Chapter 44

Vimal woke up in the morning and saw Manjari was missing beside him. He quickly got ready and walked out of the room in search of her. He saw her placing the casseroles on the table and she wasn’t even looking at him. His mother placed a plate for him and started serving him.

Vimal: Manjari, Why don’t you have breakfast with me ?

He pat the seat next to him and gestured her to sit beside him but Manjari averted her gaze from him.

Manjari: I m not hungry, I will have my breakfast later. You are getting late to your business.

Vimal finished eating and returned to room and waited to talk to Manjari. Few minutes later she returned and entered the closet looking for something. Vimal followed her and hugged her from behind.

Vimal: I m so sorry Manjari, I m really sorry. I couldn’t keep my words yesterday. I swear, I did reserve table for us last night but I had to attend a foreign client. I couldn’t avoid meeting them and since it was late I had to take them for dinner. Please try to understand me. How about we stay at some resort this weekend ? Later I will take you on a vacation once my schedules are free.

Manjari just bobed her head and Vimal turned her to face him and pecked her forehead which made her smile at him.

Vimal: Manjari,  I m really sorry and my actions are not intentional, my days are really packed. You should focus on something to distract your mind so how about you join business ? It would be refreshing to meet people and you will feel really good.

Manjari: I will think of it.

Vimal: You can join our office anytime once you decide upon it. Now are we good, shall I take my leave ?

Manjari hummed and Vimal pecked her cheeks and walked out feeling relieved that he got to convince her. He made a note mentally to book for a cottage to spend a quality time with her in the weekend.

Manjari called her friend Hema and discussed everything happening in her life and Vimal’s idea of joining business.

Hema: Manjari, I think thats a good idea. You really need a distraction from everything that happened in your life. Vimal is really a gentleman and despite everything you did he has given you a chance so take a break from all the stress. Join the business and I m sure you will find more time to spend with Vimal at office.

Manjari: You are right but I don’t think it would do any good joining Vimal’s office. He will be busy at work and with his father by his side he will never find time to even look at me and that will hurt me more.

Hema: so what have you planned then ?

Manjari: Hema, could you help me with a job in your office, just for a short term ? I mean, I can join as intern for 3 months or a trainee for 6 months.

Hema: You know, I m only a member in board in papers and its my brother who run the business. I won’t be present at office to help you with anything.

Manjari: Thats ok, I just need a different environment and meet different people.

Hema: Ok then, talk to Vimal and check if he is ok with you joining in my brother’s office.

Manjari thanked her and cut the call. She leaned on the headboard feeling anxiety over the decision of working.

At Maldives, Aadhi stirred in sleep and tried to roll over but she was immediately pulled back and Rishi hugged her burying his face in the crook of her neck. Aadhi opened her eyes and tilt her head to look at him. He was sleeping peacefully and his even breathe fanned against her neck. She stayed still to let him sleep. Few minutes later Rishi woke up and pressed his lips on her neck. With a smile Aadhi turned to face him and Rishi pecked her forehead mumbling good morning.

Rishi: Why didn’t you wake me up if you were already up ?

Aadhi: You looked so peaceful and I couldn’t wake you up. So what if I had to wait for a few minutes, I m in your embrace.

Aadhi pecked his lips and moved out of his embrace and rushed to the washroom. Few minutes later she emerged out of the washroom and saw Rishi sitting leaning on the headboard and smiling at something from his mobile. She sat next to him and leaned on his chest. She looked at his mobile and saw a reddish spot, somewhat like a bite mark.

Aadhi: What is this Rishu ?

Rishi: First and very special mark, the one you gave me last night.

Aadhi gasped and moved out of his embrace, with her palms covering mouth. Rishi ducked his head and looked at the mark on his chest. Aadhi followed his line of sight and saw the mark on his chest.

Rishi: Isn’t it beautiful baby ? First ever love bite and credit goes to you. You initiated it and good luck to both of us for many more love bites.

Aadhi tried to jump out of the bed feeling embarrassed but Rishi pulled her back to him and held her chin to look at her eyes.

Rishi: Don’t ever feel embarrassed love, Do you know how happy I am today ?

Aadhi: Rishu, you are such a….

Rishi: Don’t call me pervert already. Atleast you have given me a love bite but I haven’t even started doing anything to you..yet.

Rishi wrapped his arm around her and he showed her the photos of their dinner date from last night. Aadhi picked her mobile and together they posted a couple photo and one in which they were dancing with the table in the background.

Rishi: Alright time for floating breakfast. I will inform the staffs, go get ready love.

Aadhi squealed and got ready quickly and joined Rishi nearby the pool. He stood dressed in a vest, shorts and sunglass. Aadhi drooled over him until Rishi pushed her chin up with a chuckle. Rishi entered the pool first and helped Aadhi with a swim ring. She was so excited and picked a glass of juice in her hand. She raised it and Rishi clicked a photo of her smiling vibrantly.

Once they were done with their breakfast they returned to the room and settled down for a movie.

Aadhi: Rishu, do you have any idea on returning home ? You have a business to take care and I need to join college.

Rishi: I hate the normal routine life Aadhu, Why don’t we go away somewhere, only you and me.

Aadhi: What about the people who are dependant on your business for their lives ? You whine as if we are lovers and will be living in two different places. Rishu, we are husband and wife, and let me remind you that we live under the same roof.

Rishi: You don’t understand me Aadhu, once we get back to our routine life then we won’t be able to see other for atleast 6 hours.

Aadhi: What do you mean by 6 hours, shouldn’t it be atelast 8 or 9 hours ?

Rishi: Nope, We shall leave at the same time and I will be back to pick up you from college in the evening. We shall return home together and I will help you with your studies, you may help me in cooking dinner and… and … and..

Rishi held her hand and played with her fingers. Aadhi smiled knowing where he was leading so she bit her cheeks to control the smile and yanked her hand from his hold.

Aadhi: And we shall have dinner and sleep to rest since we would be tired.

Rishi: What ? No Aadhu baby, all work and no play would make your Rishu a dull boy.

Aadhu: Boy ?

Rishi: Fine, your grumpy uncle. Now tell me, what do we do ..

Aadhi: Depends on how you behave and definitely you will not come to pick up me in the evening. You will work and I will wait for you at home. We shall have dinner together and may be a little play.

Aadhi walked away and Rishi followed her with a groan. He held her elbow and pulled her to his embrace. Aadhi smiled on seeing him plead with his eyes still she refused to accept and shook her head. Rishi huffed and hugged her giving up or thats what she thought.

Rishi: Ok, I accept your terms but I have condition. You don’t have to cook dinner for us but I want you to open the door for me when I m back.

Aadhi: You are not so innocent and I see some intention behind this wish so be direct Mr. Rishu.

Rishi: Ofcourse I do have some intentions baby. You will welcome me with a kiss to boost my energy and I will cook delicious dinner for us. What say ?

Aadhi: Done, so when are we leaving ?

Rishi: Two more days please.

Aadhi bobed her head and they continued with the movie.

At Chennai Manjari woke up after a nap and picked her mobile to check for any message from Vimal but she saw few notifications from her social media accounts. She opened it and saw the photos of Aadhi and Rishi from their dinner date. She like the photos and commented with a heart emoji as usual before she entered the washroom to refresh.

At night Vimal returned home late at night and saw Manjari as usual waiting for him in the living.

Vimal: Manjari, I have told you not to wait for me. Did you have dinner ?

Manjari: I thought we shall have together. Do you want to get changed or shall I serve dinner ?

Vimal: Manjari, I really feel bad to see you wait for me. You should have food on time and rest well enough. I can serve food on my own or I would wake you up if I need your help. I will be returning late for the next couple of weeks so I don’t want to see you awake.

Manjari hummed and together they made their way to the dining. Manjari served him and they had dinner in complete silence. Returning to their room Vimal got changed before he joined her in bed. Manjari hugged him and Vimal caressed her hair.

Manjari: Vimal, I have decided to work but I don’t want to join your office. You will be busy and I don’t want you to feel guilt for not being able to give me time at office and even I might feel bad so I asked for my friend Hema to help me. She agreed to get me appointed in her brother’s office.

Vimal: I understand your point Manjari about joining our business but you could have thought of joining Rishi’s office. He would be more than happy to have you in his office. Why do you want to join someone else’s business ?

Manjari: Nothing will change if I join bro’s business. He just got married and nothing is good between us so it would be embarrassing for both of us. I m not sure if he would believe me anymore so its better I work outside family business.

Vimal: You haven’t been social with people Manjari so do you think you will be comfortable to work under someone whom you have no idea ? I will be worried about you so please think over the decision.

Manjari: I have decided to work for a short period alone Vimal. Just as an intern or as a trainee so Hema would talk to her brother and I don’t think it would be a problem. Actually I want to socialize with people so a very different environment is what I need.

Vimal: Ok, if that is what you want and if you are comfortable in doing then I won’t stop you. I will talk to mom and dad in the morning.

Manjari: Thank you so much Vimal, I love you.

Vimal kissed her forehead and closed his eyes to sleep whereas Manjari frowned when he didn’t reply to her I love you. She ignored it and closed her eyes snuggling more into his embrace.

In the morning Vimal spoke to his parents about Manjari joining her friend’s office.

Hari: what is the need for that now and why don’t she join your office ? Is there a problem working with you ?

Vimal: Dad, let her do something to her wish. She needs a break from everything that has happened in our life. She needs to meet different people so I think her decision to join her friend’s office is a right choice. I don’t want to dictate her or restrict her and keep her caged at home. Let her explore life and I m not asking you permission.

Before Hari could speak further Vimal held Manjari’s hand and walked out. He informed one of the drivers to drive Manjari to her workplace.