Once breakfast was over, everyone handed me gifts as part of the pehli rasoi ritual. I accepted them with a smile, but in the back of my mind, I was still thinking about Devyansh. Why didn't he say anything?
After thanking everyone, I excused myself and went upstairs to our room, holding onto the gifts. When I entered, I found Devyansh already there, his back turned as he took off his watch.
I placed the gifts down and cleared my throat softly. "Everyone seemed to like the food."
He turned around, his eyes locking onto mine for a brief moment before he nodded. "They did. You did well."
His words were simple, but they carried a weight that made my heart flutter. Before I could say anything else, he moved closer, his gaze holding that intense seriousness I was starting to get used to.
"You know," he said quietly, "I didn't compliment you downstairs because I wanted to do it privately." He paused, his voice softening, "You did more than just cook well. You made everyone feel cared for, and that's what really matters."
I blinked, taken aback by his unexpected words. A warmth spread through me as I realized how much his opinion truly mattered to me.
He then smirked, breaking the intensity of the moment. "But don't get used to all this praise. Tumhe impress karne ke liye kuch aur extra effort lagana padega."
I couldn't help but smile at his teasing tone. "Oh really? Toh phir aapke standards par khara utarne ke liye, mujhe aur kya karna hoga?"
He chuckled softly and took a step closer, his hand brushing against mine. "Abhi ke liye bas itna kaafi hai," he murmured, before turning and leaving the room, his presence still lingering in the air.
I sighed and leaned against the dresser, a smile tugging at my lips. Maybe he didn't say much at the table, but in his own way, he made me feel more appreciated than any compliment could have.
Then I start getting ready for muh dikhai, As I was adjusting the pleats of my red saree, feeling a bit nervous about the muh dikhai ceremony, I suddenly felt warm arms wrap around my waist. Devyansh's grip was firm as he pulled me back against his chest. I could feel his breath on my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
"Where do you think you're going, Mrs. Chauhan?" he whispered teasingly, his voice filled with mischief.
"Dev, please, let me go," I pleaded, trying to wiggle out of his hold. "Mummy is waiting for me downstairs!"
But he had other plans. He buried his face in the crook of my neck, planting soft kisses along my skin making it impossible to think straight. My heart raced as he whispered, "You look too beautiful. How can I just let you go like this? Stay with me for a while."
His words made my cheeks flush as I felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement. I tried to move away, but he held me tighter, his lips grazing my ear, sending electric tingles down my spine. "Dev, stop it! I really have to go," I said, my voice barely a whisper now.
But he didn't listen. Instead, he kissed the side of my neck, making my knees go weak. I could hardly stand, let alone focus on the ceremony ahead. My fingers clutched his arm as I tried to steady
myself. "Dev, please... Mummy will-"
And then there was a knock on the door.
The sound startled both of us, but Devyansh only chuckled, clearly enjoying the effect he had on me. "Lagta hai Mummy aa gayi," he murmured against my neck, his voice laced with amusement.
"Dev, let go!" I whispered urgently, trying to push him away as I heard Maa's voice from outside the room.
"Ananya, beta, are you ready? Everyone is waiting."
I quickly fixed my saree, still flustered, and managed to pull away from Devyansh's hold. His playful grin didn't fade as he watched me, clearly not regretting his teasing. I gave him a glare, though my heart was still racing.
"I'll deal with you later," I mumbled, trying to sound stern, but I knew my blushing face gave me away.
He winked, stepping back and allowing me to move toward the door. "I'm looking forward to it," he said, his voice low and filled with mischief.
I took a deep breath, composed myself, and opened the door, facing Maa with an innocent smile. "Ji, Maa, I'm ready."
Maa looked at me with pride in her eyes, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Meri beti toh nazar lagane layak lag rahi hai," she said with a hint of teasing affection. To ward off the evil eye, she gently placed a black dot behind my ear, ensuring no negativity could touch me. I smiled, feeling both cherished and a bit shy under her loving gaze.
Then, she placed a heavy, embroidered dupatta over my head like a veil, making it feel even more real that I was now married. The weight of the dupatta settled over me, almost like the responsibility and respect of being a part of this new family. As I adjusted to the heaviness, Maa took my hand and guided me downstairs to where everyone was waiting.
The living room was buzzing with excitement and chatter, but all eyes turned toward me as I entered. I could feel their curious and admiring gazes as they whispered compliments. In the center of the room was a seat prepared for me, and I was carefully led to sit there.
Just as I settled in, I noticed Devyansh descending the stairs. He walked in with his usual composed and serious expression, the kind of look that commanded attention and respect. But as he sat beside me, I couldn't help but think about the contrast between this composed demeanor and the playful, mischievous side he'd shown just moments ago. I wondered if anyone would believe how this seemingly stern man could be so affectionate and teasing when we were alone.
Maa lifted the veil gently, revealing my face to everyone. The room filled with delighted gasps and compliments. "Kitni pyaari lag rahi hai," one of the aunties said with a warm smile. "Bilkul pari jaisi," another added, making me blush under the weight of their kind words.
I could feel Devyansh's eyes on me, even though I tried not to look at him directly. His presence was comforting yet electrifying, especially after the teasing upstairs. The contrast between his intense gaze and his composed expression was almost amusing, as if only I knew the softer, more playful side of him.
Maa's eyes were misty as she beamed at me, her happiness evident. "Meri bahu toh sach mein lakhon mein ek hai," she said, her voice filled with love and pride.
I glanced at Devyansh, hoping for some reassurance in his expression, but he simply nodded subtly, his face still serious. Yet, there was a glimmer in his eyes that only I could catch, a silent promise that despite the formalities, we both knew the bond we shared was beyond words.
After everyone left and the house started to quiet down, I felt exhaustion washing over me. It had been an overwhelming day filled with rituals, blessings, and meeting so many people. As I walked back upstairs, I realized just how drained I was, both physically and emotionally.
Maa noticed my weariness and gently said, "Beta, tum rest kar lo. Bahut thak gayi hogi tum. Baaki sab ka dhyaan hum rakh lenge." I nodded gratefully, appreciating how understanding she was. Devyansh was still busy with guests and family members downstairs, and I hadn't seen him for a while.
I finally reached our room, feeling the weight of the day still clinging to me. The first thing I did was remove the heavy jewelry. The relief was instant as I took off the earrings, bangles, and necklace. I sat on the sofa, closing my eyes for a moment, letting myself relax in the quietness of the room.
The room was spacious and elegant, but in that moment, it felt like a peaceful retreat, far away from the chaos of the day. I leaned back, sinking into the plush cushions, and allowed myself to unwind. Thoughts of everything that had happened since the morning swirled in my mind-the rituals, the emotions, the way Devyansh had been so attentive yet distant during the ceremonies.
A small smile tugged at my lips as I recalled how, despite his serious demeanor, he would find little moments to check on me throughout the day. His silent reassurances, a quick squeeze of my hand, or a fleeting glance-those were the things that kept me going amidst all the formalities.
But now, with the house quiet and everyone resting, I couldn't help but miss his presence. Where was he?
As I sat there, feeling the soft cushions beneath me, I let my thoughts drift, hoping he would come soon. Maybe I would close my eyes for just a few minutes... just until he came back. The exhaustion was finally catching up to me, and I could feel myself dozing off in the soothing silence of our room.
As I drifted between sleep and wakefulness, I felt a gentle caress on my face. Slowly opening my eyes, I found Devyansh gazing at me with such tenderness that it made my heart skip a beat. His expression held so much love, it almost made me forget the tiredness still lingering in my body.
I blinked a few times, fully waking up, and immediately asked, "What time is it? Kitni der ho gayi?"
He chuckled softly, "Do ghante ho gaye, Mrs. Rathore. Lagta hai bahut thak gayi thi aap."
Hearing that, I quickly sat up, realizing I had been asleep for a while. But as I straightened myself on the sofa, I noticed that his intense gaze was locked onto me. There was something different in the way he was looking at me-his eyes were darker, more intense, and I felt the air around us shift.
Confused, I glanced down and realized what had caught his attention. My saree's pallu had slipped down, exposing more than I intended. The blouse was slightly loose, showing a bit of cleavage. His gaze was smoldering, filled with a hunger that sent a shiver down my spine.
Flustered and embarrassed, I quickly adjusted my saree, fixing the pallu back in place and covering myself. My cheeks were burning, and I couldn't bring myself to look at him. Without thinking, I stood up and practically ran towards the washroom, needing to escape the intensity of that moment.
As I closed the door behind me, I leaned against it, my heart racing. The way he looked at me-it was a mixture of desire and possessiveness, and it left me both nervous and excited. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down the rush of emotions swirling within me.
As I splashed cold water on my face, trying to cool down my racing thoughts, I suddenly felt a warm hand slide around my waist. Before I could even react, soft, urgent lips pressed against the side of my neck. My breath hitched as the familiar tingling sensation spread from where his lips touched my skin. His kisses-they have this way of making me feel weak, as if my knees might give out any second.
Gripping the counter for support, I closed my eyes, trying to gather some strength, but with each kiss trailing down my neck, it became harder to resist the pull. I opened my eyes and looked in the mirror. Devyansh's eyes were already fixed on mine, burning with a dark intensity, dominating yet filled with a passion that left me breathless.
He whispered near my ear, his voice low and commanding, "Mujhe aise bhagne ka kya faida, Mrs. Chauhan? Aapke pass aane se main kabhi nahi rukne wala."
Before I could say anything, he spun me around to face him, pinning me against the counter. His hand gripped my waist firmly while his other hand cupped my face. The look in his eyes-possessive, intense, and full of raw emotion-made my heart race even more.
Without waiting for my response, he claimed my lips in a kiss that was deep and demanding. I melted into the kiss, my hands clutching his shirt as he held me closer, leaving no space between us. The world seemed to blur as all I could focus on was him-his warmth, his touch, and the way he made me feel completely his.
As his lips continued to explore mine, he lifted me effortlessly, carrying me out of the washroom and straight to the bedroom. Before I could steady myself, he gently placed me on the bed, his intense gaze never leaving mine. In the process, my saree, which was already barely holding together, came undone again. I could feel my heart racing as he hovered over me, his eyes asking for more than just permission.
His voice was a hushed whisper, rough with desire, "Humai aage badhne ki ijazat hai?" I could only nod, unable to find my voice as the anticipation built up inside me. With that simple nod, something in him shifted He carefully moved my pallu aside, exposing more of me, and his lips descended to my cleavage, sending a wave of warmth and shivers all over my skin.
Every kiss felt like a brand, marking me as his. I clutched the bedsheet beneath me, trying to hold onto something, as the sensation of his mouth against my skin left me breathless. His touch was gentle but commanding, making it clear that this moment was about his desire for me but also his respect. Even in his intensity, there was tenderness.
He took his time, savoring every inch of me as I lay there, overwhelmed by the mix of emotions-shyness, nervousness, and an undeniable pull towards him. My body responded to his touch in ways I'd never felt before, wanting more but also feeling lost in the flood of sensations.
All I could do was close my eyes and let myself drown in the passion we were both wrapped up in, realizing fully for the first time what it meant to be completely his-heart, soul, and body.
As the evening settled in, Devyansh and I spent the rest of the day in a cocoon of intimacy, wrapped in each other's arms, exchanging kisses and gentle touches. The connection between us was palpable, and although the evening was filled with affectionate gestures and light teasing, he didn't push for anything more than what we had already shared. We simply enjoyed being close, finding solace in each other's presence.
When it was time for dinner, we made our way downstairs. The atmosphere was light, and we joined the family at the dining table. We laughed and chatted, but underneath it all, I sensed a shift in Devyansh's mood. As dinner concluded, and the family discussions turned to the next day's plans, his demeanor grew more subdued.
His mother informed me that tomorrow, I would need to return to my parents' home for the Pag Phera rasam. I nodded, though a pang of sadness hit me. It wasn't just about leaving Devyansh's side-it was about the growing realization that this was part of the transition into a new phase of life.
After dinner, we retreated to our room. Devyansh seemed quieter than usual, his earlier enthusiasm replaced with a thoughtful, almost distant look. As we settled in, I couldn't ignore his change in mood.
"Devyansh, kya hua? Aap kuch theek nahi lag rahe hain," I asked gently, touching his arm.
He looked at me, a shadow of worry in his eyes. "I just... I don't want you to go back to your parents' house tomorrow. I'm not used to having you away from me, even for a short time."
I could see the vulnerability in his eyes, a side of him that was rarely exposed. I took his hand in mine, squeezing it reassuringly. "I understand, Devyansh. It's just for a day, and then we'll be back together. It's part of the traditions, and I promise I'll be with you soon."
He nodded slowly, his expression softening. "I know, Ananya. It's just... it's hard to imagine not having you here next to me, even for a short while."
I leaned in, resting my head on his shoulder. "I'll miss you too. But we'll get through this, and I promise I'll make it up to you when I'm back."
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. "I'm counting on it," he murmured, his voice a mix of frustration and affection.
We spent the rest of the night in each other's arms, finding comfort in the closeness that spoke louder than words.