“Hiten, it’s not like that.” Aman said.  

“Of course it is! Every wife’s duty is to keep her man happy. If getting some action makes me happy, then wouldn’t my wife have to comply?” Hiten asked in all seriousness.  

“I’m not sure that she would have to.” Aman replied.  

“You’re one to talk. I’m sure Bhabhi does everything you want, gives you anything you ask for.” Hiten said.  

“Actually, Priya and I don’t have that kind of relationship.” Aman said.  As soon as he said it, he knew he couldn’t have sounded any dumber.  

“Are you trying to tell me that The Aman Verma, who could and often would get a girl into bed just by walking in a room isn’t gettin’ any from his own wife?” Hiten concluded.  

“Umm…well, yeah that’s what I’m saying.” Aman admitted.  He knew that if he could talk to anyone about how he was feeling, it was Hiten.  

“And you’re still alive?” Hiten asked incredulously.  

“Hiten, sex isn’t everything.” Aman said.  

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure it is.” Hiten joked.  “But seriously, why haven’t you?”  

“She’s shy and traditional. I don’t want to freak her out.  I don’t think she’s ready.” Aman said.  

“But you’re married.” Hiten countered.  

“It was an arranged marriage. It’s not like we were madly in love with each other when we got married, remember?” Aman replied.  

Hiten thought about the situation.  It made sense to him.  He couldn’t understand why Aman was so nervous.  He’d never been nervous about a girl before.

“I kissed her last night,” Aman continued, “for the first time.

“Holy shit! No way! You went this long without kissing her either.  Damn! That must’ve been hell.  Bhabhi is pretty.  She could pass for hot if she…” Hiten said.

“Watch it, Hiten.” Aman warned.  

“Okay okay.  Question.  Why did you wait so long?” Hiten asked.

“She wasn’t into it.  I wanted her to be comfortable around me.” Aman answered.  

“What made last night so special?” Hiten asked.  

“It was New Years.  Kiss your significant other at midnight, you know.  That’s what I did.” Aman said.  

“You didn’t ask her if it was okay though.” Hiten observed.  

“Well, I had an excuse and even this morning, I had an excuse.” Aman said.  

“Did she slap you?” Hiten suddenly got excited.  The volume of his voice rose as if expecting some impending drama to unfold before him.  

“No…” Aman said unsurely.  

“Then don’t you think it’s okay to kiss her without an excuse?  Hell, she might like that you finally made a move.” Hiten concluded.  

Aman thought about it.  Priya seemed receptive.  She didn’t resist.  She surely didn’t slap him.  What if she liked being kissed?  Nothing would make Aman happier than being able to kiss Priya whenever he felt like it.  Well...there might be a few things he could do with her than would make him happier, but he couldn’t think about all that right now.  

“Maybe you should talk to her about all of this.” Hiten continued.  

“We’ve talked.  She doesn’t want to have my children.” Aman replied.  

“I’m sure every twenty-two year old, newly married woman is just dying to have grubby, loud, poopy babies in her life.” Hiten replied sarcastically.  

Aman tried not to laugh.  Hiten’s terminology was less than sophisticated.  

“Do you have any idea what you just said right now?” he asked, chuckling.  

“It doesn’t matter what I said? I have a good point, and you know it.” Hiten replied.  

“Yeah I guess.  Maybe mentioning children so early wasn’t the brightest idea.” Aman admitted.  

“I think you need to talk to her. That’s what’s going to solve your problems.” Hiten concluded.  

Aman couldn’t believe it.  Hiten actually had a significant point.  All he needed to do was talk to Priya.

“Now let’s solve my problem.” Hiten interrupted Aman’s thoughts.  

“What problem?” Aman asked.

“I need a woman. A hot, funny, beautiful woman to turn my world and my bedroom upside down.” Hiten said.

“And what role do I play in this?” Aman asked, confused.  

“We need to hit the clubs. YOU need to be an awesome wingman! That’s your role.” Hiten said, getting worked up.  

“I can’t hit the clubs.  Priya would never forgive me.” Aman said.  

“You aren’t flirting. I am. Come on, go with me! I’ll call Bhabhi right now and ask her if it’s okay.” Hiten said, pulling out his phone.  

“No! Stop it, Hiten. I don’t need her permission to go anywhere.” Aman said, getting a little angry.  “Listen, Payal leaves in about 2 weeks.  Let’s have a Boy’s Night out in the city.  We’ll even invite Rajiv.  I need to see how he acts in such a setting anyways. Sound good?”

“He better not drink. And if he looks at another woman, I swear I’ll…” Hiten started.  

“Relax! They aren’t married yet.  He can do whatever he wants.  We just need to see how bad he is.  If he’s anything like us, then he’s definitely not marrying Payal.” Aman said, smiling.  

“Hell yeah! Boy’s Night!” Hiten agreed.  

Aman dropped Hiten off at his house and went to work for the day.  He knew that he would have to have a serious discussion with Priya sooner or later.  Part of him dreaded it, but the other part of him knew it was necessary.  He just hoped that he wouldn’t end up upsetting her.  

“Didi! Look at this!” Payal shoved a brochure in Priya’s face.  

“What is this?” Priya asked, taking the brochure.

“The January term at NYU.” Payal replied.  

“Okay, what does this have to do with you?” Priya asked.  

“Maybe I could start earlier and not be as behind.” Payal said quietly.

“But Payal...that means you’re leaving sooner?” Priya asked.  

“It’s only two weeks earlier, Didi!  I don’t want to be an entire semester behind!” Payal exclaimed.  

“Payal, you’re smart.  You’ll catch up.” Priya said.  

“Please Didi.” Payal asked again.  

“We’ll talk to Aman tonight and see what he thinks.” Priya said.  

“Does that mean a yes from you?” Payal asked, hopefully.  

“Yes, Payal.  You can go.” Priya said.  

“Yesss!! Thank you, Didi.” Payal started jumping up and down.  

“Okay okay Payal, calm down” Priya tried to say.

“Oh my god! I need to pack. Didi, help me. Please!” Payal said all of a sudden.  

“Okay, let’s go.” Priya said.  

Priya and Payal started packing away Payal’s things.  Priya could hardly believe that Payal would be leaving her in only a few days.  True that she would only be in the city, which was only a half hour drive away, but this was her little sister.  And she was going off on her own.  

“Priya!” Aman came back after a long day of work.  

He walked to the kitchen and then the living room.  She wasn’t in either place.  He went upstairs and into his bedroom.  Priya and Payal were sitting on the sofa, waiting for him.  

“Priya, there you are. I need to talk to you.” Aman said.  He looked over at Payal, hoping that she would give them some privacy.  

“Actually, we need to talk to you.” Priya replied.  She and Payal looked at each other nervously.  

“What’s going on?” Aman said, a little worried.  

“Payal wants to study at NYU sooner, starting in the January term.” Priya said.  

“Okay…” Aman prompted her to continue.  

“What do you think? Should she?” Priya asked.

“Yeah! Why not? It’s a great idea to start earlier.” Aman said.  

“Really?” Payal asked.

“Yeah of course.” Aman agreed.  

Priya and Payal both let out a breath of relief.  Payal bid them both goodnight and left to go to bed.  

“What did you need to talk to me about?” Priya asked.

“Payal is leaving when?” He asked, diverting from Priya’s question.  

“In two days.” Priya answered.

“Okay, I was going to invite Rajiv to have drinks with Hiten and me after we all moved Payal into her dorm.  I guess we’re going to have to move up our plans.” Aman explained.  

“Rajiv?” Priya questioned.  

“Priya, if he’s going to marry Payal, then we’re going to have to see how wild he gets at parties.” Aman explained.  

Priya rolled her eyes.  

“Is that what you needed to talk to me about?” she asked.

“Well, no.  I just don’t want to upset you.” Aman admitted.  

“Why would I be upset?” Priya asked.  

“Priya, I’d like for us to consummate our marriage.  There’s no pressure for children or any ulterior motive behind it.  I think it’s time we move forward.” Aman said carefully.  

“Aman, we’ve already talked about this.” Priya replied calmly.  

“I know! I know we have.  What I need to know is why you’re so unwilling.” Aman answered.

“We aren’t in love.” Priya stated.  

“When I kissed you, did you like it?” Aman asked suddenly.

Priya looked at him, surprised by his bluntness.  

“You didn’t resist.  You didn’t slap me.” Aman pointed out.  “Does that mean you liked it?”

“Well, I...think I did.” Priya admitted quietly.  She knew she did.  

“So does that mean I can kiss you whenever I feel like it?” Aman asked, hopefully.  

“You mean to show Payal?” Priya asked, disappointed.

“No. I mean whenever I feel like it. I really do enjoy kissing you.” Aman smirked.  

Priya blushed.  She nodded.  

Aman looked at her for a few seconds, surprised that she actually agreed. He walked toward her and pulled her forward.  He gently pressed his lips to hers and then pulled away a moment later, watching to see Priya’s reaction.  She only blushed and smiled.

“Let’s celebrate our nuptial night tonight.” Aman said, still leaning close.  

“We can’t.” Priya said, stepping back.  

“Because we aren’t in love, I know.  Priya, why can’t we just try?  Isn’t it your duty as my wife to satisfy me?” Aman countered.  

Priya knew she was being a bad wife.  She knew that this would be expected of her sooner or later.  Maybe she could give into Aman’s desires just a little bit.  She was ecstatic that he wanted to kiss without any reason or excuse, and she didn’t want to ruin his mood tonight.  

“Priya, you don’t understand how difficult it is.  I’m dying here.” Aman looked at her pleadingly.  

“Okay.” Priya said.  She walked over to Aman’s bed and sat down, waiting for him to join her.  

Aman watched her, unsure what she meant.  Slowly, he turned off all of the lights, locked his door and joined her on his bed.  He cupped her cheek with his hand and brought her lips closer to his.  He kissed her passionately.  Priya laid down on Aman’s bed as Aman hovered over her, their lips never leaving each other.  Priya felt her heart rate quicken.  She’d never been in such a position with a man before.  She was beyond nervous.  Aman’s knuckles brushed against her collarbone, moving the drape of her sari lower, exposing some skin.  

Priya’s eyes fluttered closed.  Aman pulled away from her and quickly removed his shirt.  He kissed her again.  He licked her bottom lip and she gasped, giving him an opportunity to deepen the kiss.  Priya abruptly pulled away.  

“Aman, I’ve never…” Priya began to say.

“I know.” Aman said, lightly kissing her again.  “Priya, do you want to go any further?”

Priya looked down and shook her head.  

Anger started to erupt inside Aman.  He tried to stay calm.  

“What can I do, Priya? What will make you more comfortable?” Aman asked.  

“More time.” Priya answered.  That was the one answer Aman had been dreading the most.  That was the one thing he couldn’t give her.  He needed her right now.  

“Priya, please.” Aman started.

“I can’t,” Priya looked away.  

Aman pursued the argument no further.  He simple laid down, turned his back to Priya and tried to fall asleep.  

Two days passed.  Aman had said little to Priya. It was obvious he was angry with her.  She tried to placate him on many occasions, but he simply walked away.  He only acted cordial with her when Payal was present.  She never suspected anything was amiss between the couple.  Finally, it was time for her to leave and move into NYU.  Aman and Hiten had called Rajiv up and went down to the campus to get a head start moving Payal in.  Priya and Payal joined them later with Payal’s personal belongings.   Rajiv led them to Payal’s dorm.  There were several movers moving large boxes and bulky items in and out of the room.  

“Jija-ji, what was the point in getting all the guys together if you were going to just hire movers to do all the heavy lifting?” Payal asked.  

“Boys Night.” Hiten answered for Aman.  

“We’re already in the city. Why waste the gas?” Aman added.

Their plan made little sense to Payal, but she left it alone.  Rajiv started to explain all the best college hangout near campus. Payal listened intently, grateful that she knew someone who was familiar with the city and the campus who can also guide her if necessary.  Afterwards, the boys left to go to Rajiv’s place, since he lived closest to the center of the city, while Priya and Payal were left to unpack all of Payal’s belongings.  

“Are you sure you’re going to be alright?” Priya asked as they finished unpacking.

“I’m sure, Didi! Chill! I’m only half an hour away, if even that.” Payal quipped.  

“If anyone gives you any trouble, tell me.” Priya said.  “ And if you don’t like it here and want to come back home, just tell me.  Promise?”

“Promise.” Payal answered.  

The two sisters exchanged a sad but tearless goodbye.  Aman had left Priya the limo and instructed the driver to drive her back to his mansion.  Priya was sad that her sister had gone off to college and now she’d be left by herself in the mansion.  Maybe she could call Neha and they could have a Girl’s Night, while the guys were having their little Boy’s Night.  Or maybe she’d just spend the night watching films on the couch.  She continued thinking about tonight’s plans as the limo approached Aman’s massive mansion.  Priya ascended the stairs, still entrenched in deep thought.  She walked into Aman’s room with the intention of changing into a more comfortable salwar kameez as opposed to the sari she had on now.  She mindlessly opened the door to the closet.  What she saw left her speechless.  All of her clothes had been completely removed from the closet!  Priya felt a twinge of panic.  She rushed around the room, looking to see if the rest of her belongings were around.  There was nothing.  It was as if Aman was the sole occupant of this room.  

Sooo much happened in this chapter!! Aman and Hiten conversations are so fun to write.  Things got pretty hot and heavy between Aman and Priya, didn’t they? I felt bad for Priya. She’s just not ready for that kind of intimacy.  Payal left, and some drama between Aman and Priya (especially regarding Aman) is about to ensue!  

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