OS : The Wait ...

I inhale deeply, waking slowly. I'm not home, not in some hotel somewhere. Wherever I am, it smells like Ragini, my love. I am still fully clothed, as is Ragini, breathing quietly next to me. I'm holding her in my arms, head tight against my chest.

I don't dare open my eyes, basking in the sensual delights of my first time in her bed - well, after getting back together after 16 plus long years.

It smells like lavender here. She must have put on something lavender last evening. Did I get here first? And weren't we just eating dinner and laughing a few minutes ago? Oh, I hope I didn't misbehave. Well, how annoying could I have possibly been? She climbed into bed with me last night and even now was still holding on for dear life ...

I could no longer keep my eyes closed, eager to take in the sight of her perfect face, her sleepy eyelashes framing her soft cheeks. She is sleeping peacefully, and seemed so frail next to my five-foot nine-inch frame. Without heels, conservative sarees and confident, self-assured demeanour, her aura softens. Femininity for my eyes only. I haven't stopped thanking fate for bringing us together ... again.

I glance over to check the time, it's 5:55 a.m. I notice a picture frame on the small table on her side of the bed. Craning my neck a bit, I see that its an old photo of us together in the garden, one of our millionth kiss exposed on film, frozen in time.

The alarm goes off and she mechanically reaches over to hit the snooze button. Without opening her eyes, she knows I'm here and cuddles closer to my side.

She woke to find him gazing at her, love reflected in his soulful, black eyes. A tender smile greeted her as he began to run his hands gently through her hair.

"Hey, morning glory."

"What's so glorious about it?," she mock pretends.

"You."

She draws herself up to my neck and plants a kiss that sends a shiver through me. "Aren't you sleepy any more?" she asks

"Should I be?"

"You fell asleep all of a sudden"

"Is that why I have all my clothes on?"

"That and it's really hard to undress a sleepy man your size" she teased.

It was 6:00 a.m. I caress her cheek, smooth back her hair and collect her closer into my arms, kissing her cheeks. She opens her eyes for five seconds and smiles, content to be cuddled further. We rest in each other arms till the alarm comes on in earnest at 6:15. She turns it off, yawns heartedly and turns over again. Her eyes fixate on mine, curious, smiling, full of love. The raw emotion in her eyes overwhelms me. I still can't believe how lucky I am...I'm in her bed, about to kiss her. Lips touch lips and tears stream down my face, mingling with her own salty downpour.

I'd rather give her all the time in the world to pick some future date to make love. I've waited all this time. I can wait a little longer.

The End

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