The Reunion (A New FF)

Hello Everybody,

I have been reading a lot of FFs, since long time, silently.
And I tend to scribble a variety of things in my journal.
It's my first attempt to write something publically.
Like every new writer, I hope I'll be loved, too.
Waiting eagerly for your replies on the prologue.

PROLOGUE

It was their last day there. He was sitting on the porch of the lodge, still brooding over the decision, he had decided upon, last night. He took a last drag from the cigarette and stood up, throwing away the butt quickly, as he saw Khushi coming out. Two year old Aashi tagged along, holding her mother's dupatta.

Khushi picked her up and made her way out for an aimless morning stroll. He joined her in silence. 'I didn't knew that you smoked,' she said in a voice so small, even she wasn't sure that she had said so. But, he, who had always been so attuned to her, spoke in the same pitch, 'Hmmm, once in a while.' It was as if speaking loudly would somehow disrupt the comfortable silence they had lapsed into, after such a long period of time.

Even the talkative Aashi was silent, looking around with her large big eyes, as if adoring the view of the area.

'Like mother, like daughter.' He thought, remembering the days from the past. As Khushi made to put her down, she started throwing a fit. He silently took Aashi in his hands and started walking.

Initially uncomfortable Khushi, was slowly adjusting to the company of the person beside her. They walked together for quite some time. Any thought of initiating a talk was discarded. Silence was anyway better than the unpleasant conversations they were having since few days.

Khushi was walking forward staring into oblivion, while Arnav had his hands full with Aashi, who seemed to have her potential energy converted into kinetic, since Arnav had picked her up. His moring stubble appeared to fancy her the most. She was continuously patting and caressing his cheeks with her small hands.

Arnav was quite enjoying those affections. He was reminded of baby Aarav and the twinkle in his eyes dimmed a little. Shaking the thought away for now, he looked up at Aashi, who also seemed to have gauged the change in him and was wriggling to get out of his hold.

'She's hungry,' said Khushi, taking Aashi, who was now on the verge of crying, in her arms again and patting her back. 'We'll stop somewhere for breakfast,' Arnav said, firmly, not giving her any chance to refuse.

In these wee hours of morning, they only found a small joint open by the roadside. Smell of freshly brewed tea was wafting in the air. Arnav approached the man to see what was available with him.

Watching a lady with him, his sidekick quickly brought wicker stools and a battered wicker chair, dusted them with the cloth on his shoulder, once or twice, 'Athe baitho, madamji.'

He went to the stall and quickly brought two glasses to tea, handing them over to Khushi. She took the glasses and looked at Arnav, who was still talking to the stall owner.

Meanwhile Chotu, the boy, took out a peacock feather, he had found in the morning, with the thought of cheering up the beautiful girl, sitting in madamji's lap. Contrary to what he thought, Aashi was frightened by the shiny thing, and started crying more loudly.

'Chup, bilkul chup,' Khushi scolded Aashi, who was about to topple the glass of tea from her hand. Arnav quickly rushed to her aide and picked Aashi up, trying to calm her down.

'Ae Chotu,' the stall owner called him in loud voice, 'Chori ne kyu rulayo.' It was not daily, that they received such customers. Then handing him a fifty rupee note he said,' Jaa, kone wali dukan se doubleroti aur makkhan le aa.'

Khushi looked at Arnav, who replied, 'He doesn't have anything proper for Aashi to have.'

Few minutes later, the stall owner appeared with a cup of milk and bread for Aashi, while chotu carried two plates of aloo poha for them. 'Ye loh bitiya,' he said while adjusting all the things awkwardly on the stool, to prevent them from falling.

This time Khushi looked gratefully at Arnav. He could sense a slight change in her demeanour. He acknowledged her with a slight twitch of his lips, which could be counted as smile.

Having her tummy full after the breakfast Aashi was now, playing with chotu, who had shyly asked khushi for the permission.

Arnav looked at Aashi, who was running here and there with her small legs. A sudden feeling of warmth enveloped his heart, as he looked on adorably. Then, making up his mind, within seconds, he looked at Khushi and cleared his throat loudly. 'Umm, Khushi…ummm. I was wondering if you would like to marry me.'

Kasak uthi mere man mein piya
Mujhe gale laga le

Gale laga le..jiya dhadka le
Sapno ko apne sajaale sajaale

Kasak uthi mere man mein piya
Mujhe gale laga le

Piya piya o re piya
Piya o re piya

That's done. Hope you guys like it. Please excuse any mistakes of this neonate writer.