It was a bright red saree that was loosely wrapped around her when she came out of the bathroom. She had washed her hair and was patting it dry with the towel. She was unaware of Mrinal’s keen eyes on her. The breakfast had already come and it was laid out on the coffee table. He was sitting on the couch next to it. Only when she sat down at the dresser at the other side of the room did she notice him in the mirror. Their eyes met through the mirror and she averted hers immediately. His were not the eyes of a concerned friend who had been so worried about her food, sleep and health for last two days. Those were the smoldering eyes of a hungry lover. She applied the sindoor, not daring to do the rest of the makeup under his glare, and made to the coffee table wordlessly. He held out his hand and made her sit next to him. He cupped her face in his hands and spoke in almost a whisper, “You are beautiful. Do you know that?”

She didn’t know what instincts she acted on, but she shook her head slightly even while her face was in the grip of her hands.

He raised his eyebrows and gave her a crooked smile, “No. Why? Nobody told you?” There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

How idiotic to have shook her head! What was she going to say in reply? But she was feeling emboldened with him now. “No,” she replied defiantly in her childishly sweet voice.

“Nobody?” she wasn’t looking at him, but the amusement in his voice was even more pronounced now. She could imagine his smile, the one that lighted up his face so well.

“Not like that.”

“Not like what?”

She closed her eyes, her face growing hot; and shook her head. That was the limit of her boldness for the time being.

“Let me give you options to choose from,” he murmured to her. “Like this?” he roughly caressed her cheeks with his thumbs while continuing to hold her face. “Or like this?” he kissed her closed eyes one by one. “Or like this?” he let one of his hands slip away from her cheek to the side of her neck, and planted a kiss on the freed cheek. She clutched her hands in an effort to hide her reactions, but the sensations running through her body were beyond control. He was bending down to reach her neck, but just then she bit her lips hoping that it will provide her some relief. That was as much Mrinal could do to stop himself. Still he managed to restrain himself to a quick peck on her lips initially. They quivered at the touch and parted slightly. The invitation could not be ignored any longer. He crashed on her lips, sucking on her lower lips at first; then thrusting his tongue deep in her mouth, exploring the sweetness that lied inside. He was encouraged when, after initial passivity, she also responded back. He withdrew only when he felt her running out of breath and slacking. He himself was panting.

The first kiss! Antara was feeling dizzy with the experience. The way her body had reacted told her that it couldn’t have been any better. But as she steadied her breath, she also felt a little confused. What was she to do with her wetness on her lips? Wipe it off? But before she could do anything, she felt his fingers crushing her lips. It was like he couldn’t have enough of them. Now that he had broken the kiss the fingers were at work, exploring every inch of them. While he was doing that, she became aware that her eyes were still closed, and her hands clutched. She relaxed her hands and slowly opened her eyes. Mrinal left her lips alone and held her at shoulders. “You drive me mad,” he spoke in a low, throaty voice. Her heart leapt. What better complement could a new, nervous bride want?

What now? Will they just… But…

“We are getting late,” she said in a low, uncertain voice.

“We could extend our booking by a day,” he said.

She looked up concerned. That would be too conspicuous. But as usual, she found him smiling mischievously. He was teasing her!

“Breakfast,” silence created too much sexual tension. She felt compelled to talk to release it, “Is getting cold. You must be hungry.”

“You have no idea how much,” he chuckled meaningfully, but let her go.

Their breakfast conversation was mostly inane. They talked about which of the dishes were good, and which weren’t and fussed over each other for not eating enough. After finishing it, Mrinal remembered something.

“Antara. Here is something. Mummy wanted me to give it to you,” he took out a small jewelry box from his suitcase. She opened it to find two heavy, gold ear-rings in it.

“Mummy?” she looked confused. Why would her mother-in-law send a gift for her wedding night? It was awkward. Or was he joking again?

“Yes. She asked me to give it to you…”

She chuckled suddenly.

“What happened?”

“Auntie asked you to give it to me?”

“Yes. She did. What is so funny about it?”

“Nothing,” she shook her head. His mother probably knew her son won’t remember these things. So, she was prepared. “Actually…” Antara explained with a slight blush and grin, “This is supposed to be from you. A ritual of sort. The relatives and guests will ask today what I got from you last night. So – thank you!”

“Oh!” he looked like a confused, lost kid. Ritual or not – he should have brought something for her. But he was so disinterested in the entire wedding, and so focused on planning their lives after it was over, that he wasn’t thinking. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, Mrinal ji. I don’t need this. It is just for the ritual, which has been taken care of.”

“What would you have done if Mummy didn’t remember?”

“I would have shown them my night dress,” she replied jocularly, as she put the folded kurta-paijama she had used at night back in his suitcase.

He grinned.

Mrinal watched from the corners of his eyes as Antara went back to the dresser, tied her hair loosely and applied nothing other than a face cream and some kajal for her makeup. Then they packed up their belongings and left. Mrinal’s father had left his car in the hotel for their use.

—

The day dragged on slowly. There was a small pooja to conclude the function. Many guests were leaving and they all had a word or two to say to the new daughter-in-law before leaving. So, even though there wasn’t much for either of them to do, they could not spend any time together. It was dinner time when all the guests had departed. Only Mrinalini stayed on. They had a quiet family dinner. Everyone was exhausted and they decided to go to sleep early. Mrinal stayed back to discuss something with his father, while her sisters led Antara to his bedroom – now theirs!

Mrinal saw Antara struggling to close a suitcase when he entered the room. He rushed to help her. “Why did you open it? It doesn’t seem to have any of your night dresses.”

“I had to give a gift each to Mrinalini Didi and Mudita,” she referred to his sisters, “It is a ritual.”

“Rituals! But Didi? She is younger to me.”

“I have always called her Didi,” she smiled awkwardly.

He didn’t say anything, just grunted non-committally. The suitcase was closed now.

He looked around his room, which was filled with her suitcases. “You will have to repack this stuff. We can’t take so much on flight to Mumbai. Pack essential ones in one suitcase; the rest can come through movers and packers.”

Mrinal had it all figured out. The very next day they were to fly to Mumbai, get Antara’s passport under Tatkal scheme and then fly to Mauritius after a week or two for their honeymoon. He had wanted to get away from family humdrum in Kolkata at the earliest. The passport and honeymoon gave an immediate excuse.

“Actually… I don’t need so much stuff. It’s really just for…” she didn’t complete her sentence, instead asked him, “How much can we take on flight?”

“Forty Kgs between the two of us. I don’t have much stuff to be taken back. So, you can pack up to 30 Kgs.”

“I will manage in that,” she said and moved to open another suitcase.

“Why do you want to open that?” he asked.

“For my night dress.”

“Yeah. Just a minute.” He went to the cupboard and took out a polythene bag. “Try this,” he said handing it over to her.

“What is it?”

“There is no ritual that you can’t open it and see for yourself,” he said.

She laughed softly at that and took out the contents of the bag. She found herself holding a mass of red, satin fabric. She looked at him puzzled.

“A night dress,” he explained, “Since you were so keen on showing people a night dress as my gift…”

She beamed happily.  Mrinal felt hopeful. Simple things pleased this girl. She was happy to leave behind much of the stuff that came as wedding gift to her. But a simple night dress had brought this uncontainable grin on her face. Things might just work out without much compromise on his part.

“And please do not cry again. Not over a night dress,” he added jocularly.

“I will take a shower and come,” she said and picked up a towel.

“Wash your hair too,” he suggested. She didn’t look back at him on hearing this. So, he couldn’t see her blushing, but could very well imagine it.

—

To be continued