Tales Of Devotion

CHAPTER - FIVE

Yuvraj's POV

Having dispatched the bouquet and heartfelt note to Purvanshi, a mix of satisfaction and apprehension swirled within me. Though typically demure, her affections always flowed through the penned words of her letters.

Yet everyone knows how indispensable I am to her—this unchanged room stands testament to our enduring bond. What enigmatic force has altered her demeanor so profoundly?

As Purvanshi rinsed her hands upon returning from her stroll, I found myself drawn to her doorstep. A week had passed since my note, and her silence gnawed at me. The urge to call her was overwhelming, yet the right words eluded me.

Draped in a stunning floor-length Anarkali suit, she exuded beauty that bloomed alongside her maturity.

"You ignored my letter!"
I blurted out, unable to mask the hurt in my voice as Purvanshi dried her hands, her gaze meeting mine.

"I assumed you were jesting,"
Purvanshi replied calmly, her eyes searching mine as she continued,

"You've always skirted the topic of marriage, even seemed intent on dodging it altogether. So naturally, I believed it was merely another of your jests."
Her nonchalant tone belied the gravity of her words, but I couldn't suppress the phrase ricocheting through my mind like a relentless echo.

"Marriage wasn't a joke to me, Purva.,"
I confessed, my voice tinged with raw emotion.

"Not when it comes to you."
My eyes held hers, willing her to see the sincerity etched across my features.

"This time, I meant every word."

"Why have you distanced yourself from me now, when you've always claimed to care deeply?"
I implored, my voice laced with a mix of confusion and yearning. "What's shifted between us?"

Purvanshi met my gaze with an unwavering calm, her words measured and assured.

"I've made it abundantly clear—I was well-aware of your past entanglements long ago, and your concern for my feelings is unnecessary. Whatever path you choose, you're free to tread it without hesitation... Is there any aspect of that you find unclear?"
Though her composed demeanor should have eased my unease, it instead stoked the flames of my frustration. Her indifference cut deeper than I cared to admit.

"For whatever has occurred, I offer my sincerest apologies,"
I declared, my remorse genuine despite the walls she'd erected around her heart.

Purvanshi's brow creased, her skepticism palpable.
"After all these years, why seek forgiveness now?" she queried, her tone laced with a hint of guarded curiosity. I couldn't deny the validity of her doubts; I grappled with the same uncertainties.

"I felt an overwhelming need to make amends,"
I confessed, my conviction unwavering despite the tempest raging within.

As Purvanshi drew nearer, the space between us charged with electricity. She'd never ventured this close, her essence enveloping me—an intoxicating blend of jasmine and sandalwood, her hair carrying the subtle fragrance of white lotuses. My cheeks burned, the flush creeping down my neck as I fought to rein in the tumultuous emotions her proximity ignited.

"Why this sudden restlessness, Yuvraj?"
Purvanshi inquired softly, her eyes delving into mine. In that suspended moment, the air thrummed with unspoken desires, and I battled to steady my erratic heartbeat, acutely aware of the fragile balance teetering between us.

"The last time, you departed abruptly, leaving our conversation unfinished..."
Purvanshi paused, her gaze thoughtful.
"By praising you excessively, I concealed the truth from you... What I mean is, you went to great lengths to shield me from the reality, out of respect for my dignity."

Seated beside me, her words rendered me momentarily speechless, grappling with the weight of her confession.

Rising to my feet, I gathered my thoughts and responded,
"Perhaps I should remain silent, but I feel compelled to speak... Or maybe I'm mistaken, and you've lost your senses entirely."

Purvanshi shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips as she continued,
"Whatever you choose to do after marriage, I harbor no objections. There's no need to conceal anything from me..."

Her words struck a chord, igniting a flicker of suspicion. Was she implying the existence of a lover, someone she intended to maintain contact with even after our union? Did she expect me to condone such an arrangement, suggesting I might pursue similar connections? Perhaps she entertained multiple relationships, given her allure and magnetic charm, qualities that could ensnare anyone—including me. Yet, I vowed to be the sole captor of her affections.

"You're implying that our personal lives will diverge post-marriage?"
I pressed, moving closer until she stood directly before me. "Am I correct in sensing your interest lies elsewhere, that you envision coexisting with another, thus prompting this discourse?"

My question hung in the air, laden with unspoken implications, as I searched her eyes for the truth behind her cryptic words. The proximity between us crackled with tension, each heartbeat echoing the gravity of the moment.

"Do my feelings hold no significance to you? Why won't you confide in me?"
I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. As she attempted to retreat, I instinctively encircled her waist, drawing her firmly against my chest. Gazing up at me, her almond-shaped eyes shimmered with an enigmatic glint, betraying the complexity of her intentions. This woman, soon to be my wife, harbored secrets beneath her poised exterior.

"You desire a life where we exist apart, don't you? Do you truly believe I would permit such a distant arrangement?"
I breathed against her lips, my eyes locking onto hers, seeking the answers I craved. Instead, I found my own reflection staring back, a sight that stirred an unexpected sense of contentment.

Driven by an irresistible impulse, I captured her lips in a fervent kiss, stealing her breath away. Our mouths melded in a dance of unbridled desire, the world around us fading into insignificance. Breaking the connection, I spoke, my voice ragged with emotion.
"Forgive me, but this closeness will become our norm, not a rarity. I'll neither gaze upon nor entertain another woman besides you. We'll remain together, bound forever, and freedom? Neither do I crave independence nor privacy, for marriage signifies unity, not separation."

“Mein bhale hi kamina lagu pr mein tumhari soch se bhi zyada vafadar hu”
I declared, pressing a tender kiss to her cheek before flashing her a wink. With that, I took my leave, the weight of our unspoken understanding lingering in the air, a promise of the profound connection awaiting us.
( I may appear selfish, but my devotion to you surpasses even your deepest convictions.)