30. Satyams wedding
It was morning time, and Shivika was getting ready for the wedding, as Satyam and Jhanvi had an afternoon wedding ceremony.
She was frustrated because she wasn't able to drape the saree properly. She had worn it many times before, but back then she didn't have a baby bump, it was much easier. She hadn't thought it would be this difficult while selecting it.
Rakshit, who was in the kitchen washing dishes after breakfast, paused hearing her shout,
"Rakshit!"
She shouted so loudly that the dish in his hand slipped back into the sink.
"Ika..." he murmured and instantly ran towards their bedroom, wiping his hands on his clothes.
"Ikaa..." he called, opening the closet door.
But he froze in shock seeing her, standing there only in her blouse and underskirt.
"Are you fine? What happened?" he asked, keeping his eyes strictly on her face, still standing at the door.
"Rakshit, this saree, I can't drape it properly. I need your help," Shivika said, frustration evident in her voice.
Rakshit slowly walked towards her.
"Okay, okay... relax."
He handed her the glass of water he had already kept there so she could drink while getting ready but she hadn't touched it. Shivika drank it while Rakshit picked up the saree from the floor.
He could feel her level of frustration from the way she had taken his full name. He took the glass from her hand and placed it aside.
"Now tell me how to do it, and I'll do exactly like that. But don't worry this much, okay?" he said gently, caressing her cheek.
Shivika finally smiled, feeling a little calm.
She didn't know how, but he had this calming energy around him, something that brought so much peace into her life.
She demonstrated how he should drape it, and Rakshit followed exactly as she instructed. The one thing he noticed the most was, she wasn't uncomfortable even for a second.
That trust in her eyes made him so happy.
A smile appeared on his face as he pinned the saree to her shoulder.
"Why are you smiling suddenly?" Shivika asked, smiling as she looked at his reflection in the mirror.
Rakshit didn't answer. Instead, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
"I can understand now... that day when you said you feel like squeezing me, pulling my cheeks..." he said softly, wrapping his arms around her baby bump and looking at her through the mirror.
Shivika blushed and looked down.
"Okay, it's done," Rakshit said, stepping back and taking in her full view.
Shivika looked at herself and smiled, satisfied. Then she looked at Rakshit who was already admiring her making her blush even more.
"Aksh... don't look at me like that," she murmured, lowering her gaze.
A soft chuckle escaped Rakshit's lips.
He stepped closer again and wrapped his arms around her, making her hands rest against his chest.
Leaning closer to her face, he whispered,
"I can't help it... I'm just not able to take my eyes off you."
Rakshit leaned closer, his gaze soft, filled with something deeper than just love.
First, he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, lingering there for a moment, as if silently promising protection, care, and forever.
Then slowly, he moved down... pressing a delicate kiss on her right eyelid. Her lashes fluttered under his lips.
Then the left... softer this time, as if he was memorizing the feeling.
His lips trailed down to her temple, placing a tender kiss there... then moving to the curve of her cheekbone.
He kissed her right cheek... warm and slow.
Then her left... equally gentle, equally full of affection.
A faint smile formed on his lips as he leaned in again and brushed his lips against the tip of her nose, making her breath hitch.
He didn't stop there.
His gaze dropped to her face... to her slightly parted lips.
For a moment, everything stilled.
Her breathing grew heavier. Her eyes were still closed, her fingers lightly clutching his shirt.
He moved closer... so close that his breath mixed with hers.
But then he stopped.
It wasn't the right time.
Not like this.
Not when she was already overwhelmed.
Not when he wanted it to mean more than just a moment.
He exhaled softly, controlling himself, and instead pulled her into a gentle embrace.
Shivika's head rested against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her carefully, one hand protectively around her, the other slowly rubbing her back in soothing circles.
"It wasn't too much... right?" Rakshit murmured softly near her shoulder.
Shivika only hummed in response, unable to form words, her heart still racing.
He continued rubbing her back, slow... steady... calming her down, grounding her.
He slowly broke the hug and looked at her.
Shivika looked back at him and smiled softly.
"All okay?" he asked gently, his voice still carrying that concern.
Shivika nodded, her smile widening a little. Without saying anything, she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.
Rakshit smiled the moment he felt her lips against his skin, his eyes closing briefly.
"Now go get ready," Shivika said softly.
"Yeah," Rakshit replied with a small nod.
He picked up his clothes and went inside the room to change.
Once everything was done, he came to check on Shivika.
"Ika, what are you searching for?"
Rakshit asked, noticing that she was completely ready, yet still looking around restlessly.
"Aksh, my kajal," Shivika replied, continuing her search.
"I'll find it. You sit," Rakshit said gently, stopping her and guiding her to sit on the bed.
She sighed but obeyed, watching him as he started looking for it.
After a moment of searching, he finally found it. Walking back to her, he handed it over.
"But you've already applied it... then what's the need?" he asked, his gaze fixed on her eyes.
"This is for you," she said with a playful grin as she slowly stood up.
Rakshit looked at her, confused yet curious.
Shivika stepped closer, holding the kajal between her fingers. Gently, she reached up and applied a small black dot just behind his ear.
"There," she said softly.
Rakshit blinked, still processing.
"What was that?"
Shivika smiled, her eyes softening.
A soft smile spread across his face, something warm settling in his chest.
"And who will protect you then?" he asked quietly.
Shivika's smile deepened as she pointed towards him.
"You."
Rakshit let out a soft chuckle, pulling her slightly closer.
"Always... but I still don't want to take the risk," he said softly.
Taking the kajal from her hand, he leaned closer and applied a small dot behind her ear, just the way she had done for him.
"Ika... I want to apply it on your bump too. So... can I move your saree a little?" Rakshit asked hesitantly, his voice gentle, almost careful.
Shivika looked at him and instantly understood his intention.
A soft smile spread across her lips.
Without saying anything, she slowly adjusted her saree herself, revealing her baby bump.
Rakshit's eyes softened at the sight like always.
There was so much love, so much protectiveness in the way he looked at her.
He stepped closer, holding the kajal carefully, and placed a small black dot on her bump.
For a moment, his hand lingered there.
Then he adjusted her saree back properly, making sure she was comfortable.
"Now my both babies are protected," he said softly.
Shivika chuckled, her eyes shining with warmth as she looked at him.
"We should click a photo before we leave?" he asked, a hint of hesitation in his voice.
"Of course we should," Shivika replied instantly, wrapping her hand around his arm.
Rakshit smiled, and together they walked towards the big mirror in the closet.
He pulled out his phone and held it up, capturing their reflection, her leaning into him, his arm secure around her, both of them glowing with a quiet happiness.
"Now I'll click. You stand behind me and wrap your hands around my baby bump," she said, taking the phone from him.
Rakshit did exactly as she said, standing close behind her, his hands resting gently over her bump-protective, loving.
She clicked a few pictures, smiling softly at the screen.
After a couple of photos, Rakshit spoke again, a spark of excitement in his eyes.
"Ika, I want to take your photos," Rakshit said, taking the phone from her hand.
"Why, Aksh?" Shivika asked hesitantly.
"Just like that," Rakshit replied, shrugging his shoulders.
(Do I need reason to click my wife's ohoto?)
"No... of course not, but you know... my face has gotten chubbier. And my body too. I don't think the photos will come out good," Shivika said hesitantly.
Rakshit sighed softly.
He had expected this.
He had already noticed earlier how she had been overthinking about her stretch marks and weight. He had talked about this before too but right now, he needed to make her understand again.
Because he wanted her to love herself... to admire herself the way he did.
"Ika, look at that lady in the mirror," Rakshit said, gently turning her face towards the mirror.
A soft smile appeared on Shivika's face.
"But now..." he continued, his voice softer, filled with pride, "the lady you see is healing. She shows the care I gave her. She reflects the love I poured into her."
He gently touched her cheek.
Shivika felt her heart swell.
Every word he was saying... was true.
She was standing here today, healthy, glowing, happy because of him.
"The things you are thinking... that's your mind speaking, Ika," Rakshit said softly, turning her towards him and looking straight into her eyes.
"Because your heart knows how happy you are to be like this... how happy you feel when you touch your baby bump, even with the stretch marks."
He cupped her face gently.
"One thought is giving you worry... and the other is giving you happiness. So why not choose the positive one?" he asked softly.
"And not to forget..." he smiled, leaning closer, "you will forever be the most beautiful lady for me."
He kissed her forehead gently.