Salem threw his shirt on the bed and took the beer bottle. He was shirtless, laying on the couch in his trousers with his irresistible abs and biceps on display. He was in a relaxed position and wanted to drink peacefully.

Pari looked at him gaping at actions.

"I know I am yours. But stop staring." Salem commented.

"Salem, what has happened? Why are you stressed?" She knew there has to be a reason for him to behave in this manner.

"I slapped the producer." He replied nonchalantly and gulped some more from the bottle.

"What? Why would you do that?" Pari was shocked to know this. It could jeopardize his career if this news was out. The producer was a known man in the industry but what was shocking that he was also older, a late 40s guy. How can Salem slap him?

"He was forcing me to do something I had asked not to include in the shoot. Then when I refused and didn't budge, he started talking disrespectfully. I couldn't control myself." Salem explained. He kept the bottle away and massaged his temples.

Pari probed more and that's when Salem told her that he had refused kissing scene and specifically told the producer prior that he won't shoot this, yet the guy was forcing him. When Salem didn't budge from his stand, he started to use abusive language and Salem slapped him in anger.

"I saw your upset face when I kissed someone on the screen in my last movie. And I don't think I need to kiss someone to get popular. Sometimes, it is not even the scene requirement." Salem explained as he pulled her closer and sat next to her.

"But you are getting popular for your romantic roles. Is this a wise call?" Pari asked. Salem was a romantic heartthrob with the most charming smile and his innocenct looking big eyes. People could see easily see that God had taken his time creating this specimen.

"I am not saying no to romantic roles. But romance is not always kissing and making out. It can be done with the eyes, dialogues and music. I don't want you to feel sad just because professionally, I kissed someone else. I didn't want to admit this, but I had puked twice after doing that scene. It's like my body rejected those actions. You know how much I hate falling sick. I don't want to puke again after a take." Salem said and rested his head on her lap.

On their anniversary, Salem managed to get extra time off. He came home early, took her to the fanciest restaurant in the city and had booked a romantic suite for the night in a five star hotel. What she didn't expect was to get a diamond necklace from the most famous jewellery brand in the country. She was elated to see the necklace and hugged him in joy! It was a delicate piece and she wore it for a week, admiring the necklace in the mirror. That entire week, she cooked his favourite dishes which she learnt from his mother. She knew her mother-in-law's dishes were incomparable but her attempt to cook was loved by Salem. He made sure to eat it in proportion to not ruin his diet.

When Pari went to her maternal house wearing the diamond necklace, her mother and aunt asked her about it to which Pari proudly replied that it is her anniversary gift.

Her mother innocently asked what did Pari gave Salem as her anniversary gift to which Pari said, "Me. Myself. I am his gift for lifetime." Although, she said it jokingly, she was serious. Salem is lucky that she agreed to marry him.

Her mother shook her head at her daughter's high headedness.

"I gave him a rose." Pari said and continued, "Don't look at me like that. It's me who gave it. It's more precious to him than anything expensive."

"Beta, I agree that gifts don't come with a price tag. But from what we see, he takes really good care of you. So, respect him and your relationship. All these talks are good for jokes, but be careful about your words. Remember, if he is lucky to you, you are also lucky to have him." Her mother lectured her.

***

Pari discovered her new love to shop for home interiors and kitchen. So, when Priya told her about renovation of her house, Pari was happy to accompany Priya to buy new stuff for her house. Her mood soured when Wajid was accompanying her. He followed them throughout the whole market along with 2 other guards. When it was time to go home, Pari told Priya she will drop her home but Priya didn't agree. She was clearly uncomfortable with Wajid and the two other bodyguards.

"Because of you, my sister didn't even speak much with me. Why couldn't you be at a distance? She was so uncomfortable." Pari said to Wajid who was seating beside the driver and Pari in the backseat.

Wajid just shrugged. "It was such a crowded market. If I kept an eye on you from a distance, Salem would have gotten mad at me. So no thank you."

"Yes, just cover up stuff taking Salem's name. I feel like you like irritating me." Pari didn't bother to hide her dislike for Wajid.

"Trust me, I have better work than to irritate you, Bhabhi." Wajid answered.

"How did you eve meet Salem? I mean you two..." She didn't find the right words.

"He is a son of businessman and according to you, I am a thug. That's what you want to ask?" Wajid said casually to which Pari said a quiet yes.

"Well, we both were teenagers and met at the cycle shop I was working. I don't know what he saw, may be it was my torn clothes or the hungry eyes, he offered me money. He wasn't paying me for the cycle I repaired, that would all go to my boss. He was giving me extra money to go get food.

He often came around with his friends to hang out around the shop and ask my well being. I didn't want to get close to any rich boy. I was also working secretly for a local don who would pay me when I give his men any useful information. There were days I went without food, even the shop owner didn't care for me. But Salem, for a teenager, he helped me with food and clothes. Without asking, he had got me his old clothes.

I eventually started talking to him. But I promised him that I would help him in any way I can in the future. He just him in the head. I knew he didn't do this so I could be of help. But he helped me when noone even looked at me.

I worked for the local don because that paid me good but when Salem called and asked if I wanted to join him as bodyguard. I was happy to come of help to him."

Pari was touched to hear his story and especially how Salem as a teenager helped him. Sometimes, she thinks she would never understand him. Pari wanted to ask about the local don but she knew Wajid wouldn't answer her much.

"Suno," (Listen), She changed the topic sensing Wajid might not want to continue talk on this topic. "I heard Salem slapped a producer in anger. If you or Tiger are around, control his anger or distract him. Slapping producers is not good for him." Pari told Wajid.

Wajid shook his head, "We can't control his anger. He only controls his anger around you. He might break our head if we come in the middle."

Pari just laughed finding his statement anusing. "Yeah right! Like I can control his anger. He was so angry that day that he smashed the beer bottle on floor." Pari was not bothered about bringing that fight infront of Wajid because she knew he was in the house that night and must have heard the smashing of the bottle. She was extremely embarassed that all the servants in the house had heard the bottle smashing.

"The last time he was angry and had a bottle in his hand, he smashed it on someone's head. Do you believe me now when I say he controls his anger around you?" Pari was shocked by Wajid's revelation.

As they exit the car, Wajid stopped her and said,"He really likes you a lot. Try not making him angry. Otherwise, he is an untameable beast." Wajid didn't want to say much to Pari but he felt that he should warn her. She didn't have much idea about her husband's temperament. With that, Wajid opened the car door and left.

******

Salem saw Pari getting tired while arranging the bedroom. She had cleaned their closet and was putting on the bedsheets.

"Why don't you let the servants do this? They are here to help." Salem said for the nth time.

"No, I don't like others entering our bedroom." Pari answered. It was true. Salem observed how the maids had come only few times during Diwali to clean the bedroom otherwise everything related to the bedroom was managed by Pari. She would barely allow others here, not even her brother or other relatives.

"I really don't get this bedroom obsession of yours." Salem commented.

"I just...I feel it's my space, ofcourse yours too. But you get what I am saying,this is my room. I would not like if others come here, move things and spend time. The living room and others room are for that purpose. I don't know....I am just protective of my space." Pari answered.

Salem coughed mocking her, "Just this room? Pari, you are protective about everything!" Salem knew how much she valued her things - her jewelery, her clothes and even the decors she collect.

Kabeer had told him how she would fight with the whole house but not give Priya her dresses to share or she would be very cranky about it.

"Ofcourse, I am. People who never had it knows the value." Pari replied.

"It's not good to be so khadoos." Salem pinched her nose in fun way. (Rude)

"It's easy for you to say. From childhood till now, I had to share everything either with Priya or Kabeer. If I had a favourite kurta, I had to share it with Priya. On festivals, it was never like I can wear any clothes of my wish. It was either she has a new dress or me. Because affording two new dresses were difficult.

You don't have problem sharing because you had it abundantly. You knew you would get other stuff if one of it gets lost or you give it to someone else."

"Then, why don't you see the situation in other way? If I had so much abundantly, I should have more issues sharing things with others.

But Pari, sharing is caring. All these things matter but they can be earned back." Salem explained her.

"Next time, when Kabeer comes here in this room, don't shoo him away. Let him stay here or in any room he wants as much he wants. I didn't like how you shooed Kabeer away the last time he was here." Pari rolled her eyed at Salem's words. Salem and Kabeer were fond of each other. Kabeer saw Salem as the successful actor and looked upto him whereas Salem appreciated Kabeer for being a good kid and staying out of troubles.

"By the way, tomorrow we have a pooja to attend nearby. They have called us for dinner. Be ready at 8 pm." Salem said when they were just about to sleep. Usually, he would only take her to his movie premieres and she too preferred staying out of all this. She was comfortable with only few people around and didn't like to socialise as opposite to her husband. Salem also never forced her to attend parties and events with him knowing how uncomfortable she gets.

She just nodded knowing that if he wants to take her with him, it must be important. She was too tired to ask the details. The next day, Pari got ready in a red silk saree with her hair in an updo, her mangalsutra and sindoor and ofcourse, she wore her favourite diamond necklace. For her hand accessories, she kept it simple with a watch on one hand and a 'kangan' (bangle) she got from her mother-in-law in another hand.

Wajid informed her that Salem will meet her downstairs in the car once his shoot is done. She was ready and for timepass, she hummed the recently released Salem's song from a movie. She loved the song too much! The video of that song was also very cute where Salem and the heroine were portraying love interests and going on dates in a fair and on the beach. There was nothing vulgar about the song and she enjoyed even the video of it.

These days, she would hum this song repeatedly. Salem had also noticed this and asked her if this is her favourite song of his to which she said yes. As the song came to an end, Wajid informed her that Salem is here.

The moment Salem opened the car door, he was stunned by Pari's beauty. He loved the colour red on her. As she closed the car door and sat next to him, he stared at her for a straight minute. She snapped her fingers at him. "Stop staring like a shameless man." She whispered so that Wajid and Tiger, who was driving couldn't hear her.

"I am your husband. I can stare as much as I like." Salem said. "But I was thinking it's a mistake to take you there with me."

To which she scrunched her eyebrows. "You are looking so pretty. Everyone's eyes will be on you. And I will have to control myself from ripping their eyes off." Salem said.

"Shut up. Why do you have to talk only violent stuff?" Pari asked.

"By the way, I forgot to ask you, where is this pooja?" She asked.

"You will see." He replied and took his time to admire her beauty.

*
Pari didn't expect to be at the house of Mr. Murli Das, the famous politician. It was a pooja for his newly constructed house. Mr. Murli Das and his family warmly welcomed Salem and Pari. She could see the shocked faces when Salem introduced Pari as his wife.

Pari was then introduced to many politicians, businessmen and celebrites who attended the pooja. She couldn't wait to have food and get out from here. Her jaws hurt giving fake smile whereas she saw her husband happily chatting with other politicians and greeting them.

She hated the idea of being here. She never liked these politicians and especially Murli Das, he was very cunning and probably corrupt, as all of them are.

There were many cases against Murli Das of land encroachment and illegal structures but none of them were proven in the court. She didn't know what Salem was doing with this guy.

But again, she saw almost half the movie industry here. So, it might be that Salem was also invited just because he is famous and nothing else?

"Baby, can you just stay here for a while, I have some important discussion with someone.  Mr.Das' daughter will give you company till then."

Pari wanted to hit Salem! She would prefer staying alone than making conversations with a stranger. Wajid and Tiger also went away with Salem!

"So, how is it being an actor's wife?" Mr. Murli's daughter, who she came to know was about the same age as hers, asked.

"It's okay. I am just not as social as he is." Pari answered in one line.

"Why hasn't he introduced you as his wife in the media? I mean it was a shock when I came to know he is married." Pari wanted to tell her to stop with these questions but she was a guest here.

"I don't like limelight and media attention. Although, the media knows I am his wife but Salem has instructed them to not click me and they respect it." Pari replied hoping the girl keeps quiet now.

"Oh! He is a handsome man. Sad that he is married," Pari gave her a glare to which she reframed her words, "I mean...there are so many fan girls who will be sad to know he is taken." Pari gave her a tight lipped smile and then the daughter started about random stuff which Pari didn't pay much attention.

She searched her eyes to search for Salem but he was nowhere in sight. Then, she saw Tiger and excuses herself from the girl and ran to Tiger.

"Tiger, where is Salem? I want to leave!" Pari said irritated. She was like a child complaining to her parents that this place is boring.

"Not now. Salem is busy in a meeting. We will in sometime." Tiger answered politely.

"Tiger, now! Call him now." Pari ordered angrily.

"Not now, Queen. Please understand it's important. Did you have dinner? Should I bring it to you?" Tiger had given her the name 'Queen' for two reasons.
A. She was truly the queen of his 'Sahab's' heart.
B. She also ordered and demands like a queen would.
So sometimes, he would call her queen and on serious occasion, he would stick to Ma'am.

Tiger told her that Salem is in a busy discussion and would not be able to attend but he requested her to have food as Salem would be angry at Tiger if he comes to know that Pari didn't have dinner. So after lot of Tiger's requests, Pari agreed to have food and left to have dinner.

She hung out Salem's contemporaries - actress and a director who complimented Pari's necklace and she genuinely smiled and expressed her gratitude. As the conversation kept going, she saw Salem far away and couldn't believe her eyes.

She excused herself from the conversation and walked near to confirm her suspicion. She wasn't the most aware person in terms of news, but she read newspapers on alternate days and watched enough news when her father would on the TV to know the person Salem was talking to.

She was shocked when she saw Salem shaking his hand and hugging the person. Salem's eyes widened when he saw Pari staring at him.

He walked near her and held her hand and walked towards that person.

"She is my wife. Pari." Salem introduced her holding her waist.

"Hello Pari, I am Moosa Ali." Moosa said with a tight lipped smile.

Pari was too frozen to react.

Moosa was a mafia don infamous for his illegal activities.

What was Salem doing with Moosa?

****

22/09/24

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Sorry for any typos. I have not edited.