Discordance

Chapter Fifty-Three

Her heartrate had refused to go down since their puja at the temple and she was sure all the guests currently milling about waiting for Anisha's ceremony to begin were curious as to why her face was beetroot red. She knew Abhimanyu knew her emotions better than she herself did but this was too much even for him. She was Mrs. Birla but maybe Abhimanyu needed this reassurance more than her because of how dedicated he was in giving her a choice and returning her agency back to her.

Her wedding with everything she picked? She remembered the feeling of dread encompassing her when she was due to be married the first time to him, the feeling of apathy and misery but this time even if it was just the two of them, she was ecstatic, her pulse was racing with joy and a slight intrigue as to how her monster would pull this off without his family's knowledge or involvement.

As Akshara clutched her saree's pallu, she glanced around, her eyes trying to locate her handsome husband who was currently standing in a corner talking on the phone with what had to be a patient. She could tell it was a patient because there was a deep crease in between his brow and he was animatedly giving out instructions, listening to what they were saying and gentling his tone as and when needed. The sunlight was hitting him just right and Akshara let out a deep sigh, sheer bliss unfurling somewhere deep in her belly. He had given her the world but yet he was her entire world, she didn't really need anything. Being loved by him was so special that she wished she could put it into words and tell him.

Suddenly, probably aware about her deep scrutiny, he looked up and gave her a slow mischievous smile and Akshara could feel the butterflies take flight in her belly, fluttering about, making her stomach quiver. They had been "married" for quite some time but yet she still felt like she was floating away somewhere in the abyss, waiting for some cruel twist of fate to take away her Abhimanyu and leave her in the pits of despair by herself. She had to keep reassuring herself that he was present and he was all hers because for the first time in her life she had something so precious and someone who was all hers, someone she didn't have to share with anyone.

Quickly Akshara smiled back at him when she saw him frown at whatever expression had flitted across her face before placing a hand over her pounding heart, needing to ease all the warring emotions she was currently feeling. A few guests came up to her to ask her about herself and on autopilot she responded, making small mundane conversation, her mind still on the wedding invite Abhimanyu had printed out for them. Every second of her life, she would think of Abhimanyu's heartfelt letter, and she was sure that fifty years from now, she would still be gulping back tears at his very obvious love for her.

The letter told her everything he felt and how vast his love was for her, but it also promised how he would care for her and love her for the rest of their lives. He had already undone all her childhood trauma just by his mere existence but his promises about their future made her feel so empowered that she could probably fly without wings if Abhimanyu wished so, such was the power of his love.

As everyone went towards where the fire pit was located, she felt Abhimanyu pull on her hand rushing her out of sight of everyone. So enamored was she by the way he looked, his hair just slightly mussed, the red teeka on his forehead from their previous puja and the way he filled out in his light blue kurta a direct contrast from her pink saree that words simply left her and she couldn't bring herself to protest. She followed him wherever he took her, much like their life, she thought smiling to herself, slightly startled when he brought them to the back of the temple, overlooking the cliff, not a single soul in sight.

With a soft thud he rested her back on the marble wall of the temple, his palm splayed over her waist while his other hand rested on the side of her face and he looked so damn good that all she could do was blink up at him in wonder.