Forbidden Love On A Full Night
Misbehavior

I was having breakfast the next morning when Aunt El approached me. "If Miss is still looking for a ride into town, my niece is preparing to leave" he said.

"Oh yeah, still, Bi."

"He'll be leaving in a few minutes. Miss will find it outside, on the ranch truck."

"Yes, Bi. Thank ye. Then excuse me." I smiled as I left the dining table. I stopped by my cabin for a bit to apply lip-splitting, comb my hair, and take my handbag, then hurried over.

The truck was waiting for me in front of the office.

Opening the door on the passenger side, I climbed into it. "Thank you for waiting for me" I said. "I." my voice disappeared as the truck driver turned to look at me. My heart beats hard in my chest. Started pounding incoherently. I think my eyes are wide as cup-pierces. "Oh," I got my voice back. "It turns out you. Emm. I mean...."

An unfamiliar emotion flashed in the man's eyes and disappeared quickly. "Is there a problem with that, ma'am?"

"No. No, of course not. I just didn't know that you were Aunt El's niece. Sorry."

He's cleared his throat. "So, Mrs Purna is ready to go, or has she changed her mind now?"

I nodded, closed the door with excessive force and leaned my body on the chair, then crossed my arms in front of my chest. "How long is our journey?"

"The actual time is only about half an hour. But if the road is jammed, it could be almost an hour's drive."

One hour. Dealing with Ram. And another hour to go home. Argha! I'm interviewing* in my heart. Before I could say that I changed my mind, the man started the truck engine and left the yard. We passed by half a dozen guests who had just returned from the morning walk.

It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny outside even though it was freezing cold inside the truck. I kept my gaze focused on the scene outside the passenger window as the silence between us grew thicker. The silence made me very uncomfortable.

I glanced at Ram as we veered off the ranch towards the freeway. The man was wearing tight jeans, a chambray T-shirt, and leather sandals. He's got a solid, wild, hard profile. There was always something about this man, I thought, a kind of power I never felt was in anyone else. And now there's something more. It was as if the man had put up a wall between us. Ram drives with his left hand on the steering wheel, while his right hand is superimposed on an open window. A black hat lay between us.

As if sensing my glance, the man turned towards me. "What?"

"It's okay."

He grumbled slowly. "Where's your husband? Why don't you go with him?"

I'm shaking. "He's too busy. Early in the morning he left this place."

"O yeah? On the second day of the wedding?"

"Why indeed?"

"It's just weird."

"No, ah," I said. "Obviously. The important thing was that our first night went beautifully, didn't it? And I was very satisfied," I joked to him. Probably just pretending to keep the image. "And you know, my husband is so good in bed. He's fantastic!"

The man remained silent, then cleared his throat. "I haven't seen your husband. So, I don't know, I don't think I believe you're married."

I hesitated for a moment. "If not yet? Are you happy to hear that?"

"But yesterday you came in a wedding dress."

"That's not the answer to my question. Yes or no? Just answer me."

"Don't know. But, well, if you're married, I pray that your marriage lasts."

"If it turns out I'm not married, emm... I mean... if I'm still alone? Are you happy? And what's the reason?"

Ram raised next to his eyebrows. "I told you I don't know. But honestly I'm not happy that you're married. Because it's not good, it's like losing a start, being left out of you. I mean I lost to you. Not to lose to that guy, yeah."

Hmm. Marriage is not a race, dear. That's a childish thought.

"I-i"

"By the way...."

"What?"

"Just go first. What are you gonna say?"

"Oh, but yesterday...?"

"That's...."

"Your love changed her mind at the last second?"

"No. Not." I'm shaking. "He hasn't changed his mind."

"Then?" Next to his eyebrows raised. "Your marriage is void, and the reason is...?"

"I. I changed my mind to get married. So I came here to look for a change of mood."

Amused taste seemed to dance in the eyes of Ram. "There's nothing better than waiting until the last minute."

He's correct. I felt a red hue creeping from my neck to my cheeks. Ram once accused me of nothing more than a spoiled rich girl. I looked out the window again. He was right, I thought. I am spoiled. And my parents are rich. But what effect does it have? There is nothing wrong with being spoiled, especially for the youngest child like me, especially I am the only daughter of my parents. And, my father has worked hard to get what I enjoy now. But why do I suddenly feel so defensive? Wasn't...

I was shocked when Ram touched my shoulder, and glanced at the man. "Look," he said. While slowing down the truck, he pointed out the window by his side.

I leaned forward and stared past the man, seeing a white horse standing under the shade of a tree. "Oh, that's so pretty...."

"Yeah, like you."

The deg!

I realized I was leaning too close to her. Too close to his face. Even I was in that position, with both hands parked on her thighs.

"I'm sorry, sorry," I said. "I...."

He almost smiled at me, but he turned his attention back to the streets and the atmosphere went back into silence. I shouldn't have gone with him, I thought. This trip can really be a disaster.

"I need to pick up some ranch supplies" Ram said, stopping at a parking lot upon our arrival in the city centre. "How long do you think you're going to be gone?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Eitherway. Two hours? Could be more."

He practically grimaced. "alright. I'll see you again here in the middle of the day."

"okay."

I was just about to open the door and get out of the truck when Ram held my hand. "If I may say so, I'm glad you're still alone. At least no man will be angry with me when you're with me."

Ughhhh! Apparently he was still as sweet as before. But I can't be kegeeran. "Just calm. No one will get angry just because you gave me a ride. We're not dating, are we?"

"Why not? If you're willing."

"You seduced me? Want to ask me out on a date?"

"Whatever you think."

"That's it. Don't joke, okay?"

"If I'm serious?"

Huh! Don't be affected, Purna. I'm shaking. "Sorry, Mr. Ram. I came here for a vacation. Not to make girls jealous of me. Being unmarried doesn't mean you don't have a boyfriend, does it? And you obviously have a lot of fans."

"O yeah? You think it's like that?"

"Hu'um."

"Originally you know, after being with you, I've never bonded with anyone."

Oh, what does it mean to talk like that?

But whatever it is, I think he'd be surprised if he heard the truth about me, and maybe he wouldn't come near me if he found out about my three husbands' deaths.

But it's not the right time to talk about it. Not now....