Mumbai, India
Disclaimer: This is my craaazy imagination y'all. Substitute Asha and Rithvik with Arjun and Purvi, if you're more of an ArVian than an AshVikian. I know AshVik have denied being together countless times, but a cute, little OS never hurt anybody. :P Enjoy, hope it isn't too terribly bad! :)" ~Amita
"Rithvik, hum kaha ja rahe hain? (Rithvik, where are we going?)"
"You'll see Negi. So, how does it feel to hit the big two four in less than one hour?" I asked as I merged into the right lane.
"Not different. If anything, this late night Mumbai traffic is sucking the life out of me." she stared out of the window, completely bored and exhausted.
"Well... aaj ka shoo kaisa raha? (Well... how was today's shoot?)" I asked.
"Same ol' same ol. Purvi confronts Onir about his fake wedding. Feels guilty. Yada yada. I'm so sick of the character. And putting on that Bengali garb ages me at least ten years. Sticking all those extensions in my hair and burying me in pounds of drapes. Ugh, if Ekta ma'm is taking that leap she better take it soon."
"Didn't you celebrate your birthday on sets today?"
"Typical day. SBS brought a little cake and I was interviewed with Ankit. No gifts. Ekta ma'm came to the sets today but she didn't wish me. Just like any other shooting day."
"I'm sorry to hear that Negi." I joked. She slapped my arm as she suppressed a smile. "I'll make this day worthwhile."
~~~
We arrived at Juhu Beach. It was 12:10 A.M. and the beach was empty. Cold winds swished by and the waves continued to crash against the boulders. Stars gleamed overhead as we took in the saline air. We took off our shoes and relished the feeling of grainy, sand squishing through our toes. It was something we had in common; we enjoyed the little pleasures in life. We settled on our boulder, close enough to see the whitewash but far enough to not get wet.
"One chota sa chocolate cupcake for the Miss." I took out the treat from the paper bag. I bought it from Ashu's favorite Mumbai bakery. She hadn't been there in months. We split the cupcake in half and ate it up as we watched the tide recede. That was another thing we had in common. We didn't savor sweets; we devoured them in the blink of an eye.
"Well, mera tofah? (Well, my gift?)" she asked with a smidgen of frosting on her upper lip.
"Oh, crap." I pretended to shuffle through my pockets.
"It's ok Ritu, the cupcake was more than enough." she chuckled.
"No, no I've found it." I pulled out a black velvet box and got one knee. "Asha, will you marry me?"
She stared at me agape for at least ten seconds. "Ashu?" I was perplexed, until she let out a screech of jubilation.
"Yes, Rithvik! Yes!" she could barely contain herself as I slipped the ring on her finger. "Aaah!!! I love you. I love you. I love you so much."
She grinned and I sealed the proposal with a quick kiss. "I love you more, dear." I winked as I cradled her in my arms.
"Just one question, love." she asked.
"Hmmm?"
"Why today?"
"You know, I'm Sindhi, na? Baas, we're penny pinchers and having your birthday and our anniversary coincide is like hitting two birds with one stone. One gift will cover two occasions."
"Rithvik!!!"
"Are, just kidding Mrs. Dhanjani. I just though this could be the biggest gift I could give you. The promise to love you every day. Even when we're hunched over with canes. Even when we lose our teeth, and hair, and eyesight. Even when all we've got is each other."
"Ritu, shut up, now. Bahut zyada senti ho raha he! (You're becoming so sentimental!)" she laughed as she wiped away the tears that glisten across her cheeks.
"Love you Negi. I mean Mrs. Dhanjani. Petu. Bhukkad. Darling." I pecked her warm cheeks and clasped on to her hand tighter.
We spent the rest of the night admiring the stars above, joking about our future, even coming up with crazy baby names. Eventually, Ashu fell asleep on my shoulder. I took her back to my flat and slept beside her. She looked so peaceful, with a slight smile still on her face. The rays of dawn pierced through the shades and illuminated her splendor. Even with the chocolate frosting still on her lip, she was gorgeous. I'd seen her fall asleep so many times before, but I never felt the euphoria I felt now as she dozed beside me.
This was a moment I'd never forget. Be it a grain of sand in the dunes of time, I knew I'd hold on to this grain for eternity.
Tum Se Tum Tak
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
