Next Morning 8 am
Ishita stirred as the morning rays sparkled like diamonds on the snowy sheets in which she lay encased. She was disoriented for a moment, wondering just where she was as her eyes fluttered open, taking in the unfamiliar surrounds.

There was also an unknown ache in her limbs, muscles tender for no apparent reason... Her face broke out into a shy smile as the reason came flooding back to her.

Last night...last night her husband had finally ended all the distances, all the dooriyan between them. Her eyelashes closed over her sparkling eyes as she coloured in embarrassment, remembering just what had transpired...

Those first awkward fumbles ... those whispered endearments ... his reassurances ... her tentative caresses ... then the wonderment of that moment that he had finally made her his... the searing pain followed by unimaginable pleasure... their mingled tears of joy.

She had always been so anxious about her desirability as a woman. After everything that had happened with Subbu, she had never thought that any man could find her attractive, would want to be with her... in that way, would desire her physically.

She had been told that she was incomplete , a barren woman, and she had started to believe the diktats of society and culture that a woman's desirability was tied to her ability to reproduce.

Even after knowing that Raman loved her, she had been hesitant, not sure whether his love could translate into passion.

Well, it did and it had, and last night was proof positive of that. Raman had finally proven to her once and for all that she was a complete woman, that she was not just desirable, but highly desirable to him.

Raman.

The mere thought of her husband brought a fresh glow to her face. After everything she had put him through, his jealousies over Mani, his getting injured, the emotional and physical stress he had been through because of her, he still loved her. He truly loved her.

But where was Raman? He must have gone out already, and she needed to as well. It was so late, she needed to go and see to Ruhi. Her mummyji needed to be reminded to take her tablets and papaji had to be stopped from eating buttered parathas... there was so much to do.Ladt night was the most amazing, wonderful night of her life, but she couldn't just lie here thinking about...him. There were so many things to be done.

She got up slowly from the bed, clutching the sheets closely around herself, and made her way to the bathroom. ...

Fifteen Minutes Later

Ishita stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a snowy white toweling robe, eager to go and find her family. But her determined steps faltered as she took in the tableau before her.

The bed was so messy, sheets askew, cushions and pillows strewn everywhere. And on the floor.... She blushed furiously as she saw his and her clothes strewn over the floor, her jewels, the last thing she remembered having on, tossed carelessly on the bedside table.

She rushed around picking up their clothes, her blushes deepening as she remembered just how he had taken each piece off her, and how she had so eagerly let him. Last night had been such an awakening for her, an awakening to her own sensuality. It was all so new though, and all still a bit uncomfortable, she mused.How would she face him this morning, with this new equation between them?

Clothes put away, she quickly rearranged the bed, her cheeks red as she touched the sheets that had silently witnessed their passionate dalliance. Blushing furiously, she gave a final pat to the bed, then picked up the jewels that were strewn on the bedside table.

She pulled her robe tighter around herself as she remembered him taking off the jewels, the caress of his fingers, his lips, his teeth grazing her soft skin... She shuddered as she imagined those fingers touching her again, those moist lips tracing a path over her curves...

No it wasn't her imagination, it was...

"Raman" she whispered, overcome with shyness as her husband wrapped his arms around her, his hands possesively drifting up from her wais, sliding under the collar of her robe to trace her neckline. "Aap kahan theh, mein..." (Where were you...I...)

In response he turned her around to face himself, sliding a finger underneath her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

He was fully dressed, in jeans and a white t shirt, his face freshly shaven. Her eyes lingered on his lips, remembering again just how those lips had tortured and pleasured her a few hours ago.

He smiled slowly as he watched her, then smirked as he grabbed one of her hands, bringing it up to his face, touching it to those lips she had been eyeing.

"Kya?" He whispered. " Aise kya dekh rahi ho? Kya bande se koi kami rah gayi thi? Toh kaho, yeh... sab hazir hai...aap hi ke liye"
(What? What are you looking at so earnestly? Did I leave anything undone last night? If so, just let me know. I'm right here...just for you)

She coloured and tried pulling her hands away from his, trying to cover her face, but he captured them easily, bringing her face up to his again.

"Kal kya keh rahi thi huh? That I won't want you because you can't give me children. Ab pata chala, just how much I want you? Do you know now? Do you?"
(What were you saying last night? That I won't want you because you can't give me children. Do you know now, just how much I want you? Do you know now? Do you?)

"Hmmm" she whispered, shutting her eyes again, unable to bear the sheer intensity of his gaze. "I know"

"Never say that again, do you hear?"

"Hmmm"

"On second thoughts, say it again. So that I can prove this to you over and over again"

He captured her lips with his last word, crushing her pliant mouth under his, kissing her with a fire that immediately spread through every inch of her body. She gasped when he finally pulled away, holding on to him as her legs proved traitorous, threatening to buckle under her.

"Kaho na" his voice was a sexy seductive whisper. (Say it)

"Ramann. Subah ho gaya. Sab kya samajh rahe honge."
(Ramannn. It's morning. What must everyone be thinking?)

"Sab ko see off kar ke aya hoon. (I've just seen them all off) They've all gone to the zoo for a picnic."

"See off? Itne subah? But Raman, Ruhi ne breakfast kiya kya?" (See off? This early? But Raman, Did Ruhi have breakfast?)

As she spoke of breakfast, she realised just how hungry she herself was, and her tummy gave a small rumble of discontent.

He heard her, and threw his head back in laughter.

"Madam ko bhook lagi hai, isliye chid chid kar rahi ho? Well, at your service my lady." (Madam is hungry, that's why she's grumbling? Well, at your service my lady)

He gestured at a breakfast cart that he had rolled into the room, walking up to it and removing cloches from dishes.

"Come and have breakfast jaan. Kal raat ko bhi kuch nahi khaya, Aur energy bhi kitna use kiya kal humne, hmm?"
(Come and have breakfast love. We didn't have dinner last night and we've used up so much energy as well)

She blushed at the insinuation as she walked over to him, taking the proffered plate from him.

They ate silently, both hungry and she still feeling a strange shyness around him. She glanced at him from time to time though, and each time, found him watching her, his eyes crinkling into a smile as she would look away in confusion.

"Aur kuch?" (Anything else?) He finally broke the silence, as she put her plate back onto the cart.

"No" she said softly. "Lekin Raman?" (No. But Raman?)

"Kya jaan?"
(Yes love?)

She blushed at the endearment, noticing the way her husband's voice and demeanor had changed.

"Lekin Raman, sab kya soch rahe honge? Papaji, Appa, mummyji. Aur Ruhi..."
(What must everyone be thinking? Papaji, Appa, mummyji. And Ruhi...)

'Don't worry madrassan. I said we will join them soon. Lekin pehle..." (But first....)

"Kya?" (What?)

"Tumhe toh bas hogaya lekin mujhe abhi bhi bhook lagi hai."
(You've had enough, but I'm still hungry)

And saying so Mr Bhalla propelled his wife back into bed, for round two of their happy ever after.

The End