After a few moments of staring fondly at the two women sitting on the couch, Aman cleared his throat. Parvati and Pia gasped and turned their attention to the doorway where they saw their husbands standing. Rudra and Aman strode over and sat down on the chairs opposite one another, next to the couch that the two women were sitting on. It was when they sat down that Aman saw what the two women were doing.
"Mehendi?" he said teasingly. "Really?"
Pia immediately became defensive, "Yes, Aman. Why? Can she not wear mehendi?"
"She's a new bride. Why shouldn't she? You just needed an excuse to practice mehendi again."
"I never need an excuse, and Parvati was eager to have me do so."
While Aman was busy teasing Pia, Rudra's eyes were only on Parvati as she was staring at her hands, as if in deep thought. Her hands were covered with intricate flowers and patterns that clearly personified who she was. The gentle smile on her face as she observed her hands made him wonder what she was thinking about. Before he could ask, Aman addressed him.
"So when is VK Singh saab expecting you to start working?" he asked.
Parvati looked at Rudra, "Did you get the job?"
Rudra nodded before looking at Aman and replying, "First thing Monday morning."
"What are you doing?" Parvati asked.
Aman answered for him, "Rudra is doing security detail for my boss, VK Singh. Actually mainly for his wife, Geetanjali ma'am."
Recalling the name, Pia's eyes lit up, "Oh Geetanjali ma'am. She's so nice. Parvati, when Aman and I first shifted here to Lucknow, she was the first person who took me around to get used to the town!"
"Well VK Singh saab is tightening up on his security detail," Aman said. "I'm not sure why. Whatever the case may be, it got Rudra a job."
Parvati sat quietly and listened as Aman continued discussing what Rudra would be doing. With each detail, she realized how perfect the job was for Rudra. Apparently, with Singh saab's job being very high end, his wife's life is at risk. Rudra has to guard Singh saab's wife for eight hours of the day to make sure no harm comes to her. Knowing his past, protecting and guarding was something that was natural for him...so was torturing and killing. But this was a new Rudra, one that had no connection to his past. She quietly made a silent prayer to Bholenath, hoping that all goes well with the new job.
The evening consisted of the two couples conversing and getting to know one another. It turned out that both couples had similar experiences, which made it much easier for them to empathize with one another. Parvati and Rudra had agreed not to disclose their past to Aman and Pia. They didn't want to involve them in their dark past in fear that it could return to haunt them.
Pia and Parvati seemed to hit it off immediately. Aman was similar to Rudra in that it took time for him to trust people. Rudra could see that he had barriers when it came to his life and wife, much like his own. Although Aman never stated what he did for a living, Rudra could tell that the man had seen things that gave him justifiable reasons to be so on guard and protective. Rudra, who had a difficult time trusting people, found himself easily able to talk to Aman and Pia. While Aman didn't speak much, Pia continuously spoke. While she was outgoing, he was reserved. While he remained indifferent, she went through an array of emotions. Rudra wondered how the two of them were a couple, since they were polar opposites. But then he just had to look at Paro to realize that they were no different from the couple before him.
It was during Pia's conversation that a thought crossed Aman's mind. He turned to the Rudra and asked, "I just realized this, but you don't speak of your parents. Are they here in Lucknow as well?"
Parvati could sense Rudra stiffen at the question. It had taken her so long to get through to him and have him open up to her. They had agreed not to mention Tejawat or their bitter past, but Paro wasn't sure if Rudra was willing or ready to share his pain with anyone other than her. As if looking for assurance, he looked at her, silently questioning if he should answer with his eyes. In response, she gave a small nod. In that nod, Paro reassured him that they were among family and they would understand the pain.
Rudra looked at Aman and said in a vulnerable voice, "My parents died when I was ten in a fire. I've been living alone ever since. Until I met Paro."
Aman felt bad for bringing up the topic, but he hadn't expected that answer. He had just assumed that Rudra and Parvati lived separately from their in-laws. Little did he know that they just weren't together, just like him and his family. He looked to Pia, who understood the regret he was feeling. He gestured her to help salvage the conversation before it took a dark turn.
In a soft, mature voice, Pia spoke, "Rudra, I'm sorry for your loss. Really. I can understand your pain. I wish I could say there was something I could do to ease your pain, but I know that's not possible in any way. Believe me, I don't want to lie to you and give you false hope. But I will be honest when I tell you that from today, you and Parvati aren't alone. You have Aman and me. Just think of us as your family."
Rudra looked at Pia emotionally.
She laughed, "I know we aren't the best choice. I mean, look at us. We are a very...unique couple. But I can assure you that we have a lot of love to give, and once you are a part of our family there's no turning back. We protect you with our lives and love you even after we die. Like I told Parvati, as long as you have us here, you will never be alone."
At this point, all Rudra could do was nod. He was beyond choked up by Pia's words. The woman was younger than both he and Paro, but she spoke with a wisdom beyond her years. Even as Aman affirmed her speech, Rudra couldn't help but look at the two of them and then at Parvati, whose eyes glimmered with unshed tears. In that moment, he knew that they were feeling the same thing: they had finally found a family.
It was night when Rudra and Parvati decided it was time to leave. However, before they were allowed to go, Pia insisted that Paro wash off her mehendi so she could see how dark the color was. Rudra didn't understand why she was so eager until Pia explained that it's said the darker the mehendi, the more your husband loves you. After hearing this Rudra was interested in seeing how dark the color turned out, although he knew that he never needed evidence to show how much he loved Paro. As Parvati went into the bathroom, Pia waited impatiently while Aman was teasing Rudra, who was waiting for Paro to appear in the hall. Aman joked with him, saying that when he found out about the meaning behind the ritual, he was also interested to see how dark his wife's mehendi was.
When Parvati came out, she had this stunned look on her face. Pia was the first to notice it and became worried.
"Parvati," she said. "Are you okay?"
Rudra and Aman then turned to see Parvati walking up to them. She hadn't responded to Pia. Instead, she was staring at her hands. Aman glanced at Paro's hands.
"I thought you were going to go wash your mehendi off?" Aman asked.
Parvati looked up and smiled, "...I did."
Everyone's jaws dropped as they realized that she had, in fact, washed off the mehendi. The three people practically ran up to her and examined her hands. The color was so dark that it didn't even look red. It was almost black! It was as if she hadn't washed her hands in the first place.
"Wow," Pia exclaimed. "It looks so beautiful! And it's only the first day! It should get darker by tomorrow."
"It really is beautiful," Paro replied. "Thank you so much for doing it."
"Don't mention it. I can't believe how dark it turned out! My wedding mehendi was dark...but not this dark."
Sensing what Pia was implying, Aman looked at her innocently, "I swear there was something wrong with the mehendi that the mehendi lady had!"
The conversation was all a huge blur to Rudra. His entire being was focused on Parvati's hands, which were extended out for him to see. He knew he loved her, and knew the depth, but it was surprising to see how dark the mehendi turned out. He didn't think it was possible for it to be so dark. The fragrance of her hands intoxicated him. His thumb rubbed her palm gently. He looked up at her to see her smiling like a child who had just gotten their favorite sweets. He knew that Paro didn't need proof, but the deep color was beautiful and the way it adorned her hands made her truly feel like a newlywed bride...his bride.
~
That night, Rudra's urge to make love to his wife heightened. The minute they had walked into their home he had swept her off her feet and carried her to the bedroom. Paro turned beet red and continued to call him names such as jallad' and besharam', but that did nothing but her a hearty laugh from him. She dug her face in his chest. It was the first time she had seen him laugh so freely. He was truly happy today. Even as they kissed, she could feel the smile playing on his lips. The romantic smile never faded, not even as he removed the sari off of her like he was unwrapping a present, not even when he laid her down and began kissing her everywhere, and not even when she sensuously whispered that his mustache tickled her.
His hands trailed down her arms. The fresh smell of the mehendi was filling the room, bringing Rudra's desires to new levels. Today, he couldn't take his time and neither did she want him to. His touch was igniting flames in its path to a point where she couldn't control herself anymore. With him off guard, Parvati used all her strength to push him down on the bed and roll on top of him. She copied his ministrations as her hands traveled his body followed by her lips. Rudra groaned in response. He was too stunned by her confidence. He had never expected her to be so bold. It must be the fragrance of the mehendi; he would definitely have to make Paro adorn her hands with it more. Hell, he'd bathe himself in it if it got a response like this out of her! Knowing that if she continued he would break, Rudra pinned her back down on the bed and claimed her as his.
During the aftermath of their heated lovemaking session, Rudra held Paro's hand in his and stared at it again. Pia was right, the color did darkened, if that was even possible. Now that he had her to himself, Rudra observed each pattern and design on every inch of her hand, right down to her fingers. Parvati, who was laying next to him wrapped in the colorful bed sheet, had a feeling of solace as she laid beside her husband. She blushed as she was being so intently observed. As he gazed at her hand, a smile crept on her face as she suddenly remembered something.
"Have you found your name?" Parvati asked.
Rudra looked at her, "What are you talking about?"
"Pia wrote your name somewhere on my hand."
"Is that normal?"
Paro nodded, "You always write your husband's name on your hand."
Rudra smiled. Every time she called him her husband, his heart begins to thump loudly against his chest.
She extended both her hands to him, "Look for it."
"And what do I get if I find it?"
"Anything."
He raised his eyebrow, "Anything?"
She hesitated a little, unsure about the mischievous gleam that sparkled in Rudra's eyes, "...Anything."
Rudra practically jumped at the challenge. The fact that Paro had said anything made his mind whirl with thoughts about what he could have her do. She had no idea that she made a deal with the devil. However, the naughty glint in his eyes was enough to tell her that she maybe shouldn't have blurted out anything'. Rudra was now determined to find his name on her hands and redeem his prize. His keen eye seemed to blinded by the thought of the reward because he was having a difficult time finding his name. The smile eventually turned into a frown of frustration as, after twenty minutes, he was unable to find his name. After thirty minutes of endless searching, Parvati knew he wasn't going to find it. He was just too stubborn to give up or admit defeat.
She teased him, "Do you have any plans on finding your name today?"
Rudra glared at her, "My name isn't anywhere on your hands. I'm just searching for nothing."
"No, it's on my hand. I watched Pia write it. I told her where to put it."
"Oh really? Show me."
"Does that mean you give up?"
"No! I just think you're lying to me."
"Do you really think I would lie to you, Rudra?"
His eyes softened as the frown faded, "No, you won't lie...okay...I give up. Now show me where it is."
Parvati pointed to her left ring finger, "Right there."
It was then Rudra found his name written on her hand. He looked at her slightly confused, "Why did you have Pia write it there?"
"Because the nerve in this finger is the only nerve that is directly linked to the heart."
"So?"
Parvati caressed his face, "So...it's my way of writing your name on my heart...because it belongs to you."
Rudra was left in awe by her words. His hand held hers which was caressing his face so tenderly. This woman before him never ceased to amaze him. Rudra wondered what great deed he had done in a past life to have gotten a woman like Parvati in this life. As if on instinct, he leaned forward and kissed her lips softly before letting his forehead touch hers. No matter how many times he made love to her, the intimacy of these small acts meant more to him than anything. It was something that gave him comfort. Something that gave him that little assure that she really was there with him as his wife.
"I love you Paro," he said confidently.
"I love you too," she replied.
"I promise you that our lives will be good here. We won't ever have to hide or look over our shoulders. We're free here. We can live here, together, peacefully."
"I know. I already feel it."
She made a bold move and kissed him. Parvati knew that Rudra was telling her this, not to reassure her, but to assure himself that everything was going to be okay. Everything had been going well so far and there was a part of him that feared that it would all be destroyed any second now. She knew that she would have to eliminate this doubt and there was no other way than to show him by being by his side. They could live freely without worrying about Tejawat because he would never find them. They were safe and had nothing or no one to fear. Lucknow was a fresh start...a rebirth for both of them. A new Rudra and Parvati were born the minute they had left Chandangarh. Parvati would have to make him see that this was just the beginning of their beautiful journey together. This...was the beginning of forever.
**********
Haayee! So sweet! Tell me what you think by leaving your comments and feedback below.
Next update: One year leap! Yay!
Thanks for reading!
