"Aanchoon!

Excuse me!

Anchoon!

Excuse me!

Aanchoon!

uh! Excuse me!"
Rubbing his nose, that had a shade of red, he looked up to find Priya, staring at him with a dirty face.

"What?"
He asked her, sniffing.

"Tch..tch..tch.. What a style!
God Bless You!"
Still she made a reticent yet dirty face at him and he looked at her with questioning eyes. He was about to pick up a card,when she squeked.

"Hands!
Go and wash them..chii!"
He looked at his hands and found nothing.

"Are you searching for the germs?

Bhaiyaa, sometimes,your level of absurdity is too high."
He smacked her head and she hushed him away. After washing his hands, he came back to her.

"Give me your cards!"
He ordered her and she twisted her lips.

"Hello!!? Why?"
She almost shouted.

"I doubt if you, took my cards."
She poked her tongue at him and smirked, ignoring his words.
"Show me, girl or else start the game again!"

Agreeing to his stubborn brother's wish,she melded the cards, to start the rummy again.
She gave him a doubtful look as he was busy wiping his nose with a kerchief.

"Hmm..
Clouds. Rain. Water. Cold. You!

Tell me, one thing.
Till yesterday, even today, in the morning,before we were leaving, You seemed alright. What really happened?"
He paused and looked at her.

"Wind. It took toll on me."

"Did you stand under the rain? Hun?"
With an intense, doubtful eyes,she gazed at him as if ready to pierce into his soul.
He narrowed his eyes at her and gradually, a naughty smile occupied his face.

"Will you agree with a lie or really want to know what happened?"
Instaneously, she looked at him with an excitement lingering on her face.
With a thud, she slapped down her cards and moved towards him.

"Now, you have to tell me!
Though, I don't want to peek, behind a husband wife's, moments but..Say!
Did she..?"
He cruely smirked at her, and a chuckle escaped his mouth.

"Seems, someone is too excited to know but..
Before that, answer me.. who actually had that chocolate kept in my room? That day?"
Priya felt as if she was caught. Her smile, gradually drawn away and tried to divert him.
"When my sister is a big chocolate thief, then I don't think..I want to give myself the rights of giving you some hints about today's events.

Better, we continue our game."
He ignored her and glaring asked her to start the game. Pouting, she had to agree with him.
"But..For whom did you bring that?
Why are you creating it a big issue?"

"Rummy!!"
He shouted, as he won the game. Pouting again, she continue to play the next round.

"Avyakta?"
Savita's voice drew him as she called his beloved wife's name. Within a speck of a moment, he looked towards the kitchen to get a glimpse of her, who in the meantime, refused to even come out and have a glance of him.
"Beta, I'll do it.
It's been long, you are in the kitchen, come out ,now!"

"No!..uh! No, maa!
Y'all must be tired..I'll make it."
Siddhant giggled to himself, as her words hit her ears. The reticent wife of his, knew how to save herself from him,since the time she confessed.

What's the big deal,then?
He'll wait more,because at last after a long day, they had to sleep beside each other, under a single roof and he had that chance, to tease her.

He bit his lips, to stop the smile coming on his face and remained busied in their game.
He heard his father, clearing his throat as he looked to find him, sitting beside him.

"So much glow?
Why so?"
Furrowed Siddhant, gazed at his father, confused.

"Umm..I didn't get you,Papa!?"

"You didn't get me?
Hmm..
Something has happened, I guess in our absence. Right?"

Siddhant looked down, as he bit his lips. Is there really a special glow, after some love confession? He never knew that and when for the first time, he guessed, he never got any statements from his family. Everyone were asking him, as they really knew what happened in their absence.

"Uhmm..No..No..Papa!
Nothing has happened."
Passing a reluctant smile, he took a card and placed it down,unknowingly, helping Priya to win the game. She shrieked and brought him back from his thoughts.

"Well, I'm not forcing my son for something. It's his life and don't want to be an intruder.
But...
I've seen a special glow on his face today which was missing in these past months.
I wouldn't mind if..You..will tell..Uhmm..I mean..You understand?"
This was getting at it's peak. The manly cheeks of his were showing a tint of pink colour, which were somehow, covered under the little stubble.

"I think,ummm..How..How was your trip to uncle's house?
He and aunty? How are they?"
Trying to divert the topic, he looked at his father,who was not satisfied with the type of answer he gave to him. Vijay's smile grew into a despondent one.

"I- I told you just,a few moments ago. They're fine.
But..I asked-"

"Priya. I just come!"
Without looking back, he left the place and huffed. Rubbing his cheeks, he tried to control himself.
What? Boys too have the right to, shy away.

In return, he heard Vijay and Priya's hearty laugh, who later had probably, hi-fived.

Siddhant walked into the kitchen, only to see her state as his. He haulted and looked at her mother,who might have probably guided Avyakta of something and herself, went out.

Giving Savita a smile, her eyes met with his, who on the other side of the kitchen, leaned against the wall.
Instantly, she moved her gaze away and busied herself, in moving her hand as she cooked some curry.

She felt nervous and a sudden increase of her breathing as well as heartbeat, unlike before.
He was assaulting her heartbeat even without doing anything. Just his mere presence was effecting the lady,that day.

Avyakta has decided to never turn around and look back at him. His eyes spell a different magic which she was unable to define into the words.

Her heart fluttered. Felt as if the fist-sized organ, would jump out of her rib cage,anytime,sooner. He was behind her, too close,leaving an inch gap.
Siddhant had decided to not look at her for even once, but also, to not leave her,without a gentle pick on her at this time.

His hand travelled to the above counter,brushing it with hers. In return, she alluringly closed her eyes.
Taking out a glass, which he could find in a counter behind him too, he cascaded his hand.

The pace of her hands, decreased as she couldn't concentrate a bit. Her mind,soon went blank by his mere touch. Why was he again, testing her perseverance?

He intentionally pushed himself, more to her as her body pressed to the counter. She felt, butterflies all around her stomach. Gulping down, she glanced at him, who had busied himself to find nothing on the above almirah.

''Mrs. Avyakta?"
His husky,deep voice intruded her ears. Pushing her still wet hair on the other shoulder, he kept his chin,tickling her with his stubble.
She breathed, deeply.
"You heard? They asked about today's incident. Should I tell or.."
He trailed, leaving hot breathes on her earlobe, to which she looked down in ecstasy.

Feeling something cold, beneath,She found his hand,gradually moving on her waist, hugging her from behind.
"Pl..please..Go Si..Siddhant.
Someone.. May..Co..Come.. Go!"
She whispered as he smiled.

"I will.
But.. I didn't ask this.
Tell me, Avyakta.. Ji..whether should I tell them about our..ouch!"
She hit him with his elbow and smiled,without facing him.
Siddhant stood holding his abdomen.

"Stay away!
You're having cold."
She spoke glaring at him and pouting, he leaned back to the wall behind.

"So mean..So mean..Wifey!"
Pouting, he walked away but not before pecking her cheek. Avyakta was left gaping with his sudden act. She shuddered with his touch,while her lips drew into a wide smile.

.
.
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.
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"Not again,bhaiyaa!"
Siddhant laughed,proudly as the victory was secured again,by him.

"Haan! I forgot, the most important thing.
Siddhant,Avyakta, that plumber boy came today, he called your father. Were you not at home?"
Siddhant stopped for a while and later continued to play the game,untroubled. Impishly,he stared at Avyakta, who haulted,at her steps.

"Avyakta. You tell."
Siddhant, gleefully motioned her.

"Umm..Maa..Actually.. we..we-were at home but-"

"Rummy! I won,again."
Siddhant shouted, interrupting. Avyakta could only stare at him,with vengeful eyes. He had really, hauled her in a gnarly situation.

"Maa..What happened was, we went to..to..mm..buy some stuffs, Avyakta needed. Maybe, he might have came in our absence."
Reality was, they never stepped out of the house,the whole day but just to cover up some things, he spoke. Avyakta sighed in relief but at the same time, felt guilty at her carelessness of being unknown about someone's arrival.

"Oh! But..It-"

"I know, maa, you'll say that the rain didn't stop for once but..
It did. And..In between we got drenched,too.
I'll call him tomorrow."
Siddhant smiled at his mother, who nodded, agreeing to him. Avyakta felt a gush of relief, washing over her.

.
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.
.
.

Rains felt as if did some magic in the air. Placid environment seemed soothing to each vein of the body. It came as a blessing to the hearts that remained doldrums for a long period. It washed away the pain of the past, they say and it did.

She touched the satisfaction of his heart,where he always wanted to be close to her. She had accepted him, wholeheartedly, like before.

The pitch darkness along with the slow winds, were stared at by Siddhant,who contemplated the view as if never done before. His love was back to him.
A contended face, he had as he fondly thought of the moments spent with her. Her words still rang in his ears, the touch of her lips still remained in the memory, her poetry sweet as honey soothed his heart strings.

Maybe, this was the way he wanted them to meet again.

He looked upto the sky, with a gratified and tranquil face. Captivated with the beguiling visinage, he closed his eyes. A wish upon the stars was today, got fulfilled.

Everything seemed too alluring. The serene breezes, touched his face,naughtily,pecking his soul. He felt contented and relaxed.

A touch, that was known to him, broke his trance as his eyes met with the unperturbed orbs. He looked at the lady, who gradually, brushed off his hair back from the forehead.
Unfalteringly adoring, she was.

Keeping a glass of milk, she sat across him,on the bed as again, the silence engulfed them.

"Siddhant?
Have this. You'll be fine, by tomorrow."
He sniffed and felt his running nose which he, in the meantime, had forgotten.
Taking a glance at the milk, he looked back to the lady, infront of him as if gratified,with his gaze. Wiping his nose, his vision blurred with the salty water, that seemed to cascade down,anytime.
How much he tried to never cry infront of her but..that heart of his melted at her mere presence.

With watery eyes, Siddhant gazed fondly,at her face. The confession she made was not something that just bounded on their I love you's. It was beyond the words, something that holded them together even in the cruel times,too.

He slid his palm to her nape as she simpered with an intensified admiration.
"I want to say many things now,that is beyond our agonizing sufferings. That day, still dance infront of my eyes,when in the night, we used to sit with each other, same as today. And..see I got you back."

She smiled, back at him as she kept her palm on his. Moreover,wiped away the undecided tear, that cascaded down through his cheek,unascertainly.
"Uh! I'm not crying, Avyakta.
It's just.."

"I know..I know, let it be. I understand you.
How is it feeling to fall in love, again? Hun?"
She spoke.

"Feels as if falling for the first time." His cheeks flushed with the brimmed tears and a soft laughter,escaped his mouth.

"It's too enchanting to be here with you tonight-"

"You'll be forever."

"I know..forever. But, your patience is something, I will adore,always. Siddhant-"

"You know..There's something which my heart is pushing me to do it,now but the reticent brain pushes me back and-"
Instaneously, she pecked his lips, that lasted for few second and pulled back. He furrowed and couldn't decide whether to say anything on this act. A blush, travelled on her delighted cheeks, making it crimson red.

"You had coffee?
That too, without me?"
He narrowed his eyes at her, faking anger. Her lips, smelled of coffee, grew into a smile.

"Yes! But, Mr. , You've to drink this turmeric milk. Otherwise, the condition will get worse, okay?"
He nodded and pouting took the hot glass, upto his mouth.
The soft winds, brushed their bodies, percolating inside them, a new energy.

"Hmm..My wife,knows,her husband needs. I just needed a hug and she kis-"

"Bhaiyaa, Bhabhi, are you awake?"
A female voice hit their ears, who knocked before entering inside.
Who knows, what was happening inside, because, since evening she was eager to know the different radiance, their face had.

"No! Go, away!
You are talking to ghosts. Sitting inside, You'll get scared."
He got a glare from Avyakta, and instantly, pushing the door came fumming Priya inside and gave a swat on his head.

"You brother of mine, Siddhant Sharma! I'll give you blows that to infront of my Bhabhi, that you will not be able to forget for the rest of your life, mind it!
Who give such replies,hun?"
She started punching, smacking and pushing him.
He would have died, that to because of laughing, today, if Avyakta wouldn't have intruded.

He pulled his shirt down and in the meanwhile, never left the laughter turned giggles.
"Easy..easy..Priya..
Sit!"

"Priya?! Call her, Monkey!
She looks one!"
He laughed and again tried to cover up his face,when Priya came to give him another, round of swats but was soon stopped by Avyakta.

"I came here..to give you something and you..are ready to fight with me.
Mean. So mean,Brother."
She sniffed and drank water, given by Avyakta.
Meanwhile, Siddhant had no effect of her ramblings and was busied, drinking his milk.

"Hey! Siddhant?
Say sorry..
Say,I said."
Avyakta almost shouted on him,who had kept himself busy in finding,nothing in the glass.
She called him again and he looked at her who in return was illuminating anger, through her brown orbs.
He whispered a small sorry,nonchalantly, before Priya could walk out.

"Bhabhi, I bought this for you and this fellow. Keep it as a present from my side.

Open it!"
She gave Avyakta a rectangular shaped, object in her hand,covered with a glittery sheet.

She looked at everyone before tearing off the paper.
She found,her and Siddhant's picture, on a big photo frame along with a mug.
It was a picture they captured, together with Priya on her engagement.

Avyakta could only stare at it, admiring each of the person on the frame. Siddhant pinched his sisters, cheeks, fondly and side hugged her,whispering again a sorry.
"Happy Marriage Anniversary, to you!"

Siddhant and Avyakta glanced at each other, smiling.
"Tell me, one thing.
In some months, you'll be a married woman and will go away like Ruchi did. I'll have no one to play with me, to play pranks on someone. So, I'm just enjoying these days, precious to me."
He kissed her forehead, lovingly and hugged ,her again.

''Are you planning to make me cry?
I'll ask my husband to come daily. If not, daily but weekly here to meet you all."
Priya spoke with her welled up eyes as she hugged her brother, fondly. Avyakta could only adorably, look at them.
"But...You don't worry bhaiyaa!
One will go and another will come!"

Confused, Siddhant asked her the meaning behind the words.
"Your baby!"

Avyakta and Siddhant looked at each other as if she spoke incoherentlu. His smile, gradually weakened and Avyakta was oscillating whether she should shy away or feel despondent.
Priya realized her words and looked at their faces.
"Sorry Bhaiya,Bhabhi!
But..till when will you both get drowned into a past that has no meaning,now? Tell?
I know, when someone speaks about a child,it hurts you but..move on!

And I know,you both are!

Well,I should go now! Good Night!"
She did some funny things, to which they both chuckled. Giving a kiss to both of them, she returned back to her room.

.
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.
.

She felt happy, but this too felt even a small word. Both fell in love, again with each other but for her..everything seemed new. With her relaxed and confident face, she stared back at her reflection the mirror gave. The morning incidents, were still fresh in her mind.
She felt herself as a new flower that emerged from the bud with the beginning of the dawn.

A sense of gratitude will always, remain in her mind, towards him,who helped her recognise herself and to push him towards the path of optimism,again. She loved him.

Biting her lips, she shaked her head,as the touch of his lips remained unfaded in her memory. With his eyes that gawked into hers, he seeped down into her an emotion of forever. His gaze had an intensity which only someone who loved him, could recognise and she did.

Sighing, she walked back to the room,not before glancing herself back with a coy smile.

Avyakta stared at the picture that,they recently hanged on the wall,which Priya gave. Her face seemed contented at that day, maybe love had already knocked at her but she realized it a little late.

Brushing off the thoughts, she headed back to the bed,where she saw him, asleep. His face looked placid as the vast ocean in the dawn. He had to face, many things,maybe had to suffer much more than her. Rivalry, losing a child, almost losing a wife, and many other things she didn't even know, he faced but at the same time remained,all relaxed and unperturbed.

Giving him a smile,she lay down. Her hand was about to touch the switch of the lights,when she heard his voice.
"Avyakta."

Turning around, he saw him laying with open eyes,smiling with serenity.
"Uhmm..
Look, I know, how we both feel for each other and like this will give time to each other,furthermore.
But..
Will you mind if, you..uh..give me a hug... tonight? Like... you understand.."
He trailed off and looked at her.
A chuckle escaped her mouth as she asked him to move closer.

Widening his arms, he let her lay inside his warmth.
"Siddhant?
Why are you hesitating, this much?"
Softly,she questioned as she looked up at him,within his embrace.

"Avyakta.. if you're thinking that I'm hesitating that's all because ,I don't want to make my cheek red unlike before,imprinting five fingers of yours. That's it.
I want you to be at your comfort,Okay?"
She laughed at him and nodded. While he had a coy smile, transfixed on his face.
She was on his side of the bed and never thought,even a night before too, that she would be laying down in his embrace the other day.
He slid his hand, gradually on her waist pulling her more closer. She dug her face, into his chest and closed her eyes with a different tranquility, provided to them.

A wish upon the stars was fulfilled.

"I don't want to leave you, now. Never. I was a fool, then who thought to kick you,far.
I'm sorry,Siddhant.. So sorry!"
Her eyes,which she didn't want to get welled up, brimmed with some salty water. His face touched her hair as she sensed him smiling against it. She patted his hair, as they both lay down with closed eyes.

"Shh..It's okay..It's okay..
We both were right,on our places."
He spoke against her hair.
She held him closer with her hand, that was slid against his back. The eyes, that occupied myriad emotions and tears, stared upon his face. He looked down at her and smiled.
"Are you not thinking to push me, away...now? You may catch cold."

His deep,husky voice hit her ears.
She twitched her lips upwards, and looked at him, with an elated and vivacious,expression. She snaked, herself from his embrace, and looked up into his eyes. She came forward and tenderly plopped an amicable kiss on the top of his head. Her opened hair,touched his face,gently which she pushed them back.

"Let it be.
We will sail together, always."
Avyakta layed down back into his arms, again and closed her eyes as she felt the sound of his heartbeats. He meant alot to her and this time promised herself, never to let the pious relationship in which they were bound,to break ever.

With night, that again became the witness of their love, smiled brightly, as if shying away. The winds blew past their bodies, who were embraced together,cosily.
He felt as if he got his home back as he snuggly, held her closer to himself,not wanting her to leave her anytime sooner.
She cuddled with him, as a small rabbit who finally got his burrow,after sauntering in an eternally monlit,dense forest. His touch seemed too known yet unknown to her.

The homey embrace was back again, after a gap that felt like a storm.

As they say, the road to go to the place might seem tough but not impossible. They will surely reach their destination, together and they did.

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"Avyakta?
Come here."
Savita asked her to come and sit beside her, softly. A smile that never left her face, she came and sat.

"Ji,maa?"

"Sit. I want to talk with my daughter,today."
Giving her a smile,she nodded.
"You know, a mother is someone who can understand the deepest state of her kids and..
There's something,I'm feeling since past few days."
She looked behind at Vijay,who had occupied himself,within the newspaper but eavesdropped their convo.

"I know, for you accepting your relation with us,with Siddhant, would have been toughest.
And,I'm glad that you accepted us, again. It has been really heartwrenching for-

Well, let bygone be bygone. I saw you again, standing up, amidst all the chaos the circumstances made. I'm really proud of you. Love you my girl."
Avyakta gave her an assuring smile and clasped her hand within hers, amicably.

"Uh..mm..
May I ask you one,thing?"
She again,glanced back at Vijay,who nodded and Avyakta could only look at them,quite confused.
"Our son.
Si..Siddhant. You might have got many experiences with him. There were times when I saw you both,falling apart but..now,Did you feel-"
She was pulled into a hearty hug, initiated by Avyakta.
Savita hugged her back.

"Maa, everything's fine,now. I've accepted him."
She spoke. Except Siddhant, she wanted to share her feelings,with someone whom she feel attached to. Savita was like her mother and wanted to say,her heart out to her.
"Maa.. Without, you and Papa everything might seem impossible for us. In the agonizing and heart rending period,too, besides him, I will be truly grateful to my whole family,to you. Along with us, you too suffered and I don't know..if I could explain my thanks in words to you, maa.
I don't know..Really!"
She pulled back from the embrace and stared at her,with love a daughter has for her mother. Savita brought her palms closer to her face and kissed them,with her tearful face. Her happiness knew no boundaries.

Vijay could only show an indecipherable love. He felt satisfied and contented for his son, for Avyakta.

"Maa..
Many people came and went from my life, and helped me broke my trust from them,instead. But, your, Priya,Ruchi, Papa and Sanyukta's love gradually pulled me,towards y'all.
It was all fated maa.

How many times, I tried to remember your faces and the relationship,I carry with y'all but I couldn't..
If I in these whole period ever, hurted you,please..please maa, give this child your forgiveness.."
Avyakta's eyes were filled with unshed tears as she was hugged by Savita and Vijay. They knew how to console her.

Blissfully, he stood behind the wall,resting against it as everything he captured within his eyes. He thanked his stars and a joyous smile, stretched on his lips.

"Thank you,Sanyukta! This Sid mama,of yours would be grateful to you for, making me perfect in eavesdropping."
He chuckled as the little girl's face came into his memory. Resting his head back, his lips curved into a smile.

Life is Beautiful!

◆◆◆◆◆

Many things came in between and last week, I couldn't draft the chapter since it was incomplete. To everyone, and to those who asked for the update,my apologies. Really very sorry.

I thought to make it a 20 chapter story, So the last part will be up in this week only.
Stay tuned!