Chapter 9

On the last day of their stay in Goa, Aadhi followed Rishi as he kept walking around the pool busy on a call with Sudhir. She ran to his front and pleaded with him squinting her eyes but Rishi turned away and started walking in the opposite direction. He cut the call and stopped abruptly that made Aadhi bump on to his back. Clenching his mobile he turned around and Aadhi took a step back scared on seeing him.

Rishi: Stop fucking annoying me or I will just throw you into the sea.

Aadhi: Wow Rishu, you mean you will take me to the beach to play ?

Rishi: I know you are not that dumb to not understand what I meant so stop your act because I m not falling for it. I hate annoying people like you and I m not taking you anywhere. Just another 16 hours and we are going back to Chennai.

He stormed to the room and Aadhi stood thinking of a way to convince him and finally she entered the living and turned on the music and counted 5 when Rishi opened the door of the bedroom with a bang and switched off the TV immediately.

Rishi: Why can’t you understand a simple thing that I m not interested in going anywhere with you especially to some market ? I m right that you are immature and will never let me live in peace.

Aadhi: Rishu, say whatever you want but please take me to the market. I want to do some shopping and I won’t get another chance so please Rishu. Either you take me shopping or don’t stop me from watching TV. this or that ?

Rishi kicked the teapoy in frustration and looked at his watch.

Rishi: 2 minutes or you will stop annoying me…

Aadhi didn’t let him complete and rushed to the bedroom and returned pulling a summer gown over head above her shorts and T shirt. She picked the sneaker and handbag in her hands and stood ready before him.

Aadhi: I m ready Rishu, lets go and I will wear sneakers on way.

Rishi: Have you ever heard of fashion, styling or atleast being presentable ? You want me to accompany you when you are dressed like this ?

Aadhi: Come on Rishu, you wanted me to ready in 2 minutes and you can’t expect me to appear before you like a model. Also this is perfect for the place we are going. I have googled about the place and trust me my costume is perfect to bargain.

Rishi: Excuse me ? You will bargain ?

Aadhi: Ofcourse Rishu, my father won’t pay me money very often and I used to do shopping at places where I can bargain. Malls and boutiques are not my cup of tea.

She ran out and Rishi with a irritated face followed her. As usual they never spoke a work until they reached a market. Aadhi informed the driver to park a little way and she squealed on seeing the shops on either side. Rishi rolled his sleeves and followed her and was annoyed on watching her run from one shop to another even without buying anything.

Finally she stopped in a shop and bought a beautiful shawl, kunbi sarees, spices. Rishi wiped the sweat on his face and just kept paying for whatever she was buying. Aadhi ran to a jewelry shop and bought a ethnic silver anklet.

Aadhi: Rishu, look at this, isn’t it so beautiful ?

Rishi saw it was really beautiful but didn’t want to agree with her so he made a disgusting face.

Aadhi: Shall I buy this Rishu ?

Rishi: Look, I m here only to pay for whatever you are buying so buy whatever you want or I better I will give you the money and wait in the car. You can take your own time to look around here.

Aadhi: Rishu, I didn’t want you to come with me to just pay the money, your opinion matters Rishu and I m done with my shopping so lets go.

She chose the anklet and Rishi paid for it. Before they could leave the shop, a earring caught her attention. She picked it and Rishi was about to pay for it but Aadhi paid from her money. Rishi informed the driver to take them to a mall and Aadhi followed him to a jewel shop. She stood next to him and watched him a looking at various daimond earrings. He bought a necklace and earring and Aadhi followed him out after he paid for it.

The driver informed them there was a beach close by and Rishi agreed to visit it before returning to the hotel. Rishi  sat on the shore and Aadhi saw a crowd and walked towards it. Rishi saw her crouching there. An hour later she returned holding two cotton candy and passed one to him but he turned away ignoring it.

Aadhi: Rishu, life doesn’t give second chances to most of the things so accept or you will regret later.

Rishi: I m not kid to regret over a cotton candy.

Aadhi shrugged and started eating it and later she started building a small home in the sand. Rishi watched few hair strands disturbing her and she was trying to move it with her arm. He saw the home she built was open without roof and it had two room, a living and a kitchen. She wrote something before the home and turned to him with a smile.

Aadhi: Look Rishu, this is our home, small and compact. We shall name this Aashi’s abode. Isn’t it nice.

Rishi: Stay here then.

He rose to his feet and walked away. Aadhi quickly dusted the sand from her gown and ran behind him. By the time she reached the car he was waiting for her and she panted for air.

Aadhi: How about I change your name to Gulliver ? Wow, this sounds a nice idea. I will write about this trip and name it Goa with Gulliver.

Rishi: SHUT UP

Aadhi raised her hand and settled beside him. They reached the hotel and as soon as they got down she passed a  bag to the driver.

Aadhi: Thank you much bro, you had been so patient with us all the three days so a little complient from me and my Rishu. Don’t forget us and may be next year we shall visit once again on our anniversary.

Rishi picked the bags and walked away leaving her to chat with the driver who was so emotionally on receiving a gift. He turned around and saw them writing something in a paper.

Rishi Mv: May be she is sharing her number with him. Idiot, how could she share her number someone who she knew for only 3 days ?

They entered the room and Aadhi decided to bath immediately or she knew Rishi would throw her out of the room. She returned and saw him waiting with a towel.

Aadhi Mv: Smart grandpa he booked a room with single bedroom or sure Rishu would have chose to stay alone.

They slept early since they had a early flight to return Chennai. The next morning they arrived at Chennai and driver was waiting at the airport to pick up them. Vaani welcomed them home and they met Raghavan and grandpa in the living.

Grandpa: So, how was your trip ? Did you two enjoy ?

Aadhi: Orcourse grandpa, it was so refreshing. Actually we bought gifts for you all.

She opened the trolley and passed a  shawl to Grandpa, sarees to Vaani and perfume to Raghavan.

Aadhi: Rishi, chose all these gifts for you. Actually he has some special gifts too.

She looked at Rishi who was shocked on seeing everything. He thought she did all the shopping for her. He opened his trolley and passed a diamond earring to his mother and showed a necklace which he bought for Manjari.

Grandpa: Rishi, enough about our gifts. Tell us what did you buy for Aadhi ?

Aadhi: Actually grandpa he chose a diamond choker for me but I didn’t want anything in diamond so he bought me my favourite earring.

She showed the earring she bought with her money and Rishi felt bad and walked way feeling a prick in his heart.

Aadhi: He is upset I denied his gift but I promised that I will buy something later.

Grandpa smiled at her and Vaani let Aadhi to refresh. Aadhi entered her toom dragging her trolley and plopped on the couch. As if she got reminded of something urgent she opened her trolley and stood before Rishi with her hand outstretched.

Rishi saw a beads bracelet in her palm and raised his brow questioning her though he knew what she wanted do with that.

Aadhi: Rishu, yesterday I bought this for you. This is not ordinary bracelet. Take a close look at it it has our names. Aadhu and Rishu. Isn’t it nice, Aadhu and Rishu ? Will you please wear it ?

Rishi: Do you know who I am ? I run a business and I meet so many people every day. You want me to wear a bead bracelet to meet business people ?

Rishi shook his head and walked away. Aadhi placed the bracelet in her trolley and later in the evening Raghavan informed Rishi to meet Manjari and Vimal and give the gifts personally. Adhi got dressed in a beautiful saree and followed him to his car. Rishi smirked on seeing her attire and knew he will get to see her drama as soon as they reach her parents home.

Aadhi called for her mother and brother the moment she stepped inside with Rishi behind her. Kavitha walked out of the kitchen and hugged her. Hearing their voices Vimal and Manjari walked out of their room. Vimal and Aadhira hugged each other immediately and he twirled her. Rishi and Manjari were shocked to see their bonding.

Aadhi: Bro, where is our father ?

Vimal: He is not home duckling. How are you Aadhi ?

Kavitha and Manjari smiled at Rishi and invited him to be seated. Vimal pulled Aadhi with him and sat next to her. Rishi sat opposite to them and watched them greeting each other as if they are seeing after years. Aadhi opened her handbag and gifted the anklets to Manjari and a saree to Kavitha.

Manjari: Bro, you bought this silver anklet for me ?

Aadhi; No, sister in law. I bought this for you. Your brother has bought a very special gift for you.

Vimal, Rishi and Kavitha felt bad but Manjari was waiting for the gift from her brother. He passed a box and she smiled on seeing the diamond necklace in it.

Manjari: You never fail to impress with your choice bro. This is so beautiful.

Vimal screwed Aadhi’s ear and she tried to get out of his hold.

Vimal: You didn’t buy me anything duckling ?

Aadhi: How will I forget bro ? I bought something you wanted for a long time. You felt bad and couldn’t eat and sleep properly for a week after you lost my gift so I bought…

Vimal: Oh my god, Aadhi.. please give me ..

He showed his wrist and Aadhi picked a bracelet from her handbag and clasped it around it his wrist.

Vimal: Aadhi and Vimal… Thank you su much Aadhi. I really missed the bracelet a lot. I still don’t know how I lost the bracelet you gave me last year.

Aadhi: Its ok, now I got you one so you better buy me more gifts when you return from your honeymoon.

Vimal: Ofcourse I will buy for you duckling. Now tell me what did your husband gift you.

Aadhi showed the earring she was wearing and said the same story she recited to Rishi’s family. Vimal saw the earring and looked at the diamond necklace in Manjari’s hand. He grit his teeth and looked at Rishi who had his gaze on the anklet on the teapoy before him. Vimal picked the anklet and looked it for a while.

Vimal: Aadhi, this is very beautiful so I will save this for my daughter. I can alter the size and I m sure she will love the first gift from her uncle and aunt.

Kavitha served tea and snacks to everyone and Hari entered the home at the same time. The entire atmosphere changed and Aadhi smiled gently and touched her father’s feet. She never sat after her father’s entry and stood next to her mother.

Vimal: Aadhi, when are you joining college ? Your exams are nearing so focus on your studies.

Hari: Vimal, she is now Rishi’s responsibility and its their personal decision.

Rishi looked at Aadhi and he wasn’t surprised to see her standing without objecting her father as if she was ok with whatever decision he would take.

Rishi: I have a meeting so we will leave now.

Hari: You have come for the first time Rishi so please stay back for dinner.

Rishi: Some other day uncle.

Rishi and Aadhi walked out and Vimal stopped them by the car.

Vimal: Rishi, I just have one request. Please let her complete her studies.

Aadhi: Bro, Rishu is strict like you in my studies, he has already warned me that he will check my assignments regularly.

Vimal: Aadhi take care.

Rishi and Aadhi got in the car and as soon he car drove out, Rishi saw Aadhi back to her cheer self.

Rishi: Which is your true color ? The act that you were showing before your father or the way you behave a brat and torture me ?