"Beta khoob ghoomna..enjoy karna..yehaan ki chinta nahi karna...aur haan whassapp karte rehna..."it was baba blessing his son n daughter in law aa they about to leave for simla..armaan smiled n joined "photos bhi whasapp karna...romantic waale"!!but a stern look from his friend seemed to silence him...as nidhi n ashutosh sat in the cab...n waved back...
"Buss...i hope flight delayed na ho..."it was nidhi chirping as the cab reached the airport..and dr ashutosh paid the cabbie..as nidhi ran in enthusiasm and got a trolley..dr ashutosh smiled as he transferred the two suitcases and was about to push it...when nidhi nudged"mujhe karne deejiye na..plz..i like it"!!he smiled n let her..with a firm hand on her waist...
As they sat after the security check ..nidhi almost pulled dr ashutosh around to "experience the airport"!!as he laughed n said"i didnt know you were so fond of the airport...aise hi simla jaa rahe hain..we could have just gone around this airport n returned..."and as nidhi seemed to pout..he took her to the new cafe lounge and ordered a pasta for her and a cappachino for himself..as nidhi corrected the order"with milk plz"!
His cell buzzed and he smiled as he said"hi col verma..i was expecting ir call...kaise hain aap aur dadi bua"??nidhi looked at him...dazed at the ease at which the convo flowed along ..n then suddenly he theust the cell to her"lo...tumhare baba..."nidhi grabbed the cell...but was suddenly short of words..."baba..."and ashutosh could only hear her "jee baba"n "laut ke..."as he looked at her..she explained "pooch rahe the kab aaoongi ghar...unke"!!ashutosh patted her hand..as she suddenly felt a strange urge to cry...but held on..the flight announcement helped her digress as they got up to board..dr ashutosh putting a spoon full of pasta in his mouth..."not bad"!!and nidhi smiled as she added"pasta can never ever be bad "!!
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It was after a two hr flight with a stop over at delhi that they finally landed at the tiny airport of Jubbal...about 40 km from mashobhra..and as they deplaned..dr ashutosh could feel nidhi shiver..the weather was certainly chilly!!he made her push her arms in a cardigan as they settled in a mercedez benz sent by the hotel..and the drive began...
The twists n turns of the hilly route almost synonymous to life..and as the road crossed the simla by pass...ashutosh saw the old yellow church..and remembered the last time they had been here..together yet apart..the memory of the pale sick nidhi..sleeping in the cab flashed back...as he gulped and put his arm around nidhi's waist almost pulling her to him..nidhi understood the pain as she could see the shadow of agony flash his deep eyes...n as a reassurance she put her head on his shoulder and caressed the hand around her waist..they did not speak...there was nothing to say..no words were needed!!..
Just as the pines changed to deodars..nidhi put her hand on her husband's chest and he looked at her...she poited at the small cluster coming by..yess the same spot where they had sipped tea..ashutosh smiled n nodded as nidhi sat up n told the driver"bhaiyya plz stop here..chasi peeyenge"the driver pulled up the car on to the side as they got down..and dr ashutosh said ..hiving him a 500 rs note"chaai naashta kar lo..then we d start..."he nodded as the couple went in..n nidhi announced'aaj no sandwich..no health diet..pooore ghee wale aaloo ke parathe aur kadak chai..what say"??and dr ashutosh frowned.."chai me thodi cheeni kum..chalegi"??and nidhi shot back"nope...no cheeni kum..na chai mein ..naa zindagi mein "!!and within minutes both were biting into hot aaloo parathas from which dr ashutosh had tried his level best to temove the dripping oil ..by using a bunch of tissues..as nidhi laughed her head off...till dr ashutosh drawled"itni hunsne ki kya baat hai dr nidhi.."!!and she squealed further like a child ..on a picnic!!
As they started again..nidhi with two parathas gone in was enjoying the ride even more...as she chatted with the cabbie about sight seeing..n surfed kufri n chail on her cell..and declared"kal kufri..."as dr ashutosh reminded her"dont forget kal 3 baje tak conference hai..."!!but then seeing her wide eyes..added"uske baad we d walk till the sunset point...chalogi na mere sath"??n nidhi nodded ..her eyes conveying clearly that she would go anywhere with him...till the ends of the earth..n even beyond!!and dr ashutosh squeezed her hand and held on to it...as the car drew into the porch of the wonderful resort...their honeymoon destination...
The GM was their to tecieve the fabled neurosurgeon n his young wife ..and as he ushered them..he said"sir we are honoured that you have chosen to make our hotel ur honeymoon destination...kindly come along..we have tried to arrange the very best for you"!!dr ashutosh smiled...a trifle embarrassed as he n nidhi were taken to the woodville suite..with a personal pool n jacuzzi overlooking the mountains..and a small garden of their own..
As the GM handed them a bottle of chilled champagne..dr ashutosh smiled n added"thanx but no thanx..we d prefer some hot tea..if possible with a lil ginger.."and there was laughter!!
As nidhi enquired about dr n mrs ranganath..she was told they had gone to simla..nidhi sighed"oh anji n shopping...inseparable"!!
About half an hr later..dr ashutosh in his khakis n a brown high neck sat sipping tea with nidhi...in her blue churidaar kurta n a black sweater..as he suddenly pointed to a pair of mountain birds...carrying twogs to make their nest...as nidhi came close to him n said"humne bhi aakhir apna ghonsla bana hi liya..."as dr ashutosh kissed her on her lips n added"ghonsla ya makaan to tha hi..tum aayee aur tumne mujhe makaan aur ghar ka farq samjha diya..."!!and nidhi just put her head on his chest ..as he enveloped her in his arms and time seemed to stand still!!
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"Nidddhiii"it was an exuberant anji in her jeans and a tight top..who came n higged nidhi in the lobby ...as dr ranganath said hi..n nidhi got up to meet them.."jeejs kahaan gaye"??nidhi laughed"jeejs"??ans as anji nidded..she expained"abhi conference ka arrangement dekhne gaye hain..."!!and anji seemed to frown"oh jeeju bhi na..too much hain..arre yaar honeymoon hai..conference to..time pass ...pata hai..dr ranganath ne ek exclusive candle light dinner pan kiya hai humaare liye..overlooking the pool..so romantic na"!!and nidhi nodded..as dr ashutosh entered n anji hugged him..he patted her in a fatherly way..and then began talking to dr ranganath about tomorrow..anji seemed a lil dazed at the passion that dr ashutosh had for work..even on what was supposed to be his honeymoon!!
As they got up..dr ashutosh asked"dinner..anji.."??but as dr ranganath smiled uncomfortably..nidhi explained they had planned a cosy twosome..as dr ashutosh seemed to understand and withdrew with a "bye ..see you tomorrow at breakfast.."and then looked at nidhi n extended his hand "walk"??nidhi nodded as they came out into the lawn..n felt the chill..as nidhi pulled her sweater tighter..ashutosh walked on..to the winding path..that led to theentrance downhill...as they walked..they waved to many drs arriving now..and suddenly..ashu held nidhi..n said"hey nidhi..dekho..."and together they looked at the sun almost between the mountains...and they stood under the deodars..as the hot ball of fire disappeared. Colouring the western sky with reddish hues..as ashutosh took a deep breath...of satisfaction..sunsets had always seemed so depressing to him..the victory of darkness over light..till nidhi came into his life..now the sunset signified just an interlude between days of joy n sunshine...as nidhi touched his cheek.."kahaan kho gaye"??and he smiled..n replied"tumhare sath pehli baar din doobte hue dekha...auer yeh mehsoos kiya ki koi saath ho.to ek shaant shaam bhi kitni khoobsoorat ho sakti hai..."nidhi looked at him naughtily n enquired"koi saath ho...ya main "??and he paused for a while n drew a deep breath n said"mere liye aur koi ho hi nahi sakta tha nidhi..ya tum ..ya akelapan..aur koi nahi..."!!and they walked on...as a dr ashutosh seemed to hum"yeh shaam mastani..madhosh kiye jaa..
Mujhe dore koi kheenche..teri ore liye jaaye"nidhi was surprised..she had never heard him sing...though she had been told by baba he sang beautifully...but today it was a relaxed ashutosh...not a neurosurgeon but just a middle aged man..who had just learnt to discover the beauties of life...and they walked on..together hand in hand..stopping to cath a breath..look at each other n then go on...
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"Oh god!!not mughlai again...candle light mei koi chicken khata hai kya??i thought kuch exotic menu hoga...palestinian..ya french "it was anji showing her disappointment as ranga n she sat on a lovely candle lit table..with kabaabs n champagne..ranga's face lost colour..and then flushed with itritation"aage se surprise ka menu bhi pooch liya karoonga tumse..ok"??and anji made a face"better hoga ki jaan jaayein main kya chahti hoon.."ranga retorted ..in a low tone "tum jaanti ho..main kya chahta hoon..."??anji flared"off course roz to yaad dilaate hain..uthte jaagte..sote baby baby baby...uff i am tired..."the convo was interrupted as the waiter came to serve and anji relented..more out of manners than love..
"Kaisa hai kebab"??she asked trying to sound reconciliatory but the mood was spoilt..as ranganath sniped back"swaad to bigaad chuki ho tum..."!!and anji hated the moment...longing to be with her pampering parents ...rather than here with this man..who was always criticising..demanding...ufff!!marriage was complicated...wasnt it??
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"Dr ashutosh...yeh shower...plz"!!cried nidhi..as ashutosh got up from the arm chair in front of the window n came into the toilet..as nidhi stood..with a towel around her breasts ...he looked at her..n then slid the knob as hot water began to drizzle...n the towel fell off...she lowered her eyes..but held on to ashutosh...as he raised his eyebrow n peeled off his clothes...
Both seemed to be experiencing the warm drizzle on their entwined bodies..as nidhi took the soap n began to soap him...he groaned n clutched her...pushing her to the wall...n feeling her body..each cm of her..his tongue following the blazing trail of his fingers..and then he suddenly stopped and took a dry towel to dry her...nidhi was dazed n disappointed. ..but she was scooped in his strong arms n brought to their large bed..as she looked at him..his eyes blazing with an uncontrolled passion...she called his name..n he bit her ear lobe...before his palm felt the mountains of her breasts n the flatness of her belly...his tongue explored her navel...but his fingers reached her core..opening her..as she moaned...n he began caressing her with increasing pressure...as she touched his thighs...n could feel the tension build up in him...he kissed her..his tongue probing the corners of her mouth..n then descending to her breasts...till he realised ...she could not wait any longer...and he entered her wet core...just as she began to reach her peak...n he held her in his arms...pushing firmly...till he too shyddered in climax..n held on to her..cocooned in his arms...nidhi ...smiled and whispered..."i am hungry..."and her 42 year old husband smiled as he looked at her n sucked those pink tits again...and within minutes the suite was filled with his sharp breaths n her loud groans. ..as she begged him to claim her...which he finally did .but at his own leisurely tantalising pace...and separated to see her...pink..with her dark hair..her only cover...n his possessive marks all over her...he got up n threw her the white hotel gown...n asked"change ker ke chalogi dinner pe..."??nidhi blushed..still feeling very raw with his pierces...n said"naaa..lets order room service..."!!
It was an hr later that they sat watching news on tv n eating chole ..himachali curry n naan ..followed by kheer..dr ashutosh put an arm around her n asked"kal you also want candle light dinner"??and nidhi shook her head..."no..restaurant mei...jahaan sab honge...i love people...i love ...i love everything aapke saath..."!!and ashutosh kissed her as he asked"aur mere bina..."??nidhi seemed to be lost..in their months of separation as she said"aapke bina ..kuch nahi bhaata..."and suddenly sobbed...as ashutosh hugged her toght...n caressed her...bringing her to the window...n removing the curtains..."dekho baahar..woh kahin door jalte diye..."and nidhi nodded..but turned to him...closing her eyes in his hug"mujhe kuch nahi dekhna...siwa aapke..."and ashu held her as he closed his eyes in the peace of their love...
Book Talk
Anupamaa
Vasudha
