Chapter 14 Euphoria

Duniya Zamaana Jhootha Fasana

Jeene Marne Ka Vaada Saancha Mera

Haan Sheesh Mahal Na Mujhko Suhaye

Tujh Sang Sookhi Roti Bhaye

(Language- Hindi, Arjit Singh)

In a world of lies and make-believe,

I promise to stand by you, never to leave.

Without you, even grand places feel hollow,

But with you, even dry bread taste sweeter, it's true.

C A D E

Euphoria, it's a feeling of felicity, your spirit flying up in your own sky. It washes off every worry, every doubt, and every regret into the background. The pale world suddenly becomes more vibrant and alive. In Endocrinology, we call it the release of Dopamine, the happiness hormone.

That's what I feel when I look at her smile, pure and bright. Like I'm wrapped in a warm blanket of joy and contentment. The sun rays reflect in her chocolate brown eyes, casting away all the gloominess in me. Is she even aware of the effect she is having on me?

The melody of her laughter mixed with the rhythm of my heartbeat, the music we were creating fills every part, making me whole. Her plum lips, like petals of Crocus, pull me into the devotion of romance. I confess I'm no longer in control; I'm high on her drug-her voice, the way she moves her body with my touch, and when she moans, damn! I can't hold myself back from wanting more of her.

I don't know if I'm sick because of her or if she is the medicine to my sickness.

"Cade" my girl whispered, breaking our breathless kiss, her breast raised up and down as she gasp for air. A hard blush on her cheeks, her strip of bra falling down to her shoulder with some strands of her wavy hairs.

I heard Athalia's faint laughs as I bent my head down, taking her left breast in my mouth while she caressed my hair. Past noon, it was the second round of our make-out session. We kept our noises low because of the family downstairs; her soft and warm moans sent more sensations down my body.

"I love it this way," she muttered lightly in my ears, and then I sucked the numbness out of her. We reached the climax, and I filled her with myself; the pleasure was evident on her face as I held her hips down with mine. She threw her head back multiple times as my hand stroked her skin. Her loud gasp at the end when I pulled my length out was priceless.

"You are so bossy," she pouted, fixing her long skirt, and then she lay back down on the bed. "And you surely need some punishment soon," I replied, pulling on my t-shirt and sweats.

I hovered over her again, indeed a punishment. "I'll kill you if you do this," her cute warning made me grin wider. "And I'd love to die in your arms, chéire." My hands traveled to her stomach, and her giggles filled the room when I started to tickle her. She threw her legs and hands in protest, trying to escape, but I held her with my left arm.

Her laughter just grew louder and louder as she tilted her head to meet my eyes. Her hair fell on my face, her face coming closer. She opened her mouth to say something, but a knock on the door interrupted her. It was Avani saying that Kabir is calling everyone to gather at the Baithak (living area); he wants to announce something. I guess I know what it is.

Suddenly, two arms wrap around me from the back, and Athalia places her soft cheek on mine. She's getting more comfortable with me with every minute we spend together, and somehow, I'm proud of this.

"You promised to take me shopping, remember Mr. Hanniel?" she said with a small smile. How can I forget? Right now, if she asked me to take her to the moon, then I'd start building a spaceship for it. I give her a nod, picking up my phone. "It's your birthday tomorrow, right?" She jumped, clapping her hands, and I again give her a nod.

"Would you take me to the souk near those lakes? They were beautiful," she asked again. Last night, she babbled a lot about the colorful jhumkas and dresses. Athalia is totally different; she is not my girlfriend, but neither less than that. I thought she'd be one of those who like expensive things, but just a small handwritten letter can make her happy for a whole year.

"We'll go there in the evening; right now, let's go to the living area; everyone must be waiting." The excitement in her eyes flickers, but it's more about Kabir this minute. I'm not definite how everyone will react to his decision.

Since the day we landed here, Kabir has been going on dates every other day with the daughters of high-class men and billionaires. It's his last week to pick a girl, or else Dada (Grandpa) is going to set one for him because next week he is suppose to get married. And his mother is certainly going to be pissed off Kabir's his final decision.

Everyone was already present in the living area. Theiona started jumping into Mom's lap after seeing us. Athalia picked her up in her arms and sat beside me. "What a happy family, sweethearts. Awwww," Nathan and Ronan whispered together in my ears from behind us. Can't they shut their petty mouths for a few fucking minutes?

Priya sat on my left side, her face almost colorless as if she had seen a ghost. She looked at me with sympathetic eyes, then turned to Kabir, who just entered, arguing with his mother. I suppose it's only me who knows about them. I promised Kabir three days ago to support his decision no matter what, but the fact is, whatever he is doing is because of his ego. He'll ruin Priya's whole life with seven vows.

"I think everyone is here now," said Kabir, grabbing attention. He gave a stern, hateful look to Priya. "Would you mind joining me, Priya?" I really feel bad for her. I know my brother as well as he knows me. His pride and envy are the first things for him. Priya knew it from the start she shouldn't have argued with him.

"If you want me to get married next week, then it's Priya who will be my bride. I don't care about reputation or something, and Mom, I really don't care about getting you a rich daughter-in-law. Priya has no problem with this marriage, right Priya?" He asked, and she nodded her head gradually. She does, but she is not allowed to say.

"So, if anyone has any problem, go ahead and sort it out with Dadu. He has given permission for this marriage. Especially Mira Bua, don't spread any rumors in the media for your fun. Plan the dates of the function as you want." He finalized his words. Some gave looks of disappointment, and some of jealousy, while uncle and Dad didn't even listen. Ronan was in shock, and Chachi, Kabir's mother, sat still, rubbing her temples.

Kabir can't be serious. He wants to ruin the life of his own best friend, the girl for whom he could have died for in past.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Cade, I wanna go there, please!" She dragged me to the stall with different types of jewelry. God damn! I did an act of wisdom leaving Theiona with my mother because Athalia is nothing less than a child.

"How is this? I want this one," Athalia asked, jiggling the earrings and placing them above her left ear. The metal shone as the evening rays reflected on it. What are you doing to me, 'Lia?

I helped her wear those little bell-like earrings, her soft laughter echoed with the swift wind and water.

"Oh, is that cotton candy!" she jumped like a five-year-old, and our day was spent like that. I've never enjoyed shopping, but with her, even the thing I hate most feels fascinating now.

The sun shone on the water, turning it orange, the lamps near the sidewalk lit up as dusk hit the sky. Athalia's fingers tangled with mine as we walked together on the pavement, her eyes focused on the relaxing water, lost in her own thoughts.

"Shall we go back if you've done shopping?" I broke the silence, asking her. She shook her head with a smile. "Let's buy a cake for your birthday first," and then she dragged me to a nearby bakery.

"You stay outside, it's a surprise cake. Don't you dare to peek," she warned, leaving me outside the bakery. It's fun seeing her nose scrunch every time she tries to scare me. A surprise for my birthday is good, but does she know what kind of surprise is waiting for her...

"Let's go!" Athalia jumped inside the car, the sky colored in purple hue with stars. She looked at me in bewilderment when the haveli passed by and the forest started coming into her view.

"You are sure you are not planning for a murder, right?" she asked, making me chuckle lightly. "Oh please, don't laugh. I had enough bloodshed this month. I can't handle any more blood; it's giving me a feeling of nausea." She dramatically did an action of fake vomiting.

I pulled off the car in between the forest. I still remember this place-the old cement stairs going down to the end of the lake with a little fort in the center. I told the servants to clean and arrange it with mattresses, curtains, sweets, and fruits. She held onto my sleeves as we walked down the stairs.

"It's a surprise gift for you, because you brought back my mother."

Her eyes never left mine. It's a meteor shower tonight, and this little fort is a perfect place for watching it. "Let's call it a date," I said, plopping next to her on the mattress and laying my head in her lap. "You're such a romantic person when no one is watching," she giggled and kissed the top of my forehead.

Her fingers slowly creased my hair and mine played with her curls, our eyes refusing to look anywhere else except at each other's faces. "This place is beautiful," she whispered slowly, a firefly landed on her hair. I tucked a strand behind her ear. "Indeed, beautiful."

Her cheeks heated up when I started caressing them, a soft moan escaping her lips. Her lips came closer, a few inches away from touching mine.

"Happy birthday, Cade," Athalia placed her lips on mine and whispered between the kiss.

The shooting stars filled the dark blue sky, and the water was the best for mirroring them. I loved the way she laughed while playing with the water and fireflies. Indeed, it was beautiful. But for how long?