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Indra's pov
I slowly opened my eyes; my body was aching. I looked around, and the first face I saw was that of my brother, Rudra.
"B..bhai… Aap uth gaye" Rudra spoke with a smile.
(Brother, you've woken up.)
I tried to sit, but it was tough. My mother helped me do so.
"Where is Tulasi?" I asked, looking around. She's the first person that I wanted to see.
"Why? We aren't enough?" My mother said.
I furrowed my brows. "Maa, she's my wife. What are you talking about?"
"She's out. I'm not going to let her be even near your shadow." My mother said after a scoff.
"Maa, you have no right to do that. She's my wife; she belongs right next to me. Are you going to call her in, or do you want me to go out?" I said.
"If she comes in, then I'm going out." My mother said.
I took a deep sigh. "Fine, go then." I said.
I watched my mother gasp in bewilderment. "Now she's more important than your own mother?"
"I love you as a mother; you took care of me. But she's my wife. She's my responsibility and my future life. Do not compare it. Now, please call her in." I said after closing my eyes. I had no energy to argue about these family priorities.
"I'll go and call Bhabhi inside. She didn't even sleep a wink last night." Nalini said.
My mother tried to stop her but nalini already left. Then…. I heard that same anklet melody, which eases my heart. I watched tulasi run towards me, and I spread my arms with a smile.
She hugged me so tightly, and I melted into her embrace. She was sobbing into my shoulder, and I caressed her hair.
"Don't cry, Tulasi. Why are you crying anyway? I deserve this. This is nothing infront of what you've endured." I said after cupping her face and looking into her eyes.
"W... why did you do that? Just because I didn't talk to you, you'll do that??" Tulasi said with a little anger.
"no… I did it because I hurt you. I needed to redeem myself. I couldn't bear this guilt in my heart. And everytime I close my eyes, that same incident comes into my mind." I spoke while tucking her hair behind her ears.
"You hurt yourself to this rate. You're lying on the doctor's clinic bed just because of me. How can I forgive myself?" Tulasi said between her sobs.
"shhh, never blame yourself. It had to be done, my jaan. I hurt you in my anger and alcoholic state. I'm ready to even die for you at this point." I wiped her tears.
"Never ever say that, Indra ji. I can't live without you. You're the only hope for me amidst all the darkness." Tulasi said, burying her face into my neck.
"Tulasi… I don't deserve you. You're like a goddess that turned me into a real man. Your aura has this divine power to heal anyone." I spoke, hugging her tightly.
My gaze falls onto my family. They were watching us with a smile. But… I need some privacy for now.
"I want some alone time with my wife. everyone… wait outside." I said, looking at them.
My mother didn't want to leave, but Rudra dragged her out. I need to keep an eye on my mother; I've seen Tulasi's mood going down whenever she sees my mother. But she never tells me anything. Also, they never get along. Even now, my mother made tulasi stay outside, I need to find all the truth soon.
"Tulasi… I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. P...please forgive me. I know that I don't deserve it. But I promise, I'll never hurt you again. I'll die but never even let a scratch get you." I said, looking into her dark orbs, which held so many emotions beneath them.
Tulasi's pov
I gulped after locking my eyes with his. He seemed genuine. He has gone through all that just to redeem himself and please me. I'll never find a better husband than him, he proved it. In this world, everyone hated me before. I thought my husband would be the same as others, using me for their own needs. But God blessed me with a man who would do anything for me. And is even ready to change.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. Tears flowed down my cheeks as I did. Indra ji returned the kiss hesitantly.
I learned how to kiss properly because of him, so I dominated the kiss. I could taste the saltiness of my tears in our kiss.
I pulled back but not entirely; I kept pecking his lips multiple times. I was so glad that he's fine now. Or else this world would've swallowed me whole.
"Tulasi… You didn't answer me yet." I heard him speaking.
"Indra ji… I can't forgive you for that. But… I'll give you a second chance. Because I can't live without you." I spoke while rubbing his cheek against my fingers.
I watched his eyes form a sparkle. It was something that I never witnessed before. I never expected my forgiveness and my love would mean this much to a person. For the first time, I felt like I had someone who actually loved me. I'm not some usable toy anymore. I have a purpose in this life now.
"Tulasi… I'll never make you regret your decision." Indra ji pulled me onto the bed.
"Lean back." He said, and I complied.
I don't know what he was doing. Then I saw him touching my feet. My eyes widened, and I tried to retract my legs, but he gripped onto them.
"Let me worship you, Tulasi. Please…." Indra ji said.
"i.. Indra ji, let go. You can't touch your wife's feet. It is not appropriate." I tried to convince him.
Author pov
Indra held her foot and brought it towards his lips. Tulasi was resisting, but he didn't let her retrieve her leg back.
He kissed her both feet with devotion. It was a big act by him. Touching your wife's legs meant submission, which was super rare back then.
Tulasi teared up due to his gesture. Indra continued to worship her feet.
"Why can't I touch your feet? Aren't you my ardhangini? My better half? If you can touch mine, then I can touch yours." Indra said with a smile.
"Indra ji, i… i lob u cho machh" Tulasi said with a tearful smile.
Indra chuckled and wiped her tears.
"I love you more."
"Morr?" Tulasi asked.
"That means I love you more than you love me." Indra said, pulling her into his arms.
"But how's it possible? Because my love is soooooo big" Tulasi asked with furrowed brows.
"Is it…? Then show me." Indra asked with a smirk.
"how?" Tulasi asked.
"Mhm.. maybe another kiss would prove it." Indra says while playing with her hair.
Tulasi hits his thigh with a pout. Indra hisses in pain.
"S...sorry. I forgot that you're injured because of our conversation. Does it hurt..?" Tulasi asked after standing up and checking his injuries.
"I'm fine, Tulasi. All of this is nothing. You healed my heart with your words. You're my goddess. I must've done some great deeds in my past life to get you as my wife in this life." Indra spoke with a slight smile.
Tulasi was moved by his words. She cupped his face and pecked his forehead. "And you're my savior in this life. Like a knight that saved the caged princess."
Indra wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. "Yes, you're my princess. From now on, I'll treat you not only like a wife but also as a princess."
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