Everything but her

The most treasured gem

Three weeks later:
'Hello, yes Aarushi I have reached the Mumbai airport. Where are you?', Virat asked her on the phone excitedly.

'I am just reaching the entrance. Oh yes, I see you', Aarushi said and literally ran towards him to join him. 'Hello, I have missed you so much', she said while Virat gave her a side hug.

'Your assignment isn't completed that you are still in Mumbai or you are working on something else now?', Virat asked her intently.

'No, I am still working on the one I told you about', she answered him.

'Movie one, right?'

'Yup', Aarushi said in one word. She wasn't ready to tell him the details as of yet.

'Ok, so how long do you think you're going to be staying here?', he looked towards her.

'A week more', Aarushi said finally sitting in the car.

'Amar, pull up the car to the hotel', she said to their driver.

'Yes ma'am', he answered.

'So, what do you wanna do? Stay or go?', she asked him.

'I would stay with you if it's just for a week and I don't want to stay away from you now. But I'll just call mom and let her know that', he quipped.

'Hmm ok. That sounds great', she said excitedly.

Virat called up his mom and told her that he had arrived in India but would come home a week later.

They went to the hotel and went to the room Aarushi had already checked into.

'Coffee or you want to freshen up first?', she asked him.

'I would take quick shower before but you order the coffee', he replied.

Aarushi ordered two cups of coffee and sat down settling some of her documents while still working with the designs that one of her team members had sent. She was so engrossed in her work that she didn't realise when Virat came out of the washroom.

The coffee arrived a few minutes later which literally distracted Aarushi.

'Virat, how long...oh you're here. Come let's have a coffee date', she said.

'Hmm', he said avoiding the pack of sugar. He knew that the only way to get away from all the flight sickness he had was a good black coffee without any sugar. He did not want to sleep cause that would mean taking away a good 3-4 hours away from his wife. She was busy and he didn't want to disturb her. He wouldn't talk to her, just sit there and watch her in all her beauty. That was a panacea to all his thoughts right now.

'You want to rest for a while', she asked him.

'Nah, you carry on, I'll find out something to engage himself', he said waking up from the trance of his thoughts.

'You know what I can take an hour's break for you. This sorting thing was anyway Madhuri's job. I couldn't sleep last night due to all the excitement so I decided to share the workload but I am sure this can wait. An hour with my wonderful husband', she said putting her arms around his shoulders.

'No, Aarushi, I mean you don't need to. I am there with you and it is alright. You shouldn't have to keep your client waiting because of me', he told her bringing her close to him.

'She can wait. Our deadline is not until the day after. I'll do it by then', she said advancing towards his lips.

'Aaru, you are going to be the death of me', he said giving in to his wife's advances. He wanted it more than her but somehow he didn't want to be a barrier in her path of success. So, when she finally made an offer, he was not going to resist it.

It was not long before their lips met and it felt like an eternity when they finally separated. Virat felt as though he had been completely relieved. All his tiredness was gone in a second. It was complete magic within her embrace. It didn't take another call from either of them and both found themselves making love to each other. It was all very very silent, even hauntingly so. They conjoined their bodies and most importantly their souls. Both matched their heartbeats and by the time they knew, 2 hours had already passed by.

'Aarushi', Virat finally said.

'Hmm, what?', she said lifting her head from his chest.

'It is already four', he said picking up his watch from the side table of the bed.

'Hmm, I know but I don't want to go as of yet', she said.

'Me too sweetheart but come here show me what you are making', he said giving her a final kiss on her forehead.

Virat brought her laptop to the bed and opened it up. Aarushi picked up her t-shirt and took the laptop from him.

'See, this is the one for the opening scene. Actually we made a few extras to have plenty of choices. So, there are 5 of them out of which this red one is my favourite. What about you?', she asked him excitedly.

'Tell me, who is wearing all this? Who is this actress? And then I'll tell you which one's the best', he asked looking keenly for her to answer.

'Virat...it's actually. It is Anushka', Aarushi said not meeting his gaze.

'Anushka, wow. Yeah, I think this would be perfect for her', Virat said pointing towards the same dress Aarushi had said was her favourite.

Aarushi was surprised by his reaction. There was not a hint of surprise or anger. 'Are you okay with all this?', she asked him.

'With what?', he said surprised.

'Me working for her', she said sounding a little scared.

'Are you crazy, Aarushi? Why would I not be okay. She is your client. Like anyone else. Why would I get into your professional stuff? You get to decide with whom you want to work and with whom you don't. How can I tell you what to do or not? I don't know anything about all this. I just wanted to cheer you up and that is why I wanted to see your designs, that's it. Aaru, you are totally crazy. How did you even think that I will have any problem with this? You know, Anushka and I are still friends. Not like we talk everyday but there is no awkwardness between us. Everything's fine, you know. Now I'll not disturb you. C'mon carry on with your work', he said giving her a hug.

'Stupid me', she said softly.

'True that', Virat said giving out a laugh.

Aarushi was relieved. She knew things could have gotten so much worse but this was Virat. How could she have even forgotten how much he loved her? Love, she understood, conquers all. She was falling for her husband all over again.

Virat couldn't help but laugh at the innocence of Aarushi. He was not a bit surprised though. He knew how much she loved him. She had been thoughtful about his feelings before even giving heed to her own. He gave a little nod looking at the skies thanking them for making him realise everyday what a gem he owned. The most treasured one, his life told him everyday.