Anaika

Everything packed and we are ready to leave. On our way out, my poor mother in law made a brilliant act and thought that it would make us stay but she doesn't know who's she messing up with. I did a dramatic act myself and almost made everyone laughed at her.

We left the house and I grabbed onto my husband's hand to stop him from getting in the car. He gave me a look of confusion and I smiled at him. "This is where you are putting a full stop on your past. The moment you get in the car, promise me that you will move on and look forward for a better future. Will you?"

He glanced behind me and I could see the pain, hurt and traumatic events he was once put on to. Then it disappeared. I was afraid that he would succumb to his emotions and prepared myself to console my husband, but he gave me a small nod instead before turning around to get in the car.

Does this mean that he's ready to pit everything behind? I really hope so.

Our journey started and I did my best on looting pictures of my husband. He was just few inches away but I don't know why I can't comprehend the fact that we are keeping distance. The discerning in them is foremost enough to hunt down my soul.

It was one of the sharp turn on the road when we were drawn closer. This will be my first time not regretting wearing the seatbelt because I just squeezed to my husband's side, our arms brushing together and I apologized quickly before moving away.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't wearing my seatbelt."

"It's okay. Please wear now, it's not always safe." He said and I smiled at him before buckling up my seatbelt.

"Anaika?" An incoherent gasp released from my lips and I'm not sure what surprises me more. Is it my name that came out of him for the first time? Or is it because of how deep and arousing he sounded for me?

"Yes." I swallowed the last amount of my gut after coming back to my senses. My body burning with unrequited desires following by the wet dream I had last night when we were hugging each other to sleep. Even he had no bit consent of that.

"If you don't mind me asking, why did you assume that I had a rough past?" The tension was gone and his statement was simple as that, yet it almost gave me hyperventilation. Not for air, but for him.

"How do you think I knew?" I asked him, letting him to process the truth.

"I-I don't know." He responded, looking defeated with a pout oj his lips. Can I just kiss it already? I averted my eyes rapidly to have some restraints.

"You must know, Adi. A tip, I learned it all from someone who's still worried of his grown son's life. I saw the man's desperation on giving his son a better life, to save him from his hideous past." Aditya was staring at me with unshed tears gathering on the corner of his eyes as soon as he had his realization.

Seeing him like that tear me up as well so I offered him a hug to let it go together after unbuckling my seatbelt. He hesitated at first but did the same to embrace me in less than a second. "We are husband and wife now. It means that it's not just a mere relationship anymore but it comes with a lot of commitments, responsibilities, emotions and so on." I expressed to him.

"But Aditya, I had decided that we shouldn't priorities such terms in our life for now." I could feel his constant shivers passing through his body to mine and I pulled us away. Resulting our faces to be that close and just a slight jiggle from the car, I would be indirectly sharing my first kiss with my husband.

Remembering the main purpose behind this marriage, I bowed to be more careful on handling myself around him. I should do my best on putting whatever feelings on bay to give him a good life. I shouldn't be the distraction in his life.

I took that moto into my head and I dragged myself away from him. It's for the best and I would wait for him no matter how long it takes.

*****

First morning in our house, it was refreshing but a bit sad for me because he wasn't next to me. Our rooms were separated after I took the decision on clicking the pause button for our relationship. It is not only for his future reinforcement but also for my personal restrictions.

The smell of coffee was so strong and it directed me right into the kitchen where I saw my husband skillfully working on some mashed eggs.

"Adi, I really appreciate it but you don't have to cook for me because you were used to. I can ask someone to do-"

"No, I love cooking. It was the only thing that I was doing willingly in that house." He set his sight faraway, maybe remembering those nightmares again.

"Adi, that's amazing that you wanted to keep on doing what makes you happy. So I don't have to worry about my breakfast, lunch and dinner anymore. Like why should I when I just got hit by a hot and sexy personal chef." I barged in with a giggle to shoo away his nightmares but I think I slipped few words that shouldn't be heard of.

"It-It was unintentional. I'm sorry." I apologized, keeping my head busy while I felt my cheeks creeping up with blushes. Oh, I hate second-hand embarrassment.

I peeped at him from the corner of my eyes and he had this prettiest tiny smirk.

We had our breakfast with my tummy full and I told him to get ready to be somewhere, which is a surprise for him. It would be my first wedding gift for my husband.

*****

The car ride was exciting because I can't wait to see his reaction when we reach the destination. He looked nervous for some reason and I don't understand why. Not even two minutes longer, he would be able to understand the surprise.

"Where are w-" I heard the immediate choke on his voice when the building became easier to view.

I parked my car and handed him a stamped envelope. "I believe this belongs to you."

I saw the jitters in his mesmerizing orbs and was captivated for few moments. But that doesn't held me back from catching my husband with disbelief at first and when he slowly ripped the envelope open, revealing his enrollment letter into one of the best culinary school, he knew exactly what's going on.

"B-But how? It isn't easy to get in." He pronounced while looking at the letter.

"It was but I managed to secure a placement for you and since the fees were paid off, they gradually take you in." I let him know.

"You....paid off the fees?" It was his worry and dismissing eyes piercing through mine, way too offended for what he assumed it to be.

"Technically, no. You paid off the fees, I never lend out a single penny from my side but used a little influence to secure a placement. So all of it was taken care by your savings." I explained, not wanting to get in the 'being rich' posters.

He let out a sigh and he still looks unsure. "My savings? It was really that enough." He questioned and answered to himself, yet I let him have his moment of living on stepping up for his first achievement.

A warm relieved smile is all he had and that got me feeling such a victory. I guess I just aced on presenting a wonderful wedding gift, aren't I?

*****

Later on, we were guided around the school. It was nice overall and I even took him to the cafe inside, where I told him that he can do part time working for the students from this culinary school. I believed he got fired the first time we met because of my indecisiveness and an intolerable manager so I had to make things right.

He was over the moon, admiring each and every single details with enthusiasm.

I was so proud to see the new phase in my husband's life. He's born to be ready and I'm sure he's going to be walking out of the school with flying colours.

After getting around to every pretty corners of the school, I excused myself to the washroom. I finished my business and checked out myself before leaving the washroom. Thus while I was on my way out, I caught a woman being ridiculously close to my husband with a bunch of her friends.

I did what every insecure partner would do, which to compare her with me. She was all in that area of perfection and people would love to see them together because they make a sensational pair. It sores not only my eyes but also my heart. It's unavoidable and that's what I had my circles on. A depth of hurt and inferiority, eating me up.

I looked away from them, from him to be exact. He's in the era of freedom, which means from now onwards he can make his own choices and decisions. From the way he shrinks whenever I get into contact with him, I knew he had no experience with women and relationship.

He wasn't given a chance before and he deserve it now. He needs to explore positive feelings and emotions, the vibe it gives.

But this got me thinking, what if he really fall for someone else while in the thought process of exploration?