Hmm....it's been a while nah? I am so sorry to all of you for the delay in getting my ff to you. 😕 Mala, hun, I know you were thinking I had abandoned it, but believe me I was as upset as you about not getting it done. I just couldn't fit it in with all the essays I had to do this past week. 😕 😭 But here it is, at last! 😃 I hope it's worth the wait!
Chapter 18 – Anniversary
Kaajjal held a furiously crying Arjun in her arms, patting his back in an effort to stop his fretful cries, while attempting to mix the milk powder in time for the twins' feeding. It was terribly hot and she could feel little beads of sweat dripping from her forehead down her nose. Her hair was sticking to the back of her neck, but right now that was the least of her worries. It was in the midst of this that Dev walked into the room, looking cool and refreshed in a light blue shirt, the top button left undone. When he saw Kaajjal flustered he stopped and frowned at her, shaking his head in confusion.
"Arrey kya kare tum?" he demanded. "You should be getting ready!"
Kaajjal glanced up at him and gave him a slightly irritated but more baffled look.
"Dev, what are you saying?" she asked, running a soothing hand over Arjun's head as he let out a wail. "I haven't time for jokes right now," she added, turning the pan of hot milk off. "Arjun has colic and Naina will be waking up any moment."
"That's why I am here," Dev said in a cheerful tone. "Come on, give Arjun to me. It's almost five. We are leaving at half six."
Kaajjal paused and looked directly at him, a deep frown furrowing her brown and darkening her green eyes.
"Kya?" she exclaimed. "Dev, have you gone mad? Where are we going?"
"Never mind that," he told her. "Just go and get ready. Wear one of your expensive sarees, ok?"
He said this as he took Arjun from her arms, and accompanied his words with a devastating wink that made her heart flutter. Confused she watched him walk from the kitchen into the lounge, speaking softly to Arjun. Shaking her head she ran a hand through her frazzled hair and looked about her at the mess the kitchen was in, a sense of despair creeping over her.
"Kaajjal jaldi!" Dev shouted from the lounge. "Go and get ready!"
"Paar Dev..." she began, but she never got to complete her sentence.
"Sab chode de, just go and get ready, ok?" he called back.
Rolling her eyes and muttering under her breath she walked into the room and opening the closet she gazed at her sarees, wondering what Dev could possibly have planned and whether she should be worried or not.
An hour and a half later Dev stood in the lounge watching the little hand of the clock anxiously as it ticked its way round to the six. Wringing his hands together he craned his neck, looking over towards the bedroom door, hoping to see it open.
"Come on Kaajjal, jaldi karo," he said to himself.
Just then the door opened and his hands dropped to his sides. Every thought vanished from his mind as Kaajjal stepped out from the room and walked towards him. His eyes widened in amazement and his heart started to pound. She was still fixing one of her earrings and so her head was titled to the side, her hair falling down over her shoulder like a curtain, the warm chestnut curls shining under the lights. Astounded Dev ran his eyes over her. Never had he seen her look quite so exquisite. Her sari was a deep pink, embroidered all over with golden leaf patterns and with a gold sequence border that shimmered like gems. The soft chiffon material moulded to her figure, revealing her curves in the most breathtaking fashion. Pink and gold bangles adorned her wrists and she wore a small pink bindi. As she straightened she looked over at him and there was a magic sparkle in her eyes that radiated with her beauty. Dev was mesmerised and he could not take his eyes off her.
"Arre kya hua?" she asked with a smile as she stopped in front of him. That smile lit up her whole face, making her cheeks rosy.
He could not answer her; he was lost for words. Baffled she inclined her head to one side and looked up at him with a slight frown, laughing softly in amusement.
"Dev!" she called him, snapping her fingers under his nose.
He shook his head, as if coming out of a trance.
"Kya hua?" she asked again. "Where had you got lost?"
"Main...main..." he stammered, feeling like a tongue tied teenager.
Just then Naina began to cry. Kaajjal rolled her eyes with an affectionate smile and crossed the room to her cot. She was about to pick her up when Dev caught her wrist and stopped her. Frowning again she turned her eyes to him, questioningly.
"Dev let me see to her," she said.
"No," he replied. "Not tonight."
"Paar..."
Before she could finish her sentence the doorbell rang and Dev's face brightened with a smile. He gave her a look that told her to wait where she was and dashed off to answer it. Confused she stood and listened to the babble of voices coming from the porch. This commotion hushed Naina into stunned silence and along with her mother she stayed in silence, listening as the voices drew closer. Kaajjal was amazed when Dev appeared in the doorway alongside Mr Tejwani and his wife, both of them smiling broadly, their eyes filled with glee.
"Tejwani Saab, ap? Yahan par?" Kaajjal exclaimed.
"Namaste Kaajjal beti," he greeted her, his red face creasing into an even wider smile. "Kaisi ho?"
"Main thik hoon," she replied, raising her eyes questioningly to Dev, who stood smiling in the doorway. "Dev...." she began, faltering for the right words to ask the meaning of this impromptu visit without insulting her guests.
Dev understood her confusion and coming to stand beside her, he said, placing an arm around her shoulders and smiling brightly down at her,
"I called Tejwani Saab Kaajjal. He and his wife have so kindly agreed to babysit Arjun and Naina for us tonight."
Now Kaajjal was even more perplexed and her green eyes held so many questions in them as she gaze up at him.
"Babysit?" she repeated, flicking her eyes between Dev and the Tejwanis. "Magar....kyun?"
"We're going out nah?" Dev replied with a wicked grin. "Tejwani Saab," he said, turning to the kindly headmaster. "Thank you for coming. If there are any problems you have my number, don't hesitate to call."
"It's no problem at all Dev beta," Tejwani replied. "You have a good time."
Dev smiled at him and looking back at a tense Kaajjal motioned with his head, winking at her.
"Chalo," he said and led her from the room before she had a chance to protest.
"Dev, where are you taking me?" Kaajjal asked.
He had his hands over her eyes and was making her walk in front of him, whispering in her ear when to take a right and when to watch out for steps. She had no idea where they were or what he had planned. He had parked the car in another street and since she stepped out from it he had kept his hands in front of her eyes. All she knew was that they were in a town centre; she could hear the peep pf horns and the autos whooshing past. Dev would not say anything to her repeated questions, leaving her in a state of trembling anticipation.
"There is a door," he told her. "I am pushing it open, be careful, there's a step down."
"Dev, what is going on?" she asked, holding onto his arm for fear of her faltering steps.
"Stop," he told her.
Her heart was fluttering and she had butterflies in her stomach. She could hear gentle music in the background and the smell of spices was strong in the air, making her taste buds water.
"Ok, now you can look."
Dev took his hand away and her eyes were met with the most amazing sight she had ever witnessed. Blinking she gazed around her in amazement, wondering if she was dreaming. They were on a terrace and all around them were small black tables, baskets of roses and marigolds in the centre of every table, their bright red and gold petals looking like a bridal dress. Rows of candles on the balcony were the only light and their soft flames flickered across the terrace, lending a romantic haze over everything. Music was playing gently on a small sterio and standing on either side of it was a waiter, both holding a rose in their hands and smiling at the happy couple. In the middle was one small table, set for two, a candle and single rose sitting in the middle of the table. Astounded Kaajjal turned and looked round at Dev. He was smiling down at her, the flickerng of the candle reflected in his deep brown eyes.
"Dev....yeh sab...." she began breathlessly.
"Kya Kaajjal?" he asked her gently. "You don't remember? Aaj hamara anniversary hain."
"Haan Dev, paar..."
"You thought I had forgotten right?" he said with an amused smile.
Kaajjal lowered her eyes, unable to admit to her secret suspicion. Suddenly she felt ashamed that she had thought such a thing about her Dev.
"Nahin Kaajjal," he said to her. His finger came under her chin and he lifted her head so his eyes looked into hers. "How could I forget the most precious day of my life?"
His words overwhelmed her and she could not find the words to answer him. Tears of joy welled up in her eyes, choking her throat. Turning she threw her arms about his neck and held him tightly, letting her actions speak her thanks for her. Dev folded her in his arms, burying his face in the curls of her hair, breathing in her sweet, intoxicating scent. Without her saying a thing he knew that he had given her happiness. The tightness of her arms about his neck spoke of her immense love for him and as he held her close he thanked God for allowing him to share this special moment with her.
She pulled back and framed his face with her hands, gazing deeply into his deep dark eyes. He could see the glistening of tears in hers in the candlelight and it made his heart miss a beat.
"Kaajjal, these tears..." he began.
"Khushi ki assoon," she replied. "Dev, you don't know how much this means to me. What did I do to deserve you?"
"Nahin Kaajjal," he replied, threading his fingers through her hair. "What did I do to deserve you? Kaajjal, you have given me the whole world. Since I met you I have experienced happiness that I never thought possible."
"Dev, you are my whole world," she told him. "I never thought I would find someone who would complete me the way you do."
For a few minutes they were silent, holding each other close, listening to the words of their heartbeats. When Dev pulled back he placed an arm about her shoulders and plucking a rose from one of the baskets presented it to her. Her fingers curled over his and they smiled back at one another, love shining in their eyes.
"Chalo, let's eat," Dev said.
Kaajjal nodded her head in agreement and walking together they went to the table and sat, ready to savour the moment that God had given them.
The Anniversary is not over yet guys! 😉 😳 Next part will deal with their meal....so hope you are all eager to read on. Do please comment....it means so much to me to read your thoughts. 😳
Anu
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
Current Affairs
