14 | Impassioned Proximities

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Bade Log: Elders

Chota Packet Bada Dhamaka: Someone who is small/young, but has a big impact.

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Happy Reading!

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Riya's Pov

Flustered!

Nervous!

Giddy!

Jittery!

Blushful!

And million distinct sensations have been experienced by me in the last ten minutes, from the very moment I had said 'Yes' to this alliance.

Though I was pretty confident while saying giving my affirmation to mom and dad, but the moment we came outside the room, this confident and fearless Riya turned into a nervous wreck and flustered mess in just a matter of few seconds, especially when I felt a restless man staring expectantly at all of us, especially me, for an answer.

However, the moment Paa announced our decision, I smiled inwardly as I sensed his dimpled smile from the corner of my eyes, which he was miserably failing to suppress.

*****

After the announcement of our decision, Aditya and I took blessings from our elders, and later all the bade log comfortably seated themselves in the living room and began talking about politics, business, country, inflation, and what not!

While I went to the kitchen with bhabhi, to make the necessary arrangements for tea and snacks.

As I was pouring tea into the cups, Isha, Aditya's younger sister entered the kitchen and hugged me happily, all the while gushing,

"Bhabhiii!! You know I am so happy that finally, I'll be having some woman power on my side from now on! Otherwise, Adi bhai and Kunal bhai leave no stone unturned to tease me or pull my leg! With you by my side, at least Adi bhai will keep his mouth shut!!" She exclaimed, pouted, while I blushed at her comment, incapable to form any coherent reply.

"Also you know I am doing Fashion Designing, so I'll now have my permanent shopping partner who will give me some honest opinions about materials and designs. Otherwise, all other oldies at home, say yes/good/ beautiful to everything I choose, without even sparing any glance at it!" She huffed, dramatically rolling her eyes, while Bhabhi and I chuckled at her words.

My sister-in-law was surely Chota Packet Bada Dhamaka!!

Our conversation was interrupted when mom called for me from the living room. Picking up the tea tray, I reached the living room, when I heard Ayansh bhai,

"Riya, our families are planning to do the Roka today itself, Will it be okay for you if we do it today? Because after this week, no auspicious thing should be done concerning work or relationships for next one month. Otherwise, marriage still has time, as both the families need to talk to Pandit Ji regarding auspicious dates."

I was completely okay with the Roka done today as I know it is quite difficult to travel almost 7-8 hours for Aditya and his family from Delhi to Hoshiarpur for this ceremony that too within 3-4 days. Also, there was no reason to say no, as we both had already said yes to this alliance. Sooner or later it has to happen.

Before I could reply, Aunty, Aditya's mom said politely,

"We'll have no problem beta if you need time for Roka to be done. We'll be okay with whatever you decide. Don't shy away or feel awkward while saying no, in case you don't feel ready enough."

My heart warmed at this and I smiled hearing her and responded, "Umm No aunty, I am okay with the Roka done today, rest is all upon the elders."

*******

Currently, Aditya and I were asked to sit beside each other, while mom and aunty went to the kitchen for making the required arrangements for our Roka, while all others were occupied discussing the future course of action.

I was again busy dodging any eye contact with him, courtesy to my conscious self, thus focussing my whole attention on the dining table.

Oh! such a beautiful piece of furniture!!

"You are happy with the alliance, Right? If you feel the decision for Roka is rushed, you can tell me. I'll talk to Dad." Aditya whispered, leaning his head a little towards me.

My lips quirked up at his words, as again without making any eye contact with him, I replied slowly "Hmm I am okay with Roka done today. Don't worry. And Yes, Aditya I am happy. You?"

"Very." He replied immediately, making me smile, and straightened at his seat.

However, after a few seconds, he again leaned towards me and spoke in a hushed voice "And stop shying away from me now! If you think by avoiding eye contact with me you can hide your crimson face, then you really need to do something of that little shy smile playing on your lips, that has not wavered off since the last thirty minutes." His teasing grin was crystal clear visible from my peripheral vision.

I internally facepalmed at his words, and if I was blushing before, then now, my blush-o-meter surpassed the highest level of blush anyone could have ever adorn.

I really need to do something of this blush and stupid smile, otherwise, I don't know how much more in the future I will embarrass myself in front of him!

Before I could reply anything, Kunal spoke playfully, switching his eyes between Aditya and me,

"God! Bhai and bhabhi, your Roka hasn't even done yet, and you are so engrossed in each other, Talking. Blushing. Smiling!!" He looked at others, and said, smirking "Youngsters these days I tell you!! Was one hour less for both of you that you couldn't even wait for the roka to be performed and then finish your gushy-mushy talks?!" He shook his head animatedly while Aditya passed a glare at him, muttering Idiot and everyone heartily laughed at our expense.

And I? For the nth time today, I sat with my head bent down, shutting my eyes tightly, internally facepalming, to hide the blush and mask the embarrassment I felt at his words.

My parents are in front of me for God's Sake!!

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After his teasing session, our tilak was done by applying sandalwood paste and rice grains on our foreheads by both of our parents. Later Aditya's mom placed a red dupatta on my head, along with shagun and dry fruits on my lap. This was followed by us taking blessings from all the elders by touching their feet.

"Bhabhi welcome to the family!! Your devar is always at your service from now on! And yes, also remember, I am always going to be at your side from today itself!" Kunal spoke playfully, animatedly bowing his head, and hugged me from the side, eyeing Aditya challengingly, this was followed by a thrilled Isha declaring "Me too, Me too!" taking me into a bear hug.

I giggled when I heard a scowling Aditya mutter Traitors beside me, but that radiant smile on his face, couldn't be missed.

Henceforth, this little low-key Roka ceremony with just us families marked the beginning of our new life.

Together.

*****

Aditya and his family were preparing to leave for Delhi when our sleeping beauty Avyukth finally decided to wake up from his four-hour long nap. Hearing him cry incessantly, Bhabhi rushed upstairs immediately towards my room, to comfort him as he needs no one but his ma-ma as soon as he wakes up!

My baby missed my Roka!

Currently, I was looking at all the gorgeous dress designs Isha had made, on her phone when after a minute or two, my phone pinged, with bhabhi's message summoning me to come upstairs.

Entering her room, I saw her pacing around, patting avyukth's back, and my groggy nephew cocooned in her arms, chanting ma-ma, occasionally rubbing his eyes.

Sprinting towards them, I kissed his chubby cheeks while bhabhi slapped on the back of my head, as she scowlingly spoke in a hushed voice, chiding "Stay here and don't speak anything, unless I ask you to."

With this, she descended the stairs halfway down, leaving a confused me behind, and called rather loudly,

"Aditya?

"Yes, bhabhi?" I heard him say.

"Um I guess your car keys are upstairs in our room, can you get it, please? I have to look for Avyukth."

"Uh, Ji bhabhi" He sounded perplexed?

Hearing her, I started looking for his car keys in her room and when I found none, I began to vocalize "But bha...." My words halted as I saw her rushing back to the room, all the while glaring at me as if I have committed some murder, and slapping her forehead, she spoke exasperatedly,

"You both are sheer dimwits!! Bufoons! Idiots! Bring some adventure in your life, my innocent sister-in-law! God! What should I do with the both of you? At last, I have to set this up, otherwise, he would have left without meeting you, and you would have let him." She spoke in one breath, shaking her head as if she was so done with my naivety.

My mouth parted in an 'O' as realization dawned on me. I pouted in defense and before she could resume her scolding session, our eyes fleeted to Aditya who stood at the threshold, awkwardly, looking flustered.


Moving towards him, she said to avyu, "Avyu, see your Fu-Fu!" Hearing this alien word and seeing an unfamiliar person, avyu looked at Aditya with his big doe eyes as if recalling if he has ever seen him.

When Aditya spread his arms in front, to pick him up, avyukth blatantly ignored the invitation and nestled himself in his mother's arms, hiding his face in her neck, and observing him from the side of his eyes.

Laughing at his antics, bhabhi said to Aditya, "He's just sleepy, Don't worry he'll come around, and when he'll come to know you, he's not going to leave your arms at any cost."

Switching her eyes between Aditya and me, she chastised, keeping her hand on her waist "And you two, show some guts, and talk!! Your roka has been done, initiate some conversations and try to know each other, and don't act like hero-heroines of the 50s era, all shy and nervous! I'll be downstairs and come fast. Enjoy!" With this, she dashed outside but not before winking at me.

*********

After she left, we both stood there rather stiffly, occasionally glancing at each other. Whenever our eyes would meet, we would pass a nervous smile and again begin to glance here and there.

And I was looking at bhai bhabhi's room as if it's the first time I am seeing it.

I don't expect from my introverted self to utter even a word, make the first move to talk, and break this awkward silence, but at least he should say something!

"Umm So.." He cleared his throat, his voice anxious, as he leaned against the cupboard sideways, with his arms crossed.

"So.." I spoke, expectantly rubbing my forearms.

Scraping the back of his neck, he spoke, a little apprehensive and flustered, "Uh I guess I am qualified now to ask for your number?" He sounded as if he was asking himself more than asking me.

Biting my inner cheeks to stop smiling at his nervousness, I teased "Are you by any chance shying away Mr. Aditya, asking for my number?" I raised my eyebrows at him innocently, while he gaped at me, his mouth a little parted.

"You know I don't understand that, how you were so practical when you were asking questions from me, then you became a blushing mess and shying queen after our yes, and now your words are laced in nothing but pure cheekiness. So many variations in your behavior, that too in just a few hours. Impressive!" He spoke amused, half raising his eyebrows.

"These are different shades of Riya Gupta!! Don't worry, you will get to know me soon!" I spoke playfully, reciprocating his tone, biting my lips, and he shook his head, laughing.

"Sure Sure!! That's why I was asking for your number!" He passed his phone to me, gesticulating to feed his number.

Taking it from his hands, I punched my number on his phone and saved it, and also gave a call to myself.

My heart missed a beat merely at his touch when our fingers brushed the second I handed him back the phone.

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Aditya's Pov

Our fingers brushed ever-so-lightly and our eyes locked the very instant she returned my phone, as we gazed at each other, unblinkingly. Even it was just for a few seconds but this moment felt incredibly surreal and positively soothing as if time has stopped, and there was no rush, no hurry.

Nothing else mattered to me except this moment with her almond eyes boring into me, with shyness and confidence reflected at the same time.

Goosebumps erupted on my skin even though there was no physical proximity between us, but I felt a lot closer to her emotionally, maybe because I knew now that she is the only one I am ever going to feel this way with. Our breathing was soft and rhythmic, and my insides churned as her shy expression melted into the same magnetic smile that has managed to take my breath away, the very first time I saw her. Without any physical intimacy, this moment felt far more intimate and special, which I guess no other intimacy could ever match.

Maybe this was the charm of arranged marriages that everyone talks about, you feel thousand unfathomable sensations at every firsts, that first meeting, first talk, first smile, first touch, first eye contact, and many more. You cherish every little gesture and relish every moment.

Our moment interrupted and the trance broke when Bhabhi called for Riya from downstairs. She looked away embarrassed biting her lips, while I raked my hands through my hair to pacify my racing heart.

"Message me when you reach home." She spoke softly looking at me, while I nodded smiling.

I straightened and we started moving towards the door, when suddenly remembering something, I stopped her,

"Riya?"

"Hmm?" She responded, whipping her head towards me.

"Uh, would you mind if I take a photo of both of us?" I asked, doubtfully.

Her face turned into her signature shy smile, as she shook her head, and whispered gently,

"No"

My heart plummeted and throat constricted when we stood a little close to each other, our arms brushing lightly, with both of us smiling softly, and blushing discreetly looking at the front camera.

How I don't want this moment to ever end! With Just us, and nobody else, a peaceful mind, a happy heart, her beautiful shy smile, and of course Her.

I clicked our picture and said, my eyes darting to her,

"Done. Let's go now." she nodded.

We moved downstairs to see everyone was already outside. We made our way towards the front door,

"Bye" I whispered stealing a glance at her.

"Bye" she smiled warmly, looking at me.

We both took our blessings from our elders, while Isha and Kunal hugged Riya, and I flicked Avyukth's nose to which he giggled merrily. With some last-minute conversations about the next meeting for fixing wedding dates, and mom asking Riya to come home soon, I made my way towards the car and settled on the driving seat.

After everyone settled inside the car, I revved the engine and stole one last look at my wife-to-be to see her already looking at me softly. Giving her a discreet smile which she reciprocated, I drove off with the newfound happiness and contentment within me.

One thing I was sure of, that my life has changed for good after today!

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Heya dear ones!

Do you believe in the concept of emotional intimacy? Or is it just physical proximity that matters? Share your views!

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