Silence.
Silence was the only thing breathing between them.
They finished their tea quietly. After paying the shopkeeper, they stood near the bike, the air between them heavier than ever.
"Shashi, marriage is not a joke," he said, his voice calm yet deeply convincing.
"Mujhe pata hai," (I know) she replied straightly, her tone leaving no room for doubt.
"Kyun kiya usse shaadi? Mana bhi to kar sakti thi," (Why did you marry him? You could have refused) he asked, his voice laced with both hurt and confusion.
"Tujhe lagta hai agar main shadi ke liye mana karti, to Didu usse zinda chodti?" (You think if I had refused the marriage, Didu would have spared him?) she said firmly, though she brushed off the heaviness of her words with a bitter laugh.
"Jaisi jhatu zindagi jee rahi hoon na main, bhenchod," (I'm living such a fucked-up life, you know) she said, anger flaring in her wise eyes, "ek pati hai mera, par voh mera nahi hai. Ek achhi family hai, par hamesha meri thodi hi rahegi." (I have a husband, but he's not mine. I have a good family, but it won't always remain mine.)
"Chaar machine aur bache hai tab tak hi jhelna hai yeh sab." (Just have to endure all this until there are four kids and a few machines to run.)
"Uske baad?" (And after that?) he asked softly.
"Jo hoga dekha jayega, bhaad mein jaye," (Whatever happens, let it go to hell) Shashi said with a crooked smile.
"Badi Maa Saa aur baaki sabko pata hai?" (Does Badi Maa Saa and the others know?) he questioned.
"Nahi," (No) she whispered.
"Or teri Didu?" (And your elder sister?)
"Unne to bilkul nahi," (Not at all) she said.
"Hey Bhagwan," (Oh God) he muttered, rubbing his face in frustration.
"Ghar chalein?" (Shall we go home?) she asked, her voice lighter now.
"Haan, par ab thoda insaanon ki tarah chalana," (Yes, but this time drive like a human) he teased.
"Nahi, chai oaj tera narak ra ticket katvate hai," (No, let's have another tea and book your ticket to hell) she chuckled mischievously.
"Abe saath mein tu bhi maregi," (You'll die along with me then) he laughed, nudging her playfully.
"Chal na, mujhe waise bhi Bhagwan ke paas hi pohochna hai," (Come on, I have to reach God anyway) she said, hopping onto the bike.
"Ek baat bolu?" (Can I say something?) he asked, and she hummed a lazy 'hmm' in response.
"Ladkiyon wale kapde acche lagte hain tujh pe," (Girls' clothes look good on you) he said, making her lips curve into a rare Rajput smile.
"Compliment accha hai," (That's a good compliment) she replied, half teasing, half accepting.
They mounted the bike, the city lights flashing past them as Shashi drove heavily, her thoughts burdening her shoulders. Aadarsh had loosely circled his hands around her waist - a silent support she didn't acknowledge but deeply felt.
Soon, they reached the grand gates of the Rajput mansion. Parking the bike on the vast lawn, they stood in the soft dusk light, breathing in the cool evening air.
"Aadi," she called him softly.
"Hmm?" he hummed.
"You finally got the love of your life," Shashi said, a nostalgic smile tugging at her lips as she remembered how once he used to talk endlessly about his then crush and now wife.
"Sometimes I feel this life is a dream, Shashi," he whispered, a rare emotion trembling in his voice. "Every morning I wake up feels unreal. When I look at Drishti, I find peace. And when I see my little bundle of joy, his sweet mischiefs... I see my whole life." His eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"I know everything about you, Aadi," Shashi said, stepping closer, "how you loved her, how you treated her like your world. I'm sure, Advik will grow up just like you."
They embraced then, standing in each other's arms, the weight of past struggles melting into a moment of silent affection.
Aakash's POV
I woke up a few minutes ago, freshened up quickly, and now stood at the balcony, cradling my coffee mug in hand.
Today, when I woke up, my sherni (lioness) wasn't beside me - not wrapped in my arms as usual. Maybe she woke up early and went downstairs.
I gazed out towards the lawn, casually sipping my coffee-
Fuck, no.
What I saw made my blood run cold. My knuckles turned white around the mug; my jaw clenched so tightly it ached.
How could he? How could Aadu do this to me?
I stormed downstairs, anger making every step heavier, but when I reached the hall, the sight that met me pulled the ground from beneath my feet.
There they were - Shashi and Aadarsh - walking inside the mansion. His one arm casually lying around her shoulders.
Move the fuck away from my wife! I screamed inside my mind. My fists itched to connect with his face, to break the very structure of it.
"Chachu," (Uncle) a soft voice pulled me back from the brink. I turned and found Aarav looking up at me with innocent eyes.
"Yes, Aarav," I said, masking my fury with a tight smile.
"Good morning," he beamed, his tiny voice like a balm to my rage.
"Good morning, beta," (Good morning, son) I said, pulling his cheek gently.
", subah subah kahan gaye the aap dono?" (Brother, where did you both go so early?) Sarthak bhai asked, turning everyone's attention.
"Chai peene gaye the," (Went for tea) they both replied in unison.
"Madam, aap kripya meri ek baat maan lo - security le jaya karo," (Madam, please listen to me once - start taking security with you) Sarthak bhai scolded lightly.
"Thik hai, par hum sirf chai peene gaye the," (Fine, but we just went for tea) Shashi defended herself.
"Par var kuch nahi," (Still, no excuses) Sarthak bhai said sternly.
We all sat at the huge breakfast table. She sat beside me - thank God - while that bastard sat next to her. I swear to God, I will kill him. One day, I will.
Author's POV
After breakfast, the whole family gathered in the living room, watching wedding videos on the big screen.
First came Sarthak and Akriti's wedding, then Aadarsh and Dhrishti's, and finally, the screen played Aakash and Shashi's wedding.
"Teko saree mein pehli baar dekha yaar," (Saw you in a saree for the first time, buddy) Aadarsh teased.
~her wedding pics
"Seedha seedha bol na shashi acchi lag rahi
thi," (Just say straight, Shashi was looking beautiful) Sarthak laughed.
"Waah, tere muh se tareef acchi lagti hai, Aadi," (Wow, compliments sound nice from your mouth, Aadi) she teased back.
The video ended, and soon the room was filled with chatter and laughter. Elders sat on the couches, the younger ones formed circles on the floor.
Just then, a phone kept beside Aadarsh's buzzed.
"Shashi, tera phone baj raha hai," (Shashi, your phone is ringing) he said.
"Kon hai?" (Who is it?) she asked.
"Satnami," he read out as the name flashed.
"De," (Give it) she said, taking the phone and walking a little farther away. Aadarsh watched her closely, frowning slightly.
"Kaun tha?" (Who was it?) he asked when she returned.
"Satnami," she said with a mischievous glint.
"Abe, Saksham tha?" (I mean Saksham?) he gasped.
"Teri......" (You...,)
"Meri kya...? - she warned not to say further
"Besharam aurat," (Shameless woman) he muttered, making everyone confused.
"Abe, meri galti nahi hai! Tujhe dhoondhne mein usne meri help ki thi," (It's not my fault! He helped me find you) she laughed.
"Or us Vedarth se nipatne ke liye bhi," (And to deal with Vedarth too) she added.
"Matlab woh tera bohot khaas dost ho gaya ab?" (So now he's your special friend?) he asked sarcastically.
"Kitni bekaar hai yaar tu!" (You're so hopeless!) she rolled her eyes.
"Khud ro dekh," (Cry yourself then) she added, making everyone laugh.
"By the way, phir se Vedarth se jhagda kiya?" (Did you fight with Vedarth again?) Aadarsh asked seriously.
"Main nahi, usne mujhse jhagda kiya," (Not me, he picked a fight with me) she replied with a shrug.
"Madam ji, aap 6 foot ke aadmi se kyun panga leti ho?" (Madam, why do you mess with a 6-foot-tall man?) he asked.
"Agar height ko side mein rakhein to upar ke maale mein kuch nahi hai," (If we keep height aside, there's nothing upstairs in his head) she said bluntly.
"Btw, jhagda hua kis baat pe?" (By the way, what was the fight about?) he asked.
"He was pitying me, saying how lonely I am now. So, I kicked him. He deserved it. And when his so-called friends tried to attack, Saksham handled them," she said proudly.
"Tune use laat maari?" (You kicked him?) he said, shocked.
"Main aur maar karti, par vaha Saksham aa gaya," (I would have kicked more but Saksham came) she grinned.
"Rya dangerous aurat hai tu," (You're a dangerous woman) Sarthak laughed.
"Aur usne tujhe hood rakhne ko bola nahi?" (And he didn't threaten you back?) Aadarsh asked.
"Aadi, chill yaar, kuch nahi hua. Baad mein voh chup ho gaya," (Aadi, chill, nothing happened. He stayed quiet afterwards) she said, waving it off.
He simply nodded, though a protective fire still burned in his eyes.
✨
~Evening
Aakash stood on the terrace, the cold wind biting at his skin, but the rage inside him burned hotter.
His hands were fisted, jaw locked, eyes sharp like blades.
He turned at the sound of approaching footsteps.
And there he stood - his brother.
Without thinking, Aakash slapped Aadarsh straight across the face, the sound echoing into the night.
Shock flared in Aadarsh's eyes.
But Aakash's face was frozen, unreadable, carved out of
stone and anger.
______________________________________
Hey lovelies
Hope you all liked the chapter and enjoyed it
The question now is why the f did he slapped him
My insta ~
🖤🩶🤍
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