Five Weeks by Shruti Omar (any book recommendations .txt) 📕

The refined sunbeams crawled in their suite through silk curtains, lightening up each and every corner. Two souls wrapped in the sheet of deep slumber stirred slowly as sense started trapping them, Anahita was the one who woke up first and blinked rapidly to register the surroundings. Yawning, she tried to get up but substantial weight over her waist and on left shoulder refrained from doing that.

She craned her neck and noticed the most tempting sight of the morning; her arrogant husband was sleeping peacefully with his limbs all over her. Her curves widened involuntarily as she scrutinized his upturned straight nose right above his upper lip which was perfectly etched in deep bow, screaming pretension. His fanned eyelashes on his cheeks and thick tufts of black hair on his forehead made him look treacherously innocent. His breathing coming out even and his svelte arm around her petite waist depicted how much he wanted to secure her with him but his next action broke all her reverie. He twitched his nose and moved closer, nuzzling his nose into her neck that made her paranoid.

It took her one minute twelve seconds to find her breath and respire. She lifted her hand and gently untangled herself from him without waking him up. She jumped on to her feet stretched her sluggish arms. Barefooted, she dragged her feet to the window and opened the blinds, letting the fresh air trespass the suite and dole out the precious conditioned air. Comparative to India, Italy was quite chilling in the beginning of July. It was a relief to her. She hugged herself closing her eyes and inhaled the seven am breeze with a goofy smile spreading across her lips. She slowly opened her eyes, enjoying the picturesque backdrop. It was in her wish list to visit Rome once but then she secured the destination for her honeymoon and when she planned all of it, Yuvraaj was never a part of this bliss.

Her notions churning up in her mind dropped her smile. She recalled life had become dicey. The puzzle of her fate was missing pieces and she was having a hard time finding them and rearranging them to fix upon right place but she was doing it wrong every single time. She wanted Mukund but he was nowhere and Yuvraaj – the man she hated with guts – was everywhere. Her parents hated her and the mere thought snatched her peace of mind.

She glanced at the sleeping figure of Yuvraaj and sighed, even he is using me to keep his family happy. She shook her head, shooing the thoughts away and headed to the washroom.

"Let's go! We have our flight in an hour." Yuvraaj said, hurrying to clasp his wrist watch and finger combed his slightly damp hair pacing past her to take his shades, "Order something here or you wanna go out?"

"First tell me, where are we going? You said Italy, right? We’re in Italy, so now where?" She enquired, totally confused. He hadn’t disclosed their destination to her.

"You're dumb. Aren't you?" He mocked, making her frown and dragged her out with him, “Come, let's go for breakfast."

Though Anahita had a lot to oppose – for instance, how he liberated to drag her out with him, how he was not allowed to behave as if nothing were wrong between them – she still waited. She was famished to inaugurate a useless fight with him over petty issues. Exhaustion was still looming over her, thereby allowing her to let him drag her. They reached the cafeteria and like a gentleman, Yuvraaj pulled seat for her, nodding his eyes at her to sit.

"I never knew you were a gentleman? Chivalry and all, Han!" She jested and he scoffed, taking his seat opposite to her, "That's because you never knew me. Chivalry runs in my blood except I'm too stubborn to perform."

"Ah! That's the key. You're stubborn all the time." She taunted back, dawdling up and he passed her the menu card, ignoring her demeaning comment, "Order something."

"Alright!" She stretched, skimming through the menu and made a list of order with two cappuccino, two club sandwiches and Italian salad. As she was done placing order, Yuvraaj interjected, adding his choice.

"One cappuccino, one black coffee, two club sandwiches, omelet of two eggs and a bowl of Italian salad, thank you." He corrected and nodded at the waiter to leave.

"You could've discussed with me about the order, you know, there was no need to behave a schmuck." Anahita pressed her lips thin, complaining. Small fringes crawled over her forehead. Yuvraaj exhaled leaning back on his chair, an evil thought trespassing his mind. "Wanted to know your taste, as usual, you didn't disappoint me. Your choice sucks."

"Hah! As if you have great taste. Black coffee, seriously?" She ridiculed, playing with tablecloth, "Wow! This is so soft. They use chiffon?"

"Carmeuse!" He corrected her and she cocked her eyebrows, showcasing her query on her face itself.

"They use Carmeuse. There's a difference between chiffon and Carmeuse fabric." He explained.

She faked a yawn, "Thanks for the info but not needed. I care least of it. Tch! Why are they taking so much time? It doesn't take half an hour for a cup of coffee and salad."

Yuvraaj was quietly observing her antics, intertwining his fingers and placing his elbows on the table. His mind contemplated on kissing her once again but he knew it would be euthanasia. He still had to fill her in about last night but his mind suggested otherwise. She watched him, rubbing his morning beard and he chuckled at her, “You realize you're not alone here, Your Highness. They have other customers to take care of."

"Yeah. Whatever!" She pouted, rolling her eyes. The same pair of lips swept his attention and he found himself staring at them. "You slept well?"

"Um… yeah and thank you for last night." Anahita mumbled, tucking her hair behind her ear and playing with the tablecloth, "I was really exhausted and thanks for not dropping me on the sofa, being your selfish-self that you are, and taking me to the room."