Chapter 4
The morning sunlight falls on Shravan's face but a beautiful face covers the light coming from window. Her husband is sleeping, so peacefully, like an innocent baby, she sits in front of him,on the floor. Suman feels like she can spend her whole just looking at his face even without blinking. His simplicity, his honesty - made her fall for him at the first sight, when he was surrounded by those small school going kids. Silly! A girl like Suman, who never even thought about any guy in her whole life, she has fallen for him, and destiny played its own trick - they're married now! Happily married ever after.
Suman smiles & hesitantly moves her hand toward him to touch his perfectly messed up hair. But she resists & smiles a little. The hesitation can't be overcomed yet! She never thought of such blissful life ever! She always knew she has to marry a guy whom nanu will choose for her, and of course the guy will be like "treat your wife as property" or something like that. He could have ended up getting closer to his wife in their wedding night and with or without consent she had to agree! As mami taught her, pati parmeshwar hota hai. But she never ever dreamt of such beautiful wedding night ever to happen. This guy, her husband, spouse or pati parmeshwar, stepped into his room clueless. Silly! He forgot that he has a wife now living with him. She laughed a lot. So innocent! And he did every possible way to make her comfortable in this new environment. Honestly, she wouldn't have any objection, if he got closer to her yesterday night. In fact, may be she wanted it! Being with him feels like dream! She smiles. Some water drops from her wet hair fall on Shravan's face, he arches brows.
Shravan slowly opens his eyes & gets stunned seeing the sight in front of him. A lovely face with a heart warming smile, is in front of him, may be waiting for him to wake up. He felt spellbound! What a wonderful morning it is! He still can't believe his own luck. Will every morning be so delightful like this one? Will she everyday wake him up like this? Will he every morning wake up smiling like today? He blinks & smiles at her. She rolls her eyes.
: What? Why are you staring? Don't scream please.. like you yesterday did, asking what am I doing here. We got married remember?
She says & giggles. He can't even blink his eyes! Could this morning be more perfect than this?
: Good morning, wifey!
"Wifey?" Her heart skips some beats. Why it sounded so well? She smiles.
: Get up & freshen up. I'm leaving.
She stands up to leave. He so much wanted to grab her into his embrace but that hesitation didn't let him to do so. He smiles, a little helpless. God I'm so much fond of her!.
She stops & smiles getting stopped by somehow. Has he hold her saree? She closes her eyes, chest is heaving. He gets up. She turns around, sees her saree got stuck in a corner of the bed. She feels shy. What she was thinking? Shravan stares at her, arching his brow with smirk, as if trying to find out whats going on in her mind. She doesn't even meet his gaze, seems like he'll get to know everything just looking into her eyes.
~~~
: Shravan bhaiya, are you searching for something?
Vandy asks seeing Shravan in kitchen.
: No bhabi actually I've come to get some water.
: Yeah yeah I can see!
Vandy teases. She knows what is her brother in law looking for. But his newly wedded wife has gone inside for some work, she is asked to make breakfast as its her first day at in law. Vandy has come to ask if she needs help & then she saw him,looking here & there clueless.
: done, bhaiya? Now go!!
Shravan sighs. Just 20 minutes have been passed when Suman left the room he has started missing her badly!
Suman enters. Vandy winks. Suman is surprised to see Shravan in the kitchen & confused why Vandy is behaving like this. Shravan smiles at Suman. Vandy leaves them alone.
: Do you want something?
: You..
: What?
: I mean how're you doing? Do you know how to make roti? I mean I am sure you remained busy with study so much & didn't get time to pay attention for these. Isn't it?
Suman smiles & nods, twisting her lower lip, making puppy eyes. Shravan smiles.
: Okay I'll help you. First take mix wheat with boiling water...
He gives instructions & she follows.
: Arey not like this, roll it properly, otherwise the shape of the roti will be ruined.
He holds her hands over balloon & makes her roll it. Her breath gets stuck up & heart starts beating so fast that she could hear the sound. He is so near, so close to her that she easily can turn back & hug him, she can feel his warmth against her skin, his breathing against her cheek, his chin against her shoulder, which passing shivers down her spine. Her chest is heaving, she looks up at him while his full concentration is on making a perfect round roti! She stares at him & take a sharp inhale. A wide smile gets spread on his face.
: Done! See, its a perfect round shaped roti!
She is still lost in his touch, he looks at her, so close, meeting her gaze. They have an eyelock.
: Aheem! Aheem!
Pushkar enters & fakes coughing. Shravan & Suman leave each other feeling embarrassed.
: Ohho! Bad timing, Pushkar! Bhaiya, Suman...please carry on!! I've just come to inform lalaji is calling you Bhaiya. But leave it, I'll tell him you're busy.
: Shut up!! I'm coming!!
Pushkar leaves. Shravan turns back to Suman.
: Accha listen don't worry ok? Its your first day so no need to be stressed so much. Just make a simple vegetable curry & remember my instructions.
Suman nods & smiles. Shravan blinks & leaves. Suman blushes & touches her hands covered with wheat.
After a while, at dinning table.
: Ohho! What a delicious smell! Let me see what our new daughter in law has made!
Lalaji uncovers the dishes, all those are looking delicious. Shravan is surprised, she made so many dishes - vegetable curry, sweet dishes & all. He looks at Suman questioningly & she just smiles. All are impressed. Vandy comes & praises Suman.
: Lalaji this is nothing! I had gone to Suman's house before wedding & she's such a good cook. She made a different kind of roti & it was so yummy! And so perfectly shaped..
Shravan is surprised & looks at Suman arching brow. She blushes. He gets it & smirks. Suman serves food. Pushkar makes her sit beside Shravan, who is staring at her. She looks down & eats silently when the whole family is praising her cooking. Shravan is awestruck & stares. Pushkar smiles seeing them. Kamini informs them about pag phera ritual. Shravan & Suman nod.
~~~
Suman is getting ready. She wore a gorgeous red saree & trying to tie a knot of her blouse. Shravan enters & both feels awkward as being in such situation. He slowly moves toward her, holds the knot, eyeing her at the mirror. She closes her eyes, feeling his touch. He is mesmerized to see her. Her silky smooth hair, down over her right shoulder, her light makeup, vermilion, nuptial chain, bridal Bengals - everything creating a dream like sight. He whispers in her ears in husky voice.
: Okay so you did know how to make roti, I'm glad you didn't let me know that!
Suman smiles without opening eyes.
: And I'm glad you don't know how to tie a knot.
She turns crimson red & her chest is heaving.
: And you look so good in saree!
: As if?
: As if Tamatar ka khet!!
She opens her eyes & sees him burst out into laughing. She is supposed to make an angry face & she can't! How can anyone's laughter sound so heart warming? She smiles.
Shravan & Suman take elders' blessings & sit into the car.
Suman is lost in thought. She looks outside the window & smiles recalling her moments with Shravan. He smiles seeing her happy.
After a while, suddenly the car stops. Suman asks what happened. Shravan points toward a group of school going kids & smiles. Suman is clueless. Shravan gets down from the car & goes to them. Suman follows him. Shravan buys icecreams for them & gives. Kids gets happy. Suman smiles seeing this. She recalls the first time when she saw him buying icecreams for kids. Shravan comes near Suman, offers her ice cream. She nods no with a content smile.
: you know..when I was in school, My friends' mom used to buy ice creams for them. And I used to watch them standing there, waiting for my car to pick me up. My dad had lots of money that he could easily buy a whole ice cream purler for me but..I don't had the thing which my friends had. Mom..
Shravan gets emotional, can't finish his sentence.
: Sorry! I got too emotional!
Shravan smiles at her. She smiles back.
: I always wished mumma to come & buy ice cream for me! But she never did...
He sighs.
: Suman, lets go, we're already late. Even we have to come back early.
Shravan is about to leave but Suman goes to the ice cream shop. She gets two ice creams on hands & calls Shravan from behind. He goes to her. She gives him an icecream. He smiles & gets stunned. They eat ice creams together.
The shopkeeper: I pray next year you come with your child to get ice cream from me!
Shravan & Suman feel shy. Shravan quickly pays him money & they leave. They get into the car & leave for Tiwari mansion.
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