Published on 2nd January 2022.

____________________________

✿

♡ 'Cause I wanna touch you, baby

And I wanna feel you too

I wanna see the sun rise on your sins

Just me and you ♡

– S H R U T I –

I pulled the thick quilt over my head and rubbed to hands to produce heat. The weather was freezing cold and made my teeth chatter. As cold air hit my back, I looked back and saw Rishabh slipping inside the sheets.

"Rishabh, it's cold!"

"I know." His breath hit my neck as he spoke. His chilled hand slipped inside my shirt to touch my waist and I screamed. "Easy."

"Back your hands off." I mumbled and pushed his hand away. We were back in Delhi and weather wasn't favorable at all. The temperature was below ten degree celsius and had frozen my blood, if it was practically possible.

I turned around and stuck close to him as my arms wrapped around his body. Pulling the quilt over our heads, he sighed and closed his eyes. Just when I thought he had slept, his hands slipped inside my shirt and hugged my bare back.

But strangely, it was warm now.

"It's okay?" He asked and I hummed. It was more than okay for me.

I told Rishabh about my undying crush for him just a day after our second month anniversary, which he never remembered. According to him, it's only the yearly celebration that matters. I mean, he was right in his own way but, nevermind.

Back to topic.

When I confessed to him, a little part within me thought that he would make fun of me. But it never happened. He did tease me a few times, but only in the way I could handle.

I learnt a few new things about him during our honeymoon period. He knows how to flirt, efficiently. He can do it all through the day, as long as there's a green signal from my side.

He has a great passion for his work. To be honest, this trait of his makes him hotter in my eyes. He's a great designer and I underestimated him in the beginning. I know, my wrong. A big fat proof of it is the ring in my hand which is beautiful but comfortable at the same time.

It's a token of lifetime and I hope it stays with us forever.

He's too good in concealing his feelings but sometimes fails to do it in front of me. Only a few people know his playful side and I'm glad that I'm one of them. Sometimes, he feels low whereas the other times he's over the top. I'm not used to his changes and there's still a long way to go to understand him further.

He is naughty and playful in bed. We started off together and he has skilled a lot, even more than me. He's vocal and supportive, and has always tried to make me feel comfortable in most vulnerable times.

Now, I don't feel awkward when we have sex; correction, when we make love. He understands my mood well and knows when to go gentle and when's the time to go wild.

Truly, a lot has changed.

"Still cold?" I heard him ask and shook my head as my eyes were closed. He took a sharp breath and rubbed my back before patting it lightly. I knew, this was his kickstart to sleep.

✨

"I'm not going to let you both go without eating more." Ma spoke and I shook my head in no. She wanted Rishabh and me to eat more than our capacity because she thought that we hadn't eaten well in past two weeks.

Great!

"Ma, I seriously can't eat more. I pledge over Shruti that I'm full." Rishabh spoke with his mouth stuffed with food and my eyes widened.

What the—

Why was he placing a bet on me?

"Ma, I'm not lying, I'm full." I checked the time on wall clock and panicked. "It's already late. I need to hurry." I finished my plate and rushed to kitchen to keep it in sink. Bidding them bye, I walked out and saw Rishabh starting his car. I sat on the passenger seat and checked my purse to see if I've left anything back home.

"Shruti."

"Hmm."

"I need to attend a meeting overseas for a project."

Overseas.

"Is it important?"

"Yes, it is. For the upcoming designs and new branches. Especially, for the diamonds."

"Oh." I sighed and looked at him, "How long?"

"Two weeks, I suppose. If deal is tackled earlier, the better."

Two weeks!!

What am I going to do in those fourteen days?

How will I even spend my days and nights without him?!

"When are you gonna leave?"

"Tomorrow. Even I wasn't aware about the urgent plans. Blame the management, not me." He said and pressed the break smoothly. His hands reached to me and cupped my face. His thumb brushed my skin as he caressed my cheeks, "I swear I'm going to cancel my plans if you look at me like that."

"It's nothing like that. You can go."

"Hmm." He unbuckled his seatbelt and wrapped his arms around me. "Help me pack my bags. I'm not good in packing and stuff."

"Rishi..."

"Hmm?"

"Try to return earlier."

"Ofcourse, you don't need to say that. If things were in my hand, I wouldn't be leaving." He placed a kiss on my head and I snuggled more into him. "Aren't you getting late?"

My gaze went towards my wrist watch which made me jump on my seat. I withdrew my hands from him and rushed to collect my things. "I'm late! I need to leave." Before I could open the door and leave, he jerked me back, colliding me with his chest, "What-"

He placed his lips on mine for a period which was beyond my imagination. "Go!" He mumbled against my mouth and made me leave the car unwillingly.

But, I wanted to stay.

I stepped away from the car and he directed me to go inside my firm. After a lot of self reluctance, I turned around and walked in, still being in the state of shock because of his kiss.

Kissing inside the walls is something else.

And in public is another.

Rishabh isn't the type of man who would show off his love in front of the world. He likes to keep it private, just between us. Although I don't have any problem with this new side of his, it's still strange to digest.

"Shruti! You're back." As soon as Aditi saw me, she jumped over me and I hugged her back to control her.

"It was just a two week plan. Were you planning to send me off forever?" I asked and she chuckled. My gaze went around the room to find Parth but he was nowhere. "Where's Parth?"

Her eyes dropped low and her lips which were curled up a moment ago went down. From her facial expressions and posture, it didn't take me more than a second to know there was something wrong.

"I don't know. Maybe in bathroom."

"Oh." I mumbled and she sighed, "Was everything fine here when I was away?"

"Yeah, ofcourse. What could possibly go wrong?"

Many possibilities but I wasn't going to predict anything.

"Aditi, you know-" Before I could speak anymore, I felt a pair of hands around my eyes, constricting my way to look. I knew what a poor joke it was and only one guy had the brain to do this. "Parth... How long are you going to use the same trick? It's too old. Even older than you."

He withdrew his hands back and I opened my eyes to see Aditi in front of me. I turned around and saw Parth with a defeated face. "Okay, you won." He said.

"I know."

"Your cheeks are red as tomatoes. Is everything alright?" He asked and my hands immediately raised up to touch my cheeks.

"She's blushing from the time she came in. It's obvious, the reason is not something but someone." Aditi teased and I mentally cried. I know how dangerous my friends can be. Yet, I chose to become red and gave them a chance to tease me.

"It's nothing. Just that it's too cold. You know how low the temperature is."

"Yeah, we know. Is it the cold weather which smudged your lipstick?" She said and I mentally hit my head on the wall. Why didn't I check it before leaving the car?

"Why didn't you tell this to me beforehand? Everyone would've seen it by now." I spoke to her and counted the number of people I had met in office today. I looked into a mirror to check my face and it was fine.

Her jokes are too bad!

I could've died because of a heart attack!

"Aditi! You're such a pain in ass!" I raised my voice in irritation and they laughed.

"It's okay. She was just joking." Parth said and I nodded. "Seen the files of the case I mailed you?" He asked and I shook my head in negative. Only if I had gotten time during my honeymoon, I would've seen it! "Get to work. Your honeymoon is over."

Honeymoon period is over, indeed.

✨

I folded Rishabh's shirt properly and kept it inside the wheeled bag. Letting a deep sigh out, I stood up and drank a glass of warm water.

"Shruti, is there some space left in the bag?" I heard Rishabh's voice as he walked into the closet. I nodded and he handed me a dozen of files. "Keep them safely. And, do you need anything? Should I bring something back for you."

I stepped towards him and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I don't need anything. Just try to be back early."

"I would surely try to. Are you sure you don't want anything? Ma has already given me a long list." He chuckled and I smiled.

"Okay, bring anything you want to. I'll be happy."

"I'm indeed a lucky husband. My wife wants nothing from me. Great!" He sighed and I chuckled. His lips curled up into a smile which made my heart flutter. I touched his smooth face, bare of any stubble, while the smell of his aftershave flowed into my nostrils. "Am I adorable?"

"You are." He laughed and I slightly pulled his cheeks, making him wince. "Are you fine?" He hummed.

"Have you ever felt uncomfortable with me?" I heard his voice and shook my head in question. "Has my existence ever made you feel uncomfortable? Have you ever had a thought about getting away from me?"

What kind of question was that?

"No." I said with a stern voice and he nodded. "Of course not. How could you even think about it?"

"It's important for me to know, if you're happy here, with me. Adjustment is not always the key. You've left a huge part of your life behind to be with me. I can't let you stay in middle, on the just settling stage of life."

"You care a lot for me, don't you?"

"I need to, as I should." He tugged a strand of hair behind my ear and a big smile touched my face. "Who do you think would care for you if not me?" He asked and I shrugged. "Silly girl!" His index finger raised up in air to touch me and my head immediately turned to a side, dodging his sharp hit.

"Rishabh."

"Hmm?"

I leaned my head towards him and pecked his lips, "I love you."

"I know."

I was expecting a proper answer.

A proper 'I love you' from his mouth!

"I love you!"

"Hmm..."

"I love you, Rishi."

"I love you too."

Finally!

Rishi tact works for him.

"I'm gonna miss you."

"I won't miss you at all." He said and I raised my brows. "Almost all my time would be spent in meetings and shopping. Don't forget to pick my calls. I'm telling you beforehand, they'll be video calls, so don't hesitate."

"Okay."

"How about I buy a ticket for you too? We can fly there together."

"No, the trip's on your company, not you. And, I don't wanna be a burden on your company. So, no... It's not a good idea."

I was happy for his suggestion but the idea was somewhat impractical. We couldn't go on a second honeymoon just two days after returning from the first one. We need to worry about our finances too.

"Fine, your wish, my lady."

"I know." I mumbled and stepped back to complete his packing. Before I could resume the work, he pulled me back while his arms slithered around my waist. "What's the matter?"

"Can I kiss you?" My eyebrows raised high up after hearing his absurd question.

Was that even a meaningful question?

"You can, of course." I nodded and found his mouth upon mine in a moment. The way his lips moved hungrily against mine made my mind haze, turning my solid legs into jelly. If not for the firm hold of his arms, I would've been down on the floor.

Sometimes, the intensity he holds make me question how I got so lucky in life!

When I felt short of breath, I placed my palms on his chest to push him back. "Rishi, easy."

"Let me feel you all I want to tonight. Two weeks are going to be too long."

.