Chapter 41
After a few minutes, Aaryan stepped out.
He was no longer wearing the heavy bridal outfit. Instead, he had changed into a simple, comfortable dress but his face was still covered under the veil.
Randhir was lying on one side of the bed, propped slightly on his elbow.
The moment Aaryan appeared, his eyes lifted and stayed there.
Aaryan walked toward him slowly, steps hesitant, hands folded nervously in front of him.
He stopped right in front of the bed.
And just… stood there.
As if waiting for instructions.
Randhir watched him for a moment, confusion slowly replacing his soft smile.
He sat up properly.
“Titli?” he called gently.
Aaryan didn’t move.
Randhir tilted his head slightly.
“Kya hua, Titli?”
Aaryan swallowed, fingers twisting into his dress again.
“Main…” he hesitated. “Main yahin khada rahun?”
Randhir blinked.Then realization dawned on him. He stood up immediately.
“Tum khade kyun rahoge ?” he asked softly. “Ye tumhara bhi kamra hai.”
He moved a little aside and patted the empty space on the bed.
“Yahan baitho.”
Aaryan looked at the bed.
Then at Randhir. Then slowly climbed onto the mattress and sat at the very edge, leaving a careful distance between them.
Randhir couldn’t help but smile faintly at the way he perched there like a cautious little bird.
“shaant ho jaao,” he murmured.
There was no teasing in his tone now.
Just warmth.
“tumhe humari ijazat ki jarurat nhi hai , Titli. Tum jo chaho kr sakte ho ye zindagi tumhari hai."
Aaryan’s shoulders eased slightly at that.
“Chalo… ab muskura bhi do.”
Aaryan blinked. The way Randhir said it was so serious, as if giving an order was unexpectedly funny. A laugh rose in his throat.
But he didn’t know how to let it out.
He had never laughed freely in front of someone like this. He tried to hold it in.
Randhir narrowed his eyes playfully.
“Jaldi karo, shona,” he insisted lightly. “Hum intezaar kar rahe hain.”
That nickname again.
Shona. Something inside Aaryan melted. The corners of his lips curved despite his effort to control them.
A small smile appeared beneath the veil.
Randhir leaned a little closer, studying him even though he couldn’t see his face clearly. He didn’t need to. He could feel it. The air between them changed. There was warmth now.
Randhir said quietly with satisfaction in his voice. “Ye hui na baat.”
Aaryan’s smile deepened just a little more and though the veil still hid his face Randhir knew that his Titli was smiling.
Randhir looked at him for a moment, studying the way he was still sitting carefully.
“Thak gaye hoge?” he asked gently.
Aaryan immediately shook his head.
Randhir chuckled softly.
“Achha ji,” he said in a teasing tone. “Tareeke to bohot hain thakane … lekin abhi ke liye rehne dete hain.”
He realized a second too late that he had said that out loud.
“Ji… kya.... matlab?”
Randhir cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Umm… kuchh nahi,” he said quickly. “Hum to bas… aise hi.”
He shifted slightly, trying to sound normal.
“Achha, sone ke baare mein baat karte hain humara mtlab aapko kaunsi taraf sona pasand hai?”
Aaryan blinked.
“Koi bhi…”
Randhir shook his head.
“Nahi, koi ek batao, Titli.”
Aaryan hesitated, then pointed softly toward one side of the bed.
“Ye wali.”
Randhir nodded.
“Thik hai. Phir tum udhar… aur hum idhar.” He pointed playfully. “Jaao apni taraf. Ye humara hai.”
He said it deliberately in a teasing tone, just to see that shy reaction again. Aaryan quietly moved to the indicated side and carefully lay down right at the very edge of the bed, as if afraid to take too much space.
Randhir lay down on his side, facing him.
He watched him for a few seconds.
Then sighed softly.
“Shona… thoda andar ki taraf aajao. Gir jaoge.”
Aaryan stiffened. Randhir added lightly, “Tumhara pati bacche nahi khata. Daro mat.”
Aaryan turned slightly.
“Ji? ma... main baccha thodi hoon.”
Randhir smiled.
“Thik hai ji,” he replied calmly. “Aap jaisa kahe....”
Randhir shifted slightly on the bed, still lying on his side, eyes fixed on the small figure beside him.
“Thand lag rahi hai?” he asked softly.
Aaryan shook his head under the veil.
“Nahi.”
Randhir smiled faintly.
“Thoda zyada bola karo,” he murmured. “Tumhari awaaz sunke… bohot sukoon milta hai.”
Aaryan’s breath faltered. His cheeks flushed again, even though they were hidden. He quickly turned to the other side, presenting his back to Randhir in shy defense. Randhir almost laughed.
He had the sudden urge to pull him closer, to wrap an arm around him just because he looked unbearably cute like this But he stayed still.
He wouldn’t rush him.
Instead, he spoke again, tone playful.
“Chehra to chhupa hi rakha hai…” he sighed dramatically. “Ab kya yun muh mod ke humari saanse chheen lene ka iraada hai?”
Aaryan immediately turned back toward him, alarmed.
“N....nahi, main.”
Randhir chuckled softly.
“Ghabrao mat, shona. Mazaak kar raha hoon.”
His voice was warm, reassuring.
He shifted slightly closer but still kept a respectful distance.
Randhir shifted slightly, still lying on his side facing Aaryan.
“Neend aa rahi hai?” he asked softly.
“Nahi,” Aaryan replied in a small voice.
Randhir’s lips curved.
“Matlab thodi aur baat kar sakte hain abhi.”
“Ji.”
Randhir looked pleased.
“Toh ye batao… tumhara pasandida rang kaunsa hai?”
There was a pause.
“Ji… vo… mujhe nahi pata.”
Randhir blinked. Then he chuckled softly.
“Kya? Tum hume batana nahi chahte, hai na?”
“N... nahi,” Aaryan said quickly. “Main sach keh raha hoon…”
Randhir’s teasing expression faded just slightly. He didn’t push.
“Thik hai,” he said gently. “Koi baat nahi. Apna sabse pasandida khana batao.”
Aaryan hesitated again.
“Mujhe nahi pata.”
This time Randhir heard it. The uncertainty wasn’t playful.
It was real.
He softened immediately.
“Koi baat nahi,” he said lightly, trying to lift the mood. “Pehle ki baatein chhodo. Ab apni nayi zindagi ke baare mein socho. Apne baare mein socho.”
His voice turned warm.
“Dheere dheere tumhe khud pata chal jaayega tumhe kya pasand hai.”
Aaryan stayed quiet for a second.
Then softly “Ji… waise aapko kaunsa rang pasand hai?”
Randhir smiled. He closed his eyes briefly, taking a slow breath.
“Halka gulabi,” he whispered.
Aaryan blinked beneath the veil.
“Par kyun?”
Randhir’s voice dropped lower.
“Bas… ek din us rang me duniya ki sabse khubsurat murat dekhi thi humne. Sabse anmol. Sabse pyaari.”
“Aur aapki pasandida khaane ki cheez?” he asked quietly instead.
Randhir smirked faintly.
“Abhi ke liye… moong daal ka halwa.”
Aaryan tilted his head slightly.
“Abhi ke liye?”
Randhir’s eyes gleamed playfully.
“Matlab… kya pata kabhi humare mann ko kuch aur meetha pasand aa jaaye.”
He paused deliberately.
“Aur vo toh tay hai… ki hoga hi.”
Aaryan nodded slowly, not fully understanding but not questioning either. Randhir looked at him with fond disbelief.
“Sach mein bohot bhole ho tum.”
“Ji?”
“Kuch nahi,” Randhir said with a smile.
“Waise jaankar achha laga ki apne pati ke baare mein jaana chahte ho tum.”
Aaryan smiled quietly beneath the veil. After that, they kept talking.
Mostly Randhir spoke. Mostly Aaryan answered in short, soft replies.
About small things. About silly things.
About nothing important at all.
Randhir kept asking just to hear that gentle voice.
After some time....
“Hai na, Titli?” Randhir said, finishing some half-serious thought. There was no reply.
He had fallen asleep while listening.
Randhir’s expression softened completely.
He carefully adjusted the blanket over him so he wouldn’t get cold.
Then lay back down quietly.
.........
...............
The first light of dawn slipped quietly through the curtains.
It was barely 5 a.m. Aaryan’s eyes fluttered open at his usual time.
For a few seconds, he stared at the unfamiliar ceiling then slowly remembered.
The wedding.
The conversations. His new room.
His husband. He turned his head carefully.
Beside him, Randhir was sleeping.
Not like a prince. Not like a warrior.
But like a tired boy. His hair was slightly messy, one arm resting loosely near his head, breathing deep and steady. Without the sharpness in his eyes, without the authority in his posture he looked softer and younger.
Aaryan slowly sat up, careful not to disturb him. He leaned just a little closer, studying his face properly for the first time in calm daylight.
A shy smile appeared on his lips.
“K.... kitna bacche jaise so rahe hain…” he whispered to himself.
He hesitated. Then, very slowly, he lifted his hand.
His fingers hovered above Randhir’s hair.
So close. Just one touch. But he stopped.
His courage melted at the last second. He quickly withdrew his hand, cheeks turning warm again.
He looked at him one more time Longer this time.
Then quietly slipped off the bed and walked toward the washroom, pausing at the door to glance back once more.
.................
After finishing his bath, Aaryan stepped back into the chamber.
He was wearing the new clothes Rani Kalyani had given him simple, elegant, soft in color.
The fabric felt lighter than the heavy bridal dress from the night before.
Randhir was still asleep. Carefully, Aaryan moved to the small corner of the room where Randhir had arranged a little puja space a neat wooden platform, a small idol, fresh flowers, and a diya that had long gone out.
Aaryan’s eyes softened. Without making noise, he lit the diya again.
He folded his hands, closed his eyes, and whispered his morning prayers. His voice was low and steady, almost blending with the quiet hum of dawn.
He prayed for strength.
For peace. For courage in this new life. After finishing, he placed a small flower before the idol and touched the floor respectfully. Then he walked toward the window. The curtains were slightly open. Cool morning air flowed inside, brushing against his face.
He sat there quietly, knees folded to one side, looking at the rising sun.
The sky was painted in pale orange and soft pink. He inhaled deeply.
The world felt different today......
Aaryan rested his chin lightly on his hand and let the morning breeze calm the nervous flutter still lingering inside his chest....
....................
It was almost eight in the morning.
The sun had risen fully now, warm light filling the chamber.
Aaryan was still sitting by the window exactly where he had been for hours. His veil still covered his face, untouched. The morning breeze moved the fabric slightly, but he held it in place unconsciously.
Behind him, Randhir stirred.
He slowly opened his eyes and instinctively reached the side of the bed.
He sat up immediately. His eyes searched the room.
“Titli…” he called softly at first.
Then louder.
“Titli…”
Aaryan turned at the sound of his voice.
“Ji?”
Relief flashed across Randhir’s face.
He spotted him sitting on the floor near the window.
“Tum waha neeche kyun baitho ho?” he asked, slightly confused but smiling.
“Yahan achha lag raha hai,” Aaryan replied quietly. “Isiliye.”
Randhir’s expression softened.
Without hesitation, he got off the bed and walked toward him. Then he calmly sat down beside him on the floor. Aaryan immediately looked concerned.
“Aap neeche m.... mat baithiye…”
Randhir raised a brow playfully.
“Kyun, shona? Tum nahi chahte ki hume bhi achha lage?”
Aaryan quickly shook his head.
“J.... ji, aisa nahi hai…”
Randhir chuckled softly.
“Waise kya dekh rahe ho bahar?”
Aaryan turned his gaze toward the open sky again.
“Kuchh nahi,” he said gently. “Bas… hawa le raha tha.”
Randhir nodded. For a moment, they both sat there in silence, feeling the breeze. Then Randhir stood up.
“Humara intezaar karo,” he said lightly. “Hum turant nahake aate hain. Phir saath mein hawa lenge.”
Aaryan nodded obediently. Randhir smiled once more before walking toward the washroom.