Anaisha stood in front of the mirror, trying to remove her elaborate and heavy nose ring. Just then, the door opened, and she was startled. Shambhavi walked in and the ladies shared a smile.

"Expecting someone else?" She mocked jokingly.

Anaisha sighed, - "Obviously."

Shambhavi raised her eyebrow. She closed the door behind her and came to her. Anaisha noticed a box in her hand.

"Akka would have been so proud of you, to see you as a bride."- She had tears in her eyes, - "You wouldn't even remember,"- she touched her chin, - "Since you were just one year old, Akka used to dress you like a bride. She used to say, even though she couldn't be a bride, she will make sure you have the best wedding. Sadly, this marriage isn't what she or I expected and wanted. But it is delight and blessing to see you as a wife, as a bride." She pinched some Kohl from the corner of her eyes and placed it behind her niece's ear. Though Anaisha didn't believe in all this, she respected her Aunt's gesture.

Shambhavi opened the box to reveal a chunky round pendant with four strings of black and golden beads.

"This Mangalsutra, Akka had selected for her marriage. She had saved for this and brought it. It is my wedding gift for you." She forwarded it to her. Anaisha took it from her. It had a fragment of her mother whom she never knew yet she felt so connected with. Carefully, she caressed it.

"I will definitely wear it." She exclaimed but before she could pluck it out of the box, Shambhavi stopped her.

"It would be better if your husband makes you wear it." She suggested and Anaisha doesn't protest.

Just before she could part away from her niece, Hasan walked in. He spotted Shambhavi and stilled.

"Hello, Ma'am." He bowed a little, with palms folded together.

She smiled at him and bid them good night.

After she had gone, Hasan closed and locked the door.

"Now tell me, why were you in tears at our mandap?"

He smiled walking towards her and stood at a distance from her, - "Because, today you are looking like your highness in the true sense."

Anaisha was taken to memory lane by his words,

"No one can trouble, your highness. She is enough for that."

"Bullies are cowards and so, are you. You think you are untouchable, sitting on the high horse. But you are wrong. You don't care about anyone's feelings. Have you thought how it feels when someone makes you feel like trash?"

Hasan looked at her expressions and got concerned, - "Hey!"- he gently held her shoulder, - "I didn't mean to upset you. I meant you were looking so mesmerizing that I felt lucky to have you as my wife."

Anaisha scoffed, - "Temporary wife." She shrugged his hand away.

Hasan sighed, - "And what if I say, all this doesn't have to be temporary. Then?"

Anaisha looked swiftly at him, making her large earrings and heavy choker hurt her ears and neck, - "You mean it?"

He nodded and softly held her hands, "If we keep our minds open and in case, we like each other. This can be permanent too." He confessed.

Anaisha kept eye contact as she gently shook her head, - "No one can like me. I am the bad girl, right? Remember how you used to hate me. You thought I am the highness."

"Hey!" Hasan cupped her face, - "That was when I was stupid. Without knowing your struggles, I was judging you. I was, what you say, a total a**hole." He chuckled and she smiled, lowering her head, - "But now I realized my mistake. And no matter how many times I apologize for that, it won't be enough."

Anaisha held his hands and moved them away, but kept clenching onto him, - "I did far worse by scandalizing about you and Tarun. I wasn't apologetic about it until I got to know you better, which is recent. So, I am sorry I—"

Hasan placed a finger on her lips and silenced her, - "Why are we talking about it? And I have forgiven you long back when you were forced to apologize." He said and leaned, kissing forehead. Anaisha inhaled deeply.

"Um."- She took a step back and quickly turned around. She darted her gaze all over the room. Hasan watched her as she got a glass from the bedside table and forwarded it to him, - "Turmeric milk with dates."- He took it from her, - "It helps with strength." She said cheekily and Hasan choked on it. Anaisha laughed at his reaction.

Hasan composed himself and passed it to her, - "In that case, you need it more than me."

Anaisha blinked at him, and he grinned, - "Because you are needing to carry that heavy lehenga, what else." He winked at her. She passed him a nervous smile and grabbed the glass from him. Hasan was amazed as she gulped the entire content in one go.

"Help me with this five-kilo Lehenga." Anaisha tossed her veil off her head and untied the gajra around her bun, removed her bun and hair extension. She walked up to the mirror and firstly removed her elaborate and heavy nose ring. Her nose wasn't pierced and so, this hurt her even more.

Hasan got rid of the dupatta and unbuttoned few buttons of his sherwani. If her dress was five kilos, his would have been three kilos at least.

Anaisha turned and switched on the AC, she fanned her face and then gathered her hair pulling it up.

"Unzip my choli please." She could feel her back dampened. Hasan gulped and slowly approached her; she was busy with the heavy bridal choker necklace. He stood behind her and looked up at their reflection, Anaisha was casually removing her hefty chand-baali earrings.

Cautiously, he pushed her hair and with his shivering hands, untied her Dori and proceeded to unzip her choli. The top loosened and she flipped her hair back. Hasan was taken off guard as it hit his face.

"You change first, I will take time." She replied removing her red Lac bangles. He nodded.

Anaisha freshened up and changed into V neck long maxi dress with long puff sleeves. It was such relief without the heavyweight of the wedding dress and jewelry and whole lots of pins. As she stepped out of the bathroom, she noticed Hasan was praying.

"How much does this guy pray?"- She muttered, collecting her hair to one side and she tied a quick loose braid.

Eyeing him, she sat on the bed and pretended to be busy on her phone. Priyank's message brought a smile to her face,

- "Naisha, you were looking so ravishing. Uff! Harlyn is also doubting herself after seeing you. Hehehe. Anyway, I have some Desi with me ;) You can come if your husband lets you ;) and remember your clutch purse ;P"

Hasan cleared his throat and caught her attention. She smiled at him, pushing away her phone.

"Do you want to hang out with your friends?" He asked politely as he sat next to her. She chuckled awkwardly.

"No! why will I be with them on my wedding night." There was an awkward silence between them, - "I mean I want to sleep." She quickly added, reaching out for the blanket, but Hasan caught her hand.

"Let's talk, please. I want to listen to you." He requested with hopeful eyes. Anaisha moved her hand and leaned against the bedpost.

"You know, I don't talk much."

Hasan nodded, - "Still."

Anaisha took a deep breath, - "Don't you miss Sanam?" She didn't want to bring her up but was curious to know what he feels for his late wife.

Hasan didn't look disturbed, he smiled sadly, - "Of course, she was a huge part of my life. My love and my companion, but now she is no more. With her, in my heart, I have moved on. And don't worry, I won't let my love for her affect our relationship. You are my wife and only you have all the rights on me." He spoke calmly. 

Anaisha felt a little better. It was touching that he still harbored feelings for Sanam. For she has known men who cheat. This reminded her of the night after her Nikah. His words still fluttered the chords of her heart.

"I can't believe we are here, like this, as husband and wife."- She smiled, - "I remember seeing you for the first time in the College garden with your friends. You stood out like a sore thumb."

They both shared laughter.

"I don't think you remember the first time I saw you. I was heading to science block with Shivansh when a rude and obviously careless biker whooshed past me. And who was that my future wife." He chuckled and she smiled slightly.

"What did you think of me then?" She sighed, resting her head against the bedpost.

"Obnoxious." He revealed and laughed lightly.

Anaisha moved her hand and grasped his hand, she blinked softly at him as he stopped laughing.

She inched closer to him, - "What do you think of me now?"

"I am still trying to understand you. Whatever I know about you, in your words, I realized how misunderstood you are. I don't want you to aimless just destroy yourself in rebellion. I want to provide you stability. Love and respect that you deserved." He said honestly.

She stared into his eyes and each of his words touched her. Yet, she was forced to remind herself that this was temporary. Then, his words made her feel a little hopeful. But no, she wouldn't dare.

Anaisha moved her hand to the length of his arm and held his face, - "Your words are soothing. Should I dare to believe them?" She leaned her face to him.

Hasan nodded, resting his forehead against hers, - "I am there for you always. Even if this doesn't work, we shall always be friends."

She opened her eyes and glanced into his eyes. She was reminded of the feeling that was seeping into her heart for him. He had gotten into her head a long time back, now he was making an entrance into her heart. Hasan was the one, who broke the walls around her heart. No one has seen the vulnerable side of hers, only he. Not even Priyank, her father, brother and—

Anaisha caressed his beard gently, staring lovingly into his eyes. He reciprocated with her. A moment later, their lips had touched. She flinched with the intimate touch and slowly moved her lips. Hasan followed the accord. She shifted closer and so did he. He held her waist gently as they kissed, while she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Though he was a little inexperienced, Anaisha could, without doubt, say this kiss was her best because of all the emotions involved. Hot tears pricked her eyes, but she ignored them and clenched the collar of his Kurtha, pulling him closer.

"You aren't the best kisser I have kissed." She pointed out lightly after they had parted.

Hasan didn't seem to mind, - "Life is an experience. We learn as we grow." He smiled. She felt jealous of his optimism. Anaisha held his sleeve and pulled him for another kiss.

But within seconds, she pulled back, - "Wait, where is your cat?"

Hasan was amused she thought of Mahajabeen at this time, - "She is with my friend James. He has a male cat and Mahajabeen likes it there."

Anaisha smirked at him, - "Be careful, you don't want to be grand-father so soon." She giggled.

Hasan accompanied her, - "Don't worry, she has been sterilized." He revealed. Anaisha's mouth hung open. And before she could counter him, Hasan leaned and kissed her open mouth. She composed herself and returned his kiss with passion.

Anaisha laid down on the bed with him on top of her. They had stopped kissing and now he was kissing the back of her ear to her neck. Hasan moved his hand and held her hand, moving his palm up and entwined their fingers tightly. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feather kisses.

With her hand, she caressed his back moving her hand up, and grasped a fistful of his thick hair, pressing his face into the crook of her neck. She looked at their perfectly joined fingers and clenched his hand tighter. Hasan shifted, moving his leg over hers and sliding a little closer so their bodies were over each other.

Anaisha tugged his hair moving his face through her collar bone. A tingly burning sensation followed everywhere his lips glided with butterfly kisses. She arched her back a little as he moved towards the plunging neckline of her dress. Sensually, she moved her arms and hugged him. Hasan stopped kissing her and rose his head.

"Um, do you think we are—going fast?" He asked. Mainly, he was bothered if she was comfortable.

Anaisha let out a shaky breath. She was turned on and clearly, he was too, but they weren't on their peak, which was good. This could be stopped here.

"It would be better if we take it slowly," Hasan added, stepping beside her. She nodded, sliding to sit up.

"Yeah." She adjusted her hair, avoiding looking at him, - "I need to use the bathroom." She leaped from the bed. With the flowing gown, she almost tripped but manage to steady herself.

Anaisha shut the bathroom door and leaned against the door. After, she had composed herself. She locked the door and dropped her underwear. If she wasn't getting any real action tonight, she didn't want to be left hanging, horny.

How was the Chapter, my lovelies? More exciting stuff is coming up ahead, so Stay Tuned for the next update *lots of love* *hugs and kisses*