Chapter-20

Another update!!

Because it's my best friend's birthday and I would like to dedicate this chapter to her, vaishu_dyavani. Thank you for supporting me when I had this idea of writing a book and also am very much thankful for being there for me since years through my thin and thick.

Happy Birthday!!

You are my destiny

Author's POV

"What is this annoying habit of yours eating my chocolates, Ved anna? You are gonna be father and here, you steal chocolates of your sister locking her in washroom when she goes in" yelled Sitaara descending down the stairs.

"What is this annoying habit of yours hiding chocolates from me when you know I love chocolates just like you?" Asked Ved eating chocolates.

"Those are my chocolates and hiding them or not is my wish, you don't question me" yelled Sitaara.

"Those are your chocolates and stealing them or not is my wish, you don't question me" said Ved imitating her.

Sitaara was about to snap at him but her grandfather cut in.

"What's your age Ved and Situ? 27 and 24 but you both are fighting like 7 and 4 years old kids. Both are married and one is gonna become parent and other will also become soon, still you both fight over chocolates" scolded Her grand father. They both hung their heads down. Glaring at Ved, Situ went back to her room.

Today as they planned it's a getogether, Abhi dropped her at Shetty's Mansion in the morning.

When she went inside the washroom and Ved locked her inside to steal her chocolates. Kyathi, Ved's wife opened the door after continuous banging from inside by Sitaara.

Sitaara went to her closet still cursing Ved and selected a outfit for tonight dinner. Walking to bathroom she showered and dressed herself into whitish-cream saree paired with only her mangalsutra, vermillion on her forehead and a watch to her wrist. She applied red lipstick to her plump lips and left her butt length hair open.

'Are you coming? I am ready' -sitaara

'I'll be there in 10. Struck in traffic' - Mani

'Okay! I'll be waiting'- Sitaara.

Holding her phone and clutch she walked down stairs. Everyone hung their jaws down touching the ground.

"Riddu anna pinch me" said Akhira.

''It's Vikranth, not Riddhanth and please pinch me back" said Vikranth to Akhira. They both pinched eachother and yelped in pain.

"That was very hard one idiot" shouted Akhira and Vikranth at eachother bringing everyone out of trance.

"Situ, are you okay, beta?" Asked Ananth, her uncle. She nodded.

"After marriage this girl changed herself into girl" said Surabhi, her aunt. Sitaara gave confused look.

"Seeing you in chudidhars, sarees and all, we are shocked as you always used to wear ripped jeans, tank top paired with cardigan or those baggy pants and shirts in which you look like a beggar" explained Riddhanth.

"Am a beggar? How dare you say that?" she threw t.v. remote at him and shouted.

''And yes, am a girl and even I'll wear clothes like this. Don't exaggerate, please" she shouted and sat on couch.

"You look beautiful, Situ" complimented Navya. She smiled.

"Are you going somewhere?'' Asked Kyathi.

"A dinner with Mani..I mean Abhimanyu's client. Don't worry, we will be back soon and join you guys" she said. They nodded. Just then she heard car honk.

"That's Mani, I should get going" she said standing up.

"That's Sid anna's car honk, Situ" said Adhira.

"Now, you will hear a honk again followed by other two times" said Sitaara smirking.

Honk!

Honk! Honk!

"See, that's Mani. It's his habit of indicating his arrival" she said and went away waving at them. Everyone smiled at her understanding. Sitaara sat in car while Abhi was looking into phone.

"You guys played in water like kids?" Asked Abhi in disbelief looking at pictures in his phone sent by Akhira.

"Actually, I and Akhira were fighting while playing games, just then I saw gardener watering the plants so I turned water pipe towards Akhira making her drench in water and it led to water fight between everyone" said Sitaara peeking into Abhi's phone.

"You look sexy in drenched clothes'' he blurted out without thinking. She looked up immediately and twisted his ear making him wince in pain.

"Dare you use that word again, I will cut off your tongue" she said twisting it more.

"Oh god!! You stupid woman leave my ear. It's hurting" he hissed. She giggled and left his ear.

"It turned into red" he mumbled looking into mirror and he saw Sitaara's reflection in it making his heart skip a beat. Her red pouty lips were looking so inviting, he licked his dry lips immediately and gulped. He averted the gaze and sat straight after giving her a glance. He started the engine and pulled out of the mansion.

Whole ride was with her bickerings how she enjoyed and him listening to her patiently. He stopped the car at one of the finest restaurants and turned to her while she was looking out of the window at the restaurant. He turned to her and made her face turn to him placing his palm on her cheek. Her eyes went wide when she saw him leaning to her lips looking at it.

"Mani, what are you doing? Move back" she ordered pushing him but he didn't budge. He cupped her neck pulling her face closer to him. Tears sprang up in her eyes.

"You look like an angel in this whitish cream saree" he whispered huskily just above her lips and flicked her nose with his and smirked. Tucking hair strand behind her ear, he kissed her forehead and moved back.

"Come let's go inside" He said smirking. She nodded and got down. He held her palm gently making sure he isn't crossing her comfortable zone.

"Am very much self controlled man, Taara. You can trust me on that. I was just scaring you in car" he said to her.

"Don't do that again. Am not comfortable with that proximity" she said with straight face making him frown. He cut out the topic with an 'okay'.

"Is this your restaurant?'' She asked as they stepped into private elevator seeing employees greeting him.

"Yes, I own it. It's ours'' he said buttoning his coat properly. She looked at him blankly when he said 'it's ours'.

"Except you and me no one know that I own this restaurant" he said looking at her. Her expressions changed from blank to confusion.

''It was something which I earned with my own hardwork without any support not even from the support given by my company, it's purely my hardwork. I usually bring my clients here for lunch or dinner as I feel content here and it never fails to give me good vibes, so it's just a kind of belief that it might even feel my cleints in the same way I feel. Though it's a finest restaurant in the city and many people visit here, the main aim of this restaurant is to help poor. This restaurant sends huge amount of food to orphanages and old-age homes everyday and also many people who stay on streets are served food by this restaurant without expecting any profits" he said as they came out of the elevator.

"That's great, Mani! Why didn't you tell anyone about this restaurant?" She asked.

''I have reasons for it" he said curtly. She furrowed her eyebrows.

"Then why did you tell me?" She asked.

"Because you are my wife and you have rights to know about properties own by your husband" he said.

"It's only for six-"

"Here are the clients" he said cutting off her knowing very well what she is gonna speak. He introduced Sitaara to his clients who happened to be 3 couples. Men were talking about business and Abhi didn't notice that he was eating sea food.

"Mani that's fish, sea food. You are allergic to it" she reminded him.

"Oh! I didn't pay attention. Thanks" he said and smiled at her care.

The couple's smiled at Sitaara's care and attention towards Abhi even when she was talking to others. After few talks they bade adieu and parted their ways.

"It was boring. If not food was delicious, I would've left long back" she said pouting as they were driving back. He smiled.

"I've bought pregnancy package in which every single need for pregnant woman will be available, for Ved's wife, Kyathi. Give that to her" he said. She looked at him in awe.

"You really an amazing man!! You never even spared a glance at my sister in-law yet you thought of gifting her" she said with a smile. He smiled back.

"When we got married you never smiled and now, you only smile at whatever I speak" she said giggling.

"Well, this is only for you and our family. Did you see me smiling even once with the clients earlier"? He asked.

"To be frank I don't know what you spelled on me to make me smile. Before you came into my life it was like my face muscles froze as I literally never smiled since years" he said looking front.

"Am glad I made your froze face muscles release" she said chuckling.

Soon they reached mansion. Sitaara picked up a box which Abhi brought for Kyathi and went inside.

"Vadhina(sil), see what I brought for you. It's a congratulating gift. Mani liked the idea of gifting you when I proposed it and we brought this" she said and winked at Abhi.

"You know what, you suck at lying and everyone here knows that you don't have such brain to think that far. It must be gifted by Abhi Bava(bil)" said Ved. She turned her face away making everyone chuckle.

She gave it to Kyathi and Kyathi opened it.

"Thank you Abhi and Situ. This is so thoughtful" said Kyathi looking at the package.

"Shabash(bravo) Mani. You followed my advice perfectly" said Sitaara patting his shoulder. He rolled his eyes.

They made Kyathi and Ved the cake and had a little celebration. Later youngsters, went to backyard.

"This is beautiful" said Abhi.

"It was my plan" said Sitaara. He looked at her cousins raising his eyebrow. They nodded.

"What? Why are you looking at them? Am not lying. I don't lie. I hate lying. I hate liers" she said. Everyone gave her a look and took their seats making her puff her cheeks.

Rishi, Abhi and Sid sat together while Adhira, Sitaara, Navya and Sisira sat together. Ved, Kyathi settled together. Riddhanth, Akhira and Vikranth sat together.

"I'll get drinks and popcorn" said Vikranth.

"Get Vodka or champagne for your bil(Abhi)"

Vikranth get a budwiser beer for Sitaara"

Yelled Situ and Abhi simultaneously making everyone looked at the couple shocked.

"What? I know what he drinks and his preference during movie nights as we all had movie nights every weekend like wise he know my preferences kadha Mani?(isn't it, Mani?)" she said. He nodded.

"She observes!

This is making me surreal" thought Abhi with a smile.

"You are a lucky man, Abhi. She even knew your preferences" said Rishi. Abhi smiled looking at Sitaara.

"Rishi you tell me, what are my preferences in alcohol?" Asked Adhira.

"You drink?'' Asked Rishi with wide eyes. Adhira threw a cushion on his face.

"They got married just a month ago and they know about each other regarding everything but we both got married 2 years ago and added to that we both were in love for 4 years before marriage and now, you are asking me if I drink after 6 years of our relationship and having an year old daughter" chided Adhira. Everyone laughed.

"Don't you think you shouldn't encourage Abhi drinking?" Whispered Sisira to Sitaara.

"Just because he is married to me that doesn't mean he should keep a full stop to his likes and dislikes. It's his wish to do what he likes and am no one to object it. If he drinks excess then I'll reprimand him but I don't ask him to stop forever. Our relationship should make us feel liberty to do anything we like but not confined" said Sitaara smiling and looked at Abhi who is speaking to Sid and Rishi laughing.

"He never even tried to object me from drinking with a narrow minded thoughts that girls shouldn't drink. He gave freedom to do whatever I like and he know when he has to stop me and when he can let me continue" said Sitaara and looked at Sisira who gave a smile to situ.

"Am happy to know that you are fine with this relationship" said Sisira. Sitaara gave a smile.

'Though we both hated eachother in the start, I don't know why our hatred didn't last even for a day, like nothing happened between us he stood for me while I forgave him easily' she thought looking at Abhi. Sensing her gaze, he turned to her and raised his eyebrow at her. She shook her head in nothing smiling.

They all watched movie, played few games, danced like lunatics, talked about everything till early morning 4:30 and went back to their rooms to sleep stumbling here and there as they all were very much high on drinks, well, girls were neutral but boys were really high.

Sitaara made Abhi flat his back in bed and opened his first two buttons. Increasing the temperature of the A.C. according to his comfort, she covered him with a duvet. She came beside and ran her fingers in his hair.

"You are really a good man, Mani. May be you have angry issues and kind of introvert nature but you are the best. Live happily, Mani. A man like you who cares about the people who are not even his, deserves all the happiness" she whispered smiling and laid on bed at extreme corner closing her eyes.

Next day morning,

Though they slept early in the morning, Abhi woke at 5:30 as he is habituated. He looked at Sitaara who is sleeping at extreme corner like everyday. She doesn't even moves from her territory she assumed in her mind. Abhi smiled at her caressing her hair.

"I like you, would like to share my rest of my life with you. I know it's early but Taara, if we are destined to someone we can't stop ourselves from refraining our feelings and may be you are destiny which is pulling me to you. You are the first person in my life who was able to break my determined decision, I couldn't even stay away from you even for 10 days, Taara. Like seriously? Ten days? And, I decided Taara, am not letting you go and want you in my life forever" he whispered with a smile. He got down the bed and made her sleep properly in the centre disturbing her sleep and sat beside her.

"Am sorry for everything I called you on our engagement day. I still regret it, Sitaara. The circumstances I was in, made me utter those words, sitaara but I don't mean them at all. Am not a person you thought. I never had any girl in my life except one. Since the day I saw you at my office in my arms, I started admiring you like before. You started breaking the walls I built around my heart with just your one smile and I don't want that because sometimes I don't have control over my own self due to my issues and I may harm you at the end. Thats why called you names so that you hate me and never get close to me but you being kind forgave me and started caring for me. *Sigh* I don't know why am explaining all this to you when you aren't even listening to me but I feel good telling you what I feel about. Thank you for peaceful nights which you brought back in my life with your presence" he said and kissed her forehead. Doing his morning business he went down for jog.

As soon as door closed, Sitaara opened her eyes and smiled. She woke up when Abhi made her sleep properly in the centre and heard only his sorry confession.

"I know you have a painful past like me which is haunting you, Mani and I promise I will pull you out of that past for sure. I observed the pain in your eyes on the first day itself when you came for bride seeing. Aarya used to tell me about your character, Mani and I know you are a very good person" she whispered to no one in particular thinking about his last sentence and dozed off.

Abhi found Sid in his Jogging tracks and vest. They both greeted eachother and went to jog together.

"You woke up early though we all slept late?" Asked Abhi to Sid.

"Thatha (grandfather) won't appreciate sleeping after 6:00. Even if you sleep at 5:59, you should be awake by 6:00 and everyone has to attend breakfast together" said Sid.

"Shit!! I didn't wake up Sitaara then" said Abhi stopping in his tracks. Sid laughed and pulled Abhi for jog again.

"Sitaara is a rebel kid since she was born. All the rules are broke by her which none of the Shetty's including elders tried to break. She never gave a fuck to these rules. She used to wake up 9' O clock before marriage that too after hearing to many taunts from almost everyone even from my son" said Sid. Abhi smiled.

"You will wake her up daily?" Asked Sid. Abhi nodded chuckling.

"I will start waking up her from 5'O clock and madam will open her eyes at 5:30. After waking up her, I feel like I already completed my half excercise burning hundreds of calories" said Abhi. Sid chuckled.

Wiping their sweat they sat on a bench.

"She is broken bava(bil) and to avoid her pain she either sleeps or smiles at everyone mingling with them. She was not like this before. She used to used to go shoppings every weekend, used to spend money lavishly, parties, clubs, fightings with many men but everything changed now. She was typical badass girl, a rich spoilt brat then" said Sid looking front.

"What happened to her that she changed into like this?" Asked Abhi.

"It's not my place to tell you. Situ is very secretive and takes lot of time to trust a person and share her secrets. Even till today she never shared anything to anyone. I came to know about her past through a third person who told me. Wait for her to open up, Abhi bava(bil). After long time am seeing her smiling genuinely and that is happening only when you are around her" said Sid. Abhi smiled.

"Take care of her, Abhi. I can't bear if anything happens to her. If she ever cries because of you, I will take her away far from you. I trusted you and forced her to get married to you because I know about you behind her since you were a teen and used to protect her and now, please don't break my trust" said Sid.

"I won't, Sid" said Abhi. Sid nodded smiling.

"You, Sitaara and Adhira have same smile" said Abhi.

"Because we three are siblings" said Sid chuckling.

They went back to mansion and saw everyone are wide awake with lazy and scowling look on their faces due to lack of sleep.

"Look, everyone are here, even my son and 1year old Vanya except your wife" said Sid. Abhi chuckled nodding his head.

Abhi went to his room and took his shower. As he have few shirts and trousers of his in Situ's room, he wore navy blue shirt tucked in black trousers. He rolled his sleeves up giving him a manly look.

He fixed his hair perfectly and giving last look at himself, he turned to sleeping Sitaara. He tried to wake up her but she snuggled more into duvet. Not having a heart to wake her up from peaceful sleep, he went downstairs. He saw everyone waiting for him and Sitaara.

"She is still sleeping and tired so, I didn't wake up her" he said taking hiss seat between Ved and Akhira.

"She never changes" said her grandfather shaking his head in annoyance. Everyone snickered silently.

Sisira was about to serve him, he stopped. Everyone turned to him.

"Am fine with coffee. I don't feel to have my breakfast" he said not looking at her.

"Why Abhi? Do you want any other dish? Mridula will prepare in 10 minutes" said Dev.

"No no am fine with coffee, mamayya(fil). Today am fasting in which I shouldn't eat breakfast" he lied. Rishi choked on his food at Abhi's pure lie as he can't live without breakfast.

"Really Abhi? From when did you start believing in god? From when you started fasting ? That too this weird kind of fast?" Asked Rishi smirking. Abhi glared at him.

"If you feel problem with Sisira serving, I will serve you, Abhi beta. Please don't kill your hunger" said Mridula.

"Athamma(mil), it's nothing like that. Actually he habituated to Sitaara serving him and he eats only when she serves. He doesn't even touch the plate if Sitaara don't serve him" said Rishi. All the cousins gave a teasing smile. Abhi glared at Rishi making him gulp.

"I'll wake her up, Abhi. She will serve you" said Surabhi.

"No! Let her sleep. She is very much sleep deprived. She daily runs all around the mansion from morning till evening taking care of everyone and today she needs a break atleast when she is at her mom's place" said Abhi immediately.

"But you are skipping your meals because of her, Abhi" said Amala.

"Okay! I'll eat but don't disturb her from sleep please" he said and turned his plate. Sisira served him. Everyone had a happy smile on their lips when he gave up his preferences just for Sitaara's rest.

After breakfast, Vinay called him. He excuse himself and went to porch lifting the call.

V- "Good morning sir".

A- "Morning Vinay".

V- "Sir Mr and Mrs Rao are here-"

A(clenched his fist and yelled)- "Fucking throw them out my office, Vinay".

V- "They aren't moving even when security guards are dragging them away. They are adamant to meet you and are crying, sir".

A- "Vinay, am at my in-laws home. Handle them in your way. I don't want that bitch and bastard in my office making it impure".

V- "okay sir. Shall I reschedule your schedule, sir?"

A- "I'll tell you if it is needed, Vinay. For now cancel the meetings till afternoon".

V- "okay sir. Have a good day"

Abhi hung the call taking harsh breaths. He was running his hands in hair trying to calm his nerves, Rishi came to him and placed his hand on Abhi shoulder. Abhi turned and hugged Rishi immediately. He was shivering and sweating remembering his past.

"They need to be punished for ruining many lives. For ruining his life. For making him go through hell" whispered Abhi.

"What happened now?" Asked Rishi as Abhi pulled back and turned his back to Rishi

"Since I started my revenge plan, they are begging me to stop it. They even fell on my feet. They are visiting my office daily. That bitch tried to commit suicide because of my revenge game as it is making her suffocate to even breathe" said Abhi and looked at Rishi smirking. Rishi smirked back knowing how dangerous his friend can be when someone plays with him.

"What does that bitch thought? Even her death is in my hands. Her every move will go according to my plan. Bringing justice to our Sam... Our Samhith isn't enough, Rishi. They need to pay for evey mistake they have done for doing that to them" said Abhi. Rishi smiled with tears remembering Samhith.

"Vihaan called me yesterday" said Rishi. Abhi raised his eyebrow.

"He might have got drunken, he was apolozising for arranging bomb in Samhith's bike that day. He was crying with his guts" said Rishi.

"That was the last day I touched my racing bike. After that even Samhith pleaded me in hospital not to leave my passion but I never felt to continue it" said Abhi smiling sadly.

"You will touch it again. This is for sure" said Rishi. Abhi chuckled shaking in no.

"Let's go inside" said Abhi. Rishi nodded and they went inside together.

"Why this woman Sisira is smiling at me again and again?" Whispered Abhi to Rishi. Rishi chuckled.

"She thought that you are mad at her for running away but seeing you not minding it at all, she is happy and smiling at you making sure that it's true" said Rishi.

"Weird girl and her smile is creeping me out" whispered Abhi. Rishi chuckled.

"Rishi idiot! Hold your daughter. She isn't letting me do my work" shouted Adhira making Rishi startle. He immediately ran to Adhira and took Vanya in his arms.

He came back to Abhi saw him smirking.

"So much scared of your wife huh? Her one shout at you made you run to her like your ass is put on fire" said Abhi smirking.

"Vanyu baby look at Abhi babaye (uncle/ mother's younger sister's husband) his and yours dress colour are same. Come on say along with me same pinch" said Rishi smiling awkwardly trying to divert the topic. Vanya stared at him blankly and turned her face away. Abhi laughed out loudly.

"Look, even your daughter understood that her father is scared of mother and very poor at covering up things" said Abhi laughing and took Vanya in his arms.

He kissed her forehead and caressed her cheeks.

"Abhi beta, does your wife wakes up late like this everyday?" Asked Krishna, Situ's grand father. Abhi looked at clock and saw it's 8:30. He turned back to grandpa and shook his head in no.

"She daily wakes up early and get ready by 6:00" said Abhi. Grand pa nodded and saw Riddhanth going somewhere secretly holding a big black plastic bag.

"Riddhanth come back. Where are you going?" Asked grand pa.

"To throw garbage, thatha (grandfather)" said Riddhanth.

"Then why are you taking it away secretly? What's in that?" Asked grandpa sternly. Riddhanth was squirming at his place and all the youngsters turned to him shaking their heads in 'no' as he is taking away alcohol bottle.

Yesterday they all were high and couldn't clean the place and it was all filled with empty bottles. Riddhanth cleared them in the morning and now, grand pa caught him.

Riddhanth looked Sid who was avoiding his gaze. He mentally cursed for going in this way.

"What are those covers, Riddu?" Asked Dev.

"That..that.. Vanya's diapers" he said making Rishi and Adhira's eyes dart at him in shock.

"Vanya's diapers? Did she change these many diapers in a single day?" Asked Surabhi.

"I threw all the diapers from time to time, then how come diapers are with you Riddu?" Asked Mridula.

"Tell the truth, Riddhanth?" Said grandpa dangerously.

"Alcohol bottles" he whispered and all the youngsters ran in different directions.

"Be clear, Riddhanth" said Ananth.

"Yesterday night we were drunk and it's alcohol bottles in the cover" said Riddhanth and ran away.

Abhi too stood up slowly and gave Vanya to Mridula and went to their room.

**********

Vedanth locked Sitaara in bathroom for chocolates? Like seriously? At 27 he did that? How many of you could relate it to your siblings or cousins?

(Author:- me, ️🙋🏻‍♀️)

It's my true experience! My brothers do that to me and I put it up that incident here. Do you guys have gone through same?

Abhi is very kind isn't he? He fills many poor persons stomach without expecting profits!!

What might be the reasons behind hiding about owning a restaurant from everyone? But he told Sitaara his secret! He seems to have his feelings for her genuinely.

Sitaara's and Abhi's understanding! Cute couple, aren't they?

He confessed he liking towards her and wanting to spend rest of his life with her though she didn't hear that part!! Do you guys think Sitaara will accept him if he confess his liking to her?

Mr and Mrs Rao? Who might be they? What they have done to him or Samhith? Who is that girl Abhi is talking about?

He is really dangerous!! Let's not mess with him!

Rishi is scared of Adhira? Hahaha...it happens!!

Grandpa caught youngsters!! What would be his reaction?

Guys as I told before, Sitaara's grandpa is old fashioned and her family is conservative, so no offence if he is against letting his grandchildren getting drunk!

Let me know your views about this chapter in comments. Do not forget to vote and share.

Precap:- Pooja. The loss and pain.

Surya.