I decided to add on another chapter. Please tell me what you think...
Poonam's heart stood still. She looked around Prem's room, suddenly shy at the thought of sharing that grand space with him. She would have to share everything with him now, she thought.
She sat on the bed, her heart fluttering inside her chest as she heard Prem talk about their future together. The smiling faces of her family members greeted her from the nightstand. How sweet Prem was to think of the smallest detail in order to maker her transition into his family's home as a bit easier. Her heart almost broke at the thought of not seeing her Uncle off to work everyday. Choti would have to look after things now that she would be gone.
Poonam tried not to think about her leaving and instead asked Prem to continue talking. He suddenly became quiet, noticing her expression, as though she was miles away, and said that what she thought was also vital in their relationship. He was asking her to open up to him, to reveal her own thoughts to him. They were just as important, he insisted.
Again, Poonam was taken aback. She knew Prem was kind and thoughtful, but his open honesty with her, his wish that she equal him in all things gave her a strange sense of partnership that she never figured before in marriage. He was truly beginning to see her, asking her to step out of her quiet existence and partake in this new life with him. He didn't want her complete submission, as though he only mattered in this marriage. He was asking her to share herself with him, just as he was willing to share himself with her.
Poonam confessed that she became emotional when she served her uncle. At that moment Prem realized what Poonam was giving up just to be with him. Prem promised her that they would spend one month with her family out of the year. Poonam smiled, her heart overflowing with joy and love for her husband to be.
Again, she became shy when Prem began to talk of their union. She felt a blush creep up to her cheeks and couldn't help but look downcast as he stood ever so close to her.
Prem's sister in law and her young son came to call her just then. It was time for her to go. Prem begged his sister in law for a couple more minutes. "Please," he asked and the sister in law shut the door behind her. Once again Poonam found herself alone with Prem.
"My heart doesn't want to let you go," Prem confessed. He pulled her close, whispering in wonderment at his luck at being able to share his days and nights with her. It was perhaps the most intimate moment they had yet shared. Prem's hand pulled Poonam's veil back slightly as he held her tighter. Poonam felt exposed letting her eyes close shut as a foreign feeling threatened to overwhelm her senses.
'Was this how it will always be?' she wondered, this constant battle within her, these growing feelings that threatened to overwhelm her every time Prem was near. She allowed herself a moment of longing as she held onto Prem, trusting in her heart that the life he described for them would come true.