Bengal, Chatterjee Residence

Saudamini stared up at Meghmaala, blinking at her for a while.

"Look, don't delve into much details regarding Satyakaam," Her mother gazed at her, with a palm on her shoulder, "And don't, don't talk about him unless and until enquired, okay?"

"Anirban is your husband. It won't be nice if you talk about Satyakaam much in front of him. Just say as much as required."

Meghmaala raised her brows at her expectedly. Saudamini knew this day would come, someone or the other would definitely question her about Satyakaam. It was inevitable. She was technically remarried, and no family would want their child to be engaged to a partner who was not over his or her past relationships. It would hamper a relationship, she understood it.

"That.....it's not necessary that two people always have the same thoughts, Didi." Saudamini bit her lip, looking down and gulping slightly. She was partially saying the truth. Meghmaala lowered her lashes, breathing in. There was always a loophole in every word a woman utters, or a loophole is definitely found. Meghmaala would definitely be thinking, 'Why didn't the marriage run smooth? Why didn't they have the same thoughts?'

'What if Anirban also faces the same problems?'

"His opinions about me were drastic." She concluded softly, inhaling a deep breath. The fact that she felt nothing while talking about Satyakaam now, felt a little baffling to her at times. There was a time where she couldn't imagine herself without him, and now?

She felt nothing.

How could she?

Every single feeling was enough to evaporate, slowly and painfully for the two years. And by now, she was just as indifferent to him like a lifeless carcass. For she didn't knew what to feel for him, moreover, she felt she had lost the rights to feel anything for him.

Nothing other than tears could cloud her mind thinking about a person, who once upon a time gave her mind an innate sense of peace.

"It is said right, someone get's to know a person better when one comes close to him or her," Saudamini concluded, staring at Meghmaala with an emotion in her eyes which she couldn't decipher. Meghmaala heaved a sigh, thinking that the latter was talking about Satyakaam's ill-behavior.

But, only Saudamini knew what she was hinting about, indirectly.

"Hmmm....I see," Meghmaala nodded, "Look, Mini. It's difficult at times, to remarry in our society, and find love again."

Saudamini looked down, blinking.

"People will judge you, your previous relationship and compare." She began to string the leftover marigolds, "But, you will....you will have to tolerate them all and be strong. And as much as I know Anirban, I am sure he will support you through the thick and thin. My brother may appear childish at times, but he has a golden heart, Saudamini."

"He does," Meghmaala smiled softly at her.

Saudamini nodded gently, her blank face adorning with a weak smile.

Maybe, she isn't wrong.

.

.

.

How can someone be this beautiful?

Her long hairs brushed behind her back as she leaned forward, arranging the flowers along the alpana in front of the God's idol, pushing the strand of hair behind her ear as it irritated her. The underneath of her upturned feet hued with the deep red alta, and hands designed with the dark mehendi that reached to her elbows; the Shakha Pola tingled along with the gold bangles, and the vermillion smeared on her partition marked her his forever.

She was looking like his, today.

His wife to love and cherish. Only his right.

Saudamini's gaze fell briefly upon her husband, who was looking at her too, with the standard mischievous smile on his face. Fresh and dandy, he was dressed in a bright red designer kurta. She had to admit by now that Anirban had some sort of obsession with red- even his marriage outfit was had strong hints of red.

Anirban squinted his eyes gradually, and brought his palm close to his lips; and released it in a flying kiss. As expected, his wife's instant reaction was to widen her kohled doe-shaped eyes and inhale a sharp breath, and look around if anyone saw him doing that.

He so wished he could just kidnap her from the crowd, carry her to his room in bridal style and make love to her till the Sun was in the sky.

He pursed his lips to hide a snicker and let his mind halt due to the thoughts consuming him. Saudamini stole her gaze away from him after a glare, but peered back slowly after a while. He signaled her to come over towards him with the same smirk, but she instantly shook her head. Clicking his tongue, he shook his head and asked her to follow. She bit her lip for a while seeing his solemn expression, and excused herself.

'What does he want now....' She came out of the room's hustle and bustle, looking around; when a hand wrapped around her wrist, "Come with me!" The playful voice wasn't difficult to recognize.

"Arrey, Anirban! I have work to do!" She mouthed, blinking, as she was being taken by him, "Uff, it's a matter of just few moments!"

She had to cuss her spoilt mind for every word of Anirban now rendered a double meaning to her; when the heck did he start to influence her this much?!

Anirban found a spot which was far away from everyone, and hid behind the pillar with her. Her eyes widened as she found herself almost pinned to the column; inhaling a sharp breath followed by a gulp. She suddenly felt like those secretive couples, and how they would escape from everyone to make love in secret-

Her mind was definitely in the gutter-

No way Anirban was going to that to her! Right?

Right?

'Well.....the idea of making love in secrecy isn't bad either....'

'Shut up Saudamini! Shut up! Are you mad?'

"Why....why did you bring me here?" She muttered a bit squeakily rather. Anirban was still holding her wrist, so possessively. Like she belonged to only him. In a blink of an eye, he drew closer to her, placing his index finger on her lips, "Shhh....someone will hear us."

He couldn't help but feel how soft her lips felt against his finger. Soft, smooth and so kissable. Above that the red-lip paint smeared over it delicately did nothing to make the situation better for him. Her eyes appeared even larger and beautiful, the kohl did wonders to her almond shaped eyes; the dark shade of the kohl distinguishing it further because of her glossy and fair complexion. She glowed, no matter what....even it was in the simple white saree that lazily adorned her figure to demarcate gloom, or the rich navy blue saree with gold borders that dazzled upon her; she looked ethereal.

"Now close your eyes," He whispered huskily against her ear; making thousands of butterflies go wild in her stomach. Her breath hitched, as she stared at him, gaping. The fact that his mere words were affecting her, was something definitely of concern.

And the traitor of her mind began to exactly recount a scenario she had read, how the man asks his girl to close her eyes; and she innocent and unaware, did it, and he slammed his lips over hers, kissing her passionately.

Damn....

What....what if he did the same too?

But his lips, look so good.....

'Shut up Saudamini!'

"Mini, are you going to close your eyes or want me to do it for you?" Anirban gushed innocently with his eyebrows raised, his lips curved into a half smile.

Dangerously sweet.

************

A/N

Ani making our life difficult by not existing in real life 🥺🥺🥺💔💔

Signing off for today!
Nushkie