Page 235 of The Redemption
“Means the same.”
“Absolutely not.” I roll my eyes.
“Princess.” Raghav steps closer. “Although I still love black, ever since you walked into my life, colours don’t seem as terrible as they once did.”
I chuckle. “That was a cheesy romantic line, Mr. Kundra.”
His expression immediately turns offended. “I meant it.”
I know.But I still laugh.
He keeps frowning until his gaze drops briefly to my lips before returning to my eyes. And just like that, I realise my husband has no intention of letting me walk away so easily. I know exactly what he wants before he even says it.
“We should probably go back.”
I’m just about to turn away when he catches my elbow and pins me against the counter.
“Raghav,” I gasp, glancing at the kitchen door. “They’re waiting for the chutneys,” I remind him.
He doesn’t care. He simply closes the distance between us and kisses me properly. I kiss him back just as eagerly. What begins as a single kiss quickly deepens into something more. His hands glide over my curves before stopping at my waist.
“Being married is such a good feeling,” he murmurs against my neck before pressing an open-mouthed kiss there. My fingers instinctively brush through his hair, tugging at the strands as he nibbles along the curve of my shoulder.
“It is…”
“I’m trying very hard to behave, Siya. But one look at you, and my control slips.”
I know. I open my mouth to respond when Baba’s voice booms from the dining room.
“Siya? Are we getting those chutneys today or not?”
I immediately pull back. Raghav closes his eyes and exhales in frustration. Trying not to laugh, I quickly smooth my hair and reach for the chutney bowls.
“Now come out and pretend you were helping me,” I say, pushing a bowl of chutney into his hands before walking out of the kitchen.
A few seconds later, Raghav follows behind me as though nothing happened. Unfortunately for me, no matter how hard I try to hide my blush, his smug expression gives everything away. The moment we return to the dining table, Mom and Baba take one look at us and immediately realise that Raghav had been doing anything but helping me in the kitchen.
Baba chuckles under his breath. “You know,” he says casually, looking at Raghav, “you should take Siya somewhere for a honeymoon.”
Mom immediately nods in agreement. “Actually, that’s not a bad idea. Both of you need this break. You’ve barely had any time to yourselves after everything that’s happened.”
Then she looks at me.
“And don’t worry about me. I can always go to Mumbai and stay with Meher until you both come back. Her due date is getting closer anyway, and I was already planning to spend time with her.”
For a moment, silence settles over the table. I look at Raghav, and the moment our eyes meet, I already know his answer. His expression hardens almost imperceptibly, not because he dislikes the idea, but because he’s considering the risks and dangers if we were to leave. Before he can say anything, I give him a small nod, silently letting him know that I understand.
He looks at me before turning to Baba. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he says calmly.
Baba’s smile fades slightly.
“We aren’t going anywhere until the matters related to Cape Town are sorted.”
The table falls quiet. Baba nods in understanding while Mom lets out a small sigh, finally agreeing as well. The conversationgradually moves on, and beneath the table, Raghav’s fingers find mine and give them a reassuring squeeze… just enough to tell me that he knows what he’s denying me, and that somewhere, he wishes things were different too.
I squeeze his hand back, completely okay with his decision. Because the truth is, a honeymoon isn’t what makes us newly married. I already have everything I could ever want.I have him.And no delayed honeymoon or unfinished battle waiting for us in Cape Town will stop us from enjoying this new chapter of our lives. Whatever storm is waiting ahead, we’ll face it when the time comes.Together.
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