The small droplets of water ran down her back and chilled her to her bones. Her hair was drenched and her clothes had started to cling to her body exposing her luscious curves. She was slightly shivering. It was weird how the weather could change with the blink of an eye and turn a hot summer morning to a chilly wet afternoon. She was more worried about what was going to happen to her make-up. She had been successful in hiding her face from the horizontal rain trying to thrust itself directly to her eyes. Her eyeliner and mascara would be completely messed up and she would look like a creature sent from hell. Only god knew why she had to be traveling on a motorbike in weather like this. Hari should have been more responsible than to send his cousin on a bike to get her. She ran her hand through her hair one more time in an effort to soothe her big curls. The once fully tamed curls were now nothing but a bundle of serpent-like clusters clinging to her shoulders and chest. ?There goes my dream of giving a movie-star entrance? she thought to herself. Her stainless white pants that had a see-through appearance were drenching wet, and her expensive chiffon shirt that was clinging to her was now totally ruined. She could taste the slightly salted raindrops in her lips. Once done with the thorough examination of herself, she diverted her attention to the man sitting in front of her. He was her ?dewar? but was yet seven years older to her. The first time she had seen him, his teasing eyes had sent an electric jolt through her body. Her uncared and isolated body had cried out for attention and a sensation of warm liquid had started flowing through the pit of her stomach. Her heart had ached for the first time, and she had wondered if her enormously happy life was really a ?not-so-happy? one. He was approximately five feet and eight inches, standing six inches taller than her and four inches shorter than Hari. On a close examination she had decided that his nose was a bit too long, and he had a hunch back when he walked. The way he dressed was a bit too formal for her taste, and he did seem to be a bit more serious than of her liking. ?There!!? Lalita thought to herself ?now no more fantasy of the man with the haunting eyes.? But she had woken up next morning with sweat over her body with the forbidden dreams of being ravaged by those eyes. She had been married for 8 years, and now at the age of 29 she had never felt like this about any man. Not even Hari. Hari had come along in her life and she had accepted him hoping that he would be the one to change her life. Though he was 12 years older to her, but he had instantly been the prisoner of her beauty, and had given a silent promise to fulfill her every wish and desire. So, with eyes full of awe, she had married him, and he had been truthful to every word. He treated her like a princess, and showered her with gifts and jewelry. His eyes always admired her body and made her feel and realize that she had the body of a goddess that was an envy of young and old. She had learned how to dress herself in a way that made every curve look more pronounced. She had been d?cor her eyes so that they held an invitation and a promise of the unknown. Eyes that held people captive as her slaves and let go when she desired to. She had enjoyed every part of her make over. Hari had been very devoted first, but later he had gone back to his own ways. Sometimes she would her the cries coming out of his room, or silent moans of desire and fulfillment. She felt a desire well up in herself and she would dream of someone who would make her reach the seventh heaven. But never did she picture Hari as the man who took her to the trip to paradise. Nor did she except or intend to share the feeling of lone with him. She respected him and felt a strong commitment to him, but she had never felt that she could love him. He was more like a part of family that was missing in her life since the time she was 11. Adarsh was different. Though he wasn?t as big or handsome as Hari, but his eyes had captivated her and had smiled to her. The smile had reached deep within her heart and was stubbornly imprinted inside her. She knew he had the same feelings for her too, but they were bound by their relationship to be courteous and pretend like the strong vibe did not exist. They had been successfully avoiding each other for the past few weeks, but every time their eyes met, she would be electrified. And today Hari had sent him over to get her. Lalita wondered if it was on purpose, to tease her and torture her so that he could silently laugh at her. ?Adarsh, how long is it before we reach there?? Lalita wondered why they weren?t stopping somewhere for the rain to stop. ?Bhauju, I am sorry but I should not have come to pick you up in a bike,? was his voice husky or was it her imagination? ?Daju told me to get you right away so I could not wait for the car to be back. I should have been thinking more clearly. I know that a two hour drive is difficult in a bike.? How could he tell her that he had not brought the car because he couldn?t stand the trauma of sitting beside her and hearing her talk in that sweet voice. How could he keep his eyes off her when she was sitting there right beside him? ?Adarsh, if you don?t mind can we stop somewhere and wait for the rain to stop or at least slow down?? Adarsh noted for the first time that Lalita was shivering. She was carefully avoiding touching him in anyway, but he could still feel her shiver. His heart contracted at the thought of her sitting there and trying her best to be not feel the cool breeze blow through her. How could he have been so insensitive? ?Avik dada?s house is right across the corner, we can stop there and wait for the rain to stop.? As they got off the bike Adarsh stood there stunned. He was totally dumb founded with the view that she presented. Her smooth complexion seemed to be beaming. Her long hair was clinging to her and the translucent shirt seemed to be her second skin. She was shivering. Despite her state, she looked like a child shivering in the midst of winter and had there been no relation between them he would take her in his arm and comfort her with soothing words. It took all his effort and control to keep his hands off her. Lalita accepted her jacket and smiled at him. She snuggled to it, his scent sending forbidden ideas of what could be. ?We might as well stay here and get you changed before you catch a cold.? She nodded like an innocent child. Her eyes looked dreamy yet scared. They went inside the house side-by-side, both quiet yet a thousand words being spoken in the midst of silence where only the pouring sound of the rain could be heard.