Kyra

The moment Reyansh closed the room door behind him and left. I hit the bed like a sack of potatoes and fell into deep slumber.

I was really exhausted. The next morning I woke up to the sunlight brightly shining on my face. I tried searching for the remote to shut the blinds, so that I could sleep for a little longer. But I couldn't find it.

I woke up with a huff, slightly disoriented and unaware of my surroundings. Then I opened my eyes and remembered that I was not in my house anymore, but rather in "My Husband's house".

I reached for my phone and saw the time, it was 9:15 am, Shit!!!!!!

I slept for so long, it was my first day in my new house. I should've woken up sooner. I got off the bed and decided to quickly get ready when I realised. I didn't have any clothes or accessories or any of my personal belongings. I would need to go collect my things from the Oberoi mansion soon. But then I wasn't even sure where I would be living. Sure I had married Reyansh but it wasn't a real marriage. It was just a contract marriage so that I could access my inheritance.

But for now I should get ready and head out of the room at the very least. I opened the cupboard on instinct, and found brand new clothes (of all kinds, including undergarments), accessories, jewellery, make-up, footwear. Everything was in my size and more or less my style and type. Reyansh had actually anticipated that I would need everything and had purchased them well in advance and stocked the 2 cupboards full of my new things.

Wow!!! Happy birthday to me, I guess. It actually felt like I received so many many gifts, as the cupboards were full and it was an amazing surprise. I reminded myself to thank him when I would see him next. Because I wasn't even sure he would be there at home this time in the morning.

I quickly went to get ready and found the bathroom stocked with all the toiletries I would require in the brand's, I used. I then dressed myself in my new red dress with a small diamond necklace and new solitaire earrings. Even the dressing table was stocked with all my essentials items.

Finally at 10 am completely dressed, I gathered my strength and decided to go out. I opened the door and was bombarded with a confetti shower and a loud "Happy Birthday Bhabhi (sister In-Law)." I screamed with sudden shock and it turned into a laughter. The living room was decorated even more beautiful and lavishly than the night before and today the banner displayed Happy Birthday. Nearby stood 2 tall and muscular yet lean men.

One was Reyansh and the other would be his brother Krish. Just as I was about to greet them, I remembered his face, he was the same young charming young guy who applied Haldi (turmeric) on me at my wedding function and claimed that he was the brother of the groom.

Before I could say anything, Krish rushed towards me and I found myself nearly lifted off the floor and wrapped in a big giant bear hug. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him back tightly as well, because I also remembered his sweet gesture from last night.

Reyansh cleared his throat and said, "Put her down, Krish. I don't think she can breathe."

Krish put me down and whispered with a wink, "Someone's a possessive and jealous husband already."

I laughed.

Reyansh took a step forward and said with mock anger, "What did you say?, I dare you to repeat that."

Krish hid behind me and said, "Bhaiya, I said, Someone's a possessive and jealous husband already."

That's when Reyansh charged forward to grab Krish, but he held my arms from behind me and tried to use me as a shield to protect himself and not let his brother get a hold of him, Krish was screaming, "Bhabhi protect me, please protect your sweet innocent Devar (brother in law)."

I was initially shocked, then saw Reyansh's expression he was barely able to control his laughter and even Krish seemed to be enjoying this. I realised that this was their weird brotherly bond of teasing and getting on each other's nerves. I then laughed at their antics and decided to be a part of it as they had tried to include me.

I put my arms up in a kung fu pose and said with confidence, "Stop, I will not let you harm my brother."

Reyansh immediately stopped trying to circle around to pretend to grab Krish and looked at me with shock on his face, before he broke out into a loud contagious laughter and behind me so did Krish. Before long both the brother's were clutching their stomach's and laughing wholeheartedly. I couldn't help the laughter that escaped me, while I was looking at them.

I sobered up first and said with mock anger, "Hey that's mean, stop laughing at me. Especially you Krish, I was trying to save you." 

Krish said, "Bhabhi you look so adorable when you are angry, like a little adorable kitten."

This made them laugh even harder. But when I folded my hands and pretended to glare at them. They eventually stopped and both of them looked at me and said in unison, "We're Sorry".

I smiled at them, and then Krish said hastily, "Bhabhi wait right here, I'll be back in a minute."

Before I could respond he ran out of the living room, that's when Reyansh appraised me from top to bottom, smiled and came towards me, embraced me and said, "Happy Birthday Kyra, you look absolutely gorgeous, Princess."

I blushed and wrapped my arms around him and said, "Thank you". We were lost in each other's embrace. Neither wanting to break the moment. Then I heard a throat clearing noise followed by, "Get a room Bhaiya & Bhabhi. I know you've just gotten married but have some control, it's daylight after all and there is an innocent child present here."

I quickly stepped away, very embarrassed. Reyansh scoffed and said with a raised eyebrow, "Innocent?? Child?? Sure..."

Krish laughed and stepped into the room with a beautiful Chocolate truffle cake. He placed it on the table and grabbed my arm gently and pulled me towards the cake and said, "Please cut the cake. I baked this for you, and there's also a scrumptious breakfast spread waiting for you. I hope you like it."

I was overwhelmed with joy at this beautiful and thoughtful surprise. Before I could respond, Reyansh said, "You did this, all by yourself?". Krish said, "Okay, fine Bhaiya helped a little."

Reyansh shook his head at his brother but didn't say anything else. I had a feeling that Reyansh had done majority of the work and preparations.

I hugged Krish tightly, my eyes started watering and I said, "Thank you so much Krish, for today and yesterday night as well. I loved all the gifts and sweet gestures. Thank you for making my birthday so special." All the while I maintained eye contact with Reyansh. He knew I was speaking to and thanking him as well, because he smiled knowingly and nodded his head once.

Krish then said, "Bhabhi, you are most welcome. Now please cut the cake, I'm so eager to eat it."

I laughed and said, "Okay" and Reyansh chided in a tired elder brother tone, "Krish".

I blew out the candle and cut the cake while Krish took pictures. I then pulled out the first piece and fed it to Reyansh. He looked pleasantly surprised then took a piece and fed me (This was the most delicious chocolate cake I had ever eaten in my life. It was so rich and yummy). Then I went to get another piece to feed Krish, he fed me in return and suddenly smeared some cake on my face.

I playfully glared at Krish for a moment, before getting some cake and frosting and then I started chasing after Krish to smear some cake on him as well. Reyansh captured all these beautiful moments. But when Krish kept evading me, Reyansh put the camera down and joined the chase. We ran all over the place.

Then he was caught by Reyansh, who held him down for me to put the cake/cream on him.

We were all laughing and Krish was thrashing around trying to escape, when he said jokingly , "Not fair, you are my brother, but the moment bhabhi has come home, you have taken her side."

Reyansh took a piece of cake from my hand and shoved it in Krish's mouth, who happily started chewing with no care in the world. I couldn't help but laugh at this. Reyansh then let him go and got up and asked us both to clean ourselves up, while he would set the table with breakfast.

I hurriedly went to wash up with a gigantic smile on my face, I don't know when was the last time I laughed so much. I was truly happy in this moment.

Maybe this marriage thing wouldn't be so bad after all, it was starting to feel less and less like a fake temporary marriage.

I couldn't think of a better way to start my birthday and marriage.