"Anika, don't worry. We will wait."
Shivaay moved to hold on to Anika's arm and he smiled. His smile spread out the assurance he wanted her to feel. "Till we get comfortable..." Leaving her arm, he added. Much relief! She nodded, relaxing at his words. She did not even know him properly. Getting intimate with him today, could never have been a pleasant experience for him, she knew but she of course, wasn't going to voice it out for the sake of her family reputation and the advices her mother had filled in her ears before biding a bye to her.
She, for a change did not have much dreams about her love life because she hadn't really given a thought to it so far and who had thought she would get married at the age of twenty one when she was yet studying. It was her Grandma's wish to see her marriage. Doctors had clearly told them, her Grandma might just not have much time with them more. Though nothing had been diagnosis but the age sickness can be it. Anika being the only daughter of their house, could not refuse to the wish of the person, she loved so dearly. Shivaay was the son of Oberoi's, business partner of Raichands. Despite of that, Shivaay and Anika hadn't met earlier, both being allergic to the parties. Oberoi's and Raichand's were planning to tie their kids in a relationship from long but they did not know, the time will come so soon.
Shivaay had visited Anika's home along with his parents to see her and that was it. Anika had already decided to say yes, not caring about, who the person was, trusting her parents entirely but with Shivaay, the case was slightly different. Strangely he felt an altogether different pull from her. Something in her instantly connected him with her. He was yet to find out, what it was but there something surely was. She was beautiful, undoubtedly but that just couldn't be it.
He has had seen a plenty of pretty girls in his life till then, but he hadn't felt attracted towards anyone the way he was, towards her... at least not that deep. Love at first sight' thing wasn't even in the back of his mind as he had firm opinion about that to be an impossible thing but he had left thinking over it at that time followed by his yes' for the marriage. They got married in a day, after that.
"I'll just change." She pulled out a Saree from her bag, informing him. "Washroom is there." He pointed towards the front and she nodded in acknowledgement.
He went near his cupboard to take out casual clothes for him. He thought changing in the room was a nice option when Anika was changing in the washroom. Slipping the T-Shirt in his neck, he adjusted it properly and he turned to put his clothes back when his gaze stopped at Anika, who just stepped out of the washroom, clad in a light blue Saaree. For a moment, he forgot to breathe. Her wet hairs, simple attire made her look so elegant that he couldn't stop wondering if he had seen such a natural beauty in his life. "You look beautiful."
First complement from her husband! She lowered her gaze, a pinkish blush rising from her neck to cheeks. "Thank you." She moved to the dressing table to dry her hairs, avoiding his gaze which was making her conscious.
"Ah, I did not realize earlier. Won't Saree get a little uncomfortable for you? I mean you should have wore something you are comfortable in. I don't think you wore Saree's at your home, did you?" Sitting on the bed, he glanced at her who looked back at him through the mirror.
"Of course not. I like Saree's but wearing them often can be a risky task." She giggled off making him laugh as well. "Uh I am married now, so I need to think according to that. Not everyone will appreciate their DIL roaming around in PJ's, you know." She had gone back to setting her hairs leaving him, thinking over her statement. She had a valid point. Though his family was quite open-minded but he wasn't sure about their reaction if he imagines his wife running around in PJ's. He thought for a while before he told her that he would talk to his mother, the next day to know if she had a problem with it but Anika quickly showed her denial about doing that.
"That would not seem nice. I have just entered this home and if you ask anything like this, I dont know. It will make things awkward unnecessarily, Shivaay. Let it be for now. We'll see later." She shrugged it off but he was still thinking about the same.
"At least, do you have PJ's with you?" He asked, doubting the possibility. Somehow, he knew that she hadn't brought any of that stuff.
"Why would I bring something, I know I won't be wearing?" She voiced out the obvious and he murmured, "So predictable.'
"I am sorry?" She pretended to have had not heard when she had. He could see her forehead stretching in a slight frown and he couldn't help but found it adorable. "You heard right. I mean, why would you sacrifice your habits, likings, comforts and the life you have been living so far for your husband? Who has just jumped in your picture? You are married and I am your husband... not ruler."
She was smiling right from his first word. He won her heart, in that moment touching the deepest of her soul.
"So, did you just say that I should not change the life I have been living so far?" She did not know how but she was getting comfortable with him.
"Absolutely." He rose on his feet with confidence.
"Then why am I living here, leaving my old life? I should be in my Dad's home, no?"
"Uh oh..."
She kept her fingers on her lips to suppress her grin seeing him fumbling adorably. "Okay Okay Relax. I was just kidding." Letting out the laughter she was holding back, she raised her hands, giving up.
He sighed. But wait, she wasn't wrong, was she? "You are right Anika but sadly this is how we Indians move but today, I promise you one thing. You will not have to change everything. I'll take you, your home whenever you want... even every day if you say. I promise."
To say she was stunned to hear him speaking so earnestly would be an understatement. The sincerity and honesty his voice held, made her adore the kind of person he was. Though it would be too early but she was already falling for him, she thought. She pressed her lips together, giving a long stare to him.
Getting into the bed, he asked her to join him and sleep. She had given in, without a word. The day had been tiring for her as well, physically and mentally as well. Though she wasn't showing anything but the fact was, she was missing her family a lot, especially her Grandma, she was most attached to but then, this was what her Grandma wanted. She was just respecting her wish. Her heart was caught up with her family's thoughts, if her Grandma was well or not. She picked up her phone and dialled her mother's number.
She walked up to the window and leaned on to the wall staring outside at the moon. "Hello Maa. How is everyone? How is Dadi?" Anika spoke almost whispering. "Hmm... Okay. Good Night Maa. Take care." Disconnecting the call, she went and sat on the bed.
He was observing her silently. He straightened himself, and slipped beside her. "What happened?" She shook her head negatively. He shifted closer, taking her hand softly in his. "You can share with me. I am your friend, am I not?"
Her eyes misted at that. "I can't sleep without saying good night' to my Dadi. And when I called Mom now, she said Dadi has slept. Things change so fast, don't they?"
His heart pained at her sadness. She was upset and it made him restless. "It will be fine. I'll take you, there tomorrow." Unknowingly he was caressing her hand with his thumb. She wiped a lone tear which escaped from her eye, blinking at him. He felt nothing but helpless. He made her lay down on the bed and he did, on the other side after covering her with the duvet. She had closed her eyes and fallen asleep in no time. He wasn't expecting that being a new place for her. Probably it was the comfort he made her feel or the affection he showered her with, worked for her. He kept staring at her, turning on his side until he fell asleep.
This was just one day. There were many more to come in the journey of their life. Some will be happy days while some, stressful. Some will be peaceful days while some, frustrating. They could not be predicted definitely, but one thing was certain which wasn't going to change and that was his support for her. That night, he promised himself to stand by her side no matter what and how circumstances get. That night, he vowed to protect her from every hurt which would dare to step in her ways. That night, he assured her sleeping figure to adore her with everything she deserves.
Indian Premier League
Anupamaa
