A lazy afternoon, a lost bet and a little love
A simple romantic short story based in Calcutta, India
Background music for this sweet scene. Hope you enjoy it!
Trigger warning - may be too romantic for the single people out there.
Raj never won a bet with Riva. The woman smiled, and he was a goner. So this is what they wagered their vacation on. Who would break first?
They couldn't decide where Raj would get posted for duty, but they argued for days over their holidays. Underhanded tactics were often used, and neither was above using tricks.
Raj raised an eyebrow at her cheating on the first thing for this one.
"My Raj Ji, firing shots so early." She looked over his attire with a twinkle in her eyes. He had worn her favorite white kurta set.
"You are the one to talk." He grabbed her by the waist, his hand warm on her skin, and buried his head in her hair, inhaling his favorite scent, "How did you manage to tie it yourself?"
"I had help." She stood on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear.
"Other than me?" He pulled back in mock confusion, making her throw her head back in laughter.
"He was not exactly happy with the results, but we made do." She shrugged.
Now, it was his turn to laugh at Vamsi, the housekeeper who had taught them the art himself. The couple still failed at it. Raj knew he must be somewhere in the kitchen, grunting and talking to his utensils.
"Shall we?"
She started towards the door to wear her sandals, but he guided her to their living room by the waist. She looked at him in confusion before her gaze fell to the picnic on the floor.
The thundering clouds outside made it the perfect spot and the cool breeze came in through the open window. She was hoping it would dampen his plan to take her outside. She schooled her pleased expression at his stare.
Raj had made quite a good space in the middle with a comfortable rug, pillows, a lit candle, and even the book she was reading. But the light white cloth over the chairs, giving it the feeling of a tent, made it better.
He helped her sit down. She laid lazily across him and picked up the book, "Well, this is nice."
"Just nice?" He picked up her tresses to start braiding them. She always complained of the Calcutta heat. And how the humidity didn't agree with her wild hair. If his hands casually caressed her back, it was purely incidental.
"You don't play fair!"
"I learned from you." He nipped at her shoulder, making her chuckle.
A feline took the chance to enter their room through the window to sit on the chair on Riva's side. She gave her a haughty look, amusing Raj with his hand on his wife's back, "She looks just like you."
Riva sat up to glare at Raj on the side of the cat that now judged his lack of sense.
"I can see it now perfectly." He nodded to himself, his gaze moving between them to notice the similarities. The poor animal, bored of the couple, turned its head away and slept.
"You are making a poor case for yourself, Raj!" Riva mirrored the haughty expression of the feline, and Raj could barely keep his lips from pulling wide.
Her annoyance only heightened when Vamsi came in with guava, tea for Raj, and coffee for her.
"You were saying something, love?" He laid down on the pillow and thanked Vamsi. The man was already given a leave for the whole day, and he went away happily. They only heard his announcement of not cleaning the area before he shut the door.
She picked up the knife and cut the guava with more force than necessary, muttering under her breath.
He pushed up the cloth and leaned further into her, "Can't hear you?"
She gave him a sarcastic smile, abandoning the task but keeping the weapon with her. She took his chin in her hand, "It is never a good idea to war with me, darling!"
"I have already lost in your love. At least, I will win the bet today!"
Her smile turned from genuine to challenging at his words, "We will see." She looked at his lips before his eyes, letting go of his face and resuming her task.
Raj looked at her in shock, "And people say you are innocent!" before laying his head down dramatically.
"I have never been accused of that." She scrunched her nose before feeding him a slice with her hands, her fingers tracing his lower lip. He took the bait and nibbled on her finger.
Riva maintained eye contact with him and bit her lip. Raj groaned. He stood up and went to the gramophone, hoping it would work.
Riva grinned at his back, "It is a hot day, isn't it, Raj?"
"Not sure it is the weather, love." He went through the records, settling on their favorite. The sweet voice of Lata Mangeshkar filled the room in a low volume.
Riva's laughter reached his ears, pleasing him as he went back to sit by her.
They ate, drank, teased each other, and spent the whole day on the floor. The cat decided to leave through the same path as soon as the rain stopped, giving them a look that promised her return. Riva lost herself in her book while Raj was content watching her read.
At last, she put the book down and took his face in her hand again, "Why do you keep looking at me?"
"Why do you read books?" He asked easily.
"They are entertaining for one."
"Not as much as you are." He grinned.
Her brows drew together, but she continued, "They take you to another world."
"I like going there with you." He held her hand to his face.
"And they provide me comfort." She tried loudly over his romantic words.
"You are my home." He said with a straight face, contrary to her smiles.
Riva knew then she had lost her bet. She didn't mind.
But he beat her to it and took her lips in the gentle way that made her toe curl and her heart sigh in relief. The only thing left was for her to purr like a cat.
"You lost." She could barely let out the words when he let her pull back from his hold on her face.
"Did I?" He kissed her again.
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