Shyam's POV:

I clearly heard whatever that lady said to Sudha and I myself felt bad for hearing such things. I don't intend to marry anyone else. Not now not ever. My life will be only for Sudha. But Sudha might have been broken after hearing such filthy words and also might doubt about me. She may think that I will look for someone else and leave her in future.
I hope kusuma will take care of her. It was afternoon and I had lunch. I looked at kusuma who was taking food inside indicating sudha will not come out. I think her coming out will cause another problem to her so it's better if she is in room itself.
" We will leave after lunch bhabhi ji " someone of my relatives were informing ma about their departure. Also few started leaving bidding bye. Although house felt little empty I was thankful that the lady left after lunch. It's been three to four days since all the relatives have come and I was expecting them to leave soon. I was constantly hearing Laxmi's name in their little gossips comparing sudha with her. I don't understand why everyone are behind that Laxmi when I am already married to Sudha. They are not directly telling me on my face but that look of pity on their faces was clearly visible.
I married with my consent and I don't understand why do they think that I am doing everything against my will. Anyways I am not going to put my thoughts into words anytime as I am very sensitive. Eventhough I look like a stubborn man I have been sensitive all the time. I take things to heart and suffer internally. I don't really show what goes inside my heart. Even now many things have been wandering inside my head but still I kept a straight face and sent them off. I don't know how will I manage when all the people's words mess up with my brain and I lose my sanity.
" Shyama Tai ji wants to talk to you beta. She is leaving and waiting outside " ma said interrupting my thoughts and I nodded.
" Son I am leaving beta. Take care of yourself and your wife too. I know it's not my place to say but think about your wife before taking this marriage to another level. I know she is not like everyone else and I know you are also confused about everything as it is new to you. But make sure you are doing everything in your right sense " she said and I was out of words. She was directly hinting me to rethink about this marriage and also get remarried again.
" Sure nani ji " I said and she smiled and went away. Mom was not aware of our conversation as she was busy conversing with others. I don't know how ma would react to all these nonsense talks. I sighed heavily not understanding what to do.
I went to my room and found it empty. I wonder where did kusuma and sudha went. I went and laid in bed to take a nap.
" You sleepy head. Go outside and take a nap " kusuma shouted and I opened my eyes to see my wife looking down while kusuma was standing with her hands on her hips.
" Okay " I nodded and went outside to sleep. After taking a nap I got up to see all the house empty indicating everyone left. I washed my face and drank tea which ma gave me.
Soon it was night and we had dinner together. Me, ma, sudha and kusuma. I felt peaceful to see her eating with calm expression as morning it was ruined because of that lady.
" I will go to my home in two or three days Bhai. So I want to spend time with ma and papa as well. They have been pestering me to come but I stayed here only because of your marriage. And now I think I will leave " kusuma said while eating.
" You can stay tonight and go tomorrow morning. Why now itself? " I asked. Ma finished her food and went outside to wash her hands.
" I don't want to witness something I shouldn't or hear something I don't want to. That's why I decided to go now " she said smirking making me choke on my food. Sudha looked confused at her words while I composed myself.
" Fine I will leave you at your home after finishing dinner " I said.
" You can stay kusuma. It won't be a problem " ma said her while coming inside.
" No chachi ji. I better go now. I want to spend time with them too " she said and ma nodded.
After dinner she hugged sudha tightly promising her to visit before leaving to her in laws place.
" Shall we leave? " I asked.
" No Shyama. I will leave her. And moreover it's not that far. It's not good for you to go around at this time " ma said and I didn't understand what she meant.
" But why ma? " I asked.
" You are newly married shyama. That's why you should not roam around and for a week you will not go out in the night times " she informed strictly.
Both of them went after bidding bye and I went to room. Sudha was still not coming in room and I wondered what she was up to so I went outside to see her cleaning the vessels. She even cleaned the kitchen and was now washing vessels. I smiled and went to room and waited for her. I thought she doesn't know anything about household chores but she surprisingly is good at it.
" You want milk? " She asked hesitatingly as she entered the room and I looked at her placing my elbow on bed and holding my face in my palm. She was not looking at me and I kept looking at her. She looked uncomfortable at my stare and lifted her eyes up.
" Milk? " She asked again and I shook my head. She nodded and locked the door coming towards me. She slowly went to her side of bed and laid in bed.
She was about to turn towards the wall when I called her.
" Sudha " she turned towards me with confusion.
" Um...don't turn towards the wall and sleep. Do I look so bad to you that you turn that side? " I asked and she shook her head in denial.
I held her hand in mine and she had goosebumps with the proximity. I kissed the back of her hand and she became more nervous. I kept holding her hand and looking at her who was now staring back at me. I closed the distance between us and she became aware of it and her eyes widened.
" Why do you come so close? " She asked.

Sudha's POV:

He was not answering me but looking at me deeply. I was not understanding but it felt good. I don't deny that I am attracted to him but this was something uncalled for.
" Get used to it " he said and placed his lips on my cheeks. Something inside me started bursting and I don't want it to stop.
" But why? " I asked.
" There is much more I want to do with you but for now I will just hug you. So please don't test my patience and let me hug you " he said and I nodded my head.
" Good now sleep " he whispered in my ear and I shivered when his lips touched there.
He is going to kill me with these new feelings. I slept in his hold itself and I didn't realise it was already early morning.
" Good morning " he whispered in my ear and my body heated up and goosebumps formed on my skin. I just nodded and was about to get up when he pulled me holding my wrist and I fell flat on him. He was extremely warm which was stirring feelings which I don't know existed till now. He hugged me tightly not allowing me to go and I tried to move away.
" Why did you wake up so early. Come on sleep for some more time. I have some work to do. I will finish it and come till then you keep sleeping. Okay? " He said and I unwillingly nodded my head. He got up not before kissing my cheeks and pinching on my waist making me gasp.
He went outside while I started thinking about all the things he did to me.
Why was he being so close to me? And why do he kiss me? And why the hell I feel good when he does that? I was so much occupied with my thoughts that I didn't realise I was still in bed.
.......

Shyam got up and collected milk from the cows. He thought about his wife who was innocent and not a bit aware of married life. He was feeling happy not aware of the upcomings which will ruin his peace.
After delivering the milk he went back to home and took a bath. He understood that sudha didn't comeout yet so he soon finished his morning chores and went to his room. Sudha was sleeping on her stomach with her legs hanging in air. Her saree was near her knees not covering her legs. She was deeply immersed in her thoughts and didn't observe her husband who was ogling at his beautiful wife. He shook his head trying to erase all the dirty thoughts and cleared his throat. Sudha immediately sat up in bed.
When shyam said her to fresh up she took her clothes in a haste and ran out of room. Shyam chuckled at her antics and got ready for the day.
Both sudha and her mother in law prepared breakfast with small talks. Devamma was happy that sudha is not like she had thought.
" Shyama you and sudha go and visit the temple after breakfast " Devamma said while having breakfast. Shyam nodded and after breakfast sudha collected some flowers from the frontyard in a basket.
Both of them exited their home and started walking towards temple which was nearly a five minutes walkable distance from there. While walking shyam observed how sudha was walking. He thought to walk slowly but to his surprise she was walking in same speed as him without any problem. Whoever witnessed them started murmuring making Sudha uncomfortable. She was always a centre of attraction before marriage due to her disability and now after seeing so many new people she became nervous. Even shyam could see many people talking among themselves looking at them.
" Do you feel any pain? " He asked trying to divert her attention from them.
" Why? " She asked confused.
" You know um...the way you walk. Does it hurt? " He questioned slightly nervous.
" Do you feel pain while walking? " She countered him.
" Why would I? " He was confused now.
" Same goes to me. As your walk is not normal to you mine is normal to me. I am habituated to mine like you are " she said making him shocked. He didn't expect her to be so straightforward. Whatever she said made him realise how low he thought of her.
While praying he saw Laxmi approaching him.
" Come behind the temple. I will be waiting for you " she whispered slowly. I threw daggers towards her not wanting to go.
" Just come " with that she went away.
Shyam excused himself while sudha got little upset. She nodded nonetheless and shyam went behind temple to meet Laxmi.
" What do you have in your mind Laxmi? Why did you want to meet me? " He asked.
" Even now you are so heartless " she said.
" What do you mean? " He asked not understanding a word.
" You married her really? For what? What does she has that I don't? Did you see how she walks? You chose her over me. But why? " She asked throwing her hands in air.
" We don't have to discuss this. I am married. So just leave me alone " he said and tried to walk away but she held his hand.
" Even now I am ready to marry you. Just leave her. I will convince my dad. All you have to do is just leave her and we will marry " she said with hope in her eyes.
" No " he said looking straight into her eyes.
" Why? What's wrong with you huh? Can't you see she is not like us. She is bloody handicapped. You don't have to spoil your life for her. I am really ready to marry you. Accept me please " she tried to convince again but shyam left her and went towards sudha.
While going back home he kept thinking about Laxmi. The words she used to describe his wife made his heart break and he could not look into his wife's eyes. He did not stand up for his wife. He did not defend her in front of Laxmi. He is weak. He is not the man sudha deserves  he thought. He lost his peace thinking about all the negativities.

Shyam's insecurities are building with each passing day...
How is he gonna face them? What will he do? Will be hurt sudha in process of understanding himself?
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