Aakash wore a crisp white shirt and black pant and watched Meenakshi as she draped a beautiful pastel green designer saree. She neatly pinned her pallu in a single pleat and adorned her braided hair with the flowers Aakash had bought for her.
Hearing him huff, she turned toward him only to be shocked at what she saw. Aakash was lying on the bed, one elbow propped against the pillow, his sleeves rolled up and he was watching her intently.
“What are you doing? You are going to spoil your shirt, Aakash. I’m ready, let’s go,” she said, adjusting her saree.
“You look ravishing, baby. Let’s just stay home and do something more… useful,” he said with a teasing smile.
Meenakshi twisted his ear sharply and he winced, rubbing his ear and quickly walked out, with her following behind.
The family watched as the couple left in the car Aakash had booked.
“What was the need to book a car? We could have gone on the bike,” she said, slipping her hand into his.
“My wife took so much effort to get ready. I don’t want the dust to ruin your look. And you wouldn’t have held me like this if we had taken the bike. I think we should buy a car,” he said.
She pinched him lightly. “Don’t plan anything that will increase our financial burden,” she warned him firmly and he nodded his head.
They arrived at the resort where the get-together was being held. They walked hand in hand and Aakash greeted a few of his colleagues with a polite smile.
Soon, the atmosphere shifted as all eyes turned toward Aakash and Meenakshi.
Aakash introduced Meenakshi as his wife. Most of the employees had no idea he was married and even the few who knew had never seen his wife before. Everyone looked shocked, curious and started whispering among themselves as they admired Meenakshi.
Aakash smiled at her and led her toward the buffet area and they each picked up a glass of juice.
Throughout, he never let go of her hand and silently offered comfort. Ignoring the curious and scrutinizing gazes around her, Meenakshi carried herself with grace and quiet confidence.
A few kind and sensible colleagues approached the couple and wished them on their marriage.
“I need to use the washroom. I’ll be back in a minute,” Meenakshi said and Aakash reluctantly let go of her hand.
Meenakshi freshened up and walked back toward the party hall. On her way, she accidentally bumped into Ramya, the girl from Aakash’s team.
“Hi, are you Aakash’s wife?” Ramya asked and Meenakshi nodded with a proud smile.
A few more women joined them and Ramya introduced Meenakshi to the group.
“Actually, we had no idea he was married. He used to be so quiet and never really talked to anyone. I tried many times, but he wouldn’t respond. In fact, I even showed his photo to my parents and they really liked him,” Ramya said casually.
Meenakshi looked at her, slightly taken aback.
“I really like him and even planned to propose to him. God, he is so smart and handsome. He truly deserves someone who matches his standards. Sorry if I’m being blunt but I’m just curious, was he forced into this marriage? I mean… you both don’t exactly look like a match,” Ramya added.
Meenakshi clenched her jaw, resisting the urge to react impulsively. By then, a small crowd had gathered and all eyes were fixed on her.
Among them stood Aakash. He looked at his wife and gave a subtle smile, one that clearly told her to stay calm, to handle it with dignity and the way he believed she would.
Meenakshi took a slow breath and returned the smile to him before turning her attention to Ramya.
“What made you think we aren’t a match?” she asked calmly, adjusting the pallu of her saree. Her voice was soft but there was a quiet strength in it that made the surrounding chatter fade into silence.
Ramya shifted uncomfortably but tried to maintain her composure.
“I didn’t mean it in a rude way. I just meant… you know… Aakash is very smart, handsome and” she said hurriedly spoke and Meenakshi interrupted her.
“And I am not?” Meenakshi asked with a gentle smile playing on her lips.
The question caught Ramya off guard. “I didn’t say that,” Ramya replied defensively.
Meenakshi nodded slowly. “You didn’t say it. But you thought it. And sometimes what we think reveals more about us than what we say.” she said.
A few people exchanged glances at her boldness.
“I am a teacher. Every day I stand before a classroom full of children and teach them language. But more than that, I try to teach them something far more important. I teach them not to measure people by their appearance. I teach them not to judge someone by the shape of their body, the color of their skin, or the clothes they wear.” Meenakshi continued calmly.
“Because when children learn to judge people like that, they grow up to become adults who believe beauty is a qualification and kindness is optional. Aakash didn’t marry me because someone forced him. He married me because he saw something in me that mattered to him.” she said further and straightened her shoulders slightly.
“I take care of my family. I support my husband. I work every day to shape young minds so that the next generation becomes kinder and wiser than ours. If that doesn’t make me worthy of standing beside my husband, I don’t know what would.” Meenakshi said with a smile.
For a moment, no one spoke. They all looked at her stunned.
“And as for whether we are a match… that decision was already made by the two people who matter the most in this marriage, him and me.” she said and her eyes briefly met Aakash’s across the room.
“And we are perfectly happy with it.” she said and Aakash clapped his hands, feeling proud of her.
He stepped towards and wrapped his arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple.
“You are perfect, Meena. I’m happy, lucky and grateful to have you as my wife,” Aakash said.
A wave of applause spread through the crowd as people admired the couple. Ramya stood there, completely speechless.
“I don’t want to ruin the mood of this evening but tomorrow I will be filing a complaint with HR for harassing my wife.” Aakasg said and his voice calm but firm. The anger in his tone was unmistakable.
“Let’s go, wifey,” he said, turning toward Meenakshi.
The rest of the evening passed peacefully. Meenakshi interacted with many of his colleagues, who were impressed by her confidence and grace. A few even asked for her phone number, wanting to stay in touch, drawn by the warmth and positivity she carried.
Aakash stood at a distance, watching her with quiet pride. She looked radiant, effortlessly holding conversations and winning people over.
After the party, he waited near the cab while a group of women took their time saying a proper goodbye to Meenakshi.
Finally, as they settled into the car, Aakash let out an exaggerated sigh.
“Looks like your fan club will officially be launched at the office tomorrow,” he said playfully and leaned closer to her.
“Let me be the first to get your autograph. Once we reach home, I’ll need your signature… on me,” he whispered in her ear.
Meenakshi blushed deeply and leaned against his shoulder.
“I’m so proud of you, Meena,” he said softly, interlacing his fingers with hers.
Upon reaching home, Aakash seriously picked up a pen and handed it to her.
Meenakshi smiled shyly and slowly unbuttoned his shirt. She signed just above his chest and leaning forward she placed a soft kiss over her signature.
Aakash lifted her chin and captured her lips in a deep, intense kiss. Meenakshi held onto his hair and rose on her toes, responding to his kiss with equal passion.
Aakash let out a soft groan before pulling back slightly, only to turn her around. He moved her hair aside and began placing gentle kisses along her nape and back.
“You were amazing today and I have been waiting for this moment, Meena,” he whispered near her ear, as his fingers slowly removed the pin holding her pallu.
He unraveled her saree and paused, taking in her beauty with admiration.
Pulling her closer, he buried his face in the crook of her neck, placing soft, lingering kisses. Meenakshi slid his shirt off his shoulders and he quickly rid himself of the remaining fabric.
He gently laid her on the bed and hovered over her, his gaze filled with longing.
“I’m tired of holding back, Meena… I just want us to be free… to be ourselves,” he murmured softly.
His touch and closeness made her breath uneven and she instinctively tried to hold back her reactions.
“Aakash…” she whispered and taking that as all the encouragement he needed, he pulled her closer. Their bodies moved in rhythm as they lost themselves in each other.
Moments later, they lay together, wrapped in each other’s arms and their breaths was slowly calming. Aakash gently caressed her hair.
“I wish we could talk and laugh freely… instead of always whispering like this,” he said softly and Meenakshi understood the longing behind his words.
“It feels like we are sneaking around, like we are having some secret affair,” he added with a faint painful smile.
Meenakshi chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
“Sneaking around has its own excitement. So let’s play a game. Tomorrow is Sunday. Let’s try to steal kisses throughout the day without anyone noticing. At the end of the day, whoever steals more kisses wins… and the loser has to buy gifts.” she said playfully and Aakash’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“Game on,” he said with a grin.
The next morning, Meenakshi woke up and walked out of the room to prepare coffee. She served tea to Balaram and Padma just as Aakash stepped out, wiping his face with the towel and draped it around his neck.
“I’ll bring your coffee,” she said, heading toward the kitchen.
Aakash followed her. He hugged her from behind and pressed a firm kiss on her cheek.
“One,”, he murmured before walking out and Meenakshi smiled to herself.
A little later, the whole family was in the hall watching TV while she helped Kamala in the kitchen. Aakash sat there, restlessly tapping his leg, waiting for an opportunity.
When Meenakshi walked to the backyard to dump the kitchen waste, he quickly followed her. Turning her toward him, he stole a quick kiss on her lips and winked at her.
“That’s two, baby,” he whispered before walking back.
But Meenakshi caught hold of his shirt, pulled him back. She placed a kiss on his cheek and Aakash touched his cheek and grinned like a boy who had just won something.
For the next few minutes, they moved around the house, pretending to do their chores while secretly trying to steal moments.
When Meenakshi went to place the washed vessels on the rack, Aakash suddenly appeared beside her.
” Can I have Water bottle?” he asked innocently and she handed it to him, but instead of taking it, he quickly kissed the corner of her lips.
“Three,” he said proudly and walked away before she could react.
Meenakshi shook her head with a shy smile. Not willing to lose, she decided to wait for the right moment.
When Aakash returned to the kitchen, pretending to look for something in the fridge, she quietly walked behind him.
Just as he closed the fridge door, she stood on her toes and kissed his jaw.
“Two,” she whispered softly and Aakash blinked in surprise.
The game continued through the afternoon, a quick peck on the forehead when he handed her a plate, a stolen kiss on the temple as she walked past the sofa and another near his ear when she bent to pick something up.
The score kept changing. But Aakash was determined to win.
By evening, Meenakshi was on the terrace, collecting the dried clothes. Aakash stood on the other side of the clothesline, watching her with a mischievous grin. She looked at him in shock.
“Aakash… we are on the terrace. Anyone could see us,” she whispered, glancing around nervously.
Just then, they heard footsteps and faint voices of Rajesh and Sharmi who were heading upstairs.
Aakash only smirked. Before she could stop him, he cupped her face and kissed her. Meenakshi tried to push him away but he didn’t give in easily. When he finally pulled back, she was left breathless.
At that exact moment, Rajesh and Sharmi stepped onto the terrace. Aakash casually stretched his arms as if nothing had happened.
Rajesh and Sharmi glanced at Meenakshi, who stood frozen like a deer caught in headlights, unaware of what had just occurred.
“Let’s go, Meena,” Aakash said casually, gathering the remaining clothes. He bit his lip to suppress a smile and walked away, holding her hand.
Meenakshi spent the rest of the evening staying close to Balaram, keeping herself occupied with conversations and cooking. She carefully avoided going near their room.
But after dinner, the moment she stepped inside, the door quietly closed behind her.
She turned and Aakash was leaning against the door with a playful smile on his face.
“You are cheating. The game was only for outside and it’s already night,” she said, though her voice softened at the intensity in his gaze.
“No… one final round,” he said calmly, stepping closer.
Before she could argue, he gently held her face and kissed her forehead… then her cheek… and the other.
Finally, he placed a soft, lingering kiss on her lips. When he pulled away, Meenakshi stood there blushing and Aakash grinned in triumph.
She crossed her arms, pretending to be annoyed but the smile on her lips betrayed her.
“I want my gift, wifey.” Aakash leaned closer and whispered in her ear.
“Fine, you win. Tell me what you want… or I’ll decide it myself,” she said, trying to push him away.
But he pulled her closer and wrapped his arm around her. Their playful argument slowly melted into quiet closeness and their laughter faded into soft whispers.
” A new position, you will ride me ” he whispered in her ear and pulled her to the bed.
Meenakshi hesitated a lot at first but Aakash coaxed her with his kisses and gave her the confident she needed. Finally his wish was approved and overwhelmed by the moment, he was grunting. She leaned closer and softly covered his mouth with her palm, trying to quiet him..
“Do you realize how hard it is to stay quiet?” she whispered and Aakash was feeling over the moon seeing her moved up and down. Aakash smiled against her touch, clearly lost in the moment, his happiness evident in the way he held her close. His hands traced her curves, groped her bosoms as they continued with their romance.
When they were done, they lay together, wrapped in each other’s warmth. Aakash softly caressed her hair until she drifted off to sleep in his arms.
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A/N:
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