Chapter 20: The Nearness They Never Spoke About

He finished the tea quietly, placing the cup aside.

He was in his tracks, relaxed, as if the entire day had not touched him the way it had touched her.

She stood there, still in her bridal attire, heavy, layered, everything weighing on her body.

He walked toward her.

Slow.

Calm.

No words.

He reached out and started removing her jewellery.

One by one.

The long necklaces.

The heavy pieces.

His fingers careful, steady.

She felt it.

Not just the touch…

Something deeper.

Her breath slowed.

Her eyes lowered.

He removed the nose pin gently.

Adjusted her hair, freeing it from the tight styling.

Everything that made her look like a bride…

He was taking it away.

Leaving her…

Simple.

Real.

His.

Then his hand paused at her waist.

The waist chain.

He looked at her.

“Never remove this,” he said.

His voice was low.

Firm.

She looked at him and nodded softly. “I won’t.”

He moved to her feet.

Her anklets.

“Same,” he added.

“I won’t,” she repeated quietly.

A small silence passed.

Then he stepped back.

Her lehenga still remained.

Heavy.

Uncomfortable.

Without saying anything, he helped her remove it carefully, making sure she was at ease.

He picked a saree.

Simple.

Red.

His favorite color.

He draped it on her slowly, adjusting it properly, his touch calm, precise.

When he was done, he looked at her.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

Soft.

Rare.

Then suddenly, he lifted her.

She gasped slightly, her hand instinctively holding onto him.

He didn’t say anything.

He carried her to the bed and made her lie down beside him.

Close.

Natural.

Like it had always been this way.

She turned slightly, her hand moving to his head, pressing gently.

Massaging.

The same way she always did.

He closed his eyes.

But this time, he didn’t stay still.

He pulled her closer.

Closer than before.

His arm around her.

Her breath caught slightly.

Then suddenly—

He pinched her waist.

Lightly.

A small sound escaped her lips.

He smiled.

Not loudly.

Just a quiet, knowing smile.

She didn’t move away.

Didn’t protest.

Her hand continued in his hair, slower now.

Gentler.

His breathing eased.

Within minutes, he fell asleep.

Holding her close.

And she lay there beside him…

Heart racing.

Mind quiet.

Feeling something she had never allowed herself to feel before.

And slowly—

She closed her eyes too.

For the first time…

Not out of exhaustion.

But something closer to peace.