Naina woke up with the streaking rays of sunshine in her eyes. Memories of last night came flooding back to her. Her head rested against Karan as they dipped into the bathtub. His fingers on her bare back. Their lingering kisses. Everything. Her cheeks turned pink. She tried to take in her surroundings. Her head rested nicely on Karan's chest. His chest rising and falling at a steady beat. She was wrapped neatly in the blankets and their legs still intertwined as their hands laced through one another. Her breathing was slow. This was her heaven.
Naina used to have so many dreams when she studied. Dreams of a prince like Shah Rukh Khan who would one day walk into her life and sweep her off her feet. How she would have a glorious wedding where the world would see their happy union but no her life turned out differently. One minute she had been standing at her sisters wedding and in the next it also became her own. She was worried at that point. How would she ever live her life with a chaata wala akdu? But now she never regretted it. In those days after their marriage, she had shattered and felt like giving up on numerous occasions but had kept firm. She was glad she did. Otherwise, she would have never seen the sweet Karan that he had kept deep under.
Her life had gone from complete misery to what now was the only place she ever wanted to be. He was everything. He was always handsome. She had no doubt about that but what she loved best was his heart. He cared for her like she was precious. Like she meant the world to him. She loved him like she loved nothing else. She had seen films, watched it all in serials but nothing could compare the feelings she had felt last night. The feeling of uniting two souls in every way possible. They had become one by heart many days ago but now there were no more barriers between them.
She slowly traced her fingers along his arms and his stomach. He giggled. It was then that she realised his eyes on her. He slowly pulled her close and planted a soft kiss in her hair. Good morning, sweetheart. His smile made her heart jump. She shied away. She slowly pulled herself free and tried to sit up holding her sheets around her. She looked around the room which was in disarray. The candles had all dripped away. Their clothes lay strewn all over the floor. The rose petals, sheets all messed up. It was gonna take a while to clean, she thought. She was broken from her thoughts when she felt hands around her waist. His breathing tickled her neck. He kissed her bare shoulders which were seen above the wrapped sheets.
Kahan jaa rahi ho, he said nuzzling into her hair. Thodi der aur rukh jao na, he pressed. Karan, humme pack karni hogi, airport Jana hai na, aur humme hotel wapas bhi toh Jana hai, she argued. Woh toh raat ko jana hai, he replied and started nibbling on her earlobes and planting soft kisses on her cheeks. Karan please she begged as her heart began to race. Teek hai, he said, tumhe ready hona hai na. She nodded. Her mind racing as his lips moved to her neck. And with that before she could realise what was happening she was in his arms and they were in the washroom. He dropped her down and locked the door behind.
Karan p.o.v.
Naina looked flabbergasted. She looked gorgeous to him though. How could anyone wake up so early in the morning and still look like an angel. Wrapping herself in white sheets and nothing else. She looks amazing. Last night was beyond words for him. An experience like no other. That didn't mean he didn't want the morning to be any less exotic. Naina had backed up into a wall and he was there, wrapping his arms round her waist, pulling her closer to him. Leading her to the shower and water dripped in full force. Her lips quivered and he took her into a passionate kiss. Her hands fumbled with the sheets. His heart drumming a new pattern. His breath coming in gasps. Her hair stuck to the sides. Some rose petals caught in being washed out. He pulled her deeper into the shower, closing the cubicle as their handprints plastered itself on the side glass.
After some intensely romantic moments. He decided it was time to give Naina some alone time. So he gave a lingering kiss and a smile as he pulled a towel off the rack and went off. As he stepped out, he picked his clothes from last night. These memories would stay with him forever. He couldn't believe it. He never knew he had the bravery. Karan had always been someone who stayed away. He never wanted anyone to come close to him. He lived in fear for their future if they did. He had to thank his lucky stars when Naina stepped into his life. She was everything, a teacher, nurse, guide. She had taught him so much. She had cured him and now when he looked at his hands. That they could touch and feel like everyone else. His heart exploded with happiness.
Naina p.o.v.
She stood staring at herself in the mirror. Her hair in tangles. Her lipstick smudged, lips bruised from all the kissing. She looked ugly. Ugh, why did Karan see her this way, she grumbled. She took her time to wash herself. She brushed her teeth and combed her hair as she wrapped herself in a bathrobe. Her clothes still lay outside, crumpled on the floor. She silently opened the door and noticed Karan all dressed, clearing out the room. Karan, she called. He looked up. Woh mere kapde please, she asked. He gave her a cheeky grin. He went over to the bed, where they lay all bundled up. Yeh he said pointing at them. Haan haan Dona, she pleaded holding onto the washroom door.
He smiled picking it up and walking towards her. Par yeah toh tum pehen nahi sakthi, he said as a matter of fact. Ky... kyun, she stumbled. He grinned and held up her blouse which had nice neat tears where he had tugged on it. And her saree had some damages too. Toh mein kaise, she said blushing considering herself walking to the hotel in the bathrobe. He smiled as he walked to the cupboard and brought out a bag and passed it to her. Meine precaution ke liye kareed liye tha, he said answering her inquiring looks. She grinned and jumped into his arms. I love you so much, she murmured into his neck. Slowly releasing herself she gave a peck on his cheeks and returned to the washroom.
Karan p.o.v.
Naina stepped out some time later, the dress he had brought along was perfect on her. She came towards him and offered the pot of sindoor she had found in the bag. He smiled and slowly applied it nicely on her forehead. He had cleaned the room enough to make it decent and slowly lead her out onto the deck. A nice breakfast had been set up. He helped her sit down and sat down next to her. The food was delicious. The boat was now retreating toward the mainland. The sun shimmered on the waves.
Naina leaned over the railings and looked out at the beauty of the sea. He came from behind her. Slowly brushing her hair aside, he tied a small necklace around her neck. She gasped in surprise. There on her neck was a locket, a maroon coloured one. The outside was carved delicately and shined as the suns rays fell on it. She slowly unclipped and opened it. Inside were minuscule photos, on one side was a family photo. One with all the faces of her family and his. On the other side the two of them, his arms around her, their eyes filled with happiness.
Karan, yeh toh bohot hi khubsoorat hai, she said astonished. Mein isse humesha apni paas rakhoongi. He nodded. He brought his forehead down towards her. At that moment the whole world around them seemed to float away. It was just them. Their love. The beautiful sea. The peaceful sky. Karan had never wanted anything more. His life was in his arms, safe and sound.
Anupamaa
