22. First Morning

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Daksh entered his room quietly, his steps soft against the marble floor. His gaze fell on Divya, already asleep on the bed, her face serene and glowing in the soft moonlight streaming through the windows.

A small smile tugged at his lips as he watched her, so peaceful and unguarded in her slumber.

He knelt down beside her, close enough to feel the warmth of her soft, even breaths against his skin.

His mind wandered back to the wedding games earlier, especially the playful ring ceremony where Divya had effortlessly won all three rounds.

He chuckled softly at the memory, admiration and affection filling his heart.

“My beautiful baby,” he whispered, the words barely audible as he took in her delicate features.

With a lingering glance, Daksh rose and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

When he returned, he moved quietly, not wanting to disturb her. Climbing into bed, he lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts still revolving around his new wife.

Suddenly, Divya shifted in her sleep, turning towards him. Her gentle movement caught his attention, and he turned as well, facing her.

Her face was just inches away, her features illuminated by the faint glow of the night.

Carefully, he reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. The moment was tender, filled with an unspoken connection.

But before he could pull his hand back, Divya, still deep in her slumber, caught his hand. She held it close, placing it under her cheek, her fingers curling slightly around his.

Daksh froze for a moment, startled and amused by her instinctive action. Then, a soft chuckle escaped his lips as he watched her, her innocence and trust tugging at his heart.

He lay still, the warmth of her cheek against his hand filling him with a quiet contentment.

Smiling softly, he closed his eyes and drifted off, comforted by her presence and the promise of this new beginning together.

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The first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft golden hue over the room.

Daksh slowly stirred awake, his eyes fluttering open to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains.

He found himself gazing at Divya, who was still curled up beside him, her head resting on his chest, her breath steady and peaceful.

His hand remained gently beneath her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin, a stark contrast to the coolness of the room.

A lazy smile tugged at Daksh’s lips as he watched her, not wanting to move and risk disturbing the tranquility of the moment.

Her features, soft and serene in sleep, appeared even more radiant under the glow of the morning sun.

For a moment, he simply forgot everything—his responsibilities, his burdens, even the world outside—lost in the quiet beauty of the woman beside him.

It was only when Divya’s eyes fluttered open that he was pulled back to reality.

She blinked up at him, still half in a dreamlike state, and when she saw him, a small, sleepy smile spread across her face.

"Why am I still dreaming?" she murmured, her voice still heavy with sleep. "I should wake up now..." Her voice trailed off as she gazed at him, her words soft and sweet.

Daksh’s grin deepened, his heart swelling with warmth at her innocent words.

"But why are you looking more handsome now? It feels like this is real and not a dream," she added, her voice full of playful wonder.

He chuckled at her cuteness, unable to resist the urge to tease her. Leaning in a little closer, he whispered in a low, affectionate tone, "Because it’s not a dream, Honeypie."

Divya blinked several times, her eyes still adjusting to the light. But then, as she became more aware of their proximity, a flush of pink spread across her cheeks.

Her breath hitched for a moment, and she sat up quickly, pulling away from him and letting go of his hand.

"I—I’m sorry," she stammered, avoiding his gaze, her fingers nervously tugging at the edge of her dupatta. She couldn’t help but feel a wave of embarrassment wash over her.

Daksh chuckled softly, a deep, rich sound that made her heart flutter. He sat up as well, his movements slow and deliberate, giving her the space she needed.

"You don’t have to apologize, Divya," he said gently, his voice soothing. "You were asleep. It’s not like you planned it."

Her blush deepened, and her hands twisted the fabric of her dupatta in a nervous habit.

She finally looked up at him, but still, her eyes avoided his teasing yet tender gaze.

"Did you sleep well?" Daksh asked, breaking the silence, his tone casual but kind. He was trying to make her feel comfortable again, to ease the tension that had suddenly filled the air.

Divya paused for a moment, her heart still racing. "Yes," she replied softly, her voice steady now, though her face remained a shade of pink. "And you?"

A sincere smile tugged at Daksh’s lips as he looked at her. "Better than I have in a long time," he said with quiet sincerity.

The intensity of his gaze was enough to make her heart skip a beat, but she quickly masked her reaction by standing up abruptly.

"I should get ready," she said, her voice now a little more distant, as she moved toward the wardrobe.

She couldn’t quite place the feeling that had stirred inside her when he looked at her that way. "It’s our first morning together, and everyone will be waiting," she added, her words coming out a bit more hurried than she intended.

Daksh watched her for a moment, his eyes tracing the way she moved with grace and slight unease.

There was something about the way she carried herself, even in moments of uncertainty, that made her all the more captivating to him.

He didn’t say anything else, but he knew this was just the beginning of something special between them.

As she started picking out her clothes from the wardrobe, Daksh sat up and leaned back against the headboard, a soft smile still playing on his lips.

He had all the time in the world to get to know her, and he was in no hurry. The warmth of the morning, the proximity they shared, and the easy comfort of their silence were enough for now.

And as he listened to the sound of Divya moving around the room, he realized that this moment, their first morning together, felt like the start of something that could last a lifetime.

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