Chapter 3

The room was quiet, the soft light from the bedside lamp casting faint shadows on the walls. The silence between them felt heavy, filled with unspoken words and emotions. Abhiman’s lips pressed against her neck, his touch gentle yet firm, and for a fleeting moment, Jeevika felt herself being swept away by the closeness of their bodies. It was as if the world had shrunk to just the two of them, their breaths mingling in the warm air of the room. But when he gently bit her lower lip, something in her froze.

“Ji… suniye…” she whispered, her voice barely audible and shaky with uncertainty.

Abhiman stopped immediately, his lips hovering just inches from hers. His brow furrowed in confusion, searching her face for answers. Jeevika swallowed hard, trying to steady her racing heart. She knew she had to say something, to stop things before they went too far. But how could she explain the fear and hesitation that had been building inside her since the moment they were left alone in the room?

“I’m not ready for this,” she finally managed to say, her words trembling as they left her lips.

She couldn’t help but feel anxious about how he might react. Would he be upset? Angry, even? Would he push her to continue, ignoring her words? The uncertainty gnawed at her, and she gripped the edges of her dupatta tightly, bracing herself for his response.

But to her surprise, his expression softened. He didn’t speak right away, and instead of looking frustrated or disappointed, he leaned in and kissed her again, but this time, it was different. This kiss wasn’t like the one before—there was no urgency, no passion behind it. It was soft, gentle, and filled with understanding. It was as if he was trying to reassure her, to comfort her in the only way he knew how.

Jeevika’s heart swelled with emotion, and before she could stop it, a single tear slipped down her cheek. She hadn’t expected to cry, but the mix of fear, relief, and overwhelming emotions was too much to contain. The tension she had been carrying since their wedding night had finally begun to dissolve, and with it came an unexpected sense of vulnerability.

Abhiman noticed the tear immediately. His hand, which had been resting on her waist, moved up to her cheek. He wiped away the tear with the pad of his thumb, his touch gentle and caring. “Hey… I’m sorry,” he murmured quietly, his voice filled with genuine concern. “I didn’t mean to make you feel like this.”

Jeevika looked into his eyes, her own still brimming with unshed tears. Her voice wavered as she spoke, “I thought… I thought you might force me.”

It was hard for her to say it out loud, but she needed him to understand the depth of her fear. She had been terrified that, despite her protests, he would push her into something she wasn’t ready for. The uncertainty of how he would react had been weighing heavily on her since their marriage.

Abhiman’s face grew serious, but not with anger. His gaze softened, filled with a tenderness she hadn’t expected. “I would never do that,” he said firmly. “If you’re not ready, that’s okay. We can wait. I want you to feel safe with me.”

His words wrapped around her like a protective blanket, easing the tension that had coiled inside her. She nodded, her body relaxing for the first time that night. The fear that had gripped her began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of security. In his eyes, she saw not a man driven by desire, but someone who genuinely cared about her feelings and her comfort.

The room, once filled with uncertainty, now felt safer, more peaceful. Abhiman pulled her gently into his arms, and Jeevika rested her head against his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear was calming, each thump a reminder that she wasn’t alone in this. She felt protected, like nothing bad could happen as long as she was wrapped in his embrace.

They stayed like that for a long while, not speaking, just holding each other in the quiet of the night. Jeevika closed her eyes, letting the warmth of his body and the softness of his touch soothe her. There was no rush, no need to move forward until she was ready. And in that moment, she realized that this—being held, feeling safe—was enough.

Jeevika’s earlier fears seemed so distant now, almost like a memory from another time. She knew they had a lifetime ahead of them, and there was no need to rush into anything she wasn’t prepared for. Abhiman’s patience and understanding meant more to her than words could express.

As she rested in his arms, she knew that when the time came—when she was ready—he would still be there, waiting with the same kindness and patience that he had shown her tonight. And for now, that was all she needed.

This was enough.

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