She walks in Beauty...Th4 Chap-48 pg 132 - Page 16

Originally posted by: deepaligupta197

GM Pansy!! Keep smiling 😃 it is more beautiful n radiant than the rising sun😃

Thank you dear 🤗 for this beautiful morning wish.

Originally posted by: ttrocks

AshNi will visit all these places 🥳 Thank you Pansy!! Love you 🤗

Love you too 🤗

Originally posted by: pansy123

five minutes.

Chapter 42

"Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like running brook that sings its melody to the night."(K.G)

Quenching the thirst of past few days he looks at her in veneration...his eyes offering the homage like the votive offerings of a worshiper...he straightens her raven locks spread on pillow and pecks the swollen lips...Nidhi pecks him back...he smiles and leans to caress her neck...her fingers ruffle his hair bearing the maddening sensations his touch was provoking in her and he goes on exploring the heavens that was forbidden to him after having a taster few nights ago. His hands reach the fastening of her top and she gasps out, "Ashutosh!"

In a husky breathy voice...his hands tugging the string of her knot he asks, "Yes my love"

She mutters, "Lights"

He whispers nibbling her earlobe, "not tonight"

Nidhi grabs his hands and pleads, "Please"

Looking intensely deep into her eyes he asks, "Why do you want to hide my wife...he extends his arm and switches off the night lamp...I'm not going to do this every time"

She mumbles, "I can do that myself"

"What? Come again...what did you say?"

Asking the question repeatedly that gets dissipated in her moans.

"Hmn...Let me sleep"

Ashutosh smiles and whispers near her ear "Wake up! the sun is already up"

In sleepy drowsy voice she replies, "Sun was up when we slept"

Ashutosh giggles...he holds her snugly...his mornings were never so amazing...he tries to ponder, "when was the last time his morning began with a hearty smile or a laugh...like he has been doing past few days...the joy he's feeling has no match...he never knew such a beautiful feeling"

Tucking her in, he holds her closely...allowing her to sleep...softly caressing her hair...after a while Nidhi gets aware of their stark bodies...she opens her eyes disturbingly but tries not to make any movement...her head resting on his chest...the melody of his soft thumps...resounding the moments of their tryst...her cheeks brightened recalling how he was all over her... the showers of love she received...like a dam burst...inundating her to the levels of brim over...and like a cascade that made her to revel in its currents.

Nidhi tries to disentangle herself from his arms...the moment he feels her movement...he tightens his hold...she mumbles, "Please!"

He turns to left holding her in his arms so that he can have a look at her face but she embraces him tight. Ashutosh easing his grip tries to pull her out, "please look at me"

Nidhi holds the top of duvet and flits in between them as soon as she moves out to look at him. Ashutosh looks at her in smirk...he kisses her forehead and gives a slight tug to the duvet...Nidhi quickly leaps back to him saying, "You are bad". He chuckles, "What a deference to show to your husband early morning"

She mock punches him, "What do you expect for your mischief"

He exclaims "Mischief!...hmn...I won't mind mischief for a mischief'

She retorts, "Hmn...I know"

After a moment she feels his fondle...his hands wandering on her body...She gasps, "Ashutosh!"

He twirls and crushes her softly under him... groaning, "Hmn"

"Please not this time"

Nuzzling her neck "Why?...hmn" She moans "Please"

Her please' makes him to raise himself on his elbows to look at her...she quickly places her one hand on his eyes and pulls the duvet using other... Ashutosh chuckles, "What's this Nidhi?"

"Please...let me go...we are very late"

"Take your hand away...you know what I can do"

"No! You won't...you are my sweet hubby"

Ashutosh chuckles again, "So my sweet wifey is allowing me to see"

"I'll if my hubby promises he won't turn naughty"

"Naughty?...he bends his head and removes her hand from his eyes... her hand in his he pecks her hand...what do you mean by naughty...if you mean this...then I can't help"...sinking his teeth into duvet he pulls the duvet but Nidhi was holding the duvet tightly she pleads... "please"

He raises his eyebrow and she narrows her eyes pleadingly...Ashutosh gives up...he always loved the way she narrowed her eyes asking for something...he can give his life for that one look...he cups her face and pecks at her eyes...then he closes his eyes and Nidhi stares at him amazingly... he gives a soft tug to duvet...Nidhi didn't know when her grip loosened on the duvet...she watches duvet slide from her chest...he had his eyes closed...he embraces her and lifts her up...he gets off the bed holding her in his arms and wraps them in a duvet...Nidhi looks stunningly at him...his eyes were gleaming with love when he looked at her...he walks upto the restroom door and releases her...shutting his eyes he utters "go"

Nidhi looks at him in wonder and reverence...she pecks his eyes and slips into restroom. Ashutosh opens his eyes and looks longingly at the restroom door...feeling the emptiness he hugs himself and moves to look out through window...taking the picturesque morning view of Dal lake...he smiles brightly at the morning sun...the wounds of loneliness were feeling salved... healing gradually he was feeling renewed.

He comes back to bed and takes his cell phone and makes a call to lucknow... that was answered by Hiraman Kaka.

"Hello Beta...How is Nidhi?"

Ashutosh looks at his phone with frown and answers him, "Kaka I'm on the phone...you don't want to know about me...and you are asking about Nidhi"

"No Beta you can take care of yourself...I want to know whether you're taking care of her or not"

Ashutosh smiles, "Great! In few days...just in few days...you are saying I can take care of myself and all you are concerned about is Nidhi...and why she can't take care of herself"

Hiraman Kaka: "I don't know...where is she?"

Ashutosh chuckles, "She is getting ready...where is Baba?"

Hiraman Kaka passes the phone to Baba and he answers, "How are you Ashu? How's Nidhi?"

"Baba I'm fine...but I understand...you also want to know about Nidhi"

Baba chuckles, "You remember what you used to say whenever we're concerned about you...Baba imitates him I can take care of myself'... now are you feeling jealous"

"Why would I be jealous of your daughter-in-law?"

Baba chuckles, "Hmn...I can smell"

Ashutosh enquires about Baba's health and hangs up the phone. He then calls Col. Verma...after a brief chat his eyes catch Nidhi in a bath robe taking her clothes from the closet...his eyes get stuck...he ends the call...forgetting about the duvet that was covering him...he gets up...the duvet slips off his shoulders and he gets aware and catches duvet at his torso...his eyes glued on Nidhi he walks upto her and takes her in a back hug...wrapping the duvet around her.

"What is this?"

He takes in a deep breath...taking in her fresh fragrance, "You smell tasty" and starts nuzzling her neck.

"Stop it! Go and get ready"

"Hmn...let me taste you first"

She retorts, "No!" extricating herself she pushes him towards restroom and asks, "Go and get ready"

He plops on couch, "I'm not going...till I get something that can help me spend ten minutes without you...you know shrugging his shoulders"

Nidhi shakes her head resignedly and comes near him and pecks at his lips and flees from there saying, "Now go"

He holds his tongue in cheek and giving her a sidelong look he moves to take his shower.

After a while he comes out...as usual in his towel...if Nidhi lost herself seeing the smashing form of her husband...Ashutosh was dazed to see his Nidhi in jeans and a top...her hair tied in a ponytail. Nidhi was first to break their eye lock...she turns to do what she was busy with...searching for her mangalsutra...she picks her earrings, rings but couldn't find that...she turns to ask him about mangalsutra but finds him rooted where he was standing...looking at her he gestures her to come near him and she assents...resting his arms on her shoulders he tickles her with his wet hair and asks, "Why have you tied your hair?"

Goosing her he pulls her to himself and she stifles and gives a wide eyed expression, "Leave me!" he brushes his lips to her and mutters, "Can't stay a minute without you...and what can I do when you look so beautiful...I'm bound to lose my senses"

"I know...leave me now...we are getting late...we have to leave" while she spoke his mouth was on her.

"Can't we stay here...motioning towards bed...there that's the best place to be...I swear"

In a smirk Nidhi answers, "Yes" he was puzzled to hear her yes but his face falls when she continues, "You can stay here" she pushes him and flees to search her mangalsutra. He gives her a sidelong look and answers, "you think I can stay alive"

Nidhi gets angry and throws pillow at him, "How many times I told you not to say such words"

He whispers looking at her, "Sorry"

In a huff she turns and gets back to her job. He walks up to her...back hugs her and mumbles a sorry again...she doesn't relent in same angry tone she asks, "Where is my mangalsutra?"

Giving an innocent look "How do I know?"

She turns and looks at him...still in huff, "who took that off?"

"I don't know...I mean...I don't remember" She gives him a resigned look and turns to move...but he grabs her arm...in a breathy voice he continues, "If you can help me remember...may be... I can recall if I do that again...you know"

"No I don't...and don't worry I've another one...I can wear that"...giving him a determined look... "Are you going to stay in towel whole day?"

He shrugs his shoulders, "What can I do...my wife is not helping me"

She turns and moves towards closet and he follows her...she offers him clothes and he wears...his tee...jeans and a warm sweater...then he grabs her in his arms...she was still in huff...trying to smooth her anger he whispers, "I said I'm sorry...please hug me Nidhi...please!...don't blame me if I repeat those words" she takes a deep breath and raises her hands and hugs him tightly...after a while he pulls her out and takes her lips...when he releases her lips...Nidhi feels her hair open...she gives a stunned look to him and he winks in response...tweaking her cheek he utters, "let us have our breakfast we are getting late"

"What? Now we are getting late?" She looks at him baffled but he moves to living room and straightening her hair she follows him...when she passes him...he pulls her and she slumps into his lap...caging her in, he smirks and she pouts...raising his one eyebrow he smoothers her pout with his smooch and then feeds her breakfast... and in same stance they have breakfast feeding each other.

After having breakfast Ashutosh pecks her lips and asks, "Where are we going now?" his hands slip inside her sweater...she arches her neck at his touch and Ashutosh's eyes catch the mark on her neck...he quickly takes his one hand out and softly caresses the mark.

"Jaan did I hurt you?"

Nidhi gives him a questioning look...noticing what he was caressing she shakes her head shyly and answers, "Can love hurt?"

He pulls her to him...flings the top of her dress and pecks the mark followed by a slobbery kiss. Their eyes were passionately gleaming when they looked at each other. Ashutosh trails her lips and mutters in a breathy voice, "I love you"

Nidhi mumbles, "Love you too...shall we move now?"

He shakes his head...looking intensely at her...their eyes locked... he asks, "You don't want your mangalsutra"

Her eyes gleaming in love...responding to his intense stare...she shakes her head and utters, "I've another one"

He raises his eyebrow, "Really?"

She flaunts the pendant he gave her on morning after their wedding night...he smiles and pecks the pendant on her chest bone...she gasps...he looks at her and fastens her mangalsutra around her neck, "Love both your mangalsutras" he kisses the other one too...and she hugs him tightly.

They were in cab moving towards the Cheshmashahi garden...Nidhi in child like innocence was watching the scenic beauty on the way...and Ashutosh's eyes were on her face...feeling his eyes she asks in a whisper, "Why don't you look at the beauty outside?"

He returns a meaningful glance and she turns her face towards the window...he smiles...snaking his arm around her he asks... "These chinars (sycamore) look beautiful".

Nidhi answers, "Hmn...You feel so cool under their shade during scorching heat...they offer the solace whoever sits under their shade"

You know there is proverb here that says... "Some have wives like a shady chinar, let us go under it and cool ourselves"

Ashutosh: "I don't know about chinars but wives are shady and soothing to the soul"

Nidhi smiles at him in love...when they reach near the move that turns towards Cheshmashahi garden...driver asks them, "would you like to visit Botonical garden here"

Nidhi answers, "No! On our way back" and driver moves ahead.

Nidhi exclaims, "These gardens are a bliss in summers...I wish we could come here during summers"

Ashutosh answers, "Why not?"

She responds excitedly, "Really?"

Ashutosh nods, "Yes I want to see whole world with you...anew"

She knew what he meant by anew" she winks in understanding.

The moment they got off the cab...Ashutosh holds her hand...she smiles feeling protected in her husband's presence...they climb the flight of stairs that takes them to the garden area... the design of the garden, similar to other Kashmiri gardens, is a version of a traditional Persian garden that has been modified to fit the steep site. Because of the site's topography and the limited options for flowing water...its water only run in one direction...from top to bottom...instead of a flat ground plane, the garden is composed of three terraced planes. An axial water channel runs the length of the garden, from the spring source on the third terrace to a five-fountain-pool on the first terrace.

Chashma Shahi ("Royal Spring") received its name from its water source...a spring located on its uppermost terrace. The garden, one of the smaller Kashmiri gardens around Dal Lake, is found on the southeastern side of the lake. Chashma Shahi is found just to the north of Pari Mahal...a garden palace...and south of the Nishat Bagh...another Mughal garden.

At the top of the stairs...they reach a gate that controls the access to the garden. Passing through the gate they enter the first terrace...Ashutosh watches mesmerizingly ...a square five-fountain-pool receiving water from the second terrace by means of a steep water ramp that transfers water between garden terraces. (The fountain-pool is centered... a base for a Kashmiri baradari on the third terrace that encloses the spring..."baradari" literally means "twelve doors," from the Persian summerhouses with twelve archways to let in breezes, it also indicates a garden pavilion)

Nidhi exclaims, "Isn't that beautiful"

Ashutosh having his eyes on the flowing water nods his head.

They take another flight of stairs to reach the second terrace...they stroll the garden area and watch the city from that height...on the second terrace...the water channel carrying the water from the spring on the third terrace...to the fountain pool...looks equally mesmerizing...they lock a few moments in their camera.

At the end of second terrace...two flights of stairs...take them to the third terrace...where the water spring is surrounded by a two-story baradari. They enter the baradari and taste the most delicious spring water with medicinal values...where the spring sprouts...and flows water down to the terraces. Ashutosh sprinkles some water on Nidhi's face...but regrets when seeing the water on her face resemble a rose showered in oasis...the oasis he so wished to taste...but can't.

Nishi seeing him mesmerized looks at him questioningly and he silently shakes his head.

They hand in hand, walk the garden area of third terrace...watch the beautiful dal lake...and the dargah they visited together yesterday from the heights of Cheshmashahi garden. After clicking lot of pictures they turn to see the Pari Mahal'..."The Palace of Fairies".

After five minutes they reach the Pari Mahal garden...nestled in the bosom of Zabarwan mountain and majestically overlooking the Dal Lake this beautiful Fairy Palace of Kashmir in Srinagar was a place worth enjoying and experiencing. Once dotted with numerous springs, which have dried up now, Ashutosh and nidhi love to visit the seven terraced garden.

Ashutosh observes, "One needs lot of time to visit this place".

Nidhi answers, "Hmn...a day for one garden...and you have to see the gardens changing colours in every season...presenting different views in summer, autumn, winter and spring... and at evening...the Pari Mahal looks bedazzling with radiant lights at night."

Ashutosh smiles, "Your nose has frozen...you think you can come here at night"

He holds her snugly offering her the warmth and they leave the garden. On the way Ashutosh asks her, "Would you like to have some coffee"

She nods and he smiles, "So you are feeling cold"

She touches the cold fingers to his cheek...and he looks fondly at her...he grabs her hands and places at his midriff under his jacket...she gives him a pop eyed look gesturing towards the driver and he winks and straightens his jacket having her hands beneath.

They stopped near a restaurant to have some coffee...but as it was lunch time Ashutosh thought it fit to order lunch...Nidhi agreed readily...Ashutosh smiles and asks, "feeling hungry?"

She shrugs her shoulders and he responds, "I feel a lot hungry...but alas my food can't be served here"

She gives him a pop eyed look, "Don't you think...you are turning more and more shameless day by day"

He shrugs his shoulders and mumbles, "Who's to blame?"

Nidhi shakes her head and the waiter comes to take their order. Nidhi asks, "So what would you like to have?"

He looks at her in a meaningful glint...she lowers her eyes...and orders their lunch without waiting for his answer...he holds tongue in his cheek but Nidhi concentrates on ordering lunch...for starters she orders... Nadur Churma' and for main course... Dum Aaloo'... Nadur Yakhini' and Rajma' with rice, nan, curd and veg raita...and for dessert she ordered shufta'...and the waiter left.

Ashutosh chuckles, "What did you order Nidhi?...do you even know what the dishes are"

Nidhi smiles and answers, "You forgot...I've been here and rest assured you would love to have your lunch"

Ashutosh raises his eyebrows...she shakes her head and pouts. Ashutosh chuckles and mumbles, "Okay I'm sorry...now explain what you have ordered...what this Nadur means?"

"The lotus stems"

"Okay! And what you ordered in dessert... Shufta"

"Dry fruits cooked in sugary syrup with added saffron"

"Hmn...good for winter cold"

They have lunch...talking about the kashmiri food...the kashmiri spices. They stole chances to feed each other. Ashutosh loved Nadur yakhini' and the dessert...and Nidhi made a point to ask someone about the recipe...so that she can make for him in lucknow.

After having lunch...Nidhi asks Ashutosh, "Where are we going now?"

"Any where you wish...you can take me... my love"

She stares him and he asks, "What? I really mean?" she smiles and locks her arm in his...walking arm in arm they move towards the cab to see the Nishat (Garden of Bliss) and Shalimar gardens (Abode of Love).

Nishat Bagh an adaptation of the traditional Persian four gardens. The four gardens take its inspiration from the Quranic description of heaven as having four rivers, of wine, honey, milk, and water. The traditional four gardens are uniformly shaped, with a water source in its center and four radiating streams which divide the garden into four sections. Similar to other gardens in the Dal Lake region, Nishat Bagh is not located on flat ground. The typical four gardens design had to be altered to fit the site's topography, as the source of water shifted from the traditional center of the square garden to the highest point of the garden. In this manner, one axial stream is emphasized and the other streams are minimized.

Ashutosh exclaims, "Truly this is called heaven...Nidhi we'll come to see this heaven in summer"

The central water stream flows down from the top of the garden through a channel decorated with fountains and occasionally divided into fountain pools.

Nidhi excitedly responds, "Yes I would love to take picture in this water fountain...how beautifully these stone ramps are engraved with wave patterns"

Ashutosh answers, "Hmn...they make the flowing water more beautiful...and they also help transfer water between the various terraces"

Nidhi yells, "Look at the stone benches crossing the water stream near the ramp...let us sit on them and click some snaps"

Ashutosh agrees and they take the help of photographer in the garden. Nidhi takes pictures wearing the kashmiri head cover...Ashutosh was lost in her antics and her fervent lively attitude towards everything around her.

By the time they explored twelve terraced garden...it was four in the evening...Ashutosh makes her to hurry, "Let us move Nidhi...we have to see the Shalimar garden as well...we are getting late"

"What's the fun of coming here...if you come and leave without enjoying being here"

"I won't mind if you give up seeing other places"

"No! I can't"

Ashutosh chuckles shaking his head, "Okay let us move then"

Nidhi enters the garden and exclaims, "Shalimar...the abode of love"

Ashutosh grabs her arm and locks in his and answers, "You need to know love to understand this beauty" he silently watches the garden and his heart continues this would have been meaningless without you Nidhi.

The garden rectangular in shape...is not located directly on the lake shore, it is connected to Lake Dal by a long canal, and the formal approach to the garden is through this canal. Similar to other mughal gardens it adapts four gardens to the mountainous topography by emphasizing the central water channel; and the source of water shifts from the center of the garden to its highest point. Thus the central water canal of the garden forms its main axis, uniting the three terraces with their regularly placed fountains and chinar (sycamore) tree-lined vistas. Beginning at the top of the garden, the canal runs through each of the pavilions in the garden.

A black marble throne surrounded by water cascades forms the central feature of the garden where the emperor held his daily court.

Ashutosh and Nidhi after strolling the garden sit near the cascades...Nidhi rests her head on his shoulder...and he steals a chance to peck at her head...silently watching the cascades falling against a low fall with small niches...Nidhi enlightens him, "Earlier these niches held oil lamps...now they hold these pots of flowers...so that their colors reflect behind the flowing water"

Nidhi recites words aptly described by a chronicler glowingly:

"A subtle air of leisure and repose, a romantic indefinable spell, pervades the royal Shalimar: this leafy garden of dim vistas, shallow terraces, smooth sheets of falling water, and wide canals, with calm reflections broken only by the stepping stones across the streams."

Ashutosh holds her snugly...feeling the presence of his love...in the Abode of love.

Zubin Mehta and Abhay Sopori concert in Shalimar Garden

Nidhi feels chill as the day was nearing dusk...he wraps his arm around her and makes her to stand up and together they move out of the garden and take the cab.

Thank you...vaada nibhaya..

Superb update.. I want to visit Kashmir today itself..

Originally posted by: deepa17

Thank you...vaada nibhaya..

be back in the afternoon once work is done..

Thank you...this is for you (Garden of bliss)

Me Second

thanks for update. will read it ASAP