Chapter 14

The soft melody of Arjun's phone disrupted the tranquil silence of the early morning. Groggily, he extended his arm and fumbled for the device, finally managing to grasp it.

"Happy birthday to you..." The cheerful chorus of his parents greeted him through the phone's speaker, warming his heart despite the early hour.

With a sleepy smile, Arjun mumbled his gratitude. "Thank you, Maa, Papa."

"We're video calling you, pick it up!" his mother insisted, her excitement evident in her voice.

Arjun complied, tapping on the video call option and adjusting the phone to capture his sleepy face. As the call connected, he noticed the well-lit background of his parents' home, illuminated by the gentle morning sunlight.

"Good morning, beta!" his father greeted, his face beaming with joy.

"Morning, Dad. Morning, Mom," Arjun replied, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Just as the conversation began to flow, a sudden movement from the bed caught Arjun's attention. Banishree, still lost in the land of dreams, shifted in her sleep and accidentally rolled off the bed, landing directly on Arjun, who was sprawled out on the floor.

"Aah!" Both Arjun and Banishree exclaimed in surprise and pain as they collided.

The unexpected commotion caused Arjun's parents to gasp in shock, their eyes widening as they witnessed the chaotic scene unfolding before them through the video call.

"Doctor ba..." Banishree began, her voice muffled by Arjun's palm as he swiftly covered her mouth, shooting her a panicked glance.

Arjun glanced at the screen, meeting his parents' stunned expressions. "Uh... sorry, Mom, Dad. Just a little... morning mishap," he stammered, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

His parents stared back at him in disbelief, their mouths still hanging open in shock. For a moment, silence enveloped the video call as everyone processed the unexpected turn of events.

Trying to diffuse the awkwardness, Arjun cleared his throat and attempted to lighten the mood. "Well, this is certainly one way to start the day," he joked weakly, offering a sheepish smile.

All he wanted to do at that moment was to go bang his head on the wall. How was he even supposed to explain, Banishrees’ presence? He could already see his parents judging him. What a great start to his birthday.

His parents exchanged bewildered glances before his mother finally managed to speak. "Who is she, Arjun?" she asked.

Running a hand through his hair, Arjun muttered under his breath, "Yehi baaki tha. Maa... uh." He hesitated for a moment before turning to Banishree beside him. "This is Banishree. My wife," he announced, his voice tinged with apprehension.

"Namaste Mummy ji, Babu ji," Banishree greeted, her nerves palpable in her voice. She couldn't help but feel responsible for landing Arjun in yet another predicament with her clumsiness.

Arjun watched as his parents' faces registered a rapid succession of emotions, from surprise to confusion, and finally settling on a mix of shock and disbelief. He knew he had a lot of explaining to do.

Before he could say anything more, his mother's voice came through the phone, firm and decisive. "We are coming to your college," she declared, her tone leaving no room for argument. With that, the call was abruptly disconnected, leaving Arjun and Banishree to exchange worried glances as they braced themselves for the inevitable confrontation with his parents.

Banishree had her head bowed down, feeling guilty. Arjun saw it and gently lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Doctor babu...humka maaf kar dijiye hum sab bigad dete hain," she sobbed softly. (Doctor sir... please forgive me, I mess everything up.)

In that moment, Arjun found her vulnerability endearing. He cupped her face, his touch tender and reassuring.

"Kis buddhu ne kaha?" he asked, his voice soft and comforting. (Who said that?)

She sniffled. "Chachi ne," she replied, her voice trembling. (It was Aunt who said.)

“Shree, kuch nahi bigda. Isme tumhari koi galti nhi thi. Waise bhi, Mumma, Papa ko ek na ek din batana hi tha,” Arjun said wiping her tears. ( Nothing is messed up. It's wasn't your fault at all. Anyways, I had tell them about you toy parents at a point.)

"Par aap humse gussa kaahe naahi hai?" she questioned, her eyes searching his face for understanding. (But why aren't you angry with me?)

"Hmm...kyuki...tum bohot cute ho," he murmured, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he looked into her teary eyes. (Hmm... because... you're too cute.)

At that moment, Banishree's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red.

Arjun says, "Waise Shree, Mera Aaj birthday hai. Happy birthday nahi bologi?" (By the way, Shree, today is my birthday. Won't you wish me a happy birthday?)

"Aapka Aaj happy birthday hai?" (Is today your happy birthday?) she asked.

He nodded. "Happy birthday Doctor Babu. Kanha ji aap pe humesha apni kripa banaye rakhe. Hum aapke liye kamna karenge ki Aap bohot taraki karo. Aap humesha swasth rahe." (Happy birthday, Doctor Babu. May Lord Krishna always shower his blessings upon you. I wish for your prosperity and good health.)

Arjun felt his heart stop. He had never heard a birthday wish as pure as this before. He hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead.

"Believe me, Shree, this is the best birthday of my life. Because this birthday, you are with me. You are the best gift of God.”

After a while of taking a shower, offering prayers, and having breakfast, Banishree asked, while sitting beside Arjun on the balcony, "Waise Doctor Babu....aap kitne saal ke ho Gaye Aaj?" (By the way, Doctor Babu...how old are you today?)

They were waiting for Arjun's parents. He was engrossed with many things, thinking about his wife's health concerns and then again his parents.

Banishree was wearing a deep blue saree, her hair neatly parted with orange sindoor, her neck adorned with a gold chain and mangalsutra. Her lips had a small speck of lip balm. Arjun was too lost in her beauty to reply. He was tongue-tied. At that moment, Arjun's nervousness about meeting his parents flew away.

She asked again, "Uhh...woh, Mai Aaj 26 saal ka ho gaya." (Um, so, I turned 26 today.) Banishree nodded and started counting on her fingers, "20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 26...aap humse 7 saal bade hai?" (You are 7 years older than me?) Arjun's face flushed. "Yeah," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Hey bhagwan....humko Buddha mil gaya." (Oh God...I've found an old man), she said, hitting her head with her palm. "Mai Buddha nahi hu." (I'm not old), he exclaimed.

"Aap buddhe hai." (You are old), she said, pouting and standing up. In a moment, Arjun stood up and pinned her to the wall with her hands above her head, caging her between him and the wall. Their chests pressed against each other.

Arjun leaned in and sealed his lips with his wife's, savouring the familiar warmth of her mouth as she returned his kiss. As his tongue gently slid over her lips, Arjun ran his hand through her long, jet-black tresses, the soft curls cascading through his fingers.

He left her pinned hands as he started rubbing his thumb on her exposed waist. He felt her body shiver with desire. Banishree wrapped her hands around her husband's neck pulling him closer. Theses sensations were all new to her

"Still wanna call me old? This Buddha can make you go breathless," Arjun whispered in his wife's ear.

Banishree could feel the heat of her husband's breath on her cheek. She shook her head blushing hard.

Arjun chuckled, pressing a kiss below the soft spot of her ears. He was about to step back when Banishree suddenly feeling bold pulled him towards herself. She could hear his quick intake of breath as she pressed her lips to his, running her tongue along his lips, tasting the faint remnants of the cranberry juice . She could hear his groan as he opened his mouth.

Banishree's tongue slid into her husband's mouth and started caressing it. The heat was unbearable. His hand moved lower, tracing the curves of her body. His palm lingered on her breast before sliding down. They moved into the bedroom, kissing hard, when they heard someone coughing behind them. They quickly broke their kiss, looking at the direction of the sound.

It was none other than Arjun's parents, standing there in pure shock and disbelief.
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