Yours, With Love

Drastic turn of events

"That was a fantastic day Neeti. Raj is truly a wonderful man."

Radhika just couldn't get enough of praising her Raj in front of Neeti as they were speaking on the phone. Well, Neeti wanted to know details about her recent visit to Ujjain, and since she was down with viral, she could not go to the office to collect those details. So here they were - on a long phone call.

"Ha bhai (dude), your Raj is a wonderful man.", Neeti teased him giggling, and then coughed because of the disturbing sensation those giggles created in her throat.

"See, that's what happens when you tease me.", Radhika quickly pointed out.

"Shut up."

"I can practically imagine the scowl on your face as you must have said that."

"Accha ji? (Is it). I can also imagine the blush on your face when I tease you about jiju, hmm.", Neeti asserted and then let out a sneeze.

"Neeti, that's enough. As it is your throat is sore, I don't want your health to worsen. I am cutting the call, and you are going to put your phone away, close your eyes and sleep."

"No, I am bored of sleeping."

"I will complain to Renuka aunty."

"You dusht aurat. Alright, I will take rest, and you do one thing. Keep thinking about jiju like you always do.", Neeti exclaimed and huffed.

(dusht aurat - evil woman)

And before Radhika could come up with a reply, her crazy friend had cut the call. There - there was no need for Neeti to clearly instruct her to think of Rajeev. Her thoughts had already wandered in his direction. That's where they would be found these days. As they say, love makes you completely lost.

And as she thought of him, she felt her gaze wandering across the room, while it settled on a piece of clothing, or more precisely, Rajeev's shawl.

When they had been done with a heavy lunch and then some sweet ice-cream, the weather had started turning a bit cold thanks to it being a winter day, and Radhika generally had a low tolerance for cold.

As they walked side by side, she shivered because of the cool wind, and draped the loose end of her saree over her shoulder. Rajeev saw that.

And then, she still shivered some more, trying to warm herself by holding onto the loose end even tightly, but to no avail.

It was then that she felt a sudden and soothing warmth. When she finally recognized what it was, she found Rajeev draping his shawl over her shoulders. He did so very gently and yet, assertively.

When he was done with that, he saw his Radha tucked within his shawl which was drenched in his cologne. Oh how gorgeous she looked in that moment.

"There, now you will be warm.", he stated with his gorgeous smile.

Yes, she was warm. In more ways than one. The shawl being made of one of the finest materials which his mother had specifically gotten for him from Kashmir was definitely warm enough, but his actions - the way he caringly and firmly looked after her and her every necessity, be it the smallest of the issues warmed her heart.

She felt a smile on her lips as she remembered that sweet moment which they shared. She had fallen even more for her Rajeev in that moment. It was not just about the single action of draping that shawl over her, it was him in itself. No pretense, no artifice, just the way he was - pure and genuine at heart.

"Radhika.", her mother's voice broke her reverie as she heard her door being unlocked and the faint fragrance of the spices following her mother's presence in the room.