3D: Pillow Talk

A clap of thunder brought Maya and her bed mate out of their light, late-morning slumber. The sound of rain battering the roof and another distant rumble reiterated their fate of the day. What a nasty mess.

Ranveer’s soft hand tickled her torso as it slid across her belly. His lips grazed her shoulder, making the dreary morning a tad more acceptable. “What’s the matter, babe?”

The words spilled out as one jumbled heap like he was still asleep. He possessed a fountain of endless energy the way he worked out repeatedly, arose early, and stayed up late with her. But, peering into his droopy eyes and hearing the grogginess of his voice, Maya gave herself kudos for wearing him out last night.

“This is, like, the rainiest summer ever,” she whined.

“Yeah. It’s been pretty bad,” he mumbled, staring at the mess.

A frustrated groan rumbled in her throat. Would the sun would shine again?

Ranveer’s warm arms drew her closer. Maybe the sun was overrated.  “But we’re in here. Who cares what goes on out there.”

Weekends with Ranveer were like sipping on a Sweet & Spicy only to discover the bartender made it more sweet than spicy. His love compromised her system like strong drink fogging her head and making her legs unsteady. If he were a drug, she was an addict far too gone and beyond help. Life was beautiful.

“It makes me want to go back to Oasis Springs,” she said.

His big, almond-shaped eyes, puffy and red, peered straight into her soul. “If you go, I’m coming too.”

Living together never came up. Not even marriage. At least, not seriously. Most people their age panicked about their futures, agonizing over being single or childless. Ranveer’s love was enough for Maya. She belonged to him, and he to her. Doubts about his intent to marry never entered her mind. They were committed to each other, and outside pressures were not welcome in their space. But, his words were much too random to be flippant poppycock derived from a lack of sleep. He never dropped hints or beat around the bush. When he wanted something from her, he asked for it. She probably read too far into his statement, but it was a reminder she still lacked details about his past relationships.

“Has anyone ever lived here with you?”

Those big, dark eyes glowed like the energy clicked on. “Deep conversation this morning! One of my favorite breakfasts.”

His humor never wavered, and she loved that.

“Yes. I used to live with someone,” he said, propping himself by the elbow and cradling her waist with the other hand. “Does that bother you?”

“No! No … I was just wondering.”

“Do you want to know about her? Or what happened?”

Her heart raced with excitement. “Sure! I mean, if you want to tell me.”

He grinned and stroked the hair out of her face. “I want to tell you all the things.”

His words were like a party-sized bag of crunchy kettle cooked chips; she couldn’t stop eating them. #Manveer was meant to be, but sometimes she still worried about jumping the gun and messing up a beautiful situation. Ranveer often showered her with compliments and declared his love freely yet rarely expressed much about himself. She desired every detail of his life but hesitated to ask. This peek into his past was a delightful treat.

“We met at a party, and I fell quickly.”

Ranveer had many talents, but one of her favorites was how well he maintained eye contact. When they spoke, she had his complete attention, and it was magical.

“The first year was great. I even thought about proposing.”

He sighed heavily, and she expected hot tea to spill. No matter what he’d say, it was the woman’s fault because no one in her right mind would ever break up with such a kind, beautiful soul.

“I think she sensed things were …”

He rolled his eyes and waved his hand dismissively. “She started changing things in the house and taking liberties I didn’t give her.”

He shook his head. “I kept telling myself I asked her to live here, so this is her home now too, but it still bothered me.”

He gazed at the ceiling as if the memories projected onto it. “Those couches? She bought them.”

The hand still on her waist unconsciously tightened its grip as the frustration set in. His bushy eyebrows arced toward each other, and the almond eyes were just a slither. “Do you know she found somebody on Don’s List and sold my parents’ stuff? Who does that?”

The parts of the story that still upset him spoke volumes, and she filed it away for future reference.

“She did crap like that all the time. And, she tried to run my life too.” He snorted. “She had to go.”

She’d never heard him speak negatively about anyone before. His words and delivery were so tame. Even when upset, he was still pleasant. It made her smile. “Would you do it again?”

“Live with someone?”

She nodded and was surprised and a little disappointed he didn’t answer immediately.

His eyes traced the ceiling as he lay on his back and thought. “It was an interesting experience. I wouldn’t say never again. If someone’s gonna be in my space all the time, I’d rather be married to her. It’s a different relationship, and I think I’d be more willing to accept and live with certain things with a deeper commitment.”

He smiled at her in a way that set her heart aflame. “But, if you wanted to, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I’d want us to get a place together, though.”

Did he know how delicious his words were? Could he feel how fast her heart beat or see how heavy her chest heaved? Did he speak from a desire in his heart? Or, was he just putting it out there for future reference? Regardless, she got the information she wanted. “Why? I mean, I’m cool with that. Just curious.”

“I don’t want to repeat the past. It’ll still be my house, you know?”

“Yeah. I get that.”

“I’m glad.” He pecked her forehead. “I wouldn’t want you to just live in my house. I want us to have a life together.”

The rain, annoying as it was, provided the perfect backtrack for Ranveer’s melodious chorus. His voice was the sweetest sound and sang the words she always longed to hear.

“Besides, I’d prefer not to live in my parents’ house forever. They’re not here, and I pay the bills, but somehow I still feel like I haven’t grown up or something.”

How funny! They shared the same concerns but from different perspectives.

“Maybe that was part of the problem with my ex. Like, I still see this as my parents’ house. I know they’ll never move back here, but …” He exhaled a long breath. “They worked so hard for everything. When they came here, they had nothing. I dunno. I guess I feel like I need to protect their stuff?”

The respect and love he carried for his parents was so attractive. “No, that makes sense, babe. I think it’s natural to feel that way.”

“It’s ok if you think I’m crazy,” he whispered

His breath always tickled her ear when he whispered. “It’s not crazy! I think it’s sweet.”

He snorted. “Sweet or not, I wanna get out of here soon.”

Her thoughts were a few moments back drooling over his desire to have a life with her. “You wanna get married?”

He snickered. “Are you proposing to me?”

She slapped his leg. “No! I’m just asking a general question.”

“I mean, I’d be super flattered but a little disappointed.”

The plunging feeling in her stomach made her feel sick. “Disappointed?”

“I swear I’m not a misogynist or a chauvinist or any other nist, but I think there are certain things a man should do. Proposing is one of them.”

“I agree.”

He rewarded her cheek with another kiss. “I’m glad we’re on the same page. I hope you’re not freaking out or anything. I’m going to marry you, Maya.”

Who knew a conversation about weather would turn into a beautiful declaration? “I’m not. I swear. I mean, I figured, but we’ve never talked about it so I wasn’t sure.”

Aubrey and Julio flashed across her mind but this time without the weird feelings. It didn’t matter who got married first as long as everyone was happy.

“I appreciate you asking. But, yes, one of these days, you’ll see me in my ridiculous outfit.”

She gasped and sat in front of him. “You have an outfit? I have to see it!”

He chuckled. “Isn’t that bad luck or something?”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s only for the bride.”

“Still. I’d rather not chance it.”

“Fine. At least tell me what it looks like.”

He snorted. “It’s colorful and ridiculous. Mostly blue. And there’s a silly hat.” He rolled his eyes.

“I bet you’re adorable in it. I can’t wait to see.”

“I’d rather wear a tux and slick my hair back. I don’t want to do the whole week-long Indian thing. I just want you … And your family. And my parents, cake, and an epic party.”

He groaned and let his head fall into his chest. “But, I’m their only child. I always do what they want.” He rolled his eyes again. “So, yeah. We’ll figure out how to blend our cultures together and have a ceremony everyone can enjoy.”

The impending proposal warmed her body like a bubble bath. Would the actual proposal still feel magical now that she knew it was coming? Aubrey would know. She knew lots of things, but Maya wasn’t sure she wanted to ask yet.

Her smile was as wide as the river. “I don’t care what kind of wedding we have as long as you’re there.”

He grinned. “You say that, but I could totally see you being a Bridezilla.”

She laughed and punched him in the arm.

“See! If you punch me, you’ll punch the caterer.”

She tossed her head back in hearty laughter. “I love you, Ranveer! I’m going to abuse you for the rest of our lives.”

“I look forward to it.”