【75】 Birthday.
"Happy Birthday. My Ruvit."
The words, formed into a whisper, left my lips the moment 12:00 AM struck on the clock, while sitting beside Ruvit's left side.
He was sleeping on the bed. But he blinked when I whispered against his ear again.
"You have always prioritised my happiness over anything. Today, I will do it for you." He woke up at my voice.
But his eyes squeezed at the sudden flood of brightness in the room and a party popper bursting in the background.
The room was minimally decorated, according to his preference.
Such as the balloons floating along the walls, while blue ribbons hanging from the ceiling.
Blue because he said it's his favourite colour. And I know the reason behind it as well.
My eyes. They are blue.
That's wae, it is his favourite colour.
Half a dozen voices hummed with excitement as his family and mine filled the space.
I pressed a kiss to his cheek, his lips twitching into a small smile. Then, I made him sit slowly, sliding a cushion behind his back to support him.
His arm was alright now but I was still extra careful about it.
His hair was messy, and face was soft with sleep. And God, he looked heartbreakingly handsome just like that.
"I didn't even remember." His voice was deep and husky, genuineness hidden beneath his eyes.
From his right side, his mother laughed softly. "That's why, God sent Aridhi as your wife to make your birthdays worth remembering."
Ruvit scratched the back of his neck, his ears turning a shade of red, while his eyes remained fixed at me. "Indeed."
Ritu aunty stepped away and Dhruv leaned in at Ruvit's side. "Already blushing, birthday boy?"
"Shut up." Ruvit muttered, annoyed. Though, he held a small smile on his face.
And then suddenly, the room burst into loud noise, everyone wishing him all at once.
"Excuse me. Move." A familiar dramatic voice came through the door, Abhir and Rishika entering inside the room.
Right, they arrived 2 hours ago from Delhi.
Abhir shoved Vinayak bhaiya aside as he rushed towards Ruvit's side. "My one and only favourite brother-in-law, happy birthday."
Ruvit slapped his back with a smile, playfully. "Thanks, buddy. I hope you took good care of Rishika back in Delhi."
"Of course, bro. She was a menace but I know how to tame rebellious kids." Abhir passed a smug smile, earning a heartful nod from Ruvit.
As if Abhir ain't rebellious himself.
Rishika rolled her eyes. "As far as I remember, I was not the one who was jumping all over the bed while shouting loudly just because Virat Kohli hit a century."
"Hey!" Abhir protested. "That's my husband you are talking about. And he hit two centuries, consecutively."
Dhruv wrapped his arm around Abhir's shoulder, agreeing with him. "Our husband."
Nandini threw a glare in his direction.
"Why do boys have this weird obsession with Virat?" Ridhima laughed, walking towards my side.
"They be calling Virat their idol, and yet don't know how to treat a girl." Rishika shrugged, and I am sure if it was a text, then she must have put the nail polish emoji after it.
"Facts." Nandini added sassily.
"But..." Rishika trailed, walking towards her brother's side. "There are exceptions."
I nodded in agreement as she wished Ruvit a happy birthday and they hugged each other.
When they got apart, Ruvit's attention snapped to others crammed inside the room.
My mother was holding the aarti's thali while Ritu aunty was holding a party popper.
Manish bhaiya stood at the entrance as he held a phone to record everything with Vinayak bhaiya standing beside him.
Gunjan aunty was smiling at the scene unfolding.
The tray of the birthday cake was in Manoj uncle's hands, who was standing right in front of the bed. Papa stood beside him.
Ruvit's eyes found mine, and the warmth that flickered in his eyes was worth every night planned like this.
The tiredness melted away.
My lips parted, and that smile I would fight wars for bloomed on his face. I swear the entire room blurred except him in that particular moment.
"You planned all this." He whispered, only for me to hear.
I smiled. "You really need to stop underestimating my love and my efficiency, both."
"Underestimate?" Before I could move, he leaned forward. "Never, meri jaan." I blinked when he cupped my jaw.
His eyes held a hint of mischief, briefly shifting to my lips then back onto mine, as if asking for permission.
I let out a smile and then, like it was the most normal thing to do, he pressed his lips on mine.
Right there.
In front of both our families, friends, siblings, and I still melted into the kiss like the room wasn't full.
The kiss felt like a seal of gratitude and the emotions he was trying to hide.
Someone gasped dramatically as we broke the kiss. It was most definitely Abhir.
"HELLO? PARENTAL ADVISORY PLEASE?" Vinayak bhaiya shushed him. "They already have."
Everyone laughed while my hands flew to my cheeks, which were crimson now. I shifted back just enough to meet his eyes.
"Thank you for all this, Mrs-to-be."
The way he pronounced the endearment should be illegal. Otherwise, I might die just by hearing it.
A short silence settled over the room before I exhaled a shaky laugh. "You deserve all this."
"You're more excited about my birthday than me." Ruvit observed.
"You have no idea." I said quietly. Because I wasn't lying. I had been planning this for days.
After sabotaging Ishir's accident for which I was not suspected by anyone, all I could care about was Ruvit.
Ishir got admitted into a hospital five days ago and I had to give him a visit as a formality.
Even though he believed the incident to be purely accidental, I still needed to be careful.
The investigation was still going on and it all went according to my plans.
For now, for today, I will only focus on Ruvit. From the cake to the proposal, I would make sure everything was perfect.
Because after everything we went through, I wanted this day to be his.
Actually his.
Gungun Dadi sniffled like she was watching a dramatic TV show. "Kiss toh aise kiya jaise shadi ho bhi gayi."
[He kissed her as if they are already married.]
"Aap kiss ki baat kar rahe ho, humne to sab kuch kar liya." Ruvit said shamelessly, getting on his grandmother's nerves.
[You are talking about kiss when we have already done everything.]
THE FUCK.
"Sir?" My eyes widened. "Hesitate please?" The audacity of this man to wink at me then.
"Mujhe problem nahi hain." Mum added sternly. "Bas shadi se pehle pregnancy ki news nahi aani chaiye."
[I don't have any problem. Just don't give pregnancy news before marriage.]
"Mom!" I squeaked. The room burst into laughter again.
"I have a feeling it might arrive by tomorrow." Dhruv muttered under his breath.
"Arrive what?" Ruvit glared at him. Dhruv laughed nervously. "Nothing, bruh."
After a solid 2 minutes laughing session, Mum bent down and applied tilak on Ruvit's forehead and did aarti.
"Budhape mein bhi jawan raho." She blessed him dramatically.
[Stay young even in old age.]
Ruvit chuckled, then taunted sarcastically. "Aapki meharbani hain, aunty ji. Varna aapki beti ko to me abhi bhi buddha hi lagta hu."
[I am grateful to you otherwise your daughter already thinks that I am very old.]
I shook my head, biting down my lips to control my laughter.
But it was too damn difficult when everyone else was already laughing so hard.
Just then Manoj uncle kept the birthday cake on the bed, in front of Ruvit. And I lit the candles with the lighter.
Everyone gathered closer.
"Make a wish." As I was sitting beside Ruvit, I nudged his shoulder.
He looked right into my eyes. "I already have everything I ever wished for." His eyes shone, face glowing in the candlelight.
Abhir gagged dramatically. "Too much PDA." Rishika flicked his head. "Shut up idiot, let them be romantic."
He glared at her. She glared back. And then, like a lovesick fool, Abhir's fingers traced up Rishika's waist, with a smile on his lips.
Rishika blushed as I could see Abhir lip-syncing.
ki raani teri ek jhalak se me pagal..
[Oh queen, I go crazy with just one glimpse of you.]
Meanwhile, Ruvit turned to blow the candles. But he looked up at me again and muttered.
"May my Aridhi be my never-ending."
My breath hitched.
He blew the candles as everyone cheered and clapped.
Rishika and Abhir already started bickering over god knows what, until Rishika kicked Abhir's generation generator and took advantage of his yelp.
The room felt like a festival.
Exactly how his birthday's beginning was meant to be.
And at the end of the day, we would visit the place where it all began. Our school.
I was lost in my thoughts when Ruvit cut the cake and brought the first piece near my lips to feed me.
However, I froze. Just then his words rolled out of his mouth smoothly.
"You are my first priority, absolutely and unapologetically, Ardhangini."
Blushing, I took a small bite from the cake he offered. Taking it from his hand, I fed him too. He ate from the exact place I did.
Maybe it was silly but the way he looked at me like I was the only one in the room that existed, that mattered, that was worth his attention made me feel butterflies in my stomach.
"Bhaiya whipped cream se bhi jyada whipped hain bhabhi ke liye." Rishika commented, her eyes full of admiration and love.
[Brother is more whipped than whipped cream for sister-in-law.]
"After all she is my Ardhangini." Ruvit said smoothly, caressing a few strands of my hair before tucking them behind my ear.
I don't know how I am still alive because the hell is wrong with this man?
My cheeks are burning at this point and he is legit flirting with me in front of our families, without any care and hesitation!
And if that was not enough, he held my right hand and dropped a kiss on my knuckles. "Best birthday ever." His voice sent shivers down my spine.
"The best birthday had just started, Mr. Rathore." I replied to which he chuckled softly.
"It's your last birthday before marriage." Ritu aunty teased.
Ruvit shook his head. "It's my first birthday after Aridhi being officially mine." He kissed my ring next.
The same heart-shaped engagement ring for which he bled and trapped the blood inside the ring.
The ring shone with a red brightening, the initial 'R' reflecting back at me.
Five months have passed since we got engaged, and I am only noticing it now. The ring not only shines in darkness, but also when he touches it.
Just what kind of technology did he fit into his things? First that sensor in his car and now this ring. This man has his own kinks.
Not that I minded because I had numerous desires for him to fulfill and recreate.
The thought of making out in his car while the sensor keeps clicking the most intimate pictures of us is still on my bingo list.
"Wae are you blushing, baby?" The words, spoken in hot whisper, spread through my veins. "Trying to make me jealous or what?"
"Uh," My eyes snapped at him. "So now you are jealous of even blush?"
A soft chuckle escaped his lips and fuck, if it wasn't addictive. "Yes, if you see it that way, the blush gets to tint your cheeks."
"Yeah so what?" He took my chin between his thumb and forefinger, tilting my face up to meet his gaze.
His breath fanned across my lips as he answered.
"I meant what are you thinking about that made you blush. If it wasn't me, then surely I would be very jealous."
The memory hit my brain once again, and I felt the heat rising.
I bit my lips involuntarily, until he pressed his thumb on my bottom lips. "Ardhangini." Not a nickname, but a warning.
"Relax caveman, I was thinking about us only." His head tilted, studying me intently. "What about us?"
"I would rather show you." He will initiate it before I show him, 99% chances. "Mhm?" was his only response. And even that sounded so hot.
Everyone ate the cake. After half an hour, everyone departed to their rooms.
"Wae are you looking at me like you are going to pounce on me?" My eyes narrowed at Ruvit, whose eyes gleamed with something dark. "Because I might."
"RUVIT!" My scream resonated around the room when he held my arms, laid me down on the bed and hovered over me.
"Are you really planning to make Dhruv's words a reality, huh?" I teased.
In return, his left hand went to hold my thigh from below, and his lips attacked my neck with wet kisses. "Not yet, it would be too early."
Then he went on kissing my face as giggles broke free from my throat.
One thing was confirmed, this man couldn't breathe without me.
?
Contrary to what the universe should allow, I was awake before him. And it was barely 8:00 AM.
My eyes drifted to his sleeping form beside me as his left arm was tucked under my head and the right one was holding my waist.
A few strands of his hair fell on his forehead, and a calm expression was on his face.
Of course, he was calm because I was in the chaos. He didn't let me sleep the whole night, trying new positions. My whole body was literally aching.
But the best thing was he gave me a warm bath afterwards. So now, my muscles didn't feel very sore.
I caressed his hair strands, eyebrows, cheeks and jaw. I giggled internally because he looked so cute like this.
My eyes wandered to his bare chest, the sculpted muscles and well defined abs. And the scar that divides his chest into two parts, apparently.
When I saw that scar for the first time, I had lost all the motivation to figure out the real truth about my grandfather's accident.
Because obviously, I didn't want Ruvit to be connected with his death.
And yet, here we are.
I sighed while gently removing his arm from my waist. Because I was still very careful about it even when doctors said it's fine now.
Pressing a kiss on his cheek, muttering, "Good morning, my birthday boy. I love you so much."
I rolled out of bed carefully, stretched my shoulder, and walked to the bathroom.
"Hmm..what should I wear today?" The thought ran in my mind continuously as I stood in front of the mirror, brushing my teeth.
After almost 40 minutes, I slipped back into the room quietly in just a towel wrapped around my body. The water droplets ran warmly against my skin.
He was still asleep. Unbothered. As if today was just a normal day. But it wasn't because I wouldn't let it be.
His chest rose and fell steadily, lips slightly parted, hair even messier now. The morning light sneaked in through the curtains, brushing his skin in soft gold.
I smiled.
Men like him carried the weight of the world so effortlessly that when they slept like this, it felt illegal to disturb them.
I walked to the wardrobe, my bare feet soundless against the floor, as I pulled out a saree carefully.
Ivory silk, with a deep blue border embroidered in fine gold thread. The pallu was heavy, temple-style work, intricate peacocks and lotus motifs stitched with patience and devotion.
A perfect combination of traditional and feminine.
I dropped the towel, wearing my undergarments.
The underskirt was simple in blue. While the blouse was a blend of white and silver, adorned with golden coloured flowers.
The strings rested just below my shoulder blades, leaving my spine bare. I tied them tightly and carefully. Then slowly I began draping the saree.
My hair was still wet, strands clinging to my collarbone and back as I pleated the fabric.
The silk was cool against my skin, slipping smoothly as I tucked it into place.
When the saree finally settled around me, hugging my waist and flowing down gracefully, I reached for the silver waist chain. It circled my curves perfectly, resting against the saree pleats.
And then I reached for the anklets.
The same anklets Ruvit made me wear on a night that changed everything between us. That changed the status of our relationship.
The engagement night.
Every time they moved, they made the softest sound as if reminding me of him. So, I slipped them on and a faint chime echoed in the room.
I looked myself into the mirror, adjusting the pallu over my shoulder, letting it cascade down my back.
With the loose bun tied up, I began to do my makeup.
I forgot every prayer I had ever learned.
Every mantra, every rule, every quiet lesson about restraint and religion dissolved the moment my eyes adjusted fully to the sight of her.
And I legit didn't have any idea how breathing worked at that moment.
Because when I woke up to a familiar soft chime, her anklets, my eyes fluttered open, still heavy with sleep until I saw her.
She stood there with her back to me like the universe had decided to test my faith.
Calm, composed, devastating, like she hadn't just detonated something inside my chest.
The saree clung to her as if it had been woven specifically to worship her body.
Silk pooling at her feet, pleats aligned with ruthless precision, the fabric whispering against her skin every time she breathed.
Her blouse was open at the back which left nothing to imagination, only reverence.
And the waist chain.
That damn waist chain.
It rested against her like a promise I had no right to deserve and yet somehow owned entirely.
Her wet hair fell over one shoulder before she tied them in a loose bun.
My chest tightened. Fast heartbeat. Sudden breathlessness. A very real risk of heart failure at nine in the morning.
She didn't even realise I was awake because she was busy doing her makeup. While I was silently, secretly observing her, enjoying her expressions.
After makeup, she slipped on a pearl choker around her neck, with blue and white bangles on her wrists.
The sound of the dangling bangles made me swing my legs off the bed slowly. Because if I stood up too fast, I was certain I would collapse.
This wasn't attraction.
This wasn't lust.
This was surrender.
This was devotion.
I had stood in temples with folded hands. I had bowed my head before gods made of stone and belief. I had listened to sermons about control, about balance, about duty.
None of it prepared me for the woman standing ten steps away from me.
None of it warned me that love could look like this.
Patience. Lethal. Holy.
Stopping a few feet behind her, I dragged a hand down my face, exhaling slowly. "Aridhi." I warned, my voice hoarse. "You have no idea what you are even doing to me."
She stiffened. Then slowly, she turned her attention, just enough to look at me through the mirror. Our eyes met.
Her anklets chimed softly as she shifted her weight. And that sound went straight through my spine.
Her voice came calm, almost teasing. "I dressed for you." She raised her hand to show me her glossy bangles.
I closed my eyes for a second, liking the way her reply sounded. "Huh?" I said hoarsely. "Do you really think you need to dress up this dangerously to do this?"
She tilted her head back at me innocently. "Do what?"
"To kill me." I muttered. "You could have just said if you wanted that."
"Not today." Her lips twitched. "Not ever." She finally turned, fully facing me. And just like that, I was finished.
The silk saree shifted with her movement.
The morning light caught her face softly, making her look unreal, like something I had dreamt up in a lonely moment and accidentally manifested into life.
Her hair was still damp, strands curling along her collarbone, clinging to her skin like they belonged there.
And for that reason, I always felt territorial for her.
Suddenly, without any warning, she smiled suddenly.
That smile was the only thing that always ruined me. And I let it, happily.
Because fuck, if I didn't drop to my knees right away, infront of her. Only for her.
My body just gave in.
A gasp left her mouth when she walked toward me. Each step brought the faintest sound of her anklets and bangles.
My heart skipped. Then sprinted. But I didn't move. I couldn't.
Because suddenly I was very aware of how small everything else felt. My power, my achievements, my control, everything was shrinking in the presence of one woman who had seen me broken and still chose me.
I just swallowed. "If you come any closer, I will not be responsible for my actions."
"Couldn't care less." She stopped right in front of me, close enough that I could feel her warmth.
Her breath stuttered after I looked up at her from there, this ridiculous, vulnerable yet devoted angle and laughed quietly.
"I have ruled boardrooms. I have stared death in the face. And yet here I am."
"Ruvit-" Her words hung in the air when I rested my forehead against her stomach, just above the chain, careful.
Like touching her without permission would be sacrilege.
"I was taught to kneel before gods." I confessed. "But they never looked like you. They never fought for me. They never loved me back."
Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer.
God, that touch.
"You undo me." I said, voice rough. "Every belief I was raised with. Every line I was told not to cross. Because tell me, Ardhangini, what scripture prepares a man for loving one woman this much?"
She was quiet. But I felt the tremor in her breath.
"I would break every rule." I continued, eyes burning. "I would burn every altar. Because nothing, nothing has ever felt more divine than you standing in front of me like this." I said softly, sincerely and with respect.
"I am not on my knees because I have to. I am here because I choose you. I am devoted to you like you are my goddess, you are my religion, you are my existence."
Her hands slid to my face, tilting it up gently. I swallowed hard.
"Yes." She smiled gently. "Every time, in every lifetime, I choose you, Ruvit."
And then, I went on doing something a man should indeed do. I kissed her feet with pride. She tried to stop but felt goosebumps when I kept my head bowed at her feet and said.
"Aap laxmi si devi, me dhul aapke charno ki. Aap pehno taaj heere ka, me thik payal aapke kadmo ki. Aap pariyo se adhik pyari, me murat aapke pyar ki. Aap pooja si layak priye, me karu shiddat aur ibadat aap ki."
[You are a goddess like Lakshmi, I am but the dust beneath your feet.
May you wear a crown of diamonds, while I remain the humble anklet adorning your steps.
You are more enchanting than any fairy, I am the very embodiment of your love.
You, my beloved, are worthy of worship, I offer you my deepest devotion and adoration. ]
She was about to give up, about to come at my level but no, I can't let my goddess stoop.
So I went back on my knees, but only after touching her feet with my hand and bringing it to my forehead.
Aridhi held my shoulder from both the sides, indicating me to stand up.
When I did, she immediately wrapped her arms around my neck. I pulled her closer like she belonged there.
Because she did.
"I love you. I love you so much more than I can ever confess. I just love you. My Ardhang. My Ruvit. My everything. My eternal."
I smiled as I confessed back. "I love you more, meri jaan. Meri Ardhangini."
My forehead rested against hers, our breaths mingling, hearts colliding. "Happy birthday once again, Ruvit." I could see her smiling, making me smile wider.
"Happy birthday indeed. Because loving you is the only miracle I ever needed."
She laughed, disbelieving as we pulled away. "Don't you know something else other than flirting with me in the early morning?"
"Maybe. But you do know a lot. Like you woke up early. Picked that. And now you're smiling like you didn't just pull the rug from under my sanity."
She placed her palms on my shoulders. "You were never sane." She looked up at me.
From this angle, she was everything. The strength in her posture. The softness in her eyes.
The woman who had stood through storms with me and even after everything our lives served us, we are still together.
My hands found her waist instinctively, resting just above the chain. "You know, this is unfair." I murmured.
She raised a brow. "Unfair how?"
"You look like a goddess." I said honestly, tracing my fingers along her waist chain. "And I look like a man who hasn't brushed his teeth and is currently deciding whether fainting would be dignified."
She laughed, the sound light and genuine. "You look like the man I love." That made me grin.
"You don't play fair, baby." I leaned in. "First the saree. Then the waist chain. Then the anklets. Now that line."
She looked up at me, eyes steady. "I learned from the best."
"You will be the reason for my death." I whispered. "But God, I wanna live for you, with you."
"No death talks on birthday." I smiled, tucking her waist chain, making her yelp. "Yes, madam."
While she was trying hard to not blush, my mind was debating whether to kiss her senseless or not.
Because she applied so much makeup on her neck, shoulder and collarbone to cover the hickeys I gave her hours ago.
And if I started kissing her, it surely won't be limited to only one. I was tempted to leave my marks all over again.
But still the best part?
I had already received the best gift I could ever ask for.
Her.
?
Hand in hand, matching my kurta with her saree, we headed downstairs, our steps slowed the moment we entered the living hall.
It looked nothing short of a festival.
The hall was fully decorated.
There were balloons all over the ceiling. Flower garlands lined the staircase railing. The red carpet was spread throughout the hallway.
Our families were laughing, bickering, and existing in comfortable chaos.
Aarti aunty was in the kitchen, instructing the chefs for making god knows how many types of varieties. Bhabhi was also helping her.
With my mum, Rishika and Abhir were preparing the temple room.
Papa and Vinod uncle were in a deep conversation about politics.
Nandini was setting up the dining table, with Dhruv helping her.
Manish and Vinayak were most probably at the office, working.
We stood there for a moment. It was Dhruv who noticed us first and whistled.
"Wow." He almost yelled. "Matching, matching." That made everyone else look at me and Aridhi.
Her grip on my bicep tightened when everyone scanned the two of us. They smiled.
Aarti aunty walked by, pulling us together in a hug. "Kitne pyare lag rahe ho tum dono. Kisi ki nazar na lage."
[You both look so lovely. May no evil eye be cast upon you.]
Aridhi grinned. "Thank you mum for gifting me this pretty saree." Aunty acknowledged her with a nod.
My father clapped my back, wishing me again, followed by everyone's compliments.
Dhruv pulled me into a bro-hug. "Bro, you are officially 28 now. So, birthday bomb?"
"Stop that Dhruv." Nandini groaned, arranging the plates on the dining table. "Everyone, have breakfast first."
Before I could reply, Abhir's horrified scream echoed from the kitchen. "Hey! Someone tell me why my parantha has no stuffing?"
When did he reach there?
"Because you ate all the stuffing while cooking, idiot." Rishika shouted back. "I was tasting it." Abhir argued.
"That was not 'tasting', that was 'gulping'." Everyone burst into laughter. Even grandma smacked her own forehead at their childishness.
Aridhi walked over to her usual seat at the dining table. I followed her, sitting beside her.
I tilted slightly, tucking her hair strands behind her ear as a small gesture in a very crowded room.
She smiled like she couldn't help it. In return, Rishika deliberately cleared her throat loudly.
"Bhaiya, please. Stop looking at my bhabhi like you're about to eat her alive, rather than your breakfast."
That made Aridhi blush.
Abhir took the other seat between Rishika and Aridhi, holding a parantha in hand. "Yes please. It is too early for marital violence-"
Before he could finish, Rishika punched his shoulder as she was sitting beside him.
"You definitely deserved that." Aridhi murmured.
Dhruv dropped beside me. "So, birthday boy, ready for today? We are going to visit the place where all this started." He pointed between me and Aridhi.
My eyes met Aridhi's who wiggled her eyebrows.
I nodded because I was ready.
Today was important.
By evening, I planned to kneel in front of her in the same place where I first fell for her, our school.
The same school that was not just a building, but our first home.
Our past.
Our first meeting.
Our friendship.
Our arguments.
Our fights.
Our unspoken feelings.
And today, it would witness our future too.
~·~
Though I said I will update on 1st April but I was so excited about this chapter, I gave it today only.
Enjoy! ???
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