Part 3:
“haan”
“haan?”
“haan!!!”
Confirming her acceptance, she gestured him to put the DIY ring on her finger.
His heart galloped and his hands trembled as he got the ring from her palm, his eyes turned moist and lips quivered as he spoke…
“Anu, are you sure?” he asked
“tum chaho toh aur time le sakti ho, mujhe intezaar karne ki aadat hai..infact pehle toh mujhe ummeed bhi nahi thi aur ab jab ummeed aa gayi hai toh saath himmat bhi aa gayi…Anu mai nahi chahta ki tum koi dabaav mein ya jaldbaazi mein ye decision lo, mai bas chahta hoon ki tum jo bhi faisla lo apne liye lo…isliye nahi ki mai kya chahta hoon, samaaj kya chahta hai, Baa kya chahti hai ya phir ye ki…
Unable to decide how to react to her quick yes to his proposal he babbled on and on until she shushed him with her hand on mouth and said “kitna bolte hai aap, aapne suna bhi ki maine aapse shadi ke liye haan kaha?”
“sach?” he asked again, his disbelief so strong that he didn’t want to be played for a fool if it were a dream, the kind he’d been often having these days.
“Anuj, sapna nahi hai” she smiled cupping his face and he stroked his cheek against her palm to let the overwhelming feeling feel real.
She nudged him again pointing to the ring when he gently took her hand in his own and slipped the stunning spring onion leaf ring on her finger.
“thank you Anu, mujhe apna banane ke liye” he said pulling her hand close to his lips as she got a little jittery.
Pressing his lips passionately on her hand he shut his eyes to cherish the beautiful moment while she tried to deal with the new tingling sensation that was making her insanely nervous.
“Anuj” she whispered when he opened his eyes and flirtatiously asked
“abhi toh haan kaha tha tumne?”
“sirf shadi ke liye haan kaha hai ” she retorted
“matlab shadi ke baad jo hoga uske liye alag se permission leni padegi?” he asked in all seriousness and she nodded with a cheeky smirk.
“oho Anuj tu toh bekaar businessman nikla, deal ko samjhe bina hi tune haan kardi? he quipped and they burst out in peals of laughter shaking on the rather controversial deal….
*********
The dynamics of their relation had instantly changed after the proposal.
The suggestive glances, the casual touches and the unabashed eye locks were given a whole meaning…the undeniably strong desire in them had turned up a notch and they could barely ignore the growing intensity in the most trivial things they did for each other.
While he missed no opportunity to bring up the terms of their courtship, she denied agreeing to any such conditions at his behest.
Later at night after many hints as he reluctantly readied himself to leave she went up to treat him to a parting surprise and said “thank you Anuj…meri zindagi ko khoobsurat banane ke liye”
This was turning out to be the best day after Valentine's he thought and replied "thank you Anu, mujhe apni zindagi mein shamil karne ke liye, aur tab jab mere paas tumhe dene ke liye kuch nahi hai”
"Anuj aap ke paas toh woh hai jo kisi ke paas nahi"
"achaa, woh kya?"
"aapka pyaar, mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye"
"toh phir mai tumhe… "
"haan aap mujhe gale laga sakte hai, yehi poochna chahte the na aap aaj subah?"
Shyly she walked towards him and rested her head on his chest catching him off guard and he knew not how to react…
As she dug her face his chest, when he couldn't resist her warm breath on his skin, he wrapped his arms around her in a heart tugging embrace. It was amazing how she could see through him, how she read his mind, how she knew and understood him so well and he felt the luckiest to be sharing a life with her.
"Anu hum kal shadi kar sakte hai?" he asked pushing her away gently before they crossed over the boundaries they had drawn between themselves.
Embarrassed, she broke away from the hug and looked down timidly trying to avoid his teasing gaze.
"iss maryada ne toh band hi baja di sach" he mumbled making her chuckle
"tumhe hasi aa rahi hai? ye socho Baa kya kahegi Anu? aur woh unka favourite samaaj?"
"Anuj chup kariye" she chided and pushed him out saying " jayiye phir band baja leke aayiye"
*****************
Humming his favourite tune in the shower, he grinned thinking of how close they had gotten last night when he heard the doorbell ring.
"Anuj!!!" she yelled
"Anu?" he thought his ears were ringing.
"Anuj, darwaza kholiye, aap thik toh hai na? she asked when he didn't answer the door or his phone.
Wrapping the towel around himself he rushed to get the door
"Anu? kya hua?" he asked worriedly but she could barely say a word...
Scandalised after being treated to a bare, partly lathered torso, she he turned away meekly.
"nash..nashta" she muttered and ran back to her flat leaving him blushing.
Silently serving him breakfast she tried not to look at him while all he could do is look at her trying to avoid him.
"Anu maine shirt pehen li hai, tum ab mujhe dekh sakti ho" he teased earning himself a glare
"Anuj, shirt utaariye!"
"Anu, please...kya keh rahi ho...abhi shadi hui nahi hai"
"Anuujjj, shirt ke button galat lagaye hai aapne... kuch bhi sochte hai aap"
"oh, mujhe laga kal raat wo sab hug and all, toh kahin tumhe wo "
"jaayiye andar shirt thik karke aayiye..."
Fixing his shirt when he returned from her room, she ran a quick check and said
"ye upar wala button kis ke liye khula rakkha hai ? bandh kijiye!"
"oh my possessive Anu "
"haan toh banna padega mujhe woh pojjesive, warna ladkiya kahengi hayye kitna fit hai, kitna hot hai "
"jaisa bhi hoon tumhara hoon"
"accha toh mere hone wale pati ji, kuch kaam karlein?"
"Anu yaar sach crorepati nahi mujhe toh bas tumhara pati banna hai"
*******************
forgot to post this earlier, not very happy with it, sounded much better in my head somehow, think I should take a break from writing...anyways jaisa bhi hai let me know pleej
6