Chapter 32

Rishi stood stunned on hearing Aadhi’s condition to prove his love. He watched her let go of his hands slowly and before she slipped away he held her hands and pulled her back to him.

Rishi:  Since you don’t want me to be in touch with you or even stalk you, let me know the place you would choose to stay because I want to be assured that you will be safe. For sure I know you would not return to your parents home so do you have a place in mind or I will arrange for your accomodation.

Aadhi was shocked at his question and Rishi with a painful smile moved a strand of hair behind her ear still awaiting for her response.

Aadhi: I … I.. I prefer to stay in the hostel or at Malini’s home.

Rishi: Stay at Malini’s home so that I will be at peace that you have someone around you all the time and I have four request or condition, whatever you would like to assume. First request is about Vimal and Manjari. Initially I thought I would talk to you later and convince you to reveal the truth but now that you made a decision I m forced to place this first request or condition. I want to reveal about Manjari to Vimal, today I couldn’t do because you didn’t want me to do it. Its not fair to hide what Manjari did to you and him, I think he deserves to know, infact I want everyone to know Manjari’s truth. I couldn’t face Vimal and in future if he comes to know that we hid the truth from him then he would feel betrayed.

Aadhi: He must be very vulnerable right now and what if they fall apart ? Also I don’t want to justify myself to those who don’t care to trust me.

Rishi: I will not be talking to him right away Aadhu, may be a week later once they are back from hospital and get settled. They got married out of love and if this a test to their love then let them go through it. I know it would be hard for Vimal but Manjari needs a real lesson to understand people. And about everyone knowing the truth, its not about just trust, I don’t want to hear anyone blaming my wife.

Aadhi: Everyone will hate her and may be hate me too. Both the family will go through so much, everything will turn into a chaos.

Rishi: I have come to a point that we don’t anyone in our life so it doesn’t matter who hate us. I want you to prefer your happiness over everyone.

Aadhi: What are you other conditions or request ?

Rishi: The moment I appear before you after the six months period I would sure won’t be able to control my excitement on seeing you after a hell long period of six months so…

Aadhi: So ?

Rishi: So, I would like to kiss you and I need your consent right now for that and right after our first kiss you will give me the first gift, the bead bracelet Aadhu and Rishu, you bought for me in Goa. I want that as our first anniversary gift.

Aadhi: So confident that you will meet me on the anniversary day ?

Rishi: I’ve never been this confident about anything in my life before. My one final wish, or rather, my heartfelt request, is that you’ll join me wherever I plan for us to go as my real Aadhu, my wife,  the naughty, crazy and full of life. Agreed?

Aadhi: What if I don’t agree with any of these or all these ?

Rishi: My wife is so kind hearted and she could never disappoint anyone especially me so none of my wish changes except for the kiss may be. I will seek your consent to kiss you when I meet you after six months so don’t worry about that. Now if you say that you will leave nothing in memory of you, it should be fair that I get something in your memory while you have one.

Aadhi: I don’t have or will take anything in your memory Rishi.

Rishi touched the nuptial chain on her neck with a smile and Aadhi looked away unable to answer him.

Rishi: Now do you agree with my wishes ?

Aadhi: I agree but what if my preferences changes at the end of six months and I don’t want to continue in this relationship ?

Rishi stepped close to her kissed her forehead letting his lips linger for a few seconds before he backed off.

Rishi: You had countless opportunities to walk away from this relationship if you truly wanted to, but you chose to stay with me, Aadhu and Aadhu’s love for her crushy baby remains unwavering baby.

Aadhi: What would we say to our families though the chances are less about them worrying about me but your parents would be worried for you ? May be they would pester you to divorce me and marry someone else.

Rishi pulled her into his embrace and Aadhi inhaled his fragrance as she would miss him more than he would miss her.

Rishi: Don’t worry about any one Aadhu, I will take care of them and Rishu belong only to Aadhu. Focus on your studies and let us keep counting the six months. Let me know if you have any wish to fullfill like I have upon meeting you.

Aadhi Mv: I want you to hoist me and twirl around, I want to be crushed in your embrace but I won’t let you know now.

Aadhi: May be I will let you know when you show up on our anniversary day.

Rishi kissed her crown and stroke her back gently taking as much of her memories.

Rishi: We have only a day left Aadhu so I want us to spend every moment together. Now lets refresh and eat something light. Later we shall go out for dinner tonight.

Aadhi bobed her head and stepped out of his embrace. Rishi got refreshed in their bed room and Aadhi chose the guest room. Aadhi entered the kitchen with Rishi following her and he watched her look for ingredients. He opened the cabin and picked the maggie packets and placed them on the counter. Aadhi started cutting the vegetables and Rishi watched her face, the serene beauty he would miss watching for the next six months.

Rishi Mv: What would I do all alone here Aadhu ? Would it be too much to ask if you would reconsider and let me stalk you ? Wish there was a time machine and I would travel six months later the moment you walk out. I love you so much Aadhu, I will be nothing without you.

He watched Aadhi placed two bowls of maggie and walk out to the dining. He tailed behind her and they sat next to each other.

Rishi: The first time I ate maggie was when you served me. I wished to eat maggie when I was child but I was denied and I completely the hated the idea of eating noodles in life.

Aadhi: I m sorry, I didn’t know you had such idea or definitely I would have not served you that day.

Rishi: Don’t be sorry Aadhu, I really liked it and I was so full of myself that I couldn’t ask you to serve me more.

Aadhi smiled at his words and they focused filling their tummy. He watched her yawn and pulled her to the bed room to rest for a while. Aadhi was about to lay on the couch but Rishi stopped her.

Rishi: Aadhu, please sleep on the bed just for today and tomorrow. I promise, I won’t touch you, not until our anniversary. Please baby, I will set a pillow wall between us if that will make you feel comfortable.

Aadhi moved to the bed and Rishi quickly placed some pillows in the middle. They laid on either side and Aadhi closed her eyes but Rishi stayed awake watching her. As if his mind was high end PC, he was storing her memories as much as possible.

In the evening Rishi watched Aadhi speak to Malini about her stay with her for the next six months and he also heard the squeal from the other side which gave him an assurance that Aadhi would be safe with someone who really care for her. Aadhi cut the call and saw Rishi dressed up in a jean and formal shirt.

Rishi: Aadhu, I will wait for you in the living and would you dress up in a jean and shirt please ?

Aadhi: Ok, I will join you shortly.

Rishi smiled on seeing her reply to him in words without a second thought. He rushed out giving her space to get ready. He was talking to Sudhir and cleared off all his schedules for the next two days and switched off his mobile, leaving it on the couch.

He heard the sound of footsteps and turned to see Aadhi descending the stairs. She was dressed in a black jean and a crisp white shirt tucked in her pant. Her hair was neatly tied into a ponytail, a pair of simple pearl studs adorned her ears, and white sneakers completed her look. He couldn’t avert his eyes from her and stretched out his arms to her when she stopped next to him.

Aadhi slowly placed her palm in his and before they would walk out she noticed his mobile on the teapoy.

Aadhi: Rishi, you haven’t picked your mobile.

Rishi: I turned it off Aadhu, I don’t want any disturbances so I let Sudhir to handle business with the department heads so now lets head out.

Together they walked out and Rishi opened the door for her. Aadhi was clueless on the destination and an hour later Rishi stopped the car before a cozy restaurant and Aadhi felt really happy to see the place.

Rishi: I know you hate dining in a star hotel so I chose this place. I hope you would love the ambience here.

Rishi held her hand and together they entered inside. A staff welcomed them and passed a bunch of roses to Rishi which he passed it to Aadhi. They were lead to the roof top garden dine area and Aadhi instantly fell in love with the place. It looked so beautiful with plants around and the fairy lights and the natural flowers from the plants filled the place with its natural fragrance. A table was placed in the middle and Rishi pulled the chair for her.

Aadhi: Thank you, I really love this place.

Rishi: My pleasure baby and tonight I will be your waiter.

He bowed dramatcially before he moved to the casseroles placed on the long table and returned with a bowl of her favourite chats and placed it before Aadhi. She smiled on seeing the pani puri and Rishi watched her gulp and wiped her mouth with a tissue. He himself ate few before serving her favourite dishes one by one.

Once they were done with food Aadhi moved to railing and watched the night sky. Rishi stood behind her caging her between his arms and before Aadhi knew he removed the scrunchie and set her hair free. Her long hair waved against his face in the gentle wind and Rishi closed his eyes loving the feel and inhaled the fragrance of her hair.

Rishi: Aadhu, I will miss you.

Aadhi: I want you to miss me Rishi, I want us to realize what we mean to each other.

Rishi: hmmm but anytime if you need some help then contact Sudhir. He will help you with anything and sure he will be loyal to you and would not let me know of your call. Please…

Aadhi bobed her head and leaned on to his chest and closed her eyes. Just like him she wanted to take his memories with her. They stood in silence letting their heart and soul to savour the  moment. They walked out of the restaurant and Rishi drove back to the building. Before Aadhi would leave for the elevator Rishi pulled her to the royal enfield parked beside his another car.

Rishi: We are not done for the night Aadhu, lets go for a long drive.

Aadhi looked at the majestic creation before her and the helmet Rishi was passing her. She received it from him and Rishi sat and signalled her to get behind him. Aadhi wore the helmet and got seated behind him. Rishi ignited the engine and roared out of the parking. Aadhi smiled feeling the cool air and Rishi watched her from the mirror.

He came to an abrupt halt at the sight of a kulfi stall and quickly bought two from the vendor. Handing one to her, he stood in front of her, silently watching as she savored the cold, creamy treat.

Rishi: Starting from our anniversary we shall go on a long ride every weekend. I know you have a two wheeler license so I m buying you a scooty and you will take me on a ride on alternate weekends.

Though Aadhi liked the idea she rolled her eyes that he read her diary. Rishi chuckled and smeared some gulfi on her nose and cheek to tease her but regreted it when he felt the urge to clean it with his tongue. He quickly shook his head to get rid of his thoughts and bought two more gulfi for them.

Rishi: Aadhu, would you like to visit the beach at this time ?

Aadhi: Rishi, I know you got to know about my bucket list from my diary but I would like to wait until you prove. Visiting a beach at night will be very special and I hope you understand.

Rishi: I do baby, just 4416 hours..

Aadhi was shocked on hearing the calculated hours from him and Rishi pinched her cheek before he paid for the gulfis. They continued the drive for another two hours before they returned home.

With each passing minute they started feeling the pain and worry creep in their heart. That night Rishi stayed awake unable to avert his gaze from her sleeping figure.

Rish Mv: Wish I could freeze this moment and keep you with me forever Aadhu