I should logically feel sad right now that I am arrested on the way to prison but no I was beyond happy after spending days of loneliness now I am going to Akhil.
We were traveling in the Mahindra Bolero, sitting with constables on either side and handcuffed. The drive seemed pretty long due to humorless dad jokes exchanged by the policemen. Keshav was lost in his own world.
"What are you dreaming about?", I interrupted his dream
"I thought I would earn a good amount of money, date a beautiful woman and get some freedom from you. But, now see I am stuck with you for a few more years", he chuckled
"You are stuck with me for the whole of your life"
"Do I have any other option? No right and what to do my brother loves you so dearly", he said and my mind kickstarted the thoughts of Akhil.
We soon reached the place and after some formalities, I was led by the jailers to my prison. Even after all this, just because I am Jones's twin, Shrey had spoken to the jailers and made sure I would be sharing a prison with Akhil and he also let me carry the marriage rings with me after a whole lot of inspection of the metal, did by the policemen and approved that there is nothing more than metals and stones in the ring.
I looked at Akhil sitting in front of me as I was locked inside a unit. He looked up at me as he heard the sound of locking. He looked depressed, his hair looked messy, he hasn't shaved the smooth skin of his face was now filled with a rough beard, and his eyes had lost their color. He was in disbelief after seeing me there.
"I'm here. I am real", I said to him in a subtle voice. I walked towards him, placed my hand on his shoulder, and smiled sadly.
His facial expressions changed and the next moment I was pinned to the wall, one of his hands gripping my shirt, the other one holding my wrist, and his face burning in anger.
"What the hell are you doing here?", he growled
"I got arrested, Akhil", I said and explained everything to him that happened ever since he got arrested without missing a single detail. His grip on my wrist got tighter.
"You are hurting me, Akhil", I whispered.
His eyes were red, he was mad at me and I know that it is because of me getting here. First time ever since I have known him he has never looked this intimidating. It would be a lie if I say that right now I'm not scared of him.
"YOU HAVE SCREWED UP, BIG TIME STEVE", he said. His voice was deep and scary.
"Akhil..."
"I wanted you to stay out and live your life peacefully. What have you done now? You spoiled your future baby", he said cupping my face and attaching his forehead to mine. I know that right now he is going through an emotional roller coaster ride.
"You are my future Akhil. How do you think I will have a peaceful life out there without you? You are my sunshine, love, without you I'm just engulfed by darkness. Where ever you are that is my home. I love you, Akhil."
"This is not the place where you have to be"
"I can be anywhere you are there"
"But..."
"Out there I had everything but without you, it felt like hell. I have been suffocated for days now that I can see you, I'm finally able to breathe. According to me being apart from you is equal to a body without a soul"
"Why do you love me so much?", he said and kissed me.
He took a step back and with his gaze fixed on me. He walked backward and sat on the bench, still his eyes on me.
I straddled him which took him by surprise. I pulled him into a kiss while pulling out the rings from my pocket. I showed him the ring as we pulled apart.
"What is th....", I shushed him placing my index finger on his lips.
"Let's get married Akhil", I said
"Here?"
"You love me. I love you. That is more than enough"
"Baby", he said his eyes welling up
"I, Steve Mathew accept Akhil Paul as my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law, in the presence of God I make this vow", I said staring at him
"I, Akhil Paul accept Steve Mathew... as my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to... hold from this day forward, for better, for worse... for richer, for poorer, in sickness... and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us... do part, according to God's... holy law, in the presence of God I make this vow.", he said in between his sobs and uncontrollably flowing tears. We exchanged the rings I had bought.
"Now that we have exchanged our rings next we...." I was cut off by a pair of soft lips landing on mine. He kissed me for one solid minute. I hugged him tightly, resting my ears on his chest and listening to the rhythmical beats of his heart.
"I love you, my husband", he said
"I love you too, hubby," I said with a smile
I might have had too many imaginations about my marriage with him. Food, flowers, decorations, etc. I wanted it to be grand and flawless.
Not even in my dreams had I thought I will get married to Akhil in such a situation. I am not complaining. This marriage was unexpectedly perfect. Behind the bars, straddling him, no priests, no family or friends nothing, it was just him and me. Just the two people who belong to each other.
I realized at this very moment that I don't need anyone in my life but him. Akhil is the oxygen I breathe. He is the blood that flows in my system. He is the soul of my body.
I love this man who is holding me in his arms like a delicate flower. This is the safest place in the whole world his heart.