Since I didn't write a chapter about Sindhu and Karthik's wedding rituals, I attached this video which gives an overview of how they would have been(Andhra style); sans the cinematic part. (The couple in the video are not the people I cast as Sindhu and Karthik)

I couldn't find one with English subtitles but I hope you try watching this one because it's so cute and almost accurate.

The last chap of this story :( and probably the longest. I tried to make it a bit more romantic for you guys. I hope you enjoy this one *fingers crossed*

An image of Sindhu in her sky blue saree is also added.

---

"Why are you dull?" Karthik asked Sindhu who was gazing ahead, lost in thoughts.

She looked at him sadly "My aunt is sick. And there's no one to take care of her"

He stayed silent for a few seconds before speaking "If you want to go to her, I won't stop you"

A hopeful look crossed her face as she said "Can I go then?" he nodded with a smile "What about you? Can you stay alone?"

"I don't think I can" Seeing her sad look, he added quickly "But I can manage"

"Karthik. I won't go if you aren't comfortable---"

"Sindhu. I meant that I'd miss you. But, your aunt is more important at present. You are the only person who can help her since her daughters aren't here to take care of her" he explained patiently.

"You are right. And I'd miss you too. This is the first time we will be staying apart after your goddamn Gurgaon Project trip." She said casually, forgetting the time she ran away to Goa leaving him.

"Keep your phone with you all the time and answer my calls. You won't miss me then" He teased, reminding the time she left her phone aside and was upset at him for not calling her "So, shall I check for Goa flights then?"

"I guess" she answered with a shrug.

****

Two days before Karthik's birthday, Sindhu returned from Goa but still had no idea how to persuade him to wear the clothes she bought for him. After he went to office the next day, she went to groceries store to get everything for the big day as she invited their parents for Lunch; for the first time.

She baked a Chocolate Cake for him and kept the remaining batter she left to make a Vanilla Cake for the next day in Fridge, as he loved the last time she prepared it.

With no ideas about how to convince Karthik, she sent a message to Tulasi asking her help. Like always, she managed to ignite something in her mind and a thought struck her. It's not great but she hoped it will work.

/*To read their full conversation, go to Chapter 10 of Tulasi's story*/

She made Karthik stay up with her until midnight watching 'DDLJ'.

"Happy birthday" she yelled, placing a long hard kiss on his cheek when the clock struck 12.

"Thank you" he answered with a grin, wiping the wetness off his cheek with the back of his hand.

"I will get the cake" she said excitedly, leaving the kitchen just as he took a call from Ravi who wished him 'Happy Birthday' sleepily, followed by Swetha.

"Ta-Da" Sindhu announced, bringing the cake carefully from the kitchen.

"Wow. It looks so good. You prepared it?" he exclaimed in surprise.

"Yup. All I did was bake" she said, a little disappointed by herself but quickly fitted a smile on her face seeing his intrigued reaction.

"What happened?" he asked calmly, his forehead creasing.

"Nothing. It's just that it's your birthday and I wish I could do something more but given the circumstances I--" she stopped mid-sentence, feeling sad.

"This is more than enough. I know what you are going through. You do so much for me. I don't understand why you think--"

"No Karthik. What you did for me that day was special. This is nothing when compared to it" she replied dryly, with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Shut up" he said hoarsely "Let me cut the cake first so that I can taste it and praise your excellent baking skills"

"Here's the knife" she said, placing a knife in his hand and lighted a candle on the cake.

"Is that necessary?" he said with a smirk, implying the candle.

"Of course. Make a wish and blow it" she answered, the excitement returning.

Let my life be like this. Forever.

Karthik prayed before blowing off the candle and sliced the cake with his knife.

"Am I supposed to eat or let you have this piece?" he said with a smirk as he gazed at her with the slice of cake in his hand.

She took a bite from it and fed the remaining in his mouth while he complained that he can't eat the whole of it. What was left in her hand was painted all over his face. Instantly, Karthik took another slice from the cake and ran after her for revenge.

And thus began the first cake war he ever had.

"Please Karthik, no." Sindhu shrieked, laughing when he dodged her attempts and pinned her hands behind her.

He gave a long swipe on her left hand side of face with the cake piece in his hands.

"I will get pimples. Please no more Karthik" she said, giggling at his soft and sensuous touch.

"I will let you go. But promise that no more cake on my face" he said, unable to stop himself from grinning at the look on her face.

"I promise" Seeing his smirk, she added "I mean it; promise"

When he released her hands, both of them slumped onto the couch, exhausted.

"That was so much fun" Karthik said, exhaling a long breath.

"Don't tell me you never had it" Seeing his look, she asked in shock "You never had a cake war? Like never?"

He shook his head "My mom would always cook what I liked for my birthday but we never had midnight birthday celebrations. The only friend I had was Ravi and he knew that I don't prefer going out at midnights for any sort of celebrations"

"What about Tulasi? She was your girlfriend. She must have done something for you"

He smirked "You think she would travel an hour from her flat to my house at 12 AM? We used to celebrate with the team. All of us would go for lunch and they would make me cut the cake but it was nothing like this; we behaved like professionals"

"But I like this one better" he added seeing her pout.

"I could get used to this" he said, snuggling into her neck while wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Sometimes I wonder how different we are; from each other" Sindhu said with a long sigh "You are shy and calm. Totally opposite to me"

"I am not shy" he defended, raising to sit straight. Seeing her look, he added instantly "At least not with you"

"Yeah, right" she said slowly, lowering her gaze onto her lap "Does it make me selfish if I feel happy that only I get to see you like that. Your funny, charming and teasing side is only for me; like I need not share you with anyone in this whole wide world"

He smiled tracing her lip with his thumb finger and leant forward to reach her lips. She met him halfway and the familiar passion ignited them as they touched each other intimately. Her hands were all over his torso before settling at his t-shirt's collar while his' ran up and down her spine, under her tank top.

He pulled away from her lips and continued placing sweet kisses on her face when he heard her "Ewww Karthik.. Stop licking the cake off my face. It's so--- gross"

He chuckled seeing the mock look of disgust on her face "But it tastes better off your skin"

She flustered "Karthik-you- are--"

Seeing her blushing, he said with a smirk "And you say I am the shy one"

"Only with you" she whispered as he pulled her close to his chest.

"You smell so good. Like cake and co--"

"Coconuts" she completed "I know. That's because I use--"

"Nivea Coconut blah blah blah. I know" he said with a smug look making her laugh loudly.

"Shush!! It's late. We might wake---"

"Shit. I totally forgot" she said, face palming herself.

"We must have made lot of noise until now. It won't even surprise me if we awakened the whole township" he said in a low voice and she got up taking the cake from the teepoy.

"Right. Do you want another piece?" Seeing his smirk, she added instantly "to eat"

"No, tomorrow" he replied and she took the leftover to the kitchen while he went to the bathroom to wash his face.

When she returned, he pulled her onto his lap making her gasp in surprise and spoke softly "Thank you Sindhu. For everything"

He had a tender look on his face and it warmed her heart "It's nothing"

"Don't say it's nothing. I still remember everything I did to you" he said, looking a bit guilty "If you had lost hope or left me, I wouldn't have enjoyed something this magical. I owe you"

"You owe me nothing" she said with a groan.

"I wouldn't---"

She silenced him by pressing her lips to his and they were lost in each other, once again. He continued showering kisses down her face and she held him tightly, amazed by his passion.

His lips found hers again and an involuntary sigh escaped her mouth making him say "Bedroom?"

She opened her eyes and found him gazing at her, panting slightly "Now?"

When he nodded, she said "It's late"

"Good thing I am not going to office tomorrow then" he said with a smirk.

She found it hard to speak with her harsh breathing but nodded nevertheless as an answer and together they tried getting up when they noticed the position they were in.

Sindhu got up blushing, seeing herself on his lap, almost straddling him.

He only chuckled, enjoying her reaction.

Karthik got up from the couch, giving his hand to her who hesitated "What happened Sindhu?"

"I better wash my face. There's so much cake on me" she said, flushing a bit and he laughed.

"Go on then. I will be--waiting" he said, leaving the room before giving an amused grin.

****

Karthik loved waking up to his wife kissing him. As her familiar hot breath touched his face, he smiled enjoying her soft lips all over his face; his eye lids, between his eyes, forehead, nose, cheeks, chin & lips.

He moaned in appreciation when she ran her fingers through his hair, tugging them gently.

"I wish every day is my birthday" He mumbled with a bright smile, opening his eyes finally.

She chuckled, kissing his nose "Happy birthday"

"Thank you. But, you already wished me yester-I mean today morning"

"Hmm. It feels like a different day" she said softly "Get up. I have a surprise for you"

"What surprise?" he asked, getting up enthusiastically.

"I invited our parents. They will be here any minute now"

"Why did you? We could've spent all day on bed. That would be the best birthday ever" he said sulkily.

"Even if they aren't here, we cannot spent all day on bed" she reminded.

"Shit. I forgot. You are right. Let me get ready quickly then"

He opened his wardrobe hastily and placed the new set of clothes he bought at Hyderabad central on his bed. Taking a blue turkey towel, he scurried towards the bathroom.

After he left, Sindhu quickly hid his clothes and opened the bags she bought for him. She laid out all of them on their bed and waited for him to return from bath.

"What are these?" Karthik asked in confusion, tightening the knot on his towel when he found clothes splayed neatly on the bed "Where is the bag I kept here?"

"I locked it away. You are wearing one of these" Sindhu said casually, hoping against all odds that he agrees to her.

"What are these?" he said, walking towards them for a closer look "How did you get these?"

Seeing her look, he added quickly "You bought them?"

She nodded making him continue "Why? I do not wear these kind of---"

He trailed off not knowing how to deny her request without hurting her "When did you buy them? You never went anywhere without me unless the-wait, those bags in Hyderabad Central. You bought clothes for me? They were not for you?"

She nodded silently and his eyes narrowed at her "I should have known. I was confused why you had so many bags when I got a message that you only spent 3K"

"Karthik. I want to see you in them" she said, getting to the point directly.

"These are not my type Sindhu" Gazing at the black jacket, he added "I cannot wear them. I like being in formal clothes"

"Please, this one time. You are young. Why do you want to dress up like a 50 year old uncle?"

He glared at her "I do not dress like a 50 year old"

"Listen to me please. This one time. If you don't like it, I will never ask you again"

"Why are you insisting me to do something that I don't fancy? Don't you like the way I am?"

Her face saddened "Of course I do. I only wanted to see you in something different than usual"

She slouched on the bed, looking somber and he sat beside her calmly. She threw her arms around his neck and sighed onto his shoulder while he wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her hair.

"I wanted to see them on you" she said sulkily.

"I know" he said gently.

Tightening her hold on him, she said softly "So, you won't wear them?"

When he shook his head slightly, she kissed the area his neck and shoulder connected and bit it gently "Not even if I do this?"

He stiffened and clenched his hand into a fist, understanding her plan but shook his head nonetheless.

"Or this?" she said, kissing her way up his neck.

"Sindhu!!" he exclaimed and she pushed them onto the bed with all her force with her on top of him.

"You cannot torture me like this" he whined and she smirked.

"You should listen to me then" she said huskily as she continued her trail of kisses down his chin.

"I am only in my towel" he finally said and she looked at him with a smug look.

"Makes it all better. Don't you think?" she asked innocently and he groaned in frustration.

"You said our parents will be here" he tried a different tactic.

"Yes. Don't you think you should be ready by the time they are here?"

"Sindhu. Don't tempt me. I will throw you aside if you don't move. You know I can do that"

"You can but you won't" she said with a coy smile.

"How can you say that?"

"Because I trust you. I know you cannot hurt me; even if you want to"

He gazed at her tenderly, locking his eyes with hers as he said "Why do you always think the best of me?"

"Karthik. I want you to wear them" she said, diverting the topic.

"And I told you I won't"

"Please. Why don't you try for me?" she requested and he shook his head stubbornly.

"Fine. If you won't wear them today, I will never let you near me" she said sternly.

He smirked "You think staying away from me is that easy? I know that you can't withstand me."

This time it was her turn to groan in irritation.

This is going nowhere and she has no time to plead him.

"Fine. How about we make a deal?" she said, resorting to her last idea.

"What deal?" he asked curiously.

"That deal where I wake you up every day like today, until your next birthday and you wear the things I bought for you"

"You mean you'll wake me up with your kisses?" he said calmly, thinking about her idea.

"Yeah" she said timidly.

"For a year?" he asked, as a smile started forming on his face and she nodded.

After much deliberation, he finally said "Fine then. I will wear them"

"Really? YES!! YES!! YES!!" she squealed excitedly, kissing all over his face and a grin stretched across his face seeing her reaction.

"Now will you put an end to my torture and give me a proper kiss?" he said with a playful smile and she nodded, kissing him on the lips.

"Get ready quickly" she said, giving him a peck before leaving the room.

When she returned, she found him in a white shirt and pale blue torn jeans looking very hot.

"O---kay. I guess I look good then" he said with a smirk understanding the look on her face.

"You look very handsome. Like--" Her mouth suddenly turned dry and she stopped, forgetting what she meant to say.

He chuckled with a knowing look and ran his fingers through his hair to set it properly.

"Leave it the way it is" she suggested "You look good like that"

He smiled, observing her intently as if he's trying to read her mind and she looked away.

"Why didn't you wear the jacket?" she asked, trying to shift his concentration from her.

"In this hot climate? Are you serious?" he replied, momentarily distracted.

She shrugged and he continued "The other shirts are nice too but I can't wear them in summer. I promise I will; once this season passes"

She nodded with a smile and he added "The same thing goes for the goggles too. I will wear them when we go out"

"What are you doing?" she exclaimed in surprise when she found him strapping his usual watch onto his wrist.

"What happened?"

She checked her bags and pulled out a box "Wear this"

"You bought me a watch? Wow. But, what's wrong with mine?"

"It is good. On my grandfather" she added the last part sarcastically and he glared at her.

"What's wrong with it? It's a Titan Edge watch"

"A leather belt? Seriously? At your age, you should wear this" she said gesturing to the sports watch in her hand "There's still a lot of time for you to wear that Titan Edge"

"Fine" he grumbled "I am only wearing this because I liked it. You have a good taste"

"Is that almost a Thank you?"

He chuckled "Fine, thank you. But tell me, how much did you spend from your savings money?"

"I thought our money?" she said raising her eyebrows.

"Fine. Our" he said complacently.

"What are all these dials for?" he asked, noticing the three circles in the dial when she was strapping it on his wrist.

"Who knows? Your guess is as good as mine. I thought it will look good on you and purchased it"

"You are as dumb as me" he predicted.

"I never told you I am smart" she said with a smirk noticing the watch on his wrist.

"I know" He said playfully and she pouted at him, before walking away.

"Wait Sindhu" He kissed her when she turned to him with a frown.

"What's that for?" she asked softly when he pulled away and connected their foreheads.

"Because when you entered the room, you had 'I-want-to-kiss-you-right-now-dammit' look on your face" he said with a smug smile and she blushed.

"Shut up" she said reproachfully "I didn't have that look"

"Yes, you did" he said with a knowing look "In fact, you still do"

She blushed more, but finally managed to retort "I do not"

"You so do"

"No, I do not"

When they heard a door bell, he said instantly "I will get the door. You get ready"

She nodded and he gave a short kiss on her lips before heading out of the room.

Karthik welcomed his in-laws into his house who wished him 'Happy birthday' as they entered and placed a gift in his hands.

"Umm thanks" he said timidly, feeling weird taking a gift from them.

"When are your parents coming?" Sindhu's dad, Prasad asked him.

"I don't know. It was Sindhu who planned it as a surprise" he muttered quietly.

"Speaking of which, where is she?"

"She is getting ----" Karthik stopped, seeing his wife arrive into the living in a sky blue color saree, looking gorgeous. She was sexy in a way but cute too and it took all of his strength to stay fixed on the couch. His hands were dying to touch her and he felt a sudden raise in the temperature which had nothing to do with the summer climate.

His mother-in-law stood up from her seat and looked at her incredulously "What are you wearing Sindhu? A sleeveless blouse? When your in-laws are coming to your house? Go change your clothes quickly before they are here"

Sindhu rolled her eyes "Mom!! They don't mind it"

"You are insane. Who will wear---"

"Auntie" Karthik interrupted "It's fine. She looks good in it. My parents really don't mind"

Sindhu sent a grateful look to him and announced "Karthik's parents won't be here until another hour. Let's have breakfast"

"It's ok. Let's wait for them" Sindhu's mom insisted.

"Mom!! Auntie said they won't be here for breakfast. Now, go wash your hands" she said the last part in a bossy tone.

As they sat together on the dining table, Sindhu served idly and dosa to each of them before taking another plate and filled it with food. Instead of sitting along with them, she took the plate towards the guest bedroom; the same room where she stayed when things were not fine between Sindhu and Karthik, the same room where Tulasi stayed when she lived with them.

"Who is in there?" Sindhu's dad asked curiously when he saw her return.

"I will tell you but you have to promise that you won't shout" she said calmly.

Sindhu didn't want to do this today; on Karthik's birthday. But, she had no choice.

"Who is it?" Her dad demanded.

"A few days ago I got a call that auntie is not well" Seeing her dad's confused look, she added "By auntie, I meant Aunt Padma"

"Sindhu!!!"

"Listen Dad. When I went to her, she was all alone in a hospital after having a surgery. No one was there to take care of her. The doctor advised her to not do household work or any kind of work for a month. She should be careful for at least three months"

When Prasad didn't say a word, she said calmly "I couldn't leave her there dad. She had no one to take care of her"

"That's all her doing if she had no one there" he spat bitterly.

Sindhu looked at him furiously "So, you mean to say she has to die all alone there?"

"I didn't mean that" he defended and after a few seconds of silence, he asked "What surgery?"

"She had some gynec problem and her uterus was removed. Half way through the surgery, they realized they had to remove her appendix and so she had appendicitis operation too"

"How is she now?"

"She stays in her room all day, cannot walk fast because of the abdominal pain but otherwise, she is fine" she said calmly "I think you should check on her"

"If she is unwell doesn't mean I will forget everything happened" her dad said angrily.

"Dad! I am not asking you to forget everything. I am just saying to go talk to her once. Don't you think it's your duty as her big brother?"

"She never--"

"If she was a bad sister does not mean you have to be a bad brother too. Don't you want a closure? Aren't you curious to know why she did what she did?" she yelled.

"She betrayed us, that's what she did" he said angrily.

"If you do not talk to her when you have the chance" she said through gritted teeth "you will take a lifetime of regret to your grave"

Prasad gazed at his stubborn daughter in frustration before nodding unwillingly.

He was hesitant as he entered the room and almost retraced his steps back but seeing Sindhu's firm look, continued forward.

"I will come outside to wash my hands Sindhu. I can walk --" Padma's words got lost, seeing her brother after more than two decades.

"Are you fine?" Prasad asked slowly and she only nodded, looking horrified. He walked to her bed where she sat against the head board and asked slowly "Umm How are your daughters?"

"They are fine" she replied, not believing what she was seeing "Naina is married while Arohi is still studying"

He nodded not saying a word feeling awkward when she added "I am sorry. I apologize for everything"

"Do you think that will be enough? A simple sorry?" his tone sounded a bit too bitter.

A tear fell down her cheek as she said "I know you hold me responsible for our father's death and I don't blame you. I blame myself too"

"You could have said you loved someone. Instead you chose to elope with that guy" he said dryly.

"When I told our father that I don't like the marriage he set up--"

"What do you mean you told our father? He didn't know about your love---"

"He did. I told him" When Prasad looked at her disbelievingly, she added "When he said he fixed my marriage, I told him that I love someone else and can't marry the person he chose. Knowing that Anand was not from our caste, he said he will never let me marry a lower caste guy like him"

"I pleaded that I cannot marry any other guy apart from him but he shouted that it will never happen. And I had to run away"

"Why didn't you tell me about him?" Prasad asked, looking absolutely stunned by her confession "You could have said that you didn't want to marry the person our father chose. I would have--"

"I was scared. Scared that you will say the same too. So I pretended to father that I will forget Anand and marry the person of his choice. That way I wasn't imprisoned and it gave me a chance to escape our village"

"I didn't expect him to kill himself though" she sobbed and Prasad wrapped his arms around his sister, crying along with her.

"I am sorry" he said after a long time "I blamed you for everything"

"It's ok" she replied, hiccuping with tears still flowing down and Sindhu handed a glass of water to her, before leaving the room with a teary smile.

"Everything alright?" Karthik asked, when he saw her walk into the living.

"Hi auntie. Uncle. When did you come?" Sindhu asked, noticing her in-laws sitting with her husband on the couch and the chair.

"Just a few minutes. How did everything go?" her mother-in law Seetha asked curiously.

"Perfect" she grinned and Karthik sighed in relief.

"I will get to the cooking arrangements" she said, strolling into the kitchen and they nodded.

Karthik switched on TV, smiling to himself which didn't go unnoticed by his parents.

"So, Karthik" His dad started casually "Don't you want a birthday gift?"

"You got me a gift?" he asked excitedly and his mom nodded giving him a jewelry box.

He opened enthusiastically and found a ring in it that had 'KS' initials on it.

He chuckled noting their initials and tried it on his ring finger "Thank you"

"Didn't you see what Sindhu's parents gave you?" His mom asked curiously.

He took the box from the teepoy and opened it with excitement.

"It feels so good opening presents" He said as he worked on removing the gift wrap. He found a gold neck chain with his initial K as a locket and grinned, absolutely loving it.

His parents gazed at him with a delighted smile as they saw him looking at his gifts like a kid. Karthik didn't have siblings or friends which made him spend most of his life like a loner and though, they liked having him totally to themselves, it tugged their hearts sometimes seeing other kids with friends.

"What did Sindhu get you" Seetha asked and added as an afterthought "Apart from the dress you wore"

"How did you--" He stopped; realizing that his mother knew what kind of clothes he preferred "A couple of other shirts, goggles and oh yeah, this watch"

"You look very good today. I never knew my son can be this handsome" Seetha teased, observing the watch on his hand "How did she persuade you to wear these? You never listened to us. Or Ravi"

Karthik blushed, remembering everything she did to him that morning, until he finally relented. His parents gazed at each other with a smirk as they observed the look on his face.

"She um convinced me properly" he finally said, seeing the looks of knowing smiles on his parents' faces.

"And how did she do that?" His dad asked, trying very hard not to smile.

"Dad!!" He said, obviously understanding his father's attempts.

"What? We are curious" he defended himself before calling out "Sindhu!!"

"Dad!! Why are you doing this to me?" he shrieked in horror.

"Uncle? Do you want something?" Sindhu asked walking towards them while patting her wet hands with a napkin.

"Yes" He started with a mischievous smile "We want to know what you did-I mean said to Karthik that made him do something we have been asking him for years"

When she looked at him in confusion, he added "His new look. We want to know how you changed him"

Just like Karthik, she blushed instantly and fought to find the right words as she gazed at the three of them "Um- Uh- I- um- convinced him that-um-it will be worthy-eh--that he will be good"

Karthik's parents looked at her with a smirk while her husband looked just like her and she quickly added "Excuse me. I have to check the curry"

With a flaming face, she left the room trying to digest what just happened. His parents obviously knew some kind of catch concerning her was involved.

Once Sindhu left, Karthik's parents roared in laughter and he groaned seeing their reaction.

This is no way to humiliate me, Karthik thought glumly.

When his parents' attention shifted to the movie playing on TV, he sighed relieved by their change of mood. He never knew they can be this embarrassing.

After a while, Sindhu's parents joined them with Padma and soon the house turned boisterous; full of energy and noise.

All of them were deep in conversation, discussing about the exuberance of old films and how the new ones lacked the soul when Karthik slipped away quietly.

"Busy?" he greeted his wife, wrapping his arms around her bare stomach, hugging her from behind.

"What are you doing here?" she asked as she continued working on the icing of the cake.

"Bored by their discussions" he said sulkily and she chuckled "Why are you making another cake?"

"Don't you want to cut a cake in the evening?" she said with a smirk.

"No. Please. It will be very embarrassing if they sang Happy Birthday to me" he said, kissing her ear.

"Fine. But what the hell are you doing? What if someone comes?" she mumbled in a whisper.

"Everyone is busy" he hinted, placing soft kisses down her neck.

"Karthik!!" she said disbelievingly "We will get caught"

"I don't care. I am discomfited enough already. I just want to kiss my wife"

"Wow. That's--" she stopped, unable to find the right word amazed by his kisses.

"What's gotten into you? You are very romantic today" she said, when he didn't stop his alluring kisses.

"Hmm. Let me think. I just had a mind blowing night and an amazing morning. And my wife is looking very beautiful today but there's absolutely nothing I can do about it"

She chuckled "The day is not over yet Mr. Karthik Narayan"

"And I loved every bit of it Mrs. Karthik Narayan; except the part where my parents had those complacent smiles on their faces"

"Now leave me" she said struggling out of his arms "We don't want another recap of what happened before"

This time, he complied "You are right. I better go. But--"

Seeing his playful smile, she placed a kiss on his cheek and said "Now leave"

"Thanks" he said with a grin, turning towards the door where he found his mother gazing at them with a smirk on her face.

"What are you doing here mom?" he asked irratedly.

"Just thinking why is it always me who gets to run into your romantic escapades"

"Because it's only you who pokes---"

Sindhu shouted "Karthik!!"

"Fine I will go" he spat with irritation lacing his voice as he strode away.

"Does it make me sadistic if I enjoy torturing him?" Seetha mumbled, gaping at his retreating self with that smug look still plastered on her face.

"Do you want something Auntie?" Sindhu said shyly, embarrassed that she caught them again.

"No. I only came to help you. Where is Chicken? Your mother said you don't know how to cook"

"It's OK. Mom said she will do it. You carry on--"

"Nonsense. I can help you too. Leave your mother alone for today. She is busy talking with your aunt" she said firmly and Sindhu smiled, thinking that she got the world's best mother-in-law.

"Thanks auntie. Do you fancy having a Chocolate Cake? I made one yesterday" she said, opening the fridge to retrieve the cake.

"Fine. I am sure it will be mind blowing or amazing"

Sindhu almost dropped the cake in her hand, hearing her comment. Her teasing tone was proof enough that she heard everything and probably seen too.

She groaned mentally, unable to stop herself from blushing.

I take it back. She is not the best mother in law.

As the day progressed, Sindhu's parents were totally involved in knowing how Padma's life had been all these years. While Karthik and his father discussed about pressing family matters, Sindhu and Seetha worked in kitchen for the lunch arrangements.

After lunch that afternoon, everyone resorted to what they were doing earlier. At 4 in the evening, Karthik's parents left their house before Seetha said 'Thank you' to Sindhu and kissed her forehead.

An hour later, Sindhu's parents announced that they have to leave too. It surprised her when her dad said that he wants to take his sister to his house to take care of her until she is fine. Though she wanted her aunt to stay at her house, she agreed to him thinking that this would help them bridge the gap that developed over the years.

Once the house was deserted with only the two of them, Karthik said in excitement "This is the best birthday I ever had"

"I am glad" Sindhu replied with a smile, sitting beside him on the couch.

"Did you guess in the morning that your dad will take your aunt with him?"

"No, I was worried that he might not want to talk to her or worse yell at her without caring about her condition. In fact, I was more worried that I will spoil your precious birthday"

"Everything turned out well. Isn't it?"

"Yeah. Except, of course your mom's teasing. Do you know that she saw everything? Or at least the part where you confessed about your morning and night"

He scoffed "Really? I thought she only saw you kissing me. Uggh!! That must have been embarrassing"

"It was" she agreed.

They were silent for a few minutes before Karthik leapt out of his seat, giving his hand to her "We have to discuss something important"

She frowned but followed him, nevertheless

"What happened Karthik?" she asked eagerly, when she found him staring at the setting sun.

"My dad and I had a discussion this afternoon and he wants to relocate to Vizag" he said nervously.

"Why?"

"Because he is retired now and wants to go back to his hometown. All these days he stayed here for me but now that he is assured I will be fine with you, he wants to-- go"

"Oh. And you are worried because they will be alone there?"

He shook his head "I am worried about your reaction when you know my decision"

"You want to settle in Vizag" she completed for him and he nodded.

"We won't go immediately of course" he added, scared of her reaction "There are no job opportunities as of now with the state partition but in the next 5 years, there will be. The city is going to be an IT Hub because of the efficient government there"

"And you were worried to tell me this because?"

"Because I was afraid you wouldn't want to leave your parents and the city you grew up"

"Karthik" she began patiently "I agree that I don't like to stay away from my parents but I am married now and you are my husband. The place you live is the place I am going to call my home"

"So, you are not angry?" he asked, relieved by her answer.

"Of course I am not. In fact, if you haven't taken this decision after your dad's confession, I would have been upset with you. You have a duty as a son and I will never stop you from that"

"Thank God. I was really tensed to tell you this"

"It's ok" she said with a smile "At least we will get to stay near Tulasi"

He chuckled, placing an arm around her waist "What about your parents then?"

She melted into his arms as she replied "I don't know. It's just an overnight journey from Vizag to Hyderabad, isn't it? I can come whenever I want. But now that my aunt is back, I hope my dad forgets everything and visits his village. It's been so long since he last went there"

"Where is it?"

"East Godavari District. I don't know where exactly"

"And he's never gone there in all these years?" he asked disbelievingly.

"Nope. His lands were given to farmers on lease. They deposit money in his account. I only know that much. His village is a hard topic for discussion"

"Hmm. So what about you?" he asked with a smirk.

"What about me?"

"Are you ok staying with my parents in a new city?"

"Yes, I am. I love them" she said lovingly before adding "except the time they tease me"

He chuckled "You will get used to it. Or maybe I should say they will get used to your craziness"

He laughed, having said that and she pouted at him.

He gently pulled her lips into their normal position with his fingers as he said "You look beautiful today. Sky blue is totally your color"

"I thought I look good in every color" she said, pouting again.

He repeated his actions as he stared at her ardently "Thanks for such an amazing day"

"You are welcome hubby" she said sweetly and he couldn't help but smile at her.

"And I love you so much" he added, taking her face into his hand and kissed her deeply.

She is right. She is my home and I am hers.

---

I hope this chapter brought a smile on your faces. Please press the star button and make me the happiest person in Wattpad :p

I have been working on this one for the last two days. Thank God!! Finally, it's done.

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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING MY STORIES.

Still an epilogue left for which I need some time. Have a great day/night.

- JANAKI S