"So where do you think we should go for our dinner date today? Shivay's question was something that Anika was actually expecting yet not prepared for. Born God knows where and brought up in a chawl yet Anika could never assimilate herself in the life style that usually a chawl provided. She despised clutter and litter both. Even before Swacha Bharat had become a fad prevalent in socialites she had been keen on keeping her surrounding litter free. It had taken her humongous efforts to make her chawlians understand the gravity of sanitation and hygiene. For precisely this reason she never ate outside because the places that could grant her the luxury of hygiene were beyond her reach and the places that were in her reach were not match for her hygiene and health requirements so she did not know where to go for a dinner date. The bigger issue was that Anika when faced with a question, needed to find an answer if she did not already know it. Her mind was running miles a second.
"agar kissi five star ka naam leti hoon to bill ka dada milega. Agar kissi organic food ke joint ka naam leti hoon to yeh nak muh banayeinge. Simple bhartiya khana to samajh aayega nahi
"yeh tum kisse baat kar rahi ho?
Apne aap se. Aapko koi problem hai? Agar hai to yeh meri problem hai mera matlab yeh aapki problem hai. She said all that in without a pause.
"Meri problem hai, alright, But where are we to go, have you decided?
"Main kya decide karoon, date pe to aap le jaa rahey hain aur jagah main bataon. Yeh acchi kahani hai. Jagah batao kagah batao. Arrey main kya koi guide hoon ki mujhey pata hoga kahan jana hai.
Shivay could sense her nervousness well to be fair there was nothing to sense here, it was all pretty obvious. Her cheeks could give a pink lotus run for color and she was hell bent to keep her eyes absolutely away from his direction. Not that he was complaining, he was actually enjoying this flustered Anika. It had been so long they had been struggling with this entire Tia fiasco. It took all the training from Bollywood to actually beat the Kapoor's at their game. So many dramas including her pati parmeshwar and the weirdest main aapko bacha nahi de sakti ,he had held on control by his teeth that night when she was going on and on about baccha. He had wanted to pull her right into himself but he was trained to be a gentleman. She was fidgeting with her ring finger, twisting and turning it ruthlessly. She had a habit of doing this and every time she did it he felt like someone was ringing his neck. Her middle finger was always slightly bruised and swollen. Every now and then she used to spray that pain reliever on it. She was so young and had more than her fair share of struggles in life yet she had commendable strength she kept going. He had wanted to hold her hand at that moment and comfort her, tell her that days of ordeal were over, that he was deeply sorry for all that she had to face on his account too. Only if saying that sorry came that easily to him
"Arrey toot jayegi have some sympathy on that poor thing. It is still without a ring. He chuckled and picked up his phone to reserve a seat for two at some place.
"What? Kya kaha aapne? Anika shrinked her eyes into thin slits in an effort to make sense of what he had uttered and finally gave up but not without making her silly faces. There was something about her innocent silliness that always had the ability to lighten up the most morose star in the sky, he was but a mere Shivay Singh Oberoi.
"Maine kaha chalein?
"Chalein to par kahan? She pouted.
" Jahan main le chaloonga wahi chalogi kahin aur to ja nahi sakti. Anika responded to his tadi with her silence any ways she was feeling a little weird today for Shivay had been behaving in a most weird way.
"Accha batao tumko sabse zada kya pasand hai khane mein.
"Aloo puri! She did not even have to wait for his question to finish and he wondered why he had to ask, she had been ranting about aloo puri from the first day he had met her. He just smiled to himself, it was funny while any two moments with Anika could never be same or predictable but some things about her never changed. He felt a sense of pride that she was his Anika. He pulled his car in the main entrance of a restraunt and before getting out he told Anika to keep sitting.
"Ab kya gadi mein baithey baithey kahan milega. She peeped out of the window and the immaculate outside looked mesmerizing. Shivay motioned the guard to stay away from her side of the door and he himself opened it. She gazed at him wide eyed and he winked at her and like a perfect gentleman gave her his hand to assist her, but alas only if she knew what to do with it. She shrugged her shoulders as if asking what she is supposed to do with his hand. He laughed, time with Anika was always a joy. He picked up her right hand and placed it in his palms as gently as he could for her ring finger was looking slightly swollen again. He motioned her to come out of the car which she did in such haste that she stumbled into him.
"Aapne yeh mera haath pakad ke aise kyoun kheecha mujhko? She asked righting her self. "gir jaati abhi main to.
"I won't let you fall Anika. He said pulling her close to himself and placing his hand on her waist. He was left wondering if she had shuddered due to his touch on her bare waist or due to the coolness of the breeze. She was wearing a white saree with golden stripes and a fringy blouse that bared her shoulder to his view and he was enjoying every inch of the view he had been granted today. He told her that they were at Taj Masala Kraft and it was the best place to eat her Aloo puri in Mumbai.
"Sacchi Yahan pe aloo puri milta hai? she asked feeling overjoyed that he had kept her choice in his mind. "Iss tarah ki jagah pe bhi Indian khana milta hai? Matlab aap jaise log bhi Indian khana khatey hain? She asked totally not able to believe that people from the other side of the country enjoyed anything that rang close to home. She still recalled when she had asked Shivay his favorite food for the raksha bandhan party. His list was Greek and Latin to her. She was mesmerized by the pristine interiors of the place. Dim lights but bright Indian colors. Waiters in Indian Safa(turban) and silver utensils no crockery. No doubt the place reeked of wealth and privilege but yet it was Indian.
They were directed to a private nook by the manager and when the manager was leaving Shivay whispered something to him. The manager gave him an endearing smile and left. When the waiter brought the menu Anika looked for aaloo puri but could not find it and of went her trigger,
"Lo bada keh rahey they yahan sab kuch milega, mil gayi na aaloo poori? Log jinse pyaar kartey hai unke liye kya kya kar letey hain aur ek aap hain mujhey ek aaloo poori nahi khila paa rahey hain. She again pouted.
"To tumhe lagta hai ki main tumse pyaar karta hoon? That I love you. He came to the point straight forward.
"Nahi maine aisa nahi kaha.
"to fir ky kaha tumne Anika?
"mera matlab tha ki pati apni wifon ke liye kuch bhi kartey hain.
"Its wives Anika! He hated incorrect English. It gave him creeps or michmichi as she used to call it.
"Thank God Anika said to herself.
"For what?
"Jab se nikale hain tab se aap ne ek baar bhi mujhey toka nahi, data nahi, chidhe nahi mere upar. Mujhey lag raha tha ki aap theek nahi hain par thank God aap to bilkul theek hain. Michmichi aa hi gayi na mere upar. Shivay wanted to pull her to himself this very instant and twist her arm so that she could understand the level of michmichi in him but he wanted that for later tonight. They ordered the food but to Anika's surprise along with their order the chef himself came out to serve them Aloo puri. Shivay thanked him with all his heart after all he was the reason his wife would not go sulking home today. He had accommodated Shivay's request on priority basis. They had a dinner full of Anika's Khidkitod comments on what people were wearing, and how besharam the woman on the table in front was or how cute the little baby over some other corner was. Shivay while leaving had got a mud cake packed for Rudra as he loved that from the Patisserie at Taj. Once again Anika felt his gesture warm her up. Shivay never forgot the people he loved. They all stood at a parallel level in his heart. No one had to compete for there space in his heart. They were all as important as anyone else. Her eyes watered up.
"Ab maine kya kiya jo tum royi. Maine bahut baar tumko samjhaya hai na I don't like to see you crying. He said to Anika while she was entering their bedroom.
"Aapne kuch nahi kiya. Par main kuch kehna chahti hoon.She was standing at the threshold of her bedroom and was now facing him, looking in his eyes full of all the colors she knew, as if asking his permission to continue. She swallowed hard to gather courage from within.
"main jaanti hoon ki aap ko Naam Khoon Khandan se bahut farak parta hai...
" Anika Shivay tried to stop her but she gazed into his eyes with a look imploring him to let her complete. He could feel her heart crashing into a million pieces. He wanted to stop her for he was unable to bear the sound her cracking heart was creating in his head but he gave in as always.
"Fark parta hai na Shivay? Maine sahi samjha hai na? she asked hoping for an answer different from her knowledge but Shivay remained silent with eyes closed and right hand viciously gripping her arm. He labored to breathe , unable to contain his anger on himself within. He leaned for support on to her shoulder.
"Shivay main kya karoon maine bahut chaha tha ki main aapse pyaar na karoon, bahut samjahaya tha apne dil ko ki shayad humare appke beech ki yeh diwaar kabhi gir nahi payegi. Par nahi mana dil aur main aapse pyaar karne lagi. Par Shivay ab mera yahan kaam khatam hua. Tia ka sach saamne aa chukka hai. Main agar aur yahan rukti hoon to mujhey apni pehchan wapas pana mushkil ho jayega. Mujhey dar hai ki kahin main khud ko sach mein aapki wife na samajh baithon. Aap na dil ke bahut acche hain kahin main aapki acchayi ko apne liye pyaar na samajh loon. Aaj nahi to kal aapko apna Jeevan saathi milega mere yahan rehne se aur raita phailega mujhey jaana chahiye varna khud ko sametna bahut mushkil ho jayega.
Every word that she had uttered had sliced not only her heart but had lanced his heart too. He felt as if he saw red everywhere and if he did not stoop to collect the pieces of the broken heart now. It would be too late. He loosened his grip on her arm and scooped her up even before she could think what was happening. They had crossed the threshold. Once her feet touched the ground again she tried to stand but the shattering pain that she felt made her crumble to the ground and she broke down into heart wrenching sobs. He let her cry all this pain needed to be let out. He let her cry one last time pledging that as long as he lived he will not allow sadness come near her. When her sobs were controllable again he pulled her to himself on the bed without a word. She did not realize when a cool glass of water was placed near her parched lips and she drank as if this was it the last sip, that she would ever take. She did not even know when she was in his lap.
"Mujhey zada bolna nahi aata Anika I don't know how to express so I may not say it in as many words as you did, but my life partner is right here with me. I may be egoistic, may believe in upbringing and blood line but I have also learnt that goodness rests in the heart not in blood. Khoon ka to ek hi rang hai lal par dil to wo kya kehti ho tum main kaisa hoon? Saurangi, haan aisa hi na? He looked at her trying to find that admiration in her eyes that always made his heart soar with pride. "Haan yahi kehti ho tum, yeh dil hi hai jo humko itne rang dikhata hai. Anika mujhey badalne mein vaqt lagega par smajhne mein waqt nahi lagta. I know what makes a difference is not blood and lineage but heart. Tum apna dil to mujhey de chuki ho ab mere bina jiyogi kaise? he was now holding her hand and gently twining his fingers in hers as if promising her that past was behind them. Anika could not believe what she heard and what she felt. She stared at him in the darkness trying to ascertain if he meant what he said or he just said out of the goodness of his pure heart. Shivay had a knack of understanding her needs even when she did not voice them so he switched the lights on and Anika's heart skipped a beat, in fact it ceased beating all together for a few seconds.
"Yeh kya hai Shivay? She looked around the room astounded. Shivay had a liking for unusual things when roses, carnations and orchids were the trend he liked lotuses so today their room was like a small sanctuary scattered with big round silver bowl full of lotus with leaves. She counted there were seventeen bowls. He switched the lights off once again and removed the curtain from the windows. The moon was shining in its full glory bright and white. All hindrances gone it readily scattered its pure and pristine white light into their room. The tiny little floating crystals in the in the air caught the light and lit up like little fireflies.
Shivay came and kneeled down in front of Anika with a ring in his hand which glimmered in the natural light,
"Anika will you accept me with all my tadi and all my ego and rashness as your life partner? He looked at her hopefully and with that look Anika lost whatever little scrap of her heart was remaining with her. She collapsed right next to him trying to control her tears and sobs but when all barriers and barrages lay broken the river is bound to flow over. Shivay held her tightly to himself, trying his best to placate her to calm her.
"Anika you should stop messing with your finger. I am lucky that this ring was a fit because the way you had twisted it, it was swollen. Though I am sure in a day or two it would be lose. He said chuckling and trying to dissipate the thick curtain of sentiments that had hazed Anika. She laughed, the sound was soaked in the emotions of their acceptance. He stretched himself on the floor next to one of those bowls that had the lotus pulling Anika with him. her head on his chest and his hand resting gently on her shoulder. She looked at her ring which had little diamonds encrusted in the design of a crescent.
"yeh chand chamkata hai iski apni roshni hai. She said placing her hand on his chest.
"Shivay Singh Oberoi chand nahi hai, Anika Suraj hai? Jo agar hai to andhera nahi ho sakta. Anika took a deep breath sending a prayer above. His fingers were now drawing circles on her shoulder and they were causing her to fidget.
"Yeh kya kar rahey hain aap?
"Kya?
To answer his question she copied his gesture with her finger on his chest but he did not flinch
" Arrey aapko wo gudgudi nahi hoti?
"Gudgudi whats that? He looked at her.
"wo jab bacchon ko aise aise kartey hain to unko hoti hai she wriggled her fingers trying to show him how gudgudi was done.
"You mean tickle?
".Haan wahi
"No I am not ticklish. On listening to his straight response she made a sulky face. Shivay placed a kiss on her head and inhaled deeply trying to store the memory of her fragrance, musky and feminine in his mind for times when she will not be this close in his arms. He could sense that she had closed her eyes and was trying to make sense of the ruckus that his nearness was causing to her senses. Only if she knew the intensity of chaos in his being, but her simple mind would never be able to guess the kind of force that she exerted on him. He removed her earrings telling her that he needed her in ways more than one. He pulled on her bangles the steel ones first and then those red ones that she always wore. He casted of her bangles in the bowl that they were lying next to. The feeling of water on his fingers was similar to how Anika's skin felt, fluid, cool and alive. He could take it no more so he asked Anika if she understood what being a wife really entailed. He wanted to make sure that she understood that their relation would change for ever from now on. It would mean more giving more taking, it would mean losing their identities, it would mean many more responsibilities, and it would mean a lifelong effort to quell their need for each other and still reveling in the unquenchable desire. What Anika did in response would remain etched in his memory till he will live.
She propped herself on his chest and looked at him with such affection that threatened to consume him and then she placed her quivering lips on his. He had enjoyed physical proximity with his girlfriend before also but never had he felt himself drown in to the very essence of a woman. The more his fingers explored her body the more he craved for her. No amount of arm twisting could have prepared him for this, which was a perfect coupling blessed by light and love. Anika was sure that tomorrow she would have to dress as modestly as she could to cover her soft and delicate skin that had signs of being claimed all over. They together learnt what love meant in that sweetest and age old act of giving all and taking entirely. After all love does not come easy.
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