***Bad Couple*** (sk ff) (pg67 prt10) - Page 46

PART 31

It's four in the morning and the morning Sun had started to raise his head. Kashish's face was dug in the pillow; her tears were dried as she had dozed off due to exhaustion. Her heart shakes her up as she hears the signature three knocks and those words...his voice saying 'Kashish it's me...Sujal...darwaza kholo'. She jumps up and runs to opens the door. She fumbles with the lock in her happy haste and opens the door.

She takes a look at him and in an instant impulse pines to him; tightly holding him close to her. She rests her head on his chest...yes yes...it was him...it was his smell. First time she realized that she found his smell so unique...she realized how much she loved his smell...how much she ached or it. She shuts her eyes tightly as she could loosing herself in the feeling...the feeling of security...feeling like a lost child who had found a guardian.

Sujal looks down at his wife who was holding him tightly. He is perplexed he is confused. More than the horrific incident this had shocked him, his body felt numb. He didn't know what to do. His hands urged to hold her close but his brain argued against it He lifts his hand to sooth her but stops mid way and bunches it into a fist. He does not want to scare her with his touch.

'Kahan chale gaye the tum. Jaante ho kitna pareshaan ho gait hi main.'

Kashish says to his chest while tightly shutting her eyes and clasping herself in his embrace.

'Maine tumhe kitni baar phone kya, wo bhi nahi laga, and then I called your friend too. Tv par news dekhi to tumhe dhundne wahan bhi gayi. Tum wahan bhi nahi mile. Aise karta hai kya koi, ek phone hi kar dete'

'Tum..akele?...mujhe dhundne...tum' Sujal is in an awe at her courage; courage that she demonstrated for finding him. Him...his heart takes a happy leap and he wanted to hug her tight, so that even air wouldn't come in between them. But his reasons got better of him instead he mutters 'Wo...mobile networks band the'

She lifts her head and looks up into his face 'Tum thik ho?'

He nods gazing into her watery eyes. 'I was given first aid'. Her eyes fall on his bandaged forehead with his words. 'I was there for a meeting' He says answering the question lingering in her eyes 'It happened suddenly and few died, few were injured. Guess was lucky. Government officials took us to a protected area. That's why I couldn't call and was late. I am sorry'

Tears roll down her cheeks as she imagines what could have happened. She is unable to stop her sobs and digs her face again close to his masculine chest. His 'sorry' was tearing her heart off all the bottled up emotions.

'Kashish...Kashish, don't cry. Everything is fine...hush...'

His hands finally touch her head and he hats patting her head to calm her down

'Tum...tumhe kuch ho jaata to...' She blabbers in between her sobs

'Kuch nahi hua hai, main thik hoon naa. Bolo, tumne khana khaya?'

She shakes her head causing her lips to brush on his chest

'Nahi khaya? Davai li?'

She shakes head again 'Tum pagal-vagal ho kya? Tumhara koi ata-pata nahi hai aur main sab gadhdhe mein dalke khana khaloon?'

He couldn't help a smile at this and silently keeps patting her head as she is in his embrace. Treasuring the time he is able to spend with her. After a while he speaks up 'Abhi khana khayein?'

'Uhmm...thodi der baad' She didn't want to get away from the comfortable cosy feeling

He keeps on patting her head for some time while she is in the same position. He realizes that she has drifted into a comfortable slumber while looks at her peaceful sleeping face. She has never felt so comfortable or so much at ease ever before.

Sujal picks her up in his arms and takes her to the bedroom laying her on the bed comfortably. She also thinks of getting some sleep and goes to sleep besides her finally deciding on skipping the dinner.