The target on his head was almost achieved and Chaits left no stone unturned to make sure that he achieved it during the week.
In the meantime – he kept wondering as to what could have gone wrong. Anjali wasn’t answering any of his calls. He could only hope that Tanvi would find a solution for this impasse.
Tanvi called him and instructed him to visit Pune and meet Anjali, away from her home. She suggested that a drive to a nearby hill station of Mahabaleshwar would be the best date for them.
He agreed and promised to reach Pune on Saturday evening and put up at a hotel nearby to her home. He worked very hard the entire week so that he could make this trip to Pune.
On Saturday, he reached a bit late in the evening. When Anjali ignored his call, he texted her that he was in Pune, wanted her to accompany him on a date to Mahabaleshwar so that they could talk and clear any and every misunderstanding. It was almost about midnight when she texted him back that she would be ready by 7am.
‘Not everything is lost.’ He thought and slept in an elated mood. He was up and ready early next morning like the first robin in the spring. He texted her and started to drive toward her home. He didn’t forget to text Tanvi that her plan had worked and they were indeed going to Mahabaleshwar on a date…
It was as if, Anjali was awaiting his arrival. She appeared out in a flash and waived ‘bye’ to her parents and then queerly waived at the empty window on the first floor – “That’s my room” – she explained.
He put on his favourite music tracks even as they exited the city and were on the highway. She obviously was in a good mood and started to hum along with those tracks. He was amazed at her sweet voice and the sense of music.
He muted one of the tracks and asked her to sing it for him. She shyly refused at first but then yielded to his request. Her sweet voice cast an unbreakable spell on him. She could sing like an absolute pro…
He joined her and they sang lot of romantic duets together – the speed of his car matching the romantic atmosphere.
Soon they reached the place and halted to grab a breakfast. He looked at his phone when she disappeared to the washroom. He saw Tanvi’s message flashing…
‘I spoke to her in detail after which I understood her problem. Do you remember Guru had asked you to take a short walk on the eve of our engagement when you had driven us to the garden temple? That’s the time he kissed me to seal our engagement. I had related this to her and told her as to how happy I felt at that time. She was expecting the same treatment from you on the eve of your engagement – but you disappointed her – If you kiss her today – she’d be the happiest person…’
He read the message again and smiled at the thought of their kiss and then gulped nervously at the same thought – How? He never had kissed any girl before…
‘Everything has to have its first time…’ he tried reassuring his beating heart.
Once done, they started touring the scenic hills around in the township clicking each other’s photos with breath taking scenery in the background.
He had been driving his car and she had been sitting next to him. He hadn’t got a chance to look at her. When they started to alight from the car and click the photos, he had his chance to have a look at her. With every click, the tick in his heartbeat increased its pace…
They reached a point where they could drive no further. He parked the car and they set out on foot toward the scenic point known as Elephant head.
It was nearing rainy season and the place seemed to be under invasion of thick, heavy clouds. Few were so thick that one could hardly see at a yard’s length away.
Their walk up to the point – up and down the hilly path and few steps here and there was surrounded with nature which unfurled its beauty galore and seemed like they were walking on a dreamy path.
The nature was so romantic that they unknowingly started to walk close, hand in hand, their fingers caressing each other’s…
Chaits looked around at the beautiful, romantic scenery around with sinking heart. This was an ideal location, ideal season, ideal for feelings of romance for a kiss – however, the place was heavily crowded with tourists. He wanted them to disappear for a moment giving him a chance to kiss her – The First Time…
With heavy heart, he started his walk back to the parked car. His hand slowly was slipping out of hers. It was a long walk, mostly a climb. He was so engrossed in finding a secluded spot that he had forgotten to speak to her – right from the moment he read the message from Tanvi. He was able to sense the growing uneasiness in her.
They almost reached the parking lot which was about 200 meters away where they had a bit of tedious climb of manmade steps.
“Anjali” he called her, “stand over there and give me your best pose – I want to capture it in my heart…”
Though confused by his uncalled for silence, she obeyed and conceded to his request – a ray of hope still shining in her heart.
He quickly looked around in search of a secluded place to kiss her. He noticed an opening and a cross country pathway on the side a couple of yards away.
‘YES – This pathway could be the only way where I can get the seclusion I need.’ He thought and smiled even as he clicked another photo on his phone.
“Have you ever walked cross country or been to a trek on a mountain?” he asked feigning innocence showing it as a bid to start a conversation.
“Yes – I have. It was a long time ago. That was the year when I had joined the college and seen you and fallen in love with you. Our entire classroom was on that trek. It was an amazing experience.” Her eyes faded into the distant college memories.
“Good.” He said with renewed enthusiasm, “let’s cross country our way back to the parking lot. It will be fun to experience it again…” she joined him in his enthusiasm.
They entered that opening, away from the buzz of tourists into the wilderness that looked like a romantic jungle of Adam and Eve. She held his hand tight in a concern that she might slip, fall and hurt herself. He was a glad caretaker of the damsel in distress…
They climbed about quarter of the distance inside that wood, away from any prying eyes. They reached a bit of an open space created by a crossroad of the raw pathways. He stopped there looking at the beauty and the serenity of that jungle like path, thinking which one would lead them to the parking lot.
She was a bit tired of the walk – up and down the hilly path and rested as she stood with her back resting against a tree. Here – he thought – he has a chance with not a single soul lurking around…
He looked at her with increasing heartbeats. She wore an off-white sleeveless top with a tint of rust colour. She had let her hair loose and the tresses waived gaily with the wind, tickling, touching and playing with the blossom of her cheeks. The long shiny earrings that almost touched her shoulders gleamed in the light against her long dark hair, gurgling down her shoulders on to her back like a breath taking waterfall. Her arms looked smooth with a shiny skin that sprouted out of the sleeveless outfit – right up to her shiny nail paint.
Her dress was a perfect fit showing off her curves to an advantage even as her bosom heaved up and down with the heavy breathing. Her slim fit trousers showed off her shapely legs. He had a tough time controlling his lusty emotions which seemed to surface at the wrong time. He looked beyond her to control his rising feelings of lust on to the pathway.
For a moment he looked breathlessly at the pathway and quickly clicked another photo of her, while she looked at him – amused.
“Sweetheart” she said smiling, “we’re getting married in few months. I’m going to be with you forever – till my last breath. Why so many photo clicks? I swear they would be more than a hundred by the time we started walking around here.” She started giggling, ringing a thousand bells in his heart.
He took a step toward her and gently held her hand which started to tremble with romantic anticipation.
“I want you to experience something… Something you never will forget in your life.” He gently pulled her near even as he spoke, “I want you to stand here – close to me and close your eyes.”
“I can’t – I’ll fall…”
“Don’t worry – I’m going to stand very close to you and make sure that you don’t fall… Just Trust Me…” she obeyed and stood close to him, her eyes shut.
“Now slowly – turn around and keep your eyes shut till I ask you to open them.” She nodded and started to turn slowly till he patted her to stop.
‘Now – spread your arms as if you are gliding. Remember that classic Titanic pose? – Yes – exactly the same way…” she raised her arms till they were parallel to the ground. He crept behind her, his arms parallel to hers, slowly caressing her fingers, “Now – slowly open your eyes – and look straight ahead…”
She opened her eyes and looked straight ahead as he had instructed. She looked on – breathless at the sight … The pathway leading downward was slowly being covered by an approaching thick cloud hiding any view beyond it…
“How lovely?” she exclaimed in joyous wonder. The cloud soon approached engulfing them inside its thick fog. The visibility was not more than a couple of yards.
He held her hand and slowly turned her around and directly looked into her dreamy eyes…
“Anjali…” he truthfully said, “I’ve never fallen in love with any girl except you so I never had any experience of romancing a girl. I know you might find me a bit clumsy on this account – but – I promise you this – I’ll always keep you experiencing the cloud of love and romance – the way you are experiencing this cloud now… Do you need anything else from me – just let me know…”
Hearing these words of truth from him, her heart melted completely and she hugged him tight in her happiness…
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