கையில் பட்ட
என்னை உன் இதயப்
பையில் வைப்பேன்
என்னைக் கொடுப்பேன் ஓ….

Kathir sat on his revolving chair within the cubicle of his military cabin with a poker face. He really didn't know what to do next.

The only thing he could do is wait calmly and hope his brother would come around the corner.

But when?

He hoped not too late.

He pulled open the drawer in his work desk and pulled out the velvet box and opened them to see a solitaire diamond band, with their name engraved in the other side of the ring.

He was hoping to propose to her, once kanna comes around the corner.

He wanted to come clean before his whole family, all relating to his professional and personal life. Wearing this uniform with his name badged on it and tightly clasping her hands with his, he wanted to walk up to his family and let them know this uniform he had worn meant the world to him and this girl whose hands were within his clutch, meant his life.

He wanted to apologize telling he was sorry for keeping them in dark, but this was his path.

His army uniform and this girl's presence throughout his life was the only thing he wanted for this whole lifetime.

Family, his closely knit one would be devastated, but they would understand him, he believed.

Right now, at this moment he didn't know how to do all that he wanted.

Nothing new came up in his mind, he was literally blank.

Even before he could ponder deep into his personal life and its nuances, he was called upon. Some terrorist activity was suspected in the eastern terrain of POK.

There were constant communication going on as per their internal spy.

That got him back on track, he and his family issue took a back seat. Once he was in the military war room, all other thoughts flew from his mind.

It was the month of June. Anything that they would be planning should be for the Aug 15.

For the past uncountable years, August 15 and January 26 had given them additional responsibility and he knew this time would be no different. He had managed to curb any impending attack for the past couple of years and he wanted to do the same this year as well.

He got back to action, anything and everything else would wait.

Kanna for the first time saw the raw Kathirvelan, not his brother but his Captain. He was too sharp and could see that he had put his heart and soul and mind into finding the root cause and making sure anything bad doesn't happen.

Kanna didn't add on his shenanigans to his brother's platter of worries and sorrow.

Neither did he get the time for same, with such suspicions round the corner, the security had tightened and he was dispatched to one of the border camps.

He was nervous, this would be his first duty technically in a warfare situation. He did tell his family and abhi, he wouldn't be available that frequent over the calls.

It would be hard to reach him, had just given its and bits of how Independence day was keeping his duty on his toes.

The day he was to leave for his border duty, he saw his captain, Major and Prabhakaran was seen giving the prep talk, to their fellow buddies.

The moment before he was to board the jeep, he saw his elder brother come up to him and pat his cheeks.

Kat: take care...

And he was seen walking straight to his cubicle, without another glance in his direction.

That one second he patted his cheek, he saw his elder brother, only his elder brother worried about his safety. May be his brother would have thought, not to intrude into him till he settles on his own.

But, that one pat on his cheek made him want to hug his brother tight.

All his anger and everything had left him, he was waiting for the moment to come back to his base camp and embrace him as his brother.

While their jeeps crossed their base camp check post, he saw his bestie standing in a corner of the road. He had involuntarily waved his hand at her, which unfortunately she hadn't noticed.

He felt like slapping himself, he knew the nature of his job and yet had kept his anger and animosity with his sibling and bestie.

He sincerely wished to Almighty to keep all of them safe and sound.

Days went about in the same pace, the heat of Independence Day and the threat caught up all their time. Being an Investigative journalist, her work was making her stay on wheels.

Days went about in a very fast pace and almost couple of months had nearly passed by.

Hearing one of his colleague mutter, there was only 15 days left for D day did she realize what she had forgotten.

It was his birthday tomorrow and the fool she had been had totally lost count of the day. This was his birthday after patching up and obviously she had plans to make it big.

Now, she did not have the time for it.

She tried brainstorming for an amazing gift, but nothing came to her mind. What to present him to mark his day special.

Why the hell was nothing coming to her mind when she needed...

Gosh....

Finally, with her mind in a fucked-up state, she decided to relax with a cup of piping hot black coffe when she saw her very own mirage.

What better than herself?

She wanted to gift him something special, and what more can be special than herself, she thought?

She herself had stopped him last time, owing to her fear and after they never explored much of themselves.

May be work caught up on them.

So, she decided what to gift him for his 28th birthday.

Her treasured self.

Making up her mind and praying to almighty, to make sure everything went the way she wanted. She called up kaka asking him to get stuffs from market and to leave, she would manage for the dinner.

There was a hope and hop in her steps, her cheeks were crimsoned the whole time after that, making her colleagues wonder what had happened to her.

She had pushed every other work for Monday, tomorrow being a Sunday was an added merry.

Reaching home around 6pm, she got ready to prepare dinner and cheese cake. She was sure he wouldn't come anytime before 9pm, that has been his schedule for the past weeks after the alert had been activated.

She had ample time to cook and decorate the house for surprising him. She kept the dinner menu simple, his favorite idly and chettinad special brinjal kosammali and coconut chutney and kadhamba thuvayal, so she could give her attention to the raspberry cheese cake she had in mind.

When she opened the fridge to rest the cheese cake, the bottle of fine red wine caught her eyes. She has never tried any alcoholic beverage so far, but today she decided it wouldn't be a bad thought to get a couple of sips in case her fear captivates her.

Knowing the culinary and cooking part was all seat, she moved to their bedroom. She didn't want to overdo anything, but at the same time wanted a soothing effect.

Him being a disciplined person, the room as such looked clean always, so all she had to do was add some charm into it.

She arranged unlighted scented candles in an arranged fashion. She lighted one of the candles and for sure their aroma was therapeutic.

When it was almost 45 minutes past 8pm, she went to freshen up. He admired her a tad bit more when she was draped in six yards and so she chose a netted black saree and decked herself up with minimal makeup and accessories and sat awaiting him.

Clock chimed 9 times, 10 times and then 11 times.

She had started to get worried, where was he held up. Is everything fine and alright?

He has never been this late or at the least he would mention in case he will be held up with work.

She was all set to call Prabha sir, when she heard the honk of his jeep.

He rushed and dashed into his chest, once his legs set foot onto their house.

Kathir for sure was surprised, with this tight bear hug welcome from his girl.

Kat: hey mulla, enna aachu...en ipdi padhari poi iruka..

And hugged her more close and pecked her forehead.

Mul: pinna, vara late agum na oru vartha phone pani sola maatiya?

Kat: sorry...and pecked her lips.

7 ku mudiya vendiya war room conference went about more long, I couldn't inform you...

Mul: hmmm....seri poi freshen up ayitu vaa..

She pulled out from his embrace and pushed him towards their room.

Kat: hmm...

And he started walking towards their room, but he halted in his path and turned around, and blinked at her in confusion.

Kat: hey innaiku enna special...you are all decked up.

Mul: oru saree katiraduku special day venuma enna?

Kat: amma thaaye...naan edume kekala...I will freshen up and come...epdiyum neeyum dinner saptruka mata...

She let out a gratitude filled smile, rats had started running in her tummy by now.

Not making her wait more, she saw her man coming half naked in his khakhi chino shorts.

Even after seeing him shirtless for the past many months, her heart still ran thousand miles in a minute looking at him.

Smirking at her naughtily, he shook her out of her trance and pointed her towards the table. She served him dinner and he was happy she had reheated them, perfect for this cold climate.

Kat: thanks mulla, naane romba naal aachu idly panuviya nu sola vanden...you just get to me even before I let you know.

Mullai smiled and asked him to have his food, but he saw that her mind was wandering about somewhere, her focus was not on her food though he could sense that she was hungry and had a good appetite.

Once she had her food, for the first time, he saw her clearing off her utensil before him, else she had the habit of waiting till he completed and they did the post clearing chore together.

What was wrong with her he wondered?

Kathir saw her leaving towards their room.

Kat: hey mulla, enga?

Mul: washroom poitu varen and she rushed to their room.

Okey, may be she was in dire need of using washroom he thought and relished his food. Not giving him an ounze of doubt, she came back within less than 5 minutes and so he didn't ponder much.

Once she returned, her gaze was fixed at him, she was done with her food and now she was consuming him with her mere eyes.

Kat: hey enna apdi pakura?

Mul: en, sir aa naan paaka koodadha? She raised her eyebrows.

Kat: nee paakama vera yaar papa....nala paaru...

His mood was also slowly turning more breezy and romantic. He felt it had been so long since they spent some romantic time together.

He doesn't know if she sensed it or not, but he himself also kept her at a small distance when it came to intimacy. For once after tasting her, he couldn't find to satiate his hunger, and he didn't want to frighten her with his need.

He knew she needed time to completely be his and he was willing to give all the time he had. Added, his job was keeping him completely occupied and stressed. Many a days, once he returned home after returning in his foul or stressed mood, if he could just find solace in her, may be within her, but he didn't want to take her up selfishly when he was in such state, so he found comfort in her pecks, kisses, hugs and snuggles.

Today, the meeting went very much in their favor and so he was in good mood as well. He could for sure spend some quality time with her.

He completed his dinner and cleared off the table, and came back to hug her from her

Clock chimed twelve times, making both come out of their respective thoughts. She walked up to fridge and he wondered what she wanted to get that too something cold in this climate.

But he for sure was surprised seeing her take more time.

Kat: andha fridge kulla thalaya vittu enna...

Before he could complete, he saw her coming out with a cake and candle.

Fuck, it was August 1, his birthday.

After he joined army, he usually remembers its his birthday only if he skypes with his family. He would be engrossed with the countdown days of aug 15 that he actually lost time of the date.

Mul: happy birthday to you...

Happy birthday to you...

Happy birthday my dearest...

Happy birthday...

Kat: hey enna nee cake cut panradhuku munnadi padura...

Mul: well, am special..and sat on his lap

Now cut the cake...

Kathir blew the candle and cut a piece forwarding it to Mullai.

Instead of taking out another piece to feed him, she fed him from her mouth, making him chew on the cake less and her lips more.

After what felt ages, they let go of each other's lips. His hand was way inside her pleats when he let go of her lips.

Kat: so, en birthday ku dan madam indha saree potu sexy aa ready aa irundingala...

Mul: may be...you never know and winked at her.

He pulled her making her straddle him with her on his laps, her saree had raised upto her knees. The slow sensous moves of last time had been replaced.

He was all needy this time, his moves were rough and fast.

She pushed him and ran to the room, with him on his toes.

Pushing open the room door, he stood mesmerized seeing the state of their room, it was all aromatic with the lighted-scented candles.

Kat: madam, edho plan oda dhan irukinga pola...

Mul: you should find that...

And winked at him.

Kat: unna....and he pushed her onto their bed, soon joining her.

Now he knew he could joke about it to her, if she was not ready, he was still fine.

Tracing her face all the way from her forehead to her cleavage with his fingers, he questioned.

Kat: bayam lan pocha...

Mul: hmmmhmmmm pola.....

Kathir pecked her forehead, was there a tiny disappointment surfaced on his face, she couldn't find out, he had masked it even better she could guess....But she pushed him on the bed, and got an upper hand over him.

Mul: pola, aana I wanna be yours in all means...

Kat: mulla?

She hid onto his chest.

Kat: vekkama? Haan....kaatu paakatum...he tried pulling her face from her hide spot.

Mul: kathir...she started getting more shy...

Kat: I LOVE YOU...and you are mine....already...

So, don't force yourself when you are not ready...

Mul: enaku theriyum.....

Naan enna force panala...

I just feel like getting marked by you..

I just want to enjoy the feeling of being your women.

Enaku indha bayam poganum nu dhan, naanum nenachen...aana...

Kat: aana?

Mul: aana, ipo enaku ennamo...nama onnagura vara indha bayam pogadho thonudu...

N I trust you..

I just want to be yours...

And pecked him, surrendering her completely to him.

What the room's candles witnessed was a reunion of soul, body and flesh. Neither they or their body was new to each other, but the urge and need to be together made each and every caress, touch and peck feel like first time, they were moaning aloud.

Their moans were turning them on too much, the heat within the room was getting too much to handle.

She was all ready to take him, except for her fear which was clouding her.

Even a minute before he stood naked before her, he took his time looked at her, saw her through her soul and asked if she was ready. Did she need more time?

Though she was frightened, she found her destiny in his arms. She held him tight when he tried entering her. She dug onto his shoulder, when his tip was trying to tear apart her tiny intruition.

Kat: hey, relax mulla...

He tried pepping her up with tiny pecks and caresses.

Kat: nee ipdi stiff aa bayandu irunda...its going to hurt you more. We will wait...

Mul: please kathir...

Kat: hey baby....and took her lips. Once he felt the tiny reluctance loosen up, he tried once more and her teeth and nails imparted on his back.

But, the feel of being inside her, parred every other thing, this was heaven in a single minute, but seeing her face all filled with pain, he felt hell.

He sushed her till he saw and felt her relax, and slowly he started to move within her in slow pace. He heightened his pace when he felt her fingers hold onto his hip, may be urging him to move past.

After what felt like seconds or ages, he felt the strong surge building up within him, wanting to unleash within her, but he wanted her to enjoy her first time to the core not for one time, but multiple times before he gave into the feeling of finding everything in a minute.

He slowly pulled out from her, and took her within his embrace panting irregularly. Planting a kiss on her forehead, he mumbled "Love you" multiple times, and she kissed for every word uttered.

Kat: see, I fit into you fine and winked at her.

She slapped on his chest playfully,

Mul: adhan prove panitiye...and surrendered into his chest.

Mul: Happy birthday...she pecked his forehead and they went into a deep sleep in each other's arms. They knew the dawn would be great, but was it really?

A phone call woke them up, taking away the very peace that settled in their life.

TBC...