ANAISHA'S POV
I was sitting in his room. It was our first night. My face was hidden behind a veil, and my hands were trembling with nerves. A thousand butterflies were fluttering in my stomach, and my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. How will I share a room with a man I barely knew ? Even though he was my husband and i know he is a good person but - the thought did nothing to calm my anxiety.
I had never been a very social person. I wasn't the type to talk too much, but it wasn't because I disliked people. I just didn't have the time for it. I wanted to help my father, become independent as quickly as possible, and build a career. Kathak was my passion, my very soul, but my family believed there was no future in dance. For a good life, they said, you needed a good job, like a teacher, engineer, doctor, scientist. So, I studied ITEP. I'll never forget how happy my parents were when I completed the course.
I also remembered my father's sister, my bua, who used to visit us during the holidays. She spent the entire vacation trying to fill my parents' ears "Don't spoil her," she'd say. "Don't give her so much freedom." She even tried to control what I wore, telling me my jeans and tops were "inappropriate for a good girl." She would always say, "She is a girl; you must marry her soon." But my parents always supported me. They were strict, yes, but they never had a problem with my studies or my clothes.
It's not easy being born a girl in a middle-class family, especially when you're the eldest daughter. There's always a heavy weight on your shoulders—more responsibilities, more duties, more rules, and more expectations. You have to follow every rule set by society because you're a girl, and as the eldest, you're not allowed to make mistakes. You have to set an example because everyone is watching you.
I was lost in thoughts when the door flew open, pulling me abruptly from my memories. My breath hitched.
He was standing in the doorway— My Husband, Ekansh
The man I was now supposed to share a life with. He was a gentleman, I knew that much. He had a kind face and a gentle way about him, but that didn't stop my heart from pounding against my ribs. The room felt suddenly small, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from him. He closed the door softly behind him, and the sound echoed loudly in my ears. He didn't speak, just stood there for a moment, as if giving me space. I could feel his gaze on me, even through the veil. My hands, still trembling in my lap, were a world away from his calm presence. I felt so exposed, so vulnerable, and the silence was stretching between us, thick with all the words we haven't said.
He took a slow, calm breath, and I noticed his shoulders were not tense like mine. He didn't speak. Then, a knock echoed from the door. He opened it, and though I couldn't see who was there, the person handed him a plate. Ekansh closed the door and simply walked to a small table near the bed. My eyes followed him, and my heart hammered against my ribs. He picked up a glass of water and offered me " Here drink some water you must be tired and I also noticed that you didn't eat properly. Please eat a little. I told mom to send some food for you." he placed the plate of food which was in his hand on the bed side table of my side. It was a simple action, but it showed he was paying attention, that he knew I must have been thirsty or hungry after the long day.
He then moved to the far end of the room, sitting on a couch. He finally spoke, his voice a low, gentle rumble. "I know this is not easy," he said. "I just want you to know that you are safe here. Please just be comfortable ."
His words didn't magically stop my heart from pounding, but they felt like a soft blanket settling over my anxiety. He was not a stranger who had come to take something from me, but a partner who was offering space and safety. I wanted to say something, anything, but the words were stuck in my throat. So i nodded and reached for the glass, my hand still shaking, and drank a little. The cold water was a much-needed shock, pulling me a little closer to reality.
He spoke again " Anaisha " my hand froze with the glass at my lips, he paused for a few seconds. But the way he took my name so softly, so delicately, it did something to my heart, the butterflies in my stomach making a strom. God !! After a bit he continued " I know this is all overwhelming. But i promise you, I will never, ever touch you without your permission. Your consent matters the most to me, and it will always be the most important thing. "
I was froze, eyes wide looking at him from the veil in shock, not because he said he will not touch me without my consent but the realisation that he sense it, he sensed my anxiety, my confusions, my hesitation and before i said a word he said it himself that my consent matters the most to him, he will not touch me without my permission. My heart gave a little stutter, a tiny hop of disbelief and relief. That's what make a man different from other, that's what make a man a true gentleman. I know this before that he is a good man but today the respect I have for him double in thousands.
He then gestured toward a door on the right side of the room , it was the closet.
" Please, change into something comfortable your luggages are in closet. I'll be on the balcony " his said softly
As he stood up to walk onto the balcony i said hesitantly " Suniye "
He stopped in his track he didn't look or reply immediately after a bit he turned towards me and
" Sunaiye "
And my breathe hitched, my heartbeat raced, my cheeks turned red.
" Wo..... You...... You have to lift up my veil. It's a ritual maa said this. " I stutter
He arched his brows a smirk tugging at his lips, he slowly walked towards the bed, he sitted in front of my with a respectful distance.
Then he lifted my veil. Slowly i lifted my lashes and our eyes met, time froze we were just looking at each other, then i lowered my lashes again. He cleared his throat and said softly " Now you change, I'll be on balcony "
" Okay" i whispered
He gave me a small, assuring smile and I felt a warmth spread across my heart. He was giving ne space, not just by sitting far away, but his words, by offering me privacy to change. I drank a little of the cold water, and the shock of it pulled me a little closer to reality.
EKANSH 'S POV
I was taking a deep breath, my hand on the doorknob. The day was finally over. The ceremonies, the chaos, the countless greetings—it was all a blur. My parents had told me she was a good girl, well-behaved and kind. But as I opened the door, all those descriptions faded. What I saw was more real. She was sitting on the centre of the bed, her body stiff. A thick, red veil was hiding her face, but I could see the soft curve of her jaw and the way her hands were clasped tightly in her lap, trembling slightly. The nervousness in the room was a heavy presence, but so was something else. A quiet grace. I felt a pull, a strange sense of attachment even though I barely knew her. It wasn't love, not yet, but a strong desire to protect her, to see her relax and smile.
I closed the door as softly as I could, the click of the lock feeling unnaturally loud. My first goal was to show her she was safe, that I was not a threat. My own heart was beating a little faster. There was knock on the door and i know who was it. I asked maa to send some food for her. I know she was tired and i noticed she didn't eat properly earlier. I opened the door, staff handed me the food i closed the door. I walked over to the small table and picked up the glass of water " Here drink some water you must be tired and I also noticed that you didn't eat properly. Please eat a little. I told mom to send some food for you." he placed the plate on the bed side table. It was a simple gesture, but I hoped it would speak for me and then moved to the farthest part of the room, sitting on the sofa.
"I know this is not easy," I said, my voice low and calm. I chose my words carefully, wanting her to understand. "I just want you to know that you are safe here. Please just be comfortable. "
I watched her for any sign of a reaction. She was still, but then she nodded, I saw her hand, still shaking a little, reach for the glass. The sound of her drinking was the most peaceful thing I had heard all day. A wave of relief washed over me. I wasn't just relieved she was calmer; I felt a genuine sense of hope that maybe, just maybe, this little act of kindness had created a small bridge between us.
I wanted her to know that her feelings were my priority.
"Anaisha," I said, her name feeling soft and new on my tongue. "I know this is all overwhelming. But I promise you, I will never, ever touch you without your permission. Your consent matters the most to me, and it will always be the most important thing."
Her hand froze with the glass at her lips. I could feel her surprise, even when her face covered behind the veil, even across the room.
I then gestured toward a door on the right side of the room. It was the closet.
"Please," I said, my voice gentle. "Change into something comfortable. I'll be on the balcony." I gave her a small, reassuring smile. It was a silent message that said, I am here, and it's okay.
As i stood up to move her voice came hesitate " Suniye "
And I froze i heart fuck beating so fast so fast that i can hear that after gathering my composer i turned
" Sunaiye "
" Wo..... You...... You have to lift up my veil. It's a ritual maa said this. " She whispered hesitation clearly visible in her voice
I smirked, brows arched, then i slowly walked towards the bed, i was sitting in front of me with a respectful distance.
My moves measured i don't want to make her uncomfortable then slowly i lifted her veil. And i froze, lost in her beauty and innocence, her face was red. Slowly she lifted her eyes. Our eyes met, time froze we were just looking at each other. I was lost then reality suddenly hit me and I'm back to reality. I cleared his throat and said softly " Now you change, I'll be
on balcony "
" Okay " she almost whispered
Then I walked toward the large sliding glass door, and before stepping outside, i pulled heavy curtains across the glass. With the room now completely private, i stepped onto the balcony, with a soft click, i pulled the door shut behind me. The cool night air hit my face, and I leaned against the railing. My back was to the room, but my thoughts were entirely on her, My wife, Anaisha. A part of me already felt a powerful, undeniable attachment to her. It was a strange, sudden thing—this need to protect her and to see her smile. I wasn't just being polite; I was already invested in her comfort and happiness. I sensed her anxiety when i entered in room, that stiffness in her shoulders, those trembling hands and that pinged my heart. I wanted to assure her that she was safe with me, that I'm always with her, to make her comfortable with me, to make sure she eat properly. It's a protective instinct, a genuine desire for her to be happy and comfortable.
This is new for both of us, we barely know each other, we both need time and efforts to make this relationship strong, to build the trust and understanding. I have never felt like this before this strange pull towards her. As i stood there in the quite night, i knew that it's a promise to her, to my wife- the promise of her safety, her happiness, her consent.
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