Chapter 10

The Morning After The Night Before

Chapter 10

In reality Arnav was cursing himself -so far he was responsible for making his wife spend 3 days hooked to an IV line and now re live her mother's death. Some honey moon this was turning out to be.

He put her to bed Khushi tossed and turned sleeping dreaming ,images of her mother only when he held did she sleep .

Brewed up and breakfasted they set off again they had been travelling a while when Khushi asked "Please stop"

"It's the middle of nowhere"

"Yes I know but look" They were driving down a wide section of road lined by gulmohar trees displaying their burnt orange blossoms .

Arnav brought the car to a stop at the side . Khushi jumped out look " did you know that in Vietnam they are known as the tail of the phoenix- aren't they just beautiful."

"I know Khushi but we have to get going or we won't be back on time"

"Arnav - not everything has to be on schedule - your clock runs fast ,mine runs on slow between the two of us we should be able to get there on time. Work will always be there for both of us . When we finish this task there will be the next ever ready to take its place. Not everything has to have a function or a purpose -just look at the colour and enjoy the fragrance . Do you know what it even means ?"

"What means what I lost your train of thought?"

"Gulmohar means flowers and peacocks -next time you design something for me it should be burnt orange with little flowers woven into it and when I walk it should open its pleats like a peacock revealing its colours to attract its mate - look i've got your attention now "

Arnav smiled at her she had grabbed his hand and was chattering away - he had no idea what she had been saying , he had been enjoying the lilt in her voice ,the musical nature of speech ,the way she held his hand and caressed his fingers while they walked .

Khushi sat down and leant against a tree trunk "What you waiting for -an invitation ? Sorry come and sit next to me ... Arnav it's only dirt it will wash off really how can you be so OC about cleanliness. Khushi held her hand up to him and pulled him down to her .

She sat there a while playing with his hand and twisting his ring. "You know It wasn't your fault yesterday - the accident comes back to haunt me, I have learned to live with it and over years most of it is a dim and distant memory - But her eyes Arnav I will never forget my Amma's eyes when i close my eyes I see her death stare cold glassy eyes"

Khushi do you remember your mum playing with you yes close your eyes and think how she played with you what do you remember?

"My mum sitting me on the kitchen counter baking cakes ,I lifted the beater out and we had chocolate cake mixture everywhere. She didn't shout she laughed and called my dad to taste the mixture of me as there was not going to be enough mixture to bake a full size cake. She picked me up laughing. She smelled of cake mixture ."

"Do you remember her eyes ?"

"They sparkled with laughter and warmth"

"Do you remember the smell?"

"Cake mixture"

"Put that in your mind palace -lock it and keep it there- thats how you should remember your mum laughing ,cake mixture"

Khushi smiled and looked up ar Arnav "Thank you -that's the best wedding present you could have given me"

She reached up to kiss his cheek but Arnav turned his head and instead their lips met. Taking full advantage of the accidental meeting he turned it into a long passionate kiss.

"Ready to go back or shall we see what's further up that field ?"

"Now you're getting it -the field"

It was late afternoon when the eventually returned to the car starving. Arnav gave up trying to get to Dehli he would cancel the meeting for tomorrow morning.

They drove along till they came up to the next village and asked if there were any guest houses available for the night. "Arnav forget the 5 star hotel let's stay in the guest house . Please".

Khushi smiled pleadingly and Arnav couldn't resist. "OK but we have to reach Dehli by the evening by the latest."

Arnav sat awhile rescheduling his appointments. She sat there silently playing on her I pad while he caught up with his work. Dusk had fallen and the night stars had come out.

Suddenly she jumped up, " look Arnav" and ran off , he followed close behind before she got herself in more trouble.

"What "

"look" cupped between her hand a flashing glow

"Fireflies !"

"I love them - they bring light where the dark is just like the stars "

"what are you going to do with that one"

"Watch" She removed her hand and watch the firefly fly away.

"Let's go back"

Khushi tripped and Arnav caught her firmly around her waist "Careful Khushi"

He looked deep into her eyes and kissed her slowly and passionately. He felt her arms slowly creep around his neck and she was lost spiralling into a sea of passion . Then he pulled away gasping for breath . " Shall we go back"

Khushi's mind was pacing what did he mean by lets go back , she started to panic what if he wanted more? Why was she panicking she enjoyed his touch ,his feel ,his company . They had already slept together otherwise she wouldn't be expecting .So why was she so apprehensive -she had no memory -as far as she was concerned it would still be her first time. Her throat felt dry and constricted.

Arnav spoke "Stop it Khushi , I'm not going to rape you , nothing is going to happen until you want me completely and wholly ,unreservedly with no doubts what so ever. I can see your mind -it is full of doubts and that's not what I want for us. We started on the wrong foot but now it's for keeps and the first thing we have to learn is trust."

Arnav and Khushi chatted into the early hours of the morning . She told him of her childhood her mother's loss and her relationship with her father. She heard about Arnav s childhood his mother and father. Khushi thought they had both lost their mothers at a young age but how different their childhoods had been his full of sorrow and hardship ,regret and anger , hers love kindess and laughter.

"Arnav you have to drive tomorrow -we should get some sleep"

He had got used to sleeping with her spooning her with a hand over her stomach and she loved this possessive side of him. It was late the next morning when he awoke .

What time is it ?

11:30 -He never slept till 11:30 but last after talking to Khushi he felt that a great weight had been removed from him and he slept peacefully next to her. He looked down at her - she didn't look so good. He quietly went to the kitchens and made up some brew .

It was finally 2:00 by the time they left, finally they arrive in Dehli at Shantivaan.

Back to reality .