Anika’s PoV
I still couldn’t believe that we are married. Yes, we are married! It was like a dream. The 15 days rushed off like a minute in all the wedding preparations we had to do. Since my dad was not in his best health, I had to accompany mom and Adu for everything including invitation distribution. Arjun’s parents took care of everything that regards the wedding like, catering, clothes, decoration, transportation and mangalyam. I just had to give them my measurements for the wedding clothes. Mom and I went to jewelry shops to exchange the old jewels for some new ones that are in trend. Mom got me some change of clothes and some essentials for me to take to the new home. We literally didn't have enough time to even breathe. And yes, I didn't call Arjun neither did he.
From today morning, I have been spending my entire time with him, brushing shoulders and inhaling his addicting scent. He had my heart and body on a leash. He talked to me whenever required like introducing his relatives to me and I did the same. He is a man of little words and I can see that he is not a fan of talking. So I stayed quiet most of the time. He looked genuinely happy and smiled at me sometimes. I think my life will be happy with him.
My aunt came along with me to Chennai to stay with me for 2 days until I got used to this new environment. She prepped me up for this night and I am now on the way to the bedroom where our supposed first night is going to happen. Am I scared? Ha, no! I am terrified. What am I going to do? Is he going to accept me as his wife right away or is he going to take his own time? I feel like I can't wait for him. I just need him all to myself. I was left at the doorstep of a room all alone. I knocked on the door mustering up all the courage after making sure I am looking good for the 1000th time.
“Come in!” I heard his voice calm and deep.
I opened the door and he stood up from the bed. My breath hitched looking at him. He is the most handsome man I have ever seen. He was standing there tall and built in his shorts and a Maroon t-shirt. OMG, he is going to kill me. I lowered my gaze as I could not take him anymore. He is all casual here and I am all caked up with silk saree and jewels. I felt like a stupid to have stand in front of him like this. But this is not my fault, my aunt and Arjun’s mom did this to me.
I walked to him and gave him the milk I brought for us. He stopped me when I was about to take his blessings.
“No, Anika. That’s ok. I don't like these formalities.” he said.
He kept the milk aside on the side table near the bed and looked at me so intensely that I felt a drop of sweat trickle down on my spine. This is not fear, this is something beyond that. An expectation, anticipation of what to come!
“Do you want to change? There is the restroom and I believe all your things are in that pink cupboard in the dressing room.” he showed me a door.
“Thank you!” I told him and started walking to the door while looking at the room. This room itself is as big as my whole house. This house is not just a house. It is a palace. Everything in here screams of money and the littlest like a hairbrush to the biggest like the furniture all look extremely expensive. I am scared to even touch anything as I am afraid I would break something. The restroom's aesthetics are like in star hotels. I couldn't get the tap open without someone's help. This home has an elevator to take you to different levels. The first floor for his parents, second floor for his sister and the third floor for him, or us! I have been left in a room with my aunt on the third floor since I came here. As far as I could see, I saw a beautiful garden elevating outside and a huge swimming pool. I don't know if I can merge in this alien place. I even feel inferior myself and doubt that if I am worthy of this life, but I also make up my mind that my love for him is more than enough to live my life with him.
I walked into the door to reveal a very luxurious dressing room with cupboards on two sides and a huge mirror on the other side, the fourth side being the door. I opened the pink shaded cupboard to see a whole lot of clothes in hangers, all expensive ones and I am sure I didn't bring them with me. I saw my clothes that I brought with me on the last partition of the cupboard. I took a pajama and changed it in there while placing all the jewelry in the locker in the cupboard. I went to the restroom and cleaned up my makeup and made sure I still looked appealing. After what I thought to be 20 minutes I emerged from the dressing room and found my hubby sitting on the bed looking at his phone.
“Ah, you look better. Come.” he called me as I was struggling to move my feet.
I went near the bed with a pounding heart expecting him to make a move but he just set his phone aside and took me in with his piercing eyes.
“Sit down. Why are you acting like you are a timid girl?” he asked me in a casual tone. I could not make out whether he is serious or sarcastic about that remark. I sat down near his leg.
“You are not going to talk to me?” he asked me.
“I don't know, ask me something and I will answer.” I said. I hate being tongue bound in his presence.
“Haha, what are we doing now? A quiz competition? I know you are very good at quizzes.” he said. I gained a little courage, I looked up at him and smiled.
“Yes, I am very good at quizzes, you know why? Because I am brilliant.” I said.
“I know that too. You are brilliant enough to marry me to satisfy your family’s financial needs.” he said that felt like a nuclear missile launched at my heart. I am hurt and more than that, I am angry.
“Who told you that I married you because of your wealth?” I almost screamed getting up from the bed.
“Shhh! Prove me otherwise. You hated me and insulted me every time we met. You avoided me like plague. And all of a sudden you were ready to marry me. I like you. I like your blind boldness. I like looking at your beautiful smile. I like how you broke the stereotypes with me. I married you because I want to live my life with you. Now can you explain why you married me?” He asked me, calm and composed.
What is he implying? He married me because he likes me and I married him because of his money? Why is this happening to me now? He is not going to forget those awful behaviors of mine.
“Arjun, I love you!” I said. I don't know what else to tell him to make him understand that I am not after his money but after his heart.
‘Truth is the building block of a strong relationship, Anu.’ Nithu was right. It's time I tell him the truth. Damn my ego! I need to save my relationship with him.
“What?” He looked genuinely shocked. He might not have expected this reply from me.
“I said I love you! I fell for you the very first time I saw you in Tirupur even in that very bad situation. I could not take my eyes off of you. You barged into my heart and sat there without my permission. I could neither shake you off nor forget you. Every time I saw you, I tried hard to push you away but you kept getting even stronger in my heart. All my body reacted differently when you were near. I thought it to be a physical attraction but when my mom said that you were the groom, my heart literally made a somersault indicating to me that I am in love with you. Every Time I hurt you, I felt a sting in my heart. I am sorry, Arjun. Can we start fresh?” I asked, looking at him blur in my vision.
“Shhh, relax. We can start fresh!” he said, stepping towards me. He stopped literally at a finger gap between us, his breath fanning my face.
“Arjun…” I could just whisper, words stuck in my mouth and I felt hot on my cheeks. I couldn't believe that he said that. I thought he wouldn't believe me but I was wrong.
“I am ready to start fresh with you!” he said cupping my cheeks with his hands wiping away my tears with his thumb.
“Thank you” I said, holding his hands on my cheeks, not sure of what else to tell him and I waited no longer to seek comfort in his wide chest and he engulfed me in a tight hug. Ah, this place feels like heaven and it’s made just for me.