Anandi sat beside Shiv holding his hand and ruffling his hair as he closed his eyes.He had been deeply upset over his failure in getting back Ganga's child.Anandi ,on the other hand was very happy.Oh! a corner of her mind felt sorry for Ganga,but she was relieved that Shiv had returned unhurt.In the process of worrying over Shiv ,she had realized how much he had come to mean to her and how deeply she was in love with him.Though she was eager to confess it to him,she had held back and decided to wait till the next day.She wanted him to sleep away the exhaustion and hurt of the day's events.
Shiv had closed his eyes and was ruminating over the happenings.He was blaming himself for not anticipating Rattan Singh trying to escape through the back door.He had been unable to keep up his promise to Anandi that he would procure Ganga's child.As he thought of Anandi, he smiled to himself.How concerned she had been about his safety ,how she had comforted him….wait! as he felt her holding his hand and ruffling his hair,he realized that she was touching him ,she who had shrunk away from any physical contact.Her hand on his hair felt sooo good.Just as he was enjoying this,he felt the back of her hand run across the stubble on his cheek.Shiv froze.He was scared to move .He wondered if he was dreaming.At that moment,he felt her soft lips on his forehead.Shiv moaned and turned to her side,but still had his eyes closed.Anandi was shocked for a second.Had she woken Shiv?She had been so sure that he was asleep,hence her bold moves.As Shiv lay still,Anandi's confidence returned.She lay down now so close to him that Shiv could feel her warm breath on his face.
"Shiv,thank you….No,Anandi don't start the same thanks yet again",she told herself,"He does not want your thanks.Come on,this is the best time to practice what you want to tell him tomorrow.Remember,no tears,no gratitude,just be bold and confess your love.",she scolded herself."But I cannot.I'm sure I won't be able to do this.How I wish I was romantic like Shiv.How beautifully he professed his love for me after placing those payals on my feet.How he lit those diyas on Diwali…I wish I had got him something for Valentine's day.Useless me, did not even know of its existence till Saanchi happened to mention it this afternoon.Iwill buy him something tomorrow.But first let me be able to tell him how I feel about him.Please God help me."She took a deep breath and caressed Shiv's cheek"You are the light of my life,you are in every breath I take,every beat of my heart,every fibre of my being….you are the reason for my existence Shiv.I cannot conjure a life without you.You complete me.I love you Shiv""Yes,"she did a fist pump in the air,"perfect ,Anandi.Now just be bold and tell him these words tomorrow."She lifted her head and touched her lips to Shiv's before she closed her eyes and fell into a comfortable sleep placing her arm on Shiv's waist.
As for Shiv,who had overheard every word and felt every touch,he had no sleep…..because he could not wait for the next day to dawn.It was the longest night of his life.
Anandi stirred.Shiv shut his eyes tightly.He had spent the whole night gazing lovingly at his wife.He waited for Anandi to freshen up before he stirred."Good morning,Anandi",he said."Shiv",Anandi walked up to him."I want to tell you something."As she looked at him,she felt her insides melt at the look in those brown eyes.He looked so handsome with his tousled hair and his hands folded across his broad chest.There was a questioning look in his eyes and something else that she could not place a finger on…but it was causing her heartbeat to go awry and her breathing to become erratic."You are thebeat of my light""What?",said Shiv.Anandi closed her eyes,She knew she will not be able to do this."Shiv,I love you".The words tumbled out so hastily that they were not clearly discernible.She bit her tongue and slapped her forehead.
All of a sudden,a deep voice could be heard behind her. "You are the light of my life,you are in every breath I take,every beat of my heart,every fibre of my being….you are the reason for my existence Anandi.I cannot conjure a life without you.You complete me.I love you Anandi"Anandi swirled round in shock.She saw Shiv looking at her with tears on his cheeks,love s o intense in his eyes and his arms outstretched.With tears of joy,she ran into the comfort of his arms."I love you,Shiv"she said again and again and again…till she was silenced by his lips.From then on,for a long time there were no words.
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