"Do you want to buy something or do anything?" Abhimanyu asked once we were settled inside the car.

"Tomorrow Leah will be coming that means shopping, so no. But can you take the long route I love night drives." I asked.

Leah informed they will be coming before evening and go for shopping in the evening.

"No, I was just asking. If you want we can go. I'm not sure whether there will be a next time." He mumbled the last part, it sounded quite ominous but I didn't comment on it, I knew it was not for me to hear.

I raised the volume of the stereo,

'Ranjish Hi Sahi' was playing.

I sang with the lyrics.

Sometimes I feel I destroy the beauty of these Ghazals by singing with it. But come on! it's my life. So I sang along gazing at the street lights passing by casting impressions which leaves me, the wind blowing through my hair.

Night drives are always amazing.

I felt the volume decreasing hence making my voice seem louder and let me tell you, it's good that Mehdi Hassanji already died.

"What?" I yelled, does he hate me or what.

"What?! Why did you stop singing? It was nice." He retorted.

But the tone was sort of accusing as if he was denied a whole packet of Ferrero Rocher.

Seriously?!

But why the heck is my heart skipping with his words?

"Sing." He whispered.

His eyes and words were creating unknown emotions in me. Why am I this messed up?

"Drive." I retorted and turned back to gazing outside.

The song long forgotten, but nothing in this world would have prepared me for his next step.

Just like the rose fragrance spreads through the morning mist in the peaceful calmness, freshness of a new day, new hopes. The voice which I would love to hear anyday floated through the disturbing silence to create a sense of hope and calmness in me.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed the true bliss. But every good song has a end.

"Why don't you sing often? No one told me The Abhimanyu Shekhawat is a singer." I asked curiously. He was really good.

I never expected such a simple question to crease his forehead. It was as if he was holding himself from saying something, I waited. Finally after a couple of minutes he spoke

"Adi, I have a past. I'll tell you everything but I need time."

Past??

How big is this so called 'past' to stop a person like him from doing something entirely?

With these thoughts I didn't notice when we reached home.

"I'll wait." I spoke once he killed the engine.

"I know you will." He spoke a certain kind of proudness in his words.

We both entered the house hand in hand. I don't know how both of us can still be happy even in the middle of all these dramas and secrets. I think I am starting to like Abhimanyu's presence around me.

When we entered the hall Ananya ran to me more like came to me jumping like a sugar high kid.

"Di Leah is coming tomorrow morning and we are having girls day tomorrow!"

As in me sitting in one corner of any big mall and acting like a security for your 100s of shopping bags??

No thank you I will pass.

Maybe understanding the look on my face Abhimanyu started snickering, he immediately covered it with a cough when I shot a glared at him.

"Aren't you excited di?"

Asked Ananya who didn't notice any of these in her over excited state.

"Of course when are they reaching? Ma didn't tell me the time"

"Around 7.30 am they will be reaching the mansion and we are leaving at 8.30am. And before I forget Bhai give your card"

See Karma is a bitch

Now it's my turn to laugh!

I saw the horror pass through his face.

"Why me? Ask Dad or Mama"

Abhimanyu tried some sort of disaster management.

"It's your Wedding Reception. Not Dad or Mama's. Moreover your wife is accompanying me."

Excuse me??

I'm standing right here!

Why these people tend to forget me?

"She is not coming." He retorted.

Okay...

I wanted to fight that's when I saw the pleading look in his eyes.

But who am I??

Mother Teresa?

But before I could start Ananya beat me to it.

"She is coming."

"She is not"

"She is"

"She is my Wife"

"She is my sister"

"She will listen to me"

"She won't"

Okay this is a bit too much..

"STOP IT" I screamed

That's when they started glaring at me might I add together.

"You will come with us right Di?" She asked with hope glimmering in her eyes. She was looking like a 5 year old asking for a candy after completing her Maths homework.

Abhimanyu was going to say something but I stopped him by showing him my palm .

"I am more than capable of making my own decisions. And Yes I am going but I have my savings account we can use that card. " I said leaving no room for discussion.

"Why would you use that?"

Abhimanyu butted in.

"Because I can."

With that I went into our room.

I don't know when this discussion turned into a serious one but I felt hurt.

I am not angry on Abhimanyu or Ananya but rather myself.

Is this what being married life feels like?

I know in marriage spouses will be depending each other

emotionally, physically, financially and many more but we are not really in a relationship or that stage of our relationship.

Even though we are married we didn't start sharing anything. I would have taken his card and make him go bankrupt if we had that minimum understanding between us.

Am I overthinking this?

But it just didn't feel right! For a person who always learned to stand alone, this didn't sit well with me.

I thought laying down on my side of the bed after changing.

I felt a presence behind me, I felt the bed dipping. I knew who it was the smell of husky sandalwood combined with the natural scent which I started to like in just two days but I didn't turn.

His arms came around me, pulling me towards the warmth of his hard chest.

I tried to pull away only to make his hold tighten around me.

"Adi... Don't push me away. That's not how it works." He whispered holding me closer if that's possible.

"What if I don't want this to work? I didn't ask for this." I regretted those words the moment they left my mouth.

I felt him stiffen. I abruptly turned in his hands which were gonna leave me.

I saw a strong emotions in those blue orbs....

Guilt

I placed my arms on his face.

"Abhimanyu. I.."

He cut me off by placing his forefinger over my lips.

"Arundhathi, I know what I did was wrong, but let's make this clear I don't regret it. I feel guilt but not regret.

Because at the end of the day you are mine.

Maybe it will take time but I will wait.

I can go to any extend for making you mine completely in every sense.

I know what I did was utterly selfish."

That's when I cut him off

"No, you don't say. Let me know the reason, let me be the judge."

I want to know the reason why I am here.

"I'll tell you everything once everyone leaves." He told with a certain softness to his voice.

"Why?"

"Don't you see Adi, our parents are happy seeing us together. Our family is so happy."

Can he be anymore dumb??

"Do you really own Veracity International??"

"Huh??"

See I told you

"Do you really think Mama, Papa and Ananya don't know anything?

I mean do you think they believe we are all rainbows and sunshine?

Really Mr CEO can you be anymore clueless"

"Did Mama say anything?"

He is fast.

"Not Mama, Ananya. Seriously our sister is more matured than both of us put together."

Some may think this is breach of trust but this is what I saw when I grew up.

Ma and Pa share even a small thing that happen in their day to day life.

I believe that's one of the reasons they are still together.

Can me and Abhimanyu share such a relationship??

"What did she say?"

"Nothing much she told me to solve it ourselves and she is always there to beat up her brother"

I laughed at the end.

"Some kind of sister she is. On a serious note how did she notice it?"

Seriously his EQ is too low

"They are not dumb people Abhimanyu leave my matter, but you! they were with you for what 25 or 26?" I paused

"26"

"Yeah, 26 years do you really think they won't notice??"

"Anyways wait until they leave. Don't want them to panic more."

"Are you that sure I will make a ruckus?" I'm not a violent person.

Or am I??

"Pretty much considering who you are." I didn't feel much offended.

"Hmm, Again are you sure it's because of our parents and not that you are not ready?"

"I think it's more about me." He answered honestly.

This is quality which I came to admire in him, he is more or less sorted out about what he feel a complete contrast to my head.

A comfortable silence wrapped around us.

Then again can my life be peaceful??

Ever??

Of course not!

I am now topping God's haters list.

"Can you take my ATM card when you go tomorrow"

Although it sounds like a request I can never mistake the undertone of clear decision for anything else.

But I am no less

"No"

"Why?"

He was close to losing it I'm pretty sure of it from his voice and the cleaning of jaw.

But I just can't . I too have self-respect.

High time he stop bossing me around.

"Why should I?"

"Why can't you listen to me once?" He asked as if he is tired.

He is tired after forcing me into this.

After all these now he is tired?

Anger bubbled in me.

"Because every time you want me to do things your way. But reality check Mr Shekhawat the world dosen't revolve around you. Others too have brain, emotins and capability to think." My sound raising an octave after each word.

I could see his jaws clenching. His eyes resembling a storm.

He pushed my legs which were kept sprawled over his legs.

And he stood up.

I knew he was barely holding back.

But I also knew we need to have this fight.

To clear the foggy atmosphere around our relationship.

"I KNOW WHAT I DID WAS NOT RIGHT AND YEAH, I AM GUILTY BUT DON'T USE THAT AS A REASON TO SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT"

He shouted and at that moment it was not his words but what I saw was what made me scared.

From day one his eyes which always holded a certain tenderness for me was now cold or more likely blank.

The softness I always saw in his face now expressing emotions as much as a plane white sheet.

This was not the Abhimanyu I know .

This is Mr Abhimanyu Shikhawat the ruthless CEO, one of the most cold business man in the whole world.

The person who can make others tremble with his one glare.

This is not my Abhimanyu.

I wanted to stop him but he just

stormed out of the room not looking back.

I just sat on the bed, I'm not gonna chase him and for the first time I started crying.

After all these incidents I never felt the need to cry bitterly like this but I'm tired, I just can't take this anymore.

I was suddenly engulfed into a motherly warmth I looked up to see the familiar blue orbs and two other concerned faces of my family, no our family

I just let it all out I was tired, tired of holding back these tears, bottling up these emotions, tierd of being strong.

I let them all out.

Snuggling closer to this warmth I don't know when sleep engulfed me.

Hey guys,

I left a small hint right there did you see?

How was THE first fight?

Urdu is such a beautiful language. The Ghazals are really awesome try atleast once.

It was a long chapter tell me whether you guys like long chapter or short ones

Because as a reader I am not a fan of long chapters.

So how is the New Year, is it treating you good?

Love

Leah😉

(MehdiHusssainjiPapon's voice)