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ronaldofandom · 1 year

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A Love Eternal / Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna

Chapter 7 is up guys, after a month of hiatus :)

Summary: Finally, the lovemaking sequence is here - this is Bheem in all his glory. Followed by some fluffy/teasing talks between SitaJenny, SitaBheem, and RamBheem.

Warnings: Suggestive language ahead, but not smut.

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Suggested music - Parineeta (Recommend listening to this before/while reading the chapter - the feels match)

Moodboard - created by the brilliant @meastradeur, who graciously allowed me to use it.

Chapter 7

(Links to Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3, Ch 4, Ch 5, Ch 6, Ch 8, Ch 9, Ch 10 , Ch 11

Bheem loved like he laughed. Like he fought. With all his might. With every fibre of his being. There was no hesitation tonight. No shyness. No second thoughts. He was a man on a mission. And from his actions, Jenny half-believed that the mission was to give her a stroke or set her body on fire.

‘Sari Sita ne pehnaayi?’ (Did Sita help you put on the Sari?)

He whispered into her ear.

She was on her back, and he was on his side, leaning over her. His fingers ran circles around her belly button as he rubbed their cheeks together.

Words failed her. But she managed to nod a yes.

‘Hmmm.’ He muttered against her cheek as his index finger finally dipped into her belly button, playing with it. Her hand reflexively clutched his bicep.

Bheem felt weirdly jealous that the first time she had adorned Indian ethnic wear, he hadn’t been the one to dress her up. At least he would get to take it off.

He started with her bangles, sliding them off carefully, kissing her wrists. Next were her jhumkis (earrings) as he nibbled on her earlobes, making her whimper. He slid the accessories well under the cot so she doesn’t step on them in the morning. His fingers unpinned her pallu from her shoulder, and he slowly pulled it down, holding her gaze all the while. Bheem tugged at the pleats of her sari, pulling them out all at once as he peeled the garment off her, throwing it somewhere behind. The shell necklace he let stay on, admiring how it suited her long, slender neck.

The assuredness of his touch was driving Jenny insane. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

Growing up in conservative British high society, Jenny had been told practically nothing of intimacy, which was referred to as ‘marital relations.’ She was supposed to be given the talk once she was betrothed to someone, before her wedding night. Even her married friends spoke very little of intimacy - it was improper to speak that way to maidens. Her mother, aunt, and friends had always spoken of marital duties with their husbands and finding bliss with the children. The concept of physical bliss and pleasure seemed alien to them. Therefore, she was all the more confused about the fuzzy sensations emanating in her body, at strange places, from his touch. She had only read of those in some ‘not so proper’ novels but was living them now. And she knew he was just getting started.

In contrast, Bheem was firmly in control of his actions and emotions. He had thought long & hard about the two of them while he had been away and had taken care of all formalities before wanting her this way. As the protector of the tribe, he was the de-facto leader of the tribal council, yet he had still sought and received the council’s blessings for their relationship. He had made their courtship official, as per the customs of his people. The Gond customs were quite progressive. It was not uncommon for couples to live together before marriage to test their compatibility. It was also not uncommon to have pre-marital relations. Marrying for love was actually the norm. In their simple ways, they were far more evolved than the complex modern societies.

It was also customary to offer gifts to the woman during the courtship period, hence the shell necklace, which she had gladly worn, thereby accepting his affections. Bheem had meant to discuss this with her tonight, but all rational thought went out of the window when he saw her.

As he enveloped her in his arms and kissed her senseless, Jenny forgot everything else in the world other than his name, which she moaned like a chant. His strong, musky scent - of fresh rains on the forest floor - dominated her senses. As did the feel of his gruff beard and calloused hands on her soft skin.

He insisted on holding her gaze throughout, coaxing her back to him in the moments she couldn’t handle the intensity on his face & looked away. Jenny found this to be more intimate than anything else he was doing with her. The mix of wonder, adoration, and nerves in her eyes spurred him on even more; he couldn’t hold back any longer.

She sensed the shift in his mood and gulped as he swiftly pulled open the thread and hooks of her blouse on her back, bringing it down her shoulders, throwing it behind, along with her petticoat, leaving her just in her underthings.

Bheem was mesmerized by the ravishing sight in front of him. He wanted to drink her in. The faint moonlight bouncing off her spotless skin wasn’t doing enough justice to her beauty. He stood up, reached for the lamp, and placed it right next to the cot. Her cheeks, already crimson, turned cherry red, but she let him have what he wanted.

He straddled her, caging her between his thighs, slowly unbuttoned his kurta, and threw it behind. His eyes held her in place and took in her curves hungrily. Jenny had read that desire fuelled by love was the most burning kind; his desire sure was burning her from the inside. Her breaths became short and shallow as her arms went around his shoulders. Balancing himself on top of her, he kissed her repeatedly - slowly at first, then with more force, coaxing her to part her succulent lips and letting him plunge into her sweet mouth. Her bra was next to go. He cupped her and swallowed her moans. When she gasped for breath, he let her lips go and nibbled at her neck & collarbone, leaving his fair share of marks.

As his lips started trailing lower, she grabbed his face with both hands. Their eyes met, and she could see the depth of want flashing in his.

‘Bheem…dheere (gently)…please.’

Jenny was extra sensitive there and thought it better to let him know, especially given the nipping mood he was in. Bheem acknowledged that with a slow, sensual kiss on her lips. And then he proceeded to make her eat her words. He went atrociously slow, gently yet thoroughly ravishing every inch of her upper body.

The soft flesh of her hardened peaks caught his fancy in particular - he tended to them exclusively and relentlessly till she pleaded for respite.

Her nails dug into his shoulders. Her moans became more wanton. Which made his blood rush south - fast and hard.

His hands instantly went down to her inner thighs, caressing her lovingly. She gasped and arched her back when his fingers edged closer to her core, involuntarily trying to cross her legs. He tried one more time, pecking the soft flesh of her inner thighs, and she nearly bounced off the cot at the sensation.

This made him pause. Her eyes were shut tightly, and her hands were fisted in the mattress below. She was still a bundle of nerves, too tense for his liking. He had tried to take it slow, to get her to relax. Ram’s advice was still fresh in his mind - he knew taking her like this could be uncomfortable and even painful for her. That was a no-go, despite his own body screaming otherwise.

When he rolled off her, she looked at him in confusion, worrying if she had done something wrong to put him off. He saw the worry lines on her face and pulled her in for a deep, loving kiss, assuring her with his touch, only letting go when he felt the tension releasing in her posture.

They lay on their sides, facing each other. Bheem caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers.

‘Koi jaldi nahi hain, Jenny. Jab tumhe sahi lage. Agar tumhe sahi lage.’

(There is no rush, Jenny. We can go ahead later, when you want to. If you want to.)

She wanted to cry for a different reason now. God must have taken his sweet time when he was making this man. And he must have broken the mold afterward.

Jenny started to trace his face with her index finger, admiring his beautiful features. Luminated in the golden glow of the lamp, he looked extra divine, extra serene tonight. His eyes, which were swimming with desire till a few moments back, were radiating love and warmth now. She leaned in to kiss the top of his eyes and heard him sigh, making her heart flutter. She traced the outline of his thick beard from his cheek down to his neck. He stayed still, following her moves. When her finger moved to his plump pink lips, he couldn’t resist a quick peck. And was rewarded with his favorite sound in the world - her giggles. She moved her finger to his lips again, and he licked it this time. She played with the ends of his mustache like he himself did many times. He pulled her closer and kissed the tip of her nose, making her giggle harder.

Her hand tentatively moved to his chest. She had touched him there before, multiple times, while tending to his scars. But this was the first intimate touch. She didn’t need to guard her reactions this time. Her hand traced the taut skin of his neck, his toned pecks, the broad expanse of his chest, down to his ripped abs. A shiver ran down her back, and his keen eyes noticed the change in her breathing. The raw, tsunami-like strength of his rugged build had always enticed Jenny, even when she knew him as Akhtar, but especially since she had known him as Bheem. She had witnessed it at that fateful party and multiple times since coming here - in his hand-to-hand combat training, in the way he swung the children around while playing with them, and how he had carried her in his arms like she weighed nothing. She wanted more. She wanted to taste those deliciously hard, erotic muscles.

Bheem had to grip the rough edges of the cot, hard, to restrain himself when her lips touched his skin. His knuckles turned white, but he was determined to let her set the pace. A chaste kiss on his lips was followed by an agonizing exploration of his torso. Her lips followed the same trail of her fingers, but they lingered more. He didn’t dare to move or do anything which could make her stop. She kissed his scars, wishing for them to disappear. The tattoos on his biceps got special attention as she nibbled there. She wanted to give the same treatment to the ones on his thighs, but the thought itself of fondling his thighs made her nearly combust on the spot.

Jenny was shocked at her actions beyond measure. She had never imagined herself to be capable of such forwardness. This was contrary to everything she had been conditioned for since her childhood. They weren’t married, he wasn’t British or of high society, and she was acting as un-ladylike as her imagination could allow.

This wasn’t a union her people would understand or approve of, but who were they to fathom what she felt for this beautiful man, who had swept her off her feet, literally and figuratively. Theirs was a union of love. A mating of two souls. A bond forged in empathy, kindness, and courage.

Bheem was safety. Bheem was freedom. Bheem was comfort. Bheem was her whole heart. Bheem was everything pure and worth loving in this world. That was more than enough for her - she didn’t need a societal stamp or nomenclature.

‘Bheem?’ She was gazing into his eyes now. He gazed right back, squeezing her hand.

‘I take you to be my love, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, for as long as you shall have me, which I hope is forever.’

Bheem didn’t understand the significance of her words, but he held her close as she shuddered through it.

Her arms wrapped around his shoulders, trying to pull him on top of her. He broke their kiss and looked into her adoring eyes for confirmation.

‘It’s fine, my love. I am ready now. Please, take me.’

He had been on edge for far too long, almost from the moment he first carried her back to the hut, and he needed no further invitation. Getting back on top, he let her feel some of his weight, and she loved the sensation. They made out passionately while he removed both their underpants and rubbed himself against her thigh, sending her mind reeling.

As he spread her legs and positioned himself between them, he whispered into her ear.

‘Thoda sa dard hoga jaan, par main dhyaan rakhunga.’

(It might hurt a little, sweetheart, but I will take care.)

Jaan. Jenny knew that word; she had heard Sita refer to Ram as that. It was the first time Bheem had used a term of endearment for her. She was so lost in that feeling that she didn’t realize it when he entered her. It did hurt, a fair bit, but he kissed her through the initial discomfort and paused after each thrust to let her get used to the intrusion.

Once buried to the hilt inside her, he started to gain his rhythm, and she lost any remaining semblance of sanity. Their bodies moved in unison, almost of their own accord, as he wrapped her legs around his waist for a deeper angle. Her soft constant moans intertwined with his deep intermittent grunts as he took her closer and closer to her peak.

Her senses registered the blurry pattern of the ceiling, the near-violent creaking of the cot, and the pitter-patter of feet outside as people started retiring to their huts post the festivities.

Jenny was reduced to a quivering, incoherent mess underneath him - only uttering two words on loop - ‘Bheem’ and ‘please.’

She learned and experienced a great many things tonight. About male anatomy - an image that was now imprinted in her mind forever. And about female biology - how women could peak multiple times in a single intercourse. She bit her cheek to keep herself from screaming as she came over and over, shattering around him, driving him near the edge.

Bheem was unrelenting, and he kept his pace. The need to have her was so deep, he could feel it in his bones. She tried to hold on, but when she couldn’t take it anymore, she yelped and pushed against his chest.

‘Shhhhh, bas thoda sa aur, jaan.’

(Shhhh, just a little bit more, sweetheart.)

Aiming to put her out of her misery soon, he pinned her hands down, buried his face in her bosom, and went faster, giving her a taste of his real strength that she was secretly craving. That’s when she realized how much he had held himself back tonight. And she was grateful because this was too overwhelming. His movements turned sloppy, and he peaked soon after, collapsing on top of her, still buried inside her.

They stayed like that for a while, still dazed. Bheem recovered first after a few moments and rolled off her. When he got up to put on his underpants, he was amused at the state of their surroundings. It looked like something had exploded there. He picked up their discarded garments from all over the floor, along with her accessories, and placed them in a neat pile on the side.

When he tried to help clean her with a wet cloth, she placed a hand on his chest and pushed him away, not allowing him anywhere near her erogenous zones. When he tried to place the cloth in her hand, she refused that also, too exhausted to move a muscle. She was yet to open her eyes and was still lying lifeless on the cot. Bheem smiled and kissed her sweaty brows. He covered her up to her chest with a spare sheet, both for her sake and his. His desire wasn’t sated yet, far from it. He wanted to go on for a few hours, but she had made it amply clear that she was quite done for the night, so he wanted to avoid further temptation.

He pulled her closer, ignoring her little whimpers, and cradled her head on his shoulder. She turned and snuggled into his chest, sighing happily, playing with his chest hair lazily. Bheem’s astute eyes hadn’t missed the visible evidence of their lovemaking on her body - her swollen lips and the marks on her neck, cleavage, inner thighs, hips & wrists. These were just the visible things.

‘Jenny?’ He kissed the top of her head.

‘Hmm.’ She sighed, already half-asleep.

‘Tum…theek toh ho na? Maine kuch zyada toh..’

(Are you…alright? Did I overdo….)

Jenny cut him off by covering his lips with her palm. She kissed his chest and finally opened her eyes, looking up at him with all the love she could muster.

‘Bheem, I have never been better.’

She smiled, found a comfortable spot on his chest again, and was out like a light in a few minutes. Bheem spent a good part of the next hour reliving the events of the night, chuckling to himself and worshipping this goddess of a woman in his arms. His thoughts went to the same image from earlier tonight, of Jenny cooing to their fussing toddler, and he stroked her belly possessively. When he finally dozed off, it was the most warm, cozy, and blissful sleep he had had in ages.

Jenny woke up the next morning feeling hot, which was strange given the climate there. Bheem was spooning her from behind, his front plastered to her back. The memories of last night hit her then, as did the ache in her joints and between her legs. Suddenly very aware of their naked state, in broad daylight, she fixed the thin sheet around herself.

It was late morning, way past Bheem’s wake-up time. She turned in his arms, and boy, she would never tire of waking up to that face.

‘Bheem?’ Jenny tapped on his chest. No response. She tried again, tapping on his cheek. He whined and nuzzled into her neck. She laughed and shook his upper arm lightly. He opened one eye, figured that there was no burning emergency, then closed it again, pulling her closer. She gave up and wrapped her arms around his neck.

‘Aaj walk par nahi gaye?’

(You didn’t go for your morning walk today?)

‘Mann nahi tha.’

(Didn’t feel like it.)

‘Hmm….Aur training? Tum late ho.’

(Hmmm….and training? You are late for that also.)

Bheem knew he was late. He also knew there was some important business to be dealt with today. But he still didn’t have the heart to let her out of his arms. And he wanted to ensure she was doing fine after last night, both physically and emotionally.

He didn’t need to pop the question though; she read the tentativeness in his eyes and cupped his face.

‘I am fine. Really, I am more than fine. Don’t worry, my love. You can go.’

Very reluctantly, he let her go, and she went into the adjoining chamber to dress herself. By the time she was out, he was ready for the day. They both walked toward each other slowly, and Bheem held her hands. He hadn’t missed the tiny change in her gait and couldn’t help feeling guilty. They hugged silently, stroking each other, drawing comfort from each other’s presence. Jenny broke the hug eventually and had to practically walk him out of the hut.

He came back to check on her every half hour in the pretense of having forgotten something or the other. At first, she found it endearing, but then she started to get annoyed and had to practically shoo him out the last time he sneaked in.

When she heard the latest knock on the door, she was ready to throw something at him.

‘Bheem, for the love of god, I am not a child. I said I was fine. You need to get it through your thick head that…’

Her rant was cut off when she actually opened the door and saw a very amused Sita on the other side.

‘Ummm…what was that about?’

They were both inside now, and Sita was looking at Jenny curiously.

‘Nothing. Just some misunderstanding.’

Jenny tried to look calm, but she knew it was only a matter of time before Sita would see through everything.

‘Hmm.’

Sita didn’t buy it but put it on the back burner for the time being. She had other things on her mind, and her face lit up as she playfully elbowed her friend.

‘So, did Bheem like the surprise? I am guessing yes - since you two never showed up after he….well, after he swooped you up in his arms and carried you back bridal style.’

Sita giggled loudly, and she had expected Jenny to giggle with her. Jenny didn’t - she looked down, played with her hands, and didn’t utter a word. It was as guilty a look as humanly possible. Sita noticed the blush on her friend’s face and then her attire - Jenny was wearing a full-sleeved top with a scarf around her neck. Which was crazy in this weather. Unless…

The wheels started to churn in Sita’s head. She sat close to her friend and held her hand, making Jenny look up at herself. She tried her best to look patient, but her eyes were wide with curiosity and anticipation, making Jenny smile.

‘Well, he did like the surprise. A little too much, actually.’

Jenny looked down again, and Sita squealed happily, shaking Jenny by her shoulders.

‘TELL ME EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING. DON’T YOU DARE LEAVE ANYTHING OUT.’

It was tough for Jenny to get the words out, but she tried. Every time she stuttered, Sita filled in and kept Jenny talking. Sita gasped, jumped, squealed, blushed, and half-danced through the full details. And then asked a thousand questions just to ensure she didn’t miss anything.

Jenny was scandalised with some of her questions, gaping at her. Sita dismissed her bewilderment and prudishness, making her lay out everything. And Jenny did - it felt good to talk about this life-changing experience. Sita couldn’t contain her happiness for her friend. She was also a tad bit jealous, which was only human, after all.

‘I knew he would like the Sari. I didn’t know he would love it this much.’

They both giggled loudly.

‘By the way, pls keep that Sari now since he liked it on you. Also, I don’t want it back. Even if I boil it in hot water, I would never be able to touch it.’

‘Umm…we didn’t…I mean, the garments weren’t on me when…stuff happened…it’s not ripped or anything…it’s unscathed that way.’

‘Irrespective. It will constantly remind me of THAT. Pls keep it, I insist. Wear it for him again.’

Jenny blushed widely, and Sita laughed at her friend, finding her so cute at that moment. Jenny also wanted to talk to her about something important, something that had been playing on her mind since morning.

‘There is something I wanted to ask you. It‘s slightly…intimate in nature. May I?’

‘Of course. You can ask me anything.’

Jenny worked up the courage to form her next words.

‘How does one, unmmmm, get with child? From what we….what happened last night, do you think I can, you know, get with child?’

Sita looked at her in wonder. She had understood by now that Jenny’s upbringing had been very sheltered, but she had no idea it was like this. It also hit Sita how young Jenny was - she was many years younger than Bheem, who in turn was younger than Ram & Sita.

She must have been so confused about some aspects last night. Sita hoped Bheem had talked/helped Jenny through those. From how Jenny had described, it did seem that he had taken good care of her, and Sita was glad.

‘Yes. What happened last night is exactly how a woman can get with a child.’

‘Hmm.’

Jenny played with her hands. She was worried that this was going to be the answer.

‘So, is there a way to…take something afterward…so that it doesn’t happen?’

This was too soon for them to be thinking of a child. They were still just getting to know each other. This was a whole new world for Jenny, and she was still taking baby steps into it.

Sita looked at her with compassion and understanding.

‘Yes, there is. I can give it to you. It needs to be taken within 12 hours, so you should hurry. And for what it’s worth, I think it’s the right decision. But tell me, have you spoken to Bheem about this?’

Jenny shook her head slowly. She didn’t know how to bring this up with him or how he would react. She didn’t want him to misinterpret it as a sign of her hesitation in this new life.

‘My dear, you need to talk to him. About what you feel and what you want to do about this. He should know too. He would understand, don’t worry about that.’

Jenny nodded. She knew Sita was right. She had to figure out the right time and the right way to talk to Bheem.

‘And you may also want to talk to him about ways, about forms of intimacy in which…one doesn’t get with child.’

Jenny looked up at her with such innocence and confusion that it made Sita smile. But she wasn’t going to educate her on this - it was something she needed to explore with Bheem.

Sita brought the necessary herbs, which Jenny had with hot tea. She left the younger woman with her own thoughts and made her way out.

Bheem was outside, circling near the entrance of the hut. He jumped when he heard the door open and was glad that it was Sita, not Jenny.

Sita smiled when she saw what was in his hands, which he quickly hid behind himself.

‘Bheem - why are you tip-toeing around your own house, like a thief?

Bheem looked at Sita and understood there was no point in lying to her or hiding anything from her. He wasn’t going to breathe a word of last night to anyone else. But Jenny would have either told Sita already, or Sita would have pried it out of Jenny.

‘Let me guess - you have checked on her too many times already, to the point of annoying her, and now you are scared to go in?’

Bheem nodded like a little child - resignation written deep in his big doe eyes. Something about the sweetness of it tugged at Sita’s heart.

‘Is she…is she doing fine? She won’t tell me if she is not ok, but she would have told you.’ Bheem said in a small voice.

‘Yes, Bheem. She is absolutely fine. There is nothing to worry about.’

Bheem took one hand out from behind himself and opened it to her. Sita knew those herbs served as painkillers.

‘I gave these to her already. She said she doesn’t need it but I have still left them inside.’

Bheem nodded again, relieved by her words.

‘Has she eaten? She didn’t have anything in the morning.’

Sita smiled and clasped his open palm.

‘Yes, we had lunch together, just now.’

He smiled. Finally. And Sita clasped his hand tighter with affection.

‘You know, she is not as fragile as you think. She is quite strong-willed.’

Bheem was taken aback a bit by her statement and implication.

‘Oh - I don’t think she is fragile. She is very brave and spirited and strong-willed. I know that, I admire that. But she is delicate, Sita. She is not used to living like us. All this is very new for her. She hasn’t seen any harsh realities of life. Well, till before she met me, at least.’

His voice fell at the last sentence.

‘If you ask her, she would say her life really began when she met you.’

He was still looking down, not convinced. It happened with him a fair bit. When he was with her, drowning in her affection, the doubts never surfaced. But the moments away from her were like this sometimes.

‘She has left everything behind - her home, her people, her friends, the luxuries of her prior life, her way of life. Anything and everything she was familiar with, she has left it all behind. All for me. Sometimes, that’s a heavy burden to carry. And most times, I don’t feel like I am worth it.’

His voice became small and distant again. Sita clasped his hand tighter and made him look at herself.

‘Bheem - let her be the judge of that, please. When she tells you there is nothing in this world she wants other than you, she means it. Trust her on this. When I can see it written loud and clear in her eyes, so can you. And I know you do so see it, but for some reason, you are not letting yourself accept it.’

Sita could see she was getting through to him, so she continued.

‘I understand why you feel responsible for her. It’s sweet that you are so protective. But you both need to communicate better and listen to each other. Don’t just act based on your own assumptions. And that goes for her also. She is very mature in a few things, wise beyond her years, but is quite naive in some other aspects. Just like you. You both are two silly people - silly in love, made for each other.’

There it was, his pearly laugh, mixed with the twinkle in his eyes.

‘Thank you. For being there for her. For being her friend. It has meant a lot to her; I can see that. There are things that she may not discuss with me yet, but I am glad she has you for those.’

Sita was overwhelmed by this sudden burst of emotion from him.

‘I am grateful for meeting her, too; I treasure every second of being with her. I can see why you love her so much. And Bheem - thank you for making my friend the happiest girl in the world. That’s what she feels when she is with you.’

In the limited time Bheem and Sita had spent together, they had felt a special bond - of kindness, compassion, and empathy. Sita had been able to say the right thing at the right time in the right way to him, just as he needed to hear it.

‘So, are you planning to give her the flowers or what?’

Bheem took out his other hand from behind himself. He had brought her a collection of roses this time, which took some effort.

‘I will just leave them at the door, don’t want to disturb her while she is resting.’

‘You liar - you are too scared to knock on that door and risk annoying her.’

Bheem looked sheepish, but he neither confirmed nor denied that.

‘Wait till you see her reproachful face and admonishing eyes. Then we will talk.’

Sita burst out laughing, almost making him conscious. This man - who hadn’t hesitated for a second to storm the British barracks alone - was scared of angering a petite woman. It was as comical as it was endearing. Sita laughed all the way back to her hut. And Bheem somehow made it to the training again.

Ram had noticed that Bheem had arrived late, which had never happened before, but he didn’t say anything. He also didn’t miss how Bheem kept disappearing in the middle. He hadn’t even shown up for their morning walk today, which was a first, too. He kept his thoughts to himself for a bit and focused on the task at hand.

When they were wrapping up late afternoon, and others had left already, Ram made his way to his friend, who had stoically avoided looking at him all day.

‘Where are you lost today?’

‘Lost? Not at all. I am right here. I have been right here.’ Bheem blurted out instantly, making Ram even more suspicious. Something was different about him today.

‘Look at me.’

‘What?’

‘Turn around and look at me.’

Bheem cursed inwardly and slowly turned around, trying to appear calm, but his eyes betrayed him, as always.

As Ram started to put two and two together, Bheem could see a devilish grin building on his face. But before he could get a word out, they heard Malli coming towards the clearing.

‘Annna - where are you?’

‘We are here.’ Bheem waved to her, and the child came running towards him.

‘Anna - is Jenny akka still hurt from last night?’

Bheem felt like someone had just sucker-punched him. His face was a mixture of confusion and horror. And utter disbelief at what he had just heard. Had they been that loud? Did Malli hear something? Ram, who was standing behind Malli, was equally stunned.

‘WHA….what do you mean?’ He choked out somehow.

‘She hurt her foot last night; that’s why you carried her back, right? Is she still hurt?’

The color that had drained from Bheem’s face had returned somewhat. Ram also let out an audible sigh.

‘Yes, she did hurt her ankle, but she is fine now.’

‘Then why did she not come for our class today?’

Ram picked that moment to compound Bheem’s misery.

‘Is that so? She didn’t take the class today? I wonder why - care to enlighten us, Bheem?’

Ram was standing behind Malli, the devilish grin back on his face. Bheem tried his best to not look at him.

‘She is……a little tired after the….festivities last night, nothing else. The class will be back on from tomorrow; you can see her then.’

Malli whined loudly, making her best pouting face. Ram felt she had learned that from Bheem.

‘Tomorrow? You mean she won’t play with us this evening also?’

‘No. Not today.’

‘But you just said she is fine. Why can’t I go to her right now? Why can’t I play with her?’

‘Because your Anna has played with her enough last night.’

Ram muttered from behind, low enough so Malli couldn’t hear, but Bheem caught it instantly and gave him a death glare. Ram was legit taken aback and shut up after that. While Malli just looked at the two men in confusion.

‘Malli - I just told you, not today. Don’t ask so many questions. And what are you doing here anyway? I have told you a zillion times to stay close to the village.’

Bheem responded curtly, annoyance seeping into his voice, which was mostly from Ram’s antics. Malli used the full power of her whining and stomped her feet.

‘It’s not fair, Anna. Back in the haveli, Jenny akka used to spend so much time with me. Even after coming here initially, she played with me all the time. But in the last week, I have barely seen her. She is always away, always with YOU. Why? She was my friend first.’

Ram looked ready to burst into a laugh, barely managing to contain himself. But he didn’t make a sound, not wanting to invite Bheem’s wrath again.

Bheem was befuddled. It was true that he had claimed most of Jenny’s time lately, especially since they had both confessed their feelings to each other. But he had never considered that Malli would feel this way. While Bheem was thinking of a response, Malli doubled down.

‘Amma doesn’t even allow me to go to your hut, at any time of the day. When I ask her why, she just says that children shouldn’t ask so many questions. What kind of an answer is that? How is any of this fair?’

Bheem bent to his knees in front of her, bringing his hands to her shoulders.

‘Malli, I am sorry. I didn’t realise you felt this way. Your Jenny akka is your friend first - it is true and I will tell her how you feel. I promise she will spend more time with you from now on.’

Malli smiled widely and jumped into his arms. Bheem picked her up and started walking back to the village, leaving Ram to bring back all the training equipment; that should serve him well.

‘Anna - can I come to your hut from now on? Jenny akka tells the most amazing bedtime stories - of faraway lands and princesses. She used to tell them to me in the haveli, to get me to sleep. I miss those stories.’

Bheem had no intention of compromising their privacy during the nights, so he thought of a round about way.

‘How about she comes to your hut on some nights and tells you a couple of stories? And comes back afterwards?’

‘That should be alright.’

Bheem was glad at having pacified her. But she wasn’t done, not yet. Malli raised her head from where it was resting on his shoulder and looked at Bheem intently.

‘Anna - you like her, don’t you?’

Bheem didn’t want to lie to her. Not on this.

‘Yes, I do.’

‘And she likes you too, right?’

‘Yes, she does.’

‘Is that why you both spend so much time together? Because you like each other?’

‘Yes. But who told you about this?’

‘No one told me. No one tells me anything. But I figured it out myself. Both of you have been happier since last week. You smile more. And you both keep looking at each other all the time; it’s so funny.’

Malli kissed his cheek, and he kissed the top of her head.

‘So, you are okay with that then? With sharing your Jenny akka’s time with me?

‘I am okay. I love you both, and I am happy that you are happy. But remember - I said sharing, not taking up all her time.’

Bheem burst into a big laugh.

‘Yes, I heard you on that. Loud and clear.’

They chatted about many other things, mostly random, on their way back. Bheem was glad to hear her laughter, something she had only started doing recently. She had started drawing again too. Listening to her excited gibberish, Bheem was hopeful that someday, she would be able to get past the trauma of her capture and be their little nightingale again.

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

A/N: Massive thanks to @carminavulcana for sharing the Gond customs. A loose interpretation of that has been used in this chapter.

As always, would love to hear your thoughts on the chapter :)

@irisesforyoureyes @rambheem-is-real @thewinchestergirl1208 @eremin0109 @eenadu-varthalu @rorapostsbl @anyavaramyr @yehsahihai @budugu @rasnak2 @fadedscarlets @maraudersbitchesassemble @juhiiiiii @justmeand-myinsight @rambheemisgoated @rosayounan @jrntrtitties @obsessedtoafault @rambheemlove @jjwolfesworld @alikokinav @iam-siriuslysher-lokid @bromance-minus-the-b @dumdaradumdaradum @lovingperfectionwonderland @annieginny @chaanv @ssabriel @sally-for-sally @milla984 @doodlesofthelastpage @boochhaan @mesimpleone @filesbeorganized @ladydarkey @teddybat24 @fangirlshrewt97 @stanleykubricks @stuckyandlarrystuff @burningsheepcrown @veteran-fanperson @voidsteffy @ronika-writes-stuff @beingmes-blog @yonderghostshistories @nisreenart @chaidrivenwhore @bheemaxrama

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