Himalyan Magic Chapter 1 - 5

Oh sis O’mine!

Khushi lay on the bed lost in thought. Life seemed a little close to normal in the past couple of weeks. After holi, Shyam was off on another one of his trips. It was a relief not to see his face around the house. His face was looking scarier and scarier with each passing day. I wonder if I made a mistake not telling the truth?she wondered. There was one face she missed, however. Only because she was stuck in this house with questions to which the answers were hidden behind that face, she corrected herself.He had refused to answer any of them. She would just have to keep persisting.He was away on a business trip abroad.There was a strange feeling around the region of her heart. It felt like she was waiting for something. She was imagining footsteps or looking for a particular name whenever her phone rang or looking out of the widow whenever she heard a car drive in. She couldn’t understand this restlessness.

On the brighter side however, she was happy that she was able to mend her relations with Arnav’sand her own family. She had been spending a lot of time with Anjali Di. With Shyam gone it was a good opportunity to bond with her. She was the only person Arnav loved from the bottom of his heart. She didn’t know why that had suddenly become very important to her. With these thoughts in mind Khushi finally fell into a deep slumber.

Khushi’sdhakdhak was increasing. She had been dreaming about Arnav. ‘No! Don’t’ she said playfully as she pushed him away.

‘Khuhshi! Wake up! What do you think you are doing?’

‘Stop it  Ar_____!’ someone was shaking her roughly. Khushi woke up and opened her eyes to see a pair of really angry eyes. It was Arnav!

‘What are you doing here?’ said Khushi rubbing her eyes to see if she was still dreaming.

‘What do you mean what I am doing here? It is my house and this is my bed. Remember? In fact I was going to ask you what youwere doing on my bed!’

‘I ..I thought you were coming back tonight’ said Khushi still drowsy.

‘I was, but I had to come back a day earlier for a very important meeting scheduled for this morning. And thanks to you I will go in to that meeting all groggy’ he said irritated.

‘What did I do?’

‘You woke me up when you pushed me off the bed!’ he grated.

‘You slept on this bed?!’ askedKhushinow completely awake.

‘How was I supposed to know you were sleeping here? I came in around 2 AM. I couldn’t sleep much on the flight. I was too tired to put on the light and change before I crashed. The next thing I know I am on the floor!’

‘I don’t think I did anything of that sort’ said Khushi turning red when she remembered.

‘You also said “No! Don’t”. Who were you dreaming about Khushi?’ Arnav was curious now.

‘I …. I Hariprakashji! He added mustard to the tadka instead of jeera. So, I pushed him. I must have shouted then.’ said Khushi suddenly very interested in making the bed. And since she was trying to avoid looking at him she completely missed the ‘What the ____?’ expression on his face.

Arnav came down to the breakfast table to see some excited chatter going on. He couldn’t see Khushi there. Just as well he thought.

Earlier today, he had come awake when he felt soft hands on his chest. She hadn’t really pushed him off the bed. In fact her hands had clutched at his T-shirt.That was when his dhak-dhak had started deep inside him. He had put his hands on hers to move them away from him, but instead he found himself leaning toward her against his own volition! But then,it was her ‘No! Don’t’ that had shocked himinto falling off the bed!And damn! her expression when she had said those words! He wondered if she was dreaming about …. he quelled the thought immediately. She had been totally bluffing when she had said she was dreaming about Hariprakash. Hariprakash? She could be really weird at times. He had no time for this. Work was already lagging due to the weddings and it was time to catch up.

‘Chotey! You are here at the right time. We were just discussing one more rasam that has been left undone after the wedding’ said Anjali mischievously.

‘So I suppose you have taken it upon yourself to make sure this so called rasam is completed?’ said Arnav sarcasm lacing his tone.

Anjali just bobbed her head gleefully.

‘Alright then, I will leave you to it and get back to work if you don’t mind? Akash? Are you coming with me today?’ he asked his brother whose eyes were glued toPayal seated next to him.

‘Hold on chotey! This rasam cannot be completed without you or Akash’ Anjali seemed keen on continuing the game.

‘Come to the point Di!’ said Arnav exasperated.

‘The rasam I am talking about is your honeymoon you idiot!’ said Anjali evoking laughter from a few present at the table.

This is exactly why people should avoid living in a joint family thought Arnav. How an intimate decision, pertaining to the couple involved was being made by other members of the family was something beyond his comprehension. This was just like the time when his Di and Jeejai had decorated the marriage bed on theSuhaagRaat! Hadn’t they heard of the word privacy? All he wanted to say to this was,” What the _____?” Instead, he compromised.

‘No way!’ he was loud and clear.

‘What do you mean “No way”chotey? This honeymoon has already been delayed because of your trip abroad and your insistence that Akash take charge of the office in your absence!’ Anjali berated.

‘I am sorry for causing such inconvenience Di but we do run a multimillion dollarbusiness here you know?’ he used sarcasm again. ‘In fact Akash is due in Nainital in a couple of days to finalize the deal which we started a few weeks ago.’

‘It’s alright Di. We’ll go when I get back from Nainital’ said Akash always the dutiful brother.

‘Sorry Akash. We are tied up for the next couple of months. We are expecting our overseas client next month and we have a hell lot of preparation to work on when you get back from Nainital’Arnav wished he could take back his words when he looked at Akash’s fallen face. But he said nothing as he was not one to give in to emotions. But guilt had started creeping up on him.

This worked to a full advantage for Anajali when she said ‘I have an idea! Payaljican go along with Akash on this trip. Can’t she? This will be a business cum pleasure trip!’

‘Err… Di, that might be a bit of a problem because Akash will have a whole lot of work to do. There would really be no point ____’ he was cut off by Anjali.

‘That is why you and Khushiji will be going along as well! I am sure you will be needed there anyway. Khushiji and Payalji will keep each other company when you both are working. And mamaji will take care of everything here, won’t you mamaji?’

‘Of course, Anjali bitiya. I think it is a great idea!’ said mamaji not helping.

‘Ok fine Di. But I don’t think Khushi will want to go on this trip’ he began but stopped when he saw the strange look that Anjali was giving him. ‘Err I mean with such short notice and all.’ he wasn’t sure what to say and just blurted out ‘I am sure Payal will convince her, won’t you Payal? he finished lamely. He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Anjali smiling.

‘Of course Arnavji’ said Payal, a big smile on her face. Not helping at all.

Arnav knew when he was defeated. The lovey dovey look passing between Akash and Payal, the daggers that mamiji was shooting at the duo, the happy looks of his Di, Naniji and Mamaji had all contributed equally. He should have walked out of this mad house when had the chance all those months ago!

Later in the day, Payal found Khushi in the garden tending to the plants at the pool side of her bedroom.

‘Khushi! I didn’t know you had started gardening!’ exclaimed Payal in delight.

‘I had to take care of them in Arnavji’s absence jiji’ she said as removed dead leaves from the pot. Her jiji sounded chipper than usual, ‘Were you looking for me?’

‘Yes Khushi! You know what? I have some good news….’ she said demurely.

‘Already?!!That was really really quick jiji’ expressing fake shock.             

‘Khushi!! Stop it!’ said Payal when realization dawned. ‘Akashji is taking me to Nainital for our honeymoon you idiot!’

‘What? Why didn’t you say so earlier? That’s great news jiji! When do you leave? For how many days? How _____’

‘Hold on Khushi! I am not done yet. You are going too’ she said happily.

‘Are you crazy!?? I can’t go on your honeymoon! I know you love me and all that but this is just too much. I don’t have any idea of becoming Kababmeinhaddi.’

‘Khushi! You will not be anything of that sort because Arnavji is also going’ she said.

‘Hey Devi Maiyya! What is going on here? Next you will be telling me that mamiji, naniji and Anajali Di are also going on your honeymoon!’

‘Stop being silly Khushi! It is just going to be the four of us. It is your honeymoon too, remember?’

‘No way! I don’t want to go on any honeymoon! You and Akashji should go by yourselves jiji. You hardly got any time with him since you got married. Mamiji has made sure of that. In any case who goes to honeymoon like this in a group?’

Payal realized that she will have to explain everything that was discussed at the breakfast table. After listening to everything Khushi was angry.

‘I knew it! It had to be the Laad Governor who has a hand in this! He couldn’t let you go in peace, could he? I will have to go talk to him! How dare he spoil your honeymoon like this?’

‘Khushi stop! You will not go and talk to Arnavji about anything. Akashji and Arnavji have a lot of work to do in the next two months. Under the circumstances they have managed to squeeze in this honeymoon for our sake.’ Payal was firm.

‘But jiji ___’

‘Please Khushi? This will be a great chance for me to spend some time with Akashji. And moreover, don’t you want to go on your honeymoon?’ she asked with a strange look on her face.

Khushi fell silent.

That night Arnav stood at the pool side thinking.Honeymoon?Dammit! He just hadn’t thought this through! He saw Khushi making her bed on the floor. He walked up to her.

‘I think Payal told you about the Nainital trip. If it were not for Di, Akash would be going on this trip all by himself. All this honeymoon nonsense was totally unnecessary.’

‘I think you are right. I don’t want to go the trip either. I will tell Anjali Di tomorrow’

‘Please don’t do anything of the sort Khushi. She is already suspicious. We will have to go through with this’

‘Then why don’t you explain our marriage to her? That will solve the problem.’ she said sarcastically.

‘Look it is just a matter of few days. Both you and I have to go on this trip whether we like it or not. Let’s just get it over with’

‘Alright! I will go on one condition’

‘What now?’

‘In the trip, I get to sleep on the bed.’

‘Done!’

Heat in middle of a cold road

Arnav had been driving for four hours. Payal and Akash looked cosy as they dozed in the back seat.Khushisat in the passenger seat looking out of the window. She remembered her previous trip to Nainital where she had spent most of the journey in the trunk of Arnav’s car. A smile stole into her lips as she remembered. She never got to see Nainital then.

As they entered the city limits Khushi was enthralled by its beauty. It was a place of lakes and mountains. It was beautiful, serene and green. The beauty of the place was obviously due to its abundant natural beauty but also because its old world charm was completely retained since the times of the British rule. It was hard not to notice the British touches in the roads, buildings and the cultural lodges.

They reached the hotel around lunch time and were shown to their respective rooms. Arnav, a few steps ahead of Khushi entered the room. ‘What the ____?’ he swore loudly.

Khushi walked in to see what was wrong.She took a few seconds to realize it. It was a honeymoon suite! It was a beautiful room with wood flooring and wood panelling on the walls. There was a large window with a view of a snow capped mountain. Next to the window,was a small coffee table and two chairs. There was a fire place in one corner of the room. But the most prominent item in the room was the huge four poster king bed that dominated the centre. Curtains adorned the posters giving it a royal look. There were rose petals on the white bed sheets.

Arnav picked up the phone and dialled reception, ‘May I know why this room was booked for us?’

‘Mr Raiza, your sister specifically asked us to book the honeymoon suite. We were only following instructions.’ she replied nervously knowing very well who she was talking to.

‘Damn!’ Arnav banged the phone down.She just will not mind her own business, will she?

Khushi went into the rest room to freshen herself. The bathroom was huge. There was marble everywhere. There was a separate tub, shower cubicle and sink with long counter and an equally long mirror. Fresh towels monogrammed with the hotel logo were arranged neatly by the tub. The tub was filled with water and rose petals. The tub looked big enough for two people. Khushi went red when she realized the implication. She hurried out.

‘We are meeting Payal and Akash for lunch downstairs at the restaurant’ he informed her as he looked at her flushed face.

Khushi looked at the lovely shawl the hawker was showing her. Payal was looking at some artefacts. They were at one of the handicraft emporiums at the famous Mall road. Right after lunch, Arnav had dropped them off here before heading off with Akash to client’s office for a meeting. Khushi and Payalwere having a lot of fun at the market. It had been a while since they had spent time together. There were chocolate shops, clothes, artificial jewellery and tons of shops selling medicinal oils. They bought gifts for everyone and got back to the hotel in the evening.

Later that evening the four of them had meet for dinner at the restaurant. Khushi ate her paneermakhani and rotis that she had ordered. She didn’t like it too much. The food at the Punjabi dhaba where she and Arnav had eaten just outside of Nainital was much better she thought. She also remembered how the dhaba aunty had forced her to wipe the lassi off Arnav’s lips. The memory made her go warm all over and she closed her eyes.

Arnavlooked at Khushi’s face and said, ‘Don’t tell me that the paneer is that good’

Khushi quickly returned back to the present, a little flusteredand realized that Akash was trying to tell Arnav about going somewhere.

‘Bhai, tomorrow morning Payal and I plan to go to Binsar. It is supposed to be a beautiful place where we get to see panoramic views of the Himalayas. It will take us a few hours to get there, so we plan to leave early in the morning and get back before dark’.

‘Sounds good, Akash. We don’t have any meetings scheduled until the day after tomorrow. So you are free to do whatever you want’

‘What are your plans bhai?’ asked Akash.

‘Oh I have work lined up because of my trip abroad. I will be working with Aman the entire day.’ said Arnav seriously.

‘Oh but what will Khushiji do then?’ asked Akash alarmed.

‘Don’t you worry about me jeeju. I am sure there are lots of nearby places I can visit by myself. I might even go back to the Mall road. I think I will pick up that shawl I liked so much’ said Khushi trying to put Akash and Payal at ease. She was determined to see that the two of them have a nice time with each other. She had not been happy whenArnav had whisked away Akash to work in the afternoon instead of letting him spend some time with Payal.

Back in the room, Khushi came out of the restroom all cleaned up and ready for bed. Arnav was by the window with his laptop on the coffee table. She went up to the bed and cleared all the rose petals and put them on the night stand. She then took one set of comforter and pillow from the cupboard and placed them on the chair. She then went up to the bed and lied down on it.

‘What do you think you are doing?’ asked Arnav looking up from his lap top.

‘I hope you remember the deal we made back in Delhi. I get to sleep on the bed here.’ said khushi switching off the night lamps on both sides of the bed. She then settled herself on the right side of the bed.

‘Damn! ’ swore Arnav.

Khushi smiled to herself before sleep claimed her.

Khushi sensed something was wrong. She realized her fingers were touching something bristly and rough. Her dhakdhak increased and woke her from sleep. She opened her eyes. Her right palm was on Arnav’s cheek and the bristly feel was his stubble!

His eyes were wide open as well. She snatched her hand away as if burned and quickly got up from the bed.

‘What are you doing on the bed?!’ she shouted.

‘Shut up Khushi! I couldn’t get enough sleep last night.’ Arnav mumbled.

‘First tell me what you are doing on this bed? We made a deal that I would be sleeping on the bed’ said khushi, her decibels rising as she spoke.

‘Right! And that is where you slept.But you did not mention that I should not sleep on it, did you?’ he asked with a smirk.

Khushi started to panic, ‘Whaaat?’

‘This bed is big enough. I put pillows in the centreof the bed. You sleep on your side and I will sleep on mine. I think that should work.’

‘No way!I don’t think that is going to work!’ said khushidesperately.

‘If you have trouble keeping your hands to yourself, then you are free to use the floor.’ he replied cheekily and went back to sleep.

Khushi walked quickly to the rest room and shut the door with a bang. How dare he?The devil!

Arnav couldn’t help laughing under his comforter. It was so much fun to rile her up that way. Jokes apart, in spite of what he had told khushihe was the one who was having trouble keeping his hands to himself. Back in Delhi, couple of days ago, he had almost kissed her and today was no less either. What could he do? She looked absolutely ravishing the first thing in the morning.Each day his control seemed to be slipping a little by little. Maybe he should go back to sleep on the floor. He discarded the thought when he remembered how his back had ached and went right back to sleep.

Later that morning, Khushi ate her breakfast in silence. Arnav had ordered room service for them. There was something intimate about the scene. It was just the two of them in the room. Arnav was working on his lap top holding his coffee in one hand. Khushi looked out of the window sadly. The snow-capped mountains beckoned to her. I wish I could come up there to see you Devi Maiyya she said in a silent prayer. One of the shop keepers at the market had told her about the Kasar Devi temple near Almora on the way to Binsar. Lucky Payal and Akash she sighed.

Arnav heard the sigh and looked up to see her watching the mountains sadly. His heart lurched at the look on her face. He forced himself to concentrate on his work. We are not really on a honey moon here he told himself sternly. He was glad when his cell phone rang and he walked out of the room to take the call. When he got back in about 10 minutes Khushi was nowhere to be seen. He continued to work for another 15 minutes. There was still no sign of Khushi. Where could she be? He checked the rest room to see it was empty. He then called the reception to find out if she was in the lobby.

‘Yes Mr.Raizada, you wife came here half an hour ago. I think she might have gone to Thandisadak, one of our sightseeing places. We advised her not to go there all alone, but she insisted on getting directions’

‘What the ___! Why didn’t you call me earlier?!’ yelled Arnav and picked up his jacket before rushing downstairs.

Khushi walked slowly along Thandisadak.This road as the name suggested was very cold as it was lined up with lush greens of pine, deodar and oak trees blocking the sub beams from reaching it. Just like Arnav. He had built walls around him blocking emotions from reaching him thus rendering him cold like Thandisadak. But there were times when he wasn’t like that at all. She remembered the time she was lost in the jungle and how he had come looking for her. Suddenly,she sensed that someone was watching her. She turned back to look. Her heart lurched with joy.It was Arnav!

He was angry. He walked up to her. He held her shoulder roughly and shook her. ‘Do you have any sense in your head? What do you think you were trying to do? Why did you leave the hotel without telling me? What if something happened to you?’

Khushi’s joy dissipated and anger replaced it. ‘I thought you wouldn’t notice that I was gone. You didn’t have to worry. I know how to take care of myself!’

‘It’s not about worry! You are my responsibility. Let’s go!’

Khushi was stubborn, ‘Absolutely not! I came here to for a stroll and I will finish it’

He took another step close to her. ‘Will you come back with me quietly or not?’ he said his voice menacing.

‘Is this man troubling you madam’ one of the men in a group who were standing nearby had come up to them.

Not again, what is it with people in this country! They just kept butting inother people’s business.‘This is a personal matter between husband and wife. Stay of it!’ snappedArnav.

‘It doesn’t look like your “wife” wants to go with you. We think you should leave her alone’ he said pointing to his friends.

Khushi looked at the group of men. They reminded her of the goondas who had attacked her at the dhaba. She also remembered the rage with which Arnav had bashed up one of them because he had pushed her. She acted quickly.

‘Haven’t you ever seen fights between a husband and wife? Please go back to your friends and enjoy the scenery.’ saidKhushi to the man as he stood there staring at Arnav.

‘Come on Arnavji. Let us go’ said Khushi pulling on his hand.

Arnav kept staring back at the man.

‘Alright! I am really really sorry for what I did. Now will you please come?’ Khushileaned into Arnav and whispered in his ear to get his attention. She succeeded.

Arnav looked at Khushi. She was holding his arm with both hands and her soft body was pressed up against it. Did she realize what that was doing to him?Time stood still. Looking into her big eyes, he raised his right hand up to her forehead. He wanted to move her unruly locks away from her face.

Khushifelt her dhakdhak increasing, her breathing swift. She closed her eyes. His fingers made a slow and hot trail down her hairline, behind her ear, continuing all the way down her neck, along her collar bone and then came to rest on her shoulder. Her body had started shaking when he leaned his head down until their noses were almost touching.

‘That’s ok Khushi. You don’t have to be sorry’ he said in a soft tone, almost a whisper.

Khushi opened her eyes. There were flecks of gold among the brown as she looked into his eyes, drowning in that brown velvet as they beckoned, enticed.Those few seconds had started to seem like an eternity as they stood transfixed. It was like the beauty and the serenity of the place had enchanted them and entrapped them in a whirlwind of emotions.

The sound of laughterbrought them back to the present. They looked around to see a couple of kids looking at them. They quietly began to walk. The sensations that had overtaken them still had them in its clutches because it was only when they reached the hotel that they realized that they were still holding hands.

My knight on a black bike

Arnav and Khushihad reached the hotel. Reality set in. The enchantment of Thandisadak had worn off. Arnav had gone back to work on his lap top when they reached the room.

He was irritated, ‘So much time was wasted today. I will have to call Aman to reschedule my meetings’

Khushi switched on the TV. ‘As if someone asked him to come after me’ she muttered under her breath. She flipped through the channels when one of them caught her attention. It was a local channel announcing a land slide. It was near a place called Binsar. She was alarmed.‘Which place had jeeju mentioned? Was it Binsar? I will have to call him immediately to find out if they are ok’ she was talking out aloud.

‘Stop blabbering Khushi! I am trying to work ____.’

‘Arnavji, there has been a landslide in a place called Binsar! Isn’t that the place jeejaji and jeeji have gone to today?’

‘I think so. I will call him right away,’ said  arnav, already dialling Akash’s number.

‘Damn! His phone is not reachable!I think we should go down to the help desk and ask them if they know more’

No one in the reception was of much help. Binsar was a remote place and there was no cell phone towers in areas like that. Arnavrealized that the only way to find out if Akash and Payal were alright was to go there. He asked Khushi to go up to the room and wait until he got back.

‘Of course not!‘I am going with you Arnavji! Jiji might be in trouble and I want to help.’ she said determined.

‘Look, there has been a land slide. I don’t think it will be safe for you to go with me’ he tried to dissuade her.

‘What about you? You think Yamraj is also scared of you, right?’

At Aranav’s quelling stare, she said quickly, ‘Now let’s not waste time and get going.’

She could be really stubborn at times and he had no time for this. He went back to the reception to arrange for a vehicle. He was informed that there was a taxi strike all of sudden and the only option to get there was to rent a vehicle from the rental place close by.

Khushi waited outside the rental place where Arnav had to gone to rent a vehicle to go to Binsar.

‘Khushi, we have a problem. They don’t have any cars for rent. They only have bikes!’

‘So?’

‘This is a long journey and I don’t think you will able to manage. I think you should go back to the hotel.’

‘I am from Lucknow!’ said Khushi as if that was a qualification.‘I can manage anything. But, I will understand if you have difficulty riding a bike. Being used to cars, and all that. So, if you have problem riding a bike let me know. I am used to riding my babuji’s scooter. I will take you there.’ she said tongue in cheek.

Arnav rolled his eyes in exasperation, Drama queen! ‘Alright you can come! Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you KhushiKumari Gupta!’

Arnav paid the rental for the bike and brought it around to where Khushi was standing. When she looked up at Arnav she was completely zapped.

It was a magnificent sight - The man and his machine, completely at ease with each other, made for each other.

‘What is this?!’ she exclaimed.

‘This is an Enfield 500 classic. These are bikes that are generally used in these areas. What’s the big deal?’

‘Do you know how to ride a bike?’ she looked doubtful.

‘You could always stay back Khushi’ he said once again.

‘Could we please go back to the hotel first? I would like to get my shawl.’ There were no more arguments.

Arnav had been riding for about half an hour. The road meandered up the bank of the riverKosi. The vegetation in the surrounding area was green and soothing to the eyes. The cold breeze blowing on their faces felt fresh, free from pollution. They hadn’t covered much distance and Khushi was getting restless. She leaned into Arnav and spoke loudly into his ear.

‘Don’t you think we are going a little slow? Are you finding it difficult to ride this bike?’ she asked.

‘Of course I am finding it difficult with you sitting so awkwardly. You start fidgeting every now and then. I think you should sit with your legs on either side’ suggested Arnav.

‘My clothes are not designed for sitting that way. I think I am fine like this.’

After 15 minutes Arnavcouldn’t take it anymore. He stopped the bike and asked Khushi to get off. He parked the bike and took Khushi to a small store on the road side.

‘I think these shops sell clothes. Let’s see if we can find something appropriate for you.’ he said.

Poor Arnavji,he is probably having a tough time riding a bike.  She looked at him sympathetically and decided to humour him and went into the store. There weren’t too many clothes to choose from. Finally Khushi managed to find a pair of jeans and top. Khushi tried it on and came out of the trial room

‘I think these clothes are a size too small for me. But they don’t have a bigger size. Do I really need these?’ she asked dismally.

Arnav looked up at and was speechless. She looked better than most of the models who walked the ramp for his company! The dark blue jeans rode low on her waist and fit her like a second skin. The topwas baby pink in colour and had a wideround neck. It had short sleeves and pearl buttons all way from the top to the waist where it ended just at the waist band of her jeans.  If she raised her hands a little bit he would be able to see her waist. Now, why did that thought enter his head? He shook his head to clear it out a little.

‘Er um …. They are not too bad.’ his voice came out in a squeak. ‘Hurry up now, will you? We have already wasted a lot of time’ he covered up with rudeness.

Khushi wondered why he had the “What the ____?” expression on his face when she had done nothing to annoy him.

‘I think you should get a jacket and a pair of boots as well’ he suggested.

‘I don’t think so. I have a shawl and that is more than enough for me’ she declared and stepped out of the shop confidently.

‘I don’t even know why I try to argue with her. Just give me a pair of boots in her size. ’ he asked the shop keeper as he made the payment.

The old man at the counter smiled to himself shaking his head. Newlyweds!

They continued on their journey.  Now that Khushi was sitting with legs on both the side she was much more comfortable and Arnav found it easier to ride the bike. However her hands were aching as she was trying to hold on to the hand holds behind the bike. Now and then her shawl would slip off from her shoulderand she would have to keep putting it back on. She had started to fidget again and it was getting on Arnav’s nerves. He turned his head toward for one brief second to tell her to stop.

And then, suddenly a jeep, coming from the opposite direction, lost control and came head on in their path at full speed. Khushiopened her mouth to scream but no sound came out.

Arnav swerved the bike out of the jeep’s way just in time. But the movement forced the bikeoff the road and very fast it began to skid toward the valley on the left.  With a sinking sensation in her stomach, Khushiclosed her eyes bracing for the worst.

Suddenly they came to a crunching stop and everything was quiet.

‘Khushi! Are you alright?’ Arnav asked in a shaky voice.

‘I am not sure’ she said in an equally shaky voice.

‘Do you think you can manage to get off the bike so I can check?’ he asked her.

Khushi realized only then that she had plastered her face and body to his back and her hands were around his torso in a death grip. But somehow she didn’t want to let go. She shook her head.

‘Khushi! Please. Just get off for one second. I have to take a look at you.’he pleaded.

The desperation in his voice finally got to her and she slowly unwound her arms from around him, she slid off the bike still holding on to him. Arnav got off the bike after her and parked it. They had come to a stop dangerously close to the edge. He turned around to hold her. Khushi crumbled in his arms like a piece of cake. He lifted her up in his arms and looked around. He found a small temple tucked away on the side of the road a short distance away. He carried her up to the steps of the temple and sat down with her on his lap. He hugged her to him to calm her slender, shivering body.

‘I am sorry Khushi. So sorry, sorry’ he said over and over again.

Khushi finally calmed down enough to look up at him in confusion, ‘What are you sorry for?’ she asked her face pale.

‘I am sorry for being careless. I should have been looking ahead. I ____’ Khushi cut him off.

‘Stop it Arnavji! The driver who ran us off the road was at fault here. And if anyone should be sorry it should be me. If I hadn’t been fidgeting so much, all this probably would not have happened.’ she said tears filling up eyes.

‘Sshhh.Its ok now. Calm down’ Arnav spoke in a low tone.

‘I think we should thank God for saving our lives today’ she said.

‘Well….. I don’t know about that. I was the one who saved us from falling over the cliff’ he said in a matter of fact tone.

‘Of course you did Arnavji, but you should agree you had some help from above’

‘I had help. But not from above.It was because of spending my college years participating in dirt track bike racing’

Khushi’seys grew wide with surprise. ‘Bi..Bike racing……you?’

‘Yep. Me. I participated at National level championships. I can dismantle a bike and put it back together again if I wanted to’ he said with a smirk.

‘Oh God! I asked you if you knew how to ride a bike. But ….but you don’t even know how to change your car tire!’Khushi couldn’t believe this.

‘I never told you that I cannot change a car tire. You just assumed that. Why should I, when I can afford to have a driver bring me another car?’

‘Why did you stop racing?’ she ignored his cockiness.

‘Racing can be dangerous. It is common to have injuries like broken ribs, and scraped knees. But in one race another driver crashed into me and went off track and had to be admitted in the hospital for serious injuries.  Di found out and forbid me to race again. That was the end of it’ he said simply.

Before Khushi could say anything, she heard hoot calls from a group of young bike riders on the road. They realized the reason for the calls. Khushi was still sitting on Arnav’s lap!

Arnav lifted Khushi off his lap and seated her next to him. They avoided looking into each other’s eyes.

‘I think we should get going. Are you feeling better?’ he asked standing up.

Khushi stood up and nodded her head.

 ‘Wait here I will get the bike’ he told her.

When Khushi got on the bike, Arnav turned his head and said, ‘Now hold on properly and don’t fidget.’

‘I know that!’ she said. As if she was going to take the risk again. She put both her hands on his shoulder and held on tight.

As they made the ascent to higher regions the green vegetation gave way to pine trees and shrubbery. The temperature had dropped a little more. But Khushi didn’t seem to notice. She was lost in thought. She had learnt a small part of Arnav’s past today. He was a bike racer in college. She would never have imagined it in a thousand years. How was he as a young man? Would he have been fun loving back then? Did he have friends? Khushi suddenly wanted to know the answers to these questions. A small part of her was her happy that he had quit racing. She wondered why.

It was Arnav’s turn to fidget. Khushi had slid down the seat and was flush against his back. Her face was on his shoulder, very close to his neck. She was holding on him really tight. Was she sleeping? Why was she so quiet? Man! Even through their clothes, he could feel every part of her body from her cheek to her stomach and this was making him really uncomfortable. He desperately needed a distraction. As if on command, distraction came in the form of a loud honking. They had entered city limits of Almora. 

Zero Point

Arnav and Khushi had reached the city limits of Almora. It was a picturesque district with a panoramic view of the Himalayas and an alluring grandeur of natural beauty. It was famous for its rich cultural heritage, unique handicrafts, sumptuous cuisine and magnificent wildlife.

‘Arnavji? Could we stop somewhere? I need to use the rest room’ said Khushi.

‘Absolutely!’Arnav was relieved. He could definitely use a break right now. Sitting close to her like this was playing havoc with his senses. He asked around and came back with directions to a resort. ‘I think we should get something to eat while we are here. Looks likeBinsaris another 30 kms from here and will take us 45 mins to 1 hour to get there.’

Khushi brightened up at the thought of food. ‘Thank God! I was beginning to feel hungry. I think I will order paneermakhani, alooparatha and I hope they have jalebis. I have been craving for them‘

Arnav rolled his eyes in exasperation. For a girl who was so slim, she ate quite a lot.After driving for another 5 minutes they found the resort they were looking for. It was called Kaasar Jungle Resort.

In the restroom, Khushi looked at her reflection in the mirror. There was something different about her. It was her clothes! She realized that she not only looked different but she felt different as well. She was really beginning to enjoy this journey. The scenery, the air – this place was truly magical. Especiallywhen you are on bike ride with the one you _____ Stop it! Khushi was horrified at the direction her thoughtswere heading. She quickly splashed cold water on her face to stem the tears that were welling up in her eyes. The entire days’ evens were finally taking a toll on her.

Arnav’s heart started an erratic beat as he watched her walk up to their table. She had a natural sway in her hips when she walked and saw that she was turning heads of the other men present at the restaurant. He realized that he did not like it. His eyes blazed with anger.Mine! The word reverberated in his brain like a chant. When she took her seat opposite him, they looked at each other for countless seconds. Neither spoke, norunderstood the emotions reflected in each other’s eyes. They finally broke contact when the waiter brought their food. They ate in silence.

Thirty minutes later, Arnav and Khushi were on their way up to Binsar. The meandering roads were lined up with tall conifers trees and deep valleys on either side. Khushi asked Arnav if they could visit the Kaasardevi temple that was close by and he had refused. He could say that she was upset. Shehad put couple of inches between them and was trying not to touch him. Good! At least now he would be able to drive in peace without thinking of how her fingers would clutch at him every time he applied brakes.He was himself recovering from the emotions he had experienced at the restaurant and he was not in the mood to be accommodating. He concentrated on the drive and increased his speed. They had to find Akash and Payal before dark.

After 45 minutes of enduring treacherous roads, they reached a sign board which said Zero point. Arnav asked a man standing there if there was some sort of hotel or resort there as he remembered Akash talking about going there for lunch. The man informed them that there was a guest house and pointed them toward the path that lead to it. He also told them they should hurry up if they wanted to see the sun set at the zero point. He showed them a beaten down path and told them that it was a short cut.

‘I would like to see the sun set.’ declared Khushi.

‘I don’t think so Khushi. We have to get to the guest house to ask about Akash and Payal first’

‘But we will miss the sun set.Another 15 minutes will not matter. We could go up to the resort after this’ she pleaded.

‘I hope you remember that we are not actually on our honeymoon. Our first priority is to find Akash and Payal. I don’t have the time to argue with you. Are you coming with me or not?’ asked Arnav impatient.

‘No! I want to see the sun set first’ Khushi was adamant.

‘Alright.As you wish.’Arnav left Khushi there and drove away.Once he was satisfied that he had given her enough of a scare he turned around. There was no sign of Khushi!

‘What the _____’? Arnav looked at the path that lead to the sun set point and groaned out aloud.

Khushi ran up the path to the sun set point tears streaming down her cheeks. In the city, he had left her mid street many times. But here! How could he? She didn’t care to see where she was going as long as she could get far away from him.His ‘My way or the high way’ attitude was getting too much for her to handle.The Laad Governor!

Arnav was furious! He parked the bike and walked up the path leading to the sunset point. He realized that he was passing through deep woods. He couldn’t believe she would be stupid enough to venture to this place all alone. She could be a complete imbecile at times! Her Buaji had given her an apt name. What was it? Ah! Sankadevi.

Finally Arnav reached some kind of an overlook. The sun was about to setin the snow-capped mountains.But there was no sign of Khushi. He walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down.There was a deep gorge full of jagged rocks. Suddenly, his eyes caught something colourful caught up in a small overgrowth on one of the rocks. It was a shawl! His heart skipped a beat. He broke out in cold sweat. Was it hers? His heart beat increased in tempo. His eyes began to well up. No it can’t be!  He stepped back and looked around. He saw a large rock at the far end of cliff. He began to run.

‘Khushi!........Khushi!’ he shouted. But the wind was too strong for his words to be heard. It had started to rain, heavy fat drops falling from the sky.

He finally reached the boulder and walked around it. There she was, sitting on a smaller rock looking serenely at the sun set,her face bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. She looked breath taking!

‘Khushi!’ he let out a sigh of relief.

‘Why are you here? Didn’t you go the guest house?’ she broke into his trance.

Reality set in. His relief turned into anger in seconds. He walked up to her. He gazed into her face, his eyes dark, tainted with anger and a strange, tiny glimmer of fear which surprised her. Had he been afraid? …… for her? This was strangely similar to the time when he thought she was in an accident.

‘What the hell do you think you were doing? ’ his voice was a low menace.

‘I wanted to see the sunset. You were the one who refused ____’

‘Shut up Khushi! Just for once in your life think about someone other than yourself’

‘What do you mean?’ demanded Khushi taking an instant dislike to the tone of his voice.

‘What do I mean?’

He pulled her up off the rock and held her, his long, hard fingers biting deep into the soft flesh of her upper arms. In the low light, his face was devoid of any colour, a harsh, stern mask of angles and shadows. Only his eyes seemed alive, glittering like a jet. Rain was pouring down, streaming over his head, flattening his dark hair to his skull, but he seemed oblivious to it as he stared at her.

‘I mean only an idiot would have gone walking about all alone on this beaten down track. I couldn’t believe it when I saw you were gone. I have been looking for you since then like a mad guy! Don’t you ever do that again! Do you understand?Never!‘ he shook her so hard that her head lolled back and for the on her slender neck.

‘I …….. I didn’t ask you to come looking for me. You can’t talk to me like that! You might have married me Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, but you don’t own me! ’

Filled with a sudden burning anger, equal to his, she tried to pull away, twisting and turning in his grasp like a wild animal in a trap. How dared he talk to her like this? She had enough of this. Desperately she pushed with both hands on his chest, but he would not budge, his hands fastening tighter round her arms so that she had to make a conscious effort not to cry out at the pain he was inflicting.

‘So, that’s it, is it? I don’t own you. Well, we’ll see about that KhushiKumari Gupta …Singh Raizada. We’ll see!’

With a sudden wrench he dragged her against him so hard that the breath whooshed from her body; then, bending his head, he fastened his mouth down on hers in a fierce almost brutal kiss.Desperately she tried to move her head, tried to turn her face away, but he clamped his hand round the back of her neck so that she was powerless to move. His strength was immense and even if she hadn’t been feeling weak and shaky, Khushi doubted if she could have broken free.She shuddered weakly and closed her eyes. Her dhak- dhak had increased so much that she was sure it was echoing through the valley. A strange warmth spread through her entire body. She was experiencing a rush of sensation that she had never before experienced.She could not understand the tumult of emotions assailing her.

Tears gathered in her eyes, tricking down her cheeks to mingle saltily with the clear, sweet rain and run across their joined lips. The pressure of his lips eased slightly, then slowly he drew back, his eyes black as they stared at her pale, set face.

‘Khushi!’Arnav wanted to gather her to him, hold her against his chest, rock her gently and tell her how sorry he was for doing what he did. That, he didn’t mean to frighten her and that there was no excuse for what he did.

Khushi pushed hard at his chest, her breathing heavy and her eyes blazing with anger. She blinked to chase the betraying tears away. She wanted nothing from this man, nothing…….not apologies, not comfort, nothing. She was sick and tired of the games he played with her. She hated him!

A wealth of self-disgust was reflected in his eyes.

She felt herself softening. He’d been angry, frightened by what could have happened to her, so it was probably natural that he would react in such a way when she deliberately provoked him.Why did she always acquiesce she asked herself?Yes, she hated him…… hated him for making her feel this way. But she hated herself more for feeling this way for him.

‘Khushi!’ the urgency in his voice breached her wistful thoughts.

She looked up at him to see him looking around them in worry. She realized what it was that was bothering him so much. The sun had set completely shrouding them in darkness.