Chapter 81

Vimal woke up in the morning and felt something silky against his cheek, his palm holding something very soft. He squeezed it a little and instantly opened his eyes as reality hit him that he wasn’t alone anymore. He saw Chaitra sleeping on her side and he had moved towards her, his cheek pressed on her silky hair. He followed his hand and saw he was holding her waist. He got up startled and moved to his side but he was still looking at her sleeping form, her back facing him.

Chaitra has pushed the duvet and he could see the outline of her slopes and curves. He looked away and rushed to the washroom and stood before the mirror.

Vimal: You are lucky that she didn’t woke up first or what would have she thought about you ? Idiot, how could you forget that you aren’t alone and sharing a bed now ?

He rubbed his face and something struck his mind and once again he looked at the mirror and smiled at him.

Vimal: Fucker, you slept so peacefully after months, you didn’t take any medicine, there was no dream .. nothing… you just slept. But don’t be a selfish idiot and you can’t hold her just because you could sleep. Wait a minute you never got to think of everything she spoke last night. What should I do now ? She laid 10 conditions and fianlly she wanted me to decide to choose on following the conditions when I m ready. She loved me even without confessing it, even I was in a hell, she decided to move on becase she didn’t want me to be forced. Her love is pure and I should respect it and try for her. May be starting with little things. I can’t hurt her..definitely I will not hurt her. Now let me get ready and cook for her, she will be happy.

He tossed his shirt and started with his business to get ready.

In the room, Chaitra who woke up the moment Vimal squeezed her waist was smiling and looking at the closed door of the bathroom.

Chaitra: Did I do the mistake of placing the pillow ? I should get rid of extra pillows today.

She turned to his side of bed and hugged his pillow with a shy smile.

Chaitra: I love you Mr. hubby dear. You could have stayed back to wish me on our first morning but its ok I will plan something better than just good morning.

Vimal finished bathing and groaned that he forgot to get his clothes since he was habituated to walk out in towel.

Vimal: I think you sold your brain Vimal, idiot, what if she is awake and saw you in towel ? god, she might feel embarrassed.

He opened the door a little and saw the bed was empty and closed the door immediately.

Vimal: What if she is in the room or may be she left to prepare bed coffee ?

He once again opened the door and hiding his body behind the door he peeked into the room and saw it was empty. He quickly rushed to the closet and shut the door.

Vimal: I should fix a door between the closet and the washroom to avoid the incident from repeating.

He got dressed in a simple shirt and track pant and closed his eyes to calm his mind before he walked out. He saw the balcony door was open and went in search of her. Chaitra was standing near the corner of the railing watching the birds that were feeding on the grains he placed in a plate. She looked radiant as the golden hues of the sun kissed her face, while her nuptial chain swayed gently as she inched closer to the bird.

Vimal stood watching until she turned her attention to him and walked close to him. She snapped her finger breaking his trance and he smiled at her.

Chaitra: Wow, you smiled at me so definitely a very morning for me hubby dear. I will get ready and I think it won’t be a problem in doing things from my condition that doesn’t involve being touchy.

Vimal hummed and Chaitra gave him a wide smile that lit up his soul.

Chaitra: Cool, give me few minutes and I will get ready. We shall cook together, but I m a bad cook but I know you cook amazing food so teach me some other day but treat me today.

Without waiting for his reply she rushed to the closet to pick her clothes and Vimal walked out closing the door to give her space to get ready. He entered the kitchen and picked out the ingredients to prepare in the mean while.

Vimal: She is happy that I smiled at her and that smile looked good on her.. I .. I mean she was smiling truly unlike the ones I saw her when she was with that doofus. Atleast I could make her smile, she deserves every happiness in this world because.. because she is my ….she is my…

Chaitra: I m your wife, sweet hubby dear. Don’t be shy to shout to the world that you got the most beautiful girl was your wife.

Vimal’s breathe hitched on seeing Chaitra who stood next to him casually dressed in a beautiful green saree, his wife who took away his breathe. Her damp hair, cascading down to her mid-back, still held traces of water, the droplets trickling down and seeping into her blouse.

Chaitra: So what are we cooking today ? Our first breakfast together.

Vimal: I will stock groceries and cook your favourite lunch today and for now I will prepare toast, juice and some egg.

Chaitra hummed and Vimal wore an apron and started his work. He did not look at her even once and only focused on his work. Once he was done they got settled with their plate next to each other.

Chaitra: Until yesterday morning you were able to smile at me and you were able to talk casually to the extent you were able to ask me to join you for lunch. You bought me ice cream and you were advicing me to be practical and talk out everything with my husband.

Vimal chokedon the juice and it spilled over his shirt. Chaitra pat his head and picking a tissue paper she wiped the juice from his shirt.

Chaitra: Hubby dear, what changed that you are hesitating to talk with me ? I m still the same Chaitra, I will only want you to be happy, talk to me, ask me any question that is running on your mind and most importantly get used to my existence rather than choking everytime.

Vimal: What would have you done if I had agreed to your words and walked out leaving you to handle things on your own?

Chaitra: I would have realized that destiny is giving me a hint that I m doing wrong by giving upon my love so I would have waited and I m sure we would have met more often. May be you would have fallen in love with me in time and we would have got married. So the matter is simple that we are destined.

Vimal: What if I never….you know… I … I mean.. what if I never fall in love with you ?

Chaitra: I m sure you will love me, still to answer your question, I will not say my love would be enough for both of us but I will give you every reason to fall in love with me. If you trust me take baby steps and the first step is treat me normally, talk to me, smile how you used to do before. In simple words lets be friends and you will get to know me.

Vimal: I sought a psycologist’s help to get out of the fear and depression and still I m seeking his help because I couldn’t sleep.

Chaitra: Thank you, for letting me know. To be practical, after what you went through, your mind would either want you to keep me under control or since you knew the pain of being betrayed from love you might handle me with your kindness and care.

Vimal: I can never hurt anyone and I know and have gone through the pain so I will not give you that.

Chaitra picked both their plates but Vimal stopped her and picked their plates and walked to the kitchen to wash it. Chaitra stood next to him and watched him wash the plates.

Vimal: We have a maid and she will come twice a week to clean but now I will inform her to come on daily basis to take care of all the works. You don’t have to worry about anything. I will go buy groceries and message me if you need something.

Chaitra: Or you could just say , ” hey wifey, come on lets go shopping “

Vimal’s lips twitched on hearing her words and he hummed in reply to her.

Vimal: Are you ok with living here.. I mean this is very small flat considering the home my parents live in and even your parents live in a comparatively big one ?

Chaitra: This is beautiful and cozy so I m absolutely fine living here. Just lets buy some indoor plants and do you mind fixing a bird feeder in the balcony ?

Vimal: Lets go to the mall then, you can buy whatever you want.

Chaitra rushed to their room and Vimal waited in the hall for her. Just in few minutes Chaitra did minimal makeup and put on a clutch to her hair and walked out in the same saree. Vimal locked the door and they took the elevator to reach the parking.

Vimla opened the door for her before he got in the driver seat.  He drove to a hyper market first to complete the grocery shopping and Chaitra followed Vimal pushing the cart and watched him pick things.

Chaitra: How do you keep track of things you need and those to be stocked in kitchen ?

Vimal: I have been living on my own for a while now and even I was a bad cook but life has its own way to teach us to live on our own so I learnt little by little.

Chaitra: Do you expect me to learn cooking ?

Vimal: No, I can cook and if I couldn’t then you can inform our maid to cook. Now pick up if you need something.

They finished the shopping and together they reached the parking. Vimal placed the things in the trunk before they drove to a mall.

Vimal followed Chaitra in a home centre watching her look for things to decorate their home. She passed a bird feeder in Vimal’s hand and she walked ahead looking at some paintings.

Chaitra: Hubby dear, aren’t these paintings too good ?

Vimal: Yeah, they are nice. choose anything you want.

Chaitra: Why do we need some other painting to our home ? We shall get our wedding photos and even some candid photos framed and hang all over our sweet home. We would look lovely together.

Chaitra hit her leg on a table and Vimal caught her before she kissed the floor. Chaitra bit her lips to control her smile on seeing his palm on her waist. She rubbed her knee hissing in pain and Vimal who was concerned about her didn’t realize holding her waist. He removed his hand and crouched down placing the bird feeder on the floor.

Vimal: What happened ? Are you ok ? Why don’t you look your path while you walk ?

Chaitra: I have my handsome hubby to save me so should I care of falling down ? Thank you for saving me and I m fine so lets continue our shopping.

Vimal shook his head and once again followed her close to make sure she doesn’t fall once again. She chose some plants and later he took her shopping to buy some dresses for her.

Vimal: I will wait until you finish your shopping and you can use my card.

Vimal gave her his card and Chaitra smiled denying it.

Chaitra: I will use your card when you are ready to accompany me shopping and even choose outfits for me. so tell me if you mind me wearing clothes of my choice.. I mean some camisoles, shorts etc…etc… etc…

Vimal: You have all freedom and you don’t need my permission to live your life.

Chaitra: Thank you but I need you to live my life hubby dear…

Chaitra winked at him and entered the store for shopping. She picked few nightwears first and then moved on to the regular outfits. She heard footsteps behind and saw Vimal following her. Though Vimal didn’t choose any outfit for her she was happy atleast he was trying to be casual around her. He paid for her clothes and they drove to a restaurant to have lunch.

They returned home and Vimal fixed the birdfeeder in their balcony while Chaitra was in the closet to get changed. She walked out dressed in a camisole and full pant and laid on the bed for a nap.

Vimal fixed the bird feeder and got changed his outfit and sat on his side of bed. He saw her sleeping and the mole on her shoulder blade caught his attention. A similar or to be precise the same mole he saw on the shoulder blade of the woman from his dreams.

Vimal Mv: What the fuck is happening in my life ?