Chapter 14
The first thing Kashvi felt when she woke was the deep, wrung-out ache in her body. A dull heaviness sat in her limbs, and a lingering ache pulsed faintly through her chest.
When she tried to curl her fingers into a fist, the strain made her inhale sharply. She could only vaguely recall the seizure from last night, her mind still foggy from the medication.
She tried to move, but immediately tensed as she became aware of the weight against her back and the firm line of an arm curved around her waist. Carefully, she shifted onto her back to find Swayam snoring lightly into her hair.
His features were softened by sleep, his lashes casting faint shadows beneath his eyes. For a moment, she simply watched him.
Last night came back to her in fragments. Every time she stirred awake, fatigued and disoriented, Swayam had been there, holding her in his arms. He hadn’t let go of her once, apparently not even in his sleep.
A small sigh slipped out of her, and Kashvi hesitated briefly before lifting her hand to brush her fingers lightly along his cheekbone.
What would it be like to wake up like this every morning?
She rubbed gently against his scruffy beard, which seemed denser than yesterday. He’d asked if she wanted him to shave for the wedding, and she’d told him it was up to him. What she hadn’t told him was that she was relieved he hadn’t, because she loved it.
Her pulse suddenly felt louder in her ears as her fingers hovered inches from his lips. She brushed the pad of her thumb against his lower lip, and her breath caught as the memory of their kiss rushed to the surface. A sharp, insistent need hummed beneath her skin, impossible to ignore.
If she hadn’t been touching his lips, she wouldn’t have felt them twitch as Swayam tried to smother his smile.
Kashvi gasped. It only deepened the unrepentant curve at the corner of his mouth before he opened his eyes, warm and fully awake.
‘You were not asleep!’ she accused, pulling her hand back from his lips, though heat had already rushed through her.
Swayam didn’t bother denying it. ‘I was, until you started touching me like that,’ he said, completely unbothered.
‘I was not,’ she began, only to falter when he took her hand, threaded his fingers through hers, and held it against his chest.
‘You were, and for a second, I thought I was dreaming. So I stayed quiet, because if that was a dream, I never wanted to wake up.’
Kashvi fought back a shy smile, looking away. ‘Stop being so annoying.’
‘Am I? Is that why you’re still snuggled in my arms?’ he asked fondly.
‘The correct word is “stuck.” I couldn’t move because you’re a giant bear.’
‘Well, that works in my favour, because I’ve got you right where I want you,’ he said, nuzzling into the crook of her neck. His arm tightened securely around her as he pulled her closer.
Swayam pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. ‘Good morning, my birthday girl.’
Her heart stuttered.
‘So, what would you like this year?’ he asked, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
‘You’re asking me that on my birthday?’ Kashvi scoffed. ‘It’s a bit late to be looking for presents, don’t you think?’
Swayam gave her a cocky smile. ‘I already got your present, and I know you’re going to love it. I just wanted to know if there’s something else I could get you.’
She narrowed her eyes at him, curiosity mingling with suspicion. ‘You sound very sure of yourself.’
Swayam shrugged. ‘I know you well. So yes, I am.’
‘What if I don’t like it?’
‘Then I’ll get you something you do like,’ he said simply. ‘But I don’t think I’ll have to.’
Kashvi waved a hand, unimpressed by his confidence. ‘Of course you’d say that. You’ve been there for the last five years of my birthdays. This isn’t new territory for you. I’ve trained you well.’
‘That you did, but this isn’t like before. This is the first time I get to call the birthday girl my wife.’
Kashvi hid her face against his chest. ‘You’re dangerous,’ she whispered.
‘Look who’s talking,’ he chuckled, holding her close to his heart. ‘I know you’re particular about your birthday, so tell me something you’d actually like.’
Could I ask him for a kiss?
The thought hit her with such ferocious need that it knocked the breath out of her. It only grew worse when he traced a finger from her cheek down to her collarbone.
Swayam shifted closer, and she instinctively leaned into his touch. Her gaze flickered to his lips before forcing itself back to his eyes. Her heart was beating too fast, and her thoughts felt too slow.
The plea hovered at the edge of her lips. All she had to do was say it.
The sharp ringtone of his phone cut through the moment.
With a reluctant sigh, he pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before pulling away just enough to grab his phone from the bedside table.
Swayam glanced at the screen and chuckled. He leaned back against the headboard as he answered. ‘Viru, it’s seven in the morning.’
The voice on the other end was too faint for Kashvi to make out, but Swayam let out a huff. ‘Yeah? Well, some of us have a special day planned, and you’re ruining it.’
Kashvi exhaled slowly and pushed herself up from the bed with a soft groan. The floor felt cold beneath her feet as she moved towards the dressing table. In the mirror, her reflection stared back at her with swollen eyes lined with exhaustion.
In a nutshell, she looked like a ghost.
It’s good I didn’t ask for that kiss. He might’ve laughed in my face.
Behind her, Swayam continued talking. ‘Yes, yes, I remember it’s your special day too. You’ve reminded me every week for the last year.’
Kashvi picked up her phone from the dressing table, and the screen instantly lit up with notifications. A message from Siya caught her attention.
Hey. I’m so sorry, but it looks like I’ll be missing your birthday. Neena Maa is sick, so we’re at the airport right now on our way to Delhi. I didn’t want to wake you up, so I’m leaving this text. I promise we’ll celebrate once we’re back. Love you. Oh, and happy birthday, my Kashu baby.
A thread of concern tightened in her chest, and she made a mental note to call and check on Neena Aunty later. It wasn’t until she tapped open the next notification that she realised it was from an unknown private number.
It’s such a beautiful, special day, isn’t it? Have you been thinking about me too?
The message had come only a minute ago. She couldn’t understand who had the energy to pull a prank so early in the morning. She quickly blocked the number, hoping that would be the end of it.
Kashvi dropped her phone back onto the dresser and gathered her frizzy hair into a bun as she heard Swayam chuckle into the call.
‘Don’t you dare come over unannounced. I will kick you out. I mean it.’
The reply on the other end must have been quick, because he huffed, shaking his head. ‘You’re right. I’ve been ignoring you because you refuse to accept that I can’t come tonight. I told you, I already have plans for the day.’
Her head snapped towards his reflection in the mirror.
Was he was skipping his cousin’s engagement?
‘Yeah, with someone special,’ he announced, and realisation hit her. He was doing this for her birthday.
Kashvi whirled around, waving her hands for him to stop.
He winked at her, then asked his cousin, ‘Oh yeah? You want to lecture me about priorities? You skipped my graduation because you were too busy with some girl in Goa.’
Kashvi threw her hands up in frustration, gesturing that she would hit him with a book.
Swayam flashed her a cheeky smile as he said, ‘Don’t even dare to threaten me with that. Viru, you’re not ratting me out to Malini maasi, or I’ll have to tell Lavi to find a better man because I’ll kill you.’
She folded her arms across her chest, glaring at him.
The amusement refused to leave his eyes. ‘Relax. I’ll make it up to you, Viru, I promise. I’ll come over this weekend, and we’ll celebrate. Congratulations, bhai. I’m happy for both of you.’
‘Yeah, I’ll call you later,’ he added before ending the call.
‘What was that? Don’t you know you have to show up for important family events?’ she asked, tapping her foot impatiently against the floor.
Swayam stretched out, one arm tucked beneath his head. ‘I do know that I can’t miss milestones like that.’
His agreeable response threw her off completely. Relief rushed through her. ‘Good. You should leave early too. There must be a lot to do there.’
‘I’m right where I need to be.’
‘Swayam,’ she scolded.
‘Oh yes, say my name,’ he said with a grin.
She rushed forward to swat at him, and he took it with open arms, laughing at her feeble hits.
He caught both her hands in his. ‘Listen to me. You’re right, but you’re talking about the wrong person.
You’re my family too, and it’s your twenty-fifth birthday.
This is a milestone I won’t miss for anything. ’
Her mind scrambled to catch up with the way he had twisted her own argument against her. ‘So is your cousin’s engagement, and between the two, he should take precedence. He’ll hate you for this.’
‘I guess I’ll just have to learn to live with it,’ Swayam said, entirely pleased with himself.
When she tried to smack his shoulder again, he held her wrist a little tighter. ‘Isn’t it too early in the day for violence? Or is this how you plan to celebrate your birthday?’
She winced sharply when his grip sent a flash of pain shooting up her arm. Humour vanished from his eyes as he immediately loosened his hold. ‘I’m sorry. Are you okay? Did I hurt you?’
‘I’m fine.’
‘Hey, you promised to try, remember? Talk to me. How are you feeling?’
Kashvi sighed. ‘I’m just a little sore. And tired.’
The tension in him eased slightly. ‘Of course you are. Last night was rough. Maybe you should sleep a little more. Get some rest.’
‘I can’t. There’s too much work waiting for me at the office.’
Swayam insisted, ‘Work can wait. It’s your birthday.’
She shook her head. ‘Actually, it can’t. The funds are getting released in a few days, and there are a hundred things pending. It’s not something I can push to tomorrow. Anyway, Di and Jiju are off to Delhi, and Mihu and Raghav are out of town too, so the party’s off.’
‘How come?’ he asked, raising a brow.
‘Neena Aunty isn’t feeling well, so they went home last night.’
‘I’ll talk to Abhay later. We’ll have a party once they’re back,’ Swayam hummed softly before adding, ‘I was thinking of inviting Dhruv too.’
‘How come?’ she asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
He shrugged. ‘He really helped us yesterday. He even called last night to wish you, so I figured why not get to know him a little better.’
Kashvi didn’t hate the idea, which surprised her. ‘That’s okay, I guess.’
He gave her a knowing smile. ‘I’m just glad I got you all to myself.’
Kashvi rolled her eyes, fighting a smile.
‘Go on, get ready. I’ll drop you off,’ he offered.
‘You’re not going to work?’ she asked, looking for her towel.
Swayam shook his head. ‘I’m working on a freelance series, so I will work from home.’
‘Lucky you,’ she tossed over her shoulder as she headed into the bathroom.
By the time she stepped out of her room dressed for work, Swayam had laid out breakfast on the kitchen island. In the middle of it sat a little rainbow cupcake.
‘What is this?’ she asked, pointing at it.
‘Meera sent it for you yesterday, with strict instructions that I’m not allowed even a bite,’ Swayam said, taking a seat. ‘Hungry?’
Kashvi was ravenous, and the spread of pancakes, poha, and Meera’s cupcake looked too good to resist.
She took the seat beside him, and the sight of the pancakes made her stomach grumble. Warmth spread through her when she noticed he had written her name in thick ribbons of chocolate.
‘You’re being unbelievably corny,’ she remarked, picking up a fork and digging in.
Swayam winked. ‘Oh, you just wait. I have a lot planned.’
Kashvi saved the cupcake for last, planning to savour it, but the moment Swayam mentioned his Harley, she rushed through it.
As he cleaned up, Kashvi went into her room to grab her purse and coat. When she stepped out, Swayam was waiting by the door. He reached out and offered her a helmet. ‘Ready to go?’
She put it on, and he adjusted the strap under her chin. ‘Comfortable?’ he asked.
She nodded.
They took the elevator down to the parking lot. She climbed on behind him, and the Harley roared to life as Swayam revved the accelerator. Then they were off.
Her hands hovered for a second, unsure how to hold onto him. Just then, Swayam hit the brake, and the sudden movement pulled her forward, her chest colliding with his back. She wrapped her arms around him to steady herself.
‘Careful there,’ he said, his shoulders shaking with laughter.
‘That was you,’ Kashvi shot back.
‘Seems like the only way I’ll get you to hold onto me.’
With a soft chuckle, she tightened her hold, flattening her palms against his chest. She rested her head against his back, closing her eyes as the cold air rushed past them. He could have kept driving, for all she cared.
They reached the foundation office too soon. Swayam brought the bike to a smooth stop.
Kashvi got off and removed her helmet.
He followed, running a hand through his tousled hair. ‘Text me when you’re done. I’ll pick you up.’
She shook her head. ‘You don’t have to. I’ll get a cab.’
‘No. I’ll be here. I have a surprise planned, and I don’t want you coming home early and ruining it.’
‘Okay. I’ll be waiting,’ she said, biting her lower lip to hide her smile.
His gaze softened. Swayam reached for her hand, turning it gently before pressing a kiss to the back of it. ‘I’ll see you soon, baby.’
Then he pulled away, the engine roaring as he rode off. Kashvi stood there for a moment, savouring the faint echo of his laughter.