Chapter 52: 45 | Silent Symphonies

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An extremely long gushy-mushy update to compensate you all for a late update!

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Chapter dedicated to Rati2503❤️

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Riya's Pov

The nostalgic melody of Lag ja gale filled the air as I gently flattened the dough with the palm of my hand.

With utmost care, I expertly filled the dough with a tantalizing mixture of potatoes, onions, and spices, crafting the perfect parantha to satisfy my husband's cravings.

However, just as I was about to place it onto the heated pan, the intoxicating scent of my husband's cologne enveloped me, making my heart skip a beat. Without warning, my Kumbhkaran, pulled me into his warm embrace from behind, surprising me.

"You are not supposed to leave the bed before I wake up." He grumbled, placing his chin on my shoulder to peek into what I am preparing for his breakfast.

Eyeing the parantha mixture, he grinned broadly into my shoulder while my eyes were fixated on the door to ensure nobody sees us,

"I am not going to madly keep sprawling my hand towards your side of the bed only to pull that stupid pillow close to me, assuming it's you." He frowned, rubbing his nose at the side of my neck followed by an offended bite.

I giggled hearing him whine, "Just a few days ago, you were kissing the same pillow so sensually while I was on a video call with you." I reminded him, giving him a side-eyed glare.

"That was a temporary arrangement, you are my permanent one." He grinned cheekily, and turned me around swiftly, his face closer to my lips.

My eyes widened in horror at his attempt and quickly, I pressed my lips shut and covered his with my palm.

"No." I warned with a glare, my words coming out in a hushed whisper.

"What?" He scowled, "I have brushed and bathed too!" He reasoned with childlike innocence, removing my palm from his mouth with his palm clasping my waist firmly.

"Somebody will see yaar." I maneuvered, joining our foreheads, the kiss-thirsty lioness within me rousing second by second.

Rolling his eyes as if I am a buffoon speaking, he countered, "They have married us, they should be ready to see what all comes with a marriage." He ended with a careless shrug as if he is okay with our family seeing us do the hanky-panky stuff.

"Shameless." I gasped, slapping his chest.

Chuckling, he pulled me closer, his fingers drawing circles over my clothed waist. When I tried to protest, he trailed the tip of his nose at the side of my face ever so lightly that instantly made me shut up.

"I haven't been shameless yet." He remarked, "Though I tried being a little last night but your brother has to disturb us midway." Irritation seeped into his tone at the mention of my brother, and the interruptions he caused.

Nevertheless melting into his inescapable touch, I rounded my arms around his neck and teased in a blushful whisper,

"Don't worry, you will get countless chances to be shameless with me."

His eyes popped open with anticipation at my straightforward enunciation, though they gleamed with intensity a second later that made my eyes flutter close as I sensed his lips coming closer to mine.

"Riy..." We pulled apart in a bat of an eye when mumma's voice fell into our ears, our kiss, and all the hanky-panky thoughts long forgotten.

Before we could labor our rugged heartbeats and hazed selves which were the result of hearing mumma's voice, she stepped inside the kitchen and eyed each one of us with pure suspicion.

"What happened? Why are you both looking so scared?" She frowned as soon as her eyes fell over at our awkward, distant postures.

"Do you need anything?" She passed a questionable look to my husband to which he shook his head in a no, while I resisted my giggle to notice his befuddled self playing with the gas lighter by pressing the tip of the lighter again and again into the marble counter.

"Then?" She queried again, making her way towards the stove as she opened the pressure cooker top, the smell of boiled rajma seeping into our nostrils.

"She called me in the kitchen." He shrugged dismissively, his fingers directed towards me.

My lips parted in stupefaction as I suppressed the inkling to glare at him while unfazed by Queen Riya's terror, he stood leisurely, thoroughly enjoying my horrified expressions.

Mumma might have noticed the silent exchange of challenging glances amidst us as she cleared her throat and peered at me maintaining a poker face,

"You don't want to give your interview today?" She voiced with seriousness.

"Huh?" I asked bewildered, my fingers fiddling with one another thinking that she might have seen us getting all gushy-mushy.

"You have to leave with Aditya, right?" She rephrased her sentence a little clearer this time and I nodded swiftly in response.

"Then go, sit at the table, what are you doing here? If you will make breakfast for him, when will you eat and when will you both leave." She worded, a tinge of smile perking up at the corners of her lips noticing my flushed self.

Sticking my tongue out at my madness, I rushed outside but not before glowering at my chuckling husband, who followed my trail at the same time.

***********

"Don't touch me!" I whisper exclaimed exiting the kitchen and shooed away my husband before he could touch any inch of my skin.

"As if I am going to listen to you." He shrugged royally, sneaking a sloppy kiss on my cheek, blatantly forgetting that we are in the living room now.

Wiping away his ewwy-wewwy saliva-filled kiss from my cheek, I groused, "When did I call you in the kitchen?" This was followed by a dangerous glare from me and another remark,

"She called me, my foot!"

Indifferent to my glares, he chuckled and pulled me into his arms from the side, "Stop scowling, I was just teasing you." I couldn't help but pout at him which he replied with a frisky smile.

"Acha chal yeh bata, have you taken all your documents for the interview?" He asked, playing with my fingers.

"Yes sir." I nodded, sighing into his chest, simultaneously looking at the threshold of the living room to ensure nobody is blessed with our gushy-mushy sight.

"Good." He murmured, grazing his lips on my head.

"I am nervous." I rubbed my nose into his chest, his presence enough to calm my anxiety.

"It's okay." He pressed a soft kiss on my head, "It will go well, and no matter what the result is, you aren't going to be upset for the same. Okay?" He eyed me for an affirmation while I stayed mum.

"Oye jvaab de." He nudged my shoulder intending to get a positive reply.

"I can't guarantee my mood." I murmured, peering at him, my fingers busy drawing circles on his palm.

Hearing me, he shook his head hopelessly, "Tu pagal hai." He stated, caging me even more tightly in his arms.

I angled my neck to glower at him for the disapproval I have for his comment when the sound of footsteps coming out of the kitchen made us detach ourselves again thus leading us to sit far away from each other as if we weren't newly married but forever enemies.

Eyeing both of us sitting in the opposite corners, mumma furrowed her eyebrows in perplexity keeping the parantha plates on the table, "Why are you both sitting like this? Did you fight with her?" She eyed her son with a hint of warning while asking the latter question.

"Lae yaar! You are saying as if I keep fighting with her always." Offense crippled in my husband's tone while I giggled silently at his flared nostrils.

"Then?" This time, mumma eyed me in bewilderment.

Peering at her with sheer innocence, I answered masking a teeny-meeny sadness, "Even I don't know mumma, he asked me to sit away from him."

He jerked his head towards me in a split second, while I struggled to suppress my laughter at his stunned expressions.

"When did I say this?" He glared at me in disbelief.

"Just a minute ago." I shrugged smoothly and added, noticing his puzzled expressions,

"Ohho Aditya, the same way I asked you to come to the kitchen. The same you asked me to sit away from you." I couldn't help but smirk in victory when he understood that he's just received the taste of his own medicine.

Scowling at me in disapproval and donning a pissed-off look, he got up from his seat only to sit next to me, careful enough not to brush his arms with mine just to show his annoyance.

"Khush ab?" He asked, still throwing daggers at me. Before I could reply, mumma grumbled,

"God! Who will say you both are married?" Mumma interjected in disbelief,

"Even kids behave better than you. We have married two kids and not adults." Mumma shook her head in hopelessness, and I couldn't decipher whether I should giggle or feel embarrassed by her statement.

"Chalo khao ab." She pointed towards the plates and eyed me challengingly before turning around, "And you will eat two."

I tried refusing with a shake of a head but sealed my lips immediately given the threatening glare I was bestowed with while my husband snickered, knowing well how difficult it is to eat a morsel for me when I am nervous.

"Stop laughing." I whined in defeat and slapped his hand, "Our fight is not over yet. I'll see you."

"Sure." He smiled with mischief, "I will also see you, that too in the night, that too in my way."

"Oh God! Paagal!" My face flushed at his remark, and he laughed again, once again wrapping me in his arms.

*********

"Khush raho." Papa patted my head as I bent down to touch his feet before I leave with Aditya for the interview.

"Ohho Dad, at least wish her all the best." Isha scrunched her nose in hopelessness, while Papa eyed her in puzzlement, not getting her.

Why are all Dads the same in this matter?

"Kya yaar Dad, I have to remind these things to you always. Come on now, say, Riya beta, perform well, you will get the job, all the best." She put forwards in a thick voice, her tone as bossy as it can be.

And why are all daughters so bossy with their Dads?

We all chuckled at her bossiness, nevertheless, papa patted my head again and said, still chuckling "All the best, all the best."

"Chalein?" Aditya eyed me after I took blessings from mumma and hugged Isha.

"Hanji." I nodded, picking up my bag and document file from the dining table.

Giving a quick glance at my face in the lobby's washbasin's mirror, I walked outside with my husband, towards the bike.

"Sab kuch utha liya? Sab documents hai na?" I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at the repeat telecast of the questions that were ready to spill out of my husband's mouth.

"Ji." I spoke, sitting behind him, my one hand resting on his shoulder and the other wrapped around his stomach with my bag hung on my shoulder, and the document file hanging through the bike's clutch.

"Pakka? Have you taken your resume copy? And your Ugc certificate and your..." He hurled a series of questions, forcing me to interrupt.

"If you ask me these questions again, I swear I will go by auto." I warned,

"Subah se, it's the hundredth time you are asking me this. I am already so nervous and you are leaving no stone unturned to irritate me more." I almost snapped, scowling at him though he couldn't see me.

"Rude." He murmured, "I can clearly feel that your periods are going to come anytime because this is the same tone you used with me the last month." He complained lowly, driving the bike into the narrow, crowded streets of Old Delhi before reaching the highway.

Immediately regretting my tone which was partially the outcome of my nervousness and partially because I was Pmsing, I apologized and wound my arm around his stomach a little tightly and whispered gently, "Sorry."

"It's okay." He murmured, palming my hand for a fleeting second before he clutched the bike again,

"My make-up looks okay, haina? It's not over?" I asked, stealing a glance at the bike's mirror.

"You look perfect." He spared an appreciative glance in the side mirror.

"Okey Dokey!" I grinned, "But I am nervous." I frowned.

"Don't be nervous, your interview will go fine. You are my spontaneous-spitfire, haina?" He worded confidently.

I grinned at his name for me and nodded briskly, leisurely placing my head on his shoulder.

"Your spontaneous-spitfire." Smiling, I repeated with a soft murmur.

************

Silent, deep breaths, Check!

Incessant, Inaudible tapping of the foot on the floor, Check!

Visiting the washroom to release the liquid which is forever ready to spill out of my body whenever I am tensed, Check!

Aimlessly gawking and internally swooning/cringing at the furniture, walls, and décor, Check!

Curiously taking notice of the clothes others are wearing and silently cursing myself for my pathetic lack of fashion sense. Check!

Nonsensically eyeing the screen of the phone, swiping it left to right, right to left to pass my time, Check!

Internally fretting over the myriad of questions that could be asked to me, and contemplating all the possible answers I could give, Check!

It's been around ninety minutes that I have been sitting in the waiting room and in this span, I have done everything an overly-nervous, illogically-fretful and an irrational-overthinker would do.

"Riya Bansal?" One of the coordinators announced my name, entering the waiting room.

"Ah, yes. And actually, It's Riya Kansal" I corrected with a polite smile, and stood up instantaneously, grabbing my documents.

"Oh Sorry, Riya Kansal." He smiled apologetically, "Please come." He spoke, giving me the space to exit the room.

"That's the conference room." He directed me to the outside of the conference room, "The bell will ring from the inside, and you can go inside after that." He informed briefly, directing me to sit on the chair outside the conference hall.

"Sure." I nodded and after a few moments, I heard the bell ring from the room making me stand up on my seat.

As I eyed the closed door of the conference room, I forgot all the irrational thoughts swirling in my mind and gathered all my confidence, and breathed calmly. Quirking a polite yet confident smile on my face, I clutched the doorknob and stepped inside.

***********

Aditya's Pov

Wiping off my sweat-laden forehead with my handkerchief, I placed my laptop bag on the dining table and settled myself on the sofa as soon as I walked inside the home.

My eyes wandered to the kitchen with anticipation to see my wife coming out of it with her trademarked bright smile donning her face. The anticipation of her result was at its peak because, when I called her almost an hour ago, she informed me that she might get the call in another hour from the college regarding the placement decision.

However, much to my dismay, discomfort enveloped my senses as contrary to the usual chitter-chatter on the dining table, the sounds of utensils clinking against one another from the kitchen, and the relaxed faces of everyone, the air lingering in the home seemed unusually quiet and thick.

Concerned, I asked mom who has just exited the kitchen, "What happened? Why is it so quiet"

Extending the glass of water towards me, she spoke, a little cautiously, "Just five minutes ago when we were in the kitchen, Riya got the mail from that college she gave her interview today."

"Ho gaya selection?" My eyes shimmered and I couldn't help but smile at the mere thought.

At my reply, she shook her head in the negative, "It was a rejection mail.” She informed briefly, “It's hardly been ten minutes since she received the mail and she is unusually quiet. She was very sure of her selection, hence this was just unexpected. That's why I also came out of the kitchen to give her some time to accept it but it looks like she will cry any second."

"But her interview went well." I mumbled in confusion, my mind not ready to process this newfound information.

"Hmm, but beta this is what life is. Sometimes, things don't turn out to be in our favor even when everything went well in the first place." She put forth and I nodded in affirmation, agreeing with her statement.

"Chal, go to her now and talk to her. I'll keep your laptop bag in the room." She offered, and picked up my laptop bag before turning towards the stairs.

Picking up the cardboard box from the table that I bought for everyone, I got up from my seat in a split second and ambled towards the kitchen to meet the light of my life, who I know would guide everyone like a guiding light but would always find it a challenge to ask for help whenever she is in need of some support.

**********

Standing at the threshold of the kitchen, I leaned against the kitchen wall, and took in the sight of my wife who was silently doing her chores, her movements mechanic and face devoid of any expressions. Contrary to other days where she would effortlessly notice my presence, her movements remained unfazed, unaware of the fact that I have been observing her for the past five minutes now.

Each time she would move a bit, her steps would seem calculated, her mind occupied and her smile lost. Though her lips would quiver and her eyes would twitch after every few seconds in an attempt to blink away the unshed tears.

I smiled feebly observing her slight shake of head with her lips thinned in disapproval whenever she would realize she has done a chore in a different way than she actually does it. In the past ten minutes, she has exhaled countless frustrated sighs as the outcome of the wrong chore, like, the cucumbers have been cut with the peels on, her hands has been kneading the dough even after it has been properly kneaded, or lightening the stove for a different burner than the one she actually wants to.

My thoughts wandered around to these past few months of knowing her and if there is anything significant I have realized in respect to her nature in all these months then it is the fact that she finds acceptance difficult, very difficult indeed. She fears change, she hates judgments and she dreads uncertainty.

Be it her acceptance regarding the way she looks, or the kind of impression people have about her, or the kind of profession she has chosen for herself or maybe, anything that happens unplanned, uncontrolled and uncertain holds this unnatural power of disrupting her usual charm, her celestial smile and the bright gleam in her eyes.

However, my heart flares when a sudden wave of warmth envelopes me and my lips rolls in a subtle smile at the same time, knowing that despite all the insecurities she goes through, she would effortlessly revert back to her natural chirpy self within a few minutes, with her buffoonish antics and playful dramas marking its presence the whole day and those weird nicknames she keeps giving to me and sometimes herself.

And, maybe this is the reason why I love her?

Or, maybe because of the divine power she holds over me, that pulls me towards her each time she is in my vicinity?

Or, maybe the unadulterated passion she holds for everything and everyone around?

Or, maybe the sheer respect and admiration she has for my profession and career?

Or, maybe the dangerous combination of maturity and childlike innocence which she is born with?

Or maybe because it's her, the same ethereal woman who succeeded to evade my senses in a mere glance?

I don’t think I would ever come to know what exactly made me fall in love with her, but the mere realization that it’s her, makes me fall for her even more passionately that I already does.

Also, it wouldn't be a misstatement if I say that maybe I had fallen for her even before our marriage, though the realization hit me late.

I couldn't even decipher how easily the attraction I had for her when I first saw her in that navy blue lehenga changed into intense liking the day I met her in person, and each day, each conversation, and each intense eye-lock I have shared with her had just been an added step in falling for her, irrevocably, uncontrollably and immeasurably.

And, each time I look at this woman of mine, I couldn't help but wonder if I could love her even more than I already do.

**********

The plethora of  thoughts lingering my mind came at a sudden halt as my trance broke when Riya turned around with her glistening eyes which turned wider realizing that she couldn't acknowledge my presence earlier.

I could sense a slight shake on her lips, which made me walk forward to engulf her in my arms. Leaving all the tasks in hand, her feet moved towards me with a sense of relief and overwhelmedness hinting her features. Her each step was slow and unrushed before she wrapped her arms around my torso with her face tightly pressed into my chest.

Placing the cardboard box over the counter, I cocooned her in my arms and caressed her hair softly while she cried wordlessly with her warm tears soaking up my tshirt.

"It went so well!" She exclaimed, frustration evident in her tone, "They, they..." She cried out and paused momentarily to breathe, "They even praised me! I was sure I would get this job." She sniffled, rubbing her nose into my chest.

"It's okay, We'll try again." I murmured softly in her hair and rubbed her arms to pacify her.

"It's not okay!" Agitation and disappointment seeped from her tone, "Mushkil se I got one interview call and in that too I am rejected. Now,I have to start again. I am tired of sending resumes to people after people, college after college and then madly awaiting their single call." Her voice quavered significantly with each word she spoke, while my heart felt uneasy seeing her distressed state, especially knowing well how career-oriented she is and how passionately she was awaiting to continue working.

"I feel like I, I just don't deserve a job!" She cried out before I could pacify her, "Maybe, I am lacking in something that's the reason why I am not even getting interview calls. I just don’t deserve it!" I could feel a fresh stream of warm tears trailing down her eyes as she worded her insecurities.

"Look at me." Holding her by her shoulder, I tried to detach her from me, and make her look up. Also, I couldn't help but scowl at the fact how effortlessly she assumes that she is the trouble every single time she goes through anything.

"Na." She whined, shaking her head haphazardly and I wondered how did she get so much energy to rigidly stick to my body. Much to my disappointment, she didn’t budge an inch as I struggled to pull her away, to at least look at her tear-stricken face.

Helpless, I let her clung to me and shed tears until no more tears could roll out of her eyes. Taking her alongside, I walked towards the utensil stand and filled a glass of water for her.

"Here. Drink water first." I extended the glass, her face still hidden from my sight.

"Na." She refused with a whine, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands.

Either she behaves like an Epitome of Maturity or like a two-year-old. There's no in-between.

"Riya.." I spoke sternly, the tone I have to use every time her stubborn self makes a presence.

I could feel the sheer disliking on her part for the tone I used, when she almost snatched the glass of water from me, gulping a sip or two merely as a formality.

"Are you going to look at me now?" I voiced, my tone soft yet serious at the same time.

Her nose was crinkled and a soft frown was etched on her face when she raised her eyes upwards. The corners of her eyes have been turned red, and her eyelashes still had traces of wetness from the crying spree she just had.

Shaking my head at her state, I gently wiped her under eyes with the pad of my thumb and whispered as tenderly as I could,

"I thought Queens are resilient, with an indomitable spirit to fight all the challenges that life presents them with, they cry, they get frustrated, they momentarily feel distressed whenever they lose but they never lose the hope and positivity as what life has to offer." She looked away, dodging an eye-contact, a habit I have known to understand she does whenever she weighs the trueness of my words,

"Instead, Queens fight back, and this time with more strength and determination, more efforts and preparation.” I added, brushing away the hair sticking at the side of her face

“And, here my Queen is busy crying like Avyuktha, unreasonably putting a question mark on her capabilities, that too because of one rejection? Where has my spontaneous-spitfire lost, hmm?" I peered at her in the hope that she would have gotten my point.

Her lips protruded in a small pout at my words, as she kept zoning out in space. Nevertheless, a few seconds later, she wetted her lips and rubbed her face to remove any traces of tears. Sighing deeply, she stood on her tiptoes and wound her arms around my neck, her chin leisurely resting on my shoulder.

"I don't cry like Avyuktha." She complained in an innocent murmur, still wiping off the remnants of tears from her eyes,

"And.." She absentmindedly played with my hair behind, "I am Queen of Kansal Kingdom. It was just for a moment that Queen Riya deviated from her aim, and she got a little emotional. Queen Riya will try again, that too with more efforts now."

"Hmm hmm sure." I pressed my lips to suppress the laughter at her childish antics,

"Stop laughing at my expense!" She exclaimed in disbelief, slapping my back and I laughed fondly at her agitated self.

"Promise me you won't tell anyone from our Kingdom that I cried today." She requested meekly, mumbling in my neck, while I struggled to keep both of us in place given the way she has plopped her whole weight over me.

"Kyu bhai?" I questioned, twirling the edges of her hair behind.

"My Kingdom looks upon me highly, so they will get sad that I got upset." I chuckled as her infamous queen-like tone graced its divine presence.

"Okay ma'am." I affirmed, as she backed a little, her hands now resting on my shoulder, while my palms holding her by her waist.

"Are we okay now? Or your tear-tank needs some more release?" I joked, narrowing my eyes at her teasingly.

"Mhm." She shook her head softly, playing with my t-shirt collar, her eyes down casted.

"It's just that the interview went so well and they just rejected me by saying that I don't have the experience to teach in a metro city." She let out a disappointed sigh, the tiredness of the day palpable in her tone.

"It's okay." I kissed her temple, while my palms rubbed her forearm in assurance

"Keep trying, maybe something better is already planned for you. Haina?" I eyed her for a positive response which she reciprocated with a soft nod,

"In situations like these, we can just keep trying and keep making our honest efforts isn't it? Let's not worry about all other things over which we have no control?" I worded, tucking some loose, unruly strands of her hair behind her ear as she backed a little to pass an assuring smile in my direction.

“Hanji, My Kansal King.” She passed a goofy smile, with a tinge of newfound confidence and optimism.

"Another name for me?" I sighed in disbelief and she giggled softly with a proud nod.

Impossible.

"Acha, chal bata pastry khayegi?" She scrunched her nose in puzzlement as I directed her gaze towards the pastry box lying on the counter,

"But I didn't get the job?" She answered, sounding baffled.

"Ohho, I bought it aise hi, we don't need a reason to eat pastries." I rolled my eyes at her words.

"Nah." She refused, "I don't want to eat it." She frowned to no one in particular, still toying with the collars of my tshirt.

“Kyu?” I asked.

"I don't feel like eating anything." She pressed her lips in thin line.

"Pakka?" I confirmed, raising an eyebrow, while she nodded lightly.

"Final? You don't want to eat it" I confirmed again, and she nodded positively in response.

"Okay." I shrugged casually, acting as if I don't care "Vaise, I bought two pastries for you, but it's okay we all will eat your share as well."

Her eyes widened in surprise at my words, and I could see her shifting from one leg to the other as if contemplating what to say next.

"Which flavour?" She probed, not commenting upon my earlier statement.

"Kya?" I acted oblivious.

"The pastry, which flavour?" She restated, her hands halting to play with my collars, her hopeful gaze fixated on me.

"Lae, what would you do knowing it? Vaise bhi, you don't feel like eating, haina?" I feigned innocence, struggling to contain my laughter.

She gulped a little, swiping her tongue over her lips, "Chocolate flavour hai?" She asked with a bright glint in her eyes and I could crystal clear feel her mouth watering at the mere mention of pastries, one of the very few things she likes in desserts.

"Hmm." I hummed, while she blinked her eyes slowly as if regretting her earlier refusal, "But now we all will get to eat it, because you don't want to."

"But you don't like chocolate flavor!" She scowled immediately, her glare threatening me to even touch it.

"Koi nai, Isha will eat it, she loves chocolate as well." I reasoned, almost immediately.

"But, but you already bought for her." She frowned, and walked towards the counter to pick the pastry box.

Opening the box, she counted each pastry one by one, "One, two, three.... eight!." She shifted to glance at my side,

"These are eight, five chocolate and three mixed fruit." She eyed the pastry box with keen interest, ""I'll eat my share, my chocolate one". She announced with a no-nonsense tone,

"And you...," She pointed towards me daringly,

"Don't even dare to touch it." She squinted her eyes, "And just in case, if any pastry is left, I will eat that too." She stated, royally stepping towards the fridge to keep the box inside.

Coming back to the previous position, she wounded her arms around me again, and kissed my chest before confirming "I am your wife, haina? You'll not eat my pastry na?"

I will get mad with the thundering transformations she undergoes in a span of few minutes.

I couldn't resist my laughter at her way to bribe me into not eating her share to which she reciprocated with her carefree giggles. Shaking my head in a no, I took her in a tight hug before commenting,

"Dramebaaz."

"That I am." She stuck her tongue out, resting her chin on my chest, her gaze filled with pure affection.

"Oh god!" Kunal's horrified voice disturbed our moment as he entered the kitchen with mouth agape and eyes wide,

"I am telling you this kitchen is not a safe place to visit anymore." He remarked, eyeing both of us in displeasure,

"Your romance happens more in this kitchen than in your room. Matlab yaar, we cannot even enter the kitchen freely now." He sighed dramatically while my wife who was previously clung to me like a Koala was now struggling to detach herself from my hold.

"When both of us are at home, don't dare to come inside the kitchen, especially when I come back home from the office. This is our prime time to romance." I warned, clutching my wife tightly,

"Otherwise, we both won't be responsible for the sight you'll see." I scowled, wanting to punch him for his intervention.

"Aditya!" Riya gasped in horror, trying to escape from my clutch.

"Kalyug!" Kunal grumbled taking out the water bottle from the fridge, "Enjoy!" He teased, passing a mischievous smile in our direction before he exited the kitchen humming a romantic number.

"God, Aditya! You have become so shameless." She wriggled in my hold, a tinge of crimson coating her features.

"Ah, I wish I could tell you how shameless I want to become with you these days." I murmured in a husky whisper, trying to sneak a kiss.

She blushed instantly with a soft giggle, before she pushed me away, "Go now, and freshen up. You are stinking with sweat." Crinkling her nose in displeasure, she pushed me out of the kitchen using all her power.

She only looks small but is pretty powerful.

"Says the one who was glued to me from the past twenty minutes." Offended, I ascended the stairs while her soft, carefree giggles echoed in the entire hall making my heart swoon with inexplicable relief and happiness.

*********

"Is she okay now? I can't even believe that she was going through so much." My heart dropped a beat hearing about Mishka, my friend Rajat's sister. When I picked up his phone, this was not something I was ready to hear.

"God! For one and a half year, she has been tolerating all this, why didn't she tell anyone?" I exclaimed, not believing that Mishka has been struggling with so many things from the past one and a half year.

"Hmm, divorce seems the only option now." I paced around the room, a plethora of disturbing scenarios coming in front of my eyes while my heart prayed for Mishka to remain strong during this tough time of her life.

"Yeah, chal take rest, it has been a rough day for all of you. Han han, I am sending you Sanchayita's number. Discuss the whole case with her tomorrow, and let's hope that this divorce is finalized soon." Rajat's voice reflected pain and exhaustion and worry seeped within me thinking what all they must be going through.

"What happened? You look upset." Riya's voice was laced with concern as she relatively sat down next to me, her palm covering mine in a gentle grip.

Craning my neck sideways, I sighed heavily before I worded out, "You know Rajat, haina?"

"Hmm, your school friend." She acknowledged, nodding a little.

"His sister, Mishka is getting divorced." I informed and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Why?" She asked almost immediately.

"She got married more than a year and a half ago and today her family got to know that Mishka's husband is impotent and he and his family knew his condition before marriage as well, but still they decided to hide this fact and go ahead with this alliance. This is a clear case of cheating!"

Utter shock was visible on Riya's face as her eyes welled up with unshed tears, "And, Mishka has been living there even after all this, that too for almost two years." As she voied this, I could feel the goosebumps erupting on her skin.

"Hmm." I nodded before continuing,

"She got to know about this the first night itself, but she has been in love with him, so she thought that even her husband was not aware of his condition and she will manage with it. She was under this blind belief that just like her, even her husband is the victim here, and they will figure out a solution together through some treatments."

"Then?" She eyed me in the hope of something positive ahead.

"Mishka has been reaching out to so many doctors for that man assuming he is being honest, and this is something upon which no one has control. But the longer she lived there, she slowly got to know that this has all been planned and Amitoj and his whole family knew about his condition since long, even before his marriage but still they decided to move ahead with this alliance." My throat turned dry and merely imagining Isha in the same place bought tremendous shivers  on my skin. Wetting my lips, I added,

"From the past eighteen months, she has no proper room to call her own, no almirah, no proper food to eat and no other facilities. Amitoj didn't talk to her except for a word or two. Can you imagine they did not even share a single meal together in these twenty months?" I shook my head in despair,

"In these twenty months she was not allowed to come to her place as her in-laws feared she would leak out the information to her family and every time she talked to her family, someone or the other would be around her And, recently they have started hitting her as well." I completed, the mere thought of her struggles inviting unease and discomfort.

"Oh God!" Riya's voice quavered, "Why didn't she tell anyone? She could have messaged or something. It's worse than hell to tolerate all this and live at such place. Especially ,when there is no love and hope in a relationship. And, how do these people get the guts to hit someone’s daughter. It’s pathetic!"

"Mishka didn't want anyone from her family to know this. She knew her family would break down after knowing all this. Hence, she has been quiet since long and never disclosed what was happening with her. Rajat told, that she thought her parents will lose their respect and integrity in the society if her marriage breaks. She knew that they will not let her live there even for a single minute if they get to know about all this, hence, she has been silently torturing herself and used to act happy in front of them."

"How did her family knew then?" She posed, her eyes furrowed in confusion.

"Uncle is very close to her, from quite some time he has been noticing her sullen face over video calls, or whenever she would come home with Amitoj. Upar se, the way her in laws would make up an excuse every time uncle asked them to send Mishka to their place for a few days, developed seeds of doubt within him."

"That's unbelievable, not allowing a girl to even visit her family in the span of two years." She shut her eyes in exasperation, "After that?"

"Bas, when her in laws tried to make an excuse again, uncle became adamant that Mishka will come and live with them for a few days no matter what. After that Mishka came home and they all forced her tell the truth and now, after the reveal they are heading for her divorce. Who would let their sister or daughter roast in such hell after knowing all this? That girl has been in depression from the last three months because of those morons." My insides raged with fury at the audacity of people to intentionally ruin an innocent's life.

Riya still seemed stunned by the statement, hence I wrapped my around her to comfort her. Adjusting her head against my shoulder, I informed,

"Rajat called me to get Sanchayita's number, my bua's daughter. She is a lawyer, and handles domestic cases."

She nodded gently at my words, "I just pray that she is freed away from this namesake relationship as soon as possible, she has her whole life ahead. She deserves a lot more." She murmured, probably her thoughts swirling to Mishka and many other women/men who are facing such atrocities in their lives.

"Hmm." I rubbed her forearm to soothe her before she whispered after a deep thought,

"Why do people do this? Intentionally ruining the life of someone, even when they know sooner or later, it will be disclosed. How could they gather the guts to spoil someone's life? I just can't understand why people cheat like this, hiding their life situations, their pasts, their preferences, their wrongdoings to the other person. It not only ruins a single person's life instead it impacts the lives of each person related to them." She eyed me for a moment and played with my ring finger, rolling and unrolling the ring absentmindedly.

"The world would have been a much better place to live if people were this empathetic Riya. Karma is a big thing, they have ruined someone's daughter's life, they won't be able to live in peace. God is watching them from the heaven's above." Leaning my head against her, I shut my eyes tightly to calm the frivolous emotions surging within my cores.

"Hmm." She hummed, her tone distracted, "A little honesty before building long term relationships might save a lot of lives and relationships. Isn't it."  She raised her eyes to look up at me while I nodded with the blink of an eye.

A few minutes passed in silence after which she voiced in a soft whisper, her tone filled with anxiety, her eyes glistening with unsaid fear, "I am scared to lose you, Aditya."

"I can't afford to lose you." I couldn't help but smile at her concern for our relationship. Pulling her petite frame to myself, I pressed a lingering kiss on the side of her head, and murmured,

"Now stop worrying, let's be happy that Mishka is with her family now and she has the scope to heal with time. And, I am sure, there's a lot of happiness awaiting her in the future. Not every day can be a bad day, isn't it?"

My wife smiled in affirmation, and whispered, almost inaudiby, "She will get everything she deserves, be it professionally or personally. And if she chooses to remarry, I know she will have someone who will respect and cherish her, who will love her the way she deserves."

"True." I blinked my eyes in assurance, "Chal ab, let's have dinner now. Everyone must be waiting for us downstairs."

"Ji." She nodded as we ambled out of the room, hand in hand.

**********

"I'll cut, I'll cut!" My sister screeched, almost jumping on her spot, as she joined all the pastries together to form a rectangular shaped cake.

The dinner was already over, and now we were all seated to eat the pastries, however, as the age-old ritual at the Kansal's, my sister took hold of the knife from the plate and smiled brightly eyeing all of us.

Swaying her head in sheer pleasure even without any music on, she cut the pastries happily, and gobbled up the first bite herself, her eyes closing on their own accord with immense delight.

Still in her chocolatey land, she wiped away the traces of chocolate cream from the box as well inviting a bunch of amused chuckles from each one of us.

Later, the pastries were served and before I could take the bite of my mixed-fruit pastry, Riya nudged me by her elbow, a suggestive glance plastered on her face.

"Kya?" I asked, furrowing my brows in confusion.

"Pastry." She pointed towards my plate, and passed a toothy smile.

"Na. Eat your chocolate one, this is mine." I refused, just to irk her.

She pouted lightly and shifted away from me in annoyance. Shaking my head at her antics, I picked up a spoonful of my share and offered her, placing it right in front of her mouth.

Her eyes gleamed with happiness as she gobbled up the whole bite in one go, but nevertheless decided to comment,

"My chocolate pastry is better." She took a spoonful of her share and offered me for a taste,

"Mhm. I will eat my share later." I insinuated in a hoarse whisper, my eyes zeroing to her lips for a moment.

"God! Cheesy!" I chuckled lightly at her remark as she shut her eyes in embarrassment, her face downcast with a blush.

However, noticing the unusual silence around, we angled our neck sideways, only to realize our family has been taking keen interest in our conversation with two adults passing suggestive smiles in our direction, while the other two looking at us in pure adoration.

"Uh, um I'll bring water." Riya got up from the sofa in a jiffy and sauntered to the kitchen, almost losing her balance on the way, thus inviting a series of amused chortles from all of us.

*******

"Let's race!" Flabbergasted, I eyed my wife sideways as she made this alien statement.

"What?" She rolled her eyes at my question and turned around with a tinge of sophistication.

"What what?" She narrowed her eyes at me as if warning me to say otherwise, and pointed towards the bed,

"Dekho, we are standing here in the dressing room, we both will race to the bed and whoever reaches first, will win!" She explained in detail probably not getting my sarcasm and I felt like slapping a helpless hand over my head at this antique piece I have to tolerate for a lifetime.

"It's not even ten- meters." I grumbled by donning a hopeless expression,

"Chup karke soja. Aren't you tired with the day's events that you want this adventure as well?" Shaking my head at her over-energetic frame, I held her hand to pull her out of the dressing room.

"No!" She stood unfazed on the spot, her feet tightly pressing over the floor that rendered all my efforts useless.

"Please na. Let's race." She said masking the dangerous combination of glum eyes, protruded lips, and crinkled nose which she clearly knows is my weakness.

"Fine." I spoke, defeated, nevertheless smiled when she jumped up to kiss my cheek as a thank you.

"Good boy." Threading my fingers, she inched me closer to the threshold of the dressing, and explained,

"I'll count like 3, 2, 1, and after that whoever reaches first will win the race." She exclaimed with a childlike shimmer in her eyes, the earlier perturbations of the day long forgotten.

"Chalo!" She remarked with a pout when I passed a blank stare at her.

Just to inform you, half of the time I intentionally give her these blank, hopeless looks just to elicit an even more dramatic side of hers.

But, she doesn't need to know this.

"Chal." I said, suppressing my smile.

"Okay." She crouched a little with her one leg towards the front, while the other bent at the back, a typical racer position as if it's not a ten-meter race but a four-hundred meter one.

"Let's start!" She announced, giving an arrogant,competitive side-eye,

"Three, two and one." My mouth remained agape as it took me two seconds to realize that this satan ran even before she completed saying two, and by the time, she spoke one, she has already reached the bed, with her face pressed tightly on the bed, her breaths heavy as if she's so tired by running and her hips flying high in the air, wiggling in a rhythm.

"You cheated." I stated, my insides blazing with offense. Stomping towards the bed to express my disapproval, I sat l, masking an annoyed expression while she manuevered with an indifferent wiggle of her hip.

"Loser." She stuck her tongue out in victory, angling her neck towards me with a smirk, the side of her face now pressed towards the bed.

Ah, and not to forget the damned wiggle of her hips.

I couldn't decipher whether to laugh or feel hopeless at this cartoon network I have received in a free fund with a lifelong, non-cancellable subscription.

"Ruk, tu." Amused, I sat on the bed right next to her and held her by her waist, and rolled her in a blink of an eye until I was lying beneath her with her body plopped over me.

"Ooohh! My stunt-man!" She exclaimed friskily, right after she gasped at my sudden action.

"What should I do of you?" I murmured, the amused smile on my lips not fading away as I drink in her buffoonish features and the weird nicknames she keeps giving me.

Adjusting herself over me with leisure, she placed her elbows over my chest, her lips twisting with mischief,

"You can't do anything Mister, because I already have the upper leg in this relationship." She bit her inner cheeks to suppress the goofy smile threatening to spill on her lips,

"See my legs are over you now as well." She wriggled her legs a little which were currently resting over me, just to prove her logic.

At her explanation, I shut my eyes in hopelessness while she giggled merrily, royally aware of the power she holds over me.

Deciding to turn the tables amidst us, I stayed mun but my hands aimlessly wandered downwards, until they settled right over her clothed rear, which were busy wiggling in the air a few seconds ago.

Her eyes widened in shock and her cheeks flushed in embarrassment at my movement. Biting the edge of her lips, she stated with narrowed eyes,

"Mr. Kansal?"

"Hanji, Mrs. Kansal." I passed a wacky smile, feigning oblivion.

"Your hands have started wandering to all the wrong places these days." She cocked a questionable brow, masking offense, though her smile told otherwise.

"Is it?" I murmured while she nodded swiftly.

"But, I feel I have started touching you at all the right places now. There are a lot more to explore though." I rasped, and her eyes shut momentarily with a breathy, inaudible moan as my palms pressed the soft flesh of her skin underneath.

She smiled feebly, her cheeks still blazing with shyness and her gaze fixated towards me in admiration,

"You are impossible." She muttered in defeat, hiding her face in my chest.

"You aren't protesting though." I whispered, grazing my lips with hers as her mouth failed to provide a coherent reply. She whimpered softly as I skimmed my palms teasingly and her breathing turned faster with each flicker and each playful grope on her skin

"Let's go out tomorrow? Just us. It's Sunday vaise bhi." I voiced, kissing her briefly, my fingers now drawing circles on the backside of her thigh.

Her eyes which failed to open a moment ago flicked open in a bat of a second, sheer excitement highlighting her features.

"Pakka promise?" She put forth, wounding her arms around my neck, and I resisted a painful groan as in excitement, she plopped all her weight over me with a thump.

Also, the constant squirming over my ungodly parts of the body proved to be an icing on the cake as it made more difficult for me to resist doing things to her right away.

"Pakka promise." I couldn't resist pecking her lips as she mildly grazed her foot with mine,

"The same plan like last time but we'll leave at 9-9:30 in the morning." I gently stroked the bare skin underneath her t-shirt while she shivered under my touch, her fingers clasping my tshirt for support.

"We won't be fighting like last time." She grumbled, breathing into my neck, her lips teasingly caressing the side of my face.

"Hmph." I managed to utter, reminiscing the fight we had last time because of the cancellation of our plan at the uncertain arrival of the guests. However, her intentional, tantalizing touch on my skin left me bothered and relieved at the same time as her bodily insinuations has begun reflecting the physical approval she has for our relationship.

Joining our forehands, she tenderly flicked her nose with mine, our eyes closed and breathing steady as we enjoyed a comfortable silence lingering around.

A minute or two later, she moved a little and combed my hair with her fingers before she brushed the pad of her thumb on the edge of my lips, her smile brightening each second.

"You want to say something?" I quipped, keenly gauging the contemplation swirling her features.

My gaze moved to her lips as she teasingly swirled her tongue over lips, her eyes switching to my lips at the same time.

"Can we kiss now? It's been the whole day we kissed." She murmured almost inaudiby with a little pout pluckered on her lips allowing me to laugh fondly at her innocent request.

"Where? Cheeks?" I feigned a thought, adjusting her over me for a comfortable position.

She eyed me intently, not uttering a word before she grazed her lips with mine ever-so-softly. Our faces were so close to each other, our noses rubbing against one another, and our fleshes pressed tightly like a second skin.

Draping my arms behind her, I slid my palm under her t-shirt. I let her graze my lips teasingly while my palms stroked her bare waist with the tip of my fingers but before I could capture her lips with mine and taste the sweet sensation of her plump skin, she pulled away almost immediately, a notorious smile gracing her lips.

"Do you want any more explanation?" She asked, tracing my cheeks while I shook my head in frustration with my eyes still closed at the sensuality of this little action.

"Kiss me then, your way." She voiced in a demanding whisper, her tone falling down to a few decibels. Her eyes reflected raw passion as she caressed my neck, inviting my face close to her already parted lips.

"Forever at your service Missus." I breathed inaudibly, inching my lips closer.

"Let me show you the trailer of Aditya Special Kissalicious Night, exclusively meant for you." Grasping her rear in tantalizing grip, I immediately rolled her underneath and she giggled and squeaked at the same time before I pulled her in for a night-long dose of long, passionate and heart-searing kisses, topped with breathlessness and sloppiness.

********

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