Chapter 22

Tara pov

" You- you had love affairs?" Aunty exclaimed shocked. What was there to be shocked by the way? Oh my ! They are so confusing sometimes. Had I said something wrong? I don't think so..

" Tara, wha-what did you just said? You had love affairs?" This time Vinay voiced his surprise. Why he was so flabbergasted ?I am really confused now. Devil's face was too just as pale as aunty. They really seemed so shocked out of their wits. Their faces seems so funny though, that I only wanted to laugh, but I controlled it nevertheless because it is considered to be rude to laugh at others.

But my insides still laughed. Hahahaha.. They are looking so funny with those expressions; And my inner bubbly side just wanted to pinch aunty's cheeks.

" Ofcourse Vinay! I had so many love affairs." I said happily with a big smile on my lips, feeling like I have achieved something precious in my life as I observed their shocked faces.

These people are so cute, well except that devil who is so adamant not to let me go, and right now he was giving me an unbelievable look.

Huh !!

What he assumed?

That there's no one to love me. Huh !?

I huffed and ignored him.

" How many affairs? " This time aunty spoke up slowly. Her face showing like she had just stopped her breathing, as she looked at me, though her voice came as cold as an ice.

" Hmmm... let me count.." I lifted my index finger and placed it just below the chin, gazing at the blue sky and the beautiful sunset, as I thought about how many love affairs I had in my past.

" COUNT !?" Aunty exclaimed horrified, her voice was also loud, filled with surprise. She glanced at devil with a glare but again turned to look at me. I ignored her surprise filled voice. Weird people !

I counted and counted in my mind, then simply replied to her," Oh aunty ! I had twenty love affairs in my past. Han ! Twenty.. " I replied proudly with the confidence lacing in my voice as I kept my same goofy smile, only to get her face expression changed into utter horror, like she just saw a ghost within me. Hahaha...

" OH MY GOD !!" Aunty exclaimed.

" TWENTY !?" Vinay's eyes were wide.

" WHAT !! TWENTY!?'' Devil's breath seemed hitched, quite shocked, while Viraj's mouth was hanging low.

Each one of them spoke simultaneously.

Geez ! Why they have to yell? What's there to be so surprise? I don't understand.

''Well I had so many affairs in my past that it could be difficult for me to count at this moment. But yes I am sure, there are atleast twenty love affairs I had in my past. I could remember it so because they all were so close to my heart, afterall they all loved me so much." I said with pride.

My words seems like it gave them all an electric shock. Hahaha so funny. I don't understand what's there to be so shocked !?

" She is just twenty two. How the fuck it could be possible?" Viraj murmered to himself confused, but as I sat just closer to him than others so I heard him which just turned off my cheerful mood.

Huh ? What did he mean how it could be possible?

I got slightly hurt by the pure disbelief look which was settling on his face. What does he think of me? He don't see me capable to love? I can also love others. I frowned.

" Well Viraj" I called him by his name with some attitude in my voice," you know there are lots of people who are willing to love you. You just have to find them. Isn't it?" I raised my one eyebrow at him as I said that.

But he didn't acknowledged me, lost in his own trance.

" I am surprised." He murmered in a low voice, looking distantly, as he remained frozen on his chair.

I frowned again.

" Umm Tara, you-you are sure? You know twenty is such a huge number." Vinay spoke slowly with same astonished eyes as I turned to look at him. He spoke to me like I am a child.

Huh!? What's there to be so shocked !?

"Yes ! Twenty.." I confirmed with a shrug. Each one of them had their eyes like it would bulge out of their socket any time.

I continued nevertheless, with my sweet smile,

" Aunty I think you should also do love affairs. The feeling of being loved and cherished from others is so beautiful." I suggested to aunty, goofily. Aunty seriously needs love from others, afterall she sometimes becomes hot tempered and next moment so cold. I still couldn't forget her behaviour on dining table last time with me.

" WHAT !?" Devil yelled shocked, he was having high time composing himself, while aunty was looking like she was just a second away to pass out.

Weird people...!!

" Are you out of your mind? " Viraj's voice was low as he leaned towards me threateningly.

I scowled at him. What's the matter with them?

" Can you tell us how many of them actually loved you Tara?" Vinay's voice was filled with condolence as he looked at me with pity.

Now what's there to pity in this? Why he is showing sympathy towards me? Hmm now I understood, may be he was feeling bad for me that I was stuck here while my loved ones were outside waiting for my one glimpse.

" Ofcourse Vinay, you know all of them loved me so much." I said with somewhat sad smile. I still couldn't believe that I am sharing my personel life with them, but I think there is no harm. So I continued, "You know, my Bhola..."

" Bhola?" Viraj interrupted, confused.

" Yeah, I love him so much. My Bhola." I said dreamily as memories of my Bhola rushed into my mind and soon my vision got blurred. But I blinked my tears away. Now, was not the time to show emotions.

No one were able to see my tears, and it calmed me a bit. I don't want to show my sadness in front of them. I am strong.

I continued,

" You know whenever my Bhola sees me, he comes running to me and pounced on me like I am a lost part of him. He made me feel so special, so loved everytime, like I am the only important person of his life. Oh god !! how good he fitted in my hold! I think he likes my touch on him." I hummed as I just closed my eyes, lost in my own trance. After a moment, I opened my eyes and gazed on their as usual utterly shocked faces, but ignoring their looks I just continued,

" My room was big and wide; actually it was a store room. Dayan only provided me with soft mattress and a warm blanket but the store room was wide enough, and I was contented with what I was given. Afterall whole room belonged to me. That mattress was my bed for a long time." I grinned happily, and continued,

"We both loves to cuddle with each other you know! whenever we got any free time -- umm- actually whenever I got any free time from my household chores." I corrected myself in last and then continued with a sigh,

"He loves my bed back then in my room but that dayan didn't allowed me to bring him even inside the orphange." A sudden wave of sadness enveloped within me as I remembered those days when my love was denied to even enter inside the orphange. But still continued to talk, thinking about my Bhola.

" I think he founds my bed worthy enough to cuddle. Sometimes I wanted him so badly that I just brought him to my bed straight at night without any second thought, taking risks many times as I made sure that no one would be able to catch us." I smiled with pride blooming within me as I remembered how cleverly I helped him to get into my room.

I was looking distantly, but still continued to tell them my love story as they were hearing so keenly with great interest.

"You know" I started, my tone getting slightly emotional as I continued my talk, though my smile never slipped from my lips,

" He loves to play with me during those nights whenever he was in his naughty mood." A small smile played on my lips as I said that and remembered those moments;

I don't know what weird I said, but when I glance at all of them, it seems like a thunderbolt stuck them hard, all of them seems to forget how to breath as they continued to look at me with their astonished gazes. Devil's look was hilarious, as he was looking at me with dread, like I am holding any weapon against him to kill him. His gaze was fixed at me with his eyes wide open, utterly shocked.

Hahaha.. I laughed internally looking at those weird expression. They all are looking so weirdly at me. I wonder had I said something wrong?

I sighed, but still continued,

"I think he always loved the way how I caressed his body. It excites him. I could even feel the happiness that bloomed within him whenever he played with me or whenever I touched him. He loved spending time with me, and after playing with me for some time, he made me feel so special, so happy on my bed. He possesses the power that removes my loneliness during those nights. " I closed my eyes while smiling widely and reminiscing those moments.

After a moment I opened my eyes and looked at Vinay and then aunty who were looking at me like the floor beneath them had just slipped. But with one glance at devil, I knew something was bothering him because he was shifting in his seat, looked like he was so uncomfortable. An unbelievable and dreadful look was still plastered over his face.

I ignored him. May be his mind was somewhere else!? But still I continued my love story while glancing at each and everyone.

"Do you know how intelligent he was!? " I exclaimed excitedly, feeling proud of my love, with wide grin plastered on my lips as his picture flashed in my mind; all of their attention fixed on me as I said those words.

I continued,

"Once he would get into my room he wouldn't dare make any noises. Bhola knew what could happen if anyone caught us so we always took precautions that no one would caught us red handed. I always made sure to lock the door and then only we started playing; the only sound that could be heard from the room was our panting. Do you know how energetic he becomes during nights? Sometimes it leaves me in wonder." I said, somewhat amazed at my love as those happy moments kept on swirling in my mind.

I looked at aunty whose face was horror-stricken. Devil looked like he just got an electric shock as his eyes were so wide and fixed upon me. And his demons had became statue just like the devil,looking like they just forgot how to breath, but still ignoring their weird looks I continued,

" Do you know what's his and my favourite thing?" I asked rather excited as those beautiful night memories kept on swirling in my mind.

" No" Vinay said breathlessly while all of the others fixed their gazes upon me with their wide shock filled eyes and hitched breath.

"He loves licking and tasting me whenever he gets into his naughty mood whilst mine is just kissing him all the time." I proudly said as a big goofy smile resurfaced on my lips.

" And you know what's more surprising !! I just love the way how he licks and tastes me. It always gives me tingling sensation and made my mood cheerful and refreshing." I added as I smiled widely looking at them.

Hearing my words, all of their cheeks tainted red, with their jaws dropped as they continued to watched me with incredulity. Tea was long forgotten.

I glanced at aunty who just looked like she was about to get heart attack. She looked away from me, breathing heavily like she just ran a marathon. After her breaths came to normal, she just took a glass of water from the table, gulped it at once and calmed herself a bit, then took out a rosary and began praying with those rosary beads, whispering something to herself.

" Abhinay what is this girl saying? " She asked horrified and shocked as she turned to his devil son, to which devil looked away with ashamed look.

May be he was ashamed on himself for kidnapping me and keeping me away from my love. Well he should be !!

Or he and aunty was feeling pity for me!

I know anyone would feel pity for me. That's why I didn't wanted to tell my story to anyone. I can understand how much sympathy they are all feeling towards me, afterall devil took me away from my love. So sad.

Tears burned my eyes as for the first time I realised that they are infact not so bad people and how badly I misjudged them, but I stopped my tears by blinking my eyes rapidly.

"WHAT KIND OF A GIRL IS SHE ABHINAY ?" His mom suddenly yelled, horrified, making me flinched and quite surprise at her tone of voice, but instead of replying anything, devil just looked away like he did something so shameful that he was unable to meet his eyes with anyone else, not even with his mother.

" She is a shameless girl. And you.. How could you just.. " She trailed off while sending him a nasty look in his directions.

Huh !! shameless? Does she used that word for me? But how I am shameless?. I got confused.

Devil just continued to look down. His face showed how much he was flabbergasted and ashamed.

" And you !!'' She turned towards me and pointed her finger at me with a disbelief look, '' how many times had you slept with him and with other lovers of yours? Huh? How often?" Aunty fired another question, but this time rather in an accusing manner as her look of disbelief replaced by a nasty glare.

Where her pity feeling was gone suddenly? And what's with this questiom now?

Isn't it weird?

I got confused. But then with a cool cheerful smile, I just asked her,

" Aunty, what do you mean 'slept'?"

She looked at me weirdly. Then, something strike my mind.

"Ohhh.. ok ! I got it. Let me count." I added.

" COUNT !?" Aunty exclaimed horrified.

After a moment I said,

" Hmm.. I think I slept with my Bhola countless times. It is difficult for me to say exact count." I said, feeling lost for a moment as I just focused on the question I was asked, " And my other lovers, hmm- I think my answer would be same. I slept multiple times that I long forgotten the count." I said, somewhat confidently.

" WHAT THE HELL ?" Devil sweared loudly with shock written all over his face but instantly looked away with just one glance from his mother. I just noticed that he was having high time controlling himself because he was just sitting with a clenched jaw and curled fist, like one more push and he would attack anyone like an injured lion.

I ignored him though. Ofcourse he was feeling angry on himself.

Though I know that this devil's anger could be quite dangerous to my life. But Vimla masi once said to me that living life in fear is no life. And I have to escape too, and escape requires plan, which I could only make if I would be alive. So, yeah! I just ignored him because I know he won't do any harm to me until and unless I troubles him.

And plus, they are just asking such a simple questions, so why not answering them truthfully !?

Afterall telling a lie is a wrong act. So I just focused on the question which was asked from me.

" Hmm. Aunty I just remember I have slept with total six or seven of my lovers. Exact I don't know how many times but yeah it was very often, I am sure. Hmm." I added rather proudly as confidence bloomed within me as I glanced at each one of them.

" WHAT THE FUCKING HELL !?" Seems like my words struck him pretty bad. I don't know how but the devil just stood up menancingly and stalked towards me.

I got intimidated as his voice boomed.

Viraj instantly stood up from his seat and moved forward, stopping the devil from reaching me by holding his both shoulders with his hands.

" Abhi calm down FOR GOD SAKE !! JUST DRINK WATER." Viraj tried to cool him down as he yelled at the devil who was glaring at me with fury..

Devil instantly grabbed his collar with fury in his eyes,

" HOW DARE YOU GAVE ME WRONG INFORMATION ? YOU STUPID BASTARD? HOW COULD YOU..." He was enraged, like something had finally triggered him off.

" SHANT HO JAO ABHINAY !!" This time aunty stood up from her chair and came forward to rub the devil's back in a manner to calm him down.

( Cool down Abhinay !!)

Devil pushed Viraj with force, to which he stumbled some steps backward.

" Don't swear. I told you before, isn't it?" Aunty said to him in a scolding manner.

" Take your seat !" She commanded to him.

But devil ignored his mother.

He just raked his hairs with his fingers, frozen in his place. He was still in disbelief and angry for some reason I don't know.

Suddenly all of their attention turned to me. Aunty was looking at me with disgust while Vinay and Viraj were taking deep breaths, still in disbelief. And devil... well he was looking like he just wanted to kill me right here as he just stood there taking deep breaths to calm himself down.

" YOU SHAMELESS DISGUSTED GIRL !!" Aunty started, with her loud voice as continued to look at me with disgust, " WITH HOW MANY MEN YOU MADE RELATIONS? HUH !! TELL ME !! HOW MANY MEN HAD SPENT COLOURFUL NIGHTS WITH YOU?"

What is she talking about? Colourful nights? Weird !

"Uh aunty ! Nights are black not colorful." I stated with confusion and in 'duh' tone, to which she gave me an unbelievable look.

"You are getting it wrong I think." I added, my voice laced with confusion as I furrowed my eyebrows at her.

" Wrong !! Well we were wrong in understanding you !! Now just stop your nonsense and answer to my question." She said bitterly with same disgust lacing in her voice. Her usual composed self was gone off as she looked like no less than that dayan from my orphanage.

I still don't understand what she wanted me to say. Then something dawned upon me as I focused on what she asked.

Oh !!

That's when I opened my mouth to speak, but to my surprise and shock, the words which flew out of my mouth made her falling on the chair back with a thud, with wide shocked eyes still fixated on me, while devil looked like he was about to faint as Viraj slipped on the ground and Vinay looked at me in utter shock with his jaws dropped, as he was the only one sitting on the chair at the moment.

" Uh - aunty !There's some confusion. Actually I was talking about my PET DOG whose name is 'Bhola'." I said confusedly.

*****************************

3195 words

I hope you enjoyed reading and my story stood true to its title.

Shower me with votes and comments.

Next update would be pretty soon.

Thanks

Sana