Insatiable Desires

Chapter 20

Nandini woke up, blinking her eyes distorted, drenched in sweat, looking in shock at the muscular arm wrapped around her waist securely, his palm resting on her bare waist under the drape of her saree. Her bangles clinked together as she unfisted her hand from his shirt.

She frowned, wondering how she landed in his arms the whole night, without Mahir and with clothes on.

She wondered if she was dreaming. Though weird, it was a good one. To make sure, she pinched herself. Although she felt no pain but the light slap on top of her head hit her pretty hard. She snapped her head towards Manik, who was drowsily staring at her in amusement. She was gaping at him until he asked, "Dawai sar par chad gayi kya?"

When she didn't reply, he sighed and checked her temperature and on finding it warm but not burning, he murmured in his morning voice deeply, "Nahana mat aaj. Aur kuch kha ke dawa le lena. Aur zyada kaam mat karna. Shaam tak bukhar na utra toh ved paas challenge."

She nodded, still in shock, as he turned away and fell back asleep, tired from not getting proper sleep the previous night. Shaking her head, Nandini got up and changed into a simple saree, tying her hair in a loose bun and foregoing any jewellery except for her nuptial chain and the wedding bangles along with the vermillion and stepped down for the house work.

~~~

Nandini was busy kneading the dough for rotis, drenched in sweat, when Manik entered the kitchen. He swallowed, staring at her from back at her curves  as she had the pallu of her saree tucked by her waist while her hair was tied up in a bun, giving him a beautiful view. Stepping towards her, he pulled at her hair gently, letting it down since he didn't want anyone see her like that.

Nandini froze in fear at who it could be until she turned around and noticed her husband. He arched his eyebrow and when she shook her head, he asked, "Teri tabiyat kesi hai ab?"

"Ab theek hai," Nandini replied but not believing her, he checked her temperature and on finding it normal, he nodded his head before saying, "Aaj raat ko mera chota bhai aa raha hai chaar saal baad. Woh shehar gaya hua tha na, bataya hoga maine tujhe shayad?" When she nodded, he hummed and said, "Toh aaj shaam ko dawat rakhi hain. Gaon vaale bhi aayenge. Isliye khaane vagera ka intezaam kar diya hain magar thodi nigah rakh lena. Rashmi teri madat kar degi. Aur samey par tyaar ho jana."

Nodding, Nandini was about to turn around but Manik was quick to hold her arm and pull her closer. Gasping, she placed her hands on his chest, maintaining some distance while she looked around, afraid of someone walking in.

"Aap–" Nandini started but quitened, sucking in a breath as he gently grazed her bottom lip with his thumb, staring in her eyes before her eyes closed as he moved closer. However, she frowned when she felt him blowing air near her eye. She snapped her eyes open as he moved away and feigned innocence while asking, "Kya hua? Woh aata laga tha toh usse hata raha tha?"

He smirked as his wife nodded innocently, getting flustered before teasing her as he said, "Arey Nandini, tumhare gaal itne laal kyu hogaye? Tumne kuch aur socha tha kya?" Nandini immediately shook her head, embarrassed. He grinned as she turned away, focusing back on her work while he walked out of the kitchen.

~~~

Manik, who was busy mingling with everyone while they waited for his brother's arrival, looked around until his eyes double checked, making sure it was her, as they fell on Nandini. She looked beautiful in a white saree, consisting just the wedding jewellery and had her hair down and her eyes highlighted with kohl.

Amidst the villagers, Nandini nervously moved towards her husband, who was observing her every step, enchanted by her beauty. But, he was so lost in her that he failed to notice the other person who was as lost in her as he was.