12.
{Third person's pov}
Kiara walked inside the room with a water bottle in her hands, she placed the water bottle on the night stand and walked towards Another side of the bed to sleep.
She settled down and stared at the ceiling, Ekansh was looking at her, she looked serious.
"What's on your mind?" He asked gently, breaking the silence in the room.
"Nothing," She replied and turned her back towards him. He scooted closer to her, his body pressing against hers. He gently wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. She gasped as her back hit his front, her heart beat fastened. "Let me sleep," she whispered.
He smirked, enjoying the way he had caused a stir in her emotions. He tightened his grip around her waist, refusing to let her escape.
"I can tell when you're lying, you know," he said, his voice low and commanding. "You're thinking about something."
"I don't like that girl, Anjali." She whispered, He chuckled, finding her jealousy endearing. He didn't blame her for feeling a bit threatened, but he also knew there was nothing to worry about.
"Jealous?" He teased, his breath warm against her ear.
"No! It's just that I greeted her warmly but she didn't even smile at me." She whispered again.
"Relax," he murmured,"She's just a childhood friend."
She nodded and turned in his hold, "it's cold here." He welcomed her into his arms, relishing the feeling of her body snuggling against his. He pulled her close, their legs entangling under the covers.
................
Kiara woke up in the morning just to witness him still sleeping, she smiled. She was glad his insomnia was getting better, without making any noise she tried to get up from the bed but her anklets failed the mission.
He stirred at the sound of her anklets jingling, his eyes slowly opening to find her trying to quietly get up. A small smile tugged at his lips as he watched her attempt.
"Trying to sneak off without me noticing?" He teasingly inquired, his voice still hoarse from sleep.
"I was trying to not wake you up." She looked at him innocently. He leaned on his side, propping himself up on his elbow. His gaze was intense as he watched her, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
"Now that you are awake get up and get ready, it's day one of the maha puja." She said and got up from the bed.
.............
She got ready in a light yellow coloured saree, and stood in front of the mirror, she applied Vermilion in her hairline and stared at her reflection with a smile.
Just then Ekansh entered the room, he was just in his pants, he looked at her, a towel hung over his neck.
She looked at him through the mirror, her cheeks heating up. He noticed her looking at him through the mirror, her cheeks blushing as she took in his appearance. He smirked, enjoying the effect he had on her.
He approached her from behind, his bare chest pressed against her back. He leaned down, his lips just behind her ear, his breath warm against her skin.
"You look beautiful," he whispered, his voice dripping with desire. Her heartbeat skipped, she couldn't believe he was the same Ekansh she knew before marriage.
She smiled at him through the reflection and turned in his hold, now facing him. Her eyes immediately fell on a small scar, which was on his chest.
"What is this?" She caressed it. It was a cut scar. He shivered slightly as her fingers traced the scar on his chest. It was an old wound, He studied her face as she examined the scar, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Just an old fight," he replied casually, trying to brush it off. She stared into his eyes, "You are lying." She whispered.
He felt a pang of guilt as her eyes seemed to pierce through his soul. She could always see right through him.
He let out a resigned sigh, realizing that he couldn't keep the truth from her.
"It was from my step mother. Years ago, when I was young."
"She attacked you?" She asked, her eyes showing worry. He nodded, his gaze dropping to the ground. He didn't like talking about his past traumas, but he knew he couldn't keep anything from her.
"Yes, she was abusive," he said, his voice strained. "It was a long time ago, I've moved on."
"You told me she will hurt me because you thought she would try attacking me?" She asked.
He nodded. "Yes," he replied, his voice serious. "I didn't want her near you, because I know what she's capable of."
She stared at him, and immediately hugged him, "You are strong," she whispered.
He was taken aback by the sudden show of affection, but he quickly wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.
He buried his face in her hair, savoring the scent of her. Her words echoed in his mind, and he could feel the tightness in his chest starting to loosen.
"No, I'm not," he whispered back, his voice choked with emotion. "I'm just good at hiding my pain."
"That's called strong, and you don't have to hide your pain or anything from me." She whispered. "How many scars do you have?"
Despite her gentle tone, he tensed slightly at her question. He didn't like thinking about the numerous scars that marred his body, reminders of his painful childhood.
But he knew he couldn't hide them from her forever. She was his wife now, and she deserved to know the truth.
He turned away from her and slowly turned around showing his back to her.
She gasped, her hands immediately covered her mouth. She couldn't imagine someone could have so many scars on their body, her eyes teared up and she immediately turned him to face her, she couldn't imagine what he had been through, and couldn't see those scars at all.
He could sense her shock and horror at the sight of all the scars on his back, and he turned to face her, his eyes meeting hers.
He knew his back was a sight to behold, a brutal testament to the abuse he had endured for years. But the look in her eyes broke his heart. He didn't want her to feel sorry for him, or to see him as a pitiful victim.
"Don't look at me like that," he said firmly, his voice still tight with unspoken emotions.
"That's a lot-" He cut her off, his voice sharp. "I don't want you to pity me," he said gruffly, turning away from her.
He hated people feeling sorry for him, it made him feel weak and vulnerable. He had spent so many years building up his defenses, putting up a tough exterior to protect himself.
He didn't want her to see him as a damaged and broken person. He wanted her to see him as strong and invincible.
"Ekansh, I am not pitying you, I am admiring how strong you are." She whispered. "I am sorry if I was invading your privacy, I will go." She whispered again and walked out of the room.
As she walked out of the room, he stood there, He had expected her to be disgusted by the sight of his scars, to view him as weak and broken. But instead, she surprised him. She had admired his strength, his resilience.
He slammed his fist against the wall, frustrated. He didn't know how to deal with her kindness and understanding, it made him feel things he had long buried.
..............
Kiara was standing with his grandmother in the temple of the village where the maha puja was being held, Her head was covered, she respected traditional values.
"I have donated the most in this maha puja Kiara, I want my Grandchildren to perform this puja together." His grandmother said and looked at Kiara.
"Come with me," Kiara followed her and they both walked towards Ekansh, "Ekansh, come here." Hai grandmother said.
"Pandit ji, This couple will perform all the rituals." She said, and everyone in the village agreed, they were all admiring Ekansh and Kiara.
Kiara and Ekansh sat next to each other, in front of the first as the priest chanted the mantras.
Despite the loud chants echoing in the temple, Ekansh was feeling oddly calm. Sitting there next to her, their bodies so close, he felt a sense of peace he hadn't experienced in a long time.
He stole a glance at her, her head bowed in prayer, looking every bit like the pious wife he knew her to be.
The puja was done and there was another ritual that was supposed to be performed, Kiara and Ekansh walked out of the temple towards a different area.
"Kiara you are supposed to sit on his lap." Kiara's eyes widened, she hadn't expected something like that, she looked at Ekansh who stood there emotionlessly.
They were surrounded by ladies, Ekansh sat on the small stool and that shocked Kiara even more, he wasn't protesting.
"Come one Kiara sit," a lady spoke and Kiara bit her lips, she cursed under her breath, and carefully sat on his lap.
Kiara's heart raced as she sat on his lap, her body pressed against his. She could feel the heat of his body, the solid strength of his thighs beneath her.
She tried to keep her breathing steady, willing her body not to betray her nervous energy. She could feel the eyes of the ladies around them, watching their every move.
He could feel her body tense against his, he could sense her nervousness. He could easily feel her heart beat which was racing against her chest.
He didn't want to make it obvious that he was enjoying this far more than he should.
The priest chanted some mantras and the ladies purse milk over both of them making her gasp.
He smirked as she gasped at the feel of the cold milk on her skin. He had to admit, having her on his lap and the feeling of the milk on both of them was oddly enjoyable.
Then they poured water over both of them, Kiara was so shocked, she never knew such rituals existed.
The water ran down her body, making her clothes cling to her skin, emphasizing her curves. He tried to suppress a groan, his body reacting to the sight of her in wet clothes, sitting on his lap.
As soon as the ritual was done she got up from his lap, and looked at Nani, "Ekansh and Kiara you both should go home, I will come after a few hours after this puja is completely done."
He stood up, feeling the loss of her body heat against his own. He nodded in agreement.
Kiara walked inside the house, and rushed inside the bathroom. She changed her clothes and wore a plain kurti because it was already evening.
She came out while drying her hair and looked at him who was still sitting in those wet clothes, she didn't say anything and ignore him.
As she came out of the bathroom, he remained sitting on the bed, still wearing his wet clothes. He watched as she dried her hair, a frown on his face.
He was annoyed by her sudden aloofness. He had seen the way she had reacted to having to sit on his lap during the ritual. He knew she wasn't as indifferent to him as she wanted to appear.
"You're ignoring me," he said, his voice low.
"I am trying not invade your personal space." She taunted him, because in the morning her was acting like she was some stranger.
He chuckled, a mocking sound that grated on her nerves. "Personal Space?" He echoed, his tone laced with sarcasm.
"We're married now, remember? Personal space is a thing of the past."
"then why were you acting like I was a stranger?" She rolled her eyes and tried to walk away.
He held her arm, feeling frustrated with himself. "I'm sorry," he muttered, his voice gruff. "I shouldn't have been cold with you this morning."
..................