Haven't proof read. Do point out typos/errors will correct them right away.

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Chapter 29 : Pillow Talks

Abhi giggled as his step faltered yet again. Aadarsh who had his arm around his brother took a deep breath holding back a curse. "Careful, Abhi!" He spoke over the loud reverberating music as they made their way towards the exit.

He felt an arm graze his, his gaze flew towards Abhi to find Ruhaani supporting his other arm on her shoulders. Her left arm went around Abhi's back, just lined up below his. Their arms flushed against each other as they both supported him.

"I can manage," he said looking at her. Ruhaani was in high spirits, laughing loudly, smiling generously and cracking stupid jokes. Thankfully, she still held onto her sanity unlike Abhi who could barely manage to coordinate his steps or his thoughts.

"I know, but this will be easier." She replied, supporting Abhi to walk, making it easier for him.

"I wish you guys were my parents." Abhi sighed wistfully. "Papa Aadi, Mumma Ruhi,"

Aadarsh rolled his eyes, controlling his urge to whack his brother's head. The last thing he wanted was Abhi to spill out whatever he had eaten and drank through the day.

Ruhaani however laughed out loud. Aadarsh mentally made a note to never let both of them get drunk together. They both would drive him to the depths of insanity.

"Abhi baby," Ruhaani cooed, adding to Abhi's joke and they laughed.

However Abhi's laugh died quickly, succeeded by a rather low voice. "I miss Maa."

Aadarsh blinked, focusing on getting them out of the place.

"I miss my Maa too!" Ruhaani sighed.

Abhi turned to Ruhaani abruptly and moved his arm to hug her. Aadarsh pulled his hand back to keep the man's balance. Abhi had little control on his body, he'd only end up toppling on Ruhaani.

"Abhi, just don't talk and keep your arm around me, if you want to get out of here. I told you not to have stupid shots."

"He's so rude, all the time." Abhi whined.

Ruhaani agreed, "I know, I know. Don't take him seriously. I don't too."

Abhi let out a rather giggly laugh.

Aadarsh sighed, glad that they were through the alley and finally out.

"It's so damn cold." Ruhaani mumbled, stepping out, shuddering a bit.

Aadarsh looked towards the car where Ashvi had already ready with the door open. "Ashvi," he called out to his sister, "Please come here."

She nodded walking up to them.

"Hold Ruhaani's hand." Aadarsh instructed her.

Ashvi looked at her Bhabhi, puzzled, just as the latter.

"She's wearing heels and is also drunk." He explained, wondering why his younger siblings for once couldn't just blindly trust him. He literally always did what was best.

"I can manage myself. I am not drunk. Abhimanyu is." Ruhaani protested.

"Ruhaani," Aadarsh said in a tight voice, shooting a gaze at her. He immediately caught her narrow her eyes at him, ready to get into a battle right there. The drinks just made her more unapologetically herself. "Please, just hold Ashvi's hand." He said changing his words.

Ruhaani blinked a couple of times looking at him and then at Ashvi, wondering if she heard that right. "what did you say?" she asked unable to believe what she had just heard. Aadarsh was requesting her, so nicely. It must surely be the tequila finally hitting her brain.

"I said, please, let Ashvi hold your hand."

Ruhaani blinked perplexed again wondering why was he being so sweet. She was ready to argue but then this man left her confused again. She was still wondering when Aadarsh moved ahead with Abhi while leaving Ashvi to hold her hand. He purposely took the side of the pebbles so that Ashvi moved Ruhaani to the other side which was a relatively flat surface.

"I miss Paa too," Abhi mumbled, as Aadarsh made him sit on the back seat. "When I'd doze off on the carpet while watching TV, he'd pick me up, take me our room and tuck me in." He turned to his brother glossy eyed. "I miss him. Them."

Aadarsh ran a hand through his brother's hair and then kissed his forehead, like their father used to. He shut the door of the back seat and walked over to the other side. No matter how much he tried, a part of Abhi would always miss his father, love his father never mind everything that had happened.

Ruhaani was whispering something, very loudly, in Ashvi's ears. He could hear some hushed words but nothing more. Then she laughed and Ashvi turned to him, pointing to her temple and then swaying her hand in the air indicating— Ruhaani was losing it.

"Let me help her, you get into the car." He said, placing his hand on Ruhaani's shoulder.

"Come on," he said softly.

"You're driving?" She asked, as he led her towards the open door of the back seat.

"Yes, come on, sit." He said holding the door in place.

She went closer to the car to get in but then stopped and turned to him abruptly . "Say please," she uttered her face a few inches away from his.

Aadarsh's jaw tightened as he noticed the amusement shine in her eyes and the corner of her lips quirk, ready to smile. His victory of a few minutes ago was backfiring on him.

"Not funny, Ruhaani. Get in" He muttered, looking around.

Ruhaani folded her arms. "Say it with a please."

Aadarsh inched closer to her. "If you don't get in, I am going to lift you up and shove you in," his eyes that almost matched the color of the midnight sky stared right into her dazzling light honey brown ones.

"You can't move an inch of me without my will." She said stubbornly.

"You'll be surprised," he muttered, glancing at her lips then looking back at her eyes.

"Say a please." She stuck to her demand.

"Ruhaani, stop being immature."

"You, Mister, stop ordering me. Say it with a please. Now."

Aadarsh's lips thinned. What an irony! She was ordering him to stop ordering her. "Please, get into the car, Ruhaani." He said in a voice so measured and packed that it almost felt like it strained him to say those words.

Ruhaani smiled, at her victory. The curve of her lips bright and wide. She complied with his wishes and sat in. Aadarsh sighed, he had to get even with her for this, later. He was about the shut the door when he noticed the water bottle next to her feet.

His gaze shifted to her face to realize she wasn't even looking at him, she had turned to talk to Abhi. He leaned forward, picked the bottle from beside her feet, his gaze momentarily falling on her feet. It slowly moved up as the inky black strap of her fancy footwear wrapped in criss-cross fashion around her ankle, twinning slightly up to her calf muscle.

He looked away as soon as he realized what he had been doing and placed the water bottle in the holder in the door. He shut the door and drew out a sharp breath. The night was turning out to be so much crazier than he had expected.

In a few minutes over fifteen they were home. Aadarsh parked the car in the open parking on the side and got out quickly. He walked around the car to help Abhi out.

"Get Ruhaani in," he spoke to her sister who nodded, "and also lock the car," he said handing her the keys.

"Oh we're home! Home Sweet Home." Abhi said aloud as he got out and Aadarsh kicked the door close. If only Abhi wasn't mightier in physique than him, he could have literally scooped the man in his arms like he did with Pari and taken him in.

"I miss our old home though," Abhi said making Aadarsh sigh. Whiskey plus Tequila seemed to be quite a deadly depressing combination. It wasn't the first time he was dealing with a drunk Abhi. But he had never had such depressing thoughts. If anything he would just keep yapping about non significant stuff. Or perhaps, nostalgia had already been on his mind before he drank. It was said that only what went on a man's mind came put heightened by the spirits.

"You miss our home?" Abhi asked, turning to his brother, his arm looped around his brother's neck while the other held his hand. "it was small but it was ours, wasn't it?" his voice had started to slur very prominently now.

"Abhi remember one thing, never have Tequila in your life again. Especially not after scotch." Aadarsh said dragging the man towards the steps of the porch as fast as he could.

"Come on, up the stairs," Aadarsh instructed his brother while the latter refused to move his feet up.

"first, tell me."

Aadarsh's jaw muscled tightened. "this is my home." He said pointing to the building. "Our home. Come on now," he said, quickly running up the stairs to unlock the door using his key. Once he open the door he turned to find Ruhaani and Ashvi supporting Abhi, as they helped him up the stairs. He quickly stepped into the very dimly lit house.

"Towards the lift," he instructed his sister, as the two women entered in and continued to support Abhi. He quickly locked the door and looked around. It seemed like everyone including Dai Jaan was asleep. It was after all half past one. He marched to the lift.

He stepped in, after the other three had. In silence the lift rode up to the first floor.

"I had fun tonight, Bhabhs!" Abhi said suddenly. "Thanks partner in crime."

All three of them who had been looking elsewhere looked up at him. Ruhaani with a smile, Ashvi with amusement and Aadarsh with surprise.

"I had fun too!" Ruhaani said with a smile so genuine that it seemed to have originated right from the depths of her heart.

"Surprisingly me too, being sober that is!" Ashvi added, as they walked out. Aadarsh had taken her responsibility of holding Abhi and she had gladly let him. She could barely manage her brother's weight.

"Shots was the best part of the evening. Right Bhabhs." Abhi said as they walked towards his room.

"Damn Right!"

"Shh, guys." Aadarsh admonished. "Don't be loud, you'll wake up the kids."

"Oh the kids." Abhi muttered, "we have kids at home."

"Good night Bhaiya, Bhai, Bhabhs, " Ashvi said quickly hurrying to her room.

"Poor thing," Ruhaani said softly, chuckling.

"What happened to her?" Aadarsh asked, pulling Abhi's arm around his shoulders.

"She's been holding her pee for the whole ride."

Abhi chuckled, his head drooped forward and his eyes barely open. Once they were in his room, Aadarsh made him lay down on the bed. He shifted his legs in place then removed his shoes and socks. Ruhaani watched on silently, while she unfolded the blanket on the bed. Aadarsh moved towards the head of the bed and leaned on the mattress to adjust Abhi's head on the pillow.

"Thank you," Abhi whispered, opening his eyes momentarily then closing it with a sigh.

Aadarsh's hands paused at his hair and he stared at his brother's face while Ruhaani made him wear the blanket. She waited but Aadarsh seemed to be lost. She quietly retreated from the room to check on the kids, leaving Aadarsh with Abhi.

Aadarsh turned around briefly to see her walk out. He turned back to his brother. He hated being so helpless. He did everything to keep his siblings happy. Somehow he couldn't fill all gaps.

He leaned forward and kissed his brother's forehead. "I miss Maa too. I miss what our father used to be. I miss home too Abhi. I wish I didn't." His voice was a whisper.

He then turned away from his face, lowering his gaze to Abhi's hand. He quietly reached his pocket to pull out hid phone and placed it on the nightstand. Then slowly pulling up the blanket to cover his brother up, he gave him one last look, before walking out of the room.

Aadarsh's steps took him to the kids rooms. He knew he'd find Ruhaani there. He just knew. He stood by the door frame, leaning against it as he saw Ruhaani by the bed that Mukti slept on. There used to be two beds in the big room but now there were three, in a U like shape.

He watched on quietly standing in the shadows, watching her correct the blanket and then kissed Mukti's forehead. She then moved to Pari's bed, that was horizontally placed backed against the wall, and did the same for her. Additionally, taking the spare pillow that had fallen she placed it in front.

He tilted his head trying to see her face to make out anything but could hardly. Ruhaani was simply still for a minute. Then she leaned in and shifted Pari more towards the wall. Aadarsh smiled. Ruhaani's thoughtfulness was rare.

It was surprising at times that the same person who had barely known her parents, who was brought up by a couple who'd any day throw her under the bus for their own kid child be so gentle, so caring, so thoughtful about kids.

His gaze followed her to the bed Nirvaan slept on. He slept curled up like a new-born quite contrary to the girls. She kneeled by his bed and ran a hand on his hair, slowly blessing him with a forehead kiss too. He stirred immediately.

Aadarsh's lips parted. Perhaps she had woken him up.

"You're home," he whispered.

"Yes, right here." She whispered back. "I am home. Good night, sleep well," she said in a hushed voice. In the silence of the room he could even hear the whispers. She kissed his forehead again.

"I love you, okay." She added, leaning over to hug his sleeping form.

Aadarsh could only notice Nirvaan's hands touch Ruhaani's arm and then he heard his murmur, "good night."

A smiled made it to Aadarsh's face. Ruhaani stayed by his side for a few minutes after covering him with the blanket that laid untouched at the foot of his bed.

When Ruhaani was sure, that Nirvaan had fallen into slumber, she slowly got up and stealthily made her way out of the room. She gasped as she caught a pair of jet back eyes in the darkness looked her.

He placed a finger on his lips, gesturing her to keep quiet. He then held her hand and they walked away from the room.

"You almost freaked me out." She said as they made their way to their room.

"You're being too loud." He said softly, releasing the hold on her hand.

"And you're being a creep."

Aadarsh sighed entering his room. "It's been a really long night. I'd prefer silence and sleep." He mumbled quickly slipping out of his shoes standing against the wall. He switched on the lights of the room and shut the door. His gaze moved to her as she sat on his side of the bed. She was bending forward, her hand stretched to untie the straps of the footwear. Aadarsh licked his dry lips as his eyes caught glimpse of the top of her quite well endowed bosom.

He turned away and walked into he wardrobe. Ruhaani was a woman. It was natural for him to observe her. However it felt odd, given that up until now things had been very smooth. It had only started to go out of his control since the night she had gawked at him like she's want to please him.

Up until now he knew what he wanted. It was clear. No lust, no attraction of any sort. But now he wondered about her. Clearly, she would have expectations, desires. Was she waiting for him to make the first move? Did she want him to make the first move? Women generally expected it from men. But was that what his wife wanted?

As he washed his face he looked in the mirror. Thinking of the moments from the night.

Dancing with her. He did it out of courtesy. It was expected of him to dance with his wife. She seemed happy. Her smile had said it all, it was contagious her sweet smile.

Holding her, supporting her. It was expected of him as her husband to support her, to steady her where she faltered.

He sprinkled some more cold water onto his face. He pulled the hand towel, wiped his face and forearms. Changing into his comfortable night t-shirt and cotton pants he stepped out. His gaze went around the room to find her at the vanity. Struggling to undo the hook of her dress at the back of her neck. He looked away, walking to his side of the bed. He used his feet to push her fancy black footwear under the bed. He then arranged the pillows to his liking. His eyes darted towards her. She was still there, struggling.

He turned around and walked to his work desk. He picked up his phone and started going through his notifications. A minute later, his gaze raised from his face towards her. Still struggling.

He placed his phone on the desk and marched up to her. "Let me help," he said standing behind her, his gaze meeting hers via the mirror.

"I can..." she said hesitantly.

"I won't make you say please for it. You can ask for my help if you need it." He said, his gaze dropping to the nape of her neck. His fingers slowly reached her dress, as hers moved away. His gaze momentarily lowered to her visible skin. However just as quickly it recovered and focused on the hook. It was a single hook. How hard could one hook be!

He tried to undo it. He tried to draw the hook out of the tiny loop made of a thicker thread. When it didn't come off at three tries, he inverted it a bit and let out a sigh. "It's closed in."

Ruhaani exhaled sharply. "Forget it, I will just try to get this dress out without that."

"Or." Aadarsh said, gazing at her through the mirror and then lowered his gaze. His fingers tightly holding the two ends. "We can just rip the loop apart." He pulled at the hook with force and it came apart however so did the loop from the other flap of her dress.

"Are you crazy? This is an expensive dress!" Ruhaani muttered, her hand reaching her nape. She didn't feel the fabric of the dress but her skin.

Aadarsh's gaze lowered as the only hook holding the dropped shaped window that gave view of her skin broadened on the top. Her prominent shoulder blades tempting him to run his knuckles along them and feel them up.

Ruhaani turned around to look at him. But her neckline also loosened as the hook holding it in place had come undone. It hung lower than it was. She only realized it when Aadarsh's gaze lowered to it.

Placing a hand on the front of her dress, she quickly turned away and walked into the wardrobe. Aadarsh stared at the mirror. He should get some sleep. It would be the best for him. However, his body seemed to be in disagreement. There wasn't a speck as drowsiness in his eyes. He drew a deep breath and out and walked to the balcony after lowering the temperature on the air conditioner. He hated the room so hot, it almost became suffocating.

A while later when Ruhaani stepped back into their bedroom dressed in her usual comfy nightwear that was a combination of an oversized full sleeve cotton t-shirt and cotton pajamas, she looked around. Her eyes almost automatically went up to see the temperature reading on the air conditioner.

Eighteen. Than man was mad.

She picked up the remote and brought it up to Twenty-three. She almost shivered as strong cold breeze blew over her from the side. She looked towards the balcony as her husband stepped in and locked the door behind him.

His gaze instantly went up to the air conditioner upon noticing it's remote in her hand. "The room was stuffy."

"You just needed an excuse to make this room a freezer," she said, walking towards the bed. Aadarsh gave her a full look. Who'd say she was the one looking like a skilled seductress a few minutes back.

"You need an excuse to argue with me," he spoke stepping forward blocking her way.

"Get out of my way," she commanded

"Give me the remote." He ordered.

"You're being rude." Ruhaani expressed her thoughts folding her arms.

Aadarsh stepped forward, his toes almost an inch away from hers. "It's too warm for me to sleep. Give me the remote." He said keeping his gaze to her eyes.

"It's cold for me."

He sighed. "Fine. Halfway. Twenty."

"Still cold." She argued.

"Wear two blankets." He reasoned.

"You don't wear a blanket."

"You're being unreasonably stubborn." He spoke in a voice slightly above a whisper, his face inching closer to hers. His gaze dropping to her lips for a moment and then focusing back on her eyes.

"So are you." Ruhaani whispered, her heart was thumping hard and fast, her eyelashes fluttering under his strong gaze. Those pools of darkness he had for eyes, intimidated her.

Aadarsh moved his hand calculatedly towards hers. His face titling to the right and moving still closed. He pulled the remote out of her hand and she gasped. Aadarsh smiled broadly. "Thanks!" He whispered close to her ears before pulling away and walking away to his side of the bed.

Ruhaani blinked. She swallowed the lump of the embarrassment in her throat. She turned to him as he set the temperature to twenty degrees centigrade.

"It's still cold."

"it's in your mind," he said settling on his bed.

"You're very annoying. Why don't you go to Antarctica and camp with penguins there?" She spoke climbing onto the bed.

"For the record, I made it twenty. As for Antarctica that's cold for me too."

"Not colder than your heart." She muttered, unfolding the top part of the duvet that they shared.

"I didn't hear that, what did you say?" He asked as he hid the remote under his pillow.

"I asked," she said briefly turning to him as she placed a pillow between them. "what happens during Delhi summers? Do you get sun burned like vampires do?"

He rolled his eyes, pulling the duvet towards himself. "No, I stay indoors in air conditioned places."

"I really don't understand, why do you like it so cold?"

"It's a preference." He spoke laying back on the bed, covering himself with duvet till his abdomen.

"Your preferences are highly stupid. Do you know one can get a heart attack of cold?" She asked lying down.

"Don't worry, I will be fine."

"I am not worrying about you, but me." She deadpanned.

Aadarsh chuckled and turned to her. She smiled turning to him. Finally the man could laugh on her witty comebacks. It felt like she had moved the Mount Everest.

"Why this pillow between us?" he asked.

Ruhaani's smile faltered. "because... because I miss Pari." She came up with an excuse, placing her hand on the pillow. "I can hug it thinking she's here."

He stared into her eyes. "Why is she not sleeping with us?"

"Cause she thinks she's a big girl now and wants her own bed to sleep on."

Aadarsh sighed looking up at the ceiling. "You didn't switch off the lights."

"It isn't my duty, Aadarsh."

"You got on the bed last."

"that's because you distracted me ... " She momentarily closed her eyes and then quickly covered up her folly, "by snatching the remote. Otherwise I would have got on the bed first. You are going to have to switch it off."

"Say it with a please, I may."

Ruhaani turned to look at him. He slowly turned his head to the side to meet her gaze. She was grinning. "Trying to get even, Mister? Isn't it... what was you word" She pretended to be thinking hard and then said, "...Too immature for you?"

"Whatever!" He muttered turning away and getting off the bed. He switched off the lights and returned to the bed, slipping under the duvet.

They both stared up at the ceiling. He had also switched on the fan. The man had twisted ways of getting even. But she was smarter. She wasn't going to call him out for it. If she didn't address it, it wasn't his win.

"Have you had tequila before?" She asked out of nowhere after a prolonged silence.

"Yes, it sucks big time."

"Did you get drunk on it? I don't feel drunk at all."

"You had a single shot, which by the way is right for a first timer."

"Abhi had one too. The man was knocked out."

"He's a lightweight anyway, don't get fooled by his physique. And he got drunk cause he had two large drinks of scotch before that. I knew it would be a bad idea."

"He seemed sad," she said softly.

"Alcohol is a depressant."

"Rubbish. I feel quite nice. I actually enjoyed the evening. It was different, it was fun." She said, smiling up at the ceiling. The entire evening ran in her mind. Drinking with Abhi, walking around the place with Ashvi commenting about people's dresses, dancing with them and Aadarsh's company. God, she never thought there would be a day when she would enjoy Aadarsh's company.

"Thank you," she added slowly turning to her side so that she could easily see him, without having to turn her head again and again.

He mimicked her action and turned to the side, looking at her straight. "For?"

"Not being a party pooper." She remarked with an amused smile.

The corners of his lips quirked, "Sleep, Ruhaani. Good night."

She blinked once and continued to gaze at him. He looked back at her. His hand came forward to rest on the pillow and his gaze shifted to the pillow. Hers dropped to his hand too. Their hands were lined up in parallel, his below hers, the distance between them shy of an inch.

"Good night, Aadarsh."

His gaze went back to her. His breathing deep. He watched on as she slowly closed her eyes. He parted his lips letting out a deep exhale. His gaze falling on her hand, then focusing on the wedding ring, until sleep closed his eyes.

***

A soft sigh escaped her lips as she felt the warm caress on her abdomen. Her eyes slowly opened, letting the light in. Her gaze settled on his face. Aadarsh, her husband. Her suddenly alert eyes flickered around and registered what was happening. The pillow in between was gone, replaced by a very handsome man.

"Morning," he whispered and her eyes flew to his to realize he had been staring at her.

"Aadarsh," she whispered, understanding that the source of warmth on her skin under her t-shirt was his hand.

"Hmm," he hummed pressing his lips against the side of her neck.

"What are you doing?" She whispered squeezing her eyes shut as his lips grazed her skin.

"Something that was long overdue in our marriage." She heard him say those words that got her pulse racing.

"But, you... I..." she drew out a sharp breath as his lips moved away.

"We've been ignoring this for too long..."

She opened her eyes and turned to him. Her hazel eyes settling on his usual seemingly black ones, that for a change in the morning light appeared rich chocolate brown. "Trust me, I need it as much as you do." With that his hand slipped lower and lower and lower; just as her anticipation soared higher and higher and higher.

• — • — •

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. 

Next : Monday

Don't forget to vote ☆ on the chapters.

—Anami!♡