DAY 15- Way Back Home
Arnav was woken up by the bright and cheerful voice of Minos.
"Goode Morning Ladies and gentlemen! We have arrived at ze Port of Athens. It eez a bright sunny morning' Seems like Lord Zeus is quite happy eh? Ze winds are blowing north-east and zank you fer cruising weeth us. It haz been our pleasure to serve you! Ze disembarking shall begeen in half an hour."
Arnav rubbed his eyes and saw Akash already up.
"Well, that is it then'" Akash said.
Arnav frowned. "What'"
"That's the end of our honeymoon'"
"Right' OH, yeah." Arnav said.
*
Khushi entered their suite and Akash left for his own. Arnav realized that she looked pale and tired.
"Are you okay'"
Instead of retorting like she usually did, she muttered "I am doing fine' Thanks for asking'."
"You can use the bathroom first'" Arnav offered.
Khushi nodded and took her towel from her cupboard and wrapped it around her clothes and went in.
*
Fifteen minutes later, Khushi came out wearing a sky blue sari and blue bindi. The vermillion in her hair was clearly visible, a streak of red in black hair. Her hair was held by a black clutch and the familiar tinkle of her bangles was back.
Arnav stared at her, having forgotten what she looked like in a sari.
She caught him looking. "What, we are going back today. Buaji would kill me if I am in those western outfits and Naniji wouldn't approve too'"
Arnav nodded once and left to use the washroom.
*
Half an hour later, the four of them were off the ship and headed to an Indian Restaurant in the East of Athens.
It was not a very big restaurant. Its decorations were mostly maroon and red, with Rajasthani themed dolls and tapestries adorning the walls.
They ate some regular Indian food, and enjoyed themselves as spices and salt downed their system after a fortnight of bland food.
*
Their flight back to India was in the evening at six. It was an eight hour journey, so they would go via Doha (Qatar) where they would catch another flight back to Delhi after two hours.
So, take off from Athens at Six. (Greek Time)
Arrival at Doha at Ten. (Qatar Time)
Take off from Doha at Midnight (Qatar Time)
Arrival at Doha at 4 a.m (Qatar Time) and 6.30 a.m (India Time)
*
Athens Airport
They were at the Athens Airport by 3, for reporting time was three hours prior scheduled take off.
Being VIPs and of Business Class, they had finished checking-in and passed through the immigration bureau within forty-five minutes.
They were sitting in the waiting lounge. Payal was going through a magazine, while Arnav and Akash were busy on their phones. Khushi, who was feeling restless got up and said "I'll just look about the place'."
Arnav looked up. "Okay, but keep within our sights so we can call you if we start boarding'" he said.
With that, Khushi was off looking around at the simple Athens International Airport and picking local magazines and travel brochures from the magazine stands.
Arnav watched her walking slowly, her eyes roving up and down the entire place. Out of nowhere, a blonde dude jumped in front of her.
"What the-!" Arnav thought, ready to get up and bash him up if needed. (And though he wouldn't admit it, he wanted to beat him up)
To his disappointment, it was Mike Rogers.
Khushi talked to him, smiling. And even hit him playfully as he said something that made her blush and to Arnav, it suspiciously sounded like he had called her 'hot'.
Within moments, Mike was holding Khushi's hands and dragging her towards them while she laughed.
When did she ever let me drag her without resisting'!? He thought ruefully.
Now they were right in front of them.
"Now Khushi, introduce me to your family'"
Khushi smiled amusedly as Akash looked up with a questioning look and Payal's eyes darted with confusion between Mike and Khushi.
"Well, Mike this is my elder sister Payal. Jiji, this is Mike and-"
"Hey, hey! Hold on, you said her name was Payal. How come you called her Jiji?" Mike asked, confused.
Khushi and Payal laughed. "Mike, we Indians use 'Jiji' or the word 'Di' to address our elder sisters. Calling them by names would be disrespect'"
Mike seemed delighted. "Wait, so my younger brother John would have to call me Di?"
Payal laughed again. "No! He would call you Bhaiyya' That is used for elder brothers'"
"I see, quite interesting'."
"And this is my Jiju Akash and-"
"Jiju is used to address elder sister's husband'" Akash said smiling, and got up and shook hands with Mike.
"And you have met my h-husband'" Khushi muttered.
"Ahh Yes'" Mike smiled, as Arnav nodded his head.
"Wow, you Indians have quite a lot of rules eh'? I heard being disloyal to spouses is taken quite seriously? I mean, in America it happens all the time!"
"Yes it is taken seriously, but some people don't'" Khushi said, looking at Arnav, who looked away, feeling very uncomfortable at her indirect accusation and exchanging an uneasy glance with Payal.
"Well, that's all folks! I have a flight to catch! Nice to meet you ladies! See ya!" he said, while giving Payal a hug and giving Khushi a kiss on both the cheeks* and hurried away
Akash had smiled. "He is like NK Bhai'." While Arnav had jumped out of his seat the moment Mike's kiss landed on Khushi's cheeks.
She seemed shocked and her hands were covering her cheeks as she stared at Mike's retreating form.
"Oh Lord, these Americans!" Khushi muttered.
"How dare he-!" Arnav muttered.
Akash suppressed a snicker. "Bhai, relax and-"
"Relax? Seriously? What would you do if he kissed Payal?" Arnav demanded.
"Nothing really, because I can see the goodness in the guy'"
Payal smiled while Arnav said "But she is my wife!"
Khushi scoffed. "Oh shut up! Look who is talking!"
All three pairs of eyes turned towards her. Two confused, one guilt AND threatening at the same time.
Khushi realized her blunder and said immediately "I mean, its over na? Relax Arnavji' At least he didn't smooch me'" she said walking past Arnav, and added in a mutter "'and whisk me away to some room while I was drunk'"
Arnav recoiled, unable to tolerate what she had just implied. He fisted his hands and looked away; he knew he was guilty, and had no right to accuse her of something as small as a kiss'
*
*Before you guys want to kill me and find this outrageous, let me tell you that this is just a way of greeting in the US (I dunno if its done everywhere, but yes it does happened) and it happened to me too and I was like "W*F!" I mean, a random stranger who is your uncle's neighbor kisses you, so what do you expect -.- *
Foreword: I have forgotten the system at Doha airport and have given vague descriptions. Sorry if they turn out wrong =(
Doha Airport
They land in Doha at ten fifteen. The weather was unbearably hot even at night for as soon as they got off the plane to board a bus, hot winds greeted them, whipping their faces. They were packed in to a bus with shiny floors.
They stopped at a terminal and a woman announced "Those with Blue Card, please get down"
In Qatar, passengers were given five types of colored cards- Blue, Orange, Yellow, Green and Maroon.
Blue was for those who would remain at Qatar.
Orange and Yellow were for transit flights (Orange was more privileged)
Green was for transit as well (I am sorry, I don't really remember all of them =P )
Maroon was VIP people.
Soon, the four of them had gotten off at the Transit Terminal and were in waiting for their flight to Delhi.
Khushi was went and brought herself some Chilled Caramel Latte and got Arnav some black coffee without sugar. "Here. Have it and then take your medicine'" she whispered and handed the coffee to him and took a seat next to him.
Payal was dozing off on Akash's shoulder, who was doing nothing but focusing on keeping his wife as comfortable as he could in that uncomfortable position.
The Doha Airport was not very grand. A new one was being built away from it.
Khushi was sipping on her latte, calmly.
Arnav felt really uncomfortable with her silence.
Defeated, he turned to Khushi. "Khushi, about what happened that night' I am so sorry. I-"
Khushi set aside her Latte and turned to face him. "Why exactly are you sorry'.? That I found out? Or because you are feeling guilty'."
Arnav blinked, trying to figure out if it was trick question.
To be honest, he was sorry because it hadn't been her.
Wait a second! Did I just think that!?
"I am waiting'." Khushi said.
"I-I guess its because I am feeling guilty'"
Khushi looked at him. "Then don't be." She said clearly, before turning to her latte.
"But Khushi, you-"
Khushi sighed. "Look Mr Raizada, you don't consider me your wife. In your point of view, you are not even married! So when you are not married, it is not really a crime is it?"
Arnav was stunned. "But Khushi, your beliefs and-"
Khushi laughed bitterly. "If my beliefs ever mattered to you, we wouldn't be stuck in this marriage, in an airport after a fake honeymoon..."
Arnav wanted to be angry, but the look in her eyes reigned in his temper. They looked sad and rueful...
She looked away. "Besides, you shouldn't worry too much... I was drunk too. For all I know, I might have spent the night with someone else too..."
That got through to him, with intense force. "What the heck!" he muttered. "Do you know what you are saying..."
"I know exactly what I am saying. But the difference, is I KNOW nothing of that sort happened with any stranger... While I can't say the same for you can I?"
For Arnav, only one thing mattered. "So, you didn't sleep with..."
"Any random stranger? No." she said calmly.
And if Arnav hadn't been revelling in relief, he would have heard the catch in her voice.
-THE END of Honeymoon Phase-
Well, this was short.
Sorry, but next update will be whole week (TOMORROW)
Cricket
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