CHAPTER NINETEEN

Jwala:

I didn't sleep the whole night due to nervousness, tension, fear, happiness and many other emotions. Agni woke up noticing me moving restlessly on the bed.

"What happened to you, Jwala? Are you ok? Is anything wrong?" He asked touching my stomach.

"I am fine."

"Then why are you not sleeping?"

I hugged him, and he embraced me in his arms.

"Tell me what happened."

"I am scared."

"Are you afraid of marrying me???"

"No no. I am petrified of marrying you without my parents' acceptance."

"Don't worry. Let's marry first. I will convince your parents later."

"Shall I talk to my parents saying that I love you?"

"No Jwala, they will lose their trust in you. They shouldn't know about our relationship, child or our marriage. I will request them somehow to get you married to me. Please trust me Jwala; I won't break your trust."

"I trust you," I said.

"Now close your eyes and sleep," he said patting on my hand slowly to make me sleep.

In the morning I woke up and wore a saree which is his favourite colour. I didn't know why but these days, I am giving more importance to his likes than mine. However, it's not because of his force. He is trying to make me comfortable and give me whatever I like.

I am wearing my saree, and he opened the door. I gulped.

"May I help you, baby?" He said coming near to me.

"No need, go out," I said.

"Aww my baby is so cute while blushing," he said.

"Please Agni, go out."

"I don't want you to strain too much. So I will help you" Agni winked.

He took sari from my hands and touched my abdomen to make me wear it. I bit my lip as I felt unknown sensation with his touch. He bent and kissed my bare belly several times. Is he planning to kill me with his sweet torture?

"Ag. Ag... Ni... Please... Leave... Me... I... Need to get ready. Please" I said

"Sure, but you should kiss me," he said.

I tried to kiss on his cheek, but he made it a deep lip kiss. He left the room, and I touched the place where he kissed me on the belly. A blush and smile occupied my face. I got ready and went downstairs. As usual, he fed me breakfast prepared by him and made me drink milk.

These days, he cooked breakfast and dinner. The Chef prepares the lunch as Agni will be in the office at afternoon. But he gave lots of instructions to them regarding hygiene, flavours, and ingredients.

We went to the registrar office. We signed the documents and exchanged garlands. He tied the knot to me. Everything completed by afternoon and we had lunch outside. We are returning home, but he changed the route.

"Where are we going?"

"Surprise," he said

It's been one hour, and we were still in the car travelling. I felt sleepy as I didn't sleep well last night.

"I feel tired," I said pouting.

"Oh, come on sleep in my lap. I will wake you up when we reach our destiny" Agni said making me sleep in his lap.

He extended the seat so that I can sleep comfortably. I rested on his lap. When I woke up, I am on the bed in a room. I looked around, and it's familiar to me. Oh, it's farmhouse. But why did he bring me here?

"Did you wake up sweetheart?" He said looking at me

"Yes, but why did you bring me here now?"

"We shifted to farmhouse permanently. We are going to stay here from now. This is your surprise."

I blinked my eyes for a few minutes. Last time when we came here, I requested Agni to shift here, but he didn't agree as he has to travel for three hours to the office every day as it's very far and his home is very near to the office. He scolded me saying he can't spend six hours travelling.

"But you told that you couldn't travel for six hours every day?"

Is he planning to leave me alone here?

"Yes, but I felt it's better to travel for 6 hours than saying no to my sweet wife's wish," he said and cupped my face.

"I love you," he said and kissed my forehead.

He gave a few documents, cards, and keys to me.

"What are these?"

"I transferred my whole property to your name. From now everything belongs to you. You can even throw me out from here and office, if you don't like my behaviour or if I didn't mend my ways. They are debit and credit cards. Keys belong to locker and wardrobe where I keep money and other relevant documents."

"But Agni, I didn't want all this. I trust you. Just be with me, that's enough for me. I want your love, loyalty, confidence, and care, not your property."

"I know Jwala; you didn't expect all these from me, but please accept them. I didn't want you to be under my control. Maybe one day, I may try to slip from this right path shown by you to me. At that time, you may need these to correct me. For everything I had done in the past, now I must live just as your employee at the office and as your servant at home following your orders, that's right for me."

I shook my head in no. Why is he talking like this? I can't even imagine Agni working as an employee and serving me. He should always command his employees and order them. I love to see him like that.

"No, I can't agree with you. Agni, you repented, it's enough. Let's live happily."

"But"

"No buts and ifs my dear husband, please let it go. Take all these bullshit from my hands. It's cumbersome" I said and gave it to him.

"Agni, I always dreamt of a husband who respects, values, cares and loves me. See, today I wore this red and green sari though I don't like this combination, just for you. You too don't feel comfortable to stay in this farmhouse but shifted just for me. That means we value each other and trying to make one another happy. If we continue this understanding and respecting each other, I am sure we will be a happy couple forever."

"Do you trust me that I changed?" He asked with a cute pout on his face.

"Yes, I trust you, my dear lovely husband," I said and encircled my hands over his neck.

"You are sweet. I will keep all these documents, cards and keys in our wardrobe. I want you to be the head of our home and office."

"As you wish," I said as I know he won't listen to me.

"Agni, you go out for some time. I have a surprise for you" I said.

"But why should I go out?"

"Please please."

"Fine," he said and went out.

I decorated the room beautifully. I took a shower and wore a sari and jewellery. Agni came after one hour. He opened the door and looked at me. I sat on the bed as a newlywed bride bending my head blushing. He came to me. He raised my face.

"Beautiful, but what are these arrangements for?"

"Today is our first night."

He didn't speak anything but closed his eyes tight.

"It's not necessary now," he said

"Why?"

"I can't touch you, Jwala. I remember only my misdeeds whenever I touch you. I remember how I tortured you, how I made you cry behaving like a beast. I know you too are not ready for this right now. A day will come where we both feel I am a good husband, on that day we will make love. Till then you will be my sweetheart whom I love a lot."

I nodded.

"Tomorrow we are going to mom's tomb to take her blessings," he said

"Sure"

We had dinner prepared by him and slept. Next day, I woke up before him. I saw the nuptial chain in my neck which gave me a new feeling. Now I am his wife, and no one can point out towards my child. I saw him sleeping peacefully and kissed on his forehead. I took a shower and got ready. I pressed his clothes and arranged everything he needs. I went to the kitchen to cook breakfast.

I am preparing food, and I heard him shouting my name. What happen? Why is he roaring? Did I do anything wrong?

“Jwala, Jwala" he shouted again, and I went to him.

"Come here," he said.

Why is he angry with me? It's just the first day of our marriage, and he was displeased with me. What did I do?

"Can't you hear what I said?"

I walked towards him praying God not to kill my feelings on him and give me the strength to cool his anger.