The register office was small and smelled like old paper and had a ceiling fan that had been running since before either of them were born.
There were four plastic chairs against the wall, a rubber plant that had seen better decades, and a man behind the counter who had the face of someone who had processed enough of life's surprises to no longer be surprised by any of them.
Radhika was signing the form on the table with her brows furrowed in concentration and after signing her name she pushed it towards Arjun who calmly signed where his name was supposed to be as Radhika beamed at him while clapping her hands softly.
Their taxi driver who Radhika roped into coming along stood against the wall holding Radhika's phone with both hands, his tongue pressed between his teeth in concentration, framing the shot with the seriousness of a man who had been trusted with something important.
*Click!*
He clicked two pictures when Radhika and Arjun signed the forms.
Radhika gave him a thumbs up as the guy returned it with a confident smile...
...
Radhika held a flower garland in her hands while Arjun did the same... The garland was a mix of marigold , jasmine, roses and lotus.
Radhika stood on her tiptoes as she looped the garland over his head , settling it around his neck with both hands.
Now she was gazing at Arjun with bright and expectant eyes making him look down at her then back to the garland in his hands as he placed it around her neck gently.
Radhika's smile broke into a grin and across the room rapid clicks echoed as the taxi driver now fully invested in capturing the moment with the dedication of a man who had found his calling.
Radhika hugged Arjun's arm with both hands, leaning into him slightly as she angled towards their temporary cameraman with a smile that could have powered a small city.
Arjun just stood still not doing anything but still being effortlessly photogenic.
*Click* *Click* *Click*
The taxi driver scrolled through the results and nodded to himself, satisfied.
Radhika stepped back releasing her hold over Arjun as his shoulder's relaxed a bit.
Radhika suddenly turned around and gazed at Arjun and he felt his heart do an involuntary movement, but before he could think deeper about the matter she stepped into his personal space making Arjun shift a bit back.
Everything happened too quick as Radhika's hands found itself onto his collar as she stood on her tip toes and pulled him down to her , and before he knew what was happening her lips were on him and her hands were on him, one was settled on his neck while the other was threading through his hair.
Arjun's hands were on his side as he stiffened not knowing what to do and just reacted passively.
The rickety sound of the old ceiling fan , the musty smell of old documents , the clicks of the pictures being taken, the absurdity of the situation... Everything was forgotten by him as the only thing on his mind was the soft sensation of her lips against his and her scent underneath the scent of the Jasmine. Arjun was already in trouble but it was too late for him.
After what felt like an eternity Radhika seperated from Arjun who still had the same blank face as she pinched his cheek and used her two fingers curve his lips upwards.
Satisfied with the results Radhika stepped back and smoothed her Saree.
The Taxi driver turned professional cameraman held the phone to his chest as he had captured every beautiful moment, he raised his his hand to wipe the tears that had welled up with emotion...
...
"Let me see, let me see~" Radhika was already bouncing across the room toward the taxi driver, hand outstretched for the phone.
The moment Radhika left Arjun turned around as his legs slightly gave out making him place his arm on the wall for support.
Arjun felt like his face was burning up as he felt a tingling sensation from his neck to the tip of his ears.
He let out a sound that resembled a tiny whimper as he pressed his hand tightly against his lips...
...
" Bleehhh! " Radhika was vomiting her guts out as Arjun stood beside her awkwardly, not knowing what to do.
Radhika turned towards Arjun to say something but the only thing that came out was " Bleeeh!"
"...."
"...."
Arjun and Radhika gazed at each other as the young woman vomited another mouthful into his shirt as if to assert dominance.
Then she collapsed into his arms unconcious leaving very nervous Arjun and a confused cab driver...
....
Flash back end...
....
Radhika stared at the ceiling with empty eyes as Shreya's voice echoed in the room.
"Rachu?"
"...."
"Rachu!"
"Yeah... I heard you.." Radhika's lips twitched as she held her forehead thinking about all the chaos that happened in a single night.
"Still to think you had it in your , You really are a boss woman Rachu , you even had me fooled..." Radhika gritted her teeth when she heard Shreya's voice filled with admiration ftom the other side.
"Do you atleast remember your wedding night? How was he ? " Shreya continued her tone becoming a bit shy and gossipy.
"...."
....