Unwanted Addiction

Chapter 8

Natasha

I realised I wasn't a very agile person just a minute ago when everyone else was easily climbing the stairs of Lohagarh's fort while chatting and laughing as if they were having afternoon tea. In contrast, I was breathing heavily and it was becoming difficult for me even to take the next step so walking like them was a far cry.

In the first place, I was tricked into going here. No one told me trekking would be needed and it wasn't your usual hill station-like place where you need to dress up nice and take a leisurely stroll among nature's lap. I was wearing a proper sporty outfit, and although the clothes were comfortable however it still felt unfair.

But then again I would be lying if I said this place didn't look beautiful in Moonson. It had that ethereal and fairytale feel with all the mist around and cool air brushing past me.

'Sachi me, Pune jaisa weather to kahi nhi hai.' (Truly there's no other place than Pune which has the best weather.)

The lush green plants and the urge to perform a classical dance in this weather were overwhelming my senses but before that, I really needed to catch up with folks otherwise there would be a much greater distance between us.

I quickly hopped up when I noticed Dhruv walking just two steps ahead. Goodness, now don't say I am delusional when I think he is strolling on purpose to keep up with me because he is as fit as them!

I quickly jumped up the stairs and went beside him. We were all wearing raincoat jackets however even in those simple clothes, he looked dashing owing to his good physique.

"Ahem, isn't this place beautiful? Surely such places only exist in fantasy no?" I started making a conversation with him feeling oddly giddy.

He cast a look at me and went back to the sightseeing he was doing nodding.

"Sure enough but such places exist. I guess you just haven't travelled enough."

'Wow, there he goes. Can't he converse like a normal person? Oh, mai bhi na, mai to bhool hi gyi thi ye to piece hi ulte hai! (Oh how can I forget? He is not like others, a normal person)

"Good enough you have acknowledged that fact yourself now it's up to you to take me around different places no? Since you are the experienced one here."

"Easy enough for me to do. I will book your ticket for the world tour, happy?" I immediately whipped my head in his direction after hearing his words. He just doesn't ever like to lose huh, always aiming for the upper hand!

"I said, 'You take me around' and not me going alone. Do you think I can't do that? The fun is when you travel with others like right now but Ah how would you know, surely Rudra was right when he said that."

"What? wait are you intentionally trying to provoke me by saying that right?" He asked stopping when I looked back at him from a step above but he still seemed taller than him.

"Whatever suits you, dear husband now I shall leave you to your pretty sight-seeing." I turned around upset and quickly climbed up the steps to join in with the rest.

I was actually going to thank him for keeping me company and matching my pace but oh well seems like someone is keen to be in their 'khadoos' (grumpy) mood.

"Hey guys, you all are so fit and fine that it seems like a morning walk for you!" I say finally catching up with the Deshpandes and Pooja.

They all laughed as they looked back at me when Pooja whom I thought would at least be a little like me had also betrayed me spoke next.

"These are the places we have been visiting since childhood. Almost all places near Pune need trekking, especially in monsoon so we are used to it and Lohagarh Fort's trek is the easiest of all."

"No way! you are joking right?"

They all moved their necks in the negative.

"Am I that unfit!" I almost cried when they all again laughed.

"No way, sister-in-law. I think you are the intellectual types, you know the people who are all fit and fine with their brain but not the sporty types with their body?"

I somehow nodded but I knew that wasn't going to be my way out. The moment I go back home, I will start doing some serious amount of exercise.

"And vaise bhi, apni bhabhi ko chinta karne ka zaroorat hai (What's there to worry about?), Hey Dhruv, come carry sister-in-law in princess style. Our pretty sister-in-law is tired." Rudra suddenly threw unexpected words and I was suddenly caught up in a very difficult situation.

We all looked back and there he was just behind us and now everybody was looking at him with eyes shining with curiosity. There was this unsaid pressure building around him and although half of me was expecting him to cave in the other half of me knew he wouldn't do that and the situation would become super awkward.

"There's no--

"If Dhruv is not willing, then dear sister-in-law, I, your servant at your command am ready to do this honourable service for you. Indra Dev has just sent me a signal to go forward with my duty." Rudra suddenly turned towards me extending his hand and cutting me off in between and again I was thrown into another difficult situation.

"No, No I can walk and there are not even many steps left so don't bother about it," I spoke denying him.

"No way how can I let you walk when you are tired? You have come to our city and we are the hosts. It is my duty that you should never feel any sort of inconvenience when you are here becaus---

"AHH" I suddenly yelped when Dhruv suddenly carried me in his arms climbing the stairs and not saying anything to anyone. I immediately put my hands around his neck for balance but he seemed unfazed and just kept going forward.

I could see the Deshpande couple smiling and Pooja laughing while Rudra was watching us wide-eyed. His expression was the funniest.

There weren't many steps left and we were about to reach the fort however now I wanted the trek to be longer. He didn't say anything to me the whole way however being in his arms was another kind of solace I didn't know I would ever feel.