26. Tumhe muskurata dekhna ab aadat si hai meri. (Watching you smile is now like a habit for me.)

•°•

"Now that you've worn a saree, let's put it to a good use?" I suggested with a smirk.

Priya blushed in the cheeks, eyes dropping low as she attempted to pull away. I smiled, holding her back by the waist. She stumbled on top of me, almost on my lap. "You know," I tucked a loose strand behind her ear, "when I first saw you, I was so mesmerized," I confessed, catching the hint of surprise that flashed through her eyes. "Trust me when I say, I had God damn high standards when it came to women. I mean, I'm as basic as every other Indian man, but I still hoped for a woman who could titillate my damn senses and stop me dead in my tracks. Which was impossible." I whispered, pulling her closer when I realised her breath was just as shallower as mine. "Was," I repeated breathlessly, the tip of my nose pressing beneath her ear.

A soft moan slipped past her lips, shocking me to the core. Priya pulled away frantically, disbelief covering her features as she cupped her mouth and rushed down the bed before leaving the room.

I blinked, still trying to wrap my head around the sequence of events that unfolded in a split of a second. My gaze got stuck on the door out of which she just disappeared and I swallowed.

She moaned?

I-I didn't even do anything.

I didn't even touch her anywhere intimate.

I exhaled a loud breath, cupping my own cheeks that had began to heat up as a reaction to her reaction. Her sensitivity to my touch had me uncomfortable all over, and not the bad kind of uncomfortable but the new kind. When it's something you haven't done before, and it makes you nervous and anxious since it's way out of your comfort zone, that kind of uncomfortable.

I fixed my pants, blowing a breath out of my cheeks. I wanted to take her out today since she wore the saree for me. But in the end, the moment took a complete irreversible turn.

Getting off the bed, I waited around until the discomfort in my pants was no longer visible to the naked eyes. When I was finally able to leave the room, Priya was busy arranging the dining table for the lunch. Our eyes met and she quickly scurried back into the kitchen.

Maybe she is embarrassed?

Shrugging it off, I headed to the living room to get my mind off what happened just a few minutes ago in the bedroom. Dad had some South Indian movie on with horrible dubbing, but I forced myself through it for a reason that I badly needed a distraction.

"Khaana lag gaya hai (Lunch is ready)" Priya's timid voice broke through the television noise. Dad turned the idiot box off and stood up, gesturing for me to do the same. I followed wordlessly, walking past Priya to the dining table. I was in the middle of serving myself when she arrived, and following her, Bhai did too. He served himself and took the plate to his room, ignoring mom's incessant callings. Priya settled down beside me, quietly filling her plate.

We had lunch in silence, well except for Mom who kept complaining about Bhai's lack of attention towards his health and Meghna's out-of-the-blue chuckles while she had her eyes fixated on the phone.

Normally, Priya has a habit of adding food to my plate as soon as it lessens but today she was more focused on her plate, ignoring any and all instances of needing to talk to me.

Post lunch, I went to the room while she stayed back to wash the dishes. I wanted to offer help because Mom went to Bhai's room and Meghna didn't care about asking even though the kitchen looked messy and she had helped nothing with the household chores from the time she has come back. But our unusual, newly bloomed awkwardness held me back.

It was two hours into the afternoon when Priya entered the room, slightly haggard, her loose updo messy but beautiful. I felt bad. Maybe I should have helped her.

She directly went to the desk and freed her tucked pallu, occupying the empty chair to start her work. I put the book on my lap, watching as she gently massaged her shoulders and neck while her laptop booted up. A sigh of guilt escaped me, causing me to put the book aside and forget the current awkwardness between us to help her out. She was too focused on the screen to notice me coming, and when she did, I was already rubbing her shoulders.

"Aditya, don't!" She pulled away, leaning forward to escape my hands.

"Shut up and stay still," I commanded, pulling her back before my hands resumed their work.

She sat stiffly.

"Relax, Jaan," I whispered.

She stiffened more.

"Priya, forget about it."

"Please don't bring it up." She begged.

"Priya, it's okay. It was a natural reaction-"

"Don't." She cut me off sternly, sounding extremely embarrassed.

I dropped the subject, agreeing with her wish just so she could take my help without throwing another tantrum. A few minutes later, she finally began to relax in the chair, her shoulders sagging beneath my hands, a sigh falling past her lips.

My eyes were shamelessly latched onto her neck, drawing a curve as they followed the slope before zeroing on the knots of her blouse string.

I wanted to undo it so bad.

Just to see her reaction.

Just to hear that fucking sound once again.

With a control I didn't know I had, I snapped my hands off her body and went back to my book. She didn't say anything or questioned my abrupt leave, rather focusing on her work.

It was five in the evening when I slammed the book close, finally done with it.

"They ended up together," I answered.

She looked at me perplexed.

I flaunted the book in my hand.

Realisation dawned in her eyes. "Oh,"

I hummed.

"Good. I'm happy for them."

"Me too."

She nodded, resuming her work.

I put the book on the nightstand and decided to take a nap.

"Aditya,"

I sat up straight. "Hmm?"

She opened her mouth to say something, then abruptly shut it. "Kuch Nahi. (Nothing.)"

I nodded, lying back down.

"Woh- (Actually -)" I looked back at her, and she halted once again.

"What is it?" I inquired in irritation.

"Preeti was asking me if I was free this evening. She wanted to meet me."

I frowned. "Are you not?"

"I- I mean, you- you said-" she stammered nervously.

"You don't need my permission if that's what you're thinking," I made it clear.

"No," she shook her head. "You said this morning -" she stopped again. "Okay, then, I'll go." She whispered, getting up from the chair and making her way towards the cupboard.

I sat up straight, with my back against the headboard as I watched her draw out an outfit. I scrolled through my phone while she changed into the bathroom. When she came out, my eyes automatically lifted, gravitating towards her.

She wore a soft woolen sweater blouse that was tucked underneath a beige ankle-length skirt. She is taller than average but has a petite body. It fits right in my arms. I stared at her quietly, knowing complete well I was making her nervous, but being unable to look away from her. Though she always wears subtle colors, there's something about her that makes her stand apart for me. Maybe it's the fact that she is mine.

"When will you be back?"

She paused spraying the perfume. Giving me all of her attention, her brows furrowed thoughtfully. "Seven?"

"It's already five-fifteen." I reminded her. "Do you really think you'll be back so early?"

"No?" She shook her head, confused herself.

I resisted a smile. "I wanted to take you to Vikram's house. His wife, Nisha Bhabhi, remember her?"

She nodded. "She gave me a beautiful saree as a wedding gift," her lips lifted into a smile.

"Hmm," I nodded. "She wants to meet you. Properly. So she has been asking me to bring you to dinner at their house. If you can manage to come early, maybe we can head over there tonight?"

"I'd love that!" Priya beamed. "I'll be back before seven. Promise."

"You sure? I'll give her 8 as a time of our arrival."

"Yeah," Priya nodded. "I'll be back in time."

"Alright," I said and picked up my phone, dialing Nisha Bhabhi's number.

"Boliye, Janaab! Aaj kaise yaad aayi humari? (Speak, Mr. How come you remembered me today?)" She jabbed playfully.

"Bas aise hi. (Just like that.)" I chuckled awkwardly. Women seriously unnerve me so damn much.

"Did Vikram not receive your phone that you had to call me? Because he is busy playing with Ashish and Sky in the building's garden area." She informed.

"No, I meant to call you. You wanted me to bring Priya for dinner-"

"Oh yes!" She chirped. "You guys are coming tonight!?"

"If it's not an inconvenience." I answered.

"Of course, not. I've been telling Vikram for so long to convince you but he always denies me saying you're an introvert. As if I don't know. But we're comfortable na, Aditya?"

"Ye-Yeah," I lied.

No.

"See! He thinks he knows you better than anyone else!" She chastised. "Anyway, you guys come, I'll prepare a full feast. By the way, does Priya have a preference? I mean, vegan, veg, nonveg?"

"No, nothing like that. She eats everything." I answered.

"Great! See you at the dinner." And she hung up.

I blinked, stupified. She didn't even ask me what time we'll be coming. Before I could think any further, the phone blared once again. I looked at Priya who was watching the whole exchange keenly and answered the call.

"Mein bhi na, kitni jhalli hu. Time bina puche hi call cut kar diya. (I'm so silly. Didn't even ask you the time and hung up.)" She giggled. "Toh, kitne baje aaoge tum dono? (So, what time are you guys coming?)"

"Will eight work?"

"It'll run! Okay, now bye. I've so much to do." She said and hung up, once again without waiting for my response.

"She seems interesting," Priya commented.

"She is." I nodded. "Both of them are."

She smiled, having nothing else to respond with. "I'll be back soon."

"Sure. Be safe."

She hummed, leaving the room to head out. I decided to take the nap I had put on hold to watch her get ready. Putting on an alarm for seven, I slid down to lie on my back and draped an arm over my forehead. Sleep came to me easily.

Before the alarm could wake me up, Tweety did the job. She flew around the room like a nuisance so I had to turn off the ceiling fan in case the dumbass accidentally hit herself with it. Gone the sound of the fan, I couldn't fall asleep anymore.

I cracked my eyes open and grabbed the pair of glasses resting on the nightstand to read the time. It was six-thirty. Putting them back off, I laid on my stomach and buried my face into the pillow, gathering enough strength to get off the bed.

The sound of heels approached the room before the door opened and closed.

I decided to get up, well, that was before the footsteps approached the bedside. I felt Priya's presence before she reached out to touch my cheek, very slowly and very hesitantly. My toes curled. Should I continue faking asleep? I was in the middle of making a decision when a flash fell on my face. My breathing stalled.

Did she just take my picture?

I've got a female Edward Cullen as my wife.

"Cute!" She mumbled and then walked away.

I cracked open an eye, sighing in relief when she was out of sight.

Cute?

Did she call me cute?

Why not handsome? Or sexy? Or hot?

With a disgruntled huff, I got up, sitting straight and staring blankly in disappointment. The door to the bathroom opened and out walked Priya, now dressed in sea green chiffon saree. My throat ran dry at the sight.

All I could think of was how sexy she is.

Especially her waist.

Then her previous comment rang into my head and I sighed. Cute. That's what I am to her.

"Who's your favourite actor?" I asked, catching her off guard.

"Favorite actor?" She repeated.

I nodded in confirmation.

She frowned, thinking hard for a while. "I don't have a favorite actor. But a few months ago Jalsa had received an offer to organize a birthday party for a Veteran Bollywood Actor's son. I don't remember his name. But he was a good-looking man. For a while, I had a teeny-weeny crush on him."

"The veteran actor?" My nose scrunched.

She narrowed her eyes at me. "No, his son!"

Oh.

"How did he look?"

She pursed her lips. "Tall, like very tall. Probably 6ft something. And I think he must be a gym freak. His eyes were slightly brown, with a hint of grey. And he had a beautiful smile. He was very kind. Very contrasting to how he carried himself. Unapproachable."

"You remember him in detail." I mocked a nod.

Priya shrugged at me. "It was the first time in years I saw a good-looking man."

"Then you never saw anyone like him again?" I asked with a bated breath.

She shook her head.

Tweety fled out of the room, dragging my dead self-respect along with her.

"Such a pity," I rolled my eyes, getting off the bed to change into something else and grabbed a pair of blue trousers along with a light blue collarless shirt from the cupboard.

A few minutes later, I came out of the bathroom, dressed in the clothes I had chosen for myself. She stepped aside, giving me space in front of the vanity. I picked up the comb and fixed my unruly bed hair before grabbing the deodorant.

"My glass-"

Priya held them out to me.

"Thanks," I put them on, taking a long glance at myself in the mirror. I looked presentable.

"Wallet and keys," she offered, catching my attention. I took them both, shoving the wallet in my pocket and keeping the keys in my hands before I gestured her out with a nod. She followed, closing the door after we stepped out of the bedroom.

"Where are you two headed?" Mom asked when we reached the living room.

"To Vikram's house," I answered, nodding at her to go forward and wear her heels.

"And what about the dinner I made?"

Priya paused abruptly, turning around in question to look at me.

I sighed in exasperation. "Sorry, I forgot to inform you."

"And you?" Mom looked at her. "You could have told me if he forgot."

Priya fiddled with her watch. "Woh, mein, bas abhi aayi. Mein Preeti se milne gayi thi. (I just came home. I was out with Preeti.)" She answered meekly.

Mom scoffed out a chuckle. "Kamaal hai, itni jaldi hai shift hone ki ab iss ghar mein pair hi nahi tikte tumhare. (Wow, both of you are so in hurry to move out that now your feet don't stay in the house.)" She taunted.

"Arpita!" Dad spoke up in disbelief.

I clenched my jaw, absolutely infuriated with her behaviour.

"I didn't see you asking the same question to Meghna when she was out for a whole damn week!" I snapped.

"Why are you bringing me in between?" The mentioned woman looked up from her phone.

"Tu toh ulta jawab dena sikh gaya hai. Pehle toh mummy karte karte nahi thakta tha. (You've learned to talk back now. Before you never got tired of asking for me.)" She smiled without mirth.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose in annoyance.

"Arpita, enough!" Dad snapped. "This is the limit now."

"Why are you getting angry at me? Do you know he is deciding to move out with his wife?"

"Yes!" Dad gritted out. "Because I told him to."

Mom looked shocked. "Wh-Why?"

"Because of you," Dad answered. "And now don't ask me what did I do. You know the answer better." He spoke before leaving the living room.

Mom looked up at me gloomily. I ignored the clench of my heart and headed towards the front door, bringing Priya along.

"Do you think it's okay to go out right now?" She asked me cautiously.

"I can't think of any better time to go out," I muttered bitterly.

Unlocking the door, I held it open for her. She stepped out wordlessly, her hand naturally reaching out to hold mine. I tried to better my mood for her. I don't want to ruin this evening. I'm already feeling bad for letting my jealousy blind me this morning.

"You look absolutely beautiful tonight." I smiled down at her when we entered the elevator.

She blushed. "So do you,"

"Beautiful?"

"I mean, handsome." She complimented shyly.

"Really?" I feigned surprise as my arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her to my front. "I remember you said you didn't see a good-looking man after your Mr. Bollywood."

She bit her lip. "Are you jealous?"

I scoffed, bringing her back to my side as the doors opened and we walked out. "I'm not. Why would I be?"

"I don't know. You sound jealous." She shrugged.

Avoiding her statement, I opened the door for her, nodding at her to settle in. She did so gracefully. Closing the door, I made my way towards the other side and got in before pulling the car out of the parking lot.

The wheels touched the main road and Priya leaned in to play the radio. A romantic song came up, sung by Arijit and I smiled. While she was distracted by the outside view, I leaned in to grab her hand. She startled but didn't pull away when I brought her hand to my lap and kept it there.

I focused back on the driving.

I was surprised when she didn't pull away even when my both hands controlled the steering. We stopped at the red light and I looked out of the window, at the kids that were busy trying to sell stuff to rich people. A kid rushed up to me, a bunch of books in my hands.

"Lenge, sir? (Will you buy, sir?)" He asked, his hollow cheeks dusted by the sweat of hardwork and pollution of the city.

I nodded with a smile, fishing out my wallet.

"Kaunsa chahiye? (Which one, sir?)" He asked politely.

"Koi bhi dedo. (Give anyone.)" I answered nonchalantly. I rarely read books that are not fictional. So this one I'll probably donate to our office library.

"Can I choose?" Priya leaned over, causing me to plaster back into the seat in surprise. I swallowed at the proximity. She was so close, with her hair touching my neck and floral scent tickling my senses, I had a hard time controlling the urge to lean in and sniff more. Her hand on my thigh dug in more, adding pressure and I gulped. "This one!" She chose a boring thick book based on entrepreneurship and sat back, nonchalant and unaware of the torture she had just put me through.

"Kitna hua? (How much?)" I asked the boy, who was in a hurry to leave since the signal would be up any second.

"289." He answered.

I handed him three hundred. "It's okay, keep the change. Now go before the signal turns green." I hurried him off.

"Thank you, sir!" He gave me a beaming smile and left.

I resumed driving instantly.

Every once in a while I glanced at my wife, who looked like she was regretting choosing the book from the expression on her face.

"What happened? Didn't like it?"

She tsked. "It is so outdated." She tossed the book on the dashboard.

"It's okay. I was going to donate it anyway." I answered.

She nodded, focusing back outside the window.

We reached Vikram's place in twenty minutes. I parked the car in the visitors' parking spot and cut the engine off. We got out of the car together and she quickly reached out to hold my hand. I smiled.

Vikram's house was on the seventh floor but the elevator was out of service so we had to take the stairs. I was breathing heavily by the time we managed to reach the floor.

Priya looked amused.

"Kya? Has kya rahi ho? (What are you laughing at?)" I asked in a deadpan.

She pressed her lips together, trying to camouflage her smile, and shook her head.

"Aapka stamina bahut kam hai. (You have very low stamina.)" She commented.

I scowled. "It's only when it comes to walking long distances and climbing unnecessary stairs."

She rolled her eyes.

I clenched my jaw before my hand shot out to grab her wrist and yank her to my chest. "Listen, biwi, don't say things that you'll regret later." I gritted out.

Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Exactly," I nodded, satisfied with her reaction. "Let's go now," I stirred her towards the front door of Vikram's apartment.

She stood quietly by my side while I rang the doorbell. Nisha Bhabhi opened the door for us.

"You guys are so on time!" She exclaimed. "Biryani bas ready hi hai! (Biryani is almost ready.)"

"On time, huh, Adi," Vikram emerged from the living room with his son on his left and their labrador on his right. Sky scrambled towards me, wagging his tail with his tongue flapping out as he propped his front legs on my thigh. I chuckled and crouched to his level, ruffling behind his ear and giving him the needed scratches. He rolled over his back, legs up in the air as he whined for more.

"Sky, stop. Roll over!" Ashish commanded.

Surprisingly, the dog obeyed.

"Paw,"

Sky held out his paw to me.

I crooned at the obedient adorable not so little thing and held his paw, giving it a sweet little kiss. Sky's tail swung harder.

Soon, I felt Priya crouch beside me, having done with her little awkward chat with Nisha Bhabhi.

"Hey," she ruffled Sky's head. The good guy licked her hand before reaching closer and licking her cheeks, as though unable to get enough of her.

Same boy, same.

"Sky! Bad manners!" Ashish chastised, pulling him back. "What did I tell you about licking someone's cheeks?" The six-year-old scolded.

Sky's ears fell flat on his head.

"It's okay, I don't mind." Priya waved off, taking a few tissues from the box Nisha Bhabhi offered her.

"I know you don't. But unfortunately, not everyone feels the same." Nisha bhabhi said in disappointment. "He is a very friendly dog so every time we took him to the park, he would play with the toddlers and lick their hands or cheeks. We've had many complaints regarding his behaviour." She shrugged.

"They were afraid he'd harm the kids," Vikram added softly, scratching behind Sky's ears.

"As if," Ashish scoffed. "My sky feels bad even if accidentally flicks away a fly." He knelt and hugged his childhood buddy. Sky dropped his muzzle on the little shoulder. We all smiled at the adorable exchange.

"Yeah, he's been with us since Ashish was two years old. He knows how gentle he has to be with kids. It comes to him naturally." Nisha bhabhi added fondly. "Anyway, enough of the pet talk, let's go inside." She chirped. "Come Priya, I'll show you my house. I've decorated personally. I'm an interior designer you know." She went off, dragging my unwilling wife along. I chuckled when Priya shot me a look that said SOS in bold.

"Biwi bhi apni jaise hi dhundhi hai. (You've found a wife exactly like you.)" Vikram chortled, swinging an arm around my shoulder as he led me inside the house. I rolled my eyes at his comment, brushing his arm off when we reached the living room. "Tu toh sports dekhta nahi. Toh kya lagau? Disney? Uspe teri favorite Barbie waali movies aati hai. (You don't watch sports. So what should I put on? Disney? Your favourite Barbie movies come on it.)" He teased, amusement swirling in his brown eyes.

I grabbed a pillow from where I was seated and chucked it at him.

He laughed.

I looked away, unamused unlike him.

"Honeymoon ka kuch socha hai? (Have you thought anything about the honeymoon?)" He asked inquisitively.

I shrugged. "Neelam bua gifted us tickets to Bali with a honeymoon package of eight days seven nights."

"Holy shit." He whispered. "Dude, I'm jealous of you. Hum honeymoon par Ooty gaye the. (We went to Ooty for our honeymoon.)" He snorted.

I smirked. "Poor you."

He rolled his eyes. "Tu dekh, iss bar Ashish ko uske Nani ke Ghar chod aaunga aur phir hum jayenge London. Nisha ka do saal se mann hai. (You just watch, this time we'll keep Ashish at his Nani's house and then fly to London. Nisha has been wanting to go there for the last two years.)"

"Kitna kamina hai. Bacche ko bhi le ja saath mein. (What a rascal. Take your kid along.)" I shook my head.

"Oh Bhai, pehle baap ban phir bolna. Thode se private time ke ke liye bhi taras jayega. (Yo bro, become a father first. You'll beg for a little while of private time.)"

"It cannot be that bad."

"As I said, be a dad first." He stated.

"Tum logo ka ho gaya ho toh chalo, khaana tayyar hai. (If you guys are done, then c'mon. Dinner is ready.)" Nisha bhabhi announced.

Vikram and I got up to head to the dining table. Priya was quick to catch up with me, sticking to my side like a glue for the rest of the dinner.

Post dinner, Nisha bhabhi tried to keep us back, wanting to spend more time Priya, reasoning it's been years she has been dreaming of this moment, becoming best friends with her husband's best friend's wife. But I could tell Priya was exhausted so I bailed out stating it was late. They let us go after another round of dessert.

"Didn't like her?" I asked once we were back on the road.

"Who? Nisha?"

I nodded.

"No, that's not it. She was so nice." Priya said genuinely. "But she was also so hyperactive and extroverted. I couldn't keep up with her energy."

I chuckled. "I feel the same whenever I go to Vikram's house. Both of them are the same. So whenever they are together, it's like I'm being drained off quicker than usual."

She hummed, agreeing with me.

We reached home quicker than before, considering it was night and the traffic was low. I parked the car in its usual spot and got out.

"Maine bahut kha liya yar. (I ate too much.)" I rubbed my stomach.

"Same. Shall we take a walk?" She offered.

I was surprised. Not a waste of time anymore, huh?

I smiled. "Please," She quickly reached to grab my hand and we headed out of the building compound.

This time she maintained my speed rather than marching off like a soldier on command. We talked about mundane things, like work, habits, likes, and dislikes. I loved it. I absolutely love spending time with her.

"I'm going to make you watch Om Shanti Om one day."

"If it's with you, I don't mind."

My brows shot up. "Are you flirting, Mrs. Shrivastava?"

She blushed. "If it's with you, I don't mind, Mr. Shrivastava." She repeated the same sentence, with a different context.

I smiled, pressing a kiss on top of her head.

My attention was caught by the Kulfi selling street vendor across the road.

"Kulfi khaogi, meri jaan? (Fancy a kulfi, my life?)" I asked, pointing across the road.

She nodded up at me, forgetting we were out to take a stroll because we ate too much. I didn't bother bringing it up, leading her across the road to buy her the sweet delicacy.

She loved it. I could tell by the way her lips lifted in a huge grin and her eyes gleamed. Who would have thought the woman that had me burning in fever by her intimidation will make me want to constantly coddle and protect her from the world one day?

I tucked the loose strands behind her ear so they wouldn't come in between her lips. She thanked me.

I paid the man and we decided to head back home.

"Aditya," she called out while I was busy scrolling through the unread messages on my WhatsApp, deciding which are important and which are better left unread. "Aditya!"

"Kya!? (What!?)" I asked in annoyance.

"There," she pointed, and I followed with my gaze.

Meghna was in the car with the same man that had dropped her off this morning. Before I could react, they drove off.

"Was he her boyfriend?" Priya asked curiously.

"Who cares?" I shrugged off, grabbing her hand and continuing our way back home.

But in the back of my mind, it bothered me so fucking much.

I seriously applaud writers who can write melodrama and still keep viewer's hooked. It's exhausting lmao 💀

Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter? Don't forget to vote and comment. Makes my day.