Chapter 5 - Wedding Night (2/2)

'Innaya, why do you always have to assume wrong things?'

”What's this?” I asked confused.

”Gift”

”Why?”

”Because I want to and now enough of your interrogation and open this.” He pushed gift towards me, taking now empty mug from my hands.

”Okay... Thank you!” Curiosity got better of me, and I started unwrapping the gift.

Eshan's phone started ringing from the recliner he earlier was sitting on. ”Excuse me, I'll be back. You please carry on.” Picking up his phone, Eshan walked towards sliding glass door of balcony after excusing himself.

I unwrapped the paper only to gasp in surprise, as I come across the box full of multicolour glass bangles.

”Wow! Beautiful!” I exclaimed in admiration, ”Glass bangles, and my favourite.”

I brought my palm to touch them carefully. I caught a glimpse of paper neatly folded tucked in a corner of the box. Setting aside the box on the side table, I unfolded the paper and noticed beautifully handwritten lines. I took a glance at the balcony and saw Eshan busy in conversation with someone on his mobile, his back towards me. I started reading wondering why to put the paper instead of directly talking.

*

”Your eyes have a spark,

Like a light shining in the dark,

The innocence of a child,

I can feel it in your smile,

It's a different world you have stepped in,

Just don't forget it's me whom you are with,

Dear, just don't be afraid, I am there,

Hold my hand if you fear,

The glass symbolizes my promise,

You will be treasured all my life,

Transparency and care,

Yet the shielding armor,

I promise to be the friend you need!

I promise to be the support you seek!

I promise to make you happy!

Like this colorful gift,

I promise to make our life exquisite!

-

Eshan

*

I was speechless once I finished reading. How thoughtful of him. Instead of gifting me something expensive, he just made the small glass bangles priceless with his words.

'Am I ready to let him, in? Am I ready to share my deepest secrets, hidden fear, and unvoiced feelings with him?'

My eyes on their own accord went to Eshan. He stood leaning against railings facing me, staring intently at me still on call, with searching expression on his face. Was he all the time watching me?

I gave him smile expressing my gratitude for his efforts, mouthing the word, ”Thank You!”

Eshan returned the smile nodding in my direction.

I roamed my fingers once again over the page before folding it back and keeping it inside the box and closing its lid.

Laying down I adjusted pillow behind my head. Closing my eyes, I recalled events of today and waited for sleep to come.

Tablet I took before opening Eshan's gift, while he went to the balcony, should be starting to work soon, helping me fall into nightmare-free sleep. I hoped it work. I have avoided taking them knowing of their side effects and also because of the fact, that Mom and Granny's room was downstairs and they couldn't see my condition while I suffered from nightmares. Now knowing that I would be living with Eshan, I had to get pills for my PTSD.

'I'm not ready to let him know about it, yet.' While thinking about it, at some part of time medicine kicked in and sleep overtook my senses. I slept forgetting that, Eshan still stood outside in the cold night.