Accidentally in Love
Chapter 14: A Wish

Birds chirped outside on trees, the white swing gleamed against the green lawns; people enjoyed the slight early morning cold while they could because March had already started to turn hot. Inside Maheshwari residence, a man turned over on his stomach while sleeping on the big bed, and his outstretched hand moved up and down the silken sheets as if trying to locate something. However, all he found was empty space, and that woke him up. Yawning, he sat up, rubbing his eyes, and called out, “Naina… Kahan ho?”

There was no reply, and he frowned at the bathroom door, starting to get down from bed, but then paused… Damn… He had forgotten that Naina wasn’t here today. Two nights… just two nights of sleeping with her and he had forgot what it was to sleep alone, or wake up alone. He sighed, thinking what kind of idiotic ritual was this which separated a newly married couple. Shouldn’t people understand that these days were for romance and not for staying apart? He yawned again, stretching his arms and checked the time… 6:30am.

Wow Naina… Tumse shaadi hote hi jaldi uthne laga hun main…

He chuckled at his thoughts and then stood up, thinking that since he was awake he might as well take a shower. He vigorously brushed his teeth, grinning all the while because he suddenly remembered the way Naina had given him so much freedom yesterday. Not only had she hugged him when he had been shirtless, but she had also demanded another kiss after the first one… And then just before she left she had again expressed the need to kiss and also given him a chance to explore more. It was amazing… But that also was a problem because he was barely holding onto his patience and control… He didn’t know how much longer she would take, or how much more he could wait, or how many more tiny steps were needed until he could finally make love to her. He hoped it was soon… The wait was extremely difficult.

Whistling to the tune of romantic songs, he took a leisurely shower. What should he wear? After all, Naina had said, ‘kal jaldi aana please.’ So he should go there early, and just to make her happy he could wear something nice… Oh yes! The shirt she had gifted. It was perfect… She would be delighted. As he wiped himself dry he wondered if he could go before breakfast or that would look bad?

Nanu was surprised to see him come downstairs so early, and queried, “kya baat hai? Aaj toh shehzaade bahot jaldi uth gaye.”

Sameer frowned, “aap toh aise bol rahe hai jaise main 10 baje tak sota hun. Office jaata hun tab bhi toh jaldi uthta hun.”

“Aaj toh office nahi hai”, Nanu observed, “aur kisine mujhe bataya kal bahot der se soye the tum.”

Sameer’s brows furrowed, but just then his mother appeared from the kitchen with cups of tea, and he smiled, “sab khabar mil jaati hai aapko. CID Nanu.”

Nanu chuckled, “Naina ki kundli dekh leni chahiye thi mujhe… Pata nahi tha ke usko jadoo bhi aata hai.”

Sameer laughed, “haan dekh lete toh mujhe bhi warning mil jaati… Pata nahi kaise uska jo man ho mujhse karwa leti hai.”

Vishakha looked at her son’s clothes and asked, “tum subah subah taiyar kyun ho gaye ho?”

Sameer happily replied, “Naina ko lene jaa raha hun.”

Nanu and Vishakha looked at each other and then started laughing. Just then Rohan and Deepika came downstairs, and Rohan asked, “kya hua? Sab has kyun rahe hai? Aur bhai… aap taiyar kyun ho gaye? Aaj bhi koi rasam hai kya?”

Vishakha calmed down a bit and said, “nahi Rohan… aaj koi rasam nahi hai… Par tumhare bhai ko bahot jaldi hai tumhari bhabhi ko wapas laaneki.”

Rohan chuckled, “wow… bhai itne subah subah jaoge na toh koi swagat nahi karega sasural me. Dopahar ko jaana.”

Scowling at his brother, Sameer crossed his arms, “itna late toh bilkul nahi karunga… Naina ne kaha tha jaldi aaneko.”

Nanu smiled, “haan beta… par itni jaldi nahi jaate. Wahan unn logo ko waqt toh do tumhare liye sab taiyariya karneki.”

Sameer thought for a moment, and then declared, “theek hai… toh main breakfast ke baad jaunga. Par usse late nahi.”

While his family tried to convince him to not go so early without any success, at the other end Naina was busy shelling peas for afternoon lunch. Preeti was helping her, though she was more occupied in eating the small sweeter ones. Bela divided the poha in dishes, and brought them out to the dining table, “chalo… sab log naashta kar lo.”

Chachaji finished his puja, and then everyone sat down to eat. Naina yawned grabbing the cup of tea first, and Bela asked, “bhagwaan jhuth na bulaye beta… subah se ubaase le rahi hai… Raat ko neend nahi hui kya?”

“Theek se nahi hui”, Naina confessed, “pata nahi kyun?”

Preeti teased, “haan haan… ab toh kahan yeh chota sa bistar achcha lagega… Ise toh makhmali chadar pe sone ki aadat pad gai hogi.”

Naina hit her sister lightly, “chup chap nashta kar… zyada dimag mat chala.” She herself started eating, and mused that it wasn’t the bedsheet that was the reason for her sleepless state, but rather her husband’s arms. It had been strange to not have his arms around her, his warmth surrounding her, his legs tangled with hers. And the most disappointing part was not getting to stare at him in morning after waking up… She hadn’t realized how much she had enjoyed that morning view.

Anand finished his tea, and said, “main bahar jaata hun… Paneer laana hai aur phool bhi le aaunga. Aur kuch chahiye?”

Bela thought for a minute and said, “haan thodi mithai bhi le aana. Naina beta… damadji ko kaunsi mithai pasand hai?”

For a moment Naina was stumped with the question since they hadn’t exactly discussed food preferences, but then she recollected that on the night of reception he had mentioned while eating, that he used to gorge on rasmalai from a particular shop near his college. Smiling fondly she said, “Chachaji… J.L. College ke paas jo Madhuram mithai ki dukaan hai na, wahan se rasmalai leke aaiye. Unhe bahot pasand hai, aur woh bata rahe the ke bahot waqt ho gaya khaye hue.”

Anand nodded, “theek hai. Main Rakesh bhaisaab ko saath leke jaa raha hun. Tum log sab taiyariya karlo. Damadji shaam tak aa jayenge.”

Naina looked up surprised, “shaam tak? Unka phone aaya tha kya?”

“Nahi nahi”, Anand shook his head, “phone toh nahi aaya… par shaam ko hi aayenge na. Aisa hi toh hota hai.”

“Ohh”, Naina responded, glancing down at her dish of poha again to hide her disappointment. Evening was so late… Why would he wait until then? He wouldn’t… She knew it in her heart. But if it was ritual then maybe Mummyji won’t allow him to come earlier. She sighed; the morning suddenly didn’t seem as bright as it had when she had woken up. Should she call him? She glanced at the phone, but then dropped the idea, thinking if anyone in her family overheard her asking him about when he would come, they would feel bad. And so she devoted herself to housework.

In an hour or so, Chachaji and her father returned from market, and handed over the vegetables and sweets to Bela. Anand gave a bulging polybag to Naina and said, “beta isme bandhanwaar hai, darwaze pe laga dena.”

“Ji chachaji”, she replied, “bas yeh thode se matar aur baaki hai, uske baad laga deti hun.”

After fifteen minutes she was done shelling all the peas, and kept the bowl inside the kitchen, and threw the garbage in dustbin. Then she picked up the polybag Chachaji had given, and pulled out a heavy fresh door-hanging made of marigolds and asopalav. She looked around, but Preeti and Chachiji were busy in kitchen; Chachaji was in his room; and her father had disappeared again, so she decided to hang it by herself. Grabbing a wooden stool she went outside, positioned it at the threshold and climbed up carefully. She stood on her tiptoes, checking for the nails and then slipped on the loom on one corner, then the mid part… Just as she fit the final corner, a deep voice sounded behind her, “Good Morning darling.”

Naina gasped in shock, and lost her balance, swaying on the wobbling stool and fell backwards. Afraid she squeezed her eyes shut, but instead of hitting the ground as expected, she fell in someone’s arms. The touch was so familiar and safe, that her fears dissipated immediately, and she slowly opened her eyes, losing herself in the sight of her husband.

Sameer tightened his hold on her, pulling her up a bit, and grinned, “kya baat hai… sasural aate hi tohfa mil gaya.” Naina was still lost, and even though she heard the words, she didn’t reply. He pushed the stool aside with his leg, and stepped inside the threshold, “waise toh patni ko aise baaho me apne ghar me le jaate hai, par chalo sasural me hi sahi.”

“Jijaji”, Preeti exclaimed from the kitchen, and Sameer smiled at her. As the family trooped into the living room, he set Naina down on the floor, and held her around the waist for some time ensuring she was stable on her feet. Then he moved forward to take Chachaji and Chachiji’s blessings.

Anand blessed him, “jeete raho beta.”

Bela also blessed him, and then asked, “bhagwaan jhuth na bulaye damadji… aap iss waqt? Ghar pe sab theek toh hai na?”

Sameer was puzzled, “haan sab theek hai… kyun kya hua?”

He saw the elders look at each other, as if confused, and then Anand said, “kuch nahi… woh… bas… hume laga tha ke Naina ko lene shaam ko aaoge.”

Sameer reddened slightly, recalling how his family had warned him that it was still too early, but he had not been ready to wait any more. He glanced once at Naina, who was still staring at him instead of helping him out of the situation. He cleared his throat, trying to think, and then uttered, “mujhe… Naina ne kaha tha jaldi aane ko.”

There was a silence in the room, and then Preeti giggled while Bela and Anand smiled. Naina blinked, finally coming to her senses, and slowly asked, “aap… aap sach me yahan hai?”

Sameer chuckled, “aur nahi toh kya tum khuli aankhon se sapna dekh rahi ho? Aur woh bhi itna detail me…”

“Par Chachaji ne toh kaha aap shaam ko aayenge”, she blurted.

He frowned, “tumne hi toh jaldi bulaya tha.”

Her eyes widened, and she blushed furiously, upon realizing what her family members might think of this. Anand spoke up to ease the situation, “koi baat nahi beta… aao betho.”

As Sameer sat on the sofa, Preeti brought some water for him, and Naina still stood twisting her dupatta. He thought she must be embarrassed because he had announced that she wanted him to come early to pick her up. Handing back the empty glass, he said, “darasal… aaj raat ko mummy, Rohan aur Deepika wapas jaa rahe hai. Toh isiliye sab chahte the ke Naina thoda jaldi aa jaaye. Deepika bhi subah se bhabhi-bhabhi ki rat lagaye hue hai. Maaf karna agar mera aise jaldi aana aap logo ko bura laga toh.”

Bela immediately placated, “bhagwaan jhuth na bulaye… Kaisi baat kar rahe hai damadji. Yeh bhi toh aap hi ka ghar hai. Par riwaj ke anusaar, aapko khana toh khana padega toh dopahar ko khana khake phir jayiyega.”

Sameer smiled, happily agreeing to the arrangement. Naina bit her lip, in dilemma of what to do, whether to sit and talk to him, or go in the kitchen to help with lunch. Sameer tilted his head, staring up and down at her, and winked flirtatiously. She gulped, smiled and then escaped into the kitchen, afraid that she would forget decency and rush in his arms. Add to that he was wearing the shirt she had gifted him last night, and he looked so amazing in it… The color suited his fair skin, and he had also kept that slight stubble which she had told him that she liked. God… What was he up to? If he came in-front of her looking like this how would she stop herself from staring, and now that she had dared to express her desire to kiss him once she felt like she could do it again… now. And the zinging sensation all through her body was definitely a sign of trouble.

Sameer talked to Chachaji, but his eyes kept straying to the kitchen, where Naina was trying her best to focus on cooking and not look at him. Tauji and Taiji also came in along with Rakesh to meet him, and he had to explain all over again as to why he was so early. After around thirty minutes, Tauji said he needed to finish some work and Rakesh also excused himself. Bela remembered that there was no coriander at home, so she requested her husband to quickly buy some. Meanwhile, Naina prepared the tadka for the dal, and poured it into the boiling liquid making it sizzle. And immediately Sameer started coughing.

It seemed as if Chachiji and Taiji went into frenzy, offering him water and honey to soothe his throat. Naina also came over, and stood next to him, rubbing his back. He had no idea how the backrub would help with the coughing fit, but it surely made him happy. Taiji admonished Naina, “neva! Zara bhi dhyan nahi hai ke damadji yahan baithe hai. Ubalte dal me bhala koi tadka daalta hai.”

Sameer took the glass of water, and said, “koi baat nahi Taiji… main theek hun.”

“Naina… beta”, Bela instructed, “damadji ko kamre me bithake aa… Yahan rahenge toh khane me jaise hi chaunk lagega inko khaasi hogi. Aur kamre me zyada thandak bhi hogi na toh wahin pe bethne de.”

Naina nodded and asked Sameer to come along, which he did happily. As soon as they were inside the room and out of sight, he pulled her to him, “hi darling… miss kiya mujhe?”

She blushed, but wrapped her arms around his waist, and leaned on his chest, “bilkul bhi nahi.”

“Jhoothi”, he muttered, and tightened his hold, sighing in relief. It was such a bliss to have her in his arms again. In a while she tried to pull back but he didn’t leave, “Naina… thodi der raho na.”

She chuckled, managing to draw back a bit, “main toh reh jaati par bahar sab mera intezaar kar rahe honge. Aur hum dono aise kamre me honge toh…”

He interrupted, “toh kya? Sabko pata hai hamari shaadi ho chuki hai… itna toh haq banta hai mera. Main tumhe yahan se nahi jaane dunga.”

She squirmed, “chodiye na… baad me ghar jaake hug kar lena.”

“Hug toh sharafat hai, ghar jaake toh kuch aur karunga”, he countered. In his attempts to continuously keep a hold on her, he aimed to hold her waist, but with her movements his hand suddenly landed on the side of her breast. She gasped in surprise, her cheeks flushed and Sameer stilled, quickly removing his hand, “sorry Naina… jaan bujhke nahi kiya… galti se ho gaya. Tum itna hil rahi thi na toh… I am sorry.”

She looked down, color still tinging her cheeks but she smiled, “koi baat nahi… mujhe pata hai galti se hua.”

He sighed in relief, but when she tried to move, he still didn’t let her… “Ek kiss”, he murmured and leaned, but she tickled him and escaped from his arms. He lunged after her, and caught her hand just as she was exiting from the room.

Outside Taiji was grumbling about how Naina had disappeared, as she had to work in her place, “shaadi hui nahi ke kaamchori shuru. Dekho zara isko… damadji ko kamre me bethne ko bola tha, ise nahi.”

Bela pacified, “rehne dijiye na bhabhiji… hum kar lenge na kaam.”

Taiji tucked her pallu, “oh bai… hum sab kaam kare aur woh araam kare… aise sanskaar nahi hai Agarwal khandan ki ladkiyo ke. Main abhi bulaake laati hun.”

Preeti and Bela followed Taiji, trying to stop her, as she tried to go towards the room… However, they didn’t have to do anything, as just then Naina almost exited from the room. But the next moment, her hand was caught, she was pulled back in the room, and the door closed with a thud.

Inside the room, Naina gasped as she landed in his arms once more, and he held her against the door. She blinked, but before she could understand anything his lips were on hers, and she immediately responded, clutching onto his shirt. However, the kiss was too brief, as it was stopped with a rude interruption of a loud, “Oh Bai!!”

Sameer jumped back, looking around, afraid that someone had seen them. Naina covered her mouth, her eyes wide in shock. Gulping, he whispered, “Naina… yeh awaaz…”

She closed her eyes, a distressed expression over her face, “Taiji… bahar…”

“Shit”, Sameer cursed aloud, “oh God… ab kya hoga. Tum… Tum bahar jao.”

Naina glared at him, “bilkul nahi… main bahar jaake kya jawaab dungi… Aap jaiye… bada keh rahe the na ke sabko pata hai ke hamari shaadi ho chuki hai… toh ab kya hua? Darr kyun gaye?”

He tried to look confident, “ma…main nahi dara… main toh bas… damad hun na, toh achcha nahi lagega bahar jaunga toh. Aur Chachiji ne hi toh kaha ke main andar bethu.”

She crossed her arms, “achcha ji… ab saare instructions yaad aa rahe hai. Jab main keh rahi thi mujhe jaane dijiye toh bada hero ban rahe the. Ab main bahar jaungi aur… daant padegi mereko.”

He dragged in a deep breath and exhaled through mouth, “okay… kisiko toh jaana padega. Warna sochenge ke hum dono ab tak… uhh… matlab… chalu hi hai.” Her eyes narrowed, and he gulped in fear, “main try karta hun.”

He inched forward slowly, and extended his hand to open the door, but she caught his arm. He looked at her, and she shook her head, “rukiye… main jaungi.”

“Par Naina…”, he started to object, but she interrupted, “nahi… mujhe hi jaana padega.” Reluctantly he stepped back and watched her open the door, and leave. He was immediately at the spot, standing with his ear plastered to the door, trying to check if someone scolded her. If anyone did, or accused her, then he would step out.

Meanwhile, Preeti and Bela had managed to drag Taiji inside the kitchen once more and she now sat on the chair, rocking slightly and mumbling to herself. Naina came into the kitchen, trying to keep a straight face, and drank a glass of water. Bela didn’t ask her anything, but Preeti managed to nudge with her elbow. Naina looked at her sister who winked making her blush. Taiji’s mumbling increased in volume, and Naina could hear a couple of words like ‘sanskaar’, ‘sharam’, ‘lihaaz’… Preeti shook her head, and said in a high voice, “Naina… tu yeh paneer ki sabzi dekh le. Mujhse toh nahi hota, main roti banane me mummy ki madad kar deti hun.”

It took them around an hour to get all the food ready, and until then Sameer hadn’t ventured out at all. Chachaji had also returned, and so did everyone else. Bela garnished the sabji and peas pulao with coriander. Naina started to set the table, and said, “Preeti… ja apne jijaji ko bulake laa.”

Preeti nodded, and knocked on the door of the room, before entering inside. He was sitting on the bed, clutching a pillow, and was looking tensed. As soon as he saw Preeti, he straightened and enquired, “Naina theek hai?”

Preeti smiled, “haan… itne time baad puch rahe hai? Bahar hi aa jaate dekhna tha apni Naina ko toh.”

“Socha maine”, he replied, “par phir laga ke kuch aur pareshani naa ho jaaye.”

She chuckled, “kuch nahi hua. Kisine kuch nahi bola use. Waise jijaji… Taiji ke saamne thoda romance pe control… Baki hamare saamne chalega.”

He grinned, “ji saali saahiba… par tum yahan? Naina…”

“Bahar hai”, she informed, “khana laga rahi hai. Main aapko bulaane aai.”

He kept the pillow aside and stood up, “ohh… chalo.”

But Preeti stopped him, “jijaji… umm… bathroom me jaake muh dhoke phir bahar aaiye.”

Sameer was puzzled as his saali giggled and then left. People instructed to wash hands and here she was instructing him to wash his mouth. Ajeeb pagal hai sab mere sasural me. He shook his head, and went to the bathroom, still wondering about the weirdness of his in-laws. But when he turned to look into the mirror, his face split in a grin as he understood that the reason behind Preeti’s strange instruction was Naina’s lipstick that had left a mark on one corner of his mouth.

He washed his face, and then went outside, smiling when his eyes met Naina’s. She immediately blushed, and Taiji hiccupped from the side. Sameer bit his lip, and slowly started talking to Chachaji and Tauji, hoping it would douse the situation. It did… Bela served the meal as per the ritual, and he complimented on how delicious it was. The choice of dessert delighted him, but when he tasted it his eyes rounded in surprise, and he couldn’t stay quiet, “wow… yeh toh mere favorite shop se hai. Par kaise? Woh dukaan toh yahan se dur hai.”

Chachaji smiled, “Naina ne bataya subah ko ke tumhe wahan ki rasmalai pasand hai, isiliye wahin se leke aaye.”

“Thank you”, Sameer beamed as if he had been given the most wonderful treat in the world, and it pleased his in-laws a lot. After they finished the women sat down to eat, and then Naina went inside to dress up, and Bela packed sweets and snacks for Naina’s sasural.

Naina wished goodbye to everyone one more time after her wedding, but this time she didn’t cry like she had at Bidaai. As they drove out of the society, Sameer started chuckling and then laughed. She stared fondly at her husband, and asked, “itni hasi kyun aa rahi hai aapko?”

He calmed down enough to say, “yaad hai… shaadi se pehle ek baar maine kaha tha ke shaadi ke baad tumhare saath romance karunga tab Taiji ka ‘oh bai’ itna zor ka hoga ke poore society ko sunai dega… Aaj maine sach me woh kar diya.”

She blinked, recalling the conversation, and then started laughing herself. She had never imagined even in her dreams that she would get a husband who was so goofy, mischievous, and impulsive; yet the kindest and most sensible man she had ever met, and no one could love her more than he did. “Congratulations”, she offered, and he laughed again. After a while, she hesitantly asked about his mother, and he grinned, telling her about the conversations from last night and assured that everything was alright now.

Once they reached Maheshwari bungalow, everyone welcomed Naina with so much happiness that she felt tears of happiness prick her eyes. And just then Vishakha surprised her with a hug, and whispered in her ear, “thank you.”

Naina smiled and hugged her back while Sameer looked on, grinning and extremely pleased because the scene left Mr. Somani and Dadi in shock. The whole family sat and talked for some time while Dadi kept blessing Naina with glares. Finally, Vishakha said, “chalo hum packing khatam karte hai. Tum log thoda araam karlo.”

Pleased with the prospect of romance, Sameer followed his wife upstairs, and closed the door behind him. She moved to the cupboard, opening it to keep some clothes inside, and smiled because she knew he was moving towards her, and waited. Soon enough, his arms slipped around her waist, beneath the pallu, and he pulled her back to his chest.

Closing her eyes, she sighed, “iraade kya hai Mr. Maheshwari?”

He dipped his head, kissing the corner of her eye, and whispered, “aankhon se ab teri kajal churana hai.”

She tilted her head sideways on his shoulder, to look up at him with a surprised expression. His eyebrow quirked and his eyes glittered. She smiled, and crooned, “main hun teri sajni, saajan hai tu mera… Tu bandh ke aaya, mere pyaar ka sehra.”

A quick grin flashed on his face, and he turned her to face him, “meri filmy biwi… I love you.”

“I love you too”, she immediately replied, and her hands moved up his chest, to cup his jaw, “aaj meri nazre aap pe se nahi hat rahi.”

To her immense surprise, slight color tinged her husband’s cheeks, and he bit his lip as if trying to stop his foolish grin. She wound her arms around his neck, and stood up on tiptoes intending to kiss his cheek… He stared at his wife… waiting… eager… However, a small hurricane suddenly threw the door open, and the couple parted in shock. Naina stumbled backwards, but before she could crash at the cupboard shelf, Sameer held her waist, pulling her to him again.

“Bhabhi”, Deepika exclaimed, “kya kar rahe ho?”

Sameer rolled his eyes, and muttered, “darwaza lock karna kyun bhul gaya main…”

Naina chuckled, separating herself from Sameer, “kuch nahi Deepika… bolo kya hua?”

She skipped up to them, “chaliye na hum sab log ludo khelte hai.”

He scowled at his sister, “ludo bachche khelte hai… hum kuch alag karte hai. Tum room ke bahar jaake aankhen bandh karlo, aur 100 tak gino… utne me mera kaam ho jayega.”

Deepika asked puzzled, “konsa kaam?”

Naina swatted her husband’s arm, and said, “kuch nahi… tumhare bhaiya neend me pagal ho gaye. Tum ruko, main yeh cupboard bandh kardu, phir khelne chalte hai.”

“Naina…”, Sameer whined, but she threw him a stern look effectively silencing him.

She closed the cupboard doors, and turned the key, but it got stuck when she tried to take it out. She tried once more, with more force, and then once again. Sameer was just about to ask if he should help, when suddenly the key loosened with a pop and Naina once again fell backwards in his arms.

He quickly held her, and asked, “tum theek ho… lagi toh nahi.”

She straightened, “main theek hun… par yeh wala darwaza kaise khul gaya.” He glanced to where she was looking and his entire body stiffened. The cupboard in their room was a three door one, but till date she had only opened the main part which Sameer had shown her. The one door at the side was locked, and she had assumed that the key to it was lost, or maybe kept somewhere else because it held something important. But now the door was slightly open, and she curiously tugged it wider, “Sameer… isme kya hai?”

He inched forward, his voice shaky as he grabbed her hand and pulled it back from the door, “yeh mere kholne ke liye hai… Deepika… Jao jaake Rohan ko bula laao.”

His sister grinned and rushed back to call Rohan and bring her ludo set, thinking that her brother had agreed to the game. Naina looked at the tense expressions on his face, and placed a hand over his shoulder, “Sameer… kya baat hai?”

He dragged in a breath, “yeh gifts hai… jo mujhe itne saalo se pyaar se milte rahe par maine apni nafrat ke wajah se kabhi inhe dekha nahi. Mere 13^th birthday se leke peechle saal ke har ek birthday tak…”

She gazed at the several gifts stacked inside the cupboard, “kisne diye?”

“Rohan aur Deepika ne”, he replied, and his throat bobbed up and down as he tried to swallow his remorse.

Naina exhaled as she understood the intensity of his anger all these years; and also the helplessness and guilt that was written all over his face. Rohan came inside, along with Deepika, and asked in a complaining tone, “seriously bhai… aap ludo khelneko maan gaye?”

Sameer shook his head, “nahi… hum ludo nahi khel rahe.”

“Par bhaiya…”, Deepika piped up. Naina gestured her to be quiet, and instructed, “Rohan… darwaza lock kar do.”

Puzzled Rohan followed her instruction, and then came up to where his brother was standing. He looked at the open cupboard door, spotting the gift packs, and understood the reason behind privacy. In order to ease his brother, he said, “bhai… iski koi zarurat nahi hai… aap aur bhabhi… abhi abhi toh shaadi hui, hum next trip pe yeh kholenge.”

“Nahi”, Sameer declared, “yeh abhi kholne zaruri hai. Meri help karo yeh sab nikaalne me.”

Deepika stood aside with Naina as Rohan reluctantly helped his brother, still trying to persuade him that there was no need for him to go through this. When all the presents were on the bed, Sameer sat on the edge, his hand moving over all the packs, trying to figure out what to open. Rohan looked at his bhabhi, hoping she would put a stop to it, but she shook her head, gesturing him to sit. Looking down, she urged Deepika too, “jao… tum bhi jaake betho.”

Deepika obeyed, and climbed up on the bed, staring at all the gifts and cards they had sent over the years. She knew that Sameer had not opened them, and had been slightly angry when she had got to know that, but now as she saw her brother sad and nearly in tears she too hoped that he wouldn’t open any of it.

Naina wanted to go her husband, soothe him in any way she could, but firmly held herself away because she knew that he needed to do this by himself. Just like he had talked to his mother on his own, resolved that matter, and had chosen to forget the bitter past… This time too he had to face this upheaval from past on his own, and resolve it for forever. She was there… to push him along, to give him hope, and to hold him later on. But for now, she had to stand by the side and let him work it out.

Sameer picked up a small gift packed in blue wrapper, and his fingers trembled as he opened the glittering paper and then the box to find a watch inside. He rubbed his thumb over the brown leather strap, and his voice was hoarse as he asked, “yeh kabka hai?”

Rohan sighed, “jis saal aap graduate huye the.”

Sameer nodded, and opened another gift to reveal a photo-frame with a candid photo of his and Nanu. He remembered it was from the time Nanu had come to pick him up from Delhi, and he was so happy to be finally leaving the place he thought of as hell, and the people he considered his nemesis. Rohan and Deepika must have felt so sad and abandoned at that time, because the one relationship they had wanted to create was not accepted. He knew that feeling, because that’s what he had felt with his mother. And yet… they had chosen to capture the very moment when that relationship was supposedly breaking forever and gift it to him only because he had been happy in that moment. Tears leaked from his eyes, falling on the frame, and Deepika scooted closer, her little fingers trying to wipe them off his face. He smiled at her, trying to control his breathing, and opened another gift, this time set of ties in deep bold colors, and got to know that this was given to him when he had completed one year in office.

Each gift revealed a thought, the gestures of love, and it hurt his heart to realize how much he had wronged them. The cards were another story as through them he saw his little sister grow up, her handwriting evolving from crayoned scribbles to delicate calligraphy. Through the wishes inside the card he got to know of his brother’s resoluteness as lack of response never deterred him from wishing the best always. Sameer sniffed, his voice choking with tears, “I am sorry… I am so sorry… Maine kabhi socha bhi nahi tha ke main kya kar raha hun. Jaanta tha tum logo ki koi galti nahi hai phir bhi tumhe dosh deta raha. Please… mujhe maaf kardo.”

Rohan held his brothers hand, and shook his head, his own eyes wet, “nahi bhai… galti aapki bhi nahi hai. Kisine kabhi aapko theek se samjhaya nahi na ke mummy ne waisa kyun kiya… tabhi aap humko galat samajhte rahe.”

Deepika leaned on Sameer’s arm, picking up the photo frame, and said, “bhaiya aapki smile bahot achchi hai… aap rote hue nahi achche lagte.”

Sameer wrapped one arm around his brother, and another around his sister, “pata nahi tum log kaise mujhe maaf kar sakte ho. Main iss layak hi nahi hun… Dekho na maine itne saal ek baar bhi koshish tak nahi ki yeh gifts kholneki… Itni nafrat thi dil me ke sochke darr lagta hai ke main kaisa insaan hun.”

Soft arms wrapped around his neck from behind, and he jerked a bit surprised at the sudden sensation. He turned his face a bit to see Naina resting her chin on his shoulder, her cheek wet with her own tears touched his, and their tears mixed. She smiled tenderly, “aap bahot achche insaan hai Sameer. Har kisime itni himmat nahi hoti ke woh guzre hue kal ka saamna kare, aur apni galtiya maane. Rahi baat nafrat ki, toh maine kahi padha hai ke nafrat aur pyaar ke beech me bahot halki si lakeer hoti hai… Aur jis din woh lakeer mit jaati hai na toh dil me sirf pyaar reh jaata hai. Aapne khud woh lakeer mita di… Saabit kar diya ke aapka dil saaf hai.”

She sat on the bed, pulling Deepika on her lap, and wiped the little girl’s tears, then Rohan’s and then her husband’s, as she kept explaining, “rishto me galat fehmiya hamesha kadvahat laati hai. Yahan bhi wahi hua tha… Mummyji aur aapke beech me bhi. Aap sochiye agar Rohan aur Deepika ko Dadiji ke shart ke baare me pata nahi hota toh woh bhi aapko galat samajhte. Naa aap galat hai aur naa hi yeh log… Bas haalaat galat the. Par ab sab theek hai.”

Sameer stared at his wife, wondering how he had landed with an angel in his life. She had been there, like a constant in his life, while he faced his past, first with his mother and then with his siblings. The knowledge that he was loved by her remained like a burning hope in his heart and that gave him courage to do what needed to be done. He lifted his hand to wipe her tears, and cupped her cheek, “tum kis kahani ki pari ho Naina?”

She smiled, and held his hand, “aapke kahani ki.”

And that simple statement brought a grin to his face, and he pulled her in for a sideway hug. Deepika leaned along with her, and Rohan also hugged him. Sameer felt his heart fill with warmth and happiness, a feeling that he had felt often since Naina came into his life. The soft, beautiful woman who was once again clad in a pink saree today, had stolen his heart just by looking at him with her big, brown, deep soulful eyes, in the semi-darkness of a movie theatre and had then stepped into his life brightening up his world like never before.

After some time, they all re-arranged the gifts wherever they needed to be placed in the room. Meanwhile Rohan gestured something to his sister, and she ran off into her room, and came back armed with two polybags. Rohan and Deepika handed these over to Sameer and Naina, saying these were the wedding presents they had brought. This time Sameer eagerly opened his gift, making his siblings smile with happiness. He exclaimed on seeing the medium sized photo frame with his and Naina’s picture from their roka, “oh wow.”

Rohan smiled, “aapki life me bhabhi se badi khushi aur koi aa hi nahi sakti. Isiliye humne aapko yeh tohfa diya.”

Sameer grinned, “bahot achcha hai… Naina tumhara kholo na.”

Naina chuckled on seeing the childlike excitement of her husband, and then opened her gift. Inside the box, there was a set of bookends, a set of three lanterns with star pattern with small fat candles inside, and a journal. Deepika explained the odd assortment of gifts, “hume pata tha ke aapko books pasand hai par kaisi book pasand hai yeh nahi pata tha. Isiliye hum bookends laaye. Aur aap stories likhti hai na… bhaiya ne bataya tha, isiliye journal.”

Rohan grinned sheepishly and added, “aur yeh lanterns… umm… aap log room me candle-light dinner ke liye use kar sakte hai.”

Naina laughed softly, “sab bahot khoobsurat hai… Thank you.”

And then upon Deepika’s insistence did play a round of ludo, all three of them losing spectacularly to the grinning teenager. Soon it was time for evening snacks and tea, and then they had to leave for the airport. The driver drove one car, with Mr. Somani, Dadi and Vishakha in it; and Sameer drove the other car with Naina beside him and his siblings on the back seat. The farewell was emotional this time, because Sameer had just started to bond with his family. Vishakha extended an invitation to the couple to visit Delhi, which wasn’t backed my her husband or mother-in-law. Rohan and Deepika also asked them to come over, and Naina smartly promised that they would surely meet again but didn’t commit where.

Later on as they drove back home, Sameer was lost in thoughts, and Naina understood that he needed to sort out everything that had happened in his life over the past two days. When they reached home, he said, “Naina… main thodi der Nanu se baat karna chahta hun.”

She smiled, “jaanti hun… befikar hoke jaiye. Main Ramdhari bhaiya ke saath dinner ki taiyari karti hun.”

While Sameer and Nanu went up to the terrace to talk, Naina helped Ramdhari prepare a light dinner of dal-roti-sabji. She also decided to bake a small cake to cheer Sameer up. He had been through a lot, and deserved a bit of treat for what he had done. And so, wrapping her hair up in a bun, she started to mix the batter, humming to the tune of romantic songs. As she set the batter to rise, and then slipped it inside the oven, she smiled recollecting the way he had hugged her from behind, and she had herself wanted to kiss him, move things further between them. Was she ready? Was she really ready? She tried to analyze her feelings, the sensations inside her body, the way things had progressed since their wedding, the accidental touch this morning that had spurred her own desire… the search for an answer continued even when she put chocolate icing on the cake.

Later on when Sameer came back downstairs with Nanu, his eyes immediately searched for her, and as their gaze collided she knew the answer to her own question in her heart. Smiling softly she arranged the cake on a tray and lighted one candle on it, and then brought it out to the dining table. Nanu looked at the cake in surprise, and asked, “yeh kisliye beta?”

She smiled, “bas aisai… aisa maan lijiye hamari shaadi ka cake hai.”

“Aree waah”, Nanu grinned, “phir toh khana hi padega. Jaldi kaato… dono milke.”

Sameer chuckled, and caught her hand, pulling her in-front of him, and then wrapped his arms around her, holding her hands. She blushed but smiled wide at the gesture, and tilted her head back to look at him. He quirked his eyebrows, “wish maange?”

She nodded softly; they closed their eyes making a wish, and then leaned to blow out the candle together. She picked up the knife, and he held her hand, still keeping her secured in his embrace, and cut the cake, while Nanu and Ramdhari clapped. Sameer picked up a slice and fed her, and then she caught his hand feeding him from the same piece. He finished that piece, and then took another one to feed Nanu and Ramdhari.

After dinner Nanu went to sleep, claiming he was still tired from the wedding. Sameer asked Naina to come up, but she said, “aap chaliye. Main kitchen me thoda kaam khatam karke, phir darwaza lock karke aati hun.”

He nodded and went to their room, happily anticipating the kiss that he would finally get from his wife after the whole day. As soon as he stepped inside, his attention was captured by the photo frames and the events of the afternoon replayed in his mind. He had confided everything to Nanu, and he had said that he was proud, assured him that he had done the right thing. But he still wondered if there was some way to make up to his siblings for all these years of hatred. Honestly, he had been bit scared with the realization that his heart could have held so much hate for someone, but then Naina had eased his worries explaining in not so many words that he was capable of immense love too. This he knew was true. He always felt extreme emotions and that was one reason of his impulsive nature. Naina had somehow tapped into his ability to love, and he was astonished at the way she understood him, helped him, and yet pushed him to grow emotionally on his own.

Meanwhile downstairs, Naina locked up behind Ramdhari, and checked that the windows were secured. Then she took a few pieces of cakes on a dish, and went upstairs, her heart pattering fast. What would he do? Would he pull her inside like he had done this morning? Or would he be playful like afternoon? Or like the other night would he demand that she kiss him? Anything could happen… And how to tell him… How?

However, nothing happened when she stepped inside the room. He didn’t pull her or hug her or demand anything of her. Rather she saw him standing near the window, his shoulders stiff. She locked the door, and placed the dish of cake on the desk. Moving to stand near him, she queried, “kya soch rahe hai aap?”

He sighed, leaning on the window sill, “yahi ke main jo kuch bhi kiya uski bharpaai kisi tarah kar sakta hun kya? Aisa kya karu Rohan aur Deepika ke liye ke itne saal ki nafrat woh bhul jaaye?”

She smiled, “nafrat unn logo ne nahi, aapne yaad rakhi hai. Guzre hue kal ko bhulake aage badhiye Sameer… Unko sirf apna bada bhai chahiye tha, jo unhe mil chuka. Agar aapko unke liye kuch karna hai toh bas jab unko aapko zarurat ho tab unka saath dena.”

He pursed his lips, thinking about what she said. She stared at him for some time, and then went back to the bedside table where she had arranged the lanterns she had received as gift. As she took out a match-box from the drawer, which he kept for emergencies in case of power cut, he asked, “kya kar rahi ho?”

She struck a match and opened the small door of one lantern, “bas… dekh rahi hun ke kaisa dikhta hai.” He watched curiously as she lighted each of the candles and then closed the lantern doors. The stars etched on the side and top of the lanterns helped the light radiate even more, and he was sure that if they turned off the lights then they could see stars being formed on ceiling and the walls. He thought she wanted to see just that, but to his surprise she went back to his desk and picked up the dish of cake. Coming over to him, she placed the dish on a table near window and held up a piece for him to eat, her eyes shining with love and something more that he wasn’t able to decipher. He already had his fill of cake at dinner, but still since she was offering with so much love he couldn’t deny.

As he leaned slightly to take a bite, something glittered in her eyes, and she moved her hand to the side, smearing a bit of icing on his cheek. His eyes widened in surprise, he had no clue why she would do that. He waited for her to laugh, saying she was trying to cheer him up, but instead she gripped his shoulder with her other hand, and stood on her toes. He kept watching with mesmerized eyes as she lifted up, and kissed his cheek, licking off the icing from his skin. A surprised sound escaped his throat his heartbeat picking up pace. She smiled then, a lopsided sensual smile that made the fine hairs on his body stand up. What was she doing?

He eagerly watched her every move as she turned and kept the cake back on the dish, and then stroked the icing smeared fingers on his other cheek. He had to swallow and exhale as she lifted up once again and kissed that cheek once again licking off the icing. What next? The question popped in his mind as he waited with bated breath to see if she would smear the icing somewhere else on his face. But she scrunched her nose, staring at her own fingers, and the licked one finger at a time, closing her eyes, exclaiming, “mmmm…” The almost moaning sound made his body tense and need started to pulse through his veins. Opening her eyes, she blinked and smiled, “mujhe icing bahot pasand hai… khaas kar ke chocolate.”

“Huh”, he muttered incoherently.

She bit the corner of her lower lip, attracting his gaze to this new action. Holding his hand she pulled him away from the widow, and shifted in-front of him, facing the window, her back to him. Then leaning slightly, she got hold of the glass panes and closed the window, shutting the night wind and sounds outside. He stood there; bit lost in the view of her back, which he could see without any restriction because she had her hair up in a bun. She softly asked, “suniye… mera necklace khol denge please… hook tight hai toh mujhse hua nahi.”

He gulped and lifted his hand to her nape, trying to unhook the necklace she was wearing. Her sharp intake of breath and the quick shiver that raced through her body didn’t really help the situation. He wondered if she knew what she was doing to him. The hook snapped open, and the necklace slithered from around her neck, down her front and she caught it in her hand… the whole of which he watched in the reflection of the glass window. That small smile was still on her lips, and she slowly lifted her hand, pulling the pin out of her bun, and shook her hair loose. The silky mass brushed against his face and he gasped, closing his eyes, his hands fisting at his sides.

By the time he had opened his eyes again, she had closed the curtains and moved away from him and was now at the dressing table where she dropped the necklace carelessly, and then removed her earrings. He turned towards her, watching, and she picked up his small portable tape recorder, chose a cassette to play, and then turned it on.

“Kya kar rahi ho?” He asked in a whisper.

She came to him and held his hand, pulling him to the wide space between the bed and his desk, “dance.”

His eyes widened in surprise as the tunes of “baaho ke darmiyaan, do pyaar mil rahe hai” started to play in low volume. She took one of his hands and placed it on her waist, and linked her fingers with his other hand, lifting it up to her mouth and kissing the back of his palm. His hand on her waist clenched, pulling her closer and they started to sway to the soft soothing music. He felt as if he was in a parallel universe. His shy sweet wife was being all romantic and sensuous. He hadn’t really thought much about romance since the afternoon, all his thoughts had been occupied in his family, but now he recalled the way she had permitted him to explore last night, and then hadn’t been the least bit angry or uneasy about the accidental touch this morning. He couldn’t lie… The touch had seared him and he had wanted more, but that time and place wasn’t right. He had thought he could try some advances at home, but Deepika’s intrusion had stopped him. But now, with her in his arms, the softness of her body teasing him, everything came back to him again… And once again he started to feel the need for more. It seemed, he thought, that tonight even his wife wanted more.

He knew he hadn’t misread her intentions… The icing, the kisses, the hook that wasn’t really tight, the way she opened her hair, the smile on her face, the choice of song, the dance… She was all set to entice him… But for what? Did she just want to cheer him up and share a kiss like other days, or was it more… maybe a make out? Or was it even more…? If it was then how much more?

Wanting to test her intentions, he let his hand wander over her back, trying to check her reaction. She shuddered, but inched even closer, making his heart leap in joy. He guided her to the table where the dish of cake was, and left her hand, puzzling him. Scooping a little bit of icing on his finger, he smeared it on his own lips, raised his eyebrows in silent query. She stared at him for a moment, and then smiled, stroking her hands up his chest and around his neck, her fingers applied pressure on his nape, pulling his face down, and she lifted to meet his lips.

He shuddered at the soft kiss, the gentle flicks of her tongue as she licked off the cream, the way she sipped at his lower lip, and then he opened his mouth, urging her to deepen the kiss, and to his extreme delight she did. There was no hesitation but eagerness to taste… His hand around her waist tightened, and he slipped his other hand in her voluminous hair, cupping her skull to angle her head and he deepened the kiss even more. She whimpered, shuddered, and then melted in his arms… There was no other word for it… Her entire body went soft, almost boneless, and her every soft curve fit in to the angles and planes of his own body. Desire surged through him like a live wire sparking with electricity, and his hands sought more of her body.

As they parted for breath, she clutched his shirt, moaning lightly, “Sameer…” He shuddered and to his surprise her fingers played with the buttons of his shirt for a while, and then she unbuttoned the top one. He caught her hand, lifting it to his mouth and kissed the inside of his palm, “Naina… yeh kya kar rahi ho? Aisa karogi toh main khudko rok nahi paunga.”

She leaned on his chest, hiding her face from his eyes, and her breath sighed through the gaps in buttons as she said, “toh mat rokiye.”

He closed his eyes, bright hope mixed with intent desire coursing through his body, but still he asked to make sure, “tum… tum jaanti ho tum kya bol rahi ho?”

Her lips brushed his jaw, dropping small kisses, moving up to his ear, catching the lobe in her mouth. Then her lips moved against the whorl of his ear, as she whispered, “haan… meri wish… aap.”

The tension inside him snapped like a dry twig, quick and loud, and he cupped her face, slamming his lips on hers, feasting on her mouth as if he had been starved for her taste. She whimpered, the urgency in his kiss making her respond to him. His teeth nipped, and something coiled in her belly, settling deep and it seemed as if a sparkling fizz was racing along her veins. Darkness gathered behind her eyelids, and she felt as if she was drowning, losing herself to a storm of his creation. Gathering her strength, she wrenched her mouth away from him and pushed him… He stumbled, staggered and fell backwards on the bed, sprawling with the support of his elbows.

She stood there panting for breath, watching her husband as he watched her with his glittering gaze. Her eyes roamed over his body, the broad shoulders, heaving chest… His sprawled posture enabled her to witness the evidence of his need and want, and her heart thudded. He didn’t move, simply kept staring at her, waiting for her to come to him… And she did… Moving slowly to the edge of the bed, she stood there… He smiled, extending his hand to her, and as soon as she accepted, he tugged her resulting in her landing next to him, her body lifted in a way that her face was close to his. Grabbing both the pillows, she placed them under his head, and kissed his forehead softly, trailing down to his eyes, his cheeks, and then back at his lips. Her hand was at his shirt again, her fingers slipping each small button open, until his shirt was half-way open. He kept on kissing her mouth, but his hand also explored her back once again, moving aside the mass of hair, and tugged the dori of her blouse making her whimper against his lips. Wrapping both hands around her, he searched for something, and paused on her left shoulder for a moment, before slowly removing the pin from her pallu.

She gasped, sitting up and turned away from him, clutching the saree to herself. “Naina…”, his soft whisper stopped her from getting up from the bed, and she sat there with her eyes closed, her lips wet and slightly swollen, her breathing erratic. He sat up too, moving behind her, his hand slowly wrapping around her waist, fingers stroking the bare skin of her belly making it quiver. Gently he moved her hair aside once more, and dipped his head, softly kissing her nape over the hook of the mangalsutra. Her breath shuddered from her mouth, but she also smiled, at the gesture. His lips left a burning trail over her flesh, as he traced her spine and shoulders, and then gently nipped at the point where her neck met her shoulders. She moaned, her head falling backwards on his shoulder as he continued kissing the side of her neck and face.

The unpinned pallu started to slip from her shoulder, but he caught the fabric, stretching it across her back, securing it. Surprised she turned to look at him, the pallu still held by him wrapping around her body like a loose cocoon. Lifting her hand, she slid it inside his open shirt enjoying the way his eyes darkened, and moved up a bit to kiss his throat. This time his head fell backward, the veins in his neck standing out, tempting her to taste, and she did… A groan erupted from his throat enthralling her, and without even thinking she opened the remaining buttons on his shirt, trying to slide it off his shoulder. His hand tightened around her waist and he rolled, trapping her on the bed, looming over her, his shirt stuck at his arms leaving his shoulders bare.

He held her gaze for several moments, and then his eyes trailed down her face, neck, and below, and she realized that when they had turned her pallu had also slipped slightly off her shoulder, leaving more of her skin bare for his view. Down below, his leg shifted, his toe tracing her foot. Her one hand was on his bare shoulder, and her nails dug in trying to hold on as his toe moved up her leg excruciating slowly, bunching up her saree in the process. Her other hand was in his grip, and he stroked the red and green bangles that she was supposed to wear for a month after wedding, and then linked their fingers. As his head dipped to her shoulder, her fingers also clutched on tight, and she bit her lips when his mouth moved down nuzzling the pallu aside even more. He left her hand, and touched her waist, his knuckles skimming up her belly, and then after a slight deliberation his big hot palm covered her breast over the blouse, but beneath her saree. She gasped, arched, and moaned. Her skin was on fire as he came up to her mouth once more, and his hand softly cupped and kneaded as if learning the shape, she squirmed wildly, arching, trying to reach for something that was far out of reach still, and her hands tugged at his shirt uselessly.

Suddenly he rolled off her, and sat up, removing his shirt in quick jerky movements and throwing it away. She stared at him, gasping for breath, and took his hand in hers, gently tugging, asking him without words to come to her. He smiled, once again moving to her, leaning over her on one arm, and she touched his chest, threading her fingers through the light hair. Her innocent, curious touch made him shudder, and when her exploring fingers brushed against his nipple, he groaned loudly, his hips jerking. His free hand moved over her body, pushing the pallu up, his eyes seeking her bare view. He traced a finger down the center of her blouse, a puzzled frown curving his lips. Her soft chuckle surprised him, and he looked up at her face… Her eyes sparkled, and she lifted, trying to sit up. Confused he held her waist, sitting up along with her, and didn’t understand what she was doing when she leaned on his chest, dropping a kiss on the base of his throat. She raised her hand, shifting her hair to one shoulder, hiding her face, and the pallu slipped off her body fully, making his breath catch as the long silky fabric lay useless between them. Her fingers trembled a bit, as she took his hand and guided it to her back. Puzzled he craned his neck to check, and was astounded to see that the hooks of her blouse were on her back… Ohh… She had understood what he was looking for and so had guided him without any words. He smiled at her bold sensuousness, and wrapped his arms around her, gently undoing each of the three hooks. But as his palm spanned her back, shifting the fabric of her blouse aside, she pressed closer, clutching at his back. He paused, wondering if she wanted to stop or was afraid.

In half a minute, her soft voice reached his ears, “lights… please…”

He smiled, holding her close and tilting her backwards on the bed, shifting slightly adjusting their position, and reached out with one hand to the switchboard near the bed, flicking the lights off. And that was when he realized the magic his wife had created. The closed curtains blocked the moonlight, but the candles lent a soft glow to the room, and the patterns on the lantern created stars in the dark… not just on the ceiling and walls, but on them too. He looked down at her, his gaze adjusting to the dim glow, and found her smiling up at him. A glowing star danced at her cheek and he kissed it, another was on her lips and he kissed there too. In the magical darkness, his fingers moved over her body, removing the blouse, while his mouth followed each glowing star over her silken flesh. Her fingers threaded into his hair and held on, as he closed his mouth over one puckered bud and sucked. The pleasure was sharp and immediate, and her back arched, lifting to his seeking mouth. Her soft whimpers urged him on, assured him of her pleasure, and his fingers sought more. Skimming down the smooth flesh of flat belly, he tugged at the pleats of her saree, and then quickly found the thread of her underskirt, pulling it open.

He stopped, moved up, letting his forehead touch hers, and kissed her lips softly asking, “Naina… theek ho na?”

For an answer she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him fully on his mouth, and he reveled in her desire. Forgetting all the apprehensions he once again moved down her body, and gently removed the remaining barriers between them. Her gaze was inadvertently drawn to him when he stripped, but she quickly looked away, closing her eyes. He knelt over her, his hands moving over her legs, her fingers fisted on the bedsheet, and he dipped his head to kiss her stomach, darting his tongue in her navel earning a deep moan from her. Even though urgency raced through his body, he took time to kiss up her body sipping at her breasts again, to let her assimilate to his touch and weight.

Very soon her hands were on his back, her nails digging in, her head moving back and forth as her body bucked beneath him seeking with primal knowledge that was a part of every human being tied in this relationship. He reached her lips, capturing them again, thrusting his tongue in her mouth to taste, and shifted his weight side to side, his thighs moving to part her legs until he was settled between them. She arched at the first touch, her eyes flowing wide open and her moan was absorbed in his mouth. He lifted his head, softly kissing her cheek and nose, holding himself still until she relaxed.

“I love you Naina”, he whispered, kissing her face.

She hugged him tight, closed her eyes, buried her face near his shoulder, and her voice was muffled as she replied, “I love you too.”

He kept kissing her wherever he could reach while still letting her hug him just like she seemed to want, and his hand stroked down, hovering over her thighs, and then his hips lifted slightly as his fingers gently touched her. She whimpered, her mouth closing over the skin of his shoulder in soft suction as he explored the soft flesh and then gently dipped one finger inside her. Her body stiffened for a bit, and he muttered reassurances in her ear, hoping she was okay. He gentled his moves even more, letting her get used to his finger, moving in and out, gathering and spreading her moisture. Soon her inner muscles clenched on his finger and he nearly blew his fuse. His brain was on overdrive mode, a buzzing in his ears, his body strung with need, and he removed his finger, spreading her legs wider, and then started to guide himself inside her.

At first she didn’t feel much, but then her flesh stretched to accommodate him and her breath left her lungs on a loud moan. The prick of pain was quick and sharp making her sink her teeth on his shoulders and he hissed through gritted teeth, stroking her arm, her hair, kissing her ears, crooning useless words in her ears, telling her that he loved her over and over again. And finally she left his skin, her trembling lips kissing the side of his neck as her body suddenly softened beneath him and around him. Her legs trailed up his shins, and thighs, her ankles locking at his hip, giving him the freedom to move. He lifted his head, and looked at her face, her hair was mess, her sindur slightly smeared on her forehead, her cheeks shining in the glow of the lantern, her lips swollen but curved in a smile. The tense muscles in his body relaxed as he understood she was alright. Just then her eyes opened, and her smile widened as she lifted up for a kiss, an invitation which he gladly accepted.

As their tongue met and danced, he started to move slowly inside her, enticing soft moans from her throat. None of them knew when the cassette ended and music stopped, they remained unaware when the smallest candle melted completely and the flame flickered off. The only thing they remained conscious of was each other. It was… perfect… The way she kissed him, the way her body arched beneath him, the way they fit, the way his name sounded on her lips. His pace increased, his eyes intently focused on her, every cell in his body focused on the sole aim of making love to his wife. When she had stated her wish to him, she hadn’t known it would be like this… Her body felt like it was on fire that he had ignited and only he could douse, she was lost in him and yet never before has she been more aware of her own body… Yes, there had been pain, just like she had known there would be, but the pleasure was so much more. And when her name spilled from his lips with a dark intoxicating groan, she felt her nerve endings riot… She moaned, arched, shuddered and dissolved… Her muscles pulsed, her bones turned liquid, there was nothing in the world except for his feel, a keening voice that she didn’t know was her own and a bright burst of light behind her closed eyelids. Her sudden peak took him by surprise, and his mind blanked, his hips moved fast, pushing beyond her clenching muscles, a vein in his stomach jerked, and he groaned, spilling into her, his entire being floating into oblivion where he could only see bright golden stars twinkling and dancing.

After some time, he didn’t know how long, he felt soft palms caressing his back, and he stirred realizing he had collapsed on top of her. He blinked, and quickly pushed up on his arms, looking down at his wife. “So…” , he started to apologize for almost being a dead weight on her.

She placed a finger on his lips, stopping him, and smiled, “I love you Sameer.”

He sighed, returning her smile, and leaned to kiss her forehead, “I love you too Naina…”

Shifting a bit, he slept on his side on the bed, and immediately she scooted in his arms without him having to ask. Something pricked on his bottom, and he reached down, tugging the thing and saw that it was her saree that was still partially on the bed. Chuckling he threw it down, and then used his legs to lift the blanket up, caught the edge and pulled it over them. She was so quiet that he thought she was already asleep, but when he looked down he found her staring at some point near his throat, still smiling. Beneath the blanket, he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer, and tried to ask, “Naina… umm… kya soch rahi ho? Tumhe theek nahi…”

She glanced up, her eyes shining, “theek? Hmm… Haan theek hi tha.” His eyes widened, and he pouted making her chuckle. She snuggled closer, “mujhe nahi pata ke konsa shabd sahi hoga… kyunki shayad zindagi me pehli baar mere paas koi shabd hi nahi hai. Bas itna hi keh sakti hun ke main aapse bahot pyaar karti hun.”

And as her hand slipped around his back, her breath sighed on his chest, and her legs nestled trustingly between his, he felt that he didn’t even need any words. Truly, this feeling was indescribable. This was a wish come true.