Chronicles Of My Darling Husband | ✓

95. Kumud (Part 5)

Follow me on Instagram for story-related updates, some creative content and to rant your heart out - handle is- suganthii.writes

--

At that moment, it was clear to her mind that it wasn't lust anymore.

She leaned in and pressed her lips against his in a quick, tender kiss, causing his eyes to widen in surprise.

Jagdish moaned.

As her right arm snaked around his waist, pulling herself closer to him, a sense of refuge bloomed within her. She nestled her head against his chest, inhaling the very essence of him and the wild roses, seeking the solidity and comfort it offered. "I don't know if love's the word yet," she whispered, a tremor of uncertainty lacing her voice. The same voice, however, held a quiet sincerity. "But what I do know is, you've offered me a kind of honesty I've never encountered before."

A shaky sigh escaped her lips as his arms encircled her, anchoring her in the warmth of his embrace.

"Oh, Nishita," he whispered, his voice a caress. "I can be nothing but honest with you, my love."

From the very beginning, there was something about him, an inexplicable pull that drew her like a moth to a flame. She couldn't deny the physical desire that simmered between them, but now, it transcended mere attraction, something deeper had ignited; she found herself yearning for his essence, his soul.

He was unlike any man she had encountered before—pure and comforting. In the company of other men, she had always felt the need to protect herself, to assert her independence, to be defiant. Only her father had ever offered her the kind of solace and acceptance that allowed her to embrace her femininity fully. It was the comfort of letting down her guard, of simply being a woman.

Was it too much to ask? In this world dominated by men, couldn't she simply exist as a woman, with all her vulnerabilities and strengths?

Years of defying societal expectations, of refusing to be confined by outdated notions of femininity, had become a constant battle. She rejected the tiresome lists of societal norms imposed on women because she knew that being a woman meant something different altogether. It wasn't about being subordinate to a man but rather it was about the partnership, standing beside him as an equal, leading a fulfilling life together, that was what 'Ardhangini' meant.

No one had ever understood her vision. So, she rebelled, and donned a mask of strength, mirroring the men who surrounded her. She adopted their resilience, their assertiveness, and their unyielding determination as she navigated a world that often failed to comprehend her perspective.

Her father, a rare exception, had embraced her ideals. But he was a father, an unconditional source of love to his child. How could she expect the same from another man?

But... Then Jagdish arrived, and everything shifted.

As she lay nestled against him, the steady rhythm of his heart a comforting lullaby against her ear, a possibility bloomed within her. In the quiet haven of his embrace, she felt a glimmer of a life she'd only dared to dream of. A life where she could finally shed the armor, the one she'd worn for so long. Here, with him, she could simply be Nishita.

"Jagdish..." she whispered.

"Hmm?"

"Do you remember where you first saw me?" The question tumbled out, her interest piqued.

A chuckle rumbled through his chest. "Ah, your Mami must have sent your photo to potential grooms. I was one of the lucky recipients."

"Oh Kanha!" she whispered in embarrassment, burying her face in his chest with a soft groan. "Why was Mamiji in such a hurry?"

"Hmm..." His fingers gently stroked her hair. "Maa had rejected your photo. She knew the hardship of young marriage and motherhood, and she wouldn't wish that on any girl," he paused, taking a deep breath. "But my eyes, Nishita... they couldn't forget your face. You were imprinted in my mind... And after all these years, my mother found you for me."

Nishita peeked up at him, her eyes wide with wonder. "What if we'd never met? What if your mother had chosen someone else for you?" she asked, a thread of curiosity weaving through her voice. "What would you have done?"

Jagdish's eyes shimmered with a light brown hue as he leaned in to kiss her forehead. "That wouldn't have been an option, wifey. I know one thing for sure... We have been destined to be together," he murmured. A beautiful blush colored his cheeks as he quickly pulled her closer, trying to conceal his bashfulness.

She smiled, burying her face again in his chest, "You do have a way with your words, Adv. Jagdish Veer Singh."

"I strive to be the best at everything, Mrs. Nishita Jagdish Singh."

--

A/N

Okay, that was quite an awwwwww chapter.

We can see how deeply Nishita's emotions resonated.

For a long time, I was incredibly hard on myself, but the moment I embraced my identity as a woman—rejecting the notion of needing to conform to male standards—my perspective on life shifted completely. I began to accept myself more openly and confidently, proudly asserting my identity to others. This was especially true in the workplace, where I refused to succumb to the gaslighting that women should accept unfair treatment simply because men would have accepted it. LOL. Toxicity is toxicity, if drawing a border to balance my life with work is called to be 'you are weak as you are a woman,' I gracefully embrace being a woman, without compromise as only a fool would fall for those traps.

I found comfort in the arms of a man who made me believe that I didn't have to fight for everything. So, thanks to my husband for letting me simply be Suganthi.

"Bade Acche Lagte Hain" by my goddess Shreya was the only song that came to my mind while I was drafting this chapter.

Vote share COMMMEENT!