Chapter 25
Siddarth lingered in the living room few extra minutes to give Gauri the time she needed. He walked into the room and dimmed all the lights. He wanted her to be as comfortable as possible so that she doesn’t get anxious when she has to reveal her body to him. He went to the patio doors and opened them and felt the cool, salty air from the beach. He closed his eyes and waited for Gauri to come out of the bathroom.
Gauri rubbed the Jasmine and Vanilla lotion all over her body and imagined Siddarth’s reaction when he saw her in the nightgown she had purchased when shopping with the girls. She wanted this night to be very special for both of them hence the use of special shower gel and lotion. Sanya had purchased the Jasmine and Vanilla shower gel and lotion when she read that it enhanced sensuality.
She pulled the green silk nightgown over her head and sighed when the silky fabric slid down her body smoothly all the way down to her ankles. She turned towards the mirror and smoothed the fabric down with her hands then looked at herself critically. The gown looked sexy without being too revealing and she hoped that Siddarth approved of her choice. She brushed her hair one more time before turning towards the door to step into the bedroom.
Gauri stepped into the room quietly and was not surprised to see that Siddarth had dimed the lights to cast the room in the shadows. She realized he did this for her comfort only and loved him even more at that moment.
He did not realized she was standing behind him so she took the moment to study him. Her pulse rate kicked up as she gazed at the profile of his handsome face and body. She licked her dry lips as her eyes traced his body in the tight fitting t-shirt and pajama bottoms. She wanted to be held by him with nothing between them and she did not want to waste anymore time dwelling on her own anxiety.
Before she could say anything Siddarth turned towards her and froze in place when he saw her standing there in the green silk nightgown. He had no expected her to dress in anything different then her usual sleeping attire and what she is wearing now rendered him speechless.
Gauri averted her eyes, knowing the heat spiraling through her chest mingled with anxiety and fear would be revealed in her gaze.
Nothing could have kept Siddarth from her after seeing her want and the anxiety she tried to hide from him. He couldn’t resist touching her any more. Desire twisted his gut. Anticipation hammered at his chest. The fire in her eyes drew him like a beacon and his fingers itched to tangle in her midnight black hair, to feel the silk wrap around his hands.
Siddarth cupped her face with one hand and made her look up at him. He stared into the dark depths of her eyes. “God, you’re beautiful.” When she would have spoken he placed his thumb on her pouty lips. “To me you are beautiful, when will you learn to believe me?”
Gauri took his hand in hers and kissed his palm. “With you I always feel beautiful. I was just going to thank you, not deny it.”
He bent and kissed her softly. At the first touch of his lips to hers, Gauri could have cried out, the most anticipated moment since she fell in love with Siddarth was finally here and the joy she felt at this moment was indescribable. She felt a shiver go down her spine and she shuddered at the thought of what was about to happen.
“You are shaking, sweetheart,” he whispered softly, rubbing his mouth over hers. “What’s wrong?”
Gauri shook her head in denial. “Anticipation of what is to come but not in a bad way.”
Siddarth gazed down at her intently then bent and kissed her again. He wrapped his one arm around her to pull her closer to him so she could feel just how much he desired her.
Tunneling his fingers in her hair, he tilted his head and sank his tongue into her mouth. His tongue stroked hers, entwining and tangling. Mimicking his hold, Gauri cradled his head between her palms, holding him steady as she revealed to him, through the kiss, all the love she harbored in her heart.
Siddarth left her mouth to trail kisses down her throat to her shoulder. When he encountered the thin silky strap of her gown, he reached up and slowly pulled it halfway down her arm, he repeated the action with the strap on the other side then stepped back to admire the pale, soft skin he exposed. He couldn’t resist bending his knees and licking the area between her cleavages. He inhaled her sweet scent and continued to kiss each area he exposed as he pulled the gown further down her body.
Gauri felt her legs give out as she felt Siddarth create magic with his hands and lips. She tightened her arms around him to keep from falling at his feet.
He lifted Gauri in his arms and carried her towards the bed, placed her in the middle of the bed, and just gazed at her for a moment. He took several deep breaths to slow down his racing heart.
Gauri realized she wanted to actively participate instead of letting Siddarth take the rein of their consummation. She sat up on her knees and lightly kissed his lips first then trailed kisses down his throat as she reached for the hem of his t-shirt to pull it of off him.
He was surprised at first but delighted that she took the initiative and reached out to him. He helped her pull his t-shirt over his head and bent to capture her lips as he threw the shirt behind him.
Gauri immediately placed her hand on his chest and trailed them down to his flat abdomen then to the waistband of his pants.
Siddarth wrapped his right arm around Gauri to hold her close to him as his left hand trailed down her body, lingering over her left breast for a second, before continuing down to her ankle and the hem of her gown. He pulled back and looked down at her. He fingered the hem of her gown as he gazed into her eyes. “May I?”
Gauri realized Siddarth was waiting for her to give him permission to remove her gown. She felt her eyes go numb with emotions and tears when she realized just how much he loves her which made her realize that this man, who had endless capacity of love for her, knew her innermost secrets and pain, compared to that her physical scars were nothing and she trusted him to not turn away from the minor disfigurement of her body.
Siddarth was stunned when Gauri herself reached for the hem of the gown and pulled it over her head. He was happy that she took the matters into her own hands and rewarded her courageous act by kissing her deeply for trusting him and his love.
He made Gauri lie on the bed then trailed more kisses down her body as he explored her body with his hands also. He paused at each of her breast to kiss them deeply, making her gasp in pleasure before moving down to her flat stomach and below. When he reached to the first scar above her right hip, he kissed the two-inch scar softly and closed his eyes to block out images of her being in pain from the surgery.
Gauri watched as Siddarth sat up and trailed his gaze down her right leg. She wondered what he was thinking as he gazed down at the surgical scars and also the ones left over from her injuries from the accident. Some were not that visible while others were hard to miss. Gauri felt tears trailed down her cheek when he bent to kiss each scar, replacing the painful memories with the pleasant memories of his love through those gentle kisses. Gauri knew she would never look at her scars as being ugly again.
He moved back up Gauri’s body and gazed down at her. He blinked few times to bring her in focus. Gauri reached up and placed her hand on his cheek. “Siddarth, I am okay now, please don’t hurt for me.” She rose up slightly and wrapped her arms around his neck to hug him to her. He reciprocated by wrapping her in his arms tightly and holding her close to him.
After a while Gauri became aware of the fact that they were holding each other with nothing between them just as she had wished earlier but now she wanted more. She wanted to completely belong to him, mind, heart and body. She pulled back slightly. “Siddarth, please make me yours completely, make love to me.”
Siddarth stilled for a moment then lifted up to kiss her deeply. He sat up and looked into her eyes as he helped her remove the last bit of clothing. He stood up and pushed his pants down his legs and joined her back on the bed. He half lifted her off the bed to kiss her again with love and passion. Never breaking the connection, he maneuvered her until she layback on the bed and his wide shoulders blocked out the stream of light. He covered her, lifting her legs and spreading them until his hips notched between her thighs.
“Are you ready Gauri?” He kissed the corner of her mouth and she turned her head, following him to possess his mouth in another kiss.
“Yes, please Siddarth.” She was ready to be his, to be filled by him.
He entered her slowly and gently then paused, holding himself still for a moment.
Love and understanding washed over her, placing her hand on his cheek Gauri made Siddarth look at her. “It’s okay Siddarth. You won’t hurt me. Take me, please.”
For several long seconds he remained still, his eyes blazing into hers. Finally, with a short nod, he pressed forward.
Gauri cried out at the sharp pain when the barrier broke and once again Siddarth stilled and waited for her to relax. Gauri felt the pain fade away as the pleasure took over and she moved experimentally to feel more.
Siddarth bent and kissed her as he moved with her. The outside world stopped existing for them as they relished in their love and expressing that love in the physical form, they gazed into each other’s eyes until their pleasure reached it’s peak and they both cried out in at the same time when they reached the release together.
Siddarth bent to give Gauri another gentle kiss then turned on his back taking her with him. He tightened his arm around her when she placed her head on his chest and wrapped her arm around his waist.
He ran his hand up and down her back soothing her to sleep. After over three long years, Gauri finally belonged to him completely. He kissed her on the forehead and closed his eyes.
Next morning Gauri opened her eyes when she felt Siddarth trail kisses down her body. She groaned in pleasure and ran her hand through his hair when she felt him give her open-mouthed kisses on her abdomen.
He moved up and looked down at her with a smile. “Good morning sweetheart,” he paused and ran his fingers down her cheek. “Thank you, my love,” when Gauri looked at him questioningly, he clarified. “For trusting me with your body as well as your heart.”
Gauri lifted her head and kissed him on the lips, she then placed her hand on his cheek and gazed into his eyes. “I should be one thanking you for loving me, for believing in me and for never giving up on me. I love you so much Siddarth.”
Siddarth hugged her to him and buried his face in her neck to hide the wetness of his eyes. “I love you too sweetheart, always and forever.”
For the rest of their days at the beach Gauri and Siddarth spent the time, talking, playing and exploring each other. They spent every moment together creating many memories of their love. They cooked together, watched movies, played cards and even played in the water when they went for walks.
On the last day of their vacation Gauri finished cleaning up and glanced out the window to see Siddarth on the patio gazing out at the water. She threw the towel on the counter and stepped out to join him.
She wrapped her arms around him from the back to hug him. “What are you thinking about?”
Siddarth took her hand and pulled her in front of him so that her back was to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist and bent to place his chin on her shoulder. “I am thinking I don’t want to leave this place yet.”
Gauri placed her hand on his cheek to let him know she understood the feeling then sighed and turned in his arms. “We can’t stay here for ever Siddarth. By the way, you never told me who this place belongs to.” She gazed at him sharply when she saw the fleeting expression on his face.
Siddarth looked away for a moment then turned back to her. “This place belongs to you, my love.”
“To me?” Gauri asked stunned.
“Yes, I purchased it after our wedding, just for you, as a wedding gift. I knew that for some reason you loved to be on the beach and I wanted you to have a place on the beach you can come to anytime you feel like it.” He watched as her eyes softened with love and bent to kiss her.
Gauri kissed him back with all the love she felt for him but felt that was not enough so she took his hand and pulled him into the house. Siddarth stopped at the door. “Gauri, where are we going?”
Gauri turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. She stood on her toes to speak softly in his ear. “You see, kiss is not enough to show my husband how thankful I am for his lovely gift. I want to show him just how thankful I am and how much I love him.”
Siddarth lifted her in his arms and smiled down at her. “In that case let’s not waste time,” he winked at her. “I am all for you thanking me properly.” He carried her into the house and walked straight to the bedroom.
Two months later…
Gauri gazed around the huge reception hall and smiled as she danced with her husband. She sighed in pleasure and thanked god everything had gone smoothly during the wedding.
Once she and Siddarth returned from their beach house they had been thrown into the wedding preparations. In the last two months Gauri had thrived under the love and care of her husband and his family. She had put her past behind her and embraced her present and future with open arms.
Each and every member of her new family never failed to show her how special she is and how much they loved her. Sunita and Hetal took over the role of being her mothers and Parag and Chirag her fathers. Karan and she had solidified their friendship as she helped him get ready for his wedding and assisted him in buying a surprise-wedding gift for Sweta.
Along with Sweta, Kruti and Sanya had also become her closest friends and they spent hours shopping in the past month. Gauri had even agreed to a spa treatment at their urging to surprise Siddarth, and it had been a huge success.
Sanya had been good on her promise to pay Raj back with interest and kept him on his toes for a whole month by hinting at things for the bridal shower. Raj had tried in everyway possible to find out what Sanya was planning but he failed at every turn. She had finally put him out of his misery on the day of the shower by revealing that she had nothing planned. She just wanted to keep him guessing and on his toes for a whole month. She told him that was the payback for taking Amit to the club for the bachelor party.
The biggest surprise had been Sweta’s mom who had insisted that Gauri be with Sweta during all rituals. Urmila aunty had apologized to Gauri for being rude with her in the past and also thanked her for being there for Sweta in college.
Gauri had been too stunned to say anything at first. She had promised Sweta’s mom that she would always look out for Sweta. Gauri knew Karan had lot to do with Urmila aunty’s change of heart.
Raj and Kruti were going to Jamaica for a week for their honeymoon and Gauri and Siddarth had surprised Karan and Sweta by gifting them with a trip to Hawaii. Gauri was very happy for her friends and told them to have the best time on their honeymoon.
Siddarth watched the fleeting expression on his wife’s beautiful face and wondered what was making her smile like that. “I hope that smile is because you are thinking about me.” He teased.
Gauri’s smile became more dazzling as she gazed back at him. “You are never far from my thoughts. I am just very happy and relieved that there were no last minute glitches in the weddings.”
Siddarth looked around the hall and agreed with her observation and turned back to her. “I am just glad its over, now I can have my wife’s attention back on me.”
“Like she ever neglects you.” Said a teasing voice from behind them. Gauri and Siddarth turned to see Raj and Kruti few feet away from them.
“What will you do when she returns to work?” Raj asked with a serious expression then did a double take when Gauri and Siddarth exchanged a look. “Gauri, please tell me you are coming back to work.”
She couldn’t resist teasing him. “Why Dr. Joshi, you are not scared of my co-workers are you? What ever happened to your charming personality?”
Raj pointed to Kruti, “She happened to my charming personality. Once they knew I was getting married, my charm no longer works on them. So are you coming back to work or not?” He asked again.
“Yes and no.” Gauri said still not giving him a straight answer.
Raj glared at Siddarth. “I see you are rubbing off on her.” He turned back to Gauri again. “Just exactly what does that mean, can you be more clear please?”
Gauri finally stopped teasing him. “Yes, I am coming back to work, but only part time.”
“That is better than nothing I suppose.”
Gauri couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction.
Few minutes later they were joined by Amit, Sanya, Karan and Sweta who wanted to know what was so funny and why they were standing in the middle of the dance floor talking.
Kruti told them about Raj’s reaction to Gauri’s decision to work part time only making everyone laugh at Raj’s expense.
Since all eight of them were together the photographer came over to make them pose together for a photo, then the family joined them for a family portrait. And the photo sessions and the party continued until late night.
Later that night Gauri lay in Siddarth’s arms quietly, thinking about coming full circle and counted her blessings. There is only one more thing she prayed for and hoped that some day god listens to her prayer and blesses her with a baby.
“Gauri, would you really be disappointed if we could not have a child of our own?” She was not surprised that Siddarth knew exactly what she was thinking about.
She sighed and lifted up to look at Siddarth. “How do you know that is what I was thinking about?”
He placed her hand on his heart and placed his hand on her heart. “The first time we met, my heart instantly recognized you as my destiny. I am always tuned into your thoughts. Now answer my question.”
“A child conceived out of our love, a baby who would be part of you and I, a living proof of our love, would be the greatest gift god could grant us.” She said with a touch of sadness in her eyes.
“Then trust him to grant you that gift when he is ready to answer your prayer. Just like we were destined to meet and be together, if we are destined to have a child then we will someday, just don’t give up hope. But also know that you will always be loved no matter what happens in the future.” Siddarth said to her with all the love he felt for her visible in his eyes.
Gauri nodded and bent to kiss him on the lips. “I love you Siddarth.”
Siddarth never got tired of hearing those three words from her and always answered her back the same way each time. “I love you too sweetheart, always and forever.” He brought her face down and kissed her passionately and showed her just how much he loved her and always would.
Siddarth never stopped believing in destiny and his belief in destiny and fate would even become more stronger few years later when Gauri’s prayer is answered in the form of their first child.
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No trumpets sound when the important decisions of our life are made. Destiny is made known silently. -Agnes DeMille
The End