CHAPTER 17 - He can be happy

Karthik was working in his cabin when Ravi poked in as usual, without knocking.

"Hey. What are you doing?"

He diverted his attention from the monitor to his friend "Client mails, discussions with Project Manager; the usual stuff. Why?"

"Let's go to Canteen then" Ravi said cheerfully.

"Now?" Karthik asked, looking at his watch.

When Ravi nodded, he locked his system and left the room.

"So, your project's done?" Karthik asked, sipping his tea.

"My work is done; it's up to the testing team now"

"Is that the reason for your cheerfulness?" he asked with a smile.

Ravi beamed "Yes. I can finally have a vacation that my wife wants since last summer"

"Kerala?"

"Yes. My PM finally allowed me to use my leaves. Now, I am can take a two week break"

Karthik chuckled "So, what places are you planning to visit in Kerala?"

"Whatever my wife wants to see. I am sure she decided everything"

"Aren't you the wife lover?" he chided sarcastically.

"Aren't you the wife hater?" Ravi said imitating him.

"I don't hate my wife" Karthik blurted out.

Ravi's eyes widened "You mean you love your wife?"

"I didn't say that"

"But, you said you don't hate her. That has to mean---"

Karthik scowled "She is my wife. I don't need to explain to you what I feel for her"

"Which means you love her but you don't want to admit it"

"Let's go back. I have work" Karthik said, changing the topic.

Ravi was glad of the changes in Karthik. His friend is not someone who wears his heart on his sleeve making it difficult to understand what's going on, in his head. But, he is almost sure that Karthik is in love with his wife.

****

Karthik sighed in relief, seeing Shyamala's family vacate their apartment. He was worried that Srinivas might try something on Sindhu again to seek revenge. But, he can't stay with her all the time as he had a job to do. However, he told Govind and Lakshmi to keep an eye on Srinivas until his family moved out. He can finally relax now and not worry about Sindhu's safety anymore.

"You look happy" Sindhu muttered, as she saw him enter the house in a rather cheerful mood.

"What?" he exclaimed as he found her observing him carefully.

"You look happy" she said scratching her head, looking at him as if he is some sort of a lunatic.

"So what? Shouldn't I be happy?" he said shrugging.

"You know how to be happy?" she asked in a surprised tone.

He glared "You know how to ruin my mood"

She chuckled "It's not my mistake if I've never seen you happy. So, how's your day at work? Did you get a hike or what?"

"You think I am happy because I got hike in salary?" When she nodded, he added "No, I didn't get a hike. How's your day?"

"It was the same; movies and books. Um... Shyamala from next door came to apologize and tell that they're moving out today"

He stiffened "Her husband didn't come, right?"

She shook her head "Ok now, change your clothes. I prepared cake"

"To celebrate their departure?" he asked with an amused smile.

"No, of course not. I didn't even know about that" She defended.

"Fine then, I will change and come back to taste that amazing cake of yours" he replied with a smile, leaving the room.

Sindhu stood dumbfounded, looking at him with her mouth wide open.

That guy who stood in front of her few minutes back is definitely not her husband.

But, he looks just like him; except for the absence of blank look on his face, she thought stupidly.

Remembering his happy face brought a stupid smile on her own face. Wow, I forgot how handsome he is when he smiles, she thought dreamily.

"Stop drooling over the cake and cut it properly" Karthik's voice snapped her out of her wayward thoughts.

"I wasn't drooling" she replied, scowling at him.

"You were looking at it as if its yummiest thing you have ever seen" he said with a smirk.

I was drooling over you, not a stupid cake, she growled inwardly.

"Do you want to cut it?" she asked with a smile.

"Sure, why not?" he said, taking the knife from her hand.

"And that's how it's done" he boasted, slicing the last piece carefully.

"Wow. Aren't you the life saver?" she said, sarcasm dripping her voice making him chuckle.

"Now, be polite. Else, I won't share my cake with you" he teased, taking the plate of cake pieces away from her.

"Hey!! That's not fair. I prepared it"

"Yeah sure. And then, I sliced it"

"You take the whole credit for just slicing it. This is so not fair" she retorted, trying to reach the plate as he moved his hand out of her reach.

"Karthik!!!" she crossed her arms childishly, glaring at him.

He took a piece from the plate and held it near her mouth as if telling her to take a bite. When she did, he stiffened feeling her lips on his finger.

"It is yummy" she said with a bright smile and savored the cake, closing her eyes.

He was in his own world, enjoying the look of pure delight on her face when she suddenly opened her eyes "Can I have another piece please"

He smirked "No, everything else is mine"

"Please Please Please.. Just one more" she whined, giving him puppy dog looks.

"Fine" he sighed giving her another piece while taking one for himself.

One word to describe the cake - delicious.

So, my wife knows how to make great cakes, he mused silently. He was glad she knew how to bake since he is no good at it.

"You said only one" he reminded, swatting her hands away while she tried to take another piece from his plate when he's not looking.

She groaned "Common.. You can't eat the whole cake"

He smirked "Yes I can"

She stuck her tongue out childishly and walked away to her room.

"Stop being a drama queen" he announced, following her.

She smiled at that "You too now?"

He shrugged "I realized how much it suits you" and added as an afterthought "So, when are you going to Hemanth's house?"

"Whenever you are free"

He raised an eyebrow "You want me to come with you?"

"I assumed you'd come with me. What's with the way you two bonded like some long lost friends" she taunted.

"Are you jealous that I am close to your only friend?" he asked with an amused smile.

No, I am jealous that you are close to him and not me.

"No. Why would I be?" she retorted, rolling her eyes.

"Really?" he said, as if he didn't believe her "Then why does it look like you are jealous"

"I am not. And for the 100th time, aren't you going to share that cake with me?"

He grinned "Only if you plead"

I am going to die, Sindhu thought dramatically. She really understood the meaning of million dollar smile now. She would give anything to see that smile again; even her whole wardrobe.

"Why do you have that stupid smile on your face?" Karthik asked, narrowing his eyes; holding back his smile.

Ugh. Look what you did idiot.

"Um, it-- it's--um--- I--um-- I don't know" she blurted out.

This time he laughed out loud and she was mortified.

"You don't know why you are smiling?" he said in between chuckles.

"I was just wondering why you are very happy today. You look---" she wanted to say handsome, cute, gorgeous, but all she managed was "different"

"Is that why you are smiling because I am happy?" he said, all of sudden with a delighted look on his face.

"You look good when you are happy. You should smile often" she said with a smile, heading towards kitchen leaving him alone in her room.

Has ever your whole perspective of life, shift altogether, all of a sudden? Karthik's did. He knew Sindhu is making her way into his heart, but he never realized it to be this quick.

For the first time ever, he wasn't scared of the consequences; in fact, he was glad of the changes in him.

After dinner, they retired to their respective rooms saying goodbyes to each other.

Sindhu felt happy after a long time; she wished Karthik stayed like this. She wished he smiled more and behaved like a friend to her.

Before going to bed, she changed to a cute pink top and a Capri pajamas. Just when she was about to switch off the light, there was a knock on her door making her tense instantly.

She quickly opened the door and said hurriedly "Did something happen?"

Karthik looked surprised "W-H-A-T?"

She saw his surprised face and relaxed knowing he is fine "Um. You never c-came to my room. I thought something happened to----" She didn't complete 'you' but he understood that.

His face expression changed to that of realization as he added "Um fine. I was just wondering--"

"Do you want something?" she asked slowly, still blocking him from the entrance of her room.

He cleared his throat "Can I come in?"

Her eyes almost popped out of her sockets as she asked in a surprised tone "You want to come in?"

"Is there a problem?" he questioned awkwardly.

No. Not at all.. Except that I can pass out seeing you like this.

"No. Please welcome" she said sweetly.

What the heck are you doing? It's his house and you are welcoming him into his room?

When he sat down on her bed, she felt awkward and for the first time ever, speechless too.

"You are scaring me. Did something happen at work or someone hit your head" she added the last part in a teasing tone. She was glad something finally came out of her mouth.

He chuckled at that "No, I am completely fine. My head's alright too"

"Then?" She added, looking at him suspiciously.

"Um.. I-- I wanted---to-I---" He stuttered and his eyes moved to her legs and only then did he notice her night dress. She is looking damn cute in it. In fact, she is looking her age now. Not like the woman who has the weight of the world on her shoulders.

"What do you want to say Karthik?" she said, yawning while sitting opposite to him, on the bed.

"I wanted to say sorry for making you spend your money for house expenses" He finally blurted out making her gasp in surprise.

When she looked shocked and sat in silence, he added "I realized that you must have been spending money for us since we got married. So, why don't you--- um--- give your account details? I will send money to you" He said the last part in whisper, almost as if he's scared.

"Why? You don't think I am worthy to spend my money on you" she said sadly.

"No" he gave an instant reply "It's not that"

When she didn't look like she believed him, he added softly "Sindhu. I am not those men who feel superior and proud to take their wife's money"

"Then, why?"

"B-because I realized that I have been a bad hus-- person. I should help you in taking care of the house but I left you out. That's not right and I want to make up for it. It's my duty to take care of our house and ----" he really tried hard to say the word 'you' but he couldn't let it out.

"Still, I don't want your money" she said calmly, losing her anger and hurt. She liked the way he said our house.

"Our money" he reminded seriously.

Sindhu tried real hard to hide the surprise off her face. He is saying our again? Does that mean he wants to share his life with her, one day probably?

"Are you sure you didn't hit your head?" she asked in a teasing tone again and got a chuckle as a reply.

She felt him observe her but pretended to look around, feeling self-conscious by his gaze.

"You night dress is cute" His voice brought her out of her dreamy thoughts.

It wasn't until then did she notice her dress. She looked down at herself and felt embarrassed instantly.

Why should she wear the most pathetic and oldest one she had today? She groaned, mentally cringing at the reminder of the teddy bears on her dress.

He chuckled "It wasn't that bad, don't worry"

"At least I haven't worn my shorts" She whispered to herself.

"You wear shorts?" His surprised voice made her realize her idiocy to talk aloud when he's around.

She nodded shyly "Ya. But, I wear it only in the house. Why? Do you have a problem?"

She hoped he wasn't like most people around who judge women based on what they wear.

"Why would I? It's completely your wish" he replied very casually making her sigh in relief.

"But, I never saw you wearing one?" he asked curiously.

"I change before going to bed and immediately after getting up" She replied casually. She didn't feel comfortable wearing shorts in front of a man who is not her dad. Her dad never said a word about her choice of dressing but her mom was always on her back.

"Why are you smiling?" he asked coolly, with a tender look on his face.

"I am just remembering my mom and how she used to complain about my clothes"

"What did she do?" he asked smiling.

"You know I started wearing shorts at home only to irk her. I was never comfortable showing off----" she gulped not finding the right word while he bit his lip to stop smiling at her ignorance "---whatever. But, I used to have a Capri jeans which my mom never liked and she hid it from me once. I wanted to tease her and so I cut them with scissors making the jeans into shorts. You should have seen her face" she chuckled adding "I could literally see the steam coming out of her ears"

He smiled as he heard her "She always tried to be the one to tame me. It was not like she won't let me do what I like but she was more likely to be the one pulling me back since I will always have my dad's support"

"Do you miss them?" he asked softly, making her realize her dampened cheeks.

She averted her eyes away "Not much"

"It's ok. You are not weak if you cry" he said softly, putting an arm around her as he pulled her close to him.

Sindhu melted into his embrace and let the tears slide away. After a long time, she realized how much she missed not having them in her life.

"Sshhh!!! Don't worry too much.. You can always go there whenever you want or they can come here"

"Really?" She asked looking up from his chest, with moistened eyes.

He nodded before his eyes lit up "Why don't we go there this weekend? You and me"

"Sunday?" she asked slowly.

"No, Saturday"

"But you work on Saturdays" she said slowly, getting out of his embrace.

Karthik suddenly realized his working arrangements and groaned mentally. He has to make sure someone from his team worked on Saturdays from now on since he didn't mind spending time with his wife. He has to take care of that tomorrow; he has to tell his team of SEs to discuss among themselves about the new arrangement.

"I will make sure I am free on Saturday" He replied with a smile, making her relax.

After a few seconds of silence, she cleared her throat and said shyly "Don't tell anyone that I cried; especially my parents or Hemanth. They will laugh at me"

He smiled at that "Sure. Your secret's safe with me"

She didn't miss the tease in his voice "Hey!! If you said that to any of them, I am going to----um------ya! add tons of salt and chilly in your food"

"I won't take the risk" he stated, his eyes dancing with excitement.

She stuck her tongue childishly making him look at her with an amused smile.

God!! That smile, she thought dreamily. Just seeing him smiling at her, brought a stupid smile on her own face.

He frowned, still smiling at her making her realize what she is doing.

Wipe that ridiculous smile off your face, idiot. He is looking at you like you are a weird specimen from the museum.

When she shut her mouth, biting her insides to stop herself from smiling, she heard him "Um. Sindhu.. What are you doing?"

"Nothing" she said smiling, and then closed her mouth again.

"Are you sure?" he asked with a knowing look on his face.

"Ya, why?" she asked shrugging, trying to act casual.

"Nothing. You just----" he stopped himself from saying anything and smiled.

"I just what?"

"You are acting weirdly. One minute you are smiling and then you are not. What's happening with you? Are you alright?"

"Of course I am alright" Just a bit dazzled by you "Feeling a bit sleepy, that's it"

"I should go to sleep too" he said getting up, while she did the same.

When she reached the door to lock it, he turned back and held his hand to her "Friends?"

She grinned not bothering how she looked and took his hand shaking it "Friends"

"Good night" he said smiling and walked towards his room.

Even minutes after he left, Sindhu stayed there with that goofy smile still plastered on her face.

If being with Karthik is going to feel like this, then she wouldn't mind waiting another hundred years for him.

---

Thank you for reading...

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Do you still think he is not in love with his wife? :p :p

OK guys.. Here comes the time when I shamelessly promote my other book 'It's time to move on'. If you want to have a look at it, here's the link

https://www.wattpad.com/story/23920637-it%27s-time-to-move-on

It is a very cute love story of Anna and Jason; it has tons of humor and is completed. It is a story of friendship and love.

Thank you to all those people who read it already. 

- JANAKI S


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