Arranged Marriage (Completed)✔

Part 27

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Neha's POV

Dear Diary,

I successfully maneuvered through my first day in my new home. I got up late due to the tiredness of the previous day, but nobody said a word to me. I was so afraid of doing something wrong on the first day itself. But it went well.

And you know mom and dad are so loving. When I went and touched their feet for their blessings, they kept their hands on my head and blessed me. But, they also said that this is going to be the last time that I'm going to do that because I'm their daughter now and children don't have to ask for their elder's blessings, it's always with them. Moreover, Arun and Swara have never taken their blessings that way, so I shouldn't be an exception. I felt touched by their words!

Then I even mustered up some courage and asked mom to first show me what is the daily routine of everyone, what is everyone's favorite, how she makes everything....basically how she manages the house. Mom agreed to it and told me the daily happenings in the house.

Then the day went by meeting some more guests and relatives, the neighbors, and then Swara giving me a tour of the whole house and especially her room. She has really become like my sister. She also told me more things about everyone and I listened to everything patiently. Then it was lastly me unpacking my bags. He had already kept half of the cupboard empty for me, making my work easier. Although as you know, my books are too many to sit inside the shelf, so for now they are still inside my bag (winks).

Third person's POV

At night, after dinner, Arun came inside his room only to find Neha standing on the balcony looking at the black sky.

"Hey, why are you standing there?" he asked her.

Turning around, she smiled at him and said, "I loved the view from here. It's so beautiful."

"Really? You think so? But the view of honking vehicles and crowds of people has not been so appealing to me. I would have preferred the view of your room, with all the trees and greenery and river."

She grinned in response and said, "Sure a busy road full of people and honking vehicles would not be appealing for an everyday view, but I was talking about this sky," she pointed towards the black sky above her, "Don't know why, but I never got the chance to see the sky with so many stars. It's beautiful and kind of peaceful to see them twinkling so brightly."
"Do you like to watch these stars?" she asked him.

A slight smile adorned his face as he was reminiscing something.
"Yes, the stars are beautiful really. I loved sitting here and watching them alone when I was in school. It was like the break time between my studies."

"Lucky you," she said smiling.

Then he gestured that it's time to sleep. But, while walking inside the room Neha stopped in her tracks thinking about something. She wanted to ask him about his work time as when will he be going tomorrow and when he usually comes back. It was a question that she forgot to ask his mom. But she had this hesitation as to whether it'll sound like a typical wifely question.

Seeing her standing in the same place Arun asked, "What happened?"

She just shook her head and said, "No. nothing. I....I was just thinking."

"You sure?" he asked again seeing the signs of nervousness in her.

She nodded smiling at him.

He knew she wanted to say something but didn't. But instead of probing for an answer, he left it to her to tell when she is comfortable. But Neha had a way ready for asking him.

"When does everyone usually get up in the morning?" she asked while lying down on the bed beside Arun.

"Mom and dad both get up around 6. Swara is the last one to get up and mind you she has no fixed timing of waking up. Mom is always after her to get her into the habit of getting up early," Arun replied chuckling.

"And when do you get up?" she asked finally.

He gave a knowing smile and answered, "When you want me to."

She blushed at that and looking down said, "I didn't mean that way. I was just asking in general."

He laughed and said, "I get up at 7."

She smiled at him and asked her final question. " And when should I get up?"

"Why do you need a specific time? There is no compulsion to get up early. The timings that I told you have become a routine for us that's why we get up at the same time every day. You can get up when you usually do."
He said that because he already knew that she gets up before 9 and according to him, that time was enough.

"Okay. Thanks." was all she said.

"I had a question for you," he said.

"What question?"

"Why do you say thank you always?"

Neha chuckled at the question and said, "Believe me I have been asked that question many times. It's become a habit now. A reflex action which I haven't been able to change till now."

"Maybe I can help you change it."

"Maybe. You can try. But it'll be a futile attempt according to me." She said smiling.

"How about a challenge then?" he asked forwarding his hand.

She hesitated a little at his question.

"Afraid of challenges?" he asked amused at her reaction.

'No, I can never show that I'm afraid. What's the harm in accepting it and if he can help me get rid of my habit, which I don't think he can, it'll be good for me only.'
These were the thoughts of Neha.

"Okay....but the challenge would be to get rid of my habit completely," she answered.

"Yes, getting rid of your 'thank you' habit, but let's keep it limited to only me. Means you stopping the habit of saying thank you to me first. How is that for a start?"

"Deal" she shook his hand.

"Deal" he grinned while returning her gesture.