Hello all...
Here comes the second OS in the series...Aarav is not a part of the family yet...
To those who missed the first in the series, this is a series of one-shots, basically moments in their life that I wanted to see. Well, in my head, these moments did happen!
Please do me a favour and read the OSs in the order that they are written. That way you'll get a feel of how their relationship has progressed.
You can read the other OS in the series here
1. Peace
Hope you enjoy...and please do leave your comments...😊
2. Evening Rituals
Anjali looked up to see her Chotte striding in, eyes glued to his phone as he fed in data. He let loose his usual call without even looking up, "Khushi..."
The answering shout came promptly from the kitchen, "Aayi..."
Smiling down from her perch in front of the TV, Anjali thought, "And there starts the evening ritual". This was the routine. The first word from Arnav mouth every evening was his wife's name. It didn't matter whether she was in the living room, kitchen or upstairs in their room. The minute he reached home, he wanted his wife. And wherever she was, she would call back "Aayi" and appear within seconds.
Deciding to play silent spectator for a while, she settled back.
Throwing down his phone and laptop bag on to the coffe table, Arnav sank down into one of the sofas in the living room. Ever since Akash had left to finalise the UK deal, the workload in office had doubled. Thankfully, tomorrow was a Sunday and Arnav could afford to reach home in time for dinner.
Leaning his head back, he waited for his wife to make an appearance.
Walking in with his usual black coffee, Khushi paused to take in the tired face of her husband. Eyes closed, he looked exhausted, the dark circles under his eyes and the day old stubble making him look older.
Sensing her presence, his eyes snapped open. Looking up, he smiled at her expression - part concern, part love and part anger at the continual neglect of his health. Setting his coffee down, she sat next to him. Cupping his cheek, she decided to let it go today, "Kaisa raha aapka din?"
Leaning in to her touch, he sighed, "Hectic. I'm bone-tired, Khushi. Coffee pilao..."
Handing him his coffee, Khushi settled back, stroking his hair, watching him relax gradually. Exhaustion was setting in, making him sloppy. A drop of coffee dribbled down his chin. She quickly wiped it away before it dripped down to his pristine white shirt. Turning his head sideways to kiss her palm, he smiled at her.
"Baaki sab kahaan hain?", he asked, suddenly noticing the silence around him. His mad family was never this quiet. Anjali had long since left, leaving the couple to their private moment.
"Naniji aur Mamiji mandir gaye hain aur Nanheji ko bhi saath le gaye. Patha nahin Di kahan chali gayi, shayad kamre mein gayi hogi..."
Standing up, Khushi said, " Ab aap chaliye. Kapde badalke aayiye, hum khana lagaathe hain."
"Bahut thak gaya hoon, Khushi. I just want to sleep.'
Hands on her hips, she glared down at him, "Bilkul nahin. Aaj ithne dinon baad aap waqt pe aaye hain. Aaj aapko khilake hi rahoongi. Ab aap chaliye upar."
Dragging himself up, he sighed, "Acha theek hain. Tum bhi chalo mere saath."
Picking up his laptop bag, Khushi followed him upstairs to their room.
*****************
By the time she kept the laptop on the side table and got out his clothes, Arnav had dozed off on the recliner. Khushi stood behind him, massaging his head and neck, gently waking him up.
"Mmm...Khushi, us din jo Buaji ne kaha tha, woh bilkul sach hain. Jaadu hain tumhare haathon mein."
Pulling her down on his lap, he gathered her close, settling back comfortably, her presence calming his "racing-a-mile-a-second" brain down. Khushi snuggled up, head tucked under his chin, knowing that holding her was his way of washing away the tensions of the workday and unwinding to "home-mode".
A little while later, she sat up, "Arnavji, uthiye naah. Varna khane mein der ho jayegi. Aap kamsekam aaj ke din waqt pe khayiye..."
Struggling up, Arnav made his way to the washroom, pausing to drop a kiss on his wife's head as she handed him his towel. Khushi walked over to his side of the bed and settled down to fold the washed clothes while waiting for her husband to finish his evening bath.
Arnav came out of the washroom to see his wife sitting back against the headboard, legs stretched out, busy sewing a button on one of his shirts. Throwing his towel aside, he streched out across the bed, head pillowed on her lap, face turned agaist her warm belly and arm about her waist. Setting aside the mending, Khushi leaned down to kiss his wet hair. Running her fingers through the tangled locks, she murmured, " Aaj bohot thak gaye hain na aap..."
Hearing no answer, she peeked at his face to find him fast asleep. Deciding to let him sleep a while, she too leaned back, her arms cradling her husband to herself.
*****************
Not seeing Arnav and Khushi come down even after everyone came back from the temple, Anjali made her way upstairs. When knocking produced no results, she gently pushed the door open, only to find her brother and his wife fast asleep in eachother's arms. Closing the door, she walked back downstairs, smiling fondly. Dinner would wait, after all, what are hot-plates for...
Author's Note:
You can read the other OS in the series here
3. Saturday Nights
4. Sleeping Patterns :
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/3350730/os-series-vignettes-part-4-sleeping-patterns
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