Everything but her

Who needs a fairytale?

Present (after two weeks of constant messaging)-
Virat had reached Mumbai once again. This time it was special, though. He had missed Aarushi so much in the last two weeks that he could not wait to meet her. They had stayed in touch but there was nothing that could compensate for meeting in person.

Aarushi had come to receive him but she did not get down her car to avoid public glare. Virat reached the car and got into it.

'What? Don't tell me, you're gonna drive?', he asked her looking a bit scared.

'I have a driving license. I can drive. Okay?',she told him as a matter of factly.

'Yeah, but the driver's permit doesn't say that you won't kill me. I need that in writing too', Virat joked.

She gave him a small slap on his arm and said,
'I am telling you I'll leave you right here. Then, you call your agents and all to pick you. I won't come.'

'I was joking, Aarushi. But honestly, who taught you to drive. I failed so miserably in trying to teach you.'

'All teachers are not as crappy as you were', she said twitching her face.

'I was crappy? What about you? Who was almost going to hit that old man?', Virat implored.

'So that was a mistake. You are saying as though you were born knowing how to drive.'

'Well, girls don't really have a reputation of driving well', Virat winked.

'You really wanna go there? I am telling you Virat don't fight with me. You know you're gonna lose.'

'But that can't be my excuse for not fighting with you', he said sitting back and relaxing.

'You know what? Let's just not talk okay?'

'Okay, as you say', Virat replied closing his eyes. He knew how long this was gonna last.

For about fifteen minutes, both ignored each other acting as though they were lost in the songs on that were being played. Then, Virat spoke up,
'So you told Jinx all about this?'

'About what?', she questioned.

'About us, dumbo.'

'So where do you have to go?', she asked avoiding his question.

'Aarushi, I am asking you something. Will you answer me? And take left.'

'No.'

'You won't take a left?', he asked surprised.

'I didn't tell him. I couldn't. I'm sorry', she replied and took left.

'You remember what happened the last time. Don't you?', he asked her.

'Virat, I remember it better than you. But, I can't just think of losing you all over again so fast. What if I tell him and he says no once again. If that has to happen, I would want to delay it.'

'No, Aarushi are you mad? Do you want to create a similar situation like last time? Ajinkya and I have no issues between us but if you do what you are thinking of doing this might affect the relation that we share and I cannot put that at risk. We play together Aarushi. For India. I cannot let my personal life come between that. If he comes to know from someone else, what is he gonna think of us? We have to tell him. Not immediately but soon enough.'

'But Virat...'

'Aarushi, I will keep my promise. We'll explain Jinx. He'll understand. He is your brother not a monster.'

'Okay. If you say so', Aarushi said still unconvinced. She had her own valid reasons for not telling Ajinkya. She was in a fear that she might lose Virat once again but she also understood that what he was saying was far more logical.

'So, this is where you're gonna stay?', Aarushi asked parking her car in front of Taj.

'Yeah, thanks for not killing me', Virat teased her.

'So, I have taken a break till 4. It is 12. What do you want to do?'

'Love you.'

'What?'

'I want to love you.'

'Very funny. Where would you have lunch?'

'Don't ask me questions. Just come inside with me.'

'Okay. But I will have to leave by 3. So, decide fast.'

They reached the room that Virat's manager had booked for him and Virat hit the shower. Aarushi swapped the channels of the television set while waiting for him. She could find nothing worth watching. So, she switched it off and started playing a game on her mobile. Virat took about half an hour to take that shower.

'So, hungry?', she asked as he moved out of the washroom.

'Not really.'

'So, you wanna go somewhere?'

'Nopes', he said sitting close to her.

'So, then if you want to rest, I can go', she offered.

'No, are you crazy. I have waited to see you.'

'Virat, I have wanted to ask you a question.'

'Yeah, go on. Ask', he said putting back the various t-shirts he had taken out.

'You and Anushka, did you guys I mean..what should I say?', she hesitated.

'No, we didn't make out Aarushi. Not once', Virat sorted it for her.

'I was not going to ask that', Aarushi defended herself.

'As though I don't know you', Virat smiled.

'So, apart from what we did, you are practically a virgin? Don't think that I believe that', she told him.

'Well, you can assume whatever you want but the truth is I have not made out with anyone except you. You can say that you are a little special but that is what you would say. I would say I have excellent control powers because I am quite popular, you know.'

'I know how popular you are', Aarushi said making a face.

'What about you?'

'Well, I have had it with several guys. I am not as dumb as you think I am.', Aarushi said, her inability to lie clearly on display.

'Great. Good for you.'

'That's it. You don't want to know who these people are?'

'Well, would have loved to meet them if there was any truth to your story and anyways Aarushi whatever we did or did not do does not matter now. You are with me now and I am with you. That is all that matters. We both know that we would never betray each other.'

'I was joking, Virat. Don't get all sentimental. I love you and I have never been in any other relationship.'

'I knew it', Virat said.

'Doesn't make you a charmer', she added.

'I don't want to be one. I have already charmed the one I wanted to', he said looking at her.

'So, now if you aren't hungry. Well, I am. So, I am gonna order something. What about'

'Tandoori chicken', both said simultaneously.

'I'll place the order', Virat said taking the receiver from her hand.

Aarushi knew she needed none of his charm at which thousands of girls were drop dead. She loved their simple, raw relationship. Well, who needed a fairytale when they were happy enjoying the common pleasures of life...