"VRINDA'S POV"

"This much maa" I asked showing her the spices.

"Yes. They're punjabis. Spice is their favorite thing. " Mom smiled and I hummed

"Are you sure Abhimaan is not coming" She asked as she was instructing the kitchen staff .

"I think he can't make it. " I said

"He could've just made it. Come on. Families are first" She complained

He sure could've made it. But he won't.

His words were very clear.

"Though, when are you all leaving" She asked

"I don't know. He's company's  boss too . So whenever he says. Till then, I'll live with you" I said

"Why" She asked again

"What why! Isn't this my home anymore" I offended

"Oh sure it is " It was dad who came and I smiled

"See, mom is eager to throw me out" I whined

"Sush. Drama queen. I was just saying it doesn't look good that you're here, not with your in laws" Mom said

"My in laws doesn't have any problem with it. Mom told me to live with my parents before going back to NY" I repeated mom's words and she nodded.

"Your mother in law is an amazing lady" Mom said

"Even your father in law was such an amazing politician. The.whole Nation still misses a leader like him" Dad too said and I looked at him.

"Dad, do you know how did, I mean how dad died" I asked

"Heart attack. The news was everywhere. Aren't you aware of it? " He asked when I shook my head.

"You weren't here in India that's why you don't know" He added when I nodded

"Ah, I just remembered, I need to look at the sales files that my PA handed me. Vrinda, there's a slight legal issue too. Would you look at it after a while" He asked

"Yep I would. " I assured and he nodded going where as I looked at mom thinking something.

"What happened" I asked

"How would you understand Indian laws in his files" She questioned and I chuckled

"I've read Indian laws too. Don't worry" I said and she nodded preparing meal.

But my mind was still going to the same thing. There's more to this heart attack.

May be everyone knows about heart attack but the way Abhimaan reacted in morning there's so much more.

It was 7 in the evening when, I went to my room taking a bath and wearing a black hoodie, this time obviously mine, I went downstairs to see Aadi and mom.

"Mom, Aadi" I excitedly spoke and was going to hug them when my steps halted.

Don't make them get attached to you.

Mom looked at me confused where as Aadi smiled coming near me and hugged me.

"Don't take what he said seriously. He's my big brother but he can be an asshole sometimes" He said into my ear and I slapped his shoulder lightly.

"He's bigger. No mean words" I warned and he chuckled

"I thought something was wrong" Mom sighed and I denied smiling and hugged her.

"He didn't come" I asked when she denied.

"But bet me, he'll be here in an hour" She said and I raised a brow.

"No he won't be. " I told

"Bet? " She asked and I chuckled

"An ice cream" I said

"Your husband will scold us all if we get you an ice cream in this season that too when you still haven't recovered from fever" Aadi told

"Oh he won't even get to know. " I said

"Vrinda, atleast let them sit first" Dad spoke and I nodded.

We all sat in the living area and everyone got busy in talking. Jay already went back to Dehradun for his college so it was four of them here.

I don't know how elders have so much to talk about the world.

Dad meanwhile for lot of times looked at me as I was looking at the door.

After a while I went out to the front porch strolling there.

Come on Vrinda don't lie, you want to loose this bet. You want him to show up.

But I know he won't.

"Are you waiting for Abhimaan" Dad asked coming towards me.

"You're constantly looking at the main gate" He pointed out

"Am, yeah. I wish he won't have been busy" I said

"Vrinda, sometimes person wants to do something but even while wanting that he couldn't. It's okay" Dad patted my back and I sighed nodding.

Only if I could tell you that work isn't the issue.
Sometimes person doesn't want to hence he doesn't. As simple as that.

"Who was that person in the wedding though, whom Abhimaan fired" Dad asked and I looked at him

"Aa.. Ho.. Who" I Spoke

"Vrinda.. " Dad warned and I sighed

"I had a past with him. He worked for Abhimaan's firm. " I told

"Did Abhimaan had some hand in... " He was saying when I denied.

"No no. He didn't. I'm glad that, nothing happened between me and Rehaan. He was bad. " I mumbled

"And Abhimaan is good" He said

"Mhm hm" I hummed

He is good. He's just, he's surrounded by a past he doesn't want to share. He has build his walls high enough for not letting anyone enter them. And of course I'm not any special person in his life that he would let those walls down for me.

In a way he's not even wrong. Who even was I? His name sake wife. We both temporarily got together just for our selfishness. Him for his. Me for mine.

Nothing else. Nothing more.

"Let's go inside. It's cold here" I mumbled to dad and turned my steps when I felt someone behind me.

No, not dad.

"Sorry, am I late" My steps halted at thr voice and I turned looking at the person.

In the grey hoo...it's not even washed. I was wearing it today morning.

"Hey baby" He spoke coming near me and kissed the side of my head and I looked stunned at him.

"What the fu.. " I was saying when he pulled me into a hug.

"Sush. Now it won't look good in front of my in laws" He said and broke the hug.

Jerk!! Bekaar aadmi. (Useless man)

"You made it Abhimaan" Dad said

"How couldn't I. It's my wife's family after all. Have to give my presence where ever needed " He replied and I looked at him.

Formal Man!!

Jhoota bhi. (Lier too)

"And there I won the bet" Mom spoke coming and I raised a brow.

"Let's have our dinner" I announced skipping the topics and everyone proceeded to dining table.

We all sat and kitchen staff helped taking dishes to dining table.

Mom was standing up when I spoke.

"Leave it to me mom. I'll serve" I said and she smirked.

"Of course your husband is here now. You would" She teased and I looked at Abhimaan who raised his brow and then pointed his plate.

"Bhuke ho (Hungry) " I asked

"Lunch bhi thik se nahi kia tha. Haan hun (Didn't do lunch properly so yes) " He said and I glared him but then smirked keeping the kadhai infront of him.

"Isi mein khaa lo fir. We'll skip the starters (eat in this only then). " I mocked

"Vrinda" Mom scolded

"Relax mom. She's kidding. It's.. Our love langauge" He said looking at me

Love? Ugh!

Vomit on your face Abhimaan Kapoor.

Yet keeping the disgusting thoughts aside, I served starters and soup to everyone.

Abhimaan is more comfortable around mom. May be because dad reminds him of his dad. May be he isn't wrong. His dad is a sensitive topic for him.

It would be for anyone .

After we had dinner, I found kitchen help bringing dessert and I grinned looking at the Gulab Jamun with icecream.

Grinning I took mine but it was taken from me as soon as it came to me. I looked at the person sitting beside me taking it.

"You've cold" He said

"Abhimaan don't. Give me that" I warned

"You've cold. You're not having this" He again said and slid it to himself.

"This isn't fair" I whined

Bitch. He will eat his in front of me and isn't letting me eat.

"He's right Vrinda. You still have slight fever sweet heart" Mom took his side and I sighed.

He looked at me and then slid both his and mine dessert bowl to center.

"You aren't eating" Aadi asked

"I'm full. You all carry on" He said and looked at me.

"You both then go to garden. Walk a little while we complete dinner" Maa suggested and he nodded standing up and slid my chair as I too stood up.

He even pulled out a chair for me.

Though he does it everytime and it isn't unnoticed by me.

What is he? Gentleman or caveman?

Mad man for sure.

As we washed our hands and walked to the garden I spoke.

"You told you won't come" I asked

"Then I did. " He replied

"Why" I demanded but he didn't say anything just sat beside me on the swing.

No one of us spoke anything for some minutes but then I heard him sigh and I looked at him.

"I'm sorry for morning" He spoke

"Don't be. You were right at your place" I said

"I shouldn't have yelled at you" He mumbled

"Yes you shouldn't have. I won't ask you ever again about anything. Don't worry." I assured

"No Vrinda. It's not like that. Its j.. " He was saying when I spoke.

"Its okay Abhimaan. You were right. I'm seriously not someone whom you're ought to tell anything. And Why would you want anyone who's just there for five months to know about you or your family. Abhimaan, you aren't wrong. That doesn't mean I was. We're both trapped in our own demons fighting them, sometimes falling, standing up and then again fighting. I sometimes cross my limits. I'm sor.." Before I could complete he held my chin and made me look at himself.

"Sush. Stop saying all this. Why you always need to speak so much" He asked as I looked into his eyes.

"Communication is the key they say. It solve problems. It makes one feel light" I said

"Sometimes communication ruins the things completely. They burn everything. And one just collapse under that burden" He replied

"And what if collapsing is the way to come out more stronger" I asked.

The winter winds were blowing making my hairs fly in their direction. I rubbed my hands when Abhimaan pulled me closer to him as I gasped.

"Sush. I know you love swings and gardens. So if you want to sit here, keep yourself close to me. It's cold Vrinda " he said as he moved his fingers to my hairs putting them behind my ears.

"Even if collapsing is the only way to come out stronger, let it be for Some other day. Today I'm not in the mood to get collapsed" He added and I looked at him.

For sometime I didn't say anything.

"Sing something" I asked

"Huh? " He looked at me

"Sing something. I've heard you singing before" I told and he looked ahead.

What am I even doing. He won't.

But then he proved me wrong . He sang!!!

Hmmmmmmm,
O mere dil ke chain
O mere dil ke chain
Chain aye mere dil ko dua kijiye
O mere dil ke chain
Chain aye mere dil ko dua kijiye
.......
Apna hi saaya, dekh ke tum
Jaane jahan, sharma gaye
Abhi to ye pehli manzil hai
Tum to abhi se ghabra gaye

Mera kya hoga socho toh zara
Haaye aise na aahein bhara kijiye

O mere dil ke chain
Chain aye mere dil ko dua kijiye....

He sings beautiful. He should've been a singer.

"Abhimaan" I called and he looked at me.

"Do you hate me" I asked and he chuckled

"Yes I do. " He replied with a smirk and I knew he was joking.

"Oh, you're saying this because you love such a sweet, cute, pretty, so adorable girl like me" I said

"I'll love you? Hah, I would rather love a Raccoon then you" He mocked

"And I will rather marry some fictional guy then you" I retorted

"You're already married. To me" He smugly spoke.

"I know right. Such a shame" I mocked again

"Shut up" He chuckled

"Make me" I shrugged when he pulled me more closer to himself such that we were just an inch apart.

"Abhimaan, what are you doing" I whispered

"I've ways to make you shut up Vrinda. The ways which will fail even your fictional men. Which will give you a whole picture of the trailer you gave me on the night we met. Should I make you shut up" He huskily asked and I looked at him wide eyed as heat crawled on my cheeks and I pushed him away standing from the swing.

And then I heard him laugh.

"Nihayati besharam aadmi. Gaando chokro. Dafol. Tamare maatha mai kachro bharyo che.
(Extremely shameless man. Mad man. Idiot. You've garbage filled in your head) " I said and he smirked.

"So, who are you getting married to Vrinda" He asked folding his hands while swinging.

"Anyone but not you again" I said with a tight smile

"Why? Aren't we the saat janmo ke saathi (Partners for seven years) " He asked coming towards me.

"So cringe" I made a face where as he followed me inside the home.

"The hoodie wasnt even washed" I told

"I know" He said

"So why did you wear this" I asked

"Because I wanted to. My hoodie, I can do whatever I want" He shrugged

"It smells of Me" I reasoned

"Exactly" He said and without waiting, he moved inside.

Wait a second. Wait A bloody second...

Did Abh.. The Abhimaan Kapoor Just Flirted With Me!!

_____________________________________

Hey readers.

So how was the chapter.

Abhimaan was here finally. 🥺

Remember the prologue 🙈

I love to write their conversations in riddles And Oh man, He Flirted😂

Let's see what holds more for them.

Vote, like, share and reviews are always welcomed.

Until next...

Hugs 🫂