Iyer Apartment
Saturday 6 September 2014
6.00 am

Ishita stretched luxuriously as she sat up in her bed, Mihika fast asleep beside her.

It was finally Saturday, finally the day that she had been anticipating, nervously but with eagerness, ever since Raman had proclaimed his love to her. It was the day that they would be one.

She slowly eased herself off the bed, before tip toeing to the window, drawing the curtain aside slightly to glimpse the dawning morning.

It was only 6am and she had to meet Raman at Mihir's apartment at 8.00. She would leave her car there and Raman would drive them to their destination.

He was being very secretive about the hotel he had booked for their weekend getaway/honeymoon.

She had sent him numerous texts the previous day asking him where they were going, but all he would reply was that it was a surprise.

He had asked her to pack a swimsuit, but she had hesitated when packing, as she looked at the plain black one piece boy leg suit she had bought. She loved Raman, desired him, and she knew he desired her too, with all her flaws and imperfections, but she was shy about her body, shy about revealing herself to him. She had thought long and hard about what nightgown to take with her, her usual loose green Kurta and leggings not quite her idea of a normal first night outfit. But then, nothing about their wedding or their marriage was normal.

She had bought a baby pink satin slip and matching gown, but she had coloured furiously as she packed it in her overnight bag, the thought of his eyes watching the clinging satin moulding her curves, his hands caressing her through it, sliding it off her ...

She blushed again now and covered her face, slowly dropping the draperies and letting the room fade into darkness again.

She turned towards the sleeping silhouette of her younger cousin. Mihika had been sulking all of the previous day, demanding to know why she couldn't go the camp with her akka.

"It looks so nice akka" she had pouted as she flipped through the information sheets Raman had given Ishita. "I could share your tent with you, and I could do activities with the kids while they wait for their check ups. I know you'll be busy, but I won't get in your way akka"

But Ishita had simply refused, even though she knew she must have sounded extremely unreasonable to her parents and Mihika.

So Miku had gone to bed in a sulk and Ishita knew that she would have to do a lot of making up with her sister in the coming days.

Ruhi had not been much better, also going into a sulk when she found out that her Ishima and Papa were going away without her.

"Mujhe bhi aana hai Ishima" she insisted. (I want to come too Ishima)

They had been playing on the swings in the park near the Aakash Ganga Society, Rinki having arranged to bring Ruhi there to meet with Ishita.

"Ruhi, I'll explain to you later, yeh Ishima aur papa ki honeymoon hai, aap nahi ja sakte" Rinki had tried to reason.
(This is Ishima and Papa's honeymoon, you can't go)

"Honeymoon kya hai? Kya hota hai wahan?" Ruhi had asked innocently, causing Ishita to blush furiously. 
(What is a honeymoon. What happens there?)

"Beta, it's only for one day. Hum Sunday ko aap ke saath picnic karenge, hmm? You, me, papa, Rinki bua, Mihir chachu. Hum sab saath mein."
(Baby, it's only for one day. We"ll go for a picnic on Sunday. All of us. You, me, Rinki bua, Mihir chachu. All together)

Ruhi had finally relented, but Ishita still felt bad about disappointing her little daughter.

Ruhi had been craving for a mothers love her entire life, and now that she finally had a mother, it seemed so unfair to deprive her of her time and her affection.

And yet...Raman. She desperately wanted this time with Raman, wanted and needed to become his wife in every sense.

Ishita sighed as she started to walk towards the bathroom.

There were still so many confusions, so many conflicting obligations - life would continue to be complicated until Raman and she were able to tell everyone about their marriage. But before that happened, they had today. And nothing could be allowed to spoil today.

**********************************************************************************************************
Outside Mihir's apartment
8.15 am

"Damn it, why is she late? We were supposed to leave at 8.00" Raman paced along the car park furiously, as Mihir tried his best to calm his anxious bhai down.

"Bhai, relax,  chill. Abhi time hai" ( Bhai Relax, chill, there's enough time)

"Kya relax Mihir, I told Ishita to be on time. You know my entire plan depends on strict timing"

"Stress mat lo Bhai, bhabhi is your wife, not some business deal, that she needs to meet time deadlines. And look, she's here"

Ishita's little red car was indeed just turning into the carpark. Mihir walked up to direct her parking then opened the door to take out Ishita's bag, as Raman stood glowering by his car.

"You're late yaar, get in now" he was saying as Ishita rushed up to him, a smile lighting up her face at the sight of her husband in casual jeans and a crisp white linen shirt. Designer sunglasses were perched on his hair, and a light stubble completed his look.

She was dressed in a simple white salwar suit with a red polka dotted  dupatta, red and silver earrings adorning her ears and her Chooda, which she had put on in the car, on her arms. Her rings were on her finger, her thalli proudly displayed.

She had not seen him the previous day and had been craving the sight of his beloved face, and she rushed to him in joy.

Her smile faded though, as she saw the annoyance on his face, and tears threatened her big brown eyes. "Raman, woh traffic.." She started, her voice trailing away.

Raman saw the tears in his wife's eyes and cursed himself, striding to cover the short distance between them and taking her into his arms.

"Baby don't cry" he whispered, unmindful of Mihir and their public location. "I'm sorry. I just want everything to be so special today. Don't cry, please"

"Raman, chodo na"  ( Raman, leave me ) Ishita squirmed in his arms, tears forgotten,  as Mihir clapped and hooted.

"Abey chup" he told Mihir, still holding on to Ishita firmly "ab chal legar humko" (You stay quiet and  drop us off now)

"Raman, Mihir kyun?" Ishita asked in confusion as Raman settled her in the back seat of his car, before hoping into the front passenger seat next to Mihir. "Kahan jaa rahe hai hum?" (Raman, why is Mihir coming? Where are we going?)

"Airport" he told her briefly. " That's why I was anxious when you weren't on time" He turned around and gave her a look of contrition.

"Airport? But Raman, we just have one day. Where are we going?"

"I told you, it's a surprise. Don't worry, it's just a short flight. We will be back here tomorrow afternoon, and Mihir, Rinki and Ruhi will pick us up. Then we can spend the afternoon with them before we go home. Theek hai?"

A thousand questions swirled in Ishita's mind but she could tell from the devilish grin on her husbands face that he was not going to tell her more just then.

"Raavan Kumar" she muttered to his back, as he turned to face the front again.

"I heard that" he told her, turning back and winking at her. "Woh toh mein hoon" (That I am)

**********************************************************************************************************
The next hour passed in a blaze of confusion for Ishita.

Mihir dropped them off at a private airport on the outskirts of the CBD, and they were escorted onto a 10 seater private plane which Raman had hired for the occasion. They were greeted by the two pilots, one of whom gave them a short safety spiel before he joined his colleague in the cockpit, latching the privacy curtain closed behind him. He did not disclose anything about their location during his introduction though, and Ishita noticed the smile of satisfaction her husband gave the young man.

"Raman, bolo na, kahan jaa rahe hai hum, aur kitni expensive hogi yeh sab" Ishita whispered as she strapped on the seatbelt of her seat.
(Raman, do tell me, where are we going, and all this must be so expensive)

"I told you, secret hai yaar, aur hamesha paise ka mat soche" he replied in a strangled voice, beads of sweat gathering on his upper lip and forehead.
(I told you, it's a secret. And don't always think of money)

Ishita pouted and looked up at her husband, then gasped as she took in his clenched fists, the beads of sweat now falling down his face and the look of anxiety on his face.

"Raman, kya hua?" she asked, clutching at one of his tightly clenched fists, her other hand cupping his cheek. (Raman, what's wrong?)

"Nothing jaan" She saw the effort it took him to answer, and the reassuring smile he tried to give her, even as his eyes remained shut tightly. "It's just, I ... I hate flying, and especially these small planes. And take offs and landings are the worst. Just a phobia I have. Don't worry."

"Phir kyun Raman? Hum car se kahin chale jaate." She stroked his face gently, as she sought to calm him down.
(Then why Raman? We could've gone somewhere by car)

"For you" he replied simply. "I wanted everything to be perfect for you"

Tears filled Ishita's eyes as she managed to coax his fist open, entwining her fingers with his.  "I love you" she whispered.

Then ignoring the two pilots in the cockpit a few feet away, and the intrusive roar of the engines, she leaned over and covered her husbands lips with hers. She could feel him relaxing under her touch, as she continued to caress his face, her lips softly probing his until she felt him respond.

"What was that biwi?" he asked wonderingly a few minutes later, when the plane was airborne and she finally drew back, her ragged breath matched by his, her face flushed. He had opened his eyes now, and was staring at his wife intently, pulling her against his chest.

"That was a take off and it wasn't so bad, was it?" she asked playfully, snuggling into him. He tightened his arms around her and hid his face in her hair.

"No" he mumbled. "I think I'm just fine with flying as long as you are around."

**********************************************************************************************************
An hour later
At an unknown airfield

"Raman, this isn't fair. Blindfold kyon kia mujhe? Batao na, kahan hai hum?"
(Raman, this isn't fair. Why did you blindfold me? Tell me where we are)

"Shhh. You trust me, don't you?"

"Of course, Raman, but..."

"Then just sit back and enjoy the ride." And with that Raman tightened his hold on his wife, shushing her further attempts at speech.

He had insisted on blindfolding her when the plane had started to descend, despite her protestations and complaints, and even though his own breathing was growing laboured from the thought of the dreaded landing. She had tried during the hour long journey to get him to divulge their destination, but he had refused.

Then having blindfolded her, and regaining his composure after the perfect landing, he had insisted on carrying her down the planes stairs into a waiting vehicle and she was now safely enconsed in his arms, hidden from the chauffeur by a privacy screen, as the air conditioned vehicle sped away over what appeared to be very bumpy roads.

"At least tell me what the time is" she grumbled into his chest, her hands playing with the buttons on his shirt.

"It's just after eleven sweetheart"

"Don't sweetheart me, Raman"

"Naaraz ho?"
(Are you angry?)

"When will we get there?"

"Another twenty - thirty minutes or so"

"Don't talk to me"

"But you asked me a question jaan. I was just answering."

"Then don't answer" She sniffed and snuggled closer onto his chest, compensating for her lack of sight by ensuring she held on to him tightly.

"I'm sorry baby, I know you're angry, but you'll love the surprise. I promise you. And thank you for not taking off that blindfold. I know you are itching to"

"Only because you are making such a big deal out of this Raman. I didn't want surprises, I don't want anything out of this world or spectacular. I just wanted a day with you, just being with you" she shook her head, frustrated with the blindfold, frustrated at not being able to see him.

"I know baby" She felt his fingers trace the outline of her lips, before moving to caress her cheeks. "But I couldn't give you the wedding of your dreams. I couldn't give you the splendour, the enchantment that every bride expects and deserves. That's why I wanted to do something special for you today. So please, just humour me. We are almost there. And once we get there, for the rest of the day, for the whole of the night, I'm yours. We'll do whatever you say, whatever you want. I promise"

She felt his lips on hers, firm but tender and pushed him back. "Raman, aap toh kahin bhi shuru ho jaate ho." She hissed angrily. "Driver kya kahega?"
(Raman, you just get started anywhere. What on earth will the driver think of us?)

"There's a privacy screen madam, he can't see or hear us." She could hear the laughter in his voice. "But hello, who was it that was kissing me in the plane just a while back, hmmm? You're the one who gets started anywhere, my love."

"That was just to distract you" she sniffed, but settled back into his arms, leaning against his chest, but thwarting his attempts to kiss her, until the car came to a smooth halt.

He pulled away with one last caress and she heard the car door open.

"Khamagani sahib" She heard a rustic masculine voice say. "Sab kuch tayar hai. Aap bhojan ke liye tayar ho toh humme call kardijiye. Aap ki buggy parked hai, chabbiyaan andar hai. Kissi cheez ki zaroorat ho toh call kardijiye sahib"
(Welcome Sir. Everything is ready. Call us when you are ready for your lunch. Your buggy is parked and the keys are inside. Please call us if you need anything)

Ishita heard the mumble of Raman's voice as he moved away from the car. A few second later, she felt his arms around her as he bodily lifted her out of the car. Scorching heat assailed her as she came out of the air conditioned comfort.

"Raman, chodiye. Leave me, I can walk" She hissed furiously, her face colouring in embarrassment.

"Jaan, don't fight with me. Not today" His voice was silky, seductive, with an undercurrent of barely restrained desire.

"That accent. Aur yeh garmi. Hum Rajasthan mein hai na? Leave me, What will people think Raman" (That accent, and this heat. We are in Rajasthan, aren't we? Leave me. What will people think Raman)

"There's no one here. They've gone" he replied, his voice almost drowned out by the roar of the departing vehicle. He was walking as he talked and she now felt him stoop as if he was entering a doorway. The next moment she was in a deliciously cool space again, and she felt herself being lowered to the ground.

"Here" he whispered. "Let me get this for you"

She felt herself being turned around until she had her back to him, the fingers of one hand unknotting the silk fabric around her eyes as his other hand held her fast against him, his hard chest pressing against her back, her thighs snug against his.

She kept her eyes closed as she felt the silk drop away from her face, her heartbeat suddenly rising, her face flushed, aware of his closeness. There was a hush in the cool air, the fragrance of roses assailed her, and his essence surrounded her.

She felt his fingers softly caressing her eyelids, then dropping to her cheeks.

"Now jaan" he whispered, his mouth close to her ear, his hot breath fanning her senses further.

She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.

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

                        In lamho ki har daali par khil gaye
                        Phool kayi jab dil se dil mil gaye
                        Ankhen ankhon se kehne lagi hai
                        Ek nayi dastan

                        Halke halke rang chalke
                        Jaane ab kya hone ko hai

                        Saahil par jaise aati hai
                        Lehera ke mauje
                        Dil mein aayi hai umaange
                        Bheegi hawaaien gati hai
                        Meethi si dhun mein
                        Jaagi jaagi hai tarange
                        Ajnabi jo kal mille theh
                        Faasle unke kam ho gaye

                        Halke halke rang chalke
                        Jaane ab kya hone ko hai

                        Phoolon ke rooth mein
                        Bhawarein bhi deewane se hai
                        Kaliyaan khilti hai sharmilee
                        Ab zindagi ne oodhi hai
                        Ek mehki mehki chadaar rangeeli
                        Tumse milke saath chalke
                        Kya se kya dekho hum ho gaye

                        Halke halke rang chalke
                        Jaane ab kya hone ko hai

                        In lamho ki har daali par khil gaye
                        Phool kayi jab dil se dil mil gaye
                        Ankhen ankhon se kehne lagi hai
                        Ek nayi dastan