Sometimes provocation seals a moment between two people who are drawn to each other. When attraction between them has been stifled for too long the dam can burst without warning. It does not take a degree in rocket science to guess what a little intimacy behind closed doors can lead to. Randhir and Sanyukta were swept away by emotions that had so far been kept concealed. Sanyukta never thought she would thank Vishad in her mind for indirectly helping Randhir come to terms with his feeling for her. Inexplicably his protective vibe had ultimately transformed into possessiveness.

"What are you waiting for, silly? Kiss me!" She whispered into his ear as she saw him hesitate.

"What's the point, little girl? I am so sure you still don't know how to respond to a kiss!" He grinned, running his fingers through her hair, tousling it. 

"Then teach me! No better teacher than you and no better pupil than yours truly! Off late I have been topping my class, you know?" She linked his fingers with hers and squeezed them.

"This is not your classroom! Nasty things can happen to nice girls like you if they come too close to bad guys like me!" He pulled her close.

"This is all talk and no action! Let's see what's the worst a bad boy like you can do!" Her voice was gruff with desire. The next moment she closed her lips over his, challenging him to respond.

She felt herself pinned to the wall and snapped her eyes shut while he snacked on her mouth hungrily, his right hand gripping the back of her head immobilising her. She simply let herself go, revelling in the instance, trying her best to match his moves. They had waited long enough, and if his phone had not rudely interrupted them there was no saying how far they could have gone.

The spell broke. Half-heartedly he distanced himself from her though she continued to cling to him. He saw that it was his mother calling.

"Sorry, but I have to take this call, Mowgli! Stay very quiet, don't say a word, it is Mom on the other side!" He moved back slightly to answer.

"Hi Mom! Of course I am still at the party. What happened?"

He paused for a couple of minutes letting his mother speak.

"What, here? That's pretty abrupt, Mom! Right now?

Randhir looked tense, as if something unpredictable was about to happen.

"Not at all, I'll take care of it!" He disconnected.

"What timing!" He wore an exasperated look as he turned toward Sanyukta.

"What is it?" She knew it had to be something really important for his mother to call him back after she had left the party.

"I have an impromptu meeting with some people. Dad is bringing them over in about ten minutes. Mowgli, we have to move you to Tanya's room which is close by. As soon as I am done I'll come back for you. Let me call her!" He dialed Tanya's number.

"Hi Tanya, are you still outside? Listen, I need a favour. Sanyukta is not feeling too well, she needs to lie down for a while. Is it ok if she spends some time in your room? Well,  I can't let her stay in mine, if you know what I mean!" He grinned.

"Right, I'll bring her over. And please just get her something to eat and drink. I'll drop her home when she's feeling better. Thanks Tanya, you are a pal!" Randhir hung up and turned toward Sanyukta.

"You heard the conversation. If she asks just tell her you have a headache. I'll come for you as soon as I can!" He assured her.

"But Randhir, would Tanya want to share her room with me?" Sanyukta wondered.

"You seriously think she'll spend the night in your company when Vishad's here in the city? They'll probably devour each other all night in his room. Her bed would remain unslept! That's why she agreed so quickly to let you stay there. Come on, touch up your makeup, I've gotta get you away before the visitors arrive!" Randhir led her outside.

"Randhir, do you think what happened just know between us was a mistake?" She asked hesitantly trying to keep pace with him.

"Everything happens for a reason, Mowgli. Right and wrong depends on how we take things further. However I don't want you to rush headlong into something that you'll regret later! Personally I think it was just meant to be!" He clarified.

Sanyukta smiled to herself. She suddenly felt deliriously happy. She had been dreaming of this day for years. Too bad the meeting had to come between them. Anyway, he had promised to return after the meeting.

"Hi Tanya, really appreciate your gesture! Just keep her safe and I'll drop her off personally after I finish the meeting. Dad should be here anytime!" Randhir addressed Tanya who had already picked up some food and drink for Sanyukta. 

"Not at all, Randhir! Sanyukta, I called your Mom to say that you'll be resting in my room until you feel better and that someone will drop you home safely! Now she won't worry!" Tanya smiled at Sanyukta.

"Thanks Tanya! Sanyukta, don't open the door for anyone! I really need to get back." He turned to go.

"Randhir, just a minute! If you don't mind, keep my room key with you. That way you can come back for Sanyukta later. I'll shift my stuff into Vishad's room. You know how much I love my beauty sleep!" She grinned at Randhir.

"Sure, I understand. I'll take your room key so I don't have to disturb you later!" Randhir smirked before hurrying away. He did not want to keep his visitors waiting.

"Ok Sanyukta, hope you'll be comfortable here. Call me if you need anything!" Tanya offered, although she secretly hoped to be left alone while she was spending quality time with her boyfriend.

"I'll be fine! I've messaged Mom and my friends about staying the night in your room. Hey, is that a rum and coke?" Sanyukta asked, trying to change the topic.

"No, that's just a tamarind cooler called imli ka amlana! I am sure you'll like it! Ok, let me leave you to have your dinner!" Tanya grabbed her bag and snapped the door shut before walking over to Vishad's room.

Sanyukta made sure that she had secured the door before kicking off her shoes and taking a sip of the tangy and sweet tamarind drink. It was quite refreshing and made her realise how hungry she was. She ate lightly from the plate before her. Later she lounged on the bed smiling to herself and mulling over the passionate kiss she had shared with Randhir. Their feelings for each other were pretty obvious now but she was not sure what lay ahead. She was just sixteen when she was first drawn toward Randhir. It had been six years since and she had even embarked upon a career as a physiotherapist. Randhir too had done well professionally in the years he had lived in the US but he was yet to share his future plans.

Let me just wait and watch, she told herself. Meanwhile she continued to sip the tamarind drink. In a few minutes she was overcome with sleep and threw herself on the bed, slipping between the sheets. She wondered what had triggered the sudden weariness and became vaguely aware of a sudden unseasonal shower that clattered on the window pane. It had probably scattered Parth and Vidushi's al fresco cocktail party. Sanyukta's eyes grew heavy and while wondering when Randhir would come back she drifted into a slumber.

"Is it really you or am I dreaming?" She muttered, trying to recall how long she had been sleeping. She felt a masculine presence next to her and she rushed into his arms. She barely realised when he had let himself into the room as she had been sleeping, But she recalled that Tanya had given him the room key.

"I love you, Randhir!" The words slipped out effortlessly from her mouth.

In response a pair of lips closed on hers and she could feel his hot breath setting her on fire. If there had been any possibility of self control earlier it had clearly flown out of the window. His hands caressed her everywhere, his lips worshipping her as if he was trying to make up for the years that they had lost.

"Wait, you've been drinking?" She could smell alcohol on his breath.

"Hushhh!" He whispered in response, continuing to undress her slowly until she impatiently helped him cast off the rest of their clothes. This was not going to be a gentle encounter that chick lit romance novels are filled with, it was to be a twister of unfettered frenzy.

They did not care that their clothes lay untidily tossed in a heap on the floor as they went for each other feverishly. Not a word was exchanged between them but Sanyukta's senses were in hyperdrive. She threw caution to the wind and goaded him on, demanding his touch wherever her heart desired. Their lips, tongues and teeth savoured each other until they were panting. Her legs parted in anticipation and he slipped himself into the gap effortlessly. She was ready to be initiated into the primitive carnal ritual that would unite her body with his. With every deep thrust of his she groaned, trying to make the euphoria last forever.

Their bodies were possessed by an invisible force that seemed to egg them to continue their lovemaking until exhaustion took over. Sanyukta had no idea what the consequences of her initiation into womanhood would be, neither did she care. To her it was enough to know that the man who had ruled her heart since her teens had finally claimed her. Nothing else mattered. She knew her conscience would pile the guilt on especially when she came in her mother's presence. There was no plausible explanation she could give for her self-induced loss of innocence. But tomorrow was another day and she happily crawled back into the arms of the one who had marked her body and soul that night.