Here After!

22. Weekend of Warmth and Welcome

Anu 

As the night progressed, we called it a day and found comfort in staying together. I snuggled up to him, realizing this might become my new favorite place. He held me close in response to my gesture and wished me goodnight with a forehead kiss. It was something that had been a regular part of our routine during the first few days, and now I realized how much I had missed it.

I wasn't feeling sleepy and was lost in my thoughts when Giri asked if I was asleep. I felt really embarrassed when he mentioned he was aware of my fear of sleeping at night. But his comforting words made me snuggle closer to him. We spent time talking about our likes and getting to know each other better. We shared stories from our school and college life, and the next thing I remember is waking up in the morning, held tightly in his arms, my grip completely crushing his T-shirt.

I slowly disentangled myself from Giri's embrace, careful not to wake him. As I looked at his peaceful face, a wave of warmth and gratitude washed over me. His presence made everything feel more secure. I quietly slipped out of bed and headed to the kitchen to start our day.

I began preparing breakfast, my mind drifting back to our conversation from the night before. It felt good to share those memories with him, to see his eyes light up with stories of his own. Our bond was growing stronger, and I found comfort in that.

As the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, I heard Giri's footsteps approaching. He entered the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and smiling at me.

"Good morning," he said, his voice still husky with sleep.

"Good morning," I replied, handing him a cup of coffee. "Did you sleep well?"

He took a sip, nodding appreciatively. "Best sleep I've had in a while. Thanks for crushing my T-shirt, though," he added with a teasing grin.

I laughed, feeling a bit sheepish. "Sorry about that. Guess I was holding on a bit tight."

"No need to apologize," he said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "I liked it. It felt... nice."

We sat down for breakfast, enjoying the simple pleasure of each other's company. The day ahead was filled with plans and preparations for the weekend family get-together. We discussed the details, making sure everything was in order.

After breakfast, we went to Gayu's home to pick up Mom. We spent some time together, and they were also invited to the weekend lunch plan. Gayu's kids were not yet comfortable with me, just as I was still adjusting to the entire family. It's one of the harsh realities of life for women—to get adjusted to a new family after marriage.

Gayu welcomed us warmly, and Mom seemed happy to see us. We chatted for a bit, catching up on recent events and discussing the upcoming family get-together. Gayu's kids were shy around me, clinging to their mother and watching me with curious eyes. I tried to engage with them gently, but it was clear they needed more time to warm up to me.

As we prepared to leave, I couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety about fitting into Giri's family. It was a process, and I knew it would take time, but the uncertainty was still daunting.

Pushing my thoughts aside, we started from Gayu's home and, on the way back, stopped at the grocery store. Mom already had a huge list with her. Indeed, it was a significant shopping trip. We made sure to pick everything on the list, and she even asked me about my family's likes and dislikes. Before picking each item, she checked with me to see if I was okay with it. I felt good knowing she cared about my preferences and wanted to make sure I was comfortable with the choices.

As we walked through the aisles, I felt a growing sense of inclusion. Mom's thoughtful questions and consideration made me feel like I was truly becoming a part of the family. It was a small gesture, but it meant a lot to me. We chatted about various recipes and shared tips on cooking, creating a pleasant camaraderie between us.