Perchance to Dream | VruShan Vignettes [Updt. P30] 08/11. - Page 5

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Persuasion

They went to Kolkata for their honeymoon because Vrushika was cheap like that.

"But Vrushika, why?" Shantanu demanded for the umpteenth time. "Why must we go to Kolkata, when there are a million other places we could go?"

"What's the problem with Kolkata?" Vrushika retorted, arms crossed and looking determined. "I want to meet all of your extended family. I want to see where you've grown up."

"But, you've already met them at the wedding," he complained incessantly, "and at the reception. Why do you need to meet them again?"

"I thought you loved Kolkata," Vrushika looked at him with narrowed eyes, her tone accusatory. By now she was growing suspicious. Why was he so desperate to keep her away from his family? She already knew that they had a history of mental illness, even if he pretended they didn't.

"I do...I do love Kolkata," he affirmed half-heartedly. But I love you more and I want to make love to you all bloody week. "It's just not very convenient..." he trailed off lamely. Shantanu ignored the sniggering in the background, as his friends all laughed at his pathetic attempt to persuade his wife with what little shred of dignity he had remaining.

"Not very convenient for what?" Vrushika demanded. Despite being so intelligent, her husband was often illogical. Why couldn't he see things practically, for once?

"Never mind," he said hastily, as her glare deepened. Even when she was frowning, she looked adorable with her hair tied up in a messy topknot, full mouth pursed so delectably. He groaned internally. He would ravish her on the spot, if his friends weren't here.

Taking his silence for compliance, Vrushika happily went about with her packing. Sam helped retrieve her clothes from the closet, folding them carefully.

Sullenly, Shantanu sat back in his seat next to the window and glared at the random passers-by. Maccy patted him on the shoulder comfortingly while Bharat offered to help him with his packing. He shrugged them off and continued glaring.

It took him a while to accept the idea, but once he did, he plotted to make the best of the situation. Forever resourceful, Shantanu's spirits brightened as he arrived upon the most brilliant solution. He decided that he could book them into some fancy hotel suite on Park Avenue for the week. That would solve both their problems. She'd get her trip to Kolkata and he would get to enjoy their time alone.

"Besides we won't have to worry about accommodation either," his beautiful new wife declared cheerfully. "Your relatives will be offended if we don't stay with them, and that'll save us some money too."

Shantanu wanted to bang his head against a wall. The clueless woman had no idea that she was steam rolling all his grand plans to literally sweep her off of her feet and do her six ways to Sunday.

"Vrushika, do you even know why people have honeymoons?" Sam asked her best friend incredulously.

"Of course," Vrushika replied, slightly affronted. "Honeymoon's are for eating and long naps, and visiting tourist spots."

"I give up!" Shantanu roared with frustration, storming out of the room with his hands in the air.

"Was it something I said?" Vrushika asked them blankly.