Short stories: Fourteenth one up; Page 13 - Page 8

Ashu was never interested in shopping... but today Nidhi asked him to come with her for buying some dresses for her and he couldn't say no to her. He went with her halfheartedly to a showroom where she started selecting sarees for her. She shortlisted few of them for herself but wasn't able to finalise one... She looked at Ashu who was looking here and there trying to pass his time. He went to him and asked him to help her finalise the best one for her but he told her to choose any one that she likes. She told him that she wasn't able to select and that's why she needed his help...but as he wasn't able to choose like this...the salesman suggested that she can try each saree one by one and the one which suits her the most can be selected. Nidhi agreed to this and one by one he helped her try the sarees and Ashu was looking at her mesmerized. Nidhi waited for his response whenever she tried a saree and his expressions told her whether he liked that or not. After many trials she tried a light pink coloured saree and when Ashu saw her in that saree...he just couldn't take his eyes off her...he was lost in her beauty and elegance when Nidhi slightly gave him a pat on his shoulder and he was brought out of his trance. She asked him about that saree and his smile made it clear that he liked that one for her. She chose that saree only and when she saw the price...she decided to leave it as it was very costly. But her husband won't let her leave that beautiful saree just because it was expensive. Nidhi was about to leave the showroom when he excused himself and asked her to wait in the car and that he would be back soon. He returned with that saree for her and she was surprised to see that...yeh kyun le aaye...itni mehengi saree hai...kya zaroorat thi iski? she asked him. He just gave her his smile and replied...keemti hai lekin tumse zyada nahi... Nidhi blushed on hearing this from her husband and both of them went back home after spending a wonderful evening together.

Nidhi thought of inviting Ashu for lunch as it was an off for both of them...initially he was reluctant but he agreed when she insisted. He asked her what special she is cooking for him to which she told him that it would be a surprise for him. Ashu agreed to meet her at 1 o clock sharp...she was eagerly waiting for him and he was there right on time. She welcomed him inside and after spending some time with her he asked her to reveal her surprise now...she went in and came out with pizza in her hands. Ashu didn't like pizza at all but the delight on her face stopped him from showing his dislike towards the pizza. She asked him to taste one slice and he picked up one although he wasn't willing to eat it. When he had one bite his expressions showed that he didn't like the taste...aapko achha nahi laga? she asked. He understood what she wanted to hear...nahi...aisa nahi hai...achha hai... But she couldn't go wrong in deciphering his expressions...agar achha nahi laga to aap bata sakte ho...zabardasti khaane ki koi zaroorat nahi hai... She told him. He revealed his dislike for pizza in general and she told him that he should have told this beforehand itself when he saw pizza so that she could have made something else. But he told her that he didn't want to hurt her sentiments...as she had worked so hard to make this pizza and he would definitely have it. "Waise sach bataaun itna bura bhi nahi hota pizza... ya yeh kahu ki tumne banaya hai to achha lagne laga hai... He came closer to her and said...Nidhi blushed on hearing this and both of them smiled to each other. They had a nice time with pizza lunch and each others company. As is always said when you have a great company with you...even the things you dislike become dear to you.

End of this one😊