Author's POV
*5 years later*
Five years had passed, each year layered upon the last like the fine grain of polished wood. The initial rush of their wedding—the gold, the chaos, the intense scrutiny—had settled into the profound, unshakeable certainty of their life together. The sprawling house was now deeply and unequivocally home.
The climate outside was perfectly, wonderfully grey. It was a late Sunday afternoon, and the sky was a vast, unbroken expanse of silver-grey cloud cover, muffling the usual sounds of the city and casting a soft, diffuse, reflective light into their master bedroom. The air held the crisp, clean scent of impending rain, a fragrance that always fostered a sense of cozy, enclosed intimacy.
Esha settled onto the deep couch near their balcony, sinking into two muted-toned pillows. Aakash sat beside her, instantly pulling her close into a solid side hug that communicated volumes of security and love. Esha shifted, leaning her head against the comforting, familiar strength of his shoulder. The entire room felt like a warm cocoon, sealed off from the outside world. Their four-year-old daughter, Aasha, was safely sequestered downstairs with Meera, allowing them this rare, uninterrupted silence.
"Kya soch rahi ho Eshu?" he asked, his voice a low, intimate rumble that vibrated gently against her ear. It wasn't a question demanding information, but an offering of presence.
(What are you thinking, Eshu?)
She looked up at him, her eyes soft, mirroring the diffused light outside. The corners of her mouth curled into a serene half-smile. "Mein soch nahi rahi hoon. I am enjoying this weather," she replied. She wasn't processing her work or life logistics; she was absorbing the peace, letting the stillness of the afternoon fill her. He smiled a little, acknowledging her simple, profound contentment.
(I am not thinking. I am enjoying this weather.)
"Aksh, aapko pata hain mujhe baarish kyu pasand hain?" she continued, a deeper, almost lyrical note entering her voice. He shook his head slightly, prompting her to share the sweet memory.
(Aksh, do you know why I love the rain?)
"It's because two important events happened to me during the rain. Pehela, mein baarish ke samay hi paida hui aur dusra, mein aapse mili." Her voice was laced with soft reverence, as if her existence was connected to their union.
(It's because two important events happened to me during the rain. First, I was born during the rain, and second, I met you.)
A profound wave of tenderness washed over Aakash. He remembered that day instantly: the road, the rain, her with her broken-down car.
He gently pulled her closer, then gracefully shifted, laying his head down on her lap, looking up at her. His movement was fluid, an act of intimate surrender. "How could I forget?" His voice was muffled, his gaze fixed on her face. "It wasn't just rain, Eshu. It was chaos. You were the calm at the center of the storm." He articulated the truth that had defined their relationship: her steady spirit stabilizing his disciplined life.
Esha closed her eyes, letting his words wash over her. It was true. Their meeting had been loud, unexpected, and utterly unforgettable, much like the challenging, yet ultimately fulfilling, journey of their initial years of marriage. She felt the weight of his head, a beautiful, physical anchor of trust.
He reached up, cupping her face lightly, his thumb stroking her cheekbone. "Isiliye toh mein keheta hu," he began, his voice intensely sincere. "It isn't just rain, it is the hearts pouring love, sweetheart."
(That is why I say... It isn't just rain, it is the hearts pouring love, sweetheart.)
He punctuated the sweet sentiment by gently keeping a stray hair strand behind her ear, his eyes holding hers with an unwavering intensity. Esha felt the familiar, wonderful butterflies flutter in her stomach, a thrilling confirmation that five years had done nothing to dampen the spark between them.
She opened her mouth to reply, but the moment was interrupted by a sharp click of the door handle.
In she came: Aasha, running into the room with the explosive energy of a four-year-old who had completed a grand mission. She scrambled onto the couch, climbing onto her father's torso.
"Mumma! Papa!" She lifted her hands, triumphantly displaying the beautiful, if slightly crumpled, paper roses that she made with her grandmother. The little burst of colour against the grey light and the muted tones of the room was a sudden injection of pure, childish joy.
Aakash laughed, a full, warm sound, and swiftly sat up, securing Aasha in his lap. "Wow, it is so beautiful!" Esha told her with a cute, sincere voice, admiring the little artistic feat. Aasha beamed with pride. She showed the roses to them one last time, making sure they had appreciated every fold, and then, mission accomplished, she ran out of the room with the speed of lightning.
Esha giggled, watching her daughter's speedy retreat. Aakash's gaze, however, was now on Esha, his heart swelling with a mixture of love for his wife and profound pride in their daughter.
Their gaze naturally diverted to the French doors and the balcony, where the clouds had finally started to pour down with a steady, soft intensity. The sound of the rain was immediate and enveloping. Esha, feeling the pull of the moment and the surge of emotion, cuddled deeply into Aakash, resting her head against his shoulder again to watch the beautiful sight. The grey world outside felt utterly magical, framed by their secure warmth.
Aakash kissed the top of her head, his eyes closing in perfect contentment, savoring the soft press of her body against his. The house was quiet, the world outside was muted and washed clean, and their beautiful daughter was safe downstairs. He held his wife, the keeper of his vows, the witness to his life. This soft, cloudy afternoon was not just a pause in time; it was the quiet, profound realization that their marriage, built on ancient fire and sealed with eternal trust, had become their forever.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey Folks!!
Hope you like the epilogue. If yes, please vote for the chapter and comment on your favourite part.
Thanks for reading ❤️...