Chapter Seven
Rihan went to Nagpur at night. I came to my room and fell asleep looking at his photo in my mobile phone. When I woke up in the morning, I didn't want to go to college. I decided not to go to college and took a bath and sat at the dining table for breakfast. Seeing my sad face, Manisha aunty said,
"What happened Riya? Are you okay dear?"
I looked at her sadly and said in a soft voice,
"I'm not feeling well aunty. My stomach hurts since night"
"Oh! Are you on your period?" - she asked
"Yes aunty, I think that's why it hurts" - Me
"Hmm, I have a pill take it after breakfast and take rest today." - she said worriedly.
"Ok aunty I will. And aunty, I forgot to bring sanitary pads yesterday. Do you have any?" - I said.
"No. I don't have. But I'll bring it after breakfast." - Manisha aunty said.
I smiled at her and said thank you. After her breakfast she brought me the pill. I kept the pill as it was and deliberately started eating slowly; Because my stomach was not hurting. When she went out to get the pad, I threw the pill and sat in my room. It was nine o'clock in the morning. Seeing Rihan's message still not received, I called him. He didn't pick it up. I called again, he didn't pick up again. I messaged him,
"Where are you Rihan? Call me back. I'm waiting."
Half an hour passed and there was no reply. I called again. Then he picked it,
"I'm so sorry beautiful. I woke up late. I didn't even check my mobile. I just took a shower and I have an important project meeting in half an hour. So I don't have time now."
He was speaking in haste. I was angry at first but as soon as he said that he has a meeting I calmed down a bit and said, "Ok fine dear. Wish you all the best. So when will you call me?"
"I think the meeting will be over by twelve. Then I'll call right away. But please don't be angry, I might not have much time today. I'll talk at night. Okay?" - he said very pleadingly.
"It's ok dear. I won't be angry. Cause I love you so much my dear husband." So I gave him a kiss on the phone.
"Love you too, wife. See you at night. Bye" - Rihan
"Bye dear. Have a nice day." - I said lovingly again and cut the call.
I felt very good talking to him. I spent that whole day looking at photos of both of us on mobile, editing them and taking some sleep. It is true that he said he would call after the meeting but he couldn't make it. He had sent a sorry message saying that he was busy. I replied it's ok and told him to video call at night. I was happy because I was curious about his call while having dinner at night. Seeing this, Manisha aunty thought that my health has improved. I told her the same. After dinner I spent some time chatting with aunty. I came to my room around 9:30 pm. I messaged Rihan,
"Hi dear, are you free now?"
After five minutes his reply came "Not completely, I have come to the restaurant for dinner."
"Well, eat well and be strong" - so I sent him a wink emoji.
"Oh yes! I'm strong enough!" He sent a wink too.
"Be more" - I said.
"Haha! I'd love that!" - Rihan
"And me too" - I sent a red heart.
"Ok bye, now let me eat and get strong" - Rihan sent a wink again.
"Bye dear. See you." - I sent a kiss emoji.
He sent me same in reply. Now I had a smile on my face. Then he video called me around 10:30. We chatted for a long time. And then I fell asleep.
In the morning Manisha aunty came to wake me up seeing that I got up a little late. When I woke up, it was a quarter past eight. I quickly got up and had some breakfast and left for college at nine o'clock. My day went by in college. From time to time, we kept on messaging on WhatsApp. He made a video call again at night. We chatted a lot. He would return two days later and go again. But he also said that he did not know whether he would be able to do it or not. And so it happened. He never came back. A week went by chatting and talking on video calls. Slowly I started to feel Rihan getting tired at night. Maybe he was tired because he was busy with work all day. He was not paying attention to my speech. So I started making video calls only for five to ten minutes so as not to disturb him. As another week passed, I stopped disturbing him by messaging him in between. From the third week onwards, our talking became less and less. I used to try to control my emotions. But this started to irritate me. One night when I called Rihan, I said,
"Dear, would you please come here for a day? I want to see you. Please, dear." - I was very emotional.
"I can understand it Riya. I am trying to get a leave. Please try to understand the situation. This project is very important for us. If it is properly completed within time, then there will be a lot of work ahead. This is the first time that dad has given me this project alone. I want to complete it alone. So it is important for my career. After this I will be able to take up new projects alone and this will introduce me to people in this field. New projects will be available. Then I will not need to depend on dad. This is very important for both of us. Riya" - he said explaining to me.
He was right. But I couldn't live away from him. At that time I did not say anything more to him about it. But I took all the information from him about where he lives there. I started thinking of going there now. But what to tell Manisha aunty? How to hide from her? These questions were before me. I was looking for some excuse for it. For two days I didn't get anything. I started getting irritated again. In those two days I did not eat properly. I was not even chatting with aunty freely. She had noticed the change in my behavior. But she didn't tell me anything about it. In this situation, I forgot that the first semester exam time table had come in college. On the day of the first paper I came to the college like everyday, when I got there I realized that the exam is from today. I was not prepared for it. I had written only 8 to 10 marks answers in the answer sheet. The next week went in the exam. I was not going to pass in any subject. I got even more irritated. Now I was living silent silent, was not talking to Manisha aunty properly neither to Rihan. He now started making video calls once every two days. It doesn't have to be long either. A week passed like this. I came home from college that day. Manisha aunty was sitting on the sofa in the living room. As soon as I arrived she said,
"Riya, freshen up and come here. I want to talk to you." I sensed the seriousness in her tone.
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Chapter Eight
I freshened up and came to the living room. What would Manisha want to talk to me? Is she found out about Rihan and my relation? Such questions were in my head. I didn't dare to meet her eyes when she was looking at me. I just scrolled through Instagram on my mobile. Meanwhile she spoke,
"Riya, you didn't tell me how your exam went."
"Yes, I forgot!" - I answered while looking at the mobile phone.
I was relieved to think she didn't know anything about Rihan. But I didn't want to say that my exam went very badly. I said nothing further. Seeing this she became more serious and said,
"Riya, I'm talking to you about something. Where is your attention?"
I quickly put my mobile aside and looked at her nervously, "sorry aunty".
"I got a call from your college in the morning. The principal has informed that you can't pass the exam. What's going on Riya? I can see that you are not ok from a few days. Is there anything wrong with you?" She shouted at me.
"No" was all I replied.
My eyes slowly began to fill with tears. I was hiding my eyes from her looking at my finger nails.
"Then may I know why you act like this?" She said in a normal tone this time.
She must have guessed my condition. She got up and came in front of me. I was not looking at her. She lifted my face touching my chin. My eyes were full of tears.
"What is this Riya?"
Tears started flowing from my eyes as she said worriedly. I was overwhelmed. I spoke in a sobbing voice with quivering lips
"I'm sorry aunty.."
And I hugged her stomach and started crying. She moved her hands over my head and back and started encouraging me. Two minutes passed like this. She took me aside and sat next to me with my hands in her hands.
"Relax Riya, what's wrong with you?" she asked again worriedly.
I was still crying. She wiped my eyes. She brought me water. But I was just crying without drinking water. I had no idea.
"I'm sorry aunty... I'm sorry..."
"Hey what happened to you? It's ok, exam went bad it's ok. Relax. I won't be angry with you about it." - She said pulling me to her.
I did not dare to speak. I was just crying looking at her. I kept my head on her lap and was crying. She started patting me lovingly. I felt very supported by her then. I don't know when I fell asleep. When I woke up, I realized that I was sleeping with my head on her lap. I looked at the clock, it was eight o'clock in the night. Manisha aunty was also in sleep. I slowly moved her hand above my head and got up. I sat looking at her for two minutes. I was thinking how good she is, how much she loves me. Should I tell her everything? For the first time I felt guilty for hiding everything from her. Meanwhile she woke up. I was looking at her but my mind was engrossed in thoughts.
"Riya, are you ok now" she said.
I came to my senses and said confusedly, "um... did you say anything aunty?"
"I said are you feeling okay now?"
"Yes aunty! Aunty I'm so sorry, I hurt you..."
"It's ok dear! What did you think I'd shout at you more?"
"Yes Aunty I thought so"
"Riya, I feel a little sad, but it's okay. Now promise me, that you will study well in all subjects next semester." She said holding her hand in front of me.
I put my hand in hers with a little smile and said, "Promise."
"Well fine. look Riya, feel free to say whatever is on your mind. I won't be angry at you at all." She said with a smile on her face.
"Really? I mean no matter what I say?" - I doubted.
"Yes dear, absolutely anything! Feel free, just like your friend!" She spoke again with a smile.
"Thank you so much aunty!" I happily hugged her and was very relaxed.
"Look how good you look now! Be always like this, in happiness."
"Aunty...I have something to say." I was a little hesitant.
"Hey tell me Riya. I said feel free. Talk now..." she said putting her hand on my arm.
"Aunty... I'm in a relationship with Rihan." I spoke quickly.
"Rihan? You mean that Goa boy?" - she said remembering.
"Yes aunty."
"Nice nice! So is it a long distance relationship?" - She said with a smile.
"No! He lives here in Mumbai."
"Good! Tell me more"
"He is a good boy aunty. He is an architect. His father is also an architect. He has a big company. They gets projects all over India."
"Oh really? That's good! Call him here then or you can call him tomorrow for dinner."
"No aunty, he is not here now. He has gone to Nagpur."
"Okay, then bring him here when he comes back."
"Yes aunty! Thank you so much!" I hugged her once again. Kissed her cheek. I was very happy. I messaged Rihan,
"Hi dear, there is a very good news for you. See you at night."
He sent a smiley in reply. After some time, Manisha aunty went to the kitchen and started preparing dinner. I also helped her for the first time today. We both chatted and had dinner in a nice atmosphere. I was feeling very light. I was also surprised to see this change in Manisha aunty. But was also happy to see aunty like this. Seeing me happy, Manisha aunty was very happy today after many days. I chatted a lot with her about Rihan after dinner. I also told her that we got engaged. I did not hide anything from her. I felt so good at that time that I had never felt before. Around eleven I came to my room. I made a video call to Rihan. Told him everything. He was very happy. We chatted for a while; Then Rihan said,
"Hey beautiful, I want to say thanks to aunty."
"I think she's asleep now. I'll go out and see; if she's awake, I'll talk to her and call you. Okay?" I said.
"Okay." - Rihan
I cut the call and came out of my room. What I see! Manisha aunty was having a drink on the dining table! In the light of the night lamp, I could not understand the expression on her face. But I felt that she was crying. I approached her with light steps. She was really crying. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.
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Chapter Nine
I went near Manisha aunty and placed my hand on her shoulder and said in a soft voice,
"Aunty..."
She placed the glass in her hand on the table and looked up at me, wiping her eyes. And holding my hand she made me sit next to her on the chair. I took her hands and asked again,
"Please talk...what happened? Why are you crying like that?" - I asked her worriedly.
"I'm sorry Riya..." - she said in a tearful voice with trembling lips.
"Why are you saying that aunty? Please don't say that"
"I was treating you very badly, I'm so sorry Riya..." - she said with her head down and crying.
"Aunty please don't say that...I treated you with disdain too...I should feel sorry" - so I hugged her.
After a while, tears started flowing from my eyes too. For the next five minutes we were both in the same position. Wiping my eyes I said to her,
"I love you aunty!"
"Love you so much dear" - she said hugging me tightly.
And she kissed my left cheek lovingly. After a minute I moved away from her embrace. I smiled at her. She also smiled. Both of us felt very good as the pressure on our mind went away.
"Aunty, Rihan wants to talk to you." - I said with a forceful smile on my face.
"I'll talk in the morning. Okay?" - she said quietly.
She probably didn't want to talk to him at this late night and in this state. It was right. I nodded. After that I supported her and brought her to her room. We went to the washroom and started splashing water on our face. This time her t-shirt got wet so she kept it off and I continued to watch her. When she realized this, she looked at me sideways and smiled cheekily. I quickly came out and sat on the bed. In five minutes she also came out of the washroom. She was only in undergarments. I couldn't take my eyes off her fit, curvaceous body. How well she had maintained herself even at this age. She winked at me and I smiled. She sat down next to me with a cheeky smile and pulled on her nightgown which was open at the front like a shirt but having bands to tie at the waist instead of buttons. She got up and tied the bands. Leaning down she kissed my head
"Good night sweet heart" she said with a smile.
"Good night aunty" I got up and hugged her and came to my room.
The sight of her in undergarments could not pass before my eyes. I came in front of the mirror and took off my t-shirt and started looking at myself in my undergarments. I was jealous of her beauty. I also wanted to have a body like hers. I wondered how she made herself look so good. I fell asleep thinking how to tell her about it. I woke up in the morning. After I got up and brushed myself, I came into the living room and lay down on the sofa. That day was Sunday. It was half past eight in the morning. I thought Rihan might not have woken up yet. I sent him a message saying 'Good morning husband' with a red heart underneath. Manisha aunty came out from the kitchen with a cup of coffee in her hand. She was wearing a dark red t-shirt and blue jeans. As soon as she came, I smiled and said good morning to her.
"Good morning dear! Would you like some coffee?" - She said stopping near the kitchen door.
"No aunty. I'll take it after a little bath." - I crossed my legs and said.
She came near me with a smile and sat on the sofa at my feet. As she finished drinking coffee, I slept with my head on her lap. We chatted about the night for a while and laughed a lot. She was moving her fingers in my hair.
"Riya, look at your hair! You need to wash it properly." She said seeing the state of my hair.
I just realized that I hadn't even taken a proper bath in the last month. I started walking to my room to take a bath.
"Riya, if you don't mind, I'll help you wash your hairs." - she said giving me a voice.
"But you've showered. You need to shower again if you wash my hairs." - I said
"It's ok Riya. I will take a bath with you" - she said with a little smile.
"with me?" I put my hand over my mouth and laughed.
"Oh, what's so big about it? I've bathed you so many times when you was a kid." - she said with a smile again.
"Haha! Ok aunty I have no problem" - I said smiling. I couldn't suppress laugh.
She suddenly came to me supporting me. She put her hand on my shoulder and pushed me to my room. I was still laughing from time to time.
"Riya! enough! how much will you laugh? Remove your clothes now" - she said removing her clothes.
Suppressing a smile, I took off my clothes and quickly entered the bathroom and sat on the chair in the bathroom. My bathroom had a large full-wall mirror in front. I wrapped myself in a towel and sat in a chair facing the mirror. She came in after a minute. She also wrapped a towel. I sat with my head back. She wet my hair with warm water. And washed thoroughly with shampoo for next ten minutes.
"Ok.. now you take a bath. I'll do it later." So she turned back.
"What happened aunty? I have no problem if you bathe me..." I said looking back.
"I was kidding Riya...but you really don't have any problem?" - she said.
"No aunty. No problem. Really!" - I told her in a pleading tone.
"Okay." So she turned back.
We were both smiling. I moved the chair aside and got up and removed the towel. She turned on the shower and followed me. We were both naked looking at each other in front mirror and smiling. I closed my eyes and stood under the shower. She started bathing me by applying soap all over my body. She was touching me so lovingly that I was enjoying her touch. She had bathed me often as a child but now that all my senses were developed, her touch gave me a different feeling. After my bath, I wiped my body, wrapped myself in a towel, came out and started drying my hair with a hair dryer. After fifteen minutes she also came out wrapped in a towel. My hair was dried. I told her to sit on the bed and sitting behind her on my knees on the bed I started drying her hair. I could see how thick and black her hair was.
"Aunty, I want hairs like you." I said.
"Well...then always wash your hair properly. And oil it too." - she said.
"Ok aunty... I will note it." I said.
"Hmm fine. I'll wash and oil your hair once in a while if you want." - Manisha
"Yes aunty! I would like that. Aunty, I experienced a very nice bath today..." - Me
"Hmm, does that mean you want a bath from me now regularly?" - she said with a smile.
"Yes aunty!" - I started laughing.
"Well dear...okay."
She said that and I immediately kissed her cheeks from behind and said thank you. After that we got dressed and came out to the living room. Aunty went to the kitchen to make me coffee. I sat on the sofa with my mobile in hand. Rihan's message reply was there,
"Good morning beautiful! You forgot to call me back last night."
After reading his message, I realized that he wanted to say thanks to Manisha aunty. And I did not forget to mention that at night Manisha aunty told me to talk to him in the morning. Because the situation was like that at night. I replied him,
"Oh! Sorry dear! I'll video call you in a bit."
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Chapter Ten
Manisha aunty came to me with coffee. I took the cup and said to her,
"Aunty, didn't I talk to you last night? Rihan wants to talk to you?"
"Oh yes! I forgot! Are you calling now?" - She said sitting next to me on the sofa.
"Yes, I forgot too! He just reminded me. I'll call him right away." So I took the mobile in one hand and made a video call to him on WhatsApp.
"Hi Rihan! See aunty is with me." I gave her the mobile.
"Hi Rihan! How are you?" - Aunty
"I'm good aunty! I just want to thank you! Thank you so much aunty!" - Rihan
"Thank you Rihan for taking care of my Riya!" - Manisha
"Oh aunty! One has to take care of such a nice girl! And as a mature partner she is my responsibility." - Rihan
"Hmm...take good care of her like this. God bless you both" - that's all she handed the phone to me.
"Ok. I'll call you in a bit. Bye!" - I said.
"Okay bye Riya, bye aunty!" - Rihan
"Bye Rihan!" - Aunty leaning close to me and looking at the mobile said to him.
I cut the call. I was very happy. I started drinking coffee.
"Riya, he is handsome ha!" She said teasing me.
"Aunty..." - I said not wanting her to annoy me.
"He's really handsome!" - she said with a smile again.
My cheeks automatically blushed; I shyly said, "thanks aunty" and put the cup of coffee on the table.
"Oh Riya, look how shy you are! Just look at me" she said with a smile hugging me and kissed me on the cheek.
I too hugged her lovingly and started laughing hiding my face in her lap. She started moving her hands on my back. After two minutes I was back to normal, but I was still a little embarrassed. I quickly got up and came to my room and stood looking at myself in the mirror. I was experiencing for the first time what it was like to be blushed as a woman. I lied down on the bed with that blush on my face. I made a video call to Rihan. Talking to him today I had a different feeling. I was playing with my hair. The lips were caught in the teeth. Rihan's face was in front of my eyes and I was getting excited. Even hearing his voice today was intoxicating. I wanted him close to me at this moment. I wanted to give him a big hug. After talking for a while he cut the call as he wanted to go for breakfast. I hugged the pillow to my chest and brought his face in front of my eyes and remembered the beautiful moments spent with him. My eyes were closed; Remembering those beautiful moments, I became more excited. In no time, I was unconsciously saying 'Rihan... Rihan'. The breath was warm. In the meantime, I heard a voice from behind,
"Riya, what shall I make for breakfast?"
I snapped out of my thoughts and opened my eyes. Looking back, Manisha aunty was standing at the door of the room.
"Aunty, whatever you make I will eat it.." - I said in a soft voice.
"Ok. Shall I make a sandwich then?"
"Ok aunty"
"I will make it" - so she went back.
I followed her into the kitchen to help her. I was buttering breads. But I was not paying attention. I was still thinking of those beautiful moments with Rihan. As she noticed that I was not paying attention to my work, she looked at me from time to time and smiled cheekily. After I buttered all the bread, I sat on the chair behind her in the kitchen. She was cooking sandwiches. I was getting a different feeling while seeing her. I was attracted to her. I sat looking at her for a while. Every now and then she would turn back and talk to me, my attention would be on her shapely body. I got up and came to her and hugged her from behind, closed my eyes and rested my head on her shoulder and said,
"I love you aunty"
"Love you to my dear", she said.
she put her hand on my arm and started to put one last sandwich from the pan to the plate. I was holding her like that for a minute. She gently slapped my hand and signaled me to leave the hug. I stepped aside and picked up the sandwich on the plate. I took out a bottle of chutney from the fridge and sat outside on the dining table. Manisha aunty also came behind me and sat in front of me. As I sneaked a look at her, we caught sight of each other. She raised her eyebrows, "What?" She smiled while pointing this out. I also smiled cheekily with a gesture of "Nothing". We continued like this until breakfast. After breakfast, she got up and leaned forward on the table to take my plate, She raised her eyebrows again, "What?", and I blushed again and said 'Nothing'. She went to the kitchen and came to the living room after sometime. I was sitting on the one side of sofa with my back bent and my knees up, watching TV. She came near my feet and sat on the other side of the sofa facing the TV. I was at her left side. I was looking at her lips, her breasts. I don't know what happened but at that time I developed a strong attraction towards her. She let out a sigh every now and then and was taking the hair from her left shoulder to her right shoulder. I got up and lay down with my head on her lap. She was still looking at the TV and I was looking at her. She put her left hand on my head and started to pat me with love. I grabbed her hand and stuck my right hand fingers in hers.
"What are you doing Riya...?" she said in a soft voice.
Her breathing had increased but she was still staring at the TV. I slowly sat up and looked at her and the next moment I leaned forward and put my lips on her lips. The next moment I was a bit afraid of her reaction. She got up without looking at me and turned off the TV and went to her bedroom without saying anything. In a moment all my emotions changed I felt sorry for my actions. I followed her.
"Aunty... I'm sorry"
She turned around and smiled at me. "It's okay."
I felt very good. I relaxed and went to her and hugged her. She reassured me by patting my back.
"How crazy! You should go to meet him" she said.
"Really?" - I asked excitedly.
"Yes my dear! Go and meet him..." she said pinching my cheek.
I hugged her again as a thank you and came to my room. I was now curious about meeting Rihan. I wanted to tell this news to him. Meanwhile, aunty came near the door and said,
"Riya, I think you should surprise him. So don't tell him anything.."
"Yes aunty...this is very good idea." - I said excitedly.
Manisha aunty smiled at me and went back and I lied down on the bed wondering how much fun it would be to surprise him and what would be his reaction.
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Chapter Eleven
As soon as I woke up in the morning, I went to college. After reaching home at 4:30 I booked a flight ticket to Nagpur with the help of Manisha aunty. Later that night we went to the mall for shopping. The flight was in the next evening. Manisha aunty came to the airport to drop me off. I reached Nagpur at 8 pm. The taxi reached the building where Rihan lived. I wanted to surprise him. I called him.
"Hi beautiful! You called early today?" - Rihan
"Why? Do I disturb you?" - I
"No! Nothing like that. You call late every night..." - Rihan
"I miss you dear! Called early because I wanted to talk to you..." - Me
"Miss you too beautiful..." - Rihan
"Oh really? Then why didn't you call me...?" - I
"Riya I'm sorry for that! You know I'm busy dear..." - Rihan
"It's 8:30 Rihan! What are you working on now?" - I
"Hey Riya! I'm not working at this moment but I get tired during the day. Please try to understand" - Rihan
"Ok! Where are you now?" - I
"At the flat..." - Rihan
"Did you eat?" - I
"No dear! I'll do it in a little while" - Rihan
"Rihan, I miss you so much! I want you with me.." - I said lovingly.
"Please try to understand baby...I miss you too dear..." - Rihan
"Baby please come here....for a day... please.." - Me
"Riya....please don't talk like this...or else I won't be able to focus on work..." - Rihan
"So you're not coming ha?" - I
"No Riya! I can't! Please don't be upset...I'll try this weekend" - Rihan
"Ah! I can't wait baby..."
"Sorry dear! But you have to wait." - Rihan
"No, I can't wait that long! I don't want to talk to you now.... Please don't call me. Now you come here and talk to me only when you meet me. Bye" - I said with fake anger and immediately cut the call.
I came to his building. His calls were coming one after the other but I was not picking them up. After getting into the elevator, the network went out and his calls stopped coming. I used to laugh so hard thinking about what he would be like now. While in the elevator, a girl two or three years older than me was standing wearing a mask. Looking at her, I felt attracted to her for a few moments. She was very fit. After getting off the elevator, I felt like teasing Rihan some more. Rihan lived on the twelfth floor. When I came there, that girl also got down there. Stopping in the passage, I took the mask out of my bag and put it on my face. Covering the head and the rest of the face with a scarf, I called the girl and told her my plan. We both went in front of his flat. On my request she rang the door bell. He opened the door.
"Hello! Are you Mr. Rihan Deshmukh?", She said.
"Yes, who are you?" - he said, looking at her angrily.
"We know you live here alone." - She
"No! Someone gave you wrong information." - Rihan
"Hey, the watchman told us downstairs. And he showed us the register. It says you live alone in this flat." - She
"So what?" - He was confused.
"Actually we can't get a flat anywhere in this area. You live alone here, so can we both also live here? The watchman said that you have come here only for two months. Then we will both stay here after you. Till then can you let us live here..." - She
"No no! Hey how so? I'm sorry but I can't help you. Please leave me now...", He said irritated.
She didn't know what to say next. She looked at me. Then I changed my voice and spoke to Rihan.
"Please sir, you are going to stay here for next one month. Even if you give us a room, we won't bother you. And yes we will pay half the rent. Please sir..."
"Oh madam, should I let you live here because you are going to pay the rent? I can't afford it... and you brought your luggage here too? How ridiculous! Please go now..." - he said looking at my bag and the next moment he was closing the door.
"Sir...sir...please wait..." - I said.
He held the door half open and asked, "Now what?"
"Sir there is one more person living alone on the top floor till she ask them can I use your washroom? Please sir..." - I said in a very pleading tone.
"Please sir..." She said too.
He looked at both of us once. "Ok...but please get out of here soon after that..." He opened the door.
"Thank you sir..." we both said at the same time and she left for her flat.
I came in his flat. He looked very upset. I put my bag aside by the door. He sat on the sofa and started calling someone. He must be calling me. I had already put the phone on silent mode. I was laughing so hard in my mind. I stood looking at him. He did not pay attention to me.
"Sir..." I said.
"What?" he said angrily.
"Where's the washroom?" - I
He hit the phone on sofa angrily and got up and showed me the washroom. I went to the washroom and removed the scarf, mask and came out. I wanted to laugh so hard, but I came out hiding it. He was mostly texting me while looking at his mobile phone. I came and sat beside him on the sofa with light steps. He didn't even look at me.
"Sir..." I said deliberately.
"What?" He spoke angrily without looking up.
I started laughing out loud. He glared at me.
"Oh my god! Riya...!" The expression on his face changed in an instant.
"I never thought you would surprise me!"
He was surprised and happy to see me. But I was holding my stomach and laughing.
"How much you bothered me.... Ha..." He started pinching me, pulling me closer.
"No....Rihan....no...aaaa" I was still laughing.
He hit me hard with pillow. I calmed down a bit. But I couldn't stop laughing...I kept laughing. He gripped both my wrists tightly in his two hands. I was trying to escape. He had a very nice smile on his face. He leaned over and kissed me and for the next few minutes we were in each other's arms making love to each other. It was nine thirty at night.
"Dear, I'm feeling so hungry" - I said hugging him.
"I'm not hungry now," he said with a smile.
"I'm talking about food" - I
"Let's go out for dinner beautiful" - He first laughed and then said stepping aside.
And we enjoyed a very nice dinner that night.
----------✽----------
Chapter Twelve
I stayed in Nagpur for two days. During those two days we used to be together anywhere in the house whenever we got time. Now Manisha aunty was knowing about us, so now I really felt like Rihan's official wife. And I was giving him complete pleasure. Seeing the happiness on his face made me feel so good. I wanted nothing else at that time except for him to be happy with me. I still remember those two days. Nothing can compare to the happiness I experienced in those two days. Neither of us could get rid of each other but I couldn't take another day off from college; I had promised Manisha aunty to pass in all subjects. I came back to Mumbai even when I didn't want to. My face was happy when I met him. Manisha aunty annoyed me a lot because of this. I happily went to college. A month passed by. Rihan had come back to Mumbai. My relationship with Manisha aunty had become better.
Everything was going well. Suddenly one day my stomach started to hurt. When I told Manisha aunty about it, she gave me the pill she had been given earlier for period pain. But I noticed that I didn't get my period at all. I was scared. I did not say anything about this to Manisha aunty. The very next day I brought a pregnancy test kit from the medical. I was shocked to see his result. Oh God! Was I pregnant? I had no idea for a few minutes. I panicked and called Rihan.
"Rihan..." my voice cracked.
"What happened beautiful?"
"I think I'm pregnant..."
"What? Oh no! Did you check properly?" - He said angrily.
"Yes dear, I checked with a pregnancy kit..."
"No Riya, you should go to the doctor..."
"Please come here..." - I said in a crying voice.
"Ok...I'm coming... But don't say anything to aunty."
"What shall I tell her?" - I
"Don't cry Riya, I am coming there. You don't worry, I will talk to aunty.."
"Ok... please come quickly..."
"Yes dear, I am leaving for Mumbai tonight... you be normal first... otherwise aunty will doubt.."
"Hmm.."
He hung up and I sat on the bed crying. After two minutes I was trying to be normal by splashing water on my face. Somehow that day passed. The next evening I was sitting in living room and watching TV.
"Riya, what should I make for dinner ?"
She said while sitting besides me. I mustered up the courage to talk her
"Aunty I'm going out for dinner with Rihan...", I smiled forcefully to hide the stress on my face and said.
"Ok, so he is in town ha? then I will also go to meet your dad. It's been a long time since I met him. When you went to Nagpur, he also went to Goa. So I couldn't meet him then." She said
"Ok aunty! I will be a little late." - I
"No problem dear, enjoy your time" - She said with a smile.
"Thanks aunty!" - I
"I'm leaving now, take care!" - She hesitated to get up and go out.
And within five minutes she got ready and went to dad. Now I was sitting alone in the house waiting for Rihan. He arrived in the next fifteen minutes. I hugged him tightly as soon as I saw him. He made me sit on the sofa.
"Where's Aunty?" He said in a gentle tone as he knelt down in front of me reassuring me.
"She went to meet Dad" - Me
"Why? You didn't tell her anything, did you?"
"Why should I tell dear?" - I said a little irritated.
"Thank God! Well she's not here" - Rihan
"Hmm.."
"Riya, don't cry man!" He got up and sat beside me hugging me.
He wiped my eyes and rose up and took me by the hand and said,
"Let's go! Let's go to the doctor right away..."
I just looked up at him without saying anything. He supported my shoulders and lifted me up.
"Don't worry Riya, if you are pregnant we will take care of our baby. I have spoken to my mom. We will marry and I will take you to my home."
I felt supported by his words! I hugged him tightly.
"I love you dear!" - I
"Love you beautiful" - he said kissing my cheek.
"Now relax...let's go to the doctor..."
I gave him a nod, pulled myself together and came out with him, holding his hand tightly. We went to the doctor on his bike. The doctor told that I am pregnant. The stress I felt before I met Rihan was gone when I was with him. I was happy to hear from the doctor that I am pregnant. Rihan was also very happy. While returning from the bike, we stopped at a restaurant on the way and celebrated by cutting a cake. After that we came home after having dinner. Manisha aunty had not come yet. It was half past ten at night. I called her and asked how much time she would take to come. She said she will come in the morning. I asked Rihan to stay with me. That night I felt very supported in his arms. We didn't make out that night because I was pregnant so Rihan said no; Otherwise I wanted too much. We chatted a lot about our marriage, upcoming baby. We decided to name him "Riyansh" for a boy and "Riyansha" for a girl. I fell asleep in his arms.
It's morning. I woke up when Manisha aunty knocked on the door. Looking at the clock, it was ten o'clock. Seeing Rihan sleeping half naked on my bed she smiled cheekily and asked what to make for breakfast. I asked her to make poha and stood looking at my future husband who was sleeping. How soundly he slept. I went near him and kissed him on the cheek and woke him up. After that we took bath together. All came to the living room. Manisha aunty was still in the kitchen. Rihan sat watching TV and I went to the kitchen. She was done cooking and was cleaning everything in the kitchen.
"Hi aunty!" I stood behind her and said.
"Hi dear! So how was your night?" - she said teasing me.
"It was a regular night aunty.."
"Oh why?"
I hugged her from behind and put my lips near her ear and said in a soft voice, "I'm pregnant aunty"
She was confused. She put my hands aside and looked at me. There was no joy on her face.
"What are you talking about?" she said worriedly.
"It's true aunty..." I bowed my head and said.
"Rihan..." she cried.
He quickly got up and came to the kitchen. And he started looking at both of us.
"Is this true?" - she spoke in a rising voice.
"Yes aunty..." - he mumbled.
"How irresponsible you are! She is still so young..." she said worriedly. Her voice was soft now.
"It just happened aunty....but don't worry...I have talked to mom about it. We will take care of her.." He said.
"So you're going to give birth to this baby?"
"Yes aunty..." I said looking at her.
"No Riya, you're too young. You can't…" she explained, putting her hand on my shoulder.
"Aunty... I want this baby... we can't kill our first baby in the womb..." I explained to her.
"But what about you Riya? Can you bear it?" - Tears came to her eyes.
"I will aunty…."
"No Riya you can't...try to understand dear..."
"How do you know aunty? You don't have any child!" I spoke.
She started crying more now. Maybe she got hurt by me talking like that. I realized my mistake.
"I'm sorry aunty...I shouldn't have said that..." I hugged her.
She put her head on my shoulder and cried. After a while she wiped her eyes and said,
"I had a child Riya.....but we lost her when she was two....we tried hard after that but we didn't have another child...I lost her....but now I don't want to...” She stopped speaking.
Maybe she meant she didn't want to lose me. I hugged her back.
"I'm sorry aunty... but I want this baby..."
"If you've made up your mind, what can I do now?" She said stepping aside and glared at Rihan.
He didn't dare meet her eyes.
"Bye Riya, I will bring mom in the afternoon", and he left.
After that, when I explained a lot to Aunty, she looked at me and reassured me. She started worrying about me. Rihan came with his mom in the afternoon. I had met them before. She comforted me by hugging me. She assured Manisha aunty to take care of me. But aunty asked Rihan's mom to keep me here instead of taking me to their house.
In the next fifteen days aunty told everything to dad. He entrusted all the responsibility to her. Then Rihan and I got married within the next month. We got married with great fanfare. After marriage I stayed with Rihan for a few days and then again with Aunty. Everyone used to worry about me a lot. Gradually, as the baby grew, my belly began to show bump. In the seventh month I started having pain. Doctors said that when the baby is growing well and his health is a little older, there may be trouble during delivery. In the eighth month, I was admitted to the hospital. Manisha aunty was very worried. Her condition was gradually deteriorating. The doctor suggested a caesarean two days before the end of the ninth month. I was in a lot of pain. Manisha aunty did not see it. I don't know what happened on caesarean day. Eight days had passed when I regained consciousness. My eyes were looking for the baby. The baby was fine. I hugged him to my chest lovingly. "Riyansh" we had already decided his name.
"The baby look like you" - I said happily looking at Rihan.
He just smiled. I looked at the baby and started talking about what he and Rihan have in common. His nose, eyes, smile were all like Rihan. How happily I was telling him all that; But he was just smiling. I ignored him and indulged in playing with the baby. After a while, when the baby fell asleep, I asked Rihan.
"Where has Manisha aunty gone?"
He wanted to point at the baby and say let him sleep. I understand that. He supported me and lifted me from the bed. We walked to the balcony of the room. He held my hands tightly.
"Riya, aunty is no more..."
"What? What are you saying Rihan? Are you ok?" I yelled at him.
Tears came from his eyes. When I saw that, I began to understand what he said. He once again pointed with his neck and said that she had left. At that moment I felt that the ground beneath my feet shifted. When I was about to collapse, he hugged me. I cried a lot then. I was able to recover from that shock because Rihan was with me. He pacified me and made me sit on the bed. Dad was standing outside. He also came in and supported me. After three days I came to Rihan's house. I was missing Manisha aunty a lot.
The baby was one month old when I became completely normal. Rihan said she was shocked that I hadn't regained consciousness; While she was drinking and driving, she met with an accident on the way and passed away.
We had a daughter four years later. Her name is Manisha. I think aunty was born in my womb. I love her very much. Today it has been twelve years since she passed away. I promised her to pass in all subjects. Three years ago I joined the college again. And today I passed in my college with second rank. As soon as I got my degree home, I held it in front of her photo and told her,
"Aunty, look, I have become a lawyer. Today I fulfilled my promise. But even if you are not with me to see this moment, you must be watching me from wherever you are..."
Meanwhile Rihan came from behind with my little Manisha. He showed her my degree and told her that I have become a lawyer. Seven-year-old Manisha was happily dancing with degree in her hand, saying,
"Mamma is a lawyer..... Mamma is a lawyer..."
----------✽THE END✽----------
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