Part 2
The previous day has been eventful. After being caught by Rami, Mukhi had pulled Aru away with him but disappeared as soon as he saw her surrounded by women of family. He had loitered in & around the Panchayat whole day, to avoid Aru. He could not see her, how will he explain that how exactly he lost his senses when he saw her looking ethereal? How will he explain the deeds he did to her in kitchen because of the thirst she developed in him? How will he say that it is her fault for being so gorgeous that he lost control? And thus he avoided going home until it was in his hands. But when the clock struck 9 pm, he had to enter home or it would have looked suspicious. He knew how efficient he was. Other than all the village people coming to the panchayat in small small groups to take a peek at him while he sat there idly in evening, everything was fine. He had just heard some people whisper and nothing much. He had it entirely controlled.
"I made a fool of myself, he thought holding his head.
"Shu vaat che?, Saanvi asked setting the dinner for him.
"Nothing...just a headache, he replied and then mumbled the last part "namely Arundhanti Raidhan Rajkatara.
"It must be due to being empty stomach, she assumed and started leaving.
"Has Aru eaten? he asked noting that his Gaurani was not at the dinner table, eating his head off for being khula saand'.
"No, she has locked herself in the room since noon, she replied forlorn.
"And you didn't inform me that! he asked incredulously getting up from his seat.
"Relax raaje, before locking herself she made it clear that she had a hectic week and wanted to compensate for the sleepless nights and therefore wants no disturbance, she replied shaking her head.
I don't think that gaurani could have slept on empty stomach. She must be fed now, or in the night she will be like Mukhiji please accompany me till the kitchen, its so dark', he thought shaking his head at the antics of his Daffor.
And with that he proceeded towards their room with Thaal stuffed with food, earlier worries forgotten.
"Aru, open the door, he knocked on the door again and again.
In response the quilt on the bed stirred.
It was not until 4-5 knocks later that the door opened.
"Shu bachpana che, Aru, he asked entering inside.
"AHHH, he shouted and fell on his back on seeing a quilt clad figure stand before him.
"Kya hua Mukhiji, came a panicked voice as his gaurani emerged from under the quilt.
Mukhi continued to stare at her hopelessly.
"Are you okay? She asked worried and bent down to help him stand up.
In that moment she forgot her embarrassment of being seen making out with mukhiji in the kitchen, by Rami ben. She forgot that she had chosen to keep hiding in the room to avoid Mukhiji. She forgot that she has covered up herself in quilt to avoid being hypnotised by his enchanting face.
As she helped him sit on bed, he continued looking at her. He was lucky to be loved by this woman.
"Are you hurt? she asked cupping his face as tears pulled up in her eyes.
"Its my fault for showing up on the door like that. You fell back due to shock. I am so sorry she apologised and crashed onto his chest.
"Ouch he moaned in pain in response.
She was quick to withdraw and asked " Does it hurt here also?
He smiled slightly and nodded his head in negative.
"Phir... she asked staring questioningly at him with her big mesmerizing orbs.
"It hurts here to see my gaurani shed pearls from her eyes because of me he replied pointing to the upper left of his chest, his heart.
He cupped her face and leaned down to place two soft kisses on her eyes and then wiped her face off tears.
"Is it paining a lot? she asked overlooking the butterflies doing garba in her stomach at his touch.
"Just a bit, I will get better till morning, he replied.
"I will bring the hot water bag, she replied and got up to leave.
But she paused when his hand held her wrist.
"I am fine so don't worry but...
"But...?
"But I am really Hungry, he spoke smiling.
Aru tried to read his eyes. Which hunger was he talking about? He was a complex entity whose thorough study required a lot of time.
"Why are you staring? I haven't eaten anything since morning. He answered ever-so-oblivious.
ohhh' she thought and heaved a sigh of relief. He was asking for food.
And soon she appeared with another Thaal, having cleaned the contents of earlier one splattered on the floor.
He forwarded his hand to take it but she withdrew it
"I'll feed you she ordered and sat by his side.
She continued to feed him in silence when he forwarded a morsel in her direction.
"I am not hungry, she replied but was interrupted.
"How is that possible? Chocolates can't satisfy hunger, he spoke.
Realization dawned on her and she looked in his direction with a playful smile.
"Daffor, he spoke poking her nose and continued "And I was shocked to know that you didn't eat. She who loves to eat more than anything chose sleep over food. But my shock was proved baseless when I uncovered the hoard of chocolate and wrappers under the bedsheet and pillow.
He presented the mess of melted chocolates before her and she was quick to snatch them.
"Haan toh bhukhi thodi rehti, she pouted.
"Barabar he nodded smiling, holding back the words on his tongue.
Why were you pretending to be sleeping by locking up?'
This was the question on his mind but he refrained from asking it as he seemed to know the answer. Most probably, it was for the exact reason he has spent his day in Panchayat.
"But you are still hungry and I wont let you sleep on an empty stomach or else pacchad pachhad bhaga si raat ma, he spoke and coerced her to eat. She pouted & then obliged and munched on it happily. That bubbly face she displayed while eating the food made his heart ache.
As he fed her curry, she moaned "Ahh
"What happened? It is not that spicy, he asked.
"Nahi...vo..ye... she stammered licking her lips.
He leaned closer and pulled her face up by chin. He spotted a small bruise on her lower lip. Realization dawned on him.
"Pathetic, and I call myself a man while doing animalistic things, he scolded himself.
"No mukhiji, Its alright, I didn't mind at all, she replied blushing.
"Gaurani tu... And he placed a soft kiss on that bruise.
Aru responded by opening her mouth but he withdrew.
"No...not now, when I am with you I lose my senses and it is a dark night with clouds roaring outside. If we start now, I don't think I'll be able to control myself from taking you. And I don't want to hurt you, he replied helplessly.
She smiled. What a man she has got as life partner!
And with that they slept in each other's embrace.
The next morning was a bright morning for her. She woke up in the arms of man she loves the most. But she has to leave the comfort of these arms. She sighed and stared at his sleeping face.
He slept with his carefree face, mouth open. She shut it up with her index finger and admired him.
" You look delicious. I feel like eating you", she spoke playfully staring at him.
" If you eat me you will suffer from indigestion ".
Her eyes widened as he opened his eyes and smiled at her.
"You were awake!"
" Well, I don't want to waste my OUR time at all. You are leaving today."
" I have to, Dukhi mukhi".
And with that they left the comfort of each other's arms and got ready for the day.
They sat side by side while doing the breakfast. She smiled as she ate the first bite and looked in his direction. Their eyes met and he smiled.
" Is it OK?"
She nodded. Sanvi smiled mischievously and spoke.
" I don't know why Raaje ordered to make less spicy breakfast when both he and ARU love spicy food".
Aru refrained from replying. Or they will get caught.
" Arre Aru, why is their a bruise on your lips?" Uma asked worried.
The spoon from Aru's hands fell and Raaje choked on the food.
" Uma Ben...an insect bite...it's an insect bite", Aru stammered.
Raaje swiftly turned in her direction and stared daggers at her.
' Me...an insect' he thought burning up.
Aru could feel his blazing eyes and refused to meet them.
" Big insect...was it? ARU.." Sanvi asked meaningfully.
" Really big", Aru repeated deadpanning at Mukhiji glaring at her.
" Was it 2 ft? 3 ft? 4ft or..." Sanvi asked hiding her smile as Uma, Arjan, Mastana and sgarabi looked on confused.
" Nahi...full 5 ft 7 inch", Aru responded in the flow.
And mukhi's head fell in his hands.
' Dafforr'
Everyone giggled on realising the identity of that 'Big Insect'.
And Aru realized the blunder, fraction of seconds later. She bit her tongue and looked in his direction.
He was pissed big time.
But then she furrowed her brows and asked " Why are you glaring at me? Is it my fault?"
He looked around and whispered, " Is it mine then?"
But Aru has long forgotten the spectators and spoke in full volume.
" of course, you are the culprit. Who was the one to bite?"
"Dheere bol" , he pleaded gritting his teeth, seeing the others laughing lightly.
" Why should I? Kare koi, bhare koi. Kaata aapne, chott mere lagi or ghoor bhi aap hi rahe ho".
" Ghoorun nhi toh kya karu, Dafforr. Pet mein koi baat pachti nhi kya?" He retorted loudly clearly forgetting the spectators.
" Aah ha ha, kyu chup rahu main. Main chilla chilla ke bataungi ki dukhi mukhi ne kiss krte time ek van maanush ki tarah mujhe hothon par kaat liya".
" Acha...tu toh doodh ki dhuli hai na! Raat mein kaun bola tha ki its OK,I don't mind" .
" Haan toh...vo toh Maine aapka dil rakhne ke liye bola tha ", she replied stammering.
" Mtlb tujhe bura laga?" He asked.
" Ye kisne kaha", she asked haughtily.
" Manje acha laga?" He asked again.
She refused to meet his eyes and turned to other direction crossing hands against her chest blushing beet red.
Mukhi felt his heart beats speed up at the adorable face she displayed.
Saanvi has managed to send Arjan, Mastana & Sharabi away a lot earlier, when situation has started to escalate. But neither she nor Uma dared to leave.Both loved Raaje in their own way and wanted to bear witness to his happiness. They could see that he has found that one person who could make him lose control and be real. He has found that person who will stand up with him in every situation.
" Ho gaya na confirm, tujhe achha laga!" He stated relaxed.
The reason of the argument was long forgotten. It started with WHY DID U OPEN YOUR MOUTH and reached to IF U LIKED MY LIP BITE.
" Maine aisa kab kaha" she spoke unbelievably and he felt his head roll.
She was about to continue when he shut her up by closing her mouth with his hand. She continued speaking, trying to fight off his hand but failed.
" ye aise nhi maanegi, Ek hi rasta bacha hai" he realized & asked Uma & sanvi to turn and close their eyes.
" Kyu? I will see " sanvi implied and stood her ground.
" Fine then, If you don't like what you see, don't blame me" he retorted.
And thus he pulled her close & crashed her lips against his. It served its purpose well. She immediately shut up & responded likewise clutching his vest.
To shut her up...was an excuse. That adorable face she had displayed woke up the wolf within & he could not wait to taste her. She was leaving today, he wanted another one to continue living without her, in her touch.
Saanvi and Uma lost their resolve to watch as the kiss grew deep. Their hands were all over each other and their tongue movements became visible. Poor souls found it Super Gross and turned around.
As they separated 6 seconds later, they panted holding onto each other, trying to regain their breath.
" Ho gaya kya?" Saanvi asked.
" Maine kaha tha na...jaane ko" mukhi retorted .
" Meri marzi..." Sanvi retorted back.
" kitti besharam ho gyi hai, ye sab dekhne ke liye khadi thi" he glared at both.
" acha ji...kaam kare tu aur besharam hum" .
" main kyu besharam...she is my wife".
This made a vein pop in Aru's head.
" Wife hu toh kya hua. Kuch bhi kahin bhi karenge?" She asked.
" sahi boli Aru, kamra hai na tere pass Raaje!" Sanvi added cornering him.
" Tu mat bol Gaurani, Maine chalu kiya toh tune bhi wapas kiya...theek hai" he pointed that effectively shut her up.
" Aur tu sanvi main besharam hu toh tu kam hai?" He pointed.
She pouted and shut up. Pindrop silence prevailed in the air.
Uma was the first one to initiate the conversation.
" Reva do na mota Bhai, sanvi", She pleaded.
" Haan mukhiji, meri train ka time ho rha hai", ARU added gloomily.
Everyone saddened on realising the bitter truth.
When Uma did her aarti, ARU stood holding his hands trying to gather some courage.
And the whole Jeep ride, she had her head leaned against his shoulders, arms looping his.
" JAANA zaroori hai?" She asked him trying to hold onto his fingers as the train signalled to leave the station.
" Jaana toh padega na, tera kaam hai", he replied seeing the train start.
He started walking side by side with train as they held onto each other.
" Aap aaenge na mujhse Milne", she asked getting ready eyed.
" Zaroor" he replied.
" VAADA?" She asked forwarding her pinky finger.
" VAADA" he promised looping his pinky with hers.
And thus finally train outran his pace but his sombre mood could not last long as her voice echoed.
"Remember to keep ur promise, Mere Mukhi".
How was it?!
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
