Arakshi FF: Intezaar [Updt - pg 39, 20 March] - Page 28

There were solemn tears, heartwarming hugs and tender kisses all around them. While some hearts rejoiced on reunion with their loved ones, some were left with tearful goodbyes. In the sea of overwhelming emotions Arjun and Sakshi found themselves gazing at each other in an awkward silence.

"Never really liked airports!" Arjun said in an attempt to break the silence.

"Really, why?" His wife asked earnestly.

"So many emotions in one place. And, I hate saying goodbye" He said as his eyes wandered to a couple nearby before they were back on his wife again.

As their eyes connected, Arjun yet again felt that pang in his heart. He was surprised at his own emotions surfacing since morning. He knew what he felt was silly. His wife was leaving for just ten days and then she'll be back, at their home, with him. Yet, he didn't want to let her go.

"Well, time for me to go" Sakshi said as she exhaled heavily. Slowly her hand reached out for the handle of her luggage.

Arjun watched her turn towards the airport terminal when he realized he couldn't let her go just yet. Not like this. Not without a proper goodbye. He immediately stopped her with a gentle hand on her shoulder and turned her around to face him. Taking a step forward, he let his hand drop down her arm till his fingers intertwined with hers.

"Sakshi, I...um, uh...call me as soon as you land in Delhi, okay?" He asked gently, in an alluring whisper.

She took a moment to answer, and then a smile that Arjun was rather fond of, spread across her lips, "Kardoongi"

He looked down at their hands entwined together. His large hands cradled her smaller and softer ones - bringing them up, he held them against his chest. An act that made Sakshi take a step closer to him.

"Sakshi..." He started but once again couldn't find the right words. Before either could utter another word, an announcement alerted them of Sakshi's flight which was ready for boarding.

"I should really go Arjun" Sakshi said, her voice, just as strained as Arjun's was moments ago. He nodded and slowly let go of her hand. Giving his wife a warm smile, he took a step back. But, just as he took one back his wife took a step forward.

Slowly, as if afraid he would reject what she was about to do, she leaned forward and up on the tip of her toes. The next second, her lips touched his cheek. In that second - his heart and his breath halted. All he was aware of was the softness of her lips against his skin and the warmth that spread through his limbs.

He closed his eyes and treasured the moment. A seemingly inconsequential act to most, but it conveyed much, much more to Arjun. As quickly as it happened, her lips left the side of his face and he felt a pleasant buzz in his head. A grin crept onto his face as his wife's cheeks painted in a beautiful rosy red. Their eyes locked for a moment before his wife turned around swiftly and walked into the domestic terminal.

Now, that was a proper goodbye.

~oOo~

The next ten days, time slowly trickled with no regard to Arjun's feelings. The days seemed longer than usual and nights more lonely. He called his wife every single day - twice - without fail. She was the only one on his mind in the mornings and at night before going to bed.

Although he missed her immensely, Arjun knew this period away from his wife would become one of those memories that they would cherish for a long time. Because, these ten days made them both realize just how much they missed each other and made them appreciate the bond they formed in their relationship.

Arjun sighed, his phone held up to his ear with one hand and the other resting behind his head as he rested on the bed. "How many more days?"

Sakshi chuckled on the other end of the line, "That's the fourth time today. Bus, teen din aur Arjun"

Arjun sighed again, "Hmm, ok..."

"Kya kar rahe ho?"

"Kuch nahi, bus ab sone hi waala hoon. Had a really hectic day at work" He said as a yawn escaped his lips.

"Oh, toh sojao. Kal baat karenge" Though she said it, her words were laced with disappointment. Neither wanted to end the call.

"Mmhmm, kuch der aur baat karo"

"Kya baat karoon? Aaj ka poora kissa bata diya na"

"Hmm..." Arjun said as his eyelids drooped down his eyes, "Something, anything - just keep talking..."

~oOo~

Sakshi, as a general rule, hid her feelings ever since she found out Arjun's reason (or the lack of it) for getting married to her. Whether it was sadness over how absurdly their marital life began or her happiness over small things that she shared with Arjun - she always did a pretty good job of hiding them. Today, however, was different.

After spending the last three days as if they were three life times, Sakshi was just glad that the day finally came when she returned home. As she waited for Arjun to pick her up from the airport- she felt giddy with excitement. She would check her watch every few seconds only to be disappointed that the hands barely moved since the last glance.

As her husband finally came into her sight, all the worries about the past and anxiety about the future was gone. All there was - was this moment. Lost in her own feelings, she only registered the happiness on Arjun's face for a second before she was engulfed in his embrace.

Nothing ever felt like the embrace Arjun gave her and she doubted anything ever will. There was something just right about it. The warmth, the smell, it was all just right. He held her with respect as an equal, yet the way he cradled her made her feel like a child. There were no inhibitions from Arjun as the embrace lasted longer and his arms around her waist pulled her closer. Sakshi felt the hope that lay dormant somewhere deep in her heart, flare up.

As Arjun swept away the hair on the side of her face with a gentle hand and laid a lingering kiss on her temple, Sakshi let out a contented sigh. Looking up at him with eyes unveiled off the mask she had on since she found out the truth about her marriage, all her emotions now lay bare for him to see.

"Tum thik ho?" He asked, still holding her in his embrace.

Words betrayed her as she nodded in response. His eyes took in every inch of her face before a smile cracked on his face, "Ghar chele?"

"Please, I have been dying to get back home!"

"Conference itna bura tha ya miss kar rahi thi?" Arjun asked taking the bag from Sakshi's hand and walking out of the airport.

When Sakshi gave him a puzzled look, he went on to say, "Ghar ko, ghar ko miss kar rahi thi?"

For that Sakshi gave him a knowing smile and nodded, "Aur tumhe bhi"

~oOo~

Happy, that's what he felt since Sakshi returned home. He felt like they won a battle by making it this far in their marriage and feeling the way they are feeling for each other at that moment. He felt things were finally headed in the right direction. And nothing that felt this right could possibly go wrong. As he settled down on the couch for the night, Sakshi laid down on the bed.

"Aunty se abhi baat hui hain. She called to find out if you reached home safely"

"Oh haan. Mein bhool gayi thi unhe call karna. I spent a lot of time with them in Delhi Arjun. I really enjoyed their company"

"Aunty bhi tumhare baare main yehi keh rahi thi" Arjun replied as he turned onto his side so he was facing Sakshi.

A few minutes passed in silence as both gazed at each other from across the room but no words were spoken. Each wished the other would initiate what they both anticipated but neither wanted to be the first to say it. Arjun cleared his throat, but no words escaped. He shifted uncomfortably on his couch and only when he looked away from his wife's knowing eyes, did the words return to his mouth.

"Kya soch rahi ho?"

"Arjun..." Sakshi continued after a moment of hesitation, "Tum chaho toh...toh..." Her voice was soft, no more than a whisper. There was a long drawn out silence before Arjun turned to look at his wife.

"Toh...?" He pressed. He watched as Sakshi's shoulders rose and fell as she sighed deeply.

"Arjun bed pe so jao"