Amor Vincit Omnia

Chapter 2

The rain was waning down. Both of them reclined on the bed listening to nature's rhythm. The black mole on her right cheek caught his attention, the one he kissed by the poolside. He lifted his head and gazed at his wife in his embrace. Without exchanging words, he slowly leaned down to rest his lips on her black mole.

Khushi froze beside him; she tentatively turned her face to meet his eyes. Their noses touched, warm breaths mingled. A sudden gust of cold wind streamed through the open window, leaving her body in cold shivers.

He gently reposed his head to the region between her neck and shoulders and dropped a small peck on the junction. A chill ran down her spine, although not caused by the winds this time. He rubbed her arms to dissipate the shivers left by the coldness that enveloped them in its frigid yet cozy embrace. Khushi raised her left arm around him to rest on the back of his head. She slowly caressed his soft hairs lulling both of them to a dreamy trance.

Faint kisses were felt on her face and neck before the last fragments of consciousness left her.

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Khushi woke up to indistinct voices reaching her from a distance. She jolted on the bed as soon as the reality of the situation registered and frantically searched for the absent man whose warmth she can still sense, on her. She hurriedly wore his shirt over her torso and ran to the entrance imagining the worst.

Arnav stood at the threshold talking to an old man wearing a woolen cap and worn out muffler. She took a minute to catch her breath and made a beeline towards her husband. He might have felt her presence for he stopped the conversation to look right back at her.

'My wife,' Arnav gestured to the old man.

The old man was already looking at her. His eyes were kind, Khushi thought to herself. Even if he wasn't, they did not have an alternative to fall back on.

'He says that there is a village nearby. We can get a ride to the city from there or contact Aman.'

Khushi nodded in affirmative, still not quite sure how to perceive this unforeseen succor.

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The old man navigated them through the forest. Khushi and Arnav followed him not exactly cognizant of where the walk is leading to. Arnav kept an intentional gap between the man and them, attentive of every movement around him, just in case the man charges back to attack.

They reached what seemed like an outskirts of a village. Small tea shops and grocery stores were in the vicinity. The sight of other villagers was indeed a welcome change. At least, the anxiety surrounding the old man was mitigated. Some curious eyes did fall upon them and all Arnav could hope was to get his wife and himself to safety before the kidnappers could get to them.

The walk party stopped before a two-storeyed house; one of the decent ones in the village.

'Rani...'The old man called out.

A woman in her early forties opened the door. She was about to say something when the sight of two strangers behind her father piqued her curiosity.

Understanding her unsaid question, the old man said, 'They have to travel back to the city at the earliest. Get some food for them.'

'Ji Baba' the lady said with a confused countenance. She ran her eyes over the couple's appearance.

Khushi smiled awkwardly at the lady. Her red suit was wet and dirty. Her ever fastidious husband's attire and looks were not very appreciable either. But, he did have a handsome face that can compensate the messy look. Arnav's voice brought her out of the stupor.

'Can I have a phone? I need to make a call.'

'Sure, my grand daughter owns one. I will ask her to bring it to you. you two can freshen up until then.' He turned but paused again to speak.

'I am the village physician. We will maintain a garb that you are here for ayurvedic treatment and that your vehicle broke down, as people have already taken notice of you two. The clinic is nearby. People from the city do come here for treatment sometimes. It's not safe to use public telephone booth at the moment. That can grab unnecessary eyeballs.' The old man stopped talking and opened the door to a room. 'Get freshened.'

Arnav held the old man's hand. 'Thank You,' His gratitude palpable in his words.

To be continued...

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Love,

Dorothea.