39| Loving You

Started writing on 26th November 2020.

Completed on 3rd December 2020.

Word count : 4500 words

_______________________________

- D I V Y A -

"Divya!"

"Hmm..."

"What are you wearing?" He asked.

"Don't you know? It's called saree."

"I mean why are you wearing this? It's cold. You should've wore something warm."

"Then what should I wear during festivals? It's Diwali!"

"A sexy lingerie isn't bad!" He winked and I elbowed him in his stomach. "What the...."

"If you don't remember, everyone's here. Just think about mom and dad, what would they think?"

"They would be proud of their son for being a romantic man and loving his wife." He smiled and I rolled my eyes. "By the way, I feel really gloomy."

"Why?"

"We can't do anything tonight or else our parents would hear us. I mean I can control my voice but you can't." He said and I glared.

"Seriously? But it's good then." I said.

"I thought you'll say that our room is way far from their's, so they won't come to know." He complained.

"You really think a lot."

"Ayaan! Divya! Where are you? Can't you see the time? We would get late for the puja." Mom shouted, calling us inside. We were sitting outside in the lawn, under the stars while discussing not-so-serious topics.

"We're coming." I shouted. Standing up from the swing, I felt him holding my hand and stopping me move forward. "What? Didn't you hear what mom said?"

"Just few minutes. Please."

"No. Come on, let's go."

"Really. You're busy in all the arrangements since three days. We couldn't even spend some time together. And now when I have you with me, you want to leave me and go back." He complained pulling me on his lap.

"It's not my fault. Festivals come with their own responsibilities." I said while touching his nose with mine. "I promise that I won't go anywhere, leaving you. Now let's go. We can't afford to leave the rituals."

"Okay!" He nodded and I pulled his nose. "Aah!"

"Let's go." I stood up and dragged him inside the house.

"Finally, you both are here!" Mom sighed. "Let's go and pray first. And Ayaan, dare you eat any sweet before puja!"

"But mom, it's not me who's foodie. It's Divya! Just after hearing the name of sweets, her mouth must be watering by now." He said.

"Really? I have enough self control."

"You're the one talking about self control. What happened the night before-" He snapped back but was stopped by dad in between.

Thank God dad came in between or else Ayaan would have said something really shameful!

"Stop it here itself. It's not the time to fight over silly things. And Ayaan, you're the one talking about self control? The last time I remember, you ate most of the sweets before we could offer them Lakshmi ji." Dad said.

"I was just five then. How long will you call it the last time? It's been years to that incident."

"Okay! There's no need to think a lot. Let's start the Aarti." Mom said and we went to her.

××

"You know when Ayaan was young, he used to hate makeup and frocks. Having no daughter, I made him wear frocks and applied makeup on his face. Once, I made him dance in the girly getup." Mom said.

"Really?"

"Yes. I even have photos and videos as proof." She said.

"Mom! What are you doing?" Ayaan interrupted in between.

"Shut up and eat your food." She said making him shut up. "See. These photos are the ones we took twenty one years ago. He's looking so beautiful in this dress. That lipstick looks too amazing and those blush-"

"Mom!! Please, just stop. Why do you have to dig old things? And I was too young that time." Ayaan whined.

"What a minute! I have his videos too. Let me bring the old cameras." Mom said and left to her room without paying any heed to him. After some moments she came back with a camera and sat beside me. "Have a look at them. During that period, I felt as if I gave birth to a daughter." She said showing me a video where mom and Ayaan were dancing together, although it was Ayaan's female version.

"I never knew he looked more beautiful than me in childhood." I chuckled.

"I was not beautiful. I mean I'm not beautiful. I'm handsome!" Ayaan said.

"Mom, forward the photos to me. I'll print some copies and hang them on the walls." I said to tease him a bit.

"Do whatever you want to. I'll get going." Ayaan said and stomped to God knows where.

"I think he's angry." I said.

"He must be. He never liked it when I shared his girly tales to everyone. And why wouldn't he? It was me who dressed him up like that..... I'll send you his photos. Don't worry." Mom said and winked.

"Okay."

"Go and check him. He must be crying by now."

"Crying? Did it affect him that much?"

"No, no. I'm joking. He must be angry and acting to be asleep by now." She said and I nodded. Walking straight to our room, I opened the door and moved inside, only to see him sleeping.

I walked slowly inside the bathroom and changed into pyjamas. Walking quietly without waking him up, I sat on the other side of the bed and saw his eyes closed while one of his hand rested over his head.

He turned his back to me by turning the other side.

Egoistic!!

I slid my arms around his waist and kissed his cheek. "I shouldn't have made fun of you. I'm sorry." I said but got no response. "Ayaan! Mom and I were just joking."

"A sorry doesn't clear everything." He said without opening his eyes.

"Finally, you spoke up."

"Let me sleep. And you should sleep too. It's late."

"I don't feel like sleeping."

"Then let me sleep." He said rudely.

"Why are you acting so strange? I'm apologising sincerely but you want to behave like a jerk. It's not that a big topic to stretch." I shouted.

"Let me sleep. If you want to shout, go to bathroom."

Don't cry! Control!

"Do whatever you want to." I said and lied on the other side.

Stupid!

Moron!

Maniac!

Idiot!

I closed my eyes but sleep was way far away from them. Tossing around left and right, I tried to suit myself but nothing helped. Why can't I sleep tonight? Sleep and I are best friends! But today?

Forty minutes passed and nothing helped!

Where are you Mr sleep?

Just then, I felt an arm moving around my waist and I knew who it was. What does he want now?

Acting to be asleep, I closed my eyes.

"I know you aren't sleeping. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked rudely. And you were right, that's not a big topic to be angry upon." He said, but this time softly.

"Idiot!" I mumbled and he chuckled. I felt his chest vibrating just behind my back due to his chuckles.

"My woman! What do you want?" He asked. "Okay! I'm sorry. Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry........."

"Stop it. I understood. And don't just ignore me like this. Mom and I were just having fun by looking at your videos."

"I thought you would make fun of me for dressing up like that." He said and I turned back to face him.

"Seriously? It happens with most of the population. And those photos weren't shameful at all. You were looking so cute in that frock."

"Cute? From which angle do I look cute? I haven't seen any bearded man looking cute." He said

"It's because that's your perspective. And also, in childhood you didn't have beard. And you looked cute."

"I told you I'm not cute."

"You are." I chuckled while pulling his cheeks. He made a frustrated face and neared his face to mine to kiss the tip of my nose. "What happened?"

"Nothing. You look cute white blushing." He smiled.

"I am not blushing."

"You are." He said and attached his lips to mine, kissing slowly. Closing my eyes, I responded equally while he kept caressing my back. "Divya!" He said while we laid on our back, staring the ceiling.

"Yes."

"Let's hold our hands while sleeping." He grinned and I nodded, joining my hands with his'.

We have done everything, still he's getting overjoyed just by holding hands!

"Divya!"

"Hmm..."

"What do you think about babies?" He asked out of nowhere.

"They're cute."

"And?"

"Cheerful." I said.

"And?"

"What do you want to ask?"

"What do you think about children? Our children?" He asked and I faced him.

"Now?"

"Hmm... The earlier the better." He said, still facing the ceiling.

"Don't tell me you already have a child and want me to accept it. I won't."

"Really? How could you think something like that? First of all I was a virgin until last week. And I am a man. A man can't get pregnant and give birth to a child." He said. "Now tell me what's your opinion about having a child now?"

"But why now?"

"Don't you want to have a child?" He asked turning his face to me.

"It's not that. I mean, we can wait for some time. Why so early?"

"Divya. Just answer me truthfully. Don't you want to have a child with me?"

"Huh? What type of question is that?"

"Answer."

"Ofcourse, I would love to. But not now. We married just four months ago. And in that too, most of the time went in nonsense fights. Let's have some personal time together first. Then we could think about the right time to have a child." I said and he nodded.

"Okay. You're right in your own way. And I think it's good to spend some time together before we could share our love with our little one." He said and snuggled into me. "Let's sleep. It's already late."

"Hmm..." I hummed and took his lips in a long smooch.

"Divya?"

"Hmm."

"Nothing. Let's sleep." He said. I turned to other side while he hugged me tightly from back, keeping his hand over my waist.

"What are you doing?" I asked when I felt his hand going inside my shirt and drawing patterns there.

"What am I doing?"

"You..." I couldn't say anything when he blew air just beneath my ears.

"I?" He teased.

"You're such a tease!" I whined and he chuckled. Slowly, he kept moving his hand up on my waist.

Wow! What a perfect day to go braless!

No! No! No!

Just when his hand was about to reach extreme up, his phone rang making him curse under his breath. Instead of leaving me, he kept his hand at the same place and hugged me tightly.

"Why don't you pick the phone? It might be something important."

"Who calls at this time? Can't they check the time?"

"Just check it." I said. He nodded and picked his phone to check the caller ID.

"Shrey! What does he want?"

"Call him back and ask."

"Of course. That's the only thing left." He sighed and called him, putting the call on speaker. "Yes. What happened?"

"Nothing. Can't I call like that?" Shrey said.

"You can. Your wish. But others are unlike you. They would be sleeping by now. Just think about us."

"Seriously? Even if you're married, you can't forget your friend. You changed."

"Oh God! I know that you own a drama company but I didn't knew that you're so good in doing dramas. Drama queen!"

"Leave that. Ask something else."

"Okay. How's life treating you?"

"Wow man! What a question! I'm fine. My wife is fine and my children are fine too. " Shrey said.

"Well, we're fine too. Bye and let me sleep." Ayaan said without any shame.

"Is this is a way to talk to your friend?" I whispered.

"Sorry Mumma. It won't happen again." He said sarcastically.

"Bye then. We'll go to sleep too. Have it baby."

"Who's your baby?"

"Not you. I'm saying to Diya. Bye." Shrey said before cutting the call.

"What a man he is? First he calls and then goes away."

"He's your friend. You would know." I said and he rolled his eyes. "What?"

"Nothing. I mean I don't act like him. I understand that he married just few days ago but this doesn't mean that he'll become uxorious."

"Wait! What's this uxorious? Caring for his wife doesn't mean that he can't think anything beyond her."

"I... I didn't mean it in that way." He tried to defend him.

"I have ears and can listen to what you said."

"Wait! Listen to me." He said but before he could say anything else, I turned my back to him and closed my eyes. "Divya..."

"Neither I want to speak anything, nor I want to listen to any of your rubbish." I sighed.

"But-"

"Sleep."

"Okay." Cuddling closer to me, he again placed his hand over my waist and rubbed my skin there.

"What are you doing?" I said after facing him.

"Sleeping."

"Seriously? What is your hand doing here?" I picked up his hand from my waist and showed it to him.

"How would I know?" He said and I glared.

"Idiot omelette!" I muttered and he chuckled. As soon as I turned back, he embraced me in a tight hug and rested his face over my shoulder blade.

"Good night." He whispered in my ears.

"Good night. You looked cute in that yellow frock."

"Divya....." He whined. "Just sleep."

"Hmm..."

××

3 weeks later~

"Divya, what's the matter? You look a little different today."

"Different?"

"Yes. You look like a constipated monkey." Maya said.

"Ohh... What?"

"It's looks as if you've been treated badly for days. I mean you look as if you'll cry any moment but at the same time you look like an angry bull." She said while sipping her juice from the straw.

"Seriously? But I don't feel like crying."

"Are you going through your teenage again? I mean during your teenage, did you really face such emotional roller coasters?"

"My teenage was really smooth. No heartbreak, no failure." I said. "But when I think about it again, Ayaan caused really big problems in my life and I always thought about it at end of the day."

"Okay.... Wear some makeup. It would be fine. And try to smile and laugh." She suggested.

"I will consider them."

"Are you going through that time of your month?"

"Counting from the last time, my period would come anytime in these days." I said.

"Maybe that could be the reason. Don't worry. Don't take work stress. Give it to your husband. What will he do being free?"

"I've completed my work. Don't worry. Just check yours. I don't even think you come here to work, instead you always talk around with me. Am I the only stupid here, who's working?" I sighed and she laughed.

"I'll get going, I need to take a call. My son and husband would be waiting for me. And you should check upon your husband too. Just in case he's missing you." She winked and left. Seriously?

On the way to his room I saw him in the meeting room with the cosmetics department.

Okay! He was looking hot in that black shirt.

The way it was clung on his body, it was hard for me to control myself from grabbing his collar and pulling him inside a deserted room.

Control! All these hormones are on peak!

"You're here?" Ayaan asked while everyone was still there in the meeting. Such a creep I must be looking to stare him from the glass wall.

"I was just walking around. You can continue." I turned around quickly to walk away but his voice caught me back.

"Wait! The meeting is just over. Till then you can rest in my room." He said and I nodded. Running to his room, I sat on the couch to catch my breath.

Thinking about the days we went through together, it was great. We learnt new things about each other.

(Flashback)

A weeks ago~

"Divya."

"Hmm..."

"How was I?" He asked while rubbing my hands. He was leaning over the bed rest while I was sitting between his legs.

"Huh?"

"Am I good in bed?"

"Why do you want to ask this?"

"Tell me. I want to know."

"Yes, you are."

"Do you really mean what you're saying?"

"Yes. I don't lie." I turned back to face him and said.

"Okay..... You know, you have a mole on your right butt-cheek."

"I didn't knew... Wait! Who told you to see it?"

"I can't help it."

"Pervert!"

"If I'm a pervert then you're the queen of perverts."

"I'm not."

"You are!" He smiled and kissed me without any warning. When I was about to pull back he slid his arms to my waist, only to tickle me hardly.

"Ayaan! Wait! Stop tickling me!"

"I love you."

"What a timing!"

"When you're with me, every moment is perfect."

"And where are you learning these cheesy lines from?" I asked.

"I myself am a teacher in this field." He winked.

"I'm feeling sleepy, I'll go to sleep." I said to change the topic. Before I could go to the other side of bed, he pulled me onto his lap.

"Not this early. There's another round waiting for us." He whispered in my ears.

"Seriously? Don't you feel tired?"

"I was, but not now..." He said after tossing me on the bed and came over me.

"We need to wake early tomorrow." I said.

"I'll wake you up. Don't worry."

(Flashback ends)

A sudden sting in my stomach and I knew what was coming. I used the washroom but no sign of blood was there. Lying on the couch I closed my eyes to rest them for few seconds.

When I opened my eyes, I saw myself sleeping on the couch covered with blanket. In the front, I saw Ayaan reading a file.

"How come I'm sleeping here? And why didn't you wake me up?"

"You're awake! You were already in a deep sleep and I didn't have a heart to wake you up."

"I've got lots of work to do. You should've woken me up earlier." I said. I tried to get up but a strong sudden pain in my abdomen wasn't allowing me to.

"Are you alright?" He asked worriedly and sat beside me.

×× ××

- A Y A A N -

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. I'm fine."

"If you were fine then you wouldn't have screamed. Now tell me, what happened?"

"It's paining."

"Where?" I asked.

"Abdomen. It's striking pain."

"Use the restroom, you'll feel better."

"It's better if I use mine. I'll go there."

"Really? You're in pain, how would you even walk?"

"But-"

"But what? What's the difference in the toilet there and here? Both are same."

"You won't understand." She said.

"Then make me understand."

"I think I'm on my periods. I don't have pad here. That's why I need to go to my room."

"Don't worry. I'll ask someone to bring it. Till then, go to the restroom."

"Why would you ask someone? I can go myself." She said.

"Okay! You can use the toilet and I'll go to bring it. Well, is it in your drawer?" I asked.

"Are you serious? Why would I keep it in a drawer? It's in my purse."

"Thanks. Till the time you get in, I'll be back." I said and ran fast to her room. Opening her purse I saw everything but a pad.

And here it was, in the last chain.

Keeping it in my pocket, I walked back to my room and knocked the bathroom door. "Divya! Are you there?"

"Hmm..."

"Here you have it." I said and opened the gate.

"You don't need to look inside. Just pass it and go." She said, slamming the door on my face.

Seriously! Women on their periods are the scariest!

And the online search on menstruation started once more until I was distracted by the door opening sound. "You're here?"

"Yes. This is my office."

"So can't I sit here?"

"Why can't you? I never denied." I said. "Let's go back."

"Where?"

"Home."

"Why?"

"You can rest there."

"But I don't-"

"We're going back. No questions to be asked." I gave my last answer and we took the shortest way to car. Fastening our seat belts, I started the car to go back. While driving I glanced at her, she was clutching her stomach tightly, maybe due to pain. "Is it paining a lot?"

"Hmm... It's normal." She said, while trying to hide her cry.

"I can see how normal it is?" I said and changed the direction.

"Where are we going? It's not the way to home."

"Hospital."

"Why? I'm not dying." She said and I decided to be quiet.

"We're here. Don't come out. I'll carry you." I said and went to open her side.

"Wait! I can walk."

"No you can't." I said and picked her up. Locking the car, I walked inside the hospital and took her to the gynaecology department.

"You can stay outside. I'll would like to have some talk with the patient." The doctor said.

"But I'm her husband."

"And I'm her doctor. I know that you're worried about her but you can rest assured." Doctor said.

"But-"

"Just go. You'll get to know afterwards." Divya said. I nodded and left the room. After few minutes doctor opened the door herself and I stood up to discuss about the matter.

"How is she?" I asked her.

"She's fine now. A female body undergoes various changes at every age. As your wife said, after being sexually active it's normal for her body to have hormonal changes. Just don't let her take stress. Keep her happy. And I've prescribed some pain killers, if she feels she can't tolerate the pain she can use it." She said and left. I went inside and saw her sitting on the patient bed.

"Is it still paining?"

"A little. Let's go back. I don't like hospitals."

"I know. Let's go." I forwarded my hand to her. We went back and laid on the bed after eating our dinner. I was busy with my work while she was sleeping.

"Mmm..." She mumbled in sleep. I neared my ears to her face to hear her. "Ayaan..."

"Yes. I'm here. What happened?"

"It's aching." She whispered and woke up, hugging her abdomen tightly. "I can't tolerate it."

"Should I bring your medicines?"

"Ofcourse. And don't come near me, it's all because of you." She shouted. Taking the medicine, I gave it to her and she swallowed it with water in a second. Without waiting for a moment, she went to sleep.

Did it really happen because of me?

Shit!

I never wanted her to feel pain. But in this case, the sole reason is me.

I wish I could take her pain away!

××

"Ayaan! Ayaan!!" Dad called me for the infinite time. We all were having a family lunch.

"Hmm....."

"Where are you lost?"

"No where. I was just...."

"Daydreaming isn't that good. Leave it."

"Hmm... You wanted to say something to me?"

"I've seen the company progress these days. A&C going great. Even better than it was in my times. I'm proud of you!"

"Thanks dad." I said.

"What's the matter Ayaan? You don't look good."

"Nothing is wrong dad."

"You don't look as energetic as everyday. You look more like sad."

"I'm not. I'm full. I'll go to have some rest." I stood up and left to my room. Closing my eyes, I sighed and laid my arm beneath my head.

"Ayaan, what's going on? I'm seeing this from the morning, you're so lost in yourself. Tell me what happened?"

"Nothing. I'm just feeling sleepy."

"I'm noon? See, if there's any problem, you can discuss it with me. Is there any loss in business?" Divya asked.

"It's nothing like that."

"Then what's the matter Ayaan? I can't help but notice how you're ignoring me all the time. Tell me what happened?"

"I...I-"

"I what? Don't answer rest of the things. Just tell me, why are you ignoring me from starting of the day."

"You were the one who asked me to." I said.

"When did I said you to ignore me?"

"Last night."

"Last night? When? Wait! Are you talking about that? I wasn't in my senses. You know that right." She held her forehead. "First of all those period cramps and mood swings, and then I was in half sleep. How do you think I could even talk properly at that time?"

"But you said that-"

"So you decided to count upon what I said? I told you not to come near me and you did it. If I ever ask you to leave me, will you do the same?"

"I didn't mean it that way. I was just-"

"Stop it... I don't want to hear anything. I'll go out, till then you can rest." She said and was about to leave, when I held her hand.

"Divya, it won't happen again, I promise. You were right, I shouldn't have believed what you said in anger. I know you have mood swings, still I..."

"Still you thought that I was saying it from my mind and decided to go for it!" She hugged me tightly and started to cry.

"Why are you crying?" I asked.

"I don't know. I can't help."

"Just rest for a bit. You'll be fine." Making her lie on the bed, I covered her with the comforter and decided to leave.

"Where are you going?" She asked.

"Nowhere. You can rest here."

"Come here." She patted the place beside her, directing me to sit there. "Don't go. Let's just sleep for some time"

"Okay. As you want." I said and went inside the sheets. She immediately cuddled onto me. "What happened?"

"I'm feeling cold." She mumbled. Laying her head over my chest, she hugged my torso while I caressed her back, giving in to sleep.

When I woke up I saw her sleeping with her mouth wide-open. Seeing her face I couldn't help but chuckle. Placing my finger under her chin, I closed her mouth and pecked her lips before leaving.

Walking out I saw Dadi discussing something with dad and mom. "Dadi, what's the matter? You all look nervous."

"It's not nervousness. It's just..." Mom said but had no words to continue. Dadi left to her room while I sat on the couch beside them.

"What were you talking about?" I asked.

"We're going to meet your dadi's boyfriend tonight at dinner!" Mom said and dad glared at her. "I mean the man whom she wants to marry."

"Seriously?? Tonight?"

"Hmm..." Dad hummed.

Even I want to meet the man who stole my dadi's heart!

*****

TIED TOGETHER BY LOVE 💍

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