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MAAHI
When I emerge from the bathroom in my nightdress, Vikram is gone. Relief washes over me; I have no energy left to argue. Sitting on the bed, my mind races. What will he do next? What was that survey about? He’s not going to give up Devki Estate, which means I’m stuck. Or maybe not entirely. I still own fifty percent of the estate, and without my approval, he can't make any administrative decisions. But I also need his consent for anything related to the Ashram (spiritual hermitage) Daadi wants to build. What a mess I've landed in.
I don’t realize when I fall asleep on his massive bed, alone. When I open my eyes, it’s already morning. I stretch and yawn, only to feel his hard body beside me. I move away. It’s Vikram, shirtless and sleeping on his chest with his one arm curled around my waist. When did he come back? And we slept next to each other? How didn’t I notice? My movements wake him up, and he turns onto his back, smiling innocently.
“Morning, wife.”
Wife. Yes, I am his wife.
“I didn’t know you were such a deep sleeper,” he adds.
That’s true. I check my clothes; they’re intact. I’m sure he has the decency not to touch me while I sleep, but his gaze puts me in a dilemma. He sits up closer to me.
“You kiss insanely in your sleep... I couldn’t resist,” he murmurs.
I touch my lips. Did I kiss him? Is that even possible?
“You’re lying.”
“Okay,” he grins. “Think that if it makes you feel better.”
He gets off the bed and slips on his slippers. I block his way to the bathroom.
“Stop playing games, Vikram. How would I kiss you like that?”
“You want to know how you kissed me?”
“Yes.”
“Sure?”
“Of course. There’s no way I kissed you and wouldn’t know.”
“Go lie down. I’ll show you.”
I lie back on the bed, waiting. He hovers over me, his breath quickening. He leans in, his body pressing into mine.
“We fit each other so well,” he whispers, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I should reconsider this. I foolishly invited Vikram to demonstrate something I’m not ready for. I place my hands on his chest, stopping him. Heat races to his face. He wants this, but when I don’t move my hands, his face turns stony.
“Thought so,” he mutters clenching his jaw. “I won’t take advantage of you, even if you are mine,” he says breathlessly, getting off me and locking himself in the bathroom.
I lay there, cold and hot, listening to the shower.
***************
After a shower, I wear a simple orange saree. Seeing myself in the mirror, I realize what’s changed: the sindoor on my forehead and the mangalsutra. I’m no longer Maahi Awasthi but Maahi Singh Grover, an identity I never wanted.
My phone buzzes with an incoming message. It’s from Shyam.
‘You married the wrong guy, Maahi. My father and I were still considering your plans for Devki Estate, but Vikram Singh Grover will never benefit you.’
I ignore the message. I already know what I’ve gotten into and am repenting. I meet Daadi downstairs and take her blessings.
“Did you pack your stuff?” she asks sternly. “You won’t have much time tomorrow.”
She’s pushing me to leave for the USA, but I’m not obeying her this time.
“Morning, ladies,” Meera aunty joins us. She looks stunning in a black saree. “How was your first night?”
