Bare feet came to a stop on cool marble floor, and not for the first time did Anandi wonder just how the time had gone by so fast.
How in less than seven months ….the time had bought in front of her, what she has figured was destiny.
Her hand rested against the doorframe of the balcony as a cool breeze blew her Lehenga around her legs; Shiv had left the door open when he had ventured out under the star speckled sky, so only the worn screen door stood in her way.
The celebration and revelry hadn't tapered off for the rest of families of Singhs & Shekhars, but it had just begun for Anandi. Her time spent with Shiv had been too personal.,, too close to her heart, and it remained too fresh in her mind to even consider sitting down to watch the fireworks that exploded in the distance.,
It remained too fresh in her mind and gazing at the figure standing in the balcony…looking at the beauty of the night., and the full moon hanging some where between the zenith and the horizon…..she thought she wasn't the only one.
The screen door snapped shut, as she stepped out from the protective embrace of the room , wrapping her arms around her midsection as tentative steps were taken. He gave no indication he had heard her approach as his eyes stayed firmly focused on the distance., If he was focusing on anything at all.
He turned suddenly to stare at her, his dark brown eyes making her smile inwardly, those eyes would always remind her of that man who saved her life and stole her heart.
He turned away from her again, but there was an unspoken invitation in his silence, an invitation she felt gently warming her as she rested her hands on the railing of the balcony, standing beside him.
The wind is quite chilly and Anandi shivered a little as she gazed into the distant sky, the stars taking her mind back several months.
"Hum andar chale….aapko thand lag raha hoga…"Shiv enquired., already sensing her reaction to the chilly breeze.
He was staring at her with a sort of determination she wasn't sure how to categorize,
Her mouth opened to answer him, but Anandi felt herself trailing off to silence as she stared back at Shiv. He was looking at her earnestly as her face shone in the in the moonlight, yet Anandi didn't feel as cold as she should have. Her eyes dropped from Shiv's gaze to the distant scene, fingers running through the cold railing as she fought to keep her composure.
"Anandi..?" …aapne..kuch kaha nahi..? his voice implored.
His voice trickled off, shoulders rotating in a shrug as Shiv looked down to the ground, becoming enamored at the railing. In the moonlight, Anandi studied the line of his jaw, eyes moving onto his lips. They were pursed, almost as if he were annoyed at something , and instinctively Anandi reached out to place her hand onto his, trapping it against the railing. It felt like a second, but slowly Shiv's hand turned over and his fingers interlaced with hers, his eyes lifting to reach hers.
His eyes searched hers hungrily, and Anandi understood instantly. He was, in his own way, seeking the reassurance he had given her; that there is still a lot of joy to come in their lives.
"Jee haa...hamare khushiyon ka abhi toh ye shuruwaath hai…"she said with a soft smile.
"aap mujhe samjhaane ki koshish kar rahe hai…?"- he asked sheepishly.
"Haa..shayad hum dono ko….." – Anandi answered with a blush.
"All right." he nodded.
They stood in silence again, this time their hands intertwined until Anandi let out a yawn, ducking her head in embarrassment.
"aapko neend aaraha hai…chaliye…sojayenge…" – Shiv said with a hint of concern in his voice.
"Haan..Magar…" just as she was about to complete her sentence…
He was smiling down at her, with a silly grin across his features that made her giggle… . His finger pressed against her lips quickly, giving her a silencing look as she grimaced and shrugged
His finger had slipped from her lips, and Anandi took the opportunity to reach up on her toes to press those lips against Shiv's cheek, silencing him for the moment. Where the boldness came from,Anandi wasn't sure, as she broke the contact and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, meeting Shiv's gaze.
Pulling back once again, she took a deep breath and shifted on her feet.
There was no doubt in either of them anymore as to what they were, or there was a doubt about what the future was going to be like.
Anandi nodded and gave Shiv's hand a squeeze, taking a breath. They were going to get through this together, and nothing was going to change that.
"Hum dono…saath me…humara ek nayi zindagi banayenge…"she said with determination in her voice.
"Isi liye..maine aapko jeetha hai…Anandi…"Shiv re affirmed.
His lips pecked her cheek; the tall man suddenly shy as her hand dropped.
They looked at each other for a moment, staring deeply into one another's eyes, neither of them feeling the need to look away. Finally, the realization hit them. They were alone…. more alone than they had been in weeks, more alone than they had been since they had so needed to be alone.
Shiv opened his mouth to speak, not knowing what to say, but knowing something must be said. He wanted to tell her everything that was in his heart: how much he loved her, how much he wanted her, how much he needed her.
He suddenly felt like the time had come, and somehow he just knew that she felt the same way. He could see it in her eyes. He could feel it in her touch.
Anandi brought a finger to his lips.
"aap please kuch mat boliye…hum andar chalenge..."- she said.
Shiv smiled … took her hand and entwined it with his as he escorted her to the bed room. He was nervous … but he was excited too, as he would soon be holding Anandi in his arms. Anything was worth that.
When they reached inside the room, Shiv turned to Anandi and dropped his hand to her waist as she slid her hand up his arm to his shoulder. They clasped their other hands, fingers interlocked, Anandi looked up at Shiv.
"Mein bahut Khush hoon…Mujhe bahut acha lag raha hai..," she said softly.
He smiled and gently but firmly pulled her closer so that their bodies were touching, never losing eye contact with her, as he tried to gauge her reaction.
"Oh!"Anandi said, raising her eyebrows. "yeh toh aur bhi acha hai," she whispered.
This is it. , he thought. There was no time left for pretending. Shiv's whole body pulsed with emotion: fear, excitement, love. He couldn't believe that he was finally holding her, that he had her right there, all to himself. He never wanted to let her go.
They gazed into each other's eyes, excitement building between them as their bodies moved slowly in time . Shiv became suddenly aware of the warmth of her body against his. She felt so right pressed up against him, like she was made to fit there. He moved his hand from her waist to the small of her back. He felt her shiver slightly..
Shiv smiled and began moving his hand slowly up and down her back.
She sighed long and deep, closing her eyes and leaning her head against his chest. She could hear his heart begin to quicken and she allowed herself to sink into his warm, inviting body.
Shiv loved the feel of her so completely relaxed into him. He loved holding her, feeling her pressed up against him. He loved the smell of her hair, a beautiful mixture of citrus and lemon and…Anandi. He would know her smell anywhere. She always smelled so fresh and beautiful, and he is never tired of it.
Anandi slowly moved her hand from Shiv's shoulder and began playing with the hair at the nape of his neck, twirling it around her fingers. She finally reached the whole of her hand deep into his hair and dragged her finger tips gently along the base of his scalp and down his neck. She felt a rumble in his chest, almost a growl, as she did this, and lifted her head to look at him. The look in his eyes was so intense, so passionate. His smile was gone, replaced by lips that were slightly parted, breathing in fast, shallow breaths.
Her mind was swirling with excitement as she contemplated what was about to happen. The moment she had been waiting for, not just for the last few weeks, the many nights she had dreamt of being in his arms, of feeling his lips on hers… She simply could not wait any longer.
Shiv all of a sudden pulled back a little with hesitation reflected on his features.
"Kya baath hai …Shiv..?" she asked in a breathy, almost annoyed tone.
Shiv turned to face her. "Anandi, Main aap pe kuch bhi tarah ka dabaav daalna nahi chahtha ….aap jab apne poore mann se tayyar hai…tabhi hum aage badhenge…"
"Shiv! …aap bhi naa…bahut sochte hain aap…!!!" snapped Anandi….with a mock anger on her face.
Shiv smiled, pulled her once again close to him. He loved seeing her a little flustered…and it was something that he found incredibly attractive. She was always in such control, but he was an expert at bringing this out in her.
Shiv looked at Anandi. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair had started to come even further undone, a few more tendrils escaping in a few different directions. She looked radiant, and he couldn't wait to get her back into his arms.
She moved slowly more towards him, never taking her eyes from his. She released his hand and placed both of her hands gently on his chest. He trembled in anticipation as she angled her face up towards his. He brought his hands to her waist and started to move his mouth towards hers.
Their eyes closed and their lips finally met in a soft, slow, perfect kiss.
Tonight is the night, thought Shiv.
A whiff of cool breeze…..forced a floating piece of cloud., to completely envelope the moon in its embrace…..and the same breeze slowly kissed the dainty flowers which were in deep slumber., making them dance with a smile…
Indeed… even the mother nature helped in creating the loving pair a beautiful setting in its own sweet way…
Afterall., welcoming the future wasn't so hard….for both Anandi & Shiv.
Anupamaa
