Chapter - 20

Singhania's Mansion

Mumbai

Sanjana's POV:

After meeting with Ritesh Dhananjay. I left for home as meeting was quite successful and we came to an agreement.

Today, I realised that I don't even know a thing about Akshay's past. When I had asked Milapriya bhabhi about Avantika, he has told me to ask from him only. So, today I am going to ask him.

Nivaana is still here. Yesterday, she was out with her other friends. And today, some of her friends are coming for dinner which aparently are Akshay's acquaintances as well.

Ma has asked me to make their visit a worthwhile. So, I decided to make some of the best delicacies of Italian cuisine. Antipastos, Stuffed Ravioli, cherry tomato salad in balsamic vinegar, Pasta and fruit palette.

I wore a black lace saree with modern red blouse with my hair left open messily. I came downstairs at around 19:50 o'clock and guests are scheduled to come at 20:00. Akshay has been already informed and still he is not here. Around 4 acquaintances of  Akshay's are coming with their partners. I will not take the liberity of calling them his friends.

Nivaana came downstairs decked in a dress from a couture house. Anyway, she was looking classy, elegant and sophisticated.

"Hey! Nivaana, you look stunning." I complemented her.

"Thanks. You too." She replied. I was about to leave for the kitchen to check the last minute details when she asked "Akshay, not here yet?" She questioned.

"No, might be stuck with some important work. I will give him a call." I answered.

"You check on the food. I will call him." She claimed.

"Ok." I shrugged and nodded. I check all the dishes and everything was perfect. I was arranging the cutlery on the table when doorbell rang. Akshay is here.

I left the kitchen and glanced toward clock before going for the door but Nivaana already beat me to it. She came with a couple in late 20s.

"Sanjana, this is Avinash and his wife Tejaswini. He is working as Executive Head in Graff Tech and his wife is a Professor." She introduced them.

"Hi, nice to meet you." I greeted them and asked them to take a seat.

"What you guys would like to have?" I asked.

"Preferably Coffee." Avinash replied for both of them.

"How you like your coffee?" I asked.

"I like strong coffee with more cream and less sugar." Avinash replied.

"I like weak with more cream and more sugar." Tejaswini followed.

"I will be back with your coffee." I smiled and left for the kitchen.

I was almost finished with the coffee when Nivaana came to kitchen.

"Sanjana, Akshay is not picking up his phone." She said while frowning.

"No need to panic. I will try once again and if he is not picking up, we can call Alex." I non-chalantly replied.

"By the way, all my friends are here and they all want coffee, make normal one." She replied and went away.

I started making coffee and called Akshay. He picked up the phone.

"Akshay, kahan hain aap? (Where are you, Akshay?"  I questioned him.

"I will be at home in 10 minutes." He snapped at me.

"Ok, See you soon." And without any response he hung up the phone.

By now, the coffee was ready and I put it in a tray and came to living room. I served evryone coffee during introductions. I noticed that Nivaana only introduced me as Sanjana. Either she deliberately or genuinely forget to mention me being Akshay's wife.

There were Gauri- Akshat, Karan- Jyoti and Niharika- Gaurav.

"When will be Akshay here?" Asked Niharika.

"He will be here in 5 minutes." I replied smiling.

"So, Sanjana what do you do?" Asked Karan.

"I am an IAS officer." I politely replied.

"Nice, so where are you posted?" He continued.

I was about to reply when Akshay sauntered in living room in all his glory followed by Alex and two other guards carrying some files and briefcases. Alex and guards did not stop and proceed towards his home office.

I made my way to him and helped him remove his suit jacket. I noticed he looks tired.

"Akshay, you ok?" I asked worried and in a low voice only for him.

"I am fine, Sanjana." He brushed me off.

"Bring a strong coffee for me, Sanjana." He asked me after greeting everyone and occupying seat left by me.

"Ok."

I came back with Akshay's coffee to find almost everyone engrossed in talking while Akshay was providing his input here and there. He looks more tired now. Nivaana was now seated with Akshay.

While offering his coffee, I tried to check his temperature when he hold my hand before I can check.

"I told you na, I am fine." He snap-shouted at me. By now, almost everyone's attention was on us.

"No need to shout. I was just checking." I retorted while rolling my eyes.

"I don't need your judgement on my health." He continued.

"That was lame." I mumbled while chuckling.

"Its effect of your company, baby." He replied.

For the time being we forget that we were not in our bedroom but with Akshay's acquaintances. It was Alex who interrupted us, making us realise where were we?

"Sir, everything has been arranged." He addressed Akshay. Akshay nodded at him and he left.

After few minutes, I asked everyone to come to dinning room. The maids have set everything and I served while everyone took their seats.

We were having dinner, when suddenly Karan asked me "Sanjana, where is your husband and how you know Akshay?"

"Yes, Mrs. Singhania, tell everyone where is your husband? " Akshay said while emphasizing on your husband.

" Well, what can I say my husband is the best business man in the world along with being sensible, smart and intelligent." I said while gazing at Akshay.

"But there is no one more impressive than the Akshay Singhania?" Questioned a confused Gauri and everyone nodded.

"So, you mean you are married to Akshay." Avinash concluded.

I nodded smiling.

"When was the wedding and why we were not invited?" Asked Niharika.

"It was a close-knit ceremony and that too in Delhi and wedding was on 4th August." I replied.

"In almost month, it will be six months of your wedding. What are you guys planning?" Tejaswini asked.

"I don't know about him but my plans are ready and its a surprise." I gleefully replied.

"No need to be excited, I am not taking a dayoff for you." Akshay muttered sulkily.

"Well then I guess we have to celebrate in front of your whole office. I mean I don't have a problem with that." I said shrugging.

"Mrs. Singhania, you do know you are talking to Akshay Singhania."

"Yes and I am not scared of you." I haughtily replied.

"That's one of things I love about you." He muttered making me freeze.

He loves me being not afraid of him. Akshay and love in one sentence. I am not able to believe it.

"You guys are cute." Awed Tejaswini.

"Akshay and cute, not possible." I muttered.

"Are you challenging me Mrs. Singhania that I cannot be cute?" Asked Akshay.

"You can be anything but cute." I snarked. That's true. He and cute does not go along.

"Challenge accepted. Next week, same time, same guests and you are going to announce me as cutest of all." He replied and retired after exchanging pleasentaries.

The dinner was successful. I had witnessed a new side of Akshay. A less rigid side. I will not go to extent of him being playful. I guess he certainly has a fever from the way he behaved.

After retiring to bed, I checked him and I was right he did have a mild fever. I gently woke him up and fed him some medicines, along with giving him cold compresses throughout the night.

Around 4:00 in morning, I fell asleep sitting beside him hopping that when he wakes up, he is alright.

--XX--