Chapter 5 (I)
Milind walked out of his closet with his sleepwear, and found Prachi still rooted where he'd left her.
"You're free to move around the room, you know" he said, half amused.
"Mr. Mishr-" Prachi began.
"Milind…please call me Milind" Milind quickly interjected.
"Milind" she whispered. Her voice was velvety. "I, ah…um…Sukriti said she'd send my suitcases up to the room…I mean, I don't have anything to wear" she hurried on, slightly embarrassed.
Milind looked thoughtful. "I think she might have forgotten, and the lights in her room are out."
Prachi's face fell. That meant she had to sleep in this god-awfully heavy dress. Sensing her disappointment and discomfort, Milind ventured a suggestion.
"If you'd like…just for tonight…you could um…wear one of my kurtas…that is if you want" he said quickly, unsure of how she'd respond.
She seemed surprised at first, and then slightly discomfited. After thinking for a minute, she assented. "Thank you" she smiled slightly.
God damn, the woman had dimples. Deep ones carved right into her left cheek. How had he never seen them before? Wait, what was he thinking? Composing himself, he forced his voice rigid. "Just for tonight. Please take care of your own wardrobe henceforth" he said icily.
Prachi was confused. A moment ago he'd seemed warm, almost friendly. Suddenly, he was back to his old self. Well, it was a good thing. His severity would keep her on her toes, and away from him. The sensuous bridal suite and her hunk of a husband were not keeping her thoughts out of the gutter. She mentally kicked herself; she needed to get a grip.
Milind handed her a white cotton kurta. Accepting it shyly, she shuffled to the bathroom to change. Pulling herself out of her lehnga, she slipped effortlessly into his kurta. It smelt of him, musky and masculine. It was strangely comforting. Prachi looked at herself, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
"Are you almost done?" Milind's irritated whisper outside her bathroom door brought her out of her thoughts. Without answering, she opened the door, and then immediately wished she hadn't. He stood there in his sweatpants, looking slightly aggravated. Only in his sweat pants. Prachi's eyes widened. She'd never seen a half naked man, certainly not this up close. She knew she was staring, but no matter how hard her brain tried, she could not will her gaze to avert.
Milind raised his eyebrows. "Prachi, hasn't anyone told you it's rude to stare?" Mortified, she looked down at the floor, wishing it would devour her whole. Milind smirked. He knew his new bride was scandalized at the thought of seeing him half naked. Her discomfort amused him. "Prachi, mujhe aise hi sone ki aadat hai…get used to it" he said arrogantly.
Oh, I could get used to it…she thought cheekily, but only nodded in response. He took her in as she walked out. His white kurta hung loosely over her shoulders, and came down to her mid-calf. However, the slits on the side opened up to her lower thigh. Her petite form nearly drowned in his oversized kurta. He tried not to stare, and practically tearing his eyes off her, walked into the bathroom.
She had felt his gaze on her. This couldn't get any more embarrassing, she thought. She felt exposed, and embarrassed. Suddenly, she felt tired. The week's chaos had taken a toll on her. Laying down on the side of the bed, she closed her eyes, not realizing when she fell asleep. Milind came out of the bathroom after a quick shower, finding Prachi fast asleep on the bed.
Well, that takes care of the sleeping arrangement, he thought half amused. Walking over to the other side, he pulled out an extra blanket, and went to sleep on the edge of the bed.
The candles burnt out slowly.
Prachi woke up just as the sun's first rays stretched over the horizon. Disoriented for a second, she panicked to find herself in an unfamiliar room. She turned to her left, blinking, and saw Milind's brawny form stretched out over more than half the bed. It was a miracle he hadn't rolled over and crushed her during the night. She studied him for a while. He seemed so serene, so content. She'd always seen his face etched with worry, but seeing him like this brought a strange comfort to Prachi.
Maybe this marriage wasn't such a bad idea after all.
There you have it...the most boring Suhaag Raat in the history of Suhaag Raats 🥱
Cricket
