Everything but her

True success

'Oh my God, Aarushi, you're going to give me a heart attack today', Virat said as he saw her all ready to go with him.

In a black evening gown, she looked an absolute beauty. It was a strapless dress and Aarushi had done her hair up in a French bun. She looked every bit the diva Virat had imagined her to be.

'Should we go now?', she asked Virat.

'Let me gaze at you for a while first', he said never removing his eyes from her.

'Virat, let's go na', she said patting his arm.

'Let's go', he finally said laughing.

Virat took her to one of the most exquisite restaurants in Delhi and he ordered all her favourite dishes.

'So, you like it?', he asked her.

'I love it. Thank you Virat', she said.

'Hey, I had no right to treat you the way I did yesterday and I know this doesn't make up for it but I hope to bring a smile on your face. If this does it, then I will be the happiest to do so', Virat said.

'Virat, we are all different people with different perspectives. The problem with us is that we fail to tell the people we love, what we feel. We are afraid of hurting them. The fact, however, is that they choose to love us beyond our understanding of the world. Like you choose to love me beyond all my flaws. I did not understand that and therefore hesitated to tell you what I felt. I would never do that again', Aarushi spoke her heart out.

'Maybe that is what it is but Aarushi, I can't even begin to think what would have happened had you taken any drastic step. My entire world would have shattered and nobody but I would have been responsible. It sometimes seems so wrong on your part to love someone like me. Doesn't it?', he asked sipping his wine.

'Are you crazy? You saw everybody's face in the party that day. It was as if I had stolen the most precious gem. And the fact is, I literally have. As much pride I hold being a young and independent woman, I love the fact that when I finally fall apart which is inevitable, I can lean on you. Who in this world is perfect? And even if there is, I can easily give up on him any day if you are my choice against him. Virat, let me say it while we are at it, you are ensconced in the sanctum sanctorum of my heart and there is no way that's going to change', Aarushi said looking into his eyes.

'You drive me crazy each day, Aarushi. With a woman like you, this man', he said pointing towards himself, 'can scale any mountain in the world. I was half dead yesterday when you chose not to speak to me. I missed this blabber of yours so much.'

'And even then you slept like a baby', she laughed.

'I was tired. I tried hard to become a Romeo but I failed miserably', he said letting out a grin.

'It's okay, I was joking'

'So, what would you like for dessert, ma'am?', Virat asked her.

'Well, your sweet talks might have just filled my quota of desserts today.'

'But when has a lady denied chocolate, right?', Virat said ordering a choco-lava cake.

'You sure know the way to a lady's heart', she said.

'Not every lady's but this one's for sure', he said taking her hand in his own.

They had the dessert and left the restaurant.

They drove back home and were greeted by Aarav first thing on the door.

'Uncle, Bruno has been troubling me for so long. Tell him to stay away from him', he said a little irritated.

'But, you made friends with him just a few days back, your daddy told us', Aarushi said holding his little hands. She bent down and kissed him right on his cheek.

'No, aunty, I don't want to be friends with him. He is very bad. Chewy dog. Chews my socks and shoes', he said explaining it to Aarushi.

'Come inside let's sort this issue with Bruno. How can he trouble my little champ?', Virat said takig Aarav's hand and taking him inside. Aarushi followed them with a smile.

Bruno had already come wagging his tail. He stood next to Aarushi licking her feet.

'Sit down, Bruno', Aarushi said patting his head.

'No, aunty he'll chew your dress', Aarav said cautioning Aarushi.

'You'll do no such thing, Bruno. You'll not trouble my little baby. Right?', Aarushi said looking towards the dog.

The dog nodded its head.

'See, problem sorted', Virat said to Aarav.

'No, uncle he would do it again', Aarav said.

'He won't', Virat said picking up Aarav, 'Now, you tell me what do you want to do for New Year's?', and moved to Aarav's room with him.

Aarushi spent some time with the dog cuddling it. She, then, changed her clothes and went to see Virat's mother. She usually slept while watching television. Aarushi went and switched off the television. Next, she joined Virat in Aarav's room. But she had gotten a little late. He had gone off to sleep and Virat was still brushing his hair with his hand, himself dozing off.

'Virat', Aarushi called him softly, almost whispering.

'Yeah', he was taken by surprise.

'He is asleep?', she asked him.

Virat looked at him and said, 'Yes.'

'You want to sleep with him today here?', she asked him,.

'No, I am coming', he said.

Aarushi put his quilt over him which he had thrown away with his legs and for a moment both watched him sleeping innocently. They both smiled at each other and then left the room slowly closing the door behind them.

'He told me that he wants to join a cricket academy starting from this New Year. He said that he wants to be like me', Virat told Aarushi.

She could see the pride in his face. He had inspired a generation but this definitely was special. 'He'll be even better', she said and Virat nodded his head.

'That'll be my true success. I definitely would love to see him scale new heights', he said.

'C'mon Uncle, your journey as a coach begins now', Aarushi said with a smile.

'Haha, we'll see that', he said and the both of them moved towards their bedroom.