It was late at night, and in their flat, Aaravi sat cross-legged on the couch with her books spread around her like a small battlefield. Highlighters, sticky notes, her laptop, textbooks. and an open notebook surrounded her.
Her hair was tied up messily with a pencil shoved through the bun. Every few seconds, she muttered something under her breath while scribbling notes.
"Arre yeh Irish constitution jaan ke kya fayda mera?" she grumbled.
The door opened slowly, and Akshay stepped in, shoulders slightly drooping from the long day. His dark blue shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, tie loosened, the faint smell of city dust and late-night traffic clinging to him.
Aaravi hadn't noticed him yet. She was hunched over her notebook with a concentrated frown, lips moving silently as she tried to memorise something.
For a moment he simply stood there watching a faint smile appeared on his tired face.
He walked toward her quietly.
She suddenly looked up and jumped slightly.
"ARRE!"
Then she squinted.
"Oh... aap ho."
Akshay raised an eyebrow.
"Badi disappointment ho rahi hai kya?"
She stretched her arms dramatically.
"Bilkul. Mujhe laga koi pizza delivery aaya hai."
He sighed tiredly, dropping his keys on the table.
"Shaam ke gyarah baje kaun pizza bhejega aapke liye?"
Aaravi shrugged.
"Universe. Destiny. Bhagwaan. Parvati maa"
He gave her a long look as he glanced at the books around her.
"Abhi tak padh rahi ho?"
"Mock Exam hai thode dino mein"
" Kya hua, Bahut der Lagaai Aapne aane mein,
"waise... no complaints I enjoyed my home-alone time!"
"Nahi woh thodi der Ghar pe jaake check in karna padha nahi toh gharwaalo ko Shaq ho jaata ki main itne din gaayab kyu hoon" he responded
" acha" she nodded.
" Saasumom kaisi hai?" she asked
"Theek hai woh, papa bhi theek, veer aur shriya bhabhi bhi khush, abhi ek corporate event pe jaa rahe hai"
" Aur woh aapki Anita bhabh- sorry Anita bua?" She asked correcting herself.
" Haan.. woh bhi thik thak." he hesitated
"Aapne Dinner kar liya?" He asked.
She paused and nodded, pointing vaguely at the kitchen.
"Maggi kha liya"
Akshay closed his eyes, slowly inhaling.
"Aaravi."
She looked innocently at him.
"boliye patidev?"
"Yaar maggi se pet nahi bharta" he groaned
"Arrey do packet masala kha li toh double nutrition jo jaata naa" she said innocently.
"Do packet se kya hota hai?"He rubbed his forehead in irritation.
She leaned back smugly.
"Officer ko problem kya hai?"
He sighed deeply and sat on the couch beside her.
"Ache se sabzi kyu nahi khaya?"
"Aapko har baar sabzi ki hi padhi rehti hai" she responded.
"Argggghhhhh," she groaned
"Yaar Uncha Lamba Kad! aap bhi!"
"Arrey yeh uncha lamba kad kya hota, woh toh women ko bolte na?" he asked.
" toh aap thodi kam mere mummy jaise behave karte ho. Toh I thought you know.." she retorted
" haan... woh baat toh hai" he muttered grumbling. .
He shook his head slowly, exhausted but amused.
"Kabhi kabhi lagta hai main crime branch mein kam aur aapki life management branch mein zyada kaam karta hoon."
He added, and she giggled.
Before she could reply—
DING DONG!
The door of the bell echoed through the house.
Both of them froze immediately.
Aaravi frowned.
"Is time pe kaun?"
Akshay glanced at the door.
"Main dekhta hoon, aap peeche raho " he said, shielding her back just in case.
He stood up and opened the door to find Meera standing outside.
Her hair was messy, a huge tote bag rested on her shoulder, and she had the biggest grin plastered on her face.
"HELLOOOO BACHCHOOOO!"
Aaravi's head snapped toward the door.
Her eyes widened in joy.
"MEERAAAAA!"
She jumped off the couch and ran toward the door.
The two girls immediately crashed into a dramatic hug.
"TU AA GAYI!"
"HAAN MAIN AA GAYI!"
"KYU AAYI?"
Akshay stood beside them, watching like someone witnessing a natural thunderstorm approaching.
Aaravi pulled Meera inside excitedly.
"Arre andar aana! Khaadi kyu hai.. ghar tumhaara bhi toh hai !"
Meera marched into the house as if she owned it.
Then she noticed Akshay and paused.
"Namaste jiju." She grinned.
Akshay nodded politely, waving at her awkwardly.
"Namaste."
Then she turned to Aaravi.
"Yeh ghar mein itna serious mahaul kyun hai?"
"Koi mar gaya hai kya?"
Aaravi whispered loudly, glancing and side-eyeing Akshay.
"Kya kar sakte, kuch log hi aise mahaul banate."
Meera flopped dramatically onto the couch.
"Aur suno."
Aaravi sat beside her immediately.
"Kya?"
Meera grinned mischievously.
"Mai na, tum dono ke liye wedding gift laayi."
Akshay's eyebrows knit together.
"Abhi, issi waqt??"
" Haan, sorry thodi late delivery hui... Kya hai na ki shaadi bhi aise achanak se hui toh.. gift bhi waise according," Meera said proudly.
She pulled the big tote bag into her lap.
Aaravi leaned closer curiously.
"Gift kya hai?"
Meera dug around inside the bag dramatically.
Akshay's stomach churned, and he felt suddenly uncomfortable, like something chaotic was about to unfold.
Then Meera suddenly pulled something out.
A pair of bright pink fuzzy handcuffs landed out of the bag.
For exactly two seconds, the entire room went silent.
Akshay blinked his eyes, widening in shock.
Aaravi's mouth fell open.
"MEERA!"
Meera proudly held them up.
"Tadaaa! Dekho!!Dekho!!"
Akshay's brain stopped functioning.
Aaravi slapped her own forehead.
"Yeh kya hai?!"
Meera looked confused.
"Handcuffs. dikh nahi rahe"
"I CAN SEE THAT!" Aaravi chuckled.
Akshay looked like he had accidentally walked into a police interrogation room with zero training.
His ears were turning red and he began stuttering.
"Yeh... yeh kya bakwaas hai?!!"
Aaravi burst into laughter.
"Pagal ho gayi hai kya?! Yeh kyu laayi?!"
Akshay nodded rapidly agreeing.
"Exactly!"
For a moment, he believed Aaravi was on his side, but boy was he wrong.
Because right then she turned toward Meera with a mischievous grin.
She pointed at Akshay lazily.
"Arrey Meera, tu stupid kitni hai."
"Humaare Patidev toh IPS officer hai. Inke paas already handcuffs honge."
Akshay nodded quickly.
"Haan woh... criminal pakadte —"
Aaravi finished the sentence calmly, paying no regard to her husband's words.
"Hamaare istemaal ke liye."
"Kuch aur nahi laa sakti thi kya? Pagal!" she continued giggling.
Akshay stared at her in shock, his ears turning redder every minute.
Meera slapped her own knee, laughing.
"ARRE WAH!"
Akshay looked like his soul had left his body.
"AARAVI!"
She blinked innocently.
"Kya?"
He gestured wildly toward the fuzzy cuffs.
"Yeh... yeh sab kya bol rahi ho aap?"
Meera leaned forward, whispering loudly.
"Jiju sharma gaye."
"Try karna hai kya? Jao Aaravi room me leke Chalo inhe.. main nikalti hoon"
Aaravi played along, taking his arm," ofc chaliye uncha lamba kad ji"
Akshay almost fell off the couch, as he pulled her arm away immediately.
"Nahi!" He yelled
Meera giggled uncontrollably.
"Arre jiju dar gaye!"
"Main dara nahi hoon!"
He ran a hand through his hair in pure panic.
"Aap dono ko sharam nahi aati? Aise baatein karte waqt? Matlab zero civic sense!"
Meera leaned toward Aaravi. "Dekha? Kitna seedha aadmi hai."
Aaravi nodded thoughtfully.
"Bahut."
Akshay stared at the ceiling.
"Bhagwaan... mujhe uthe le"
Meera suddenly stood up.
"Chalo Aaru, kyu naa hum demonstration karte hain."
Akshay jumped up instantly.
"Nahi!"
Aaravi clapped in agreement with Meera.
"Haan!"
Meera walked toward Aaravi with the cuffs swinging.
"Aaru haath aage."
Akshay immediately took a step forward towards Aaravi shielding her comedically.
"Bilkul nahi!"
Aaravi laughed so hard she almost fell off.
"Arre Meera chhod usko. Bechara kal se office nahi jaa paayega sharam ke maare."
Meera finally dropped back onto the couch, laughing.
Aaravi wiped tears from her eyes.
"Meera tu sach me kitni pagal hai!"
Meera nodded proudly.
"Haan woh toh main hoon thodi si."
Then she tossed the fuzzy cuffs onto the table.
"Gift accept karlo please ."
Akshay immediately grabbed them and shoved them back into the bag like they were dangerous evidence.
"Yeh yahan nahi rahenge."
Meera howled laughing.
Aaravi leaned back comfortably, watching him with a wicked grin.
Akshay muttered,
"Main criminals se deal kar sakta hoon. Aap dono kuch kam nahi hai"
Aaravi and Meera burst into synchronised laughter.
Akshay stood there shaking his head slowly.
Akshay looked between them like a man being interrogated by criminals.
"Aap dono... bilkul... pagal.. ek hi dimaag share karte."
Aaravi twirled the cuffs thoughtfully.
"Practice karna padega."
"PRACTICE?!"
He looked genuinely horrified.
Meera chuckled,
"Aapko kya lagta hai Aaru, IPS training mein yeh sab sikhate hai?"
"Police training mein criminals ko pakadna sikhate hai. Yeh sab hawaasi nahi," Akshay cried.
Aaravi smirked.
"Humein bhi toh pakad sakte ho."
Meera slapped the couch, laughing.
"ARREST HER, OFFICER!"
Akshay pointed toward the door.
"Bas. Ho gaya. Gift de diya. Ab jao yaha se Meera."
" Bahut hogaya yeh Jay-Veeru Jodi!"
Meera gasped.
"Kitne rude ho aap jiju!"
Aaravi leaned toward her conspiratorially
"Jealous hai humse Meera"
"I AM NOT JEALOUS."
Meera smirked.
"Haan haan."
"Main chalti hoon warna IPS saab mujhe bhi arrest kar denge." she remarked as she stood up
"Achha idea hai," Akshay muttered.
She walked toward the door.
Then turned dramatically.
"Waise..."
Both of them looked up.
"Use them responsibly."
Akshay nearly combusted into flames that moment.
"GOODNIGHT."
" Aur Meera live location Aaravi ko bhejna aur ghar jaake call kar dena ki tum pahoch gayi!" He added, practically pushing the door closed behind her.
Aaravi was still sitting on the couch, holding the cuffs and trying very hard not to laugh.
Akshay turned slowly.
"...Aaravi."
She looked up innocently.
"Haan?"
He pointed at the handcuffs.
"Woh... rakh do."
"Kyuuun?"
"Bas rakh do."
She tilted her head.
"Aapko sharam aa rahi hai?"
"I AM AN IPS OFFICER."
"Haan."
"Main criminals ko pakadta hoon."
"Haan."
"Main—"
She clicked one cuff shut experimentally and on purpose.
"Aur kabhi kabhi..."
She lifted the second cuff playfully.
"Biwi ko bhi?"
He stared at her in stunned silence, seconds from passing out.
Then groaned and buried his face in his hands.
"Hey bhagwan ye ladki kyu bheji mere naseeb mein?! Aisa Kya gunaah kardiya pichle Janam mein maine " He groaned.
But there was a small smile hiding at the corner of his mouth just because Aaravi was laughing.
And somehow that made his entire exhausting day worth it.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————
Abhimanyu stepped out, shutting the car door quietly behind him.
Even after a long day at the naval base, there was a steadiness in the way he moved.
The crisp posture of a naval officer stayed with him even when the uniform jacket was gone, and the sleeves of his white shirt were rolled halfway up his forearms.
A long day of briefings and training exercises had left faint exhaustion in his eyes, but the moment he glanced toward the park, something softer replaced it.
He glanced at the grounds of Mahalaxmi and saw just who he was looking for,
She stood in the middle of the playground like a tiny commander conducting a military operation. Her little pink frock fluttered around her knees while she pointed dramatically at two other children.
"IRA!" she announced in her tiny, authoritative voice.
A little girl with two pigtails immediately straightened.
"Haan!"
"Tum udhar jao."
Then she turned to a slightly confused boy.
"Prashant, tum kidhar bhi chupna. Jaldi!"
The two children scrambled obediently.
Abhimanyu leaned casually against the park railing, watching the scene unfold with quiet amusement.
"Ready ho sab?" Pihu yelled loudly.
"READY!" Ira and Prashant screamed from opposite corners.
Pihu clapped her hands excitedly.
"THEEK HAI! MAIN COUNT KARTI HOON!"
She turned dramatically toward a slide and covered her eyes with both tiny palms.
"ONE... TWO... THREE..."
Abhimanyu pushed himself off the railing.
An idea had already formed in his head.
"...SEVEN... EIGHT... NINE..."
He walked silently across the grass.
"...TEN!"
Pihu spun around.
"MAIN AA RAHI HOOOON!"
She marched forward confidently.
Abhimanyu quickly slipped behind the big banyan tree near the swing set, folding his tall frame awkwardly so he could stay hidden.
Pihu walked right toward the tree, completely unsuspecting of his plan,
She peeked around one side but it was empty.
she peeked at the other but there was still nothing.
Her little eyebrows scrunched in concentration.
"Hmmm..."
However, the second she took another step, Abhimanyu leaned out behind the tree and suddenly he yelped.
"BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" he jumped.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Pihu jumped so violently she nearly fell backwards.
Then she saw him.
"MAAAN UNCLLLEEEE!"
The scream immediately turned into loud giggles.
"You scared me!"
She spun around and bolted across the grass.
"PAKDO MEREKO!"
Abhimanyu laughed, pushing off the tree and chasing after her.
"Arre ruk jao Mirchi 2.0!"
Pihu ran with wild, chaotic energy, her tiny sandals slapping against the ground while she zig-zagged in random directions to avoid him.
"Iraaa! Prashant! RUN!"
The other two children burst out laughing and joined the chaos.
Abhimanyu slowed his pace deliberately, pretending to struggle.
"Oh ho... kitne fast ho tum log!"
Pihu looked back over her shoulder proudly.
"Main rocket hoon!"
He lunged forward dramatically, and she shrieked and sprinted again.
But after a few seconds, her pace slowed noticeably. Her laughter began fading slightly, and her breathing became louder and shorter.
"Pihu beta?" Abhimanyu asked worriedly.
She kept running for another moment before stopping near the slide, bending forward slightly, resting her hands on her knees. Her chest rose and fell quickly with every panting breath
"Arre arre... easy."
He crouched down beside her, his voice instinctively softening.
"Deep breath, lo beta."
She tried, but another quick breath followed. He gently rubbed her back.
"Relax. Koi race nahi hai, kuch nahi hoga ."
Her breathing slowly steadied.
After a few moments, he pulled a Bisleri water bottle from his bag and opened it.
"Yeh lo, drink this ."
Pihu drank greedily, taking little gulps between breaths.
"Thoda Better feel ho raha hai?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Thodu sa."
He studied her face for a moment longer, making sure the colour had returned.
"Chalo. Aaj ka hide and seek khatam."
"AWWW."
Ira protested from the swing.
"Kal phir khelenge!" Pihu promised proudly.
Abhimanyu bent down and scooped her up into his arms effortlessly.
Together, they waved the other children goodbye.
She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck like a koala.
"Main heavy hoon Kya maan uncle ?" she asked suddenly.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Bilkul."
She gasped dramatically.
"Areey?!"
"Bahut zyada."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Jhoot bol rahe ho."
He giggled as they reached her flat within minutes.
Mishti stood in the kitchen, stirring sabzi in a kadhai, she looked up the second they entered.
Her eyes immediately narrowed.
"Tum phir isko park mein marathon karwa rahe the?"
Abhimanyu rolled his eyes.
"Main? Yeh khud bhaag rahi thi."
Mishti placed her hands on her hips.
"Commander ho ya PT teacher?"
"Jealous ho that I'm the more fun one?"
"Bilkul nahi."
"Mirchi lag gayi Mirchi ko?" he grinned.
"Shut up." she snapped
Mishti looked suspiciously at Abhimanyu.
"Kitna bhaagaya usse?"
He scoffed.
"Arre maine thodi bhaagaya."
"Tumhare saath hi hota hai masti." she retorted.
"Excuse me?"
"Kal bhi Cadbury ka chocolate khilaya tha tumne."' she said
"Aadha khilaya tha maine"
"Still."
Pihu sighed loudly and placed her tiny hand on Abhimanyu's cheek.
"Maa."
"Haan?"
"Maan uncle ko daantna band karo."
Mishti crossed her arms, annoyed,
"Dekha, day by day tumhaari chamchi banti jaa rahi hai!" she grumbled
Abhimanyu grinned, opening his arms wide to hug Pihu, " Alle.. meri bachi!"
Mishti sighed dramatically.
"Main daant nahi rahi thi uncle ko."
"You are fighting." Pihu responded.
"Fight nahi beta... yeh bas tumhaare maan uncle...," Pihu responded.
" NAHI SUNNA BLAH BLAH!" Pihu said as she plugged her fingers in her ears.
"Same thing."
Pihu pointed a finger at both of them.
"No fighting!"
Then Pihu switched gears, pointing at Abhimanyu proudly.
"Maan uncle.. pata hai kal se main school jaungi!"
Abhimanyu blinked in mock surprise.
"oh my god! Really?"
Pihu nodded excitedly.
"Haan, Junior KG!"
Abhimanyu widened his eyes dramatically.
"Ohooo."
He crouched down to her level.
"Toh madam school ja rahi hain?"
She puffed out her chest.
"Haan!"
"Homework karegi?"
"Haan!"
"Teacher ko tang nahi karegi?"
She giggled.
"Thoda karungi ."
Mishti sighed.
" tumhaara asar padh raha hai"
Abhimanyu leaned against the wall, watching them with a quiet smile.
Then he glanced at Mishti.
"Uniform ready hai?"
"Haan."
"Lunch box ready?"
"Haan."
"School bag ready?"
"Haan."
He folded his arms casually.
"Mirchi ji full preparation mein? "
Mishti glared.
"Tumhe kya?"
"Arre sun na Mirchi, main kal chhod deta hoon usko." he asked.
Mishti scoffed.
"Tum?"
"Haan."
"Naval base se time milega?"
"Lieutenant Commander hoon. Permission le sakta hoon."
She looked skeptical but Pihu clapped very excitedly.
"Yay! Maan uncle mujhe school le jayenge!"
Abhimanyu grinned at Mishti slowly.
"Dekha? Kitna demand mein hoon main!."
He leaned closer slightly.
"Waise Mirchi..."
"What?" she scowled.
"Kal school drop ke baad kyu naa hum dono..."
She glared at him angrily and grabbed the spoon again.
"Bahar niklo kitchen se."
He raised both hands in surrender.
"Ji Mirchi ji."
Pihu giggled loudly.
"Maa gussa ho gayi!"
Abhimanyu winked at her.
"Hamesha hoti hai. Lekin cute lagti hai," he added.
Mishti threw a kitchen towel at him, but her cheeks warmed after he said that.
"OUT."
He caught it easily, still smiling.
Morning light slid through the thin cotton curtains of Mishti and Pihu's flat. Pihu slept curled beneath a blanket decorated with tiny cartoon elephants.
Mishti stood in the doorway of the bedroom for a moment, watching her daughter sleep.
Pihu's hair had tangled during the night, her soft curls were spilling across the pillow like a tiny storm cloud. One hand remained wrapped around the ear of a faded stuffed rabbit.
Mishti drew a breath, then stepped forward quietly.
"Pihu," she said softly, brushing a strand of hair from the child's forehead. "Utho, princess. Aaj tumhari school ka first day hai."
Pihu's eyes fluttered open halfway, heavy with sleep. She blinked at the sunlight and squinted.
"Mumma..." she murmured. "School aaj hi hai kya?"
Mishti smiled, smoothing down the blanket.
"Haan, aaj hi. Aur tumne kal kitna excitement dikhaya tha yaad hai?"
Pihu rolled onto her back dramatically, throwing an arm across her face.
"Mujhe five minutes aur sona hai."
Mishti folded her arms.
"Five minutes ka matlab ek ghanta hota hai."
Pihu peeked through her fingers.
"Maa please."
Mishti leaned down and tickled her stomach.
Pihu burst into giggles, squirming across the bed.
"Achha theek hai!" she squealed. "Main uth gayi!"
Mishti lifted her from the bed and settled her onto the floor.
After words Mishti helped her take a small shower and also assisted with making sure her teeth were brushed properly..
Pihu sat on a chair in the kitchen wearing a tiny blue uniform shirt while Mishti worked a comb carefully through the child's curls.
"Ouch MAA DARD HO RAHA HAI!" Pihu protested wincing.
"Arre shant," Mishti murmured. "Agar tum raat bhar crocodile ki tarah ghoomti rahogi bed par toh baal jungle ban jayenge."
Pihu puffed her cheeks.
"Maa main crocodile nahi hoon."
"Phir kya ho madam?" Mishti laughed.
"I'm just a queen ." she responded sassily.
Mishti paused, lips curving.
"Haan woh toh ho tum."
She divided the curls into two neat sections and braided them gently.
Pihu swung her legs under the chair, humming the Chota Bheem theme song.
"Maa," she asked suddenly, "school mein koi mujhse fliendship karega kya?"
Mishti knelt beside her.
"Of course. Tum itni sweet toh ho. Aur Ira aur Prashant bhi toh hai na tumhaare saath"
"Main apna lunch share kar sakti hoon kya?"
"Haan, Aur extra bhi Maine pack kiya tumhaare friends ke liye."
Mishti finished the braids and tied them with red ribbons. Then she straightened the small collar of the uniform and brushed invisible crumbs from the shirt.
"Ab listen," she said, crouching in front of her daughter. "School mein zyada daudna mat."
Mishti pressed a finger gently to her nose.
"Heroine banne ki zarurat nahi. Agar chakkar aaye ya thakan lage toh teacher ko turant bataana. Samjhi?"
"Haan."
"Aur dhoop mein zyada khade mat rehna. Aur masti-khor mat banna. Teachers ke saari batein sunna"
"Haan. "
"Water bottle finish karna. Aur tiffin pura ka pura finish hona chahiye."
"Okay mumma."
Mishti narrowed her eyes playfully.
"Main school se phone karke check bhi kar sakti hoon ki tumne tiffin pura khaaya"
A knock and a ding-dong of the doorbell sounded from the front door.
Mishti rose, wiping her hands on the edge of her kurta as she walked toward the entrance.
When she opened the door, Abhimanyu Khanna stood in the hallway wearing his naval uniform.
Crisp white fabric traced the broad line of his shoulders, medals glinting in the morning light. His hair remained neatly combed, and a faint scent of aftershave lingered in the air around him.
Mishti's eyebrows lifted slightly.
"Subah subah parade leke aaye ho kya?" she said.
Abhimanyu leaned one shoulder against the frame, gaze drifting past her toward the interior of the apartment.
"Main Pihu ko school drop karne aaya hoon."
Mishti folded her arms.
"Driver banne ka naya shauk?"
"Tumhare paas gaadi nahi hai na" he replied calmly. "Aur tum late ho jaogi, Aur pehle din school bus ki Kya zarurat? Isliye mai leke jaata hoon."
At that exact moment, Pihu ran out of the kitchen, her school backpack and pigtails bouncing behind her.
"Maan uncleeeeeeeee!" she shouted.
She dashed straight toward him.
Mishti turned quickly, and in that sudden movement, her foot slipped slightly against the rug.
Her balance tipped and before she could react, a strong arm circled her waist and steadied her.
Abhimanyu's grip held firm, and the sudden closeness froze the air between them.
Mishti felt the warmth of his palm through the fabric of her kurta. His other hand remained braced against the doorframe.
For a heartbeat, neither of them moved, and their faces hovered inches apart.
His voice dropped low, carrying a quiet heat.
"Careful, Mishti," he murmured near her ear.
"If I'd known this was how you'd end up in my arms..."
"...I would've stood in this doorway years ago."
Colour climbed instantly into her cheeks, warming them up.
She stepped back quickly, straightening her dupatta with exaggerated annoyance.
"Haath hatao."
Abhimanyu released her slowly.
Pihu watched the entire scene with wide, curious eyes.
"Maa girne wali thi kya?"
Mishti cleared her throat.
"Kuch nahi hua."
Abhimanyu crouched in front of Pihu.
"Ready for school, Cadet Pihu?"
Pihu saluted dramatically.
"Yes, commandul!"
He chuckled softly.
"Very good."
Mishti grabbed the backpack and slung it over Pihu's shoulders.
"Lunch box andar hai," she said. "Aur pencil pouch bhi."
Pihu nodded enthusiastically.
They stepped out toward the car parked below the building.
Abhimanyu opened the passenger door for Pihu with exaggerated formality.
"Madam, your chariot."
Pihu climbed in proudly.
"Maan uncle, school mein mujhe homework milega kya?"
"Bilkul milega," he replied while fastening her seatbelt. "Aur tum top student banogi."
"Top ka matlab?"
"Sabse smart class ka."
Pihu grinned.
"Main toh already smart hoon."
The car pulled onto the road, joining the stream of morning traffic.
Pihu leaned forward between the seats.
"Maan uncle? ."
"Haan?"
"Aap navy mein pirates se fight karte ho?"
He glanced at her through the mirror.
"Sometimes."
Mishti rolled her eyes from the front seat.
"Phekna band karo." ( to make up lies)
Abhimanyu shrugged.
"Arrey muh teeda mat karo Mirchi, ... Children deserve heroic stories."
Pihu clasped her hands excitedly.
"Phir aapne kabhi treasure bhi dhunda?"
"Treasure?"
"Haan gold coins."
Abhimanyu tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Ek baar."
Mishti turned toward him.
"Seriously?"
He smirked.
"Tumhari patience aur gussa naam ka treasure dhund raha tha."
Pihu burst into giggles.
"Maa ke paas patience nahi hai?"
Mishti stared at the road ahead grumbling angrily.
Abhimanyu chuckled.
"Bilkul nahi hai."
The school approached them, and there were murals painted across the walls. Children in uniforms identical to Pihu's were gathered near the gates, some clinging to parents, others chattering excitedly.
Pihu's fingers tightened around the strap of her backpack.
"Maan uncle.. "
"Haan?"
"Mujhe thoda sa dar feel ho raha hai."
His expression softened.
He parked the car and turned in his seat.
"Dekho Mirchi 2.0," he said gently. "School ek adventure jaisa hai. Wahan tum naye friends banaogi, drawing karogi, stories sunogi, playground pe shor machaugi."
Pihu nodded giving him a high five..
" theek hai bye! she said
Mishti opened the door and helped her out.
Pihu stared at the big gate of the school and then she reached for both their hands.
Mishti looked down at her daughter's tiny fingers curled around them and smiled softly.
"Chalo, baby," she said softly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shriya stood in the center of the bedroom with the long stretch of red lace gathered in her hands, the fabric spilling down like a small blood river pooling around her feet.
The blouse she wore hugged her shoulders perfectly, and it fitted neatly along her torso, its embroidery catching the light whenever she moved. Beneath it, the tied petticoat rested securely at her waist, the drawstring was also knotted carefully. Between blouse and petticoat lay a soft band of bare skin, the gentle curve of her bare midriff rising and falling with each breath.
She held the saree up uncertainly.
"I think I made a mistake choosing lace," she murmured.
" Yaar yeh mummy ne sab kuch shaadi se pehle sikha tha" she grumbled.
Veer stood a step away, jacket already folded over the back of a nearby chair. The sleeves of his white shirt had been rolled once at the wrists without him noticing. His eyes rested on the fabric first, then shifted briefly upward before returning to the saree.
"Lace thoda stubborn hota hai," he said quietly.
Shriya let out a small nervous laugh.
"Thoda?"
He walked closer.
The lace brushed softly against the floor as he reached down and lifted the loose end. The material felt feather-light between his fingers, delicate and intricate.
"Chalo," he said gently. "Start karte hain."
" Ji?" her eyes widened.
She turned slightly toward the mirror so they could both see the reflection. Veer moved beside her, standing just close enough that the faint warmth of his presence lingered near her shoulder.
For a moment he simply studied the fabric.
"Sabse pehle tuck," he murmured.
Shriya held the saree steady while he gathered the inner end carefully.
His hand hovered near her waist for a brief second.
"May I?" he asked quietly.
She nodded.
His fingers guided the edge of the saree toward the waistband of her petticoat.
The moment the lace brushed her skin she drew in a small breath.
Veer noticed immediately and he smiled knowingly.
"Relax," he said softly.
He began tucking the fabric slowly along the curve of her waist, securing it neatly into the petticoat. The movement required him to step slightly closer, the back of his hand brushing lightly against the side of her waist as he worked.
The lace slid into place with soft rustling sounds.
Shriya kept her gaze fixed on the mirror.
When the first tuck sat firmly in place, Veer drew the remaining length of the saree around her waist once.
The fabric wrapped smoothly around her midsection.
He paused briefly to smooth the lace flat with his palm, adjusting the fall so it lay evenly.
"Ab pleats," he said quietly.
He lifted the section of fabric that would form the front folds.
The lace gathered between his fingers in soft ripples.
"Hold this please," he told her.
Shriya obediently held the edge while he began folding.
His hands moved with slow precision.
He gathered one fold of the saree, then another, then another.
The pleats stacked neatly against each other as he counted under his breath.
"Ek... do... teen... chaar..."
Shriya watched the process through the mirror.
The lace continued to gather neatly between his fingers. Each fold was measured carefully, and his thumbs pressed the edges flat so they stayed aligned.
When the pleats were finished, he held the stack securely.
"Okay," he said.
He crouched slightly to position them.
The movement brought him closer to her waist again. The back of his fingers brushed lightly against her skin as he adjusted the placement.
Shriya's shoulders straightened instinctively.
He slid the pleats carefully into the front of the petticoat.
The lace settled instantly into elegant folds cascading downward.
The pair looked at the mirror.
The front drape already looked graceful.
Shriya blinked in surprise.
"That actually looks... perfect."
Veer stood again, dusting his hands lightly.
"Almost done."
He lifted the remaining length of the saree, gathering the lace carefully so it wouldn't twist.
"Pallu," he said.
The delicate fabric rose in the air before he guided it across her shoulder.
The lace spilled behind her in a soft cascade, the embroidered border tracing the line of her arm.
He adjusted the fall slightly and the pallu shifted again.
"Wait," he murmured.
He lifted it once more, arranging the folds so they lay evenly over her shoulder.
His fingers brushed lightly against the silk of her blouse while he worked.
Shriya's eyes flicked briefly toward his reflection.
"Veer ji?"
"Hm?"
"You seem very experienced at this."
He gave a quiet huff of amusement.
"Maa ko har wedding function ke liye ready hote dekha hai."
His hand adjusted the final fold of the pallu.
"Plus," he added softly, "aap bahut still khadi ho."
The lace finally settled perfectly over her shoulder.
Veer stepped slightly behind her to check the alignment from another angle.
From there he could see the full drape of the saree. The pleats were falling cleanly, and the lace was hugging her waist before flowing upward across her shoulder.
He reached forward once more, lightly straightening one fold near her shoulder.
The movement brought his face close to hers in the mirror.
Then Veer cleared his throat softly.
"Shriya ji."
"Haan?"
"If corporate event mein koi tumse pooche ki saree kisne drape ki..."
She turned her head slightly.
"Haan?"
He gave a small smile.
"Toh please kehna YouTube tutorial."
She laughed quietly.
"Why?"
"Mujhe embarrassment handle karna mushkil ho jayega."
Shriya looked down quickly, hiding the blush spreading across her face.
Veer stepped back then, giving the saree one final glance.
The lace fell perfectly and every fold was impeccably in place.
"Ho gaya," he said quietly.
She studied her reflection.
The saree had transformed her completely.
Moments earlier the fabric had seemed like an impossible puzzle in her hands. Now it framed her form with simplicity, and the red lace hugged her waist before cascading downward.
Behind her, Veer watched the same reflection.
His arms rested loosely at his sides, yet his gaze remained fixed on her with quiet attention.
Shriya adjusted the pallu slightly.
"Is it sitting properly?" she asked softly.
Veer tilted his head a fraction.
"Perfectly."
She gave a small uncertain smile.
"I was worried it might look messy."
His lips curved faintly.
"Trust me... messy is the last word anyone will use tonight."
She turned halfway toward him.
"What does that mean?"
Before he could answer—
The bedroom door burst open and the sharp sound echoed across the room.
"Veer!"
Anita Bua entered without knocking, the heavy bangles on her wrists clinking sharply as she stepped inside.
Her eyes swept across the room in a quick assessing glance.
Her gaze locked instantly onto the sight before her.
Veer standing close beside Shriya.
Shriya dressed in the deep red lace saree.
Then Anita's lips pressed into a thin disapproving line.
"So this is where you disappeared."
Veer straightened slightly.
"Bua—"
"Main neeche tumhe dhoond rahi thi," she interrupted sharply. "Aur tum yahan..."
Her gaze flicked toward Shriya again.
"...yeh sab kar rahe ho."
The faint emphasis in her voice carried unmistakable judgment.
Shriya's fingers instinctively tightened around the edge of her pallu.
Anita stepped further into the room.
She looked directly at Veer.
"Tum apni biwi ki saree pehna rahe the?"
She laughed , " next time.. kya khud saaree pehn ke jaaoge"
"Yeh sab saree pehnana auraton ka kaam hota hai. Tumhaara nahi"
Veer's expression remained calm.
"Shriya ji ko help chahiye thi bua"
Anita gave a short dismissive laugh.
"Help?"
Her eyes shifted toward Shriya again, scanning her slowly from head to toe.
The inspection lingered on the blouse and the lace fabric.
Anita's brows lifted slightly.
"Hm."
The single sound carried clear disapproval.
"Malhotra family ki bahu ke liye kaafi... bold choice hai."
"Tumhaari maa ne sikhaaya nahi tumhe saare kaise pehna hai?" she snapped at Shriya.
Shriya lowered her gaze quietly.
The words landed with a familiar sting she had begun to recognize during the weeks since her marriage into the family.
Anita circled slightly around them, her expression cool.
"Tum teacher ho na? "
Shriya nodded faintly.
"Haan."
Anita tilted her head.
"School mein bhi aise kapde pehenti ho? Aukaat mein raho."
Veer's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.
Anita continued speaking as though addressing a mild inconvenience.
"Aajkal ki ladkiyon ko thoda zyada modern banne ka shauk hota hai. Badein Badein gharon mein shaadi karke aukaat se bahaar aane lagte hai" she said cruelly
Her gaze flicked briefly toward the mirror.
"Lekin har cheez har jagah suit nahi karti."
Shriya's fingers brushed lightly against the lace of her pallu again, her voice quivered as she treid to gather courage.
"Yeh corporate event hai... isliye saree pehni. Aur Veer ji ne khud kaha ki.."
Anita gave a faint hum.
"Haan, lekin thoda simple bhi ho sakta tha. "
Her eyes shifted toward Veer again.
"Aur tum..."
She gestured lightly toward the saree.
"Tumhare paas itna time hai ki tum apni biwi ko ready kara rahe ho?"
Veer met her gaze evenly.
"There was nothing wrong with helping her."
"Of course tumhe toh koi problem nahi hogi."
Anita folded her arms.
"Lekin ghar ke log kya sochenge?"
Shriya remained still beside the mirror, her shoulders straight but quiet.
For a moment Veer did not answer but when he finally spoke, his voice carried calm certainty and confidence.
"Bua."
"People often speak about dignity and grace as though they are things stitched into clothes."
"But dignity," he continued quietly, "comes from the person wearing them."
His voice softened, though the conviction in it remained steady.
"My wife carries herself with a kind of quiet grace that doesn't depend on fabric or tradition."
"She walks into a room and brings warmth with her... the kind that makes people feel comfortable without her needing to say much."
Veer's eyes remained on Shriya now.
"As for the saree..." he added softly. "Red net doesn't make her bold when I requested her to wear it"
"It simply reflects what she already is. It displays her strength"
"Sometimes it appears in the gentlest people... the ones who remain kind even when they have every reason to grow distant."
"And if anyone believes elegance depends on simplicity alone..."
He glanced briefly toward Anita again.
"Then they have misunderstood elegance entirely. As for Shriya ji, no matter what room she stands in. She will always shine the brightest in my eyes."
Anita's expression hardened slightly taken aback by the usually reserved Veer.
"Hmph."
She adjusted the end of her shawl sharply.
"Aajkal ke ladke bahut speeches dete hain."
Her eyes moved once more toward Shriya.
"Bas itna yaad rakho... Malhotra naam ki ek reputation hai."
Without waiting for a response, she turned toward the door slamming the door harder than necessary.
Her footsteps echoed briefly before she left the room.
Shriya stood motionless for a moment.
Then she turned slowly toward Veer.
"You didn't have to say all that."
He looked at her with calm simplicity.
"I meant every word."
She hesitated.
"Still..."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Waise bhi," he said lightly, "agar koi meri wife ko criticize karega toh mujhe defend karna hi padega."
" Defending my wife... it's the bare minimum" he added.
The warmth in his voice softened the tension lingering in the room.
Shriya glanced at the mirror again. The quiet confidence and self esteem she had felt moments ago had faded. Hesitation now lingered in her eyes, the kind that appeared when someone tried very hard to remain composed and brave.
" Also woh sab chodo.. aap thoda smile karo?" he asked softly after noticing.
" main?" she asked confused.
Instead of answering immediately, Veer reached gently for her hands.
"Idhar aao."
Shriya blinked but allowed him to guide her a step closer toward the mirror again.
Veer lifted both her hands and placed them lightly against her own cheeks.
Her fingers rested there awkwardly.
"Veer ji..." she said, confused.
"What are you doing?"
"Helping."
He adjusted her hands slightly so her fingertips pressed softly into the sides of her cheeks.
Then he curled her fingers inward just a little.
The movement caused the corners of her lips to lift involuntarily and a small smile formed.
Shriya stared at her reflection in surprise.
"See?" Veer said quietly behind her.
"A smile."
She laughed softly despite herself, her hands still resting against her cheeks where he had placed them.
"That's cheating."
"Completely fair technique," he replied.
He stood very close now, just behind her shoulder, watching her with quiet amusement.
The soft smile remained on her face.
"Thank you."
"For forcing you to smile?" he asked.
She nodded blushing pink.
Then he reached toward the dressing table and picked up the small kajal container.
"Oh."
Shriya blinked.
"I almost forgot."
"It completes the look." he smiled faintly.
He opened the tiny silver lid carefully.
She stepped closer again, turning slightly toward him.
Her lashes lowered slowly, the warm light brushing across her face.
Veer dipped his finger gently into the kajal.
Then he lifted his hand toward her face.
His touch remained steady and surprisingly careful as he traced the soft line beneath her eye. The dark kajal followed the curve of her lower lash line, deepening the warmth of her gaze.
"Don't move," he said quietly.
He smiled before finishing the line beneath the other eye.
When he stepped back slightly, he said softly,
"Okay."
Shriya opened her eyes.
The kajal had changed her look instantly. Her eyes appeared deeper, more expressive beneath the delicate line.
Veer looked at her for a moment.
Then he gave a small approving nod.
"That suits you."
She glanced at the mirror.
"I think it was missing."
"Still something is missing," he said thoughtfully.
She turned back toward him.
"What?"
He dipped his finger into the kajal again.
Shriya felt the faint warmth of his presence near her shoulder before his hand moved toward her ear.
His finger touched lightly behind it.
She blinked in surprise.
"Veer?"
He finished the tiny mark there before stepping back again.
"That wasn't for the look," he said softly.
She tilted her head slightly.
"Then?"
His voice dropped gently.
"Kisiko nazar na lage meri biwi ko."
Then he added slightly softer
"Waise... nazar lag bhi gayi na... toh main hi utaar dunga."
Shriya felt the familiar blush rise to her cheeks again.
" Bahut khoobsurat lag rahi ho aap, Ashi ji" he said lowering his voice.
" Ashi ji?" she asked confused.
" Haan.. it means beautiful smile" he added.
She covered her face with the palms of her hands to hide the redness of her face.
He chuckled softly, " Sharma rahi ho Ashi ji?"
She nodded, and he gently took her palms into his hands.
The mirror reflected the two of them standing only a small distance apart now.
" Itna bhi mat sharmaoo.. because I'm actually being very restrained."
"Oh really?" she asked softly.
"Haan."
His voice lowered slightly.
"Because if I say what I'm actually thinking... tum aur zyada sharma jaogi."
Her heart skipped slightly at the tone.
"And what are you thinking?"
For a moment he seemed to consider answering.
Then he shook his head slightly.
"Better leave it."
"Why?"
He glanced toward the mirror again.
" I will answer this sometime later, when we have more time"
" Arrey kyu?" she pouted.
He chuckled, then continued.
"Ashi ji..."
The nickname made her glance up again.
"Hm?"
He lowered his voice just enough that it felt almost like a secret.
"You asked what I was thinking."
"I was thinking..."
His eyes flicked briefly to her saree, and the blush on her cheeks.
"...that it's a very good thing we actually have somewhere to go tonight."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The alarm on Akshay's phone went off at 4:58 a.m.
He lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling fan as it cut the dark into steady arcs. Outside, the city of Mumbai had already woken.
He swung his legs off the bed, feet finding the cool marble floor without even looking.
Five minutes later, he was dressed from the waist up, in a plain grey T-shirt, track pants, hair damp from a quick splash of water, watch already strapped on. He picked up his phone and checked the time again. 5:07.
His eyes moved, automatically, to the other side of the bed.
Aaravi lay diagonally across the mattress, cocooned in the blanket like she had waged war against sleep. One leg was hooked over a pillow, the other buried somewhere beneath the sheet. Her hair fanned across the pillow in a dark, tangled sprawl. Her face was turned toward the window, lips slightly parted, breathing deep and even.
The book she'd fallen asleep with lay face-down near her hand, a fluorescent sticky note peeking out from between the pages like a tiny flag of surrender.
Akshay stood there for a second, arms folded, watching the slow rise and fall of her shoulder.
He leaned down slightly.
"Aaravi," he said, voice low, even. "Utho, subah hogayi."
He bent closer. "Subah ho gayi."
Her fingers twitched once, curling into the blanket. She turned her face further into the pillow, muffling herself deliberately.
He checked the time again. 5:10.
He reached out and tapped the mattress near her shoulder politely.
"Aaravi. College hai jaana nahi?" he repeated.
She responded by pulling the blanket over her head.
Akshay exhaled through his nose.
He moved to the window, pushed the curtain aside a fraction. Pale blue light seeped in, and he turned back, arms folding again.
"Aaravi," he said, louder this time. "Paanch minute abh aur nahi."
From under the blanket came a sound she groaned.
"Jaa na," she muttered. "Police ko bhi neend aati hai."
Akshay's mouth twitched despite himself.
He walked to the side table, picked up his phone, unlocked it with his face id. He scrolled once, and found exactly what he was looking for.
A police siren tore through the quiet sharply echoing off the walls of their room.
Akshay held the phone inches from her ear.
However, nothing happened, Aaravi just slept on.
Her breathing didn't even change paces, she just slept peacefully.
Akshay stared at her, then at the phone, then back at her again.
He raised the volume to maximum.
The siren sound effect on his phone wailed louder, aggressive now.
Aaravi shifted slightly, hugging the pillow tighter.
Akshay killed the sound and stood there, silent again.
"...unbelievable, koi discipline bhi sikhaya nahi iss ladki ko!" he murmured.
He leaned over, lifted the blanket just enough to see her face.
Her eyes were closed and completely unbothered.
He straightened slowly, scanning the room for the book.
The cover read: Indian Polity – Constitution at Work.
Akshay flipped it open, thumb sliding past highlighted paragraphs, marginal notes, underlines that slanted aggressively across the page.
He cleared his throat.
"Aaravi Patil," he said.
"Instructions suno."
"Article 21," he said sharply. "Twenty seconds NOW! Go."
Her brows knitted faintly under the blanket.
"Right to—" she mumbled, face still buried in the pillow. "—life and personal liberty."
Akshay glanced at his watch.
"Article 32."
She groaned. "Subah subah kya dushmani hai aapko mujhse?"
"Seventeen seconds," he said.
"1... 2... 3.....4" he began counting on purpose.
Her head shifted and one eye cracked open.
"Right to constitutional remedies," she said, voice clearer now. "Dr. Ambedkar ne—"
"Time."
She opened her other eye and scowled at the ceiling. " Ugh cheating."
Akshay flipped a page.
"Directive Principles," he said. "Justiciable or non-justiciable?"
"Non-justiciable," she shot back instantly.
He didn't look at her. "Example."
"Article 44," she said. " The Uniform Civil Code."
She rolled onto her back, blinking up at him now, hair a complete disaster.
"You're evil," she said.
Akshay tilted the book slightly. "Five more."
She yanked the blanket down. "Bas."
"Fundamental Duties," he continued. "Kitne?"
"Eleven," she snapped. "Added by the 86th Amendment. Ab mujhe sone de."
She closed her eyes again and pulled the blanket over her head.
" Utha ke toh dekho" she grinned lazily thinking she was victorious.
Akshay watched this in silence for exactly three seconds, before placing the book on the bedstand.
In one smooth motion, he slid an arm under her knees and another behind her back and lifted her in the air.
Aaravi yelped as the mattress vanished beneath her.
"Arey— kya—" she grabbed his T-shirt instinctively. "Pagal ho gaya hai kya?!"
Akshay adjusted his grip, unfazed, and turned toward the bathroom.
"Put me down," she said, voice rising. "Akshay. Akshay. SUN. Thappad padega!"
" Acha... dusra wala kya?" he smirked, teasing her.
" Ugh Nahi!!!!!" she groaned.
He walked steadily, bare feet silent against the floor.
He nudged the bathroom door open with his shoulder, her still in his arms.
The lights were already on and the tub of the bathroom gleamed faintly, water pooled from his earlier use, the surface still rippling from the tap he hadn't bothered to shut completely.
"Akh—" she started and he dropped her straight into the tub.
Water splashed up in an arc, soaking her kurta instantly, darkening the fabric from neckline to hem. Her hair clung to her cheeks, droplets sliding down her jaw.
"YOU—" she shrieked, scrambling upright. "ARE YOU INSANE?"
Water sloshed as she stood, completely drenched, staring at him like she might actually murder him before breakfast.
She looked like a wet kitten.
Akshay stepped back just out of range, arms folding loosely.
"Good morning Mrs.Malhotra! Kaisi ho!," he smiled widely.
She grabbed the shower curtain and yanked it toward herself like a weapon. "Main aapko jaan se maar dungi."
"You were late toh... I had no option.," he replied smoothly.
"I WAS ASLEEP."
"Exactly."
She stared at him, water dripping steadily onto the floor, hair plastered to her face, eyes blazing.
"You're an ASP," she said. "IPS. Aap log crime se ladte ho. What beef do you have with college ke bache??"
Akshay glanced at his watch nonchalantly. "You have forty minutes."
She gaped. "Forty minutes for WHAT?"
"Dry clothes mein change karna, brush, nahaana, woh sab" he said. "Phir Revision karna aur phir breakfast."
She lunged forward, splashing water toward him.
He stepped back again, just in time.
"Bahaar nikal," she said through clenched teeth. "Abhi."
He turned, hand already on the door.
"Polity ka chapter three revise kar lena," he said casually. "Kal mock exam hai na ."
The door shut behind him.
Aaravi stood in the tub, dripping, seething, then looked down at herself.
"Saala," she muttered, pushing wet hair out of her eyes. "Shaadi ke baad bhi police training chal rahi hai iski.. look at his audacity!"
Outside, Akshay leaned against the corridor wall, listening to the sounds of water as she turned the shower on properly this time.
He checked his phone.
5:29 a.m.
He picked up his keys, slipped his shoes on, and headed for the living room for his workout.
Behind him, from somewhere deep inside the house, her voice carried faintly:
"AKSHAY. AGAR MAIN FAIL HUI NA—"
He smiled, briefly and privately, and shut the door immediately, cutting out her voice.
After her shower, she stepped out of the bathroom, drying her wet black hair.
She wore a light blue cotton kurti that reached just below her knees, the fabric soft and airy, embroidered delicately along the neckline with thin silver thread. The sleeves reached her elbows, slightly loose, while the matching churidar gathered neatly around her ankles.
At the back of the kurti, a narrow opening ran along the upper spine, held together by a thin pair of strings threaded through small loops.
When she suddenly, heard the loud sounds of grunting coming from the living room.
Her eyes widened in shock, "
Kahi yeh toh.... Chi decency naam ki cheez hi nahi hai. Aise public mein biwi ke saamne aise kaun karta"
Cautiously, she took small steps toward the living room.
The sight that met her was fortunately, not what she thought it was.
On the exercise mat in the living room, Akshay had begun a slow set of push-ups, his movements steady as his body lowered toward the mat before rising again in a smooth motion. Each repetition drew quiet strength through his shoulders and chest, the lines of muscle tightening and releasing beneath the soft glow of the morning light.
Finally he stood up,
His chest rose and fell slowly as he caught his breath, the quiet strength of his build visible without effort. Broad shoulders tapered down into a lean waist, the clean definition of muscle along his torso shaped more by discipline than vanity. Faint lines of tension moved along his arms as he lifted the water bottle from the counter, the veins along his forearms visible from the exertion of the run.
Then she narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Excuse me," she said slowly, gesturing vaguely at his entire upper body while he drank from the bottle.
Akshay lowered it, glancing at her.
"Haan?"
She leaned back in her chair, one eyebrow rising with exaggerated skepticism.
"Kapde naam ki cheez suna hai kabhi?"
" oh sorry..." he said softly, abruptly throwing on his T-shirt.
" Um anyways aapki padhai continue.. ruk kyu gayi ?" He asked.
"Twenty seconds," he said calmly. "Article fourteen."
Her head lifted immediately.
"You are unbelievable."
"Answer dedo... 1..2..3..4."
She rolled her eyes toward the ceiling before speaking in a rapid, annoyed tone.
"Equality before law and equal protection of laws."
"Article nineteen."
"Freedom of speech, expression, movement, association, residence, profession," she rattled off while turning a page.
The strange routine continued for the next ten minutes, her breakfast slowly disappearing while questions flew across the room in intervals that allowed him to finish a set of exercises before speaking again.
She took small steps towards him admiring her own reflection and fixing her hair in the hallway mirror.
In their reflection, at the back, the narrow opening of the kurti revealed a smooth strip of her pale skin along her spine, the thin fabric strings hanging loose where she had forgotten to tie them.
Akshay stepped right behind her, drawn to her energy for some reason. .
His reflection appeared in the mirror before his presence fully reached her, tall and steady, the dark fabric of his T-shirt outlining the broad line of his shoulders. For a moment he simply stopped there, gaze settling unconsciously on the untied strings resting against the small of her back.
Without turning around she lifted her hair slowly off her back, gathering the dark strands over one shoulder so the open section of the kurti lay fully visible.
Akshay exhaled quietly as he stepped closer.
The distance between them shortened until the warmth of his presence settled behind her, close enough that she became aware of it without needing to see it. His hands lifted after a brief pause, fingers catching the thin strings gently as he drew them together. And her back brushed his chest.
The first brush of his knuckles grazed the center of her back.
It happened accidentally, a light contact while he adjusted the fabric, yet the sensation traveled upward along her spine with clarity.
Aaravi's shoulders stilled as in the mirror their eyes met for a second.
Akshay looked away first, attention dropping back to the strings in his hands, though the faint tension in his jaw suggested a sudden awareness of how close they stood.
He began tying the knot carefully, his movements slower than necessary as his fingers worked the fabric through the loops.
The open line of her back remained directly beneath his hands.
He moved his fingers again, this time the motion carried a deliberateness as his fingertips brushed lightly along the bare skin while he pulled the strings into place.
The mirror showed the careful concentration on his face, the tightening of his shoulders, and the quiet steadiness with which his hands worked while that brief line of contact lingered along her spine.
The knot tightened and the thin strings slid softly against the fabric of her kurti.
Before releasing the strings, his hand remained there for a second longer, fingers resting near the small of her back as though reluctant to move away too quickly.
The loose ends of the strings slipped between his fingers and instead of letting them fall immediately, he held them lightly and gave the faintest pull of her towards him.
The proximity between them carried tension now, one that lingered in the proximity of their bodies.
Akshay's hand finally released the strings.
He remained standing there and , the warmth of his presence was still surrounding her.
He cleared his throat breaking the moment.
Akshay stepped slightly to the side, adjusting the strap of his watch while his gaze dropped briefly toward the floor before returning to her reflection.
"Waise..." he began, his voice steady yet thoughtful,
"aaj college jaana hai na aapko? I mean considering jo sab kuch recent events hue hai.. uske baad shayad aap mood mein na ho."
He continued, " also Jo subah hua, bath tub mein aapko giraana... that was not right... uske liye sorry."
Akshay's hand moved automatically to the back of his neck, fingers brushing there with the same absent gesture he used whenever he realized he might have crossed a line.
He admitted quietly, glancing at her " "Thoda... zyada ho gaya."
Aaravi raised an eyebrow.
"Thoda?".
"Okay, kaafi zyada ho gaya," he corrected, the faintest hint of embarrassment creeping into his face,"
"Sach mein, sorry. Mujhe laga aap phir se alarm snooze karogi aur late ho jaogi, aur mujhe bhi jaldi nikalna tha... toh bas... thoda impulsive ho gaya."
" it's okay." she giggled, her laughter filling the void of emptiness in the house.
" Waise aaj main zara apne ghar ja raha hoon" he added.
" Taaki kisiko shaq na hojaye humaari shaadi ke basre mein"
"Isliye shayad main wapas kal subah hi aaunga. Aap wait mat karna dinner ke liye, aur agar late ho jaye toh tension bhi mat lena."
Aaravi leaned back nodding and listening to his words.
"Mishti ko message kar diya hai. Nimmi maasi aur Abhimanyu ko bhi bola hai ki beech beech mein check kar lein aap par, bas precaution ke liye... waise bhi woh log paas hi rehte hain."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Matlab aapne pura monitoring system laga diya hai mere liye?"
"Monitoring system nahi," he corrected calmly. "Bas... kisi ko pata ho ki aap ghar par akeli ho. Mai nahi chahti ki kuch galat ho jaaye.. you know?"
Before she could respond, he added another detail.
"Aur haan... khana bana diya hai."
"Karele ki sabzi aur chapati."
The disbelief on her face arrived instantly.
"Karela?" she repeated slowly. "Ugh Sabzi bechne wale kyu nahi banne aap?"
Akshay walked toward the kitchen while replying with calm certainty.
"Karela healthy hota hai"
"Aur I didn't always want to be a police officer you know.. " he said softly.
He lifted the lid from the steel container on the counter, revealing the Karela ki sabzi inside it.
"Hmm," she murmured, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
Then suddenly her expression changed.
"Oh shit!! Mujhe abh aur taiyyar hona hai," she yelped, straightening so quickly that her elbow nearly knocked over the container lid.
"Arrey aur kya chahiye? Achi toh dikh rahi hai," he said, genuinely confused as his gaze shifted from the sabzi to her face.
Aaravi bit her lip for a second, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her dupatta as though deciding whether to explain.
"Nahi woh..." she murmured.
"Sindoor nahi lagaya na. "
For a brief moment he simply stared at her, then a small crease appeared between his brows.
"Aap sindoor lagane wali thi?"
She nodded slightly, though a faint hint of shyness softened the usual boldness in her expression.
"Woh actually Maharashtrian mein shaadi ke baad sindoor pehente nahi hain usually," she explained carefully, glancing down at the counter while speaking. "Mostly mangalsutra aur choodiyan hi hoti hain. Lekin..."
"Lekin aap North Indian ho na," she continued with a gentle smile. "Aur mujhe laga... agar main kabhi kabhi lagau toh achha lagega. Bas... thoda sa appreciation for your culture "
Akshay looked at her for a long moment without speaking and his expression shifted slightly, his green eyes softening for her in a way that made Aaravi suddenly very aware of the silence.
"Main bas abhi lagati hoon," she added quickly, already turning toward the table where the small box of sindoor lay among her things.
She barely took two steps before Akshay's hand reached out and his fingers closed around her wrist. He pulled her gently towards him.
Then Akshay released her wrist and reached past her toward the small silver container of sindoor resting on the dresser.
He opened it slowly , and admired the bright red vermillion that glowed under the sunlight.
"Aapne yeh mere liye socha?" he asked quietly.
Aaravi shrugged lightly, though the faint pink coloring her cheeks suggested she had not expected him to take the gesture so seriously.
"Shaadi do logon ki hoti hai na, do sambhandono ki" she said simply. "Sirf ek culture follow karne ka rule thodi hai."
Akshay held her gaze for another second before stepping closer.
He dipped his finger lightly into the sindoor.
Akshay lifted his hand carefully, the red powder resting against his fingertips as he reached gently toward her forehead.
His fingers brushed softly along the parting of her hair as he applied the sindoor there, the movement slow enough that the warmth of his touch lingered against her skin for a moment longer than necessary.
Akshay lifted his hand carefully, the red powder resting against his fingertips as he reached toward her forehead.
His fingers brushed softly along the parting of her hair as he applied the sindoor there, the movement slow enough that the warmth of his touch lingered against her skin for a moment longer than necessary.
Akshay withdrew his hand gradually, studying the thin red line now resting neatly along her hairline.
"Sach bataun?" he said quietly.
"Haan?"
"Jab aapne abhi bola na ki aap yeh sirf meri culture ki respect ke liye karna chahti ho..." he continued slowly, his gaze still resting on her face, "toh mujhe thoda ajeeb sa laga."
"Ajeeb?" she repeated.
"Haan," he said with a faint smile. "Achha wala ajeeb."
She watched him curiously.
"Kyuki honestly," he went on, "maine kabhi expect nahi kara ki koi mere culture ke hisaab se kuch kare. Especially Aap."
" What? Excuse me? Main itni achi toh hoon" she gasped, offended, clutching her chest dramatically.
Akshay chuckled softly.
"Kyuki aap generally woh karti ho jo aapko sahi lagta hai. Aur kisi ke kehne par kuch change karna aapki habit nahi lagti."
" You seem independent, bold, and that's what makes you admirable," he said.
" You don't bow down to anyone, and you aren't afraid of society or others think. And.. I find that courageous"
She opened her mouth to protest but paused.
"Thoda sa sahi hai," she admitted reluctantly.
"Lekin aapne phir bhi mere liya socha," he added. "Aur uske liye... thank you."
The sincerity in his voice caught her slightly off guard and melted her internally.
"Arrey is mein thank you ki kya baat," she said quickly, waving a hand as though dismissing the importance of it. "Aap Punjabi ho, main Marathi hoon, shaadi ho gayi hai... obviously thoda mix hona hi hai."
However, as he looked at her, a thought that surfaced in his mind arrived with the same irritation that had followed him since childhood ceremonies, and of his mother and wedding rituals alike.
He felt the strange unfairness of traditions that required women to wear visible symbols of marriage like sindoor, mangalsutras, bangles, and countless other markers declaring their belonging to someone, while men walked freely through the world with no equivalent mark on their bodies announcing that they too belonged to someone just as completely.
Aaravi leaned back against the counter with her arms loosely folded, watching him with a curious expression.
"Achha," she said slowly after a moment, tilting her head. "Abhi aapka brain clearly kisi philosophical direction mein bhaag gaya hai. Bataoge kya chal raha hai andar?"
Akshay blinked, pulled back slightly from his thoughts.
"Kya?"
"Wohi," she continued, gesturing toward him. "Abhi aap mujhe aise kyu dekh rahe?
"Bas ek random thought tha," he admitted.
"Random thoughts are my favorite category," she said enthusiastically. "Chalo bolo."
He hesitated for a second before speaking again.
"Sach kahun toh mujhe kabhi kabhi thoda ajeeb lagta hai yeh sab," he admitted quietly, gesturing toward the sindoor in her hair. "Matlab... Shaadi ke baad itne saare symbols hote hain jo sirf women ko carry karne padte hain."
"Dekho," he continued, his voice thoughtful, "sindoor, mangalsutra, choodiyan, yeh sab ek tarah se duniya ko batane ke liye hote hain ki koi woman married hai. Log turant samajh jaate hain ki woh kisi ki wife hai."
"Lekin men ke liye koi equivalent cheez nahi hoti. Main bina kisi symbol ke kahin bhi ja sakta hoon aur kisi ko pata bhi nahi chalega ki main married hoon. Kabhi kabhi lagta hai ki yeh thoda unfair hai."
"Culture ki respect karna achha hai," he said slowly. "Lekin usse bhi zyada important hai ki koi insaan kisi tradition ko pressure mein follow na kare."
"Aap agar kabhi sindoor lagana chaho toh lagana," he continued. "Agar kabhi na lagana chaho toh bhi perfectly fine hai."
"Mujhe aapki forehead pe symbol dekh ke pata chalne ki zarurat nahi hai ki aap meri wife hai. he said calmly
The simplicity of his words and statement caused a ray of hope and warmth to bloom in her chest.
She grinned at him and lightly poked his forehead.
"Oho, uncle! Lekin ek cheez aur hai," she added.
"Kya?"
Aaravi lifted her hand slowly, touching the faint red line at her hairline for a second before letting her fingers fall again.
"Choice," she said.
Akshay's attention sharpened and he stared at her confused.
"Matlab?"
"Difference yeh hota hai ki jab koi tradition kisi par force kiya jaye toh woh unfair lagta hai," she explained.
"Lekin jab koi insaan khud decide kare ki woh kisi cheez ko apni marzi se follow karna chahta hai... toh phir woh symbol ownership ka nahi rehta, woh choice ka ho jaata hai."
"Main laga rahi hoon kyuki mujhe pata hai ki yeh aapke culture ka ek meaningful part hai. Aur mujhe yeh achha lagta hai ki kabhi kabhi main us tradition ko share kar sakti hoon."
"Kal ho sakta hai main na lagau," she added lightly. "Aur ho sakta hai kabhi kabhi laga bhi loon. Bas... us din mood pe depend karega."
"Aapka har decision mood pe depend karta hai kya?" he laughed.
"Obviously," she replied with mock seriousness.
He shook his head faintly, amusement lingering in his eyes.
"Aur waise bhi," she continued thoughtfully, "agar main kabhi sindoor laga rahi hoon toh woh kisi rule ya tradition ke liye nahi hoga."
"Woh bas ek choti si reminder hoga ki meri life mein ek irritating, sabzi-paglu police officer hai jisko main thodu sa tolerate karti hoon." she winked.
"Waise," she added mischievously, tilting her head at him again, "agar aapko equality itni pasand hai... toh aap bhi koi symbol pehen lo na."
Akshay frowned faintly. "Kaisa symbol?"
Aaravi's eyes sparkled with wicked delight. "Simple," she said sweetly. "Main bhi aapke forehead pe red lipstick se ek line kheech deti hoon."
He chuckled, gathering the keys of his jeep in his pocket. "Chalo main aapko college chodta hoon"
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