-24-
The weather in the room felt colder than usual but Jayasvi's body was on fire at the moment. She could feel his hold burning into her skin but all she wanted was to behold this closeness with him. She knew she was losing her mind.
She looked at him, her eyes burning with tears.
"You know what, Raghav? I don't even want to know who the fuck she is.
All I know is the fact that you are mine," Jayasvi hissed, pulling him towards herself holding his kurta in a tight grip.
This was something which wasn't expected by Raghav.
Jayasvi's eyes shone with some other emotion as she cupped his face softly.
"You are only mine. If you can't see any male around me, let me make it clear to you, I won't even hear any girl's name on your lips," she whispered, tracing his lips softly.
"Mein nahi bardasht kar sakti kisi aur ladki ka naam aapki zubaan par aaye.
Aapko chahiye mein vaisi banungi aapke lie par jaha koi aur ladki hum dono ke beech aai, mein jaan le lungi uski," she spoke, her voice harsh as she traced her thumb softly on his lips, a madness dancing in her eyes.
(I won't handle hearing any girl's name from your lips.
I'll be as you wish me to be but if any girl came in between us, I'll kill her.)
"You have lost your mind, Jayasvi," he hissed at her.
"Maybe I have. You still have time to step back from this arrangement," she mumbled, shrugging her shoulders as she moved past him. Just then she felt him clutching her hair harshly, pulling her back and pushing her to the nearest wall. She closed her eyes, trying to control the pain.
"Jayasvi, I am not in the mood to joke," he spoke, his face so close to hers. She gulped, looking into his dark eyes.
"I am not joking either, Raghav. You need to know what you are getting yourself into.
Remember, I have never even shared my parents and my dadi with anyone aur yaha to baat mere pati ki ho rahi hai.
Baat to clear krni padegi na," she spoke, smiling softly at him.
(But here we are talking about my husband. I need to clear my side.)
"Jayasvi, stop overthinking. The more you'll think, the more pain you'll endure in your life," he hissed at her, which made her smile.
"You think my life is free of pain right now?" she smiled mockingly at him.
"I am somebody who is just a burden on everyone. Even on my parents. Even on the person I love so much," she mumbled, feeling new tears building in her eyes but then she realized what she said in her stupid emotional state.
"Excuse me?" he uttered, looking at her with raised eyebrows.
"Nothing. You should go now. Everybody must be waiting for you," she spoke, trying to make him loosen his grip on her scalp.
She moved away. She almost thought she was away from him when his left arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close to his chest. Her breathing turned faster as she felt her back completely resting on his front.
"I want the name. Whom do you love?" he whispered in her ear, making her fist her hands and shiver at the intensity of the situation.
"Do you want to make fun of me after knowing the name? Do you think there can be anyone apart from you?" she whispered, turning in his arms to look at him, hurt. How could he think there could be someone else? It was always him.
"I'm telling you very clearly, Raghav. You mean the world to me, but if you betray me or if any girl comes between us, you won't even get time to justify or think. That would be the last time you'll be seeing me," she whispered, holding his collar. He raised his eyebrows at her words.
"Are you by any chance trying to scare me?
Where will you go escaping my embrace?" he spoke, tilting his head to the right, a different madness shadowing his eyes.
She gulped at the look of intensity he gave her.
She could feel his hand tracing her arms. She stared at him, fear visible in her eyes—fear of the unknown.
His hands traced her neck, making her shiver and look down immediately.
"You know, Jayasvi, I love it when you melt in my arms, submitting your body to my command," he whispered, holding her chin and forcing her to look up at him. She stared at him, her eyes dazed.
"I'm glad to know you love me since you don't have any other choice.
Since If there was anyone else you would be praying for his safety right now and he would've been dead before tomorrow morning," he spoke, his voice getting husky as his lips neared hers.
She gulped in anticipation, feeling his lips so close to hers.
Then they met. A soft gasp left her lips as his arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into him and sucking on her lips.
She placed her palms on his chest, lightly tracing them to his shoulders, pulling herself more into him. His tongue soon entered her mouth, making the kiss more intoxicating while her hands moved through his hair. She could feel him lightly lifting her when the main door burst open.
"You are all mine," Raghav mumbled in between kisses, pulling her closer. They were too lost in the moment to hear the door opening.
"Come on, guys, I thought we were here to pray," they heard, which made them pull away. They quickly separated as they found Karan standing there, turning his back to them.
"Fuck," Raghav cursed, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.
Jayasvi cleared her throat before picking up her dupatta, which was on the floor.
Anyone who would've entered would have gotten a bad idea.
She realized, looking at how everything was thrown around in the room—the cushions of the sofa on the floor, her dupatta lying there, and them in such a compromising situation.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Raghav spoke.
"Vo bhabhi ko sab dhund rahe the phir maine dekha tu bhi nahi hai waha.
Phir maine Manav se pucha to usne bataya tu yaha hai bhabhi ke saath," Karan explained himself, turning to look at them after making sure they were in a better position.
(Everyone was looking for bhabhi, then I saw you weren't there either.
Then I asked Manav, and he said you were here with bhabhi.)
"Who is Manav?" Jayasvi couldn't help but ask with curiosity, looking at Raghav. Then she realized how embarrassing the situation was. What if an elder person had come here?
"Aapke hone wale pati ke ang rakshak. Sahi bola na maine?" Karan confirmed with Raghav, smiling sweetly at Jayasvi. (Your to-be-husband's bodyguard. Did I say it right?)
Raghav sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"By the way, Bhabhi, why did you come here?" Karan questioned, looking at Jayasvi.
"Vo... Vo... yes, I was looking for my perfume," Jayasvi spoke, smiling nervously as she moved to her room. She took out her perfume bottle and sprayed it on her neck. She sighed, trying to calm her racing heart.
She moved out of the room to find them waiting for her.
"You both can go. I am coming," Jayasvi spoke sweetly, moving to the kitchen.
"We will accompany you, bhabhi. Don't worry," Karan spoke, which made Jayasvi sigh. She needed some time alone.
"Who will accompany whom?" a voice echoed in the room, freezing Jayasvi in place. She moved to the door to find the most unexpected person there.
Both the men were looking at the woman in her late thirties with waist-length straight hair, looking strictly at them while wearing a yellow suit. Her eyes moved towards Jayasvi, who was already looking at her in shock.
"Aise kya dekh rahi hai?" the woman mumbled, placing her hand on her waist. (Why are you looking at me like that?)
Jayasvi moved closer to her, hugging her tightly.
"Oye, rona dhona mat kariyo. Mera makeup kharab ho jaega," the woman spoke, patting Jayasvi's head. (Don't start crying now. You'll ruin my makeup.)
"Main kyu roungi? Aa kaise gai aap? Ab ticket mil gai aapko India ki?" Jayasvi taunted her, pulling away and wiping her tears away. (Why will I cry? How did you even come here? Now you got the tickets to India?)
"Jayu didi," they heard as two kids walked inside the house, the girl almost reaching the height of her mother and the boy slightly shorter.
"Jaagran is happening outside. Not here," Jayasvi spoke, looking at the elder woman.
"Yaar, mein perfume bhul gai ghar par. Perfume de de," the woman spoke, moving inside and giving a look at both the boys. (I forgot my perfume at home. Give me some perfume.)
"It's in my cupboard's drawer," Jayasvi spoke, crossing her arms.
"I am the guest. Who treats their guest like this?" the woman taunted, going inside.
"Me! Especially when your bua returns home after 5 years," Jayasvi spoke, looking sharply at her.
"Didi, I want water," the little girl spoke, sitting on the sofa.
"You know, didi, we just came home yesterday," the boy added as Jayasvi served them water.
"You also sit, please," Jayasvi told Karan and Raghav, who were standing confused by the unfolding events. Jayasvi passed them glasses of water.
"Aapki bua hain?" Karan asked, looking at the kids and then at Jayasvi. (Is she your aunt?)
"Haan, meri bua aur yeh unke bachche hain," Jayasvi replied, smiling at the kids. (Yes, my bua and these are her kids.)
Raghav and Karan exchanged glances, still trying to make sense of the sudden intrusion. Jayasvi's bua emerged from the room with the perfume, spraying a bit on herself.
"Waise, kaisi hai tu? Aur ye ladke kaun hain? Apne Rakhi bhaiyon ko bhi bulaya hai kya tune?" her bua asked, taking a seat next to her son. (By the way, how are you? And who are these boys? Did you invite your Rakhi brothers as well?)
"Bua ji, agar dhyaan se apni bhatiji ki engagement pictures dekhi hoti to ye nahi puchti aap," Jayasvi replied, her taunt clear. (Bua, if you had carefully looked at your niece's engagement pictures, you wouldn't be asking this.)
"Haan to ye bol na hamare hone wale damaad hai.
Taunt marti rahegi. Kab jaega tera bachpana?
Mujhe to lag raha hai kuch saal baad tere bachho ke saamne bhi yahi puchna padega mujhe," her bua spoke, drinking the glass of water.
(So say he's our future son-in-law. Stop taunting me.
When will your childishness go? I think I'll ask you the same question even when you have kids.)
Raghav's eyebrows raised at the exchange, a smirk forming on his lips. He glanced at Jayasvi, who seemed to be embarrassed with the sudden statement.
"Bua, kya bole jaa rahi ho," Jayasvi mumbled, glaring at her aunt. (Bua, what are you saying?)
"Don't worry Bua ji, my brother will take care of bhabhi and their kids," Karan spoke proudly, patting Raghav's shoulder.
Raghav's smirk grew wider, but he remained silent, observing the interaction.
"When did you return back?" Jayasvi asked her bua, picking up the glass from the table.
"We came yesterday, then we saw papa with that gandi aunty," Suraj, her bua's son, spoke. His sister Jaanvi hit his shoulder, glaring at him. Jayasvi's hand froze in place before looking at her bua, who glared at her son.
"Suraj, chup raho! Bina soche samjhe mat bolo," her bua scolded him. (Suraj, be quiet! Don't speak without thinking.)
Jayasvi felt a knot form in her stomach. The mention of a "gandi aunty" with her bua's husband was still disturbing to her, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the present.
"We have a jaagran to attend. Let's go," Jayasvi spoke, trying to change the topic.
Her bua nodded, sensing Jayasvi's discomfort. She herself felt uncomfortable with how the conversation had turned. "Haan, chalo. Jaagran ka time ho raha hai," she agreed, standing up. (Yes, let's go. It's time for the jaagran.)
As they walked towards the gathering area, Jayasvi took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.
"Who is this gandi aunty?", Karan asked Raghav who motioned him to stay quiet. He looked behind to find Jayasvi lost in her own world.
"Vaise Jayu, tujhe sharam nahi aayi? Kaise baat kar rahi thi tu Raghav ji ke saamne mujhse," her bua spoke, hitting Jayasvi's arm. Raghav and Karan could clearly hear her as they moved ahead of them. (By the way, Jayu, didn't you feel embarrassed to talk to me like that in front of Raghav ji?)
"Main kya kisi ke saath bhaag gayi jo mujhe sharam aani chahiye," Jayasvi replied, shrugging her shoulder. (Did I elope with somebody that I should be embarrassed?)
Karan looked away, trying to stifle his laughter. Raghav glanced in her direction but she didn't notice.
"Kamini, yahi bacha hai. Bhaag jaa bas tu.
Sahi jaldi shaadi kar rahe hai teri, nahi to sach mein bhaag jaati tu to," her bua said, shaking her head as she hit Jayasvi's head playfully.
(You cunning girl, this is what was left.
Just run away. It's good they are getting you married quickly, or else you would have really eloped.)
"Mein police mein complain karungi, physical violence ho raha hai mere saath," Jayasvi gasped, pretending to be offended. (I'll complain to the police, there's physical violence happening to me.)
"Arre, ab yeh naya drama shuru mat kar," her bua laughed, giving her another light shove. (Oh, don't start this new drama now.)
"By the way, who came from your in-laws family?" her Bua asked her.
"Inki dadi aur Dhara, I mean inki choti behen," Jayasvi responded. (His dadi and Dhara, I mean his little sister.)
"Haa to thodi sanskari dikh na. Sir par chunni rakh," her Bua spoke, pulling her dupatta and putting it on her head. (Then show some decorum. Cover your head with the chunni.)
Jayasvi rolled her eyes but complied, adjusting the dupatta on her head.
"This chunni will keep falling. I don't like this", Jayasvi spoke irritated holding the chunni properly at the place.
"I'll set it later. Don't worry but when you are sitting and taking god's name you should cover your head", her Bua told her while her kids were running ahead.
Karan, still amused, whispered to Raghav, "Looks like bhabhi can handle herself pretty well." Raghav glared at him motioning him to keep his mouth shut.
As they reached the gathering area, Jayasvi saw her father talking to the priest. The courtyard was beautifully decorated with lights and flowers, and the air was filled with the soothing sounds of devotional songs.
The atmosphere was calm and spiritual, a stark contrast to the chaos inside her mind.
Jayasvi's father approached them, a warm smile on his face. "Arre, Nisha, tum kab aayi?" he asked, greeting Jayasvi's bua putting a hand on her head. (Oh, Nisha, when did you arrive?)
"Kal raat ko bhai saheb," Nisha replied, smiling back. (Last night, brother.)
Jayasvi exchanged a quick glance with her bua, silently urging her to keep the earlier conversation under wraps. Her father then turned to Raghav and Karan, acknowledging them with a nod.
"Glad to see you both here," he said, his tone friendly but with an underlying authority that Jayasvi knew all too well.
"We wouldn't miss it, Uncle," Karan replied, smiling respectfully at him while Raghav nodded respectfully at him before bending to touch his feet.
"Where were you, Jayu", Anjali spoke suddenly noticing Nisha there hugging her quickly before taking her to meet everyone.
"This is so boring", Suraj mumbling looking at Jayasvi who narrowed her eyes at him silently motioning him to sit quietly. He poked his tongue at her before running away.
Jayasvi moved inside trying to handle the fabric on her head which was slipping quickly. She didn't realise she was walking beside Raghav while struggling.
"Dhara, check where is your brother? It's been so long", Gauri Hooda ordered being worried looking around when her eyes fell on her grandson who was walking beside Jayasvi while typing some message on his phone.
A small smile adored her lips as she observed the whole picture with Jayasvi having the dupatta on her head and Raghav with her in his kurta Pajama.
The white shawl he was wearing made him look extra handsome in his Dadi's eyes after all it was her choice.
They looked beautiful together, a perfect couple.
Gauri Hooda nodded her head in happiness.
"Durga Ma, please protect my children from any bad eyes", she prayed silently smiling with adoration at the young couple.
As the family settled down for the prayers, Jayasvi couldn't help but feel a sense of unity and warmth, despite the earlier tension.
The bhajans began, and everyone joined in, their voices merging in a harmonious chorus.
Jayasvi felt a brief moment of peace, her worries momentarily forgotten.
Gauri looked at Jayasvi to find tears falling down her eyes as she seemed lost in her conversation with her god with her closed eyes losing all her contact with the present world.
As Jayasvi opened her eyes and glanced at Raghav, she knew they would need to address their unresolved issues soon. For now, though, she allowed herself to be enveloped in the spiritual ambiance, hoping it would provide some clarity and strength for the challenges ahead.