Story 2

The Gentleman Who Stole My Heart

Chapter 9

The next morning I woke up finding myself in a warm blanket. I turned to the other side and saw a man's face. Arjun! He was sleeping with his abdomen against the mattress his hand over a cushion and lips pouted. I was startled and sat up looking around. It took me two whole minutes to adjust to the situation. I was a married woman now. Reality had never hit harder.

I slipped out of bed stealthily walking to the washroom. I felt my muscles revolt. From the limbs to my shoulders everything pained. I had to walk out of the washroom to take my toothbrush. He was sleeping well. The little sounds I made didn't even make him move a bit. I quickly freshened up and came out to get my clothes. Even though I felt hungry bathing first was a better option. My face looked like I had just come back from war. Thanks to all that eyeliner, eye shadows, cheek color or whatever it was called etc etc. 

The next problem. What do I wear? I was tempted to dress in jeans and top but that wasn't something expected from a newly married woman in India right? I had no heart or energy to look for a dress. I knew the sarees bag. I opened that and fished out one maroon saree, which to me seemed the simplest of them all. It wasn't simple it had embroidered borders and a fancy blouse. But it was simple comparatively to the other sarees that found home in the same bag.

Before going into the washroom I saw the time on the wall clock. What! Ten already. Everyone would have opinions about me by now. Lazy woman, who slept like a rock. 

I rushed into the washroom. I had switched on the geyser while brushing so thankfully I had a nice hot water bath. I made it quick. I peeped out after wearing the blouse and saree skirt he was still sleeping! Yay! I stepped out and started draping the saree. Something that I did everyday for a week before the marriage. No, I did not wear saree everyday. I practiced how to wear them. The formal sarees were easy to drape. But the weird materials that swore not to be where they were, were the annoying kind sarees,  I practiced them. I was glad at the bank, we were expected to wear the saree only during festivals on other days it was formal pants and shirt.

I had never felt so happy. I did everything peacefully while he slept. Once I was done I checked my phone. So many messages from Mumma? And one missed call. I quickly opened my inbox. Woah. That was a long list of dos and don'ts . I swiped glancing at them. I was sure Daadi dictated them out. 

Oh! Make up! Ahh! I kept the phone aside, applied whatever first shade of lipstick I found that matched. Wore back the bangles I removed last night. Rings weren't necessary. Eyeliner. Done. Woosh! Next on list was cook kheer. What? I had practised that as well. Better put as was made to practice. Kheer, Gaajar ka halwa and seeraa. 

I texted back a good day and leaving the phone went towards his side of the bed. It was 10:30am  already! Shouldn't he wake up? I couldn't go down without him, could I? Maybe Is should ask him what was expected out of me? I stared at him trying to decide. He moved a little. I took that as God's hint to wake  him up. I tapped his shoulder. "Arjun. It's ten."

He was sleeping heavily. I tapped a little harder this time. No effect. I shook his arm, he shifted sides but did not wake up. I rolled my eyes. This time using both my hands, I shook his arm. "Arjun!" I called louder. Get up you sleeping beauty!

He didn't wake up. Wow. Was he actually sleeping or pretending to sleep? Didn't they say, it was easier to wake up someone who was sleeping than waking up someone who was pretending to? Waking up this man was hard, so could it be possible he was pretending? I kept my reasoning aside and tried once more. He was probably too tired. Hey but, I was more tired ! I was the one walking in that heavy bride attire and gold. Maybe because he had hard muscular arms he didn't feel the movement. Could be! I tapped his cheek "Arjun!"

He hummed loudly turning and I stepped back. 

"Good morning. It's 10:40!" 

"Humm!" He said sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Seconds later he closed his eyes. What? Was he like, sleeping in a sitting posture this time? 

"Arjun!" I called peering at his closed eyes. 

"Hmm!" He dragged his voice and stretched his arms. 

I blinked awkwardly looking away. 

He turned to me and then smiled.  I smiled back at him. The next thing I knew was his hand gripped my wrist and propelled me towards him. Caught off guard I almost hovered upon his sitting form. I placed my hands on his shoulder for support. He hugged me. What was he even doing? 

I felt his chin on my shoulder his palms against my back. "When will this dream become a reality, I am tired of just dreams!" He murmured into my ears and I felt heat forming on my cheeks. What? He dreams of this everyday. 

"Ahh, Arjun. " I said cautiously moving away. "This is reality. "

"You say that everyday, Nish, and then you're gone when I come forward to kiss you!" He mumbled. I guess he was asleep on my shoulder now. 

Pinch him! An idea was generated in my head. I pinched his forearm. 

"Ouch!" He yelped pulling back. Wow, they should consider pinching as self defense at times. "Good morning." I said forcing a smile.

He gaped at me. His mouth was stinking. I slowly got out of his hold and moved backwards. "It's ten forty five already." He stared at me. 

"Do you want me to pinch you again ? Are you still in sleep? Dream?" I asked unsure. 

"No.Ahh,"he looked around blinking.

" Sorry if I startled you."

" no. " he said rubbing face. "You..you're ready?" He said looking at me from top to down. You don't look like a girl like that Mr.Arjun!

"I think so." I shrugged.

" Of course. " he got off the bed, "You head downstairs I will join you all in sometime. "

"Alone?" I asked.

"Yeah. I need to brush bath, etc etc!" He said spreading his arms and twisting it around.

"Of course." I said walking over to the table and taking my phone. 

"You are looking gorgeous. That color suits you!" I heard his voice and swallowed hard. "Thank you!" I quickly turned to glance at him.

* * *

Teasing and shy smiles was all I got. Being with them wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. They were all caring. Did I think I had to Cook? Yes, but I actually did not. These people already had the dinning table spread out with a variety of breakfast dishes. My stomach growled. I was going to place my hand on the paratha but the sight of my phone reminded me of the message. Eat with him. I am hungry. This is not fair. He just woke up. It will take him a century to come down I could even faint owing to my hunger, waiting for him. 

"Have what you like beta!" His S.H. smiled at me.

"I will wait for him. " I said obediently. 

"Ooo.." His cousin, Karan passes me a teasing smile. I gave him a quick smile feeling awkward.

"Oh, Nisha, he'll take time, you eat. He runs on his own time. You start you must be hungry. " saying that his S.H. walked up to me and served me. 

"It's fine S.H." I said quickly. Everyone stared at me while she smiled. What just happened? Why are they all staring at me? 

" Wow. Even you following your husband's ways..S.H huh?"

I realsied my blunder. "Sorry Daadi." I apologized embarrassed. They'd all think I had no respect for elders. 

"No. Call me S.H." Daadi patted my hair lovingly. "Makes me feel one among you... Youngsters!" She winked. Winking is a family trait!

"I am sorry, actually.." I tried explaining.

"S.H asks you to eat now!" His Daadi said smiling and pointing at my plate. I simply obeyed it was the best thing to do at the moment. I kept my bites small and chewed properly, slowly even though at the moment I wanted to be fast and devour the yummy parathas. 

"Good morning!" He greeted cheerfully sitting on the chair that was beside mine. I gave a quick glance and turned back to my plate. He looked , yes, he looked as handsome as ever. I wanted to have a second look. I however controlled my urge as he threw an apple at his brother. As Karan passed a teasing comment. 

"You what anything?" He asked turning to my side his hand on my back. Is he so incapable to understand to not touch me like that? At least not when Karan is looking for opportunity to tease!

"Oh, look at these two Daadi, progression already!" Karan commented.

I nodded quickly embarrassed. He took back his hand and picked up another apple from the fruit basket throwing at him. 

"What the!" Karan threw it back. I gasped hoping it didn't hit my head in the way. 

"Karan!" He exclaimed in a scolding voice.

"Bhabhi... I wonder how you'll handle this idiot!" Karan made a face.

"Thanks for your concern Mr.Karan Shenoy. " Arjun commented.

"She can answer for herself. Mr.New Husband!" Karan laughed. 

I just looked at the food in my plate. My anxiety slowly consuming me. I was married now, an equivalent of a never stopping roller-coaster ride. How was I actually going to handle it all... More than anything the intimacy Arjun would expect?

Any guesses, ideas of where this is going?

Any feedback?

–Anami!

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