Rishab was watching news on TV when Madhu came from the bedroom & sat beside him on the couch.

"Here" He passed her the remote as it was time for the serial she religiously watches. Madhu was about to take the remote but then remembering Trishna's words, she stopped.

"No. You watch news." Madhu said & snuggled up against his chest. He didn't know whether he was surprised that she didn't want to watch serial or with her getting close to him, physically.

"But you watch serial daily at this time nah?" He asked her confused. Though he never liked her watching serials he never stopped her. He used to give her the space to watch her serials & get himself busy with his work.

"I quit." she muttered

"Why?" Rk asked tipping her chin up from his chest to look at her eyes. She shrugged & released her head from his hold & again rested it back on his chest nuzzling him softly. He smelled of body wash. He smelled of his unique scent which intoxicated her.

Rk shook his head at her strange behavior & changed the channel to the one in which her serial runs.

Madhu slowly took a peek on the TV when she heard the serial title song played. Then she chided herself mentally for taking a glance at the serial & shifted her position facing away from the TV.

"I know you want to watch the serial. Then why are you stopping yourself?" Rk asked placing his hand on her stomach, caressing it without his knowledge.

"No!"

Sighing Rk switched off the TV.

"Is something bothering you?" Rk asked picking her up & placing her on his lap. She curled up small in his lap.

"No. Why do you ask that?"

"You aren't very talkative, lately." Rk said with a shrug. She was never like this before.

"You don't like me talking much right?" she asked in an accusing tone as she toyed with his T-shirt button.

"Who said?" Rk asked arching his brow.

"You always tease that I am a chatterbox nah? Even the other day when Sultan & his men abducted me you asked them to shut my mouth..."

"That's because I want them to remove your blindfold. Well, that was really a lame try but those fools really did what I had expected. They removed your blindfold & stuffed it in your mouth." Rk said with a smirk.

"Oh!" Madhu smiled.

"And of course you are a chatterbox. No question about that but I like you the way you are."

"Really?" she asked with a smile.

"Really! I like chirpy, Madhu." Rk said nonchalantly. She blushed & hide her face in the crook of his neck.

"You know I talk little but that's the way I am made. You can ask my mom how I was when I was a small boy... I was never loquacious." Madhu fondly smiled imagining how her husband would look as a small boy. "...I never mingled much with people. Sometimes my parents feel if I wasn't an only child I would have not become the way I am... but I guess that's not the reason."

"Even I am an only child." Madhu reminded him. "And I am so not like you."

"Yeah!" he nodded at her. "I was always a loner & I liked it... that kept me focused."

"Hmm... So you trying to say that you are not focused now? That I am distracting you?" she asked jokingly.

"No, silly. I'm still focused & in control only..."

Yeah, you are so in control, my dear husband. I am trying all my seduction tricks but you are not showing any sign of desire. I'm such a fool to stop you & now I don't know how to ask you shamelessly.

Is he really testing my limits & wanting me to beg him to make love to me? Madhu thoughts.

"When you keep silent it feels... strange. I got so used to your non-stop talking & giggling & laughing &..." he said bring back the topic.

"And what?"

"Fighting" Rk added with a smirk.

"I don't fight" Madhu said offended.

"Okay, bickering would be apt. You often argue with me about petty & trivial matters."

"Asking you to be little more romantic is neither petty nor trivial matter, okay?" She pouted & pecked his lips throwing her arms around his neck.

"Romantic eh?" He tested the word, rubbing his chin with his index finger.

"Trishna told me I should try and get in your good books... so..."

"So you secluded yourself into a shell and stopped being the lively lady I adored? Are you trying to change yourself to please me?" Rk asked with a frown. She slowly nodded her head not looking at him. "Well, I am not at all pleased." He said curtly.

"You better stay away from her. She is such a bad influence on you." Rk said though playfully because he knew his wife's friend was not really bad or evil but just stupid.

"I will take your advice, ACP Sir." Madhu said giggling.

"Be yourself, Madhu. Never change for others. Not even for me. We will learn to live with each other with the way we are."

"I felt adjustment is better than argument..." Madhu whispered. She wanted a smooth life with her husband.

"If you once start adjusting for me then forever you will have to adjust... make compromises to satisfy me... I don't want that. Well, at least not major adjustments. See, you really can't refrain from talking too much or from watching serials... so why try that? You should live your life the way you like, Madhu. Look, Argument is healthy, Madhu. Only then we will come to know each other. Only then I will know what you want from me & you will know what I want from you... saying all that I don't want to fight with you."

she smiled & yawned softly covering her mouth.

"See I bore you when I talk." Rk chuckled.

"No. Not at all. I am just comfortable in your arms, sitting on your lap." she said & kissed his neck.

"Come, we will go to bed... and..." he paused.

"And?" Madhu asked failing to hide the hope & yearning in her voice.

"Sleep" Rk said smirking & walked into the room leaving Madhu open mouthed.

"Rishab..." Madhu softly called him when he was about to doze off.

"What?" he asked.

"Tomorrow, my parents wedding anniversary. Shall we go meet them & wish?"

"Is there a party?" Rk asked dreading. He was a party pooper.

"Um... a small party... just close friends & family."

"Hmm... can I come straight away from work by late evening?" he asked.

"Okay. Shall I go in the morning itself?"

"You don't need my permission. You are free to go." he mumbled sleepily. Madhu smiled at her Mr. Grumpy.

"Good night" Madhu whispered combing his hair with her fingers. He opened his sleepy eyes, kissed her forehead & went back to sleep.

--0--

(Next day)

"Hello, Rishab, where are you?"

"I'm on my way, Madhu."

"You have been saying this for the past one hour. How long it will take for you to reach my parents place?"

"Just give me 10 minutes. I will be there."

"Okay. Come soon." she said & hung up her phone.

"Where is Rishab?" Madhu's mom, Padmini asked.

"He is on his way, mama" Madhu said. "I will go down & bring him up when he comes." Madhu said & walked down the stairs. They were partying on the terrace garden.

"Rishab..." Madhu rushed to him & frowned seeing him in uniform.

"You are in uniform"

"Er... I had no time to go home & change." he said scratching his temple. "It was a long tiring day."

"Oh! It's okay." she smiled softly. He looked tired indeed. "Come, I have a new jeans & shirt. You change into that."

"You do?" Rk asked, surprised.

"Yeah, today when I went to mall to get gift for my parents, I got a new shirt & jeans for you."

"Oh! Why?"

"Simply" She shrugged.

"Okay. White is my favorite color. Thanks!" He said & took the white shirt, blue jeans & towel from her & went to the bathroom to freshen up & change.

"Quicker than I expected." Madhu said impressed as she walked towards him to the dressing area. He was wiping his wet air with a towel.

"You look hot with your shirt buttons undone." she said & rubbed her hands over his chest up & down twice before buttoning up his shirt.

"I'm not a kid. I can do the buttons." Rk said prying her hands off him. Her closeness was affecting him. He just wanted to push her onto the bed & make love to her but she was not ready. She said that loud & clear the other day.

"Okay, then I will towel dry your hair." she offered.

"It's already dry. Thanks" he gave her a tight smile.

Then she looked down at his jeans. He quickly turned back & zipped up making her laugh out loud.

"My poor boy!" Madhu muttered shaking her head & walked out giving him space to get ready.

"Here, I got this flower bouquet for your parents. You give it to them." Rk said once he was done getting ready.

"No. No. You give by yourself. They would like to get it from you."

"Okay!"

"Shall we go meet them?"

"We shall" Rk smiled. Madhu smiled back & hooking her hand in his arm, she dragged him to the terrace.

"Happy Anniversary, Aunty" Rk wished & passed the bouquet to Padmini. "Uncle" he politely smiled at Malik, Madhu father. Malik gave his son-in-law a hug surprising him & Rk returned it awkwardly.

"Papa, cut the cake now." Madhu ordered. She had stopped her parents from cutting the cake till her husband arrives.

Malik & Padmini smiled at Madhu & cut the cake & fed each other.

Rk left Madhu with her parents & walked a little away.

"Mom, dad" Rk smiled at his parents. He was surprised to see them at his in-laws' house. "You didn't tell me you guys were coming here when I called you this morning."

"Even you didn't tell us you were coming here?" Radha asked her son back.

"Malik, invited us so we are here. BTW, when you started attending family functions?" Mohan asked teasingly. Rk had never attend any family gathering before so it was a shock to his parents.

"Madhu asked... so I just..." Rk shrugged casually, hiding his embarrassment. Radha smiled happily at her son & ruffled his hair saying "My baby"

"Mom..." Rk scowled at his mother. "...I'm not a baby."

"Yeah, yeah..."

"Uncle, aunty, dinner is served. Please." Madhu came to them & asked them to join for dinner.

"Rishab, you too..."

"Later, biwi. I'm not hungry."

"Okay." She said & stood beside him holding his hand.

"You go have." he shoved her gently.

"We will have together when you are ready to eat."

"Hmm... It's your parents 30th anniversary huh?" Rk asked.

"Yep!"

"So after four years of marriage you were born?"

"Um... Mama, miscarried twice before I was born." Madhu said in soft voice. Rk pulled her in his arms. "They didn't have any other child after me. I am so precious to them."

"To me too." Rk whispered.

"You said something?" Madhu asked looking up at him. He shook his head in no.

"I don't want what happened to my mother to happen to me. I don't think I can handle the pain of losing our baby." Madhu whispered as a shiver ran down her spine.

"Hey!" Rk admonished her as he hugged her tightly & rubbed her back.

"I'm sorry." Madhu said taking a deep breathe.

"They look good. Seems so happy." Rk said looking at his in-laws chatting with his parents. He wanted to change the topic & brighten his wife's mood.

"Of course they are happy because their little princess is happily married to the best man." Madhu said & kissed Rk's cheek.

"Best huh?" Rk asked shooting his brow up.

"Yes, you are. Now, come, we will go eat something. I'm hungry." she said & dragged him to the buffet.

"We will sit there & eat." Madhu said pointing with her chin to the canopy swing, passing one plate of food to Rk & held another plate for herself.

"Your parents eat non veg?" Rk asked seeing chicken in his plate.

"No. none of us eat. I asked Papa to add chicken fry & prawns in the menu specially for you." she said as she started eating.

"Madhu, what's the need for all that? I can go without non-veg for a day." Rk said rolling his eyes. Madhu just smiled in reply.

"Madhu, we are leaving now." Radha said gesturing them to sit & eat when they tried to stand up.

"So soon, aunty?"

"It's already 9.30. My son took forever to come here & made us all wait."

"Mom, I had gone out on an investigation. There it took time..." Rk tried to explain.

"Yeah, yeah... I know... you don't have to explain. You made it here & that itself a big surprise." Radha teased her son.

"Okay, your dad is waiting down for me. I will go. You two come & visit us one weekend."

"Sure aunty." Madhu smiled.

"You both look fine together." Radha caressed her daughter-in-law's head with a happy smile before walking away.

"My mom likes you!" Rk muttered softly.

"What's not there to like?" Madhu asked stuffing her mouth with noodles.

"I guess it's time for us to leave." Rk said checking his watch after placing his empty plate on the floor. Madhu had already done eating. She was a fast eater.

"Oh!"

"You wanna stay here?"

"Will you stay with me?" Madhu asked hopefully.

"Um... I..." He hesitated.

"It's okay. We will go home. I have to go to office earlier, tomorrow."

"Hmm..." He nodded. He was glad that she didn't throw any tantrum & make him stay. He was never comfortable staying at houses other than his own.

After wishing good night & good bye to Madhu's parents, they both started back to their home.

"Madhu..." Rk gently shook Madhu's shoulder. She had dosed off in the car within few minutes they started from her parents place.

"Madhu, we are here." Rk woke her up just he pulled the car outside the apartment building.

"Um..."

"You want me to carry you in?"

"Um... No, thanks." Madhu sleepily fumbled with her seat belt.

"Here. Let me unbuckle the belt for you." Rk said & quickly took off her seat belt & let her step out of the car while he went to park it.

"Such a long day eh?" He asked. Madhu nodded.

"I don't know how I fell asleep. I was talking with you right?" Madhu asked as they stepped into the elevator. He nodded & wrapped his arm around her waist & she leaned her head on his shoulder.

Suddenly she straightened remembering something. "Rishab, tomorrow I have to report early in office... So please please wake me up by 5... Um... No... 5.30, okay?"

"So soon? Why?" Rk asked with a frown.

"I don't know... You please wake me up. You can even splash a bucket full of cold water on me & wake me up. I won't complain. Mr. Pot belly strictly told he will fire my ass if I fail to report by 6.30" Madhu was such a sound sleeper & waking her up will be one tough task for Rk.

"Okay."

"My job is in your hand, Rishab" Madhu clasped her hands as if worshiping.

"God! I will wake you up. Run you a bath. Feed you breakfast. Drop you at your office on or before 6.30, okay?" Rk asked.

Madhu stopped listening to him the moment he said he will run a bath to her.

"What?" Rk asked gently shaking her. She looked as if she had seen a ghost.

"You & me in the bathtub? Naked?" Madhu asked freaking out as a thrill ran through her body.

f**k! Why she has to seed ideas in my head? Rk thoughts & quickly made a mental note to try bathing together or showering in future when she was ready.

"I didn't tell I will join you in the bathtub! Or get naked."

"Why?" Madhu asked. She couldn't disguise the pang of disappointment.

"You want me to?" Rk askdd challenging her. She gulped a lump & before she could nod her head in Yes, the elevator came to a halt on their floor & Rk stepped out taking her hand in his, dragging her out.

"Wait!" Rk stopped Madhu holding his hand up & swiftly pulled out the gun from the holster. The locks were broken. Seems someone had trespassed into their apartment.

"What's wrong?" Madhu asked alarmed.

"This day is just getting better & better." Rk sighed, bitterly.

"You always carry gun with you?" Madhu asked shocked.

"If you remember I came to your parents place direct from duty. But then, yeah! I always carry gun with me. We don't know what all shit will come up."

Madhu looked little scared.

"You stay here." He ordered, looking around to see anyone was hiding there & ready to attack them.

Rk slowly pushed the unlocked door of their apartment with his foot. He took slow steps scanning the living room. The vase of the flower was splashed down on the floor. The LED TV hanging on the wall was broken. Cushions on the sofa were scattered on the floor. Their house was in a complete mess. Rk held the gun with both his hands close to his chest & the muzzle was pointed upward. He stealthily entered their bedroom, checked the bathroom, gym, guest room, balcony, kitchen & every available space including the closet & found no one hidden. Suddenly he felt a moment behind him & he swiftly turned around & pointed the gun at the intruder.

"It's me.. me..me.. don't shoot me, husband" Madhu shrieked closing her eyes tightly & moved back in fear & hit the wall, her hands were up in the air as if surrendering. She had dropped her handy-cam on the floor.

She was growing sick waiting outside the apartment not knowing what was happening inside. Her heart beats erratically as she was suddenly gripped by fear. She couldn't wait idle outside worrying for her husband so she broke her husband's strict instruction that she shouldn't step into the apartment before he gives her the all clear. She took a handy camera from her handbag & started shooting the disaster occurred in the house all the way searching for her husband & he scared the living day light out of her by pointing the gun at her.

Rk took a deep breathe before nearing her. He tipped her chin up with his gun. She had her eyes tightly shut.

"Breathe, Madhu. Breathe." Rk whispered huskily. She wasn't aware she was holding her breathe. She slowly took a calming breathe & brought her hands down & held her husband's shoulders.

"Open your eyes & look at me biwi" Rk said & kissed her closed eyes, soothing her.

"Take the gun away from me, Rishab." she breathed. Rk smirked & purposefully trailed the gun down from her chin to her throat. She tilted her head back, breathing hard & tried to gulp the saliva but her mouth was so dry. Rk dipped his head down & kissed her throat as the gun made its way down to her cleavage.

"Rishab..." Madhu, finally opened her eyes & looked at him. His eyes were looking at her luscious lips.

"Rishab, if you pull the trigger by mistake then you will kill me." Madhu said looking down at the gun which was kissing her chest.

Rk snorted & took off the gun & threw it at their bed. Once the barrier, the gun was taken off, she launched herself at her husband, hugging him tight.

"I will never do mistake with guns. If I ever shoot you then it will be deliberate one."

Madhu's eyes widen hearing him. "You will shoot me?"

"If needed, yes." Rk said with a smirk.

"You are joking." Madhu laughed & hugged him again. She didn't know whether he was joking or serious but she decided to assume it to be a bad joke.

"Didn't I tell you to wait outside?" Rk asked suddenly getting serious.

"Sorry... I was worried..."

"Worried? Seems like you were gathering news for your channel." Rk said looking down at the camera on floor.

"Um... I was just recording... you know for evidence..." she said, embarrassed.

"What's all this? Who dared to commit theft in ACP Kundra's house?" Madhu asked.

"It's not an attempt to theft. Nothing has gone missing in our house."

"Then?"

"I am not sure. Perhaps, Someone has barged in with an intention to attack us."

"Why?" Madhu asked horrified

"Revenge, probably." He shrugged casually.

"Why these criminals should take revenge on you when you are just doing your job?" Madhu asked, outraged. Her innocent question made Rk smile fondly at her.

"Now what next?" Madhu asked composing herself.

"I'm going to hit the bed. I need some sleep. I will handle all this shit tomorrow. You don't worry this little head of yours." Rk kissed her head.

"I'm so worried, Rishab." she admitted rubbing her palms over his chest.

"I have got you, baby. I will keep you safe." he reassured her holding her protectively in his arms.

"I know. I am not worried about me. I am worried about you... If something happens to you..." her voiced choked as her eyes brimmed with tears.

"Please don't start crying." Rk said sternly "Now, go to bed. Good night!" he kissed her forehead before releasing her from his embrace.

"Good night." Madhu whispered & pecked his lips with hers. "Don't forget to wake me up in the morning." Madhu, once again reminded him. Rk just rolled his eyes.

... to be continued!

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