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The rain which he hated so much, the drops of the same rain left no stone unturned in welcoming him as soon as he stepped down from his car. His eyes remained fixed on his wife and some anger was visible as soon as he saw those boys.
His past memories flashed in his brain and the view of Shruti overpowered everything. By the time he reached her he was completely drenched. Shruti lifted her gaze while taking a bite of roasted corn.
Her eyebrows frowned and her gaze followed him. Jaydev came under the shelter and stood beside her. Those boys quickly looked away when he turned his heated gaze at them.
In no second, they left from there.
Jaydev's ears activated when the ringing sound of bangles hit his ear. He couldn't process anything when a gentle grip clasped around his wrist. He immediately looked at Shruti who raised her eyebrows at him in an interrogative way.
" Roasted corn melted your ego right?"
His expression changed into blunt hearing her baseless question. She laughed lightly and again shifted her attention back to the corn.
" Is he your husband?"
The old lady asked.
" Yes, aunty."
Shruti sat down on the bench. Jaydev frowned because he expected her to hesitate or may be ashamed of introducing him as her husband.
" Come, son. You are drenched. Warm yourself by the fire," the old lady said to him.
He was about to refuse but chose otherwise and sat down beside Shruti. He shook the water off his jacket and then took it off. Thanks to his jacket, his shirt was not completely wet.
The warmth of fire engulfed him in a few moments. The old lady forwarded a roasted corn at him. He stared at it for a moment then politely denied. Shruti took it from her and kept it aside, of course for herself.
He shook his head at her behaviour and looked at the fire. The pattering of raindrops on the ground seemed strangely serene to him tonight. The presence of Shruti, surprisingly, did not irritate him. In fact he was interested to know what she was talking about.
" Your family?"
Shruti asked the lady who smiled bitterly.
" Me and my husband live together. He's at home as he was sick."
" What does he do? And your children?"
The lady flipped the wooden stick in the pot of fire and replied,
" He is a vegetable seller. We have two sons who, unfortunately, cannot handle our responsibility."
Shruti's expression dropped hearing her heart wrenching story but smile did not leave the lady's lips.
" You know, my husband saved me from running away from life problems. When I completely lost my interest in life, he held my hands and promised me that he would never leave me. He said, ' why are you troubled by our sons when I am with you always. I married you and took a vow to keep you happy.' I must say that I must have done good deeds in my previous life that I got him in this life."
Shruti smiled, " uncle is indeed precious."
Smile grew wider on the lady's lips hearing praise of her husband. She glanced at Jaydev then Shruti and asked,
" What is your story? Love marriage or arranged?"
The question was such that colour drained from their face. Jaydev, very cleverly avoided her gaze and the lady waited for Shruti to answer with a sparkly gaze.
" Love."
Jaydev choked on his saliva and started coughing. Lady chuckled and said, " I guessed."
" Really?" Shruti dramatically exclaimed. Both of them successfully ignored the man who was re-thinking his life decisions and regretted the day he married her.
Professor is dangerous.
" So, did he propose first or you?"
The lady asked interestingly. Shruti pointed at him and pretended to be shy.
" He did. You know, aunty he was head over heels for me. We have been in love for the last 5 years."
Oh my God!
Jaydev stared at her with a scared look on face while she continued without any shame.
" He talked to his family and when they did not agree, he was ready to elope with me. But me being a brave girl told him to face the matter together-"
Shruti stopped in the middle when she felt a tight grip on her hand.
" And?"
She smiled. Mischief was hidden in her smile which the lady failed to notice. She raised her hands intertwined with him and showed the lady.
" See. He can't even leave me today. He couldn't see him sitting alone so he came. He sticks to me everytime. He loves me so much-"
" Professor."
Jaydev gritted his teeth and demanded her attention. His voice was barely audible for the lady.
" Leave my hand, honey. Let me talk to aunty."
She separated their hands and cleared her throat.
" We-"
" I think we should leave now, serpe- dear."
Shruti gave him an impressive look when he controlled his tongue and changed his words.
" Yeah, the rain has stopped too."
The lady said and stood up along with Shruti.
" It was a nice moment with you, daughter. I bless both of you."
Shruti circled her hand around his forearm and said with sheepish smile,
" Hamari shaadi safal rahe. Iska aashirwaad bhi dijiye na."
( Give us blessings for a successful married life.)
The lady laughed lightly and nodded before blessing them.
" May you live a longer and happier life together."
Jaydev scratched the end of his eyebrow and clenched his jaw. Why did he even come here? He should have left her alone. This girl never leaves a chance to prove herself a headache.
Shruti smiled at the lady before making her way out of the shelter with Jaydev. As soon as they settled in the car, Shruti plugged her ears when Jaydev punched the steering wheel as expected.
" Tumhari himmat kaise hui itni bakwas karne ki!"
( How dare you blabber shit!)
She unplugged her ears and said with a sassy smile on lips.
" Himmat to bahut hai mujhme. Namuna du ek aur-"
( I have a lot of courage. Should I present another example-)
" Chup!"
( Shut up!)
She startled as he raised his voice and motioned her to keep quiet by placing his finger on his lips.
She blinked and his gaze landed on her lips which were slightly parted. He moved his finger down from his lips.
" Bolne se pehle socha Karo. Pyar aur tumse? Itna pagal nahi hu main."
( Think before speaking. Love and from you? I am not mad.)
Shruti rolled her eyes and fastened her seatbelt. He ignited the engine and she said,
" Feelings are mutual, SP sahab. Mai tum jaise ko ghas bhi nahi daalti."
( I don't even pay attention to people like you.)
He smirked and replied while driving, " par mera naam ka mangalsutra jarroar daalogi."
( But you will wear the nuptial chain of my name.)
She crossed her hands around the chest, " ye to ek sazaa hai jo mujhe bas kuch aur mahine ke liya sehna hai. Varna tumhari to shakal dekhna bhi nahi pasand mujhe."
( This is just a punishment which I have to bear for some more months. Otherwise I don't even like seeing your face.)
" Whatever," he uttered. His tone was low.
After a pause of a few minutes he asked, " What if that woman's blessings come true?"
She waved her head in a don't-care way.
" It won't. And if it did, I would be the first to die."
She laughed at her words while he couldn't refrain himself from chuckling.
" Trust me, I don't even want to stay with you."
She smiled over sweetly and said, " hum itne bhi bure nahi hain, SP sahab. Thoda jaan-ne ki koshish to kariye. Sach keh rahe hai, zindagi swarg bana denge."
( I am not that bad, SP Sahab. Try to get to know me. Trust me, I will make your life heaven.)
He shook his head in disbelief, " shut your mouth, professor."
" Kyu? Meri awaaz itni meethi lagti hai?"
( Why? Is my voice that sweet?)
He frowned and glanced at her. He made a weird face when she blinked innocently at him.
" Crap! This woman has gone nuts."
She giggled and tucked the strands of her hair behind the ear.
" Yeah, I wanted to say.. we are leaving for Goa the day after tomorrow," he sounded a bit hesitant, not knowing how she'll react.
" Really!"
She exclaimed and he knitted his eyebrows confusedly. Shruti smiled widely, " when?"
His confusion grew and he wondered whether she was pretending to be a fool or she was really a fool. Probably she understood his unsaid words, that is why she said,
" I know you don't want to marry, that is why you are planning and plotting. First time I agree with you and seriously don't want to ruin my time and money on marrying you. So tell me, when are we leaving?"
" What about your father? What will you say to him?" He asked.
" I will....make excuses that you have been ordered by authorities to handle an important task there."
" Will he be convinced?"
She shrugged her shoulders, "maybe. And if he did not, you Mr. Chaudhary have to marry the great Shruti Chauhan."
He paid no attention to her self-praise talks and focused on his driving and future plans related to freeing his sister. He feels like he is getting into more trouble instead of coming out of it. It seems like he has lagged behind in getting his sister released from Aryan and seems like he is getting lost in some fog. His sister is right in front of him but he is unable to hold her hands, hide her in his embrace so that nobody like Aryan can reach her.
Shruti fidget with the locket of her mangalsutra. Jaydev's previous words rang in her mind. He was right. How can he fall for someone like her when he actually had someone in his life who was far better than her for him. But why is it bothering her? Feelings are mutual but why in this matter, she feels hurt.
She inhaled a deep breath. Maybe going to Goa will calm her messy mind and her brother will have some lovely time with his wife in the absence of Jaydev. She really wants them together and knows that Jaydev can't separate her from him. He is just making useless efforts.
She rested her head on the window and closed her eyes. The next time she opened her eyes, she found him tapping on her shoulder. She stared at him lazily.
" We have arrived," he said and got down from the car.
She sighed and grabbed her purse before leaving the car. She just needs her beauty sleep now.
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Pakhi tapped her foot impatiently on the floor and looked around the unfamiliar room Aryan had brought her and now using his mobile. They are sitting on the couch. Many types of snacks, fruit juice and wine are placed on the table. The couch opposite them is empty.
She stopped her movement when a hand landed on her thigh.
" Bad manners, biwi. Stop doing this."
He removed his hand from thigh and she turned her gaze at him. Butterflies literally danced in her stomach for a fraction of a second until his hand was on her thigh.
" What are we doing here? When are we leaving? What have you planned against me? And why is there a drink here? I don't think your intentions are good."
He shut his mobile and put it aside then looked at her and replied,
" My friend wants to meet you. After meeting him, we'll leave. I have not planned anything against you. This drink is for me..I guess. If you want to take a sip, you can."
She made a disgusting face and he fluttered his gaze down at her lips then said,
" Aur mere irade Mai na batau to thik hai."
( And it would be better if I don't tell you my intentions.)
She frowned, " why?"
He looked into her eyes and rolled his tongue on his lower lip.
" Shabdo mein irado ki nazakat nahi naapi Jaa sakti, biwi. Apna lo mujhe aur Jaan lo mujhe aur mere iraado ko."
( The delicacy of intentions cannot be measured in words. Accept me and know me and my intentions.)
She looked down to her lap and mumbled, " kya bolte rahe hain ye?"
( What is he talking about?)
He chuckled and put his foot on the knee of another leg and leaned his back on the couch then spread his arm wide on the headrest.
Soon they heard mixed voices of people. Pakhi moved her head behind and saw Varun Kapoor, two more men and three women.
" Sorry for making you wait, bro."
Aryan smiled and stood up to shake hands with them. Pakhi stood up as well, not wanting to be rude. They were his friends- she concluded.
" And is she your beautiful wife, Aryan?"
One of the ladies asked, bringing all the attention to Pakhi who felt small surrounded by them.
" Yes," Aryan smiled looking at her.
" Hey, it's Varun Kapoor. I am Aryan's friend."
Pakhi forwarded her hand to shake with him but widened her eyes when he hugged her suddenly.
" Hey!"
Aryan quickly reacted and laughter echoed in the whole room.
" Easy, dude. I am not stealing her," Varun said and Aryan shot a warning gaze at her, " not again."
Varun ignored him and said to Pakhi, " apologies bhabhi ji. I was just irritating him. And...meet Sunaina, my fiance."
Pakhi smiled at the girl he pointed at who reciprocated with the same smile. She met the rest of the Aryan's friends and sat down.
As people increased in the room and on the couch, distance between Pakhi and Aryan decreased. She chewed the inside of her lower lip when he spread his arm behind her on the couch headrest and tried her best to avoid his heated presence.
" How was the show? Did you enjoy it?"
Varun asked Pakhi and she smiled, " I did."
" Take it, Pakhi. Why are you not eating anything?"
A girl forwarded a snack to her which she gladly took.
" It's been a while since we are meeting like this, no?"
She quietly listened to them. They did not let her feel left-out and made her comfortable anyhow they could. However, she was not really energetic. She felt terribly sleepy but their conversation knew no end. She did not know Aryan could talk this much. She thought he only knew how to instigate people.
Aryan caught her gaze on him- his drink and looked at her. He raised his eyebrows at her interrogatively.
" It's the 5th glass," Pakhi said.
He smirked lightly and took a sip, " so you are noticing me? Interesting."
She rolled her eyes, " drink. Drink. I don't care."
He shook his head at her and gulped down the last drink and put the glass back.
Pakhi covered her mouth when she felt like yawning.
" I'll be back," she excused herself and asked the way to the washroom from Sunaina then left. As soon as she left, solemnity occurred between friends.
" Is she really Jaydev's sister?" Varun asked.
Aryan hummed and exhaled heavily.
" He must have been pissed off?" Sunaina asked.
Aryan nodded and Garv, his friend, said, " of course he would have. He's a beast, dude. Remember how no one wanted to be in his and Aryan's bad books? He is so protective of his sister, so he must have gone crazy."
" He did," Aryan said and told the marriage matter to them in brief.
" Shit! You two are seriously dickheads!"
Prashant commented.
" Aryan was opposite to him, that's why he didn't do anything. Otherwise, the person who did this to his sister would not have been alive till now."
Aryan frowned, " he married my sister. What more he can do to torture me?"
Sunaina shook her head, " that's a tit-for-tat, Aryan. Have you forgotten how he broke the hands of a guy who tried molesting his sister."
" What do you want to say?" Aryan asked.
Sunaina smiled, " that Jay still has a soft spot for you. He is just unable to forget Eisha."
Aryan chuckled, " when did you start cracking jokes, naina? I know him. He still blames me."
" Ridiculous!"
Reena scoffed, making everyone look at her.
" If only Tina was not there, circumstances would be different. Maybe... maybe... Eisha would have been among us today. Tina ruined everything."
Tina... a sin to the name of friendship. A girl with toxic intentions.
"When we knew that she was jealous of Eisha, the mad girl was not ready to accept it herself. Swear to God! If she had not changed the university, I would have become a murderer," Reena said.
Aryan tilted his head slightly and asked, " do you know where she lives now?"
Reena shrugged her shoulders, " by our old friends, I just know that she has settled in Goa."
Aryan nodded. Soon Pakhi joined them and like before, they changed the topic. Pakhi checked the time on her mobile and sighed.
12:00 AM
Aryan felt his sleeves being pulled. He looked at the culprit.
Pakhi.
He frowned at her and she said with a lazy expression, " hum kab chalenge?"
( When are we leaving?)
" Abhi chalte hai," he said and held her hand then looked at his friends.
( Let's go now.)
" It's getting late, guys. We should leave now."
" Sure. We too were leaving."
Aryan and Pakhi stood up. They greeted them last time and walked out of the room.
" You talk a lot. I was getting so bored. You ruined my day," she complained and glared at him.
" Chalo, tum mera kal ka din barbaad kar dena."
( You can ruin my tomorrow.)
" Kaise?"
( How?)
Pakhi asked.
" Chutti le leta hu. Kal pura din tumhare sath rahunga-"
( I should take a leave. I will spend whole day with you-)
" Nahi!"
( No!)
He laughed as she raised her voice.
" Don't worry, biwi. I am not."
She took a breath of relief.
They departed for their home in the car. While driving, Aryan caught his wife sleeping with head resting on the window. He lowered the volume of music and stopped the car at signal. He removed his jacket and put it on her.
She instantly sought warmth in the jacket. He began driving again and glanced at her from time to time. After reaching home, he found it better not to wake her up and picked her up in his arms.
Her fingers curled around his shirt and smile caressed on his lips seeing an adorable creature in his arms. He could always keep her close to his embrace. Only if she agrees.
He put her on the bed and removed her sandals then covered her with a duvet. He changed his own clothes and joined her on the bed.
He faced her and slipped into the same duvet then put his palm on her cheek. He brought his face close to her and tenderly kissed her forehead.
" I love you," he whispered and pecked the tip of her nose and put her head against his chest.
" I hope you know it.. before it gets too late."
He sighed softly and put his chin on the crown of her head then closed his eyes and drifted into the dreamland where he used to meet his love without any hindrance, hate and boundaries.
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