Polite Haunting
Part16/3-Rishikesh Calling
Marina playfully said..
No. Much too arrogant.”
“Ah. A demotion already.”
She nodded thoughtfully.
“At best, you’re an enthusiastic assistant manager of rapids.”
“Assistant manager?”
“Temporary position.”
Arvind pressed a hand to his chest.
“You wound me.”
“Good. Builds character.”
Arvind turned toward her, dripping and grinning.
“Jealous, Teacher? Or are you simply discovering that rivers aren’t the only dangerous things around here?”
Marina burst out laughing and sent a wave of freezing water directly into his face.
“Careful, river warrior. Keep talking and I’ll make you hold Warrior II pose for an hour tonight.”
His eyes narrowed dramatically.
“A whole hour?”
“Without mercy.”
“Cruel woman.”
“My ego saved this raft,” Arvind protested.
“You saved yourself. The raft was collateral benefit.”
“Traitor,” Arvind muttered to the guide.
“Madam has a point, sir.”
Marina folded her arms triumphantly.
“See? Even the Himalayas agree with me.”
“Wonderful,” Arvind sighed. “I’ve been betrayed by both the guide and the mountains.”
“You really enjoy this, don’t you?”
“Immensely.”
The rest of the run turned into pure, flirty chaos. They screamed through “Double Trouble,” then spent every calm stretch mercilessly splashing and teasing each other.
Marina “accidentally” rocked the raft hard enough to nearly tip them both in. Arvind caught her at the last second, hauling her back against his chest with one arm while his free hand snuck under her life jacket for a quick, hidden squeeze.
“Behave,” he growled playfully in her ear, “or I’ll negotiate the next rapid with you over my shoulder.”
“Promise?” she shot back, eyes sparkling with that same glint he would soon see in the ashram.
Arvind groaned.
“You’re impossible.”
“That’s what makes me memorable.”
“As if forgetting you was ever going to be an option.”
For the briefest moment her expression softened. Then another rapid hit.
“Less poetry!” she shouted.
“More paddling, river warrior!”
By the time they reached the take-out point, they were soaked to the skin, exhilarated, buzzing with adrenaline and heat.
Marina couldn’t keep her hands off him. She pressed close, lips brushing his ear, voice low and husky.
“My river warrior… The Ganga just showed me another delicious piece of you. I can’t wait to unwrap the rest tonight.”
The drive back wound slowly up the mountain road as dusk painted the sky in saffron and rose.
They sat tangled in the back seat, still damp, thighs pressed tight under a shared blanket. Every bump sent sparks through them.
Marina’s fingers traced slow, possessive circles high on Arvind’s thigh, dangerously close.
“Careful, my river warrior… if you keep hardening under my touch like that, the driver’s going to think we’re running a whole new set of rapids back here.”
Arvind caught her wrist, but instead of stopping her, he pressed her palm firmly against him, voice low and rough.
“Teacher, you’re the one flooding the boat. One more teasing stroke and I’m pulling you onto my lap right now..driver or no driver. I’ll negotiate this entire mountain with you riding me.”
Her breath hitched, eyes darkening.
Her breath hitched, eyes darkening.
“Promise? I’d pay anything for that private upgrade… especially if you keep looking at me like you want to devour me whole.”
He groaned, nipping her ear.
“Impossible, addictive woman. You’re going to be the death of my control.”
By the time they reached the villa, the infinity pool shimmered with underwater lights, the Ganga a dark, whispering ribbon far below.
The moment the door shut, Arvind lifted Marina effortlessly, her legs locking around his waist. He carried her straight to the bedroom, kissing her deep and hungry, like the river had unleashed centuries of pent up need.
Shower first,” she gasped against his mouth, tasting salt and wild water. “We’re soaked… filthy… and I want you clean before I ruin you.”
#InkByKrish
TBC