Honeymoon
Geeta was very happy that day . It was her engagement day . She should be happy like any other girl getting married . Her marriage was scheduled for next month . She was getting married to Atul . Atul was a software engineer in an IT company in Pune . She went to meet her close friend Anita who was married recently to Gautam who was also a software engineer posted in another IT firm at Pune .
Anita had come to her parents’ house for a couple of weeks . This was Anita’s first visit to her parents since her marriage. Geeta didn’t inform Anita about her visit in advance. She wanted to give her a surprise . When Geeta pressed the doorbell Anita herself opened the door. Anita was surprised to see her close friend at her door . She was very happy and hugged Geeta tightly. When Geeta said “ Are Yaar , are you going to squeeze me ? Loosen your grip I am getting hurt . “
Anita loosened her grasp and said “ Come in , what a grand surprise is to see you here . I was also thinking of calling you . You know I came last night only .”
Both friends sat on a sofa . Anita said “ First of all , congrats . I came to know that you are also coming to Pune after marriage . What a nice reunion since we left our college .”
Both friends started chit chatting . After a few minutes Anita said “ Just wait , I am getting coffee for you . Then we will gossip for hours . “
“ No, instead of waiting here I am coming to the kitchen with you .” said Geeta following her friend
Soon they came back on the sofa with coffee mugs in their hands . Both of them sank deep in nostalgia . Then Geeta said “ Now enough about our past . Can you share with me your present life in Pune . “
“ Sure , come with me .” Anita took her friend to her bedroom . Anita brought a couple of albums and her laptop . Both were relaxing on the bed with cushions in laps . She started showing her wedding pictures in the album . Then Anita opened her laptop and showed a video of her apartment in Pune .
Geeta was very impressed with Anita’s 2 BHK apartment . She had furnished her apartment and especially her drawing room very nicely . She said “ Gautam is fond of keeping uptodate with the latest designs and gadgets .”
Geeta started imagining her post wedding life in the same way as Anita had . She thought she was going to own a similar well furnished flat in Pune .
After a couple of hours Geeta got up to leave and said “ Well now I should go . I will come again during your stay or you can also come . “
“ Sorry , I might not come but you do come . I am expecting and my movement is limited . I will miss your wedding ceremony but no issue . After all, we will be in Pune soon . “
“ Congratulations for expecting a baby . Okay bye for now . See you soon .”
Geeta got married .moved to Pune . She was happy to see her own 2 BHK flat but at the same time she noticed a huge difference between her own flat and Anita’s . Even though Anita’s apartment was also a 2 BHK, it was much bigger in area than Geeta’s . But for this she didn’t react to Atul .
There the two old friends started meeting frequently. Anita asked Geeta “ Where did you go for your honeymoon ? “
“ We couldn’t go as Atul could not get leave , but Atul will plan it soon . “
Geeta was not interested in honeymoon but she was desperately waiting for an opportunity to decorate her drawing room . She said to Atul “ Anita was asking why we didn't go for a honeymoon . I gave a false excuse that you couldn’t get leave for that . “
“ Don’t worry dear , we will plan for a nice trip soon . “
“ But how could Anita afford all that and we can’t ? “
“ See Gautam is six years senior to me and he got placement in a multinational because he is an IITian . I graduated from my state’s college . You should be happy that your husband is young and Anita’s old. “ Atul said laughingly
“ And one more thing Gautam has got . He has got a beautiful girl secretary with him . He goes on tour with her . He is seen dining and watching movies with her here and also on tour . But don’t worry I will also get a lady secretary when I am in a senior position . Then you should be happy .”
“ No, I don't want that type of happiness . “
“ For the time being I am sorry that I am unable to spare any money for any work other than essentials . I have lots of EMIs - home loan , car loan and other personal loans . I remember your mother had a votive for you at a Shakti Peeth in Himachal Pradesh . I can do anything extra after I get my annual bonus . “
While Geeta was planning to upgrade her drawing room and kitchen Atul was planning for a surprise outing for honeymoon without Geeta’s knowledge . After a couple of months Atul got a huge bonus as his company’s profit was more than double of projected figures. Atul thought he would not tell anything to his wife and booked a surprise holiday package and he might disclose it at the location itself .
Atul booked a seven day tour package for Himachal Pradesh Shimla , Kullu , Manali and some Shaktipeeth on the way . He told Geeta “ Just pack up all the stuff needed for our 7 days trip starting tomorrow noon . “
“ Where are we going ? “
“ That’s a surprise ? “
That was a package tour . The cab arrived to pick them up and drop them at the local airport and at all other planned locations .
. Geeta asked “ We are flying ? “
“ Yes ,we are flying ? “
Within a few hours they landed at Chandigarh airport . A cab was waiting for them at the airport . They checked into a star hotel at Shimla . Both visited places of attractions in and around Shimla for two days . In the night Geeta asked “ How are you spending so much , you didn’t tell me . Where did you get so much money ? “
“ You enjoy mangoes, don't count the seeds .” replied
“ No , I can’t enjoy without knowing . “
Both were indulged in unnecessary arguments . Finally Atul said “ You were feeling uncomfortable when Anita asked you about your honeymoon . So when I got more than double the bonus this year I planned for this surprise honeymoon trip. “
“ O my God . You should have told me there at home. I would have rejected your proposal at the very beginning . Honeymoon was not my topmost priority .”
“ Then what else is important for you ? “
“ You cancel the remaining trip . “
“ No it’s not possible . The entire trip is prepaid .”
“ Then you enjoy the rest of the days in solitude .I am not accompanying you, “ said Geeta angrily .
“ You are getting crazy . “
“ Not me , you are getting crazy . You don’t know what was the priority of my life . “
“ Yes , I do know your two major desires . On the way backI am going to get your votive fulfilled . “
“ What’s that votive? What are you talking about , I am unable to understand you .”
“ First your mother asked you to offer prayer at Shakti Peeths - Jwala Devi and Naina Devi . Secondly you wanted to upgrade your drawing room and kitchen . I assure you will upgrade your house as you wish but partially this year and rest in next year’s bonus . “
Geeta hung her head down and covered her face in shame . Atul silently walked out of the room and within a few minutes was back with two bowls of ice cream .
He patted her head . Geeta looked up with tearful eyes . Atul said “ Just chill . Have this ice cream and enjoy our honeymoon . Both finished their ice cream . Atul hugged her and both jumped into the bed .
xxxxxxxx
N.B. This story is a work of fiction .
