Chapter Links

12: Smooth

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“Ooooohhhhhhhmmmmmm” A sound emanating from the depths of the eternal soul. “Shanti, Shanti.”

Clear your mind. Control your breath. Elevate your soul to a higher plane.. Call on your inner strength. Forget who you are, what you are, your purpose in life. Merge yourself with the supreme. Breathe in..breathe out..in…out..in.. There I’m getting it.

‘Bubbly di! Look! I got straight A’s just like you! Finally! Like you said if I really want something I can make it happen and I did…and it’s all because of you di! You are the Best!’

Shree… Sweet  young innocent Shree..with stars in her beautiful grey brown eyes, just like her Dad, though a lot more carefree and fun loving. Childlike, never wanting to grow up despite being all of twenty, just three years younger than her cousin.

Everybody said that Khanak grew up the very day her parents died. Every step she took wasn’t without considerable deliberation. Her behavior was exemplary, everybody looked up to her.

But see how it turned out? Khanak, (the one who could do no wrong) ran away bringing shame to the family, while Shree..young, flighty, irresponsible Shree chose to toe the line and get married. Married? The very thought made Khanak cringe! Was it some kind of a joke? No she’d sounded pretty serious on the phone..Then was it a trap? Was chachu behind all this? Was Anand…? No! Anand wouldn’t participate in such treachery..he simply wouldn’t! He’ll always be my friend before anything else. But people change. I’d  never have guessed he thought of me more than just a friend.

I mustn’t go. No I can’t. What if? But Shree sounded so desperate.. She sounded like she wanted to confide in me. Khanak wavered, her sister needed her.  It’s so difficult to take a decision. By going back I run the risk of losing everything I’ve gained–this new found freedom. Not this glitter and glamour but a lot more. All this excitement and adventure that I have embraced wholeheartedly. Thanks to him, the one with those intensely haunting eyes. The corners of Khanak lips curled into a hesitant smile. I have nothing to fear except myself.

“Ouch!” The soles of her feet stung as if she had suddenly stepped on a sheet of ice.

“HORSE!”  A deep harsh voice rang out in rebuke, penetrating deep into her core.

Khanak staggered backwards from the ‘Vrksasana’ (tree) pose unable to hold her balance. But her fall was broken by a warm solid surface which implied an unusual sense of security yet at the same time a pulsating danger.She began trembling like a leaf.

“Khanak?” The same voice now soft, whispering intimately into her ear.  “I’m sorry but you see my bloody pet fancies himself in love with you. He always seems to get there before I do, as he possesses the courage of the innocent, unlike me.”

She could hear the poor creature whimpering. What did Shaan mean?

The tremors had eased replaced by something else she didn’t want to delve upon. Abashed, she tried to straighten her body and regain some semblance of composure, she was getting way too comfortable with him.

“No, don’t. Keep your eyes closed and lean on me.”

She complied trembling again as he interlaced his fingers through hers stretching her left arm straight out while guiding her right to rest on the flat of her stomach pressing her lower back on to his hips so she could feel his thighs glide against her gluts.  

“Why?” Breathless she was barely able to get the word out of her mouth as her body was assailed by sensations completely alien and forbidden.

“Umm..” His breath caressed the nape of her neck. “Well I was thinking of including a number in the show, where the heroine goes blind but doesn’t lose courage. Rather she capitalizes on her disability to reign supreme.”

“But how..?” She asked keeping her eyes closed as he threw her into a spin then caught her in his arms again. Her fingers clutched at his shirt. She felt lightheaded. Her breath came in shallow spurts as her pulse thundered in her ears. But she didn’t open her eyes, lest he’d see what she had been trying so hard to hide.

They were in the penthouse’s tastefully landscaped terrace garden–an oasis of tranquility high above the madding crowd below. Peppered with meticulously tended flora in a bewildering array of terracotta pots along with a sprinkling of exotic water features, the place gave an illusion of a land far, far away. They were surrounded by music wafting through strategically placed speakers. No one could ever consider taking the risk of separating the man from his music, that would be equivalent to committing sacrilege.

“It’s well known that in people who are blind, the other senses try to take over, and compensate for the loss, such as the sense of hearing, “ he said abruptly letting Khanak go and moving away drifting in a confusing circle. “You can easily tell which direction my voice is coming from because you tend to concentrate harder.” He smiled as she turned around and walked confidently to where he was standing.

“Similar is the sense of touch…” He blew gently on the unruly curls which had escaped her topknot making her shudder and scrunch her shoulders.

“But I can feel that even with my eyes open.” she said trying to cover up her confusion.

“Oh yes you can, but not as acutely, the same goes for the sense of smell,” He said closing his eyes and inhaling deeply. Her faint fragrance appeared much stronger, a lot more delectable, though he wasn’t able to place it. She was growing more exotic.

Man it’s a hot one

Like seven inches from the midday sun

I hear you whisper and the words melt everyone

But you stay so cool

My mu equita, my Spanish Harlem Mona Lisa

You’re my reason for reason

The step in my groove

And if you say this life ain’t good enough

I would give my world to lift you up

I could change my life to better suit your mood

Cause you’re so smooth

 

And just like the ocean under the moon

Well that’s the same emotion that I get from you

 

You got the kind of lovin’ that can be so smooth

Gimme your heart, make it real

Or else forget about it

I don’t get this feeling at all. Something is drastically wrong with me! Shan surmised as he held her close. In a way the Tango called for an extreme degree of contact, almost to the point of indecency but for him it was perfect, an excuse to hold her, chest to chest, hip to hip, thigh to thigh. It was like a sensual soiree, an orgy on the dance floor.

GOSH! How can a girl I’ve barely met throw my life completely out of gear? He glanced at Horse who was eyeing them mournfully. Sorry chap, she’s mine for the time being.

He gazed at her beauteous face, supported on the top of a long and graceful swan neck, which in turn urged the beholder to navigate his vision down to a limber and exquisitely shaped body whose every last iota pulsated with a vibrancy none could ignore.

He’d found her preoccupied all day, missing several of her cues, appearing least affected even when Tina had lost her temper and walked out in a big huff. But instead of giving her a stern slap on the wrist like Tina had expected him to, he’d just sidestepped his authority and let Khanak be.

Why? Why did he find himself on this self destructive path..why didn’t he  seem to  care if his precious show was a success or not? Nothing seemed to matter anymore except to have this lovely creature near him always, smiling her gorgeous smile. That was enough to keep him happy.

I’ll tell you one thing

If you would leave it would be a crying shame

In every breath and every word

I hear your name calling me out

Out from the barrio, you hear my rhythm from your radio

You feel the turning of the world so soft and slow

Turning you round and round

 

And if you say this life ain’t good enough

I would give my world to lift you up

I could change my life to better suit your mood

Cause you’re so smooth

 

And just like the ocean under the moon

Well that’s the same emotion that I get from you

You got the kind of lovin’ that can be so smooth

 

Gimme your heart, make it real

Or else forget about it

 

Smooth Santana

 

His hand jerked her head forward so she knew his sensuous mouth was just inches from hers, she could feel the imprint of his long strong fingers on the sinews of her lower back guiding her by firm subtle pressure into just the way he wanted her to move. They were perfectly attuned to each other, their movements complex yet precise and pure.

“What was up with you today? You were lost in some other world.Tina was extremely disappointed. It’s not like you.”

She sighed, “yes, I shouldn’t have. .I need to apologize to her.”

“You are anxious about your sister and her marriage. You’re feeling guilty about running away.”

She nodded, “how did you know?”

He ignored the question and deftly maneuvered her through the trellis densely overgrown with sweet smelling Jasmine. “Khanak, how many times should I say this? Soon I’ll start sounding like a broken record.” He twisted her around, propping her arms straight up and as she stood on tip toe, her body elongated and taut akin a violin string, he let his hands drift down slick and smooth along her torso in a intimate caress.

She moved away blushing deeply but he didn’t let her get too far, he couldn’t.

“Sorry  but it’s part of the dance.” He tried to get some control over his senses and reassemble his thoughts. “You are in your prime right now, at the brink of immense fame and fortune. You did what you felt was right and that was exactly what you needed to do. You listened to your calling because if you hadn’t you’d be sitting right now shackled to your unwanted spouse, stifled in your unhappy marriage. And all to what end? Just to satisfy your uncle’s ego?”

She opened her eyes and looked at him in silent awe. “But I have to go..I can’t let my sister down.”

He nodded. “Of course. Don’t worry I won’t let anybody take you away from me.” But then hurried to fix his error as soon as he saw her expression change to one of arch bewilderment.

“What I meant to say, is if  I let go of you, my main player, I’ll be finished. For the next 6 months at least you have an exclusive contract with me though I haven’t drawn up any papers to that effect. I’ll make sure it gets taken care of without delay.”

Her lips tightened into a thin line and her brow furrowed with understanding. She released herself from his embrace and said curtly, “You don’t have go to any such trouble, I will keep my end of the bargain; you have my word.  I have an early train to catch. Good night.”

“No…you are not going alone. I’m coming with you.”

She turned around fuming. “You don’t trust me?!”

“I do..but your chachu seems like a whole different ball game! There’s no way I can leave you unguarded in his company, because I’ve no one to replace you with.” Shan retorted matter of factly shrugging his shoulders. “I’ll have my agent book a couple of plane tickets for late tomorrow morning. Would that be alright?”

She nodded reluctantly seeing no way out. “Yes..I guess it’d be fine.” Then she walked away without a backward glance, her slim back hard and stiff.

 

At Diva’s the early next morning:

“Hey darling! Why are we wearing a grumpy look on that angelic face?”

‘By the way, the Khatri brothers are organizing their annual fashion show next week and they want us to be their guests of honor…I’ve asked Diva to be kind enough and get you fitted with some new outfits. We have no time to spare.’

“Go ahead and tell me what you need me to do Diva. “ Khanak said irritably. “I’m just a puppet who dances to the tune of my lord and commander. It doesn’t matter how I feel as long as the work gets done. In six months I’ll become just another fading memory.”

“Khanak my princess!” Diva propped her chin up and wagged his heavily arched eyebrows. “You sound miffed at my boy Shan!”

Khanak’s lips twisted into a smirk, “No, not really. He just woke me up from my daydream and not too soon I think. Better to know now than later…so I can look out for myself and not let my expectations run too high.”

“Oh Sweetheart!” Damon said fixing a stray curl in his strawberry blonde hair. “Please don’t talk in riddles, they make my head spin!”

He rushed toward a rack and pulled out several of what appeared to be exclusive designer outfits and laid them out with great reverence on the back of a red settee. “Do you know from where these came from? “

She shook her head in the negative unable to take her eyes off the exquisitely elegant display.

“They are from the best fashion houses in Milan–Versace, Armani, Prada, Valentino, Dolce Gabbana, Etru…you name it, it’s here!” He said caressing the luxurious fabrics with great tenderness. “and they were all handpicked for you by that stupid boy waiting patiently outside.” He pointed to the studio door.

“For me? I can’t…I don’t understand.” Khanak looked dumbfounded.

“Yes my girl, all of these are just for you and you alone! The must’ve cost an outrageous penny. Do you think he’d have gone to this extent for any regular employee?”

Khanak didn’t know what to think or say.

Meanwhile Shan glanced at his Bulgari and figured they weren’t going to make it. Has Diva suddenly discovered his bisexual roots? The very thought terrified him. He knocked urgently on the inner studio door.

“Oh Shan, you naughty boy! Don’t rupture an artery, I wasn’t planning on stealing your girl!” Diva rushed out tittering.

“She’s not my girl Diva! By the way..what happened to the outfit?”  He asked glancing briefly at Khanak who was staring at him bemused.

“It’s not considered lucky for the bridegroom to see his bride in her wedding gown before D Day young man!” Diva said, pausing for effect before breaking into a loud peal of laughter.

tbc