Chapter 33: Chapter 33

"The moments of happiness we enjoy take us by surprise. It is not that we seize them, but that they seize us."

Shree's Perspective

"Where are we?" I queried as he parked the car near pedestal. We are in city outskirts, since I'd never been here before, I'd no clue about which place was.

"You'll know. Wait for a moment." He murmured, stepping outside and opened the door for me.

Once out, I let my eyes roam around to appraise the beauty of nature. Yards away, only green grass was visible, we're in a meadow probably. The twilight sky had given a marvelous touch to the ambiance. Red and orange strokes of lights had filled the blue sky and patches of weary white clouds had been remarkably stitched.

"Why are we here?" I questioned again, removing my hair that had blown on my face because of the gentle breeze.

He chuckled at my ardor, "You're very restive, aren't you? I'm not going to tell you but I'm going to lead you there."

"Where?" I asked champing at the bit and he shoved his hands in his pocket, extracting a black satin stripe. I frowned looking at it, "A blindfold? You're going to blindfold me?"

"Trust me!" Two words all he said to stroke the strings of my heart, whirling me around and I let him tie the ribbon over my eyes. He turned me around, "Is it tight? Are you comfortable?"

"Mmhmm..."

"Okay now tell me can you see anything?" He asked, and ESV snorted, 'Yup! I can see the whole universe through this cloth on my eyes. Genius?'

"No. Only darkness!" I replied nonchalantly and he clasped my palm with his, "Come!"

"Are we here?" I asked as he suddenly stopped and he slowly untied the knot of the ribbon causing it to fall freely around my neck. I blinked my eyes and registered the surroundings. Ecstatic was one perfect world to describe it. My mouth opened ajar as I admired the sunset view.

Right before me was a lake, and at the skyline, the red ball of halo like light was dipping inside it. The sky resembled the canvas of a maestro painter who'd tried to stroke all the colors to enliven his imagination and rubbing a thumb over it, had merged all of them. Upending their own whole entity. The time was frozen; silence wrapped everything in its translucent blanket as the chirping of birds came to an end, with the sun evanescing in the water.

An admirable impending sigh escaped my throat as I finally blinked my eyes after witnessing such a phenomenal sight. Words seemed paltry to define the beauty; it was one of those phenomena which can only be perceived.

"You liked it?" Abhimanyu asked leaning to my ear and I whipped my neck to glance at him, "This is... Splendid. I've no words to describe the beauty." I giggled, staring back at the shimmering lake. His hands sneaked around my waist and his lips kissed my shoulder, "You are the real beauty. It isn't splendid. You are!" He murmured, slowly and I blushed.

"How'd you find this place?" I asked out of the blue, in no time all my tiredness vanished, it seemed like I'd never been so jubilant as now.

"I came here first time when I was in IIT with my friends. Then our visits became often here and this turned into our spot."

"So, is it public property?"

"Don't know. I've never tried to indwell." He shrugged following my chain of gaze and I opened my mouth to question again but he put a finger on my lips, shushing me. "You have a big mouth wife and I'm saying it metaphorically. Just enjoy the moment because I've got so many things in stock for you." He whispered, turning me to him, "Come!"

"Now where?" I catechized but he held my hand and led me somewhere, I couldn't help but chuckle "Where are you taking me Abhimanyu?"

"Abhi..." He said turning to me and I opened my mouth dazed, "Ah...what?"

"Call me Abhi. All my friends and family calls me Abhi and you're still beating the standstill. Isn't Abhimanyu a little large?" He guffawed and I pursed my lips to prevent drooling. He was being....Vincent.

ESV quibbled, 'Did I just notice the ice melting?'

"And here we go...." He stepped aside, unlocking my view and I actually saw a mirage. Definitely, it can't be truth. A husband who had practically no sense of romance, was doing so much for me, that's little bit difficult to assimilate.

Over the green grass bed, a mattress was placed covered with the white Pearl sheet, knotted silk cloth had made a canopy surrounding it and its extreme end was clustered by a branch to give support. The lanterns were hanging all over the tree, illuminating the whole area with its refined white light and some of them were placed by the mattress.

Unknotting my fingers from his, I ambled near the mattress and sat on my knees to pick the flowers spread upon it, it was delicate white tuberose and peach blossoms. Admiration and veneration for Abhimanyu increased in my eyes for him. Not averting my eyes from the breathtaking view, I asked, "You did all this for me?"

"Uhunn..." He sat beside me, holding my hand "For us!"

He smiled and I hugged him instantly, "Thank you! I'm so happy."

"When did you do all this?" I asked, elated releasing him from the hug.

"An hour ago."

"This place is tranquil. Is there no one except us?" I asked, looking around and he sighed, "No, there's no one. It's not that eminent."

"Why did you do this?" I asked slowly looking down, his answer mattered for me.

"You'll know but before that..." He paused and got up, swatting his pants, "Let's feed you."

"Feed me?" I chuckled, following his suit and snorted. "And where's the imaginary food?"

He smirked at me, "Wait here! I'm coming." He said and I gripped his hand when he turned to leave, "What? Don't tell me you're leaving me here to go in the city to get food?"

He pulled me closer by the hand I was gripping and wrapped his arm around my waist, "I'm not going to leave you anywhere alone. Trust me!"

"I trust you." I smiled and he left after kissing my forehead. The sky was filled with darkness and the white lanterns were the only source of light here. I was afraid if there are any cattle here, this place was so desolated. Desolately paradise.

A horn blew out my reverie and I whipped my head to see Abhimanyu parking the car nearby. He stepped out and took out two poly bags with him.

"Here's your imaginary food." He smirked, swaying the bags under my nose.

"Rajwada!" I hinged and he nodded, dishing out the packets and I touched the bottom of it, "It's still incandescent. When did you buy it?"

He removed his shoes and squatted on the mattress, "Before picking you up." He professed, succoring me in arranging the fiber plates and forks.

"And why do you do so?" I enquired again, biting my lip but he just flaunted his charming smile. I got the drift, he wouldn't open his mouth but I was sure whatever was forthcoming, I'm going to love it.

ESV flicked her hair fanning herself, 'Thank God! Your superfluous husband is standing in good stead today else you'd planned to lay me low.'

"You want to fresh?" I peeked at him when he bobbed up the question, "I mean it's completely safe if you want to change, there's no one except us around."

"You sure?"

"Yup!"

"Um...but my clothes?" My eyebrows arched up and nodding sheepishly, he got up and pranced to his car. What is he up to??

"Here!" He forwarded me a blue packet and frowning, I unwrapped it double quick to witness a pretty orange sari with black shimmer border.

"This is for me!" Surprise practically oozed out from my eyes and my voice barely audible, "It's so pretty."

"Now go get change! I'm famished." He gently pushed me but I shook my head, "I can't wear it!"

"Why?"

"Because I don't have um...what we wear underneath." I mumbled and he relaxed immediately, "Oh! No worries then." Chipping it as he scurried to car, my eyes widened.

"Don't tell me, Abhimanyu that you rummage through my clothes?" Please say no. Please say no.

But when he stayed clam up, I covered my face mortified. Oh dear earth, please swallow me! I chanted and tried not to meet his eyes when he inched closer, passing blouse and underskirt to me. Roughly snatching the dress, I was to whirl when he snagged my wrist, pulling me to him reverting me to bump against his sturdy chest.

"Hey, don't be mad. I knew you would come up with this question, so I thought to be prepared beforehand but I can ensure you that I didn't touch anything else." He put his chin on my shoulder, caging me in a back hug.

"That's okay!" I mumbled, then it stroke to me "Where would I change?"

"Here are two trees next to the lake." He suggested and thrill seeped in me. "I will take a dip in the lake."

"No!"

"Why?"

"I said no."

"Please, I will be quick and you said there's no one except us." I tried to succumb to me and he finally acquiesced.

Hopping to the lake, I dived carefully, assessing the level of water. Chill and smooth waves echoed around up to my waist, easing off my twitching muscles. Swimming around, I completed two laps and that impatient husband of mine kept blowing horn throughout.

Prancing on the grassed bed with supersonic speed, I discarded my wet clothes and put the fresh ones on. Hooking up the blouse and pleating the sari, I pinned the fall on my shoulder, finger combing my wet hair; I puffed out the excess water and let them cascade on my back.

"You took so..." He trailed off when he saw me; I quivered and blushed hard under his scrutiny gaze. Hid intense stare never left me as I slowly skid near him, fumbling with my fall, "How am I looking?"

"Huh!" He looked as if trance out and blinked at me "beautiful!"

Tipping my chin up with his index finger, penetrating his gaze in my eyes, his full lips uttered something like, "You are looking gorgeous, wifey."

"Let's have dinner." I suggested walking past him but he pulled me closer. "It can wait. Let's have dance!"

"Here!" I looked around, "Without music!"

"You sometimes underestimate your wholesome husband. Don't you?" His lips curled up at one side as his adept fingers crawled into my hairline, moping out the wet tendrils and I simpered.

"Wait!" He whispered and his car proved aid again as he fixed the pen drive in sound system and speakers boomed with a romantic number.