Shyam's POV:

I sat in front of the wedding fire where Panditji was chanting mantras. I was too nervous to concentrate on my surroundings. I can see the whole place was filled with relatives. After a few minutes the bride was summoned and I was anxiously waiting to get a glimpse of her in wedding attire. She was made to sit beside me and my heart beat increased. I was asked to hold her hand and her hand was too small and soft compared to mine. I held her hand firmly which was slightly sweaty . When I tied the nuptial chain around her neck my hands shivered. I looked into her eyes while tying the chain and to my surprise she was looking at me. My breath hitched when I looked at her eyes and her staring at me directly gave me goosebumps. I was hypnotised by her eyes for a few moments before I was asked to apply sindoor in her hair partition. She looked even more beautiful with sindoor in her hair partition. I felt pride oozing out of me knowing it's in my name and she is mine.  Even during pheras I held her hand firmly not really wanting to let go.
When the rituals were completed we sat to witness the wedding of another couple. Technically she was watching while I was staring at her. Her cheeks blushed and she lowered her eyes. The same thing continued during lunch. Her shying away made me feel excited and I chuckled inwardly. During bidaai she cried a lot while I stood allowing her to weep to her satisfaction. On the bus she kept crying and I handed her my handkerchief. I kept my hand on her shoulder when everyone was busy. I couldn't control myself when she was this close to me. I wish I could do something more than that but I sat calming down. We reached home and she was let inside after a few rituals. I held her hand tightly not wanting to let her go. She tried to take her hand away but I kept my grip tight.
It was night and I went to my room to change into comfortable clothes and she was surrounded by my relatives. I went to the backyard and started talking to my friends who were waiting for me.
" All the best buddy. I heard it's your wedding night today " Mani whispered in my ear and my body heated instantly.
" Shyam today is your wedding night. I hope you come out victorious tomorrow morning " Vikas said and everyone burst into laughter. I tried to stop them from laughing but they kept making fun of me.
" But you should be careful as you know she. .she is not normal " Kalyan said making me insecure. Everyone became silent for a moment and I didn't know how to stop the insecurities building inside me. I bit my lower lip not to show my anxiety but I didn't utter a word.
" Everyone come and have dinner " kusuma shouted and we went inside.
" Look shyam I know what is going on in your mind. But intimacy is something personal. You do not have to share everything with everyone. But remember you do have me if you need any help considering your situation " Vikas said when all others went ahead and I nodded my head. I know it's going to be difficult to handle the things around her considering how attractive I am towards her but I will try to be in control. I don't want to hurt either of us in the beginning itself.
Dinner was done in presence of everyone and talks from the wedding. I didn't find her. She might be in another room I thought and finished eating.
.......

Sudha was eating accompanied by Kusuma and few other ladies. She was slightly shivering surrounded by new people and surroundings. Although she felt out of place kusuma was very kind and warm with her. After sometime she excused herself along with the other girls and sudha was left with other ladies who were busy talking among themselves. Sudha occassionally smiled at them not knowing what to do. She was feeling sleepy with the whole day's events and journey but she could not do that as it is her in laws home and she is new here. She kept yawning in her veil trying to shoo away her sleep. It was getting late and the clock ticked 10:30 pm and her body felt heavy. She thought of dozing off but again kusuma appeared and sent away all the ladies.
" Come on wear these clothes now " she said and started removing her jewellery. Sudha was thankful for her help as she was indeed in need of changing into comfortable clothes. That saree belonged to sudha which she packed in her clothes. She thought kusuma might have removed them and started removing the wedding saree.
" Wash your face too bhabhi " kusuma said and sudha did immediately. After that kusuma did her hair and did light makeup. She kept all her jewellery in a box and kept in the almirah available in that room.
" Now your jewellery is safe bhabhi do not worry. And now it's time to move on " kusuma said.
" To where? " sudha asked confused.
" You will know that but before that you should promise me that if my Bhai does anything naughty and worries you then complain me I will do what I should " she winked at her making her flustered. Sudha nodded even though she didn't understand the meaning behind her words. She put her veil on her head and stood worried.
" Come on with me. He must be waiting " kusuma said and took her outside the room. Till then all the house was almost empty with only few people in the backyard sleeping on the cots and few in the front yard.

Shyam's POV:

Kusuma called me and asked me to go to my room and I nodded. She held my hand and stopped me.
" You know right she is my bhabhi. So be soft with her. I should not get any complaints tomorrow morning. Understand? " She said intimidating me and I raised my eyes.
" Sure mom " I said mocking while she rolled her eyes.
" Whatever but remember what I said " with that she went into the opposite room and I went into mine.
My room was completely decorated with flowers. When I entered the first time it was normal maybe when I was busy outside they decorated it. The fragrance of insence sticks and the scent of flowers was making me go crazy. After few minutes the door opened revealing my beautiful wife who was dressed in a light yellow saree with Jasmine around her hair. She was having a glass in her hand and she looked worried. Her eyes were down indicating she didn't see me yet.
" Take care of her " kusuma warned me from behind and left the room closing the door.
She stood still with her eyes lowered not looking anywhere. I kept looking at her mesmerized and enchanted by her beauty drinking every inch of her in my heart and soul. She took a deep breath and finally looked up at me for a mere second before roaming her eyes around the room. I followed her gaze. My room is too small. It consists of a bed and a cardboard at one end other than that there are few shelfs. Nothing more than that. After looking everywhere she settled her gaze on me and bit her lower lip not speaking anything. That literally turned me on. She walked slowly towards me and handed me the glass of milk. I took it while brushing my fingers on her and she shivered visibly. I smirked and drank more than half of it and extended the remaining towards her.
" I...I...do..don't like mi...milk " she said finally. Guess what? This is the first time I am hearing her. Her voice was too low but due to stuttering I heard what she said. I smiled and drank the remaining milk too. She was still not looking at me so I sat on bed thinking of my next move.
I gestured her to sit beside me which she obliged after few moments.
" Hmm.. hi I am Shyam. You do know that I am your husband right? " I started slowly.
" Hi and I do know you are my husband " she said after lifting her eyes towards me and I kept looking at her and chuckled. She just smiled and kept her eyes low again.
" Sudha " I called with affection and she looked at me and those kohl filled eyes made me drown in them.
" What happened? " She questioned curiously when I was just looking at her without blinking. I just shook my head.
" Do.. do you like me? " I asked to which she just furrowed her brows.
" I do..don't know " she answered honestly and I nodded understanding that we are mere strangers who are tied in a marriage and don't really know anything about each other. I looked at her and found she was also clueless about what was going around her so I just want to give time for the both of us to understand each other before anything actually happens. I know it will be hard for me but I don't want to rush things as it is and that will help the both of us.
" Are you sleepy? " I asked when she was not talking anything and she nodded like a kid.
" Okay but before that can..can I atleast hu..hug you? " I asked not really caring about how she would feel. I am her husband and that feeling dominated within me. She gasped and her eyes widened.
" Please just once " I pleaded and she held her saree end tightly. Nonetheless she got up from bed slowly and stood up. I took that as cue and was about to go near her but she bent and touched my feet.
" I was said to do this as soon as I enter but I forgot. I am sorry " she said looking down. I smiled at her innocence and went near her. She was not looking at me.
" Look at me sudha " I said standing close to her. When she was still not lifting her eyes I kept my hand on her chin and made her look at me. I placed my lips on her forehead and she had goosebumps on her body. My situation was too bad. My heart was thumping too loud and at this rate I guess I will faint. So without wasting time I took her in my arms and held her tightly. She was stunned and stood like a statue. I took my time in inhaling her scent and filled it in my veins. My body was glued to her and denying to move away. She was trying to get out of my grip but I held her firmly. She gave up after sometime. She was too short to my height and hardly reached till my shoulder. Now when I hugged her, her head was directly near my heart and I feared she heard my heart beat.
" I..I can't breath " she said finally and I left ther disappointingly. She took deep breaths and I signalled her to sleep.
" I won't do anything. Just relax " I said assuring her who was still. She nodded and laid on the bed facing the opposite direction and I calmed my beating heart and laid beside her. She moved to corner not allowing me to touch her and that made me chuckle.
" Don't move too much. You cannot move the wall " I joked and she stopped moving. When I turned towards her she was still not sleeping by the movements of her body. So I just placed my hand on her head and removed her veil. She stiffened but I just kept my hand on her head for a few moments and closed my eyes. The smell around me was intoxicating on my system but I pushed the wild thoughts away and slept.
She kept moving here and there the whole night. She is new here and she might have had the best bed and comfort in her home. And sleeping here like this might be difficult to her.
Next day when I woke up she was facing me. She was deep in her sleep so I slowly moved away from her and looked at her serene face. She looked like the most beautiful woman to me.
I sighed thinking about her life and I know I should face my insecurities before facing the world. I don't know if I could muster the energy to stand and support her but I will try my best to make her feel at home.

I don't know what you guys might have expected to happen but I want to show you how two people who are completely strangers face their own insecurities and doubts before falling in love. So be patient.
Here sudha doesn't know how married life works as a wife particularly. She is just told it will be 'painful' in the beginning but she doesn't know what that exactly means. Let's see how she felt when shyam hugged her in the next chapter 😜🫣
And guys I am very happy who all voted and commented on the story. Thank you so much 🙏 it makes my day. And also thanks to all the silent readers over there. Please do vote and comment for regular updates 😉😉
Till then bye...