Rudra couldn’t avert his eyes from her. He regretted going to work that day. She looked so beautiful in that red saree and jewellery and shringaar. 

She told him that she was going to do all 16 shringaar. Her beautiful red attire, vermillion, maangtika, bindi, kajal, nosering, earrings, nuptial chain, mehandi, gajre, bajubandh, bangles, waistchain, anklets, toe rings, and rings completed her look and made her look like a new bride. 

When she first came out all dressed, Rudra forgot to breathe. Seeing his intense and unwavering gaze on her made her blush beautifully, increasing her beauty many times.

She was a little disappointed when he had to leave for duty but she also understood his work and respected that. He did come home early as promised.

All four of them were on the terrace. Rudra had changed into a fresh pair of kurta pajamas. He admired his wife performing the ritual. She first looked at the moon through a sieve and then slowly turned to face him. 

She gave him a shy smile and lowered her lashes. He made her drink water and she bent down to touch his feet. Rudra stopped her midway and shook his head. She smiled softly.

“Rasam hai.”

(It’s a ritual.)

She whispered before touching his feet and then putting her hands over her head. She gasped when he bent down to touch her feet. As soon as his hands touched her feet, she jolted back and looked at him horrified.

“Ye-ye aap kya kr rhe hai?”

(Wh-what are you doing?)

“Aap rasam nibha rhi hai…aur mai pyaar.”

(You are fulfilling the ritual…and me love.)

Her eyes widened in surprise at his words and she lowered her head while blushing. Back in their room after dinner, Rudra was laid on his back with Aadya’s head over his chest. She was on her stomach and playing with his shirt buttons while he moved his fingers down her spine, like he always wanted to.

“Kahi ghumne chalengi?”

(Should we go on a vacation?)

He asked and she looked at him with a frown.

“Ghumne?”

(Vacation?)

“Umhmm! Mai kahi le kar nhi jaa paaya na aapko shaadi ke baad. 6 mahine hone ko aaye hai hamari shaadi ko. Kahi chalte hai 4-5 din ke liye.”

(I couldn’t take you anywhere after marriage. It’s almost 6 months to our marriage. Let’s go somewhere for 4-5 days.)

Her eyes sparkled with excitement at his words and she pulled her head up.

“Sachi?! Kaha chalenge?”

(Really? Where will we go?)

He tucked her hair behind her ear and asked with a loving smile.

“Jaha aap kahengi.”

(Wherever you want.)

She went into thought and then looked at him with excitement filled eyes.

“Mausam aacha hai abhi. Kahi pahadon mai chalte hai.”

(The weather is good now. Let’s go in mountains.)

Why did his thoughts run wild? Them alone in the mountains, cold weather and tangled between the sheets. Rudra shook his thoughts away and smiled at her.

“Kaha ke pahadon pr jaana hai aapko? Shimla-Manali ke pahad ya phir Mussorie-Ooty ke pahad?”

(Which mountains do you want to see? Shimla-Manali or Mussorie-Ooty?)

“Shimla chalte hai! Maine kabhi baraf nhi dekhi. Mujhe baraf dekhni hai!”

(Let’s go Shimla! I have never seen snow. I want to see snow!)

He chuckled and nodded.

“Thik hai. Taiyariyan kriye aap. Chalte hai iss mahine ki mid mai.”

(Ok. You start preparing. Let’s go in this month’s mid.)

She giggled with happiness and kissed his cheek without thinking. Rudra froze for a moment but then grinned with full force and kissed her cheek back, returning her gratitude. Aadya flushed red realising her actions and hid her face in his chest.

Their first day in Shimla was over. They kept the day for playing in snow. Now, they were back in their room, their bodies shivering in cold due to playing in snow all day. Rudra had purchased a bottle of brandy to warm their bodies on the way back to their guesthouse.

Aadya rubbed her hands and her teeth clanked together. Rudra chuckled and kissed her head.

“Abhi do minute mai better feel hoga.”

(You will feel better in some time.)

He mumbled and put two glasses on the table. He started pouring brandy and hot water into the glass. Aadya’s eyes widened when he forwarded one to her and took a lazy sip of his.

“Ye kya hai? Mai sharab nhi peeti.”

(What is this? I don’t drink alcohol.)

She eyed the drink with distaste. Rudra chuckled and put the glass in her hand.

“Yaha iss waqt ye dawai ki tarah kaam krega. Body mai heat banayega. Pee lo.”

(This will work as medicine right now. It will produce heat in body. Have it.)

She eyed him and the drink cautiously and then gulped it all down in one go. Rudra paused and looked at her shocked.

“Ayeee! Aaram se peeni thi! Chad jaayegi.”

(It has to be taken slowly! You’ll get high.)

“Aapne bola dawai hai.”

(You said it’s a medicine.)

She said innocently and he sighed and shook his head. 

“Peeche hokar baith jaao aaram se. Chadne wali hai.”

(Sit back carefully. You’re about to get high.)

She did as asked and he took lazy sips of his drink while eyeing her cautiously. Her breathing had started to get heavier and he knew the drink was doing its work. 

She sat straight and removed her jacket with a huff. Her gaze moved towards him and she got off the bed. Rudra saw her walk towards him. He kept the now empty glass on the table and looked at her. She held his hand and took him towards the bed.

His heart thudded in his chest as she pushed him on the bed. He looked at her and gulped as she climbed on his stomach.

Her lips immediately attacked his neck and he gripped her waist. A low guttural moan escaped his lips when she sucked at his neck. She looked into his eyes with pure mischief and desire and slowly descended her lips on his.

Rudra clutched her hair in his grip and kissed her at a bruising pace. He poured all his longing and desire in it. Aadya pulled back and looked at him with wide desirous eyes when he held her waist and made her grind against him.

He held her nape and pulled her down to rest his forehead against hers. Their breaths mingled and she moaned when he thrust his pelvis making her feel his hardened erection clearly.

Her hands fumbled to unbutton his shirt but he held her hand and stopped. The cloud behind his eyes disappeared and he realised that she wasn’t completely in her senses.

He flipped their positions and held her close, turning them to their side. He covered their bodies with the duvet and kissed her head.

“Aap ruke kyu?”

(Why did you stop?)

“Kyunki aap puri tarah hosh mai nhi hai. So jaaiye Aadya.”

(Because you are not in your senses. Sleep Aadya.)

She hummed and slowly slipped into slumber. He smiled and kissed her crown, closing his eyes.