Satya’s eyes flutter open as light from the recently drawn curtains pours in from the window. There are two arms strewn across her and she just opens her eyelids in time to see a fully dressed Maryam sneak out of the room on her tiptoes. She gasps through her teeth as she disappears. “No,” she whispers quickly, “Maryam-“
“Ah, good morning, my love,” Raja Vijaya says, snuggling close into her side.
Cringing her face up, Satya lets out a long sigh and says, “Good morning, Vijaya.”
“Good morning, Satya,” Neela breathes next to her, moving her hand to Vijaya’s bare chest.
“Good morning, darling,” Satya smiles and waits.
“How did you sleep?” Vijaya asks.
“Was it too hot in between us?” Neela says directly after.
“Did we bother you by crowding you too much?”
“Did you have any dreams or nightmares?”
“Were you too cold since we kicked the covers to the foot of the bed?”
“Will you be having coffee or tea with breakfast this morning?” Neela inquires with a sweet smirk on her face.
“Please, both of you, give your girl a second or two to come up with her own thoughts for the day before you start prattling on with your never-ending questions,” Satya says seriously.
“Why would we do that?” she frowns in a sad tone.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t we want to hear all about your sleep last night?” Vijaya says and pinches her cheek.
“Because it was the same as two nights ago, and the night before that, and the night before that: Comfortable and restful, and I’ll be having coffee with my breakfast this morning. And why would I need to tell you about my dreams?” she says and briefly cups each of their faces lovingly. “I’m living a dream here with you all after our wedding day. You and Maryam and Snigdha all became my wives when I became Vijaya’s wife. And he’s our husband.”
The two women remaining in bed look at him, who has kept his mustache shaped in tradition with the family’s rulers but his scruff on his jaw, chin and cheeks has grown overnight. He scratches it as a dopey, shy smile spreads on his lips feeling their admiration. “Be that as it may, honey, we’ll still ask you, so it’s good that you have your answers ready like that,” he says and laughs.
“Naturally,” Satya sighs, rolling her eyes affectionately.
*Cue Vastu Bagunde because… Well, would it be my first Dhammu fic without it? I don't think so! 😂*
~
Abhiram whistles a jaunty tune as he lets himself inside Raja Vijaya’s house, pleased that his trip here went smoothly. He’s greeted by Snigdha, dressed in shades of orange from head to toe. She beams a welcoming expression at him. “Ah, yes, I heard you’d be coming by for a visit today,” she says, inflecting her tone knowingly.
“Hey, it’s great to see you,” he says and wraps his arms around her in a tight hug. “How have you been?”
“Oh, very well,” she answers brightly over his shoulder. They disengage from the hug but not until she kisses him quickly on the cheek. “It’s been nice since I moved in because this house celebrates all the festivals that I’m used to. You know, since I grew up nearby here. But it’s sad that our ruler seems to have trouble with it all sometimes, though.”
“Is that so?” Abhiram asks as he turns down the corners of his mouth.
“Yeah, he performs his numerous roles well but I can tell that he struggles a bit with us all clamoring over him all the time. Tell me what you think about him after your visit, okay? I want to get an outsider’s opinion,” she requests.
“Sure, of course, anything you need,” he says and nods.
Raja Vijaya approaches them from the back of the house with his arms open wide, shouting, “Abhi, you made it, oh, it’s wonderful to see you.”
Abhiram’s bright white teeth show in his smile at seeing Vijaya looking fed and happy, as he’s a tad thicker than he’d seen him last. His curls look well cared for and he hasn’t shaved his facial hair yet from lack of necessity. Everyone at his palace knows there’s enough that Vijaya has to keep up with as it is.
“You, too, sweetheart, you look incredible!” Abhiram says while being pulled into a warm embrace by him.
“Do I?” he responds wearily.
Abhiram and Snigdha share a glance of concern before Vijaya steps back. But Abhiram places his hand on his shoulder and initiates eye contact with him. He can sense a tiredness in them from the bags under his eyes and the way that they’re missing their signature sparkle of optimism.
“You do,” Abhiram nearly whispers, admiring the loose, white linen shirt and pants Vijaya’s wearing.
“Hello, dear,” Vijaya says to Snigdha and kisses her on the lips. “What were you two chatting about?”
“You, I’m worried about you! Won’t you take a day for yourself to have a bit of a break? You’ve been working so hard since you arrived here, even before we met. Please, boobear,” she persists, scrunching her nose up cutely.
“That’s why Abhi is here, didn’t I tell you, babe?” Vijaya announces jovially. “The rest of the family are out of town for a few days so I thought it’d be nice to invite him over to spend time with us. I wrapped some things up yesterday and canceled all of my upcoming appointments so that we can all take a staycation here together.”
“Really?” Snigdha gasps and jumps up on her toes in excitement.
“Yeah, I brought a whole suitcase with me this time,” Abhiram jokes.
He’s referring to the countless times he’s been teased by them all for traveling lightly on his motorcycle. But this time he borrowed a car from a friend in the city. The group at Vijaya’s house fully encourages him to leave things here so that he doesn’t have to remember every single little thing and he’s been taking them up on that offer over time. Besides, it’s easy because he and Vijaya have similar builds and habits, and he often can just borrow things from him in a pinch.
Snigdha rests her elbow on Vijaya’s shoulder with her arm on his chest, looks up at him and gushes, “That’s tremendous, my darling, you’re always thinking of something for us to be able to do together. You’re the best.”
“I never imagined married life could be as rewarding as this. It's the least I can do. I’m lucky to have you, darling,” Vijaya says and nuzzles his nose on hers. He lifts his head, addressing Abhiram, “You, too, you adorable fool.”
“Fool for you,” Abhiram says, feeling woozy from strong sentiment swirling in his mind and body.
“Come on, Neela and Maryam are outside smoking and Satya will join us when she’s done in the kitchen,” Vijaya informs them. He wraps his arms around Snigdha and Abhi, adding as they walk toward the door, “Plus, we’ve had a flashy renovation since the last time you were here.”
“Really? What is it?” Abhiram asks giddily.
“You’ll see,” Vijaya giggles.
True to his word, Abhiram gasps when they walk outside and a vision of paradise comes into view. There’s new patio furniture and additions to provide them with plenty of shade at the poolside. The water in the pool shimmers invitingly, causing Abhiram to break away from Vijaya to jump and cheer.
“Oh, my God, this is so beautiful!” he shouts, hugging Neela and Maryam simultaneously. “You guys, are you serious right now?”
“Totally serious,” Neela smiles proudly, looking at him and gazing dreamily at the pool the next moment. “Vijaya wanted to spoil us, as that’s all he ever does since the night of our engagement party.”
“I do not spoil you. I award you lovely women with the lifestyle you deserve, one that we all deserve. We’ve all worked hard in our own ways to reach the point we’re at now. I say, why not enjoy life as much as we can?” Vijaya says, splaying his hands out and clutching his heart.
Abhiram studies him and notes that a smile is missing from his features as he makes his heartfelt proclamation.
“Are you feeling joyful, babe?” Abhi asks him thoughtfully.
Slowly, the corners of Vijaya’s lips turn upward and he replies, “I am. Come here, I’ve missed you.”
He quickly obliges, rushing to wrap his arms around Vijaya’s waist. Abhiram snuggles his head against his chest as he does and only waits a second before he lifts his face to his. The pair reunite with breathless giggles shared between them. Vijaya holds him firmly while peppering him with soft kisses over his cheeks and lips. After receiving a few of them in rapid succession, Abhiram kisses him back. Happily surprised, Vijaya makes an intrigued sound in the back of his throat, gripping at his hips a little bit.
“Oh, and it’s perfect!” Abhiram suddenly blurts out and Vijaya’s eyebrows shoot up in response to his outburst, “I even brought my swimsuit ’cause I was like, ‘Who knows, we might go swimming?!’ How crazy is that?!”
“That proves you have a sixth sense about these things,” Vijaya says and chuckles.
“Right?” he squeals. “Okay, let go of me, sweetheart, lemme change real quick.”
“Me, too, be right back,” Snigdha says with a smile as Abhiram makes for the door.
“Sure,” Vijaya nods and meanders over to his wives. “Neela, Maryam, you both look absolutely stunning in your suits.”
Neela is wearing a two-piece, blue and green bikini and Maryam has on a one-piece that exposes her midriff by a curvy design up her side connecting the top and bottom. They’re both donning flowy cover-ups that are tied in the middle over their respective cleavage. Vijaya eyes them with a cheeky smirk on his face.
“Oh, I know that look,” Neela observes and tugs on Maryam’s hand. “Come on, darling.”
The two women hold hands as they stand in front of Vijaya, each lifting their open arm out to the side. Already the wind begins to pick up and both of them squeal in delight. With his expression changing to one of determination, he swings his leg up high and slams his foot down on the ground, directing a gust of wind forward with his arms. It hits Neela and Maryam, disconnecting their hands and flinging off their cover-ups in the process. They all burst out laughing once the wind dies down.
“Eeee, that never gets old, I love it,” Maryam giggles while waltzing up to Vijaya. She puts her arms around his shoulders, saying, “You’re so powerful, baby. I wanna see more of that power. Show me.”
In a split second, Maryam is transferred from having her feet planted on the ground to being lifted up in the air over Vijaya’s head. She’s vertical on her side with his hands under her armpit and on her waist for balance. He bench-presses her as Neela nearly falls over from her sheer enjoyment of witnessing it.
“Seven, eight, nine!” Neela chants in encouragement. “You’re almost there, honey, you can do it!!!”
Struggling only slightly, Vijaya is able to reach rep number ten before he sets her back down.
“Whew! You’re light as a feather, babe,” he laughs.
“Thank you, oh, that was so exhilarating! I’m ready for a dip in the pool, how ’bout you guys?” Maryam gushes with a bright smile.
“You two jump in, I’ll join you in just a bit. I’m gonna check on Abhi,” Vijaya says with a wink and kisses them each on the cheek.
“Okay, baby, see you,” they say in unison in sing-songy, harmonized voices.
Vijaya’s chest is aflutter with merriment at the current vibe at his haveli. For too long he’s been living under the shadows of his trauma from the events that unfolded before his wedding. He’s trying his hardest to banish all of his dark thoughts and emotions to be able to spend better time with his loved ones. Though, he constantly senses them itching to break out in the background of his mind and currently is having trouble restraining them. He arrives at Abhiram’s room and knocks on the door with a different sort of strain pulling on his heart.
Abhiram answers it and beams at him, “Hello, sweetheart! Come in! I was just unpacking a bit.”
“Thanks, sugar,” he says, stepping inside while wrapping his arms around him. “I just wanted a moment alone with you to soak you in. I really have missed you. Even though we still talk nearly every day.”
“Oh!” Abhi exclaims, feeling Vijaya nuzzle his face into his neck. “Vijaya,” he coos, putting his hand on the back of his head. “Hey.”
To his surprise, Vijaya is in tears. Awful memories from times of enmity with the Chandravamsi King flood to the surface and he squeezes Abhiram tighter. He lets those painful experiences loose, fully tearing his walls down in the safe arms of his partner. He feels as though he has been moving through life with a vice-like grip on his shoulders from being compressed under the weight of his responsibilities. This has been ever since he agreed to step in as heir to this region. The burden of love for his family is not something that is taken lightly by him. And he’s facing the heavy truth that it’s much more complicated than his old life as a bodyguard-for-hire.
“Abhi- I’m sorry,” Vijaya sobs against his skin.
“You don’t have to apologize,” he says comfortingly. “The ordeal you’ve been through would make anyone struggle. It’s amazing you’re still standing! Do you want to relax here with me for a minute?”
Sniffling, Vijaya raises his head and nods pitifully. They take a seat together on the side of the guest bed and Abhi wipes Vijaya’s tears away with the palms of his hands. But they continue to fall as he returns to Abhi’s embrace. He really tried as hard as he could to not have to murder anybody. For his own mother to advocate for him to take that route broke his heart a little bit. It’s something he’s having trouble contending with since coming to the realization about it.
“There have just been endless tragedies since I decided to join this family. I know that they’re really mine, it’s just- It’s nothing like I expected. Before recently I’d never actually killed anyone and I especially didn’t think that my own mother would tell me that violence was the only option. Che! I’m not sure I should have listened to her because I… Hate the decisions I made that day,” Vijaya confides in a mournful tone.
“I’m sorry this is all stuff you were forced into. It doesn’t seem fair that your father and grandfather weren’t forthright with you when you agreed to be adopted. Maybe… they are all kind of assholes.”