The Australian Summer

The Australian Summer - Chapter 9

Welcome back dear reader! The last time we saw our characters, they all attended the New Year's Eve party at Sasha and Tobias's home. Things got heated, and emotional and finally came to the point of no return. Ankit fell asleep in the bar area near the pool - drunk and emotionally exhausted. Whereas Isha and Cooper were exhausted for a different reason, in the guest bedroom upstairs. Let's continue...

~BhagiRath

PART 1 - THE PROMISE

FIVE YEARS AGO

Bhatia Home, New Delhi, India

"HE'S MARRIED?!" Isha's mother screamed at Naina. Naina was Isha's older sister.

"I didn't say married," Naina said, tears streaming from her eyes. "I said divorced. He and his ex-wife have been separated for..."

"OH MY GOD!" Isha's mother turned to her husband. "Ruined! Her life is ruined, ji. This girl has killed us! We will never be able to recover from this shame!"

"Calm down, let's hear her out..." Isha's father tried to say.

"Shut up!" Isha's mother shouted. "It's your pampering that has turned your daughter into a shameless whore! Don't you get it...she got pregnant with some married man's baby!"

"Stop talking like that," Isha's father said, and looked over at his other two daughters, standing in the corner of the room.

Isha had books in her hands, she'd just come home from the college library. Dhriti was still in her school uniform. They both had fear and concern all over their faces.

Naina was standing in the middle of the room, tears in her eyes. She'd just told her mother that she was pregnant.

"Tell me his name right now," her mother said loudly. "We will talk topanditji(family priest) and get you married urgently, so we can control the scandal at least."

Naina mumbled something.

"SPEAK LOUDER!"

"Salim," Naina said, quietly, her eyes still focused on the floor. "Salim Naqvi."

Everything was silent for a second.

Isha's mother scrunched her eyes...staring at Naina.

And then it started.

Her mother started wailing. Incoherent screams and curses hurled at Naina. Her father intervened, but even he had tears in his eyes.

Isha was frozen with dread, seeing the scene unfolding in front of her. She held Dhriti's hand through it.

But she had more than one reason to be fearful.

She'd known. About her sister. And her sister's boss. She didn't know his name, but she knew Naina had been meeting with him secretly. About the missed calls. About the late night returns.

She'd even warned Naina. But Naina never listened to Isha. She'd just call her a brown-noser, a goody-two-shoes and walk away.

Isha never thought of telling her mom. And now her sister had done exactly what her mother was afraid of.

"Was it us?" her mother asked her father. "Did we bring her up wrong? Isha didn't turn out like this. What did I do wrong with Naina? Why is my first born determined to sink our family?"

"Calm down, dear..."

But her mother didn't calm down.

"LEARN!" she shouted at Naina. "Learn something from your younger sister! Isha has been a god's gift to us...goes to the college, comes back home, studies more. Even that boy she likes, Ankit...he's such a nice boy and from such a respectable family."

Naina looked at Isha through tears.

"Why couldn't you have been like that, Naina?" her mother cried. "What sins have I committed to deserve this. Boyfriend after boyfriend in college...I let it go, I thought this is what you modern girls are like...at least I thought you were being sensible. But this..."

"Look maa," Naina interrupted her mother. "I knew you wouldn't understand this. It wasn't planned...yes. But Salim and I...we love each other. He's going to marry me. And I'd like for you and papa to bless us..."

"BLESS YOU?" her mother shouted. "After the horrible shame you've brought my family, whoring around with some married Muslim man..."

"MAA!" Naina screamed back. "He's not just some married man! He loves me, he left his wife for me! If you can't accept what we have..."

"Then what?" her mother was livid. "What will you do? What else CAN you do to me? You've already sunk my reputation. You'll leave the house? GO! Go and leave me in peace. I'll consider you dead!"

"STOP IT!" their father screamed at their mother. "STOP SAYING THINGS YOU'LL REGRET!"

"Maa, stop!" Isha came forward. "Didi...maa is just upset...she doesn't know what she's saying. Please don't leave us."

Naina looked at her mother in shock and sadness.

"No...she's right, Isha," Naina said, her eyes red, but her mind made up. "There's no place in this house for me. Salim is coming to pick me up, I'm done."

"Beta, please don't..." her father pleaded.

"Papa, I'm sorry," Naina said. "I didn't mean to cause you all this trouble. I...I'll reach out after...afterwards."

Isha, Dhriti and their father tried to convince Naina and her mother. But to no avail. Their minds were made up.

Soon, Salim came and Naina left with him. That was the last time Isha saw Naina face to face.

Isha went to her mom afterwards. She was sitting in a corner of the room, still crying. Dhriti followed her.

"Maa...you shouldn't have..."

"Isha, listen to me," her mother stood up, grabbing Isha by the shoulders. "YOU are my eldest daughter now. You are the keeper of our family's reputation."

"What? Didi is just..."

"I don't want to hear her name in this house again!"

Isha was silent.

"You've always been my good girl Isha...always listened to me, always did what I asked. Be that...be the one who makes me hold my head high in society. Promise me that you'll be my good girl, always!"

"Maa..."

"Promise me, Isha!" she shook Isha by the shoulders.

"I...I promise."

Her mother was satisfied. She looked at Dhriti. "Follow your didi's foot steps. Be like her."

Dhriti nodded.

"I'll go lie down, this day has been devastating," their mother said and started walking towards her bedroom.

Isha stood there, looking at her mother. Their peaceful life shattered.

Her mother turned back and looked at Isha.

"Isha beta, you haven't straightened your hair today. I've told you multiple times...you need to keep doing it. You don't want to look wild now, do you?"

Isha looked at Dhriti for a second and then back at her mom.

"I'll take care of it maa."

PART 2 - IT'S A NEW YEAR

JANUARY 1st - TWO MONTHS TO THE WEDDING

Sasha and Tobias's House, Sydney, Australia

Isha stared blankly at the ceiling. Her thick curly hair was all over the place.

She was in Cooper's arms, his hand resting gently on her breast. She turned to look at him. Still sleeping. They were both completely naked under the sheets.

Last night came rushing to her. Everything she did with him. Everything she enjoyed.

She should feel guilty. She had sex with another man. Oral sex, yes, but wrong nonetheless.

And now she was lying on the bed next to him, in a bed which was not hers, their naked bodies touching in an intimate way.

But the first thought in her head wasn't "Oh my god, I messed up."

It was 'I want more.'

Isha was puzzled by this.

She looked down at their bodies covered with the thin sheet. She could tell the shapes underneath. She picked up the sheet gently and peeked at him, downthere.

There it was. His cock. Lying flaccid on his thigh...thick and long. It looked like it was...sleeping.

She'd swallowed it whole yesterday, and then drained it of every last drop of cum. She liked it.

She'd never done anything like that before. Wasn't sure why she did what she did. But she didn't regret it.

In fact Isha wondered if the guilt would hit her. A day ago she was trying to cut all temptations related to Cooper, and now she'd gone and done almost everything with him.

She'd given into what shereallywanted. Stopped fighting it.

What kind of woman does this?

Exactly the kind of woman her mother told her not to be. A woman like Naina.

A woman like me.

Isha looked at Cooper's cock again. She knew what she wanted to do.

And for the first time in a long time, she was going to take what she wanted. And try not to feel bad about it.

She reached for him under the sheet. As soon as she touched him, his cock started hardening. His skin was warm against her palm.

"Someone's awake," she murmured against his neck.

"Someone woke me up, didn't they," he said, his voice rough with sleep.

Her hand moved slowly. Feeling the weight of him. The heat. She wanted to do more...wanted to taste him again.

"I want this," she whispered, and kissed his jaw. "But not now. Later."

Cooper's eyes opened. A slow smile spread across his face. "Later? Why not now?"

"Ankit's probably up...wondering where I am," she whispered, still stroking him slowly. "We should go downstairs."

"If you want me to not pounce on you right now," Cooper said. "You need to stopthatright now." He gestured to her hand stroking his cock.

She withdrew her hand. "Okay," she smiled. "Later."

His laugh was low and rough. "That's a promise I'll hold you to."

---

"Where's my bikini?"

Isha got up, realized she was completely naked, and grabbed the sheet to wrap around herself. Cooper watched her, amused.

"What's the point of this," he gestured towards the sheet. "It's nothing I haven't seen."

"That's not...I need to get dressed, Coop. Ankit will have woken up by now."

She dropped the sheet and found her top on a lampshade, tying it with fumbling hands.

"Where are my bottoms? Coop...where did you throw them?"

Cooper stretched on the bed "Dunno."

She was on her hands and knees now, peering under the dresser. Her bare ass in the air. She heard him chuckle.

She looked at him over her shoulder. "Instead of laughing, can you come and help me?"

"Helping you get dressed is the last thing I want to do right now. I'm enjoying the view."

"Cooooop!" she whined, and went back to searching.

A few seconds later, Cooper spoke again.

"What are you going to tell him?"

She paused. She sat back on her heels.

"I'll handle it."

"Do you want me to talk to..."

"You shouldn't...just give me time alone with him. I'll take care of it."

She stood up, frustrated.

"Coop, please. Can you help me find it? I can't go out like this."

Cooper pointed at the window.

She followed his finger. The bikini bottoms were hanging from the top of the window blinds.

She looked back at him, her eyebrows raised.

"I've got a good arm," he said.

She retrieved the bottoms and adjusted her top.

Isha looked at Cooper. Still on the bed.

"Get dressed."

"Why?"

"Coop..."

"Go on, admit it...you like looking at me."

"That's not...I don't..." She grabbed his swim trunks from the floor and threw them at him. "Wear it."

"I'm too tired," he said, rolling back on the bed. "You do it."

She wanted to argue, but ended up kneeling beside him, sliding the shorts up his thighs, trying not to look at his half-hard cock as she pulled the fabric over it.

"There. Done."

"Shame."

She stood up. "Let's go."

---

Ankit woke up with a splitting headache. The sun had already climbed high. The water in the pool outside was reflecting the sunlight, making it even brighter.

It was all making his head hurt even more. The room smelled like chlorine and alcohol.

In fact, it wasn't just his head. Ankit's entire body was hurting. Maybe it was the hangover, maybe it was the weird bed he slept in...which wasn't even a bed. More of a sofa really.

He tried to remember what happened yesterday. And then it hit him.

Isha.

Where is she?

The last thing he remembered, she'd gone on the treasure hunt with Cooper. It had been over ten hours since he'd last seen her.

The memory came back in fragments. Sasha talking to him, right here at the bar. Drinks. A lot of drinks.

Sasha's voice rang in his ears.

...you have the best of both worlds.

A beautiful fiancé who loves you and the freedom to play your games without any guilt.

Cooper's doing you a favor.

Ankit sat up too fast. His head was spinning. He reached for his phone. Dead.

Of course! Damn it.

Ankit looked around. The pool area was empty. Cups and bottles everywhere.

Where are you Isha?

He walked over to the main house. She was bound to be there.

It was quiet. Too quiet. He walked inside, through the kitchen, past the living room. His head was pounding.

Just then, he heard footsteps and looked up the stairs.

Isha.

Coming down, wearing that two-piece he'd seen her wear yesterday. Her hair...it was all over the place. She'd stopped curling a while back, but right now, they looked...untamed. Wild.

She looked beautiful.

But there was something about her which was different - something in her eyes which looked a bit...changed.

"Ankit," she said, looking at him. "You're awake."

"Hey," Ankit said. His voice came out a bit thin and rough. He cleared his throat. "Morning."

"How are you feeling?" Isha asked. "Sasha said you'd fallen asleep. Had a bit too much to drink?"

"I...yeah, probably..." Ankit stopped mid-sentence.

Just a few feet behind Isha, walking down the stairs, was Cooper.

Shirtless, bed hair, and a smile on his face.

"Morning, mate!" Cooper said. "Happy New Year!"

"Uh...yes...Happy uh New Year, Cooper. " Ankit mumbled, staring at him.

Cooper walked past Isha and Ankit.

"Need me some coffee," he said and disappeared into the kitchen.

Isha stayed back with Ankit.

"Should we get some coffee, too?" Isha asked.

"Where did you sleep last night?"

Ankit saw Isha's jaw tighten.He knows. Some part of him already knows.

"Upstairs," she said. "Sasha said I could use one of the rooms."

"Okay," Ankit said. "And uh...what about Cooper?"

"What about him?"

"Where did he...sleep?"

A pause. Isha looked at his bloodshot eyes, his wrinkled shirt.

I could tell him the truth - that yesterday I was intimate with Cooper in ways I never was with Ankit.

But that would devastate him. I can't do that to Ankit.

No, I need to protect him from the truth.

"Cooper and I were talking for a while yesterday night, you know how it is," Isha said, sounding casual. "And then at some point we just fell asleep, I guess."

It's the truth.Isha thought to herself.

We DID talk. We DID fall asleep.

Ankit doesn't need to know what happened in between.

She waited for him to process and respond.

"He...he slept there too?" Ankit said. "In the same room?"

Stop digging, Ankit...for your own good.

"Ankit...I told you, we were just talking, okay?"

"Did he sleep on the bed with you?" Ankit pressed.

Isha let out a sigh, she looked frustrated.

"Well, yes! We had a lot to talk about. We had hours of fun. You know why? Because you said you won't come out to the pool with me."

"What?"

"Yes! I wanted to spend New Year's with you. But you wanted to sit and drink at the bar, refusing to come out."

"I DID come out, for the treasure hunt! I looked for you everywhere!"

"You did?" Isha asked. "How come we didn't see you?"

I know exactly why, because Cooper took me upstairs to the balcony where he...

"I don't know! I went up and down the path to the garden. I even..."

"Ankit, it's okay. What's done is done. I guess we just missed each other. It happens."

"Yeah," Ankit looked dejected. "I guess...but..."

"Look Ankit, we're in Sasha's house," Isha said, her voice turning into a loud whisper. "I beg you...please don't make a scene. We can talk about it when we go home."

Ankit flinched.A scene.He opened his mouth to defend himself, but closed it immediately. He finally nodded and started waddling toward the kitchen.

Isha watched him walk away - shoulders hunched, head down, like a boy who'd just been scolded.

I should go after him. Tell him the truth. He deserves it.

But she didn't move.

She couldn't tell him what she really did.

He wouldn't understand. How could he, when she didn't understand it herself? All she knew was last night she'd felt more alive than she had in a very long time. And this morning, she'd woken up wanting more.

So she stood there, watching her fiancé disappear into the kitchen, knowing full well that she would most likely do it again.

---

Isha, Cooper and Ankit said their goodbyes to Sasha and Tobias, thanking them for a memorable party.

By the time they reached home it was almost noon.

"I'll take a quick shower and then get lunch started." Isha said, rummaging through the fridge. "I'm starving, I'm sure you two must be too."

"Famished," Cooper said. "Let me help, it'll go faster."

"Yes...yes, me too," Ankit said, a little too quickly. "I'll help too."

Isha nodded.

Cooper smiled. "You look like you've had a rough night, mate."

Ankit sat on the kitchen island stool. "I don't even remember half of it. Sasha kept making these drinks..."

"Ah, Sasha's Specials." Cooper grinned. "She got me with those once. Never again."

"Yeah, well..." Ankit rubbed his eyes. "I feel like a zombie. My head is killing me."

Isha looked up from the fridge.

"You should sleep, Ankit," Isha said, in a soft, concerned voice. "You barely got any rest."

"I'm fine..."

"Ankit." She walked over, pressed the back of her hand to his forehead. "You don't seem warm. But you definitely look exhausted. Go lie down for an hour. We'll wake you up when lunch is ready."

"I'm fine, Isha. Really," Ankit protested.

"Ankit, please don't argue. Just go lie down," Isha said. "I'll make some roti and sabzi, like your mom makes it for you. You'll feel better."

Ankit looked over at her and Cooper. His fiancé and his roommate. Both looking at him with concern. Or something that looked like it.

"I don't know..." He rubbed his eyes again. "I should help..."

"Mate, you look like shit," Cooper said. "Go crash for a bit. Isha and I...we've got this."

Ankit hesitated, his instinct told him not to leave. But he didn't want to push back more. Both Isha and Cooper looked at him intently.

His head was pounding. And the bed was right there. Maybe heshouldget some sleep.

"Fine. But wake me."

"Of course," Isha said. She kissed his forehead. "Go. Sleep. I'll be in to take a shower in a few minutes."

Ankit shuffled toward the bedroom, and closed the door behind him.

---

Isha stood under the water, trying not to think about Cooper. But that's all she did.

The last fifteen hours flashed in front of her eyes...everything she'd done, the boundaries she'd crossed with Cooper.

Her body remembered it all - his mouth between her legs, her mouth around his cock, his hands on her ass. She searched again for guilt. But all she found was excitement.

She came out of the shower and picked a a pale blue shirt dress she'd bought on a whim three weeks ago. She'd never worn it before.

She held it up. Light cotton. Button-front. Short sleeves. It would hit her mid-thigh, exposing her toned legs.

He'd like that.

She stepped into a black lace thong. Thin straps, barely there. Not really for cooking.

Isha didn't bother with a bra.

Isha put on the dress, looked at herself in the mirror. She undid the top two buttons - more than a hint of cleavage. Then the bottom two buttons - exposing a lot more of her bare thighs.

She looked over at Ankit, he sleeping, snoring gently.

She walked to the kitchen to start cooking.

---

Isha was making dough for rotis, mixing water into the flour with her hands. The flour clung to her fingers, her palms, her wrists. Making rotis was second nature to her by now. But she'd never done it wearing what she was wearing, and with a man behind her, staring.