Part 27: Serenity

Her wait ended as soon as she heard the car horn.

Her heart beat accelerated knowing Rayaan was back.

Her palms started getting sweaty, she stood up from the chair wiping her palms on her saree.

She filled two glasses with water. Her hands trembling as she poured the water, she wished to not end up breaking the jar and glasses.

Putting them on a tray, she walked to the living room with her gaze fixed on the floor.

She heard their footsteps but didn't dare to raise her eyes. Her timid gaze was fixed on the floor.

She took a step back keeping the tray on the table, wiping her palms with her saree repeatedly under his scrutiny.

Aryan's teasing with weird sounds was making her more nervous. And his heated gaze on her was not helping either so she chose to slip away.

"What a blue day! " Aryan commented as soon as Meera left making Rayaan choke on the water.

Coughly vigorously, he glared at Aryan who closed his eyes deliberately drinking water at a snail's speed.

"What a sweet glass of water! " He commented again as soon as Rudra's eyes wandered searching for her.

He stood up with a jerk throwing a pillow at Aryan. He made his way to their bedroom to change, he knew Aryan wouldn't let him survive that day.

Meanwhile, Aryan was a laughing mess. The whole living room reverberated with his infectious giggles. That soon invited His uncle and Aunt too who were clueless about his hyena laughter.

Meera chose to stay hidden in the kitchen, the patterns on the cups and plates were suddenly more fascinating.

Considering her apprehension, she wanted to change again but he was already inside their room and she didn't want to fall prey to his scrutiny, she was not yet ready for the alone encounter with him.

Soon enough everyone gathered around the dining table. She had to follow the queue. She quietly sat on her seat beside Rayaan hoping nobody noticed her.

The phone that was more interesting a few seconds ago seemed to lose all its charm the moment Meera's familiar fragrance lingered in the air. The sweet fragrance of her and the delicious aroma of his favorite food seemed to make up his sour mood.

The lids were open and his eyes shined looking at the dish, he wondered if it was just a coincidence.

"Wow! What a yellow day" Aryan wiggled his eyebrows, deliberately coughing near Rayaan who stuffed his face away disgusted, " Keep your face away when you cough"

Serving for themselves, taking a spoonful of rice they devoured the delicious food. An ecstatic moan left Eshwer's mouth, " This tastes mind-blowing, dear" He looked at Meera with a happy grin. "Absolutely! This is delicious Meera dear" Rasika agreed with her husband.

Rayaan's hand stopped as he heard her. The bubbling feeling returned as he thought of Meera making it for him but then he knew better to not ride on high horses.

"Yean! It is delicious" He mumbled loud enough to be heard by everyone. He thought it would raise questions if he didn't say anything and he didn't want to make it obvious that he and Meera were not on talking terms. But little did he know everyone knew it in the room.

Rasika and Eshwer shared a small smile looking at the new couple whose heads were permanently looking down exclusively at their plates. They looked so cute.

"Bhabhi, do you know fried rice is bhai's favorite? " Aryan chimed in noticing that the couple was having some difficulty in conversing directly.

Caught off guard, Meera searched for an answer. Subconsciously she ended up nodding her head. And that was enough for Aryan to start with his whistles making their cheeks red.

If possible, their heads buried further down concentrating just on their food plates.

"So you have made it for Bhai? " Aryan was enjoying the show by the shy couple. Rayaan glared at him showing him a punch but he cared less.

All he wanted was to enjoy the show for a while. So he picked up the plate and went to sit on the other side.

Rasika and Eshwer held back their chuckle as they saw the new couple struggling with the heat on their faces.

The dinner afterward was filled with silent giggles and teasings. The two wanted to run and hide somewhere as the tension in the air was new and too much for their minds. But they kept sitting there with difficulty pretending to have dinner.

Soon the affair ended as the three thought it was enough for Rayaan and Meera. Thanking Meera for the food they departed to their rooms.

Once alone, they breathed in relief. Meera chose to disappear in the kitchen while Rayaan sat there flushed.

He was in a state of conflict. If it was a mere coincidence he didn't have to react so much. But what if it wasn't... And that sends chills down his spine. Sweet chills.

He made his way to the bedroom. Waiting for her, he scrolled through his phone. And as he did that his eyes widened in shock.

He went through the chats Aryan sent her and all he could feel was embarrassment. How poorly written chats they were. He was drowning in shame no way he sent her those sentences. She must have thought that he had sent her those and groaned in annoyance at Aryan's stupidity

But Wait!

She made effort.

The silence was affecting her too. She thought he had sent her messages. She wore his favorite color. She made his favorite food.

A giddy feeling surged through him. If not before now he was flushed.

She was making efforts for him and he couldn't be happier.

When she entered inside the room she was about to dash into the washroom to change and he knew it well. Before she could do that he stood upright before her.

She bumped into him due to his sudden appearance, his arms wrapped around her to steady her. She looked up and his breath hitchd looking at her beige self glowing. Her face appeared a bit reddish she was definitely heated up.

His eyes dilated, and he took his time admiring the beauty before him. There was a sudden urge to squeeze her in his arms. The soft blue organza saree was complimenting her skin well. The long white jhumkas matching her blouse were kissing her cheeks.

Her sleek hands that were wrapped securely on his biceps were adorned with blue glittered bangles almost till her elbow.

He admitted he hadn't seen someone as beautiful as his wife before.

The small diamond pendant hanging down her neck that he made her wear on their wedding was shining through her saree and that made his heart flutter even more.

He was mesmerized by her. Once again.

She pulled away from him steading herself. He was observing her carefully, she was blushing and he couldn't be happier.

Clearing his throat, he looked here and there before his eyes settled on her again, "W... W... Walk? "

She looked at him perplexed but as soon as her eyes met him she gazed down again. It was hard to match the gaze with him.

"I mean let's go for a walk? " He tried again hoping for a positive answer and to his pleasure she nodded her head.

With his heart jumping in excitement he made his way outside their room.

The only purpose of the walk for him was to spend some time with her. Especially after silent treatment to each other.

He was matching his steps with her slow ones as they walked in their garden.

With the moon sparkling its silver glitters and night birds chirped matching the melody. Under the trees dancing to the cool winds, they walked together.

His hand touched her once, twice, and then thrice. The first two of them by mistake but she didn't pull her hand back any of the time.

Trying his luck, he held her soft small palms in his. Looking at any sign of uneasiness on her face. But all he found was her flushed face.

He clasped his fingers with hers filling the hold with warmth, she tightened the hold on their hands as they walked together.

His heart was in peace while her heart was restless, it seemed wrong but still felt so right. The moment with him gave her unknown happiness too but she was dreadful it was only for a short period. It wasn't meant to stay, still, she was feeling everything she shouldn't. She knew better to trust those feelings but she still felt them anyway. It was so wrong. But it felt so right.