Do follow me buddies, so that you don't miss out on any important announcement.
Do vote (The Star Iconâ) and comment. It motivates your author to write more.
You can also follow me on Instagram ( ruhaniwrites_ ) for story updates, recommendations and writing tips.
Happy Readingâ¤ï¸
*******
Aditya's Pov
The evening was crisp already, a wedge of sunlight bursting through the thick fluffy clouds, with some light breeze whispering hushedly, having its own little secret conversations with the lush green grass, and the blooming flowers around.
It was as if these cool gusts of wind were singing a song intentionally, to stir the unraveled emotions within us, as it greets our skin time and again with its mildly soft and soothingly calm touches. Undoubtedly these carefree wisps of breeze were as smooth as velvet and as peaceful as the summer sea.
However, despite the tranquility around us, my heart wasn't at peace, and my mind hazed.
It was Restless, Anxious, Unsettling.
These breezy gusts of fresh air miserably failed to pacify the unnerving emotions bubbling in the pit of my stomach.
Because today, I've to witness the woman of my life, whose infectiously magnetic smile had swooned my heart the first time I saw her, with that humorless, lifeless smile, and those empty morose eyes.
The sight itself churned my insides to the core and stirred some incomprehensible sensations within, which I would never want to experience in my upcoming life, ever. Nor did I want her to go through such humongous mountains of self-doubts that she has been carrying since eternity.
Maintaining a firm, determined gaze, I peered at her, and whisper asked softly yet sternly,
"What did you say? Arrogant? Egoistic? Boring? Overly mature? Colorless? Passive? Nerdy? and what? Lackluster? This is how people defined you? And this how you are defining yourself?"
She averted her eyes to the other side ignoring my question and kept mum as she kept looking at the surroundings unblinkingly. Her face marred with a big scowl, frows knitted tightly, and lips pursed, probably not liking my edgy tone.
"Look at me, Riya" I called, my voice firm, but the tone as gentle and as tender as I could.
"You are going to look at me only, and not anywhere else. And you are just going to listen to what I say. Okay?"
"Okay." She matched my gaze the exact stance, and replied inaudibly, nodding meekly, not for once diverting her eyes.
My gaze intuitively wandered to our enclosed palms, and my mood lifted within a fleeting second as quiet contentment spread through my veins, seeing how perfectly her fingers get interlaced with mine and how flawlessly she fits my life.
I don't know what the future entails for us, but I wanted to live this moment and remove all the inhibitions and apprehensions she has so wrongly developed for herself.
Lifting my head, I matched my unwavering gaze with hers and spoke each word, and each sentence as patiently and calmly as I could,
"You are not reserved Riya, you just choose your circle wisely, because, you are a woman who believes in good character, high morals, and realistic friendships, instead of the huge bunch of materialistic, corrupt, unworthy brats insidiously disguised as friends.
You aren't passive, instead, you are the epitome of patience and innocence. Pure, raw, and unfiltered.
You aren't boring, because your presence enough is to enlighten someone's day.
And you are no way near to some of the social butterflies around because you believe in deep, thoughtful, and meaningful conversations which is not everybody's cup of tea in this nefariously social mundane world.
You aren't arrogant or egoist, because you believe in intentions over words, and reality over unachievable fantasies. Anybody who would bother having long conversations with you would know you are the most humble person they could've ever met.
You aren't outgoing and social, because you are a tremendous listener, who holds the power to be the guiding light in someone's life.
You aren't overly mature, instead, you are a woman who can be fire and ice, practical and childlike at the same time.
The choices you make and the decisions you take aren't influenced by someone, because you are my spontaneous- spitfire who knows what's good for you, and what's not.
You aren't nerdy, instead, you are the most passionate woman I've ever come across. It takes a lot of determination and optimism to love and value your profession, and be the best in it. It takes a lot of guts to prioritize knowledge over unnecessary, unrealistic luxuries in life.
You aren't lackluster, because your confidence speaks volumes and your aura screams effervescence.
And most importantly, you aren't colorless, because ever since you've stepped into my life, you've added abundant colors to it.
You are that brightest color in the sketchbook of my life, which has added unadulterated hope for our beautiful, vigorous, and vivaciously colorful future ahead."
A lone tear escaped from the corner of her eye, as she peered at me with her pure, innocent gaze unblinkingly. Squeezing her hands, I added as tenderly as I could,
"How can I doubt my decision of choosing you, when I know I'll be choosing you and you only, over and over again, every single time I'll be asked to make a choice.
No matter how many uncountable perfect options of alliances are given to me to choose from, I'll always choose this imperfectly perfect woman in front of me, instead of any perfect woman around."
She smiled, the same real, pure, and heartwarming smile, making my lips curve up merely at the sight of her smiling so beautifully.
I continued, my smile now gone, a serious look making its way on my face.
"You talk about you not making efforts right? You talk about you not initiating any conversation right?
Us, sitting here, and having this particular conversation is in itself the answer to your question Riya.
If you wanted you could have stopped yourself from confiding all this from me, but you didn't.
Isn't this the effort and emotional investment you are making towards us and our relationship?
The woman who would dodge all such conversations has herself initiated the topic, she would avoid the most.
And see it's just the beginning, and you've already started opening yourself up, and we have to go a long, long way ahead. Together and Unitedly."
Her lips quivered, and her eyes turned moist, her pellucid gaze fixated on me, but her mind lost somewhere, thinking profoundly.
I continued, as I direly needed to clear all her doubts today, and just today itself.
"Remember that day when you told me you were downstairs and then ran upstairs when I called you?
If you wanted you could have ascended the stairs at your own pace, without considering my incoming call. But your breathless voice, your impatient hello, itself revealed how eagerly you await my call.
You sure never call me in the first place, but you do wait for our conversation as restlessly as I wait for it. Isn't it? Intentions and actions over words, Remember?
And, I know, with time, you'll become more vocal, more expressing, more open, more carefree and things will not remain the same as it is today, so why would I ever feel frustrated or disappointed by you or something I know will never last?
We over me, that's what you said that day, isn't it? Then how can I doubt you and choose me over you, or me over us, when I've started considering us as one from the first day we met itself?"
I finished hoarsely, our eyes locked in an intense eye contest, having its own secret, little conversations.
"Can I suggest you something?" She asked a few seconds later, a teensy weensy warm smile playing on her lips.
"What?" I knitted my brows together, thoroughly confused.
"Forget coding, and start your own counseling firm. It will reach great heights that too in just a few days. My guarantee!!" She advised in her innocent childlike tone, and I threw my head back in laughter at her visionary suggestion.
"This is the only conclusion that you have drawn from my fifteen minutes speech, Huh?" I spoke, squinting my eyes playfully.
She bobbed her a little enthusiastically and whispered smilingly, her eyes twinkling
"You've become my personal favorite counselor. Do you know that?"
Feigning a thoughtful face, keeping my index finger on my chin, I answered teasingly,
"Umm, not until now." I shook my head, feigning innocence."
"But I do know that this favorite counselor of yours is available at your service every second of the day. Exclusively for you missy!!" I added, dramatically bowing my head in front of her.
She giggled heartily at my actions and kept looking at me admiringly, her eyes crinkled at the corners.
"You know, your nose turns into this deep shade of red when you cry." I flicked her nose playfully, narrowing my eyes, and she pouted swatting my hands playfully, her cheeks crimson partially from the emotional turmoil she went through, and partially because of the blush.
"I wasn't crying!" She exclaimed incredulously, widening her eyes a little.
"Acha? Then what was that big fat tear that rolled from your eyes a few minutes back?" I asked, wiggling my eyebrows questionably.
"That, that, that...." She tried answering, as she fumbled with her words, thinking of any reasonably logical excuse.
"Rehne de tu, no need to find excuses now." She scowled at my words, her face puffed in annoyance, and I chuckled, shaking my head at her antics.
How effortlessly she can transform herself from a mature, practical woman to this dramatically innocent child, is still a mystery to me.
"Acha chal on a serious note, You still have any doubts now? About me, about yourself, about us? I probed the air amidst us transforming to serious.
She shook her head, and answered warmly,
"These seeds of self-doubt that have been implanted since childhood are still stuck in my roots Aditya, and they have been growing ever since, hence it couldn't be eradicated in a stance as it will take its own sweet time separating myself from them." She spoke her eyes down casted, and added lifting her head,
"But it surely has reduced after today. Moreover, you are here, and so do Aditya Special Life Lessons, these doubts will have to leave my inner self because my counselor isn't going to let them reside in me anymore." She ended, smiling positively, her eyes gleaming.
Nodding subtly, I spoke, "You don't have to let this one thing be the thing that defines you Riya. No personality trait, no looks, no incident, no situation, and no choice is worthy enough to make people or you yourself define you. Okay?" I whisper asked.
"Okey Dokey." She said smiling, probably to lighten the air amidst us.
"Come now, let's take one last round and then leave." I stood up, looking at my wristwatch, and left her hand to straighten the creases on my jeans.
She stood up, right after me and we started walking in amicable silence.
After few minutes of silently walking , admiring the view around, and peacefully enjoying the weather, I randomly looked sideways, to see her already staring softly at me, with the same blushful smile I've become accustomed to.
A sudden flare of joy streaked through me as after few more seconds of ambling, her hand found mine again, those soft little fingers interlinked with my slender, calloused ones in an impervious grip.
And to my heart's contentment, this time it was not me who made the move,
It was her.
*****
Riya's Pov
"Bas, I'm tired now. How can you walk so much!" I scowled, huffing and stopped midway tugging him, causing him to stop as well.
This man beside is so engrossed in walking as if it's the only ultimate motive left in his life. If it was to be in his hands, he would make me walk for the whole day unstoppably. If I wouldn't have stopped him, he would have kept walking for another two rounds.
Chuckling, he replied, "Sorry Sorry, come, let's go."
We strode in the direction of the exit of the park and made our way towards the car.
Settling inside, I pressed my legs to soothe the aching pain that has started to develop in my joints.
Huffing, I glared at him and asked annoyed, "Who makes his own fiancee walk so much, that too the first time she comes in his city?"
Rolling his eyes, he replied, "We just took three rounds Riya, that too in totality. You need to build your diet missy. Even sparrows eat more than you." He finished raising his brows, helplessly shaking his head.
"Haww, my diet is perfectly fine mister. I eat 2 chapatis in breakfast and lunch, and one in dinner." I gave a pointed look to him, crossing my arms over my chest, suddenly proud of my eating capacity.
Unreasonably Proud, I would say.
"Wow! Such a great diet you have!." He retorted sarcastically, and revved the engine, while I stomped my foot inaudibly at his sarcasm.
"Now you want to eat anything or not? You've to travel for seven hours straight after reaching home."
"No. I am not hungry." I mumbled, closing my eyes as I leaned sideways towards the windowpane.
"And then she says, 'I eat a lot and my diet is perfectly fine.'" I smiled hearing him mimic me, in his gruff, grumpy voice.
"I heard that!" I said, still closing my eyes, my lips quirked up.
"Good for you then! Vaise bhi you hardly pay any heed to my words" He grumbled, probably shaking his head in annoyance, while I royally ignored his remark.
Our car came to a halt after a few minutes of walking as I looked outside to see an unfamiliar market packed with a huge rush of Delhites.
I looked at him questionably, and asked,
"Where?"
"Chandni chowk." He said, removing his seat belt.
"Why?"
"God, Stop asking questions Riya, and come." I pouted at his words, silently cribbing and sulking at the thought of my poor legs walking again, and exited the car.
He stopped midway after a few seconds of walking towards the market, as I heard him say, his tone hesitant,
"Uh, Riya?"
"Hmm" I stared at his side, my face marred with the huge scowl due to walking so much in a single day.
"Uh, I guess I haven't locked the car. Like I've locked the car, but uh I didn't check." He spoke gulping a little, rubbing the side of his neck and I somehow knew what he was insinuating.
"Now you want to go back and check that it's locked or not. Right?" I glared at him murderously, planting my hand on my waist.
"Uh, yeah" He nodded his head meekly, his face contorted in fear as if I would eat him raw for this.
"God, Why don't you men do things a little carefully. These males want to drive the car, but don't know a simple thing called a car lock. Ayaansh bhai does the same. Come now, let's go back again." I whined, stomping my foot, all the while a sullen look imprinted on my face.
I helplessly rolled my eyes seeing the already locked car when we reached there, and he happily exclaimed,
"See, I said na that it's locked." Giving an incredulous look at his unjustified happiness I moved ahead, and he softly followed mumbling something incoherent.
Carefully weaving our way through the massive crowds of shoppers, we entered the Chandni Chowk market with my hands protectively enclosed in his firm, tight grasp, not leaving it for a teeny-weeny second as if I am a child, and would get lost in this crowd if he doesn't hold me this way.
This man is something else!
This place was packed full, with locals of diverse age groups flocked around distinct shops.
Multitude scenes of people from all walks of life could be witnessed in this highly popular market of Delhi, with some relishing the heavenly taste of street foods, some bargaining with the local vegetable vendors, some causally sauntering admiring the heavily swarmed street view of shoppers, hawkers shouting and persuading people to buy their goods, and the joyous cheerful voices of children jumping and playing around.
We stopped after a few minutes of walking, and my eyes lit up like Diwali lights seeing the stall in front of me.
"Gol gappayyy!!" I shrieked hushedly, and Aditya chuckled beside him, shaking his head, probably amused witnessing my excitement over gol gappay.
"You bought me here? Come Come, let's eat!" I spoke impatiently, my mouth watering merely at the sight in front of me.
"But you weren't hungry. Were you?" He squinted his eyes playfully, a teasing smile settled on his lips.
"You don't need to be hungry for this heavenly delight," I remarked in a duh tone, raising my eyebrows, and shifting my eyes to the vendor, I said,
"Bhaiya sooji golgappe. Aditya you?" I switched my gaze towards him.
"1 plate sooji and 1 plate aata golgappa bhaiya" I heard him say, as he spoke with a teensy weensy smile playing on his lips.
Relishing the heavenly taste of the sweet and spicy oval pieces of sheer delight, I looked at Aditya to see him watching me amusedly. Ignoring his reaction, I focussed on the important task at hand, and asked the vendor,
"Bhaiya, make the next one a little spicier."
Noticing Aditya eating only non-spicy ones, I suggested,
"You should also try the spicier ones. You'll surely like it." I finished stuffing the next golgappa in my mouth.
"Mhm" He shook his head, "You're enough to add the much-needed spice in my life." He mumbles, with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
I stopped eating midway at his remark, my eyes enlarging a little with cheeks puffed with the uneaten golgappas, blush creeping my face.
Suppressing his laugh, he spoke hushedly, "You can eat you know? Bhaiya is waiting for you to take the next golgappa from him."
Gulping it with utmost difficulty, I turned towards the vendor, to see him already holding the golgappa for me, I took the last one hurriedly and washed my hands, my cheeks still burning at his comment.
Paying the vendor, we again waltzed the crowd, towards the car, randomly looking at the diverse variety of street food and shops on the way.
*****
Settling inside, and after tightening my seat belt, I turned towards him, and asked,
"How did you know I would want to eat gol-gappas only out of so many options of street food available?"
He kept silent for a few seconds, and it looked as if he was contemplating something.
"Uh, I just kind of guessed you would like it. Because I've seen mostly girls like gol-gappas. Um yeah, that's why." He gave an awkward constipated smile to me. Turning straightway, he revved the engine.
"Okay" I answered, a little confused observing his weird reaction.
"You know, that bhaiya didn't give us that extra golgappa at the end. He was so Kanjoos. He has shamelessly broken the norm of not giving the sookha golgappa." I complained huffing, sulking at the miserliness of the vendor.
"Your mind is still stuck there? You could have asked him to give that then." He laughed, sparing a glance at me.
"Uh I thought he would give on its own." I shrugged "In Hoshiarpur, the vendors give it on its own. But now I know, that from next time I will have to shamelessly ask for my rightful share of that extra piece of sheer bliss."
"Sheer bliss!" He repeated mimicking me, simultaneously shaking his head unbelievingly, his dimpled smile at display.
Shrugging lightly, I sat straight and leaned sideways, a breathy tired sigh escaping me, thoroughly exhausted with the day's activities.
"Tired?" I heard him ask.
"Very." I pouted, closing my eyes.
"Sleep on your way to Hoshiarpur. You'll feel relaxed." He passed a fleeting glance at me.
"I can't sleep while traveling," I remarked sulkily, imagining my woken-up state in the car for another seven hours.
"Oh." He replied, his lips set in a straight line and I hummed.
Serene quietness surged within the car, as we made our way back home. He was fully engrossed in driving, while I was too tired to even open my eyes, but still, I could sense his penetrating gaze at me, every now and then. And every time he does it, my heart smiled automatically, in serene contentment and undefined fulfillment.
A few seconds later, his masculine warm hand found mine again, as he carefully interlinked our fingers together and placed them on his thigh, occasionally changing the car gears, not even leaving it for a fleeting second.
I opened my eyes lightly and discreetly drank in the soothing sight of this amazing man beside me. The downcasted car windows made the cool blows of wind caressing us softly yet teasingly, with light music playing in the background, his unruly hair carelessly settled on his forehead, and that content smile adorning his lips.
It astounds me to the core how effortlessly he has made a place in my life, and how facilely he's sneaking into the corners of my heart. His every word, every action, every joke, every gesture, and his every look screams diligence, thoughtfulness, and generosity in unmeasurable limits.
And it overwhelms to the core that how beautifully and smoothly he has made me much more happier, and alive in these blissful thirty days of our alliance.
Conflicting thoughts flood my insides, as I pondered upon the reason why do I sometimes feel like I don't know him at all, even after one month of conversing with him? Why, I still couldn't fathom his thoughts, his personality, and him? Why do I want to know him like no one has ever known him? Why do I always have this strong urge to just be with him, in his tranquilizing vicinity even after spending a considerate time of my day talking to him and thinking just about him?
And ironically, there are also the times, when I feel like I know him inside out, and there would be no other person who could know him as much as I know him. And this makes me immensely gratified, irrevocably euphoric, and divinely fulfilled thinking that I am and will be the only lucky one, sharing and spending my life with this beautiful soul beside me.
I don't know about myself, but after today, one thing I've learned for sure, that he holds this divine power to look through me with his piercing gaze, and accept me the way I am. In this one month, he has unraveled me in a way I couldn't even imagine any other person could ever be able to do, at least not in this lifetime.
He said he would choose me every single time he would be asked to make a choice. How could I tell him, that I want him to choose me, and choose us only, every single time he's asked to take a decision and make a choice, not only in this lifetime but million other lifetimes that are yet to come.
******
Heya Dear ones,
What is your life mantra? Basically, it means your thoughts, any quote or saying that keeps you going, or you believe in.
Did you like the chapter? Iska jvab pleaaseee dedena! I looveee reading your views on the chapter.ðâ¤ï¸
Did you like Aditya's response? Did his answer make a teeny weeny change in your perception of yourself?
Do vote ( Star Iconâ) and comment loved ones, it keeps your author motivated.
Until Next Time,
Lots of Love
Râ¤ï¸