"Aa Aakash..." she struggled to speak, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Hmm? Kahiye." (Hmm? Go ahead.) he replied, teasing her with a knowing smirk.

"Chhod do." (Let go.) she said, her breath catching.

"Kya chhod doon?" (What should I let go of?) he asked, clearly enjoying the moment.

"Tum mujhe tang mat karo." (Stop bothering me.) she said with a mix of irritation and embarrassment.

"Thik hai, nahi karunga." (Alright, I won't.) he said in the same teasing tone, though his arms were still wrapped firmly around her.

"Toh ab choo bhi do." (Then stop touching me now.) she muttered, avoiding his gaze, even as his fingers started tracing lazy circles across the bare skin of her back.

"Aakash!" she yelped, gasping at his boldness.

"Kahiye, Aakash ki biwi ji?" (Say, dear wife of Aakash?) he whispered near her ear, his voice low and husky.

"Main... main..." she faltered, unable to finish.

"Aap kuch nahi kar paa rahi ho, sweetheart." (You're not able to do anything, sweetheart.) he murmured against her ear, making her shiver.

"Mat karo na..." (Don't do this...) she pleaded.

"Accha thik hai, jaiye change kar lijiye. Main bahar hoon." (Alright fine, go change. I'll wait outside.) he said, finally stepping out of the closet.

She looked at herself in the mirror. Her usually calm face, with its chubby cheeks, was flushed pink. Her neck bore crimson marks, trailing down in a passionate path. She shut her eyes tightly and clutched the table in front of the mirror, trying to steady herself.

Taking a deep breath, she began removing her jewelry. Her hands moved to her waist as she tried to unhook the waist chain. But the delicate clasp was too stubborn.

"Ab kya karoon?" (Now what should I do?) she muttered in frustration.

"Aakash..." she called out softly.

He smiled and came back inside the closet.

"Kahiye?" (Yes?) he asked, playfully.

"Yeh waist chain nahi khul rahi mujhse." (This waist chain won't open.) she admitted, looking helpless.

"Main khol doon?" (Shall I open it?) he teased, and she nodded.

He knelt in front of her, his face now inches from her bare waist.

"Can you please move this pallu a little?" he asked gently.

She complied, shifting the drape aside, revealing her navel to him. He stared for a moment, mesmerized, before leaning in. His fingers tried to fiddle with the hook, but it refused to open.

"Ho hi nahi raha." (It's just not opening.) he said, frustrated.

"Use your teeth." she said, boldly.

He looked up at her, stunned, his eyes wide. But she simply puffed her cheeks and pouted.

"Pagal main ho raha hoon." (I'm the one going crazy here.) he muttered.

He leaned closer, his breath brushing her skin. She clutched his shoulders for support. Taking the chain between his teeth and steadying it with his fingers, he finally managed to unhook it.

"Ho gaya, biwi." (Done, my dear wife.) he said, triumphantly, holding up the chain.

"Thank you," she whispered and turned to look at the mirror again. Her stomach was red and irritated.

"Hey Bhagwan!" (Oh God!) she exclaimed.

"Kya hua ab?" (What happened now?) he asked.

"Yeh dekho." (Look at this.) she said, rubbing at the rashes.

"Aap change kar lo, main ointment laga dunga." (Change your clothes, I'll apply the ointment.) he offered.

"Poori saree pehen toh li ab utaaru kaise?" (I've worn the whole saree-now how do I remove it?) she groaned.

"Thik hai, main help kar deta hoon." (Alright, I'll help.) he said with a smile.

"Faltu mein itna tayyar hui main." (I got ready for nothing.) she mumbled, irritated.

He chuckled at her annoyed face.

"Suno." (Listen.) he called.

She hummed in response.

"Bohat pyaari lag rahi ho." (You look very beautiful.) he said softly.

She blushed. He gently unpinned the pallu from her shoulder, making sure to keep it in place so her modesty wouldn't be compromised.

"Aur Ruch madam ji?" (And what else, madam?) he asked.

"Blouse ki dori aur hook." (The blouse string and hook.) she said, turning around and revealing her back.

"Jaldi karo yaar, neend aa rahi hai." (Hurry up, I'm getting sleepy.) she said.

He unhooked the blouse and loosened the string. For a brief moment, he was stunned, catching a glimpse of her bare back. He quickly closed his eyes and turned away, walking out of the closet.

She emerged into the room wearing an oversized t-shirt and trousers. He was already changed and sitting on the bed, waiting.

"Madam, ointment lagane dijiye." (Madam, let me apply the ointment.) he said.

She lay on the bed and lifted her t-shirt, revealing her stomach.

"Jaldi lagao, mujhe sona hai." (Hurry up, I want to sleep.) she said.

He stared for a second, mesmerized by her skin, then carefully applied the ointment to the irritated area and pulled her shirt down.

"Do minute nahi lagta sone mein." (You fall asleep in two minutes.) he chuckled and went to return the ointment bottle.

When he returned, he slipped under the covers, pulled the duvet up to her chest, and gently lifted her head to adjust her pillow. Unexpectedly, she wrapped her arms around his torso and hugged him tightly.

"Hayee..." he cooed lovingly, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his other hand under her neck. He held her close, inhaling her scent as they drifted into sleep.

The next morning

The mansion echoed with laughter, giggles, and cheerful chatter. Shashi stood in the kitchen, stirring her coffee in quiet focus when Aadarsh walked in. Aakash was already there.

"Tu yaha kya kar raha hai?" (What are you doing here?) Aadarsh asked Aakash.

"Apni biwi ki madad." (Helping my wife.) Aakash replied with a smirk.

"Tu yaha kya kar raha hai, Aadi?" (What are you doing here, Aadi?) Shashi asked.

"Champ ke liye doodh garam karna hai." (Need to warm milk for Champ.) he said, pulling a milk bottle from the fridge.

"La, main kar deti hoon." (Give it, I'll do it.) she offered.

"Main kar lunga." (I'll do it.) Aadarsh said, stepping forward.

"Arey dena do..." (Hey give me-) she started but stopped as Aakash cleared his throat loudly behind her.

"Biwi, ghar mein thoda control." (Wife, have some control at home.) Aakash said meaningfully.

"I mean... faltupana mat kar. De, main garam kar deti hoon." (I mean, don't joke around. Here, I'll warm it.) she said, taking the bottle.

"Thanks." Aadarsh said.

"Kisliye?" (For what?) she asked.

"Agar tune mujhe pooja karna pehle nahi sikhayi hoti to main kal kya karti "

"Ye tension to mujhe bhi thi." (I had that same fear.) Aadarsh chuckled.

"But I raised my student." he added proudly.

"Zyada ban mat." (Don't act too smart.) she said, rolling her eyes.

"Aur le, ho gaya doodh garam." (Here, milk's warm now.) she handed him the bottle, carefully securing the lid.

"Thanks, brother" Aadarsh said, and she winked at him.

"Ab tum dono yaha biryani banao ge kya? Chalo bahar." (Now are you two going to cook biryani here? Come on, go out.) Aakash said, and the three of them walked outside.

They joined the rest of the family at the dining table, where everyone-including Laksha and Lee-Yoon-had already gathered.

"Good morning!" Shashi greeted warmly.

"Good morning!" everyone replied, and the three of them pulled chairs to sit down.

"By the way, Mrs. Rajput, are the rashes gone?" Aakash asked in a low voice while serving her breakfast.

"They aren't healed completely." she replied.

He nodded and passed her a plate, then served his own meal.

"Shashi, butter pass kar." (Shashi, pass the butter.) Aadarsh asked, and she handed it over.

"Tu butter khane lag gaya?" (You've started eating butter?) she asked, surprised, as he was known to be a fitness freak.

"Main nahi khata, Advik ke liye manga hai." (I don't eat it-it's for Advik.) he said, feeding the baby who sat happily in his lap.

After breakfast, the family members departed for their respective workplaces, leaving behind Aadarsh, Drishti, the elders, and Shashi, who didn't have any appointments that day. The house fell into a calmer rhythm.

The afternoon was filled with cheerful chaos-courtesy of their little one throwing tantrums during lunch.

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