Kaise Mujhe Tum Milgayi Th 9 Ch 8 Aardhan review/reply pg 82

Chapter Eight

Nidhi looked at the contrasting greenery along with the clear blue skies spread before her as far as the eye could behold and took a deep breath. "Wow! It's..just..so..beauutiful!"

A pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind. "Pasand aaya?"

Nidhi nodded. "Who wouldn't love it? But why all this hurry to come to Lonavala? You barely gave me time to pack." She turned and looped her arms around his neck with a sulky pout. "And you ruined my shopping trip with Anji."

Ashutosh bent and nuzzled her neck playfully making her squirm and giggle. "You prefer shopping to honeymooning with your husband? You break my heart my Lois!"

She arched her neck to give him better access and closed her eyes in delight when he immediately accepted that invitation. "You know I didn't mean it like that.."

"You can do your shopping once we go back." He raised his head and looked around the cottage. With the glass windows on three sides and the open balcony, it truly resembled a machan on top of a hill. His mind went back to the small ratty room they had stayed at during their previous visit three years ago. How times changed! Now he could give his Nidhi everything she deserved the first time around.

"Ashutosh?"

"Hmmm?"

"Kahaa khogaye? It's like you are here but not here."

He gave her a rueful smile and brushed her hair away from her face. This was the one time he could give a straight truthful answer. "I was thinking about our honeymoon. That small hotel where we could smell all kinds of odours from the downstairs kitchen..after that trip I swore to myself that I would bring you here one day and make it truly memorable in every single way."

She snuggled into his arms. "I am sure it was memorable then too. Ashutosh..why can't I remember? How much longer will it take?"

"Ranganath said na..the more relaxed you are, the faster things will get back to normal. Itna mat socho Nidhi."

"But I want to know!" She stomped her foot and turned away from him.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything. How was I as your wife? Did I nag you? Did we fight a lot? Who said sorry first? Did I continue to work after my marriage? The list is endless and I feel.." She sighed in frustration.

Ashutosh left her and went to stand beside the window with his hands stuffed into his trouser pockets. "You worked as a teacher in a play school and loved it. Even when there was no need for you to work, you continued. You had great fun being with those kids." A small pause. "No Nidhi. You didn't nag me. You never nagged me. You always understood. No matter what I did or didn't do, you always understood and took care of me. Made sure I ate on time, didn't forget to sleep..forgotten anniversaries, birthdays..you were with me all through."

She made him turn around to face her. Her lips held a quizzical smile. "Is that what has been bothering all these days? Is that the reason why I see pain and regret in your eyes? You think you disappointed me in some way?" Her soft palms cup his cheeks. "Ashutosh, come on, we have been together all our lives. Why would you even think that? Tum na ek dum paagal ho. Budduraam! You did all that for whom? For us, right? For our better tomorrow, right? I remember all your dreams and ambitions Ashutosh."

He kissed both her palms. "Sometimes..sometimes Nidhi..the cost of those ambitions is too high."

"But we are here, aren't we? All the dreams have come true and we are living those dreams, aren't we? Why are you feeling bad about that then? Because you think you neglected me?" She frowned and winked. "As far as I know about myself, I have never been a doormat. Tell me honestly, shaadi ke baad ek baar bhi tumne mere haath ki maar nahi khayi?" She wriggled her eyebrows playfully.

Her endearing expression melted something inside him. He laughed and twirled her around in the room. "Yes my darling wife, you did. You slapped me pretty hard. Twice."

Even as he playfully answered her, a germ of an idea was forming in his head. He knew with sudden clarity what he must do when they went back. He wanted Nidhi with him now, forever, with or without her memory and he was not willing for her to pay any more price so he can realize his ambitions. From now on every step he took would be for her sake.

Nidhi started bouncing like a spring in her enthusiasm effectively bringing him out of his reverie. "Kab kab? Kab hua yeh? Kya hua tha? Batao na please?"

He made her sit on the windowsill and pretended to think. "A few months after our marriage. We were still living in that apartment. You were down with a viral once. Some kind of a tummy bug. You had fever and were puking. I was on a call so I wanted silence."

Nidhi's eyes got round. "Oh no! Don't tell me! Oh please!"

"Oh yes. I knocked on the bathroom door to ask you if you were done puking."

Nidhi doubled over with laughter. His eyes held laughter even though he tried to get an affronted look on his face. "You opened the door, slapped me and banged it shut again."

Nidhi by now was clutching her stomach. "Oh, I can so imagine that one!" Her laughter finally toned down to giggles and she pulled his cheeks playfully and smacked a kiss on one of them. "OK..so we fought enough. How did we make up? Who said sorry first?"

"Did we ever say sorry to each other my Lois?"

She grinned and shook her head. No. They never did that. They just acknowledged and moved on. She went all soft inside knowing that it continued even after they got married. His next sentence brought her out of her reverie.

"And you already remembered one of the ways we used to make up." Fire lit his eyes.

He moved his mouth down to the curve of her jaw and explored the soft skin below her ear. "Remember that huge bathtub?"

She did! Oh God! She did! That was the first and only memory she had of their after-marriage life. "Will you do that again Ashutosh? Will you relive that memory with me?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBb9eT9ajN8

Without giving him a chance to reply, she left him standing there and ran into the bathroom to start the water. She looked at the array of soaps and gels displayed on the counter and picked one. One look at the name had her smothering her giggle. Almond Milk and Honey - Triple milled soap.

"You are going to smell like a girl. Is that OK?" Her raised voice filled with laughter reached him.

He walked into the bathroom, his fingers already on the buttons of his shirt. "You think I care?"

Aasmaan tera mera hua
Khwaab ki tarah dhuaan dhuaan
Aasmaan tera mera hua
Saans ki tarah ruaan ruaan

Her small hands spread out over his chest, pushed his shirt away before she smoothed them upward to his shoulders. The look in her eyes turned sultry as a warm earthy glow sent shivers down her spine. Her gaze held the promise of seduction. He used to love it when she took the initiative in bed, but all that had changed after he'd returned from his trip.

Ho jaaye jahaan tu jaaye
Paaye mujhe hi paaye
Saaye ye mere hain tujh mein samaaye

Saiyaara main saiyaara, Saiyaara tu saiyaara
Sitaaron ke jahaan mein milenge abb yaara

He had so little time. His instincts screamed that at him. And the thought of not grabbing for every moment with her was unbearable. He moved both his hands to cup her face, sliding his fingers into her thick straight hair and titled her face closer to his.

"Nidhi, I haven't been a great husband. Was a downright idiot at times. I took a lot of things for granted.."

She closed his lips with her finger. "Shhh..then I am sure I would have taken you for granted too. And this is our honeymoon. No sad thoughts. Both of us have been given a second chance. Let's grab with both our hands." Shyness now entered her eyes. "Will you undress for me?"

Tu jo mila toh yun hua
Ho gayi poori adhoori si duaa
Tu jo gaya, toh le gaya sang tere
Mere jeene ki har wajah

He kissed each finger and placed both her hands on his belt. He shuddered as his mind took him back to the day of that blast. In silence, they undressed each other and her shy uncertainty got quickly replaced with bold appreciation.

Ho jaaye jahaan tu jaaye
Paaye mujhe hi paaye
Saaye ye mere hain tujh mein samaaye

Saiyaara main saiyaara, Saiyaara tu saiyaara
Sitaaron ke jahaan mein milenge abb yaara

She stepped into the fragrant bubbled water and lay back, allowing the water to creep to her chin and closed her eyes in delicious anticipation. He climbed over the edge of the tub and gently pushed her forward and lowered himself. Then he wrapped his arms carefully around her and pulled her back against his chest. She laid her head against his collarbone, and he kissed her temple. To her shock, she felt a shudder roll through his body about the same time she registered wetness against her skin. Tears. His tears. She started to turn around, but he tightened his grip.

"Stay," he said in a choked voice. "Just let me hold you like this. Please." She let herself relax back into his arms and nestled her head into the curve of her neck. Tremors continued to work through his body, and quiet little huffs sounded past her ears. He held her tightly, a wealth of emotion straining in those muscles she'd admired.

"Nidhi.. when I thought..when I..a part of me died Nidhi. I tried to move on but..I never thought I would ever see a day like..th..iis!"

Her eyes went soft as she traced his arm from wrist to elbow.

Tumpe miti tumse bani
Tumse hua hai haan khud pe yaqeen
Tu jo nahi to naa sahi
Main hoon yahaan toh tu hai yahin kahin

After a while, Ashutosh seemed to collect himself. His grip loosened and he cupped water in his hands to wet her hair. Then he squeezed shampoo onto her head and dug his fingers into her scalp, rubbing and kneading. She moaned and closed her eyes in absolute bliss.

"Feel good?" he husked in her ear. After a moment, his hands drifted down to her shoulders, kneading and massaging her muscles. "Slide down so I can rinse you."

She went limp and eased down his body. He raised one hand to cup her chin and lifted so that her face stayed out of the water as her head reclined. Then he carefully rinsed her hair.

Ho jaaye jahaan tu jaaye
Paaye mujhe hi paaye
Saaye ye mere hain tujh mein samaaye

Saiyaara main saiyaara, Saiyaara tu saiyaara
Sitaaron ke jahaan mein milenge abb yaara

Arms wrapped around her, he pulled her until she is facing him. She settled against him. A perfect fit. Like she'd never left. Like he'd never made her leave. Hope beat so hard against his chest that he could feel each painful burst. Let this be it for them. He couldn't lose her again. Laughter spilled from her lips, carefree and beautiful as water splashed outside from the tub. His face was rock hard as he stared at her. Her laughter got cut off and her body arched in shock as he thrust into her. His voice was raw when he spoke.

"Take me Nidhi," he groaned, demanded, pleaded; his expression at once tortured and ecstatic. "All of me. Please." His voice was hoarse with need. "Nidhi..Nidhi..Nidhi! Mine..mine..mine!"

The raw primitive chant washed over her, and she cried out as their bodies writhed together. She couldn't see, couldn't breathe, could only feel. His hoarse wild cries joined hers, then became rough moans as they shattered together in each other's arms.

"Ashutosh?" Nidhi lifted her head from its resting place on his shoulder.

"Hmmm?"

Replete after the wild bout of love making, they crashed on the bed and dozed a while before hunger sent them in search of food. Lunch and a long walk to the lake later, they were back again in their cottage. Nidhi cuddled up to him as soon as he hit the bed.

"You are not angry, are you?"

"Angry? For what?"

"I danced with Anji in the rain last night.." She lifted her head and regarded him with an open expression. "Pata hain? When I was in the hospital I had a dream. About our college days and the way you and Armaan used to provoke each other and get into fights. So when we met them last night..kuch der keliye mujhe bahut awkward laga. Thoda darr bhi laga tha." She huffed out a relieved laugh. "But you know..Anji told me that you and Armaan were in the same business now and that she and I were like friends. It felt so good." Her face fell a little. "I wish I could remember all this soon. God knows what else I have forgotten! I wanted to tell you all this last night but.."

If he had courage, he'd tell her everything. He'd tell her the bald truth and beg her for the chance to make things right. But all he could do was shake his head, fold her into his arms and hold her so tight.

"Never hesitate or be afraid to tell me anything," he whispered against her hair. "No matter what it is. I'll never judge you, Nidhi."

His words echoed in his ears. Harsh. Everything he told her was true and it made him the worst hypocrite. What he expected from her he himself was unwilling to give. The truth. He closed his eyes and buried his face in her hair. How much time did he have? How much longer could he hope to keep the truth from her?

The rest of the day and the day after that, he completely devoted himself to entertaining her. He took her to Valvan dam where she splashed and played in the water before pulling and dunking him along with her. Onlookers probably thought they were a crazy couple to get wet in that cold damp weather but he didn't care. All he cared about was her bright smile and her shining laughing eyes.

They visited the Visapur fort where they ran around hand in hand, hid and necked like a couple of randy teenagers. It brought back all the memories of their college days, planning and plotting to get away from HK for a few minutes of solitude so that they could touch and kiss and drive each other crazy. He told her about his cold showers after those encounters and she told him about her extra jogging. He took her to the hotel where they had stayed before and the manager there allowed them to go and have a look at their room. He told her about those start-up days when everything had been hinged on his instincts and the long sleepless nights when he worked and drove her crazy. Ashutosh knew with every place they revisited and every memory he shared; there was a chance that it would act as a trigger that would unlock her memories. But he pushed it to the back of his mind and concentrated on rebuilding the broken bridge that was their relationship. The only thing was that she was not aware of the fact that the bridge was broken. She would know and believe in his love. She has to.

Blissfully unaware, Nidhi basked in the warmth of her husband's attention and thanked her lucky stars for showering her with such a precious gift. A husband who loved her. Ashutosh. Her Ashutosh. If any dark thoughts intruded, she pushed them away and clung on to him all the more. And intrude they did. At odd times and moments. In them the eyes she loved were not filled with warmth and support. They were hard and resolved. The thoughts sometimes whispered to her. You're a fraud. Your marriage is a fraud. He doesn't love you. But they weren't real, were they? She snuggled closer to Ashutosh and kissed him until passion drowned those whispers. See? She countered to those dark thoughts. He doesn't hate me. He's here. He loves me. Why were they not leaving her alone? May be she should talk to someone. She would go crazy otherwise. Ranganath! Yes. Once they got back home, she would consult him. With that thought firmly set in her mind, she relaxed and enjoyed the rest of her honeymoon. Well, maybe not exactly a honeymoon but that was what it was for her.

And soon their three days were up and on the fourth day they went back home. Nidhi still had no signs of regaining any memory and she finally decided to consult Dr Ranganath in a day or two. Should she tell Ashutosh? No. Not yet. He would only fret needlessly and drive everyone including her crazy.

"Nidhi, apni aankhen band karo."

Nidhi turned from the mirror and hopped up and down in delight. "Kyu? Gift hain mere liye? Kya hain? Bolo na!"

"Arre aankhen toh band karo! Fast. I have to leave for work or I will be late."

She growled but obediently closed her eyes. The next moment felt something placed in her outstretched hands and she opened them. A gift wrapped flat rectangular box. She tore open the wrapper and opened the box to find a beautiful red sari with gold border inside. Her eyes widened. "Wow!"

"You like it?"

"It's beautiful and my favourite colour too."

Ashutosh traced her lips with one slightly rough finger. "And you will look like my newly-wed bride in it. Wear this today evening. We will have a special dinner and watch a movie. I will be home by 6."

"Sachchi? Kaunsi movie? Are we going out or staying in?"

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight against him. "Which would you prefer?"

Nidhi pretended to think. "Home. Neeche home theatre mein popcorn ke saath movie dekhenge."

He raised his eyebrow. "And it has nothing to do with your thought that I would be tired at the end of the long day, is it?"

Nidhi giggled and nipped his chin playfully. "It's not that. I just want you to relax and conserve your energy for..after movie."

He kissed her until neither could think straight. "I always have energy for that and you know it. See you." Another kiss and he was off .

"Kaka, mein kaisi lagrahi hoon?"

HK looked up from the aata he was busy mixing and grinned. "Arre wah bitiya. You look like a bride. Nayi sari hain kya?"

Nidhi grinned and nodded. "He gave me this gift and said he will be home early. Then movie and dinner. Ghar mein hi."

HK nodded. "Achcha hain. Lonavala trip sab achcha hua na?"

"Ji. Meine kaafi photos bhi kheenche. Dikhaungi aap ko. Uh kaka, ghar mein koi telephone directory jaisa kuch hain kya?"

HK shook his head. "Jabse yeh cell phone aaya haina sab issi mein rehte hain. Agar aisa koi book hain toh study room mein hoga shayad. Kyu beti? Kisko phone karna hain?"

"Ek friend ko kaka. I met her before we went to Lonavala and we planned a shopping trip together. Phir cancel karna pada aur sorry bhi teekse nahi bol paayi. Study room upstairs? Dekhti hoon."

The thought of going to that room made her uneasy..and scared. Cursing herself for being such a ninny, Nidhi plopped herself down on the sofa. Go or don't go? Go or don't go? The self-debate ends with the sound of the door-bell.

She smiles. Ashutosh. He is early? "Mein dekhti hoon kaka." Her smile of welcome slips and falls at the sight of a stranger at the door. "Yes?"

"Ma'am, registered post. Sign here please."

She scribbles her name and receives the envelope. Her frown deepened. "From the District Court of Pune? Ashutosh ke naam pe? God in heaven! What is this about? Hope it's not about his company."

A sense of premonition makes her tear open the envelope and pull out the documents.

Six month waiting period completed..Dismissal of divorce petition..On account of demise of spouse.. words blurred in front of her eyes as memories flashed before her like randomly thrown clippings. The papers slipped from her hand and fell to the floor unheeded. With a hoarse exclamation, she ran up the steps and barged into the study room. Chill bumps raced up over her skin but she squared her shoulders resolutely and entered the room. A kind of darkness tormented and enveloped her immediately. More vivid this time. More real. Ashutosh stood near that huge table. His face was drawn into harsh angry lines. He was shouting and she stood, stunned, all fight gone. Then he opened a draw and pulled out a sheaf of papers and shoved them at her.

Suddenly another flash came out of nowhere. She saw herself walking towards the table, towards him with something in her hand... and it was gone! What was that? What was in her hand? The table held the answers. She slowly walked up to the table and opened the first draw with shivering hands, though by now she was sweating all over. Some bills and scattered notes and bank papers. She closed it and opened the second one. She stared at the files in that. She closed her eyes and tried to recall the dream. He pulled the papers from a file. What was the colour of the file? Yellow. With thundering heart and trembling fingers she took out the yellow file and opened it to see the contents. It wasn't until she'd read the first page that it sunk in. Shock hit her with the force of a speeding train. Divorce. Ashutosh had filed for divorce. Court gave them a six month waiting period in which they had to live separately. Case got dismissed because they assumed she was dead. And just like that, like a locked door being broken down in one swoop, memories came crashing down on her.

She Devil awaits your comments. 😈

Originally posted by: Suvika.

where is she??