THE BLOOMING OF LOVE BETWEEN FORCED MARRIAGE

11. Journey to Kuldaivat

     Rutuja was getting ready at 3:30 am. She thought it would be good to make something that they could carry during their long journey for eating which could be long-lasting. She decided on Kasuri methi paratha as it would last them for the day and they could eat it with or without pickle. She made the food packed readied the water can fill it with water. She was done with work in the kitchen till 4:20 am.

She decided to go and wake Rishikesh up. She went to their room and saw him sleeping peacefully. But, she would have to wake him up as they were going at 5 am and it was almost 4:30 am now. Rutuja whispered Rishikesh wake up otherwise we will be late while shaking him with his shoulder. He got up immediately and asked, "What time it is now?" She said it's almost 4:35 you need to get ready now.

He immediately got up took his clothes and went to get ready. They got to the living room while there were still 15 minutes left for 5 am. Mother had retrieved the things from the kitchen and asked Rutuja surprised "When did you manage to do this?" Rutuja just smiled at them and said early morning. Father and Rishikesh were surprised too as she had considered all the things before she made that.

The driver had arrived 5 minutes early and father and Rishikesh were putting luggage in the trunk leaving foodstuff and water beside us. It was a seven-seater car so we all were comfortable. Parents sat behind the driver and Rutuja and Rishikesh were sitting together in the back seat. While they were going to be in the car for at least 15 hrs Rutuja was thinking about things she could do at this time.

She thought they could watch a movie together or even listen to songs. She asked him about it and they decided on watching a movie together. She took out her earphones as not to disturb their parents. She plugged the earphones and they took one earbud each. They were sitting close to each other as not to disrupt each other's hearing. They watched the movie together till they both got hungry and wanted to eat breakfast.

He asked his parents could we eat our breakfast now. They agreed and decided to stop somewhere so we could eat. A few minutes later the driver parked the car near the petrol pump as the place was like a small hotel there were shops nearby so we could buy things too. We decided to eat our breakfast first then look around the place. They finished breakfast and decided to get some fresh air. Rutuja and Rishikesh bought a few snacks to eat on their way.

When they were done they filled fuel into the car and went ahead. Rishikesh fell asleep on Rutuja's shoulder while they were watching a movie. She closed the movie and gently removed earphones from his ear. Then switch on the songs listening to them while looking at Rishikesh who was sleeping peacefully. At the same time, she was more alert about her surroundings. Parents were adoring the two of them together.

At noon they stopped for lunch Rishikesh was awake by that time. Rutuja had taken a photo of him while he was sleeping on her shoulder and smiling about it. He asked her "Why are you smiling?" She said, "I just looked at a cute photo of yours that is why I am smiling". He asked his mother "Did you show her any embarrassing photo of mine?" She said, "No I didn't laugh". Neither Rutuja nor his mother was answering his question straight.

He finally turned to his father and asked him "What were they laughing for?" His father said Rutuja had taken a photo of you while you were sleeping on her shoulder some time ago and they were discussing how adorable you look in it. With that, Rutuja and his mother burst out laughing. Father laughed along with them. He said father, not you too pouting.

He asked her to show him the photo that she took. But, she didn't want to show him. His mother asked her to show him. She couldn't refuse her and show him the photo. He looked at the photo getting annoyed but when he saw her peacefully smiling face in the photo while he was sleeping. He went from annoyed to affectionate in a second. He told her I will let you keep that photo as long as you don't embarrass me with it and send it to me. She said I accept both things and I have sent that photo to you. He didn't say anything more on that.