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The evening sky poured
down and the rain drops pattered against the window panes. The fragrance of
moist soil filled the air with its freshness, welcoming the monsoons. "Arnav
please, listen na..." Khushi pulled the sleeve of his shirt, trying to
draw his attention towards her. But Arnav did not budge as he was lost in his
office work. It had been forty five minutes since Arnav said "Give me two
minutes baby, I'll complete it within two minutes. Then we'll chit-chat" Khushi
sat right next to him waiting patiently, while he stretched out his feet on the
bed, resting the laptop on his thigh, with files scattered all round him. She
pulled the sleeve again. "Arnav, if you cannot keep your word, why do you
promise?" she said in a bit louder tone, and Arnav knew it was high time
he wrapped his work up before his ever-so-loving wife turned into a raging
tigress. "Okay baby, tell me. What happened?" he asked her as he
gathered all the files and piled them on one side, and then pulled Khushi
towards himself to make her sit on his lap.
Although initially
surprised for a split-second at her husband's gesture, she was quite accustomed
to it and began to fidget with the button of his shirt. "Arnav, two weeks
later is our wedding anniversary, and you haven't even gifted me
anything." She hit him on his chest and Arnav smiled at this child-like
gesture. "Oh, so my wifey dear wants to go shopping, is it?" Khushi
glared at him. "I have been reminding you since the past week that I want
to go shopping. What are you behaving as though I am saying this for the first
time?" Arnav decided it was best not to talk, for he was sure it would
cause some petty fight. He instantly remembered his brother, Akaash's advice -
"Bhai, once you're married, it doesn't matter whose fault it is. By
default, only the husband says sorry" Immediately, he held both his ears
and sweetly said a sorry. Khushi's anger melted like butter on fresh popcorn.
"It's okay" she murmured as she hugged him, still seated on his lap. Arnav
was amazed and smiled inwardly; Akaash was actually right. He broke the hug,
and leaned in for a kiss, only to get a light pat on the cheek and earning the
title "Badmaash" She rose from the bed and ran off to get ready and Arnav
was left stunned at the quick reactions from his wife.
Arnav decided to drive
himself instead of tagging the driver along. The weather was just perfect for a
long romantic drive, but unfortunately for him, his wife was in the mood to
shop. He had already called up Aman and asked him to follow up on the work that
was to be completed that evening. After around fifteen minutes of driving
around the block, they reached the boutique, and Khushi was super-excited about
her shopping experience with her husband. They entered the showroom and were
greeted by a salesperson, who wore a black badge with his name highlighted in
white - Abhinav.
"Good evening
Ma'am, Good evening Sir, How may I help you?" He greeted them politely,
but fixed his eyes on Khushi. Arnav frowned at him, and had already taken to
disliking him. "Yes, please show me some sarees. Preferably in blue"
She said passing a glance to Arnav, since she knew blue was his favourite
color. Arnav smiled at her, but his eyes were still fixed on the
"over-friendly" sales guy. "Sure Ma'am, we have the latest
collection. If I may ask, may I know the price range?" Arnav raised his
eyebrows and took a step ahead. "My wife asked for sarees in blue. Price
is not an issue. Please do what is asked" He spoke in a firm voice and the
sales guy politely nodded his head, after which he turned around to pick blue
sarees from the display shelves. Khushi hit him with her elbow. When Arnav
asked her why she did that, she just frowned at him. Abhinav placed the pile of
various shades of blue sarees in front of her. After around twenty minutes of
confusion between the shades, and her discussion over the various aspects of
the fabric, Khushi finalized on two sarees.
"Tell me na Arnav.
Palatinate blue or Sapphire blue?" Arnav scratched his head in total
confusion. He hadn't even known that blue could have so many shades, and to
make it worse, his wife was asking him about shades whose names he hadn't known
it existed. "Both are lovely Khushi, pack both" he said as he went
back to checking mails on his phone. Khushi pouted at him. This Laad Governer of mine! I am asking for
some help with the sarees of his favourite color, and he isn't even bothered.
She went up to where he was standing, and pulled the phone from his hand,
leaving Arnav surprised. "Khushi, give me my phone back. I was checking
for mails from Mr. Ahuja from Mumbai" She whacked his arm, saying "I
don't care whether you're waiting for a mail from Ahuja or Obama or Queen
Elizabeth. You're here with me now. So
don't just stand there. Help me out." Arnav breathed a heavy sigh. "Khushi,
both are nice. Go for both. Or if you are too confused between your million
shades of blue, just pick something in black. That way, you don't have to worry
about shades, right?"
A voice from behind her
spoke aloud. "He's right, Khushi. Black suits you the best" Khushi
and Arnav turned to see who had spoken to them. On seeing him, Khushi jumped in
glee. "Oh my goodness, Varun?" she giggled and went towards him, as
he too stepped forward towards her, leaving behind a perplexed Arnav. He gave
her a side hug, enraging Arnav. "How are you, Varun?" "Oh I'm
good. How about you, Snow White?" She giggled again, much to Arnav's
annoyance, and patted his arm. "I'm good. You remember my nickname? Awww
Varun, how sweet..." Arnav coughed and cleared his throat, and Khushi
looked at him. "Oh Varun, meet Arnav Singh Raizada, my husband. And Arnav,
this is Varun Sehgal, my college friend." Arnav shook hands, but did not
return the smile to Varun. "Pleasure meeting you, Mr. Raizada" he
said, and even before Arnav could respond to him, Khushi continued talking to
him. After a brief chit chat, Khushi told Varun about their anniversary in two
weeks, and even invited him to the party. Arnav, as usual, stayed mum,
wondering why how could she randomly invite just anyone to the party.
"You should
definitely go for Black, Khushi. It is your color. Plus, the color complements
your complexion, and you look damn good in white. Or else, why would we people
nickname you Snow-White?" She grinned as she agreed with Varun on picking
black, and Arnav too gave his consent when she looked at him. Just when she was
about to look for more sarees, Varun said, "Aren't you bored of sarees? I
mean, I've seen you in saree only once, that too during the traditional day in
college. And you could hardly manage it. Why don't you opt for some gown,
instead of a saree? It would look more graceful" Khushi seemed to love the
idea, whereas Arnav's blood boiled every second. This did not go unnoticed by
her, and she decided to play along, as she loved this new possessive and
jealous side of Arnav.
She walked up to the
counter and asked for some black evening wear, and within a few seconds,
numerous party gowns were presented before her. She picked one and looked at Arnav,
after Varun voiced out his opinion "Stunning" on the dress. Just when
she was about to thank Varun, he had to excuse himself to attend the phone
call. Khushi picked the dress and walked towards the trial room, only to be
followed by Arnav. Just when she was about to enter the changing room, he
pulled her by her arm and she collided against his chest.
"What?" she
questioned him. He flared his nostrils in annoyance. "Exactly Khushi.
What? What is happening? First that sales fellow behaves all friendly, and now
this Varun guy? Who is this Varun, anyway? I have never heard of any such
college friend from you till now? And who is he to tell you what to wear. Okay,
he suggested something. What is the need to agree with his suggestions? And why
black? Are you going to be mourning on our anniversary? Then why wear black?
Moreover, I do not like you wearing black. I like blue. And you are going to be
wearing only blue. And what is with the craze of wearing a gown? We came here
to buy you a saree, and that is exactly what we are buying." Khushi loved
the way Arnav spoke, for she knew he was burning with jealousy. She pouted and
replied, "I already have too many sarees in blue. I have only one in
black. Moreover, I'm bored of this routine. I want to do something different
for us on our special occasion." On hearing her statement, Arnav gave her
a naughty grin, and Khushi could predict what was on his mind. She stopped him
from leaning close to her and said, "By special, I meant to go on a
candlelight dinner or something romantic like that. Not what is on your mind"
"Baby, I was also talking about romance" She hit him playfully on his
arm. "Okay fine. I will wear a blue saree. Happy?" and Arnav beamed
with happiness - a huge male ego satisfaction that was written right across his
face, that his wife valued his opinion more than that college-friend of hers.
"But can I at least try this dress? Please Arnav?" After a few
moments of thought, he nodded his head in a yes. "When you're done, let me
know. You need not come out. I'll come in" he ordered her after she went
inside to change. "Why?" she asked as she undid her saree to wear the
gown. He replied in all honesty, "I do not want anyone else to see how
gorgeous you would look in that black dress. Your beauty is only for me to
relish, not for anyone else's eyes." Khushi was deeply moved as she felt
the depth of those words. After five minutes, she called out to Arnav, who
swiftly got inside the room.
His heart skipped a few
beats as he saw her. The spaghetti-strapped knee-length dress hugged her figure
like second skin. "Beautiful" he whispered as he studied her gorgeous
features. She blushed, as he took lazy steps towards her. "Arnav..."
she stopped him at an arm's distance, causing him to snap out of his trance.
"We are in a changing room. People can hear us" He smiled and
unwillingly distanced himself.
He stepped out and
passed her an intense gaze. She blushed, shutting the door to change into her
saree. Five minutes later, she came out with the dress in hand. She went to the
counter and placed the gown, picking up a Royal blue saree with silver thread work
on it. Varun came back to where they stood. "Sorry, wife's call! I wanted
to pick something up for her and she just called to make sure that my choice is
good." He noticed Khushi asking the sales-guy to pack the blue saree.
"So, finally blue saree, eh?" she looked at Arnav and grinned with a
slight blush. "Blue it is" she whispered. Bidding bye to Varun, Arnav
and Khushi went to the billing counter downstairs.
"Here you go
Sir" a female sales-person handed over two bags to him, leaving Khushi
surprised. After billing it, they proceeded towards their car. It had stopped
raining, and the sky was adorned with a beautiful crown of a rainbow.
"What's in the other two bags?" she asked him as he sat inside. He
smiled at her and asked to see for herself. She opened the bag and saw the same
black gown she tried that evening. She looked at him in question. "I
thought you did not want me to wear this!" he turned towards her and
cupped her face. "I did not want you to wear this in front of anyone other
than me. And when you looked so stunning, I couldn't resist myself from buying
it" she gave him an Awww look and kissed him on his cheek.
"What's in the
other bag?" she questioned him, as she placed the gown aside and took the
other bag in her hand, "Lingerie" came the quick reply from him. She
widened her eyes and then whacked his hand, as he smiled. When she opened the
bag, she was shocked. Sheer fabric in two pieces along with a pair of garters!
"Arnav" she almost pierced his eardrum with a shocking scream.
"You actually went and asked for this?" He shrugged his shoulders,
and this time she whacked his arm real hard. "What's wrong in buying some
lingerie for my wife? I knew your size. I bought it. Simple." She cupped
her mouth in shock. This man was unbelievable. "Baby, the saree and gown
was your gift for the anniversary." And he traced her arm, saying in a
more serious tone "My gift is right here, next to me. I want nothing else.
Just you for the rest of my life" Her eyes now turned moist. She mentally
thanked God for such a caring and loving husband, and prayed that they stayed
happy till the end of time. And then suddenly she hugged him. He hugged her
back. "Although, I would want my gift to be wrapped only with this"
he said, pointing to the bag containing the lingerie. "Arnav.." she
whispered against his chest, and broke the hug shyly. He winked at her and
started the engine of the vehicle to proceed home. One thing they both knew for
sure. Arnav wasn't going to wait till the anniversary date to unwrap and savour
his gift from his choice of wrapping.
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