Spoiled von elfogadunk ================================================================================ Kapitel 1: ----------- When she opened her eyes she thought everything was just a horrible dream. But then she realised where she was and she knew that all the terrible things that had happened were real. As she closed her eyes again she felt the tears which were running down her cheek. "You´re not dead?" A voice got her out of her thoughts and made her open her eyes again. A little boy sat next to her bed and watched her with his head braced in his hands. She wiped her tears and said with a very weak smile: "No, I think I´m not." Then she sat up and looked around. She was in a hospital and there were three other people with her in the room but all of them seemed to sleep. "Oh, you are awake, Miss.... uh... Sharmili Desai?" Sharmili turned around and saw a female doctor who walked in. "Mum, dekho, she is not dead.", intended the boy. The doctor smiled at him. "Please behave yourself, Tanay." Then she looked up to Sharmili. "I´m sorry, he is a little bit cheeky." Sharmili shook her head. "No, he is a very cute little boy..." Her statement made Tanay smile. “Well, Miss Desai, mera naam Shikha Tagore hai. I´m your doctor. We found you bleeding and unconscious in front of the hospital entrance. Can you tell me what happened to you...?” Sharmili felt her heart beating faster and tears filling her eyes. She laid her hand on her mouth and closed her eyes when the memories of the last few hours came back to her. It happened when she and her mother were busy preparing the breakfast for the family. The father and Sharmili's elder brother were on the housetop of the cottage they were living in to fix the roof. Sharmili got scared when she heard a loud and sudden bang in front of the cottage. But she didn´t even have the time to go and see what had happened. Two men with the stature of gorillas walked in and destroyed everything in the little shack. Sharmili's mother pushed her out and screamed: "Run away, Sharmili, as fast as you can!" She staggered back and fell over the bodies of her father and her brother. Their heads were covered with blood and they didn´t move when Sharmili tried to wake them up. Tears were running down her cheeks and she couldn´t see properly. Her whole body shivered but then she heard her mother scream and she tried to help her but when one of the men made a grap for her she jumped away and remembered that her mother had told her to run away and so she did. One of the men ran after her and clutched her arm tightly so she fell on the street. Some people watched them but nobody tried to help her. So she had to cope with this guy herself. She dug her teeth in his arm and kicked him so hard between his legs that the guy became unconscious . Sharmili freed herself from his grip and ran away as fast as she could. Her whole body was shaking and her face was covered with tears when she felt a hand on her back. She looked up and right into the face of Dr. Tagore. She gave Sharmili a gentle smile and asked: "So, you come from the slums?" Sharmili nodded and her tears renewed. "So, you see I don´t have money to pay for my hospitalisation and...." "It doesn´t matter. We are a charitable hospital. You don´t have to pay for your treatment." Sharmili felt relief while listening to the doctor´s words. "Miss Desai, I´m sorry for my curiosity but what did these men want from your family? I mean..." Sharmili lowered her gaze and sighed. "I´m not sure... I know my father was involved in some.... shady dealings to enable a life for my family. It was hard but I know he had no choice. Everything he did was just for the survival of our family and...." Her voice trailed off and she began to cry. Dr. Tagore tried to console her and softly stroked her back. "I feel so sorry for you...." Sharmili slightly shook her head. "I knew something like this would happen someday.... It's inevitable when you are living in the slums. Quite normal somehow but still it hurts so much and I...." Dr. Tagore put her arms around Sharmili's shaking body and ran her fingers through her thick black hair. "Shhh.... It´s okay. It isn´t your fault." Slowly Dr. Tagore let go of her. "Shall I phone a relative of yours or...?" Sharmili wiped her tears off her cheeks. "No, I have none, so... Can I please take a rest? I´m so tired…." Dr. Tagore nodded and left the room with the little Tanay on her hand. "Mum, I feel so sorry for her. I want to help her.", Tanay added when they entered the cafeteria of the hospital. "I want to help her, too, but I don´t know what I could do. It´s just..." "Can we take her home with us?", he interrupted his mother. She smiled at his simplicity and caressed his little head. "It´s not that easy I guess.... But I have an idea. Maybe she will agree." "Sachi? What are you going to do, mum?" Shikha smiled and laid a finger on her mouth. "I will tell you if she agrees. And now get yourself ready. Adi uncle picks you up in about ten minutes." Kapitel 2: ----------- After Sharmili woke up the next morning it didn´t take long until Dr. Tagore entered her room. "Good morning, Miss Desai. Are you feeling better today...?", she asked gently and gave her a little smile. Sharmili gave her an almost shy smile back. "I guess... but I have a little headache." "You were highly fluid-depleted, so it´s quite normal." She went over to Sharmili, laid two fingers on her patient's wrist and checked her pulse. "But apart from that I think you´re fine. Physically of course...", she added. "And...... I´m so sorry that I have to tell you this but since you´re healthy right now you have to leave the hospital around noon. We already have a lack of hospital beds and we need every single one for our new patients... So..." Sharmili nodded slowly and lowered her gaze. She was scared about her future. After she left this hospital she had no idea where she had to go. There was no one left who could take care of her. Thinking about that she felt tears filling her eyes which she tried to hold back but it was pointless. Dr. Tagore sat next to Sharmili on her bed and took her arm around her narrow shoulders. "Please don´t cry, Miss Desai. I have an offer for you." Sharmili looked up right into the doctor´s face. "You know... We need a new householder because our last one was too old and quit two weeks ago. You would live in our house in your own room and you would be paid for your work..." Sharmili was quite irritated by this offer. She couldn´t really believe what she'd heard just now. A little erratically she wiped her tears off her cheeks and asked: "Are you really serious? I mean I..." Dr. Tagore looked at her baffled expression in amusement. "If I weren't sure I wouldn´t offer you this job. So what do you think?" A big and thankful smile lit up Sharmilis face and she nodded. Dr. Tagore responded the smile while she was amazed by Sharmilis sight. It was the first time she saw her happy and she thought that this suited her a lot better than the sadly face and the lowered gaze. "The plan is that I take you home with me after my day shift is over. That will be around four in the afternoon. But if you don´t wanna wait I can call my brother Aditya to pick you up. Kya lagta hai?" "Oh no, I'll wait. I don´t wanna bother you, Dr. Tagore, so...." Dr. Tagore smiled at her. "I´m Shikha for you, thik hai?" Sharmili smiled again and nodded. "And I´m Sharmili." The women shook hands and both of them felt very happy. Shikha was relieved that she could help Sharmili and that she found a new housholder that fast. Sharmili was just grateful for the chance god had given her in that difficult time of her life. After Sharmili vacated her hospital room around noon she sat in the cafeteria and thought about her new situation while waiting for Shikha. It didn't even take one day and her life turned completely to a different direction and she really wasn´t sure about her future because she had been living in the slums for all her live and had never had a real house or a own room. Everything felt strange for her but at the same time she was very curious about Shikha´s home and her family. Sharmili already knew the cute little Tanay who she really liked but what about Shikhas husband or her brother... What was his name? Aditya? Sharmili closed her eyes and sighed due to her nervousness. To pass some time Sharmili took a walk through the hospital grounds. While walking she gained a lot of irritated glances from passing people. She knew why. Her clothes were old and dirty and her hair surely was a little greasy. She felt ashamed and decided to hide in a corner of the cafeteria to wait for Shikha. She arrived at half past four and took Sharmili strait to her car but Sharmili hesitated to get in it. "Kya hua, Sharmili? Is something wrong?", Shikha asked a little irritated. "Uh... I´m... It´s just my clothes are not clean and I don´t wanna soil your car." Shikha shook her head. "Don´t care about that. It's just a car..." She started laughing and insisted. "Jump in." Sharmili nodded slightly and got into the car. "When we come home I will give you some of my old clothes for the beginning. On the weekend we´re going to shop some new things for you.", Shikha intened while they were driving to her place. "Shikha ji.. I... Thank you so much for your help. I really don´t know what I would have done after my release from the hospital and..." She fell silent, not willing to speak her mind. "It´s okay. Don´t mention. I´m so glad that I can help you.", Shikha added and turned into a driveway of a huge mansion (http://i38.tinypic.com/28k1yd3.jpg). Sharmilis eyes widened and she opened her mouth but no words came out. Shikha smiled at her reaction and parked the car. As they got out of the car Sharmili saw Tanay running towards her, laughing. And right behind him a man. A very handsome man she had to add for the sake of completeness... Kapitel 3: ----------- "You´re here!", Tanay cried happily and tried to hug Sharmili´s legs. She smiled at the little boy and kneeled down to catch him in her arms. "Are you going to stay with us?", he asked excitedly. She was about to answer the question when her gaze fell on the man who stood right in front of her. She looked up and noticed how he surveyed her with an uninterpretable gaze. "Who´s that?", he asked finally and looked over to Shikha. "This is Sharmili Desai. She´s the patient I told you about. I hired her as our new householder.", Shikha intended. "So, haan, Tanay, she is going to stay with us and in our house.", she added for Tanay and caressed his head. Consequently he laughed and hugged Sharmili closer. "I see", said the man and gave Sharmili another glance before he turned around and entered the house. "This was my younger bhai Aditya. I´m sorry for his behaviour but he´s a little bit difficult to handle.", Shikha said with an excusing smile. Sharmili shook her head and stood up with Tanay on her arms. "It´s okay. I mean I know how I look and your family seems really wealthy, so his reaction is understandable I think..." "Sharmili, please, don´t say such things. You´re a pretty and very nice young lady. And now chalo, let´s go inside so I can show you your room." Sharmili was amazed by the interior of the mansion. She´d never see something like this. Every room was spacious and tastefully furnished. She fell in love with each and every thing in the house. When the two women entered the room which was provided for Sharmili tears of joy filled her eyes. The room wasn´t that big but it was very nice furnished and looked warm and comfortable. There was never a chance that Sharmili expected to live in such a beautiful room in a huge mansion. She turned around to Shikha and bend down to touch her feet but Shikha stopped her. "Hey, what are you doing?", she asked a little confused. "I just want to thank you, Shikhaji. You´re such a good person and I don´t know how...", said Sharmili and sniffled. Shikha hugged her close. "It´s okay. I´m so glad that I can help you and I hope that you´ll feel comfortable in our house and with my family." Sharmili nodded slowly when Shikha let go of her. "Alright now. You can have a bath while I´ll fetch some clothes for you.", she added while they were walking to the bathroom. It was spacious as well and Sharmili gaped at the sight of the huge bathtub. Shikha smiled at her amazement and then laid a towel in Sharmili´s hand before leaving the room. After a little hesitation Sharmili undressed herself, merged her clothes and got into the tub. She sighed when the hot water surrounded her whole body. It felt like all the sorrow dropped down and was replaced by hot, soothing water. Her muscels relaxed and she closed her eyes. In a way she felt happy. There had never been a moment in her whole life which would be comparable to this. When she opened her eyes after a few minutes she began to observe the room. Everything was neat and clean and suddenly she felt a little awed at all this glance. She sat herself up and washed her hair and her body. It felt relieving to loose the filth and she noticed how her self-confidence grew with every move she made. After she relished the hotness of the water a little longer she got out of the tub and toweld herself. But suddenly she didn´t know what to do. Should she go to her room dressed with only her towel or should she wait for Shikha who said that she would bring her some clothes. After Sharmili waited ten minutes she decided to go to her room. She opened the bathroom door slowly and looked around. She didn't want to think about the embarrassment if someone would see her dressed like this. When she made sure that the coast was clear she tiptoed along the corridor to her room but just a few steps away from her door she heard someone clearing his throat. She turned around and there was Shikha´s bhai Aditya who was staring at her like she was a ghost or something like that. "I... I´m sorry but I...", Sharmili muttered first but when she saw him sneer she screwed up her eyes and got into her room as fast as she could. Gasping and with a blushed face she leaned against her closed door and hoped that this didn´t happen to her. She felt so embarressed and when she thought about the naughty look he´d given her her whole body shivered. She startled when she heard a knock on her door. "Sharmili, can I come in?", she heard Shikhas voice saying and felt relieved. She opened the door and smiled at her. "Here are some clothes for you. I hope at least a few things fit you. Just try it. And like I said, at the weekend we are going to buy you some new stuff, okay?", Shikha intended. "Oh, and by the way dinner is in about one hour. You can rest until then. I will call you when it´s ready.", she added before she left the room. Sharmili looked through the clothes and tried everything on. Eventually she found a nice mint green Salwar Kameez which fitted her very well and she decided to keep it on. While waiting for dinner she sneaked around her room and felt at home. Her bed was very cosy and she was excited to sleep in it for the first time that night. When Sharmili heard Shikha calling her for dinner finally she remembered the little "accident" with Aditya on the corridor and she felt very uncomfortable when she was going to the dining room and hoped that he wouldn´t talk about it. When she entered the room all eyes laid on her. Kapitel 4: ----------- “Arre, Sharmili! You are looking so beautiful! Very nice. And this Salwar suits you very well.”, Shikha noted when she saw Sharmili entering the room. “Shukriya.”, said Sharmili shyly smiling. “Come, sit down. I get the food from the kitchen.” “May I help you?” Shikha smiled. “Of course. Chalo!” The two women went to the kitchen, fetched the food and brought it in the dining room. When everybody sit down Sharmili found herself sitting next to Aditya. She didn´t know for sure why but she felt awkward when he was around. The odd glances he gave her made her feel like a little unconfident child. When Sharmili looked around she noticed that there were only Shikha, Tanay, Aditya and her. She wondered where Shikha´s husband was and so she asked. “Oh, Manghesh is away on a business trip. He´ll be back at Sunday evening.”, answered Shikha while putting some rice on Tanay´s plate. Sharmili nodded and felt silent while eating. It was a strange feeling for her to sit at the dining table with this family to which she didn´t belong. But she hoped that it would change when a little time has passed by. Suddenly she noticed that Aditya was staring at her. She looked at him and tried to find out what he was thinking about but she didn´t get it. Instead of that she blushed. He gave her an pejorative glance and stood up. “I have to do some homework for tomorrow.”, he said to Shikha. “I go to my room.” Then he left the dining room. “I´m really sorry, Sharmili. Aditya is very strange these days. I hope he gets better soon... I really don’t know what´s wrong with him... ” Shikha tried to excuse Aditya´s behaviour. “No, it´s absolutely okay. Maybe he just has to get used with me.”, Sharmili replied but in truth she felt not well. She wanted to get to know why Aditya was behaving like this to her. ************************************ “No, Shikha, please! It´s too much. I can´t...” “Sharmili , stop arguing with me and take it. I want you to try on this Salwar. Come on.” Shikha insisted and thrusted the yellow Salwar Kameez into Sharmili´s hand. Sharmili gave up, nodded and went into the fitting room while Shikha was triumphantly smiling at her. While changing Sharmili felt a little awkward. She and Shikha were already shopping the whole day and she bought her four Salwars, two Saris, some shirts, trousers, skirts and underwear. Sharmili didn´t know how she ever could pay all this generosity back and so she got a bad conscience. When she stepped out of the cubicle Shikha gave her a bright smile. “You look absolutely gorgeous. We have to buy this Salwar, too.” Sharmili sighed. “I really don´t know what I should say but it´s all too much. I really can´t take all this...” Shikha smiled and laid her arm around Sharmili´s shoulders while clarifying. “You don´t have to get a bad conscience. It´s just the simple fact that you need some clothes to wear. Ergo I buy them because you have no money yet to buy them by yourself. When you get your first salary you can buy all the stuff you need at your own. Sounds good?” Sharmili nodded with a shy smile and went back in the cubicle to change her clothes again. Shikha crossed her arms over her chest and sighed. It would be a tough job to put some self-confidence into Sharmili. After a long shopping day Shikha and Sharmili came back home in the evening. When they entered the house they almost fell over Aditya who was on his way from the kitchen to his room. Shikha greeted him with a smile but he was just nodding and observing their shopping bags. After another glance at Sharmili he turned around and went upstairs to his room. When Aditya closed the door behind him he sighed and felt anger rising up in his chest. What was this Sharmili-girl thinking of herself? She entered his family, spent the whole last two days with Tanay and now she let Shikha buy her all her clothes. He wasn´t jealous but he hated the fact that this slumdog-girl was about to infiltrate his family to take advantage of them. He sat down on his desk chair and looked out of his window. The sun was about to set and the sky had a nice violet colour which reminded him of the Salwar which Sharmili was wearing yesterday. He had to admit that she was a very beautiful girl with her long, thick, black hair, her hazelnut brown eyes, her soft skin and her pretty face. And when he had see her only wearing this short towel that day there were some indecent thoughts in his mind which he didn´t want to recall. But he was sure that all that was just façade. Also her shy smile and her lowered gaze. She just had to be devious. Maybe she told Shikha a big lie and her parents were still alive and they channeled Sharmili in the family to take advantage of their wealth. He couldn´t really say why he had this feeling but he was quite sure about that. While trying on her new clothes again in her room, Sharmili´s thoughts spaced out to Aditya. She avoided him most of the time because she felt so awkward when he was around but she couldn´t suppress his glances. They were pejorative and hurt her. And she had absolutely no idea why he looked at her like that. She had the shade that it could be because of her status but how was it possible that Shikha and Aditya were so completely different? She really wanted to ignore his glances but it wasn´t possible. When she lived in the slums it was normal that all the city people gave her odd glances and she was used to it but now she felt uncomfortable. Sighing she seated herself on the bed and stared at the ground. She didn´t know what to do with all the problems she faced by now. Her bad conscience concerning Shikha, her new job in this house, Aditya´s strange behaviour and Sharmili was sure that there was much more to come. Her only bright spot was Tanay. The little boy seemed to love her uncompromising and that gave her that little level of comfort which gave her the strength to face everything. Kapitel 5: ----------- In the next few days life became more bearable for Sharmili. When Shikha’s husband Manghesh came back from his business trip he gave Sharmili a warm welcome which made her feel more comfortable with the situation. He seemed to be open and nice like Shikha, so it was a lot easier for Sharmili to feel like home in their house. On Monday Shikha gave Sharmili all instructions she needed for her work. Sharmili listened carefully to everything Shikha told her and was resolved that she would fulfil all the tasks she had to do. The rest of the week was going by very fast. Sharmili was busy with cleaning the house, taking care of Tanay and picking him up from school. Before noon she was most of the time alone in the house. Tanay was at school, Shikha and Manghesh were at their works and Aditya was at the university. At this time she were doing the dishes and tidying up the rooms. When she was away to pick Tanay up from school Aditya came back home. He always went straight into his room and stayed there. Sharmili barely saw him and she was absolutely fine with that. His glances at the dinner table were enough and she was glad that she didn’t have that much to do with him. Most of the time in the afternoon she spent with Tanay after she picked him up from school. They were doing his homework together, going to the park or playing games. She loved the little boy and so he did. After diner and doing the dishes she went to her room where she just laid herself on her bed and thought about everything. She was thankful that she got this chance for a better life but she missed her family. She just couldn’t believe that they were gone. Forever. She felt tears running down her cheeks and wiped them off. It was hard but she had to look forward. She had to take her life in her own hands to make the best out of it. She knew that but she was also aware of that it would be hard work to become strong and self-confident. On Friday, when Sharmili was about to clean the windows in the first floor, she recognized that Aditya wasn’t going to the university. In the hope that he just had to go later she omitted his room but it was pointless. She stood in front of his door and didn't know what to do. She had to clean the windows in his room but she really didn't want to be alone with him in one room. Besides that she was sure that he wasn't eager about that, too. Aditya was sitting at his desk and was doing some homework when he heard a knock on his door. He could sense who was there and gave just a grumpy “Ji.” as response. The door was opened slowly and as he expected Sharmili stepped in. “I'm sorry for the disturbance but I have to clean the windows and if it doesn’t bother you I would...”, she said carefully and looked at him a little bit shy. Aditya observed her and answered with a simple nod. She sighed hardly audible and went with her cleaning supplies to the window to do her work. She felt totally awkward in his proximity but she forced herself to be calm and concentrated on her work. Even Aditya felt strange and he couldn't help it when his eyes were wandering over to Sharmili. She was stretching herself to get to the superior part of the window. He watched her and determined that she had really pretty curves. Everything seemed to be at the right place and he wondered how they would feel under his hands... Suddenly he realised what he was thinking. He lowered his gaze and tried to concentrate on his work. He didn't want to think such things about this girl because he was sure that this was her plan. She wanted to wrap him around her finger with her behaviour and charm him but he wouldn't fall for her. Nevertheless his eyes were wandering to her again. But at this moment Sharmili turned around and noticed his gaze. He felt caught but he didn't want to show, so he kept staring at her. Sharmili blushed and lowered her gaze. She didn't know why but she felt embarrassed. She took her cleaning supplies and left the room as fast as she could. Aditya gazed after her and ran his fingers through his thick hair with an annoyed sigh. Sharmili went downstairs to stow away the cleaning supplies. Her heart was beating fast and she felt the heat of her cheeks. Why was Aditya always acting that strange? And why did she always blush? She hated this reaction of hers but she couldn’t help it. He was so damn handsome and when he looked at her with his honey brown eyes and his strange expression her head became empty and the only thing her body was able to do was blushing. Sighing she leaned against the wall behind her and closed her eyes to calm herself down. When she opened them again her gaze fell on her watch. When she saw what time it was she startled and ran to her room to fetch her bag and sallied to pick up Tanay from school. Kapitel 6: ----------- Sharmili was sitting in the garden and was playing with Tanay. The sun shone and the air was warm. It was Saturday afternoon and Shikha and Mangesh were out to meet some friends. Aditya sat on the terrace and made some studies. Sometimes he looked up and watched Sharmili and Tanay by playing `twister´. They laughed a lot and seemed to have a lot of fun. He knew that Tanay was completely in love with Sharmili. The little boy always said that he wants to marry her when he has grown up. Aditya observed Sharmili and every bit of her body language. But he never found something evil or ambivalent in it. She seemed to be honest but he couldn't believe it. He couldn't say why but he had a bad feeling about her. Nevertheless he had to admit that she fascinated him in a strange way. She was such a pure and natural beauty and he was sure that she wasn't aware of it. Besides that she seemed a little bit naïve – not in a dumb way but rather simple. While watching Sharmili playing `twister´ he noticed that she was quite versatile. A good quality for some other activities he determined... After that thought he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He didn't want to think such things about this girl. Yes, she was pretty and had a great and curvy body but she came from the slums, was a just their householder and he wasn't sure about her intensions. Without any word he stood up and went inside the house to go to his room. Sharmili looked up when she noticed that Aditya was going inside. She sighed because she perceived that he was observing her all the time. But she also noticed that his glances were different since she has cleaned the windows in his room. His eyes were softer and he seemed to think about something when he was looking at her. It was very difficult for her to act normal when she noticed that he was staring at her. She tried to ignore it but it wasn’t that easy. He was so damn handsome and she felt totally attracted to him. The fact that he act strange and cold towards her didn't harm his attraction to her. She sighed again and applied her attention back to Tanay and the `twister´ game. Kapitel 7: ----------- The days were going by very quickly. Shikha and Manghesh were doing everything that Sharmili could feel like home in their house and it helped her a lot. Everyone was so nice to her that within a few weeks she settled down and felt like an actual part of the family. Only Aditya was still unapproachable and stubborn. She always tried to ignore him and tell herself that it didn’t matter if he liked her or not but secretly she knew it was a lie. She wanted to get to know him better but it was hopeless. Every time she got a glimpse of him she found him pejoratively staring at her and she had no clue why. But with time she got used to it even though his behaviour still hurt her sometimes. “No, I don’t think it’s because of you.” Shikha intended when Sharmili asked her about Aditya’s strange behaviour. It was a nice Sunday evening and the two of them were sitting and chatting on the terrace of the mansion. “He was always aloof to people he doesn’t know and usually needs a lot of time to trust somebody. And I guess he didn’t even try to get to know you, hai na? He’s just so stubborn and I have no idea where he got that from.” Shikha laughed and winked at her. Sharmili smiled back but the awkward feeling in her stomach when she thought about Aditya was the same as before. Some hours later she lay in her bed and couldn’t find some sleep. She absolutely couldn’t help that Aditya was running through her mind all the time. Despite his coldness towards her she found him fascinating in a way. He seemed always so calm and mature – in an icy way of course – and seemed to be very fixated on his studies. It was very seldom that he was meeting or going out with his friends. Sharmili wondered how it was to be at a university. She never got a solid education in the slums because it simply wasn’t needed. It was more important to know where to get food and water from. Yes, she could read and do basic arithmetic operations but her general knowledge wasn’t good at all. Suddenly she felt dumb and had the feeling that she knew nothing. History, biology, literature – everything seemed to her like a book of seven seals. Some tears were pouring down her cheeks when she turned around in her bed to look out of the window. The sky was dark blue like velvet and studded with millions of sparkling stars. Sharmili wanted to believe that her parents and her brother were up there to look over her and protect her. She closed her eyes und sighed heavily. Almost every night she had those thoughts. She just couldn’t get over it. Even though the Tagores were so nice to her and tried everything to integrate her in the family she missed her own family so much. She knew she had to be strong but it was so hard... She stood up while closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She was thirsty and needed a glass of water. For a moment she hesitated because she was wearing only her white, thin salwar for sleeping but after a glance at the watch she decided to go to the kitchen. It was 1 am so she was sure that everyone in the house was sleeping. Because she were used to the darkness she didn’t turn on the light. Slowly she went upstairs and was already about to enter the kitchen when she suddenly tripped over something and fell on the flow. A surprised gasp came out of her mouth when her knees and her elbows hit the hard marble floor. “Ow...” she murmured while raising her hand to the kitchen chair next to her to pull herself up. But suddenly she grew stiff. The `chair´ was surprisingly soft, warm and... formed like a thigh. Startled she looked straight up into Aditya’s face and realized that she was sitting on all fours between his legs. It was quite dark but the pale moonlight was bright enough to see his features well. He looked as surprised as Sharmili was, so none of them said one word for ages as it seemed. Aditya was finally the first one who was able to compose himself. His surprised face gave away a disdainful glance. “What’s this?” he asked sneering. “Are you trying to seduce me?!” His words woke Sharmili up. Hastily she took her hand from his thigh and stood up. “I... I’m very sorry...! I didn’t want to...” she stumbled and felt the sudden heat in her cheeks. This was just too embarrassing. Why had those things always happen to her?! Kapitel 8: ----------- “I just wanted a glass of water...“ Sharmili tried to explain herself. “Ya, for sure!“ Aditya replied and turned away from her to put his arms on the kitchen counter. She looked at him in desperation. Why did he never believe what she was saying? Why was he always distrustful when it came to her? She just didn’t get it. With a hardly audible sigh she turned around and got herself a glass of water. With big thirst she drank it out and got another one. Aditya was watching her from the corner of his eye. He had to admit that she was looking even more gorgeous than usual. The soft light of the moon let her skin looks like some cappuccino with cream and the sheer white fabric of her salwar kameez was flowing around her body like water. Even the way she drank looked quite sensual. Aditya startled when Sharmili suddenly turned around to face him. “May I ask you something?” she wanted to know with a mild voice. “If you have to...” he replied as if he didn’t care and looked out of the window to avoid her gaze. “Uhm... Why are you still awake and sitting alone in the dark kitchen?” “Maybe because of the same reason as you...” he answered vague and still not looking at her. “So you couldn’t sleep because your mind was running through the same thoughts as every night? You were thinking that you miss your dead family and that you’re stupid because neither you know nor have seen anything from the world...?” The words came out of her mouth just by themselves and when she realised what she were saying she regretted it immediately. “I’m sorry! I... I didn’t mean to...” she stuttered but stopped when she saw Aditya’s gaze. He seemed surprised and the usually hard expression in his eyes softened a bit. He couldn’t say why but he never thought that Sharmili could have this kind of thoughts. She was just some suspicious girl from the slums for him after all and it has never crossed his mind that she could have feelings. Suddenly all the anger he had about her was gone for a moment and he only felt attracted to her. The way she stood in front of him with her shy brown eyes, her beautiful curly hair and her whole angel like appearance made him want her so badly all of a sudden that he just couldn’t resist touching her. He approached her step by step till there were just a few inches between them. They looked each other in the eyes and tried to figure out what the other one was thinking. Aditya lifted his hand and touched Sharmili’s cheek with his fingers. She shivered under his gentle touch und was confused about this whole situation. What happened so suddenly that Aditya looked at her with desire and not with disgust anymore? But she forgot about the question when he slowly started to move his hand downwards her neck and her collar bone. Her heart was beating faster when he took another step towards her. She felt his breath on her lips and closed her eyes when he put his arms around her waist. His grip was tight and yet gentle. She melted against him when she felt the heat of his body. Their lips were only one breath apart when Aditya suddenly realised what he was doing. Startled he backed away from Sharmili and left hastily and without a word the kitchen. Sharmili stood there in the dark and just couldn’t understand what actually happened right now. Hosted by Animexx e.V. (http://www.animexx.de)