The Vows We Exchanged

Chapter 12: The Night the Stars Changed (Part 2)

Mayank was about to roll over when he sensed something holding his hand. It felt warm. Something he hadn't ever experienced before. It was soft and soothing like the winds which used to make their way past his fingers, but warm. For the first time in all these years, he was finally getting some comfort in something warm. Till today, all he felt due to heat and light was irritation to his eyes and skin. However, right now, it was different. It felt as if he was still standing inside the fire, but now it didn't seem to burn him. It felt as if it was caressing him.

He softly opened his eyes, his head still feeling heavy. Aaruhi was there, sitting on a chair at the side of his bed; holding his hand tight. Her head was tilted towards her right shoulder. Her long black hair flowed all the way down like a mystic waterfall. A few locks were off-road, settled over her face, making their way between her eyes and over her nose.

The room was dark and the moonlight was at its fullest. Beaming in through the window, it fell on the face of the sleeping queen; his queen. The glow of her face emphasized by the soft moonlight felt as if he was witnessing the face of a star; a star which has taken up human form; more like and angel.

The soft smile on her peacefully asleep face contagiously travelled to Mayank's lips. He even considered thinking that it all was just a dream but the warmth in his hand said otherwise. He tried to get up from his sleeping state but his heavy head made it a troublesome task. His efforts made Aaruhi wake up and she opened her eyes, rubbing them just like a small girl. "Oh, you're awake." She said with a smile which was followed by a yawn. "Yeah, sorry to disturb your sleep though." Mayank apologized.

"Nah, its fine." She said with another yawn. "How are you feeling now?" Mayank grabbed his head, rubbing a little. He tried to vanquish the pain by that but it seemed that it wasn't a casual one. "Well, I'm fine but I have to admit that there is this annoying headache. Damn I should've resisted harder."

A smile filled with a hint of guilt and sympathy formed on Aaruhi's lips. She released her hold over his hand and placed it on his shoulder in a comforting assurance. "Don't worry, it will fade away soon. I'll get you some lemonade. It'll make you feel better." Mayank simply nodded with a smile. 'It feels so good to be taken care of by her.' A thought popped up in his's mind.

Aaruhi left for the kitchen and a minute later, even Mayank stepped out of the bed. He walked out into the drawing room. The dark room was lit under the shade of moonlight, glowing like a heavenly altar. The clock showed 3:36. Mayank turned his attention towards the balcony. He was able to see the moon slightly above his line of sight. He slid opened the glass door allowing the icy cool winds to gush into the room as he stepped into the balcony.

The floor outside felt a little wet. 'It seems like it had rained.' Mayank concluded. He walked all the way towards the edge and leaned over it with his eyes affixed on the moon. Even for a cloudy night there still were a few stars twinkling with all of their might, struggling to be noticed in the dark sky. However, the moon seemed like it didn't even care. All it did was to simply glow with all of its contagious joy and that on its own enlightened the night.

"No wonder why you used to go on working all night." Aaruhi said from behind as she entered the balcony with two glasses of lemonade. "How do you know that?" Mayank asked as his grabbed his glass. "Umm... maybe you aren't the only one who likes to stay awake all the way till the morning." She replied rolling her eyes. Mayank just couldn't help but smile on the reply. Aaruhi leaned herself along the edge just beside him. Both of them took a few sips from their glasses, admiring the bright moon.

"Hey, tell me I didn't really do something embarrassing when I was drunk." Mayank requested. "Um... I can say that if that's what you want, but I must inform that I won't be speaking the truth then." Aaruhi replied with her eyes staring into the half filled glass. "Holy crap!" Mayank exclaimed and dropped his face on the railing.