ACCEPTING 'US'

8.

Sudha's POV:

When I entered the room with the glass I only repeated one thing in mind.
' Go with the flow ' and ' don't stop your husband '. These things kept repeating in my head and when I looked around the room it was too small. It consisted of only a bed and a cardboard and only little space where I stood. After looking around I became nervous as he was staring at me. I don't understand why my body is reacting differently around me like my stomach is twisting abnormally, my heart beat is increasing and my whole existence is heating. His stare is making burns in my body and unknowingly I started sweating too. He signalled me to sit and after exchanging a few words I realised this is the first ever conversation between us. Though his stare was making me uncomfortable I felt little ease that he talked with me.
The moment he asked me if he could hug me, my entire nervousness turned into curiosity. I mean why would he want to hug me? Is it normal to hug your wife? Is there something more about being spouses? I don't have answers to anything. I was told that it would be painful in the beginning but hugging will not be painful right? Relentlessly I nodded but immediately I remembered about touching his feet. Then he hugged me so tightly like his life depended on it. Meanwhile I was suffocating for breath. It is the first ever hug I shared with other than family and faintly it felt good although I was out of breath. When I voiced out he left me or else I would have died.
When he left me I sighed in relief and laid in bed when he asked me to sleep. I was trying to move away from him but his words stunned me. It was funny the way he commented and I smiled. When I was trying to sleep I found his hand going towards my head and I stilled not knowing what he is trying to do. Until he removed my veil I didn't realise I was sweating badly. Thank God he removed orelse it would have been too hot.
With his proximity my body was heating instantly and with this veil I would have definitely taken a bath in my own sweat.
I was not able to sleep for two reasons. Number one him being so close to me and the second one being in a new place. Even though the number one reason carried more weight I cannot blame myself for not being able to sleep in a new place. I would not go anywhere out of the house except for school and college. Sometimes when I go to any relatives home I would be awake the whole night. So technically number two is also the reason for my sleeplessness.
Finally after a small nap maybe when I woke up the bed was empty indicating that he woke up before me. I don't understand how I am going to face him after that hug but strangely I am feeling shy to go before him.
" Bhabhi wake up " Kusuma knocked on the door and I soon got up and I opened the door.
" Good morning bhabhi. Did you sleep well? " She asked curiously although her voice carried some mischief.
" Good morning. Yeah I did sleep well " I said trying to cover the fact that basically I didn't get any sleep. She peeked into the room making me confused.
" Ah nothing just looking for bhai " she said but I can say she was intending to see something else. I brushed off those stupid thoughts.
" Okay bring your clothes. You need to freshen up. Your clothes are below the bed " she said.
I took my time in selecting a saree appropriate to wear for a newly wedded bride and also other useful accessories and left with her. She guided me towards the backside of the home which I didn't see last night. It's very big consisting of bathing area at a corner and the remaining portion was mostly covered with vegetable garden. All the plants are well maintained. What fascinated me is the hut which was in the middle of the garden above four pillars which supported the hut. I soon entered the bathroom and brushed my teeth while kusuma brought me hot water to bath. I thanked her and started bathing.
The bathing area was also very big consisting of a big pot full of water and also a huge stone to wash clothes. I soon washed my clothes by tying the towel around my body. After that I bathed soon and came out.
" Why did you wash clothes? Dhobi will wash everyone's clothes. You didn't have to do it bhabhi " kusuma said who was waiting for me and took the clothes from me to dry them.
Meanwhile I went to bedroom and did little makeup. I braided my hair and then applied bindi and sindoor. I looked different now. Not the same girl who would just make fun with her dadi and enjoy living even though it was cruel world outside. The person staring at her in the mirror had the responsibility of a family now.
" Bhabhi come and have breakfast " kusuma interrupted my thoughts and I said an okay while exiting the room towards the backyard.
......