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