Aaj phir tum pe pyaar aya hai!

 She tied a knot with Neil, in an arranged marriage. Well-to-do, joint family, settled business of generations, an educated groom, servants at home, all in all, there was no reason to find faults with this prospect for affinity. Neetu was happy and elders in family said, "Diya leke doondhnese bhi nahi milta aisa rishta, khud chalke aye hai, aur kya chahiye?".

After their marriage, they went on a honeymoon for a week. Once they were back, Neil got busy with his business. Neetu got busy with settling down in her new environment.

She learned their style of cooking, she helped her MIL (Mother-in-law) with the household chores. Neetu was a graduate herself but "Sab kuch to hai tumhare paas, job karne ki kya jarurat?", such advices from her elders made her disregard the thought of working.

Everyday she would assure herself that she's fortunate to be daughter-in-law of such prestigious family. She assured herself that she is contented. But at the end of the day she felt miserable. Neil loved her but never showed or talked about it. He didn't mistreat her once, but neither made her feel special. Nobody in the house oppressed her, but neither appreciated.

She used to think, "As everyone says I am lucky, so I shouldn't feel low, I have everything, big house to stay in, good food to eat, servants to help, I should be ashamed of myself to feel miserable like this". 

One morning, she was watering the plants, when she saw her neighbour. He was giving a goodbye kiss to his wife, while leaving for his job. She felt butterflies in her stomach. She looked around, there were passersby, but the couple didn't pay any heed. They were enjoying their moment of happiness. She turned her head to other side. "Neil has never ever kissed me like this, he always comes close, only at night, that too when he feels the need", she got lost in her sad thoughts. The pot overflowed with water, it drenched the bottoms of her salwar. Her feet felt cold and she snapped back from her thoughts. Finishing her work she went inside.

While having her breakfast, she received a text message. "We have to attend a party at my client's house, in the evening. So be ready- Neil".

Neetu was excited. She was getting out of the house after long time (buying vegetables once in a while, from the shop at the corner, obviously didn't count), that too with Neil and for a party! She was exhilarated.

She tried on many salwar suits...purple looks boring, red looks too loud, yellow ummm too bright,  pink....yes pink looks pink! Her fashion show in front of the mirror was on for a long time and finally, it was already time to go. Neil came back, had his tea, got ready. "Why didn't you wear something bright?", he said. "Nevermind, let's go". They both drove off to the party.

Neetu had received some instructions like "Jyada jor se mat hasna, bahot jyada baat mat karna, har kisise friendly mat hona, Neil ke piche piche hi rehna", obviously from her MIL. It was their important client, after all.

Neetu had agreed to everything, she just wanted to go out with her husband and enjoy. They reached the venue. It was a huge party. It was client's wife's birthday. Neil had already got a gift. They both handed over the gift and wished her. Neil introduced Neetu to the client couple. "You have a beautiful wife, Neil, and pink suits her!", client's wife said. Neetu blushed and looked at Neil, but Neil ignored the compliment with just a nod.

Neil went ahead to talk to some business colleagues, while Neetu went to fetch some juice. At the bar counter, a couple was all lovey-dovey. The husband had entwined his arms with his wife's. The wife's face was glowing as he kissed her gently on the cheeks, which gradually turned into a french kiss. Neetu gulped the juice at once. She felt shivers in her body.

"Is Neil embarrassed of me? I am not a working woman, like many of them here, is it why he's ignoring me? Am I not worth or a match to him? He would never indulge in such a PDA ( Public Display of Affection), with me, he never has...". Neetu felt depressed. She couldn't think straight. She lifted a glass from the counter and chugged it. Neil saw Neetu drinking at the bar counter and rushed there. "Are you out of your mind? You chugged scotch on the rocks? What are you even thinking?", he whispered in her ears.

Neetu turned her head and her lips touched his. Neil for a second froze. He couldn't hold on either, her cheeks had turned red, her lips with that glossy lipstick looked luscious, he couldn't resist. Neil kissed her. And tears rolled down Neetu's eyes.

 

 "We assume others show love the same way we do - and if they don't, we worry it's not there!" ~ Unknown. 

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