Angel-Reopened

Part – 33

Shiv lay contently later that night. Gauri was sleeping peacefully cradled in his arms, her face tucked in his chest. He never knew that the darkness of his birthday night will bring so much light in his life. He no longer felt his existence meaningless. From this day, Shiv will mean Gauri to him. Love that Gauri offered him was unconditional and pure. It made him feel special that she trusted him with this priceless emotion. He was determined to give Gauri everything she deserved. She would never feel any heat of sadness from this very moment. This night was incredible not just because he made her his, but also that last night was first time she had slept without any nightmare waking her up or making her shiver with fear. Shiv finally understood what people meant when they said that their love completed him. She felt so right cradled in his arms. And her scent was something that will make his breathing more meaningful. The house was same but to Shiv everything had brightened.  He felt the hollowness in him fill. With her in his arms he slept peacefully.

Totally out of habit, Gauri woke up with the first rays if the sun. Shiv, her Shiv, the feeling made her giddy. He had annoyed her. He had teased her. He had infuriated her. He had made her cry and cried for her. He had railroaded her into a marriage.  He loves her insanely. And he had stolen her glasses. He introduced her to herself. And now she was completely his.  Gauri also knew that he can seek her in herd of million people. All the pain during all those years seemed worthy now in his arms. Her angel was here to save and protect her from her nemesis. And now she was listening to the heartbeat of that angel. Her husband definitely slept like a baby...all innocence and sweetness only if anyone knew. There was such content on his face that made her heart swell with love and happiness. Today is his birthday and she will make sure this one tops any other of his birthdays. But to do so she has to get out from the comfort of his arms. So she tried to get up without making any fuss but she felt Shiv's arms tighten around her.

"Aap kahan chali Mrs. Gauri Shiv Kapoor?" Shiv asked looking straight into her wyes. They were snuggled to each other and Shiv just did not want to be rid of the comfort.  

"Aap...aap..." Gauri fumbled with the words as she remembered their state and the last night. Her faced went into different shades of red. Okay...she can speak clearly... in a minute. She hid her head in his chest and asked, "aap jaag rahe the?" Shiv laughed and felt real pleasure from her shyness.

"Nahi tumne utha diya...tumhare mujhse door jaane ke ehsaas ne utha diya mujhe" Shiv corrected.

Gauri just didn't know what to say. His warmth was flowing through her. She braved to look into his eyes. They were sparkling with love. "I love you Shiv, Happy Birthday."

"It is indeed a very happy birthday for me and it is just about to get happier," Shiv said nuzzling her neck. Her husband was a hopeless case, Gauri thought.

"Shiv aapko office nahin jaana hai kya? Anupam bhayia bata rahe the ki aaj aapki bahaut important meeting hai," Gauri asked. She had to find a way to send him away or he will mess all her plans up.

"Nope, aaj main kahin nahin jaane wala hoon." Shiv declared nuzzling her neck, bringing her more close.

"Par Shiv..." Gauri said trying to think clearly.

"Par var kuch nahin...aaj mera birthday hai, main wahi karoonga jo main chahunga and you know what biwi I am really enjoying what I am doing right now." Shiv said slipping a hand under her kurta. Before he could get any ideas his phone rang. He swore and then checked the screen. It was Dadi he has to answer it. He held Gauri by her waist and answered the phone.

"Good morning Dadi," Gauri muffled a laugh in his chest as he trying to sound excited but he sounded absurdly annoyed. Shiv put his arm around her waist to secure her to him and rolled on to the other side to talk to Dadi and then tucked Gauri with him.

"Happy Birthday son" Dadi wished him and gave him truckloads of blessings while Shiv played with Gauri's hair.

"Acha chal ab meri bahu ko phone de... baat karne ko taras gayi hoon usse... jab se voh gayi hai saara ghar soona soona ho gaya hai" Dadi said.

"aare wah dadi bahu ke saamne pote ki value hi nahi koi?" Shiv complained.

"Value ka bacha, tujhe yaad nahin aati hamari. Gauri humme roz phone karti hai. She makes sure mom has her medicines on time. tujhey toh kaam se hi fursat nahin hai." Nikhila Mom compalined.

Gauri was listening to the whole conversation on the speaker, " Birthday ke din bhi dantegi Shiv ko Mom?"

"That's like my wife," Shiv whispered in Gauri's ear.

"You are right Gauri...Happy birthday Shiv. May god give you everything you want" Nikhila mom blessed him.

"Jo chahta hoon voh aapki wajah se nahin ho raha hai," Shiv thought to himself and then replied, "Thanks mom."

"Aaj Gauri aur tu dono ghar aa rahe ho, mujhe tum dono 2 ghante mein yahan chahiye ho." Dadi ordered.

That brought Shiv's attention back to the conversation which had wandered in his wife's hair. "Kya...par kyun Dadi."

"Kyunki Anupam ki shaadi ka mahurat nikalana hai." Nikhila mom replied.

"Toh Anupam ko bulao na...waise bhi itni bhi kya jaldi hai usse apni shaadi ki." Shiv said annoyed as he saw his plans for the rest of the day go down the drain.

"Shiv uski sagai tujh se pehle hui thi aur kyunki Gauri ghar ki bahu uska yahan hona zaroori hai...main chahti hoon ki woh saari zimmedariyaan sambhal le aa kar aur main retire ho jaaun" Dadi expalined.

Before Shiv could protest Gauri replied, "ji dadi hum 2 ghante mein aaye." Then she said goodbyes, Shiv mumbled them and then glared at her.

"Chaliye uthiye aur tayaar ho jaayie main breakfast ready kar deti hoon." Gauri smiled at him. 

'Dekh loonga tumhe ,"Shiv warned her and went to the washroom to get ready while Gauri went to the other bath to save time.