The rest of the evening was uneventful. Todd was content to join Asha on the sofa. He was pleased that she had found his favorite show so entertaining.
As if reading his mind, she said; "I've never seen this show before. It's so funny!"
This surprised him. "Really? I thought The Big Bang Theory was so popular that it would be shown in Mumbai as well. He could have sworn he watched it a few times while he was there, even if it wasn't broadcast in English.
Almost instantly her smile faded; a sharp contrast to the laughter that floated out of the television. "Well, I suppose it is, but my parents frowned upon American television shows. They are very strict about what they allowed me to watch."
Todd couldn't believe what he was hearing. "But you're a grown woman."
"Not to my parents. They want to dictate everything in my life. That's why I ran away, Todd. And I'm not sorry about what I've done. Not anymore."
The comedy of The Big Bang Theory forgotten, he drew her into his arms. "Hey, come on. Don't worry. It will be fine, I promise."
She laid her head on his chest and they continued to watch the rest of the show until the credits rolled. A movie followed. It was one that he'd seen many times and it wasn't all that good, but he was too tired to attempt to change the station. Asha must have been exhausted as well as she promptly fell asleep against his shoulder. The feeling of her leaning against his body was so wonderful that he didn't have the heart to wake her. Sometime later he drifted off to sleep and woke a little after two AM, coaxing her awake.
She lifted her head and looked around, disoriented. "What time is it?"
"It's late." He answered, picking up the remote to turn off the television. No words were needed as he took her hand and led her into the bedroom; his bedroom. He fully intended to let her stay in the second bedroom so that she could have privacy if she wished. But he wanted her with him, for that night and every night. He'd missed her so much. The thought of holding her in his arms while they slept was heavenly.
She left him for a short while to shower and change into her nightclothes and when she reemerged from the bathroom, he was mesmerized by her appearance. Her white silk nightgown was adorned with large pink and red roses accented by green petals and fell to just below her knees. The way it hugged her slim curves nearly drove him crazy. He wanted so much to take her into his arms and make love to her right then and there, but he could only stare at her.
"Is something wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. I-you're so beautiful."
She closed the gap between them and her kisses let him know that she was grateful for the compliment. As much as he wanted to make love to her that night, he didn't even try to initiate it. They were both exhausted from the long day and the events that filled it. They fell asleep in each other's arms. And that, he decided, was even more wonderful.