Cat' on the Right Side of the Wall

Dear Readers,

Thank you for your encouraging words and constructive criticisms via messages, and comments. Also, thanks for reading the previous chapters, my other stories and following. I highly value your suggestions and implemented many to my level best. This is the penultimate chapter of the Cat' on the Wall, where she finds true love and more secrets. Please leave your valuable feedback and ratings. Cheers. :-)

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Chapter 3: Cat On The Right Side Of The Wall:

A Melancholy Called Life:

Six months after Seo-Yeon had been deported, my life did not change in any of the ways that I anticipated. Every room at our home held shades of memories of what John and I used to be. Our close moments and promises whispered in the dark -- everything gone, dissolving in the wind similar to Thanos' finger flicking effect.

John's presence became heavy and suffocating, as he behaved like a guest. Some nights, he would slide into bed beside me, but maintained distance to kill me with the void of his body's warmth. He made me crave the passion we had lost. His fingers hardly even grazed my arm, without our intimacy the hollow routine of our days left me longing for my husband--the John who had loved me.

He often would vanish, tossing out half-baked lies about work trips to New York, Chicago, or some vague "client meeting, blah-blah." I thought of talking out things with him and sorting the matter. But he ensured that never happened and evaded any conversation in that direction.

Honestly, we hadn't been intimate in over six months. I couldn't even recall the memories of our last sex.

'Is he punishing me? For Seo-Yeon's deportation or for my night with Beom-Seok?' Every possible thought clawed at me, pushing me into a paranoia. John's smug, cat-like grin with an attitude made my blood boil. I was done tiptoeing around his lies, tired of being a watchdog, struggling to rebuild trust.

To survive and thrive, I focused on Joshua, my three-year-old lifeline. Though he was growing, I occasionally breastfed him, even though my milk was nearly gone. Those private moments with him latching on to my body, gave us a mutual warmth and gave me a hope that some soul still remained close to my heart. I adored his chubby hands stacking blocks, and his giggles whenever he chased soap bubbles in the backyard. I was breathing in his smiles as my Oxygen. Decoding his gibberish became my favourite pastime at home after my work hours.

Yeah, the office was another escape route. The busy schedule at my tech firm aided me to forget the chaos with my husband.

'It became my spiceless routines!'

On EOD at my office, Mahat showed up. "Catherine, you must come to Arya's baby . Please don't say no."

"Sure. When?"

"This Sunday. Arya has been asking for you. Catherine. You are yet to see my new house. It's been too long." He invited me to catch up with his family.

But his tone stirred memories I had shoved down--our one-night stand years ago and the momentary intimate night at his Sangeet function. Though it was a done and dusted history, his invitation made me recollect those buried threads. I couldn't say no, definitely not to Arya.

"Hmm. I will make it Mahat. I kinda needed a break too," I promised.

---

The Baby Shower:

I reached his sprawling estate in the hills, far from my home. I was curious to witness the Indian Baby Shower custom. The posh architecture of the house screamed money. Arya greeted me at the door, her pregnant belly round under a flowing emerald Anarkali dress. Her face was radiant like she had stolen the sun.

"Catherine!" she squealed, pulling me into a hug. She smelled jasmine and sandal. With her hug, warmth seeped into me, easing the knot in my chest. "I was worried you would not show up. Thanks for coming."

I laughed, squeezing her back, "Miss this? No way, Arya. I wanna know what's your little superstar doing in there." I leaned down, focussing on her baby bump.

Blushing, she rubbed her belly. "It's a girl. Feels like she's practicing for the Soccer World Cup inside." She leaned closer to whisper, "Mahat is as elated as me, obsessed over cribs, arguing over names like it's his startup. But God, I love him for paying all the attention and embracing the fatherhood."

But her praise stabbed me, as it reminded of what I had lost with John. "You two are going to be the best parents," I forced, but a real smile, hiding my pain inside. "This little one deserves it."

"We, Indians believe that the clink of my bangles are auspicious for the baby," she explained why she was wearing a couple of dozen bangles.

The guests, mostly from Arya's side swirled around, their laughter blending with the jingling of anklets and the rustle of silk sarees. I felt out of place in my simple black dress.

Someone blindfolded me from behind with hands. "Guess, who?" A girl's voice questioned, Indian for sure.

"Sorry... Please..." I accepted my inability to identify her.

She released her hold and turned me around. "Sonia. Remember me?" She read my struggle and clarified, "Mahat's behan... I mean sister."

I acted, recollecting her face. But I had no idea of meeting her before. I must have forgotten her in my own chaos.

I saw her as a bubbly version of me, petite with the same hourglass curves. But her wheatish skin and mischievous eyes brimming with happiness were stark contrast to the dull me. I saw a Bollywood heroine in her when she was telling Delhi stories and her lazy Indian Sundays stuffed with her mum's aloo parathas. She was full of energy.

"Catherine, you've got to try Mum's parathas someday," Sonia said.

I nodded without any idea about the Parathas. She brought me so many dishes one by one, sprinting back and forth from the buffet to my table. Mango lassi, gol-gappa, paneer tikka, khakra, aloo-bujia, bhakarwadi, sabudana vada, chole bature, roomali roti and many more colourful foods which could not even pronounce properly. She drenched me with care, affection, and hospitality that I had neither experienced nor expected.

She reminded me of my mother's love during my childhood, "You are giving me something special, Sonia."

"So, you like the food?" she asked innocently.

"Yeah, I love them. But not more than the way you treat me. To be frank, I have no idea of meeting you before. During the Sangeet, I had been looking for you. My bad luck I couldn't meet you."

"But I do remember welcoming you then. Mahat always speak high of you. By the way, why were you searching for me last time?"

"Nothing. I wanted to try a saree."

"Do you want to wear one now?" she asked curiously.

"I doubt the blouse's size would fit mine, Sonia."

She measured my busts with her eyes, changing her angle of views. "Mine would fit you for sure. Let's go. Come." She pulled me like a child dragging someone for buying ice creams. She took me upstairs to her room and locked the door.

She opened the wardrobe to show me her saree collection. It was a tall deck of a rainbow, tough for me to pick one. She chose one for me, insisting I wear her crimson saree. The silk shimmered like liquid fire with its gold border sparkling. Also, the fabric looked like it would cling to every curve.

"Sonia, isn't it so sexy for this occasion?" I asked, my cheeks burning.

"It is not the saree, but the one who wears it makes it look sexy."

"What do you mean, Sonia?"

"I mean, it is made for you. So you are wearing this. Trust me, you'll feel like a queen!" Her confidence was infectious, and I was not immune to it.

She took a bag full of blouses and tossed a few aside to find the fitting and matching one for me.

"You better go sleeveless. That will rule out any size issues," she picked one with the contrast colour, saying, "Try this, Catherine."

I hesitantly waited for her to turn around, but she fixed her eyes on me, waiting for me to wear the blouse.

"What?! Should I help you undress?" She laughed bringing forward her hands.

"Wait," I said, slowly pulling the zip down on back, and she helped me pull it down till my waist. She peeled off my black frock from my shoulders and stopped at my waist. Baring me till there would be enough for me to wear the blouse. I wore a black bra matching my dress.

"Black would go well with this," she said adjusting my bra straps on my shoulders.

I wore the blouse facing away from her. I clasped all the hooks except one at the top, struggling with it.

"Turn around," she flipped me, shrinking my shoulders together and clasped the hook very easily. Her fingers graced my cleavage, which she didn't seem to bother but sent a shockwave in me.

"Perfect, isn't it?" She smiled and pulled down the frock without warning. I was standing in my panties in front a girl I got introduced a few minutes ago. I felt strange, but she handled me with such a familiarity to the situation.

"You do this all the time back in India, Sonia?" I asked her.

"What? Undressing someone?" she teased and said, "It is common in India. Women often dress up together."

She handed me a petticoat, a shapewear, that accentuated my curves further. Her hands worked on the saree like a pro, folding the pleats in no time. She worked on me like dressing up a Mannequin. However unlike a doll, her touches sent jolts in my body, especially when she inserted her hands to tuck in the saree below my navel.

'No one has touched you for months, Catherine. So you are feeling this sensual.' I reasoned myself.

"Done. Look at you!" she positioned me in front of a big mirror.

"Wow!" I admired myself after a long time. "Thank you, Sonia."

"You're welcome. I should thank you as well," she paused, "I feel my stress relieved after making someone happy." For the first time I noticed her energy level dropping.

"Why so?" I lifted her chin up with concern.

She restored her smile back. "That's a long story, Catherine. We shall have the story telling session in our next meet. Now it's time for celebration. Let's make some eyeballs pop."

She opened the doors, stepping back, she looked at me. "You're a bloody stunner. Go home like this, your husband will lose his mind and propose you again on his knees," she said innocently, with no idea of the wall between John and me.

I snorted. "John doesn't see me with love any more," I muttered, regretting my slip of the tongue.

"Why?" Sonia's face turned serious upon listening that.

"Story telling session? We discuss later. I wanna see those popping eyes, Sonia." I feigned excitement and pushed her.

The baby shower stretched on, a whirlwind of colours mostly turmeric yellow everywhere, and rituals continued. Arya at the heart of it, she was radiant but wilting, her pregnant frame sagging under the weight of tradition.

"I can't sit any more, feeling numb. These ceremonies are fucking exhausting," she whispered, leaning on my arm during a break, her breath heavy with rosewater. Sonia and I shuffled our places to support Arya. Finally, everything finished with a dinner. The guests started leaving. Some stayed back at the guest houses.

I saw Mahat and Sonia at distance, running around the guests ensuring they get their return gifts before leaving.

"Stay tonight, Catherine. It's too late to drive back. You can share the room with Sonia, she will crash with you later," Arya made a request that I could not deny, after all the hospitality they showered on me.

---

A Devil in the dark:

My feet throbbed from hours in heels. Her offer was helpful indeed. Sonia's room boasted a massive bed with crisp grey bedsheets, the familiar scent of lavender from a diffuser, welcomed me again. I collapsed onto the bed, still in the saree, so tired to change.

Soon, I drifted into a dream. My John from the golden days was there, placing his hands on my waist, his lips whispering, "You look stunning in this saree. You know... You're my everything, Cat." I listened those lovely words, at least in my dream which I did not want to end. I felt fingers grazing my stomach, slow and deliberate. They traced the dip above my hip. I thought it was my own hand, and I was lost in sleep's fog.

But I heard a different whisper then, "Sonia, you asleep?" It was low, close to my ears, careful, and testing how deep my sleep was. I snapped my eyes open, seeing nothing but darkness, the clock's hands glowed faintly showing fifteen past 2 a. m. I dared not to move a muscle as the air was heavy with silence.

I assessed the situation, though I could not see a thing. Sonia's arm, heavy with bangles, was laid across mine. She was out cold, her breath slow and even. Before I could let out a shy of relief, I felt fingers feeling my navel again.

'Definitely not hers!' I confirmed within.

Someone else was in the bed, I felt another breath hot on my neck from behind. I did not have the guts to turn back, thanks to those horror movies I had watched. From a terrorizing Nun to a creepy doll, I imagined every horrifying figure that could be lying next to me, with its fingers ready to pierce my stomach and pull my intestines out. The scary moment urged me to shout for help. However, haunting moment didn't last long, when I heard the voice again.

"Soni? Slept?" It was Mahat's.

'What the fuck? He's touching his sister like this?' I thought of leaping up, confront him and protect Sonia from whatever sick game he was playing.

His continuous whispers, checking if she was asleep, turned my blood to ice. He must be unaware of my staying back. My heart drummed against my ribs, a screaming maze puzzled my head. My body froze, torn between instincts--scream and expose him, or stay still and catch him in the act.

His fingers lingered further after ensuring the deep sleep. I had allowed him once in the past to feel every part of my body. But this time I felt sick of his touch, as it was intended for Sonia--his own sibling. A rage in me urged to break his damn fingers.

'No, Catherine, focus. This is about Sonia. Catch him in the act! He is not yet there. He could easily evade saying he was just checking on her.' I ordered myself to play it smart, and trap him with proof.

I stayed limp, mimicking Sonia's sleep. I even controlled my breath--shallow and slow. Mahat moved closer, more comfortable with his chest flush against my back. His fingers moved all the way up under my pallu to my blouse. He unclasped the hooks of my blouse with ease like he had done it for a hundred times. My pulse roared, but I kept still, feigning deep slumber. He eased my bra up, and cupped my breasts, kneading them gently. My nipples hardened reacting to his touch. It was completely out of my control, feeling a heat spreading in my body. I cursed my body for reacting.

I remembered asking him years ago, "How do you know your sister's size?" I got the answer, the way he was cupping my breasts and measuring them.

'This bastard had done it then to his own sister. Still continuing it.' I concluded within.

In the darkness, with me in Sonia's perfumed saree, he could not find any difference. Though my mind roared to stop him, my body melted, craving the touch I had been denied. He progressed so quickly, before I could fight back my bodily arousal. Anyway I needed to catch him in the act, observing to what extent he would go.

It would not make any difference with me, as he had crossed all the boundaries with me in the past. So, I allowed him. I was desperate to know his intention on Sonia.

He hiked the saree higher along with the petticoat, sliding in his naked thighs in-between mine. He formed a gap to access my V. His fingers slipped under the leg opening my panties. He eased them aside with a delicate tug, exposing my bums for a thorough squeeze. He slowly split my pussy lips using just two fingers. I felt another one finding its way into my slit. My spontaneous wetness allowed him to stroke my pussy with a rhythm.

Though I was observing his moves intended for Sonia, my body took over my control system as well. It responded to him hormonally.

To make it even harder for me, he placed his wet tongue. He licked my slit in a long and languorous strokes. My folds had been missing the teasing. Despite my disgust on him picturing her sister in his mind, my body arched, but he did not notice.

It must not be the first time he was doing that to Sonia. I wondered how could he fail to differentiate her pussy from mine?

'Does Sonia smell like me? Is Sonia waxed like me?' My thoughts travelled in a different route as his tongue was still exploring me with precision. I bit my lip to fight the moan dying to escape. I was torn between exposing him and the unexpected pleasure my womanhood craved for months.

'You are doing this is for Sonia,' I told myself, enduring the turmoil. But my hips twitched, cooperating with Mahat and betrayed me.

A sudden heat on my flesh shocked me. He pressed his cock against my entrance. The same forbidden cock, which I had promised myself not to fuck again, was nudging against my pussy. As I was lying on my side, entering me was not that easy for him. I felt the tightness giving way, when his solid cock made the effort to get inside me.

'So, the pervert is fucking her sister in sleep!' I had allowed him, and got his cruel intentions.

He was sliding it in a slow, burning stretch. His thrusts were gentle, measured, and sensual. Obviously he would not want to wake Sonia while fucking. So I feigned sleeping, waiting for him to complete. Though I despised, my body longed for it, asking for more pace.

But, I fought back the sexual appetite. 'Now! Confront him now, Catherine. He cannot escape with any reason. Definitely not while his cock still locked inside you. Corner this sister-fucker!' My resolute to give voice for Sonia almost got out to catch him in the real act.

'What if he spins a lie and turns the table against me, saying that he was aware that I'm Catherine.' A second thought stopped me. I cannot deny if he says, 'Catherine and I had a consensual sex before.'

The creep might ever articulate that it was me who invited him for a sex, as I missed it from my husband. The world would buy it. I damn cared about the others, but I could not face Arya and Sonia.

Regardless of my reasoning, my purpose to save Sonia, I had let him fuck me. That was a harsh truth, a hard pill I would have to swallow.

So, I crumbled within to halt any move against him. By the time, he finished his moves within me, pulling his piston out of pussy. He splashed his hot cum spill onto my bums, swiftly wiping it with my own petticoat. Then like a template routine, he clasped my blouse hooks and adjusted my saree. Even in the pitch darkness, he erased his tracks perfectly. He slipped away in stealth mode like a thief who dared, catch me if you can. I was trembling in the dark, in spite of my boldness to confront him.

'How long has he been doing this to her? The answer should be -- At least for a few months since her arrival in the US.' The thought churned my stomach. It would be a toothless confrontation, even if I did. He could easily claim it was consensual because of my silence, or he would outrightly deny nothing of such sort happened. I needed proof, a strong one, something undeniable. I was not prepared for any of this. Else, I could have trapped him very easily.

Then I remembered the remote cam in my handbag, a tiny device once I had bought to spy on John. I crept out of bed, careful not to wake Sonia. She was snoring softly, conveying her innocence and vulnerability. I locked the door and turned on the night lamp, bright enough to dug through my bag. I found the camera and charged it full. I scanned the room and zeroed in a vase on a shelf to hide the camera. I angled it to catch the bed. I could activate the cam remotely whenever I wanted to and store the recording in my mobile.

'Abuse her again scumbag, I'll catch you by throat!' I swore to myself. I slipped back into the bed. My mind struggled with rage and shame of letting him fuck me. But I took Sonia's hand in mine, sandwiching hers safely, promising her that I would be there for her. I had no idea why I was so concerned about her. Maybe, my soul reflecting what she had bestowed upon me -- a genuine care.

---

The Trap and the Rat:

At dawn, I changed the saree to my black frock. I dropped a message to Arya and I drove home, while the city was waking up in a haze of fog. I rushed to the office, as I could not face John at home. Whatever he might be, whenever I crossed my line with other man, a guilt automatically creeped in my heart, weakening it from facing him.

Mahat arrived late, wearing a mask of a gentle man. He greeted me with his usual grin, charming and confidence. I was like 'bastard I know what kind of scum you are'

"So you enjoyed the night, Catherine?" he asked, leaning against my desk.

I was taken aback for a second. "What do you mean?" I asked plainly.

"Arya was over the moon that you had made it to the baby shower. Hope you enjoyed the function. Sorry, I couldn't give a send-off with a return gift," he said.

I forced a smile, knowing what he had gifted me, revealing his true shades. "Thanks for having me. Sonia gave the gift. Now, I owe her one," I said with a hint that only I could understand.

My hands clenched under the desk, itching to slap that grin off his face. I slogged through the day, emails, and meetings blurring into noise. I rushed back home with my mind fixed on the hidden cam I set as a trap. That night, John excused a night out citing another "work trip." I also preferred the loneliness, to do the watch dog's work. I logged into the remote feed, I saw Sonia taking some pill. She slept sooner after flipping through some pages of a magazine. She didn't even bother to turn off the lights.

Then I had to wait for two long hours without any movement on the screen, the video was still like an image. Then at 12 midnight, the rat entered my trap.

Mahat slipped through the door. He sneaked in like a thief. Sonia was sleeping curled on the bed, wearing soft cotton pajamas--a loose shirt and pants. For a second, she resembled me with features mirrored mine--same curves, same shape--but her wheatish complexion set us apart.

"Sonia!" He called her name, soft at first, then louder. He even shook her shoulder to check if she was awake. She didn't stir, the pills must be keeping her in slumber.

He turned her, made her lie on her back. No reaction from her. He unbuttoned her shirt to reveal a thin slip, she had no bra on. He pulled it up to her neck, exposing her breasts. Her nipples were dark unlike pink ones. He cupped her breasts with both hands and felt their suppleness. He leaned down to suck her each nipple like a customary task.

I wanted to stop that bastard right now. But I had a known history of hasty moves, going waste in the end. So all I could do was to endure the crime and collect the evidence to pin down the evil. I couldn't look away either.

I witnessed him sliding her pants down, along with her panties and removed it completely from her. She was lying on the bed almost nude, like a sleeping beauty. The pervert, Mahat undressed himself and stroked his semi-erect cock to bring the stiffness.

He pulled her till her hips moved to the edge of the bed. Parted her legs, touched her in the intimate area, feeling her folds. She had a hairless waxed pussy like mine. Hence, he could not differentiate me from her last night. He got down on his knees and licked her pussy, to make it wet. Sonia moaned faintly. But he wasn't shocked but continued flicking his tongue inside her as her body was reacting in sleep.

He blocked my view by positioning himself to enter her. I could only guess by his slow hip movements that he penetrated her. His moves were slender, mirroring the way he had fucked me last night. After a few minutes, he released his cum on her stomach, which swirled down to her deep navel. He grabbed a tissue, and cleaned her meticulously. He stayed nude, while dressing her back. After setting her to the original curled position of sleeping, he got dressed and slipped away like a shadow.

Fury surged inside me. He had done it for times I couldn't count, but that that was the last time he would ever touch her. With the undeniable proof of his violation in my hand, I would ensure Sonia's safety.

---

Secrets of the Conniving Bastard:

The next morning, I called Mahat to the counselling room at our office. It was a soundproof box where we handled employee meltdowns, and confidential discussions. He leaned back, all casual charm, but his eyes were wary, "Why are we catching up here, Catherine?"

I showed no emotion at all, "How long has Sonia been on those sleeping pills, Mahat?"

He froze. "What? She's... she's been depressed after her divorce. Her doctor prescribed a mild dose. How do you know?" I saw sweat beading on his forehead in spite of the chilling AC.

"You know, I stayed over at your house after the Baby Shower. Don't you know, Mahat?" I was stern.

Without a blink, he was lost in thoughts, probably thinking how to evade my lock.

"Yes. I know Catherine. I should have done it when you are awake. But I could not wake you up with my sister sleeping next to you. Also, I feared you may not agree. Sorry for crossing the line with you."

I tried to tear his web of lies, but he continued, "Look, you had asked me to sleep with you once. I agreed. I wanted you that night, so please don't make a fuss of it. It was not our first time. Still, I apologize unconditionally for... making out with you in your sleep. We shall discuss it later, not in the office, Catherine."

"Are you done?" I stood up.

"Done with what?"

I stood behind him and held his shoulder, "Your manipulation of truth."

"Truth? I confessed already." His face paled. All his charm crumbled like a cheap plaster.

"You came for your sister, right?"

"What the fuck are you talking about, Catherine?" He stood up.

"I am talking about the fuck you have been doing. You sister-fucker!" I slapped him.

I pulled out my phone and played the clip, forcing him to sit and watch. The screen showed everything, from him creeping into Sonia's room to his every nasty violation on her. He could not watch the entire proof in shame, and dropped the phone on the table.

I held him by his collar. "What say you, sick bastard? How long have you been doing this to her?"

Fake tears welled up in his eyes as he begged, "Catherine, please, it's not what do you think. You know she was divorced and depressed. Trust me, she knew it and agreed to it."

"Agreed to what? You scum!" I tightened my hold.

"She missed the physical intimacy, but hesitant to get it from me. So she asked me to do while she pretends sleeping."

"Oh? Really? Wait let me call her, show this and ask. Shall I?"

Silence was his answer and he drooped his head. I dialled Sonia's number and it was ringing.

"Please. Don't tell her!" he grabbed my hands. I disconnected the call, before she answered.

"Arya was pregnant, so we are not..."

"Stop your bullshit!" I land a hard slap again.

There was a minute of silence, everything stood still.

"Okay, I will do whatever you want. Be whatever you wish. End this!" he opened up, crying.

"What are you imagining that I need?" I paused, looking direct at his eyes. "Sex?" I spat, my voice dripping with disgust. "I had crossed line with you, regretting it now, but I had your consent. You fucking pervert! This is not about us."

"Yes. I'm a fucking pervert. I said 'End this', please." He wiped his tears.

He took his mobile, swiping the screens with trembling hands. He showed me a bank transaction on the screen. It was a massive sum from John!

"What the hell is this?" I felt like a lightening hit me, as I fell on the chair.

"There are secrets still you don't know, Catherine" he said in a voice low. "If you promise you'll let my thing go, and I'll tell you everything. I'll do anything in Sonia's life as you say. Please, give me chance."

"Explain this first!" I pointed his mobile.

He confessed everything. "Three years ago, after you saw those 'Sarah' messages on John's phone, he knew you had seen them. He tasked his AI to predict your next move, based on your character profile as he defined. It predicted that you would cheat on him for revenge. As his AI had abilities to hack, it analysed the people in your circle, hacking into our company's forum and pegged me as the guy you'd go for. John then called me and paid me to spy on you."

With my memories of that night flooding back, I was brimming but contained myself not to be weak in front of Mahat.

Mahat continued, "John told me to stay on a call, follow his orders."

"What orders?"

"Whether to follow your instructions or not. I had done what John asked me to do. Not you. When you said, 'I need to forget John for one night,' he told me to take you to my place and record everything to corner you. When you had got intimate with me, it was John who approved it. You filmed our sex, Catherine. I just forwarded him the videos without your knowledge, and then he paid me."

"For fucking his wife," I said in a barely audible voice. This betrayal of John cut deeper than anything else.

"Then, John swapped Seo-Yeon's footage with yours. He used the clips I sent to him, to make it look real. When you questioned how can he make something so real, he lied to you, saying it was Sarah's creativity. He wanted a family life with you, and sex life with the Korean girl."

My head spun, tilting the room upside down. John had played me! All my guilt, all my pain, everything was his fucking game. "Do you have any more dagger left to stab in?" I sighed lost.

"Actually..."

"You can't hurt me any more. Tell everything before I do something crazy!" I warned him.

"I taped you during Sangeet. I thought we would end up in bed again. But you resisted me in the half-way. Yet I sent the footage to John..."

"Great. The footage of you sucking milk from me. Did your boss like it?" I asked without a blink, darting at his eyes.

Mahat couldn't face me. "He was least bothered and said, 'If Cat is happy with you, that's fine. You can fuck her as you want. But I am not paying for your pleasure'. He warned that he would expose me to Arya, if I blackmail him again. I got furious and placed Seo-Yeon's photo in the album to expose him instead. As I planned, you noticed her. You found John cheating on you. I was expecting you to approach me again. But you went to Beom-Seok."

"That was on Joshua's birthday. How do you know it?"

"Arya and I were there for his birthday party. Remember? There I saw you executing your plan with Beom-Seok. I predicted how you would proceed. So, I had set a hidden cam in your bedroom. You proved my prediction. I recorded everything you did with Beom-Seok and sent it to John. He paid me then, not for your footage with the Chef. But for exposing your plan to deport Seo-Yeon to Korea. It was John who told her to accept divorce from Beom-Seok. She went to Korea only to come back on John's sponsorship. She is now with John, without the hindrance of her ex-husband. Do you know that?" Mahat stopped with that question.

I stood clueless and wanted answers for many questions. John knew everything from the beginning. Why did he direct my fling with Mahat? How can he rejoice his wife being used by another man? He knew my night with Beom-Seok which was nothing but my desperate attempt to earn him back at any cost. Yet, he had orchestrated it all. He used my betrayal to feed his lies and trapped me with it.

"So, Mahat. You're a fucking snake and John is the real devil!" I spat, regaining the fury, not ready to concede defeat.

"I'm sorry," Mahat whimpered. "I was greedy and wanted to have control on John to save myself. You've got the upper hand now. Your move now!"

I leaned back. I couldn't stay the same cat' on the wall. I realised that I had chosen to jump on the wrong side of the wall. Love and hate torn me apart. John was nothing but a 'Pack of Lies' in my life. Divorce? He deserves that, but something more obviously for his deeds. But Joshua? I could not decide whether he would need a father or not. Regardless, I wanted John to feel the sting. I want to slap hard on his face saying that I was not his puppet.

Amidst all this, Sonia's thought crossed my mind. She couldn't stay near Mahat, not after knowing the conniving bastard's true colours.

"I am taking Sonia in my custody," I said firmly. "I will get her help, therapy, whatever she needs. I want her away from you. Clear?"

Mahat did nothing but a nod.

"And, you're done working for John. You will work for me from now. Feed me his moves, secrets, everything as I ask you for. Got it?"

He remained mum.

"By the way, Mr. Manipulator, I have recorded all our conversation in this very room," I tapped my phone, scaring the shit our him. "And I still have your footage of brotherly love making! So you are free to try any wits and way outs. I will have Arya, Sonia, your whole family, and yeah, your unborn daughter to share your bedtime stories. Your move now!" I smiled, like a real wicked bitch.

He was drenched in sweat. "I'll follow whatever you say, Catherine. I swear."

"Nice move!" I stood, my legs were steady despite the storm inside me. "Get out!"

He scrambled out as it got finally over for him. But everything started anew for me.

John had played me like a pawn, using Mahat to twist my emotions into his game.

'It's queening time of the pawn, John.' I decided, 'No more teetering. I don't want to just stand on the right side of the wall. I am going to break the damn fucking Wall!'

---

Saving Sonia:

Evening, my phone rang.

"Hey Catherine. Called me? Sorry I missed your call," said Sonia.

"Yeah. I have got a job proposal for you. Shall we catch up?" I wanted a reason to meet her.

I invited her to a dive café across town. The chipped wooden tables of the café, flickering lights were a safe haven from prying eyes. It was the kind of spot where secrets could breathe. Sonia showed up in an ivory kurta, that accentuated her wheatish complexion.

"Hey, Catherine," she hugged me and asked, "what's the job? I'm desperate to find one indeed."

"Sit. We shall have a drink and discuss." We took our seats in a corner.

She ran through the menu and ordered a Shirley Temple for us.

"What is that Shirley Temple actually?" She hissed inquisitively and laughed.

I forced a smile looking at her innocence and what her brother had been doing to her. But she needed to know everything.

"Sonia, we need to talk," I said, holding her hands within mine.

"Sure. Let me taste this Temple first. It looks so colourful and yummy." She started sipping and paused, "This is awesome! I need one more."

"How long you have been taking sleeping pills?" I asked straight away.

Sonia's face changed. "How do you know, Catherine?"

"I know. We promised a story time right? So tell me, Sonia."

She sighed a smile, hiding something deep inside.

"Well... Long story short. I was married to nice guy. Only to know that he was forced into the marriage by his family. Because he had loved a girl from a different caste. Silly Indian parents. Later, I found out, he was not happy with me. I gifted him a second chance with a divorce and helped him reunite with her. He is happily married to his love."

She told something very simple, which indeed was the toughest choice I was struggling to make.

"What? Feeling sleepy?" she got my attention back.

"Nope. The sleeping pills?"

"Oh. That one. Prescribed by our family doctor, to overcome insomnia, depression, kuch bhi." She finished with something in Hindi which I could not understand, yet I got it.

"Why depression?"

"Because I was in India. There people always judge you for free. I asked for divorce, hiding the reason. So everyone cooked up their own version. Some of them were hurtful. I couldn't get back to my job there. Lost sleep. Depressed. That's my story."

"Since when you were using the pills?"

"Arey Baba! Why are you circling around the sleeping pills?" she rested her drink on the table.

"Because, have you noticed any difference in you since the pills? In the morning?"

She was lost in thoughts, not conclusive about anything.

"A strange smell, maybe, on your skin or clothes?"

"First thing in the morning, I take bath. But clothes, yeah sometimes. Must be discharge, you know, our night stuff. Why are you asking?"

I was struggling to open up the fact with her, beating around the bush. "Sonia, had you ever been... close with a man?"

"You mean sex? Why hesitating to ask. Yes, of course. With my ex-husband and with a friend as well."

"Then you can relate the smell. It is not a female discharge. It was male's" I made a crack in the pot.

"You mean..."

"Yes Catherine. It's your brother, Mahat's!" I broke the pot.

My words might have offended her.

"Mahat's been touching you while in sleep, Sonia."

Her face crumpled, struggling to catch her breath in a sob. "No... no, that can't be true. He is my brother. He would never do such things, Catherine." Her voice was shaking.

"I'm so sorry, Sonia. I hate showing this to you. But you must know."

I played the footage. She witnessed everything. She could not believe her own eyes seeing her beloved brother sneaking in like a snake, undressing her and doing things what she had never imagined with him. I tried to stop her from looking it. But she grabbed the mobile from my hand and watched it with teary eyes.

She hated herself, seeing her moan in sleep, as her reacted to sex in sleep.

"Enough, Sonia. You need not watch it any more." I forcibly took the mobile from her.

"I'll kill him!" she choked, yet furious on him. "I'll rip that bastard right now!" She pushed her chair back, ready to bolt. Her eyes were blazing with a rage I hadn't seen before.

I grabbed her arm, firm but gentle. "Wait, Sonia. You have all the rights to do whatever you want--he deserves your wrath. But think about Arya. She's pregnant, budding a life for her baby. Exposing Mahat now could shatter her, not good for the baby in her womb. Can you rethink, once?"

I got to know about her kind heart, listening to her grace on her ex-husband. So I expected her to consider Arya and the baby, before making a harsh call.

She wiped her tears, "I can't forgive him, Catherine. Can't forget what he has done to me. At the same time, I am not cruel to think selfish and destroy Arya's life, not now, not when she's so happy expecting a child. I just... I just need to get away from him. Forever." She held my hand, crying again letting a few tears land on my hand.

"Then let's make it happen," I said, steadying my voice, "I've got a client with a job opening; marketing role, good pay, a fresh start. You can be free in a new place, new life."

Her eyes softened. I saw her gratitude mixing with desperation. "Can I... stay with you? Just for a few days, until I get settled? I can't go back to his house."

"I said a new place! Of course, it's my home, Sonia. How can you think I would let you stay with him again?" I asked, placing my palm on her cheeks. She might be three or four years younger than me. But shown a lot of maturity in handling the chaos, which I had lacked. "I'm driving you to Mahat's. Pack your stuff, and you are moving into my place right away."

Mahat wasn't home when we drove there. I explained Arya about the job offer and the distance factor. She understood, as my home was in proximity to her work location. Sonia bid adieu to that hell forever.

---

A New Life, A New Home:

Sonia not moved to my home, but entered my life like she had always belonged. My intuition told something about her on our very first meet. I told John for the sake of informing that Catherine was my guest. He had no idea that she was Mahat's sister. I didn't get into the details with him, neither encouraged her to converse with him. But Joshua started liking Sonia, exactly sharing my wavelength with her right from day one.

After a week, she got settled to the routine of our home. Joshua preferred to sleep beside Sonia. She fondly called the little one as her 'new crush' whenever he was cute and 'little devil' whenever he was naughty. She saw John and I maintaining a line and noticed the ice between us.

On a Saturday we stayed back home, but not John. I was preparing fresh noodles, Joshua's favourite. Sonia wrapped her hands around, blindfolding me.

"Come on. You know it just us at home, Sonia."

She leaned on to the wall and asked, "Catherine, is everything okay between you and John? I hardly see you guys gel together!" she expressed her concern.

I smirked, playing with the noodles. "I don't want to dump my stuff on you, Sonia."

She stopped my hand, letting a long string of noodle fall into the bowl, "Is it as tangled as this noodles? Share with me. Let me try. Else, taste my masala Aaloo fry. It will make you cry."

I smiled at her childish rhyme, "Okay. My story time then."

I told her everything, attempting her style of narration -- long story short. I started with spotting John and Seo-Yeon together on his phone, how he had used Mahat to spy on me, how I fell in his trap and I ended up recorded my fling with Mahat, believing John's lies only to realize the truth after years. I didn't bother she would judge me, I even shared about my night with Beom-Seok, hoping that she would understand my desperation to get my life back. At last, I narrated the recent revelations by Mahat.

I realized I took an hour to narrate my story, unlike her. I failed at saying a long story short.

"Sorry. I wish to be like you. If I did, I could have moved on long ago. But look at me! Lost in a void. Faking smile everyday like this." I faked a smile, while my eyes brimming with tears.

Sonia's face darkened, "That bhenchod..." she said some Hindi word for which I gave a puzzled look. "... I mean the 'sister-fucker,' perfect for my brother, isn't it? He used you, too?" She shook her head. "I will not let him walk free. Just waiting for Arya to deliver the baby. Then he will see the wrath of a real Punjabi girl!" she punched her fists.

"Calm down, Ms. Kill Bill!" I eased her up.

"Catherine, I'm so sorry. What's the plan with John? Why don't you ditch the harami?"

"Harami?" I asked, damn sure it must be cuss word.

"Means bastard," she winked. "You like it? I'll teach you more later. Now tell me, your next move."

I shook my shoulders. "I don't know. I'm worried about Joshua losing his dad, if I dump John. But staying with John... I can't. The liar has been screwing over my life for years?"

"It is better for Joshua to grow up fatherless. Nothing is better than the worst thing! Of course, you deserve better! Not this harami!"

I liked it when she used cuss words for John. But, when I heard, 'you deserve better', I started weeping.

"What's better waiting for me? After all this? I had dreamed of a beautiful future with John. Now it's all a mirage." I rested my head on Sonia's shoulder.

She wrapped me in her arms, her warmth enveloping me like a cocoon. "Don't waste your tears for him, dear," she murmured, while hugging me. I felt her breath soft against the back of my neck. "Life sometime goes like a sad Bollywood movie, but we can always rewrite the climax. You're strong, believe that."

Her embrace was uplifting me, a lifeline. First time I sniffed her body scent so close, as I leaned into her, my face buried in her neck. Her soft hair brushed my cheek, her sweat, and talcum drawn me towards her.

"Can you hold me longer?" my voice trembled into a whisper. "I feel fresh air."

She chuckled, tightening her arms. I felt her breasts pressing softly against mine through our clothes.

"Careful, Catie. If you keep hugging me like this, and I might think you're falling for my Indian charm," she teased.

"You can think so."

Joshua woke up from his siesta, with a gibberish, calling for Sonia.

"Sorry. I need to attend my little darling. Make the noodles fast. Sir is hungry," she released the hug and fled to Joshua's room.

I felt better after sharing my burdens with her. She was slowly becoming an integral part of my life. Joshua loved spending time with Sonia. Her presence in my life was a flame, burning away the bitter shadows.

---

Autumn Blooming:

As promised I pulled the strings to get her a marketing job at a client's firm. They offered her decent pay, room to grow, a fresh start far from her brother's filth. Our weekdays became a whirlwind of work. Both of us start and return home together. In between we would be drowning in meetings, emails, and deadlines; though hectic, we felt it as a much-needed diversion.

Every evening, I would swing by her office in my sedan. I had to cross my home to pick up her, so Joshua always hitched in the backseat, to receive her. "Mama, Soni coming home?" he would repeat the same question in loop, rolling his big eyes with an innocent smile. She would shower him with hugs and kisses. Also, she never missed her little surprise gifts for him.

That routine--picking her up, driving home, building a life--became our anchor that tethered us together. We were minding our own business, pushing the layers of John's lies and Mahat's crimes to the back.

Sonia's depression became her past illness. She ditched the sleeping pills soon after moving with us. Her laughter gave a vibe to our house. Her warmth wrapped not just Joshua but also me. We were getting love in real.

Whenever John was around, she isolated herself with Joshua in his room. She loves building block towers with him, only to be knocked by her 'chhota Shaitan' -- her Hindi version of 'little devil'.

At times, John made attempts to get Joshua's attention, but the little devil used to shoo him away, preferring Sonia. John used this as an excuse to lock himself in his room or go out for a drive, which I didn't bother.

On a Sunday evening, I caught her eye while she was mock wrestling with Joshua. His giggles echoed around.

"Sonia, you're so a natural at this," I expressed my gratitude. "He's happier with you than he ever was with John."

She grinned, tossing her hair back. "This chhota sa Shaitan makes it easy, Catie," she said, ruffling Joshua's curls gently. The little one clung to her leg, beaming, and she bent down, kissing his forehead. She made him sit on her lap.

"You two gave me a new life. I get no time to whine or build rage, seeing this little one's eyes. Thanks, Catie."

"You did the same to us," I pecked her forehead. My heart was swelling with something deeper than love--family.

Joshua dozed off on her lap. That night, the nannies were off.

"Let me handle this cutie pie tonight, Catie. You need a break." Sonia offered to sleep in Joshua's room. I nodded, and retreated to my bedroom, the house was quiet without John's heavy footsteps. He was on his so called 'work-trip' with Seo-Yeon, and would not bother us for a week.

I drifted into a deep peaceful sleep for hours, until a piercing scream shattered the dark. It was Joshua, screaming with terror, cutting through the fog of my sleep.

My heart slammed, as I stumbled down the hall with panic. Joshua's cries echoed, he was inconsolable to nightmares. When I reached his doorway, catching my breath. Surprisingly, his screams had softened to whimpers. I saw his small body curled against Sonia on the edge of his bed.

Her t-shirt was pulled up, her breasts bare. Joshua latched his mouth onto her nipple, suckling gently, as his whimpers eased down to a low breathing noise. He fluttered his eyes. I hid behind Sonia to avoid his attention. I wanted him to sleep.

She can't produce breast milk. But the warmth of her skin, the steady thump of her heartbeat, had calmed her 'cutie pie'. His tiny hands clutched her, like how he used to do with me. Any nightmare would melt away in her embrace.

"He's alright, Catie," Sonia whispered. She made me next to her. I saw her wheatish skin glowing in the moonlight filtering through the window.

"We do this in India sometimes. Aunties, cousins--even a stranger might nurse to soothe a scared child. It's just... comfort. Works better with milk. But I am not lucky to feed him any."

"That's okay. You stopped his cry." I tapped on her shoulder.

"Am I doing it correct? First time I'm feeding a child," she asked, showing the way he latched to her breast.

I saw a motherly love in the way she held him. Joshua, though weaned, still carried faint memories of nursing from me. Especially when nightmares struck, he found solace in my warmth. Seeing Sonia offer that same comfort, I saw her with a new grace.

"He's slept." I said, gently lifting Joshua and laid him in his cradle bed. Sonia tucked a blanket around him.

She was yet to pull down her t-shirt, gently tapping Joshua to ensure deep sleep. I noticed a drop of blood on her nipple, trailing down her breast.

"Sonia... you're bleeding. He bit you," I said with guilt filling me. I clenched my hands saying, "God, that must hurt. I'm so sorry."

She shrugged, with a smile on her lips. Though her eyes revealed a wince.

"Arre, it's nothing, Catie. Just a little nibble. He got terrified, you know. Poor little thing." She sounded normal. But when her hand brushed her breast, I saw a flicker of pain crossing her face. She wiped a few more drops of blood.

I rushed her to my room, and turned on the lights to check the bite. My hands trembled when I grabbed the first-aid kit. I pulled her t-shirt further up, asking her to hold it. I dabbed antiseptic on her nipple, careful not to press too hard.

"You're crazy, you know that?" I said, sitting beside her. I got emotional. " You didn't have to endure this!"

"For Joshu? I'd take a hundred bites," she said. But her voice turned husky. I realized that I was holding her other breast in my hand.

"You're too good for this world, Sonia," I whispered and hugged her.

She was silent for a minute, then hugged me. I felt her body warm as I felt her bare back. I realized she was almost topless, with her t-shirt lifted. I loosened my hold, but she held me tight. I felt her bare breasts pressing against mine, through my night robe.

"Can you hold me longer?" her voice trembled into a whisper. "I feel fresh air."

She repeated my words. I had asked her the same, a few days ago.

"Careful, Sonia. If you keep hugging me like this, and I might think you're falling for my American charm," I teased her, by combing her hair from her neck behind.

"You can think so," she responded in a husky voice.

"I find your husky voice so seductive," I placed my finger on her lips.

"So be it," she said brushing my finger aside, continuing in the same voice, "Have you ever tried it with a girl? It's better than any guy--trust me," her voice drove me crazy.

"Tried what? Sonia."

"Nothing," she said leaving the hug. She pulled down her bra, covering her breasts and then wore the t-shirt.

I got disappointed as she stopped it abruptly. She laughed out loud and held my hands. "Ha ha. Look at you," she looked at my eyes and asked "Tell me, now. Have you ever did it with a girl?"

Shyness ate me. I could not answer her imagining what she would do next. I shook my head for a 'no'.

She hissed, "I had done it once, back in Delhi. She was my junior, and it happened at my college hostel. We got... curious and it happened. No regrets, just pure mazaa." Once again her husky voice aroused me.

"Mazaa?"

"Can't explain in words," she said and without letting a reaction time, she let her lips brushing mine. It was nothing but a soft, tentative peck. She was trembling with uncertainty, how would I react, accept or mistake her.

I froze. Spellbounded. I didn't pull away, waiting for her to continue. She read my 'yes' signal and began kissing. Much bolder, planting her warm lips full on to mine. I had never tasted a girl before. She was soft like a flavoured bubble gum. A spark ignited deep inside me. I reciprocated by tasting her lips. We sealed our affection with an intimate kiss. Her tongue was longer than any typical. She introduced it to mine and letting them do a tango. I relished her taste, her unique flavour.

She sneaked her hand into my night robe's gap. Craving to feel my skin. It always skipped the inners at night and she was not surprised when hands landed on my breasts. I facilated her accessibility by pulling the knots. The robe slided off my shoulder like unveiling a gift -- her gift. I hugged her to hide my nudity. She explored my back, curvy hips and bums. There was soft rush in her approach.

Words failed. We didn't need actually. I removed Sonia's t-shirt, leaving her in bra, sexier than her toplessness. I could not find any button or knot on her pant's waistband.

"It's elastic," she said, and simply pulled down her pants with a finger. To my surprise, she didn't wear panties.

She pushed me onto the bed. I laid on my back. She brushed her cheeks with mine, nudging my earlobes with her nose. Till date I was unware something, and she introduced me to it. God! She pushed me into a trance, by devourering my ear with her tongue. It turned me on like never before. I quivered unsure of stopping her or asking for more.

"Like it?" She asked, pausing for a moment.

I took the chance and inserted my fingers inside her bra cups to reveal her nipples. Those were pure black marvel, chiselled like an erotic statue's. She unhooked her bra, letting her breasts spilling free, full and soft, exactly my size. But the crowns were harder than mine when seduced, making them more alluring. I could not resist any more and kissed the nipple, avoiding the one that Joshua bit minutes ago.

She pushed me away. "Hungry so early? Wait." She kissed my lips again. She obsessed with my lips, like I was with her dark nipples.

She flipped me vertically and restarted the kissing from my forehead. Her forehead was over my lips. She was like, 'follow my lead'. She kissed my nose, crazy, I did the same. Then she proceeded to her favourite my lips again, French kissing me upside down like the Spider-Man kissing Mary Jane. Believe me, the upside down kiss was unique.

I pulled her down, licking her neck and ending up on my favourites. I cupped her boobs firmly, and literally feasted on her dark ones. She did the same to my pink nipples. As her boobs were dangling, it gave a better sex appeal than being flat while resting on the back.

We realized that we were approaching a 69, when our lips met our navels. I felt electric jolts already, and I was sure of her experiencing the same. We both were craving the next move.

-- Love doesn't need a gender, not when it is this true!

Her pussy was hovering over my face. It was like a hot brown chocolate, melting already. She kissed my pussy mound, signalling me to taste hers. I obliged. I went for her folds directly, surprising her. She was ready for the competition, I guessed when she inserted her tongue inside my slit.

'Oh my god! She is a killer.' Her tongue was longer than I ever experienced. She made it sharp and sent it in deep to explore the softness inside me, while her fingers dancing with my outer folds. I could not return the favour to her, lost in pleasure she offered. She did not insist me to give back and continued showing her skills.

I clenched her hair, pulling her closer to make her access deeper. She went to the unexplored depths for a tongue in my vagina. The slurping noise drove me wild, and I pulled her more burying her face into mine. She slowed down after a few minutes, gasping for air and I freed, understanding her.

She landed her triangle on my face, subconsciously out of tiredness. I charged her back with jolts, licking her pussy lips. She had relatively bigger labia than mine, which were easy to pull and taste. She started grinding her hips to match my moves. I did not have the privilege of a longer tongue like hers. So I used my finger, definitely longer than hers, I guessed.

She was so soft inside, like how she was at her heart. She could barely accommodate one finger. Yes, she was very tight right there. She stopped me and changed the 69 to normal.

Again we exchanged a kiss, giving a break from intense activities. But our fingers searched for the ultimate treasure troves again. We finger each other while exploring our taste. Then we started grinding our pussies against each other.

"Didn't I say, it is better than having a man?" she asked amidst heavy moans.

I responded with more rubbing. Our wetness and hairless texture made the gliding so smooth and close. I felt a sudden ease in zero viscosity.

"I'm done!" she announced her climax.

I was just about to hit the finish line, she reached before me. I slowed down my grind and stopped it, allowing her to relax.

She leaned down. I was wondering what she might be up to.

"Where are you going?" I asked in a tired voice.

"To complete it for you!" she said before plunging her magical tongue inside my wetness.

"Are you sure... Aaah... you had done it, just once with the girl?" I managed to frame a question in between my moans.

"I am busy, right now!" she slurred as her tongue continued its expertise. Repeated flicks and nibbling at my clit, rushed my climax. I tried to push her aside, before gushing out my juice. But she buried deep inside me, smearing my squirt all over her face.

"Ouch! That's a flood!" she complained playfully, lying beside me.

'We don't need a man's touch to feel whole,' She proved her theorem. Our bodies pressed closer, and I felt her heartbeat steady under my palm.

"I'm not buying that you had done it once!" I said circling her areola.

"And I am not buying that you never had done it!" Sonia giggled and said, "No more dukhi. Just mazaa, okay?"

"I understood mazaa completely. What is that dukhi?"

"We had experienced dukhi enough, which means sadness! Let us forget about it."

I grinned. Resting my palm on her breast, I said, "Thank you, Sonia."

"For?"

"For making me realize, love making with love. I felt it for the first time, beyond lust." I spoke my heart.

"Everything happens for a reason. There is a saying in India. If you are good at heart, good things will happen to you. Maybe you need to wait for it."

"I am done waiting. I got my good thing in you, Sonia." I confessed.

"Is it love at first fuck?" She joked and laughed out loud.

"Don't say like that. You got my attention the moment you closed my eyes from behind during the Baby Shower. You earned my heart when you treated me with such a caring I had never given..."

She stopped me, "Okay... Okay... Don't get emotional. Save it for tomorrow."

'Is it love? A pure exchange of mutual care? Or just... Definitely not lust.' I decided not to overthink on our relationship and decided to go with the flow.

With John's absence at home, we had the weekdays purely for us. I availed all the leaves I was entitled to and spent time with Sonia. We lost ourselves in each other, our bodies a refuge from the storms of our pasts. We bathed together, letting our hands exploring every curve. We swam naked in the backyard pool, at times we kept Joshua in our watch, never minding him looking at two nude women. We reenacted out first time adventure in every possible place my home, including the pool and even the terrace.

She taught me to moan, "Mazaa aa raha hai," the words I learned to repeat naturally. She introduced some Indian music tracks from multiple languages. I thought India was all about Hindi. I was falling in love with its musical diversity in many languages like Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, etc.

Over wine, we danced to her songs, her hips swaying against mine, the beat of "Tum Hi Ho" pulsing through the room.

"You dance like a drunk auntie at a wedding," she teased, spinning me, her hands firm on my hips.

Our laughter filled the house, with Joshua giggling along, we almost forgot the chaos we are yet to resolve.

She used to tell often, 'Forgetting is a fortune'.

However, John returned home on Sunday, to resume his daddy time with Joshua. I cursed myself for imposing that rule on him.

'You cannot continue pretending John does not exist and mind your life with Joshua and Sonia. You just got to the right side of the wall, Catherine. You need to break the wall, to earn your true freedom!' -- I reminded myself, that one last thing was yet to be done.

----

--To be concluded.