"It is the night of a Goddess who has slayed dangerous demons that have once instilled fear into mankind and vowed to steal all the light. Demons that fed on the flesh and bones of old and bathed in the blood of young, lusted after women and made a slave out of free-spirited children. The same demons who successfully defeated all demi-gods and claimed heavenly lands, and exiled divine armies.

Unable to stop their prowess, intimidated by their power, Gods came together and created a female with a face like the moon and eyes like the sun. They adorned her with unique ornaments and filled her hands with weapons, for she was their protector, the mother who provided shade against the hellish fire carried by monsters.

The entire world recognized her supremacy when she alone tackled unholy armies and cut the head of prominent leaders. It happened centuries ago, but her story is still punctuated as an assurance to mankind that whenever darkness will knock at the door, she will be on the other side to answer it. The warrior Goddess with eight arms and fire in her third eye still ventures the earthly lands to show her devotees the right way.

That is why both men and women worship her."

"ENOUGH"

The witch bellowed unhinged, oozing with disbelief. She found the sordid story coming from the mouth of an entity that dwells in darkness and swallows whoever crosses his path, hard to digest. His praising of a mythological heroine came as shock. Shouldn't the creatures of night hate Gods or feel threatened by their names?

"I didn't ask you to replay the legend. I had wished to distract the King from reaching home on time so that the princess loses her faith in him. The more aloof they are of each other, the more their bond weakens, slowly making the beastly spirit vulnerable." She gritted through a clenched jaw. In frustration, her bony fingers curled tightly around the black garment she wore.

Demonic laughter rang in chilling silence. The witch stiffened in mid-tantrum realizing her mistake and gulped. She can't order around like he was a worm of the living world. He was a crawler from the underworld where they torture the damned souls. Suddenly, a hand bigger than her face cupped her jaw in a bone-shattering grip. Long nails dug into her wrinkled cheeks, threatening to draw blood.

"I am not your slave, mud blood. I am the lord of three deadly legions of hell. I was summoned with a promise of a virgin soul in return for the chaos you seek. Now I am stuck here because of your failed attempts."

"Forgive.. me..ee"

"I didn't fail. I did my job right. It was you who forget to reveal that a mother is watching over her son from the other side. The hooligan was under my control, but the car driver who interrupted my influence was possessed by her..." The demon hissed the truth.

The witch whimpered feeling her heart palpitating like a bird's. He roared, invisible to her foggy eyes, and tossed her high in the air.

"THERE'S NO FORGIVENESS FOR THE DAMNED!"

Henna-colored palms shield the tiny fluttering flame weeping in a small diya against the harsh wind. A sigh escaped Gauri's lips watching it drink the clarified butter fast. A frown marred between her brows when the fragrance of moist soil reached her nostrils. It has rained nearby and there is a slight chance that the clear sky will soon host a ball of thunder and lightning. She eyed the large silvery ball blinking innocently from behind the clouds and gulped. Checking the time on her wristwatch, she blinks her moisture.

"He has disappointed me enough; don't you dare go down the same lane." She chided the moon with a pout, failing to control the salty drops sliding down her cheeks.

Hungry and thirsty, she was a cocktail of heavy emotions and dehydration. Clicking her tongue in frustration, she lifts the platter. The glow of the moon was slowly receding, inviting the seductive darkness that clogged the night sky with a promise of heavenly delight. Gauri refused to get sick over a man, who gives zero qualms about her well-being. He knew she will wait till she faints and probably dive from the roof to prove her childish warning.

Wiping her tears roughly, she eyes the iron railing for a second before taking a hesitant step back. No need to sacrifice your life for a beast who won't even remember your name. She was sure his mother would threaten another stupid girl to marry him before conducting her last rites. Scoffing at the absurdity of her thoughts, Gauri turns to leave the terrace, since the lit diya was about to go down. As she turned with slumped shoulders, with both her hands busy, one holding the platter and another shielding the tiny flame, collided with a warm chest.

A gasp erupted from her lips and the platter in her hand almost kissed the floor, but a big palm supported it and held it intact.

She gawked at his relaxed posture, fixed at one spot. Her gut twisted painfully due to hunger before releasing a growl. A disheveled Yagya raised a brow, unaffected by her dumbfounded look. She opened and closed her mouth like a fish.

"How long have been standing here?"

"Long enough to see you harassing the moon."

A mix of sobs and chuckles reverberated from her frame and soon she started shedding those restrained tears uncontrollably.

"You... you are here!" She exclaimed in incredulity before throwing herself into him. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she almost pulls him down to her frame. He stumbled into her embrace, taken aback by her strength. Wasn't a hungry woman supposed to be weak and cranky?

"I thought you forgot and wouldn't come back." She mumbled in elation.

"Stop being so dramatic. Now hurry up, the clouds are gathering fast." She nodded, still hugging him with no intention of conducting the very ritual for which she has spent the past three hours waiting for him.

Exhaling heavily, he pats her back, sensing the salty wetness of her eyes mixing with perspiration coating his neck.

"Come one, I am famished." He whispered, now amused with her changing moods. She wipes her tears and nodded. Composing herself, she takes the platter from his hand and drags him towards the front. A wide smile was plastered on her face and he wanted to capture the moment because he now knows what happiness looks like.

Gauri covers her head with the heavy drape and tucks the rebellious obsidian curls tickling her cheeks behind her ear. Dipping the tip of her ring finger in the vermillion, she offers it to the moon, followed by rice and a sweet dish prepared as Prasad. Taking the small sieve, she puts the lit diya on its edge and looked at the moon through the woven iron mesh before turning to see her husband the same way.

He was glaring down at her with an intense look making her heart skip a beat and shudder in shyness. Replacing the sieve with a silver round vessel filled with water, Gauri offers the water to the moon while humming a traditional song. Then she extends the silver vessel to Yagya, who holds it and makes her drink some water. Her eyes shut in satisfaction when aqua quenches her thirst.

"Anything else." He asked before drinking unknowingly from the same place where her lips touched the vessel and she shook her head.

"No, we are done."

"So much trouble for a little exchange." He mocked earning a fierce look. Oh, she was more than ready to participate in the debate.

"It wouldn't have been trouble if you had stayed home and indulged me when other ladies were busy whispering- how the poor king, who was forced into this union has still not accepted his new wife and decided to abandon the village lass for a multi-billion deal. It would've been so easier if I had eaten when your mother coaxed me twice and ordered me to pay no heed to her irresponsible son. I was hoping you will break into the palace any moment, shutting their mouths and proving their assumptions wrong."

Yagya's brows almost touched his hairline as he followed her down in the dimly lit palace. Where he was carrying the heavy platter, she was holding the front of her heavy lehenga to not trip. Her hypnotizing scent beckoned him to stay close, preventing him from running away as he had originally planned to do after the ceremony. Throughout the way, she kept complaining about the talks surrounding her all evening, all targeting her as an unloved and ignored wife. Though her tone was humorous, he sensed the pain behind it. She was hurt by the loose accusation thrown her way and somehow, she assumed that they were right because he has indicated on multiple occasions that Kirti was his first love and after her, he couldn't love anymore.

His jaw clenched and his hold around the platter tightened when the memories of the past tried to unveil themselves. He didn't want to remember how the same occasion went when she was around. He didn't want to remember that smile and twinkling eyes when the moon has risen three years ago. He refused to recall how she jumped in excitement and kissed him in front of his mother. The monster inside him, who has never shown any interest in Kirti grumbled in irritation before clawing at his entrails. According to him, the woman wasn't meant for him, for she used his status and never respected his parents. She loved him but in a selfish way where she wanted to consume him and never let go, even after death.

Cold sweat attacked him at the last part. He had no idea where that came from and he hoped the beast never shows him. Whenever the beast decides to take over, he pushed Yagya's presence in his subconscious to not let him suffer over gory scenes. He was a strong man but even he had limits. He has a faint heart for bloody and paranormal events. The beast would never show it to him and leave a deep wound in his mind. He might never recover.

Guiding him to the empty kitchen, Gauri heats the meal. Her steps were lazier than before. The exhaustion finally caught her. She swayed a bit feeling lightheaded but shook it off and prepared two plates full of traditional cuisines. Yagya's mouth watered at the aroma and his taste buds cried in desperation. He waited with a bated breath, controlling himself from pouncing on the food. He never got a chance to eat the entire day.

In place of sitting at the dining table, Gauri settled on the kitchen floor. Her body protested to take another step. Yagya didn't mind as he landed right in front of her and started eating. They didn't talk, their mouths too busy to devour the food.

"I must give a bonus to cooks for this." Yagya moaned making Gauri chuckle.

"Yeah, and what might that be, I certainly won't accept money."

He choked in the middle and coughed. She cursed and massaged his back.

"You cooked all this?" Gauri nodded in amusement. "All of this! All these dishes?"

"Yes."

"Wow, you are talented, wife."

Gauri blushed and drank water to avoid making eye contact.

She wanted to kiss her mother for making her learn cooking by hook or crook because Yagya does not seem to get enough of it.

"This is to make up for being late." He grumbled under his breath before pulling out a small velvet pouch. Gauri didn't wait for him to show her. She was so eager to receive the first gift from her husband. Snatching it, she hurriedly opened it with trembling fingers. Yagya wanted to laugh at her excitement.

When shiny diamonds beaded into a silver anklet fell into her open palm, her jaw dropped.

"Oh my God!"

She couldn't seem to explain how wonderful it was. Not the diamonds or cool silver, the luxury or expensive material. It was the thought that moistened her eyes. Him considering her worthy enough for his gifts was a big thing. It shows she matters. Her presence.

"Thank you so much." She mumbled with a sweet smile and he nodded, refusing to meet her eyes. "I will cherish them forever."

"Why, they are just anklets?" Yagya shrugged as he stands to push the empty plate into the sink. Gauri follows behind.

"No. They chime of hope."

She whispered and left. But he didn't move. He stood there until he turned numb, battling if he did the right thing or not. But the answers were soon granted when recalled that breathtaking smile and eyes dripping with contentment. Only if she knew how expensive the gift was for it took one life before reaching her. And he would gladly shed blood to extract the rarest stones if they brought her joy.

Poor man, still contemplating collecting material things when all she craved was a corner in his heart.