Everything but her

The promise

While Virat was still trying to understand the meaning of the few words Aarushi had just said, Aarushi disturbed his thoughts,

'Hello, I am right here and I don't know what you are thinking. Can I sit?'

'Yeah sure. Anywhere you like. Should I order something? You wouldn't have had breakfast.'

'No, just sit with me', Aarushi dragged him by his arm.

'Ok. Now Aarushi, if I ask you something would you tell me the truth?'

'Yeah, I think so.'

'Are you hiding your real feelings about the matter?'

'No, Virat why would I do so?', Aarushi said defending herself.

'Don't think I am a fool that I don't get it. That day on the phone I could sense that you were on the verge of breaking down. At least tell me please.'

'I am sad. That is true but that is all.'

'I believe you but promise me that no matter how things turn out in the future you are not gonna wet those eyes again.'

'I promise', Aarushi said admiring him.

'So, now tell me what do you want from me?'

'Virat...'

'Aaru..'

'I'll kill you if you call me that once more.'

'Kill me all you want. I love that name.'

'Huh...Okay listen, I want to ask you something.'

'Yeah?', Virat sensed a tone of seriousness.

'In fact I want to tell you something.'

'C'mon Aarushi, don't test my patience. Tell me or ask me whatever you want' Virat was getting anxious.

'See no pressure from my side. Just listen to me and don't react. Just tell me your feelings.'

'Will you come to the point Aaru?'

'I think, I mean my psychiatrist thinks that I still love you', Aarushi said letting out a huge sigh.

'Your psychiatrist?'

'Yes, my psychiatrist whom I have been visiting from quite sometime.'

'What do you think Aarushi?', Virat asked looking deeply into her eyes.

'I think my psychiatrist is right, Virat', Aarushi answered avoiding eye contact.

'So, what do we do about it?', he further asked.

'Nothing, he suggested that I should bring this to your attention.'

'And that's it?'

'Yes'

'What did he tell would be the possible outcome?', Virat was loving this game now.

'He is a psychiatrist Virat, not an astrologer', Aarushi replied.

'Oh, I see. What if I say that my heart has told me to tell your psychiatrist that he is such a wonderful person and that it will never be able to thank him enough.'

'What does that mean?', Aarushi asked looking confused.

'See, that is why they say girls are dumb. Aarushi...'

'You need to speak clearly.'

'I told you even that day that I have been on a hunt searching you ever since your brother came in between us and what would be better than getting the original Aarushi.'

'So, you're telling me that you love me too?'

'See, now the tubelight has lightened up..', Virat teased her.

They both hugged each other after that.

'You don't know Aarushi how much I have missed you', Virat said planting a kiss on her forehead.

'Well, no one would know it better than me', she replied.

Virat's hand slowly moved towards her hair. He pulled the ribbon and the hair were let loose. His hands then roamed freely around her face.

Aarushi too felt her hands reach out for his chest. She tried her best not to fall prey to any of her feelings but she knew her heart was uncontrollable at the moment.

As he moved closer, Aarushi could sense that he was reaching out for her lips,

'Virat...', she just spoke softly.

'Hmm..'

And before she could speak any further, she felt a tickle in her stomach. Virat's lips were on hers and this time she knew better. She kissed him back. It tasted like heaven. She felt amazing. And once the lips had parted, Virat stood there staring at her.

'What? Have I done something Virat?', Aarushi questioned him looking a little scared.

'No, Aaru it is just that I want to savour this moment. I still can't believe you are here in front of me. I want to write verses on this moment and I want to remember each tit bit that made this moment what it is', Virat answered getting all emotional.

'Even I can't believe Virat that I am here. I don't know where the courage came from. I don't even know how I became that 17 year old once again lying my mother about where I was going. It just feels so unlike the new responsible me', Aarushi added.

'Well, today I want a promise from you Aarushi and you must take care that the both of us don't break this promise.'

'Okay..', Aarushi seemed a little confused.

Virat took Aarushi's hand in his own and said,
'No matter who comes in between us, no matter how obligated we are, this time we will give it our all. We will fight the whole world if need be. But we are not gonna leave each other again. I promise Aarushi, do you?'

'I promise Virat. We need to give our relationship the time it needs and no one can decide for us if we are good enough for each other or not.'

'Come here', Virat spread his arms out and Aarushi was more than happy to conceal her flood of tears in his chest.

'Aarushi', Virat said after a good fifteen minutes that they had spent in the same position.

'Yes', she spoke, her voice heavy due to all the crying.

'This was my new t-shirt. Anyways, it contributed well in soaking your Ganges',Virat said playfully.

'Huh, you love me so much that you are ready to write verses in me, though I know how crappy they will be but anyways you are worried about that shirt? A stupid shirt Virat? It means more to you...', Aarushi was trying hard to control her laughter seeing that Virat had got a little serious.

'Well it was branded for one', he continued his play.

'Then go love the brands. Tell them to convince bro, ok?', Aarushi said almost picking up that tone of blackmailing.

'You little devil. You always have to go on your brother', Virat said as he approached her closer and began tickling her all over her stomach.

There were squeals of laughter all around and some pleading as well.

'Virat, leave me please. I promise I wouldn't do it again', Aarushi said, her laughter uncontrollable.

'Ok, ok fine I'll spare you today but you must know that I am not scared of your brother', Virat said while leaving her.

'Yeah, sure', Aarushi said sarcastically.

'Aaru, don't challenge me.'

'I said yes', she said defending herself.

'I get sarcasm. I am no Sheldon Cooper.'

And as he said that, Aarushi jumped on asking him questions about The Big Bang Theory. It was one of her favourite shows and Virat could see the excitement on her face. He never ever wanted to say goodbye to her but he knew after some time he would have to, even if it was for a little while now that they had reconciled. It was one hard job and he knew it.