Maira's POV:
The past week has been terrible for me, actually the past two weeks. Not only was I kidnapped and almost sexually assaulted, I was also informed that my husband just married me because of some will or else he would have lost his inheritance. All I did after coming back to my parent's place was cry myself to sleep. My parents knew something was wrong but they knew better than to meddle. I can see them worried for me especially since my appetite has almost vanished and the medicines are the only reason I would have a cracker or so and that is it. But I was over being the people pleaser for now and all I wanted was to be couped up in my room under the comforter, especially since I still had time before I go back to work.
Few nights even the contant crying didn't make me exhausted enough to put me to sleep and I would be up all night thinking what the future holds for my married life. All these months that I have spent with Jai, I never thought that there might be any other reason he married me, other than him being crazy for wanting to marry me.
I was in deep sleep when I felt something warm cocooning me and I couldn't help but snuggle deep into it, trying to find some more sleep. I woke up only to see my husband sleeping with his arms around me. For first few minutes I thought it was all imagination, like the other days but when I couldn't get out of the bed, I knew he was really here. I was so pissed mad at him that all I wanted to do was slap him hard. I tried to get out of his tight grip but that resulted in him waking up.
On hearing his reasoning out, I might believe everything he said, but I can see that Yash has something to do with the misunderstanding between us. I mean he forced Jai to blame himself, he told me that Jai married me because of some will for its inheritance but didn't bother telling me he would inherit it and the creepy vibes from him aren't lost. I have agreed to go with Jai in the evening because of his pleading looks he gave me and because I wanted to see to what extent he is going to go in order to remove my doubts.
As usual, Jai doesn't know how to plan a date and hasn't told me what I should wear for tonight. There's still sometime before he comes to pick me up but I decide to text him.
Where are we going? -Maira
Not telling you. -Jai
But then what should I wear? -Maira
Wear anything love. I know you're still gonna look the prettiest;) -Jai
I blush at his comment and I can feel a smile coming over my face but suppressing it I text him back.
I don't want the repeat of our earlier dates. -Maira
Well, I don't know what you're talking about. I thought you looked spectacular on both of them. -Jai
Jai, either tell me or else I might have to change the plans. -Maira
You know this is blackmailing and it is punishable by law. -Jai
Are you gonna file a complaint against your poor innocent wife🥺? -Maira
Ahhhhh, we are doing this now? -Jai
I don't know what you are talking about. -Maira
Just wear anything you are comfortable with. It'll just be two of us. -Jai
Can I wear my night suit then? -Maira
Honestly, I don't mind but I will not be held responsible later on if you felt like it wasn't the right choice. -Jai
Is this your way of saying night suits are not allowed? -Maira
Maybe. -Jai
Cool. -Maira
Bye, love. Be ready on time 😘 -Jai
I keep my phone down and look through my old clothes trying to find something good. I haven't really brought any clothes that I am not used to wearing now, apart from my track pants and few work clothes. Eliminating the options I see here, I decide to settle down for a saree that has somehow made it's way in my cupboard.
I decide to take a bath, wash my hair before settling back on bed. I curled my hair before wearing the blush pink blouse with three-quarter sleeves. I wear the saree of the same colour and the golden waist belt with it. I keep the minimal jewelry that I always wear before proceeding downstairs to wait for Jai. I see my parents and my sister sitting in the living room.
"Where are you going?"
"Jai is taking me out."
"So, I am guessing things are alright with you both now?" My father asks. I get a little embarrass thinking what my parents must be thinking and my rude behaviour for past few days.
"I am not sure but I think so."
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"Nope. It's something between my husband and I and I think I would like to keep it like that."
"Very well. Just know I am proud of the woman you've become, Maira. I need to you to understand that every couple has problems and the only way to be able to get out of it is to communicate and not run away. Only in the relations where people fight do they exist, obviously it doesn't mean that you keep on fighting but it's fine to fight sometimes and perfectly normal too. Forgive him, whatever he has done I am sure he hasn't done it intentionally. You should see how he looks at you, how he wants to give you moon and stars if he could and I am serious when I say this. I wasn't easy going on Jai earlier but I have seen his efforts in pursuing you, don't let such a guy out of your hands because you didn't have good examples of what gentlemen are like, how husbands are supposed to be and how a married relationship is to work out." I hear my father and I know he is saying the right thing. I can't help but think if he knows such things why hasn't he applied it to himself. I nod before I go to the kitchen to grab a glass of water.
"Maira, I know you know your father is right and he is being a hypocrite right now giving you relationship advices he himself never followed but those are wise words. You know that you are really impatient and you have temper issues still Jai wants to still around. He has accepted you for who you are."
"Mom, don't. All your talks just make me realise that a woman is supposed to always be submissive and never talk back to their elders and all. I am against all this misogyny and I am anyways getting late." I say looking at Jai's message informing him about his arrival.
I move out of the house and see Jai leaning against the passenger side of the car, looking down in his phone. He was wearing a royal blue penny suit with a white shirt underneath and two buttons undone. He seems to be standing straight out of a magazine. I thank my stars that I decided to wear something formal too, or else it would have been weird.
I clear my throat to make my presence known. Jai looks up from his phone and I can feel him checking me out top to bottom but I say nothing and stand in front of him.
"You are looking incredible." Jai says, making my cheeks flush.
"You don't look too bad yourself." I say not wanting to show how much his words affect me.
"Come on, let's go." He say pushing himself off the car and opening the door for me. I flinch back slightly afraid to get hit by the car door.
"Don't worry Maira, as long as I am opening the doors for you, you won't get hurt." He says while I take my seat. I see him getting in from his side before closing the door and starting the car.
"So where are we going?"
"That's for me to know and for you to find out."
Five minutes in, I cannot help but irk him.
"Jai?"
"Hmm."
"Jai?"
"Yeah?"
"Jaiiiiiiiiii?"
"Yes, Maira?"
"Nothing." I wait for few minutes before starting again.
"Jai?"
"Yes?" I hear him let out a sigh, tired of my craziness.
"Actually, nothing." Another two minutes pass by before I turn to him again.
"Maira, please don't do that."
"Jai?" I say biting my lower lip to stop myself from laughing. I can see Jai controlling himself from bursting out. He has now even stopped responding to my calls, but he doesn't know me yet.
"Jai?"
"Jai?"
"Jaiiiiiiii?" Jai stops the car and turns off the ignition.
"Oh, we reached? Thank God-" I was cut off when I felt Jai pulling me towards himself.
Before I can comprehend anything, I feel his lips over mine and the elephants from the morning are back. My wide eyes close on their own accord responding to his kiss. His hands slide on my bare waist under my saree while my one hand is clutching his shirt over his chest and the other is at the back of his neck, massaging his nape. He pulls away before looking down and giving me a quick peck and tucking my hair behind my ears. I look down while he clutches my hand and starts the car again.
"I so wanted to do that since I saw you." He says.
"Why, you couldn't control your wife looking all gorgeous?" I tease him.
"Well, I find myself losing control everytime I look at my wife because she always looks incredible and gorgeous. It's just today she is looking hot and sexy alongside some extra dash of gorgeousness so I found it a bit difficult to control myself especially after being deprived of her for over a week and half."
"And whose fault is that?" I shoot back.
"Mine?"
"Correct, I taught you well." I say and hearing this Jai bursts out laughing loudly making my heart soar at the voice.
"Well, thank you madame. Now, what would my lady want to eat today?"
"Hmmmm.... What would my man be willing to get me?" I question back in the same manner.
"Very well. Well, if my lady wants I would be willing to give her anything and everything. Her wish is my command." He says passing a wink at me.
"You know you are a very smooth talker? I can see why women would get under your spell."
"Well, did my woman get under my spell?" He asks.
"Who is your woman?" I ask feigning innocence.
"Well, the one who always has anger over her nose, who is sarcastic as hell, who is really stubborn, who decided to leave her husband just because someone said something to instigate her, someone who is also very pretty, hot, gorgeous, beautiful, inside and out, someone who is very empathetic, someone mature enough to understand the depth and seriousness of a situation but also someone who is childish enough to brighten up my life. Someone whose identity isn't being my woman but whom I want to call my woman. The greatest Advocate, and my wife, Mrs. Maira Kapoor Jai Singh Rathore."
"I don't know whether to hit you for calling me angry, sarcastic and stubborn or to reward you for the rest." I say before leaning over the console and pecking his cheek before sitting back on my seat properly. I then hit his arm with my fist making him gasp.
"What was that for?"
"Well, I decided to do both, hit you as well as give you a reward." I feel the car stop and look around to see nothing. It's dark with nothing visible around us.
"Jai, where are we?" I ask.
"Where we are supposed to be!"
"So you brought me to nowhere?" He doesn't reply, rather gets down from the car and makes his way towards me. He opens the door and holds out his hand for me. Placing my hand in his, I get doen from the car.
"Jai, is this where you kill me to show it as an accident and go back to your bachelor life with your inheritance?" I ask him.
"Maira, if giving up my inheritance is gonna make you believe me that I didn't marry you for money, I am ready to do even that." He says. He has his arms around my bare waist and I can't help but revel at the warmth of those against my skin.
"Jai, I am unable to see anything, can we switch on our flashlights?"
"No, no." He now places his hand over my eyes before plastering his front to my back and now guiding me to God knows where.
"If I fall, I am legit gonna kick you."
"Geez, have some faith in me."
"Oh, I had but you didn't bother keeping it." Shit! I was way out of line.
"Sorry, Jai. I didn't mean it like that." I mumble slowly.
"It's okay Maira, I know I haven't given you any reason to trust me." He says squeezing my waist.
"But I trust you Jai or else I wouldn't have come here with you."
"Even if you don't I will try to get you to trust me soon."
"I already do. You know when I was kidnapped, all I knew was that you are gonna come for me. I didn't think of anyone else but you." I answer him honestly, a shudder leaving my body remembering the incident.
Jai stops me before turning me around to face him probably and removes his hand. Before I can turn and look around he engulfs me in his arms. I take in his woodsy masculine perfume while I feel his hand going down my hair in a soothing manner.
"You don't know how happy you've made me." He pulls away before looking into my eyes.
"Turn around." I turn around only to let out a huge gasp at the scene in front of me.
There's a path on both sides of which were tea lights. I can see the cliff that we came on our first date in the view but today there's a wooden makeshift gazebo with fairy lights all around lighting the path and the gazebo and a table set in middle with candles.
Jai grabs my hand and pulls me to where the table is place. The entire city is visible from here and I cannot help but look at Jai and stop him and tug his hand towards me. Startled he is pulled by me and I hug him tightly, wounding my arms around his neck while his are wrapped around.y waist. I feel my eyes becoming teary and usually I am not this emotional but someone taking so much effort for me has certainly pulled few strings in my heart.
"Maira are you okay?"
"Nope, I am prefect." I say letting out a small chukle.
"That you are." He says before pulling back and pecking my forehead.
We make our way to the table and Jai pulls my chair for me and then sits across from me. Soon, a waiter comes in and set our food, lights the candle and leaves us alone.
Jai removes the cloche to reveal Italian food and I couldn't help but feel myself salivating at the delicious food in front of me. It also made me realise how I haven't had a proper meal in so long. He removed other cloches and there was pasta, risotto, garlic bread and pizza. Yummyyyy!
"Dig in!" I did not need any further permission after Jai served food in my plate before putting some in his own. I started eating food and moaned at the delicious taste. I look at Jai to see him watching me with amusement before his eyes lost its shine and he became upset.
I put my hand over his on the table. "What happened Jai?"
"Nothing."
"Jai." I say sternly.
"Maira, for how many days haven't you had proper food?" I think for a minute before replying.
"Who told you I wasn't eating? Infact I was eating more because I was upset."
"Don't lie to me Maira. One look at you and I know you haven't been looking after yourself."
"Jai, you are delusional. Eat now. There's nothing like that."
"Maira, we both know the truth."
"Well, you weren't there to serve me my food how was I supposed to eat?" I ask him teasingly.
"If that's the case, I am never leaving your side ever again and I will make sure to make you eat on time." We both settled to eating with our hands holding each other's over the table. Once done, Jai got me tiramisu for dessert which we gorged up. We both are now sitting on our chairs looking down the cliff at the city lights.
"Maira, first I would like to apologise for my behavior this past week. I know I was wrong but the thought of anything happening to you because of me didn't set well with me and there is no other reason for me ignoring you. I know you said that I am not to be blamed but I still felt that I was to be blamed but that's changed now so you don't need to give me that glare." He adds quickly seeing my expressions.
"Next, the will was long forgotten. The day I stood you up, I went to dadu(grandfather) and asked him for some more time for this marriage and he gave me one year. But then all I wanted was to marry you and I was the one who asked my parents the permission to marry you and also decided to convince you to marry me not because of any will but because I wanted you as my wife. You were very different than all the other girls I have met and I couldn't help but feel drawn to you. I told myself that it was nothing but infatuation. I forced myself not to think about you, or get to know you better so that my feelings for you are cleared up. All this only resulted in my unnamed feelings becoming stronger for you. I didn't know my feelings for you were so damn strong but I knew it was something I haven't ever felt for anyone. I wanted to be with you everytime, I didn't want any other guy approaching you due to the fear that you might like him, I started dreaming of you as my wife and of our marriage, something which I earlier detested. Slowly, I realised my feelings for you were not likelihood towards you." He gets up before coming and sitting in front of my on his knees.
"I do not like you Maira, infact I never did. My feelings for you are purer and much stronger than that. I love you. I love you with all my being, and all I want right now is for you to just accept my feelings. I don't want you to repeat them but just know that everything that I ever did was because I love you and I can never think of my life without you by my side. I know I am not good with words but- owww" I hit him over his chest. I keep on hitting him repeatedly while he is on his knees only lets out hisses. He then holds my hands and bring them to his chest stopping me from hitting him further. I feel the tears that I have been storing, falling freely from my eyes. Jai immediately starts wiping them.
"Maira, I am sorry if you felt offended."
"Yes, I am offended. You say you are not good with words but you are damn perfect. Everything about you is. Jai when you came in my life, I never believed I can have someone like you like me, much less love me. I still think all this is just a dream and someday I'll wake up and realise that I do not have you and it scares me. In ghis short span you have made me accustomed to being with you, you have become my habit now. Everyday I wake up next to you and every night I sleep next to you. I like when you hold my hand, I like it when you take care of me and look after me. I like knowing that there is someone who cares for me, who will be there for me if and when I need support or help. You, Jai are damn perfect and I know that I don't deserve you but now I am too selfish to let you go. I know I am not very expressive but I want you to know that might sound crazy but
When I see you my heart get butterflies
My stomach beats louder and
My brain f-
Wait wait wait
This is what you do to me, you jumble up my mind.
You make me forget everything else and from the day I decided to marry you, I knew I was falling hard for you with each passing day. So, Jai you don't have to wait for me to reply to your confession because my feelings towards you are not that of like. They are much intense. I love you Mr. Jai Singh Rathore, I love you because you makes my days brighter and my nights shinier, you make everyday I spend with you much more memorable and I might not you often but I cannot think of living without you, I will die before I live a day without you in my life."
I jump on Jai making him fall over him back with me on top of him. We both hug each other close and tight for few minutes before pulling back. I look into his eyes when I feel Jai's hand on my head pulling me down. I close my eyes and soon we kiss, we kiss pouring all our emotions into it, as of this was our last kiss when in reality this was just one of the many that were going to be there. We pull away and my hair fall over my side cocooning our face from the outside words while we gaze into each other's eyes.
"I love you!"
"I love you too, Jai."
"Say that again."
"I love you."
"Again."
"I love you."
"Again."
"I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I lo-" I am cut off my him bringing his face up to mine to give me a quick peck.
"Yup, never gonna get used to it."
"Don't worry, I'll repeat it so many times you are gonna get bored of it."
"Not gonna happen."
"We'll see."
"We will."
We are laying on the grass on top of one another when I feel too many Chinese lanterns rising up in the sky and I cannot help but look at them in awe. It seems like tangled scene, obviously with lesser lanterns but too many nonetheless. I look at Jai under me, "You did this?" I ask him.
"Yes." I dive right in for another kiss. I kiss his entire face, his cheeks, his nose, his eyes, his forehead, his chin making him laugh at my childishness.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so, so, so, so much."
"Wifey, I thought we made a pact where we won't thank each other like this. Do I need to remind you?" He says cheekily.
"Well, I already did thank you that way. Now don't get too greedy." I say before focusing my attention back to the sky. Jai gets up for a minute and I see him disappear somewhere asking me to wait there.
Few minutes pass by when I hear a strumming from the way Jai disappeared. I wait for another few second and see Jai emerging out from the dark ess with a guitar around his neck. He is strumming a familiar tune and when I realise the song I cannot help the tears from falling down my face for yet another time.
It's "Just the Way You Are" from Bruno Mars.
Oh, her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shinin'
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her tryin'
She's so beautiful and I tell her everyday
Jai comes and settles down in front of me with his guitar over his lap his strumming and singing continuing.
Yeah, I know, I know
When I compliment her, she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so
Sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me, "Do I look okay?"
I say
I see the conviction in Jai's eyes as if he means every word he is currently singing for me. I wipe away the tears that have escaped tear duct mouthing a "Thank you." to him to make him realise how much I appreciate his little gestures.
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
Yeah
Jai winks at me as his sings the next lyrics. And I can't help but blush at his innuendo of wanting to kiss me the entire day.
Her lips, her lips
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates, but I think it's so sexy
She's so beautiful and I tell her everyday
Oh, you know, you know
You know I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searchin' for, then just stay the same
So don't even bother askin' if you look okay
You know I'll say
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
Jai completes the song before setting the guitar next to us on the ground and cupping my face wiping away the remnant of the tears.
"I love you."
"I know."
"You are supposed to day it back."
"Oh, I didn't know there's a rulebook. Can you show it to me?" I tease him.
"Maira." He says sternly.
"Jai." I say in the same tone.
"Mairaaaaa." He whines.
"Jaiiiiii." I irritate him by imitating.
"I hate you."
"I love you." I finally say it. I can see the glimmer in his eyes when he finally hears me say those words.
"I love you too."
After few minutes I see him spreading a sheet which I didn't see earlier. He lays down on that before calling me and asking me to lie down with him. I settle in his arms with my head over his chest, tucked under his chin.
"I really love you, Maira."
"Hmmm."
"I really do."
"I know." I say before raising my head and kissing his chin before settling back against.
"You know for me it wasn't love at first sight, it was love at every sight of you, if that makes sense."
"That's really sweet of you." We stay there for sometime enjoying the peace and calmness engulfing us. I close my eyes for a few minutes and feel something wet over my face. I open my eyes only to feel more drops and realise that it's starting to rain.
"Jai, it's raining. Let's go." We get up but it starts raining cats and dogs and we are soon drenched.
"You know I love you but you still don't know how to plan dates." I tease him.
"I am sorry I didn't think about checking weather forecast before planning it." He responds cutely.
"If you weren't so cute I would have made another comment."
"I am not cute. I am handsome, sexy, Greek God but not cute." He says with pout.
"No, you are my cute baby." I tease him. He stomps his feet, all the while we are under the rain enjoying this night.
"Well, let's see if after this you still think the same." He pulls me before kissing me hard, o can feel his heart beating fast against my hands that are placed over his chest while his are under my saree, around my waist. He pinches my waist making me yelp and jump. Taking the opportunity he pushes his tongue inside my mouth deepening the kiss. I can feel rain drop over our face making it messier to kiss but Jai seems to be ignorant. I pull back taking deep breaths. "All this rain is making is weird." I say scrunching my nose.
"It's not making it weird but it's making it sexy but I have a solution to this problem of yours." He winks before pulling me in for another kiss, but this time he pulls his coat off and cover pir heads, protecting us against the rain and providing us the privacy from the outside world. I close my eyes and take in this moment. I feel him caressing my cheek while other hand pulls me against him harder. My hands are around his neck, pulling him down. We keep on kissing and nibbling, with occasional moans leaving our throats before pulling back. I rest my forehead against Jai's chest and one of my hands over his heart, next to my face while the other remains around his neck.
He separates himself from me before going towards the edge of the cliff. He leans back with help of the railing before shouting loudly.
"I. Love. You. Maira." The voice echoed around us. He turns to me before coming towards me and giving me a sweet peck on my lips.
"Come let's go home."
"Yes, mom dad must be waiting for me."
"Maira, I said let's go home. That means our home."
"But Jai-"
"I don't carr Maira, I am taking you with me to our home today. We will get your stuff tomorrow. Please just come with me. I need to hold you tonight."
"But my parents' place is also our place a d we can stay the night there." I argue.
"It is but tonight I want us to go to the palace please."
"Okay." We make our way towards the car and sit inside it. We make our way back to the palace. The entire ride, Jai holds my hand keeping them over his knee while other is over the steering. I shiver slightly die to the cold weather mingled with the drenched clothes. Jai turns up the heater but it isn't really helpful.
Soon, we reach our home and taking our footwears in our hands, we make our way to our room barefoot. I immediately get changed into my night clothes before settling on bed. I see Jai missing form the room. Five minutes later he enters the room with a tray in his hand that has two mugs with probably coffee in them. He sets them on the table before grabbing a towel and coming behind me and drying my hair.
I might have swooned a little at his care and concern directed towards me. "Drink the coffee and then we can sleep."
"Do you feel sleepy after coffee?" I question.
"Yeah, they don't seem to work on me."
"Same, in fact it does the opposite for me and makes me feel more sleepy. Unless it's black coffee obviously." I see Jai scrunching his nose at the thought of black coffee making me laugh. He keeps on drying my hair for some more time before asking me to sit on the chair in front of the vanity and starting to blow dry it. He does that before grabbing my hand and making me sit over the couch and handing me my coffee while he takes his. We both drink our coffee before settling on bed in each other's arms, our legs tangled and body pressed hard into each other.
"Oh shit. I forgot the main reason I wanted to bring you home for the night." Jai hurriedly gets up, almost throwing me from over himself.
"You should thank your stars that my mood is good or else I would have kicked you right now." I say.
"Sorry!" He says and returns with two boxes in his hands. One is my birthday gift which I am yet to open while they other is also a box.
I open my birthday present first and see that there are a few things in there. First is a pair of anklets. I take them out and jiggle them around, their sound resonating in the entire room.
I keep playing with them before setting them down. I open the other box and it has another charm for my charm bracelet. It's an infinity symbol.
"The infinity symbol is there to signify that it's you and me forever. I have our marriage date engrave in it if you look at it closely." Jai chimes in.
I pick up another charm which is a heart beat. "Well, my heart from the day of our marriage only beats for you so this is to signify that." He tells me. I place the charms back in their box before looking at other small gifts, but the one I really fell in love was a small wooden statue of a girl and a guy holding each other.
"I carved it by my hand. I hope you like it." He says nervously.
"I love it Jai. This is the best gift anyone could have given me. Thank you so much." I say before getting on my knees and kissing him quickly before setting back down. He then forwarded the other box to me.
I opened it to see a leather bound journal. "I saw that yours was on the verge of filling, so I thought of getting you a new one."
"I still hate you for reading it."
"I love you too!" He winks at me.
I see some papers in the box and open them only.to leave my mouth hanging open. "Jai, I cannot accept this. This is too much."
"Maira, it's nothing."
"It is. There's no way I am taking this."
"I will talk to dadu himself tomorrow morning. Does he even know about this?"
"Maira, I did it only after asking everyone."
"Jai, you don't need to do this to prove your love to me."
"I know but I just want to do this and it's not like I did it today. I planned to give this to you on your birthday itself but...." He trails off not wanting to complete his sentence.
"Still Jai I don't want this."
"How about we talk about this later?"
"But-"
"We'll talk later. Let's sleep for now." He presses and I decide to let go of it for the moment.
We both lie down on the bed again and snuggle up with each other before falling asleep mumbling "I love you" once again
____________________________________________
Hey guys!
Guys this is just to clarify that except the photos or the songs that I might use here and there in the book, every word is my own, unless otherwise mentioned and I would really appreciate if you don't plagiarise it. Please appreciate and critique my writing but don't copy it and paste as your own.
So, here's another chapter for you all. I hope you'll enjoy it. Don't forget to vote and comment.
Love you all;)