Chapter 24: chapter 24

Anushka arrived at their doorstep with her usual bubbly energy, her presence filling the house with warmth and cheer. “Didi! Jiju!” she exclaimed, hugging Anushri tightly before giving Amey a playful smile. “I’m here to bother you both for a few days!”“You’re always welcome, Anushka,” Amey replied warmly, stepping aside to help her with her bags.Over the next few days, the house buzzed with Anushka’s liveliness. She kept Anushri engaged with endless chatter and teased Amey about his calm demeanor. While it brought a certain joy to the household, it also became the backdrop for a significant change in Amey’s behavior.---Amey had been grappling with his emotions since his conversation with Sameer and the kiss he shared with Anushri. Slowly but surely, he realized he wanted to give their marriage a real chance.One evening, as Anushri set the table for dinner, Amey approached her with a softness in his gaze.“Let me help, bayko (wife)” he said, emphasizing the word “wife” in a way that made her pause.She looked up, her brows furrowed in confusion. “Bayko(wife)?” she echoed.He smiled faintly, picking up the plates. “Isn’t that what you are?”Anushri’s heart skipped a beat, but her logical mind quickly dismissed it. “He’s just saying that because Anushka is here,” she thought.Over the next few days, Amey’s actions continued to reflect his unspoken decision. He began addressing her as “his wife” in front of Anushka, complimenting her cooking and offering small gestures of affection—a hand on her shoulder, standing close to her, and even teasing her gently.For Anushri, the gestures were bittersweet. She wanted to believe he meant it, but the timing made her doubt his intentions.“He’s acting,” she told herself one night as she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. “He’s just doing this because Anushka is staying with us. Once she leaves, things will go back to how they were.”---Anushka noticed the changes too. One evening, she teased Amey about his newfound attention toward Anushri. “Jiju, you’re being such a sweet husband these days. Didi must be loving it!”Amey chuckled softly, glancing at Anushri, who quickly looked away. “Maybe I’m just learning how lucky I am,” he replied.Anushka laughed, oblivious to the tension between them. “Finally, jiju! It’s about time!”Anushri forced a smile, but her thoughts swirled with doubt. “He’s only saying that because Anushka is here,” she thought again.---Despite the growing closeness, neither Amey nor Anushri addressed the elephant in the room. Amey hoped his actions would speak louder than words, while Anushri built walls around her heart, afraid to hope for something real.One evening, as they sat in the living room, Anushka’s phone buzzed with a call. She excused herself, leaving Amey and Anushri alone.Amey turned to her, his expression thoughtful. “Are you okay?”Anushri nodded, her smile tight. “Why wouldn’t I be?”He hesitated, sensing the guardedness in her tone. “I just... want you to know that I’m trying.”Her heart clenched at his words, but she didn’t let it show. “Trying what?” she asked, her voice light but tinged with sarcasm. “To impress my sister?”The comment caught him off guard, and his brows furrowed. “What? No. I’m—”“Forget it,” she interrupted, standing abruptly. “It’s late. I should check on Anushka.”Amey watched her walk away, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He realized that his silence wasn’t helping, but he didn’t know how to bridge the gap between them.---That night, as Amey lay awake, he decided he wouldn’t let her doubts hold him back. He knew it wouldn’t be easy, but he was determined to show her that his feelings were real—whether or not Anushka was there.And while Anushri’s doubts remained, a small part of her couldn’t ignore the sincerity in his eyes. Deep down, she wondered if she was wrong to assume the worst.For now, though, neither of them spoke their truth, leaving their marriage in a delicate balance of hope and hesitation.