THE IInd DECISION

🌸Care?🌸

AYYAN POV:

We were sitting in the car, with Ashi beside me. The weather had taken a turn; the wind picked up, and the clouds gathered, casting a gray shadow over everything. I was engrossed in reviewing my plans, trying to ignore the worsening weather, when I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. I turned to see Ashi's head resting against me, her eyelids drooping as she fought off sleep.

I carefully adjusted her head with just a light touch, guiding her towards the window so as not to disturb her. However, moments later, her head was back on my shoulder. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her so close. Her face, delicate and serene, was framed by soft strands of hair that brushed against my arm. Her small eyes, barely visible under the weight of exhaustion, were hidden by long lashes.

She looked utterly spent, and despite the circumstances, I found myself appreciating this intimate, quiet moment. Up front, Riya was glancing at us through the rearview mirror, her eyes twinkling with mischief. I shot her a glance, trying to ignore her teasing look, and continued with my work.

As the rain began to patter against the windows, I noticed the water seeping inside. I grew anxious that it might wake Ashi, so I quickly closed the window. Just as I did, a loud clap of thunder echoed through the car, startling Ashi awake. She jolted up, clutching my biceps in panic and burying her face in my chest.

I was momentarily taken aback by the suddenness of her reaction, but before I could say anything, she pulled away, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Sorry," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

I couldn't help but smile at her flustered state. "It's okay, Ashi," I reassured her gently. "You don't need to apologize."

As the car rolled up to our destination, the storm outside seemed to ease, mirroring the calm that had returned between us. The moment lingered, a small yet significant piece of our shared experience, as we reached home.

As the car came to a stop, we both took a moment to gather ourselves. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, and the sky was clearing up. I turned to Ashi, who was now fully awake and looking a bit embarrassed, trying to smooth her hair and compose herself.

"Do you need any help?" I asked, trying to ease her discomfort and show her that everything was okay.

She shook her head, offering a shy smile. "No, I'm good. Thanks for... well, you know," she said, her cheeks still tinged with pink.

"No problem at all," I replied, giving her a reassuring nod. "It's just a bit of thunder. Nothing to worry about."

Riya, who had been quietly observing from the front seat, turned around with a playful smirk. "Looks like you two had quite the adventure back there," she teased.

I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool. "Oh, stop it."

Riya laughed softly, then turned back to face the front. "Alright, alright. Let's get inside before we catch a cold."

We all stepped out of the car, and the cool, fresh air felt invigorating after the stuffy confines of the vehicle. As we made our way to the front door, I glanced over at Ashi. Her earlier embarrassment seemed to have faded, replaced by a sense of relief and a
bit of playful camaraderie.


As we stepped out of the car and approached the front of the house, we found my mother waiting for us. She stood on the threshold with a bowl of rice on floor. Her expression was serious as she instructed, "Ashi, please step over this with your right foot."

Ashi nodded, her face a mixture of curiosity and nervousness, and stepped onto the rice. We entered the house together, and as Ashi looked around, her eyes widened in awe. The grandeur of the house seemed to leave her speechless; her mouth hung open and her eyes grew large with surprise.

Riya, always the gracious host, guided Ashi to the couch and made sure she was comfortable. Meanwhile, I headed straight for my room to change into clean clothes. The day had already been long and exhausting, and I had a mountain of work waiting for me.

Just as I was about to shut the door behind me, my mother's voice called out, stopping me in my tracks. "Where are you going? We still have ceremonies left, and you two need to find the ring."

I sighed deeply, my frustration evident. "There's no need for all this. I'm going to my study. I've already had a long day."

My mother's voice softened, but there was a firmness underlying her words. She climbed the stairs to meet me at the top. "I understand you're tired and that you want to skip the rest of the ceremonies. But remember this-you're married now, and you chose this path yourself. No one forced you into it. So, you need to treat Ashi with respect and care. This isn't just about the ceremonies; it's about how you treat your partner."

Her tone carried a note of warning, a reminder of the responsibilities that came with this new chapter of my life. I nodded, though my frustration lingered. "I get it, Mom. I'll keep that in mind."

With that, I turned and headed into my study room, the weight of the day's events pressing down on me. As I settled into my work, I couldn't help but reflect on my mother's word.