SRUTHIThe Business Tycoon ties the knot with the Budding Actress on Friday.The newspaper headlines read. It is filled with sweet and sickly pictures of Praveen and Pavitra. The fact that Pavitra's debut film was a massive success and that Praveen won the Best Businessman Award this year makes them look like a powerful couple.I chuckle to myself, thinking of how they ran from Madhav when we met in the supermarket or how Praveen's mother literally begged my brother a week ago to let this marriage happen without any trouble. Both my brother and Madhav were all in for sabotaging his wedding, and I had to stop them from doing something reckless.I'm not going to lieâthe prospect of ruining Praveen's marriage is thrilling. But I'm still not that much of a sadist. Maybe if I werenât happy in my own marriage, I would have wanted Praveen to suffer. But fortunately for him, I am deeply in love with my husband and have never been this happy in my life, so I don't want him to suffer.Let him have his own happy ending while I have mine.A clearing of the throat makes me look up from the newspaper clipping I was staring at.Madhav stands before me in a black T-shirt and gray sweats. My eyes slowly drag over his body, pausing briefly at his lips. When I meet his eyes, I find him doing the same to me. In the past, I would have been a blushing mess whenever he checked me out so blatantly, but now Iâm used to it and enjoy how his eyes always appreciate me, despite the baggy clothes I wear."Are you sad? Thinking of your ex?" he asks in a bitter tone. He's trying his best to hide his jealousy, but unfortunately, itâs oozing from his voice. And for some reason, I love the look of jealousy on him. It makes me want to tease himâand thatâs exactly what I do."What will you do if I say yes?" I ask, leaning back on the couch and giving him a lazy look."You better not say it, then. Because if you do, Iâm going to take you to bed this moment and make you forget all about himâand everyone else except for me."A thrill runs down my spine at his words. We both know that despite his warning, Madhav wouldn't do anything against my consent. He would stop if he thought I was even slightly uncomfortable."I dare you to try," I say with a smug smile.Madhav raises his eyebrows in amusement. "Are you implying that you are sad about your ex getting married to someone else?" His tone has that jealous edge again, and God, I am enjoying this more than I should.I shake my head. "I'm implying that I want you to make me forget about everyone else except for you."Madhav's eyes darken, and the next moment, heâs carrying me in his arms to our bedroom. I laugh and wrap my hands around his neck."I don't know if I'm twisted or something, but I love that you're jealous.""I'm not jealous of that cowardly fool," he says.I play with his hair and bring my lips close to his ear, whispering, "Are you sure about that? Because I can clearly see the smoke coming out of your ears."He groans before gently lowering me onto the bed. "You're playing with fire, Sruthi.""I don't care," I chuckle.I wait for him to make a move, but he just stares at me with those dark eyes. A couple of seconds later, he presses a soft kiss on my forehead and whispers, "I want to make love to you, but I know your period date is near. So I'm doing my best not to put pressure on you."I sigh and roll over, making space for him. He grins before lying down next to me. I snuggle closer, and he wraps his arm around me.I forgot about my period. Itâs really nice of him to remember. I still recall how hesitant he was to buy me sanitary napkins the first time we went shopping together. Heâs come a long way from that naïve man. He now knows my mood swings and how to handle me when I'm upset or angry before my period kicks inâor during it. Initially, he used to get frustrated whenever I snapped at him for silly things, but over time, he understood the reason for my mood swings and accepted them as they were. Iâm actually grateful for his understanding."I love you," I murmur, looking up at him.His breath hitches, just like it does every time I tell him those three words, and he kisses my lips slowly.Yes, I am happy and content with this man. I donât want to ruin it by thinking about people who have no place in my life.â¤ï¸âð¥â¤ï¸âð¥â¤ï¸âð¥â¤ï¸âð¥â¤ï¸âð¥I grab the sink as I retch up my breakfast.It has been a week since Madhav and I talked about my ex. Two days ago, he left the capital for a job my brother assigned him. I am alone in the house with Jaya Ma.She holds my head as I retch again. Iâm not feeling well. I donât have a fever, but I gag at the sight of food, and I feel like Iâm always tired. Adding to that, the fact that I still haven't gotten my period... I'm sick.I wash my face, wipe my mouth, and take a seat at the dining table. This is the second day in a row that Iâve thrown up my morning food. I need to get better before Madhav returns, or else heâll be worried sick.Jaya Ma gives me a glass of hot water, and I offer her a grateful smile as I sip it down, feeling a little better."Have you taken a pregnancy test?"I gasp at her words. Pregnancy test? Holy God! Why didnât that cross my mind?I may not be sick but... pregnant?Itâs not a total surprise. I know it was bound to happen with how frequently we made love. I find myself blushing as I think back to the last time we were togetherâafter he woke up from his nightmare and I consoled him. It was an intense and amazing night."Not yet," I answer, trying to wrap my mind around this. Am I pregnant? Iâm positive I am because all the symptoms point to it. My periods are always regular, but this month, I still haven't gotten it. I keep gagging at food, and I always feel tired."Iâll take the test," I say to Jaya Ma, who gives me a knowing grin, and I canât stop myself from blushing.â¤ï¸âð¥â¤ï¸âð¥â¤ï¸âð¥â¤ï¸âð¥â¤ï¸âð¥"TWO LINES," I scream into the empty house.Itâs evening, and I had been dreading taking the test. I wanted to be alone when I did it, so I waited for Jaya Ma to leave the house before taking it.I am grinning as I pick up my phone. My fingers tremble with excitement. I am elated. I want to share this with my husband.Despite his fears, I know Madhav would be overjoyed to hear the news. But I donât want to tell him over the phone. I want to see his reaction when I tell him heâs going to be a father.I place a hand on my stomach. I canât believe a life is growing inside me.I should get an official checkup before I break the news to Madhav.â¤ï¸âð¥â¤ï¸âð¥â¤ï¸âð¥â¤ï¸âð¥â¤ï¸âð¥
Chapter 129: chapter 129
Unseen Embers Of Love•Words: 6697