Chapter 18

Marybarton

@Marybarton

Part 17: 

Later the next morning...

Aryan lay in  bed long after he awoke just looking at Imlie in her sleep. She turned and the quilt fell away off her bare back. 

Well...

He stared. 

She had the tiniest little white hairs that caught the sunlight all over her arm and back. How cute. He didn't know women had hair all over their back like that. It was like an invisible layer of protection that only showed in the sun. 

Imlie jolted in her sleep as a finger ran down her spine. 

What was that!?

She turned. 

Aryan took his hand back: Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to wake you. 

Imlie, groggily: What are you doing?

Aryan blushed: Nothing.

Imlie blinked and then glared: You were tickling me! 

Aryan: No, I wasn't! 

Imlie got up and pulled the quilt away from him, taking it all in to cover up. 

She yawned. 

Aryan: You have it on your cheeks too!

Imlie's hands left the quilt and flew to her cheeks: What? What's on my cheeks!?

Aryan: Don't be alarmed, it's nothing. I was just observing that you have baby hairs all over you. 

Imlie grew red: You are telling me I am hairy?

Aryan, taken aback: No! I mean, yes, but it's very cute. Like baby hairs. Invisible. I didn't know...women had those. 

Imlie squinted at him: You didn't know women have hair too?

Aryan blushed furiously: Of course I did! 

Imlie: Then what are you saying?

Aryan stuttered: I just meant...I d-didn't see anyone up close like that. I didn't know you have hair all over...like on your back and cheeks. It's very cute.  

Imlie sighed: If this is your way of paying me a compliment, it's really not working. Who tells their newlywed wife they are hairy?

Aryan: It's not visible normally! I think it's very nice...it makes you look very soft in the sun. I like it. 

Imlie rolled her eyes and finally smiled, putting her arms around his neck: You are crazy.

Aryan: I meant it as a compliment. 

Imile: I see that now. Weird though it is. The reason you never see a woman with peach fuzz is because high class women all wax them or do laser. Not only their legs, but all over their body and their faces too. 

Aryan's face scrunched up: That sounds very unpleasant. 

Imlie: I am thinking I will have to do it too now that you think I am hairy. 

Aryan: Don't! I said I like it. Like peach fuzz, that's the perfect word. 

Imlie matched her forehead with his: You have a lot to learn about womankind. 

Aryan: I'd rather just know about you. 

They stayed in Mewar for a couple of more days, enjoying their time with each other and also Rajasa. Imlie had to push Aryan into taking some short trips with Rajasa along the property and outdoors as well to learn about estate planning. Aryan was far from interested, but she bribed him with this or that and when all failed, with commands. At the end of the trip, Aryan surprised her with the concession that he had decided they will be spending one month out of the year at Mewar Palace going forward. He said it was her surprise because she liked it there. Imlie accepted. Even if he did it for her, at least he was growing to respect the work Rajasa had put in being the caretaker of the region. Aryan might not admit it, but that recognition was there, Imlie knew it. She decided she would have this broken family patched up beforelong. Finally, Aryan and Imlie returned home where Di and Ma were awaiting them impatiently. 

As Imlie came into the house after all the rasams, Arpita Di pounced. 

Arpita: Was I right or was I right? 

Imlie blushed: I don't know what you mean, Di. 

Arpita smirked: You know exactly what I mean. You two are well-matched and you know it. But I accept, if you are not comfortable talking about it with me. I am just happy you two ended up together as you were always meant to be. 

Imlie: Now remember your promise, Di. If you didn't like my boss, there can be someone else. But you promised me you will give it a real chance.

Arpita sighed. 

Aryan announced: I am going to the office. 

Ma: No, you not going to office! Today is Imlie mu dikhai. You stay home. Right here. Sit! 

Aryan: What have I to do with it? 

Arpita: Keep quiet, Aroo, it's important that you are here. Besides, you have to give her your gift. It's finally here. She can wear it for the ceremony. 

Imlie: Not one more gift!

Aryan, surprised: You never got a wedding gift, what do you mean one more gift? 

Imlie: I had enough. First it was the big wedding, then the trip...

Aryan: That was from Rajasa. 

Imlie: I don't need more gifts. 

Arpita: My dear chottisi bhabi, for that's what you are now, this is shagun. So you have to accept it. Okay? No fuss. 

Arpita went to her room and brought out a long, glossy black box. Imlie looked from Aryan to Ma. Ma gave her a reassuring grin. 

Di handed over the box to Aryan, who held it out to Imlie. 

Imlie hesitated, but then took the hefty looking black box: It's a very pretty box. Thank you. 

Arpita laughed: The box is not the present, open it. 

Imlie looked at the solid, black box. It looked seamless. 

Imlie: It opens? 

Aryan smiled and opened the box for her. It was one of those very fine objects that made no sound. 

Imlie started: What is that? 

Ma: Necklace. 

Imlie: You sure, Ma? Last time I thought it was a stiff necklace and it turned out to be a dime. 

Aryan: Diadem. 

Imlie: That. 

Ma: This one necklace, Imlie. You wear for mu dikhai, okay?

Imlie smiled at Ma: Thank you. 

Ma: It's not us, me and  Arpi only hold it. Aryan buy for you. 

Imlie looked shyly at Aryan: Thank you. 

Aryan observed her silently for a moment: Is it to your taste? 

Imlie: My taste doesn't extend this far.

Aryan smiled: May I put it on? 

Arpita and Ma clasped their hands: Yes, do! 

Imlie shook her head at her new in-laws' excitement and turned on the couch for Aryan to put on the necklace. 

Aryan played around with it for a few minutes. Imlie looked back. 

Aryan: Di, how do you open this?

Arpita sighed: You are both the same. Come, bring it here. There. Now put it on and snap the latch back on. 

Aryan grumbled: How was I to know? 

He put it on Imlie. It was a little heavier than she thought it would be. 

Oh no...

Imlie: Is this expensive?

Aryan: Uh...it's Cartier.

Imlie: What? Is that something royal? Don't trust me with it. I can't take care of something from your heritage. 

Arpita smiled: We heard you managed very finely at the palace. 

Imlie: Di, that was just household stuff. This is an expensive piece! Family jewels like yours are not normal. I might lose it! 

Arpita: It's new. It's family jewels now because you have it as Aryan's wife. But this is all yours. And you get to take care of it. 

Imlie: What if I lose it? 

Ma: Just no go sabji mandi or something with necklace, you fine. Enjoy gift, Imlie. 

Imlie looked at Aryan, pleadingly. 

Aryan shrugged: You get to take care of it all now. Part of the responsibilities, as you told me so many times at Mewar.

Imlie's jaw dropped: So this is how you get back at me! All because I told you to own your responsibilities! 

Aryan: Most girls would love having jewelry. It's not a hardship.  

Imlie: Well, I am not most girls!

Arpita looked at Aryan: That's for sure. You will get used to it, Imlie, don't worry. You can do anything. Now, let's get you ready for the mu dikhayi! 

Leave your thoughts on the comments below. Close to finishing up this story, I think. I saw an ending that I liked.