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As soon as they entered the chamber, Abhimaan gently guided Paridhi to the couch.
"Here, sit down," he said softly.
"You need to rest that ankle."
Paridhi obeyed, still feeling overwhelmed by the interior of the room.
She had barely settled when Abhimaan suddenly knelt in front of her, causing her to gasp in shock.
"Rana sa!" she exclaimed, instinctively trying to stand up.
However, the sharp pain in her ankle reminded her of her injury, and she winced, falling back onto the couch.
"Aap kya kar rahe hain yeh, Rana sa?" Paridhi asked, her voice tinged with confusion and a hint of panic.
What are you doing Rana sa
Abhimaan looked up at her, his eyes kind.
"Examining your sprain," he replied calmly, reaching for her ankle.
Paridhi quickly pulled her foot back, her eyes wide.
"No! You can't," she protested, her voice trembling slightly.
"A king shouldn't bow in front of anyone. It's... it's not right."
Abhimaan's lips curved into a gentle smile.
"But only a queen can make a king bow on his knees in front of her," he said softly, his gaze never leaving hers.
Paridhi felt her cheeks grow warm at his words.
"But... but I'm not..." she stammered.
"You are my wife now, Rani sa," Abhimaan interrupted gently.
"That makes you my queen. Now, please, let me look at your ankle. I want to make sure it's not too serious."
Paridhi hesitated, still uncomfortable with the idea.
Abhimaan carefully examined her ankle, Paridhi couldn't help but marvel at the gentleness of his touch.
His fingers were warm against her skin, and she found herself relaxing despite her initial discomfort.
"Does this hurt?" he asked, pressing lightly on a spot.
Paridhi winced slightly.
"A little," she admitted.
Abhimaan nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"It doesn't seem too bad just take rest it'll be fine by tomorrow"
As he finished his examination, he looked up at Paridhi, his eyes meeting hers.
Abhimaan stood up, he offered her his hand.
"Now, let's get you more comfortable. We've had a long day, and you need to rest that ankle."
Paridhi took his hand, allowing him to help her up.
As Paridhi's eyes adjusted to the dim light of the bedroom, she found herself looking around in awe.
The room was unlike anything she had ever seen before, except in the pages of her favorite novels.
"Wow," she breathed, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings.
Rana sa watched her with a small smile.
"Do you like it?" he asked.
Paridhi nodded, still gazing around.
"It's... it's beautiful," she said softly.
The room had a dark, elegant theme that exuded luxury.
Paridhi noticed five doors: the one they had entered through, about other four she doesn't know.
"What's behind that door, Rana sa?" Paridhi asked, pointing to the unknown entrance.
"That's the walk-in closet," Rana sa explained.
Paridhi nodded, still overwhelmed by the sheer size of the room.
"This room is so big," she marveled.
"I think four or five of my old rooms could fit in here easily."
she explored further, she noticed a glass partition. Curious, she stepped into the area beyond it.
"Oh!" she exclaimed.
"There's even a TV and a couch in here!"
Abhimaan chuckled at her excitement.
"Yes, it's a little sitting area. Sometimes I like to work here."
Paridhi admired the L-shaped couch and the grey curtains covering the windows.
Then Paridhi stood nervously in the spacious bedroom, her heart racing as she watched
Abhimaan approached her. The soft glow of the bedside lamps cast a warm light across the room, highlighting the intricate patterns of her wedding lehenga.
As Abhimaan came closer, she could smell his subtle cologne, a mix of wood and spice that made her feel dizzy.
Abhimaan stopped in front of her, his eyes scanning her face intently.
Paridhi felt her cheeks grow hot under his scrutiny. She had never been this close to a man before, and the intensity of his gaze made her feel both thrilled and terrified.
"Is there something on my face?" Paridhi asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Abhimaan shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips.
"No, I'm just trying to memorize every detail of my beautiful wife."
His words sent a shiver down Paridhi's spine.
Unable to hold his gaze any longer, she turned her head to the side, focusing on a painting hanging on the wall.
Abhimaan let out a soft sigh, recognizing her discomfort.
He said gently, stepping back to give her some space.
"That door over there leads to the bathroom," he pointed to a wooden door on their right.
"It's connected to the wardrobe as well. I've made sure all your essentials are already there."
Paridhi nodded, still not meeting his eyes.
"Thank you," she murmured.
"Why don't you go and change into something more comfortable?" Abhimaan suggested, his voice kind.
"I'm sure you must be tired after such a long day."
Grateful for the excuse to escape his presence for a moment, Paridhi quickly made her way to the bathroom door.
As she reached for the handle, she heard Abhimaan's voice behind her.
"Paridhi?"
She turned, her hand still on the doorknob.
"Yes?"
"Take your time. There's no rush," he said with a reassuring smile.
Paridhi nodded and slipped into the bathroom, closing the door behind her.
As soon as she was alone, she leaned against the door, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart.
When she finally looked up, her eyes widened in amazement. The bathroom was unlike anything she had ever seen before.
It was easily as large as her entire bedroom back home, with gleaming marble floors and soft, recessed lighting that gave the room a luxurious glow.
"Oh my goodness," Paridhi whispered to herself, her eyes darting from one stunning feature to another.
On one side of the room stood a massive glass-enclosed shower, big enough for at least three people.
The showerhead was a large, circular fixture that hung from the ceiling like a chandelier.
Next to it, a deep, oval-shaped bathtub beckoned invitingly, its smooth surface reflecting the soft light.
Paridhi carefully lifted the hem of her heavy lehenga and slipped off her high heels, wiggling her toes in relief as they sank into the plush bath mat.
She padded across the room, marveling at the cool feel of the marble under her feet.
A long countertop ran along one wall, featuring two separate sinks with elegant faucets.
Above each sink hung a large, beautifully framed mirror. Paridhi approached one of the sinks, noticing the array of products neatly arranged on either side.
"His and hers," she murmured, running her fingers lightly over the bottles on her side.
High-end moisturizers, facial cleansers, and lotions were lined up in perfect order.
She picked up a bottle of perfume, bringing it to her nose and inhaling the delicate floral scent.
Setting the perfume back down, Paridhi's gaze was drawn to a set of stairs leading up to a frosted glass partition at the far end of the bathroom.
Curiosity got the better of her, and she climbed the stairs, her hand trailing along the smooth banister.
At the top, she slid open the glass door and gasped audibly.
Before her was an enormous Jacuzzi, more like a small indoor pool than a bathtub.
The water sparkled invitingly, and jets along the sides promised a luxurious, bubbling experience.
But what truly took her breath away was the floor-to-ceiling window that offered a panoramic view of the city skyline.
"It's like something out of a dream," Paridhi whispered, her eyes wide as she took in the twinkling lights of the city spread out before her.
For a moment, she was lost in the beauty of it all, forgetting her tiredness.
With a sigh, she turned away from the breathtaking view and made her way back down the stairs.
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, she began the task of removing her elaborate wedding outfit.
Carefully, she unhooked the heavy skirt of her lehenga and hung it on a nearby hanger.
Next, she removed the dupatta draped over her shoulder, the delicate fabric slipping through her fingers like water.
Now clad only in her blouse and petticoat, she began removing her jewelry piece by piece, placing each item carefully on the countertop.
When it came time to remove her blouse, however, Paridhi encountered a problem.
The hooks at the back were too tight and positioned in a way that made it impossible for her to reach them all.
"Oh, come on," she muttered in frustration, twisting this way and that as she tried to unhook the stubborn closures.
After several failed attempts, her arms aching from the awkward position, she realized she needed help.
The thought of asking Abhimaan made her cheeks burn with embarrassment, but she saw no other option.
Wrapping the dupatta around her upper body for modesty, she cracked open the bathroom door and peeked out.
Abhimaan was sitting on the edge of the bed, his attention focused on a laptop balanced on his knees.
He had removed his wedding sherwani and was now wearing a simple white t shirt and trousers.
"Um, Rana sa?" Paridhi called out softly, but her voice was too quiet to reach him.
Taking a deep breath, she tried again, louder this time.
"Rana sa?"
This time, he heard her. His head snapped up, eyes immediately finding her half-hidden form in the doorway.
"Is everything alright, Paridhi?" he asked, concern evident in his voice as he set aside his laptop and stood up.
Paridhi nodded quickly.
"Yes, everything's fine. It's just..." she trailed off, her embarrassment making it hard to form the words.
Abhimaan took a step closer, his brow furrowed.
"What is it? You can tell me."
Paridhi took a deep breath and blurted out,
"I can't unhook my blouse. Could you... could you help me?"
Understanding dawned on Abhimaan's face, followed quickly by a mix of surprise and something else Paridhi couldn't quite identify.
Was it nervousness?
"Of course," he said, his voice slightly hoarse. He cleared his throat and continued,
"I'll close my eyes so you won't feel uncomfortable. Is that okay?"
Paridhi felt a wave of relief wash over her.
"Thank you," she said gratefully.
Abhimaan nodded and closed his eyes.
"Just tell me when you're ready," he said.
Paridhi stepped out of the bathroom, the cool air of the bedroom raising goosebumps on her skin.
She turned her back to Abhimaan and let the dupatta fall away.
"I'm ready," she said softly.
She felt Abhimaan move closer, the heat of his body warming her back.
His fingers brushed against her skin as he found the hooks, and Paridhi couldn't suppress a small shiver.
"Are you cold?" Abhimaan asked, his voice low and close to her ear.
"N-no," Paridhi stammered.
"I'm fine."
Abhimaan's hands were shaking slightly as he worked on the hooks, and Paridhi could hear his uneven breathing.
The air between them felt charged with an unfamiliar tension that made her heart race.
After what felt like an eternity but was probably only a few seconds, Paridhi found herself saying,
"You don't have to keep your eyes closed if you don't want to."
Abhimaan's hands stilled.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his
voice barely above a whisper.
Paridhi nodded, then remembered he couldn't see her.
"Yes," she said.
"I trust you."
She felt rather than heard Abhimaan's sharp intake of breath. Then, slowly, gently, he resumed unhooking her blouse.
This time, Paridhi was acutely aware of his gaze on her back, and she felt a warmth spreading through her body that had nothing to do with embarrassment.
When the last hook was undone, Abhimaan stepped back.
"All done," he said, his voice husky.
Paridhi turned to face him, holding the blouse closed with one hand.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither of them moved or spoke.
The air between them seemed to crackle with unspoken words and unfamiliar emotions.
Finally, Abhimaan broke the silence.
"I'll let you finish changing," he said, turning towards the bed.
"Take your time."
Paridhi nodded and retreated back into the bathroom, her mind whirling with confused thoughts and feelings.
She took her time removing her makeup and changing into a comfortable nightgown, using the moments alone to try and calm her racing heart.
When she finally emerged from the bathroom, she found Abhimaan sitting on the bed, his laptop open once again.
Abhimaan looked up as Paridhi approached, a warm smile spreading across his face.
"Feeling better after freshening up?" he said softly.
Paridhi nodded, suddenly feeling shy again.
"Yes, thank you," she replied, standing uncertainly at the edge of the bed.
Abhimaan patted the space next to him
"Come on, sit down here," he encouraged.
"This is your home now too, you know. No need to stand around like a guest."
Paridhi gingerly sat on the edge of the bed, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
"Okay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Noticing her nervousness, Abhimaan closed his laptop and turned to face her fully.
"Hey, are you alright, Paridhi?" he asked gently.
He reached out and placed his hand over hers, causing her to look up in surprise.
"I... I think so," Paridhi stammered.
"It's just... everything is so new and different."
Abhimaan nodded.
"I can imagine it's a lot to take in," he said.
"But I want you to know something important, okay?"
Paridhi tilted her head curiously.
"What's that?"
"You don't need to be nervous or scared here," Abhimaan explained.
"Just because we're married doesn't mean you lose who you are. Your freedom, your likes and dislikes, your dreams they're all still yours. We're equals in this relationship and in this home. Do you understand?"
Paridhi's eyes widened in surprise.
"Umm I... I didn't expect that," she admitted.
Abhimaan chuckled softly.
Paridhi couldn't help but giggle.
"You're certainly different from what I expected," she said.
"Good different or bad different?" Abhimaan asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.
"Definitely good different," Paridhi replied with a small smile.
Abhimaan's face lit up.
"You know, you have a beautiful smile," he said.
"You should use it more often."
Paridhi felt her cheeks grow warm.
"Thank you," she murmured.
"Listen, Paridhi," Abhimaan said, his tone growing more serious.
"I know this isn't how either of us planned to start our lives, but I want us to make the best of it. Can we try to get to know each other? We can face whatever comes our way together, step by step. What do you think?"
Paridhi felt a warmth spreading through her chest at his words.
"I'd like that very much," she said softly.
"It's been quite a long day, hasn't it?"
Paridhi nodded in agreement.
Abhimaan stood up, grabbing a pillow.
"Well, we should probably get some sleep. I'll take the couch so you can have the bed to yourself."
"Wait, what?" Paridhi asked, confused.
"Why would you sleep on the couch?"
Abhimaan shrugged.
"I just want you to be comfortable. It's your first night here, after all."
Paridhi felt touched by his consideration
"But you don't have to do that," she said.
"The bed is big enough for both of us. I don't mind sharing if you don't."
"Are you sure?" Abhimaan asked, looking uncertain.
Paridhi nodded firmly.
"I'm sure. Please, sleep on the bed. It's your bed too, after all."
With a grateful smile, Abhimaan returned to the bed, settling down on the opposite side.
As they both lay down, he turned to face her.
"Try not to overthink things, okay Pari?" he said softly.
Paridhi's eyes widened at the nickname.
"Pari?" she repeated in her mind.
"Well then, goodnight, Pari. Sweet dreams."
"Goodnight, Rana sa," Paridhi replied softly.
As the room fell into darkness, Paridhi lay awake for a while, thinking about the day's events.
"Rana sa?" she whispered after a few minutes.
"Hmm?" came his sleepy reply.
"Thank you for being so nice to me today," Paridhi said.
There was a moment of silence, then Abhimaan's warm voice came through the darkness.
"You don't need to thank me for that, Pari. It's how it should be."
Paridhi smiled to herself.
"Hmm," she said.
"Goodnight, Rana sa."
"Goodnight, Pari," he murmured.
And with those gentle words echoing in her mind, Paridhi finally drifted off to sleep, feeling more at peace than she had all day.
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