7. The Proposal

Baffled and mystified, Niki stood still. She was still unsure if this was happening. Ashish was proposing her.

“OMG! Why do you shock me all the time Ashish?”

“Just to see that bemusing look you give when shocked. LOL.”

“This is serious Ashish. Every time, every moment, you keep amusing me. With you I feel like may be I am always surrounded with the cloud of perplexity.”

“Now here, this stupid talks later. Getting on to some serious business.

Ms. Nikita Gupta, I, Ashish Saxena, your best friend for college and now your boyfriend for few months, would like to take this alliance a step further into the institution of marriage.”

Niki chuckled.

“Hey this is not fair. M into a serious thing yaar.”

“You are sounding as if you are presenting a project report in a meeting.”

“All I want to ask is will you marry me? And you are making fun of my statements. It took a lot this time ag….”

“I would love to marry you.”

“What???”

“YES! I would love to marry you.”

In a state of Euphoria, Ashish couldn’t think of anything else. At first when he told her that he loves her, it took a lot guts. This time it was sureshot yes but then it did take pains to ask coz it was a fragile thing.

Nikita questioned, “I have a query. After just three months of a relation or so, isn’t it pretty early? I mean ofcourse that’s the destiny. But don’t you think we should have let the time pass?”

“umm I don’t think so. We know each other a lot. More than anticipated. Coz we are together since 5 years or so. And then we would even need time to convince our parents too. So early action will reap early results!”

“Very thoughtful Mr.HR.”

“Oh in the rains n all coz of you, I forgot the ring.”

He took out the ring and asked her for the hand. She held back.

“Now what?”

“I will wear the ring in front of our parents. Like in an actual ring ceremony.”

Ashish was okay with it. After all they wanted it all to happen in the blessings of all. He just din’t want to stay away from her for long.

This monsoon was way bit special for both. Their first monsoon showers in the arms of each other. Tender rains and soft breezes at the mountain cliff with fresh greens all around. Through college years, they had been on outing with each other alone, but never felt so special. They craved to meet each other even then, but now they knew the reason too. The sounds of nature were distinctly heard coz of the silent clasp she was having in his arms.

Since it was a rainy day, the place din’t see much of crowd. So it was just the love birds and the mother nature. Ashish came up with yet another crazy idea.

“Let’s dance!”

“What???? I think I should take my yes back. You are insane. Dance? In rains? On roads? Without music? What kinda lunatic idea is this?”

“Hey c’mon, it’s not the first time m asking you to get crazy. And if you remember, everytime I did so, you have enjoyed it to the core. Let’s not waste time. About music, my car is well equipped to play music. That’s sorted. And about rains and roads, that seldom matters. People don’t even know us here. C’mon be a sport.”

She din’t have an option but nod to him. He played her favorite number, ‘I just wanna spend my life’ and they moved to the tune. Easy n cosy they were relishing every bit of that song. Even the lyrics made sense at that situation. He took out his cam and captured the moment. This was just the moment every gal thinks of. Nikita was lucky to have a guy like him to savour her, love her and care for her. And she knew that.

“Now that’s all. We must leave now Ashish. We have our workplaces to take care of and besides I don’t want you to fall sick. We will go back. I have a flight to catch.”

“Why do you need to leave? Please don’t.”

“Look at the brighter side. I get to be shocked every time and you can enjoy that.”

“That does mean I am again to do thinking stuff for you. Gosh! So much work.”

“What do you mean? After we are together, are you not going to surprise me? That’s rude.”

“Oye…Not like that. But I don’t want you to go.”

“Behave practical. And let me. Besides we have to tell this to our parents too. Soon”

“Soon” Ashish smiled.

They left the hills, bearing in minds that this was THE place. Indeed the place was beautiful. And with love like this it transformed into a heaven on Earth.

They soon reached the hotel, packed and moved back. Ashish played all the songs she loved throughout the journey to keep her smiling. She relaxed and went to sleep carrying that smile.

Ashish was content. He loved her so much that even a small bit of thing that could make her happy was in his agenda. Right from the colours she likes to the food she eats, every bit was taken care of all the time without her notice. She was a special person. And a special person should receive an extra-ordinary treatment. She had changed him a lot in the college itself. The arrogant brat that he was, changed to a calm n soft spoken person. No one else but Niki could do that for him. And so he wanted nothing but her happiness.

They reached Bangalore and he woke her up.

“Time to go! It’s your flight in 2 hours. Lets have something so that you don’t stay back hungry.”

Niki unwrapped herself of the coat and asked Ashish to come closer. He went near and she embraced him tight. Hugged him and kissed. “This has been an amazing weekend for me. And to tell you, I LOVE YOU a lot. I LOVE YOU more than life itself. You are the best thing that could have happened. Thanks!”

His arms were the safest place on this earth for her. Her head rested on his chest. And she sought it to be the best pillow.

“Getting romantic eh! See I told ya. Stay back.”

“Not at all. I am leaving.” She shrugged

With sadness evident,” Okay! Let’s have something and then you may leave.”

“That’s like a good boy.”

They went to the airport restaurant and ordered. He went to see her off in.

At the final call, Nikita turned back, “I want to be with you right now and forever. Times are not allowing. But not long. I am telling this to mom in a day or two. And even you should. Remember ‘soon’. “

Ashish hugged her again, “Yeah!”  J

6. First Showers

Weeks went by… Both Ashish n Nikita din’t find much time for each other coz of the work in their respective places. They could hardly manage talking to each other for some 10mins a day just to make sure each is fine. But they enjoyed missing each other equally. It was the trust they had which kept the things moving smooth for them. Of all college times, they had learnt trusting each other even over the trivial matters.

It was June 1^st week. The forecasters had anticipated rains in the town soon. The excruciating sun had raked all the energy and vigor to work. Everyone was looking out for a break. It was then, Ashish worked out a weekend plan to catch up with Niki and go to Mysore. Mysore as known is one of the most gifted nature’s abode. He told Nikita his wish. Longing to see him since 2 months now had made even Nikita restless. It was as if she was looking out for a way to catch up with him as early as possible. The idea gave her a spark and she immediately agreed.

Finishing off the office chores, Nikita packed her sack and rushed to the airport to board the plane to Bangalore on Friday itself. Since the last time he had made it special, she wanted to surprise him. So she din’t inform him about being there a day earlier. As soon as she landed at Bangalore, she made a call.

“Hey there.”

“Hi dear, wassup?? Back from work?? N packed for tomorrow?? Had food???”

“Stop, stop! So many questions at one go. Okay so lemme answer. M amazing as usual n yes back from work. Packed for tomorrow too. Food…ummm…I din’t.”

“And why din’t u have it then?”

“Coz I thought may be you might be hungry too to eat with me tonight.”

Ashish was bewildered. “You gotta be kidding me lady. You are here??”

“Yes Sweetheart! M here and waiting at the airport for you to pick me up.”

“M coming, m coming.”

He rushed like anything. Rushed to the car and drove to the airport as fast as he could. She was suppose to be here, true. But right now… he was taken back.

At the entrance she stood, waiting for him. He came out of his car and hugged her 

bigtime. He was superhappy to see her and yes without expecting her to be here so soon. He soon took her with him and the first thing they did was have some food. 

At the restaurant they sat.

“Why do you do stuffs like this Niki?”

“To amuse you Ashish and moreover prove you that it’s not only going to be you always to shock me.”

They happily munched something. With a toast of wine Ashish asked her, “so lady, now that you are here what are we suppose to do? Staying back and sleeping is not my cliché. We’ll hang around and then may be early on we can move to Mysore as planned.”

To that Niki answered,” Since this was not the part of the actual schedule, why don’t we change it a bit and drive through night to reach there well before time so that we can enjoy the early chills.”

“It’s pretty hot out here man! I don’t think there’s going to be anything like ‘chills’”

“Let’s give it a try dude.”

“Alright then, let me pack and we’ll move.”

They went to his apartment, where she met his room-mate Akash. He was a colleague to Ashish at the firm. He was a cool and a friendly person. Nikita felt at home that very instant. He was fun to talk too.

He packed and they were all set to move.

It was 12 at night, the distance was 91 miles. 3 hours was the minimum time they would need. So he decided on some sleep coz it din’t make any sense driving and reaching there at 3 in morning. She was a bit reluctant, but agreed onto him later.

They both relaxed uptil 2 and then moved.

Rushing through the night, they drove to Mysore and reached. It was still dark. They knew checking in at this time would be of no use. And so they drove all the way to the nearby waterfalls of Shivana samudra. It was 6 by the time they reached there.

With the first sunrays falling on the water and beautiful melody of the fall, the place was astonishingly splendid. It was the first time they were gazing at nature in such a beautiful way. The water seemed white as pearl. Though it was summer, the water levels had not receded much thankfully. It was a treat to watch. Nothing seemed special to them when it was the company of each. But this was blasting. It made the togetherness feel more beautiful.

“I wonder if nature has more miracles to show. Coz this is a treat in itself.” Ashish said.

“Nature is a treasure dear. Everytime you wanna explore, you’ll get something new and more beautiful. You never know what we encounter tomorrow is something extraordinary.”

They sat for a while gazing at the falls and the trees nearby. In each other’s company they forgot the World, but this made them feel special and more close but not forget it. “Love is a nature’s gift. If we forget nature in the context of love, we may surely land up in a trouble.”Nikita stated.

Ashish was a bit confused. “Enough of philosophy. And I guess u need rest. Lets look out for some place to rest so that we are fresh by eve again.”

On this note, they left the place, picturing the beauty in their eyes. They reached back Mysore and checked in a hotel to freshen up, have food and relax. They spent the whole day sight-seeing the place and then slept early as they had to leave early for B.R. Hills.

Heard from somewhere, this place had a beautiful wildlife sanctuary. But the love birds were least interested in it. They wanted to be to some good place. And Bili hills were the best they could find. On the way to the top, it was getting cooler and windy. The sun was no longer evident and dark clouds paved way in. slowly as they moved, they felt the drops of water on the wind shield as well as inside the window. Soon they knew, it was raining and they were the first showers of the season.

It was as though the wishes of Ashish were answered. He wanted to get drenched in the 1^st rains with his love. He suddenly stopped the car in the midway. Niki got puzzled. “Why are we stopping here?”

“Lets enjoy rains.”

“Are you nuts dude? It’s middle of the road and we have a way to go.”

“Do we actually need to go there? What we wanted was time with each other. And I don’t think that needs a destination per se. just get out of the car coz m not driving further.”

She did exactly what was asked to. He took her hand and they went to the other side of the road. Standing on the stone there, they saw a breath-taking view of the hills. Lush green sceenary, beautiful mountains, awesome mild rains and cool breezes. They couldn’t have asked for more than this. A panoramic view of the hills was the nature at its best shot.

Nikita was enjoying the rains on her cheeks pretty much when Ashish came down on his knees again. She opened her eyes, “You don’t need to ask me out again. I have already said a yes.”

“This is different Niki.”

And he came up with a diamond studded ring in his hand.