Amritha Verma was pleasantly surprised when she saw her daughter and son in law at her doorstep. She expected her daughter to be busy, since she hadn't attended to her calls.She smiled when her daughter threw her arms around her."Happy birthday",she kissed her daughter's head.Keerthi's eyes watered unexpectedly. She swallowed the lump in her throat, smiling through tears,"Thanks Ma."Keerthi pulled her husband inside with her,"Hi dad.""Keerthi",Arvind Verma returned his daughter's hug,"What a pleasant surprise",he kissed her head,"Happy birthday.""Thanks dad",she smiled.Arvind Verma shook hands with his son in law, inviting him into their house.Vikram smiled politely,taking a seat.Keerthi squeezed her husband's hand, leaving him with her father as she accompanied her mother into the kitchen.Keerthi winced when she jumped on to the kitchen counter."What happened?"Amritha frowned.Keerthi played innocent,"What happened?"Amritha walked to her daughter,"Do you have to tell me a
Vikram frowned when he saw his wife in her formals when he came back home."Are you going somewhere?"Keerthi was startled,"Hi",she gave her husband a kiss."Hi.""Yeah. Going to Mom's.""Oh.Want me to drop?""Nah. I'll drive myself.""But-""I'm fine Vikram. My injuries are completely healed.""Alright",Vikram pulled his wife to him,kissing her neck."Return quickly? I've missed you",Vikram cupped his wife's breast.Keerthi pressed her lips thin,"I plan to stay there for a week or so.""Oh. Any particular reason?""We are shifting next week. So want to spend some time", Keerthi shrugged,hoping her husband understood."Cool", Vikram shrugged,"I'll drop you in that case."Keerthi stared at her husband. He agreed so easily? Wow."Why are you looking at me like that?""Just", Keerthi shrugged,"You are so different",she hugged her husband."Okay? Is something wrong?"Keerthi shook her head,"Didn't expect you to agree so easily.""Why should I agree even? You are going to your parents' pla
Keerthi glared at her husband."Help me stock up the fridge if you want any food.""Are you hungry?""Why?"Vikram shrugged,helping his wife as she set their fridge."Vikram", Keerthi scolded when her husband hugged her from behind after they were done."Sweetheart?Stop shouting",he kissed his wife's neck, pulling the thin strap of her shoulder down."You are not even helping me. And you are disturbing me on top of that."Vikram shook his head,"Nobody asked you to do everything in a single day. Hire someone or something.""For what? Arranging our clothes and inner wear?", Keerthi barked.Vikram walked to his wife, picking her in his arms, ignoring her shrieks of protest as he shut the door."Vikram.""Shut up Keerthi. I've ordered a pizza. We'll have our dinner,and then continue arranging things. You are such a pain when you are hungry.""I am a pain to you all the time.""Good God woman", Vikram sighed,folding his wife in his lap,"I love you,darling.""I love you too. When is the pizz
Two anniversaries later...Keerthi stared at the plastic item in her hand, clutching it against her chest,not bothering that it was dirty. Tears blurred her vision,as she held the edge of the sink.She had mixed feelings. Although she was thrilled,she felt nervous.What would Vikram say if she told him she was pregnant?She didn't think she had the guts to look him in the eye and tell him that she was pregnant. The thought made her too nervous. Although she was positive Vikram might be happy,she couldn't rule out the possibility of him not taking it well.She tried to calm her racing heart,the nervousness not allowing her to be happy about the most precious moment in her life. She was going to be a mother.So why couldn't she be happy?She deep down knew it was because she wanted to share the news with her better half.Maybe she could just leave the stick on the sink,and Vikram would accidentally see it and question her himself?She shut her eyes,tempted at the possibility, jumping in
"You kick me one more time,and I'm not going to feed you",Keerthi snapped at the six month old on her lap.The grinning crying/screaming copy of Vikram only let out gurgles of laughter, having his feed in the meantime, kicking his mother's tummy.Keerthi winced when she felt a sharp jab on her lower abdomen,tears pricking her eyes at the pain. She cupped her tummy,placing Rahil on the bed next to her. Even though she got her stitches removed a few months back,it still hurt when her son kicked too hard.It took her three minutes for the pain to become a dull throb. She glared at the about-to-wail child."You scream one more time, that's it. I'm giving you to your grandparents.""Stop being dramatic Keerthi", Keerthi heard her husband,as he entered their room, locking the door shut."You are twenty minutes late.""Wow. You learnt the art of checking time.""No need for that much sarcasm", Keerthi mumbled, placing Rahil in his crib, murmuring,"Please don't cry",in his ear.Keerthi felt he
Vikram's POVIt was one of those days. When everything was great, grateful for all the good things in life. Living life looked simple,easy. I didn't realise I was lost in my thoughts, jumping from one to another when the flow was interrupted.I sweep a glance towards my wife,our coffee mugs in her hands."Why are you smiling?" ,She asks, handing me my mug.I shrug, pulling her gently into my lap,taking care the coffee didn't spill. I either had to clean it or put up with an earful I could do without.She only smiled shyly, closing her eyes when the side of her thigh grazed my penis.I gave her an amused smile, shaking my head. I couldn't deny,I liked it. A lot.I clear my throat,my hand inching into her top,as I place it there, ignoring her look as I sip on my coffee."It's 11 in the morning", Keerthi teased."So?",My hand travels higher, unclasping her bra."At least let me finish my coffee",my wife laughs,shaking her head.I let out a laugh too, squeezing her hip.She gives me a sof
Vikram's POV(In Mumbai)I return home after an exhausting day to see my wife sound asleep on the couch. I shake my head, rolling my eyes. I had mentioned I would be late and specifically asked her to go to bed.The last time she fell asleep on the couch,she had a strained neck for three days,and she has a bad cold.I swallow back my irritation,taking gentle steps to check on my children before I freshened up.My lips tilt up automatically, relaxation coursing through my veins as I see my flesh sleeping peacefully. The father in me couldn't resist as I tip-toed into their room, placing a kiss on my seven year and four year olds' foreheads."Go to sleep Rahil",I murmured when I saw him move in his sleep, patting his chest. He was always a light sleeper.I glance at my daughter, smiling when I see her lower lip jutted out,her hands over her head as she slept beautifully. Aarna hates being touched in her sleep.I gently shut the door,making way to my room."When did you come home?",I hea
Keerthi shuts her eyes,leaning on the headboard, extremely tired after the circus she has been forced to perform,she contemplates changing, but on a second thought, doesn't. May be I should just sleep away this nightmare, she thought. But the thing was,she couldn't sleep,her nerves anxious as she thought about what might happen in the next few minutes,hours. Her stomach churns at the idea. Seconds tick by,turning into minutes,the deadly silence of the room forcing her to think of harsh,bitter reality that she was forced to go through. ******* Keerthi hears her father yelling at her mother as she enters the house quietly,from office.Her stomach was in her mouth. Why was he yelling? Because when he does,there is no say to how much pain he put her mother through. Keerthi hears a harsh slap from the other side,making her flinch,tears automatically forming in her eyes as she hurriedly
Vikram's POV(In Mumbai)I return home after an exhausting day to see my wife sound asleep on the couch. I shake my head, rolling my eyes. I had mentioned I would be late and specifically asked her to go to bed.The last time she fell asleep on the couch,she had a strained neck for three days,and she has a bad cold.I swallow back my irritation,taking gentle steps to check on my children before I freshened up.My lips tilt up automatically, relaxation coursing through my veins as I see my flesh sleeping peacefully. The father in me couldn't resist as I tip-toed into their room, placing a kiss on my seven year and four year olds' foreheads."Go to sleep Rahil",I murmured when I saw him move in his sleep, patting his chest. He was always a light sleeper.I glance at my daughter, smiling when I see her lower lip jutted out,her hands over her head as she slept beautifully. Aarna hates being touched in her sleep.I gently shut the door,making way to my room."When did you come home?",I hea
Vikram's POVIt was one of those days. When everything was great, grateful for all the good things in life. Living life looked simple,easy. I didn't realise I was lost in my thoughts, jumping from one to another when the flow was interrupted.I sweep a glance towards my wife,our coffee mugs in her hands."Why are you smiling?" ,She asks, handing me my mug.I shrug, pulling her gently into my lap,taking care the coffee didn't spill. I either had to clean it or put up with an earful I could do without.She only smiled shyly, closing her eyes when the side of her thigh grazed my penis.I gave her an amused smile, shaking my head. I couldn't deny,I liked it. A lot.I clear my throat,my hand inching into her top,as I place it there, ignoring her look as I sip on my coffee."It's 11 in the morning", Keerthi teased."So?",My hand travels higher, unclasping her bra."At least let me finish my coffee",my wife laughs,shaking her head.I let out a laugh too, squeezing her hip.She gives me a sof
"You kick me one more time,and I'm not going to feed you",Keerthi snapped at the six month old on her lap.The grinning crying/screaming copy of Vikram only let out gurgles of laughter, having his feed in the meantime, kicking his mother's tummy.Keerthi winced when she felt a sharp jab on her lower abdomen,tears pricking her eyes at the pain. She cupped her tummy,placing Rahil on the bed next to her. Even though she got her stitches removed a few months back,it still hurt when her son kicked too hard.It took her three minutes for the pain to become a dull throb. She glared at the about-to-wail child."You scream one more time, that's it. I'm giving you to your grandparents.""Stop being dramatic Keerthi", Keerthi heard her husband,as he entered their room, locking the door shut."You are twenty minutes late.""Wow. You learnt the art of checking time.""No need for that much sarcasm", Keerthi mumbled, placing Rahil in his crib, murmuring,"Please don't cry",in his ear.Keerthi felt he
Two anniversaries later...Keerthi stared at the plastic item in her hand, clutching it against her chest,not bothering that it was dirty. Tears blurred her vision,as she held the edge of the sink.She had mixed feelings. Although she was thrilled,she felt nervous.What would Vikram say if she told him she was pregnant?She didn't think she had the guts to look him in the eye and tell him that she was pregnant. The thought made her too nervous. Although she was positive Vikram might be happy,she couldn't rule out the possibility of him not taking it well.She tried to calm her racing heart,the nervousness not allowing her to be happy about the most precious moment in her life. She was going to be a mother.So why couldn't she be happy?She deep down knew it was because she wanted to share the news with her better half.Maybe she could just leave the stick on the sink,and Vikram would accidentally see it and question her himself?She shut her eyes,tempted at the possibility, jumping in
Keerthi glared at her husband."Help me stock up the fridge if you want any food.""Are you hungry?""Why?"Vikram shrugged,helping his wife as she set their fridge."Vikram", Keerthi scolded when her husband hugged her from behind after they were done."Sweetheart?Stop shouting",he kissed his wife's neck, pulling the thin strap of her shoulder down."You are not even helping me. And you are disturbing me on top of that."Vikram shook his head,"Nobody asked you to do everything in a single day. Hire someone or something.""For what? Arranging our clothes and inner wear?", Keerthi barked.Vikram walked to his wife, picking her in his arms, ignoring her shrieks of protest as he shut the door."Vikram.""Shut up Keerthi. I've ordered a pizza. We'll have our dinner,and then continue arranging things. You are such a pain when you are hungry.""I am a pain to you all the time.""Good God woman", Vikram sighed,folding his wife in his lap,"I love you,darling.""I love you too. When is the pizz
Vikram frowned when he saw his wife in her formals when he came back home."Are you going somewhere?"Keerthi was startled,"Hi",she gave her husband a kiss."Hi.""Yeah. Going to Mom's.""Oh.Want me to drop?""Nah. I'll drive myself.""But-""I'm fine Vikram. My injuries are completely healed.""Alright",Vikram pulled his wife to him,kissing her neck."Return quickly? I've missed you",Vikram cupped his wife's breast.Keerthi pressed her lips thin,"I plan to stay there for a week or so.""Oh. Any particular reason?""We are shifting next week. So want to spend some time", Keerthi shrugged,hoping her husband understood."Cool", Vikram shrugged,"I'll drop you in that case."Keerthi stared at her husband. He agreed so easily? Wow."Why are you looking at me like that?""Just", Keerthi shrugged,"You are so different",she hugged her husband."Okay? Is something wrong?"Keerthi shook her head,"Didn't expect you to agree so easily.""Why should I agree even? You are going to your parents' pla
Amritha Verma was pleasantly surprised when she saw her daughter and son in law at her doorstep. She expected her daughter to be busy, since she hadn't attended to her calls.She smiled when her daughter threw her arms around her."Happy birthday",she kissed her daughter's head.Keerthi's eyes watered unexpectedly. She swallowed the lump in her throat, smiling through tears,"Thanks Ma."Keerthi pulled her husband inside with her,"Hi dad.""Keerthi",Arvind Verma returned his daughter's hug,"What a pleasant surprise",he kissed her head,"Happy birthday.""Thanks dad",she smiled.Arvind Verma shook hands with his son in law, inviting him into their house.Vikram smiled politely,taking a seat.Keerthi squeezed her husband's hand, leaving him with her father as she accompanied her mother into the kitchen.Keerthi winced when she jumped on to the kitchen counter."What happened?"Amritha frowned.Keerthi played innocent,"What happened?"Amritha walked to her daughter,"Do you have to tell me a
"No. Go away", Keerthi grumbled when someone shook her."Ouch",she glared at her husband when he bit her lip."I want to sleep Vikram",she turned to the other side.Keerthi screeched in frustration when he kept poking her,"What?""Take your medicines. You can sleep after that.""I literally just closed me eyes", Keerthi grumbled, sitting up, blinking her eyes as she came face to face with her husband in their bedroom.Vikram laughed,"It's after two in the noon.""What?", Keerthi shrieked,"Half of my birthday is gone."Vikram laughed,"Get up. You can eat something."Keerthi sat up,relieved that her pain came down a bit,though it still throbbed a bit.She felt sad when she glanced at her mobile,her mother's missed call staring at her.She missed her parents."Yeah",she cleared her throat.Vikram glanced at his wife,giving her a kiss on her mouth,"Happy birthday, Love."Keerthi was surprised at the endearment,her insides warming,"Thank you",she placed a kiss on her husband's lips,wincing
"Does it hurt too much?"Rhetorical question. Keerthi would get scolded either way,she knew it."Um.""Go to sleep. Maybe it'll be better in the morning.""Yeah.Ouch", Keerthi cried when she put some pressure on her hips.Vikram swallowed,"I think we should go to the hospital."Keerthi's side throbbed in pain,tears welling her eyes. Did she really break something?"It's fine", Keerthi said hesitantly. She wasn't sure anymore. A simple bruise didn't hurt that much,surely."Come on",Vikram picked his wife in his arms.Keerthi smiled when her husband took her hand in his, kissing the back of it and released it,as he shifted the gear."There was really no need",Keerthi rolled her eyes when they were in the hospital premises."Nothing wrong in confirming",Vikram shrugged,parking the car."Sure", Keerthi mumbled under her breath."Why are you flinching repeatedly then?",Vikram quirked a brow,when his wife joined him.Keerthi gave her husband a flat look,"I have fun. That's why.""You can ha