"Hello, Rudra," she chirped.

Rudra's eyes closed on its own accord, savouring her sweet voice. Just what he needed to calm his restless mind.

"Hi, Gauri." His husky voice travelled all the way to Gauri's ear making her lips curl into a delectable smile.

"I stumbled upon the information that today you have a holiday. So, can we meet up? Like, go for an outing?" Rudra asked inquisitively.

Gauri bit her lower lip in anticipation, "Umm, sure. Let me ask Radhika if she could accompany us."

Rudra solemnly spoke, "Sure, Gauri. I'll be waiting for your call."

Gauri quickly called Radhika. The latter attended the call and spoke in a hoarse voice, "Hello."

"Sweetheart, aren't you well? You sound sick," Gauri enquired.

Taking a long sniff, Radhika answered, "Obviously, jaan, I ain't well... achhuu... I am," She sniffed again, coughing a little, "suffering from cold." Gauri tensely listened to her explanation.

"Why did you want something?"

"No, no. Rads, take care of yourself. Do you want me to visit you, hmm?" Gauri hurriedly offered to which Radhika declined. After murmuring few healthy tips to her friend, Gauri cut the call. A frown marred her face. She, definitely, did not want to disappoint Rudra.

Pondering over the idea, she placed a call.
"Hello, Rudra. I'm ready. Rads won't be joining us. Will be waiting ok?"

"Are you sure, Gauri? I'm perfectly fine if you aren't comfortable." Rudra quizzed her with innocence dripping out of every word.

Gauri consented, making Rudra smile. After disconnecting, he observed his phone with a new found interest. All of a sudden, he gave a Chesire cat grin and scrolled down his contact list in order to find Radhika's number.

"Oh my helping queen, accept the utmost gratitude of your insignificant seeker. How will I pay you for your succour," he uttered out.

Radhika rolled her eyes at his exaggerated comment.
"Hmm, ok. Now, listen to me carefully. I want my jaan back home safe and sound," Radhika ordered soberly.

Rudra dawned a serious expression and said, "Don't worry. No harm shall befall on her while I'm there." The tone of his voice held unquestionable sincerity and righteousness. Radhika, immediately, knew she didn't make a mistake.

"By the way, ever thought of pursuing theatres?" Rudra's amusing question mortified Radhika. She glared at her phone's screen, "Shut up."

Rudra played with his phone. His face bloomed with a victory smile.

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.
.

Gauri put the small red bindi in middle of her eyebrows. Her face devoid of any makeup, except a streak of kohl lining up her eyes, made her reflection glow. Her white salwar suit made her look like an angel.

Her long hair splayed over her shoulder and reached upto her mid back. Her acknowledgement of her own reflection was broken by an unfamiliar honk. She looked out of her window. There stood Rudra, dressed up in black with a... a Harley Davidson Street 750 cruiser bike. Gauri gazed at it in astonishment.

She quickly rushed downstairs but not before giving herself a last check in mirror. She opened the door with a heartrending smile, only to be greeted with a bouquet of colourful peonies. She caressed the flowers affectionately. The aroma was too good to be ignored. She averted her eyes from the flowers to Rudra, who was staring at her with inexplicable intensity.

Her eyelids drooped on its own accord, lashes fanning her cheeks. Somehow, she managed to mutter a greeting to Rudra who returned the gesture amicably. They moved towards his cruiser bike. He mounted on it. Gauri instinctively reached out to sit sideways, causing Rudra to shriek.

"Sorry, Gauri. I ain't comfortable in riding it when someone sits that way. You never know, I may lose control over it," Rudra bemoaned, patting the metal surface in a loving gesture.

Gauri frowned, pursing her lips, she followed his suggestion hesitantly. However, she maintained a dignified gap between them and held the back handle for support. Rudra noticed it and his lips carved into a devilish smile. "This problem can certainly be rectified."

He wore his helmet, clasping the strap and kickstarted the bike.

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.
.

Few minutes later, Gauri was seen fiercely embracing Rudra. Holding onto him for her dear life, she murmured hymns of prayer to all the known gods. Rudra's bike zoomed past the road in an intolerable speed. The near misses and jerks made Gauri further stick to his body, clutching his shirt till crinkles were permanently formed. She was oblivious to Rudra's happiness.

Rudra felt like laughing his heart out and whoop in excitement. This close proximity was ecstatic. Obviously, he couldn't do either of the things to celebrate his victory.

His bike halted but Gauri didn't seem to come out of the stupor. She still held on to him.

Rudra let out a teasing chuckle.
"We can sit like this if you want. Anyway, we could always postpone our outing," he teased.

Gauri finally came out of her trance and turned red in embarassment. Severely mortified, she cleared her throat and got off the bike with a start. Bemused, she bit her lip and said,

"Is this the way to ride, huh? I am surprised the speedometer didn't blast with your acceleration. God forbid, if something happened then," Gauri turned stern eyes towards Rudra.

"Relax, Gauri. I have been riding this thing since ages," Rudra explained himself.

"This isn't NYC, Rudra. This is India. You cannot be sure when someone will cross your way," Gauri chided.

Rudra gazed at her adoringly. She looked exquisite with her big round eyes which were trying to be stern, in vain. Her cute nose turned red with agitation.

"I will never let anything wrong happen to you," he whispered earnestly more to himself than to her. Like a promise meant to be broken, he perceived.

Gauri stopped her monologue on hearing his tone. His eyes oozing with sincerity and indescribable solemn promise seemed to knock her off.
Her eyes softened and she gave him an assuring smile.

"Don't you want to turn around and see where I brought you for our outing?" Rudra questioned, raising an eyebrow. Gauri turned to find them standing at the entrance of a fair. She gasped in excitement.

Every crook and corner was adorned with intrinsic cultural fabric of Rajasthan. The vibrant and colourful stalls were the major sources of attraction for people. Gleeful cheers and laughter of children riding on the back of their parents drew her attention. So innocent and adorable, like a fresh bloom of gardenia. The traditional music created by 'sarangi' and 'ektaara' vibrated through the atmosphere, leaving a trail of goosebumps on Gauri's body. Her eyes glittered with inscrutable zest.

She faced Rudra to thank him but she stopped on seeing a beautiful smile adorning his face. That particular smile made her heart skip a bit.

"Today, I will make you experience absolute delight. Ensure that each and every part of this outing will imbibe in your mind forever." Rudra stated.

He caught her hand, entwining the fingers. He tugged her forward. She followed him in a trance. Her heart beating fast and inexplicable emotions clouding her mind; that felt so right, so divine.

"What is this feeling?"

*****

Sarangi and Ektaara- traditional musical instruments of Rajasthan.