Arhi TS : Picture Perfect [ Part 2 : Pg18 : 21/7 ] - Page 10

The last two months had been sheer torture, to be away from her for such a long period. To add to it, she had been in an out-of-coverage area for two weeks now. He had spoken to her for barely two minutes, when she had finally managed to call him from some remote place in Arizona desert. He often wondered whether his life was better off before she landed in it, or was it good now that she had conveniently made a place in his heart. And the answer he got unfailingly everytime was... "now".

After their first kiss against the backdrop of a bright sunrise, they had shared innumerable such moments. They had been together for over a year, getting to know each other and exploring an all-consuming emotion called "love". That picture perfect moment was still used on his phone as wallpaper; reminding him of the first time he had let his heart rule over his head. And boy! Was he glad that he had! Khushi had turned his life upside down and made it as crazy as she was. His preference for loneliness had vanished, with a new craving, taking over... to be with her at all times.

Nat-Geo had thankfully let her assist him for an entire year, during which they had travelled together to various parts of the world. Now she had become a constant companion, along with his camera. Life couldn't have been more perfect for any couple in love. They got to travel the world, eat and stay at the most exotic locations and also get paid for it. What more could anybody want?

He had officially met her parents some five months ago, just after returning from a long trip. Of course, they had behaved like typical protective parents and had gone all Sherlock Holmes on him. Their non-stop interrogation had lasted for not just one day, but for weeks following that day. Only when his Di and Jeejaji had gone and met them, had they finally calmed down. He could completely understand their concern for Khushi, because she was precious and worth every care and concern in the world.

Now the two families had ganged up against them both, and would often push them to get married. It wasn't something he had not thought about. However, Khushi seemed to love her job and her freedom. She wanted to take up individual assignments and travel by herself for a while. Even though Arnav was not happy with the prospect of this separation, he had relented for her happiness. They often argued about this issue, which made the making-up even more delightful.

He recollected one such argument when they had been on the banks of river Thames. She had stomped her foot like a tantrum throwing kid and he had just hauled her over his shoulder carrying her to a sheltered area nearby. He had kissed her arguments away, trying to make her realize, what it would be like daily, if they would get married at the earliest.

The cool wind that blew over their heated bodies, laying on the cool grass under the bright blue sky... it was the perfect ambience for lovemaking. It had been one of the most passionate moments of his life, where all that mattered to him was the woman who lay in his arms. Her gorgeous body was a reflection of her pure heart. Kissing her, touching her and taking her to the heights of pleasure gave him a different kind of high. She was an aphrodisiac and he had now become an addict.

The announcement in the plane suddenly broke his reverie. The captain announced that they would be landing within the next half an hour. He smiled brightly to himself at the thought of holding Khushi in his arms once again. How he had missed her constant chatter, her giggles and sometimes, even the comforting silence that they shared. This distance, the resulting frustration... was all because of a decision that had been taken by his beloved girlfriend and their CEO.

Three months ago, when Arnav and Khushi had just returned after completing one of their projects, their boss had summoned them into his cabin. He had declared that Khushi was now being promoted and she could handle projects on her own. If Arnav required an assistant, they would arrange for someone else to replace Khushi. Khushi had been thrilled and Arnav had been even happier, seeing her so elated. However, as the days neared for her new project to begin, he had started feeling this restlessness.

Living miles apart, not being able to hold her close, not being able to see his Khushi everyday... how would he survive? What if she needed him? What if she was in trouble? She would have an assistant along with her... but what if, in some of the remotest corners of the world, she needed protection? These thoughts were driving him crazy. He had tried to voice his concerns, and had conveniently involved Khushi's parents in it too, but she had remained stubborn and did not budge from her decision.

Finally two months ago, she had flown away to Arizona, leaving a frustrated and lonely Arnav in her wake. At the beginning, they had remained in touch, as she had been close to small towns. However the last two weeks were sheer torture. She had been absolutely inaccessible, while he had been travelling himself. Wrapping up his project a week earlier than planned, he had taken a direct flight to Arizona to meet Khushi.

Arnav quickly got up from his seat and went to the washroom to freshen up. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, in the compact toilet. His two-week-old beard made him look years older than his age. The puffy eyes were a testimony to his sleepless nights. His hair had grown longer than they had ever been. He seemed to have lost his will to get anything done without Khushi. This would not do, he mused. He could not meet her in this state. He made a mental note to spend a day in Phoenix, to get refreshed and well groomed. Also, it was a good city to rest and plan his next move.

In a few minutes, the plane had landed at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Arizona. The warm air hit him hard in the face... a drastic contrast to the cool weather in France. He gathered his luggage and hailed a cab to take him to one of the nearest hotels. After a few calls, a quick dinner and a happy heart, Arnav slept peacefully after weeks of discomfort. He was now within a few hours distance from Khushi and tomorrow, he would finally be meeting her. That thought itself calmed him, as he woke up to a bright and beautiful day.

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It was a terribly humid day. The excessive temperatures in this area had completely exhausted Khushi. It was her first solo project and shouldering the entire responsibility had been a tough task. The only respite being the magnificent beauty of this barren mountain range called ... 'The Grand Canyon.'

The moment she had arrived here, two months ago... she had stood for hours, just looking at the sun set over this striking, enormous, never-ending range of mountains. They were crude, desolate, and truly magnificently grand... there was a raw beauty that emanated from them. For the first time, it made her realize that physical attributes had got nothing to do with the beauty that lay within. While she saw the world God had created, she realized how miniscule part humans really were in comparison.

The first few weeks, she had been stunned by the sheer size of this place. The more she travelled, the more there was to see. Nat-Geo had arranged a chopper to take her around for a week; to get as close as possible to the most inaccessible areas of the canyon. Aerial photography had been a dream to achieve some day. But luckily, her first solo project itself had given her an opportunity to realize this dream.

However, after a few weeks on the job, she stared feeling lonely and restless. Staying away from home wasn't very easy. Moreover, this was the first time she had been away from her home, without Arnav by her side. Arnav... the name itself reminded her of the wonderful year she had spent working along with him. He was no more just her senior, he was her love, her reason to smile... her everything.

She knew how upset he had been to know of her solo project. He had always given her complete freedom while working and had never imposed his opinions on her. She knew that assisting him was as good as handling her own project, yet the thrill to be on her own had beckoned her, and she had made the decision to take up her CEO's offer. She knew it would be twice as hard without Arnav around, yet she needed to prove her own merit.

Although after two months of this constant grilling pace at work, she wasn't so sure of her decision. She missed him terribly. Let alone meeting him, holding him and being engulfed in his comforting embrace, she had not even been able to talk to him properly since the last two weeks. Her sour mood was affecting her work and she hoped she was able to just finish off the task at hand, as quickly as possible.

Two more weeks of work were pending and her assistant had planned the entire schedule to perfection. If luck was in their favour, and the rain Gods did not trouble them much, then they would be wrapping up things a few days in advance. Finally she would be in his arms, in a comfort zone that she never ever wanted to leave. She sometimes wondered how her life would have been, had she agreed with her parents and gotten married to him a few months ago.

The saner part of her told her that things were best this way. When else would she have ever gotten this opportunity to live this nomadic life by herself? To experience on her own what freedom was - a freedom that was exhilarating, nature at its purest form and a life without a plan... things could not get better than this, could they? Her heart always answered this question with a 'yes, it could...' only if he was here... with her. Arnav Singh Raizada and his love had changed her expectations of life, definitely for the better.

Tahoma called out to her, making her realize that the equipment was set up for the shot to be taken. He was a local, who was keen on helping her on this shoot. He was a boy of merely sixteen, yet had an eye and perception for the unique, just like Arnav. He belonged to the "Havasupai" people, who had been living in these harsh lands for over eight hundred years. She had gotten accustomed to their way of life, the delicious food they cooked and the various traditions they followed.

Tahoma's family had been extremely helpful, and he would travel all day with Khushi showing her around the vast terrain. He would take her to extraordinary places whose existence she could never have dreamed of, before this... In return, she was teaching him how to handle a camera and the other equipment's. Ideally, he was more of an assistant than the one Nat-Geo had sent along.

Wrapping up the shoot quickly, the trio headed back to the National Park lodge that was located close to Tahoma's reservation. It was based on the banks of the blue-green waters of the Havasu Creek... one of the important tributaries of the raging Colorado River, that meandered like a snake through the treacherous terrain of the Grand Canyon. Its fluid grace was a stark contrast to the crude grandeur of the land. Khushi quickly freshened up, donned a simple white sundress and walked out to lounge area that provided a good view of the flowing water, bringing a calm and relief from the scorching temperatures.

And then... she saw him, a slight smile suddenly blossoming on her face. It did not surprise her at all, as she had been hallucinating about him quite often in the last few days. That was how much she was missing him. He was seated a few tables away from her, as she saw him get up from his chair and walk slowly towards her. She took in his appearance... his crisp white shirt paired with khaki shorts. His face looked clean-shaven and fresh. She admired his chiseled jaw and the perfect lips that tortured her with their touch, even in her dreams.

Her heart was breaking from within, at the memories. Tears welled up in her eyes as she saw him stand within touching distance from her. Before she could wipe away those silly tears, she saw his hand raise to wipe them away... and then, his warm fingers brushed her cheeks lightly, causing her to jolt back in shock. He was here... really really here... he was in front of her...!!! Khushi did not know whether to cry or to laugh. She was so ecstatic that her tears flowed...tears of an unspeakable joy, that would surely take a while to dry up. She did the only thing that she could think of and threw herself into his waiting arms. Taking in his essence, his scent, his warmth, his beating heart, his concern, his love... just everything.

Arnav had been waiting for her to show up at the lodge. He had contacted his office to find out information about the exact location of Khushi's whereabouts. He had taken the first ride to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix. A good night's sleep, a warm bath and the excitement of meeting his Khushi soon, had done him good. When he had first seen her walk out of her room to the deck, he had remained motionless. She looked like an angel descending on earth, an angel in white, bringing her own radiance and purity to the world. She was such a contrast to the surroundings... a soft feather against the rough terrain.

She hadn't noticed him yet and he waited impatiently... and then everything that happened surprised him... her disbelief on seeing him, her tears, her hug and her sobs. Oh God! How he had missed her! He pulled her tight against himself, so tight that she might have been choking with the pressure. Yet, he did not care and she did not complain. Both of them clung to each other like a thirsty wanderer latches on to an oasis in a desert.

"You are here... you are here... I love you... You are here..." Khushi kept on chanting as Arnav kissed her passionately. His one hand threaded into her hair while the other pulled her flush against his body. Her soft breasts rubbed tantalizingly against his hard chest. She held onto his collar, pulling him closer as he tried to assure her of his presence. "I am here my love... I am here, Khushi... I love you so much... I have missed you so much, dammit!" The heat emanating from these two could easily rival the shooting temperatures of the Canyon.

After a long while, they broke apart, breathing heavily and with huge smiles on their faces. Arnav pulled her towards the edge of the deck, seating her on a chair. He sat across from her and placed a small parcel on the table between them. "Is this for me? You didn't have to, Arnav. I don't want anything other than you," Khushi said. "Sweetie, at least open the wrapper. Who knows if it might be a lifelong supply of me?" saying that Arnav winked at her and urged Khushi to open the wrapper.

Khushi unwrapped the box to be pleasantly surprised with a box full of photographs, their photographs. On each side of the cube was a memory that they had captured. Some had them in the frame, and some were just stunning locations with a story behind it. She smiled looking at the token of their love story. "Go ahead... open it. It's a box Khushi," Arnav urged her yet again. She opened the lid, which had the picture of their first kiss against the backdrop of the Scandinavian mountains.

Nothing had prepared her for what she saw inside, and yet, she already knew what it would be. In the box lay a huge emerald ring... the emerald from a memory of a few months ago. It was on their trip to Colorado, that an emerald merchant had gifted Arnav this precious stone. He knew Khushi's favourite color was green and had readily accepted the gift. Khushi had been surprised at his behavior and had questioned him about what he was going to do with the stone. And now, finally after months, she had gotten her answer.

Arnav looked at her, as she was lost in the memory and thought it was time to voice those obvious words. He went down on one knee and pulled out the ring from the box. Looking into her deep hazel eyes, he spoke softly, "Khushi... my love. These past two months have been the worst ones of my life and yet, they have been the most important. It was the time away from you, when I realized the depth of my feelings for you, my need for you and how much I have been missing you in my life so far. From today onwards, I want us to make new memories together, because only you can make my every picture perfect. I want you to be a part of every frame of my life, Khushi... I want you to be my wife, Khushi... Marry me!"

The moment was so special... the sound of the flowing water in the background, the almost setting sun and the man she loved the most. There could never be another option for her answer... "Yes," she whispered softly, as he slipped the ring onto her delicate finger and stood up to pull her in his arms. He kissed her gently, with so much love and tenderness, that tears brimmed in her eyes, yet again. This man had made her life magical.

The two lovers stood looking over the shimmering waters of the river. The reflection of the setting sun over its frothy surface, created a myriad of colours through the tiny droplets of water that danced around. The camera had yet again been a witness to their love, capturing another "perfect picture", to be added into their life album. Tahoma turned around, smiling at Khushi's assistant, at the success of capturing such a beautiful photograph. Nothing could mar the magnificence created by a combination of unadulterated nature and true love.