Part 18
Anuj blindly placed Anupama's jewellery in the safe and closed the wardrobe.
"Anu se Pakhi ke bare me abhi baat karu kya?" he wondered.
He rejected the idea the very next moment.
"Use relaxed feel ho uske liye spa le ja raha hoon toh jane se pehle aisi koi baat nahi kehni chahiye jisse use stress ho."
Meanwhile, Anupama was trying to think of ways to keep her surprise a surprise.
"Do ghanton bad agar saath me kamre me aayenge toh main.. taiyar kaise ho paungi?"
"Chalein?" he tapped her shoulder.
"Ha. Suniye.. Woh spa me.. sirph auratein ja sakti hai ya.. mard bhi?"
He mistook the lines of worry on her forehead as her hesitation.
"Unisex hai par sections alag, alag hain. So don't worry!"
She waited as he used the card to lock the door.
"Nahi, baat woh nahi hai. Mujhe laga aapka interview pura ho jayega phir aap bhi koi.. massage, vaghere karva lijiye.."
"Mujhe zuroorat nahi hai. Hum 12 baje tak free honge aur seedhe suite me aa jayenge. 3.30-4 baje tak nikalna bhi hai."
She asked him for the card as they entered the elevator.
"Tumhare purse me safe rahega. Lo.."
"Hmm. Aap.. koi aur service ke liye spa me baat mat karna. Aur interview pura hote hi aap aa jana. Main.. thodi jaldi aa jaungi."
Anuj opened his mouth to say something when the lift paused on the 4th floor and an elderly couple stepped inside.
Anupama smiled when the gentleman held his wife's hand as she wobbled into the lift.
When she shifted her gaze to Anuj, she realized that he had been observing her.
With her eyes she told him that this would be their future.
He acknowledged her thought with a genial smile and a nod.
As they walked out of the lift, Anuj bent his head to whisper.
"Tum mere liye koi surprise plan kar rahi ho kya?"
"Aapse kuch nahi chhupta! Ha, plan kar rahi hoon isiliye thodi jaldi aa jaungi."
"It's okay. Tumhe jo bhi karna hai tum spa ke bad kar lena. Main ya toh living room me wait kar lunga ya phir games zone hai, wahan chala jaunga."
"Living room me?" she repeated, considering the option.
"Ha, matlab wooden partition toh hai hi living aur bedroom ke beechh. Uske aar, paar kuch nahi dikhega! Aur agar dono rooms chahiye toh.."
"Nahi. Theek hai. Aap tab tak koi kam kar lena."
"Mujhe koi kam nahi karna hai! Bas zyada time mat lagana. Aadhe ghante me ho jayega?"
"Ha, ha. Jaldi karungi." She responded with a smile.
.............
Anuj took her hand and led her inside the spa.
Anupama became slightly nervous as a bunch of over enthusiastic girls in uniform hovered around her- welcoming her with a bunch of lilies, greeting her, asking if she would like to have a refreshment.
All the attention that she was being bestowed with was because of the man who firmly held her hand while having a word with the spa manager.
He ensured that "the lady" would be taken care of, that her comfort and privacy would be prioritized even after he left.
He turned to her for a brief moment with a charming smile.
"Have a good time!"
"Thank you!" She gently squeezed his hand.
"See you!" he nodded before walking away.
Her eyes compelled her to look at his retreating form till he was out of sight.
......................
"Achchha laga?", asked Anuj as they stepped inside the suite at around 12 noon.
"Bohot! Sari thakan door ho gayi. Din, dahadey neend aane lagi, bolo!" she admitted while stiffling a yawn.
She waited till he locked the door before looping her arms around his neck.
He pushed her hair away from her glowing face.
She allowed her kiss to convey her gratitude.
Anuj caressed her bare wrists before locking his arms behind her.
...................
"Feeling.. very generous?" he enquired with an arched eyebrow when they parted.
"Kyun?" she asked, lifting both her brows.
"Tumhari kalhai se saare dhagey gaayab hain!" he remarked, puzzling her.
"Yeh kaisa jawaab hua?"
"Tum batao.."
"Hmmm?" she sighed as he pressed his mouth to the inner side of her wrist.
"Yeh chamatkaar kaise hua!?" he laughed.
He nuzzled her wrist, showering it with open mouthed kisses.
"Woh.. massage karne wali ladki.." She tried to recall her name but failed as all her attention was focused on his lips.
"Hmm?" he urged while shifting to the other wrist.
"Woh kehne lagi ki.. mauli ka rang badal jayega agar usme tel lag gaya."
She spoke once he stopped what he had been doing.
"Mauli kya.. wahin reh gayi?"
"Nahi! Maine nikalkar bag me dal di. Aap bandh dijiye ne.. Ek haath se main toh nahi bandh paungi."
She was about to reach for her purse when he caught her left hand.
"Itni jaldi kya hai? Bad me bandhva lena! Baitho.." He gestured her to sit beside him on the couch.
She shook her head.
"Main aapke surprije ki taiyari karti hoon. Aap baithiye. Thak gaye honge."
"Nah! Ab main bilkul relaxed feel kar raha hoon! All work commitments done for the day!"
She ran her fingers through his hair.
"Ravivar a pan tamne shanti nathi! Isiliye keh rahi thi ki spa chale jate. Aadhe ghante tak koi massage karva lete toh jara aaraam milta. Phir 6-7 ghanton tak gaadi bhi chalani hai."
"Main theek hoon, Anu. Car bus ki tarah har jagah ruk, ruk ke nahi jati hai! Isiliye hum 6 ghanton ke andar pahuch jayenge! Tum jao, jo bhi surprise arrange karna hai, kar lo.."
He lay down on the couch as soon as she moved away.
She came out of the bedroom with the round stainless steel tiffin in less than a minute.
"Isme toh methi khakhra tha par.. woh toh khatm ho gaya!"
"Bada surprije milne tak yeh hai chhota sa suprije!"
He sat up immediately. "Mujhe tumhara dabba bharkar lautana tha uski jagah tum hi wapis bhar kar lai!"
"Toh kya hua? Aap Amdavad jane ke bad lauta dena. Kholkar toh dekhiye!"
He smiled while taking the tiffin from her.
He could smell the ghee even before opening the lid.
"Aate ke bad besan ke laddoo hain kya?!"
His eyes lit up when he saw the contents of the tiffin, just as she had expected.
"Saalam pak!? Kitne saalon ke bad dekh raha hoon ise!"
She watched with a smile of contentment as he made his way through more than half of the piece.
"Love you sweetheart!"
"Mujhse keh rahe hain ya saalam pak se?!"
"Obviously, saalam pak se! Almost 27 saal bad mila hai!"
"Ha, ha jarur kahiye! Kal Jagruti ne bataya ki aapko bachpan se yeh bohot pasand hai!"
She laughed as he stuffed his mouth with another piece of the sweet.
"Bilkul bachche hain aap! Aaram se khaiye ne, aapke liye hi hai! Jara jagah bachana pet me, khane ke liye!"
He nodded while closing the lid of the tiffin.
"Jagu se tumhari kal raat ko baat hui thi na? Phir yeh.. kab liya?"
He spoke with food in his mouth, reminding her of his first visit to the cafe.
"Hmm? Kab liya?",he asked again when she did not reply.
"Subha.. Maulik bhai se kaha tha. Woh lekar aaye."
"Maulik bhai kaun? Pinakin ke papa?"
She shook her head while passing the tissue box.
"Nahi. Woh driver the ne? Unko paise diye the. Woh penda lane gaye tab yeh bhi lekar aa gaye."
"Okay.. Phir toh tumne bhi nahi khaya hoga."
He was about to offer her some but she declined.
"Rehva do. Mujhe utna pasand nahi hai. Aap khaiye aur baki kaka ke liye lekar jaiye. Main.. surprije taiyar kar ke aati hoon.."
"Okay..👍🏼"
......................
Anupama gingerly stepped out of the bathroom clutching the saree pleats tightly in her fist.
She clicked her tongue as the pallu slid down her shoulder.
The pleats kept slipping out of her fingers.
Unlike her regular cotton sarees, which were easy to drape, she was having a tough time dealing with the baby pink georgette saree.
The saree was very beautiful, no doubt.
The silver petals and sepals embroidered on the border, the gota-aari work on the pallu as well as the additional pearl border that ran along the main border- all of these made the saree very appealing.
In addition, the georgette blouse that came with it had a pearl string at the back, instead of the regular dori.
Though the chiffon sleeves ended just above her elbows, they concealed as much of her arms as they revealed.
The sleeves were lined by a thinner border that matched the border of the saree.
The only downside was the saree fabric.
"Ise toh aarsi/mirror me dekhkar hi dhang se pehen paungi. Pleat bhi dobara banani padegi aur chaap/safety pin bhi jyada lagane padenge..", she told herself.
She eyed the opaque wooden partition that separated the living room from the bedroom.
"Aap.. wahin baithe hain ne?"
"Main leta hua hoon.." he replied.
She had barely released the pleats when he spoke again.
"Annu.."
"Aap aa rahe hain? Aapko bathroom jana hai kya?"
She spoke in a haste while slapping the pallu on her shoulder.
"Nahi jaan. Calm down! Main bas yeh poochh raha tha ki tumhara ho gaya kya?"
"Toh theek.." She sighed audibly. "Abhi mujhe thoda samay lagega."
"Hmm."
"Kya hua? Aap kuch.. soch rahe hain?"
"Pakhi ke bare me baat karni thi. Abhi karu ya ghar jate waqt? Jab tum theek samjho."
"Baat aapke man me aa gayi hai toh bol dijiye!"
"Baat toh subha se man me ghoom rahi hai.."
..................
Anupama stepped in front of the full length vanity mirror as Anuj spoke.
"Main chahu toh tumhe apna tablet de sakta hoon ya phir tumhare liye naya tab khareed sakta hoon. But us se photo wali problem ka solution nahi milega."
Anupama gathered the neatly folded pleats in one hand while smoothing them down with the other.
"Selphie ki baat toh main bhool hi gayi thi! Sab kuch aap hi kyun denge? Kharidne ko toh main bhi tablet kharid loon par kya jarurat hai!"
She paused momentarily to tuck and secure the pleats with the pins.
"Uska kam toh laptop aur phone jaisa hi hai. Yeh dono toh hai hi mere pass! Aur jab hum sabko apne riste ke bare me bata denge toh.."
"Toh kya ho jayega? Baat humare rishte ki nahi hai, baat Pakhi ko samjhane ki hai."
"Ha, toh main tab use samjha dungi aur woh samajh bhi jayegi."
She turned around to check the length of her pallu, one border of which fell behind her shoulder while the other hung down her arm.
"Woh yeh samjhegi ki jaise hi uski ma ka boyfriend aa gaya, uska "haq" chhin gaya!"
The truth in his words had an instant impact. Anupama froze in her spot.
"Use pata hona chahiye kitna aur kahan tak uska haq banta hai. Humare rishtey se is baat ka connection nahi hai, tumhari privacy se hai. Woh beti hai, tumhari cheezein use kare, bilkul kare! Par phone kyun khangalti hai? Games wale, padhai wale, uske matlab ke apps use kare."
Anupama adjusted the length of her pallu.
"Barabar hai. Woh kehti hai ki main jyada app nahi istemal karti hoon isiliye kuch game usne mere phone pe download kiye hain. Phir kehti rehti hai ki aapke phone me yeh hai, woh hai jo mere phone me nahi hai. Main dhyan rakhti hoon ki woh kya dekh rahi hai."
She poked her shoulder while absentmindedly pinning the pallu.
"I'm sure tum dhyan rakhti ho! Par uska tumhare chats, gallery, features yeh sab dekhte rehna time pass karna hua. Aur tumhari privacy bhi compromise hui."
Anupama draped and pinned the saree in silence while pondering on his words.
"Aise phone, laptop pe lage rehne ki wajah se agar uska result kharab aaya toh uska future kharab hoga. Aur Shah family se blame tumhe hi milega!"
He paused to collect his thoughts.
"Tum laptop pe uska alag user account bana do aur khud admin raho. Usko jab bhi project karna hoga woh apne account me log in karke karegi."
"Ha par.. Messenger aur mail ka kya? Uski woh.. notiphicasan aati hai ne.."
"Woh band ki ja sakti hai. Messenger me meri chat ko tum archive kar dogi toh bhi notification nahi milega. Personal mail ke liye two step verification code dal dena.. Yeh sab main sikha dunga. Par pictures delete mat karna, Anu! It's unreasonable! Itne special moments hain yeh humare liye! Aage aur bhi aayenge. Tum kitna aur kya, kya delete karti rahogi!"
"Aapki sab hi baatein sahi hai. Aap yeh sab mujhe sikha dena. Main Sweetie ko samjhaungi."
She removed her phone from her purse and placed it on the vanity table.
"Tumhe bura laga hoga. Sorry! Tum mere liye surprise arrange kar rahi ho aur maine tumhara mood kharab kar diya."
"Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai! Aap mere aur uske bhaley ki baat kar rahe hain. Dil chhota mat kariye!"
There were few moments of silence.
"Ashu.." she called while pulling her hair to one side of her shoulder.
"Ha?"
"Aaj aur kal wale sab hi photo bhej dijiye."
"Done!" he exclaimed after sending the photographs. "Aur kitna time lagega?"
"Bas.. mera ho hi gaya samjho. Panch aj minute!"
When there was no response she assumed that he would wait outside for her.
.................
Two minutes later she heard a song from the living room.
Dekhne walon ne kya, kya nahi dekha hoga,
Mera daava hai ke tujhsa nahi dekha hoga!
When she turned towards the wooden partition, she found Anuj leaning against it.
The song continued to play on his phone.
Jis tarah maine teri raah taki hai barson,
Jis tarah maine teri raah taki hai barson,
Yoon kisi ne tera rasta nahi dekha hoga!
"Annuujjjj!" her voice portrayed her annoyance.
He paused the song and waited, his eyes travelling upwards from the floor.
They lost their sense of direction somewhere in the middle and lingered for a while longer than they intended to.
The baby pink colour looked as pretty on her as it always did.
But it was the saree that enhanced her sensuality and took her appearance a notch higher.
The fabric clung to her curves, highlighting them.
He folded his arms across his chest when his hands itched to roam as freely as his eyes.
"Maine bulaya nahi phir kyun aa gaye?" She asked, breaking his reverie.
"Ha? Umm.. Sorry! Tumne kaha ki ho hi gaya hai toh mujhe laga.. main jakar dekhta hoon! Agar tum taiyar ho rahi hoti toh main us hi waqt ulte paun laut jata."
He spoke with resolute composure.
"5 minute aur rah nahi dekh sakte the? Pura surprije mil jata ne!"
"Correct. Sorry!" he repeated without moving an inch.
"Ab jara baahar jaiye aur 5 minute raah dekhiye.." she said, turning back to the mirror.
"Dekh raha hoon na! Yahan se raah dekh raha hoon. Tum banao apne baalon ka ghosla!"
"Chup rahiye! Ghosla nahi chignon bana rahi hoon main!"
"Chignon?!" he exclaimed with a raised eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
"Ha, toh! Mujhe toh pata nahi hai isiliye.. phone me dekh kar bana rahi thi."
"Kyun lekin? Achanak se.. chignon kyun?" he frowned.
"Jagruti bata rahi thi ki.. aapko Hollywood ki koi heroine bohot pasand hai jo chignon banati hai. Toh.. bas.. isiliye.."
"Hmm..." he sighed audibly, unable to speak.
...............
Anupama glanced at her reflection in the mirror with doubtful eyes.
Was something wrong with the saree or was it her appearance?
Barring that arched eyebrow, she had not earned any other favorable reaction from him.
Could it have been her reaction that put him off?
When she looked at him again she found his steadfast gaze on her.
All doubts slipped out of her mind and her face coloured instantly.
As soon as he walked through the door, she felt a rush of excitement that she hadn't felt in ages.
.................
Anuj cleared his throat as he walked up to her.
Taking her face in his hands he stared at her, aware that she held her breath.
"Sorry! Mera dimag band ho gaya tha! You're looking so gorgeous!"
He pressed his lips to her forehead.
"Normally tumhari taareef karte main thakta nahi hoon lekin.. aaj toh.."
She laughed when he slid his fingers across his throat.
"18 saal ke Anuj ne apne man ki baat kehne me 26 saal laga diye. Par 44 saal ka Anuj apne man ki baat seedhe, seedhe kahega! Kya tum.. sunne ke liye taiyyar ho?"
"Ha.. Irsaad.." She waited for the shayari but none came her way.
"Aaj shayari ka sahara nahi lunga! Aaj se pehle jo tumse chahta tha woh Kanhaji se manga tha."
He told her about the "mohabbat ka sabak.." shayaris that he had written in the past.
"Aaj tumhe kehta hoon..I love you and I desire you Anu!"
Anupama lowered her eyelids, unable to meet his intense gaze.
"Mujhe nahi lag raha ki main.. zyada din tumse door reh paunga, Anu! Ab.. mujhse zyada intezaar nahi kiya jayega!"
He removed his spectacles and scrubbed his face with his hand.
"Don't want to impose upon you. Mera pyar toh saalon purana hai par tumhara naya hai. Ab tak yeh hi ho raha tha ki mujhe zyada pata tha aur tumhe kam.. Main yeh bhi janta hoon ki humare beechh abhi bhi dooriyan hain, raaz hain. Isiliye.. agar tumhe sahi lage toh main kuch suggest karoon?"
She nodded, silently urging him to continue.
"Aaj toh humein travel karna hai. Toh kal se shuru karte huye agle 26 dino me hum ek doosre ko woh sab bata denge jo ab tak nahi bataya."
He wore his spectacles perching them above his nose.
"Basically, 26 din bad clean slate pe nayi shuruat karenge, jahan dono ek hi level pe honge. Taki jab hum.. saath aaye toh bilkul be-pardaah/uncovered ho!"
He bit his tongue when Anupama coughed.
"Matlab.. Ek raaz bhi na ho humare beechh! Kya tumhe.. meri baat.. sahi lagi?"
She lifted her gaze and smiled at him, surprising him yet again.
When she brought her hand near his eyes he removed his spectacles, craving for her touch.
And she did not disappoint him.
Anupama sensed a softening in his stiff posture as she bridged the space between them.
Closing his eyes with her palm, she spoke softly yet surely.
"Main bhi mohabbat ka teesra sabak chahti hoon,
Bas ek aur din ka waqt chahti hoon!"
The furrows eased on his forehead and a warm smile graced his lips.
She paused, making up the lines in her head.
"Main bhi mohabbat ka teesra sabak chahti hoon,
Bas ek aur din ka waqt chahti hoon!
Kanha ki qurbat se mitegi Radhika ki chaahat,
27 din baad prem pankhida ko milegi raahat!"
Glossary: qurbat-proximity, chaahat- desire, prem pankhida- love birds, raahat- comfort
......................
Anuj removed her hand from his eyes.
Kissing her shoulder, he murmured against her skin.
"Thank you meri jaan! Meri baat ka maan rakhne ke liye thank you!"
"Sori!" she breathed against his neck.
"Maine aapse ek aur din intejaar karne ke liye kaha aur aap toh, hamesa ki tarah, maan gaye! Kuch poochha bhi nahi par maine bhi nahi bataya! 15 ko Samar ki sagaai hai ne isiliye.. Ek aur din manga maine. Aur doosra sori woh sayari abhi, abhi banayi. Aapki sayariyan sunkar. Pata nahi kaisi.."
"Achchhi thi! Ek aur din se koi zyada farq nahi padega! In 27 dino me hum.."
"Roj thode, thode najdeek aate rahenge.."
"Hmm.. Ek minute.."
He removed his mobile from his pocket and browsed the calender.
"27 din bad.. 22nd January, Saturday hai."
"Tab tak toh sagai ke sare mehman bhi ja chuke honge."
"Hum bhi ja payenge matlab Ahmedabad se bahar agar kahin jana ho toh.. Weekend hai, chale jayenge!"
"Ha.. Ja sakte hain.."
"I can't believe this! Hum actually.. location discuss kar rahe hain!"
"Viswas toh.. mujhe bhi nahi ho raha hai! Kya sochkar Rajkot aayi thi. Udhar jhoot bola tha, idhar aap naraz the! Aansu bohot musqil se rok rakhe the. Jate waqt sirph muskaan hi hogi!"
He brushed his finger against her bare lips.
"Ek baat batao. Kal tum keh rahi thi pink lipstick lagaogi.. Aaj sirf kaajal lagaya hai.."
"Woh.. kal aapko gale lagate waqt.. aapki t sirt pe.. mere phoundation aur lipshtick ke.. daag lag gaye the.."
She pointed at his ombre white and blue t shirt.
"Maine socha ki aaj bhi aapka t sirt halke rang ka hai isiliye.. nahi lagayi."
"Laga lo. It's okay. Kapde hi toh hain! Dhul jayenge! Upar se jacket bhi aa jayega."
"Dus minute dijiye.."
"Tum taiyar ho jao. Bad me lunch ke liye chalte hain."
"Theek chhe.. Aap kabaad/cupboard se mere gehne nikal dijiye."
"Ha. Sure!"
...............
While slipping on the jacket Anuj observed the shy smile playing on Anupama's lips as she applied make up.
She met his gaze through the mirror when he walked up to stand right behind her.
"Ek aur jhoot bola tha. Sorry!"
"Bata dijiye.."
"Besabri wali shayari me aks ka matlab hota hai pratibimb/reflection! Maine tumhe parchhaai bataya tha.."
"Kyun? Pratibimb toh koi aisa, waisa sabd nahi hai. Phir kyun jhoot bola?"
"Taki tum roz aayina dekhte waqt waise na sharmao jaise abhi sharma rahi ho!"
He kissed her cheek and escaped before she could punish him.
"Jaldi chalo! Jane se pehle photos bhi khichne hain.." he yelled from the living room.
"Aau chhu.."
She shook her head. He knew her too well!
...................
Anupama was surprised when Anuj took her to the poolside instead of the terrace.
"Aaj chhat pe nahi jana hai?"
"Nahi. Roz ek jagah kyun jayenge? Aaj poolside ko humare liye reserve kiya hai!"
He led her to the white double seater swing chair placed near the pool.
It had soft blue cushions, the colour of which perfectly matched the clear blue water in the pool.
Frangipani flowers were strewn about the pool alongwith colourful floating candles.
There was a table placed in front of the swing chair on which Anupama spotted a familiar item.
"Yeh cheeni mitti ke bartan me aaj bhi gajra hai kya?"
"Nahi. Khud hi dekh lo.."
She opened the lid to find three frangipani flowers in it.
Anuj tucked those in her chignon before clicking a picture.
"Very, very pretty!" He dropped kisses on her hair.
"Thank you! Mujhe laga aaj bhi Aparajita ka gajra hoga par koi baat nahi! Yeh champa ke phool bhi bohot pyare hain! Inki khusboo spa me bhi aa rahi thi.."
"Aaj Aparajita ki chai piyogi?"
"Kya?! Aparajita ki.. chai?" She wrinkled her nose.
"Ha! US me bohot log peete hain. Is se stress kam hota hai!"
He roused himself from the chair.
Simultaneously Anupama rose to her feet.
"Aapko nahi phayega. Main parosti hoon.."
"Uh huh! Sit.. Main paros dunga."
He poured the blue tea into a bone china cup and passed it to her.
She stared at it in wonder. Its pristine blue colour stood out against the white bone china cup.
Inhaling the familiar fragrance, she took a small sip.
"Achcha laga?" asked Anuj, as he lowered himself on the swing.
"Bohot alag sa swad hai par achchha hai!"
He held the tea cup with his left hand while his right arm went around her pulling her closer.
"Yahan bhi koi nahi dekhega na?"
She nervously looking around them.
"Bilkul nahi! Poolside covered hai. We're perfectly safe!"
She kissed his cheek transferring her lipstick onto it.
"Thank you! Sab kuch bohot achchha hai!"
They finished the tea in blissful silence.
Anuj didn't want the afternoon to end.
Anupama didn't realize when she placed her head on his shoulder while humming an old Gujarati song.
The waves of the pool instilled a sense of calmness as did the blue tea.
"Thank you! Yeh pehli bar main aise.. poolside pe.. baithi hoon! Sapne jaisa lag raha hai!"
When she kissed his hand she noticed the lipstick stain on it.
"Mujhe phone se poochhna padega.."
"Kya?"
She replied while removing the mark with the back of her palm.
"Woh lipshtick kya kehte hai use.. jiska nisan nahi padhta? Uska online order de dungi.."
"Main baitha hoon na yahan. Mujhse poochh lo!"
She flat out refused his offer.
"Jarur nathi! Aapko poochhungi toh aap phat se uthakar le aayenge!"
"Toh kya ho gaya?! Aisi cheezein boyfriend hi lakar dete hain! Main hi le aaunga!"
"Dekha? Isiliye nahi batana tha!"
She rubbed the mark off his cheek.
"Suno.. Rajkot se nikalne se pehle mujhe kuch dena tha tumhe.."
"Doosra surprije?"
When she looked up, he locked his gaze with her.
"Sorry!" he said bringing his mouth to her left wrist while maintaining eye contact with her.
His teeth nipped at her wrist, bruising her delicate skin.
'Anuujjj,' she squirmed, shutting her eyes as his tongue darted out to soothe her.
She gasped at the first touch of his smooth tongue against her hot skin.
"Relax.." he breathed against her wrist.
He released her wrist after kissing it yet again.
"Rajkot se nikalne se pehle yeh.. dena tha aapko?"
"Ha bilkul! Actually.. subha tumne mujhe atte ke laddoo ka photo bheja tha na!? Yeh uske liye tha! Waise bhi sare dhagon ke neeche itna sa nishan kahan chhup jayega, pata bhi nahi chalega!"
Her jaw dropped in shock while he smirked.
"Oh aem?! Maine woh photo bheja tha bas aapko chhedne ke liye!"
"Subha, subha apne boyfriend ko aise kaun chhedta hai!? Jo chhedta hai usko yeh hi milta hai!"
She stuck her tongue out at him.
................
"Ab khana khaye?"
"Ha. Aaj toh aapki pasand ka khana hai ne?"
"Ha. Italian food!" he beamed excitedly.
"Pijja aur pasta?" She made a face even though she was starving.
"Nahi! Pizza aur pasta ke alava bohot kuch hota hai jaise bruschetta, risotto, struffoli, pana cotta.."
Her head buzzed when she tried to remember their names.
"Chahe jo bhi khana ho, sakahari hoga ne?"
"Obviously! Main tumhe non veg khilaunga kya?"
"Mujhe toh nahi khilayenge. Par aap khate hain ya nahi mujhe nahi pata tha."
"Main bhi vegetarian hi hoon."
"Waise.. videsi khana toh kaanta, chammach se khaya jayega.."
"Ha.."
"Toh aapke haath se khane ka kya phayda? Main toh apne haath se hi kha lungi!"
"Tumhari marzi!" he shrugged casually.
"Kal is time pe office me ek doosre ke saamne baithkar lunch kar rahe honge na tab mat bolna khilane ke liye! Bologi toh bhi nahi khilaunga!"
"Main kyun bolungi? CCTV nahi hai kya! Aane se pehle 9 dino tak aap opphice me nahi the isiliye cabin me baitha nahi ja raha tha. Kal se aap saamne honge isiliye baitha nahi jayega!"
"Achcha!? Toh 27 din bad kya karengi aap? I mean.. 30 din bad office me kya karengi?.."
He thoroughly enjoyed the look on her face as the mention of 27 days.
She took a moment or two to compose herself before retorting.
"Kam karungi! Main toh kaka se kehkar jald se jald apne liye alag cabin banva lungi!"
"Ise kehte hain confidence! Matlab kitni sure ho ki mere saamne baithkar toh kaam hone hi nahi wala hai!"
"Aaj ki taareekh me aapke raj me khana milega? Amdavad nahi jana hai kya?"
"I wish nahi jana hota! Khair, abhi mangvata hoon.."
Once they finished eating, one of the waiters proferred a platter covered with a huge dome.
Anupama stared at it in anticipation.
"Kholo.."
When she lifted the dome the gift brought tears to her eyes.
It was an infinity shaped wooden frame with a black metallic plaque.
The plaque read "Maan- together till infinity and beyond!"
While one side of the infinity loop had MaAn's selfie from bhoomi pujan the other side was empty.
"Yeh khali kyun hai?"
"Is me tum apni pasand ki photo laga dena!"
"Main is taraph chhat wali photo lagaungi! Thank you Ashuu! Aapke sare gipht bohot achchhe the."
Yet again she allowed her lips to convey her gratitude.
.......................
Hope you like this part. Will wrap up the Rajkot trip in the next part. Kindly ignore mistakes.
Cheers,
Noorie
Part 19 on pg 66
Edited by Noorie17 - 3 years ago
update 
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