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Aditya's Pov
Three Days.
Three days of blatant ignorance.
Three days of monosyllabic responses.
Three days of clear indifference.
And I still can't fathom why.
"When are you planning to be normal?" I finally asked focusing my attention on Riya who has been mechanically folding the clothes for the past thirty minutes. Her face was etched with a deep frown eliciting a set of wrinkles on my forehead as a response.
"I am normal." She mumbled, eyeing me swiftly before shifting back her attention to the damned pile of clothes.
"You are not." I scowled, turning my body towards her and she looked away, her face giving away her restraint to comment on anything.
Sighing, I voiced, "Riya, I have given you the time these past days so that you could gather your thoughts. But instead, you are just behaving unreasonably with me."
"I j-just don't want to talk about it." She exhaled after a brief pause, getting up from the bed.
"Are we going to run away from every issue like this? Will this work if you keep on refusing to confide or discuss anything whenever we are in mid of a problem?" I bit back my urge to snap at her. Holding her wrist, I refrained her to leave the bed before ending this discussion.
I hate the fact that we were on the verge to fight when none of us is at fault.
She looked at me through her eyelashes, a transparent sheen covering her eyes.
"Fine." She exasperated, "I never say anything to anyone here, then why was I, the subject of those assumptions?" She thundered, her attention fixed on me with her gaze blazing with fury.
"Why am I being the subject of this then?" I seethed, my expressions mirroring hers.
"I am also stuck between the two of you. I have a younger sister on one side, I can't pick up an argument with her. Neither do I want any issues between us two. So, why the hell am I being given this cold treatment for the issue transpiring between you two." I was incensed when she scoffed in dismay.
"You could have stopped her there but you didn't!" She accused, not wavering her accusing gaze off me.
"I might not have stopped her there but do you even have an inch of an idea that I talked to her right after you left the room that day?" I snarled as my jaw ticked at her stupid assumptions.
"And how the hell is it my fault if she still isn't gathering the guts to talk to you and apologize." I intoned, throwing my hands in the air.
"What's my fault if I am trying to adjust here and still not succeeding." She reciprocated, frustration evident in her tone.
"As if I am living a King's life here!" I fumed "Am I not the one affected by all these changes?" I clamored, pissed by her statements.
"Not as much as I have to." She argued, turning to make her way out of bed. However before she could move an inch, I held her elbow stiffly for the second time, halting her movements.
"I know you are trying to adjust here but so are the other people in the house, maybe not as much as you." I tried to pacify her.
"So do I. But I am trying and it is not working," She voiced, her features crumpled in exasperation.
"Then tell me how can I ensure perfection in the relationships we all carry with each other?" I sighed, resisting the urge to pull my hair,
"How can I ensure that there would be no issues involving you and them? How can I ensure the picture-perfect family you are expecting it be?" I aggravated as a few teardrops rolled by her eyes, the sight enough to melt my insides. She was quick to wipe away the tears before I could.
"I am trying too, Riya. But I can't assure you that everything is going to be fine always. There can be days like these, sudden and filled with judgments. We need to be with each other than away in stances like these." I mumbled, unable to see her in distress. My hands itched to cradle her face in my palms, smothering her face with assuring kisses.
"Each day, every day I try so that no one in your family feels that I am changing you or taking you away from them. I have feared this thing for the longest time, but s-still, I couldn't prevent it from happening. Today, it's Isha, tomorrow it could be anyone. And I can't bear that. I won't bear that!" She cried out, palming her face with her hands. She breathed heavily trying to control her frenzied breaths, hinting to the extent of overthinking she has done in the past few days.
I rubbed my face to calm the agitation in my voice, "I know." I held her hands in my pal, stroking the back with the pad of my thumb,
"But will not talking to me help?" My eyes found her glossy ones, demanding an answer. She peered her gaze away, fiddling with the edge of the pillow covers.
"You are unreasonably distancing yourself from me when we both can talk it out. We have to fight the issues, Riya. Not fight with one another."
She opened her mouth quite a few times, but nothing came out. Her features reflected contemplation as she looked away in distance for the umpteenth time. She huffed, her lips puckering in a pout when she couldn't think of anything logical to argue upon.
"Come here." I drew a heavy sigh before yanking her towards me by her elbow. Enveloping her in my arms, I adjusted her frame on my lap, her legs dangling to one side. She hid her face in my chest as she vented out soft cries, clutching my tshirt in a gentle grip.
"I am not taking you away. I am not trying to change you." She quavered meekly.
"I know, sweetheart." I breathed out, dropping a kiss on her hair while my palm rubbed her back soothingly.
"I can't confide all this to maa and paa, they will unnecessarily worry for me. I can't share anything with you knowing it is about your family." She began after a few moments of thoughtful silence,
"What else am I supposed to do except for remaining silent the whole while? " She raised her eyes at me in question making me ponder for a fleeting second.
I pushed away the wet strands of her hair that curtained the side of her face,
"For now, I would just say, give us time, give yourself and this family some time." I managed to splutter something coherent from my mouth,
"Isha has realized her mistake, she is just ashamed to apologize for what she spoke that day in anger. She loves you and you know that very well. She is outspoken and immature and I have already made her realize her mistake that night only." I palmed her cheek in a gentle grip as she peered at me in sheer innocence, her cute button nose scarlet in the process of crying.
She hummed after a breathy sigh, "I just don't want to mess things up, with you and everyone in the family." Her voice hinted at fear and exhaustion.
"We won't. And, even if things do mess us up, we are in it. Together." I wrapped her closer than before, pressing dewy kisses on her head every now and then.
"But for that, you need to trust me with your feelings. Shutting me out is ultimately going to ruin what we already share." I tried to explain my viewpoint, my voice was gentle but firm at the same time.
She frowned extemporaneously at my statement, clearly not pleased with the possibility of the same.
"I was irked." She sulked, heaving an exhausted sigh,
"And it was about your family." She played with her ring finger, a habit she has taken when she thinks deeply,
"I had no choice but to avoid any communication with you. I was afraid that I would speak something in my frustration that would make you upset. I did not want you to misunderstand me." She murmured in a small voice, wetting her lips.
Resting the side of my face on her head, I smiled feebly,
"I won't deny Riya that I might not be able to hear anything against them, even if they are wrong." She peered at me, partially surprised by my honest answer.
"But the same goes for you too. I can't afford to hear anything against you as much as I can't hear anything about them. Hence, the least I could do is to have one on one conversations with either side whenever the need arises." I tried to clarify while she stayed mum, fiddling mindlessly with the edges of my tshirt.
"I am equally stuck, Riya. But I am also learning day by day. I can do mistakes too, and so do you and the others." I breathed in weariness when I didn't get a reply from her,
"And as much as I am their son or brother, I am your husband too. And, trust me, it gets conflicting at times. All the time, maybe." I mumbled the last part almost inaudibly.
"Because for everything I do, I am an easy target for each one of you." I put forward my predicament, the one most people fail to notice or consider.
Her lips parted softly, puckering a little in discontentment.
"Sometimes by them, Sometimes by you for not behaving as per your respective expectations. No matter what I do, I am always going to be under the radar of judgments and misconceptions." I murmured, pressing my lips on her temple.
Her brown eyes widened in the slightest bit, faint offense blaring in them.
"Not only you, but even I am struggling with these newfound changes, Riya." I continued nevertheless as she glanced at me in a subtle realization.
Her eyes flickered with an incomprehensible emotion as she tried to speak something but was unable to.
My wife worded after a brief lapse of silence, "I guess, it's time for another rule. Especially for me." She pressed her lips in a thin line, frowning at the last part.
How can someone look so enticing even when frowning?
"We need to be more vocal about our expectations and concerns without fearing any judgments from others. Staying quiet, forming assumptions, and drawing conclusions are only going to wreck things more." She nodded to no one in particular as if lecturing herself on this. I stifled my chuckle at the sight.
"Oh, I never knew you could act smart too." I teased and she pouted in defense. Giving in to my temptation, I kissed the tip of her nose which has turned beetroot with her watery rants and rambles.
We didn't speak anything for a while, rather basked in each other's comforting presence.
My gaze remained occupied in admiring the peaceful expressions lingering on her face when she tilted her head a little and placed a delicate kiss on the corner of my lips.
"You are a good husband." She whispered, holding my cheek with her palm, her lips pulling up in a bashful smile,
"Oh, and a good son and a good brother too." She exclaimed softly while I could only chuckle at her adorable expression.
"That I am." I boasted with a flattering smile, raising my brow.
She giggled, rubbing her nose on my tshirt, her arms wounding my waist.
"Oye, You need to stop ruining my t-shirts with your nasal discharges. It's gross." I remarked with a contorted expression, pointing at the wet patch on the center of my t-shirt.
She immediately craned her neck to glare at me in disapproval, "You have signed for such free-of-cost nasal discharges, that too for a lifetime! The subscription is nonrefundable and clearly not available for you!" She exclaimed in agitation.
"God! A Lifetime." I inhaled sharply, dramatically shutting my eyes before earning a tight slap on my chest.
*************
Riya's Pov
"Mom, no, we need to wear blue only. Light blue in particular." Isha sulked in dismay, rummaging through the different sets of blue-colored clothes scattered on the dining table which she has been bought from her room.
Apparently, there is an exhibition in her college that demands the volunteers to wear blue formal shirts to showcase uniformity and easy recognition amidst the crowd.
"I am not going to buy you a shirt for one day, especially when I know you aren't going to wear it after this exhibition," Mumma announced, ignoring the pleading looks Isha sent her way.
For the past week, I and Isha have been on amicable terms by replying to each other whenever the need arises. However, the gap between us wasn't missable given the absence of mindless conversations that we used to have earlier.
Though, I was thankful that Mumma and papa haven't directly-indirectly bought up this issue yet. It would have been beyond awkward and I was least prepared to have another set of blame games hurled upon me.
I sighed inaudibly reflecting on my own thoughts. My mind wandered to how easily situations like these compel us to question the connections surrounding us. The people, their gestures, their intentions, and their words suddenly started coming off in a grey stance whenever we encounter the judgment of one person in the family towards us.
I couldn't help but wonder if I was the only married woman who had such mixed sentiments towards her husband's family or if this was a common experience.
Relationships are fragile. Fragile enough to impact everyone surrounding them.
Mumma's aggravated voice snuck me out of the humdrum of disarrayed thoughts. Deciding to end this discussion for both of them, I intervened, stepping in their direction.
"I have a light blue t-shirt." My gaze switched to the mother-daughter duo,
"And, I guess it would justify the purpose." I mumbled resting my eyes on Isha as her lips jutted in thoughtfulness. Her scrunched-up nose and protruded lips never fail to pull my lips in a smile.
"But they asked to wear a shirt." She murmured cautiously, her eyebrows drawn together.
Before I could splutter a reply, mumma piped in,
"Ohho, these college people, half of the things they say are just to scare you all so that you could behave in a disciplined manner. Shirt ho ya t-shirt, hai to blue hi. Haina, Riya?" Mumma sent me a knowing glance, requesting me with her eyes to help her settle the whole ordeal.
"Aur kya." I agreed in honesty,
"As long as you are wearing something blue, I suppose there won't be any problem." I passed a small smile, a reassuring one and she nodded in affirmation after giving a quick thought.
"Shall I try it first?" She quizzed and mumma held the side of her head, thoroughly irked.
Noticing the reaction, Isha clarified with a frown, "I want to check if it fits me or not. This would help me decide if I need to tuck in or not."
"'Han han, theek hai." Mumma chimed, rolling her eyes.
"Take it from our room." My gaze shifted to her,
"It's in my cupboard, the one next to the dressing. Right side, bottom shelf." I explained, settling on the floor to fold the mess of clothes spluttered in the front.
"Ji." She hummed, ascending the stairs.
A few minutes later, I heard her call for me from the room upstairs,
"Bhabhi, can't see it here. Could you please come and check?" She voiced in confusion, coming halfway through the stairs.
Sighing inaudibly, I stepped upstairs and to the room. Walking in the direction of the dressing, I scoured through the contents to find the t-shirt.
"Here it is!" She remained rigid when I handed her the piece of fabric, which made me question whether she didn't like it.
"Try it and if it suits you, I'll iron it." I said softly, shutting the almirah. She stood motionless, her eyes fixated on the piece of cloth. Taking the cue that would want to change I took a step ahead scuttering to the room entrance.
"Sorry Bhabhi." My steps faltered as soon as her meek voice hit my ears. It was impossible to ignore the croak in her voice or the guilt surfacing in her undertone.
As a reflex, I turned around at the sound of her footfalls. My heart clenched when I witnessed a thin layer of moisture coating her eyes.
"It's okay." I said softly, patting her cheeks as she stood in front, her eyes downcasted with guilt.
"It's not." She quivered, puffing air out of my mouth in exasperation.
Drawing air out of my mouth, I grasped her hand and directed her to the bed. Settling at the edge, I blinked my eyes at her, letting her continue.
"I-I." She breathed, rubbing her face.
Closing her eyes, she started, "I s-shouldn't have said all those things about you that day. It was so wrong." She mumbled in a low voice, her words measured and careful, contrary to her usual spontaneous self.
"It's.." I tried to interject.
She shook her head dejectedly, "Let me continue please." She requested softly, glancing at me in a plea. I nodded, gulping the lump that formed in my throat.
"You have been so accommodating always and I feel so so ashamed every time I think about all that I blabbered that night." Her voice trembled,
"I-I couldn't even muster the courage to apologize to you." She wiped her cheeks as wet drops rolled out of her eyes, her eyes anywhere but me.
"Don't be angry at me, please. Let's get back to normal." She sniffled, tightening her hold on my palm. There was an urgency in her tone, a rush to turn things back to normal. The sight was enough to make my stomach drop and my chest tighten.
"I felt bad, it's true. I was hurt, very much. But not because of you but because I thought I was wrong somewhere. I would never want a rift between you three siblings because of me." I resorted to saying the truth than sugarcoating my feelings,
"But I am not angry at you Isha, not now at least." I held her cheeks in my palms, letting her sullen face lift and glance at me.
She wetted her dry lips before lounging into me for a comforting hug.
"I am so sorry." She cried shakily,
"I disappointed you, Adi bhaiya, and Kunal bhaiya too. Kunal bhaiya isn't even talking to me since that day. How could I be so insensitive to your feelings?" She vented, her arms convulsing with slight trembles due to her shaky breaths.
"You are insensitive, Isha." I chastised softly, "Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and so do you. Also, it was just a moment, a moment of vulnerability that came out in a slightly contradicting manner." I rubbed her arms, stroking the skin in gentle caresses.
"Also, Don't worry about Kunal, I'll scold him. How dare he to not talk to our chatterbox. That's a crime! A heinous one!" I chuckled, attempting to lighten the atmosphere.
"I deserve it." She murmured, still cocooned in my arms, her arms flung around my waist.
"You don't, love." I pulled her a little away, creating a distance so that I could peer at her,
"Let me tell you a secret." I hushed in a soft whisper and she was all ears, eyeing me keenly,
"I felt the same as you after Ayaansh bhai got married." Her eyes widened in shock at the piece of information,
"The only difference was I never spoke it aloud, you did." I shrugged,
"In my case, maa helped me clear my thoughts as she was the first to observe my disinterest around them, especially around bhabhi. I would remain aloof in their vicinity. I felt that my whole equation with my brother has been changing. It-it felt suffocating." I smiled tightly, my eyes glimmering with clear water.
"It's natural Isha. These feelings, the predicaments, the conflicts, the misconceptions, the fears of loosing, the fright of leaving something valuable. They are all genuine. This is what makes us human, isn't it?" I whispered, wiping her blotched cheeks with the pad of my thumb.
"You know what Maa told me that day?" She eyed me avidly, awaiting my response,
"She said, priorities never change, nor does the love for someone. We humans are stupid enough to stay hostage in the little world we have created for ourselves. We feel the void when someone leaves it and we experience congestion the moment someone becomes part of it." I chuckled humourlessly at the human repulsion to change,
"It's like we are in some kind of competition, where the fear of losing the connection with our present ones is more significant than the fear of winning the heart of a new person. We are averse to losses, after all." The vivid memory flashed before my eyes, pulling my lips in a grateful smile for my maa.
"But even though our worlds, our universes have gotten a little bigger now, it has gotten better too." I toyed with my ring finger, weighing my next words,
"It symbolizes a lot more love, an abundance of happiness, and countless learnings. It reveals the beauty of chaos over simplicity, the magic of mutual adjustments over compromises, the charm of accepting, and the grace of sharing. It symbolizes the subtle art of seeking pleasure in change than worrying about fears of change. It signifies how once strangers can now be a part of our world too. As if they were never unknown to us in the first place." I smiled softly, my eyes finding her downcasted ones, gauging her reaction. Her chocolate brown eyes looked thoughtfully towards the floor, dazed in the spirals of human emotions.
"It has helped me see things from a different perspective since that day. Maybe, it could help you too?" I whispered and she nodded slowly, still, mulling over my words.
"Aunty has a way with words." She muttered, puckering her lips in an adorable pout.
I chuckled, "She does." I concurred, tucking the wet tresses sticking against her tear-stricken cheeks behind her ear.
"Aur haan, if you have felt bad in any way, then it does mean me and Aditya need to work out on a few things as well. After all, we are all in this, haina? Efforts over anything else?" Her eyes twinkled with hope, optimism dancing in her eyes. She raised her hand to wipe the glistening tears pooling at the corner of my eyes which I failed to realize until she swabbed them away.
"Let's make our world filled with love and togetherness." She declared enthusiastically.
"With no doubts and insecurities?" I peered at her with hopeful eyes and she nodded briskly, launching herself in my arms once again.
"No doubts and insecurities!" She acquiesced, nuzzling in my neck.
"I Love you." She mumbled after a few seconds, breathing heavily against my skin.
"I do too!" I dropped a kiss on her head while my palms found their way towards her, grazing it in gentle strokes.
"Sun, Golgappe, raat ko?" I wriggled my brows suggestively and she tossed herself off the bed with excitement,
"Momos and Chaat bhi!" She squealed, tugging me out of the room.
***********
"Garam Masala?"
"Done." I chimed
"Wheat flour."
"Yes."
"Yello lentils?"
"Hanji."
"Mustard oil."
"Nope. We still have two unsused bottles. There, in the bottom cabinet." i pointed in the subject's direction.
"Okay."
Currently, I was plopped over the kitchen counter while papa paraded the kitchen, opening and closing the cabinets to check up on the needed groceries while I prepared the grocery list. Apparently, papa has been the in-charge of grocery shopping, with me being the assistant this one time as mumma has not been feeling well.
"Chocobakes too, Isha likes it." He opened the sideboard over the microwave stand,
"And, for Aditya that o-which one was that, where the boy in the advertisement licks that biscuit before putting it in the milk." Papa frowned, scratching his head for a thought.
"Oreo." I reminded, snickering at his expression.
"Haan haan, likh voh." He shook his head at his memory.
"And aloo bhujia for Kunal." I announced, reminiscing about his midnight cravings.
"And Maggi for you." Papa eyed me with a teasing smile eliciting a giggle to erupt in my throat.
After writing all the required groceries on the front page, I turned around the page to scribble the unneeded, discretionary items. The quantities of each one being limited to a few and not many.
A smile stretched on my lips, pushing me back into time when I would prepare the list of groceries at home. I took this habit from Paa, he would ask me to help maa in preparing the grocery list and being the lazy bum I am, I would mug up everything together.
But with papa's words of financial wisdom, I realized the importance of prioritizing needs over wants. Prioritizing the needed items over the unneeded ones, and penning them in the same order. This not only reduces overspending but also allows us to shop on a budget.
At least, we will not end up buying useless things in a flow followed by a mini-heart attack gawking at the whole bill and later chucking the useless items back on the counter.
This is a downright exhausting task. And disappointing too.
Who would like to place those sinful packets of Maggi back on the counter after buying dozens of them?
"Done!" I declared satisfied with the contents. We rechecked the whole list one last time for the quantities needed and any omissions taken placed before scurrying to mumma, for the final evaluation.
***********
"Hanji, Junior Kansal? Pretty busy, I see!" I leaned at the side of Kunal's room door, crossing my arms against my chest. I smirked at the sight as he flinched hearing my voice, abruptly sitting straight like a deer caught in headlights. The discreet yet extemporaneous motion of his palm to place the mobile phone upside down on the bed could not be missed.
"Ahem, Ahem." I faked a cough, biting my cheeks to maintain a poker expression.
"Video calling, that too with the doors wide open. Pretty gutsy lover you are." I raised my eyebrows, shaking my head animatedly. He fiddled with the phone as my gaze shifted to the device in his hand.
His lips parted in embarrassment as he glared at me in offense.
"Nothing like that bhabhi." He muttered, tossing the phone to the side.
"Is she still on a call? Can I talk? " His eyes widened in befuddlement, rose covering up his cheeks.
Cute.
"Please." I pouted,
He nodded, smiling a little bashfully. Turning the phone, he frowned at the sight,
"She cut the call." He shook his head, whining like a kid while I pouted at the discovery.
"Your girlfriend seems to not want to talk to her sister-in-law." I nodded, ever so slowly, giving away the offense.
"She is shy." He murmured, "You know bhabhi, She is a blabbermouth when I am in the front but when it comes to anyone else, she is a timid kitten." He scoffed, glaring at the blank screen.
I giggled, "Koi nai. Next time, we will see how long she stays away from her ever-so-charming future bhabhi." He chuckled, nodding at my response.
"Chal bata, Milk or coffee today?" His lips scrunched in displeasure at the mention of milk,
"Chai." He pleaded with his eyes.
"Chai, at night, again." I crossed my arms, wordlessly letting him know of his bad habit of consuming tea every night.
"Headache." He made up a reason and before I could retort he tossed himself out of the bed,
"Chalo chalo, I will help you." His gait wobbled till the room entrance as he struggled with his half-worn slippers.
"Impossible. One is mad for parantha, the other for chai." I shook my head at the habits these Kansal men have grown.
He chuckled, holding me by shoulders before turning me towards the staircase.
"Where is bhaiya?" He quizzed as we descended the stairs.
My lips pulled up in a frown at a certain Kansal's mention,
"Your bhaiya doesn't have time for me, he is busy with his office work." I lamented, scowling at no one in particular,
"See, its almost 9 and he isn't home yet." I sulked, pointing at the digital clock.
8:49 p.m
My lips pulled downwards as the thoughts drifted to the sudden absence of romance between us over the past few days.
Dusht.
Kunal snickered earning a glare from me,
"Stop laughing." I mumbled slapping his arm,
"I am warning you, take all the traits from your brother, but not this one. The one where he works till late and ignores his newly-wed wife. He messaged me an hour ago that he will come by eight-thirty and see, Mister is nowhere to be seen." I grumbled, huffing in dismay while the Junior Kansal did nothing but smiled stupidly at the sad story of my life. This resulted in another furious glare in his direction as I stomped my foot, walking ahead.
Ghor Kalyug.
"Your Mister is here." Kunal whispered cheekily, jutting his chin to the front. There stood my husband at the first step, in all his glory, with his messed up hair, and his laptop glasses on. His lips wore an amused smile clearly revealing he has been an onlooker of me appreciating his keeping-his-wife-happy skills.
Stop swooning over this traitor. You are supposed to be mad at him.
"Whatever." I garbled, trudging past his highness.
From my peripheral vision, I witnessed the eye-exchange between the brothers before the younger one looked at me with a fake yawn,
"Ah, bhabhi I feel like sleeping now." He rubbed his eyes drowsily,
"No tea today. I will heat milk on my own." He declared to no one in particular and rushed upstairs at the speed of light. I rolled my eyes at his pathetic attempt to lie.
"You are a pathetic actor, Kunal." I scoffed at his retreating figure while the latter laughed, picking up his speed.
Huffing at the epitome of workload and ignorance standing beside me, I turned around to ascend the stairs. The first husband of Miss. Laptop decided to match my pace almost immediately before flinging his arms around my shoulder. I glowered, craning my neck sideways.
"You still think you are newlywed?" Amusement palpitated in his tone as he glided his palm southwards, settling it against the small of my back.
The audacity.
I sneered at the guts he was just showcasing.
Has he forgotten how ruthless is the Queen when agitated?
"I am not talking to you." I muttered, fastening my pace to release myself from his hold.
"You just did." He chuckled, following my trail and I whined, stomping towards the room.
Ignoring his attempts to touch me, I lounged on the bed as soon as I entered the room and covered myself with the white sheet. Snuggling into my cuddle pillow, I closed my eyes in agitation.
A few seconds passed and I sensed no movement around. Brimmed with curiosity, I peeked a careful glance, removing the sheet from my face. My eyes fell on his naked back, walking towards the bathroom before shutting it close.
What the hell.
"He didn't even try to manaofy me." I mumbled as my lips wobbled in dismay, glowering at the closed door.
"Bad Husband." I groaned aloud, audible enough for him to hear amidst the sound of running water in the washroom.
Glaring one last time at the shut door, I covered myself with the sheet,
"You are my only constant," I murmured to my cuddle pillow, pressing a kiss on it before clinging it close to my chest.
****
"Slide the curtains properly!." I grumbled eyeing the lights of the dressing when my husband decided to leisurely sprawl himself on the bed.
What is he, fruit jam? or the bedsheet himself?
"I don't mind sleeping with the curtains pulled together." He stated, painfully succeeding in getting over my nerves.
My eyebrows drew together in vexation making me turn to the side, "It is your turn today to check and pull the curtains before sleeping." I reminded him of the rule we mutually decided upon a few days ago.
"I don't remember agreeing to such a rule." He pursed his lips, mirth dancing in those enticing pair of opalescent irises.
My eyes parted in astonishment, hearing his blatant lie.
"Haww! You were the one proposing it in the first place."
"Did I?" He clicked his tongue, feigning a thought, "I don't remember now. Nor do these curtains affect me. Now excuse me, I am sleepy" He shrugged, putting an arm over his eyes as I peered at him flabbergasted.
"Fine." I heaved a frustrated sigh, "I will also not do it." I announced and pushed his body to the side with my legs.
"Move away, you hulk, the mini one!" I grunted, unable to move his body an inch.
"Sure." He agreed and I squeaked when he yanked me close to his chest, landing his arms on my waist.
"Don't t-touch me." I squirmed under his hold when his face took shelter in the crook of my neck.
"I need my cuddle pillow to sleep, just like you do." He murmured huskily, his lips touching the bare part of my neck in the process.
I scoffed at his words, not bothering to reply.
"I am not your cuddle pillow. Go away to your office and your work." I griped when his hold didn't loosen, struggling to pull away from his rigid hold.
"You are my only cuddle pillow, the real one." He whispered softly.
My attempts turned futile after a few minutes of tossing and turning in his hold. Defeat sunk my senses as he held me tighter, restricting my movements. I finally stopped squirming, letting him cocoon me in his arms.
It would be a lie if I say I wasn't greedy for his touch, the warmth his body offers, the soft caresses of his palm on my back, his raspy whispers in my ears, and most importantly, his time, no matter how nominal it was.
It was a luxury, I couldn't afford to let go.
He breathed inaudibly before scooting off the bed. Switching off all the lights, he lay in the previous position, his arms wrapped around my waist, and face nuzzled in my neck.
"Angry?" He mumbled blooping his nose with mine. He tucked the loose tendrils behind my hair as he spared me a fleeting glance.
"Upset." I replied curtly.
Though, I knew well that I signed up for this when I said yes to him and this alliance. When he mentioned he left a stable job for freelancing. I was a fool to believe it would be smooth to adjust to his hectic, timeless schedule.
It's anything but easy.
"It's been so many days that we talked properly, shared our routine happenings, and joked around." And kissed. I wanted to add but didn't.
"You are always busy." I complained in a low voice, masking the disappointment I felt.
"This includes the five days you refused to have a normal conversation with me because of what happened with you and Isha." He retorted almost immediately.
My lips pulled up in a frown and I shifted a little to glower at him, "You are taunting me?"
"Nah, Reminding you." He vociferated with a nonchalant shrug.
I rolled my eyes, "Such a smart way to shift the whole blame on me. I take my words back, you are not a good husband. In fact, a very bad one." Contrary to the scowl I expected, he simpered at my statement.
He still laughed, unfazed by my objections and whined internally.
Stupid.
"Oww." He groaned in pain when I pinched his back. However, being the sweet wife I am, I rubbed the spot tenderly, relieving him from the stinging pain.
We remained silent as no words transpired amidst us,
"I received a new project a few weeks ago." He enunciated after the awkward silence making me look up at him.
"And I had completed more than half of it too." He mumbled and I was confused at his dejected tone.
"I had updated to the new ERP in the laptop which turned out to be incompatible with it. The screen suddenly turned blank the day before, and when I turned it back on, most of the progress was lost. I was yet to take the backup as well. I have to work on it again as the submission is next week itself." He sighed in exasperation, unease palpable in his tone.
"I know this is not a justification for not giving you time, but even I can't help it. Every time I think of giving us some time, some or the other thing happens. God! I feel you don't deserve the life I am giving you." He groaned in distress, pressing his lips softly to the side of my head.
Guilt and regret seeped into my cores listening to his words.
Instead of checking up on him about the prospective issues in his workplace, I decided to go through the easier route. Judgments. I was quick to judge him for not giving me time and being upset with him for not being there with me as much as I expected him to be.
If any, I think I am not succeeding in giving him the life he deserves as a husband.
I so want to murder the one who portrayed life after marriage as a bed of roses. Except for the roses on the bed on our wedding night, I don't see any roses here.
"I don't know engineering, otherwise I would have helped you." I cringed at my pathetic attempt to console.
I suck at consoling.
He tittered, and looked down at me, "You can help me by smiling and saying, Aditya, I am not upset with you anymore. More than half of my worries will wash away." His lips stretched in a wide grin, his palm grazing my cheeks softly.
"It's okay, Aditya." I patted his chest in empathy, "Being a good wife I am, I forgive you and I am not upset with you anymore." I improvised, struggling to restrain the smile threatening to break on my lips.
He rolled his eyes in offense though the concealed grin on his face said otherwise. I opened my mouth to share a few motivational dialogues but he beat me into it,
"No discussions on my work now." He announced, not giving me a room to defy.
"Fine." I huffed, "What should we do then?" I mulled, pondering over the prospective things we could do right now.
"Are your periods over?" He whispered in my ears, his palms slipping inside my top, grazing the bare skin.
"Y-yeah." I stuttered when his sinful touch reached the underside of my mounds, gently caressing the area with his thumb.
Pressing a wet kiss on the side of my neck, he rasped, "We can do a lot then."
"I am yet to wash my hair tomorrow. I do it after the period ends." I squeaked, when his teeth sunk into the flesh of my neck, flicking his tongue over the same to subdue the remnants of the faint ache.
"This is bizarre." He grumbled, gobsmacked.
"It isn't. Try having periods and you will get it." I deadpanned.
"So unfair." He murmured with a soft pout.
"Aditya!" I whined when he rubbed his itchy-witchy beardy cheek with mine, "I can do this then." He laughed, rubbing his cheeks vehemently.
"When are you even shaving it? I hate your beard!" I gritted, peeved by the burning sensation his beard induced on my cheek.
He snickered, not buying my words.
"You love it and you know I look hot in it." He said with a smug undertone, his brows raised in haughtiness.
I passed a bored look, not giving away the resolve to agree with his statement, "Puh-lease. I have seen much better."
"Yeah, Nick Bateman." He bit back a chuckle and my lips parted, disappointed at his lack of jealousy.
"He is the best." I stuck my tongue out.
"Yeah, and married too, a father of two." He retorted, pulling me by my butt.
I gasped, stunned at his sudden action.
"Shameless." I grumbled while he chose to laugh off at my animated expressions.
"How many days since we properly kissed?" He murmured, eyeing me expectantly as his right palm glided downwards my bare arm, uncovering its way to my left, finally resting over my palm..
"A week. Maybe more." My lips protruded in dissatisfaction as we let our fingers groove together, the empty space in between them perfectly aligned.
"Such a disappointment for me to have not relished these." He tsked, inclining his face closer, his gaze dropping to my lips before matching mine.
I moaned in delight when his palm descended to my thighs, caressing the insides with the tips of his fingers before adjusting them over his legs.
"Ad-" His lips descended mine, bringing my words to an abrupt halt. His lips pulled my lower lips in his, tugging them gently. I could feel our shared breath and the frenzy beats of hearts, given how close our bodies were. Sinful voices erupted in my throat as his lips moved passionately against mine. I missed these. This plump pair of softness mushed into mine, melting me into the depth of passion and intimacy.
The kiss started as slow and tender, the one which was enough to soothe the storm brewing amidst us, the one which was as light as the summer breeze, and as carefree as the autumn leaves. The one which held the empyrean power to endure all our worries away.
However, as I pulled away to catch my breath and regain the strength to kiss him again, his intense gaze made my cores shiver. The sight was enough to reveal that the next one won't be as soft and delicate as the previous one.
Before I could fathom his next move, his palm held the back of my neck, propelling me towards him until his lips found mine for a toe-curling kiss. Contrary to the previous one we shared, this was laced with lust, canopied with passion, and drenched in desire. I struggled to breathe as his tongue entered mine, exploring each nook and corner, the pace was nowhere slow rather rushed and clouded with carnal affection. I moaned for the umpteenth time, the sloppy sounds of our wet kisses wanting to make me dig a hole in the ground and hide inside.
Slipping his free hand inside my top, the tips of his fingers traced tantalizing patterns on my waist coursing a muffled growl to slip my throat.
My fingers tangled in the tresses that covered his forehead, yanking at them for the sweet sensation he was making my cores feel. His swollen lips untangled from mine before dropping slippery kisses on the joint of the shoulder and neck, blotching them with red marks.
"Aditya!" I arched my back when the movement of his tongue hastened synchronising with the pace of his fingers on my waist.
"Stop testing my patience with these erotic sounds Riya, especially when you are wearing nothing underneath. This makes me slip my control." He warned huskily in my ear, tracing the ridge of my bosom.
I gulped, dumbfounded by his dirty words, "Y-you notice all this too!" I mumbled, blinking my eyes in disarray.
He grinned, an evil glint shining in his opalescent pools. The faint white light of the moon hovering over his face, illuminating his cheekbones and accentuating the beauty of his dimpled smile.
"You would run off to woods if you ever get to know what all I see and think about you the whole day." His lips brushed my earlobes before he dropped a slick kiss beneath my ear.
"Oh, God!" I jumped up when his lips traced the pathway toward my clothed chest rendering my legs shut immediately. I was afraid he would know how wet and needy his simple touch makes me feel.
"Stop moaning, if you don't want things to escalate further." He growled with his warning gaze pinning me. I opened my mouth but he shut me up, palming my bare bosom, squeezing it gently, ever so gently.
"P-Please." I trembled, my eyes rolling backwards in pleasure.
He played with my bosoms for a few seconds, squeezing them gently.
I was dying for pace, for him to be anything but gentle.
I groaned in frustration as his hands moved everywhere on my chest but not where I wanted them to be. Fiddling with the peak of my bosoms.
You are a gone case, Riya. Horny Riya.
"Stop Teasing me!" I garbled, grabbing the back of his neck and pulling him for a set of toe-curling, punishing, wet kisses.
He chuckled as soon as we pulled away, the sound enough to turn my insides fizzy and excited. And, his swollen lips and messy hair did nothing to calm my frazzled self.
"Not so soon, sweetheart." He whispered, withdrawing his hand from my top before pulling me underneath him. I gasped at his extemporaneous action while he looked down at me in mischief.
Hovering over me, he straddled my thighs. Heat rushed through my cheeks when I felt his tinkle bell poking my thighs.
Excited, little gentleman?
Me too, Me too.
Leaning his face dangerously closer, he murmured raspily, "For what." His lips glistened as he swiveled his tongue over them making me gulp at the mere sight.
"Huh?" I questioned, clouded by the lust and love for him.
Did he hear I was excited?
His lips pulled upward, enjoying the effect he has over my weak soul, "Please, for what." He breathed, igniting shudders on my skin.
Thank God.
"Not today, please." I shut my eyes in exasperation, my resolve melting at the temptation of his body meeting mine.
He grinned, poking my nose with his before dropping a tender kiss on my head.
"I was just teasing you." He plopped his body, hiding his face in the nook my neck. My lips perked as he placed a gentle kiss on my neck while my fingers threaded into his locks, making a fountain out of it.
When the weight of this mini-hulk became unbearable, I lamented, "Get up now, you are crushing me."
He glanced with mischief at me, peppering dewy kisses all over my face. I giggled when he didn't stop.
"Stawp!" My palms rested against his chest as I attempted to pull him away, the sounds of my giggles and his sweet chuckles still echoing in the room.
I breathed in relief when he finally untangled our bodies and lay beside me. Before I could wrap my arms around my cuddle pillow, he flushed me against his chest,
"I need my cuddle pillow." He announced, chucking my cuddle pillow at the far end of the room.
"Aditya!!" I tutted, pinching his chest while he swatted my hands away.
"Your little fingers have no effect on me." He pulled my hands to his chest, shadowing them with his own.
These little fingers hold the power to show you stars and galaxies, Mr. Kansal.
You will know, uh-oh, feel it soon.
"Dusht." I exclaimed, not in the mood to stop the conversation.
"Your Dusht." Came his soft reply and I peered at him, smiling at his droopy eyes. Kissing his chest, I cocooned myself in his embrace. My cheeks flushed and my lips smiled as my thoughts wandered to the feel of his callous palms, his husky undertone, his mischief-laden eyes, and his passionate gaze.
"Sleep." He gently knocked on my forehead twice silencing my wild thoughts. I thumped my legs over his which he was quick to settle over his thighs. Shutting my eyes, I paused all thoughts, relishing the warmth his presence was offering before letting the darkness engulf me in a deep slumber.
*********
Heya Dear Ones!
I hope you all liked the chapter. If you do, do drop a comment here regarding your views. It always makes your author's day better!!
Also, Ahem,
Just a few more chapters and it's a wrap to our Adi and Rii's story!
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