Another Parud FF - Clear blue skies I(upto Chapter 50) - Page 34

Later that night, Paro woke up as she felt something cool on her skin. She raised herself slightly when she realised that the dori was no longer holding the blouse in place. "Shhh! Don't move," instructed the soft yet husky voice of her husband, Rudra. She asked him innocently what he was doing. "I promised to paint butterflies on you, didn't I?" he reminded. She settled back on her pillow knowing that it was pointless in arguing with him. He will eventually do only what he wants. But a mehendi design on her back? It wasn't what she was expecting. But his breathe close to her skin and his soft touch made her tingle. She let him do as he pleased but to her dismay, he blew on the design and declared that he was done. "You want to take a look in the mirror? It looks better than what Shatabdi's done," he said observing her hands. He had cajoled his wife to get the peacock mehendi design completed. Paro smiled and said that she will judge that in the morning. They both lay facing each other on their sides.

"Are you still upset that I was late? See what I made," he said showing her the sketch of her he drew while waiting. She smiled. It was a beautiful picture of her dancing in yesterday's function. "If you found time to draw this, why didn't you call? I was so worried when Aman bhaisa returned and said that things weren't going well." He kissed her cheek and replied that there were just some hurdles. They were delayed because the diplomat in charge of this case was tied up in other work. "Are you sure there is nothing to worry about? I can tell when you are troubled. You keep looking over your shoulder as if one of us is in danger," she asked. Somebody at the wedding was clearly in danger. He didn't know who or why. He had spoken to the local police who were unable to contact the owner of the bike. He had visited the closest pizza and discovered that they didn't receive any order from this apartment complex the previous night. He didn't hold on to the bill to track the person who ordered it. But he did manage to get a hold of the CCTV footage of the place. He knew his wife was concerned but he didn't know enough to tell. The general and Aman had agreed with him that they have to be discreet until they find out who is behind this. "I'm a soldier, Paro. I'll always look over my shoulder, its instinctual. And you have been in danger until quite recently that I'm not able to relax yet," he confessed partly. She told him that since he has managed to capture Thakur Tejawat and all his associates, she is safe. And he should learn to relax when he comes back to her. "Yes Paro, remember that I will always come back to you. No matter what happens. No matter how late it becomes. You are my home. Not the haveli. But wherever you are. Alright, always know that," he told her solemnly. She nodded knowing he wasn't talking just about tonight but the rest of their lives. She was his home and he was hers.

"Ok now go wash off the mehendi I want to see what it looks like," he said caressing the butterfly on her back gently. She laughed at his impatience and replied that if she washes it off now Shatabdi's will be darker. He frowned that was not what he wanted. She leaned in and kissed him. He pulled out of the kiss and told her dreamily "Someday I want paint your beautiful hands, your elegant feet, your slender waist and..." She stopped him by placing her hand on his mouth. How can he apply mehendi on all those places? What will people think she wondered. He kissed her palm before pushing it off. "I'm not joking, Paro. I want a full scale painting of you hanging right over our bed. So people who know who the room belongs to," he said. She just placed her head over his chest relieved as he pulled her close. "It's late, Rudra. We should sleep. Tomorrow is an important day," she said listening to his heartbeat, her favourite sound in the world. It had become their habit now for her to use him as a pillow and for him to drape her like a blanket. They both drifted asleep, lulled by the soft breathing of the other person.

The next morning, Rudra woke up to the buzz of an alarm clock. He was surprised to see it was from Paro's phone. He quickly looked around and was disappointed when he realised, his wife was missing. and he couldn't call her. He found a note under a pearl bracelet.

Dear Rudra,
I had a small errand to run before leaving for the Republic day ceremony. You were sleeping so peacefully that I didn't have the heart to wake you before leaving. I hope you don't mind. I have kept a cup and a flask with nice tea by the bed. I'll be back before you are ready, my Major saab.
Yours forever,
Paro.

He saw his dress uniform hanging on the wardrobe handle and sighed. This wasn't his favorite uniform. Especially the dreaded tie that was mandatory. He quickly finished his tea and rushed to the bathroom.

A few minutes later, Paro stepped in and saw Rudra struggle with his tie, glaring at his own reflection. "Shall I help you?" she offered sweetly. He turned around and was floored by his wife looking very elegant in a cream colored lace saree. Along her neck was a beautiful pearl chocker and from her delicate ears, diamonds and pearls blossomed. He held up the bracelet and asked if she needed help too. She smiled as she helped him with his tie, "You first." He casually placed his arms around her slender waist thinking how he could get used to this. "Where did you learn to do this?" he asked once she was done holding her close. She replied that she had seen her Maasiji do it for Maasaji when they go out. He remembered how Geethanjali ma'am had a fondness to see him dress formally. She helped him with his military jacket and smoothened the lapels. There would be a new ribbon for her to sew on his uniform tonight, she thought to herself.

"Paro, what will I get if I help you wear this bracelet?" her husband asked impishly. She pointed out that she helped him with his tie and jacket. "That was because you didn't want me to scold you for going out without your phone," he said crossly. She combed his hair using her fingers and said that she was still in the apartment and would have come if she called. Before she could explain further, there was a knock at the door. The general and his wife had arrived. "VK, don't you think your officer is looking very smart today," Geethanjali complimented. Her husband remarked that he will look better with his cap in hand than jewelry. The young officer handed the ornament to his wife and rushed out mumbling about checking on the driver. "Maasiji, are you also joining us today?" Paro asked. The general replied that it was an important day in Rudra's career and a proud moment for both of them. He wouldn't miss it for anything. His wife nodded and asked if she greeted Aman. Paro replied that she did and even applied a bit of Haldi on him. Her aunt smiled, she knew the young woman wanted to be in both places at the same time. "He gave me his camera and asked me to get pictures. so can we start with you two?" she asked them to pose.

Meanwhile at Rajgath, Shantanu arrived early and parked his bike. He was disappointed with the tight security that was in place. He had forgotten how there will be many important delegates will be attending. He looked into his bag and thought for a minute before taking his weapon in hand. The guards and metal detectors at the entrance will hurt his chances. He thought hard before an eerie smile graced his face. There was always Plan B.