Aarav and Aditi knock on the door to let me know that they are ready and that we can take off to the mall.
“Can we stop at the mandir?” I ask Aarav, and he nods as we slide into the car. After a quick prayer at the mandir, I come back to see Aarav and Aditi exchanging heated glares.
“What's happening?” I ask them as they turn towards me.
“Okay, ladies,” Aarav says, taking off his sunglasses like he’s in a movie. “No bookstores today. That’s non-negotiable. We can go another day. Today’s for me.”
A giggle escapes from my mouth, and I shake my head at them.
He gives me a smile, then looks at Aditi pointedly. “I mean it, Aditi.”
She rolls her eyes and huffs. “Then what are we supposed to do, you idiot? You hate shopping too.”
“I’m going to watch a movie. And so are you.” As soon as those escape from his mouth, they get into another argument on which movie they are going to watch, and I can’t help but smile.
I love their dynamic.
“Can I look for a gift for Rudraksh?” I ask softly, slipping the question in between their playful bickering.
“Of course, Bhabhi. You don’t have to ask this pig,” Aditi hisses, shooting him a look.
“I wasn’t going to say no. At least she uses her brain—unlike someone else I know.” He gives her a side-eye, and she sticks her tongue out.
They’re impossible.
Chachi must’ve had a hard time raising the two of them.
I smile to myself as we walk toward the entrance of the mall.
I’m going to find something perfect for Rudraksh. Or at least, I’ll try. And now that Aarav’s here, maybe he’ll help me. He knows his brother better than anyone.
30
RUDRAKSH
Shoot.
I am late, past midnight. I text Shivani to have dinner and sleep, not to wait for me. But I'm starting to understand my wife a little bit, and I know she must be awake.
As I enter our home, I directly go into the kitchen, finding the lights off, disappointment bubbling inside me. Shivani usually waits for me in the kitchen. Maybe she actually slept.
It's good, right? She is taking care of herself. I think I am too used to having her wait for me. I took it for granted; I will definitely come early from tomorrow. The urge to see my wife and talk to her before sleep bubbles in me—it makes up for all the shit I go through during the day. I like how she’s opened up to me. She explains every detail of her day to me.
She's an oversharer. She's cute; her smile brightens my day. I think it would brighten anyone’s day. Her smile is the most beautiful in the world. I hate it when she smiles at other people. No one should have the right to see her smile, or her for that matter, but I am never going to cage her down. I would rather kill people who would dare to look at my wife the wrong way.
I loosen my tie a little as I walk upstairs. Tiredness is catching up to me. I might as well skip dinner and just sleep. After our marriage, I’ve apparently started liking cuddling, and I can sleep well too. I was a light sleeper; I didn’t need more than three or four hours, but now I have to set alarms because having my wife in my arms sets me at peace. I am too relaxed when I’m in her company.
I enter the room slowly so I don’t wake up Shivani. My gaze goes towards the bed, but it’s well-made; no sign of her.
Where is she?
I quickly put away my briefcase and go into protective mode. But before I can even move from my place, the door to the closet opens and I see her come out. It's too dark; the only light illuminating is from the closet, and it’s not enough. I need to see her.
"Happy birthday to you," she sings in her melodious voice.
I freeze as I stare at her with wide eyes. I am taken aback.
She switches on the light, and I look at her, almost enchanted. She looks beautiful—that might be an understatement. The saree fits her perfectly, hugging her curves in all the right ways. She looks beautiful—breathtaking, even. Her hair falls softly over her shoulders.
