Kismat Connection Part 5

By the time the bus strolled into the Sterling resorts, Riya was in deep sleep, her head resting on his shoulder and she was cuddling closer to him with her hands around his upper arms, owing to the cool climate…..She didn’t know when she bridged the physical distance that she was deliberately keeping intact...and snuggled close to him…….He knew she was quite exhausted and so didn’t disturb her………He kept looking at her innocent face that was perched next to his chest……..She was sleeping peacefully like a small child…….there was a faint smile on her lips even when in deep sleep…..

He lightly kissed her hair and then hung back his head to his seat rest and closed his eyes………But he couldn’t sleep…..He wanted to keep a watch on her……There were jerks and sudden brakes all along and he had to make sure that those didn’t hurt her………He knew that she was sleeping mindless of all those and subconsciously entrusted herself in his hands…….

Once the bus came to a stand still inside the resort, he slightly shook her “Riya…..utto…..hum resort paunch gaye”

Riya: [unwilling to wake up, brushes aside his hand and in a childish sleepy tone] ummmmm…..sone dho na Arjun…..mujhe bohat neend aa rahi hai……plzzzzzzzz

Arjun: [looking at her and smiling at what she called him…..that “Arjun” sounded so cute from her…] utto Riya……room mein jaakhar phir so jaana…….koyi tumhe disturb nahi karega……RIYAAAA RIYAAAAA

Riya: [that loud call woke her up…..she was stunned to see her entire team witnessing the scene…the bus was almost empty by then and the last few people were getting down] Sir….aap.[shook herself out from Arjun’s hands] sorry sir…..[stiffened her dress and glided her messed up hair backwards]

Sameer: [gesturing her to stop calling him Sir] hum aage chalthe hai…..tum dono aa jaana……….[turning to Sonali] chalo sona….[he picks up the hand luggage and steps out of the bus]

[Shree and Chotu pass glances at each other and then grin at Riya……they nod at her and stand there like statues……Irritated by it, Arjun gets up to face them…….]

Arjun: ab tum dono ko special request dena padega kya? [gestures them to go]

[They follow Sameer and Sonali]

Riya: [posing a stern face and trying to tie up her hair in a clip] aap mujhe thodi dher pehle uttaa nahi sakthe teh Sir???…….oh God…….woh sab kya sochthe honge???

Arjun: [with a naughty smirk] RIYAAA……kuch galath nahi sochenge……bas yahi sochenge ke hum apne roles acche se nibaa rahe hai…..aur sawaal pehle uttaane ka….maine tumhe kitni baar call kiya……par tum tho gheri neend mein thi……….[pauses and smiles at her annoyed face] ab jaldi chalo, warna woh sab phir se kuch na kuch sochenge [winks at her….he takes the bag and walks to the door but stops after 2 steps and turns back to bump into Riya who was close behind him….He whispers into her ears] aur haan…..yeh sir sir kehna bandh karo…….waise bhi tumhe neendh mein ‘Arjun’ bolne mein koyi problem nahi thi…..

Riya: [shocked to hear that…..she wonders what she blabbered in her sleep……] neendh mein??? [rolling her bead like eyes] Kya kahaa maine????  

[Arjun is over excited seeing her tensed face and smiles cheekily……..he leans his head further closer to her deciding to play a bit…]

Arjun: [in a romantic voice] waise zyaada kuch nahi….par……[pauses for a moment] parrrr jo bhi thaa bohhat cute tha…..[he lightly touches her nose with his fingers and moves away! She looks stunned by his casual yet cute romantic gestures…….]

[They hear someone calling out to them….”hello bhaii saaab……..yeh Romeo Juliet ka khel room mein jaakhe khelo……chalo….jaldi uthro bus se”……...Arjun And Riya were so close to each other that anybody would get an impression that they were romancing……….they feel embarrassed by the remark and also by the fact that all were witnessing their cute act……

They jump back to their own self and get down immediately……..]

Sterling resorts sprawled over a huge area and was located on a small hillock…..landscaped beautifully with lush green lawns, gardens, fountains and rock like elevations……..there was a lake like water body which almost made the entire resort look like an island……..The place was so silent and the tranquilty would give peace to anybody……..

It was almost 8 and the weather outside was very cold….it was getting colder with each passing minute……..

All the people from the bus were impatiently standing near the lobby area for their turn for getting the keys…….Arjun and Riya were the last to join the group……

Riya rubbed her hands furiously and tried warming up…she also tried keeping her palm on her ice cold cheeks to warm it up……but nothing helped much……..she gave up finally and hugged herself tightly……..Arjun seeing her plight, pulled out his jacket from the bag and covered her up……

Two ladies who were standing nearby and were audience to the public display of affection remarked

“enna love paaru!!! Made for each other couple!!” 

[The first line was in tamil meaning……”see how much they love each other”]

The last one didn’t escape Riya and Arjun’s ears…….They turned to each other and smiled……in fact they found it really funny and the smile soon transformed to a small laugh……

Chotu raised his eyebrows and looked at Shree with a wide grin….Shree pushed back his specs with his finger and nodded…….”khel khel mein hi sahi….par bilkul husband wife dikh rahe hai dono”

Chotu: [in a low voice] hey Shreeeee…..khel khel???……sach mein shaadi hui hai unki……..bhool gaye kya??

Shree: [sarcastically] arrey haan…..pathaa nahi kaise dimaag se nikhal gayaa…..

Chotu: jab Arjun sir samjhaayengi tab kuch nahi nikhlega!!!

Shree: [hushing him up] shhhh Chotu….dheere bolo…..waise bhi Arjun sir hum dono ki band bajaaneki chance dhoondh rahe hai…….

Chotu: [nodding sadly] hmmmm……sab kuch uss Riya ki bacchi ki wajhe se hai……

Shree: Riya ki bacchi bhi hai??….yeh kab hua???? [Chotu starts glaring at him and tries to punch him but he moves away……..they continue their fun play till Rathod moves closer and warn them in a silent voice but with a smile so that nobody gets a doubt “yeh kya kar rahe ho tum dono??? Koyi comedy show hai kya??? Bohat shor karke attention matth keecho!....hum jiss kaam keliye aaye hain, sirf usspe dyan dho”] Saying this much, he joined back Sonali…

Shree:[dramatically] yeh kya ho raha hai humaare saath??? Ghor anyaay hai Chotu……woh dono honeymoon Karen aur hum sirf kaam……….hum Mumbai mein hi teek teh!!

Chotu: haan Shree….jisko dekho bas humein hi sunaakhar chalaa jaaatha hai….

[They see Arjun turning towards them and rush away from there literally snatching their room keys from the hotel staff]

The cottages were spread across the vast area and were connected by cement pathways…….along the pathway, there were short trees and bushes which gave the whole place a forest like atmosphere….Though the cottages were well connected, the privacy was well maintained…….it was a good 3- 5 minute walk between the nearest cottages……

It was already decided that the team would remain connected majorly via phone, except for that night…..that night, they had planned a small meeting at Rathod’s cottage……..On pretext of having dinner together, they planned to meet and come up with the plan of action…….Other than that, the personal interaction between them would remain very minimal……..

Deciding to meet around 9, they split and moved to their respective cottages……..

Arjun and Riya got into theirs……Riya looked around the whole place…..it was sparkling clean and that was a great relief to her….else her over cautious nature would have gone for a toss…….

But still Riya sported a rather disturbed look…….a slight frown appeared and Arjun didn’t fail to notice it….

Arjun: [concerned] kya hua Riya??? Are you alright??

Riya: [pointing at the bed] ek hi bed hai…..

Arjun: [a mixed expression which was difficult to decipher…..Riya wasn’t able to read his thoughts] honeymoon suite hai toh aisa hi hoga na?

Riya: [without a forethought, in a reflex] ohhh yeah……maine pehle kabhi honeymoon pe aaya nahi na??

[that brought a slight smile on his face……She also realized the silly joke she just said and smiled…….but all of a sudden Arjun’s smile vanished and looked as if a storm was brewing up……

maybe he remembered that he was a second timer or memories of his honeymoon with Roshni flashed across his mind……whatever be the reason, the sudden change of expressions scared Riya…….She didn’t want to cause more tension…..So she tried to escape from there] sir, I know….ab ek hi kamre mein rehna padega, yeh sochkar aap pareshan ho …..[pausing] but don’t you worry, main koyi disturbance nahi karoongi……[Arjun was too tied up to his thoughts that he didn’t even make an attempt to explain to her that none of what she said was causing him trouble…….before he could snap out and say something, she continued] aap change kar leejiye…..main abhi aathi hoom……..

Arjun: Riyaaa rukho…..kahaan jaa rahi ho??? [but she had already left and shut the door behind her…..he was annoyed with her sudden exit] yeh ladki paagal hai ya bevakoof??? Ya dono?? Main kya soch rahaa tha aur woh kya samjhi!!! [shaking his head irritated]Silly!

After about half an hour of chatting with Shree and Chotu, Riya slowly landed outside her cottage…….She knocked “may I come in Sir?”

There was no response….So she slowly opened the door and peeped in…….he wasn’t seen in the hallway leading to the bedroom….She slowly entered and locked the door…..She walked to the bedroom and saw Arjun lying on the bed…..…..he had changed to his tracks and had stretched himself on the bed comfortably…he was lying on his stomach and his head was deeply buried into the soft silky pillow….…

Seeing him like that, she ached to just go under the quilt and cuddle close to him ……She wondered how it would feel like to be held within his strong arms……Strong sensations of passion, attraction and love creeped into her…….She just wanted to run into his arms and remain there forever……..Sighing deeply, she thought “how many more days, months or even years will it take for that day to come?? Control Riya control!”….her logical mind seemed to make fun of her heart…..She was annoyed and in an impulse, spoke up…..”chup karo tum…mujhe control karne ki zaroorat nahi…..[when the mind tried to tell something further, she said in a loud voice]..Shut up!!!….”

And that loud voice woke him up……He raised his head from the pillow and look backwards to see her….”tumne kuch kahaa??”

Riya: [mind voice: sir, ab main aapse apne dil ki haalat kya bataaum??] nahi…….kuch nahi……[she opens her bag and pulls out a dress]

Arjun: [looking at his watch] kahaan thi tum???

Riya: bas aise hi Chotu aur Shree ke……[Arjun snapped her]

Arjun: [angrily] ek baar mein tumhe kuch bhi samajh nahi aathi right???

Riya: main toh bas aap ke liye…..[he jumps out of the bed and in two quick steps corners her to a wall……scared, she drops the dress in her hand to the floor……he holds her captive and glares into her eyes…..fear gripping her eyes is very much evident…..she was confused what he was intending to do]

Arjun: [pinning her strongly to the wall….not giving any chance to respond] itna formal banhe ki koyi zaroorat nahi hai…….mujhe tumaari iss kamre mein hone se koyi problem nahi……ab dobaara yeh sab nautanki matth karna.…samjhi ya samjaavum??

He leaves her and turns his back to her, picking up the dropped dress and handing it back to her…….”ab jaldi kapde change karlo……phir dinner ke liye chalthe hai…… main yahi hall mein hoom”

 They walk towards Rathod’s cottage in silence…….Arjun knows that he was a little rude to her…..but he doesn’t want to apologize…….the word SORRY didn’t exist in his dictionary……..meanwhile, Riya was very happy that the ice wall was gradually melting…….yeah he behaved rudely but the truth was that the stone inside him was slowly opening up for her……

she felt ecstatic…….She was in fact over-excited by the whole feeling…… …she couldn’t contain her excitement……and in the spur of the moment, she turned sideways, stretched towards him and kissed him on his cheek and instantly snapped out and ran away from his sight…….

He was shocked by her sudden kiss and rubbed his cheek in disbelief…….”what was that??” he was confused to the core……

He quickly rushed and tried to catch up with her…….but she was already in Rathod’s place surrounded by the entire team……all set to discuss the case!

His gaze was only on her…She was standing between Chotu and Sameer……He knew she was avoiding his eyes……but he had to talk to her……Before Sameer started briefing, Arjun spoke out in a stern voice……”Riya,mujhe kuch baat karni hai……zara idhar aana….”

Chotu and Shree raised their eyebrows and looked at each other….

But Riya wasn’t giving up so soon……”Sir, pehle case discuss karle……sameer sir wait kar rahe hai…..”

Sameer voiced in favor of Riya….”haan Arjun [he purposefully avoided calling him Rawte],  kaam ke baat pehle kar lethe hain…..baaki baatein hoti hi rahegi…..” [Seeing Chotu and Shree’s grin and meaningful nods, sameer turned to them and in a loud voice] now FOCUS team…..

On the other hand, Arjun was fuming inside…….he was not used to such negative replies nor rejections……..but he had no other go….he had to let the matter rest for some more time……but he, himself didn’t know what he was going to ask her……”Riya, why did you kiss me??” was that a question?? He smacked himself…..or would he ask “Riya, what were you thinking when you did that??”  How could he ask such odd questions to her??? What would she think?? He was in a strange fix!

Asking questions to criminals and accused were damn simple, he smirked to himself! Never once had he faltered like this when he asked them questions

Arjun Rawte, the super cop was confused and entangled in stupid questions…… the guy, who never once got distracted from the case was thinking of weird silly things………ridiculous!!

 He seriously had to get out of all that and get into the case……..He brushed aside all other thoughts and concentrated on Sameer…….but once in a while, his eyes darted towards the lady who had done her bit of mischief and almost succeeded in knocking down the great Arjun Rawte’s heart!

She stood there as if nothing happened…..as if nothing of this was even remotely related to her…She didn’t even look at him…….for him, the worst part was that she looked normal and unperturbed…….

…She stood with her favorite diary, picking up instant notes and also occasionally showing off her proficiency in percentages and averages….……her indifferent attitude irked him too much that he clenched his jaws and turned away to face the wall as he usually did while discussions……

Riya’s POV:

Well what did he know about the storm she was having inside her???she knew what he wanted to talk to her……but she purposefully avoided talking to him at that moment just to give it some time……some time to think sensibly and come up with a possible reason for her gesture……..yes, she herself didn’t know why did that in the first place…..it was in an impulse that she did that…….it wasn’t pre planned at all…….Fortunately for her, even if it was unknowingly, Sameer sir did her a great help by seconding her……moreover, she didn’t want to talk about it here…..

But yeah, she will talk it out and clear the air…..she wanted to clear it off her head……Only talking openly would solve it….else it would remain like a dust in the eye always…..she, herself wished to understand it better……and yeah, she didn’t want Arjun to think that she had thrown herself onto him just like that……naaah….it wasn’t that easy to get me back Sir.……though she spoke loads about feminism, in this matter, she wanted all initiatives from his side..…….He shouldn’t think that her kiss meant that she was ready for everything……she wanted to be sure of his feelings for her…..she wanted to know it from him that he loved her and wanted her as a wife……..she wanted a pakka confirmation that he was ready to move on in life with her as his wife……..

 Unaware of all these hidden scenes, Sameer was explaining the case…….

Hum sab resort se iss tour group ke saath usi bus mein nikhlenge………kal ke tour mein, almost dus spots cover hoga……..[handing few sheets of paper to Riya, Chotu and Shree] hum iss plan ke isaab se, koyi ek spot mein uthar jaayenge….i have talked to the tour guide….they don’t mind if people start venturing on their own…….its just that they wont delay the bus for us……..…

But hum sab ek saath nahi jaayenge……Arjun aur Riya ek stop mein……main aur Sona ek stop mein……Shree aur chotu koyi aur spot………wahaan utharne ke baad, hum privately sab jagah ke teek se security checking karenge……par haan, sab kuch undercover hi hoga…….kisi ko koyi shak nahi……we go as tourists and come back also as tourists.….so, end of the day, hum sab isi bus mein paunch jaayenge…….last stop, and wahaan se time of departure, sab details iss sheet mein hai……

Koyi confusions nahi hone chahiye………sab ko yahoi lagna chahiye ke humhe uss jagah mein kuch aur dher rukhna tha….tho isiliye rukh gaye…………Is that clear??

All nod to him………he disperses the meet and then looks up at Riya……..aur Riya, maine pehle bhi kahaa tha ke Sir Sir bulaana chod dho…….koyi sunlega toh shak hoga……..kam se kam Arjun ko Sir matth bulaavo……..its your duty Riya!!!

Riya: hmmmm…..[nods and looks at Arjun who is standing with his back to her]

Sameer: good…..dinner time…..[calls out to Sonali] Sona, Dinner???

Sonali: yes Sam…….food aa gaya hai…..aa jaavo tum sab…..

[All take their plates and serve themselves…..Arjun is aloof and he doesn’t mingle much…..Riya feels a little bad for avoiding him……She was standing withShree and Chotu or Sonali most of the time not giving him a chance…..she kept checking if he is eating but he didn’t move from his place……..even when Sameer offered him company, he just smiled and said that he will eat after some time…..She knew he was angry with her……So she serves a plate for him and goes towards him]

Riya: sir…..[immediately changes] Arjun……

Arjun: [his hands folded across his chest, turns to her] haan Riya?

Riya: [holding the plate to him] aapka dinner??

Arjun: mujhe abi bhook nahi hai Riya…..

Riya: main jaanthi hoom aap gussaa ho…….par khaana kha….[he gestures her to stop and takes the plate from her]

[Arjun looks at the items on the plate and wonders how well she knew his likes and dislikes….……he had never once given her the chance of knowing him better….then how did she manage to know it all……..all of a sudden, he felt guilty….he didn’t know anything about her….her likes or dislikes…..He looked at her and she wasn’t looking at him……She was looking lost in some deep thoughts……]

Arjun: [as he took the first bite] tumne khaaliya???

Riya: nahi bas abhi….[hoping that he would feed her but it was too early for that…….she also knew it but what could she do with her heart that was hopelessly hoping for such romantic gestures from him….pyar kya kuch nahi karvaatha…….kya kya umeedh karne par majhboor kartha hai!]

Arjun: [pointing towards the food table] jaao khaalo…..

Riya: Arjun…woh……[hesitantly tries to start speaking]

Arjun: nahi…yahaan nahi…...pehle dinner karlo…..phir…..[Riya stops speaking and goes to the table]

She joins back Shree and chotu…they chat away happily and don’t seem to get tired of their efforts to irritate and make fun of Riya!!  

Arjun keeps glancing at the whole group and is amused by the playfulness…..He wonders what was so funny…… he says to himself they never fail to entertain her….make her smile and laugh so much…….She seems to forget herself when she is in their company……He wondered if he would ever succeed in doing that……

Once Riya finished her dinner, Arjun comes to the group……”Chalen Riya??”

Riya suddenly felt a jolt inside her……The thought that they would be left with just each other was giving butterflies in her stomach! “itni jaldi??” she replied looking at him and then at Shree and Chotu as if seeking their help to stay on for some more time…..

Shree: haan sir, itni jaldi kya hai?? kuch dher aur rukhiye na???

Arjun: [clenching his jaws but controls himself] nahi……..raat bohat ho chukhi hai……aur mujhe neend bhi aa rahi hai!!

Chotu: [not leaving any chance to irritate him] toh aap chaliye na Sir?……[Arjun looks at Riya and so CHotu adds]...dont worry……hum Ri ko chodh dhenge….

Sameer: [adding more oil to the fire] waise Arjun, tumhe neend kabse aane lagi???

Arjun gave him a “tum bhi Rathod?” look and glared at him……

Shree: Arre sir, aisi trip mein hi toh hum enjoy kar sakthe hai na???

Sameer: [all eager to help his friend] bas guys, usse pakao matth……jaane dho…

Arjun: main chaltha hoom…..[turning to Riya] agar tumhe rukhna hai, toh rukh jaao…[pointing at Shree and Chotu]…jab yeh sab masti se mann barein tab aa jaana……[He steps out]

Riya: [understanding that he is annoyed with all this….] ek minute Arjun…[turning to the group]….Shree, Chotu, main bhi chalti hoom….mujhe na bohat neend aa rahi hai…….travel ke wajeh se bhi tired hoom…..kal subah milthe hai…..

Shree: [letting out a deep sigh and posing to be sad] teek hai….

[After Riya and Arjun leave]

Shree: ab hero chale gaye toh phir heroine ka pehar yahaan zameen pe kaise tikhegi…[winks]…samjhe ya samjaavum?? [they give a hi 5 and turn to face an angry face…..] Sameer Sir!!! [Shree almost screams like he had seen a ghost]

Sameer: bas hogaya??? [shree and Chotu nod while Sameer continues] ab tum dono bhi jaaao….[as they leave, he speaks up].Shree, yahaan ke security services ke baare mein jo bhi information nikhaal sakthe ho, nikhaalo……ab Riya toh kuch khaas kar nahi paayegi……[Shree nods and leaves]

[He literally drives them both out]

Once out, Shree imitates Sameer Sir and voices in his tone “Riya bechaari akheli kya kya Karein?? Ek sher ko sambaalna kuch kam hai kya?”

Chotu: [grinning] waise Shree, aaj toh humne Arjun sir ko kuch zyaada hi pakaa diya na??

Shree: hmm…..par koyi nahi….Ri sab kuch sambhaal legi…… dekha nahi, kaise beegi billi ke tarah Riya ke aage peeche ghoom rahe teh!!!

Chotu: toh kya sher ab billi hogaya???

Shree: lag toh aisa hi hai!!!! Dekhte hai!!!

They laugh and walk towards their room…

*************************************************************************

Our hero and heroine are walking silently…….Riya coughs and tries starting the conversation……She knows how awkward it would be for Arjun…..moreover, it was her responsibility and necessity that she explains her behavior…….She stealthily turns sideways to have a look at him….He was walking casually with his hands in his pocket……he seemed to be enjoying the night and the cool weather!

Riya: [closing in her jacket even tightly] aap itna matth sochiya Sir……I mean mera kiss karne ka galath matlab matth nikhaaliye…….

Arjun stops and looks at her enquiringly……”this girl will drive me nuts….pehle kiss karthi hai, aur ab!!!” but he waits for her to finish whatever she wanted to say

Riya: aap toh jaante ho ke hum kabhi dhost bhi nahi ban paaye…..….aur suddenly yeh shaadi…….phir yeh trip…….sab kuch itna achaanak ke main kuch samajh hi nahi paahi…….bohat confused thi iss relationship se….kya, kaise sab kuch unclear tha….…….bohat awkward aur uncomfortable feel kar rahi thi…….sach kahoom tho, mujhse zyaada mujhe aapki chintha ho rahi thi…I was scared of even facing you..…....par jab aapne , thodey rudely hi sahi, woh sab kahaa…[both get visions of the scene when Arjun told her that he didn’t have a problem sharing the room with her]…mujhe bohat accha lagaa… …bohat zyaadha excited hogayi thi……isi khushi aur excitement mein…[pausing]…..u know what I mean, na? I couldn’t contain my happiness and…..[looks at him without completing her statement]

Arjun was slightly impressed with her clear talk….”WOW…..yeh ladki jo apne bakwaas baat se sab ko confuse karthi hai, woh aaj itne matured baat kar rahi hai….”

Though it brought within him a slight disappointment that there was no romantic inclination for her gesture, he smiled at her innocent face…….

But before he could speak out something, she screamed “WOW…….woh dekhiye…….”

She didn’t wait for him to turn around and see what that was…….she just ran quickly towards the direction………out of the pathway, into the lawn, into the area where there was thick bushes and trees…….Arjun was puzzled and ran behind her “Riya…..rukho….kahaan jaa rahi ho???? Suno, akele matth jaao….”

As he entered the place, he saw the sight that fascinated her…..it was a fire fly which was flying around a short but thick bush……..as she neared the bush, by her touch or the sound of her foot steps, a whole lot of fire flies started flying around……..the bush was the home for a group of them………it started flying around the bush, around her…….

More than the fire flies, the sight which enchanted him was her……she looked beautiful aidst them……the light from them accentuated her beauty…..her oval face, her slender, lean body……..it was the first time that Arjun saw her in such a light…….He had never ever seen her like this or perhaps never paid so much attention to her……She looked like an angel from heaven jumping around trying to capture the light within her palms……hazaaron diye se sajaa hua mehfil ki pari lag rahi thi Riya……..

He stood still and his eyes were only fixed focused on her….....

But Riya was in a world of her own……she looked at Arjun “aisa nazaara kabhi Mumbai mein nahi milega….its just awesome……aap bhi aayiye na??” [she gestured him to come closer]

Arjun, as if hypnotized by her gesture….He walked towards her subconsciously……there were just 2 steps between them…….She didn’t seem to be affected by Arjun’s state…….all of a sudden, may be by Arjun’s entry, the fire flies disappeared……Riya exclaimed childishly “arre kahaan gaye sab??”

She turned to Arjun in a complaining attitude “dekhiye na……aap aaye aur sab darr ke chale gaye!!” but he was silent and only then did she understand the effect all this was having on him…….his admiration for her was clearly evident in his eyes……she lowered her eyes blushing……her heart was playing weirdly with her….it seemed to skip beats in between…….

As if taking a clue to their hesitation…….the lights in the garden went off all of a sudden and it was all pitch dark………horrified, Riya just went into his arms…….She just put her hands around him and held him tightly……….He didnt respond immediately……but the sudden close encounter made him alive in love! The passion, the love, the attraction, the desire for a woman which had died with Roshni’s death seemed to sprang up to life…all those dormant emotions came back and he responded to her hug in the most unexpected way……His hands went around her waist and he pulled her closer to him……burying his face into her neck……….breathing in the fragrance of her soft curly hair………he nuzzled deep into her……….She forgot all her resolves and responded with the same passion…….

His breath on her ears was sending shivers into her……she closed her eyes tightly…….the cold breeze that engulfed them was playing like a extra stimulant…..they held onto each other as if they were just one…Slowly, he parted from her and leaned forward once again closer to her lips, her closed eyes and her innocent face made him smile…….with a naughty smile, he stopped mid way and kissed her ears………she trembled…….As the passion grew, something strange and quite unexpected happened……visions of Roshni came to him……he whispered “Roshni”

That broke the moment……..it shattered Riya’s heart into a zillion pieces…It brought her back into her senses….She seemed to have gone to a dream land for a few moments and now she was grounded with a heartbreak….She withdrew immediately……straightened her dress, brushed away the loose locks of hair on her face…..by then the lights had come back too…….

Riya: Sir, lets go back…..[she wasn’t accusing him for it…….she blamed herself for being hasty!]

Arjun: [really shocked at whatever happened….he didn’t understand why he acted like that in the first place…how could he lose control? What would Riya be thinking? And the visions of Roshni and also her painful death had somehow made him recoil back into his shell] hmmmm…..chalo…….

They continue their walk to their cottage….but this time, their hearts continuosly speaking to each other…..and the pulses going random……they so wanted to talk and explain but something prevented…..this silence was worse than a thousand drums playing at the same time….and seemed like a serenity before a big storm!!

Precap: introducing a new character Rohan…….

[To be continued]