It was that time of the day again, the streets wore the deserted look with the dogs howling occasionally. Only yesterday had Raghu been mad at Shivani for shouting at him because of Karan and today, he had her walking beside him. This incident further strengthened his belief that whatever God plans for everyone is for the best. Had that incident not happened, he would never have gathered the courage to profess his love for Shivani. In his heart, he thanked God that he had sent her as 'his wife'. His heart was dancing with joy as his mind got stuck on the term 'his wife'. He kept repeating these two words in his thoughts. They sounded angelic.
He looked at her. Dressed in a red coloured saree and with her hair flowing freely, she looked mesmerizing. Her saree was perfectly complementing his black shirt as they looked like a match made in heaven. But, the most important aspect which added to her beauty was that she had got her smile back. Her face was beaming with joy. He had not seen her this happy since many days and to think of it that he was the reason behind that happiness added to his own delight.
But, there were a host of issues which had to be resolved before he could start his blissful married life with her. He had to convince Sumitra that he could not marry her because of obvious reasons. He had to deal with his family members who, except for Bela, Ginni and his mother, loved Shivani because of her property and now that she had donated all of her wealth to bring down this monetary barrier between both of them, they would not want her to become the daughter - in - law of the Saheriya household. His chain of thoughts was broken by a tug on his hands. "Where are we going Raghu?", asked Shivani in her usual chirpy voice giving out her beatific smile. His heart skipped a beat. He was about to answer her when his phone started ringing. It was Bela. "Raghu Bhaiya, we all are going to Shanti Kaki's house. She has invited us for a recitation of the Ramayana. We will come back by tomorrow morning. I have given the keys of the house in our neighbourhood and have also prepared dinner for you". "Ok", said Raghu and disconnected the call. "Whose call was it?", asked Shivani. "Bela; all of them are going out to attend a puja tonight. Come, let us go home. It is going to rain any time soon".
Back to Saheriya household
As soon as they reached home, Raghu went to the kitchen to see if there was sufficient meal for both of them. But, to his despair, the food was not enough. So, he decided to make something quickly. Meanwhile, Shivani who was sitting in the lounge and trying to reflect on the events of the day, heard the whistle of the pressure cooker and hurried into the kitchen to see him cooking. "What are you doing?", she asked. "Bela has made dinner for only one person. It would not be enough for both of us. So, I decided to make some rice and extra chapatis", he answered. "Ok, so I will make the chapatis". "What?", Raghu was horrified. " Oh fo ( in the trademark Shivani style), you do not worry, Bela Didi had taught me once how to make chapatis. I can manage". Raghu tried to argue, but as usual, he had to surrender to her wishes who was far too eager to please him with her culinary skills. He shifted a little to make space for her, but was still watching her activities from the corner of his eyes. Shivani started off excitedly, but was soon disappointed when she could not open the flour container. She turned to Raghu. He smirked at her, giving her a "I knew you would not be able to do it" look. But, soon he got the favour returned back when he was not able to open it either. He tried hard but the container was not in a mood to bugde. Finally, when he did manage to get the better of it, there was flour all over the place. Both of them looked at each other and started laughing. He gave her a towel to wipe off the flour and used his own handkerchief for himself. She went to the kitchen sink to wash her hands. She turned around to see him staring at her. "What?", she asked. "Flour", he replied. "Where?". "At the side and back of your neck. Give me the towel", he said authoritatively. She looked up at him, surprised, but did not say anything and gave him the towel quietly. He gently pushed her hair to one side, with his hands brushing against the nape of her neck. He could feel her shiver a little, with her neck arched downwards and the muscles of her back flinched slightly. The beads of perspiration trickling down her milky white bare back were shining brightly. He got so lost in her that he forgot what he was supposed to do and continued caressing her back. The whistle of the pressure cooker brought him back to his senses, he quickly removed the flour from the side of her neck and nearby areas and handed the towel back to her. She took the towel from him, still looking down. This sudden proximity to Raghu had left her in a state of awe." I will go and freshen up", she said and went upstairs. He let out a sigh as soon as she was gone. "What is happening with me?", he questioned himself. The dinner was a quiet affair, thanks to what had transpired between them in the kitchen moments ago. Shivani stood up to go the kitchen and put the dirty utensils in the sink. But, Raghu took them from her. "You go upstairs. I'll handle them." She simply nodded and went to her room.
She was standing beside the window, looking outside. It was raining cats and dogs. Sometime later, she saw Raghu, drenched completely, coming with a jug of water and a glass. "For the night", he said. But her attention was on him. "Why could you not use an umbrella?", she whined. "Look at yourself, you will fall ill", she did not even wait for his response as she took out a towel from the cupboard, made him sit on the bed and started wiping his hair. She continued doing it until she was satisfied that not a single droplet of water was left in his hair. She left the towel around his shoulder and came forward to face him. He was shivering slightly. "Are you still feeling cold?", she asked with a lot of concern in her voice. "Remove your shirt. It has got wet", she said coolly. "What?", Raghu was horrified. "Yes, if you keep wearing it, then you will catch fever". "No, no, no, I am perfectly alright", Raghu tried to brush off the suggestion. But, Shivani being Shivani, she knew perfectly how to handle him. "Ok, if you do not want to remove your shirt, then I will go downstairs and bring hot oil to apply on your feet." This was an even more dangerous option. First of all, she would get drenched in the rain and secondly, he could not have allowed her to touch his feet. She was about to leave when he held her hand. "No, wait, I will do as you say". "Now, this is like a good boy", she always liked pampering him. Raghu removed his shirt and immediately covered himself with the towel. He was feeling very awkward. What he did not know was that future had something more dangerous in store for him.
Suddenly, Shivani seemed to remember her conversation with Sumitra wherein she had described her first night with Raghu and how she had seen five moles on his back. Oh Lord...! only she knew how disgusted she had felt on that day. But, now was the perfect opportunity to verify her tall claims...😈. "Turn around", she said. "Huh...", Raghu was still lost in a trance. "I said, turn around. I want to see your back". "What..??", Raghu was petrified to the core. He wondered what had happened to her? How come had she become so shameless? Had she taken a swig of desi tharra or what? "The day after your false wedding with Sumitra, she had come to me and described how both of you had spent your first night and that she had counted five moles on your back. I just wanted to verify." Raghu was flabbergasted. "All this is a big lie. Nothing had happened between us. She was in the room and I had slept on the terrace", he said alarmed. "I believe you but, still, I want to see it with my own eyes", she said. "Arre, what are you saying? This is not possible". "Achcha, why is it not possible? You can kiss me whenever you want and I can't even see your back..!!" Raghu could not believe his ears. He thought it was better to comply to her wishes and get it done with because today, it was getting really difficult for him to deal with Shivani.
He got up from the bed and turned around slowly. Shivani came up to him and removed the towel from his shoulders. She did saw the moles, but they were only two in number. She felt happy and relieved. She brought up her hands to touch them. Her touch sent shivers down his spine. All this was so new for him. Same was the case with Shivani. He turned around to face her. She was looking down. He came closer to her and touched her hands softly. This was the moment. He just needed to close the door and tonight they would finally become one. He held her face by the chin and made her look into his eyes. Her beauty was driving him mad. But, then, would this be right?
He had still not resolved the issues at home and Sumitra was still his wife in front of the society. He wanted to accept Shivani as his wife whole heartedly, but before that he had to set right the problems which had crept up because of him. He did not want anyone to question their relationship. He was willing to take this relationship forward but, only after ensuring that it got the respect which it deserved. He left her hands slowly. She looked at him perplexed. "Good night", he took his shirt and then went away.
He sat in the rain, for a long time, thinking. In his heart, he knew that he had taken the right decision. "I know you have waited for my love for long, but, just give me some more time and I will make up to you for all these times, very soon", he said to himself as he got up to go downstairs.
Edited by alpha_057 - 10 years ago
