Tattoo of Love

Dear Readers,

This is a stand alone story with no sequels or prequels. If you are a fan of slow build, romance-erotica, this would excite you, I believe. I did my level best. Love to hear your feedback. Thank you. Cheers.

---

THE FIRST NIGHT

The first night was a very special and the most anticipated moment for any couple, particularly in India. In Vamika's life, the night arrived, coincidentally, at her 26th birthday. In some families, it was customary to arrange the special night at the groom's house. So was in Vamika's case. Her husband's family adorned the bridal chamber with traditional Bengali splendours.

Fresh jasmine and rose garlands were draped over the posh mahogany wooden cot. The silk-cotton bed was covered with velvet bedspread and scattered with rose petals of various colours. The scent of authentic handmade sandalwood incense sticks blended perfectly with the floral fragrance. Brass lamps, mild amber glow, silk tapestries, and bamboo wind chimes were romanticizing the ambience.

Amidst the giggles of Vamika's sisters-in-law and her cousin sisters, Vamika inched closer to the room's door. With shyness overloaded, her cheeks blushed extra pink. Everyone knew where she was heading to, and what she would be doing in there, after latching the door.

It was an embarrassing moment for her, with all eyes watching her, prepping her for... what? Literally for a fuck session. That was too much fuss for a private moment. Privacy seemed a taboo, but not marking a stipulated time slot for their copulation, as prescribed by a pandit.

"Sweety," Vamika's pet name, her mother called her and hissed, "The auspicious time for union is 12:30 to 12:40. The Pandit-ji said. Keep it in mind."

She nodded, unsure of how to react to it. She walked at a pace to escape her mother.

"Don't forget, 12:30 to 12:40," Yasodha repeated louder.

"Mum!" Vamika shushed her mother, "Don't embarrass me. Every one is watching me."

The reaction was instant from the women who were sending off Vamika.

"How could they contain for three hours?", "Yes it is 9:30 now!", "I feel pity." She could hear them murmuring.

'This is insane Vamika. A pandit guy suggesting exactly at what time your husband should insert his cock into your pussy, fuck and cum inside you. All in just 10 minutes!' Vamika's mind decoded her mother's advice explicitly.

That was the main reason of Vamika's embarrassment. She masked it with a smile, and everyone considered she was blushing. She could not meet their gauging eyes, running their own imaginations.

'Are they imagining me nude? Visualizing, how I would undress and have sex with my husband? Some might be definitely doing it now, behind their giggles. Everyone had done, or will do it in the future. Too much drama!' Vamika thought, desperate for privacy. She could ask the accompanying girls and women to leave and go into bridal chamber on her own.

'Don't do it. They will think you are craving for sex,' her mind asked her to hold on to the Sanskari (Traditional) image.

She held a silver tray, hands trembling, with a glass of saffron-laced milk, infused with cashews, almond, pistachio, and some secret ingredients they did not reveal. The ultimate aim was to boost the couple's libido and stamina. She made small steps, inching towards the door.

The 'giggle-crew' left Vamika on her own to enter the bridal chamber. The moment she entered the room, they closed the door from the outside. One of the voices wished her all the best and pulled her legs, "Don't forget to latch the door and reduce the volume of the Romance channel."

'Where's he?' she thought. Her husband was supposed to be waiting for her. She looked around, but not at the curtains behind her. Before she could sense the movement, he hugged her from behind. She almost dropped the silver plate, managing just with a spill.

"Please..." she squealed as his hand accessed her bare belly through the gap of her pallu (the part of the saree that covers the blouse)

"They strictly advised me. It should happen precisely between 12:30 and 12:40." She tried to shrug him off only to fail. Holding the plate with a glass of milk, she could not wriggle free from his hold.

"What the fuck? Who said?"

"The pandit, your mum, my mum..."

"No one is going to know what we do, how we do, and when we do things here", his held her tighter.

"Can you please let me place this milk safely, at least?"

He loosened the grip, and she used it as an excuse to escape his hold.

Even her body hummed with need. But she knew it very well, a single kiss or a smooch would ignite a wildfire in her.

"Just this time. We follow their advice. Tomorrow onwards, it's all ours," Vamika pushed him to stay at distance.

"When is the AUSPICIOUS time?" he stressed the word with an annoyance.

"12:30 t0 12:40." She sighed.

"That's nearly four hours. Impossible." He adjusted his bulge.

"No. three hours five minutes. Possible if you stay away from me," Vamika laughed at his struggle.

"Why don't we go with the starters now? We can have the main course at the Auspicious time, Vamika?"

"Can you stay in control?"

"Yes... I can..." he bluffed.

"I know what you can and cannot! So, we are fasting till 12:30. Please? I'm not asking for the moon," She requested him cutely with a pout face.

He sighed. "Don't ask anything with that face. I can't deny," he said, though a flicker of frustration crossed his face. She was killing him with that pout face, restricting her own rush. Their union was in their grab, but a forbidden fruit they couldn't touch.

He ran a hand through his hair, then smirked. "Mind if I step out for a smoke on the balcony?"

Vamika's lips curved, a secret sparking within her. She didn't mind his occasional smoking; the faint cigar scent stirred something in her, a guilty thrill from the few puffs she had tried once secretly during her college days.

"Go ahead," she said, her voice light, her eyes holding his. "Just don't take too long."

He also knew she wanted his company to share stories, not just for intimacy. He wanted to pacify the urge momentarily with a cigar, and he moved to the balcony, disappearing behind the curtains.

For many traditional Indian girls, like Vamika, the first night was the moment they dreamed of, to ditch the pillows and to hug a man for real; especially for the ones who reserved their first night to be their first time with a man.

But it was not the first time for Vamika!

She had crossed the line once. No one would believe, she could not believe. Yet, that was the truth. She had done it once. All because of a Tattoo!

She removed her saree's pallu, and it was a low neck red blouse. She glimpsed at her hidden secret, inked on her left breast, close to her heart. It was a symbol of her bold choice, a sign of love that led her to this marriage. Her cleavage, revealed a lovebird sitting on a twig tattooed on her left side. It would always remain as the testament of her own audacious trespassing of her morality.

Her mind drifted into a flashback. The tattooed bird on her chest came alive, fluttering away from her, leaving a tattooless cleavage of Vamika, three months ago.

---

Vamika -- Three Months Ago

It was routine for Vamika to ride her scooty through the bustling lanes of Ballygunge, Kolkata. Though the residents were used to girls wearing a white-and-red cotton saree, there was something special about Vamika whenever she donned the combination. The crimson border of the saree and the matching blouse framed her figure perfectly.

Light coloured costumes always accentuated her dusky grace. She was a typical Bong beauty, not too pale, not to dark, with sharp cheekbones and kohl-lined eyes. For her structure, she never had to wear any revealing costumes, also not her cup of tea. Sarees were her first choice, followed by Salwar and Kurtis.

She got accustomed to the habit of covering her chest with a notebook or a bag, when she was a schoolgirl. She continued the same during her college days and even now, while working as the teacher in the same private school where she had studied. She hardly gave chances to any roadside Romeos trying to measure her size with their eyes.

'Who will be the lucky guy to own this beauty?' her mind asked, while looked in a mirror, while bathing.

Her breasts might not garner attention of many, because of her choice of clothing. But the walls and mirror of her bathroom knew her secrets.

'You are flawless. How come there is no mole in your body?' She often asked herself the same question while admiring her curves.

The lack of any moles in her chest, made her dark nipples even more distinct. Her sagless features did not demand any external support, but she always ensured modest choices when it comes to her dressing. Some of her close friends, only girls, used to pester her, "tell us the name of the shapewear petticoat you buy." They had never believed that her curves are natural. Vamika could not prove them, but she knew the truth.

She earned a reputation in her circle, as the best saree draper. So, whenever there was a family function or a festival, she was the first choice for her girls and women in her circle to help them in wearing a saree to perfection. Because of this, she had seen so many beautiful girls and women in minimal clothing. She heard everyone adoring her body, wishing to have the curves like her.

Vamika was not deeply spiritual, but loved to accompanying her mother, Yasodha, to all the festivities in the locality. Unlike her Yasodha was an ardent devotee of Goddess Durga and always prayed for her only daughter's future, especially her marriage.

Yasodha's husband had abandoned her and baby Vamika for another woman. She raised Vamika with love, but with a fierce caution, always reminding her, "Men can break your heart, Sweety." Sweety was her pet name.

Vamika understood what her mother endured and always upheld her mum's-girl image. There was a generation gap, times changed, moral codes were not the same. Still, she locked her desires that were natural for her age.

She had been to all-girls school, women's college and working in an all-girls' school. Not that she hates guys, secretly she had a crush on some guys who even proposed her. But never allowed them in her life, beyond a rare smile at a few.

She hid the free-spirited girl, behind her shy smiles and folded notebooks. Yet, deep within, she yearned for freedom--not defiance, but a life unbound.

According to Vamika, marriage was the gate to her freedom. Not because Yasodha chained her with rules, she knew her mother's concerns were legit. But because she believed her marriage would ease her mother, and eventually letting Vamika spread her wings.

Over the years, many had approached Yasodha with a marriage proposal for her daughter. Who would not love a homely, disciplined beauty like Vamika to be their daughter-in-law?

It was Vamika, who usually rejected the proposals, mainly because of two reasons: The first one, "My mum will stay with me"; the second one, "He is not my type." Only she could explain the second criteria of not liking a guy.

She pictured herself as a free-bird. As a worry free girl dancing in a pub's vibrant hues, hiking Darjeeling's misty trails, paragliding over Gangtok's valleys, walking Goa beaches in a modest bikini, and perhaps occasionally, even sip wine and share a puff of smoke.

But she had never got an opportunity to do any of these as a single. Her wishes were modest like her, not exuberant ones. She craved to live those moments at least with her husband, who must be a free-spirited guy.

She had not found that one yet, the one who would see her heart and not object her hidden dreams. She wanted the one to join her in breaking the rules, not a guy with a new set of rules.

Her mind used to turn into a pessimist, 'You are going to be a spinster Vamika, unless you compromise your expectations,' whenever she rejected a good-looking guy.

'Don't fall for the looks, Vamika. See the heart,' she pacified the urging mind with high hopes. Probably, it could be the only wish she prayed God for: 'Please send the man of my dreams.'

Would she get the man to set her heart free, or end up in a typical arranged marriage?

---

The Proposal

On a festival day, Vamika stood in a sunlit temple courtyard in her usual white-and-red cotton saree. She was offering prasads to devotees. Her mother, Yasodha, had arranged the offerings as a part of her prayer. What else she would pray for--a worthy groom for her daughter.

Vamika's elegance drew every eye. She draped the saree like a poetry, even a gush of wind couldn't unsettle her saree's folds. She looked even more graceful that day, with her shy smile while giving famous Bengali sweets to the people in queue.

Unbeknownst to her, a pair of eyes observed her the entire time, not just as a dutiful daughter, but as a daughter-in-law.

--

On the same Friday evening, Brinda Devi, a matriarch from a wealthy Alipore family, rang the doorbell with a marriage proposal. For Yasodha that felt like a larger than life movie script.

It was Brinda Devi who had seen Vamika at the temple earlier. To her, Vamika ticked all the boxes of her expectations. Her grace, her traditional brought up, and every thing about her, made her the perfect bride for Brinda's son.

"So, what say you, Yasodha-ji? We are not after money. We are here for Vamika," Brinda said, sipping tea and smiled at Vamika.

"But, Brinda-ji..." Yasodha hesitated, "... we are just a middle class. How will your circle accept us?"

"If I make a choice, my relatives knew it well that would the best one. All our wealth is ancestral, from my grandfather's jute empire on the Hooghly's banks. Status is an illusion, Yasodha-ji."

Vamika stirred her tea, the clinking noise conveyed her need to make her point. "You may find me suitable for your family. But your son's opinion matters. I'm just a school teacher, aunty. Your world is Alipore bungalows; ours..." she looked at her rented house.

"Please come out of this inferiority, dear. It is not money, but beautiful hearts makes a home beautiful and happy. Munna needs someone like you, grounded and real." Brinda's tone was honest and bold.

"Still, your son should know me and feel like how you feel. Also... I would..." she hesitated and said, "... like to know about him."

"I wanted you to ask this Vamika. In our family, men makes wealth. But it is always women who run the family and bind things together. You can't be quiet and make it happen. I want you to be free and make a decision after knowing my son. Not just nod, because your mother and I agree to this marriage. What say Yasodha-ji?" Brinda asked Yasodha, suggesting that she would agree anyhow.

"Munna, right?"

Brinda liked the way Vamika addressed her son by name. She was traditional mother, but not a stereotypical one, who bans the girl from uttering husband's name. She wants a girl like Vamika to take her place after her.

"Yes. Trust me. He doesn't fancy money. I let him chase his dreams not rupees. He is an entrepreneur of his own start-up. He is building everything from scratch. You will like him."

"Will he like my daughter?" Yasodha asked on behalf of Vamika.

"It was his decision. He asked me to choose the girl. So without a doubt, he would welcome Vamika with a smile and a hug." Brinda's face glowed with pride.

An unknown excitement and nerves started wrestling within Vamika's mind. "It is a life-changing decision, aunty. I need some time to decide. Can I tell you on Sunday? Maybe, if you don't mind... Can I speak to Munna once?" Vamika asked with a hesitation.

"Of course, I was about to suggest you the same. Here is his number," she gave her mobile to Vamika. She forwarded the contact named 'Munna'.

"Thanks, Aunty."

"Yesodha-Ji, this is my son," Brinda said, handing over a passport-size photo from her wallet.

Vamika seemed to have no interest in seeing his photo. She pushed it back into her mother's hand. "Ma, I don't want to go by looks. I want to talk to him, understand who he is inside. If I decide he is the one, then I will see the picture. Else I will not see it at all."

Brinda chuckled and felt proud on her boldness. "Wise choice, dear. I am sure you will like him. But I am not sure, why you chose not to see his photo if you don't choose him." She asked with a curiosity.

"What if he is so charming, after I reject him?" Vamika gave a funny response.

"Ha ha. What if you choose him and then find him ugly?" Brinda shot back.

"In that case, I already found his soul beautiful. So, obviously I see him charming through my eyes." Vamika gave a matured reply.

Brinda reaffirmed herself that she made a right choice. "And one more thing. I forgot a condition that your mother should abide." Brinda pause left them in a shock.

"Aunty..."

"Yasodha-ji must shift to our home. She can't enjoy loneliness here."

It took some time for Vamika to grab her point.

"You mean... Ma will live with me forever, aunty?"

"Of course, dear. How can you leave her behind? All alone here? We will become one family, right?"

Vamika's eyes brimmed, yet she controlled her emotions. Yasodha was speechless, unable to decipher whether it was a dream or real.

"I will be waiting for your decision, Vamika." Brinda left with high hopes.

Vamika sought asylum in her room to recap everything that happened. She thought about Brinda Devi, who had no attitude of the typical affluent ladies. She was down to earth. She would be lucky to have a mother-in-law like her, if she was the same person as she presented herself to be. Vamika was good at reading people, and she would rank Brinda higher based on her observation.

But 'Is he the one?' Her heart urged her to call and talk to him. She resisted her urge the whole night.

---

MUNNA - THE GROOM

Saturday morning, at 10 AM, Vamika texted a 'Hi' to Munna. No response.

Then she dropped a voice message to him, "Hi, Vamika here. Aunty... Your ma came here. Proposed our marriage. Did she tell about me? Can we talk? I wish to..."

'God, Vamika! You sounded like those kids who come to class without finishing the homework.' She scolded herself, thinking of deleting the voice message and record a new one. But ended up rehearsing something without deleting it.

'Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hain' her mobile's ringtone disturbed her rehearsal. It was Munna.

She attended the call, but spoke no words. Neither him. All she could hear was traffic noise and blaring horns.

"Can you hear me? Vamika?" She listened Munna for the first time. Not one of those pleasant voices she had imagined falling for.

"Hi, Munna. Yes I can. But..."

"Sorry, I am on the way to my workplace."

"'Sorry, I am on my way to my workplace'" Vamika mimicked a robotic voice and said, "This is how I hear you."

Munna laughed. "That sounds like a robot with a severe cold."

"Exactly." She mimicked again.

"That's my earbud. Old one and it flanges my voice like... 'You are funny, Vamika.'" He tried mimicking her back.

"This voice is better. I prefer this." She pulled his leg.

They started conversing as if they were familiar with each other, like friends.

'He seems nice. Not sounds like a spoilt brat or a show-off rich guy.' She thought and immediately answered herself, 'Don't rush.'

"Why don't you change it?"

"Ma's gift, so I can't dump it."

"Okay. Mr. Sentimental. By the way I am Vamika, M. Sc. B. Ed. School teacher..."

"That's fine Miss Vamika, but we don't have any vacancy now."

"What! Didn't your mum told you? I'm the girl, she has in mind for you." Vamika failed to get his pun.

"I know. But I don't like formal boring talks. We are not gonna interview each other. Okay?" He yelled as a horn blared behind him.

"Boka @#$&. Move and flirt with your girlfriend." Vamika heard someone scolding.

"Sorry, Bro. Wish you get one!" Munna yelled back.

"Hey, Vamika. Wait a minute, I pull over," he said to her.

He pulled over to a calm street taking diversion, and he heard her giggling.

"I didn't notice the green, a gentleman advised me on road safety."

"Yes, I heard the words. You handled him cool, without creating a drama."

"Obviously, I can't do it holding you on a call," he laughed, "Just kidding. Mistake was mine. So, I should oblige."

'He is nice, Vamika. Hope, he will not make meaningless arguments with you,' she thought.

"Are you saying something, Vamika?"

"No. Just my mind voice. So what did your mother say? About me."

"You are a homely, smart, outspoken, and a Sanskari girl. You could be the right one for our family. You should marry her, Munna. She is gorgeous as well. Like a cinema heroine..."

"Enough, enough. Please." Vamika interrupted and could not contain her laugh, "Did she tell all of this? Or you are teasing me?" she asked directly.

"I added some lies, and you caught me," he teased.

"Come on. What you think, Munna?"

"For me... If my mum says you are the one for the family, then you are the one for me too," he said, carrying the same energy level.

Vamika was not convinced. "So I am not the one whom you like, but your mum! You like a traditional, always on saree girl. Isn't it?"

"To be honest, I am an opposite version of you, Vamika. Inside the home, I love to be the son how my mum wants me to be, whenever she's around. Other times I love to be the Munna as I want to be," as he said, she already felt a rebel in him.

'You are dreaming, and he is living that life, without hurting mum.' Her mind murmured within.

"I am listening, Munna. Go on," she said.

"Once I step out of the home, I am a free-bird. I do what I love as my business. I work hard in the day, and then party hard in the evening. Don't picture me with those spoilt brats. I just live my life to the fullest without harming or hurting anyone. I like hiking, vlogging, drawing, travelling, hanging out with friends, booze a little on Saturday nights..." he got into a groove and extended the list.

"Getting it, Munna," Vamika said, realizing that he was living a life with all the fun she had missed and yearning for.

"By the way, I saw you in saree. You look gorgeous, and I didn't lie about it. But still, curious whether you prefer western wear. You would make it a tough competition for many actresses. Not flattering, any costume would be awesome on you." He complimented her.

"When did you see me?"

"Mum... She had clicked some pictures of you in the temple. Don't you know? Sorry, she took candids I guess."

"That's alright. Can you share them with me?" Vamika felt, 'What pictures? What does he see in me?'

He sent her the photos. She was donning her usual white-red combination, offering prasads to people.

"Not bad, aunty captured me like a pro," she praised his mother.

'She captured your curves, in perfect angles. Elegant!' Vamika's mind voiced.

"I hardly could tell you apart from those temple sculptures in the background," he flirted.

"Enough, Munna. You are shifting gears from flattering to flirting"

"Look at the curve, the structure... a perfect Bengali elegance," he stammered, "... I mean the art... the sculpture. What a damsel! Every feature is perfect, Not more, not less. You just... just resemble the amazing statue, okay." After a pause, he said, "This is called flirting, if you don't mind." He laughed.

"Are you usually good at this? Or pulling off better today, Munna?" Vamika asked.

"Actually..."

She interrupted, "Okay, tell me one thing. Why did you ask your mum pick your girl? You know, with the skills you've got... I guess, you can impress any girl in a few minutes. But why?"

"So, are you impressed, Vamika?"

"Please answer my question," she insisted, but within her, she answered 'Yes, Munna, I'm impressed.'

He sighed. "Not a great story. Got my heart broken once. Loved a girl, thought that she would stick together forever. I dreamed of living a happy life with her. I had a long list like scooba diving with her, sharing booze and smoke, holding her hand for a walk in a secluded beach... But she walked away from me. For a London life."

He almost mirrored Vamika's wishlist, unleashing two or three butterflies in her heart. But he was not yet there.

"Didn't you try your luck again?"

"With someone else? Never. Earlier, mum had warned me that my Ex would dump me. I should have listened to her. At least now I want to listen to her." It was conveyed to Vamika in a sense that he was accepting her for his mum's sake.

When he told that his Ex had dumped him, Vamika's memories catapulted her to her father, who had walked away from her mother for another woman.

"I get it, Munna," her voice softened this time. "You know, I don't have a dad. He had abandoned us when I was a kid. I grew up not trusting men at any point in my life. But my intuitions say you are different and good. I feel I can trust you. And... I am not flattering you."

"Ha ha. Forget the past. You know what, if we tie a knot, I will never leave my wife, like your dad did to your mum. That's a promise, teacher."

She smiled, sensing a quiet love blooming in her.

"And I don't like London either. Your heart will be safe with me, no more heart breaks again," she said, "if we get married."

"Shall I ask you something?"

"Please."

"I always wanted a wife who is a free-bird like me. You know, partying, vibing like me," said Munna.

"You think a school teacher can't vibe? Believe it or not, my dreams almost synced with yours. Except the vlogging stuff. But my family situation kept me grounded all these years. If I had the financial liberty like you do, I would be different girl. Like the one you have in mind," she explained.

"Fair. So you are willing to change?"

"I always wanted the change," she corrected.

"Are you sure? I don't want anyone to change for me. Especially my wife."

"Be honest with me. You are thinking that I am trying to convince you, right?"

"Nope. I believe in you. But I miss the spark in you, I can't erase the image of the traditional girl in you. I can visualize a dutiful daughter-in-law, homely wife. But not an adventurous wife, who dares to break the taboos of this society. Sorry."

"Fine. I won't argue on that. What is the spark you see missing in me? Just wanna know, Munna."

Vamika knew that they are compatible with each other, but she was struggling to make him realize that. She was like: Tell me what you need, I can prove that I can be the one for you.

Munna stayed quiet for some time, lost in thoughts.

"Are you there, Munna?" Vamika checked her screen, he was still connected to the call.

"Yes... Just thinking. Hey... You got any tattoos, Vamika?"

"Tattoos? No. Why?"

"You know, tattoo is not for anyone. Only people with a rebel attitude can get a tattoo... it is a kind of... symbol of internal freedom. A self-dare!"

"Are you daring me or what?"

"Noooo.... If you have a tattoo, I can easily read your personality. A tattoo is a statement. For example, I have a tattoo."

"Really, Munna? What is your statement then?" She asked curiously.

"I've got a lovebird sitting on twig with my name, waiting for his soul mate," he said with an emotion attached to it, "the plan is to tattoo my wife's name and a female lovebird, depicting the soul mate."

"That's a poetic statement!" she adored it in fact.

"I don't know about my future wife, she may or may not get tattooed. But I am doing this for her. A sign of my commitment to her," Munna said.

"Understood your tattoo logic. And you know what? I started liking you, Munna," she blurted.

'Wow! You've proposed him. Vamika!' She adored herself within.

"I like your commitment to your wife. Whether it's me or not, never mind. But you have inspired me to get a tattoo for my husband. Sorry for being a copycat," she said, smiling.

"Someone is trying to impress me. Aren't you, teacher?"

"If I am trying for real, I will knock a parlour's door and get that lovebird with your name," she shocked him, "if you have accepted the marriage proposal."

Munna was awestruck. "Really?"

"Any way I will get tattooed with my name and a bird, some lucky guy will definitely sit next my lovebird, if not you." She teased him.

"Can we meet, Vamika?"

"We can. But I want to decide it's you or not. Then only I will see your face."

"Come again? Haven't you seen my pic? Should I send one? Mum said, she had shared with you..."

"No, Munna. I said them clearly, I am seeing your soul first then your face."

"Are you from the 80s? Committing to a guy without seeing his face? Love is blind, but you can't be this blind in love."

"That's me," she said firmly.

Munna felt butterflies inside, developing a love in her. Though he likes modern type, the classic love always held its value. The opposite attracted him.

"By the way, I want you to know that I love partying with my friends, which includes girls as well. Just love to hang out with the girls."

"Why are you telling this to me?"

"I just wanted you to know everything about me, before you make your call," he wanted to be honest with her.

"Okay. What else you want to confess, my son?" Vamika mimicked a pastor, laughing out loud.

"Hmm... Back in college, I used to flirt. Hugged a few girls and kissed a few, but never crossed the line."

"Oh... hug kiss, but never gone beyond?"

"I thought there should be a limit. Moreover, no girl had created that urge... I mean we cannot resist someone, and we cross the line with the one. You know what, if I had known you if you liked me, may be... I might have crossed my line of control," he smirked.

"You are flirting now." She was actually enjoying the conversation taking a detour towards a naughty zone.

"I wish to deny, but I can't lie. Let's say, if we don't get married, will you stay in touch?"

"Why? To keep this flirtationship? Or maybe crossing the line?" She asked and said, "Why are you struggling to decide? Just say 'yes' or 'no'. What stops you?"

Munna did not answer anything.

"Look Munna, I'm a newbie when it comes to talking to guys. Trust me, you are the first person I am conversing this openly and personally. Never flirted, dated, not even held a guy's hand with a romantic thought. May be because of that, I may sound like nerd, or out of your league. Is that the reason?" She asked trying to predict him.

"Not like that. But it is what stopping me... I mean... you are so pure. Unlike me. I am the first guy for you. But I had a fling with a girl before. Kissed a few. Will you accept me still?" Munna asked.

"I am not an old book, Munna. Tell me one thing. If I had the opportunities you got, and if I had kissed and dated a few guys, won't you accept me?"

Munna did not answer.

"The present and the future matters, Munna. Think about how we are in the now and decide. Future is all about the honesty and compatibility."

"That means... Are you still accepting me, Vamika?"

"I've already made my choice," she said firmly. "You did what you did and were honest about it. I love the fact that you are a little naughty, Munna."

He smiled.

"So tell me, if I had entered your life. What would have you done?"

She expected a reply that he would have fallen in love with her, instead of his Ex.

"I would have kissed you, or maybe..."

"Stop. You are flirting too much," she mocked scolding him.

"Why? Won't you kiss me?"

She skipped the question with a laugh. "You didn't answer my question. If I had kissed and done things with some guy like you did with girls, won't you accept me?"

"Obviously," he said, "before marriage, you are free to do whatever you wish. The commitment comes later, after the marriage. To be honest, if you had such experience, it would be easy for me to mingle with you, without any guilt. Also, it will save my time. I need not teach you from scratch."

"You're incorrigibly naughty, Munna."

She got an interest to be naughty like him before marriage, but it was too late, then.

"I want you to be a naughty girl too, Vamika," He hissed. His voice still sounding like a robot, but still it drove her crazy.

"Looks like we are heading into a kinky zone," Vamika said, with a smile, though she wanted to have such conversation with him, she could not continue such talks with her mother in the next room.

"So where's your tattoo?" She asked him, diverting the topic.

"On my chest, close to my heart. Wanna see?"

"Maybe." She wanted to see but didn't admit.

He sent a few snaps, the one he had clicked after tattooing. Her eyes got fixed to his athletic body. Not a six packed one, but well maintained physique.

She saw the close-up picture of a lovebird in its actual colour, not a boring monochrome tattoo. It was so realistic, sitting on a twig, that was shedding a few leaves to make it more natural. As he told, the bird was waiting for his mate.

'I want to be there, next to you, Munna bird.' She almost uttered her inner voice.

"Beautiful, Munna. Where did you get it done?"

"3iDmentions, Park Street," he said, "Why? Are you going to get one?"

"Maybe," she teased, but determined to get one.

"Let me know if you're going to get one," Munna suggested.

"But I need your answer on our marriage proposal. I don't wanna rush you now. But, max by tomorrow morning, the same time. If you say no, I'll tell your Ma that I am not interested. I don't want to taint your bond with her." She said in a stern tone.

Munna could have said yes straight away, but the naughty guy in him wanted to play with her. "Okay, Vamika. I'll tell you." He faked a serious tone.

"Okay, Munna. I will wait for your call," said Vamika, and disconnected the call.

She got his intentions to play with her by not admitting his interest. She liked playing his game, determined not to call him again, unless he did.

---

"To whom you were talking so long?" Yasodha was waiting outside her room as Vamika unlocked the door.

"Maa... I was talking to Munna, the groom guy."

"Oh... What have you decided?"

"I like him, ma."

"So shall I inform, Brinda-ji?" Her mum rushed to call her.

"Ma. Don't rush like this. They might think we are so desperate." Vamika grabbed the mobile.

"You are right, Sweety."

"I gave time to Munna. Let him say 'Yes', then we can tell our decision."

"Will he?" Yasodha asked with a doubt.

"He will, ma. He likes me. But not admitting it."

"Give him space. He might be a shy boy like you," Yasodha said innocently, unaware of his son-in-law to be.

"Oh, yes. He is very, very shy, ma," Vamika said, smiling inside how quite opposite he was.

---

THE TATTOO EXPERIENCE

After lunch, Vamika was lying on her bed, daydreaming looking at the cracked roof of her rented house.

'Probably, I will be saying goodbye to you very soon. But I will miss you,' She talked to the walls.

The thought of Yasodha staying with her after marriage was a big relief for her. Munna matched everything except, being a little flirting type.

'You can't check all the boxes, Sweety. Life will be boring with a synonymous character. But what if he says no? I can't miss him. I can't just be his friend,' her inner voice pleaded.

'Get a tattoo, Vamika!' She thought that would be a strong message to him that she was serious about him. Not just another potential groom.

'You're crazy, Vamika. Can you do this?'

'Of course, I can.'

'You're a shy girl.'

'Not any more.'

'You can't!'

'I can. Watch me!'

She did a war of words with her inner self. She picked her mobile, searched the internet, and dialled 3iDmentions, highly rated elite tattoo parlour.

A staff girl answered with a western accent. Vamika asked for an appointment on the same day. The staff replied that the same day appointments were possible only for existing designs.

"I have the design ready, wait," said Vamika and forwarded the tattoo sent by Munna.

"Hold on, please," she kept her on hold and replied after a couple of minutes. "Yes, Ma'am. It can be done, if you can reach here in an hour."

"Thank you. I'll be there."

Vamika took a quick shower, draped a saree and rushed out, almost forgetting informing her mother. She rushed back, standing by the door, "Ma, got an urgent work. I will be back by evening," she called out.

"Okay!" her mother's voice approved.

This was not new for Yasodha, at times Vamika had been like this, getting calls from the school at Saturdays.

"Once she gets married, I am not sending her to this private school!" Yasodha told herself.

Traffic gods showered grace, thanks to the afternoon's hot weather, most of the people stayed indoors. Vamika reached 3iDmentions 15 minutes earlier.

The posh studio, fully air-conditioned space, neon glow and the music sounded alien to her. Though she liked the escape from the sticky heat outside.

"Vamika?" a receptionist welcomed her. Vamika nodded and confirmed it was the same girl who talked to her over the phone, by the way she pronounced her name.

Vamika nodded, and she asked her to wait in the lobby.

"You can take lounge no. 6, Ma'am," the receptionist guided her.

Vamika nervously took every step and knocked on the door of the lounge 6. A guy opened the door and her heart froze.

"Yes, come in," he welcomed her.

'What the hell!' she murmured. Quick as a blink, she rushed back to the receptionist.

"What ma'am? Any issue?"

"There was a guy... male... in room 6," Vamika said clutching at her chest.

"Yes. Deep. He is your tattooist," she replied casually.

"Nope. I need a female tattooist," Vamika insisted.

"Sorry, Ma'am. All female artists are occupied now. Maybe you can come tomorrow, let me check the availability."

"No. I need it today."

"Then, Deep is the only option ma'am. Haven't you heard of him? He is one of the best in India," the receptionist said.

"Sorry, No idea. I am new to tattooing."

"Ma'am, even celebrities are his clients. Check the internet if you want."

"It's not about that. I feel shy to..."

Before Vamika could complete, the receptionist said, "It is just a tattoo ma'am. So many girls get tattooed here. I think you are so traditional and shy type."

'So traditional, shy type,' the words hit her hard. 'Even she thinks that you are an old book, Vamika. You can't change. Drop the idea of marrying Munna. You will be spoiling his life as well.' Vamika's mind spat words like venom.

"Fine. I will get it done from him."

Even the receptionist was shocked that Vamika had changed her mind.

Again she approached the lounge 6, this time with a fake confidence.

"Any problem?" the tattooist, Deep asked.

He was a charming and a stylish guy, almost the same age of Vamika, may be younger. She looked at him, trying to guess what kind of guy he might be. All she could predict was he was a proper tattoo artist. In fact, he was so handsome, in her standards.

"Nothing. I just wanted to check how long it would take."

"You could have asked me," Deep smiled.

"Okay. Tell me how long it would take?" Vamika asked without a second thought.

"Well. Didn't you ask the receptionist?"

Vamika stayed silent.

"You ran away because I am guy, right?" Deep predicted correctly.

"Yes... No... I mean yes for, I asked her about the timing. And no for running away," she struggled to respond.

"Please take a seat, drink some water, Vamika," he requested and bolted the room's door.

"How do you know my name?" she asked, picking the water bottle from her handbag, instead of the one he provided.

"Here it is," Deep showed a printed sheet with her details and the image of the tattoo she had sent to the receptionist.

Again, she skipped responding and asked, "So how long will it take?"

"Do you want exactly the same, with colours?"

"Yes, with my name."

"Okay. Then it might take 3 hours, approximately," he said checking the clock.

"So can I leave by 5 or 6?"

"Max 7," Deep said, preparing the reclinable tattoo chair. "So, where do you want to get this tattoo?" He handed an iPad to her with an image of a female mannequin, where she can circle the spot.

She hesitated, drew a circle just above the left breast and asked, "Will it be visible to all?"

Deep looked at the spot she marked, "Yes, if you wear a saree, with a low cut blouse, or salwar with broader neck."

Vamika looked concerned, thinking deeply.

"Why don't you get it done on your back, shoulder, arm, wrist... if you are not comfortable?" Deep suggested.

"No, I want it close to heart. For a personal reason," she blushed while saying it.

"Love?"

"Nope. It is for my fiancée."

"Oh... That's his name, Munna?" Deep looked back at the image she shared.

She simply nodded. Deep smiled at her.

"What?" asked Vamika.

"You don't seem like a Tattoo fan."

"Why?"

"I can say by the looks. You are more of Sanskari, homely person," he also labelled her 'traditional'.

"You also have got that 'CEO because daddy owns the company' look. Aren't you here doing tattoos, though?" Vamika teased him back.

"Hey. You took it personally. I can see you are hesitating, that's why," Deep tried to ease her.

"Why would I walk in if I was not ready? I want to get it done."

"Now I feel better. Your confidence will reflect in my work. Because, tattoo is not something you can erase off easily like a homework mistake," Deep said.

"So, you had done a lot of mistakes in your homeworks?"

"Yes. I hated homeworks! Teachers are cruel you know," Deep said, making the final adjustments to the accessories of the tattooing chair.

"Mister..."

"Deep."

"Deep, I am also a school teacher."

"Sorry! Miss, please don't tell my parents. I'll do my homeworks tomorrow," he pretended to cry like a school boy.

Vamika laughed. She started feeling easy with him better than a few minutes ago.

"Can you please shift to the tattooing chair?"

He adjusted to the reclinable chair. It was a massager chair with foot rest, almost like an inclined bed.

"Wait. Please change your saree in the dressing room. The ink may stain your saree. It looks elegant on you, but get clumsy while tattooing. There is robe," he pointed a door.

Vamika got in and started checking the room.

She heard deep saying from outside, "You need not worry, it was not two-way mirror. And we don't have hidden cams. Trust me."

"You will be jailed, if you have any such things. Not my problem," Vamika sent her voice out.

"You're a dangerous girl," he said from the outside.

She yelled back, "Dangerous is better than Sanskari. Tell me, can I keep my blouse under the robe?"

"Yes you can. But I will charge your blouse for half the tattoo. Fine?"

She understood that he wanted her to remove the blouse and the saree.

In the dressing room, her reflection showed her red cotton bra and a red petticoat. It was a big bra, snug on her 32B size, but prominent in her slim structure.

'So, you gonna have a tattoo.' She looked at the exposed part of her chest.

She wore the black robe, which covered her till her waist. It just had three tie-up knots. She was relieved that no part of her body will be exposed than the tattooing spot. Still, she was feeling exposed.

'Are you the same girl Vamika? You used to hug notebooks, over the shawls to add an extra layer to cover your boobs, so no boy could guess your size. Now look at you! Getting ready to get tattooed by a guy,' the hidden modest girl in her voiced.

'Shut up. Enough of listening to you, Sanskari, I missed all the fun in my life, because of you. I'm not listening to you any more. I'm gonna enjoy my life, like Munna,' she replied to the Traditional-Sanskari-Vamika.

She walked out and sat on the tattooing table. Deep adjusted it, and she was almost lying flat on her back. He pulled a rolling high chair with extra holders, that has various fancy tools and calligraphy pens.

"So, is this your surprise gift for your fiancé? When's the marriage?" Deep asked.

"It is not fixed yet. He is yet to accept my proposal."

"What? Are you mad?" Deep corrected his throat, "Sorry, are you serious? What if he denies?"

"I not that fool. That's why I'm having my name on it, not his," she winked.

"Smart! Shall we start?" Deep got closer to her.

Her heart amped up beats per minute, as Deep touched her robe close to her neck. She held his hand.

"Sorry," she said, unable to hide her shyness any more. "It's my first time, letting a guy... like this."

"I can understand. If you want, you can close your eyes. I'll be just doing my job. Relax," he carefully placed her hand on the arm rest.

He undid the first knot of the robe, which wasn't enough to access the tattooing spot, then he undid the second knot. She closed her eyes, he was parting the robe slightly. Cool air teased her bare skin, covered just by a bra, exposed till my belly button.

'OMG! He is going to touch you!'

'Shut up! It will be over soon.'

'Yeah, in three hours.'

"What are you murmuring?" Deep asked her.

"Nothing, just mind voice."

"Can you ask your mind voice to open your eyes? I have a problem here."

Vamika started liking his company and the way he connects things jovially. She opened her eyes. Deep positioned a mirror above her head at an angle. It showed her robe parted wide, till her tummy. She was there lying open just in a bra and a robe serving no purpose.

"Your bra is too big," he said, "Can I tattoo here?" He touched the bone below her neck with a pen.

It sent a jolt in her, but she didn't show up any reaction. "No, I want it close to my heart," she whispered, inaudible.

"Please stop talking in mind voice. I am not in your mind, right? To hear all you speak." Deep smiled at her.

"That's not my mind voice," she said louder, "I want it close to my heart, I said. Here..." She held the pen and pushed it down and her bra blocked the way.

"That's the problem!" he said.

"What? My bra?"

"Yes."

"So do you want me to take it off and stay topless before you?" She tried to get up, showing some cleavage to him.

"Did I ask you to go topless?"

"Then what?"

"Your bra has hooks in the front..." as he was saying it, she realized he was paying attention to every detail of her. He continued, "... just undo some hooks, I'll try to finish it."

There was no answer from her. But she lied down and started unclasping the first one.

"Is that enough?" She asked, with closed eyes.

"You can open your eyes and check it yourself."

She checked the mirror, her cleavage got bigger now. But was nowhere closer to the spot she wanted and also held her breast together. She unclasped the second one and waited for his answer.

"One more please," Deep requested.

"I just have two more," she said annoyed, avoiding his eyes.

"I asked just for one," he said looking at her eyes.

Shyness creeped in, and she closed her eyes, undoing the penultimate hook. Her bra hung tight with the last hope, like a cliffhanger. Her cleavage was alluring. Both breasts held together at the bottom made the cleavage look like a heart-in. Deep struggled, but professional and made her lie down comfortably.

He took his calligraphy pen and started sketching on her chest.

"Are you drawing? Aren't you supposed to paste a sticker or a stencil and do tattoo over it?"

"Nope. This design is hand drawn. Trust me I know it better than anyone." He said with a sureness.

"Okay, Picasso," she said closing her eyes again.

Not even a minute passed, he felt it difficult to draw on the slope of her breast, as the bra still held the boobs together. He didn't start to draw, just looking at the tattooing spot from different angles.

"Teacher, are you awake?" he tried to get her attention.

"Yes, Picasso."

"Tell me one thing, can you draw better on a paper or an apple?"

"Which idiot would draw on an apple?"

"I am the idiot and these are the apples," he showed how difficult it was for him to draw on the curving slope of her breast. Even after undoing all the hooks except one, it was forming a valley in between.

"Whatever you want to do, please make it fast. I feel shy to stay like this, exposed Deep."

"Please, get used to it. As I said it will take minimum three hours. You cannot wear your clothes till the entire process gets finished."

'OMG! How am I going to go through this?' she sighed.

"I need a flat surface to properly draw the twigs, the bird, and the falling leaves. If you undo the last hook..." he saw a shock in her face, when he said those words. "You can cover your breasts, with your bra cups. I just need to draw here," he circled the spot with his brush.

"No. Don't do that. It's tickling." She pushed his brush and it fell down.

By the time he bent down and picked it up, she unhooked the last one and held the bra cups in place to cover her breasts from his view.

"Is it flat enough?" She asked, this time looking at his eyes.

"You cannot flatten it further. Because apples are still apples," he complemented her breasts and said, "This is enough. Thank you."

She held the unclasped bra cups on her breasts, with a wide gap in the middle. He would draw the art from the middle of her chest and finish it on the inner slop of her left breast. Close to her heart, like she wanted.

For the first time his fingers touched her skin, that too on her chest, right in the valley of her breasts. He used some fine tipped pen to sketch. She got goosebumps all over. A new sensation arose in her body, a touch of a male. He introduced her body to new sensations with pen tips that came in various sizes and softness. She started developing a taste for this tickling effect on her.

However, the oversized sleeve of the robe made it uncomfortable for her. The full sleeved heavy material was pulling her arms down with gravity. Initially it was light, as the clock ticked past few minutes, it became more heavy. She was fearing that she might drop her palms that guarded her boobs.

She felt the last knot of the robe giving up to the movements of Deep, while he was drawing. The last knot fell, sliding down the robe on both sides like wings. She was lying on the tattooing chair, wearing nothing but an open robe, unclasped bra and a petticoat. There was cut at the waist line of the petticoat, which revealed her red panties on her right side. Her deep navel would drive any guy crazy. Deep noticed it. It actually distracted him momentarily. Though he maintained his focus on drawing.

Her wrists ached, she got to a point where she cannot hold on to it further.

"This robe is like wearing my mother's rulebook, heavy." Vamika muttered expressing her struggle.

"You are wearing the in-skirt anyway, you can remove it." Deep suggested, pausing his work.

'Can you please turn around?' She asked with her eyes.

"Oh, sorry." He understood and turned around.

She sat up, holding her bra cups against her breasts. She must take her hands off the bra to remove the robe. Ensuring that Deep was not watching her, she swiftly proceeded to take off the robe. The bra cups flew to each of the sides exposing her breasts. She turned her back to Deep and removed the robe. Bad luck, her designer bangle with those sharp edges, got tangled with the lints of the robe. She tried to remove it by force, pulling the yarn further and made it tough to release.

'God! Please do not turn around, Deep,' she murmured, trying to get rid of the robe, stuck at her wrist.

Her boobs were jiggling to the jerking movements of her struggle. She gave up after realizing she needed a helping hand. Holding her bra cups over her boobs, with one hand, she called Deep.

"I need help," she asked in a helpless tone.

"May I turn around?"

"Please. This robe is stuck with my bangles."

Deep turned around, saw her struggling with two simultaneous tasks: One to cover her breasts with one hand; Second to remove the robe. He collected the robe in his hand, and gently reversed the sleeve that got tangled with the bangles. He removed the bangles from her hand along with the robe.

"Done!" He said with a smile.

The first thing Vamika did was, showing her back to him and adjusted the bra cups back to her breasts. After properly covering herself, she turned around.

"Thanks, Deep. I was tensed. It didn't strike my mind to remove the bangle."

"It's alright. Feel easy. You don't have to be shy."

"Hmm..." She nodded for the sake of it. Because she knew, how odd it was for her to stay that exposed state with a guy she hardly knew.

"Thank god, I feel lighter now," she said, resuming her sleeping Buddha mode.

Deep resumed his drawing.

"Draw but don't tickle me, okay?" she ordered.

He quietly continued his work. But just for a few minutes.

"Teacher... Wake up, we got another issue."

Vamika sounded like a teacher then, "What is wrong with you? Disturbing me like students asking for recess break frequently during class hours."

"Look at this!"

He showed the mirror to her. She saw a beautiful lovebird sitting on her chest.

"Hey, Picasso, it is cute. What's your problem with it?"

"Have a closer look!" he said, adjusting the mirror, for a better angle.

"Yes. It is smudged. Borders are not clear. Colours are messed. My students draw better than this," Vamika commented, laughing.

"Can you call one of them to complete it? Your tiny hairs are the problem."

"Hairs?" she asked first and then realized he was right.

She knew about those tiny, fine hairs on her breasts, not oddly visible black ones. Just like fibres matching her skin tone.

"What was your receptionist doing? I am first timer, she should have instructed me."

"See, customers usually get it done here," he justified.

"Am I not your customer now?" She asked, but regretted it.

'What have you asked him for? To shave your hairs? You are out of your mind, Vamika.' She blamed herself.

"I can't win arguing with you. May I do it now?"

"Okay," she said half-heartedly.

"Thanks, you better sleep," Deep held his palms together and pleaded her with a smile.

She smiled back and got back to her Zen mode.

She felt some wetness on the exposed area of her breasts. She mildly opened her eyes to sneak peek at what Deep was doing. He was applying a hair removal cream on the tattooing spot of her left breast and then did the same on the right side.

Vamika was puzzled. 'Why the hell he is removing hairs on the right side?' she almost uttered it louder audible to him.

"Because, it will look odd and uneven. Stop sneaking at me. You can open your eyes and check, Miss. Invigilator", he said and wiping of her hairs with a spatula.

Vamika felt something strange. First time in her life, she was letting someone, a guy, to shave her. She had not even allowed her mum to do such intimate jobs. She loved the way, Deep handled her gently.

"Done. I will finish the drawing quickly. Let it dry and then we can proceed with the tattooing. You can go back to your siesta, Vamika."

She liked the way he called her by name, rather teasing her as a teacher often.

"No, I would like to see, Picasso at work. You carry on." She shed her shyness momentarily, looking in the mirror.

Deep's fingers showed the expertise. Vamika validated his skills and felt no wonder he was the best in his field.

"You are really talented, Deep."

"Thanks for crediting me, not the doppelgänger of Picasso."

"Who is that? Doppel... gangster?"

"Come on teacher, its doppelgänger. A body double, dupe." He thought she was pretending unfamiliar of the term.

"Seriously, Deep. I don't know that word. I need not know everything, just because I am a teacher," Vamika admitted.

Deep liked her honesty.

"You are the first teacher I'm seeing, who admitted that you don't know something. Great, Vamika. So what subject you teach?"

"Mathematics."

"You should have told that earlier, Ma'am. I would have behaved well. Sorry for teasing you, Ma'am," Deep pretended in a serious tone.

"Why? Are you poor in Maths?" Vamika laughed.

"No, no. I had always been there in the top ten," he said, stopping the drawing.

"Really?" Vamika looked at him with excitement.

"Yes. My scores had never crossed 10. It stayed in the top 10, you know."

She punched his arm, as they cracked up.

"Stop reminding me of Maths. I see devils teaching them in my dreams," Deep said.

Vamika gave him another punch and Deep was frozen like a statue!

"What? I didn't punch that hard!" She looked at his eyes locked at her chest.

Her right boobs was completely exposed. Revealing her dark nipple, with larger areola than typical ones. Her hands flew like a bolt to cover it, her shyness roaring, 'What have you done, Vamika? Gone out of your senses?'

"Sorry," they apologized in unison.

"I got carried away", again together.

They stayed silent for a while, doing nothing.

"Hey Deep," she called him, "You must have seen a lot of women topless, didn't you?" she asked, deciding to break the ice.

"Yes. But none like you. You are different."

"What different? All of us, I mean girls, have the same anatomy," she said.

"Maths is not my cup of tea, but not Biology, teacher," Deep got back to his normalcy and continued, "Yes, anatomically all females have breasts, nipples, etc., but they come in different size and shapes. Isn't it?" While saying his sight naturally turned to her spot what she was hiding like stolen fruits.

"So..."

"So... You are different."

"What's different?" Vamika asked him, unwilling to change the topic.

"Leave it, your husband is a lucky guy," he said, smiling at her.

"Now you must explain this!" she insisted sternly.

"I mean... Actually... No girl would go this far tattooing for her man like this. So he is lucky, isn't it?"

"Stop beating around the bush. You said it in another sense. I am just tattooing my name. How come my husband will be lucky for this? Spill it, Deep. You are covering up." Curiosity got into her, eager to know what did he found different in her.

"Yes, you are correct. How come you call it a surprise for your husband? It is your name, what is there in it for him? Nothing romantic or logical in this, I don't understand," said Deep, somehow managed to divert the topic.

The moment she heard, 'nothing logical' and 'I don't understand', she got to the teacher mode.

Unable to resist, Vamika asked, "Get me the iPad."

"But..." Deep tried to interrupt.

"Just give it to me. I'll explain," she insisted and he obliged.

She grabbed the iPad from him, leaning forward, sitting on the chair comfortably.

"Come here," she sought his attention.

She got into the teaching mode, and explained him with the picture of Munna's tattoo, "Here is the lovebird on a twig, actually it is a male bird waiting for his soulmate. Now I will get the same, but with my name. Understood?"

Deep nodded his head.

"Good boy," she rubbed his hair with her fingers and continued doodling beside the tattoo, "After my marriage, I will get another bird, here." She paused and resumed, "This is the bird's soulmate, tattooed next to it, by extending the twig like this." She found her art weird.

"I can see it your eyes," she said.

Deep was taken aback for some other reason she was not aware of, yet.

"My doodling is bad. I'm not an artist like you. Where were we? Haan. Here... I will have my husband's name. Isn't it lovely?" She asked, completing her lesson.

"Yes. They are." Deep answered, not looking at her eyes.

Only when Vamika handed him the iPod back, she realized, again she did the blunder of taking off both the hands from holding the bra cups.

She was topless in front of Deep, with her bra just hanging on her shoulders, parted sparsely, revealing the curves in full.

'Oh no, he saw you! Completely!' her heart almost stopped beating.

She covered breasts with bare hands, smudging the art completely.

"Sorry," she said gasping and realizing that she spoiled all his hard work.

"Don't be sorry," Deep said casually.

It took a few seconds to gather herself back to the conversation. "Why? Are you thankful for the show?" A faint smile escaped.

"Nope. Why didn't you tell your plan earlier, Vamika?"

"What plan? I had not planned to show off," she defended, misunderstanding him.

"Hey. You got me wrong. I asked about your plan to extend the tattoo in the future," he clarified.

"Why are you concerned about it?"

"Because, I am your tattooist and I know it is impossible," he pointed at her left breast, she cupped.

Vamika looked confused, holding her boobs, ensuring her finger gaps not exposing her nipples.

"Listen carefully, Vamika. Even if you had told me your plan earlier, I would have drawn it like this, till this point. Because, I had no idea about your hidden anatomy,"

"You saw them right? So, not hidden any more."

"You're right. I am glad about it."

"Obviously you would be glad to see me topless." Vamika shook her head.

"No!" He objected.

"Liar!"

"Okay. I was jumping to the moon and earth seeing your boobies. Happy? Let's get back to the business."

She waited for his explanation.

"Actually, your exposed state saved you from a disaster. Say, If I have finished the tattooing, there is no going back. Right?"

"Yes. You cannot remove the tattoo easily. I not that naïve." She replied.

"Listen to me, teacher. In future, when you go for the other half of the tattoo, there will be a problem."

"Please explain in a way that I can understand," She asked, carefully holding her breasts.

Deep took his iPad and drew a circle.

"What is this? Zero? Your maths mark?" Vamika could not contain her humour sense.

"That's a poor joke and I don't have time to draw your boob perfectly. Just imagine, these are your breasts," he said drawing another boob next to it. This time he did some changes, and it was a perfect line drawing of breasts. He completed it with the nipples and areolas.

She felt odd, yet funny to see a guy drawing her own boobs live in front of her and explaining things.

"Sorry," he erased the centre part and redrew it, with a larger areola.

"Is it correct?" he asked her.

It was like, 'Miss look at it, I have drawn your boobs.'

"That's embarrassing!" she stared at him.

He momentarily closed his eyes, rethinking and said, "Yes, these are perfect!"

That was even more embarrassing for her, watching him restoring her nude breasts in his mind and estimating the dynamics of it. But she was stunned at his precision. The ratio was perfect.

'He has memorized you boobs like a formula', Vamika's mind mocked at her.

"This is where... we have drawn the design now. And there is no space for the second bird. Because your large areola comes into the canvas zone. We can't tattoo on your areolas as they are..." he hesitated, "... dark. I mean, they are pretty in every sense. But mismatching with the chosen colours. Even if we tattoo over it, that will like spoiling the natural beauty."

Vamika realized he was right about the tattoo, missing the praising he gave for her areolas. Instinctively her hands tried to reach her head, and say, 'Oh no!', but resisted avoiding another exposure.

"So what is the solution?" she asked.

"Undo, redo. Everything from the scratch. Like this..." He picked the iPad again to explain with the drawing of her breasts.

To avoid it, she said, "Stop it please, I understood. You are going to move the tattoo towards the right in the x-axis a bit to avoid the intersecting with..."

He interrupted. "Intersecting with the circle of concern, the areola. Exactly. The Venn will not intersect."

"Shut up! I can tolerate you, but not your Maths," she sighed.

Deep got back to his cup board, rearranging all the stuffs.

Vamika, switched her palms with her bra cups to cover her breasts. They are sweaty as her palms snugged them for a while. She wiped the sweat with the cotton material of her bra.

'Don't rub there!' her mind warned her. 'You are arousing me'.

She looked in a mirror that was positioned above her. She saw a different Vamika.

'You are bolder now, unlike the shy girl. Even cracking jokes with this guy, like a friend. Isn't he nice? In spite of seeing you topless, having the opportunity to touch you, he is behaving as a good boy. Yeah, he is naughty, but cute. Don't you like him Vamika? I do, I like him more than Munna.' She can't believe herself that her inner self was developing such feelings for Deep.

'Stop this nonsense. You cannot think like that. I'm committed to Munna.' Vamika argued back.

'Seriously? You are not even engaged with him. And he is not even admitting his interest in you. But look at Deep, he openly praises you, adores you. Didn't you notice?' Her mind shot back at her.

'Deep is flirting with me.'

'So was Munna. Even he said nothing is wrong in flirting.'

'Only before marriage!" Vamika struggled to argue with her mind.

'Yes. You are not married, yet,' her mind threw the ball in her courts.

'What are you advising?'

'I am asking you to be a free-spirit. At least once, before marriage? Like Munna, if that is convincing for you. Didn't you yearn for it, being untamed by rules? When Munna said he kissed many girls, you felt you missed such things. Didn't you? I saw you wetting your lips with your tongue, longing for a kiss.' Her mind asked her questions for which she had no answers.

'Shed your shy-girl mask. Forget about the Traditional girl in you. Live at this moment, without any thoughts of Ma, marriage, Munna, palana, dimkana (and so on)... Be you! Be as naughty as you want. Explore whatever you've missed. This is your last chance!'

That was one hell of advice from her mind. Vamika didn't deny it. She deduced all the permutations, combinations, and probabilities of the consequences and gains she can get from her mind's suggestions. One thing was sure for her. She never had an opportunity like this in her life. Not sure if she would ever get again. The moment after stepping out of this room, the old shy persona would take over.

'Are you in or out?' her mind asked.

"Okay. I'm in." Vamika answered to her inner voice loudly.

"In for what?" Deep's voice brought her back to her senses.

"No, I was talking to my..."

"Inner voice? Again?" he sighed, "You know what, whoever contains their emotions, talk to their inner voice often. And they go mad, someday. So don't contain yourself. Be free!"

"Who said that? Picasso?" She smiled, and lying on the chair, comfortably with a new spark in her eyes.

"Shall we start over?"

"Please," she said and Deep felt a new confidence in her voice.

He gently parted her bra cups along with her hand and stopped it where her areola's border started. It was exactly at the brink of its outline. He could see faint darkness visible. But Vamika neither reacted like seeing a ghost, nor stopped him.

He applied the hair remover cream all over the visible part of her breasts and wiped it clean. This time she closed her eyes, but for different reasons.

'That's it. Feel his touch without any second thoughts,' her mind encouraged her.

She was enjoying every time his fingers made skin contact. Though he touched her with his calligraphy pens and brushes. Often, he had to use the other hand to touch her breast for a better angle and support. Also, he rested his drawing hand on her chest.

"This is your last chance! Don't miss it." Vamika reminded herself, with her eyes closed.

Deep paused and gave a puzzled look, "What last chance? Are you giving up on me? Dropping the tattooing idea?"

"Nope. I got into this mood... I mean to get tattooed properly. If we mess again, we don't have time and another chance. Because, I need to go home by evening," she managed to cover up.

Deep got what she was conveying, but felt something was off with her. Yet he resumed focussing on his work.

"May I..." he asked her.

"What?" she asked in a husky voice.

"Are you asleep?"

"Nope, just relaxing. Why?" She asked, eyes still closed. He could see the movement of her eyeballs underneath the eyelids.

"You've moved your fingers. They are blocking the canvas region. I need to draw here."

"Okay," she said, pausing for a moment. "Be free and draw." She removed her left hand from holding her bra cup and placed it on the arm rest of the chair.

The moment she loosened her grip, the elastic of the bra eased, exposing her nipple to him.

'You are exposed' her mind played the protector role now.

'Shut up you bitch! You made me do this. If he doesn't want to see, let him cover me. Will he?' Vamika shunned her mind from the conversation.

'His eyes are glued.'

'I know it. So keep quiet. Let me feel it,' Vamika allowed Deep to see her with one of her breasts exposed.

Deep was stunned, drawn by her beauty. It was perfect for him, unlike any of the breasts he had seen before. His mind started oscillating between the ends. One end he was a professional and on the other end he was a young man, with a pendulum hanging between his thighs. But it was not oscillating like him, just started gaining size in one direction.

He decided to stay professional and managed to complete the drawing. However, subconsciously he failed at his attempt to avoid her exposed state. He pretended to draw with a brush dipped in water, around her areola. His thirst led him to feel her nipples with his trembling fingers. Her areola was tender like a butter, contrasting to her hard nipple.

He could not draw a conclusion on what to do next and continued feeling her exposed breast, mainly the nipple.

'Is she awake, allowing me to do touch her? Does she know about her bare state?' He asked himself.

"Is it done? You are repeating something in loop mode," Vamika asked, looking in a mirror, found his fingers playing with her dark fantasy.

He swiftly moved his finger off her nipple. But she did not allow him anytime to cover her breast. He ignored reacting, thinking any action would be useless. He knew, she had seen what he did. Guilt creeped inside him.

"I'm done with the drawing. Just 15 mins, it will dry. Then we can start tattooing," Deep said. For the first time, he was unable to meet her eyes.

"You can hide your face. But you can't hide that one." Vamika said, laughing at his bulge. There was a tent.

"Sorry, I got carried away," he said, showing his back to her.

"Even I did so," she said.

She freed her right hand from cupping her bra. Unbothered about her toplessness, she held his hand. He dared not to turn and look at her.

"I knew it. I was exposed. What is the point now? You have seen me already. So, I stopped fussing. I am tired of holding my hands against my chest. The forbidden fruits garner more attention and it will distract you. Now you can work freely. I just wanted to know what would you do." She said, still holding his hand and sat up from lying posture.

"I was... just painting," he fumbled with words.

"With water, around my nipple," Vamika laughed. "It's okay you can turn around."

He saw her sitting topless, her bra sliding off her shoulder at one side.

"Don't move." He rushed back with a tissue and wiped sweat beads from her neck and above her breasts, protecting the art.

"Can I take this off? It is useless now," she sought his help.

She allowed him to remove the bra and also her shyness also along with it. She was there, sitting just with her petticoat, legs stretched on that reclinable chair. Deep adjusted the back rest to make it comfortable for her to lean on. He reduced the AC's temperature to the lowest. The reaction was spontaneous, her nipples became rock hard, getting all the attention.

"Stay still. Just five more minutes. Else the entire work will be spoiled."

"Don't worry, it won't." she said raising her arms up, holding the head rest behind her neck.

"My hands are paining as I kept them static all the time," she reasoned.

Deep's eyes were fixated at her hard nipples.

"Come on. You are looking at them, but not telling something. What is running in your mind? Spill it. Don't lie, okay." Vamika asked darting at his eyes.

"Actually, I was wondering... How cute they are. Your breasts. The areolas... they are adorable, contrasting with your skin tone. That's why I said your hubby is a lucky guy," he sighed.

"You know what, first time I am letting a guy see me like this."

"I am lucky then," Deep smiled with a yearning in his eyes.

"I wish I had known you earlier, Deep. Or maybe this tattoo thing happened a few months before," she said folding her hands and making her boobs rest in her arm.

"Why?"

"Can be honest with you? Just between us. I am tired of being a Sanskari, traditional, old book, homely girl... Call whatever. Everyone are living their life with freedom. But look at me, waiting for things to happen and losing my precious youthful years."

Deep wanted to have a say, but she stopped him.

"I would have explored some ABCs as Munna said. I missed all the fun in my life. Being so shy and restrictive. I know nothing when it comes to... you are getting it right?" Vamika asked.

"Yes. ABCs like...?"

"Flirting... Kissing... Hugging... etc."

"You are already good at flirting," he complemented.

"Is it? Thank you. I have started the course yesterday. What about the rest? I am a zero, like how you are in Maths."

"Come on. So, you feel you know nothing about kissing, hugging, etc."

She nodded.

Deep thought for a moment and said, "Anyway you are getting married. You'll eventually learn everything with him."

"Stop talking like my old version. I'm talking about all the thrills and excitement of naughty things. Married life is like a timetable. We know what is coming next. That is entirely different."

"I don't know what to say," Deep shook his head.

"Yeah. But you guys know exactly how to do everything with girls, before marriage and have all the fun." There was dejection in her words.

"No one is stopping you, I mean girls. Even they, too, do everything nowadays, before marriage." He shrugged his shoulders.

"But not me. In spite of my fiancé, Munna who encourages it. In fact, he wished I had some experience. He preferred that I don't enter his life as a newbie in such things."

"Such an open-minded guy," he praised Munna.

"What is the use? In spite of his approval, I can't time travel back and live those missed moments, right?"

Time! The word reminded Deep that the 15 minutes got over, and he should proceed with the tattooing.

"Let us finish the tattooing. It's getting late for you," Deep stopped the conversation abruptly and shifted to his work mode.

Vamika got annoyed, "Don't rush, I want to finish what we've started. I mean... the talk, I feel good having such an open conversation with a guy like you. At least allow me the pleasure of discussing my fantasies." Vamika's husky voice drove him wild.

"I'm not stopping you, Vamika. We can continue the discussion while tattooing. Also, it keeps your focus away from the pain."

"Pain?" She looked at the tattooing machine buzzing in his hand.

"Just like a mosquito bite, don't worry, I'll apply a topical numbing gel."

"Doesn't it smudge the art?"

"No, it won't."

Deep took the transparent gel in his palm and applied gently on the tattooing region. She loved the way he handled her delicate skin, like wiping with a feather.

"It's chill," Vamika said, blowing air.

"In a few minutes you feel numb, then we can wipe it off and do the tattooing."

"Then it won't pain right?" she asked with a fear.

"I will ensure, you don't feel any pain," Deep promised her holding her palm in-between his, looking straight into her eyes. That promise sounded far beyond tattooing.

He started the process, wearing sterilized gloves, resting his working palm on her left breast gently. He positioned the tattooing pen over the art work. Vamika jerked at the initial stages, then got used to it. His other hand was wiping the small drops of blood, which is inevitable while tattooing.

Vamika felt like prickling, but lost her thoughts in something else.

'Isn't it good Vamika? Your nipples are reacting. The right one is envying the left one.' Her mind advocated for the untouched breast.

'Why you want a tattoo on the right? But it is beyond good. A feel I cannot explain'

'You are aroused. Can you ask him to do some favour to the right side? At least a grab? Once?'

'Keep quiet. I want to see how he's working on the tattoo.' Vamika yelled at her mind.

By the time, Deep started switching guns, inks and doing something expertly focusing completely on his art.

'I think he won't do anything more than tattooing. Wasted!' Her mind laughed.

'Didn't you see the tent? He got aroused as well' Vamika asked.

'He said he got carried away. Now he is into his work. Once it is done. You will be sent out.' Her mind sounded like a Nostradamus.

'No.'

'What do you mean by no? What do you want?'

'I want something. Something more than tattooing.' Vamika sounded desperate.

'Let me think of it,' said her mind, abandoning her to endure the tease.

Deep was touching and moving his hand all over her left breast. At times, he even rested his non-working hand on her tummy. It seemed unintentional though. But that didn't mean Vamika should not feel aroused.

His fingers touched her deep navel in her plush tummy; it was just an action. The reaction was happening everywhere in her body. Especially in between her thighs. She felt the contractions more in her erogenous zones. The sensations escalated further as he denied the right breasts. He was fondling the left one and using her tummy as resting cushion for his hand.

Obviously, he was gloved for medical reasons to avoid any infection. But his touch, inevitably arousing her.

'Hey! Vamika,' her mind yelled at her.

'What?'

'He is wearing a glove. That's why he is containing himself'

Vamika knew it was absurd, but it was true to some extent. Still, it allowed him to focus on his work.

'Let him complete, I have a plan', Vamika calmed down her mind.

'Will it work?'

'I don't know how far. But it will break his shield.' There was a confidence in her words.

Vamika and her mind waited, waited and waited it was almost an hour, by the time Deep stopped working.

"Is it done?" Vamika asked restless.

"Yes. You were so silent. What happened? Enduring the pain?" He asked removing his gloves, after doing the final steps on the tattoo.

"So what will happen?"

"I will give you an ointment. Apply it regularly..." he started giving instructions, but her mind was worrying that he might ask her to leave as the work was done, "... that's it everything will be fine," Deep finished.

"But, something is not fine here Deep. I feel pain on the right side," Vamika said. Her mind was aware of that, she was starting her game.

"Sometimes it may happen. We have not applied numbing gel there right. So you are feeling the discomfort."

"Do something. Apply the numbing gel."

"No, it won't work. I will apply a massaging lotion. It might soothe."

He brought some organic gel with Aloe vera picture in it.

"You can apply it," he handed over to Vamika.

She stared at him like she was going to kill him.

"Okay, lie down. I will apply," he said, reading her mind.

He circled her right breast around the nipple, as his fingers slid with ease due to the gel. It was kind of a teasing for her. Vamika was looking for some reaction in him.

'There it is. The tent effect!' her mind jumped in joy.

"Stop teasing with me. Do it," Vamika insisted in a husky voice and closed her eyes.

That eased Deep and allowing him to step out of the professional side.

'What does she mean by Do it?' He missed a clarity. But he was sure about one thing that she wants him to massage her breast. He wanted as well.

He touched her nipple, it was solid resting on a soft mattress -- her areola. The pitch darkness of her nipples drove him mad. He was dying to kiss them and feel his tongue on it. But he was scared how Vamika would take it.

'Look at her, she is moaning. She enjoys it and would not mind a kiss', his lusty side urged him inside.

"What are you doing, Deep. It's doing something deep inside me," she said with a moan.

"I am hesitating because, you might mistake me, or may not like me doing this," he admitted.

"I'll curse you if you stop with just tattooing, after all our open talks. And you know what I am loving it. I wish I learned the ABCs from you," Vamika confessed this time.

"It is not too late. You can learn now!" Deep confessed his desire.

'That's it. He is in, now!' Vamika confirmed.

'Don't open your eyes. He might back off. Just sit and kiss him,' her mind advised.

She followed it by words, sat and called "Deep..."

"Yes," she could hear his voice in proximity.

She leaned towards the direction of his voice and planted her lips. She found his. It was just a peck. She opened her eyes and looked into his.

"Can you teach me the ABCs? Now?" She asked openly.

He resumed the kissing, starting with her forehead, cheeks, chin and then on to her lips.

"Lesson one," he said, "Don't barge into lips. Peck first, prep your partner."

"I am well-prepared," She couldn't hold it.

"Stop talking," he said, nibbling her lips with his, followed by a gentle bite. He tried to open her mouth with his tongue. She resisted, showing her inexperience.

Deep cupped her boobs, drawing circles around her nipples. She melted, got down from the chair, and hugged him. His bulge brushed against her navel. He kneaded her boobs tightly, and she gave access to her tongue by opening her mouth. He tasted her flavour, textures inside her. She hesitated to respond, then melted as he worked on her breast, thumb brushing her nipples. Arousal surged into her.

"Ouch!" he shrieked, as she bit his lips harder.

"Sorry. My first time. Let me try again," she resumed kissing him.

She was doing better this time as he gave instant access to his tongue. She inserted her hand inside his shirt through the gap between the buttons. Feeling his toned chest.

"What are you doing, teacher?"

"I am arousing you to hug me," she said naively.

"My chest is not my turn on zone," he said, pulling her hand out and placed it on his crotch.

She felt the hardness over his clothes. Two layers of clothes covered it, still his manhood was trying to find its way out. She thought of inserting her hand into his waist band. But Deep had different plans.

He planted his lips on her breasts. She forgot everything, holding his head tighter, close to her chest.

"I'm done with your teasing," she said and directed his lips straight to her nipples. His lips landed softly on the crown, and he pleasured her with his tongue, lips, and teeth.

"What are you doing? Ah... Haan... Oh... Hmm..." Vamika moaned louder.

Deep paused, "Don't make those sounds," he kept his finger on her lips. She bit it.

"Why?" she asked innocently.

He leaned closer to her and said, "They might think, I'm fucking you here. Your moans sound like that."

"How do you know those fucking sounds? Have you done it before?"

"Haven't you seen hot stuff in movies?" he grinned, massaging her breasts.

"You can't learn everything by watching. You can learn certain things only by doing. So answer me, have you done it before?"

He could not dodge her eyes. "Yes. With my ex. What about you?"

"Silly, you know I am all new to this. By the way, you are going to be my ex," she replied, giving a quick kiss on his lips.

"I don't think so, I'm not gonna end up as your ex," he said with confidence.

"How can you be so sure of it?" Vamika asked.

"Because I am not just good at the ABCs, I am the best in all the alphabets," he said, laughing.

"Is it? Prove your theorem. I will believe then," she pulled him closer.

He lifted her and laid her onto the chair. Resumed sucking her nipples. She was trembling to his moves, holding the arm rests tightly. He kissed her tummy, feeling the curve of her hips. She arched her back. His tongue tasted the depth of her navel. Before she could complete reacting for it, she felt the knot of her petticoat being loosened. Deep undid her red petticoat. She raised her hips, cooperating with him to slide it down.

Her bright red panties, was the only clothing left in her body. Stood as a warning sign, 'Stop.'

"Red! Is it a Stop?" Deep asked.

"All reds are green today." She pecked his lips and gave him the approval.

His fingers brushed the hair line, that was leading to the treasure trove beneath the waist band of her panties. Her hairy secret! He bit the waistband with his teeth and pulled it down, smelling her womanly aroma.

He looked for consent again, and she raised her hips, letting him pull her panties down, baring her completely.

'You are nude. With a stranger.' Vamika's mind got back to her.

'He is not a stranger. Can you stop trespassing between us?' She shunned her mind, letting the lust take over her.

He parted her pussy, brushing the hair aside. She was dark there as well, just like her nipples. Stark contrast to her bright dusky skin. The pussy lips were puffy, hiding her labia inside the folds. Her clit was very tiny, wheatish and hard as her nipple.

When he opened the labia, a surprise awaited him. He found a pink velvet passage, shining like a fresh flower dipped in honey. He could not resist. Kissing down there was the only way to satiate himself. He started licking her labia, folds and every inch of her.

Vamika was spellbound. She would consider this first as her best in her life.

She moaned, but contained her sounds, her heart was screaming, 'This is everything I didn't know I wanted. I missed all this.'

"Give me a break," she whispered, holding his head close to her womanhood, grinding his lips against her for one last time.

"Vamika" he said, gasping for air.

She saw his pants pulled down already.

"Look at that thing. Struggling to come out of it," she teased him and pulled him closer.

"Can I see it?" she asked him.

"All yours."

She slowly pulled down his briefs and set his cock free. She was simple looking at it. First time she was seeing a real, erect cock, all for her to grab and feel.

"Is it always this hard? Why the front part is bigger? What are these veins? You have balls too down here." She listed her excitement of seeing a male organ with a series of questions.

"Now you are teasing me," Deep said.

"What should I do?"

"Do what I did for you?" he replied, "It won't bite you, if you touch."

She hesitated, as the musky scent was new to her. First she touched it with fingertips, then grabbed it and felt it in her hand. It was not scary as she thought, cute in fact like a big carrot, hard but fleshy. She pulled the foreskin down, revealing a pink head.

"It is shiny," she said. It was oozing precum. She touched it, and jerked.

"Is it pee?" she asked.

"That's the pre stuff. Not piss," he clarified.

She wiped off his precum from the tip. Then she weighed his balls in her palm.

"It's funny," she said, trying to get hold of the balls inside his sack. Then started moving her fist along the length of his shaft, observing how the foreskin revealing and covering his cock head.

Deep's hand moved to her pussy again. It was wet with his saliva and her own essence. He started nibbling the folds.

"Kiss it. Try!" he begged.

Vamika planted her first kiss on his cock, a peck on the shaft and slowly converted it into a licking from the base to the tip. She was fumbling at it, but learning. Deep was in fact driving her to do more, operating her with his finger, which found its way into her slit.

"Aah," she moaned the moment the finger got inside her. "I heard it pains during the first time," she asked.

"Didn't I promise? I will ensure you feel no pain?"

Vamika smiled, relating his earlier words to the present action. She took his cock inside her mouth, just the bulb.

She tried sucking, licking and rolling her tongue on his cock. He felt that was enough for him. He didn't think she would do give him a blowjob on her first time. She was aroused that much. Both of them were quivering at each other's play.

"Vamika, I want to complete the ABCs. Shall I?"

"You mean, get inside me? But..."

"I will pull it out, don't worry. I won't release inside you"

"Sure?"

"Trust me," he said waiting for her consent.

She didn't reply him.

"If you are not okay with it..."

"No. I am ready. But how?" she asked and spread her legs into a V and asked, "Is it fine?"

Deep positioned himself in the space she offered him, standing on the edge of the tattooing table.

"Fuck me, Deep" she said, directly, her heart shouting, 'I'm free. I want this.'

He paused, then applied lube on her slit and introduced his member to her. Her pussy warmly greeted it, slowly swallowing its head.

"Aah..." She moaned, biting her hand to stifle the moans.

"Do it..." she commanded him.

He entered her full and deep, taking his own time, slow and steady.

'I am not a newbie any more.' She acknowledges her bold move, yet she wanted it. Loved it.

Deep stood by his promise. His moves were testaments for his caring on Vamika. Every pull and push was happening like a slo-mo shot.

For Vamika this was new. So, she had no idea of how people fuck, slow or fast, the pace did not matter her. But she was enjoying every second of it. Deep gone deeper and to the deepest part of her unexplored passage. Each sliding and gliding made Vamika yearn for more.

She felt the pinnacle of satisfaction at one point and again at another point.

"I feel like new highs every time, like elevation in my Y axis!"

"That was a funny way to explain orgasm, Vamika," Deep said, making some fast moves inside her.

"Ow... Why didn't you do like this before? It feels great," she gasped for air.

"You like it?" he asked increasing the speed further.

Both of them moaned, screamed and stopped together. Deep pulled out his cock and spilled all the sperm on her waist.

"Gooey. So this is it? The sperm?"

"Semen... Cum..." he corrected.

"It has sperms right?" she stared at him, feeling his sperm in her fingers.

"Yuck. I need to wash."

"Wait," he said pulling a small hand shower and cleaned her stomach as well as her pussy. The water flushed out through a collector vessel attached to the chair.

"So that's it?" she asked, gasping and putting her panties on, while her body still buzzing.

"ABCs?"

"Yes. Hope I learned the basics."

"Yeah, a crash course," he said, smiling, putting on his pants.

She wore her saree back. He helped her, giving her clothes one by one.

"So, What say you now? Am I going to be your Ex?" Deep asked.

She smiled as her hands working on her pleats.

"Answer me. I think I am in love with you," Deep confessed.

"Maybe, you love this intimacy me. The Sex."

He did not expect such a blunt answer from Vamika.

"No. I am serious. I am in love with you and want to marry you," Deep sounded honest.

"I don't want to give false hope to you Deep. You are a nice guy. But, I am already into a thing. My family has initiated talks which I cannot stop abruptly," she said with a concern.

"I understand, but he, what is his name... Munna, he is yet to decide right? Why can't you speak to him?"

She laughed out loud. "What should I tell? I fucked my tattooist?"

Deep's face frowned.

"Look Deep, I am not denying you because of your profession or what you are or how things happened so quickly between us. I never, ever had thought in my life that my first time will be happening like this. With a guy like you."

"You regret it?"

"No way, dear. I will cherish it all my life. But I cannot leave questions without answers. I need to solve certain things at home. I wanted this. You wanted this. We had it. I am not sure about what Munna might say tomorrow. If he says yes, I have to accept him as I promised," Vamika said adjusting her pallu.

"What if he says no?"

"What you expect me to say? If he says, no. I will give you a chance then?" Vamika walked towards him, held his hands and said, "You are not my Option 2, Deep. I am not such a kind of girl to flirt around and hurt souls. I liked you. My heart said, to go ahead and do it with you. I did. Like a free-bird. Let me go as a free-bird."

"So that's it?"

"Who knows the future?"

"What if he gets to know about us, this, in the future?" Deep asked with a concern.

"How will he know?"

"I know you Vamika. I know your honesty. Aren't you already decided to confess him everything tonight?"

Vamika was shocked. Deep read her mind, even before she took a call on it. "How do you know?"

"Because I..."

She knew that he was going to say 'I love you', the three words, "Hold on to it. I am going to confess everything to him tonight. If I don't get back to you, consider I am gone forever from your life. Because, I can't be with you as well as him, if he says 'yes.' But I will cherish our memorable moments forever."

Silence was Deep's answer. He ensured, 3iDmentions did not charge Vamika for tattooing. Vamika did not insist as well. She had to bid adieu to Deep, maybe forever. She might not see him here after.

She gave him one last hug, before leaving. Her bangles still in the robe as her memento for him. She faded away from his sight and headed back to her home. As assured she returned in the evening.

All her euphoria subdued behind the triangular twist she got into. She had to make hard choices and prioritize people. That was going to decide her future and define her as a person.

---

VAMIKA'S MARRIAGE:

Yasodha sensed something was odd with Vamika.

"Whatever may run in your head and confuse you. I know it is all about this marriage thing. Decide and do whatever your heart says," her mother offered a simple but a clear guidance.

Vamika had her dinner, got back to her room. She snapped a picture of her tattoo, though modestly without revealing much. She sent it to Munna. He was yet to see it.

She did not wait for his response and typed a text message: "Sorry, I ended up crossing line with this tattoo artist. I want to be honest with you. Do you still want to marry me?"

Something in her stopped her from sending the text.

'Tell him over a call, or meet him in person and tell.' Her mind advised her wisely, 'Text cannot carry your emotions and depth'.

'You are right,' she accepted the suggestion without an argument.

She waited the whole night, for him to see the tattoo and call her back. Or just a message. But nothing from his end. She called him many times, but could not connect.

At dawn, she sent a text message to him, confessing everything: "I think you're not interested in marrying me. Thanks for imbibing me to live for myself. I explored a few things, as you had too. Got carried away with the tattoo artist, crossed the line like how you put it. Hope you don't judge me, and we can be good friends, if you wish. Thanks for bringing this day in my life. It has changed me forever, well on a positive note. Good luck."

'Did I lose him? Was I too bold?'

'Stop overthinking, Sweety. Sleep. Come what may, life has to move on. And I am there for you always,' Her inner voice, comforted her.

She slept. Hours gone like years.

---

Her mother woke her at 9AM. "Get up, Sweety, the groom's mother is here, waiting for your answer."

"Sorry, Ma, I'm not interested," Vamika said. "Please covey it to her. I don't want to hurt her feelings."

"Have you gone mad? I can't say that," Yasodha said firmly, "Tell her yourself."

Vamika checked her reflection, she was wearing a close neck salwar that was covering her tattoo. She stepped out of her room, greeting Brinda Devi and her husband, who smiled warmly.

"Aunty, actually..." she began.

"Wait, dear. My son wants to meet you," Brinda said, calling him in, "Munna!"

Vamika froze as Munna walked in, his grin familiar.

"Hi, Vamika," he said, teasing. "There was a network outage last night. I couldn't reach you. I texted you later. Didn't you check your phone?" Munna asked.

She rushed to her phone--it was switched off.

Munna followed her to her room. "Vamika, now you know everything about me as well. Tell me now. Will you marry me?" he asked, kneeling, eyes sparkling.

"You cheeky! Badmash (Rascal)!" she squealed, hugging him.

Munna found his photo on her shelf.

"So you knew it all the time, it was me?"

"No, Deep... Munna..." She struggled how to call him.

"Munna is my pet name. Deep is my name," he said.

"Like Sweety and Vamika?"

"Yes," he nodded and asked, "Didn't you see my photo before coming for tattooing?" he asked, hugging her.

"What do you think?" she shot back, blushing, her heart confessing, 'I didn't know you are Deep. But I fell for you, twice. For Munna and also for Deep!'

"I know you were there to convince me for the marriage. But I wonder why you treated me like a stranger. Role playing? As you had not done such naughty things, you staged it right?" he asked.

"Not exactly, but I wanted to feel the unbound excitement at least once in my life. Stay true to my heart and not to hold natural instincts. And you have given those moments to me," Vamika hugged Munna.

"But, why did you act like a stranger?" She asked.

"I played along. I wanted to confess about crossing the line with my Ex. Also, I wanted to know what you were up to!"

"There are no boundaries here after," she sealed his lips.

For Vamika, Deep was always special and a different guy. Even though Deep and Munna are the same, she would be missing Deep forever in her life. Yet cherishing the moment she had with him forever. As she said, Deep was not going to meet Vamika again. But he will be happy with the love of his life.

What she thought as a triangle, became two dots. And their families fixed their marriage. The connect the dots would be connected with a nuptial thread in three months.

________________________________________

THE HAPPY ENDING:

Vamika's heart lingered in the past, three months ago, in the modest room of her house. The weight of her confession to Munna--her bold leap with Deep, the tattooed lovebird on her chest--still hummed in her veins.

Her husband, Munna, sneaked behind her, just like how he did at her home. He hugged her from behind, his lips brushing her neck in a soft kiss.

"You cheeky badmash."

But everything was reenacted in the bridal chamber.

"Lost in thoughts, teacher?" he teased, "What are you looking at?"

He could see her pallu undone. She was standing in her blouse, catching the lamplight.

"We're supposed to wait till 12:30," Vamika scolded softly, clinging to the pandit's auspicious time for copulation. Her cheeks blushed with a typical homely-girl's restraint.

"Just one kiss," Munna bargained, turning her around. "Only one, and I'll stop, I swear."

"One, you rascal," she relented, feeling the tremor of want.

His kiss landed, soft as a petal, but it blazed into a storm in her. His hands slid through her blouse. His fingers traced the swell of her breasts, teasing her nipples through the fabric. Vamika gasped, her resolve unravelled as a moan escaped her. She arched her body to his touch.

"Munna, you promised," she whispered, but her hands pulled him closer.

She opened the blouse like a banana peel.

"Velcro?"

"Yes. Easy access you know," she grinned, "Now call me a Sanskari."

He pushed the bra straps from her shoulders and revealed her breasts. The lovebird tattoo on her left breast peeking out--now complete with a second bird, Munna's name inked beside hers.

"The twins are glowing... I mean the birds," Munna said, kissing her breasts.

"I know which twins you are mentioning." Vamika pulled him closer, making him to go for her nipples.

"Don't make any noise, else they will get to know that we are doing the Auspicious thing!"

"Let them know," said Vamika, pushing him on the bed.

Her saree fell, a crimson tide pooling at her feet, followed by her petticoat, leaving her bare. Munna's dhoti joined the cascade, their bodies unshielded, two souls laid open.

The forgot the world and did so many things in their ABCs.

The clock ticked and 12:30 struck. Vamika was riding on top of Munna. He arched his back to explore her depth. Her gasps blended with his whispers, their bodies slick with shared heat.

"Release it now, inside me, fulfill the Auspicious fuck!" Vamika breathed, laughing through her climax as he spilled within her. The lamps flickered, and their shadows danced like wings on the wall. Like liberated love birds.

She was no longer the shy teacher or cautious groom. They were lovebirds freed from restraint, their tattoos a vow etched in flesh. Their love bloomed anew.

--- (THE END) ---