As Sindhu gaped at them in horror, Karthik cleared his throat snapping her out of her terror filled thoughts.

"Uh... Um.. Hi" Sindhu replied, trying to look excited though she was sure she looked like a lost puppy right now.

"Hi" Tulasi said, giving a small smile.

Wow. She is very beautiful. No wonder he still loves her, Sindhu thought dryly.

"Please come in" she said softly, remembering that she has to be polite to the guest.

When they stepped in, she quickly went to kitchen to bring water.

"Chilled or plain?" she asked, coming back with a Tupperware water bottle and a glass of plain water.

"Chilled please" Tulasi replied, taking the bottle from her hand.

"Do you want water?" she asked, looking at Karthik who was lost in his thoughts.

He turned to her "No, thank you"

She nodded, lowering her head as million doubts crept in her mind.

Why is she back? Wasn't she married? And what did Karthik mean by saying she is going to stay with them? Will she be here forever? Is he going to marry her too?

The last thought dreaded her. Oh no!! I don't want to share him with another wo--

"Thank you" Tulasi's voice brought her out of her ridiculous thoughts.

She nodded taking the bottle from her hand "Please be seated"

She went back to kitchen to bring something to eat as Tulasi looked fatigued and weak.

"Eat this" Sindhu placed a plate of wheat biscuits on the teepoy while slicing apple and adding the pieces to the plate.

"It's ok. I don't--"

"You look tired. Have something" she interjected before Tulasi denied.

Tulasi gave a sad smile nodding "Thanks"

Sindhu saw Karthik observe the two of them from the corner of her eye. She really wanted to know what happened to Tulasi who looked like she's lost a battle.

Clearing his throat, Karthik started slowly "Sindhu. Come to m--our room"

Our room?

She nodded following him to his room where he locked the door behind them.

"Um.. You know who she is, right?" he asked slowly, looking like he's scared of her answer.

"Of course I do. She was your girlfriend" she said nonchalantly.

He nodded "Um. So----is it ok with you if she stayed?"

Really? You ask that question after bringing her home? After announcing that she will be staying with us? She wanted to say all of that; instead she replied "It's your house. Why are you even---"

"OUR. I told you our house" he replied seriously.

She rolled her eyes "Whatever. So, will you tell me what happened to her? Why is she like that?"

He sighed "It's a long story"

"Make it short; she is all alone there"

He blew out a breath "Problems with her in-laws family regarding dowry. Her parents gave a site to them during her wedding but it was occupied illegally by some politician. Her in laws now want her parents to give the money since they lost the land"

"What can she do about it?" she asked angrily.

"That's what she told them but they sent her back to her parents' house. She is only allowed if she came back with that money which she doesn't have"

"What about her husband? He did nothing?"

"I don't know about him" Karthik replied dryly.

Oh!! Touchy subject.

Karthik cleared his throat "She is back here to find herself a job"

"Oh!! Ok then I will go--"

He pulled her elbow before she left "There's one more thing"

She frowned "What?"

He bit his bottom lip as if thinking hard before his eyes met hers "Um.. You have to share this room with me since she will need yours"

Her eyes widened but she quickly recovered seeing his expression. He didn't want to stay with her before. Now, he is asking her to.

Only because he wants his girlfriend in the other room, her subconscious chided arrogantly.

"Should I shift my clothes here?" she asked slowly to which she got a nod as a reply.

"I can help if you want" he offered politely.

"No thanks, I can manage. You have free space in your wardrobe, right?"

He nodded and headed back to the living to be with Tulasi while she returned to her room. She dumped her clothes in empty bags before carrying them to his room. She shifted all her clothes from hers to his in five attempts and closed the door behind her to start arranging them in her new wardrobe.

She was folding her clothes when she heard Karthik enter "You brought everything?"

She nodded just as his gaze shifted to her opened bag of lingerie. Sindhu instantly placed herself between his bed and him, seeing that.

She turned to him just as he averted his eyes.

Gosh!! This is so embarrassing.

She was calling herself a hundred names in her head until she saw him blush, making all other thoughts rush away from her mind.

He is blushing? She mentally 'Awwww'ed seeing his reaction

He cleared his throat "Um I-I want---"

"Why are you here?" she asked, holding back her smile.

"I forgot" He blurted out, lowering his head as he blushed more when his gaze landed on something on the floor.

"Is this yours?" he asked, holding out a pink camisole at her.

She quickly pulled it away from his hand and hid it behind her "Of course it's mine. Do you have a pink----" she stopped herself before blurting out something stupid.

This time it was her turn to blush as he smirked at her embarrassment.

"Do you remember why you are here?" she asked finally, still with her lowered head.

"Um, yeah. I came to ask if I can tell her to occupy that room" he said, looking like he's enjoying her reaction.

"Fine then. Help her get settled and don't come back for another 15 minutes" she said the last part firmly.

He chuckled "Sure"

This time she locked the door and continued arranging her clothes until all she was left with, were her empty bags and of course, the two other filled bags which she couldn't unpack due to space constraints.

After that, she switched on TV and started cooking while humming to the song played in the background.

"You need help?" Karthik offered, smiling.

"No, it's fine" she replied, stirring contents in the pan.

"So, how is she?" She slowly started, wanting to start a conversation even if it's about his ex.

"I don't know. She says she is fine but I don't think she is"

She sighed "How did you meet her?"

"I went to Secunderabad on Ravi's work since he is not in town and saw her there"

"You must have felt really bad seeing her like that" she said sadly. It killed her to say that but she did it anyways, knowing it's true.

He raised his eyes before nodding slightly "She was very strong once. I feel like I am looking at a different person altogether"

"She will be fine, don't worry" she replied, patting his shoulder lightly. She can't imagine the pain he is going through seeing the love of his life like that.

He frowned at her reply but said nothing.

Soon, the three of them joined for dinner and as usual Sindhu started chatting animatedly. Karthik was impressed with the way his wife tried to lift Tulasi's spirits as he saw her smile a couple of times.

He was scared initially of what Sindhu might think of him bringing her. He anticipated her shock but he didn't expect her cordial welcome. No women in her right mind would accept her husband bringing another woman; that too someone who shared a history with.

"I want to talk to Sindhu. Alone" Tulasi informed, after dinner.

Sindhu frowned, confused at the turn of events "Sure"

Karthik left the living when Tulasi gestured Sindhu to come out to the balcony.

"Thanks for doing this. It really means a lot" Tulasi confessed, looking at her warmly.

"It's nothing" Sindhu replied shyly.

"No, it's not. I know how difficult this must be for you. I saw the way you look at him"

Sindhu's chest tightened. What does she mean by that?

"I wanted to tell you one thing" Tulasi started, looking ahead "I am not here for your husband. I know how it must have seemed to you seeing me at your doorstep. Yes, we shared a past but it's all buried in the past"

Her words relaxed Sindhu instantly as she asked "Do you love your husband?"

"Yes, I do" Tulasi said with a sad smile.

"I am sorry if I am being intrusive but why didn't your husband convince his family about you"

"It's that way in his family. The control is in my mother-in law's hands and everyone should listen to her including him"

"People are still like that? In 21st century?"

"You'd be surprised how narrow minded few people can be, even in this era"

Sindhu scoffed "I hope I don't meet people of that sort"

She smiled "I hope you don't too"

"Let's go inside. Your husband might be worried about you" Tulasi added.

Yeah, that will happen in another lifetime; he might be sleeping already.

She said good night to Tulasi and headed to her new room where Karthik was already sleeping.

Told ya, he wouldn't wait.

Sighing, she sat on the bed and stared at him sleeping peacefully.

Is it creepy to observe your husband while sleeping? She hoped not.

She brushed his hair away from his forehead when she heard him suddenly "What are you doing?"

Sindhu hitched up from the bed, clutching her heart.

SHIT.

Karthik looked at her with a playful smile "What are you doing?"

What the hell. What to answer now?

Divert his attention RIGHT NOW.

"I -- You are awake" she squeaked, trying to hide the surprise off her voice.

"Yes, I am. Now answer my question" he said firmly, trying to hold back his smile.

"Um.. I - I-- Huh!! You have hair all over your face. I-- I- was checking if you are asleep or awake"

"Really?" he asked as if he didn't believe her, with that secret smile still on his face.

"Yes" This time she managed to give a firm reply.

"Fine then. Sleep, it's been a long day to me" he said, scooting to his right so as to give her space.

She lied down just as he pulled the comforter over her.

"You won't change?" He asked, looking at her clothes.

She yawned "I will pass that for today. I am very tired"

He smiled "Will you tell me what the two of you discussed?"

She raised her eyebrows "You think I am going to tell you that?"

He groaned "Fine then. Good night"

"Good night" she mumbled, smiling to herself.

Karthik closed his eyes wishing everything stayed normal like this; between them. He knew she was stroking his hair just like he did hers few days back. If only he could shut that stupid mouth of his, he would've known how long she watched him.

Did she look at him, the same way he did? He hoped so.

---

Thank you guys for reading. 

Please Vote, Comment and Share

I'd love to hear what you think of this chapter. 

Did you like the cute moments between Karthik and Sindhu?

And what do you think of Tulasi by the way.

A pic of Tulasi is attached.

And yes, have a great weekend..

- JANAKI S