The morning peeped into the room through the sheer curtains, bathing it in its' light.
But the occupants lay asleep, covered by the white duvet, wrapped naked in each other's arms.

After their intense lovemaking in the living area downstairs, they had both become aware of their surroundings, and just leaned against each other, savouring the moment. But as passion was spent, and their heated bodies cooled down, Sonakshi had shivered a bit.
Rohit had quickly picked up his t-shirt from the floor, and had helped Sonakshi in it, himself putting on his briefs.

'You okay?'
He had kissed her forehead, as she had closed her eyes, feeling lethargic.

'Yeah, I'm good..wonderful, in fact..'
And Rohit had smiled, slightly smug at what had taken place.

He had picked her up in his arms, and started for the stairs.
One storey up, and he had been breathless.
'Rohit! Put me down..I can walk..'

'I'm alright..'

'You won't be by the time you go up another flight..I'm fine..please..'

Rohit had finally listened, and they had walked together side by side, their arms brushing against each other's.
Sonakshi had immediately moved to the bathroom, and had just chucked off his t-shirt, when he had followed her in.

'Rohit!'
Sonakshi had put her arms in front of her, in an automatic reflex, and Rohit had laughed at her.

'Abhi jo kar ke aayi ho, uss ke baad yeh sab kya hai, Sona?'
He had walked towards her.

'Reflex..and why are you here? I need to take a shower..all that cake..'

'I can help you..'

'Do what..now?'
She gave him a sardonic look.

'Aray! To soap it off..you might not be able to reach all the places the cake and I did..'
He winked at her, and she lifted her eyebrows.

'Nihayat besharam or insatiable insaan ho tum..'
Sonakshi said, as she had turned to the shower stall.

'You got that right, baby!'
And he had slapped her buttock, playfully.

'Owwww!'
Sonakshi had glared at him, but he was Rohit.

He had lifted her up again, despite her protests, and carried her in the shower stall, turning on the water on them both.

'You mad man!'

'Only for you!'

And he had proceeded to soap her, arousing himself, and her, before taking her back to the room, and making love again.

Now, as they lay asleep, it was the sound of buzzing, which stirred Rohit out of his slumber.
Wondering what is was that was forcing him to get out of the warm cocoon, that was his wife's body, he opened his eyes, as he realised it was his phone.

Damn! Yeh kon kabab mein haddi hai..subah subah..

But as he opened his eyes fully, he noticed two things at once..that is was past ten in the morning, and that it was the villa's caretaker's call.

He quickly picked it up, as he remembered his plans.

***************************

Sonakshi heard someone talking in her sleep, and wished they wouldn't..she really wanted to sleep more, and stay enveloped in her husband's arms.
But as she reached out a hand to touch him, she realised that he wasn't there. Opening her eyes against the light in the room, she saw that Rohit was sitting on the edge of the bed, his bare back to her, as he spoke to someone on the phone.

'Mmm..Rohitt..'
Her voice was still sleep laden, as she called to him, pulling the sheets beneath her armpits.

'Alright, thanks!'
Rohit said into the phone, and turned towards her, disconnecting the call.

'Sona..'
He laid back down, and turned to her, kissing her forehead.
'Good morning..'

'Kis ka phone tha subah subah..'
Sonakshi asked, settling back into the pillows.

'Maine itne pyaar se good morning bola, or uss ka yeh jawaab..not fair..'
Rohit put an arm over her waist.

'Okay sorry..Good morning..'
She shifted over and hugged him.

'Iss se kya hoga?'
He made a 'eh' expression.

'Morning good hojayegi, or kya?'
Sonakshi replied with a straight face.

'Mrs. Sippy! Kitni nadaan ho tum na?'

Sonakshi looked up at him, innocently, as a frown came on his 'just woken up' face.
'Matlab?'

'Matlab yeh, ke akele hain, to kya gham hai?'

'Filmain karna abhi shuru bhi nahin ki, or andaaz abhi se filmy? Tch, Tch..aray...'
As Rohit rolled over, pinning her beneath him.

'Shararat? Woh bhi uth te hi? Just remember that we both are naked under these sheets..'

'Would you even let me forget..'
Sonakshi rolled her eyes, immediately beginning to giggle,as Rohit began to tickle her.
'Aray! Rohit! Bas karo..oww!'

'Oh, shit!'
Rohit quickly stopped, as Sonakshi put a hand on her eye.
'I'm so sorry, Sona! I didn't mean to hit you..oh, God! Lagi kya zor se? Dikhao to..'
As Sonakshi continued holding her palm over it, having gone quiet.
He forcefully removed her palm off her eye, to see her expression full of mirth.
'What?? You..you were joking with me..or mujhe laga tum..'

'Aray! Tum mazaq kar sakte ho, mein nahin?'

'Aise injured honay ka mazaq kon karta hai? You know I get really worried agar tumhe kuch bhi hota hai..meri saans attak si jaati hai..mein..'
Sonakshi put a finger over his lips, stopping his tirade.

'Ssshhh! Bas, bas..itni koi bari baat to thi bhi nahin..and I can handle myself..'

'But I can't! I can't handle myself! You are my life!'
He said vehemently, and Sonakshi was startled into being serious.

'Rohit! Please! Aise sab mat bola karo..you know nothing is everlasting..tum aise bolte ho, to mujhe bohot darr lagta hai..kabhi kuch bhi ho sakta hai..you have to be strong..even if I'm not with you..'

'Shut upp! Just stop!'
Rohit looked angry now, as he sat up, and turned to get off the bed.
But Sonakshi was quick too, and before he could stand up, she put her arms around his waist from behind, hugging him tightly.

'Rohit! I'm sorry..mein to bas aise hi bol rahi thi..'

'Aise hi koi aisi baat karta hai? What are you trying to say!'
Rohit didn't even turn to look at her, his back ramrod straight.

Sonakshi put her cheek on his back, kissing his skin.
'I didn't mean to upset you, mein to bas keh rahi thi, ke insaan ko har cheez ke liye prepared rehna chahiye..'

'Nahin reh sakta mein prepared! Never, ever! Do you hear that?'
His voice was loud, and shook with the intensity of his feelings.

'I think anyone can hear you..'
Sonakshi chuckled, trying to lighten his mood, but he didn't even crack a smile.
'Rohit! Meri baat to suno..acha, dekho to apni Sona ki taraf..'
She bodily turned him around to face her, and took his face in her hands.
'I'm sorry! So sorry! I didn't mean any of it. Hum zindagi bhar saath rahenge..koi bhi humain alag nahin kar sakta..maine jo kaha..agar tum bolte to shayad mein bhi aise hi react karti..I also can't bear to live without you..I love you! With every breath in my body!'
She saw his expression soften a bit at her words.
'Please! Maaf kar do na..pata nahin kaisi baaten le ke beth gayi mein..or woh bhi hamari anniversary ke din..I'm sorry..'
Tears pricked in her eyes, at the thought of being apart.

Rohit finally took her face in his hands.
'Theek hai! Magar ainda aisi koi bhi baat nahin karogi tum..promise?'
His eyes bored into hers, and she nodded.

'Promise! Cross my heart!'
Sonakshi made a kiddish face, and was rewarded with a smile from him.
'Seal that with a kiss?'

Rohit laughed at that.
'Always ready!'
He hugged her hard, and then kissed her, a kiss full of promise and love.

As they ended the kiss, Rohit held her for a while.
'Rohit! Time kya ho raha hai? I should check on the kids..and I need to..'
She looked down at herself.

'It's almost eleven..we..'

'Eleven!'
Sonakshi almost shouted.
'Itna late? Kya sochaingi Mom? We should be going back..mein..'

'Relax, Sona! Meri baat hogayi thi Mom se! All is well! Raat bhi theek se guzar gayi bachon ki...'

'But woh Mishaye..maine pata nahin uss ke liye bottles kafi banayi thi..'

'Ab yeh to maine nahin poocha..Aray..'
As Sonakshi turned to find her phone.
'Mein change kar ke aata hun..then I'll go check breakfast downstairs. Tum jab tak karlo baat..'

***************************

Sonakshi had just finished showering, when Rohit came back up.
He had gone down, while Sonakshi had used her breast pump, and been convinced by Veena that things were alright so far.

'Sona!'
He called out from the room.
'Breakfast is ready!'

Sonakshi peeped out from the bathroom.
'Be right out..'

'Wear your swimming costume..'

'Hunh? Abhi?'

'Yes, please..unless you want to go into the pool without anything..I mean, I don't mind..'
His tone became naughty, and Sonakshi rolled her eyes.

'I know..you would never mind..but I do..and it's in my bag..'

'To le lo..I'll also go change in my trunks..'

They quickly dressed, and Sonakshi put a short wrap over hers, as they went downstairs.
Sonakshi flushed a bit, as they crossed the lounge and dining area, remembering last night.
Rohit apparently did too, because he squeezed her hand a bit tighter.
The candles had burnt out, the lights turned off, the cake cleaned up, but there were still balloons scattered on the floor.

Rohit opened the patio door, out by the poolside, and Sonakshi gave a small gasp in surprise.
For there was breakfast there, but it was in trays..floating inside the swimming pool.
'Wow! This is so cool! I've seen this in magazines, or island getaways pe hota hai aisa..'

'Yes! Maine socha kyun na yahan le aaya jaye..'

'To yeh arrangements chal rahe thay subah se..it's a super idea!'

'Come on!'

Sonakshi took off her wrap, and hung it on the chair, revealing her red one piece costume.
They both got in the pool, and Sonakshi oohed and aahed over the spread before them.
There were cut fruits, juice, coffee, toast, croissants,  butter, cheese, eggs..the whole works.

'This looks so grand! Itna to poori family ke liye bhi kafi ho..'

Rohit slapped his forehead.
'Kya, Sona! Phir se family family shuru hogaya tumhara. Thora or waqt to apne iss bechare husband ko de do..'

'Or being the word! Iss se zyada or kya waqt chahiye bechare ko? Kal se to akele hi hain na..'

'Magar mujhe to or chahiye..'
Rohit said, as he buttered a croissant, and held it out to her.

Sonakshi lifted her hand to take it, but he shook his head, still holding it.
Sonakshi opened her mouth, and he fed it to her.

'You and your demands..'
Sonakshi also speared some omelette and toast, and fed him.

'Ofcourse! Haq banta hai mera..'

'Haq? Rohit! Kitne filmy ho tum..'

'Han, woh to hun..magar tum..tum se maine expect nahin kiya tha..'

'Mein? Mein kahan filmy hun..'

'Acha? Or raat ko to koi or Sonakshi thi jo Dimple Kapadia bani hui thi..jaane do na..chuo na chuo na..'
Rohit imitated her, and Sonakshi hit him on the shoulder.

'Rohit..'

'Aray aray..yeh gaal to dekho..sirf zikr se hi laal hogaye..'
Rohit teased her, and Sonakshi touched her cheeks.

'Aisa kuch nahin hai..'

'Ahan? Really?'

'Stop it..'
Sonakshi lifted some water, and splashed him.

'Wow! I'm scared! Pani mein reh ke magarmach se bair kon karta hai..'

'What? Are u calling me a magarmach?'
Sonakshi's eyes widened in shock, and she splashed more water on him, the floating trays rippling on the surface.

'Aray! Meri majaal! Mein to khud ko bol raha tha..Sona..'
As she began hitting him on his chest playfully.
Rohit caught hold of her hands, and pushed them behind her, so that her breasts touched his chest.
'Ab bolo..'

'Tum na..mujhe bohot satatay ho..'

'Or tum mujhe..bohot tarrpaati ho..'
Rohit's voice lowered, and so did his head, but Sonakshi shook her shoulders, preventing him from kissing her.
'What?? Ab kiss karne se bhi roko gi? Zulm ki inteha hai!'

Sonakshi chuckled at him.
'Uff! Shayari karte karte tumhara dimagh thora..'
She lifted her finger and twirled it next to her temple.

'Shayar to hotay hi deewane hain, madam!'

'To deewane shayar ji, mujhe bhook lagi hai, or yeh amazing breakfast mujhe karna hai..tumhari chikni chupri baaton mein nahin aane wali mein..'

'Chikni chupri baaten!'
Rohit's mouth went agape.
'What an ilzaam, yar! Apne pyaar or chahat ka izhaar karna gunah hogaya hai aajkal..'
He made a face, and Sonakshi chuckled.

'Baaten banana to koi tum se seekhay!'

'Unless you want me to show you, ke baaton ke ilawa kya kar sakta hun, to chup chaap breakfast karlo..'
He tweaked her chin, and Sonakshi rolled her eyes.

'Dhamkiyaan..'
She muttered, as she ate the fruits.

'I heard that!'

'I know!'

They both chuckled at themselves, as they finished their breakfast.

***************************

'I had a great time, Rohit! Thankyou so much for this! It was beautiful!'
Sonakshi put a hand on his thigh, as he drove the car.

'My pleasure..and hopefully, yours too!'
He winked at her, and she smiled.

'Yes..indeed it was..'

'Aray! You just agreed with me! Wow!'

'Ha, ha! Funny tha?'

'Ofcourse!'

They had lazed about the pool, checking out the waterfall that cascaded in it, talking, and spending quality time together, although Sonakshi had checked in on the kids a couple of times.
They had left the villa by afternoon, and now were on the way back.

They were almost on the highway, when Rohit took a turn.
Sonakshi sat up, from where she had been reclining on the seat.
'Rohit! That's not the way to the highway..'

'I know that!'

'To phir? Tum kahan ja rahe ho?'

'Aray! Kitne sawaal poochti ho na tum, Sona! Can't you just enjoy the ride?'

'I can, if I know where the ride is to..'

'Aray paas mein hi ja rahe hain..'

Sonakshi looked for signboards, but didn't see any.
Rohit didn't answer any more questions, busy in navigating the car to where he wanted to go.
Sonakshi waited, till Rohit came to a huge clearing, amongst the hills, and stopped the car.

'Come!'
Rohit quickly got off the car, and came to her side.

Sonakshi stepped outside, to a beautiful view of a huge lake, surrounded by lush,  green hills.
'Oh, wow! How come I've never seen this place before? And I have been to Khandala and Lonavala like thousands of times.'
As she took Rohit's hand, and they walked towards it.

'Hmm..aise areas mein kahan aana hota hai..but when I was looking for that villa, I came across this lake..socha yahan stop over karenge..'

'It truly is scenic..or mausam bhi kitna khoobsurat hai..'

Sonakshi stood looking down at the view, noting that it wasn't too crowded, and closed her eyes, just taking it all in.
Rohit began clicking pictures of her, trying to capture her pleasure in feeling the wind against her face.
He took more of them together, and they walked further down the pathway.

They noticed a few tents as well, where people must be camping.
Several speedboats and boats were parked along a pier.

'Wow! Truly splendid!'

'Kya kehti ho? Boating karen?'

'It looks a bit scary..'
Sonakshi looked a bit doubtful, as they walked down the rocky path, a level above the pier.

'Aray! Why you fear, when your husband is here?'

Sounding smug, Rohit made a dramatic gesture for her, and suddenly missing his footing, went tumbling down in a ditch right in front of them.

To be continued...