I know it's already almost a week into the year, however since this is the first update for 2017 'HAPPY NEW YEAR' all.:)
Shishir's POV.
I looked at Suvi's happy face as we steped out of Globe theatre and atomically my lips loosen up into a smile.
"That was amazing Shishir. I still cannot believe I actually saw a play at Shakespeare's Globe theatre." Sui gushed happily as we walk hand in hand.
"We can come again sometime if you want." I say.
"We can? I would love to." She says excitedly. "He is sooo handsome! I think I have a crush on him. I could look at him for hours-" Suvi goes on while I almost stop walking in shock.
What?
"Who?" I asked already knowing she is not talking about me!
"The Duke! The actor who played the Duke has such dreamy looks." Suvi gushes totally oblivious to my reaction.
How can my girlfriend swoon over the looks of another man? And she is telling to me about it with enthusiasm!
"Do you think I can meet him?"
She is unbelievable!
"No!" I blurt gritting my teeth.
"Don't say that! At least try! I want to pull his cheeks and give him a tight hug!" she says.
Is this girl for real? I don't answer and look away feeling totally pissed.
She looked at me when I did not respond. "You are angry?" she asked sounding confused. "Why are you mad at me now?"
I just glared at her. "Oh! Are you jealous Shishir Mehrotra?" She asked giving me a smug look.
"Shishir Mehrotra is never jealous." I almost shout at her.
She gives me a crooked smile. "Anyways I was telling all that to my best friend Shishir not my – er just telling my best friend." She said fumbling slightly towards the end.
This time I smirked knowing she fumbled trying to call me her 'boyfriend'. It is kind of cute to see her all conscious while saying that simple word.
"Not to your-?" I asked softly trying to keep the laughter out of my voice.
"Um – So can you arrange for me to meet the actors back stage?" She said dodging the topic.
"No!" I said curtly feeling pissed again and called a number on my phone. "Okay Thanks Charles." I spoke into the phone. Inspite of everything I knew I could always rely on Charles.
I led Suvi towards the parking lot. Charles was already there with my car.
Suvi smiled at Charles making me feel proud of her. This girl is full of compassion and does not judge people based on others conduct. This is emphasised with her friendship with Paresh over the years even when I was being a silly jerk towards her.
Charles handed me the car key and walked away after giving us a short nod and a smile.
"You got your car here?" Suvi asked narrowing her eyes at me.
"Yes." I chuckled. "Let's get lost now my way."
"Now?" She asked in surprise. It was already dark.
"No time like present." I said with a shrug starting the car. I had a surprise planned and that started right about now.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"You will see soon. Scared are you?" I teased.
"No I am happy. Very happy." She said giving me a heart stopping smile. "We are celebrating together after so many years."
My phone buzzed and I glanced at it as it was placed on the dashboard , I could not see the caller ID.
"Suvi answer that for me. Whoever it is tell them I will get back." I said not taking my eyes off the road.
She picked up the phone and frowned "Brutus? You have a friend by that name?"
Shit!
I shot her a worried look as she frowned at the screen "Suvi don't answ-" I started to blurt but too late!
Shit. Shit. Shit.
"Hello?" she said and her eyes widened as she must have recognised the caller.
Oh crap! How could I forget about this?
"Nanu?" she said smiling. "It is not yet 7th!" she said laughing. "Oh yes! The time zone."
She happily spoke into the phone as her family wished her. I quietly pulled the car to a stop knowing they would want to wish me as well.
"Yes he is here." I heard Suvi say with a smile as she handed the phone to me. I smiled and took the call and handed the phone back to her after, knowing she would want to say goodbye.
So far so good. She seems to have forgotten.
She disconnected after a few minutes grinning from ear to ear. "Oh my God! It's already our birthday in India!" she screamed happily.
"Yes." I smiled as I started the car. When I saw her frown I knew trouble was coming up.
"Why did the ID read 'Brutus.'?" She asked sounding confused.
"Um- Suvi this was years ago. When I was angry with you- er- this is your landline number- then it was your number." I fumbled groping for correct words.
"So basically you put my number in your phone as 'Brutus.'?" She asked looking stunned.
"Um- Suvi- you know I was silly-"
"Correct. Very silly." She said thoughtfully.
I glanced at her worried. That is her reaction? So calm?
"You really thought I had betrayed you, didn't you?" she said quietly.
"At that time Suvi. I was really a total idiot and- you know I forgot about this totally." I said my heart thudding loudly.
She nodded and looked out of her window and said nothing.
I felt terrible knowing I had once again hurt her with my old actions.
"We are going into woods?" she said sounding surprised as I pulled closer to where we were heading.
"Yes." I smiled knowing she will like it.
"Camp?" she said jumping around to face me smiling broadly.
"Among other things." I said with a chuckle.
"What other things?"
"Surprise Suvi." I laughed. "I am not telling."
She pouted cutely making me laugh.
I felt happy she did not push that ID matter. After all I had done this years ago and she already knows how silly I was then-
"HOW COULD YOU WRITE BRUTUS AS MY NAME?' suddenly she yelled making me jump.
Oh no! I should have known Suvi being Suvi she will suddenly react unexpectedly.
"Sorry?" I said lamely and cringed when my apology came out sounding like a question.
"Not accepted." She said glaring at me.
"Suvi- you know what I did then. Now I am really sorry about those thoughts. I felt hurt and miserable-"
"You were so lonely." She said softly surprising me. She leaned forward and have me a hug out of the blue.
"So I am forgiven?" I ask.
"Of course not." She said "That is me understanding your pain. But you are still in trouble." She said looking at me.
Uh oh! Knowing her she will bring this up when I am least expecting it.
Suvarna's POV.
I looked around the trees as they got dense. We are actually going to camp! I had wanted to do this ever since I could remember.
I glance at Shishir as he pulls to a stop near a cabin and hands over some papers to the man in uniform. He checks and hands over some things to Shishir and gives some instructions.
As I hear I realise what he has planned for me and suddenly I feel close to tears. Not because I was sad but because this man had made me happy beyond words could describe.
Though I am still not pleased with what he had changed my name to on his phone I do understand why he had done it. In a way it shows how deeply he always cared about me and also how hurt he was thinking I had wronged him. But he had never really given up on me either that I know now. His room has more things for me that him!
He never deleted my number but saved it- though as an angry action named me Brutus!
But once he realised I was not at fault he never heisted to rectify his actions. In fact even before he realised, he had already warmed up towards our friendship when we met after so many years.
So the main reason for his anger was his not being able to meet me. Had we met before he would have been different.
"Ready to celebrate our birthday?" Shishir said softly as he started driving again bringing my attention to him and the present.
I smiled.
Campfire, spending a night in the woods, trekking, bird watching - these have been on my bucket list since years. Shishir of course remembers.
"You know you are the best." I said,
"That I am." He said laughing and I joined him. "You deserve the best, my princess." He said making me suck in my breath.
Soon he pulled the car to a stop and got down and I followed him down.
He opened the boot of his car and started taking out things.
"They provide things for camping if we want to rent them" he said referring to the authorities of the forest reserve "but that is if we camp in groups or take their chosen spot. I thought we will do it more privately." He said softly.
I felt my heartbeat go faster as I realised we were going to camp alone, in isolation. This was both exciting and also so intriguing at the same time. I nodded not trusting my voice to speak now.
I walked with him carrying some of the things we needed while he carried the most. After walking slightly uphill for about ten minutes he stopped.
"How do you like this place? He asked flashing his battery light around. There were dim lights in the distance and in the flashlight I could make out it was a clearing and I could hear sound of running water not too far off.
"Seems good to me." I said because I trusted his judgement.
He kept the things he was carrying down and I did the same.
Suddenly he pulled me to him. "Ready to spend our birthday together away from mankind?" he asked huskily as he wrapped his arms around me.
"Yes." I said, suddenly having difficulty in breathing.
"Just you and me." He said leaning his head closer.
Right then an owl hooted loudly making both of us chuckle at the suddenness of the sound.
"And some wild animals." Shishir added laughing.
&&&
I know I am late but this time no Maha chapter. Let me do better to make up? I will give you back to back chapters. Next chapter in a few hours. In less than twenty four hours and longer. :)
Do vote and comment on this one.
Love from me to you.
Pre cap Chapter 37
Suvarna's POV.
The fire from the camp fire made everything around us magical. I was still recovering from the blast we had from setting up the tent and starting this fire together.
Both our phones buzzed. It's midnight I realised knowing it was the alarm I had set.
Shishir stopped what he was doing and walked towards me looking at me intently. There was something in that look that made me stare back. I just could not tear my eyes away.
He stopped less than a yard away from me and held open his arms. I smiled and happily went into them.
"Happy birthday." Both of us said in unison.
Before I could lean to give him a hug he pulled at my hand and put it on his waist. He did not pull me closer but brought his face near mine and then held my face between his hands.
"I love you." he said in whisper and my heart skipped a beat. Before I could respond he crashed his lips on mine.
Enjoy guys. Buh bye till next one.