"Mumma!"
Nia shouted cheerfully seeing her mother standing at the entrance of the school. Nia ran towards Naina but then she tripped on her way. Naina had run towards her to check up on her. Making Nia stand up on her feet, Naina started to check whether she was hurt or not and while she was doing that, Naina couldn't stop herself ranting out concern for her daughter.
"How many times have I told you not to run? Why don't you listen? What if you hurt- and just where are you looking at?"
Naina turned back where Nia's gaze was fixed but soon averted as soon Nia her heard her mother question. Naina found no one but the crowd.
"Nothing Mumma"
Naina heard Nia whisper and looked at her.
"Mumma? Why are you here today?"
Naina was shocked to hear this from Nia.
"Weren't you always wanted me to spend time with you?"
Naina held Nia's hand and both started to make their way out of the school.
"Yes, mumma. But dadu?"
"He's at home. Common, we are gonna eat ice cream and let me guess, it would be mmmmm butterscotch?"
"No, blackcurrant!"
"Blackcurrant? But you don't like that. You like to eat butterscotch, don't you?"
"Yes mumma. I did like it earlier. But now I love blackcurrant"
Nia said grinning at her mother. While, Naina stared back at her astound to hear this.
"O- oh okay? Blackcurrant, it is then"
"Yeyyy!"
Though Naina couldn't believe the sudden change in her liking, she just let it go thinking that as Nia was growing, maybe with time her likings are already changing. Soon, they were at the same cafe where Arthi and Naina used to hangout and sometimes with Karan who had become nosy back then only to spend time Arthi.
Naina ordered one blackcurrant for Nia and butterscotch for herself. She watched Nia eating her ice-cream happily. She was happy. But deep inside, the sudden change in her daughter got her off guard.
While Nia was too busy in enjoying her ice-cream, Naina recollected how she used to spend time with Arthi and it was Arthi who understood her everytime without her saying anything. She missed her. She always questioned, why did she had to leave? Was everyone not enough to leave her alone? She was the only person she had as a friend. Naina couldn't help but feel her chest tightening from the pain of loss.
'I wish you could come back soon. I am waiting for you'
Sighing, she continued to have her ice-cream.
Once they were done, Naina took her to the park. It was like Naina just didn't wanted to go home yet. Not until she had collected her thoughts after what happened.
Nia was happily playing by herself in the park while Naina stared at her. It suddenly seemed like there was this distance not only between her and Aditya, but also her and Nia. He talks and her likes have seemed to change all of a sudden and she had no clue to this change.
The ringing of her mobile, brought her back out of the thoughts she had submerged into. Shoving out her phone, she saw it was Archana who was calling her. Swiping up, she picked up the call.
"Where are you, Naina? It's almost six in the evening."
Hearing this, Naina checked time in her wrist watch.
Yes, it was almost six.
"Mom, we are in the park. I am sorry, I should have informed you. We will be home soon"
"Yes, common fast"
"Yes, mom"
Hanging up the call, she looked where Nia was playing just before she took up the call but she found her missing.
"Nia?"
Worried, she started searching for her and when she reached the biggest tree at the centre of the park, she saw Nia.
"Nia!"
Nia turned around to look at her mother who looked frightened.
"What are you doing here?"
"Mumma, I was just-"
"Oh god! You scared me. Don't go anywhere like that without letting me know, understood?"
"Yes, Mumma"
"Common, let's go home. It's late"
Nia nodded her head and both left for home. When they reached home, Nia ran to her room to get freshen up with her bag taken away by her grandmother, while Naina did the same thing.
As she entered her room, she bumped into the only person she's been thinking about for the whole day.
"Adi? What are you doing here?"
Aditya raised his eyebrows at her, with his arms crossed around his chest.
"I live here? This is our, my room? And I am your husband?"
"That's not what I meant!"
Naina hissed at him and glared.
Remembering that he had left her, Naina took a step to walk past him to be only pulled back by him earning a yelp from her.
"What do you think you are doing?"
"Talking with my wife?"
"Oh, really? Because the last night I remember, you didn't wanted to talk anything!"
"I can explain"
Aditya looked at her guiltily.
"No! I don't want to listen anything right now and let me go"
"Listen, I am sorry okay? I really am?"
"Really? You are? Because I don't think so"
The more Aditya held her tightly, the more Naina tried to free herself.
"Adi, let me go"
"No, listen to me-"
"I am tired of listening to you! You said everything will be okay. But in the morning, you are gone! Without talking to me! Just like before! And what do you have to talk now when I don't want to?"
As Naina struggled in his arms, Aditya had her pushed to the wall and caged her in between his arms and slammed his lips to her's and kissed her harder.
Though he kissed her only for a minute, Naina felt like the kiss lasted for eternity. Her cheeks flushed and her gaze shifted away from him. As she felt his finger touching her lips, she gazed back at him who was already staring back at her with such an intensity.
Naina opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. But then she tried again to be stopped by him.
"Shhh... Don't talk.
I know I have hurt you.
I am sorry.
I told you yesterday, everything is going to be okay.
And it will be.
I left in the morning, so that I can spend the weekend with you"
Hearing this, Naina who was looking everywhere from the moment he started speaking, had her gaze averted to him with an unexpectedness.
"Yes. We have got this weekend for ourselves"
For a second, Naina's heart rejoiced hearing this. But then she thought, was he going away again?
"So what? After the weekend, you will probably have somewhere else to go for work!"
Hearing this, Aditya's grip loosened and she stood folded her arms.
"No Naina. I won't. Not this time."
"You are not going anywhere?"
"No. I am not gonna leave you again"
Naina hugged him tightly and so did he.
"Common now, get ready. We have somewhere else to be today"
"Somewhere else?"
"Huhmmm. Where only both of us will be there and no one but before that we have reservation for dinner tonight"
"Dinner? What is going on?"
"Now, if I tell you it wouldn't be a surprise. So go and get ready now. I have already selected the saree for you."
Naina stood awestruck after hearing this. She didn't understand what was going on. All of a sudden it felt like the old Aditya was back. Was she dreaming? She questioned herself.
Aditya looked at his wife who had this lot of confusion and questions written on her face, trying to figure out what was happening. Smiling seductively, he held her chin gaining her attention.
"I don't mind standing here with for the rest of the night which brings me a lot of crafty ideas that we can do. But then, we can do that even after the dinner don't you think?"
"What is wrong with you?"
Her question brought him back to the square again.
"We can do this later Naina. Just get ready for the dinner."
Mumbling, he walked out of the room.
Naina took her own time in getting ready. She was thinking and thinking all over again and again that was happening. She was wearing a silver saree with her hairs open.
"Naina!"
"Naina? Still how much time do you w-"
Aditya stopped in his track as his gaze caught the sight of his wife. His mouth open as he lost the words to speak.
Naina turned around and looked at him standing at the doorstep gazing at her. More like admiring her beauty. She blushed under his gaze. She checked him out. He was wearing black shirt and trouser with nude blazer on. His hairs sexier than it already was, messier. Composing herself, she walked towards him and snapped her fingers bringing him out of his trance and raised her eyebrows questioning him what happened.
In response, Aditya placed both his hands on her shoulders and whispered.
"Guess it was a bad idea. Shouldn't we like stay in here?"
Understanding where this conversation was going, Naina went along with his idea.
"Yes, you are right. Instead of going out, why not spend this night with family? What say? Like movie marathon, video games or something like that?"
"You such a mood spoiler"
Aditya grumped at her removing his hands off her shoulders while Naina chuckled at him.
"Common now, let's leave. Who knows, I might just change my mind"
"That, I won't let it happen"
"Acha?"
"Huhm"
"How so?"
Aditya's eyes twinkled in mischievousness as he stared Naina with biting his lower lip. He started to move closer and closer to her as she stepped back.
"Oh, no no no! I think going out is better option"
"See? I just did it"
Slapping his arm, Naina walked out of the room while Aditya chuckled at her cuteness and followed her.
Elder Sen couple was more than happy to see them going out after such a long period of time and they thought that Aditya and Naina needed to go out and resolve everything as there was so much things happening.
Driving to the restaurant, Aditya couldn't stop himself from gazing at his wife every now and then and each and everytime, Naina had to make him look straight on the road. Eventually he stopped looking at her frequently but he held her hand in his with inter wining their fingers.
After a very long time, Naina felt like everything was back to normal and felt whole again. She was happier. She forgot everything that has been happening. All her questions were thrown out of the window. All she needed was him and she had him. Naina had her gaze stuck at him and his every moment while he drove with a smile on his face knowing the fact very well that his wife was gazing at him lovingly.
Soon they reached a posh restaurant where they were welcomed and lead the way upstairs where Aditya had booked a table for them. Naina was awestruck with the interiors and the arrangements.
They both seated themselves and soon the waiter brought the dishes that were ordered by Aditya preriorly while making the arrangements. Naina was again elated to see all her's and his favourite dishes. They enjoyed their dinner by feeding eachother and talking about all the silly things they did and the memories, while the band played the songs on the stage.
In middle of eating, Aditya excused himself to the washroom. Naina waited for like more than fifteen minutes and then she started worrying about him. She failed his number but to her dismay, it was unreachable.
Naina called the waiter who was on their service and asked him about Aditya to which even he didn't knew the answer and when he was asked to look for him in the washroom, he did and he found no one. With that it was almost more than half an hour.
With tears in her eyes, Naina stood up search him by herself and the very next moment the lights were turned off illuminating dim lights all around her and bright light falling upon gaining everyone's attention to her. Naina held her hand up in front of her face as the light directly hit on her eyes. Lowering her hand slowly, she adjusted to the bright light and looked at exactly opposite to her where the band people stood with the same bright light on them.
Amongst them, Aditya made his appearance astonishing Naina and stood in front of the mic. He had his blazer removed and handed it to waiter.
"Adi"
He saw her whisper. But he could only smile at her.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have all your attention please.
Hi! Uh.... Okay I am damn nervous being on this stage here.
I am Aditya.
As you all can see, the beautiful lady over there. My wife? I have been waiting to tell so many things to her but then everything reduces to these two words 'Thank you'.
Thank you, Naina. For entering my life not once, but twice. I know I have hurt you from so long. But trust me, neither did I wish to see you hurting. And for that my love, I apologise.
No matter how far I go, we are always together.
Nothing can separate us.
Not even the distance.
Because you are the one who gives meaning to my life.
And this song right here, is for you love."
Aditya started singing with his gaze fixed on his wife while she stood with teary eyes. Only this time they were of pure happiness and love for her husband.
Har shaam ankhon par
Tera aanchal lehraye
Har Raat yaadon ki baarat le Aaye
Mein saans leta hi
Teri Khushboo aati hai
Ek mehka mekha sa paigam lati hai
Meri Dil ki dhadkan bhi Teri geet gati hai
Pal pal Dil ke pass tum rehti ho
Pal pal Dil ke pass tum rehti ho
Jeevan meethi pyaas yeh kehti ho
Pal pal Dil ke pass tum rehti ho
Tum sochogi Kyu itna Mai tumse pyaar Karu?
Tum samjhogi deewana mein bhi iqrar Karu
Deewano ki baate deewane jaante hai
Jalne Mai kya Maza hai?
Parwane jaante hai
Tum yuhi jalate rehna aake khwabon Mai
Pal pal Dil ke pass tum rehti ho
Pal pal Dil ke pass tum rehti ho
Jeevan meethi pyaas yeh kehti ho
.
.
.
When Aditya finally finished singing, Naina ran into him and hugged him tightly.
Feeling his shirt getting damp, Aditya tried to push her back to look at her.
"Hey? Are you crying?"
"Just look at me?"
"Was this that bad? You didn't like it?"
"Damn it! It was supposed to make you all happy and shine"
"I so knew that this wasn't go- aaaw! What the hell?"
Aditya kept on rambling on seeing her crying and he received a harsh push from Naina to which he groaned.
"You scared me!"
Naina said wiping her tears.
"I scared you?"
"Yes, how can just leave me and go?"
"Oh.... That was for-"
"Ouch! Stop hitting me in front of everyone"
Naina glared at him as he held both of her hands not wanting to get beaten up anymore in front of everyone.
"Thank you everyone, for the support! I guess we better leave unless you wish to witness a crime scene tonight"
Pulling her along with him, still holding her hands, he grabbed his blazer and her purse and made their way towards the parking lot.
"Leave me!"
Naina pushed him with all her force and moved back when he tried to hold her again.
"Hey? Hey? Listen. I am sorry."
"Sorry? Really Aditya? For what exactly are you apologizing?"
"For everything"
"Do you even have the slightest idea of what and all thoughts ran across my mind when you just left me there for half an hour? No! You don't know! All you know is to hurt me and apologize!"
"Shhh..... I am sorry Naina."
Aditya hugged her no matter how much she pushed him away and ran his hand over her hairs while his other hand held her firmly from her waist.
"I didn't know that it would.... It was only for a while. You know I would never leave you and go.
No matter what I do, I end up hurting you and all I can do is apologize."
Being in his arms. While he spoke in her ear. His comforting cologne. Him. Just made her warm and calm. She hugged him back tightly.
"I guess, I just over reacted."
"No, it was my fault"
"Adi, I am sorry"
"Hey, why are you apologizing? It should me. I didn't think that going like that would just-"
"Make me like my heart was ripped off"
She completed it for him.
"I am not gonna leave you again."
"Promise?"
"Promise. And what if you did?"
To his question, Naina neared him and standing on her tiptoes, she whispered in his ears.
"If I ever leave you, maybe it will be for your sake"
Aditya was stunned to hear this.
"......"
"Just kidding"
Pushing him and chuckling, Naina ran away from him with him following her to catch her and lock her up for himself.
Naina laughed freely as she ran from one car to another with Aditya behind her and suddenly she was out of his trail.
Turning around, she looked out for him to only bumped into him.
"And never ever say such words again"
Naina nodded her head as she giggled like a school girl.
"I love you"
"I love you, Naina"
They stood amidst the cars, hugging eachother.
"I don't want to go home, yet"
"Why?"
"Just...."
Naina felt that if they were to return home, she would wake up and everything would just be a dream. She didn't wanted that. Even if it was, she wanted to last this dream for little more while.
"Okay?"
"Why not stay here tonight?"
Naina questioned him with her puppy eyes.
"But-"
"Please na?"
"Okay, fine. Common, let's get us a room."
Naina nodded her head happily. Both, hand in hand message their way back into the restaurant.
Once they got their room booked, Aditya and Naina made their way to their room.
Getting inside the room, when Aditya was all readying himself for bed, Naina just didn't wanted to sleep yet.
"Adi? Let us go to pool"
"Pool? At this time of hour?"
"Yes!"
"You don't know to swim, Naina"
"So what? Going to pool doesn't mean that we have to know to swim or should swim. Now, common!"
Without letting him to respond, Naina grabbed his hand while throwing his blazer and mobile along with her purse, she pulled him towards the way which led to the pool.
"Naina? Slowly..... I am not running off anywhere."
"Who knows? You just did there, earlier"
"And I apologized"
"And I won't let that happen again"
Shaking his head, he smiled at her. No matter what, he fell in love even more than he was already in.
As they made their way towards the pool, they saw that there was no one. Which was what they both needed.
But then all of a sudden they heard a splashing water. They saw a man and a women diving out of the water. It was not only that. The couple were making out and no idea that they were being watched.
Flustered, Naina looked everywhere but the moaning sounds turned face red. While Aditya was enjoying the look of his wife. He didn't see anywhere except his wife who was struggling to even stand there. He was right behind her and could hear her heart beats raising by the each passing second.
"So.... We are here. At the pool. Just what you wanted and now, what are we gonna do? Just stand here?"
Aditya asked huskily whispering in her ear. He just wanted tease her.
Naina gulped down her saliva and hit herself in her head to bring him down here. She didn't knew that this was going to happen.
Wetting her lips, she spoke broken words.
"No...up.... We are going back.... Room"
"Oh no! Why should we when we are-"
Knowing very well what Aditya was about to say, she turned back and push him back. But to her dismay, her leg slipped and she fell back into the pool pulling Aditya along with her.
"Ahhh!"
With the sudden splash, the couple who were making out stopped as the water splashed on them too.
Knowing very well that Naina couldn't swim, Aditya held her tightly and pulled her up on the surface. Naina breathed heavily as she clung onto him.
The couple, irritated by the fact that they were not going to left alone, left the premises leaving Aditya and Naina alone.
"Are you alright?"
Aditya asked her in worry to which Naina nodded her head as she still tried to get her breathing in control.
Once she was breathing all fine, she laughed looking at Aditya while he did the same. When their laughter subdued, Aditya couldn't help but notice his wife who was damp from toe to head.
The water droplets on her face, her exposed neck, her eyes, her lips. Her wet hairs and the damp saree stuck to her body like that of a second skin, everything was screaming at him to just claim his wife.
Sensing his gaze, Naina looked at him in his eyes. His gaze made her heart flutter. She knew this gaze. Unable to withstand his strong gaze, Naina turned her back to him and walked towards the end of the pool to get out of it. But in no time, Aditya was right behind her. Caging her in between himself and the edge of the pool and that is when she realised that the stairs were on the other side of the pool and now she was stuck.
Naina placed her fisted hands out of the pool and felt Aditya's hands on hers, as he got even more closer to her. The moment her back touched his front, Naina's breath got hitched and gasped feeling him.
Aditya removed his right hand to push her hairs to one side of her neck and while doing so, Naina could feel his fingers on her neck making her breath hitch every now and then as she held her hands fisted, now even more tightly.
Aditya peppered kisses sucking off the water droplets off her neck and her upper back. Naina partially cursed herself for wearing backless blouse which had only two knots holding her blouse intact.
"Adi...."
"mmm......"
Aditya continued kiss her all the way down her back turning her into a moaning mess.
With his one hand, Aditya turned her to him making gasp and with not wasting any time, he slammed his lips into hers. Kissing her deeply. Naina held onto him with her hands around his neck and kissed him back with equal passion.
As they both ran out of breath, they pulled back but still holding onto eachother closer. They breathed heavily. Aditya ran his hand over her head and through the length of her hairs, while she just held onto him.
"I love you" They both whispered at the same.
Rest of the night they spend loving eachother in the room. Naina felt that Aditya was being himself again and wished that it would last forever from now. He loved her tonight. Not like the previous night, where each and every single kiss made her thinking of multiple reasons he was apologizing.
But tonight, the only things she could feel was love, passion and respect. After the multiple sessions of love making, they lied naked, covered in bedsheet, next to eachother with her head in his crook. Their fingers intervined.
Naina hummed the song which he had sung for her earlier in front of everyone, while he joined her to complete the song. Chuckling, Naina got out of the bed to take shower and while she was in, Aditya joined her in the showers. Which only led them back into the bed with beginning of another session after which they both fell asleep.
___________
Heya guys!
Wassup? How are you all doing?
This year too has been getting worse day by day just when we thought that it would be better soon. But now it just seems like a dream which is on waiting list to come true!
And I am not sorry for taking my time to collect myself to give an update after so long.
I see that the number of readers and votes has been dropping with each passing day.
No worries!
As I know that I write this for myself.
And if you liked or loved, you are welcome to comment down and vote the chapter!
Thank you
Stay safe :)
Dated - 18 April, 2021
Edited- 20 June 2021