It had been two days since the family left for the wedding and only Aakash and Meenakshi were at home. Meenakshi woke up to the alarm as usual and was about to get out of bed when Aakash held her wrist and stopped her.
“Sleep, Meena. You don’t have to cook today. We can order something. Get some rest for at least these two days while we are alone,” he sai and pulled her gently back to bed.
Later, when they woke up at eight, Aakash got ready first and left home to buy breakfast for them. He returned home and set the plates on the table by the time Meenakshi finished getting ready. She walked out wearing a beautiful blue saree and he served breakfast to her.
“I will order lunch too, so rest well. I’ll be back early in the evening,” he said before leaving for the office.
For the first time in years, Meenakshi had nothing to do. She simply sat on the sofa watching TV and eating the snacks Aakash had bought for her. Just as he had promised, Aakash ordered lunch for her as well. After eating, she slept peacefully until evening.
She looked fresh, calm and relaxed, with no voices taunting her or ordering her around to do household chores.
Once again, she sat in front of the TV watching a movie and she couldn’t even remember the last time she had watched television so peacefully.
She was sipping her coffee when she heard the familiar sound of Aakash parking his bike. She opened the door and smiled when she saw him.
“You are so early today,” she said, taking his bag.
Aakash sat on the sofa and glanced at the movie playing on the TV.
“This is the first time I’m seeing you watch TV. How was your day?” he asked, following her into the kitchen and Meenakshi chuckled at his words.
“I have never rested like this in my entire life. It was boring… but strangely, it felt peaceful,” she said, handing him a cup of coffee.
They returned to the hall and Aakash opened his bag and took out a saree. When he handed it to her, Meenakshi was stunned. It was the first time he had bought a saree for her.
“I have never bought you anything except snacks. I know you love sarees, so I thought maybe you could wear this for the wedding,” Aakash said.
Meenakshi gently touched the fabric. “This is so beautiful. Thank you so much. The first saree from you… I will cherish it forever,” she said, holding it close to her chest.
“I’ll freshen up and then let’s go out today. Maybe the beach and dinner? Or tell me your favorite place. We can also stop by a nearby tailor to get the blouse stitched for this saree,” he said while washing the glass.
“No, you must be tired. Let’s just stay home. I’ll cook dinner. I had enough rest today,” she said.
But Aakash immediately shook his head, refusing her suggestion.
They arrived at the beach and sat on the shore, watching the waves. Aakash bought two cups of masala peanuts and they quietly watched the children and couples enjoying themselves.
“That day I came here to clear my mind… to find some peace. It felt like my whole life was collapsing that day and I couldn’t stop the fear. All their words kept echoing in my mind. Whenever I need space or peace, I come here. This sea has always witnessed my pain. And today… I wanted it to see how happy I am.” Aakash said softly.
He turned to her and watched as she gently moved the strands of hair that the breeze kept blowing across her face.
“Are you happy, Meena? Am I forcing my thoughts, my past, or my wishes on you? You can always be open with me,” he said.
She looked happy, truly happy and yet he wanted to hear it from her.
“I may not have a past like you but that doesn’t mean I was happy. My life has been difficult in a different way. Being fat is never seen as a good thing in society and being a daughter in a middle-class family doesn’t make it any easier. I have always faced teasing and bullying.” she said and looked at the sea for a moment before continuing.
“This sea has never seen me happy… but today I am happy. Truly happy. I have always prayed to God, but never for a husband who would love me. I only wished for a man who would respect me as a human being. Love was something I never imagined in my life. Love is meant for beautiful girls and handsome men… or so I believed. But my prayer was answered. You respect me, you stand up for me… and that means everything to me.” she said and Aakash simply looked at her quietly.
“We are happy, Meena. And that is all that matters now,” he said, holding her hand and looked into her eyes.
Meenakshi nodded and after spending some time chatting they slowly walked back to where he had parked his bike.
As they passed by, Aakash noticed Meenakshi glancing at a woman selling flowers. Without a word, he went and bought a string of jasmine flowers for her.
Meenakshi looked at him in shock and then at the flowers in his hand.
” Enna kanakku pulla, nithaanamaa dhaan irukkeengalaa ? friendukku poo vaangi koduththaa ok vaa ? ” ( Accountant sir… are you in your right mind? Is it okay to buy jasmine flowers for your friend?), she asked teasingly.
Aakash looked at her for a moment, then simply held her hand and placed the flowers in her palm.
“Yes, you are my friend but you are also my wife… my only wife.” he said calmly and then started his bike.
From the mirror, he watched her carefully pin the jasmine flowers into her hair. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her face glowing softly in the evening light.
” Why does everyone think she isn’t beautiful? She is testing every bit of my patience now. I don’t even recognize the man I have become. I never thought I would feel all this… yet here she is, stirring everything within me.” he wondered.
He smiled when Meenakshi gently held his shoulder for support. Bike rides were something they had slowly grown used to and now quietly enjoyed.
They returned home after dinner. Meenakshi took a bottle of water from the fridge and walked into their room.
Aakash expected she would have changed into a nighty but when he entered the room, she was already lying on her side of the bed, still wearing the same saree, with the jasmine flowers in her hair.
” First nightuku dress panni irukka madhiri irukkale. Ippo naan eppadi control ah iruppen ? ” ( It looks like she is dressed for a wedding night. How am I supposed to behave now? ) Aakash thought nervously and slowly lay down beside her.
The moment Meenakshi placed her palm over his chest, his heart began pounding as if he had just run a marathon and his breathing grew heavy.
“What happened? Am I making you uncomfortable? I’m sorry,” she said and was about to remove her hand but Aakash placed his palm over hers to stop her.
“You would never make me uncomfortable, Meena. Sleep now,” he said, closing his eyes and trying to calm himself.
The next afternoon, Aakash and Meenakshi boarded the train and sat next to each other, with Meenakshi in the window seat. Their arms were pressed against each other and the first journey was so memorable as they talked all the while. After a five-hour journey, they arrived at the wedding hall, which looked like a palace.
“Seems like we should have prepared better than this,” Meenakshi said.
Aakash nodded as they headed inside, carrying their luggage. His uncle and aunt were standing at the entrance and greeted them warmly.
“You should have been here at least a week earlier, Aakash,” his uncle said, patting his shoulder.
“Got held up with work, uncle,” Aakash replied.
They walked inside and saw his parents talking with relatives. Rajesh, Sharmi and Lavanya were dressed in new clothes and chatting happily with the other cousins.
“I thought you would arrive only tomorrow morning for the wedding,” Padma said and Balaram immediately glared at her, silently warning her not to continue.
“Aakash, the guest rooms are on the second floor. Go get dressed. The reception will start in about an hour,” Balaram said.
Aakash nodded and headed towards the lift.
When they stepped out on the second floor, Aakash saw Prashanth, the groom and his cousin, speaking seriously to someone on his mobile phone. The moment he saw Aakash, Prashanth ended the call and hugged him.
“Is this the time to arrive for my wedding?” Prashanth asked, pulling back from the hug and smiled at Meenakshi.
“Sister, you could have come earlier. We all missed you both,” he said sincerely.
“Prashanth, I really got stuck in an important meeting,” Aakash explained and Prashanth then guided them to one of the guest rooms to get ready.
“You get ready first. I’ll stay with Prashanth until then,” Aakash said before stepping out of the room.
Meenakshi quickly took out the saree and jewellery to get ready. Thirty minutes later, she opened the door and saw Aakash standing alone in the corridor, scrolling through his mobile. She was about to call him but stopped when she saw Aishwarya approaching him.
Aakash was about to leave when Aishwarya stepped in front of him, blocking his way.
“What’s the hurry, Aakash? It’s been years, so let’s talk. Isn’t it good that I’m marrying your cousin and we’ll be relatives now?” she said with a smirk.
“Prashanth is such a nice gentleman and I’m so lucky to marry him. You know, he earns in lakhs and is planning to shift to London soon. This is the kind of life every woman would want.” she said and paused looking at him mockingly.
“By the way, how is your wife? Poor you… you finally ended up with a fat one.” she said and Aakash clenched his teeth in anger.
“Don’t you dare talk about my wife. She is a woman, a real woman unlike someone filthy like you,” he said coldly and then smirked at her.
“I really pity Prashanth. Poor man… he ended up with someone like you. Don’t underestimate me. I’m not the man who used to run away. I’m married to a very strong woman who values dignity. She is the kindest and most loving person I have ever met in my life. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me.” he said and looked at her sharply.
“I may wish you rot in hell, but I’m concerned about Prashanth… so just get lost or I won’t think twice to reveal your real face to everyone or only to Prashanth. A seed of doubt would be more than enough to ruin your life. Get lost ” he spat and with that, Aakash walked away.
Meenakshi smiled proudly when she saw him returning. They entered the room and closed the door behind them.
“Wow, you rocked, Accountant sir. She looked like she had been punched in the face. Tell me, how do you feel now?” Meenakshi asked playfully.
Aakash didn’t reply. Instead, he pulled her into a tight hug.
“Thank you, Meena. You changed me. I feel so strong now. I see a different version of myself… and everything happened because of you,” he said with a wide smile and Meenakshi gently patted his back.
“Good, Aakash. Now get ready. Since she is outside, we don’t want her to have any doubts about our relationship. So get ready in the bathroom. We shall leave together ” she suggested and they pulled back from the hug.
Aakash noticed she was wearing the green silk saree he bought for her.
” How doI look in the new saree ? ” Meenakshi asked and he kissed her forehead.
” You are gorgeous Meena, you look very beautiful ” Aakash said and Meenakshi pushed him to the bathroom.
Aakash and Meenakshi later arrived at the wedding hall and saw their family seated in the front row. Aakash helped Meenakshi take a seat and excused himself for a while.
Meenakshi wondered where he had gone. About thirty minutes later, he returned holding a string of flowers and handed it to her.
“You went out to buy flowers for me?” she asked in surprise and Aakash nodded.
“You look beautiful and I thought these flowers would add to your beauty,” he said and watched her pin the flowers into her hair.
“Now I’m confused about who the bride is,” he murmured and Meenakshi pinched his arm.
” Ungalukku romba Dhairiyam vandhuduchchu kanakku pulla ” ( So brave now, Accountant sir?), she teased him and Aakash simply shrugged.
At that moment they felt someone staring at them. They turned and saw Aishwarya walking toward the stage, though her eyes were fixed on them. Prashanth soon stepped beside her and helped her onto the stage.
They looked like a perfect couple as guests walked up to bless them.
Padma called Aakash to come onto the stage, but he refused, saying he felt uncomfortable around too many people.
Later that night, Aakash and Meenakshi changed their clothes. Just as they were about to sleep, Meenakshi received a call from her sister Krithika. Since it had been a long time they had spoken, she stepped outside the room to talk.
After a while, she noticed Aishwarya pacing in the corridor and staring at her.
Just then, Aakash opened the door looking for Meenakshi. She ended the call and walked toward him with a smile though she could still feel Aishwarya’s intense gaze on her.
Meenakshi deliberately left the door slightly open and suddenly hugged Aakash, surprising him. She secretly glanced toward the corridor and saw Aishwarya standing a little away, clearly trying to see what was happening inside the room.
Meenakshi wrapped her arms around Aakash’s neck and winked at him.
“Aww Aakash, what are you doing? We are not even at home. I thought you would at least let me rest today.” Meenakshi said and Aakash was stunned at the proximity and her words.
“Aak… Aakash… ouch… be gentle, baby,” she said dramatically and his face instantly turned red.
Meenakshi struggled to hide her smile seeing his reaction, but she continued her act.
“Where do you get all this energy? Every day I have to eat more just to keep up with your stamina, yet I end up exhausted and sleep for hours after you leave for the office. “Hmmm… Aakash, you beast,” she added teasingly.
Aakash suddenly felt all the blood rush through his body. At that moment he wanted nothing more than to hug her, kiss her and make those playful words real. He stepped slightly back, trying to hide the effect she was having on him.
Meenakshi continued making playful sounds, then deliberately messed up her hair to make it look believable. She picked up the empty water bottle and walked outside.
Pretending to be surprised when she saw Aishwarya, she quickly adjusted her hair and clothes.
“Oh… hi. Congratulations on your wedding. Could you tell me where I can get some water?” Meenakshi asked innocently.
” Meena….. “, Aakash called her from inside the room and Meenakshi acted shy and blushed.
“Oh my God… what will I do with this man? He won’t leave me alone even for a few minutes,” she murmured before hurrying back into the room.
Aishwarya stomped her foot angrily and walked back to her room.
“What was she saying?” Aakash asked, taking the water bottle from Meenakshi.
Meenakshi only smiled mischievously and lay down on the bed.
After locking the door, Aakash quickly rushed into the bathroom for a much-needed cold shower.
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A/N:
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