Sidharth, Shehnaaz and Aadya, went to the registrar's office along with all the required documents after the marriage. After 4 hours of waiting, they finally got their marriage certificate.
They feed each other the same sweet which Sidharth had bought last night on getting a job. Shehnaaz smiled from ear to ear looking at the marriage certificate.
Shehnaaz: This is our Aadya's post graduation convocation certificate.
Sidharth: (perplexed) What?
Shehnaaz: Aadya will get admission in school, she will study and pass all the classes to reach post graduation and get a convocation certificate. All because of this one certificate.
Sidharth: (smiles) I am just amazed by the way you connect all your happiness to Aadya. You ought to be the best parent.
Shehnaaz: It has become a habit to only think about her. But that won't mean I will pay less attention to you.
Sidharth: I want you to pay attention towards yourself as well. Loving yourself won't reduce your love for others around you. Your loved ones will be happy when they see their loved ones happy. Self love is as important as loving others. Understood?
Shehnaaz: (nods) But how do we love ourself?
Sidharth: By not suppressing your desires, pampering yourself and ordering your husband to give whatever you want. (He pinches her nose)
Shehnaaz: Aaauuucchhh! (Shrieks)
He laughs as she glares at him with a pout.
It was evening, when they reached home. His heart ached when they normally entered inside the home. She was his bride but she didn't get a welcome which every bride gets while she enters their home for the first time post marriage. They didn't have anyone to do aarti or place red vermilion water for her to step in and walk inside the house. The custom which depicts the entrance of the pride of the house and the queen of the groom's heart who would bring joy, auspiciousness and prosperity into their life.
He kept observing her. She freshened up and immediately entered the kitchen to cook dinner for them. He let Aadya play with her toys and went to the kitchen. She was securing the cooker on the stove unaware that he was standing and watching her from behind. He waited for her to finish and turn. She got shocked to find him behind all of a sudden.
Shehnaaz: You scared me!! (She smiled)
He cupped her face and kissed her whole face and hugged her tightly. She was shocked not knowing how to react. She hugged him back softly.
Sidharth: I am sorry, Shehnaaz.
Shehnaaz: For what?
Sidharth: You are my bride and you didn't get the treatment which every new bride gets. Neither you got a welcome nor the feast. You have to cook food on your wedding day. It looks like just another random day in our life whereas wedding days are a part of special memories in everyone's life. Everytime I think I will make life better for you, I find I couldn't do what is required in the present.
Shehnaaz: Aadya's papa, I have come from nowhere to here. People respect unmarried girl and married lady but not the single mother. I would get the respect which every married lady gets in the society. This itself is a great memory for me to cherish. It's the same house I entered which I left in the morning. What matters to me is entering your heart. Finding a place to stay there forever. My home is not what is made of bricks but these strong arms in which you are holding me right now.
He pulls out of the embrace, still holding her arms and looks into her eyes. He could feel her shiver and see her face turn pink blushing under his gaze. He adored his new bride's face.
He pushed up her chin gently and kissed her lips slowly. Shehnaaz was too naive not knowing what to do. She shut her eyes to devour her first kiss from her husband. Her heart was pounding very loudly as he sucked her lower lip very gently, lost in a trance. The cooker whistled and they flinched leaving each other.
He looked at her. She puts her head down feeling very very shy not knowing where to hide her face since he was still gazing at her. She turned around now facing her back to him. He hugged her again from her back.
Sidharth: (whispers) I like when you blush. Those naturally pink cheeks makes you so desirable. Shehnaaz, I didn't knew it until few minutes back but I realised now that.. I am in love with you.
Her heart pounded louder than ever as if I would break her rib cage and come out any moment. She was still recovering from the first kiss and now she had his confession to deal with. The cooker whistled again.
He kissed the corner of her neck sending shiver down her whole body. She moaned softly as he placed few more wet around her neck. The cooker whistled again.
He turned her again and cupped her right cheek with his left hand and Shehnaaz pushed him a little as she saw Aadya enter the kitchen. He looked at her perplexed not knowing that reason behind her pushing him was Aadya.
Aadya: Mumma, three..
He turned back to look at Aadya. The cooker whistled again.
Aadya: Four!!
Sidharth: What is it?
Shehnaaz: Aaa.. she is talking about the whistle. (Turns off the stove)
Sidharth: Ohh!! Okay!!
Shehnaaz: Aadya, go out and play.. (he chuckles) ..with your papa (he frowns), I'll get the food in few minutes.
Sidharth nods and takes Aadya out. Shehnaaz smiled and blushed alone reminiscing the cute little intimacy they shared few minutes back.
She served the food and all three ate together while Sidharth teased her with glances in between eating.
Shehnaaz patted Aadya as she lied beside her on the mat. On the other side lied Sidharth, gawking at his new bride.
Aadya: Mumma, tell me a shtory pleashe..
Shehnaaz smiles and ponders which story to tell and then she starts telling her the story of Cinderella. By the end of the story both Aadya and Sidharth were snoring softly. Shehnaaz looked at both of them. They were so resembling and adorable. She planted a featherlight kiss on their forehead and as usual rewinds her day at the back of her mind.
He was speaking about wedding memories in bride's life and feeling sad for not giving me one but this is surely going to be the most memorable day of my life, the day I married the man I love, the day he kissed me for the first time and the best is hearing him say I love you. I feel loved and I feel alive today.
I had a motive to live in the name of Aadya but the meaning is given by my husband. And as I reminisce the vows we took infront of sacred fire, I want to spend a beautiful life with him. I found my happiness in him and I want to be happy always with my little family. I've had enough of pain in life.
She dreamt of a beautiful life ahead with him for the first time in her life by closing her eyes.
_________________________________
To be continued.. ❤️❤️