||Tcher||new maaneet ff|| New chapter pg 24 - Page 16

Life slowly changed and changed in a way geet never expected. It became more beautiful day by day. Sometime, she stayed awake at night after Maan went to sleep thinking was she truly so lucky. All her fears had started to get lost in the reality of Maan's love.

Those eyes they loved her more than she had expected. The words he spoke were always gentle, and endearing. He took care of tinniest thing for her. He has taken her out to buy a new wardrobe, buying everything which was only top quality. She had only worn the cheap material others wore in the house. Most clothes were hand down. Even though she earned a lot but that belonged to the house not to any individual. Although she was not materialistic but who didn't enjoy nice clothes and accessories. His business was booming and he had no one but her to spoil. He did it shamelessly. She had been worried initially that may be he had other women whom he visited but he was home each day after work. And the demands he made on her body left little doubt that he was seeing someone else. He worried constantly about her being alone, he had no relatives and most of his friends were spread out in cities. She had heard him talking to them on phone but she had yet to meet them. He seemed in no hurry to share her with others but he wanted her to make friends here, to go out and join the society.

She ignored his suggestions because she did not know what to talk to other women. Those in brothel had grown up with her or had known her, they faced same situations and they could relate. These respected pampered women were an enigma to her.

However, this left her with nothing to do. There was a maid who came daily to clean and do all the chores. Maan bought readymade food for both of them. He never even let her bring a glass of water, she still remembered how he had trapped her body against the fridge as he had taken the water bottle and put it on counter beside her,'' Tcher, you are my queen, made to reign, not to do these tasks.''

She couldn't protest to that but she actually wanted to do things herself. This was her home, she wanted to take care of it herself. Who did he think cleaned the rooms in betrothal or cooked or mended clothes? She had her duties assigned to her by appa ji and she did her share. Yet there was always a desire to cook what she want, clean when she wanted, to do things her own way.

She looked out of the window into snow laden mountains and thought about another long lost dream. May be today she could do it. She got up and grabbed her bag from drawer, it was filled with cash. She still hadn't used any of it. Now, she knew the area well enough. Maan had shown her local markets and everything important in area. Sometime, when he went to Kashmir for business, she walked to local shops looking at things, never buying. She soaked the feeling of being respected. Everyone in area knew she was maan's wife. Men stared but then looked away with the fear of being caught staring.

The little spec of red powder and a little necklace had made all the difference for her in this society.

Today, however, she actually bought many things. Her favourite vegetables and other condiments. Then, a dinner set caught her eyes. Suddenly she was seven year old girl playing in mud outside making small clay dishes and utensils for her doll.

Her feet carried her into the shop, she bought the set and then holding it like a baby, she walked all the way back home. This was a dream come true. It was a miracle given to her.

Those hands which were dirty with countless sins, she washed them and then thinking about her most beloved people in world, she made the vegetable curry the way she was taught to prepare. Soon the kitchen was filled with delicious aroma. She could make this dish from memory alone. Her memory was a blessing and a curse for her, had always been that way. Today it was a blessing.

Heart wrapped in so many emotions, she set the new dinner set on table and put the food on table. Maan was coming home early today. They could no longer live like honeymooners because he needed to earn for a living but sometime he cheated and come home early, she could always guess from his mood in the mornings, when he was grumpy and lingered in bed pulling her back to bed again and again to satiate the desire which never quenched. Her cheeks reddened. The emotions were most difficult thing in this whole world. Sex was sex but when emotions became involved, it became making love. It was so pure, so sweet, no feeling cheap, no trying to wash off the scent of other people body which seemed to penetrate the bones and linger.

There was a sound on door and Maan entered. He always knocked, even when entering their room. It was such a sweet habit, giving her privacy which she didn't need but she really appreciated it.

His footsteps stopped as he looked at the lunch set at the table, he put the bag filled with hotel food on table and looked at dishes and then back at her. There was a surprise in his eyes.

She laughed hard seeing his expression. She went up to him and pecked him on lips and confessed in soft voice,'' I cooked for you.''

He stared into her eyes. She grabbed his hand and pulled him to chair and made him sit down, being a bossy wife. Suddenly, it was very important that he ate what she had cooked. The need was so strong it felt real.

Maan spoke,'' I told you don't do any house work.''

She took the lid off the dish and put a plate in front of maan and put some curry on his plate.

She told him the truth, she was starting to tell only truth to this man,'' I am not a guest, I want to make a home with you Maan. I want to do everything for you which a wife should do.''

He looked at her, then raised his hand and out some boiled rice on his plate too. He took a spoon and under her watchful eyes, he ate first spoon. He chewed slowly and then, swallowed.

His eyes flew back to her,'' I have never eaten more delicious food then this.'' His words had a ring of truth and a slight surprise. Like he never expected her to cook or the food to be so tasty.

She smiled with satisfaction, she pulled him toward herself,'' I know.'' Her laughter carefree spilled in the room like a ray of sun. Maan got up from chair and picked her in his arms,''Maan what are you doing, finish the food first.''

He kissed her wildly on lips, his tongue forcefully entering her mouth and conquering it. The food was left forgotten on table.