Arnav tugged nervously at the cuffs of his dinner jacket, he had changed into a crisp black tuxedo for their wedding reception, but the reception was now over and his bride and he were on their way up to the penthouse villa of Sheesh-Mahal where they would spend the first of many nights together. Their first night. The very thought sent jitters down his spine. He would be lying if he said he had not thought about this night ever since the thought of marrying Khushi had become a reality. Along with all the beautiful days he would spend with his love, he had dreamt about the nights, this night too; but now that it was finally here he felt as though he was going to be sick.
This was ridiculous. He had no reason to be nervous, yet he continually patted down his cuffs unnecessarily. He couldn’t stop the anxiety. Questions crowded his mind: what should he do? What did she want him to do? Should he begin the night here, in the elevator? He considered as the elevator door blinged open to announce it had arrived and was ready to take them upstairs. NO!! That would make him seem desperate, and he wasn’t that desperate! No. No. He would do it gently. He would begin the night lovingly, like he had planned. Only his plan had been ruined, because the chocolates he had ordered especially for this night to romance her with, she had found them the night before and already had a fair share of them. So they were out of the question, what could he do now?
As the thought danced around his head for the millionth time he stepped sideways to let Khushi into the elevator before him. His manners never letting him down and causing Khushi’s heart to swell with pride and face light up, which he did not quite understand the reason for, as with many things he never quite understood about her and her reactions when in his vicinity. He was mulling over the reason for the sudden glow on her face and was about to ask as he settled in the lift next to her when a sudden jolt of electricity charged through his body making every nerve in his body awaken with alarm. This charge had nothing to do with lift coming to life and begin its’ ascent, but had everything to do with the beautiful woman standing next to him who had felt the same current race around her body, as their hands had brushed for the briefest of moments.
For what seemed like forever, neither of them moved, breathed or spoke. A dense, electrically charged atmosphere seemed to hang in the closed space around them as they both hoped against hope for their hands to touch once more. Then finally Arnav let go of his breath with a soft sigh, as did Khushi, both realising that if they stood completely still then their hands would not touch. In order for their hands to “casually” brush against each other they both needed to be moving instead of standing like a pair of human statues.
Arnav went back to suffocating his ASR engraved cuffs and Khushi went back to wrestling with her red chiffon dupatta. Khushi too had changed for the reception. She was dressed in a deep red lehenga sprinkled with gold sequins and a bright pink border, with a deep red blouse that ended just above her belly-button, giving him full view of her sexy waist. Oh god, had he just used that adjective to describe her waist? He was appalled at himself. He had always found the common usage of that word highly vulgar and yet today he had used it himself. Never mind that it described his wife’s waist perfectly, he couldn’t believe he had just used that word, even if it was just in his thoughts. God he needed to get out of this lift the sexual tension in it was turning him crude!!
Frustrated with himself for being so incredibly nervous about their night ahead, he combed his fingers through his soft, gelled peaks and closed his eyes to calm down. He needn’t be tensed. This was Khushi, all he needed to do was keep it simple. She had never been complicated. Correction she had never been complicated when it came to trusting him and allowing him to take lead in these matters, as she had proven only this morning after haldi. While she may be quite complex for him to understand, she was quite simple in matters of intimacy; she trusted him, had faith in him, to not hurt her or do anything she was not comfortable with. So now he had to just have some faith in himself. As these thoughts surfaced, he found his heart beats steadying and his breathing become even. He dropped his right hand and found his breath get caught as his heart stuttered once more. His right hand had just collided with Khushi’s left hand, as she too had lowered it from her dupatta at the same time, no doubt coming to a similar conclusion he had. But it was not just that their hands had once again brushed next to each other that had Arnav’s nerves in an excited frenzy and made Khushi feel like her stomach had been invaded by a troop of butterflies. It was the fact that Khushi’s little finger had voluntarily curved and hooked Arnav’s little finger inside hers’ as his hand passed by hers for the second time, without her even planning on doing it.
Thus for the second time they felt the elevator air thicken around them with untapped desire. Both stood still for what seemed like forever, unmoving, afraid that the slightest of movements would result in their hands detaching, which neither felt like they could bear. An eternity later, Arnav craned his neck ever so slightly to spy his wife and found her cheeks reflecting the colour of her blouse as her eyes were shut tight and chest heaved lightly in anticipation for his next move. He cracked a smile. Why had been so worried for the last, whatever number of hours, it was written in her stance that she had given him the permission to love her long ago, even before she knew she had, he had been worried for no reason. Closing his eyes, he let his heart run wild and ran along with it.
His fingers began to weave themselves in and out her fingers and the light pace of her heaving chest began to pick up as his fingers, which were interlaced with hers, now freed themselves only to slip around the back of her palm to firmly lock his hand in hers. He let his palm rest in hers for a moment before he slid his thumb in between and began caressing her palm with the tip of it in a circular motion that seemed to tickle the butterflies in Khushi’s abdomen causing them to giggle and in fuse bubbles of laughter all around her bodice. Her breathing became frantic as his became erratic and he turned to face her while his hand now left hers and travelled up her fair arms leaving a tingling sensation in its’ wake. Just as his right hand reached the nape of her neck his left hand found itself on her teasing waist. A hungry sigh escaped her trembling lips as her hands found his arms for support to steady herself from his sudden but welcome incursion. His left hand lovingly made its way to her back, coming to a rest on her lower back as it gently pushed it causing her to arch towards him, while his right hand resting at the back of her neck eased it up so she could feel his hot breath on her lips, as he could hers. Tilting, he lowered his head towards her and both eagerly waited for the scintillating contact they each had felt months before in Nainital, when they had first kissed.
“Surprise!!” the excited greeting, followed by the unheard ting of the lift announcing its’ arrival on their floor caused Arnav and Khushi to spring apart faster than the doors of the elevator could open, causing the Raizada’s to find them standing at opposite ends of the cubicle when the doors were fully opened.
‘What the-?’ Arnav’s voice came out ragged, as he stared from Anjali, to NK, to Devyani; then to Rubina, her five daughters, Aman, Abaan and Mike who materialized from behind them. What were they all doing here? This was a private floor, just for the current penthouse resident, i.e. him and Khushi. So why were all his friends and family here? There was a reason why he had booked them all suites on the VIP floor, and the penthouse for himself, because he wanted no disturbance on his wedding night. He had been anxious as it was he didn’t need the added pressure of them around.
‘Surprise!!’ They all jeered again.
‘Can’t get rid of us that easily Nannav.’ NK, spoke out. ‘Abhi a few more rasams bekar hain.’ He related gleefully.
‘Ahahaha. Bekar nahi, baki hain, NK.’ Mehnaz corrected him.
‘Oh yes. That.’ NK smiled.
‘Seriously?’ Arnav couldn’t quite mask the annoyance in his voice, or the relief, at seeing none of them had caught the moment Khushi and he had been sharing, when he turned to Anjali irritated that just when his nerves had left him and he was in full control their unannounced party had sent him in a frenzy again, one that was much worse than the one he had experienced before, for now his whole body was alert and charged from the current that had raced between their wired bodies.
‘Sorry Chotay. Just a few I swear and then we will leave you alone.’ Anjali said in an unsure voice.
‘Di-‘ Arnav began out of frustration, when Khushi’s hand wrapped around his, she had somehow managed to compose herself faster than he. She now squeezed his hand gently, reminding him that after Khushi, Anjali was the second reason he had gone through with ‘The Great Indian Wedding’, so it was best not to spoil it now for her. Arnav bit his lip and then nodded to Anjali to go through with her rasams. He would just have to work on his nerve once inside the room.
‘Yay. Thank you Chotay.’ Anjali chirped happily, to which Arnav automatically smiled, whilst mentally rebuking himself for nearly upsetting his sister due to his own jitteriness.
‘Ok, because this is a hotel and not our house, we had to improvise a little with these rasams.’ She explained, as she put a glass full of rose petals on the threshold of the elevator, which Arnav and Khushi had still not stepped out of as the party assembled had not let them.
‘So instead of kicking a pot full of rice you will kick a glass full of rose petals, Khushi. Now, with your right foot Khushi, kick the glass and step out.’ Anjali instructed.
Grinning, Khushi used Arnav’s right arm for support as she slipped off her sandals and much to Arnav’s amusement handed it to him. Then lifting her lehenga up to her ankles she tip-toed to the edge of the lift, raised her foot and kicked the glass, but instead of toppling over, it only slid away.
‘Umm…try again.’ Anjali encouraged, as she batted Arnav’s left arm seeing him smirk, in spite of himself, at the mishap. Khushi tried again, but it just slipped further away. Khushi’s face now fell making Arnav sober up, seeing how much it meant to her.
‘Umm, Khushi may be the angle is wrong. You know why don’t you try pushing it from the top, you keep on hitting the bottom at the moment. Here let me bring it near you again.’ he bent down and bought the glass closer again. Then crouching down he pointed to the top of the glass, ‘Here. Kick it here and it should tumble over.’
She did as he suggested and sure enough the glass fell. However, not because of her kick as she thought but because Arnav pushed it over simultaneously with her kick, as he realised the base of the glass was too broad for it to tip over when kicked. No one else realized what he had done though and Khushi’s triumphant smile and bouncing around like a child in his arms made his trick all the worth doing.
‘Yay. What’s next Di?’ Khushi asked, happily.
‘Well again because it’s a hotel we can’t have you walk in red paint across the carpets or tiles so we seeked permission to use glitter, which can be hoovered up easily afterwards. So Maheen…’ Anjali called behind her and Maheen brought forward a thaal which was layered in red glitter and she placed it in front of Khushi.
‘Ok, so step into it and let the glitter stick to your feet then walk over to the penthouse door.’ Anjali conveyed excitedly. Khushi did exactly that and this rasam went off without a glitch.
‘Ok now for the final rasam.’ Anjali called out enthusiastically from behind the new couple as both Arnav and Khushi stood in front of the door to their room, whilst the rest were behind them in a semi-circle.
‘Chotay this one is for you.’ Anjali related as they both turned to listen. ‘Sorry Khushi, I’m only going to tell Chotay and he will show it to you.’
‘Show? Ooo that sounds interesting Di.’ Khushi skipped excitedly, as Anjali went on her tip-toes to relate to Arnav the last rasam.
‘What? Are you serious Di?’ Arnav stared at her.
‘Absolutely.’ She smiled back, her eyes sparkling at the rasam she had conjured on the spot for the two, to give Khushi her bollywood moment and Arnav a way to jump-start their night, which she knew he was jittery about.
‘Come on Arnav ji, what is it, show me?’ Khushi skipped excitedly, thinking it was some sort of a present.
‘Ok…’ Arnav turned, uncertain but at the same time coming to terms at how this may in fact help his nerves for it would break the ice, so to speak, and help them get back to the mood which had fizzled away when the elevator doors had opened. ‘NK, will you hold the door please.’ Arnav asked as he handed him the key card to open it and then hold it open for him and Khushi.
‘My pleasure, Nannav.’ NK took the card and swiped it to hold open the door in a very professional manner causing Arnav to raise his brow and the others to laugh.
‘You sure you didn’t start your career as a bell-hop NK?’ Arnav joked as he walked around Khushi.
‘Aaah, you joke Nannav, but seeing as I am holding the key and the door to your room I would advise you not to taunt me, I may just not let you in.’ he winked as he feigned closing the door on them with him inside, causing them all to erupt again, as Arnav nodded.
‘Point taken.’ He smiled.
Khushi now peered inside, past NK, thinking the present was inside, but before she could get a good look beyond the corridor of the suite, Arnav bent down, placed his right arm around her bare waist and left behind her knees causing them to buck out of shock, as he scooped her into the cradle of his arms.
‘Hunh!! Wha-? Arnav ji, what are you doing?’ she gasped.
‘Completing my rasam.’ He grinned.
‘What?!!’ she stared at him alarmed and then at Anjali.
‘Yup. He is going to carry you in.’ Anjali conveyed happily, as the others hooted.
Khushi was too dumbfounded as Arnav carried her across the threshold into the penthouse and then turned to face his audience. ‘I’m afraid that’s all you get to see of us lovebirds tonight.’ He smirked, making them laugh once more.
‘Arnav ji!!’ Khushi blushed pink; Arnav winked at her, causing the pink to turn into red.
‘Thank you NK, for holding the door but you can let it go now. Goodnight, you all.’ He chuckled as the door swung shut after NK, and he heard the muffled laughter from the other side.
‘Arnav ji, you didn’t need to shut them out, we could have invited them in and-‘
‘And what Khushi, had tea with them? No thanks, we can do that in the morning if you want, right now I wish to revisit our unfinished conversation from the elevator, if you don’t mind that is.’ He looked at her questioningly, daring her to challenge him, but her cheeks only burned crimson in response as she lowered her eyes and buried her head in his chest out of embarrassment.
This was ridiculous. He had no reason to be nervous, yet he continually patted down his cuffs unnecessarily. He couldn’t stop the anxiety. Questions crowded his mind: what should he do? What did she want him to do? Should he begin the night here, in the elevator? He considered as the elevator door blinged open to announce it had arrived and was ready to take them upstairs. NO!! That would make him seem desperate, and he wasn’t that desperate! No. No. He would do it gently. He would begin the night lovingly, like he had planned. Only his plan had been ruined, because the chocolates he had ordered especially for this night to romance her with, she had found them the night before and already had a fair share of them. So they were out of the question, what could he do now?
As the thought danced around his head for the millionth time he stepped sideways to let Khushi into the elevator before him. His manners never letting him down and causing Khushi’s heart to swell with pride and face light up, which he did not quite understand the reason for, as with many things he never quite understood about her and her reactions when in his vicinity. He was mulling over the reason for the sudden glow on her face and was about to ask as he settled in the lift next to her when a sudden jolt of electricity charged through his body making every nerve in his body awaken with alarm. This charge had nothing to do with lift coming to life and begin its’ ascent, but had everything to do with the beautiful woman standing next to him who had felt the same current race around her body, as their hands had brushed for the briefest of moments.
For what seemed like forever, neither of them moved, breathed or spoke. A dense, electrically charged atmosphere seemed to hang in the closed space around them as they both hoped against hope for their hands to touch once more. Then finally Arnav let go of his breath with a soft sigh, as did Khushi, both realising that if they stood completely still then their hands would not touch. In order for their hands to “casually” brush against each other they both needed to be moving instead of standing like a pair of human statues.
Arnav went back to suffocating his ASR engraved cuffs and Khushi went back to wrestling with her red chiffon dupatta. Khushi too had changed for the reception. She was dressed in a deep red lehenga sprinkled with gold sequins and a bright pink border, with a deep red blouse that ended just above her belly-button, giving him full view of her sexy waist. Oh god, had he just used that adjective to describe her waist? He was appalled at himself. He had always found the common usage of that word highly vulgar and yet today he had used it himself. Never mind that it described his wife’s waist perfectly, he couldn’t believe he had just used that word, even if it was just in his thoughts. God he needed to get out of this lift the sexual tension in it was turning him crude!!
Frustrated with himself for being so incredibly nervous about their night ahead, he combed his fingers through his soft, gelled peaks and closed his eyes to calm down. He needn’t be tensed. This was Khushi, all he needed to do was keep it simple. She had never been complicated. Correction she had never been complicated when it came to trusting him and allowing him to take lead in these matters, as she had proven only this morning after haldi. While she may be quite complex for him to understand, she was quite simple in matters of intimacy; she trusted him, had faith in him, to not hurt her or do anything she was not comfortable with. So now he had to just have some faith in himself. As these thoughts surfaced, he found his heart beats steadying and his breathing become even. He dropped his right hand and found his breath get caught as his heart stuttered once more. His right hand had just collided with Khushi’s left hand, as she too had lowered it from her dupatta at the same time, no doubt coming to a similar conclusion he had. But it was not just that their hands had once again brushed next to each other that had Arnav’s nerves in an excited frenzy and made Khushi feel like her stomach had been invaded by a troop of butterflies. It was the fact that Khushi’s little finger had voluntarily curved and hooked Arnav’s little finger inside hers’ as his hand passed by hers for the second time, without her even planning on doing it.
Thus for the second time they felt the elevator air thicken around them with untapped desire. Both stood still for what seemed like forever, unmoving, afraid that the slightest of movements would result in their hands detaching, which neither felt like they could bear. An eternity later, Arnav craned his neck ever so slightly to spy his wife and found her cheeks reflecting the colour of her blouse as her eyes were shut tight and chest heaved lightly in anticipation for his next move. He cracked a smile. Why had been so worried for the last, whatever number of hours, it was written in her stance that she had given him the permission to love her long ago, even before she knew she had, he had been worried for no reason. Closing his eyes, he let his heart run wild and ran along with it.
His fingers began to weave themselves in and out her fingers and the light pace of her heaving chest began to pick up as his fingers, which were interlaced with hers, now freed themselves only to slip around the back of her palm to firmly lock his hand in hers. He let his palm rest in hers for a moment before he slid his thumb in between and began caressing her palm with the tip of it in a circular motion that seemed to tickle the butterflies in Khushi’s abdomen causing them to giggle and in fuse bubbles of laughter all around her bodice. Her breathing became frantic as his became erratic and he turned to face her while his hand now left hers and travelled up her fair arms leaving a tingling sensation in its’ wake. Just as his right hand reached the nape of her neck his left hand found itself on her teasing waist. A hungry sigh escaped her trembling lips as her hands found his arms for support to steady herself from his sudden but welcome incursion. His left hand lovingly made its way to her back, coming to a rest on her lower back as it gently pushed it causing her to arch towards him, while his right hand resting at the back of her neck eased it up so she could feel his hot breath on her lips, as he could hers. Tilting, he lowered his head towards her and both eagerly waited for the scintillating contact they each had felt months before in Nainital, when they had first kissed.
“Surprise!!” the excited greeting, followed by the unheard ting of the lift announcing its’ arrival on their floor caused Arnav and Khushi to spring apart faster than the doors of the elevator could open, causing the Raizada’s to find them standing at opposite ends of the cubicle when the doors were fully opened.
‘What the-?’ Arnav’s voice came out ragged, as he stared from Anjali, to NK, to Devyani; then to Rubina, her five daughters, Aman, Abaan and Mike who materialized from behind them. What were they all doing here? This was a private floor, just for the current penthouse resident, i.e. him and Khushi. So why were all his friends and family here? There was a reason why he had booked them all suites on the VIP floor, and the penthouse for himself, because he wanted no disturbance on his wedding night. He had been anxious as it was he didn’t need the added pressure of them around.
‘Surprise!!’ They all jeered again.
‘Can’t get rid of us that easily Nannav.’ NK, spoke out. ‘Abhi a few more rasams bekar hain.’ He related gleefully.
‘Ahahaha. Bekar nahi, baki hain, NK.’ Mehnaz corrected him.
‘Oh yes. That.’ NK smiled.
‘Seriously?’ Arnav couldn’t quite mask the annoyance in his voice, or the relief, at seeing none of them had caught the moment Khushi and he had been sharing, when he turned to Anjali irritated that just when his nerves had left him and he was in full control their unannounced party had sent him in a frenzy again, one that was much worse than the one he had experienced before, for now his whole body was alert and charged from the current that had raced between their wired bodies.
‘Sorry Chotay. Just a few I swear and then we will leave you alone.’ Anjali said in an unsure voice.
‘Di-‘ Arnav began out of frustration, when Khushi’s hand wrapped around his, she had somehow managed to compose herself faster than he. She now squeezed his hand gently, reminding him that after Khushi, Anjali was the second reason he had gone through with ‘The Great Indian Wedding’, so it was best not to spoil it now for her. Arnav bit his lip and then nodded to Anjali to go through with her rasams. He would just have to work on his nerve once inside the room.
‘Yay. Thank you Chotay.’ Anjali chirped happily, to which Arnav automatically smiled, whilst mentally rebuking himself for nearly upsetting his sister due to his own jitteriness.
‘Ok, because this is a hotel and not our house, we had to improvise a little with these rasams.’ She explained, as she put a glass full of rose petals on the threshold of the elevator, which Arnav and Khushi had still not stepped out of as the party assembled had not let them.
‘So instead of kicking a pot full of rice you will kick a glass full of rose petals, Khushi. Now, with your right foot Khushi, kick the glass and step out.’ Anjali instructed.
Grinning, Khushi used Arnav’s right arm for support as she slipped off her sandals and much to Arnav’s amusement handed it to him. Then lifting her lehenga up to her ankles she tip-toed to the edge of the lift, raised her foot and kicked the glass, but instead of toppling over, it only slid away.
‘Umm…try again.’ Anjali encouraged, as she batted Arnav’s left arm seeing him smirk, in spite of himself, at the mishap. Khushi tried again, but it just slipped further away. Khushi’s face now fell making Arnav sober up, seeing how much it meant to her.
‘Umm, Khushi may be the angle is wrong. You know why don’t you try pushing it from the top, you keep on hitting the bottom at the moment. Here let me bring it near you again.’ he bent down and bought the glass closer again. Then crouching down he pointed to the top of the glass, ‘Here. Kick it here and it should tumble over.’
She did as he suggested and sure enough the glass fell. However, not because of her kick as she thought but because Arnav pushed it over simultaneously with her kick, as he realised the base of the glass was too broad for it to tip over when kicked. No one else realized what he had done though and Khushi’s triumphant smile and bouncing around like a child in his arms made his trick all the worth doing.
‘Yay. What’s next Di?’ Khushi asked, happily.
‘Well again because it’s a hotel we can’t have you walk in red paint across the carpets or tiles so we seeked permission to use glitter, which can be hoovered up easily afterwards. So Maheen…’ Anjali called behind her and Maheen brought forward a thaal which was layered in red glitter and she placed it in front of Khushi.
‘Ok, so step into it and let the glitter stick to your feet then walk over to the penthouse door.’ Anjali conveyed excitedly. Khushi did exactly that and this rasam went off without a glitch.
‘Ok now for the final rasam.’ Anjali called out enthusiastically from behind the new couple as both Arnav and Khushi stood in front of the door to their room, whilst the rest were behind them in a semi-circle.
‘Chotay this one is for you.’ Anjali related as they both turned to listen. ‘Sorry Khushi, I’m only going to tell Chotay and he will show it to you.’
‘Show? Ooo that sounds interesting Di.’ Khushi skipped excitedly, as Anjali went on her tip-toes to relate to Arnav the last rasam.
‘What? Are you serious Di?’ Arnav stared at her.
‘Absolutely.’ She smiled back, her eyes sparkling at the rasam she had conjured on the spot for the two, to give Khushi her bollywood moment and Arnav a way to jump-start their night, which she knew he was jittery about.
‘Come on Arnav ji, what is it, show me?’ Khushi skipped excitedly, thinking it was some sort of a present.
‘Ok…’ Arnav turned, uncertain but at the same time coming to terms at how this may in fact help his nerves for it would break the ice, so to speak, and help them get back to the mood which had fizzled away when the elevator doors had opened. ‘NK, will you hold the door please.’ Arnav asked as he handed him the key card to open it and then hold it open for him and Khushi.
‘My pleasure, Nannav.’ NK took the card and swiped it to hold open the door in a very professional manner causing Arnav to raise his brow and the others to laugh.
‘You sure you didn’t start your career as a bell-hop NK?’ Arnav joked as he walked around Khushi.
‘Aaah, you joke Nannav, but seeing as I am holding the key and the door to your room I would advise you not to taunt me, I may just not let you in.’ he winked as he feigned closing the door on them with him inside, causing them all to erupt again, as Arnav nodded.
‘Point taken.’ He smiled.
Khushi now peered inside, past NK, thinking the present was inside, but before she could get a good look beyond the corridor of the suite, Arnav bent down, placed his right arm around her bare waist and left behind her knees causing them to buck out of shock, as he scooped her into the cradle of his arms.
‘Hunh!! Wha-? Arnav ji, what are you doing?’ she gasped.
‘Completing my rasam.’ He grinned.
‘What?!!’ she stared at him alarmed and then at Anjali.
‘Yup. He is going to carry you in.’ Anjali conveyed happily, as the others hooted.
Khushi was too dumbfounded as Arnav carried her across the threshold into the penthouse and then turned to face his audience. ‘I’m afraid that’s all you get to see of us lovebirds tonight.’ He smirked, making them laugh once more.
‘Arnav ji!!’ Khushi blushed pink; Arnav winked at her, causing the pink to turn into red.
‘Thank you NK, for holding the door but you can let it go now. Goodnight, you all.’ He chuckled as the door swung shut after NK, and he heard the muffled laughter from the other side.
‘Arnav ji, you didn’t need to shut them out, we could have invited them in and-‘
‘And what Khushi, had tea with them? No thanks, we can do that in the morning if you want, right now I wish to revisit our unfinished conversation from the elevator, if you don’t mind that is.’ He looked at her questioningly, daring her to challenge him, but her cheeks only burned crimson in response as she lowered her eyes and buried her head in his chest out of embarrassment.
*****
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