Together For-Ever

Chapter Twenty-Six

Adrika

I woke up to the sound of the alarm ringing.

I glanced at the time — 2:45 AM.

My eyes widened instantly.

I clearly remembered my mother-in-law telling me we had to be ready by 3:30. That gave me barely forty-five minutes, which felt nowhere near enough.

I immediately jumped out of bed, rushed to the closet, stripped out of my night clothes, tossed them into the laundry basket, and hurried into the bathroom.

By the time I stepped out, almost twenty minutes had already passed.

I wrapped a towel around myself and moved back into the closet, switching on the hair dryer. I didn't want even a single drop of water falling on my saree — wet hair and sarees were the worst combination.

"Adrika!" I heard Arjun calling from the bedroom.

I tied my robe quickly and stepped out.

He was still lying on the bed, eyes open, watching me the moment I came in.

As soon as I entered, he sat up.

"Come on," I said softly. "Go and shower."

Instead of answering, he stood up and walked toward me.

I instinctively took a step back. Then another. Until my back hit the wall and there was no space left between us.

Before I could say anything, he leaned in and placed a long, warm kiss on my forehead.

"Good morning, wifey," he said, still standing close.

My lips curved into a smile. "Good morning."

Only then did he move away and head toward the bathroom.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding and turned back to get ready.

Yesterday, my mother-in-law and chachis had given me sarees and jewelry for today's temple visit — and also for the rest of the trip. Not that I lacked any of it. I practically had an entire room filled with sarees and ornaments.

Still, I chose a dark-colored cotton saree for the journey. It would be easier to manage, and when we took a dip in the river near the temple, it wouldn't turn transparent.

Amma had suggested I wear silk, but I knew I wouldn't be comfortable traveling in one.

I paired it with my mangalsutram, black beads, and the solitaire diamond bangles Amma had gifted me. I tied my hair loosely and checked myself once in the mirror.

Ready.

All our luggage had already been packed and loaded the previous night since we wouldn't have time in the morning. Only my temple saree and jewelry were left.

I placed them carefully into a bag and carried it downstairs, keeping it near the couch before sitting and waiting for Arjun.

He came out a few minutes later.

The clock read 3:22 AM.

"All set?" he asked.

I nodded.

He sat beside me on the couch just as the doorbell rang.

Arjun stood up immediately to open the door. I didn't move — I just sat there, watching him, my gaze shifting nervously between him and the door.

Within seconds, it opened to reveal Anand standing there with a wide grin.

That's when reality hit me.