Hello. It has been a while since I posted the last OS: It Happened One Spring. I had exams & although, I had already written two OSs, I didn't find the time to edit & post. So, now that the exams are done, here is the next OS. There isn't a great point to this OS. This scene just had been playing on my mind for a while & I just had to pen it down.
The title is, as most of you will probably recognise, is a play on Gabriel Garcia Marquez's famous novel, Love In The Time Of Cholera. But, the resemblance to that piece of work ends there.
Coloured Halos- https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/iss-pyaar-ko-kya-naam-doon/4335656/os-coloured-halos
Sleepless in New Delhi- https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/iss-pyaar-ko-kya-naam-doon/4344189/os-sleepless-in-new-delhi
Chocoholics Anonymous- https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/iss-pyaar-ko-kya-naam-doon/4351884/os-chocoholics-anonymous
Turning the Big 30- https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/iss-pyaar-ko-kya-naam-doon/4368750/os-turning-the-big-30
Lucknow Times- https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/iss-pyaar-ko-kya-naam-doon/4393919/os-lucknow-times-4th-anniversary-special
So, here goes the new OS. Do drop in a word on what you think of it if you don't mind.
Kindly ignore the typos if you find any.
OS: Love In The Time Of Flu
It was 9pm & the Raizadas in the house seemed to have retired early to the lounge. She waved to Anjali who was the only one to take her eyes off the soap airing on the tv. Considering she had already had her dinner during her meeting with a venture capitalist, she would have preferred to spend a little time with her sister-in-law & the others-naani & maami-if their eyes weren't glued to the huge mounted flat-screen. But, not that day because that was not any ordinary day.
Khushi threw open the doors to her room. It was enveloped in darkness except for the moonlight streaming in through the French Windows that opened to the poolside. She reached out with her free hand & switched on the lights, knowing where to find the switchboard out of habit. And, as the light flooded into the quiet room, Khushi saw the man splayed on his stomach in her bed & felt a rush of tenderness.
Khushi tread lightly on the new Persian rug in the room as she shrugged out of the jacket of her pant suit, depositing it on the recliner along with her laptop bag.
She turned and looked at the man still asleep. She got out of her heels & got onto the bed from the other end, moving to him, not wanting to wake him up but unable to stay away. She was about to reach out to him when he woke up with a start, giving her a start too.
"Don't scare me like that." Khushi said, frowning at him.
Arnav Singh Raizada, sleepy-eyed, gave his wife a half-smile when he saw her. "Why did you have to creep up on me like that? Were you trying to feel me up when I was asleep?" he asked lightly.
Khushi sat down on the bed, facing him. "I was trying to see if you are still running a temperature." she said, & then, continued wryly, "but if you are accusing me of rubbish like feeling you up, you are probably feeling a lot better."
Arnav's half smile turned into a full white smile. Khushi's eyes turned teasing as she said, as if on an afterthought, "Or, the sight of me rejuvenated you?"
Arnav laughed before wincing. "Of course, take all the credit." he said, struggling to focus on her.
"What is it?" asked Khushi on noticing his wince as she bent over, brushing his locks off his forehead. She felt his forehead for the temperature & was relieved to not have it burning.
"My head is pounding. It feels like being hit on the head by Hulk. Wait, make that Thor's hammer." said Arnav, even as he sighed feeling her running her fingers through his hair.
Khushi shook her head. "You know, headache is a part of the flu. And, stop watching superhero movies with Aarav. Look at what you're exaggerations also have begun to sound like." she said.
Arnav opened his eyes & focused on her face. "You just came home?" he asked her.
She nodded & pointed at her shirt. "Yes. I haven't even changed out of work clothes yet." she said.
Arnav turned to lie down on his side facing her. "Nice shirt. Too bad, I didn't get a glimpse down the thing in the morning." he said smiling wickedly, well as wickedly as he could manage while dealing with flu.
Khushi laughed. "You are so full of it. Go back to sleep." she said feeling guilty for waking him up.
Arnav frowned. "Not sleepy." he said even as he yawned.
Khushi smiled in amusement. "Yeah, I can see that." she said, lightly.
Arnav ignored her & asked, "So? What happened with the Venture Capitalist?"
Khushi shrugged & got up from the bed. "Well, we spoke." she said, blandly.
Arnav frowned at her. "I, physically pushed you out of the room to go, pitch. It was a meeting you couldn't afford to miss because you gave your husband flu. And, you SPOKE!" he sputtered in exasperation.
Khushi walked to their closet & collected her pajamas before turning around to face him. She leaned against the closet door as she looked at him.
"You are the most annoying husband ever. And, I told you to stay away from me when I had the flu. What can I do if you can't keep yourself from hovering over me like a mother hen! And, I haven't seen a man more interested in his wife's projects than you are." she said with slight exasperation.
"If we are done with the daily complaints, can we come back to the point?" Arnav said, still frowning.
Khushi shrugged again.
"Khushi." came the warning.
She ignored him & turned around to walk towards the bathroom, letting the suspense & her husband's impatience build. Before entering the bathroom, she turned around & said, " You can go puff your chest out in pride. I nailed it."
Arnav wanted to scowl at her for the suspense that she put him through but couldn't hold back the proud smile stretching his face.
"Now that you rocked the venture capitalist's socks off with the pitching, come, rock my world." he said with a predatory grin that held no hint of any headache.
Khushi shook her head at him. "You are not ready for it, Raizada. Flu & all." she said laughing.
Arnav did scowl now. "Alright, just come & baby me or something, woman. Get back in bed. I could make do with some PG 13 stuff tonight." he said.
Khushi quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Well, I earned it, didn't I, by being the most supportive husband in the world!" he said, with righteous indignation.
Khushi couldn't hold back her laughter as she went & threw herself at him & pressed a big, wet kiss to his stubbled cheek. He had banned all tonsil hockey till he was fine, you see.
Fan Fictions
Cricket
542