Everything but her

Live the moments

'Hello, Bruno. I love you baby', Aarushi said patting the dog who was wagging its tail. Aarushi absolutely loved the pet and it was a case of reciprocated feelings. The pet loved being around her.

'Where do we leave him, Virat? I am not giving him to Mrs. Khanna. She is so mean to him', Aarushi stated.

'I have called Ashish, my friend. His wife loves dogs. He'll take him for a day. We are returning tomorrow, anyway', Virat told picking up his socks.

'Ok, do we trust him, Bruno?', Aarushi said pointing towards Virat.

'You have no choice, ma'am', Virat gave the answer for him.

'Do not disturb us, Virat', Aarushi warned him.

They heard the doorbell ring and Bruno ran towards the door. He had seen Ashish many a times at the house. He, therefore, stood there and wagged his tail.

'Thanks for coming, man on such a short notice', Virat said giving him a hug.

'So, thank you's would be a part of our meetings now? I am so disappointed in you Virat. Aarushi is taking manners classes?', he gave out a laugh.

'Hey, don't blame me. It is all his forte. You know I would never do that to you. By the way, how is Avantika? Why didn't you bring her along?', Aarushi asked giving him some water.

'Well, she is fine. And she had some work to do, so she couldn't come. And if I had brought her, you guys would have chit chatted the entire time away', he said.

'Tea or coffee. What is your drink for the day?', Aarushi asked him.

'Nothing, I have to leave. I have to report to the hospital as soon as possible', he replied. Ashish was in line to become a cardiologist. He was still an intern. He absolutely loved his job.

'Okay, then', Virat said.

'I have mailed you his schedule. Please take good care of him', Aarushi told Ashish.

'You know my wife is a maniac, don't you?', Virat whispered in Ashish's ear.

'Hmm, got it', Ashish answered giving Virat a wink.

Aarushi kept looking till they had left.
'So, all ready?', Virat asked her.

'Yes', she replied looking back at him.

'Let's go then', he said.

They picked their bags and the driver put them into the car. Aarushi checked the doors twice and asked Virat to do the same. Virat knew she was a maniac in all these things. No matter how hard he tried to convince her, he knew he would end up shutting up altogether. So, he lived the craziness with her.

'So, now you can relax, Aarushi', Virat told her as the car started moving.

'When was I not relaxed?', she looked at him in surprise.

'Yeah, sure', Virat said stealing a grin.

They reached Mumbai at around 3 in the afternoon. Ajinkya had come to the airport to pick them up.

'Hello, birthday boy', Virat said giving him a hug.

'Happy birthday bro', Aarushi said and gave him a hug.

'Thank you, you two. Now, let's get going', Ajinkya said and motioned the driver to drive.

'How is Sanchi?', Aarushi asked Ajinkya.

'She is becoming naughtier by the day', Ajinkya replied.

Sanchi was Ajinkya's two year old daughter whom both Virat and Aarushi adored.

'So, you invited everybody. You never do that. What is it?', Aarushi asked him.

'Nothing, just thought that we haven't had a good get together for quite sometime', Ajinkya replied.

'Hmm, ok. Who all are coming by the way?', she asked.

'Everyone from the team and our relatives. Radhika didn't mail you the list?', he asked her.

'She did. I just didn't get the time to look so deeply into it', she said brushing her hair.

'What about you two? Everything well?', Ajinkya asked them.

'Other than your sister being a total maniac, everything is fine', Virat said playfully.

'I am not a maniac. Okay...I just care for things unlike you mister and somebody needs to be that way or you would be living in a space you would barely call a home', she answered with utmost seriousness.

'I know and I love you for everything that you are', Virat said.

'Hello, I am here too. You guys can continue your romance once we get home. Just wait for a little while', Ajinkya told the both of them.

'Even after so many years, our barrier has not changed', Virat remarked.

'Well, you give one bit of crap for my sister to deal and I will have to be that devil once again', Ajinkya said as a matter of factly.

'Bro, he loves me as much as you love me though he can be annoying sometimes', Aarushi said teasing Virat.

'Yeah, yeah take sides with him now', Virat looked at Aarushi and said.

'Oh, little baby is feeling bad. Want to cry?', Aarushi said pushing her handkerchief towards him.

'Ok you two, I got it. Stop acting like kids', Ajinkya said bringing an and to the conversation.

Ajinkya looked back and saw Aarushi still making faces trying to get the better of Virat. Virat, however, chose to accept defeat. He just stared at her and smiled. He knew relationships were hard but a little element of fun made it all worth it. Who says growing up is the best thing ever? And who says age defines if you must grow up? At the end we are still those kids fighting for and living up the moments the heart cherishes.