Chapter 41

As planned, we went on our trip to Ooty. Despite its location in the tropics, Ooty is one of the coolest places in South India, with mild conditions throughout the year.

The town appeared to be eternally stuck in the spring season. It was also conveniently just a few hours' drive from our place.

We had booked our hotel rooms online, but there was a problem. I was sitting on a sofa in the hotel lounge, watching Nija and my husband argue with the receptionist.

My head was throbbing because of the long ride. All I wanted was a good shower and some rest.

There seemed to be a mistake. The hotel had only two rooms available instead of the three rooms we had booked.

Bharathi had decided to join us, which made us a party of seven. Two-beds were not going to be enough.

The receptionist looked miserable as she tried to apologize. I felt sorry for her since it was not her mistake. Someone else working there just messed up.

I couldn't take it anymore, and I wanted to tell them to try another hotel, but the problem was escalated to the manager. He arrived and hurriedly apologized to Nija, suggesting a solution.

"We have a room, but"-he fidgeted nervously-"it's a honeymoon suite. If you are okay with it, we will arrange that room for you."

He seemed uncomfortable even suggesting it. "There are no other rooms available. Everything is booked or occupied. We are so sorry," the manager apologized again.

There was silence as everyone contemplated which one of us would take that room.

"Well...maybe me and Harsha will take it. You could join us if you want," Nija suggested, looking all innocent.

Clearly, he didn't think through the implications before suggesting. I couldn't stop snickering.

The receptionist and the manager were looking at him surprised. Harsha covered his face with his palm.

"It's okay. Aadhi and I will take it," my husband said, much to my surprise.

He spoke in a cold tone like it was nothing. But it was a big deal to me. I had butterflies in my stomach. I felt shy and a little excited at the chance to talk to him and spend some time alone

He handed me the key, saying that he would join me after some time with the boys.

Sia flashed me a thumbs-up. I couldn't help but laugh, she seemed more excited than me.

I walked to our room, desperate for a shower. But as soon as I entered, I was received with a big surprise.

A big, bare, clean glass bathroom. It didn't hide anything, except that the glass was had a misty finish up to about neck height. But it didn't leave much to the imagination.

I didn't know whether to be impressed or embarrassed. The thought of us using it when we were together made me want to run away.

Oh God... This is so bad.

I heard the door open while I was standing there, paralyzed by anxiety.

I guessed who it was, and I didn't want him to see me staring at the bathroom. He might think that I was having pervy thoughts. But trust me, there was nothing like that going on in my mind.

I turned to leave, but we locked eyes. He noticed the awkward look on my face.

He turned to look in the direction of the bathroom. For a moment I saw him looking surprised, and then slowly his lips formed a smirk.

I guess now we know who is the pervert here.

I couldn't bear standing there anymore so I started rummaging inside my luggage, but I had no idea what I was searching for.

He must have realized that I was uncomfortable, and I heard him say, "I will be with Nija and Harsha for about an hour. Get some rest.

Everyone is planning to look around in the evening so be ready." He then left the room, and I was finally able to let out a breath.

I knew he was trying not to make me uncomfortable, and that was so sweet of him because he needed to shower and rest as much as I did.

I started to admire my surroundings. I had never stayed in this kind of room, but I never imagined it to be so extravagant.

It was clean, and elegant, and was simply decorated with flowers. The bed was decorated with red rose petals laid out in a heart shape over a white bedsheet.

I know it was such a cliche, but I couldn't help being excited. I gently touched the petals without ruining the decoration. We were going to share this bed.

It had been a while since we were together in a single room. He always maintained his distance and avoided me.

But he was changing, I could feel that the storm was gathering and I would soon have my chance.

I locked the door from inside, just in case, and took a quick shower. Even on my own, it still felt weird to be in a bathroom with glass walls.

I decided to sleep on the couch so as not to ruin the decor. I quickly texted him to say that he could come back, but there was no reply.

Maybe he really did have some business with the boys, and I only imagined that he did it for me.

I slept like a log. After some time, I was disturbed by the sound of loud thuds. At first, I thought it was thunder, but it was someone knocking at our door.

I was still sleepy and the loud noise annoyed me. Before I could get up, I saw him in the room, going to get to the door.

He had slept on the bed and ruined the décor! I frowned at his back. He was talking to Ria, who had been ramming our door a minute ago.

I didn't hear them talking, but I saw her glancing my way before leaving.

He lazily walked toward the bathroom. In front of the mirror, his hand unknowingly combed his hair with his fingers before he splashed some water on his face.

Then he came out, wiping his face with a towel. I could see his every move.

I know it's kind of pervy, but I couldn't help it. I didn't want to look away. I want to look at him every day, every minute, and every second. Is this love?

He came back and started taking some things from his bag. I was still gawking at him.

"I'm gonna take a shower," he announced out of the blue, still showing his back.

I was surprised, but I guessed he was telling me to leave. It was only fair since he had done it before for me.

"Okay. I will just go to Ria's room," I said, getting up.

"I don't mind even if you stayed," he said, walking past me. I couldn't see his face to tell if he was kidding.

I didn't know what to say or do, so I stayed silent. If he was serious, then he was opening up a new level of intimacy to me again. I didn't want to leave and risk rejecting that.

On his way to the bathroom, he suddenly but playfully changed his course and walked to the door. I was looking at him confused.

He turned around to close the door but before doing that he just winked and playfully smiled at me. The last thing I saw before the door closed was his smiling face.

I let out a laugh, shaking my head. He is such a tease.

I got ready and went to join the girls. Sometime later, we all met in the lobby to go out sightseeing.

He was dressed casually in a black t-shirt with faded blue jeans and his coat since it was cold outside.

He looked dazzling, like a Christmas gift that I wanted to tear the wrapper off and have to myself forever. I couldn't avert my eyes. He looked as striking to me as when he just got out of bed.

There were a lot of shops in the nearby street and we decided to look around. I checked out an artisanal chocolate shop.

The shopkeeper handed me a sample to taste, and I had never tasted such a delicious thing in my life. I bought some more and gave some to the others.

They loved it. I wanted more, but I was hesitant because it was also expensive. Still, I couldn't stop raving about it to everybody.

I followed the girls to an accessory shop, but I was still distracted thinking about that chocolate. It was just that tasty.

Someone tapped my shoulder. It was Harsha, and he handed me a brown bag. My face immediately brightened up upon seeing the contents.

It was that chocolate. He went back and bought it for me. I ran to Ria and told her that Harsha bought me this. I was excited but part of me wanted to tease Ria. I stuck my tongue out, saying that I was his favourite person.

I know Harsha was in trouble when she started frowning. He bought even more chocolate for her.

All the while teasing Ria, I didn't realize Bharathi was with us. I was blinded by my excitement and realized too late.

She didn't know that Harsha liked Ria yet and I was an idiot to reveal it like this. The secret was out.

I searched for her, but she was not there anymore. I felt ashamed for not taking care of her.

I went to a couple of other shops to look for her and then she came out of a nearby street, smiling at me. Maybe I had gotten away with it after all.

She joined our group again and I went up to Harsha, who was walking out in front, searching the store displays. My husband and Nija were walking behind us.

"What are you looking for?" I asked Harsha.

"Nothing." He tried to act casual, but I gave him a knowing look.

"Something for Ria... A present," he conceded shyly.

"Aww...," I cooed. He just glared at me. I wasn't sure if it was the right time to raise the issue, but I did anyway.

"You need to talk to Bharathi."

He stopped abruptly and turned to me with a surprised look.

"You should tell her that you like Ria."

"I don't have to. It's my personal life."

"You do and you know why. She is still hoping that you will love her one day, and you can't leave her hanging. I don't know how she will react, but she needs to know... from you."

He sighed, ruffling his hair in frustration. He couldn't deny I was right.

After a moment's thought, he nodded his head in the affirmative. We smiled at each other and joined the others.