33. tumhare liye (for you)

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I've read thousands of books.

And hundreds of love stories.

I thought I know what to do, how to do, when to do. Fiction makes everything look so easy. The situation they are in, the backstory, the scene, it's like everything around just wants the leads to finally kiss each other.

I wish the same was the case in real life. Because when I heard the knock on the door, instead of being disappointed, I was actually relieved. I, the same human, who was internally jumping at the thought of kissing his wife, was having a fucking cold feet when the moment really came. The reason? Her face of expectation. She looked at me like I'm some sort of magician who was going to show her stars with closed eyes. In reality, I know shit about intimacy.

Now that I think about it, her questions about the kiss were actually sensible. I don't know how to use the tongue, or whether it is recommended to use the tongue during your first kiss. What if she doesn't like it? What if she finds it gross, just as she had mentioned? Or what if I'm not a good kisser?

Oh, well, who am I kidding?

If not for flying and cheek kisses, my lips have only known food and drinks.

My inexperience will definitely lead to underperformance. And I don't want that. I don't want her to think of me as a nasty kisser.

But I want to kiss her so damn badly.

I'm ready to apply all my theoretical knowledge to those suckable lips but what if she doesn't like it? I don't want to ruin her first experience. I mean, the woman waited thirty-one years for a damn kiss, it should be special, right? I can't ruin it for her.

And so here I was, in the bathroom, post the midnight mini celebration with family, hiding from my wife. The birthday cake was sliced and fed, wishes were sent, and blessings were taken. Now she was on the call with her family, and I can't wait for her to hang up and go to sleep.

Five minutes later, the knock on the door startled me.

"Aditya?"

"Ye-Yeah?" I stammered.

"Uhm, I'm done with my call."

"Good." Night.

"Are you okay?" She asked worriedly.

"Yeah, just- just brushing my teeth." I blurted out. Shit, Aditya. At least come up with a plausible excuse.

"Oh, I don't mind." She murmured bashfully.

I forced a chuckle. "I- I do. Just give me a few minutes."

"Okay, I'm waiting." She mumbled and I heard her footsteps return to the bed.

I covered my face with my hands.

Yeh aurat kiss ke bina nahi sone waali. (This woman is not sleeping without a kiss.)

I lamented, panicking internally. No, this can't do. I've to man up and face her, then maybe, stick my face against her. Ugh. This is so damn stressful.

Getting up from the toilet seat, I walked up to the basin and faced my reflection in the mirror. My hair looked tamed, stubble was trimmed, and my lips looked fine.

I blew air into my palm to check my breath, nodding satisfactorily.

"Okay," I nodded at myself. "Let's have a demo first," I said, holding up my first two fingers horizontally. Pretending them to be my wife's lips, I leaned in, slotting mine against the pair. They were unresponsive, obviously, and slightly thicker, well, a lot thicker, but thankfully soft. "Okay, this works," I blew out a breath, sucking my cheeks in to stop the nervous smile from spreading on my lips. My face looked red, so I waved my hands around, splashed some water on it, and dried it with a towel.

When I opened the door, Priya was seated on the edge of the bed, tapping her knee impatiently. Or maybe anxiously. Or maybe both.

Her eyes snapped up to meet mine and she smiled coyly, waiting for me to come closer. So I did, settling beside her, keeping the distance minimum between us. She turned to me, and there she goes, facing me with an expectant look.

I twisted my body in her direction, placing my hand flat beside hers, my thumb falling on hers. She boldly moved her hand atop mine, holding it securely. That gave me enough courage and I leaned in, looking into her eyes for consent. She closed them in response, a little tug forming at the corners of her lips.

I swallowed, scooting closer, my breath fanning her face. Thank God I already checked if it smelled nice or not.

I raised a trembling hand, gently placing it on her warm cheek. She shivered due to my cold touch. I stroked her cheek, mainly because I've read heroes doing it, and then closed my eyes, reluctantly pressing my lips on hers.

We both stiffened at the same time.

Then I pulled away, and she opened her eyes with a frown.

"Wh- What?"

I gulped.

"Uh, let's try again," I nervously smiled. She nodded in a timid motion, eyes falling close once again. I leaned in and repeated the previous action, simply placing my lips on hers. They were soft, sealed, and felt so good against mine. But that's it, that's all there was to it.

So I pulled away again, because fuck, I don't know what the hell to do!

Priya opened her eyes, disappointment shining through them. She tilted her head, as if asking, that's it?

I shrugged.

Priya nodded and sat back straight, pulling her hand off mine. We both sat in silence, neither speaking a word. I felt like crying. I didn't want to ruin her first experience and I did just that. Why am I such a wuss!?

"Let's go to sleep," I spoke, getting up from my spot and walking to my side of the bed. She acknowledged wordlessly, doing the same. I switched off the lights and lay on my back, staring at the blank ceiling.

Sometime later, Priya switched on the bedside lamp. I turned my head in question.

"I want to try again," she laid on her side, facing me.

"I-I- don't know-"

"You read books, don't you?"

I cleared my throat. "Yeah, but that's stupid stuff. It's easy to read, hard to implement."

"Fine!" She turned her back on me.

I sighed in the dark. "I'm sorry I ruined your first time."

She faced me again, shifting closer to reduce the distance between us. I looked at her apologetically.

My breath hitched when her hand came up to rest on my neck and she lifted her head, surprising the fuck out of me the moment I felt her lips on mine. I wrapped my hand around her wrist, holding her hand on my face while my other arm went around her waist to keep her upright.

Similar to me, she pulled away with just a peck. But unlike me, she didn't move away right after. Instead, "how do they do it in your books?"

I swallowed.

This woman is definitely not sleeping without a proper kiss.

"Uh," I thought back on thousand books I've read but failed to come up with an answer. She waited patiently.

Oh, God, what is this? Another viva?

"Suck, uhm, nibble, lick...." I trailed hesitantly.

She grimaced at my poor explanation. "Wait! I'll be back!" Getting off me, she grabbed her phone and disappeared inside the washroom. I stared starstruck. Don't tell me she is looking up a tutorial on YouTube?

I got off the bed too, plucking out my favourite book from the shelf and shuffling to the page where I had marked their first kiss.

Nope.

Slamming the book close, I shoved it back into place. Their kiss was all tongue and saliva, with hands going places I don't even want to mention. The sound of the door caught my attention. I looked over my shoulder, eyes zeroing on my wife who walked out of the bathroom nervously. She placed her phone on the nightstand and sat down, I joined her on the bed.

"Let's lie down, the previous position was comfortable." She muttered.

I nodded and shifted lower to make space for my upper body. Priya gravitated towards me naturally, her hand coming to its initial position on my neck, and I wrapped my arm around her waist.

Our lips met immediately.

I don't know why or how, but I wasn't that nervous anymore. Her not giving up on me actually boosted my confidence. So I placed my free hand on her cheek, pulling her closer, her chest pressing against mine. Our legs slotted together, bodies entangled and lips engaged like a magnet.

Then I felt her lips move.

First, she took my lower lip in between hers, sucking on it lazily, then gently scratched at it with her teeth, enough to leave me wanting for more. I opened my eyes when she pulled away, looking at her in amazement.

"Was that good?"

I nodded, "more than good."

She smiled, "now I'm sure. I was just checking if the article was legit." With that, her lips were back on mine. I gripped her waist tighter, letting my lips slightly fall open, allowing her to abuse them as much as she wants. She didn't disappoint.

Then came her tongue, not into my mouth, but slowly sliding across my lower lip, and then the corner of my mouth. I groaned softly, she swallowed that voice, placing her lips back on mine and sucking them seductively.

I groaned again, my hands sliding over her waist, encompassing her back. I decided to reciprocate. The moment my lips began to move, Priya slowed her actions, letting me take the lead. I flipped us over, laying her beneath me with our lips still attached. She locked her hands on my nape, fiddling with the hair on the end. The little touches encouraged me to replicate, so I rubbed her waist, stroked her cheek, and caressed her earlobe, all while copying her actions. She moaned when I licked the seam of her lips and they fell open. She hadn't entered my mouth, so I was blank on that part, hence why I settled on sucking, nibbling, and tugging. It felt great, more than great.

When I pulled away due to lack of air, she flipped us over once again. I closed my eyes when she took her position back on top of me, taking the lead and kissing me once again. Our lips moved in sync, clumsy, a little hurried and sloppy, but still better than the hen peck I was giving her a few minutes ago.

She pulled away and I opened my eyes to look into her light brown pools. I lifted my head the slightest, pecking her lips, and she responded with the same enthusiasm. My mouth turned at the corner, pulling up in a smile. "Are you the same woman who couldn't face me because she moaned?" I teased playfully.

Priya giggled, burying her face in the nook of my neck.

I turned us to the side, with her cuddling against me.

"I can't believe I did all that," she met my eyes shyly.

"Neither can I," I said honestly. "But I can't tell you how amazing it was."

She smiled broadly, coyness to it.

"What was the site you learned this from?"

"Couple of things for couples," she replied softly.

"I shall check it out," I tucked her head under my chin.

She chuckled, wrapping her arm around my waist.

"Happy birthday, meri jaan."

"Thank you." She said. "Happy Republic day,"

I laughed, "yeah, thanks."

We fell asleep after that, in each other's arms, kissed and sated.

The next morning, I woke up slightly later than usual. When I opened my eyes, I was surprised to find Tweety in the room already. But then I found out why she hadn't woken me up. Priya was feeding the little one boiled sweet corn. "Oh, you're awake!" She chirped exuberantly, looking up at me with a smile.

I nodded, trying to resist the yawn but failing.

"I think she likes me more than you now," Priya said smugly, holding out another corn kernel to Tweety's beak. Ignoring it, Tweety flew up to sit on my folded knee. "Or not," Priya sighed.

I laughed.

"How dare you, Tweety," I looked at the bird, stroking the little head. She snuggled into my finger. "My wife's the sweetest. You should like her more than me." I chastised softly. Instead of retorting at me with her usual shrill voice, she flew up to snuggle against my neck. "Aw?"

"She is being too touchy today," Priya came up to sit by my side. "You know when I came inside the room, she wasn't even trying to wake you up. She just sat on the desk looking at you."

I chuckled. Tweety has her gentle days, but they are rare.

I let her stand on my finger and brought her to my mouth to kiss her head. She pecked at my lips with her beak. "I love you," I cooed at the little one.

She rubbed the top of her head under my chin in response.

"I think she knows you stole my first kiss. Now she is being possessive." I teased my wife.

She blushed, slapping my knee coyly. "Come for breakfast once you're showered," shaking her head with a smile, she left the room immediately.

I sat Tweety on the desk and went to start my morning. She followed me to the bathroom, sitting on the tap while I brushed my teeth. She was with me the whole time I showered and got dressed. Then she settled herself on my shoulder, accompanying me to the dining table.

"Isse kyun laya? Khaana hai yaha par! (Why did you bring her here? There's food here!)" Mom said in sheer disappointment.

"Main nahi laya. Woh subah se mera picha nahi chod rahi! (I didn't bring her. She won't stop following me since the morning!)" I defended, grabbing my usual seat.

"Toh bhaga na usse! (Then chase her out!)"

"Nahi jaa rahi woh. (She isn't leaving.)" I shrugged off my shoulders to prove my point. Tweety stayed cemented on them.

"Kya aafat hai (what a nuisance)" mom said under her breath.

"Jo bhi ho, badi pyaari hai. (Whatever, she is cute.)" Meghna smiled wide at the bird, making weird baby voices. Tweety, along with the rest of us, ignored her.

"Accha shaam ka kya plan hai? (Alright, what's the plan for the evening?)" Dad asked looking up from his plate.

"Avinash keh raha tha, pehla birthday hai Priya ka iss ghar mein toh saath mein celebrate karte hai. Bas hum aur uski family. Main soch rahi thi society ki aurton ko bhi bula lete hai par phir reject kar di idea. Toh, Aditya, bas family celebration karte hai? (Avinash said, it's Priya's first birthday with us, so let's celebrate it together. Only our family and hers. I was thinking to invite the society ladies but then thought otherwise. So Aditya, only family celebration, what do you think?)" She looked at me hopefully.

I glanced at Bhai who was clenching the glass of water tightly, head lowered to stare at his plate.

"Arey, Arpita, woh toh karenge hi na. Mera matlab tha bacchon ki apni kuch planning hai ki nahi? (Arpita, that's given. What I meant to say is, if the kids have their own planning for the evening or not?)" Dad cleared.

"Oh," mom nodded, looking at me expectantly for an answer. "Hai kya? (There is?)"

I hummed, catching Priya's and my brother's attention. "I've made a few arrangements. We'll be out all night." I mumbled.

"Oye hoye," Meghna sang teasingly.

Priya coughed slightly, washing down the unease with a glass of water. I blushed bright red, blaming it on the steam coming off the idlis.

"But that will be in the night, na. I'm talking about the evening." Mom reacted calmly, much to my surprise. "So, Priya, shall I give your mami a call?"

Priya nodded in submission.

"Great!" Mom smiled. "Meghna, today you'll help me in the kitchen. Let Priya take a rest for the day. It's her birthday."

"Arey yar, bahar se manga lete hai na itne logon ka khaana banane ke bajaye! (Oh c'mon, let's just order from outside!)" Meghna whined.

"No." Mom answered.

"I'll join you guys," Priya chimed in.

"Priya-"

"No, please. You all are doing this for me, when it's not even needed, the least I can do is help." Priya insisted.

Mom sighed in defeat. "Okay, but just help around. Baaki mein aur Meghna sambhal lenge. (Meghna and I'll handle everything else.)"

"I can help too," I offered.

"Pata hai tujhe cooking karni aati hai. But tere cooking ke baad mere kitchen ka jo haal hota hai na, kurukshetra lagta hai saara kuch. (We know you can cook. But after your cooking the condition my kitchen is left in, it literally feels like a residue of war.)" Mom taunted. "You men do that, what is it called," she made wild gestures of hanging something.

"Decoration?" Dad guessed.

I still can't understand how he does that right every time.

"Ha! Decoration and stuff!" She nodded.

"Iski kya jaroorat hai? Mein thodi na bacchi hoon. (There's no need for all that. I'm not a kid.)" Priya smiled in discomfort.

"Exactly. Choti bacchi ho kya? (Are you a little kid?)" Meghna imitated a super girlish voice, with a tone that would put Madonna to shame. She laughed while we looked at her with a grimace. She sobered up quickly, clearing her throat. "Sorry, it's a popular meme." She justified. "Don't mind me, please continue." She ducked her head down, covering her face with her hair.

"Aapne hospital mein dhyan diya tha na? Yeh exchange toh nahi hui thi waha? (You were attentive in the hospital, right? Did she get exchanged there?)" Mom asked Dad.

"Mom!" Meghna groaned sounding embarrassed.

We all, despite the current dynamics between everyone being slightly awkward, laughed wholeheartedly.

Tweety chirped along, I assume trying to feel included.

The evening came sooner than expected. I couldn't get Priya alone even for a while. She was busy helping mom and Meghna in the kitchen, and when she was not, she was busy answering calls from her business-mates or returning thanks to the people who sent her gifts through delivery.

I wanted to kiss her so bad.

I couldn't get the last night out of my head. Even a peck would suffice, but only if I could get my woman alone for a minute.

It was a miracle when I found her alone in the kitchen, kneading a huge quantity of dough. Her pallu was bunched up, revealing her blouse and bare waist, and the end of it was tucked in her underskirt.

I entered the kitchen, catching her attention. She shot me a smile, focusing back on the dough. When I was close enough, I gripped her chin and swooped in for a kiss.

Priya gasped, pushing her flour-stained hands on my chest before stepping away hurriedly, her eyes wide in shock.

"Aap pagal hai kya!? Koi aa jayega! (Are you mad!? Someone might come!)" She exclaimed, looking towards the door in a panic.

Wrapping my arm around her waist, I yanked her close.

"Aditya, no!" She grunted, fighting with her weak fists against my chest. I pinched her waist. She gasped even louder.

"Ek kiss do, mein chala jaunga. (Kiss me, and I'll go.)" I laid down the options.

She shook her head vehemently.

I nodded nonchalantly.

"Chaliye room mein, (let's go to the room.)" She said in defeat, trying to pull away.

I didn't let her move. "Yahi, abhi, issi wakt. (Here, now, right away.)"

"Aditya, you're doing this intentionally now." She looked at me angrily.

I tapped my lips in response.

She sighed and dropped a peck.

I frowned. "I said a kiss."

"Yes, and this is your version of a kiss. Remember last night?" She shot back with a smirk.

I pinched her waist again.

"Ah!" She yelped, twisting her lips at me in displeasure. "Aap bahut bure ho. (You're very bad.)" She accused softly.

"Just kiss me,"

She looked at the kitchen entrance, then at me, and then leaned in to press her lips against mine.

A sound of humming separated us. Meghna entered with her earphones plugged in, nonchalant about everything, and walked up to the gas stove, stirring the curry inside the pan. Priya was back to kneading the dough, ignoring my existence. I made an action of walking past her, before I leaned down towards her ear, "Tonight." I stated, rounding the kitchen island and exiting the aroma-infused four walls.

At around five, Priya's family came. Mom and welcomed them inside, then offered chai and snacks. Priya and Preeti were so excited to see each other that they hardly left each other's side.

"Met Sameer yet?" I asked Preeti while she was helping me put on the decorations.

She blushed. "Not yet. We're meeting on Tuesday." She answered softly.

"Nervous?"

"Traumatized after my last date," she said pointedly.

I rolled my eyes. "Will you cut my old self some slack? In his defense, he was confused and nervous."

"I heard you went with Di to meet him?"

I nodded.

"Why? Scared of having another Aditya fall in love with your wife?"

I shoved her on the shoulder, taking the cello tape she held out.

"How is he?" She asked after some time.

"Nice," I answered honestly. "I didn't know you wanted to be a housewife?"

"He made a comment on that?"

"Sort of," I shrugged. "But not in a misogynist way."

"Yeah, di wouldn't have approved if he had." She surmised.

"Preeti, can you help me arrange the dining table? Priya went to get ready for the night." Meghna interrupted.

"Uh, you can do this on your own?" She asked me. I nodded in response. "Sure, let's go." She said to Meghana and the two walked away.

Once the decorations were up, I settled the cake on the table. Dad asked me to click a few pictures for him so he can post them on his WhatsApp status. I told him to wait until the birthday girl graces the floor. He obliged begrudgingly, stating how he taught me to calculate numbers but I can't even click a few pictures for him.

The doorbell rang and I went to open the door. Vikram stood outside with his family. I let the three inside, asking about Sky.

"We left him in my younger brother's care." Nisha Bhabhi answered. "Where's Priya?" She looked around the room, clutching the paper bag tightly to her chest. I frowned at another gift Vikram had in his hands.

"She is in her room, getting ready. Last she was busy talking to Dadi and Bua on the conference call so I don't know whether they are done yet or not," I answered.

"Oh, okay, I'll go check myself." She said and excused herself.

"Do do gifts? (Two gifts?)" I asked Vikram.

He sighed, thrusting the one he bought in my arms and settling down on the couch. "Don't ask me-" his eyes went behind me and widened, "Ashish, don't touch the cake!" He warned.

I followed his eyes, chuckling as the little boy startled and pulled his hands off the table, locking them on his back.

"Come here," he continued in a stern voice.

"Mumma!" Ashish instead went to seek his mother out.

Vikram shook his head. "Anyway, where was I? Yeah, the gifts," he answered himself. "Well, we were in the mall, thinking about what to buy for your wife when we came across a tea set. She bought it. We were about to leave, when she suddenly excused herself and disappeared on the second floor. A half-hour later, she returned with a satisfactory smile, the same bag she had now, clutched to her chest." He shrugged.

I frowned, curious about the other gift.

"Aditya!" Nisha Bhabhi suddenly called out.

I looked over my shoulder, my eyes instantly falling on my wife standing beside her, dressed in the same red dress I was so badly waiting to see her in.

My breath hitched, eyes studying her figure before they halted on the cheap thirteen hundred rupees necklace I had bought her sitting elegantly on her neck. She could have worn the million dollar worth diamond necklace Bhai gifted her, but the fact that she wore the one I got her, which was nothing special compared to real diamonds, made my heart swell and lips smile.

"Oh my god, you look so beautiful!" Meghna's voice snapped me from the daze.

Priya lowered her gaze to the ground.

"Bahut pyari lag rahi ho, beta (you're looking lovely, kid.)" Mom complimented with a smile.

"True. You're looking beautiful, darling." Dad nodded.

"Thank you," she whispered bashfully.

I approached her, wanting to say millions of things, possibly sweep her off her feet, and kiss her madly, but I settled on nodding towards the cake. She obliged, walking behind the table.

The birthday celebration lasted for about two hours, after which everyone settled in the living room and talked about mundane things.

"Arey, tum log niklo na, pehle hi bahut der ho gayi hai. (You two should get going. It's already late.)" Dad spoke up, catching everyone's attention.

"Ha, abhi niklo. Khaan vaana ho gaya hai, kyun time waste kar rahe ho? (Yes, get going now. Dinner is all done already, why waste time?)" Her uncle agreed with a nod.

"Kuch garam kapde le jaao- (take some warm clothes-)"

"Kashmir nahi jaa rahe woh, Arpita. Kya tum bhi? (What, Arpita? They're not going to Kashmir.)"

"Lekin ja toh bahar hi rahe na. (But they are going outside, na.) It's January. It's very cold outside. Adi, don't listen to your father. Take some warm clothes with you. And Priya, beta, your legs down from knees are all bare. Wear socks. Phir pair ki ungliyan thandi pad gayi toh chal nahi paogi. (It'll be difficult to walk with frozen toes.)" Mom advised.

Priya blushed, nodding in response.

"Chale-"

"Ek min, (one minute)" she said to me, dialling a number hurriedly, looking slightly frustrated. We all looked at her in confusion. It's already eight now. I'd given seven pm time to the hotel staff. They've already called me twice.

Just then the doorbell rang and a relieved expression crossed her face. She got up, attending the door. She returned with a garment bag in her hands. "This," she held it out to me.

Please don't tell me it is what I think it is.

"Kya hai? (What is it?)" Preeti and Meghna came close, curious about it. Preeti took it from Priya and unzipped the bag, revealing a custom-made dark brown suit. I sighed. "Oooh,"

"Priya-"

"Please. They'll make your eyes stand out." She said sheepishly.

"Baat toh sahi hai. (She's right.)" Mom came, looking at the sight carefully. "The fabric is so nice. Looks expensive. Like the black suit you wore yesterday." She looked up at me.

"Go," Priya encouraged.

We were already running late, so without putting up much fight, I took the garment bag and went to the bedroom to change. I was done in less than fifteen minutes. It looked great, like it is supposed to.

When I came out, Mom gasped and Preeti snapped a picture of me.

"Now you two together," she said, pushing Priya close to me. I wrapped my arm around Priya's waist, and we both attempted to smile at the camera. "You know what, just look at each other," she said, dissatisfied with our smiles. I looked down at Priya just as she tilted her head up and smiled, she smiled back shyly. "Perfect!"

"Now off you go!" Meghna said, gesturing towards the door.

"Suno Mister, meri behen ko sahi salamat ghar lana samjhe? (Listen, Mister, bring my sister safely back home.)" Preeti warned me at the doorstep, making everyone laugh.

"Ji, saali sahiba, kuch aur baaki hai ki hum jaaye? (Yes, sister in law, anything else or are we permitted to leave?)" I asked sarcastically.

"Go go! Have fun!" She chirped.

I led Priya towards the elevator and we both stepped inside.

"Remember what I said this morning?" I leaned down to whisper.

She looked at me in alarm, like a rabbit caught in a trap.

I smirked. "That's right. I'm going to follow my instinct tonight. Not a tutorial."

Adi, tum toh chup hi raho. All barks, no bite. 🙄

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter? Sorry for updating late, was running a fever so my mom was all panicked and nervous lol.

Don't forget to vote and comment. Makes my day.