Part Eighteen
Khanak had her last exams before the term ended. She studied day and night to ensure she passed.
Shantanu found her pacing around in a frenzy one day in the paatshalla one evening. She had her last two exams the next morning and was a nervous wreck.
He decided to surprise her.
He crept up behind her and wrapped her in his arms.
"Khanak tum itni tense kyun hori ho?," he inquired.
She sighed.
" Aaap ko paat hai ki mere do exams hai kal ko," she said firmly. ( You know I have my last two exams tomorrow).
" Relax Khanak. It's just two exams. You have had much harder things to deal with. Now take a deep breath in and out," he said softly.
She closed her eyes and tried to relax. She smiled feeling his warm breath against the back of her neck.
" Tum Mrs. Shantanu Khandlewal ho. Tum jo chati wohi hogaya," he assured her. ( You are Mrs. Shantanu Khandlewal. Whatever happens will be what you want.)
She broke free from him.
" Chore muhje. It's Khanak from Dhulwadi," she snapped before sitting down at her desk.
" Oh hello, tum meri biwi ho," he hissed with his hands on his hips.
She rolled her eyes at him.
" Woh toh main hoon. However I have my own identity too Mr. Snantanu Khandlewal!," she declared.
" All right my darling but why are you angry?," he asked.
" Excuse me but don't you see I am studying here?," she snapped.
" I was only trying to help you relax," he muttered.
They heard Madhavi calling them for dinner.
"Oh gosh Mom ne banana khaana aaj," Shantanu quipped.
Khanak looked at him fiercely.
" Mere exams hain isyle Mummji ne bana de diya khaana," she stated.
" Don't worry Khanak I understand. Come let's go eat and then I will help you study," he said.
" Really? You won't start distracting me again?," she inquired.
" Nahin baba nahin karo gaya." ( No I won't)
They went down together and eat with their family. The conversation was mostly about Khushboo's pregnancy, the business and Khanak's exams.
It was midnight by the time they finished studying together. Khanak had put her head down on the desk and was about to fall asleep.
" Chalo Khanak utho," Shantanu said sleepily.
"No it's ok. I will just put my head down here for a little while," she muttered.
Shantanu shook his head.
" You'll end up sleeping here the rest of the night."
He pulled her legs out from the space between the desk and bench. He then picked her up effortlessly in his arms and started to carry her back to their room.
He laid her down on the bed before he climbed in beside her.
The next morning he awakened to find a letter and no Khanak. She had left early to go to college. He decided to make sure Dharam had dropped her off.
Daadi was awake and saw him coming downstairs.
"Good morning beta. Kaise ho?," she asked.
"Main theek hoon Daadi. Did Khanak leave?," he inquired.
She smiled and indicated towards puja room.
Shantanu went over there just as Khanak finished her prayers and turned towards him with the tali.
" Aap uthe gaye? You could have slept a bit longer," she said with a bright smile.
Shantanu smiled.
" I am glad I didn't. I want to wish you good luck today," he said.
" Thank-you," she said as she offered the diya for him to take blessings.
She pinched his cheek.
" Aap ko pata hai ki aap bauth sweet ho," she declared.
" Stop complimenting me and go to college. Is Dharam taking you?," he asked
" Haan. I am going with Dharam Bha. Main aap ko sham ko militi hoon," she said.( Yes I am going with Dharam. I will see you in the evening.)
" All the best Khanak!," Shantanu said as she left.
The next day they were going to fly to Switzerland. They would have an exclusive train tour once they got there and they would go see the sights. It would be Khanak's first plane trip.
Khanak was just finishing the packing when Shantanu walked into their bedroom. She looked around and tried to keep the room as a mental picture in her mind. This would be the first time she was going abroad. She was a bit scared but she knew Shantanu would be by her side.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her close.
" Are you ready for our honeymoon?," he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
She smiled.
" We are getting late for our flight. Chalein?"
"Yes Madam. You got everything you need?," he asked.
She nodded and they grabbed their things went to the car. Everyone wished them a good trip at the airport. Dharam cracked some jokes that were irritating for Shantanu but made Khanak laugh.
They got seated in the plane. Khanak looked around and noticed their stewardess had a deep neck blouse on.
" Shantanu aap window side pe ajo," she stated firmly.
He looked at her confused.
" Kya hua Khanak?," he asked obviously not noticing the stewardess just yet.
"Please I do not want to create a scene here so..," she trailed off.
" All right Khanak I am moving," he stated.
Khanak smiled and sat down by the aisle seat. Whenever the stewardess came by she would slip an arm through Shantanu's or place her hand on his.
Some time later, Shantanu fell asleep the stewardess stopped by to offer something to drink.
" Chai for me and regular coffee with milk and sugar for my husband," Khanak stated.
" You make a very cute couple," the stewardess commented when she came back with their drinks.
Khanak flashed her a sweet smile that did not reach her eyes. Those were reserved for people she actually knew.
Shantanu awakened with the smell of coffee and flashed Khanak a smile.
The flight landed in Zurich. They headed over to baggage claim and grabbed their things and then took a cab towards the train station.
They had about an hour wait. Shantanu sat down besides Khanak and called to confirm their reservations in Geneva. They would rest up there and enjoy the sites for a day there before spending the rest of the trip in Zurich. The train would stop and stay a few hours at some of the more famous tourist spots. If they wanted to stay longer they could book a room at a local hotel.
" Khanak I am thinking you were feeling insecure during the flight, weren't you?," he inquired.
Khanak pulled her shawl closely around herself and refused to comment.
Shantanu leaned her shoulder.
" Always remember you are the one I will be loyal too. I am not interested in anyone besides my one and only love," he declared.
She turned to face him.
"Sirf tum Khanak," he whispered.
The train arrived and Shantanu offered her his hand. She smiled and took it.
