Part 5
Since morning HK was busy getting things ready for the picnic. Ashu and Nidhi were sitting in different corners. Nidhi not quite wanting to go on this picnic. In the hospital, she did not have to confront Ashu much except for professional reasons, and at home it was bare minimum. But a picnic which is meant to be fun n frolic, wouldn't be a good place to avoid him and sulk. So Nidhi was wondering how to avoid this picnic. Ashu, on the other hand got lost in fond memories of when he was first coaxed by Nidhi to go on the picnic and that was one of the unforgettable incidents of his life. He had dared to breathe in the fresh air after long, and realized how happy it made him. Nidhi had managed to bring that first change in him. And now after a year, when he has got the love of his life, picnic though bringing his sweet memories back, made him apprehensive as he knew Nidhi would not be looking forward to spend more time with him. How he longed to have her with him in the picnic and wished things weren't so hard between them. He tried to approach Nidhi. "Mera yellow Tshirt kahan hai Nidhi picnic wala?". Nidhi gave him a weird look, and tried to move away, when BB came all dressed in track pants and tshirt. "Nidhi, kaisa lag raha hoon main?". Nidhi couldn't help a smile looking at his rotund grandfather. "Tu ready nahi huyi ab tak? Ja jaldi ja, der ho jayegi." Nidhi was still rooted to her spot, being reluctant to move. Just then, a horn blared and Anji and Ranganath were at the door. Both of them looked cute in casuals, Nidhi was unaware they were coming, so she was surprised. "Are Nidhi, tu abhi bhi salwar suit me hai, ja kuch sporty pehen ke aa, ja jaldi." Anji pushed her towards her room. "Anji, tujhe kaise pata chala picnic ke baare me?" , Anji didn't answer her but told her to hurry up. Well, Nidhi thought, since Anji Ranganath were coming, she did not have to face Ashu by herself, so she turned to get ready. When she came out of the door, Ashu looked at her mesmerized. She was dressed in a white and red polka dots loose shirt and jeans, with her hair tied up in a pony and looked much younger than the married woman she was. Being with ashu she was wearing only sarees and salwar suits, but this casual dress brought out her bubbliness, though her face was devoid of it. "Jijaji u go and get ready now, have to spoon feed people here, god", Anji said fondly. As Ashu went to the bedroom, he saw Nidhi had put one of the new red and black tshirt with Jeans that she had bought ,for him to wear. He was touched that even though she was not talking to him much, but still taking care of all his needs. When he got ready and came outside, it was Nidhi's turn to be bowled. Ashu looked dashing in the casual clothes which he rarely wore, and looking at both of them having an eyelock, Anji and Ranganath smiled at each other and cleared their throat. "Ab chalen?" At the doorstep, they heard another horn, and to their surprise, they saw CV, DB and CS too, ready for their picnic. Ashu and Nidhi were surprised. BB said, " I told them to join, you youngsters will have fun, so we oldies should have some fun too isnt it?". Nidhi was happy that they were all going together as a family. Now she was just hoping, no awkward situation comes between him and Ashu so that her family comes to know about their tiff.
The picnic site chosen by Anji and Ranganath was beautiful. It had small streams flowing from few places, a nice shady area to rest, and just the right atmosphere. Ashu thanked Ranganath for organising this. It was his and Anji's idea to get them all together for a picnic so that Ashu and Nidhi get to spend some time away from home and work. Though Ashu was reluctant at first as he dared not tell Nidhi to come, they had involved BB too, and with his help decided to placate Nidhi to come.
"Nidhi chal tent lagate hain", Anji tried to get into action. "Arre Daktar, ye to bahut badhiya jagah hai, kamaal ho gaya, Lucknow me reh ke mujhe pata hi aisi jagah bhi hai" Then CS started telling DB how she was just busy in her kitchen and temples and other than this, she is unaware how beautiful the world outside is. Ashu was loving all this banter. He was aloof from all these family pleasures all these years, and took refuge in his loneliness. But he was thankful to Nidhi for having given him this family, and now he cannot imagine going back to his hostile life. He looked at Nidhi, she was busy setting up the tent with Anji, and seemed a bit cheerful now. Ashu grew hopeful. Maybe now, he could try to get some time alone with her. "Dr. Ranganath, why don't we go see if they have activities here, like boating, hiking, lets take a walk around. Dr. Ranganath looked at Ashu and and with the look on his face, realised what he was trying to say. "yes, why not sir, Nidhi, Anji, lets go see this place". Anji pulled Nidhi along before she could react. They walked a little and saw a hiking trail. Anji told Ashu "Jijaji we'll take this route and see what we find and you take the one on the left, and we'll see you back here soon", and she rushed away with her hubby. Nidhi felt awkward all of a sudden and started to turn back and go. Ashu held her hand " Nidhi wait, lets see what we find, then we'll go together", and he almost pulled her with him to walk. They walked in silence for sometime. Then Ashu said, "Kuch bologi nahi Nidhi?" Kya tumhe aise mere saath bahut bura lag raha hai?" Nidhi didn't say anything. The route was covered with bushes on both sides and was kind of narrow, so they had to walk close to each other. It was very difficult for Ashu to keep away from Nidhi. Her sweet fragrance was driving him crazy, and the seclusive route helped. But he was scared to make any advances. What if Nidhi thought, he was taking advantage of the situation. But she was his wife after all, he had all rights on her, he thought. But then his heart told him, no, his marriage alone did not give him those rights. Her love for him gave him everything. Her emotions, feelings came before any physical yearnings. Lost in his thoughts, he didn't realize, when his hand brushed a sharp bush and some thorn pricked him. He pulled his hand with a short groan which Nidhi was quick to notice. "Kya hua?". she noticed some blood coming out of his little finger, and in an instant caught hold of the finger and put it her mouth. Ashu was reminded of their HM when Nidhi did the same thing when he hurt his hand while on a tree to get her a flower. At the same time, Nidhi realized some pent up feelings rising within her too, and retracted. Ashu held her back and tried to get her closer. The atmosphere, their proximity,and now Nidhi's lips on his fingers, was too much for him to control, and he cupped Nidhi's face and got his face closer to hers. She could see what was coming, and though she had kept away from ashu all these days, was finding it hard to resist now. She found herself giving in as Ashu pressed his lips to hers, while pulling her body to merge in his.At this time, they did not realize what was happening, Nidhi forgot what she was angry about, why she was living with him like a stranger. At this moment, they were just like two bodies, one soul, lost in each other. Their lips were probing each other as if meeting for the first time. Slowly their hands started to wander on each other's backs. Nidhi was wearing a shirt, so it was easy for Ashu to slide his hands underneath. Nidhi also didn't realise when she had ridden her hands under Ashu's shirt and both were passionately exploring each other after what seemed like ages of drought, totally unaware of their surroundings. Some running footsteps nearby jolted them back from their loveland, and they hurriedly broke apart. Ashu cursed the oncoming visitor who broke his trance, and both of them fixed their clothes quickly. " Sir, you ? here? what are you doing here?" Nidhi was amazed to see Pooja. Trust her, to bump across in the unlikeliest of places.
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