Chapter 41 #4
“Oh, wow, look at this beautiful decoration, pumpkin,” he murmured, and Princess Rudraja squealed in his hands. “See, your Maa-sa is here too,” he added, stepping closer.
“Rudraja,” Nandani said, standing up and looking at her. “Come on, let’s leave Kaako-sa alone.”
He chuckled. “Bhabhi-sa, that’s okay. She can stay here with us.”
Princess Aishwarya laughed. “Jiji, let the Princess stay,” she said.
But suddenly Kunwar-sa shook his head. “No, take her away. I need to do some serious begging of my wife for apologies.”
They laughed, and Nandani tried to take Princess from his arms, but the little girl shook her head stubbornly.
She began to fake-cry. He patted her back and kissed her cheek, making her giggle and sing softly.
Nandani tried again, but she refused.
I smiled and whispered, “It’s okay, Nandani. I’ll send her when she falls asleep.”
Nandani clicked her tongue. “Rudraja,” she called gently. The little girl finally turned to her, pouting her lips as if she was about to cry. She shook her head before finally shifting into Nandani’s arms.
“Aww, my Princess,” Nandani cooed, kissing her cheek and patting her back.
“Let’s go to Baapu-sa,” she said, leading her away.
Princess Aishwarya joined them as they walked away.
“Agastya,” she suddenly turned back and added softly, “don’t trouble her too much.”
He smiled and nodded. “As you say.”
As they disappeared and the door closed behind them, leaving Kunwar-sa and me alone, my heart began to race.
The room fell silent and calm.
I clenched my fingers into fists, watching him turn toward me.
“So?” he drawled slowly, staring at me. My smile faltered, and I curled my toes instinctively as he settled beside me on the bed.
“Congratulations,” he murmured, and I furrowed my brows. “For a happy wedding,” he added, and I drew in a slow, deep breath.
“Aapki bhi to thi,” “It was your wedding, too,” I muttered.
His lips curved into a faint, knowing smile as he nodded.
“Are you okay now?” he asked gently. I lowered my gaze, keeping my expression quiet. “Is it still hurting?”
At the mention, a sharp ache flickered through my nipple, but I shook my head.
“No,” I murmured.
My eyes fell to his hand as it slid closer to my henna and mahavar-inked feet. His thumb brushed my toe rings, and a shiver ran up the back of my neck. A soft, uncontrollable smile tugged at my lips as my toes dug deeper into the mattress in response.
“Kunwar-sa,” I breathed.
He lifted his intense green gaze to meet mine.
“Hmm…” he hummed, and my chest tightened. My breath came faster as I noticed the soft glow of the lamps playing across one side of his face, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw and the curve of his lips.
“Wo humein lag raha hai ki…” “I think that…”
I could not make sense of the words. A sudden flutter of nerves ran through me as his hand traced lightly over my foot, tickling my anklets. I swallowed hard and lowered my gaze.
“Kaho,” “Say it,” he murmured slowly. I closed my eyes, trying to steady my racing heart.
I felt him lean closer to the side of my face, and instinctively, I tightened my fists over my skirt. I waited, holding my breath, yet his touch didn’t linger where I expected. Slowly, his finger slid from my foot to my chin. Gently, he lifted my face, guiding my eyes to meet his.
My heart stopped.
His green eyes, same as always, yet holding so much more, locked with mine. Sleepy, tender, and burning with emotion all at once. A strand of hair fell across his forehead, and I gulped, lowering my lashes.
My lips parted instinctively as he drew closer, and I inhaled sharply, ready for a kiss. But instead, he pressed a fleeting, soft peck to my nose.
“I love you, my dear wife,” he whispered.
His words wrapped around me like a warm breeze, coaxing a shy smile from my lips. Yet, beneath the joy, my chest fluttered with anticipation for what the night held. I opened my eyes and met his smile.
“Bhabhi-sa ne tang karne se mana kiya hai,”
“Bhabhi-sa has asked me not to trouble you.” he added, reclining slightly behind me, propping on his elbow. I could feel the weight of his presence close to mine.
“Are you tired?” he asked softly. I blinked and shook my head.
“No,” I breathed.
He inhaled deeply. Slowly, carefully, his hand clenched the fabric of my dupatta at my back and drew it down, inch by inch. I closed my eyes, feeling a rush of shyness and thrill coursing through me. Changing in his presence had always been intimate, but this… this was entirely different.
The breeze brushed against my exposed skin, sending shivers down my spine. When his fingers brushed the base of my spine, goosebumps prickled my skin. My back arched as his knuckles traced gentle, teasing paths across me, and a timid smile escaped me.
“You look beautiful in red,” he murmured.
I couldn’t reply as the heat of his breath engulfed me, stirring a flutter in my chest. And when he pressed a soft kiss to the spot where he had once noted my mole, my heart surged, pounding fiercely in my ribcage.
As he deepened the kiss, my body tightened instinctively, arching inward, and I drew in a sharp breath. I slowly lowered my knees from my chest.
My jewellery chimed softly with even the slightest movement, making my nerves flutter. My dupatta slipped from my shoulder, and when I reached to pull it back into place, his hand closed gently around my wrist, stopping me.
“Koi aa na jaaye, Kunwar-sa,” “Someone might come, Kunwar-sa.” My voice trembled as his kiss at that sensitive spot sent shivers racing down my spine.
He didn’t answer. Instead, his lips travelled upward, coming to rest just an inch below the last tie of my blouse. I remembered there were six of them.
My breath hitched as his hand slipped from my wrist to my back. I felt his fingers curl around the loose end of the string.
I clenched my fists in my skirt while he tugged unhurriedly and undid the knot. A rush of air brushed my skin, bringing a strange mix of relief. He pressed a soft kiss there before moving on to the next tie, just as slowly, making my heart pound.
My heart raced as the fabric loosened further. I steadied my trembling hands beside me, aware of how my blouse was giving way beneath his careful touch.
He continued kissing my back, and overwhelmed by the sensations curling through me, I bit down softly on the inside of my lip, trying to quiet my racing breath.
“Kunwar-sa,” I murmured.
He answered with a low hum. “Hmm…”
I felt his fingers tug at the third string. My blouse loosened subtly against my chest, and I blinked nervously.
“Kahin Rajkumari Rudraja aapke liye ro na rahi ho,” “What if Princess Rudraja is crying for you?” I managed, though my voice wavered.
He shifted, lifting himself slightly, balancing his weight on one arm, and with the other, pushed my braid aside and caught hold of the following string.
“Unke maata-pita hain unhe chup karaane ke liye,” “She has her parents to calm her.” he whispered against my nape.
I pressed my hand over my chest as the fabric lost its hold, and my nipples perked as his presence lingered close. I swallowed, careful not to breathe too deeply.
My head tilted to the side when he leaned in, brushing the base of my neck with a soft kiss. My eyes fluttered shut, but the moment he undid the last two strings, my breathing grew heavier.
His fingertip rested briefly at my nape before gliding downward, gathering the loosened ties slowly. I blinked, feeling the coolness of his breath, contrasting the warmth pooling beneath my skin.
“You smell incredible,” he murmured near my ear. “It’s getting to me.”
I arched inward instinctively as his palm settled against my back, sliding toward my side. I drew my arms closer, pressing them tight against myself, silently blocking his path.
He didn’t push. Instead, he kissed the skin just behind my ear and let his fingers trail to my arm, carefully undoing the knot of my armlet, as though he had all the time in the world.
“Suhaagraat to aaj hum mana kar rahenge, Suman,”
“We will consummate our wedding tonight, Suman.”
he murmured against my ear, and I exhaled unevenly.
“Tumhaari ghabraahat ka arth kahin naa toh nahi?” “Does your nervousness mean no?” he asked gently, and I shook my head.
Heat rushed to my cheeks as timidity bloomed under his gaze.
“Are you sure?” he asked again.
I felt his fingers reach the knot of my necklace. I nodded, barely. “Ji,”
He loosened the knot, and the necklace slipped into my lap. My fingers shook as I gathered it and set it aside. A faint smile curved my lips when he caught the tail of my braid and began undoing the jewellery woven into it.
“Aapne toh kaha tha ki aap humse kshama maangenge,” “You said you would apologise to me.”
He didn’t answer, simply removed the ornament, placed it aside, and began smoothing my braid open. My hair spilt loose over my shoulders, and a few strands brushed my cheek. I tucked them back instinctively.
In one swift movement, he placed his hand on my knees and turned me to face him.
My gaze dropped shyly as he braced one arm beside my waist, while his other hand slid to the inside of my arm to undo the armlet there.
“I’m thinking I’ll apologise properly tomorrow,” he said quietly.
My brows creased in confusion, but before I could respond, his hand pressed gently to my midriff, guiding me back. I lay on the bed.
My heart pounded wildly, and my fingers curled into the bedsheet as I felt him move my dupatta aside at my waist, brushing just enough to make my breath catch.
I blinked as timidity flooded me, feeling his hand lower to the knot of my skirt.
I turned my face away, fixing my gaze on the small lamp burning quietly on the table.
I felt him loosening the strings with unhurried care.
Goosebumps rose along my skin as he slipped his fingers beneath the waistband and eased the fabric downward.
My eyes fluttered shut, and my fist tightened in the sheet beneath me.