FLAMES: Of Revenge And Love

16. RECEPTION

Abhimanyu's POV

My wife was getting ready for our reception and I was getting impatient waiting for her. Not because she took time but because I was curious, so curious to see how she'll look, she always looked beautiful but when she got ready for me, that made her exceptional.

I couldn't look away, not like I wanted to. Her lehnga shone with every step she took towards, the light falling on the mirrors was reflected back. Every step she took I felt closer to reaching attainment. This was what I've always envisioned, her taking steps towards me. She had been taking those these weeks, baby steps but she has moved ahead.
I was too happy when she took me to meet maasi. When she got close enough, I noticed her hands were at her back and she was standing stiff.

" What's wrong? " I asked her and she slowly turned around showing me her back.
I smiled, I'll have to thank mom for the dress. I know I sounded like a pervert but I liked the sound of dressing her up, while undressing sounded much fun I was okay with the first one for now. The day to undress her won't be too far if it all goes well. I took her belt from hand first, " Tell me how tight should I keep it. "

I moved my hand over her waist to adjust it correctly, I didn't avoid her, she had gotten comfortable with my touch and I'll be an idiot to miss this opportunity. She shivered when I put my finger in the waist and pulled her, I liked the reactions she gave me, she looks adorable with those thoughts running through her mind. And even though I want to know them now, I won't, she'll tell me herself. I removed my fingers and held the belt to the second hook, " Is it okay? "

She shook her head in a no, " Is it tight or loose? "
" Loose. " One word and it made me further realise how thin she was. No idea what's wrong that even though she hasn't skipped a meal since coming here, she's not gaining any weight. I'll have to talk to a doctor and ask someone to make a nutrition plan for her.

I tightened the belt further but she shook her head again and finally at the fourth hook she nodded. I tied it and asked again, " Is it okay? "
" Hmm. "

I place my hand on her blouse next, it's hooks were on the side that is why she was unable to tie them. I placed my hand on her and she slowly removed it. She held the blouse from her shoulders as if holding it in place. Her expression as if she might run away if her dress wasn't in the jeopardy. I couldn't appreciate her expression cuz when I placed the first hook, I saw it. No them.. There were three, three reminders of what she went through while I was wallowing in self-pity. I tried to calm the beast in me who was raging. I don't know how I missed them on our wedding night.

" What's wrong? " Realising I paused for too long, I quickly hooked her blouse. I schooled my expression in such a way that I don't give anything away before she turned. I saw them by accident, they were closely hidden by her blouse and I don't think she wanted me to see them, so I'll just pretend I didn't. Pretend that I didn't see it, pretend that I'm not going crazy thinking about how much pain she was in. I'll pretend until she shows them to me and I can finally show the emotions erupting in me.

" Is something wrong? "
" No. I just don't want you to go before those people. " I don't want them to prey on my wife like they always do. Even though I had ensured that no one say anything wrong but there are always some people who don't finish their day without any nasty thing coming out of their mouth. The press would be here too, but just to click some pics for their morning headlines, they won't be coming anywhere near my wife.

" Why? It's our reception. " She asked me innocently, unaware of the turmoil going inside me. She had some makeup on, not like she needed it but the lipstick on her lips was giving me not some innocent ideas. She never really applies it, it was there till the first week of our marriage but she stopped using it afterwards. I didn't even know what shade she was applying today, just that it bordered somewhere between brown and red. But it just made her more enticing for me. Hell, she could be wearing rags and the only thought in my mind would be, how she's the most beautiful person I've ever laid eyes on.