HeartBeat - Chapter 9

*The Kiss.......Almost.*

It was 8 in the morning and all the close relatives who had stayed in for the night were getting ready to leave. Except for Raj’s sister, Rekha and her son Vicky. They were staying for a few more days.

Raj woke up, hearing all the commotions in the house. Since Raj was on 15 days leave for marriage, he was not in a hurry to get ready and leave for office. He looked on Minal’s side of the bed only to find it empty, thinking that she might be in the bathroom he knocked the door, with no response he opened it, there was no one inside. Disappointed to start a day without seeing her, he remembered the night before. Looking in the mirror, he sighed. Since he was alone in the room, he took the opportunity to call his friend in privacy.

"Ring Ring."

"Hey Raj, what’s up? Calling me on the second day of your marriage?? Everthing ok?? Did you fight with you wife already? " He laughed. It was Chetan, Raj’s best and trustworthy buddy from the work.

"Shut up you dumb head. Nothing like that happened." Raj chuckled. "Listen I want to ask you something." Said Raj.

"What is it??"

"It’s a bit embarrassing."

"Just say it. You know I can keep secrets."

"Yeah, ok……do you……..do you think my mustache is irritating??" Asked Raj after carefully choosing the words.

There was silence from Chetan’s end for 5 seconds and then, "Hahahahahaha" he bursted out in full volume.

"That’s not funny you chuckle head." Raj was irritated.

"Sor….. sorry, but I couldn’t hold it inside." Siad Chetan still controlling his laughs.

"Ok, now that you have had your fun, can you answer me?"

"I told you it was a bad idea. But no you just wanted to grow up."

"I realize it was a mistake , now what??"

" What do you mean ‘now what’? Remove it dumbo. I am damm sure your wife didn’t approve for it. I can only imagine the reason behind it, but whatever it might be, you have no other choice. It’s either her or your moustache. Your decision. I gotta go now. Good luck buddy. Bye."

It was 9:00 am, when Raj heard a knock on the door. He called out from his bathroom.

"Come on, breakfast is ready. We are waiting for you." Said his sister from the bathroom door.

"5 min." Raj replied.

By now, all the relatives have left and only family member were seated at breakfast table waiting for Raj, when he came to join them.

"Ok, lets sta….." stopped Mr. Verma.

Following his gaze, everyone looked at Raj. For a second all just stared at Him. He had actually shaved his mustache.

"What??" said Raj, feeling uncomfortable.

"Well well well." Said Mr. Verma.

"Hmmm, its better." Commented Mrs. Verma.

Whereas Raj’s sister, Rekha was laughing uncontrollably and Minal trying hard to absorb her laughs closing her mouth with her hand.

"Cut it off sis, What so funny. I am just back to my real self." Reasoned Raj, taking his seat and kicking Minal underneath the table.

Raj hurried with the breakfast and quickly went to his room. Ten minutes later Minal came in. Raj didn’t look up at her.

"Hey, are you angry?" Said Minal smiling at the face she was attracted too a few months back.

No reply.

"Raj, I…."

"I am not talking to you." He said pretending to be angry.

"But it was…"

"I did this for you and you were also laughing at me."

"No, no, I swear…."

"No need to make excuses. Now you won’t get for which I shaved it. I am not going to forgive you that easily."

"You will punish me???" she asked, surprised.

"Yes and for that I am talking you out for lunch." He said, suddenly getting an idea when Minal said the word ‘punish’.

"Lunch is my punishment??" she said trying to stop her giggles.

"No, lunch is where you will receive your punishment."

"Ok, I accept." She knew he was lovingly challenging her.

"Sure?? You will have to do whatever I say."

"Done." Minal didn’t object. She wanted to see how much mischievous Raj could get.

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Raj and Minal were on their way to the hotel where Raj had decided for their lunch and her punishment. She didn’t ask him were they were headed and either did he tell her. There wasn’t any need for that information, as both were excited in their anticipation. After 15 minutes of drive they arrived at the restaurant. It was not very expensive one but indeed a good place to stop by. It had tables inside and outside the restaurant and Raj preferred to sit outside. Minal ordered Chinese food, were as Raj stuck to Indian food.

"So, what’s my punishment??" Asked Minal while waiting for their food.

"If I tell you now, you will lose your appetite."

"What’s going on in your mind??" She asked but Raj just flashed a smile.

Lunch was served and Minal kept looking at Raj, that he might say something, but he didn’t. After lunch, they waited for their dessert.

"Are you ready??" He asked.

"Yupe."

"Whatever I say." He confirmed.

"Whatever you say." She said smiling at him with full confidence.

"Kiss Me." He said looking intently at those bright dark brown eyes.

"What???" Her eyes widened and ears felt warm. She never imagined Raj would ask her to do that in a public place.

"Here?? But…… you got to be kidding me."

"I am damm serious."

"That’s not fair. You are taking advantage of the situation."

He shrugged, "So?? You agreed for all the terms and conditions."

"I am not doing it in a public place."

"If you wont, then I will." He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him.

"I thought you were a shy guy."

"You provoked me." Saying so he closed in to her in an attempt to make her panic and agree to his punishment and it worked. He was only inches away when she stopped him.

"Alright. I will do it. Let go my hand people are watching." She said trying to make some distance between them.

"I don’t care whose watching. I am your husband and you are my wife." He said looking at her with a smug face. "I am waiting."

"Okay." She looked about and saw that everyone was busy with their food. Satisfied that noone was watching them, she turned towards him looking straight in his eyes and neared him. Closer and closer and closer. Raj couldn’t believe she was doing it in front of so many people, "Wow" he thought. Their lips were only centimeters away, when she pulled his hand in front of his eyes which was still holding her hand and then she placed a kiss on his hand and quickly backed off with a success of freeing her hand from his grip.

Everything happened so fast that Raj didn’t get what just happened. Minal looked at his expression changing from baffled to confusion to astonished and then restless and irritation mixed.

"What was that?? I …… you….." He looked at his wife for explanation who was trying so hard to muffle her laughter that tears formed in her eyes.

"Minal???"

"I……you……..look at you." He said between her laughs. Raj didn’t said anything and waited for her to cool down.

"You cheated." He stated.

"No I didn’t. I kept my word and, I did whatever you said, didn’t I."

"I said to kiss me"

"Ya, but you never mentioned where, so it was entirely up to me to choose where to."

"That will teach me not to underestimate you. Don’t think you will get away with it. I will take my revenge. You will have to kiss my lips. Wait till its night." He said with mischief in his eyes.

"I will be waiting." She giggled thinking that he made same mistake by not mentioning WHICH night.

On their way back home, Minal kept giggling and Raj kept fidgeting.