Lover's Lair

Chapter 17

Happy reading <3

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Harshad's POV:

We reached Bangalore after staying for a couple of days at my place. I knew a few of the simple rituals to be done when a bride comes home, I had seen mom doing the same. 

I made her wait outside and somehow managed to do them. She smiled and entered the house. She started scanning everything. I knew she was going to make a lot of changes to my boring home.

"I know you don't like it", I stood up. "I do, I like old school", she said softly. "So, what will you eat? I don't make as tasty food as mom makes but I can manage to some extent", she laughed.

I could not take my eyes off her. She looked so cute in that red saree and minimal makeup, hair tied in a bun and jasmine flowers. It was hard to take my eyes off her.

"Harshad, what do you want to eat?", she asked again. I silently scratched my head, "Actually there is nothing at home except for a packet of noodles or two. I thought we could get whatever you want once we were married".

She gave me a confused look, "Oh!, nevermind, noodles will work", she said and opened the cupboard to find noodles but to my dismay, there was only one packet which could hardly fill our stomach. I am so damn stupid. What must she be thinking now?.

"Hey, no worries, I am not that hungry", she lied which was so obvious. After a long, hectic day I could not let her sleep like this.

"Come on, go change, we are going out for dinner", I said. It took her a minute to nod and answer, "Yes, I will be back soon" and ran to her luggage. 

"Are you coming out in this antique gold kurta?", she gave me a puzzled look and I shook my head laughing in a NO.

"I will go change too", I said and realized this was the start of not only my but our new journey.

We soon reached a restaurant and she kept eating and eating. I must admit she has a large appetite.

"What? Why are you staring at me?", she asked raising her eyebrows. "I never knew that you were such a foodie", I said naively.

"Oh!, I love food Harshad. You know what, mom loves me so much because I never complain about the food. I eat anything and everything", she said while giggling. I was ready to sacrifice all my sleep for her happiness. 

We were walking back home when she asked, "Is your family really happy with your decision? Do they actually like me?", I tried interrupting but she didn't let me do that, "Their only son marries a widow against their wishes without considering their opinion, it is very genuine to feel hurt. 

But all this was my assumption. I am so glad that your parents broke my misconception. I feel lucky to be a part of your family. They accepted me wholeheartedly, Harshad. Not once did I expect this to happen.  Trust me, I won't let you down", she said sincerely.

"First of all, I did not marry you out of sympathy and secondly I know my family. They are nice people and they like you." I said though I wasn't sure if whatever I was doing was right. I should not have kept her previous marriage a secret. I have to tell it as soon as I can. 

We reached home in quite some time. The first-night awkwardness was back again. "I am really tired and I know you too are. Let's quickly drift to sleep", she tried avoiding the nervousness in her voice and went into our room. I came in after some time but she looked worried. 

Gosh, she just asked me to trust her and this is what I get back. When will she understand a simple goddamn thing that I love her and not lust after her? I took my pillow and settled on the couch.