Nuptial night? honeymoon? words rang in her ears while she sat beside Aaron on their way to airport.
I should have known it. His family wasn't going to make this marriage a small affair. A Europe trip for 3 weeks. Which meant existence crisis with 'The Aaron Nicholas' in close vicinity for 3 long weeks.
She watched sideways as he flicked through a business magazine. She regretted for not putting her 'currently-reading' book in her handbag. She made a mental note to always do that before any another travelling session along him.
Was this how newlyweds acted around each other? Okay given it was a arranged one, for him at least. Still, she doubted that arranged marriages meant boring your partner to death. With a sigh she fidgeted trying to get herself in more comfortable position to travel still for hour and half or two.
He was finally relaxed. After a whole day of being centre of attention he felt at home even in this rental car. What could be better than to get your hands on favourite latest edition of 'Business week' to keep from making an failed attempt at starting a conversation with the one beside him. It wasn't that he hadn't ever talked to her. He remembered the time after he graduated when they used to talk. She was starting with her bachelors and him being the family approved 'know-it-all' was consulted quite a times in her case. Even in college, she was 2 year junior to him and he used to tease her a few times along with her brother Ian....
A honking horn pulled him out of his reverie. He would have plenty of time on this long stretched honeymoon to have a good conversation with his bride. He smiled inwardly at 'his bride'. His own, forever. Only his.
"Daphne" he called softly, not recognizing his own voice. She didn't even stir in her slumber.
I don't need to be scared right?
"Daphne Vincent Nicholas" he called out a little louder. oh yes! I like the sound of it, He thought with a grin.
Her eyes flew open not registering her surroundings, confusion clouding her thoughts. She watched him smiling down at her. Maybe I heard it wrong.
"I woke you up because we have reached airport. Come on, let's go." He said while moving away to get out of car.
If he had waked me up a little earlier, I could have freshen up a bit.
Tugging at her stray hairs and rubbing sleep out of her eyes she came out of car. Once inside airport, checking in, security formalities hardly gave them time to think and soon they were sitting in plane, awaiting their take off.
The awkward silence. He watched her looking out of window, noticing closely the texture of her skin, the way her lashes swayed with the blink of her eyes, her perky nose that somehow looked a little big for her face. Maybe I should have brought that magazine from taxi. Then I wouldn't be staring at her so shamelessly.
"Ahem!" He cleared his throat. And mind. She turned instantly looking at him like she saw him for the first time. He smiled. This should break the ice. "So, ever been to London before?" Well, he already knew the answer, didn't he? He knew she had been the indoor girl whole her life, studious, introvert, never present at any gatherings and if present then withdrawn from the groups. He knew much about her family, her brother but not quite knew 'her' in person. A little chat here there, merely twice-thrice a year doesn't much makes up to be called a 'good friend'. Contact once lost can be difficult to resume back.
"No." She tried a small smile, she appreciated that he took the initiative, finally. "Actually as a matter of fact I haven't been out of India yet. In architecture field, we do have frequent trips every now and then but haven't yet got a chance to go out of country."
