Nothing is more true, more real, than the primeval magnetic disturbances that two souls may communicate to one another, through the tiny sparks of a moment's glance.
~ Victor Hugo

Song of the chapter : Enna Sona by Arijit Singh

***

I grab his hand and pull him inside our bedroom.

"Devika can't know about this" I hiss at him as I lock the door.

"Agar tum mujhe sab kuch sach sach nahi bataaogi toh mai abhi ja ke Devika se puchunga. Start" he orders.

Start? Seriously?

"You have to promise me first that you won't tell this to anyone. Koi bhi nahi, kabhi bhi nahi" I say.

"Shravni mera dimaag mat kharab karo aur" he folds his hands and his arm muscles flex deliciously.

Focus!

"You have to promise me first. Warna I'm not telling you" I say and fold my hands.

Mai bhi intimidating and daraawni lag Sakti hu.

"Fine! I promise. Now speak" he orders.

And so I tell him everything. How Devika's boyfriend was mentally harassing her and how he blackmailed her for sex. Our whole plan and how we beat the shit out of him.

With every line his posture becomes more stiff and his jaw is so tightly clenched, I feel bad for his teeth.

"Naam kya bataya tumne vo ladke ka?" He asks through gritted teeth.

"Maine naam bataya hi nahi. I know you would do something with him" I say.

"You know me quite well then" he says. "Tell me the name, Shravni" he asks in rage.

"Ok listen. I know you're angry but we've handled it now. Vo ab pareshaan nahi kar raha Devika ko. Aur koi scene nahi chahiye ab. Devika was scared that Chachi won't tell her pursue her dream in modelling. Agar aapne ab kuch kiya toh ye baat puri fael jaayegi and that's the only thing Devika doesn't want. You know na how teenagers are. They want a clean image more than anything".

He runs his hand through his hair. I know he's still not buying it. He wants to do it his way but I've already broke my promise to Devika aur isse jyada damage nahi kar sakti Mai.

"Waise if it's any consolation to you, he still winces in pain when he sits down" I tell him suppressing a smile.

He turns to look at me with a straight face. Has he ever smiled?

"Why didn't she come to talk to me? I know Ekansh was her favourite brother but tumse toh better hi hu mai" he says like the whole situation is unbelievable to him.

I roll my eyes. Subtly insult karna koi inse seekhe.

"She didn't tell me. Maine galti se baate sunn li uski" I say making circles on the floor with my toe.

Yes I'm a nosy dumb ass! Yayy!

"Galti se baate kaise suni jaati hai? Your legs stopped working and you couldn't leave?" He asks raising one perfect eyebrow.

How do people do that? I'm not able to lift one eyebrow. Bahot practice ki but jamta hi nahi.

"Galti se hi hua" I say quickly and turn away to look at the very interesting wall behind me.

"I'm asking you for the last time Shravni. Naam bataao uss ladke ka" he says and comes and stands right in front of me.

"I can't".

"Can't or won't?" He asks.

"Won't" I say.

"Fine. I'll ask Devika then" he says.

I quickly hold his hand when he starts to leave. He looks at my hand on his arm and then at my face. I quickly remove my hand.

"You promised!" I exclaim.

"Promises are meant to be broken" he shrugs.

I go and quickly stand in front of the closed door with my hands stretching on both sides to block his way.

"Aap mard ho?" I ask.

"What did you just say?" He asks angrily.

"Aap mard ho na?" I repeat again.

His face turns ekdum stony and I see his hands ball into fists.

"Should I give you a proof of how much of a mard I am" he glares at me.

My eyes take in his rock solid body and the edges and planes on his face. And oh that sprinkle of a beard.

Manliest man I've ever laid eyes on.

Just for the fun of it, I feel like saying 'yes' to his question.

But mai itni brave hu nahi. Aur prepared bhi nahi.

I clear my throat. "Mard ki zabaan hai fir aapki. And you know what they say about mard ki zabaan".

"No I don't. Please enlighten me" he says.

"Jo mard apni zabaan deke fir mukar jaaye vo mard mard nahi hota" I say raising my chin up.

I totally made that up right now but inhe kya pata.

"You made this up right now" he purses his lips.

My mouth falls open. "No I didn't" I say. "Fir bhi agar aapko jaana hai aur aapki promise todni hai toh I'll be okay with the fact that you're a namard" I say getting aside from the door.

Male ego. Bahot bada hota hai. Kasam, promises kuch inpe bhaari nahi padti. But baat mardaangi ki aa gayi toh ye log kunwe me bhi kuud jaaye.

He grunts and stomps outside. Not towards Devika's bedroom thankfully. I sigh.

***

I wake up in the middle of the night. This always happens. Kabhi bhi uth ke aisa lagta hai jaise galaa pura sukh gaya hai aur paani nahi pee toh I'll die .

I look at Hriday who is fast asleep on his bed with a file on his chest. I keep it aside and cover him with a blanket and then go downstairs.

Paani pee ke aisa laga jaise amrut pee liya. Better.

When I'm going back upstairs, I see that the lights in the balcony are switched on. Band karna bhool gaye honge.

I walk towards the balcony and I see Chachi standing there with her head in her hands.

"Chachi?"

She gasps and turns around and when her eyes fall on me, lets out a long breath.

"Tum ho" she places her hand on her heart and closes her eyes briefly.

"Mai bass paani peene aayi thi" I tell her. Why I tell her that, I don't know.

"Kitchen uss taraf hai" she says pointing with her chin and turns away.

That's my cue to leave her alone. But the dumb person that I am, I just stand there.

Something's definitely wrong.

What if she knows about Devika's matter? Oh shit oh shit oh shit! Hriday ne bataa toh nahi diya?

I have to somehow get some information out of her. Devika ke liye.

Or maybe she's just standing here to get some air. Mujhe kya itni duniyadari hai kya pata.

"Aapko neend nahi aa rahi?" I ask.

"Avni go and sleep" she tells me in a hard tone.

Ye tone ye pure ghar me sab log kaise laate hai. I have to ask Devika about it and learn it so that I can use it on those rude customers I sometimes deal with.

"You're still here!" She snaps at me and I gulp.

"Mujhe aap reason bataa do na warna mujhe neend nahi aayegi puri raat" I say.

"That's not my problem" she rubs her forehead.

"Do you need a head massage. I give really good massages" I say.

She looks at me like I just offered her a lap dance.

"Mere paas ek achha tel bhi hai. Aapko fataak se neend aa jaayegi. I promise" I say.

She looks here and there and then sighs. "Fine. But just the massage. You won't talk to me. Chup rehna pura time".

"Ok ok mai tel laati hu" I say enthusiastically.

"Nahi tel nahi. Kya pata konsa tel hoga. Just the massage" she says, sitting on the chair.

I stand behind her and open her hair and start massaging her head. I'm not good at massages. I've never done it before. Vo toh maine aise hi baat banaa di.

I just want everyone in this house to like me. Not even like me. Just accept me. Life time saath rehna hai. Kab tak muh ukhdaa ke rahenge.

"You really are good" she sighs and relaxes in her chair.

I grin widely.

Baby steps, Avni. Baby steps.

"Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. Today actually. 20 saal complete ho gaye" she says suddenly with her eyes closed.

Wow. Sach me I'm good then. Or maybe it's just the late hours. Kathor se kathor insaan bhi raat ke time bolne lagta hai.

"Wow. Happy wedding anniversary" I whisper.

"I forgot about it. Like every year. Yaad bhi mujhe isliye aaya kyu ki maine inka gift dekh liya jo inhone almaari me chhupaya tha" she sighs sadly.

"Sometimes I feel like I'm a horrible wife" she says.

I'm a little stunned to say the least. This confident, independent, successful woman having self doubts? I never thought I'd get to see this side of hers. God I didn't even know she had this side.

"This is where you're supposed to say that I'm wrong and that I'm a good wife" she says looking at me with an amused expression.

"Sorry. I'm just a little shocked to hear those words coming out of your mouth. Chacha loves you though. I can see it when you two are around. All your secretive smiles and inside jokes that nobody understands" I tell her.

"I'm always just so focused on my professional life and sometimes I feel like it's not fair to him. He has always loved me for my confidence and for my independence though" she says.

"Toh kya baat ki tension hai? I don't think chacha would mind that you didn't buy him a gift this one time" I say and go and sit on the floor facing her.

"Still. I don't know. I just.. I want to do something for him but it's too late now. Kal vo mujhe gift denge aur mai kuch nahi" she says sadly.

"You can plan a fancy dinner or something tomorrow night. Abhi bhi der nahi hui hai".

"Der hui hai. Because I forgot our anniversary, I arranged a really important meeting for tomorrow and I know it will take up the whole day. Night too. Ugh now I'm feeling more and more guilty" she groans putting her head in her hands. "I'm really a bad wife".

"No you're not! Stop saying that. Abhi bhi kuch kar sakte hai. We have the whole night" I try to rack my brains for some idea.

"Hey!" I quickly stand up as an idea hits me. "How about we bake a cake now. Aur uske saath hi breakfast in bed. He'll like that, hai na?" I ask.

"Oh my god yes" she stands up but then her face falls. "I can't cook anything other than simple rice and dal and aaloo ki sabzi" she groans and slumps back on the chair.

I take her hand and pull her up. "What am I here for then? I'll make the cake and everything. Don't worry".

"Usme kya matlab hai. I need to do something. You give me the instructions and I'll prepare it. How about that?" She asks.

"Perfect. Let's do it" I say and we rush into the kitchen like two excited teenagers.

"Wait. Am I asking for too much? Are you sleepy?" She asks.

"No way. I love baking" I tell her and start going through the shelves and remove all the necessary ingredients.

"Fine so inhe hash browns aur pancakes bahot pasand hai. So ye banaate hai. Aur cake-"

"Chachi please leave the cake up to me. Mai banaa dungi please" I say.

I mess it up when there are more people interfering with my baking. So it's better that way.

"Fine. That'll be easy I guess" she says.

Thankfully there are all the ingredients in the fridge and we go on with our job at hands being as quite as possible.

Kisi ko uthana nahi hai. Daada daadi toh uthte hai jaldi but I hope aaj unko thodi jyada neend aaye.

After two hours I finally hear the ting of the microwave. Cake tayyar hai!

I remove it wearing gloves, as the aroma spreads through the room.

"Wow Avni. Mujhe nahi pata tha tum itna achha bake karti ho. Kitna soft aur spongy lag raha hai. Devika aur Chanchal yuhi taarif nahi karte tumhari" she says eyeing the cake.

I'm not used to compliments so I quickly change the topic.

"We'll let it cool down for a few minutes and then do the icing. You can write whatever you wish to on it later" I tell her.

"Okay okay" she says excitedly and that's when daadi enters inside the kitchen.

"Kya kar rahe ho tum dono" she asks looking at the mess.

"Daadi vo aaj chacha chachi ki anniversary hai na toh Chachi ne breakfast banaya hai chacha ke liye. See? Aur cake bhi" I say.

She smiles a knowing smile and nods. "Shadi ki saalgirah mubarak ho beta. Tum dono lage raho. Mai inke saath walk pe jaa rahi hu. Lalita ke aane se pehle sab saaf karna warna vo tum dono ko sunaa degi" she chuckles and leaves.

Chachi and I both look at each other and grin.

"We are in forbidden territory. Tai sahi me bahot gussa karegi" Chachi says.

We do the icing and Chachi writes a 'Happy anniversary pumpkin' on the cake.

I hide my smile when I see the word pumpkin and she glares at me.

"You didn't read this and don't know anything about it okay?"

"Yes ma'am" I say and she gives me a radiant smile before putting all of the dishes in a big tray.

"Let's quickly clear this" she says.

"I'll do it. Aap jaao. Warna agar chacha uth gaye toh plan chaupat ho jaayega" I tell her.

She pauses for a while just looking at me. "Thank you Avni".

I stay silent for a while.

"Aapne mujhe maaf kiya?" I ask.

She understands what I'm talking about. Mai kitna bhi deny karu, I was the reason for Ekansh's death. That's what I'm apologizing for.

Instead of answering me, she comes and gently runs a hand over my head and lightly pats my cheek. Then she leaves.

I honestly feel like crying. Just because.. I don't know. I feel a little heavy.

I clear up the mess and make the kitchen as it was before and then go upstairs.

I feel good. I feel like that one day when I went to a fair and won a cooker. Vo ring fekne wale game me.

Actually better that that.

I enter the room the same time Hriday gets out of his walk in closet.

His hair is still damp, the top buttons of his clean white shirt are open and there's a tie around his neck which he had not knotted yet.

"Aaj jaldi jaa rahe ho?" I ask before I can stop myself.

Subah subah rude reply ke liye bekaraar hu mai jaise.

"Ha vo kal shaam ko thoda jaldi aa gaya so need to cover that time now" he says.

Who the hell is this?

Maybe I'm dreaming.

"Where were you?" He asks when he starts with his tie.

I'm eager to see aaj konsa panchhi banaate hai ye apne tie se.

"I was just downstairs. Aapko pata hai aaj chacha chachi ki 20th anniversary hai. Chachi ne unke liye breakfast banaya. Breakfast in bed, jaise aap ameer log karte ho. Mai agar breakfast in bed karti toh meri mom meri kutaai kar deti. Ye Chaddar ko daag lag gaye toh? Dhoyega kon inhe?" I start babbling and use my mom's tone for the last two sentences.

"Waise mujhe brush kiye bina kuch khana pasand nahi. But maine sunaa hai America aur baaki sab desho me pehle naashta karte hai aur fir brush. Don't you think that's gross. I mean-" I stop when I realise he's staring at me and that this is the most I've talked in front of him without being scared or crying.

He keeps looking at me, his expression giving nothing away. The swirling depth of his brown eyes are about to drown me completely so I look away.

"Sorry. I'm a little active in the morning" I say looking down.

"I can see that" he says. Is it just me or does his voice sounds a little rough?

I look up to him and my eyes fall on his tie. It looks like a.. I don't even know what I should call that.

"May I?" I ask looking at his tie.

He sighs and pulls it open.

Okay I did not expect that.

My heart rate picks up as I walk towards him. This man really has a killer height.

Feet me measure vagera karna toh mujhe aata nahi but.. Ranbir Kapoor jitni rahegi.

My height ends just below his chin.

Not that I'm complaining. I like his height.

I tie it making sure that my fingers don't make any contact with his skin.

"So you were saying that Chachi made cake" he asks.

His Adam's apple bobs when he speaks and I get a little distracted by it.

Focus Avni!

I fix his tie and my hands linger a little while longer.

Wrong wrong wrong!

I quickly step back.

"Yes yes she made a cake too. I saw it from afar and it looked delicious" I tell him.

When I'm about to turn he holds my hand from behind. I feel heat spreading through my whole body, the skin where he's touching, being the source.

He pulls me back, not really forcefully, but because I didn't see it coming, I stumble and my head hits his chest.

Before I can speak, his hand goes up to my cheek and his fingers slide over my skin.

Calm down, heart. Please calm down.

He then rubs his thumb back and forth on my cheek and my vocal chords have completely ditched me. So has my brain.

When he removes his hand I see cake flour on his finger tips.

Oh.

"I'm sure chacha will love the cake that chachi made. Chachi makes really good cakes" he says and leaves.

Oh.

***

*Yawns and types with one eye closed* I'm sleepy. It's 2.48 am. Vote and comment.. and ily :)