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Shruti blushed recalling the last conversation with Pakhi. Ever since she came to know that maybe Jaydev also likes her, she has not been able to concentrate on any work.
" Shruti mam?"
She startled when someone patted her shoulder and called her in a loud voice.
" W..what?"
She stared at the professor who sighed and sat beside her on the chair.
" I have been calling you for the past few minutes. Where are you lost?"
" Oops, sorry. I was..just thinking about something."
" Or someone maybe?"
She frowned at her, " hmm?"
She smiled, " thinking about your husband, were you? I guessed it from your stupid smile. When people are stupidly in love, they behave like this."
" How?"
Shruti asked curiously and she cleared her throat then said,
" They will suddenly lose interest in work. They will adore themselves to impress their partner. They will daydream. Just like you."
Shruti was impressed because she has been doing all this for so long.
" Acha leave it, tell me what should I do to grab my husband's attention? You are married so you must know this."
She nodded and smiled widely, " you know I cook for my husband and he gets really happy. He is a foodie. What does your husband like the most?"
" He..likes to read," Shruti replied bluntly and the other girl's smile dropped.
" Huh? What should we do about this? Maybe you can give him a book."
Shruti sighed, " leave it."
" Yes, how would you give him something else.. like some night of yours. Men like to have such attention."
It took Shruti a moment to understand. She gasped and hit her arm, " shut up."
" This is an awesome plan."
Shruti made a face and said mentally-
he will divorce me right at that moment if I try to touch him. He is such a moody husband.
She shook her head in disbelief.
" Leave it, I will think of something else," she said to her, shrugging her shoulders.
She could not think of any solution. The whole day passed and her working hours also passed. She clenched her jaw angrily when he did not pick up her calls.
" Stupid idiot monkey! I will come by my car from tomorrow," she scoffed and thought to book a cab but just then a car stopped before her.
She thought it was his car but it belonged to professor Tarun.
" Should I drop you home? We'll have dinner on the way."
The idea was not bad though so she agreed and sat in the passenger seat. She thanked Tarun and he drove away from there with her.
" Had a nice trip?"
" Yeah," Shruti replied.
She was having a great time with Tarun. They had dinner at a restaurant and he thought to pay the bill even though she insisted not to.
" Oh please, Shruti. Let me."
She sighed and he paid the bill. He came back with two cups of ice-cream.
" In this weather?"
She took one cup.
" It's not like, you won't have it."
She smiled and both had ice-cream before leaving the restaurant. She wrapped a shawl around her when she felt cold. Tarun unlocked his car and before she could grab the handle of the door, a loud horn startled her.
Both looked behind and found a SUV. She tilted her head and caught Jaydev's sight from the windscreen. His gaze was on her.
" Who's that?"
Tarun uttered, unable to see his face. Shruti parted her mouth to answer but saw Jaydev bringing his hand out of the window. He gestured to her with his two fingers to get in the car.
Shruti rolled her eyes and thought to ignore him.
" Let's go," she said to Tarun and opened the passenger side door. She flinched when Jaydev blew horn once again.
" God!"
" Is he your husband?"
Shruti passed an apologetic look at Tarun. He smiled, " you should go then. Otherwise he will break my car."
He laughed it out. Shruti went to his side and hugged him.
" Thank you for the dinner," she said.
" Bye. Let's meet tomorrow," Tarun said.
Shruti smiled at him and walked to Jaydev's SUV. She stopped smiling when she reached near him. Tarun drove away from here. She opened the passenger side door and sat inside. She fastened her seatbelt and crossed her hands around the chest angrily.
" I should be the angry one," Jaydev said while starting his car.
" For what?"
" For hugging that man," Jaydev replied and started driving.
She felt a tingling sensation just by thinking that he got jealous.
" Are you jealous?" She dared to ask.
" Why would I be? He's your friend," Jaydev replied.
Shruti felt embarrassed and to cover it, she cleared her throat.
" Oh, I.. I, too, was just joking."
" Of course," Jaydev replied while focusing on his driving.
She scratched the end of her left eyebrow and asked, " why didn't you pick up my calls?"
" I am a police officer. I have more important work to do than answer your call."
She made a face, not knowing if he was saying all this deliberately. If yes, then he's being so cruel. If not, then she has never seen someone so rude like him.
" Do not dare to pick me up tomorrow."
" Sure."
Her mouth hung open hearing his reply. She felt like crying, still controlled herself and looked outside the window. He splashed water over her dreams.
He smiled, loving to tease her.
" Want ice-cream-"
" No!"
" Roasted corn?"
" No!"
" Me?"
" No!"
" Professor Tarun?"
" No-"
She looked at him with disbelief and gritted her teeth while saying, " I hate you."
She scoffed.
" Feelings are mutual, baby~"
He sang. She frowned when he started singing an actual song,
" Mmm, tune baatein kholi. Kacche dhaago mein piroli. Baaton ki rangoli se na khelu, aise holi.. mai~ na tera~.."
( You opened this talk and sewed it in fragile thread,
I don't play holi (the indian festival of colors) with such colorful talks,
I am not yours..)
He skipped the female verse and added,
" Khule khwabo mein jeete hain, jeete hain baware~"
( Only in dreams mad people live and win..)
She rolled her eyes, knowing he was teasing her.
" Shut up, you sing so bad."
" Really? People used to praise me at university. Should I sing another one?"
He cleared his throat and started singing song without her permission,
" Aankhon mein doob jaane ko.. hum bekarar baithe hain. Ek pal mein sab lootane ko.. us pe hi yar baithe hain.. us pe hi yaar baithe hain.."
( I'm sinking in your eyes, I'm waiting eagerly
I'm losing everything in the blink of an eye
I'm waiting for this, my friend
I'm waiting for this, my friend)
She turned her gaze at him and he continued singing,
" Barso se ek chehra dil mein rehta hai jo yar. Shayad kahin usko hai hamara intezaar. Haaye re haaye, kya kare jab dekhe vo.. bharke aankhon mein pyar."
( Year after year, a face has lived in my heart, my friend
Perhaps somewhere, she's waiting for me to come
Oh my God
What will I say when she sees me
With her eyes in love..)
He looked at her, stopping the car at the traffic signal. With a teasing smirk on lips and mischief in eyes, he continued singing while looking into her eyes,
" Deewani hai dekho bekarar vo. Sambhalo sambhalo na pyar ho."
( She looks crazy and uneasy
Be careful to not fall in love..)
She ended up chuckling and looking away. He laughed lightly and began driving once the signal turned green. She knew he was teasing her and was surely aware of her liking towards him. But look at his audacity! Putting all blame on her as if he doesn't like her.
Now, she will make him accept that he, too, has started liking her.
" So? How was my singing?"
" Still bad. You need to practice a lot," Shruti said.
" Thanks for your false feedback, professor," he said sarcastically.
" Whatever helps you sleep in night," Shruti replied back.
They did not speak after that. Shruti made her way to the bathroom to change her clothes while he sat on the bed and unlocked his mobile.
A victorious smile appeared on his lips seeing Aryan's message.
Done. We can start our plan now.
He turned off the mobile. This is what he wanted. Now, no one can stop that gang from him. He stretched his arms and put his mobile on the nightstand.
" What a great day. Now I have to take care of professor Tarun only," he said while removing his clothes.
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Aryan came out of his car and fixed his blazer. He glanced at the mansion before himself. Guards opened the maingate for him and bowed at him as he walked forward. The gate of the house opened and he stepped inside. He made his way to the living room and found his Boss's best friend, Sahir.
Sahir saw him as well and dismissed the maid he was talking to.
" Come, Aryan. What brought you here?"
Sahir stood and both of them hugged each other.
" Nothing much. Just want to talk to Boss. Where's he?"
" In his study. I will send a message to him."
Aryan nodded and sat opposite to him on the couch. Sahir sent a message by a maid and looked at Aryan.
" How's your wife?"
" She's doing absolutely good," Aryan replied with a smile.
" Is her brother not troubling you anymore? If yes, we can take care of him," Sahir jokes.
" Not at all. Things are getting better between us," Aryan replied with a chuckle.
Some minutes later, Akshat came to the living room while climbing down the stairs. Aryan stood up to greet him.
" Any trouble?"
Aryan smiled at the first question that slipped from Akshat's mouth. He is just like this only. His care for his men is indescribable. He doesn't talk much but makes sure to keep his men safe and provide them anything they desire and just expect loyalty in response.
" Not at all."
Aryan hugged him as well and Akshat sat down beside Sahir. Aryan took his seat.
" So? What brought you here? I thought you must be busy with your wife, that is why you have not come here since your wedding."
" It's not like this. I was just taking care of some things. You know how I married her.. anyways, I want your help."
Akshat gestured to him to continue. A maid came with 3 glasses of juice and snacks on the tray and placed it on the table in between them. When she left, Aryan said.
" I want proof against our enemy."
" For what?"
Sahir asked and Aryan said,
" My friend- my wife's brother is a SP and needs evidence to tackle them. Of course, those proofs don't matter to us and it does to them."
Aryan told everything about the conversation with Jaydev.
" Cops and criminals working together? Doesn't sound good," Akshat said.
Aryan shook his head, " he promised he won't touch us, give his support to us after the elimination of our enemy."
" I don't know him. What if he betrays us? You know I don't trust cops much, right?"
Akshat said. He did not seem trustworthy enough.
" I know him. You have my words. He won't betray us. He needs to save some innocent people."
" Okay then, if you say so.."
Akshat agreed quicker than he expected.
" Make sure this strategy does not backfire on us otherwise I'll kill him first."
" Do not worry," Akshat smiled at him.
" Is everything good between you and him now?"
Sahir asked with curiosity. Aryan shrugged his shoulders, " maybe..."
They looked at Akshat as he said to Aryan, " other things apart, I couldn't attend your wedding so I want you to attend mine which is next week. Bring your wife as well."
" Sure," Aryan said and stood up. He greeted them and turned to leave the mansion.
He exhaled heavily as he sat on the backseat of his car. It was not as difficult as he thought. Akshat agreed easily.
He grabbed his mobile from pocket and sent a message to Jaydev,
Done. We can start our plan now.
He put his mobile back and ordered his driver to take him away.
On the other hand, Pakhi deleted the audio she recorded while standing outside their room. Although her words were enough, proof was necessary. That is why she recorded it on her brother's mobile, sent it to her number and deleted it from his mobile.
It's been a day since they came back home. Rajdeep was disappointed when Pakhi lied to him about the task she was given. She told him that she failed to gather proof and did not feel like they were forced in this relationship.
Shruti likes him and Jaydev has the same feelings even though he won't accept. If she disclose the truth, they'll be separated.
But, to save them she is putting her freedom on stake. The main question is, does she really want freedom from Aryan?
Whenever she thinks about this question, she fails to find the answer. She turned her gaze at the door as she heard the sound of it opening.
The person who has messed up her mind, entered.
Aryan glanced at her while removing his blazer.
" Had dinner?"
She hummed and he put his blazer on the couch then hurriedly removed his shoes, shirt and belt and jumped on the bed.
She frowned, " why are you behaving like a monkey?"
" It's so cold out there."
" Won't you wash your face?"
She stood up from the stool.
" Have you gone mad? Why would I touch cold water? Tum bhi ab bistar par aa jao."
( You too should come on the bed.)
He squealed in happiness when he covered himself with a duvet.
" You have covered the whole bed."
She pointed out while walking toward the bed. She removed her cushion slippers and sat on the bed.
" You don't worry about that. I will give you enough space in my arms."
She started removing her sweater which caused her shirt to move up. His eyes landed on the exposed part of her waist. Hair on her arms stood up due to the cold as she got rid of the sweater. She brought her legs on the bed.
When she slipped inside the duvet, he wrapped his arm around her waist and instantly pulled her into his arms.
" Hey! Leave me."
She wiggled as he squeezed her in his arms and grinned happily.
" Nope," he said.
She faced him and wrapped her hand around his torso.
" Okay, Loosen your grip a little bit," she requested.
" Okay," he groaned lightly and loosen the grip enough for her to move her head up to stare at his face.
" Where were you the whole day? You did not even pick up my calls?"
He slid her strands of hair behind which were being a cruel curtain and not letting him see her face.
" You needed me?"
She shook her head, " I was getting bored. Maa also wasn't here so I thought to talk to you."
He kissed her forehead and she complained, " you cannot kiss me without consent."
" Stop putting blame on me when I have not yet kissed you."
She fluttered her eyelashes down and stopped her gaze at his chest.
" Kiss. Kiss. Kiss. Do you think of anything other than this?"
" Nope," he replied.
She rolled her eyes then turned her back at him. He inhaled fragrance of her hair and smiled with satisfaction. She grabbed his hand which was about to slip under her shirt.
" Isn't your hand moving too much?"
" Ahan?"
" Hn," she responded.
Despite her reaction, he slipped his hand under her shirt.
" Hey!"
She quickly took his hand out because it felt very cold on her warm belly. He laughed and kissed the back of her neck.
To tease her, he again touched her belly.
" Hey! Do not touch me. It is cold," she whined and lay on her back. He lifted his upper body a little up and placed his head on palm supported by elbow.
" Why are you angry today? Something happened?"
She nodded and he raised his eyebrows at her. Her lower lip curved into a small pout as she placed her palm on her belly and said,
" My belly is hurting."
" Periods?"
She nodded timidly with red cheeks.
" Oh ho! Pehle batana tha na," he said and shifted closer to her.
( You should have told me earlier.)
" Kya kar lete aap?"
( What would you have done?)
" Jo ab karunga."
( What I am going to do now.)
He lay on his back then grabbed her arm and swiftly pulled her over himself.
" What are you doing?"
She asked with wide eyes and put her hands on his chest.
" Bas ab chup chup so jao," he said and put her head on his chest.
( Just sleep now.)
He covered themselves properly with a duvet. Her frown from forehead started disappearing slowly as he placed his hand on her lower back above the fabric then caressed her back tenderly and sent her soothing effect.
She smiled and got more comfortable in his arms.
" Think before leaving me. Who will do this in your periods?"
She chuckled and closed her eyes.
" Playing smart are you?"
" Hn hn."
She did not say anything after that and he realised that she slipped into dreamland sooner than usual. He smiled and slid his hands under her shirt when they turned warm enough. He thought of putting her back on the bed so that she can sleep comfortably.
But as he placed her on the mattress, she clutched him and snuggled her face into his chest. He smiled and put his leg over her. His arm stayed under her head and the other wrapped around her waist.
He too closed his eyes and fell into dreamland.
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