Ananya's POV

Nathan had dinner with us. He was holding my hand throughout the dinner and his eyes rarely left mine. That tingly feeling made my heart race.
He was so good with Maa. He treated her with respect. That made me more happy because only I knew the place Maa held in ny life.
I never wanted Nathan to leave. But he excused himself saying he had to do some prep work for a meeting.
He left but not before kissing me good bye.
I told him how I wished he could stay. I just wanted to hold him close for a while.
He promised he will call and he left.
Only the thought of him being close to me made me smile. And the entire evening the red never left my cheeks.

Maa was really happy for me. She was more happy to see how happy I was with Nathan.
I talked to her about my apprehension about seeing Alex the next day. But she assured me that everything will be fine.
We cleared the table and cleaned the kitchen.

She kissed me goodnight and blessed me with all her heart. I could see it in her eyes, the love of a mother, the reflection of her happy content heart seeing her child happy.

I entered my room and turned on the lights. I wanted to quickly change into my night dress and get into bed. I knew Nathan would be calling me anytime.
I stood there in front of the closet lost in my thoughts while trying to pick out a PJ and a Tee..
Remembering what had happened that evening i smiled to myself and pulled out the clothes when I felt a pair of hands suddenly grab my waist from behind.
I was startled beyond limits and I pulled away and turned around screaming the hell out of me.
There before me with his finger on his lips was Nathan. Not in my wildest dream did i expect him to crash into my bedroom late at night.
I was shocked as well as Happy to see him there. But then as he tried to calm me down I heard footsteps just outside my bedroom.
I knew it was Maa and she cannot see Nathan here.
My mind had become numb and I could not think of anything else so i pushed Nathan inside the closet and closed the door.
Maa knocked on the door twice before entering.
"My god Ananya. Are you alright?"
She looked worried.
"Yes ofcourse Maa. Why would you ask?"
I tried to be as casual as possible.
I could see the expression on her face change from worried to a mix of concern and confusion.
"You screamed at the top of your voice darling. I thought  something.."
"Oh yeah. That. I saw a ghost."
Oh so silly of me. Ghost is far from being believable.
"Ghost?"
"No Maa. Sorry. So Silly of me. I know there are no ghosts. I was kidding. I actually saw a rat. Sorry a cockroach. A big one. It went under the bed."
"You sure my dear?"
I faked a smile. I felt guilty of lying to her. This was not a situation i ever imagined to be in. I didn't know what to say or do.
And I know my comebacks to her questions were a disaster.
"Yes Maa. I am sure. It was a roach. Don't you worry. I am perfectly fine."

I stood there pretending to be fine with my left hand resting on the closet door and legs crossed.
She looked at me for a second. Gave me a smile. Then looked at the closet.
"We should really do something about the roach in your room. The big one. Good night my darling."
i didn't move an inch. Maa's smile gave up everything. She knew. She guessed it right.
I loved her so much. She read me like an open book.
She said goodnight and left me standing there against the closet.
Wow!! I am such a bad liar.
Roach!!? Seriously.
Oh my god. The roach. I mean Nathan.
I quickly opened the closet door.
" Are you alright?"

"Oh I have never been so good."
He had this mischievous grin on his face which gave sent out sparks in my body.
I hit him lightly.
" What are you doing here like this?"
"Someone is not happy to see me here!"

"No. I am happy."
I could feel the rush of blood towards my cheeks as he stared into my eyes.
His eyes gave up the naughtiness in his intentions. But i was not the one to give in so easily even when his mere presence in my room made me go week in my knees.
"So now that you are here, tell me what can i do for you?"

"Oh. So you will help me?"
He moved closer to me.
"Yes. Of course!"
I took a step back to create a little distance but followed through.
"You will help me with anything? Really?"
Reading his thoughts right, i knew what he really was trying to say.
My heart was pounding with anxiety.
I just shook my head as we kept the eye contact intact. He was still smiling wickedly fully aware of how it is having an effect on me.
"So you will do anything for me you say?"
I moved further back and reached the edge of the bed. He resonated my movement and locked me there placing his hands around my waist and pulled me closer.
"Yes. I mean no. I mean..." i tried to come back before he pushed me on the bed and jumped in beside me.
He was lying next to me his side with his head resting on his right hand and left hand wound around my waist.

I could feel my heart beat so fast that I thought it will pop out of my body any moment.
He was so close to me that it sent chills down my spine.
I felf shy as he pulled me closer.
His face was now so close to mine that I could feel his warm breath breeze against my cheek. He brought his lips close to my ears and whispered in them softly,
" I love you Ananya."
I closed my eyes and could feel myself floating on cloud nine. His proximity was already driving me crazy and to top it he said those magical words.
Still I couldnt make myself to say those magic words back yet. I was shy.
He let me a little loose. "So you really don't love me then."
I was simply too shy to say those words but he misread me completely.
This thought made me shudder.
"No. I love you Nathan. I really do."
Even though i was in his embrace, I became restless.
"Sshh sshh ssshh... i know my love. I know."
His words made me calm down a little but then he suddenly placed his lips on mine. I was completely taken by surprise with his impulsive action. But i was already too deep into the feeling of ecstasy his sweet kiss made me feel.

We kissed for I dont know how long.
But when we broke the kiss it felt as if i have been woken up in the middle of a beautiful dream.

I tried to compose myself but I guess it was too late for all this. I hade bared my hearts desire in front of this man.

" Nathan, promise me you will never hurt me. "

He looked surprised at first with my question.
"Why do you say this? Don't you trust me?"

I did trust him. But i always feared the worst. I couldn't respond to him.
"Ofcourse I will never hurt you. But I can always kiss you. Can't I?"
He tried to change the mood and started where we left off a few mins back. Nathan was more controlling this time, hungry for more. He was moving fast and I could barely keep up with his speed.
His kiss was more passionate sending a current of yearning temptation through my body.
I could feel what he was feeling. But this was a little too much to handle for me.
I the heat of the moment, Nathan slid his hand under my top and touched every attainable pleasure point on me.
Our bodies were now moving in synchronized motion.
But i realised that I was not ready for this. Not before sharing my past with Nathan.
"Wait.! Please stop."
I was gasping for breath and so was he.
"What? Did i hurt you? Are you ok?"

"Yes. Yes. I mean No. I'm not hurt. Im fine. It was good." I giggled to myself trying to avoid eye contact.

"Just that i don't think I am ready for the next step yet. I am sorry. Can we wait for the right time?"

He looked disappointed but covered it with a smile.
"And when do you think it would be the right time?"
I hesitated a little, but now i was comfortable enough to speak out my heart.
"I will not lie to you. I haven't done this before. I was hoping to wait till..uhh"

"Marriage" i blurted the last word out.

He raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"So...you are saying that you are a virgin?!"

"Is that a bad thing?" My heart sunk a little.

"It's ok. I understand. Don't worry."
He moved and now lay beside me, and both of us silently stared towards the ceiling.

I turned towards him.
"Are you angry?"
He laughed a little. "You think I am angry?"
He turned in bed and faced me now. I looked at him with a puppy face but never expected what he said next.
"To the contrary I love you more. You are different Ananya. Different from the other women and girls i know. You know, my mother left me and my dad for another man when I was just 5 years old. I was not old enough to understand the reason but I was not too young to have missed her actions. She left me when I needed her, and never turned back. She ignored me completely when once we came face to face at a party.
Thats the reason i have trust issues. And so I doubted you and Alex."
It was too much to take in for me. Still he continued.
"But now I don't think I have anything to worry about when its you. You are not like others. You are a devoted daughter, a loyal friend, and m hoping you will be an excellent partner to me in the days to come."
He smiled. His eyes sparkled and I could see in them that he meant every word.
I placed my hand on his cheek. He has not had a good childhood. But I can ensure him a good future. I loved this man more and more with each passing moment.
"Nathan. I love you."
"I love you too Ananya." He took ny hand in his and placed a kiss on it.
"And I can wait as long as you want me to, to move to the next step." He winked at me.
I bit my lip shyly and burried myself in his embrace.

We spent the next few hours talking about our likes dislikes. He told me all about his childhood, he didn't mind being vulnerable in front of me.
He shared his college stories, how he pranked his friends, how he liked adventure sports.
He slept beside me holding my hand.
I liked to see him sleep. He was so much at peace. A happy content face. I mived my fingers through his hair and kissed his forhead.
I need to tell him about my life before here. He should know the darkest secret of my life.
But it can wait a day. I will tell him tomorrow.
"Sleep now my prince. Just know that I love you a lot."