Avantika glared at Arjun when he came downstairs but didn't spoke a word. He strolled over to her and made a lip movement of sorry. She rolled her eyes at that continued serving breakfast on the dining table.

He dragged the word of apology a bit too long to get her attention. She turned towards him and smacked his arm, "Next time you pull on such rowdy stunts I'll throw you out of my house."

He laughed throwing his head back, "Oh no you won't. You can't live without seeing my face. There is one more thing that if you ban me in his house than even Radhika won't be staying here."

Avantika spoke in a sweet tone, "Oh no my dear son, I will not let her leave this house. She won't leave her mother too."

Arjun said in a cocky tone, "Mom, a wife's home is where her husband is. What you guys call your husbands in Hindi... Yea Patiparmeshwar....Ek biwi ka ghar wahi hota hai jaha usske patiparmeshwar rehte hai."

(A wife's home is where her husband stays.)

This time it was Avantika's turn to roll her eyes. She gaped at him with disbelief. He just gave her a smile which resembles a kid who is caught stealing candies from the jar.

"Hahahaha.....Patiparmeshwar....Which world are you living in, Mr husband?! It's 21st century now. It's not patiparmeshwar now it is patniparmeswar. A good husband should listen to everything his wife say, right mom?!"

Radhika who had heard every word of the mother-son duo conversation participated in it too. She knew he was just kidding and he didn't meant what he said.

"She is absolutely right."Avantika showed thumps up to her daughter in law.

"Oh Really?! Then why did you touch my feet during our wedding if it's the patniparmeshwar era according to you."He smiled with a evil glint in his eyes.

"Oh that..."She stuttered thinking what to reply because whatever he said was true. Woman touched their husbands feet in her village during wedding and also during some festivity.

She replied,"It was just a ritual. It's not a big deal."

His lips stretched into a half smile, "The bottom line is you touched my feet so you gave me the place of God. And my dear wife, you lost the argument."

Radhika's face fell. She felt it was just a game till now but now his words indicated how serious he was. She never thought he would say something like that. OK if he wins and it makes him happy, so be it. She was about to walk away but he held her hand in gentler grip.

He smiled, "I was just kidding. You think I am that kind of man who thinks man are superior to woman?!"

She spoke in a low tone,"But you said..."

He shrugged,"So what?! I can't even joke?!"

She nodded, "Yes you can But... "

He cuts her off, "But you didn't like the fact that I said, I am your God. Common I was just riling up mom. I love to annoy her and you are no different. It's heavenly pleasure to see you angry because your nose and ears become red like a tomato that time." He completes his sentence in his mind,"And this creates a urge in me to nib your red ears."

He pulls her cheeks and says, "You think so much. Give some rest to your sparrow brains."

He walks away.

Avantika calls out,"Arjun aren't you going to have breakfast with us?!"

He yells back answering her query, "Mom it's a silly question to ask. You know I don't eat before work out."

Radhika couldn't help but smile at his antics. Oh God this Arjun was so fun to be with. He laughed and joked like normal people. It was so refreshing to see his eyes sparkling with humor and not brimming with tears of pain, he holds back. He had a very hard shell which helped him to hide his worries, miseries and pain. Not even once she saw him talking his heart out to any of the family members. Anu and his Dad was out of question but Avantika was so close to his heart. In fact she ruled his mind, heart, body and soul. Then why he didn't opened up to his mom?! Radhika couldn't help but feel proud over his vigorous, robust and unyielding personality. He never wants to burden others with his troubles but he takes others worries and stress on his strong and broad shoulders. He takes care of his loved ones but then who takes care of him?! No one!! Why?! Because he does not want to be taken care of. Radhika was in awe of Arjun and that was crystal clear.

Avantika lovingly says, "Darling, please sit down and have breakfast with me."

Radhika stands erect and fidgets with her fingers nervously. She didn't knew why but she wanted to wait for Arjun to come back.

Avantika said teasingly, "If you want to wait for him then let me inform you he takes a lot of time. If still you want to wait..."

Radhika cheeks flushed and she says shyly,"Mom I think I'll wait."

Avantika arched an eyebrow with suspicion rather in a teasing manner, "Radhika, did something happened between you and him?! Something of that kind." She winked.

Radhika turned her face away but couldn't hide the red linked to her cheeks.

She pleaded, "Mom please it's not like that."

Avantika ate her food and got up. She couldn't stifle her laughter more. Shy and blushing Radhika was really a sight to watch.

She walks to her and pats her cheek. She teased, "Make me grand mom soon. I can't wait to run behind little Radhika or little Arjun."

Radhika hides her face in her hands feeling completely shy, nervous and
demure.

Avantika pulls her in a hug and assures, "OK I won't tease you more."

Radhika breaks the hug and asks, "Mom, where is Arjun?!"

Avantika smirks, "Awww...you can't stay a hour away from him. "

Radhika tries to run away to hide her blushing state but Avantika holds her hand and tells, "Go straight and turn to left....Third room."

Radhika absconds before Avantika could pull her leg more.

She follows the direction and finally stands in front of the door of the third room in row. She knocks.

"Come in."

A familiar strong, firm husky tone was heard.

She pushes open the door and steps inside. Her eyes widened like the blossoms of spring seeing the hulk in front of her. His well built, robust strong body drenched in his own sweat. She turns around and says, "I think I'll stand outside."

He smiles,"Who are you?! My watchman to stand outside?!"

She clears her throat and says, "I'll wait outside."

He quickly takes long and fast strides towards you. He holds her arm and makes her face him. He pushes the door and latches it. He pins her to the door and says in a hoarse tone, "People to come me on their own will but go only when I let them go."

She tries to free her hand but fails. She looks at him confusingly,"Wh...What...are...yo...you...saying?!"

He tucks her loose hair strands behind her ear with his other hand and replies, "Leave that...Tell me why you are here?!"

He leans closer until theirs faces are just few inches away. He drinks in her irresistible beauty. God!! Those bewitchingly beautiful light brown eyes will be the death of him. The way she stares at him, Her soft gaze piercing his soul. Her kissable rose petals seemed like the most softest thing in the world. He didn't even realized when he got distracted or should I say lost in her. Realization dawned him when he felt her scooting away from him. He held her tightly and said in a daring tone, "No no don't dare to move an inch away from me. First answer my question."

She lifts the curtain of her eyelashes and looks at him nervously,"Which question?!"

He cocked an eyebrow,"You want me to repeat?!"

She bobs her head.

"Why you came here?!"He repeats his query.

She tries to answer, "I...I..I...want.."

He cuts her off, "You what?!"

She answers without keeping a check on her words, "I want you."

He gapes at her with pure shock. But her expression was seriously priceless. He had understood everything but still he wanted to tease her. He bits his cheek to stop his lips from stretching into a smile.

He traces her cheek with his finger and says in a seductive tone, "So you were saying you want me?! So here or our bedroom?!"

She stares at him with pure confusion, "Bed?!"

After a pause of minutes she understands what he meant. She frowns, "You have no shame. I was calling you to have breakfast with him." She was trying to sound angry but she was scarlet at the same time.

He moves closer to her and whispers in her ear, "You look beautiful when you blush. You should do it often."

Her eyes spring open and her ears stood up hearing his compliment.

She opens her mouth to say something but his phone kept on the divan nearby rings. He distances himself from her and says, "Just a minute."

He receives the call.

"Yes Raj."

Radhika grabs the opportunity and unlatches the door and runs out.

"Radh....I mean Raj"He has a slip of tongue.

"I'll tell you my decision tomorrow."He disconnects and turns around to find no sign of Radhika.

He walks towards the dining area. He smiles when he finds her waiting for him at the dinning table. He sits down on the chair opposite to her.

He says, "I didn't expect to find you here."

She replies,"I was waiting for you since what it feels like long ago. So why won't I be here?!"

He states, "Two hours isn't long ago."

She thinks for a moment and says, "Two hours is long ago for a hungry person."

His lips stretched into a smile, "You should have eaten with mom."

She thinks in her mind, "But I wanted to eat with you."

There was omlete and pancakes for breakfast. She took the pancakes while he opted for the second option.

She moaned relishing every bit of pancake.

He laughed,"You sure do have a liking for sweet things. I guess we have nothing in common."

She asks,"You don't like sweet?!"

He replies, "That's not true....I like you...You are sweet."

Her eyes widened,"You like me?!"

He shakes his head, "Yah you are likable." He completes his sentence in his mind, "Not only likable, Anybody can fall for you. But I don't have a heart to give you because I lost it long ago."

He gets up and leaves.

She stands and stares at his retreating figure. She wonders if he meant what he said. But it felt wonderful to hear him praising her for the first time.

She departs leaving behind smiling Radhika.

Sorry for updating late I was busy... Today no questions....You may review and tell me what you think of today's update. Till then bye and take care.