Part 111
NK walked towards the bed on quick feet, managing to dodge a table with pesky candles lit on it'.some basin with water in it and lit candles floating on it''a bowl of fruit''a curtain of flowers''
He parted the strings of flowers, and clambered on to the bed, shedding his shoes on the way.
He lifted the ghoonghat covering Aarti's face, throwing the pallu back over her head, to reveal a beautiful and bejewelled Aarti sitting with her head lowered, her eyes on her fingers clasped together on her raised knees. The bright red of the Banarsi sari made her glow even in the dim light.
"Aarti!", NK called softly.
She lifted her head, her eyes meeting his. They held a smile.
NK fell over her, making Aarti fall back againstthe bank of pillows, her eyes wide, surprised...
NK did not waste anymore time. He leaned over her, raining kisses on her forehead, her maang tikka, her eyebrows, her eyes, her ears, her nose, her cheeks, her chin, and her neck.
The feel of his warm, hard lips on the sensitive skin of her neck made her squirm pleasurably.
Reassured that she was really there, and that she was his wife, NK rested against her heart, panting.
"Aarti, we got married today evening, didn't we?", he asked, gasping for breath.
Aarti smiled and nodded.
"The wedding, our family, Baba & Khushi Bhabi singing'all these happened, didn't they?", NK wanted to be very sure of all these.
"Yes. They all happened.", Aarti reassured him, smiling.
"Aarti'It is just that'.I have been dreaming about our wedding for months'.and suddenly''", NK could not find words to explain his confusion.
Aarti cupped his face, and said softly, "It really happened. Finally."
NK nodded.
Aarti caught hold of his hand, and placed hers by his, showing him the engagement & wedding bands.
NK sighed in relief.
Aarti took his hand to her neck, and made him finger her beautiful, new mangalsutra. NK kissed the slender chain of diamonds & black beads as though paying homage to it.
"Aarti, I promise'.", NK was very serious as he looked into her eyes. "I will try to be the best husband in the world. I'I haven't been married before'so..so just give me a few days..I will learn to be serious and'and more disciplined'and more'..", he sighed.
Aarti looked at her husband, smiling.
NK confessed with lowered eyes, ashamed of himself, "I didn't even clean my cupboard, Aarti. I didn't think that you would be shifting your things over here'.I am so..so..sorry, Aarti'."
Aarti smiled.
"Khushi Bhabi, Payal Bhabi, & Di must have cleaned out my wardrobe. That's how they found my toy aeroplane, books, & maybe, a packet of chips'", NK fretted.
Aarti smiled. She ran a hand over the smooth plane of his right cheek, and said softly, "I don't want you to try to be the best husband in the world. I can live with your aeroplane, joke books, and even that packet of chips among your clothes'..All I care about is that'I..I just want you to love me all our lives as much as you do right now. The rest will happen naturally."
"That is easy to promise.", NK smiled, his eyes moist.
Aarti cupped his face, and kissed his forehead. Then she said, shrugging, "Err..I am not used to wearing all this'", she pointed to the jewellery. "Can you help me take this off?"
Could he? NK leaped at the chance. He gently freed her from the cumbersome jewellery. Aarti sighed in relief, rubbing her ears that were now free from the prison of heavy earrings.
NK gasped. "I forgot! Aarti, I wanted to give you a gift, & I forgot!"
Aarti smiled. "I am still here."
NK nodded, and scrambled off the bed. He returned with a jewellery box. "I hope you like it.", he said nervously.
Aarti smiled at him, and opened the lid.
Inside was a set of pearl jewellery. Simple cream earrings, a slender necklace of small pearls, a one-string pearl bracelet, a slender ring with one pearl'.
"I thought'", NK ran his fingers through his hair. "I thought if it is simple, you can wear it to work'"
Aarti dropped the box on the bed, and threw her arms around her husband, loving his thoughtfulness'.She kissed his neck, breathing in the sandalwood scent of his masculine body, running her fingers through the hair at his nape'.
They stayed locked together like this for a while, and then Aarti freed herself. "Shall I give you my gift now?", she asked.
NK nodded, smiling, eager to see what she was going to give him.
As he watched, she slipped her hand into her blouse, and drew out an envelope kept warm and close to her heart. She handed it over to him.
NK could feel the warmth and smell the fragrance of her body on that envelope. His fingers trembled as he opened the flap, and drew out a single sheet of paper.
"I wrote it the night before the surgery.", Aarti said, looking into his alert eyes.
NK bent his head to read her missive.
"My dear Sunflower",
"You asked me to marry you many times. I wanted to say 'yes' many times. But...
I would be a devil of a wife.
Do you really want to live with a girl who has never been a girl? Never worn dresses and saris? Never put on makeup? Never had long hair? Never had girl friends? Never had ice cream before you bought it for her? Who doesn't know what marriage is? Who has never felt any thing for any man except contempt for her father and respect and affection for her co-workers? Who has never been touched by any man? Who does not really know what love is?
What is love?
Is it wanting to see you when you are not before me?
Wanting to run away when you approach me? And at the same time wanting to stay and feel you touch me?
Feeling weak when I see the naughty look in your eyes as you walk towards me, planning to kiss me?
Wanting to share my thoughts with you? Talk to you about the amusing and ordinary things that happen in my life? Share something that Gopi Kakka said? Something that Amma mentioned? Tell you about the roses I planted, and how Amma smiled when she saw the first bud? The birds who visit me daily in the morning to play in the birdbath I made? The big fish in the pond who raises his head out of water if he hears my voice?
Is it knowing that your full focus is on me even when you are talking to someone else?
Waiting for you to take hold of my hand at the first excuse?
Seeing you hug Amma, and wanting to cry?
Seeing your Bhabis love you so much, and wanting to hug them for loving you so much?
Feeling respect for your Nannav and Akash for setting out to win the world for you?
Wanting to never leave when you are with me. Wishing that you would stay with me all the time?
Looking for you in every crowd, hoping to see you?
Wanting to laugh at your broken Hindi even long after you are gone?
Is this love?
I wish you were with me now. I am scared about tomorrow. Scared for Amma. Scared for me. Scared I won't be able to see you again...
If we don't meet again, will you ever know how much I cared for you? How much I longed to live with you? Watch you smile...?
Or will you think I cheated you, broke your trust and my word?
Life is so funny. For 22 years, I didn't want to live, but had to...
Today, I want to live. With you. But...
I am so tired, my Sunflower. I need to sleep. Tomorrow is a big day.
I just wish...
I just wish I could have been your wife for atleast one day. Just one day. One day atleast...
Goodnight. Goodbye!
PS.
You gave me my first kiss. My first ice cream. My first hug from a man. And this is my first love letter...
Thank you. For all the good memories. I didn't know that life could be something to look forward to.
Only yours,
Aarti"
Edited by rulama - 12 years ago
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