CHAPTER 46 - A DAY TOGETHER

NOTE -If there is any mistake in today's chapter do let me know. I had so many mixed emotions while writing and editing it as it is the second last chapter of Crushship.

Geet's Pov

We will be reaching Delhi within the next  40 minutes. We woke up one hour before and sat waiting for the station .

“Excuse me Sir” The man around the age of thirty five sitting in the opposite direction of us called him as soon as Dhruv removed the curtains.

“Yes” He answered, adjusting his watch over his left wrist.

“Newly married? ” He asked, looking at us while a lady who sat next to him joined him too, repeating the same. Maybe she is his wife as I noticed two kids sleeping on the middle berth and lower berth on one side.

“Ji, We got married around 10 to 15 days back”  He answered and looked at me.

“Arrange marriage? ” The lady asked as soon as he finished answering.

“Nahi. Love marriage hai” He smiled again looking at me.

“Dekha maine kaha tha na ki ye arrange marriage wale nahi lag rahe hai” She turned her face, started speaking to her husband.

“Bhaisahab, hamari bhi love hai. College mai mile the aur aap” He narrated with all the excitement looking at his wife.

“Ham family function mai mile the. 6 years ka long distance tha hamara ” He is looking so cute while answering them.

“Aap kya karte ho? I mean Delhi mai kya karte ho” He questioned him.

“Mai professor hu English Literature department main aur author bhi. Books likhta hu aur meri biwi Investment Banker hai '' He announced proudly.

We continued talking for a while and suddenly the railway station arrived so we could get down from the train.

Time Skip

We reached his society through a cab . He does have a car here but that was already parked in the society when he came to Sirohi.

We reached the elevator and waited after pressing the button so it could come on the ground floor.

It's around 10.30am and we have nearly four bags all thanks to me because I have packed many things as I am shifting here.

We got inside and he pressed 3 so we could reach his floor. I am excited as I will get to see his home for the first time as he never gave me a chance to see it as he always said Geetanjali, instead of the phone , why don't you see through your eyes live by being present there by my side.

“Tired? ” He asked, looking at me, standing close to one side of the elevator.

“Nahi. ”

“Ghar chalo chai banakr pilauga ” He said and suddenly the door opened on reaching the third floor. We got out with our luggage. He took keys out of his jacket's pocket and gave it to me, while his eyes gestured to unlock it.

I took a step and prayed by closing my eyes to bless us on our new phase of our life. I unlocked the door and opened it but before I could go inside, he stopped me.

“Pehli baar aa rahe ho. Lakshmi ho mere ghar ki, ruko yeha ” He informed me and went inside leaving me alone.

What's he trying to do? I got a little bit of sight from the living room which had sky blue paint on one of the walls. Before I could step in, he came with aarti thali.

“Are you going to welcome me? ” I questioned looking at him.

“Of Course why not?” He replied, and applied a little kumkum bindi over my forehead.

He did aarti and welcomed me “padhariye mhare ghar ro roop”

(Please come the beauty of my home)

I noticed him placing a plate which had a water mixed with vermillion and he placed a white cloth to take my footprints.

“Let's do it together, ” I said, holding him by his wrist.

“Why me? ”

“Dono ka ghar hai. Dono ka sapna tha na. Dono saath mai karte hai”

I dipped my right feet after removing my sandal and placed it over it to get a print. He repeated the same and I took the cloth in my hand and showed him with a smile.

“Let's see our home together ” He said, wrapping his hand around my shoulder after getting all the luggage inside and locking the door.

As soon as I  entered the house, there was a living room which had a sofa along with a tea table and Smart TV  on the wall .

On the right side there was a dining table placed along with chairs.  I turned my eyes as his voice informed me to look around giving me a tour.

On the opposite side of the dining table, there was a temple where we seek blessings.

“Let's go  to the kitchen ” He directed and showed me.

“Don't worry, I have learnt how to cook many years before. ” We turned after looking, he held my hand and asked me to follow him.

I walked but I stopped as soon as I noticed a wall above the table placed near the wall of the living room .

“When did you get my family picture? ” I questioned him when my eyes fell on a frame which had my photo with my family from diwali which we celebrated last year.

I noticed his family photo in one of the frames on the table.

“Agar meri family aapki ho sakti hai toh aapki family meri kyu nahi” He replied, placing the frame back where it was.

“No crying please ” He said, hugging me before I could start shedding tears.

“Dhruv, I love you ”

“I love you too. By the way, we have to complete our home tour and Avantika is coming today for lunch. So we have to get ready ”

He informed me and held my hand to show me rooms.  I walked along with him and he opened the door.

“This is not our room but you know an extra room which is a need in case any of our family members visit us ” He asked me to come inside.

I looked to know the interior of the room and he held my hand and looked into my eyes

“Apna room dekh lena aap. ”

He asked me to wait as he said he will return within two minutes .

He came  back, walked closer and pick me in the arms before i could stop him

“Dhruv, what's this? ” I questioned but he didn't listen. I repeated again to know what he was trying to do.

“Room  mai lekar jaa raha hu”

“Aise? ”

I noticed him entering  the room next to the guest room whose gate was already open.

I got down safely and the first thing that caught my attention was the wall which had so many photo frames. I walked closer and noticed it's our photos.

“This is from our virtual date ” He mentioned, pointing towards one of them which had a screenshot which is now framed as a photo frame.

“Ye toh Jaipur wala hai na ” I said, looking and my hands touched one by one.

“One minute, how come the house is  tidy ?” I asked when I realized it.

“I gave one key to Avantika much before. She supervised the ones who were asked to do it yesterday. ” He answered , turning me to see other corners of the room.

“This is our bed, above can you see the wall? I have asked the wedding photographer to make a frame of ours so I have left this place ” One by one he informed me the reason for a particular thing he bought as a part of the decor and the reason behind choosing the colors.

We heard a doorbell ringing which stopped our conversation. He left the room and went outside to check while I followed him.

"Who can it be? ”I asked, looking at his hands which were opening the gate.

“Welcome to Delhi Jija”,  I heard a voice and it's Avantika who kept some covers on the table and ran to hug me.

“Thank-you Avu” I hugged her back and he closed the gate

“Haven't you arrived early? ” He questioned walking towards us, checking the time on the wall clock.

“Ohoo Professor DP, don't worry I will leave within  an hour. I thought you both must be tired so it's my duty to make some breakfast for you both. So I bought something from the market and Chef Avantika is here ” She mentioned one and one, ending her speech bowing down .

“So sweet of you ” I said but my husband wasn't looking satisfied with her answer.

“Tell me what you want?Extra marks? ” He questioned while my sister was busy carrying covers.

“I am not Kavya who will ask for free marks. ” She said ,heading towards the kitchen.

“I think we should get ready. Aap room mai ho jao, mai dusre room mai ”Before he could say anything further, we heard my sister saying something from the kitchen.

“You both can get ready in one room itself. I won't disturb your privacy . ”

“Avantika, don't forget your internal marks are in my hand ” He replied, heading towards the kitchen.

While I headed back to get ready as it was already 11.50 am.

After 40 minutes

Dhruv's Pov

“This is enough, ” Avantika said, seeing the amount of vegetables I had chopped. I got ready and came to the kitchen five minutes back. I opened the tap to wash my hands

but I heard anklets sound clearly.

“I guess your wife is arriving in the kitchen” Her sister said, teasing me but she had a straight face.

She entered wearing a yellow Saree which had a border all around, while her hair were tied in a towel .

“You got ready? ” Her sister asked while she stood next to her sister who was a pillar between us. Geetanajali you should stand with me.

“Help karu?” She asked taking the lid away from the saucepan and check something with the help of a spoon.

“No jija, I will do it ” Her sister answered, busy with cutting the coriander to sprinkle over the sambhar afterwards.

“I guess I am a third wheel. I shouldn't have come here. I mean my jijosa wants some privacy and quality time with my jija '' She mentioned and smiled at me, while her hand poured oil in a steel pot in order to make sambar.

“Aisa kuch nahi Avantika ” I said, trying to justify myself but she is partially right . My wife was teasing me with her facial expressions without her sister's knowledge.

“Jija aap apni chai pilo” She said, turned  off the stove after the chai was ready.

“What about you both? ” She questioned and I answered  “ We have already done with our coffee ”

After 20 minutes

“You know what, jijosa has a huge fan following in our college. '' My student and saali sahiba informed serving sambhar in the bowl.

“Matlab? ” She questioned while I widened my eyes to stop Avantika from speaking further. I am not interested to know what happens around me. I go and give them a lecture and come back again to my cabin.

“I mean he is an author so ” She answered but I didn't see her sitting patiently.

“Jija, it's common to have a crush on a professor but my jijosa doesn't give them any attention.Have your food please ” She diverted the topic and we began eating .

Time skip

Geet's Pov

I kept looking at my husband who was busy with his college work. I guess he is making some presentation sitting on the dining table while I sat on the sofa,watching TV.

Avantika left as soon as we were done with our brunch and she said she will meet me again as her hostel is 20 minutes away by walking  distance and university is 30 minutes by walking.

I kept looking at the TV screen as I was bored. It's not easy to settle down in a new place. I don't know how he lived here for so long as he stayed alone before I could shift here.

I kept yawning as I was tired. I was in no mood to go and make tea. I have been watching  him and then the TV alternatively. I don't want to disturb him.

I changed the channel from movie to news so I couldn't find my eyes idle.

“12” I heard him looking at me.

“What? ” I asked why did he say 12 suddenly as he didn't speak much for the past thirty minutes.

He removed his specs, closed his laptop and walked holding his laptop in his hand. He placed the laptop on the table placed opposite of the sofa and sat next to me closer.

“12” He stressed but I couldn't understand the code language.

“What? ” I asked, looking confused while he smiled.

“The number of yawns in the last one hour. If you need a cup of chai, tell me I will make it for you ” He smiled,held my hand.

Is he for real? Did he really count it? I won't say he won't. I blinked twice to confirm it's not a dream or my imagination or my overthinking scenario.

“Really? ” The only word I could say after hearing his words.

“Yeah, I noticed you but I thought you would get up to make it but I forgot that you won't because you are lazy too when it comes to do something for yourself sometimes. Wait here, I will make it” He informed, raised from the sofa and removed the hand which he held .

“I will join you ” I followed him and noticed him pouring water in the saucepan, placing it on the gas stove after lighting it.

“Don't you feel uncomfortable in a saree? ” He questioned  taking a ginger from the fridge and I  found a place to stand near him.

“Maybe yes or maybe no” I replied looking at me.

“Do one thing. Wear your comfortable clothes. I have been seeing you struggling while walking since morning. I told you this two hours ago as well but you didn't listen ” He complained, lowering the flame.

“But I should be comfortable. That's the reason I haven't changed. ” I informed as I should learn how to be comfortable in saree as I don't wear it frequently.

“Are you sure? ” He asked, taking a step closer.

I nodded and took a step back but there was a platform wall which stopped me. He raised his hand ,looking into my eyes. His hand slowly opened the shelf door which was next  to me.

He smiled looking at me and how nervous I was.

“Geetanjali,” He showed me cups which were in his hands.  I saw him filtering the tea with a strainer and handed me a cup.

“I tried my best but  I  hope you like it” He said, taking his cup.

I took a sip and I can't believe he makes such good tea.

“Achi bani hai ” I complimented while he started drinking his tea too.

“You know what, every Sunday I used to stay alone. Sometimes Avantika and her friend would visit on rare occasions. ” He started speaking while I noticed him smiling and telling me about his life here before.

“By the way, I forgot to inform you.  Tomorrow onwards aunty I mean our new house helper will join”

“Why did you keep new? ” I questioned as he had already one before.

“New nahi hai. Before  her husband used to visit here but I thought about your comfort as well. I won't say uncle is some creepy kind, but I thought about your comfort too. And don't worry aunty has been working here since ten 10 years in many flats of this society. ” He gave me the reason for the sudden change which he made.

“Khana mai hi banaugi ” I informed and he wrapped his hand around my shoulder “Ham banayege Mrs. Deora and Wese bhi mai college se jaldi aata hu 3.30pm tak most of the time ”

Time skip

Night time

After having our dinner, we sat on the sofa watching a movie without leaving any distance between us. Of Course we were hugging.

“Geetanjali ” He said and I turned my face to see his face.

“I love you ” He said, looked at me and turned his eyes back to the screen.

“I love you too” I replied, resting my head on his shoulder, folding my hands as it were cold. He knew how my body turns cold, so he has arranged the heater already.

His eyes returned to look at me, I looked back while moving my head up asking whether he wanted something.

“Kuch chahiye? ”

I noticed him turning the TV off and leaned closer. How can he be so confident and find a way to make me feel butterfly.?

He  moved back and raised while I was confused. I got up from the sofa and asked him again if he needed anything.

He took a step, put his right hand around my back and brought me closer.

His black eyes wanted to tell me something while his hair fell a bit over his forehead. I took a breath..

He came closer and whispered into my ears “Aap” . I noticed him looking at me while as usual I turned blank.

He moved a little away and picked me up in his arms. If he is planning to do something tonight but I know he won't if I don't give him consent.

“Don't worry, consent ke bina kuch nahi karunga ” He said, entering the room. How did he find out I was thinking about the same?

I got down once we reached as I asked him. Before I could leave he held my hand, leaned closer and kissed my hand. I noticed him not breaking eye contact while I stood silently.

I took a deep breath in order to process what's happening. He brought me closer by keeping his hands over my back .

“Geetanjali ” The voice which is so soft which I could hear all day.

My eyes fell on his face only to see him looking at me.

“Kya? ”

“Change karo aur chalo so jate hai. Kal mujhe college bhi jaana hai '' He kissed my forehead and cupped my face.

“Thank God ” I said, relaxing after taking a breath.

“What did you think? I will kiss you? ”

“Nahi. But Dhruv samaj jao”

“Hmm i can understand” He leaned and kissed my left cheek.

“Not again Geetanjali ”He said, noticing my  cheeks turned into a tomato.

“I will be back soon. ” Saying this,  I got my night dress from my bag as I am yet to arrange my clothes and things which I will do tomorrow.

“I am waiting for you ” I heard him saying when I opened the door of the bathroom.

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Avina ❤