Rajveer's palm trembled while his heart drummed louder as he approached his wife. Ahana, on the other hand, felt her breath becoming thick and shallow with each step that closed the distance between them.
As Rajveer closed the remaining distance, he peered into the mirror, finding Ahana staring down. "Are you sure you want me to do this? We can just call someone for help," he suggested, his voice tinged with uncertainty. She matched his gaze through the reflection in the mirror.
"Yes. I want you to do this," she replied softly, and he felt a warm flush spread across his cheeks.
Taking a deep breath, he reached to hold the sides of her blouse, his touch gentle and attentive, not wanting to offend her. As he pulled the fabric closer and attempted to hook it, Ahana held her breath and straightened her back, lifting her chest. Her eyes peeked at her husband through the mirror, watching his concentration.
"Calling him old seems so offensive. He might be big in age from me but he is really very handsome and cute as well," she thought to herself, taking a closer look at him, as she recalls her bhabi's mock. Her heart flutters at his sight, capturing her in his charms.
"It's done!" he exclaimed hastily, his fingertips brushing against her back with a feathery touch.
Ahana smiled at his flustered face, though she felt sparks run through her body from that mere faint touch. "I'l l— umh— excuse me!" he stammered, unable to meet her gaze out of embarrassment, and rushed toward the washroom.
"I'll wait for you," she quickly mumbled before he disappeared, causing him to pause.
The whole world seemed to stop as he acknowledged her words. "She'll wait for me?" he asked himself, doubting what he heard, as his eyes scanned her face. Her rosy cheeks and parted lips, coupled with those deep, attractive eyes, lured his heart. "Mom asked us to come for breakfast together," she added, feeling awkward under his intense gaze.
"Umh—okay!" he mumbled quickly, creating another embarrassing moment for himself. He hadn't meant to make her feel uneasy under his gaze, but no one had ever asked him to wait except his parents and Manoj, taking him off-guard. "What's wrong with you, Rajveer! Buck up," he scolded himself before going for a shower and returning quickly, just as she had asked.
-----------------
Subconsciously, Rajveer picked a matching T-shirt to go with her light blue saree and white trousers. He looked dashingly handsome without putting any effort into his appearance. Coming out of the wardrobe room, he found Ahana waiting for him, sitting on the bed. When she saw him, her eyes glowed.
"I'm very hungry… please, let's go," she chimed, making him smile faintly. She didn't seem to notice they were twinning, but he did. His heart fluttered with this new, foreign feeling, enjoying the sense of being a couple.
As Ahana started walking ahead, Rajveer asked her to stop. "Kya hua?" she asked, batting her lashes. Rajveer smiled at her innocence and picked something from the dressing table before walking to her side. She frowned in confusion, her teeth chewing on her lower lip. "You forgot this," he said, filling her hairline with vermillion, and she subconsciously closed her eyes in anticipation.
Rajveer didn't realize the significance of the moment he had created until their eyes locked. Ahana felt a swirl of emotions in her belly while her heart thumped softly. Their eyes lock for a couple of seconds, relishing this sweet moment with a new feeling.
"Thank you," she mumbled.
A sense of comfort and safety clutched her heart when she was with him. She felt normal, and with a smile, they both left their room in silence, unable to express the turmoil within them.
Walking down the hallway, Ahana suddenly felt uneasy, realizing everyone would be at the breakfast table, waiting for her. She felt self-conscious about her appearance and became restless, subconsciously reaching to grab his arm. He side-eyed her fingers wrapped around his arm, smiling as he averted his gaze. "It's okay. They are all family. Just be yourself, and you'll fit in well," he reassured her.
Ahana felt amazed as he read her mind without her needing to voice her thoughts. She was mesmerized by his understanding and blushed as she stole a glance at him.
Entering the dining room, every eye followed their way, smiling as they saw them walking hand in hand with matching clothes. "Someone seems to be different and happy," his mother teased him. "Mom…" he hissed, making her giggle.
"I never thought my son would be so romantic," his father teased, causing Rajveer to look away, feeling shy. Meanwhile, Ahana stood there, dumbfounded, unable to catch the hint. "Ahmm—who are you talking about?" she asked, and everyone exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.
Agh… my dear innocent little wife! What to do with you? Rajveer sighed, scratching his eyebrow.
"You two, of course. You both are matching your clothes. Plus, holding hands," her mother-in-law explained, and reality finally dawned upon her. Quickly letting go of his arm, she passed a forced smile, flustered by her obliviousness.
"It's okay, sweetheart. No need to be shy!" her mother-in-law cooed, and Rajveer tried to act cool. But his parents caught the smirk at the corner of his lips. Looking everywhere but at them, Rajveer pulled a chair out for Ahana, and she smiled softly before taking her seat. He settled beside her, giving his mother a hard stare, silently asking her to stop making Ahana uncomfortable.
The big table laid with various dishes overwhelmed Ahana's heart, and she licked her lips. The aroma of food increased her appetite, and her eyes shimmered with delight.
It's been months since she was having breakfast with everyone sitting on the dining table with so many options. Tears welled up in her eyes, as old memories hits her. "What happened? Are you okay?", Rajveer inquires, noticing her moist eyes, catching his parents attention.
"Yeah. I'm okay! Its--", she finds hard to explain herself in words. "It's okay Raj.. she might be missing her family", her dad says, trying to calm his worried son and Ahana purses her lips.
Clattering of plates and spoons soon starts to be heard when Rajveer's step sister, Damini appears. "Good morning, dear", Rajni greets her first with a big smile and later everyone follows. Passing a cut nod with forced smile, she wishes back and takes her seat beside Rajni. "Where is your son, Damini? I heard he came in morning", her father in a stern voice asks. "He must be sleeping or something... I don't know", she nonchalantly answers making Ahana stare at her.
"Damini you are his mother and you should know what's he doing. Where was he from the past few months?", Veer asks, feeling pissed at her careless attitude.
Ahana feels scared, reaching for Rajveer's tshirt corner quickly, as her eyes linger between them. Rajveer sighs softly, and asks his dad to chill making Damini pissed off at her dad. She feels insulted because of his hopeless son but blames his stepbrother internally.
"Fine. He better shows up in the reception party, well groomed. Or else you both won't be spared", he asks and she nods her head in yes.
Who is her son?, Ahana wonders.
YOU ARE READING
Bounded: Forced Arrange Marriage
Romance*𝓢𝓷𝓮𝓪𝓴 𝓟𝓮𝓪𝓴* "Stop!", she raises her voice making him astound as he walks inside the room locking the door. He cocks his brows at her and she gets on her knees while on bed. Her eyes were throwing daggers at him while the dupatta from her h...
