"Happy wedding anniversary my love." Sanskar kissed Swara's temple to wake her up. His warm lips over her forehead resulted in her cuddling in his warm embrace. Without opening her eyes, she wrapped her arms around his neck nuzzling her face in his neck to avoid sun rays peeping inside their room.

"Happy Anniversary Sanskar." She whispered, nibbling his skin.

"Come on, wake up. It's 9:30. You are getting lazy these days." Sanskar caressed her hairs clutching her petit figure to his in a cozy embrace.

"I love to be lazy. Are you forgetting? You did not let me sleep for the whole night." Swara opened her eyes, squirting them as she spoke, making a pout.

"Stop making that pout else you will be responsible for the outcome." He warned mischievously. "We will end up staying in bed for the entire day, instead of exploring this beautiful island."

His words pushed Swara in a dilemma.

"Not that I will complain." He teased, bending closer towards her lip.

"No no no no no...." Swara pushed him with her full force. "I want to go out." She stood up on her feet.

Sanskar chuckled at her. She was looking sinfully cute in his huge white shirt reaching till her bare thighs, buttons were randomly tucked with each other and sleeves were covering her milky white hands entirely, her hairs were dishevelled, o shaped mouth and widely open big doe eyes.

"Ok. Your wish is my command." He got up and came towards her. He picked her up in bridal style and took her out of their villa towards the breakfast set up specially made by her loving husband.

Two days back they both had come to Aruba Island to celebrate their 2nd anniversary after spending one entire month in their New York's home.

Sanskar had booked a small private villa surrounded with sea water connecting the shore with a wooden path for one week. It had two bedrooms, living area, kitchen and patio leading to the humongous pool of turquoise water away from public area.

"Happy Anniversary Sanskar." She gave peck on his lips.

"Happy Anniversary Swara." He wished, turning her peck into a passionate kiss. He made her sit on the hammock and himself settled in a chair in front of her. His phone started ringing, flashing, "Mom Calling."

"Sanskar don't pick up the call." Swara shook her head vigorously holding his hand.

"Why?"

"It's a facetime call." She spoke obviously, showing her own appearance to him with another hand.

"It's ok. Mom will not shout at you when she sees her daughter in law wearing her son's clothes." He teased again.

"Shut up. Please no" but by that time Sanskar had already answered the call which left Swara muttering some curses for him.

"Sanskar, wish you a happy wedding anniversary." Sujata spoke from the other side.

"Thank you Mom." Sanskar replied keeping one eye on his wife. She was setting her hair and the next moment she started buttoning up his shirt in the correct order. She even buttoned up his collar button.

"Happy Anniversary my son" This time it was Ram.

"Thanks Dad."

"Where is my daughter?" Ram asked cheerfully.

Swara shook her head negatively pleadingly.

"Yes, where is Swara? Give the phone to her. I want to wish for her." Sujata seconded.

"Ahh she is here only." Sanskar replied when he saw his wife had calmed her racing nerves. He got up and joined his wife in a hammock sitting beside her.

"Hi Mom." Swara smiled nervously.

"Hey Happy wedding anniversary Swara." Sujata and Ram both wished together. They could see their children together in one frame.

"Thanks Mom and Dad." Swara replied putting up a fake smile on her face.

"So what's special for today?" Ram asked.

"Let's see Dad, we will go out to the beach and then maybe to the countryside..." Sanskar shrugged his shoulders.

"Bhai, Bhabhi happy anniversary" Uttara screamed from her parents back.

"Hey Uttu, thanks" Swara smiled brightly.

"Thanks kiddo sister."

"Swara, are you not feeling well?" Sujata asked, scrunching her eyebrows. She could see her daughter in law in the screen frame.

"No Mom, I am absolutely fine." Swara replied casually, "But why are you asking?"

"Then why are you wearing Sanskar's shirt?" Sujata asked with a creased forehead.

Swara gulped heavily thinking about her answer whereas Sanskar looked everywhere but not at the camera.

"Wo... Mom... actually. Sun. Haan Sunburn. Yes, to avoid sunburn. It's so hot here. I don't want to get tanned." She mentally thanked herself when she could find a suitable answer.

Sanskar praised his wife mentally for controlling the embarrassing situation. They both talked with his parents for some time before cutting the call.

"Hush... finally." Swara released the breath she did not know she was holding for long.

Sanskar laughed at her antics. "Why do you wear my shirts after our make outs?"

"They hold your smell." She replied sitting on his lap.

"Ohh is that so?" He asked, opening her collar button, he stared at her eyes intensely and started unbuttoning her shirt. "If you love my smell and when I am here... why do we need this shirt then?"

Swara had not even realised when he had unbuttoned most of the buttons of shirt. She realised when he pushed his hand inside her shirt and started caressing her bare waist. He started drawing circles around her belly button with his fingers igniting fire in their bodies.

Swara melted in his heated sweet torture. She raised herself, holding his face in her palms, she crashed her lips over his in a passionate kiss. Heat inside their bodies was not going to quench with just one passionate kiss. Sanskar took her again in their bedroom for another round of intimacy, finally dropping their plans to go out and see outside.

For the entire day, both did not even step out of their villa but stayed inside mostly cuddling with each other, soaking in the private pool area, talking sweet nothings, going over their own old photos from their mobiles.

Inshort, they did nothing special on their special day from an outer world perspective yet the memories of this day were getting captured in their hearts by each passing moment. Maybe this was the most qualitative time they spent together with each other.

In the evening, Sanskar had ordered Swara's favourite blueberry cheesecake. They cut it followed by opening the champagne. Both cooked their favourite fish fry and relished it followed by passionate love making.

Entire week they spent on the island before returning back to their New York home.

"Swara, I will be back in the afternoon, and then we will do packing." He kissed her forehead after their breakfast. He was ready to go to his office.

Swara nodded her head smiling, but her smile did not reach her eyes. Sanskar was observing his wife from the day they had returned back from their short vacation. She had turned gloomy.

"Come here." He pulled her, enveloping her in his embrace, "You know right, we can come back here anytime you want. You just need to say it and next moment we will be here." Even he was reluctant to come back to their native home.

But for him her wish was always a command.

Along with her, his parents, his sister all were back home waiting for them to return. Being an obedient son, he was well aware about his responsibilities towards his ageing parents.

"Can we come here every 6 months?" She asked, holding his suit jacket.

"Deal. Every 6 months." He pecked her lips sealing his promise.

"And that too for 1... no no ... 2 months." She cribbed like a little grumpy girl.

"As you say."

After Sanskar left for his office, Swara took a round of their home. In two days, they were going to come back to India... back to their routine life.

But this one and half month of vacation had helped them to find their lost bondings. She was reminiscing about the time she and Sanskar had spent inside this home when he phone started ringing. It was from her mother in law.

"Mom, don't worry, just send driver Kaka to the airport for pick up. Flight will land at midnight. I don't want you and Dad to stay awake for the night." Swara spoke over a call after some casual talks.

"Mom... Mom, are you there?" She asked when she did not receive any response from the other side.

"Ha... ha Swara, I am listening." Sujata replied, stammering.

"Mom, what happened? Are you ok?" Swara asked from the other side.

"Nothing beta. You and Sanskar, just come home soon." Sujata tried to bring out a cheering voice from her vocal cords which she failed and her daughter in law caught it.

"Mom, I am sure something has happened... please, please tell me." Swara stressed.

"Jiji told me yesterday that... that Ragini... Ragini is pregnant." Sujata finally blurted out leaving a deep breath.

"Wait what? Is Ragini pregnant?" It was a question. "Really? That's such an amazing news. Wow!! I am so happy for them. Wow" Swara was certainly happy for her step sister which reflected in her gleeful smile.

"Hmm... we all are happy for her." Sujata could not suppress her grief from her voice.

"Mom, are you not happy?" Swara asked instantly.

"No Swara, I am happy. I am really happy but...." Sujata trailed off.

"Mom, did you expect us to..." Swara thought her mother in law was expecting similar good news from them.

"No Swara. No. Please don't misunderstand me. It's just. Ragini is in her third month. Jiji was aware about this from a month but she only informed me yesterday." Sujata was sulked.

"Mom, leave it please. It's ok. Please don't mind." Swara kept on convincing her mother in law for a long time.

"By the way Mom, I got a new collection of Dior's lipsticks but I don't use these but now that I bought them I am thinking of giving them to Suman Maasi. What do you think? She will like them na?" Swara teased after a long convincing session.

"Hey no way... I love those lipsticks. Dare you give them to Suman. She doesn't even know how to put them in." Sujata was back with her chirpy nature.

Two days later both returned back to India, Maheshwari house. Noticeable changes raised Swara and Sanskar's eyebrows looking at their family members. When before almost one and half month they had left their home, relations between their family members were strained but after their return it looked like most of the differences were overcomed, and everyone were cordial with each other, though not lovey dovey as in the past.

It was the morning after their return that Swara knocked on Ragini's room door. She entered after her sister's permission. She saw her sister's bed which had few open boxes of jewellery sets. Her sister was busy deciding on the neckpiece she was going to wear on the Gangaur Puja arranged at their home after two days.

Annapurna and Sharmishtha initiated and made sure to make this event a grant to inform the society about Ragini's pregnancy.

"Hey Ragini, congratulations." Swara wished whole heartedly handovering bag filled with goodies such as one newborn romper, monkey hat, soft blanket, one small soft toy, "Take care of yourself and the precious life growing within you."

"Ohh thanks." Ragini was hesitant, she took the bag from her step-sister's hand. "These are really cute. Thanks once again." Thick temperature between sisters was clearly observed.

"You please rest." Swara smiled genuinely. When Parvati entered inside Ragini's room holding a glass of milk.

Parvati rolled her eyes looking at Swara. "Laddoo, what is this?"

Swara turned her back and started leaving from her sister's room.

"Swara gifted this to me." Swara heard her sister's mumblings.

"Swara, ​​You don't even know that we don't purchase anything for the baby until he is born. It is a bad omen." Parvati spoke irritably, seizing the gift bag from Ragini and passing it to Swara.

"I am sorry Ragini and Dadi. I didn't know this. I will remember from now on." Swara took the bag, passed a tight smile and left from there.

Ragini and Parvati were left shocked looking at her indifferent attitude.

"See Ragini, she came here just to show how much she cares for you. But look at the reality, not the show. Don't get involved in her cheesy talks at all." Parvati as usual started filling Ragini's ears. "Now you just need to concentrate on yourself and this baby."

"You are absolutely right Dadi Ma."

"By the way tomorrow you have an appointment with your doctor right?" Parvati asked and continued, "Is Laksh coming with you or not?"

"He said he will come." Ragini replied, looking at the floor.

After their 'Me Time' Swara and Sanskar came back to their room when Sanskar's eyes fell on the same bag which Swara had bought for Ragini.

"Didn't you give this to Ragini?" he pointed at the bag lying on the couch.

"I had gone to give this Ragini and wish her but Dadi said we don't purchase anything for the baby until he is born. So, I brought this back." She shrugged her shoulders.

"Ohh" he felt bad, he had seen her excitement in the baby shop while buying those goodies for her sister in the US. He stared at her for a few moments to analyse her state of mind. His wife smiled at him warmly.

"It's ok Sanskar. I don't mind. I mean. I am happy that a new member is coming to this family. It's a happy moment, but again I am not going to involve in their personal matters. It's necessary to maintain our boundaries for everyone's happiness and peace." She concluded like a wise woman before entering their washroom to freshen up.

Just after two days, Maheshwari house was radiating with decoration, delicious aroma of food to welcome relatives and guests in the evening.

"Is Bhai at home Bhabhi?" Uttara asked surprisingly when she saw her brother going upstairs.

"Yes he is." Swara nodded, hiding her blush.

"So he is again fasting for you?" Uttara teased.

This time Swara did not reply but her cherry red cheeks gave an answer to Uttara.

"He is really head over heels for you Bhabhi."

Swara widened her eyes, shushing her teasing sister in law.

"Ragini, beta today is your day. All ladies of our society will get to know that Maheshwari's heir is arriving soon. You have to look outstanding today." Annapurna announced capturing every other woman present in the living hall. "This is a day I have been waiting for so long."

From the day Ragini had announced her pregnancy she was holding every bit of attention from her mother in law. Every passing day, she was realising the truth behind her grandmother's words.

"You are absolutely correct Annapurna Bahu. Our Ragini is really praiseworthy to give us this abundant happiness. And I am telling you, this child of my Laddoo will be the lucky charm for Maheshwari's and Gadodia's. Here our Ragini gave news of this bundle of joy and there Laksh found a new investor for Badi's reconstruction project." Parvati caressed Ragini's hairs with love.

'Ohh so finally Laksh found an investor. Good now those Badi's people wont be facing any hardships.' Swara mentally thanked her Kahnajj.

"You said the truth. Now everything will be fine. Happiness is at our doorstep." Annapurna seconded.

"Exactly Ma, our Badi's reconstruction work has also started, Shekhar told me other day." Sharmishtha replied. She could not get a chance with her daughter after her return.

"Yes everything is going good. Now, I have only one request to Kanhaji, please keep your blessings on us. And no one could cast an evil eye on our happiness." Parvati passed a hateful look to Swara which could not be missed by Sujata.

"Ragini, can you please wear that necklace which I gifted you at your marriage for today's evening? That one is passed on to me by my mother." Annapurna suggested.

"Ohh Ma, I did not know you would want me to wear that necklace. I did not bring it from the bank locker. I brought other jewellery sets." Ragini replied in regret. "I am so sorry Ma."

"It's ok Ragini, no worries beta, you can wear it on your godh bharai (baby shower). We will host a grand function." Annapurna reassured.

But their words ignited investigative instinct inside Swara. 'When that day, I went to Ragini's room to wish her the same necklace which Badi Ma is mentioning was there on her bed. Then why is she lying?'

"Bhabhi?" Uttara shook her shoulder.

"Haa?"

"Mom is asking you to go and get ready and make my Bhai ready as well . Sometimes he takes more time than you while getting ready." Uttara teased before running away from her Bhabhi.

Swara came back to her room. She saw Sanskar sitting on bed working on his Mac. Even though he was at home, he was working from home.

She started getting ready when she heard her husband. "Swara"

"Your gift for gangaur." Sanskar passed one velvet box.

Swara opened it, it had a beautiful kundan, emerald maang tikka. "You will never change na?"

This was one ritual Sanskar had followed after his marriage with Swara, every festival be it Holi, karvachauth, diwali, gangaur he would buy some or the other jewellery for Swara as her gift.

"You know I like to buy these things for you." He winked, pecking her chubby cheeks. "Did you like it?"

"It's beautiful. I am going to wear this today." She exclaimed.

"Really?" He asked unexpectedly. He was surprised with her earlier statement.

"Yes."

Meanwhile his phone started ringing and he went out of the closet to pick it up.

Swara opened the safe to finalise other jewellery when she saw a pile of boxes arranged. That moment she realised the reason for his unexpected question. She took out her diamond bangles which he had gifted her exactly two years back. It was the first jewellery he had bought for her on her first gangaur puja.

"Shona, Sanskar should not have gifted you these diamond bangles in front of all relatives and guests. These look way too costly. I mean, you know what gifts Laksh and Adarsh gave to their wife's. It would give the wrong impression to everyone that you and Sanskar are being snobbish."

"And think about Laddoo, won't she feel bad? Two sisters are married to two brothers of the same house, but one can afford to give diamond bangles whereas the other one can only manage to get gold jhumkas for their respective wives." It was her mother and grandmother's words on her first gangaur puja.

From that day, Swara had made sure Sanskar would not give her any expensive gift in front of their family and relatives. She even did not wear any of the jewellery he had gifted her till today, in the name of equality between her and her sister.

He even bought jewellery for her during their separation. He had bought them but kept them in a locker hoping he would give them back after their reunion.

She smiled at the boxes. She chose her jewellery exactly matching with her dress. Not to mention her new maang tika was top of the list.

"Sanskar, Sanskar. Come here for a moment." Swara shouted from the closet.

Her husband was ready in royal blue silk kurta and white pyjamas. He walked in to see his wife facing the mirror and her both hands were on her back trying to fix the dori of her lehenga's blouse.

"Can you please tie this?" She asked, looking at his reflection in the mirror.

"Yes." He stepped in.

"Sanskar, do it fast." It's been almost 5 minutes but her husband was still not able to make a knot for her blouse. "Mom, will be mad at me. Masi and her family are already downstairs."

"I am trying. It's so complicated." His entire concentration was on dori.

"Don't tell me. It doesn't take much time for you to get rid of them when you want to have some...." She spoke bluntly, staring at his figure from the mirror.

"My love, I have experience of freeing them, not tying them." He was also Sanskar Maheshwari, the height of bluntness when it came to his love. Finishing his work he pecked her neckline.

"I can show how much experience I have after this function." He winked at her, turning her cheeks into cherry red colour.

Both came downstairs, ladies started performing puja and men were adoring their better halves.

"Swara, this necklace is so beautiful." One of the relatives complimented.

"Sanskar had gifted me this on last Diwali." Swara replied passing a quick glance at him.

"It looked so expensive." Relative gossiped when Swara  left.

"It doesnt matter to her afterall she Mrs. Sanskar Maheshwari." Other one spoke giving a pang to Ragini's heart.

"Yes you are right. Out of three son's of Maheshwaris only Sanskar is capable, mature, responsible and successful one. Adarsh was good son of the family once upon a time.... and it's better if we don't talk anything about Laksh. He is the spoil brat." Ragini greeted her teeth when words fell on her ears.

"Laddoo ignore them." Parvati pressed her granddaughter's shoulder.

"Suju Jiji, is there any good news with Swara and Sanskar?" Suman, Sujata's younger sister, asked while keeping her eyes on Swara and Sanskar. Both were surrounded by Sanskar's maternal cousins.

"What?" Sujata was baffled with an unexpected question. Suddenly all eyes of Maheshwari and Gadodia ladies were fixed on Sujata.

"I mean, I know Ragini is pregnant but she looks pale. And look at Swara's face, it's glowing, her eyes are shining like a star." Suman's words turned everyone's eyes on Swara. She was laughing at one of the joke cracked by her sister in law.

"I don't think so. If something like this had happened then Swara would have told me immediately. It's just they finally found their happiness which is emitting from her glowing face." Sujata covered up for her daughter in law.

"But don't you think this is a good time for them to think about babies?" Asha, Annapurna's sister questioned. "I mean, now that our Ragini is expecting. You must also be craving for your own grandchild."

"Good! We broached this topic. Sujata Bahu, don't forget you are her mother in law. You should not give so much leeway to your daughter in law. I have heard now she wants to pursue her singing career. What's the use of it?" Parvati added fuel to the current gossiping.

"Kakisa is right Sujata, it's been 2 years for their marriage." Annapurna seconded.

"You are right Jiji, it's been 2 years for their marriage but don't you think this is the first time they are cherishing their married life without getting involved in other's problems or sorting family issues or covering up for some else's mistakes." Sujata conveniently taunted the rest of the ladies with a sweet smile.

"And about baby planning. Both are mature, responsible adults. They know the baby means responsibility of a life. I am sure they would take the plunge when they feel the time is right for them. I trust them they will always make the right decision." Sujata took a strong stand for her children.

After puja and dinner, Swara was looking over winding up for the function when Sujata found the perfect opportunity with Sanskar when he was alone.

"Sanskar, please make sure Swara is fine." His mother's words alerted him.

"What happened Mom?" He asked with a creased forehead.

"Parvati Kakisa, she never leaves a chance to taunt Swara." Sujata huffed irritatingly. "Now that Ragini is pregnant, Kakisa found a new topic for humiliating Swara. Not that Swara looked bothered about it but.... Just take care of her." Sujata suggested.

"For sure Mom." He smiled at his mother, for sure his wife had earned her place in his mother's good book once again.

At Swara and Sanskar's room, he came out of the washroom after freshening up. He saw his wife removing her jewellery. He stood at her back. He helped her remove her necklace.

He freed the knot of her blouse dori in some milliseconds. When she felt the loosening of her blouse she stared at his face from mirror with awe.

"You know, experience." His intense eyes were not leaving her even for a moment.

"You know experience brings the best out of one's quality." She competed with his intense look.

"But the best is yet to come." He lifted her up without giving any chance to indulge in their passionate lovemaking.

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