13 Your wife loves you...

|Innaya|

White, fluffy blanket of clouds covered the whole sky illuminating the place with its comforting brightness and I found myself relaxing as I gazed outside of the plane's window. As my mind wandered into past I am amazed at how fast the complete one-month went. Surprisingly, our relationship turned more comfortable.

After that night when I suffered an almost panic attack and later we had talked, everything turned out much more relaxing. Was it because I shared my feelings or considering the fact that after waking up I found myself in his embrace with his arms around me in caring manner as if shielding me from my inner past demons, that night I slept without any nightmares. Later it became a routine for us, somehow making me forgot about those sleeping pills.

Eshan helped me with my studies as he had done his graduation and post graduation in the same field, business management. He had even woken early almost around four everyday for making me tea that I found very sweet gesture. My exams had gone very well credit to Eshan's unwavering support. He took Mom, Granny and me on dinners and he even cooked two times for all of us at our home.

"How could I miss the chance of charming three beautiful ladies with my culinary skills?" He had winked at granny while flashing his that alluring smile transfixing me while answering her about why he took efforts instead of ordering.

"Excuse me Madam. Here is your blanket." My reverie broke as the air hostess spoke lowly, considering the sleeping figure beside me.

"Thank you!" I whispered, glancing at the Eshan, sleeping with his head resting on my left shoulder.

"Do you need anything else Madam?" She inquired softly with a smile that I felt was genuine, unlike the practiced one of earlier air hostess.

"No, thank you!" I declined her, hoping she would leave and she did.

An involuntary smile appeared across my face as I watched Eshan sleeping like a baby. Given credit to the exhausting last 1 month he had spent, he slept as soon as flight took off. He used to travel back and forth from Bangalore to Mumbai despite of my numerous attempts of convincing him that he did not need to.

I had told him that it was fine, he could stay in Mumbai and I would stay at my maternal place until my exams. Being the stubborn person he was, he flatly refused and had laughingly dismissed further conversation on that topic. I had even asked Granny and Mom to put some senses in the thick head of my husband.

I covered him with the blanket air hostess gave hoping to provide some comfort. I did so as properly as I could with one hand as Eshan occupied my other shoulder thus restricting my movements.

Eshan stirred a little, I thought he was waking up or rather my actions broke his nap. I held my breath hoping he would go back to sleep, last night he was awake till late for packing our stuff and slept almost around near morning. I let out a breath I was holding as he went back to sleep.

He twisted little in his place. Maybe, in search for more comfortable place. The way his warm breath fanned skin of my neck ignited something deep inside pit of my stomach. The way his right hand searched for mine even in sleep warmed my heart with his unspoken need for me in his life.

I could not take my eyes off him. Not that I wanted to but the passengers sitting next to us could find it weird rather creepy, I was sure.

It was not my fault but Eshan's. Why he had to look that adorable while sleeping? His presence always brought a pleasant relaxation in me. 'I am not sure if he knows but he is capable of making smile anyone.'

"Qu'est-ce que tu fais, Novio?"

I frantically had my gaze averted from him as he opened his sleepy eyes, that did not look sleepy anymore and I was left a little embarrassed. He startled me enormously.

"I thought you were sleeping." I remarked, looking back at him. "And, what's with your language again? I just do not understand at all, what you say at times. Is it really that, you like these foreign languages or you just enjoy me being perplexed at your words? Tell me honestly which one is the case Mister?" I made sure that I whispered in a voice audible only to us and not to the people in front of us.

"Mi querida esposa, I love seeing you amused. You are irresistible when you have this..." unwinding his hand that had kept my palm holding closer to him, he drew a circle in air with his index finger, "this ethereal smile that says to me time and again, that you are not from this world."

I playfully smacked on his shoulder, giggling or I should say slightly blushing at his deliberate attempt of flirting with me.

'Has he always been like this?' I wondered. I was just questioning myself when I had to halt it feeling his hand fondling with my hair, releasing them from the bun I had made letting their waist length fall free on my back.

"What are you doing?" I shoved his hand away, quickly catching a glance of a middle-aged couple sitting in front.

It seemed like my husband was intending to make me embarrass today. I glared at Eshan once but he smiled brightly in return, forcing me to drop the glare. How could anyone do that to him? He was too nice for that. 'Wait what? What on the earth I am even saying? Innaya, you have plainly lost it. Stop watching those romantic dramas.'

"I like them open." He innocently shrugged, smiling softly at the woman who curiously looked at our way.

I stared at him wide eyed, with open mouth.

"Does this liking have anything to do with missing hair ties of mine?" I narrowed my eyes at him, remembering all the time when miraculously all stuff related to tying my hairs would disappear when needed.

"I don't know what are you talking about?" He replied keeping that innocent face intact that I realized was a facade.

Before I could retaliate, my back and shoulder decided to interrupt me as a wave of pain shot through my shoulder travelling through my neck to spine and I groaned out loud, shutting my eyes as my hand went to rub my stiff shoulder. I did not realize sitting straight for more than an hour, so that Eshan could get some sleep, would result into muscle stiffness.

"What happened?" Eshan's concerned voice forced me to snap my eyes open as I took a moment to let the pain subside before answering to him.

"What do you expect? Your wife loves you enough to sit like a statue for more than hour so that you can sleep. You are very lucky, brat." The elderly man across us commented before I could reply anything.

'What the? Love? Has he lost his mind?' First, there was no need of intervening and top of that he held Eshan responsible for something he did not do intentionally.

'What is wrong with people?' I glared at him little angrily before looking at Eshan's reaction. We had surpassed the hesitant phase in our relationship and we were friends yet love? We were just getting comfortable and that old man had to ruin it by giving his opinion.

Eshan's head whipped in that man's direction. As soon as his words registered in his mind, he turned back to me and I could see understanding dawning on him and regret started swirling in his eyes. He apologetically looked at my shoulder.

"Flight attendants, prepare for landing please."

"Cabin crew; please take your seats for landing."

The captain's voice rang through speakers cutting whatever Eshan had to say and soon an announcement by a flight attendant followed.

"Here, let me." Eshan leaned to buckle the seat belt as I fumbled with it. I flinched when another wave of pain hit me. 'Who said pulled muscle doesn't hurt?'

"Sorry!"

"Sorry!"

We both said at the same time.

"Thank you!"

"Thank you!"

Again, we both uttered at the same time.

I smiled at the double coincidence and his lips too curved into smile.

"I am fine. It's just some muscle stiffness. After stretching a bit it will be okay. So don't worry husband." I assured him playfully winking at him before adding, "Nothing that your magic tea can't help."

He smiled before shaking his head as if he found my answer amusing and just like that the awkward or serious situation turned to light one.

*