Published on 1st April 2021.

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♡ The more that you say, the less I know,

Wherever you stray, I follow.

I'm begging for you to take my hand

Wreck my plans, that's my man.♡

- S H R U T I -

I'm quitting.

But I can't.

This fasting is not easy.

At first, I thought that it would be easy. I've seen mumma fasting for karva chauth without any problem. But it wasn't as easy as I thought, and I know it now. I'm hungry!

How could someone stay hungry and thirsty for so many hours?

Thanks to the short length of my periods which only lasts for three days that I'm ready for fasting. I would've dropped the idea if I was going through my menses.

And in these three days, only I know how I've been holding myself!

Rishabh has been surprising me with his sudden kisses. The way his touch affects me and my hormonal rush is something foreign to me.

And from the last three days, he's been giving me shoulder massage every night even if I stop him to. Are all husbands like this? Is it common for couples?

On top of that, at night he holds me as if there's no tomorrow.

And me being a lethargic person can't even respond to his kisses. When I try to kiss him back, the only thought that crosses my mind is- What if I'm bad in kissing? What would he think? Would he loathe me just for that?

"Shruti!" I heard Rishabh's voice calling me. I looked to my front and saw him looking at me weirdly. "I've been calling you for ten times straight. Where are you lost?"

"I was just..... Do you need something?"

"Hmm. You should take a leave today. How will you work like this?"

"It's alright. I'll manage."

"Manage? That's why I told you not to fast. But you're adamant."

Adamant?

I'm not adamant.

Even between me and my sibling, Akriti is the adamant one, not me.

"I'm not adamant. It's just that ma and mumma told me that you'll live longer if I fast."

"I'll live longer if you fast? I'm not dying anytime now!"

"Oh. Okay... But I can't do anything now. Fast is already started."

"Okay, then. What can I say? Do you want me to drop you?" He asked and I nodded.

✨

"How are you doing?" Aditi asked, blocking my way.

"Good, just hungry, and thirsty."

"I pity you. I'm going to get a pizza. Do you need one?" She asked and I glared. Was she trying to sprinkle salt on my wounds? "Oh, sorry. You won't eat anything, right?" She teased and I pinched her.

Tit for tat!

"Stop it. Leave me. I was just teasing you!" She shouted and I left her hand, not wanting to divert everyone's attention towards us.

"You know my condition. Just don't use these tricks again." I said and she nodded. "Well, where's Parth?"

"I haven't heard of him. I thought you would be knowing."

"No, I don't. He'd be on a leave." I said and she nodded. "But he didn't inform us. He usually does that. Right?"

"Ofcourse. But who knows what he's up to?"

"Now go and eat your pizza. Don't disturb me." I said and she chuckled before walking away.

And the day went in working and feeling hungry and thirsty.

Seeing Rishabh's car outside the firm, I quickly walked out and pulled the door of passenger seat. "Hungry?" He asked as I sat inside.

I narrowed my eyes and looked at him, "You're teasing me?" He chuckled and shook his head before starting the car.

"You know, we have a great menu for dinner tonight."

And that was the thing I was waiting for.

I need food like oxygen.

Even something bitter would feel tasty to me at this moment!

"No comments?" He said and I nodded in negative. I leaned back on the seat and closed my eyes, until I heard a growl coming out of my stomach.

What a timing!

"We would be able to see the moon by two hours. Just have patience. Or else, you can have a bite." He said, directing a bar of chocolate towards me.

I was fasting.

But he wasn't.

He clearly told me not to fast, as he never wanted to do the same.

But it was my decision.

"No thanks, I'm fine. I've already waited for hours. Two hours isn't a big deal." I said and he nodded.

On the way, we encountered traffic. I hate traffic jams!

"This was the only thing left!" He sighed and leaned back on his seat. I looked towards his side and saw him already gazing me. What was he upto?

Slowly leaning towards me, he closed his eyes and was about to approach for a kiss but I stopped him by keeping my hand on his face. "I'm on fast."

"I know." He said while looking at me questionably.

"We can't... do anything right now." I stuttered and he nodded.

Why didn't I use the word- kiss?

Am I shy?

No.

"Then, we can do it after your fast is over. Right?" He said and I looked at him with my mouth open.

Was he giving me an ultimatum?

He cleared his throat and looked forward towards the road. "Traffic is clear now. We should go."

✨

Looking at him through the sieveseemed way too funny and awkward. I mean, it's my first time going through all these rituals. How can I do it without any worry?

Even during the puja, I was worrying if I'd do anything wrong.

Well, it's done now.

While digging all my dinner inside my stomach, I felt someone touching my hand beneath the dining table. I looked down towards the other hand and moved my gaze up, only to see Rishabh smiling at me.

We were sitting with everyone.

How can he just...

"What happened Shruti?" Ma asked and I shook my head in negative, continuing to eat my food.

After finishing my dinner, I walked back to our room and quickly walked inside the closet to change my saree. It was way too heavy!

As I walked out from the bathroom, I saw Rishabh sitting on the bed, with his eyes closed. What was he doing? Sleeping while sitting?

Walking towards him, I slowly patted his shoulder to wake him. Or else, he would complain of back pain. He slowly opened his eyes and looked questionably at me. "What's the matter?"

"You should lie properly on the bed while sleeping." I said and he nodded. Walking towards my side, I crawled over the bed.

"Wait!" He shouted before I could lie on bed, making me shocked to core. "Wait a minute." He said and ran to God knows where.

At this moment, I desired to sleep. But his surprise wasn't letting me to. What was he upto?!

Seeing him emerging in the room, I sighed and sat straight. He sat beside me and slowly pulled a jewellery box from behind his back.

He cleared his throat and looked at me. "I... designed this... just a few days ago. Can you just check if it's good?"

And I thought that it's a gift for me!

I nodded and he forwarded the box towards me. Slowly opening the box, I saw a diamond necklace inside. It was just too beautiful. But then, it wasn't for me! Dreaming for something that isn't yours is not good!

"It's great." I said and he smiled.

"Can you try it? I mean... I need to see.... how it looks on... after wearing." He asked and I nodded hesitantly.

It wasn't for me.

Then, why was he asking me to?

Tying my hairs up in a bun, I took the delicate necklace carefully and kept it on my neck.

"Let me help you." He suggested and walked towards my back. He tied the ends of the necklace and sighed. Coming back to face me, he gazed my neck and smiled. "It's just as I thought."

"Huh?" What did he mean by that?

Holding my shoulders, he made me walk towards the mirror. As I looked at my reflection, I sighed. The necklace was just too beautiful and dreamy!

But it didn't suit on the t-shirt I was wearing.

He settled his chin on my shoulder and locked his eyes with mine in the mirror. Holding my hands in his, he smiled and said, "It looks good on you, as I thought."

Was the necklace for me?

"When I started designing for the upcoming collection, this was my first choice. And I couldn't keep it for sale when it's inspired by you."

And now, I can't believe my ears.

It's inspired by me?

"Don't you like the gift?" He frowned and asked.

"No... I mean, I love it." I stuttered, who's fault goes to the intense heat of his gaze.

"Really?"

"Hmm. Yes." I said and he grinned. Turning me back, he pulled me in a bone-crushing hug. Although it felt good, but it was way too tight.

When I was in my teenage, I had always dreamt about moments like this. And it's finally happening!

Slowly pulling back, he looked straight into my eyes and continued the process for minutes.

And I thought that he was going to kiss me!

"Do I have a return gift?" He asked.

How could I prepare for a return gift when I never knew that he was preparing a surprise for me?

"But I-"

"I'm not asking for something materialistic. Just a kiss."

That's way too forward!

I nodded and closed my eyes.

It's now or never!

Puckering my lips out, I stood on my toes and slowly leaned forward.

When I wasn't able to feel him infront of me, I opened my eyes and saw him controlling his laughs. Did I do something wrong?

"You don't need to do that to kiss." He chuckled and I mentally face-palmed myself. What a perfect way to embarrass yourself!

Suddenly, he pulled me up in bridal style and walked towards the bed.

Were we going to have sex tonight?

No...

I'm way too tired to go through it.

Also, I'm not ready to endure the pain when I'm already feeling fatigue.

Sitting on the bed, he pulled me on his lap and cupped my face. He blinked his eyes for the permission and I leaned towards his lips to touch them. The only sound audible was of our breaths.

And one thing I know now is that I don't need to pucker my lips out to kiss!

Lightly touching my lips with his, I sucked them gently while making slow movements. He reciprocated the same and evoked different sensations in my body. Did he even knew what he was doing?

Feeling his arm going back to hold me in place, I couldn't help but cup his face. And now I know what it feels when your partner kisses you back like how you do!

As the kiss went by, it amazed me more and more.

Is this what heaven feels like?

Being short of breath, my hands rose to his chest as I applied pressure there.

We both pulled back, resting our foreheads against each other while panting crazily.

"That was-"

"Amazing." I cut him off absent-mindedly.

How could I even say this!

He chuckled and nodded.

"Can you help me in unhooking the necklace?" I asked as it was way too uncomfortable to wear it at night and he answered in affirmative.

Lying on our back, I stared the ceiling while he closed his eyes. "Shruti." He called me and I looked towards him.

"Hmm?"

"Come here." He said and I hesitated. That was too bold of him! "Shruti?" He called me again and I laid still. Shaking his head in disbelief, he moved towards me and slithered his arms around my waist.

Maybe, I could get the perfect sleep tonight!

〰️⭕⚫⭕〰️

YOURS, WITH LOVE

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