"Good you came on time. Go and freshen up. We'll have dinner",Sakshi said as she saw Vikram and Keerthi entering.
Vikram didn't know a diplomatic way to answer his mom. He could say he ate,but that would raise questions as to why Keerthi didn't eat. He didn't want to put their personal life on show.He was thinking of what to say when Keerthi spoke.
"We already ate outside Mom",Keerthi answered on their behalf,making Vikram feel even more bad.
"Okay",Sakshi smiles.
"Did you get your clothes?",Vihan asked to which they nodded.
"Did you get something for me as well?",Vihan teased his brother.
"Get married. You can
Keerthi visibly freezes in Vikram's arms. "Wh..What?", She whispers, desperately hoping to have heard differently. Vikram gives her a pointed stare, willing her to answer. Keerthi trembles, not knowing what to say. She knew men. It would be a jab to Vikram's ego if she responded in negative. And she didn't know what he was capable of, the thought worrying her. Though he seemed nice half the time and hadn't misbehaved with her, she didn't know if she could voice out her opinion.She didn't know what he would do to her. More tears leaked her cheeks, terrified. Vikram was confused. Why was his wife crying as he had told her that someone had died? He didn't particularl
Keerthi stood in the same place,tears streaming down her face at an alarming rate. She was scared. She waited for Vikram to say something,anything. A part of her was relieved though,that she expressed her biggest fear to him. She hoped and prayed her husband understood her and wasn't physically abusive. Though Keerthi cherished silence,she badly wanted to hear something,aYes I understandor even a ,How dare you say something like that followed by a slap. But she was positive she was deaf when Vikram opened his mouth. "Here. Drink your milk", Vikram offered her the glass of milk. Keerthi was confused, though this time she accepted
"Do you want some coffee?" Vikram looked up from the newspaper he was reading to see his wife standing awkwardly in front of him. "Yeah. Please",he answered distractedly,busy reading the sports column. "Okay",Keerthi muttered as she made way into the Kitchen. She saw her father-in -law enter just as she was passing by. Though she was reluctant, Keerthi found it necessary to ask him too if he wanted coffee, out of courtesy. Vinod smiled at Keerthi,"No Keerthi,I don't drink coffee. Acid problems", he chuckled, making Keerthi smile too. "Oh. Okay",Keerthi gave her father in law a small smile as he patted her head and joined her h
Vikram walked out of the washroom, contemplating on changing in the room instead of his closet. But on second thought,he dressed up in the closet,not wanting his wife to think he was upto something. He was not. He just didn't like wearing his clothes in the closet. Vikram wore a pastel blue Sherwani with a golden border. His hair gelled and beard trimmed. He walked into his room to see his wife stuck to the dressing table,clasping a chain around her neck. He hummed to himself as he picked his phone and walked out of the room, wanting to give Keerthi some time and privacy to get ready. Keerthi adorned her wrists with bangles,co
Vikram woke up to find his wife towel drying her hair. How she managed to look so pretty when she wasdryingher hair,he didn't know. He was puzzled at the direction of his thoughts when he just woke up. He averted his gaze though, clenching his jaw,when he recollected the previous day's events. "What?", Keerthi barked, thinking he was looking at her,but in reality Vikram was looking behind her,after he everted his gaze. "What?",Vikram raised an eyebrow. Keerthi gave him a blank look. "Look,I just woke up. Take your new drama elsewhere." Keerthi gaped at Vikram,his bluntness quickly raising her temper.
Keerthi was in her room,freshening up,as she hummed to herself. She wore a red top and a black track pant, moisturizing her skin as she rubbed circles on her feet as she sat on the edge of the bath tub, delaying getting out of the room as she recollected her mother in law's words. "Vikram was looking for you. Talk to him,yeah?" The words were simple,not reallythatfear worthy that she had to hide in the washroom. But she was in no mood to talk to her husband. Every conversation with him lead to an argument. And she had a brilliant day,she wanted it to remain the same. She glanced at her phone by the sink,nine twenty.
Keerthi stirred the chicken,her concentration not wavering,as she added the needed spices into it, waiting for it to turn soft. "I can make it if you want Ma'am",Lahari, the Rathores' cook,a middle aged lady offered. "No,no. It's alright", Keerthi smiled,she didn't want anyone else's contribution. She wanted to make everything. Her everything meant Tandoori Chicken ,Apollo fish in starters, Chicken Biryani and Lemon Chicken in main course and a Chocolate Sundae in dessert. "Okay",Lahari smiled,"But please call me me if you need something", as she got on with her other works. Keerthi placed the rice in layers,the rich scent of spices filing the kitchen.
Vikram ascended the stairs in haste,not wanting to be late to his meeting. "Why are you in such a hurry?",Sakshi asked bewildered, seeing her son. "I am busy Mom",Vikram waved his mother away,"I have some work. Will talk later",he said as he continued walking. He contemplated going to the study,but on a later thought, turned towards his room, which was much closer. He sighed, opening his laptop, as he quickly logged into Skype.Vikram acknowledged his employees' greetings as he got on with the meeting. "But what would have caused it?", Vikram questioned Raghav,his head manager. "Not sure Sir. But the clients are complaining tha
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