Shivaay's fingers were still trembling with tension, though a crooked smile crept onto his face. After hurriedly getting dressed, he fumbled to find the remote to switch off the TV, which was still playing an inappropriate scene from the movie his wife had suggested. His cheeks heated up again as he recalled what had just happened between them. He suddenly heard a scream from the bedroom—he knew the reason. Despite trying his best to be gentle, he had lost control at the end, feasting on her like a starving man. To be fair, he had been starving for years, but when she finally gave in, it didn't feel new; it felt like a reunion. He quickly cleared the mess they had made and went to greet the guests who had invaded their privacy, smiling wide as he opened the door.

"Dad, Mom," he greeted his in-laws first. He was especially surprised to see his father there for the first time in his new home. His father hadn't even attended the housewarming party, though his in-laws had, except for Anika.

"Papa," he called out to his father, noticing something unreadable on his face. Throughout his success, his father had rarely shown support. But in Shivaay's personal life, especially when it came to his decision not to give up on Anika, his father had stood by him. When Anika returned to India, Shivaay had rushed to her within a week, ready to do anything to win her back, only to be disappointed time and again. His career and reputation were at stake, and his firm had nearly lost a crucial deal from Archive, which had been threatening him like a parasite. If it weren't for Anika confronting them at the party, he might have lost everything.

During those tumultuous times, it was his father who advised him to step back and give Anika space, understanding her stubbornness better than anyone. It was the first time Shivaay had ever listened to his father without arguing, and surprisingly, his father had helped him find a loophole in the contract that saved his company. While their relationship remained distant, his father had regularly called to check on Anika, and Shivaay felt a sense of gratitude.

"Jiju, I'm here too!" Bhavya chimed in, breaking Shivaay's thoughts. He smiled and invited them all in.

"We've been waiting for the past twenty minutes. Where were you?" his mother-in-law asked. Shivaay smiled inwardly, realizing they had been intimate for twenty minutes—quite a feat in such a rushed state.

"Actually, we were in the other room setting things up and didn't hear the bell. Sorry for the wait," Shivaay apologized, taking blessings from his mother- and father-in-law. When he bent down to touch his father's feet, his father surprised him by pulling him into a hug. The last time his father had hugged him was at his wedding, and even then, it was just a formality. Shivaay was taken aback.

"My blessings are always with you, my son," his father said, uttering words Shivaay had longed to hear but never expected.

"Jiju, where's my blessing?" Bhavya joked, breaking the emotional moment. Shivaay chuckled at her perfect timing.

It felt strange to see his family sitting on the very couch where he and Anika had made love just moments earlier. As Bhavya walked past him, she leaned in and whispered, "Jiju, there's a lipstick mark on your neck." He immediately rubbed at his neck, giving her an awkward smile.

"Is that Junglee Maas I smell?" his father asked, sensing the aroma wafting from the kitchen. Shivaay knew his father must be thinking about his late mother, who used to make the dish the same way.

"Yes, Anika made it," Shivaay said with pride, taking a seat opposite his father, a wide grin on his face.

"But how did she..." his father trailed off.

"My daughter didn't even know how to spell 'cooking,'" his mother-in-law interrupted.

"Our daughter isn't the same person we knew, Anu," his father-in-law said, with a touch of sorrow in his voice. Shivaay knew the reason behind it and patted his father-in-law's knee comfortingly.

"Where's Didi?" Bhavya asked.

"In the bedroom... I guess," Shivaay replied with a smile. He noticed his father's gaze drifting longingly toward the kitchen. He knew that Anika's dish must have reminded him of his mother.

"I think Anika might take a while. Why don't we start lunch in the meantime?" Shivaay suggested.

"Brilliant idea!" his father immediately agreed. Without wasting time, Shivaay headed to the kitchen, pulling out dosa batter from the fridge. He knew his father loved Junglee Maas with dosa. His mother-in-law and Bhavya joined in to help, and within minutes, Shivaay brought the dish Anika had prepared to the dining table. He served his father first, watching as his father dug in eagerly, his eyes welling up with emotion.

"Oh my god, it tastes just like..." his father's voice cracked.

"Mom, I know," Shivaay finished his father's sentence.

"But isn't it spicy?" Bhavya asked, tasting the dish.

"Absolutely not," Shivaay and his father said in unison.

"I think Anika already gave Shivaay his birthday gift," his father-in-law chuckled. Shivaay realized then that his wife had planned everything to perfection. She knew exactly what would make him happy.

At that moment, Anika entered, wearing a sleeveless kurti that hugged her curves and covered the hickeys. She looked even more desirable, and Shivaay knew he would never be fully satisfied with her, no matter how much time they spent together.

"Hello, everyone," Anika greeted them, taking a seat next to Shivaay.

"My god, beta. I have no words for this gift. Thank you so much," his father said, tears brimming in his eyes.

"I'm experiencing something I thought I had lost forever!" His emotional words made everyone quiet. Anika exchanged a glance with Shivaay, both feeling the weight of his father's gratitude.

"Didi, it's the best birthday gift," Bhavya chimed in, breaking the emotional tension. Shivaay squeezed Anika's thigh under the table, making her focus only on him.

"Whose birthday?" Anika asked innocently, trying to play it off.

"Mine," Shivaay replied, resting his hand on his cheek as he gazed at her knowingly.

"Oh, you remember! Happy birthday," she said with a cheeky tone, knowing her lie had been caught.

"Thank you!" Shivaay replied in the same tone, and the room burst into laughter.

****

As she had expected, her family had come to celebrate Shivaay's birthday. Though it made her uncomfortable at first, the afternoon was filled with lighthearted banter. Despite her claims that she'd followed an internet recipe, no one believed her. There was a constant tension between her and Shivaay, who was desperate for some privacy, but they didn't get it.

"Shivaay, let's go somewhere for dinner," his mother-in-law suggested. Anika felt something was up and didn't want to spoil it.

"I'm ready. Where should we go?" Shivaay asked.

"Let's go to Cloves and Spice, your mother's favorite restaurant," his father suggested. Shivaay's face lit up, and Anika knew how much that meant to him. Although Shivaay and his father had always loved each other, though they had spent years apart. Now, seeing his father take steps to mend their relationship filled Anika with delight.

"Let's go there, then," Shivaay said, still spellbound by the suggestion.

"Anika, I bought a saree for you," her mother said, handing her a package. She had already given Shivaay his gift earlier.

"I think it matches Shivaay's outfit for this evening," her mother said. Anika opened it to find a beautiful designer jute saree. She decided she would wear it that evening.

"I hope I get a matching outfit on her birthday," Shivaay teased, pulling her close.

"You will—on every birthday, even your kids' birthdays," his mother joked. Anika's heartbeat skipped a beat at the mention of children, but she managed to smile. Seeing the grin on Shivaay's face, she calmed herself.

Later, as they prepared to get ready, Shivaay grabbed her by the waist. She chuckled and moved away.

"We only have 30 minutes to get ready," she said, heading toward the walk-in wardrobe.

"Don't you have 20 minutes for me?" he asked cheekily, following her.

"20 minutes? For what?" she asked, confused.

"My birthday gift," he said, leaning in to capture her lips in a kiss. She knew he couldn't resist.

"Mom said they waited for 20 minutes," he said, kissing her again. "So, I lasted 20 minutes inside you," he chuckled. For a moment, she didn't understand but soon burst out laughing.

"Okay, I'll get your respectable multiple 20 minutes tonight. But for now, I'll let you get ready," He said, kissing her forehead.

"Thank you so much for the gift, baby. I've never seen Pappa so happy," he said, hugging her tightly. She didn't say anything but felt immense joy seeing her husband so happy and content. That was all she needed to live her life happily.

****