Three months later:
Rishi arrived at Aadhi’s college and waited for her to arrive. He leaned back in his seat and reminisced the day of the culturals.
Flashback:
Rishi followed Aadhi her to the kitchen and yanked the knife from her hand to stop her cooking. Aadhi glared at him with her hands on her hip but Rishi pleaded her and pinched her cheek.
Rishi: Aadhu, please let me know the song you dance and costume you will wear for the dance program. I want to imagine you in it before I see you dressed in it.
Aadhi: Rishu, I said it will be a surprise for you. I want to see you reaction and … and I want to enjoy a little on seeing you feeling helpless that you couldn’t hug me that instant.
Rishi: God, you are killing me Aadhu. I have seen you in almost all the outfits.. saree, salwar, jean shirt, skirt, top, gown and I have seen you with nothing too Aadhu.
Aadhi: Rishuuuuuuu
She pushed him and ran of the kitchen. Rishi chuckled on seeing her blushing face and followed her to their bed room. He saw her talk to Malini and played with the button of her shirt. Aadhi held his hand stopping from doing anything. She cut the call and rushed to the closet followed by him.
Aadhi: Rishu, change in plan. Malini is on her way to pick up me. She wanted us to get ready at her home so I m leaving. Make sure you are on time so that you won’t miss my performance.
Rishi: Aadhu, this is not fair baby.
Aadhi: Everything is fair in love and war Rishu.
She kissed his cheek and started changing her clothes infront of him with a wink. Rishi picked her shirt and inhaled her fragrance.
Rishi: Aren’t you changing your inners too ?
Aadhi: Nope, they are new one so I m changing only my shirt.
She watched his eyes on her all the time and moved past him once she was ready. Rishi followed her to the living and tied the lace of her shoes.
Rishi: Take care Aadhu, call me if you need anything.
He kissed her forehead and she bade bye to him. He returned to their bed room and decided to sleep since the culturals will be held in the evening. He held her shirt to his chest and closed his eyes.
By evening he arrived at the college and since he was close to the principal and one of the members of the committe he was seated in the VIP seat of the first row. He was impatient to see his wife and moved to the edge of the seat everytime the host was about the announce the name of the students for the next performance. He gave up literally and leaned back when Aadhi’s name wasn’t announced even after the 15 performances. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose but he dropped his leg from his knee and bit his lips when the host announced Aadhi and Malini’s name.
He entwined his fingers and leaned foreward with his elbow proped on his knees to watch his little wife’s performance. The screen rolled up and he saw the stage was completely dark. A spot light fell on Aadhi and Malini who stood next to each other. Malini was dressed like a male in a white kurta and pant. Rishi’s eyes were only in his wife who stood dressed in a beautiful sky blue full skirt and half saree, her hair was braided and adorned with jasmine flowers, and bangles in her hand added to her beauty. Aadhi was quick to share a look at him since he was seated straight to her in the front row. Together Aadhi and Malini danced around for the song.
Unnai kaanadhu
Naan indru naan illaiyae
Vidhai ilaamal verillaiyae
Unnai kaanadhu
Naan indru naan illaiyae
Vidhai ilaamal verillaiyae
Rishi hid his smile when Aadhi pointed to him and twirled around with a smile. Both Malini and Aadhi were dancing gracefully.
Avvaaru nokkinaal
Evaaru naanuven
Kannadi mun nindru
Paarthu konden
Ondraaga seithida
Oru nooru naadagam
Othigaigal seidhu
Edhir paarthu irunthen
Aadhi and Malini stood like couple and Malini was trying to look at Aadhi’s blushing face in a teasing way. Rishi was looking at her and he couldn’t avert his eyes from her. He was amused to see her blush and he was sure that she was imagining him and their deeds that were relatable to the lyrics.
Edhirpaaraamalae avan
Edhir paaraamalae avan
Ohoo pin irunthu vandhu ennai
Bambaramaai sulatri vittu
Ulagunda peru vaayil endhan
Vaayodu vaai pathithaan
Ingu bhoologam endru oru porul ullathai
Indha poongothai maranthaal adi
He couldn’t avert his gaze from the way Aadi danced swaying her hip and twirled around casually dancing to the beat of the song. He was surprised that she graced the steps like a pro and stood hugging Malini and her eyes momentarily met Rishi’s intense gaze. He blew a kiss in secret to which Aadhi chuckled with a blush which added a natural grace to her dance moves.
Rishi noticed the way she had pinned her pallu to hide her assets and even her waist wasn’t visible since she had covered up by tucking the pallu. He couldn’t wait to crush her in his embrace and as soon as the performance was over he watched the audience whistle and applaud for their performance. He informed the principal and took his leave immediately. He rushed to the parking and sent a message Aadhi to meet him at the parking with a special note to return in the half saree.
Aadhi and Malini thanked the students and Yuvarj before she rushed to the parking. As soon as Aadhi got in the passender seat, Rishi immediately pulled her into a frenzied kiss since the surrounding was dark.
Aadhi: Rishu, we are in the parking of my college.
Rishi: Its dark baby and I had waited all day curious and trust me, the wait was worth. You set the stage on fire and I loved your performance. I know you were imagining me with every line of that song. You deserve something special for the way you carried yourself today so tell me what do you want.
Aadhi: What about my outfit ? I thought you would be more excited about my outfit.
Rishi: That I m Aadhu and sure I will give you a special reward tonight. I m gonna take a close look at the outfit, feel the fabric and definitely I will check for the fittings at the right place.
Flashback ends.
Rishi’s trance broke when he saw Aadhi in the passenger seat.
Aadhi: Why were you smiling all alone Rishu ?
Rishi: I was thinking of the kiss we shared here in the parking on your culturals day. Do you want me to remind you and explain the way we celebrated the night ?
Aadhi smacked his arm and together they arrived at the site of the new home and watched the constrction of their home that was half way to the completion. They stepped inside and Aadhi placed her palm on the wall of the living. Rishi placed his palm next to her and they smiled looking at each other.
Rishi: Just few more months or to be precise just 4 months and we would be living here creating a lot of memories.
They walked to the backyard and saw the construction of the gymroom and the swimming pool.
Rishi: How about we placed a swing in the gymroom. You could watch me work out everyday and I will feel energetic watching you.
Aadhi: Liar, I have seen your workout all these months so don’t try to lure me in the name of swing.
Rishi: Aadhu, you speak as if you are not enjoying the workout baby.
Aadhi: I just wanted to spare the gymroom from our workout since we have it in the backyard and there are bungalows around.
Rishi: Don’t worry, I have instructed to build high compound walls and the glasses of the windows in the gym will be safe for us to work out.
He winked at her and Aadhi elbowed him that they weren’t alone in the place. Rishi looked at the people who were carrying the bricks and cement. They had dinner before they reached home.
Vimal and Manjari had dinner and returned to their bedroom of the two storey home he bought for them. Its been 40 days they had moved into their new home and Manjari was happy about it. Its been a month they have started being intimate and Manjari was happy but that did not last when Vimal started using protection.
He cared for her, bought her gifts, flowers and they flew to Italy for a vacation just like he promised her. They were cuddling and he noticed Manjari being calm which always scared him.
Vimal: What are you thinking Manju ? Is something bothering you ?
Manjari: Vimal, don’t you think we should plan for a baby ? Its been months and I think we are ready for it.
Vimal: We just started living a normal life Manju, I m happy with going on dates, movies with you. Planning a baby is not something easy, its a huge commitment, responsibility and much more than that . I don’t think we are ready for that now. It was not easy for me to ge out of the loss so lets not hurry and enjoy this life for a while.
Manjari bobed her head with a sigh and Vimal noticed she wasn’t convinced.
Vimal: Manju, I know you could be stubborn when you are denied of something but please understand that baby is a not thing to have it being stubborn. Please don’t think too much and assume we are still not married and in love with each other.
Manjari hummed and Vimal let her think and kissed her forehead before they drifted into sleep.
The nexy day Manjari was in Harish’s room working on a file he had given her but she looked lost that didn’t go miss from the eyes of Harish. They had become good friends in the three months and Manjari felt happy to be at office rather home. Once they were comfortable with each other she shared everything happened in her life and Harish consoled her that she should be happy for the second chance in her life and move on to cherish the happiness that life was giving her.
Right now he watched her fidgeting with the pen and the file was about to slip from her hand. He moved to her and picked the file from her lap. Manjari’s trance broke when he yanked the pen from her hand.
Harish: What is running in your mind that you weren’t aware of the filing slipping from your lap ?
Manjari: Nothing just some random thoughts.
Harish: You wanna share Manju ? If you feel sharing would lesses your burden then I m all ears.
Manjari: Vimal is not ready to have a baby. I m done talking to him and I think he doesn’t …
Harish: Manju, I m sorry, but this is Vimal and your personal so you should decide on your own rather than a third person giving any suggestions.
Manjari: I thought you are my friend Harish.
Harish: Every relationship has a boundary Manju. I really care for you and ofcourse I will help you with anything but some matters that happens between you and Vimal should be addressed by you both. A third person may or may not be right to influence your mind.
Manjari: Your words won’t influence my mind but may be they can soothe the ache I m feeling.
Harish: I see a lot of changes in you and I think you deserve to be happy and I don’t think you are wrong in your thoughts. Most of the women love to have their child and you should move on from the past but I have never spoken to Vimal and I don’t know his thoughts or what he is going through so I can’t judge both of you.
Manjari: You are so perfect and your thoughts and words are so mature to not hurt anyone.
Harish: Why should we hurt someone ? I m being practical in what I do and think.
Manjari smiled and Harish pat her head before he passed a chocolate to her.
Harish: Now give me a smile. I hate this grumpy Manjari. I have a meeting outside office. Do you want to join me ? We shall finish up with the meeting and have lunch. I can invite Hema to join us if that will make you feel comfortable.
Manjari: No, I m comfortable with you so lets go.
Harish: Its a chance for you to meet people and interact with them. You can learn on approaching a customer in business. I would clear your doubts when we are back to office so make a note of your queries.
Harish moved back to his seat and Manjari watched him talk over to someone about the meeting and some presentation. Together they arrived a hotel and Harish greeted the customers and introduced Manjari as his PA as well as friend.
Manjari saw the way Harish spoke to the people though it was the first time he was meeting them. She watched him speak with confidence and the way he presented himself. She wished she had half of his confidenc and knowledge.
An hour later when they were done with the meeting Harish guided her to the table he had booked to have lunch and pulled a chair for her before he got seated.
Harish: So how do you feel since this is the first time you got to meet someone out of office
Manjari: I never spoke a word but I wish I was confident and possessed half of your knowledge.
Harish: Every businessmen have these qualities and you are surprised since I m the first person you met bossing around. You just need to come out of your comfort zone and be ready to face whatever is thrown at you, be it an appreciation or a criticsm. Everything should be balanced in life and you need to have the quality called acceptance and learn from your mistakes, failure as well as success.
Manjari: I never had such long and meaningful conversations with my family members and I have never been friendly in conversations with opposite gender. Vimal was the first male I felt comfortable and had a conversation so may that is the reason I was all over him. And we fell apart and we are back together but still there is something missing. The spark.. I don’t know..
Harish: Sometimes you should think less and that would fix most of the problems.
He passed a bowl of ice cream and she accepted with a smile.
