on the side of my lips, teasingly.

Finally giving up teasing, he captured my lips slowly moving. I reciprocated, moving my lips in sync. It's like a missed puzzle piece, fixing beautifully.

He sucked my upper lip as I pulled his lower lip. Placing his hand on my nape, he tilted my head, angling to get more access. Gradually he increased the pace of sucking and, in between nibbling my plumpy lips.

Wanting more I sucked his lips in between he entered his tongue colliding with mine. Like tasting me, he touched my inner, and I returned the gesture. I fisted my hand on his chest, unable to control the sensations I was feeling in my core.

His mere intense kiss was dampening my thong. With continuous kissing, I felt out of breath struggling in his arms. Sensing it, he pulled back, stroking my lower lip with a pull. Our warm breath mixed and fanned each other's faces.

Giving no time, he started giving open-mouth kisses. A moderately romantic kiss was turning ravenous and nasty. Our saliva mixes and tongues collide. 

Unhurriedly, he traveled his hand down my left shoulder, slipping down the strap of my camisole. Brushing his knuckles on the side of his shoulder, he reached the outline of boob. 

Still giving open mouth and wet kisses on my chin, jaw, and neck, in between he kneaded the side of my bosom. An inaudible moan escaped my mouth. ‘ahhh’

“You're the most beautiful and angry bird I've ever seen, my firecracker,” he complimented, still busy exploring my sweet spot.

“Is it?” I queried in between my breathless moans.

Each passing moment, things were taking turns, making it steamy and hot. I never expected the man who's making me breathless would be the love of my life.

Feeling his tight abs under my palm, I couldn't stop myself from appreciating, “And you're piping hot, Mr. Husband.”

He chuckled, sending waves of vibrations down my neck, making my buds erect. He further slipped my camisole so low that my cleavage and upper part of my bosom were on display for his predatory eyes.

He was nibbling and harshly sucking my neck and collarbone, traveling down to my cleavage. All the while his hands were kneading and squeezing my boobs, drawing sensual moans.

He kissed on my cleavage and abruptly swirled his wet, warm tongue on it. I arched my head back, feeling extremely wet in my core. The night gets dark like our desires and lust for each other.

Musical sound of waves in background and sweltering hues of fire spreading its cozy warmth. This time he tugged my top so low to my belly, unrevealing my saggy boobs to his hungry eyes.

He inhaled my lavender scent, deeply snuggling between my bosoms. It twirled unknown emotions and pleasure in me. He continuously kissed on my midriff.

“Umm, someone may see us,” I muttered, shutting my lashes.

He lifted his face, supporting his chin between my mounds, and hazily gazed at me. “I'll pluck their eyes if they even get a glimpse of what's mine,” he dangerously whispered, tucking a flick of my hair behind my ear.

A smile spread on my lips hearing his possessive words. He smirked watching my pink hues on my cheeks and indulged back to his pleasuring antics.

He pecked my perky brown buds, further circling his tongue on my brown areola. ‘Ahhhh,’ an intensive moan filled the air.

We're in an open place in each other's arms, and he's making me breathless and moan on his tunes.

Giving equal attention to my both assets, he was drawing out the sultryest sounds from me. He caressed my stomach and sides of my waist so sensually that it's turning me on.

He placed his hand between us, slowly traveling down to my abdomen and tugging his long fingers in the band of my shorts and thong. His extended fingers brushed over my sensitive area, making me moan alluringly.

‘ahhhh’

Out of the blue, I started to sweat. A trail of sweat beads slid down from my temples to the blades of my neck, and my heart thumped loudly and fastly like it would come out any moment. Though a cool breeze sweeping over cold sweat bubbled.

He's so lost in sucking my boobs and touching me wherever he desires to. Promptly I opened my eyes, turning my head towards right, feeling someone's presence.

There stood the furious face of Vikram striding towards us. The extended dark shadow of Vikram spreading over us like he's swallowing. My breaths turned harsh, making my chest up and down.

I felt someone was constraining me from breathing. Every single breath was taken with difficult efforts. As Vikram stepped near us instinctively, my hands wrapped around my husband's hand, stopping from touching me.

“What happened, baby?" He inquired, looking at my tensed face.

Vikram approached us, noticing that my husband stood up from the deck chair. ”Hey buddy, what took you so long to come?” he questioned Vikram.

My senses were stressed witnessing their friendly hug and conversation. I frozen their laying half naked and neck filled with marks. Suddenly everything felt suffocating and choking. 

In between all these, I even forgot Vikram was staring at my naked body. What's wrong with my husband, not offending Vikram or worst hitting? 

Returning to my senses, I covered my boobs with my hands, which were not even covering half.

“What're you doing? Is everything fake?” I furiously questioned him, pulling my camisole up.

They both chuckled psychotically watching me. “Baby, we successfully fooled you. I've been convincing you for the past five years, yet you threw tantrums. Now we can enjoy you,” his mocking words sent shivers down my spine.

It means love, care, and affection. Everything was fake. A hot tear rolled down my cheeks, burning my inner. Why does everyone have to betray me?

What did I do to deserve this? I yelled, feeling heavy in my heart. I forcefully open my eyes only to find it's one of my worst nightmares.

I was drenched in cold sweat and noticed Aditi firmly cuddling me. Her hands were wrapped around my neck, and her legs were caging me. Gently getting out of her hold, I walked to the balcony, grabbing a water bottle on the way.

Slowly sipping water, which soothed my dry throat. I looked at a calm city where lights were glowing in some houses and some were sleeping peacefully. Here I'm having the worst nightmare of my life.

Not in the hell I want the love of my life and Vikram to team up pulling me down. The last thing I wanted was for my love and the beast of my life to be friends.

My thumping heart slowed down, and I held the rail of the balcony, scared to death. What the hell is happening with me? Why does Vikram never leave even my dreams?

Calming down, I walked back room, and I noticed the clock ticked five in the morning. Last night I slept late, so I decided to sleep till eight in the morning.

I soon dozed on the couch holding a Panda plushie. Within no time I felt a strong jerk, and when I irritated woke up, it's my annoying sister Aditi.

“Dhriti, aren't you going to the hospital?” She inquired, standing tall in front of me.

I knit my brows at her unusual question. Though I answered in my sleepy voice, “I've got to.”

“Then wake up; it's past nine.” It's like I just blink my eyes, and it's nine.

I woke up only to fall down on the floor with a loud thud. ‘Ouch,’ my back hurts like hell.

"Hey, are you okay? Dhriti I know you don't care for yourself, but I love you. Don't get hurt, sissy,” my dramatic AF sister helped me.

Soon I rushed to the bathroom and got ready for the hospital. Picking up my bag and phone and car keys, I ran down stairs.

I've never stepped out this ugly. Wet hair with water dripping from the ends of my Hari strands and mismatched pants and shirt and in my flip-flops. Not even a lip tint or moisturizer.

I drove to the hospital at 10, and my patients were waiting. On my way, I ordered breakfast for Aditi, as I know she stinks at cooking. And the worst thing was my shirt was damp with water dripping from my hair.

I entered my cabin; it's awkward that the kids and nurses were giving a weird look like I'm an alien.

Smiling awkwardly, I started my day treating kids and therapies. Soon time passed to late noon. Surprisingly, I didn't find Vikram in the hospital. Thanking my good heavens.

Going through appointments I came through, Rudved has a rebooked slot for his therapy. Soon it's going to be evening yet there's no sign of Rudved?

Did Mr. Malhotra withdraw Rudved from his treatment? Did he get offended by my last-night call? Why is he so tangled? Ugh…

My chain of thoughts broke when my phone rang. Caller ID displayed Mr. Arrogant Malhotra. Rolling my eyes, remembering his not so handsome face.

“What?” I asked without any nonsense.

“Ms. Srivastav, there's a thing called manners to wish people,” this idiot mocked me.

As I'm in no mood for his drama, I straight asked about Rudved, "Why didn't you bring Rudved for therapy? Or did you forget?”

“Ms. Srivastav, calm down. I do remember, but you know Rudved wasn't comfortable among strangers or going out. So come to my home; you can continue treatment from home.” With his words, my anger broke its constraints. 

I almost yelled at him through a call, "How dare you order me? You know I can consider it when you politely request me, Mr. Grumpy Malhotra!”

“I'm sending a car. Come to home,” ordering me to disconnect the call. Audacity of this b*tch. Definitely, I'll teach him a lesson about what happens when he messes with Adhriti Srivastav.

I stomped my foot, furiously grabbing my stuff. Though I loathe Mr. Malhotra to no limit, I do care about Rudved. Why should that little kid suffer because of us?

I walked to lift and punched the lift buttons. I stood in the entrance of the hospital only to find a luxurious car followed by a convoy halt before me. I sighed to know who it was. His PA opened the back seat door and got a peek of Mr. Malhotra already seated in it.

“What about my car?” I queried.

Before I could speak further, Mr. Malhotra orders his PA to "ask the driver to drive her car home.” What's wrong with him ordering everyone around?

Preparing for a rebel war, I sat beside Mr. Malhotra, maintaining a proper distance. 

“By the way, how did you get my number, Dhriti?” he asked a baseless question.

I inhaled deeply, grabbing my phone from my bag to inform Aditi.

⁠✿⁠✿⁠✿