Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Life of Ilakiya : Chapter 22 : Wedding Night

    Suresh and Ilakiya arrived at the groom's place, where they were greeted by the sumangalis (married elder ladies) who performed an Aarti for the newlywed couple. Ilakiya felt a sense of warmth and happiness as the sumangalis blessed them with a lit lamp, welcoming them into the family with open arms. As a token of appreciation, Suresh put a few RM 50 notes on the plate, expressing his gratitude for the warm welcome.
    Once inside the house, the couple was served with a nourishing meal of fruits and milk mixed with almonds. "Here, take a sip, baby," Suresh said as he handed Ilakiya the cup after taking a sip himself. Ilakiya smiled and finished the rest, it was a family tradition after all, passed down through generations. The meal was believed to be both nourishing and auspicious for the couple, symbolizing prosperity and fertility.
    While the newlyweds waited in the living room, chatting and thanking the relatives, a team of decorators was busy transforming the room into a romantic haven. Ilakiya couldn't help but feel excited, "Wow, look at this beautiful decoration, Suresh, it's so beautiful," she said. Suresh smiled and replied, "Yes, it's perfect for our first night together." The room was decorated with diyas and flowers, creating a warm and inviting ambiance.
    Suresh was sent into the room first while Ilakiya was escorted in later by young unmarried girls. As per customs, the young girls would laugh three times at the doorway before sending the bride in. The tradition was believed to ward off any negative energy or evil spirits and ensure that the couple's first night together was peaceful and free of any negative influences. It was also thought to be a way of wishing the couple a joyful and fulfilling sexual relationship.
    Suresh was waiting nervously for his wife, his heart racing with anxiety. As Ilakiya entered the room, one of the girls playfully teased them from outside, "Enjoy you two! Don't be too shy now!" Ilakiya blushed.
    Suresh tried to lighten the mood by smiling and saying, "Don't worry, I'll take it from here." He could hear the girls giggling from the outside and knew they were probably wondering how the couple was faring on their first night together. Ilakiya, feeling shy and unsure of what to do, touched Suresh's feet to seek his blessings.
    Suresh, noticing her discomfort, lifted her up and said, "Don't bother yourself with these old formalities and feel free. We used to live in this same house together, but in different rooms. But somehow today feels special." He took her hand and led her to the bed, where they sat together.
    Ilakiya, still feeling a bit uneasy, asked, "What do we do now?" Suresh, sensing her nerves, replied, "Let's just sit here and talk. We have our whole lives together, there's no need to rush." Ilakiya felt a sense of relief and nodded in agreement. But the silence that followed was awkward.
    Ilakiya had mixed feelings about the situation. Just a few weeks ago, she was happily in a relationship with someone else, and now she was sitting next to her husband, feeling unsure and guilty.
    Suresh, sensing Ilakiya's discomfort, took her hand and said, "Ilakiya, I know this is hard for you. But let's start fresh, forget about the past, and build a future together. I promise to be a good husband to you." 
    He spoke the words with conviction, but deep down, he knew that he was hiding a secret from her - he was suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED). He had not yet opened up about this to anyone, not even his family. He knew that eventually, Ilakiya would discover his problem too. He was just prolonging the inevitable.
    As they sat on the bed together, Suresh couldn't help but feel a sense of fear and anxiety. He didn't want to disappoint Ilakiya or make her feel unwanted. He didn't know how to broach the subject or if he should bring it up at all.
    Ilakiya, unaware of Suresh's inner turmoil, smiled and said, "I know this is a special night, and I know you have all the privileges over me as my husband. But as you know, I've just come out of a heartbreak and this marriage seems too rushed for me. Can we please postpone this consummation for now? Give me some time to heal and come to terms with everything. I'll give myself to you fully when I'm ready. Trust me."
    Suresh felt a sense of relief wash over him as he heard Ilakiya's words. He had been worried about how she would react to his secret. He replied, "Of course, Ilakiya. I understand and I'm here for you. Take all the time you need."
    Ilakiya smiled, feeling a sense of trust and comfort in Suresh's words. 
    As the night drew to a close, Ilakiya said, "I'm feeling quite tired after a long day of wedding ceremonies, I think I just want to sleep now." Suresh, understanding her exhaustion, agreed and suggested they retire for the night. They both climbed into the same bed but decided to sleep separately, respecting each other's need for space and privacy.
    Ilakiya snuggled into the blankets, feeling grateful for Suresh's understanding and patience.          
    As Suresh lay on his side of the bed, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that he had managed to evade another day without revealing his secret. But he also knew that he couldn't keep this secret from Ilakiya forever. He couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt for not being honest with her from the start.

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