Chapter 6

Raavi woke up when she heard shuffling beside her. She looked over to see Shiva hunched over at the edge of the bed wearing his shoes. She reached out to him and touched his back, making him look over his shoulder. 

“Kya kar raha hai, Shiva? Abhi toh bahar andhera hai. Abhi kyun jaraha hai?”  

“Bhool gayi na? Dhara bhabhi ke uthne se pehle mujhe jaana padega.” Shiva yawned as he spoke.  

Raavi stared at him sleepily, wishing he could stay back. Now that she had gotten a taste of what it’s like to be held by him when she slept, she never wanted to go back to her old ways. She wanted to fall asleep in his arms, and wake up in them as well.  

“Mera mann nahi kar raha tujhe jaane dene ka.” Raavi frowned at him and got up to hug him from the back. She rested her head on his back and splayed her palms over his chest. She felt Shiva place his hands upon her and they stayed in that position for a few minutes, taking in each other’s presence. 

After a while, Shiva felt Raavi let out a little snore. “Ae kumbhkaran, uth. Mera peeth hai, takiya nahi.”  

Despite what he said, Shiva couldn’t help but smile at Raavi’s antics. A realization settled within him that she did what no one could ever make him do: smile at such an ungodly hour. He slowly removed her hands from his chest and got up. Turning around to look at her sleepy figure, he chuckled. A pout adorned her lips and her eyes were slightly hooded from the lack of sleep. She looked adorable but he would never admit it to her. She would never stop nagging him.  

He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “Ab tu wapas soja.”  

Raavi closed her eyes, goosebumps erupting all over her body from his gesture. When she felt him move away, she opened her eyes quickly.  

“Main chalta hoon.” Shiva muttered, albeit half-heartedly.  

“Ek minute Shiva. Meri baat sunn. Aaj tu dukaan se thoda jaldi nikal jaana. Mujhe tujhe kuch dikhana hai. Tu chalega na mere saath?” Raavi asked.  

“Hmm.” Shiva nodded.  

“Toh phir theek hai. Mujhe paanch baje lene aajana.”  

Raavi watched him fondly as he left. A laugh broke out of her when she heard him mumble something about her making him her chauffeur. She laid back down, missing his warmth already. Shifting into the spot he was sleeping in, she grabbed a pillow and hugged it to herself, wishing it was Shiva instead.  

***** 

Shiva walked around the store hurriedly looking for the items kaka had requested. They were running low on some of their stock and thus, were having trouble finding some of the items. He sighed when he realized he had to do another inventory check and place an order for more items. Checking the time, he saw that it was almost 5 pm which made him grind his teeth in frustration. Maybe, he wouldn’t be able to reach Raavi in time. Hopefully, she wouldn’t mind too much. He got back to his work hastily so that he could finish it all as quickly as possible.  

Kaka and Dev stared at him dumbfounded, wondering what in the world had gotten into him to behave in such a manner. He was walking around bumping into items after which he proceeded to glare at them and curse them with colorful words. To anyone else, it would’ve looked like he had lost his mind, but when Krish walked into the store and observed his mannerisms, he knew exactly what the problem could be.  

Krish smiled mischievously when he thought back to the night before and how he had noticed Shiva sneaking out. He knew his brother had spent the night with Raavi. There was no other option, especially since he had bumped into Raavi in the bazaar earlier in the day, and she was glowing radiantly. She even thanked him for being the best cupid.  

Krish decided to help out his brother, but not before teasing him a little. “Oye humare somnath ka ranjha, kya kar raha hai? Itni bhi kya jaldi hai ki tu sab kuch dukaan mein girata phir raha hai?”  

Shiva turned to glare at Krish as he heard the word ‘ranjha.’ Dev and kaka looked on confused but eventually turned to serve some customers, leaving Shiva and Krish to bicker alone.  

“Phirse tune yeh baatein kisi ke saamne ki na toh tera muh tod dunga.” Shiva gritted out. 

“Ja ja koi naya dhamki de. Iss mein kuch maza nahi aata.” Krish whispered, eliciting another string of curses from his already frustrated brother. 

“Mujhe pata hai tu kyun itna utaavla horaha hai. Raavi se milna hai na? Aur jhoot toh mat hi boliyo. Dekha tha tujhe ghar se chhup kar bhaagte hue raat ko. Tu toh chhupa rustom nikla. Wah mere bhai!” Krish patted Shiva on the back just as Shiva dropped a sack on the floor.  

“Krish faltu ke baaton mein mat phasa. Mujhe yeh sab kaam khatam karni hai jaldi se jaldi.” Shiva glanced at the clock.  

“Theek hai. Kyunki main tera best bhai hoon aur tere love story ka cupid bhi, main teri help kar dunga. Kya karna hai, bata?”  

Shiva ignored his remark about being a cupid and quickly got to work with Krish right beside him.  

***** 

Raavi paced the floor of her room, checking the time over and over again. Why hasn’t that bhootnath arrived? Why wasn’t he replying to her messages? Was he ignoring her? Did he not want to go with her anymore? Raavi’s conscience haunted her thoughts and she tried her hardest to shut it off to keep the pessimistic questions away from her. Shiva would never ditch her like that. Just as she checked her phone for the umpteenth time, she heard Shiva honking from down below. She looked in the mirror one last time before speeding off downstairs.  

She changed her expression to one of irritation before stepping outside, eager to see him. “Shiva, tune itni der kyun ki? Time dekha hai ya nahi? Tu aadha ghanta late hai. Kitna wait karaya mujhe, upar se mera ek bhi message ka reply nahi kiya.” Raavi chatted animatedly, counting off things in her head which she was annoyed with and listing it all out one by one. 

Shiva watched her with amusement. He let her finish her list of complaints and only talked after she stopped to take in a huge gulp of air. 

“Hogaya tera? Ya phir aur bhi shikayatein hai? Nahi agar hai toh bata de. Hum thoda aur time waste kar lenge yahan par khade hokar.” 

“Tune mere jawab ka sawal nahi diya! Kyun late hai tu?” Raavi huffed. 

“Dukaan mein kuch zyada kaam hogaya tha. Issliye usse sametne mein thoda time lag gaya. Krish ne meri help kar di varna aur der hojati.” Shiva answered her, knowing she wouldn’t budge until she got her answer. 

“Chal theek hai. At least Krish ne teri help kar di. Kitna pyara hai mera future devar.” Raavi spoke without realizing her words.  

Shiva stiffened when he heard her words. “Kuch zyada sapne nahi dekh rahi tu?”  

“Yeh sapna toh hamesha se hi tha. Bas ab mujhe sahi maayno mein mera cute sa kaddu mil gaya jo mere phule hue chehre ko bhi takkar de sakta hai.” Raavi smiled, leaning forward to pinch his cheeks. He swatted her hands away in retaliation.  

“Aye chipkali, apne iss train ke speed pe chalne wali dimaag par full stop laga aur peeche baith jaldi se. Time waste mat kar...” Shiva replied, a slight tinge of pink visible on his cheeks.  

Raavi cooed at him silently and climbed up behind him, wrapping her arms around him. She then gave him directions to their destination.  

***** 

“Tu humme jungle mein kyun lekar jarahi hai? Tera irada nek nahi lagta mujhe...” Shiva furrowed his brows at the sight before him.  

“Thoda sabr toh rakh. Chal mere saath.” Raavi shook her head at him before grabbing his hand and dragging him along with her. They pushed past a dense wall of overgrown grasses and wild plants and continued down their path. Walking past another area of verdant shrubs and trees, they reached a clearing with a lake in the middle. The water was crystal clear with the rays of sun reflecting off it, giving it an effervescent glow. The edges of the lake were defined by a row of lush greenery and blooming flowers. The whole area emanated from its depths a tranquil aura.  

Raavi and Shiva took shade under a tree. Raavi had come prepared so she reached into her bag and pulled out a blanket for them to sit on. She tugged on Shiva’s hands, beckoning him to sit down beside her. Once they were settled, she looked at him with small smile. 

“Kaisi lagi yeh jagah?” She asked. 

“Bahut sundar hai. Tujhe yeh mili kaise?” Shiva asked with curiosity. 

“Chhe saal purani baat hai. Ek dinn maasima se mera jhagda hogaya. Aur jaane anjane mein unnhone mujhse kuch aisa kaha jisse mera dil bahut dukha. Uss waqt mujhe yeh realize hua ki mere paas mere khud ka aisa koi jagah nahi jahan par main ja sakun aur akele time spend karun. Jahan par main jakar sukoon mehsoos kar sakun. Jahan par main apni dil ki saari bhadaas nikal sakun. Jahan pe main jakar ro sakun. Uss din main bahut upset thi. Mujhe ghar pe nahi rehna tha toh main ghar se bhaag gayi. Main galliyon mein bina kuch soche samjhe chalti gayi. Achanak se pata nahi main yahan kab pahoch gayi. Mujhe woh pedon se dhaki hui jagah dikhi jahan pe tumne apni bike park ki hai.  Waise toh mujhe bahot darr lagta aise bhi kisi jungle mein ghuste hue lekin mera dil mujhe keh raha tha ki main aage badhun. Chalte chalte main yahan pahoch gayi. Mujhe uss din aisa laga ki upar wala  yahin chahta tha ki mujhe yeh jagah mile. Tab se lekar aaj tak main yahan hamesha aati hoon chahe main upset hoon ya phir mujhe agar logon se dur rehna ho aur sukoon se kuch ghante nature ke saath baith kar bitana ho.” Raavi smiled tenderly as she talked. All the while, Shiva’s gaze never left her face. She looked so calm and happy. He silently prayed for her to always remain this way.  

Raavi turned to face him, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Tujhe pata hai ki tu pehla insaan hai jisko main yahan laayi hoon?”  

Shiva looked at her stunned. “Ek baat bata. Tu mujhe yahan kyun laayi...mera matlab hai ki main kyun? Maine aisa kya kiya jo tu mujhe yahan laayi?”  

She smiled at him softly, intertwining their hands. “Maine khud ko promise kiya tha ki jiss din mujhe mera pyaar haasil hojayega, main usse yahan lekar aaungi. Iss jagah par sirf mera aur usska haq hoga. Aur Shiva, tu mera hi toh hai. You are my person. Jo mera hai, woh tera bhi hai.” 

Shiva’s eyes watered at her words and he looked away, overwhelmed with all the feelings he had been bottling up inside of him.  

“Shiva, tune bhi toh mere saath apna ped share kiya tha? Yaad hai?”  

Blinking his tears away, he gathered the strength to look at her as he remembered that day. He nodded at her and smiled wistfully.  

“Tu baara saal ki thi aur school se ghar waapas ja rahi thi jab kisi ladke ne tujhe jaan bhuj kar dhakka maar diya. Aur phir ussne teri bag mein se teri saari cheezein chheen li. Tujhe bahut bhala bura kaha.” Shiva’s jaw clenched when he thought of the despicable things that kid had said. He didn’t want to say the exact words out loud but he remembered the awful things that little brat had said from whatever Dev told him. He had called Raavi an orphan which had sent her running off, crying. Unfortunately, he wasn’t present with her that day otherwise he would’ve knocked the brat out the very moment he opened his mouth.  

“Phir tu mujhe sambhalne aaya tha, apne khud ke andaz mein. Mujhe gadhedi bulaya aur pooch raha tha ki maine ghum kar uss ladke ko maara kyun nahi?” Raavi laughed through a few of her tears which had managed to fall. 

“Aur tu mujh par chillayi thi. Kehne lag gayi ki main bahut bura hoon aur sirf tujhe baatein sunata hoon. Tune kaha ki main chala jaun pann main bhi dheet tha, nahi gaya.” Shiva replied as he reached out to wipe her tears.  

“Phir tune mera haath pakda aur apne saath lekar gaya. Maasima humare peeche chillati reh gayi lekin tune unnki baat nahi 

sunni. Tu mujhe apne ped tak le gaya aur mujhe uss par baithne mein meri help ki. Tune mujhe yeh bhi bola ki main jab bhi chahun uss ped ko use kar sakti hoon akele waqt bitane ke liye...ya phir rone ke liye.” Raavi giggled when she said the last bit, remembering how awkward Shiva had looked that day. But the fact that he was considerate enough to share his special place with her touched her to the core. That was the day, she allowed him to gain a tiny bit of respect from her side. And since then, he had done many such things to heighten her feelings for him, eventually breaking something within her when she realized she had been going after the wrong brother all this time.  

That day, Shiva had not only allowed her space on his tree, but also his heart. He had softened just a tiny bit for her sake. He thought he had the exclusive right to fight with her and annoy her but when an outsider did the same, he couldn’t tolerate it. She was his maami ki behen ki beti and only he could make her cry and vice versa. He had vowed to never let a third person come in between them and their equation. 

“Shiva, sach bata. Tu hi tha jissne uss ladke ko maara tha? Uss ne next din hi mujhse maafi maangi aur mujhe meri saari cheezein waapas kar di.”  

“Aur kaun ho bhi sakta hai? Ek main hi toh tha teri zindagi mein jo gunda type ka tha.” Shiva chuckled.  

“Thank you, Shiva.” Raavi whispered.  

“Thank you kis baat ka?”  

“Meri zindagi ke har mod par mera saath dene ke liye. Tune kitni baar meri madad ki hai; mujhe hurt hone se bachaya; maasima se bhi lada hai jab unnhone mujhe kuch ulta seedha bola. Main toh musibat magnet hoon na, tu hi toh kehta hai aur har baar tune mujhe bachaya hai. Mere saamne tu dhaal bann kar khada rehta tha. Woh baat alag hai ki jab humare beech koi aur nahi tha, tab bhi tu mujhse hamesha jhagadta phirta tha. Aur phir ladte jhagadte hum kab bade hogaye pata hi nahi chala. Iss dauran mujhe tujhse pyaar bhi hogaya aur yeh toh hona hi tha...” Raavi inched closer to him as she lovingly caressed his cheeks.  

Shiva looked away as the fear lingered in the depths of his guts. “Lekin tu toh Dev ko chahti thi na? Tune kitne sapne sajaye the usske baare mein toh beech mein main kahan se aagaya?”  

“Tu beech mein nahi aaya Shiva. Maine apne bachpane mein aakar hum dono ke beech Dev ko ghaseet diya tha. Tu jab bhi mujhse ladta tha, toh Dev tere gusse se mujhe bachata tha na, aur tu mujhse theek se baat nahi karta tha, toh maine Dev ka ek image bana liya apne dil mein ke wahi mera prince charming hai. Galati meri hai. Hum ladkiyaan jab chhoti hoti hai toh yeh fairytale wale filmein dekhte hai aur prince and princess wali kahaniyaan sunte hai. Yeh sab humare dimaag mein ek aisa picture bana deti hai ki hum reality se bahut dur hojate hai. Mere saath bhi kuch aisa hua. Main apne banayi hui duniya mein jeene lag gayi. Apne surroundings ko observe karna bhool gayi aur Dev ka naam japne lag gayi. Abhi main iss baare mein sochti hoon toh mujhe itni embarrassment feel hoti hai. Ek number ki dobi thi main pann jab maine apni aankhon ko khol kar apne aas paas dekha, toh sirf tu nazar aaya. Mere ird gird, tu hi ghumta tha. Meri diary mein bhi main sabse zyada tere baare mein likhti thi. Tune mujhe kya kaha, kya sunaya, mere saath kaise behave kiya, sab tere baare mein tha. Phir ek dinn, teen saal pehle, maine kuch ladkiyon ko tujhe taadte hue dekha pandya store ke bahar. Aise ghoore ja rahi thi jaise kabhi kisi ladke ko dekha nahi. Aur tu bhi kam nahi tha. Apne dole shole dikha dikha kar boriyaan utha raha tha. Uss din mujhe ek aisi jalan mehsoos hui ki mujhe laga main iss duniya ko aag laga dungi. Mujhse bardasht nahi hua aur main unn se ladh baithi. Jab unnhone mujhse yeh kaha ki mujhe toh Dev pasand hai, toh mujhe itni sharmindagi hui. Tab mujhe ehsaas hua ki maine kabhi bhi kisi aur ladke ko aise nahi dekha jaise tujhe dekhti thi. Main kabhi bhi kisi aur ladke ke harkaton se itni affect nahi hoti thi jitna ki tere se hoti thi. Maine kabhi bhi kisi aur ladke ko utna bhaav nahi diya jitna tujhe diya. Aur jo attention mujhe tujhse chahiye thi, woh expectation mujhe kisi aur se nahi thi. Mujhe ehsaas hogaya ki mere kahani ke har hissein mein sirf tera chhap tha aur meri aane wali zindagi par bhi sirf tera haq hoga. Uss din ke baad se lekar aaj tak, meri aankhein sirf tujhe dhoondti hai. Main tere ird gird ghumti rahi. Chahti thi ki tu bhi mujhe waise dekhe jaise main tujhe dekhti hoon. Mere liye tu hi sab kuch bann gaya. Aur uss din jab tune mujhse storeroom mein pucha ki main kyun aayi thi toh mujhse aur raha nahi gaya aur maine tujhe sab kuch bata diya. Sab kuch minus mere andar tere liye jo pyaar hai. Tu toh waise bhi dur bhaagta rehta tha. Agar pyaar ke baare mein bata deti, toh tu shayad Somnath chhod kar bhaag jata.”  

As Shiva listened to her pouring her heart out, his own heartbeat quickened. He felt a surge of emotions coursing through him. She really loved him? Out of everyone, she chose to love him? It seemed unreal. Did he deserve even an ounce of love from her? Was he worth it? He looked at her with a questioning gaze, his eyes fogging up with unsaid emotions.  

“Kya soch raha hai, Shiva? Bol na. Tu mujhse koi bhi baat share kar sakta hai. Khud ko aise ghut ghut ke jeene pe majboor mat kar. Bata, kya baat hai? Kyun tu mujhse dur bhaagta rehta tha? Uss din chhat par mujhse jhagda kyun kiya? Kyun apne feelings ko andar daba raha hai?” Raavi asked, her gaze softening as she squeezed his hand in support. 

Shiva gulped before deciding that it was time to put things out in the open. It wouldn’t be fair to either of them if he bottled up his emotions and let them come in between their blossoming relationship.  

“Raavi, mujhe darr lagta hai.”  

“Kis baat ka darr?” 

“Yahi ki hum dono mein kitna farq hai Raavi. Tu kahan aur main kahan. Tu aasmaan hai aur main zameen hoon. Kya hum itne alag hote hue ek ho sakte hai? Main woh nahi hoon jo tujhe chahiye. Main koi prince charming nahi. Naahi main padha likha hoon aur naahi mujh mein koi style hai. Simple kapde pehenta hoon, boriyaan uthata hoon. Log jo kehte hai mujhe usse koi farq nahi padhta lekin tu mere baare mein kya sochegi, uss se kahin na kahin mujhe bahot farq 

padhne lag gaya. Agar main teri umeedon par khada utar na paun toh? Agar tu mere saath khush na reh paye? Agar abhi se kuch din baad tune apna faisla badal liya aur mere saath rehne mein tujhe dikkat hui? Agar tu pachtane lagi ki tujhe main pasand kyun aaya? Mujhse phir yeh sab bardasht nahi hoga. Issiliye tujhse dur rehta tha taaki main apne feelings par kaabu kar paun, tera paas na aaun. Mere andar tere liye jo ubalti bhaavnayein hai, unnhe bayaan nahi karna chahta tha. Mujhe lagta tha ki agar main aisa karta gaya, tu khud mujhse dur bhaag jayegi aur hum phir pehle jaise hojayenge. Lekin tu dur kahan rehti thi. Mere ird gird hi ghumti thi aur main bhi tujh mein kho jata tha. Tujhse dur raha nahi jata tha pann tere paas aane se darr lagta tha. Phass gaya tha iss darr mein.” Shiva trembled as he spoke, his eyes revealing the depths of his emotions.  

Raavi felt her heart clench with pain for Shiva. His hurt struck a deep nerve within her. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears and she threw herself into his arms, not able to reign in her emotions any longer.  

“Shiva, ek baar baat kar leta toh tujhe iss darr mein nahi jeena padhta. Meri khushi toh tere saath hi hai. Yeh sach hai, tu koi prince charming nahi hai, aur mujhe woh chahiye bhi nahi, kyunki tu jo hai woh kisi bhi fairytale ke nakli prince se bahut badh chadh kar hai. Tujhe pata hai main tujhse pyaar kyun karti hoon? Kyunki tu sabse bahot alag  hai. Tere jaisa koi aur nahi. Tu apna har kaam, bada ya chhota, kitni shiddat se karta hai.  Apne parivaar se kitna pyaar karta hai. Apne ma aur bhabhi par jaan chidakta hai. Tu kitna zimmedar aur bahadur hai. Apni khushi se pehle dusron ke baare mein sochta hai. Aur mera toh tu hamesha se hi rakshak hai. Teri har chhoti si badhi baat mujhe acchi lagti hai. Rahi baat, style or education ki, toh aisa thodi hai ki tu bilkul bhi nahi padha toh khud ko aise neecha mat dikha. Mujhe bilkul accha nahi lagta." Raavi closed her eyes, still holding him close to her. 

 "Aur tere style mein koi kami nahi. Sabki apni apni comfort hoti hai. Tujhe jo accha lage tu pehen. Aur meri ek baat sunn, koi aadmi kitna padha likha hai, kaun sa kaam karta hai, kaise kapde pehenta hai, yeh sab uss ko kise ke liye accha saathi saabit nahi karta. Aksar aisa hota hai ki log successful hone ke baad bhi acche insaan nahi bann paate. Woh bhool jaate hai ki uss duniya mein kis cheez ka asli value hota hai. Jab ek insaan ka dil saaf na ho aur usse kisika ka kadar karna na aaye, toh uss insaan ka kya wajood reh jaata hai? Kya tujhe lagta hai ki aisa insaan apne rishton ko sambhal payega? Kya tujhe lagta hai ki mujhe aisa insaan chahiye? Nahi. Bilkul bhi nahi. Mujhe sirf tu chahiye, mera Shiva, jo iss duniya mein sabse hatt kar hai, ek single piece hai. Main tujhe bas yeh ehsaas dilana chahti hoon ki tu jaisa hai, mujhe waisa hi pasand hai. Hum chahe kitne bhi different ho, iss duniya mein aisi koi taakat nahi jo mujhe tujhse alag kar sake. Opposites attract aur hum bhi waise hi hai. Please, ayinda mujhe itna bada auda mat dena. Main aasmaan nahi hoon. Wahan ka auda sirf upar wale ka hai. Main bhi insaan hi hoon teri tarah. Hum equal hai, samjha? Main tujhse bahut pyaar karti hoon, Shiva. Ab khud se dur mat karna, mujhse saha nahi jayega. Tune waise bhi mujhe bahut sataya hai, bhootnath kahinka!” Raavi lightly slapped his chest and pulled away from him slightly, as tears blurred her vision.

“Kitna bhaagi hoon tere peechhe. Kitni jalan hoti thi mujhe dusri ladkiyon ko tere aas paas dekh kar. Ab aur nahi. Ab main apna haq tere upar jatana chahti hoon, hamesha, hamesha ke liye. Believe me when I say-”  

“I” She kissed his forehead. 

“Love” She kissed his right cheek.  

“You” She kissed his left cheek.  

“Ab aur mat sata. Chal apne feelings ka izhar kar de. Main kahin nahi jaane wali tujhe chhod kar, na iss janam mein, na agle waale mein. Chudail bann kar  nachungi tere sar par.” Raavi stated, pecking his lips softly.  

If anyone had told Shiva months ago that he would be sitting here with his chipkali, listening to her pour her heart out about her love for him, he would have laughed in their face. Today, he felt like the deepest desires of his heart had been brought alive as he stared into her brown orbs. His heart thudded against his chest at the sudden realization that she would be with him forever. He trusted her words. A sudden warmth engulfed him as a lone tear fell from his eye.  

Shiva finally grinned and pulled her into his lap, feeling like a burden had been lifted from his soul. Raavi squealed when she landed on him and wrapped her arms around his neck for support. Her own smile graced her face when she saw his smile.   

“Sorry chipkali. Ab aur nahi sataunga tujhe. Vaada nahi kar sakta kyunki tujhse jhagadna ab aadat bann gaya hai pann main tujhe woh saari khushiyaan dunga jo tu deserve karti hai. Teri speech ke aage mere yeh shabd pheeke lagenge. Par aaj main keh hi deta hoon. I love you, Raavi. Bachpan se lekar aaj tak, meri duniya mein sirf ek hi ladki thi aur woh tu hai. Ladai bhi tujhse, gussa bhi tujhse, hasta bhi tujhi ke wajah se...aur ab pyaar bhi tujhse. Mere iss lohe se dhake hue dil mein tune apni jagah kab bana li, mujhe pata hi nahi chala. Jab tune uss din aakar mujhse yeh kaha ki tu mujhse milne aati thi, toh aisa laga ki tune mere andar ki ‘on’ switch chalu kar di. Tab se kuch kuch mehsoos karta tha pann phir bhi bhaagta tha. Lekin ab main samajh chuka hoon. Tujhse bhaagna mere dil ko manzoor nahi. Tujhse dur rehna bahot mushkil hogaya hai. Jab tu aas paas nahi rehti, toh tere khayalon mein khud ko kho jata hoon. Issliye jab tu dukaan par mujhse milne nahi aayi, main bechain hogaya aur raat mein khud chala aaya.”  

“Main bhi-” He said. 

“-tujhse” He kissed her left eye. 

“-bahot” He kissed her other eye. 

“-pyaar” He kissed her left cheek. 

“-karta” He kissed her right cheek. 

“-hoon...chipkali.” He whispered as his eyes glanced at her lips. He dipped his head and sealed her lips with his. When she tightened her hold around his neck, and lifted one of her hands to gently caress his head, he deepened the kiss further. They poured all their emotions into the lip-lock as they shared a soul-searing kiss. When they pulled away to catch their breaths, Shiva leaned forward to peck her lips once, twice, thrice, making her giggle and rest her forehead against his.  

Raavi shivered when she felt a cold breeze upon her skin and clung onto Shiva tighter. He encircled his arms around her and gently rubbed her back, providing her warmth and comfort. Using his other hand, he rubbed her upper arm as well, feeling her snuggle in closer to him. They sat in that position for a while enjoying the dusky hues of sunset. As the last rays of sun made themselves known, Raavi and Shiva got up to leave. Her stomach growled in hunger.  

“Yeh dinosaur waali aawaz tere pet se aayi na?” Shiva snickered, seeing her face turning red.  

“N-nahi. Tera pet hoga. Apne kartooton ka ilzaam mere upar mat thop.” Raavi looked away.  

“Ae chipkali, bahut aasani se mujhe blame kar diya na? Toh theek hai, main tujhe pehle ghar chhod deta hoon aur phir main khaana khaane jaunga. Sochta hoon kisi dhabe mein baith kar kha lunga.” Shiva spoke in a teasing manner. 

Raavi whipped her head towards him and glowered at him. “Aise kaise tu akele khaane jayega? Mujhe bhi lekar chal. Bhook lag rahi hai, bahot zor se.” 

“Tu pehle admit kar tere pet ke andar pura animal kingdom baitha hua hai. Tab hi hum mudde ki baat par pohochenge.” Shiva poked her stomach lightly, a mischievous glint apparent in his eyes.  

“Gadheda!! Tu bahut bura hai. Phirse satane lag gaya mujhe.” She gave him an earful before begrudgingly  admitting that her stomach had indeed made the noise.  

Shiva grinned victoriously and proclaimed, “Ab aisi jeet mein ek taufa toh banta hai...” With that, he quickly stole a kiss from her and grabbed her hand, pulling her along.  

“Shiva!! Yeh cheating hai. Tu woh taufa deserve nahi karta hai. Bhoothnath ugh!” Raavi grumbled in annoyance. She glared at his back before her eyes landed on their intertwined hands, making her melt instantly.  

It’s really not fair ki main itni jaldi pighal jaati hoon... Raavi thought, her lips curving upwards, before letting her bhootnath guide them forward. Things were finally looking up, and she wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.  

***** 

A few months later, Shiva and Raavi were sitting around in the aangan with the rest of the Pandya family members. They were preparing for Dev’s wedding ceremony and were discussing who was responsible for what. Shiva was given the responsibility for the decorations and Raavi had quickly jumped in letting the family know she would help him with his task.  

Everyone gave them knowing smiles and let them continue with their bickering after Raavi had claimed that Shiva would destroy the theme of the wedding with his awful taste.  

When Shiva and Raavi had finally confessed, they had kept their relationship a secret on Raavi’s insistence. She was quite fond of meeting him secretly at night and sneaking around behind their families backs. She wanted to live in the moment for as long as possible, and the moment lasted for two months before Krish had accidentally spilled the beans to their respective families. To say everyone was confused was an understatement. Questions hit them left, right, and center and they had trouble stopping everyone from assuming things. More than anyone, Prafulla had caused quite a scene which had given everyone a headache. However, Shiva managed to handle her in his own twisted way. This time, he had Raavi’s backing too which had sent his maami running away, calling him a ‘beti-chor.’  

A wedding had been suggested for the both of them but they decided to wait. In the time being, Dev had come out with a secret of his own about how he had fallen for a girl named Rishita. His wedding had been planned shortly after, which led them to the current scenario.  

After all the duties were assigned, everyone got to work on their particular tasks; all but two.  

“Aye maami ki behen ki beti, kya bol rahi thi tu sabke saamne? Meri taste bekar hai? Tu chal mere saath....dikhata hoon tujhe apne bekar taste ka maza...” Shiva smirked, a hungry glint coating his eyes.  

“Shiva, kya kar raha hai?! Itna saara kaam padha hai aur tu hai ki apne harkaton se baaz nahi aata.” Raavi mumbled, hoping no one would notice where he was leading her. 

Shiva locked themselves in the storeroom before pulling Raavi closer by her waist. “Ab bata..” He whispered as he nipped at her ear, grazing his teeth along the edge.  

“Kiska taste....” He moved his lips down the side of her jaws before settling at the corner of her lips. 

“...bura hai?” He pressed his lips firmly to hers before inching down her slender neck.  

“Mera...?” He whispered as his tongue swiped across her exposed skin. As Raavi gripped onto his shoulders for support, he trailed wet kisses over the length of her neck.

“Kyunki meri pasand toh tu hai.” He traced his lips over the crook of her neck, suckling on her sensitive spot. He reveled in her breathy gasps, letting his hands run down her sides.  

“Aur tu toh Somnath ke sabse khoobsurat ladki hai na?” He whispered huskily, gripping her by her thighs and lifting her up, as she instinctually wrapped her legs around his waist.  

“Haan hoon. Iss information ke saath tu kya karega?” Raavi spoke in a low voice, trying to catch her breath. A challenging glint appeared in her eyes as she observed him tracing her face with his gaze. She gripped his hair impatiently, inching forward to capture his lips when someone banged on the door.  

“Arreh bhaiyon aur behenon. Shaadi ka mahaul hai aur bhabhi idhar aarahi hai. Unnhe kuch samaan chahiye, samjha karo.” Krish whisper-yelled in a sing-song voice.  

Shiva groaned in frustration and buried his nose in the crook of Raavi’s neck. She softly raked her hands through his hair before sliding down his torso. This made another growl escape his throat and before he could grab her again, she gave him a quick kiss and ran for the door.  

“Yahan par humme koi jeene kyun nahi deta?” Shiva thundered in a deep voice, displeasure visible in his eyes and a frown on his face.  

“Nautanki. Ab drama band kar aur niklo yahan se isse pehle Dhara di aa jaye.”  

Both of them quickly patted their disheveled clothes before exiting the room with a 2-minute interval in between them.  

As Raavi approached Krish and Shiva in the aangan, she saw Krish teasing a grimacing Shiva. 

“Bhai, tujhe dekh kar ek gaana yaad aagaya.” Krish continued. “Thande thande paani se...nahana chahiye...”  

As soon as those lyrics escaped him, Shiva’s head snapped at him in surprise, a flush creeping up his neck. “Abey tu ruk! Tujhe bahot shauk hai na gaana gaane ka.” Shiva yelled as he ran after Krish with him cackling like a maniac.  

“Arreh tujhko mirchi lagi toh main kya karun...” Krish continued singing, infuriating Shiva further.  

Raavi blushed before a hysterical laugh escaped her at the sight before her. She couldn’t remember a time when she had been happier than this. This was going to be her home in the future and she couldn’t wait to live out the rest of her life with her bhootnath by her side, alongside a family she had always craved for. She knew her life would be filled with joy and laughter within the walls of this compound.  

As she watched Shiva run past her, she grabbed his hand to stop him. He immediately glanced over at her to see tears in her eyes. 

“Kya hua? Ro kyun rahi hai? Abhi toh gale phaad kar hans rahi thi?” Shiva questioned. 

“Yeh toh khushi ke aansun hai.” She mumbled, walking into his warm embrace, a content feeling overcoming her soul.  

Shiva understood her silence and engulfed her in his arms. Resting his head on top of her head, he thanked the stars for aligning his fate perfectly with his chipkali. He wouldn’t have it any other way. 

While they were lost in their world, they heard a faint voice complaining. “Dekho bhabhi yeh dono phir shuru hogaye...”  

The End

blissfulcanyon2021-09-15 22:42:56