Even a second of uncomfortable silence was unbearable for Amaya. With her heart being ready to pop out of her ribcage, she wondered what was wrong with Atul. Controlling her racing heartbeats, Amaya encouraged him to speak and he finally confessed, “I am a patient of chronic hypertension. I am sorry to have not told you earlier.”

Amaya was relieved as she released her breath that she was holding by now. She was relaxed that his health condition was normal as per the standards of modern lifestyle. She comforted him saying, “Atul, thanks to our sedentary lifestyle, hypertension is a common thing. Don’t worry, I will ensure that you take medicines regularly.”

Atul smiled at her and was glad that she understood him. He wanted to compliment her when she dropped the bomb, “Don’t worry, we will exercise daily to keep your heart fit and fine”.

“I hate exercising. That stretching and breathing thingy makes me lethargic.” Atul whined like a school kid who is punished for not completing his homework. He truly hated the idea of exercising which is why he had developed chronic hypertension.

“I too loathe it but we will do it together. I assume you know that cardio exercises shall keep your blood pressure in check.” Amaya explained him like a school teacher and he nodded admiring her sense of maturity. Any other girl instead of Amaya might have freaked out with the idea of getting married to a guy who survives on lisinopril every day and is susceptible to stroke along with heart attacks, he thought.

“Thank you so much, Amaya. I am sorry to have hid it for so long but I am grateful that you are okay with it.” Atul expressed his gratitude wholeheartedly.

Amaya responded, “Atul, it is okay. It is no big issue that you even needed to tell right now. Moreover, what if you were diagnosed a month after the wedding? I would have not left you for this petty reason”.

Atul nodded in agreement but still he could not help himself voicing his opinion, “Amaya, arranged matches are usually different. People create much ado about nothing. I just wanted to come out clear with everything.”

Amaya nodded in agreement as she admitted, “I totally agree with you. People replay Shakespearean drama, ‘Much Ado about Nothing’, and I totally hate it”.

Atul chuckled as he asked, “Are you too a fan of classic English Literature?”

“Not only English literature but also Hindi literature. Jaishankar Prasad is my all-time favorite.” Amaya chimed in with childlike excitement in her voice.

“I love Premchand”, Atul confessed as he continued, “Classic Hindi novels and old Bollywood songs are two things close to my heart.”

“I love listening those melodies of Kishore da while sipping coffee and finishing my work before the deadlines”, Amaya disclosed.

“And I love humming them while I am alone in my apartment”, Atul completed.

Atul smiled looking adorably at Amaya and a soothing silence prevailed. Atul imagined waking up beside Amaya every day followed by a long morning walk while Amaya noticed his watch that displayed half past seven.

“Umm... Let’s leave for now, Atul. Plus, I am looking forward for a movie date on this Sunday.” Amaya guffawed cheerfully as she winked at Atul who was taken aback by the playful nature of the amazing girl he had met one and a half hour ago. She was indeed, a total package of maturity and childishness, Atul deduced.

Atul smiled cheerfully as he agreed with the plan. Still not willing to part ways, he chimed in, “Umm... Amaya, don’t mind but I forgot to ask a question. Would you mind answering it?”

Amaya, who had got up to leave, suddenly stopped in her tracks. Her mind raced and she deduced that Atul wanted to know about past relationships just like other men. Mentally chiding herself for thinking that Mr. Atul Bansal was a bit different, she huffed and sat down on the chair.

Unknown to the thoughts crossing Amaya's mind, Atul was elated at the thought of spending five more minutes with her. Gleefully, he spoke sheepishly, “Amaya, I forgot to ask the most basic question. What do you expect from your husband?”

Amaya face-palmed herself for judging Atul once again on the evening. With a coy smile on her face, she deduced, Mr. Atul Bansal was indeed, different than all the men she had met earlier. Blush crept on her cheeks which did not go unnoticed by Atul who was observing her keenly.

Closing her eyes, Amaya confessed, “I just expect my partner to understand me, my emotions and my desires. I don’t want him to comprehend my unsaid feelings but I want him to acknowledge my confessed feelings. I want him to respect me, trust me and stay loyal to me. I want him to support me in need and stand by my side. Lastly, I just expect him to accept me the way I am.”

Atul chuckled at the heartfelt confession as he realized, he would try to fulfil her expectations. Thoughtfully, he spoke, “Amaya, marriage is about commitment of adjustments in life. I would try my best to comprehend your emotions and treat you with respect because I know you would never disrespect my emotions. I would be okay if you get annoyed with me or my actions but we will have a heartfelt conversation at the end of the day. I would support you in every thick and thin because I know you would also do the same.”

Amaya smiled as she replied, “Atul, I would be okay if you would be frustrated with some of my actions at a point of time but I would expect a sincere discourse at the end of the day.”

“You need not worry, we will sail through together. We might have differences. We might have quarrels but we can make a promise to sort out our issues at the end of the day.” Atul proposed with utmost sincerity in his voice.

Butterflies were dancing in her stomach as a beautiful smile crept on her heart-shaped lips. Smiling coyly, Amaya chortled, “Atul, let’s meet again and know each other a bit more.”

Unable to meet his eyes, she bowed her head down shyly and muttered, “I would love to make the promise and fulfil it though.”

Admiring each other in comfortable silence, Amaya and Atul were glowing radiantly in blissful company of each other. Their beautiful moment was broken with the ringtone of Amaya’s cell-phone. Glancing at the caller-ID, she spoke, “It is quarter to eight and my mother is calling me. I think I should leave.”

Having said this, Amaya got up and shook hands with Atul. Despite of them were craving for a bone-crashing hug, they decided against it. Atul mumbled, “Take care”, and much to their dismay, they decided to go to their respective homes.