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A Super-Duper lengthy update with carefree fun, lots and lots of love, heartfelt conversations and of course subtle romance!
Happy Reading! â¤ï¸
Chapter dedicated to Sonali_nefelibataâ¤ï¸
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Riya's Pov.
"Chal, we've reached." Aditya distracted voice rung into my ears as he struggled to locate an empty space to park the car.
My gaze drifted outside, and a series of buildings came into my view, some granite and brownstone posh ones, some modest with a white sliding and a little rust over it, and some derelict, with a tremendous need for repair.
Unknowingly, a frown etched on my face, contemplating which building has our office.
"That one." He answered my unasked question, pointing towards the building at the right, the one with white sliding.
"Konsa floor?" I quizzed with curiosity and stepped out of the car.
"Second last. The rent was the least there." He answered, though my heart twitched as I sensed his tone turning somber at the mention of the rentals.
Passing an assuring smile at him, I gently clasped his hands in mine and lightly brushed my thumb along the outside of his palm. I couldn't contain my excitement as I stepped inside the building, eager to see the place where my husband spends his days and nights zealously following his passion.
**********
"No lift?" I peeked a questionable glance at him, mentally calculating the steps we have to ascend to reach his floor.
"Hai. But, most of the time it's not working." He passed an amused smile and a loud gasp escaped my throat as I persistently gawked at the stair-steps.
Nevertheless, pouting at the revelation, I tugged him towards the first step of the staircase and announced,
"Chalo fir. Let's Rac.."
"No Race." Before I could fantasize about having some fun here, this grumpy man put a stop to my thoughts.
"Sadu." I grumbled in disbelief.
Ignored.
I am counting Mr. Kansal. I am keeping a detailed record of your ruthless actions in my Husband Audit Book.
Strict actions shall be taken once you cross your limited number of exemptions.
"Now I understand how you are so fit and how quickly you can walk so much without getting tired." I exhaled deeply reaching his floor and sat on the floor cross-legged, almost ready to faint.
In return, my husband grinned in amusement eyeing my distressed state and turned to unlock the office door.
No concern for his wife?
"That's why I always ask you to eat well." He commented which was enough to invite a frown on my face.
"Hadd hai, I don't know why you all bring my appetite whenever I say something." I grumbled in exasperation and he gave me a side-eye, certainly not acknowledging my complaint.
"Kalyugi." I murmured in an attempt to elicit a response and held out my hand to him to help me get to my feet.
"You want to crib ya fir chalein andar?" He quizzed with a roll of an eye, the unlocked door still shut on our faces.
"Chalo." My agitated huff turned into a gentle smile as he intertwined our fingers together, and pushed the door open for us to enter.
**************
A subtle smile paved its way on my lips as my gaze meandered around every inch of his office.
It smelled of him.
The space was barely half the size of our room, given the latter is only an average-sized place. The area was enough to fit a small wooden table, his head chair, and the visitor chairs. The walls were empty with only a few random coding quotations pasted here and there.
Mind me if I fantasized about our family photo frame here.
My husband's office was a simple, warm and cozy space, just like he is, a man with extraordinary simplicity, with warmth and tranquility lingering in his mere presence.
"How's it?" Latching the door, he asked in a hopeful whisper as he loosely draped his arms around my waist from behind.
"Beautiful." I murmured craning my neck to pass a smile at him, "It's just like you."
He chuckled, and raised his brows in question, "I am beautiful?"
I tried to hide my grin with a glare,
"Arey, I meant to say that the office is beautiful. And, it feels like you. Paagal." Complaining, I slapped his hand which was resting on my waist.
"Acha leave me now, Let me look around." Untangling myself from his hold, I walked around inspecting each corner of the place where my husband spends most of his time with his first wife.
Mrs. Laptop where are you? Come in the front.
"She sits here, right?" Sitting on his revolving chair, I pointed an accusing finger toward the empty space on the table, my tone as bitter as it could be.
"Who?" He frowned, taking his seating on the visitor's chair.
"Your first wife." I scoffed, least interested to even take her name.
At the mention of her, this traitor grinned widely, and gushed dreamily, "Ji haan. Sometimes, on my lap too."
My insides raged with fury and my glare intensified while his smile followed the same swiftness.
"Hmph." Deciding not to comment upon his intimate life with her and add fuel to my already jealous condition, I reached out to take the notepad and pen.
"So, Mr. Kansal." I began, formalizing my posture, and glanced at him, expecting him to follow the same stance.
"Yes, Mrs. Kansal." He leaned ahead and crossed his fingers on the table, rather professionally.
"So, Mr. Kansal how may I help you." I quizzed, my chin held high in confidence as I asked Mr. client the reason for his arrival on a Sunday.
The client seemed to be taken aback before sneaking a moment to ponder over,
"So, Mrs. Kansal, I would like you to design an application for me, specifically tailored for my use." He mused, eyeing me with an intent gleam in his eyes.
This client certainly does not seem to have pious intentions.
"Absolutely. Please specify your requirements for the type of application you want from us." I portrayed myself with a chic posture and a commanding, boss-woman demeanor.
Mr. Client raised his eyebrows at my professionalism, nevertheless composed himself, and voiced out with a tinge of frivolity that lingered on his features,
"Ah, Mrs. Kansal. I would like you to develop an application that has...," He seized a moment to process his next words,
"Yeah, five advanced features." The handsome client elaborated as he peered at me with an amused smile.
Being the dedicated professional I am, I scribbled his requirements frenziedly and awaited his specifications,
"Okay." I nodded, signaling him to go ahead.
"So," Mr. Client now had a silly grin playing on his features as he began,
"The first feature shall allow me to fly back to my wife whenever I miss her during the day, that happens every second of the day." I nodded, holding my composure to not swoon over this married client who seem to adore his wife way too much.
"Feature two shall allow me to eradicate all my wife's troubles and take them upon me." A gulp formed in my throat as our eyes met for a fleeting second,
"Feature three shall allow me to peek into her heart whenever she falls short of words to openly share her predicaments with her husband without fearing any judgments." My heart flared and a shiver erupted on my skin as his piercing gaze fixated upon me.
However, I kept my face downcasted to disguise my moist eyes from him by doodling his requirements on the sheet.
"Feature four shall allow me to flirt with my spontaneous-spitfire to my heart's content, giving me unlimited access to her shy smiles and bashful face which I have grown to admire the most on her." I pursed my lips to prevent a rosy, gummy grin from emerging.
Mr. Cheeky Client is back I suppose.
Seconds later, he leaned back on his seat, his opalescent irises boring into me while my creative hands were occupied with drawing five buttons on the paper, adding abbreviations to each feature.
"And, last.." He whispered huskily before getting up from his seat to trudge across the table making my heart sink in anticipation as he neared my seat.
This client clearly is in a sinful mood.
This handsome man! Has he forgotten I am married already?
Inclining forward, he rested his palm on either side of the armrest, swiftly rotating my chair towards him.
His quick action caused my mouth to open wide in stupefaction. His penetrating gaze found mine and pierced right into me, which was enough to bring a chill down my spine.
Being the decent and responsible Queen I am, I swiftly got up from the seat to put some reasonable distance between us. But, Mr. Client clearly transgressed the boundaries of professionalism as he trapped me in his arms by resting his palm on either side of me.
"The last feature shall allow me a series of long, passionate kisses with my wife all day, and especially at night." He murmured in a hoarse whisper, his rugged palms torturously gliding towards my rear.
"You are married Mr. Kansal!" I punctuated with a stunned gasp.
"You are married too. And, you didn't mind swooning over a married, two-child man earlier, so why not now." He bit me on my neck rather harshly and swiped his tongue there almost instantly to soothe the pain surfacing on it.
"Hmph" A breathless sigh escaped my throat and I wriggled in his hold, trying to detach myself from him.
I might ditch my husband to romance with this delectable client.
"Will you be adding these features?" Pressing slippery kisses from the side of my neck, his lips succeeded in reaching the center of my skin rendering me speechless to form a coherent response.
"And, dare you, it needs to be a customized application, created by you but accessed by me, only me." He teasingly grazed his cheek into my neck and pulled me closer until our bodies touched shamelessly while his hands slipped inside my dress, tracing the bare skin of my thigh.
"God." I let out a sinful groan when his palms glided upwards, holding my skin in a rough grip while he flicked his tongue on my throat in a sensual gait.
"You are getting too unprofessional Mr. Kansal." I bit back a raspy moan when he changed his path and unhurriedly skimmed his palm over my rear, the tips of his fingers mercilessly digging into my flesh.
"Mhm." He shook his head,
"It's just that you are getting too professional Mrs. Kansal." He spoke in a hoarse whisper and without giving me a chance to retort, his lips ascended over mine, tugging and nibbling on them in an erratic rhythm.
Whereas, his palms dutifully performed their work in kneading the skin of my waist to occasionally graze his fingers on my thighs. When I shuddered in response, his tongue passionately swirled the underside of my lips every other second, triggering carnal moans to burst from my throat, thus prompting him to speed up the entire process before repeating the same,
Again and Again.
********
"Why are you smiling?" He inquired, twirling the edges of my hair behind while my bashful face remained buried in his neck.
"I always imagined this." I absorbed a giggle, amused by my wild fantasies.
"What?" He spoke with confusion laced in his tone as he tried to slither me out of his arms.
"Office romance." I grinned broadly, suddenly proud to tick off one of the fantasies that I developed after I started reading romantic fiction,
"I have so many fantasies like these." I murmured, silently recounting all of them while his chest rumbled with laughter, amazed by my fervent fantasies.
"Tu paagal hai sach mein, you know that?" I could sense his dimply smile as he tried to peep a glance at my hidden self to which I nodded vigorously making him let out a helpless sigh.
He could have at least offered me some more office romance in the future as well.
"Acha vaise," Subduing my lewd fantasies, I straightened up when a sudden doubt popped into my mind,
"What do you do when you feel tired and want to lie down?" I couldn't help but ponder over it as I disconnected myself from him to pave across the room.
"Ruk." He was quick to respond as he trudged to the other side of the table. Opening the table cabinet, he picked out a single bed bedsheet and spread it on the floor. The next moment, he was leisurely laid down on the floor with his arms crossed under his head.
"Such a jugaadu you are." I knelt in front of him and laid on my human mattress, pressing the side of my face against his chest to hear the steady beat of his heart.
"You need to change this bedsheet from single to double." I declared in a mumble.
"Aur na kuch." He commented, thoroughly disinterested.
He sure does not want office romance.
Mr. God, you could have blessed me with a romantic husband at least.
"Of course, you have your first wife here." I mocked, venom dripping from my tone,
"Why would you give her place to me? I know you both sleep cozy-mozy here, right on this single bedsheet." I got up in a jiffy, the faint image of their romance terribly aching Queen Riya's heart.
"What the..!" He immediately sat down on the bedsheet with his knees crossed and his head gripped in his hands.
"Kya hua? Is your head aching?" I asked, concerned as he stayed in the same position for a few seconds.
He gaped at me, forcing me to feel like a gimmick.
"Why did I marry you?" He spewed a hopeless mumble, shutting his eyes once again regretting the golden day when Queen Riya stepped into his life.
This brutal human, much to my dismay is my King. Otherwise, I would have expelled him from my Queendom and sent him to an exile right this instant.
"Chalo utho ab, chalein." I tugged him by the hand till his mini-hulky body forced itself above,
"Aur haan, you can't do anything now for marrying me. You should have thought twice before saying yes to this alliance. The decision could not be revoked for a lifetime now." I huffed, passing an offended glare.
"So unfortunate of me." He muttered under his breath earning a harsh jab in his chest.
Nevertheless, he got up only to serve as my human-mirror by assisting me in adjusting my hair while I reapplied my lipstick which Mr. Carnal Client has brazenly smeared all over my lips a few minutes ago.
********
True to say, Delhi is renowned for its rich legacy, dotted with a plethora of ancient-style architecture, old winding lanes, funerary buildings, numerous museums, historic forts, old havelis, and colorful bazaars.
And with such a diverse set of places located at far corners of each other, it was practically not feasible for us to cover all in a single day. Hence, we decided to stick to the nearby tourist attractions so that we could cover more places in less time.
We left his office building at about ten-thirty in the morning, and the following four-five hours were spent touring around Jantar Mantar, India Gate, Humayun's tomb, Qutub Minar, Lotus temple, and Old Quila.
The crowd was unbreathable and people from all walks of life meandered around the popular tourist attractions.
The parents could be seen aggravated by their overly-energetic children, pulling them time and again towards themselves to ensure they do not wander around out of their line of vision.
The couples, some in relationships, some newly married, some in their mid-age, were engrossed in clicking selfies, randomly arguing, discussing life, and passing soft smiles to one another time and again.
The bunch of college-goers seemed reckless in their approach as they swooned over the beauty of structures, hollering and chattering around.
The old clan was at peace though, silently relishing the Indian Architecture and admiring the Historical magnificence with a serene smile graced upon their lips.
Their pace was slow and their energy was faint, courtesy of the age they were in, but the simplicity and sheer awe with which they captured each nook and corner of the place without the worry of posting upon social media and clicking selfies, tugged a chord in my heart yet proving to me once again the beauty of simplicity.
Fortunately, the weather was pleasant and my company was amazing, hence, these few hours effortlessly passed by with us strolling hand-in-hand with a bunch of titillating smiles, flirtatious statements, frisky-bickering, and satiated hearts.
*******
"What will you take?" Once we had decided on our lunch orders, Aditya inquired about my beverage preferences as we sat at a nearby eatery.
"Nothing. I don't like anything liquidy with food." I informed making him nod in understanding. However, he did order a fresh lime soda for himself.
As we waited for our order to arrive, Aditya spent his time scrolling through his LinkedIn while I skimmed through the menu, internally gasping at the astronomical price difference in the food of Delhi and Hoshiarpur.
Not to mention scanning restaurant menus and their prices is my guilty pleasure.
********
"Oye!" He swatted my hand away as soon as my innocent soul dared to take a teensy-meensy sip from his soda.
Ghor Kalyug.
"I don't like any liquidy with food." He mimicked, narrowing his eyes at me.
"It's just a sip." I gasped at his weak heart to share his drink with me.
His very own wife.
Second wife to be precise.
"You did this last time as well, you always sneak a sip from my beverages and bite from my food after choosing not to order for yourself." He argued, his face crinkled to a scowl.
"Tsk Tsk! Avyuktha is so better than you, Aditya! Unlike you, he doesn't crib at least at the name of sharing." I grumbled, glaring at him and then at the man trying to overhear our conversation at the table next to us.
We aren't talking gushy-mushy mister! So focus on your girlfriend beside.
"Aage se apna order kariyo." He stated with finality in his tone.
I scoffed, wearing an evil grin, and grabbed his glass of soda only to drink it to the last drop.
"What the!" He almost swore and my grin widened with satisfaction to see the horror crumbling on his features.
"I won't ever go out with you, I swear!" He whined while oggling at the glass in front of him.
"Aapki marzi." I shrugged nonchalantly just to irk him more and his lips twitched in offense.
"Are you married." He asked the server as he placed our order on the table.
"Uh, No." The server smiled bashfully with a slight tint coating his cheeks.
"Karna bhi mat. It's a lifetime punishment" My husband advised directing a glower at me.
"Says the one who used to gush over having a lifetime with me." I mimicked, reminiscing his gooey dialogues.
The server looked back and forth between the two of us and shook his head before walking away.
"He didn't like your advice." I choked back my giggle as I spooned kadhai paneer, cheese-chilli, and the flaky garlic naan onto my plate.
He shot me a lethal glare that did not even remotely terrify me.
Queen Riya never fears anyone.
As I reverted with a nonchalant roll of an eye he huffed indignantly and dug into the scrumptious piece of heaven served on his plate while I ordered the waiter to bring his soda before this grumpy grandpa starts sobbing because of the same.
********
"Ye Sarojini market kidhar hai?" I asked my husband as he accelerated the car out of the driveway.
"Thodi si door." He replied effortlessly sliding my palm into his which manages to bring countless tickles onto my skin every time he does that.
"Vahan chalein? Purva told me that the clothes and other things are very cheap there." I offered with a slight pout.
He eyed me momentarily with a look of disbelief, "Shopping and you? Theek hai tu?"
"Lae, who said I want to buy anything, I just want to see that market." I reasoned with raised eyebrows and leaned my back against the window with our enlaced hands placed on my lap.
Another look of incredulity followed as he voiced,
"Ji bilkul, mera office, this market all these are no less than tourist spots for you. Haina?" He shook his head with hopelessness.
"Fine, mat jao!" My lips pulled together in a narrow line and I shooed his hands away before turning my back from him.
To my stupefaction, this man chose to refrain from trying to maneuver me for the following five minutes in favor of humming a variety of songs with his stunningly-stupid mouth.
While I was busy cursing my husband inside, my phone rung with Maa's call from Hoshiarpur,
"Hanji mumma, Namastey." I greeted her, a habit I acquired after my marriage.
"Baahar hogi aaj to?" Mumma asked and answered at the same time, knowing well that I was supposed to be out today with her son-in-law.
"Hanji." Sitting cross-legged on the seat, I hummed with a tired yawn.
"Kahan jaari hai ab." She probed as her voice fell past the sounds of utensils crinkling behind.
"Pata nahi. Your son-in-law might know where he is taking me." I taunted my husband whose lips hinted with an amused smile.
He grabbed the phone out of my hands and put it on speaker while stopping the car by the side of the road,
"Namastey Mumma."
"Namastey Namastey beta, how are you, ghar pe sab theek hain aur kaam kaise chal raha?" Mumma hurled a series of soft greetings.
"Achaa! Matlab when I greeted you, you didn't even wish me back, and to him, it's namastey beta, how are you, ghar pe sab kaise, that's unfair!" I gasped at the audacity of my own mother to ignore her very own Princessy Daughter in favour of a King from another Kingdom.
"That's why I say you all forgot me after my marriage." My lips pulled down as I scowled at the phone, interrupting their conversation before it could move ahead.
"Dekhlo mumma, she is so jealous that you all love me more than her." My husband grinned passing the phone to me while he revved the engine of the car.
"Puh-lease." I snarled, giving him a bored expression to bring him out of his misconceptions.
"Dekh rahe ho mumma, how your daughter keeps fighting with me all the time. Any tips to handle her?" Aditya heaved a deep sigh making me glare at his dramatization.
"Arey beta that's why we sent her to you, we couldn't handle her anymore, is liye ab tum hi sambhalo isko." Maa sighed, struggling to contain her laughter while I gasped in disbelief, gazing at the phone in horror.
"Even I can't handle her mumma, and unfortunately I can't even send her anywhere else now. Seems like I signed up for a lifelong dose of trouble." My husband played along, masking innocence in his tone.
"Are you both done sharing your turmoils?" I snorted, switching my glower from him to my mother disguised under the network of this device.
"Haan haan." Maa replied, presumably with a grin while my husband had a conflicting reaction when he shook his head in a no.
"Vaise..," Aditya initiated after a few other minutes of random discussions,
"We are going to Sarojini market mumma, kya laaye aapke liye." My lips couldn't help but stretch in a big smile as he mentioned the Sarojini market.
"Nahi nahi, kuch bhi nahi beta. Tum dono ghoomo araam se. I'll keep the phone now, your papa's call is coming." Maa spoke in a rush towards the end and gave her blessings before cutting the call. In contrast, me and my husband peered at each other and smiled fondly, having forgotten all of our past bickerings.
*********
"What happened." He asked a few moments later shifting his attention towards me from the jam-packed road.
"My stomach is aching." I clutched my stomach to suppress the pain crawling in my lower abdomen.
His brows twitched in concern, "You didn't have your periods yet haina?"
"Mhm." I shook my head and leaned back, shutting my eyes tightly to curb the pain within.
"It's more than a month." He mumbled, audible enough to me,
"Hmm." I hummed, removing the fancy belt to soothe the uneasy feeling crumbling in my stomach.
"But, it's a twenty-eight days cycle no?" He quizzed, shifting the gears.
"It is. But I always get it a few days late." I informed, but eyeing his features morphed with worry, I voiced,
"Don't worry, it's normal. A few days late is okay." I smiled, tapping his hands in assurance.
"Okay." His features relaxed,
"If you want, we can go to the doctor for a checkup." He offered to which I shook my head softly.
"Not needed." I smiled with assurance, "It's normal."
"But I need to buy sanitary pads first." I pouted, silently pleading aunt flow to not grace her bloody-presence today.
"My stomach has been paining for the past few days now. There's a high possibility it might come today and I forgot to bring them with me now." I murmured in pain while nodded in understanding,
"Let's go to the chemist shop then."
******
"You stay here, I will bring." He proposed, pulling the car to the empty space at the of the road.
"Ji." I nodded, not having the energy to leave the space.
However, before he could exit the car, I stopped him abruptly,
"Acha listen, bring only one packet because I have lots of them at home." He nodded and turned to step out only to be stopped by me, again.
"Aur haan, bring XL, body-fit, regular, the cool menthol one of the brand Sofree."
"Huh?" He peered at me dumbfounded,
"XL, body-fit, regular, the cool menthol one of the brand Sophree." I emphasized each word slowly, assuming he might not have heard it.
He shook his head in dismissal, and took a second to construct the next words,
"Regular? Matlab non-regular bhi hote hai?" He wondered aloud,
"Aur kya, XL? I never knew it comes into sizes too. Xs, L, XXL sizes bhi hote hai matlab?" He mumbled to himself and twitched his lips in perplexity while I was seconds away from giving him an earful.
"Aur matlab ye kya, cool menthol? Shampoo hai ke pads?" He gaped at me in incredulity while I wanted to smack his head against the wall for the nonsense he was blabbering right now.
"Are you bringing it or not?" Before I could actually execute what I had been imagining to do, I deadpanned.
"Likh ke dede. I'll forget it by the time I'll reach the shop." He requested, his features crumpled in terror.
"Rehne do. I'll bring it on my own." I quickly stepped out of the car and shot him a furious glare while he followed me like a lost puppy, certainly petrified to argue with me.
No one messes with a woman who is PMSing.
I almost giggled at the shopkeeper when he eyed both of us in puzzlement, certainly figuring out why two people are here to buy a single packet of sanitary napkins.
Paying the bill and taking the packet in our hands we moved towards our car with my husband leisurely reading every single word written on the packet with extreme concentration.
"I never gave much attention to these sanitary pad advertisements. Never knew that these are also available in such varieties, sizes and colors." He murmured, still stunned after exploring the wide variety of napkins in the shop while I could only pass an amused smile forgetting the awkwardness he caused me to experience by insisting on seeing all the wide varieties available there.
Climbing inside the car, we placed the napkins on the backseat before our car whizzed past the Delhi traffic to our next stoppage, Sarojini market.
**************
"Gosh! The crowd is crazy here!" I exclaimed in awe as we careened through the tremendous hoard of people meandering around the shops in no definite pattern.
To my amazement at the scene in front of me, my husband failed to camouflage the adoration swirling his features as he palmed my hand in his, rushing past a group of teenagers busy chortling over something.
"Where are we going?" I puffed a weary sigh out of my mouth, trying to match my pace with his.
"Clothes."He worded, tightening his hold on me as if I'll get lost if he doesn't clutch my hands like this.
"Kiske liye?" I pulled my brows together, clutching onto his arms when a few passersby pushed me to his side in the hurry to get an auto.
"Tumhare." He spoke, his gaze aimlessly wandering to the plethora of shops in front of us, the bright lights coming from them illuminating the evening dusk.
"That one!" He exclaimed pointing at a shop to our right,
"Isha buys her clothes from here, you'll like it for sure."
"Yaar, I don't want to buy anything. That's boring." I pouted, attempting to stop him from moving an inch.
"Chal na." He scowled when I stood rigidly in the middle of the jam-packed road.
"Let's window shop only. But not clothes please." I urged giving him my ultimate gaze of innocence.
"Haan haan, we will. But baad mein." He declared and almost dragged me to the shop.
"Bhaiya dresses, something western and that, that, attached top and jeans, kya tha vo?" He craned his neck towards me quizzically,
"Jumpsuit." I grumbled, looking around in search of a stool to sit on.
"Han vahi, and the other woman stuff, her size." I resisted the urge to groan when he signaled the shopkeeper to pick out the clothes for me.
The shop was swarmed with the majority of the customers surrounding the trolley full of loose sets of clothes outside the shop for sale.
The shopkeeper presented a wide variety of dresses with multifarious colors, prints, and designs and I felt my head spinning at the thought of trying any of them.
"This one?" After scrutinizing each and every option the salesman presented us, my husband finally picked out a plain-black boat-necked dress with a silver belt tucked at the waist.
Out of all the traits I never wanted in my husband was him having a love for shopping.
"Pretty. Let's take it!" I announced, silently praying that he doesn't ask me to try it.
My husband shot me a glare, "You need to try it. They aren't going to let us return it if it isn't of the appropriate size." He shoved the dress in my hand and took hold of my phone and sling bag, a silent enunciation on his part to push me to the dressing room.
Forty minutes,
Multiple No's,
Trying almost fifteen dresses later,
I exited the dressing room with a deep sigh of relief.
"Arey, this is also very beautiful. Ye bhi lete hain." Aditya passed an appreciative smile eyeing me from top to bottom,
"Bhaiya ye bhi pack kar dena." He asked the salesman who then looked mystified at me.
"This is mine already. I came here wearing this only." I clenched my teeth and flashed him a ferocious glare.
His lips parted in embarrassment as he endeavored to dodge my glower pretending to skim through the other set of clothes,
"Uh, You wore so many dresses na, so maybe I forgot what did you wear today."
"Sure." I camouflaged my scoff with a saccharine smile.
************
"People say that husbands stop noticing their wives after a few years of marriage, and yahan my husband has stopped noticing me in hardly two months of our marriage." I grumbled, crossing my hands over my chest so that he could not take hold of them.
"Kya karu, I tend to forget everything when you are around, these clothes are just a figment of that." He commented, a lopsided grin plastered on his face.
Cheesy-Peasy.
"Stop flattering me now. I am not going to get trapped in your buttery webs." I gave him a side eye struggling to control my bashful smile.
"Huh." Puffing an arrogant sigh, I speeded up my pace, trudging ahead on the road just to give him a glimpse of Queen Riya's disapproval of the gruesome crime he just committed.
However, when I looked behind a few seconds later, my mouth parted in disbelief to see him standing at the far corner of the road with his arms folded around his chest.
Stop looking so tempting with these folded sleeves.
"Kya hai?" I muttered over the phone after his name flashed on my phone screen.
"You want to roam all alone or shall I go home." He proposed, and I could crystal clear see the eye-roll he did looking all handsome and delectable with these folded sleeves and checkered shirt as he stood at the corner of the road, his gaze never leaving mine.
"Coming." I pouted in defeat.
Queen Riya on hold, Wife Riya in action.
**********
The following hour was spent perusing the numerous stores that offered a wide range of apparel, handicrafts, home-decor, kitchenware, and other related stuff. We did buy some light stuff for everyone at home as I didn't feel like not buying anything for them after spending the whole day outside.
"Gol-Gappe?" I heard him ask, munching on the sweet corn we bought on our way.
My wide grin and excited gaze were enough for him to gauge my answer as he shook his head animatedly, certainly spurting paagal in his head.
We ambled for a few seconds before reaching the desired stop and I could see the golgappa cart outside the main shop.
"I'll buy." I mouthed as my husband called papa at home, informing him we will be reaching home a little late.
He nodded in response while I trudged towards the cart, awaiting my turn.
"Madam token?" The golgappe vale bhaiya extended his hand towards me, while I frowned in puzzlement.
"Udhar se you will have to buy the token for your order and give it to me here." He explained, answering my unasked question.
I peered at him dumbfounded as all my experiences in Hoshiarpur were of random street food tours with Purva or bhaiya-bhabhi. This was new to me as I never reached out to any eating joint and do this token stuff.
Nevertheless, I nodded in acknowledgment and stepped toward the shop,
"Bhaiya 10 ke kitne?" Reaching the counter, I quizzed the most important question that needs to be asked to a golgappa vendor.
A significant number of creases marred the forehead of the bald man in front of me as he worded with a poker face,
"Sau ke 7. " He clipped and eyeing my horrified gaze he clarified,
"Saat tarah ka paani hoga. 100 rupaye ka ek token." He informed mechanically.
"Huh?" I bit back a shriek, the concrete floor ready to skip beneath me.
"Sau ke?" I squeaked and peered at him for a confirmation.
"Saat." The robo-vendor replied, indifferently pulling out the change to give to the person standing aside.
"Saat, my foot!" I mumbled inaudibly and marched outside without taking that damned token.
Just when I took a step out, Aditya bumped into me,
"Kya hua?" He quipped, witnessing the scowl marred on my face.
"100 ke saat hain!" I exclaimed, filling him with the newfound information thus expecting him to have the same reaction as me. But, unfortunately, he seemed calm about this startling piece of information.
"I will eat at least 10-12, and you will also eat do-chaar. Matlab, kam se kam 200 rupaye!" My eyes widened in mortification and a sharp gasp left out my throat at the mere imagination. Not wasting a second more, I quickly pulled him outside before he could commit the sin to buy that stupid token
"Leki..." He tried to argue only to be interrupted by me,
"Na na na na." I shook my head vehemently, "No means no."
"Saat tarah ka paa..." He put a failed effort to maneuver me.
"Puh-lease. I don't want this saat type ka paani." I rolled my eyes in disinterest,
"I am happy with my khattha meetha and my sooji ke golgappe. Not this stupid token vale golgappe." I scrunched my nose in displeasure, my eyes wandering around for other vendors selling golgappas without such tokeny hype.
"Chalo ab. I can't afford to fret by spending 200 rupaye on golgappas which won't even digest me properly given their hefty price." I shook my head, rounding my arm around his so as to make him move from his position.
"Fine." My husband sighed in defeat, certainly having no other option.
Ah, My baniya clan would be so proud of me today.
***********
Lots and lots of Golgappas, a plate of pav-bhaji, one Chinese platter, and two cones of ice-cream later, we were currently seated in our car, driving to the same park we went to when I came to Delhi for the first time.
My stomach felt funny and my heart beamed with joy reminiscing this was the same place we went to after being rokafied, and today, again as a married couple.
What better way to end this beautiful day with the man of my dreams at this magical place where we experienced the first-ever physical touch amidst us?
*******
"You are smiling." Aditya peered to the side as we ambled in the park, our fingers interlinked and pace unrushed.
"It feels so natural." I whispered softly, tracing the back of his palm with the pad of my thumb.
"What?" His tone reciprocated mine, scooting a little close to me to pave way for the elderly couple coming from the opposite direction.
"Us, this place, this. It feels home" I raised our intertwined hands, which molded into each other perfectly and his gaze illuminated with joy hearing me.
"I can't tell you how much I contemplated the whole time that day to just hold your hand once." He reminisced, chuckling softly with a little shake of his head.
I giggled catching a slight tint coating his features, "And I was fretting inside the whole time that why this dufus is not making a move." I blubbered, failing to gauge what I was spurting out in a flow.
He looked at me with narrowed eyes, his opalescent irises shining with mischief,
"Ahem, I never knew Miss. Kansal would be sulking over a certain dufus not holding her close to him."
"It's Mrs. Riya Kansal for you." I murmured, certainly dodging the previous conversation.
I couldn't help but admire the youthfulness dazzling on his features and the warm glow shining on his face as he laughed without a care, his beautiful dimples on display.
"I love holding you close." He admitted pressing my hand gently while his gaze was intent and words transparent with honesty.
"I love being close to you." I confessed with a gentle murmur, silently relishing the delicate patterns he was drawing on my skin. At this point, our feet were moving but our gazes rendered glued to each with admiration and intensity at the same time.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city and hordes of people around, nothing mattered to me at this moment than the two of us being here, happy and together. Our hearts were in sync the same way our smiles were which made my insides churn with overwhelmedness and gratitude at the same time to be able to spend my days and nights with him for my whole life,
A Lifetime.
***********
"Aditya!" A sudden voice from behind disturbed our moment.
Our steps halted and we turned around to see a man of Aditya's height coming toward us.
"Hey! How are you." The man in the front directed the greeting to my husband as he reached us.
"Good." My husband smiled, a tight-lipped smile to be precise.
"Uh, Riya, Abhinav, he was my colleague in the previous company I worked for. Abhinav, Riya. My wife." He introduced us to each other and I reciprocated simply with a soft nod and a formal smile.
My socially-awkward self just graced its presence.
"Aur bata, kya chal raha hai aaj-kal? Kis company mein?" The newly-introduced, snooty man in front of us asked, his aura dominating and unsettling for my liking.
"Freelancing." Aditya smiled, immediately making my heart feel at ease, "That's why I left the company." He added firmly.
"Is it still going on?" Mr. Arrogant frowned in disbelief,
"I thought you would have shut it down by now." He spurted in distaste and arrogance echoed in his tone while I almost refrained myself from kicking him in his guts.
My ever-so-confident Aditya suddenly silenced after hearing him and it took him a few seconds to form a decipherable response,
"It's going good by God's grace."
"You should try something else bro, something that's more of a real job." Mr. Filthy mouth commented haughtily.
I will punch this moron in his face and peepee and he will see real stars soon.
Aditya stiffened at his remark and I breathed heavily, awaiting what else he has to spurt from his wide mouth.
"It's a real job Abhinav, and I am happy where I am." I could feel an urgency in Aditya's voice as he wetted his lips a few times before coming up with a response.
Placing his filthy hand on my husband's shoulder, Mr. Filthy mouth sympathized ludicrously,
"There are so many freelancers racing around these days and I wonder if this freelancing thing is letting you earn any stable money." He wondered aloud, his haughtiness disguised in his pity,
"Ab dekh, I m working in the same company as you did but at a much higher position now with an enormous salary package and better lifestyle. Ab to bhabhi bhi hai, you should think of her too." The ungenerous comment he passed regarding my husband's ability to earn was the last stroke as I could sense Aditya's confidence plummeting and my restrain fading.
"Nahi, it's.." My calm husband opened his mouth to speak.
"Mr. Abhinav?" I interrupted him before I let the other man splutter anymore gibberish and ruin this day for us more than he already did,
"Ji bhabhi?" He eyed me with perplexity, awkwardness mirroring his features for such a formal address from my end,
I smiled formally which he reciprocated hesitantly, while Aditya nudged me by softly placing his hand on my back, a concealed attempt on his part to withhold me from saying anything to him.
"Are you by any chance a Career Counselor?" I feigned a thought,
"No?" I pulled my brows together as he seemed taken aback by my question.
"Because we would surely like to contact you for further professional guidance because it seems you are fairly adept at passing judgments and offering free pieces of advice to random people you meet on your way." His face lost its smile, and a bewildered frown took its place on his already color-drained face.
Mr. Filthy Mouth is a nincompoop in getting Sarcasm.
Before he could open his wide mouth, I added, my posture stiff and gaze indifferent,
"Thank you so much for your concern for my husband's profession." I smiled tightly, still not considering my husband's attempt to walk me off.
"We would surely contact you in case of need but for now, if you could excuse us, please." Silencing the storm bubbling within me, I added,
"We would like to keep the rest of the day to ourselves. After all, time is precious isn't it? Maybe more than the money that you were currently talking about?" A saccharine smile fell past my lips while his frown deepened and my husband held my hand tightly, ready to drag me before I could decide to slaughter him with my glares.
"Uh?" He wetted his lips, switching his gaze between me and my husband.
"Confused?" I quizzed, passing a sympathetic glance.
"I suppose she is your wife and son behind? Isn't it?" I signaled him to look behind him.
"Yeah." He nodded, looking behind him for a moment.
"Riya, let's go." Choosing to overlook Aditya's supplicate voice, I started,
"Ah!" I clicked my tongue with pity,
"Then she would better explain to you the value of time, after all, she has been looking over to you for the past ten minutes while you were keen on giving my husband unsolicited pieces of advice and making assumptions about the money he is making from a not-so-real-profession." I spat in fury while my heart eased a little when I noticed color draining his features, his gaze straying anywhere but me.
When he failed to come up with a logical argument, I added at last,
"I believe you should go to your family now as they both have been waiting for you for a long time." Taking a momentary pause, I corrected,
"Rather waiting for your time." Passing him one last glare, I swiftly turned around and walked away before I could commit a sin which I shouldn't.
Bloody-Moron.
***********
"Are you going to speak up anything or not?" I scowled, craning my neck towards my husband who has been silently ambling with me with our hands loosely interlaced with one another.
"What?" He mumbled, lost in his own thoughts.
"Are you going to talk about what happened there?" I pressed my lips thin, my mind still burning with fury at the absurdity of Mr. Filthy Mouth. And at the same time, my heart was busy doing summersaults seeing my husband's silent demeanor.
He looked away to the side and heaved a deep sigh,
"There's nothing to talk about." I opened my mouth to retort but shut it instantaneously, letting him have his time before opening up to me.
"Half of the things he said were right, though." He mumbled after a few minutes of tensed stillness.
"Nothing was right, why are you letting his judgments affect you, Aditya." I spoke softly while my eyes stung witnessing how defeated he looked at this point.
At this moment, I wanted nothing but to take away all his fears and insecurities in return for his happy, carefree smile that had me bewitched ever since I met him.
Ignoring what I just spoke, he peered straight at the empty pathway in the front and asked,
"Don't you fear your future with me, Riya?" His rigid gaze warned me to not lie.
"No!" I was quick to protest,
"Never in my wildest dreams, I can doubt you or our future together." I tried to convince him. By now my eyes were glossy and my tone was almost begging him not to think like this.
He passed a mirthless smile as if not believing me,
"Acha, tell me one thing then..," He began and my heart sunk knowing well I won't be liking whatever he will say next.
"Who would you have considered for marriage if apart from me you would have met someone more financially stable?" I shut my eyes as restlessness surged within me hearing his question.
He scoffed when I remained mum, "I kne.."
"Information Incomplete." I cut him off before he could complete his assumption.
"My decision to choose a certain man was not solely dependent upon the financial stability he possesses. His values, the passion he holds for his profession, the commitment and compassion to sustain a relationship, and his thoughts about the woman he wants to marry held equal value for me before considering who I wanted to marry." My gaze matched his, challenging him to doubt himself and us anymore.
He remains unfazed by my words, though something flickered in his eyes as he voiced blankly,
"Fine. If rest everything was the same, who would you've chosen? Me or the other one." He rephrased the question, not backing off and it took me a minute to find a coherent response to it.
"Why are you doing it." My voice quavered as I pleaded him with my eyes not to pay heed to whatever anyone said.
"Your answer, Riya." He eyed me, his gaze gentle but tone indifferent.
"The other one." I voiced with an overwhelmed gulp and his steps halted for a moment as he stared at me in anguish before letting go of me as my words started to register in his head.
"This would have been my answer only if anyone asked me this question at that time." Gulping the ball of overwhelming sensations swelling into the pit of my stomach, I made my attempt to put forward my perspective in a soft whisper,
"But today," My eyes glistened with unshed tears as I spoke the next words,
"Even if the whole world asks me whom would I choose as my life partner, I would choose you over and over again Aditya, over every other man, over every other aspect, over every other luxury, I would only choose you." Interlacing our fingers together in an assuring grip, I grazed his palm to soothe the storm of insecurities swirling within him.
"There's nobody like you and I won't settle for anyone who's not you." My throat croaked as I angled my neck to peer into that captivating pair of opalescent irises that makes my heart flutter each time they match with mine.
His eyes glinted and he withdrew his gaze for a fleeting second to look into space before meeting my eyes again. However, something has changed in the way he peered at me this time. It felt as if he was looking right into me and I could sense a flicker of hope and commitment blazing into them which felt amiss a few seconds ago.
His stiff posture has begun to loosen up and his fingers which were loosely curled around mine began to get firmer with each step we took forward.
Stopping at the side of the park, near the same bench we were on last time we came here, I voiced,
"Just because someone else is moving ahead of us in life, doesn't necessarily mean we are behind them, Aditya. As much as we have made life a rat-race, it's not. This life we have been blessed with is unconcerned about the pace and pathway we decide to follow." Tugging him to sit on the same bench, I sighed softly when he blankly looked down at our interlinked hands.
"Has mumma-papa, Kunal-Isha ever judged you for the profession you chose or the income you earn?" He shook his head mildly, an inaudible gulp visible on his throat.
"Have you ever felt me judging you for who you are and what you do?" I posed again, my words cautious and my gaze hopeful.
"No." He raised his head to look at me, a sense of urgency in his tone.
"Then? Why do you care about what Mr. Filthy mouth thinks?" A subtle smile instantly radiated on his lips, presumably at the naming ceremony of that moronic ex-colleague of his.
"Until you aren't confident about you and your work, nobody else would be, Aditya. Passion is not for everyone, so it's our fortune that we both get to do what we love and not what society expects from us. Let's not be a part of the rat-race, let's just be us?" My eyes flickered with expectancy and he hummed softly after I squeezed his hands in assurance.
"Let's just be us." He whispered gently, palming his hand over mine.
"I don't know about Abhinav, but you would be an excellent counselor one day, both professional and philosophical." He voiced a few seconds later with his lips hinting of a teensy-meensy amused smile as the youthful charm began to grace his face once again.
His ability to reach back to his normal self is truly phenomenal unlike me who needs hours to settle my frenzy emotions.
"You are my first client, so I am not charging any fees from you. Otherwise, Queen Kansal is very particular about her payments and profits." He chuckled a bit, shaking his head in amusement.
"Oh, and yes, Queen Riya would like you to be her only client." I swayed my hair royally, immediately getting into my Queensy character, though, I struggled to contain my goofy grin in all my capacity.
However, he didn't reply anything, rather his lingering gaze held me captive for an enigmatic period of time as if earnestly envisioning something about us.
"Kya hua?" I quizzed, brushing away a strand of his hair with my fingers.
"Kuch nahi" He whispered almost inaudibly, his gaze still unfaltering.
My forehead twitched with haze as I couldn't help but contemplate the plethora of thoughts that might be swirling in his mind. Still, I couldn't bring words out of my mouth to ask what has him thinking so profoundly.
However, if there's anything I have realized over these past few months then it is, behind this extroverted, always welcoming personality of his, he has a myriad of fears, a plethora of insecurities, and a lot of said-unsaid contemplations.
He dodges deep conversations, especially about himself, unlike me. But, I was happy with the space we share presently, the pace we were at, and the understanding we were developing day by day.
And I was ready to wait until this extroverted man of mine decides to open his heart to me like never before.
One step at a time.
With this thought, I passed a knowing smile at him which he reciprocated before wavering his gaze to the front.
***********
Calm stillness unfurled our senses as the air grew fresh and restful. The twilight sky was cascaded in a dusky blanket with an amber glow playing hide and seek to justify its presence. My heart triumphed as a gentle breeze caressed my face making me soak up the serene energy nature was bestowing us with.
A smile formed my lips as we silently relished the chitter-chatter of children playing around, the sweet symphony formed by crickets, and the enchanting hymn played by the rustling of leaves.
No words transpired between us as we strolled around the park, our pace slow and unrushed. Though, the jittery part was when we would manage to steal concealed glances towards one another every few seconds.
The emotions I was going through felt natural, yet so extraordinary, peaceful yet so overwhelming, unexplored yet so familiar.
"Ghar chalein?" He spoke out in a soft whisper, careening his neck towards me.
"Ji." I nodded in acknowledgment, intuitively wetting my lips to glisten the dryness coating the plump skin.
As we tramped our way to the exit of the park, my gaze shifted heavenwards as a beautiful orangish shade began to overcast the gravel-grey sky. A mild gust of wind brushed my skin and a sweet-earthy smell hit my nostrils before light droplets from the heaven above began pouring, teasingly dancing over the uncovered part of our skins.
My steps hastened in an attempt to prevent myself from the influence of drizzling rain but my effort was rendered futile as I felt a gentle tug on my hand, stopping me midway through the parking lot, just a few meters away from where our car was parked.
A shiver ran down my spine as I turned around only to witness my husband beholding an intense glimmer in his eyes, the same gaze which was enough to block my senses and refrain me from spluttering a word of coherence.
My eyes frantically searched around to catch a glimpse of any onlooker intruding on our moment. To my relief, there was none.
The drizzle has picked up its pace by now which matched the frenzy beats of my heart as Aditya's gaze remained unwavering, his hold on my hand soft yet firm at the same time.
Unknowingly my lips quivered in anticipation of what he wanted to say, as I asked in a hoarse whisper,
"You want to say something." It felt like a breathless statement as he took a step ahead in my direction.
He smiled subtly before passing a gentle nod.
"I do." He admitted with a contemplated sigh.
"Aditya." His presence felt intoxicating when he overtook my proximity, thus forcing my eyes to wander around in search of any spectators.
"Say it then." I pleaded with my eyes and a teardrop rolled down my cheek, seamlessly fusing with the tickling drops of water pouring from the sky.
He smiled, a hint of amusement and intent reflecting in it. My eyes automatically closed as he drew nearer and palmed my cheek in a tender grip making me clutch his palm firmly.
A moment later, I felt his lips on my forehead for a long-lingering kiss, inviting a bashful smile and series of tears to follow by.
The sensations were mind-numbingn as I failed to fathom the reason for the conflicting emotions my heart was currently going through.
He backed away with a hint of contemplation still marring his features. He wetted his lips a few times before he let out a raspy whisper,
"Kabhi aur." His words and intense gaze contradicted each other as he effortlessly tucked the wet strands of hair sticking my face behind my ear.
"Kabhi aur?" Drawing an inaudible sigh, I shut my eyes and let out a breathless chuckle, amused and frustrated at my expectations from this dufus husband of mine.
"Kabhi aur." His lips let out a super-soft whisper of affirmation and the rain danced joyfully over us, dousing us from top to bottom before he connected our foreheads and entwined our fingers as a wordless testimonial to the promise he was making.
**********
My feet tapped in a rhythm and my face graced with a satisfied smile as Yeh Shaam Mastaani played on the radio. This beautiful melody seamlessly summed up the whole day for us.
Me and him, the gentle drizzle outside, the delicate whistles of the wind, and the serene grazes of the breeze.
Perfect.
I angled my neck sideways to see my husband driving the car with a gentle smile permanently tugged upon his lips, his fingers curled around mine, right above my heart.
Leaning my head against the half-opened window pane, I observed his features closely, pondering what he has been thinking for the past ten minutes.
His face reflected inexplicable tranquility, his hands were drumming on the steering in sync and his head was swaying in a rhythm.
At this moment, I couldn't help but ruminate about what I love about his personality the most.
His calmness in every situation?
His warm presence that's enough to make you feel at home?
His carefree aura?
His positive attitude towards life which allows him to forget and forgive easily?
His care and compassion for the people around him?
Everything.
Everything about him gravitates me towards him, towards my husband,
My Aditya.
The Aditya who I was in irrevocably love with.
The same Aditya, whose opalescent pair of irises and that cheeky-dimpled smile are enough to make me gush over him as if it's the first time meeting him.
Without even trying he has made me believe that happiness in a relationship does not demand luxuries, it demands efforts and acceptance, emotions and investments, simplicity and mutual respect.
They say love is beautiful.
It indeed is.
He has made me believe it.
Never in my life, have I thought that the simplest of traits about someone can ever make me go all jittery and head over heels for someone.
His little gestures and his constant teasings, his unadulterated care and his naughty remarks, his cheeky flirt lines and his sincere apologies, his heartfelt counselings, and his impassioned proximities hold the power to make my heart flip-flop and bring those fuzzy butterflies into the pit of my stomach.
His gaze confounds me, his actions mystify me, and his presence, well, it overwhelms me.
As much as his warm gaze and polite smile swoon my entire body and make me blush like a teenage crush, his intense irises, tantalizing touches, and deep innuendos seamlessly bring havoc within me.
And every single time I convince myself that this husband of mine won't do anything more heartwarming than this, he effortlessly proves me wrong with his another act of simplicity and thoughtfulness.
"Kya hua?" His raspy voice hit my ears, pulling me out of my trance.
"Kuch nahi." I murmured, admiring the serenity playing on his features while he switched his gaze from the road and peeked a prudent glance at me, his lips spreading an inch.
"You want to say something." He stated with a soft whisper, his aura oozing undeniable happiness.
"I do." I confessed without an effort while my fingers fiddled with another on my lap.
"Kya?" He eyed me in anticipation before he lowered the volume of the radio.
I Love You.
I have been in love with you ever since we married.
It took me a few seconds to fathom whether or not should I confess it. I was at crossroads and my mind was too hazed to come to a decision. However, the tiny part of dreamy Riya within me wanted him to confess first.
"Kabhi aur." I dodged in a playful whisper letting the cool gush of air fall over my face. Playing with his ring finger, I tried to hold back the smile that was building on my face by biting my lips with my teeth which almost likely would have left a dent in them.
"Kabhi aur?" He lifted his brows in question. His tone was playful, but the expressions on his face resonated with hope and anticipation.
"Kabhi aur." I committed, pressing a chaste kiss on his fingers while he sighed softly in defeat and shook his head, having tasted his own medicine.
********
"Volume up now." I murmured, having no heart to move an inch from my comfortable position which was; knees crossed, hands full and energy blocked.
"Ji." Aditya, however, wet his lips and regarded me with playfulness rather than taking the necessary action.
"Kya?" I narrowed my eyes in puzzlement, not getting the sudden change in his gaze.
Before I could process what his mind was up to, he put the song on repeat and began singing along with the music,
"Yeh shaam mastani......." He sang with a wide grin on his lips as he swept a carefree hand in his already messy hair. His feet tapped with rhythm and his hands dabbed on the steering wheel, while my senses were preoccupied with my admiration for him. However, he bought me out of my trance as he nudged me the next moment, a wordless indication to complete the line.
"Madhosh kiye jaaye......" I sang, joyously giggling towards the end prodding as to how my voice might have come out.
"Mujhko dor koi kheeche, teri ore liye jaaye....." We sang the next lines together momentarily matching our gaze with one another. Our hands were interlaced and our words were in sync like our hearts.
The corners of our eyes crinkled with happiness and our lips parted in wide, goofy smiles after having spent the whole day together, in the most beautiful way we ever could.
**********
Heyaaaa dear ones!
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