Published on 21st March 2021.

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– S H R U T I –

"What's the hurry Mrs Shruti Randhawa?" Aditi said, blocking my way to the printer.

"Aditi, it's really urgent. Just let me print my document." I said but she was adamant on staying there. Having no other option, I ran towards other printer and connected my phone to it.

"You! Just tell me what's the urgency?"

"Rishabh wants to take me out. He would be there in fifteen minutes."

"You're going on a date?"

"Maybe." I shrugged and collected my sheets.

"Good. How long did your relationship progress?"

"It's going good."

"What do you mean by good? Have you both-"

"Aditi! Get a man for yourself and create your own story. Don't ask mine." I said and she narrowed her eyes. "I'll get going. It's about the time." I said and ran towards my cabin. Piling the sheets for tomorrow, I kept them in my drawer and locked it.

Picking my purse, I ran out where I saw Parth talking over phone in his angriest form. Usually, he has a cool head. But now, it was looking just the opposite.

I walked towards him and patted his back.

"What the-" He was about to shout, but when he saw my face, he cooled down. "What happened?"

"What's the matter with you? I'm seeing how you're behaving since yesterday."

"Nothing."

"Is it related to Aditi?"

"No."

"You're bad in lying. If you love her so much, just go and propose her instead of degrading your mood!"

"I don't love her. And let her be with whoever she wants to."

"He's Sahil."

"Whatever. Just let her follow that trash. I can't do anything if she doesn't believe her friends." He said and walked inside.

He says that he doesn't love her. But the way he said all those things, it was clear how jealous he was! He just doesn't admit what he feels for her.

He's a is stupid!

And I'm from the same category.

If I had enough will, I would've conveyed all my feelings to Rishabh in school instead of running away.

I walked out and saw Rishabh's car in the parking area. Am I too late? Running towards the car, I opened the door and sat inside. "Am I too late?"

"No. I just arrived. Let's go." He said and started the engine.

"Where are we heading to?"

"I don't have a specific place in mind. Let's see where we reach." He said and I nodded. "Did you have your lunch?" He asked and I shook my head in positive.

"Did you?" I asked and he nodded.

"What do you think about a movie?"

"Now?"

"Then, let's go out for some shopping."

Wait a minute!

Men too are interested in shopping?

As per what I've heard, they're always running away from such topics.

"What happened?"

"No... nothing. Let's go." I stuttered and he shook his head in disbelief. Driving to the nearest mall, he parked the car and we walked out.

Shopping for the groceries, we walked towards the clothings area. Seeing a few kurti of my type, I picked them up and checked myself in the mirror.

"Maroon one looks good." I heard Rishabh saying. I turned back and saw him selecting Kurtis.

He wears kurti?

No.

They're of my size.

"See this one." He showed me the one he selected and I couldn't help but smile at his choice. It was just the best I could ever choose. I never knew he has such a good taste.

"It's good. What about these?" I asked, showing him the ones I selected.

"Mustard colour would look good on you. And the olive green one is great too." He said and I smiled.

Going towards the essentials area, I picked a few creams and kept them in the trolley. My gaze went towards the sanitary napkins and the thought hit my mind.

My periods are about to hit.

And pads are almost finished.

Picking a big stock of sanitary napkins, I kept it inside the trolley and ran towards Rishabh who was busy checking shampoo for himself.

"Done?"

"Hmm. Let's go." He said. Paying the bill, we went back and he started driving. "What's the time?" I checked the time and it was almost six fifteen. "We can't go for movie now. What about a long drive?"

Long drive?

In evening?

"Okay." I nodded while buckling my seat belt.

We drove to different areas and the experience was mesmerising. He stopped the car in the parking area and I looked out at the night sky.

Picking a snack from back, I tore the packet and ate it.

Although we had eaten our dinner, there was still some space left for snacks.

"Me too." I heard his voice and looked towards him. He directed his eyes towards the packet and I passed it to him. While he was busy eating, I took my phone out to check the notifications. I know it's a bad habit but can't help.

"Let's go out." I heard his voice and nodded. I tried unfastening my seatbelt but failed miserably. "What's the... matter?" He asked while looking at my condition.

"My belt, it's stuck again." I sighed and he chuckled.

"It's just a belt."

"I'll hand it to you then." I said and he nodded. Nearing his hands towards the lock, he tried pulling the belt out but had the same fate. So, it's proved that nothing's wrong with me. It's belt's fault.

Even he couldn't unbuckle the belt.

Poor Rishabh!

I couldn't help but smile at his irritated form. "Just a minute." He said.

"Just admit that you can't." I said and he narrowed his eyes. Pressing the lock tightly, he leaned towards my side to check the root cause and to stretch more belt.

His face was just an inch away from mine.

Just an inch!

Just two point five four centimetres!

As he turned his face towards me, I saw his Adam's apple moving.

Was he thinking about the closeness too?

Nearing his face to me, his lips brushed with mine.

Was he even in his senses?

A minute more like this and my heart would come out.

I moved back on my seat but instead of going away, he leaned more towards me while looking keenly at my lips. All his movements were enough to erupt different species of butterflies in my stomach.

Just a moment more and I'll be in heaven after dying!

He pressed his lip onto mine and closed his eyes. At first, I thought that it was a dream and he would pull away soon, but all my imaginations were wrong.

Am I already dead to be in imaginary heaven?

Pulling my upper lip between his', he sucked it lightly and I closed my eyes. He held my face with his hand and caressed one of my cheek with his thumb while giving the best memory to my lips. And me too!

The proximity between us made me feel nervous, as if it's my result day. But at the same time, it felt safe and warm.

And now I know that I'm dreaming!

The lock of belt opened and interrupted our sweet torture, eventually ending it. We pulled back and he attached his forehead with mine.

"I couldn't resist anymore." He said in his attracting low-pitched voice. When I lost the touch of his contact, I opened my eyes and saw him sitting on his side. "Let's go. It's almost the time for movie."

I touched my lips with my fingers to think about the moment we shared a few moments ago.

It's reality!

We kissed!

We shared our first kiss!

On the fourteenth day after our marriage.

"Shruti! Let's go." I heard him saying and nodded. Opening the gate, I walked out and we went in together. Showing our tickets, we went inside the hall after buying a big bucket of popcorn.

A movie is nothing without popcorn.

As the movie started, I picked pieces one by one and munched them continuously. While picking another piece, I felt my hand touching a skin.

I looked towards my hand and saw Rishabh's hand beneath mine. I was about to pull it back but before I could do so, he tangled his fingers with mine.

I looked towards him, who was busy looking at the screen. He picked a popcorn with his other hand and smiled while eating it.

"You shouldn't waste the money spent for ticket. Looking at me can be done afterwards." He said without looking at me.

I turned my head towards the screen and continued watching the movie while feeling the warmth of his hand.

We were holding hands!

For the first time ever!

My teenager self has always wished about this.

And finally, it happened.

While watching the movie, I felt various motions in my abdomen. Was it because of my menses or him?

As the movie came to it's interval, we walked out and went to use the respective restrooms. Walking in the toilet, I closed the door and did my business.

Seeing the red sign in toilet, I sighed. My periods arrived! Thank God I checked it on time. My clothes are alright and aren't stained.

I didn't had a pad with me!

Shit!

Should I call Rishabh?

What would he think?

To hell goes his thinking! I can't stay inside like this, without a pad. Calling him is better than bleeding and ruining my dresses!

Pulling my phone out of my jeans pocket, I called Rishabh and he picked it up. "Hello, Rishabh."

"Are you still in the bathroom? Movie is about to start in a few minutes."

"Umm... actually... I...."

"You're alright?"

"I'monmyperiods. Canyougiveapadtome?" I said in my fastest speed.

"What? Can you be a little slow."

"My periods started. Can you bring a pad? It's in my purse."

"Oh, okay. Just give me a minute." He said before disconnecting the call.

But how would he enter inside the ladies washroom?

Hearing Rishabh calling my name, I slightly opened the door and saw him searching for me. How come he came inside the female restroom?

I leaned my hand out and he passed the pad to me. Quickly closing the door, I did all my work and came out after washing my hands.

Sigh!

As I walked out, I saw him waiting for me outside the restroom. "Thank you." I said.

"My pleasure. Let's go."

After the movie ended, he started driving back to home. I leaned back on my seat and closed my eyes while listening to the soft music being played.

✨

Seeing Rishabh pacing towards me, I took a step back until my back touched the wall. "Do you think I could control myself in this state?" He said, pinning me on the wall.

"What are you-"

"Shh..." He leaned towards my ear and whispered, "Shruti." Nearing his face to mine, he kissed me slowly while holding me tightly. "Shruti... Why don't you respond?"

What should I say?

I have no experience in kissing?

Leaning towards him, I closed my eyes and puckered my lips out. Sliding my arms around his neck, I pressed my lips on his'. He smiled and responded before moving towards my neck.

"Shruti!" I heard him calling my name.

Feeling something moist on my neck, I flickered my eyes open, realising that it was just a dream. I woke up from the dream and saw Rishabh's face just an inch beside mine. I leaned back on my seat and he too sat back on his'.

"I tried waking you up but... let's go. We've already reached." He said. We entered inside, only to be welcomed by an empty environment.

"Where's everyone?" I asked.

"I told you, they usually travel and stay out on weekends." He said and I nodded.

I walked to our room and entered inside the closet to change into something comfortable. Walking inside the bathroom, I stripped my clothes and wore the other pair.

While washing my face, I looked in the mirror and touched my lips.

We really kissed today!

We had our first kiss today!

As I walked out of the bathroom, my head collided with a wall called Rishabh!

And I was wondering why it didn't happen today.

"I'm sorry. I should've been slower." He said and I nodded. He walked inside to use the bathroom while I crawled over the bed. Lying on my side, I pulled the blanket and closed my eyes. After such an exhausting day, my system immediately shut off.

Feeling a warm body beside me, I snuggled more onto it to gain more of its warmth. As I felt a hand rubbing my scalp, I slipped into sleep.

I know, it was Rishabh.

And he's warm. Just like home.