35. OS 18. Too Tempting to Resist (Part 35)

Part 35

“Now hamre Arnav bitwaa and hamre new bahuriya Khussi will do the aphter-bedding rasams,” mami announced. “All aaa jao, sit downs, sit downs,” she invited the guests.

“Chotey, Khussi bitiya, baith jayiye. You have to find the ring in this vessel of milk,” nani said, a happy smile on her face.

“Nani, do we really need to do this?” Arnav asked. “It is late.”

The ladies laughed at what they saw as his impatience to be alone with his bride on his wedding night. But Arnav’s eyes were on a visibly wilting Khushi.

“We hab to do these, Arnav bitwaa,” mami informed him.

“Akash and Payal did it long enough. Count that as ours too, mami. Let us go,” Arnav requested.

Before the Raizadas could remonstrate with him, Khushi whispered, “Let’s finish them, Arnavji.”

He looked at her, lost in her eyes.

“The rasams have to be done. Chaliye,” nani invited.

All sat down around the golden vessel with milk, rose petals and a ring to play games that were designed to make the bride comfortable with her groom and his family.

                                          ***

“Chotey, what are you doing here in your study? Go up to your room. Khushiji is waiting for you,” Anjali chided him.

“Last minute details,” he muttered as he signed cheques for the wedding arrangements.

“Bhai, you can do it tomorrow,” Akash suggested. “You must be tired tonight. Please, aap jaake rest keejiye.”

Capping his pen, Arnav nodded. He picked up his phone and called Aman.

Anjali fumed in anger and Akash sighed.

“Aman, slot the meeting for ten tomorrow,” he instructed. “I will be there.”

Two pairs of eyes glared at him when he cut the call.

“What?” he asked, unperturbed.

“It is your wedding night,” Anjali reminded him.

“I know, di,” he replied. “Good night.” He walked away.

“One day,” Anjali began. “One day, I swear, Akash, I will do him some harm.”

Akash smiled before wishing her a good night and leaving to join his sweet wife.

                                                    ***

Arnav walked up to his room on quiet feet. No one knew better than him that it was his suhaagraat. He had tarried to give Khushi time to rest, to feel comfortable in his room, to get used to the fact that they were married.

The door to his room was shut but not locked.

He pushed it open, slowly, softly, careful not to make a sound.

His breath caught in his chest.

The room was lit by the mellow glow of a hundred plump candles. The fragrance of jasmine and rose filled the room.

His eyes fell on the bed decorated to resemble a bower. And in the middle of a bed covered in red rose petals was Khushi with the pallu drawn over her head. Her knees were raised and her arms lay on them. Her head was lowered to rest on her arms.

He swallowed hard.

After a moment of standing still and gazing at his bride, he walked up to her.

“Khushi,” he called softly.

She did not answer him. She was fast asleep.

Arnav smiled. He turned away to get his nightclothes and went to the washroom to change.

Then he gently gathered her in his arms and laid her on the bed, her head on the pillow. Then he proceeded to remove her maang tikka, her necklace, her earrings and her bangles as carefully as he could to avoid hurting her.

Khushi slept the sleep of the exhausted, sleepless nights catching up with her.

Arnav sat on his recliner and worked on his laptop, stealing glances at his wife, relieved, happy and satisfied that she was finally with him, under one roof and in one room.

                                              ***

Khushi woke up with a start at dawn. Where was she? She stared at the floral chains surrounding the bed and hyperventilated.

“It is fine, Khushi,” came a husky mumble.

She turned her head to see a rumpled Arnav Singh Raizada lying on the bed by her.

She sat up hastily, staring at him with wide eyes. Then her eyes fell. “I fell asleep,” she said apologetic, her voice low.

“You were tired. So was I,” he said. “Go back to sleep, Khushi. We can talk in the morning.”

Khushi slowly eased back into bed and turned her back to him. She lay for a while staring at the candles and flowers in the room and slowly her lashes fell and she slipped back into sleep.