ASHUTOSH
"Sir, let's wrap up for today…." the photographer suggested as we were returning from today's shoot.
It's been a hectic day, we have been shooting since early morning, we even missed our breakfast so that we can capture sunrise scenes. After last time, by the time I returned to my room it was already very late, which left us a few hours to sleep and looking at how she's dossing off in the car right now, I assume she must have a sleepless night after compensating me.
I took her tired appearance as a confirmation to my thoughts, remembering her shocked and shy face from last night.
Sensing me staring at her she turned to look at me only to quickly turning back, looking outside, she's been like this all day, her shy face, not meeting my eyes indicating how last night's events affecting her, I smiled at her cute behaviour before answering,
" Okay , let's end it here, tomorrow we will leave for kanatal, after finishing the last day of shooting you guys are free." I instructed them.
Nodding in understanding we talked a little more before car turned toward Ganga ghat,
"Stop here, we'll walk back to the hotel after finishing Ganga aarti, you guys can go."
Stepping outside I helped Nalina with the bag, I extended my hands towards her, she hesitated for a second but before she could decide anything I grabbed her hand gently.
She looked at it for a second before stepping out. Hand in hand we walked through the crowd to Ganga ghat where aarti will take place, in the middle of so many people her hands unknowingly tightens her hold whenever she comes in contact with a stranger. I have noticed that she doesn't like too many people around her.
She spotted a vendor selling puja flowers and Diya, then she looked at me , understanding her wish. We brought a set to worship the holy river, it has been a routine. Ever since we came here everyday we perform puja , she's a spiritual person, every morning I accompany her to bathe in the river….. I remember how maa says, "A right person can change your life in a good way." Now I believe her.
Nalina is changing me in a good way.
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After Aarti they sat there for a while now that the crowd had dispersed, they enjoyed the tranquil atmosphere talking about nothing but still understanding each other's wishes, that's what true love means.
Slowly Nalina leaned into him resting her head on his shoulder, feeling the soft touch Ashutosh looked down at her, meeting her eyes they smiled. Looking at those dark beautiful eyes, before she could drown in them she quickly averted her eyes.
Ashutosh too smiled at her reaction, her every small action felt like feathers moving on his heart, soft , comforting, lovely.
After a while they went back to the hotel, it was around eight , perfect timing for dinner.
After the whole day's activity Nalina was hungry beyond words and could barely walk normally. So she suggested,
"Let's eat first, I'm famished, then I want to sleep early today."
Hearing that Ashutosh gives her a knowing smile, which reminds her of last night's kiss, no matter how much she tries to forget it, the thought pops up in her mind and doesn't know how but he knows it every single time like he can read minds.
Watching her shy expression he decided not to torment her anymore,
"Alright, I'm also starving. So let's eat first then we can sleep early, anyway we have to leave for kanatal tomorrow right after breakfast."
"Hmmm."she nodded as they entered the hotel turned towards the restaurant, as they entered Riya and Avinash also entered behind them, not knowing about Riya's behaviour Avinash greeted Ashutosh as usual. Ashutosh too didn't expose anything.
Seeing them together and harmonious for a second Riya couldn't hide her shocked expression but as soon as Avinash turned towards her she quickly masked it with a gentle smile.
But from her clinched hands Nalina understood her thoughts and rolled her eyes inwardly at her acting.
They set down Ashitosh and Nalina together. They ordered quickly while Riya was still going through the menu trying to order something special to show her good taste but as most of those cuisines were unknown to she tried to order something which she can easily pronounce. Avinash noticed it but didn't comment on it thinking she's confused on what to order.