The Hidden Chapters -21

 

Sindhu sat closer now. “You’re shaking,” she said softly. “And you haven’t looked at me once.” That’s when it hit me—how badly I wanted to cry. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel,” I admitted at last. My voice came out thin. Sindhu exhaled slowly. “You’re allowed to be confused,” she said. “You’re allowed to feel more than one thing. Marriage doesn’t erase your body… or your fear.”

“What if this is just how it is now?” I whispered. “What if this is what I have to get used to?”

From the other room came the faint sound of movement—Manoj turning in his sleep.

Sindhu squeezed my hand once, gently. “You don’t have to decide everything today,” she said. “But don’t lie to yourself. That’s the only thing that really breaks you.”

After a moment she lifted her other hand and gently touched the mangalya chain which is falling in between the breast. “In this house, you are not just a guest anymore.” Then she stood up and helped me get off the bed.

Now Sindhu kept her another hand on my neck and showed me mangalya indicating that I am the lady of the house and reminded me that I will be as lady and as a wife to both Manoj & Sindhu when I am in this house.

Then she stood up and helped me get off the bed.

“As a newly married woman, there are some morning rituals,” she said with a playful tone. “Come.” She guided me toward the washroom. Inside, she asked me gently to remove my clothes  and asked me to tie the petticoat tie covering my breasts. Before tying the knot, first she checked the size of the breasts and she mentioned that injection is working fine and breasts are intact. And her fingers are continue to hover on my breasts and gave teasing smile. With out further teasing, she adjusted the petticoat & mentioned that first nights with real man are always like this.

Her eyes slowly moved over me, noticing every little detail I had tried to ignore. The faint marks on my neck. And she asked me “was it really too intense?”

She reached for a small towel and dipped it in cool water from the sink. Then she gently pressed it against my neck where the marks were. The coolness made me shiver.

“Relax,” she murmured.

Her hand rested lightly on my shoulder while she held the cloth in place. The touch was simple, almost caring, but the closeness between us suddenly felt different.

“You really are soft, No wonder he couldn’t leave you alone.”

My face immediately grew warm.“Sindhu…” I said quietly. She looked at me and smiled.

She walked to a small wooden shelf near the sink and took out a small bowl. Inside it was a mixture of turmeric and sandal paste prepared earlier.

I frowned slightly. “You were planning this?” Sindhu laughed under her breath. “Of course. First morning rituals are important.”

She dipped her fingers into the turmeric paste. The paste was cool against my skin. Slowly, carefully, she spread it along my forearm and shoulder. She applied across all over my body, lifting the petticoat applied at anal as well. Her touch was gentle, and she studying every reaction on my face.

“First night is not always easy, but the body learns. He really did not show any mercy, did he?” she whispered playfully.

she added gently. “Turmeric helps with everything.” Sindhu finally stepped back and washed her hands lightly. “Alright,” she said with a satisfied nod.

She turned the shower on slightly, letting warm water flow.“Careful,” she said, placing a steady hand on my arm as I stepped under the water.

The warm water ran over my shoulders, slowly washing away the turmeric paste. Sindhu stayed nearby, making sure I didn’t slip.

“You really are exhausted,” she said softly. “I didn’t sleep much,” I admitted.

She reached for a small mug and gently poured water over my shoulders to rinse the remaining paste.

For a moment the scene felt peaceful—just the sound of water and the soft morning light entering through the window. Sindhu finally stepped back once everything was washed away.

“There,” she said. “First ritual completed.” Now she asked me to remove petticoat and asked me to complete the shower. As I loosened the knot of petticoat, it slipped down and it got totally stained yellow due to turmeric. I picked it up and placed it aside before continuing.

Sindhu walked toward the door and glanced back at me. “Now hurry up… before our sleeping husband wakes up and starts asking where his bride disappeared.” After finishing bath, I looked at myself in the mirror, still lot of love bytes, breasts are still in-tact and looked at my manhood which is in small size and looked like non existing. Tied my towel at breast and slowly took step outside.

As I stepped out, still adjusting the towel around me, Sindhu turned toward me—and paused. “So…” she said softly, tilting her head, “you did check yourself in the mirror, didn’t you?” I looked away, but that only made her smile more. “Don’t worry,” she added, “they fade pointing at the lover bytes and noticeable length of penis. But for now…” she paused, “…they suit you.”

 Sindhu observed that my skin is glowing in gold colour due to application of turmeric powder. She  then reached toward the cupboard and picked up a neatly folded set of padded bra and panty.

“Here,” she said, handing them to me. “Wear these first.” Observed that panty fixed with sanitary napkin and felt napkin is bit large in size.

Her fingers brushed mine as she passed them, and for a brief moment, neither of us pulled away quickly.

She then handed me a soft cotton orange petticoat. she said. “More comfortable… especially today.”

I nodded quietly. As I began tying the petticoat knot, “Wait,” she said softly.

Before I could react, her hands moved to the waist, stopping mine. Her fingers took over, tying the knot herself—slowly, deliberately, as if there was no hurry at all.

“You rush too much,” she murmured. “Let it sit properly.”

Her fingers tightened the knot just enough, then smoothed the fabric down along my waist and hips.

she handed me orange cotton saree and its matching blouse.  She placed it in my hands. “Alright,” she continued, her tone shifting back to calm control. “Let’s see if you remember this properly.”

I began draping it, a little slower now, aware of her watching closely. “Not like that,” she said, stepping in again. Her hands moved over mine, correcting the fold. She adjusted the tuck at my waist, and pressed my hip firmly.

“Here,” she said, “It should sit clean. Otherwise it looks messy.”When I started making the pleats, she didn’t move away.

Instead, she stood right in front of me.“One… two…” she counted softly. By the time I reached the fifth pleat, she reached forward and held them together, her fingers brushing mine.“Six looks better,” she said quietly.I added one more.

After forming the pleats, Sindhu held them straightly and pinned it securely inside to the petticoat. Sindhu pinned the safety pin so nicely that pin is invisible. Then she tucked the pleats neatly into the petticoat, pressing them in with care, her touch firm but controlled.  She ensured that pleats are centred just below belly button and they are uniform in size. I let out a small breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Perfect,” she said, satisfied.

Finally, she lifted the pallu and placed it over my shoulder, adjusting it slowly, smoothing it down across breasts. Her hand paused there for a moment adjusting the blouse and bra.

Then she stepped back, crossing her arms, looking at me with a slight smile—half teasing, half something else. I checked myself in the mirror and tucked my pallu to the waist.

As Sindhu is happy with saree draping, she instructed me to apply bindi, kum-kum and make up and in the meantime, she went to bathroom to freshen up. After adjusting my hair and satisfied with make up, walked towards the fridge and took jasmine flowers, and adjusted in my hair.

I could feel the difference in the way I walked that morning. Every step is slower, more careful than usual, and the soft sanitary pad beneath my panty kept reminding me to move gently. Even then, the light cotton saree felt comforting—easy to carry, soft against my skin, almost calming after Manoj conquered my body  by entering his flesh yesterday night.

Before stepping out, I checked myself once more in the mirror.

The orange saree sat neatly around me, the pleats perfectly pinned. My damp hair rested over my shoulders, and the faint golden glow from the turmeric still lingered on my skin. Marks near my neck were still visible, making me adjust the pallu.Taking a quiet breath, I walked toward the pooja room.

The morning air inside the house felt peaceful. I slowly began cleaning the small pooja space, arranging the flowers and wiping the brass lamps carefully.

A few moments later, Sindhu stepped inside. She had changed into a classy pink salwar that matched beautifully with my orange saree. Her hair was still slightly wet from her bath, and the small red bindi on her forehead made her look elegant and calm.

For a second she simply stood there watching me.“See?” she said quietly. “Now you finally look like the lady of the house.”

I lowered my gaze shyly. Sindhu walked closer and handed me the small plate with turmeric and kumkum.

“Light the diya first,” she instructed gently. I nodded and lit the lamp carefully. The warm glow filled the small room.

Then, following her instructions, I applied turmeric and kumkum to my mangalya chain.

Sindhu watched closely.“Don’t hide it,” she said softly when I instinctively adjusted my pallu over it. “Let it be visible.” Her fingers lightly moved the chain forward, so it rested against my chest falling in between the newly formed assets.

“It suits you,” she added with a faint smile. I looked at her for a moment, feeling strangely shy. After finishing the prayer, I bent slightly and touched her feet for blessings. Sindhu immediately held my shoulders and stopped me halfway.

“That’s enough,” she said softly, though her eyes clearly enjoyed the gesture.

Then she smiled playfully.“Now go wake our husband properly.” I tucked my pallu at my waist and I pressed it with my hand.I hesitated before walking toward the bedroom. The door was slightly open.