Apologies for the delay. Had a long day and then it took a long time to proof read this long chapter. (6.4k words)  longest chapter so far!

Hope you enjoy this long chapter.

• • •

Chapter 52 : Long Day

With hungry desires, wet lips and labored breaths they stared at each other as they parted from each other's mouth.

Ruhaani was in a daze. He was so damn good at this. His hands were still firmly pressed against her back, just shy of lowering to her backside. His long breaths and dark intent look made her legs jelly.

"The kind that doesn't kiss me and pretend like it never happened."

That is what she had said!

She wanted to run away and hide somewhere. By the heat she felt on her face she knew that her visage would be a glorious crimson. She slowly began withdrawing her fingers from his hair, unable to meet his gaze as of yet.

Her hands lowered to the back of his neck slowly. She keenly observed how his lips pressed together into a tighter line. Fascinated, she slowed her hands as they moved further. Her palms and the full length of her fingers, traced a journey from the back of his neck to his shoulders, running over every inch of his sculpted muscles.

Aadarsh was trying hard to hold himself back. One bold kiss of wild purpose, was all it took to have him hard for her. The movement of her hands was not helping. He wanted to feel those soft hands all over his skin. Ideas—inappropriate and crude ones—filled his imagination. Unable to restrain his urge he pulled her closer to himself. His hands pressing against the soft flesh of her back through the thin fabric of the kurti she wore. The curve of her back was so beautifully feminine.

Caught off-guard, she gasped, her hands immediately flattening against his chest firmly. A barely successful attempt to keep their upper bodies from pressing against each other.

"Do you think I can pretend that ..." while his one arm stayed curled around hers securing her in his hold, his right hand reached to touch her face. His thumb rubbed her now plump lips, a consequence of his lascivious assault. "...this didn't happen?" His voice was suddenly low.

Ruhaani shut her eyes tight, the moment his thumb ran over her lower lip, roughly. A fervid wave of delight coursed its way down her spine. It felt good. So good, that she wanted it again and after that again. Her eyes flew open, jerking out of her moment of indulgence, when he whispered her name. The pad of his thumb now circling lazy patterns over her cheeks. A pool of heat began to form between her legs.

Her left hand immediately grasped his right wrist, in an attempt to halt his sweet assault on her senses.

"You better not!" She had said before her mind's filter could even certify that was capable of being said.

Aadarsh's eyes brightened up with something that was a blend of amusement, admiration and desire. He wanted to kiss her mouth just for saying that. His gaze lowered to her lips again.

No.

Just one more.

No.

An internal debate started in his mind. One between greed and reason. He wouldn't stop at a kiss, if he kissed her again.

Further, he reminded himself of what he had just said to her. An annoyance brewed inside him. He had to work this out as she wanted it. He was doing this for her. Not for himself.

Ruhaani had lost words. Her mind was in an altogether different zone. She didn't want to get out of his hold. She wanted him in every way possible. She didn't care at this point about what he felt. She felt a need that she wanted him to fulfill.

A mad rush sparked her actions.

Her hands slowly began to move again, this time caressing his chest. Rhyme and reason was lost. Her body was a mere slave to all her desires and needs. She leaned closer, taking her lips towards his.

A knock rattled on their door, immediately making her withdraw. She pulled back her hands from him like she had received an electric shock. Both their heads snapped towards the door and immediately back at each other with slightly widened eyes.

Aadarsh was still spiraling in some sort of unexpected shock. Ruhaani was making a move. It left him a little surprised.

"Aadarsh," she whispered his name to draw his attention. Her hand had reached his that was still very firmly wound around her waist. "Leave me," she added, when he simply stared at her, rather dumbly.

Aadarsh's hazed gaze lowered to her hand that was trying hard to peel his off her waist. His gaze slowly climbed back to hers as clarity sunk in. They were so freaking close. Her bosom was just few inches away from his chest. They could be still more closer.

"Won't that be pretending this..." he touched his lips and then hers, using his forefinger, "...didn't happen?"

Ruhaani stared at him in disbelief, although she felt a spark at her lips when his fingertip touched. There was a streak of defiance in his dark bold eyes, a hue of amusement, a touch of sexy naughtiness. All that, that made him so damn desirable.

The knock rattled again, breaking their reverie.

"Take your hand off, now!" She commanded, her voice still soft but words firm.

He tightened his hold and leaned closer to her face, making her arch back, her head touching the wall behind. The air between them suddenly charged. His forefinger hooking beneath her chin and making her tilt her face up ever so lightly so that her eyes met his. "Try that with a please, I may."

Ruhaani stared at him. Of course this was Aadarsh Sehgal, always out to even scores. But she wasn't going to let him win. Not a snowball's chance in hell. She tried to push him, placing both her hands against his chest.

He smiled at her futile attempt. "Saying it with a 'please' is easier, idiot!" He muttered, a sweet mockery that was like music to her ears.

"And you say you want to be a husband I want?" She challenged him. Her eyes fiercely challenging him while her hands dropped to her side.

He chuckled. "How very demanding!" He muttered, his gaze lowering to her lips for the split of a second. He withdrew his arm and raised both his hands in air stepping back.

Ruhaani blinked, slightly overthrown by his move. Yes, she expected him to give in but not so sweetly, not so easily, not like he enjoyed his defeat. No, that wasn't him. He was all about fighting with her and winning, not losing.

She marched to the door, pushing aside all thoughts and everything that happened. Her body however seemed to have his imprint right from his lingering touch around her waist to the feel of his supple lips on hers.

He was one hell of a good kisser, she would give him that. A top notch seducer too, her brain added.

"Good Morning Bhabhs!" Abhi announced, after a brief moment of gazing at his brother's wife.

"Oh, you're up before sunset!" Ruhaani exclaimed. Her snarky remark was rewarded by a roll of the man's eyes.

"You're spending way too much time with Bhai these days." Abhi remarked entering the room past her. "He's all over you, these days."

Ruhaani's heart skipped a beat, the heat on her cheeks intensified. Her hand quickly ran down her dress and the other up to lips.

"Mocking like him, scolding like him.." he abruptly turned around, "speaking of him, where is he?"

Ruhaani only then noticed that the man who had been her tormentor just seconds back, was missing.

"Washroom!" She guessed, after darting her gaze at the still closed balcony door and then towards the study desk on the other side of the room. She said it loud enough for him to hear if he was keenly listening.

"Is he mad at me?"

"Maybe?" Ruhaani shrugged. Unable to pay heed to Abhi. Her mind was still on her moment with her husband.

Abhi nodded looking around the room awkwardly.

The closed room door, his brother in the bathroom, the unusually long time taken to open the door of the room on a laid back hour on the weekend. The dots formed a vague picture in his head.

He didn't want to think it. But he did think it and now he felt all weird.

Aadarsh and Ruhaani never really closed the door of the room. He couldn't recollect once single instance. Even in the nights, the door to their bedroom was always open.

"So, I heard you were completely knocked out by drinking last night?" Ruhaani asked, folding her arms walking up to him.

"I.I.I uh. ... I Wasn't knocked out. You heard wrong. In fact, last night was actually super fun. You should have come along. The DJ was so damn good."

"You mean at his job?" Ruhaani blurted out her thoughts.

"Yeah, what else?" Abhi asked perplexed.

Ruhaani shook her head. Aadarsh was good at so many things. Especially, damn good at kissing.

"I had plans to bake cookies today, you want to help?" She said suddenly, diverting the topic. She did have plans to bake but for tomorrow. However, she couldn't think of anything else that would take her away from the room and distract her thoughts and also the conversation with Abhi.

She had never felt so before. So powerful, so nice, so cherished, so sexy. It was like a high. Much better than the one brought around by alcohol. Made her feel nice, distracted her from matters that actually mattered.

It was a much needed distraction, to be honest. She would rather be driven crazy by this newfound physical intimacy than the ever-confusing relationship she shared with her husband.

Aadarsh who had been hearing their conversation hiding in the closet, finally relaxed, when he heard them leave. Using his fingers to set his hair, he moved to the mirror in the closet, with a stupid broad smile playing on his lips.

***

Aadarsh sat in the quiet of his room trying to focus on the printed documented in his hand. He couldn't. He had been reading the same sentence over and over.

He had always assumed Ruhaani would associate physical intimacy with emotional intimacy, something deeper, something meaningful.

He was surprised when she had led the conversation to the kiss. He was surprised she hadn't just walked away when he has told her he didn't want to fall into the love trap again.

His surprise multiplied when she came close again, for more. He didn't know why it was bothering him. So what? She was entitled to do whatever she wanted.

He had only indulged in meaningless physical intimacy in all these years. It didn't matter who he was with. It was a need of the body. It was driven by lust. Nothing else.

But today... it was different. The need was so damn powerful. Yet he hadn't been able to act on it. The need hadn't been physical as much as it had been... strange. He didn't know why it was different. Why was it so powerful yet so subduing?

***

Ruhaani had been chatting with Abhi and Ashvi in the kitchen while waiting for her freshly baked cookies to cool. She had started before noon but then had left it halfway to help Dai Jaan with lunch and had then resumed after lunch.

It was a laid back Saturday afternoon. Ashvi was back from college and they were simply hanging out in the kitchen. These impromptu conversations with them were like glimmers in a regular day.

No matter how much they spoke, there was always something more to talk about. Sometimes Abhi and her would rant about work life, at times Ashvi about her college. Sometimes they would gossip about bollywood celebs. At times, Abhi brought in gossips about a friend's friend's friend or someone like that. In short, never a dull moment.

Ruhaani had successfully avoided much interaction with her husband at lunch, thanks to the fact they sat at the ends of a very long table. Although she did catch him looking at her, and he did nothing to hide it. For an odd reason, it made her heart race frantically.

He didn't pretend it never happened!

"Ruhaani!" All three of them turned to the kitchen's entry, hearing Aadarsh's voice. Ruhaani straightened seeing her husband dressed from head to toes. He wore a white polo shirt, with black denims and sports shoes. For a fleeting few seconds she just admired his look, dumbstruck. She was jealous how he could look so dashing in something so minimal.

"Are you ready to leave?" he spoke looking at three of them and then at the tray of cookies on the kitchen island. Why wasn't he ever invited in these conversations they had?

"Yes, I am ready. I just have to... use the washroom." She said, grabbing Abhi's hand and glancing at the watch on his wrist to realize it was the time they had decided to leave by.

"Happy tooth extraction, Bhabhs!" Abhi grinned teasing her, knowing she was scared about it.

"Shut up!" She said punching his arm. She placed the jar she had washed and dried, to store the cookies. "Put the cookies into this, once they are cooled!"

"Shouldn't we like taste it first to make sure it's edib...tasty." Abhi changed the last word as soon as he felt his sister poke him in the ribs.

Ruhaani narrowed her eyes at him. "No need. I will come and taste them myself. Just do what you are told."

"Do you think I can come for a general tooth check-up too?" Ashvi remarked with a smile, passing a knowing look to her Bhabhi.

Ruhaani grinned. After her first visit she had so excitedly filled up Ashvi on how handsome the dentist was. She got to be stupid and silly with Ashvi. She loved that about their bond. They had their gushy girly talks that stayed between the two of them.

"Who goes for general check up to a dentist?" Abhi asked.

"A general teeth check up, duh. To make sure there are no deposits, cavities and the likes. You know...preventive check up for your mouth." Ashvi replied, eyeing her Bhabhi with amusement, that didn't go unnoticed by Aadarsh's watchful eyes.

"Next time perhaps." Ruhaani chuckled quickly biding them farewell and dashing out of the kitchen, after telling her husband she'd be back in few minutes.

Aadarsh ignored Abhi and began talking to Ashvi about her college. Apparently an annual fashion show was coming up soon and hence she had to go in every Saturday to prepare for that.

Twenty minutes later, they were on the road. They had taken Ruhaani's new car simply because she wanted to. She was driving while he was being the passenger princess.

They had been quiet for a few minutes. The USB drive of old songs was in his car, which left them with no option but to play the radio. However, two minutes of listening to jarring ads was enough for Aadarsh to turn it off.

An odd feeling had settled between them, it was something like awkwardness and yet not. Aadarsh didn't want to go back to the conversation about last night or today morning and yet wanted to go back to that kiss, to that playful conversation. Tease her about it.

His emotions confused him.

Ruhaani, for once, hadn't protested when he put on the air conditioner at a temperature of his liking. The air in the car felt too hot. Especially when she was aware of his smallest movement. Especially when all she had been thinking of, was the kiss, of how good his body felt close to hers. He had definitely played a number on her hormones. They were suddenly all so dedicated for him.

"I can't believe you told Ashvi that the dentist was good looking." Aadarsh finally spoke up to kill the annoying silence that was making him uncomfortable.

Ruhaani was caught off guard by that remark. First, he broke the silence. Second, he had noted and guessed what that exchange between him and Ashvi was about. Slowly the surprise transformed to amusement. "How did you know?"

"She's still my little sister, I know her. What rubbish have you been feeding her brain with?" He muttered, annoyed that his reading of the situation was accurate. Ruhaani found that stupid doctor so attractive that she had mentioned him to Ashvi.

"Don't spoil her." He added irately.

"I spoil her? And what do you do? Reality check, Mister Sehgal— you spoil everyone at home, all your siblings, each one of them. You just promised to get the kids ice-cream." She reminded him.

Mukti and Pari as usual were eager to come along. Ruhaani had to scare them by warning them that the dentist gave injections to kids who ate a lot of chocolate. Aadarsh to make them happy had promised he'd bring them ice-cream while coming back home.

"So? It's summer. Even I like ice-cream in summer." He shrugged.

"You like ice-cream irrespective of the weather." Ruhaani muttered turning the car to the right at the circle.

A small smile played at Aadarsh's lips and he looked at her from the corner of his eyes. She knew that about him! It just felt nice to know she knew the small details about him.

"By the way, what's your reason for ignoring Abhi? Had a difficult conversation with him?" She absolutely relished taunting him. However she kept the smile from her lips. Poke the bear for fun, but not too much.

Aadarsh's jaw pulled tight at her jibe. He ignored it and answered her question. "I had warned him to not get drunk."

"Why? He went out with his friends, had a drink or two...

"Drinking and getting drunk is not the same. And because, I am scared he'll make it a habit. That's what my father did. It's in the genes to succumb to it." He snapped, cutting her statement short.

She glanced at him with a solemn look. "He's not going to. He's sensible."

"Everyone thinks they are until it becomes an impulse. Until they lose control." Aadarsh sighed turning to look out of the window. He would never want Abhi to be anything like their father. Never.

Ruhaani said nothing further. Aadarsh was a protective brother. She would be too, if she were in his shoes. After knowing he had chosen his siblings over everything he wanted from life, she knew where he was coming from.

A deep silence fell between them for the rest of the drive. As they walked up the stairs that led up to the entrance of the clinic she felt his hand on her back. The unexpected touch brought back the sweet memory from the morning.

She turned to the side to glance at him. He raised an eyebrow, questioning her sudden look. She shook her head and looked forward again. Definitely her hormones partying hard today.

She wouldn't deny that it felt good. So damn satisfying to have his attention, his protectiveness, his touch.

Was falling out of love even an option for her? She only seemed to be falling deeper for him, despite everything, despite all things he said to hurt her and destroy her hopes.

"Hi, we have an appointment in the name of Ruhaani Sehgal." Aadarsh spoke as they stood at the reception desk. His hand gracefully dropping to his side.

The girl behind the desk gave him a wide smile. "Let me check, Sir. Yes, I see it. Please be seated, the doctor is busy at the moment. He should be free in a few minutes."

"Thanks!" He said, turning around. "There," he pointed to an isolated row of chairs.

"So, no flirting with her today?" Ruhaani leaned towards him making a teasing remark.

"What do you mean?" He muttered, looking around as they settled. The clinic was surprisingly not crowded. His arm casually rested on top of the back rest of the chair she sat on.

Ruhaani fleetingly noticed his arm glide to the back of her chair and then focused her gaze on him. Her regard eventually cascaded down to the wide expanse of his chest . Jeez! Something was really wrong with her today. She had never felt so crazy for him. He finally rested his gaze on her, cocking up an eyebrow waiting for her reply.

"You flirted your way into getting an appointment last time." She pointed out, looking around instead of at him. The way he looked at her, with full attention was very...attractive.

"I didn't 'flirt' with her the last time. I was just being nice. Really nice. Flirting was..." he leaned closer. Not close enough to be considered scandalous in public, but just close enough for anyone who was watching them to know they were talking something serious and private. "what you were doing with that not so experienced doctor. Laughing, smiling, saying dumb things." He whispered.

She slowly turned to him and met his eyes. "That was me being nice." Did he really care? She wondered.

"Really?" He challenged her. "Never been so nice with me." He taunted.

A slow bloom appeared on Ruhaani's face. Her eyes brightening up. He did care. It did make a difference to him. The realization felt nice.

"Do you smell something? Hmm, is it jealousy?" She asked, her heart fluttering at the prospect. Was he really jealous? For her? Did she really matter so much too him?

God, the man always confusing her.

He took a moment to admire the glow on her face, before answering. "Jealous my foot. He's the one who looks at your mouth and extracts a tooth. I am the one who kisses it."

Ruhaani's smile dropped, but it felt like her heart dropped into the depths of some unknown pool. He hadn't just said what she had heard, had he? It was so crude, so to the point. It took her a while to sink those words in. There was something so eccentric about the way he put it. Heat rushed to her cheeks.

"Tongue-tied huh?" He teased, stressing on the word tongue. His gaze swiped down to her tempting lips and then upraised his gaze back to her eyes. "I will never pretend it didn't happen, apparently you prefer it that way."

Ruhaani simply turned away from him. Her hold on the folder containing her x-rays and diagnosis sheets, that was on her lap, tightened. She didn't know what to say to that. His words were suddenly so raw and powerful that no matter how much she tried to fight them, she would lose, especially given that she had already lost her heart to him.

She felt the finger tips of his hand that had been sprawled at the back of his chair, touch her right shoulder. It was a gentle caress. A soft gesture.

Was it affection? She pondered.

"Ruhaani Sehgal!" the receptionist called.

Ruhaani immediately got up from her seat. It took her a few seconds to come back to earth. That gentle, innocent touch felt so teasingly seductive. She really had had get a grip on herself.

"You can come this way Ma'am," The receptionist said waiting to lead her to the room. She nodded and slowly began walking towards her. She took a few steps and then stopped to look back.

As their gazes met, he smiled getting off the chair walking towards her. He had been waiting for it. For her to tell him to tag along. She hadn't put it in words, but he had read it loud in her look.

"Not planning to miss your tooth-extraction live documentary." He muttered so that only Ruhaani could hear him.

"Oh and I thought it was Dr Parag's good looks, you didn't want to miss put on," she whispered turning to him, a playful glint in her eyes. She felt relieved he would be around her.

"Shut up!" He muttered and she couldn't help but chuckle at the irritation she could make out in his tone. His hand gently reached out to hers and held it, spreading a warmth across her heart.

***

Ruhaani was nervous throughout the whole procedure. It had taken over one hour. Halfway through, she had begun experiencing pain, perhaps the local anesthesia wasn't good enough for her.

Aadarsh who had been watching from afar until then had at once gotten to his feet and stood by the other side of the dental chair. His hand had held hers. Although the doctor didn't look happy with prospect of having him as an audience standing so close, he allowed him to stay.

He had held her hand throughout standing beside her. Her grip on his hand would tighten everything she would feel a discomfort. He'd gently rub the back of her hand using his free hand to reassure her silently.

"Feeling okay?" He asked as they settled back on the chairs at the doctor's desk after the procedure had been completed. The dentist had walked to the far end of the room to wash up.

She narrowed his eyes at him, scowling with her half jaw numb. He smiled gently. "We'll buy you ice-cream. You'll get lots of ice-cream to eat." His hand reached out to caress hers.

Her gaze dropped to his hand on hers and then raised back up to his eyes. She didn't know how to tell him she appreciated his support, without having him run the other way to avoid her feelings. Somehow knowing he was right there had made the entire process feel like a breeze despite the daunting sounds of grinding and scraping, and the weird pressure on her gums that literally felt like digging.

She turned to the doctor as he walked to his chair.

"You took it well, Ruhaani. There might be bleeding for some time, it's normal. This pamphlet has a list of Do-s and Don't-s. Please read it carefully. Avoid extremely hot food and also hard solids. I am prescribing pain killers for three days. Once the anesthesia waives off you may begin to experience pain. Swelling of the jaw is a possible side effect too, nothing to worry."

Ruhaani nodded.

"I am also writing my assistant's number here. In case you feel any other symptoms, feel free to reach out to her. She'll guide you accordingly. Before you leave, you can schedule your next visit after seven to ten days as per your convenience so we can check how you're healing."

Ruhaani managed a half smile, because one part of her jaw refused to move.

"Thanks Doc." Aadarsh said getting up ready to leave.

"Thank you," Ruhaani said despite the horrible discomfort. Her voice soinded different to her.

"You'll be back to eating crunchy stuff in few days. Don't worry!" He smiled warmly at her. Aadarsh grabbed Ruhaani's hand to lead her out before the two of them started another conversation about fritters and fries like they had at their last visit.

He left her hand once they were out of the room and pulled out the buzzing phone from his pocket. It had buzzed quite a few times in the past few minutes.

Ruhaani glanced at his phone screen to see who was calling him. It was Devashish.

"This better be good DV!" He spoke into the phone, gesturing Ruhaani to carry on with formalities.

Ruhaani nodded walking to the billing desk. She watched him with a concerned eye as he spoke on the phone looking visibly stressed. Once done with the billing and scheduling another appointment, she ambled up to him as he stood typing something on his phone.

"All good?" She asked softly, trying not to exert her jaw in anyway.

He turned to her, "DV met with an accident."

"Oh, is he okay?"

"He was talking to me, so I guess. Bill settled? Shall we leave?"

"Yes. Can't believe I paid ten thousand for that torture." She muttered. "But you should go see Devashish."

"No." He said hesitantly. "He'll survive."

"I can go home on my own. You go see him. I am sure he'll like that."

"You're not driving home. And DV doesn't need someone to fuss over him. He's like a cockroach, hard to kill, but always getting hit. So it's fine."

"Don't be so heartless."

"Ruhaani, no.."

"I want to see him." She declared. "Let's go."

"Why would you want to see him?"

"He's a friend." She shrugged.

Aadarsh's right hand curled into a fist. Yes, he was worried about Devashish. He would never openly admit but he actually cared about that man. "Fine. Let's go. Because you haven't had enough of doctors and hospital smell."

Ruhaani rolled her eyes at his words.

About an hour later, they were in a hospital room. Devashish was particularly pleased to see Aadarsh, even more to see Ruhaani. The man had a sling around his right foot, a plaster on the right leg, a bandage around his right palm and bruises on his arms.

"How did it happen?" Was the first thing Aadarsh asked.

Ruhaani had glared at him and immediately asked, "How are you?"

Aadarsh impatiently waited for Ruhaani and Devashish to stop talking about all the places he was hurt. Once they had, he asked him how it happened.

A truck had hit him while he was taking a U-turn. Thanks to his heavy jacket, helmet and low speed he was riding at, he hadn't been hit badly.

After chatting about the accident for a while, Ruhaani excused herself out of the room to use the washroom.

"Do you think it was planned?" Aadarsh asked seriously.

"I don't know man. It all happened so suddenly. The truck fled but there's no way to say. It was the main road and my route wasn't planned. I am sure I wasn't being followed."

"Those threats. Do you think it's the person behind those?" Aadarsh asked worried. The written threats had not stopped.

"I don't think so. Those threats were addressed to you not me. I think it was just an accident, no foul play. I have already have someone finding that truck driver. If there's any development I will keep you posted."

"Hmm.." Aadarsh sighed. Looking at his leg. The doctor outside had told him that the wounds were nasty. It would have been a torture, the pain. However it was Devashish, he could go through hell and return merrily.

"Get well soon!" Aadarsh said, glancing at his hand. "And ditch that bloody bike and shift to a car."

"Be generous and gift me one too and I shall!" Devashish smiled.

Aadarsh stared at him appalled.

"It's my job to know where your money goes and where your attention is at." Devashish lifted his left shoulder in a shrug.

"Shut the fuck up. And the next time you see and analyze my personal expenses you're fired."

"Then how on earth am I going to help you get what you want."

Aadarsh eyed him thoughtfully. Abhi had decided the car for Ruhaani's gift. But the car wasn't available until a month later. They and decided to change their choice. However they had been notified the next day that the car was available because one customer had backed off. It had seemed just good luck at that time.

"So it was you..."

"Always."

"What a manipulative pig!" Aadarsh remarked with amusement. The man was crazy. He did stupid things all the time. Things that were wrong, things that were condemnable.

"Learnt from the best. I was surprised you chose your baby brother to do it instead of someone more fit for the job."

Aadarsh rolled his eyes. He would probably never understand what problem Devashish and Abhi had with each other.

"I am not going to thank you for it. Get your ass back to office as soon as you can. That's an order." Aadarsh muttered.

A throat cleared from behind and Aadarsh closed his eyes. Perfect freaking timing!

"It's the missus! Looks displeased." DV whispered.

He then further added, "By the way, about coming to office soon. The doctor recommended two weeks of bed rest. So I will be at home, on sick leave. Wgich means, you'll have to take that flight to Lucknow tonight!"

"Fuck! The Riyaz Hotel deal." Aadarsh cursed, slamming his hand against the railing of the hospital bed. "I forgot about that." He muttered.

"Devashish, you should stop worrying about work and just relax and let yourself heal." Ruhaani managed to say softly although her sentence came out slower than usual thanks to her impacted left cheek that felt numb.

"Truer words have never been spoken." Devashish remarked with a grin. "Right Boss?"

"What time is the flight?" Aadarsh asked, he could probably dump it on Sumeet. But he wasn't sure if Sumeet could be a good representative given the shirt notice.

"One at night. Business Class. Trust me you'll enjoy your flight."

Aadarsh gave him a mocking smile. "Get that ticket transferred to my name and the next time you travel business class without a strong business justification, I will make sure to settle it against your pay check."

"Aadarsh," Ruhaani intervened. The man didn't have a bit of sensitivity or sensibility. "He's on a hospital bed." She reminded him.

"It's okay Ruhaani. I am used to your husband's insensitivity." Devashish sighed dramatically.

"I am done here. Shall we get going? I have to prepare and pack for an impromptu business trip." Aadarsh spoke, his brain quickly shifting focus on the deal.

Devashish sniggered, "you'll thank me later. Riyaz Bhai is a very generous host and do attend his evening parties, it's like spending time in heaven."

"Shut up DV and sleep while you can." Aadarsh dismissed him, turning around.

"Take care DV. Get well soon!" Ruhaani wished him.

"Same to you Ruhaani!" The man said with a rare warm smile.

"Yeah, let's get going. I don't have more time to waste." Aadarsh ushered Ruhaani to the door.

"Feel free to send me a bouquet of flowers and a basket of fruits. I would like that!" Devashish said as they walked to the door. Aadarsh raised his middle finger in the air, up for him to see, not sparing a glance.

"Well, if you can arrange that, it would be even great!" The man replied with enthusiasm.

Aadarsh cringed while Devashish laughed smiling at them. Soon his smile morphed into a pained expression and he stared at his leg. He was so going to get his revenge on that reckless truck driver.

***

Ruhaani had never seen Aadarsh so stressed about a meeting. She had helped him by packing his clothes while he had been reading some documents and giving instructions to her.

It was surprising he let her help him. Aadarsh usually did such tasks on his own. In the worst case, he would ask Dai Jaan for help. However quite a lot had changed. It was slide he had woken up a new man.

Presently, he was saying his goodbyes to the kids who had lined up in the room to say goodbyes. She smiled as he told each of them to be good and not trouble the folks at home. Then he whispered something more in Nirvaan's ear and the boy nodded.

"Come on let's go," he said picking up Pari in his arms while the twins volunteered to carry his travel pillow and his briefcase down just like Abhi had taken his suitcase down.

"When will you come back?" Pari asked with a calculative look.

"Friday maybe."

"after three days!" She exclaimed, like it was a long time.

"Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday." He counted on his fingers. "How many is that?"

"Five!" She yelled then laughed sheepishly.

Ruhaani smiled, following them out. She already felt miserable that he was going away. It had only been a day she had been back from her uncle's place. A long day, crammed up with so much that she didn't know what to focus on.

Aadarsh hated going away from home, which is why he always dumped business trips on Devashish. It was easier that way. Goodbyes were always hard for him, after his mother passed away.

"Bhai," he heard Abhi say as he put Pari down as he reached the living hall. "I will drive you to the airport."

"The driver is here." Aadarsh said and turned to Dai Jaan. He gestured her to come along and they walked away to the kitchen. It was a ritual of sort. Before leaving home for trips, he would always have a private chat with Dai Jaan.

"If this conversation is about, take care of the kids, make sure Ashvi is not out after seven and that Abhi and Ashvi don't strangle each other. We can skip it." Dai Jaan smiled.

"No. I know you have all that covered. Take care of Ruhaani. She won't tell you but she does have a really bad pain in her jaw. Remind her to take her medicines and follow that list of do-s and don't-s the doctor has given her."

"Don't worry I will take care of her too."

"Thanks Dai Jaan." He gently gave her a side hug before marching out of the kitchen. He stopped in tracks looking at Ruhaani. His luggage was gone. He assumed Abhi took it out and the others went out with him.

He walked over to her while his gaze remained locked with hers. She looked away when he came pretty close to her. A maelstrom of feelings had been churning inside her since the previous night. A lot had happened within twenty four hours. It was that kind of a day where everything happened all at once one after another.

For the first time, Aadarsh wanted to ditch the meeting, ditch the deal and stay with her. His feelings were all getting out of his hands way too much. This distance would probably help him get his leash over his feelings. However, he hated distance from her now. He had been through hell this week being away from her.

"Ruhaani," he called for her attention.

"Take care of your excavation site." He said with a soft glow of amusement in his eyes.

Ruhaani chuckled. "I will, ice-cream and Netflix is the plan, for tonight."

"Don't spoil my sister." He warned.

"Don't worry about that. You have a nice time with your... evening parties." She replied. Her mind briefly wondering why Devashish recommended it. Was it pretty women and expensive drinks kinda party?

"Oh, I can't wait." He said in fake enthusiasm.

"I can't wait to have the room all to myself." She replied.

He looked at her with the amusement in his eyes blazing. "Enjoy that while it lasts. I will be back before you even know to claim my rights back." He quickly leaned forward and kissed her right cheek, making sure to choose the side that wasn't in pain.

"Oh and, I still remember every bit of the kiss. Of every kiss. Not going to pretend it didn't happen." He whispered in her ears.

Ruhaani blushed, as be slowly pulled back. Her eyes looking at him, like they wanted to stay on him forever. "Has anyone told you, you are annoying!"

"Someone has," he feigned to be thoughtful, "Oh I think it was you."

"Funny!" She muttered, grabbing his hand. "You're going to miss the flight."

Aadarsh smiled ruefully, as she led him out. He was going to miss her. It had been a long day and it was going to be a even longer night, and even longer days ahead. He just knew it. He just didn't want this day to end and that scared him.

• — • — •

Looking forward to read your thoughts.

Next : Monday/Tuesday 

Don't forget to vote ☆ on the chapters.

—Anami!♡