Chapter 35: Chapter 35

"Not until I felt your sunshine,

Did I realize that I had been in the shade.

Not until I saw all your colors,

did I realize that mine had faded.

Not until I heard your dreams,

did I realize that I was still sleeping.

And not until I experienced my life with you,

did I realize that I was barely breathing."

Shree's Perspective

My phone cried on its verge breaking my sleep and I groped for it. Abhimanyu groaned in my neck and rubbed his nose against my shoulder; sleeping and I slid the pattern, picking up the call.

"Hello?" I asked groggily, removing myself from his arm cage. Reluctantly, but he let me shift other side.

"Hello! Shree, where are you guys? It's one a.m. and there's no sign of you. Are you staying the night out?" My eyes were wide-awake at this and I popped up, desperately shaking Abhimanyu from good hand, "No, bhabhi. We are just coming."

"Are you guys alright?" She was concerned and that just added to my humiliation because I knew everyone must be awake by then. "Yes yes. We're fine. We're just coming, don't worry."

"Okay. Come fast, everyone's waiting." I squeezed shut my eyes. How badly I wish it to be true!

Cutting the call, I threw the cell phone on mattress and looked around, the lanterns were dim and some of them were flickered off. The night was on its full charm and no soul around to be seen.

"Abhimanyu get up! We've to go home." I shook him for umpteenth time but he just didn't buzz. I mean he did, actually he would get up; kiss me and holding me in arms fly off to his dreamland.

"Get up please! Everyone is waiting at home." I whined, shaking him and he rubbed his eyes, "What?"

"Bhabhi called. We need to go home." I apprised, getting up and grabbing the poly bag, stuffed the boxes and empty plates in it.

"Anything serious?" He asked vigilant and I shook my head, "No, they are just worried. Now get up fast and help me."

He got up and started folding the mattress, meanwhile I cleared off the ground and flickered out lanterns, since that's paper lanterns, it would be blown with the wind. Stuffing everything in backseat, I sat on the driver's seat, tightening belt around me and he slipped on the passenger one, leaning his head back on the leatherette headrest.

"Where were you? Is this the way?" Mom charged at Abhimanyu the moment we stepped in the house and I stood silent by his side.

"Mom...actually!"

"Look at the time! It's half past two in the night and we had no clue where you guys were! I didn't expect it from you Shree." This time, she glared me too and I looked down, nipping on my lip.

"Mom, I forgot to tell you, there's this little get-together at Bharat's home and after dinner, we slept and it just slipped out of my mind to inform you." Abhimanyu fabricated rubbing his forehead, trying to convince them.

Elders exchanged glances and Dada chuckled at this. I frowned and wiggled my eyebrows at Vidhi bhabhi questionably and she grinned at me, shaking head.

There's something wrong. Definitely. As on cue, Abhimanyu's cell rang and looking at caller ID, color drained out of his face.

"Yeah Bharat!" He picked the call, "Yea… what? Okay! Yes. I'm home now.... nowhere. I'll call you tomorrow, good night." With a series of that, he cut the call and my sharp intuitions were apprising that his lie had been detected.

"Mom...actually!"

"That's okay. Just don't forget to inform me if you guys are going to spend the night out." She smiled warmly at us and I gazed down, totally scarlet.

"Alright! Everyone go back to sleep. Goodnight!" Badi ma bid, getting up and Bade papa followed her. Everyone dispersed to their room and I wished I were a vampire, I would be able to run at light speed.

"Why did Bharat call you?" I demanded the moment we're in our room and he smirked, plopping on the bed "You didn't get gist now?"

"I did and that's pretty embarrassing." I twitched my lips and he nodded, "If you think that Bharat was called to get our info, that's yes. If you think everyone knew that I was lying, that's yes again. And..." He paused and pulled me, so that I fell over him, "If you think they know what happened between us, that's also a yes."

"How?" I blinked rapidly and he traced my lips with his thumb, "Your lipstick is completely smudged. I hope you know what that means!"

"Shit!" I groaned, covering my face "How am I going to face them tomorrow?" He shifted back giving me room and propped his weight on elbow, "Hmph...I've a great idea. Why don't you stay in here for the rest of the day with me?"

I made a face at this, "Ha-ha. Not funny. You landed me in here and now-"

"Sleep. I don't want you to wake up with baggy eyes and infuse life into everyone's wild imagination." He chuckled pulling me to him and wrapped an arm around me, patting my head with another.

"Good night!" I murmured and my sleep laden eyes drifted into kip.

Abhimanyu's Perspective

I rubbed my eyelids before opening my eyes at the crawling sunbeams in the room through the translucent window. It took me seconds to adjust my people to the light. I tried to stretch my limbs but couldn't, as I feel weight on my left shoulder. Blinking my eyes, I gazed at my beautiful wife. She was snoring softly, peace oozing out of her and that ineluctably brought out a smile on my face.

I was glad that she was not backing away unlike every day. She thought I didn't know it, she thought I didn't have any idea that she used to slip in my embrace after ensuring that I was sleeping peacefully. She thought I wrapped my hands around her in lethargy.

Moping her hair out her face, I pressed a subtle kiss on her forehead. She was addictive. A bad knack I would never want to wean from. I loved her to the moon and back and there was no way I wouldn't show it to her.

Touching her fanning lashes, I kissed her eyes and her snub nose. She twisted her face and rubbing her nose on my shirt, hugged me tightly.

She is indeed my possession. Most precious one. I'd hurt her enough but now only happiness will be there under her feet. I snoozed the alarm, intending to not break her slumber and adjusted myself, holding her close. It was not even that early but if I had my wife in my arms, I thought getting late worth it. I pecked her hair and stroking them get back to sleep.

Shree's Perspective

Muffling under the blanket, I opened my eyes. Rubbing my face I sat up and glanced around. The room was filled with lively white light, no sign of Abhimanyu around. Lazily groping, I checked my cell phone and my eyes popped out.

09:20 Am.

"Shit! I am late." I cursed and jumped onto my feet. How can I get late when I've set alarm on time? Never mind! I hastily folded the blanket, made the bed and dishing out my clothes from cupboard, whooshed out in bathroom.

Towel drying my hair, I padded to my room, clumsily wearing my jeans and shirt. Blow drying my hair, my eyes flipped on the clock in each and every moment.

"Oh, you are awake?" Abhimanyu's familiar cologne wafted my nostrils and his orotund voice made me whiff my head at him, "Why didn't you wake me up? I'm running late."

"You slept late last night. So I thought to let you rest..." He responded placing a tray on the ottoman and clasping my arm, pulled me next to him.

"I've brought your breakfast here. See, time saving!" He smirked and I smiled, teasing him "Google again! Breakfast in bed."

He rolled his eyes, "This is not breakfast in bed and certainly no Google. I thought to treat you with my cooking."

"You cooked for me?" I quipped and he raised his collar, "Yeah. Now no time waste and dig in fast. Remember, you're late!"

Grinning at him, I finished my breakfast that was cheese grilled sandwich and poha with a mug full of coffee.

"Can I expect it every morning?" I wiggled my eyebrow, wiping my lip with tissue and he jeered, "You're being insatiable but....I can do it. For you."

His tone changed into honeyed as he leaned towards me, "Where's my accolade?"

"Accolade! You didn't save the world or something to get recompense. Here's you'll get only a thank you." I pushed him poking my finger on his chest and winked.

"Now that's not what I bargained for!" He mused and pulled me onto her, gently kissing my cheek, "You can't starve me into you." He spoke huskily.

Cheekily, I placed my hand on his cheek, sitting comfortably on his lap and mocked, "Do you want a repeat telecast of what happened last night?"

"Of course I do." Murmuring it to me, he dived in and stole a smooch from me. Cupping my nape, he landed his lips on mine coaxing me into the blending desire and I responded with equal fervor trying to keep my quicken breathes even.

"Um...leave!" I swatted his hand away from my nape and panted, "Not this. I was talking about what happened last night. I mean...you've left the door open. Do you want everyone to see us again?"

"Oh, that!" He glanced at the door and whirled to me, "Who cares? We're married."

"Really? Why don't we go to the hall and continue this?" I ridiculed and he nipped my earlobe, "Really! Do you want to do that? Okay!" Without a preamble, he picked me up earning my confounded squeal and ambled to the hall.

ESV face palmed hers, 'What's wrong with him? He's going to leave you red as beetroot. This much love is injurious to dignity.'

"Abhimanyu... Drop me now. I was not serious. What are you doing?" I interjected; alacrity and he paused on his tracks, "Nope. Now I'll resume it in hall." And with his flamboyant smirk, he strolled to the door.

"No...No no no please. I'll die out of shame." I whined flapping my legs and hid my face in his chest. He chuckled cordially and osculated on my hair, "Fasten the latch." He murmured.

"What?" I sweat it out of me, peeking at him and he pecked my lips, "Door. Latch it, I've my hands full." He beamed.

Gawd!!

"You…just wait." I hissed while latching the door and turned to him but he didn't give me a chance and swooped his lips on mine.

We were on bed, I got to know this when my back hit the mattress and he settled beside me, never leaving my face. I kicked off the air shifting away giving him space to fix his suit.

"Did I tell you that you're addictive?" He panted, turning southwards tracing my neck with his lips and I knitted my fingers in his hair, arching my back, "Not today."

"You're addictive!" He breathed coming over me to kiss me and I smiled, roving my hands on his back. "I know."

"Good morning by the way!" He bid, kissing my neck and bit softly earning my wince.

"Sorry!" He muttered, pinching my waist and I pulled him up, wincing. "Don't talk."

"I love you!" He pecked me again while I responded, doing the same, "I love you too."

"You want to take an off!" He nipped at my neck and his words shrunk me out of the pleasure, I pushed him back looking deep in his eyes, "You knew I was getting late. Still you did all this." I screamed at the last, "Get off me, I've to go office."

"Work with me." He lied on me and kissed my fingers, while I squirmed to get out of his hold, "Nope, I'm very happy in my workplace. Now get up, Abhimanyu." I giggled.

"What did I ask to call me?" He counterfeits seriousness and I looped my arms around him, "I don't know."

"Say it!" He sucked my chin and grazed his teeth, "Say it before I continue it and make you delay."

"Abhi....leave!" I moaned and he backed off, kissing me deep, "Get up, you're getting late." He pulled me up and I adjusted my dress ambling to the mirror.

"What!! Abhi..." I gasped looking at the redness on my face and neck, my eyes bawled out when I noticed a deep red spot on the crook of my neck, "What the hell have you done? Am I allergic to you?"

He sneered, lugging at me and caged me in a hug dropping his face in my neck, "It's my beard you're allergic to. Don't worry, I'll shave everyday to keep you non-allergic."

"That's not funny okay!" I turned to him, "What is this? You gave me a hickey. Okay that's I'm fine with but..." I showed him my collarbone and scowled, "How am I going to hide it?"

"Why do you want to hide it? It looks beautiful on you, love." He shrugged, tracing his thumb on the spot and I ignored the chill that shivers through me.

"Get off!" I pushed him away and apply concealor on the mark, rubbing and padding it to match my skin tone.

"I was thinking that you're already late. Then why don't you take an off and we could go for hang out." He propounded and I pondered over it, "We as in you and me only?"

"Of course!"

"No!" I glided my hands around his neck, "Let's keep it a family outing. Please don't defy. Please! Please!" I whined like a kid and he huffed, "Okay fine. That's the reason I love you more. Now change and be my wife, I don't want my family to think that we are not going to come out of the room today." He patted my cheek and I kissed his cheek, "I love you."

"Not more than me." He winked at me and waltzed out, leaving me grin like a fool.