Discovering Love

Vikram was vehemently opposed to arranged marriages. Though, widely prevalent and successful in his country, India, the concept contradicted his romantic visions of falling in love before marrying. Unfortunately, circumstances pitted him into the very arrangement he so much loathed. His sick grandmother only had one wish before she died – to see him married and settled. He caved in to the emotional entreaties of his elders. It didn’t help either that his parents selected for him an extroverted and popular girl called Padmini who lived in their neighborhood. The reticent and shy Vikram had met her before on social occasions. Her ebullience always intimidated him.

Listlessly, he went through the wedding rituals. Unknown to the outside world, the marriage remained unconsummated. Since, they lived in a joint family, an arrangement where many generations live under the same roof, the couple slept together to avoid raising eyebrows.

Vikram's parents left no stone unturned to make Padmini comfortable and happy in her new home. Her affectionate and caring nature endeared her to everyone. Quickly, she became an integral part of the family. Inwardly, Vikram battled his own ghosts. On their wedding night, the sight of Padmini in her bridal sari triggered memories of how much her oval face and bubbly nature had tormented his heart, but like on previous occasions bashfulness and diffidence strangled his emotions. He wished to win her love rather than attain her as the 'spoils of a marital alliance.' She looked surprised, but remained silent when he told her that he needed more time to make the relationship work. He was now trapped in his own idealism.

Daily, he went through the torture of sleeping next to her desirable body, inhaling her scent and hearing her soft breaths. Whenever their bodies touched, goosebumps appeared over his skin. He would wake up early to gaze upon her without her knowledge. Her disheveled nightie teased him with glimpses of her glowing dusky skin.

Tender feelings wormed their way into Vikram's heart, but he maintained his ascetic indifference. How could he reveal his feelings to the woman he had spurned on their wedding night? He wanted to open his heart to her, but always felt overawed by her personality. Valentine's day came soon after their marriage, providing him an opportunity to make amends.

However, when Padmini came to his room that evening, he lost his voice. They switched off the lights and lay side by side.

It's now or never, he thought and forced himself to say, “Padmini."

He felt her hand on his. The touch was electric.

“Thanks for coming into my life,” he said.

“Why are you hiding my Valentine gift?” she asked.

He sat up straight on the bed and switched on the bedside lamp. “What do you mean?” he asked.

“I saw you hide it in your pocket,” she said. An indulgent smile played on her lips.

He extracted the ring from his pocket. She sat up and held out her hand for him to put it on her finger.

“Where’s my Valentine gift,” he asked.

“Here,” she said and kissed him on his lips. That was all that was needed for sparks to fly. He pushed her down to her back and showered her face with kisses. Padmini raised her hips for him to remove her chemise. Her bare honey-colored mounds made him gasp. He cupped them by turn and nibbled upon the dark-brown nipples. Her moans delighted him.

She pushed him away to unbutton his shirt. Next, he removed his pajamas. They kissed again, this time his hard body pressed against her lush curves. His hand slid between them to remove the whisper of silk guarding her womanhood. Lips parted and tongues dueled. Her saliva tasted like manna. Her fingers wrapped around his swollen cock, making him shudder.

Padmini placed his cock at her entrance. He pushed forward and plunged into her. The insides of her love tunnel massaged his rod making him delirious. The resistance of her maidenhead filled his heart with joy. They were both virgins. Driven by primordial instincts, he pulled out until only the tip of his cock remained inside, and then rammed in with force, claiming her forever. At last, he was buried in her heat. Her muffled cries spoke of her pain. Embedded within her, he savored the sensations of her convulsing pussy. His lips sought her mouth, and he began to thrust into her. Her wet softness clenched his member like a velvet vise as she gyrated her pelvis. Their writhing bodies discovered a sweet rhythm. Her body tightened, as she orgasmed and clawed his back. He held himself deep inside her and ejaculated.

Bodies sated, they held each other close. Padmini broke the silence.“You made me wait so much, Vikram.”

He couldn't believe his ears. Propped on his elbows, he looked into her doe-eyes.

"I've always admired your intelligence and your serious, hardworking nature," she said softly, an obvious allusion to his academic and professional brilliance. The awe in her eyes filled him with pride. He felt pleased when she stroked his hair and lowered his head to kiss her.

Destiny had not let him down after all.

Word Count 868