Slowly wiping her tear-stained cheek, Preeta looked grimly at her husband. For hundredth time, she noticed his frustrated glare at her and she couldn't do anything to end this moment.

She swallowed hard. "I had kind intentions. I did nothing wrong. Its not my fault that she has misunderstood my efforts."

She saw the twitch at the corner of his lips as he leaned ahead on the couch and crossed his hands. Putting his elbows on his knees, he smiled humorlessly.

"Helping her was right. Humiliating her wasn't."

Preeta closed her eyes and sighed. She got up from bed and ignored his heated gaze on her. From past hour, they had been arguing because two hours ago Kritika had helplessly confessed everything to her brother.

Pawan's friends had encircled Kritika and taunted her of arrogant ways at how she got him threatened by her relatives. Even her friends misunderstood the situation as no one knew the truth about Pawan and humiliated her by calling her names and boycotting her.

Feeling utterly upset and realising it all happened because Preeta was the one to take action, Kritika couldn't control the anger she felt at her. She couldn't control the urge to reach her brother and complain about how his wife had ruined her school life.

Preeta had returned home just after thanking Kabir for his support. For two whole hours, she waited for Kritika to tell her about how she rescued her from that stupid boy. But unexpectedly, Kritika gave her a blank stare and entered her room without another glance.

Being worried, Preeta waited for Karan and even asked Kabir, if Pawan could contact Kritika by any means. They had reported him to cops and with Kabir's report, they took undertaking from Pawan. He contracted that he won't disturb the girl again. Kabir had comfortingly assured her that now, everything was fine. All she needed was to give Kritika some space.

So she did.

After an hour, her husband arrived and getting scolded by him wasn't what she had expected. Karan had unnecessarily accused her of insulting Kritika, lowering her image in Kabir's eyes.

Saying that Karan was angry, was an understatement. He was furious, crazy to kill that Pawan who dared to play with his sister. Moreover, he was angry on Kritika too. But his little sister's tears and nonsensical accusations had manipulated his mind.

Preeta breathed heavily. She walked around the bed to get to the balcony ahead of their room, so she could freshen up her mind. She was disappointed at Kritika, for misunderstanding her and angry at Karan, for not trusting her.

Did he really think that she had done all this to lower his sister's image? For what she could remember, she herself hid it from him so he could not know of his sister's deeds.

She shook her head in thought and was about to step ahead when she was pulled in a hard chest. Her back hit Karan's broad front and she looked away tiredly.

"Don't ever walk away from me again." He muttered coldly while pulling her close.

Preeta let out a heavy breathe and sniffled to control her emotions. "I don't care. I am not afraid of you, anymore."

She felt his hands wrapping around her waist and she couldn't stop the sob that erupted in overwhelming actions. "Karan, leave me. I hate it. I hate all of this. I did all of this to save her. I thought you would be happy. But again, you just noticed that I took Kabir's help instead of yours..."

She turned around, pushed in his chest and looked straight in his eyes. "... Do you know why I couldn't share it with you? Because I thought, it would affect your bonding with her. You would be angry on her when she was already so stressed. The matter would have reached mom-dad's ears. It would have become so big. I did what I thought at that time..."

Karan's blank eyes softened at her words. He opened his mouth to speak but again saw, Preeta's nostrils flaring as she took a long breathe.

"Kabir helped her kindly and didn't even judge her, Karan. He had been watching her from childhood and he was actually disappointed..." Karan's jaws clenched as he tried hard to not say anything. He first wanted to listen her fully.

Preeta lowered her eyes,"I warned Pawan at first for Kritika, like a mother would do for her child. But then, he threatened of photos. Just like you did years ago..." She looked up at Karan's face and noticed how he had stiffened.

"... I was blackmailed by you and it had affected my happy life. I had suffered depression, suicidal tendencies had occurred because I didn't want to get ashamed or let down my parents. I felt as if same could happen with Kritika. Tell me, Karan. Was it so wrong to act for her then?" She sobbed while pleading him with her eyes.

Karan swallowed and realised that she was right. He couldn't deny that he was being unreasonably angry at her. All she did was, help his sister like a true family member would do. Him, getting angry on her was not fair.

He held her hands and kissed them slowly while Preeta kept her eyes at his chest, not wanting to see his face.

"I am sorry."

The simple words brought relief to Preeta's heart as she immediately looked up at him. His sad smile made her overwhelmed and a series of sobs broke out in the room as Karan hugged her tightly.

"I understand, now. I am sorry. I just get so stupid, sometimes."

"All the times." He chuckled and kissed her head. Preeta moved her head back and looked at him with sincerity in her eyes.

"I don't like when you get angry on me." She whispered while observing his face. She saw a smile curving on his lips as he leaned his face closer to hers.

"I know."

Karan sighed when he saw her fresh tears. He rubbed her back. "I am sorry, Preeta. I won't do it again. But think from outside. On one side, she was crying. I couldn't blame her, she had suffered a bad day. But now, I know you are also not wrong. You have been great. Surprisingly, brave. You are my tigress." He cooed in her ear while tickling her waist.

He saw her shrinking back and was trying hard not to smile but when he said more sweet words, she finally chuckled. Punching his chest, she hugged him.

But Karan couldn't ignore the feeling of hurt. He won't mention it again but he was still upset about her not sharing the matter with him. Kabir was the one who had told him to keep their bond strong.

So, he won't keep the grudge. She had told him the genuine reason behind her lack of communication about the issue. But he still felt as if she was hiding it because of another reason.

Maybe, she was more comfortable in sharing it with others. Maybe, she was still afraid of his bad side. He couldn't blame her. He had been cruel to her when she had gotten late for that meeting with foreign clients.

For now, it was better to remove this thought out of his mind.

But it was unfortunate, he couldn't.

________

Two days had passed and Karan could still see the sadness lurking in Preeta's eyes. During the breakfast, he could see how Kritika wasn't even looking at her while his wife was trying hard to talk.

His parents had thankfully not noticed but they had asked Kritika if everything was alright. Her, being the heartbroken girl, just shook her head with a fake smile and told them, everything was good.

The environment in his home wasn't acceptable. He felt as if it was continuing because of him. The two important women in his life were not happy and he hadn't done anything to change it.

He was neither a good husband nor a good brother and he desperately wanted to change it.

Suddenly, Rakhi Luthra spoke up. "Karan, do you remember your aunt from Shimla? Your father's distant cousin."

He nodded while taking a sip of his orange juice. "The one whose daughter is a dentist?"

She nodded with a laugh. "Yes, her. That dentist's wedding is arriving this weekend. Fortunately, we all can go and have fun."

Suddenly, an idea hit Karan's mind and from the corner of his eyes, he noticed Kritika's curious eyes. He cleared his throat in a thought while his father interrupted with a smile.

"Of course, that would be quite a break. Its been a time, we all have gone to vacations. Preeta too hadn't experience a family tour with us for once." He exclaimed.

Karan saw the slight irritation displaying on Kritika's face and he shook his head mentally. His sister was being upset for no reason. But taking this as a chance, he nervously laughed. "I think, that won't be possible this time..."

He looked around at his mother and father while Preeta quietly got up to put leftover plates in the kitchen and bring some more juice for her father-in-law. She was looking forward to this wedding. She thought it would be good to distract her from all the worries. Because of Kritika's behavior, she wasn't interested in this discussion but Karan's next words caught her attention.

"I have some office work which is to be done this weekend only. I guess, it can be only you both and Kritika." Karan nervously smiled when Preeta gave him a questioning look.

Not understanding anything and getting upset at his stupid excuse, Preeta left the hall for the kitchen. Karan sighed and waited for his mother's response who was about to burst out on him.

"No, you both are coming. I don't care. I want to show off my son's beautiful bride. You can do that work after the wedding. Everytime, you bring out your work in my plans..."

Karan rolled his eyes and looked pleadingly at his father. Mahesh Luthra smiled cheekily and leaned forward on the table. "I think, he is right."

"You are again taking his side, Mahesh ji. You know, he is just so lazy. What of relations? If we are not going to others' wedding, how will they come in ours?" Karan grinned at his mother.

He glanced at Kritika. "No one would want to miss because they know how extravagant Luthras are. Moreover, Kritika is going with you."

His sister immediately opened her mouth to intervene but Karan gave her a stern look as if challenging her to argue after her these past deeds.

"You will have a change of air." He exclaimed while looking at her.

Kritika gulped and lowered her eyes with a nod. Karan smiled satisfactorily at his mother who was still giving him a disappointed look.

"Mom, have you even decided what are you wearing?"

As if someone had drained a bucket of water on her, his mother widened her eyes. "Oh my god, no."

Karan exchanged a knowing smile from his father. He looked at Kritika who was slightly looking thoughtful than before.

"So, now instead of giving me these dull looks, go shopping. Take Kritika with you too. I can guess, she would be wanting dresses and accessories for every single ritual." Karan smiled when he saw his sister biting her lip to hide her smile while looking at the table. She looked up at him and he nodded at her while blinking slowly in assurance.

Mahesh Luthra thumped his hand on the table actively. "Its decided, then. Tomorrow, we will be off to Shimla."

Karan raised his eyebrows at his father. "Two days before?"

His mother smiled while narrowing her eyes playfully at her husband. "Shimla is his favourite place. But I too can't wait to meet all the relatives." Karan shut his lips tight and nodded.

He too couldn't wait to be alone with his wife.

_________

What turn this story is taking?
*wiggling eyebrows*