chapter : 36
let loose

Hey! How have you beeen? This saturday i have so major major things in store for y'all. stay tuned! Follow me on instagram and SCROLLSTACK if you read there! your support would mean the world to me.

Also...well, we are exactly 10 chapters away from the end. this ride is going to get sizzling and end w a bang.

✨ VERY VERY LONG CHAPTER. DON'T FORGET TO COMMENT AND VOTE!! ✨

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k a b i r
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"Why are we here? If you wanted to kill me, I would have preferred a less torturous method."

The words leave in a hefty pant as my wife does nothing but snicker at my comment. She tightens her grip on my right hand as she pushes me through
the crowd.

The sun's shining so brightly over our heads, sucking directly our souls. The place is humid and musty, there's so much of dust in the air which bothers my breathing.

It was our second last day in her hometown, after that night when Noor finally let all her inhibitions out and went to confront those house helps.

They were so shocked when my wife barged in there and asked them to leave all their work and assemble in the hall. They followed quietly, eyes widened as headlights.

She made them stand in a line, hearing the commotions, her entire family had also come down. I had seen her falter, the confidence in her threatening to shake when she noticed her father and grandmother but that's when I stepped in. I looked at her, while she blinked her eyes at me—conveying how uneasy she was feeling.

I could have gone to her, held her hand and supported her but I wanted her to do this alone. I wanted her to break free—in all the ways possible. I wanted her to finally let go.

I mouthed, "Do it." I still remember the sigh she had exhaled after my words, closed her eyes and opened them. I can still reel that moment in my head, her orbs were flaring. There was something new.

She had stood before them, hands on her waist when she asked them, "What's wrong with my outfit? Go ahead, tell me." She looked at them pointedly and asked each and every one. Waited for their response.

They hadn't expected her to reiterate, that's how people are. They are the most confident in spewing discouraging words at someone, wanting to pull them down but the moment they are put on a platform and questioned, they turn fragile. So frightened and weak.

Her mother had asked Noor about the matter but my wife just told her to wait a minute.

"Go ahead. I am waiting. Is it the skin on my neck? Wait, is it a sliver of skin on my ankle? I knew it. I know how much of skin I was showing wearing these full-length jeans. I am so sorry. I'll try to cover better, I should just wear a saree, no? The skin on my abdomen isn't considered showing off, right? I can't wear a kurta because it's too much but wearing a blouse and saree is all right. After all, it's traditional? Tell me."

When she had received no replies, she had continued.

"Next time, I hear you all or anyone commenting on my or my sisters' choice of outfits, you won't be able to call yourself employed. Start treating women with respect, we aren't your objects of scrutinisation. We have the right to dress up the way we want, we are free to speak and behave the way we want. We aren't in our fifties anymore, learn to move with the change. Respecting your culture doesn't mean you are allowed to shame someone. Your traditions aren't greater than a person, and they will never be."

That night even if Noor was directing her statements at the house helps, it wasn't just at them. It was for everyone there in that room. It was the result of suppressing her feelings for so long, that outburst wasn't for those mere people who commented on her, it was for her. It was something she needed.

A closure.

Something changed that night. A mirage was broken, shattered and Noor was finally freed.

"Kabir, it's a Haat (market)." My wife's voice brings me back to the present.

"It's forty degrees Celsius," I retort back.

She had insisted on visiting this market before we left back for home. It's a huge market, with street stalls. There's everything available here. From fruits and vegetables to items of clothing to food and accessories. I haven't visited markets like these ever.

Noor tells me that it was a place she often used to visit with her parents, only that time she had many people around them and the market used to shut down for a few hours catering only to them.

"It feels nice to finally do this the authentic way." She exhales, her steps fastening as we reach a stall that has accessories hanging and placed carefully on the table. She lets go of my hand, the coolness unsettling in the pit of my stomach.

I stare at her hand, wanting to get back the warmth but she is busy holding all the pieces of ornaments, caressing them and trying on to see if they suit her. Well, jokes on them, she looks bloody fantastic in everything.

The rest of the afternoon passed away in a blur, we moved from one stall to another. She made me eat the famous delicacies there, one of which surprised me so much, I mean who eats Jalebi with Poha? It did taste good though.

She had shopped at every stall, stopped at the tiny corners relishing the day out. Throughout our time there, her smile never left her mouth. It didn't waver. She had the widest grin and the shiniest eyes.

It was as if she was soaking it all, everything she missed in the past years, she was trying to cover it all. As the Haat was closing, I knew she wanted to be there for some more time. Leaving the market would signify that she was going to leave this place all over again.

I had googled up and found a resort nearby, it was known for its hospitality. It was a pit stop for all the tourists, it had some great infrastructure along with a vast scenic build-up. During our breakfast today, her parents had brought it up on the table and I hadn't missed the fact how Noor lightened up at the name.

She had visited that place way back in her childhood after which her father was crowned and it led to more responsibilities on his shoulders which prevented him from visiting places for leisure. Once Noor had retarded back to our room, I asked her parents if I could take her there for a night.

I knew we had only two days and as much as I wanted Noor to enjoy everything she had missed, I also understood that her parents would want to spend some more time with her. They had agreed though, asking me to bring her back tomorrow morning so that they all could enjoy the last day together.

Noor has no idea where we are headed too.

"This isn't the way back home, is it?" She questions from the passenger seat. I hide my smile and reply.

"No, we aren't going home."

"Wait. Where are we going, Kabir?"

"Am I not allowed to spend time with my wife, Noor?"

"No, I don't mean that. But— I am curious now."

"You'll see."

"Are we going to go home at all tonight?"

"Nope."

"But I don't have any pair of clothes and my parents—"

"I bought our stuff, and they know. Now, keep quiet and enjoy the ride."

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"I—I don't think I have any words to describe how happy I am." Noor stares at the property in awe. Her eyes take in every structure. It's a lavish resort, one that's decorated and designed to perfection.

"You don't have to. I can see that."

"For someone who was so devilish before marriage, you are setting pretty great standards, husband."

"All for you," And I meant it. For her, I want to do everything. For her smile and her happiness.

"Noor—wait, is that you? Noor! Oh, God. It's you!" A loud screeching voice interrupts our conversation as we both turn around to find the source of the screams.

"What are the chances of us encountering someone you know in this resort?" I exclaim, my mind already turning sour at the prospect of sharing her with someone else here.

I was already having a hard time with her being busy at home with her family, which I could accept. Not this. Not here.

"I have no clue." She tiredly drops her head on my shoulder.

The figure keeps getting closer, pushing at the stony pavement behind her. She comes in like a tornado, there's a gusting wind around her, and the grit flows and dances. Her hair undulates, her limbs flying.

"Oh. My. God! Noor!! It's you." She finally comes to a halt, her words puffing out in bouts of short breaths. She is a tall woman, towering a little over Noor's height. Almond skin, but a wide smile adorning her face. Eyes that are radiant and all giggly.

"Radhika? Oh, it's you. It's been such a long time." My wife adds excitedly. They both smile at each other and hug long enough to celebrate their long-due reunion.

"Exactly! What are the fucking odds? I came here for my bachelorette, it's the last party before I get married. My fiancé is here too, he would be happy to meet you. It's been what? Seven years? No, eight years? Right? Such a long time. It appears we just gave our final boards but oh my God. You have just become prettier. I love your outfit so much! I had tried coming back to our hometown but it was as if someone didn't want me there. You know who wouldn't want me there? How dare someone not want me there? I had to settle by coming here then."

This superwoman, as I had understood, talks with the speed of a bullet train. She doesn't halt to breathe or pause to let the other person reply. Like the bullet train which leaves the station and only stops after it's destination is reached.

I throw a bewildered look at Noor, who appears amused at her friend.

"It indeed was. It's so nice to meet you here. He's Kabir, my husband." My wife introduces me and I gulp back the shock at her confession.

Did I hear it right?

She doesn't even realise what she has done as they both indulge in their conversations. My brain keeps processing her words, she didn't flinch when she reeled that sentence. She didn't stammer or stutter. She said it casually, normally.

It might not be a huge thing but for me, it's humongous. Noor is like that knot which will keep tangling the other part of the strands but the first knot would never loosen. She is headstrong, if she decides one thing, she won't ever back out from it.

So paint me surprised when my wife, who protects our marriage's secret in public like it's Kohinoor, easily revealed it on her fucking own.

"That's perfect. So you both are going to come, right? I won't let you say no. Yes, that's perfect. So we'll meet there. Bye!"

I had muted their conversation once my brain struggled to make sense of things. Noor looks at me sheepishly.

"So where are we going?"

"Well, even I ain't sure. But we have a bachelorette to attend today."

"We?"

"Both the bride and groom are celebrating their single-hood together."

"Okay then." She finally starts walking to the site of the hotel, but I let some seconds pass. My heart's pulsating and my lips have a smile plastered on them.

She introduced me as her husband.

With a smile on my face, I wheel out my luggage inside the hotel.
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.
.

"Why are you smiling?" Noor looks at me, her eyes trying to decipher the reason behind my smile. We are waiting for the elevator that would take us to our hotel suite.

"I can't smile?"

"This one's a little different."

"How so, wifey?"

"You flaunt this smile when you have achieved something."

The golden metallic door opens with a ding. It's just Noor and I who enter the lift, giving me a chance to do something I have been wanting to do.

The door closes and with a slight push, I corner her to a wall. It's cold in the chamber but I feel fervent. She looks at me confused at my sudden move.

"What are you doing, Mr Sood?"

"Kissing you, Mrs Sood."

My hands cup her petite face, fingers curling around her neck, and thumb tracing her lips. I tend to do this a lot. The feel of pillowy lips against my callous thumb is delectable. Very subtly, measuredly I put mine on her. Sucking and inhaling. Drinking and pouring everything I have, and can offer.

Kissing Noor is savage, it's fulfilling. It's beautiful and toe-curling. I feel all the emotions like a gusty wind that takes you along on the ride. That makes you feel and experience every dip, every turn and every fucking move.

My fingers play with the lobe of my ear, something I know that causes her to tremble and she does. She shivers and pushes closer. We are loud and needy and messy, things I could never associate myself with, before my wife.

The elevator calls us out on our public display of affection, opening the door on our floor. We part away, not bothering to move apart. Panting and gulping air.

"You introduced me as your husband."

"I did."

"You did."

I have never known anything prettier than this scene that rolls in front of me. Her face glowing, her lips hypnotizingly spread into a wide smile. Eyes glistening and shimmering at the same time.

The most beautiful.

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"I think we should go back to our room, Noor." I am shouting the syllables for her to able to hear them. The party is being arranged in the hotel's nightclub. An entire section is booked by them and it's still so full.

The neon lights dance to the tunes of dissing music. Everyone seems to be enjoying but I don't want to be here. I would rather spend a quiet night talking with Noor.

Partying is fun but not today. It was a draining and tiring day, exhaustion is creeping over me.

"No. It's fun." She chuckles. My eyes take their own sweet time gawking at her. She is wearing a maroon dress, one that dips deliciously at her cleavage and ends right above her knees. She knows how much I appreciate this colour on her. After the impromptu invite, she had asked her sister to bring one of her party dresses across.

She had painted her lips with the same shade, one whose coat I had already ruined back in our room.
After that, she had pushed me out until she was completely ready.

Her hair was let loose, flowing with the bouts of the conditioned air. She is sipping on a glass of wine, it's the first time I have seen her drinking out of our home. She prefers her wine with the company of her show, in the comfort of home.

"Are you going to get tipsy so soon, baby?" The blush on her cheek reddens further.

"Are you going to take advantage of my situation, husband?"

"You say things like these and expect me to not react, huh?"

"Here are the love birds! Hello and hello! Gaurav, meet Noor and Kabir, her husband. She is my school friend. We met after so long. They look so cute together, no?"

Radhika ushers. She comes in with a male on he side, whom I am assuming to be her fiancé. He greets us politely before Radhika takes over the role of a communicator.

She rants about Noor, their friendship, and how she met us today. She keeps telling us about how her to-be husband proposed to her, and how she was sceptical. She also lays down the plans behind this party.

By the time she stops, I know the rent of this place, the amount of cover money they paid, how these two people—who I didn't even know before today—met and fell in love and found themselves tumbling into marriage.

She tells us to go on the dance floor before she is called by someone and excuses herself. Gaurav doesn't leave though.

"I hope you enjoy your time. She might speak a lot and not give you a chance at it but she genuinely waited for you both to show up. She is that way, bubbly and talking for all of the people combined but she means well."

"I know. You really don't have to explain it. We both get it."

"Thank you. Not everyone does and it pains me to see her feel dejected over people not appreciating her true nature. I might be a hypocrite, but I was the same. I prefer my silence and she storms in with her endless words."

"So how did you figure it out?"

"Well, simple. She completes me. She might be my opposite but she was the only missing piece of my life. Enjoy yourselves."

"They are so much in love." My wife slurs. One glass of wine and she has already let it loose.

"Baby, do you want to go back?"

"No! Let's dance." I am being pulled to the stage, one that has lights twinkling beneath it. There's darkness clouded in the entire space and yet this area shines.

Throwing her hands around my neck, she sways to the music. She is in euphoria, enjoying and smiling. Mine wrap around her waist. The beats are slow but we are moving off-tune.

"You know?" She mumbles.

"Hmm?"

"You complete me too."

She might be saying those words but it's what I feel too. She is the chaos I needed in my life. She is the colour of my mundane canvas. She is the piece of my life's puzzle, one that puts everything back in place and together.

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Hey!

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WE ARE ENTERING THE

DRAMA ✨ KALESH ✨ CLIMAX ✨ ROMANCE ✨
ERA

royally yours,
meethi.