The next morning, I woke up feeling weak and feverish. Ishaani was already awake, hovering over me with that same concern I'd learned to expect and sometimes resent, sometimes crave.
"You need to take the day off," she said sharply, pressing her hand to my forehead. I tried to protest, but she ignored me.
"I don't want to! After last night, I'm not letting you leave the bed," she said, snuggling closer. Her warm body pressed against mine, fingers tracing random patterns across my chest. The sensation was soothing, yet it reminded me how much I had hurt her.
"I don't care if I get sick. We can be sick together," she whispered, nuzzling into me. She cooked, fed me, forced me to take medicine, and fussed over me endlessly. I couldn't help but feel guilty. Her care made me realize just how much I had ignored her, how much I had taken her for granted. She didn't deserve that.
Later, as I lay in bed, I realized the problem: I had no clue how to plan a proper date. I wanted something special, something she'd genuinely enjoy. But every fancy restaurant I thought of was fully booked. I groaned in frustration.
Then, I remembered Tanisha. She had impeccable taste and knew all the new spots in the city. Maybe she could help me figure this out. I called her and explained my predicament.
"Oh! There's this new restaurant that opened recently. Great food, amazing ambiance. My friend owns it! I can get you a reservation," she said smoothly.
"Thank God! Could you help me?" I asked, relief flooding me.
"Sure. Consider it a thank you for showing me around the city that Sunday," she said, her voice smooth, confident...somehow alluring. I shook my head, scolding myself. Focus on Ishaani. She's the one who matters.
With a reservation sorted, the next challenge was asking Ishaani. Would she think it was pity? Would she think I owed her for caring for me?
"Ishaani, would you like to go on a date tonight?" I asked, voice steady.
Did I regret it?
No!
Did I expect her reaction?
Hell to the fucking no!
I didn't expect her to jump for joy but at least a smile would have sufficed. But instead, I was greeted with a deep frown on her face.
Her reaction hit me like a punch. "If this is your way of paying me back for yesterday and the night before, then don't! Ever since we married, you've never taken me out, and now suddenly you want to? Don't feel like you owe me something. I'm your wife. If I don't take care of you, who will? Don't demean my actions," she said, hurt lacing her tone.
The words stung. She thought I was pitying her. I stepped closer, sincerity in my eyes.
"Ishaani, I didn't ask you out because I owe you something. I want to go on a date with you because I genuinely want to spend time with you," I said firmly.
Her hands paused mid-motion, and she looked at me. Slowly, a blush spread across her cheeks. For the first time since we married, I truly saw her, her beauty, her heart, her grace. My chest tightened, a warmth spreading through me.
I stepped closer, hands finding her waist. Her small gasp, the shiver running through her, made my pulse race. I brushed her hair away from her face, and our eyes locked. Vulnerability, trust, love ; I wanted to hold it all. I leaned down and kissed her slowly. Her hands clutched my chest, tugging me closer. My hands slid under her Kurti, gripping her bare waist. Every gasp, every moan, every touch was electric.
The spell broke only with the shrill ring of my phone. Ishaani pulled away, cheeks flushed, hair slightly disheveled. Reality intruded, but the warmth lingered.
By evening, nerves and excitement mingled as we got ready to go to the restaurant. Ishaani had emerged from our room looking breathtaking in a black net saree. Her mangalsutra glinted under the lights, hair loose and wavy, lips blood red, eyes lined with kajal. My pulse raced.
"Hi!" she whispered, looking down as she tucked her hair behind her ear. I tipped her chin up, making her look into my eyes as I whispered how breathtaking she looks.
"What is up Mr. Mehra? You've been acting differently since this morning. Did the fever fry up your brain that bad?" she said with a playful smirk on her face.
"Maybe it did Mrs.Mehra. Or maybe you smothering me with your tits that night did something to me." I said, returning her playful smirk.
She slapped my chest, laughing. "Oh my God, Zeyansh! Shut up!" But the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her joy, and I felt a thrill.
"I'm not kidding Mrs.Mehra. Being smothered by your tits made me burn up even more and made me so hard but alas, I was sick. But it's fine. You'll be making up for that night, tonight." I whispered in her ear, my voice low and husky. She gasped and her eyes mirrored the hunger and lust in mine. I was shocked at the intensity of my lust for her because this was the first time since our marriage.
Today was the first time for a lot of first times.
We arrived at the restaurant on time despite the traffic. The restaurant was indeed magnificent and gorgeous and looking at Ishaani admiring everything made me so happy and I was proud of myself.
We gave our orders and after some initial hesitation, Ishaani started talking about everything and anything. And I listened to everything, replying when she wanted me to.
And out of nowhere, she stopped talking, as she looked at something behind me. I turned back to look.
Tanisha.
She appeared in a red sleeveless gown with a thigh-high slit. Her long legs seemed to glide across the floor. Her hair shimmered under the lights, and that smile, God, her smile was impossible to ignore.
I froze. My pulse quickened, my throat went dry. She approached with small talk, playful flirting threaded lightly in her voice. I caught myself leaning in, captivated. Every word, every gesture, every glance pulled me in. My mind felt dizzy, intoxicated.
And just as quickly as she had arrived, she excused herself with a graceful smile. My gaze lingered on her as she walked away. Only then did I realize the world had returned to focus. My eyes shifted, and I saw Ishaani.
Her expression was heartbreak itself. Silent, small, hurt, and heartbroken. My chest ached as I realized how completely I had failed to shield her from my wandering gaze, from my momentary mesmerization.
The sight of her, sad and hurt, brought me back to reality like a punch to the gut. Everything else, the restaurant, the allure, the fascination, vanished. Ishaani was here. My wife. The one who mattered. And in that moment, I knew: I had to make this right.
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YOU ARE READING
His Burden, His Blessing
Romance"You don't turn me on enough for us to roleplay." My husband of 2 years said to me. It took me some time to process what he said. "What?! What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Is this some kind of a joke?" I asked him incredulously. "Do I look lik...
