𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐰𝐢

"82. The night"

"Is Milan ka ehsaas kuch khaas hai,
Dono ki aakhon me ek duje ke liye
pyaas hai,
Nazdiyaan kuch is tarah badh chuki hai,
Ki ab ghulne lagi aapas me dono ki saans hai"

-Vaidehi
(Fictionflare_)

Rudraksh and Ruhanika finally reached their hotel for the night. After checking in, Rudraksh took the room keys, but just as they were about to head up, his phone rang. Ruhanika suddenly lit up with excitement, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. Rudraksh immediately understood the reason behind her sudden enthusiasm, he knew her too well by now. Shaking his head with an amused smile, he let out a soft chuckle, unable to hide how fond he was of her antics.

Ruhanika: "Aksh aap baat karke dusri keys se aa jaiye na hum jaaye thode thak gaye hai"
(Aksh, can you come in using the other keys? I'm a bit tired and want to go in.)

While speaking on the call, Rudraksh gently caressed Ruhanika's cheek, his touch light and affectionate. He blinked at her playfully, making her grin before she turned and stepped into the elevator, her excitement evident. Rudraksh chuckled softly, still amused by her energy, and continued his conversation. A few minutes later, he ended the call, took a deep breath to compose himself, and made his way to their room. As he reached the door, he paused for a moment, standing still, his heart already anticipating the view waiting on the other side.

Rudraksh stood still outside their room, his hand gently resting on his chest as if trying to steady the rush of emotions crashing inside him like waves. His heart, always calm and composed, was now thudding against his ribcage, not with fear, but with an overwhelming mix of joy, tenderness, and reverence for the moment that awaited him behind that door.

He smiled to himself, a soft, boyish smile that he rarely showed to the world but always saved for her. The very thought that his Ruhanika his wife  was inside, waiting, dressed in bridal finery, eager to complete every ritual with sincerity, just as she had always dreamed, filled him with a strange warmth. They had shared so much tears, laughter, pain, healing, love and yet, this moment felt brand new.

It wasn't about it being a "first time," nor was it unfamiliar. But something about the sacredness of tonight, the sanctity of being together not just as lovers, but as husband and wife in the truest sense again, stirred something deeper within him. Maybe it was the sheer beauty of Ruhanika's devotion to every ritual, the way she made even traditions feel personal. Maybe it was the way she smiled at him, a smile that always held the power to calm his chaos. Or maybe... it was just the simplicity of their love. He exhaled slowly and looked down at his hand still resting over his heart.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady the wild rhythm of his heartbeat, and composed himself. But the smile that tugged at his lips betrayed the calm facade it was impossible to hide the happiness beaming from within. Tonight marked the beginning of a new journey, the start of their life together as husband and wife.

He slowly opened the door and stepped inside. The hotel room had been transformed into a vision of romance dim fairy lights twinkling like stars, rose petals scattered gracefully across the floor, and the soft scent of jasmine and sandalwood lingering in the air. He closed the door gently behind him, his eyes tracing every detail before moving toward the bedroom.

As he entered, the sight before him made his heart skip a beat. Just as he had imagined or perhaps as she had always dreamt Ruhanika was seated in the middle of the bed, adorned in her bridal lehenga, her face delicately hidden behind her veil. The soft glow of the bedside lamps illuminated her figure, her bangles gently clinking as her hands trembled ever so slightly in her lap.