Ruhani POV

इल्म जो हुआ उनके ख़ास इत्र का,
हम तो उस रोज़ उसी से नहा लिए,
उन्होंने जो एक नज़र हस के देखा,
हम तो उसी पल अपना बना लिए,

***

Ilm jo hua unke khas itr ka,
Hum to us roz usi se naha liye,
Unhone to ek nazar has ke dekha,
Fir hum to usi pal apna bana liye,

***
The moment I know his favourite perfume,
I took a bath with it,
The moment he glared at me with a smile,
I made him mine within,

***

He made me stand against the mirror and look into my eyes through the reflection. The dim yellow lights of the chamber were glowing on our skins.

He lowered his gaze and opened one of the jewelled boxes on the dressing table. He took out an elegant ring from that and showed me.

"Ruhani,"

My name from his mouth and voice felt like heaven.

"This ring... I chose for you for... muh dikhayi,"

His voice was slow and almost inaudible when he said the last word.

My face blushed with his words, and he slowly took my hand.

His palm was way bigger compared to mine. It was manly and rough and showed how hardworking he was. There were slight marks of the cuts he might have had in the wars. The moment he took my hand in his, I blinked; it was racing my heartbeats somehow.

"You have such small hands,

He muttered, teasing me; his hot voice travelled down my ear, and then he slid the ring onto my finger.

I doubted how he knew my ring size.

I looked at him above my shoulder and tried to signal him, asking how he knew my ring size.

He looked confused, and I slowed down my actions repeating them.

"I know your ring size because yesternight, I kissed your hand,"

He muttered, and I blushed even more, yet confused by the strange change in his actions.

I didn't know what it was, but I could feel that it was increasing my deep feelings for him. Yesternight, I cried because of him. I didn't know what he had for me.

My eyes filled with tears as I looked into his eyes for answers.

He brushed my fingers a little and turned silent for some moments.

After some time, he said.

"Ruhani, hume aapse koi ranj nahi hai... Aapne hume chuna jab aapke waalid ne kaha ki waapis chalne ko. Ye jaante hue ki aapke shauhar aapse naaraz hai... Khuda kasam aapki hifazat ka jimma hamara hai. Aapko khush rakhne ki poori koshish karenge hum,"

"Ruhani, I do not have any complaints with you... You chose me when your father asked you to leave with him even though you knew that your husband didn't behave well last night. God swear I have responsibility for your safety, and I will also try my best to take care of your happiness,"

He turned slightly emotional, and I lowered my gaze to our hands. I had a lot of questions, but it was okay. I couldn't speak, and it was my habit of nodding for everything.

"By the way, you are looking beautiful,"

I smiled all of a sudden and looked at him through the mirror. He wasn't that bad, right?

"But, something is lacking,"

I thinned my eyebrows at his comment and waited until he finished searching for something in the drawers.

He took out a small glass bottle and opened it. He inhaled the fragrance and then brought it closer to my nose.

"How is it?"

He asked.

I smiled.

It was a lovely smell.

"Like it?"

I nodded.

He applied the finger pad of his index finger over the circular opening of the finger-sized bottle. Turning it upside down, he wet his finger pad with the liquid, and then his fingers, other than the index finger, moved my loose hair strands aside from the neck. I tilted my neck sidewards a little and blinked.

His gaze locked on my collarbones as he featherly touched my neck, and the cold liquid sent a shiver down my spine.

He did the same to the other side of my neck and wet his fingerpad with the liquid again.

He was keeping the bottle on the dressing table. He took my hand in his. Forcing the bangles above, he applied that liquid over my wrist slowly.

Then, he brought my henna-inked hand close to his nose and inhaled.

"Beautiful,"

I blushed. I didn't know, but I felt like butterflies erupting in my stomach.

*Knock*

*Knock*

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and I shivered.

"Yes,"

He asked.

"Sultan, Badi Begum is asking for you,"

An attendee informed, and he replied.

"Tell her that I am getting ready. Will come in some time,"

"Okay,"

The attendee replied, and Sultan looked at himself in the mirror. He raked his hand in his hair, setting them, and then applied the same perfume to him too.

I didn't know, but I could feel he was fond of fragrance because Adeena applied too many different scents to me, such as bathing oils and cleaning paste. She even oiled my hair before washing it. And then, Sultan used the perfume on us.

I noticed him when he wore his upper over the white kurta; It was neatly embroidered in one of the off-white colours with white pearls. It was plain, but he looked extremely elegant and; Itdly.

But, his cheek still had that little pierced mark of that slap of my father. I was expecting him to be cold and rough with me when all that happened. Honestly, I was scared.

But he did nothing, and it was slightly indigestible to me.

"What are you thinking, Begum?"

He teased.

"Shauhar ko kachcha khane ka irada hai ya bhoon ke,"

"Want to eat me raw or fried?"

I instantly lowered my gaze, shaking my head slightly. He gave me that devilish smile again as he moved to wear his footwear.

I didn't know, but I was losing myself significantly for him. I didn't know if you could understand me or not. But this person conquered my soul and imagination for fourteen years. I was childish initially, but I didn't know when the mere thought of him being my husband turned my destiny.

He was the one I remembered even more than God. He was the one who made me smile and blush on those dreamy nights when we both talked in our silence, just with our eyes.

And now, looking at him, in reality, was making me fall for him even more. However, I was doubtful but couldn't help my longing for him.

Maybe, because it was the dream I wanted to live ever since I knew myself.

"Ruhani,"

He called and looked at me.

I was again caught red-handed, staring at him stupidly.

"I need to meet Ammi; you come with Adeena to the gathering directly,"

I nodded, blinking nervously.

He hid his slight smile and walked out of the chamber.

Was I behaving too highly?

I felt embarrassed as I realized that he always caught me when I was staring at him. Why? Why the hell I couldn't control myself?

I sat on the couch back, and then my sight fell on the side of my neck where his fingers brushed my skin sometime ago.

It was magical, the way he touched my skin on the neck and on my wrist. It felt as if my beauty increased thousand times just with his touch.

And this ring, I looked at my finger. It was of red Ruby that fit into the gold. It was precious to me not because it was expensive but because he gave me.

I smiled beautifully. I didn't know how wide my lips curved now.

Suddenly, the door pushed open, and my sight fell on Adeena and Saeed.

"Are you ready, Bhabhijaan?"

Adeena asked.

I nodded.

"I hope Bhaijaan helped you well,"

I giggled and nodded again.

"Let's go,"

She said, and I kept my dupatta over my head. She didn't ask me to cover my face with the veil as she spoke.

"No need for Parda. Only relatives are invited. No show for the normal public,"

She came to me and stood with me, precisely walking with me.

We both came out of our chamber, and it was evening. There would be dark soon that I could realize with the sky.

We walked through the galleries and various chambers,s and then my sight fell on the well-decorated small palace. It had a tomb, and there were fire candles all around. It was glowing.

We both entered the hall, and my sight fell on the well-seated population. Sultan was sitting on the throne, and the announcer announced.

"Ruhani Aashiq Ibrahim Khan, Sultana of Sultanate, Bahu Begum is entering the Royal hall. Kindly stand for the honour,"

Everyone stood up, including him, as I walked to the throne. Adeena had left my side already and was seated along with her mother.

There were four stairs to reach the throne. I carefully stepped the first, and then my sight fell on Sultan's forwarded hand. I timidly held his hand as he helped me to climb the throne.

Everyone seated after Sultan sat. I took my seat a moment after him.

"Please start the celebration,"

I looked at her mother, who stood up from her seat, and two attendees followed behind her holding the plates covered with velvet clothes.

She came and stood in front of me.

"Allah kare aapka Sultanate me sahi jagah or darja barkarar rahe,"

"May god bless you with the right place and position in the Sultanate,"

Her words were dripping utter hate for me. Her words were slow enough to only ready mine and his ears.

She showed me the gifts. They were expensive necklaces.

I nodded in acceptance, and then she handed them to my attendees.

After her, other old ladies came individually for a long time showing me their gifts, and I accepted them wholeheartedly.

After the ladies, my sights fell on Adeena, after whom two attendees walked to me.

She showed me her gift. It was not jewellery, not expensive stuff but a collection of pages, inkpot, and pen.

"Bhabhijaan, I went through your hobbies and couldn't find anything better than it,"

I smiled, looking at her and nodded in acceptance.

When everyone was done presenting the gifts.

It was time for the royal dinner. A huge table was set up along with couches. Around forty to fifty special people were sitting around the chair.

Sultan and I were given the corner seats, and beside me were Adeena and Saeed, and then there were all the family members.

The attendees started serving the food, and chaos was there as everyone was talking to each other. After a few moments, they started eating. There were touches of laughter, giggles, talks, and so much which made me feel nervous and the odd one out.

"Ruhani, have food,"

Sultan whispered, leaning slightly into my ear, and I lowered my gaze. I wasn't feeling like eating as the environment was strange and different.

Everyone was eating and indulging in their talks. Sultan also started eating, and suddenly to my surprise.

He forwarded his hand to my mouth; I looked around, noticing no one was looking at us.

"Khaiye,"

"Eat,"

He ordered slowly, and I parted my lips, grabbing the bite.

Though, I wasn't hungry at all. I was feeling nervous.

He continued eating and fed a few bites in between, escaping all the eyes.

I didn't know, but somehow, I could feel that he knew I wasn't feeling welcomed here; he could have sensed my nervousness.

Also, no one was talking to me. All the attention was on his mother, who was telling a fantastic story in which I wasn't interested.

He fed me one more bite and muttered.

"Kuch apne haath se bhi kha lijiye begum, sab mehnat shauhar se karaengi,"

"Eat some with your own hands too, Begum, or do you want your husband to do all the hard work,"

He teased, and my lips curved into a slight smile.

Finally, I tore a piece of food that was served into my plate and had it. I ate slowly, not precisely, following my husband's order.

At last, the royal dinner ended, and I looked at an attendee who had just come and leaned into Sultan's ear.

"Sultan, the after-dinner drinks have been served in Maikhana. All your friends are waiting there,"

The attendee said, and then I noticed only ladies at the dining table. No gents.

That means there was a separate celebration for them.

"Adeena, take her to the chamber,"

Sultan asked, looking at Adeena, and she nodded.

He left me there, and Adeena took a bath in my chamber.

I took a breath of peace after the tiring day. I wouldn't say I liked parties or celebrations because they were just for showcasing wealth and your talking skills. Nobody shares the love and bond; that's what I noticed.

"Bhabhijaan, you should take a rest after changing,"

Adeena said and wished me goodnight leaving the chamber. She was also looking tired.

I nodded and smiled.

She left, closing the door, and I walked to the cupboard to take out my night clothes. I liked to wear plain and light fabric at night.

I took out a cream-coloured cotton sharara and changed into it. Removing all my jewellery, I came back to bed.

I was feeling exhausted. I lay on the bed, covering the comforter. I didn't know where Nagina was, but I wasn't expecting her to visit late at night.

The chamber was dark; only a few lamps were lit to maintain the dim lights. I wasn't terrified of darkness, but since it was a new place to me. The night was slightly horrifying for me.

I was looking at the big chamber. The pillars, the roof designs, and all the visuals of moments that I spent with him until my eyes felt dizzy, and I fell asleep.

Suddenly, I left my deep sleep and noticed that he entered the chamber at midnight.

He was muttering something, and I opened my single eye to notice.

He was roaming half-naked in the chamber. He threw his kurta on the couch and then suddenly turned to me.

I quickly shut my eye, pretending I was sleeping. My stomach created knots, and my heartbeats raced as I realized that he had come and climbed the bed. Moreover, he was drunk.

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