“We are attending a book fair tomorrow.” Ayush announced as soon as he entered their bedroom.

“A fair! Wow! It's been a long time since I sat on a merry go round ride.” Eka cheered excitedly, jumping from the bed in happiness.

“Oh, my intelligent wife, I said a book fair. There will be no rides.” Ayush slapped his forehead at her what-a-genius reply.

“A book fair? How boring! I'm not going there.” She waved the idea off while resting back on the bed and leaning against the headrest.

“You are coming or-” His threat was cut off by Eka.

“You'll cancel the Netflix subscription, I very well know.” Now the threat had began to seem harmless to her.

“Nice, you better be ready in the afternoon then.” He nodded and entered the bathroom.

“Nice my foot!” She mumbled to herself angrily.

✿ ✿ ✿

After some time both of them were lying on the either side of the bed. This time Eka didn't try to hug him or get closer to him. Because she felt like she was forcing herself on him.

But that night Ayush was behaving weird. His breathing was loud and somewhat unstable, as if he was feeling difficulty in breathing properly. He was shifting after every few seconds. Eka got worried so she asked, “What's wrong, Ayush? Are you feeling sick?”

He sighed before replying, “I might have a fever.” And shrugged as if it wasn't a big deal for him. He couldn't even breath properly, but again it wasn't a big deal for him.

Eka quickly got up and moved closer to him. Through the dimmed light she saw his dull, tired eyes. Her palm rested against his forehead and warmth radiated from his skin. He was warm like a hearth, as if fire was burning inside him.

“Do you feel pain in your body?” She asked, because as much as she had observed when she gets high fever her body will began to ache slightly.

“Slightly, not much. But I feel tired.” He continued, “And my feet are really cold.”

“Did you take medicine?” Eka asked again.

“No.” He shook his head while replying.

“Why?” Eka was surprised at his negligence. He was a physically fit person who never compromised with his health and such response was not expected from him.

“It's a mild fever. I can handle it.” He shrugged, not caring much about the light throbbing in his head.

“That's not an excuse to avoid taking medicine.”Taunting him, Eka got up from the bed and moved to get the medicine she always keep in her handbag. Coming back, she poured some water from the jug into an empty glass kept on her side table. Then she offered the glass of water and the medicine to him who was still lying leisurely on the bed as if his body didn't feel extremely weak from the fever.

He huffed before moving up to lean against the headrest. He took the water and pill from her.

So the thing is that the taste of that white pill always made him feel like puking. Sometimes it would stuck in his throat taking a lot of effort from his side to gulp it down to his stomach, leaving a very unpleasant taste in his mouth. At the age of twenty eight, Ayush still preferred syrup over pills. But the doctors or his wife did not know that. And he would die of embarrassment before telling anyone about his childish resistance towards the pills.

Ayush's lips would part up and close immediately as he couldn't decide whether he should take the bitter medicine or simply throw tantrums like he was doing earlier.

However, looking at the determination and sternness in Eka's brown eyes he knew he had to take it. So he put the entire Mount Everest on his chest and gulped down the medicine. His face scrunched up at it's bitter taste.

“Good. Now sleep.” Eka took the glass from him and put it down on the side table before lying back on her side.

Ayush laid back beside her, but he felt really cold. He needed some sort of warmth. His eyes fell on Eka. Very hesitantly he moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her body.

“Now, why are you being so clingy?” Eka asked teasingly.

“I feel cold.” He spoke while pressing the side of his face again her back.

“And?” She asked again.

“You are hot-I mean, you are warm. Your body is warm.” He blurted out accidentally.

“I would prefer being called hot.” She smirked at his slip of tongue.

“Where did you get this boldness, Eka?” He asked in amazement.

“It's stocked in my cupboard, Ayush.” Eka joked.

“Okay, too much nonsense. Good night.” He shut his eyes and mouth close.

“Sweet dreams, Hubby.” She sung before closing her eyes.

✿ ✿ ✿

“How are you feeling now?” Eka asked while putting her makeup on.

“Better than last night.” Ayush replied while pulling on his black coat.

“Ayush, Eka, be quick!” They heard Papa Goenka from downstairs.

“Coming, Dad!” Ayush replied back while quickly buttoning up his coat.

Eka checked her makeup and Saree one last time before getting up from the stool and exiting the room after Ayush.

“Dad seems really excited for today.” Eka smiled while walking to the car.

“He is one of the chief guests. And there is also a writing contest he will be judging in the book fair. The winning entry will be published in our monthly magazine.” Ayush told her.

“Oh.” That was all Eka could say. She was not interested in any of this. Reading was never her cup of tea.

“You don't like literature?” He asked noticing the disinterest in her tone.

“Nope.” She shook her head.

Both of them sat on the backseat of the car as Ayush's father was sitting on the passenger's seat.

“What do you do in your free time then?” He asked in a whisper, not wanting his father or the driver to listen their conversation.

“I like playing Candy Crush.” Eka grinned proudly.

“Oh, how mature of you.” He taunted her.

“I saw the fashion magazines in your cupboard.” He started again.

“Those were placed along with my bras and panties.” Her eyes widened in surprise.

“Yeah, I saw that as well. You still wear sports bra?” He frowned.

“Sometimes. They are comfortable.” She nodded.

“I didn't find any lingerie though.” He made a disappointed face.

“Why were you going through my undergarments at first place?” She asked with beady eyes.

“I was looking for my tie.” He looked ahead on the road because her reaction was hilarious.

“In my undergarments?” Eka was astounded by his reply.

“I thought you may have mistaken it as your thong.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

“And what made you think I wear thongs?” She whisper yelled at him.

“Your as-” But he stopped before he could complete the word.

“You have no shame, Ayush.” She poked her finger in his stomach.

“Oh, if you say it then it's bold, if I say it then it's shameless.” He glared at her in a very amusing manner.

“I don't sniff your panties, idiot.” She hit his chest.

“Yeah, because boys don't wear one. It's boxers for us.” He pushed away her hand.

“Oh, it's the same.” And she hit his arm this time.

“How can it be the same? You have a vagina and I have a penis. It's not the same.” He argued.

“I referred to undergarments, not your banana.” She clarified.

“Banana? Seriously, Eka?” Her choice of word left him confused.

“I like bananas.” She just shrugged and looked ahead.

“Which banana? The one plants have or the one I have?” Now, he was genuinely confused what banana she was talking about.

“Ayush, shut up!” She whisper yelled at him again.

“What are both of you whispering about?” Asked the Papa Goenka when their whispers were not coming to an end.

“Oh, the banana-Ouch!” Ayush was replying when Eka pinched his arm.

Ayush glared at her while shutting his mouth. Rest of the ride was passed in silence, putting an end to their banana talks.

•••