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A gentle touch, a whispered promise,
Abhishek's words, Malini's heart's gentle pose.
Consent, a dance, a mutual trust,
A sacred bond, forever to be just.
With every breath, with every sigh,
Their love grows stronger, touching the sky.
In each other's arms, they find their peace,
A love that's pure, a love that will never cease.
Abhishek's kiss, a gentle, loving grasp,
Malini's heart, a treasure to be wrapped.
In this moment, they find their way,
To a love that's true, a love that will stay.
Their love's a flame, that burns so bright,
Guiding them through, the dark of night.
With every beat, with every kiss,
Their love will shine, like a beacon in the bliss.
•·•·•·•·•·•·••●❍•❅•°•❈•°•❅•❍●••·•·•·•·•·•·•·•
28th April, 1846
Calcutta, Bengal
ABHISHEK'S POV~
"N-no… I-it's okay, Abhi," she whispers, her voice trembling with a cocktail of shyness and reassurance. "You're… my… hus-band."
The way she stumbles over the word… like it's still too new, too intimate… makes something tighten in my chest.
Her ears flush a bright red, and a warm, pink hue paints her cheeks as she shyly bites her bottom lip, trying to hide the flood of emotions swirling inside her.
A slow, knowing smirk curves my lips.
She's adapting.
She's learning— tentatively, adorably, and beautifully fast.
"Yes," I whisper, my voice dipping into something deeper, something teasing.
I lean closer, letting my breath deliberately skim her ear. "I'm your husband. But…"
"B-but?" she echoes, voice soft, fingers fidgeting with the edge of the bedsheet.
"But," I murmur slowly, pressing my lips to her hair, "your consent is always my command… my priority. No matter what."
"Consent?" she murmurs, her voice barely louder than a heartbeat, as she nestles against my chest.
I feel the softness of her cheek press into my chest—like she's found her safest place in this moment.
"Consent," I begin, my fingers gently stroking her hair, "is a mutual dance of souls— soft, silent, sacred. It's an unspoken yet radiant 'yes' that blossoms between two hearts… freely given, joyfully received. It's the sacred pause between touch and tenderness, where boundaries are honored and desire is met with clarity and care. Like autumn leaves drifting in graceful surrender… not torn by wind, nor drowned in rain, but falling on their own accord."
Her eyes are half-lidded, her breath calm but caught somewhere between curiosity and wonder as she absorbs my words.
The soft rise and fall of her chest brushes against mine… matching my rhythm, syncing like a silent promise.
A chuckle rumbles softly from my chest, warm and deep.
I lean in and press a gentle kiss to her forehead, my lips lingering just a second longer than usual.
I feel her breath hitch, her body melting closer.
"Example?" she whispers, her eyes searching mine with quiet hope, her voice fragile like gossamer thread.
"May I…" I pause, brushing a knuckle down her flushed cheek, "kiss you? Here?"
My eyes drop briefly to her cheek, then rise back to meet hers…. holding her gaze with quiet intensity, not pushing, just waiting.
Her lashes flutter downward, uncertainty dancing in her eyes like hesitant raindrops before a storm.
Her hands tremble slightly… so faint that only someone who knows her like I do would notice.
"Shh," I whisper, bringing her delicate hand into mine, brushing my thumb in slow, grounding circles across her knuckles. "There's no rush. No panic. You're safe here."
Her other hand— nervous, searching… rises and touches my fingers lightly, resting over her lap as if anchoring herself in the moment.
"And… if I say no?" she breathes, her words barely rising above the air, but each syllable presses against my heart like a question that matters deeply.
I lean closer, gently lifting my hand from her waist to cradle her cheek, feeling the warmth beneath her skin, the heartbeat beneath her hesitation.
"Then I stop," I say quietly. "Because your words are power. And your voice is your compass. If you say no, even once— I'll step back. I'll protect that word like it's sacred. Because it is. I'll worship your 'no' just as I would your 'yes.'"
Then—
After a breathless pause so thick it could slice air itself—
She slowly nods.
A gentle, almost imperceptible tilt of her head, her lashes lowered, hiding the flicker of emotions swimming behind her eyes.
My breath catches in my throat.
The word she doesn't speak echoes louder than any scream.
A silent yes— soft, uncertain, but there.
I go utterly still.
For a heartbeat, I question if I imagined it.
"Are… are you sure, Malini?" I murmur, my voice raw, brushing my fingers under her chin to tilt her face up, needing to see the truth in her eyes.
Her gaze slowly rises to meet mine, shimmering with nervous resolve.
"Yes… Abhi," she whispers, her voice barely a wisp, a quiver on her lips as she bites down on the soft flesh… blushing like a petal unfolding under dawn's first light.
My heart stumbles in my chest, pounding louder than the silence between us.
I can feel it… every pulse vibrating through my ribcage, rushing to my throat.
My eyes trail to her cheeks— smooth and warm, dusted in the softest shade of rose.
I gulp, the moment expanding around us like time itself is holding its breath.
I lean forward, inch by inch, the air between us charged with invisible electricity.
Her breath fans against my skin— warm, uneven, real….sending goosebumps down my arms.
My thumb finds her cheekbone, tracing the gentle curve as if memorizing it.
Her skin is delicate under my touch, softer than morning mist.
Then—
I let my lips brush her left cheek.
A feather-light kiss, reverent and shy, like the first drop of rain touching parched earth.
Her breath hitches.
I feel her trembling fingers bunching the sleeves of my kurta, seeking anchor, seeking me.
And in that stillness, I feel everything—
The faintest tickle of tiny hairs against my lips.
Her warmth.
Her nearness.
Her trust.
I hum softly, a sound I didn't know was trapped in my chest.
She feels natural.
Real.
And for the first time in my life—
Mine.
With the last thread of restraint trembling inside me, I press my lips gently yet firmly to her cheek— soft, warm, and trembling faintly beneath my breath.
A meek, shivery gasp escapes her parted lips, feathering against my jaw.
Her breath stutters, and I feel the delicate hitch in her chest, as if even her lungs are unsure how to respond.
My stubble grazes her flushed skin in a tender friction… rough meeting silk, a quiet language only the heart understands.
Her cheek fits perfectly against mine, as if carved for this closeness.
Her fingers tighten around my kurta's sleeve as if anchoring herself to me, and with the gentlest pressure, her head tilts to the side—
Inviting.
Yielding.
Trusting.
I linger there, pressing my lips a little longer into her skin, feeling the tremble in her breath, the unspoken answer in her silence…. branding the moment into my memory.
A vow without words.
Then slowly, I pull back, not too far.
Just enough to let my thumb glide over the spot I kissed…. an invisible imprint, drawing slow circles… as if soothing a secret that only we now share.
My forehead leans against hers, and I inhale her breath, close and real, a scent like jasmine, hibiscus and monsoon and something purely Malini.
I open my eyes, watching her like she's something sacred… like if I blink too fast, she might vanish.
Her eyes remain closed, lashes fanned over her cheeks, still caught in the softness of now.
"Thank you," I whisper, barely audible over the warmth of her skin, my breath mixing with hers.
Not just for her yes, but for her trust.
A small, contented smile tugs at my lips, not the kind born from triumph, but from peace— sweet, overwhelming peace… filled with quiet awe, admiration… and something deeper I'm not yet brave enough to name.
I don't need anything else tonight.
This moment is enough.
And in this moment… beneath the dying twilight, with her warmth still lingering on my skin… I realize something is changing.
Not just between us.
But within me.
The world stays still.
And for the first time, stillness doesn't feel like a cage.
It feels like peace.
I don't know where this road will take us.
But tonight… just tonight…
I let myself believe it's somewhere beautiful.
She doesn't say a word.
She doesn't have to.
Because this—
This says everything.
In this silence between our heartbeats, something begins.
Not loud.
Not sudden.
But something that will change everything.
I feel like I'm finally home.
I hold this moment gently, knowing life may never pause like this again.
I'll worship your no as I worship your yes.
჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻.✾.჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻
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