My exams are starting in a week so the next update may be little too late so please don't assume that I've discontinued the book or something

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A loud annoyed groan vibrated through Aarav's chest when his phone buzzed with a loud shrill. The annoyance only heightened when Mishti's name flashed on the screen. He carelessly tossed the phone to Rhea, who was sitting on the adjacent sofa, and the phone landed on her lap.

Rhea's gaze snapped to Aarav with a frown etching on her face before she kept the laptop on the nearby table before grabbing Aarav's phone. "What ?"

"Deal with her. I'm not in the mood." he grunted and stretched his arms wide against the headrest of the sofa and leaned his head back comfortably.

Rhea's frown only deepened when she read Mishti's name. Rolling her eyes she accepted the call but as expected before she could even start speaking Mishti beat her into it and switched on her blabbering. "Hey married asshole."

"Hold on your tongue, annoying ass." Buzzed Rhea's irritated voice.

A moment of silence followed before Mishti's loud growl of disapproval reached Rhea's ears.

"Bitch I'm not interested in spoiling my mood so give the phone to its dumbass owner." Removing the phone from her ear Rhea first glared at the screen then shot a glare at Aarav and tossed the phone back at him with a scoff.

Aarav hummed in displeasure as he pasted the phone on his ears. "Look if you're angry that I called you after one week of your marriage then I don't give a fuck. You anyway married a bitch. So many bitches you've around you." he could already imagine Mishti grimacing. His nose flared but he didn't bother to correct her about the drastic change of his marriage.

Not paying much attention he let her blabber what she wanted and kept on humming back and forth to assure her that he was listening.

**F L A S H B A C K B E G I N S**

Aarav rolled his eyes ignoring the stubborn girl who sat beside him. Royally ignoring her presence he kept his eyes fixed on his surroundings focusing on nothing particular. Among these white people he could spot some different shades too, everyone busy in their own life.

The winter breeze grazed past him making his raven curls dance across his forehead. He pulled the sleeves of his black leather jacket down as the chilly breeze draped his skin with goosebumps.

"Hey" He though heard her but pretended he didn't. "Hii" "Hello" Her voice raised as she stubbornly tried to drag his attention.

"Tini yēmana ēkaṭi jhām̐kuni" her nose flared with newfound annoyance as she spat in a language foreign for Aarav. Though Aarav got curious yet restrained himself from asking.

"I said you are such a jerk." she quoted out for him noticing the flicker in his demeanour which lasted for mere seconds.

Rolling his tongue across his teeth gum, he tried to keep his composure when she kept on bugging him. She had been doing this from the past week and he had been ignoring her arrogantly yet she wasn't backing off.

"You want to sleep with me ? Okay fine. Your place or mine ?" Her mouth fell agape on his blunt proposal whereas he ran his eyes across her figure. She was no doubt beautiful with her flushed pink skin, green eyes with specks of brown and mid length blond curls with cinnamon hues which were shining under the light sun rays.

He was expecting a few profanity and then her to storm away but her next words made him grit his teeth. "I've better taste, okay." He glared at her on the sound of offence in her tone.

"What do you want ?" his annoyance was reaching its peak. Her creepily following him everytime and everywhere wasn't doing a great job to his temper at all.

"I want to know you" she shrugged and removed her backpack from her back and hugged it closer to her chest for some warmth. Aarav raised his left eyebrow looking at her dubious-ly.

"I just feel like you are in some conflict. Trying to get away from something" her face craned up as she spoke with utter seriousness. "or someone." she finished and Aarav pushed her face, which was leaning close to his, back with his fingers.

Saying that he was just simply taken aback with her words would be understatement. And with the confidence she spoke he didn't like the proximity of her calculative eyes on him.

"Perks of being a psychology student, you know." She adduced further. "I could be wrong."

His eyes narrowed when she stretched her right hand forward. "So friends ?"

"I don't make friends." Her scoff was audible to him when he averted his attention from her. "Plus you are annoying."

"Hey" she shrieked, offended. "I'm not annoying. I'm sweet like my name." She sassed and he found her now sitting at the side of the bench where his eyes were facing.

"Mishti. Mishti Davis." her hand again stretched in his direction and for a moment he went stiff. His mind for a moment wavered to a certain someone who was now seven seas afar from him. Mishti smiled, her eyes gleamed making the browns in them prominent which almost hid the green.

She was giving him one of the rare genuine smiles he has ever received in his life. One which she used to give him. But like her Mishti's smile wasn't shy, it was a full beam. Mishti's gaze wasn't timid like her but it was more confident. Mishti didn't get flustered and intimidated under his gaze like she used to.

Mishti's name meant sweet, sweet like hers. And unconsciously, as if in daze, he found himself accepting her hand. And she smiled for another time, this time it was a full grin.

**F L A S H B A C K E N D S**

"Aarav" Rhea called out snapping Aarav back from his thoughts. His brows furrowed and he gave her a lazy questioning look.

"Don't complain later and use your earplugs." Collecting her laptop Rhea got up on her feet.

"And that's why I was wondering how your apartment looked so clean all the time. You haven't called anyone yet ?" He twitched his neck letting the muscles ease with the move.

Rhea scoffed loudly at his remark. "It wasn't just you who got the workload. I've important projects to look after then I can get laid. Unlike you." A smirk took over her lips and a mocking expression morphed on her face much for Aarav's displeasure.

"It's not like everyone's father is on a mission to exhaust their kids so much that they can't even think of a good fuck." His fingers shot up to massage the lines on his forehead. "Plus I'm very much cautious about STDs."

Anubhav knows his son better than Aarav fathoms. So when Anubhav didn't find him on the dining table the next day of the marriage, he loaded Aarav with plenty of work that didn't let Aarav escape for any of his stunts.

And when Aarav had enough of his father's antics he finally confronted him and Anubhav's word angered him but made him shut on instant too.

"Oberio men are not cowards to go fooling behind their woman's back. Love or not, respect it. If you're a coward then you should be ashamed, I'm not taking you as Oberio heir." Aarav always knew his father had a way with words and he also knew that somewhere it's the impact of his mother.

Anubhav's words were still loud and clear in Aarav's head. "My sources have informed me that someone has been snitching about the events of your marriage in the media. They will be very focused on you so you better don't mess up."

"Great going." Rhea let out a small chuckle on Aarav's whining.

"You've a wife at home. Why are you even annoying my ass ? Go back home and have some fun." Aarav knew Rhea was just getting on his nerves and even if he was trying not to, he was getting pissed by it.

"Don't remind me. I was just trying to scare her a little so that she would run back to her house. And she fucking fainted calling a jeopardy for me." An exasperated exhale blew out of his nose.

A mocking sound of tch fell in the background as Rhea rounded the table to get her files. "You should have been more cautious after all she is the I-fall-sick-every-week Mishika."

~~~

Mishika's pov
Flattening my palms on the silky sheets of the bed, I again went back to staring at the white ceiling. I should have found some unexpected discoveries about it, considering how much time I spent doing nothing but staring at it.

How ironic it sounds that we want to stay away from something and at the same time somewhere back in our mind we want it around?

Human emotions have always been the most complicated and indecipherable matter to debate about.

And currently my emotions are going haywire. My own thoughts are appearing all Greek to me.

Being in Oberoi Mansion is like stepping into a complete extrinsic world where everything is just so extravagant, so extraordinary. And even though I'm very much pleased by Aarav petering away, it couldn't relieve me.

Not because I'm missing him or anything like that, but because I had to face everything alone. Every time I would step anywhere in the mansion I would feel the servants eyes on me, their hushed murmur among themselves. And being my spouse, even if both of us are least interested in considering the other one as that, he was supposed to handle all this too.

And this wasn't helping anyway to my socially awkward nature. Apart from Yami Maa's efforts to make me feel comfortable, I still couldn't help but feel anxious and out of place. Because I'm not extravagant like the Oberois but very moderate. Because unlike the extraordinary Oberois I'm very much ordinary.

How I wish I never went to attend that stupid wedding. I freaking regret it so much now. And now I even regret taking a longer leave.

My holiday was supposed to be spent with my parents but not in figuring out this new alien world which I now have to consider as my in-laws' house.

My mother-in-law is a sweet and independent lady but her busy schedule leaves me on my own for most of the time. My father-in-law is one such man who you read as a hardcore businessman in the books.

And if talking about my so-called husband who is Mr. India for now, then he is a nightmare walking in the shining wrap of a dream. Someone who can take your breath away by his looks but will leave you heartbroken if seen past the facade of outer beauty. Afterall the most beautiful faces have the most heinous hearts.

I miss Maa Papa. But I can't even go to them. They are already getting worried sick and lying to them about Aarav would be more tough when I'll be face to face with them.

I couldn't sleep properly for the whole week. The thought of him popping out of nowhere whenever I sleep is enough to give me sleepless days and nights.

I hate the effect that man has on me even after so many years. Seems like my entire self is his territory to terrorise.

A knock on the door caught me off-guard considering I was so engrossed in my trance. I quickly fixed my dupatta and ran to open the door, but not before taking a quick check of my appearance.

(Scarf)

"Mam, senior Missus is asking for you." I nodded and fell in step behind the maid whose name is still unknown to me but I've gotten familiar with her face.

Many times I thought to ask her name but approaching someone on my own makes me puddle of nervousness. And above that I feel like the workers here have already formed a judgement about me, which already makes my skin crawl with uneasiness, so I'm, for now, keeping my distance.

Upon reaching the sight of my parents-in-law, I approached them with a polite smile with an exchange of a few greetings.

My mother-in-law held my hand before dragging me to the dining table and made me sit beside her usual seat. She has made it her personal task to make my tummy full since she doesn't want me to faint again due to weakness. She reminds me of my mother.

"You look so pretty." Putting on a chapati on my plate she glanced at me before turning her gaze to her husband who barely glanced at my way but without any hesitation let out a hum in agreement to his wife's words. And that's what I've started to adore about them, the love in their relationship still glows so afresh.

I blushed on her words and muttered a small thankyou before turning my attention back to my plate.

My mother-in-law leaves no chance to doll me up so I look out as the perfect newly wed. She says it's the phase that I shouldn't miss because it's certainly my era of being the centre of everyone's attention.

But being the centre of everyone's attention is not my cup of tea but I can't even bring myself to defy my mother-in-law. First because initially I was scared of making her upset and now because it makes her so happy. She definitely reminds me of my mother.

And her choice in clothing is certainly so amazing. I'm personally feeling so beautiful in this embroidered blush pink anarkali dress. I've always admired women's wrists filled with the red chooda and rightnow when I've them on my wrist, it makes me feel slightly giddy but more uneasy about my reality.

And I precisely try to avoid the weight I feel while carrying the nuptial chain and the vermilion in my hair partition. There's no pressure on me to do it but I do it anyway because it makes me feel closer to my culture.
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Author's pov
After dinner the three settled down in the living room, which Yami has made a tradition of, where she tries to make Mishika feel more comfortable and a part of their lives now. It's her efforts that brush away the unwanted feeling from Mishika's heart.

"I was finally thinking of calling the ladies for the Muh-dikhai." Yami's abrupt announcement suddenly caught Mishika's attention who was priorly busy fiddling with the corner of her dupatta. Anubhav shrugged his shoulders, gesturing he is fine with whatever she feels okay with, that made Yami beam with excitement.

"Mishika, you are okay with it right ?" Yami asked, her hopeful gaze met with Mishka's uneasy ones.

Mishika was nowhere ready to be surrounded by a bunch of unknown ladies who would make her their topic of discussion but she couldn't bring herself to shatter her mother-in-law's excitement either.

Although Yami had planned to organise the ceremony the day after the wedding, seeing Mishika's discomfort and the circumstances, she put the idea on hold for some time.

So Mishika found herself giving a small nod of approval and Yami's eyes instantly lit up like stars.

"But Aarav" trailing her words, Yami gazed at her husband. Whereas Mishika's body automatically got alert at the mention of the certain name.

"He isn't back yet ?" Anubhav lifted his fingers to massage his forehead and without waiting for a response spoke again. "What should I do with him ?"

Fetching out his phone he dialled for a known number and held the phone against his ear. Within a few moments the recorded voice of the call-centre lady went off and another familiar female voice spoke from the other side.

After the exchange of pleasantries, Anubhav quickly got on the actual topic. "Rhea, tell Aarav that I want him in the mansion the next morning."

And Mishika could already feel herself drenching in jitteriness.

Chapter Word- 2663

Bamm your thoughts about Mishti please...

I so love Yami and Anubhav (⁠♡⁠ω⁠♡⁠ ⁠)⁠ ⁠~⁠♪ will love to tell their story someday..

And please give honest reviews so I can improve myself.. and it's just the staring so you'll have to be patient for the characters development

Muh Dikhai's literal meaning is Show-your-face. Though it's a custom to introduce the newly wed.

Signing off
~T.R