Page 61 of The Unwanted Husband
How much she missed them!
Shortly after, she fell asleep, the little humans snuggling up against her as their uncle read a book to them. It was so cozy, she remembered thinking to herself she could do it every night.
CHAPTER 22
The night before the wedding, as the sun dipped into the water, it painted the sky in shades of coral and gold. She was in her room, exhausted. She was done with all the rituals she needed to perform and she felt proud when Ashok told her she passed with flying colors. It wasn’t normal for all couples to go through such a rigorous test but they did only when someone was getting married to someone outside the island.
All the ceremonies were to appease the Sea Goddess and show that the outsider could be an islander. It was around that time when Ashok would read to the kids and put them to bed. It was his time and lately, she had the urge to go be with them but she had been resisting. It was going to be a matter of time before she had to leave to go back to San Francisco. Better if she didn’t disrupt the twins’ habits and schedules.
Her heart raced when she heard a soft knock. It was sooner than usual but Ashok had come to see her and they normally shared a meal.
“Come in,” she rasped, catching her breath as her heart went on a rampage.
The door opened slowly and one of the staff members stuck their head in. “Ma’am, we have her highness here to see you.”
Isha felt a new tension grip her, wondering why Ashok’s mother came to see her. She guessed it might be to get her prepped for the ceremony the next day. They had done so the night before the first pre-wedding ceremony.
But this time, it wasn’t just her. Other women accompanied Ashok’s mother. Something about their somewhat solemn expression told her they were there for another reason.She had just showered and was getting ready to go to bed after dinner. She could use the rest as she had an exhausting day choosing the outfit and jewelry she would wear.
“Your highness, what a pleasant surprise.” Isha smiled walking toward her as she stopped in the middle of the seating area of her suite. The woman returned her smile but unlike other times it did not reach her eyes.
“Everything okay?” Isha asked, wondering what made the usually cheerful woman look worried.
Ashok’s mother nodded. “The wedding is pushed out to later in the day due to another ceremony,” his mother explained, her silver bangles chiming softly as she raised her hand to adjust a loose lock away from Isha’s face.
The slight concern she had from the surprise visit from his mother vanished at the elder woman’s sweet gesture. She was so warm and it gave her so much comfort. She had noticed early on that’s how she had felt about Ashok being around but now, he made her body do and feel other weird things.
“That’s okay,” Isha let out a chuckle and added, “I could use some extra sleep.”
Ashok’s mother shook her head. “It’s a night ceremony. You and Ashok must stay awake until dawn breaks, and you have to be together. It is the final test. It is to see if your minds and hearts are truly aligned and if you can sustain each other through the longest and toughest hours.”
Isha suddenly felt a flutter of nervousness. After days of physically strenuous activities and preparations for various ceremonies, the final test seemed deceptively simple, yet the gravity in Ashok’s mother’s voice suggested otherwise.
“Oh, okay.” Isha’s mind was racing about what she was supposed to do next. “I’ll wait for Ashok to put the kids down for the night and we can hang out here.”
The older woman shook her head. “We must leave now.”
Isha should have guessed it was a lot more complicated than Ashok and her hanging out in a room, talking and maybe watching TV and staying up the night. She stepped out of her room into the wide hallway to find more women waiting outside.
What was the big deal about this last-minute ceremony that was added?
She was confused when she was led out of the mansion and down the path to the deck where the boats were parked. Another group was waiting there, flame torches in hand and she noticed Ashok was standing there with his father. She noticed a small fishing boat that was decked up traditionally, its hull painted in deep blues and greens, with flowers layered. Garlands of jasmine adorned the boat, and oil lamps were lit in protective glass holders along the sides.
They wanted them to spend the night on the boat? Why?
As she approached Ashok and his father, their gaze met but she quickly looked away at the older man.
“Isha, the ocean is our mother,” his father, the chieftain, explained as they approached the docked boat. “She needs to witness your connection and the strength of your bond. Only in her presence, far from the distractions of this land, can your souls truly speak to each other.”
It took her a moment to process that they would be out in the sea, most likely with no devices to entertain them or ability to call someone. She could talk all night with Chandini and finish the challenge but she had to talk to Ashok and stay up.
It wouldn’t have been too hard if she weren’t so exhausted. Maybe she could find a way to nap. Especially since it sounded like it was going to be just the two of them.
Isha smiled at Ashok’s parents. “I’ve enjoyed my time on the island and I’m pretty sure I’ll enjoy this time with Ashok. He and I barely get time for ourselves with the twins. I’m looking forward to this.”
She saw relief sweep over the older couple’s faces. His mom smiled and she saw it reach her beautiful eyes. When she looked around for Ashok she realized he was already aboard, adjusting the sails like he had a lot of practice.
“Ashok is good at sea. He will take good care of you,” his father sounded proud of his son.
