The giggling ladies pushed Jeevika inside the room and even closed the doors before she turned back. She gulped nervously and a little amazed. It's not like it was their first night. Then why was she experiencing this nervousness again? Maybe it was the atmosphere, or was it him? She came out of her reverie when she heard her softly chuckling at her situation. But next moment she found him too close to her. Viren couldn't be happier seeing her. Somehow he still felt the excitement like his weddingn night. Like his wife, he too wondered why. Maybe due to new opportunity for teasing her. Tonight was theirs to enjoy. With no tiredness on either parts, they could have a long conversation that was much awaited. He wanted to set things right and lay the foundation for their relationship tonight, which was very much essential considering what his father and other uncles said in the afternoon. 

Contrary to his expectations, the older ladies had understood his wants, and his wife's personality perfectly for her attire was reflecting both. She wasn't decked up in heavy jewellery but just a long mangalsutra (nuptial chain) that rested snugly on her bosom, coloured glass bangles and matching jhumkas. Her lehenga choli though in solid red, the dupatta draped over was made of net, giving him just enough glimpse of her curves.

His gaze as he drank in her appearance sent shivers through her spine. It made her feel his touch despite lack of skinship. She found it difficult to look at him.

"Do I make you nervous Jeevika?" He smirked. She nodded innocently with the blush as a constant with her gaze roaming everywhere but him.

He brushed his fingers with hers hooking them and pulling her along. "Come, let me show you what I have planned."

He led her to the sliding door, which opened to reveal the makeshift bed arranged in balcony.

(AN : This was the closest to what I had in mind. So bear with it.)

Seeing his arrangement brought a smile to her face. Their choices were really similar. They had a thing for simplicity.

"I really liked it. It gives out cozy and comfortable vibes." She smiled trying to overcome her shyness. She knew that if she wanted this relationship to work out, she will have to respond and tonight would be a good start, seeing how her husband has taken efforts to make her as comfortable as possible. Seeing her lost in thoughts, Viren took the chance to pick her up bridal style and threw her on the bed.

"W-what are you doing?!" And the next moment he too jumped next to her. She was too shocked to say anything. He just cuddled her and hummed in satisfaction as a response. He adjusted their position to a more comfortable one.

"Jeevika, I know this sudden marriage has been too fast to cope up with, for you. But I want you to know this by heart. We are in this, together. Now, and forever. So I don't want to hear 'oh it's nothing' as a response when I ask you 'what happened'. Because people don't frown or worry over 'nothing'. I can understand if you find it difficult in communicating and I am sure we can work it out after some time. But never ever treat your worries, fears, or insecurities whatever it is as 'nothing'. That's all I ask." He stared at her to make sure she understood how serious he was.

"I will." She nodded in affirmation, staring back at him with the same intensity.

"Phew! Well, now that that's out of the way, we come to the main task for tonight."

She gulped not sure what his smirk meant for her. Until now, it has never been an indicator of something good. Still, she dared to ask.

"W-what?"

The smirk became wider if possible at her obvious fear.

"Call me Viren. Just Viren. That's all."

She frowned, not liking how he was making demand after demand. She was okay with the previous one because it was perfectly reasonable. Well, now that she thought about it, this wasn't unreasonable either, but still. Didn't he say about giving time to adjust to this relationship?

"Just a while back you said 'that's all I ask'". Her assertive side came due to the unfairness of the situation.

"But you can't call me Sir. We are husband and wife now. Which wife calls her husband 'Sir'?!" His face twisted as if he was just forced to eat a bitter gourd.

"You can't demand things continuously just because I am being accomodating." She stared, all shyness forgotten.

"Oh really? Let me see how accomodating you are." And he managed to shut her arguments quite effectively, covering themselves in a blanket.

______________________________

"Well ladies, wish me good luck", Maanvi smirked confidently which immediately disappeared as soon as the door was shut. It would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous at all, just that she happened to be good at covering it up considering her overall confident personality. Besides, she couldn't afford to lose her composure now, or her efforts would be for naught. She began to have a look at the room that was decorated with rose petals and dim lighting. While she had a look at the arrangements, her groom was nowhere to be seen.

Unlike Jeevika, Manvi had dressed in a peculiar manner; to make things difficult was her forte after all.

"Need any help, Mrs. Arora?" His hot breath on her ears made her shiver. She somehow managed to not lose her composure.

"Were you a thief in previous life Mr. Arora? You surely walk like one."

"Can't say about my previous life, but I am a pretty famous thief in this one. For stealing hearts you know." He smirked.

"I don't want a heart stealer for a husband, because I don't want to occupy someone else's place, nor would I like to share my space" She frowned.

"Then you don't know this thief very well Mrs. Arora. I may have stolen their hearts but only you managed to steal mine. Since that moment I have retired from that business." Hearing his words, she understood his subtle hint, however she wouldn't express her happiness too much for she somehow had a feeling he would be using this trick to quell her anger quite a lot in future.

"That silver tongue of yours might have worked its charm on others but not on me."

"I only ask for a chance, my lady." He sounded so innocent as if really asking for a chance unlike his true nature which only sought to turn every opportunity to his advantage.

"Hmmmm..." She stubbornly pretended to consider his suggestion instead of replying. Virat smirked understanding she didn't have a fitting comeback. The inner devil rubbed his hands, sensing an opportunity.

"While you consider this serious matter Mrs. Arora, let Mr. Arora help you out with these. While you look really beautiful all decked up, I am sure you would be more comfortable without heavy jewelry." Without waiting for her reply, he swiftly but carefully removed her earrings. Her necklace followed soon after. She next felt his breath on her waist. He unhooked the waist chai with his teeth, his lips slightly brushing over while hands caressed her smooth waist under the pretense of support. All this while, she just closed her eyes lost in the new sensations she experienced. But the mission to turn the tables in her favor kept her from losing herself to her husband completely. Seeing her breathing heavily, Virat smirked satisfactorily at his succesful revenge for her stunt in the morning. She opened her eyes, desire still evident in them. She stood on her toes to reach his height, to kiss him on his cheek, he thought. But she just whispered in his ears.
"Thank you husband".

"Now I can go to sleep comfortably", she continued innocently. Virat's inner devil was now provoked on being made a fool, yet again. But he was a businessman after all. He wouldn't retaliate immediately. The best way was to let the enemy drop their guard and then pounce.

"Before we go to sleep, I wanted to know something."
Hearing his serious tone, she nodded.

"But first," He picked her up bridal style and lowered her on the bed. She smiled genuinely, hooking her arms around his neck. "let's get the tradition out of the way."

While they laid beside each other, he played with her bangles,"So, what do you think of your stay with me and Mom till now? I hope we managed to make you realize, you're not alone anymore".

"Yes, you made me feel... complete in every sense."

"Then, you should promise me one thing. Don't ever burden yourself with whatever troubles you face. Your previous situation was different. Now, you have us, not just me and Mom, but Jeevika, Viren, his parents. His family is separate just in name. Otherwise, we are just one family. If you keep your problems to yourself now, it would make us feel as if we failed in making you realize that you're a part of us now".

"Virat, I ...realize it. I won't keep my troubles from you." She choked up, voice heavy with emotions. Her eyes glistening with tears, she kissed his cheek and whispered thank you. He wiped her tears and buried his face in her hair. After a while, she heard him complain.

"Dear wife, don't you think this way of thanking is a bit too common?! Let me show you how to thank your husband properly." Too shocked at the sudden turn of events, she could do nothing but watch his lips close on hers. Of course she would realize next morning, how she played right into his palms, but he would worry about it later. For now, he had a very important task at hand.

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And done!
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

This is the longest chapter I wrote till now. So I hope, there's some increase in votes too😁

Yes, again the updates would be slow but like you can see, I haven't given up on the story.

I would like to read some comments regarding what you liked and enjoyed rather than just asking for updates, because I can then plan the next chapter accordingly. So do comment on what you liked, what you would lile to see next. I will try my best to accommodate your wishes.

I will try to give 2 more updates before we reach 100k views. However I can't promise since I have exams in October.

Please read : For those who think, both the couples are moving too fast with first kiss and all, they know each other from before and have immense respect for their partners. Secondly, it is not necessary that they fall in love before making move, both couples differ in their equations but one thing is common, the attraction is mutual both emotionally and physically. For Virat and Viren, they have planned this proposal so they both had plenty of time to come to terms with their feelings and sort them out, while Jeevika and Manvi just got proposals out of nowhere. However, now they can look deeper into their feelings and try to understand what they feel because now their relationship has a name. I hope everyone understood this. I would like to know your opinions and perspectives on this too.

Till then, bye!

Published on 9th September, 2020