Round the Way

We felt rejuvenated after this wonderful trip and returned to the normal college life. I continued playing cricket. I often had to travel to participate in competitions and championship matches. Aditi wanted to attend every match and every tournament in which I was a part of. She turned out to be my lucky charm. Our friends and colleagues began to spread words about our relationship. There were rumours in the class about our marriage. I did not like it. I did not want our friendship to become the talking point among the students. I could not prevent the tongues wagging. I just ignored them. That was the only wise choice.

I was at the peak of my career. I was looking for better alternatives to improve my performance. I was putting in hard work by regular practice. I went for morning jog and did exercise to keep myself fit.

It was eight in the morning, I was brushing my teeth and was about to take bath. The first lecture was scheduled at 9:00 am. While I was taking a shower, my phone rang. I ignored it, thinking to call back once I come out of the bath. It rang again.

Vineet shouted aloud, ‘Bro, pick up the phone please. I am trying to sleep.’ The only option I had was to come out as soon as possible.

I came out and checked my phone. It showed ten missed calls, from only one person- Aditi. I was stuck in high and die situation. I immediately called her.

‘What the hell is wrong with you? Where were you? I have been calling since last ten minutes,’ she grunted.

‘And if I ask you the same question, what the hell was wrong with you?’ I snapped.

‘Great, then I am leaving,’ she sulked.

‘Leaving? One second. How? The class is supposed to be at nine. Why are you early here?’ I glanced through the window and saw her.

‘No questions, please. I’ll give you five minutes. Come downstairs, I am standing in front of your hostel gate,’ Aditi grunted again.

I selected my clothes and got ready on a jiffy. Vineet kept on asking where I was going. I told him about the conversation I just had with Aditi over the call and left the room. Without having my breakfast, I rushed downstairs stood before her before the deadline expired. She was sitting on a vintage bike. I was surprised, and counted her mad feelings.

‘Perfect!’ she smiled.

‘What’s going on? What is with this old bike? Where have you got it from?’ ‘It’s my grandfather’s. Come, we are getting late,’ Aditi expressed.

‘Late for what?’

‘A day out.’

‘A day out, that sounds good. Wait let me call Vineet and Ruchi.’ I took out my phone from the pocket and was about to call Ruchi.

Aditi came close to me, gently nabbed my t-shirt and whispered in my ear, ‘Just you and me.’

My heart pounded with excitement. Then, she planted a quick kiss on my left cheek. My heart skipped a beat.

She held my hand and asked me to sit the at the back and she took the driver seat. She was in romantic mood today. I wondered if she ate anything by mistake that has intoxicated her early in the morning?

She stretched my hands on her waist and asked me to hold her firmly. She sounded hot like hell. In one shot she kick-started the bike, and there we go.

‘Hold me tight baby… it’s going to be a crazy ride,’ she shouted.

We heeded to Old Delhi. Aditi was hungry and so was I. We were passing by a food street in Delhi 6. At first stop, we headed to Querish’s, where we ordered aloo parantha with dahi. The parantha was tasted so rich with butter and ghee, I couldn’t eat more than one. Whereas, Aditi relished three of them. Then, we went for shopping for Aditi. And yes, like a gentleman, I paid the bill. She bought three different size of apparel, a wrist watch and five pairs of shoes. And I got just one kiss in return.

When you are with your loved ones, how time goes off quickly, you will never know. It was about 2:00 pm. Aditi was in mood to watch a movie. We went to PVR Saket, Aditi’s favourite place to hangout. We brought movie tickets for Ishqzaade, which marked debut casting of actor, Arjun Kapoor. While, Aditi was enjoying the movie, I enjoyed the time being in her company. Her love was heart-warming; I got no words to express my feelings at that very moment. Her eyes were on screen, and mine were on her.

After Ishqzaade, it was now time for a cup of coffee. I knew a perfect spot for that, and this time I kick started the bike. And asked her to hold me tight.

‘It’s going to be a bumpy ride.’ I opined.

Finally, I parked our bike to the side of a small tea shop and we sat down near the River Yamuna banks, It felt amazing to enjoy the serenity of the milieu with my beloved.

‘Can I go and buy a cigarette?’ I asked.

‘Sure. But promise me it would be the last cigarette of your life. Promise me you’ll quit smoking after this,’ she replied.

I smiled in persuasion, ‘Okay… I promise,’ and got one from the shop. While I was smoking my last cigarette, Aditi snatched and smoked it too.

I guiled at her.

‘Hey… what are you looking at? This is my last cigarette too,’ she dazzled.

Love felt so unique. My life was threshing in one soul. It was a dream I wished for; she was here with me, holding my hand. With a little wish to god, to carry us to the infinity, for this very moment, our lives could never fade away.