Published on 6th September 2021.

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Our DM won the silver medal in Paralympics!

Happy reading!

♡ This night is cold in the kingdom

I can feel you fade away

From the kitchen to the bathroom sink and

Your steps keep me awake ♡

– S H R U T I –

I tossed around on the bed and my palm went towards my stomach which was paining like anything. The date of my menses was near and I could only wait for it. Mr periods, don't arrive now!

Although last night was good, actually better compared to our first time, I could still feel the soreness between my legs inspite us going slow throught. I took a deep breath and turned around again to get some rest.

"Why are you moving so much?" I heard Rishabh's sleepy voice as he tightened the hold of his arm around me. Even I was feeling sleepy; we slept too late last night.

I don't know how he convinced, or better tricked me into watching a movie at night, which at last led to him on top of me and us eating each other's faces. Even thinking about it is making my mind roam in a totally different dimension!

Why is the room getting too hot?

My gaze went towards the clock hung on the wall and my eyes widened on their own. No way! I shook Rishabh by his shoulders to break his sleep. There was no way we were going to miss Radhika's daughter's naming ceremony.

"Rishabh, get up! It's six thirty!"

"It's just six-thirty. No one gets the right to disturb my slumber. Let me sleep." He whined and turned his back to me.

"I'm your wife."

"Wife too." He said and I gasped at his answer.

Piece of sh—

"Rituals will be starting at nine. Get up!" I said and he being a sleepy head paid no heed to my words. "You know what? Get a good sleep. I don't want to miss this puja." I rushed out of the bed and ran to bathroom to get ready.

✨

"I guess we're late." He mumbled as we entered Ansh and Radhika's place, which was in the process of getting ready for the rituals.

"Too late. Just because of you." I corrected Rishabh and he narrowed his eyes. I wasn't lying though. Only when I reminded him off that the puja was for his own niece, he threw the blanket up in air and rushed to get a quick bath.

I wrapped the end of the silk saree I wore through my back and walked to ma and Radhika.

"Shruti, did you bring the things I told you to?" Ma asked and I nodded while handing over the bags to her. My gaze went towards the little girl who was sleeping peacefully on the bed. Although she was discharged just three days ago, she was glowing healthily.

"Hello everyone." Hearing a known voice, I turned around and saw Akriti walking in with a sleeping Adit on her side. Akriti and here? If they could call distant relatives, Akriti was a close one.

"Let him sleep here." Radhika said and Akriti nodded before laying Adit on the bed. She let out a sigh and walked to me.

"How's everything going on?"

"Good." When I saw the frown lines on her forehead, I couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so tense?"

"Nothing. I couldn't sleep properly last night. Adit had a fever."

"Is he fine now?" I asked and she hummed. As the rituals slowly started off, we managed all the things and sat together for the rituals of the newborn.

"The saree you're wearing looks good."

"It's Rishabh's choice." I said and Akriti lips turned in the shape of o, as she teased me all through the way. I glared at her and she hit her shoulder with mine. "Stop it! Concentrate here."

My gaze went towards the main door and I saw Yash jij-

He's not my Jiju!

That son of a bitch.

Yash walked in and sat in an empty spot. I turned towards Akriti who had her eyes on the rituals. What the hell was that man doing here? How did he even enter?

I was about to get up to confront him but couldn't move when I felt someone holding my hand. My gaze went towards the owner of the hands and I saw Akriti's face. She shook her head in negative and asked me to sit.

"What are you doing Akriti? What is he doing here?" I whispered and she sighed.

"Sit down."

"Why is he-"

"Do you think he needs our attention?"

"You don't have any problem with him being here?" I asked and she let a sigh out.

"I already told you, he's a closed chapter in my life. I don't want to do anything with him." She said and I nodded.

If I got a chance, I would've killed that man.

"Anika." Ansh's voice echoed in the room and I saw everyone smiling. Anika was an adorable name for their daughter.

Everything went on with peace, which was actually too strange to digest. Always being the desperate one, why wasn't Yash making any moves to talk to Akriti? I guess someone gave him a piece of advice. It's good for us though.

While moving my gaze around, I saw Akriti's ex in-laws. Why were they here?

Cool down!

We have nothing to do with them.

Time went on and people started leaving the place, not before having brunch and meeting Anika. I held her in my arms and gazed her tiny features as Radhika changed her clothes.

I love children, in contrast to my friends who don't like them just because they poop and pee without any warning. Staying with Adit taught me how to handle children. They aren't as crazy and messy as people think them to be!

"I'll get going." I heard Akriti saying as she held Adit.

I was about to turn back to go to Radhika so that she could feed Anika but stopped in my tracks when I heard Yash's voice. "Akriti?" What the hell did he want to do with my sister?

Without saying anything, she walked ahead until he stopped her by holding her arm. How dare that dirty pig touch my sister?! She tried pulling her hand from his hold while holding Adit on the other side.

"Just once." He said.

"Leave my hand."

"I want to hold Aditya, please." He pleaded and she pressed her eyes in irritation before stepping back. "Let's talk."

"Is there anything left to talk?" Akriti spoke. I knew my sister, if she hates someone, she would go to any lengths just to make him regret his doings.

"About our son. I know you hate me. But, what wrong did he do? He needs both his parents in his-"

"Didn't I tell you he's not your son?"

"You don't want me in your life, that okay. But-"

"He's not your son. I cheated on you, twice. Is that clear?" She said with stoic face. Has she gone mad? He stormed towards her and glared at her.

"Don't you dare speak a word against yourself!"

She smiled while looking towards him, which instantly changed into a smirk. "Really? What happens when you do the same thing?"

"Akriti, I know-"

"Shut up!" She yelled and glared at him.

Thank God Adit was sleeping.

Without stretching the topic further, she walked out with Adit. When Yash was about to leave the place, I stopped him by calling him out.

"Hmm?"

"What was Akriti saying?" I asked and he looked at me as if I had grown two horns over my head. "Twice. What did she mean by twice?" He stayed quite and I knew what he meant.

Why did Akriti tell everyone that she returned back the moment she came to know about his infidelity?

Why did she lie?

He cheated on her twice.

Why did she hide this?

I looked around the room and saw everyone standing mute. With Anika in my arms, I walked inside Radhika's room and sat on the bed.

"Is he gone?" I heard Radhika saying and opened my eyes. I hummed and she sat beside me. "Even I don't like people like him."

"Why did you invite him here?"

"He's Ansh's cousin, or else there was no chance I was going to invite him." She said and I widened my eyes. "He says he did a mistake. But mistakes don't hurt your loved ones. I still can't understand how he did that to your di."

It's true.

Yash is a horny bitch who couldn't control his desires and keep his promise to his wife!

Anika started crying and disturbed my thoughts. I handed her to Radhika so that she could feed her and let a relieved sigh out.

✨

I walked inside the bathroom and stripped my clothes off before sitting on the toilet. Taking a deep sigh, I stood up and was about to push the flush when my gaze went towards the red liquid.

God!

Why is this life so messed up?

Walking towards the shower area, I removed my underwear and took a warm bath before changing into thick clothes. I stepped out and saw Rishabh busy in his laptop. He gave me a smile and I returned the same as I walked towards the mirror to apply moisturizer.

I lied on the bed beside him and he switched the lights off. In a minute or so, I felt him hugging me from back.

"Want to share something?" His breath striked my neck as he mumbled. I shook my head and he hummed.

"Akriti told us that Yash had an affair with his colleague and she left his place the moment she came to know about it. But today she said, he did that twice. Why did she lie to us? She used to share everything with me."

He sighed and slipped his hand inside my shirt. While rubbing my skin, he spoke, "I guess, she must be having her own reasons. Or else, why would she lie in such a matter?"

I shook my head in positive and took a deep breath before closing my eyes. He kissed the nape of my neck and I smiled before giving in to sleep.

Akriti, you need to give answers!

〰️⭕⚫⭕〰️

YOURS, WITH LOVE

Cold sucks.

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