THE BLOOMING OF LOVE BETWEEN FORCED MARRIAGE

12. Goa Trip

         It was Sunday morning. A week had passed since their marriage. Rutuja was doing her hair in front of the mirror. She was starving after she kept fast all day yesterday. Rishikesh got up and she greeted him saying good morning. He said good morning back to her before going to take a bath. They were averting eye contact with each other as they both were too shy to look into each other's eyes.

Rutuja started to prepare breakfast. All of the family members were at the table even before they were called as they all wanted to eat. Rutuja served all of them then took a seat herself. After she finished eating and cleaning she started with lunch. Food was ready before 10 am. They had lunch early that day. There was silence between Rutuja and Rishikesh they were talking with each other as if each one of them needed to know something from the other.

The atmosphere was a bit tense and parents were worried about them. When Rutuja was done with the chores she went back to their room. Rishikesh followed her needing to talk with her. She sat on the bed quietly. She thought this was the reason that he didn't want to tell me about his mother's instructions. He got inside the room closing the door as he entered.

He came and sat down beside her. They were in complete silence for a few minutes. She spoke up first saying I am sorry for avoiding you as I did. He said, "I am sorry too I should have told you about that". She said, "It's fine if I knew about it at night I would have panicked there and then eventually. I need to learn to cool myself down. He took her hand in his saying I will be there for you from now on. She calmed down instantly when he held her hand.

Being near him had a calming effect on her. He asked her "Are you feeling fine now?" She said, "I am feeling much better now and I am really glad that I have someone like you beside me, who could understand me". He said, "I am blessed too as you are my wife". She got tears in her eyes when he said that and he gently wipe them. He said just think that our life took this turn for our betterment. She said, "You are right about that".

They were back to normal now. If parents didn't know what had happened they would have never noticed this situation. Mother was happy as they both made up with each other. They were talking to each other normally while they were having afternoon snacks. They finished eating snacks and were talking to their parents casually when the doorbell rang. Mother went and opened the door. It was the cameraman who had taken their photos at the wedding and reception.

He was there to deliver the album to them and he left as soon as he handed over the album to his mother in the doorway. Mother closed the door and came back to where they were sitting. Rishikesh received a message that some pdf was sent to him. It was a pdf file of the same photos. Parents excitedly browse through our photos telling them how good they were looking together in each one. They were watching the photos when they came across the photos taken in 'Jejuri".

They both didn't know that someone was taking their photos, they were too shy to notice. The photos taken there were adorable. Rishikesh and Rutuja both thought that they were looking good with each other. When they finished watching the photos they relax on the sofa. Their parents told them they had something to give them at which both got excited. Mother bought an envelope and handed it to Rishikesh saying Rishika asked me to give it to you.

He opened the envelope and saw two tickets for Goa's trip for three days. The plane tickets dated the next morning. They told their parents that they got tickets for the Goa trip in it and they will have to leave for the airport at 6 am. Parents said that's great go ahead and start packing now you will be going back to Mumbai directly after your trip. Both went and start packing their luggage. Rutuja was done with hers as she just had to put a few things in it. Then helped Rishikesh pack his stuff.

Later they checked the weight of their bags it was only 13kg and they could buy gifts for their friends as they were having enough space for that. They arranged their luggage on the corner of the room and went to the living room as it was past 7 pm. Mother had already started cooking when she went to the kitchen. She just helped her mother with a few things.

Then arranged the table for dinner. Mother called Rishikesh and his father for dinner. They came and we all sat for dinner together enjoying it like always. After the cleaning was done mother asked both of us to sleep early as we had gone to the airport at 6 am. They rechecked everything before sleeping. Rishikesh went to sleep while Rutuja was too alert to sleep.

Rutuja was ready before 5 am and woke Rishikesh up so he could get ready too. Both were ready till 5:45 am they had also bought their luggage and to the living room and checked it twice. They also made sure they had their tickets with them before getting in the car. Father drove them to the airport and they took their parent's blessings before getting inside.

It took about an hour for them to get checked in then they got on the plane. It took 1hr and 45miutes for them to reach Goa. They got off the plane and retrieved their luggage before getting out. Their tourist cab was waiting for them. They got in the car and were taken to the hotel where they would be staying. When they reached there they were given their room number and taken to their room. The person who accompanied them left after showing them the room.

They both let out a sigh of relief as the room had twin beds rather than having a king-sized one. Their room was on the fifth floor of the hotel. Rishika had chosen things carefully for them and they will have to thank her later for it. Both got fresh then went ahead and ordered breakfast through the room service. Their breakfast arrived in 10 minutes and they both sat down enjoying it together.

When they finished breakfast tourist guide arrived to take them around the place's tourist attractions. They visited five attractions including a beach that day while halting for lunch between them. They were back at the hotel by 8 pm. They got fresh and had dinner together then talked with each other casually about the things they saw today. Rishikesh became sleepy and Rutuja asked him to sleep. He fell asleep as soon as he got on the bed and Rutuja pull the comforter over him. Then turned off the lights and lie down on the other bed pretending to sleep.