"I want all of you, forever,
you and me, every day."
- Noah Calhoun ,
The Notebook
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The next day was a haze of early morning airport check in, coffee runs and boarding. The trip was over. Yesterday's night was like a magic spell.
A lot of things unsaid. But it was fun.
For once it wasn't duty. Our bond was natural.
We were getting close. In a good way .
"Ban ja tu meri Rani" I had stayed awake all night replaying those lines in my head again and again. In his low raspy voice. Tossing and turning. Giggling like a teenager.
Sleep was nowhere to come along when my hormones were wide awake.
Now we both had settled in the First class. The divider between our boths seats. The only thing that separated us.
I wondered what he was doing on other side of the divider. Sleeping?
I had chosen to wear something comfy. A comfortable shirt and pants. He also wore a beige Henley paired with a black jacket and trousers.
Into an hour of flight, I was getting bored. I had been scrolling mindlessly throw the entertainment options. Tried reading the magazines.
The fashion ones.
And it was very boring for me.
So I hesitantly rolled down the divider. The sight caught me offguard. There sat Advik Oberoi, the hard stoic business man by day.
He had a face mask on his face. Like the all skincare influencers. The one which smelled like rose water. His hairs tucked up by a hair band. And his eyes were glued on the screen.
Watching.......Ae Dil hai Mushkil. The 'channa Mereya' song playing on screen. As Ranbir Kapoor sang the verse.
Damn.
Never knew I was married to a diva. Platonically.
I wave at him with both hands.
He immediately looked mortified. And that earned a giggle.
He fumbled upon the remote before turning back to me.
"Why are you laughing..?" He asked in a high pitched voice. I can see red colour climbing through his neck.
"Hayee...mera devdas..!!" I laugh at his expression.
(Ohh my Devdas)
"You are laughing...??"
Very much yes. I nod. My finger automatically going to touch his face. Mask covered face. He raises an eyebrow.
"You got priorities..." I point out.
"Ain't ruining my perfect face " he says with an offended sigh "Can't upset my fan girls" says with a wink.
"Cocky aren't you.... devdas"
"Oyye. Mai Devdas nahi hunn..." He says in mock offense.
(Oii...am not a Devdas)
"Ohh really. Fir yeh song kyu ..?"
(Then why this song??)
"Am telling you...his my favourite actor. Ranbir Kapoor. Can't I watch a single movie without being judged" he points out .
She gives him a thumbs up.
"Wow. Let's play a game.. I am getting bored anyway" I suggest, and his face lights up immediately.
He dramatically roles his sleeves up.
Streching his arms.
"Tell me what you gotta go..?"
"Okay... Ranbir Kapoor or Ranveer Singh..?" I start.
"Ranbir Kapoor. Period" he says without any hesitation.
"Favourite movie..?" I ask then.
"Their are two actually" he says without second thought.
"Ohh. Batao phir"
(Ohh tell me)
" 'Zindagi nah milegi dobara' and 'Yeh Jawaani hai deewani' " he says grinning widely.
"So ...like the movies which are focused on fun..Solo travelling and enjoying life....?"
"Yes. Damn yes"
I nod once. As expected from him. Those movies are good.
"Now ..what about you Madam ..? Favourite Actor..?" He asks me then, placing his chin on his palm. He looks so funny with that mask on. The one from a luxury skincare brand .
"Uhmmm Shahid Kapoor " I say "I love his movie Jab We Met"
"Two strangers getting together in an unexpected way..." He narrated , then with a long sigh adds "sounds too close to home. Welcome Home Alabama"
Yes it sounds. That's literally us both. Two strangers together. And we are getting very comfortable at that. Wow. Am I living the life of Geet now...?
..even when that role suits him better.
The whole 'Main apni favourite hoon' thing was very Advik Oberoi coded.
(I am my favourite)
~A U T H O R~
The Oberoi Mansion buzzled through the daylight. The staff engaged in their work. The family women sat on the coffee table discussing about the social circle of theirs.The upcoming events and festivities. Leelavati Ji, the Matriarch had her eyes glued on the doorway. Waiting for her Pota and Pota bahu Aarohi. Swarna sat beside her , holding onto the her mangalsutra as she too waited for her son to arrive. Aradhana was telling her about something. Some gossip. As they sipped on their teas.
Adesh and Adheera were lounging on the couch nearby, binge watching 'Stranger things' and fighting over the popcorns.
They both were closest in age, only two years apart and the chaotic duo.
The type of cousins who would give a kidney to one another in an blink of eye but never the tv remote.
"Advik bhai ko aane de. Ruk Teri complaint karuga" Adesh warns her, as Adheera shoves a fistful of popcorn in her mouth.
(Let brother Advik come. I will complain about you)
"Beta..he loves me more." She says cockily, chewing onto the popcorn in her mouth.
(Child...he loves me more)
"Aai badi bhai ki chamchi. Sara din bas makkhi ki tarah mandrathi rehti hai peeche peeche " Adesh groaned as his hand instinctively shoot forward to snatch the bowl.
(Ahh as if. Brothers favourite. All you do is hover over like a fly behind us)
"Oyee..jyada mat bola krr...mendhak kahi ka.. Sara din Tarr Tarr Tarr" Adheera says relentlessly, sticking out her tongue.
(Oii...don't speak too much. Frog faced...all you do the whole day is gurgle like a frog)
"Hayee!! Tum bacche thodi hi ab. Bade hogye ho. Par nahi" Swarna finally walks in, crossing her hands over her chest tightly. She looks like a woman so much done with these kids. They weren't even kids anymore. Yet, they acted like ones.
(Ohh!! You aren't kids anymore. You are grown ups. But noo)
"They are adults now. Adesh you are 26... Tumhari Umar Mai Mere 2 bacche the" Vishal says appearing in the room. His gaze sharp. Voice laced with control. Someone who always demanded obedience.
(I had two kids in your age)
"Aree Chachuuu...voh mai bhi bacche karduga..agr aap ha bolde" Adesh says shyly, scratching the back of his neck.
(Uncle...I will also have kids... if you say yes)
And Adheera chokes onto the popcorn.
"Papa karado iski shaadi..taki mujhe irritate karna band karde " She adds, snickering behind.
(Dad...get him married so that he stops irritating me)
"Ha karado . Advik bhai ke bad mera hi number hai" Adesh says with a smirk. Already
(Yes do it. After brother Advik it's my turn anyways)
"Tera arrogance dekh kr koi andha hi apni beti dega" Adheera talks back.
(Seeing your arrogance, no father will wed his daughter to you)
"Beta .Tum pehle na Office par aakr kam seekho. Sara din baccho ki tarah awara gardi ". Vivek says, sitting on the couch.
Looking worried for his son.
(Son. First you start coming to the office. Learn work. All you do is roam around all day like a goon)
"Papa. Company keliye Advik aur Aditya Bhai hai na. Main toh sirf Aish karuga" he says as he leans on the couch , hands plopped behind.
(Dad. Brother Advik and Aditya are there for the company. I will only rule)
"Ha. Aur beethao sir par...dekho apni laparwahi ka natija " Adheera Snickers.
(See the consequences of your constant support and pampering)
Vishal rolls his eyes, but couldn't hide the tiny grin.
"Chuppp...pagal ladki" Swarna says pulling both of their ears.
(Shhh..stupid girl)
As they both collectively groan "Ahh"
"Are mate chhodh de mujhe" Adheera says.
(Ohhh...goddess leave me)
Just then the sound of the car getting parked in front of the entry comes. And swarna's hand quickly drops.
"Mere bacche agaye" Dadi says immediately, clutching to her chest. Warmth spreads over everyones face as the two enter. Smiling widely.
(My children are here)
They both immediately bend to take blessings from dadi, then Dadu and then every adult.
Adheera throws herself in Advik's arms.
"Mujhe nahi lekr gaye... matlabi kahi ke"
(You didn't took me with you... selfish)
"Ha..akele akele bhai" Adesh grins behind as he gives a side hug to Aarohi.
( Yes..alone)
"Honeymoon par tumhara kya kam bhai" Dada ji says and both of them look at him in a mock offense. Aarohi turns red in mortification. The family laughs at that. Seeing them both so embarrassed.
(What is your work on their honeymoon)
"Dadu" Advik groans,"are business trip thii!!"
(It was a business trip )
"Chal chal. Mat bata." Dadi says , barely containing a smile as she pulls him in a tight hug. "Mera baccha"
(Stop... don't tell me )
Swarna just gives a quite restrained nod to Aarohi. Barely acknowledging her presence.
"Bhai...aapke face par itni chamak..?"Adheera points out.
(Brother ....why is your face so bright)
"Skin to bahot glow kar rahi hai apki" Adesh agrees with her.
(Yes . Your skin is glowing)
"Are... pyar ka toh glow nahi" Adheera says
(Isn't it the glow of love..?)
"Chuppp.. it's because of my 13 step korean skincare. Badmash" Advik says as he slings his hand in both of their necks. Tightening his hold , not enough to choke. But hurt a little.
And the room collectively falls into laughter.
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After a week , she finally got into her room. Their room
It was still just the way she had left right before going. Organised. Clean.
But something caught her eye. A big box in the middle of the room. It was almost 4 ft and huge.
"Did you bought something...?" Aarohi asks turning to him. Who just shruggs his shoulders, giving a confused look.
"Try opening " he says, as she walks to the box. The return address was from Malaysia. Her hands fumbled upon the box, before she slowly started to Open it.
Removing the tape with a sharp blade, all while he stood behind. Watching. Observing. There was this nervous expression on his face. And when she opened it,
There was this big wooden sculpture. Of the waving fortune cat. The one she had liked in the souvenir markets of Malaysia.
Which he had denied buying for obvious reasons. Like the transportation.
But now..?
It stood there. The statue. In the centre of their room.
She is in shock for long.
She opens her mouth once, then closes it back. Trying to process.
After a long time, she finally turns to face him.
"But you did not like it right...? How..?"
He just takes a step closer, "this was the first thing you ever asked from me...how could I deny it..?" His voice was low, soft. His gaze stayed on her.
And for the first time... something passed between them. It was a slow spark.
She felt it . Her heart thudded against her chest.
No words came.
Just a silent "Thank you" left her mouth, followed by a smile, highlighting her dimples. Which always made him melt.
"Now...let's get it out properly" He says finally, breaking the silence as he quickly picks the statue out of the box. It was a furniture piece.
Of course the statue was very heavy, and when he picked it up, his muscles popped. The veins of his forearm were now on full display.
And she couldn't help but stare.
After calculating for some time, they finally found a corner in the room for the piece.
"What shall we name it..?" He asks , as he finally wipes his hands with a towel there.
"Uhhmmm" she thinks for a while, tapping her chin with her index finger in the process.
Then finally says, "what about Malay...?"
"That is the best you got..?" He barks a laugh "you can definitely do better than that wife..."
That word again. She looks at him in a mock offense, curling her hands in fist.
"If you are so much of a pro...do it yourself " she says "name it"
"Easy peasy lemon squeezy" he says grinning wickedly "she's a cat...so obviously it's gonna be"
He stops, letting her anticipate, drumming his hands over the piece.
"Meow" He reveals, which earns him a slap on his shoulder .
"That is worse than Malay"
"Heyy..no violence wife.." he says , rubbing his shoulder "what if it dislocates..? ..my shoulder" he adds with an Advik style pout. The one which is joined with his puppy eyes.
"You are the worst"
"And yet we stand here...after our supposed 'Honeymoon' " the way he says that , in a full teasing tone earns him another slap on his shoulder "which is pretty ironic"
"Bss...after this you are not sleeping in the same room as me" she declares, crossing her arms over her chest tightly. As if to emphasize.
"Chalega...vaise bhi room share karne ke bad bhi kuchh hota thodi hi hai" He laughs, and before she could hit him again, he sprints.
(No problems..as if we do anything even after sharing the room)
In a blink of an eye, she is chasing him across the room. A pillow in her hands as he runs for his dear life. Bouncing over the bed. Jumping behind the couch. Running on the attached balcony.
Eventually the pillow finds his back. She threw it violently and he stopped mid sprint.
"That is a very dirty move... violence" He says looking at her with a wicked glare.
"Aarohi" she barks back. Before throwing another pillow on his face. It hits him square on his ...'handsome faceu'
And before she could even breath, he moved.
In two strides, his across the room. He steps closer to her. "I hate dirty games" he says, as she instinctively steps back.
So he steps forward again, until she is cornered against a wall.
"Advik" she tries to say , but before that his both hands are placed on the walls, either side of her. Blocking her in between the wall and his tall broad frame.
She has to look up to meet his gaze.
"Cat got your tongue now..?" He asks, his voice low and dangerously seductive . He leans a little down. Enough that he could count her eyelashes.
"Advik..." She opens her mouth and again closes it "are you hurt..?"
"No.." his hand moves to slowly tuck back the one strand of her hairs, his touch lingering across her cheek bones . And he did observe how her face had immediately turned a shade of crimson.
And a smirk curved on his lips. He scoffs.
"If you hit me again....." He tucks her chin upward, enough close now that their breaths mingled. The warning stayed in the air .
"I will lose my last restraint control. "
Then he detaches himself. She lets out a breath out she didn't know she was holding.
He walks away, turning and then going to the attached washroom.
Not before looking back over his shoulder one last time.
"Fine...Malay is it"
Then goes.
"Woah...idiota" she scoffs, looking at his retreating figure.
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