Aakash's P.O.V
I was quietly admiring the tender sight before me-my wife, my delicate little world, wrapped in peace. But the tranquility of the moment didn't last long. My phone buzzed, dragging me away from my thoughts. It was my cousin. A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I slid my finger across the screen and placed the phone to my ear.
Walking out to the balcony, I greeted him with warmth, "Hello mere bhai." (Hello, my brother.)
He greeted me back with equal fondness, and we got lost in conversation for a while. After the call, I returned to our room-and there she was. My obsession. My solace. Completely untouched by the chaos of the world around her. Sitting serenely with her book, now balanced on her knees, her eyes were absorbed in the pages, unmoving, unwavering.
She was so small-my baby. She fit perfectly in my arms like a sleepy little koala. I walked to the bed and sat beside her, my heart too full to contain. I opened my laptop and began to type.
Mi alma (my soul) likes books. She hates shopping-it exhausts her. She loves cold coffee, but only with caramel. She gets irritated when my friends call her bhabhi (sister-in-law). She likes holding hands while walking, and finds comfort only in her oversized shirts and baggy pants. She doesn't like dressing up like the other girls.
Setting aside my laptop, I picked up my phone and posted a few pictures of us from lunch earlier, capturing a moment that felt like eternity wrapped in warmth.
Shashi's P.O.V
"Anh... take it slow."
"No chance, baby. I've waited an eternity. Tonight, there's no slowing down. Tonight, it's just me, devouring you with my tongue..."
My God! I can't believe I wrote that. I can't believe those words are mine.
My heart was pounding, my cheeks flaming red. This book-my book-had my name etched on the cover. It felt like touching the stars with my bare hands. There's a strange, unexplainable magic in reading something your soul poured out-every page holding memories, every word a fragment of your truth.
My stomach fluttered. The butterflies inside me were practically dancing in frenzy.
When Aakash had asked how I felt completing it, I had only shaken my head, speechless. But now, my lord, it isn't just about finishing the book-I feel like screaming, like jumping on the bed, like crying and laughing all at once. But I can't. Not when I'm not alone. Can't let him witness the crazy fangirl in me.
"You're a baddie, baby," I told myself in the mirror, still flushed. "Don't you dare change, even with these rosy blushes."
Author's Interlude
The Rajput household was alive with laughter as they gathered for dinner. Little Aarav was proudly narrating how he'd completed all his homework without help-a grand victory for the young warrior.
"I have a complaint, Papa," he declared dramatically. "She gives me so much homework! Can't she see I'm just a small boy?"
"Teachers are like this only, Aarav," Shashi said with mock sympathy. "They don't care how small the kids are. Mine were cruel too."
"Exactly, cupcake. How can someone be this cruel?" Aakash chimed in with a smirk.
"But what can we do, pie? We don't have a choice." Shashi sighed.
"Hmmm," Aarav hummed in fake sorrow.
"We have two kids around us," Sarthak said, chuckling.
"Who is the second one, bhai?" Shashi asked curiously.
"You, betu," Akriti said, laughing.
"Luny! Everyone thinks I'm a kid?" Shashi pouted.
"Because you are, baby," Aakash said fondly.
"Actually, it's perfect," he continued. "If you're a kid too, we can demand chocolates together."
Shashi and Aarav hi-fived, sealing their sweet mischief.
Dinner ended with joy still blooming in the air.
Later, the drawing room was filled with old photos and endless giggles. The family huddled together, reliving the mischievous tales behind each picture.
"This one was taken when Aakash broke his hand playing Pokémon," Dadi Saa explained, "and Andy drew a Pokémon on his cast. These two were obsessed."
"That's because our 'Pro Max' here was always getting into fights with senior boys," Sarthak teased.
"I wasn't the one who started it!" Aakash whined, still defensive.
That night, both Shashi and Aakash lay awake, side by side, eyes open but silent. Aakash stared at the ceiling, fingers rhythmically tapping on the mattress, his other hand resting calmly on his stomach.
"Aakash..." her soft voice pulled him back to the moment.
He turned his head to her with a hum.
"Are you sleepy?"
"No."
"Even I'm not."
"Then why don't you talk? I'll listen."
"What should we talk about?"
"Anything."
"Anything?" He raised a brow.
She nodded. "Okay then, Mr. Rajput. Tell me-why exactly were you always getting into fights back then?"
He chuckled lightly. "It wasn't always me. Adu was more into fights, and sometimes, to get him out of trouble, I had to jump in."
"So your brother was your crime partner?" she teased.
"We were never together, Shashi. Childhood stole us from each other."
The Next Morning
The lavish Rajput mansion rang with joy and the delicious aroma of royal breakfast. The drawing room was filled with laughter and cheerful chaos.
Aakash descended the stairs, ready for his morning gym session. As he reached the last step, his eyes widened.
"Lo uth gaya maharaj," (Look who's finally up, your highness) Sarthak said, gently rocking the baby in his arms.
Everyone turned to Aakash, surprised by the stunned expression on his face.
"Bro, aankhein bahar aa jaayengi," (Your eyes are about to pop out, bro) his brother teased.
"Aap log abhi aayein?" (Did you all just arrive?) Aakash asked, still awestruck.
"Bas abhi subah," (Just this morning) they replied, smiling.
Suddenly, a soft voice floated down from the stairs.
"Mr. Rajput?" Everyone turned to see Shashi standing there, still in her pajamas and messy ponytail, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"Yes, doctor?" Aakash responded-his voice uncharacteristically tender.
The family stared at him in stunned silence. Was this the same man who rarely showed softness?
"Meri water bottle room mein..." (My water bottle is in the room...) She trailed off as her eyes landed on the scene below. She blinked, once... twice... frozen in place.
"A..Aakash?" she stammered.
"Yes, doctor," he said again, walking up to her with a soft smile.
"Can you... can you pinch me?"
"What?" he asked, startled.
"Pinch me," she repeated firmly.
He did so lightly on her arm. She hissed.
"Did it hurt, baby?" he asked, concerned, gently rubbing the spot.
She didn't respond. Instead, she turned toward a certain someone-who was now standing wide-eyed, completely frozen in place.
"O...o... beroi!" he tried to form words.
Shashi bent down slowly, picked up a slipper she had been wearing, and in one swift motion-hurled it straight at him.
THUD.
It hit him right on the forehead.
________________________________________
Why the hell did she hit the
guest with a slipper???
Hope you all liked the chapter and believe me the next chapter is hell interesting
You all are going to love it
🖤🩶🤍
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