The ringing of her phone threw him off balance.
'What the ...' he swore under his breath, as Ragini raised her eyebrows.
'You know you are not allowed to swear around the children' she gently admonished, as she pushed him away, reaching out for her cell phone.
'Children?' he asked quizzically. She showed him her phone - Ranbir's name flashed on the screen.
Ragini grinned as she received the call. Nachiket settled down on the seat opposite her and looked at her. He wondered if she knew how precious she was to him.
He was broken out of his reverie as Ragini disconnected the call and looked at him.
'Why are you staring at me?' she asked, as she felt the heat rise.
'Nah. Nothing' Nachiket answered, smiling a bit. 'What did Ranbir say?'
Ragini picked up her bag from the table behind
'They have already reached the Farmhouse. Dimpy and Karan went along with them. Nishi and Jignesh are on their way. He was asking us to hurry up'
She then turned towards him and asked
'Are you done Nachiket? Could we go? We have to go home first and pack.'
Oblivious to her questions, Nachiket's eyes trailed the lock of hair now caressing her cheek, and then the dainty curve of her neck ...
Ragini walked over to him and shook him
'Are you ok Nachiket? Why are you staring at me?'
He shook his head and got up
'First, you tell me what were you going to tell me before Lunch. I heard something ...'
Ragini giggled
'You are incorrigible.'
She ruffled his hair
'Why don't I tell you tonight once we reach the Farmhouse'
He shook his head in negation.
'Ok then' she continued. 'You could meanwhile think of some word that starts with H'
She flashed her dimples at him and walked out of the room.
'C'mon Nachiket. The Nurses down at the Nurse Station will be waiting to wish you a Happy New Year'
There was a naughty lilt to her voice and Nachiket blushed. The nurses were too much.
...
The drive to the Farmhouse was quick, they were lucky not to get much traffic. En route, Nachiket had picked up some more food for the party there.
He was tired. Despite everything, it had been a long day. And he was now super consumed with the word - H.
Was it Hot? Handsome? Happening? Happy-go-lucky? Hearty? Heroic?
His mind was in a pleasant knot.
...
On reaching the Farmhouse, Nachiket parked the car and looked at Ragini. She was about to exit the car when he grabbed at her wrist.
'It's unfair' he complained. 'But I am willing to wait Ragini'
Ragini kissed his cheek and went off. He could hear the shouts from the children from inside the house, Ragini must be inside with them by now. His heart swelled in happiness as he collected the packets and went inside.
...
The children had decked up the main hall with balloons, festoons and streamers. A few of RK and Karan's friends had also joined the party, and it was great fun.
Nachiket grabbed Ragini's fingers and pulled her by him, as the countdown started. He wanted to start the New Year on a positive note, and knew that Ragini wanted the same too. After spending so many years in utter loneliness and despair ...
Ragini squeezed his fingers in return and smiled up at him.
'Happy New Year Nachiket'
'Happy New Year Ragini'
He wanted to kiss her when the ball dropped, but instead grinned at her, letting her go.
Ragini could see the tiredness in his eyes, and knew that the presence of guests was preventing him from retiring for the night.
It was only around 2 a.m. that the party broke up, RK and Karan offering everybody a room to hole in for the night.
...
Their room was in semi-darkness when Ragini stepped inside. She had gone to tuck in the children.
As she closed the door, Nachiket pulled her into his arms, and then walked her to the balcony.
Ragini looked at him questioningly and he leant in for a kiss. It was a sweet and gentle kiss, and as they broke for air, Nachiket indicated towards the mistletoe just above their head. They both grinned, as Ragini hugged him closer.
He knew he could always rely on him to surprise her, challenge her and motivate her.
Rubbing his nose against hers in an Eskimo kiss, he whispered
'Happy New Year to my beautiful and sexy wife'
Ragini's grin was now stretching from ear to ear, as she whispered in turn
'Happy New Year to my hot and handsome husband'
Nachiket's eyes widened in realisation, and he swept her off her feet, carrying her off to their bed.
Edited by poetic - 7 years ago
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