Published on 18th May 2020.

__________________________

Period cramps are hilariously painful!

Especially, when they are late.

Plus the mood swings.

And you know you could shed tears anytime and anywhere!

Happy reading!

♡I don't know what it is but I got that feeling

Waking up in this bed next to you swear the room,

Yeah, it got no ceiling.

If we lay, let the day just pass us by

I might get to too much talking,

I might have to tell you something.♡

– S H R U T I –

When my work was finished, I looked around and saw the atmosphere tensed. What has even happened to our years-long friendship?

"I'll get going." I said in a high voice, in hope to attract someone's attention. But all was in vain as she was still busy with her work.

"Happy Diwali in advance." Parth said and I smiled, mumbling same to you.

I walked out of the firm and saw Rishabh's car already parked there. He's way too punctual for me! "What are you thinking? Do you want to walk to home?"

"No..." I sat on the passenger seat and he started the engine.

"Want to have some snacks on the way? Or should we go home and eat our dinner first?"

Snacks.

And I could feel my mouth watering.

"Picking snacks on the way is a better choice." I said and he shook his head while smiling. "Did something good happen today?"

"What?"

"You're smiling without any reason. So, I thought..."

"Our project is going in the positive way. It would take just two or three months to release it in the market."

"You're excited?"

"Ofcourse. Is that even a thing to ask?"

"Oh. Can I ask you something?"

"Ofcourse. You don't need permission for that." He smiled and I could sense myself melting. Why is he so sweet?

"If you didn't choose the jewellery designing line, what do you think you would've been doing now? Any other hobby?" I asked and he sighed.

"I don't know. Although I love volleyball, I can't see my future in it. Maybe, I'm made for designing. What about you?"

I know he loves volleyball.

He was the school team's captain afterall.

"I really don't know. I don't even have any such hobby."

"You could've been a chef. You cook great food."

"I'm flattered." I narrowed my eyes and he giggled.

Although I can cook easily, I never really thought about it!

"And we're here." He stopped the car and said, "You can stay here. I'll be there in a minute." He said and I nodded. He walked out and I closed my eyes to rest for a minute.

Just three days are left for our one-month anniversary!

As I heard the door of driver's seat opening, I opened my eyes and saw him sitting on his seat. He forwarded the plate of momos to me and I gulped my saliva.

The smell of red chilli in chutney was just driving me insane!

Washing my hands, I dipped a momo in chutney and stuffed it inside my mouth. Although it was way too spicy to handle, I loved it.

"Is it good?"

"Hmm... Ofcourse." I said, with my mouth stuffed with the momos and he grinned. "But how did you know I like it?"

"Really? I like them too." He said and I smiled. "Samosa?" He asked and I shook my head in question. "I bought some samosas too."

"Good." I said and we finished everything together.

✨

It was Diwali today and everyone was excited. Ofcourse, it arrives once in an year. The house was shining with all the lights. Overall, everything was beautiful.

Plus, it was my first Diwali here.

"Shruti, it's your first Diwali with us. You should light the diya." Ma said and I widened my eyes in realisation. I don't know how to light a matchstick. How will I do this?

Take a deep breathe and do it.

Before I could pick the matchbox, Rishabh sat beside me, covering our hands from everyone. He rubbed the matchstick over the side of box and it immediately caught fire. He lit the main diya with it and sighed.

"Why did you do it?" I whispered. How come he knew it?

"Shh... We can talk later. Concentrate here." He said as we stood up for the Aarti. When the Aarti was over, we did the Puja and headed for dinner.

Thank God no-one saw how we changed our places!

"Can you pass that dish to me, Shruti?" Ma asked and I nodded, putting it on her side of table.

"Rishabh, why did you light the diya? I was supposed to do that." I leaned towards his side and whispered in my lowest tone.

"It's alright. Whether it is done by me or you, it's the same." He said and I sighed. So he didn't knew! "Also, I know that you don't know how to use the matchstick."

"How did you-"

"Don't ask me how. I just know."

Okay!

He saved me today.

Finishing the dinner, we all stayed up until we felt it was too late.

"Shruti, are you there? Help me. I'm stuck." I heard Rishabh's voice as soon as I stepped in the room. The kurta he was wearing was stuck over his chest and head. I walked to him and saw the buttons of his kurta undone.

Poor Rishabh was struggling for nothing.

Seeing him wriggling, I held his arms. "Calm down." I unbuttoned the three buttons and stepped back, to give him space to let him take off the garment.

"Thanks." His face changed from frustration to smile.

"How come you didn't unbutton it?"

"I wear this occasionally, and forgot that it has buttons too." He sighed and walked in the closet to pick a t-shirt. But, to be honest he was looking pretty hot all this time. The way his kurta hugged his muscles, I could feel butterflies in my gut.

I AM SUCH A PERVERT!

In thoughts to change my clothes, my legs involuntarily stepped towards the closet. As I opened the door, I saw Rishabh standing only in his boxers, searching for his pyjamas.

Seeing his muscles moving in accordance, I gulped hard.

The sight was just too sexy!

My goodness!

As he turned towards me, realisation struck me. Shutting my eyes with my hands, I turned my back to him. "I'm sorry."

"It's o-"

"I promise I didn't see anything!" I said and walked out, closing the door on way. Speaking truly, the last time I saw him semi-naked like that was when he had just a towel on.

But today, he was in his underwear, barely saving his modesty!

But what would he be thinking?

Ofcourse, that I'm a pervert!

"Aren't you going to change?" I heard his voice becoming clearer as he walked out.

"I... I was about to go." I said and turned around to go, only to be hit by a wall on my head. I lifted my head a little up and saw Rishabh's t-shirt infront on me.

He held my shoulders tightly and stepped back. "Calm down. It was just an accident. I'm not going to eat you up."

"I know."

"Go and change. It's getting late." He said and I nodded. Undressing myself, I wore my comfortable pyjama and shirt. Using the toilet, I walked out and saw him sleeping on his side.

Sigh!

Getting under the sheets, I switched the lights off. Feeling Rishabh's arm slithering around my waist, my eyes closed in an instant. Maybe, that's what warmth and peace of mind is!

✨

"Shruti!" Hearing ma calling me, I walked towards the dining table and saw ma setting the table.

"What's the matter ma?"

"Can you please call these two stubborn men here? Rishabh is always engulfed in his work. Your papa is nowadays busy in his new hobby, gaming. I don't know what to do!"

"Papa play games? Video games?" I chuckled and she shook her head in positive.

"Now go and call them." She said and I nodded before walking inside to call them. Although it was difficult to call them to breakfast, I succeeded. As our breakfast was about to be finished, ma interrupted. "We're going out."

"I have a match in evening." Papa said and ma glared.

"We'll go out in an hour and that's final. We can't break our years long ritual for your video game." Ma said and papa sighed in defeat.

As said, they went out in an hour and Rishabh and I were the only ones left.

"Shruti?" Rishabh called and I hummed. He was busy in his work and I was in mine. "Would you like to go out?"

"But your work?"

"It's not urgent. It can wait."

"Okay. Where to?"

"Nowhere particular. Let's get ready first." He said and I nodded before walking to the closet to get ready. Changing my clothes, I walked out and saw him ready with his jacket.

Stepping out of the house, I saw a bike parked.

"Are we traveling out on this bike?"

"Hmm..." I sat behind him on the motorcycle and he started it. Speaking truly, it had been a long time I went out on a two-wheeler. It feels great.

"Where are we going?"

"Wait."

"Tell me!" I asked and saw his head moving in negative. This man! He stopped the bike infront of an amusement park and I widened my eyes. "Amusement park?"

"Hmm... Let's go."

Amusement park!

Dangerous rides!

"Can we change the destination?" I asked and he made a face.

"Nobody is going to kill you. Relax." He said and I took a deep breath. Going through all the formalities, we changed our dresses and went to the rides.

I unwillingly sat beside him in the drop tower and locked my seat. As the ride started, I took a deep breathe to calm myself down. Seeing Rishabh's hand beside mine, I grabbed it tightly and closed my eyes.

Although I was scared, I didn't want to look weak in front of him.

But what could I do when I have Acrophobia?

When I felt the ride ending after a long time, I opened my eyes and unlocked my belt. Before I could take a second to have peace, Rishabh pulled me towards another ride.

No...

And I went through hell many times in the name of pendulum ride, roller coaster and I don't know what.

"You're okay?"

"N... Yes. I'm perfectly fine." I said and ate another bite of my lunch.

"I'm sorry." He kept his arm on the table and leaned towards me.

"For what?"

"I didn't knew that you were scared of heights. I shouldn't have brought you here."

"It's alright. I'm fine." I said and he smiled. "You have a bike. Shouldn't we go out on a bike trip?"

"Ofcourse we should. That's a great idea!" He exclaimed. Finishing our lunch, I took the front seat while he sat behind me. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Don't worry when I'm here." I said and started my adventure, that is riding the bike.

Riding bikes was something I always loved.

It's fun and adventurous!

As I increased the spread, Rishabh held my waist and pressed the spot tightly to stop me. "Slowly. It's not even a month to our wedding and you want us to die?"

"No-one will die. I'm experienced in handling bikes."

Even before learning the mechanism of scooty, I started handling bikes. It was natural and easier to me.

On the way, it started raining.

Rain during sunset!

Ending the journey on a good note, we reached home, drenched in rain.

"I should've taken the car. It was safer." Rishabh mumbled and I heard it.

"Were you scared of high speed?"

"What do you expect me to say? You were rash driving." He said and threw the towel towards me. "Go and take a bath, or you'll catch cold."

"And you?"

"We can't share the same bathroom, can we?" He asked and I shook my head in negative. "I'll use other bathroom. Go." He said and I nodded before walking inside the bathroom.

Was he teasing me?

Who knows!

Stripping myself, I started the geyser, but to my dismay it didn't start. What the hell! I walked towards the door and slightly opened it. Peeking out, I saw no-one.

And I thought that I could ask Rishabh if there was some problem!

And I took the bath with cold running water which made me a walking popsicle inside out. Water was freaking chilled!

Wrapping the towel around me, I walked inside the closet and picked a thick loose t-shirt with a pair of leggings. Wearing everything over me, I tied the towel around my hairs and walked out to the living room, searching for Rishabh.

When I found him in the kitchen, I was shunned.

There's no relation between Rishabh and kitchen!

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to cook." He said while wiping his tears because of cutting onions. The t-shirt and trackpants he was wearing was acting as a second skin to him. His hairs were still wet because of the shower. His muscles were...

Girl!

You need self-control classes!

Seeing the dark pink onions, I knew what the cause was. "Wait a minute! Don't cut the rest." I shouted and he nodded. Exchanging the onions with light-pink ones, I wiped his face and told him to start.

"What's the difference between them?"

"You'll know."

Completing his work with minimal amount of tears, he stepped back and sighed. "That's what you meant?"

"Hmm. These onions don't make you shed much tears compared to the purple ones."

"Thank you for your knowledge. You can go and sit. I'll handle everything."

"You're sure? It's the matter of our dinner." I widened my eyes and he hummed. My gaze went towards his phone which was leaned against the wall, with cooking video paused. "I'll go then. Best of luck." Showing him my thumbs up, I walked out and switched the TV on.

I hope I get a proper dinner tonight!

Distracting my mind in numerous things for forty minutes, I heard Rishabh's voice, saying that dinner is ready.

Sitting on my chair, I took calculative glances of the so-called dish before tasting it. Digging my spoon in it, I slipped it inside my mouth. As it touched my taste buds, I knew that I couldn't hold in.

Déjà Vu.

Once papa tried making our dinner, giving a kitchen leave to mumma. And from what I remember, the dal he made was too salty to gulp. But, nevertheless he tried, and that was enough!

And today, it was the same.

Seeing how Rishabh was waiting for my reaction, I couldn't speak ill about his cooking. Atleast, he tried.

"It's great." I said and he grinned. He took his spoon and ate the so-called dish prepared by him. And, I could do nothing but wait for his reaction.

He scrunched his nose and took the glass filled with water, gulping it in a go.

Poor Rishabh!

"Why didn't you tell me it tastes horrible?" He asked.

"It's alright. I'll cook something else."

"No, wait. I'll do it."

"You won't. I don't want to become a patient of food poisoning." I said and he narrowed his eyes.

"Would instant noodles work?"

"What?"

"Yes it is. Sit down and relax. I'll be here in ten minutes." He walked to the kitchen, leaving me dumbfounded and scared at the same time. I hope I get a proper dinner tonight!

〰️⭕⚫⭕〰️

YOURS, WITH LOVE

Thank you for reading.

Vote, and comment....