Story 2

The Gentleman Who Stole My Heart

Chapter 8

I timidly looked at Arjun as we entered the room.By the time we had got to his family home it was already eleven. After performing the rituals for welcoming the new bride we were led by his S.H. to the Pooja room of the house. After the short and sweet aarti she sent us, the newlyweds to his room. 

I noticed, it was decorated with rose petals and white flowers. Gradually anxiety began to churn in my tummy. I wanted sleep not embarrassment. And this was embarrassing!

"I told S.H this wasn't required. " I heard him say, clearing the bed. "Told her by the time we reach it will be midnight. But, Women are Women!" I cleared my throat, twitching my eyebrows. His explanation wasn't very satisfactory. 

"Okay." He glanced at me sheepishly. "I need to get used to having another one in my life. Excuse me for my comments on women, in general. I am not an anti-feminist by the way. Just so that you know." He winked at me. 

Don't do that you handsome... Husband! 

I walked up to the bed helping him to clear the unnecessary decorations. I guess every couple did this on the first night. Who'd want to sleep smelling flowers after practically, smelling and seeing them throughout the entire wedding functions? I was sure I wouldn't touch flowers for a month. They made me feel giddy, already. Too much of anything was bad.

"Hey, you change, I will prepare the bed. " he said smiling.

"Ahh, right. " I looked at him gratefully. Walking in this bridal dress I felt like a decorated crane pulling kilograms of load. 

I saw my luggage placed aside in his huge room. I stared blinking. Which one had a decent dress for me to wear through the night? I should call mumma and ask, but it was already twelve. I was panicking already. Should I just try calling?  No. What would he think? That I am dependent on my mother for that. Will random number allocation technique work? No. Just follow your instinct. That blue one. I pulled it and opened it. This had heavy sarees. A few of my mother's when she was a young bride! Who asked them to pack this for me? I'd never wear them anyway. He was right, Women are Women! They'll do what they like anyway.

And well, I am one too!

I opened another, this time the cardboard box. This had my books and stuff I had saved from school time. Ahh! Sending up prayers I opened another , this time an airbag. This had all my jeans. 

"All okay?" He asked me. 

"Yeah!" I tried smiling. My clothes, the ones I needed right now were untraceable. That too in the moment I most needed them.  Can I cry? I need to get this off me. Mummy! I cried in my head for a few seconds. Marriages were hard because there were no parents for the girl! "Ahhh, are you sure ?" He asked walking up to me.

"Yeah!" I tried smiling through my nervousness.

"Tell me what's the problem?" He said rubbing the back of his neck. He was tired as well. I could see it on his face.

"I can't locate the bag or cardboard box which has my clothes for the night." I said softly.

"Want me to help you?" He offered noticing the fifteen more containers around him. My Mumma and Daadi had literally packed my entire room and sent it with me. Well, I won't blame them, I need familiar things around me so that I don't freak out in a new environment.

"No. I will. You sleep. You look tired."

"Aww..so caring already, wifey?" He winked bending down to open another suitcase. 

"Don't Arjun, it will all be messed up. Then it will be hard to pack again tomorrow." I said exhaustion growing on my nerves now. We were going to move into his home, tomorrow. A little part of me noted his endearment for me.

"Nisha. You are more tired. Sit there and work on getting that kilograms of gold off your neck, just nod in a yes or no, seeing the contents. Okay?"

I smiled and accepted his offer without protesting because I  had no energy left. I sat removing the jewelry on my fingers, next the rings, keeping just two on. First the one he had made me wear unofficially at our first 'date ' and second officially at the ring ceremony. Next I undid the hangings from the bangles. 

"Is this it?"

"Yeah!" I said excitedly moving towards him. He had some real good luck on his side.

"Careful, if you trip and fall on me, my next morning might be at the hospital." He grinned, holding my arm. Guess he took my movement to be skidding.

I laughed, "I am okay. Thank you!"

"Always here to help." He said standing up as I crouched beside the bag. I could hear him yawn and perhaps he was stretching. I didn't look up. It was so awkward staying with a man in a room. Alright, to make it sound a little better husband!

"Mind if I room the washroom? I'll be super quick. " I heard him say.

"Yeah. I need to anyway get these pins off me first." I sat back on the bed while he disappeared into the washroom. 

One and another. The process went on. I just prayed I didn't sleep in the process of getting various metals– pins, necklaces, earrings off me. I blinked irritated as I tried to undo the hook of the necklace. I put down my hands as they pained with strain. I undid a few safety pins at my duppata and then again attempted the necklace. This was Daadi's marriage piece. It wasn't going to be easy, was it? 

"Need help!" His voice came and in the next moment he was standing close to me. Don't scare me man! 

"I will.."

"Oh, come on let me. You need stop being formal. You are my wife. " I heard him say as his fingers brushed against my neck. I let down my hands. My shoulders, neck, arms were all in pain. I was so sleepy that I couldn't even put up resistance to his help or care to feel awkward with his touch. 

"Done. " he said quickly taking off the necklace.

"Thank you!" I sighed as the burden was suddenly taken away. 

"Where do you want me to keep these?" He asked gathering all the stuff that lay before me on the bed.

"There's that box on the dressing table." I said wondering how long it would take me to get the duppatta off me. What had his hired designer done ? I was so confused. Where were the safety pins attached.? I tugged a little at the duppatta trying to figure it out. It would be utter waste if it tore.

"Want me to help?" I heard him again. He was being a real cute support. But I was not able to digest it all. Though at the moment I knew I needed his help. But I was not letting him close. Certainly not, after considering the kisses we had shared. There were only two more after the kiss in his room. Actually, that was too much for two people arranged to be married in two weeks!

"I will be fine I guess." I smiled turning away. 

"Sure?" He asked as though he was telling me I wouldn't.

"Yeah." I was growing irritated. 

I ran my palm over my shoulder figuring out where the pins were. "Nisha, it will take you till morning. Let me help." I heard him. Can I like push him out of the room? I am irritated and seriously fatigued. And all he's doing is proving he's a good catch for a husband!

"I will do it!" I said annoyed removing a safety pin. 

The next thing I knew was he walked up to me, pushed my hand down and efficiently located the safety pins. Was I so incapable? 

"Are you all year around so stubborn, or is it a the tiredness today?" He asked staring into eyes. Did I say cute earlier? Scratch that. He wasn't cute! He was intimidating me right now. And irking me.

"I asked something ." he said turning me slightly and bending slightly to my waist. I want to runaway. Why did I even put myself into this? "I.."

"Shut up!" I spoke irritated. 

He stared at me. "Pull this out." He pointed to the dupatta tucked into my lehenga at my waist. I did. He was being helping and I was being rude. Remember he loves you! Loved you when you barely thought you were pretty. He could have chosen to sleep, leaving you to struggle. He didn't. Appreciate what you get or you'll never. A voice spoke in my head.

"There you go!" He declared.

"Sorry." I said in a small voice. 

"Your need sleep, wifey!" He smiled. Despite being tired also he managed to look adorable. Oh no! Nisha you needed sleep. I silently walked to the bathroom. "The second switch!" He said from behind. I smiled. This didn't seem that bad an idea– our marriage!

Surprisingly, after the long minutes when I came out he was still up sitting on the couch. He looked at me. It was yes awkward but now I felt relaxed. Perhaps because I felt like human and not a decorated truck! 

"You need anything?" I nodded in a no. "Little water maybe." He smiled walking up to the side table. I spotted the jug. Should have taken it myself. I simply stared at him gulping the water. 

"I will sleep on the couch..if you aren't comfortable sharing the bed."

"No. You need as much as rest as I do. It's fine." I was just being practical. 

"Sure?" He asked. I nodded in affirmatively.

"Okay. Good night. " he got on one side of the bed. 

Sighing I got on the other side ,"good night! " The next minute, my eyes were closed. Sleep was all I knew.

Hope you all are liking it!

– Anami!

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