Dhairya's P.O.V

It has been a few day's since Aashika told me everything and I still cannot figure out what to do. We returned to our mansion the very next day. Aashika did not utter a word to me. I could sense her uneasiness and anger. I knew I had hurt her deeply but what about me? She did not even think twice before plotting all this drama. It surely was Inayat's plan but she could have told me sooner.

God Dhairya stop thinking so much. Aashika isn't your concern!

"She is very much of your concern.. she's your wife", my Subconscious mocked.

Urghhhhhh....

I don't know what to do, how to face her and how to apologise for my blunders.

I entered my room only to see a heartbreaking scene in front of me.
Aashika was there sitting near the window. The moonlight illuminated her wheatish complexion and also the tear strains. Her eyes were red and puffy.

She was blankly staring at the night sky lost in her thoughts.

I took a step in her direction, my footwear making a deliberate sound, braking her trance. Her head snapped in my direction, her eyes meeting mine. It felt like she was peeking into my soul bringing out utmost vulnerability from my insides.

She looked at me almost innocently but within a few seconds her expression changed from vulnerability to hurt and then finally coldness.

My eyes couldn't bear her indifference thus I unwillingly broke the eye contact, my eyes casted downwards. Aashika too looked away resuming to stare at the night sky.

There was a deafening silence in the room. I didn't know how to start. Mustering up the courage I began..

"Uhmm... Aashika, can we talk?"

Aashika slowly turned towards me

"I don't want to talk right now", saying this she just got up and left for the bed.

As if something crossed her mind, she picked up a pillow and extra blanket and went towards the couch.

"Aashika you need not...", i fell silent seeing her indifferent gaze.

"You should have thought before questioning my charecter..",she said before lying down.

I sighed heavily feeling the weight of my actions finally drowning me into the sea of regret.

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Author's P.O.V

Days passed but nothing much changed between the couple. Both the brothers still didn't talk much to their parents. Zain and Inayat were leading their lives like a pretty normal couple but our younger couple was still not out of the mess.

One fine morning...

"Aree ruko zara..", Inayat caught hold of Dhairya's hand.

He was already irritated with all that was happening in his life so he replied grumpily,

"Not now Inayat"

"She's your sister in law , watch your tone", it was his mother.

Dhairya clenched his fist before replying..

"Don't teach me mrs. Oberoi first learn parenting", saying this he stormed off to his bedroom.

Hearing him Inayat felt bad for her mil but before she could say something she left for her room.

************************************

It was early morning Zain was downstairs taking a walk in his privet garden. The smell of morning mist was refreshing. Zain was lost in his thoughts or shall I say, his wife's thoughts.

After all the drama getting unfolded, Zain knew only one thing that Inayat was not a person she portrayed herself to be as. She showed herself as selfish but she is one of the most selfless person he had ever met. Taking someone else's blame keeping her own married life and relations at stake was something remarkable for a sister to do. Little did he knew that after her parents death, Inayat had pledged to save her sister from everyone and everything including her own dark self which compelled her to distance herself from her dearest sister. Inayat was truly a gem.

Suddenly the morning mist's smell was replaced by a faint smell of peach indicating her presence. A soft melody of anklets graced the garden as Inayat came with Zain's coffee.

She was ready in her office attire looking professional as always, but the small pendant of her mangalsutra and red vermillion on her forehead indicated she had a life outside her office too.

It had been 2 months of their marriage and now it was their routine to share the morning cup of coffee with each other.

Inayat sat on the swing taking a sip from her cup. Zain looked at her smiling.

"What are you looking at so intently mr. Oberoi?" Inayat asked.

"Aur koi toh dikh nhi raha yaha aapke alawa jo ki dekhne laayak ho.", he casually replied.

"Flirt karne ki aadat nhi jaayegi kabhi aapki haina zain", Inayat exaggerated.

They both were now quite comfortable with each other. Infact Inayat had opened up about her general life to zain.

"Do you have any plans tonight? ", zain asked after finishing his coffee.

"Nah not really", Inayat shrugged.

"Oky so we will have a movie night today after work.", he said excitedly to which Inayat chuckled a little nodding her head.

How could she deny him anyways?
***********************************

"Aashika we need to talk now". Dhairya caught hold of her hand while she was exiting the room.

"What's your problem Dhairya, why can't you let me live in peace huh. You wanted me not to bother you and I'm following your command only. Now please let go of me.", by the end she had tears in her eyes. She was a complete opposite of her sister for sure.

Dhairya's eyes softened seeing her in tears, he felt an urge to kiss away her tears. He ran his thumb across her cheeks to wipe a single tear that had escaped her eye.

"Aashi, I'm really sorry, I feel ashamed for judging you and for hurting you both mentally and physically. I just couldn't control myself.. please forgive me.", his voice cracked slightly.

"I might forgive you, but I can't just forget what you said to me. If you were at my place, how would you have felt hn? Every girl wants love from their partner but I chose a wrong person to love. Then god tied my fate with you when I was completely broken but you know what Dhairya, your presence healed me. But after that day's incident, i think i was liv...living in an illusion.", by now tears had started falling freely from her eyes. Dhairya seeing her in this state hugged her to his chest.

"Aashi I'm deeply sorry ... I.. I can't apologise enough.. please forgive me.", he muttered sweet nothings into her ear.

"I don't deserve all this Dhairya..", she said in a tired and defeated voice.

"You definitely don't princess, just calm down , just close your eyes and sleep .. will you?" , Dhairya explained her like she was a kid. Aashika nodded weakly resting her head of his chest.

Dhairya scooped her into his arms getting inside the bedroom where he laid her down. He then pulled her towards him holding her tightly from waist.

She felt right in his arms, his wife...

His mind replayed all the moments of past. His gaze now fell on sleeping Aashika's peaceful yet pale face which made him smile faintly.

"Sorry for everything princess. "
"Now i'll take care of you."

************************************

As planned earlier, Zain and Inayat both came a little early from their respective work places. The mansion was as usual, silent but the gloominess which they were used to was missing today. Inayat was the first to arrive so she decided to make some snacks for the movie night. 

something had changed in her since the revelations. Her presence had a little warmth. "Sometimes while we pretend to be something we aren't we lose our real self and real identity.", it was her sasu ma saying this. 

Inayat turned around to face her MIL. Her face showed unusual respect and warmth for her.

"It was necessary for her and also for me", Inayat replied not coldly but firmly.  

"What are you making?", Aastha came forward, entering the kitchen.

"Just some snacks and coffee, Zain is coming early today", She remarked casually. 

As soon as she completed the sentence, they heard sound of main gates opening. This meant he had come. Inayat gave a respectful smile to her and left for the living room to greet him. 

Zain entered the hall looking energetic as if he had come after a vacation and not work. 

Seeing Inayat ready to receive him that too at the gate was like a blow to him. His cold wife was waiting for him? How was that possible?

He bought his right hand to his left arm and pinched himself a bit too harsh and of course he yelped .

"Are you a little tipsy today Zain?", uff now Inayat had taken his name which for him was a really rare thing. He was getting surprises over surprises today.

"Are you a little bipolar Inayat?", Zain composed himself and remarked sarcastically.

She rolled her eyes dramatically as a small yet playful smile started coming onto her pink, full lips. Seeing her carefree and happy Zain felt a strange flutter in his chest. Definitely, Inayat was his weakness. The woman so calm and composed being playful with him was making him go all gaga. On the top of that, the stern, emotionless and cold ceo of Oberoi groups was blushing at his wife's compliments as well as taunts, who knew all this could happen in such a short period of time. They both were breaking through the walls they had made for themselves. If Inayat was Zain's weakness, Zain was Inayat's weakness too. 

Now is this love or just a mere attachment. Their feelings can't be named at this stage. 

"Oh my god, you made this....", Zain's eyes widened seeing a beautiful arrangement in their balcony. their movie night was indeed going to be special. Inayat smiled seeing his expressions. 

His eyes now fell on the snacks and steaming cup of coffee and hot chocolate. Never has he ever spent leisure time with his family, not even his brother or his friends. He was so drowned in responsibility that he forgot to live his childhood. But now someone was there for him, his wife, his family. He felt a little overwhelmed by everything so he turned around and hugged Inayat. 

She felt frozen on her place trying to adjust with the sudden change in his demeanor. But she could feel a hint of longing in his voice when he said...

"Thank you Wifey... It was me who planned for a movie night but you indeed made in special. thankyou soo much.", his words made Inayat smile. She hugged him back wrapping her arms around his neck. Feeling her respond to him he wrapped his arms tightly around him snuggling into the crook of her neck, inhaling her peach fragrance. They stayed like that for what felt like eternity. Slowly Zain pulled away a little enough to gaze into her beautiful eyes. He lowered himself down kissing her forehead lightly before pulling away completely. This was the first time they were intimate emotionally and that bought a faint blush to Zain's cheek. Seeing his flustered state, Inayat gestured towards the laptop suggesting to continue their impending movie night plan. 

They both lied down on the mattress, ready to watch the movie. 

Now Zain wanted to hold Inayat but he was too shy to ask after the emotional hug they shared. So his smartass suggested to put a horror movie ............

Even though it actually scared the shit out of him.

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to be continued .....

oky so here's another chapter.. a little longer or shall I say double the length of the previous one... 

sooo enjoyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy>>>>>>>>>

love yaa all

yours

Praya