Everything but her

That's how it is supposed to be!!

Few months later:

'Aaru, I am getting late. Where is my watch? What will the team make of a captain who gets late?', Virat said sounding a little irritated.

'Coming...I am so sorry. Why is it that you pack everything yourself but always end up asking me for your watch', Aarushi asked him handing him over the watch.

'That's cause my world stops right at you. It is only you who can bring me back to this real world cause you are the culprit of stealing my heart. With you I never even want to see the time cause it suddenly starts moving so quickly. So, I choose to give this watch to you. But, when away from you, I need to count every single second cause I promise to make each one of them up to you as soon as I can. I love you my Aaru', Virat said planting a kiss on Aarushi's forehead and taking her in his embrace.

'I so wanted to come with you but my organizers couldn't have scheduled this at any other time. I promise to be there with you as soon as I can. We'll celebrate our anniversary together. I promise you that. Meet you in England my loverboy. And now this captain ain't getting late, eh?'

'He is, but a certain lady seems to have stolen his heart and he is head over heels over her. He can't seem to move away from her', Virat said walking towards the door.

'Now, just go already. Don't make things difficult for me more than they already are', Aarushi said, a hint of tear clearly in her eyes.

Virat went and touched his mom's feet and took her blessings and then called Aarushi who was to drop him to the airport.

'Let's go', he said.

'Hello! Mr.  I am driving, ok?', she said.

'Ok, madam', Virat said handing over the keys to her.

'You haven't forgotten anything na? Just check once more. Did you take your shaving cream? Then don't blame me. Check na. Why are you staring at me?', Aarushi said.

'I have everything I need. Now can we go, my martinet', Virat said with a chuckle.

'Ok, let's go', Aarushi started the ignition.

They went quietly  for a good 20 minutes or so listening to the songs that Virat had chosen.

'Aaru, I have a crazy idea', Virat said suddenly breaking the silence.

'Huh?', Aarushi was caught unawares as she was enjoying the song that was playing.

'I said I was thinking something', Virat repeated.

'What?', Aarushi asked him.

'What anniversary are we celebrating this year?', Virat asked totally knowing what was coming next.

'Seriously', Aarushi said making a face, 'two years is not what you can remember?'

'Two years then it is in  15 days huh?', Virat asked grasping her words.

'Yes, come to the point, Virat', Aarushi said getting irritated now.

'You love Sanchi and Aarav, right?', Virat asked her.

'Where are you going Virat? This all sounds so creepy. Yes, why wouldn't I? They are my kiddos', Aarushi said.

'Well, have you thought about our own versions of Aarushi or Virat?', Virat quizzed her.

'And you couldn't have asked me this any other time or could you? Virat, one day you are going to kill me with all this suspense and drama you create. I don't know what to answer to this. We'll talk about this once you come back. I know where this is coming from', Aarushi said calmly.

'Well, I was just trying to put this idea in your head that I have been thinking about this lately', Virat said defending himself.

'I know but Virat this needs to be discussed and not like this. I mean, who doesn't want kids but I don't want my kid to not meet his/her dad for months. Let's talk about this later. I'll definitely keep this in mind. But right now, bring that trophy for me, that's my baby', she said.

'Yeah, right', Virat said gazing for a few minutes at her. He couldn't believe that this was the same girl whom he had met so many years ago. She really had grown up and though four years younger than her, she seemed so much more mature than him.

They reached the airport and Virat got down the car feeling really empty. He was excited about the tour but it seemed so difficult to go. It was not the first time but he had not gotten used to it till now and mostly Aarushi had accompanied him. This time, however, she had made commitments she couldn't refuse.

'All bags out?', she asked.

'Yeah', Virat said.

'So...', Aarushi wished some words would come to her but they never did.

'Come here', Virat said giving her a big hug. They were in each other's embrace for quite sometime. They didn't care if someone was watching or not. It just felt appropriate. Virat could sense Aarushi crying a little bit and that was when he broke the embrace.

'Hey, look at me', Virat said, 'and don't you dare cry. I'm going to play a match, not fight a battle.'

'Call me, everyday', she said wiping her tears away.

'That goes without saying. How else would I survive? Now stop crying and let me go. I love you, ok?', Virat said.

'Love you too. Bye bye', Aarushi said giving him a flying kiss.

Aarushi watched him leave and didn't leave until he became invisible to her naked eye. Then, she got into the car and shut herself from the world by increasing the volume of her car speakers to the maximum. She felt a certain relief listening to some rocking nonsense music right now. She didn't want songs that made sense. They would all remind her of him. And for the moment she wanted him to go and do what he was supposed to do and she did not want to be any hindrance in his path of glory. Maybe that's how love was supposed to be. She had to accept the fact that apart from being her life, he also belonged to the nation and she had to probably give him away for a while to cherish him in his entirety later.