Part 12

Part 12

Sai woke up in the morning and got ready and she became busy in her daily routine. She brought coffee for Virat at the usual time. Virat was awake by then. He noticed Sai was not her usual self today, her eyes were downcast and looked like she didn't have proper sleep. Guilt washed over him again thinking about how rude he was to her yesterday. She was so unsure of his behaviour that she slept on floor.

"I am really sorry for my behavior yesterday." Virat replied as he took coffee cup from her. Sai looked at him surprised by the apology.

"See I know you love me a lot but I need some time to accept you fully into my life. I know I consummated this marriage but what happened was not planned at all. It just...it just...happened. I still feel we have a long way to go before taking that step again. I hope you understand." Virat said honestly what was in his mind.

Sai just nodded in yes. She felt a little relief after listening to his apology. Though she had understood his feelings but couldn't stop herself from feeling sad. Yesterday when he made love to her she thought that he was ready to accept her whole heartedly but she was proved wrong. She longed for his affection and love.

"Say something" Virat requested seeing Sai silent.

"I don't know what to say to you so that you start loving me as much as I love you." Sai wondered but didn't say anything.

"Sai, please say something. Your silence is killing me." Virat pleaded.

Sai took a deep breath to control her emotions. To her, he was both, the pain as well as the remedy of pain of her heart. She didn't know how long will she last if he keeps coming close to her then very next second pushing her away from him.

"I think it will be better if we don't share bed till you are ready to accept me in fully." Sai could only manage to say this after a lot of contemplation. Virat nodded in agreement. He was grateful that Sai was talking normally to him and not angry after what he did.

Since that day both of them tried to behave as normally as possible as husband and wife, trying to get into their routine, trying to strike conversations, understand each other.  Sai as usual did all her daily chores for him like any normal wife would do, without expecting anything in return. Virat on the other hand was growing close to her emotionally but didn't show his feelings or rather didn't understood it himself.

Their parents wanted them to go for honeymoon but Virat thought it won't be a nice idea considering their equation right now. He made an excuse that since he just joined their office, he doesn't want to take a break now. Sai also gave excuse of her studies getting affected as she had joined her college after a sudden long break due to the marriage.

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Few days passed like this. One day Sai visited their company's office. She noticed Virat was engaged in heated argument with Ninad. They stopped when they saw her.

"Arre Sai  beta tum aaj yaha office mein?" Ninad smiled at her.

"Wo aaj aap log subah jaldi bina breakfast ke hi chale gaye the na ye bolke ki aaj aap logo ki koi important meeting hai. To maine socha kahi aisa na ho ki aap lunch bhi skip kar de. Isliye main khud aapka lunch pack karke yaha le aayi." Sai replied as she started spreading plates for lunch.

"Abhi is sabka time nahi hai. Hum ek zaruri discussion kar rahe hain." Virat said getting irritated by interruption.

"Aapko zarurat nahi hogi lekin mere dono baba ko hai kyunki inhe apni medicines leni hoti hai aur bina kuch khaye ye log medicine nahi le sakte." Sai informed as she spotted Kamal also in the corner of the room and gestured him to sit down for lunch.

Virat calmed down once he realized he was being too harsh and pushy with both the oldmen. They needed their food on time and calm mind to reach any decision. He looked at Sai and wondered how she takes care of everyone but never gets tired. He noticed she served Ninad and Kamal and also making a plate for him but he went towards her and started making an extra plate.

"Arre aapki plate main laga rahi hoon na." Sai was confused at his gesture.

"Haan to maine kab mana kiya. Tum meri plate lagao aur mujhe tumhari plate lagane do." Virat answered and gestured her to sit down with them for lunch.

Sai was touched by this small act. He appears this strict, no nonsense, selfish  guy from outside but from inside he is a sweet, caring gentleman.

"How did you know that I also have not eaten my lunch?" She asked him.

"Itna to tumhe jaan ne laga hoon Sai. Tum dusro ki parvaah mein itna kho jati ho ki tumhe apna khayal rakhne ka hosh hi nahi rehta." Virat answered as he put an extra chapati on her plate.

"Sai, beta tum roz aa jaya karo office. Kam se kam jab tak tum ho tab tak hume is khadoos ki baatein to nahi sunni padengi." Ninad complaint.

"What! Main khadoos?" Virat was offended while Sai laughed at him.

"Haan aur nahi to kya? Mujhe to lagta hai pura office tumhe peeth peechhe yahi kehta hoga. Kitni bar samjhaya ki ye employees saalo se is company mein kaam kar rahe hain, inke sath thoda narmi se pesh aao lekin nahi...aate hi Hitler ban baitho ho sabke liye." Ninad complaint like a kid.

"Aap logo ki yahi lenient ways ka result hai ki hum samay par apne do bade orders nahi pure kar paye. Baba, company ke image par is sab ka asar padta hai." Virat tried to explain like an aged professor.

"Chalo maan liya is mamle mein tum sahi ho lekin tumhare naye naye ideas ka kya? Hum dono ki umr ho gayi is business mein. Jab hum keh rahe hain ki ye idea yaha successful nahi hoga to tum maan kyu nahi lete? Kya isme company ke resources barbaad nahi honge?" This time Kamal confronted him.

"Main to aap logo ko samjhate samjhate thak gaya. Lekin aap hain ki..." Virat let out a sigh and started concentrating on his food instead of arguing.

"By the way, ye kaunse idea ki baat ho rahi hai?" Sai asked out of curiosity.

"Virat apni company ka in house textile brand launch karna chahta hai. Ab tumhi batao, Nagpur jaise chhote city mein iska kya future hai?" Ninad explained.

"Actually, ye idea to bahut achha hai." Sai replied immediately showing excitement. Ninad was confused while Virat looked at her hopefully.

"Woh kaise Sai? Aur tum janti kitna ho is business idea ke bare mein? Kabhi kabhar hi to tum office aati ho. Main to kehta kehta thak jata tha lekin tumne kabhi office mein interest hi nahi dikhaya." Kamal pointed out.

"Dekhiye baba, maine pehle hi keh diya tha ki mujhe aapke office mein koi interest nahi hai. Isliye main yaha na aakar apne interest follow karti hoon aur rahi baat is business idea ki to ho sakta hai main iske bare mein nahi janti lekin since I am a woman shopper, I understand textile market. Virat's idea is very good. Actually chhote cities mein hi achhi opportunity hoti hai in house brand ke jyada grow karne ki. Aur ek bar thoda naam ban jaye phir isko big cities aur global market par release kiya ja sakta hai. I have also studied about a similar case study in my college." Sai replied confidently.

Virat felt so proud of her. What he was trying to explain his elders, Sai not only understood it but also supported him. This was the first time he was seeing her like this, outside from house, discussing something besides homely general topics. He was witnessing completely new aspect of her personality and was liking it as much as he likes her housewife image. He realized she was a complete package, beauty with brains and heart and she belonged to him.

"Achha, tum bhi yahi keh rahi ho to hum bhi iske bare mein dobara sochte hain." Ninad and Kamal finally agreed.

Sai smiled and looked at Virat showing her excitement. She blushed when she found he was staring at her intensely.

"Virat...wo...aapka....lunch thanda ho raha hai." She nervously said.

Virat didn't bother to answer her but he extended his hand towards her. Sai moved a little back on impulse but Virat steadied her from the other hand. "Tumhare lips ke corner par kuch laga hai." He whispered and wiped food crumbs from her face. He noticed it was a small residue of sweet she has served in lunch. He looked at it then instead of wiping it off from his hand he took his finger to his mouth and licked it clean all the while looking at Sai. Sai felt like she melted down on her chair after his sexy gesture and stare. She threw a glance at both the fathers to see if they had notice their little moment, if they had then it will be embarrassing for her. But thankfully both of them were totally engrossed in eating their food.

"Achha, aap logo ka khana ho gaya to main chalti hoon." Sai stood up, packed everything and left from there quickly all the while blushing at their little moment.

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Few more days passed like this with their relationship slowly progressing. One day Virat retuned home late from office. A servant opened the door for him. Virat noticed the house was unusually quiet, no one was there in living room. He checked the time, it was not the time to sleep for his aai baba then where were they and where was Sai. Then he concentrated a faint sound could be heard from his room.

"Where is everyone?" Virat asked from servant.

"Ninad ji aur ashwini madam apne kisi friend ki party mein gaye hain aur Sai madam apne room mein hain." He informed.

Virat nodded and proceeded towards his bedroom. As he approached, the sound became clearer. Now he could hear it, it was a song. He opened the door slightly and took in the scene in front of him. Sai was standing in a dancing pose. She was wearing completely white salwar kurta and a red dupatta was tide across her waist, her eyes were closed. She was completely lost in her own world, dancing gracefully on the beautiful song.

Mohe rang do laal

Mohe rang do laal

Nand ke laal laal

Chhedo nahi bas rang do laal

Mohe rang do laal

Virat was completely mesmerised by her ethereal beauty. he kept looking at her without announcing his presence. He noticed as she took turn, her dress swirled with her and some of her face hair were fallen on her face, she didn't even bother to put them away.

Dekhu dekhu tujhko main hoke nihaal

Dekhu dekhu tujhko main hoke nihaal

Chhu lo kora mora kaanch sa tann

Nain bhar kya rahe nihaar

Mohe rang do laal

Nand ke laal laal

Chhedo naahi bas rang do laal

Mohe rang do laal

Virat noticed how she was breathing fast as she might be tired now. A drop of sweat broke out from her forehead then leaning down her face traveled to her neck. Virat's eyes kept tracing the journey of that sweat bead. He would have felt disgusted by seeing someone sweat like that but on Sai, even sweat looked sexy.

"Oh man! Can this woman stop being sexy. She just arouses every fiber of your body and you are hell bent on staying away from her. Such a shame!" Devil made a sarcastic comment in Virat's ear.

"He is being a nice guy. Don't ruin him." Angel was quick to argue.

"Go ahead, hold her tight, pull her with a jerk and smash your lips on her." Devil purred provoking him.

"No, don't even think about it. Your hormones are just everywhere, control them." Angel reprimanded.

"This winged man is such a joy killer." Devil looked at Angel in anger.

"I am better than you in every way. Corrupted, horned man." Angel was ready to pick a fight.

They continued their argument but Virat was still admiring Sai's beauty and her dance.

Marodi kalaai mori

Marodi kalaai mori

Haan kalaai mori

Haan kalaai marodi.. kalaai mori

Churri chatkai ittrai

Toh chori se garwa lagai

Hari ye chunariya

Jo jhatke se chheeni (x2)

Main toh rangi hari hari ke rang

Laaj se gulaabi gaal

Mohe rang do laal

Nand ke laal laal

Chhedo nahi bas rang do laal

Mohe rang do laal

Sai turned and took final pose as the song ended. She took some deep breath to calm down. She was still in that pose when she noticed Virat at the door. For a second, she couldn't react and this made her loose her balance. She was about to fall and closed her eyes shut tightly expecting the impact of fall but it never came.

When after sometime she opened her eyes she realized Virat had caught her in his arms. He was looking at her intensely, she also got lost in his eyes.

"Aap kab aaye? Kitni der se khade the darwaze par? Bataya bhi nahi." Sai asked without breaking eye contact.

"Bata deta to tumhara dance pura kaise dekh paata. Reception wale din mujhe pata chal gaya tha ki tum contemporary aur couple dance achha karti ho lekin tum classical bhi karti ye mujhe aaj pata chala." Virat answered still holding her in his arms.

"Ye to mera favorite hai. Mujhe dancing aur singing ka bahut shauk hai." Sai replied trying to calm her racing heartbeats.

"Tum roz yuhi practice karti ho kya?" Virat asked as he steadied her, running his hand from her waist to arms to shoulder.

"Nahi, roz to nahi. Wo hamare college wale ek charity event plan kar rahe hain jisme cultural programs bhi honge. Main bhi kuch programs mein participate kar rahi hoon. Ye usi ke liye hai." Sai answered as she reluctantly parted herself from him.

They came out of trance when they heard doorbell and then Ninad and Ashwini's voice from the living room.

"Aai baba aa gaye. Wo log party mein gaye the to waha hi khana kha kar aaye honge. To hum dono hi bache hain, khana laga doon aapke liye?" Sai asked getting control of her heart.

"Hmm." Virat just nodded making way for her.

When she was just about to go from the room he called her, "Sai, jab tum dance kar rahi thi na to ek ajeeb si khushi thi tumhare chehre par. You looked blissful. Meri to nazar hi nahi hath rahi thi tumse. Agar dance se tumhe itni khushi milti hai toh you should do it more often."

"Hmm." Sai just nodded at went out of the room. She kept thinking about his words.

"I was feeling blissful because I was imagining you while dancing. Yes I like to dance but it was not dance where my happiness lies, its you. Main aapki aankhon mein apne liye feelings dekhti hoon phir khud hi khud ko rok leti hoon ummeed karne se. Pata nahi aap is rishtey mein kitni duri tay kar paaye hain, main aapka intezar kar rahi hoon Virat, aap jaldi baki bachi duri ko pura kar lijiye. It has started to hurt to love you this much." Sai kept thinking while setting table for dinner.

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to be continued....