"It's not. Stop lying to me, Kunal. Don't put me through that again. She said. I held her face. "Calm down. I said.
"No. I won't. Do you know how it makes me feel that you're acting this way after what happened between us last night? Think once from my perspective, Kunal. What if I became aloof after...How would you react? She asked.
"Mauli, I'm sorry. I should've told you. It has nothing to do with last night and...everything between us. It's something else. I said. I hugged her.
"Mauli, listen... I made her sit.
"What happened? she asked.
"Do you remember having any bad dreams last night? I asked. She frowned. Then she shook her head.
"No. Why?
"I woke up and you were crying in your sleep...like really crying. You were mumbling some stuff, asking me not to leave...begging in fact. I said. I didn't want to reveal what else she said. She took someone's name. I didn't need to repeat that.
"No, Kunal. I don't remember this at all. She said.
"Have you ever had these bad dreams? I asked. She thought about it.
"I had...but I thought they stopped. I had horrible dreams for years that I used to wake up from. They stopped a while back. I'm surprised that it happened again. I don't recall it. She said.
Her confession shocked me and I didn't know what to say. My heart broke. This was all trauma from what happened between us. I felt disgusted with myself . She was watching me.
"When I had these dreams, I was extremely broken. I'm happy now. She said. She held my hand. "Don't think much of it, Kunal.
"The way you were crying... I said. I covered my face with my hands. "I'm so sorry, Mauli. I'm going to be sorry my whole life...maybe even after death. I said. She stood up and held my face.
"Stop it now, Kunal. Come out of that. Let's come out of it together. She said. She gave me a kiss on my cheek.
"So this is why you've been quiet all day? I was thinking it had to do with last night. She said.
"No, no...last night couldn't have been any better... I said. I wrapped her in a tight hug.
"You've changed so much Kunal. But why? she asked.
"Because I realized what a fool I was. I had to leave the country and be cut off from you in order to find you again...it happened slowly but...I began to love you from a distance. I realize that now...and somewhere I became obsessed with your happiness and constantly guilty, ashamed...the guilt and shame became a huge part of my daily life...as big a part of it as Pari. I said. She was listening carefully.
"I think I suffered because I knew somewhere that you're suffering too. And when I saw you again,, slowly with each meeting...I found myself...literally found myself...and fell in love over and over again... I explained. She smiled.
"And I kept being mean to you. She said with a laugh. "I'm sorry for that, Kunal.
"Mean? I found it sort of cute. I laughed. She punched me on the arm. "So what's the plan here? Watching movies? Talking all day? Hmm? she was clearly teasing me. I held her tightly.
"Your wish is my command. I said. She raised her eyebrows.
"Is that so? Hmm. Well then... she stood on the tips of her toes and kissed me on the cheek. "I'd like to...go shopping for the kids. She said.
"Sure. Of course. In fact before that, I was thinking that we should call them. I said. She have a big smile.
"Let's video chat with them, Kunal, I want to see their faces. She said. We did just that. The girls were snuggled up in bed in their matching pink pajamas.
"Buddy, don't you miss me? Pari made a sad face.
"Of course I do, my angel. I blew both of them a kiss. I did miss them a lot right now. I felt guilty for being away and keeping Mauli away from them, especially from Mishti.
"Papa and Mumma forgot us. Mishti said.
"Girls, we miss you and we didn't forget you. We'll be coming home with gifts. How was your day, kids? Mauli asked.
"Boring, Mumma. We got so much homework too. She pouted. Mishti looked like me when I sulked, except she had long hair. I chuckled.
"What do my princesses want? What should we buy you? I asked. Mauli took out a paper and a pen and wrote down what they wanted. Mishti wanted sweets, as usual. Pari wanted flowers. Both wanted toys and clothes. It ended up being a long list. We kept talking to the girls and both fell asleep.
"I'm sorry, Mauli. I brought you here. I know you aren't used to being away from Mishti. I said. She nodded.
"I'm not, Kunal. But she's lucky, she has 2 other moms plus a baby sister now. Besides, I think now they're both our mutual responsibility. If we are going to raise them right then we need to have ourselves taken care of too. She said.
"Next time, let's go on a holiday with them. I suggested.
"Sure. That's perfect. She hugged me.We both talked the rest of the night till I ended up falling asleep.
Maulis POV:
We went out for lunch the next day. It was a casual spot, nothing too fancy. I bought the kids clothes and later we went to the toy shop. I passed by a lingerie section. I needed something to wear because I'd forgotten to pack my nightie. All I had were pajamas. Nothing very worthy of a honeymoon suite on the 5th floor with a mind blowing view of the city.
My insecurities came into play here. Whatever I'd buy, he'd see me wearing it. Would he find me beautiful or attractive? Should I try to make an effort to look good for him? A part of me wanted to and another part of me thought I'd never be hot, sexy, or beautiful n the way he liked. I could never be like her. A chill went down my spine. I had to shake off the fears. I needed something to wear at least to make up for not packing it.
I was about to go for a very unsexy black nightie. It was long and loose. A worker came up to me.
"Excuse me, ma'am. I have something that I think would suit you. She said.
"No, I already picked something out. I said.
"Are you new in the area? she asked.
"I live in the city but I'm staying at a hotel here. It's my honeymoon. I said. She seemed surprised.
"Honeymoon? Will you wear this on your honeymoon? she asked.
"Um... I blushed. She was a bit younger than me.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry to be so nosey but you're very beautiful and I think you'll look better in this. She said. She handed me a white nighty. I held it against me. I was above the knees and sleeveless. The neckline was quite low and lacy.
My eyes widened. I noticed that Kunal was calling me. I answered it.
"Mauli, I'm in the car. Hurry, the traffic is sick.
"Coming" I said. I bought the white nightie.
We went back to our hotel. We had dinner there. Kunal was watching TV and I had to change. I changed and changed back and changed again. I couldn't make up my mind and find the confidence to wear that nightie.
"Lady, you've put me in deep trouble. I said to myself. I finally put it on and looked into the mirror. My hair was wet. I'd just showered. It fit like a glove. It was short. It had a very low neckline. It was pretty. Insecurities flooded me. My legs trembled. Kunal knocked on the door.
"Mauli, everything ok? I need to use the bathroom. He said. I opened the door and stumbled out.
"Careful there! he said with a smile which slowly as his mouth slowly opened. He looked from my feet up to my face and then down again. I looked away and pretended to check my phone. He came out of the bathroom and sat on the bed and turned the TV on. I didn't know what he was thinking. There was silence except for the match.
I turned my head slightly to look at him. I had left my charger on his side and really needed it. I got up and went over the take it. I passed right in front of him. When I reached his side he turned the TV off and looked at me.
"You...you.. look...gorgeous... he said. He mumbled his way through that. I was blushing but his expressions set me at ease. He couldn't stop staring at me. He went back and forth between staring at me and then at his hands.
He thought I looked gorgeous. I was elated at this vote of approval. I watched him and it seemed to be making him nervous. I was about to go back to bed but I stopped and moved closer till I was sitting in front of him on the bed.
I reached for his face and held it with both hands and then kissed him on the lips slowly. He seemed to tremble at my touch. He tried to get up and hold me but I pushed him back. He was stunned at first but then a small smile gave away his real mood.
"Mauli, what are you doing? he asked. I climbed on top of him. He swallowed hard and licked his lips. His hands moved up my legs to my waist. He held it and pulled me closer. We kissed again. I finally had some of my confidence back. I kissed him softly on the neck. He tried to roll my onto my back but I stopped him.
"No... I said. He was breathing faster now. I was too. He locked his arms around me and I lay on his chest. I could hear his heart beating. He was getting a little impatient. He sat up and traced my cheek with his thumb. Then he pressed his thumb against my lower lip.
"You're not winning tonight... I told him.
"I'm ready to lose. He said. He kissed my shoulders. We were wrapped in each other's arms. I tried to wriggle away from him. I got up and tried to escape. I wanted to make him run.
"Stop... he said. I ran around and couldn't help it but laugh seeing him. He was annoyed. "Mauli, I'm warning you. He said.
"What, Dr Saab? What are you going to do? I asked. He was getting surprises tonight. He gave me a smile. He managed to pick me up and carry me to the bed. I lay down and looked up into his eyes.
"You shouldn't wear stuff like that before warning me first. He said.
"Why? Is it bad for you? I asked. He was smiling now.
"I was just planning on watching some cricket and then you came out in that and now I don't even remember which over it was. He laughed. That was my adorable Kunal. I forgot the seduction for a minute and just hugged him.
"I missed you so much, Mauli. He said. "I was so empty...
I didn't know what to reply because missing him didn't describe my state for the years he was gone.
"Can I ask you something? he said.
"What? I asked.
"Is this thing you're wearing just going to be for the honeymoon? Will you like, throw it away once we get home? he asked innocently.
"Why? Do you like it? I asked.
"It suits you. How about you buy a few more like it? he said With a big grin. I laughed. I brushed my hand against his cheek. He held it against his face.
"What are you waiting for? I asked him. "I didn't wear this to just waste time. I teased. "Who said I was going to waste your time?" He asked.
He kissed me. From there I lost count of all the kisses and caresses. I felt beautiful that night. I felt wanted. He wasn't willing to let go and there wasn't an inch of my skin that didn't feel his touch. I watched him as he slept and swept away his hair from his forehead.
"Sweet dreams. I told him.
When I woke up, he wasn't there. I called out his name. He didn't answer. I checked the bathroom. He wasn't there. His suitcase wasn't there either. My body felt cold and my heart began racing. I wasn't dressed. I was shaking but managed to put clothes on and ran outside. I asked around for him. His car was gone too.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
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