ã€ŠMarried To A Strangerã€‹


 Chapter 1

    Sreesha Pov:

    Getting married is not strange!

    Getting married is not strange at all!

    I started chanting in my head looking at the stranger who is tying a knot with me.N?velDrama.Org ? content.

    The stranger who I met once, and without a word he agreed to marry me.

    Sure, he is handsome outside but what about inside?

    What if he is just like my father after all same natured people get along well. How will I survive if he treats me just like my father treated my mother all these years?

    I peeked at him through my eyshes when he applied Sindhoor on my foreheadpleting the marriage ritual. He smiled in content when he was doing that like he had been waiting for this moment all his life.

    After conducting a few more rituals, they sent me with him. I did not cry before leaving my parents¡¯ house like all those girls. They hurt me too much to feel pain for leaving them. My brother Tej was looking at me with pure happiness in his eyes. He was the only one who loved me in that family, but he betrayed me. He left me all alone when I needed him the most.

    It was a simple marriage with just our families. Tej insisted on registering my marriage then and there. As if I could leave my husband now.

    God! That stranger is my husband now.

    And His name is Karthik.

    I know nothing about him except his name.

    After reaching his home, I was rushed to a guest room. For a manager in an MNC, he sure maintains his house well. It was a two-story individual house with three bedrooms andfortable furniture.

    ¡®He must be earning a lot¡¯ I thought, nodding to myself.

    I belonged to a middle-ss family.

    I nced around the room, but it doesn¡¯t have anyone¡¯s personal touch. It is like this room belongs to no one in particr.

    ¡°Can I talk to my daughter for a few minutes? ¡± I heard my mother asking his mother ¡°alone¡± she added immediately to which my mother inw nodded leaving us alone.

    I felt a hard grip on my wrist, I hissed in pain ¡°Never say No to your husband, Sreesha. You should do as he says. For us women, husband¡¯s words should be like a Law. Respect him. ept his every wish whether you like it or not¡± My mother said grinding her teeth.

    ¡°Never disrespect him. Never raise your voice at him or you will have to face the consequences all alone. Never utter words like higher studies or job, see where they hadnded you. Even your brother, who used to support you in everything denied your wish to work. As your father always say, work is for men, women belong to the kitchen¡± My fists tightened hearing her words.

    Yes, my brother denied my wishes for the first time in my life, but she doesn¡¯t have to rub it in my face.

    ¡°Your wedding night is only a few hours away, Sreesha. If I heard one word against you from your husband I will not stop your father from teaching you a thing or two this time¡± reminding the days he pped me one too many times every time I refused to get married. If it isn¡¯t for Tej, I don¡¯t know what would have happened to me. He saved me one too many times and asked me to trust him and do as my father orders.

    ¡®Everything will be fine di, do as father says and I¡¯ll deal with the rest. Just trust me ¡® were his exact words.

    So, I gave in. I trust my brother, but I couldn¡¯t just forgive him for not stopping this marriage.

    And my mother said wedding night! What am I going to say if he finds out that I¡¯m not a virgin?

    What will I do, if he mes my family for betraying him?

    What will my father do?

    Would he kill me? Or torture me to until I die slowly and painfully.

    I wasn¡¯t physically abused, sure my mother or father would p me here and there for denying them or if I mess up with work but thanks to Tej, he always had my back.

    Even though he is a couple of years younger to me. He was my savior. My parents loves him to death and grants his every wish, excluding one thing that I should never call them mom and dad. So, Tej did what no sibling would do, he called them father and mother because they didn¡¯t allow me to call them mom and dad.

    What are you nning this time, Tej?

    ¡°Answer me¡± my mother hissed bringing me back from my memories.

    Right, Wedding night. I nodded my head like a polite pet.

    I¡¯m not ready for that step with him. I barely know him. Will he give me time to adjust, if I tell him I wasn¡¯t ready for this step yet?

    The answer will be a big NO! I know it, everyone knows it. But there is this tiny bit of hope fluttering in my heart saying he is not what he looks like. And there must be a heart behind those cold and calctive eyes.

    But what if he wouldn¡¯t agree to give me time?

    What if he forces himself on me?

    What if he finds out that I was not a virgin and throws a fit?

    What if he bes abusive? Can I survive one more dominant person in my life?

    What if he is indeed a male chauvinist and treats me like his ve?

    His mother came with a te full of food and asked me to eat. I ate withoutining because I was so hungry as I¡¯ve been fasting from the morning and it is like 4 in the evening now.

    His mother doesn¡¯t look like those evil mothers-inw in daily soaps. She looks nice and took care of her appearance well. She is like those women who doesn¡¯t have to try to be beautiful because they will look gorgeous even in some rugged clothes. And she smiles all the time, it¡¯s one of her traits to attract everyone. Beauty must be running in their family. Karthik¡¯s father is just like him, calm, straight, cold and did I mention handsome? He did not look like an old dude at all.

    Hourster, Karthik¡¯s mother came with a few boxes in her hands. I was handed a beautiful red color sari to change into. They made me sit before a vanity mirror and started working on my skin. His mother experimented on my skin like I was a Barbie and she was a kid to do makeup and hair. I¡¯ve been in the same position for hours, stiff like a statue, notining about anything because I know they would do what they think is good. I don¡¯t have to strain my vocal system toin about a losing battle.

    I was on a verge of closing my eyes as sleep was demanding it¡¯s the daily dosage. A Snap-On my head is all it takes to return to the real world from the entrance of my dream world. It¡¯s my mother¡¯s handy work after all.

    ¡°Look at you, so beautiful¡± his mother beamed at me. I gave her a small strained smile.

    I actually look beautiful with all the jewelry and stuff, but I want him to know the real me, not the artificial version of me.

    ¡®Shut up, Sreesha, you of all people know men admire the beauty. Outer beauty, not inner beauty. He will be just like others don¡¯t you dare let your hopes high¡¯ my conscience chided me.

    As they said in some advertisement ¡®Men will be Men¡¯. After all my ex-belonged to the same category.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to meet your husband dear¡± my Mother-inw shook me gently. I nodded standing up.

    When I was in front of what I assume his room, my mother¡¯s grip hardened on my wrist again. This time I didn¡¯t flinch because there is a hell in the room waiting for me, what can a little pain hurt?

    ¡°Remember what I said earlier, Sreesha. I mean every word I said¡± I nodded again feeling numb.

    My Mother-inw opened the doors gently leading me to a room which is decoratedpletely with red roses. My favorite flower. I generally love flowers a lot, but Red roses make me smile every time I look at them.

    His mother made me sit on his bed arranging the sari properly. My mother covered my face with a heavy veil which weighs a ton.

    My mother left first giving me a warning look, but my mother-inw stayed beside me, her eyes trained on me.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about anything, Sreesha. I raised my son better than you think¡± she said patting on my shivering hand which is gripping the bed sheet like it¡¯s life depended on it.

    I don¡¯t know what her words meant. she must be like those moms who turns a blind eye to their children¡¯s mistakes. Who knows what he had been doing all these years behind her back?

    ¡°You will be fine¡± she added leaving the room, closing the door behind her.

    After a few minutes, the door to the room opened revealing a six feet silhouette as the room is dimly lit.

    I started hyperventting. Every fear that has been haunting me have surrounded me now. I feel like I was in a small hole with a limited oxygen supply.

    ¡°Sreesha¡± His voice made me jump in fear. I wanted nothing but to crawl into those shadows where he would never find me.

 Chapter 2

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡°Sreesha¡± he called me again.

    A chill ran through my spine by just hearing his voice. I can sense that he wasing my way and I can feel the sweat forming in my palms. He stopped just a foot away from me, his voice didn¡¯t do any good, I was a trembling mess.

    I gulped down the gasp when he tried to reach my hand. Just when he was about to touch it, I flinched a little, that stopped him.

    Rejected!

    I rejected his touch¡­ and he is aware of it. I closed my eyes waiting for some harsh words or a p. My mother said men can get angry when they face rejection.

    I sense the bed sink a few inches away from me. I closed my eyes tightly not willing to see his enraged face. My grip on the sheets tightened as well.

    But to my surprise, his voice greeted me instead of his hand ¡°Sreesha, please look at me¡± his voice was as soft as a velvet cake with a hint of huskiness to it.

    We can alwayspare the huskiness with some extra whipped cream *dreamy sigh*

    ¡°Please¡± he added. This time I epted his wish, I can¡¯t deny him anymore. He must be having a hard time controlling his anger on me. I sent a prayer to God to lessen his rage before he starts dealing with me.

    I opened my eyes slowly like I was just out of eye surgery and making sure my eyesight was clear. I sighed;

    I get these weird ideas all the times. First Velvet cake then whipped cream and now eye surgery?

    My conscience ys a weird role in my life from the very beginning of my life, it is the sarcastic side of me which makes an appearance when it¡¯s not needed the most.

    I was met with a pair of most beautiful chocte brown eyes I had ever seen, which were looking at me curiously. I lowered my gaze immediately, remembering my mother¡¯s words.

    Lower your gaze when you¡¯re talking to your husband, it is a sign of disrespect.

    ¡°Can I hold your hand, Sreesha?¡± He asked making my grip hard on sheets ¡°please¡± he added. I nodded still not sure why he was asking me when he can do whatever he wants.

    I gasped audibly when his hand met mine, I didn¡¯t feel sparks and electricity like they mention in those Romance books. It was slightly different, I feel secured andfortable with his touch so, just like that, I released my grip on the bedsheets allowing him to take my hand into his.

    His touch was soft and caring, that is not something I imagined. I thought it would be rough, harsh or powerful.

    He started caressing the back of my palm with his thumb, igniting a small hope in my dead heart.

    Hope for what?

    ¡°Now that you¡¯re breathing normally, I hope you¡¯re fine. Can we talk now?¡± He asked still caressing my hand. I nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said, I almost heard the crack when I lifted my head swiftly. I sure would have sour neck tomorrow.

    Did he just say sorry?

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t ask your consent for our marriage,¡± he said looking straight into my eyes, this time my gaze did not falter. The look in his eyes was sincere, after making sure he wasn¡¯t joking, I nodded. I thought he wouldugh at me saying it was a fake apology, but I did not find faking in his voice nor his eyes.

    ¡°Talk to me, Sreesha¡± I kept mum.

    ¡°At least say my name¡± he pleaded.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Do you even know my name? ¡± there was a hint of anger in his voice which made my reflexes active. I took my hand away from him. I tried to move away but he stopped me by holding my hand.

    ¡°Hey¡­ hey rx. I¡¯m not going to hurt you, Sreesha. Rx okay? I just wanted to know if you by any chance did not know my name. Do you think I will hurt you?¡± He asked slowing like he was talking to a child. I nodded.

    ¡°You do?¡± I nodded again; hope I would not have a sprain in my neck with all this nodding. I want to talk to him too but the fear in me crushed my voice ¡°Sreesha, I know you¡¯re from different background and environment. Your family must have set a wrong example of marriage for you. But you¡¯re not with them anymore, you can throw those ideal wife qualities in a dustbin and be yourself. In Shekhar¡¯s family, we men treat our wives as equals. You are not Sreesha Verma anymore, you¡¯re Mrs Sreesha Karthik Shekhar. You¡¯re my wife Sreesha I would not dream of hurting you. Feel free to voice your thoughts openly, feel free to point out my mistakes because a wife has every right to correct her husband¡¯s mistakes. And feel free to tell me if you¡¯re not ready for the next step in our marriage¡± his little speech made me speechless. Never had I ever thought he would say all those things.

    I kind of like the sound of Sreesha Karthik than Sreesha Verma.

    Did he just say husband and wife are equals?

    Seriously?

    If my father gets to hear it, he will have an early death. His stone heart might get a crack listening to his words.

    How the hell my father epted to this match again?

    ¡®Everything will be fine di, do as father says and I¡¯ll deal with the rest. Just trust me¡¯ I recalled Tej¡¯s words. This is what he meant; he knew Karthik is a good person. That is why he did not want to stop the marriage.

    Sorry for the misunderstanding, Tej. I love you I mentally announced my love for my brother.

    ¡°Sreesha¡± his voice pulled me harshly from mynd. ¡°Will you answer me now?¡±

    ¡°Ji¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°I want you to say my name, Sree¡± Sree? ¡°Can I call you Sree from now?¡± he asked rubbing his neck. I nodded.

    ¡°K- Karthik¡± I stuttered.

    ¡°What? I didn¡¯t hear you. Sure, you said something but I didn¡¯t get to hear it¡± he said frowning.

    ¡°Er¡­ Karthik¡± I said, this time a bit loudly.

    ¡°I missed it again, I think I¡¯m having a hearing problem¡± he mumbled touching his ears. I feel bad for him, but I used my regr voicest time I said his name.

    ¡°Karthik,¡± I said a little too loudly, if my mother was outside the door, she would have heard it.

    ¡°I think I missed it again¡± his frown was constant but slowly it turned into a smirk. He had been ying with me from the start.

    ¡°Karthik! Stop ying with me.¡± I yelled, somehow, he seeded in waking up the Sreesha I buried a while ago. The evil side of Sreesha.

    Did I just yell at him?

    Fear surged through me. I raised my voice at him! What would he do now? I still remember the day when my father pped my mother for raising her voice at him.

    ¡°Woah! I got a little tiger for a wife¡± he grinned. When I thought his smile would melt an ice cube make it a cier when he grins. He can melt a freaking cier with his grin. I was literally swooning over him right now.

    He snapped his fingers before my face snapping me into reality. I frowned I want to stay in my imagination I created a while ago¡­ at the melting cier.

    ¡°There is a little drool over there,¡± he said pointing at my mouth, like an idiot I am, I wiped. Just like that, he burst into fits ofughter while I stay silent watching him. I¡¯m nning to make the freaking Himyas melt now.

    ¡°Sree, oh god, I did notugh like this much in years,¡± he said holding his sides, stillughing at my expense.

    When hisugh seized, he said: ¡°You look beautiful when you smile¡±.

    I did not realize that I¡¯ve been smiling looking at him. His smile was contagious. Normally I would get angry when someone makes me aughingstock but with him, I don¡¯t mind being a joker just to watch himugh.

    ¡®You sound like a lovesick puppy, Sreesha! Get a grip on yourself it¡¯s only been a day you got married and you started falling for his charm? What would you do if this is all an act?¡¯

    That did it. I rebuilt the walls around my heart which he seeded in breaking with just using a hand full of words.

    ¡®Stop being so naive, Sressha, just because he was polite doesn¡¯t mean he did not have the power to break you. Remember we should not trust men; they always leave you when you needed them the most¡¯ My conscience talked some sense into me.

    ¡°Are you sleepy?¡± He asked frowning.

    ¡°Yes,¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Okay. You sleep here, on the bed I¡¯ll take the couch¡± he said while standing. Why is he acting so polite? I want to hate him for marrying me, I want to hate him for not trying to ask my consent for our marriage.

    I just want to hate him, curse him for everything that is going on in my life. Is it too much to ask?

    But he is making it hard to hate him with all the sweet-talking and politeness.

    And he wants to take a couch? Why?

    Maybe he didn¡¯t want to sleep next to you?

    Maybe he was forced into this marriage as well?

    Or maybe he was just being polite!

    ¡°I- I¡¯ll t-take the couch, y-you please sleep here¡± why the hell am I stuttering?

    ¡°I called dibs on couch remember. Now sleep well. Mom said you have some rituals to follow early in the morning¡± he said making his way to the couch.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think that the veil is too heavy? Please tell me you¡¯re not nning to sleep wearing those heavy clothes. Sure, you look beautiful with all those things but I¡¯m sure they will not befortable to sleep.¡± He said making his way towards a closed-door e here¡± he said waving his hand.

    I reached him without stumbling on my heavy Saree. The door he was holding is a walk-in closet.

    ¡°This is our closet; mom bought a few things for you days ago and that -pointing to the other closed door ¨C is washroom. Please feel free to use whatever you want¡± he said leaving me alone to choose.

    The closet is very spacious, and his clothes were arranged neatly ording to the type. The other side of the closet is filled with dresses, Sarees, Shoes, heels, essories, handbags, clutches and what not. This is every freaking girl¡¯s dream. Cosmetics are neatly arranged on the table with a big sized mirror attached to it.

    I am not a big fan of shopping or shy things, but I really appreciate the effort his mother made. I should thank her for this tomorrow. I find some pajamas and went to the washroom.

    The washroom was no lesspared to the closet. For a second I thought it was mine. It has everything I prefer. From my favorite soap to same branded toothbrush I use. I suppressed augh.

    His mother must have liked me so much to waste her time and money on these little things.

    After a nice warm bath, I slipped into the nightdress I brought from the closet. Opening the door, I made my way towards the bed and slipped into the warm covers. My eyesnded on the couch, where Karthik was sleeping ufortably. I noticed, he changed into somefortable clothes.

    I feel so bad for him, his 6 feet or so figure is hard to adjust on that couch. I want to ask him to take the bed but stopped myself. What if he gets angry about waking him?

    I tiptoed to the closet and came back with an extra nket which I noticed while I was checking out his closet.

    My steps faltered with each step I take towards him. I was so nervous that I almost gave up on my task.

    I wrapped the nket around him carefully, not wanting to wake him but stilled in my ce when he grasped one of my hand and held it against his heart.

    My heartbeat raised making it impossible to breathe normally for me. I can feel his heartbeat. His heartbeat is beating matching the pace of mine. For a second I thought he was awake, but he is not. I sighed in relief seeing his rxed face.

    Taking a deep breath, I slowly loosened his grip using my other hand. I almost jumped in excitement when Ipleted my task without waking him.

    As soon as my head hit the pillow, I sighed in content.

    Just when I was about to fall into a deep slumber, I felt a feathery touch on my forehead and heard someone say

    I missed you.

 Chapter 3

    Sreesha POV:

    I heard a small knock on the door but turned around to sleep in peace but when I heard the rustling in the room and the small voices at the door, I sprung up to my feet thinking Tej was searching for my secret chocte stock in my room. I panicked for a moment looking at the unfamiliar surroundings. I held my head in a hard grip when the previous day¡¯s events, crashed my mind making it work fast than it usually does.

    Shit! I¡¯m married!

    Shit indeed!

    I searched for a clock frantically and found it on the bedside table. It¡¯s already 5 am and I¡¯m still in bed.

    And I am a married woman!

    A good daughter-inw should wake up before everyone in the house and do the household work herself without bothering her inws. My mother¡¯s voice ringed in my ears making me jump into action.

    I was running like a mad monkey around the room to find a decent yet simple saree to wear. His mother and mine only bought sarees with heavy designs and stuff which I¡¯m surely weighing a ton.

    When I¡¯m in a hurry, I have this weird habit to forgetting everything. The same thing is happening to me now. While I¡¯m on my third trip from the closet to the washroom I bumped into a 6 feet wall.

    In other words, my husband.

    Remember the tons of romantic novels we read, and it is really happening in your life, Sreesha. You just bumped into your husband!

    Just when I thought my day wouldn¡¯t be worse, I¡¯d to bump into him? He held my waist to refrain me from falling t on my butt.

    ¡°Slow down, will you? ¡± he said, chuckling still holding me. His voice was deep with a hint of sleepiness.

    Is it weird to think his voice is yummy?

    ¡°I- I¡­ you-te¡­ mother¡± I stuttered; how can I answer when he was holding me too close to him while his hand drawing circles on my waist. Was it a natural thing for his hands to draw circles on my skin? First my hand and now my waist?

    I thanked all the gods for choosing a long top to wearst night.

    ¡°Why are you looking so pale? Did you have a nightmare?¡± He asked, frowning a little.

    How can someone be this handsome, even his frown is so cute.

    Taking a deep breath, I gestured the little awkward position we were in, with my eyes.

    When he noticed, he didn¡¯t let go of me immediately. He loosened his grip on my waist first and after making sure I was not going to kiss the ground with my butt he let go of me.

    No one said a word, we¡¯re just standing there facing each other. He nervously scratched his neck and mumbled something under his breath.

    ¡°Huh? ¡± I looked at him but avoided his eyes. They are too dangerous to get acquainted with.

    ¡°I¡¯ve to go and get ready¡± Why is he saying this to me? I nodded, confused.

    ¡°For that, you have to let go my shirt,¡± he said, with a slight smirk on his face. I stumbled back a little when I realize where my hand wasfortably settled on. I¡¯ve been holding his shirt tightly like my life depended on it.

    How can you be so stupid, Sreesha? He is your husband and you¡¯re holding his shirt? What would your mother say when she finds out about it? She would probably kill you without asking for a reason. It¡¯s a sign of utter disrespect towards your husband.

    ¡°Stop overthinking and wear this- handing me a saree ¨C mom asked me to tell you to wear this saree and go downstairs as soon as possible,¡± he said smiling. I nodded and stuttered into the washroom.

    Making sure I was all alone in the bathroom, I stood in front of the mirror and banged my head to the wall. And scold myself like I always do when I did something wrong.

    When I looked at myself in the mirror, I see myself in a different light. The Sreesha I was looking at was glowing with a small and genuine smile ying on her lips, it had been a long time.

    I got ready as soon as possible and left the room to join my MIL to know the tasks I¡¯ve to do in the house. When I reached downstairs, my MIL asked me to pray for the god of fire (Agni) and then make a sweet dish.

    I prepared Kheer, as she specifically mentioned that it is Karthik¡¯s favorite dish. I did as she said andpleted all the rituals.

    When I served the sweet dish, she praised me a lot. She said that she loved it. If anyone asks me what I was good at, I will say my culinary skills. I love cooking.

    When she made sure I was settled, she left leaving me alone in the house.

    Now that I¡¯m free, I couldn¡¯t help but think about my MIL (Mother-inw). She is so beautiful, no one would believe she has a 25-year-old son. She smiles all the time and it was genuine, her one smile can light a dark room. The way she talks, the way she walks everything screams elegance. Iughed at myself when a thought crossed my mind.

    I thought she was royalty.

    After our marriage, I didn¡¯t see my FIL (Father-inw) anywhere. It was like he doesn¡¯t live here with us.

    My MIL made sure I know Karthik¡¯s likes and dislikes. I prepared coffee for him, his mother said he likes his coffee ck and sugarless.

    His daily dose of caffeine as his mother prefers to call.

    When I was on my way to our room to give him coffee, he was descending the stairs. I couldn¡¯t help but admire his every move. With every step he takes, my clumsy heart hammered against my ribcage to free herself from the bounds of my ribs. His steps never faltered, his eyes never left mine, his lips never stopped smiling. He walked with utmost confidence and with a bit of satisfaction in his eyes.

    Stop drooling over him, your drool might turn into floods anytime soon my rational side chided.

    But have you seen him properly? It was like a freaking model is walking towards us. My heart whispered to my brain.

    Stop giving her unnecessary thoughts you stupid thing! Your work is to pump blood not to create unnecessary attraction and feelings within her it scolded again.

    I sometimes think my mother was staying in my mind, it always talks like my mother.

    Don¡¯t you darepare me with her! I¡¯m my own person it snapped at me.

    If somehow Karthik finds out the battle between my brain and heart or more like the rational and irrational sides, he would definitely kick me out of his house.

    Or he can always book a bed for you in a mental asylum!

    I sighed. If I didn¡¯t stop now, it would lead to a big argument which I am not ready for, as Karthik is only a few feet away from me looking at me worried.

    God, he¡¯s so beautiful! How can someone like him marry someone like you? No offence Sreesha, but look at him and look at you, he¡¯s hot as hell while you? A in clumsy material which needed a lot of grooming.

    I couldn¡¯t help but agree with that annoying voice in my head. why would someone like him will marry a girl someone like me? I¡¯m simple and in and did not n to change myself unless I was forced. But I¡¯m sure he could have got a girl more beautiful and prettier than me.

    My train of thoughts reached its station when a snap of fingers worked as a red g.

    I almost facepalmed when I saw a frown graced on his lips.

    I prefer to melt a cier dude! Give me a damn smile It said again. Not my fault if that voice had its own brain.

    I almost thought I was a werewolf while I was reading werewolf books in Wattpad. Sadly, I¡¯m no werewolf. It would have been so cool if I was one.

    ¡°Whatever going on in that pretty head of yours,¡± Karthik asked smiling.

    Pretty? He called me pretty!!! My heart did a small hip hop.

    ¡°N-nothing¡± I mumbled, offering the coffee.

    ¡°Where is yours? ¡± he asked pointing at the coffee.

    ¡°I¡¯ll haveter¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Will you please have coffee with me?¡± He asked cutely, making my heart race again.

    Slowdown you stupid thing! You¡¯re a heart, not a freaking car to participate in a race!

    I nodded making one for myself. When I was seated across him, his eyes were prating my every move. I want to snap at him asking him to keep his eyes away from me, but I couldn¡¯t, he has every right to look at me.

    I cringed when the bitter liquid assaulted my taste buds. This was not the way I prefer my coffee, mine should be sweet and tasty not like some neem leaves juice.

    He sighed. When I dare to look into his eyes, I stiffened. His eyes were narrowed at me with a hint of irritation in them. I bowed my head not wanting to witness his rage now.

    He stood up and held my hand making me jump to my feet. He dragged me to the kitchen and started preparing coffee himself.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    He should have asked me to make one again if he doesn¡¯t like the one, I made. What is he trying to prove stepping into the kitchen? Why would he have to make me feel pathetic?

    ¡°Have it ¡± his voice pulled me to the real world again. I blinked; he was preparing the coffee for me.

    Me?

    His wife?

    Taking the cup in my hand, I eyed it suspiciously. The sweet smell was assaulting my nostrils urging me to take a sip. Warily I sipped, the dead taste buds on my tongue became alive.

    This is heaven! I sighed.

    ¡°Thank you¡± I mumbled; he was looking at me with a weird kind of satisfaction in his eyes. His eyes suddenly flickered to annoyance.

    How can someone change their emotions in just seconds of difference?

    ¡°Just because I prefer something different doesn¡¯t mean you had to change yours, Sreesha. Either it is about food or people or something else.¡± He said reaching for my hand. I didn¡¯t flinch or feel wary about his touch now. I somehow know he means no harm¡­ physically.

    ¡°We¡¯re married, Sreesha. You¡¯re my wife, not a ve. My wife is my equal in everything. You are my other half. You have every right on my life like I¡¯ve on yours. You should not have to be hesitant to ask me anything, actually, you have every right to demand me.¡± He said, looking straight into my eyes with so much of determination in his eyes.

    ¡°Do you understand? ¡± he demanded.

    ¡°Why?¡± I whimpered. ¡°Fath-father said I could not-¡±

    ¡°Forget what your father said, forget about your mother¡¯s wishes or orders whatever they were. You¡¯re not in their house to follow their rules. This is your house, Sreesha. Our house. You have the right to make the rules here. This is yours as much as mine. Everything that belongs to me is yours too. You¡¯re free to make or break rules in here. Please don¡¯t feel like a guest in your own home. Understand?¡± He said sternly.

    I nodded. I couldn¡¯t fight my tears anymore, so I let them fall freely. He hesitantly pulled me close in an embrace and kissed my hair.

    My stupid heart did a small somersault.

    His hug exins how much he means every word he said. For the first time in my life, I feel secure in someone¡¯s embrace other than Tej.

    But the next words from him nearly stopped my heart.

    ¡°Pack some essentials, you¡¯re going to your parent¡¯s house¡±

 Chapter 4

    Sreesha POV:

    ¡°Pack some essentials, you¡¯re going to your parent¡¯s house,¡± he said, righting his shirt cuffs casually like he didn¡¯t just drop a bomb on my head.

    ¡®I hope you¡¯re happy now, you nasty stupid good for nothing senseless brain. Why do you always have to be right?¡¯

    ¡®Told you, not to get your hopes too high. He¡¯s is a man, what do you expect from him? Just because he said a few good words to warm your heart doesn¡¯t mean he is some ideal guy! Remember even Lord Rama asked Goddess Sita to prove her innocence. When God himself couldn¡¯t hold to his promise of protecting his wife forever, how do you expect your husband, who you just met a few weeks ago not to hurt you? Marriage is bound to hurt you one day or the other. It is just matter of time. Now stop whining and do as he says before heshes out at you¡¯ my oh so awesome brain chided at my heart.

    Even though it exaggerated a bit, I couldn¡¯t help but agree with it. It does know a thing or two about marriage.

    ¡°Sree, what are you still doing here? Why are you looking so pale? Are you not feeling well?¡± He said touching my forehead to check my temperature.

    ¡®As if you care! ¡® my brain sneered at him.

    ¡®Shut up! ¡® my heart yelled at it, still recovering from the little ache he just caused.

    ¡°Did I say something wrong?¡± He asked, hurt shed in his eyes. I stared at him confused.

    As if sensing my confusing stare, he added: ¡°you just yelled at me to shut up¡±.

    Omg! I did it again!

    Would someone teach me how to talk in my head, not at the person in front of me? This weird habit always drags me into some dangerous shit.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. But tell me what¡¯s wrong¡± he asked standing just a few inches away.

    ¡°I was just yelling at my brain¡± I mumbled and sighed.

    He stilled at his ce.

    ¡°B-Brain?¡± He stuttered I nodded vigorously. ¡°Why?¡± He added recovering from my fantastic answer.

    ¡°It always fights with my heart. And that stupid thing always has to be right, can you believe it?

    It always breaks my little heart saying harsh words to that poor thing. You know it even suggested me to elope with my teddy bear, to escape our marriage. I almost did as it said, if my poor little heart didn¡¯t suggest me to think about Tej ¡± I said pouting.

    Karthik nced at me from tip to toe before bursting into fits ofughter clutching both the sides of his stomach.

    You freaking Himyas! what the heck are you waiting for? Meltdown now! I don¡¯t care if you had to ruin a few states and countries in the process. I repeat, Melt now!

    I¡¯ve been staring at him all the time heughed. Hisughter was so infectious that I almost run to get the antibacterial lotion.

    ¡°Stopughing at me¡± I mumbled half-heartedly, I don¡¯t want him to stop.

    ¡®Now he will definitely book a super fancy ce in a mental asylum for you, Sreesha. You just told him one of the biggest secrets of your life. Now he will have a piece of strong evidence to get rid of you legally¡¯

    ¡®You started it! You are the reason for our stupid hopeless banters, and you dare to me Sreesha for that? Our poor Sreesha has to pay for the things you say. You heartless monster!¡¯

    ¡®Eww, I don¡¯t want you anywhere near me. All you try to do is creating unnecessary feelings which are not your work! Why don¡¯t you just pump and purify the blood and function properly?¡¯

    ¡®I curse you! I curse you from the bottom of my ¡®Ventricles¡±

    ¡®I curse you right back from the bottom of my ¡®Cerebellum¡±

    A snap of fingers shut both of them with so much difficulty. I sighed.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been making faces ¨C smiling innocently ¨C are they fighting again?¡± He said mirth ying in his eyes. I nodded helplessly. Heughed again.

    ¡°Wish I could hear them. So, I¡¯d know what¡¯s going on in that pretty head of yours. I admire your brain for suggesting eloping with your Teddy bear, but I like your heart more for stopping you from eloping¡± he said grinning ear to ear.

    He said he likes me!! I repeat he likes me MORE!!!

    And he admires me duh!

    ¡°I know right! I Love Mr. Cuddles so much. It was a gift from Tej on my 18th birthday.¡± I grinned recalling those days, Tej had to save his 6 months of pocket money for my birthday gift.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Mr. Cuddles? ¡± he asked, his eyes dancing in amusement.

    ¡°The teddy bear¡± I announced merrily.

    He didn¡¯t say anything. He just stood there looking at me with some unknown emotion in his eyes. There is something different about his eyes, and the way he stares at me did not give me creeps like others. It was more like the assurance offort, security and¡­?

    He cleared his throat making me stumble back to the real world, where he was still waiting for me pack my luggage.

    Is it because of the rejection he facedst night?

    But he wasn¡¯t angry at me for that, was he?

    ¡°It is gettingte, why don¡¯t you go, pack then? ¡± he said pulling his iPhone out.

    He is serious about sending me to my parents, isn¡¯t he? What did I do? Shall I ask him for a reason? What if he thinks I was defying him?

    He told you to demand him for answers, didn¡¯t he? If you¡¯re too afraid to demand, just plead him not to send you to your parents.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t send me to them. Did I do anything wrong? Please tell me what I did, so I can correct myself. But please don¡¯t send me back.¡± I pleaded to him.

    He drew his eyebrows together in¡­ confusion? What is there to confuse?

    ¡°You think, I¡¯m sending you to your parents forever? ¡± I nodded ¡°It is a ritual, Sreesha -he sighed, shaking his head, giving me a defeated smile- You need to spend the day in your parents¡¯ house as a ritual. After everything I saidst night, you still think that low of me? You¡¯re my wife Sreesha, not some rugged doll to throw away when I get tired of ying with it. What should I do to make you think straight?¡± I blinked.

    He is not getting rid of me!!!

    That is all you heard?

    I was about to nod, but my head was locked between two palms. Heat surged through my body, making the blood rush to my cheeks which made them as red as a ripe tomato.

    He was too close to me, yet too far. His face was just a few inches away from mine. His gaze flickered to my lips making them tremble.

    I am not ready for this step yet!

    He is your husband; he can do whatever he wants.

    A shiver ran through my spine¡­ what if¡­?

    ¡°You¡¯re my wife, Sreesha. You belong here, right beside me. What should I do to make you understand that? Sure, we might not like each other¡­ err¡­ yet. But remember one thing, I¡¯m not like your father and would never be like him. I don¡¯t want to send you back to that house, but mom said this particr ritual is essential. If you don¡¯t want to go, all you have is do is, saying ¡®no¡¯. I would never force you into anything. You have every right to live your life like you want, of course with me beside you.¡± He ended sighing.

    Does he know how his words affect me? Of course, he doesn¡¯t!

    Does he know how he manages to raise my heartbeat ten times faster than the normal speed with just saying the words ¡®my wife¡¯? Who is responsible if I get a cardiac arrest at this early age?

    Does he have any freaking idea what he is doing to my judgmental brain with his every little speech? Of course not!

    ¡°Now stop fighting with the most essential parts in your body and get ready, only if you want to follow the ritual or we can spend some alone time here in our home,¡± he said giving me a knowing look.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go get ready¡± saying that, I stuttered back to his room.

    After locking his house, he extended his hand to me. He ced something cold and hard in my palm.

    Keys!

    ¡°Now, it is your responsibility to care of our home¡± a whirlwind of emotions swirled within me. A tear slipped out without my knowledge.

    Many people may think I was exaggerating, but this one gesture gives the assurance you needed, trust being one of them. He trusts me enough to provide the master key of his house.

    Our! Remember, he said Our home!

    ¡°Don¡¯t bother returning them, they stay with you and I¡¯ve another set with me¡± he said showing me another set of keys. I nodded.

    We reached my parent¡¯s house in his car. The car seems kind of expensive, how much he earns again?

    Karthik knocked at the door and waited. My mother opened the door and invited us inside. My father appeared just in time. We took their blessings.

    My father invited Karthik to his study and I followed my mother to the kitchen. I prepared coffee for both of them.

    I can feel my mother¡¯s eyes on me scrutinizing my every move. I can see her raise an eyebrow from my peripheral view, while I was making ck coffee. She figured it is for Karthik as no one in this house likes ck coffee.

    I knocked twice before entering the study bnced a tray full of snacks in one hand and coffee tray in the another.

    When Karthik looked at me, he immediately stood up to help me. He took one tray from me and ced on the table himself. I can sense my father¡¯s eyes narrowing on Karthik¡¯s every move.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± he said smiling. That snapped my father¡¯sst string of patience and asked (ordered) Karthik to sit and let me do my work.

    ¡°She is your wife. There is no need to say sorry or thank you to her. It is her duty to take care of you and your needs¡± my father advised him.

    ¡°She is my wife, and that is the exact reason why I thanked her. She is not my employee to order around. Yes, it is her duty to take care of me, but it is also my responsibility to take care of her as well¡± he replied coolly taking a seat in front of my father confidence oozing around him.

    My father red at him and asked me to get out of the room, not so politely.

    After talking to my father, he makes his way to me and kissed my forehead before leaving me alone with me, with my parents who were looking at me like hungry vultures.

    My father muttered something about today¡¯s generations ruining the traditions and not respecting elders.

    My mother held my wrist tightly making me hiss in pain ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to respect elders? That act that you just pulled is not allowed in this house. Don¡¯t you ever repeat that, Sreesha. I¡¯m serious about it¡± she said, gritting her teeth. I nodded before leaving her alone.

    I entered my old room, which was my safe heaven until yesterday. Iy on my bed and hugged Mr Cuddles tightly near my heart before letting my tears fall freely.

    After crying my heart out, Iy there numbly thinking about the reasons why they are treating me like I was nothing but a worthless scum.

    A knock at my door distracted me from wallowing in self-pity.

    I unlocked my door to reveal someone who I¡¯m not ready to face, yet.

    ¡°Tej¡± I said, my voice is no less than ice.

 Chapter 5

    Sreesha POV:

    Tej, the only family who loves and cares for me. The only person in the world who have seen my best and the worst still stayed with me.

    My brother.

    I wonder what were the reasons that lead him to marry me off, to a stranger no less, when he was so against of my father¡¯s selection.

    He fought my every battle like it is his. He protects me like he was the elder one among us. He grew up too fast protecting me from my parents¡¯ wrath and the evils who ys as angels outside the house.

    I missed him so much. I want nothing but to hug him, but he betrayed me in the worst way possible. He promised me, to never let anything happen against my will yet he decided to break it himself.

    Sure, god blessed me with Karthik, who behaves like a gentleman. What if it is someone who is just like my father or worse?

    ¡°Di! ¡± my heart melted when he called me ¡®di¡¯. I was pulled into a bone-crushing hug. He clutched to me in Octopus grip making it hard to breathe.

    Octopus grip, seriously?

    Do you want me to degrade his huge body byparing his hug with a leech?

    Eww!

    ¡°T-Tej¡­ c-can¡¯t breath¡± I gasped out. His gripped loosened almost immediately making me stumble back.

    ¡°Sorry di, it¡¯s just I missed you so much¡± he confessed, scratching his neck.

    I missed you too, Tej.

    ¡°Sure, you did,¡± I said sarcastically, narrowing my eyes at him.

    ¡°W-what? Of course, I missed you¡± he said desperately. I rolled my eyes at him and asked him to leave.

    ¡°Did he hurt you, di?¡± He asked gritting his teeth, his soft brown eyes darkened with fury.

    ¡°Answer me, di. Did he say or do something you don¡¯t like?¡± the tone he used was dark. Never had I witnessed this side of him. Sure, he was protective of me all the time but now, he looks ready to kill.

    ¡°Of course not. He is nice to me¡± I mumbled, confused by his sudden change of aura. He rxed immediately and gave me an innocent smile.

    ¡°Good. Or I would have killed him¡± he said, giving a charming smile. I rolled my eyes at him, again.

    ¡°Why are you sad then? Tell me what happened, is it father again? Or mother tried to lecture you again?¡± he started his guessing game.

    ¡°It¡¯s you. I don¡¯t want to talk to you. Get out of here¡± I ordered, gesturing to the door, making sure my voice is harsh.

    ¡°What? What did I do?¡± I almostughed at his confused stature. I forgave him already, okay?

    I¡¯m bored and who doesn¡¯t want a bit of entertainment and treated like a princess right?

    ¡°You broke your promise remember? You said you wouldn¡¯t try anything against my will, yet you agreed to this marriage and didn¡¯t help me out¡± I scowled.

    ¡°I- you¡­ di. K-Karthik ¡± he started talking in gibberish.

    ¡°Get out now¡± I showed him the way out, giving a defeated sigh he left. I smirked at his back.

    Now Sreesha, ready to be pampered by your little brother with lots of love and choctes (yum).

    Tej tried everything to get me out of my room but I turned down all his attempts.

    He asked me to have lunch with him.

    I don¡¯t want lunch, dude.

    He begged me to watch my favorite movie with him.

    As much as I want to see him cringe with every dialogue in the movie. Nahh¡­ I¡¯ll pass.

    He tried to lure me to take me out, but my mother rudely interrupted his proposal saying new brides can¡¯t roam on the roads.

    This time it¡¯s not me okay?

    Then an hourter, he knocked on my door. I wiped the grin off my face and pasted a fake frown and opened the door. He was standing there with lots of my favorite choctes in his hands. I snatched them away from him and mmed the door on his face.

    As much as I¡¯m feigning anger at him, I don¡¯t want him to burden with the heavyweight of choctes. So being the best sister in the world I am, relieved him from the burden.

    Things I do for my brother¡­

    Don¡¯t get me wrong okay? What if he eats all the calories and loses his muscles which he always says as his pride? So, I kept all the choctes in my stomach safely not even leaving the smudges on the wrapper. After licking and making the wrappers chocte-free, I opened the door toe face to face with my little brother and handed him all the chocte wrappers safely.

    Phew! My work is done here now.

    mming the door on his face, again, I jumped on my bed cuddling to my almost ex a. k. a Mr. Cuddles.

    My friends named this side of me as Sreesha v 2. 0. This version is only avable to Tej and a few close friends.

    So, don¡¯t you dare check on y store for me.

    Sreesha v 2. 0 is limited okay?

    Karthik POV:

    Sreesha!

    The only girl who has the power to make me crawl on my knees, yet she is unaware of it. When my parents asked me to marry a girl of their choice, I declined without thinking twice.

    A few weeks ago:

    My mom forced me to go along with them and see the girl. I hate to disappoint her, but I don¡¯t want to hurt the supposed girl.

    I¡¯m a heartless man. I don¡¯t have the heart to love and care if I marry this girl. I¡¯m still not over the one who I lost my heart to.

    I hate these traditions like going to the girl¡¯s house and examine her like she was a thing on sale. I despise each and every tradition that degrade a girl¡¯s self-respect yet here I am doing the things I hate the most. All for one woman¡¯s happiness, my mom.

    No, I¡¯m not going to marry the girl whose name is still unknown to me. I can¡¯t ruin her life with mine. I¡¯ll just say we¡¯re notpatible and say sorry.

    We started from our house in a less expensive car. We didn¡¯t use this car from years, what in the world was my dad thinking? I let it pass, maybe it is mom¡¯s wish as she thinks it is their lucky car. I rolled my eyes at this and slipped in the passenger seat making my dad scowl.

    I gave a look that says ¡®deal-with-it¡¯.

    My dad can¡¯t stay away from my mom. He says it¡¯s love. If only I didn¡¯t do what I did a few years ago¡­

    Don¡¯t even go there Karthik!

    I immersed myself in candy crush game and never once lookout to see where we were going. As long as they will not disturb me, I¡¯m fine staying in one ce.

    The car stopped in front of a weirdly familiar house, I brushed off the feeling and followed my parents.

    We¡¯re invited by the person whom I hated the most. He was the reason for a loved one¡¯s misery.

    What are we doing here in this man¡¯s house?

    Before I say or do anything my father gripped my wrist and nodded as to say no.

    I sighed harshly before following the cruel man. We were led to the living area. I received a message from my father giving me a list of lies to say.

    Karthik Shekhar.

    Manager in an MNC.

    Earns 40, 000 per month.

    Have connections to the Mafia.

    Who in the sane mind would want to marry their daughter to the guy who has connections to the mafia?

    ¡®He would ¡® my father expression said it all.

    This is it, there is no backing away now. I had to marry this girl no matter what. But I can¡¯t y with her life, I can¡¯t love her like she deserves.

    Still, I answered the man to all the questions he fired at me feigning honesty. No one could read me. I always maintain a neutral look on my face.

    He nodded and gave me a small smile like he knows what I am ying at.

    If only he knows¡­

    My mother nudged me when the girl sits on the mat. One more thing that I hate the most. A girl should be treated as equal. If I¡¯d a sister I¡¯d have done anything she asked for and protect her from all the evils in the world.

    I ignored my mother and took out my iPhone again this time I want to y Pok¨¦mon Go and leave this house but I¡¯m not fortunate enough to follow my heart now.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have a choice mom, do as you wish,¡± I said sighing dejectedly.

    ¡°She¡¯s beautiful Karthik. One look at her and say you don¡¯t want her; we¡¯ll leave right this moment¡± mom said giving me an evil smile.

    That smile is not good at all. It means trouble. I alwaysugh at my dad¡¯s misery every time he gets that look.

    I nced at the girl and stood up to leave but when my eyesnded on the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen, I stilled.

    My brain stopped working. She looks exactly the same. She hadn¡¯t changed a bit. After years of waiting finally, I came face to face with the girl I was in love with.

    The very girl who took my heart away without her knowing.

    My father patted my shoulder and gesture me to sit to which I obliged in no time.

    Sreesha!

    The love of my life looked at me with no hint of recognition. Of course, she doesn¡¯t know me. This is the first time we met each other officially.

    Now my anger towards the man hiked ten times. He messed with the wrong one and I intend to make him pay for his deeds.

    First, I¡¯ve to marry Sreesha and take her away from him.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay if you don¡¯t like her son. I can always cancel this marriage for you. Let me have a word with her father¡± mom feigned innocence when I very well know her sources provided her with the much-needed information.

    ¡°Dare say that again mom, I¡¯ll kidnap dad to some unknown ce and cut every source ofmunication between you¡± I threatened her.

    In 26 years of their married life, they never stayed apart from each other. They¡¯re still madly in love. That did the trick. She muttered something under her breath.

    Now I can have the same love in my life with Sreesha beside me. My love is enough for both of us for now.

    Geez, I sound like a girl right now.

    Scowling at me, my mother said okay to the match and asked them to look for an auspicious date for our marriage.

    I want to talk to Sreesha desperately. When I asked her father¡¯s permission to talk to her, he downright rejected the idea saying he would never allow a guy to talk to his daughter.

    Someone tapped on my shoulder from behind. I turned to see Sreesha¡¯s brother. He asked me to follow him to the backyard.

    ¡°I know who you are Karthik Shekhar,¡± he said, making my blood froze.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll not say anything to my father, but I want you to promise me my sister¡¯s safety. I already took a lot of risk by taking your father¡¯s advice. I knew you had a crush on my sister years ago but that doesn¡¯t mean I trust youpletely¡± Never in my life, someone stood up to me let alone threaten. I like him already.

    So, he was the one who was helping my dad.

    ¡°I love her.¡± I said, he gave me a nk stare ¡°I love her, Tej. It¡¯s not just a mere crush. If it is, I¡¯d have given up on her when she had a boyfriend¡± I said smiling genuinely for the first time in years.

    ¡°Good to know but you have to know what happened after the day you left¡± he exined how her life turned upside down and the things which made me furious.

    ¡°Treat her well, Karthik. I share the same blood as my father, dare hurt my sister and I wouldn¡¯t think twice to kill you if you ever did. I don¡¯t care if you hold the power to ruin me, I¡¯d be ready to die after killing you so, never think I care about my life than my sister¡¯s¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but admire him. I couldn¡¯t help but think how beautiful their rtionship was.

    ¡°I¡¯ll protect her with my life, Tej. And I promise you to treat her like she deserves. Like a Queen. My equal. Just have a little trust in me¡± I said confidently.

    He gave me a brief hug and nodded calmly. But I can see that he was happy with my words.

    I asked him to move in with us after my marriage with Sreesha but he downright rejected my offer.

    Two weeks and you will be mine forever, Sreesha.

 Chapter 6

    Sreesha POV:

    Karthik mentioned that he would be here at around 5 pm to take me back home. And the clock seems to be taking its precious time to move. I¡¯ve been waiting for the clock to move its small and long hands to reach 5 and 12 respectively.

    Is it too much to ask?

    That stubborn thing, I tell you¡­

    I even checked the wall clock hanging in the middle of the living room to check if the one in my room working properly.

    Sadly, it does!

    Couldn¡¯t it move a bit faster so I can get to meet my husband whose smile can lift my sad mood?

    After Tej left my room, my mother graced me with her presence yet with another lecture about ¡®how to be a perfect wife and daughter-inw and to avoid the further embarrassing events in front of elders¡¯.

    From when a kiss on the forehead is a crime?

    I touched the ce where he kissed and couldn¡¯t get rid of the grin appeared on my face. I can still feel the tingles created by his warm, soft lips.

    Forehead kisses mean a lot than the kiss on the lips. It represents the person¡¯s care and respect, while a kiss on lips represents passion, lust and maybe love too.

    I¡¯m sure he respects me and my wishes.

    But does he care for me?

    Can I, by any chance make him fall in love with me in the meantime?

    Love? As if!

    There is nothing called love, Sreesha. Wake up from the daydream you¡¯re currently enjoying and look around, will you? Have you already forgot what that word did to you a few years ago? It destroyed you. You better wake up before it¡¯s toote. Happily, ever after¡¯s is only meant for books and movies. Haven¡¯t you learnt anything from your parents¡¯ married life? Hoping for love from an arranged marriage is like searching for an Oasis in Sahara Desert. Don¡¯t let your hopes high as they only ruin lives.

    Stop giving her negative vibes you monster of a non-beating thing! What is wrong in expecting a little care from her husband? It¡¯s not a crime. Every living thing and non-living thing deserves to be loved. Stop crushing her dreams and let me remind you failed in every freaking theory of yours. He passed your every freaking stupid test. He is a nice guy. There is no harm in having a crush on her own husband.

    Crush?N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    Are you sure it¡¯s just a crush? She is literally drooling a pool of saliva just looking at him a while ago. You stupid pumping and beating thing! You should know better than that. She is liking him. Next thing we know our poor Sreesha would be trusting that guy, which is definitely a foolish thing to do in just one day. Do you forget that I, the great brain, should deal with feelings while your work is to pump and purify the blood? So, stop intervening in my business, your services are not needed here.

    How rude! Did you hear what it just said, Sreesha? This is the reason I had to intervene in your business. You¡¯re in rude and gives stupid ideas to our precious Sreesha while I give her a hope to live and love. And hello it is my business to deal with feelings too, did you forget that I will be the one who would be hurt when she faces a heartbreak. See even people call it heartbreak, not brain break.

    ¡°And here I thought my wife would be waiting for me with a beautiful smile on her face instead her face is adorned with a frown¡± a voice rudely interrupted the debate of my two vital organs.

    Did he actually call my smile beautiful?

    My frown deepened; did I just think his voice was melodic?

    Only girls have the right to have a melodic voice. I forbid it, to the male gender. All rights should reserve under every girl¡¯s name in the world.

    What about aliens?

    Then the female aliens can register their names too. Is that even a question?

    ¡°Hello, have you seen my wife wandering anywhere in your imaginary world?¡± Karthik! I totally forgot about him¡­ again.

    I did not have an imaginary world! I live on Mother Earth thank you very much. My sarcastic side yelled inwardly.

    When will you learn Sreesha? No, don¡¯t answer! I¡¯m not ready yet for another debate.

    I slowly raised my eyes. Our eyes met; I can easily recognize the amusement in his eyes.

    Isn¡¯t it a crime to have such beautiful eyes?

    Only the eyes?

    God might take his time to create a specimen like him. He blessed him with perfection. Every freaking feature of his scream¡¯s perfection. Will you believe me if I say even his eyebrows are perfect with no wrong tilt?

    You need some serious help, Sreesha!

    I snapped out of my dreand and gave him a shy smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was just¡­ thinking¡± I said trying to cover my red cheeks.

    He walked up to me without saying a word and shocked me with a big bear hug. I stilled in my ce. I couldn¡¯t move a muscle. His hands were rested on my back while his head on top of mine. I can feel his heartbeat quicken, making mine increase its pace two times. If this is how it would be every time, he was near me, my heart may give up at a very tender age.

    ¡°Are you ready to go home?¡± I heard him mumble inhaling the scent of my hair. My heart shut my brainpletely. It knows my brain would only try to ruin the moment.

    ¡°C-can we wait for Tej? Umm¡­ if it is okay with you¡± he sighed.

    He gently ced his palms on my cheeks. My breath hitched at theck of ce between us.

    He wouldn¡¯t, would he?

    Taking a deep breath, he said ¡°Sree, all you have do is, tell me that you need to talk with Tej before we leave. Just tell me what you want to do but never ever beg. You¡¯re Sreesha Shekhar, my wife not my ve. The soon you ept it, the better¡±.

    How can I be so lucky?

    I heard a throat clear. My gazed shifted to the door and my eyes widened. I ced some space between Karthik and I, almost immediately. My mother stood there with a look of disappointment.

    That is what I was to them, A disappointment.

    Did I just say I was lucky? Scratch that.

    Karthik gave a small smile to my mom and greeted her. She gave him a forced smile and said Tej is waiting for me and left but not before giving me a stink eye.

    What did I do now? Can¡¯t I hug my husband when we¡¯re alone? She is the one who came entered without knocking.

    We took our parents blessings. Tej gave me a big hug again and I reciprocated his actions but didn¡¯t say a word. I waved my hand at Tej as a goodbye.

    Those were the luxuries he got for giving me my favorite choctes.

    He needs to work more to get me to talk to him.

    Our ride back home was silent. After reaching home, Karthik slumped on the couch tiredly. He leaned back on the backrest and ced a hand on his eyes. I took a step towards him but stopped myself.

    What if he wants to be left alone? I don¡¯t want to act like a clingy wife.

    I make a beeline to our room and selected a simple saree to wear as the new bride should always look good for the people who visit to see her.

    As if she was an alien from Mars!

    I snorted.

    Who am I kidding? They definitely look at the new bride like she was some new version of monkey turned into a human.

    I didn¡¯t saw my inw¡¯s downstairs. Where were they? Don¡¯t they live here? I did not check the other room in this house, it must be their room. I better go, start cooking before my MIL thinks I¡¯m incapable of doing household chores.

    I was stunned to see my husband in the kitchen, cooking.

    I¡¯m a very bad wife, Ain¡¯t I?

    I should¡¯ve asked him if he needs something to eat before going upstairs. I should be the one, who takes care of him.

    I¡¯m such a failure!

    My father was always right, wasn¡¯t he?

    ¡°Hey, why are you standing there? Come here¡± I thought he would yell at me for not doing my work but here he was smiling, melting my heart without him knowing.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I should have asked you if you¡¯re hungry. I thought -¡±

    ¡°Sreesha, I¡¯m not the one who is hungry,¡± he said making my eyes wide.

    ¡°Is it your mother? Oh my god! She might think I was azy girl who couldn¡¯t cook or work. She might think I was a-¡± my voice muffled when I felt his finger on my lips. A shiver ran through my spine making me stiff.

    ¡°My parents won¡¯t live with us, Sreesha. They own another house far away from here. So, no, my mother will not think of you bad. She might just ask me to appoint a maid to take care of our home. My mother likes you, Sree. Stop worrying so much, will you?¡± His finger left my lips making me sigh in relief but a tiny part in me was disappointed. A very veryyy teeny weeny part.

    ¡°If it is not you, then who is hungry? Do we have a guest over? ¡± I inquired; my eyes wide.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve someone over in our home. But she is not a guest. She is one of the owners of this house¡±

    A she?

    Who is she?

    Is this she a permanent guest?

    He said one of the owners, what if she is his ex or something?

    My thoughts were faster than a bullet train. Whoever said trains and flights are fast, just check with my thoughts and imaginations.

    It can go from one ce to another within a blink of an eye.

    ¡°And that my dear wife, is you. You¡¯re the one who¡¯s hungry. And don¡¯t try to deny because I know you only ate choctes since morning ¡± he gave me a stern look.

    ¡°I- choc¡­ Tej insisted¡± I lied. Tej did insist to have lunch with him but I ate choctes instead. Technically I¡¯m not lying.

    ¡°Tej insisted you to eat choctes? Then pray to tell me why he asked me to feed that empty stomach of yours which by the way growling like a monster as soon as we reach home?¡± Did Tej say that? Did he have a death wish or what?

    My stomach growled when I tried to deny his usation. I did not notice my stomach was growling until now.

    How embarrassing!

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want your sorry, but I do need a helping hand. Can you help me a little? ¡± he asked stirring something in a pan.

    ¡°You take rest. I¡¯ll cook for us¡± I mumbled and tried to take spat from his hand, but he nodded no.

    ¡°Just cut these veggies for me. I want you to rank my cooking skills¡± he grinned.

    Holy freaking Himyas! I know you are far away from where I live but listen to me and listen carefully, if you don¡¯t melt now, I¡¯ll make sure to pay a visit to you soon.

 Chapter 7

    Sreesha POV:

    I couldn¡¯t help but nce at him every now and then. He was stirring the gravy with ease. I can tell this is not the first time in the kitchen. He knew the exact ces of the ingredients. I couldn¡¯t stop admiring the way he sauntered around the kitchen, to each cab, picking the ingredients, vessels. I am a big fan of men, who knew their way around the kitchen and can make some drool-worthy dishes.

    The tantalizing aroma of chole paneer mas assaulted my nostrils. My hunger for food doubled by just looking at it.

    Don¡¯t judge me, I love food.

    I¡¯m not someone to calcte carbs in everything I eat. I just love food. Period.

    He was almost done with whatever he was doing while I¡¯m still slicing the vegetables for a sd. It¡¯s not my fault to be distracted by his cooking skills.

    Cooking skills? Or to drool over the way he¡¯s flexing muscles while he was working?

    I did not look at his flexing muscles. I was just admiring his skills in the kitchen.

    Or the way his chest rises and falls with every deep breath he takes?

    I did not look at his perfectly shaped body!

    How do you know it is perfectly shaped when you did not get a chance to get a glimpse of it? And you have the ¡®decency¡¯ to say you¡¯re not drooling over him.

    I¡¯m not drooling over him! And you did not need to get a glimpse of his skin to know he has a perfect body. Can¡¯t you see the way his shirt hugged him like a second skin? He is perfect. Can¡¯t you see the outline of those 6 abs? Actually, I need to google to search for the strongest synonym for the word ¡®perfect¡¯ topare him.

    And she says, she wasn¡¯t looking at him and the wetness at the corner of her lips is not drool at all.

    Being the stupid I am, I touched at the corner of my lips only to realize I was tricked.

    I was tricked by my own conscience.

    I need help!

    ¡°Sreesha!¡± Startled, I looked around for any potential threat. The knife in my hand was yanked away by Karthik, who has a troubled look on his face. The next second his eyes darkened with anger.

    What did I do now?

    How can he change his emotions in just a flick of a second? It is so unfair!

    ¡°Do you have any idea what you were going to do?¡± He yelled I shivered at the intensity of his voice. It reminded me of something. My mind started ying the glimpses of my past where my father yells at me every time I make a mistake.

    ¡°It was my fault to ask you to help me. You almost cut your finger. Why are you zoning out every freaking minute of your life? Can¡¯t you do one thing properly? You¡¯re not allowed to the kitchen anymore¡± I wasn¡¯t listening to him anymore. Slowly his voice fades away recing it with my father¡¯s.

    Can¡¯t you do one work properly?

    You¡¯re the biggest mistake of our lives.

    Why didn¡¯t I get rid of you the minute you¡¯re born?

    You¡¯re just a pathetic excuse of a life.

    You¡¯re nothing but a failure.

    No one will love a loser like you. You deserve to rot in hell.

    A girl is supposed to be in the kitchen and learn to cook but what were you doing? Studying? I¡¯ll not allow you to the job, not when I¡¯m still alive.

    Who will marry you now? You¡¯re just a pathetic excuse of a woman! Do you dare allow a guy in my home when no one is here? You disgust me.

    You¡¯re going to marry the man of my choice no matter what.

    Karthik. You¡¯re going to marry him in two weeks. I can assure you he will show you where you belong.

    ¡°Sreesha¡± I can hear the faint, familiar voice. I can feel someone was shaking me, I can hear him calling my name desperately. I didn¡¯t notice that my eyes were closed until I open them. The first thing I realized; I wasn¡¯t at my parent¡¯s house. I¡¯m here in Karthik¡¯s and he was looking at me, with worried eyes.

    ¡°Sreesha, are you okay? ¡± his voice cracked at the end.

    ¡°What happened to you? Why are you looking so pale?¡± I couldn¡¯t answer his questions right now. My throat was dry as a Sahara Desert.

    I don¡¯t have a clue, how I ended up on a couch with him kneeling in front of me looking concerned with my face between his palms. I glued to my ce like a leech. I did not have any clue that I was crying until he wipes my tears away.

    ¡°Are you okay now?¡± he asked, desperation was clear in his eyes. I know he wants to know what happened to me a while ago, but I am not ready to share my past with him. For all I know, he might be just like my father. I nodded as an answer.

    ¡°W-water¡± my voice rasped.

    He quickly brought me a cup of water and ced it near my lips, which I drank eagerly.

    ¡°Sreesha, what happened to you? Please tell me.¡± He literally begged.

    ¡°It¡¯s n-nothing. Y-you were y-yelling an -gulping- and I thought you¡¯re going to¡­ ¡±

    ¡°Hurt you¡± hepleted my sentence. I nodded ¡®yes¡¯.

    He took a deep breath and extended his hand. I ced my trembling hand in his hesitantly and the next thing I know, I was in his embrace.

    He hugged me tightly yet gently. His one hand is around my shoulder while the other is resting on my bare waist. He tightened his grip, taking my breath away. I stilled.

    Taking a deep breath, I rxed in his arms. Having their own brain, my hands embraced him back.

    I can feel his hot breath tickle my neck. His posture was calm and rxed, but I can feel his heart elerates its speed when my breath hitched feeling his hot breath near my earlobe.

    My heart skipped a beat when I heard him say ¡°I¡¯m sorry Sree. I really am. I was so afraid, thinking that you were going to hurt yourself and yelled at you. I didn¡¯t mean to, trust me. My mind went nk when the knife you¡¯re holding was nearing your fingers. So, I panicked. I¡¯m sorry. I can¡¯t believe, I made you cry. I was such an idiot, wasn¡¯t I?¡±

    I was about to cut my fingers? How can I be so reckless?

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± I mumbled, resting my head on his chest. He didn¡¯t let go of me. And He apologized¡­ Again.

    He apologized for the things; he wasn¡¯t at fault. I know guys will never apologize if they are not at fault. Even Tej has the same trait. He would never apologize to anyone, well other than me of course. He says that it hurts men¡¯s ego.

    Men and their stupid ego!

    ¡°Stop crying so much, Sree. I can¡¯t see you cry. I didn¡¯t mean what I said earlier. Sorry¡± he started consoling me gently rubbing my back.

    I looked at his worried face and gave him a teary smile which he returned with a sigh of relief.

    I must look like a dying roon right now!

    Why are you insulting a roon? What if they file a case against you for hurting its feelings?

    You know what, I can¡¯t deal with you right now! Let me enjoy my husband¡¯s hug. Do you have any idea howfortable it is?

    I really pity him for looking at your face right now. He must be thinking why he married a roon instead of a human. NO OFFENCE FOR RACCOONS!

    Ughh I hate you!N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    The feelings are the mutual babe!

    Where is my heart when I need its support?

    Busy melting for every word your husband was saying? I still can¡¯t believe it is possible to have a guy like him. And not to forget this is an arranged marriage. Don¡¯t you think something is fishy?

    I can¡¯t me my heart for melting. He has the aura thatforts me. No one has ever had that effect on me not even Tej or someone I used to love. What is there to feel fishy? He is a nice guy. Didn¡¯t you hear his mother say I quote ¡®I raised my son better than you think¡¯? I think his parents raised him well and taught him to respect women. Or did you already forgot what he said to my father?

    Yeah, I do remember. You don¡¯t have to repeat them too.

    Much to my disappointment he released my waist but didn¡¯t let go of me. He gave me a heart-melting smile and started wiping my tears.

    How can someone be this perfect in every department?

    ¡°Now, how about you check our backyard while I go cook for us? I still have one dish to finish¡± He said gently kissing the side of my head.

    How dare he try to kill me with his every kiss? If a kiss on the forehead can make me tremble like a helpless leaf, I wonder what it would be like if he actually kisses me.

    The one thought is enough to wake up my melting heart alive.

    If he can melt my heart, then I¡¯m sure he can very well turn The Sahara Desert to actual cultivationnd.

    ¡°I will help you¡± I mumbled, making sure my eyes not meeting his. I¡¯m sure he can read all my weird thoughts just by looking at them. I¡¯m just that predictable.

    ¡°No. I forbid you from the kitchen from this very second. I¡¯ll hire someone to do all the chores including cooking ¡± he said sternly.

    ¡°I_ I like to cook. Please don¡¯t hire anyone. I¡¯ll feel bored if I don¡¯t have work to do. Please let me help you¡± I pleaded him looking at the floor.

    Sighing he mumbled something under his breath and nodded.

    ¡°Only if you promise me not to zone out while you¡¯re working¡± to which I nodded eagerly ¡°but not today. You go and rx in the backyard while I take care of our dinner¡± added sternly.

    I nodded like an obedient puppy.

    Clearing his throat, he stepped away from me. The warmth that I feel seconds ago was gone recing it with coldness.

    Peace. It is the exact feeling of what I was experiencing right now. There are a lot of nts in the backyard, but which got all my attention were Roses.

    I love roses.

    I love all the flowers, but the Roses have a very special ce in my heart. A rose reminds me of my life. The life with full of thorns.

    Nowadays, Rose is quite attracted towards a particr honeybee. It can only pray to god, to not to let the bee hurt her at least not more than it can bear.

    What if he really does hurt me?

    I approached the rose nts and gently touched the soft petals. I can tell they are newly nted. Karthik must have the same taste as mine.

    Why is he being so sweet?

    I should have let Tej exin why he insisted me to marry Karthik. I really need some answers.

    Should I talk to Karthik? One day or the other he would know that I was not a virgin and leave me. I should not feel anything towards him. The more I resist him, the less I get hurt when he leaves me.

    What I did was an utter betrayal. I should have told him everything before our marriage, but I didn¡¯t find the courage to defy my father again.

    I have no one but Tej to me. If only he helped me to escape my marriage or at least let me talk to Karthik, I wouldn¡¯t be in this situation.

    Whatever happened, happened. You can¡¯t neglect your wifely duties. You already failed to be a good wife by letting him cook for you, at least try to be less bad wife.

    You need to fulfil his wishes.

    From now on, I will try to be a good enough wife for Karthik.

    When I returned from my stroll in the backyard, I was greeted by the epic scene which we usually see in daily soaps.

    My mother-inw was having a very serious discussion with my husband which came to halt when they sensed my presence.

    I can only pray to not get in trouble for making my husband cook.

    I just gave my MIL a wonderful first impression, didn¡¯t I?

 Chapter 8

    Sreesha POV:

    shing a warm smile at me, my MIL waved her hand gesturing me to join them.

    Making my way towards them, I forced a smile on my lips before bending to touch her feet. It is a rule in my family to take blessings from elders.

    A soft hand wrapped around my wrist stopping me. My MIL stopped me from taking her blessings.

    Why?

    Is she mad that I allowed her son into the kitchen?

    It¡¯s not my fault that her son decides to invade my supposed kingdom!

    ¡°Karthik, why don¡¯t you check on those dishes while we catch up on things?¡± She suggested Karthik, who granted her wish immediately, grinning he left to the left but not before dropping a kiss on her cheek.

    What kind of a husband is he, to leave me, a prey, alone with this hungry lioness?

    Did she just said, ¡®catch up¡¯? Yeah right! I prefer ¡®a sweet warning¡¯ better.

    I¡¯m sure a very torturous lecture is waiting for me in the backyard, where she is dragging me at the moment.

    She stopped right next to the Rose garden. We¡¯re silent for a couple of minutes. She was tracing the petals of Roses.

    Is she the one who nted them here?

    ¡°What am I to you, Sreesha?¡± She asked suddenly.

    What?

    Does she have short term memory loss? Duh! You gave me your son! How can you forget such an important detail of your life?

    ¡°My M-Mother inw¡± did I just stutter?

    This is our first conversation, where I was allowed to answer so it is okay to be nervous, I guess.

    ¡°I- I¡¯m sorry for making him cook. He insisted and I don¡¯t have a choice but to obey him. Please don¡¯t be mad at me¡± Pathetic. I know. But I don¡¯t really want to get on her bad side just yet. It is, after all, my second day as a married woman.

    ¡°Sreesha¡± she sighed, shaking her head ¡°what is wrong in allowing your husband in the kitchen?¡± her eyes were not furious, so she is not being sarcastic. Her voice is not on edge, so guess I¡¯m safe.

    ¡°My mother said, it is a great failure as a wife if we allow our husbands in the kitchen and the kitchen belongs to the women-only¡± I mumbled an answer for her earlier query.

    ¡°Okay. Why do you try to touch my feet earlier?¡± She aimed another question at me.

    Women! What is this? A 20-20 question game? We¡¯re too old to y that!

    ¡°To show respect. In my parent¡¯s house, it is must to touch elders¡¯ feet to take their blessings¡± I don¡¯t want her to waste her time asking why, So I exined.

    ¡°What do you think about my son? ¡± her eyes glinted with curiousness.

    Hot?

    Have a smile that can melt a cier?

    Have a body that I can drool on just by thinking about it?

    ¡°He is nice¡± I¡¯ve to keep it minimal. I couldn¡¯t fight the smile appeared on my face.

    Those thoughts belong to me and I¡¯m going to im copyrights for them!

    ¡°What were my words yesterday before I leave?¡± She asked me, raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°That you raised him better than I think ¡± I mumbled.

    What is she trying to prove?

    ¡°Do you agree on what I said yesterday?¡± I nodded positively.

    Of course, she is right about it! Indeed, she raised him better.

    ¡°Good. Sreesha, let¡¯s start from my first question okay? ¡± I nodded.

    ¡°There is nothing wrong if a husband wants to help his wife. I¡¯m really happy that my son was trying to help his wife. In all rtions, Husband and wife rtion is kind ofplicated.

    Theplications and risks are more in an arranged marriage. The most important thing in a rtionship is ¡®trust¡¯. You both need to build trust together on each other. If you trust your partner, there is enough reason to try to make any rtionship work. If one broke the trust, I don¡¯t suggest you adjust for everything. Spouses need to solve their problems by themselves. Don¡¯t allow anyone to interfere in your business, not your parents, not me or my husband. It is not our business to poke our noses in your lives. Sure, we will be there in your every step if you need our guidance as elders but Sreesha, remember, do not allow other¡¯s opinions.¡± I blinked the tears away. She is making me cry. Why would a MIL give these kinds of advice to a DIL (Daughter-inw)?

    Aren¡¯t they supposed to be cruel or hardheaded?

    ¡°Second, never ever touch mine or Vinay¡¯s feet to show respect to us. We prefer to love than a forced tradition. Next time I visit you, you better hug me¡± she said sternly. A tear slipped from my eyes. I couldn¡¯t take it anymore. I cried my eyes out in front of my MIL. Never had I ever showed my weakness in front of anyone in like 3 years. I couldn¡¯t hold back myself with every kind word she said, sure her voice is stern, but I know she means no harm.

    A pair of hands enveloped me in a bear hug. My MIL started whispering some soothing words.

    Even though she was my MIL, she still is a stranger to me. But thefort I found in her hug was something I¡¯ve been craving for all my life.

    This must be the way it would feel when we hug our mother.

    ¡°Stop crying so much dear, I¡¯m here for you. He¡¯s here for you. If you don¡¯t stop crying now, who knows your husband might think I¡¯m ying some evil MIL act to scare you and will kick me out of his house¡± she said dramatically making me giggle.

    ¡°Good. You know they say, a DIL should always be happy to make her home happy? So, stay happy. I¡¯m sure my son will make you happy if you give him a chance¡± I don¡¯t know what to say to that, so I just nodded.

    It¡¯s not like I, who stays away from him.

    But he is doing it for you!

    I know!

    ¡°Now tell me, what am I to you?¡± She asked me again.

    I don¡¯t know what exactly she wanted to hear!

    ¡°Mother-inw¡± I answered again.

    ¡°No. Mother. Call me mom just like Karthik do¡± she said making my eyes ready to pop out.

    Who in the world would ask a DIL to call her as a mom?

    Never in my life did I use that word. It¡¯s forbidden in my parent¡¯s house to call them mom and dad. Well, my brother was an exception of course but he rejected to call them mom and dad when they didn¡¯t let me. So, we call them as mother and father. There is no family bond between us in my family except for Tej and me.

    ¡°Mom?¡± It came out more like a question. It will take a few days to this new change in my life.

    This time I initiated the hug. I hugged her saying ¡®mom¡¯ repeatedly clinging to her. She just gave me one of her loving smiles, caressing my back. This is all new to me. I was never loved by my parents, receiving so much love from my MIL is just unbearable.

    ¡°What about dad then?¡± A new voice disturbed my journey to cloud nine. Karthik¡¯s father was standing just a few feet away from us, grinning.

    Now I understand where my husband got all the good genes from. He¡¯s the culprit who made my husband so freaking handsome.

    But hey, I¡¯m notining.

    Did he just say, dad?

    ¡°D-dad? ¡± I stuttered. I couldn¡¯t be this lucky in just one day, right?

    He definitely didn¡¯t ask me to call him dad, right?

    ¡°Of course, you should call me dad if you call my wife mom! It would be too damn awkward if you call her as a mom and the poor me as FIL¡± he said grinning, making his way towards his wife. He didn¡¯t waste time by greeting her, he just wrapped his hand around her waist and nted a kiss on her forehead.

    I looked at them in aww.

    If my mother was here, she would have created a scene saying either they should do all these things behind the doors or shouldn¡¯t do those things as their son is already married.

    I grinned at them like an idiot.

    ¡°Dad¡± I tested again. It is not that ufortable really.

    ¡°What are you doing standing there? Shouldn¡¯t you wish your dad with a hug too? ¡± he said sternly, yet the mischievousness in his voice is clearly audible.

    Karthik is so damn lucky to have them as his parents.

    I hesitantly side hugged him, but he pulled me into a bear hug, which soon bes a group hug when my MI¡­ no mom decided to join us.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ give all your love to your new-found daughter and abandon me like I never existed¡± Karthik¡¯s voice our little union.

    Couldn¡¯t he wait a few more minutes, So I could get to experience what it would be to love by your parents?

    He must be jealous!

    I turned around to get a good look at him. To my surprise, he was smiling tenderly.

    ¡°The food is ready. Let¡¯s have dinner¡± he said smiling at his parents while taking my hand into his, leading me to our room.

    Once we¡¯re in our room, he cupped my face with his palms ¡°Try not to cry so much Sreesha. I know you¡¯re happy and they are happy tears but each time I see tears in your eyes, they make me feel useless. I want to take away all your pain, if only it is that easy¡± he sighed, drawing his hand through his silky soft hair.

    I want to touch it very badly to know if it really as silky as it seems.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± I apologized.

    ¡°Sreesha¡± he sighed ¡°please don¡¯t say sorry when there is nothing wrong on your part¡± he added before leaving me alone.

    When I said, I love food, I mean it. But the amount of food on my te is too much. I tried to protest when mom tried to add some more but one look from her is all it took me to shut up and eat.

    I must have done some good deeds in my previous life, so God must have pitied me and sent me an angel who can cook delicious food.

    How can a guy cook so delicious? Tej was a big disaster in the kitchen. I couldn¡¯t help the moan escaped my lips much to my embarrassment. Theyughed out loud. While Karthik was looking at me with an unknown emotion in his eyes.

    His parents left after bidding goodbye. I asked them to stay but they left saying we need some alone time to get to know each other better.

    It was awkward to see him arranging a pillow on the couch ready to sleep.

    My mouth went dry when I tried to talk to him.

    One night on that couch is enough to have a sour neck in the morning. It¡¯s like a death trap.

    ¡°Do you want to ask me anything?¡± His voice snapped me from whatever thoughts I was in.

    How the hell did he know that I want to talk to him?

    ¡°What is it, Sree? ¡± he asked walking towards the bed. I gulped.

    ¡°I- umm you¡­ bed¡± I sound so stupid!

    ¡°Hey calm down. Remember we¡¯re taking it slow. I will never touch you without your consent. Now tell me what it is?¡± He said gently.

    ¡°You can sleep here on the bed. Umm t-this is big enough for us, two¡± I stuttered.

    He wouldn¡¯t think bad of me, right?

    ¡°Are you sure? ¡± his question surprised me. I nodded.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± he said taking the other side of the bed. I switched off the light and got into the bed.

    ¡°Goodnight, Sree¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°Goodnight¡± I whispered.

 Chapter 9

    Sreesha POV:

    After years I¡¯ve had the best sleep in my life. I sighed in content but frowned when I felt a heavyweight on my waist holding me in ce. A rhythmic beat of lub-dub started to lull me back to sleep. It was so rhythmic¡­ so steady¡­ So melodious¡­ and much more addictive.

    Whoever was ying the kind of music should be rewarded a ransom number of precious jewels in the world.

    A hot wind tickled the space between my neck and the earlobe. I sighed annoyed. My mind screamed at me for not closing the blinds properly. It can be cranky if I didn¡¯t get enough sleep and will show me hell the next day.

    My eyes fluttered open when I felt a heavyweight on my waist squeezing the life out of me. My eyesnded on a muscr hand around my waist. I can feel the presence of a hard chest against my back. My eyes wide opened when my senses started working. I asked Karthik to share the bedst night and somehow, we ended up in each other¡¯s embrace. The music I heard in my sleep was Karthik¡¯s heartbeat and the hot wind on my neck was his breath. My lips turned up at how perfect we fit together but turned down when a thought crossed my mind.

    What if I look like a monkey with my bed hair and not to mention the morning breath? My hand sped my mouth almost immediately. It was a real struggle to turn around to face him and I¡¯m sure as hell it would be a dangerous feat to get out of the bed without waking him up.

    I almost gasped when I faced him. How can someone look this gorgeous while sleeping? A series of sweat beads adorned his forehead. Only he can look beautiful even with a little sweat on him. I tried to wipe his sweat away but stopped myself when his eyebrows creased a little. He was sleeping like an adorable kid with his mouth a little agape.

    A few minutester, I tried to release his grip on me but failed miserably as it tightened making it hard to breathe. Having no other choice, I shook him a little.

    His dark chocte colored eyes greeted my brown ones. He frowned a little and threw a questioning look at me. When I gestured our position, he almost jumped out of the bed and apologized.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sreesha¡± he mumbled sleepily.

    I smiled a little and asked him to go back to sleep and I head to the washroom to get ready.

    He was not there when I returned from the washroom. His mother mentioned, he has a habit to work out early in the morning. I shrugged and make my way to the kitchen to start cooking.

    I was fixing his coffee and his favorite breakfast when he entered the kitchen looking fresh.

    ¡°Good morning¡± he greeted, dropping a kiss on my forehead making me blush. I greeted him back and continued working on his breakfast.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you to not to step inside the kitchen and that I was going to hire help?¡± he asked displeased. I forgot he asked rather ordered me to stay away from the kitchen but what am I going to do all day if he hires someone to take care of our home? I¡¯m not someone to sit and enjoy the luxuries, I would rather work than stay as a trophy wife.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t¡± I mumbled in a small voice ¡°I can¡¯t stay idle and let someone do my work. I love cooking. I¡¯m sorry, I wasn¡¯t paying attention to my task yesterday, but I promise from now on I¡¯ll be careful¡± I know my mouth has its own brain but I never knew to this extent. I defied him, twice already. I heard him sigh and breath heavily. I closed my eyes ready to face his wrath but frowned when he touched my cheek tenderly.

    ¡°How can I say no to you? ¡± he sighed almost painfully ¡°promise me you will not get distracted while working¡± he stated. I nodded frantically and do as he says.

    ¡°I have work today. I wish I could spend some quality time with you but as you know our wedding is kind of rushed and I didn¡¯t get more leaves than a few days. I promise, I will try to get a few days off then we¡¯ll go somewhere on a vacation¡± he said giving me a heart-melting smile.

    He doesn¡¯t have to exin himself!

    A vacation?

    Is he trying to say that he will take me on our honeymoon?

    ¡°I still have some time before I go, why don¡¯t we have breakfast together?¡± he said sipping his coffee.

    How can I say no to his offer?

    I almostughed when he suggested that we y twenty questions. But we still yed, like excited teenagers to get to know about our current crush. I got to know that his favorite color is dark blue, I already know about his favorite food because his mom told me already. He likes the same music I like. He¡¯s a sports person while I don¡¯t even know the meaning of ¡®Touchdown¡¯.

    I managed to learn that word from Tej when he was giving me a hard time watching some random game to annoy me. I am sure the word used in Football or was its Rugby? I don¡¯t know.

    I was literally shocked when he said that hepleted his graduation in the same college I studied, and I get to know that he was two years senior to me. I desperately wanted to ask whether he knew me from there but stopped myself.

    I couldn¡¯t ignore the guilt surfacing in me, he was there in the same college as me while I was dating a guy who is not Karthik.

    Does he know I dated my ssmate during my college days?

    If he knows, do you think he would marry you? He is a guy Sreesha, no matter how open-minded he was, a guy will think twice before marrying a girl who was in a rtionship before marriage.

    I just wish he wouldn¡¯t hate when he gets to know about my past.

    KARTHIK POV:

    I have been grinning like an idiot all the way to my office. I managed to crack the wall she built around her heart a little. I¡¯ve had the best sleep in years too. Waking up next to her had been my dreams for years. I still can¡¯t believe Sreesha is now my wife.

    I somehow managed to make her feelfortable around me. I hope it stays like that forever. Each time she closes her eyes thinking I would hurt her; I want nothing but to hunt down the two persons who were responsible for her current condition. Her father, and the rogue who she once dated.

    I grinned at the huge building I work, for the first time in years I feel proud of my aplishments because now I can buy every materialistic thing that my wife wishes for.

    The name Shekhar¡¯s stood proudly dominating almost every building around it.

    I¡¯m Karthik Shekhar, sole heir of Shekher¡¯spanies and fortune. I started a fewpanies on my own too and they are one of the leadingpanies in India but not as famous as Shekhar¡¯s. I started them on my own with no help from my father or others.

    Sree-Kar Hotels and Resorts.

    I named them after our names, Sreesha and Karthik. I just wanted to feel her presence in my life so, I did the only thing possible at that time.

    Nihal, my best friend always teased me saying I was obsessed with her and that I was a stalker back in my college days. I admit I was a stalker. I used to follow her everywhere and get to know her about every single detail of her likes and dislikes. I never tried to approach her as she already had a boyfriend and he was very well aware of my stalker ways. She was oblivious to my presence all the time.

    Nihal says we shouldn¡¯t call a mere attraction as love. And that to love, there should be a lot of physical attraction and chemistry. He always used to tease me that I was living in a dream. But I know, my feelings for her were never a mere attraction and I was truly andpletely in love with her.

    In my view, love is not just about sating physical needs but to care and respect our respective partner. Growing up, I saw how my parents love each other and wondered if I could by any chance find that kind of love.

    I don¡¯t know if Sreesha can love me as much as I do but, for now, my love is enough for us both.

    My Sreesha.

    I can feel the odd stares directed towards me as I entered my office whistling a happy tune and greeting back everyone who greeted me. My Personal Assistant Lekha, looked at me like she just witnessed a ghost and dashed out of my room stumbling on the door in the process.

    Was I behaving that odd?

    You tell me. wouldn¡¯t you do the same if you¡¯re one of them? The brooding cold-hearted demanding billionaire who never cared to smile at his employees, suddenly changed his ways and acting all polite?

    Not to mention the smile on that face. It can speak volumes!

    I just wish that poor girl wouldn¡¯t die of heart attack for witnessing your unusual behavior. I swear to god one day the voice in my head was going to get me killed.

    ¡°Who are you and what have you done to my best friend?¡± an annoying voice harshly dragged me to the reality. My best friend, who I mentioned a while ago, the curse of my life was standing before me grinning like a fool.

    ¡°Who allowed you in my office?¡± I demanded to raise an eyebrow.

    ¡°Your PA, who was by the way still in trance. what have you done to that poor hot soul?¡± he asked winking, taking a seat across mine not to mention still grinning. I just want to p his grin away.

    ¡°What are you doing here, Nihal?¡± I asked him annoyed by his mere presence.

    ¡°Can¡¯t I visit my childhood best friend?¡± he gasped dramatically.

    He is such a drama queen I tell you¡­

    ¡°The reason, Nihal. I know you were in France from the past fifteen days courting your vor of the month. So, tell me why you are here¡± I stated.

    ¡°vor of the month? Don¡¯t paint me as a yer okay? I thought she was the one for me and followed her to France but s! She was just as boring as others. I just hope I¡¯ll find the one in theing five years¡± he said sulkily with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

    Five years means more girls to try!

    And he says I was painting him as a yer!

    ¡°So? My dear oh sweetest best friend who was once a coldhearted jerk! Please tell me the reason of those smiles that somehow managed to create havoc in yourpany. I just got a call from a little birdy asking me to check on their CEO as his behavior was quite unusual¡± he taunted.

    ¡°So here I am! His very loyal best friend, Nihal Malhotra¡± he announced himself.

    ¡°Tell me again, why am I still friends with you?¡± I groaned.

    ¡°Because I am irresistible,¡± he said grinning cockily.

    ¡°So? How¡¯s married life treating you? ¡± he asked, smiling with a genuine interest.N?velDrama.Org (C) content.

    ¡°It is good. We¡¯re good¡± I answered him, smiling.

    ¡°I¡¯m happy for you, Karthik,¡± He said sincerely.

    ¡°I want to personally thank your wife, my Bhabhi, for making you happy. I¡¯m quite vexed with your brooding self and was ready to dump your butt until a few minutes ago¡± he teased again.

    I wasn¡¯t that bad okay!

    ¡°When were you nning to introduce her to us?¡± swinging his chair back and forth. I still wonder how he manages to get all those profits to hispany behaving like this.

    Like seriously! Who will be scared of him if he acts like this?

    ¡°She doesn¡¯t know anything about me yet, Nihal. Maybe soon if the fate allows¡± I said sulking.

    I hate lying to her. I want nothing but to reveal all the secrets about me and my family. But first I need to earn her trust.

    ¡°S-sir, you¡¯ve a m-meeting in t-ten minutes ¡± Lekha interrupted us. The I-am-always confidentposure reced with a stuttering mess.

    ¡®

    Maybe I was indeed acting weird¡¯ I thought sighing.

    Nihal smirked giving a look that says see-what-you-have-done-to-my-next-prey.

 Chapter 10

    Sreesha Pov:

    I¡¯ve had a great time talking to him. He is sweet, gentle, caring and most importantly not like my father.

    Do you think it is weird to start trusting him in this short span of time?

    I sighed. I don¡¯t have any work to do and no one to talk.

    So, I started cleaning the already spotless house while listening to music. I love soft music. I started dancing along with the beat and didn¡¯t sense that someone was watching me dance.

    ¡°Woah! I don¡¯t know that you could dance this gracefully¡± A familiar voice startled me. Standing at the entrance with hands folding across her was my mom-inw. Oops sorry, mom.

    ¡°I.. I¡¯m sorry aun- Er.. mom ¡± I apologized looking down.

    ¡°Yes. You should be sorry¡± oh no! She¡¯s mad at me now. Stupid Sreesha who told you to dance like you own this ce? Just because he said the house is ours doesn¡¯t mean your mother-inw agrees with him. It is her son¡¯s house and you don¡¯t have a right to rule it.

    ¡°How dare you to dance all alone? You could¡¯ve at least invited me to join the party¡± she said, winking.

    ¡°What?¡± I think I didn¡¯t hear properly.

    Surely, I¡¯d some problem! I was hearing things.

    Maybe I need to consult ENT specialist.

    ¡°You could¡¯ve called me you know. How could you enjoy all alone? How could you forget me? Me? Your mom!¡± she eximed exasperated, feigning an angry look.

    Is she even my mother-inw? Aren¡¯t all mother inws supposed to be rude and cunning? Did she want to dance with me? Her Daughter-inw?

    I wonder if she¡¯s from Mars!

    She¡¯s weird¡­ No that would be an understatement.

    ¡°Umm I¡¯ll prepare some coffee for you, m- mom,¡± I said trying to escape from her. It takes some time to get used to calling her mom without stuttering or getting confused.

    ¡°No dear. Come we¡¯ll dance first and then I¡¯ll prepare lunch for us¡± she said changing the song to rock music and turned up the volume to maximum. And then she started swaying her hip like a pro, for a 50 years olddy her moves were perfect. She dragged me along with her. In no time we started dancing like crazy teenagers. Laughing and singing along with songs. Our concert ended when my mobile showed low battery sign. We¡¯re still giggling like teenage girls who gossip about hot guys.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go and prepare lunch for us; you take rest mom. You look tired¡± I said after a while.

    ¡°No Sreesha, I¡¯ll cook for us today, your husband will be here soon anyway,¡± she said with a knowing look and started preparing food while I prepared dessert. Kheer. Yummy. I hope he will like it.

    ¡°Kheer smells yummy dear; I wish I could finish it without sharing with others. But sadly, you made it for your husband, not for me¡± she said pouting. Pouting? Weird¡­ She¡¯s acting like a kid now.

    Okay¡­ now I¡¯m going insane!

    My mother-inw who was supposed to give me a hard time was asking me to call her mom, then danced with me like a crazy teenage girl and now she¡¯s pouting?

    What is it, a daily soap?

    What is wrong with this family?

    Please tell me at least my FIL is sane!

    ¡°Mom, I prepared it for you too. Umm, wait I¡¯ll serve you some¡± I said searching for a bowl.

    ¡°Ha-ha Sreesha, I was just teasing you. Don¡¯t take everything serious dear¡± she said in a soft voice which I never heard from my mother all my life. This is the care I was craving for; this was the way I wish my mother would talk to me.

    ¡°Oh dear, don¡¯t cry now. I told you, I was just kidding¡± she said hugging me.

    ¡°No mom, I¡¯m fine. I just find out what I was looking for all my life and got carried away¡± I said still hugging her back.

    ¡°Umm Am I disturbing something?¡± I heard a familiar voice said behind me and I stilled.

    ¡°Yes. You just spoiled our mother-daughter bonding. Who told you toe early from office¡± she said, feigning a stern look, making me giggle.

    ¡°I thought she was all alone here and finished my meeting as soon as possible. I don¡¯t know you were here to steal my ce¡± he said rolling his eyes at her.

    I gave him a small smile while taking his briefcase from him, so he could rx. I noticed a bunch of red roses in his other hand. Before I could ask him, anything mom beat me to it.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Karthik Shekhar, are those roses in your hand? Please god, please tell me I¡¯m not dreaming. I did not know my son could be this romantic¡± she said joining her palms together, looking at the sky dramatically.

    And then suddenly she started searching every room for something.

    ¡°Umm mom, what are you searching for?¡± he asked using his irritated voice.

    ¡°I am searching for my son. I¡¯m sure you¡¯re not my son! Surely, there must be some mistake. He should be somewhere here. You know him right, he¡¯s always moody, brooding, workaholic and not to mention his mood swings were worse than a pregnant woman¡± she said and continued searching.

    ¡°Mom, drop it already!¡± he sighed rubbing his forehead frustrated. I burst into fits ofughter seeing him suffer.

    Sounds evil, I know. But can you me me? His mother was teasing him like hell.

    ¡°My son, Karthik, do not like buying flowers or to even go near a flower shop. But you bought flowers with your own hands, that too, red roses. Who would¡¯ve thought the infamous cold-hearted busi¡­ umm I mean Karthik Sekhar will go to a mere flower shop to please his wife?¡± quoting mere flower shop, she started teasing him while his face turned red.

    Aww he¡¯s blushing. He is so cute when he blushes.

    ¡°Mom, stop embarrassing me. I bought these for Sreesha. So, drop the act and serve me food. I¡¯m starving¡± he said handing me red roses whispered, ¡®for you¡¯ and went to our room to fresh up.

    ¡°Now, Stop blushing and set the table dear, I¡¯m starving too,¡± she said in the same tone which she used on her son a few moments ago. I almost roll my eyes at her. Almost!

    I arranged my favorite flowers in the vase, a soft smile ying on my lips.

    He enjoyed the food and dessert too.

    ¡°Mom, Kheer is so good. Why is it too tasty today?¡± he asked mom innocently not knowing the fact that he was throwing himself in front a hungry lioness.

    ¡°I knew it! I so knew it! You¡¯re like all those sons who forget his mother¡¯s cooking when his wife cooks for them. It¡¯s not me, your wife prepared it for you¡± she faked annoyance ¡°See, you already forgot my cooking and the next time I visit you, you will ask who I was to you¡± she added pouting.

    He muttered drama queen under his breath.

    I have couldn¡¯t help but to agree with him.

    She indeed is a drama queen. But I know she¡¯s trying to make mefortable in her presence and I appreciate it.

    I wonder how my FIL has been dealing with her till now!

    After doing dishes we spent some time watching ¡®Yeh Jawaani Hai Diwani¡¯. She¡¯s literally fangirling over Ranbir Kapoor.

    ¡°Okay children, there is a party at our home next weekend, and I want to show off my daughter-inw to the world¡± she said and turned to Karthik and whispered something in his ear

    ¡°I want her in our home next Sunday at sharp 6¡± she added more like a warning than a request and left.

    He began ring at her retreating figure and released a frustrated sigh while cursing under his breath. I ced a hand on his shoulder giving him a questioning look.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing Sree, I¡¯ll exin to youter. Now, how about a movie and dinner tonight?¡± is he asking me out? Oh, shut it, drama queen! You¡¯re his wife; he doesn¡¯t have to ask you out. ¡°Like a date.¡± he addedter.

    ¡°Oh-okay¡± I stuttered dropping my gaze to the floor. I am feeling too shy to look at him. I¡¯m his wife, he can always order me what he wants and can even force me to obey him. But he¡¯s not like others.

    He¡¯s different, a good kind of different I thought smiling to myself.

    ¡°Penny for your thoughts madam,¡± he said in a teasing voice which I was getting used to from both him and mom. It feels so good to call someone mom. I just wish Tej experience this feeling too.

    ¡°Thanks for the roses,¡± I said fidgeting with my fingers. He nodded smiling. ¡°You don¡¯t have to bring me flowers if you don¡¯t like them¡± I added.

    ¡°You like them, right? I¡¯ve to impress my wife you know?¡± he said with a slight smirk on his face.

    Anddies and gentlemen he¡¯s back to his cocky self. I shook my head and left to get ready as it is already evening.

    After I got ready for our date, I was about to head out of our room suddenly Karthik entered our room. He looked at me from head to toe with an unreadable expression. I thought he would give me apliment or at least an approving nod but he sighed heavily and went towards washroom slightly brushing past me.

    I was disappointed, I made an extra effort to look good for him, but he didn¡¯t even acknowledge what I wore. I was about to go downstairs but stilled when I felt a presence behind me and was about to turn back, but his voice stopped me to do so.

    ¡°Are you trying to seduce me Mrs. Sreesha Karthik?¡± he said in a thick husky voice which sent shivers down to my spine ¡°Believe me Sree, You don¡¯t even have to try,¡± he said dashing towards washroom leaving me, confused.

    What the hell just happened?

    Me? Seducing him?

    Isn¡¯t it the other way around?

    I¡¯ve got millions of butterflies in my stomach when I heard his husky voice. God, that voice¡­ He¡¯s going to be the death of me.

    I went downstairs and waited for him there. When he was descending the stairs, I couldn¡¯t help but drool over his every move. It¡¯s not like I admit to him that he¡¯s the epitome of hotness.

    A snap of fingers dragged me into the real world. There stood my husband with a cocky grin on his handsome face. I rolled my eyes at him bravely.

    ¡°Shall we go Mrs. Karthik Shekhar?¡± I really started liking my new name more now. I smiled at him and nodded.

    We roamed all around the city for a while and went to a movie Dilwale and then to the small cozy restaurant to have our dinner. All the evening he didn¡¯t leave my side. The tiny sweet gestures made my heart warm. I know I can¡¯t let my guards down that easily but there is something in his eyes reassuring me to let it go.

    We reached our home before midnight. We went straight to our room and changed intofortable clothes and went to bed. He took his ce beside me.

    ¡°Thanks for today, I had fun,¡± I said looking into his gorgeous ck orbs which colored more in the faint light of moonlight.

    ¡°I¡¯m d you had fun,¡± he said taking me into his arms. I didn¡¯t protest because I felt safe in his arms, like a home. I slept with a smile on my face.

    ************

    It has been a week since our first date.

    He was still the same sweet husband who respects my wishes and didn¡¯t force me into something I don¡¯t want to. He was being patient with me.

    I know if it is someone else, they would have done something to damage me more than I already have.

    I smiled looking at his sleeping form. He is still asleep as it is Saturday. I untangled myself from his iron grip and made my way towards the kitchen to make him coffee. I¡¯mfortable being around him now. I¡¯m getting used to waking up next to him. There was no awkwardness between us even while we¡¯re sleeping on the same bed and he¡¯s toofy to cuddle.

    Like my personal teddy bear, I thought to smile.

    I started trusting him more now. I¡¯m afraid of a lot of what if¡¯s now. If we don¡¯t trust someone, there would be less painful when they betray us because you already know they would do it one day or the other.

    The real problem starts when you start trusting a person. If the person you trust betrays you the pain will be intense, it almost feels like death. I don¡¯t know why, but there is this nagging feeling like something bad was going to happen.

    Happiness is just a passing cloud in my life and I¡¯m really happy now. What if this happiness is also a passing cloud?

    What if a tornado appears out of nowhere and ruins this happiness?

    No Sree, think positive. Nothing will ruin your happiness I started chanting the same sentence as a mantra.

    Who Am I kidding? Karthik will leave me once he got to know about my past.

    And the worst part is, I started liking him already. Who does that in just ten days of married life?

    The stupid I did!

    I like him.

    I was startled by my mobile ring. It was none other than one of my best friends Niya.

    ¡°Hello Niya,¡± I said calmly. I know she was nning to murder me at this moment.

    y cool, Sree!

    ¡°You¡­ You¡­ how dare you to marry without inviting me or anyone in our group¡± she started yelling on the phone.

    ¡°It all happened in a rush and I didn¡¯t get to invite you guys because my father ordered me not to. I¡¯ll exin to you everything when we meet okay?¡± I said trying to calm her.

    ¡°What? Are you going to exin to me now? The whole group is waiting for your exnation dimwit, you get yourzy ass here right now¡± she said, and I was about to deny ¡°Don¡¯t even dare to cancel on us Mrs. Sreesha whatever yourst name is now. I¡¯m going to text you the address of this god damn restaurant and you¡¯reing here and exining your stupid reasons to us. And yeah, a small heads up for you, Anju is pissed at you¡± she added, and I gulped audibly.

    Let me tell you, thebination of the words Anju and pissed in the same sentence is not good at all.

    ¡°Just give me sometime Niya, let me ask my husband¡¯s permission,¡± I said sighing.

    ¡°What? Why should you ask his permission to go out with your goddamn friends? Is he treating you like your father did? Do you want me¡­ us to deal with him? I¡¯m sure Anju can scare him like hell¡± she started yelling again.

    ¡°No. Actually, he¡¯s so sweet and caring. I just have to inform him about my ns today. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll let me spend some time with you guys¡± I exined to her.

    ¡°Sweet and Caring huh!?¡± she said in a teasing voice and added ¡± Girl you have got a lot of exnation to do. Don¡¯t bothering here alone, I¡¯m sending Veni to fetch you. Message me your address ASAP¡± she ordered and disconnected the call.

    I sent her my new address immediately as I don¡¯t want to face their wrath even more than I already had to.

    Now, how am I going to ask him to cancel my ns with my husband for today? I was so lost in my thoughts and didn¡¯t saw himing near me. He shook me a little.

    ¡°Sree, are you okay?¡± I nodded positively ¡°Actually, I¡¯m so sorry. I¡¯d to cancel our ns for today. It¡¯s actually an emergency.¡± he said apologizing for the sudden change in our ns while I sighed in relief.

    ¡°Err¡­ My friend¡¯s kind of invited me for a girls day out, Is it okay if I go?¡± I asked him, looking down at my feet.

    ¡°You should go and enjoy your day out with your friends. Bute back soon in the evening, I¡­ I need to discuss the party tomorrow¡± he said with a hint of nervousness in his voice.

    What is there to feel nervous about attending a party? I know it¡¯s a big deal for me as I¡¯m not a

    Social butterfly but why did he feel nervous? I was told that he¡¯s working as a manager in some MNC. He might have attended a lot of parties like this. Maybe he is just looking out for me.

    He¡¯s so sweet I thought smiling a little.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry I¡¯ll be fine¡± I reassured him smiling. He nodded but there is still some nervousness, Uncertainty, guilt, and fear in his eyes. Guilt? But why? He ced a long lingering kiss on my forehead before leaving. There is something odd in his behavior today. I brushed off the thoughts and got ready in less than 15min changing into afortable churidar. I don¡¯t like to wear makeup unnecessarily. In my view, makeup is only for parties and functions.

    As if on a cue, the doorbell rang. I opened the door only to reveal my very pissed off best friend

    Veni, wearing her infamous scowl on her face. Before she could say anything, I hugged her and said sorry.

    She is not like Anju and Niya. She¡¯s way more sensible than us. She sighed before speaking.

    ¡°I know there must be a strong reason why you didn¡¯t invite us to your marriage. I forgave you the moment you said sorry but don¡¯t expect the same reaction from the evil duo (Niya and Anju)¡± she said sighing. I was relieved; at least one of my best friends understood me without any exnations.

    ¡°Thanks¡± I mumbled hugging her tightly.

    We reached the destination in 30min and I gulped audibly looking at the expensive restaurant which looks like no less than Lion¡¯s den for me. I felt underdressed, but who cares?

    ¡°They will understand, don¡¯t worry,¡± Veni saidforting me. I nodded and entered the restaurant only to get attacked by their hugs.

    ¡°I missed you so much Sree,¡± they both said at a time making me frown.

    Aren¡¯t they nning my death a while ago? I thought to myself.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be surprised by our behavior, just a few minutes ago Tej called me and exined the reason why you didn¡¯t contact us. We¡¯re so sorry for misunderstanding you.¡±Niya said and hugged me soon it turned into a group hug.

    I don¡¯t want to know what reason Tej told to calm down them because it saved me from an awkward conversation.

    How did he know that I¡¯m meeting my friends?

    Karthik!

    Thanks, Karthik and Tej I thought with a smile. Tej saves me all the time from troubles,

    Sometimes even from my father¡¯s wrath. But why didn¡¯t he help me to run away from my marriage? I¡¯m not regretting this marriage, but I need answers.

    Think I need to pay a visit to my parent¡¯s house soon.

    ¡°So, tell us about this husband of yours. What is his name?¡± they started bombarding me with lots of questions.

    ¡°Is he hot?¡± Anju added smirking.

    ¡°Yes,¡± I told them shyly.

    They awed and asked me to continue.

    ¡°His name is Karthik¡± I mumbled shyly.

    ¡°Oh my god! Sree, you¡¯re blushing! Someone is having a tiny winy crush on their husband huh?!?¡± Anju started teasing me just to add more color to my already red cheeks.

    ¡°Okay, Karthik what?¡± this time it is Niya.

    ¡°Umm, its Karthik sh-¡± I was cut off by overexcited Anju¡¯s voice.

    ¡°Oh my god! Girls look at the entrance it¡¯s Karthik Shekhar¡± she said in her overexcited tone.

    My heart skipped a beat listening to my husband¡¯splete name. I turned my gaze to the entrance and my eyes bulged like saucers while my heart broke into million pieces making me numb.

    There stood my husband with a beautiful woman no less than a model, who is clinging to his left arm and whispering something in his ears.

 Chapter 11

    Sreesha POV:

    ¡°Oh my god!! Girls look at the entrance it¡¯s Karthik Shekhar¡± she said in her overexcited tone.

    My heart skipped a beat listening to my husband¡¯splete name. I turned my gaze to the entrance and my eyes bulged like saucers while my heart broke into million pieces making me numb.

    There stood my husband with a woman, who is clinging to his left arm and whispering something in his ears.

    The word betrayal couldn¡¯t justice to the feeling that was hovering me. I stand there numbly looking at the perfect couple.

    Whoever the girl, she is the perfect fit for the word beautiful. The way she carries herself like a dove, gracefully with her head held high. Her every move oozes confidence. Perfect was the one word I wish to describe her. And she is perfect for Karthik.

    What the hell am I thinking?

    I almost forgot that my friends were standing a foot away from me, I slowly turned my head to only to meet with their teasing smiles except for Veni, for some odd reason she was frowning.

    ¡°What happened to my husband is so hot speech? Well, I don¡¯t me you thou, he is such a piece of art, isn¡¯t he?¡± Anju teased winking.

    ¡°Who is he exactly? How do you know him?¡± I asked the questioned that has been eating me.

    Maybe he is working under either Anju¡¯s dad or Veni¡¯s. They both were from rich families but not snobs. Anju, Niya and I were best friends from childhood but Veni joined us when we were in Post-Graduation. She was a lonely girl back in college. I know how much it hurts to be alone, so I befriended with her. She resisted our interference at first but gave up on her stubbornness after a strong lecture from Anju.

    ¡°Sreesha! Are you living under a rock?¡± Anju asked sarcastically.

    ¡°Can you me her? She has been living under her father¡¯s wing for years. Cut her some ck girls¡± Niya came to my rescue. Anju rolled her eyes at us.

    ¡°Really though, we can¡¯t me you. He strictly prohibits Paparazzi on his premises. It¡¯s a miracle to get to see him in person except for Veni ¡± Anju said sending a teasing smile at Veni ¡°He, my sweetheart, is Karthik Shekhar, the heir of Shekhar ¡®s businesses all over the world and fortune. A few years ago, he started hotels and resorts with the name SreeKar and quite sessful in both. He is a freaking heartthrob billionaire and single. For the first time, Google could not help you to search for his images. You can only get a few which were secretly snapped of course¡± Anju exined in one go.

    Billionaire?

    Heir?

    Only Veni can meet him in person?

    Why?

    SreeKar?

    Did she just say SINGLE?

    ¡°Did you just say single, Anju?¡± I asked her, gritting my teeth.

    ¡°Of course, he is one of the most eligible bachelors in the world,¡± Niya said excitedly.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Anvika Sharma? Why is she clinging to him like that?¡± Veni mumbled worriedly ¡°Please tell me they are not dating¡± she squeaked.

    And please tell me my best friend is not in love with my husband!

    Wait for a second! Who¡¯s Anvika freaking Sharma again?

    ¡°You don¡¯t know her too?¡± I shook my head negatively ¡°That girl there clinging to him like a leech is Anvika Sharma, Sharma¡¯s heiress. Don¡¯t worry Veni, I¡¯m sure it must be a passing cloud¡± Niya diverted thest sentence to Veni who was still frowning.

    Veni mumbled something incoherently under her breath.

    ¡°It¡¯s just my father was trying to make a deal with him through marriage. I did not know that he likes her. I¡¯ll ask my papa to stop whatever he was trying¡± Veni mumbled.

    A marriage deal?

    Maybe he¡¯s not our Karthik, Sreesha. Remember he works in an MNC and not a freaking owner of god knows how manypanies. Our FIL owns a small business which only can suffice their needs. Karthik owns afortable house and car, not extravagant ones. If he is a billionaire, he would never marry you leaving all those beautiful girls who can offer anything and everything.

    He is not my Karthik!

    Maybe he is my husband¡¯s longst twin!

    Maybe my FIL has another family!

    Maybe¡­N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    Could you please for the second act like a freaking normal human being? He lied to you! He lied to you, get that through your thick head and epts the reality before you go insane! Everyone lied to you including your god damn brother who you think to love you unconditionally.

    Don¡¯t listen to that stupid brain, Sreesha. Look at him; he gave you everything you deserve. He respected you may be a tiny part of him even likes you. Don¡¯t jump into conclusions, Sreesha. Talk it out with him.

    I agreed with my heart again.

    I nced at them, again, ignoring the pain rippling in my heart. I can see him rolling his eyes at her. His face was cold, emotionless. He did not even smile at her as he does around me. He ignored herpletely tapping on his phone furiously.

    She seems to be less interested in him though, she was ncing at the entrance every few seconds. Her eyes lit up and her grip tightened around his hand making him scowl at her. She hissed something in his ears making him roll his eyes.

    I nced at the entrance when my friend¡¯s half yelled ¡®TEJ¡¯.

    What the hell is he doing here?

    He scanned the area and scowled when his eyes met with Anvika who smirked at him. He makes his way towards them.

    What if he thinks that Karthik is cheating on me and do something harsh?

    So, I followed him ignoring the calls of my friends.

    He literally broke them off by snatching Anvika away from Karthik and swing a hand to punch him but stopped. He looked at Karthik who was as bewildered as him and bursts into fits ofughter pointing a finger at Anvika.

    When his eyes met mine, hisugh seized, and his eyes bulged like they were about to burst.

    Karthik, who was still confused, followed Tej¡¯s eyes and his eyesnded mine.

    His eyes widened in realization.

    I gave him an emotionless look at turned back to meet my friends half way ignoring his calls.

    ¡°Sreesha, listen to me. It is not what it looks like. We¡¯re not what you think we were. God, this is so messed up. Sree, please believe me. I swear she¡¯s just a friend¡± his rant was cut off by Veni.

    ¡°Karthik, how do you know her?¡± for the first time Karthik looked at my friends and at very confused Veni.

    ¡°Veni? What the hell are you doing here with my wife?¡± he bluntly said, confused.

    ¡°Wife?¡± the trio gasped.

    Karthik POV:

    I woke up to my cell phone ring. I told my assistant not to disturb me today. Who in the hell was disturbing me right now? I turned to my other side; Sree was nowhere to be found. She must be in the kitchen or backyard.

    My phone started ringing again. Can¡¯t they get the clue? I sighed taking my phone.

    It¡¯s Anvika.

    Why is she calling me now?

    ¡°Anvika,¡± I said epting her call.

    ¡°Karthik, I need your help,¡± she said frantically.

    ¡°What? What happened to you? Are you okay?¡± I asked worriedly.

    It is not every day she asks for help.

    ¡°Yes, I am fine. But I want you toe to my house and we need to be somewhere in less than an hour¡± she said nervously.

    ¡°What? Where? Anvika, at least tell me the reason¡± I asked her worried.

    ¡°Please Karthik. I need your help. Please meet me at the entrance of my house¡± she said disconnecting the call. I shook my head; she could be dramatic when needed.

    After all, she and my mother are good friends despite their age difference.

    I got ready as soon as possible and reached downstairs to find my wife stressing about something. I snapped my fingers to get her attention.

    Later I told her about the emergency and apologize her for cancelling our ns. She told me about her girls¡¯ day out and of course, I told her to enjoy.

    Tej called when I was a minute away from my destination and asked about Sree¡¯s whereabouts as she was still mad at him for not stopping our marriage.

    I wonder if she still is mad because she regrets marrying me.

    I told him about her girl¡¯s day out and disconnected the call.

    The moment I stopped the car in front of Anvika¡¯s house, she literally jumped in my car iming the passenger seat.

    ¡°What is it? Why are you so nervous? And tell me why in the hell you need mypany to go somewhere¡± I asked her, expecting an exnation.

    ¡°I want to make someone believe that I already have a boyfriend/fianc¨¦. So, I want you to act like one in front of him¡± she said checking herself in the rear mirror.

    ¡°What in the world going on with you Anvika? Why do you want to make someone believe that you had a boyfriend? Why me? Why not Nihal?¡± I said ring at her.

    ¡°It¡¯s important for me, Karthik. I won¡¯t bother you again. Just this once, okay? And did you just say Nihal? Who doesn¡¯t know about that certified yer who doesn¡¯t do girlfriends? Just yesterday I found him all over the news with a blonde and today with another girl with jet ck hair and I don¡¯t even want to know about tomorrow. Who will believe if I say he¡¯s my boyfriend?¡± She half yelled, making funny faces.

    ¡°In case you forgot I am married! What were you going to do about it?¡± I stated calmly.

    ¡°Your marriage is not public yet, Karthik. So, don¡¯t worry¡± she said looking through the window.

    ¡°Who is this person that you hell-bent on fooling?¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°You will meet him soon. Just act like a boyfriend okay? ¡°She said sternly.

    We reached our destination; she reached me clinging to my left arm.

    ¡°Is it necessary?¡± I asked gritting my teeth. Sure, we¡¯re friends since childhood but what if Sree sees us like this and think I was cheating on her?

    ¡°VERY¡± she stressed the word, gritting her teeth.

    There is no way Sree would find out, she is somewhere with her friends now. I¡¯ll exin everything to her in the evening.

    ¡°Smile a little, there are people looking at us. He must be somewhere here. Drop that cold attitude for once in your life. Nihal said that you were smiling like a fool in the office, why can¡¯t you make a fake smile for me?¡± Anvika hissed in my ear, I rolled my eyes leading her to our table. I could hear a few girls squealing my name but as usual, I didn¡¯t pay a heed to them.

    Suddenly someone yanked Anvika from me, a hand swung towards me but stopped before it reaches my face.

    To my utter shock, the hand belongs to none other than Tej.

    Sheesha¡¯s brother.

    He was as bewildered as me.

    When he put the pieces together, he startedughing like an idiot pointing at Anvika who was too shocked to utter a word.

    When he gets a hold of himself, he nced around the ce and smirked.

    Why in the world is he smirking at me?

    I followed his gaze and met with a pair of furious soft brown eyes.

    Sreesha.

 Chapter 12

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡°Girls, this is my husband Karthik¡± the trio gasped with their mouths hanging open giving me Have-you-gone-mad look. Veni was more shocked than the other two.

    ¡°Please tell me you¡¯re kidding Sree¡± Veni mumbled frowning.

    ¡°I¡¯m not kidding Veni ¡± I mumbled frowning.

    ¡°Oh my god! Sree you married him? Like seriously? Now I know why you didn¡¯t invite us to your wedding, is it because to avoid media and attention?¡± Anju started her usual babbling.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell us that you married The Karthik Shekhar¡± Niya demanded. I nced at Karthik and Tej sending them an using re for pushing into this situation. Karthik sent an apologetic look while Tej was looking everywhere but me.

    What Am I going to tell them? I didn¡¯t even know anything about him other than his name until now. All this time my parents fed me lies saying he¡¯s just a normal employee.

    Yeah normal, like hell he is!

    But I can¡¯t let my friends know what is going on in my marriage life. It¡¯s not a good thing to let others involved in our personal life.

    ¡°I was about to tell you guys, but you started squealing at the sight of him and never let me finish the sentence ¡± I lied clenching my jaw sending a re for the both who looked like ¡®the kids who got caught by their mother while stealing cookies¡¯.

    I hate lying to them. They¡¯re like my sisters.

    ¡°Oh¡± they said in unison.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t hurt her¡± Veni mumbled looking at him.

    ¡°Hurt her you¡¯ve to deal with me¡± Niya warned.

    ¡°Tej will brief you what I could be capable of doing when I was pissed, so do both of us a favor and take care of my best friend. Am I making myself clear?¡± Anju said sending him a warning re making Karthik gulp audibly. No one messes with Anjali Desai.

    I feel loved when I was with them, they always treat me like I¡¯m some fragile doll, sometimes it irks me but sometimes it makes me feel overwhelmed.

    ¡°Crystal¡± Karthik mumbled frowning ¡°I could never able to hurt her¡± he added giving me a pleading look.

    ¡°Yeah right! Then why the hell is she with you, clinging like a leech on you¡± Anju asked him, raising an eyebrow. I totally forgot about her. When I met her gaze, she sent me an apologetic look and cleared her throat gaining everyone¡¯s attention.

    ¡°Actually, it¡¯s not Karthik¡¯s fault. I persuaded him to act like my boyfriend to avoid some idiot¡± meeting Tej¡¯s gaze ¡°and it got backfired.¡± She added mumbling disappointedly while Tej trying hard not tough at her.

    ¡°Let me make it clear, you asked Karthik Shekhar to act like your boyfriend to avoid some idiot, who I presume Tej?¡± Anju asked her curiously and she nodded muttering a string of curses. I raised an eyebrow at Tej while he just looked anywhere but me.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± she said ring at him. If looks could kill, he would be under six feet.

    ¡°Are you two in a rtionship?¡± I asked her curiously.

    ¡°NO¡± they yelled gaining the attention from others.

    ¡®Yeah like we¡¯re blind to see the passion behind your ring eyes¡¯ Niya mumbled under her breath making me giggle.

    ¡°WHAT?¡± they both yelled at the same time making me burst intoughter followed by the trio and Karthik.

    We chatted for some time masking the hurt I felt after knowing who he really was. I¡¯m hurt not because he lied to me but learning the truth from others.

    I avoided making any conversation with either Tej or Karthik and let Anju to continue her bbering. While Anvika avoided Tej like a gue. Even a blind can see that there is something going on between them.

    I got to know Anvika is not someone who ruins others life, she¡¯s sweet but not naive like me. I would be really happy if they ended up together.

    Anvika and my friends left saying there was an important work for them leaving me alone with my husband and brother.

    They lead me to a VIP suite and stayed silent giving each other you-caused-this-mess-you-fix-it look.

    I was about to walk out on them when a tug on my wrist stopped me. I thought it was Karthik to my disappointment its Tej.

    ¡°Di! I know you¡¯re mad at me, but I never lied to you. I never once said to you that he was just some employee, all I did was hiding the truth I knew about him and making sure father never knew about this. If he knew about Karthik before, he would have cancelled the wedding then and there. I want you to be happy Di. And I know he¡¯ll make you happy, not because of his wealth or something but because he cares a lot for you¡± he said emotionally. I almost gave up on his punishment.

    Almost.

    ¡°Drop me home Tej,¡± I said not giving any clue that I forgave him. Yes. I forgave him a long time ago, but it doesn¡¯t mean I forgot everything.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take you home ¡± Karthik mumbled frowning.

    ¡°Excuse me? But, do I know you mister?¡± I asked him faking innocence.

    ¡°BURN¡± Tej yelledughing clutching his stomach.

    Karthik Pov:

    ¡°Sree¡± I pleaded her with my eyes.

    ¡°Excuse me? But, Do I know you, Mister? Oh, you must be Mr Karthik Shekhar, the billionaire, and an eligible bachelor¡± She said with a slight smirk on her face. I know I messed up big time. Wait! Did she call me an eligible bachelor? Means someone fed her a lot of unnecessary information.

    ¡°Burn¡± Tej yelled and startedughing like an idiot. I red at him. If looks could kill, he would be under six feet now.

    God! Why do I have to interfere with my best friend¡¯s love life? Why does she have to be here at the same time Anvika trying to show off me to her so-called idiot that we¡¯re together? Why does Tej have to be her longtime crush, who we had to make jealous? Why does he have tough at my expense? Why God? Why me? Why not someone else who cheat on their wives?

    ¡°Tej, are you going to drop me or do I¡¯ve to call a cab?¡± she asked him in a no-nonsense tone.

    ¡°I said I¡¯ll take you home,¡± I said annoyed by her behavior. In these few days, she became bold around me. I¡¯m d that she was not feeling awkward being around me anymore. But this is too much to ignore ¡®Do I know you, Mister?¡¯ Seriously? I¡¯m her husband for heaven¡¯s sake.

    ¡°Oh no! I don¡¯t like travelling with strangers alone. My husband will not appreciate it.¡± She said with a smug smirk.

    ¡°Sree, don¡¯t test my patience. I¡¯m your husband and I¡¯m taking you both to our home. So, let me drive you to our home and this idiot here, will help me exin the mess he created¡± I half yelled at her. She was about to speak ¡°Don¡¯t you dare utter a word now¡± I added seriously. She just raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

    We reached home in record time. She was about to go to our room, but I held her wrist stopping her. She tried to free herself from me, but I tightened my grip on her hand. When she realized I¡¯m not letting her go, she just huffed and made her way to the couch and switched on the Tv.

    ¡°Sree, I¡¯m sorry¡±

    No response.

    ¡°Sree, you know I wouldn¡¯t dare to hurt you right?¡±

    Still no response.

    ¡°Sree, are you listening to me?¡±

    No response.

    But raising the TV volume. I looked at Tej for help, he gave me a knowing smile.

    ¡°Di!¡± its Tej this time.

    Still no response.

    ¡°Di! What did I do?¡±

    This time she raised Tv volume again watching her favorite song drooling over Ranbir Kapoor. Seriously? I¡¯m still here right next to her, her husband, begging for her forgiveness and she¡¯s drooling over another man? I was on the verge of destroying his ugly face. Okay, I agree he¡¯s not ugly. But I don¡¯t want my wife drooling over other men.

    God! I¡¯m feeling so insecure now. But can you me me? The girl I was in love half of my life is drooling over another male.

    There I admit it!

    I love my wife.

    Oh, c¡¯mon! Isn¡¯t it obvious? I was so desperate to make her mine the very second, she walked into my life ring at me like she was ready to pounce and kill me. A smile spread on my lips remembering that day again.

    ¡°Don¡¯t smile like that, you look creepy¡± Tejmented smirking.

    ¡°Shut up! This is all because of you¡± I snapped.

    I waited for that song to finish, ring at the screen and those annoying siblings in front of me. Tej was trying hard to control hisughter. I sighed in relief when the song finished but that god damn channel ying another song of him. I have had enough of this bullshit. I switched off the TV. Never had I ever felt this happy for switching off a Television. I turned around to see a very pissed off Sree. She just huffed and crossed her arms ring at us. I gulped audibly. No! Not because I was afraid of her, but because umm. you know why right?

    Iposed myself. ¡± Sree, can we please talk about what happened earlier?¡± I said.

    ¡°Dude! Stop begging. She¡¯s giving us her infamous punishment.¡± Tej said looking amused.

    ¡°I¡¯m not begging and even if I did, it¡¯s none of your business. Just make her talk and leave¡± I snapped at him. He¡¯s just making me feel worse than I already had.

    ¡°Alright! I can¡¯t make her talk to you. She¡¯s giving us a silent treatment and it¡¯s your damn fault brother-inw¡± he mocked me.

    ¡°How the hell it¡¯s my fault? You¡¯re to me equally ¡± I defended myself.

    ¡°Oh really? But I¡¯m not the one who yelled at her I quote ¡®don¡¯t you dare utter a word¡¯ she¡¯s obeying you brother-inw¡± he said mocking me. My jaw dropped to the floor. Is that the reason for her to give me the silent treatment? Damn! I should have known that she could be a drama queen when she wants to. After all, she was talking to my mom a lot,tely.

    ¡°Good luck convincing her jiju. Call me when you need answers di, I promise I¡¯ll tell you everything¡± he kissed her forehead ¡åI need to leave now¡± he escaped without waiting for my reply.

    That sneaky little rat!

    I dropped to my knees in front of her holding her hands in mine, she was looking at me shocked, and those beautiful brown orbs went wide. Her eyes. Oh God, they are the most beautiful eyes I¡¯ve ever seen. I like to drown myself in the depths of them. She cleared her throat snapping me out of the daze.

    ¡°Sree, I know you have a lot of questions in your mind. Before you ask me anything, remember one thing¡± I paused for a second taking a deep breath ¡°I like you¡å her brown eyes went wide again with my confession.

    ¡äLike? You passed that stage years ago you stupid¡ä my inner self-mocked me for not saying that aloud. I can¡¯t scare her by saying ¡®I love you¡¯. She needs time to adjust and I can¡¯t force her into anything.

    ¡°You like me?¡± She asked almost in a whisper.

    ¡åYes. I do. I liked you a lot for a long time now¡± I said looking at her beautiful eyes which were still wide in shock.

    ¡°I understand if you don¡¯t feel the same way with me. It¡¯s only been 10 days after our marriage, and you don¡¯t have to feel anything towards me. Just be with me. I¡¯ll give as much time and space as you want. But don¡¯t stop talking to me okay? I can¡¯t bare your silence. This is all because of your idiotic brother. He told me not to say a word about my background because you¡¯re trying to cancel this wedding. He told me if your fathers get a wind about me being a billionaire, he would have never agreed to our marriage. I liked you a lot and didn¡¯t want to give up my chances to marry you¡± I said pleading her with my eyes to understand.

    ¡°Okay. If you want some time alone, I can understand. I know that I was acting like a selfish man but please don¡¯t leave me okay? If you want, I can go, stay with my parents for a while and I¡¯ll appoint someone for your security. Let me make some calls to-¡±

    ¡°I like you too¡± I heard a whisper. ¡°What?¡± I asked thinking I heard it wrong. Instead of replying she walked towards me. ¡°I like you too ¡± she whispered in my ear and kissed my cheek making me still at my ce.

    ************

    Sreesha Pov:

    He said I like you.

    Oh my god! He said he liked me from the first day. I think I¡¯m going to faint now. Someone call emergency services, please¡­

    I nced at him and stared at his lips which are moving. Wait! Move? Means he¡¯s talking to me? Then why the hell I can¡¯t hear anything.

    Because you¡¯re an Idiot! Tell him that you like him too¡­ my enemy a. k. a my stupid brain gave me a piece of advice. Hmm its, not bad advice thou¡­

    You are the stupid here, who can¡¯t even express her feelings towards her own husband¡­ and there goes my peace.

    ¡°¡­ If you want, I¡¯ll go and stay with my parents for a while and I¡¯ll appoint someone for your security-¡±

    It¡¯s now or never, Sreesha, tell him already. Otherwise, he is going to leave you thinking you don¡¯t reciprocate his feelings for once my brain was right. He¡¯ll leave me thinking I don¡¯t like him.

    Take deep breaths Sreesha.

    Breath in.

    Breath out.

    Breath in.

    Breath out.

    ¡°I like you too,¡± I said almost in a whisper.

    ¡åWhat?¡å He said to me confused.

    What. the. hell. Sreesha? Be confident and tell him that you like him.

    You¡¯re not a coward.

    Remember you¡¯re not a coward.

    Don¡¯t back off.

    I leaned near his ear and whispers ¡®I like you too¡¯ cing a small kiss on his cheek. My first kiss with my husband even if it was on a cheek, it felt more special.

    He¡¯s still in shock.

    He started blinking his eyes.

    Once.

    Twice.

    Thrice.

    ¡°You kissed me?¡± he asked me in shock, touching his cheek where I kissed him.

    ¡°Uh-huh¡± I looked at him feigning innocence ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about¡± He looked at me confused touching his cheek again and again. ¡°Is there something on your cheek? Why are you rubbing your cheek like that? ¡± I asked him, coating more innocence to my voice.

    ¡°It felt so real¡± he mumbled still confused.

    Maybe I should be nominated for Oscar Awards. Yayy! I could be the best actress.

    ¡®Keep it up Sreesha¡¯ I thought mentally patting my back with a slight smirk on my face.

    Oh shit! He saw me smirking and just as that realization dawned on him.

    Run! Run for your life, Sreesha! My conscience yelled at me.

    I don¡¯t have to be told twice.

    ¡°You little minx, stop right there. I¡¯ll teach you a lesson when I got my hands on you. I¡¯ll make you pay for that little act you just pulled on me¡± he yelled running after me.

    I ran away from him giggling and mocking him when he missed a chance to catch me.

    I ran around the couch with him on my tail, our garden didn¡¯t do any good to save me from him. He was just a few feet away from me, so I slipped through the back door and locked it. When I make sure he is locked out of the house, I ran to the kitchen for water and burst intoughter when I relived the moment again.

    Myughter died when I was trapped between the refrigerator and a wall.? No! Definitely not a wall, it¡¯s my husband¡¯s daily workout result. I was trapped between the refrigerator and his hard chest with his hands either side of me making it impossible to move.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    I locked him outside! How in the chocty world did he get into the house?

    A smirk yed on his kissable lips¡­ if only I could ce my lips on his¡­

    Snap out of it Sreesha! When did you be that desperate? Think about your current situation and make some excuse to save yourself from your dangerously handsome husband.

    ¡®You forgot to add yummy¡¯

    There is an evil glint in his eyes which is not good at this moment.

    ¡°Yummy huh? What¡¯s yummy? ¡± he asked with a knowing glint in his eyes.

    ¡°Um¡­ ah¡­ choctes! Yes, choctes are yummy¡± I stuttered, he snickered.

    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re talking about choctes? We don¡¯t have choctes in the home at the moment¡± he said leaning to me, looking straight into my eyes.

    His eyes are doing their work of hypnotizing me, luring me to conquer the depths of them.

    ¡°Your eyes¡± I blurted.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with my eyes¡± he enquired, giving hisplete attention to my eyes. It felt like he was living the same moment as mine. Same dream as mine.

    ¡°They are like chocte. Dark chocte. Yum¡± those words slipped out without me knowing. The smile which spread on his face is worth millions.

    ¡°They are?¡± I don¡¯t know whether his question is for the chocte thing or the millions thing but either way, I nodded yes still in his trance.

    ¡°Do you think you can get away after that little stunt you pulled in the living room?¡± he said in a husky voice snapping me out of the trance.

    ¡°M-Me? Wh-what did I d-do?¡± Damn this closeness is not helping with my acting skills.

    ¡®Didn¡¯t his mom tell him to stay away from girls?¡¯ I thought to pout.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ let me think¡± He said rubbing his chin pretending to remember ¡åyou may or may not kissed my cheek and pretended like you never did? ¡å He added.

    ¡åPfft. Me? Kissing you? Nope. You must be¡­ daydreaming. Yeah. Daydreaming¡± I stuttered.

    ¡®Smooth Sreesha. Really smooth. Daydreaming? Can¡¯t you think anything better?¡¯

    ¡°You¡¯re right. This must be a dream. I should¡¯ve known you wouldn¡¯t kiss me like that, right?¡± I nodded my head vigorously.

    ¡°If it is a dream, I can do whatever I want with you now right? After all, this is just a dream¡­ nothing real and I dream a lot about you¡± he said feigning innocence now his lips were just a few inches away.

    What have I got myself into¡­?

    ¡®Told you it¡¯s not a good idea¡¯ my conscience yelled at me again though I wouldn¡¯t mind a kiss¡¯ didn¡¯t this voice scolded me seconds ago?

    ¡°Sree¡± his voice was hoarse a cold shiver ran down my spine.

    He is leaning again; I closed my eyes tightly thinking he will kiss me even though he promised that he would wait for my consent. Just when I thought he lips willnd on mine¡­ he changed the direction and pecked my cheek. The touch of his soft lips did magic on my skin. If you read all those romantic novels, you would know what I was trying to exin. Sparks, butterflies, shivers what not? I just wish those butterflies stay in their ce and won¡¯t erupt like a volcano in my stomach when he didn¡¯t stop with one kiss.

    He started pecking my cheeks making my stomach churn in anticipation.

    What if he wants it right now?

    What if he forces himself on me now?

    What if¡­

    ¡°That my dear wife is called ¡®tit for tat¡¯ ¡± he said smirking. I sighed in relief.

    ¡°You think too much, Sree,¡± he said looking into my eyes.

    ¡®He got the most beautiful eyes¡¯

    ¡°You think my eyes are beautiful?¡±

    Huh?

    ¡°You should really stop thinking aloud¡± he added making me blush.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go and prepare dinner,¡± I said releasing myself from him. But I miss his touch already. It¡¯s not like I was going to admit it to him¡­ yet.

    The next morning, he got a call from his mom asking¡­ no more like ordering us to get ready for shopping.

    Karthik can¡¯t go with us because one, he has a business meeting, this time it was real.

    Two, his mother already got a suit for him.

    Three Its ¡®girls¡¯ day out¡¯.

    Her words, not mine.

    She took me to an expensive shop and started searching for a perfect lehenga for the evening. I hate shopping. She tossed a pile of dresses in my hands and ordered me to try each and every dress? I feel like a model now.

    Oh, Joy not.

    I tried at least 20 dresses, but she still didn¡¯t approve of them. I stomped my foot like a kid every time she told me ¡®next please¡¯ or waved her hand to say next. Seriously can she be any weirder than this? Who am I kidding she could do all the weird stuff like a teenage girl. No offence for teenagers thou. It¡¯s just that my mom-inw was weird.

    When I stepped outside wearing the next dress and mentally prepared to go and change into another one, she started squealing like a teenager. Like literally squealing and nodded her head furiously.

    Approved. Again, no offence for teenagers. No more shopping spree with mom I mentally made a note to myself.

 Chapter 13

    Sreesha Pov:

    After selecting the dress mom took me into their home. The word ¡®Home¡¯ is not the right word to fit this house.

    It was a freaking mansion and I felt out of ce.

    How rich are my inws again?

    Everything in this ce was screaming money!

    If they were this rich, why would they select a normal girl like me for their only son or heir like my friends like to call? Shouldn¡¯t they be like rude and behave like snobs? But they are so down to earth and loving me like their own. With the looks my husband got, he could marry some famous actress or model or even some heiress like Anvika.

    Then why me?

    It¡¯s almost 4 in the evening and the party starts in two hours. Mom ushered me into one of their many guest rooms saying only two hours left. I wanted to tell her that one hour was more than enough to get ready but stopped myself when I saw three girls around my age are setting cosmetics and jewelry near the mirror. I hate it when I had to doll up like a freaking barbie. I hate makeup with a passion.

    I mean my face is not a wall to paint!

    There is no way to escape now I thought frowning.

    ¡°Stop frowning now and let them do their work,¡± mom said sternly. I nodded sighing. There is no way to avoid this ruckus.

    ¡°Keep it natural. Don¡¯t overdo anything. I want her ready on time¡± she ordered sternly looking at the three girls who were nodding furiously at her every word. Gone was the crazy woman I know, recing a colddy.

    Has she been pretending like someone she¡¯s not?

    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am ¡± they said in unison. Mom gave them a stiff nod and left the room to get ready for the party.

    They started working on me like I was an outline of some art which needed a lot of attention to make it a fine piece.

    ¡°Don¡¯t cut my hair, I like it long¡± I mumbled when one of the girls who have beautiful violet eyes was about to cut my hair. She is beautiful.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, I was just cutting the tips of hair so that I can style your hair,¡± she said politely giving her well-trained smile.

    I really want this torture to end quickly I thought to shake my head.

    After what seems like an eternity, they let go of my aching body which is thoroughly plucked, pinched and waxed.

    They started taking my pictures making me frown. I¡¯m 99% sure that I would look like a clown right now with all the colors they used on my eyes saying it makes my eyes would hypnotize my husband.

    Just wait until your husband looks into your eyes, he would be like a hypnotized lovesick puppy waiting for yourmand Their words not mine!

    When they said I can look at myself I turned around and gasped at my appearance.

    I did not look like a clown was my first thought.

    Are you freaking kidding me? You look like every bit of elegantdy which you never were my inner self-mocked me.

    You look just like your mother-inw, polished, elegant, beautiful.

    I don¡¯t understand whether it isplimenting me or just calling me ugly but thement aboutparing Mother-inw and me, it sounds like apliment.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am, you¡¯re one of the most beautiful brides we¡¯ve ever seen,¡± one girl said.

    I started admiring myself and didn¡¯t saw someone standing at the entrance of the room. Our gazes met through the mirror.

    Karthik was standing at the door crossing his arms across the chest. He said nothing but scrutinizing me like I was some abstract painting that he needs to figure out the meaning behind it.

    ¡°You look beautiful¡± Karthik breathed out. Taking this as their cue those three girls left us alone giggling.

    I didn¡¯t even get to know their names I thought to frown.

    I did a big mistake turning around to meet his gaze directly. You know why? He looks like a freaking model in his tuxedo. He was exemry of manliness.

    He cleared his throat smirking. Damn! He caught me ogling at him¡­ again. He¡¯s clearly enjoying my embarrassment right now.

    ¡°You can ogle at me all you want after all this is all yours,¡± he said gesturing himself with a sinfully sexy smirk on his face.

    ¡°I¡¯m not ogling at you¡± I snapped defensively.

    ¡°Oh really? Let me check again¡± he said closing the gap between us. we¡¯re too close, like really close to my liking. One wrong move and our lips would touch. His eyes flickered between my lips and eyes then, a strange emotion passed through his eyes that I couldn¡¯t pinpoint. With a jolt, he backed away muttering something under his breath.

    Or was it how am I supposed to control myself?

    Yeah, like he would say that. He must have thought she was half decent to stand by me.

    After all, we just had a moment and he backed away.

    Why Am I feeling rejected when he backed away? Am I not attractive enough? Sure, I¡¯m not ready for the next step but knowing I¡¯m not desirable enough for my husband hurts. He was so gorgeous that I couldn¡¯t help but feel like some trash standing next to him.

    Argh!! This guy is driving me crazy I thought and looked away from him.

    ¡°Mom asked me to escort you to the party,¡± he said scratching his neck like he¡¯s nervous. I should be the one who feels nervous as this is my first high-ss party, he has no right to feel nervous.

    I wanted to tell him that All copyright for the word nervous is reserved under the name of Sreesha Karthik Shekhar.

    Really Sreesha, can you think anymore weird than this when I thought I know you better you had to go and prove me wrong? Do you want the copyrights on the word nervous? I feel pity for myself for being your conscience my inner self-mocked me.

    Hey, you can¡¯t me me. This is my first ever party other than college parties. This one is the elite party and I don¡¯t belong to them.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, Sree, just be yourself. You don¡¯t have to impress anyone there. All you have to do is smile and pretend like you¡¯re listening to their ranst about fashion and lifestyle. I¡¯ll be at your side all evening as much as possible but I¡¯m sure mom won¡¯t leave you alone¡± he said in a soft consoling voice.

    ¡°Now don¡¯t freak out, we need to act like we¡¯re so in love with each other or else some people might throw rudements at you,¡± he said cing his hand on my bare waist. I shuddered visibly when his palm started tracing circles on my bare waist.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    His touch is making me crazy¡­ or maybe wild. How can his one-touch set my heart on fire? I peeked at him through my eyshes, he smiled at me softly and kissed the side of my head leading me to the party area.

    We made our way through the backyard, my mind stopped working looking at the people who scream money with their branded clothing and the way they elegantly carried themselves like they were acting in a movie or something.

    ¡°Now I would like to introduce my beautiful daughter-inw Sreesha Karthik Shekhar¡± mom announced in the microphone like I was some heiress. Everyone turned our way and started scrutinizing me under their calctive gazes making me squirm. Some nodded in approval while some started ring at me and some looks were judgmental like I don¡¯t belong here.

    ¡°Ignore everyone and just look straight ahead. No one is better than you. Don¡¯t pay heed to anyone who tries to point out your ws. You¡¯re perfect the way you are. Don¡¯t let them see your fear as they try to feast on it. And please put your insecurities aside, just know I chose you¡­ and only you. You¡¯re the most beautiful woman in my life other than my mother. Now give me a smile¡± He whispered in my ear, leading me to his mother.

    Is he trying to make me cry? He doesn¡¯t know the power of the words he just told me¡­ he doesn¡¯t know what his words meant to me. How can someone be this perfect?

    I gave him a genuine smile and squeezed his hand. He smiled and returned my gesture and added a kiss to my hair.

    ¡°This is my beautiful daughter-inw Sreesha Karthik Shekhar¡± mom introduced me to a group ofdies and squeezed my hand in assurance.

    ¡°God! She¡¯s so beautiful Mrs. Shekhar I wish I could find a girl as beautiful as her to my son that boy needs to settle down already.¡± ady in her early fifties said pulling my cheeks. I thanked her blushing.

    ¡°Dear, this is a very good friend of mine Mrs. Malhotra, mother of one of your husband¡¯s childhood best friends¡± mom introduced her to me.

    ¡°Tell us about her Mrs. Shekhar as far as I know she doesn¡¯t belong to our society. I bet she¡¯s some low-ss girl who trapped your son in her evil clutches for money. What did she threaten you with? Is she with a baby? Is that why you rejected my precious daughter for this scum?¡± ady said who looked kind of familiar.

    She thought I was a gold-digger. Oh god, everyone must be thinking the same here. I don¡¯t belong in their circle. I can feel the tears forming in my eyes.

    ¡°Low-ss girl, you say? I think you have short-term memory loss or was it amnesia Mrs. Sharma? Isn¡¯t that the same ss you¡¯re from before you marry Mr. Sharma? And I don¡¯t think twice to send you there if you ever try to hurt my daughter. It¡¯s a promise¡­ You know I keep my promises really well.¡± mom said in her cold calctive voice, which made me shiver, but I was surprised to see she¡¯s still smiling like it is normal conversation and that she just didn¡¯t threaten her friend. Mrs. Sharma gasped taking a step back if she was some cartoon character, I could practically see the smokeing out of her ears.

    Mom just threatened ady who might be as rich as her just because she insulted my background. I nced at mom who was talking to the kinddy like nothing happened.

    ¡°Mom, is everything alright?¡± Karthik asked making his way towards us with a frown on his handsome face. Mom nodded giving him a smile.

    ¡°Everything is absolutely fine Karthik, we¡¯re just talking about Mrs. Sharma¡¯s background,¡± she said giving the evildy a cold smile. If looks could kill mom would be under six feet now.

    ¡°Can I take my wife with me, so I could introduce my beautiful wife to my friends?¡± he said stressing the words my wife and beautiful looking at his mom and turned to Mrs. Sharma raising an eyebrow. Not before taking my cold fingers into his, cing a warm kiss on them.

    ¡°Of course, Karthik, take her with you and don¡¯t leave her alone as this is all new to her ¡± mom said in a warm voice which is familiar to me.

    ¡åWhere is dad, mom? I didn¡¯t find him anywhere¡± he asked his mother.

    ¡°Talking to Mr. Sharma and other business partners,¡± she said rolling her eyes.

    Karthik nodded leading me to a table filled with only two people.

    ¡°Guys, this is my wife Sreesha, Sree this is Nihal and you already know Anvika,¡± he said.

    Anvika gave me a warm smile and waved at me. She looks like a princess.

    ¡°Hello Bhabhi, do you by any chance know ck magic?¡± Nihal guy said earning a re from Karthik while I frown at him.

    What the hell?

    ck magic?

    ¡°Don¡¯t mind him, Sree he¡¯s just exaggerating¡± Karthik said ring at his friend.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to offend you Bhabhi, but this guy right here has been behaving weirdly from the day one after your marriage wearing a goofy smile on his used to be stoic face and adding Sreesha before and after each word. So, I thought you used some magic on him to change him from cold-hearted bastard to a lover boy¡± he added smiling goofily and winced when someone smacked the back of his head.

    ¡°Stop hitting me you devil. Karthik ask her to go away, I don¡¯t want to talk to her ¡± he said ring at Anvika, who was smiling at him innocently.

    ¡°Hey, I know we didn¡¯t meet in right circumstances before but, let me introduce myself properly. I¡¯m Anvika Sharma best friend of your dumb husband¡± she said with a yful smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry if my mom said something to make you ufortable¡± she added apologetically making my eyes as wide as saucers.

    ¡°Mrs. Sharma is your mom? But you¡¯re so sweet and she was¡­¡± I blurted out and covered my mouth with my hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t mean it that way. I-¡± I tried to cover my slip of words which she brushed away waving a hand.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay Sreesha. Don¡¯t worry I know my mom can be blunt and rude ¡± she said smiling.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Anvika, I didn¡¯t really mean it that way,¡± I said looking down at my feet.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay dear. I understand leave it. Let¡¯s talk about your husband here. I can always tell you about all his embarrassing adventurous childhood stories and show you lots of pictures of him¡± she said wiggling her eyebrows.

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t drag me into this and I told you to destroy all those photos a long time ago. Why do you even have them now?¡± Karthik said in a panicked tone.

    ¡°I was about to¡­ until I heard someone say that ¡®If you don¡¯t have my most embarrassing pictures with you, never believe that I am your best friend even if I say otherwise.¡¯ So being the best, best friend in the world, I saved all of them.¡± Anvika said, controlling herughter.

    ¡°Bhabhi you have to see his baby pictures,¡± Nihal said tapping on his phone while Karthik was trying to stop him. Nihal showed a picture of Karthik at the age of 5 in a cute Superman dress. All of us burst into fits ofughter while Karthik looked annoyed by the little stunt pulled by his friend.

    ¡°Who is she?¡± I asked them, pointing to a cute girl in Princess dress posing to the camera.

    ¡°Take a guess,¡± Nihal asked trying not tough.

    ¡°Anvika?¡± I said in a duh tone.

    ¡°Darling I was more like a tomboy at that age,¡± she said smirking at my husband.

    ¡°No way¡± I yelled when the realization hit me. The girl in the picture is not a she¡­ but a ¡®he¡¯. As in my husband.

    I burst into fits ofughter followed by Anvika and Nihal, Karthik was just looking at me embarrassed.

    ¡°I told you to get rid of that picture¡± Karthik mumbled when Anvika promised to WhatsApp the picture to me.

    ¡°You¡¯re so cute in this Karthik,¡± I saidying my head on his shoulder when we¡¯re left alone at the table.

    ¡°That¡¯s so not cute, it¡¯s embarrassing¡± he mumbled kissing my crown.

    ¡°I like it,¡± I said trying to fight the yawn that escaped from my lips.

    ¡°We will leave in a few minutes,¡± he said chuckling.

    Later Karthik introduced me to a lot of people. I¡¯m tired and I want nothing but my bed right now. As if sensing my tiredness, he excused himself and took me with him. When the body hit the soft mattress, I slipped into a dreamless sleep.

 Chapter 14

    Sreesha pov:

    I¡¯ve been listening to Karthik¡¯s heartbeat while trying hard not to draw circles on his broad chest with my fingers. He looks so peaceful while sleeping almost like an infant.

    I wonder how he looked when he was a child. Did he chew his thumb like Tej, when he was still 5? Was he cute? Or chubby?

    He stirred in his sleep. However, he might be, he must have been a very cute kid. I stopped myself from pinching his cheeks.

    I couldn¡¯t help a blush that was creeping on my cheeks by the way our bodies entangled to each other. His hand was on my waist holding it almost possessively while his other hand is under my head as a pillow.

    Do I have to rise just yet? I sighed in frustration. I don¡¯t want to free myself from him. I want him to hold me forever just like this. I don¡¯t need anything except for him.

    But¡­ I¡¯m a woman. And I have a lot of work to do that includes pleasing my inws though they treat me like their daughter.

    I untangled slowly, trying not to wake him. This is quite a task for me every day. In our 2 weeks¡¯ time, I¡¯ve never got out of bed without waking him in the process. When he wakes up, he would just smile the cier melting smile and kiss my head saying, ¡®Good morning¡¯ and then sleep turning the other side.

    He¡¯s such a baby I tell you¡­

    When I was almost celebrating my victory of mission ¡®not waking up Karthik¡¯, he slowly opened his eyes smiling a cheekily. I sighed.

    I failed¡­ Yet again.

    ¡°Good morning, Sree¡± he murmured holding my hand cing a lingering kiss on it.

    ¡°Good morning, you get some sleep. I¡¯ll go and help mom¡± I said trying to free my hand from his.

    ¡°But I want to show you something first¡± he said getting down. ¡°Just don¡¯t turn around¡± he added holding my shoulders so I can only see him¡­ and him alone.

    I¡¯m notining! I love watching him¡­ if he knows, he¡¯ll think I¡¯m his stalker.

    His very personal stalker, who has every right to stalk him 24/7.

    He turned me slowly to our bed¡¯s headboard. What is there to look¡­ I stopped whatever running in my mind.

    I was looking at one of the most memorable moments of my life¡­ Our life. A wall-sized painting of me¡­ of us¡­ of our marriage.

    In that painting, Karthik was applying Sindoor on my forehead and I was looking at him with a quizzical look yet a small smile ying on the curve of my lips.

    Was I actually smiling at him, when he was applying Sindoor?

    Didn¡¯t my parents hold the ceremony against my wish?

    Then how can I smile?

    Was it the painters¡¯ imagination or¡­?

    ¡°If it isn¡¯t for that smile, I would have thought our union would be hopeless. You gave me hope, Sree. Hope to make our marriage work, to make u happy, and someday to make you fall in love with me¡± he said brushing his lips on my temple.

    How can I be so lucky to have a guy like him as a husband?

    He treats me like a queen.

    He respects me as his mom.

    He makes me happy with his every deed.

    No¡­ he¡¯s my happiness.

    Then what am I doing? Nothing. Nothing but enjoying the happiness he¡¯s showering on me. I¡­ I don¡¯t deserve him. I¡¯m a spoiled goods. I don¡¯t deserve anyone and anything.

    When he knows about my past, he would be hurt very badly.

    What if I leave him?

    I¡¯ll just tell him that we¡¯re notpatible and¡­

    He back hugged me, making my eyes go wide.

    ¡°Stop thinking about your past life¡­ and live now¡­ with me beside you. I want to see you happy¡­ and I¡¯ll do anything to make you happy. Remember this, Sree.¡± he said turning me slowly to face him again. Cupping my cheeks, he wiped my tears away and stretched my lips asking me to smile.

    I must have done some good deeds in my past life to deserve this man as a husband.

    ¡°They are happy tears¡­ you make him happy. Sometimes I think¡­ this is all just a dream and I¡¯d wake up to my past life in my parents¡¯ house¡± I said dropping my head to his chest.

    ¡°I will never allow you to that horrible ce ever again. If you want to see Tej, he cane to our home or live with us permanently¡± he said like it was nothing.

    If only he knew how much it means to me¡­

    ¡°Look around our room while I go fresh up, you will be happy all over again¡± grinning like a child he dashed into the restroom.

    I gave myself a quick tour of his¡­ our room. There were photos everywhere Our wedding photos, we sleep, I, on a couch frowning, our first date pictures. He captured everything.

    ¡°Do you like them?¡± he asked from behind.

    When did he return?

    ¡°I love them. But¡­ what about those empty photo frames?¡± I asked turning around to look into his eyes. I love watching his eyes. While he talks all innocently¡­ Those eyes tell a whole other tales. Intimate tales.

    ¡°They are¡­ For our future purposes,¡± he said scratching his head.

    ¡°Future purposes? Like our second date?¡±

    ¡°Not that¡­ umm you know for our family¡­ umm children?¡± he mumbled thest part looking everywhere but me.

    Children?

    Was he nning a family with me already?

    Not yet. I¡­ I need to tell him about everything before we take another step.

    ¡°Rx Sree, I¡¯m not talking about now. I¡¯m talking about our future. I¡­ I can understand if you¡¯re against kids. Just don¡¯t be tense. We don¡¯t have to have kids if you don¡¯t want too¡­ ¡±

    ¡°I want children¡­ not just one but many. I want to love them with everything in me. Will¡­ will I make a good mother to them? Can I give them all the love without gender inequality?¡±

    ¡°We, Sree. We will love them equally. And there will never be gender inequality¡­ Ah maybe a little. I will be a little more protective and possessive about our little Sreeshas but other than that, I will not show any difference. I promise¡± he said showing his pinky finger.

    He¡¯s been talking to my hellion of a brother¡­ no doubt. It was only our thing, the pinky promise.

    I locked my pinky in his, sealing the deal.

    I¡¯ve no doubt in whatever he promised. He will keep his promise and I keep mine. I¡¯ll try to be the wife he deserves.

    ¡°And I want more children too,¡± he said cing his forehead on mine.

    ¡°And I would be the happiest if you give me one as soon as possible. It can be quite boring in this big fat house with no one else but my husband to torture¡± just like that the spell he cast broken.

    Leaning against our bedroom door is my mother-inw with a smug smirk ying on her lips.

    ¡°Mother, hasn¡¯t anyone told you that you have had the worst timing to make an appearance?¡± Karthik asked her in a sickly-sweet voice.

    ¡°I was told worst dear son. I¡¯m enjoying my victory over you. I was not the one who said ¡®Mother, marriage isn¡¯t my thing¡¯ or ¡®mom, stop meddling in my personal life¡¯ or ¡®mom, please stop throwing potential bride photographs on me¡¯. And here you are, it has been hardly half a month since your marriage and you¡¯re nning a family without my consent. How rude of you? But being a kind-hearted woman, I am, permitting you to fill this house with more and more kids.¡± she said dramatically waving her hands in the air.

    I blinked a few times to check if I was still in sleep.

    Karthik merely rolled his eyes probably used to his mother¡¯s antics.

    ¡°Where is dad? I wonder how he¡¯s putting up with you all these years. He might have turned into a saint if he doesn¡¯t love you so much¡± Karthik said looking past his mother¡¯s shoulder where dad is standing with his hands folded watching the dramatics of mom.

    ¡°I wonder the same dear boy, if not for the love I have for you both, I¡¯d been in Himyas doing whatever saints do for peace of mind,¡± dad said rolling his eyes, a smile ying on his lips.

    ¡°Both? Who the hell is the other woman? And how dare you to keep this from me? I¡¯m going to tear u part by part¡­ ¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m talking about our Karthik, wifey. I have had my hands full, from the day I tied a knot to you. How can I handle one more woman? No thank you¡± he said giving her a dramatic bow.

    Karthik is watching them with a bored look on his face as if it happens every day. If it is, I pity him.

    ¡°Oh, our son Karthik? Yeah¡­ I¡¯d like to share your love with him. The things I do for family¡± she said shaking her head and nodded understandingly suddenly turning towards me ¡°Sreesha, on another note, think before you pop children out, you will be expected to share your husband¡¯s love with them. Who knows, they might love our children more than us.¡± she said nodding to herself.

    ¡°Mom¡­ you know I love you. But don¡¯t turn her into you. Dad and I only have enough patience to deal with you. Please no more¡± he said throwing his hands in the air.

    ¡°How could you say that to your mother, Karthik¡± she gasped dramatically.

    ¡°Mom! ¡± Karthik said impatiently.

    ¡°Karthik, why don¡¯t you let the women talk and we go to my study. We have to pay attention to our main branch¡± dad said stressing thest words.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Is something wrong with hispany?

    ¡°Now, shall I have my daughter to myself so I can give her a tour of her new home?¡± Mom said rolling her eyes. To which Karthik nodded, with a serious look on his face. Mom left giving us some privacy.

 Chapter 15

    Karthik Pov:

    ¡°Karthik, why don¡¯t you let thedies talk and we go to my study. We have to pay attention to our main branch¡± dad said making me alert. His voice told me it is an emergency.

    ¡°Sure dad, give me a minute, ¡± I said, dad nodded and left.

    There is something odd in his tone. It was like something was bothering him or rather is it, someone? I better go talk to him as soon as possible.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon. We¡¯ll leave after having breakfast¡± I whispered while brushing my lips to her cheek, looking into her eyes. I can spend ages just looking at her eyes and doing nothing.

    God, I¡¯m so whipped.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you want to be with your parents. I mean umm you don¡¯t want to live here?¡± She asked me, looking down.

    ¡°We¡¯ll shift here soon if you want to, but now I need to sort out some issues, so we need to stay there for a while. And we need some alone time¡± I said caressing her cheek, her eyes bulged hearing those words.

    ¡°I¡¯m talking about getting to know each other Sree¡± I added kissing her forehead leaving her alone with her thoughts. I need to try more to make herfortable around me.

    I didn¡¯t trust my ears when she confessed that she likes me too. I nearly believed her words when she said I was daydreaming. If it isn¡¯t for her smirk, I could¡¯ve thought she didn¡¯t kiss me and all that had happened was nothing but a dream. It got paid off when I kissed her cheeks though. She was as red as a tomato. I thought of teasing her a bit but got carried away, her alluring scent drives me crazy every time when I was near her. If it isn¡¯t for the sigh that escaped from her lips, I would¡¯ve done something drastic that she might regretter. When I look at her eyes there is uncertainty in them. So, I left her saying something along with the words wifey when all I wanted to do was to continue what I started. I just want to re-live those moments again.

    ******

    I knocked on dad¡¯s office door before entering and stopped in my tracks when Ie face to face with the least expected person waiting for me. After many years there was a peaceful smile on his face, not a forced one. When he met my gaze his smiled widened and his face lit up like a 100-watt bulb in a dark room.

    ¡°Well¡­ well if it isn¡¯t my favorite nephew.¡± he started, I cut him off saying ¡°Uncle, I¡¯m your only nephew for now. How are you? Are you taking care of your health?¡± I bombarded him with my queries.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine Karthik, stop worrying about me. You don¡¯t know how happy you made me that my heart might have burst with all this happiness you threw at me¡± he said patting my back with a trace of tears in his eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯ve my selfish reason for doing this, Uncle. So please stop praising me¡± I mumbled looking away.

    ¡°I know your reasons, and I certainly know the risks you are taking,¡± he said gratefully.

    ¡°I love what I am doing, uncle. Don¡¯t stress yourself. What are you doing here anyway? Shouldn¡¯t you be at home, resting?¡± I asked him, wondering what he was doing here.

    ¡°Your father called me early in the morning and asked me to join him for a cup of coffee¡± frowning he added ¡°I know something is wrong, just hope it¡¯s not something major,¡± he said furrowing his eyebrows. He never shows his true emotions to outsiders easily. Age and health must have to take a toll on him.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I said running a hand through my hair.

    ¡°Let¡¯s discuss thister with your father, now you tell me, how is Sreesha? Is she happy with this marriage and lifestyle? Vinay and Malini were worried when you told them that Sreesha got to know about your identity from others. I thought she would be devastated thinking you guys betrayed her but thank god, everything was fine¡­ for now,¡± he said thest part in a whisper patting my shoulder.

    ¡°Believe me, uncle, she threw a tantrum giving us the silent treatment. If it isn¡¯t for Tej¡¯s exnation and my confession, she must be giving the same treatment until now. She can be stubborn at times just like someone I know¡± I said smiled recalling those moments.

    ¡°Tej. I heard a lot about him from your father. He said that the boy took a lot of risks to make her happy. I want to study him for a while and take him under my wing, I think he is perfect for the job. I just wish he is loyal and not like his father¡± He said with hopeful eyes.

    ¡°If he is anything like his father, Sreesha wouldn¡¯t be here with us, she would¡¯ve been rotting in some hell hole and who knows, her father would have married her off to those drunkards he selected for her. When you asked me to look into the profiles you sent me, I asked my personal investigator to dig into their past. I was shocked to learn they were all druggies, and some went to jail for abusing women¡± I said running a hand through my hair. ¡°I am d you asked mom and dad to create a new identity for us with some criminal record. He wouldn¡¯t have said yes if it isn¡¯t for our fake records¡± I added frustrated.

    ¡°she is safe now¡± he reminded me.

    ¡°Yes. And she will be safe with us¡± I smiled.

    ¡°So¡­ are you serious about Tej? I mean, do you want to see if he is capable of that responsibility?¡± I asked him hopefully. I offered him a job many times, but he rejected my offer saying he will not take advantage of the fact me, his brother-inw being a billionaire.

    ¡°Yes. I would like to train him into one fine businessman. Tell him to apply for a job as an intern in mypany ¡±

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t know about you, uncle do you really want this? What if he misunderstands everything when he gets to know who you really are?¡± I hesitated.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me Karthik, I can handle him¡± he said with a faint smile.

    ¡°Sorry for the wait Jayanth¡± dad said referring to uncle giving uncle a manly hug.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay Vinay, what is it you want to talk with me personally?¡± Uncle asked him with a smile on his face.Property ? 2024 N0(v)elDrama.Org.

    ¡°It is about Sreesha¡± I stiffened, dad, looked at me and added, ¡°There are some notes which are addressed to us¡­ to you warning us to spend as much time as we can with her¡±.

    ¡°What the hell dad? Why didn¡¯t you tell me about this earlier? Who the hell is he?¡± I yelled mming my fists on the table.

    ¡°Calm down Karthik, I hired a private investigator to catch the person behind all this¡± dad said trying to calm me down.

    ¡°Please tell me it¡¯s not her father,¡± I asked him in a low voice.

    ¡°No Karthik, this is not him. He would¡¯ve sent those notes to your house if it is him, I found those notes here in our home. I don¡¯t think it is her father because he is only aware of your current address. While this person doesn¡¯t know where you live¡­ yet.¡±

    ¡°I made sure to install some hidden cameras around your house and hired a couple of bodyguards for Sreesha who follows her everywhere without her knowledge and ady helper who is also a trained bodyguard. She will take care of Sreesha 24¡Á7. I instructed all the three of them to meet us at your office today. And their profiles were checked thoroughly.¡±

    ¡°You could¡¯ve warned me before dad. She was out with her friends on Saturday. What if something had happened to her and we¡¯re not even around to save her? How many notes?¡± I know I was being rude to him, but this is about Sreesha¡¯s safety.

    ¡°There are 5 notes with the same message. I thought it was some kind of prank by Nihal. You know that guy was a prankster. I didn¡¯t take them seriously until I found a note this morning with a photo of you both and a cross mark on Sreesha¡¯s face¡± he said looking down.

    ¡°Can I see them?¡± I said gulping. He handed me an envelope. There are like 5 printed notes and one with a photo of us hand in hand looking at each other. I turned the photo my eyes bulged when I read those lines.

    Enjoy with her while you can Karthik Shekhar. I¡¯ll get rid of her as soon as possible.

    The red mark suits her well don¡¯t you think?

    I wonder how she screams when I slice her throat.

    ¨C your (Her) worst Nightmare.

    Sreesha Pov:

    Karthik was silent throughout breakfast and our drive to home.

    When I touched his hand, he gave me a relieved smile and squeezed my hand reassuringly.

    I know something is eating him. It must be the main branch which dad mentioned a while ago.

    After his meeting with dad, they both werepletely closed off. Sensing their mood, mom too had her food silently.

    Whatever it is, I want the problem to solve as soon as possible. I want my jovial husband back. Not the moody one who is checking the rare mirror every ticking second.

    When the car stopped, I got down first and was about to unlock the door but dropped them when he tugged my hand and pulled me into his embrace.

    A very familiar feeling warmed my heart making it jump like a monkey.

    ¡°I will miss you, Sree,¡± he said releasing me.

    He picked the keys and unlocked the door and waited until I closed the door¡­ in a daze.

    God, I like him so much.

    After taking care of a few things I started preparing lunch for both of us, in case if he returns home early.

    My phone vibrated indicating a new message.

    I¡¯m back, darling.

    Ps- I¡¯ll never leave you alone.

    Your secret admirer ?

 Chapter 16

    Sreesha Pov:

    I¡¯m back, darling.

    Ps- I¡¯ll never leave you alone.

    Your secret admirer ?

    I stared at the message for a while and burst intoughter. This is definitely her kind of thing.

    This Anju needs to work more on her silly pranks I thought, smiling evilly.

    I decided to ignore it, but maybe I should have a little fun with Anju feigning fear. It would be great if I win her little game making her loss, right?

    Game on Anju! I thought, smirking.

    I sent her saying who¡¯s dis?

    (SA: Secret Admirer, Me: Sreesha)

    SA: Told u, sweetheart, dis is ur Secret Admirer.

    Very well Anju¡­

    Me: what do u want?

    SA: you.

    Yeah right!

    Me: what?

    She might think that her prank was sessful, stupid Anju. Wait and see Anju, I would love to share your unsessful prank to everyone in our group and take my revenge for the other pranks you yed on me.

    SA: yes Sweetheart, I want to meet you personally. Don¡¯t you want to meet your Admirer?

    Meet me at Coffee day.

    Saturday at 5 Pm.

    Goodbye ???

    This girl is behaving too weird these days I thought, shaking my head.

    Karthik Pov:All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    I reached my office in record time and didn¡¯t bother to return the greetings from my employees. There were more important things to take care of than returning their greetings.

    I sprinted into my cabin and apologized dad and uncle for beingte who were already waiting here for some time. Dad called the reception asking to send them in.

    Two guys and a girl entered my cabin. The two burly men were looking alike with a trained stoic face. The women next to them is not a helper material at all. She looks like a runway model.

    If I take her home saying that she¡¯s a helper, Sree would give me ¡®do you think I¡¯m that dumb¡¯ look and dwell on her insecurities. I don¡¯t want to add more than she already had.

    I already learned my lesson a few days ago.

    ¡°Dad! She doesn¡¯t look like a helper¡± I whisper yelled at my dad.

    ¡°Then tell Sreesha that she was your long-lost cousin or something Karthik.¡± He said, annoyed.

    Long lost cousin? Yeah right! I thought sarcastically.

    ¡°Karthik, this is Ron and Sean. Sreesha¡¯s bodyguards outside the house. And she is Julie, your long-lost cousin for your wife but just an employee for you. Clear?¡± He said in his usual dominant voice. He can be scary if he wants to. ¡°Prepare a story to tell your wife about her¡± he added.

    Just wait until mom knows about this arrangement and I¡¯ll have fun watching you sulk.

    ¡°We need to inform this arrangement to Tej, he already threatened me to kill if I ever hide something about Sreesha¡¯s safety,¡± I said sulking.

    That guy can be scary at times!

    ¡°You¡¯re afraid of that kid?¡± Dad and uncle said at the same time.

    ¡°Believe me, He can be scary when ites to his sister¡¯s safety,¡± I said sighing.

    ¡°I like him already,¡± Uncle said with an amused look.

    I called and asked Tej to stop by my office as soon as possible. He is here in less than 20 minutes. When I told him about the notes, he was shocked at first and looks ready to kill anyone who reaches one-meter radius to his sister. He doubted his father at first but there is no way his father could know about us this early. I usually don¡¯t attract media much and people don¡¯t know about our personal lives either. I was known to some elite businesspeople because I had to attend a few parties which my mom forced me to attend. I know Veni, Sreesha¡¯s friend through her dad who wanted to make a deal with us to which I rejected without thinking twice. It was more like a marriage deal than a business deal. So, I¡¯m not shocked when her friends know about me. My family maintained a low profile about my marriage untilst night party. And I personally made sure no paparazzi enter the party premises. So, there must be a rat in either our security or our guests.

    ¡°So, they are her bodyguards and thedy there, live with you guys in your home?¡± He asked making sure or more like a warning for me to stay in limits.

    ¡°Yes. They are her bodyguards and no Ms Julie will be living in my guesthouse in the backyard as she needs some privacy. She will look after Sreesha when I¡¯m not at home and follow her everywhere to keep a close look at her premises.¡± I said in exasperation.

    I don¡¯t want someone to intrude our privacy. I want her all to myself. I nned to take her for our honeymoon and spend a week or two there thinking of ways to woo her. That would have been the longest vacation I¡¯d ever nned. I was about to blurt out my ns to her about our vacation, but our conversation was rudely interrupted by my mom and dad¡¯s bickering. I sighed and nced at the Tej, who was giving instructions or more like threats to those three.

    ¡°Is he always this protective of her?¡± Uncle mumbled I nodded smiling. He was nothing against those three trained bodyguards, but I really appreciate his protectiveness. A proud look crossed my uncle¡¯s face when he¡¯s watching Tej. That was the same look he used to give me when I was training under him. He was my mentor. I can guess the thoughts running in his head. When our eyes locked, he nodded his head in approval. I know this will change Tej¡¯s lifepletely but in a good way.

    ¡°He is perfect¡± Uncle said to dad, who smiled and nodded in approval. He is very fond of Tej from the very beginning when I mentioned him about the threats Tej gave me on the first day at his house.

    ¡°I¡¯ll leave now. I have a job interview in like 20 mins¡± Tej said and was about to leave.

    ¡°You have a job interview? You could¡¯ve told me Tej, I might have introduced them to youter¡± I said worriedly.

    ¡°Nothing is more important than my sister jiju, I need to leave now-¡±

    ¡°Work for me Tej¡± Uncle said in a determined tone making him still in his ce. I know the authority in his voice is too much to ignore.

    ¡°With all due respect sir, just because my sister married a billionaire doesn¡¯t mean I would take advantage of his influence and money. You¡¯re his uncle and he must have asked you a favor but I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t ept it¡± he said in the same tone as my uncle¡¯s.

    No one. I repeat no one ever talk back to Jayanth Thakur.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t offer you this job just because you¡¯re rted to Shekhar¡¯s family young man! I¡¯ve gone through your R¨¦sum¨¦ here¡± he said waving his file in the air ¡°when you¡¯re busy giving threats to your sister¡¯s bodyguards¡± he said gesturing to the three stone-faced people in the room.

    ¡°You¡¯ve some leadership qualities andmand in your voice, kid. I know you are the right one to work under me. Think about it. Well, if you want the job, meet me at my office tomorrow at 9 Am sharp and I hate tardiness¡± he added thest part sternly passing his business card to Tej, who took it hesitantly. He left, bidding us goodbye. After an hour dad and uncle left to attend a meeting too.

    I told Ron and Sean to take off for the day as I was leaving home with Julie. After they left, I turned to Julie and said ¡°Now about your story, you¡¯re my Aunt¡¯s daughter who eloped with her love of life and lost our family¡¯s trust. You¡¯re staying with us because of your personal reasons which you will not share without discussing them with me. Clear?¡±

    ¡°Yes Sir¡± she said in full business mode.

    ¡°You will be calling me as Karthik when my wife is around and talk friendly but not too friendly. Don¡¯t try to take advantage of the situation and try to be strictly professional with my wife too. If she asks any personal questions dodge them or change the topic. If you are in a dire situation, lie but I need theplete report on your lies too. When she¡¯s not around address me as sir or Mr. Shekhar and when we talk, it should be strictly about your job. I don¡¯t want you to take advantage of this situation and create havoc in my marriage life. One wrong move is all it takes to kill your career and future Ms. Julie. Just one and you¡¯re out. Clear? ¡±

    ¡°Yes sir¡± her voice faltered but she did a good job hiding it. I gave her a stiff nod and asked her to follow me. I can¡¯t wait to spend some time with Sree.

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡±Sreesha¡¯s World famous chicken curry ready. Now Mr. Karthik Shekhar, would you please taste this and let me know what you think about my recipe?¡± I said mimicking the anchor in a cookery show.

    ¡°I would love to Mrs. Sreesha Karthik, will you please pass me the bowl so I can taste your world-famous chicken curry?¡± Karthik¡¯s voice startled me.

    ¡°Karthik¡± I gasped ¡°you¡¯re not supposed to hear my words¡± I stated, crossing my arms across my chest.

    ¡°It¡¯s quite entertaining thou,¡± he said taking the curry from me and tasted it like a professional chef who¡¯s trying to judge his assistant. I rolled my eyes and crossed my hands.

    ¡°Yum yum¡± he said licking the spoon he just used to taste the chicken.

    ¡°You like it? ¡±

    ¡°Love it¡± he said kissing my cheek whispering, ¡®this tastes better¡¯. I pped his hand away from my waist.

    ¡°I want you to meet someone,¡± he said suddenly.

    ¡°Who? ¡± I asked, already feeling ufortable.

    ¡°Julie¡± he called someone. I seriously hope it was a dog. To my disappointment, it was a girl, a beautiful one in that.¡±Sree, this is Julie my cousin and Julie this is my wife Sreesha¡±. We shook our hands. She seems to be polite but there is this dangerous aura around her which gives a warning ¡®don¡¯t mess with me unless you have a death wish¡¯.

    ¡°She¡¯s facing some problems in her personal life right now. So, I kind of offered her to stay here with us for a few days. She will be staying in the guest house in the backyard. You¡¯re okay with this arrangement, right?¡± He said hesitantly as if I will say No. I¡¯d have said no if this is my house, but it is his. Who am I to make decisions? This is his house. He can allow anyone to stay here. I nodded, he smiled thanking me.

    Our rtionship will be fine right?

 Chapter 17

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡°Bye wifey. Have a good day and miss me¡± Karthik said stealing a kiss on my cheek when it is time to leave for office.

    ¡°Bye. Don¡¯t forget to have lunch on time, it¡¯s your favorite dish today¡± I mumbled smiling.

    ¡°Really? Then why wait for lunchtime? I¡¯ll finish it beforehand, because that Nihal will steal my lunch box and eat all by himself saying that he became addicted to your cooking. You know, he became a regr visitor at lunchtime just to taste the food you cooked¡± he mumbled frowning.

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding right?¡± I asked him surprised by his behavior. These two guys are such kids. And Nihal is the male edition of Anju as far as I know him through Karthik childhood stories.

    ¡°Nope,¡± he said stealing another kiss on my other cheek. The kissing became his daily routine for him. He will give me a kiss when he was going for a jog. And then aftering back from a jog. Before he leaves for the office, aftering home, while cooking, dusting our home¡­ whatever I was doing, he would just sneak behind me to steal a kiss and leave like he didn¡¯t do anything with an innocent look on his face.

    But he never crosses the limit and kiss on my lips or touches me inappropriately.

    He¡¯s such a gentleman!

    ¡°You could¡¯ve told me before, then I would¡¯ve packed food for him too¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Nah. Do you mind if I invite Nihal and Anvika for lunch this Saturday?¡± He asked me, looking at his watch.

    ¡°Saturday?¡± I frowned.

    ¡°Do you have any ns on Saturday?¡± He asked disappointed.

    ¡°Umm it¡¯s just that I¡¯ve to meet a friend,¡± I said smirking thinking about Anju¡¯s already failed prank.

    ¡°A friend? Then why are you smirking? I can tell it¡¯s not good, so care to tell me who¡¯s this friend of yours?¡± He said a little annoyed.

    ¡°It¡¯s just Anju ying a stalker game with me. Messaging me like a creepy dude and asked me to meet her on Saturday. Her pranks were perfect each time but this time it was so lousy, I wouldn¡¯t let her win this time¡± I exined smiling.

    His face turned pale and he was stunned. I shook him a little and asked him what happened.

    ¡°From when you¡¯re getting these messages?¡± He asked gripping his mobile phone tightly.

    ¡°The day after the party. Why? Is something wrong?¡± I asked. Worry and anger were evident in his eyes. He was trying hard to act cool. I want to question him further but then I remember my mother saying.

    ¡°Don¡¯t ever question or backtalk to your inws or your husband.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t help but feel insecure again. The moment Julie entered our lives was the day my insecurities resurfaced and started messing with my brain. It¡¯s been 5 days since she arrived here, I caught both of them talking about something serious but the moment I join them they would change the topic and make someme jokes. Do they think I¡¯m that naive? I¡¯ve to make sure if her story was true. I want to¡­ no, need to know her past and her business here with Karthik, my husband. I¡¯ve to talk to mom before I n to ask her.

    what if she¡¯s his ex or something? But she¡¯s not acting like one! She acts like a cheerful girl when I¡¯m around and turns serious the moment I step aside. When we went out shopping all she would do was re at each and every person who tried to talk to me or she¡¯d just scrutinize them under her hard gaze. She is literally creeping me out.

    ¡°Ahh it¡¯s nothing Sree, give me the number so I could ask Nihal to annoy her,¡± he said little hesitant.

    Nihal is the best rival for her. Heard from mom that his pranks never fail¡­ like never!N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    ¡°Are you trying to prank her as well? Then I¡¯m in.¡± I said beaming, giving him the number.

    ¡°Yeah¡± he muttered something under his breath.

    ¡°Okay. I really need to leave now. Be careful with strangers and don¡¯t go anywhere without Julie¡± he said¡­ no ordered me.

    What happened to him all of a sudden?

    As if Julie can protect me if I¡¯m in danger. I huffed mentally.

    ¡°Okay,¡± I whispered. He nodded and left stealing a kiss on my cheek¡­ again, but this time a little too close to lips. It became his daily routine from the day he confessed that he liked me. A goofy grin appeared on my face whenever I remembered our almost kiss in the kitchen.

    I¡¯m scared of the feelings that were growing every day. I¡¯m scared to think about love. Scared to give him my heart. What if he breaks my heart? I¡¯m Scared to tell him the truth about my life. What if he thinks that I was not worth his time and leave me just like my parents get rid of me after my marriage? what if he knows I was not a virgin? Will he hurt me for not waiting for him? What if he turned out to be just like my father?

    I shouldn¡¯t allow myself to fall in love, it is too risky if I put my feelings before me. It¡¯s better this way because when he realizes I was not worth his care and affection; he would definitely leave me and would marry some other girl who is worthy to be his wife. I was just a nobody in his world. Like Mrs. Sharma said I was just a low-ss girl who married a billionaire by luck.

    I sighed when Julie entered from the back door as usual and started her banter about thetest brands and cosmetics.

    Karthik Pov:

    I was stunned when Sreesha said about those creepy messages. I was 99. 99% sure that they were not from her friend Anju. I need to talk to Tej and the others. Most importantly Anju.

    I called Tej and asked him to bring Anju and ask my uncle if he wants to join us too. He needs to know everything about this issue. I called Dad and asked him to meet me in my cabin. I was enraged when she mentioned those messages, I wouldn¡¯t think twice to kill who try to think about harming her.

    Tej was here earlier than everyone and said uncle will be here soon as he was in an important meeting. And Anju will be a bitte.

    Tej took uncle¡¯s offer and joined hispany and has been working hard. There was a knock on my door. After a second a very enraged Anju entered my cabin. I nced at Tej who was frowning too.

    ¡°What happened Anju di? Does something happen on the way here?¡± Tej asked her, looking concerned.

    ¡°Who the hell is that monkey there Tej? He annoyed the hell out of me. I want to kill him and throw his body into the ocean where the fishes eat his body. No wait¡­ they will die if they eat his body, who knows he might have a lot of STD¡¯s. Ewe¡± she said scowling at the door.

    I really pity the guy who tried to mess with her. She was nothing like my Sreesha. Sreesha was sweet, gentle and sensitive where Anju was more like tomboyish, outgoing and can be scary who dare to mess with her.

    ¡°Who is he, di? Do you know him? Tell me his details and I would like to apany you with the whole killing n¡± Tej said half serious, half amused.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know Tej, he was just following me everywhere from the moment I entered this office. You really need to hire someone else if he is your employee Karthik. How dare him to stop the elevator and ask me to let him kiss me? Just like that? Does he think that I was an easyy or something?¡± she began ranting about what happened in the elevator.

    ¡°You let him go after he asked you a kiss?¡± I asked her even though I know she wouldn¡¯t have left him without any harm done.

    ¡°I just kicked him where the sun doesn¡¯t shine,¡± she said shrugging like it was nothing where Tej and I winced. No one deserves to be kicked there.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kill her the moment I saw her again¡± a familiar voice disturbed our conversation.

    ¡°You,¡± said two voices at a time.

    ¡°What the hell is she doing here?¡±

    ¡°What the hell is he doing here?¡±

    Were there questions. I put two and two together and nced at Tej he seems to be doing the same. We looked at each other and burst into fits ofughter. They both red at us while weugh more.

    Let¡¯s say Nihal deserve more than one kick.

 Chapter 18

    Karthik Pov:

    After their banter and insulting each other with a lot of animal names here we¡¯re in our meeting room waiting for my uncle. Dad¡¯s arrival put a semicolon to their bickering. I knew it was not the end of their fight. It is going to be fun.

    ¡°I apologize for the wait Gentlemen¡± a familiar voice pulled me out of my thoughts. It¡¯s my uncle. After exchanging greetings and introducing Anju to uncle we¡¯re ready to talk about the current problem.

    My wife¡¯s safety.

    I cleared my throat to get the attention.

    ¡°Anju, do you know this number by any chance?¡± I said handing her the unknown number. She took it and searched for her contacts on her phone.

    ¡°No Karthik. I¡¯ve no clue. Why are you asking me? Whose number is this?¡± She asked confused.

    ¡°Are you sure Anju? Please it¡¯s really important¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m cent per cent sure Karthik,¡± she said confidently. I really wish it was her who was messaging Sreesha. If it¡¯s her, I don¡¯t have to worry more, but life doesn¡¯t work like that, does it? So, I exined everything to her and asked her to not to mention this to anyone. Not even to her close friends which include Sreesha as well. I don¡¯t want her to worry about anything.

    ¡°What? And you¡¯re telling me this now? Is she mad to think that I was the one who is pranking on her? When did I make a prank on her? Okay, maybe I was a prankster, but she could¡¯ve asked me right? Is she ying some detective role or what? I¡¯m going to kill her. Why does she always think positive? This girl needs a brainwash. Wait! What is the use when there is no brain except y in that stupid head of her¡­¡± she was ranting. No one dared to interrupt her. Not even dad or uncle as they¡¯re enjoying her ranting.

    I wish I had a little sister like her. A cute, stubborn little one. I always wanted a little sister, Nihal was like a brother, so I didn¡¯t crave for a brother¡¯s love. But sister, I always envy Tej and Sreesha¡¯s bond. The way he wanted to protect her, the way he threatened me if I ever hurt his sister, the way he always put her safety first than his. All these things make me jealous of their rtionship. I wish I had someone, a sister to protect her, treat her like a princess, threaten the boys who dare toe near her.

    ¡°Hello, mister! Are you listening to me? I don¡¯t know what you will do about this, but I want my best friend to be safe. If I find a scratch on her consider you¡¯re dead¡± she threatened me, making everyone chuckle. Even Nihal was enjoying her rant or should I say enjoying too much? He¡¯s looking at her like she was some angel fallen from the sky, like admiring her every feature keenly.

    As if on a cue she snapped her fingers in front of his face. There is no movement from him. He was looking or should I say ogling at her with his mouth hanging open. Only drool is missing. Then she hit his head with her clutch making him jump on his seat.

    ¡°What the hell? Y-you? What did I do now? Karthik, you¡¯re encouraging violence in your office?¡± I sighed. Maybe he was spending too much time with my mom. He was always a drama queen.

    ¡°Stop being a drama queen¡± I muttered.

    ¡°You¡¯re calling me a drama queen? Me? A hotshot like me. Bro make an appointment with an eye specialist¡± he said feigning a gasp until something hit his head again.

    ¡°Woman, stop hitting me with that thing. Are you insane? How do you think I will run mypany if something happens to my Einstein¡¯s brain?¡± He added more dramatically.

    ¡°More like a peanut-sized brain¡± she muttered ¡°stop insulting Einsteinparing his brain to yours. He would have died again if he was still alive¡± she added muttering a string of curses under her breath.

    ¡°What? You- you- argh what is that word again?¡± He asked scratching his head where she hit him covering his wince while talking.

    ¡°Beautiful? Pretty? Gorgeous? Stunning?¡± She offered.

    ¡°Oh please! You¡¯re not even pretty. I was telling you; you look like a monkey. Yeah, you look like a monkey¡± he said smirking.

    ¡°Jerk¡± she mumbled ring at him.

    ¡°As much as it is entertaining us, shall we look into the problem now? It is about Sreesha¡¯s safety. My advice is, let her meet this so-called secret admirer¡± the uncle said leaning back in his chair.

    ¡°No way¡±

    ¡°No! I will not put her life at risk¡± both Tej and me yelled at the same time.

    ¡±Who said she was going alone?¡± Uncle said smirking. ¡°Her bodyguards will be there with her and I¡¯m sure you both will be too,¡± he said pointing at me and Tej. He knew us too well.

    ¡°Why do I feel that this secret admirer was not the real devil?¡± I heard dad mumbling. I too have the same feeling. But I can¡¯t risk her. She¡¯s my wife, love, and life.

    Dad and uncle left us to discuss this issue. Later, my personal assistant, Lekha informed me about a meeting. The moment she entered my office Nihal started flirting with her ignoring Anju. One look at her, you can tell she was beyond annoyed by his behavior.

    ¡°Karthik, I need to leave now. Call me if you need any help and kill that prick who dared to threaten Sreesha¡¯s life¡± she mumbled before standing to leave.

    ¡°What no goodbye for me?¡± Nihal interjected pouting.

    ¡°How can I not say goodbye for a prick like you? It is a goodbye, Jerk. Let¡¯s hope our paths never cross¡± she said.

    ¡°Oh, you wounded me, Angel,¡± he said feigning hurt look. She rolled her eyes at him and smiled at us bidding bye.

    ¡°Okay bro, I¡¯m leaving too. Have apany to run¡± he muttered and left leaving a very confused Lekha behind.

    ¡°You can leave now Lekha and Meet me at the conference hall in 10,¡± I said not looking at her. I know it was rude, but I have a reputation to keep.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    ¡°So, Saturday it is! ¡± Tej said and I nodded.

    Sreesha Pov:

    Finally! It¡¯s Saturday. The day I finally win Anju¡¯s stupid prank. But I was having second thoughts about it. What if it is not Anju? What if it is someone who wants me dead? What if it is a kidnapper?

    Yeah right! You¡¯re some celebrity who is earning akh per minute, so someone yed this prank to get you¡­ use me at least once a day Sreesha! I pity myself for being as your brain.

    Here it goes again!

    But it is right. Who wants to kidnap a no one like me? Don¡¯t think too much Sreesha, you have revenge to take.

    ¡®Anju here Ie¡¯ I thought to leave for the coffee shop.

    I reached the coffee day at around 5 to 5. I took a seat near a window making myselffortable.

    ¡±Too eager to meet me sweetheart¡± a familiar voice stunned me which definitely doesn¡¯t belong to Anju.

 Chapter 19

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡°Too eager to meet me sweetheart¡± a familiar male voice greeted me instead of Anju¡¯s.

    A very familiar man standing in front of me with a big grin on his face with an extended hand. My eyes bulged as wide as saucers and I bet my mouth would be hanging open.

    He frowned a bit and started waving his hand before my face after taking his seat across mine.

    ¡°Close your mouth sweetheart, we don¡¯t want to catch a fly now.. do we?¡± he said winking.

    ¡°What the hell are you doing here?¡± I yelled at him.

    ¡°Keep your tone down sweetheart, we don¡¯t need unwanted attention now¡­ do we?¡± He said grinning.

    ¡°You don¡¯t deserve to smile, stop grinning like a fool. who the hell gave you my number? Why -¡± he cut off me.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, sweetheart,¡± he said looking down with a frown on his face. I felt bad but he doesn¡¯t deserve to be pitied.

    ¡°You. Better. Be. VED¡± I whisper yelled and got up to leave.

    ¡°Hey, listen I¡¯ve my reasons¡± he was about to touch my hand when a thud followed by cursing got my attention.

    Ved was tackled by two bulky men and a gun was pointed on his head. I screamed and was about to go save him but a pair of two familiar arms grabbed my waist. I struggled in his hold, first I need to save Ved from these bulky guys.

    ¡°Shhh¡­ I got you now. Everything will be fine. He won¡¯t hurt you. Calm down. Rx¡± Karthik keep on murmuring. But I was far from listening to his words.

    ¡°Hey leave him alone!¡± I yelled at top of my lungs. Everything went silent. No crashing sounds. No murmurs. No cursing. No hold on my waist. I nced at Karthik; he was stunned at my outburst. Right now, I couldn¡¯t care less.

    I ran towards Ved and started looking for injuries. His lip was busted and had a few bruises on both cheeks. I was furious would be an understatement. I sent a sharp re at the two bulky guys.

    ¡°Will someone exin what the hell just happened?¡± I yelled again.

    ¡°He is sending you some creepy messages, right? So, I thought he was some stalker. He was about to touch you. You even yelled at him. So, umm we thought -¡±

    ¡°Jiju, you got him? I¡¯m bored waiting outside. Now I would take the honor to kick his butt¡± again a familiar voice. Tej. He didn¡¯t saw us as the bulky guys blocking his view and he¡¯s busy talking to his jiju.

    These two need a lesson.

    ¡°Why are you silent? Don¡¯t tell me you killed him already. Where is my sister? I swear to god, I¡¯ll castrate you if you tell me he took her and¡­ woah? Ved? What the hell are you doing here¡­ with bruises? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re the one messaging my sister¡± he said gulping.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re in this too¡± It¡¯s more like a statement than a question. ¡°Let¡¯s go home and discuss¡± I added.

    ¡°I don¡¯t allow a stalker in our home¡± Karthik mumbled.

    ¡°Wrong move, Jiju¡±. Tej muttered.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Take. us. home. now,¡± I said emphasizing each word.

    ¡°But he¡¯s a stalker¡± Karthik yelled.

    ¡°He¡¯s my best friend¡± I yelled matching his tone. I don¡¯t care if I was disrespectful to him. All I need to think about was Ved.

    Karthik Pov:

    ¡°He¡¯s my best friend¡± she yelled matching my tone. This was the first time I saw the rage in her eyes. I nodded at Ron and Sean to do as she said. She didn¡¯t even nce at me once even when we¡¯re in the car. Tej was shaking his head mumbling incoherent words.

    I¡¯m driving. Tej¡¯s in the passenger seat. Sree sat with him in the back seat. His head was on her shoulder with his eyes closed while she was taking deep breaths to control her anger.

    I frowned when he snuggled more into her embrace. I want to strangle him right now.

    She¡¯s my wife you moron, keep some distance for god sake!

    We reached home in record time. She started nursing him without a word when he was ced on the couch. A doctor arrived at the same time and started aiding his wounds.

    Who the hell called him? Looking at my puzzled expression Tej nodded his head. So, he¡¯s the one. Thank God! Now I don¡¯t have to see my wife nursing him anymore.

    He¡¯s her stalker for God sake! Why the hell is she taking care of him? Best friend? She has only three friends as far as I know and they¡¯re all girls much to my relief. But he? The green monster in me started resurfacing. I want him out of my house ASAP.

    ¡°Who the hell is he?¡± I asked Tej when I took him far from the living room.

    ¡°Let¡¯s say we¡¯re in deep shit! He is Di¡¯s childhood friend who disappeared for 4 years. She waited for him a lot, but he never came. She started hating him for leaving her alone after waiting for a year. Before you ask me, No, they were never in a rtionship.¡± He said making sure Sree was nowhere near us.

    A grunt and few protests gain our attention. We ran towards the living room only to see my Sreesha smiling at him and he grins at her like a kid, who won a prize.

    ¡°Hey bro, you must be her husband, I¡¯m Ved, Sreesha¡¯s best friend,¡± he said extending his hand which I took it applying more pressure than necessary.

    ¡°You got yourself a possessive husband mouse,¡± he said looking at Sreesha with an amused smile.

    Mouse? What the hell?

    ¡°Oh, shut up, dog. I saved your butt today. You could¡¯ve messaged or call like a sane person than to send stalkerish messages. Who allows his wife to deal with a stalker alone? And you know about Tej very well¡± she said rolling her eyes at him.

    Dog. The name suits him well. She¡¯s taking my side. That means she¡¯s not angry at us, right? I grinned at the thought.

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t me me! I thought of giving you a surprise, but you¡¯re the one who gave me. Look at you, taking your husband¡¯s side who broke your best friend¡¯s nose¡± he said pouting.

    ¡°You are the one who left us. Technically he didn¡¯t touch you those bulky guys did. So, leave him out of this. Tell me why the hell you left us in the first ce?¡± She asked him, looking straight into his eyes. An emotion passed through his eyes a very familiar emotional I used to feel. pain? I should really stop exaggerating.

    ¡°Dad wants me to move in with him and take over his business,¡± he said looking everywhere but her.

    ¡°Yeah. I believe you just like that. Stop lying. I need the truth. You practically hate your father not to mention you hate hispany. So, don¡¯t feed me this bullshit¡± she half-yelled at him. He sighed in dejection.

    ¡°I was in love with someone who didn¡¯t reciprocate my feelings. So, I left for good.¡±

 Chapter 20

    Karthik Pov:

    ¡°I was in love with someone who didn¡¯t reciprocate my feelings. So I left her for good.¡±

    Silence.

    Pin drop silence.

    I cleared my throat.

    ¡°Who¡¯s she?¡± Sreesha asked frowning.

    Please god! Not my wife¡­ not my wife¡­ not my wife¡­ I chanted mentally.

    I couldn¡¯t kill him now even if he dared to utter my wife¡¯s name. By the looks of it, Sree would skin me alive, if Iy a finger on him.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter anymore mouse; she was in a rtionship on that time and it looks like she was so in love with him. It was really hard to be here and pretend like nothing happened. So, I just left¡± he said raking his fingers through his hair.

    ¡°You could¡¯ve told me before Ved¡± its Tej this time.

    ¡°You knew?¡± Sreesha asked him in shock.

    ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t? He was literally following you guys like a lost puppy¡± Tej said ring at Ved.

    He was? I should¡¯ve known if he was following them!

    ¡°Hey! I¡¯m not that easy to read okay?¡± Tej raised an eyebrow at him ¡°hump! Okay maybe I was a little too obvious but who wouldn¡¯t, when you love the most amazing girl on earth?¡± Ved¡­ no dog said with a dreamy look.

    ¡°You mean to say you¡¯re in love with-¡± he cut off Sree saying ¡°Yes¡±

    ¡°What? You could¡¯ve told me or Tej. I would have done something. You wasted a lot of time thinking and running away. Four freaking years! God, Ved how can you be so dumb? That boyfriend was a fake one just to make you jealous. Its Anju¡¯s idea to make you jealous so, you would confess your undying love. You could¡¯ve confronted or even n a kidnap and marry in our favorite temple. You dumbo! You wasted a lot of time. Now you¡¯re here, we¡¯ll just n a wedding directly okay?¡±

    ¡°What the hell, Sree? I¡¯m right here. Your husband! Do you even remember that you¡¯re married? You want to marry him now? What about me huh? Do you want me to be a Devadas? How could you do this to me? Did you arrange a fake boyfriend to make him jealous? I¡¯m not letting you go okay. He lost his chance a long time ago and he¡¯s not getting you back. Even if you don¡¯t love me, I would never allow you to look at another male. You understand? I wouldn¡¯t think twice to tie you to our bed if it is the only way to make you stay with me. Don¡¯t leave me Sree. I can¡¯t live without you. I¡¯ll give you anything and everything you want. Just be with me¡± I literally threatened and begged her at the same time. But who cares? I want my wife. I wouldn¡¯t think twice to kill this Ved dog.

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡°¡­ just be with me¡± what the hell is he talking about?

    ¡°Karthik what are you-¡± Tej cut off my sentence.

    ¡°Take it lite jiju. Ved is a nice guy. You want my Di to be happy right? She will be happy with him¡± what the hell is going on? I red at Tej but he just winked at me mouthing y along.

    ¡°Tej! Just because you¡¯re my wife¡¯s brother doesn¡¯t give you any right to rub your bullshit on me¡± Karthik yelled and was furious now.

    ¡°Please bro, I love her a lot. I promise I¡¯ll take good care of her. But we¡¯re so much in love with each other and I can¡¯t live without her¡± Ved said looking sad but the evil glint in his eyes said another story. Tell me again why didn¡¯t he got Oscar Award this year?

    ¡°Say something Sree. Ask him to let you go. Tell him that love means sacrifice. I sacrificed you for 4 years and it¡¯s his time now¡± he added faking tears and winking at me secretly.

    In a blink of an eye, Karthik was in front of Ved holding his cor.

    ¡°Sacrifice? I would never do such a thing. She¡¯s my wife and life. I¡¯m not some stupid loser like you to let her go. She¡¯s my everything. Don¡¯t you dare think about my wife in any way other than sister. She¡¯s mine. M-I-N-E. You get that? Just because I¡¯m letting you live doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t Kill you. Trust me! I would be your worst nightmare.¡± Karthik said in a low cold voice which he never used on me. I open and closed my mouth like a fish trying to speak but nothing came out.

    ¡°And you¡± pointing at me ¡°Love me or hate me You¡¯re stuck with me for this life,¡± he said looking into my eyes coldly. I couldn¡¯t hold myughter anymore and next thing I know, we¡¯re rolling on the floorughing clutching our stomachs while he was ring at us confused.

    ¡°That was hrious. Tell me you recorded it Tej. I would love to watch it again¡± Ved said trying to control hisughter and turned to me saying ¡°You got yourself a Possessive husband mouse.¡±

    ¡°I pity you, bro, she can be a handful sometimes but she¡¯s the best. I love her so much but like a sister. Trust me, I myself warned a lot of guys who dared to talk to her¡± he added winking at Karthik.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Ved, I recorded everything and whatsapped you the video. Jiju how did you even got the idea that we¡¯re talking about Di? Do you think I will allow a guy to elope with my sister? Let alone a with this dumb head here? Grow up Jiju¡± Tej said shaking his head.

    ¡°What makes you think that he¡¯s talking about me?¡± I asked him, stifling a smile.

    ¡°Umm, he said that he was in love with the most amazing girl in the world¡± he mumbles frowning and started tapping his foot on the floor like a kid who just failed an exam in 1 mark difference.

    I didn¡¯t feel butterflies in my stomach listening to his words. Promise. You know why? Because I can feel arge sum of freaking dragonflies doing a dance in my stomach right now.

    OMG, my husband thinks I¡¯m the most amazing girl in the whole freaking world I thought dreamily.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Whipped¡± Ved muttered under his breath.

    ¡°It¡¯s nice meeting you bro, I got to go now. Tej youring right? ¡± he added.

    ¡°Yeah, Ved. Let¡¯s leave these lovebirds alone. They¡¯re making me sick with those weird looks they¡¯re giving each other¡± Tej said smirking.

    Tej left giving me bear hug.

    ¡°So, he was her fake boyfriend?¡± Ved mumbled frowning, I nodded smiling.

    ¡°I wasted four years sulking for nothing?¡±

    ¡°Hurry up now, before she finds someone better than you¡± I teased smirking. He gave me a bear hug and nodded at Karthik formally before leaving.

    One look at Karthik, you could say he was pissed. No. That would be an understatement.

    ¡°K-Karthik umm you know, I.. I-I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s j-just that ¡­¡± he left to our room. Did he just walk out on me? Like I was not talking to him a few seconds ago.

    Idiot!

    I followed him to our room. He went to washroom closing the door with a loud bang.

    I winced.

    Argh it¡¯s not my fault that he assumed things. It¡¯s not my fault that he¡¯s being an idiot and think I would leave him for Ved. He came out after a few minutes and started getting ready to go out.

    And now he¡¯s leaving me alone here?

    Not going to happen, buddy!

    ¡°Karthik¡±

    Hmm, this guy is getting on my nerves. I hate it when someone gives me the silent treatment.

    ¡°Karthik, I¡¯m sorry. ¡±

    Silence.

    ¡°Karthik!¡±

    Silence

    Is he using my weapon on me? I mean, hello! That¡¯s my birthright to torture people with silence, not his!

    ¡°You know what, be that way. I¡¯ll just give a call to Ved and ask him to-¡± my rant was cut off when a pair of lipsnded on mine.

    He¡¯s kissing me!

    Our first kiss!

    Now, stop being a statue and kiss him back! For once my mind gave me the best advice.

    Announcement time!!

    And the kiss felt like¡­ like¡­ like what? God! I¡¯m lost for words. It felt¡­ felt argh stupid brain help me now.

    Amazing?

    Yes, but something more!

    Okay¡­ let¡¯s this try again. Sweet?

    Still more!

    Hmm¡­ Toe-curling?

    That would be an understatement.

    Let¡¯s try again¡­ Earth-shattering?

    Yes!

    Yes!!!

    Omg!! Yes, the kiss is still more than that, but I could stick to that word.

    Earth-Shattering!!

    And she calls me dumb! This time I forgave that voice because it gave me the right word to describe the kiss.

 Chapter 21

    Karthik Pov:

    ¡°You know what, be that way. I¡¯ll just give a call to Ved and ask him to-¡± I didn¡¯t let herplete the sentence. I just crashed my lips to hers.

    I kissed her.

    Without her consent.

    Did I regret it?

    Not a bit!

    At first, she was stunned by my sudden punishment but gave in eventually. Her lips were so soft and tasted like cherries. I was never a fan of cherries in my whole life but from now they are going to be my new favorites. She leaned into the kiss after a few seconds and smiled. Now I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll not regret it. Slowly I encircled my arms around her waist, and she did the same around my neck intertwining her fingers in my hair.

    Trust me! It took all my strength not to take her right now.

    The kiss makes me drowsy. It¡¯s like I was drugged.

    Drugged by her kiss.

    I just want to stay like this forever just kissing her. Sadly, we need to let go of each other due tock of oxygen. I frowned a little for letting her go.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me you regret this,¡± she said frowning.

    I should be the one who should ask the question. Not the other way around!

    ¡±Why do you think I¡¯ll regret it?¡± I said feeling offended.

    ¡±Because you¡¯re frowning?¡± It sounded more like a question.

    ¡°I¡¯m frowning because this is not the way I wanted to have my first kiss,¡± I said scratching my neck.

    ¡°FIRST KISS?¡± She half yelled.

    ¡°I mean to say our first kiss,¡± I saidughing nervously.

    My first ever kiss!

    ¡°Thank god¡± she muttered to herself.

    If she only knows!

    ¡°It almost felt like my first kiss too. Actually, our kiss removed the traces of my past¡± she added looking everywhere but me. I know she had a boyfriend during her college days.

    ¡°You can tell me anything you know¡­ I don¡¯t judge you just because you have a past¡± I said softly.

    ¡°Umm I-I can¡¯t hide it from you any-anymore K-Karthik. I-I¡¯m not pure. I used to have a b-boy-boyfriend in college a-and umm you know¡­ I-I¡¯m not a v-virgin anymore. I-I c-can understands if you don¡¯t want me anymore. It-it¡¯s just I was so stupid and thought we-we would end up together. And-¡± I cut her off with another kiss this time it¡¯s not out of anger. This time I kissed her because I love her. I want to let her know how much she means to me. I poured all my love into this kiss. It¡¯s not a demanding one anymore, it is more of a slow and passionate kiss. I let her be the dominant this time. She kept increasing the pace and it¡¯s almost impossible for me to get a hold of myself. Almost. I pulled out making her groan in protest.

    I didn¡¯t even realize how we ended up in our bed. We¡¯re in our bed with her beneath me.

    ¡±We need to stop otherwise I can¡¯t stop myself and take you right now. Trust me, I don¡¯t want our first to be like this. It should be special for both of us¡± I said gruffly.

    What happened to my voice now? Is this how it feels to be kissed? God! I wasted a lot of time! I should¡¯ve kissed her on our wedding day itself. Then I would¡¯ve scared her. I want to kiss her one more time. Just once!This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Sree, I know it must be hard on you to trust any guy including me after the betrayal you faced in your past. It must have been a real blow to you. I know you have trust issues regarding everyone but trust me when I say¡­ it doesn¡¯t matter for me who¡¯s your first, second or more. What really matters is that you¡¯re with me as my present and future, my wife and I trust you with my life. So, stop ming for the things that happened in the past and think about our present and future. Sorry if I offend you in any way¡± I said pressing a kiss on her forehead. I¡¯m not sure if my words cleared her doubts or created more because I was not the one to express my feelings.

    I just hope I didn¡¯t mess up.

    And I mean every word I said, I don¡¯t give a damn about her past as long as she would promise her future with me.

    ¡°Promise me. Promise me to not overthink about your past¡± I said showing my pinky finger.

    ¡°I promise,¡± she said locking our pinkies.

    ¡°How did I get so lucky?¡± She said giving me a teary-eyed smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m lucky to have you, Sree. You don¡¯t have any idea how long I¡¯d like to wait for this moment¡± I mumbled kissing her crown.

    Wey on the bed for some time enjoying thefortable silence until she opened that pretty mouth of her.

    ¡±Tell me about your past girlfriends Karthik¡± she asked me, looking straight into my eyes. I scratched my head and looked anywhere but her.

    ¡±Karthik, you alright? You look kind of pale?¡± She said cing her palm on my forehead.

    ¡±If I tell you something, would youugh at me?¡± I asked her, debating myself whether to tell her the truth or not.

    ¡±Why would Iugh at you Karthik? I promise I won¡¯t judge you even if you had lots of girlfriends in your past as long as they stay in the past¡± she said smiling but there was a hidden warning in her words.

    Yeah, you must maintain a register to check my imaginary girlfriends Please note the sarcasm.

    ¡±I studied in a boarding schoolter joined in co-ed, but I was really a shy one. So, I ended up having no friends other than my childhood friends and you already know them. I used to have a crush on a girl who was my junior by two years. Being the shy guy, I was, I never dared to talk to her. One day I followed her to confess my feelings but came to know she already had a boyfriend. So, I kind of gave up on her and concentrated on my studies. But I used to follow her without her knowledge. It¡¯s my daily routine for a year. Later not even a single woman strikes that kind of interest in me¡± when I finished, she had a frown on her face and it turned into a scowl.

    What did I do now?

    ¡±How dare you to lie to me?¡± She yelled hitting my chest with her fists.

    ¡± In which part Sree? I didn¡¯t lie. I swear¡± I said holding her hands in a tight grip.

    ¡±You said that you liked me? And now you said, ¡®not even a single woman strikes that kind of interest in me¡¯ -mimicking my words- what about that?¡± She yelled again. Rage was clear in her pretty eyes. And trust me it was a major turn-on.

    ¡±Of course, I like you a lot Sree.¡±

    ¡±That means you¡¯re interested in me?¡± She mumbled frowning.

    ¡±What are you talking about-¡± then it hit me. I never said it was her that I was talking about. I couldn¡¯t take it anymore and startedughing at her. When I tried to control myughter, she started hitting me again.

    This time with pillows.

    ¡±Don¡¯t you dareugh at me you Idiot¡± she yelled and started crying. God! Why can¡¯t I do one thing properly? I didn¡¯t say anything just hugged her stroking her back. When I was sure she calmed down I started talking to her softly.

    ¡±Sree¡± she hummed ¡± Do you want to know her name?¡±

    ¡°Who? ¡± her voice became raspy due to crying.

    ¡°The girl I liked,¡± I said brushing my lips on her head.

    ¡±No¡± she mumbled burying her face into my chest.

    ¡±You need to know¡± I said softly.

    ¡±Why? ¡± she mumbled again.

    ¡±Because it was YOU Sree. You¡¯re the girl who struck my interest at the first sight and you¡¯re my first crush. It¡¯s always you, Sree. ITS ALWAYS YOU¡± I said hugging her. She blinked her eyes several times and smiled like an idiot.

    My Idiot.

    ¡±M-Me? You¡¯re not lying right?¡± I shook my head saying no ¡± OMG it¡¯s me. It¡¯s me yayy¡± she started doing a happy dance on myp.

    ¡± Wait for a second, then who¡¯s your first kiss?¡± She asked me after a while.

    ¡±You¡± I mumbled burying my head in her neck.

    Let¡¯s say it is her chance tough at me.

 Chapter 22

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡±Don¡¯t you dareugh at me you Idiot¡± I yelled at him hitting his chest. How dare heugh at me?

    He is the one who lied to me!

    ¡®Not even a single woman struck that kind of interest in me¡¯ those words literally broke my heart but here he is,ughing at me like a weirdo.

    How could he lie to me about his feelings? I whined mentally.

    I don¡¯t know why I just want to search for this girl and kill her at this moment.

    From when I be this violent?

    From the moment this guy started making his way into your heart. My subconscious offered to me.

    ¡±Sree¡± I just hummed ¡± Do you want to know her name?¡±

    And kill her? Yes, I would love to!

    ¡±No¡± I mumbled burying myself into his chest. I don¡¯t know how we ended up in this position. I was literally sitting on hisp. It kind of feltfy if I might add.

    Toofy don¡¯t you think.

    Shut up!

    ¡±You need to know¡± he said softly.

    Oh no, I don¡¯t!

    ¡±Why?¡± I mumbled not moving from hisp.

    It is toofy here. I just want to stay like this forever. Maybe I need to postpone her death for a while.

    ¡±Because, it¡¯s YOU Sree. You¡¯re the girl who struck my interest and you¡¯re my first crush. It¡¯s always you Sree. ITS ALWAYS YOU¡± he said hugging me more making me unable to breathe.

    Did I hear him right?

    Did he just say what I think he said?

    This must be a dream!

    Just blink your eyes. If he¡¯s not here after you did that then it¡¯s all a dream.

    An amazing dream? Nope, what is it again?

    Yeah, beautiful?

    Nah¡­

    I me it on my English teacher who didn¡¯t teach me enough adjectives. Hump! Wait I need to blink right?

    Once!

    He¡¯s here.

    Twice!

    He¡¯s still in front of me. One more time Sree, it decides your happiness.

    God, please don¡¯t make this a dream. I beg you.

    Thrice!

    And he¡¯s still here. That means all he said was true! I was his crush and his wife? That is why he married me without thinking about our status differences. I grinned at him like a freaking idiot.

    Who cares? I might look like a roon with all this crying.

    Who said you¡¯re not one?

    Thanks a lot for making me feel better. (Sarcasm)

    Anytime!

    ¡± M-Me? You¡¯re not lying right?¡± I stuttered, he nodded smiling at me.

    Are you going to me me for stuttering too?

    Sure!

    ¡±OMG it¡¯s me. It¡¯s me yayy¡± I started doing a happy dance in hisp making himugh at my childish behavior.

    Then my brain started working again. If he didn¡¯t have a girl in his life, then who is his first everything? Just the thought made me squirm.

    What? I married this guy! And I¡¯ve every freaking right to be jealous.

    ¡±Wait for a second, then who¡¯s your first kiss?¡± I mumbled looking into his eyes.

    His eyes widened and a light hint of pink color graced on his cheeks and ears.

    Oh my god! He¡¯s blushing!

    He¡¯s freaking blushing!

    ¡±You¡± he muttered burying his face in the crook of my neck.

    I stared at the wall in front of me wide-eyed and this time it¡¯s me who¡¯sughing at him.

    I thought he might have a lot of ex¡¯s who want to strangle me and feed me to their dogs. I chuckled remembering my insecurities regarding our rtionship.

    I thought he married me because of his mother¡¯s pressure, and he¡¯ll leave me when he had enough of my immature behavior.

    All the insecurities I felt, flew away the moment he said it¡¯s always me who he ever wanted.

    I yelped when he bit my neck and smirked which made me shiver in delight with the mere contact of his lips on my soft spot. He started cing feathery kisses on my neck which left me breathless.

    ¡°I owe yew¡± I heard him mumbled kissing my neck.

    ¡°What?¡± I asked confused.

    He looked at me wide-eyed and said ¡°I said I love doing this. What did you hear?¡± He asked scratching his neck.

    ¡±I heard something like gibberish and thought to find a dictionary of thisnguage¡± I said teasing him a bit. He smiled at me leaning his forehead to mine.

    ¡°I really, really like you a lot Sree,¡± he said kissing it tenderly.

    ¡±I like you too, Karthik¡± I mumbled cing my head on his heartbeat listening to it makes me feel home.

    ¡°Wait a minute! Does Tej knew all about this?¡± He squirmed under my gaze.

    Think my guess was right. I crossed my arms across my chest and waited for him to say something.

    Anything.

    ¡°He knew everything from the beginning. He was the one who recognized me asking no more like demanding whether I was the one who followed you when you¡¯re in college. When I said yes, he just hugged and warned me at the same time¡± he smiled.

    ¡±He can be scary sometimes¡± he added.

    ¡±So that¡¯s the reason he never wanted to help me cancel the wedding. He just used to say I quote ¡®it is for your own good di, just trust me¡¯ ¡± Imitating Tej.

    ¡±Do you regret marrying me, Sree?¡± He asked out of nowhere frowning.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡±No Karthik. I never regretted marrying you. You gave me no reason toin let alone regret. You¡¯ve been the best husband anyone could get. When I find you with Anvika, I felt betrayed for a second but just one look at your eyes anyone can tell you¡¯re not doing that wontedly. I was just upset about the fact that you didn¡¯t tell me about your social status for a few minutes butter it¡¯s kind of fun testing your patience. The moment you said you liked me was the best day of my life. I thought you were forced to marry me. When I find out your social status I kind of freaked out thinking I¡¯m not the right match for you. But the way mom dealt with Mrs. Sharma and the way you introduced me to your friends like I¡¯m some precious thing in your eyes made me realize my stupidity. Now when you kissed me, I felt like I was born again. I felt it like a new life. A new life with you¡± I said looking into his eyes. I don¡¯t know how I got the courage to tell him all these things, but I knew it is the beginning of everything.

    He grinned at me and crashed his lips on mine. Again.

    That was the moment I realize I was falling for husband really hard.

 Chapter 23

    Karthik Pov:

    It¡¯s been 3 months since our confessions. Everything changed. A good kind of change of course. It was pure bliss to just hold her in my arms. Before you guys began to assume things, No, we didn¡¯t do the deed¡­ yet.

    I know she was ready for this, but I want to wait a few more days. I want it to be more special. I have been nning something more special for her. She was dropping a lot of hints to make me understand that she¡¯s ready to take our rtionship to another level, but I have to y dumb. One day she was infuriated by my nonchnt behavior and next thing I know; I was covered with water which leads to a water warter. She ended up in our bathtub filled with cold water. Which results in a lot of pranks from her.

    If you thought Anju is a prankster, just know my Sree is a pro in it. One day she gave me ck coffee, my favorite with lots of sugar in it. I don¡¯t like sugar in my coffee. But I punished her with a long kiss than usual, and she loved it too. Which resulted in me in gettingte to a very important board meeting and non-stop teasing from Nihal.

    We invite our friends for dinner at least once a month. Let me tell you we need to survive a lot of bickering from Nihal and Anju, A very long staring match from Tej and Anvika and very lovey dowey sweet talks from Ved and Niya.

    Yeah, Niya is the one who Ved was in love with. Thank god for that. I had to exin about the threats against her to Sreesha, because she caught Julie taking care of a few guys in her style. She confronted us. I¡¯ve no other choice but to reveal the truth to her. She was quite shaken for about one week but with the help of her friends and my charms, she¡¯s fine now.

    At least I hope she is!

    We still didn¡¯t know anything about her stalker and the slips are less due to tight security around the house. But they didn¡¯t stoppletely. I wish this all will end soon.

    As Sreesha now knows about Julie being her bodyguard in-home and Ron and Sean outside the house. She took it well I guess; I didn¡¯t get into more trouble than sleeping on the couch a few days. No biggie!

    Who am I kidding? Those days were like hell. She didn¡¯t even allow me to touch her and sleeping on a couch in nights without her beside me was pure and utter hell. I used to sneak into bed in the middle of the night and hold her in my arms before sleeping. You know what she would do in the mornings? She used to pinch me hard to wake me up.

    Ouch!

    I know right!

    ¡°Karthi, hey!e out of your dreand and help me with cooking. They will be here in less than an hour¡± she said waving her spat before my face. She started calling me Karthi after a few days of our confession. I love it when she calls me Karthi and hates it when our friends tease me using it. I smiled and pulled her on myp, she shrieked a little, alerting Julie who came running towards the living room. One nce at us, she got the message and left us shaking her head. Sree and Julie get along well after the revtion of the truth behind Julie¡¯s arrival.

    ¡°You Idiot let me go! What will Julie think? Leave me, unlike you I need to cook¡± she said smacking my back of the head. She became more violent. I now know, why Tej and Ved used to say ¡®I pity you, bro¡¯ment.

    ¡°We can always order from our restaurant or your husband is capable of hiring a chef for you wifey,¡± I said winking at her, she just rolled her at me.

    ¡°You want us to be teased by all our friends including your parents? You know we can¡¯t hear the end of this when ites to mom¡± she said rubbing her forehead snuggling into me. I kissed her forehead and circled my arms around her waist making it impossible for her to escape. Not that she¡¯s going to leave me like that, but I just want to make sure she won¡¯t leave now. Who cares about this dinner anyway?

    ¡°I need to go and cook¡± she whined.

    ¡°Julie can do that¡± I said kissing her hair.

    ¡°She¡¯s not our maid Karthi, it would be rude to leave her alone in the kitchen. Let me go¡± she said not even trying to get out of my hold. I smiled and started pestering small kisses on her cheek and then her jawline and then her neck¡­

    A snap sound of a camera and a throat clearing bought us back to the real world. There stood my enemy a. k. a my mom with a smug face holding a camera and beside her stood my dad grinning ear to ear. Why the hell is everyone hell-bent on interrupting us?

    We stood up instantly which lead Sree to drop her spat on my head. I groaned and look back at my mom who¡¯s holding her camera snapping more pictures whileughing at me.

    ¡°Aww look at this picture Vinay and this one was hrious¡± showing the pic of me holding my head. ¡±They¡¯re so cute, I think its Instagram worthy picture¡± showing her achievement to my dad.

    ¡°Mom, don¡¯t do that! You know I hate it when you upload my pictures on social media right? Please, mom¡± I pleaded her when she narrowed her eyes when I shouted at her first.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.

    ¡°Leave that poor boy alone Malini, we¡¯re way more romantic than them in the earlier days of our marriage. He didn¡¯t get any of my charms thou¡± dad said shaking his head.

    ¡°As if! You always used those cheesy Pickup lines and failed miserably. I don¡¯t know why I married you in the first ce¡± mom said huffing.

    ¡°What? You didn¡¯t want to marry me? Then why did you say ¡®yes¡¯ when I proposed to you? I could¡¯ve been a free man and got manydies using my charms¡± Dad said shaking his head feigning a regretful look.

    ¡°Yeah, and I might have married my longtime crush Harish and¡­¡± my dad cut her off shaking her violently ¡°what? Longtime crush? Who¡¯s he? How dare you say that you wanted to marry someone other than me? What about me huh?¡± Dad yelled shaking with anger and hurt look.

    ¡°You¡¯re the one who started it. You¡¯re the one who said you could have got moredies if you didn¡¯t marry me. Do you regret marrying me? I always thought you¡¯re the best husband but here you¡¯re talking about otherdies¡± mom said feigning tears.

    ¡°Oh no Mali! I was just kidding when I said about otherdies. Who want others when I have you with me forever? I love you and only you. Stop crying. You know I love it when you cry in happiness, not with sadness¡± dad said wiping her tears and hugging her.

    ¡°I love you too,¡± mom said and winked at us.

    All this is an act? I should have known!

    Sree and I looked at each other and sighed.

    I¡¯m d Sree is not spending more time with mom.

    I cleared my throat to remind them that their son is still here with his wife. They released each other and rolled their eyes at me.

    ¡°Next time remember you¡¯re no teenagers and you¡¯d a son who¡¯s married,¡± I said in annoyance.

    ¡°He¡¯s just jealous dear, let me go and help Sree in cooking I have a hunch that your son didn¡¯t let her finish cooking,¡± mom said smirking.

    Not again!

    The sound of doorbell saved me from their non-stop teasing. My parents must have used the spare key. I opened the door, revealing Tej and Anvika. I raised an eyebrow at them, they just shrugged. I just let the door open for others who will be here at any moment.

    A loud bang followed by a string of curses fills the house indicating the Tom and Jerry of our friends Nihal and Anju¡¯s arrival. How did they end up in the same car without trying to rip each other¡¯s heads off?

    In less than ten seconds after their arrival, they started their bickering again. Why don¡¯t they realize that they like each other and save us from this show? Not that I¡¯mining, its quite entertaining but they need to stop once in a while at least.

    Veni arrived a bitter.

    Sree finished cooking and entered the living room with a smile on her face looking at our friends and gave each of them a hug.

    We¡¯re all waiting for a lovey-dowey couple of our group enjoying our personal Tom n Jerry show.

    A loud cheerful voice interrupted saying

    ¡±Guys, we¡¯re getting married¡±

 Chapter 24

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡°Guys, we¡¯re getting married¡± A very familiar cheerful voice filled the living room putting a full stop to Anju and Nihal¡¯s banter, Tej and Anvika¡¯s ogling, mom¡¯s teasing, dad¡¯s ¡®how to woo your wife¡¯ speech to Karthi and a loud thud from Veni.

    Wait, what?

    Damn! She¡¯s more shocked than everyone else.

    She fainted!

    Poor Veni!

    You¡¯re supposed to help her idiot! She doesn¡¯t want your sympathy now.

    I was the first one to recover and react, everyone was still in shock looking at both Newly engaged couple and Veni.

    Can you me them?

    Julie sprinkled some water on Veni¡¯s face. She groaned in pain. Her head might have hit the ground hard. She looked around like she wants to remember what caused her to end up on the ground. She found the persons who caused this and threw an using re at them.

    ¡°Huh? Why is everyone reacting like this? We¡¯re just getting married¡± Niya sent an using re at us ¡°see, I told you it is not a good idea, now look at them, looking at us like we¡¯d grown another head¡± Added looking at Ved.

    ¡°Can you me them, baby? You almost tried to kill me when I first met you after all those years. Not to mention the handprints on my cheek took two days to fade. You gave me two months of different kinds of torture to test me whether I was serious with you¡± we all winced at the mention of tortures he went through except Niya, she just rolls her eyes at him ¡°And you epted me after writing a list of pros n cons. You literally kicked out poor Karthik from his own house just to discuss us with this mouse.¡± Pointing at me, I just smirked at him remembering that day ¡±Later you came up with a long list of ¡®what to do and what not to do¡¯ in our rtionship which I¡¯m pretty sure who gave you half of the ideas. Stupid mouse.¡± he muttered thest words.

    ¡± Poor Veni has no idea about all these as she went to visit her Aunt in another state¡± He mumbled.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to marry me?¡± She said sniffing. Then he realized what a big mistake he¡¯d done. He just hugged her to his chest murmuring soft words.

    ¡°Of course, I do baby. I¡¯m not a fool to let you go again. If you want me to go through all the punishment you gave me again, I would do it without thinking twice. I¡¯ll do anything just to stay beside you, to love you for the rest of eternity, you¡¯re my world baby don¡¯t forget that okay?¡± He hugged her burying his head in her hair, she just nodded and showed a thumb at us, winking.

    I should have known!

    I just want to know, whether she was rted to mom or not.

    I should try to spend more time with them and learn some tricks to keep my husband on his toes.

    ¡°I should keep my wife away from both of them¡± I heard Karthik mumbling to himself. I raised an eyebrow at him, he just shrugged pulling his best innocent face.

    ¡®I should definitely ask mom to teach me some of her skills¡¯ I thought, smirking to myself.

    ¡°Enough you two. End the show ande and give me a hug. We should celebrate this moment. Come let¡¯s talk while having dinner, the table is set¡± mom said pping her hands.

    We congratted the couple hugging them. Anju started jumping up and down saying something about shopping. I groaned at the mention of shopping, it¡¯s not my thing and I suck at new fashion and trends. All my shopping was done by my mother and her friends. She didn¡¯t even care to ask what color of saree I want for my wedding. Maybe it¡¯s fun to shop when we actually love the groom. I nced at Karthik and released a sigh. If I knew I would fall for my husband, I would have done my wedding shopping all by myself. He looked at me questioningly, I shook my head giving him a half-smile making him frown.

    ¡±What is your parent¡¯s reaction Ved¡± Veni asked still frowning. I should talk to herter, she¡¯s not herself from the day she returned from her Aunt¡¯s house. I wonder what happened to her. She was out for 3 months taking care of her Aunt who got into a car ident.

    Ved shrugged and said ¡±Dad wished us luck, where mom being mom, she fainted¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Everyone said once.

    We should really try singing choruses, our voices are good together.

    I think I lost it this time. Why Am I thinking about singing chorus now?

    ¡±Yeah. That¡¯s the reason why I asked all of you react the same way as Aunty did¡± Niya said frowning.

    ¡±It¡¯s nothing Niya, we¡­ I don¡¯t know much about your rtionship and you gave me a shock saying you¡¯re getting married and the guy is none other than Ved, who you used to despise all these years. So, it kind of umm happened¡± Veni exined and Ved winced at the mention of despising him.

    ¡°What about your Aunt and Uncle Niya? Did they approve of him?¡± Niya lost her parents when she was 18, her Aunt and Uncle took her under their wing. More like living in her house and ordering her to do things. She kind of turned into rebel when they tried to set her marriage without her consent. She threatened them to file a police case about this and even living in a rented apartment with her own money which she earns working for Anju¡¯s dad.

    ¡°Who gives a shit about what they think? I asked them to give me my property back. Let¡¯s say they¡¯re not happy with the news and started threatening my life. You know about Ved right, he took care about that issue without my knowledge until I get the documents of my house and fewnd documents. I wouldn¡¯t have asked for them if they didn¡¯t have my parents and my childhood memories in that house¡± Niya said with tears. Ved consoled her side hugging. I smiled at them praying god to give them more happiness in their lives. They deserve happiness than anyone else.

    ¡±Enough of this melodrama. I want you guys to apany me to my wedding shopping. We don¡¯t have more time and it¡¯s only in like two weeks from now¡± she said excitedly.

    ¡°Two weeks? Isn¡¯t it too early? I mean there is a lot of things to do and not to mention, the wedding hall, decorations, jewellery¡­¡± Niya cut off Tej¡¯s sentence saying ¡±I don¡¯t want a grand wedding Tej. A small and simple one will do. I want Karthik and Sreesha to give me away to Ved in the wedding¡± she looked at us hopefully.

    ¡±If it is okay with you guys¡± she added hesitantly. I was on the verge of tears and Karthik is also in the same position as he treats all my friends as his own sisters. Karthik literally jumped out of his seat and pulled Niya to a hug.

    I was stunned by his sudden behavior. Karthik never showed his emotional side to anyone other than his parents, friends and me.

    ¡°I would love to, but you have to give me all the rights to kill him if he ever tries to hurt you,¡± he said wiping Niya¡¯s tears.

    ¡±I would apany you kicking his butt¡± Nihal said ruffling her hair.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.

    ¡±He knew me too well to even think about hurting you di¡± Tej said pulling all three of them into a group hug. This time I didn¡¯t stop my tears. She deserves this. She deserves all the happiness in the world.

    ¡±And you think I¡¯ll leave him alone?¡± Anju and I said at a time andughed wiping our tears. Veni just hugged her saying she loves her.

    ¡±So, Ved don¡¯t forget I have a gun with a license okay?¡± Dad said we looked at him shocked.

    ¡±What? My son is giving her away which makes her practically a family member, I don¡¯t mind having another daughter other than Sreesha¡± dad added shrugging.

    ¡±I don¡¯t mind too; I do have a spat and new set of kitchen knives to hurt Ved¡± mom said shrugging like it was nothing.

    She pulled Niya into her embrace and dad pulled both of them into his.

    ¡°Wow, I feel so loved,¡± Ved said aloud, sarcastically.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry bro, you have me¡± a voice startled us.

    Anvika?

    ¡°What? I don¡¯t mind having a brother too¡± she added shrugging.

    Did she know how much it meant to Ved? He treats me as his sister and all but I¡¯m his friend first. But Anvika can be his fulltime sister. I grinned at her.

    ¡°You want to be my sister? You¡¯ll help me deal with the bride¡¯s family on our wedding day? You¡¯ll be there to give aarthi to us when we¡¯re about to step into the house? And ask our names before allowing us into our house? ¡± he asked her desperately.

    ¡°Yes Bhai, do you mind if I do all those things? I already missed Karthik¡¯s wedding, but I don¡¯t want to miss another bhai¡¯s wedding¡± she said emotionally looking at Ved and Karthik. Karthik looked at her guiltily.

    ¡°No, I would love to have a sister in my life. This mouse is not enough for me, look at her she¡¯s taking Niya¡¯s side ¡± heined.

    ¡±Don¡¯t worry bhai, I won¡¯t leave you¡± she said giving him a hug.

    I smiled looking at all of them. Everything is perfect. Everyone is happy. I want this moment to pause like this.

    But why do I feel something is terribly wrong?

 Chapter 25

    Sreesha Pov:

    Mom and dad insisted to arrange a big fat wedding for them. They tried to deny it at first but gave in eventually. Karthik¡¯s parents and Veni are taking care of venue and menu, while Karthik and I are taking care of arrangements of rituals before the wedding. Ved¡¯s parents are arranging reception and rituals after the wedding. The bride and groom are taking care of invitations and other stuff. Anju and Anvika are in charge of shopping for the bride while Tej and Nihal for Groom.

    Thank god. I didn¡¯t take the responsibility of shopping; it would have been a mess if I did.

    We moved into Karthik¡¯s parent¡¯s house because it is easy if we¡¯re staying in the same ce to take each other¡¯s suggestions. Niya, Anju, Veni, and Anvika are staying here for these two weeks. Tej and Nihal would visit in the evenings after their work.

    When Tej told me about working for Karthik¡¯s uncle I felt so happy. He¡¯s taking care of everything in-house. It was like he literally transformedpletely from a kid to a man. He changedpletely during these three months like he wanted to prove to others that he¡¯s not a kid anymore. Yeah, he behavespletely normal with me, but he forgot that I could look through his soul. Something is bothering him but he¡¯s acting like everything is fine. I need to know what¡¯s bothering him so much.

    Veni. She changedpletely into a different person. These three months must have taken a toll on her. She¡¯s not the sweet Veni who used to think matured. When I asked her to help me n a surprise for Niya, she denied saying she was not as creative as me and she would rather help Mom and dad. She¡¯s behaving oddly these days. When I confronted her, she just shrugged and said, ¡®Everyone changes with time¡¯.

    I missed the old Veni, who I used to go when I was upset with my parent¡¯s behavior.

    My parents. They didn¡¯t even call me after my marriage. It¡¯s like theypletely vanished from my life. When I mention them to Tej, he¡¯d say ¡®It¡¯s for your own good di, don¡¯t think about them. Treat your inws as your own parents. You¡¯re blessed with great inws who will put their life before to save yours¡¯.

    I agree with him. I indeed have a very loving Inws and a husband who likes me a lot, but I want a reason why I was treated like trash by my own parents. I want to know what I ever did to deserve all the ill-treatment and curses they used to use on me. If they don¡¯t want me, they could¡¯ve killed me when I was an infant right? I was always a failure for them.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± a voice pulled me out of unnecessary thoughts. Karthik, the ray of light and hope of my life stood at the entrance leaning on the door frame.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I said giving him a small smile.

    ¡°Tell me what is bothering you Sree.¡± He said sitting beside me reaching for my hand and kissing it tenderly. My heart fluttered at the mere contact of his lips on my skin.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing Karthik, just a little tired with all these arrangements and stuff. How was your day? Did you finalize the deal that you¡¯re talking about yesterday?¡± I asked trying to change the topic.

    ¡°My day was good so far and yeah; the deal is ours. And you do know I can sense when you¡¯re lying right?¡± He asked sighing.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing important Karthik. Let¡¯s go and have dinner, mom must be waiting for us. She gave off to the cook saying she wants to cook for all of us. She forbids me to enter the kitchen¡± I said pouting a little.

    ¡°That sounds like mom. She loves to cook for us. Sometimes we feel its waste of money to appoint a cook. You know dad used to forbid her from the kitchen when she hurt herself once?¡± I giggled leaning on his shoulder ¡°My grandma used to say mom was a disaster in the kitchen, she used to hurt herself with every instrument we use in the kitchen. From a small spoon to knives. One day dad got enough of her clumsiness and forbade her from the kitchen. You know about mom, right? She stopped talking to dad saying she won¡¯t talk to him until he allows her to learn cooking. Atst, he gave up. Mom learned all the secret recipes from grandma and became pro in it¡± he saidughing to which I joined immediately. Mom can be really handful. Poor dad. But they¡¯re the best couple I¡¯ve ever seen.

    ¡°How do you know all these things? You must be a kid when these things happened right? Where is your Grandma now? ¡± I asked him curiously.

    ¡°Grandma used to tell me about mom¡¯s crazy behavior and dad¡¯s suffering trying to control her. She was mom¡¯s mother. Dad used to treat her like his own mother. She died when I was doing my master¡¯s degree. She was very close to me, always teasing me about you. She was the first one who found out about you. She stole my wallet and showed it to my parents¡± wallet? What is so important about this wallet? ¡°It has your picture which I took without your knowledge¡± he answered my unasked question trying to smile through his tear-filled eyes. He must have loved her so much. I squeezed his hand. A silent gesture saying it will be okay, which he prefers more than words.

    ¡°Wait! Did you just say it is my picture that she found in your wallet? And you took it without my knowledge? How dare you? Where is the picture now? Huh?¡± I asked him, trying to lighten his mood.

    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s not my fault you didn¡¯t pay much attention to your surroundings you know. And it is still with me¡± he said giving me his wallet. It was my picture when I was in the college canteen. Probably the worst photo of mine.

    I felt like I was on cloud nine looking at it. He still had it with him. I just want to kiss the hell out of him for being this perfect. I must have done a lot of good deeds in my previous life to earn a husband like him.

    ¡°Yeah, not at all creepy Mr. Karthik,¡± I said sarcastically. He grinned at me and shrugged. ¡°What is your parent¡¯s reaction when they saw my picture in your wallet?¡± I asked him out of curiosity.

    ¡°They were shocked at first and dad was happy that I finally showed interest in a girl rather than studies and mom squealed and said-¡± he cut off his own sentence and added ¡°let¡¯s go and have dinner, I¡¯m starving ¡± he definitely trying to change the topic.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡±Not going to happen Karthik, I want to know what your mother¡¯s first impression on me¡± I said crossing my hands across my chest.

    ¡°She said that she liked you a lot,¡± he said gulping.

    ¡°I want to hear the exact words Karthik or I¡¯m going to ask mom myself¡± I threatened him while he cursed himself for being in this situation.

    ¡°No. Don¡¯t ask her. She would definitely exaggerate things and add more spice to the topic to make it more fun¡± he said with a pleading look.

    More like a puppy face.

    How can anyone resist that look from the most important person in your life?

    ¡®Don¡¯t give in easily Sreesha¡¯ I chided myself.

    ¡°I gave you an option hubby. It¡¯s either you or mom. Select one option. I honestly don¡¯t mind either ¡± I said smirking at him.

    ¡°She umm she said¡­ d to know that¡­ that¡­¡±

    ¡°That? Complete the sentence¡± I urged him. He didn¡¯t say a word.

    ¡°Mom¡± I yelled.

    ¡°She said she was d to know that I like a girl and that she thought I was a gay,¡± he said in a rush. It took me a while to let the words sink into my brain. When they did, I burst into fits ofughter.

    To which he silenced me with a toe-curling kiss.

 Chapter 26

    Karthik Pov:

    ¡°Son, can I see her today?¡± Uncle asked, making me frown.

    ¡°Uncle, how many times do I¡¯ve to tell you that you¡¯re always wee here? Sreesha would be more than delighted to meet you as you were the one who gave Tej an opportunity to achieve his dreams. Actually, she asked me many times to invite you for dinner. I didn¡¯t mention it to you because I thought you were not ready yet. So, how about youe over for dinner today and get to know my lovely wife?¡± I said lightning the conversation.

    ¡°Really? She wanted to meet me and you¡¯re telling me now? ¡± he yelled on the phone.

    ¡°Sorry uncle, we¡¯re just busy with the marriage arrangements and taking care of security at the same time. You do know the threats increased after we moved in, here right? I just want to make sure Sreesha would be safe when I was not around. And she kind of turned into a rebel these days¡± I said thinking about her antics these days. A smile spread on my lips unknowingly just by thinking about her.

    How I wish I was with her right now?

    ¡°Stop daydreaming and talk to me Karthik¡± He tried to be stern, but it came out little amused with a hint of teasing.

    ¡°I¡¯m not?¡± It came out more like a question.

    ¡°Next time you try to deny the fact, make sure you believe yourself and then try to answer others but not like questioning yourself. It¡¯s not good for a businessman like you¡± he teased me further. What is it with everyone and teasing me? Yesterday the whole gang ruined our moments together. I just wanted to kick them out of the house or abduct my own wife from all those creepy people. So, I could spend some alone time with her. After shifting here, we¡¯d to face lots of interruptions during our special bonding.

    ¡°I¡¯m not, uncle. Don¡¯t forget about dinner today night. I got to go inform about dinner to mom¡± and Sree I added inwardly.

    ¡°Okay son, I¡¯m bored here. Tej was doing all my work just because my doctor suggested me to stay away from things that make me stress, unfortunately, he was there with me listening to all the instructions doctor was giving to me. I thought he would forget them, but he started taking care of me like my own son¡± he said a bit emotionally.

    ¡°That is the reason I suggested Tej, uncle. He¡¯s not some irresponsible guy and he acts more than his age sometimes. There is a reason why I allow him¡­ no more like taking suggestions from him about this whole stalker issue¡± I said feeling proud of him. It¡¯s not his work to take care of my uncle but it¡¯s Tej we¡¯re talking about. I was very proud of him after learning from my dad that how hard he tried to support Sreesha in every step of her life from the beginning. I admire and envy him at the same time. When I was his age, I was winning hiding behind my mom as I don¡¯t want to leave with my uncle to the US so he could train me.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    Yes. He¡¯s the one who trained me to be the best businessman. It is because of him; I learned to control my emotions and became a cold businessman. That was just the exterior mask but inside I¡¯m still the same Karthik who used to be a nerd, a loner and a one-side lover who can¡¯t express his feelings towards his love of life.

    ¡°Sir, I requested you to not attend office for a few days but still you¡¯re here? Do you think I can¡¯t handle this meeting without you?¡± I snapped out of my thoughts hearing Tej¡¯s voice on the other line and uncle¡¯s frustrated sigh.

    ¡°I was bored in that empty house, kid. It¡¯s not like you would be there with me every day.¡± Uncle said.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, I can stay with you for a few days so that you won¡¯t feel lonely¡± its Tej. Where the hell did, he get the guts to talk to Jayanth Thakur that way?

    ¡°Really? You want to stay with me?¡± no words exchanged for a few seconds ¡°then I¡¯m ready to take rest and will work from home if it is needed¡± my uncle added making me frown.

    From when did he begin to take-offs from work? From when he started to listen to his employees? From when he gave in to someone¡¯s requests or orders? Damn! This boy must have done a great job winning his heart.

    ¡°Uncle, I¡¯m still online,¡± I said trying not to sound awkward. There is a throat-clearing on the other line.

    ¡°Ah¡­ yes son. I¡¯ll see you in the evening. Do you mind if I bring Tej with me?¡± He said awkwardly.

    ¡°Not at all, uncle. Sree would be delighted to meet you and Tej¡± I told him honestly. With that, I ended the call and informed mom about the dinner and asked her Sree¡¯s whereabouts. As usual, she was out with Anju to finalize decorations for the engagement ceremony.

    I left the office a little earlier so I could spend some time helping Sree in cooking. I miss the way we used to spend time in the kitchen helping each other¡­ okay maybe teasing each other. But I miss the way we used to kiss in the middle of the house without caring about the world. But here, every time I tried to talk to her, someone would snatch her like a hawk.

    When I entered the house the sight in front of me was¡­ I just don¡¯t know how to exin it. But this is what I wanted with her.

    Sree is sitting on a couch with a baby in her hands. She was smiling at the baby like it is her own. Her features were more rxed and radiant at the same time. Her smile was infectious, and happiness was evident on her face.

    If it is the way she looks when we¡¯d a kid for our self, I don¡¯t mind having loads and loads of kids.

    Hmm¡­ Maybe we should try to create a mini cricket team for India.

 Chapter 27

    SREESHA POV:

    ¡°Sreesha we¡¯re having a guest over for dinner. Guess who?¡± Mom said a little excitedly.

    When is she not excited?

    ¡°Jayanth Thakur,¡± she said proudly.

    Wait! I heard this name somewhere.

    ¡°You mean Tej¡¯s boss?¡± I asked her hesitantly.

    ¡°Yup,¡± she said doing a happy dance on the way to the kitchen.

    ¡°God! Does she really behave like this all the time?¡± Niya asked me, looking amused, I nodded smiling.

    ¡°Really? If she is like this at this age, I feel pity for uncle for dealing with her at a young age. I bet she must be a fireball at our age¡± she added looking at the way mom just disappeared.

    ¡°Tell me about it!¡± A familiar voice put a break to her mouth.

    There stood dad with a grin on his face at the edge of the stairs.

    ¡°She was indeed a handful, but I love her the way she is,¡± he said with a dreamy look on his face, stering a permanent grin on his face.

    I wish my married life would be like this in the future. Maybe even more? Until I die¡­

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, uncle, I didn¡¯t mean to say all those things but-¡± He cut off her apology waving his hand.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing dear. But I suggest you to never get on her bad side, she will never think straight when she¡¯s mad¡± he suggested with a smile on his face.

    I remember the day she warned Mrs. Sharma. she was indeed scary when she uses her cold voice. I looked around and spotted mom leaning on the wall folding her hands.

    Shoot! She must have heard his words.

    I was about to warn dad, but she gestured me to not to let him know that she was here.

    I don¡¯t mind another show for now.

    Hey, don¡¯t judge me okay? Their banter was more than entertaining than any reality shows.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare¡± Niya mumbled.

    ¡°I feel proud of myself that I dealt with her these many years you know. Once she dyed my hair pink just because I raised my voice at her the before day. I had to use a wig for a while until the color fades away. And the other time-¡±

    ¡°Are you trying to scare them Vinay? ¡± listening to mom voice dad stiffened.

    Poor dad!

    ¡°Hi honey, w-when d-did you came here? I-I was just telling them how much I¡¯m in love with you¡± he shuttered a little.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah I heard everything now, but I¡¯ll not say anything now. Guess why?¡± She said smirking. He thought for a while and looked at her wide-eyed.

    This must be something really bad!

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me it¡¯s what I think it is ¡± dad begged her. She smirked and shrugged.

    ¡°Yup. Karthik invited Jayanth bhai for dinner. Just wait until he arrives here. I wanted to see how he¡¯ll react when hees to know that you¡¯re hurting his little sister¡± she said emphasizing hurting.

    God! She¡¯s evil!

    ¡°FYI you¡¯re the one raised your voice at me and you know I just want to get back at you by ying a little prank. Of course, it¡¯s not a good view to look at you with all pink hair, I was the one who suffered by that prank¡± she added huffing.

    Maybe I should learn how to y pranks without getting caught. My husband always gets to know about my every silly prank and give me his so-called punishment.

    It¡¯s not like I don¡¯t like the ¡®punishment¡¯ because I do. But I want to prank him without getting caught at least once in my life.

    ¡°Tell me which mall I¡¯d to take you this time,¡± he said shaking his head. She acted like she was in deep thought.

    ¡°This time it is jewelry shopping. Umm¡­ I don¡¯t mind a diamond set for now¡± she told looking straight while raising an eyebrow at him.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Jewellery shopping?¡± He said frowning. One look is all it takes for him to change his words.

    ¡°Oh, why not? I¡¯d love to apany you. I¡¯m so excited¡± he said faking excitement while mumbling something under his breath. She nodded and left the living room¡­ a little sassily if I might add.

    Niya and I burst intoughter which we¡¯re holding from the moment she entered here.

    ¡°d you¡¯re not like her. My son is lucky¡± he said shaking his head.

    ¡°Vinay, add saree shopping too for what you just said¡± we heard her voice from the kitchen.

    Weughed, even more, this time like literally rolling on the floor. Niya was having a tough time getting a hold of herself. Who wouldn¡¯t when she just added another shopping spree to her tomorrow¡¯s schedule? I winced when remembered the day we went shopping. If I feel this way what will dad do?

    An image of him holding lots and lots of shopping bags in his hands while the following mom shed in my mind.

    The next thing I know I was on the floorughing my butt off. When I shared what I imagined Niya joined me on the floor while dad started chanting ¡®you guys are mean¡¯.

    A knock at the door pulled us to the real world. I went to answer it but mom beat me to it.

    ¡®It¡¯s just Veni¡¯ I thought when I look at her.

    A wailing of a baby made me look at her again.

    She¡¯s not here alone, she was standing there with a baby in her hands.

    A very cute chubby baby!

    I love kids!

    ¡°Umm actually, I agreed to babysit her for a while. Her father has an emergency and asked me to take care of her. I went to my home, but my parents were not there, and I forgot to take my keys with me. So it left me no option than to bring her here. Do you mind if I bring her inside? I really don¡¯t want to bother you guys, but I had no other choice-¡± her ramble was cut off by mom.

    ¡°Nonsense! Firstly,e on in. Secondly, why do you think like that? Who wouldn¡¯t want a bundle of joy in their home even if it is only for a few hours?¡± Mom said leading her to the room we¡¯re hanging out.

    ¡°Look we have a new member here,¡± mom said excitedly. Both Niya and dad look at us and shocked when they saw a baby in Veni¡¯s hands. Niya was the first to recover from the shock.

    ¡°Aww. Whose baby is she Veni? God, she¡¯s so cute and look at those chubby cheeks. I want to pinch them¡± she said and was about to pinch but I pped her hand away.

    What? It might hurt the baby if we pinch her.

    ¡°Veni, can I hold her? Please¡± I used my infamous puppy dog face.

    Don¡¯t judge me! We had to use it sometimes to get what we want!

    ¡°Sure¡± she mumbled while handing the baby to me. I sat down on the couch in Indian style while taking her in my arms. My inws and friends were gushing how it looks.

    It looks like I was having a baby. My own blood. Karthik and I¡¯s baby. The symbol of our love.

    Love?

    No! We¡¯re not in love. At least he doesn¡¯t love me. I know I was on the way of falling in love with him but¡­

    Do I love him?

    It gets me nowhere thinking about it right now. I started ying with the baby. She¡¯s adorable. Her parents must have one hell of a gene to create a baby like her.

    She looks like an angel.

    I fall in love with her instantly. I yed with her making baby faces and mumbling with her. Her body was so tiny, so fragile and so soft.

    I want a baby girl just like her. Maybe a boy first, so he would protect her from all the evils in the world just like Tej did.

    My train of thoughts ended when someone whispered in my ear

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind having loads of kids, maybe an 11? so we could create an Indian cricket team?¡±

 Chapter 28

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind having loads of kids, maybe an 11? so we could create an Indian cricket team?¡±

    I was startled at the familiar voice butposed myself and turned my gaze to everyone they¡¯re all busy with their little chat well except Veni. She was looking at the baby longingly. I turned my attention towards my husband who¡¯s now beside me with a smirk on his face.

    ¡°Only 11? I thought we¡¯re going to have 12 kids, like a dozen. I don¡¯t like odd numbers Karthi makes it 12 so we can have an even number of kids¡± I said like it was the most obvious thing. The look on his face was priceless. He thought I would fall for his words and feel shy like other girls.

    My poor husband!

    He doesn¡¯t know who he¡¯s dealing with I thought smirking.

    If I was the same Sreesha before marriage, I would¡¯ve either panic or feel shy for his words depending on his behavior.

    But give me some credit guys, I¡¯m spending enough time with mom to get some of her craziness. *winks*

    ¡°What?¡± He yelled gaining everyone¡¯s attention to him.

    Uh-oh, now they¡¯re going to interrogate us!

    ¡°Karthik, when did youe? Why are you shouting like that? Keep your voice low, you will wake the baby¡± Mom asked him with a knowing smile.

    This woman can read anyone easily, Be careful with her Sreesha my inner self-warned me.

    A ring of mobile phone diverted their attention to Veni. She frowned looking at the caller¡¯s name. She excused herself for a minute to attend the call and returned with a scowl and disappointed face. She was ring at the phone as she was ready to kill the person on the other side and mumbled some profanities under her breath.

    ¡®I shouldn¡¯t have given him this address¡¯ she mumbled under her breath.

    I wonder who is this ¡®him¡¯. She was the most matured and collective one, should I say sane one in our group but what the hell happened to her? She never used a bad word and she was not the one to me others. I wonder what happened in these three months. It¡¯s quite hard to get information from her. Niya and I shared a look and smirked. Who knows this ¡®he¡¯ might be the one for her? Maybe she was trying to fight the attraction between them? I might y cupid role and get them together.Copyright by N?v/elDrama.Org.

    Another love story on the way I thought of doing a happy dance inside.

    ¡°What happened Veni?¡± I asked her about giving her my best innocent face.

    ¡°Aadhya¡¯s father¡± she mumbled.

    Aadhya? Who is this Aadhya again?

    ¡°Who¡¯s Aadhya, Veni?¡± I asked frowning.

    ¡°What the? What are you doing when I was talking about the baby? Didn¡¯t I tell you that her name is Aadhya and she¡¯s 2 months 15 days old? And she lost her mother the day she born?¡± She yelled.

    I was stunned at her voice. She was never the one to raise her voice at anyone. Not even the pricks who teased her in college. But why now? Aadhya started wailing in my hands and started crying, she lost her mother? No one deserves that. That did it, Veni stared at her and literally snatched her from me and started cooing her. She took a bottle of milk from the baby bag which I didn¡¯t notice until now and began feeding her like a mother.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Sreesha, I don¡¯t mean to snap at you like that, it¡¯s just that I don¡¯t want to let her go. Her father is on his way here to pick her up¡± Her phone rang again.

    ¡°It must be him¡± she mumbled and stood up carefully with Aadhya in her hands. She gently patted her back so that she could burp easily and left to give the baby to her father.

    After 5 minutes she entered with a nk face and apologized to everyone for her rude behavior. She went to Niya and Veni¡¯s room saying she¡¯s not hungry. All of us sighed at once. Karthik was giving me ¡®what the hell just happened¡¯ look. Sure, she¡¯s not close to Karthik like Anju and Niya but they¡¯re civil.

    ¡°Okay, Sreeshaes to help me in the kitchen and Karthik go and fresh up you stink,¡± mom said trying to lighten the situation. He gave her a small smile and left, still with a confused look on his handsome face.

    I obeyed mom and went to the kitchen to start cooking. Everything is arranged and ready to cook. Mom must have done this to make work easy for me.

    ¡°She¡¯s treating the baby like her own¡± mom said standing beside me. I gave her a confused look.

    ¡°I know it might sound crazy, but Veni is too attached to Aadhya like she¡¯s her own daughter. The way she looked at you when you¡¯re cooing her with jealous filled eyes answered many unasked questions of mine. That is the reason for her to snap at you because she didn¡¯t have enough time to spend with her and the baby looksfortable with you¡± she exined patiently.

    ¡°You mean to say that she¡¯s obsessed with the baby?¡± I asked her frowning.

    ¡°No. It¡¯s not obsession Sreesha, it is called mother¡¯s love. The jealousy that she feels is because she loves Aadhya like her own¡± I nodded trying to understand what she said, ¡°you¡¯ll understand when you have your own kids¡± she said winking.

    ¡°Oh, and Sreesha I don¡¯t mind a cricket team of grandkids¡± she winked and left while I was stunned at my ce.

    How the hell does she know? She might ce a microphone on me for sure! I wonder if her ears were made of some strange material or she must be a werewolf.

    Wait! If she was a werewolf there is a chance my husband will be one of them too. It will be cool to ride a werewolf, Karthik will allow me to take me on a ride with him in his wolf form, right?

    ¡®Tell me again why do I have to be your brain again? It would be great to be a mad man¡¯s brain than to be yours¡¯ my stupid brain snapped at me.

    What is wrong with thinking of my husband as a werewolf? It would be really cool, and I¡¯m obsessed with Twilight thing and drool over Jacob. Karthik being Karthik hide all the Twilight series CD¡¯s just because I was admiring Jacob. Is it my crime to admire him many people do?

    ¡®Like your possessive husband would allow you to look at another man. He¡¯s behaving like a possessive Alpha male¡¯ my brain chided. I couldn¡¯t agree with her less.

    ¡®See, you¡¯re alsoparing him to werewolf I thought smirking at myself.

    God! Can I be any weirder than this?

    ¡°I doubt that¡± a voice near my earlobe caused me to shriek.

    ¡°God, Sree keep your voice low. Mom would be here in no time if you keep on shrieking like that.¡± Karthik said circling his hands around my waist blowing air on my earlobe. A shiver ran through my spine and goosebumps appearing on my skin in no time.

    God! Is he trying to kill me?

    He then started pestering kisses on my neck from behind making it really hard to breathe.

    I wish we¡¯re in our home so no one would disturb us.

    ¡±I wish we¡¯re in our home too sweetheart¡± he mumbled. I must have said that aloud but who cares?

    ¡°What were you thinking before I came here? You¡¯re calling yourself weird. It¡¯s not like I don¡¯t agree with you but tell me what¡¯s the reason. I¡¯m curious¡± he asked still torturing me with his kisses.

    A good kinda torture.

    ¡°I was thinking about Jacob in the Twilight series. You know the shirtless one who¡¯s hot and-¡± he didn¡¯t let me finish my sentence. He silenced me with his lips. Why the hell did I always fail to exin about his kisses? It¡¯s like with each kiss it¡¯s getting even better. Better than the kiss we shared before. He pulled away cing his forehead on mine.

    ¡°Talk about him again I¡¯ll punish you,¡± he thinks this is a punishment? I smirked.

    ¡°But he¡¯s really way hotter when he¡¯s -¡± this time it is not a gentle kiss like before. It is rough and way more exciting than the before one. It does feel like a punishment, but I love to be punished this way.

    From when I started thinking like that?

    A sound of clearing throat makes me jump away from his hold. A smirking Niya came into view with mom, who closed her eyes tightly.

    ¡°Guys, please keep it PG13 we cook here. It¡¯s not your bedroom¡± Niya said smirking.

    ¡°Please tell me they¡¯re decent, ¡± mom said still closing her eyes. Like she didn¡¯t see anything.

    She¡¯s indeed a drama queen.

    Karthi cursed himself under his breath while I re at him. I told him to stop.

    ¡®Yeah, and pigs can fly!¡¯ My enemy mocked me.

    ¡°Sreesha, go and get ready while my dear son here helps me in cooking, ¡± she said smirking at him.

    ¡°What? Why?¡± He asked as if she asked him to murder someone.

    ¡°Because I said so. Sreesha now go, shoo¡± she literally shooed me out of the kitchen. Niya was giggling uncontrobly while wiggling her eyebrows at me. I shook my head and thought to wait until you get married, then I¡¯ll be the oneughing at you.

    I got ready with a saree that mom ced on my bed and went downstairs, the guest is already here. A familiar figure arrived in front of me giving me a big bear hug. Tej.

    I turned around and saw a person who I never thought I would get a glimpse of him in my lifetime.

 Chapter 29

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡°Sir?¡± the word slipped involuntarily.

    Everyone stilled in their ces including Tej.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    ¡°I never thought I would see you again sir. You don¡¯t know me, but I know you.¡± I said beaming at sir. There are a Whirlpool of emotions passed in his eyes but one of them was¡­ fear?

    ¡°Y-You k-know m-me?¡± Sir stuttered, I frowned. Why is he stuttering like he has seen a ghost?

    But I didn¡¯t use more makeup to look like one!

    ¡°How do you know him di?¡± Tej asked in a puzzled tone.

    ¡°Yeah, he was the reason toplete my education Tej. He was the sponsor that I told you about¡± I said excitedly. He was confused and then sent a look of usation to dad. Why is he ring at dad like that?

    ¡°It is supposed to be a secret¡± sir mumbled.

    ¡°It was. But I was always curious to know the person who was paying for my studies, so, I literally begged the peon for information about you but all he said was it¡¯s confidential. So I kinda umm paid him to know about your meeting with the principal, I got to know your meeting area and followed my Principal to the parking lot where you¡¯re waiting for him. He met you there and you gave him the cheque. But I didn¡¯t get to know your name or anything. You have a very great heart to help all the poor students in our college¡± I said admiring his nature.

    No one uttered a word, not even Niya and then I realized my babble. Tej looked almost¡­ disappointed? Who does that to a guest? No wonder Mrs. Sharma said I don¡¯t fit into these rich people. Now I failed as a daughter-inw too. My father and mother were always right.

    I¡¯m just a failure.

    I don¡¯t fit into any role in life.

    I failed as a daughter for not listening to my parents. I failed as a wife for not taking care of my husband¡¯s needs. I failed as a daughter-inw today for babbling in front of a guest nheless Karthik¡¯s uncle and Tej¡¯s Boss. He is a guest and should be treated with respect.

    And here I was standing in front of him while talking my heart out.

    Mom should¡¯ve trained me in these kinds of things. She must be embarrassed with my behavior. All are looking at me like I was some alien. Tears started forming in my eyes. I shouldn¡¯t allow anyone to see them.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry sir,¡± I said and rushed into the kitchen.

    He must be thinking I¡¯m some mental case. Karthik must be humiliated by myck of manners. He must be regretting marrying me.

    ¡®Who told you to open your big mouth dumbo!¡¯ Yeah, now this good for nothing brain also scolding me. It¡¯s her work to make me understand the situation but here it is, using me of its fault.

    ¡°Sree¡± Karthik called me in a very soft voice.

    Is he not mad at me?

    ¡°Sweetheart, why are you crying? Look at me¡± he said cupping my face with his hands. A sob escaped from my lips. He sighed and hugged me tightly.

    ¡°Tell me why did you run away like that? What is bothering you?¡± He asked nting a kiss on my head resting his chin there.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m so-sorry K-Karthik. I didn¡¯t mean to hu-humiliate you. When I saw h-him I just remembered him again a-and babble all those things. H-He must be th-thinking I¡¯m some m-mental case. I-I don¡¯t know how t-to b-behave in front of r-rich p-people. Mrs. Sh-Sharma is right, I don¡¯t d-deserve to be y-your wife¡± I rambled again.

    ¡°Look at me Sree,¡± he said sternly, but I didn¡¯t dare to look at him. I must look like a roon now. Instead, I looked at the ce where I¡¯ve been crying. There is mascara everywhere on his shirt. I gasped.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Karthik, I didn¡¯t mean to spoil your shirt. Why do I have to be this stupid? I¡¯d never do something right in my life. That is why my parents always call me a failure. That is why they don¡¯t have anything to do with me after our marriage. They might be thinking a weight lifted from their shoulders because a failure like me left their lives. They might be happy after I left. I¡¯m now a burden to you. Please don¡¯t send me out of your life Karthik¡± he stilled for all the time I kept ranting about my parents. This is the first time I talked about them openly.

    He hugged me even more tightly than before and wiped my eyes with his thumbs. He cupped my cheeks again and ced his lips on mine. It was slow andpletely different like he wanted to convey something while I moved mine along with his. I tugged his hair and pressed him more into me to pour my every insecurity into that kiss. I don¡¯t care if anyone walks in on us. I need this. It¡¯s like he was assuring me something. Does that something might be our future?

    Maybe, maybe not. But he¡¯s mine for now.

    He¡¯ll be mine forever, right?

    I love you Karthik.

    There I admit it. I love him. I love him so much that I can¡¯t live if he ever wants to leave me. He is like my oxygen now.

    ¡®From when you started concentrating on science? Last time I checked you hate it.¡¯

    Not again!

    ¡°Never think I¡¯ll leave you. Do you think that low of me? Forget what your parents said and do, Sree because they¡¯re all lies. Do you think I¡¯ll be humiliated by the way you acted over there? Do you think that he will think something bad about your behavior? Let¡¯s go and ask him if he feels bad if anything it was amusing to hear your babble¡± he said winking.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go Karthik. Tell him I was sorry for my behavior¡± I said shaking my head like a kid.

    ¡°Why are you behaving like a kid Sreesha? You said nothing wrong. You told everyone about his good deeds. But paying peon for information and spoiling my shirt are crimes though, but I can punish you for thatter¡± he said thest part seriously.

    Punishment?

    Oh, that?

    ¡°Come with me,¡± he said dragging me into the hall where everyone is sitting with a frown on their face.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for running away,¡± I said looking at my feet.

    ¡°Am I that scary?¡± Karthik¡¯s uncle said. I gasped shaking my head vigorously.

    ¡°Stop it, uncle. She¡¯d been crying thinking you must have thought about her as some mental case for her ramble¡± Karthik said half-seriously, half teasingly.

    I jabbed him in his ribs to which he winced.

    ¡°Woman, that is domestic violence¡± he yelped making everyoneugh.

    ¡°Wee to the club son,¡± dad said faking a concerned face.

    ¡°What do you mean by that? He must have done something stupid, so she just jabbed him, it is not even nearly violent. If you want, I can send her to some self-defense sses so she can take care of my son¡± mom said smirking emphasizing the words take care.

    ¡°Mom, don¡¯t you dare influence her than you already have¡± Karthik tried to warn but ites out like a request to which she rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Aunty, teach me all those things to me instead of her. I would love to use them on my to-be- husband¡± Niya said excitedly. All the gents in home looked at her like she had grown another head.

    ¡°Poor Ved¡± Tej said shaking his head.

    ¡°Remind me not to bring my future wife anywhere near your mom¡± Tej whispered to Karthik which didn¡¯t go unnoticed by mom. She walked near to us with a sickly-sweet smile and held Tej¡¯s ears between her fingers. I winced looking at his painful expression.

    ¡°What are you saying, young man? Please repeat it. I can¡¯t hear properly the first time¡± she said twisting his ear more.

    ¡°Nothing aunty, please leave me,¡± Tej said painfully.

    ¡°Who is this aunty here?¡± She demanded. Tej and I looked at her puzzled.

    ¡°Call me mom you idiot. If Sreesha is calling me mom, then you should call me the same¡± she said leaving his ear.

    ¡°I can?¡± He asked hopefully.

    ¡°Yes,¡± she said cheerfully.

    ¡°Mom,¡± he said like testing the sound. He smiled like a kid who got his favorite candy.

    ¡°Mom,¡± he said again.

    ¡°Yes?¡± Mom said smiling.

    ¡°I¡¯ll bring my future wife to you. Teach her whatever you want¡± he said hugging her tightly with tearful eyes. This is what we¡¯d been craving for all these years. A finger traced my cheek wiping the tear that escaped unknowingly. My Karthik. I smiled and leaned into his touch.

    ¡°Enough of this drama lets go and have dinner,¡± she said wiping Tej¡¯s tears. It was always me who used to wipe his tears, but we have a mom to do that now.

    After dinner, sir came near me with a warm smile. I don¡¯t know why but I felt secure when he¡¯s around me like I felt when I was near Tej.

    ¡°Can I talk to you alone?¡± sir said smiling warmly. I nodded and took him to the garden.

    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry for my behavior sir,¡± I said looking at my feet feeling ashamed.

    ¡°I think I didn¡¯t introduce myself properly I¡¯m Jayanth Thakur, Karthik¡¯s Uncle that means you can call me uncle too. You¡¯re like a daughter to me dear. Trust me I didn¡¯t feel offended I was just shocked that you talked to me. I¡¯ve been asking Karthik to introduce me to you, the only girl who has the power to make Karthik smile other than his parents and friends. Now I understand why this family and Tej loves you so much¡± He said smiling.

    ¡°I can call you uncle?¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Yes,¡± he said smiling.

    ¡°Thank you so much for helping me uncle,¡± I said, an unknown emotion passed through his eyes which he covered quickly.

    ¡°My pleasure dear,¡± he said leading me back to the dining room. After dinner Niya left to attend a call. When sir-umm uncle and Tej were ready to leave, he called me near him. When I reach him, he held my hand and ced a gift box on my palm.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t get a chance to attend your marriage dear, think it is my gift for your wedding.¡± I nced at mom not knowing whether to ept it or not, she nodded positively. ¡°Open it and see if you like it¡± he added nervously.

    I opened it eagerly. Don¡¯t judge me, I¡¯m fond of gifts okay?

    I gasped when I look at the gift. It is a diamond ne. Tej frowned again and his eyes went wide for a second like he just realized something.

    A diamond ne. Who will the hell gift diamond to a no one? Mom is not even his own sister. Then why?

    ¡°Do you like it dear?¡± He asked nervously. I nodded not trusting my voice.

    ¡°Good. It belongs to you¡± he mumbled only for me to listen. He left after bidding goodbye along with Tej.

 Chapter 30

    Sreesha Pov:

    It belongs to you!

    What does that mean?

    ¡®Shut up Sreesha! He¡¯s just being polite with you because you¡¯re Karthik¡¯s wife. As for the Ne, he might order it a long time ago for Karthik¡¯s future wife, which is fortunately you. Don¡¯t think too much and spoil your mood¡¯ I chided myself.

    He seems to be nice person thou, with all the calmness and all. But Tej mentioned that he was called ruthless in the business world. Maybe all the businessmen are same? Maybe not. Nihal is definitely not a cold one and Ved, well he just took over his dad¡¯s business recently, he doesn¡¯t act cold too.

    But sadly, my husband is not one of them. I heard the way hemunicates with his employee; it was too rude. Once I heard him talking to Ron and Sean who became my good friends in the 3 months of time, I literally flinched at the tone he used on them. I couldn¡¯t help the shiver that ran through my spine, it¡¯s like I heard my father¡¯s voice instead of Karthik¡¯s.

    He never used that kind of tone on me, hopefully, would never use in the future. That tone is only for his employees not for family and friends, he exined it himself. He even told me the way his employees reacted when he smiled at them. Iughed like there is no tomorrow when he said they called Nihal to check on him just because he smiled and returned their wishes. He even said his PA Lekha literally ran out of his cabin when it happened.

    ¡°Penny for your thoughts ma¡¯am¡± Karthik¡¯s voice pulled me out of the stream of thoughts. He¡¯s there leaning on the bedside wall smirking.

    Why does he have to smirk all the time? Not that I¡¯mining though, it looks hot on him. But can¡¯t he give a break to that?

    ¡°I love it when you voice your thoughts out,¡± he said widening his smirk.

    I think I voiced my thoughts aloud again. I should really work on it from tomorrow, maybe mom can help me.

    I just want to wipe that smirk on his face.

    ¡°Wipe it off with your lips,¡± he said chuckling. I pouted. I don¡¯t want him to listen to my each and every thought. It always happens when he¡¯s around but never once with family.

    Family!

    I have a big family now. A mom, dad, brothers, sisters and an Uncle too. Never thought I would be loved by someone other than Tej and my three evil friends.

    Sure, I¡¯d a boyfriend who said he loved me and left me without a proper goodbye. I thought I loved him and wanted to marry him at that time because then I was craving for love. So, I gave him what he wanted, my virginity. Never thought he will leave me after that night, yet he did. The next morning, he left me with a note. Just a note saying it¡¯s not working out between us and I need a break from everything.

    A freaking note!

    A note?

    Note!N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    What if it is him who is stalking me?

    A shiver ran through my spine. No, it can¡¯t be him. I don¡¯t want him to ruin my life again. It took me years to get over him.

    I hate him.

    He ruined my life.

    A lone tear slipped down my cheek without my knowledge.

    ¡°Sreesha¡± A voice calling me, again and again, shaking me. I shouldn¡¯t think about him. He won¡¯te after me, would he?

    ¡°Sreesha¡± A violent shook got me out of the thoughts which are messing with my brain.

    ¡°Sree, look at me, what happened? Did anything happen when I was not around? Did uncle say anything? Sree, why are you crying?¡± Karthik said in a panic-stricken voice.

    ¡°K-k-Karthik w-wha-what if i-its h-him?¡± I stuttered.

    ¡°Him? Who? Sree, first take deep breaths okay?¡± He said stroking my cheek while wiping my tears away, I nodded. I took a few deep breaths trying to calm myself down. When he was sure I¡¯m calm, he started talking.

    ¡°Now tell me, what happened? You were fine a few minutes ago. What is it Sree? You can tell me anything, you know, that right?¡± He cajoled me in a soothing voice.

    ¡°Are you ready to talk now?¡± He whispered in my ear. I don¡¯t know how I ended up in hisp and my head against his heartbeat. It is my ce. I¡¯ll never give up this ce to anyone. What if he wants to leave me thinking I¡¯m some burden? He wouldn¡¯t, right? He¡¯s not like him.

    But what if he got enough of me and leave me to live my life myself?

    Alone?

    ¡°Sree¡± I hummed ying with his shirt buttons ¡°Are you ready to talk?¡± I shook my head negatively. I wanted some assurance. But he¡¯ll think I¡¯m also a nagging wife like other women. I closed my eyes irritated by myself.

    He sighed and took my face between his big palms and started cing kisses all over my face not even leaving a ce, except lips. Like he was marking me. I felt his breath fanning over my lips, I opened my eyes and nced at his face he was looking at me with a lot of emotions. His eyes flickered to my lips and then my eyes with hesitation.

    This time I was the one who closed the gap between us. I was the one who initiated the kiss. I don¡¯t care if he thinks I¡¯m desperate. I want it. I¡¯ve to make sure he would never leave me. All these three months we never crossed the line, or he never crossed the line thinking I was not ready. Now I¡¯m more than ready and I should let him know about that. He pulled away making me groan.

    ¡°Sree, we need to stop right now,¡± he said with his husky voice.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want me?¡± I said with a hurt-filled tone and tried to get away from him, but he holds my waist tightly stopping me.

    ¡°What? No! It is not like that. You don¡¯t have any idea how much I have to control myself when I¡¯m around you¡± he said stroking my cheek.

    ¡°Then why?¡± My voice cracked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want it to happen like this Sree. Our special moments should be cherished for the rest of our lives. Not because you¡¯re stressed. I can¡¯t take advantage when you¡¯re not thinking straight. I know you¡¯re stressed with all the things going on. But trust me, I want you more than you think, and it is bing too hard nowadays¡± he said nuzzling his face in the crook of my neck hugging tightly making it impossible for me to breath. His breath was tickling on my soft spot making my breath stop.

    God! Why does he have this effect on me, when I¡¯ve nothing on him?

    He sighed against my skin.

    Is he trying to kill me right now?

    Idiot!

    ¡°I like it when you call me that¡± he mumbled against my skin. I sighed. What can I do? I said it aloud again. I want to hit my head on the nearest wall.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t like it¡±

    huh?

    ¡°I love it!¡± He added.

    He pulled away after¡­ after umm? I didn¡¯t know the exact time. Minutes? Hours? Who cares when it felt this good? Sure, it was a torture but a pure sweet torture.

    From when I became this sappy?

    Damn! This guy is not a good influence on me.

    ¡°Stop spacing out again and tell me why you¡¯re crying a while ago all of a sudden,¡± he said sternly. I almost forgot about it. I cleared my throat.

    ¡°K-Karthi umm you¡¯ll n-never l-leave me, right?¡± I stuttered ying with my fingers. He sighed and intervened his right-hand fingers with mine while cing his left on my waist holding it securely.

    ¡°How many times do I have to tell you that you can¡¯t get rid of me in this life?¡­ may be in theing lives too?¡± He said in a slightly irritated voice.

    ¡°I know. But do you still want me with all this baggage and insecurities?¡± I asked him nervously.

    What if he says No?

    ¡°Sree, I like everything about you, I don¡¯t care about the baggage you mentioned. Everyone has to fight their own demons at one stage of our life. As for your insecurities, I¡¯ll try to reduce them as much as possible¡± he exined patiently.

    ¡°Is this the reason you cried?¡± He added.

    ¡°No. Umm I think I know who is this stalker¡± I mumbled, he looked stunned.

    ¡°W-who?¡± He stuttered.

    ¡°I think it is Manoj¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Manoj?¡±

    ¡°My ex,¡± I said looking down. He didn¡¯t utter a word for a while. I know it¡¯s hard for him to digest the fact that I loved someone and even slept with him.

    Maybe he is feeling disgusted with me. He was just trying to make this work between us. Who wants a wife someone like me?

    ¡±Why do you think it was him?¡± He asked after a while there is some change in his voice.

    ¡°He left a note and disappeared,¡± I said and started exining everything. I don¡¯t want to hide anything from him. I want to tell him what really happened. So I did. The next question he asked me to make me stilled at my ce.

    ¡°Do you still love him?¡± His voice was emotionless.

    Do I still love him?

 Chapter 31

    Karthik Pov:

    Why does it have to be thisplicated to console a crying woman? I never tried to console a crying woman, well except Anvika of course, she was my only best friend in girls. I can¡¯t say I did my best to make her feel better but Nihal was pro in making herugh in tough scenarios.

    Think about your crying wife dumbo!

    I know it¡¯s better not to force her to talk right now, so I just hug and let her cry. I can¡¯t stand her tears but now it¡¯s better to let her cry than to let her wallow herself in self-pity. I know she went through a lot in her parents¡¯ house, if it is up to me, I would¡¯ve taken her away from a long time ago.

    She is the most precious thing that ever happened to me.

    Her sobs died down after a while but not her tears. I wonder who caused her this, I don¡¯t mind tearing them apart even if it is her own father.

    ¡± K-karthi umm you¡¯ll n-never l-leave me, right? ¡± what? From where she got this idea¡­ again? I cursed under my breath.

    ¡°How many times do I have to tell you that you can¡¯t get rid of me in this life?. may be in theing lives too?¡± I said slightly irritated.

    What? This is not the first time she¡¯s asking this question and I tried to assure her as much as I can. I never treated her badly, I never uttered a word against her and for god sake, I restrained myself from touching her against her will.

    ¡°I know. But do you still want me with all this baggage and insecurities? ¡± she asked me nervously.

    I tried hard to reduce her insecurities and worked on trust issues as much as I can. I even told her she was my first kiss keeping my ego aside. What more can I do to earn her trust?

    If I tell her ¡®I love you¡¯ she might freak out and cry even more than this.

    This is all because of her good for nothing father and a useless mother.

    ¡°Sree, I like everything about you, I don¡¯t care about the baggage you mentioned. Everyone has to fight their own demons at one stage in their life. As for your insecurities, I¡¯ll try to reduce them as much as possible¡± I exined to her patiently.

    ¡°Is this the reason you cried?¡± I added. I have a feeling that this is not the only reason she cried.

    ¡°No. Umm I think I know who this stalker is,¡± she said slowly, I froze in my ce.

    ¡°W-who?¡± I stuttered.

    How? Did she meet him? I took every safety measure to keep her away from all these things, then how the hell did she find out him before us? I even hired a private investigator to find the stalker but no use. Sure, the notes were reduced when we¡¯re in our home but here they increased. With all these wedding preparations and all, there are many people around the house, so it is easy to slip a note in our mailbox. I even arranged a couple of guards other than Ron and Sean without her knowledge when she was in public. But how the hell does she know him?

    ¡°I think it is Manoj¡± she mumbled avoiding my eyes.

    ¡°Manoj?¡± I know who he is. The person whom I despise after her father. It¡¯s her ex. But he looked very genuine when he was dating her but looks could be deceiving right?

    ¡°My ex,¡± she said looking down. I need to calm myself down before I act in this situation, so I kept quiet for a while. Sure, I don¡¯t care about her past but I couldn¡¯t help but feel jealous knowing he was her first in everything.

    I hate him!

    ¡°He left a note and disappeared,¡± she said and started exining everything. As in everything from her first meeting with him to thest encounter. How he proposed her, how he used to treat her like she was the only one for him and how she gave up herself thinking they might end up together. How he left leaving a piece of freaking note without any exnations. I was beyond furious now.

    I shouldn¡¯t be thinking like this but what if she still loves him? From what I hear, she loved him. She loved him so freaking much and that scumbag left her just like that like she was nothing.

    The question that haunting me right now was what if she still loves him?

    She wouldn¡¯t, right?

    But what if?

    ¡°Do you still love him?¡± The question left my mouth involuntarily in a hard tone, which I never used her before. She stilled in my arms.

    I closed my eyes and started taking deep breaths controlling my rage. I don¡¯t know how I¡¯m going to control myself if she says she still loves him.

    Maybe I should take meditation sses from now.

    She silently slipped away from my hands and I clenched my hands and jaw involuntarily.

    Don¡¯t you dare cry listening to her answer. Men don¡¯t cry. I chanted mentally.

    ¡°Ouch¡± A soft material hit my head.

    Again.

    Again.

    And again.

    ¡±What the -¡± I was cut off by another hit on my face.

    When I opened my eyes now, I¡¯m in front of a raging bull a. k. a my wife. I never saw her this angry. She started hitting me again.

    ¡°Sree¡± one more hit on my cheek.

    ¡°Sree listen -¡± this time on my head.

    The pillow is soft but she¡¯s using all her energy in every hit.

    ¡±Listen? What do you want me to listen? You stupid! What do you think of me? Do you think I¡¯ll go around and kiss you when I still in love Someone else? You good for nothing piece of shit! I¡¯ll kill you right now. Do you think I lied to you when I said I actually like you? How dare you to doubt my feelings for you? Just wait there¡­ I¡¯ll show you my feelings for you right now. It is Rage and I¡¯m going to kill you now¡± And then she started hitting again after her little speech.

    Despite of her curses I¡¯m grinning like an idiot not even bothering to dodge her attempts to hit me. I¡¯m beyond happy to care of them right now.

    Yayy! She doesn¡¯t love him anymore.

    I think she was tired of hitting me, but little did I know she was nning worse.

    Ssh!

    I¡¯m now literally drenched in water. Completely wet. I feel like a wet dog.

    Did she just dump water on me?

    When did my Sree be this violent?

    I jumped out of the bed and tried to go near her to control her, but she threw ab this time.

    Wrong move!

    The next thing is myptop! Oh god, no!

    There was too much of important stuff in that. Please Sree. No. Not that.

    She looked at it and my face and ced it on the bed carefully. I sighed in relief thinking the war was over. She acts matured even she¡¯s mad.

    Then she started throwing everything from the vanity table, from a small pin to lipstick.

    When I said everything, I mean everything.

    Luckily, I dodged as much as I can.

    ¡°Run¡± she yelled taking a sharp thing in her hands.

    Sharp thing? What is it? Why is she keeping sharp objects in our room?

    What is it called again?

    I¡¯ve no idea.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    Do you want to know that thing name right now? Seriously Karthik?

    ¡°Run!¡± she said again in a threatening voice.

    I did as she said. The smart idea ever because she¡¯s right behind me holding that thing while I ran for my life.

    Never had I ever take Sree as a violent kind of a person.

    I ran downstairs to avoid an encounter with my parents. If they see this scene, I¡¯ll never hear the end of it. Not to mention her friends are still here next door to my parent¡¯s.

    ¡°Sree, calm down I¡¯m sorry,¡± I said breathlessly from the other side of the couch. But she was trying really hard to catch me.

    She kinda looks really hot now with that red face and her hair all over her face.

    It is not the right time to think about it, idiot! Run for your life.

    She threw her weapon but to my luck, it missed the target a. k. a me.

    Then I ran into the kitchen, but little did I know there were a lot of weapons which can be used against husbands. I turned to escape this ce as soon as possible but my wife is just behind me with a spat in her hand while tapping her foot impatiently with azy smirk on her face.

    ¡°What the hell is going on here?¡± My dad¡¯s voice boomed around the kitchen.

    ¡°Dad, save me from her¡± I cried out. He looked at me and her and realized my situation.

    ¡°And why would I? When you never saved me from your mom¡¯s wrath? What did you do to get on her bad side anyway?¡± My dad said amused by the scene in front of him.

    Sree silently slipped her weapon on the counter and smiled at him like an innocent angel.

    Just before a minute, she looked like a female version of HADES.

    ¡°What the hell happened to my house¡± mom¡¯s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

    ¡°Ah! Nothing they are just ying around¡± dad said smirking. I pleaded him with my eyes not to tell my mom. If she gets to know about this, our whole gang will know within less than a minute.

    ¡°ying?¡± She threw a confused look at my dad.

    ¡°Yeah! More like Sreesha ying with our son¡¯s life like you did with mine¡± he said smirking at me.

    ¡°Excuse me? Did you just say I yed with your life?¡± My mom asked narrowing her eyes at dad.

    Serves him right!

    ¡°No dear, Sreesha here just chasing our son with a spat in her hand. Looking at our son¡¯s position she did hit him more than once. Look at the way they¡¯re panting, only the experienced person can say how much he ran for his life¡± he said winking at mom.

    ¡°How dare you to hit my son?¡± My mom¡¯s voice boomed around the kitchen.

    Sree literally shivered to listen to her voice.

    ¡°Alone?¡± She addedter. ¡°You could¡¯ve called me for help or at least recorded it for me,¡± She said winking at her. Now she rxed visibly.

    ¡°Domestic violence is too much in this house¡± my dad mumbled, and I nodded in agreement.

 Chapter 32

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡°Do you still love him?¡± He asked using his cold voice.

    Do I still love him?

    ¡®Eww, why are you even thinking about it?¡¯ My brain chided.

    ¡®To give him what he deserves?¡¯

    ¡®Please don¡¯t tell you¡¯re nning to hug him and say ¡®No, Karthik. I love you and only you¡¯ like in those daily soaps¡¯ I rolled my eyes at her stupidity.

    ¡®Of course not! Do I look like a daily soap heroine or something? ¡®

    ¡®Now stop talking and get back to work. Teach him how to control his stupid mouth¡¯

    ¡®Finally! We agreed on something ¡®

    ¡®Yeah, yeah don¡¯t get used to it¡¯

    I slowly slipped out of his grip and took a pillow and started hitting him. He was startled by the way I reacted, but can you me me? He was the one who asked that ridiculous question. I hit him using all my strength, but it is of no use, he is way stronger than me. So, the next thing I know I was throwing ab, at him followed by all the things on the vanity table.

    When I find a sharp object all I said was ¡®RUN¡¯. And he did. I chased him downstairs and we ended up in the kitchen. I smirked when I realised we¡¯re in the kitchen.

    Kitchen, the ce where everything can be used as a weapon. Even a spat can be a weapon if you want.

    So, I took a spat in my hands and waiting patiently for him to notice me. When I saw the look on his face, I smirked satisfied and begin tapping my foot feigning impatience.

    Let me tell you, it was quite a scene to scare the shit of your husband.

    And I¡¯m actually doing it now.

    I me it on mom!

    She was the one who spoiled me.

    Yeah! Like you haven¡¯t made Ved¡¯s life living hell when he manhandled Manoj.

    I literally cringed at the thought of him. He was not worth being in my memories too.

    God, I despise him a lot.

    ¡±What the hell is going on here?¡± dad¡¯s voice boomed around the kitchen.

    Uh-oh

    The question is¡­

    What the hell Am I going to say?

    Karthik nced at dad and sighed in relief. He looked at him like dad was his Knight in the Shining Armour.

    Yeah, right!

    ¡°Dad, save me from her¡± he cried out. Dad looked at him and then me, his curved into a half-smile.

    ¡°And why would I? When you never saved me from your mom¡¯s wrath? What did you do to get on her bad side anyway?¡± dad said amused by the scene in front of him.

    He said what?

    ¡®Looks like mom had dealt with dad the same way before. Hmm, maybe it¡¯s not a one-time thing thou..¡¯

    I just slipped the spat in its ce while Karthik is ring at him and sent my infamous (not so) Angelic smile to dad which I mostly use on Tej and Ved when I wanted something.

    He gave me a ¡®you¡¯re-anything-but-angel¡¯ look.

    Hey, one can try, right?

    ¡°What the hell happened to my house¡± mom¡¯s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

    ¡°Ah! Nothing they are just ying¡± dad said smirking.

    ying?

    ¡®Yeah, you yed with his life a few minutes ago¡­ just search your memory I¡¯m sure you¡¯re not Ghajini or something ¡® a voice mocked me from the back of my head.

    But being a very polite person, I was, chose to ignore it.

    ¡°ying?¡± She threw a confused look at my dad.

    ¡°Yeah! More like Sreesha ying with our son¡¯s life like you did with mine ¡± he said smirking at Karthik.

    Oh no!

    The look on her face was indeed scary.

    ¡°Excuse me? Did you just say I yed with your life?¡± My mom asked narrowing her eyes at dad.

    Please tell me she¡¯s not mad at me. Please god, she can be scary if she wants to.

    ¡°No dear, Sreesha here just chasing our son with a spat in her hand. Looking at our son¡¯s position she did hit him more than once. Look at the way they¡¯re panting, only the experienced person can say how much he ran for his life¡± he said winking at mom.

    ¡°How dare you to hit my son?¡± My mom¡¯s voice boomed around the kitchen.

    I literally shivered, listening to her voice which she never used on me before.

    ¡°Alone?¡±

    Wait, what?

    ¡±You could¡¯ve called me for help or at least recorded it for me¡± She said winking at her.

    Here is the mom I know.

    Umm the offer is really tempting thou¡­

    ¡°Domestic violence is too much in this house¡± my dad mumbled and Karthik nodded in agreement.

    She took one threatening step towards, but a buzz interrupted my fun. The buzz indicates someone was here to meet us.

    But its almost 11 pm?

    Who might it be?

    Mom attended the inte and gave permission to the person to enter the house.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go get Veni, you attend the door,¡± mom said before leaving to fetch Veni.

    Veni? But why?

    I went to the door and came face to face with a man I never met with a crying baby in his hands.

    Wait, what?

    A baby?

    It¡¯s none other than Aadhya. Oh my!

    ¡±Give her to me¡± I practically snatched the baby from him and tried to calm her down a little, but no luck.

    She might be looking for her mother. Poor baby! I wish I has some experience dealing with infants. I heard voices behind me, more like Karthik apologizing for my rudeness and invited him in.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± I mumbled to Aadhya¡¯s father. He just nodded.

    He seems like he is in histe twenties. He was looking at his daughter with a lot of pain in his eyes. I take a good look at him, he looks like a mess with beard and eyes was red, dominating his natural eye colour. It¡¯s already hard on his part to lose his wife, dealing with a 3-month-old baby added more misery to his life I guess.

    The baby cries are loud now, I failed to make her stop crying.

    Maybe I¡¯m not good enough to have kids for myself, maybe I would be a bad mother to my kids.

    When I was deep in thoughts, a crying Veni stood in front of me. I passed Aadhya to her and she started rocking her chest after cing the baby in herp, surprisingly she stopped crying and smiled at Veni.

    I envied and admired her at the same time.

    Karthik and dad looking at her admiringly while mom smiling at her proudly.

    Am I that bad in dealing with kids?

    ¡°Can I have a word with you¡­ alone?¡± the nameless guy said looking at us. Mom and dad left to their room.

    ¡°Sree, umm wait for me in the kitchen while I talk to him¡­ please¡± she looked vulnerable. I wish I knew what the real problem was, so I might help her and took away all her pain. I want my old Veni back, who was like a rock when I needed her. I want to y the same role for her, all I want is, for her to open up to me. She was bottling up all her emotions which is not good for her.

    Trust me, I know how it feels.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    ¡°Okay¡± I gave her a small smile before leaving them alone.

    I don¡¯t know why, but all I think about is Aadhya. If I couldn¡¯t make a baby to stop crying, how the hell I would be a good mother to my children.

    What if I fail as a mother too?

    ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking Sree, don¡¯t think negatively,¡± Karthik said following me into the kitchen.

    ¡°Pfft¡­ I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about¡± I tried to act normally but my voice cracked a little at the end.

    Stupid Sree, get a grip on your emotions.

    ¡°Sree, you¡¯re not bad at dealing/ taking care of kids, That baby is used to Veni I guess. So please don¡¯t overthink about this¡± he said cupping my cheeks with his palms.

    ¡°O-okay¡± I mumbled kissing his palm lightly.

    What would I do without him?

    He was the best ever thing that happened to me.

    I¡¯ll be forever indebted to Tej for selecting him for me.

    One look at his eyes is all it takes me to fell into his trance. It¡¯s like he just cast a spell on me.

    Isn¡¯t it a crime to be this handsome?

    Maybe not!

    If it is, he would¡¯ve been in jail since forever.

    He slowly started leaning in, my eyes fluttered closed. I couldn¡¯t look at him without blushing like a tomato, to which he teases even more than he already has.

    I felt him cing his lips on my left eye and then on right, and then on the nose which I scrunched a little when it tickled and then a long lingering one on my forehead, A few sloppy kisses on both the cheeks and then-

    A throat clearing interrupted us, he cursed under his breath and left the kitchen nodding at Veni. Aadhya is still with her.

    ¡°Umm I don¡¯t know how to tell you Sree, but will you sign as a witness in my marriage?¡± She mumbled not looking at my eyes.

    She said what?

    What is the date today? It must be April 1st. But its June!!!

    ¡°What?¡± I yelled, she red at me showing the sleeping baby in her arms.

    ¡°I¡¯m getting married to Arjun for baby¡±

 Chapter 33

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡°I¡¯m getting married to Arjun for baby¡±

    ¡°What the hell did you just say?¡± I half-yelled.

    This must be some kind of a sick joke. How can someone marry for a kid who¡¯s not even hers?

    ¡°Sree, stop yelling, Aadhya will be awake if you start talking that loud¡± Veni said shaking her head.

    I took a deep breath to calm myself and said: ¡°Are you keeping her tonight?¡± She nodded; my guess was right.

    Try to stay calm Sreesha, talk to her without bursting out like a volcano.

    Do remember she¡¯s the sane one, not you! My stupid brain offered.

    Yeah, like she just took the world¡¯s best decision.

    You don¡¯t know what she went through, so shut up and listen to her. Who knows she might have a reason for all the things she was doing? My brain chided.

    I¡¯ll listen to her because I love her, not because you said.

    Whatever!

    ¡°Okay, you can take the room next to yours, it has a crib and a bed too¡± I said and added, ¡°We need to talk about this with Anju and Niya too¡±.

    ¡°Thank you. We¡¯ll talk to them tomorrow, but I want you to support me when I talk to them. Let¡¯s take this conversation somewhere else¡± she said looking at the baby.

    After settling the baby in the crib, I dragged her to the balcony to talk to her, we can¡¯t go too far as we need to keep an eye on the baby in case she wakes up.

    ¡°Tell me everything¡± I demanded.

    ¡°Sorry for being rude all these days Sree¡± She apologized, so she knew that she was hurting me ¡°I never intended to hurt you, it is just I was missing Aadhya so much when her father didn¡¯t allow me to see her. He was adamant about his decision saying he doesn¡¯t want me to be anywhere near her¡± I frowned.

    Why would he do that, when she was trying to help him?

    ¡°Arjun h-he is my cousin¡¯s husband and my childhood crush¡± she mumbled.

    ¡°What?¡± I whisper-yelled.

    ¡°Are you trying to say that he was the same guy, your first crush? Your Aunt¡¯s son who married your cousin? The same Arjun for whom you cried your eyes out?¡± I started my ranting.

    ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s the one¡± she mumbled looking at her feet, I smiled.

    ¡°I¡¯ll help you,¡± I said smiling.

    ¡°Please Sree, I- wait you will help me?¡± She whispered. As if she can¡¯t believe what I just said.

    ¡°But you need to be sure about your decision Veni. I get it, it¡¯s your life and all but I¡¯m your best friend and I have a right to worry about you. If marrying him makes you happy, so be it. But just think about the consequences. Just be sure you won¡¯t regret your decisionter. ¡°I said worrying about her future.

    ¡°Do you love him?¡± I added, she stunned at my question.

    ¡°I-I d-don¡¯t know Sree. I-I used to li-like him but I don¡¯t th-think I l-love h-him. I just want to be there for Aadhya. She means a lot to me.¡± She said stuttering a little.

    ¡°Before you ask me, no, he doesn¡¯t love me. I was always his Uncle¡¯s daughter who used to annoy him. He agreed to marry me for the baby, He changed many nannies, but he has to fire all of them because they can¡¯t make her stop crying. So, he had no other choice than to marry me. She only stops crying when I¡¯m with her. I was shocked the first time you took her in your arms, and she didn¡¯t cry. I was so jealous that she already took a liking towards you¡±

    ¡°B-but there is another choice Veni, you can work for him. I mean to say as a nanny for the baby or something that keeps u around the baby. Marriage is not the only solution¡± It¡¯s a better idea than marrying someone.

    ¡°Dad wants me to marry Arjun. When Di asked me to take care of her daughter, I said yes but she added one more thing to it, she wants me to marry Arjun. Arjun doesn¡¯t know about it, she tried to talk to him, but it was toote. So, dad made it clear for Arjun that if he wants me to take care of Aadhya, he should marry me in the first ce.¡±

    I gasped about this arrangement. What in the world is she talking about?

    ¡°And you¡¯re okay with this arrangement?¡± I yelled.

    ¡°I love her like my own Sree. I tried to stay away from her from the start after listening to my sister¡¯s words, but it is impossible not to love her¡± she said shrugging.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say Veni¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Then don¡¯t say anything, just help us to get married. A registered marriage.¡± She mumbled looking at her feet.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    ¡°And Uncle doesn¡¯t want a big marriage for you?¡± I asked her confused. As far as I know, Veni¡¯s dad will not allow Registered marriage as he always talks about her marriage highly. Like he wants a big fat Indian wedding for her.

    ¡°Arjun doesn¡¯t want a grand wedding Sree. Me neither¡­ it is not like we are marrying for love. So we¡¯re not informing anyone other than friends. Let dad find out itter. Arjun said he¡¯ll talk to dad after our marriage.¡±

    ¡°What the hell Veni? You want to marry him without your parent¡¯s blessings? They love you so much, how could you do this to them?¡± I yelled again. I just hope Aadhya will not wake up because of my shouting.

    ¡°Mom knows about this, Sreesha. She was disappointed but okay with the arrangement. I want you to help with our friends and Tej.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s hope Tej will not rearrange Arjun¡¯s face¡± I murmured under my breath.

    ¡°Please talk to them for me Sree¡± she pleaded with her eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯ll try¡± I said before leaving, I heard her sigh in relief.

    ¡°What took you so long and what are you doing here?¡± A familiar voice startled me. I didn¡¯t go to my room after leaving Veni¡¯s. I went straight to the upstairs to clear my mind.

    ¡°Nothing Karthik, I was talking to Veni until now,¡± I said not looking at him.

    ¡°So, the problem is big then?¡± I heard him mumbled cing his hands around the waist from behind.

    ¡°How do you know?¡± I asked him, leaning into his touch.

    ¡°You called me Karthik. You wouldn¡¯t call me Karthik unless we¡¯re with someone. So, tell me wifey, what makes you think this hard? Is this about the baby again?¡± I nodded.

    ¡°Sree, I told you not to-¡± I cut him off by saying ¡°Veni wants to marry Arjun for the baby.¡± I expected some reaction from him but all he said was.

    ¡°About time!¡±

    What the hell does that mean?

    ¡°What do you mean about time Karthik? She was trying to ruin her life. What if he doesn¡¯t treat her well?¡± I mumbled turning around cing my head on his shoulder. I¡¯m tired thinking about everything from my stalker to Veni¡¯s marriage. I hope everyone takes it well especially Anju. She can be a handful to deal with.

    ¡°Sree, Veni is not a kid. She knows what is good for her and what makes her happy. If she thinks that baby makes her happy then so be it. Who knows? Maybe they both will fall for each other hard, maybe they will learn love and respect to each other?¡± It sounds good when we listen to these kinds of things but¡­

    ¡°Don¡¯t think too much wifey, let them deal with it. I know Arjun Raizada from years. He¡¯s a nice guy. He¡¯s a business acquaintance¡± he said burying his head in the nape of my neck.

    ¡°I hope he treats her well,¡± I said sighing.

    ¡°Everything will be fine Dree, let¡¯s get you to bed, you need a lot of rest¡± he mumbled still not moving.

    ¡°I want to spend some time here,¡± I said, he nodded walking me near to the swing that is arranged here. Mom said, it is Karthik¡¯s favourite ce to think.

    He took a seat on the swing and pulled me on hisp. I ced my head on his shoulder and started thinking about today¡¯s events.

    ¡°Ask me¡± he whispered into my ears.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I know you want to ask me something Sree¡± I raised an eyebrow at him. I didn¡¯t even make a move to ask him, then how the hell did he find out? ¡°You¡¯re ying with my shirt button. That means you wanted to ask me something¡± he said as it is the most obvious thing in the world.

    ¡°Why do you think I still love Manoj ?¡± He cringed at the mention of his name.

    ¡°I was jealous¡± he whispered. I would¡¯ve missed it if I was a foot away from him.

    ¡°Jealous?¡± I teased.

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t me me. Yes, I was jealous at the mention of his name. I used to kill him in my each and every dream when you both were together with God only knows how much I hated him¡± he said tightening his grip on mine. I giggled.

    ¡°So, forgive me?¡± He asked hesitantly.

    ¡°Only if you help me convincing our friends about Veni¡¯s marriage most importantly Ved and Tej. They¡¯re protective of her. I think I can handle others¡± I said pressing a small kiss on his cheek.

    ¡°That¡¯s not the right way to kiss your husband ¡± he whined like a kid.

    ¡°Uh-huh this is all you get for pulling that stunt earlier¡± I whispered slipping away from his grip.

    ¡°Take the couch tonight, hubby¡± I said running towards our room.

    ¡°You¡± I heard him shouting. After reaching our room I made sure to keep an extra nket and pillow on the couch just in case he forgets about it.

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°I am serious hubby, now turn off the lights and sleep on the couch or else you¡¯ve to sleep there for a week,¡± I said winking at him. I know he¡¯ll listen to me without making a fuss. Because he can¡¯t spend a week of a sleepless night. Even I can¡¯t sleep without him beside me. He slipped under his nket mumbling a string of curses.

    ¡°Don¡¯t sneak in bed in the middle of the night or else remember one week¡± I warned him.

    I tossed and tossed in our bed. No use. This idiot makes it hard for me to sleep alone without him beside me. I cursed under my breath and make my way towards him and adjusted myself beside him on that small couch.

    Next time think about some other punishment which will not make you suffer by brain said groggily.

    ¡°Goodnight¡± I whispered cing my head on his heartbeat.

    After a few minutes, I can feel someone lifting me in their arms and ced me onfortable material. A bed. I sighed feeling the soft material. A few secondster my head was ced on a rock-hard thing.

    What is it?

    And it started beating now. The sound was so soothing to my ears than any other music in the world.

    Just like that, I slipped into a dreamless sleep.

 Chapter 34

    Karthik Pov:

    I was turning and tossing on this stupid couch, but sleep was miles away. I just want to hold Sree close to my heart while sleeping. Is that too much to ask?

    ¡®You asked for it¡¯ my subconscious chided me.

    ¡®I was blinded by jealousy when she mentioned that good for nothing bastard name¡¯

    ¡®I did too¡­ but she¡¯s Sree we¡¯re talking about, she¡¯s your wife and you should trust her with your life¡¯ It scolded me like my mom.

    ¡®Yeah, but you¡¯d to admit she¡¯s hot when she was angry, damn her face it¡¯s all red and furious. All I wanted to do was grab and kiss the hell out of her¡¯

    ¡®That makes us two bro¡¯

    ¡®Shut up! She¡¯s mine. Only mine¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m your inner self idiot! That is why Sree calls you Idiot¡¯

    ¡®I love it when she calls me Idiot ¡® I thought dreamily.

    ¡®You¡¯re whipped¡¯

    ¡®As if you¡¯re not!¡¯ I smirked still my eyes closed.

    I was about to turn but stilled when I felt weight beside me and a head on my heartbeat. And a whisper ¡®Good Night¡¯.

    My Sreesha.

    A smile spread on my lips unknowingly, knowing she¡¯s also having a hard time to sleep without me.

    The thought itself made me wanted to jump like a monkey.

    ¡®Did you justpared yourself to a monkey?¡¯

    ¡®Oh shut up and let me enjoy this moment ¡®

    ¡®Suuurrreeee¡¯

    She slept right away afterying down beside me and releasing a sigh offort. I let her sleep a little before lifting her bridal style and took her to our bed. Iid her down and covered her with a nket before joining her making sure to ce her head on my heartbeat.

    She sighed and smiled a little before drifting into sleep. I mumbled a good night and stole a Goodnight kiss on her head before following her suite.

    Sreesha Pov:

    A smile spread on my lips realising he¡¯s beside me. He had a strong grip on my head and waist making it impossible to move. I slowly tried to untangle myself without waking him. Tried being a keyword here. He shifted to my side, now our faces are a few inches away. Even after three months, he makes my heart speed up with a pace that no stethoscope can grasp the speed.

    Damn him!

    I tried to push him cing my hands against his chest. A hard rock one to be exact.

    ¡®You¡¯re no match to his strength Sreesha¡¯

    ¡®At least Let me try ¡®

    A sigh escaped involuntarily when I felt his abs. It is a good thing that he sleeps with his shirt on, otherwise who knows what will happen?

    ¡®Yeah, you might have robbed his innocence by now¡¯

    ¡®What? How can you think like that? ¡®

    ¡®Oh, shut up, I¡¯m your brain, I know your every single silly thought. Do you want me to tell you about all your thoughts you think about your Hot husband?¡¯

    ¡®Have you ever heard of privacy? Stupid brain!¡¯

    ¡®Hey, it¡¯s not my fault, me it on your hormones¡¯

    ¡®Yeah, talk like we¡¯re not here¡¯ my hormones chided.

    God! Now my hormones also sharing their thoughts. Can my thoughts be any weirder than this? Tej always says I have a problem in my brain, maybe it¡¯s true.

    ¡®Hey, I¡¯m perfectly fine¡¯ my brain snapped at me.

    I sighed. He¡¯s not making it any easy for me to get away from the bed.

    Idea!

    I scanned his face to make sure he¡¯s not faking sleep. He¡¯s indeed sleeping. My poor husband. He was dealing with too many problems yet I¡¯m cing more on his shoulders by telling mine. I traced his face with my forefinger, he has a very fine set of eyebrows, a perfect sharp nose and damn those lips. They¡¯re addictive. I draw an outline of his lips using my finger, a frown appeared on his face making his lips pout immediately.

    Gosh! Is he trying to kill me? Here I¡¯m trying to control the urge to kiss him and he¡¯s making it damn hard to control myself. Now I feel like I¡¯m the Husband in our rtionship.

    Stupid Hormones!

    Leaving all my negative thoughts I ced my lips on his and started kissing him. In a few seconds, he started kissing me back still closing his eyes dragging me impossibly close to him.

    Damn his strength!

    I pulled back when I was out of breath and found him grinning ear to ear like a kid who got his Christmas gift early.

    ¡°I would love to wake up every day like this,¡± he said in his sickly husky morning voice which gave my stomach a storm of butterflies.

    ¡°Don¡¯t get used to this hubby, I did it because I wanted to use the washroom and your grip on mine was as strong as Iron leaving me no other choice than to kiss you¡±

    Liar!

    Yeah, and he doesn¡¯t have to know that I¡¯m lying so shut up.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    As if he didn¡¯t know already!

    ¡°Yeah, and any other sane person would have thought about other ways than kissing to wake up others.¡±

    ¡± That¡¯s for others, not for husbands. You¡¯re my husband and I¡¯ve every damn right to kiss you. Now let me go so I could get ready to meet my friends. And yeah you¡¯reing with me too¡± I said and rushed to washroom leaving my husband whose jaw probably hitting the floor right now.

    I locked washroom door just in case he tries to follow me.

    Did I just say all those things?

    Of course, you did idiot!

    So I¡¯m in trouble then.

    Of course, captain obvious.

    Uh-oh!

    After bathing, I realized that I didn¡¯t get my clothes with me. I cursed myself for being so ignorant. How can I face him now not to mention with just a towel?

    I nced around the room, he¡¯s nowhere to be found. This is the only chance to escape. With onest deep breath, I ran into the walk-in closet to find my husband half-naked.

    Can this day be any more embarrassing?

    ¡°Sree, do you like this shirt- what the?¡± His mouth hanging open, his eyes popped out.

    ¡°Karthik, close your eyes¡± I hissed.

    He just stood there moving his lips like a fish.

    ¡°Karthik, close your eyes NOW¡± I shouted making him jump. He nodded frantically closing his eyes before leaving the closet.

    I sighed in relief. Now the question is, how the hell am I going to face him?

    After doing my business, I took deep breaths calming myself and stepped out of the closet to only attacked by my husband¡¯s arms.

    ¡°What is that stunt you just pulled? Are you trying to kill me?¡± He said huskily.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do it on purpose, I forgot to take my clothes with me before going to washroom¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Don¡¯t pout now. I already need a cold shower now¡­ again¡± mumbled thest word.

    ¡°Again?¡± I furrowed my eyebrows.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me all innocent now, I already did one after our heated make-out session and now I need one more?¡± he said huffing leaving me like a statue.

    ¡°And you have every damn right to kiss your husband¡± he smirked leaving a very veryyy verrryyyyy innocent Sreesha behind.

 Chapter 35

    Karthik Pov:

    Damn!

    ¡®She¡¯s such a tease!¡¯

    ¡®Oh, c¡¯mon she didn¡¯t even tease you.¡¯

    ¡®She doesn¡¯t have to try, just a look is enough to make my heart flutter ¡®

    ¡®Now, you sound like a girl¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m not a girl. I¡¯m as straight as a scale!¡¯

    ¡®Yeah yeah, whatever!¡¯

    ¡°Karthik¡± mom voice pulled me out of bickering to myself.

    I knew it, Sree is such a bad influence on me.

    ¡®But you love her¡¯

    ¡®That I do¡¯

    ¡°Earth to Karthik, I knew you would behave like a lost puppy when your wife is not beside you, but this is too much. You have a mother to take care of. All you think about is Sreesha, have you ever thought of me? Even a single second after your marriage?¡± My mom started her drama.

    Let¡¯s just get out of here!

    I wish I could do that, but trust me, she¡¯ll y evil mother if we ever ignore her. All we have to do is y along¡­

    ¡°Woah! Mom, you know I love you so much¡± I said lovingly.

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t! You always say that to shut my mouth, but now I want to know who you love the most!¡±

    ¡°Mom, I love you both,¡± I said pinching the area between my eyebrows.

    Why did you give me such a drama queen like my mother? Why god? Why?

    ¡°No, its either Sree or me, tell me now¡± why is she behaving like that? I took a quick nce around to look if something was odd. It is indeed odd because I caught a glimpse of Sree¡¯s saree behind the wall.

    Now I understand why she¡¯s doing all this. They¡¯re ying with me.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    I need to make sure that these two evil persons stay away from each other.

    She¡¯s turning my Sree into drama queen too.

    ¡°Mom, how could youpare with her? You¡¯re the world¡¯s best mother¡± I said feigning excitement ¡°wait, let us ask dad how he feels about you¡± I said smirking internally.

    ¡°First answer my question¡± she demanded.

    ¡°Wait, let me call dad first,¡± I said waving my phone.

    I called my dad asking him toe downstairs saying, ¡®we need to discuss something important¡¯.

    As if this is the most important thing!

    What do you think that I¡¯ll face these two drama queens myself? I need some support duh!

    ¡°What is it Karthik? I¡¯ve some important work, make it fast¡± dad said heading towards us.

    ¡°Nothing dad, mom want to know who you love you the most? Your mom or wife?¡± I asked him with a small smirk.

    ¡°What? You asked me toe down here to ask me this silly question?¡± My dad half yelled.

    Maybe he was busy when I called him. ¡°I¡¯ve more important things to do,¡± he said, as he was about to leave a hand stopped him.

    My mom.

    Mission distracting mom aplished!

    Poor dad!

    ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going? Answer me, who do you love the most¡± this is my time to escape. I slowly make my way towards the wall where my lovely wife hiding, listening to our every word. There she stood, trying hard to control herugh listening to the drama.

    ¡°Eavesdropping is a very bad habit wifey,¡± I said huskily near her ear making her jump. Her eyes widened when she saw me behind her, I grinned at her wiggling my eyebrows.

    ¡°You just gave me a heart attack,¡± she said cing a hand on her heart.

    ¡°Eavesdropping is really bad, you know¡± I repeated my words.

    ¡°Wh-what? Eavesdropping? Me? Pfft,¡± she said gulping looking everywhere but me.

    ¡°Then what are you doing here hiding, not to mention pressing your ear to the wall?¡± I said raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°I was not eavesdropping okay. I was just-¡± she was looking around to think about something.

    Damn, she¡¯s so cute now.

    ¡°The what Sree?¡± I said huskily grabbing her slender waist dragging her near to me, leaving no space between us. I felt her shivering at my touch, I smirked knowing the effect I had on her.

    As if she doesn¡¯t have an effect on you¡­

    I¡¯m just d it is mutual.

    ¡°Th-the¡­ the¡­ stop distracting me¡± she mumbled when I nuzzled my head in the crook of her neck taking in her addictive scent.

    ¡°What did I do? I was just holding my wife, is that a crime?¡± I mumbled biting her earlobe.

    ¡°Y-your pa-parents are j-just a few feet a-away¡± she stammered.

    ¡°You should be punished for the stunt you pulled earlier,¡± I said biting her neck, she whimpered at the contact of my teeth on her skin.

    ¡°I-I didn¡¯t k-know you were there a-and I f-forgot t-to take m-my clothes with m-me¡± she stuttered moving her head other side giving me better ess on her neck.

    ¡°And?¡±

    ¡°I-I¡­¡±

    ¡°God, guys get a room!¡± A familiar voice hollered making us jump apart.

    Anju.

    I groaned when I saw the smirk on her face. If I didn¡¯t see her as my sister, I would¡¯ve thrown her out of my house.

    ¡°Bro, you want to throw me out of the house,¡± she asked feigning a sad voice.

    ¡°Please Anju, I can¡¯t deal with another drama queen now¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°But bro, where is the fun in that? Just a small request thou, keep your romance out of the kitchen please, people cook here¡± she said making a face.

    ¡°As if you can cook! You can¡¯t even cook to save your life, now go wait in the living while I get your ¡®boost¡¯ ¡± Sree said in a strict voice.

    ¡°My mom is way better than her¡± she mumbled under her breath.

    ¡°What?¡± Sree asked raising an eyebrow challenging her to repeat her sentence.

    ¡°Yes mom,¡± Anju said sarcastically leaving us alone.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare touch me, this is so embarrassing¡± Sree said holding her head.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a drama queen¡± mom¡¯s voice boomed.

    Are they still fighting?

    ¡°This is all your fault, poor dad¡± Sree said ring, rushing towards mom.

    ¡°And is it fair to target the little old me,¡± I said in a baby voice following her. Her re turned into a small smile and a hint of pink appeared on her cheeks.

    She¡¯s 10 times cuter than before!

    ¡°Go and solve this problem, you created this¡± she sent an used re to me when she finds mom feigning tears. I know her enough to identify the difference between her fake and genuine tears.

    ¡°She¡¯s just faking the tears Sree, look at the smirk on her face¡± I whispered standing beside her.

    ¡°How could you say that? She¡¯s crying¡± she hissed.

    ¡°Just have a closure look on her face Sree¡± I whispered.

    As if mom heard my voice, she turned and winked at us making Sree gasp. I gave her a look ¡®told-you-so¡¯.

    ¡°She¡¯s really faking it,¡± she said wide-eyed, I grinned winking at her. Dad turned to me and send an using re while I just shrugged.

    ¡°Okay, tell me what should I do to prove my love?¡± dad said in a defeated tone.

    ¡°Ah nothing you can¡¯t do, I saw this too adorable Diamond studs when I went to shopping yesterday, So I want you to buy them for me,¡± mom said with a victory grin.

    ¡°You could have asked me without all these arguments,¡± dad said sighing.

    ¡°Now, where is the fun in that? You yourself fall in this situation, you¡¯re not my target you know? It was my son, he has to turn the tables making you the victim¡± she exined fanning herself. Dad red at me, if the looks could kill, I would be under 6 feet by now.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to our home after these two weddings done, she¡¯ll turn you just like her if we stay here permanently¡± I whispered to sree, she giggled.

    ¡°Wow, this is quite a show mom,¡± a new voice said followed by a few ¡®yeses. Tej.

    Oh, the gang is here¡­

    Time to announce ¡®Veni¡¯s marriage¡¯.

    After they settled down in the living room, they asked Sree about the purpose of their invitation because Niya¡¯s marriage functions will start from tomorrow.

    After a few minutes, Veni came downstairs with Aadhya in her hands. I couldn¡¯t he

    lp but look at Sree, the image of her holding our kid crossed my mind. I grinned like a fool.

    ¡°For the nth time, will someone tell us why we¡¯re here?¡± Tej demanded, nudging Ved who is ogling at his bride.

    ¡°Yeah, please do tell. It¡¯s not like I¡¯mining though¡± he added looking at Niya, who rolled her eyes at him.

    ¡°Stop making googly eyes at her and support me,¡± Tej said smacking Ved¡¯s head making him groan.

    ¡°Just because your love interest isn¡¯t here doesn¡¯t mean I couldn¡¯t look at my to-be-wife¡± he mumbled under his breath.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have a love interest, so shut up¡± Tej snapped at him.

    ¡°Sure,¡± Ved said sarcastically.

    No one is interested in this topic as we all know who his love interest is.

    Anvika.

    I cleared my throat to gain their attention but Veni beat me saying ¡°I¡¯m getting married to Aadhya¡¯s father¡±.

    And just like that, the hell broke loose.

 Chapter 36

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡± I¡¯m getting married to Aadhya¡¯s father¡± Veni announced in front of everyone.

    The moment she announced, mom and dad left giving us privacy as I already informed them about the situation beforehand. Mom just smiled and said that she already expected this from Veni.

    ¡°What?¡± All yelled at the same time leading Aadhya to whimper due to the sound of several voices at once.

    ¡°Don¡¯t raise your voices, she¡¯s making a fuss sincest night¡± she hissed rocking the baby.

    ¡°Then what do you want us to do? To congratte you for making the world¡¯s dumbest decision?¡± Anju hissed raising her hands in the air.

    ¡°Anju, first listen to her and let her decide what she wants. It is her life¡± I said patiently.

    ¡°So, you know about her decision and never thought of sharing with us? Don¡¯t tell me you know about this too¡± the question is directed to Niya, who stayed unusually quiet.

    ¡°No, Veni didn¡¯t discuss about this with me but I know this would happen one day or the other, because of the way she acts around the baby. She¡¯s treating Aadhya as her own, Anju we should respect her decision. Not everyone takes such a brave step in their life and I admire her for that¡± Niya exined, Anju shook her head.

    ¡°Why are you two are so calm, tell her this was a ridiculous idea,¡± she asked Ved and Tej. They looked at her and shrugged ¡°Don¡¯t you dare try to act nonchnt, convince her to change her decision. She doesn¡¯t even love that guy. How the hell will they make this marriage work?¡± She half-yelled.

    ¡°Is this what you want Veni di?¡± Tej asked looking at the baby and her, Veni nodded ¡°will you promise me to take care of the baby like she¡¯s your own and never hurt her?¡± He said in a thick emotional voice.

    What happened to him?

    ¡°I promise Tej, I¡¯ll treat her like my own and I would never dream of hurting her. Trust me, she became my world when I first took her into my arms. I just want you guys to approve this decision about my life, I know this is a life-changing one and my life would never be the same but I¡¯m willing to take the risk for this little angel in my arms. I want you guys to support me¡± she said with teary eyes.

    ¡°Then I¡¯m with you di,¡± Tej said side hugging Veni.

    ¡°I¡¯m with you too Veni, but you¡¯ve to let us know if you have any problem and promise us not to take decisions in haste in future. If its Sree or Anju I wouldn¡¯t have supported them. I¡¯m supporting this just because it is you.¡± He mumbled rubbing his forehead.

    ¡°Why the hell you will not support us?¡± Anju demanded.

    ¡°Because she thinks matured than anyone of you, she will think twice before taking a decision and I trust her with her decision. It¡¯s her life Anju, respect her privacy and support her¡± Ved said taking Niya¡¯s hand in his.

    ¡°Okay, if we¡¯re immature, what about your to-be-wife? What if she took a decision like this? Would you support her if she does?¡± She asked him.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°No, I might have kidnapped her, and then married her,¡± he said winking at Niya, she hit his shoulder blushing hard.

    ¡°Anju, I know you¡¯re looking out for me, but please try to understand, the Angel here needs a mother¡¯s care. I know you think it is risking my future and my dreams, but I¡¯m willing to take that risk. I¡¯m not saying that I¡¯m giving up on my goals and dreams, I¡¯m just postponing them for a few years. Please, Anju I want you to support me. Please¡± Veni pleaded, giving her best puppy face.

    Anju sighed and nodded saying ¡°Okay, only because you¡¯re not giving up your goals and I do like this little squirt in your arms.¡± We all grinned knowing that the arguments end ¡°But I want to talk to him and what is his name again ¡± she said with a bit of attitude.

    There goes my peace.

    ¡°Yeah, I want to meet him too,¡± Ved said smirking, rubbing his palms.

    Oh no! It¡¯s not a good sign. He always does that when he wants to fracture someone¡¯s nose.

    ¡°That makes us two, I want to meet him too,¡± Tej said mirroring Ved¡¯s actions.

    ¡°His name is Arjun, and guys this is not a normal marriage to have a talk with him. This is me ¡®Marrying for baby¡¯ ¡± she mumbled. Anju shook head in disapproval.

    ¡°Still we need to meet him,¡± Ved and Tej said at a time. Sometimes I feel like these two were twins or something but Ved is my age so I dismissed the thought.

    ¡°But-¡± she started but Tej cut off her saying ¡°It¡¯s final¡± her shoulders slumped in dejection.

    ¡°At least don¡¯t scare him, he went through a lottely¡± she mumbled.

    ¡°Oh, I would love to have a talk with him,¡± Anju said sarcastically. Veni sighed shaking her head.

    Only the god will save him.

    Poor Arjun!

    ¡°Okay, now when were you nning to marry this Arjun guy? Don¡¯t tell me it is today; I forgot my boxing gloves in house¡± Ved said smirking.

    ¡°Ved !¡± She warned.

    ¡°Chill okay? I was just kidding. Just tell me when you want to marry, so we can arrange everything in time¡± Ved asked Veni, who was caressing Aadhya¡¯s cheek lovingly.

    ¡°Tomorrow morning at 10 am?¡± She said bluntly.

    ¡°Are you out of your mind? Tomorrow? When the hell are, we going to arrange everything? Did you forget about your dream wedding? It¡¯s not possible to organize all those events in one day-¡±

    ¡°Register Marriage, tomorrow at 10 am sharp¡± Veni said cutting off Anju¡¯s rant. ¡°Please don¡¯t try to convince me,¡± she said in a determined tone.

    ¡°Okay,¡± Anju said huffing sitting beside Tej muttering string of curses under her breath.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be rude when you met him¡± Veni mumbled rocking the baby.

    ¡°Sureee¡± Anju said sarcastically while Ved and Tej smirked at her.

    After a while, mom and dad came downstairs and requested Veni to postpone her marriage and get marry along with Niya. But she declined politely and promised Niya and Ved to attend their wedding and vice versa.

    Next day was blur Ved, Tej and Anju met Arjun at a cafe a couple of hours before the wedding and had a talk with him, while Karthik exined their protectiveness to Arjun so he wouldn¡¯t think bad about them and asked him to not to hurt Veni and to give this marriage a chance.

    When we finally arrived at the Register office, he just went to Veni and took the baby mumbling thanks. The boys took him to a salon to get rid of his beard, from what I can see he didn¡¯t like this new look but damn he¡¯s gorgeous.

    Not as gorgeous as our husband!

    I rolled my eyes at that annoying voice and trained my eyes on the couple in front of me. Nihal and Anvika are here too. Veni requested me to invite them as well, as they are like a part of our group now.

    To my surprise, Anvika and Nihal signed as a witness from Arjun¡¯s side while Tej and Ved signed from Veni¡¯s side.

    Veni signed the papers first and passed the pen to Arjun who took it carefully like he was trying not to touch her or something like that. He shook his head and tried to sign with shivering hands, he was about to drop the pen but gripped it hard when he heard Aadhya cry.

    Veni took crying Aadhya in her arms and started cooing her when he looks at his now smiling daughter, he signed the papers and sighed.

    He didn¡¯t even utter a word to us and kept ncing at smiling Aadhya. He mumbled a thank you to us and asked Veni to get into his car with the baby, she nodded and hugged each one of us saying goodbye and promised to attend Niya¡¯s marriage rituals from tomorrow without fail.

    When Arjun was about to get into the car, I requested him saying ¡°Treat her like she deserves¡±. He nodded getting into the car mumbling ¡®okay¡¯.

    I know it¡¯s a small line, but it held a lot of meaning. I don¡¯t want him to hurt her, she¡¯s like a sister to me and my rock when I was dealing with my crappy life. I know she was crumbling inside for theck of her parents¡¯ presence in her marriage but was carrying a neutral face just to make us happy. Her mom called and asked her to go to her home and to reveal the news to her father. She knows that he wouldn¡¯t take it positively and she was pretty nervous about this. I wish I could go with her to convince her father, but she asked me to stay with Niya as today is her Mehandi function. Niya also tried to convince her saying it¡¯s okay if I didn¡¯t attend this ritual but she just dismissed our conversation saying she would be fine.

    I really want Arjun to take care of her, if not as wife at least as a friend.

    When we reached home, mom is ready with coffee and snacks. Mom and dad couldn¡¯t make it to Veni¡¯s marriage as they¡¯re busy taking care of today¡¯s function arrangements.

    I hope Veni finds her happiness in this marriage.

 Chapter 37

    Sreesha Pov:

    Weird.

    Weird was the only word I could think of at the end of the day. Somehow Anju and Anvika ended up having Nihal and Tej¡¯s names in their Mehndi filled palms.

    Anju and Anvika had the same expression as us when they realized about this. From the looks of Nihal¡¯s smirk, we could easily find what is the secret behind Nihal¡¯s name in Anju¡¯s hand. But what about Anvika? There is no way that either Tej or Anvika act like that because let¡¯s face it, they can¡¯t even talk with each other without feeling awkward, all they do was looking at each other with googly eyes.

    That night Anju took her revenge by applying Mehandi on Nihal¡¯s hand when he¡¯s sleeping. Which leads to quite a show on the next morning. The day ended before we know with all the dance practice as that evening was ¡®sangeet¡¯. Veni arrived in the evening with Aadhya but not Arjun as he was ¡®busy¡¯. Everyone knows that it was not true, but no one questioned her and tried our best to let her enjoy our monkey business.

    That evening sangeet started with mom and dad¡¯s dance mimicking Ved and Niya and then the couple¡¯s dances. People who expected Karthik and I¡¯s performance would be more sensual than others were proved wrong by Tej and Anvika¡¯s performance. They have amazing chemistry between them. If only they could make a move¡­ Anju and Nihal performed a song teasing each other. And Veni performed a group song with all of us warning Ved to be careful with Niya. Soon the ceremony ended with lots of fun.

    The next day was quite a hectic day. Anju and Anvika took care of bridal makeup while Karthi looking after the guests with Ved¡¯s parents, Nihal and Tej are dealing with Groom¡¯s unnecessary questions like ¡®she didn¡¯t run away right¡¯ and ¡®she will show up at our wedding without fail right?¡¯.

    Like seriously? Who would think like that? Normally some girls do, but a guy? I don¡¯t know. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m friends with these weirdos all these years.

    ¡®Yeah, like you¡¯re any better than them¡¯

    ¡®Oh hey! Long-time no sees¡¯

    ¡®Stop being sarcastic¡¯

    ¡®I¡¯m not that weird okay?¡¯

    ¡®Yeah right! Did you forget the day of your wedding? When You prayed to God to make Karthik runaway with some other girl so the wedding would stop?¡¯

    ¡®Don¡¯t me me, he was a stranger to me at that time¡¯

    ¡®A stranger you fell in love with?¡¯

    ¡­

    ¡°Sree, what are you doing here? The priest is asking for Niya, please bring her soon that Groom monster is killing us with his stupid questions¡± Karthi said running his fingers in his styled hair. He looks dashing in his sherwani which matches my saree color.

    His hand slowly reached my lips tracing an outline making my eyes flutter closed and then he started wiping at the corner of my lips¡­ wait, what?

    ¡°You¡¯ve some drool over there,¡± Karthi said smirking.

    It took a whole minute to understand what he just did. Did he just say that I was drooling over him?

    ¡®d you¡¯re back¡¯

    ¡®It¡¯s not my fault that my husband is handsome¡¯

    ¡®Yeah right!¡¯

    I walked towards him blocking him between the wall and me. ¡°W-what are y-you doing Sree?¡± He stuttered a little. Just the reaction I wanted.

    ¡°Do you know how much I missed you since morning?¡± I whispered in his ear making him stiffen. He groaned and was about to ce his lips on mine¡­

    ¡°For god sake, keep your hands off of each other. Why do I¡¯ve to be the only one to walk on you when you¡¯re on it?¡± Anju whined.

    ¡°We did not do anything¡­ yet,¡± I said smirking.

    ¡°God! woman, are you trying to kill me?¡± Karthi muttered only for me to listen.

    ¡°Yeah right,¡± Anju said sarcastically ¡°That Pundit ji was eating everyone¡¯s brain to bring the Bride and here you guys are eating each other¡¯s faces. Karthik, Ved is asking for you. Sreesha we need to take Niya to Mandap and for the love of God stop making googly eyes you both, it makes me sick¡± she said making gagging noises. Karthi left shaking his head muttering something under his breath while I pouted.

    Can¡¯t a wife spend some alone time with her handsome husband?

    ¡°Let¡¯s go¡± she yelled again.

    The moment we entered the bride¡¯s room we¡¯re bombarded by lots of questions from Niya. Anju dismissed her queries and asked others to help her taking Niya to Mandap. She was a nervous wreck.

    But the moment Ved¡¯s searching eyes met hers, she stopped feeling nervous and a smile graced on her lips, same goes to Ved too. But the only difference is his mouth was literally touching the ground. Nihal started acting like he was wiping the drool on Ved¡¯s face winking at the photographer to snap a few pictures of the current situation. Karthi and I sat at the ce of Niya¡¯s parents and gave her away to Ved. It is called kanyadan. In less than an hour, Niya and Ved tied a knot for a lifetime.

    After their wedding, Niya started throwing tantrums on us saying ¡°you guys are waste, why didn¡¯t you steal his shoes¡± started whining like a baby.

    ¡°Oh, shut up drama queen, we have a better idea to make him suffer than stealing his stupid shoes, trust me you¡¯ll enjoy it,¡± Veni said winking at Niya who started grinning like a fool.

    Only my friend can act like this.

    ¡°Really? Tell me about your n¡± she saiding close to us.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you tired with all these rituals? Go get some sleep¡± Veni asked Niya trying to divert the topic.

    ¡°Nice try,¡± Niya said sarcastically.

    ¡°Sreesha beta, can I have a word with you?¡± Ved¡¯s mom called me. I nodded and followed her. ¡°Get her ready for their wedding night dear, I might have done that myself but I don¡¯t think your friends would befortable with me in the same room¡± I was about to deny but she stopped me saying ¡°From now I would be Niya¡¯s mother figure, so it would be really ufortable for her¡± she said holding my hands, I smiled understanding her position.

    After Anvika finished her magic on Niya, she looks dead drop gorgeous. I thanked Anvika for her help and asked her to take Niya to Ved¡¯s room. She just smirked and did as I said. Veni and Anju came back after decorating Ved¡¯s room and asked about Niya. I told her that she was with Anvika.

    ¡°Stick to the n Sree, don¡¯t back down soon. At Least we need to demand onekh¡± Anju warned me, I nodded.

    We took Niya to Ved¡¯s room and locked her in there making Anvika look at us puzzled. When Ved arrived there we literally blocked his way and demanded him for money.

    ¡°Why are you blocking my way now?¡± Ved groaned.

    ¡°Give us onekh and go see your beautiful wife¡± Anju demanded.

    ¡°Onekh? Why the hell I need to give you that much?¡± He half-yelled.

    ¡°Because you have to?¡± Veni asked him like a question.

    ¡°As if you three devils could stop me¡± he smirked pushing three of us aside like the hulk he was and started fidgeting with the doorknob.

    ¡°What? Is your hulk energy not working on this poor old door¡± Anju said, pouting?

    ¡°You sneaky little rat, you did this, didn¡¯t you?¡± He asked Anju sending her an using re.

    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s not me this time, it¡¯s your mouse¡¯s idea, ¡± Anju said smirking at Ved and me.

    ¡°You stupid mouse, give me the keys now,¡± he asked turning towards me ring.

    ¡°No can-do dog, the key cost a whole onekh rupees,¡± I said sending my partners in crime a victorious wink.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    ¡°Corruption is too much in India, now it spread to marriage rituals too. Tomorrow the first thing I¡¯ve to do is educate your husband and his friends to be careful with you evil trio¡± he mumbled shaking his head. He went to his parents¡¯ room and came back with the money and handed it to Anju.

    ¡°Just because you gave us money doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯d support you when you hurt her. Try to hurt her and be ready to say goodbye to Mother Earth¡± I kinda threatened him.

    ¡°My wife is so hot giving all these threats¡± we heard Karthi¡¯s awe-filled voice from there hideout earning a p from someone.

    ¡°You guys cane out, you too monkey¡± Anju called out Nihal and the others.

    ¡°As if you¡¯re Miss. India¡± we heard Nihal mumble earning a solid re from Anju.

    ¡°You guys can bicker all the night but give me the damn key so I could finally see my lovely wife¡± Ved half-yelled making all of us snigger at his impatience.

    ¡°Now now Ved, be nice to us, the key to your room is still with us,¡± Veni said smirking.

    ¡°Veni, not you too¡± he groaned.

    Just he was about to say something, Anvika stood beside him slipping something in his hand. His puzzled face soon turned bright and showed us the spare key to his bedroom.

    ¡°Traitor¡± Anju mumbled.

    ¡°Sorry guys, but he¡¯s my only brother,¡± she said sending us an apologetic look.

    ¡°You¡¯re the best sister ever,¡± Ved said giving her a side hug and slipped into his room.

    ¡°Okay now, all girls in one room and all boys in another¡± Veni ordered.

    ¡°B-but-¡± Karthi was about to argue with the arrangements but was cut off by Anju¡¯s re.

    ¡°Try to argue with us, we won¡¯t help you tomorrow,¡± she said waving her index to him.

    ¡°Help with what?¡± I asked her anxiously.

    ¡°Nothing, I nned something for the newly wedded couple¡± he mumbled looking everywhere but me.

    ¡°Really? You¡¯re the best¡± I said grinning ear to ear.

    ¡°If only you know¡± mumbled Veni.

    ¡°What?¡± I asked puzzled.

    ¡°We¡¯re sending them Paris¡± Karthi said almost immediately.

    ¡°Cool¡± I said feeling a bit jealous.

    ¡°Okay now, get out of our way,¡± Anju said linking mine and Anvika¡¯s hand while Veni hooked her arm to my other arm dragging me to the guest room.

    ¡®I¡¯m so jealous right now ¡® I thought, pouting.

 Chapter 38

    Karthik Pov:

    When all the girls, including my wife ying with Ved¡¯s life, all of us guys were hiding in the next room to watch his misery. We¡¯re stifling ourughs when he startedining about how evil the three of them are. But damn, Sree was so hot when she¡¯s warning him.

    If only this day ends soon.

    ¡°My wife is so hot giving all these threats¡± I wondered loudly, which earned me a smack on my head from Tej and a teasing smirk from Nihal.

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk about my sister like that in front of me¡± Tej warned ring at me while I just rolled my eyes at him.

    ¡°You guys cane out, you too monkey¡± Anju yelled at us, most importantly at Nihal, using her nickname for him, which suits him more than his actual name. He muttered a string of curses under his breath saying how much of a spoiled brat Anju was.

    I dragged both Tej and Nihal to where the girls making Ved¡¯s life miserable. It¡¯s not like he doesn¡¯t deserve that though.

    I would never forget the day we first met. He literally fooled me by giving me the impression that he was back here to take away Sree from me. I would like to watch his misery all my life. That would be the best revenge ever.

    ¡°As if you¡¯re Miss. India¡± Nihal mumbled ring at Anju who was watching Ved with an amused look. Ved started pleading or should I say cursing all of them giving them a lecture about corruption in India.

    Thank god, they are not there on my wedding night. Who knows how ufortable it could have been? They could¡¯ve eaten me alive. Just thinking about the situation made me shiver thinking about Anju¡¯s evil ns.

    When Anvika slipped the master key into Ved¡¯s hands it took less than second for him to sneak into his room when the three evil girls scrutinizing her by their looks.

    ¡°Okay now, all girls in one room and all boys in another¡± Veni ordered, it took me a few seconds to sink in what she just said.

    I was about to protest but Anju warned me about not helping me with the surprise I nned for my Sree. When Sree questioned me about it, I kind of told her half-truth that is sending Ved and Niya to Paris. They left sassily linking their hands to each other leaving us behind.

    ¡°Dude, stop drooling over your wife¡± Nihal teased smirking.

    ¡°And you stop drooling over my sister¡¯s best friend,¡± Tej said ring at him.

    ¡°As if you¡¯re not doing the same with my best friend,¡± he said emphasizing my best friend.

    ¡°Eww, why would I drool over my jiju ? For your information, I¡¯m straight¡± Tej half-yelled.

    ¡°You know very well whom I was talking about,¡± he said gesturing Anvika¡¯s retreating figure.

    ¡°I did not drool over her. Why would I? She was 3 years older to me¡± Tej half-yelled.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    A thud sound pulled us out from the awkward conversation, but we stilled when we realized who it was.

    Anvika.

    She stood there for a few seconds with a nk look. Then she bends down to pick something she dropped. Money? The money Ved gave them.

    ¡°They want you to give this to Niya and Ved from three of them in the morning as they will be busy distracting Sreesha¡± she said in an emotionless voice, handing money to me. She left giving me a nod.

    Tej stood there with a look of regret and staring at Anvika¡¯s retreating figure longingly.

    ¡°You better go apologize and make things right between you two,¡± Nihal said pushing Tej forward.

    ¡°It is better this way,¡± Tej said dejectedly shaking his head.

    I think there is more to the story than they¡¯re letting us know. After a few minutes, Tej left saying uncle is all alone in the home leaving us puzzled. He had been living with Jayanth Uncle for a while now.

    Next day is the day I¡¯ve waited for a long time. Niya kept Sree busy saying that she needs her in help packing for their honeymoon, while Veni and Anju went to my home to pack Sree¡¯s luggage for our honeymoon.

    Yup! You heard it right. I finally nned to take her somewhere. A smack on my head dragged me to the real world.

    ¡°Stop daydreaming dude! You look like a creep with that creepy smile on your face¡± Nihal mumbled stealing nces at the front door of Niya¡¯s house every few seconds.

    ¡°Stop looking at the door, your to-be girlfriend wille soon. Don¡¯t worry¡± I said smirking.

    His eyes went wide for a second ¡°Please tell me you¡¯re not talking about that Jerry, I mean eww who wants a death wish to make her their girlfriend? Not me¡± he said making gagging noises.

    ¡°As if I¡¯m dying to be this monkey¡¯s girlfriend, eww how could you even think about that?¡± She said making face.

    And then Ladies and Gentlemen they started their daily routine. I wonder when they are going to ept their feelings for each other.

    ¡°Thanks for the help, Veni,¡± I said taking a seat beside her enjoying their bickering.

    ¡°Just tell Sree that I¡¯m not the one who packed her luggage,¡± she said looking at the now physical fight well¡­ including verbal of course. They used almost every ugly animal¡¯s name in their fights.

    As if they left any species lives in water¡­

    Too bad they included some birds too¡­

    It¡¯s better to use some popcorn to enjoy this show.

    ¡°Want some popcorn?¡± Veni offered.

    ¡°You just read my thoughts,¡± I told her ¡± It¡¯s too early for popcorn, where is Aadhya ?¡± I added wondering where the baby is.

    ¡°She¡¯s sleeping. I asked Ved¡¯s mom to look after her for a while before leaving to your house. I directly went to check on her before Anju started her fight¡± she said looking at Anju who was tackled by Nihal.

    ¡°Woah! Guys behave like adults. What¡¯s gotten into you two this early in the morning?¡± Ved saiding downstairs. Just he was about to say something a pillow hit him hard making him groan.

    ¡°Do you think you¡¯re capable of stopping their fight? Think before you mess with them, they are behaving worse than 5yr kids these days¡± Sree saiding downstairs with Niya who¡¯s trying hard to cover her blushing cheeks.

    ¡°Aww, my baby is blushing. Let me guess the reason behind your blush¡± Anju said leaving annoyed Nihal behind while reaching Niya¡¯s cheeks and whispered something making Sree and Niya gasp.

    Sree pped her shoulder and informed Ved that Niya was ready to go. As nned Niya asked us to give them send-off as she¡¯s very nervous right now. Woah! My sister can act better than anyone.

    ¡°Karthik, umm do you have time to go send her off?¡± Sree asked me, fidgeting with her fingers. Me doing a happy dance inside. It is really hard to act like this and giving her, the-things-I-do-for-you look. When all I wanted to do was sweep her off of her feet and carry her all the way to Airport. I just gave her a firm nod and following them out of the house.

    ¡°Good luck bro¡± Nihal yelled from behind, I red at him.

    Ved and Niya took their car while we took mine, Sree started to apologize for making mete to office. As if I¡¯m nning to go.

    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry to bother you Karthi, I know you¡¯re a lot busy with all the pending works due to this wedding, but I couldn¡¯t say no to her¡± she apologized again looking down.

    I just gave her a nod and switched on the radio to keep me from talking to her. If I even utter a word, I¡¯ll tell her all my ns without thinking twice.

    We reached the Airport in no time and made our way to Niya and Ved. They already separated our luggage went inside bidding us goodbye. Ved shook my hand and smirked at Sree. Later Niya hugged her muttering something to Sree. Whatever she said made Sree blush furiously.

    ¡°Come on let¡¯s go¡± Sree said ¡°why did they bring extra luggage when they don¡¯t want it¡± she added with a puzzled look.

    ¡°Take a guess,¡± I said scratching the back of my neck.

    ¡°Are you going somewhere? Why didn¡¯t you tell me beforehand? Wait I¡¯ll call someone to pick me¡± she said tapping her phone.

    God! Why does she have to be this dumb?

    ¡°Not just me, we. We. Are. Going¡± I said emphasizing each word.

    ¡°We? Where are we going? ¡± she asked innocently.

    ¡°To hell¡± I said frustrated. Why can¡¯t she understand what I¡¯m doing?

    ¡°Hell? I¡¯m not interested to go there. You go ahead and enjoy while I wait for you here. Say hi to Lord Yama for me okay?¡± She said seriously with a smirk on her face.

    ¡°You knew it already?¡± I stated.

    ¡°Took you so long to you to figure out,¡± she said sticking her tongue out.

    ¡°How the heck does you know? I nned everything secretly no one other than our friends and parents know about it, not even your bodyguards¡± I said running my hand through my hair. Sheughed at me like I¡¯m some joker.

    ¡°Mom called me this morning and said be careful and gave me a to do and not to-do lists. What I¡¯m not aware was the ce we¡¯re going¡± she said in one breath.

    ¡°Mom¡± I growled. She knew that it was a surprise for Sree yet she has to open her big mouth and ruin my efforts.

    ¡°So, tell me, hubby, where are you taking me?¡± She asked me with a smirk.

    ¡°You know all the way, then why were you acting like you don¡¯t know anything,¡± I asked her to know why in the world she acted so innocently a while ago.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want to ruin your excitement and the idea of surprising me but you¡¯ve to act cocky and ruin the moment¡± she muttered.

    ¡°I was not being cocky okay? Umm I.. I was a bit nervous¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Aww you¡¯re so cute¡± she said pinching my cheek ¡°so tell me again, where are you nning to take me?¡± She added widening her eyes and pouting her lips making it hard on me.

    ¡°Shi,¡± I said smirking ¡°tease all you want right now, you would never get a chance again for three days¡± I whispered way too huskily making her shiver. She opened and closed her mouth like a fish to say something, but nothing came out.

    I¡¯m so proud of myself for making her speechless.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go before we miss the flight¡± I added dragging her with me.

    Let¡¯s hope everything would go as I nned.

 Chapter 39

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡°Sh-Shi?¡± I stuttered.

    ¡°Yes, my dear wifey, we¡¯re going to Shi,¡± he said smirking.

    ¡°How?¡± I never told anyone about my undying love for Shi, not even my friends. Then how the hell he got to know about this?

    ¡°How what?¡± He said feigning innocence.

    ¡°Don¡¯t act smart, Karthik¡± I warned him.

    ¡°Why should I try to act when I already am,¡± he said winking ¡°God, you ask too many questions woman, let¡¯s go before we miss the flight¡± he added dragging me with him.

    When I stepped on thend that I always dreamt of, I found myself grinning ear to ear tugging my hand somebody started dragging me to the exit sign. Soon enough we¡¯re sitting in a car with me drooling over the view. I didn¡¯t utter a word afternding and never nce at his side, I nearly forgot that I was here with Karthik. I turned to him giving a small guilty smile.

    ¡°d you decided to acknowledge me, I thought you forgot me¡± he grumbled ring at me.

    ¡°It¡¯s your fault to take me here with you, I can spend rest of my life here ying with the snow and admiring the view,¡± I said dreamy look.

    ¡°What is so special about this ce anyways?¡± He asked¡­ no more like demanded.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I have a thing for snow, I always wanted to visit Shi,¡± I said faking a smile.

    ¡°Why Sree? Why this ce? I always thought you would want to go other countries, actually I nned to take you Italy and then Paris¡± he said shaking his head.

    ¡°Then what changed your mind?¡± I asked him curiously.

    ¡°Tej¡± he answered in one word.

    ¡°How the hell did he know about this, I never mentioned this to him, no one knows,¡± I said shaking my head trying to remember if I ever told Tej about Shi.

    ¡°He may or may not read your diary years ago?¡± He said more like a question.

    Oh God! My dairy? I kind of tore and burned every page of my dairy after Manoj left me and swore to myself not to write anymore.

    ¡°B-but I d-destroyed it,¡± I said more to myself.

    ¡°About that, he might have stolen your bucket list before you destroy it?¡± he offered, scratching his head nervously.

    My Bucket lists?

    My eyes went wide when I realised how silly the list could be ¡°Please tell me you didn¡¯t read it¡± I asked him desperately.

    ¡°No. He didn¡¯t give me the list and said he will tell me what to do when it is needed¡± he said pouting ¡°I want to know what is in it and I want to fulfil all your wishes¡± he added holding my hands.

    The car stopped in front of a five-star hotel, his hotel, Hotel SreeKar. Karthik took my hand and intervened our fingers. His posturepletely changed when we entered the hotel like he was apletely different person stiff, cold and emotionless. The hotel manager ran towards us and greeted us politely. I greeted him back while Karthik gave him a stiff nod.

    I looked around when Karthik was talking to the manager about something, the interior was breathtaking. A particr painting caught my attention it was a woman with a smile on her face, yet you can still detect the pain and sadness in her eyes. At the bottom of the painting, a signature ¡®MM¡¯ caught my attention.

    Wish I could meet this Artist and ask him to draw our portrait.

    Stop dreaming stupid! He must be some famous Artist; you would never get a chance to meet him.

    ¡°You like it?¡± A very familiar voice distracted me, I smiled at Karthik and nodded.

    ¡°I love it, the artist must have poured his heart in this particr painting,¡± I said sighing, leaning my head on his shoulder.

    ¡°Do you know who the artist was?¡± I added tilting my head to look at him.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know, I will ask the manager about itter,e on let¡¯s get some rest¡± he said leading me to lift. We reached the topmost floor when the doors were about to open, he closed my eyes making me shriek.

    ¡°Karthik, why are you behaving like a kid? Let go¡± I chided him lovingly with a big smile ying on my lips.

    ¡°Shh!¡± loving the feeling his breath tickling on my ear, I sighed leaning into him ¡°patience wifey¡± he said in a way that literally made me weak. He took my hand into his free hand and lead the way. A soft click indicated we¡¯re in his penthouse, my palms were sweating and my whole body bes rigid when I inhale my favorite scent which used to calm my nerves but now it¡¯s making me hell nervous.

    He slowly removed his hand which was blocking my eyes, adjusting my eyes to the light, I looked around and found a trail of roses petals on the floor.

    I followed the path with him behind me, the path leads to a dim lighted room, everything was perfect until when my gaze falls on the bed. I gasped when I found the 3 words which I craved for all my life and was dying to hear from him were written on the bed with rose petals.

    Karthik Pov:

    I was giving instructions on thest-minute arrangements to surprise my Sreesha, when I lost the warmth of her next to me, I freaked out and started searching for her. I sighed in relief when my eyes caught her admiring a painting.

    The whole stalker thing was getting on my nervestely and to add more misery there are few minor problems in thepany. I thought of having a long vacation, but work is important at the moment. I kind of have a feeling, someone was messing with mypany to distract me from focusing on Sree.

    My phone pinged indicating a message, it is from the manager confirming everything was perfect. I make my way towards and found her pouting at the painting. She looks more adorable pouting like a kid.

    I took her to the elevator and covered her eyes when we reached the topmost floor making her shriek. After locking the door securely, I removed my hand from her eyes. It took a moment for her to adjust her eyes to the light.

    When her eyes fell on the trail of rose petals her eyes widened but followed the path and reached our destination, where I poured my heart to let her know how I feel about her. Secondster her eyesnded on our bed and gasped.

    I kneeled in front of her and took her hand into mine, she gasped again when she saw a ring in my hand.

    ¡°Sree, I know we¡¯re married in different circumstances and I hid a lot of things from you. I still have a lot of things to exin to you, but I promise to tell you everything when we return home. All I wanted to know is ¡®Do you trust me?¡¯ ¡± I said waiting for her answer.

    ¡°I trust you with my life, Karthi¡± she said tears running down her cheeks.

    ¡°That is all I want¡± I sighed in relief ¡°I love you Sree, I loved you from years now. I didn¡¯t tell you before because I thought you would freak out at the sudden revtions. Now, is the time to ask you something which I never had a chance to do it on our engagement day, Will you be mine forever Sree?¡±.

    Sreesha Pov:This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Will you be mine forever Sree?¡±

    ¡°Sree, please tell me something or anything¡­ your silence was killing me,¡± he said shaking me a little.

    ¡°This is not a dream?¡± The words left my mouth involuntarily.

    ¡°God, how could you think this was all a dream? Here I was kneeling in front of you like an idiot and you think you¡¯re dreaming? Sree, I¡¯m serious about what I said earlier I LOVE YOU and I¡¯m asking you again WILL YOU BE MINE FOREVER?¡±

    ¡°Yes, yes, yes, a billion times yes stupid, do you even have to ask me? I love you so much ¡± I said hugging him.

    ¡°You love me?¡± He asked a little surprised.

    ¡°No, did I just said I love you? Nah¡­ I loved Mahesh babu¡± I said smacking his head.

    ¡°Who the hell is he? You are mine¡± he said slipping the ring on my ring finger before crashing his lips on mine.

    ¡°You¡¯re mine¡± he chanted between every kiss we shared.

    His every touch, every kiss, every whisper of love, every bite, every mark on my skin made me fall in love with him again and again and again.

    That night he showed me how much he loves me, and I loved him with the same passion. With our breathes mingling, our heartbeats racing and our souls iming what is rightfully theirs.

    Before we slip into dreamless sleep he mumbled ¡°who is Mahesh Babu?¡± to which Iughed enjoying his jealousy.

    I know I¡¯m evil.

 Chapter 40

    Sreesha Pov:

    The sight before me was not something new but it feels special today, very special.

    ¡°I love you¡± he mumbled again burying his head in the crook of my neck, still sleeping. I lost my count after 100, he mumbled ¡®I love you¡¯ between every kiss we shared. Maybe this is the nth time he dered his love towards me all night even in his sleep.

    Last night he showed me how much he loves me. I love it, when he was all jealous, it made him show me how much he loves me. I was awake all-night listening to his ¡®I love you¡¯s¡¯. I would never get tired of listening to those three precious words. And to add more, he is damn cute while sleeping, his head on my heartbeat and his hands draped around my waist holding it possessively.

    ¡®As if you¡¯reining about it¡¯

    ¡®Wee back, I miss you. Where were you all these days¡¯ I thought, sarcastically.

    ¡®Yeah.. yeah.. looks like I was being missed a lot when I was away?¡¯

    ¡®I hate you¡­ you¡¯re always wrong to judge my husband. You know he loves me!¡¯ I thought proudly.

    ¡®What did I do? And you hate me? Oh please! We both know you can¡¯t live without me¡¯

    ¡®As if! Leave it, I¡¯m too tired to argue with you¡¯ I thought, shutting down the voice.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    ¡°I love you¡± I heard his voice again. A big grin appeared on my lips. I know I was smiling as an Idiot and he would definitely think I¡¯m insane.

    Yes, Insanely in love with him.

    ¡°I love you too Karthi¡± I mumbled cing a kiss on his forehead and started running my fingers through his silky hair. He sighed in approval.

    ¡°I wish we could stay like this forever¡± I mumbled. I know he¡¯s awake now.

    ¡°I wish to too, but sadly we need to get ready and go out to grabte breakfast to tame your growling monster in this tiny stomach¡± he said running his hand on my now naked stomach. I shivered when he started drawing imaginary circles around my navel.

    ¡°Karthi¡± I whispered, he groaned.

    ¡°Don¡¯t use that voice right now, love. We couldn¡¯t leave this room if you keep on using that voice on me, which makes my self-control weak. I was just a few seconds away from taking you again¡± he groaned again.

    ¡°Then what¡¯s stopping you?¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°My ns for you, of course, I want you to be happy and enjoy each and every moment we stay here,¡± he said running his hand through his hair.

    ¡°I¡¯m happy¡± I said looking into his eyes.

    ¡°I love you¡± I added kissing him to which he responded almost immediately.

    ¡°I love you too¡± he said after our heavy make out session, his eyes filled with love, passion and desire.

    ¡°Okay, let me go get ready. So, we can roam in the city¡± I said dragging the sheets with me to the washroom. After bathing, I realized that I didn¡¯t bring my clothes with me. I quickly wrapped the towel around me and stepped outside clutching it securely¡­ just in case.

    ¡°Why are you making it hard on me¡± Karthik said pushing me against the wall while cing open mouth kisses which will definitely leave a hickey.

    ¡°Karthik, stop it, I don¡¯t want to use more concealer today, stop biting my skin,¡± I said drowning into his sweet torture.

    ¡°Then don¡¯t use it, I like my marks on you, it shows to everyone that you belong to me. I want the whole male poption away from you¡­ including that Mahesh babu guy¡± he almost growled making meugh.

    I ced my one palm on his cheek while holding my towel securely with other ¡°Mahesh babu is a Tollywood Hero¡± I said kissing his cheek.

    ¡°What? Yeah, now I remember we watched a few films of him, right?¡± Almost sighing in relief ¡°How dare you to fool me?¡± He took a threatening step towards me.

    ¡°Karthik, remember we need to go out and all, so let me go and get ready¡± I said wriggling in his hold.

    ¡°It can wait, now let me teach you a lesson for fooling your husband and uttering a male¡¯s name which is not mine¡± he said closing the gap between our lips with a Possessive yet toe-curling kiss.

    ¡°Get ready¡± his was voice hoarse, I nodded slipping away from his hold.

    There is a saree on the bed with matching jewelry.

    Did I tell you my husband is the sweetest? No? Then I¡¯m telling you now¡­ he was the sweetest guy on the earth.

    We¡¯re out of our suite in no time, after having our breakfast more like lunch in a nearby restaurant, did I mention it is already noon! and we¡¯re heading towards god knows where.

    ¡°Karthi, where are we going? Tell me please¡± I said pouting.

    ¡°To somewhere,¡± he said nonchntly.

    ¡°Now stop pouting before I take you right here¡± he said in a threatening voice making me blink at him in surprise.

    ¡®Where the hell is my innocent husband and who is this man beside me¡¯

    ¡°This is the man you created a few hours ago with all your love,¡± he said smirking and winked. That is when I realised I must have talked my thoughts aloud.

    ¡°We¡¯re here,¡± he said before parking the vehicle in the middle of nowhere before I could say a word, he started dragging me into the forest. I followed him without saying a word admiring the tall trees everywhere. The sound of our footsteps was in rhythm, the faint noises of birds and the squeals of squirrels were taking me into another world.

    The world I dreamt of.

    I want nothing but to build a treehouse and stay here for the rest of my life. I stumbled over a few stones to which Karthik tightened his grip on my waist.

    ¡°You look lost in your thoughts¡± hemented.

    ¡°I am¡± I said nodding ¡°lost in the beauty of nature¡± added giving him a big grin.

    ¡°You forgot me again, didn¡¯t you?¡± He used.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Karthik, I can¡¯t help myself when ites to nature. I wish we could live here forever¡± I said leaning my head on his shoulder.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry I¡¯ll n a long vacation next time; we¡¯ll travel all the world. I promise.¡± He mumbled kissing my hair.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter Karthi, be my side thick and thin. Nothing would make me happy more than you beside me¡± I mumbled drawing imaginary lines on his shirt.

    ¡°I would never leave you alone, even if you want me to. I love you too much to leave you. This time I¡¯ll be selfish and never let you go¡± he addedst words in a whisper.

    ¡°I love you, Karthik,¡± I said cing my lips on his making him stun for a second.

    ¡°Come, I¡¯ve something to show you¡± he said after pulling away cing his forehead on mine. I nodded following him, this time I was not admiring the nature but him.

    I couldn¡¯t believe what I just saw.

    A treehouse?

    In the middle of nowhere?

    It looks like an old one, maybe it was built a few years ago.

    ¡°Do you like it?¡± Karthik¡¯s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

    ¡°I love it, Karthik. Who build this?¡± I asked him still in shock.

    ¡°Nihal and I did¡± he said scratching behind his neck.

    ¡°When?¡± I whispered.

    ¡°When I was in college, you know the college tour you missed,¡± he said looking nervous.

    ¡°The tour I missed?¡± I asked him shocked.

    ¡°Do you think I don¡¯t know why you always want to go Shi? I know it¡¯s your dream to go here with your friends and build a treehouse in the forest and go roam all over the city? I was there just behind you, listening to you when you¡¯re busy talking to your friends about your ns, it was then I registered my name to go on a tour, just because you¡¯re going. Nihal was there too, even though he was from different college he still managed to go with me. But you didn¡¯te with us, I don¡¯t know you¡¯re not with us until we reach here. At that time, they send us Seniors on a different bus. That was when Nihal and I build this, no one knows about this other than Nihal and I¡± he said smiling at me.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me before? Why didn¡¯t you ask me out before Manoj? Why didn¡¯t you talk to me directly than stalking me? I could¡¯ve chosen you, you could¡¯ve been my first love, first kiss and my first everything just like I was yours. Why? Why Karthik?¡± I said hitting his chest.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Sree, I was not confident and way more insecure than you, I wish I could change everything, but I don¡¯t have any regrets sweetheart, trust me, now I¡¯m the happiest man alive on Earth. There are a few reasons to why I didn¡¯t approach you, but I¡¯ll exin to them when we reach home, now let¡¯s enjoy our time here. No more tears allowed¡± he said kissing my forehead.

    Everything was arranged here from food to bed, roses in the vases and unused candles and everything.

    ¡°I thought no one knows about this ce?¡± I said raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°I asked Nihal for help, he was here with Anju today and left before we reach here¡± he smirked hugging me from behind.

    ¡°Nihal and Anju? You¡¯re kidding, right? They can¡¯t even stand each other for two minutes then how in the world did they manage to arrange these things without burning the house down?¡± I said shaking my head.

    ¡°They are just fighting their attraction towards each other,¡± he said pestering small kisses on my shoulder. I sighed.

    ¡°Let¡¯s have dinner, it¡¯s already 6pm,¡± he said still kissing the side of my neck.

    ¡°Already?¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Yes. Now let¡¯s go and eat before it gets cold¡± he said taking me with him.

    ¡°Okay¡± I mumbled.

    After our dinner, he exined how he used to stalk me and try to listen to my convo with my friends and how Manoj used to re at him, and how Tej used to look at him suspiciously. After talking for hours, I feel drowsy and asked for spare clothes.

    ¡°Here. Veni asked me to tell you that it is not her who packed your bags and said they are your night wears¡± he said handing me a bag.

    I didn¡¯t buy any nightwear, in particr, then what are they? I shrugged and opened the bag¡¯s zip carelessly. And stilled in my ce when I saw what that devil packed for me.

 Chapter 41

    Karthik Pov:

    She gasped looking into the bag. Her eyes went wide and her skin paled? What the hell is in that stupid bag?

    ¡°Sree, are you okay?¡± I asked shaking her a little.

    ¡°Please tell me you¡¯re not the one who packed them,¡± she asked with¡­ embarrassment?

    ¡°No, it¡¯s

    not me¡± she sighed in relief, ¡°I think it was Anju. I remember Veni saying to inform you that it¡¯s not her who packed your bags. Why? Is there any problem?¡± I asked, trying to reach the bag.

    ¡°N-No. It¡¯s nothing! Just some unnecessary stuff. Umm, can I get one of your shirts, so I can change¡± she said almost pleading.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you find anything in that bag? It¡¯s not like I don¡¯t like my shirt on you, I was just curious¡± I said scratching my neck.

    ¡°Umm I- I did. B-but umm I¡­ I c-can¡¯t wear t-them¡± she stuttered.

    ¡°Let me see,¡± I said taking the bag from her hands. She tried to put on a fight but gave up thinking I won¡¯t leave the topic. I was just curious to know why she looks so flushed.

    Uh-huh. A see-through Nightdress?

    I sighed.

    She definitely won¡¯t befortable in them. I gave her a reassuring smile and dragged her to my bag and told her to wear anything.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± she said in a small voice frowning.

    ¡°Sorry?¡± She nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for disappointing you. I¡¯m notfortable with those dresses. I-I will wear them i-if you want me to¡± she mumbled, tear glistened eyes.

    ¡°What are you talking about Sree? I-¡± she cutoff me saying ¡± I-I k-know, e-every man wa-wants to see th-their wife l-like they wished. I s-swear K-Karthik, i-if I¡¯m cfortable with wearing th-those th-things I would¡¯ve t-try them on. Pl-please d-don¡¯t be mad at m-me¡± she said stuttering and sniffing.

    God! She¡¯s crying now. I shouldn¡¯t have shown my disappointment.

    You¡¯re such a stupid Karthik! You made our beautiful wife cry.

    I sighed cupping tear-stricken face, wiping her tears with my thumbs. ¡°Sree, who asked you to wear them when you¡¯re notfortable? Hmm? I can assure you; I don¡¯t have any idea about that bag until now. So, I¡¯m not disappointed or anything¡­ and before you think otherwise, I¡¯m not saying I don¡¯t want to see you in them. God knows I do. But anything that makes you ufortable makes me ufortable too. You¡¯re my other half Sree, my life and my soulmate if you believe in them. Even if you are wearing something hideous, I would still find you sexy in them. So, don¡¯t think about these silly things and change into one of my shirts¡± I said handing her my shirt, cing a small kiss on her forehead.

    I just want to strangle Anju for making my wife cry. I just want to torture her so-called parents for filling her brain with all those insecurities. Tomorrow, we need to leave this heaven and go back to our home. Before going back to home, I decided to surprise her. I already made an appointment with someone. I just want to see how happy she would feel when I reveal this to her.

    A tap on my shoulder dragged me to the real world, where my wife was looking like a seductress in my shirt and some shorts. I almostughed when I found her red cheeks with a mixture of embarrassment and shyness.

    She¡¯s adorable.

    Okay, maybe a mixture of every word whichplements her beauty?

    She cleared her throat ¡°Don¡¯tugh okay?¡±

    ¡°Laugh? Why would Iugh at my beautiful wife?¡± I said taking her into my arms burying my head in the crook of her neck ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you; you will be sexier in anything you wear?¡± I added huskily pestering open mouth kisses on her neck.

    ¡°Do wear my shirt when we¡¯re alone in the home, I like it this way¡± nibbling her ear making her gasp.

    ¡°I love you¡± she said in between her heavy breaths making me still at my ce. I still can¡¯t believe she loves me. This is all new in a good way¡­ actually in a great way.

    I cupped her face and whisper ¡°Tell me again¡±

    ¡°I love you Karthik¡± she whispered her eyes half-closed.

    ¡°Again¡±

    ¡°I love you dumbo¡± she said with a mischievous smile ying on her lips.

    ¡°God! I love you¡± I said before kissing her. When I pulled back, she mumbled ¡°God loves you back¡± seriously.

    It took a moment to understand what she said. When I did, I started tickling her making her plead for forgiveness. This night, these memories, these feelings. I don¡¯t know what to say other than to pray to God asking him to keep this happiness in our lives forever.

    Sreesha Pov:

    Next day we reached the hotel around 10 am. Karthik literally dragged me out of the bad saying he has a surprise nned for me. Who would have thought this momma¡¯s boy can be this demanding? We had brunch and headed to god knows where.

    ¡°Karthik, tell me already¡± I whined.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    ¡°Somewhere,¡± he said stifling augh.

    ¡°Where is this ¡®somewhere¡¯?¡± I asked gritting my teeth.

    ¡°Like an hour away, get some sleep. You didn¡¯t sleep wellst night¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°And whose fault is that¡± I asked narrowing my eyes at him.

    ¡°As if you don¡¯t like it,¡± he said smirking.

    ¡°I. AM. NOT. TALKING. ABOUT. THAT¡± I said gritting my teeth.

    ¡°You¡¯re not?¡± He said feigning innocence.

    ¡°No. I¡¯m talking about YOU waking me up early¡± I said emphasizing you.

    ¡°Oh! But I thought our time together¡± he said feigning a hurt look.

    ¡°Karthik¡± almost in a warning tone.

    ¡°Wifey¡± he said lovingly making all my annoyance disappear in the thin air. I nced at him from the corner of my eye blushing hard. If only he knew the effect that word has on me.

    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look, Sree¡± he said groaning. I blinked.

    What look?

    ¡°What look?¡± I asked him, furrowing my eyebrows.

    ¡°That I-want-to-kiss-you-right-now look.¡± He said grumbling.

    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you?¡± I said teasing him a little.

    Did I really have that kind of look a while ago?

    ¡°Sree¡± he whined like a kid, I love it, when I make him helpless like this ¡°we don¡¯t have much time¡± he added taking my hand into his, kissing my palm.

    ¡°Get some sleep, I¡¯ll wake you when we reach there¡± he said smoothly, which sounded like a luby.

    ¡°Hey sleepyhead, wake up ¡± someone started shaking me.

    ¡°Can¡¯t a girl sleep peacefully?¡± I mumbled before opening my eyes.

    ¡°You can sleep tomorrow, now it¡¯s time for your surprise,¡± he said dragging me into someone¡¯s house.

    ¡°Whose house is this, Karthik?¡± I asked him, looking around. It¡¯s not some mansion type, it¡¯s cosy, homely yet there are hints of a bachelor pad.

    ¡°Morning sir, Mr. MM is in an important meeting right now. Why don¡¯t you have a look at the gallery-like you requested?¡± A teenage boy said.

    Mr MM? It sounds familiar.

    ¡°And you are?¡± Karthik was back to his cold voice. I sighed.

    ¡°I¡¯m Dhanush, Mr. MM¡¯s student and Personal Assistant,¡± he said forwarding his hand.

    ¡°Mr. MM as in the Artist?¡± I asked Karthik confused.

    ¡°Yes. I saw you admiring the painting in our hotel and the look on your face told me what you want¡± he said smirking snaking his arm around my waist ¡°A portrait of us¡± he added smirking.

    How can he read me like an open book? I thought, grumbling.

    I don¡¯t why, but that boy Dhanush was looking at me weirdly. I was about to ask him but Karthik beat me to it.

    ¡°Stop ogling at my wife kid,¡± Karthik said in a cold voice.

    ¡°S-sorry s-sir. I-its just I-I s-saw ma-madam¡¯s p-paintings i-in m-my s-sir¡¯s personal ch-chamber¡± he said stuttering. My eyes went wide for what he said.

    My paintings?

    Here?

    No way!

    Could it be?

    Him?

    ¡°My wife¡¯s paintings? Where? Show me¡± he threatened the kid.

    ¡°S-sir, he w-won¡¯t al-allow anyone in that chamber o-other than me Sir,¡± Dhanush said like he was about to pass out.

    ¡°Now¡± Karthik demanded. The kid has no other way than to lead us to ¡®the chamber¡¯. The second he opened the doors my breath hitched making it impossible to breathe.

    There are a series of painting of me, the old me.

    The old Sreesha.

    My college memories.

    The paintings of me, when I was 18.

    ¡°How many times do I have to warn you not to allow any visitors in my personal chamber Dhanush?¡± A voice boomed behind us making me still at my ce. The same voice which I thought would never hear again.

    Shut Up sree, it¡¯s not him. You¡¯re just hallucinating.

    ¡°Sorry sir, this chamber is not for Visitors, I¡¯m afraid you have to leave,¡± the voice said again. Karthik was also still at his ce. He was no longer angry but confused.

    Not him.

    Not him.

    Please god, not him.

    ¡°Sir, I¡¯m asking you-¡± the man was right before me now.

    ¡°Siri¡± his voice was a mere whisper now.

    The only person who calls me Siri was standing in front of me shocked just like me.

    Manoj!

    Karthik¡¯s grip tightened on my waist.

 Chapter 42

    Sreesha Pov:

    No!

    This can¡¯t be him!

    ¡°Siri?¡±

    ¡°No!¡± I yelled.

    ¡°Why are you here? Aren¡¯t you done ruining my life? Why are you still trying to hurt me? What do you want?¡± I yelled at him clutching Karthik¡¯s sleeve like my life depends on it.

    ¡°Siri?¡± He called again like he¡¯s still oblivious to the fact that I¡¯m indeed in front of him. Or was it just an act?

    He was the one who is stalking us right? Then why is he acting too shocked by my presence?

    Didn¡¯t his minions pass the message to him that we¡¯re in Shi? Was he trying to prove that he is innocent? But what if he is? Why did he have all my paintings in his house?

    ¡°Don¡¯t call her that!¡± Karthik growled pulling me out of my self-questionnaire. ¡°Its Mrs. Sreesha Karthik for you¡± he added sending him a steal re.

    ¡°Mrs Sreesha Karthik?¡± He mumbled, ¡°You¡¯re Married?¡± This question directed to me but what got my attention was hurt is evident in his voice.

    Why? He was the one who left me after taking my innocence right. And not to forget the stalking thing¡­ even though I pretend to be strong around Karthik, the stalking thing scares the hell out me whenever I find a piece of paper which is addressed to me saying how they were going to get rid of me. The thought was enough to send shivers down my spine but not in a good way.

    ¡°Don¡¯t y innocent card now Manoj, we know it was you. But all I¡­ we wanted to know is why?¡± Karthik voice roared making me flinch.

    ¡°What are you talking about? Wait¡­ Aren¡¯t you the guy who used to stalk her? Do you finally got the balls to ask her out?¡± Manoj said half-smirking.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare pretend Manoj! We know you¡¯re aware of the fact that we¡¯re married, and We already know you¡¯re the stalker and trying to plot against me. So, DON¡¯T YOU EVER DARE¡± Karthik said clenching his teeth.

    ¡°Again! What the hell are you talking about? Stalking? Plotting? What are you ying at Karthik? So, you said all those things to her to make her fall in love with you? That¡¯s low¡± Manoj yelled.

    ¡°You bastard¡± Karthik lunged at Manoj and punched him square in the jaw. I stood there watching them fight with my jaw touching floor. I came back to my senses when someone shook me yelling to save their boss. Dhanush. I almost forgot that he¡¯s still here.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am please stop them, I¡¯m sure they would listen to you¡± he said pleading with his eyes.

    I started pleading Karthik to stop all this and we¡¯ll discuss this like civil people, but all my pleas fall on deaf ears. I took a deep breath yelling ¡°STOP IT¡± this time they stopped fighting.

    ¡°Can we talk like civil people? If you want to behave like cavemen, I¡¯ll just walk away from here¡± I said seriously but in a more calm voice.

    ¡°Karthik,e here. And You¡± pointing at Manoj ¡°Exin¡±.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± They both mumbled at the same time and red at each other but did as I say.

    Manoj sighed before saying ¡°I¡¯ll exin but take a seat¡± he said gesturing to the chairs in front of his desk. I dragged Karthik to the chairs and made him sit, but I know, he was on edge. He was trying hard to keep his anger at bay.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± Manoj¡¯s voice croaked at the end ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I left you, Siri¡±.

    ¡°I told you to call her Mrs. Sreesha¡± Karthik yelled beside me. I took hold on his hand which is clenched into a fist under the desk and started drawing circles with my thumb trying to calm him down.

    ¡°I just need some answers Karthik, remember one thing I LOVE YOU. ONLY YOU.¡± I whispered leaning, brushing my lips against his cheek. Which made him give me one of his bright smiles.

    ¡°And I, YOU¡± He said brushing his lips on mine. I smiled at his possessiveness; I know he was trying to prove Manoj that I belong to HIM. Well, I don¡¯t have any problem with his possessiveness because that shows me how much He loves me.

    I turn back to look at my current problem but the look on Manoj¡¯s face made me confuse. The look he was giving me was full of hurt, sadness, regret and love.

    Love?

    ¡°Tell me everything¡± I demanded ¡°why? Why did you leave me in the worst situation and why are you back in my life?¡±.

    ¡°I¡¯d my reasons to why I left you Si- I mean Sreesha. But I left you there and nevere back to your life. What confuses me was the usations your husband made. I never stalked you or tried to reach you. Heck, I just got to know that you were married to him.¡± He said looking confused. I would¡¯ve thought he was acting if I didn¡¯t know him any better. I can tell when he was lying, despite what we had in the past, we were friends.

    ¡°I trust him on this Karthik, he¡¯s not the one stalking me¡± I said turning to Karthik.

    ¡°He could be lying Sree, we can¡¯t trust him easily¡± he yelled at me.

    ¡°Karthik, I could tell when he¡¯s lying. He was my friend before he asked me out and I damn well know when he lies to me. So shut up and listen to him¡± I half yelled. Hurt shed through his eyes but his eyes went nk, the look on his face was cold and calctive.

    ¡°Karthik I-I¡± he cut me off saying ¡°Let¡¯s listen to him¡± his tone was clipped and distant.

    I know, I hurt him. But I want answers.

    ¡°We¡¯re listening,¡± he said raising an eyebrow at Manoj.

    He sighed and nodded ¡± That night after you slept, I got a call from my mom saying she wants me to get home as soon as possible. I tried to convince her saying that I would visit her the next day but something in her voice told me that she was afraid about something¡­ or maybe someone? I tried to wake you up to inform you but you¡¯re in a deep sleep. So I left a note saying

    ¡®mom wants me home and I¡¯ll meet youter

    -Love Manoj ¡®

    When I reach home, my mom was in a vulnerable state¡±.

    Third person Pov:

    shback:

    ¡°Mom, what happened? Why are you crying?¡± Manoj asked the minute he reached his house.

    ¡°Ma-Manoj¡± she stuttered ¡°I want you to promise me something¡± her voice was a mixture of fear and sadness.

    Fear because if she failed, she would lo

    se her one and only son. Her only family. Sadness because what she was about to ask would break her son¡¯s heart. But at least he¡¯ll live, right?

    ¡°What promises ma? First, tell me why were you crying? ¡± he pleaded.

    ¡°Why are you asking so many questions Manoj? Promise me you will do as I say¡± she snapped at him.

    ¡°Ma, why are you behaving like this? Of course, I would do anything for you. I would never say ¡®no¡¯ to you¡± he said taking his mother¡¯s trembling hands into his.

    ¡°We¡¯re moving away from here. No one should know where we live for the rest of our lives¡± she said in an emotionless tone.

    ¡°Wh-what? Moving? Where? No one should know. Why?¡± He bbered, more confused.

    ¡°Don¡¯t ask me any questions Manoj, I already packed the things we needed and we¡¯re leaving in an hour¡± she said in the same voice trying to ignore his son¡¯s confused state.

    ¡°Okay. We¡¯ll move away from here¡± she was shocked by his words. Never in her wildest dreams, she thought he would leave without a fight ¡°but, let me fetch Sreesha. So, we could leave together¡± that did it.

    ¡°No way! She¡¯s noting with us. Didn¡¯t you hear me before? No one should know about our move. Especially that girl¡± her voice was full of venom now.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    ¡°Mom, why are you behaving like this? You too love her right? You told me she was the right girl for me. Then why? Mom, tell me what happened?¡± He pleaded to her.

    ¡°No. This is all because of her. I can¡¯t risk my son¡¯s life¡±

    ¡°My life is at risk? Ma-¡± she cut off him saying ¡°we¡¯re leaving and that¡¯s final¡±

    ¡°No. I¡¯m not leaving. Ma, I can¡¯t leave her. She is my life. Life without her would be hell. She is the best thing that ever happened to me please don¡¯t do this ¡± he begged her falling on his knees.

    ¡°At least you will live and that is all I needed. If you refuse to obey my wish, I¡¯ll take away my life in front of you. Tell me, do you want me to die?¡± She ckmailed him taking a kitchen knife in her hand.

    ¡°Ma! No. I¡¯ll do as you say. Please put the knife away¡± he tried to convince her.

    ¡°Not until you go and break up with her. She should think that you¡¯re never in love with her and this was just an act. Go Manoj¡± she demanded. Manoj was shocked would be an understatement. Never in his dreams, he thought his mother would speak this heartlessly.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Just do as I say, Manoj. I¡¯m giving you 30 minutes to reach home and leave or else.. you know the consequences. You know your mother keeps her promise no matter what¡± She said pointing to the door.

    He stuttered out of his home to reach his destination.

    His love.

    His life.

    Sreesha.

    Little did he know that he was being watched by the devil himself.

 Chapter 43

    Third Person Pov:

    After dashing out of his house, he found himself in front of Sreesha who was sleeping peacefully with a smile on her face. The same smile which made him fall for her, the same smile which made him do anything and everything she wishes for.

    ¡®What Am I doing?¡¯ He thought for the nth time looking at her sleeping form.

    Am I going to leave her here all alone with her shitty family? Sure, her brother loves her, but her parents?

    Why is mom adamant on her decision? Did someone threaten her?

    If it is the reason, then who might it be?

    There is no way that Sreesha¡¯s father would do that because he was out of town with her mother.

    I¡¯m going to give you 30 minutes to reach home and leave or else¡­ you know the consequences.

    Could she really do that to me? No! She was just threatening me. My mother would never do something to hurt me¡­ right?

    You know your mother keeps her promises no matter what those were herst words before he left his home. Deep down in his heart, he knew they were true.

    His mother keeps her promises at any circumstances.

    But why was she breaking her promise which she made to herself that she would never let her son hurt?

    What changed?

    ¡­

    ¡°Leave me alone! I did as you asked. Why are you still here? Get out of my house¡± yelled Shanthi, Manoj¡¯s mother.

    ¡°Oh, you did. Then why are you still here? Didn¡¯t I tell you to leave as soon as possible? Why are you still here and what is he still doing with her? ¡± she shivered at the amount of venom in his voice.

    ¡°I told him to break up with her as you asked me¡± her voice trembled at the pain her son was going through just because of her helplessness.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    ¡°Good. Now call him and ask him toe home¡± he said tossing a phone which she lost earlier identally.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª

    He stood there without making a move. Just by looking at her made his stomach churn with guilt.

    If only he could convince his mother¡­

    If only he could take back his promise¡­

    If only he could find the reason behind his mother¡¯s behavior¡­

    If only he could kill the person who caused this situation¡­

    A mobile ring broke the reverie of if only¡¯s.

    His mother.

    ¡°M-Ma?¡± He said stuttering.

    ¡°Your luggage is packed and I¡¯m waiting for you¡± her voice was emotionless.

    ¡°Ma, please think again. I love her ma; I can¡¯t leave her like this. She would be devastated if I leave her now. Ma try to understand ¨C I will do anything other than this- please ma¡± his voice croaked.

    ¡°Anything?¡± His mother asked void of emotion.

    ¡°Anything ma,¡± he said in a hopeful voice.

    ¡°Then collect my dead body in a few minutes¡± she said crushing his hopes.

    A mixture of different emotions swirled in his eyes. The top two emotions were anger and disgust.

    He¡¯s angry at his mother for making him do this and Disgusted about himself for doing this to Sreesha.

    ¡°I¡¯ming¡± he paused a few seconds before adding ¡°mother¡±.

    He looked onest time at Sreesha, The smile he loved disappeared all of a sudden recing a frown. As if she knew something is wrong. He started caressing her face with his trembling hands. His traitorous eyes watered at the thought of leaving her, without his knowledge a tear escaped and fell on her lower lip.

    He wiped his tear on her trembling lip and started caressing and kissing each and every inch of her face.

    He knew he has to leave.

    He knew this would be thest time he could ever see her.

    But with small hope, he wrote a note saying some crap saying, ¡®he needs a break¡¯.

    Who knows maybe one day he could get a chance to exin everything to her and beg for her forgiveness?

    Maybe she could forgive him in the meantime.

    Maybe¡­ just maybe she could take him back despite him abandoning her in this state.

    Kissing her lips onest time he dashed out of her house leaving for his.

    ¡°I¡¯ming¨C mother¡± his mother knew the moment she lost her son. A sob escaped from her lips making the ruthless person beside her smile in victory.

    She knew that he won¡¯t be the same Manoj anymore.

    She knew every word she said broke his heart but ¨C

    ¡°I want you out of here the moment he steps his foot in this house¡± his voice broke her reverie.

    ¡°Get. Out¡± she spat the words at him.

    He leftughing with his head held high.

    A few minutester, Manoj came and left to his room without a word or a nce at his mother. He came down with a bag full of things she left purposefully.

    Memories of his Siri.

    ¡°Let¡¯s Go,¡± he said without giving her a room to start a conversation. He left her in the house alone making his way to the car.

    Sreesha Pov:

    I¡¯m stunned at the new revtion.

    He never left me.

    He was forced to leave by his mother.

    He left me because he doesn¡¯t have a choice, not because I was worthless.

    The very thought made me happy.

    I¡¯m not worthless.

    But¡­ who threatened her? Only one person could answer her question.

    His mother.

    ¡°I want to meet your mother¡± Karthik and I said at the same time. A look of deep regret shed in Manoj¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°She passed away a month ago¡± his voice cracked at the end. He is looking down at hisp which he used to do when he did something wrong.

    She passed away. He loved his mother to death; he was such a momma¡¯s boy. Is he coping well? He must be devastated.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡± Karthik mumbled. I was too shocked to say anything.

    ¡°Do you know who threatened your mother? I mean it¡¯s been years she could have told you something¡­ I know it¡¯s not the right time but Sreesha is in danger.¡± Karthik mumbled not looking at me.

    ¡°I- ¡± clearing his throat ¡°I¡¯m sorry. She never talked about that incident anymore and I avoided her like gue until recently¡± he said shaking his head shamefully.

    ¡°She died because of me. I should¡¯ve been there for her. I was a terrible son¡± he said with teary eyes. ¡°All I know is, it was the enemy of her Biological Parents¡±.

    Biological Parents?

    ¡°Bi-Biological Parents?¡± I stuttered.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t tell her?¡± Manoj asked looking at someone besides me.

    Looking at my husband?

    He knew?

    ¡°Karthik? ¡± I wanted to demand but my voice came out as a mere whisper.

 Chapter 44

    Karthik Pov:

    ¡°Karthik?¡± her voice came out as a mere whisper as if she was fighting herself to talk. I know, I should¡¯ve told her before our marriage or at least when she met her father. But I know she wasn¡¯t ready to face all these things¡­ yet. She needed to be strong emotionally. She would be an emotional mess if she knew how they took her away and how she ended up with Tej and his parents.

    A shatter of ss brought me out of the reverie. She knocked down a ss while trying to get up. Her face was pale, and she was trembling like a leaf, the Sreesha I witnessed a few hours ago was gone. The bubbly and cheerful Sreesha is not there anymore instead a vulnerable one reced her. Whose eyes were showing nothing but emptiness? The love for me was reced by hurt.

    ¡°Sree¡± I try to get her attention; her back was facing me.

    ¡°You knew¡± she used.

    ¡°Yes,¡± I said closing my eyes.

    ¡°How long?¡± She asked.

    ¡°From the day we met in your house,¡± I said clenching my teeth. It hurts me knowing what she is going through right now.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± She turned with an emotionless mask on her face.

    ¡°I was about to-¡± she cut me off by yelling ¡°when were you nning to tell me? Huh? Did you even consider telling me or you want to bury this so-called truth? You did nothing but keeping things from me while asking me to trust you at the same time. And I did. I did trust you, more than anyone, more than myself¡± she whispered thest part.

    I tried to reach her, but she backed away like she doesn¡¯t want me anywhere near her.

    ¡°Do you even love me or it was just an act?¡± She asked me, looking into my eyes, it hurts. Those words hurt more than a knife could do. The person whom I loved my entire life was asking me if my love for her was true.

    It hurt me like hell.

    That is when I stopped reaching for her. She doubted my love for her. Is it her fault? I did hide a lot of things from her, but with good intentions. To keep her safe.

    I turned to see her only to witness my worst nightmare, she¡¯s in his arms while he was consoling her. She is a sobbing mess but all I could think about the olden days. It felt like d¨¦j¨¤ vu.

    The same thing I witnessed when we were in college. Tears threatened to fall out of my eyes, but I couldn¡¯t do that to myself. I can¡¯t humiliate myself anymore.

    ¡°I¡¯ll wait outside,¡± I said sighing dejectedly turning around to leave.

    ¡°She will be there in a few minutes,¡± he said.

    I nodded before leaving them alone.

    I messed up.

    No. I¡¯m a mess.

    What if she chooses him again?

    Sreesha Pov:

    My biological parents?

    That means the people who I was living with were not my birth parents. Now I understood why they never wanted me to call them mom and dad. Why they hated me so much. Who wants an orphan anyway?

    Did Tej know too?

    Of course, he knew, he was the one who forced me to marry Kartik in the first ce.

    ¡°How long?¡± I asked him, not facing him.

    ¡°From the day we met in your house,¡± he said.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± I asked him, closing my eyes.

    ¡°I was about to-¡± I cut him off saying ¡°when were you nning to tell me? Huh? Did you even n to tell me, or you want to bury this so-called truth? You did nothing but keeping things from me while asking me to trust you at the same time. And I did. I did trust you, more than anyone, more than myself¡± my voice cracked at the end.

    It¡¯s true. I trusted him more than myself. I shouldn¡¯t have believed anyone in the first ce. My brother betrayed me.

    Own brother?

    Am I allowed to call him my brother?

    He¡¯s not even my brother.

    What if he rejects to call me di from now?

    Can I bare it? Did he even love me?

    Did Karthik ever love me? He said that he loved me, right? But what if it was an act too?

    ¡°Do you even love me or it was just an act?¡± I asked him, turning around, immediately regretted when I saw hurt pass through his eyes which he didn¡¯t try to mask.

    He¡¯s hurt.

    I hurt him.

    But I¡¯m broken.

    I couldn¡¯t bare if everything acts and I would probably die.

    That was when I broke down and turned into a sobbing mess. Karthik was still in shock for the words I said. A pair of arms wrapped around me and a soothing voice whispering, ¡®everything will be alright¡¯.

    ¡°I will wait outside ¡± his voice sounded defeated.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°She will be there in a few minutes,¡± Manoj said still consoling me.

    ¡°You know Siri, I always think of him as a threat even when I know you loved me. He was everywhere. Each time I saw him around you, I wanted to fight him. You know who used to stop me?¡± I shook my head no ¡°Tej¡± now my full attention is on him. ¡°He used to say that he was not a threat and we would end up together if we meant to be¡±.

    ¡°When I couldn¡¯t take it anymore, I confronted Karthik. He didn¡¯t fight with me but said he loved you enough to give up on you if that means you will be happy with me forever¡± my heart did a somersault hearing those words ¡°he threatened me saying he would take you away from me. You want to know his exact words?¡± I nodded biting my lower lip.

    ¡°I¡¯m leaving because she chose you not because I don¡¯t love her anymore. Don¡¯t you think I won¡¯t be back, because I will. I will take her away from you even if she shed a tear because of you. I¡¯ll try to conquer her heart after taking her with me even if she is married and has kids with you. So, don¡¯t think to marry her will make her yours. You will live until you make her happy¡­ Dare hurt her I will strangle your neck with my bare hands ¡± he saidughing.

    ¡°You know I always admired him for his little speech, people may think it was absurd, but when I heard his words, I started respecting him. He loved you enough to leave you for your happiness, Siri. Not his, but yours. If it isn¡¯t for him, I would have died with the guilt for leaving you alone, but I know he wille after you no matter what. I was weak enough to give in to my mother¡¯s threats. At that time, I want her to be safe even if it means leaving you, but on the other hand, he chose you.¡±

    ¡°Now, you tell me, Siri, don¡¯t you think he loves you?¡± He asked giving me a small, sad smile.

    He loves me.

    Of course, he loves me!

    I¡¯m such an Idiot to doubt him. He did nothing but love me. God! How am I going to look at him after what I said? He will hate me from now. He would leave me.

    ¡°God! What have I done? I said those stupid things to him, and he¡¯s gone now. He told me that he wanted to tell me something very important after our honeymoon and I said I trusted him enough to wait. He will hate me forever for doubting him now. What if he thinks I didn¡¯t deserve him and went after another girl? What if he leaves me here? What if he thinks I don¡¯t-¡± Manoj startedughing like a stupid.

    ¡°Why are youughing at my misery stupid?¡± I yelled at him.

    ¡°You love him,¡± he said giving me a small smile.

    ¡°Yeah. It¡¯s not rocket science you Maron, of course, I love my husband. Who wouldn¡¯t? He¡¯s such a caring husband I love him to moon and back¡± I said rolling my eyes at him.

    ¡°I¡¯m happy for you Siri,¡± he said with a genuine smile. Guilt consumed me for thinking wrong about him.

    ¡°All you have to do is, trust him,¡± he said supporting me to stand up.

    ¡°I want to be happy for you too, Manoj, ¡± I said giving him a small smile ¡°you need to move on¡± I added.

    ¡°Now I know that you¡¯re happy, I will try to move on but promise me you will be my friend forever,¡± he said taking my hands into his.

    ¡°I will. But on one condition.¡± I said seriously.

    ¡°What is it?¡± He asked nervously.

    ¡°I want all my portraits. Every single one.¡± I said fidgeting with my fingers. I know his works worth a lot, but he can¡¯t move on with my paintings near him ¡°And you have to promise me you will never paint me unless it is with my husband and I want one now¡± I demanded.

    ¡°I know what you¡¯re trying to do¡± giving me a half-smile ¡°Give me your current address I¡¯ll send all these paintings to you. Now let¡¯s go and find your husband before he ends up killing me¡± he said winking at me.

    ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s go¡± I said walking towards the door.

    ¡°What the-¡± Manoj said looking at something in front of him.

    But I knew better than to think; otherwise, my husband stood there consoling some girl while she was crying. Before I know what is happening Manoj took the girl into his arms and started examining her face and hands¡­

    He cares for her.

    The look on his face was the same look that he used to look at me when we were in a rtionship.

    So, he doesn¡¯t have to look for a girl, after all, she¡¯s already in his life. All he has to do is realise his love for her.

    And Karthik looked relieved?

 Chapter 45

    Sreesha Pov:

    ¡°Karthik¡± I tried to gain his attention which he ignored while tapping his phone.

    ¡°Oh Siri, this is Sadhika. Sadhika this is Sreesha and Karthik¡± Manoj said introducing the mystery girl, who frowned hearing my name.

    ¡°It¡¯s her¡± she whispered taking a step back.

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Manoj asked reaching for her.

    ¡°No-nothing. I¡­ I¡¯m going to uh Disha di¡¯s house. I¡­ I¡¯ll be back after a week?¡± She said stuttering.

    ¡°Disha? But¡­¡± she cut him off saying ¡°oh look, di¡¯sing towards us¡­ I¡­ I¡¯ll call youter okay? Bye¡± she said in a baby-like voice trying hard to get away from here.

    ¡°But I thought we could have dinner and-¡± again she cut him off saying ¡°I¡¯m going with Disha di, I don¡¯t want your food,¡± she said stubbornly, jealous was clear in her tone. Manoj was about to say something, but she stopped him saying ¡°I¡¯m going. Di¡¯s is waiting. Bye¡± she said sparing a nce or should I say re at me? With that, she ran to her friend leaving a very confused Manoj behind.

    ¡°Sorry. This is the first time she behaved like this. She must be having a bad day or something.¡± He exined looking at us. I nodded smiling knowing the reason ¡°Yeah¡­ she was crying, right? But for what?¡± He asked, to which Karthik shrugged.

    ¡°Why is she behaving like a kid?¡± I blurted out. A flicker of anger crossed his eyes ¡°Sorry¡± I apologized immediately.

    ¡°She had an ident a few years ago and lost her memory. Even though she¡¯s in her 20¡¯s, she behaves like 13 yr old. Doctors said that her mind struck at her 13th birthday¡± he said sighing. ¡°We have a flight to catch in 2 hours. If you don¡¯t have any ns we should get going¡± Karthik said curtly checking the time on his watch.

    I want to say how sorry I¡¯m and beg for his forgiveness for doubting his love for me. But this is not the right time or ce.

    ¡°Five minutes¡± I mumbled, He nodded curtly walking towards our car. I shook Manoj who was still looking at the way Sadhika left ¡°She¡¯s beautiful¡± I said trying to make conversation. He nodded.

    ¡°Where is Karthik?¡± He said searching around.

    ¡°He said that he would wait in the car. It¡¯s time to go¡± I said nodding at his retreating figure. ¡°I¡¯m so happy for you Sree,¡± he said sincerely ¡°Even though I¡¯m a bit jealous of that lucky Idiot, he deserves you. I thought I would never let you go. If we ever met but look at me now, I¡¯m so happy to let you go now ¡± he added smiling.

    ¡°You know, I¡¯m so sorry for hating you all these years,¡± I said with teary eyes. ¡°Promise me we¡¯ll be friends again. True friends?¡± I added, tears pouring down my face.

    ¡°Shh¡­¡± cupping my face with his both hands ¡°I¡¯ll never leave you alone again. I¡¯ll be in touch with you, I promise. Don¡¯t cry Sree. You look like a racoon when you cry¡± he joked tipping my nose.

    ¡°Shut up,¡± I said pping his hand feigning a re, giving him a small smile. ¡°Oh look, your husband is waiting, you better get going before he plots my death,¡± he said winking, I nodded smiling.

    ¡°Manoj¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°Clear the misunderstandings between you and Sadhika¡± I mumbled.

    ¡°Huh?¡± God! He¡¯s so clueless about her feelings towards him ¡°What misunderstandings?¡± he asked confused.

    I sighed. ¡°Manoj! She thought we¡¯re together again.¡± I said frustrated.

    ¡°I will. She¡¯s a great friend after all¡± he mumbled. ¡°He¡¯s waiting impatiently, Siri¡± he added gesturing towards Karthik, who was checking his watch impatiently.

    ¡°Okay. Our friends are home. Give me your phone¡± I demanded. He obeyed without question. I saved my number and gave it back to him.

    ¡°Call me when you need expert advice, I¡¯m sure you will need one in the near future,¡± I said smirking walking towards my husband leaving a very confused Manoj behind. ¡ª

    Karthik didn¡¯t utter a word. His answers were curt whenever I ask him a question otherwise, he¡¯ll just shrug.

    ¡°Karthik¡± I called him for the nth time, and his answer was a nod.

    ¡°Karthik Shekhar¡± I yelled losing my patience.

    ¡°What?¡± He said matching my tone.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for yelling at you¡± I mumbled, he shrugged keeping his attention on the road.

    ¡°I said I¡¯m sorry¡± he nodded again.

    ¡°Can we talk?¡± He shrugged again.

    ¡°Karthik-¡± he cut off me saying ¡°we¡¯re here¡±. I noticed that we reached our destination. The Airport.

    ¡°But our luggage is still in the hotel room¡± I tried to remind him.

    ¡°Sir here¡¯s your luggage,¡± a middle-aged man said beside me. Karthik gave him a curt nod and took our luggage. I thanked the middle-aged man and followed Karthik. We boarded the flight. I kept my mouth shut. This isn¡¯t the time or ce for these kinds of talks. I kept repeating everything is going to be okay.

    Right?

    Karthik Pov:

    Why does it have to be me all the time who loses?

    When I look at those two, I couldn¡¯t help but feel lost. It felt like someone pped me right across my face. My heart went numb. It lost its capability to make me feel any pain.

    He¡¯s not at fault!

    I should let her choose even though it kills me, and her happiness is more important than anything else. He was never at fault.

    But he left her!

    Someone threatened his mother.

    If it¡¯s not her father, then who might it be?

    I called Tej and let him know about my next step.

    I was about to turn around, a girl around Tej¡¯s age came running towards me and copsed on the floor crying loudly.

    ¡°Hey,¡± I said cing my hand on her shoulder, she flinched.

    ¡°I hate her¡± she mumbled.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Now I¡¯mpletely lost.

    ¡°I hate her¡± she continued chanting the same sentence again and again.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    ¡°Hate who?¡± I asked slowly. I know it¡¯s none of my business, but I can¡¯t leave a girl in this state.

    ¡°No one¡± she snapped at me. I raised my hands to let her know I mean no harm.

    ¡°Do you want to talk about it?¡± I asked patiently. I learned to be patient for the sake of Sree.

    ¡°No¡± she mumbled, ¡°can I hug you?¡± She asked out of nowhere.

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea,¡± I said not knowing what to say.

    ¡°When I was sad Manny always hugs me saying it will be okay, but now he¡¯s with another girl treating her how he used to treat me ¡± sheined crying even more.

    ¡°Hey¡­ hey stop crying okay? Umm If I let you hug me; will you stop crying?¡± I asked her having no other option.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± she said and hugged me tightly, crying. ¡°I hate her¡± she started chanting again. Why is she behaving like a kid?

    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s going to be okay alright¡± I said remembering the words she mentioned.

    ¡°You know all the people here think I¡¯m weird except my Manny. He¡¯s a good man. He cooks for me, he ys with me even though all the mean guys told him not to¡­ and¡± I tuned her voice out, whoever this Manny guy, he treated this girl well that is why she¡¯s not able to take in when she saw someone else in his arms.

    She was snatched away from my hold by ¡­ none other than¡­ Manoj?

    Manoj is her Manny?

    And the girl she hates is Sreesha?

    Can this situation be anymore¡­ what to say? Dramatic? Embarrassing? Awkward? Whatever it is, I¡¯m more than relieved that the girl is no longer crying in my arms.

    I stole a nce at Sreesha. She was smiling at Manoj and the mystery girl.

    ¡°Oh Siri, this is Sadhika. Saddy this is Sreesha and Karthik¡± he introduced the mystery girl. I nodded.

    I said I¡¯ll be waiting in my car and left them alone when Sree told she would join me in 5 min. I couldn¡¯t help but look at them each and every second.

    I couldn¡¯t shake the voice back in my head repeating what happens when she chose to be with him?

    If it makes her happy, there is nothing I could do than repeat the history. I promised her well-wishers that I¡¯d keep her happy no matter what¡­ if her happiness belongs here, with him, who am I to say no?

    A lone tear escaped from my eye. I shouldn¡¯t let my emotions rule me in this situation. God, I love her so much! Once everything settles, and when I know no one¡¯s going to hurt her anymore, that day I¡¯ll let her make a decision.

 Chapter 46

    Third Person Pov:

    Tej reached his parents¡¯ house after receiving a call from Karthik who asked him to assemble both of their families in one ce. When he arrived at his home, he was greeted by a cheerful version of his mother chatting animatedly with his smiling father. He double-checked whether he was in a wrong house. But no, he was in the very same house in which he lived his entire life.

    His house used to be calm, if it¡¯s not, then it would be his father¡¯s voice roaring around the house demanding for something or other when he was angry at someone. Unfortunately, that someone would always be his sister. He took a step back to knock so he could make his presence known but he knocked down a vase, which shattered into pieces gaining his parents¡¯ attention.

    What happened next, doubted his entire family life. His parents masked their cheery attitude with glum faces. They knew that he saw them and there is no reason left to pretend anymore.

    His father was the first person to break the silence ¡°What are you doing here? I thought you left us to take care of your boss¡± his voice roared. Usually, Tej would pretend like he wasn¡¯t affected by his father¡¯s voice, but today he¡¯s positive that he was not afraid of his father.

    The reason was still unknown to him.

    Clearing his throat, he said, ¡± I want you both toe with me to Sreesha di¡¯s house¡±.

    ¡°Is she okay?¡± His mother asked genuinely concerned, she immediately masked her face emotionless ¡°I mean why do we have to be there? I¡¯m not interested¡± she added shrugging.

    ¡°Yeah, Why? She must have done something to anger her husband or her inws. I swear if she did something stupid, I¡¯m not allowing her in this house, consider she¡¯s dead¡± his father said morphing his face into the void of emotions as well.

    ¡°If it is, I¡¯m not going too. She must have done something wrong. She-¡± Tej cut his mother off saying ¡°Stop it! You both areing with me and solve the mess you created! I love my sister even though she¡¯s not biologically mine!¡± Tej yelled, which made his parents rooted in the same ce. No words exchanged between them. An eerie silence filled the room, and the only sound audible was from the 80¡¯s wall clock hanging on the wall.

    Tej continued ¡°I¡¯m not going to ask you why, not now, not here. But you have a lot of exining to do¡­ to Di who suffered enough through her entire childhood. Juste with me and clear this mess, it¡¯s not too much to ask, is it?¡± His mother was too stunned to utter a word, but her eyes said a different story. She was afraid of the danger that would knock on their door any moment from now. She was afraid that the danger would crumple her daughter¡¯s happiness.

    Yes. Her daughter!

    ¡°Let¡¯s go Yamini, it¡¯s about time,¡± his father said gesturing towards the front door.

    ¡°What if -¡± he cut her off saying ¡°we¡¯ve done what we could, but it is time to fight back,¡± he said rubbing her back.

    Witnessing his father¡¯s unusual behavior, Tej stunned. He was used to his father¡¯s dominance, rude and beast-like attitude but never in his life witnessed his father¡¯s eyes filled with warmth, love and affection. Why now? What happened to change his nature towards his mother? Why was his mother had terrified expression on her face?

    ¡°Call your boss and ask him toe with us¡­ to Shekhar¡¯s Mansion,¡± his father said walking towards the front door supporting his wife to walk.

    ¡°H-how do you know about where Di lives?¡± Tej demanded.

    ¡°I¡¯m your still your father,¡± his father said before signing him to unlock the car.

    My father knows!

    Sreesha Pov:

    We¡¯re 20 minutes away from our home. Karthik was being stubborn and didn¡¯t utter a word from the moment we left Shi. This is just too much to take in.

    First Manoj wasn¡¯t a cheater like I assumed.

    Second, he was threatened to leave me.

    Third, my parents were not my biological parents.

    And thest thing I want was Karthik to be mad at me.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    I can¡¯t deal with this all alone. I need his support now. I want him to hug me and say everything will be fine even though I know it will not. I want him to kiss me erasing all the events that burst the happy little bubble I have been living in. I want him to scold me or even p me for yelling at him, for supporting Manoj¡¯s intentions.

    But deep down I knew he wasn¡¯t really mad at me. He was thinking, thinking about what I was going to do. What if he thought that I would leave him for Manoj?

    What if he thinks I was supporting Manoj because I still love him?

    Oh god!

    He isn¡¯t that stupid to think that I still love Manoj right?

    What if¡­

    ¡°Karthik. Stop this damn car right now!¡± I yelled. The car stopped with a jerk.

    ¡°What now? We¡¯re just a few minutes away from home, and there are people waiting for us¡± he said raking his fingers through his hair.

    ¡°We¡¯re not going in there like this. We need to talk¡± I said cing my hand on his.

    He took a deep breath and nodded before uttering ¡°Talk¡±.

    ¡°What are you thinking, Karthik?¡± I asked him, looking at him, and he was trying to avoid eye contact at all cost.

    ¡°Nothing¡± he muttered.

    ¡°Karthik please¡±

    ¡°Oh you know theck of concentration in the athletes about Olympics¡­ we got only two medals and not to forgot there isn¡¯t a gold medal in them. How could they? ¡± he said, sarcasm dripping in his words.

    ¡°Karthik,¡± I said dragging his name.

    ¡°What?¡± He asked ¡°You wanted me to talk and I did. What is it now? Let¡¯s get going¡± he added, I got the hold of his hand before he ignites the engine again.

    ¡°Talk to me Karthik,¡± I said sighing, my patience wearing thin and the stupid husband of mine was acting like a stubborn kid. The silence in the car was deafening, all I wanted to do was get out of here. I sighed unbuckling the seat belt, Karthik gripped my hand before I unlock the door.

    ¡°It¡¯s not safe here,¡± he said sighing.

    ¡°I can manage myself, don¡¯t worry about me,¡± I said trying to avoid his eyes. This is too much to take in. He was behaving as I¡¯d cheated on him.

    ¡°Sree, let¡¯s go home, people are waiting for us¡­ for you,¡± he said gripping the steering hard that made his knuckles turned white, and the other hand¡¯s grip tightened around my wrist. It hurts but not more than the pain I went through when he was silent. His grip hardens a little a wince escaped my lips.

    Hearing my wince his eyes travelled to our hands, he immediately let it go saying ¡°I¡¯m sorry Sree, I didn¡¯t mean to hurt you. I¡¯m sorry¡± he apologized taking me into his surveying the damage. It would definitely leave a mark.

    ¡°You¡¯re already hurting me Karthik, just not physically¡± I mumbled looking at how perfectly our hands fit together.

    ¡°Sreesha,¡± he said dragging my name.

    ¡°Why are you behaving like this Karthik? Are you mad at me because I defended Manoj -he winced hearing Manoj¡¯s name- or do you think I was going to leave you for him?¡± His eyes went wide listening to my words.

    ¡°You do, don¡¯t you? How many times do I have to repeat these words Karthik? You¡¯re my husband, and I love you. Just because I defended him doesn¡¯t mean I love him. He was my friend for years before we started going out. Why don¡¯t you trust me enough Karthik?¡± I ended up yelling at him.

    He sighed tracing his thumb on my forearm ¡°Sree, I trust you more than myself. I admit I was mad when you defended him and told me to back off but not anymore. He was a nice guy, and all but you loved him Sree. I was insecure when ites to you. I don¡¯t know how to exin this to you, and I want you to be happy no matter what¡­ I love you too much to put you through the misery once you went through. I know first love would never die and it kills you when you let go of it, It breaks every ounce of confidence in you and crumbles you like a piece of trash. When I got to know that he wasn¡¯t at fault the first thing that crossed my mind was, what if the feelings you had for him resurface? I just hardened my heart, Sree¡± he said avoiding eye contact.

    I was in tears now. I don¡¯t know what to think of my stupid husband. Should I be d that he put my happiness before his or should I p him for thinking about me leaving him?

    I decided to follow theter one. I pped him hard across his cheek. Before he could utter a word, I grabbed his neck crashing my lips on his. I was too angry and happy at the same time.

    Is it possible to be happy and angry at the same time, with the same person, for the same reason?

    If he was stunned at my sudden outburst, he became a statue when I started kissing him might I add angrily? It took him a few seconds to return the kiss and should I mention with the same intensity and as if showing who was boss here. We fought for dominance for a while, when his hand reached my exposed waist tracing and pinching it, I lost it. I gave into him and let him lead me.

    ¡°If this was the way you¡¯re going to let your anger out, I should start making you angry every second of our lives,¡± he said leaning his forehead on mine.

    ¡°You won¡¯t be fortunate to get a kiss next time. I might end up killing you for thinking about leaving me. I¡¯m so much in love with you Karthik, can¡¯t you freaking see that in my eyes? Or are you too blind to figure out my feelings for you or are you too ignorant about my feelings towards you? A blind could see and tell I was in love with you. I fell for you the moment you said that you would wait for me until I was ready and that you were sorry for not asking for my consent about our marriage. I trusted you even when I saw a girl in your arms, and I know you would never cheat on me. Even though it had been a few days of our marriage, I trusted you around Anvika and Julie because I know the look on your face when you look at me is far most different when itpared to the way you look at the other female poption. All I wanted you to do was trust me in return; I would never think about leaving you, Karthik let alone cheat on you. Is that too much to ask?¡± I said hitting his chest repeatedly.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m so sorry ¡± he said eat time I hit him; he didn¡¯t stop me.

    ¡°The feelings I¡¯d for Manoj were not even remotely equalpared to how I feel about you. I¡¯m not even sure if I loved him back then. I was too engrossed in a bubble of happiness that there was someone that would love me. I was too desperate about the feeling of being loved. I thought I was in love with him, but I¡¯d no idea what love was until I meet you. You showed me what love is and how incredible one would feel being in love. I¡¯m not only in love with you but our family too. Get this through your thick skull Karthik, and you¡¯re never going to get rid of me even if you want, you¡¯re stuck with for the rest of your life¡± After my long speech I found my husband¡¯s mouth hanging open. I reached his chin pulling him for another kiss.

    The people in the mansion could wait¡­

 Chapter 47

    Third Person:

    The people in the mansion did wait for their arrival, but they were nowhere to be seen. Karthik¡¯s parents were worried, wreck while Sreesha¡¯s parents were not taking their eyes off the door.

    Tej has been tapping his foot annoyed by his helplessness. He called Nihal to track their mobile phones, but it was useless. His eyes sparked when he remembered something.

    Hearing the car horn, they all sighed in relief, but it was short-lived when they saw Jayanth Thakur instead of Sreesha and Karthik. Watching Mr Thakur stalking their way made Sreesha¡¯s mother tensed, but her father did not flinch or back down.

    ¡°You did not keep your word¡± Jayanth nodded at JayKar Verma sternly.

    ¡°Unlike you, I have four to protect¡± Jaykar added curtly without an ounce of emotion on his face.

    Vinay and Malini Shekar smiled at the reunion but did not say a word to interrupt. It was the most awaited reunion, to say the least. They knew the distance that created between them would not be cleared with the snap of the fingers, but there was always a hope for the start.

    ¡°Where are they?¡± Jayanth asked turning around to face Vinay Shekhar, but all he got was silence. A silence which he never liked. He looked into the eyes of the very man that was responsible for the protection of the princess of this house.

    ¡°I¡¯m asking you again, Shekhar. Where the hell are, they? They should have been here an hour ago.¡± He demanded him grabbing Vinay¡¯s shirt cor.

    ¡°We tried reaching them Jay, but we are not able to reach them¡± Vinay exined trying to get out of his hold.

    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± he stalked towards him with a predatory glint in his eyes. He was never the one to ept failure.

    ¡°We are sure that they entered our territory. We got that news an hour ago. If anything, they should have been here thirty minutes ago.¡± He gulped taking a step back.

    When he was about to say something, he heard Tej speaking to someone on the phone.

    ¡°Escort them to Shekhar¡¯s mansion¡± he heard Tej say and raised an eyebrow at him.

    ¡°The car they were using was sted¡± everyone gasped except Thakur ¡°And they are safe and will be arriving shortly¡± he added looking straight into Thakur¡¯s eyes nodding, making everyone sigh in relief.

    Jayanth eyes shone with pride looking at Tej. He knew his judgement never fails.

    ¡°The people in the mansion can wait¡± thought Sreesha leaning into her husband¡¯s touch making him groan in agony with the sheer torture she was swirling in him. If only they were not in the middle of nowhere¡­ The thought of making her his again and again for the rest of their lives heightened his senses.

    Karthik knew how stupid he was for doubting Sreesha¡¯s love for him, but he was also happy at her confession of love. When he heard her say our family instead of his, he was on the cloud nine. She loves his family as her own. And the trust she had on him had him astounded. He thought she would be jealous when she saw Manoj¡¯s girl in his arms, but all she did was smile at the girl who hates her.

    The very thought of losing her to him again clouded his mind dominating his instincts making his insecurities kick in. He was possessive and so in love with her that he could either die or kill for her.

    With that thought in mind, he drew her to him without allowing air between them. Lips mingling, hands roaming, feelings entangling, and love vibrating through them. He was so consumed by Sreesha that he forgot to watch his surrounding where danger was lurking for them.

    He heard cars speeding up beside theirs, demanding them to open the doors. There were too many people for him to fight and save Sreesha. He looked around to find few men scattered around the car with guns in their hands.

    He took his panicked wife in his arms trying to block her view. Good thing they were travelling in a bulletproof car but how can they survive the situation? Their vehicle was stuck between four other cars one at each side. They were trapped.

    He knew he needs to get out of that car and fight them, but one mistake can cost Sreesha life, and her life is not hers alone. If there is no Sreesha, there is no meaning for Karthik to survive.

    He took off his phone to only find out that there was nowork. He was certain that they destroyed themunication system which he installed around this area with the help of Nihal¡¯spany.

    There is no way out now. He was no fiction hero to fight and survive with ten bullets in his body but a mere human who has a responsibility besides him.

    What he knew was there indeed would be an ambush, and he needs to be prepared for the worse.

    He was so worried until he saw a ray of hope.

    Sreesha cannot believe what is happening in front of her eyes. It is like watching an action movie, live. She would have been thrilled if they were not the target of the guns which were pointed at them, at her to be precise.

    What has she done to anger the men outside? Were they, the same people who were stalking her since the day she was married?

    What do they want from her?

    She has nothing expensive to give them except the title of Shekhar¡¯s daughter-inw.

    She gulped looking at a guy who was looking at her with a cruel smirk on his face though they can¡¯t see her properly as the ss is tinted ck, she shivered in fear. She wrapped a hand around Karthik¡¯s bicep squeezing him a little.

    The terrified look on her face unwinds his calm. He immediately reached under his seat stealthily revealing a gun making Sreesha gasp. The gang can¡¯t see them clearly because it was tinted.

    Before he could make a move, his eyes caught something, a grenade in one of their hands.

    They both thought this would be the end of their beautiful journey.

    He thought they could live a long life with her beside him and have lots of children. He dreamt of having her walking in his kitchen barefoot and pregnant. He dreamt of having his daughtersining about their brothers¡¯ protectiveness. He dreamt of threatening the boys with the help of his sons who dared to eye his daughters. He dreamt of growing old with Sreesha alongside him. He dreamt of having loads of grandchildren running around the house. And one day dying before her and wait for her to reach him.

    The knocks on the car windows were overbearing. Sreesha looked at him and closed her eyes sighing sadly.

    This is it, she thought. At least she gets to taste the essence of love in this life. She traced the ne she was wearing and sighed. It was a gift from Karthik¡¯s Uncle. She remembers him saying that this ne belongs to her. What does he mean by that? Is this by any chance belongs to her parents? The thought of her parents snapped her eyes open.

    She needs to know who her parents were before she dies.

    But¡­

    She shrieked at the first bullet that hit at her side of the window. She hugged Karthik with the fear of losing him.

    Karthik sighed in relief as thedy and the luck both on his side. He saw Sreesha fingers slowly tracing the ne, which was a gift from Jayanth Thakur himself. He was sure there would be a tracking device in there.

    He looked at the watch and noted the time and nced through the window to find a figure pass through. He calmly grabbed his wife near him and closed her ears knowing fully well what is going to happen.

    He counted one to ten in mind when the gunfire started. It just took a few seconds to kill every intruder in the territory and mere minutes to clear the scene.

    This would not have happened if they didn¡¯t stop here, he thought before shaking Sreesha.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    He panicked when she didn¡¯t move. He checked her heartbeat and sighed in relief. He almost had a heart attack thinking that she was shot.

    Ron, Sreesha¡¯s bodyguard, knocked on the door signalling that everything is clear. When the door was opened, he offered to help with unconscious Sreesha in his arms, but one re from Karthik is all it took for him to retrieve his offer.

    He carried her to the other car waiting for them and ced her beside him and signalled everyone to leave the car behind.

    Just a few seconds after they passed the area, the car they have been travelling sted.

    He was not a dimwit to think of travelling in the same car which was under the hold of enemies even if it is for a few minutes.

 Chapter 48

    Standing at the edge of the stairs Tej started eavesdropping his parents¡¯ conversation. He knew it is not the right thing to do and that his sister would pinch his ear if he gets caught. But hearing his sister name piqued his curiosity. Being thirteen, he wanted to know everything that goes around him.

    ¡°We can¡¯t hide her anymore¡± he heard his father say.

    Hide who? He thought, tapping his chin with a finger.

    ¡°Why? We have been doing just fine¡± He heard his mother saying.

    ¡°He found us. If he takes her away from us, there is no way we find who we have been searching for¡± Jaykar said rubbing his forehead.

    ¡°What? We have been so careful not to get caught!¡± his mother half yelled.

    ¡°Sreesha¡± he sighed.

    ¡°What about her? She knew nothing¡± she mumbled.

    ¡°She is the topper in her tenth grade. Her school published her picture in all newspapers. Did you forget that she looks exactly like her mother?¡±

    ¡®But Di looks nothing like mother. They both are pr opposites.¡¯ thought Tej, innocently.

    ¡°I should have been careful. I should have let her study in-home or not study at all.¡± He heard his father say.

    ¡°We can always move out of this ce. We can go far away so no one can find us.¡± His mother said with a slight tremble in her voice.

    ¡°They are already trailing behind us. Everyone is being followed including Tej¡±

    I am being followed. Why? Tej thought excitedly.

    It is so thrilling for him. It made him think that he is an action hero who is being followed by viins.

    ¡°What should we do now?¡±

    ¡°Get her married¡± his father said without blinking.

    ¡°She is barely 15!¡± his mother half yelled. His father did not utter a word. His face was nk as usual.

    ¡°That is my final decision¡± his father stated nonchntly.

    What the hell is his father saying? Get his sister married at 15? It is illegal. He willin to the police and they will save his sister.

    ¡°How can you be so heartless? She is still a child. Would you do the same if she is our daughter by blood?¡± his mother yelled, tears forming in her eyes.

    ¡°It is already decided-¡± Tej did not hear anything after that.

    Would you do the same if she is our daughter by blood? He heard his mother clearly say.

    His mind went nk making him stumble back a little. He knew he heard something he shouldn¡¯t. He knew that his father would skin him alive if he was caught eavesdropping.

    A lone tear escaped his eye. Di is not his sister?

    Tej did not know how to take the new-found information. So, did the only thing he always does. Run.

    After what felt like hours, he found himself in an abandoned ce all alone. He copsed in front of the door and started crying. He cannot believe what he just witnessed.

    Why is his father being so cruel?

    His sister is the one who loves him the most. He knew she was being treated badly at home, but he did not find the answer until now.

    Now he knew the answer.

    With all the pent-up frustration, he punched the wall repeatedly until it started bleeding.

    ¡°You should not let your anger rule you, boy¡± he heard a man saying behind him. He stiffened.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Everyone is being followed including Tej.

    He remembered his father saying. what does this man want from them? He can¡¯t be a kid and let his father ruin his sister¡¯s life but for that to happen he needs to escape this mountain of a man.

    ¡°W-What do you want?¡± Tej asked the man, stuttering a little. ¡°Why are you following my family? Are you trying to harm us?¡± he asked clenching his jaw.

    ¡°I am here to make sure you are okay, boy. Why do you think that I am following you?¡± the man countered.

    ¡°Don¡¯t try to act smart. My father knew you are behind us. What did he do to you? Did he take money from you and not paying back? If that is the case, I will work for you for every rupee he took from you. Don¡¯t trouble him anymore¡± he said looking at the man straight into the eye.

    ¡°Are you saying that you will give up everything to save your father? Do you love him that much?¡± the man inquired.

    ¡°I will do anything for my sister¡± he stated instead.

    ¡°Sister? I never asked you about your sister¡± the man said nonchntly.

    ¡°He is nning to get my sister married to get rid of you. I am sure he will sell her to some old man to get money and clear your debt. I will not allow that. I will fight all of you if needed. I will save my sister¡± he pledged, looking for some weapon just in case.

    Instead, the manughed and hugged Tej.

    ¡°Do you want to save your sister?¡± Tej nodded determinedly. ¡°Then work with me. I can protect her from everything that happens outside the house but¡­ you must protect her from inside. Can you do that?¡± the man asked Tej.

    Tej looked at the man like he had grown horns. He was so afraid that he will be either kidnapped or killed for talking to that man like that instead, he was offering his help.

    ¡°Why are you helping me?¡± he asked looking at the man in the eye. He needs to know if he is lying or not.

    ¡°I have my own reasons¡± the man stated.

    ¡°I want to know why¡± Tej demanded.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just say, I wouldy my life to protect your sister from all the evils of the world. It is my duty. I am her protector. Will you be one for her too?¡± the man countered.

    ¡°I will. But¡­¡± the man cut him off saying ¡°As I said, I will protect her from outside. All you must do is Protect her from inside. Let it be from your father or mother or yourself. Be her shadow¡± he said.

    His phone rang interrupting their conversation. The man answered and smiled a little.

    ¡°You need to go back soon. Your sister is looking for you everywhere, all alone roaming on the roads crying¡± the man said patting his shoulder.

    ¡°She is trying to protect me from father¡¯s wrath again,¡± Tej said with a small smile on his face.

    ¡°She got that protective nature from her mother¡± the man smiled faintly.

    ¡°Really?¡± Tej asked absentmindedly.

    ¡°What did you just say? I never told you she was not my own sister¡± Tej asked sharply.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to. And she is your sister no matter what. You remember that alright? Come with me, I will drop you where she is now. So, you both can go home¡± The man said showing his car.

    ¡°How do you¡­¡±

    ¡°I have my men following her. Your father is a fool to think that he can hide from us. Remember one thing clearly, Tej. Don¡¯t be a coward like your father.¡± He said opening the car door to let me in.

    Why am I trusting this stranger so easily?

    ¡°No one should know you are helping me. Clear?¡± Tej nodded.

    ¡°What is your name?¡± Tej asked the man.

    ¡°Vinay¡± the man smiled.

    ¡°How can I contact you if there is an emergency?¡± Tej asked again.

    ¡®This boy is one of a kind¡¯ Vinay thought.

    He gave his number to him and asked never to call from the same number twice.

    Vinay dropped Tej, just around the corner of where his sister is standing and left.

    ¡°You better protect my sister or pray to god to save your own life¡± Tej mumbled to himself walking towards his sister.

    Sreesha stunned to find him in front of her. She pped him first and then hugged him, crying.

    Blood or not, the love in between them two is unconditional and pure.

 Chapter 49

    When Sreesha woke up from the deep slumber it was already night. She looked around to find her husband, but he is nowhere to be seen. Panic rose in her heart, she couldn¡¯t think rationally at the moment and started trashing from the bed until she heard a voice asking her to stop.

    It was her husband. She slowly followed his voice and saw him hovering over her. Relief washed over her when her eyes met his. She pulled him to her, hugging as if he was her lifeline.

    It is true.

    He is her lifeline just like she is his.

    They need each other.

    Theyplete each other.

    There is no meaning for one to live if the other disappears.

    That is how strong their love is and will be forever.

    Sreesha checked Karthik thoroughly to see for any trace of injuries when she found nothing she sighed and hugged him tightly.

    With tears streaming down her eyes, she kissed every inch of his face. Burying her face in his neck, she started sobbing like a kid. She was so scared to think of what had happened. They were almost killed by those goons. She thought it was the end of their lives.

    She doesn¡¯t know how they escaped and reached home. She double-checked the room to see if they were indeed her home. She cried more when her eyesnded on the portrait of them on their wedding day.

    They were looking into each other eyes with him smiling at her like he has won the world with her frowning at him with confused eyes. That was the day she was introduced to the real happiness and bliss in her life and she was too selfish to let go of it even if they were to die.

    She snuggled close to him. They did not exchange any words. There is no need to as they both know that the other one is safe and right next to them.

    *********************************************

    Karthik was so terrified when Sreesha didn¡¯t open her eyes for hours. He was never this vulnerable in his life. Though the doctor reassured him that she was just in shock and that her body needed rest. He was desperate to hear her voice say his name and assure him that she was fine.

    Karthik was almost tackled by Tej the moment he got out of the car. He rushed them to their room where a doctor is waiting for them to get checked. He was very impressed by Tej¡¯s acute thinking and thanked him repeatedly which he brushed off saying it is for his sister.

    Karthik knew behind all theposed faced, there is a kid who is terrified by the current situation. He was well aware that they were alive because of his acute thinking.

    Both the families were hovering over Sreesha and I until his uncle interfered and asked to give them their needed space.

    ¡®Tomorrow is going to be a long day¡¯ he thought sighing, rubbing his face tiredly.

    He nced at the bed, where his wifeid motionless. He med himself for what happened a few hours ago. He shuddered at the thought of something happening to her.

    He once again proved to his uncle right and that he is not capable of thinking on the mark.

    He was distracted by his wife and let his guard down. He should have known better than stopping the car in the middle of nowhere. He should not have let his mind clouded by jealousy. He had put both of their lives in danger.

    He dragged a deep breath and stalked to the balcony taking in the cool air, trying to control his anger on himself. Tears of anger formed in his eyes, gritting his teeth he controlled them. He med himself for not being acute.

    He still can¡¯t control his anger; he raised his hand to punch the wall but stopped when he heard rustling noises from the room which turned to trash just in seconds time.

    He rushed inside to find Sreesha trying to get out of the bed with the IV still attached to her hand. She stopped the moment her eyesnded on him. He stopped breathing for a minute where she stared at him and said nothing. Just stared.

    His throat dried making it impossible for him to utter a word. He waited. Waited for her to me him for cing her in a life-threatening situation. Hurt him for not trying to save her but all she did is stare at him like he will disappear if she were to blink.

    All of a sudden, she held his hand and pulled him to her. He waited for her to say his name but all she did was check for his injuries. When she found none, she hugged him tight. All his anger and frustration crumbled when she kissed every inch of his face.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    He hugged her tightly to him. This time he did not stop the tears that were threatening to fall. He was not ashamed to cry in front of his wife. She will be the only one who has the right to see his vulnerable side. And he has no reservations on that.

    They drifted into blissful slumber as they both guard each other against the possible nightmares.

    *************************************************

    The next morning Shekhar¡¯s mansion is in Chaos. Somehow the news reached media people that the Heir of Shekhar¡¯s was attacked by a mysterious gang.

    The mansion gate was hovered by curious reporters. Jayanth knew he could not dust off the matter of car st under the rug like he always did. He tried hard not to disclose any of Shekhar¡¯s identity until now. They were never photographed or been a topic to the reporters for a long time.

    He sighed in frustration. Vinay Shekhar is trying his best to get it under control, but it was of no use.

    Someone leaked the information about Karthik¡¯s marriage, and their curiosity piqued a thousand times.

    The Billionaire Saint as they prefer to call him was the headlines of today¡¯s newspapers and news channels. An image of Karthik when he was in college disyed on the screen.

    Everyone is curious about the woman who snagged the Billionaire Saint. Karthik was never rumored to be seen with a woman and has scandal less life until now.

    The media people imaginations went as far as to disy the prospective heiresses¡¯ images beside his.

    ¡®There is no hiding anymore¡¯ thought Jayanth, before making a few calls.

    Oblivious to what¡¯s happening outside the doors, Sreesha and Karthik are still on the bed.

    They are not ready to let go the other just yet.

    While Karthik had his hands under his head, Sreeshaying on one of them making it her own personal pillow. Still, with her closed eyes, she started drawling circles on his naked chest making him sigh.

    ¡°I am sorry¡± they both said at a time.

    ¡°No, Sree. It is all my fault. I should not have let my anger rule me. I should have never put you in the way of danger. This is all my fault¨C¡±

    ¡°No, Karthik. I am the one who threatened you to stop the car. If it is not for me, we would have reached home safely. My stubbornness almost cost me you¡±

    He ced a finger on her lips. Whatever she may say to reduce his guilt, it is still his fault. She was oblivious of the danger that was lurking around her.

    ¡°We both are sorry, okay?¡± he asked making Sreesha¡¯s lips stretch into a beautiful smile. She will make him fall for her again and again with just one of her heart-stopping smiles.

    Sreesha was lost in his eyes. She can¡¯t get enough of him. Her husband is the most perfect guy in the world, and she is so lucky to have him love her unconditionally.

    She reached out for him and he is so happy to oblige his wife. She held his face between her palms and traced his cheeks where the traces of his dried tears were and kissed both the cheeks.

    She kissed his forehead tenderly relieving the frown on it. He exhaled a deep breath in content. Looking at him tenderly, she brushed her lips to his.

    Karthik took the hint, she wants him in control. So ever the dutiful husband acquired the chance effortlessly and started his invasion.

    He invaded her body, mind, heart and soul.

    He invaded HER.

 Chapter 50

    Karthik knew it is time for them to join others and deal with the consequences of before day¡¯s mishap, but he was dallying the inevitable. He just stood in the balcony watching the reporters swirl around their home. Sighing tiredly, he stroked his eyebrow.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we meet our family and let them know that I am doing fine? Mom and dad must be worried about me¡± Sreesha queried, snaking her hands around his waist before resting her head on his back.

    He took her interlinked hands to his and dropped a kiss on each of her fingers. Sreesha returned the gesture by kissing his shoulder and turned him towards her. She can sense that something is terribly wrong and that he is tensed because of what happened yesterday or what they must face today.

    She promised herself to be openminded and let him exin and not to judge.

    For her, he is more important than anyone and his love can heal whatever scars she may receive today or in future.

    ¡°I love you¡± he whispered, securing her in his arms. They just stood there, relishing each other¡¯s presence. She kissed his chest and titled her head to rest it on his heartbeat. This will be her ce for the rest of her life.

    ¡°Just remember I love you and will do for my rest of my life. And that my feelings for you are genuine despite the situation. Never doubt my love for you, Sree. That is all I ask from you. I can take anything but that. I may not be able to recite poems for you or do the filmy stuff you always wished for but my love for you is true and will remain the same till the second I take myst breath¡± Karthik mumbled with his lips attached to the nape of her neck.

    ¡°I will not doubt your love for me ever, Karthik. I did not mean what I said yesterday. I was so hurt by the revtion and wanted to feel you the same. I know I am stupid to say those words, but my insecurities got the best of me. I am very sorry for the nonsense I uttered. I am not the perfect girl, Karthik and I am never nning to be one because I know you will love me the same even if I am aplete mess. You made all my insecurities turn into my strengths. I know whatever it is you¡¯re going to tell me will not be simple because if it is, you would have told me way before. But I will be there to listen to everything you say and follow you to anywhere you lead. I am yours, Karthik. Body. Mind. Soul. Just yours¡± Sreesha reassured him with her hands on his both cheeks looking straight into his eyes without a hint of hesitation.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    It took all his might to not dip a little and take her lips into his. He knew it would take an eternity to stop if they step in that boundary. So, he took a safe ce tond his lips. Her forehead.

    Entangling himself from their embrace he took her hand and kissed the back of it and lead her to down the stairs to his father¡¯s library. Moving along the racks of books he stopped where he can see all the book titles that start with ¡®T¡¯.

    He directed her to the middle of the rack and pulled a book angling it to thirty degrees. The wall beside them squeaked making Sreesha gasp.

    She watched the wall revealing a hidden room in wonder gripping Karthik¡¯s hand tightly. The room was more like a board room with a long table surrounding by chairs. Unlike every room in the mansion, this particr room is simple but elegant with loads of files in the racks connected to walls.

    ¡°Are you in the mafia?¡± Sreesha asked unintentionally, walking alongside Karthik.

    Karthikughed hearing her ask that question thinking how long she had been having her doubts. Sreesha did not notice their family members until they were in front of them. She was busy gawking at the portrait of a woman hanging on the wall. The word beautiful would do no justice to her beauty. She looks like an angel fallen from the sky. She is pure. Pure is the right word to describe her. Her smile is serene. Just her smile is enough to turn the gloom, bright.

    ¡°She is Gagana Thakur, my sister¡± She heard Jayanth Thakur saying beside her. She diverted her attention to him, giving him a small smile making him reciprocate the action.

    Tej¡¯s parents along with Karthik¡¯s gawked at him. It is not every day Jayanth Thakur smiles nor looks peaceful. They were used to his brooding and cold self that it made them forgot how their days back then when they were young and reckless.

    ¡°She is so beautiful, just like an angel¡± whispered Sreesha in wonder.

    ¡°She is¡± agreed Jayanth looking at his sister with sorrowful eyes. His sister was truly an angel with the kindest heart. Mischievous too of course. She wouldn¡¯t have been a Thakur without being naughty.

    ¡°C-can I touch it?¡± Sreesha asked Jayanth, who nodded as an answer. He is too emotional to utter a word. Sreesha slowly walked towards the portrait of Gagana Thakur her hands still on Karthiks¡¯s bicep dragging him along with her, unintentionally.

    Karthik nodded at his Uncle before walking with his wife to wish the woman who was like a mother to him. He may not have spent much time with her, but he had so many memories with her. As Sreesha said, she is an angel with a golden heart.

    Sreesha stopped in front of the portrait and touched the woman¡¯s cheek. She is feeling strange. She has this feeling of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. Like it was not the first time they met nor the first time she touched. This is too familiar for her to ignore.

    She turned around to see Karthik¡¯s mother wiping the tears and hers on the edge of crying. What happened to them? She nced at her brother to find him at the corner of the room looking at her with an unknown emotion. She turned towards Jayanth; his face full of regret.

    ¡°Karthik¡± she whispered squeezing his hand.

    ¡°Right beside you, Sree. Like always. As promised¡± He whispered into her ear.

    She has no idea why she had tears in her eyes.

    No idea why she wanted to cry like a baby.

    No idea why she does not want to let go of that woman¡¯s picture.

    Karthik slowly turned her towards him and wiped her tears.

    ¡°Why?¡± she asked weakly. She is in no state to talk.

    ¡°Why do I feel like this is not the first time I am looking at her?¡± her voice trembled.

    ¡°Because, you met her before,¡± Karthik said, removing his hand from her grip and snaking it around her shoulder. He could feel her energy draining. She did not eat anything since the before day¡¯s morning and he is well aware that she is in no state to receive the news about her father.

    ¡°Who is she, Karthik? Why am I feeling this way?¡± Sreesha asked him faintly.

    ¡°She is your mother, Sree¡± He said holding her to him.

    ¡°M-mother? M-my mother?¡± She asked pointing the finger at the portrait. He nodded positively.

    ¡°I am her daughter?¡± she asked gasping for air.

    Karthik dragged her to a chair and made her sit on it, with his hands still on her hands bncing her.

    ¡°She- She is my mother¡± It is like she is in a trance. She keeps on repeating the same sentence again and again.

    ¡°She is my real mother¡± she nodded to herself.

    ¡°She would let me call her mama, right?¡± she asked Karthik who was so close to tears.

    ¡°Y-yes, you can call her, Mama¡± he replied her trembling a little.

    ¡°Where is she, Karthik? I want to meet her. Let¡¯s go. Is she in your Uncle¡¯s ce?¡± she rained questions on him.

    ¡°she-¡± a sob escaped from her mother-inw. She is now crying so loudly in her father-inw¡¯s arms.

    ¡°We can¡¯t go to her, Sree¡± Karthik said slowly, his voice was thick with emotions.

    ¡°Why? Why can¡¯t we go to her?¡± Sreesha raised her voice with so much irritation in her voice.

    ¡°Because she was killed by a bastard nearly two decades ago¡± Jayanth Thakur shouted at her.

    ¡°W-who?¡± she uttered with so much difficulty.

    ¡°Your father¡±

 Chapter 51

    ¡°My f-father?¡± Sreesha stuttered.

    ¡°Yes¡± Jayanth said firmly.

    ¡°w-why?¡± her voice was a mere whisper.

    ¡°We can talk about this some other time, Sree. You are so pale and not¡­¡± Karthik started to say but she showed her hand to stop him. She knew he was trying to save her from grave details and to dy the inevitable. But she has the right to know who she really was and why she had been living in the web of lies until now.

    ¡°I want to know the truth, Karthik¡± her voice is steady, void of emotions.

    So Jayanth started.

    ¡°The Thakurs are one of the most powerful families is the known truth to everyone. But what they did not know is that we belong to a very old and rare lineage of female rulers, which certainly has its own rules. For one, the women of the lineage will be treated as a Queens while the men in the family are their protectors/supporters.¡± Sreesha was speechless. Who would have thought that she gets to mingle with a family like this?

    ¡°The first daughter of the Thakurs will inherit the entailed family wealth on their twenty-fifth birthday. She should carry the Thakur¡¯s name even after her marriage. Your mother, Gagana Thakur was the only daughter in our generation¡±

    What kind of a fairytale am I living? Sreesha thought.

    ¡°Your mother was a free-spirited one with a heart made of gold. She was the angel of our family. She was very kind and pure and of course mischievous too. She was the founder of Gagana Charitable trust. Your mother was the founder to the trust which sponsored you, Sreesha.¡± She now understands why the sponsorship started in her college the same year she joined.

    ¡°She used to take care of everything personally and volunteer without revealing her identity. She met Rajat Verma, who was a volunteer and fell in love with him.¡± Rajat Verma. Is he the one who murdered her mother? She gripped Karthik¡¯s hand tightly. Why does he carry the samest name as her? She nced at her family and met her father¡¯s eyes before she could voice her concern Jayanth continued taking a deep breath.

    ¡°He married your mother secretly, a fake marriage which was not registered legally and abandoned her as soon as he knew that she was pregnant. Your mother was blindly in love with him, but she never revealed anything about her family. It was toote when he got to know about your mother being heiress of Thakurs and that she is insanely wealthy. So, he came back one day and demanded to be with her again. Your mother refused to take him back, of course, Thakur women are known for their pride and self-respect. I admired her for her strength. You were a month old when he came back again with legal help this time iming you as his and that we are depriving him of his rights to see you. Your mother had done what she felt was right. She gave you to our younger brother and asked him to protect you at all costs.¡±N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    Though she was an unwanted child for that man, I am loved by my mother. She is indeed an angel for not thinking aborting her as soon as her husband left her. No one would have questioned if she did as it was a fake marriage, but her mother loved her despite of being heartbroken by the man she loved. Sreesha thought, tracing her stomach.

    I would love my children and protect them from the veils of the world She promised herself.

    ¡°She used to visit you secretly every month until your third birthday. The next day when she was on her way back to Thakurs manor, a truck crashed into her car. A hit and run case. I knew it was not an ident, so I hired a lot of investigators, but they were back empty-handed. The Police closed the case. After a couple of years, I got a call from Vinay Shekhar, who was your mother¡¯s best friend and one of the families who knew about us. He never gave up searching for the culprit, found the evidence that proves Rajat is indeed the one who nned the ident. He was sentenced to fourteen years in prison. As Gagana¡¯s husband, he thought that he will get everything that is under her name but was so disappointed to get to know about our family tradition. He never stopped looking for you. And we have been guarding you until now¡± he finished the story. No one uttered a word when he was talking.

    Sreesha was in trance.

    She does not know what to believe.

    Is it possible to have a family with those weird traditions?

    Who will allow a girl to have her maiden¡¯s name after marriage?

    Who will give everything to a woman?

    All the family¡¯s wealth?

    She wanted tough and cry at the same time.

    She did not want to believe a word uttered by Jayanth Thakur.

    She has so many questions to ask but her mouth was dry. She could not say a word without bursting into tears.

    She gasped for air suddenly.

    Karthik who was watching her like a hawk took her in his arms and carried her bridal style without a word or nce at others.

    He knew she cannot take everything at once.

    He sighed.

    The next time will be his turn to exin.

    He doesn¡¯t need everyone around him when he does that.

    He carried her all the way to their room andid her on the bed. He took the water mug on the side table and made her drink some. She took a few gulps eagerly and stopped. He sat beside her and started running his fingers into her hair soothingly. She is looking at the ceiling. She never once drifted her eyes to him. After a few minutes, she closed her eyes. Silent tears started to stream out of her eyes. Karthik doubted that if she knew that she was crying.

    He hated when she cries, and he can do nothing about it but watch. He was told that story repeatedly when he was off age. He got to know that he is to marry the daughter of Gagana Thakur. He thought it was the right thing to do until he saw Sreesha for the first time. He was drawn to her like a moth to the fire. It was pure torture for him. On one side he is engaged to a faceless girl on the other an angel who stole his heart.

    He cannot make a move on the one he loved because he has a duty to marry the one, he is intended to. He cannot back out of his family duty to protect Thakurs. So, he gave up on his love.

    He thanked all-stars the day he got to know that the one who stole his heart and the one who he must protect is the same one.

    He is indeed lucky to save his honor and love of his life.

    Same Time, Somewhere far away from Sreesha

    A man in histe fifties held his son¡¯s neck firmly and shed him to the nearest wall, his nose ring with immense anger. His eyes held menace. His free hand crashed into the younger man¡¯s nose making it impossible for the man to breath.

    ¡°I told you, I warned you, I forbid you to not to touch any of Thakurs or Shekhars or even Verma¡¯s after your failure. Did I or Did I not?¡± his voice was steely which sent shivers down the spine of the younger man.

    ¡°I warned you time and again to never intervene with my ns¡± his grip hardened around his neck making the younger man choke on the air. With one hard push, he threw him to the corner of the room.

    ¡°Answer me, you, worthless scum! I have been nning and building a solid future for you and what did you do?¡± his voice grew stony ¡°You have gone and almost ruined your perfectly nned future. Do you have any idea the death of Sreesha Thakur would have done to you? To me?¡± his eyes frosty.

    ¡°Uncle!¡± he heard someone say and snapped his head towards the door ring daggers at the man who dared to interrupt him. ¡°You are responsible for everything. I told you time and again to not let him out of your surveince. Do you have any idea what mess he almost dragged into?¡± he yelled at the neer.

    ¡°I will talk to him uncle¡± the neer answered patiently.

    ¡°If only¡­¡± The old man stopped himself.

    ¡°My mother is not a coward¡± he finished the sentence for him and left closing the door firmly behind him.

    ¡°Manoj¡± the old man yelled at him.

 Chapter 52

    ¡°Manoj!¡± the monster yelled, from the other side of the door. I know Rajat Verma would be furious by my defiance but if I stay another minute in his presence, I might end up strangling that bastard. He deserves to be rot in hell. No, one should create a special ce to monsters like him.

    I would have left him and his so-called mission years ago if I had any clue about what he intended to do. He pretended to be a devoted father who lost his child to a bunch of monsters. And I believed him. The monsters being Verma¡¯s who dramatically have the same surname as him.

    I trusted him.

    Like a fool!

    Why wouldn¡¯t I?

    I was a kid who lost his father and he showered all his fatherly affections on me. He was my father figure since my childhood. The idea of having an uncle overpowered my senseless senses and I became a loyal puppet in his hands. I did everything he wanted me to do including making friends with Sreesha. His words were aw to me. They still are¡­ he has the power to ruin what¡¯s dear to me if I ever dare to defy him. Sadhika will be in too much danger if he ever gets to know about her existence. She only has me to protect her.

    On the other hand, Sreesha has a whole battalion beside her to keep her away from harm¡¯s way.

    She has Karthik.

    A bittersweet smile graced my lips. She had changed. She¡¯s not the same Sreesha I knew years ago. She was not the girl who craved for love from her parents. The girl who was always protected by her younger brother. She¡¯s a woman now, a strong one. Now, she will not cover into darkness by her father¡¯s presence. She can decide what¡¯s right or wrong on her own. And the credit goes to Karthik Shekhar not me, and it stings like hell. Karthik mended her heart which I broke years ago.

    I made her feel insecure while he secured his ce in her heart.

    I made her fall for me while he made her raise along with him.

    I failed her in every step we took while he swept her off the feet and carried her to her throne where she belongs.

    We both followed our rules by our families. While my rules made her feel worthless, he made her stronger, powerful and regal.

    And that bastard made her fall in love with him as he promised years ago.

    ¡®She loves him¡¯ I smiled looking at the sky ¡®And she¡¯s finally happy and safe¡¯ the guilt that burdened me all these years was lifted. My heart was as light as a feather now. My mother was right all along, I just needed to forgive myself to be happy again.

    ¡®I am happy now, ma. Completely happy though I lost her to Karthik, but I won in saving her. And I will save our angel Sadhika too, in time. Then I will have no regrets. Then I can leave this ce and lead a peaceful life painting Sreesha¡¯ I frowned when I remember Sreesha¡¯s warning. ¡®Then I have to paint Sreesha and Karthik together? I would rather paint Dhanush instead¡¯ I thought, shaking my head.

    ¡°What¡¯s so amusing? Care to share?¡± I was startled by the voice beside me.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me, you are still obsessed with Sreesha Shekhar. Now her name has a nice ring to it don¡¯t you think. Sreesha Verma was never a good fit¡± he ranted, looking amused. There was no trace of fear in his voice of what would happen next.

    ¡°What were you thinking about going against your father¡¯s orders?¡± I demanded him. I don¡¯t want him to be involved in whatever power game that is going on between two families. Like Tej, he is growing up too fast and I don¡¯t like it one bit.

    ¡°I am not a kid, Manoj. Spare me from another lecture. I have had enough from my father already¡± he said nonchntly, rolling his eyes. ¡°Be happy. Now, he will trust me with his ns which of course will be ryed to Shekhar¡¯s in the form of threats.¡± His voice was void of any emotion. No one can read him. He¡¯s too mature for his age.

    ¡°Why did you do it? What if they were seeded in the ambush you nned? You wanted to help them, don¡¯t you? Then why disrupt their peace?¡± I asked him and patiently waited for his answer.

    ¡°Do you take me as a fool, Manoj? They need to know what is going to happen if they don¡¯t take the threats seriously. We have waited, enough, and they are thinking that the threats were empty. So, I merely gave them a sample of what¡¯s going to happen in future. They need to know this is not a child¡¯s y.¡± He was staring right into my eyes while saying these words. There was no trace of remorse whatsoever.

    ¡°Her idiot of a husband dragged her right into devil¡¯s realm and sauntered it as he owned it¡± he hissed, dragging his fingers through his hair. ¡°He needed a taste of fear of loss and I dly gave it to him. He should be careful, and he will be, from now on¡± he smirked looking into the darkness.

    ¡°As for your other concern, Manoj, the ones who died in the ambush were my father¡¯s loyal dogs and Tej already got a tip from the anonymous source that an ambush was nned. Karthik was lucky for he stopped the car a few meters away from the nned area and took his sweet time. I think there is someone from inside working for father ask your dogs to stay alert and sniff around the find the man¡± he demanded, he¡¯s blunt like always ¡°or woman¡± he mumbled looking lost.

    ¡°Why are you helping me again?¡± I asked him for the nth time.

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you want to know?¡± he smirked walking away.

    ¡°I do¡± I whispered to the empty corridors.

    I wish I can trust him with everything. The reason behind his deeds is still unknown. He was not fond of Sreesha. They have never met before excluding the brief encounter they had this morning.

    Then why?

    I have no other option than pretend in front of Sreesha. I was shocked when I saw them in my home and she, watching every painting of hers in horror. Never had I ever thought we would be face to face again. And she still believed me when I said I was never involved in her life. I might not, physically but still, it is a lie. She trusted me enough to defend me in front of her husband.

    She at least didn¡¯t regret our friendship.

    I still remember the days I spent hating my mother for not revealing the reasons behind our departure. I was young and stupid. Stupidly in love and thought everything would be alright when I get her out of her parent¡¯s clutches. They were horrible people¡­ no acted to be horrible as instructed by my uncle.

    ¡®He is not even uncle by blood¡¯ a voice yelled in my head. He still gave shelter to me and my mother when my father, his friend died in an ident. He took my family under his wings and protected us¡­ or so I thought for a while. Little did I know that he was nning to use me against Sreesha and her family all along.

    It was not until the day my mother revealed the person¡¯s name who threatened and demanded us to disappear from Sreesha¡¯s life. I hated him until I get to know the reason behind his meddling in our lives. I thought he was ruining my life because of the rivalry he had with Rajat Verma. I thought he was taking business rivalry into personal lives. It was toote when I know it was never business.

    And everything I thought, did was nning to do would have ruined Sreesha¡¯s life. And that my life was perfectly nned by my dearest uncle for his own selfish reasons.

    It was a long-term n. He couldn¡¯t take Sreesha away, so he took someone else from her family and manipted them into bidding his wishes.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    He took Sadhika from her family, Tej¡¯s real sister.

    The one who Rajat Verma thought died in an ident.

    The one who I am protecting, keeping her existence secret under my dearest uncle¡¯s own radar.

    She is within his reach, but he has no bloody idea of who she was, and it would stay that way.

    Sadhika A. K. A ESHA THAKUR.

 Chapter 53

    Karthik heard her whimper in her sleep. He reached out immediately and started rubbing her back. He wanted to kick himself for he was one of the reasons why she is in this state. If only he had enough guts to tell her truth or gave her hits little by little from the start, this wouldn¡¯t have happened. He wants nothing but go back to the past and make her fall in love with him instead and not that bastard. He was so bloody bound by his word to his duty that he had to leave Sreesha in harm¡¯s way. If only he knew that Sreesha was his intended bride a few years ago¡­ if only he obeyed his grandmother and take a nce at the picture, she tried to present him.

    If only he didn¡¯t interrupt her rant about her intended and show Sreesha picture instead. If only he was clever enough to read his grandmother, he would have known that the girl he loved is none other than his fianc¨¦. His grandmother is the conniving old fox hid the fact that they are same and encouraged him to pursue Sreesha.

    Being the brainless moron, he was, ignored her sly smirk and thought she too liked Sreesha. Who wouldn¡¯t? She¡¯s the most beautiful girl in the world.

    He stilled when he heard her mumble something.

    ¡°Tell me¡± her voice crocked at the end.

    He took her face into his hands and nted a kiss on her forehead. Good thing he had enough sense to feed herst night, her cheeks gained a little color. She was ghostly pale yesterday. It was not the first time he fed her with his hands but now he is feeling different. She¡¯s still here after knowing everything. And he couldn¡¯t ask for more.

    He exined everything to herst night. From the day he firstid his on her to the day Manoj confronted him. He told her how he used to stalk her everywhere from her sses to the canteen or to her home. How Tej used to give him nk looks. How Manoj would give him stink eyes. How he was always saved by the fact he was nerd, so no one thought he was indeed stalking Sreesha but merely there for lecturers. How Nihal would tease him saying what he felt for her was not love but an obsession.

    How he would be happy all day when he sees her smile or drags his day gloomily when he sees her in a foul mood. How he used to share every single detail of her to his friends both Nihal and Anvika. How Anvika would tease him saying that she would y jealous best friend card whenever he is with Sreesha.

    How he confided in his grandmother about his love life¡­ how she used to encourage him to pursue and purposefully kept Sreesha¡¯s identity to herself.

    Now that he thinks of it, his grandmother wanted him to look at Sreesha as the one he chose but not like his duty for their family. And she seeded in her scheme. He fell in love with Sreesha irrevocably.

    And finally finished with ¡°You¡¯re never my duty, Sree. You¡¯re my life¡±.

    Sreesha, of course, pped him for god knows how many times and kissed the life out of him.

    He smiled at the memory.

    And he is grateful for the fact that she is still here beside him and no one can take her away from him. Not ever her sperm donor.

    ¡°Stop smiling. I still didn¡¯t forgive you for hiding everything from me¡± she said ring at him. ¡°Now, tell me what I want to hear¡± she demanded him cutely.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    Of course, Karthik would find her cute and beautiful even when she was furious and messy.

    ¡°dly, my Queen,¡± he said and started reciting ¡®I Love You and Only You¡¯ for hundred times.

    It will be his punishment until she says otherwise. He had to make up for every second he wasted stalking her instead of approaching her. Who knows she might have ended up falling in love with him then?

    ¡®Little did she know saying I love you to her would never be a punishment to him.¡¯ He thought, shaking his head.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go¡± she whined, afraid of what she had to find out further. Yes, she is disappointed that they kept things from her, but she knows enough for now and very happy with her life. They just need to make sure that Satan to stay away from her family that¡¯s all she¡¯s wishing for.

    But the other side, her brain which is otherwise called a bizarre cat by her heart, was very curious to know everything that happened and still happening around her.

    ¡°We can stay in if you want,¡± Karthik said, joining her on the couch where she was having a thorough fight with both her brain and heart.

    ¡°How can you say that? I want to know everything¡± she stated ring at him.

    ¡°Of course, my Queen. Let¡¯s go¡± he responded giving her his arm to lead her to the dining area where everyone is eagerly waiting for her.

    ¡°Stop mocking me, Karthik¡± she demanded exasperatedly.

    ¡°I am not mocking my dear wife. You are indeed a Queen if not a real one, you would still be the Queen of my heart and I have every right to call you one¡± he dered, reaching out for her hand.

    ¡°Just remember whatever they did or still doing is just to keep you safe¡± he mumbled dropping a kiss on her forehead.

    ¡°Even my pare- I mean my adopted parents?¡± she stuttered, looking away from him.

    ¡°If what I hear from my father is true, if your mama trusted him enough to give you to him. Then I think the answer is yes. I think he has his reasons to behave the way he did¡± he exined, patiently.

    ¡°Tej would still be my brother, right?¡± she mumbled covering her face partially with her hair. Iughed at her naivety; she pped my chest frowning.

    ¡°My dear na?ve Sreesha, do you have any idea how he hovered on you when I took you home unconscious? I thought he would punch me for not keeping you safe. If there is anyone who can love you for you, I have a toughpetition from your brother. Blood or not, he is still your little brother and you are still his troublesome sister¡± he exined pinching her nose making her swat his hand but smiled, nheless.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go and meet family then, husband, what are you waiting for?¡± he gave her one of his brightest smiles when he heard her call him husband.

    He¡¯s so whipped, and a proud one in that.

    Looping an arm around her waist he led her to the dining room, smiling like an idiot.

    When they were descending stairs, everyone was watching her like a ss doll which was on the verge of falling from a wall.

    She smiled at everyone and turned to Tej and warned, ¡°If you think you¡¯re free from being my brother, think again¡±.

    Tej reached Sreesha in two long strides ¡°I will kill you if you ever make me worry this way, di. Who said you¡¯re going to get rid of me? You¡¯re stuck to be my di for the rest of our lives¡± he warned her shaking her shoulders before bursting into tears.

    Sreesha hugged him tightly and started cooing him like she always did when they were kids. He grew up too fast to take care of her. He stood strong for both of them until now. Sreesha was guilty that she is the reason he never gets to enjoy his boyhood and proud that he did it for her.

    ¡°I am not a kid, di stop cooing¡± heined, wiping his tears to his shirt sleeve.

    ¡°You are always a kid to me Dumbo be aware of that. Even after you get married and have your own kids, I will still treat you like a kid¡± she said ruffling his hair.

    ¡°Diii¡± he whined, making his hairstyle right.

    ¡°Look at you whine, you are still a kid,¡± she said sticking her tongue at him, mocking.

    And that¡¯s when the chase started, Tej started chasing her around the house while she runs away from him mocking making everyoneugh at the brother and sister duo.

    ¡°Karthi, save me¡± Sreesha reached Karthik and hid behind him.

    Suddenly all theughter left from Tej and he became very serious all of sudden.

    ¡°You and I have a lot to discuss, don¡¯t you think brother-inw?¡± Tej said mockingly.

    Karthik nodded understanding his meaning.

    He is finally going to taste the punch Tej is going to throw at him.

    He will not defend himself as he deserves it than anyone else.

 Chapter 54

    ¡°You and I have a lot to discuss, don¡¯t you think brother-inw?¡± Tej said mockingly.

    Karthik nodded understanding his meaning.

    He is finally going to taste the punch Tej is going to throw at him. He was not the lean guy, he remembers when he first saw him.

    Karthik gulped and nodded.

    He will not defend himself as he deserves it more than anyone else.

    ¡°What do you want to discuss to my husband, dearest brother?¡± Sreesha mocked, grabbing Karthik¡¯s hand entwining their fingers. She raised an eyebrow at Tej and started tapping her foot.

    ¡°Just business, Sister dearest¡± Tej responded, mirroring Sreesha¡¯s actions, rubbing his palms together.

    ¡°No one¡¯s having this so-called discussion to anyone especially not with my husband.¡± Shoving Karthik behind her, standing in defensive mode. ¡°I already had my discussion with my husband, so you better stay away from him, Tej¡± Sreesha warned seriously, making Tej narrow his eyes at Karthik, zeroing on his cheeks.

    Tej was in total shock at first, then started grinning like a fool.

    ¡°I see, you really did take care of your husband di¡± he said dragging each word, proudly and started walking towards Karthik with evil glint on his eyes. Karthik thought, he¡¯s going to get punched in front of his whole family but all Tej did was, grabbing Karthik¡¯s chin and tsked, sympathetically.

    ¡°Ouch Jiju! That must have hurt like hell¡± he stated, inspecting his cheeks. Karthik understood what he is doing and stepped away from him, not before sending a death re at him.

    He was staring at the fingerprints on his cheeks. Karthik sent an using re at his wife, who was scrutinizing the nearby wall with utmost curiosity like it was made of gold but not cement.

    Karthik¡¯s mother, who was standing with his father jumped into the scene and took over the drama like the Queen she was.

    ¡°Oh my, my, Sreesha darling, what did you do to your husband¡¯s cheeks! It is domestic violence.¡± She said, gasping dramatically and fanning herself frantically. Sreesha, now knowing her mother-inw¡¯s antics hid behind Karthik knowing too well what¡¯s going to happen.

    They were going to be the pawns in her game.

    ¡°It is illegal to make this artwork go unnoticed! These marks would have been so beautiful when they were fresh. I¡¯m so disappointed in you¡± she started shaking her head disappointedly, making tsk tsk sounds now and then.

    Kathik sighed and nced at his father for help, who was enjoying the drama and smirking.

    A smirk that says, ¡®Remember all those times when you enjoyed my misery¡¯.

    ¡°Drama Queen¡± Karthik muttered under his breath.

    ¡°Mom¡± Sreesha whined, covering her face with her hands.

    Karthik was annoyed by the drama while Sreesha was too embarrassed to look at her family.

    ¡°What? The fingerprints on your cheeks are almost invisible now. How are they going to believe when I im my bet money? I know my daughter; she always makes me proud and wealthier¡± Everyone stood stupefied. She made a bet about this with god knows how many people or on how many other things. They wouldn¡¯t be surprised if she made a bet on how many times Sreesha and Karthik are going to fight in a day just so she can show off her maniptive abilities to the world, and she will be the reason behind every single fight theirs.

    Karthik massaged his forehead and promised himself to take Sreesha far away from his mother, so he can have his innocent wife back¡­ Or whatever innocence is remaining in sreesha.

    ¡°Let me take a picture so I can show off my training abilities to my friends¡± saying that she clicked a few pictures and threw the phone in the waiting hands of Tej, when Karthik tried to reach it.

    ¡°This will be my Screensaver, until I get a niece or nephew to rece it¡± Tej stated, sending the pictures to his phone.

    ¡°I am so proud of my sister¡± he added cheekily, returning their mom¡¯s phone not before sending his sister¡¯s artwork to the gang.

    Sreesha and Karthik groaned in annoyance.

    Jaykar, who was standing silently until now, slowly reached them and examined Karthik¡¯s cheek, rubbing his jaw and nodded proudly.

    ¡°You did this?¡± He asked Sreesha, who¡¯s now standing behind Karthik, gripping his shirt like her life depended on it.

    She looked at him through her eyshes, her hands shivering a little.

    ¡°I am asking you, Sreesha¡± his voice reverberating throughout the house. Real father or not, Sreesha is still afraid of him. It is not easy to be normal with him, the fear and anxiety she feels whenever he is around are her normal.

    ¡°Fath- father¡± she stuttered. Karthik wound around her waist, while Tej stood beside her protectively.

    ¡°I should agree with your mother-inw it is rather artistic¡± hemented, stepping back, returning to his wife. His wife pped his shoulder for using that tone on Sreesha again.

    ¡°What?¡± Shouted Sreesha, Karthik and Tej at once.

    ¡°I think she got that trait from her mother, remember when she used to scratch us whenever we try to annoy her? Her nails were her deadly weapons¡± he said, looking at Jayanth and stilled.

    There is a pin-drop silence in the room. It is not like every day, Jayanth and Jaykar makes a lighthearted conversation.

    ¡°Don¡¯t remind me. I had to use all her concealer to cover the bruises on my cheek¡± Jaykar replied, rolling his eyes.

    ¡°I sported a ck eye one whole week¡± Jaykar stated proudly.

    ¡°I had my hair colored pink¡± Jayanth challenged.

    ¡°I had to walk for 10 kilometers since my dearest sister thought it should be fun to leave me in the middle of nowhere with no money and source to contact anyone¡± blinking his eyes, trying not to let the tears fall.

    ¡°That¡¯s because you threatened to take away her pet and leave it in the middle of nowhere. You should have known better than making threats against Gagana Thakur, you idiot¡± Jayanth shared same emotion as his brother.

    ¡°She was a devil disguised as an angel¡± Jaykar¡¯s voice is thick with overwhelming emotions.

    ¡°I miss her¡± They both admitted to each other.

    It was Jaykar, who reached out to his brother embracing him in an awkward hug. It was always used to be group hug which includes Gagana whenever they were seeded in pranks wound by the evil trio.N?velDrama.Org content rights.

    Her death not only changed their rtionship but created a distance that cannot be recovered for decades.

    The Shekhar¡¯s eyes were brimming with tears, thanking all the god for reuniting both brothers.

    Sreesha was crying in Karthik¡¯s arms, she never saw her father being emotional let alone cry for someone. She was crying for their loss. She was crying for not being a part of that happy family. She was crying for her loss.

    Karthik and Tej were trying not to cry while Tej¡¯s mother was crying in the corner for she knew her husband went through hell with guilt.

    ¡°You are a bastard, you know that?¡± Jayanth said, pulling out of the hug. ¡°Keep your husband away from me, sister-inw. He¡¯s as clingy as he was in his twenties¡± Jayanthined to Jaykar¡¯s wife.

    ¡°Don¡¯t drag me into your fights, Gagana and I have had enough of your antics¡± she said, rolling her eyes at them, wiping her tears away in the process.

    ¡°What the hell is happening here?¡± Tej mumbled, still in shock.

    ¡°A reunion¡± Karthik stated in awe.

    This was the first time he saw Jayanth Thakur making jokes at anyone let alone crying. It is a rare scenario to witness a smile on his face let alone a full-blownugh. He wasughing at thement made by Mrs Verma¡­ no, Mrs Yamini Thakur.

    They were never Verma¡¯s but Thakurs.

    Tej is a Thakur too.

    Sreesha was never a Verma.

    She was always a Thakur and still is.

    But Sreesha wants to be a Shekhar, not Thakur and definitely not Verma.

    If her father¡­ adopted father was a Thakur, how did he end up taking Verma as hisst name which is same as the man who killed her mother?

    What happened twenty years ago?

    Who is this Rajat Verma?

    What had he done to this once happy family?

    All questions and no answers yet.

 Chapter 55

    After breakfast, everyone gathered in the Shekhar¡¯s secret study where they¡¯re free from helpers eavesdropping. Though Shekhar¡¯s helpers know how to keep secrets from the outside world, something is not for their ears.

    ¡°Storytime huh?¡± Jaykar tried to joke. He sighed.

    ¡°I will not apologize or be guilty of what I had done to you, Sreesha. I have done what I had to, to save my family from a monster. A family that includes you¡± Jaykar stated looking straight into Sreesha¡¯s eyes. His eyes held no animosity like they were a few months ago. He smiled softly at Sreesha¡¯s confused look.

    ¡°Jayanth, Gagana and I were the only survivors from Thakur¡¯s family. We were protected by a few families that include Shekhar¡¯s. Shekhar¡¯s along with Malhotra¡¯s (Nihal¡¯s) and Sharma¡¯s (Anvika¡¯s) families. The reason why these kids grew up together. They know who to protect when to protect. I was the youngest of Thakurs. A na?ve and stupid boy who wants nothing but to be free and unhitched. So, I rejected a girl who was madly in love with me. That girl was none other than Rajat Verma¡¯s little sister. I thought we were just friends but¡­¡± Jaykar waved his hand unable to continue what he was about to say.

    ¡°That girl killed herself leaving a letter behind that concluded that Jaykar was the reason for her death¡± Jayanth continued the story while Jaykar reliving the past. ¡°Her parents passed away within months difference unable to get over their daughter¡¯s untimely demise¡±.

    ¡°Years passed. Everyone was busy with their lives. Bhai (Jayanth) and I got married on the same day as per your mother¡¯s orders. She knows when to use her authority. As you already know, Women of our family are Queens with or without a crown. They have the final say in everything either it is household matters or business. What they say is Law.¡± Jaykar stated proudly. There was no disgust in his voice like before. It was not the tone he used whenever he talks about women and their rights.

    ¡°I lost my wife on the same day,¡± Jayanth said, staring into space.

    ¡°His bride was my sister¡± Yamini Thakur¡¯s voice trembled.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Sreesha was in trance. She doesn¡¯t know how to console Jayanth, who seems to be reliving the past all over again. Sreesha reached to him and hugged him, crying. Jayanth was stunned at first but embraced her into a fatherly hug and wiped her tears, shaking his head. Sreesha can see the thinyer of tears in his eyes. She understood that he was not someone who shows his emotions freely. She nodded and stood by him.

    ¡°Though our marriages were arranged, Jayanth and my sister were madly in love. She was the happiest bride I have ever seen and pregnant. Jaykar and I, married for our selfish reasons. He married me for his sister¡¯s happiness while I married him to stay near to my sister. We were inseparable and twins. I lost half of me when I lost her¡± Yamini Thakur said, reminiscing her time with her sister.

    Sreesha wanted to console her mother but Jaykar reached his wife and held to him, while she cries in her husband¡¯s arms.

    ¡°After a couple of years, your mother came home from an NGO campaign. She announced about her pregnancy and ordered us to never investigate who the father was. We were in total shock and waited for her to crack up saying that everything was a joke. It never happened. Jayanth, who was mourning for his wife went out of the house for the first time to hunt him down.¡±

    ¡°When I came back emptyhanded. Your mother just smiled and treated my wounds ¡®My daughter will never be his, bhai. A girl, who is a Thakur, will remain as one despite the other gene she carries. She is and always will be a Thakur''¡±.

    ¡°When I asked how she knows that it was a girl, she stated that ¡®Because she gave you back to me, bhai. Remember what mother used to say? Women could give birth but only angels can make your soul alive again. She¡¯s our angel, bhai. I will not ask whether you killed him or not too because you have every right to do so. If I was not pregnant, I would have done it myself the moment I got to know the truth, but I don¡¯t want blood on my hands while I am pregnant''¡±.

    ¡°That day, I beat him until he was all bloody and verge of dying. How I wish, I could go back to that day and kill that bastard. Everyone is suffering just because he is alive and breathing¡±

    ¡°I was in total shock when I get to know that Gagana fell in love with Rajat Verma and that he¡¯s here to take revenge for his sister¡¯s death,¡± Jaykar said closing his eyes.

    ¡°And he killed my wife and our unborn baby¡± Jayanth stated, making Sreesha jump away from him gasping. Karthik reached to her in no time and consoled her, while Tej stood numb. He doesn¡¯t know what to think or do to console his parents or his mentor. Not just his mentor but Uncle too. They are blood rted. No wonder he was emotionally connected to him instantly.

    ¡°He taunted me saying how he was the one who¡¯s behind the fire ident on my wedding day. And that he was there to watch while my family died and how I was too coward to save them. How he trapped your mother. How he married¡­ pretended to marry your mother. He taunted me with every punch he received from me. I thought he died but he didn¡¯t. You know who saved him?¡± Sreesha shook her head negatively, too numb to say anything.

    ¡°Manoj¡¯s mother¡± he stated harshly. Sreesha stumbled back a little.

    ¡°Manoj?¡± she whispered.

    ¡°The same Manoj, who was ready to marry you and take you away from your abusive parents,¡± Jayanth said bitterly, looking at his brother.

    ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for my interference, you would have been with that bastard by now. I threatened his mother to take him away from here. Rajat Verma yed his cards too well until then. It was Tej who informed Vinay Shekhar about Manoj talking to a strange man. It was then, we investigated about him. ording to Manoj¡¯s mother they were just pawns in Rajat Verma¡¯s game¡± Jayanth concluded.

    Sreesha, who was calm all along mumbled, ¡°Why was I, a Verma and not Thakur?¡±.

    She didn¡¯t get any answer.

    ¡°If the tale you said was true, I was supposed to be Thakur but why am I not one?¡± She asked Jayanth Thakur.

    ¡°If you truly loved your sister, like you imed why did you treat me like shit?¡± She directed the question towards Jaykar.

    ¡°If you all are here to protect me, why the hell am I hurt more than once?¡± She asked looking at everyone.

    ¡°Is it because I had that monster¡¯s blood in me? Or did you think that I would turn into just like him¡± Sreesha yelled at Jaykar and Jayanth, who didn¡¯t utter a word from the moment she started asking questions.

    ¡°He has my daughter. We did what we have to in order to save our daughter. My daughter has been living under that monster¡¯s watch from the day she was born!¡± Yamini said, tears rolling down her eyes. She kneeled on the floor sobbing into her hands.

    ¡°We are not even sure if she is still alive or not¡± she said, weeping in his husband¡¯s arms, who reached her when he witnessed her breakdown.

    ¡°Tej and Esha are twins¡± Jaykar mumbled, his eyes rimmed with red, with a defeated look on his face.

 Chapter 56

    PAST IN ITALICS

    A few months after she gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Gagana received a court notice regarding parental rights. Rajat filed a case against her for withstanding his rights as a father to meet his beloved daughter. ording to him, Gagana and the whole Thakur¡¯s family restraining him from meeting his daughter. So, he filed a case to gain sole custody of Sreesha.

    Years passed, Gagana finally won the case. She got the whole custody of Sreesha producing a few pieces of evidence against Rajat. Some evidence was natural, but some were framed by Jayanth Thakur. It pissed Rajath more and he became aggressive. He started plotting against everyone around Thakurs. Even though Thakur¡¯s security was imprable, several attempts were made to kidnap Sreesha.

    At this point, all the family was in stress mainly Yamini, who was heavily pregnant. Her doctor suggested to take her somewhere where she can be free of stress, so there will not be anyplications while giving birth.

    So, Jayanth and Gagana suggested to Jaykar to take Yamini to some remote area, where they will be away from all the stress and dangers. Gagana requested Jaykar to take Sreesha with him, so she can be safe with them.

    After a few days Jaykar, Yamini and Sreesha were moved to a vige they adopted, with a doctor and a nurse in tow.

    A three years old Sreesha who was too excited to meet her cousins was pacing along the corridor along with her uncle imitating his every move. Anyone could say she was a carbon copy of Gagana Thakur in intimidation, but her mischievous was taken after from Jaykar. At one point, after losing the patience she ordered the nurse who was rushing in and out of the delivery room to let her in or she would have to face the Queen¡¯s wrath.

    Jayanth couldn¡¯t help butugh at her antics, while Gagana was trying not tough. Sreesha was already spoilt rotten by her uncles and someone must be stern with her. Yamini ispletely another case. Sometimes Gagana wonders Yamini loves Sreesha more than her.

    Jaykar threw a dirty look at Jayanth forughing at the situation, but he knew he was at the fault. He was the one who taught Sreesha of her being a Queen. And that a Queen demands what she wants but never ask.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    ¡°I de-demand to let me in¡± he heard Sreesha says trying to act intimidating. He scooped her in his hands and held her close to his heart. Her presence always calms him down. After taking a deep breath, he exined to her that the twins didn¡¯t arrive yet and that she can meet them soon.

    Thankfully, the room was soundproof so she couldn¡¯t hear her aunt¡¯s screams on the other side of the door. Yamini recovered well after their move and she wanted to stay there for the delivery as there were no otherplications. So, Jaykar had to oblige. In the years after their marriage, they somehow fall in love with each other. He became almost clingy from the very moment Yamini became pregnant. He calls himself a proud lovesick puppy.

    ¡°It is a boy and girl, Jaykar, congrattions,¡± the doctor saiding out of the room. Jaykar stormed into the room with a huge grin on his face with Sreesha still in his arms.

    It is time she meets her cousins ¡®Ritej and Esha Thakur¡¯.

    Sreesha was standing away from the cradle with a huge frown on her face, while everyone was showering the infants with all their love and attention. Jayanth, who was observing Sreesha all the while asked her what happened.

    ¡°He¡¯s so t-tiny¡± shemented scrunching her nose, pointing a finger at Ritej AKA Tej as she refers him.

    Jayanth hummed asking her to continue.

    ¡°How can he protect me when he is so t-tiny?¡± she demanded her uncle in her baby voice.

    Everyoneughed at her question except Jaykar. He facepalmed himself when his sister raised an eyebrow at him.

    ¡°He will grow up soon to protect you, princess¡± Jaykar said leaving his wife¡¯s side for the first time after entering the room.

    ¡°Then who will pwo-pwotect her. She¡¯s tiny too¡± she asked pointing her finger at Esha who was sleeping peacefully unlike Tej who was wide awake and staring at Sreesha.

    ¡°She will be our little princess. Every one of us should protect her including you¡± Gagana exined to her daughter smiling at the way how sreesha analyses everything.

    ¡°But I am the pwincess¡± she said, stomping her foot on the floor.

    Smiling, Jayanth lifted her and carried her near the cradle saying ¡°Yes, you are a princess now, but one day you will be the Queen. Then, it will be your duty to protect everyone under your care. And our little princess will be under your care so what is that means?¡± he questioned her.

    ¡°I¡¯ve to pwotect her¡± Sreesha answered innocently.

    ¡°Yes, we protect who we love. Whatever may be the circumstances, we should not abandon the ones we love or the ones thate under our care. Always remember that. Okay, my dear little Queen?¡± Jayanth asked Sreesha, who nodded at him.

    She may not understand every preaching her uncles give her asionally, but it is their way to prepare her for what awaits in the future.

    Two yearster, everyone was awake by utter chaos. The little princess of Thakur was missing while Sreesha was found unconscious with her toy gun held tightly in her little hands.

    Jaykar who woke upter than usual and found his wife still sleeping. He didn¡¯t think much about it and went to check on the kids in the nursery but couldn¡¯t find either Sreesha or Esha. He thought they both must be with either of his siblings, who returned to check on them the before night but turned out the girls were not with them either. That is when the hell broke loose.

    They turned the whole house upside down to search for the missing children and found Sreesha unconscious on the porch with her toy gun held tightly in her hand. Jayanth knew something was wrong immediately when he looked at the gun in her hand. He was the one who gifted it to her saying it will help her protect her cousins. He tried to alert the security, but no one answered the phone.

    Gagana was sobbing holding Sreesha against her chest, while Jaykar yelling for help.

    Jayanth ran towards the security and found each one of them passed out on the floor unconscious. They were all drugged. He cursed under his breath and ran towards the house and found Yamini sobbing in Jaykar¡¯s arms. He then ran to check on Ritej (TEJ) and sighed in relief when he was sure he is unharmed.

    He called for help from local police the very minute but deep down he knew who did it. He knew from the moment he woke upte that something was terribly wrong. He was not someone who sleeps peacefully. At least not after what happened to his wife and their unborn child. He¡¯s been trouble sleeping for years now.

    He ran his fingers through the hair in frustration. He sent his men to find Rajat Verma.

    It¡¯s been hours and Sreesha didn¡¯t wake up.

    He sprinted into action when he heard Sreesha wailing in her mother¡¯s arms. She was trying to run somewhere but was held back by the doctors who were looking after her.

    Jayanth reached her carefully and signalled the doctor to let go of her. She sprinted into her uncle Jaykar¡¯s hands and tugging his shirt to gain his attention. Jaykar, who was in his own world until now, nced at her with a lost look in his eyes.

    ¡°I no want to be Q-q- queen¡± she uttered and started crying. Jaykar took her in his arms and held her close to him like always.

    ¡°Why?¡± his voice was hoarse. Anyone can barely hear his voice.

    ¡°That bad man took the little princess and said I am the reason¡±

 Chapter 57

    The night of Esha¡¯s disappearance:

    Sreesha was wide awake for some reason while her cousins were fast asleep. She is still waiting for her mother and uncles toe n wish them goodnight. When she heard footsteps, she thought it was her family and closed her eyes smiling mischievously. She likes to scare her family when they least expect it.

    She frowned when she heard the footsteps going to another side of her bed. It was always her, who they kiss goodnight first but not her cousins. When she opened her eyes slightly to check what is happening, she saw two figures hovering over her cousins¡¯ bed, which is designed as cradle to prevent them from falling from it. Sreesha gasped slightly in shock. One man loomed over the cradle while the other picked Esha carelessly and dumped her on his shoulder.

    ¡°Do you want me to grab her too¡± Sreesha immediately closed her eyes and slowly ced her hand under the pillow to find her weapon.

    ¡°No man, she has to live here. I will make sure she suffers from her family¡¯s mistakes. I heard her calling herself a Queen too many times. I will make sure she lives a life of a ve. I will make her family treat her nothing but shit. I will witness her taking her life for her mother¡¯s mistakes one day. While this little princess pays for her father¡¯s deeds. I lost my sister because of that bastard now it¡¯s his turn to know the pain of losing someone¡± the other man concluded, smirking.

    When Sreesha was sure they are distracted, she got a hold of the gun which was gifted by her uncle. She slowly stood on her bed and pulled the trigger. The man who was holding her cousin yelped in pain when the rubber bullet hit his forehead. The toy gun may not kill them but can leave a mark. The other man got a hold of her cousin when the man lost his grip on her.

    ¡°You little¡­¡± the man who was shot started but stopped when his partner tapped on his shoulder. Sreesha pointed the gun at the other man, who is smiling at her cynically.

    ¡°I see, they are definitely raising you like a brat. Don¡¯t worry darling daughter, you will learn to be respectful by the day you are supposed to im your power then I¡¯ll meet you again to destroy everything around you¡± Sreesha pulled the trigger again, but she was disappointed that the man didn¡¯t flinch when the bullet hit him.

    ¡°Why is this brat still awake?¡± the man who was shot first wondered.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have skipped your dinner, Sreesha Verma¡± the man who called her daughter chided.

    ¡°I am Sreesha Thakur, not Verma. Give me my cousin back or I will call my uncle¡± Sreesha threatened them.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Verma! You are a Verma. I will make sure you¡¯re one¡± he hissed and tried to reach her.

    Sreesha sprinted down her bed and ducked his advances, then she ran along the corridors to her uncles¡¯ room and started banging on each one of their doors yelling for them to help catch the intruders.

    Rajat Verma caught her when she tried to reach the phone and took her downstairs. She was yelling for help but no crying or begging for him to let her go. He was frustrated that she wasn¡¯t begging him all she did was demand.

    Having had enough, he applied enough pressure on her neck to make her unconscious and left her on the front porch.

    ¡°She shouldn¡¯t have raised you like a brat. You will know your ce soon¡±

    ¡°Remember one thing clearly, you¡¯re one of the reasons I am taking your little princess away¡± were the words she heard while losing consciousness.

    Jayantha Thakur did everything in his power to find Esha. He appointed investigators and reached out to many officials. There were hundreds of people searching for her. ording to police, Rajat Verma was not in India from the past couple of months and that there is no way that he was guilty of his niece¡¯s kidnapping.

    But he trusts his elder niece, she recognized Rajat¡¯s picture and exined everything that happened on that day.

    He was so proud of how his niece acted that day. If it is any other child, he/she would have been too fragile to fight back. His tightened his fit allowing his nails to dig deeper into the skin. He had seen the bruises around her neck, it had been too difficult for her to talk, yet she told them everything she witnessed.

    ording to Sreesha¡¯s words, Jayanth knew that he was nning something big. But he also knows, Esha is safe. He doesn¡¯t know for how long, but she is safe for now.

    After a couple of weeks, Gagana have had enough and tried to investigate herself with the help of her best friend Vinay Shekhar, Her protector.

    ¡°We have to leave in an hour. Are you sure about this?¡± Vinay asked her hesitantly. One look from her is all it took for him to arrange everything she had asked from him.

    Gagana left Sreesha in the hands of her sister-inw as she was not letting Sreesha out of her sight. Yamini was too anxious and depressed, so she wasn¡¯t allowing the children outside the house. So, Gagana had no other choice but to leave Sreesha behind. Gagana knows she must leave the vige in order to find Esha.

    A few monthster, she found enough evidence to prove Rajat is guilty and was in a hurry to reach her family. She finally found Esha somewhere she least expected. She sped down the highway smiling at the child sleeping peacefully. She can imagine her sister-inw and brother being too overprotective from the moment they got their hands on their daughter.

    She can imagine the couple smile again genuinely.

    She can finally feel the burden on her heart slowly leave.

    It was then something untoward happened, out of nowhere a truck crashed into her car.

    It was then everything turned upside down for Thakurs.

    It was then Sreesha lost her mother.

 Chapter 58

    A few weekster

    It has been a few weeks after Sreesha got to know about her mother¡¯s ident and that the reason behind every destruction of her family was her sperm donor. She refuses to think of him as a father. At first, she was disgusted about herself for having the same blood as that monster, then she realized she was never his daughter but her mother¡¯s. Her mother was the one who protected her, now she understood that blood doesn¡¯t matter. Choosing between right and wrong does. Having enough maturity to forgive and letting go of matters.

    If Rajat was matured, he would have forgiven Jaykar for not epting his sister¡¯s proposal. If his sister was matured enough, she would have epted the rejection and moved on. If that was the case, she would have had her mother beside her. Jayanth would have been happy with his wife and children. Jaykar and Yamini would have been happy with Tej and Esha dealing with their mischievousness. Tej, still with his innocence intact, trying to intimidate his siblings and cousins ying protector.

    Everything was destroyed due to one person¡¯s stupidity.

    She couldn¡¯t help but hate her sperm donor more after knowing the reason behind Jaykar and Yamini¡¯s behavior towards her. Rajat Verma made them his puppets and yed with her life.

    ¡°We were threatened by Rajat, we became puppets in his hands. He used our daughter as the bait every time we refused to obey his orders. One day we received a videotape, where Esha was crying on the floor in an abandoned room with no one to attend her. We have no other choice but to let him take control over us. We had to move away from home to somewhere he chose, severing all the ties with my family.

    Everything was in his control until Tej became your protector. We have no idea why he backed down, but we are d he did. He wanted us to get you married at 15 to one of his men if it is not for Tej¡¯s interference¡­

    I knew immediately when Bhai reached out for Tej, because it was the same behavior Jayanth and I had when our father exined to us about our duties to our families mostly to our Queen. From then on, I knew my son would do anything to protect you. So, I started fooling Rajat by slipping details to Tej, so he could inform Jayanth about Rajat¡¯s ns beforehand. He lost it when Manoj¡¯s family left without a trace.

    Then Shekhar¡¯s entered our lives with their own n, they know that I know who they really are, and our own n started to take you away from his clutches. That monster thought it was his men who got you in the name of marriage until a few days after your marriage.¡±All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    Sreesha couldn¡¯t help but think about what everyone went through in order to save her. They may have hurt her in the past but that hurt is nothingpared to what they went through because of that monster. One uncle lost his entire future while the other lost his child and forced to leave his own family.

    She wants to kneel in front of them and beg for forgiveness for the things she didn¡¯t do. She wants to make it her mission to trace that monster and kill him with her bare hands.

    She wants to find her sister and apologize for every day of her life for not saving her.

    Suddenly something shed in her mind.

    A girl crying in Karthik¡¯s arms. This is not the first time she is reliving those moments. Something in her wants to know more about that girl.

    Who is Saadhika?

    Where is she from?

    How did she end up in Manoj¡¯s care?

    There is no doubt Manoj likes her or was its fear in his eyes when Sreesha came face to face with Saadhika?

    There is no doubt that Saadhika likes or maybe even in love with Manoj

    ¡°Karthik!¡± Sreesha called out for her husband.

    ¡°Sree?¡± Karthik said, reaching out to her.

    ¡°I have something to ask you¡± Sreesha said, sighing a little, looking into his eyes.

    ¡°Anything¡± Karthik said, without hesitation. This is the first time she had asked him anything in weeks. She had been in her own world from the past few weeks thinking about her past and nothing else.

    ¡°I want you to hire someone to investigate about Saadhika¡± Sreesha stated, with a look of determination.

    ¡°What? Who¡¯s Saadhika?¡± Karthik asked, stupefied.

    ¡°Sree, why would you need any information on Saadhika? Do you think¡­¡±

    ¡°I think she is the one or she can lead us to the one we have been searching for¡± Sreesha mumbled taking a step near to him.

    ¡°A- Are you? I- I mean¡­ Sree¡± Karthik stuttered in disbelief.

    ¡°I have been thinking about this for weeks now, Karthik. Did you not see the resemnce between Tej and Saadhika? Or between mother? She must be Esha. Even if she is not, there is nothing wrong with checking information about our rivals, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    ¡°Since when you started thinking Manoj as a rival?¡± Karthik asked her bitterly.

    Sreesha can sense the irritation and anger radiating off him. She slowly stepped behind him and circled her hands around his waist, leaning her head on his back, not before leaving a kiss.

    ¡°There must be a reason why the threats started don¡¯t you think, Karthik? Think this way, if the ckmailer is Rajat, why would he say anything before attempting? He would be so furious knowing that father fooled him all along. Rajat wants power over me not to kill me. Rajat wants the power Thakurs to hold but not our lives until we¡¯re a threat to his existence. If he wants to kill me, he would have done it when I was under his radar. He wanted me to get married to Manoj or any of the men he selected because that way he can get his hands on something that Thakurs have¡± Sreesha said, a slow grin appeared on her face.

    ¡°What are you trying to say, Sree?¡± Karthik asked, grumpily. Any topic that is rted to Manoj or Rajat is distasteful to him.

    ¡°Karthik, Rajat was not the ckmailer. The ckmailer always helped us one way or the other¡± Sreesha exined patiently.

    ¡°How?¡± Karthik asked, innocently finally turning to face her.

    ¡°Do you remember the first note dad received?¡± Karthik nodded, cringing a little reminiscing the details of note. ¡°That note made you appoint bodyguards for my safety. We moved to your parents¡¯ house which is more secure that our own home after a few more notes. Every single threat you received through the note is one way or the other benefitted us. Those notes were always about me but not about business. What if Rajat has been trying to keep you distracted by interfering in our business, but these notes made you kept your focus on me? What if the one who is sending the notes trying to help us anonymously? What if I was right all along?¡± Sreesha has a full-blown smile on her face now.

    ¡°About what?¡±

    ¡°About the person who¡¯s sending notes. What if it is Manoj? What if he was trying to protect us warning us through those notes? They were threats but always empty ones. What if he has someone who¡¯s helping him with our whereabouts?¡±

    ¡°He always knew what we say out. Our honeymoon was nned as a surprise. No one knows about it except mom, dad and our friends. Not even our bodyguards. We didn¡¯t take your private jet; the tickets were booked by our friends along with Ved and Niya¡¯s. So, there is no way anyone in your office or security in home gets to know about it. Did you see the surprise/shock registered on Manoj¡¯s face?¡± Karthik nodded again ¡°That shock was genuine. Regardless of what or who probed him to do whatever he had to¡­ what we had was genuine. His friendship and love were always true¡± Karthik was annoyed and insanely jealous of Manoj. Whatever Sreesha says about him will not change his judgement towards Manoj. And they both know it.

    ¡°What I am trying to say is, what if it is Manoj, who has been helping us?¡±

    ¡°Sree¡­¡± Karthik warned Sreesha sighed before continuing.

    ¡°Okay¡­ let¡¯s talk about who¡¯s trying to help ckmailer. What do you think about my bodyguards? Ron, Sean and Julie¡± Sreesha asked nonchntly.

    ¡°They¡¯re well trained and referred through a reliable source¡± Karthik exined patiently.

    ¡°Which source?¡± Sreesha asked, cing her palm on his heartbeat. Karthik sighed.

    ¡°Sharma¡¯s. Anvika¡¯s family. They¡¯re responsible for your family security. They were handpicked by Jayath uncle and dad¡± he said, kissing her other hand, intecing their fingers.

    ¡°How much do you trust Sharmas?¡± Sreesha asked, carefully. Karthik stilled for a second.

    ¡°I¡¯m not questioning about your friendship with Anvika, Karthik. I¡¯m just asking about her family in general¡± Sreesha rified.

    ¡°Anvika is someone I can¡¯t rece with anyone in my life and she¡¯s halfway in love with your brother¡± Karthik said, rolling his eyes. ¡°About her family, it is a tight knot, her grandfather still has to hold on almost every decision they make in their family or business. Nothing goes beyond his eyes. He¡¯s been taking care of security for decades. There were rumors that Anvika¡¯s uncle is going to take the reins of his father¡¯s responsibilities, but nothing is official yet¡± Sreesha nodded, silently.

    ¡°What are you thinking?¡± Karthik mumbled, dropping a kiss on her forehead.

    ¡°I think we need to test our security a little first. Then hire someone who is capable of getting all the information regarding Saadhika. Then we will snatch Rajat¡¯s strength. Then we will live happily ever after¡± Sreesha says, her eyes shining with mischievousness.

    ¡°We need to what?¡± Karthik asked, confused.

    ¡°Now, we need to kiss hubby. How can you forget about your punishment? You need to say ¡®I love you¡¯ for the rest of your life as one more punishment¡± Sreesha said, winking at Karthik before pulling him into a demanding kiss.

 Chapter 59

    A month Later

    ¡°Please don¡¯t say anything to mother and father yet¡± Sreesha requested Jayanth. She knew it would be hard for them to be disappointed if Sreesha¡¯s theories were wrong about Saadhika, but deep down in her heart, she knew that Saadhika is indeed their little princess.

    Jayanth gave her a small smile and nodded and started examining the reports he got from the investigator.

    Heeding Karthik¡¯s advice, Sreesha agreed to share her spections with Jayanth, who jumped into action at the mention of Esha¡¯s name. It doesn¡¯t matter if he had to be disappointed with the result yet again, but he would never let go of a chance to search for Esha.

    ¡°Is there anything that could help us, Uncle?¡± Karthik asked Jayanth, with hope in his eyes.

    ¡°There is nothing solid¡± Jayanth paused a little ¡°But there are no records of Saadhika or herst name. what is even weird was, the investigator couldn¡¯t find anything about her childhood or even her teen years. There were no pictures of hers avable expect the ones our investigator clicked secretly.¡±

    ¡°I think our Queen is thinking just like her, A Queen¡± Jayanth tried to joke, but he knew it was true. He had been thinking in only one way, Sreesha¡¯s theories made him think that maybe he needs to think beyond what he can see or hear. He needs to go out of the box to find answers for what he is trying piece together.

    Now that he found away, he would do just that. He would find a way to bring back who they lost years ago.

    *********************************************************

    ¡°Do you think it is safe to inform Jaykar uncle and Yamini aunty about¡­¡± Sreesha cut off Karthik¡¯s words with a sharp look.

    ¡°Not a word, Karthik. They may look strong, but Esha¡¯s topic must be still sensitive to them. Didn¡¯t you see how they are with each other? For the first time, I saw them behaving like normal husband and wife but not as ve and master. I would want nothing but to kill Rajat for making them suffer all these years. Everything for what? Revenge? He is the most deranged psychopath I¡¯ve ever heard of. Trust me, I would make him suffer so much, that he would wish for death and nothing else¡± Sreesha vowed.

    For the first time in her life, Sreesha saw her parents taking care of each other¡­ adopted or not, they are the only parents she knew, and she can never call them otherwise. They are her mother and father and it would stay like that for the rest of their lives.

    She was not kidding when she wished for Rajat¡¯s demise, in fact, she would watch it sitting in the front row.

    ¡°Sree¡± Karthik called out for her. She was thinking too much these days and Karthik was too worried about her. Sreesha just hummed looking into space.

    ¡°What if¡­¡± Karthik hesitated, that got her attention, she nodded asking him to continue ¡°what if Saadhika is indeed Esha? What are you nning to do?¡±

    ¡°What do you think, Karthik?¡± Sreesha countered him with a secretive smile.

    ¡°Sree, you are nning something. I¡¯m sure it would make me crazy. You should definitely stop spending so much time with mom¡± Karthikined as he had been for the past few weeks.

    Yes, Sreesha has been spending more time with her mother-inw. Sreesha found she needs a mastermind to make different theories of what must have happened in the past. Who else can help her with them other than her mother-inw?

    Of course, she has other reasons too, but it is not the right time.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re actually jealous of mom¡± Sreesha teased him instead.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    ¡°Sree¡± Karthik warned and she sighed in defeat.

    ¡°Mom and I have been reading the books about our family¡± She started ¡°And we found a way to make Eshae home.¡± Sreesha gave Karthik a pleading look.

    ¡°Are you trying to make yourself a prey?¡± Karthik yelled at her.

    ¡°It is nothing like that, Karthik. Please listen to me¡± Sreesha pleaded.

    ¡°No. Whatever you must be nning with mom must stop¡± he grabbed her shoulders roughly ¡°if you ever try to put yourself and our baby in harm¡¯s way, it would be thest you would hear me talk to you or you see me like your Karthi¡± Sreesha was bbergasted. No one knew about her pregnancy except her and her mother-inw.

    ¡°K- Karti¡­ How¡­ I mean¡± Sreesha stuttered.

    ¡°What? Shocked that I know about your pregnancy? Do you take me that dumb, Sree? Of course, I know from the way you move around me when you hide things from me¡±

    ¡°Do you think I would not notice you trace your stomach all the time?¡±

    ¡°Do you think I will not notice mom sneaking out to buy raw mangoes for you in the name of shopping?¡±

    ¡°Do you think that I would be so dumb to notice you walk at a slow pace than usual?¡±

    ¡°Do you think I would not be informed about your doctor to visit a couple of days ago?¡±

    ¡°Do you think I was blind to see the medicines you are taking for our baby¡¯s health?¡±

    ¡°What did you think, Sree? Do you think I would be stupid enough to make you a bait just because I didn¡¯t know about your pregnancy? Our pregnancy?¡±

    Noticing a thinyer of tears in his eyes, Sreesha couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. She did the only thing she had been dying to do all these weeks, she broke down in front of him.

    Sreesha was so ecstatic when she finds out about her being pregnant but stopped herself because she knew Karthik would not let her out of his sight if he gets to know about her situation. Her mother-inw found her going through cabs of the kitchen in search of something sour. At that point, she was craving for raw mangoes so bad that she couldn¡¯t hold herself back anymore.

    Her mother-inw promised her that she wouldn¡¯t say a word when she exined what she is nning but, on a condition, that Sreesha should follow her every word and eat whatever she cooks for her with her own hands.

    Malini Shekhar knew that it is better if the news is secret for now because it would be a ruckus if word goes out about her pregnancy and she can¡¯t trust any of her staff about Sreesha¡¯s safety these days. She also gave Sreesha a few weeks of time to announce the news to Karthik.

    Looking at Sreesha crying like a baby, Karthik couldn¡¯t help but take her in his arms and console her.

    Yes, he was disappointed and angry at her, but he knew why she was doing this.

    She thought it was her duty to make her parents happy again, so she was trying to do anything and everything to find Esha even if that means keeping herself in danger. He knew she was under a lot of stress these days, so he stopped persisting her to tell him what she was thinking because he knew¡­ he knew all along.

    He knew when he found the pregnancy test in their washroom¡¯s dustbin. He thought Sreesha would surprise him with the news and kept quiet. Later, he saw her stress about everything, her eyes following him everywhere with guilt in her eyes. He knew it was not easy for her too¡­ It didn¡¯t miss his notice that she threw up every time she smells his coffee and how his own mother covers it up as stomach bug.

    It is not just him who knew, everyone in the house knew about her pregnancy but kept mum just to keep her happy. One day Yamini gifted him books about pregnancy and told him to reach every line without missing a word. The books which were tucked safely in his study table away from Sreesha¡¯s sight.

    ¡°I am sorry¡± Sreesha was apologizing nonstop nor did she stop crying.

    Karthik was so angry at him for being this sensitive about her, but what can he do? She was the only weakness for him carrying another weakness in her womb.

    How can he stay mad at her when her intentions were honorable?

    He kissed her forehead softly, tucking the loose strand of hair behind her ear. Sreesha slowly opened her eyes and met his gaze. He was looking at her so softly, there was no anger in his eyes¡­ maybe his love for her dominated the anger he was feeling towards her.

    ¡°I- I am so- sorry, Karthi¡± Sreesha mumbled, sniffling cutely making Kathik to smile softly.

    He kissed her nose making her scrunch when it tickled.

    ¡°I want to punish you as well, for hiding things from your husband¡± Karthik teased her pinching her nose.

    ¡°Am I forgiven?¡± Sreesha asked hopefully making Karthik sigh.

    ¡°Trust me Sree, I want to make you suffer for hiding such important information from me, but I didn¡¯t miss a moment of our child, so I can forgive you if you follow a few conditions,¡± Karthik said, her hand reaching her stomach and tracing it lovingly.

    ¡°Conditions? What are they?¡± Sreesha sighed in defeat ¡°What do you mean that you didn¡¯t miss a moment of our child?¡± Sreesha demanded when she reminisced what he said.

    ¡°Yes, conditions. And yes, I didn¡¯t miss our baby because I always sleep with my hand over your stomach and used to talk to him/her after making sure you are asleep¡± Karthik answered smirking.

    ¡°This is so unfair! You knew all these days and still made me feel guilty. I thought it was all a dream whenever I hear you talking in my sleep¡± Sreesha started punching his chest.

    ¡°So? I have every right to be angry on you¡± Karthik shrugged nonchntly.

    ¡°I will not follow any rules you make¡± Sreesha turned around from him briskly but ced a hand over her stomach protectively when she noticed what she did.

    ¡°Okay¡­ I would just ask mom to include it to her list of things to do¡± he shrugged again making Sreesha angrier.

    ¡°I would make mom do all my work so I wouldn¡¯t have to face your tantrums.¡± He said smirking a little.

    ¡°But¡± he stopped dramatically making Sreesha to raise an eyebrow at him.

    ¡°My one rule for you is to repeat the words whenever I say ¡®I Love You¡¯ to you¡± kissing her angry pout.

    ***********

    ¡°It is a match!¡± Jayanth announced with a huge grin on his face looking at the DNA test in his hands.

 Chapter 60

    Karthik sighed in content while tracing Sreesha¡¯s invisible baby bump lovingly. After their almost argument and non-existent fight, Sreesha and Karthik settled on the couch in their bedroom. Sreesha was growing impatient about Karthik showering all the love to the baby and not her.

    ¡°Maybe mom was right all along¡± Sreesha mumbled, pouting a little.

    ¡°About what?¡± asked Karthik, nonchntly with a knowing smile on his face. He knew she was trying to get his attention for a while, but he is too stubborn to give in.

    ¡°About fathers giving all their attention to the kids but not to the mothers who bring them to life¡± Sreesha sniffled with tears in her eyes. Now that Karthik knows about her pregnancy, she can feel her mood swings getting out of hand. Before she used to lock herself in her mother-inw¡¯s room and cry all she wants and leave as nothing happened.

    Sreesha started crying more remembering everything she went through to keep her pregnancy a secret, but Karthik being an insensitive jerk like always unveiled her master n and made her feel like a joker.

    ¡°Sree¡± Karthik dragged her name a little impatiently, taking her into a loving embrace.

    ¡°You are a jerk, Karthik Shekhar¡± Sreesha used him.

    ¡°May I know why I was honoured with the title of a jerk?¡± Karthik asked her, amused.

    ¡°You knew I was trying to get your attention, but you are being a jerk¡± Sreeshained, throwing an using re at him.

    ¡°And?¡± Karthik hummed.

    ¡°And making me feel like stupid for finding out what I have been trying to hide from you¡± if looks could kill, Karthik would have been turned into ashes.

    ¡°And?¡± Karthik dragged.

    ¡°For making me feel guilty¡±

    ¡°For acting like you are not interested in what I say to you all these days¡±

    ¡°For making me doubt your love on me¡±

    ¡°For trying to stop me while I was about to tell you something very important¡±

    ¡°And for not supporting me to get my sister back home¡± saying all these things, Sreesha started crying all over again, in bonus Karthik is awarded with few punches too.

    Karthik was d that their room is soundproof, or people would have been on the other side of the door wondering¡­ probably betting on how long Karthik would survive this abuse.

    His family is crazy that way and he is fully aware of it.

    ¡°What can I do? You are being too naughty these days. I wonder who will make more noise in our home in few months and I am sure it would be you but not our child¡± Karthik teased, pinching her nose making Sreesha rub her nose in irritation.

    ¡°I am aware of you trying to gain my attention by singing in your worse voice, pping my arm to rescue me from a mosquito bite, making your anklets jiggle in a more seductive way knowing that it would make me go crazy for you¡± Karthik sighed dramatically.

    ¡°But what can I do? You know my wife. She does everything on her own, so I thought she would just ask if she needs all my attention on her¡± Karthik shrugged ¡°And I was away from my child all these days, so obviously he/she deserves all my attention¡± before he could end the sentence, he was attacked by a pillow.

    ¡°Thank god. I am smart enough to keep sharp objects away from her reach¡± he mumbled to himself.

    Looking at Sreesha¡¯s defeated expression, Karthik sighed and kissed her forehead.

    ¡°I was trying to understand the reasons behind your actions, Sree.¡± Karthik started winding an around her shoulder making her lean into his touch ¡°I was ecstatic when I found the pregnancy stick in our washroom and I was waiting like an idiot for a surprise from you. I thought you were nning something with mother to announce the news of your pregnancy. In fact, everyone in the house was eagerly waiting for it to be announced officially¡± Sreesha gasped. She thought no one knows except her mom.

    ¡°Yes, everyone knows in the family except Tej. He was too involved in finding Esha to notice anything, just like you¡± Karthik added, ying with her hair.

    ¡°I was disappointed after a week¡¯s waiting and asked dad, he finally sighed in relief when he understood that he was not the only one who knew about the news. Everyone noticed your change in behavior Sree, you were so careful while walking, you started thinking twice before taking a step forward, you started avoiding certain food that might make you puke, you stopped joining us for every meal, most importantly you always had a protective arm around your stomach 24/7. Don¡¯t you think they are enough signs to know your secret?¡± Karthik pinched her cheeks making her pout.

    ¡°And about making you guilty¡­ I was very angry about you hiding things from me. So, obviously, I would want you to suffer a little¡±

    ¡°I was acting strange because of the task you gave me¡± Sreesha raised an eyebrow at him ¡°I was a little distracted about finding the spy in your bodyguards and other staff in and out of thepany. Ron and Sean are indeed from Sharma¡¯s security, but I can¡¯t say the same about Julie. I think she is working for Manoj as you predicted¡­¡±

    ¡°But. There is a, but right?¡± Sreesha asked Karthik nodded.

    ¡°There is someone else whose background is little suspicious. He belongs to dad¡¯s personal security. As you anticipated, our business secrets were being sold to Rajat by this man. We¡¯ve been slipping clues of our new project here and there in front of him like always, he conveniently passed it to Rajat¡¯spany. As we predicted, Rajat¡¯spany¡¯s quotation was a few thousand less than our fake quotation¡± Karthik exined to her patiently.

    ¡°I think your brain started working after your pregnancy. Are you sure you are not stealing the next Queen¡¯s intelligence?¡± Karthik teased Sreesha making her furious. For some reason, he loved his Sreesha more now. She became more expressive and courageous. If he knows, this is how her past helps her grow, he would havee clean to her long back.

    But he would have missed the time they spent together, her innocence, her anger, her little acts of revenge on him, her protectiveness over the people she loves¡­ Karthik miss the moments they spent while they were back home. Maybe he should make the other home a little getaway ce for both after the baby is born.

    ¡°What did you do to that guard?¡± Sreesha asked Karthik, ying with his shirt button.

    ¡°Nothing, wifey. We need him for now. He has no idea that we are aware of his deception and it would stay like that until Jayanth uncle says otherwise¡± Sreesha nodded in understanding.

    ¡°And what is this about doubting my love for you?¡± Karthik asked, raising an eyebrow making Sreesha hide her face in his chest.

    ¡°I thought¡­¡± Sreesha hesitated a little.

    ¡°What are your vital organs fighting about again?¡± Karthik teased referring to her heart and brain fights, raising her chin with his finger. Sreesha pped his chest none too gently.

    ¡°I was afraid of me bing fat like a whale and you losing interest in me,¡± Sreesha said, casting her eyes down to which Karthik hummed nodding his head.

    ¡°But why would I want to leave my cute whale?¡± teased Karthik ¡°Losing interest? Baby, if I have a chance, I will make you pregnant more frequently. How can you forget about the promise of making our own cricket team?¡± Sreesha gasped hiding her eyes in the crook of his neck, making Karthik chuckle.

    ¡°My dear cute little wifey, I loved you for years now and will love you for the rest of our lives. I should be the one to be afraid of you leaving me and not the other way around. You have bewitched me, body and soul. I have no other way than to be your ve for this life. Try to bewitch me in our next lives too, one life is not enough for me to love you¡±

    After this long speech, Karthik expected her to say something touching.

    Something along the lines like ¡°I love you Karthik and I will never leave you¡±

    Or ¡°you are stuck with me for the eternity¡±.

    But all Sreesha said was ¡°But what about Mahesh Babu¡± making Karthik go crazy with both jealous and possessiveness.

    He had been treating her like a porcin doll knowing about her pregnancy, but she is trespassing into forbidden waters.

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Karthik¡¯s voice was full of warning.

    ¡°That I wanted to marry Mahesh-¡± Karthik didn¡¯t let herplete the sentence. He imed her lips into a long punishing kiss.This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.

    Sreesha smirked into the kiss for sessfully distracting her husband from fearing about her pregnancy and thoughts of him hurting the baby. He had been too gentle with her all these days making her think all the unnecessary things like bing ugly or unattractive. Now that she knew what¡¯s keeping him away from her, she knows how to make him go crazy for her again and she did just that.

    Karthik may seem like calm and collective in front of everyone, but she knew the extent of his possessiveness.

    Sreesha wasying on bed peacefully on her favorite pillow ¨C Karthik¡¯s chest, listening to her favorite music the lub-dub sound of Karthik¡¯s heartbeat.

    She weighed the options again.

    Who does she value to be more?

    Sreesha Karthik Shekhar or Sreesha Thakur?

    ¡°Karthik¡± Sreesha called, making Karthik hum as an answer, snuggling more into her.

    ¡°Who do you love more Sreesha Karthik Shekhar or Sreesha Thakur?¡± She asked making patterns with her finger on his naked chest.

    ¡°Sreesha¡± She nodded thinking he just called her.

    ¡°I love Sreesha. Not Shekhar. Not Thakur. Just Sreesha my wife, my love of life¡± he answered without missing a beat.

    ¡°Does Thakur tag mean nothing to you?¡± Sreesha asked, looking at him with wide eyes, making him kiss her eyes.

    ¡°No. I love you with or without any titles. I love just you as a person, as my wife and my soulmate¡± Karthik answered and gently running his fingers through her hair.

    ¡°What if I want to pass my title to Esha?¡± Karthik¡¯s fingers paused and resumed on their own ord.

    ¡°Is there a way to make it possible?¡± Karthik enquired instead.

    ¡°You don¡¯t mind?¡± Karthik nodded his head negatively.

    ¡°Now that you know my answer, are you going to tell me what¡¯s running in that pretty head of yours?¡± Karthik asked poking her head with his finger yfully, making Sreesha pout.

    ¡°Mom and I¡± Sreesha started.

    ¡°I knew it is a dangerousbo¡± Karthik muttered, making Sreesha p his chest yfully.

    ¡°We were actually started researching about Thakur¡¯s ancestors, and we found a way to make Eshae home to us¡± Karthik nodded, asking her to continue ¡°If there are more than one heiress for the title, there is a possibility to pass the title to the next in line if the current one is indisposed or willing to let go of the title¡± Sreesha stopped and nced at Karthik through her eyshes ¡°And that needs all the Thakur¡¯s and her husband¡¯s approval. You and I need to sign a document stating that neither of us is interested in the power or wealth thates with the title and that there would be no fight for our children¡¯s lineage¡±

    ¡°When do you want us to sign it?¡± Karthik asked instead, giving her a tender smile.

    ¡°You don¡¯t mind losing all the wealth and power thates with it? What about our children?¡± Sreesha asked in awe.

    ¡°We have enough power and wealth in our family¡¯s name and about the title to our children¡­ I want them to be their own King and Queen of their lives, being a royalty will be just a bonus if they were chosen. They will still be Tahkurs regardless of whatst name they carry, my loyalties forever lies with Thakurs. If my Queen wants to me just mine and no one else¡¯s how can I say no?¡± Karthik stated, giving her a full-blown smile. Sreesha mirrored his actions and snuggled into him without any worry.

    Karthik was relieved.

    He may sound like selfish, but he wants Sreesha and their children away from all the dangers and drama.

    This way he doesn¡¯t have to worry about their children¡¯s childhood being tampered by being guarded 24/7 knowing there will be dangers lurking around them.

    There are still secrets to be revealed and amends to make.

    Thakurs are not easy to mend, but so are Verma¡¯s.

    He can only pray for Esha¡¯s well-being for vow to protect her when she takes the title.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t love her, why the hell did you marry her¡± yelled someone at Manoj.

    ¡°I have no other choice¡± Manoj answered unemotionally.

    ¡°Choice to ruin what we hold dear?¡± the person asked, grabbing Manoj¡¯s shirt cor.

    ¡°We have to be ¡®Married To Protect Her''¡± was his only answer.

 Chapter 61 EPILOGUE

    ¡°Mom¡± Sreesha heard her son screaming his lungs out from the bottom of the stairs. Sreesha rushed over to him noticing a few bruises on his face and scratches on his hands.

    ¡°Oh god! Ahar¡± Sreesha reached over him worried about her baby boy, searching for any hidden bruises.

    ¡°Mom, can you talk to dad and send me to another school?¡± Ahar sniffed, hugging Sreesha tightly.

    ¡°Why baby? Tell me what happened¡± Sreesha cooed him, rubbing his back.

    ¡°Who did this to you?¡± Sreesha asked him when his sobs subdued.

    ¡°Mom, I don¡¯t want to study in that school. I want to change school. Talk to dad¡± Ahar demanded Sreesha.

    ¡°Okay¡± Sreesha gave up to his demands ¡°But first you have to tell mom why, then mom can talk to dad and convince him to transfer you and Gagana to another school¡± Sreesha tried to console him.

    ¡°No!¡± Ahar screeched.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want Di to shift schools with me¡± saying that, Ahar started wailing.

    ¡°Always the drama queen¡± Sreesha heard someonementing from the front door only to find her daughter, Gagana tapping her foot on the floor smirking at the scene.

    ¡°What did you do to your brother, Gagana?¡± Sreesha demanded noticing Ahar stiffening in her hold.

    ¡°Me? Mom, why do you always me me for the things I never did?¡± Gagana asked, still smirking at Ahar, who red at her still hugging Sreesha like his life depended on it.

    ¡°Mom, why didn¡¯t I have a brother instead of her? I always wanted a big brother¡± Ahar asked, rubbing his cheeks. Sreesha¡¯s heart went out to him. She knows Gagana can be handful, but she loves her brother in her own way. How can she make Ahar see her love for him?

    Seven years ago, Sreesha had twins, a girl and a boy with just 10 minutes difference. Karthik was over the moon by the news of having both boy and a girl fulfilling both of their wishes. Karthik always wanted a baby girl first and then a son. He wanted them to have same bond as Sreesha and Tej do. He wants his daughter to love her brother like his wife loves Tej. Just like Tej loves and protects Sreesha despite of them being cousins.

    Gagana is named after Sreesha¡¯s mother Gagana Thakur.

    Seems like the tables are turned now.

    ¡°Mom¡± Ahar called Sreesha, shaking her a little.

    ¡°You can call me brother if you want to¡­ but again, girls are stronger than boys in every way so, it would be an insult if you call me brother¡± Gagana said, flipping her hair a little.

    ¡°Mommy¡± Ahar whined.

    ¡°Gagana¡± Sreesha sighed, looking at her daughter disappointedly. Everyone in the house spoiled her rotten and with the princess title, she is having it all. What she says, goes. Not to forget, she has her husband wrapped around her little finger along with every male in the house.

    Though her mother-inw loves both of her grandchildren to bits and stick to her side while disciplining her children in other words, Gagana as Ahar will always be on his best behavior. She couldn¡¯t help but me Malini Shekhar for blessing her daughter with her witty genes.

    Sometimes even the great Malini Shekhar will be left speechless by her daughter¡¯s witty responses.

    ¡°I was never this witty and sarcastic in my life. You should never me me alone for this, Sreesha. Remember all the stories I have shared about your mother? If you think I am bad, your mumma was worse than me in every way. So, the maximum me goes to her. Leave this poor old soul alone¡± was her reply whenever she mes her mother-inw for passing her genes to my daughter.

    ¡°She was beating each and every guy in my school. Since they can¡¯t beat her back, they areing for me. One guy took my lunch box and ate it all. I didn¡¯t even get to eat your yummy parathas¡± he said distracted by the food topic ¡°and another guy pushed me on the floor and the another one pulled my hair¡± he started exining how he was abused by his ssmates.

    No one dares to go near Gagana Thakur Shekhar because she knows how to fight. Her dad and uncles make sure she knows how and where to hurt a guy just in case.

    Sreesha red at Gagana who rolled her eyes at her brother but blinked her eyes innocently when they met hers.

    ¡°Gagana Thakur Shekhar!¡± Sreesha raised her voice, making everyone reach the scene who were hiding listening to everything.

    ¡°What is happening here?¡± Karthik asked, just entering the house unaware of the fuming lioness.

    ¡°You ask me what happened? Ask your daughter¡± Sreesha yelled at Karthik.

    Karthik, who took the scene in, is now aware that his daughter must have done something to displease his wife again. He knew she was trouble, the day she was born. His little devil knows how to irk anyone and everyone.

    He ruffled Gagana¡¯s hair before joining his wife and son, who were still on the floor with Ahar in her arms crying his eyes out.

    ¡°What happened to you, Ahar?¡± Karthik asked his son, slowly taking him into his arms while Tej reached out to his niece and taking her to nearby couch who grinned at him making him wink at her.

    ¡°I want to change school and I don¡¯t want di to be with me in that school¡± Ahar said, rubbing his nose on Karthik¡¯s shirt.

    ¡°Not going to happen¡± they heard Gagana saying.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want you to be with me¡± Ahar screeched.

    ¡°Whatever, if you go, I go too. I am not leaving you alone and that¡¯s it. No arguing.¡± Saying this Gagana stood up to go to her room but was stopped by her uncle, Tej.All text ? N?velD(r)a''ma.Org.

    ¡°Something happened?¡± Tej asked, Gagana shrugged and left having had enough of the drama.

    When Sreesha was about to follow her daughter to discipline her, Karthik stopped shaking his head and gestured her to take a seat with him.

    Karthik made Ahar sit in front of him and started applying medicine to his bruises. He was mad at himself for not being there for his children.

    ¡°Son¡± Karthik called, making his son nce at him ¡°What really happened?¡± he asked him softly.

    ¡°I don¡¯t¡­¡± Karthik cut him off by saying ¡°I heard that before but there should be a reason for changing schools, right?¡± he asked, applying medicine to his cracked lip. Karthik wants nothing but to hurt whoever dared to raise a hand on his son.

    ¡°Di¡­ she beat my ssmates always. She gets into fights and¡­ and¡­ I don¡¯t want her in same school as me¡± Ahar stuttered.

    ¡°Why do you think she gets into fights always?¡± Karthik asked his son soothingly.

    ¡°That¡­. that¡­ daddy¡± Ahar stuttered.

    ¡°You know daddy will not take sides without knowing full story, right? If she gets into fights without a reason then I will have to punish her, don¡¯t you think?¡± Karthik said, looking for hidden bruises. He clenched his jaw when he found old ones under his shirt.

    ¡°P-punish?¡± Ahar stuttered.

    ¡°Yes, punish. Like sending her to hostel or something like that?¡± Karthik said without blinking making Sreesha gasp along with his parents. Tej, knowing what he is ying at, smiled secretly.

    ¡°No¡± his son cried out.

    ¡°Why not? She is the reason for all this, right? And getting into fights is not a small issue¡± Karthik said giving no hint of his emotions.

    ¡°But daddy¡­ Di will be hurt¡± Ahar mumbled.

    ¡°Do you think your di is not hurt by your usations now?¡± Karthik asked him, smiling a little making his son bow his head.

    ¡°We only bow to our Queen, since the Queen is not here why are you bowing your head?¡± Karthik asked his son softly.

    ¡°Because¡­ I lied¡± Ahar said still bowing his head.

    ¡°Why did you lie?¡± Karthik asked Ahar, running his fingers in Ahar¡¯s hair soothingly.

    ¡°I am afraid she will be more hurt while protecting me¡± Ahar admitted, bowing his head shamefully for lying to his parents. His mom always told him to never to lie and it is a very bad thing to do.

    ¡°She was protecting you?¡± Sreesha asked, kneeling beside her son. Ahar nodded looping his arms around Sreesha¡¯s neck saying sorry for lying to her.

    ¡°Everyone in school calls me names for being fat¡± Ahar said, sniffing making Sreesha stun. ¡°Di always beats whoever tries to bully me¡± He continues saying ¡°Today, Di fought with everyone who tried to bully me and when one guy pushed her to ground, she scratched her knees and elbows. I went to fight with him, but I am fat. I can¡¯t fight¡± Ahar said looking at himself.

    Sreesha stopped breathing hearing her son. She should have known something is wrong when her son stopped her dressing him. She thought he was being shy all of a sudden and never thought anything about it and thought her daughter would have said if anything happens. She mes herself for being a bad mother.

    How can she be this irresponsible?

    She found herself in her husband¡¯s embrace while she silently cries for what happened to her son. He was a little on chubby side, but how can kids be so cruel to bully other kids?

    ¡°Karthik¡± Sreesha said, with so much pain in her voice.

    ¡°I understand, Sree¡± was the only reply she heard from him.

    ¡°Are you mad at me, mom¡± Ahar asked innocently. Sreesha shook her head taking her son into her embrace.

    ¡°Dad, will you let me join in another school? This way, Di will not be hurt protecting me¡± Ahar asked innocently.

    ¡°That is not happening¡± they heard Gagana saying folding her hands across her chest daring them to defy her.

    ¡°You guys are changing schools, both of you¡± Karthik said, making her jump into his arms smiling in victory.

    ¡°Where are you hurt, Princess?¡± Karthik asked his daughter checking for injuries.

    ¡°Hurt? Dad, they are just scratches from falling. And those guys are nothing but stupid to think they could win against me. Uncle Tej taught me how to fight remember? I will protect my brother daddy, don¡¯t worry.¡± Gagana said, kissing his cheek.

    ¡°And if the drama is done, I am hungry¡± saying this she sprinted into the kitchen to find something to eat like nothing happened.

    ¡°I am afraid, Karthik¡± Sreesha said, hugging him from behind sighing finally finding somefort.

    ¡°I was too when I got the call from their principal¡± Karthik confessed.

    ¡°Their principal med our children for hurting other kids. I know my kids, and I know they will never get into fights at least not Ahar. I would have been convinced if it is just Gagana, but knowing Ahar, it is a big No. So, I asked them to check CCTV footage. Gagana didn¡¯t raise her hand until they tried to hurt Ahar¡± Karthik said, turning around taking her into his arms.

    ¡°How I wish they enjoy their childhood without dealing with this kind of bitterness¡± Karthik sighed. ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but feel like a very bad parent. I mean, how can I not see when my children are hurting?¡± he mumbled hugging her tightly.

    ¡°I thought the same, Karthik. I felt terrible and med myself for being a failure as a mother, but you know what your daughter said?¡± Sreesha asked, making Karthik chuckle.

    ¡°Another witty response?¡± Karthik asked, Sreesha nodded smiling.

    ¡°What did she say?¡± Karthik asked.

    ¡°You don¡¯t haveser eyes to check the hidden bruises, but it will make you a bad mother for not feeding me while I am hungry. So, feed me before I die in hunger which would obviously make you a bad mother¡± Hearing his wife mimicking her daughter, made Karthikugh loudly holding his stomach.

    ¡°That¡¯s my daughter¡± Karthik said proudly.

    ¡°Hey! She¡¯s mine too¡± Sreesha said ring at him.

    ¡°You always refer to her as my daughter alwaysining about her¡± Karthik continued saying ¡°Karthik look at what your daughter did, or Karthik I swear your daughter makes me go crazy¡± mimicking Sreesha¡¯s high pitched making her punch his shoulder repeatedly.

    ¡°We will be fine¡± Karthik said, kissing her forehead lovingly.

    ¡°Always?¡± Sreesha asked looking into his eyes.

    ¡°Always¡± Karthik Promised, kissing her tenderly.

    ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªThe End¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª

    Author¡¯s Note:

    This is book 1 of Married series.

    Book 2 will be called ¡®Married To Protect¡¯ with Esha/Sadhika and Manoj as lead protagonists.

 Chapter 62 Husbands/Boyfriends/Crushes for sale

    ¡°Sreesha! Where the hell are you?¡± his voice bellowed bursting into the house alerting Sreesha and the otherdies around her.

    Sreesha, Mrs. Malini Shekhar, Veni, Anju, Niya, and Anvika were eagerly waiting for their husband/boyfriend¡¯s reaction to the recent prank they yed.

    Everyone was grinning ear to ear throwing a meaningful look at Sreesha, who was nervously fidgeting with her Saree end.

    ¡°Mom, he¡¯ll kill me¡± she whispered to her MIL who was peeping through the slightly opened door of Sreesha¡¯s room.

    ¡°Sreesha! I swear if you are not here in next 10 seconds¡­ I¡¯m going to¡­ going to¡­¡± he stopped not knowing what to threaten his wife.

    ¡®To what¡¯ his conscience mocked him.

    ¡®I can control a whole bunch of businessmen with just one look, but I don¡¯t know how to tame this little minx¡¯ he thought gritting teeth.

    ¡°To what?¡± Thedies in the room whispered excitedly.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to¡­ divorce you¡± hepleted his statement half-heartedly thinking his threat might hurt his beautiful wife. He regretted saying those words the next second when Sreesha¡¯s sad face shed in his head.

    Sreesha, who was nervous just a moment ago suddenly dashed out of the room running towards Karthik.

    ¡°This actually worked?¡± he thought blinking his eyes.

    ¡°What did you just said?¡± she asked standing in front of him, looking into his eyes with a hint of¡­ amusement?

    ¡°That I -I am going to divorce y-you¡­ -gulping nervously ¨C if you are not h-here in 10 seconds?¡± he tried to be confident, but just one look at those innocent wide eyes all his sensible side just flew out of the window.

    ¡°You actually said that?¡± he was about to deny that he was not being serious but her next words made him still in his ce ¡°OMG!! I¡¯m so happy.. yayy!!! You took a lot of time to blurt those words. You know I¡¯ve been trying hard to make u say those words?¡± she was bbering but he just stood there like a statue.

    ¡°You want a divorce?¡± he couldn¡¯t help but sound like a wounded puppy.

    The now very excited Sreesha who was all smiles now started calling out his mom ¡°Mom, you said your son wouldn¡¯t say those words right? he just said ¡®I¡¯m going to divorce you Sreesha¡¯¡­ I¡¯m so damn happy¡± she says dancing with her MIL who was as excited as her.

    ¡°You did it finally! I¡¯m so proud of you dear¡± his mom said, kissing Sreesha¡¯s cheek.

    ¡°Mom, I said those words to warn her. why are you so hell bent on separating us?¡± he asked ring at his mom.

    ¡°I won the bet¡± Sreesha yelled still dancing around the house.

    His mom was about to say something but cutoff by a very angry Mr. Vinay shekhar.

    ¡°Malini Shekhar!¡± her son gave her what-the-hell-did-you-do-this-time look ¡°Do you know what have you done this time? How in the world do you get these ideas?¡±

    ¡°Hello my darling husband, why are you shouting so much? Didn¡¯t doctor advised you to attend Yoga sses to control your anger issues. Now you¡¯re shouting at me¡­ its not good for your health¡± she said in a honey filled sweet voice.

    If someone who doesn¡¯t know about this wicked olddy might think she was being harassed by her husband while it was the other way around.

    ¡°Don¡¯t sass me! you- you- you crazy woman! How do you get all these crazy ideas to torture me every single day of my life. Are you insane?¡± he said rubbing his forehead with helplessness.

    ¡°Wish I can take all the credit dear husband, but this particr innovative idea is not mine¡± she said with a sad sigh like she lost everyst penny in her bank ount.

    ¡°What? No, I don¡¯t believe you. This has idea to be yours. There is no way anyone can be as conniving as you¡± he said with an exasperated sigh.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you ruined my innocent daughter¡¯s mind to give you this advice. If she is the one, I¡¯ll send both of them away from us, so at least my son will live happily with a sane wife¡± he added without thinking much.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare Mr. Shekhar, I love my son and daughter. How can you even think this is my daughter¡¯s idea?¡±

    ¡°Then there is only one option left, you¡± he said pointing at her usingly.

    ¡°See, I told you he can¡¯t hold his tongue. He said I was ¡®evil, crazy, conniving, insane ¡® what not?¡± she said smirking at Sreesha, who was now staring at her wide-eyed.

    ¡°I won the bet too¡± she said jumping like a kid.

    ¡°What do you mean-¡± he was cutoff by another raging voice.

    ¡°Anjali freaking Desai! where the heck are you? I¡¯m going to kill you right this moment. How dare you to y with my poprity?¡± he was looking like a raging bull.

    ¡°What is it, Loser?¡± Anju said, standing on thest step of the stairs.

    ¡°You- you freaking ruined everything today, Desai! You ruined my chances with the most beautiful girl in the world¡± he said exaggerating a little.

    ¡°Oh shut up loser, as if you stand a chance ¡± she mumbled. ¡°What? of course, didn¡¯t you see her being all over me when she came over to my friend¡¯s birthday party, where you are my date¡­ unfortunately¡± he said gritting his teeth. she just tampered his balloon of an ego with a small safety pin.

    ¡°You¡¯re talking about that monkey that was clinging to your arm at that time? ¡± she startedughing like a lunatic gripping her stomach hard

    ¡°Yo-you think she was the most beautiful girl in the world¡± she is now rolling on the floorughing ¡°Do you think all that makeup was her true self? You should see her without makeup¡­ dude, what are you thinking going after that mad woman? Just one date with her, you made yourself signed a death wish a. k. a marriage proposal from her dad¡± still breathing heavily, controlling herugh.

    ¡°If she is a monkey¡­ that guy you are drooling over is nothing less than a chimpanzee with all the beard and mustache¡± he said ring at her.

    ¡°Admit it, you¡¯re just jealous because he is dead drop gorgeous¡± she said with a dreamy sigh.

    ¡°Yeah¡­ as I told u, a very freaking gorgeous chimpanzee¡±

    ¡°You said yourself¡­ he is indeed gorgeous.¡±

    ¡°Just stop using him and gorgeous in the same sentence it makes me want to puke ¡± he said with a disgusted look on his face.

    ¡°If I didn¡¯t like you as much as I did, I would have killed you this very moment¡± he said aloud confessing his feeling this time in front of everyone.

    The moment he said those words¡­ she started smirking giving a thumbs up to the women who gathered around them including Veni, Anvika and Niya.

    ¡°Niya Arora!¡± Ved yelled from the front door making her wince.

    ¡°Hi hubby, what are you doing here this early? Didn¡¯t I tell you that I was staying here for today ?¡± Niya asked sweetly.

    ¡°I would have left you alone, if you didn¡¯t pull that stunt! How dare you?¡± he said advancing his steps towards her.

    ¡°Raise your voice again and you¡¯re going to say hi to your all toofy couch and your dearest pillow to cuddle for a month¡± she said smirking. Knowing his wife meant every word she said sat down grumbling about being unfair.

    ¡°Where are Tej and Arjun?¡± Niya asked her husband raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°They will be here in a bit¡± he grumbled. If looks could kill Niya would be under 6 feet by now. When everyone was throwing questions at thedies, Arjun and Tej entered the house with a neutral look on their faces.

    ¡°Hello everyone¡± Tej and Arjun said taking a seat next to Ved, who was stillining about Niya¡¯s threat.

    ¡°Why are you all standing?¡± Arjun asked ncing at others.

    ¡°Please tell me you don¡¯t know what these women did¡± Karthik said throwing a ¡®we-need-to-talk¡¯ look at Sreesha.

    ¡°We know¡± they both replied simultaneously.

    ¡°Then how can you be so calm?¡± Ved cried out.

    ¡°As if you¡¯re any better¡± Vinay Shekhar mumbled under his breath.

    ¡°Uncle!¡± Ved eximed. Karthik and his dad threw Ved a ¡®shut-up-now¡¯ look.

    ¡°Veni¡± Arjun called out for his wife. Veni, who was wearing a bewildered expression on her face for theck of response stood in front of him.

    ¡°Why did you do that?¡± He asked calmly, patting the ce next to him. Veni, like an obedient wife sat next to him.

    ¡°I-its not m-my idea, Arjun¡± she stuttered.

    ¡°I know¡± he said taking her soft hand in his, caressing it softly. ¡°I asked you why¡± he added.

    ¡°They were all arguing about whose husband stopped paying attention to them and all of a sudden Anju came up with this n to get their husband¡¯s attention respectively. I was against it at first, but they said it will make you angry¡­ again. Where you¡¯re sitting next to me as cool as a Buddha¡± she mumbled thest part to herself.

    ¡°I was angry at first, but I also know you will not do these reckless things¡­ alone -throwing at look at Anju who was trying to look cute, so she could escape easily ¨C but then again, I like it when you act carefree¡± he said smiling at her.

    ¡®Aw¡¯ all thedies sighed at a time.

    ¡°Tej, why are you so calm?¡± Karthik, who was now holding Sreesha closely asked. ¡°Mine is not as bad as yours¡± he shrugged, showing them what they posted in olx.

    ¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì

    Husband for Sale. Seller: Malini Vinay Shekhar.

    I¡¯m selling my husband Mr. Vinay Shekhar, one of the well-known businessman in India for Rs¡­ Or may be dors¡­ Wait lets just talk directly on phone.

    Contact number: ************

    ¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì

    Husband for sale:

    Seller: Sreesha Karthik Shekhar

    I want to sell my husband because he¡¯s so much in love with his second wife a. k. a work.

    So please contact this number for further details

    No: ************

    ¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì

    Husband for Sale:Seller : Niya Ved Arora

    I really don¡¯t want to sell my husband but he¡¯s not taking my words seriously anymore when I said, I¡¯ll leave him. So here you go guys¡­ buy him if you want.

    Contact details: ***********

    ¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ìR¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

    Husband for sale:Seller: Veni Arjun Raizada

    Hi, I want to sell my husband¡­

    This is just a prank please don¡¯t contact this number: ***********

    ¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì

    Friend for sale:

    Seller: Anvika SharmaI want to sell my friend who was ignoring me for a while.

    Please contact this number to buy him ASAP:************

    ¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì

    Enemy for sale:

    You heard it right babes¡­ I¡¯m selling my enemy online! He¡¯s an idiot all the times but can be sensible a bit.

    Did I just use a good word to describe him? I need to sell him really fast!

    Grab this opportunity to get ¡®one of the eligible bachelors avable¡¯ (his words not mine¡­ eww).

    Contact details: **************

    ¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì¡ì

    After everyone had a goodugh at that innovative prank their partners pulled¡­ the male domination worked out atst and get those posts deleted in olx.

    Because these beauties with brains gave their husband¡¯s office number as contact numbers.

    ¡°Vinay Shekhar promised his wife their nth honeymoon trip.¡±

    ¡°Karthik promised Sreesha a world tour with no gadgets allowed rule.¡±

    ¡°Ved promised to listen to his wife¡¯s every word for the rest of his life to avoid cuddling pillow and bing acquainted with couch¡±

    ¡°Arjun promised Veni ¡®rest of his life''¡±.

    ¡°Tej promised Anvika to be a better friend to her¡±.

    ¡°Nihal promised himself to kill Anjali Desai as soon as possible¡­ ¡®with love¡¯ a voice whispered through his thick skull¡±.

    ****************

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    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!