Apple pie game to bring in the New Year
Red lips, apple pies and surprise gift for New Year's
Raj didn't know he was in for a test when he wrapped his arms around his wife on the last day of the year.
Riva could smell his heady scent before she felt him pull her back and kiss her neck, "You like it?" She motioned to the spread she had helped prepare with her Aunt Carol.
He took a deep breath, filled with her, "I love it."
She turned her head to see him from the side. He had gone to their hotel room to change before coming to her aunt's house, freshly showered after his day at work. Riva took his lapel in her hand before whispering in his ear, "I was talking about the meal."
"Me too," Raj replied with a glint in his eyes. He took a step back, keeping a hand on her waist. He looked at her in appreciation. The navy-blue velvet dress hugged her curves gently before flowing down. But he was more fascinated by the deep red lips she had for the night.
Raj swept in to get a taste before the couple heard the door open, followed by the familiar chide, "Don't you dare mess that, young man! We still have to take pictures."
Riva laughed as the lady of the house placed a pasta dish in the center of the table, proud of her handiwork. Carol winked at her niece.
Riva was lounging on her bed when Carol was getting ready, enjoying watching her in the mirror. That was how the young bride had learned everything about makeup over the winters she had spent with her favorite aunt.
The woman had turned around and painted Riva's lips the deep shade she had never worn before. The younger one didn't protest. If Aunt Carol thought it would look good, then it did.
Raj agreed as he sneaked in a quick peck, taking care not to anger the lady he had grown to admire over the past few days they had been in Mumbai. She was already upset with him for missing out on the Christmas dinner. Riva had also stayed back at their hotel despite his insistence that she join her family.
Carol shook her head and called for her husband, "James, let go of that tree. Dinner is ready!" He was obsessed with the Christmas tree, and it was always a fight to get it out of their house after the festival.
The businessman came in to kiss his wife's cheek before he pulled the chair for her. Raj did the same, and the men settled down.
Easy conversation flowed as they complimented the hostess on her cooking. Riva only took credit for helping her aunt around the kitchen while she made up the feast.
"What are you two up to?" James pointed his fork between the two ladies. They took up a look of innocence at the question.
"I think it's time for dessert. Don't you, darling?" Carol put her napkin down.
"I will help you." Riva followed her to the kitchen.
"This is why it's important to keep your woman happy. They control if you see the new year or not." James whispered dramatically, leaning forward in his chair for effect.
"I heard that." Carol's call from outside made Raj shake with laughter.
The ladies placed two apple pies on the table in the middle, making James' brow almost reach his hairline, "Since when do we have two pies?"
His Carol never made more than one pie, even when they had a lot of guests over. He felt she liked people fighting over the last pieces, though he would never say it out loud.
"I only made one." Carol started serving the husbands from both the pies separately.
Raj looked at Riva in surprise. She had an elbow on the table, "You made the pie?"
Riva leaned her head on her hand, and gave him a sweet smile, "Why don't you find out which one?"
"What?" He looked at his plate in confusion. They both looked identical. But the worst thing was he had only ever heard of Aunt Carol's pie. He had never had the opportunity to taste it.
He looked up at James. The older man had a pained look, "Carol!"
"I thought it would be fun. It should be easy for you. I have been making it for years, James!" She took a bite, not even trying to hide the grin. She only had one piece of pie on her plate. As did Riva.
"That's not it, is it?" Raj looked at his wife.
She shook her head, "If you lose, you get to buy us a dress. Simple." She shrugged her shoulders.
"And if I win?"
"You will love the gift." She patted his hand.
James looked at his wife in question with his fork in the air.
"You get to keep that tree for one more week." It was her turn to shrug.
"That settles it then." James took one bite of a pie from his plate and declared it his wife's, earning a kiss from her. He looked up, beaming at Raj, expecting him to do the same.
Raj followed suit. The first one was heavenly. He took a sip of water and then tasted the right one in front of him. He put his fork down after taking one bite.
"I love this." He pointed to the left side of his plate and looked at Aunt Carol, making her smirk.
"You owe me a dress, then!" Riva took her hands off the table, pressing her lips together.
Raj excused himself from the table. He came back with a gift box, "For you, Mrs. Kapoor." He placed a peck on her forehead.
"I never said which one was yours." He resumed eating the one made by his wife.
"I knew it!" Carol's laughter rang through the room, and Riva sighed before shaking her head. She pressed a kiss on her husband's cheek in thanks.
Raj grinned, and looked at Aunt Carol in question, "May I?"
"Fine." She rolled her eyes.
Riva looked at Raj in confusion before he took her lips in a tender kiss. He licked his lower lip, "Tastes like heaven."
The lady blushed before she pushed him away with a hand on his chest, "You are too much."
"I hope I will get my gift now." He took her hand in his to press a kiss.
They didn't hear the clicks till the last one. Aunt Carol grinned from behind the camera, looking at the pictures with a smile.
"Happy New Year"
I thought it best to welcome the New Year with our favorite couple, Riva and Raj.
If you liked this piece, let me know in the comment section, or clicking the ❤️ button.
Till the next post,
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