Chapter 7

Aadhi entered the pooja room and saw Vaani had finished the pooja.

Vaani: We wake up at 4 Aadhi. You are new here so no problem, you will get used to it. What time do you wake up at your home ?

Aadhi: I wake up at 4 aunty. I was too tired after a long day yesterday but I will wake up early from tomorrow.

Vaani smiled and made her way to the kitchen. Aadhi applied vermillion on her forehead and looked at the goddess before her.

Aadhi Mv: Aren’t you annoyed with people waking you at 4 in the morning ? May be you are used to it but don’t you feel pity for me ? Poor Aadhi will have to wake up at 4 and when do I get to sleep then ? Please show some mercy goddess.

Aadhi entered the kitchen and saw Vaani pouring coffee into the cups.

Vaani: Take a cup for yourself Aadhi.

Aadhi: Shall I take a cup for him too aunty ?

Vaani: No Aadhi, Rishi will have coffee with his breakfast. You go dry your hair and have this coffee.

Aadhi thanked her and returned to the room with a coffee. She sat on the couch and sipped on the coffee scrolling through her mobile. She smiled on seeing messages from her brother to check on her.

She sent him a picture of her sipping coffee and moved to the balcony and chuckled on seeing a swing. She sat on it and enjoyed the coffee. She heard sound in the room and guessed Rishi must be back after bath.

Aadhi: Looks like Rishu is in room, let me give him a surprise.

She entered the room and saw him in a white button down shirt and black pant. He was standing before the mirror and setting his hair and on seeing her he stopped and showed his forefinger as if he was waiting to warn her.

Rishi: Are you really nuts ? Don’t you understand one thing that I want my room neat and tidy. Clear up everything and get rid of your clothes from the washroom. I don’t want your clothes while I enter. Got it ?

Aadhi blinked at him as if her mind was busy in plotting against him.

Rishi: Don’t you dare to wink or pass kiss at me. Don’t you understand a simple langugage ? You mean nothing to me ?

Aadhi: Rishu, relax. I will remove my clothes and it is not good to be tensed so much. You will have wrinkles on your face. You are already 30 and do you want to look like you are 40 ?

Rishi: SHUT UP.

Aadhi signed as zipping her mouth and walked past him bumping on his arm. Rishi clenched his fist and watched her collect the sarees from the couch and swayed her hip walking to the closet.

Rishi hit his forehead and returned to get ready for office. He felt it would be better to stay away rather then being around her and getting annoyed every minute.

He arrived in the living and saw his father and grandfather in a serious discussion.

Rishi Mv: They have done enough damage to my life so there could be nothing that I should worry about their conversation.

He called his mother asking for a coffee surprising everyone. His grandpa smiled on seeing Rishi who ignored him. He saw Aadhi descending the stairs and she touched Raghavan and grandpa’s feet to which Rishi rolled his eyes.

Grandpa: I was waiting you for Aadhi. Sit down and we have a surprise for you.

Rishi snapped his head towards his grandpa on hearing the word surprise. He was now alert that something wasn’t good so he rose to his feet and called his mother who came with his coffee.

Rishi: Mom, I just got a call from Sudhir. Need to be in office so I will leave now.

Before he could step out his grandpa called him and Rishi groaned internally pinching the bridge of his nose.

Rishi: Grandpa, I have something urgent to be taken care of. Please understand.

Grandpa: I m not stopping you Rishi but make sure you windup your work by noon and I want you at home.

Rishi: But why ?

Grandpa: Its a surprise now get lost and make sure to be home as soon as possible.

Rishi walked out without sparing a glance at anyone and contemplated if he should leave or stay home.

Rishi: Its better to stay back and stop anything they are planning now. Yes, leaving her with them will be adavantage to her. I can’t let them ruin my peace anymore.

He walked back inside and everyone looked at him puzzled. Rishi cleared his throat and saw Aadhira trying to hide her smile.

Rishi: Actually, Sudhir is working on it and I have given him instructions.

He sat opposite to his grandpa and saw his mother

Vani: I just spoke to Manjari. She sounded very happy and they are planning to fly to Maldives for their honeymoon.

Grandpa: Good, So Rishi, what have you planned for you honeymoon ?

Rishi: Grandpa, I m busy for the next 2 months. We are working on very important deals so its extremely difficult.

Grandpa: I know Rishi that is why I planned for a 3 three days trip to Goa. You and Aadhi need some time to know each other so go pack your things and you are leaving this evening. Everything is arranged for your stay there.

Rishi saw the glint in Aadhira’s eyes and didn’t want to give her the pleasure of winning against him.

Rishi: Grandpa, she is just a student. Let her complete her studies and I will focus on business right now. I don’t want her to be distracted, our marriage happened to your wish but I don’t want you to force us in rushing in anything else. She will concentrate on her studies.

Aadhi: He is right grandpa, I had taken leave  due to all wedding rituals. A lot of assignments are pending and I need to submit them.

Rishi Mv: What is she planning now ?

Raghavan: Rishi, just 3 days trip will not change anything. A friendly trip will help you both understand each other better so go pack your things.

Rishi: I m sorry dad, I can’t.

Grandpa: Don’t you think it would be injustice to Aadhira when her brother is taking your sister to Maldives for honeymoon and here you are not ready to take her to Goa for 3 days ? You are not a kid Rishi ?

Rishi Mv: Ofcourse I m not a kid but you want me to take a kid, a brat with me to a trip.

He left to his room and Vaani informed Aadhi to follow him and pack their things for the trip. Aadhi entered the room and saw Rishi throwing his blazer on the bed. She closed the door and twirled around and bumped on to Rishi.

Rishi: Watch out your actions girl.

Aadhi: Rishu, I didn’t know you had plans already. Is this why you didn’t want me to unpack my things last night ? So sweet of you Rishu but they are too much for 3 days trip so I will pack for only 3 days. Come on quick I will help pack your things.

Rishi: Don’t you dare to touch my things and don’t act dumb. I know the real you and I hate you. You hear me ? I hate your attitude, I hate, the way scream in the name of talking, I hate the double face of yours. Be sensible and stay away from me and this trip will not change anything between us. You will mind your business and leave me alone.

Aadhi: Rishu, don’t make any plans already. We are husband and wife so any plans should be made together. Let me pack first and later we shall have this discussion or we shall do it on reaching Goa.

She giggled and entered the closet to start her packing. Rishi sat on the couch holding his head and started thinking if he could cancel the trip somehow. An hour later when there was no noise in the room he frowned and entered the closet looking for Aadhira. He saw her sleeping in a sitting position leaning on her trolley.

He picked his trolley from the wardrobe and dropped on the floor with a thud. Aadhira woke up startled and caught her chest. She looked around panting for air in fear and saw Rishi packing his things. She sighed in relief and rose to feet only to stumble on her luggage but managed to stand steady before she made her way to Rishi.

Aadhi: Rishu, you should have called me to help you. Sorry I fell asleep, you know I woke up at 4 so I fell asleep.

She was about to touch the trolley but Rishi showed his palm and Aadhi backed off. She sat on the couch with her legs folded and made a call to her brother who answered in the first ring.

Aadhi: Bro, where you waiting for my call ?

Vimal: Duckling, I was waiting for you call. Now tell me how is your life ? Are they taking good care of you ?

Aadhi: Bro, I m very fine and you know Rishu is taking me to Goa today. I just finished my packing and wanted to help Rishu but he didn’t want to trouble me so he is doing on his own.

Vimal: Really ? Is he taking care of you ?

Aadhi: Bro, what question is this ? Ofcourse Rishu is so good to me. So how is my sister in law doing ? You better take good care of her or you are answerable to me.

Rishi’s hands stopped for a while on hearing her words. He felt something prick his heart but he ignored and continued packing his things trying to avoid listening to her conversation.

Vimal: She woke up late today and felt really bad so I taught her your technique to follow from tomorrow.

Aadhi threw her head back and laughed hearing it. Rishi closed his ears and stormed out leaving the trolley open. Aadhi finished her chat with Vimal and entered the room.

Aadhi: Rishu, why haven’t you completed your packing ? Are you confused on choosing your outfit ? Shall I help you ?

Rishi: If you really wanted to help me then please close the shutter of your mouth while I m in the room.

Aadhi chuckled at the way he said and shut her mouth with her palm. Rishi returned to the closet to complete his packing. Rishi stayed in his home for the rest of the day and Adhira slept to her wish.

By evening she got ready in a full sleeve full length gown and walked out of the closet. Rishi walked out pulling his trolley and Aadhi followed him with her trolley.

Grandpa: Have a nice time both of you and Rishi, take good care of Aadhi.

Rishi bobed his head carelessly and walked out. Aadhi bade bye to everyone and followed Rishi to his car. She sat in the passenger seat and watched Rishi driving with one hand.

Aadhi: Wow, Rishi, you drive with one hand ? Will you teach me driving when you are free ?

Rishi: I m a CEO of a company not a driving instructor.

They arrived at the airport and waited for the security check in. As soon they boarded the plane Rishi plugged his airpods and started working on his laptop. Aadhi watched him leaning on the window pane. As soon as they laned in Goa, Aadhi tried to catch up with Rishi who was walking equivalent to her running. They saw a man holding a placard with Rishi’s name and Rishi quickly placed his luggage in the trunk of the car. He watched Aadhi panting for air and glaring at him.

Aadhi: You should walk Rishu. I had to run to catch with you. Pity your poor wife.

She pushed her trolley towards him and got seated in the back seat. Rishi saw the driver watching them so without a word he placed her trolley in the trunk and instead of sitting beside her, he chose the passenger seat. The driver stopped the car before a cottage and helped them carry the the luggage to their room. Rishi thanked him and saw Aadhi running around and checking the place.

Aadhi: Rishu, this place is heaven. It has a indoor pool, living room, kitchen and a bed room. I will get changed first. This is so annoying.

She quickly pulled the trolley to the bed room and Rishi plopped on the couch waiting for her to walk out. In less than 5 minutes the door opened and Rishi rose to his feet to get changed into casual outifts but choked on seeing Aadhi walking out dressed in a shorts and T shirt.