CHAPTER 39
MAAHI
It’s already the fifth day, with just one more left before Daadi and I return to India. I can’t believe this is happening. Vikram and I have grown closer than I ever expected, thanks to Daadi and her wonderful surprise. Staying here with Vikram was no less than a dream come true, and I’m beginning to imagine living here forever. Though I know it’s not possible anytime soon, I can see myself cooking in this kitchen, with Prince Pompous distracting me with his kisses and hugs.
We’ve already christened the living room and his playroom with our make-out sessions, and our bedroom is now filled with memories of our togetherness. I’ll miss that bed, especially the open sky ceiling where we star-gazed for hours last night. And I’ve lately realized how hot my husband looks at night wearing nothing but his boxers. The way he is slowly leading our marriage one step at a time is incredible.
Lost in these thoughts, I keep stirring the dosa batter when I hear Meera aunty’s voice.
“Dosas?” she asks, approaching me. “Is there anything you don’t know how to cook?”
“Was that a compliment or a criticism?” I ask.
She rolls her eyes. “That’s the problem with every daughter-in-law. They don’t understand when their mother-in-law is teasing them. By the way, it was a compliment. Vikram has always loved Indian breakfast, but I… I never could make one for him. And you know Jack—he can make the best Western and Continental dishes, but that’s it.”
“Don’t worry, Mom-in-law. Jack has noted down all my recipes, so he’ll surely try them soon. He has my number, so he can always call if he needs help.”
The smile on Meera aunty’s face fades away.
“Have you thought of shifting here anytime soon?” She comes straight to the point.
“Not yet.”
“You’re breaking my son’s heart, and that’s something I don’t appreciate.”
“I feel broke too, Mom-in-law. But trust me, it’s not easy to wind up everything so soon and restart here. I need time to strategize and materialize things.”
“How long?”
“I can’t commit to anything now.”
She sighs, annoyed by my lack of a timeline. “You’re delaying things on purpose, Maahi, and don’t think I can’t notice it.”
“What do you mean?”
“For Maa. You want to delay this for her because we all know she’s not going to shift here with us.”
Okay. Now that she’s brought Daadi into the conversation, I decide to be open.
“Daadi is one of the reasons I can’t hurry up and leave India anytime soon,” I admit. “I know if I ask her to shift with me and Vikram forever, she’ll happily do it, but that won’t make her happy.”
“God, Maahi,” Meera yells. “Why don’t you understand? Maa has lived her life, and now it’s high time you and Vikram focus on yours.”
I can’t believe she said that.
“I know she’s lived her life, Mom-in-law. But she’s lived it alone. You, Uncle, and Vikram were never there for her all these years. Now that she’s old and needs her family around, I don’t think she’s expecting too much. I’ve seen her live with those few memories you all gave her once every year by visiting her at Ratna Mahal, and then for nine years even that stopped.”
Meera aunty groans in anger. “You have no idea what she did to me and Vanraj.”
“I know what happened between you both and her. She told me everything. But that doesn’t mean you ignore her now.”
She steps forward, pointing a finger at me. “She tried to turn my husband against me, Maahi, and I don’t trust her even now, even though she’s old. I’m happy with my husband and son here, and I’m not losing them again. If Maa wants, she can join us here, but we have nothing to do with shifting back to India forever. The sooner you absorb this truth, the easier it will be for you and Vikram to lead a happy life. And if you don’t have such plans, then don’t give my son any false hopes. I won’t let anyone break his heart. Do you understand?”
There’s no point in arguing with her now so I let her leave the room and focus back on breakfast.
**************
The day passes quickly. The next day, Vikram takes me out for shopping, and I surprise him by wearing the watch he gifted me. The one with the note, “Our good times start now. Welcome to my world,” that he sent through Daadi on our wedding day. He’s thrilled I’m using it and keeps kissing my wrist, giving me goosebumps throughout our shopping time. I buy a few designer clothes from famous fashion brands and promise Vikram to wear them when we’re together next time. I also buy him a leather jacket, similar to the one he wore during our motorbike ride the other day. He looks hot in them.
When we return home, I start packing. Tomorrow is my flight back to India, and I’m not prepared at all.
As I keep dumping my clothes into the trolley bag, lost in the memories we’ve created over the past six days, Vikram’s voice breaks my stance. He’s out of the washroom, having just trimmed his beard, making him look even more irresistible.
“Is that how you pack clothes?” he teases, picking a dress from my trolley bag and folding it nicely.
I admire him for a while, but when he grabs my inners, I quickly snatch them back. “Don’t. I’ll do them myself.”
I’m a bit late to convey that, as his mood shifts from normal to completely romantic. He reaches behind me, spoons me in his arms, and kisses my nape.
“Don’t go,” he pleads. I wish I could agree, but the moment I open my lips to say something, he turns me around and shuts them with his lips. “I know you can’t extend your stay here. Just don’t say it. That’s even worse.”
I cling to him as he carries me to the bed.
“Our last make-out, until next time,” he whispers, hovering over me.
“Vikram…”
“Maahi,” he murmurs, leaning into the crook of my neck, and for the next few minutes, I can hardly think of anything else. He peppers kisses on my body, undressing me, leaving me bare for his hungry eyes. His mouth and lips transports me into another world altogether, his experienced fingers brings me to the edge again and again. Tonight, his desires are on fire. So far, we’ve never raced to the finish line, consummating our marriage, but tonight it seems like Vikram wants to. But I’m too overwhelmed by the changes in my life right now and flinch away when Vikram pulls my hand over his hard length inside his boxers. He pauses, taking a minute to realize I’m not ready and quickly rolls back on the bed and pulls me close.
“I’m sorry, Maahi. I forgot we were taking this slow,” he says, his words choked.
I swallow painfully and snuggle him tight for considering my situation. Parting tomorrow will be hard if we go any further tonight. I’m glad he didn’t push, because if he had, I would have submitted willingly. I’ve got comfortable with him over the past few days, and with the level of understanding he’s shown tonight, I think I’m falling harder for Vikram, and I don’t mind it at all.