𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐢 ~ 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞 |𝟏𝟖+| - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

Author's POV:-
The door creaked open slowly, making Sakshi stiffen where she sat. Her head and face were already covered with the pallu of her saree. She lifted her eyes slightly from under the veil, just enough to see her husband walk in and quietly lock the door behind him.
Her grip on the saree tightened instinctively. She immediately lowered her gaze, feeling the bed dip beside her as he sat down. A lump formed in her throat as she felt the weight of his intense stare.
She flinched when his fingers gently brushed the veil off her head.
"Meri taraf dekh," he said, his voice rough but not unkind.
("Look up at me")
After a few seconds of hesitation, Sakshi lifted her eyes to meet his - only to quickly look away in nervousness.
"Naam kya hai tera?" he asked, his tone softening, realizing how uneasy she was.
("What is your name?")
"Sakshi..." she murmured, barely audible.
"Tujhe mujhse dar lag raha hai?" he asked bluntly.
("Are you scared of me?")
Sakshi nodded slightly before quickly shaking her head, her fingers playing anxiously with the end of her saree.
A small smile tugged at his lips but faded just as quickly.
"Toh aise ghabra ke baat kyun kar rahi hai?" he asked again, his voice gentler now.
("Then why are you speaking so nervously?")
She bit her lower lip nervously.
"Woh bas... mujhe..."
("It's just that... I...")
She struggled to complete her sentence.
Before she could say anything further, a soft gasp escaped her lips as he gently pulled her forward by her chooda-clad wrist. Sakshi shut her eyes tightly, expecting a slap - but instead, she felt soft lips pressing tenderly against her forehead.
Her eyes fluttered open as she let out a shaky breath. His lips lingered there for a few moments before he pulled away.
"Darr mat... main tujhe na maarunga, na daantunga," he said softly.
("Don't be scared... I won't hit you, nor scold you.")
Sakshi finally looked up at him, feeling a slight wave of relief wash over her.
"Haath dikha zara," he said, extending his rough palm towards her.
("Show me your hand.")
Hesitantly, she placed her hand in his. He gently gripped her fingers and slid a beautifully crafted gold bangle onto her wrist. Then, he repeated the same for her other hand.
Sakshi ran her fingers over the delicate, flowery designs carved into the bangles. A small, shy smile curved her lips - she truly loved them.
Seeing that smile, Arjun understood she liked the gift.
"Pasand aayi?" he asked warmly.
("Did you like it??")
"Yeh meri maa ke hain," he added, his voice laced with affection.
("These belong to my mother.")
Sakshi looked at him and nodded earnestly.
"Bohot sundar hain... aapki maa ke yeh kangan. Mujhe pasand aaye," she whispered.
("They're very beautiful... these bangles of your mother. I liked them.")
"Har waqt sambhaal ke rakhna yeh dono kangan. Bohot khaas hain mere liye" he said seriously.
("Always take care of these bangles. They're very special to me.")
"Ji, bilkul," she promised.
("Yes, ofcourse")
Arjun then got up and walked towards the mirror. Sakshi watched him, unsure of what she should do next.
Should she change her dress into the red saree? Or offer him the glass of milk, like Bua ji had instructed?
Lost in thought, she didn't realize his gaze had shifted to her.
"Tere haath mein kya hai?" he asked, noticing the bundle of red fabric.
("What is in your hand?")
Sakshi looked down, shy.
"Woh... Bua ji ne kaha tha yeh saree pehenne ko," she replied softly.
("Um... Bua ji said I should wear this saree.")
He immediately understood the meaning behind it - part of the wedding night traditions.
"Haan toh ja, pehen le woh laal saree" he said casually.
("Then go, wear that red saree.")
She nodded quickly and hurried to the washroom.
Changing into the heavy red saree, Sakshi's heart started pounding louder. She knew what was expected next... and the thought gave her goosebumps.
She feared the consequences if she said no.
When she came out, she saw Arjun lying casually on the bed, engrossed in a book. His gaze lifted briefly to her - noting how she had wiped away her heavy bridal makeup and left her hair open which was coming till her waist, looking so fresh and natural.
"Kuch gehne aur choodiyan nikal le... halka lagega. Phir aa ke yahan baith ja," he instructed without looking up again.
("Also take out some jewelry and bangles... it'll feel lighter.")
Sakshi quietly removed some of her jewellery and walked over to sit beside him. She wanted to speak, but he seemed lost in his reading.
"Suniye..." she called out hesitantly.
("Listen")
He looked up at her, slightly startled.
"Woh... Bua ji ne kaha tha ki yeh dudh aapko dene k liye..." she said, offering him the glass of milk.
("Um... Bua ji said I should give this milk to you...")
She knew this was part of the ritual too.
"Pehle tu pee le aadha," he said, sitting up.
("You drink half first.")
"Main?!" she asked, making a slight face - she hated milk.
("Me?")
She had always despised its smell, and her maa used to force her to drink it. But now, she had no choice.
"Haan, niyam ke mutabik. Aadhaa tu, aadhaa main. Aur doodh toh sehat ke liye acha hota hai na" he said in a neutral tone, noticing her crying face.
(""Yes, as per the ritual. Half for you, half for me. And milk is good for health, right?")
Taking a deep breath, she pinched her nose and gulped down half of it in one go. Letting out a loud breath, she quickly passed the glass to him.
"Maine pee liya... ab aap pi lijiye" she said, almost in relief.
("I drank it... now you drink it too.")
A soft chuckle escaped Arjun seeing her upper lip adorned with a tiny milk moustache. As he sipped the remaining milk - deliberately drinking from the same spot where her lipstick had stained the rim - he smiled inwardly.
"Chal, ab so ja," he said after finishing.
("Come on, now go to sleep.")
Sakshi stared at him in shock.
"Abhi... so jaoon?" she asked in surprised manner.
("Now... sleep?")
Arjun, adjusting the pillows, paused and looked at her.
"Kyun? Tu kuch aur karna chahti hai?" he asked raising his eyebrows, making her cheeks burn crimson.
("Why? Do you want to do something else?")
She immediately shook her head furiously and started helping him arrange the pillows.
"It wasn't that she minded sleeping; it was just that she was too shocked when he simply asked her to rest... In reality, her heart was overwhelmed with a strange happiness - happiness that he didn't force himself on her like most husbands did on their wedding night."
She lay on the extreme left side of the bed, while he settled on the right. His eyes drifted toward her, noticing how she clung to the very edge of the mattress - so much so that if she moved even a little, she might fall off.
But he didn't say anything, simply resting one arm under his head.
A few minutes later, he opened his eyes again and found her now turned toward him, sleeping soundly.
He thought it was the perfect moment to get his work done.
Moving quietly, he took the white cloth in his hand. From the drawer, he retrieved a small bottle of alta (red dye) and carefully spread it over the cloth.
Once done, he tossed the cloth outside the door - a sign for his Bua ji to find and believe that the "proof" had been provided.
After washing his hands, he climbed back into bed.
This time, he pulled her closer by her waist, feeling her warm, soft breaths fan against his lips. His gaze lingered on her hairline, filled richly with the vermillion that bore his name.
He pressed a tender kiss to her hairline before gently smudging the sindoor with his thumb.
With a deep breath, he settled back, holding her securely in his arms, finally letting sleep take him.