Along the Lines of Love | ✓

Chapter 46 : Just Couple Things

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tera milna hai uss rab ka ishaara,

maano mujh ko banaya tere jaise hi kisi ke liye

♪

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Nikhil sat up with a yawn. His sleep cycle had gone for a toss. He heard sounds. He rubbed his eyes, grabbed his glasses and wore them. Sharanya was nestled up inside the duvet, fast asleep. She had really enjoyed the midnight mass. She was so curious, so cheerful and so excited about the traditional Christmas celebrations.

He got off the bed and walked to the glass door that led to the balcony. He drew the curtains away peeping out. It was raining. As another yawn escaped his mouth, he walked back to the bed the looking at the time. It was five in the morning and it was pretty dark outside. He slipped back into the bedcover and looked at her sleeping peacefully, until slumber took over again.

* * *

Sharanya sat on the edge of the bed staring at the sweater she had bought for Nikhil while she was shopping for herself before the trip. She tapped her feet on the carpeted floor having second thoughts as usual. She had specifically bought it as a Christmas present. It was deep greenish grey sweater. On the top portion it that a horizontal board patch of white on which two reindeers were weaved with a Christmas tree in between.

She looked up, not ready to face him, as he stepped out of the washroom. She took a minute to look at him. He wore black trousers and a plain grey t-shirt. She wondered why she thought buying him a more cheerful sweater was a good idea. She still hadn't gotten around to giving him the t-shirt she had bough him the other day after their hospital visit. She kept postponing it to later.

She caught his gaze looking at her then at the sweater she had laid out on the bed beside her. She looked at the sweater she had bought. It was cute and could definitely make a man look handsome and... in Christmas spirit.

"Uh," she got to her feet and grabbed the sweater. "I bought this for you. I uh... it's Christmas so I thought...," she shut her mouth as he looked at the sweater taking it in bus hands.

That look probably meant he didn't like it.

"You don't have to wear it. I mean I just bought it cause I liked it. Doesn't mean you like it too.. " She had gone from talking to babbling.

"No, it's um, ooo-- nice. I will wear it." Saying that he gathered it pushing the neck hole through his head. "Uh, Sharanya, I think this is a size smaller," He said struggling to put the t-shirt through his head.

"No, It's your size." She said, her hands reaching the sweater to help him push it down. In no time, the sweater had easily slipped down through his neck. He looked at her as she rolled down the sweater. "There, you look nice." She said with a bright smile.

"Thank you," He said.

Sharanya nodded pulling back her hands. What was with her hands finding ways to touch him!

* * *

Sharanya watched Nikhil as he picked out a cucumber from the salad plate and popped it in his mouth. He was acting differently since the morning. She assumed it was due to lack of good sleep. But now it seemed to be more than just that.

They had first visited the famous Buckingham Palace but only from outside and then spent time in the Hyde Park. It was a fascinating place in the heart of London. The sunshine after the morning rain had made the lush greenery even more soothing. Given that it was Christmas, the city was in great spirit. There were smiles, laughter and fun all around.