Author's POV

"Why are you both so desperate for my marriage, Mom and Dad?" An irritated Saransh threw the pillow on the floor, settling on the couch in their living room. His palm held his head as he had now had enough of all this.

"What is your problem, Saransh? You got a job, you did what you wanted. Now at least listen to us for this. How many more days will you stay single? You are now 28 years old!" His father's voice followed from beside him.

"That's the point, dear Dad! I am ONLY 28 years old, not 48, that you are forcing me. Di also married in her 30s, then why are you both behind me? What's the hurry? I will think about it after 5-6 years."

Anand and Pallavi shared a stunned look, hitting each side of their son's arms.

"Dare you talk about my daughter! First, be like her, then compare yourself with her."

"Aisa konsa chand laa diya aapki beti ne aapke liye jo mujhe bol rahe ho aap?! Yaar, Mom, tell this old man! Every time he starts with his taunting. I'm telling you for the last time that at this time, I'm not interested in marriage. It's not even been one year since I joined, and you started your marriage plans. Kuch samjho inhe, har waqt mere piche..."

(What has she actually done that you always taunt me? Mom, please tell him something.)

He grumbled and walked away from there into his room, but it seemed like today his parents had taken a vow to convince him about marriage.

"Please don't irritate me, both of you. I have night duty today, so I'm getting ready."

Coming near the closet, he brought out his uniform and then turned to see his parents standing there with their hands folded across their chests.

"Huh! Again? Fine! I don't have any girl in my life till now. When I'll get one, I'll tell you. Happy?" He frowned as his mother and father grinned, exchanging looks.

"We have already found one for you."

"Oh God! What should I do with you both? Can't you both see me happy? And what's this? Now you will arrange my marriage without my consent? My wife will be of my choice, so better you change your mind. And Di also married by her choice, I also have the right."

Pallavi and Anand shared a look, then, pulling his hand, made him sit on the couch.

"Saransh, we never forced you about anything. You joined civil service, leaving our own family business, but I didn't go against you, knowing it's your life, and in the future too, I won't. But son, please let us take the decision regarding this. We want to see you happy with the girl we have chosen. I'm sure that you will like her. She's a very nice girl, and trust us, you will be happy with her."

He didn't look up at them as he knew he couldn't say no now. He might have said no if there was someone else in his heart, but in reality, he had never been interested in these things, and he had no plans for marriage either.

Lifting his head, he passed a slight nod.

"Will you tell me the name of the girl, or have you planned to tell me after my marriage?"

Both of his parents chuckled at this and nodded.

"You know that girl very well."

"What? Who?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

Anand brought out his mobile and turned it towards Saransh, opening the image of the girl who would be their daughter-in-law.

The moment Saransh laid his eyes on her picture, his gaze got stuck. For a few minutes, his mind went to another world, but he pushed that thought away and stood up in his place, his eyes wide with shock.

"What!? She? How can she, Dad? I'm not going to marry her. I'll never!"

"But why? What's the problem? She's so beautiful, well-mannered, talented, and much more. You won't get anyone better than her." Pallavi jumped in between the father-son duo.

"Mom, I want to marry a girl who can stand up for herself, who can fight for her own self-respect, who can raise her voice against wrong, and Janvi is completely opposite. I am not saying she isn't beautiful or she isn't talented, but she is way too much innocent—"

"So you'll reject her for this? Her innocence is the reason behind your rejection? Seriously, Saru? We know Janvi is innocent and too obedient, but this can't be a reason to reject such a nice soul. Please marry her! For my sake? I bet once after the marriage, you'll also start liking her."

Anand said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder.

Saransh looked at him and then at Pallavi. He took some time to think and agreed with a nod. Without poking much into it, he soon left for his work.

--------

Little drops of water drenched Saransh's face as he felt something very close to him. At first, he decided not to open his eyes, but then the water drops troubled him again. With an irritated face, he opened his eyes and was shocked to see his wife close to him.

Their faces were only a few inches apart. Her wet hair dripped water as, still unaware of his awakening, she was trying to reach her mobile, which had shifted under Saransh's pillow. Her hair lightly slapped against his face.

His lips slightly curled as her fair, glowing face attracted him. He had wished for a morning like this, so that each day he could admire his lady from this close.

Again, she bent down, making him close his eyes, or else her tresses would pierce them. Taking back the mobile, Janvi sat there and checked who had called her.

Saransh didn't open his eyes as if he did, she would walk away from there. Feeling her close to him gave him an unending peace that he always wanted. Her hand brushed against his back palm as her attention diverted to the handsome man beside her.

A smile plastered on her lips too, reminding her of the last night's scene. She knew he had intentionally asked her to take off the cushions from between them. She wasn't aware of his growing feelings for her, but one thing was clear: he was serious about her. She had understood that he also wanted love to bloom in their relationship. After all, his possessiveness spoke of that.

She observed his smiling face, which had all her heart. She could do anything for this smile of her man. She smiled, seeing the water drops on his forehead. Leaning near, she wiped them with the pallu of her sari.

Unable to hold it any longer, Saransh opened his eyes.

Janvi froze in that pose, her lips parted as she gasped in shock.

Now what? What would he think of her? What was she trying to do? God! Such an awkward situation!

Taking back her arm, she lowered her eyelashes and tried to get up. Saransh held her wrist as she turned towards him. He sat up on the bed and whispered in his husky tone,

"Subha jaldi uthane ka ye tarika accha hai!"

(You should use this trick sometimes to wake me up.)

Heat rushed up through her neck as she felt a burning sensation below her cheeks.

"I_i didn't want to wake you. I__i__ was just looking for my mobile, sorry!"

She said without looking at him.

Saransh stood in front of her, holding her hand. He lifted his other palm and tugged her open tresses behind her ear, making her shudder under his touch. A smile was biting at her lips, but she was holding it back.

"I would love to wake up like this...... You can use this trick!"

A chilling whisper hit her eardrum as she froze in her place. The touch of his lips on her ear still felt alive as it sent wave after wave of blush through her.

Saransh left for bathing with a mischievous smirk stretching across his lips. He liked it when she blushed because of him. Her red cheeks always made him smile as they showed that he affected her.

---

"Yeah, call me whenever needed."

Hanging up the call, Saransh sat on his chair beside Janvi for lunch. He gave her a smile, which she returned with a shy one.

"Don't you have any work today?"

"No, Mom, I'm on leave today. Do you need anything?" He asked as Pallavi nodded her head.

"Actually, it's your grandfather's death anniversary, and I want a few things for the hawan. Your dad is busy, so can you go and bring these?" She told him, giving him the address and the list.

"Okay, I'll leave after lunch."

She smiled at her lovely son and then looked at Janvi, who was hearing them both without interrupting.

"Take Janvi with you and show her the Shiv-Parvati Mandir."

Saransh tilted his head towards his wife. He thanked his mother for giving him this golden opportunity. It would be nice if they spent some alone time together, as at home she always ran behind some work.

He narrowed his eyebrows, asking her about their mother's idea.

"Are you free, Janvi?"

She gazed at him for some time and nodded her head. From inside, she was dancing with joy that, for the first time, he had asked her to accompany him somewhere. Before this, they had never gone out alone. Sometimes with family, or sometimes he used to give her a lift till her dance academy.

She was very happy that slowly the ice between them was breaking.

Finishing lunch, Saransh and Janvi went to their room to change their clothes. Saransh hung a sky-blue shirt with black trousers. Spraying perfume on himself, he checked his clothes and turned towards her, all ready.

"Let's go?"

"Wait! Let me change."

"Not done yet? We'll be late, Janvi. Hurry up!" He said, coming near her.

She nodded and turned to take out a sari, but again, she was confused about which sari to wear.

"This dress will look more beautiful. If you like it, then wear it."

Pointing towards a dress, Saransh said it. He wanted to see her in that dress, but her consent was more important.

Janvi smiled and took out that dress only. She went into the washroom, not before glancing at him shyly.

Saransh ruffled his back hair, smiling sheepishly.

"You're going to become mad, Saransh," he scolded himself, still smiling like a madman.

He sat on the bed with his mobile, scrolling through something. After 15 minutes, Janvi came out, changed into the dress Saransh had asked her to wear.

She saw him engrossed in something. Walking to the dressing table, she was done with her makeup.

"Can we leave?" She asked as he looked up and, as always, got lost in her beauty.

His lips automatically turned into a smile as he checked her from toe to hair. Just like an angel, his wife was also glowing.

He stood up, and his legs took him closer to her. Lifting his palm, he tucked the hair tresses behind her ear.

Janvi lowered her eyelashes and smiled widely.

"Let's go, Saransh! We'll be late!"

"Let it be!"

She snapped her head up at him on this statement. Saransh realized his words and squeezed his eyes.

"Ac_actually__ no__ yeah, let's go!"

Leaving an inaudible chuckle, Janvi sat down on the chair while wearing her sandal.

Saransh felt like capturing a picture of his beautiful angel. He looked at her and quickly clicked a picture.

Looking up at him, Janvi gave him a smile and stood up. They both walked out of the room and soon left for the temple!

---

Packing all the stuff they had bought in a cloth bag, Saransh and Janvi walked to their car. Taking the bag from Janvi's hand, Saransh put it on the back seat as they both took their seats in the front.

The dusky atmosphere covered everything around them as, in some hours, night would replace it.

Saransh came forward and opened the car door for his wife.

"Sit!"

Janvi didn't step forward as she wanted to say something but was hesitating. Seeing her facial expression, Saransh wiggled his eyebrows as he faced her.

"What's the matter? Do you want to say something?" He asked as she nodded positively.

"Mom asked us to take blessings from Gauri-Shankar. We have come till here, then let's visit the temple also."

Laying his eyes on the temple, he turned towards her. How obedient she is! She never fails to follow the words of her elders! He thought as a smile unknowingly broke upon his lips.

Nodding his head, he closed the door and gestured for her to walk further with him.

One by one, climbing the stairs, they both made their way into the temple, touching their heads to the feet of the Supreme Lord, or, one can say, the supreme lovers, Shiv-Parvati!

Seeing the statue of Shiv-Parvati, Saransh joined his palms together and prayed.

"Bas meri Janvi ko khush rakhiye aur kuch nahi!"

(Please keep my Janvi happy.)

He tilted his head towards her side. Her eyes were closed and her hands joined together, with the ever-charming smile adorning her lips, making her look like nothing but beautiful.

He was feeling the pace of his heart fastening, making him fall again and again, deeper in her love. How can someone be this much enchanting? Or is it just that he is feeling like this?

Whatever it was, one thing was clear: now living without her had become the toughest task he had ever faced.

A smile covered his lips again, his thoughts roaming round and round around her.

"Saransh ka saath de dijiye Shivji! Jaise aapne Gauri Maa ka saath kabhi nahi chhoda, waise hi mujhe bhi mere Saransh ka saath de dijiye. Main uske saath ke liye kuch bhi karne ke liye tayar hu!"

(Give me Saransh's love. Just like you never left Mata Parvati's hand. I want him.)

Her heart opened up in front of the Lord, and it also brought a smile to her face as, for a minute, she thought about what their life would be like once they accepted each other.

Praying her wish, she opened her eyes and looked at her side, only to catch him red-handed gazing at her.

Saransh instantly snapped his head away as he mentally slapped himself for his silliness. How awkward it was to be caught red-handed by his wife while gazing at her? He was behaving like a 16-year-old teenager nowadays.

Janvi bit her lips and shyly changed the direction of her vision. His changing behaviour had increased her hope a lot more than she had ever thought. Her heart was rushing in his direction at the speed of light, but then she wanted him to be clear about his feelings.

They both came out of their own trances as a priest walked in front of them. He offered them prashad.

"May God bless you with togetherness till eternity!"

Exchanging some shy, loving looks, they again focused on the priest.

"Yeh sindoor apni patni ki maang mein bharo beta, yeh Shiv-Parvati ka ashirwaad mana jaata hai. Jode mein aaye ho toh yeh bhi kar lo!"

(Put this vermillion on her forehead. It's Shiv-Parvati's blessing for the couple.)

Handing over a tiny metal box to Saransh, the priest told him.

Janvi felt a wild movement of butterflies in her stomach as waves of chill ran all through her veins.

Saransh also felt a weird emotion taking place in his heart. After hearing what the priest said, he felt good.

The last time he had done the same thing at their wedding, his mind wasn't ready. He wasn't ready for the responsibility of having a wife. He just didn't want to hurry, but only for his parents, he had done that.

And what happened?

His parents' words came true.

He didn't understand when his own heart turned towards her. His life became dependent on her like nothing else, and he felt like a beautiful addiction had drowned him in it to the extent that he could never come back from there.

Janvi's desperate eyes gazed upon him as she wished that he would complete this. Her eyes searched his as both shared an eyelock, neither wanting to take their sight off each other's eyes.

A call by the man standing beside them broke their trance as Saransh again glanced at her and passed a slight nod of his head.

Janvi lifted her hand to tuck her curls behind her ear so that they wouldn't trouble him, but before she could, her loving husband did it.

His fingers lightly brushed against her skin as she felt embarrassed, but then again, she had no shame in getting embarrassed for his love.

His fingers pinched the red substance in the tiny box as he lifted his hand and landed it on her hairline. Their eyes met again while doing this, both having a smile.

He masterfully painted her hairline with a little sindoor, proudly marking her as his, only his!

He let out a joyful sigh, and so did Janvi.

Completing the prayers, Janvi and Saransh got inside their car as they both began travelling back to their home.

Now it was dark outside, and Saransh was carefully driving the car, not wanting to fall into any kind of trouble. The road was also not so good, and due to the changing weather, he was afraid of getting stuck somewhere unsafe.

His eyes roamed over his wife, who was rubbing both sides of her arms, preventing herself from the cold.

"Are you feeling cold, jaan....vi?"

His eyes squeezed shut as he bit his tongue at the thing he was just about to do.

Janvi's head snapped towards her husband as she didn't fail to notice the slight redness of his cheeks. The way he was going to call her had held her heart. She would like it if he called her in that manner forever.

Setting everything aside, she decided to answer him, as she wanted to start a conversation somehow.

"Yeah, it's very cold outside, and raining too. Hope we won't get stuck anywhere." She spelled out her worry, looking outside.

"Don't worry, I'm speeding up the car. We will reach soon."

He said it.

Driving the car for some distance, suddenly the rain started, and the road ahead became unclear. Saransh gave his full focus to the road. He managed to drive for some distance, and suddenly their car stopped.

It stopped with such force that they were pushed forward. His palm reached to cover Janvi's forehead as she was about to hit the front area again.

"Janvi!!"

Voicing out her name, he shifted towards her, holding her shoulder, his other palm still on her face.

"Janvi! Are you fine? Did you get hurt? Please tell me! Why are you silent?"

He didn't give her a chance to speak while showering her with words of concern.

She put her palm on his lips, looking stunned at him.

"Bolne doge toh bataungi na!?"

His tongue tied as he almost pouted his lips, which made her chuckle.

(Will you let me speak?)

"Don't laugh! I had gotten scared. Tumhe lag jati toh ma_!" Full stopping his statement, he changed it. "Toh problem ho jati na!"

(If you got hurt, then I— It would create a problem.)

She let out a smile and assured him that she was fine.

"How will we spend the whole night here? I hate this rain! It always has the wrong timing. Mom-Dad must be tensed for us." Saransh cursed the situation, gritting his teeth.

"It's okay, we will wait here till the rain stops."

Janvi tried mending him while rubbing her own arms as it was very cold outside, almost freezing her.

Saransh saw it and felt helpless. He couldn't even cover her with something.

While looking at her, his vision was caught by a light far from their car.

"I think there's a house. Let's go there and ask for help."

He leaned backward and took out the umbrella.

"Wait, let me check."

She nodded as he got out and came from the other side. Opening the door, he gave his hand to her.

Janvi looked at him with a smile and placed hers on his.

She held on to her dress and was going to step out when the corner of her sleeve got stuck in something near the shoulder area. She tried to untangle it carefully, but in the end, it resulted in tearing it.

A sense of shame filled her as she felt embarrassed. Though there was her husband in front of her, they still weren't that comfortable with each other.

Taking back her palm, she covered the area of her shoulder.

Saransh gave his focus to her as he wiggled his eyebrows in confusion.

"What's the matter? Why aren't you coming outside?"

"My dress."

She gestured towards her shoulder. He understood that she was too shy, and then this only fueled her embarrassment.

Seeing no other way, he asked her to hold the umbrella. Bending a little, he carefully took her odhani and wrapped it properly around her shoulder then took off his jacket and made her wear it.

"Itni thand hain, Saransh. Tum please jacket peheno!"

(It's so cold. Please wear the jacket.)

"Mujhe iss sab ki aadat hai, Janvi. Tum peheno aur chalo jaldi, baarish bohot badh rahi hai! Hurry up!"

(I'm habituated to this. Wear this and come fast.)

Forcing her, he finally made her wear the jacket. His jacket hugged her tiny body nicely. Though it was too warm.

Sharing one umbrella and covering her with one arm, Saransh began walking further.

She was feeling shy and nice too!

With a lot of effort, they finally reached under the wooden roof of the hut.

Saransh was drenched as he had covered her with his arms to protect her from the rain, which had soaked him.

Seeing him all drenched, Janvi came forward and began wiping his arms and the hair with her odhani, which dry.

Saransh stayed still in his place as he smiled at this. If she would do this, then he was ready to get drenched in the rain each day!

She looked up at his smiling face and stepped back, lowering her head while smiling.

"Kon hain?" A voice forced them to look back as there was a lady standing there. She was aged, and her hand was holding a wooden stick. She lowered the stick, looking at Saransh and Janvi, and inquired again.

(Who is here?)

"Kon ho tum dono? Yaha kyu aaye ho!"

(What do you both want?)

"Humari gadi kharab ho gayi hai aur aas-paas koi mechanic bhi nahi hai. Kya subah tak hum yaha ruk sakte hain? Aap dariye mat, koi nuksaan nahi pahunchayenge hum." Saransh assured the lady. She thought about his words for some time as Saransh and Janvi exchanged looks. They looked at her again and earned a nod from her.

(Our car got damaged and we couldn't find any mechanic here. Can we stay here for the night? Don't worry, we won't harm you.)

"Pati-patni ho na?!"

(Are you both husband and wife?)

"Haa! Hum pati-patni hain!" Janvi answered as the lady showed them a room.

(Yes, we are husband and wife.)

"Yeh ek hai, aaj mera beta ghar mein nahi hai toh tum dono yaha reh sakte ho. Main baju mein hi hu, agar kuch chahiye hoga toh bulana." She told them as Saransh and Janvi nodded their heads.

(This one. My son isn't at home today, so you both can stay here.)

The room around was not very big but was enough for them to spend a night. There was no bed in the room; just a thin mattress was on the floor.

The increasing coldness was making her shiver as she began rubbing her hands over her arms.

Saransh noticed it and spoke out to the lady.

"Ek chaddar milega kya?" That lady walked to her room and brought one with her. She then returned, closing the wooden door.

(Can we get a shawl?)

"Chalo, tum waha baitho. Tumhe thand bhi lag rahi hai. Come!" Holding her hand, Saransh dragged her and made her sit on the mattress. He unfolded the small blanket and wrapped it around her. Janvi tried to remove his jacket to give it back to him, but he didn't let her do that.

(You sit there, you're shivering in the cold.)

"Yahi par baitho! Tum yeh blanket toh le sakte ho na, mere chakkar mein tum bimar ho jaoge."

(You can use this blanket. Otherwise, you'll catch cold.)

"I don't care. You're alright; that's what matters the most."

He didn't hesitate to spell out his concern, but she blushed at this.

Smiling shyly, she gestured for him to come inside the blanket. It was not long enough for two people, and now it was creating a problem too.

Saransh sat leaning against the wall while Janvi made efforts to cover him too. He covered his face with his palm and laughed out, not too loudly, but she could hear him.

Turning back towards him, she frowned.

"What?! Main yaha pareshan ho rahi hu aur tum has rahe ho, Ansh__I mean, Saransh!" She innocently said as her lips turned into a pout, lowering her head.

(I'm stressed and you're laughing, Ansh__I mean, Saransh.)

Saransh immediately cupped her cheek and gave her a gentle smile.

"Ansh keh kar bulati ho toh accha lagta hai. If you don't have a problem, then_"

(It feels good when you call me Ansh.)

Her face glowed up more as her cheeks took on a darker shade. She shook her head positively, making him smile too.

"Tum meri taraf back karke baitho, fir shayad thik se dono ko lene aayega."

(Sit back facing me. Then you will be able to take both of us.)

He said as she did the same. While adjusting in the blanket, her back touched against his chest, making her skin chill. Tilting her head, she looked at him, and he was already looking at her.

They shared an eyelock.

Saransh tried his best not to touch her, as it could make her uncomfortable too. Though she wouldn't feel that, he didn't want to do anything intentionally.

Now Saransh was leaning against the wall with Janvi in his arms, her back resting against his chest. He wrapped his arm around her waist as she shifted more into him.

She felt comfortable in his warm arms as she no longer felt the cold. His arms seemed more comfortable than sitting alone by his side.

She slowly rested her head on his chest, leaving her whole weight on him. Saransh, too, wrapped his arm more possessively as she seemed to like it.

His cheek rested on her head as they both stayed in the same position.

His eyes stuck on the portion of her hair that was coloured with red sindoor as he remembered the scene at the temple.

Again, a smile coated his lips, and he planted a kiss on her hair, not letting her feel it as he did it very lightly.

"Tumhe thand nahi lag rahi na, Janvi?" She asked, moving her head towards him.

(Are you feeling cold?)

Saransh gazed at her for some time and shook his head negatively.

She sighed and sat back in the same position.

After a long time, Saransh felt her weight on himself. He bent forward and saw her sleeping soundly.

He pulled her closer to himself and covered her neatly in the blanket.

Janvi moved in her sleep as she hugged him, wrapping her arms around his chest. Her lips slightly touched his chest, leaving him smiling.

This time, kissing her forehead, Saransh leaned back and closed his eyes. He dozed off to sleep with the love of his life in his arms.......

*******