LONGING FOR….. ( CHAPTER 5 )

I controlled myself from laughing as I saw him having a pathetic expression on his face. I have caught him red-handed. Ishaan chuckled as he winked at me. My heart found Harsha too cute even though he was overhearing our talks. God knows why. I continued looking at him. I slowly made my way to our room, still continuing my work of staring him. As I passed him, I heard him saying “Damn!!” I walked hastily and locked the door. I let out a hearty laugh whilst I remembered the happenings. He was looking cute beyond words. How will I describe? Like a child, who got caught by his mom. My phone flashed. It was Ishaan.

“Duffer, your Romeo is looking so afraid. I think he is scared about your reaction. Come on ya! Don’t leave this wonderful opportunity.”
“Are you mad, Ishaan? Oops… I already know that you are mad. So, stop giving such stupid ideas” I told him.
“Duffer!! Don’t act foolish. I already know that till now, you guys have not even opened up with each other. So, act as I say.” He commanded.
“That’s the problem now, Ishaan! What if he becomes hurt by this?” I asked.
“Hu ha ha!! My dumbest sister, my even more dumber brother doesn’t get angry for all these. He is just
timid, not like the terrific super hero image, which you guys see onscreen.”
“But… I am scared…” My voice trailed off.
“Just do it as I say for God’s sake, Gal!!” He snarled.
“Okay… Calm down!!” I tried to pacify.
“Do it first!!”
“I will try….” Before I could speak, that stupid had ended the call.
I sighed. Now, where have I got myself entangled into!? I just hate myself. How will HE react? Cool down, baby. I said to my thumping heart. May be, I am reacting much. Why am I being so formal to prank on MY husband? Okay, let me give a try. Obviously, it will be much fun.

I jerked as soon as I heard the creaking sound of door being opened. It was HIM, of course. I immediately put up the act of ignoring him. I took my phone and started to fidget with it. I could sense his gaze on me and I felt like my heart would jump out of its place. I continued looking at my phone. “Ahem!” I heard him clearing his voice which was to make me turn to him. I placed my phone aside and went near the closet and picked a T-shirt and a trouser. I walked past him and barged inside the restroom. What am I doing? I started cursing myself for behaving so stupid. I changed my dress without any reason again. I slowly opened the door and peeped outside to check whether he was there in the room. I tiptoed slowly as I sensed his absence. I took a deep breath. But deep inside my heart, a strange feeling arose inside me. Disappointment, perhaps. Yes it is disappointment. I cursed myself for expecting HIM to speak. All because of this Ishaan!! I dialled his number. I put that on speaker as I lay on the bed.
“Now, don’t say thanks and stuff. I don’t like all these, you see!” He said.
” Thanks, my foot!! You dumb head!! I hate you Ishaan!!” I yelled.
“O Lord! Now, what did I do?!” He asked me innocently.
“What else you didn’t do?”
“Don’t exaggerate for God’s sake! Tell me, NOW.”
I narrated him about the events that happened.
“No doubt. You’re an idiot. I mean this!!” He said scornfully.
“What did I do? You told me to ignore him!” I shot at him.
“I told you to ignore him. Not to settle there in the restroom!”
” I couldn’t look at him ya! He was…. He was….” I could not complete that.
“He was…?” Ishaan asked.
“Leave it.”

As I said this, I heard a crackling laughter. My ears cocked up. I got up to see who it was. You guys would have guessed it by now. Obviously, it was HARSHA, who emerged from the curtains. I became numb. There he was, laughing like a mad. He had been hiding behind the curtains and how did I fail to notice it? From his laughter, I could guess that he had heard my conversation with Ishaan. He suddenly stopped his laughter. Probably, he stopped it due to my gaze on him. He bit his lips trying hard to control his laughter. His laughter made me furious. If it was some other day, I would have admired his first ever hearty laughter in front of me for sure.
“Laugh, Mr. Harsha. Why did you stop? You love laughing at me, right? You know only to laugh. When you could laugh, why didn’t you talk to me? ” I roared in anger.
His expression changed. He looked at me. But, I did not stop. My anger was at its peak. I was about to move when his hand stopped me.

He held my hand tightly. He made me turn. I could not face him as tears were making their way down my cheeks. I lowered my eyes. He held my chin up and lo! My orbs met his. Mine were searching for something in his orbs. For the first time, I hated movies. Being a movie buff, I used to love the romantic scenes in which the hero and heroine have eye locks and the hero/heroine will find love glistening in their eyes. But, I could find none in his eyes.  May be, I am expecting too much. Or I am a stupid who believes these dope scenes to happen in real life. Yes, I am.
His hands cupped my face and I felt as if I was bound by a magical spell as he did that.
“I laughed because, because you looked…. So adorable while you were talking over the phone.” He said in a deep voice making my heart flutter.
“I believe that silence between us is bliss than the words. The silence between us is what I love. Hope you could feel the same way” He said in the same deep voice.
He is right. The silence during our first meet after our engagement, the silence during our first day after marriage, where we struggled for words, and many more looked so blunt during that time. But, when I think about them, I could feel happiness engulfing me. I looked at him and he at me. His intense gaze on me is making my cheeks go red. I slowly departed from him and walked down hastily, of course, smiling like an idiot.
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It has been one week, since I had come here for shooting. It feels so good when you’re surrounded by your family. And with her around me, I smile for almost everything. She makes me free from all my work pressure. I am loving this. Today is the audio launch of my another upcoming movie. I am here, in a luxurious hotel. I am waiting for her and mom, who were supposed to be here by now. She was sceptical to come here at first, but Mom made it easy. I am feeling so damn excited. Strange! It is not new for me to attend audio launch functions like these.
“Look! Harsha’s wife has arrived!! ” I heard media persons speaking among themselves. This is her first public appearance after marriage. A fear rose inside me, all of a sudden. I was sceptical that since this is her first public appearance, she would feel uncomfortable. I turned my gaze towards her, whose face clearly showed the signs of anxiety and nervousness. She was looking beautiful. My eyes were glued on to her as she walked along with mom inside. She sat beside me. I could sense her taking a deep breath. I pressed her hand. She looked at me and flashed her signature smile at me.

We were busy posing for the paparazzi throughout the programme. I used to hate posing for the camera. This time, I had to, as Mom wanted to. The programme went on smoothly. It was my turn to speak. I thanked my director, producer, the supporting cast, the technical team and my fans.
As I was speaking, I saw HER, whose eyes were fixed firmly on me. Her eyes were showing how proud she was of me. I ended my speech and there she was, clapping with a broad smile on her face. I felt that weird because, I haven’t mentioned her name or my family. I stepped down and sat. I saw her. “Thank you so much for your support” I told her quietly. She looked at me with shock. I was awaiting for her reply. She did not reply. She looked at the stage. I didn’t want to thank my family for namesake as many people do. I wanted to tell her properly, when we are alone. Why is she not replying? I don’t know.
The programme was over. She looked normal, but I was sure that she wasn’t. I held her hand and walked from there, while many cameras were busy capturing us. As we entered the party room, where there was a party for us to attend, I heard a voice.
“Hey Sweety!!!”
I was busy introducing HER to my crew when I heard that deep male voice. I turned. She too turned. It was a guy. Then, all of a sudden, that guy walked towards her and  hugged her, leaving me puzzled.
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