Coalescence

“Khushi, guess who I ran into at the sabjee market!” Payal kicked off her shoes and curled her legs beneath herself as she got more comfortable in her sister’s quarters. 

“Who?” 

“Khushi, that’s no fun. You have to guess!” When Payal saw her sister’s face relay that she was in no mood for games, she changed her approach. “Ok, ok, I won’t keep you in suspense. It was your first crush from grade school!!” 

Khushi was confused. From what she could recall of grade school, there hadn’t been any cute boys. They’d all been brats that chased her, pulled her pigtails, and made fun of her. Besides, she wasn’t interested in them anyway. They’d all had icky cooties! 

“Yaad nahi tumhe? (You don’t remember?)” Payal asked quirking a mischievous eyebrow. She was finally getting a chance to tease Khushi after all the years of pranking she’d suffered at the hands of her little sister. She watched Khushi shake her head no and decided to spill the beans. “It was Banki Laal ji!” 

Khushi gasped as she tried to suppress her urge to gag. “Jiji! Ew!” 

Payal burst into a fit of laughter at the way Khushi had wrinkled her nose in disgust. 

“Jiji! That is not funny! Is that who you think I deserve?!” Khushi was fuming and quickly turned a cold shoulder to her big sister. 

Payal quickly ceased all her giggles. She’d meant to make her sister laugh, not upset! Khushi never turned her back on her, especially regarding such trivial matters. Payal sensed that something else was irking her sister, but wasn’t sure what exactly. She placed a hand on her shoulder. “Khushi….” Her hand immediately dropped as she evaded her touch. “Khushi, don’t be like that, I was just teasing you! I know no one even comes close to your Arnavji. That is who you deserve.” Khushi gave no response except to let out a despondent sigh and keep her back turned in silence. Before Payal had the chance to pacify her little sister, she saw a tall form wearing black with green stripes enter her peripheral vision. Well, speak of the devil…her Jeht ji had just returned. 

Arnav entered the bedroom just as Payal stood up. He watched for a moment as she fiddled with the edge of her pallu between her fingers while approaching him. Even though they were different as night and day, the sisters had some of the same quirky habits it seemed. 

“Arnavji…vo…” 

He watched his timid sister-in-law glance back at Khushi before meeting his gaze again, with concern. Now she had his full attention. “Payal, what is it?” 

“Arnavji, it’s nothing really. Just that I was trying to make her laugh and it went awry rather quickly. She wasn’t very talkative. I don’t think it’s what I said though…. I’m not sure what’s going on with her….” 

Arnav instantly calmed and let out the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding in. “Payal, tumhe patha hai. Tumari behn waise hi sanki hai. (Payal, you know. Your sister is a little crazy to begin with.) You shouldn’t be so surprised.” He held up a small box and brought it eye level for his sister-in-law to see. “Don’t worry though. I’ve come with replenishments. I suspect these will cheer her up.” 

Payal was relieved to see the box of jalebis. Her Jeht ji knew Khushi so well. She wouldn’t be glum for much longer. Giving him a small smile of approval, she nodded her head and went on her way. 

Arnav entered the room and admired the silhouette of his wife. Even the back of her head exuded beauty to him and he smiled inwardly as he closed the doors behind himself. He strode towards the bed where she was sitting, chomping away on a jalebi from the last batch he’d gotten her. He watched as she continued to chew and ruefully peered into the empty box in her hand. She turned it upside down and shook it vigorously, as if another jalebi would miraculously fall out if she uttered “hocus-pocus”. She was so adorably disgruntled. He wanted to kiss the expression off her face. 

Khushi was so distracted with her current lack of confections that she hadn’t even noticed her Arnavji’s return. Her eyes followed him as he approached her in all his adidas track suit clad, magnificently glistening, glory. Her husband had just come back from his jog and was still deliciously damp. His slick hair had fallen, clinging to his forehead. His moist lips were parted as he drew in air. Her eyes tracked further down to watch his wide chest expand with every inhalation. Lower yet, his torso tightened beneath his white undershirt with a sexy ripple upon every exhale. She craned her neck up as he now stood in front of her and she gulped some much needed oxygen. Hey Devi Maiya, why did her husband look like a sliver of deliciously sweaty sin? As she pondered that thought, he placed the little white box in her lap and dropped a kiss on her crown before turning away and removing his track jacket. She didn’t need to open the box to know what was in it. And good thing she hadn’t looked down, or else she might’ve missed the fact that he’d oh so nonchalantly stripped off his undershirt on the way to the bathroom. She blindly opened the box in her lap as she ogled him from behind. She visually traced that deep, sexy line that ran along his spine, bisecting his chiseled back. As her hand dug into the box, her gaze followed his shoulder blades as they shifted and moved, creating nooks and crannies of lean muscle that she wanted to nuzzle, touch and explore. A thought of running her tongue along those muscular ridges entered her mind just as he shut the door, snapping her back into reality. She felt forlorn all over again and took a voracious bite of the fresh jalebi she’d fished out. It was suddenly tasteless. 

Arnav emerged, feeling thoroughly refreshed. After mopping away at his drenched hair and face, he saw Khushi throw a half-eaten jalebi back into the box and push it away. She then began noshing on her not-so-secret stash of channay. This must’ve been more serious than he thought if she was rebuffing jalebis and gnawing away at her “I’m-really-upset” snack. Tossing the extra towel aside, he approached to stand in front of her. “Khushi, what happened? The jalebis weren’t good? If that halwai gave me stale sweets, I’ll go back to give him a piece of my mind right now and tell him to go f-…” 

“Nahi….they’re fresh. It’s fine Arnavji, thank you for getting them.” Khushi tried to muster up politeness as she eyed the jalebis with disdain. Jalebis and a perfunctory little peck was all she got from her husband?! She was tempted to throw them at his head. That is if he wasn’t such a piece of perfection, personified. She thought he’d looked drool-worthy before, but she’d thought to soon. Her eyes didn’t know what inviting inch of flesh to fixate on as he stood in front of her now, wearing nothing but a towel wrapped low around his hips. She let out an audible, dreamy sigh. 

Arnav had learned when Khushi was masking her unease about something. He pinned her with a look, trying to extract more information out of her. 

Khushi averted his penetrating gaze. She swore he could look into her soul when he stared at her like that. “Arnavji…sach may (really)…I’m ok…” she said rather unconvincingly, her eyes skittering this way and that to avoid looking at him. 

Arnav cupped his wife’s supple cheek, effectively bringing her gaze back to his. “Khushi, you’re eating channay. I know something’s wrong. Tell me. Please.” 

As her Arnavji spoke, her eyes took in every wet muscled inch of him. She watched the few lingering water drops that continued to kiss his skin, feeling envious of them. She took a deep breath, catching his shower-fresh scent. Like a citrus summer breeze drifting through a woodsy mountain. Crisp…clean…mouthwatering. Her eyes tracked up to his ruggedly handsome face, adorned with an uncharacteristically patient expression. 

Arnav was waiting for an answer. “Khushi?” He stroked his thumb along the downiness of her cheek. 

Khushi burst into standing, her arms flailing about. “Arnavji YOU’RE STANDING IN A TOWEL!” she exclaimed in an accusatory tone. 

She’d just yelled at him. Nothing was more potent that an angry and irritated Khushi Singh Raizada. This particular side of his wife always did tickle his fancy in ways no other female ever had. It was an arena in which her passionate ire almost rivaled his. It’s probably why he’d hopelessly fallen for her from the moment she’d fallen into his arms. That fateful day, he’d met his match. “So you’re mad at me….because I’m in a towel?” Arnav couldn’t keep the bewilderment from his tone, although he did try his best to moderate his urge to laugh. He didn’t think she would appreciate that from him right now. As he waited for her response, he reached into her container for a channa, only to have his hand slapped away instantly. Her channay were, of course, off limits. Arnav fought a grin through his confusion at her peculiar mood. 

Now Khushi was tempted to throw the channay at his head. “Yes! I’m mad because you’re in a towel! And…and showing me all your muscles…..and how fit and trim you are…. and how good you look!!” 

Arnav was not sure where his wife was going with this, but all traces of humor had disappeared. “Khushi, what’s the real matter?” 

“Arnavji, how can you walk around in front of me like that when I look and feel like a whale?!?!” Khushi averted her gaze to the floor. She just couldn’t look at his flawlessness right now. 

That had stung him more than if she’d actually reached out and slapped him. “Hey, take it easy there. That’s my wife you’re talking about.” Arnav’s voice became buttery soft. He gently guided her face up to look at him. “And Khushi you are not a whale by any means. You’re pregnant.” His hand moved lower to rub affectionately over her round, growing belly. She’d always been beautiful in his eyes, but knowing that she was carrying his child just made her all the more gorgeous. His Khushi glowed day and night. And everything was swollen, not just her belly. Many a times he’d have to refrain from gawking at her now-extra ample bosom. He often wondered if she’d even fit in his palms anymore. She just looked so sexy and so….ripe. Maybe he was depraved for having those thoughts, but he couldn’t help it. He hadn’t made advances towards her in months, especially after her wretched first trimester where she’d had morning sickness that wasn’t just confined to the mornings. With immense fear that had overtaken his heart, he’d kept a safe physical distance, wanting to ensure his wife’s safety and comfort. He’d been a nervous wreck seeing her in such a weak state. Without question, he’d delegated more of his work to Aakash and cut back his own hours, working strictly from home just to be with his Khushi and answer her every beck and call. Truthfully, he’d also worked from home to keep himself somewhat sane. As long as she was under his care, he felt at peace. And in the interim, he’d witnessed her beautiful, flat midriff metamorphose into an even more beautiful, rotund convexity. But over this time of keeping a close eye on her, he hadn’t wanted her any less. No, not at all. Seeing her pregnant, with his baby, a nishani (memento) of their love, just made him want her even more. 

She was a whale and she knew it. Why else hadn’t her Arnavji touched her in months? She couldn’t even properly snuggle into him during the night anymore. Her belly was in the way of everything! And to top it off, she hadn’t been sleeping well until her husband had gotten her that wondrous pregnancy pillow. What a double edged sword it was! Yes, she slept blissfully now. But true bliss was on the other side of the pillow, and he was completely out of reach. Many nights it lay between them like the Great Wall of China, ensuring there would be no contact possible. “Arnavji, it’s ok. You don’t have to placate me just because I’m pregnant. I know I’m not the greatest sight in the world right now. I’ll just get out of your way so you can finish dressing.” Truth was she’d pounce and attack him if he dropped that towel in front of her. She’d been craving him for so long, hungrily dreaming day and night about all their previous intimate encounters. What luscious memories! They’d have to make do because she wasn’t going to force her Arnavji to make love if he wasn’t even attracted to her. Plus, her belly had its own zip code. She didn’t even know if and how they could fit together to make it possible at this point. 

Arnav grabbed her hand before she could walk away, turning her to face him again. “Khushi, how can you say that? You’re absolutely stunning. Whenever you walk into the room, I can’t help but stare at how beautiful you are.” His gaze searched her face before tucking a loose lock of hair behind her ear. And as he did so, he saw the brims of his wife’s eyes overflow with barely contained tears. “Oh sweetheart, don’t cry.” He hugged her close around the shoulders, resting his cheek atop her head, trying to engulf her. 

Khushi willingly went into her Arnavji’s inviting arms. She rested her head against his chest and tried to get closer still, but her protruding belly stood as a barrier between them. She used to love the way her body would line up with his, chest to chest, pelvis to pelvis. But now when they hugged it was like creating the triangle of chastity. Their lower halves were nowhere near each other. Khushi took a deep inhale of despair. Devi Maiya, why did her husband have to smell so scrumptious? The light fragrance of lemon and mint made her want to lick every inch of him. She curled her fingers into his back and inhaled again, her mouth salivating at the olfactory overload she was experiencing. She nuzzled her nose into his chest before he cupped her face to bring her eyes back up to look at him. 

Arnav looked into his wife’s glittery eyes, the tears clinging there just killing him. He softly kissed her eyelids, her cheeks, her chin, and then on her mouth to sooth her. At the feel of her supple lips, his tongue had involuntarily darted out to lick. And then he had innocently touched the wet tip of her tongue with his own. It was an amuse bouche that whet his appetite. Just one more small taste he thought. He stroked his thumbs across her jaw as he slid his tongue back into her mouth, and slowly, softly, slid around hers. Arnav had meant to keep the kiss light, but it had grown fast and frenzied pretty quickly, his teeth joining in to nip at those perfectly pink, pillowy swells that were his wife’s lips. His ears registered a muffled surprised sound causing him to instantly pull away. He looked down at his Khushi as they both panted for breath in silent astonishment. He was appalled with himself. He’d almost just ravished his pregnant wife! Fresh tears leaked out of her enrapturing doe eyes. “Khushi, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to…. I’m sorry! Please don’t cry, I promise I won’t push you.” He once again hugged her close to himself. 

Oh god, that kiss had felt so wonderful that it brought tears to her eyes. She’d felt some of her Arnavji’s desire, before he realized what he was doing and stopped, probably grossed out. And then her lust fogged brain remembered something. “Push me?” 

“Khushi I’m so, so sorry. It got a little out of control and I just got carried away. I didn’t mean to be so aggressive towards you.” 

Her husband thought he was being aggressive?! And here she was, wanting to throw him down onto the nearest surface and sink onto him. Khushi needed to make sure she’d heard him correctly. “Arnavji….. are you saying you … you want me?” 

His wife’s voice had sounded so small. Was she afraid of him now? He was beginning to feel disgusted with his own behavior, and for lacking such willpower. “Khushi I know you must think I’m a…..” 

Devi Maiya, was she interpreting this right? Butterflies erupted in her stomach. Either that or the baby was doing summersaults. Khushi couldn’t hold it in any longer, she had to tell her husband how she was feeling. “Arnavji! I’ve been so desperate for you. I thought you didn’t want me because of…of all this!” Khushi pointed in the general direction of her belly and extra plumpness. 

“Oh god Khushi, I want you even more because of all that! Are you kidding me?” 

Khushi’s face flushed, her breaths now coming faster as she twiddled her fingers nervously. “But Arnavji, I don’t even know how. Is it…is it even possible?” 

Arnav had just received the green light. Nothing was going to stop him from making love to his wife now. “Khushi, leave that to me.” He’d been so dense. How had he not known she wanted him? And that too, this whole time?! Arnav grabbed his Khushi close, bringing her to come softly crashing into his chest before laying his lips upon hers. He kissed her intensely, like he’d been wanting to for months. He explored all the facets of her mouth that he hadn’t visited in the time that he’d foolishly let pass by. Finally completing his kiss from before, he began a whole new one, seeking a bit of satiation. 

Khushi placed her hands on her husband’s chest with immense relief at the way his mouth plundered hers. When he leaned in to deepen it even more, she pulled her lips away slightly to express herself. “Arnavji….oh god…you don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for you.” 

Arnav felt even worse now for not recognizing what she’d needed from him and for making her wait. With a new resolve, he planted a soft kiss on her mouth and rested his lips there as he spoke in a gruff whisper. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry. Let me make it up to you…” His voice trailed off as his mouth traversed along her jaw to meet her chin. He continued down and nuzzled her rapidly thumping pulse point. His lips and tongue joined in to lay a suckling smooch there. She smelled like warm cinnamon and sugar. He smiled against her creamy throat. Khushi was the only sweet he ever wanted to indulge in, and thank his lucky stars that he could do so unhindered. He continued to lick and kiss a path along the side of her neck, his lips savoring the milky essence of her skin. 

Khushi’s blood roared, her heart beating rapidly every time she felt her Arnavji’s lips on her. She was pure liquid heat, squirming beneath his mouth. Unable to bear it any longer, she lightly pushed him away, ready to get stern with her husband. She reached for the tie to her salwaar as she spoke. “I can’t handle all this teasing Arnavji. I need you…now…please!” 

He watched in fascination as she brusquely let her salwaar drop to the floor. “Khushi we don’t have to rush…” And then he watched in equal fascination as she tossed her kameez off to the side. There stood his wife, in all her pregnant beauty, striking him mute. 

Khushi placed her palms over her husband’s chest, sliding them up to his strong, broad shoulders. “Arnavji you don’t understand…I’m…I’m burning up. These…these hormones, they’re lighting me up from the inside.” 

Arnav could almost taste his wife’s desperation. He’d already misread her signals for too long, he had to trust her instincts. Cupping the nape of her neck, he pulled her face close and dove in to kiss her. His other hand busied itself by tracing the edges of her panties, searching for a way in. His Khushi hadn’t been lying. Her desire had already dampened the slip of material between her legs. He quickly pushed the scrap aside so his fingers could contact her wetness. Arnav sensually sank his tongue into her mouth as his fingers penetrated her feminine core in one fluid push. Khushi suddenly spasmed, vising around his fingers as her hands reached out to hold onto him tightly. 

Khushi sucked in a sharp breath as the instant orgasm hit her hard, the sharp sensations coursing through her body. She clutched at her husband for support, holding onto his forearms for dear life. 

Arnav was astonished. He’d heard of an increased sex drive in some women during pregnancy, but he hadn’t expected this. She was dripping onto his hand. “Khushi are you ok?” he asked tentatively, holding his fingers as still as possible as they remained buried inside her. 

Khushi shook her head, her hair falling over her shoulders as she did so. “No, I’m not. Arnavji please, again.” 

That one word had never sounded so sensual. Desire shot straight to his groin and he quickly divested their bodies of whatever little clothing, or in his case towels, were still covering them. His Khushi mirrored his zeal, helping in any way she could. He took her hand, leading her over to the bed and gently placed his hands on her shoulders, urging her onto it. He saw the question in her eyes….”How?”. “Khushi, you have to kneel.” He climbed onto the bed and helped her on. Gently turning her around to face the head of the bed, he instructed her “Hold onto the headboard, sweetheart”. Arnav watched as his wife obediently followed his cues, then quickly came up behind her to align his body along hers, kneeling as well. He placed his arms on the outsides of hers, caging her in. His Khushi turned her face to look at him, her warm breath puffing onto his mouth. He lost himself in her honey orbs and slid into her awaiting slickness. 

“Arnavji…” Her husband’s name escaped her lips in a lusty drawl as she placed her palms atop his hands and curled her fingers around his. She closed her eyes and threw her head back as her second climax hit her just as suddenly as the first one had, just moments ago. Only this time she could feel his full length pulsing with unleashed power. 

Too much time had elapsed since he’d been inside his Khushi’s body. Arnav remained motionless as she convulsed through her release, her tight core fluttering enticingly around him, gripping his length, teasing it. Immense male pride surged through him for bringing his wife to the brink of pleasure several times, so quickly. He watched her head sag, and felt her fingers loosen their grip before he languidly began to thrust, mindful of her pregnant state. His lips skimmed across her nape as his hands caressed up her arms and across her chest, cupping her breasts. He heard his Khushi let out a breathy mewl as he gently squeezed, thrilled at the heavy weights and the way they spilled out of his hands. Arnav made a mental note - he’d have to make sure to taste them next time. His fingers rolled her nipples between his fingers and his wife cried out, her desire bathing his length as she rode out yet another release. His Khushi was explosive. It had only taken a few thrusts to take her over the edge for an astounding third time. Arnav began to move again. They danced and undulated together this time, with calmer, unhurried waves. It was a constant sway of electric synergy, slowly climbing to its peak plateau. As their rhythm grew faster and his plunges deeper, Arnav knew he wouldn’t last much longer, it had just been too long. His voice was a coarse baritone as he nipped her earlobe. “Khushi…I can’t hold…I love you.” A deep groan rumbled through his chest as he floated into abyss. 

Khushi felt her Arnavji’s earthshattering release and it fueled her final climax. She unraveled and rippled into a shimmering pool of passion. They both clung to one another, melded by their exertions, having finally reached their ultimate satiations. 

Arnav swept the silky weight of his Khushi’s hair to one side and trailed light kisses along her upper back as he exited her body. He pulled her close and brought her to lie down, arranging her so she could rest comfortably against her maternity pillow, and he could still spoon her close. He snaked his arm over her belly and spoke softly into her ear. “Sweetheart, are you ok?” 

Khushi rested an arm atop her Arnavji’s and intertwined their fingers. She rubbed her cheek against the cool pillow, her eyes drifting shut from lethargy. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt such tranquility. “Hmmmm. Arnavji, I’m more than ok. That was just what I needed.” 

He smiled as her purring voice resonated in his ears. They hadn’t made love that intensively in a while. Arnav had almost forgotten what their fiery chemistry was like. He eyed his wife as she rested against the pillow in front of her, an absent smile splayed across her perfect pout. She’d been tracing lazy patterns on his forearm but was now slowing down, her breath evening out. “You must be exhausted, sleep sweetheart.” 

Khushi expelled a quiet sigh of contentment as she fell into deep sleep. 

Two hours later…. 

“Arnav Singh Raizada! Control yourself!” he silently berated himself. She needed rest! It had only been a short time ago that they’d utterly exhausted themselves. Even he’d fallen into a deep slumber after that…joining. There was no way she’d want anything more now. Taking a look south, he willed his erection to calm down. He gently unwound their arms and moved slowly, trying to extract himself from her delicious warmth and softness. He needed a cold, sobering shower. 

Khushi woke from the most peaceful sleep she’d slept in months at the feel of her husband shifting behind her. She then felt his male essence rub up against her derriere. The flame he’d dissipated so thoroughly only hours ago, reignited into a full inferno. She felt a flood of desire rush through her. Devi Maiya, this can’t be normal! “Then again, when was I ever normal?” she pondered to herself. Before she could press back to give her Arnavji the open invitation, she felt him trying to get up from the bed. She quickly tightened her hold on his arm and turned her head to look at his handsome face. 

“Khushi I’m just gonna take a quick shower. I’ll be right back.” 

“Arnavji….don’t go…..” Khushi’s voice trailed off. Her husband was going to think she was a hormonal maniac. How could she even tell him she wanted him again?? 

“Khushi, sweetheart, I just need to….” 

“Arnavji I need that too. Please.” 

His wife’s molten butterscotch eyes pleaded with him. Arnav knew he had been the one to initiate his Khushi into intimacy. He had guided and taught her, showing her what her body was capable of experiencing. But now, she was the one in control. Only she could tell him what she needed in this state, and he was willingly going to follow her lead, giving her anything she wanted. He came to lie on his side, curling up behind her once again. “Sweetheart, put your leg over the pillow.” Arnav guided her thigh to rest atop the long pillow in front of her body, effectively opening her up for him. He tenderly circled his blunt head around her entrance. His Khushi was still slick from before and he was now being greeted by fresh arousal as well. She let out a whimpering moan. “Khushi, you have to tell me if you’re sore…” 

“Nahi Arnavji. I’m… I’m fine.” She was more than fine as long as he kept up whatever it was that he was doing. Khushi gasped with acute pleasure as he slid into her. 

Arnav caressed his hand over her hip and reached across her body, going further down until his fingers found her hot spot. As he continued to thrust, he strummed and played his digits across her clitoris. 

Khushi knew, now that her urgency had abated, her Arnavji had free reign to tease. He luxuriously continued to pump in and out, deliciously varying his rhythm, keeping her guessing as to what would come next. Slow.…fast…shallow…deep. It was all wonderful. She felt as if she were melting. 

Arnav watched his Khushi bite down onto her plump bottom lip, her eyes drawn shut with her head thrown back against him. First there were sighs, then whimpers, then moans punctuated by a litany of his name rolling off her tongue as she tumbled over the edge. The sound of her velvety voice set him off and he allowed himself to climax. His wife relaxed against him, as he once again held her close, basking in the aftermath of their love making. Even though they’d started the day with a complete misunderstanding due to a lack of communication, one thing was for sure. When their bodies spoke, they understood one another perfectly.