-: Rajeshri :-

When the blaring of the alarm clock resonated in the room, my eyes snapped open. My vision hazy but my limbs were immobile. They were stiff, and I didn't dare to move a muscle.

Shamrat ji groaned out in his deep morning voice and the tiny tendons at the back of my neck stood in attention. He sat up on the bed, and stretched his muscles rubbing his locks that were messily falling over his forehead.

Damn! That was ... I don't know, kind off sexy.

As soon as that thought came to my mind, my eyes widened at bewilderment. Why the hell did I even call my monster of a husband, sexy!? My hormones were surely playing tricks with me.

On the top of that, Shamrat ji was really hard not to notice. With those rippling muscles and broad shoulders, his perfect messy hair and dark eyes, he was a sight to behold.

But unfortunately, not everything that glitters is gold ... and not every handsome man is husband material.

Shamrat ji whirled his head towards me and I clamped shut my eyes, relaxing my limbs. I was not in mood to deal with his annoying self, early in the morning. He would surely try to piss me off by saying something or annoy me by touching me.

I felt his movements around me, my heartbeat accelerating with his every step. The heat from his body radiated off, as soon as he sat beside my sleeping figure on the floor.

"I hope you don't wake up before I return from gym, cause I have a plan and it's my deepest desire to wake you up in that way," he whispered in his husky tone, his hot breath gazing my nose, as his lips lingered on my forehead.

Goosebumps pimpled over my skin and my heart beat accelerated at his words. A shiver ran down my spine, at his deep voice.

Something?  What did he mean by that? What was his motives?

I laid still on the floor for an Eon, but was only a few minutes, when the bathroom door opened and Shamrat ji walked out of the room.

A heavy sigh left my lungs and I sat up as soon as he was out of the room. God knew what he had on his mind, but I won't let him imply that on me.

Pushing myself on my feet, I folded the  bedsheets and took my pillow from the floor to keep it on the beanbag. I had approximately one hour before he returns, so I quickly strode in the washroom to finish my morning business.

I brushed my teeth, and took a bath after emptying my bladder. Coming out of the washroom draped in towel, I quickly grabbed a pink kurta, a heavy dupatta and leggings for the day.

By the time I came downstairs, the clocked had strikes 6:45, so without wasting much time I grabbed the bread to make egg sandwiches. It took me almost half an hour, to make sandwiches for everyone. When everything was done and I was keeping a kitchen knife in the sink, when  my eyes settled down on a liquid dish wash.

A bulb instantly lit up in my head. Quickly grabbing the dish wash, I ran upstairs and walked into our bedroom. The washroom's floor was still wet when I pinched the bottle and sprayed the transparent dish wash all over the tiled floor.

After I was satisfied with my art on the washroom floor, I hid the bottle behind my dupatta and came downstairs. As soon as I walked into the kitchen, I saw Shamrat ji walking inside home, sweat running down his arms. His light grey tshirt had turned dark grey due to sweat, and water was dripping down his throat as he was gulpig it down from a bottle.

My steps stalled at the sight. His broad chest was quite visible in that t-shirt, and his messy hair was looking way more beautiful like this. He was so much more handsome when he is carefree and without that smugly smirk.

His feet faltered as soon as he saw me, and he scrunched his eyebrows. "You're up?" he question with disappointment laced in his tone.

"What does that mean?" I asked, rolling my eyes and walked into the kitchen, the liquid dish wash still hid under my dupataa.

"I had other plans to wake you up. But it seems like you aren't that lucky," Shamrat ji scoffed and jumped up the stairs. My lips curled into a rictus grin. He didn't even know how badly he was going to get hurt.

'You're the unlucky one, my dear sweet husband' I wanted to spat that on his face, but it wasn't possible. Or else my plan would badly end up into a miserable failure.

I ambled back into the kitchen and continued arranging the sandwiches in different plates, when Ma walked into the room.

"Good Morning Ma," I greeted her and she replied me back with a small smile. She sat down on the table, grabbing the newspaper.

"Where's Shamrat, Rajeshri?" Ma asked, running her eyes through lines in the newspaper. Her face was stern as usual, and the rimless glas was sitting perfectly on her nose.

"He is getting his punishment," I mumbled under my breath and tried to fight the grin that was coming on my face.

"What did you say?" Ma asked, keeping the newspaper down and gave a sharp look.

"Nothing Ma. He is taking a shower," I replied back in a strong voice keeping my head high. She was a bit dominating like her son, but I refused to get dominated by anyone.

"Hmm," she hummed and kept the newspaper down. I grabbed a plate and served her the sandwiches with some salad. The moment I was going to grab the ketchup a loud thud resonate in the house.

Ma's eyes quickly flew above her head, observing the ceiling, her face morphing into a deep frown.

"What was that?" she asked, her eyebrows still deeply furrowed. I shook my head and looked up too, feigning surprise. "That might be the wind Ma. Maybe a vase or something has fallen down."

Ma nodded but her expression still looked unconvinced. I quickly served her the ketchup too, so thet she could start eating.

20 minutes passed and Ma had already finished her breakfast. She was still on the table with the newspaper, waiting for Shamrat ji, when my husband limped inside the room, his face twisting into pain with every step.

As soon as Ma saw him, she threw the newspaper away and jerked up. "Shamrat beta, what happened!?"

I feigned surprise by widening my eyes, but kept my palm on my mouth to hide the wicked grin from Ma. "Oh my God! What happened to you?" I exclaimed going towards him.

Shamrat ji gritted his teeth, and his nose flared. I wasn't sure whether it was due to the anger which was directed at me or due to the pain he was inflicted to, but he did look pathetic. I felt very satisfied with my work and gave myself a mental pat on my back.

"I slipped," he snipped and say down on the chair with a thud. Ma quickly hiked up his kurta to see a blue back bruise was forming on his lower back.

"Rajeshri, go quickly get some ice." I ran towards the refrigerator and grabbed some ice cube, wrapping it in a plastic back and handed it over to Ma.

"Here beta, it will sooth your pain and help with the bruise." Ma gently patted the plastic on his bag, and he threw daggers at me though his eyes. If Ma wasn't present in the room, I was sure he would have taken his revenge.

I smirked at him and flipped my hair, turning away from his glares. He needed to know his place, and most importantly he needed to know that if he did something wrong with me, I will fight back.

"Rajeshri, sit here and pat this on Shamrat's back, will you. I will go and get some painkillers for him," Ma ordered and handed me over the plastic bag, swiftlyy strolling out of the kitchen.

I heaved an exaggerated sigh, and looked at the bruise that was forming on his back. Without warning I pushed the ice bag with all my force on his back and he hissed in pain.

"You love to see hickeys on my body given by you don't you? And now, I am loving this beautiful bruise I gifted you. Hope you enjoy it," I retorted and rubbed the ice roughly on his back.

Shamrat ji groaned out in pain, and stood up with a flash, grabbing away the ice pack from my hand. He was so fast that I almost got a whiplash when he towered over me, with a deadly expression on his face. His fist was curled and his face was wild, rage burning in his eyes.

My nerve palpitated at his stance, and I took a step back in dread. He was looking dangerous, looming over me.

"Shamrat, here. I got Volini." Ma strode into the room with the ointement and he quickly looked away from me, the wrath still visible in his eyes.

"What happened?" Ma asked, as soon as he was our tensed figures. I bit my inner cheeks, and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

What if he tells Ma that I am responsible for this? She will surely think I am childish and a brat.

"Nothing ma, I was just telling Shri the exact area where to apply the ice " Shamrat ji responded and handed me over the ice back.

"That's enough. Here, let me help you with this." Ma applied the volini on his back, as I stood beside her trying to look worried about my so called husband.

Shamrat ji's phone rang on the table and Ma quickly recieved the call. "Arnav, yes it's me. Shamrat got into an accident. He won't be able to come to the office today."

Shamrat ji's face twisted into a worried look as he stood up and tried to pry the phone off Ma's hand.

"Mom, I have to go today. I can't skip the meeting with the officials that are coming today for inspection." Shamrat ji gently coaxed Mom, taking her hands into his big palms. But she wasn't a easy stick to bend.

"No Shamrat, you are weak right now. You got into an accident. For God's sake, you can't even walk properly!" Ma exclaimed, snatching away her hand from Shamrat ji's grasp.

"Mom, I will take my car. And Arnav is there to see the rest. But this meeting is really important Ma. It took me months to get the appointment."

Guilt gripped me, as I understood how much Shamrat ji cared about our village. He was not even worried about his health when the welfare of this village was concerned.

"But Shar...."

"Please Mom, you know how important it is." Shamrat ji looked intently at Ma for good 10 seconds, until she heaved a sigh and shook her head.

"Okay, but as soon as the meeting ends, I want you back at home."

"Joh hukum mere aaka." (As you wish master)

Ma slapped his hand playfully and chuckled, as a genuine smile curled up on Shamrar ji's lip.

Wow, he indeed looked more handsome while smiling.

*******

When Shamrat ji limped away, with the help of Arnav, I gazed at the door for a long time. Maybe, I shouldn't have done what I did. But I was only trying to teach him a lesson. He always messed around with me.

When I was deep in thought, I felt a small pat on my shoulder and my body quickly swirled around.

"Yes Ma?" I asked nervously, as I saw Ma standing behind me with a stern expression, her arms crossed over her chest.

'Was she aware of my deeds!?' My eyes widened as soon as that thought came to my head, but I didn't let my blank face falter.

"I want you to get ready. Wear a saree, we need to go somewhere," Saying this Ma strode away and climbed upstairs.

I shook my head and clicked my tongue in annoyance. Both mother and son were same. Bossy.

*******

We were walking on the stone pitch roadways of our village as my eyes grazed over the neverending paddy field. The fields were I used to play when I was a kid, the road which was still not concrete when I was small child and me and my friends used to have play lock and key here. Some many nostalgic memories.

Ma didn't say me why we were out or where we were going, but I was enjoying this stroll, even the sun was scorching over our head. It was 12 O'clock and the sun was shining brightly.

After walking for some more distance we entered the residential area where several small huts and small houses were built. Most of them were daily laborers or carpenters. I used to visit my friend in this locality often during my school days.

"What are we doing here Ma?" I asked, looking at her. She didn't even a single sentence while we were coming, as if she was deep in thoughts.

Ma's eyes bored into me as I gulped a lump in my throat, "Rajeshri, you are the wife of a leader and I want you to understand and imbibe the gravity of your position. You husband look after the needs of this village but he can only do so much. I want you to help him in improving the condition of the village."

Ma's words shook me to the core. She wanted me to help Shamrat ji in leading the village? But I was an inexperienced girl, with no knowledge about this stuffs.

"But Ma, how am I supposed to do all that? I know nothing about leadership."

"That's why I am here. I had led this village for 15 years. I was a pradhan too, and when Shamrat got old enough, he took over my party and won the election. But he is too mechanical. He does looks after the needs of this village and is trying every day to improve the living condition of village folks. But they need someone they can open up-to," Ma replied me, her head held high and back straight. I was in awe with her words.

"And you want me to be that person? To whom they will open up?"

"Yes." Ma nodded, her eyes shining brightly.

"Okay. I will try my best but I am promising that I won't let you down," I promised, grasping her hand.

Ma smiled at me and pointed towards a medium size house. "Go there and talk with the women of the house. Try to listen to their problems and note it down in your head. Then we will find proper solutions to that, by going to people's home one by one"

I nodded at Ma with a wide grin and looked at the house. It was a brick home with no plaster. Two children were playing around it with a tyre.

Strolling into the home, I saw a woman sitting on ground infront of a earthen makeshift oven. The wood was burning brightly giving and a almost black cauldron.

"Namaste."

The women's head whirled around and she looked at me skeptically. She pushed herself on her feet and nodded at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"Ji? Kon hai aap?" (Yes, Who are you?)

"I am Rajeshri Jh ... Rathore. Pradhan's wife. I am come here to talk to you." The word 'Pradhan's wife' felt like poison on my tongue, but that was my identity ... at least for now, so I couldn't skip that.

As soon as she heard who I was, her frown face changed into a happy one. "Welcome, welcome! Please have a seat." She enthusiastically pulled a chair and me a glass of water. After quenching my thirst she looked at me, "How can I help you didi?" (Sister)

"Please don't call me didi. I am younger than you. Call me by my name Rajeshri." I said.

"Thikhai." (Okay)

I nodded my head and looked at her properly. Dry hair, dull skin and very skinny. I wondered how could she became the mother of two children.

"I am here today so that we can talk about your problems. I want you to think of me as you friend and talk you heart out about whatever problems you are facing."

********

The sun was setting down the horizon when Ma and I walked inside out haveli, drenched in sweat and our body full of dirt. I almost interviewed 7 woman today, two of them were housewives, three helped their husbands in the field and the rest two were daily wage labourers at a factory side.

"Rajeshri, go inside and take a shower. After that I want you to write down everyone's problems in a journal and find solution for them, okay?" Ma commanded me and climbed upstairs.

I heaved a tired sigh and sat down on the couch. This was a really hectic day, and wasn't easy at all. I was already dead tired in one day, and the only thing I did was talk and walk. How did Shamrat ji managed everything alone?

This made me realise how hard he worked everyday. A seed of remorse sprouted in me for what I did to him in the morning. How was he? Where was he?

When I was deep in my thoughts, I felt movements beside me and my side seat dipped in. My eyes flew towards the figure who was sitting by my side, and I babbled out the first words that came to my head.

"How is your back?"

Shamrat ji's cold dark eyes studied me sharply as I gulped a lump in my throat. One of his perfect eyebrows were shot up, as if me asking out his health is absurd.

"As beautiful as you wanted it to be," he scoffed and took the TV remote from the center table. I gazed at his side face for a prolong time, but then realized that he wasn't interested to talk to me today, so I stepped down from the sofa and went upstairs to take a shower.

After coming out of the shower, I took out a  empty journal from the drawer than Ma had given up earlier that day and sat down on the bed.

Time for some work.

●~~~~~~~< ☆ >~~~~~~~●

Welcome back my pals! 🤩❤

Rajeshri is wicked 🤣 but who can blame her when you have got an obnoxious husband!

Anyway, as I said earlier the chapters from now onwards will be a bit diffent. Other than just Shamrat and Rajeshri's relationship, it will also throw light on some other things that are important for the story. Buckle up your belts, cause very soon the story would turn more interesting 😊😊

For now, tell me ....

Do you like Shamrat's Mother?

What are your thoughts about Shamrat as a Pradhan of his village?

And is Rajeshri too childish to pull that act on Shamrat?

Do you think Rajeshri will be able to take up her responsibilities?

If you like the chapter don't forget to

VOTE🌟 and COMMENT💬

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◇ Random Question Time  ◇

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and

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Take care pals! See you all soon! 🤩💖

Babye 😉🙋‍♀️