UNVENTURED DESIRES-akshnav

3- Akshara

As the clock ticked in the living room, a palpable tension hung in the air. Abhinav sat on the couch, his expression unreadable, his lips pursed in a tight line that hinted at the storm brewing within him. The silence stretched out, filling the room with an almost suffocating heaviness.
After what seemed like an eternity, Abhinav drew in a deep breath, his eyes locking onto mine with intensity. The weight of his gaze made my pulse quicken in anticipation. And then, finally, he spoke.

"We can," his voice came out croaky, the remnants of the lemon water he had just sipped evident in the raspy-ness of his tone.

"We can?" I echoed, needing confirmation, needing to hear those words again to believe they were real.

Abhinav nodded, the gesture curt yet laden with significance. It was happening. The possibility of a shared future, a union that I had craved for so long, was within reach, and my heart soared at the thought.

He handed me the glass, a silent invitation to join him in this new chapter of our lives, and made his way towards our room, the room where I had slept alone for far too many nights.

"Are you headed to the gym for a workout?" I ventured, trailing after him, craving any scrap of information that would anchor me in this surreal moment.

"Yes, downstairs. Need to clear my head," he replied, his words clipped as he rummaged through the cupboard for his gym attire.

"Would you mind if I set the breakfast table for...us?" I asked tentatively, testing the waters, unsure of how far I could push.

"I wouldn't mind at all, Akshara. Feel free," he responded before disappearing into the bathroom, leaving me to revel in the seismic shift brought about by those two simple words: 'We can.'

In a burst of uncontainable joy, I let out a high-pitched squeal, my excitement propelling me to leap into the air. But as euphoria coursed through my veins, a sharp pain shot up from my foot where it had collided with the cupboard. The discomfort was fleeting, though, overshadowed by the overwhelming sense of promise that enveloped me.

''Akshara you okay?'' I heard Abhinav from the washroom. His voice was of a worried one.

''I AM OKAY! I AM OKAY!'' I exclaimed loudly.

''Okay then'' He replied and I heard the shower resume.

Today marked the 'CAN' day, a day where the realms of possibility expanded infinitely, where the mundane held the potential for magic, and where the future glittered with newfound hope. 

Things were falling in place, perhaps.

I made my way, dragging my feet towards the kitchen where the house-help along with the chef was present.

''Good morning mam'' Inu and the chef greeted me.

''Good morning!'' I replied, my voice shrill.

''What's for breakfast today?'' I asked seeing the broccoli.

''Broccoli and lettuce sandwich with apple juice for sir. What would you like to eat mam?'' The chef asked me after telling Abhinav's menu for the day.

''Umm, I would like to eat whatever he has set. Do a broccoli lettuce sandwich for me too!''

''Really?'' I heard Abhinav.

I turned and saw him in a white t-shirt and black track pant.

''You want to eat that? It will be bland'' He said taking his water sipper.

''It will work for me.''

''Akshara, remember one thing- do things that make you satisfied, no need to prefer other's choices''

''I am just trying a variety'' I replied.

Abhinav for a moment knitted his eyebrows and then relaxed it. 

''I will be back in  an hour, if you feel hungry, do proceed with the breakfast, no need to wait for me''

I nodded but I wanted to wait for him. I wanted to.

After an hour, Abhinav entered the room, his brown skin glistening with sweat, his muscular arms a testament to his hard work at the gym. The post-workout glow that enveloped him was a sight to behold, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him.

"You have not started?" Abhinav asked, taking a towel from Inu

"Not yet," I replied, motioning towards the plates that were neatly arranged on the table.

"Fine then, let's start," Abhinav said, pulling up a chair beside her and sitting down. We then began to eat in comfortable silence, savoring each bite of the homemade sandwiches.

"How's the presentation going?" I inquired between mouthfuls.

Abhinav raised a finger to his lips, signaling me to remain silent. "Food should be eaten in silence; otherwise, there will be hiccups," he remarked once we had finished eating.

I nodded in agreement.

"Do you want more?" Abhinav asked, looking at me intently.

"No, I'm okay," I replied quickly.

"You should eat what you like, not just what you're okay with. Inu, tell the chef to make some hot kachoris for her, she likes them," Abhinav instructed.

"You... know?" I stammered, feeling a mixture of surprise and delight.

"I know Akshara," Abhinav replied, getting up from his chair with his empty plate. "By the way, you have to come with me to the office. The Multanis are coming over, and I want to introduce them to my wife."

I nearly choked on my water at the unexpected invitation.

"Are you okay, Akshara?" Abhinav asked, coming up behind me and rubbing my back affectionately.

"I'm okay," I replied, my cheeks flushing with warmth. Despite my initial shock, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement at the thought of accompanying Abhinav to his office and meeting important guests as his wife.

Another update! Drop in your views and do vote this up!

Their relationship has a long way to go! 

BTW- DO YOU WANT ME TO CHANGE SOMETHING- LIKE THE PLOT? ARE YOU ALL HAPPY WITH THE PROGRESSION OR SHOULD I MAKE IT FAST PACED? LIKE MORE STEAMY- LIKE THE VINTAGE ROMANCE NOVELS? I WILL CHANGE IT, IT WON'T BE  A HURDLE--DO TELL ME- SO THAT I CAN DECIDE. 

MY EXAMS ARE COMING PLUS THERE IS A WHOLE LOAD OF TESTS AND ASSIGMENTS SO I WOULDN'T BE UPDATING FREQUENTLY. I WILL BE BACK AFTER TWO MONTHS! BUT I WILL BE ACTIVE AS A READER HERE!