The morning after the night before

Sorry all I’ve had a bit of a family emergency over last week which has been really stressful but here it is. - stay well all and let me know what you think. 

The morning after the night before

...

“Good morning Mrs Bajaj” he said over his newspaper as he saw her stir on her pillow. 

“Good morning .”.Prerna replied sitting up to see him put his newspaper to a side to give her his undivided attention. 

Prerna reached for her night gown at the bed post behind her.

 He maybe shirtless but she would be inviting trouble if she didn’t put anything on. 

Along with her night robe she picked up her wedding ring. Put it on and then her mangalsutra.

When he saw her ponder on the marital chain he spoke. 

“It was my idea” he added. 

Prerna had always said she wanted a simple wedding, the things associated with a traditional wedding like sindur and mangalsutra had lost their  appeal after giving them so much meaning but left being disappointed.

“Thank you, udhura sa lagta is ke bina.”

(Thank you it would have felt strange without this)

“Still nervous?” He said seeing her avoid his gaze. 

He was teasing her about the way she’d been ever since his proposal she could sense that. 

She chose to smile before replying. 

“Even more now, Pati joh ho chuke aap hamare” she said lightly some of which was true, the rest of it playfulness.,

He smirked with a certain pride in his eyes at the effect he had on his way. He took her hand within his.

“Mr bajaj Aap se kuch pooch sakti hoon”

(Can I ask you something) she says. 

“Hmm” He replies..

“Can you tell me a little bit about your childhood and  kukis mom..  

She looked towards him hoping she hadn’t overstepped the Mark. 

“Very well let’s talk about that this evening” he promised. 

..

Kuki stopped eating her cereal and smiled from cheek to cheek when she saw her pa and Prerna mom walk down the staircase.

Rishabh took the lead and Prerna elegantly followed, they looked very married. The blue of Rishabhs suit matched Prernas Saari.

Veena who was asking kuki to finish her cereal looks up to see the distraction and smiles herself. 

Her daughter looked very happy.

Rishabh put together his hands in greeting for Veena and Prerna touched her mother’s feet.

Kuki was quick to run into her fathers arms.

“Breakfast?” said Prerna after a moment.

Rishabh nodded taking a seat at the head of the table with kuki in his lap.

“Make something sweet won’t you” says Veena and Prerna agrees.

“Sure, Kuki likes pancakes ? Right kuki?”

Kuki nodds with a even bigger smile.

“Aap?” (and yourself) Says Prerna looking towards Rishabh

“I’ll have some!” smiles Rishab back at her. 

Prerna in agreement walks off into the kitchen to prepare.  

..

Whilst Prerna is away from the breakfast table

Mr bajaj takes the opportunity to bond with Veena.

Veena however beings before he does. 

“Thank you Mr bajaj, Prerna ka khyal rakhne ke liyey.” (Thank you Mr bajaj for looking after Prerna.)

“For helping her grow stronger.

Hoshyari dikhati hai magar Nadaan hai meri batchi.  Uski galtiyan maaf kijiyega please.”

Spoken like a traditional mother Veena is hoping Rishabh be accepting of Prernas quirks. 

“Be reassured I will always look after her.”

He says in his own distinct manner. A gentleman yet a very powerful man said everything about his manner and Veena noticed that.

“Prerna ne aap ko bataya hoga ke mein nahin chahta ke woh is vakt India ayey. I don’t think she’s ready yet.”

“Ji, Jaisa aap chahe” replied  Veena. She  was wise enough to know  that all the work that had gone into rebuilding Prerna would come undone if she was to come to India now.

..

“Pan cakes!” Calls Prerna as she walks in with a plate. She Serves up a small pan cake with chocolate sauce for Kuki and two other potions one for Rishabh and the other for her mother.

“And yours?” Asks Mr Bajaj looking up towards Prerna stood by his side.

“Mein baad mein karloongi,” (i’ll eat later) she says giving him presidency.

When she said she wanted to be just a wife for a few days she certainly meant it. 

He saw her fidget with her bangles as she served coffee he didn’t make much of it.

As the others began breakfast Prerna walked into the kitchen. Veena excused herself discreetly to check on her daughter.

Whilst in the kitchen Prerna washed her hands and her forearm under the cold water tap.

Where Mr bajaj had left a mark last night was now causing a burning sensation. The cool water under the tap helped. 

By the time Veena entered Prerna had dried up.

“Priyu ..”

Said Veena as she walked towards her.

“Tu theek hai na beta, khush hai?” (You’re alright aren’t you love” you’re happy?)

Prerna smiled with her eyes not just her lips and Veena in response couldn’t help but do the same. 

...