Mature content ahead. Reader's discretion is advised.

*****

Nitya

The moment Prathamji stops the car, I step out of it, feeling my heart racing in anticipation. Since the time he told me about this farmhouse of his and the surprise he has prepared for me, I have been eager to see it.

He takes my hand and smiles at me. "Let's go?"

I nod, smiling back at him.

When he guides me to the back of the house, I slightly frown, but then, when I see the view in front of me, I gasp out loud.

A beach stretches out before us, the gentle sound of waves rolling in the background.

But it's not only the beach—it's also what Prathamji has done to it.

String lights hang delicately from poles, casting a soft, golden glow over the sand. Flowers, dozens of them, arranged around a table in the middle, where I see different covered dishes waiting for us. There also are candles flickering in the gentle evening breeze. All of them combined, it looks like something out of a fairytale dream.

"Prathamji.... this is...." I'm at a loss for words.

His lips curl into a small smile, clearly pleased with my reaction. "I wanted to do something special for you," he says. "You deserve this and much more, Nitya."

Feeling overwhelmed due to the emotions rushing within me, I step closer to him and hug him. "When did you do it?" I ask, leaning back to look from the lights to the flowers to the candles. Every detail is perfect.

"I had some help. But I planned it all myself. I wanted to bring you here, to this place, away from everything else. Just us two spending some time with each other."

At his words, I feel warmth spreading through me. "This is really so beautiful, Prathamji. Thank you for doing this for me."

"You don't need to thank me," he says, cupping my face. "I told you. I wanted to do this for you. And I also wanted to do this."

"Do what?"

He doesn't reply, but suddenly kneels down in front of me, making me gasp in surprise.

"What are you—"

He interrupts me before I can complete my question.

"My life was plunged into darkness when you entered it," he begins. "It was such a time when I felt I didn't deserve any happiness. I was so lost in my grief that I failed to see the blessing that had been bestowed on me in the form of you. I was foolish back then to keep my distance from you, and in doing so, hurting you too.

"But no matter how much I pushed you, no matter how much I tried to stay away, I don't know how you crept within my heart and made a very special place there. So much so that you are the only one who I love the most now. You are the only one for whom I can do anything, even try and be a better person so I can someday proudly say that I deserve to be your husband." He pauses for a few seconds to take out a diamond ring from his pocket. Then, holding my left hand, he looks up at me. "May I?"

I can only nod at him and let out a sob when he slides that ring in my finger. His words have hit me right in the heart, and I feel more tears pouring out of my eyes, my heart unable to contain the burst of love I feel for him at this moment.

After he stands, I give him a tight hug, snuggling closer to him. "This means so much to me," I whisper, my voice trembling. "I love you, Prathamji."

He hugs me back even more tightly and kisses the top of my head. "I love you too, Nitya. So very much."

We stay like that for a couple of minutes before breaking the hug and making our way to the table.

While eating, I glance out at the ocean, still in awe of it. "It's really breathtaking. I didn't know owned a place like this."

Prathamji leans back in his chair. "It's been in the family for a few years. I brought you here tonight because I thought you'd love the place."

"I do," I reach across the table and take his hand. "This place is perfect."

He squeezes my hand. "You're perfect."

I feel my heart swell, feeling touched by his words and the tender expression on his face. This place, this moment, and him—it feels like a dream I never want to wake up from.

*****

After dinner, we stroll along the beach.

The waves gently lap at the shore, and the cool breeze brushes against my skin. The stars are bright in the sky, reflected in the dark water, and the quiet of the night making everything feel peaceful.

"Did you use to play football a lot then?" I ask Prathamji after he tells me his love for the sport when he was younger.

"Hmm, I did. It helped me unwind," he replies. "What was your favorite thing to do when you were younger?"

"I used to swim a lot," I tell him. "Being in the water made me feel free."

"Well, if you love swimming, perhaps we can swim together in the ocean tomorrow?" He asks.

"I would love that."

As we continue walking a bit further, I think back to my childhood about other things I liked to do.

"I liked looking at the colorful pictures in the book," I say, suddenly remembering. "Those pictures I could understand, but I didn't know how to read the words. So, I used to imagine what they could be meaning from the pictures I used to look at. I wanted to learn how to read, so badly, but Babuji didn't allow me."

My chest feels heavy, and I blink back the tears that threaten to fall. "He never thought I was worth it because of me being a girl. He never really loved me."

I feel heavy as the years of suppressed pain bubbled within me. All those years of wanting, of feeling like I wasn't enough, of being dismissed and pushed aside—it all comes rushing back, making my heart clench painfully.

"Nitya," Prathamji calls softly, cradling my face and making me look at him. "You are worth so much more that you've been ever made to feel by your father. He was wrong to treat you that way just because you are a girl."

I look into his eyes, feeling a lump in my throat. "But it hurts so much. To think that someone who was supposed to love me and care for me never did." I quickly wipe the tears that slide down my face. "I always consoled myself by saying I at least was lucky to get a loving mother and brother. Their love never made me feel alone."

"And now, along with them, you also have me." He leans forward and places a gentle kiss on my forehead.

Nodding at him, I snuggle to him, feeling blessed to have him and his love in my life.

*****

The room feels charged the moment we step inside. The air between us is thick with tension, the kind that makes my skin prickle and my heart race.

I'm hyper aware of Prathamji's every movement, the sound of his breath, the way his presence fills the room.

He sits on the edge of the bed, his eyes lingering on me for a brief moment before he speaks.

"We should freshen up," he says, his voice a little rougher than usual. "Then we can sleep."

He is about to head to the bathroom, but I stop him. "Prathamji."

"Yes?"

I take a deep breath, my pulse quickening. "I think.... I'm ready," I say, my voice barely above than a whisper. "To take the next step with you."

I see the surprise on his face even as his eyes searches mine. "Are you sure?" He asks, stepping closer to me. "You don't need to feel pressured for it just because I brought you here."

"No, I'm not saying it under any pressure. I want you, Prathamji."

He sits on the bed right beside me. "If at any point you feel uncomfortable, just tell me, okay? I'll stop."

I nod at him. "I will."

The second those words leave my lips, Prathamji closes the remaining distance between us, cups my face, and kisses me.

His lips are soft at first, gentle, almost hesitant as if he is giving me time to stop him.

But I have no intention to stop. So, I kiss him, my fingers curling into his shirt. Sensing my reciprocation, he deepens the kiss, his lips moving against mine with growing intensity, his hands sliding to the back of my neck to pull me closer to him.

My breath catches as he bites my lower lip, just enough to make me gasp, and then his tongue slips past my parted lips, exploring and claiming my mouth in a way that sends shivers down my spine.

Moaning into his mouth, I move my hand up his back to thread into his hair, pulling him closer as my body presses against his.

I feel his hands leaving a trail of heat on my skin as they begin to roam, sliding down my back, gripping my waist.

His kisses grow more rougher, more heated, and I respond just as fervently. I want him, every part of him, and I can feel he wants the same too. His hands grip my hips, pulling me flush against him as his lips move to my jaw, moving down to my neck. I can't help the small whimper that escapes my lips. The sensation his touch is evoking in me is overwhelming, intoxicating.

"Prathamji," I breathe his name, my voice hoarse.

He pulls back just enough to look at me, his breathing heavy, eyes dark with desire. "Do you want me to stop?" He asks, his voice low and husky.

"Don't stop," I whisper, my fingers tightening in his hair. "Make me yours tonight."

Groaning, he crashes his lips into mine again, rougher this time, more insistent, as if my consent unleashed something inside him.

I also let myself unravel and get lost in him, in us, knowing that tonight, we would take that step together.

Pratham

When I pull back from the kiss, both of us are breathless.

I look a Nitya's flushed face, her swollen lips, her dazed look—she's exquisite.

And she's mine.

All mine.

A rush of love and possessiveness spreads through me and I raise my hand to the back of her neck and pull her close to me.

"You are mine. Yes?"

"Yes," she whispers almost immediately, making me smile.

"Again?" I ask her, and when she nods, I tighten my hold in her hair to tilt her head back.

Bending slightly, I put the trail of kisses up her neck to her jaw, then claiming her sweet mouth again. I growl deep in my throat when our tongues meet in a passionate dance, deepening the kiss.

Nitya's hands slide up my arms, and she clings to me as our tongues stroke and kiss each other. Again. And again. Repeatedly.

With her low moans encouraging me, I slide my hand down her back to her hips, pulling her closer to me. She gasps and lightly pushes at my chest, suddenly breaking our kiss.

When I lean back I see her breathing hard, her eyes wide and shocked.

Fuck. Did I scare her?

"Are you fine?" I ask, knowing I'll stop if she told me to. "Do you want me to stop?"

"No," she answers quickly.

"What's wrong then?" I frown at the hesitant expression on her face.

"I felt....," she trails off, her face turning red as she quickly averts her gaze.

Oh!

Smiling, I hold her hips again and pull her flush against my hips. "You felt this?" My smile widens when she gasps again, but does not push me this time. "This is what you do to me, Sweetheart."

She sucks in a breath and I lean to place wet kisses on the side of her neck. "I want you. I want to touch and kiss every part of you. And you'll let me. Yes?"

Her eyes darken. "I want to touch and kiss you too," she says, making me groan.

Nitya fists her fingers in my hair and draws my lips back, kissing me feverishly. I respond just as fiercely, bringing my hand up to her chest to slide her pallu down.

I feel her still for a second after I do that, but then she resumes kissing, gripping my hair more firmly.

When she breaks the kiss, I trace my lips over her exposed shoulder, unbuttoning her blouse and letting it fall to the floor. Then, I unhook her bra and let it fall to the floor too.

She suddenly stiffens against me and covers herself, turning away from me.

"What happened, Nitya?" I ask her, afraid that I scared her. "Is it too fast for you?"

She shakes her head, still facing away from me.

"Then?"

"The lights," She says, and I frown because the lights are already too dim.

I step closer toward her and hug her from behind, letting her lean on me. "You want it to be dark?"

She nods. "It would not have mattered if I didn't have the scars," she tells me, her voice shaking. "Most of them have faded but some still mark my skin. I'm no longer beautiful, Prathamji."

"You are beautiful, Nitya," I whisper, my arms tightening around her waist. "Don't you dare think otherwise."

She shakes her head. "You are just saying that because you love me."

"So, you don't believe me?"

"No," she replies.

"I'll just have to convince you then."

Before she can say or ask me anything, I pick her up in my arms.

Ignoring her shriek, I lead her to the bed and place her there, watching her adjust herself on the mattress all the while covering her chest with her hands.

I take off my tie and shirt before joining her on the bed.

"Don't hide from me, Sweetheart," I tell her. "Let me see you. Let me worship you."

Bending down, I capture her lips in a slow, soft kiss, drinking her moans as I slowly remove her hands off her chest.

I pull back and suck in a breath when I look at her enticing twin peaks. "So beautiful," I murmur, lightly running the back of my hand over them.

She squirms under my touch, moaning when I place feather-light kisses all over her breasts.

With my one hand cupping and squeezing her breasts and my mouth sucking her nipples alternately, I trail my other hand down her stomach and undo the string of her petticoat (underskirt).

Once I take it off, I run my hand up and down her thighs with my mouth and the other hand still on her breasts.

"Pratham," she breathes, her hands gripping my hair and her legs scissoring as she writhes under me.

Pulling back, I look at her. "Say it again. Say my name."

"Pratham," she whispers, almost shyly, pulling me to her and placing kisses over my shoulder.

"Touch me, Nitya," I tell her, and she does.

With me lying down beside her, she turns to me and carefully places her hand over my heart. I take a deep breath as I feel it flutter beneath her fingers.

She scoots further closer to me, kissing the side of my neck and trailing down to my chest to the part where my heart is furiously pounding.

"Yes. Just like that," I murmur, sweeping her hair off her neck and kissing every part of her my lips can reach.

I bite on her earlobe, licking it when she hisses, then nipping repeatedly at the side of her neck.

She bites back over my shoulder, marking me as I mark her.

I raise my hand, that was caressing her thighs, to her waist, slipping it inside her panties to cup her sex.

She stiffens against me, but stays put, letting me explore.

I slowly graze my index finger over her slit, before parting her lips and rubbing her clit with my thumb. She whimpers and moans arching herself toward me.

"Feel it," I whisper, and continue rubbing her.

"Open your eyes," I demand and she complies, looking at me. "You are perfect. Every inch of you is beautiful."

Still rubbing her clit with my thumb, I insert one finger inside her, curling it as I move it in and out of her.

"Oh, God," she whimpers, her body slightly trembling.

"Say it," I tell her. "Say you are beautiful. Say it and mean it."

"Please, Pratham," she rasps. "Oh, please."

I continue rubbing and fingering her, adding another finger, making her gasp and writhe.

"Say it, Nitya." I rub her faster, making her look at me. "Look in my eyes and see it. See how beautiful you are to me."

"I am....," she whimpers, clutching my shoulders tightly.

"Yes? You are?"

"I am beautiful," she says, moaning loudly as I tighten my grip on her while increasing the pace of my fingering.

I can sense she is close.

"That's right. You are," I tell her, pressing lightly on her clit with my thumb while continuing to rub. "Say it again and let go, Nitya. I've got you."

"Oh!! I'm beautiful," she cries out loud as she comes apart in my arms.

I watch her come, her eyes squeeze shut, her body convulsing in the throes of pleasure. It's a glorious sight.

She slowly comes down from her high and sags against me.

I sweep her hair off her forehead, some of them sticking to her skin due to the thin sheen of sweat formed there. "You are so perfect for me," I whisper, placing a kiss on her forehead, smiling when she kisses my cheek.

"That was.... wow," she says, looking at me with hooded eyes.

"It was wow indeed. You have no idea how glorious you were."

Her hands slide down my chest to my jeans to unbutton it.

"More?" I ask her, wanting to be sure.

"Yes. More," she replies, biting her bottom lip, and I take her mouth in an urgent kiss as she slides down my jeans.

I briefly pull back to take off my jeans and change my position to hover over her.

Not leaving her gaze, I grip the waistband of her panties and slowly slide it down her legs.

She threads her hand through my hair and pulls me down to kiss her. I kiss her back for a while before leaving her mouth to trail kisses down her jaw, her neck to each of her breasts, sucking her nipples. Hard.

"Ahh, Pratham," she moans, and writhes when I lick them.

I quickly take off my boxers, freeing my erection. Then, leaning over her, I kiss her one more time.

"Are you sure you want this?" I ask, easing two fingers in and out of her wet folds.

"Yes," she rasps, grinding against my fingers. "I want you."

"It will hurt a bit," I tell her and she nods, digging her fingernails over my shoulders, seeming to prepare herself.

Opening the top drawer of the bedside table, I quickly take out a condom and rip the packet. Then, rolling it over my length, I cover her body with mine.

Sensing her slightly tense beneath me, I reassuringly stroke her hair. "Tell me to stop if you can't take it, and I will. Okay?"

When she nods, I kiss her hungrily as I sink slowly into her.

She lets out a low groan of pain after I fully enter inside her, and I still. "Shall I continue?" I ask, summoning every self-control I have to stop myself from moving.

"Yes," she says after a few seconds, and I slowly begin to move.

When she also starts to move and match my rhythm, I increase my pace, steadily pounding in and out of her.

"Perfect. So damn perfect," I groan as I rock against her.

"Yes, more, Pratham, oh," she moans, spurring me on.

I continue thrusting repeatedly, faster and harder as she pleads, and when I feel her stiffen under me, I further increase my pace, growling as her fingernails dig on my back.

"Yes, yes, oh, yes," she screams as she comes, her moans of pleasure becomes my undoing as I also spiral through my high alongside her, calling out her name.