Thanks to everyone who commented on the other parts. It was difficult to end this as show Nachiket needs to get his head out of his 🤬 but hope you enjoy. As always please excuse my Hindi.
There were of course appearances to be kept up, despite their distance behind closed doors. The invitations poured in, their relationship the newest curiosity in their circles (Pam especially was insistent on maintaining a healthy social life). It was another way to sell the lie they now wore like a second skin.
So they dressed the part (blue was his new favorite color) and she pretended not to notice how his eyes would linger over the dip of her shoulder blades and travel down, down her spine. The sudden rustle of her bangles always gave her away, her hands trying to call attention away from the color suffusing her cheeks. He knew it wasn't fair - but then, neither was her beauty, undiminished after all these years.
His hand would take its rightful place at the small of her back and she would roll her eyes at his juvenile attempts at humor, a smile tugging at her lips as they found themselves reacquainted with friends and foes alike.
He read her distress in the arch of her chin and how she would pull his sleeves in the opposite direction as they approached those who had abandoned her soon after he had. But he would not be deterred, and, knowing his actions could not make up for years of stigma, held her close as his fingers found the soft skin of her waist and his lips whispered in ear, coaxing her telltale blush. She would eventually pull away from him, eyes glittering dangerously at the hushed promises they both knew he wouldn't be able to keep. As the nights stretched on, he began running out of reasons not to follow through on every promise he had ever made to her.
So one of those nights, he kissed her.
They came home to an empty apartment, the family off to a concert hours away. She sighed in relief as her heels came off. He shed his jacket somewhere in the vicinity of a closet. She leaned on him as they stumbled into their room and he made his way to the bathroom so that she could have the bedroom to change.
When he stepped out again she was struggling with the clasp of her necklace, their wedding ring glinting in the lamp light. "Chodh ho Ragini," he said, pulling her to him and deftly unhooking the offending link.
"Dus minute pehle nahin aa sakte the?" she sighed, stretching her cramping fingers. He took her hands in his and began to slowly massage her knuckles.
"Phir tum mujhe besharam kehti." He raised an eyebrow and pretended to leer at the gaping neckline of her robe.
She laughed despite herself and reached one hand up to cradle his cheek. "Waise bhi you're all talk. Mujhe koi fikar nahin." Ragini patted his cheek in mock sympathy.
He stopped her, fingers encircling her wrist, and felt her pulse respond under the delicate skin. Her smile faded and her gaze dropped as her eyelids grew heavy.
"Waise bhi..." He brought her captive hand to his lips and kissed her palm. She closed her eyes. "Tumhe chinta to karni chahiye."
"Kyun?" It was more a breath than a question.
He tipped her chin up, needing her to see the truth in his eyes. "You're impossible to resist, Mrs. Khanna."
She tried to pull away but he tightened his grip and was captivated by the rise and fall of her chest. "Aur tum kaun ho? Superman?"
"Just a man." he placed her hand over his heart. "Who misses his wife very much."
She gingerly pressed her fingers over the soft cotton of his shirt and he was certain her hesitation would break him.
"Main yahin to thi." Her voice was small. "Waiting for you."
He knew it was true. Somehow he had always known but refused to face it, too wrapped up in his own grievances.
"I'm here now." Her eyes shone up at him and he felt himself fall in deeper.
It was a promise, but he bowed his head towards her and offered himself as if in prayer. Her response was sweeter than anything he could have asked for from the heavens.
THE END
Bhabhi Ji Ghar Pe Hain?
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Cricket
Anupamaa
