Chapter 37

Two days later:

Malini entered the room carrying food in a tray and placed it before Aadhi who was seated on the bed with her legs pulled to her chest. She was gloomy and Malini could see the distress from the way she was wiping her tears every now and then.

Malini: Aadhi, you have waited 6 months and just a night. I’m sure your crusy baby will come for you tomorrow so stay strong girl.

Aadhi: I know but what if he doesn’t want me ?

Malini: Stupid girl, you know that will not happen so why do you stress so much ? Don’t you think you must be at a spa and groom yourself to meet him finally ? Tomorrow is your first anniversary Aadhi and sure your crushy baby will run away if you welcome him with this ugly face. Actually I m the one who is supposed to cry now.

Aadhi: Why though ?

Malini: What ? I enjoyed 6 months with you and tomorrow you will leave with your husband leaving me all alone so I think it should be me crying actually but I m happy that you will be going with your love. Actually Aadhi, tomorrow will be a new begning for you. Your life will be very different and the love you both get to embrace after all these hardship, test will keep you bound together forever, very strong love.

Aadhi: I will have my finger crossed Malu.

Malini: Finish up with the food and I will prepare a facial for you now. We shall select a best outfit to get you dressed and also we shall bake a cake in the early morning before your crushy baby is here to take you back with him.

Aadhi: I m not sure if he had returned from whatever trip he had gone.

Malini: Don’t worry over anything and relax. I will be back soon.

Once Malini stepped out of the room, Aadhi picked her mobile and hesitated a lot if she should call the person who she had never called even once. Unable to hold anymore she dialed Sudhir’s number and he answered the call in the first ring.

Sudhir: Madam, I have always waited for your call bu you never called me even once. How are you ? How shall I help you ?

Aadhir: I m fine Sudhir, hope you are doing good too. I don’t need any help but I just need some information but….

Sudhir: I have promised to help you with anything without your husband’s knowledge. You can trust me.

Aadhi: Where is Rishi ? I trust you and I only wanted to know the truth.

Sudhir: Madam, I haven’t seen him or heard from him for the past 3 days. He wanted me to take care of business. I have no idea about where he is.

Aadhi Mv: If the trip wasn’t official then where did he go ?

Aadhi: Thank you Sudhir. Thats all I needed to know. Thank you. Take care.

She cut the call and more tears rolled dow her cheeks as too many thoughts clouded her mind. She wanted to strong but her poor heart betrayed her and she felt immense pain feeling scared of what would happen the next day.

With mixed feelings she laid on the bed and decided to sleep only to stop her mind from over thinking everything. Malini returned with a bowl and saw Aadhi asleep. She didn’t disturb her and let her sleep.

Aadhi woke up in the evening and Malini forced her to eat. She was grappling over her emotions and pacing in the room and then in the balcony and finally in the terrace.

Malini: Aadhi are you by any chance trying to wear out the floor of my room and terrace ? Come on girl, chill and gather yourself. Only good things will happen to a good soul like you.

Malini’s parents forced her to join for dinner and she couldn’t deny them. Together they had dinner with usual banters. Malini and Aadhi returned to their room and Malini tried to keep company but eventually fell asleep. Aadhi sat on the floor looking at the clock.

Aadhi Mv: Few more hours to our first anniversary Rishu.

She entered the closet and returned with a frame in her hand and settled down on the floor looking at the portrait she got ready to gift Rishi. She was intrigued by Malini’s words when she  teased her about being the queen Aadhira and Rishi as king Rishikesh so with help of one of her classmates she got an AI portrait of her and Rishi as a king and queen looking at each other with love.

Aadhi: You look so handsome Rishu, just like a king, my king.

She smiled and with tears she looked at the clock which was close to strike 12. Malini who had set alarm to wake up at 12 to wish Aadhi woke up and saw Aadhi wiping her tears. She sat next to her and wrapped her hand around Aadhi’s shoulder.

Malini: Calm down Aadhi, don’t welcome your special day with tears. Rishi would sure come to take you with him. Lets sleep and don’t you want to bake a cake for him in the morning. We don’t know what time he would be here so its better you start early.

They watched the clock strike 12 and Aadhi whispered ” Happy aniversary Rishu ” looking at him in the portrait. Malini wish her and pulled Aadhi to sleep. Aadhi placed the portrait on the couch and they heard a knock on the door at the same time.

Malini: Who could be here at this time ? May be dad and mom wanted to wish you.

Aadhi bobed her head and Malini opened the door. Aadhi heard her gasp in shock and frowed on seeing her shocked state. Malini moved aside to let the person in and Aadhi felt her heart skip a beat and her breath labored on seeing Rishi holding a huge bouquet of rose. He was standing before her with smile for real.

Rishi turned to Malini who was still under the shock.

Rishi: Malini, do you mind giving us some time, please ?

Malini quickly bobed her head and sprinted of the room closing the door behind.

Rishi looked at Aadhi who stood in a shorts and T shirt, hair tied in a high messy bun, tears washed her cheeks.

Rishi: Too bad Aadhu, I thought you would run to me and jump into my arms just like the heroine from your movies still no problem I will be the hero from your movies but I have one question and I m barely holding my excitement baby. Though I know the answer, I wanted to hear it from you so tell me Aadhu, do you have any second thoughts about us, our marriage ?

Aadhi shook her head as no and the next moment Rishi was before her in an instant and he carried her switfly in his arms and twirled her. Aadhi wrapped her arms around his neck and Rishi felt her tears on his cheeks.

Rishi: I love you Aadhu, I love you so much.

Aadhi: I love you Rishu..

Rishi twirled her more on hearing her love for him finally. He let her stand on her feet and kissed her forehead.

Rishi: Happy anniversary my love, thank you for coming into my life, thank you for loving me, thank you for making me the better person. I love you.. I love you… I love you so much.

He passed the flowers to her and Aadhi smiled holding them to her chest.

Aadhi: Thank you Rishu, I love you, thank you for coming to me.

Rishi shook his head and wiped the tears of her face and moved the hairs behind her ears.

Aadhi: You were suppose to come tomorrow.

Rishi: Six months ended by 12 and I can’t waste a minute without you. I have been waiting for this moment.

He cupped her face and Aadhi kissed his palm. Rishi pressed his forehead against her forehead and closed his eyes with a smile that finally he got his Aadhu with him. He opened his eyes and kissed her eyelids and nose and cheeks.

Rishi: I want my gift Aadhu, my bracelet.

Aadhi sprinted off to the closet and returend with the bracelet. Rishi stretched his hand and Aadhi clasped the bracelet around his wrist. Rishi kissed the bracelet and looked at Aadhi.

Rishi: Now my next wish. Shall I kiss you Aadhu ?

Aadhu bobed her head and Rishi pressed his lips on her soft and plump ones. He pecked once, twice and thrice before he started nibbling on lips slowly. Slowly he started sucking on her lips passionately and Aadhi tried to follow his leads. Rishi stopped kissing and looked at her eyes that held only love for him. He crashed his lips once again and this time he squeezed her waist earning a gasp from her. He plunnged his tongue and started devouring her mouth until she ran out of breathe.

He pulled her to his chest and hugged her kissing her crown and caressing her back gently. Aadhi pulled back from the hug and passed the portrait to him. Rishi loved the gift and pressed his lips on her forehead.

Rishi: So beautiful Aadhu, you are a true queen, my queen. Now lets go. I can’t wait any longer.

Aadhi: Rishu, its midnight and it won’t be fair to leave in the middle of the night.

Rishi: Don’t worry, I talked to Malini’s parents and they are absolutely ok with us leaving now.

Aadhi: I will change into a better outfit then.

Rishi: No baby, you look gorgeous. Lets go, we have less time.

He held her hand and walked out the room to the living in the ground floor. Malini and her parents smiled on seeing the couple.

Rishi: Thank you so much for taking care of her like your own daughter. I owe you for what you did for us.

Malini’s father: Aadhi is our daughter so don’t thank us. Happy anniversary to both of you.

Malini’s mother: Aadhi, I m so happy for you. Let the new begining bring lot of joy in your life. Take care of each other.

Aadhi/Rishi: Thank you so much.

Rishi: I have some plans for our anniversary so we will take our leave now and meet you soon.

Malini hugged Aadhi and wished her all the best. Rishi held Aadhi’s hand and walked out in a hurry. He opened the door of his car’s back seat before he rushed to the other side and got seated beside her. The driver started driving and Rishi entwined his fingers with her and pressed a kiss on her knuckles.

Aadhi: Where are we going Rishu ?

Rishi: Surprise Aadhu, but I m sure you will love it.

Rishi: Pinch me Aadhu, tell me you are next to me for real and I m not hallucinating.

Aadhi pinched his arm and he pulled her to his chest and stroke her arm. Aadhi felt her heart swell with happiness that finally they are together. She placed her cheek against his chest and inhaled his fragrance with her eyes closed.

The car stopped before the ariport and before Aadhi could question he opened the door and gestured her to get down holding his hand. Rishi thanked the driver and held Aadhi’s hands as he made way to the airport. Aadhi frowned on seeing her choose a different way and stopped him.

Aadhi: Rishu, we are on a wrong way.

Rishu: No baby, I will never be wrong anymore. Trust me love, we are on the right track now together.

Aadhi smiled and they walked holding hands. They reached the FBO and Aadhi gasped on seeing a chartered flight.

Rishi: We don’t own this but very soon we shall buy one. Today I want everything to be very special for you so lets fly together, alone.

Together they boarded the jet and Aadhi closed her mouth with her palms on seeing the interior decorated to celebrate their anniversary. Rishi smiled on seeing her loving the surprise and hugged her from behind and placed a kiss on her earlobe.

Rishi: Lets buckle up baby, time for us to leave.

Together they got seated and buckled their seat belt. Soon they were in the air and Rishi was watching the time and waiting for an annoucement from the captain. Just as he heard the the mesaage ” Perfect time ” from the captain Rishi turned Aadhi’s face to look out down the landscape. She was so excited to see the fireworks and it was so beautiful to watch it from above.

She turned to Rishi to express her excitement but saw him beside her on his knees holding a ring in his hand. Before she could speak Rishi hushed her to let him speak.

Rishi: Aadhu, I m not good with words and I m gonna talk about our past anymore. I want this moment as a new begining as Aadhu and Rishu. I want every moment to be very special from now on. I want to cherish everything that happens in our life and I want that to start from the first moment which I ruined in the first place. Lets start fresh Aadhu, Will you marry me ? This time lets enjoy and feel the love and excitement together. I want to look into your eyes while we get married, I want to kiss your eyes right at the special moment. Will you marry me Aadhu ?