Page 182 of One Hellish Wedlock
He pretended to ponder. “I’ll send them through dreams. Every single night.”
It was only this night she had and she would make the most of it. She smiled through her tears and curled into him again. They talked some more, and soon, amidst their sweet talks, sleep finally claimed them both.
*******************
The next morning Aanya woke up to an empty space beside her.
He was gone.
He really hadn’t woken her.
Panic flared in her chest as she threw the duvet aside and glanced at the time. 9:00 AM. How had she slept so late? Perhaps because she had fallen asleep inhisarms… with his warmth still lingering on her skin.
She reached for her phone only to find a notification blinking on the screen. Surprisingly he had left her an email.
She opened it immediately.
Wife,
Don’t be upset that I didn’t wake you. And please… this isn’t like that morning after our first wedding night when I left you alone. You know how hard it is for me to say goodbye.
These hours we spent together, Aanya, I’ll hold on to them until the next time we meet. And I hope that moment comes sooner than either of us expects.
Keep the nightgown. I want you to wear it when we’re together again. But don’t expect me to behave so decent next time. Before you even ask why I kept my distance last night then, I wanted to take one step at a time. A lot happened between us in the last few hours. We kissed, I proposed to you, you said yes, we slept on the same bed. If I’d taken the next step, it would’ve been rushed, and that wouldn’t have been enough…not for what you deserve. I want it to be right. Worth it. Special.
I’m going to miss you, baby. And I can’t wait to see you again.
I love you.
Reyansh
Aanya held the phone close to her chest, her eyes stinging. He had such a way with words that weren’t just sweet, but honest. They bled emotion and they definitely made her cry.
After a moment, she composed herself and typed back.
Husband,
Whatever reasons you have, never leave me like this again. I hate waking up alone especially when I’ve spent the whole night dreaming of you.
I loved the gown. I’ll wear it again, just like you asked. And I can’t wait for us to be together again.
One step at a time…I’m with you on that.
P.S. I wish I could hijack your plane.
I’m missing you too.
Your wife,
Aanya
*****************
Aanya met the Negi couple later that day, after Reyansh had flown to Cape Town with her father. Radhika was practically bursting with excitement the moment she saw her, eager to hear every detail about Aanya’s unexpected decision to stay with Reyansh the previous night.
“Di…” Aanya sighed, trying her best to mask the emptiness inside her. “I’m fine. I know he had to go… so it’s okay.”
Radhika gave her a quick side hug, reading through her calm façade in a second.
