“listen
beloved
I dreamed
it appeared
that you thought to
escape me and became a great
lily atilt
oninsolent
waters but i was aware
of fragrance and i came
riding upon a horse of porphyry into
the waters i rode dow
the
redhorse shrieking from splintering
foam caught you clutched you upon my mouth
listen
beloved
i dreamed
in my dream you had desire
to thwart me and becamea
little bird and hidin a tree of tall marble
from a great way i distinguished
singing and i cameriding
upon a scarlet sun settrampling the night easily
from the shocked impossible
tower i caught you strained youbroke you
upon my blood
listen
beloved
i dreamed
i thought you would have deceived me
and became a star in the kingdom of heaven
through day and space i saw you close
your eyes and i came riding
upon a thous and crimson years arched
with agonyi reined them in to
ttering before the throne and asthey shied
at the automaton moon from
the transplendant hand of sombre godi
picked you as an apple is picked
by the little peasants for their girls”
Swara smiled finishing reading the poem Don had written and left over his pillow for her to wake up to. She sat on her back bringing the note to her chest. She felt very blessed to have him. She was so happy, in fact she was scared of being this happy. She tried to fight the natural inclination to fear the imminent danger that threatened to appear around thecorner and destroy her happiness. She knew it was all in her head. This time everything would be alright. Finally she was happy. Finally she found her peace.
She sighed smilingly. Kids. Don’s children. Who would have thought he’d even want any? She kept picturing him with Maya, he was fantastic with her, such a natural. She could only imagine the amount of love and care he would,shower onto his own offspring.
But was she ready to be a mother? She didn’t know. The thought never occurred. She was getting married, Don wanted them to move into that mansion and start a family… was that too soon? Maybe for her it seemed a little rushed, but Don was 34.
She suddenly realized he’d be 50 when their kids would head off to college. But she somehow knew that he would certainly won’t look his age even then.
Women would still break their necks to be around him. She would still feel jealous although she’d be still young enough to compete with the 20-something bimbos that would kill for a piece of him.
Don:I take it you liked it since you’re so lost in thoughts over it.
She flinched. When had he gotten in?
Don:I most certainly did
she smiled widely just as he sat on the edge of the bed, near her. He was wearing nothing but a towel around his waist and droplets of water were falling from the ends of his combed back wet hair, making their way down his perfectly sculptured neck, chest…
Don:Ahem
he cleared his throat as she ogled at him shamelessly
Don:Hm?
she smiled looking back up into his eyes
Swara:I’m sorry, I got a bit distracted
He smirked
Don:Is thatso?
and he leaned in to kiss her
Swara:Arre!
she pulled back
Swara:You’re ruining my poem!
Don:I’ll write you another one
he growled as he grabbed it from her hands, crumbled it and tossed it aside, and then grabbed the sheet off her and threw it aside as well, exposing her naked body.She gasped
Swara:But I didn’t even wash my face yet
she protested playfully He raised an eyebrow and then suddenly shook his head energetically, splashing water all over. It made her shiver and she cribbed into his arms instinctively
Don:There. Now there’s nothing else you need to do, but let me love you.
and with that he shut her mouthas he kissed her passionately and she knew she couldn’t, and wouldn’t want it to be any other way.
________
‘Is this like, for real?’
ragini popped her head out the window to get a better look at the mansion she was seeing up ahead Swara drove right through the opened gates in the Mercedes Don thought was safe enough for her to drive. Ragini barely restrained herself from jumping out of the car before Swara actually stopped it, next to the water fountain.
RaginiOh my God. Oh. My. God!!!
Swara smiled as she stepped out herself, looking over at the beautiful place that would soon be her home.
Ragini:Are you bonkers? How could you not agree to this right away?
Ragini: scolded her cousi
Ragini:This is the life yaar… and I haven’t even seen the interior yet.Oh it’s beautiful. We will redecorate, of course… but I want to keep the original feel to it.
Ragini:Swara
Ragini crossed her arms
Ragini:Tell me why you don’t want to move in right away?
Swara:I told you, na… we need to redecorate…
Ragini:Redecorating doesn’t take years,yaar. What’s up?
Swara sighed, aggravated that her cousin wouldn’t just drop the mater
Swara:I’m just not ready yet
Ragini grimaced
Ragini:Huh? Swara… the man loves you. But keep that up and he won’t like it
Swara:What’s that supposed to mean?
Ragini:You know very well what I meant. He’s super rich, he’s damn hot, he could have anyone he’d lay his eyes on. But he chose you, and I can tell he genuinely loves you. Just don’t mess that up is all I’m saying.
Ragini shrugged Swara just stared at her cousin. Since when was she giving her lessons on men?
Swara:No offence, ragz, but this is my future husband we’re talking about. I think I know how to handle my own relationship
Ragini:But you have to admit, you are jealous and insecure. Else you wouldn’t have hallucinated about that Aishwariya girl.
Swara raised an eyebrow
Swara:Ayesha
Ragini:Haan, wahi. Who is she? Some ex of Don’s?
they began pacing the yard, going aroundthe house
Swara:It’s… complicated.Actually I don’t know much about her. But for years she was the one that stood by him. Sure he had many other affairs but she was the one that loyally stood by him through the highs and lows. She was a part of the drug business Don was running. When that fell apart and he took over, she was well feared byanyone that new who Don was. Which is pretty much everyone. He always kept her by his side. I’ve always wondered what happened to her… She went lowkey years back. He either got rid of her, or…
Ragini waited for her cousin to go on but Swara seemed deeply lost in thought
Ragini:I’msure he just ditched her yaar. Had he been serious about her he’d have married her a long time ago
Ragini tried to mend Swara’s mood but was failing.
“He can’t still have a thing for her. He hasn’t seen her in… a lot of time, he’s been with me all along. Yana would have said something. Hell, Sam would have said something… but there’s no sign of her. She’s only in my mind. He was never serious about her. He would fool around with women right underneath Ayesha’s nose. He even made the move on me with her around. I haven’t seen her since. Hell, it’s been so many years… ”she thought
Ragini:Swara?
Swara:Sorry
she could only say as she was interrupted from her train of thought
Swara:Come on,let me show you around, it’s getting late and Don doesn’t like me driving in the dark
Ragini:It’s only half past 6 yaar
Swara:Well, well
She smiled grabbing hold of her cousin’s wrist
Swara:Is this a Tag Heuer I see on you?
Ragini blushed slightly
Ragini:Yea, it is… How’d you know?
Swara:It’s Don’s favorite brand. I grew used to the style, I guess I recognize it now. Expensive taste, never knew you had any to begin with
Swara giggled as she teased her cousin
Ragini:Ha-ha
Ragini faked a laughter
Ragini:I happen to like it very much
Swara:This must be thousands of pounds yaar. Did uncle hit the jack pot or something?
Swara elbowed her cousin playfully
Swara:Or is there a secret admirer you’re keeping from me?
She raised aneyebrow at Swara
Ragini:Umm… Something like that. Nothing serious, though. Challo, let’s go inside
Swara:Arre, come on, don’t change the subject
Swara kept teasing
Swara:What’s his name?
Ragini:Really yaar. You’re making too big a deal out of it.We’re just having fun, that’s all
Swara grew serious right away
Swara:Is he buying you off?
Ragini:Huh? No!
she sounded offend
to be continued