Suman let out a slow, soft sigh, and I gently pulled her closer.
“Are you okay, love?” I asked.
She rested her head on my chest and grumbled,“Do I look okay to you?”
A small smile tugged at my lips. I leaned in and kissed her forehead. The first light of dawn was going to creep in soon, but I wanted to savour this moment. Closing my eyes, I shifted slightly on my side and wrapped my arm around her, pushing her hair aside.
She panted, closing her eyes. Her face flushed a beautiful shade of red.
My lips stretched into a light smile as I stared at my wife, my life, my everything, in my arms.
She inhaled deeply and opened her tired eyes.
“Are you okay, love?” I asked again. She nodded faintly.
“Yes,” she muttered, and I kissed her forehead once more.
She pressed a soft kiss to my chest.“Thank you…” she murmured, making me frown.“For loving me.”
Holding her hennaed hand, the bangles tinkled as I intertwined my fingers with hers.
“You don’t have to thank me, love. I should thank you for bringing your beautiful presence into my lonely life. I don’t know if you understand, but I love you so much. Your presence… it means everything.”
She smiled weakly, blinking up at me.
“I never thought we’d come this far,” she whispered.
I chuckled softly.“I worked hard for it.”
She laughed, teasing,“Yes, I know how hard you’ve worked.” I gently caressed her belly under the comforter.
“I hope you won’t get pregnant,” I muttered.
She frowned.“Why not?”
“Babies spoil romance. If you do, we won’t be able to make love.” I said, and she rolled her eyes.
“But babies are a gift from God. You can’t stop them,” she replied, pressing her chin lightly on my head.
“Oh,” I muttered.
Knock.
Suddenly, a loud knock on the door made us both jump.
“Agastya,” we heard Rudra Bhai-sa call, and she sat up in a panic.
“The chamber! The bed! Ranaji is here!”
I stepped down from the bed as she scrambled to cover herself with the comforter.
“My clothes!” she shouted, pressing the fabric to her chest.
I tried to get my lower on in a hurry. One leg slipped in easily, but as I struggled with the other, I stumbled and began hopping on one foot.
She threw a pillow at me, whisper-yelling,“My clothes!”
I fell back hard.“Ouch!”
