"What book you want at the end of the year, Meera?" Khushi directed her question towards Meera, filling her plate with an extra roti. 

Meera tore her eyes from her plate and frowned upon her sister "Which book?" 

Khushi looked at her weirdly, "The book which you wanted to buy and asked Jiju to take you to a bookshop." 

Meera eyes instantly lit up in realisation and she looked at Arnav. Oblivious to his surroundings, Arnav was immersed in his musings. A mischievous smile crept on Meera face as she looked up at her sister ever so innocently. 

“But he said, he’s bored with your coffee so he took me to a coffee shop. Has Jiju lied to you then?” She batted her eyelashes innocently.

“What?” Khushi almost screamed in shock. By then, Meera already escaped from there leaving Arnav to deal with it.

Khushi glared at Arnav and nudged his shoulders, “Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?” 

Arnav gazed at her with furrowed brows not getting anything, "What?"

"That's what my question is. What is this Arnavji?" She asked sternly placing her hands on either side of her hips.

"Can you elaborate what you want to know?" He asked rather calmly stuffing his mouth with her handmade delicious roti. 

Khushi angrily swatted his hands, glaring at him. Arnav eyes dilated in surprise as he looked up her tall angry frame.

"How can you go and complain about my coffee to her?" She reminded his words as extracted from Meera.

His frown now deepen finding it hard to decipher her accusation, "What?" 

His expression further fuelled her anger. She pointed her index finger towards him, clutching her teeth in annoyance, "Don't… Arnavji… I'm hell angry with you. You can't go and brag about how bad my coffee is. If you have got a problem with it then learn to say it on my face, not to HER." 

Arnav frown gradually ceased as he slightly got the idea of what she's asking. The moment it got seep in his brain, his eyeballs instantly roamed around the area to spot Meera. 

'That little devil.' He mumbled under his breath noticing her absence and looked up at Khushi showing all his teeth, throwing a consolation in caution.

“Don’t dare Arnavji… What’ll she think if you keep complaining about me to her?” The latter part of her sentence rather came as a whimper.

He chuckled softly enjoying her cute jealousy, “Aww…. My baby is jealous.”  

“I’m not jealous.” She retaliated instantly.

“That I can see.” He declared with a smirk, pulling her arm closer to him, “Haven’t you notice how aloof Meera is in our house? I thought I could mend our gap and make her normal around me.”

Khushi face lit up like a bright flower in no time as she felt overwhelmed by his concern for her sister. There couldn’t be more that makes a married woman happier like this than any other luxuries or freedom. She wants her partner to treat her family as his like she was expected to treat his as hers. Like how a two-way communication always resolve issues, a two-way transmission of affection, care, respect, love never fails to keep a relationship healthy.

“What happened jealousy madam?” He teased nudging her arms.

She blinked her eyes and wordlessly took a piece of roti from his plate and extended her finger towards his lips waiting for it to get parted. He raised his brows, parting his closed lips. Happily, she fed the piece and let out a shriek next moment feeling an abrupt stung on her finger. He had bit her fingers teasingly.

“Arnavji…” She sang feigning a glare at him. He let out a hearty laugh pulling her to his lap. Willingly, she fell on his lap hooking her left arm around his neck. With another arm, she breaks another piece and fed him only to experience the stung again. Unlike the previous time, she didn’t scream instead she leaned forward and bit his cheek lightly.

“Ouch… What is it?” He questioned rubbing his cheeks.

“Tit for Tat.” Came a reply immediately.

“Mrs Raizada is sharp.” He declared in admiration.

“Whose wife she is?” She proudly raised her imaginary collar.

Seeing the admiration oozing out from her words, love brimmed out of his eyes activating her senses. Involuntarily her lips parted and her throat went dry. Her grip on his neck got tighten and he instantly felt the sudden rise in temperature. Though his senses are anticipating the upcoming, his brain is still on high alert and has control over his senses. Before anyone of them goes haywire, he thrust a piece of roti to her parted lips changing the atmosphere once for all. Her face fell instantly as she chewed the food slowly. Not acknowledging her crestfallen face, he continued to feed her and she has no choice but to accept.

After that, the whole dinner went silent. Wordlessly Arnav moved away from the place leaving Khushi to clean up the space. As soon as he is away from Khushi eyes, he looked towards the closed door of Meera room. Giving a thoughtful look, he settled himself comfortably on the sofa switching on the TV. His fingers traversed across the channels familiarly looking out for some interesting things to pass the time. Meanwhile, Khushi who came there completing her work gave a thoughtful look to Arnav before dispersing to their room. Quickly changing herself in a new nightdress, she twirled in front of the mirror admiring herself for a few seconds before consider taking hesitant steps towards the living room.

Though bravely she reached near him, his nearness made her gulp her parched throat. Rubbing her chest against the fabric, she calmed her racing heart and pasted a brave expression, “Why are you playing with the remote? Put some music channel.” She tried to sound casually making him aware of her presence.

Arnav lifted his eyes from the remote and got shocked by her appearance. Remote almost slipped from his fingers by his lack of concentration on the poor thing. Khushi did a victory dance mentally.

‘Get a grip Arnav.’ His brain ordered to his heart trying to control the situation. Although his poor heart is already in the control of hormones rather the brain.

“Khushi…” His hoarse voice came out in a whisper.

“Arnavji…” She whispered equally feeling shy under his gaze.

Tethering his wandering eyes from her frame, he met her eyes and asked pointing her robe cladded dark coloured silk nightgown which enhances her curves in a sensual way, “What is this?”

“I went to the mall last week with Rihaana di. She bought this for me without considering my denial.” She answered dusting away the invisible dirt in her gown.

Throwing a confused look he questioned further, “When did you go with her? You didn’t tell me anything?” 

Khushi sat beside him taking the remote control, “The day when you went to see Aakash bhai two days back. Since I planned to use this dress for the trip which you denied I decided to try this today.” She answered noticing his expressions.

Arnav hmmed in response and tried to concentrate on Television but failed miserably since the songs that played on the channels also betrayed him. The sensuous songs on the playlist increased his restlessness adding to her presence. He looked here and there and stood up abruptly.

“I’m sleepy Khushi. Good night.” He declared with a yawn and almost ran to their room from his naive yet seductress wife before he loses control.

Khushi pouted at his hasty frame and switched off the TV following him behind. Taking measured steps she locked their room and inspected him closely to see if he’s truly sleeping or faking it. 

‘He must be really tired.’ She said to herself believing his immobile state to be asleep. Glancing down at her frame she shared a disappointed look and moved towards the bed and laid cuddling him. Her one arm went behind his shoulder as she placed her head comfortably on his chest whereas another arm rested on his waist wrapping around him.

‘Damn!’ Arnav could only mumble soundlessly wrapping his arm around her shoulders enveloping her in his arms. Khushi snuggled peacefully feeling his protective arm around her. Sleep overpowered her snatching her husband sleep.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the house, Meera was seen talking furiously over the phone.

“Try to understand Abhay. Jiju promised to support us and when the right time comes he’ll help us to get married. I trust him completely.” Meera declared firmly.

“Don’t be an emotional fool Meera. His reaction is abnormal. I cannot trust him like you do. Let us talk about this in brief when I come to your school tomorrow.” He said authoritatively.

“No Abhay. I cannot betray his trust. I cannot misuse the freedom he bestowed me. Look at the brighter side Abhay, what’ll we gain by betraying our loved ones in the name of our hidden Love? True love will surpass any situation. This small distance is nothing compared to the pain we would be getting if our Love gets stained in the eyes of onlookers. This is my final call on this issue. There’s nothing more to discuss. I’m going to hand over this mobile to Jiju and will come to meet you after a month. Don’t try to contact me. Bye.”

She ends the call abruptly and cupped her mouth swallowing her cries. However, she decides to follow whatever Arnav said, following the instructions seems harder than she thought. But she has to follow… Follow for her Jiju, Jiji and Her bright future. 

***

“Khushi wake up.” 

The morning witnessed the miraculous incident of Arnav waking up Khushi who’s the early riser among the two.

“Khushi…” Arnav shook her shoulder trying to move her away from him but failing miserably as her whole body is pressed against his and she’s too stubborn to move away.

“Let me sleep for more time at least for one day.” She mumbled incoherently tightening her grip on him.

Poor Arnav wiggled beneath her in discomfort, “Who stopped you? Sleep aside and lemme move away Khushi. I need to get up.”

Khushi leisurely shifted on his frame with a content smile on her lips.

“Please, Khushi…” He pleaded tearing her arm from his neck.

She let out an irritated growl and separated her eyelids with difficulty. But the irritation faded away the moment she realised the position she is in. Having legs tangled with his as if it just had a fought with his limbs, her arms sprawled across his torso occupying half of his body. Nuzzling her nose on his chest, she lifted her head and cupped his cheeks.

“What?” He asked unsure of her actions pasting an impassive expression.

She twisted her lips in annoyance, “Haven’t you seen films, Mister?”

“Why?”

“Nothing…” She answered through her gritted teeth and mumbled some angry words under her breath ‘Such a monk and unromantic husband I’ve got.’ 

Hunching forward, she placed her lips firmly on his forehead trying to convey her wish in actions, “Love you Arnavji…”

She waited for him to reciprocate her confession but Arnav closed his eyes savouring the feel of her softness. Gulping the saliva he rolled her down, “Seems like Raizada madam is still on yesterday mood.” He teased playfully stroking her nose.

“Glad this dump Raizada realised that.” She answered playfully pulling him by his shirt.

“Raizada madam is in full form.” He declared with a chuckle, rubbing his cheek with hers & stroking her arms.

“So, Raizada sir is going to take advantage or not?” She intimidated him boldly drawing random patterns on his shoulder blade.

“Raizada madam’s husband is wise like her.” He whispered burying his face into her neck completely bowled by her bold avatar.

But certain things happen only if there isn’t any disturbance. Meera knocked on the door breaking their moment. The noise brought him back to earth and he lifted his face in mild shock. Immediately he got up from her and eyed her to open the door as he moved towards the washroom. Hitting her fist on the bed, Khushi angrily went to open the door.

“What?” Khushi shouted as soon as she noticed Meera at the doorstep.

Meera took a step back experiencing her anger and replied in low voice, “It’s getting late for breakfast.” 

“Go and get ready. I know when I’ve to cook.” Khushi let out her frustration on Meera shocking her. Meera wordlessly left the place and the exact moment Arnav decided to call Khushi.

“Khushi…” 

Khushi eyes brighten up instantly in curiosity. She took a towel and walked fast to the washroom.

“Arnavji…”  She called sweetly as her filmy mood got activated on and her imagination run wild.

“Khushi… I forget to charge my phone. Can you plug into the charger?”

That’s it Khushi lost her cool. Throwing the towel aside, she kicked the closed door harshly.

“Khushi…”

“Going…” She shouted as a reply to his second call.

Moving towards the bedside table where his mobile is placed she took it and is about to charge when the mobile rang showing ‘Dad’ in the display.

Happily, she swiped up the green button and spoke without giving the opposite person a chance to talk, “Papa Good morning. Have you taken your spinach juice today or escaped from drinking like yesterday?”

“It’s Lavanya here.” 

Khushi breath got stuck in throat hearing the unexpected voice at an unexpected time.

_&_&_&_

As usual next chapter is up on blog. Interested can check it.

Thank you so much for your patience and support ❤️ Hopefully, I'll not go hiatus for now. Next update will be coming in a day or two.