The Surprise

The night was darker than usual. The street lights were at their usual dim self not serving their purpose. The road seemed deserted which felt strange. Ritvesh looked at his watch and found that it was just 8 pm. His city never had such low traffic at 8 pm which made him wonder. He turned to Raksha and asked

"How long can you be out with me?"

She answered "When I am with you I dont have any fear"

"Really" and he gave a sarcastic smile.

"Do I need to be scared when you are with me?"

"Realistically speaking yes"

"What sort of an answer is that?"

"A practical one. For example if two heavily built guys come and start teasing you I might hit one out of pure anger and emotion. If I am lucky I might even take down the second one. But if more guys come then this is no movie that I hit one guy and all the others wait for their turn to get hit. My dear it does not happen so in real life."

"Whats wrong with you? Where is that romantic Ritvesh that I know?"

"I am sorry. I am just a little screwed up in my head right now."

"Why? What happened? Anything bad?"

"Nothing bad as such, just that I am scared of the future. I am not sure where the future is headed"

"What's wrong with you my Einstein?"

"Nothing. On a completely different note, how many kids do you want to have?"

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? Are you out of your minds?"

"So you don't want to have kids is it?"

"I never said that"

"Then?"

"Dude, do you even realize that we have not even talked about marriage? And now have gone to the extent that you are asking about kids. Seriously, something is wrong with you."

"Duh! Do you want me to bend down on my knees with a ring and propose to you?"

"Yes, that would have been much appreciated."

"Really? You are so very filmy."

"May be I am. But why would you talk about kids when we have never even talked about marriage?"

"We love each other, isn't that enough? Do I need to formally ask you whether you will marry me or not?"

"I at least expect a formal talk. I never thought that you would take me for granted."

"Oh come on Raksha, what's there to ask. We both are in love and the natural outcome of this would be that we get married. Why do you expect me to do something that is implied huh? Don't be a typical girl and expect me to do things that happen in movies. For god's sake just grow up"

Ritvesh continued "Life is not a movie Raksha. You cannot always expect things to be all rosy and nice. That's not called for. Just give me a break."

Raksha started crying. Tears are the most powerful weapon that girls have. When the guy thinks that he is on the verge of winning the argument the girl uses this weapon and suddenly the control shifts. Guy feels helpless and gives in. Ritvesh was also in the same situation now. He could not help but to let go of the control.

"Raksha I am sorry. I am really sorry. Please stop crying. I am sorry to have said all that. May be I should not have said it. Please stop crying. Come lets go for dinner."

"I am not coming. You go hog. Let me be."

"Raksha pleaseee. Don't do this to me. I said I am sorry. What more do you want me to do now? Please come. Lets go."

After a little more cajoling and convincing they finally went to the restaurant. Raksha was still very upset. Ritvesh looked sad and helpless at the same time. He called the waiter and ordered the food. He then turned to Raksha and held her hand. He was about to say something when there was a power cut. He said "Even god seems to be angry with me. Its so dark out here, let me get my mobile." Raksha did not pay much attention. Suddenly the lights came to life and the whole place was lit up with a bluish light. Raksha was startled to find Ritvesh kneeling down right beside her. He was holding a ring in his hand and had a big smile on his face. Before Raksha could realize what was happening Ritvesh asked her "Raksha, will you marry me? I want to marry you, make you mine forever, have seven kids: each for one day of the week, move to a different country with you and grow old with you. Will you marry me?"

Raksha was still for 3 seconds. So much was happening so fast that it took her time to realize that Rivtesh had planned all this and managed to pull off an incredible surprise which she would cherish for a lifetime. But something was troubling. She had to do something immediately. Oh right, she had to say a yes.

Raksha "Yes Ritvesh, I will. I accept your proposal though I am not sure about the seven kids part. I want to have your kids and raise them with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, share my sorrows and joy with you. I want to be yours for life. Now get up, it is starting to get embarrassing."

Ritvesh"Thanks Raksha both for accepting my proposal and asking me to get up. My knees started to hurt really bad."

Raksha"You stupid...." and they hugged and kissed.