Chapter 28: chapter 28

Arnab  had been wondering where he would sleep till they got comfortable enough to sleep on the same bed as her. He was changing into his t shirt and track pants in the washroom.After he had finally been able to open the clasp to her necklace he had rushed to change. Her nearness was not good for his equilibrium. Andhe had wondered why? She was so different than Nisha practically an exact opposite. And yet he found her attractive when he had nevereven looked at a woman who closely resembled the physicality of Mowri. There was a certain grace a certain sensuality to her. Not to mentionher temper. She was quite something to watch when she was all worked up like this evening.He had been fascinated by her flashing eyes and constantly changing expressions not to mention her ability to come up with some nastysarcasm. She didn't need to use ugly words or get downright foul her natural wit came to herrescue. And she did not seem the kind of person who had a lot of restraint or patience.But he had liked that aspect of her nature. AfterNisha's pretended sweet disposition it was ablessing Mowri was so open about how she felt. The best part was she wasnt apologetic. This was how she was, take it or leave it. He wasn't overly worried about her being in any situationbecause she would be able to hold up for herself but he was worried about her attracting troublesome situations because of that very nature. Sometimes restraint was the demand of the hour. Besides Varun and Simrit seemed to be made for each other and they both did not makethe list of good people in Mowri's dictionary. Why? What had they done? Apart from beingobnoxious, irritating and definitely manipulative. Varun had already proved his worth tonight.Arnab  had been angry at the hints he had dropped both about Mowri and her family and this was when he himself belonged to the same family. They were his relatives too. It had hurt a bit when he had mentioned his previous marriage the way he had but in the face of the anger he felt over what he had said about Mowri, Arnab  hadn't felt the pinch of it all that much.He didn't want to acknowledge it but he had felt more in control when he had  put his arm around Mowri when he had warned the bugger off. It had just felt right. As if she belonged there as if her being there was enough to calm him down. He smiled at the memory. She had been surprisedand he had known it but then she had relaxed and trusted him to handle the situation in the right manner. He couldn't help but shake his headwhen he remembered how she had apologized a few minutes ago not for how she had behaved but for how he might have got hurt at Varun's words.And Simrit, she was another one. Though she had been sweet to talk to but he had seen glimpses of Nisha in her. There was a certain amount of vanity that was so apparent, arrogance that was not earned and she did like to throw her weight around as if she expected everyone to hover around her at all points of time to do her bidding especially her mother. He didn't need to interact too much with her to know what she was. He had observed her through the wedding earlier and then the reception. He had seen his mother-in-law flittering around Simrit and her in laws all evening with a nervous energy. She always seemed in that particular mood. His father-in-law on the other hand was a quiet man, if you spoke to him about his business he could talk away for hours but any other topic, uh, not so much. Amardeep Vij seemed to be a reserved man though his affection for all his daughters was easy to see. Arnab  had seen a sheen of moisture in his eyes after the wedding ceremony  when they had taken his blessings and the gentlekiss he had placed on his daughter's forehead. However Mowri's relationship with her mother had seemed strained.He was puzzled. There were things about her he didn't know yet. He knew one couldn't know a person in a day, that it took time sometimes even years to completely understand the other and even then you might miss out certain things but this strange attraction he felt for her. It was making him feel guilty. He wasn't sure if this was right if this feeling was right. Of course, it would be good for newlyweds to be attracted to each other or be in love but here the situation was a little different what with him being divorced and her having a broken engagement the details of which he was still unaware of. Had she been in love with that man? Was that why it had turned her into the kind of person she was now? What had he done that the engagement was broken? Or was it her? He had for sure broken her heart and trust. Should he ask her directly what had transpired in her life before him that had put her So off marriage. After all she had told him there shouldnt be any secrets between them or should he wait for her to come forward and tell him all about it? He thought about it. Hurying her might give him an insight into her personality but if she came on her own and talked about it that would  certainly strengthen their trust. He decided itwas a better option for her to come and talk, he was a patient man even if it was not one of his wife's virtues. Besides Mowri wasn't the only one with a broken heart and trust. Nisha had done more than do just that. She had been his life, she had been everything to him and when she had left she had taken a part of him with her. He felt empty inside. Hollow. His soul was restless and his heart was frozen. She had broken him in both spirit and mind. He was positive he could never love again. He might feel affectionate towards someone but that was the extent of it. He could never love anyone the way he had loved Nisha.People might laugh but he knew this was the truth. He didn't know what tomorrow might bring but he was sure about this as of now or so he thought. Coming out of his dour thoughts he decided he had probably spent more time in the washroom than Mowri. He should be getting out before she comes knocking. He quickly washed his face and dried it with a towel. Tomorrow they were to go to Mowri's house for breakfast another ceremony and he hoped it was kept small and then leave for Chandigarh. After a week there they would head for Pathankot where he was currently stationed. He looked at the band Mowri had placed yesterday on his hand. Hewas married again. Where was the excitement?He had dressed as a groonm, had done all the rituals that went with being a groom, had a grand reception and still he didn't feel he was married. But looking at the band reminded him of something he had to give Mowri before she slept.He should go out now. Danmn. Where does he sleep? Should he ask her if she was comfortable with him sleeping on the same bed? He couldn't even take up another room or go and sleep with Jay. He couldn't stay in here anyway so he should go out before Mowri starts wondering what he is doing inside.With a deep breath he went back to the room to find it all cleaned up. Mowri had put her suitcase back where it had been kept before next to the wall, had folded all her clothes and hung them neatly in the wardrobe and had even put away her jewelry case. It seemed she didn't Ilike clutter which was good because he didn't either or was she trying to impress either way it worked for him. He was tired. And he was sure so was she. But he had to give her the little gift."Mowri" he said and she turned to look at him.She held a glass of water in her hands, "you must be tired" he said, "you should sleep."And then went to the drawer where he had kept the box. He took it out and extended it towards her. She looked curiously at the box. It was a small velvet box and you didn't have to be a genius to know what it contained but she wasn't sure why he was giving it to her. She took it and putting the glass on the table opened it. Inside were two identical thin platinum bands with glittering diamonds all around them. They were beautiful. But she couldn't understand the reasonwhy he was giving it to her."They are wedding bands," Arnab  said, "they go with your engagement ring one below and one above. When you wear them together theycomplete the set," he said."Why are you giving these to me?" she asked confused. "I mean you could have given the complete set yesterday" she said."There is a reason why they are called wedding bands," he said and smiled, "after you are wed you can wear them and I had to give you a gift on your first night so he said and shrugged."They are beautiful," she said and taking them out wore them the way they were supposed to be. One band then the ring and then the band again. Her ring set looked complete and suddenly the plain platinum band of her engagement ring made all the sense. It was supposed to be nestled between the two glittering bands. "Thank you' she said sincerely and he nodded, "but I didn't get you any gift" she said upset."That is okay." Arnab  said, "it has been a custom in our family besides brides don't get to give gifts," he said."Why is that?" she asked."Because they leave everything that is familiar to them behind when they enter a new family. Their family, house, clothes, work, friends, everything it is a huge gift in itself so there is no need for any more," he explained.Mowri nodded. This kind of thoughtfulness was all new to her. Damn this man was making her go all mushy and she did not like it one bit. She will have to learn to be just as thoughtful. Or was it because of his failed first marriage and he didn't want to mess up this one? Now where did that come from? And she almost frowned. This constant doubting won't help. But it was a possibility she couldn't ignore. Was all of this only because he didn't want to repeat the mistakes he might have made in his first marriage? She didn't have any details about thatpart of his life so she couldn't form an opinion not yet anyway. She hoped it wasn't like that because she really liked him. Didn't he just say it was a custom? So he must have given a gift to his first wife as well? She wondered what it was. Was that right? She shouldn't keep comparing herself with the other woman like this. It would give boost to insecurity and that was a dangerous feeling she decided."Where are you going to sleep?" Mowri asked changing the topic.Arnab  looked at her. Hadn't he beencontemplating the same question for the past half an hour? The fact that she had asked hinm directly while he was still being considerate and wondering how to broach the subject. This called for thought. He had never been like this. Overly cautious, overly sensitive. What was wrong? But he smiled anyway. Trust her to nail it perfectly."I don't know' he said, "I was thinking to join the two chairs" he told her."You won't fit," Mowri replied, 'why are you not sleeping on the bed," she asked."And where will you sleep?" Arnab  asked."Did you have a couple of more drinks at the party than I thought" she replied, "there is only one bed and since we are husband and wife aren't we supposed to share it?" she asked."'Share it?" Arnab  repeated like a parrot.He hadn't been expecting her to say that. Hell, he didn't even know what he had been expecting."Really Arnab " Mowri said exasperated, "who do you not trust?" she asked. "Me or yourself" she said, "we will share the bed you sleep on that side and I will sleep on this side and I promise while you sleep I will not take advantage of you," she said and sat down.Arnab  smiled. He just had to he couldn't resist. Trust Mowri Vij correction Mowri Malhotra to say something like that. One thing was sure he was never going to be out of reasons to smile with her. She was just so different and refreshing. For the first time he was beginning to believe that his mother might be right.************