"Sathvik, why don't you put Muskaan to sleep?" Nilima asked after dinner.

"Sure, Mom," Sathvik said, picking up a drowsy Muskaan in his arms.

Muskaan laid her head on her uncle's shoulder and clutched his collars in her chubby little fists.

"I shifted her cot to our bedroom, Sathvik. Put her to sleep there," Nilima added, and Sathvik nodded in understanding.

Devangana's spine stiffened in nervousness as she heard Nilima.

Her mother had scared her before leaving, telling her about wedding nights and marital relationships. The thought that Muskaan would be there with them at night had been her only reassurance.

As soon as Sathvik left with Muskaan, Nilima turned to Devangana with a smile.

Nilima first took her to a guestroom and made her wear a beautiful saree. Angana looked on in horror as Nilima made her get ready. She hadn't been anticipating any of this.

Roop bought a glass of warm milk. Nilima took it and handed it over to Angana.

"I know you both aren't ready to start a life. But all these are rituals. Let's just follow it. You can take your time when it comes to your personal life." Nilima said with a soft smile and Angana let out a relieved sigh.

"Come, I will take you to your room."

Devangana stopped in her tracks, looking at the bedroom in horror.

The bedroom was decorated with roses and scented candles. It was not an elaborate wedding night style setting. But yet, it was giving her palpitations.

"Devangana, I know this marriage has been so unexpected for you. But I hope you both will try and make it work," Nilima said and helped Devangana onto the bed.

"Uh... yes, Mom," Devangana said, feeling awkward at the romantic setting of the room.

"If you have any problems here, you will tell me. Okay?" Nilima asked.

"Yes, Mom," Devangana nodded like a doll.

Nilima pressed a little kiss on her daughter-in-law's forehead and left.

As soon as Nilima left, Devangana got off the bed and started pacing the room.

She heard the bedroom door opening and held her breath.

"What the f*ck?" Sathvik cursed, seeing the setting of the bedroom, and then he saw the nervous look on Devangana's face.

Sathvik took a step towards her, and Devangana took a step back nervously.

Sathvik took another step towards her, and Devangana clutched her saree tightly on either side.

"Why are you stepping back, Devangana? Remember, you are my wife now," Sathvik said.

"Yes," Devangana nodded with a gulp.

"And wives never deny their husbands anything. Didn't your mother tell you that?" Sathvik asked as he stepped closer to her.

Devangana could feel her heart slamming against her rib cage. She saw him leaning towards her, and she closed her eyes tightly.

The weird sensations in her stomach were back, and she could feel a thrill of both fear and excitement at the same time.

She opened her eyes when she heard him chuckle.

"Look at your face, as if you were being taken for execution," Sathvik teased.

"You were teasing me?" Devangana accused.

"Was I?"

Devangana huffed.

"Did I scare you?" Sathvik asked gently.

"A little," Devangana said in a low voice.

"Why? Am I that repulsive?" Sathvik asked.

"No, I didn't mean it that way," Devangana hurried to clear his misunderstanding but saw him smirking and realised he was teasing her again.

"You are so bad. I don't want to talk to you anymore," Devangana said with a pout.

"Okay, okay. Jokes apart. I am sorry I scared you, Deva. But you have nothing to be scared of. Remember what I told you earlier? Our relationship will go according to the pace you are comfortable with," Sathvik said, making Devangana smile.

"Thank you," Devangana was grateful for his understanding nature.

"And don't take what your mother said seriously. Maybe in their generation, it must have been like that. But we are living in the twenty-first century. And we are living in Mumbai city, one of the most progressive places in the India. A woman is her own person. Nobody has any right over her if she does not wish it. Not even her husband. Do you understand?" Sathvik asked.

Devangana nodded, feeling herself lucky to have found such an understanding and caring man as her life partner.

"You must be tired. Why don't you change into something comfortable? Your luggage has arrived, right?" Sathvik asked.

"Yes, Ishaan bhaiyya brought a few sets of clothes. He told me I could pack the rest tomorrow when we go there," Devangana said.

"You get changed. I will use the washroom in the guest suite," Sathvik said.

When Devangana came out after changing into a night suit, Sathvik was already on the bed, reading some book.

He looked up when he heard her. He closed the book and placed it on the bedside table and took off his glasses.

"You read?" Devangana asked.

"I like reading," Sathvik said.

"Me too," Devangana said excitedly at having a common hobby.

"Oh, that's great. We could share our books," Sathvik said.

"What were you reading?" Devangana asked as she sat on the bed facing him.

"The Battle of Belonging."

"What is the plot? Is it an action genre?" Devangana asked.

Sathvik chuckled.

"It's not fiction, Devangana. It's a book on patriotism and nationalism, written by a famous politician, Shashi Tharur." Sathvik said, and Devangana made a face.

"Isn't that boring? How do you read all that?" Devangana couldn't understand how anybody could read anything other than fiction.

"So, what type of books do you read?" Sathvik asked indulgently.

"I like rom-coms. My favourite is Mills & Boon," Devangana said dreamily.

"You mean those books which have a couple having s*x on the cover page?" Sathvik asked with a naughty smirk.

Devangana started blushing furiously.

"I am feeling sleepy. Good night, Sathvik ji," Devangana said hurriedly and laid on the bed, pulling the duvet over her head. She heard Sathvik laughing and cursed herself for telling him what stories she preferred.

Sathvik switched off the light and laid down next to her.

"You don't have to be embarrassed about anything in front of me, Deva," Sathvik said softly, and Devangana pulled down the duvet from her face and looked at him.

Sathvik moved closer to her and placed his arms over her stomach.

Devangana's eyes widened at that.

"Do you feel uncomfortable with this, Deva? If you do, tell me. Okay?" Sathvik asked.

He is doing everything to make her feel comfortable and welcome. Why can't she make a little effort too, she wondered.

"No," Devangana whispered and moved closer to him.

"I feel secure with you," Devangana said.

Sathvik smiled hearing that.

"Sleep, Deva," Sathvik said, and they fell asleep in each other's arms, thus marking the beginning of a beautiful future.

A/n

Sathvik isn't just a green flag, he is total green forest..lol😜

Please do vote, comment and share..

Love,

SF❤️