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Riya's Pov
"Once more?" I repeated, huffing in exhaustion to which my little nephew jiggled his hips positively.
"Bhabhi, yaar please play the previous song again, your son is hell-bent on giving me sore legs!" I groaned, stretching my muscles.
Who needs a gym when you have a one-year-old whose demands are even tougher than the gym instructor?
Currently, I was in Bhabhi's room entertaining Avyuktha with my gibberish dance moves, which lacked rhythm and synchronization. Bhabhi fed him his dinner for the day; his favorite mashed bananas.
These little munchkins always need something or someone entertaining them by any means, so that they can eat their meals peacefully without creating any fuss.
The dark reality of modern-day upbringing lies in the preference of contemporary parents to let their infants watch cartoons or poems on their mobile phones or televisions to get them distracted while feeding them. To some, it's a need amidst their busy schedules, and to some, merely a matter of convenience. However, there had been an unsaid rule at our place that we would try to eliminate Avyukht's screen time as much as we could, at least until he turned one.
Resultantly, whenever he is irritable or is given feed, Ms. Riya here prefers to become the uninterrupted source of his entertainment.
Anything and everything to bring a smile his way- whether it is singing, dancing, laughing, making faces, mimicking, sneezing, yawning, or rolling- we do all that keeps him distracted and engaged.
Nevertheless, I often find myself at the center of his entertainment, as he heartily demands no one but his Boo-Boo's weird dance moves, inflexible dance steps, uncanny comical face, and her not-so-melodious lullaby.
I was midway through the third song of the evening when I heard my phone ringing from my bedroom. Balancing a full-time job, an over-energetic baby in the house, and endless household chores, finding time to charge my phone is a luxury. After a full day's use, I typically plug it in during the evening to ensure it's ready for the next day.
My eyes twinkled with happiness when I saw my best friend's name flash on the phone screen. But before I could work on my instincts, my gaze inadvertently fell upon the battery percentage.
Unshed tears pooled in my eyes, earth swept off my feet, and my heart clenched when I witnessed that my phone's battery was still 15%, even after keeping it at charge for more than three hours.
My gaze flickered towards the switchboard, and frustration oozed through my insides, as I wanted nothing but to bang my head against the wall repetitively, because being the biggest dufus I am, I hadn't bothered to switch on the charging button.
Aditya. My mind circled upon his thought.
Damn, how will I talk to him today? That too video calling? With this, this 15% battery?
My heart sank at the mere thought because, without realizing it, over the past month I had become accustomed to our nighttime conversations-sharing the happenings of the day, his round of teasings, our unending banters, his flirtatious smiles, the comforting silences, discovering a new thing about the other, everything.
Something that's just us, and just between us.
I ignored Purva's call, plugged in my phone to charge for the next hour, and hurried downstairs to grab Mom's phone.
"Ma." I clamored until I reached her room.
"Kya hogaya tujhe? Kyu chilla rahi hai?" Maa scolded, her hand on her heart in alarm.
Ignoring her rebuke, I searched for her phone, "Phone kahan hai aapka? I have to call Purva." I asked, looking for her phone.
"Must be on the dressing table." She answered, folding the washed clothes, "Why aren't you calling her from your phone?"
"It's on charging," I hurried to pick up the phone before she could fire the next question.
"But you have kept it on charge since evening." Her brows furrowed in bewilderment.
Hey Bhagwan! These mothers want to know everything.
"Uh," I cleared my throat, "I forgot to turn on the switch," My voice turned sheepish as I prepared myself for the impending lecture.
She shook her head in disbelief, "When are you going to change this habit of yours? I Kitni baar kaha hai that always look twice at the button, and check if it's switched on or not. But nahi, these over-intelligent, highly responsible children have sworn that they will never listen to their parents, especially their mothers. Stubbornheads!" Her gaze turned ferocious with every passing word while having thoroughly memorized her scoldings, I repeated her words in my mind.
"Ab kha..." Before she could continue, I made a run for my life.
"Kisi aur din Maa. Not today." I yelled, taking the first step of the stairs.
"Kya karu main tumhara." Maa grumbled in annoyance, "Who will say she's going to get married in a month? She hardly listens to me."
***********
"So Mrs. Kansal, mil gaya time mera phone uthane ka?" My best friend teased, her brows wriggling in amusement.
"Oye, I am still Gupta, Mrs. Singla. I've got another month before I become Mrs. Kansal." I reminded with an arch in my brow, "Aur haan, kya karun, I had to spare some time for my to-be sister-in-law. Have to keep her happy, isn't it?" I chuckled, sitting cross-legged on the bed.
She rolled her eyes in response, a tinge of amused smile palpable on her lips, "Just to remind you, I am the newly married one amongst us but you are far busier than me. You didn't even pick up my phone yesterday, and the day before as well. I get it..," She pressed her lips, gazing heavenwards, "You don't love your best friend anymore." Her lips wobbled, unshed tears pooling at the corners of her eyes.
"Chal oye draamebaaz, bas kar." Her tears were long forgotten, replaced by her frisky giggles, "I called you yesterday, but your impatient husband kept on asking for you every five minutes, Purva meri tie, Purva mere shoes, Purva this, Purva that. God! Such a baby he is." Her cheeks turned ruddy, a sheepish smile gracing her lips.
"Haan haan, get married once and you will then understand how these husbands turn out to be the biggest babies." A giggle fell past my throat while she continued,
"You know, even if Rishabh knows where his things are, he still confirms it with me. And in his defense, he'll sweet-talk and say, Baby, I love it when you do these little yet meaningful things for me. It gives me that husband-wife vibe. Otherwise, you're in a rowdy girlfriend mode all day." She mimicked, shaking her head with a slightly bashful smile.
"He is all over you." I gushed, dreaming with my palms placed on my cheeks.
Her eyes gleamed with contentment, "Life couldn't have been better than this Rii." She let her heart out. Probably noticing the dilemma flickering on my face, she continued, "Don't worry, you too have Aditya in your life now who will love you to no end. Then you will be as whipped by him, as I am with Rishabh." She ended with a wink, mischief evident in her tone.
I chuckled at her theory. "Love is a distant dream at this point, Purva. We're still in the getting-to-know-each-other phase. Even after talking for hours, I feel there's so much more to discover about him. Each day reveals a new side of him"
"Haan haan, love is far but still on the way, isn't it? I can't wait for the day when you'll come to me asking for some of Purva's Special Love Advice." She rubbed her palm in exuberance.
"Advice? Voh bhi Tujhse? In my dreams." Her stature turned offensive at my remark.
"That we will see." She retorted, seeking a challenge, "Till then, start making the necessary preparations for the Queen because I'll be coming ten days before your wedding." She blew air on her freshly manicured nails.
"It's my wedding, Remember?" I knocked on the screen, trying to knock sense in her newlywed brain, "Do you want VIP treatment at my wedding as well? Wasn't your wedding enough?" My face morphed into a scowl.
She laughed at my expense, sticking her tongue out at me.
Our conversations gradually flowed for the next hour until her husband finally remembered he had a wife to attend to, who had been unavailable for the last ninety minutes.
After that, the only voice I could hear was,
'Purva come yaar now.';
'Purva let her talk to Aditya please, why are you becoming that cruel villain in their budding love story?';
'Purva have your dinner.';
'God! Purva stop giving her your shitty tips about how to keep your husband in check';
'Purva bas yaar ab!'
**************
"Hush! These children can bring heaven and hell together by their mischiefs." I mumbled to no one in particular the moment my tuition students exited the room.
After tidying up the room and dealing with the chaos the students had caused in just an hour of studying, I descended downstairs to my parents' room. As I entered, my brows furrowed and curiosity flared within me upon hearing Paa converse with someone over the call.
"Yes, Suresh ji, we'll bring her along," He gestured for me to sit beside him. "Yes, yes, we'll arrive by 1 pm tomorrow."
He paused for a moment before adding, "No, we'll be coming back the same day."
Unable to decipher the ongoing conversation, I glanced inquisitively at Bhabhi, silently raising my eyebrows to inquire about what was being discussed.
In response, she just grinned impishly, and shrugged her shoulders, leaving me deeply puzzled and bewildered.
My expectant gaze met Paa's as soon as he ended the call. He glanced at me with a meaningful look before enunciating,
"Your mom and I were supposed to go to Delhi tomorrow, Right?"
"Uh, Ji?" I blinked in confusion.
"Your in-laws are calling for you too." He stifled his smile behind his toughened stature.
"But Maa once told me that girls don't visit their in-laws' home before marriage. So how could I?" I befuddled. Paa signaled to Bhabhi to explain further.
"Rii, you can't go to their house, but you can go out with Aditya, right?" She replied, wiggling her eyebrows playfully, trying to suppress a laugh as she bit her lip.
My lips parted as realization dawned on me. Despite my efforts to appear composed-biting my lips and inner cheeks, staring down at my lap with feigned indifference, and glancing around sporadically-I couldn't suppress the silly, betraying smile that crept onto my face.
"Baaki, if you don't want to go, then also it's okay. We will let them know. They will surely understand. Haina, Mumma?" She eyed Maa for confirmation. I shook my head vehemently, pleading her with my eyes to not tease me with this. A victorious smirk appeared on her lips, certainly getting back on me for all the teasing remarks I ever made to her.
"Uh, nahi nahi Maa, I'm okay with it." I hurried into the conversation, "Also, it's Saturday tomorrow, so no college. I'll come with you two." I declared before anyone could change the plan.
I let out a nervous laugh when their chuckles surrounded me. Even Paa failed to suppress his laughter at my answer.
I didn't sound desperate. Did I?
To add fuel to my surmounting misery, my phone rang the exact moment with Aditya's video call. I facepalmed, shutting my eyes in mortification, aware that Paa being seated beside me, gained a crystal clear view of the same.
Dear Earth, please open up and swallow me.
Don't call me overdramatic, okay? Because, no matter if you are talking with no one but your fiance, these nighttime talking things do make you awkward and embarrassed, particularly in front of these dads.
Rejecting his call with great difficulty, my eyes darted towards all of them, who were staring at me amused. None of the trio made any attempt, not even a feigned one, to act casual or indifferent, which intensified my embarrassment.
I cleared my throat to speak, but no words came out. It felt as if I had lost all ability to think logically or speak coherently.
Before I could put to use my underused brain, and utter something comprehensible, Maa instructed,
"Get ready by three-thirty in the morning beta, we'll have to leave by four."
"Ji." I nodded, "Anything else?" I stood up, retreating towards the room's threshold.
"Haan Haan," Bhabhi chimed in this time, "Say Namastey to Aditya from us when you video call him upstairs." I gaped at Bhabhi in horror.
"Bhabhi, seriously!" I exclaimed, exasperated. Unable to handle any more teasing, I bolted outside at lightning speed, practically dodging each of Avyukhth's toys, while their hearty laughter echoed through the entire house moments later.
Locking the room door securely, I calmed my racing heart and rubbed my face with both palms, trying to erase the stubborn blush that seemed to have permanently settled on every corner of my face.
Sitting down on the bed, I took a deep breath and dialed his number, which he answered after just two rings.
"Hey!" His bright, joyful face filled my screen as he lay on his side, with his messy, ruffled hair and a plain white T-shirt.
"Hey." I wonder why his mere gaze makes me feel all giddy and shy.
"Why are you so red?" He quizzed, squinting his eyes. He observed me carefully as he drew the phone near his face.
"Nahi to? Why would I blush?" I blabbered in defense.
"I didn't say anything about blush. I just mentioned your face being red." He bit the inside of his cheeks, amused.
My lips parted at his remark, as I opened and closed my mouth a few times, trying to utter anything logically comprehensible.
"Rehne de, you'll not be able to find an excuse anytime soon." He chuckled, making me pout in response.
"Toh, meri would-be-wife, all set to come to Delhi tomorrow?" He whispered, a radiant glow on his face, his eyes shimmering.
Meri? Would-Be-Wife?
Am I feeling things? Yes. Is there a whole zoo jumping in my stomach? Hell, yes.
Will I survive this? No.
"You planned this, didn't you?" I stated, a lopsided grin appearing on my lips, my eyes bright and my face flushed crimson.
A wide smile beguiled his fees, his countenance beaming with happiness, "I wanted to meet you." His tone tumbled to a raspy whisper,
"I wanted to come to you at that time as well when Mom and Dad came to Hoshiarpur to fix our marriage date, but couldn't. And even I was planning to come to Hoshiarpur the next week to meet you, but before that Dad told me that your family is coming. So, I kind of persuaded him to let your parents tag you along as well." He explained, placing his arm under his head. I blinked, suddenly distracted by the sight.
Keep a check on you, Rii-Rii.
"Uh, sorry, I didn't tell you or ask you because I wanted to see your reaction. But I did ask Dad to check with your Dad if you're free tomorrow," he clarified apologetically, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
I forced my face to turn impassive, "But Aditya, I am not coming tomorrow. I have to be at college tomorrow."
His face paled, a look of horror spreading across his features as he continued to gaze at me in disbelief.
He parted his lips in dismay, "But, but Dad said you will be coming. They confirmed from your parents." He reasoned, a deep frown creasing his face.
"Ah, yes. But, I just told him that my presence at college is necessary tomorrow." I elaborated, maintaining a somber face. It took all my strength to suppress my laughter witnessing his cry-like face and puckered lips.
"You don't have to be sorry. I should have asked you before setting up all this." He blamed it all on himself, his voice glum and eyes gloomy.
My heart constricted at the sight. Thus, I refused to stretch this silly joke anymore which I intended to stretch for a few more minutes in the first place.
"Suno." I let out a dewy whisper.
His sulky eyes immediately met mine, "Hanji."
"Mazaak tha."
"Hain?" He asked, dumbfounded.
"Aapki would-be wife is coming tomorrow to Delhi. To meet you." I cuddled my pillow, relishing the different shades of happiness pouring over his chestnut countenance.
As realization dawned on him, he stared at me in bewilderment, then buried his face in the pillow, muttering incoherently in muffled voices.
Seconds later, he raised his head only to whine,
"You are so cruel." He snorted, his nose flaring in annoyance.
"You are stuck with this cruel woman Mr. Kansal. I am not leaving you anytime soon. This is just the beginning." I chuckled, and his vexed expression soon transformed into a full-blown dimpled smile.
"I'm not planning to let you go anytime soon, soon-to-be Mrs. Kansal. You're stuck with me for a lifetime."
His words sparked a blush on my cheeks, and our eyes remained locked without a single blink, bridging the virtual gap as if we were sitting inches apart, wrapped in each other's vicinity.
Those opalescent irises laced with intensity, his magnetically swoon-worthy dimpled smile, his radiantly glowing flustered face, those wisps of unruly, messy hair, and that light stubble. Everything that belonged managed to daze my senses, silencing all rational thoughts and causing my heart to beat erratically.
It astonishes me to the core how he can embody fire and ice simultaneously. He ignites the fire on my crimson face yet brings tranquility to my heart like no other.
Our intense gazes remained locked for a few seconds until we couldn't sustain this intimate yet beautiful gesture any longer.
Flustered, we looked away, and a sudden awkwardness filled the air between us as we bid each other goodnight. Silently but impatiently, we awaited the dappled sunlight to break through the vivid blue sky so that we could relive the intensity all over again, this time truly surrounded by each other's vicinity.
Our racing hearts, after all, yearned for nothing but each other's presence to quell the burgeoning fire within us.
**************
Heya Dear Ones!
Ahem Ahem, our Riya and Adi are going to meet in the next chapter? Who's excited?ðð
If you could travel to the past, what advice would you give to yourself a year or two back?
Did you like the chapter? Please do share your views!!
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Until Next Time,
Lots of Love
Râ¤ï¸