Shiv 

The inflight announcement woke me up with a start. I found myself at her shoulder and her just smiling down at me. Shikha, no Anjali, Anjali you moron! Told you to remember that name. "We are almost there. Look the island is already visible." Her voice was filled with excitement. I smiled at her and straightened up, shook my head a couple of time left to right and then up and down. Something had happened last night! I had woken up at the slight movement of Anjali on our bed being the light sleeper that I am. My rather sleepy self was almost going to call her out as "Shikha" when I had realized what blunder I was about to make. I was so startled that I couldn't sleep for a long time after that. This was something that I was scared off for a very long time now, accidentally calling her as 'Shikha' and offending her. 

Right now, Anjali was peeping outside the window like an excited child and my heart warmed up for her. This was the first time that I had seen a little bit of 'bachpana' in her and I wanted to see more of that given how happy she looked now. She excitedly took out her phone and took pictures.

bachpana = childish behavior

After a couple minutes, the flight was descending and Anjali immediately grabbed the seat bar straightened up. I chuckled and held her hands, "You know, you can hold my hands instead of this bar." 

She laughed and then said, "Sorry, landings still make me jittery." 

"Not when you are with family." 

"No, but certainly it gets more jittery when I am with you." She lowered her gaze staring into her own lap. How can someone be this sweet!  

"Hmmm. Let's work on making you feel less jittery when you are with me." I teased her.

This trip was going to be a memorable one! I wish I can take away some memories from both our pasts on this trip.

***********

It was nearly 4 in the evening when we reached our resort. After checking in, one of the resort staff was walking us to our private villa/suite that was to open up directly in the ocean waters. The resort staff took time to show us around to where the private resort beach would open up, the resort spa area, the resort beach dine out and finally the resort gym. I saw Anjali looking at me teasingly. Oh, that wife of mine was in some holiday mood today! I nodded looking at her thinking of making her go to the gym with me during this trip. 

We finally then walked over to our own private suite that was booked for us. It was a beautiful private suite that was accessible via a walkway created by the resort. Our private suite was a part of a collection of some 20-25 suites that could be seen as an extension of the resort directly into the ocean. The reception staff had informed us they were more honeymooners like us and that there were going to be special dinners and cruise that will be arranged for all couples.

Anjali 

Shiv tipped the staff that carried our luggage to our suite and we finally took charge of our suite. It was such a big suite that for a minute I thought this would be the size of my entire maternal home in Mumbai. There was a little foyer with a two arm chairs and a coffee table. There was also a couch here with a television set hooked up on the wall. Behind the wall, was the actual bedroom suite with a super king size bed which was directly opposite the floor to ceiling glass doors which were open and all we could see was the beautiful blue green waters. The highlight of the room was definitely that it opened up to the waters. There was an entrance to another room which was basically our ensuite bathroom with an open tub close to the waters where two lounger chairs were arranged for the room inhabitants to enjoy the scenery.  

My jaw nearly dropped open when I saw the transparent shower cubicle. How was I going to take a shower here? There was so much light in here and everything was very clearly visible on the inside of the shower cubicle. I turned around to look at Shiv and who was sheepishly smiling at me.

"Shiv, this shower area is.. Ummm and where is the ummm toilet area?"

"It's a honeymoon suite, madam. Ab bolo. Gym me bahot hasi aa rahi thi aapko?" 

Now tell me. You were smiling a lot in the gym

He stood there rooted at his place as though a transparent shower cubicle and an all open bath tub was pretty normal.

"Couples loose all boundaries between them on honeymoon. Don't they?" I looked at him wide eyed but he just shrugged his shoulders. What had gotten into him?! Why was he acting like that. 

He walked over to stand very close to me. I felt my heartbeat rise and I felt guilty of teasingly smiling at him when the staff was showing us the gym area. Maybe, he was angry!

He put his both hands on my shoulders, "Mazak kar raha hun. Don't worry. There is a door to this room so you can close this whole bath and change area room. The toilet is on another side of this area with a closed door. Also, the shower cubicle can be covered with curtains."

I am only joking

He must have sensed my anxiety build up as he said, "Calm down. I had seen the room layout in the brochure earlier. I will bring your luggage in and you can freshen up first. Ok?"

I nodded and he smiled. The same smile that always made me melt into a puddle. "Hmmm. Shiv, sorry about teasing you in the gym."

"Ji Haan. Uski to saza aapko milegi Mrs. Raheja. Iss jacuzzi mein." He pointed at the bath tub and I knew this time he was joking! So, I gave him a smile. "So, this is a jacuzzi, not just a bath tub?" 

Yes, You will be punished for that Mrs. Raheja. In this jacuzzi

I saw him bringing in my luggage to this room. He was chuckling as he neatly kept my suit case on one of the shelf in the wardrobe. "Nope, it is a jacuzzi and I am not joking this time." He then winked at me and left the room before closing it first.

What did he mean by that? May be he was just teasing and making me feel as though he wasn't? 

I took my clothes and went to the shower cubicle and there were indeed curtains that could restrict visibility and light. It actually became too dark in the shower but then instantly light came on and I figured it must be a sensor. People made everything smart these days ! 

I came out wearing a floor length long red summer dress that had little yellow flowers and green leaves printed all over. I did pack salwar suits, a couple sarees and finally a couple of long dresses. This particular one was sleeveless and it made me uncomfortable to be around Shiv in this so I simply pulled out a light brown shawl and draped it over my bare hands. I had definitely packed a shawl and a sweater as Pooja had said, the islands tended to get breezy in the evenings.

I opened up the door to the bedroom and found Shiv on the phone. From the few words that I heard, he was talking at home probably letting them know we have reached safely. He saw me and winked and soon he put the phone down. "You look beautiful! I'll go freshen up too. We should then figure out lunch/dinner. I informed everyone home that we reached and also asked Papa to call your parents to let them know as well in case your phone is out of network. The network is a bit shaky out here. " 

I nodded at him when my phone rang. I saw Pooja's name and he smiled, "Hey, it's working. Talk to Ma and Papa, ok? This must be Pooja?" 

I nodded and smiled at him and he smiled back and walked to the changing room. I, on the other hand was immediately excited to talk to my bestie. 

"Hi, Mrs. Shiv Raheja!" Pooja squealed on the phone and I giggled. 

"Hi Pooja."

"How are you? Reached safely, right? Any progress between you two? Kiss?" She threw a bunch of questions at me.

"Slow it down, Pooja. We just reached. I literally just changed and Shiv is in the shower now. But, it is sooo good here. The weather is amazing and our room! Pooja, it is a villa, it is so huge and views are breath taking."

"Wow. I am so jealous. Spend good time with him. With the kids, it is so difficult to get some alone time." She was in her rant mode again. 

"Ok ok. Don't say anything against those beautiful angels of yours." I said in a commanding tone. 

"Ok ok Maasi ji, I won't. I called up Aunty to just check on her this morning and she was so happy and sounded content on the phone. She even said that Shiv called her Ma at the airport? Ani took a good 3 years to finally address my parents as Ma and Papa." 

"Hmmm. Both me and Ma were looking at him wide eyed when he said that. He is a really nice man, Pooja. I can't even say how comfortable he has tried to make everything for me. You know what." I continued telling her about the neighboring aunties and how Dadi replied to them and how Shiv exactly comforted me. Pooja was my best friend. I should have probably held back this but I didn't even think before blurting out. She obviously sang praises for Shiv's family and Shiv. 

"Listen Anjali. If he is initiating physical contact, don't hold back. Just give in. Show him you are okay with it. He deserves it." Her tone was full of concern.

"What do you mean Pooja?"

"He is holding your hands, you hold them too. He is kissing you on the cheek, you kiss him to show him appreciation too. He will know you are okay with whatever he is doing. Did you take the two pieces of the lingerie we got for you?" 

"I did hold his hands all by myself you know. I will try doing other stuff Pooja but I have absolutely no confidence of wearing the lingerie. I got them but it just haunts me way too much." 

"Ok ok. Talk to him about it. He'll understand. He'll find a way, you know the honeymoon period is important and very crucial too. Don't hold back if he is initiating it. I am not scaring you and he is a very nice person but still. You are getting me, aren't you?" 

I nodded and hummed in response. We hung up soon as the network wasn't really the best. I sat on one of the lounger chairs close to the waters trying to get some network to make another phone call to Ma. Ma and Papa both must be so happy seeing me all happy and excited and most importantly with my husband. Shiv just made their day by calling my mother as 'Ma'. Manish has broken me so much though. How am I supposed to build my confidence.

 While I was so buried in my thoughts, I didn't fail to notice there was a coffee maker and all essentials needed to make coffee. I walked over and poured some water and coffee and started the pot. I always loved making coffee in the hotel rooms. It was never great and I was a tea person but having the ability to make coffee in the room really excited me each time I was in a hotel room.

I didn't even realize when I had poured down a cup for myself and started sipping. I was standing by the large deck area that opened up to the waters when I heard Shiv clearing his throat. He stood next to me and crossed his arms over his chest and started staring outside too. He was wearing a dark blue pyjama's paired with a white shirt.  

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" He said looking thoughtful. 

"Hmmm. It actually is heavenly. It's so calm and serene here. But Shiv, this must be really expensive and taking such a gift from Shivani Di.." He cut me off.

"Don't worry. I'll find a way to repay in a different form. Jeeja and I share a different bond but behen ke ghar se le kar main bhi kahan jaunga." 

where will I go after taking so many valuable gifts from my sisters house. Kind of like not accepting gifts from one's sister or a home in which a family's daughter is married. 

"Ok. Next time, we get to talk to them, I'll thank Shivani Di and Jeeja again. This place is lovely." I said and I really meant it.

"You are drinking coffee. I want some too." He turned to face me and I turned in return to face him as well. I nodded, "I made some. Let me get you a cup from the pot. It should be all hot as I left the machine on for you." 

He took one step towards me and he was now standing very close. "I want this coffee." He pointed at my cup.

"I will get you fresh from the pot. It's the same." I tried passing a smile. His proximity was definitely affecting me.

"I want this one. It should have your taste too, right?" He raised his eyebrows at me and then lifted the cup from my hand to his own lips but stopped right there..

"Come on, there is nobody today. Help me?" And so, I helped him take a sip. He then made me sit next to him on the lounger chairs and stared at me. 

"I wanted to make sure you feel less jittery around me." He then chuckled at me. 

"Shiv, thanks for making my parents day. Pooja tells me they are very happy." I confessed to him.

"I didn't do anything. The priest said, what is yours is mine too and what is mine is yours too. So, your parents are my parents too, right? And I didn't lie at the airport. I had been missing my own mother and I do love besan ke laddu."

I hummed in response. I stared at me and it wasn't wrong if I kissed him on his cheek right now, was it? But I was too late and buried in my thoughts as he spoke up.  

"Har insaan me thoda bahot bachpana hota hai. I saw a glimpse of 'bachpana' today and it was adorable. I want to see more of it. Hmm?"

I lowered my gaze immediately, "Wo to kisine maar diye mere uss bachpane ko. What you see now is little bit of what is left." 

"Then, we will work on getting it all back. We both need will need to put in some effort." He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and I leaned on him. 

"Sorry, Shiv. May be you should have married a young girl like all those aunties were saying. One without a baggage." The words escaped my mouth before I realized it. 

"No no. Don't even recollect those things, we are out of Mumbai and in Mauritius. Just focus on this day! Today! The day infront of us." He squeezed my shoulder. 

A few minutes passed in silence. "Come." He said unwrapping his arm and holding my hand instead. 

He walked me to the bedside and hooked up his phone to the speaker. "Shiv, what..." 

I tried asking him but was cut off again "Shhh...Give me a min." He was finding something on his phone it looked like. Soon, the room was filled with light music. "Dance?" He held out his hand infront of me. 

I smiled at him and put my hand in his. His left hand on my waist and right hand in my hands, he swayed to music and I followed him. It was nearing sunset and so warm orange light filled our room through the large doors as we swayed to music.   

He was an excellent dance partner, not that I had danced a lot with a man but it just seemed effortless with him. It was although an effort to keep up with his intense gaze. 

Song credits to makers 

A/N- I absolutely adore this song and feel this is apt for ShivAnjali :) 

All my days are spent

All my cards are dealt
Oh the desolation grows
Every inch revealed
As my heart is pierced
Oh my soul is now exposed

In the ocean's deep

In the canyon's steep
Walls of granite here I stand
All my desperate calls
Echo off the walls
Back and forth
Then back again

To believe I walk alone

Is a lie that I've been toldSo let your heart hold fast
For this soon shall pass
Like the high tide takes the sand

At the bitter end

Salt and liquid blend
From the corner of my eye
All the miles wrecked
Every broken step
Always searching, always blindNever fear. No, never fearNever fear
No, never fear

So let your heart hold fast

For this soon shall pass
There's another hill ahead

The song changed one after another and we danced till it was almost dark in the room. We then stopped as Shiv said he will go and get the lights. 

Shiv returned back and stood opposite to me"That was nice, haan? I hope you will dance with me again, my lady! " He winked at me and then bowed a little like they do in classic old English movies gesturing respect for women. 

I smiled and did something very bold. I walked upto him and leaned up and kissed him on his cheek. Since we both were on tall side, I didn't even have to make so much effort leaning up. He engulfed me in a hug and I felt him breathe on my shoulder. 

We remained in that hug for quite sometime. We broke apart as we heard his stomach growl. He looked at me almost embarrassingly. I chuckled and requested we order food in the room itself. He was ok with it as we both were too tired from the travel and had many days now to explore the resort and other things to do on the island. 

********

We had dinner of pasta and ceaser salad along with fresh juice. We put everything by the foyer and made sure the door was locked from inside. Shiv then also closed the large floor to ceiling doors in the bedroom and also the bath and change area and finally sat  on the bed next to me.

"Shiv, what if there is a high tide and the water enters our villa?" I was starting to panic as everything felt extremely quiet and being born and raised in a city like Mumbai, this kind of silence was scary.

"Don't worry, we are very close to the shore and the resort staff already checks for weather and high tide days." He said calmly sitting on the bed. 

"Shiv, what if thieves or other criminals come in?" I knew this wasn't possible but once you start feeling scared, I guess there is no stopping it. 

"Anjali, this is a privately owned resort with plenty of security. I think the silence is definitely affecting you. Come, let's watch TV for sometime." So we sat down on the couch and turned on the TV.   

He was flipping through the different channels when we finally found FRIENDS , the TV show on one of the channels and we both responded to it so he increased the volume and we began watching. Shiv then spoke up, "Anjali, if you feel uncomfortable after tonight, let's move to another room in the resort?" 

"Shiv, I am definitely scared but it will get better. I will hold hands with you." I raised my eyebrows and he chuckled. 

"Sure!" He already interlaced our fingers and sat next to me. 

"It's a little cold" Saying so, I pulled open the shawl I was wearing and wrapped it one more time expanding it to its full breadth. I then scooted to sit close to him. I was doing a lot of daring acts in a very little time. I smiled at myself. 

He nodded and I felt his arm around me one more time. Honestly, for me it was the most intimate moment already. Watching television sitting this close to him while he was holding me felt very coupley things that I had only watched in movies or read in books so far. 

"Isn't this the same episode where Ross says the wrong name at the altar?" He asked me. 

"Hmm, this is also the same episode where Chandler and Monica ummm..."

He chuckled, his laughter was infectious, "Oh right, they do it! Don't they on Ross's wedding day?"

"Hmmm" I nodded in response.   

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

Shiv

Waking up early in the morning, Anjali and I decided to explore the resort premises in daylight. We walked down the little walk way to main resort side where the restaurant was situated. Anjali was starting to feel comfortable with me. Last night, when Anjali kissed me on my cheek, I blushed like a 20 year old but at the same time, I was happy that she was beginning to appreciate me and my gestures. She was comfortable hugging me and she was also comfortable holding hands.

Anjali was wearing a black and yellow long dress which completely covered her arms and legs. It was actually good that the dress covered her so much as the island was breezy and the sun during the day was going to her a tan. I, on the other hand was wearing a grey color pants and black shirt to co-ordinate with her a little. We had breakfast in the resorts dining area that opened up to the island beach. We could see various water sport activities being lined up for the day. We decided to cover water sports another day as today we felt like exploring the island and its main attractions. 

We checked in with the resort travel desk and booked a whale watching tour for both of us. It was supposed to be a lunch tour as it started around noon time and served lunch first and then dove into the various lagoons and coves where most of whales and dolphins could be spotted. The resort staff said it would take us end to end 7 hours to complete this kind of tour. 

I held Anjali close to me on the ship as I saw her feeling a little nervous but excited. She was so interested in taking photographs that I could very well say today was the second in two days that she was felling all chirpy around me. 

BBQ lunch was served as we got onboard and the ship started sailing towards the deep waters. We saw humpback whales, happily sprinting dolphins and many other fresh water fishes that were swimming on the top close to the waters. Anjali and I took pictures of each other and even managed a couple of selfies. Finally we found someone who took our picture together and a couple also requested us to take their picture. 

It was already dark when we we anchored back to our pickup point which was our resort's beach. Anjali and I were so exhausted after the day's adventure that all we decided was to get back in our suite and rest for sometime before thinking of dinner. 

"The dolphins were so cute but the whales were scary." Anjali said as we walked back to the resort. 

"Nah, the whales were cute too." I said

"No, they were scary, so large and they swam freakishly. What was cute in it?" 

"Didn't you see the smallest in the pack? Sure, it was a little big but so am I, and I am cute, no?" I asked her teasingly. 

"Umm, the whale was not cute. It made me fear them a lot more now that I saw them in real life. As for you, who said you are cute?" She asked back with curious blinking eyes. 

I slowed down my steps so she appeared to be infront of me, "Come on, I am hurt at that. I thought I atleast look good. Like, just the face." I faked disappointment and saw her laughing. It started to rain slowly on the island as I felt rain drops on my face and she squealed. 

"Let's go back." She called out and started to almost run to the walkway that led to our suite. "Ah haan, I have the room key. I am not going anywhere till you tell me what you think of me." I took slow steps but did not run for I was in some teasing mode. 

She on the other hand turned, "Shiv, let's go to the room first. It looks like it will come down pouring." She wasn't wrong and so I took a couple large steps and caught hold of her wrist. 

"Room, then!" Saying so, we both ran and reached our room with Anjali squealing and laughing next to me. 

I used the room card to open up the main door and we both ran inside. Closing the door, I turned around to see her laughing hysterically, "Kya hua?" I asked

What happened

"The way we ran, I haven't run like that in years!" there were droplets of water all over her face and her hair which was resting on her shoulders all day were seemed to be wet too. I was definitely drenched, well not drenched because we ran as soon as it started raining but I was very much wet.

I walked up to her with the same kiss scene in my head, "We will create a lot of memories, ok?" She nodded at me, I took another step closer to her, "So, now tell me what do you think of me, am I cute or no?" 

I could practically feel her uneven breath as she looked at me. "You...You...." She was mumbling.

"What Anjali? Say it" I nudged her further as I stared into her deep black eyes. 

"You are very very cute." I found my lips curving into a smile and her's curving into shy smile. She was about to lower her gaze and her face too but I put my hand on her chin and made her look at me. 

A few seconds later, my lips landed on hers........

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

Thoughts?

Like the honeymoon destination? How do you think Shiv and Anjali are progressing on their honeymoon? 

Do vote and share!