THE BLOOMING OF LOVE BETWEEN FORCED MARRIAGE

13. Learning about Each Other

          That morning when Rishikesh woke up he saw Rutuja tying her hairs up into a bun after oiling them as they were going to the Beaches today and she didn't want to get her long hairs damaged by the seawater. Rishikesh took a shower and got ready to go. Rutuja asked him, "Do you want me to oil your hair?" He said, "Sure go ahead". He sat down so she could oil his hair. When she was rubbing the oil into his hair. He felt as if his mother was there doing that for him.

When she was done they went to the ground floor of the hotel so they could have breakfast. Rutuja was as excited as a child to visit the Beaches. Their breakfast was filled with excitement. When they finally went to the beach they enjoyed doing things like skiing, windsurfing, etc. She also enjoyed building sandcastles and swimming with him. She would always find little things and enjoy the moment she was living.

Even though she was worried about the things that would happen because of her. She didn't let Rishikesh notice her worry. She did a really good job at hiding her misery behind the facade of a cheerful girl. But, sometimes her eyes would betray her showing glimpses of her true self. Rishikesh never failed to see that side of her. A side which she never enclosed to anyone other than her best friend and brother. Rishikesh wanted to know more about her.

Rutuja knew what he was thinking about her. She wanted to let him know but, was scared to do so. She had noticed that Rishikesh knew that she was alert about the attacks all the time and couldn't sleep because of that. But, he was too kind to ask her anything about it. He had started falling for her the day they met and each day they were coming closer to each other. He would always look at her with affectionate eyes and she didn't want to dare look back into his or she would spell the truth to him this very second.

They both kept their thoughts to themselves and enjoyed the four Beaches they visited that day. They came back tired after having so much fun together. They went to their room and Rutuja went to take a bath first while Rishikesh was finding his night clothes. Rutuja came out a few minutes later drying her hair with a towel and asked him to go and take a bath. She sat down on her bed tying her hair with a towel and listening to the music while Rishikesh wasn't there.

She was engrossed in her music when Rishikesh came out. He sat down on his bed and called room service to bring them dinner but, she didn't notice that. He decided to tease her a bit and went near her bed without making any sound. Then, pulled the towel from her hair and let them fall. In no time long hairs were cascading down her back. That suddenly jerked her out from the songs she was listening and she turned around to see Rishikesh laughing at her reaction.

She kept her phone down on the bed and took her towel back from him. He laughed at her again saying you look like a ghost with your hair in front of your face. Rutuja said, "First you tease me and now you are calling me a ghost, I will take my revenge". She said picking pillows and throwing them at him laughing. They were fighting with pillows at that time the doorbell rang Rishikesh went and opened the door while she tied her hair.

It was room service, they had arrived with their dinner. They took the things from the person who came to deliver dinner and sat down together to have dinner. It was fun to understand each other and knowing about different sides of them. They were enjoying every moment of their time together. They finished dinner and since it would be their last day tomorrow they could do anything they want. It was really good because Rutuja wanted to buy gifts for her friends. She also had something more in mind to make their last day special.

Rishikesh said as it will be our last day we will talk about each other first. She was fine with it so they agreed on that. As they needed to talk about the work especially about her work. They watched a movie together before he went to sleep. Rishikesh was thinking about making her sleep tomorrow after they finish talking in the afternoon. As she refuses to sleep at night might as well let her rest during the day. If she didn't rest it was going to affect her health. With that in mind, he went to sleep.