Written in stars (Discontinued)

Fishing compliments

Veer and Megha who had tried to give them privacy got worried when they took a look on their faces. The tension was so thick between them that Veer and Megha couldn't shrug it off easily. So, all of them were quiet on return journey.

When they reached home, chandhini couldn't smile even for khushi and advay quietly went upstairs after greeting everyone. Khushi looked at chandhini's face worried. Chandhini felt drained and told khushi that she was just tired.

Khushi didn't press her for details either.

...

Chandhini was conflicted and couldn't sleep. His words kept ringing in her ears. Finally she got up and went out on the roof. She sat down on the swing chair and stared out into the dark night. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw the flicker of fire, she turned to look. He was standing there in the dark smoking. She didn't know he was here.

He came over toward the swing and sat down beside her. She was about to go but he held her hand. She looked at him but he kept staring into the night. They sat there quietly. It was so familiar, the scent of smoke, his scent, his closeness. She felt like they were back in Delhi. He finished the cigar and threw it away. It was uncharacteristic of him to be so messy. He leaned back against the seat and gently pulled her to him. Chandhini stiffened.

Advay, ' Just let me hold you. I promise I wouldn't do anything more.''

Chandhini knew she should still get up and go away but she didn't instead she put her head on his chest and closed her eyes. It was like all her worries, all the weariness, all the restlessness melt away. He felt her familiar strawberry scent and his mind started to calm down. She was here with him, in his arms. He felt content for the moment. He knew when she fell sleep and her arms came around to hug him closer. The night was slightly chilly. He kissed her on hairs and then, slowly moved her into his lap. Then, he carried her to room and laid her on bed. He rearranged the blankets around her. Leaving the lights on, he turned to leave but then, he closed the door and laid down on bed. He watched her face until he fell asleep.

Chandhini moved closer to the warmth, she opened one eye, advay was in deep sleep. She hugged him tightly and closed her eyes. She will need to get ready for college soon. Just 5 more minutes, she told herself, then I will wake up.

He hugged her even closer and pushed her hairs off his face.

Suddenly chandhini realised, she was not in delhi, but Mumbai and he was in her bed. Her eyes flew open. She looked at his face which was so close to her. Her heart skipped a beat. She slowly tried to get out of his arms but he won't let her. He opened his sleepy eyes and looked into her panicked ones, ' it's too early to get up. Sleep.'' He put her back on his chest.

Chandhini could hear his heart beat, ' advay, let me go.''

It suddenly clicked into his brain where he was but he still didn't let her go, ' Why?''

Chandhini could feel her own body responding to his closeness, ' I told you yesterday. I can't take this anymore.''

Advay rolled on bed and flipped her so that she was lying on top of him and he could look into her eyes, ' you are so close to me and if I touched you, I know you will be as hungry as I am. The last time we were so close was in Delhi. You were happy to be with me.  I love you and you love me, then why are not you willing to give us another chance?''

Chandhini stared into his eyes,and then put her head on his chest thinking about it. Could she really live without him?, '' you called me a gold digger.'' she reminded him in a sad voice.

Advay, 'In family, there is no such thing. You take everything as if it is your right. If I threw the money at you, then you should have thrown it back at me. Can't you see all I can say is few hurtful words but not really stop you. Couldn't you have just asked for money? Couldn't you just have said that I can't live on this budget, I need more? Was it so difficult? When I was in states you used to give two pages long list of things you wanted and if I forgot a single thing, you won't stop nagging until I sent it to you. So, what was different now?''

Chandhini, ' because I wasn't sleeping with you and you never called me a gold digger. I thought you were mine. Also, everyone in society thought the same thing.''

Advay,'' I am yours but I am not that important chandhini,I am just a human being. No one is that important. You should only be accountable to yourself.''

Chandhini, ' damn it it matters because you are you. I don't care what others say but if you say it then, I can't forget it. I want to, I wish I can but I can't and I hate you for it.''

Advay pushed his fingers through her hairs, '' I hated you for it too as you are important too. Very important. Yet, you did things which I could not accept as I had an image of you in my mind but I learned the lesson that you are a human too.  I was trying to tell you that if you want to be a mother than I won't stand in your way. I was ready to move on even before you fell sick. I was ready but then, you didn't gave me the chance. I tried to talk to you, to tell you but you closed the door on my face. ''

Chandhini didn't want to but his words made her hopeful again, 'but you said I am not good enough to be a mother.''

Advay, 'You are good, you are the best person qualified for this role.'' 

She looked at his sincere face. Well, as long as he was ready to spill the beans, she could fish out some more compliments, 'you never ever praised my looks, or when I dressed up for a party.''

Advay, 'You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I day dream about you all the time. Every other girl pales in front of you.''

Chandhini put her head back on his chest, ' but you go away on long tours, you never call or miss me.''

Advay feeling worried that she was still hurt, ' I missed you so badly that I cancelled my visit last time just after one day and came back and now, I am hiring someone else for the job.''

He said hoarsely, 'I really really miss you.''

Chandhini smiled but he couldn't see it, ' you are saying it now but what if you changed your mind or if I made a mistake again?''

Advay,'' I love you tiny, and I can't live without you and everyone makes mistakes. I made such a huge blunder, I should have made sure that you got into car before leaving. Mistakes happen and I am giving you the permission to makes as many as you want.''

Chandhini, ' you won't shout at me again?''

Advay,'' never, I promise.''

Chandhini, ' I am not sure. I need to think about it.''

Advay let her go and sat up. Chandhini put on her poker face. She wanted him to grovel a bit more.

Advay looked at her face. He thought she would be alright now that all the misunderstandings were clear,'' more time?''

Chandhini, ' hmm. We will talk about it later. I think its time for Pooja. Ayi will be waiting for me downstairs. She got up and went to washroom leaving advay sitting there.