I pull her even closer. “How can you even think of that question, baby?" For the first time in a while, tears sting my eyes as I look at my wife's face, her fear: "Nothing—not this, not anything—can change how I feel about you.” I brush a tear from her cheek.
“You’re my wife, Shivani. My other half. What happened to you—it was horrible. But it doesn’t define who you are. It doesn’t define us.” I repeat. I will repeat it till she believes me.
She finally quiets down, her body slumping against me. I hold her, firm yet gentle. Her breathing is still shaky, but her sobs have stopped.
“You’re safe now,” I whisper and press a firm kiss on her forehead. “He can’t hurt you anymore. I won’t let him.”
“Rudra…” she whispers, “he said my father sent him.”
The world falls silent.So, he survived.I gave him a way out once. Easy. Merciful. But now? Now he wants the worst of me?
He’ll get it.
“I want to bathe,” she mumbles. “I want to wash away his touch.”
“Okay, darling,” I whisper, kissing her hair. Quietly, I get up and carry her to the bathroom.
“If you need anything, I’ll be right outside, okay?” I tell her as I set her down on the granite slab around.
She doesn’t move; her eyes zero in at one point. It feels like she is there, but at the same time she isn't. It feels like she is slipping through my fingers. “Can you please stay here?”
I nod and turn on the shower, adjusting the water so it’s warm—not too hot. Steam fills the space, wrapping around us like a cocoon. I undress her carefully, my hands slow and respectful. I step in with her after I take off my clothes, the water cascading over our bodies.
I reach for the soap, working it into a lather, then slowly glide my hands over her skin.
“You’re safe now, Shivani,” I whisper against her ear. “I’m here. I’ll always be here.” She leans into my touch, eyes closed, silent. I clean every inch of her, my hands reverent and tender.
“You’re everything to me,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her temple. “I won’t let anything hurt you again.” Her breathing evens out. She looks up at me, eyes still holding fear but also trust.
“I love you, Rudra,” she whispers, her voice cracking.
“I know,” I reply, my voice thick with emotion. “You’re my world, Shivani.” I turn off the water for a moment, soap up my own hands, and then rinse us both off.
She reaches for me, her fingers in my hair, pulling me down to her. “I need you,” she breathes against my lips.
I lift her up, her legs wrapping around my waist as I press her gently against the tiled wall. Water streams down, warm and comforting. I kiss her deeply as heat surrounds us.
“I’ll be gentle,” I whisper, pressing soft kisses along her jaw.
My hands move over her body with care, worshipping every curve.
“You’re beautiful,” I whisper into her hair. “So beautiful.” As I slide into her, I hold her gaze, letting her see every ounce of love I carry for her.
“This is my home,” I murmur, burying myself slowly inside her.
She gasps, her fingers digging into my shoulders. I hold still, letting her adjust. Then I move—slow and gentle. She moans softly, her hips meeting mine. I can feel her trembling, feel her start to relax in my arms, surrendering to the safety between us.
Her body tightens around me as she peaks, but I keep going, drawing out the moment, giving her everything. Her moans rise, urgent and raw, and I feel her nearing the edge again.
Just before she falls apart, I slow down, wanting to give her more. I want her to know she’s mine. That I’d burn the whole world for her if I had to. When we reach the edge together, she cries out, her body arching into mine. I hold her close, burying my face in her neck, whispering every vow I carry in my bones.
We collapse together, tangled in each other beneath the stream of warm water. I kiss her hair with gentleness, with warmth.
“You’re my world, Shivani,” I whisper again. “ You will always be.”
50
SHIVANI
