Unfaithful

Unfaithful

• Rating 0.0

Genre - Drama

• by Author

Myra sank into the lounger next to the shallow end of the pool with her favorite drink, Margarita. She roved her eyes from behind her large, dark-tinted sunglasses to check on her friends. The pool was twenty-five feet long and was situated on the first floor of the private bungalow, which they had rented for their three-day rendezvous. To her left, barely ten feet away, was the pool bar, stocked with adequate supplies of liquor. Her friends Kunal and Tina were standing near the bar, sipping their drinks. Straight ahead, her husband Aakash and Natasha, who was married to Kunal, were sitting at the deep end of the pool; they seemed engrossed in a deep conversation. Just behind them a few meters away was the Arabian Sea, and next to them there was a stone staircase that led to the beach.

The five of them were in their early thirties and had known each other since their college days. Taking advantage of the long weekend, they all had descended on Goa to unwind and have fun.

Tina took her drink and strutted over to Myra, settling next to her in one of the chairs. "What is cooking between your husband and Natasha? Tina asked, casting her gaze in their direction. They have been talking nonstop for the last thirty minutes or so."

Myra looked at her friend and noticed the plunging neckline of her friend's dress. Her friend was perpetually on the lookout for some spice. What her friend lacked in her personal life, she tried compensating by seeking attention or bitching around. "Nothing, I guess. They are friends who are coming up to pace with each other's lives," Myra replied, making light of her insinuation.

Tina sighed and shrugged. "Fine!"

"Anyway, forget this. Tell me, what are you up to these days?" Myra asked, raising her eyebrow as she stretched her legs on the lounger.

"Gaaaaahh! Nothing exciting," Tina replied, making a sad pouting face. "The same old—work and home. Ankur is frequently traveling, and our sex life has come to a standstill since I have had the baby. I was seriously looking forward to this break, but Ankur had to travel overseas at the last moment for some goddamn project."

Myra smiled at her friend's dramatic narration. Kunal walked over from the bar to them and intervened playfully, "What are you guys up to? Come on, let's have fun in the pool." He said and jumped into the pool.

In the distance, the sun was setting over the sea, giving its waves a golden hue and the sky a solid dash of dark reddish-orange color. "Such a gorgeous view!" Natasha exclaimed, taking in the sights.

"It is beautiful," Aakash said, looking in the direction of the sea.

"Shall we go for a walk?" Natasha asked expectantly.

"Sure. Let's." Aakash replied smilingly.

Natasha looked in the direction of Tina and Myra and asked, "Hey, you guys want to join us for a walk?"

"We are good here. You both carry on," Myra said, giving a thumbs up.

"Don't be too late. We have a fancy dinner in the evening," Kunal chimed in from the pool, practically reminding everyone.

Tina looked at the two leaving together through the stairs leading to the beach.

"Come on in, you guys," Kunal hollered at Myra and Tina from the pool. "You all can gossip later," he said, floating on his back.

Both Myra and Tina laughed out loud.

As Myra stood up to step out of her shorts, Tina held her hand and grimaced, "Stay with me. I can't join."

"Why? What's wrong?" Myra asked, narrowing her eyes.

"It is stupid. I am not wearing a bra."

"Hahaha..." Myra laughed out loud and asked, "My God, Tina. What were you thinking?"

Tina pursed her lips and slumped her shoulders exaggeratedly.

"Fine, fine. I will stay with you. Let's sit there facing the sea." Myra said, pointing in the direction where Natasha and Aakaash were initially sitting.

"Thanks; you are a sweetheart." Tina purred happily and followed Myra.

They sat on the pool chairs with their respective drinks. "Look at those two lovebirds," Tina said, getting into her groove, pointing at Natasha and Aakash walking on the beach.

Myra gave Tina an annoyed look and said, "Drop it already."

"Chill, Myra. I am just teasing you. By the way, do you know they dated each other briefly in college?"

"I know," Myra replied nonchalantly.

Tina continued, "And they were the hottest couple in the college. You had this huge crush on Aakash, and you were so envious of Natasha."

"Not only me, but every girl in the college, including you, had a crush on him," Myra said, trying to get back at her friend.

Tina smiled and responded in her cheeky manner, "Well, there is a slight difference, Myra. I had a thing for all the hot guys, including him, unlike you, who had the hots only for him."

Both of them laughed hysterically.

"Can we sit here for a while?" Natasha asked as she sat down on the sand, watching the waves roll over.

"Sure," Aakash said, sitting down next to her.

"You know good looks can be a curse. People rarely bother to know you at a deeper level. You are branded plastic and superficial," Natasha said pensively.

"Wow. You have come all the way to Goa to delve into the philosophical stuff," Aakash said, taking a playful jibe.

"No, seriously. Have you ever seen someone call an ugly person plastic or superficial?"

Aakash pondered for a while. "I suppose you might have a point there. One of the reasons I loved Myra was because her interest in me went beyond my looks."

"And now you don't?" Natasha looked at him quizzically.

"I don't know. She is distant. We haven't been close in months now." Aakash said wryly.

There was an extended pause as the roar of the waves drowned out their inner chaos, and both were lost in deep thought.

Natasha broke the reverie; her voice was light, almost bordering on sadness. "It's been a while since Kunal and I have been close too. He thinks I am frigid."

"Oh..." Aakash managed not knowing what to say.

The familiar pause ensued, and both went quiet.

"Look, look, Myra. What did I tell you?! Tina frantically shook the arm of her friend. "They are kissing," Tina said conspiratorially.

Myra followed Tina's line of sight, and her eyes went wide. Aakash and Natasha were leaning in, and their faces were turned in towards each other.

"Thanks for the cigarette," Natasha said, drawing heavily on the cigarette.

"I didn't know you smoke," Aakash noted smilingly.

"Well, I do occasionally," Natasha replied, puffing out a cloud of smoke before stubbing the cigarette in the sand.

"We should head back; others will be waiting," Aakash said, checking the time on his phone.

Natasha grunted her approval and got up. Together, they walked back to the cottage and joined the others. Myra and Tina's inspecting gazes greeted Akash and Natasha on their arrival, but no one uttered a word.

"Guys, let's get ready ASAP and meet here in an hour for the dinner," Kunal said out loud to the group. Everyone acknowledged and dispersed to their respective rooms.

"Why don't you shower first? As it is, you need more time; in the meantime, I can take a quick nap," Aakash said, making himself comfortable on the double bed once inside the room.

Myra looked at him and thought of saying something, but held back and went into the bathroom.

Twenty-five minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom with her towel wrapped around her. Her wet, black curly tresses clung to her bare shoulders. Aakash opened his eyes and looked at her. His gaze fell upon the mole that was strategically placed just right above her left breast. It was his favorite kissing spot.

Myra caught his roving eye and, despite herself, blurted out, "So, what's brewing between you and Natasha?"

"What do you mean?" Aakash asked with a puzzled look on his face.

"Don't play fucking dumb, Aakash. You were kissing her at the beach."

"Have you lost your fucking mind?"

"No, I haven't. I saw it with my very own eyes, and so did Tina."

"Since when do you care what I did?" Aakash snapped.

Myra huffed and raised her hands in sheer exasperation. "Right. I didn't and shouldn't."

"I seriously don't believe this," Aakash said, getting up from the bed. He grabbed his towel and entered the bathroom, slamming the door behind him.

Fifteen minutes later, when he exited the shower, Myra wasn't there. He shook his head and got ready. As he stepped out of the room, he encountered Tina.

"Look at you. Someone is looking quite handsome," Tina said, scanning him from top to toe.

"Thanks, Tina. Are you headed for dinner?"

Tina nodded. "Yeah."

"Well, allow me to escort you then," Aakash said playfully as they both walked back together to the dining arena.

The staff had converted the open space next to the pool bar into a dining space with a large round table in the center, and in the far corner, they had made provision for the barbecue. The table was replete with drinks and an assortment of bread and cheese. Kunal and Myra were already at the table; Aakash shook hands with Kunal and took one of the empty chairs.

Tina slid between Aakash and Myra and asked Kunal, "Where is Natasha?"

Before Kunal could answer, Natasha's voice greeted the group. "Hey everyone."

Everyone looked in her direction and let out a collective gasp. Tina gave words to her appreciation. "Wow! Natasha, you are looking super hot."

Natasha blushed visibly and thanked her. She took one of the empty chairs and sat between Aakash and Kunal.

Kunal stood from his chair and raised his glass to the crowd. "Guys, we have been friends for over a decade and have stuck together despite our highs and lows. May we continue to be this strong for the coming decades too. Cheers!"

There was a collective cry of cheers, and everybody clinked their glasses."

"I so miss Ankur now," Tina whined, making her typical sad face.

"Aww, now don't spoil your mood. Next time we will ensure he joins us, come what may." Myra said, putting her arm around her friend.

"No, next time we will ensure not to pick a private bungalow. You all are with your partners, and there is no one else around." Tina said getting into her spirits as she gulped down her drink.

"As if you would have done something if there were other people here," Myra said, probing her.

"Well, who knows?" Tina replied mischievously. "I mean, a little fun is all right."

"A little flirting is fine, but would you go all out with another man, Tina?" Kunal asked, sipping his drink.

"No, I don't think so. I do enjoy flirting, but I can't ever imagine cheating on Ankur. I don't know how some people do it."

"Cheating is not uncommon these days. Research says that in onethird of the marriages either both or one of the spouses has crossed the boundary," Aakash, who had a thing for statistics, opined.

"I think monogamy is overrated, and ours might be the only species practicing it," Natasha chipped in.

"But then isn't our species the only species that is far more evolved than the rest?" Myra demurred. "We are a superior species because, unlike animals, we can control our instincts and exercise caution."

"Myra, I think it has nothing to do with evolution. Monogamy was promoted to avoid the spread of sexually transmitted diseases caused by mating with multiple partners. I daresay, if polygamy would have been healthier for our species, we would have been practicing that."

"You are saying the same thing as I am, Natasha. It's evolution; evolution is about survival."

"True, but what I am saying is that monogamy isn't a natural instinct. It has been ingrained and imposed on us for whatever reasons."

Tina, who was listening intently, interjected, "I don't think so, Natasha. I might have been attracted to other men momentarily, but I have never had the desire to sleep with any of them.

Kunal scratched his beard, dwelling on the subject, "I think it is a grey subject, and there is no black-and-white answer to it. But personally, I do think monogamy is needed for society. It promotes family life, which is critical to a healthy society. What do you think, Aakash?"

"I don't know. I think people change, their values change, and their beliefs change with time. What is right for someone today is wrong tomorrow. Monogamy or not is a personal choice. As they say, to each their own."

"So, has anyone here cheated?" Tina asked excitedly.

"Come on, Tina. It's not something anyone will admit to. Such things are usually hush-hush." Myra said with a sly smile.

"Well, how about kissing? Has anyone kissed outside of their marriage?" Tina again asked, flitting her eyes across the group.

Everyone looked at one another with a grin on their faces.

"I suppose everyone here is loyal," Natasha quipped.

"It's hard to believe you haven't, Natasha," Myra interjected.

"That is fucking weird! Am I wearing a T-shirt that says, Come kiss me?!"

"No, I mean, you are extremely pretty; you must be getting a lot of attention from men."

"Since I am good-looking and I receive attention, I must be flirting around?" Wow! That's presumptuous and so stereotypical."

Sensing things could get a little awkward, Aakash intervened, "I guess it has nothing to do with how someone looks. It's about the choices we make."

"Guys, everyone is only drinking; remember, there is food to be had too," Kunal said, laughing as he called the staff to serve food.

"I am thinking I must grow a beard too; everyone has one these days," Aakash said, stroking his clean-shaven cheek.

"Please don't. Already, there are enough bearded guys out there. And anyway, you look much better without one," Natasha remarked, taking a bite of the grilled paneer.

There was a semblance of quiet as everyone pandered to the various food delicacies. The group made small talk for the next hour as they ate and drank to their hearts' content.

Kunal, who had organized the itinerary, said, "Since today is our first day here, I haven't planned any activity after dinner. But tomorrow evening, we are going to rock the hottest club in town."

"Woohoo!" Tina let out a shriek, pumping her fist in the air.

"I think she is sloshed," Myra said, rising to her feet. "I will take her for a walk and then drop her off in the room. See you guys tomorrow."

"Great! So, it is just the three of us now," Kunal said, gulping down his drink and poured himself another large.

"Kunal, can you please not drink anymore? Natasha said, sounding concerned.

"Not again, Natty. We came here to unwind and have fun."

"I didn't know excessive drinking was fun," Natasha said sarcastically.

"You and your fucking sarcasm, I am fed up." Kunal slammed his hand on the table and left with his drink.

Natasha sighed loudly and shook her head. "He is always looking to pick up a fight. I don't know what to do."

"It is the same with Myra," Aakash said wryly.

"It fucking hurts too much at times. I am tired of pretending all is well."

"I know what you mean. It just feels so empty inside."

"Honestly, Aakash, at times I think I should have an affair and just not give a damn."

"I will be lying if I say the thought hasn't crossed my mind," Aakash said quietly.

"I know I am not the easiest person to live with, but then he knew who I was and what he was getting into." Natasha's voice cracked as tears welled up in her light eyes.

"Hey, calm down. He is probably drunk. He will be fine."

"Fine, my ass. It's not the first time." Natasha hissed as she dabbed her eyes with a paper napkin.

Aakash kept quiet while Natasha composed herself.

"Sorry about that, Aakash. Do you have a cigarette on you?"

Aakash nodded and handed over a cigarette from his pack to her. Natasha leaned in, turning towards him, while Aakash lit up the cigarette. After a while, they got up and walked out of there.

He pushed her against the wall and kissed her feverishly. "God! I have been waiting to get my hands on you since we got here."

She kissed him back, throwing her arms around his neck. "It's super hard to find alone time.”

He pulled down the strap of her dress and kissed her collarbone, moving down onto the swell of her chest and nipping her black mole.

"Stop, Stop. Your beard tickles." She giggled.

************* The End *************

 

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