CHAPTER 37: "A NIGHT OF LOVE & CARE"

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Kashi took slow, hesitant steps inside, her heart racing as her eyes lingered on every little detail of the room. Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached out to touch the edge of the couch, finally sitting down to steady herself. Her gaze fell on the decorated bed again, and the sight made her even more nervous. The thought that today was their wedding night sent a ripple of unease through her.

She clasped her hands tightly, her fingers fidgeting as her thoughts spiraled. She was married to Veer ji now. The man she admired, respected, and......loved. That love though deeply felt remained unspoken. She hadn't confessed her feelings to him yet. The idea of consummating their marriage felt overwhelming, not because she didn't trust him but because she wasn't ready for such an intimate step yet.

How would she tell him? Kashi knew her Veer ji would never do anything without her consent, his respect and care for her had always been unwavering. But even the thought of broaching the subject with him filled her with anxiety. How would she voice her hesitation? How would she tell him that she needed more time? What if she disappointed him? What if he misunderstood her hesitation? The worry etched deeper lines into her brow as she stared blankly at the flowers on the bed.

Her thoughts swirled in a chaotic storm until the soft creak of the door broke her reverie. Her eyes darted to the entrance, where Vishwanath stepped inside. Kashi immediately stood up, her nerves heightening as he scanned the room, taking in the decorations just as she had earlier. Their eyes met briefly, his gaze warm yet unreadable, before he slowly turned to close the door behind him, locking it with a soft click. His presence always had a way of steadying her, yet today, it left Kashi breathless.

She felt her palms growing clammy as he turned back towards her, his dark eyes filled with something she couldn't quite name. He moved slowly, purposefully, his presence commanding yet comforting. Her eyes fluttered downward as her fingers toyed nervously with the edge of her dupatta.

He stopped right in front of her, and she could feel his proximity, his warmth. Before she could think more, his hand gently tilted her chin upward, his touch feather-light. Their eyes met, and his voice was soft, filled with concern.

"Meri pyaari si Kashi itni nervous kyu hai? Aur woh bhi mujhse?" (Why is my sweet Kashi so nervous? And that too, from me?) he asked gently, his tone coaxing.

She swallowed hard, trying to find her voice. "Voh....Voh, Veer ji...." she began, but her words faltered as her gaze shifted towards the decorated bed.

Vishwanath followed her line of sight, understanding her dilemma instantly. A teasing smile tugged at his lips. "Kya hua, Kashi? Bolo na," (What happened, Kashi? Tell me) he said, his voice carrying a trace of amusement.

"Voh, Veer ji....Aaj humari...." (Veer ji.....Today it's our....) she stammered, her cheeks burning as she glanced down again.

"Humari suhagraat hai, right?" (It's our wedding night, right?) he finished for her, his smile growing.

Kashi's face turned a deeper shade of red, and she nodded looking away, unable to meet his playful gaze. Vishwanath chuckled softly, taking a step closer, his eyes sparkled with mischief, making it clear he had no intention of letting this topic go so easily.

"Ohh toh, Kashi," (Ohh, so Kashi) he began, his tone light but playful, "tum chahti ho ki hum apni suhaagraat celebrate kare?" (You want us to celebrate our wedding night?)

Kashi's eyes widened in shock at his bold words, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. "N-nahi!" (N-No!) she blurted out, shaking her head vigorously.

Seeing her panicked expression, Vishwanath couldn't stop himself from laughing harder. "Relax, Kashi," he said between chuckles, his tone softening as he tried to put her at ease. "Main toh bas mazaak kar raha tha." (I was just joking.)

"Veer ji!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of embarrassment and reproach.

He chuckled softly, the sound rich and full of affection. "Alright, alright, mein tumhe aur nahi chhedunga," (Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore) he said, his expression softening. Gently, he placed his hands on her shoulders and guided her to sit back down on the couch. Kneeling before her, he held her hands in his, his touch firm yet comforting.

Kashi," he began, his voice steady, "I know tonight is our wedding night, but I also know that we both need more time. We got married under unusual and turbulent circumstances, and I don't want to rush anything, not tonight not ever.

"Our bond....it's precious to me, Kashi, more than I can put into words. It's something I want to nurture, to protect. And I believe that rushing into something we are not both ready for could risk what we're trying to build."

His gaze softened, and a faint smile tugged at his lips. "You mean the world to me, and I want every step of this relationship to feel right,for both of us. I want us to grow closer, to share our dreams, our fears, our joys. I want us to build a foundation so strong that nothing can shake it, before we take this next step in our relationship."

He exhaled deeply, his hands squeezing hers gently. "So for now, let's just be with each other.The rest will come in time, when we are ready, when it feels right. I promise you, Kashi, I'll wait for that moment. Because with you, every moment is worth the wait."

Tears welled up in Kashi's eyes, glistening like pearls as they escaped and rolled down her cheeks. She looked into his eyes, her voice trembling with emotion. "Kaise aap humesha mere dil ki baat samajh jaate ho, Veer ji? Mujhe nahi pata maine aisa kya kiya jo mujhe aap jaisa insaan mile, jo hamesha meri khushi aur comfort ko pehle rakhta hai." (How do you always understand what's in my heart, Veer ji? I don't know what I did to deserve someone like you, who always puts my happiness and comfort first.)

She took a shaky breath, her words spilling out like a prayer. "Mujhe kabhi laga hi nahi tha ki koi mujhe bhi itni izzat aur pyaar de sakta hai. Aap mere liye sirf mere Veer ji hi nahi ho, aap mere liye sab kuch ho." (I never thought that anyone could give me so much respect and love. You're not just my Veer ji,you are everything to me.)

Vishwanath's heart clenched at her words. He gently wiped away her tears with his thumb, his touch tender and reassuring. "Kashi," he began, his voice a soft murmur, "tumhari khushi aur comfort mere liye sabse zyada important hai. Agar maine tumhe kabhi ek pal ke liye bhi uncomfortable feel karte dekha, toh main khud ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paunga." (Your happiness and comfort are the most important to me. If I ever see you feeling uncomfortable, even for a moment, I won't be able to forgive myself.)

Her lips quivered as she tried to find the words to express her gratitude. "Aap meri life ki sabse badi blessing ho Veer ji." (You are the biggest blessing of my life, Veer ji)

Vishwanath smiled softly, his gaze unwavering. "Aur tum meri zindagi ka sabse khoobsurat tofha ho, Kashi." (And you are the most beautiful gift of my life, Kashi.)

She smiled through her tears, and once again tonight, the weight of her worries was lifted, by the same man who had always been the source of every happiness she had ever known. The room, which had felt overwhelming just moments ago, now felt warm and welcoming because he was there her home, her solace.

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Just as the warm moment between Kashi and Vishwanath unfolded, there was a soft knock at the door. Both turned their heads, the tender atmosphere slightly interrupted. Vishwanath stood up and walked to the door, opening it to reveal a helper standing there with a tray laden with food. The aroma of freshly cooked food wafted into the room.

"Sir, rajmata has sent dinner for you and ma'am," she said. Vishwanath nodded and stepped aside, the helper smiled politely and moved inside placing the plates on the small table in the corner of the room, before bowing slightly and leaving the room, closing the door quietly behind.

Vishwanath turned to Kashi, a soft smile gracing his lips. "Aao, Kashi. Pehle dinner kar lete hain. Bohot late ho gaya hai." (Come, Kashi. Let's have dinner first. It's already very late.)

As if on cue, a loud grumble echoed in the room. Kashi's eyes widened in horror as she clutched her stomach instinctively, her cheeks turning scarlet. Vishwanath raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching as he tried to suppress a laugh. "Lagta hai," (It seems like) he said, amusement lacing his tone, "kisi ko bohot bhook lagi hai." (someone is really very hungry.)

"Veer ji!" Kashi protested softly, her embarrassment evident as she lowered her gaze.

Vishwanath chuckled, walking towards her. "Chalo, pehle khana kha lete hain varna yeh aur zyada shor machayega," (Come on, let's have dinner first, or else it will make even more noise) he teased gently, gesturing to her stomach.

He led her to the small table, pulling out a chair for her to sit before settling down opposite her. As he uncovered the dishes, the spread revealed fragrant curry, steaming rice, soft chapatis, and a small bowl of sweet kheer. He served the food carefully,

Picking up a spoonful of curry and rice, Vishwanath held it up and extended it towards Kashi. She blinked, surprised. "Veer ji, main khud....." (Veer ji, I will myself......")

"Nahi, Kashi," (No, Kashi) he interrupted softly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Aaj main tumhe khilaunga. Aaj humari Pehli raat hai as husband and wife, aur yeh haq hai mera" (Today, I will feed you. Today is our first night as husband and wife, and this is my right.)

Her cheeks flushed again, but she didn't protest further. She opened her mouth hesitantly, and he gently placed the spoonful of food inside. Watching her chew, a soft smile played on his lips, as this simple act of care brought him immense joy.

He lifted another spoonful to her lips. Kashi obediently took the bite, feeling a warmth spread through her, not just from the food but from the way her Veer ji looked at her, as though she was the center of his universe.

After a few bites, she softly said, "Ab main aapko khilati hoon, Veer ji. Apki patni hone ke nate mera bhi toh haq hai "(Now I will feed you, Veer ji. As your wife, it's my right too). She said in her sweet voice filled with determination.

Vishwanath raised an eyebrow, amused by her sudden initiative but handed her the spoon without hesitation. Kashi carefully scooped up some curry and rice and leaned forward slightly to feed him. Her hands trembled faintly, but she felt a strange sense of happiness in doing this for him.

Vishwanath took the bite, his gaze never leaving hers. She blushed again but continued feeding him. The comfortable rhythm of feeding each other built a quiet intimacy between them, each bite shared with soft smiles and unspoken emotions.

Their first dinner together as husband and wife ended not just with full stomachs but with fuller hearts, each cherishing the quiet love and understanding that had started to bloom between them.

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The dinner plates were cleared away by the helper, and as Vishwanath closed the door behind him, he turned to find Kashi sitting in front of the dressing table. She was meticulously trying to remove the heavy jewellery adorning her delicate frame. Her fingers worked carefully, but her eyes betrayed her growing frustration as pins and ornaments tangled hopelessly in her long, thick hair.

Vishwanath's steps faltered as his gaze softened. The sight of her in the soft golden glow of the room left him mesmerized. Her face, though tired from the day's events, still looked so angelic. The way her soft pout formed when a stubborn piece of jewellery refused to budge made his heart clench in adoration.

"Lao, mujhe help karne do, Kashi," (Let me help you, Kashi) he said, his deep voice soft and full of care as he reached her side.

She let out a sigh of relief, meeting his gaze in the mirror. In that moment, she felt a deep gratitude for his help, for the way he always seemed to step in when she needed him most, without her even asking.

Taking the pins and ornaments into his hands. "Bas tum relax karo,"(you just relax) he assured her. With the gentlest of touches, Vishwanath began untangling the pins stuck in her hair. His fingers worked meticulously, combing through her locks with care, as though afraid of causing her the slightest discomfort.

Kashi sat still, the tension in her shoulders melting as his skilled hands freed her hair one by one. The coolness of his fingers against her scalp soothed her, and she closed her eyes, losing herself in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

"Done," he whispered after the last pin was removed, his voice tinged with satisfaction. He set the jewellery down and gently turned her towards him. She looked up at him, as he carefully helped her in removing the rest of the jewellery. Each touch was deliberate, reverent, as though he were handling something sacred. When he was done, she felt a lightness, both physically and emotionally, that made her heart flutter.

Vishwanath looked at her with a soft smile and then gently said, "Kashi tum abb change karlo kisi comfortable dress mein. Vase bhi yeh lehenga bohot heavy hai." (Kashi, you should now change into something more comfortable. Also this lehenga is quite heavy.) He gestured towards the dressing room attached to his room and showed her the way. He waited outside to give her privacy.

Kashi stepped inside the dressing room and her eyes widened as she took in the grandeur. The closet was massive, filled with an impeccable collection of clothes. One side held rows of perfectly tailored suits, arranged by color, and the other side showcased casual shirts and trousers. A wall was dedicated to shoes, ranging from formal leather pairs to luxury sneakers. In the center, a glass table displayed a collection of high-end watches, each one gleaming under the soft lights. Alongside, a table with glass drawers was dedicated to ties and brooches, each piece neatly arranged and sparkling in the ambient glow.

Kashi was in awe. The opulence of the room made her feel like she had stepped into another world entirely.

She looked around, but soon her excitement turned into worry. Everything here belonged to Vishwanath. She didn't have any other clothes to wear, After whatever had happened today, she hadn't gotten the chance to bring her clothes with her, and in that moment, she hadn't been in the right frame of mind to remember it either . Now what should she do? After pondering for a moment, she decided to go back to him.

"Veer ji," she called softly as she entered the room, still in her bridal lehenga.

Vishwanath looked up from his phone, confused. "Kashi, kya hua? Tumne abhi tak change nahi kiya?" (Kashi, what happened? Why haven't you changed yet?)

"Voh....Veer ji, mere paas koi kapde hi nahi hain. Main kya pehnu?" (Umm....Veer ji, I don't have any clothes. What should I wear?) she asked hesitantly, her cheeks turning pink.

Realizing the situation, Vishwanath stood up. "Oh sorry Kashi, mere dimag se hi nikal gaya. Tum yahi ruko, main abhi maa se kapdo ke liye puchta hoon," (Oh, sorry Kashi, it completely slipped from my mind. You stay here, I'll ask maa for clothes right now) he said, moving towards the door.

"Rukiye, Veer ji!" (Wait, Veer ji!) Kashi exclaimed, holding his hand to stop him. "Aunty abhi soo gaye honge. Raat ke 11 baj rahe hain. Unhe disturb nahi karna chahiye. Koi baat nahi aaj raat ke liye mein issi dress mein manage kar lungi." (Aunty must be asleep by now. It's 11 PM. We shouldn't disturb her. It's okay, I will manage in this dress for tonight.)

Vishwanath paused, considering her words for a moment, recalling that his parents were indeed early sleepers and that they had already gone to bed by now.

After a moment of thought, he said, "Nahi, Kashi, yeh lehenga bohot heavy aur uncomfortable hai. Tum isme thik se rest nahi kar paogi. Ruko, main kuch dekhta hoon." (No, Kashi, this lehenga is very heavy and uncomfortable. You won't be able to rest properly in it. Wait, I'll find something.)

He walked back into the closet and returned with an oversized shirt and a pair of trousers. "Yeh lo, Kashi. Tum yeh pehan lo. Yeh tumhe thoda khula hoga, par abhi ke liye manage kar lo. Kal main pakka tumhare liye naye kapde arrange karwa dunga." (Here, Kashi. You can wear this. It might be a little loose, but manage with it for now. Tomorrow, I'll surely arrange new clothes for you.)

Kashi's heart swelled at his thoughtfulness and care. Taking the clothes from him, she whispered, "Thank you, Veer ji," before heading back to the dressing room.

A few minutes later, faint footsteps drew his attention. He looked up to see Kashi emerging from the dressing room, her small frame swimming in his oversized clothes. The shirt reached her knees, and the trousers, despite being folded multiple times, were still too long. The sleeves of the shirt completely covered her hands, and the left leg of the trousers had unfolded, dragging slightly on the floor.

Vishwanath stared at her, a soft smile tugging at his lips. She looked utterly adorable, like a baby trying to fit into adult clothes. His baby, he thought, his chest filling with warmth.

Kashi noticed his amused expression and pouted. "Veer ji, aap hasna band kariye aur meri help kijiye" (Veer ji, stop laughing and help me.)

Chuckling, Vishwanath got up and knelt before her. "Ruko, main theek karta hoon," (Wait, I'll fix it)he said. A smile tugged at his lips as he walked over to her. Kneeling on one knee, he carefully folded the trousers again, securing them snugly. His movements were precise, but his heart raced as he knelt before her.

When he finished, he looked up, meeting her gaze. Her eyes held gratitude and something more, something that made his chest tighten.

"Ab theek hai?,"(Now is it fine?) he asked softly.

"Hanji (Yes), Veer ji, thank you" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He stood up and placed a gentle hand on her head. " Isme thank you ki koi baat nahi hai Kashi, tumhe uncomfortable dekhna mujhe bilkul pasand nahi hai. Tumhara sukoon hi mera sukoon hai." (There's no need to say thank you, Kashi. I don't like seeing you uncomfortable at all. Your peace is my peace.)

Her cheeks flushed as she looked in his eyes, her heart pounding at his words. In that quiet, tender moment, they both felt the growing bond between them, a love that needed no grand gestures, only the warmth of care and understanding.

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