••||••||••

The morning as usual, alarm boomed throughout the room. But what made me alert and on toes was,  his stern tone.

  I scowled and as ever cool he always is,  he just went on with his workout.

Such a Tyrant.

The breakfast, however was  cheerfully going on. Everybody talking and sharing their life's latest update, everything delightful, untill there comes the topic of our honeymoon, that I almost forgot  to ask him.

Bade papa started, looking both of us, asking "So Shivaay, Anika have you thought about your Honeymoon?"

I stopped in between, and my morsel stopped in between swallowing in throat. On other side, he looked up at bade papa, about to say something but  Om interrupted, "Actually dad, we have already gifted them, to Paris."

Rudra added, grinning, " and Bhaiya agreed also." smiling mischievously at Shivaay, "That too without any excuse or argument."

Badi maa chuckled. " offcourse, it's his honeymoon. He must be excited."

I coughed, the sandwich seems to suddenly stuck in my throat.

Shivaay passed me the water. Thanking him through my eyes,  I gulped it down, finally stopping the coughing fits.

"Bete, are you alright?" Bade papa asked me concerned, stopping eating in between his meal.

I nodded, assuring him my well being, than only he resumed eating.

Swallowing down his food, he asked "So, when are you going?"

After a thoughtful pause, Shivaay answered, "We have decid-- nng"

I kicked him on shin under the table. We have decided! He didn't even talked to me.

" Deciding?" Dadi pointed out, frowning.

" What are you saying bhaiya. Say it clearly." Rudra said, head tilting to side.

A glare from him came sideways, " I said." Clearing his throat, he continued, " We accepted your present but dates we haven't decided yet." He coolly added, like a good husband, " Actually, Anika will decide that."

I again chocked on my food. "Grrrr."

"Has Kanta made your food too spicy?" Badi maa asked, about to scold amma "Kanta.."

"No no, Badi maa." I drank a big gulp of water, "I'm alright. It's just my throat, due to this cold..."

Badi maa, nodded, promising to send me a kada later on, but I looked at Shivaay with murderous glace.

Me?

Me!

He is putting everything on me!

I glanced at him,  swearing to ask him about this. First he agreed and he seems much interested in this honeymoon and putting everything on me?

What pray is he actually intended to!

"Are you seeing this maa," Buaji added with a sweet smile, "he is already becoming joru ka gulaam."

Dadi beamed seeing Shivaay. She was too happy to see this change in his grandson. Her eyes shone with pride and happiness.  "He has changed after marriage. For good. I'm so happy for him, that I can't express. Thankyou Anika puttar."

"Dadi ji..." I tried saying, except a cool voice started saying.

"No one has changed and no one is becoming joru ka ghulaam." Shivaay corrected, keeping his folk in his now empty plate. He patted cleaned his mouth while telling, "It's all because, Anika's major project is coming. After she will be done, we'll discuss about the honeymoon. Now excuse me, I have an important conference call to attend."

Major project.

Did he mean Spring season?

But how did he even know about it?

I looked at my husband, surprised beyond expectation.

"What project, now?" Rudra pouted, making sad eyes.

Passing him a apologetic smile, I detailed "Actually, my spring season is coming up. It'll go on for a week. Sorry, month. It'll go on for a month, Rudy."

Badi maa nodded, " It's okay Anika. We understand. So after spring season you two can plan your honeymoon."

Bade papa added, " meanwhile, you both can know each other better. It's good that way also."

Shivaay nodded while standing up and I nodded in trance, looking at him. This moment my heart swell, having an understanding family. Moreover, I felt different, thinking he know about my priorities, my things, my work.

A minute or two later I excused myself, reaching in our room. Now a days It feels like after breakfast and dinner, it has become my routine to apply ointment on his hand.

When I reached there, Shivaay was buzy typing on his laptop, back to his usual speed.

"Seems like that ointment has worked like a magic."

His typing stopped, as he looked at me, nodding lightly. "It does. It was a good one."

"Yeah, it was." I walked to our side table, picked up the tube, and walked back to him. "But still we need to apply this untill it's healed Completely."

To my surprise, he didn't argue like everytime and silently, forwarded his good hand.

I was evenly spreading the medicine, when I without looking at him voiced out, "Thanks, for what you just did."

When I looked up, I realised he was already gazing at me.

"What just I did?" He asked.

"Cancelling the trip," I answered looking up for second at him than down , " because of my event."

"Oh." He added, "It's your work. I have given you my words and Mrs Oberoi, work always comes first, so, you don't need to thank me. It's your right."

Not having words, I smiled lightly and nodded.  A moment later asking, "we have never discussed about our work, how did you even know about my project?"

He raised his sleeves, as I applied the ointment there also, "it's always better  being aware."

I froze, looked at him again slowly, "are you keeping an eye on me?"

"Not like that," He cleared, "I'm being habitual to be informed about the one I work with, or" he looked at me, "whom I live with."

Before I can say anything else, he added, "plus, living here for almost a week, together, some things are rather noticeable."

I shut myself up from taunting him or scolding him, instead nodded at him, "yes, some things are rather noticeable."

Living together, it's true some things are so noticable.

Just Like how much of a cleanliness freak you're.

And how particular about your things you have to be.

How you're a manipulative tyrrant, who doesn't know how to wake another person up.

And oh, how overly protective brother you are! Who the hell stops his sister like this. Poor girl, how happy she was.

And you, you are a confusing, cold, brutal...hot and good looking...no no...

"Where are you lost, Mrs Oberoi?"

"You..." I blinked, while he was looking at me raising an eyebrow, looking intrigued. I said quickly correcting myself, "you... I mean ...what you were saying?"

"I said, are you going to keep applying this? It's already been five minutes."

I frowned, realising in circles I was playing with medicine on his wrist. Clearing my throat and once more applying ointment at same place, I corrected, "I'm just being careful."

"It's sufficient." He emphasized, "now stop wasting this, and keep it safely. It's a good one."

"Okay okay, I'm going. Do you want something?" Standing up on my feet, I patted the imaginary dust off. The blue suit I was wearing was little covered up with the ointment.

"If I want something, I'll ask Shyama. You don't have to worry about that." He looked at his wrist, and carefully started typing back in laptop.

I rolled my eyes, wearing my slippers back. "Yeah yeah, you can ask her. But I meant, I'm going downstairs, in the kitchen. It's time for dadi's tea break. And also coffee for myself. If you wanted anything?"

He looked at me, thought and thought and thought before saying "No"

"Can't be more slower." Saying so with a sweet smile,  I was about to exit our room.

"Um, acha" he said, making me stop in my track. When I turned back, he nodded, saying "If you're preparing for yourself, prepare one for me as well."

I bite back my smile. He so liked it. The black coffee I prepare.  I knew it. But man, oh man, how much hard it can be to ask for one, that he is hesitating at this moment.

Intentionally, I pretended to be all clueless and asked, "Oh, latte?"

"Noo" he instantly said, even explaining ", the usual one you bring. Black coffee."

"Oh, okay" I so stopped myself from pulling his leg. But somehow I'm aware, If I pushed him more, he'll deny straightly. So, with a small smile, I nodded back at him, saying smoothly, like a worker of Barista, "Wait for fifteen minutes, your coffee will be here." Later adding, a mischievous smile and, "Sir."

Hearing me, he just .... was that ghost of a smile I saw on his face?

No. He doesn't do all smiles. But always is serious, and working and cold. Like just now turned to his laptop, but his expression wasn't so hard and protective from outside world. 

There was no reason to be happy, but I smiled, a large one. Even hummed the new favourite song of mine, gracefully stepping down the stairs my steps took me straight  to the kitchen.

Today, it was on my own, I was little more careful to prepare coffee for him. So much so that, five minutes it took for dadi and mine beverages to prepare, and ten minutes for him. 

Giving Dadi, her now days favourite tea as she says, I went back to our room.

"Here it is"  I announced.

He stopped working. The files, the laptop was all around him, the call he was attending through bluetooth device, he just throw it aside.

I put the tray in between us. Forwarded his cup, he accepted it, meanwhile our hand brushed, together we pulled back like touching a hot lava. Awkward? Yes, this small encounters of our bare skin is always awkward.

When Shyama, brings coffee for Mr Oberoi, he just take a sip and gets back to work. Not relishing, not his tongue running over his lower lip. Not his cup stays in his hand. Maybe I'm overseeing it, but what not happen with Shyama, it always happens with this one.

And it always makes something feel in my heart.

"How is it?" I asked, out of habit, as I'll ask Maa, everytime I cooked food or prepared beverages like this for her.

He nodded, taking laptop with his one hand over his lap. What I don't understand is, when he is also on leave, why he always stays ready in shirt pant. I mean, if you ask me, the day I know I'm not at work, I'll be in pajamas. All comfortable and warm.  That's another thing, here as a newly wedded bride, I'm still wearing the chooda and heavily embroidery designed suits.

A moment later, he told me,  "Your coffee always tastes different."

Looked up at him. " A good different, or bad different?"

"Not the bad different." I narrowed my eyes, awaiting, as he added lastly, "yeah the good different."

"Than I'll take it as a compliment, thankyou husband."

It always makes me want to grin wider everytime I see his face when I call him that.

After this, we kept working, on our own projects. In silence. It was suddenly I remember the issue I need to discuss with him.

"By the way, I forgot to ask you earlier," Inclining towards his side, I asked, " what's your deal with honeymoon huh?"

He didn't stop, neither looked at me, nor sounded serious. "Pardon?"

"Pardon? Honeymoon, Mr Oberoi, why it is?  I want to know."

Silence

And more of typing.

"Are you even listening to me?"

"Yes, honeymoon, everyone goes after their marriage..." He said, just like that. Like it doesn't even mean to him anything.

"Shivaay!"

He looked up, stopping everything. His oceanic orb finally gazes at me, in my eyes and it was certain by his look he wasn't in habit of someone calling him so sternly. By his first name. I expected the blazing fire coming out of his mouth, just like his emotionless eyes. But instead, he was calm.   "I'm working on something important, I can't discuss right now."

The words he said slowly, calmly. It wasn't looking like a plea that normally husband do to thier wife. It sounded like more of warning.

He again got buzy, and he isn't buzy like a normal being. He gets buzy in his work, forgetting all around him. Just like now he sidelined me as if I'm not even here, glaring,  making hole in his thick skull.

"And if you didn't clear it right now, I won't be able to concentrate on my work." I said more sternly, just as fire to ice, "I. Want. To. Know. Right now."

"Anika!"

I shut his file and repeated, "why are you suddenly interested in this whole honeymoon thing? Tell me what's cooking in your head. "

He was silent for a moment, glaring me back at my audacity to close his work like that. He finally said, "After mar..."

"And don't you give me that crap after marriage couple goes. I know something is up, tell me now."

He shut up, faced other side, and again looked at me. But looking back at me this time was whole lot of a different. He was looking like I'm his prey, and as if to attack, he suddenly bought his good hand on my face.

Dammit. He was cupping my face.

"Shiv-vaay..." I tried backing up, "what are you doing?"

And why the hell my voice went low! Scolding him in low voice!

His finger tucked my hair behind my ear. His orbs, moving with the movement of his finger.

"Shh" He uttered.

And that too slowly. Almost seductively.

I tried backing away, with the hand tried removing his hand, but no. With his forefinger he insert it in my bangles, of the same hand which I thought was holding his wrist firmly and he bring it in front of his face. And my hand automatically freed his hand, like a soft cotton it was.

What the hell is going on? Has Mr Oberoi gotten some husbandy soul?

Or...

Or my question gave it the wrong sign.

"I think," I had an awkward facial expression. Somewhat between worry, and somewhat between the unknown blush powering my face. I looked in his eyes. For not a second his eyes, went away from mine, "you are getting it all wrong. If my questions gave you wrong intention..."

"Shh," He again did it. In a whisper, slowly saying for my ears to hear, "don't say anything about honeymoon."

There were goosebumps I was getting. And the lump in my throat, I had thickly formed.  Blocking all my abilities to say anything.

"I..."

I looked down, felt his back of fingers touching my cheek. His touch was careful, it was mere and it was unknowingly not at all unpleasant.

And what I did? I tried stopping him, tried avoiding seeing his handsome face, from so close.

Coming near my ear, he whispered, "Dadi is here."

I froze.

If for a moment I was losing, I became heavily aware of everything.

"So.." my eyes widened. This time I seriously scolded him, whispering "Leave me you idiot. What she'll think about me. About us."

"Act," he commanded.

Corner of my eyes, I saw it in mirror. Dadi was there, holding heavy bags.

I slapped my husband hand. "Leave!"

He didn't leave me and hold me in his close proximity, making my inner self a mess.

Than suddenly, after about ten seconds, his gaze went behind me, acting all cluelessly.

"Ary Dadi, aap?" He said loudly, leaving me  now just like a hot potato I was.  "I...we didn't know you were here. What are you carrying in those bags?" He stood up, and in a second hold those bags. This time saying concerned, " You could have just called me, what's the need to hold these heavy stuff?"

All the time, here I was unable to look at dadi. In her eyes. My eyelids seems heavy to lift now under the weight of embarassment, even shyness.

"I have come on wrong time." Dadi said, and when I looked up, she was mischievously smiling. It was just as Rudy's teasing grin.

"Dadi ji.. I...uh.." I didn't have word to explain. My cheeks I felt was heating up by every second passing.

She chuckled, saying "Koi ni puttar, hota hai hota hai."

This moment I even bowed my head and closed my eyes.

To save me from my condition dadi finally told us, "This is our khandani pooja's thing. Shivaay puttar, you have to take Anika, at our ancenstoral mandir."

"Ancenstoral temple." Shivaay repeated, thinking over it.

"Yes, that is in Kalighat."

My husband's realisation drawn, making him raise his eyebrows,  "But dadi, that's too far. We have our offices rejoining after two days."

"So that's it, it's also for two days. And I knew after rejoining you both will be buzy. This is important puttar, I don't know anything, but you are taking Anika there, and will do the puja. Afterall it's for your good married life."

Dadi seems adamant, no mood for argument at all.

Shivaay was silent as if thinking about the wise decision than, he and I looked at each other at the same time. I nodded at him, giving him the positive nod and in return he also slightly nodded, telling dadi, "okay, we'll go."

"Great, so here, tomorrow you're going by train."

"Train? Dadi you know..."

Dadi grinned, "I know, tumhe train ka safar pasand nahi. But Avantika has told me, how much Anika likes it. Haina puttar?"

I grinned at dadi, nodding positive. And that shut him up.

"And moreover, it's a nine hour long journey, travel tension free, without being tired of sitting all along. And than that's a hilly region, and mandir is on high altitude, both of you have to do some tracking. Is it alright for you Anika puttar?"

I grinned, "it sounds good to me."

"But, not to me." He interrupted, making dadi and I looking at him. "Dadi, I'm not going by train. We'll go by car or not at all."

Dadi narrowed her eyes, while I smiled asking, "Why? Are you scared of trains?"

How dare I call him scared, how dare of me. Atleast his facial expressions and mostly eyes were telling me this. "That would be your delusion."

"And besides," I clicked my tongue, adding "I  can't travel long in car. Have motion sickness."

He growled under his breath, "Offcourse you have."

I pretended to not here, asking innocently "did you say something."

Shivaay gave me a look, the murderous look.  "Dadi?"

"Hn puttar?"

"Send her in train. I'll go by car, meet her at station."

Dadi laughed, taking this into  joke. "Jokes aside, now be serious. Take these tickets, you both are going as commoner there, so be simple, there are lovely people living in village, your dadaji and I have started our journey back there, naak mat katana humari."

We both nodded, I assured dadi, "we'll do as you say dadi."

"Dadi," Shivaay softly called, that's very rare. "If you want to send something for... your friends, You can."

Dadi grinned, "Offcourse, I'm preparing that. And what my friends, call them kaki as you used to in your childhood." Daadi turned to me, "and Anika puttar? Jhanvi is preparing some eatables for your journey, tell us whatever you want to take with you."

I nodded, smiling brightly.

"Acha, I'm leaving now. You both do start packing." She pointed at the heavy bag she was previously holding, "and don't forget to pack that, it's a chadava. Sache mann se chadana, bhagwan won't let any hurdle come in your married life."

She smiled, patting both our cheeks lovingly before she went out.

"You look excited."

I grinned, "Offcourse I'm. We're going for tracking and I'm getting to travel new place. You know, I love traveling, exploring new places."

This moment, I would have jumped. I would have sing. I would have hummed. I would have dance like a madgirl. If. If he wasn't here.

Yes, I get too excited for trips. Actually much too excited.

My husband was looking at me. And I wasn't but I can feel his gaze. When I looked at him, his expressions weren't cold and I might even say there was a hint of smile, mentally saying : mad girl.

"You know, you can smile." I said grinning, sitting back in my place, deciding to do all the work real quick before start packing. "You don't look bad. Even," I added, "quite opposite, you look less murdery and much normal and yeah quite good."

His jaw lifted, and a freaking dimple came out as his lips turned upward one-sided, in a smirk,  "Thankyou, for your most flattering compliments."

I waved at him, buzy working, "oh, your most welcome."

Later I felt him seating beside me, working on his own files. Didn't realise when hours have flown,  it was afternoon, almost evening until badi maa came up and scolded us like a kid who is caught stealing a cookie.

••||••||••

"I wish, we all could go  there." I voiced out, during our lunch.

Mostly, in Oberoi Mansion, lunch happens to be in one's own room. Two things I learnt, breakfast and dinner, family do together, and secondly, family just need an excuse for being happy, specially when everyone is present.

Today, as bade papa seems to be early and every member of family present, the giant lunch is prepared.

And oh, we're having lunch in this huge garden of theirs. Everyone was sitting on this long dinning table and chairs and the environment! January's biting cold and this sunny day, and than this huge area of grass which seems greener today, are the best combination to spike your endorphins and oxytocin. The happy hormones.

Rudra pouted, sadly, "yeah, me too. You know bhabhi, since we were kids dadi would tell us stories of kalighat but we couldn't go there. Sometimes it's bhaiya's meeting and sometimes, well climate wasn't good enough."

"Mom dad have visited there last year, heard it's a beautiful place. And freezing too."

Badi maa smiled as if remembering her days, "I know, to be honest that trip with your dad is memorable."

"And I thought, your every trip is memorable with me."

"Tej!" Badi maa scolded, and as Om Ru laughed, she teased them, "let your turn come. You both will have the experience of visiting there."

Rudra shrugged his shoulder off, "yeah, let your turn come O, you will get chance to go with your girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?" Bade papa and badi maa said simultaneously.

Om narrowed his eyes at Rudra, "why would I go there with my girlfriend. I'll go with my wife. And my marriage have still time."

"How much do you need time, Om?" That's the first time, Mr Oberoi uttered the words. He than turned to Dadi, "dadi, I think now you should worry about Om, it's high time he should get married. Afterall we both doesn't have much difference in our age."

Dadi chuckled, "sahi keh rahe ho.  I should   start searching for a perfect girl for my Om."

Om glared at Shivaay, so much that his head should be on fire by now.

"Why search maa," bade papa suddenly said, making all of us attentive to him, "he has already searched for his dulhania. No Om?

Om literally froze and not only froze, he later coughed hard that Rudy has to slap his back thrice. Or maybe it's his revenge.

"W-what?" Om was terrible at lie as he tried. "W-what searchh..I mean search."

Bade papa smirked, and there badi maa added, "wo what was her name, I seem to forget Tej. The girl who was small, and fair coloured, the beautiful one."

All features fitting to Gauri.
I smiled secretly, giving Om the gaze of good luck as he pleaded me for help.

"Ah, yeah I remember. It's I think Riya Agarwal."

Colour came back to Om's face, "she is just a friend dad."

"Tej, not her, It was I guess, Mrs Chautala's daughter, Kamya."

Om was by now again his cool self,  buzy eating by now, "she is also a friend."

"Tanya Yadav?"

"Friend, mom."

"Prakriti Taneja?"

"Sister, dad."

"Rema D'Souza?"

"Acquaintance, dadi."

" Urvika Sharma?"

"Who is she? I don't even know."

"Oh, just a guess." Rudra grinned.

"And girlfriend?" a cool voice interrupted

"Gau....um, what?"

Everyone on table was silent, gawking at Om. Rudra confused, dadi suspiciously, I teasingly and my husband trying to convey with his expression 'give up now'.

"So, Gauri Sharma, No Om? Your one and only." Bade papa said, patting his mouth clean with his cloth.

Everyone looked at him shocked.  Most was Om, least was my husband.

Badi maa smiled, and that tell Om, "You think, we don't know what's going on in our son's life?"

Rudra as if understanding all just now, his eyes widened and betrayal look he passed at his secretive brother.

Om tried saying something, anything.  He was so bewildered, that nothing came out of his mouth. Just a question, "how?"

Bade papa, badi maa exchanged their smile. Badi maa said, "we are your parents, we know how our son sees a friend and how.... he looks at his love."

"Mom!" Om's cheeks reddened.

"No need to be ashamed son, we like your choice. And it happens in your age, getting lost seeing your girl."

"Om?" Dadi called out. Her serious tone caught everyone's attention.

"Ji dadi?"

"You have a girlfriend?"

"Hm."

"Yes or no?"

"Ji..ji dadi."

"Since, how long?"

"Just recently?"

"How many months?"

"Wo... it's been more than two.."

Rudra from his side glared at his O, "you have been in relationship for more than two months and didn't even tell me."

From here I almost laughed. Covering it with a cough. And yet again my husband gave me a raised eyebrow look, offering me the glass of water. As always.

"Uh.."  Om was speechless. Looked at me with hope and pleading to help him.

I signed him with my hand to help.

"Rudra, it's not that long. Come on not two months."

Rudra questioned further "So two days?"

"Naa-ah" I shook my head.

I grinned "It's definitely lesser than that."

"Oh" Rudra smiled, about to pat his truthful brothers back.

"Just two years." I said it so cassually that Rudra nodded smilingly not realising the reality. " Not a long time I guess."

And Rudra froze, wide eyed before his head slowly turned to Om,  glaring hard and slapping hard his brothers back in pretence of patting.  "Congratulations. O. I'm. so. so. happy. for. you."

"Oww....Ru...at least listen to me....ouch...it hurts yaar."

"I thought so." Dadi said and glared his grandson, "and you didn't even care to share it with me. I didn't expect this from you."

"Dadi, dadi... I'm sorry..."

"Noo...you have hurt us. Come on Rudra, I have ordered your favourite pastries, lets go and enjoy inside."

Both dadi and grandson stood up and went to living room, showing how angry they were.

I chuckled.

"Bhabhi!" Om shook his head, "you and Shivaay both are devils."

"Oye, devil ke bache." Bade papa spoke, "Most devilish are you. You have kept this as a secret for two years! And than Rudra didn't have a hint. He will be naturally hurt."

"Dadi also."Om held his head, "Oh dad, I was about to tell you all after Shivaay's marriage. But not so soon, offcourse.  Now how should I make them up."

Badi maa laughed, standing up. "Your dadi just wants to get all the details she missed. You know how much she likes love stories. Give her that and you're forgiven. And about Rudra, you have to see yourself."

"Mom, he is going to kill me with his never ending taunts."

Bade papa laughed, "now you get what you sow. No Prinku? She must be also angry from you."

During our lunch, I noticed from corner of my eyes, Prinku was more quite, today. And Shivaay too noticed it, as he saw his little sister like this off, and low and uninterested. His gaze went more than twice on her sister when she was just simply twirling her food.

She stood up, passed a happy smile. "I'm happy for you bhaiya. Congratulations."

And she got retarted to her room. All looked at her and shrugged off claiming the college project stress, but I'm deeply aware what inner battle she must be fighting.

During dinner too, she was quiet. Even dadi noticed it, and everyone else. It was after dinner, I had to prepare for tomorrow's trip when Shivaay came inside, talking  on call about his tomorrow's schedule.

"Yes Mishra, all the details and files of Xavier project should be ready before my rejoining."

He waited than  without good bye or without any compliment 'good' well done' 'thanks' he just hanged up his phone.

Someday I feel, I should have a really long talk about his manners.

Prinku came after him, looked at me passed me a small smile and handed me a bag. "Badi maa send this for you."

"Thanks Prinku." I smiled a little but felt too bad for her.

She doesn't deserve this. Not at all. Atleast someone should say on her behalf. I'm sure if Shivaay- Prinku's mom was alive, she would have pulled her son's ear and supported her daughter.

But unfortunately, she is not here.

I inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly, before making up my mind.

Ther Prinku  passed me a small smile before turning on heels.

" Prinku?"

" Ji bhabhi?"

I held her hand, looked in her eyes, asking seriously, "You promise me you will take care of yourself on this camp?"

She looked at me startled, " w-what, I'm not going now."

"You want to right?"

She slowly nodded looking at Shivaay, "but not against Bhaiya's wish."

"I'll talk to him. But you be ready, I'm sure your bhaiya will agree for you."

" I wish but... I don't think so."

I smiled, holding her hand." You trust me?"

She let out a shaky breath, nodding, " Yes"

" So don't worry. Your last date for form submission is tomorrow right?"

She nodded.

" Just give it to me."

And she ran to her room, in two minutes came back with crumbled form. I gave her a look, seeing poor piece of paper.  She sheepishly smiled,   shrugged her shoulder off and tried pressing that paper plain from its creases.

After she went back and here I was done my work, I waited for Shivaay's call to get over. He was explaining some terms that he obviously can after our returning also. But no, mister had to do all tonight.

When his call was cut. I patted his shoulder. We both were standing so when he turned to me, I gave him my most serious and intimidating look and told him, " we need to talk."

Silence from his side.

Preety much, he looked at his remaining packing, the bags and clothes on his side of bed put scattered but neatly folded.

His gaze analysing, to finish of his important work or talk to me.

He inhaled and gave me a once over look, up and down, making my hard stance shaky a little. Looking at me with intimidating blue orbs, he nodded, saying just one word but with challenge, "Talk"

And when he say talk, I have his all the undivided attention and all his time for myself. 

Forwarding the paper before him, I nodded, signing towards that crumble paper.

"You need to sign these papers." I told him, calmly.

He eyed them warily, dirty, uneven, piece of paper was for him. But seeing the title, he again looked up and didn't even held that form. "We're not talking about this."

"Oh yes, we are." I added, "Shivaay, you don't see, but Prinku wants to go in this camp. She feels it's important for her, so let her."

"Noo, I have told you."

I glared at him, "If you gave me that crap of not being part of this family, than..."

I left it, in between.

He instead calmly said that, "I wasn't going to say that."

I continued, "you know, you are acting like a over protective brother. And for now she needs her understanding brother. Come on Mr Oberoi, it's 21st century, people have progressed so much. And I can't believe, being so wealthy and one of ideal for this country you think a girl shouldn't go alone on a trip. That's just not absurb but  also indecent for you."

"Offcourse, I don't think such low about girls, Mrs Oberoi." He retorted back, instantly, " Girls today have reached high and they are fully capable of living on their own. I didn't take it you will think so low about me."

"So, pray, tell me, why, why won't you let her go." My forehead had two parallel creases now, not understanding him at all. " You know I have talked to her, and forgive me if it comes out wrong but she wants to live independently, just like an ordinary girl of her age. Without bondages on her you put."

"She isn't ordinary."

"That's beside the point." I crossed my arm, asking seriously, "Prinku is as dear to me, as to you. I care about her and I can't see her like this. So please tell me, why?"

" You very well know, why?" He calmly said back, " She denied security, or Rudy. And there are hundred things to be careful of, as she is an Oberoi."

" But if you won't let her be on her own, how will she learn to live life independently. She needs to go, and face herself."

"It's too far away. And it's not safe."  He shook his head, turning away from me. His side face, visible, determined yet there was  the concern, the deep concern on his face.

" And You are okay to see her upset like this?"

He definitely wasn't. He unemotionally stated, "she'll be fine in some days."

I looked at him in disbelief. He's fine with her being upset but can't let her go for once and let her handle things herself. Why the hell he is on her throat?

But, looking at the way he sees Prinku when she is upset, it clearly says how much he loves her and care for her.

"Shivaay," I called him out softly and on it's own, I just held his hand.

The hand which was stressed and tightened as come in contact with mine. He didn't pull his hand back. He didn't even held mine. Just let me hold. His gaze went to our hand. "This is something between me and Prinku, I'm not meant to say. But you have to know, she wants to live her life, even wanted to start over her life being more courageous and confident,  without any protection and offcourse without upsetting you. Please let her go to this trip. It's important for her and if you won't support her tries, she wouldn't ever try and say what goes in her heart. Just now she was so happy, when I told her I'll talk to you about trip. Let her go."

He didn't pull his hand back, neither the worry crease over his forehead went away.  But he spoke, silently, "You don't understand the situation here."

"So, make me. Because for once I can't see what's wrong about it!"

He looked from our hand to me, in my eyes.I squeezed his hand assuring, he can trust me on this and tell me about it.  He stated, "Since childhood, Prinku has been a sensitive girl. Under pressure, her condition even goes worse, to extent she has blacked out few times.  She can't fight back for herself.   With her condition of nervousness and anxiety,  knowing she is uncomfortable to face unknown situations, how can you expect me to allow her go thousands miles away without any sort of protection?"

So that's why he was denying. Prinku is...  He was ready to see her suffering now than to send her in danger zone. That's not his ego, or stubbornness but his love and protection for her.

I left his hand, "I'm sorry, I didn't know about it. I never thought her condition was...."

I felt bad, and I can't even complete the sentence.

He turned to me, saying, "it's okay. Anyway you're new in this family."

As he said that, I felt like he finally acknowledged me as a part of this family. Till yesterday he was accusing me as an outsider but now...

"So, there is some treatment also, goes on?"

He shook his head, "two years back, as she completed her school, her treatment had also been completed."

So what's the problem? Her treatment is done, she is fine...unless...

"And last time she had an anxiety attack or blacked out?" I asked in trance.

"Three years back."

"Oh." He is being specific. I didn't go into details, directly asked, "And what does doctor says?"

"Doctor claims her to be alright. Her medicines aren't regular though, she have them if she feels nervous." He looked me in the eyes, "so you tell me, how can I allow my sister to go into a situation which I know is totally against her comfort?"

I was quiet. Exhaling sliwly and nodding, I asked him last question, "tell me one last thing, did you see any sign of her ailment since she has completed her treatment."

He went quite. The silence of hesitation, before shaking his head, "No. But it's also the truth, I have kept my sister protected which could hurt her in anyway."

"Shivaay!" I again held his hand in between my palms, looked into his oceanic orbs, telling him clearly, "you shouldn't protect her like this."

"She is my sister..." He offended.

"One second, just listen to me." I squeezed his hand and that shut him up. " Yes you care for her, but you are not protecting her like this. By keeping her in her comfort zone. Instead you should teach her how to face the situation, how to face this world and how to be always confident, how to keep her head always high." Adding lastly, "Just like you are."

He stopped listening to my last words.

I nodded, "Truthfully, you are arrogant, egoistic, tyrant," he raised his eyebrow, lastly I added with a smile, - but your confidence level is appreciable."

"Your words are charming." His eyebrow shot up, " Thankyou."

"Oh they are." I waved my hand. After a moment of silence I added,  "Mr Oberoi, we all are uncomfortable with unfamiliar situation. But that's how we all grow. She told me, it's first time she wish something like this and she is confident enough to face this. You have to trust her trust that she has on herself."

I saw his resolution crushing out bit by bit. Than he took his hand back, and shook his head. "Still, I'm against it. What if something happens there and she couldn't handle it?"

I sigh, shaking my head and praying my almighty. "Well, good thing I have a plan."

He turned. "What plan?"

I nodded, "yeah, what about without Prinku knowing you send security for her but in disguise and yeah they look after her from afar only, like at a good distance and not at all in a creepy way."

He thought about it, after a moment saying "you want me to lie to my little sister?"

I rolled my eyes, "oh come on, you are just hiding a little fact. Send some of your personnel on holiday. Show your generosity. I'm sure they will bless you for this."

He eyed me but consider it for a minute. Calculating pros and cons in mind.

"This way you know, Prinku will be happy, you will be satisfied, and your man will be happy too. You see, all win win situation."

For the first time, he agreed "I think, that can be arranged."

Yes, yes, yes!

I blinked and forwarded the papers and pen. "So sign please?"

But than, he would be he. He literally get the iron, and plug it into our bedside.

"Shivaay, seriously?"

I want to burst out laughing. God, dear me. This man, it's too much.

His one look, warning me to shut up and I well, turned around laughing by myself.

"Don't laugh" he commanded.

"It's rather unavoidable." I said chuckling.

Than I saw, he carefully read out the form and sighed it with his classy ink pen. His sign, uff the long and most complicated yet attractive one. That truly reflect his attitude.

I forwarded my hand, to have the paper back. But he looked at my hand than at me, "I'll give it myself to Prinku."

I smiled, "well, she would be more than happy than." And than I added, excitedly "oh wait, can I please capture her reaction. I want to! Wait for me, I'm coming."

I held my camera, and walked out of room before Shivaay. Turning back, I shouted, "what are you waiting for? Come on!"

Mr, shook his head in disbelief than came after me.

I stopped, before Prinku's door. In a low voice I said, "you go first."

He knocked the door, when we heard a faint voice, he opened it slowly. There was Prinku, looking all alarmed, seeing his bhaiya at this hour. Well it's not that late, just ten o clock.

"Ji bhaiya?" She asked, standing up from her study table. Taking out her glasses, that made her look like studious student.

I'm really proud of her. Such hardworking she is.

Shivaay stood there, before her crossing his arm, meanwhile Om Ru who were passing by her room, stopped and looked clueless here and also joined us.

"What's going on--" Om asked.

"Shhh" but I shushed him, making them stand with me and recording every moment.

"Prinku?" Shivaay called out in his ever so cold tone, and seriously that Prinku than and there only, looked flushed bouncing on her both feet nervously, looking cautiously and a frown forming on her forehead. To worst, Shivaay asked like a school Principal ask those students who are caught up on based of suspicion, "Do you really want to go on this camp?"

Hearing the camp word, she shook her head hard, "No-no bhaiya. No. I'm not going. Even I denied to my friends."

"What camp?" Om whispered here, while Rudra explained to him in his ear, making Om eyes went widened in realisation.

"Really?" Give it to Shivaay, he acted like seriously going to eat other person. Prinku nodded, looking down and even her face dropping like someone has hit her puppy.

"Shivaay!" I warned him, "Now don't scare her. Tell her now!"

Prinku looked up clueless at me, here Om Ru also looked at me questioningly. And Shivaay looked at me, plainly before telling Prinku, "your bhabhi has eaten my brain into signing this and here now you don't want to go, so--"

Prinku's eyes widened, she asked in utter disbelief "you signed this! That means...means you agreed!"

Shivaay gave her the form. I smiled seeing her real big smile. She bite her lip than asked, "without Rudy bhaiya and security?"

This time Shivaay looked at me, I signed him with bobbing my head up and down. He did nod at her and she smiled more, before jumping on Shivaay and take him by surprise that he stumbled a step back.

"Thankyou thankyou thankyou so much bhaiya! " she repeated, chuckling into his chest and he, after a moment wrapped his hand around her, one on her head, caressing like a big brother does.

She parted quickly and here, she looks at me, and before she can hug me, I handed my phone to Shivaay quickly, on right time. As a moment later, she was hugging me tight.

"Without you, this was impossible bhabhi."

I hugged her back, happy in her happiness, patting her. I whispered to her, "Anything for you."

She whispered in my ear, "to change bhaiya's decision is next to impossible. How did you even manage to do it?"

I grinned, feeling proud suddenly, looking at Shivaay, and whispering back to her, "Really?"

She nodded, and even chuckled seeing my proud grin.

"I'm lucky to have you bhabhi." She hugged me tightly, and I hugged her back once again.

"Wait a second, Shivaay you are letting Prinku go on this trip?" Om asked, here we parted from hug.

Shivaay nodded, "it's her wish."

"That too without me?" Rudy asked, frowning.

Shivaay stated, "you have your exams."

Om asked again, "and security? You are letting her go just like that?"

Shivaay told them clearly, " It's her wish."

"Hello, bhaiyas?" Prinku whined, "I'm here only. And what letting me go. It's just a month, I'm going with my friends, in India only. Not saat samundar paar!"

"But still" Rudra exclaimed, "you are so small."

I shook my head, "she is just an year younger than you Rudra."

Rudra huffed, here Om was worried but happy seeing Prinku this happy.

I assured them, or tried my best. But they just lectured Prinku about her safety and Rudra even declared Prinku's defensive class by him tomorrow early morning. Prinku pouted but infront of her protective brothers, agreed everything they said.

I was standing here with Shivaay, looking at them when he handed me my mobile phone back, surprisingly, rest of the video also recorded.

He stated, looking at them all, "I have never seen Prinku this much excited, this much happy in her life before."

I smiled looking at Prinku than side of his face, "I believe this trip will be a changing point in her life, a positive one."

" You think so?" He asked, and for a moment in his eyes I saw he was still worried.

"I do. You won't regret it." I told him with surety. Indirectly telling him, he not need to worry, he hasn't taken the wrong decision.

He nodded, looking in my eyes. His Adam apple bobbed up and down as he visibly swallowed. He than averted his gaze, looked at Prinku. The softness in his stormy orbs glowing, he let him feel that happiness. He let him live that moment.

And here, I lived my moment watching everyone with his eyes.

And who knew, just like Prinku's trip, tomorrow's trip of  my husband, would be a turning point of our life.

••||••||••