Surprise!

This is a fiction that cropped up as I saw this berry mousse picture in my pile of photos.


Comforting herself on a couch in the drawing room Kritika picked the remote control lying on the glass tepoy by her side.She changed the regional channel that was constantly running the past hour while she was busy with the preparations for supper. There was a reality game show about to start in few minutes.It was one of the many shows she never gave a miss.

Kritika worked as an HR executive in one of the most reputed industry in the city. She had moved into the new apartment with her husband Vaibhav the previous day. The locality was pretty new for the couple. They had been married for 6 months now. Adjusting to a new life , new lifestyle and now a new locality with new neighbours, new faces was on their cards. One thing that still kept them smiling was that their work place was just about ten minute drive on the outskirts of the city from their new home.

That evening Kritika picked some exotic fruits from the market on her way back home. She knew Vaibhav loved berries in any form you feed him with.It was their 6 month anniversary of their wedding and she was all happy and enthusiastic to celebrate the day with a beautiful berry delight surprise.

It was a recepie that was on her mind from quite sometime. She had started the preparations for this special day, a week before. She took her leave about an hour early from her work that day. Paid a visit to the Local market. Shopped all that was needed from the list prepared.Made sure Vaibhav was totally unaware of what was being planned. He was to return home by 8pm -the usual time unless he is caught in some dead traffic jam.

Kritika had started to know better of him and his traits over these days of living together. Their's was an arranged marriage. Kritika's distant aunt whom she had not seen all her life , one fine day, out of nowhere landed in her dad's house. Aunt Meenakshi Khanna had a son who had finished his masters in Computer Science and grabbed a top notch position in a multi national company. Mennakshi had come home for a reason. She had seen Kritika's profile on Manju Aunty's facebook at one of their kitty parties. Meenakshi brought along a proposal for marriage of Kritika with her only son Vaibhav. And that is how this marriage happened. Of course yeah, they had met like any other couple , shared their views, likes and dislikes. It started off with a few ocassional messages which turned to a couple of calls a day and that changed to long hours of talking in the night which culminated in a happy wedding.

After taking the blessings of family and friends they travelled to the city with a hub of Electronic companies where Vaibhav worked as a Senior Associate.Soon Kritika found a job for herself and they were happy happy and happy.

As she lay on the couch watching her favourite program she heard footsteps approaching the door.The clock showed 10 past 8. She was jumping with joy and was eagerly waiting to surprise her dear husband. She ran to the door and before Vaibhav laid his fingers on the switch to ring the bell, there she was dressed in a cozy white silk shirt which had a line of shiny white buttons with a matching sliky night pyjama , opened the door to welcome her darling home.Kritika stood by the door, she sported a beautiful smile, her soft hands held his tight. As she walked him in laid a small peck on his cheek before she whispered "I love you" in his ear. He
pulled her tight into his arms, moved his fingers through her scented strands of hair and eventually locked his lips onto hers.

She softly said " Darling, I have a surprise for you."

Vaibhav was startled , he persuaded her to tell what it was?

"Guess, what I've cooked for dinner?"

"Something special?"

"Don't be smart. I need an answer for a question , not another question dear.."

"Well... mmmm Let me guess. Its smelling of spice and flavours. I can also feel the heat of the chilli, and the sweetness of the ghee, the crackling sound of papad......"

"Vaibhav, It is not a restaurant menu I have asked for. Ok be that aside, Do you know what is special today?"

"Today is November 16th, It is not your birthday, neither mine. It's not my mom's birthday neither your parent's. Did you get a promotion? Well are you pregnant ?"
He pulls her onto the couch , unbuttons one button of her soft and silky shirt.

He moved his hands slowly creeping in.

"Shut up ! ha ha ha .. If you dont leave me now , I'd need to get another dinner ready to celebrate my pregnancy. Dear its our wedding 6 month anniversary. can you believe it ?"

"Time flies. I really did not know about it. I would bought a present for you if only you had reminded me of it before.Never mind. Am hungry now"

"Ok lets have dinner baby, freshen up and I'll make the table."

The music channel turned on as the clock struck 9 -
"Nothings gonna change my love for you.
You ought to know by now how much I love you
One thing you can be sure of
I'll never ask for more than your love
.....


....
....
Hold me now Touch me now
I don't want to live without you"


As she brought over the dishes to the table Kritika was humming the tune and a few lyrics here and there. Vaibhav came close to her ,joined in chorus "I don't want to live without you"..

He opened the lid of each dish and was very happy to see a dessert - Very Berry Mousse. Hugging his darling wife he said " Thanks baby. I am so blessed to ..."

She interrupted" Vaaaaibhaav, Comon.. lets start eating. Am hungry. Aren't you?"

"Am hungry too. Am hungry of you lady charm"

"You'd never change. Okay very berry delight on you plate".

The dinner was yummy. Kritika was a good cook , no doubt, but today she was excellent in her culinary skills. There was extra love that went into the cooking you see :)

She finished washing the dishes. Vaibhav helped her clean the table. It was a tiring day for the duo. They head to the bed room when she heard the door bell ring.

It was pretty late. 10:30 pm.

"Who could it be at this hour?" She questioned as she opened the door.

There was a parcel in her name. It was a small packet nicely decorated. She signed the courier and walked in with the parcel. The packet did not contain the sender's name. She opened the red glittery packet to see a gold chain with a locket that had Initials V K carved in style. She saw Vaibhav. His smile said it all. He remembered the day. It was exactly a year ago that his mom had asked him to check Kritika's profile on facebook. He had fallen in love the first time he had seen her in that simple photo. And yes it was the 6 month wedding anniversary too.

There was romance in the air. He picked her up, walked to the room and laid her gently on the bed.
He unbuttons her silky shirt, her breathing gets heavy and fast, the lights turned down.


Disclaimer: All characters in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely conincidental.

7 comments:

Rachna said...

Ah cute romantic story that was getting quite hot towards the end ;-).

http://rachnaparmar.com

Insignia said...

Haa good one and you stopped at the right time :-D

ಅಶ್ವಿನಿ/ Ashwini said...

@Rachna: :) hmmmm oh ya! I know. Quite into detailing.. :)

@Insignia: ha ha ha.. That is right!

Ritesh Agarwal said...

This story was reallly great...had a Mills & Boons touch to it

ಅಶ್ವಿನಿ/ Ashwini said...

@Ritesh: Hmmm I haven't read M&B's. However if its this way then sure I need to go buy some. Thanks Anyways and come again for more.

Karthik said...

Damn it! Just when it was getting interested, the story ended! ;)

Nice one.
It's a lovely blog you have here, Ashwini. Felt great to see kannada articles and poems. Off to read them. Keep writing. :)

ಅಶ್ವಿನಿ/ Ashwini said...

@Karthik: That is the beauty of this fiction and the reason for it to be titled Surprise. :) Welcome to my space and hope you enjoy my writing.

Journey of Love: Chapter 7: Discovering Deeper Connections

As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, Arjun and Latha found themselves drawn together by an undeniable force – love. They...