I wonder if this side was always hidden in him. This romantic, caring side. I didn't know my husband had these many different shades to him. May be I was always so focused on his dark side, never tried to find out this hidden personality. The love he possess for me in his eyes, is infinite. How I wish we had given each other one more chance instead of always getting on each other's nerves. I was too hurt to see his pain and he was too broken to make me feel whole.

"What do you think of Aarav and Pooja getting married?", The cake I was having stifled in my throat, causing me to choke out hysterical coughs.

What!?

Where did that come from?

"Drink some water.", He offered me a glass and I grabbed it from him before downing it to push the clogged cake into my stomach.

"Are you high?", I managed to ask after keeping the glass down.

"It was just a suggestion. And I didn't say something so outrageous for you to behave like this.", He shrugged, looking slightly offended.

"Babe-", I called out keeping the plate beside me and tugging him closer with my legs wrapped around his torso. He stepped closer, placing his both hands on my either sides as his one brow cocked up. "I don't know why you brought this up, but this is the worst suggestion ever!", I pressed, making hand gestures to prove him my point.

"And why is that? I don't see anything wrong in my brother!", He glared.

Oops. He misunderstood me.

"No no no! Aarav is best. But Pooja, she's- she's a little different, Kabir. She hates getting tied down by responsibilities. She's free. She's stubborn and she's- I hate to say this- but she's selfish. And she's young. So I don't think there's any problem with being selfish. But Aarav, he's a family man. He's sorted. He's a good boy. And Pooja will crush him! Their married life will be a disaster. Also, the fact that she'll complete her masters soon is another term that will restrain her back. She wants to live life, on her own conditions. She has lived her life on Ma and Dad's conditions until now, but now she has a chance she won't let it escape. And even if anyhow they get hitched, it'll be a mess. Aarav is not a type of guy who'll be able to- you know- keep her in control. She needs someone- someone like you!", I smiled as I made a viable explanation. "And he needs someone like- someone like me!", I pointed at myself with a grin. I hope he has understood what I'm trying to say.

"So you're saying we're mismatched!?", He asked bitterly.

Oh!

"Did you interpret my words like that?", I raised my brows and he gave me a duh expression.

"You meant something else!?", He snapped as he looked away.

"Oh my caveman is angry!", I cooed as I ruffled his hair. He swatted my hand away and tried to unlock my legs to free himself.

"Okay okay. Calm down. Here eat some cake.", I offered him the plate with a sheepish smile, fluttering my eyes sweetly at him.

"I'm serious, Rivaah.", He stated.

I sighed keeping the plate down and pursuing my lips together as I stared at his gorgeous face illuminated under the dim lights.

"They were in a relationship."

I looked at him in shock. "Pooja and Aarav?", I asked to confirm my doubt. He nodded and I gulped. Okay so this is pretty serious than I first considered.

"They were in a relationship for a whole month and now Aarav wants to marry her. But Pooja said no.", That was expected. Which girl would say yes after a month of dating.

"Are they so deeply involved?", I doubt Pooja will be so emotionally immersed in this. Aarav is a softie not her.

"Not her. But he is.", As expected.

"As I said earlier, Pooja is a hot headed girl, Kabir. She's not someone you can manipulate or sweet talk. When she decides something, no one can change her mind. If you want, I can talk with her. But don't have any hopes. Because I know what her answer will be.", I told him straight away without giving him any chance to hold hope.

"I can talk with her."

"That'll end the remaining 0.001 percent chance that we might have. She's not a big fan of you.", I said and his lips turned down in a frown. "Don't worry, I don't need her approval.", I said pecking him on lips and a small smile graced his beautiful features.

"She actually considers Aarav a nice man. We can try.", I patted on his shoulder as worried lines on his forehead deepened.

"Hmm. He's too deep in this, Rivaah. And I don't want my brother to get hurt. Please try-"

"I smell cake.", A sleepy voice said and I pushed Kabir away before jumping down. He glared at me for acting so spontaneous but I smiled nervously before turning around.

"Aww, baby.", I cooed as I walked front to get my sleepyhead in arms. He was still in his Dora printed pajama, rubbing his eyes ever so often and yawning continuously. "Why aren't you asleep?", I asked him flicking on his bottom lip that was pulled out in an adorable pout.

"Give him to me.", Kabir took him and smothered his cheeks with light pecks. "Why are you here, Champ?", He asked as he rocked Reyansh back and forth.

"I smell cake, Daddy. I wanna eat."

"You woke up because of the smell?", I asked astonished.

"No. I- I woke up to pee and then I smelled it. So I came down. Can I have-", his words broke as a yawn interrupted him. "-some, Mommy?", He completed his question.

"Tomorrow for breakfast.", I said caressing his cheek and he whined.

"Now, Mommy!", He insisted as he laid his head on Kabir's chest and yawned again.

"Then you'll have to brush your teeth again. And you'll lose your sleep. We've keep a lot for you, darling. I'll bake some cookies tomorrow if you want.", Kabir said and my eyes widened.

"You know how to bake cookies?", I asked in surprise.

"Yeah, the years I was cooped up inside house because of my condition, I found fun and relaxation in baking. So I can bake pretty much most of the bakery items.", He said and I nodded appreciatevely.

Reyansh started snoring softly and we both chuckled. "He fell asleep.", I whispered.

"Hmm. Let's get our little prince to bed. Mommy will come after keeping the cake in refrigerator.", He instructed me and I mocked a salute to him before he headed out.

After doing the small task, I switched lights to kitchen off before heading upstairs. Kabir had carefully tucked Reyansh in bed, and was caressing his head.

"So? Should we sleep now?", I asked as I closed door behind me.

"Yeah.", He stood straight and faced me. "Good night.", He smiled before moving towards the door. I grabbed his wrist and he turned around with a frown.

"Where are you going when your wife and child is here?", I asked and his eyes widened slightly.

"I-I can sleep here?", He stammered and I nodded with a soft smile. "Thanks.", He whispered as he looked down. I led him towards the bed and made him sit. Pushing his shoulders down, I made him lie and covered him with a duvet that Reyansh had wrapped all around him. Tucking him to bed just like he did to our son, I kissed his forehead and switched night lamp off.

"Good night, Kabir.", I whispered before manoeuvring to the other side and sliding in beside Reyansh. As soon as I lied down, his arm draped over both of us and I felt a sense of security washing over me.

"Good night, Dove."

_

_

_

_

"Is the presentation ready?", I asked my team.

"Yes, Ma'am. It is in my laptop.", Meghna said and I nodded.

"Where's your laptop?", Nayan asked her with a frown.

"On my desk!", She deadpanned.

"Okay guys, although this meeting won't decide the final outcome but we've to impress Mrs. Dixit and then only we can dream of impressing Mr. Raichand. So give your best, okay?", They all nodded confidently. Great! I hope everything goes right.

As Mrs. Dixit sat at the end of the table, me and my team on one side while Rishabh's team sat opposite to me. He was smirking at me, as if he has already won. I don't know why I'm getting this bad feeling. An intuition that something is going wrong.

"Should we go ahead?", He asked, his eyes staring right at me.

"Of course.", Mrs. Dixit said keeping her phone down and entwining her fingers.

"Ma'am?", A tap on my shoulder made me slightly turn, I saw Meghna's paled face and frowned worriedly at her.

"What happened?", I whispered.

"The presentation- it's no-no more.", She stuttered and my eyes widened in disbelief.

"What do you mean?", I gritted out.

"I can't open the file anymore. I tried to restore it, but I can't seem to get it back.", She lowered her head down shamefully.

"Don't you have a copy?"

"N-No.", She whispered and I closed my eyes in annoyance.

"How can-"

"Good morning everyone!", I turned on my seat with a startle and gestured her to go back to her position.

"Me and my team have finally selected the concept and our leader, Mr. Mehrotra has guided us well. I would like to start now, may I?", Mrs. Dixit nodded and he started the presentation that looked eerily similar to what we had made. I looked at Rishabh with a frown and he smirked, nodding at me to keep looking at the projector.

"So, entering into a completely different field will be definitely challenging. We've never marketed food products until now. And to sell something healthy among the aisles of other junk food will be a real challenge. But we all know who most cares for our health and looks after our wellness. Obviously it's the lady of the house. She'll never jeopardize with her family's health. So our target audience is the ladies of house who looks after the well being of her family.....", I trailed out of his blabber as shock reeled me speechless. My whole team stiffened and I could see their spirits going down.

I gulped.

"Our idea is stolen, Ma'am.", Karan hissed in whisper. I glared at Rishabh who just smiled at me innocently. I can't believe he would stoop so low.

The loud applause brought me out of my daze and I sat straight.

"As usual amazing, Rishabh. You always manage to impress me!", Mrs. Dixit praised him looking proud.

"Okay then, Miss. Verma, it's your turn now.", She said turning to me. I shifted awkwardly in my seat.

What do I say now!?

"Uhm, Ma'am, we lost our presentation. I'm really sorry. I-"

"Is this the kind of professionalism you had made promise of?", She asked sarcastically. I shook my head. "I'm really disappointed.", She sighed. "You can at least present the idea."

What!? How? I can't just brainstorm some ideas when told!

"Our speaker, Meghna is suddenly not feeling well. She's suffering diarrhea!", Karan spoke and Mrs. Dixit looked at us in disgust before shaking her head.

"The meeting is over!", She stood up and we all stood up along with her.

"I need one last chance, Ma'am. Please.", I whispered as I moved closer to her.

"You've to give the final presentation tomorrow morning to Mr. Raichand. Will you be able to?", She asked and I looked down. "Great!", She chuckled humorlessly.

"Can't we shift the meeting to afternoon? Please, Ma'am.", I requested.

"Talk to Mr. Raichand then.", Everyone gasped.

"Ma'am, please. Please talk to him. Please.", Shana said, no, she literally begged. I feel like a complete failure at this point.

"Your team leader made a mistake so she'll rectify it. I can't do anything.", She said before striding out.

I rubbed my temples as I collapsed down on the chair. I've never faced humiliation at this extent in my work space.

"You're a cheater! How dare you stole our idea!", Sameer screeched as he lunged to grab Rishabh by his collar above the table separating us. Karan held him back and tried to calm him down.

"All the best, Miss. Leader!", He laughed maniacally before leaving along with his team.

"Ma'am, we can at least try.", Divya said to me.

"Don't you remember what he said about tardiness? He likes people who submit before deadline and we're asking him to prolong the deadline! He'll fire us straight away!", Nayan said petulantly.

"Fuck! We're doomed!"

"Indeed."

I know if I ask him to prolong the deadline he'll do it wordlessly as my husband. But my image as a hard-working employee will crumble down in front of him and I don't want that. I don't want to let him down as my boss.

"We should try one last time.", Shana said and everyone defeatedly nodded.

"I'll go and talk with him.", I said grabbing my phone and getting up.

"We'll accompany you.", Karan stepped forward.

"Yes, we're a team, Ma'am. We can't let you take all the blame. It's our responsibility to stand beside you.", Divya said and I smiled at them before walking out. They all followed me and we headed to the top floor.

"Yes?", Karthik Sir came immediately to my aid. When his eyes zeroed on my team behind, he frowned.

"Can we meet Mr. Raichand right now? We've something important to talk.", I said and he nodded before gesturing us to move ahead.

I knocked and waited for his permission.

"Come in!", He called in strictly.

"I'm scared.", Someone behind me whispered.

Slowly I pushed the door and stepped in. My team hesitated to come in immediately. He had his reading glasses on as he shuffled through some set of documents. Absent-mindedly he looked up and his face broke into a huge grin.

Oh fuck no!

"Damn! Babe, I miss-", I pushed the door ajar and his eyes fell on my teammate before he hurriedly picked his phone and pretended to talk.

"Come in.", I ushered them inside and they all stood beside me in a half circle.

"I'll call you later.", He mumbled into the phone before tossing it down on the table and raising his brows at me. "Yes?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you at this time, Mr. Raichand. I actually have a request to make.", I said and he nodded, his gaze softening before he realized my team was still present and his face hardened again.

"We need some more time for tomorrow's presentation. Can you postpone it until afternoon, please?", I asked and my team ducked their heads down in embarrassment.

"Ye- Why?", He corrected himself.

"Our presentation was accidentally deleted.", I forced out.

"Please, sir. One last chance.", My team said in unison.

He looked at me and I realised he was about to agree when I discreetly shook my head. I don't deserve this special treatment when I know he would have downright fired if there was someone else in my spot.

"Okay.", He said and I closed my eyes in embarrassment.

"Really?", I could feel everyone smiling.

"Yeah. One last chance. Everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves.", He smiled and I understood the meaning behind his words.

I nodded gratefully. "Thank you, sir.", I said and he blinked in assurance before we left.

"He was talking to his girlfriend right?", I heard Divya say when we all entered elevator.

"When?", Nayan questioned.

"When we went in. He said Babe! I'm pretty confident I heard him clearly.", She said with utmost belief.

"Damn! He's taken!", Meghna sighed.

"Yeah. What a lucky girl she is. He's so understanding!", Shana spoke.

"I think it's Lavanya. The new interior designer.", My fist tightened as the conversation took ugly turn.

"Why do you think it is her?", Sameer asked when we moved out of elevator.

"Haven't you seen the way he treats her? He's so polite and respectful to her.", Shana replied.

"Ma'am! You must know the girl! You have worked with him in Mumbai branch too, right?", Divya turned to me with curiosity gleaming in her eyes.

"I don't know. And if you're done discussing your boss's personal life then shall we get down to work!? We've a lot to do! Gather in meeting room immediately!", I ordered before storming to my office.

I didn't know this Lavanya was such a hot topic among the employees!?

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