Hanita OS: Starting Anew

Starting Anew

Aap kar payengi, sab kuch naya?

Babita paused in her lathering as she contemplated his words. Will she be able to do everything anew?

A gross fear loomed at the back of her mind.

Khatri had kept harping on about their romance, so surely he was talking about her sexual life. Babita squirmed. Grabbing the rose petaled Lux bar, she vigorously applied it onto herself, only stopping when her arms and legs had turned white due to the thick coat of soap.

But will she be able to do it? The last time she had been intimate was seventeen years ago. She got goosebumps as memories of those nights came back. The intense pain during her first time, the faint bruises left on her arms because of how tightly she had been held, or the mess she had to clean up after it was all finished. An uneasiness sunk her heart. 

Will it hurt this time as well? Babita ran her fingers over her arms. She didn't want it to.

What about Hanuman? His sexual experience surely must differ from hers. His must have been filled with passion and intensity but of a good kind. What if she's not able to live up to his expectations?

Her heart started racing. Will she even be able to satisfy him? He had six whole years of a loving marriage, and in those six years, who knows how many times he had done it. And Babita? Her marriage lasted seventeen years and yet she can count the amount of times she had sex on one hand.

Babita splashed her face with cold water.

She shouldn't be thinking about him like this. It's Hanuman. She shouldn't be cheapening him by thinking of such things. Her face reddened. But is it so wrong? He's going to be her husband after all. As far as she knows, sex always plays an important factor in a marriage. Either it's there or it's not. Would she be so unlucky as to have another loveless marriage? No, not loveless. She knows Hanuman loves her, but does he want her? She briefly glanced down at her body before she looked away. Does she want him?

What will she even do? How will she approach him? What if he's no longer interested in sex? Or for that matter, what if he doesn't want to have it with her? What if they do it once and he realizes it'll never be the same as with Imarti?

Babita dumped the entire bucket of cold water over her head. She needed to stop. Hanuman loves her, that alone should be enough. She can't let people like Khatri get into her head. She shivered as she realized she was thinking of Khatri while bathing.

Feeling as if she were burnt, Babita grabbed her towel and dried herself. Making quick work of dressing herself, she hurried out of the bathroom. There were far more important things that required her immediate attention than Khatri's words. Besides, why was she even giving him any credence in the first place? It's not like he has ever wished well of her before.

Glancing at the bed, she frowned. Minnie wasn't there. Taking a quick look at the clock, she saw it was seven o'clock. She wondered where Minnie might have gone so early in the morning. 

Sighing, she picked up Minnie's clothes off the ground and loosely folded them. Placing them in the cupboard, she made the bed and headed outside for her morning routine. As much as she appreciated Minnie going out of her way to make Babita's wedding perfect, Babita wished her daughter would pay a little more attention to herself. She was starting to worry Minnie might be overexerting herself.

"Ouch!" She yelled as a sharp prick traveled up through her foot.

Hissing, she grabbed her curled foot and tried to ease the pain.

"Aap teekh ho?" Hanuman called out, as he leaped up the stairs.

"Ji," Babita's lie was clear on her scrunched face.

"Aap bhetiye," He instructed, pulling out a chair for her. Babita sat down and tried to examine what had hurt her but was stopped by Hanuman. "Mein dekh tha hoon."

Squatting before her, Hanuman had reached for her foot but Babita had pulled it away from him. "Yeh aap kya kar re hai? Aap mere pair thodi na chu sakte hai."

"Lo, ib yeh ke baat hui?" He asked, looking up at her. "Uss din jab mere pair mein kaanta chuba tha, tab aap ruki thi?"

Babita straightened her back, knowing she wasn't going to win this fight. He extended his hand out and smiled patiently. Babita slowly brought her foot forward. With the tip of his finger, he lifted her heel so that he could inspect the sole. It took him merely a few seconds for him to deduce that there was no blood or serious injury. Babita immediately pulled away and averted meeting his gaze.

It was strange. He had barely touched her and yet, she felt as if her spirit had been pulled out of her body. She shook her head trying to empty out the bathroom thoughts that were still lingering around. From the corner of her eye, she saw Hanuman stand a few feet away from her.

"Ji, mein ek baat poochu?" He asked, clasping his hands behind his back. Babita nodded. "Aaj aap ne payal ni pehen ni?"

Shifting slightly in her seat, she answered, "Woh nahate waqt mein uthar deti hoon. Abhi dresser par pari hogi. Mein le aati hoon." She had been about to get up from her seat to retrieve them but

Hanuman waved her down.

"Aap bheti rahiye. Mein le aata hoon."

With quick strides, he walked into the room and came out holding a pair of chiming anklets. They looked so fragile in his hands. Babita reached out for them but Hanuman pulled them away. She scrunched her brows in a confused amusement.

"Aap ki ijaazat ho toh... mein pehna doon?" He asked, tilting his head.

The intensity in his eyes slightly unsettled her. However, despite it, she couldn't find a reason to say no. Giving him a slight nod, she leaned back in her chair. Her mouth hung open as he got down on one knee. His left leg stood sturdy and open for her to place her foot on but Babita wasn't able to do so. While she blinked mindlessly, he lifted her foot and placed it firmly on the top of his leg. Babita gulped as she felt his strong muscles underneath her delicate little toes. He curiously lifted her salwar to reveal her ankles, making goosebumps rise on her flesh. When the cold anklet hit her skin, she gasped, making him look up at her. There was a serious intent to his irises but Babita couldn't quite make out what they meant. Her hands clenched into fists as his head leaned down and hid her foot from sight.

Babita was overwhelmed by all the strange, but wondrous, emotions that were washing over her. Just minutes ago, she had been wondering if he would want her and here he was... She breathed deeply, closing her eyes. She needed to get a better grip on herself. She can't let her mind jump ahead to conclusions like that. He's merely putting an anklet on her. That was nowhere near an admission of him wanting her.

Her heart beat fast as he trailed a finger from the back of her ankle towards the front. It moved awfully slow, almost as if he wanted to savor the brief moments of contact. With an amusing smile, Hanuman lifted his head to look up at her. Babita doesn't know what it was about that smile but it lifted all her worries and gave her a confidence she never had before. She slid her right foot back, equally feeling all of the flesh he had offered to her. She took pride in the way she had made his eyes widen. Emboldened by his reaction, Babita firmly planted her other foot on his leg, and raised her brows at him. To test the waters, she raised the hem of her salwar, putting her bare ankle on full display for him. Babita saw the beginnings of a fire be lit in his eyes. With a gentle tug, he pulled her foot forward so that its sole was resting flat against his chest. Babita was sure that the gleam in her eyes mirrored his exactly.

There was a noticeable difference in the air. A quiet tension where unspeakable matters were being conveyed through the adornment of simple jewelry and stolen heated glances. Once Hanuman had clasped the anklet securely around her foot, he held it carefully in his hand. He lifted her other foot as well and examined his work. Babita wasn't sure what was running through his mind, but she laughed when he knocked her ankles together so that he could hear the chimes.

"Arre o sir saab!" Lalit called out from downstairs.

Hanuman placed her feet down and stood up. "Lo ji, bulaava aa gaya."

"Hmm," Babita agreed, "Ab aaya hai, toh phir jaana toh pare ga."

She gave him a teasing smile as he unwillingly headed for the staircase. To trouble him a little further, Babita shook her foot once, making the anklet chime. Hanuman immediately halted and turned around. The way his body shifted with an eager anticipation pleased her immensely. She tapped her foot once, twice and then in a frenzy, began kicking her legs in the air. The tiny bells on her anklets rang through the air, carrying their unspoken messages along with them.

"Sir saab?" Lalit called again.

"Aaya!" Hanuman shouted, his face split open in a wide grin.

Babita laughed as he took his grand smile downstairs with him. Shaking her head, she got up to make some tea. She had just set the water to boil when her best friend, Poonam came up the stairs.

"Hi Poonam!" Babita greeted with a hug. "Kaisi hai? Chai peeye gi?" She asked as she added the tea leaves.

"Haan." Poonam answered with a grand grin. "Itne dino baad tumhari haath ki chai peene ka mauka mila hai. Isse kaise tukra sakti hoon."

"Baat toh aise kari hai jaise meine pehle kabhi poocha hi ni."

Poonam stuck her tongue out at her.

As the tea boiled, Poonam sidled up to Babita and asked her, "Vaise ek baat bata."

"Kya?" Babita added some sugar.

"Yeh mere hone wala jeeju kissi Colgate commercial ki audition dene jaa re hai kya?"

Babita was thrown off by the question. "Nahi toh. Tujhe aisa kyun lag ra hai?"

"Nayi, itni zor se, apne daanth dekha kar baat kar re hai toh mujhe laga ki..." She trailed off.

Babita's reddened like a ripe tomato. She tried to keep a straight face, but her quivering lips betrayed her by continuously curving upwards into a smile.

"Aisa kya kar diya tune," Poonam nudged her shoulder, "jeeju ko?"

"Poonam!" Babita shushed. She took a quick glance around to make sure no one had heard her.

"Bata na!" Poonam teased, tickling Babita.

Laughing, Babita squirmed away. "Nahi bataongi." Swirling the hot pot, she smugly said, "Yeh hum dono ki beech ki baat hai."

"Oh ho, ab private baatein bhi shuru hogayi huh?" Poonam teased further.

"Poonam!" She tried hushing but her friend simply laughed louder.

Babita poured out the tea into six little cups and placed them on a tray.

"Acha zara dekhna, Minnie bahar hai kya. Agar hai toh usse please andar bula lena. Woh aa kar breakfast kar le, phir jo marzi karti rahe." Babita asked Poonam.

"Teekh hai. Mein tumhari madat karoon?" Poonam pointed at all the cups that Babita was placing in the tray.

"Nayi, mein le jaoongi."

"Are you sure?"

"Haan, baba." Babita answered with a laugh.

Lifting the tray, Babita followed Poonam down the stairs. Unlike Poonam, who had already gone outside to fetch Minnie, Babita was taking her sweet time in coming down the stairs. The last thing she wanted was to have piping hot tea to fall on her just a day before the wedding.

"Arre Babita pehenji, aap humein bula leti. Hum sab upar aa jaate." Lalit said, placing the bundle of wires down.

"Koi baat ni Lala bhai saab. Ab mein le aayi." Babita said, climbing the last few steps down.

"Bhai Lale jaldi se aaja. Yeh garma garm samose chik kar mhaare ko bula re hai." Hanuman called out to his friend as he strode in.

He slowed down when he saw Babita standing before him with her tray.

Blushing faintly, he spoke, "Ji aap?"

With the same blush adorning her face, she answered, "Ji mein." 

When they stared at each other for a few seconds too long, Lalit piped up, "Aur sab ka favorite Lala bhi hai yaha."

Both Hanuman and Babita startled. Shaking his head and mumbling something under his breath, Lala gave one cup of tea to Hanuman and another to Babita. Then, taking the tray from Babita, he walked off, leaving the two love birds behind.

Hanuman gestured towards the cot that was located by the front door, and waited till Babita had taken her seat before he joined her. He held the two piping hot samosas nestled in an oily newspaper towards her.

"Par yeh toh aap Lala bhai saab ke liye lekar aaye the na." Babita reminded.

"Koi baat ni. Yeh aap khaa li jiye. Aur vaise bhi yeh hamara Lala hai na," Hanuman bent down as if he were telling her a secret, "samose khaa khaa kar khudh ek samosa jaisa ban ra hai." Babita widened her eyes."Iss liye mein kahe ra hoon," Closing his eyes, he tilted his head in encouragement.

Chuckling, Babita broke off the tip of the golden fried samosa, dipped it into the green chutney and ate it.

As she broke another piece, she told him, "Vaise, samose jaise toh aap bhi ban re hai."

Babita laughed to herself as she dipped the piece into the green chutney again. Hanuman glanced at his tummy before he asked her, "Aap mhaare ko mota bulari hai?"

"Hmm." She hummed while eating.

"Aur agar meine kaha ki aap ek rasgulle ki tarah lagti ho toh?" He asked, a little offended.

Babita sat up straight. "Mein aap ko rasgulle jaise lagti hoon?"

"Haan." Hanuman softened with a cheeky smile. "Ek dum soft. Chashni se bhari."

Flustered, Babita looked away. She knew her cheeks were flushed red, but she didn't even try to hide it. Breaking off another piece of the samosa and dipping it into the red chutney, she offered it to Hanuman. He was surprised by her gesture. Babita wouldn't blame him. Even she hadn't expected to go this far, but she supposed the day was full of surprises for them.

Keeping his eyes locked onto hers, he bent down and ate the morsel she offered him. Babita shivered when his lips brushed against her fingertips. It couldn't have been more than ten seconds but for Babita, it felt much longer than that.If it hadn't been for the heat in his eyes or how slowly his lips left her fingers, she would have passed everything off as part of her imagination. Babita slightly quivered. It was a foreign sensation that was running through her at the moment. It was slow and hot like lava and it was nestling itself into a part so deep inside of her that she didn't even dare to name.

Embarrassed, she looked away and took a sip of her tea. Hanuman did the same, albeit with a faint smile on his face. Breaking yet another piece off the samosa, Babita was about to put it in her mouth when she paused. She glanced at her fingertips and then at him. He too was watching her intently. She put the piece in her mouth and licked off the residuals of the sticky chutney from her fingers. This time, it was Hanuman's turn to have his mouth hang open and eyes widen in shock. The moment that transpired between them should have been forbidden due to its scandalizing nature.

Babita covered up her confusion with another sip of her tea. Had she taken things too far? What will he think of her now? Doing something so suggestive that too in front of everyone? Frightened, Babita glanced around the room to make sure no one had seen them. Upon seeing everyone busy in their own work, Babita felt slightly relieved. Slightly, only because there was still one person who had seen her with all her boldness. She dared herself to take a peek at Hanuman to get a sense of what he might be thinking, but he had been too busy sipping on his tea.

"Arre oh Babita," Naeem called out as she entered the Haveli.

"Ji Naeem Bi?" Babita answered, straightening her back.

“Tu yaha bethe aaram se khaye jaa ri hai. Tujhe apni beti ki fikar hai ki nayi?” Naeem Bi scolded.

Babita immediately stood up in panic. “Kya hua Minnie ko? Aap aisa kyun keh ri hai? Woh teekh toh hai na?”

Hanuman also stood; his forehead creased in worry lines. “Naeem Bi ab aap humein suspense mein na rakho. Bata bhi do kya hua Veer Balika ko?”

“Pehle tum dono apne dimaag ke ghodo ko lagam do. Minnie ko kuch ni hua.” Naeem Bi finally revealed, allowing Babita and Hanuman to finally sigh in relief. “Mein abhi darzi se ho kar aari hoon. Bata ra tha ki hum sab ne toh apne kapre bana liye par ab tak dulhan ki beti ni aayi.”

Babita paled in shock.

“Ab tak ni aayi… matlab? Jab mera lehenga diya tha, tab usna apna ni diya?”

“Arre mujhse kyun puch ri hai? Yeh toh tujhe pata hona chahiye na.” Naeem Bi argued.

Babita’s heart raced fast. How could Minnie forget such a huge thing? Or did she do it intentionally just so that they could save some money? After all, she did say the very same thing to her the other day. Babita put her cup down and had proceeded to leave for the tailor’s when a couple ladies walked in.

“Hello,” One of the ladies greeted, “Yaha Ms. Babita kaun hai?”

“Ji, woh mein hoon.” Babita answered.

“Hi, mein Sunaina hoon.” The lady extended her hand. “Aapki make up artist.”

“Make up artist?” Babita repeated in a whisper. “Aap kuch jaldi ni aa gayi?”

“Humhe toh Minnie ne bulaya. Keh ri thi aaj kareeb gyaara baje ko function hone wala hai.” Sunaina explained.

Babita slumped her shoulders. “Haan, but woh toh choode ki ceremony hai. Uske liye itna zyaada kuch karne ki zaroorat ni hai. Aap bad mein aa jana.”

“Na ji, aap ko kahin jaane ki zaroorat na hai.” Hanuman spoke to both Babita and the make up artists who had arrived. Babita turned to him stunned. “Mein chala jaata hoon Masterji ke paas. Aap be fikar ho kar tyaar hojaye.”

“Fikar kaise ni hogi. Shaadi aaj hai aur Minnie ka lehenga abhi tak tyaar ni hua. Agar woh purane kapre pehan kar jayegi toh acha lage ga?” Babita argued.

“Mhaare hote hue woh purane kapre kyun pehane gi? Aap dekhna, aap ke baad, sab se best aur sab se gorgeous mhaari Queen Victoria hi hogi.” Hanuman spoke confidently.

The tight, apprehensive knot twisted inside her.

Shaking her head, she said, “Nayi, mera dil ni maan ra. Mein aise kaise tyaar ho jaoon. Mujhe kuch ni pata. Mujhe bas uska lehenga chahiye.”

“Aap ko mujh par bharosa hai?” Hanuman asked quietly. Babita nodded. Blinking in agreement, he said, “Toh phir yeh lehenga aap mujh par chod di jiye. Shaam hone se pehle mein le aaonga.”

“Teekh hai.” Babita reluctantly agreed. Pointing her finger sternly at him, she said, “Par agar na hua na toh phir dekh lena.”

“Uski naubat hi ni aaye gi ji.”

Downing the rest of the tea in one go, he placed the remaining samosas on the counter. Rolling up his sleeves, he left the Haveli with long strides.

“Naeem Bi,” Babita walked to the elder lady, with worry lines adorning her forehead, “aap bhi unn ke saath jayie na. Unhe kaha lehengo ke baare mein kuch pata hai. Agar kuch behankar lekar aa gaye toh?”

“Teekh hai.” Naeem Bi said, making her way towards the front entrance. “Par agar mujhe koi bhi shikait sunayi di na, phir dekh lena. Mujhse bura aur koi ni hoga.”

“Nayi hoga par aap filhaal ke liye jaaye.” Babita said, helping Naeem Bi to walk a little faster by giving her a slight push on the back.

“Haan haan, jaa ri hoon.” Naeem Bi swatted at her hurried advancements. “Insaan hoon, koi gaadi ni jo raftaar se bhaagi chali jaoon.”

“Ji sun te ho!’ Babita called out to Hanuman who had reached the end of the street. He turned around, and waited. “Aap Naeem Bi ko apne saath le jao!”

Nodding his head, he waited until Naeem Bi reached up to him. With a small wave, the two walked around the corner towards the tailor’s. With heavy steps, Babita walked back into the Haveli. She wished everything would turn out fine with Minnie’s lehenga.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­__________________________________________

It was nearing ten o’clock and Hanuman still hadn’t arrived with Minnie’s lehenga. Babita called him but was once again received by his voicemail. She punched the end call button and pulled up Naeem Bi’s contact. Tapping her foot, she waited for her to pick up but she too, didn’t attend the call.

“Arre sunti ho!” Hanuman called out as he dashed up the stairs.

Ending the call, Babita strode outside. Hanuman halted, seeing her glare.

“Ji,” He greeted timidly. Holding up the big bag, he pointed out, “lehenga.”

Without a word, Babita took the bag from him and entered the room. Hanuman followed closely behind, quietly observing her. Throwing her phone aside on the bed, Babita unzipped the bag. As the flap hit the soft mattress, Babita’s mouth hung open.

Flaring, she turned to Hanuman demanding an answer. “Yeh kya hai?”

“Veer Balika ka lehenga.”

“Yeh mera lehenga hai.” Babita corrected. “Aur Naeem Bi kahan hai? Meine bheja tha na unhe aap ke saath.”

“Naeem Bi dukaan par hai. Par aap dekhiye toh sahi.” Hanuman picked the lehenga out of the bag and held it open for her to see. “Ek dum first class hai na?”

Babita was starting to get impatient. “Mein aap ko kitni baar bataon. Sivaye gote ka, yeh bilkul mere lehenga jaisa hai. Ab Minnie aur mein dono ek lehenga thodi na pehan kar jaa sakte hai.”

“Kyun ni?”

“Ky-” Babita was stunned at his ignorance, “Kyun ka kya matlab? Dulhan ka joda toh sab se alag hona chahiye na?”

“Haan zaroor hona chahiye. Par jaise aap ne kaha, iss mein woh karayi ni hai jaise aap ki lehenge mein hai.”

Babita was still uneasy. Wringing her hands, her heart began to race. She should have paid more attention to Minnie from the beginning. She shouldn’t have let her run around and take on all the responsibilities. Even though it is, it shouldn’t have been that big of a surprise that Minnie ended up neglecting herself.

Laying Minnie’s outfit across the bed, Hanuman gestured for Babita to take a seat. He sat down beside her and held her hand.

“Ib kis baat ki tension hai aap ko?” He asked quietly.

“Mujhe Minnie par pehle se dhayan dena chahiye tha. Itne dino se mein apne aap mein iss hadh tak kho gayi, ki uski taraf teekh se dekha hi nayi.” Her heart sank. If this was her condition before marriage, then what will happen afterwards?

Her eyes widened. Would she be able to give Minnie the attention and love that she needs? Up until now, Minnie had occupied her life in an inextricable manner. Undoubtedly things will change now as she will have to divide her time and attention to Hanuman as well.

No, her heart protested. She can’t leave Minnie behind or forget her at any cost.

“Aap itna stress kyun le ri ho? Ib aap apni shaadi mein khush ni hongi, phir kab hongi? Aur vaise bhi, Minnie ab koi choti bachi toh hai ni jisko har waqt apni maa ki zaroorat pare gi. Apna kyaal khudh rakhna jaanti hai. Aur agar woh kuch bhool jaati bhi hai, toh phir hum dono hai na.” Hanuman tried to console Babita but she still wasn’t convinced. He tried again. “Mein jaanta hoon ki dono lehenge same to same hai par mein yehi chahta hoon.” Babita looked towards him confused. “Mein bohot ache se jaanta hoon ki aap aur Veer Balika dono ek hai. Aur mind mat karna par meri ek choti si request hai. Mein chahta hoon ki iss ghar mein sirf aap ka hi ni, par Veer Balika ka bhi grah pravesh hue.” Babita was taken aback by his words. “Kaafi dino se mein usse apni beti bulata aara hoon, par mein chahta hoon ki yeh baat ab ek dum phinal ho.”

Babita’s eyes sting with hot tears. She was needlessly worrying about leaving Minnie behind. She should have known by now that with Hanuman around, Minnie can never get lost. Falling forward, she put her forehead against his shoulder and looped her arm around his. If by chance Babita even fails to pay attention to her child, Hanuman never will.

“Babes!” Minnie yelled, as she huffed into the room. “Tu abhi tak tyaar hui hai ki-” She halted in her advancements. “Oh sorry.” She looked away.

Babita immediately straightened herself up, wiping away the few lone tears that were still coating her cheeks.

“Babes, mein kehne aayi thi ki tum jaldi se tyaar ho jao. Sab aa chuke hai.” Awkwardly glancing between them both, she quickly added, “You both carry on, mein baaki ki saari tyaarian dekh thi hoon.” She had been about to leave but she was stopped by Hanuman.

“Eh chhori, tu kahan itni tezi se bhaagi jaa ri hai. Do minute rukh mhaare saath.” He said, standing up.

Babita stood beside him, with a pleased smile and gleaming eyes. “Minnie ek bohot badi problem hogi thi.”

Minnie’s face fell. “Kya?”

“Kya kya?” Babita scolded. “Tu ne apna lehenga diya hi ni tha ban ne ke liye.”

Minnie paled. “Oh shit!” Her breaths grew heavy. “Mein bhool kaise gayi?” Gulping, she racked her brain for a solution. “Ab itni jaldi pata ni bane ga bhi ki nahi. But toh fikar mat kar Babes. Tera lehenga teekh hue phir koi fikar ni. Mein kuch purano mein se pehan loongi.” 

Hanuman tsked. “Mhaare viah mein mhaari Queen Victoria purane kapre pehene gi. Kaisa father samaj kar rakha hai tu ne hai?”

Embarrassed, Minnie kept quiet.

“Zara dekh na Minnie, yeh tumhare liye kya le kar aaye hai.” Babita said with a grand smile.

Hanuman held the lehenga for Minnie to see.

“Babes, kya, yeh tumhara lehenga hai.” Minnie answered, displeased.

Chuckling over the same confusion that she initially had, Babita went to her closet and pulled out her bridal outfit.

“Par mera lehenga toh yaha hai.” She raised her brows at Minnie, who was now utterly confused. Laying it over the bed, Babita explained, “Actually, tumhare Hanuman Uncle chahte hai ke hum dono ek jaisa lehenga pehane.”

Minnie turned towards Hanuman for further explanation.

“Woh kya hai na chhori, mein chahta hoon ki jaise tum pehli aayi thi, tum ek dum vaise hi apni Mummy ka haath tham kar iss ghar mein kadam rakho. Yeh,” He nodded towards Babita, “meri Mrs. ban kar,” then looking at Minnie, “aur tum meri daughter.”

Minnie’s eyes swelled with tears, almost as if a dam had burst within her. She noticed how Minnie ran forward and captured Hanuman into a hug so fierce it almost toppled him over. Babita wasn’t exactly sure as to what was going on, but she was certain there was an unspoken conversation taking place between the two. On one hand, she felt a slight pinch that there was a part of her daughter’s life that she was being excluded from. But then on the other, there was immense pride over the fact that the man whom she has chosen to spend the rest of her life with, has managed to create a special bond that exists outside of her. Hanuman doesn’t love Minnie because she’s Babita’s daughter. Rather, he loves Minnie because she’s Minnie.

Babita couldn’t suppress her tears. How did they get so lucky to have found such a loving man in their lives? That out of all the homes for them to find themselves in, it had to be his. In the past one year, she lost so much. A house, her surname, her sense identity, husband, family, and in some ways, her dignity as well.

Wiping his own tears, Hanuman laughed and spoke to his daughter.

And yet, Babita got so much more in return. She got a home, created a name for herself, established her own identity in public, fell in love with a man who will soon be her husband, is more than happy to call his family as her own, and most importantly, was getting a renewed confidence in herself.

“Acha ab mein chalti hoon.” Minnie sniffled, swiping her cheeks.“Bahar bohot saara kaam para hua hai karne ke liye. Babes tu please tyaar ho jaa.”

Babita nodded just as Minnie left. It was odd. As soon as her little girl stepped outside the room, Babita’s heart sunk. Her body crumpled to the point she had to be held up by Hanuman.

“Sambhal ke.” Hanuman cautioned.

Babita didn’t spare a second before she gripped his arms first to support herself, then to hug him just as fiercely as her daughter did moments ago. She knew Hanuman was surprised by the immense affection he was receiving in such a short span but Babita didn’t care. If it was up to her, she would give him ten times the affection he was getting right now for the rest of his life.

Looking up at him, she held his face gently in her hands. With her thumbs, she rubbed his cheeks. His hands were feather light around her waist, but it was okay. He was holding her captive with the heavy passion he was exuding from his eyes.

Babita isn’t entirely sure where she got the courage from but for a fraction of a second, she looked down at his lips and then back at him. Whatever her body had desired in that moment, Hanuman understood it loud and clear as his fingers pulled her closer to him. There was no point in trying to mask what she wanted. He saw it and wanted it too. 

Standing up on her tip toes, she leaned in towards him and pressed her lips against the corner of his mouth. Hanuman kept his eyes closed and held her tighter. Babita didn’t feel like pulling away. What she wanted was to slide her lips over to his and kiss him like she had never kissed anyone before. She wanted to run her fingers deep into the curls of his hair and turn his lips swollen red. Before she acted out on her wishes, Babita took a small step back.

She kept her head lowered, afraid that she might have stepped out of line. After all there were only a few hours to go for their marriage and she was already trying to be intimate with him. What would he even think about her? Did he even like that she tried to kiss him?

Her silent worries were allayed when he pressed his forehead against hers. He didn’t use his words, but she understood what he was trying to convey when he slid his fingers between hers and locked them tight. The controlled rise and fall of his chest demonstrated the patience he was exerting over his desires, while the rising heat from his body expressed his eagerness of wanting more. For a moment, Babita wanted to give into their yearnings but thought better. Just a few more hours and she won’t have to worry about what people will say for wanting to be with him. After tonight, she will be his, and he hers.

Hanuman kissed her forehead as if he were sealing the deal on her silent wish. Babita graced a soft smile. She would forever be grateful for this blessed union.