Chapter 61
'Aah!' Viren gasped as Nivi put something on his knuckles which stung like hell. 'I'm sorry!' Nivi blew on his hand quickly and then looked up guiltily, 'Are you ok Viren? I should have warned you sorry...' She looked so cute and she still had little worry lines on her forehead; Viren smiled slowly and shook his head, 'It's ok Moti, I just wasn't expecting it.' He held his breath and tried to stay silent as she dabbed more of the stuff on gently, wincing a little herself as she did so. It stung even more and he bit his lip and tried to smile but he could tell he hadn't fooled her.
'Itni zor se usse maar ne ki kya zaroorat thi Viren?!' Nivi burst out all of a sudden, 'Look at your hand! What if you'd broken it?!' She frowned at him looking annoyed and even though he knew she was only upset because he was in pain, Viren still shook his head in amazement, 'Are you serious?! I didn't hit him hard enough!' He made a face and shrugged as she carried on looking at him unconvinced, 'This is nothing Moti, it doesn't even hurt!' Nivi raised her eyebrows and dabbed at his cuts again, a little harder than before and Viren felt another sharp sting, 'Oww! Well it wouldn't hurt if you just stopped poking it!'
Nivi smiled sweetly at his annoyed expression, 'I have to clean it before I can put the bandages on...' She sighed and her face went serious as she carried on quietly, 'You could have gotten more hurt Viren.' She didn't look at him as she took out some plasters and Viren put his hand under her chin, turning her face around, 'But I didn't Nivi, see I'm fine? As long as you're ok I'll always be fine.' She looked into his eyes as he continued softly, 'If anything had happened to you today, I'd never have forgiven myself...' He swallowed and went cold at the thought of her getting hurt and Nivi turned his hand over and kissed it softly, 'How can anything happen to me when you're here Viren?'
She smiled up at him and Viren leaned in as if something was pulling him towards her but suddenly she sat back, blinking, 'Nahi Viren, stop distracting me! Chachiji kya sochengi? How long does it take to clean some cuts?!' Viren sighed as her no-nonsense attitude returned and she began to wrap some bandages around his hand carefully, finally taking it round and tying it on his wrist. 'Oww!!' Viren jumped and Nivi did too, 'Kya hua Viren?! Is it too tight?' She looked worriedly at his hand and then back up at him.
'Bohth dhuk tha hai Nivi...' Viren really did look hurt and Nivi felt a flutter of worry, she didn't think his hand was that bad... 'Kaha Viren? Dikao,' She went to unwrap the bandage when suddenly Viren pulled his hand away, 'Yahaan!' he said with a cheeky smile and pulled her into his arms, hiding his face in her hair.
'Viren!' Nivi gave a relieved laugh as he hugged her; she'd actually been worried he might really be hurt! She let him hold her for a bit, enjoying the feeling of being in his arms before she pulled away and shook her head at him, 'That was low Viren Sood, even for you! You really scared me!' She frowned at him and Viren shrugged, not looking the least bit sorry, 'I couldn't let the moment go to waste Moti...'
Nivi couldn't help laughing as she turned and started putting everything away, 'Bilkul pagal ho Viren...' She stopped suddenly as Viren took her hand. He turned her palm over and she saw it was still a little red; he ran his fingers over it and she shivered a little, 'Does it hurt a lot?' Viren looked up and waited and Nivi saw the concern in his face. She was glad he seemed to be back to his normal self; it'd worried her seeing how angry he'd been earlier although she knew he'd only been so angry because she could have got hurt.
'I can barely feel it now Viren,' She moved her fingers to demonstrate and Viren smiled; he took her hand and curled it into a fist, 'Shall I show you how to throw a punch now?' Before she could answer he pulled her to her feet and took her arm, bringing her fist up to his jaw and told her she should aim for the lower part of the persons jaw but aim straight. 'Viren... I don't really think I'll ever need to punch anyone!' She started to laugh but Viren gave her a look so she stopped and listened as he explained how she should stand and twist her body.
Nivi smiled at his seriousness before standing how he'd told her and punching him lightly in the shoulder. 'Not bad...,' Viren smiled and Nivi nodded before narrowing her eyes and saying in a teasing voice, 'Hmm maybe one day you'll regret teaching me that Viren!' Viren laughed, 'Teek hai Moti, I'll just live in fear till then...' Nivi laughed again but then stopped when Viren took her hand and suddenly kissed her palm softly.
***
Nivi blinked in surprise and lost her breath when Viren pulled her towards him. 'Right, so now that's done, let's talk about Friday...' Nivi tried to think straight; she'd forgotten all about the weekend and Viren was too close. 'Umm, what's on Friday?' she asked distractedly as Viren ran his fingers through her hair. 'Tum hum sab ke saath farmhouse aa rahi ho, that's what's happening,' Viren smiled into her eyes and Nivi swallowed, 'Uhh Viren, I don't think...' Viren's eyes widened and he slowly moved his hands to her shoulders and Nivi lost her train of thought.
'Viren, we should go...we can talk about Friday later,' Nivi's voice was almost a whisper and she wanted to step back but she couldn't seem to move her feet. 'We'll go; first say you'll come,' Viren leaned forward and spoke into her ear, 'And anyway, I have something of yours which I need to give back...can you think of anything you've lost recently Moti?' Nivi blinked and tried to focus but before she could think of anything Viren pulled back a little and smiled, 'If you don't remember before I give it to you, you'll owe me...'
Nivi blinked at his words and suddenly remembered saying the same words to him all those weeks ago when he'd come back to Shimla and as she looked into his eyes she thought of how much things had changed since then. 'Viren...' He put his fingers on her lips, 'Chup Moti! Don't argue anymore, tum aa rahi ho, bas!' Nivi sighed against his fingers, knowing she'd give in but she had to set some ground rules. 'Teek hai Viren,' he blinked in surprise as she spoke against his fingers, 'But you have to promise to behave the whole time!'
She raised her eyebrows and Viren made a face, 'The WHOLE time?! How about only when people are around...?' He winked and Nivi tried not to laugh, 'Viren!' Viren sighed and moved his fingers across her cheek, making her heart skip, 'Ok, I'll try...' Nivi knew that wasn't the same as agreeing but she also knew it was probably the best she'd get out of him for now. She took a deep breath and tried to focus, 'Teek hai, toh ab chale?'
She turned to leave, wondering how she would answer everyone's questions about this evening when Viren suddenly pulled her back against him, surprising her, 'Don't forget Nivi; if you don't remember what you lost, you'll owe me...' Nivi closed her eyes and shivered as Viren blew lightly into her ear and then brushed past her, leaving her standing there in a daze. She tried to think of anything she might have lost recently but nothing came to mind and as she followed Viren out into the main hall, she wondered what she'd end up owing him...
Edited by anjaani07 - 14 years ago
Udne Ki Aasha
Kumkum Bhagya
