Chapter 12

Rishi informed the servant to place Aadhi’s luggages in the guest room but stood shocked on knowing his grandfather has locked all the rooms except for his master bedroom.

Aadhi giggled and turned to the servant who was standing clueless on everything happening.

Aadhi: Aunty, please show me the master bed room and let me help you carry the luggage. Rishu is so happy that he froze in his place but don’t worry he will follow us in a while.

Aadhi and the maid who introduced herself as Latha helped Aadhi to carry her luggage to the master bedroom. Aadhi saw it was a large room just like the one they lived with the family. She  pulled her luggage to the closet but stopped on hearing footsteps. Rishi entered the closet and showed his forefinger at her. Before he could start speakig Aadhi beat him.

Aadhi: Don’t you dare to share my personal space. Keep your things away from sight and don’t ever mess my room. I want my room neat and tidy. Am I right Rishu ? Don’t worry I won’t invade your space and we shall continue with how we were in our room back at our home.

She placed her luggage in the corner of the closet and heard her mobile ring. It was from Vani so she answered it immediately and turned on the speaker for Rishi to hear too.

Aadhi: Hello aunty, we just arrived and the place is good aunty.

Vani: I know the place will be good Aadhi but I called you for something else. Arrange Rishi’s clothes in his wardrobe just like the way he had here. He likes things to be organized and now you will be living alone so don’t over sleep. Wake up as usual in the morning and complete the pooja, prepare brekafast and prepare healthy dinner after you return from college. Latha will do the cleaning part and I will question her to know if you are following everything. Take good care of Rishi and yourself.

Aadhi: Sure aunty, I will do everything as said. Also you can check with Latha aunty to know if I m taking good care of Rishi.

Aadhi cut the call and stood leaning on the wall watching Rishi arrange his wardrobe. She sat on her luggage and munched on the chocolates.

Aadhi: Rishu, how did you learn to be organized so much ? Actually I think you are bit OCD.

Rishi walked out with Aadhi following him like a puppy and bumped on his back while he stood froze on seeing the huge portrait of their wedding photo that hung on the wall in the living. Aadhi rubbed her forehead surprised that he hadn’t scolded her for being clumsy only to be surprised but next moment she squealed and ran to the portrait and touched Rishi’s face in it.

Aadhi: Rishu, you look so cute and handsome.

She turned around and saw Rishi leaving for office. She took a look at the kitchen and saw everything stocked for cooking. Since it was already noon she stayed home and through out the day she watched cooking videos. She spoke to Latha and got to know she would on completing the cleaning words and return to work in the morning. So once Latha left in the evening she called Vimal and showed him the penthouse and informed him everything.

Vimal: I m so happy Aadhi, now you can live to your wish. Cook your favourite and enjoy your time.

Manjari who was next to him rolled her eyes.

Manjari: My parents are so good to let them enjoy their life. No one would be around to question whatever Aadhi does there now. She can enjoy her life.

Vimal glared at her and smiled at Aadhi who tried to be normal after hearing Manjari’s words.

Aadhi: Bro, I need to cook dinner and study for my exams so I will talk to you later.

She cut the call and entered the kitchen with her mobile and prepared chappathi vegetables and a dhal curry making a note to buy more stuff from the super market on her way from college the next day. She tasted it and smiled to the taste and gave a pat to herself.

She got changed into a shorts and T shirt and settled in the living with her books and mobile waiting for Rishi to return from office. He returned at 10 and immedaitely shut his ears to the music that was blasting. Before he could switch off the music systen Aadhi turned it off and  smiled that he returned early by an hour.

Aadhi Mv: Don’t appreciate him Aadhi or he deliberately return late.

Rishi: So I was right that you are fake human. Until today morning you weren’t wearing burqua but you roamed wearing covering from your neck to toe but now look at you roaming in a shorts.

Aadhi: Rishu, back at home I couldn’t wear because we lived with elders but here its only you and me so don’t bother. Now get refresh and let me set the table.

Rishi shook his head and headed to his room. He returned to the dining and Aadhi was about to serve but he stopped her.

Rishi: You don’t have to pretend here. There is no one watching you, you don’t have to wait to serve me. I can take care.

He served himself and pouting at him Aadhi served to her plate and watched him eating without a word.

Aadhi: Rishu, I cooked all these.

Rishi wiped his hand and returned to room and sat in the balcony for a while. He heard foot steps and saw Aadhi entering holding two cups in her hand.

Aadhi: Rishu, its my dream to sit in balcony with my husband at night and have a coffee. Here I got a cup for you.

Rishi: I don’t drink coffee before going to bed.

Aadhi left his cup on the teapoy and sat with her legs folded. She sipped the coffee and watched the sky and Rishi who was scrolling through his mobile.

Aadhi: Rishu, shall we buy some crackers ? It would be very beautiful to see some fire works, especially when we are at the topmost floor.

Rishi: Why am I not surprised that you wanted to disrupt the beauty of this calmness with the fireworks ?

He returned to the room and laid on the bed. Middle of the night he woke up to drink water and saw her sitting sideways on the couch and leaning on the headrest. A notebook in her hand and she seemed so lost in writing something in it. On hearing the sound of movement she stopped writing and saw Rishi getting down from the bed.

Aadhi: Is everything ok Rishu ? you want something ? Are you alright ?

Rishi: I m not a kid.

Aadhi: Ofcourse you are not a kid Rishu, but you don’t wake up once you fall asleep so I m just worried if you are ok.

Rishi picked the water bottle from the night stand and gulping little he returned to sleep. Next morning Aadhi woke up at 5 and just brushed her teeth. She rushed to the living and turned on the music system and entered the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Rishi woke up startled to the loud music and barged in the living looking for the human who according to him ruined his morning peace. He simply picked the remote and switched it off before returning to the room. Aadhi giggled knowing Rishi would have turned of the music.

She set everything on the table and rushed to the bedroom to get ready knowing well Rishi would have got ready already. She returned to the dining and saw Rishi having his breakfast. She sat opposite to him and poured a glass of juice for her.

Aadhi: Good morning Rishu.

She started eating knowing well he would not respond to her greetings. On completing his breakfast he left to his office. Aadhi met the driver in the parking and reached her college. In the evening she stopped by the super market and bought some stuffs to cook better dinner.

On reaching home she placed everything in the cabinet and fridge before returning to her room. As soon as Latha left she got changed into a shorts and crop top and laid on the couch in the living with a packet of chips to watch a movie. Later for dinner she prepared butter roti and kadai paneer following every step from the video she watched.

As usual Rishi arrived around 10 and and ate without a word.

Weeks passed and its was 3 months to their marriage and nothing changed between them. Aadhi never gave up and continued waiting for him to realize her love and real efforts for him.

It was a Sunday and the climate was windy. Rishi picked a towel and walked towards the terrace. Knowing well that he was going to the pool, the place she was denied access, she sat in the balcony enjoying the wind.

Rishi returned to room after an hour and Aadhi rushed to him immediately.

Aadhi: Rishu, the climate is so nice. Will you please buy some puffed rice, it would so much fun to eat it standing in open on a windy time. I had this in my bucket list to do with my husband. Please I would have stocked it if I had known earlier. Please Rishu.

Rishi: Are you crazy ? don’t act like you are child to do such crazy things.

He entered the closet and shut the door with a thud. Aadhi stood outside and heard him talking to someone on a call. He walked out and saw her standing as if she was still having hope that he will buy the puffed rice for her.

Rishi: Manjari and Vimal are on way here, probably will be staying for dinner.

Aadhi: Oh, ok I will start preparing something.

She walked to the kitchen and kneaded the dough first and later started preparing the curry.  An hour later she heard the door bell followed by the door opening. She rushed out and saw Rishi welcoming the couple. Aadhi hugged Vimal and the brother sister duo couldn’t get over their love exchange.

Manjari: Aadhi, you wear shorts at home ? Do you know our mom and dad, even your parents won’t be happy to see you wearing shorts.

Vimal: Cool down Manjari, she used to wear in her room even before she got married just like you wear now.

Manjari glared at Vimal and Aadhi chuckled on hearing his words.

Aadhi: Its only us here sister in law so don’t worry.

Rishi: How are you Manjari ? How is your life ?

Manjari: I m good bro, actually we are hear to reveal a good news. I m pregnant.

Aadhi: Oh my god, sister in law, I m so happy.

She hugged both Vimal and Manjari. Rishi was happy to know that his sister will be giving birth to a child very soon. He pat her head and helped her sit on the couch.

Rishi: Did you visit the doctor ? Are you eating healthy food and what about the vitamins ?

Vimal: She is eating good food and I m taking good care of her. We consulted the doctor today morning and conveyed the news to everyone and thought of visiting you both. I had a reason to meet my sister today.

Aadhi: Bro, you are welcome anytime to meet us. Isn’t it Rishu ? Ohoo my brother will be father soon and I will be aunt. Thank you so much bro. I will come stay with my niece or nephew once he is born and once he or she grows up a little I will bring him or her with me here.

Manjari: Why do you want our baby Aadhi ? You should have your own baby if you are so much interested in raising a baby.

Aadhi: Ok sister in law. Give me few minutes I will prepare hot chappathi and set the table.

She hopped to the kitchen and Vimal followed her.

Manjari: Vimal where are you going ?

Vimal: Its been long time I cooked with Aadhi so I will help her.

He entered the kitchen and Manjari heard brother and sister laugh and joke continuing with their cooking. Rishi entered the kitchen and poured water in a glass for him. From his peripheral view he saw Vimal rolling the dough and Aadhi sitting on the counter and flipping a chappthi on the tawa.

30 minutes later they were seated and Aadhi served dinner. This was the first time Rishi let her serve him and she knew it was because of Vimal’s presence.

Vimal: Aadhi, Shahi paneer is Manjari’s favourite. It was once I told you about Manjari’s favoruites to you.

Aadhi: I won’t forget even a single thing about the people in our family bro.

Manjari: Sorry Aadhi, actually my taste buds has changed the preference now. You know pregnancy changes everything in our life. I feel nauseous to this smell so I will sit in the living and have chappathi alone with jam.

Rishi rose to his feet leaving his dinner untouched and helped Manjari to the living with Vimal and Aadhi following them.

Rishi: Tell me what do you want to eat and I will order for you or do you want to eat in a restaurant ?

Vimal looked at Aadhi and the dinner she prepared and served which was left behind on the dining table.