Chapter 20: 20. These blessed Days

The past few days have been nothing short of blessed. Mayura and I are finally getting to know each other better, and every moment we share brings us closer. She’s slowly accepting me as her husband, and I can feel the subtle changes in her. There’s a softness in her eyes now when she looks at me, a trust . It’s as if she’s slowly letting go of the walls she’s built around her heart, and I’m honored to be the one she’s allowing in.

One evening, I found her sitting on the balcony, her hair flowing gently in the evening breeze. She was lost in thought, and I couldn’t resist the urge to tease her. I walked up behind her and whispered in her ear, "Thinking about me, Jaana ?"

She jumped slightly, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at her reaction. She turned to face me, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Don’t flatter yourself, Abhimaan. I was just enjoying the view."

I leaned in closer, our faces just inches apart, and whispered, "You know, I think I’m a better view."

She blushed, and I could see her trying to hide a smile. I loved these little moments of teasing, where I could see her slowly letting her guard down. It wasn’t just about the playful banter; it was about seeing her relax, seeing her smile more freely. She had been through so much, and if my teasing could bring a little lightness into her life, I’d gladly continue.

A few days ago, Aryan and Riya came over. They had been missing Mayura and wanted to spend the day with us. The house was filled with their laughter and playful banter, and it warmed my heart to see Mayura so happy, surrounded by people who cared about her.

We spent the day together, playing games and sharing stories. At one point, Aryan and I teamed up against Riya and Mayura in a game of charades. Riya and Mayura were surprisingly good, and we ended up losing, much to Aryan's dismay. Mayura laughed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her. It was a sound I wanted to hear more often—a sound that felt like music to my ears.

Later that evening, after Aryan and Riya had left, Mayura and I sat on the couch, reliving the day’s events. She seemed more relaxed than I had ever seen her, and I took the opportunity to gently brush a strand of hair behind her ear. She didn’t flinch this time, though I could see the effort it took her not to.

I leaned in closer, my voice soft. "You’re getting more comfortable around me, aren’t you, jaana ?"

She looked up at me, her eyes sincere. "I’m trying, Abhimaan. I know you understand why it’s hard for me. But I want to try... for us."

Her words touched something deep inside me. I knew how much it meant for her to say that. I cupped her face gently, my thumb brushing over her cheek. "I know, and I’m here with you every step of the way. You don’t have to rush; we’ll take this one day at a time."

She leaned into my touch, and I could feel the tension in her body slowly melting away. It was in moments like these that I realized how much I wanted to protect her, to make sure she never had to feel fear or pain again.

Despite the progress we were making, I could see that she was still trying hard not to flinch away from my touch. I understood why. The things she endured during her childhood would leave anyone with deep scars. But I was determined to be patient, to earn her trust completely. I wanted her to know that I would never hurt her, that I would always be there to keep her safe.

In return, she accepted me as I was, flaws and all. She didn’t shy away from my anger or my extreme possessiveness. Instead, she took it in stride, understanding that these were parts of me that came from a place of deep care for her. I had never imagined that someone would accept me so completely, but Mayura did, and it made me love her even more.

One night, as we were lying in bed, I pulled her close, wrapping my arm around her waist. She stiffened slightly at first, but then she relaxed into my embrace. I kissed the top of her head and whispered, "I’ll make sure you get everything you want, Mayura. You deserve nothing less."

She turned slightly, looking up at me with those beautiful eyes that seemed to hold the entire world within them. "And I’ll try to give you what you want too, Abhimaan. I know you’ve been patient with me, and I’m grateful."

I smiled, leaning down to kiss her gently on the lips. "All I want is you, jaana . Just you."

She smiled back, a soft, genuine smile that reached her eyes, and in that moment, I knew that we were going to be okay. We were finding our way to each other, day by day, step by step. And I was more than willing to walk this path with her, wherever it might lead.

As I lay in bed, holding Mayura close, I couldn’t help but watch her sleep. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, and her face was the picture of serenity. I found myself thinking about the past few days—

One particular memory surfaced in my mind—a day at the office that could have turned disastrous if not for her calming presence.

It was a typical weekday, and the office was bustling with activity. I was in a meeting with my executives, reviewing some critical reports. The discussions were intense, and the numbers weren’t adding up. A significant project was running behind schedule, and the financial implications were severe. I could feel the anger simmering beneath the surface, my patience wearing thin as one after another, the team offered excuses rather than solutions.

My voice was sharp, cutting through the room like a knife. "This is unacceptable! How could you let this happen? We cannot afford these delays. I need solutions, not excuses!"

The room went silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. My fists were clenched, and I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins. The day had started badly, and it seemed like it was only getting worse.

Just as I was about to dismiss the meeting, the door to my office opened, and there she was—Mayura. She had come straight from college, holding a small lunchbox and a gentle smile on her face. The sight of her standing there, so innocent and calm, momentarily threw me off guard.

"Mayura," I said, my voice still laced with the remnants of anger. "What are you doing here?"

She took a step inside, closing the door behind her, her eyes scanning the room and taking in the tense atmosphere. "I brought lunch for you, Abhimaan. I thought we could eat together."

The executives shifted uncomfortably in their seats, unsure of how to react to her presence. But Mayura didn’t seem fazed by the tension. Instead, she walked up to me, her eyes locking onto mine, and I could see the concern there.

"Mayura, this isn’t a good time," I began, but she simply shook her head.

"Everyone needs to eat, even you," she said softly, placing the lunchbox on the table in front of me. "Please, just take a break for a moment."

I glanced at my team, my anger still bubbling beneath the surface, but something in Mayura’s voice made me pause. I could see that she wasn’t just offering me food; she was offering me a moment to step back, to breathe.

"Fine," I muttered, waving a hand to dismiss the meeting. "We’ll continue this later. You’re all dismissed."

The executives quickly gathered their things and left the room, relief evident on their faces. Once we were alone, Mayura pulled a chair up next to mine and opened the lunchbox. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the room, and I realized how hungry I actually was.

"You didn’t have to come all the way here," I said, my voice softening as I looked at her.

"I wanted to," she replied, her eyes meeting mine. "You’ve been working so hard, and I thought you could use a break."

She began to serve the food, and as she did, I noticed the way her hands moved with such care and precision. It was a simple gesture, but it was filled with so much warmth. I couldn’t help but feel my anger dissipate, replaced by something softer, something I hadn’t felt in a whole morning  —peace.

As we began to eat, Mayura started talking about her day at college, about the new things she was learning and the friends she had made. Her voice was soothing, like a balm to my frayed nerves. I found myself listening intently, her words drawing me out of my anger and into the present moment.

"So, they made me the group leader for our project," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I was a bit nervous at first, but I think it’ll be fun."

I smiled, the tension in my shoulders finally easing. "Of course they did. You’re smart and capable. They’d be fools not to choose you."

She blushed at the compliment, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Thank you, Abhimaan. But enough about me. How’s your day going?"

I hesitated, not wanting to bring up the mess that had been my morning, but the concern in her eyes made me open up. "It’s been... frustrating," I admitted. "A project is falling behind schedule, and the team doesn’t seem to have any solutions. I’ve been dealing with nothing but problems all day."

She nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I can see why that would be frustrating. But you know, sometimes taking a step back helps you see things more clearly. Maybe after lunch, you’ll be able to find a solution."

Her words, simple as they were, held a wisdom that I couldn’t deny. She was right—sometimes I got so caught up in the problem that I forgot to take a step back and breathe. And here she was, offering me that breath of fresh air.

"How do you always know what to say to calm me down?" I asked, genuinely curious.

She smiled, her eyes twinkling with a mix of mischief and affection. "I guess I just know you well, Abhimaan. And maybe I’m a little bit stubborn too."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You’re definitely stubborn, but I think I like that about you."

She raised an eyebrow, teasing me. "Only think? I was hoping for something more definitive."

I smirked, leaning in closer, my voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Alright, I definitely like that about you. Better?"

She giggled, the sound like music to my ears, and I couldn’t help but feel a warmth spread through my chest. This was what I had been missing—these simple, sweet moments with her that made everything else seem insignificant.

After we finished eating, I leaned back in my chair, feeling more relaxed than I had in days. "You know, Mayura, I don’t think I say this enough, but... thank you. For being here, for understanding me."

She reached out, placing her hand on mine, her touch gentle and reassuring. "You don’t have to thank me, Abhimaan. I’m your wife—it’s my job to look out for you, just like you look out for me."

I squeezed her hand, feeling a surge of affection for this woman who had so effortlessly become the center of my world. "You’re amazing, you know that?"

She blushed again, looking away shyly. "I’m just doing what any wife would do."

I shook my head, lifting her chin gently so she’d meet my eyes. "No, Mayura, you’re doing so much more than that. You’re making me a better man."

She smiled, a soft, genuine smile that made my heart swell. "And you’re making me a better woman, Abhimaan. We’re good for each other."

I couldn’t resist leaning in and kissing her softly on the nose , a kiss filled with all the gratitude and affection I felt for her. When we pulled away, I whispered, "I’m so lucky to have you, jaana ."

She smiled back, her eyes shining with emotion. "And I’m lucky to have you too, Abhimaan."

As we sat there, hands intertwined, I realized that this was what true partnership looked like—supporting each other through the highs and the lows, being there for each other in every way possible. And I knew, without a doubt, that with Mayura by my side, I could face anything the world threw at me.

This moment was replayed in my mind as I continued to watch her sleeping form. She had come into my life when I needed her the most, and every day she was showing me just how much love and patience could heal even the deepest wounds. As I held her close, I made a silent vow to always cherish these moments, to never take her for granted, and to ensure that she knew just how much she meant to me.