Made a lot of covers. I think I am going to stick to the one currently on the cover. Let me know which one do you like.

Chapter 63 : Ardour

The house was bustling with a new excitement on Saturday. In the morning, Aadarsh and Ruhaani had taken the kids out to a newly opened Snow-World, a fantasy park. It was something anyone would appreciate in the summers.

The kids were all dressed in their warmest winter clothes and cute monkey caps. Surprisingly, Ruhaani was too. It wasn't even that cold, although Ruhaani had remarked it was just as worse as the nights when he'd choose the temperature of the air conditioner.

There were snow slides, igloos, skiing and skating for the kids. However there was not much for parents and guardians to do except take pictures of their kids, which Ruhaani did a good job at. Aadarsh was content standing close and watching her.

He wanted that attitude and outlook with which Ruhaani looked at life. Every ordinary thing was exciting for her.

Ever since he had made up his mind to write a love letter for her, every time he was around her he would observe closely and make mental notes of the points he could add to the letter that was almost close to completion.

Maybe he could give it to her the following day. It was a Sunday. Abhi and Ashvi had plans to visit Badi Bua and stay there for the following week. It was his father's birthday mid next week. Aadarsh wasn't surprised by their plan. They usually did it every year nearing their father's birthday. Badi Bua hosted their father's birthday celebration at her house.

For initial years, they would all try hard to convince him to join the celebration. Eventually they gave up. Now, they didn't even bother telling him anything pertaining to their father. All that he did was sign the cheques that were deposited into his father's bank account which was programmed to auto pay to his care centre his living costs and therapy charges.

Presently, Aadarsh was looking for his wife. They had returned in the early afternoon from the Snow-World after lunch at a nearby restaurant. Exhausted from all the adventures and fun, the kids had all gone to bed for a nap. A nap that was now becoming a slumber.

He and Ruhaani had taken a nap too. A lazy Saturday summer afternoon and an air-conditioned bedroom was a deadly combination, even if you were a little exhausted you could fall asleep.

Aadarsh had broken his nap to find Ruhaani gone from his side. He had first assumed she might be busy getting ready for the evening event. He had checked his sister's room, Ashvi was alone in her room with a quarter of all the dresses she owned on the bed. He didn't understand her logic at all. She had bought three new dresses but was still bringing out dresses from her wardrobe to decide what to wear.

They had celebrated her birthday last night. He had got a cake from her favourite cake shop. Abhi had brought her favourite flowers, a bunch of imported flowers from Europe that were only available on pre-order. Ruhaani and the kids had decked up the flex room to have her cake cutting. It was a perfect family affair.

To say Ashvi was elated and excited upon learning that her gift was passes to attend the Delhi Times Fashion Week show and the after party, would be an understatement. Since the morning she had been preparing to look her best.

He entered the kitchen to find Ruhaani busily whisking something. In the late afternoon, the sinking sun's warm hues gently illuminated the kitchen and her face.

He leaned against the kitchen doorway, admiring her. She had her hair tied up, she was still wearing that cotton t-shirt and pyjamas she had changed into after returning from their morning outing.

She bent forward and sniffed the mixture she was whisking. In the process her backside curved outwards. Aadarsh's hand already itched to feel that curve up.

Biting his lip, he sauntered in with a wicked thought. However that thought was gone as soon as he came as he noticed Dai Jaan in the other corner of the kitchen arranging the cleaned and dried vessels. He was glad he hadn't failed to notice her. It would have been embarrassing.

"Dai Jaan, you're supposed to be resting." He said, a tad bit disappointed. One, Dai Jaan should be resting. Two, he wanted to be alone with his wife. There was someone or the other always there with her.

"Yes, I know. But I am done resting. Besides my feet feel so much better with the ice packs, rest and exercises."

Ruhaani looked up at her husband and her gaze followed him as he walked up to Dai Jaan. "Leave this to the house help, Dai Jaan. Your feet won't recover otherwise."

Ruhaani smiled as the older woman refused and Aadarsh quickly helped her arrange the utensils so that her task was done and she could go rest. He was a thoughtful and kind person, only that he disguised all his goodness under the robe of his arrogant and stoic attitude.

"Okay, let me make tea for you." She offered kindly, once the utensils had been arranged.

"No Dai Jaan, Ruhaani will make it for me. That's the only thing she makes perfectly!" He said with a teasing smile.

"I heard that, loud and clear." Ruhaani remarked with a shake of her head. She quickly freed her hands and stopped what she was doing. She moved to the side to prepare tea.

"It was a compliment," Aadarsh smiled turning to look at his wife and then turned his head to the front again, "wasn't it Dai Jaan?"

"Uh, hate to break it to you Aadarsh. No. It wasn't." Dai Jaan uttered.

Ruhaani chuckled as Aadarsh looked at the older lady flabbergasted.

Dai Jaan shrugged.

"Whatever!" Aadarsh muttered.

"Do you need my help Ruhaani beta?" Dai Jaan asked.

"No, Dai Jaan. I will manage it from here. Aadarsh is right, you should take rest, otherwise your pain is just going to come back."

Aadarsh couldn't help but beam. It was an odd sensation, truth be told. Simply having her by his side made it seem as if the universe itself was standing in his favour.

Aadarsh turned around and walked up to where she stood, as Dai Jaan left to rest. "What are you doing?" he asked. He got a rough idea from what he saw. She was baking something, again.

"I am trying to make cupcakes." She said with a glowing smile.

"Why?" he asked.

She blinked and frowned. "Why not? Just because you're not good at something doesn't mean you must stop doing it, right? Besides the cookies weren't that bad last time."

"They were burnt." He reminded her.

"You had interfered, that's why."

"I had helped." He corrected. "And you didn't mind then. For the record, you set the wrong temperature so don't you blame it on me."

"I am not blaming you for it, Aadarsh. I am just... let me do what I do. Go away." She expressed irately.

Aadarsh slowly stepped closer to her. She turned to look at him.

"Where's this sudden passion to bake coming from?"

"Just...for the kids you know." She shrugged.

"Ruhaani, we can order..."

"Yeah, we can. But I want to be good at something at least. I thought I could be good at baking." She blurted out her words, unable to contain them, then blinked in realization that she had inadvertently revealed her deepest insecurity. Subsequently, she quietly turned back to face the front.

He held her elbow and made her turn to look at him. He gently used his forefinger and thumb to raise her chin up to make her eyes meet his gaze. "You're good at a lot of things. You're good at parenting. You're good at being a good mother, a good friend, a good person and a good wife. That's what matters."

Ruhaani blinked, her gaze fixed on him. The warmth of his validation was like a comforting embrace. God knew, she needed that from time to time.

She sighed before speaking, "Aadarsh, it's not about that....it's about...being able to make something for your kids, for your family. You remember the time when Nirvan got sick, and he wanted the khichdi that you made? Something like that.

It's about being the person who can make someone's favourite food. I grew up not having a favourite dish, a favourite food—something that reminded you of home. Something you could demand for when you were feeling low. I don't want our kids to grow up like that. It sucks.

And I want to be that person who can put together something for them, something that they actually like and something that becomes their favourite, something that carries the essence of home and comfort. I am not stopping until that happens. I will keep trying experimenting and burning cookies until then. You can taunt me as much as you want." She slowly raised her gaze to meet his.

Aadarsh leaned closer, tenderly capturing her lips in a soft, affectionate kiss. In that moment, he saw her for the most beautiful person she was, and he vowed to shower her with all the love she deserved and more.

Ruhaani, although taken aback by the suddenness, allowed herself to respond to the kiss, feeling the warmth and care in the connection.

It wasn't a kiss driven by need, nor was it wild or oozing with lust. It was...like their first. Soft. Gentle. Soothing.

Slowly, she pulled away, her eyelashes fluttering like delicate wings as she gazed at him, a mix of surprise and genuine affection glowing in her eyes.

Ruhaani was the first to turn away and break the eye contact, shifting her attention back to the mixture she was carefully whisking. In her peripheral vision, she observed him walk to the cabinet over the other counter behind them to grab cups. He then went about preparing to pour the tea. There were no words exchanged between them. 

A comfortable silence enveloped the room, carrying the unspoken warmth of their shared affection. While he took care of preparing the tea and then pouring it into three cups, she poured the batter she had prepared into the first cupcake mould.

"Taste it first," he suggested, looking towards her.

"It's raw." She argued

"You can still taste it," he countered, shaking his head. With a confident gesture, he dipped his finger into the large bowl containing the mixture, the batter coating his fingertip. He raised his hand and licked the batter off his finger. "Sugar is a bit less."

Ruhaani frowned. "I measured and added it exactly as per instructions."

He ran his right forefinger around he wall of the bowl to coat his finger with the batter. "Taste it," he encouraged taking his finger close to her lips.

Ruhaani's gaze raised up to meet his eyes and then lowered to his finger. Her eyes blinked under the weight of uncertainty. His offer felt surprisingly intimate, and she hesitated for a moment. Slowly, she inched her lips closer to his finger, deciding to embrace the moment.

She parted her lips, leaned forward and closed her mouth around his finger. She slowly sucked the batter off his finger.

Aadarsh watched on with a heated gaze as her lips slowly closed around his finger. He gulped as her lips moved the slightest. She had taken her mouth off way too quickly for his liking. He needed more. He realized his heartbeat had just shot up and he had blood rushing down to his lower body.

He ran the tip of his tongue over his parched lower lip and then sunk his teeth into his lower lip, his eyes closing momentarily. The freaking sexual deprivation would kill him.

"Yeah, it's not that sweet." Ruhaani spoke, clearing her throat. She turned away to fetch the sugar and took a deep breath. Aadarsh sucked the slightest remains of the batter off the same finger. He turned away to the cups of the tea. He had poured done for Dai Jaan too. He decided it was a good time to leave before he did something he had no control over.

Ruhaani slowly wore a smile as she saw him leave the kitchen with the a tray for Dai Jaan. She glanced aside at the two cups, one filled fully the other half. Something had most definitely shifted between them. She smiled, she couldn't be mistaken about the change in his behaviour or his small advances to being more intimate with her.

Good, cause that's all she needed. Finally some normalcy in her life.

A total of sixty six minutes had passed between the time she had put her cupcakes to bake and then headed to change after drinking her tea with just the company of her husband in the quiet of the kitchen. He had ensured she had checked the temperature twice before setting the cupcakes to bake, of course after taunting her twice for burning the cookies.

She glanced at her reflection in the mirror. For a minute she couldn't recognize herself. She wore a deep cherry red dress. It had a sweetheart neckline that not only accentuated her décolletage but also highlighted her bust as it hugged it tightly. The dress was a body con that stopped at her knees. The long sleeves completely concealed her arms. Her legs down her knees were exposed.

She turned around, looking at her side profile in the mirror. Her hand ran fast against her stomach. The dress was tight enough to make her stomach appear a bit tucked in. Her gaze went to her backside. Damn, that looked way too big. She turned to the front again, sighing.

No, there was no way she could wear this dress out. It showed off way too much of her breasts. Hugged her body way to intimately, showing off her curves like some watch-worthy piece of art.

"Er, Ashvi," she called from inside the dressing cabin of the big bathroom that was attached to Ashvi's bedroom.

"Yes, Bhabhs!" she heard her reply.

"I don't think I will wear this. Can you pass the other black dress?"

"What's the problem?" She heard back from her. "Is it tight?"

"Ugh, no. It's just... I don't think I can be comfortable in this."

"Come out, let me have a look!"

Ruhaani gave herself one last look before stepping out of the dressing cabin and eventually the bathroom. She ran a hand down, pulling the edge of the dress down as it rode up to her thighs as she walked. There was no way, she was wearing this, she thought to herself yet again.

She looked up only to have her heart plummet as Aadarsh stood next to Ashvi who was trying to open the knot of his tie while his face was turned to look at her.

She parted her lips as she saw his casual gaze transform into an intent one. His eyes slowly traversed down her face, all the way to her feet, very deliberately. She watched on transfixed waiting to see any hint of judgement on his face. Did he like how she looked? Or did he think she looked fat not made for the dress at all? She found none.

His gaze glided up her body just as intentionally as it had rode down. His dark gaze pinned her eyes unable to make her even blink. God, she felt all the air knock out of her lungs.

"Wow, Bhabhs, you look sexy. Right Bhaiya?"

"Yeah," Aadarsh agreed absent-mindedly, his gaze still stuck on that neck that ran down to her bust. What a seductress!

Ruhaani finally looked aside, flustered. Did he just indirectly call her sexy? She tried to be normal but her body was reacting, to his gaze, to his subtle agreement to what Ashvi said.

"Ugh, this is not coming off. How did you tie it so tight?" Aadarsh turned back to his sister who was struggling to open the stubborn knot of his tie that he was trying on. "Why are you even wearing a tie? You can wear something casual." His sister added.

"Just get the damn thing off." He muttered. He hated how his whole body had tensed up with just one look at his wife. Even using his hand wasn't enough to release all the pent up desire she filled in him.

"Bhabhs, you look smoking hot. Don't change." Ashvi turned to her sister-in-law.

"No. I am not comfortable. I will try on that black one." She said, her eyes going back to Aadarsh. He was dressed in black pants and a white shirt, something he usually wore. But he had trimmed his beard and it looked perfect. Neither beard-y nor clean shaved, something in between.

"Fine, suit yourself." Ashvi sighed. "Bhabhs, can you help with this. I am going to break these nails that I just fixed, if I try any longer."

Ruhaani slowly walked up towards them. As Ashvi stepped aside, she took the position before him. Their gazes met as fast as lightning. She slowly raised her fingers to the knot of his tie and lowered her gaze to it. Aadarsh took in a deep breath. Her familiar citrus smell flooded his senses. His gaze lowered to the base of her neck and slowly glided down to her chest.

"Bhabhs, I will try this pink dress first and then then the violet one okay?"

"Okay," Ruhaani said to her, diligently trying to loosen the knot.

As soon as the bathroom door clicked shut, she felt Aadarsh's hands on her waist. She blinked trying not to react. His firm big hands slowly spread across her waist.

"How did you end up tying the knot so tight?" she asked to distract herself from that feel-good feeling of his palms caressing.

"It just happened." He uttered.

A moment of silence passed and then Ruhaani impatiently tugged at the tie.

Aadarsh widened his eyes a little as he was jerked a bit closer to her. "Planning to choke me?"

Ruhaani met his eyes, eyes that were blazing with a fire. "That would be a crime, wouldn't it?" Her voice came out low and raspy.

"A sin, if it's your husband." He muttered.

"Never mind. I don't want to sin and end up in hell. Let me go to heaven and you can go to hell." She remarked with the hint of a playful smile.

Ruhaani had loosened the knot a bit but it just wouldn't come off. Giving up on using her fingers she leaned forward and began to use her teeth.

"And now you're biting," he uttered and then sighed. His hands gently beginning to move up her sides. It took all his control to not end up feeling her up at all her evident curves.

Ruhaani felt bold like his advances and shifted closer to his neck. Aadarsh tilted his head back in response. How very accommodating! Ruhaani thought to herself with a grin. She let her lips touch his neck.

Aadarsh blinked, sinking in that innocent touch. It took all the self control to not let his hands travel all the way back to her derriere and give it a squeeze

Ruhaani had successfully loosened the knot using her teeth. But she desired to play some more. And she did.

Her fingers slowly took the knot closer to his neck. She closed her jaw around the edge of the fabric first and then let her teeth graze his neck.

Aadarsh bit his lower lip for a few seconds and then smiled. Who knew his wife could be quite the tease?

He let his hands feel her up all the way to her backside. He pressed his fingers deeper into her skin through the fabric.

Tit for tat, darling! He said in his head.

Almost instantly she recoiled, moving her face out of the crook of her neck. Her gaze met his.

"That's inappropriate," she said breathlessly, eyeing him with a newfound hunger. The truth was, she wanted him to do it again, and then again. Perhaps never stop.

"And what you were doing?" he whispered, his dark gaze challenging hers.

She blinked. He had caught her. Dammit.

"I was uh, just helping."

"I was helping too." He replied instantly.

"Really," she said curiously, "how exactly?"

"Like this," his hand caressed her backside. "Straightening out the creases."

She couldn't help but smile at his lame excuse.

A smile played on his lips instantly noticing the blush on her face. He tilted his head leaning closer, his lips making a trajectory towards hers.

She placed one hand on his chest and the other over his lips restraining his movement towards her. Her eyes widened meeting his.

"What?" he asked, pulling her hand down from his mouth, hating the abrupt denial.

"It's Ashvi's room," she whispered.

Aadarsh looked around. He had completely forgotten that. He looked at the closed bathroom door and then back at his wife. "She usually takes too long," he whispered, his hands drawing her lower body towards his. Their bodies pressed together and before she could protest his lips were on hers.

As much as she wanted to break away, she couldn't help but kiss him back for a bit. Their mouths wildly moved against the others, hungry desires sought their fulfilment.

Her fingers slid across his neck and stayed there. His hands at first caressed her backside then he grabbed and squeezed the right side. Ruhaani almost moaned into his mouth. She withdrew instantly, staring at him with eyes shining with a wildness.

Aadarsh grinned, removing his hands from her backside.

She hit his shoulder, admonishing him for doing what he had done. What if Ashvi heard that? That would be embarrassing, to say the least.

"Tie," he reminded her, clearing his throat. There was no way they were making it to the evening's event if he didn't stop. There was no way he was suggesting to stay home, especially not after the excitement he had seen on her face at the prospect of going for the fashion show.

She shook her head and with deep breaths went to open the loosened knot. 

"By the way, Ashvi was damn right. You look smoking hot." He whispered into her ears.

Ruhaani's cheeks turned a light shade of crimson as more heat rushed to her cheeks. Her heart thudded harder against her ribs. She met his gaze.

"I can't wear this..." she mumbled. If he implied that she should keep it on, he was in for some disappointment. 

"You're very much wearing it." He reminded her.

"I meant, I can't wear this outside."

"Yeah, that's probably a good thing. Maybe we can go out on a date, a very private one and you can wear it then?" his voice was suddenly very husky, almost as if he was saying something suggestive.

Ruhaani looked at him with equal parts of puzzlement and surprise. "You're asking me to go on a date with you?"

"What if I am?" he asked.

They heard the door click and immediately pulled away, creating a decent amount of space between them.

"The tie is finally out. What a stubborn knot it was!" Ruhaani exclaimed, as Ashvi stepped out.

Aadarsh gently shook his head, in disapproval of her stupidity. Why did she have to behave so strangely? Idiot!

"How do I look?" Ashvi asked as she twirled around in her pink dress that hugged her till the waist then had layers of flaring material in different shades of pink.

"Lovely!" Aadarsh said.

"Wow, you looks so pretty, like a barbie doll. But I think you should try the violet dress, it's darker and may look better for the evening." Ruhaani gave her honest feedback. Aadarsh glanced at her. He had to learn that subtle way of disapproving from her.

"Yeah, I was thinking the same." Ashvi mused.

"Let me change first." Ruhaani spoke and dashed towards the bathroom. She turned to look at him before stepping inside the bathroom. He winked at her with a grin. She wore a silly smile, shook her head and turned ahead and closed the door.

Aadarsh excused himself from the room. The temptation to follow her into that bathroom was real. He licked his lips, his fingertips gently touching his neck where minutes ago her teeth and lips and gazed. The water had boiled over now, he needed Ruhaani to prevent him from going insane.

It was going to be one hell of an evening. Nonetheless he waited for the night.

***

Aadarsh couldn't decide which dress suited her better. After getting out of that very seductive red dress Ruhaani had adorned a black dress that had a halter neck and reached a little below her knees. The oomph factor in the dress was the slit that started at her thigh. The dress exposed her slightly tanned arms and her fair legs beyond her knees.

Aadarsh looked at her from the corner of his eyes as her hand tried to shift the slit of her dress to cover her thigh that was exposed

He shifted closer to her and placed his hand on hers. Ruhaani froze at his touch.

He turned to her. There was barely any gap between them as the chairs were placed quite literally next to each other with barely an inch between them. He raised his hand and gently pushed her hair behind that she had pulled forward to cover her shoulder.

He leaned towards her, "Don't be so conscious. You look nice," he whispered, his lips close to her ears. He slowly pushed her hand that was at her thigh away. She slowly turned to look at him. Their gazes melted into each other's.

The lights over the seating area dimmed. While the ones on the Y shaped ramp brightened. They slowly tore their gazes away from each other and looked ahead. Ashvi wanted to sit right in the front so Abhi had accompanied her to the first row. While Ruhaani and Aadarsh had secured a place in the third row.

Ruhaani was glad that she listened to Ashvi as usual when it came to dressing up. She at least fitted into the crowd if not shone through it.

The music blared and soon the show started. Models wearing stoic expressions and beautiful clothes walked leisurely down the side ramp, to the centre of the ramp and returned the other way.

Ruhaani rubbed her arms to provide them some warmth. The air had gotten colder. She looked up to realize they were seated just under the blower. Dammit. She should have known that her husband would always pick the spot that was the coldest in a room.

As she lowered her gaze she caught him looking at her. He cocked up an eyebrow. She leaned sideways towards him, "It's cold."

"No, it's not. You're just a weird creature." He whispered back, his gaze glued to the front.

She tilted away from him and sat straight in her chair. After a few minutes she felt him move and he had removed his coat. He patiently straightened the sleeves and then laid the coat on her lap. She blinked registering it's presence. He didn't ask if she wanted it, he gave it to her.

Ruhaani looked down at the jet black coat and then slowly towards him. His gaze was glued to the ramp. The models in this particular collection wore beach clothes. No wonder, suddenly all men in the room had their eyes glued to the stage. She rolled her eyes.

She draped the coat around her shoulders although it felt perfectly good against her thigh covering all the skin that the slit exposed and more.

She ran her palm back and front on her exposed left thigh. Maybe she was peculiar after all. Her gaze ran around the room. Ladies wearing more revealing dresses than her sat perfectly unbothered by the cold air of the room.

She felt a hand on her thigh as she joined her plams to rub gently and generate some heat to warm her skin. She turned to find him looking at her pointedly. He shook his head, gazing at her hands. She understood the message and simply dropped her hands in her lap.

Her gaze lowered to his hand that was warmer than hers. He slowly moved his hand warming her cold skin. It wasn't warmth, it was a burst of heat that took place.

She tried to focus on the show. She clapped when others applauded and maintained a smile on her face. The lights dimmed, enveloping the room into complete darkness and then a bright ivory light lit up the stage. The wallpapers changed and the bridal collection was announced.

In that darkness, she felt his moving hand get bolder in its advances. His fingers curled around her thighs and slowly glided towards her inner thighs. Ruhaani sat still. She hadn't mistaken that, had she?

She waited, acting unbothered and more interested in the show, which she actually was, given it was bridal collection. However her attention was on his hand again as he repeated the movement. She should stop his advances but they felt so damn good.

Her lower lip curled inward into her mouth and she bit on it as his hand inched higher up slightly under the slit and his fingers slowly glided towards her inner thigh. She shifted in her seat abruptly, as she felt a jolt of pleasure and excitement run down her spine. His hand tightened around her thigh as though to keep her in place.

She exhaled sharply feeling his tight hold. This was so inappropriate. What on earth were they doing, in public? She shuddered at the thought of someone seeing them. But it felt so freaking good. It had only added to her desires and lust.

After a lot internal debate, she circled her hand around his wrist and tugged at it, trying to remove it from her thigh. As though understanding her gesture, he pulled his hand away. She instantly mourned the loss of his warmth.

***

Aadarsh couldn't get Ruhaani out of his mind or the thought of being intimate with her. If she would have allowed he would have fingered her right there in the middle of the fashion show.

He sipped on his coke, while looking at her as she gushed over the shows dresses with his sister. He really needed to cool his heated body. He popped in another paneer tikka.

After the brief snack break, they were supposed to go in back for the final part if the show. The most awaited oart among the audience.

"Bhabhs, you are sitting next to me. I need someone to discuss the dresses with. Bro was just busy admiring their leg muscles and wondering how many leg days they had in a week."

"Shut up, chipmunk. I was just admiring their courage to wear those heels." Abhi protested.

"and their toned legs." Ashvi added.

"I will sit with you, I think that's a good idea." Ruhaani spoke, as she glanced at Aadarsh, her heart melting over like a butter on hot knife. His dark gaze stayed on her. She quickly looked back at Ashvi, gulping down the entire glass of wine she had been served. She could feel the heat of his gaze all over her body. She decided she need another glass of the cold slightly-sweet slightly-sour liquid.

Minutes later she and Abhi returned to the spot where they had been standing after refilling their wine glasses. Ashvi was pleading her eldest brother to let her try vodka.

"Bhai, we're all having vodka shots at the after party." Abhi spoke up.

"No way." Aadarsh disapproved.

"I am officially twenty-one!" Ashvi reasoned.

"Come on Bhai, it's her twenty-first." Abhi urged him.

"Fine, I will let her drink, if you promise not to." Aadarsh bargained.

"That's not fair, it's my little sister's birthday!" Abhi retorted.

"I am not handling the three of you all by myself. Nope." He said, finishing his coke.

"I don't get drunk," Ruhaani protested.

"Yeah, you just pretend to walk like you have alcoholic knees." Aadarsh shot back, causing her to shut her mouth.

"Bhai, I..." Abhi began reasoning.

"You, don't even start." Aadarsh warned.

"I am not drinking alone on my birthday. I think we should head back, the final part of the show is starting." Saying that Ashvi finished the last of her Mac and cheese and walked towards the hall.

"Great, she's upset now!" Abhi muttered. "This is on you Bhai!" He spoke and followed Ashvi.

Aadarsh sighed.

"Let them naa, Aadarsh." Ruhaani said softly, looking at him, her hand reaching put to his arm.

"She's going to puke her guts out, Abhi's a bloody lightweight and you ... talk a lot after drinking and wobble when you walk. Nope, I am not singing up for that, not tonight."

" I don't." Ruhaani began to protest but was interrupted.

"Aadarsh Sehgal!" They both turned to the source of voice.

Ruhaani sighed. It was Sarah Malik. The model who was the wife of one of Aadarsh's client, the one she had ran into at the wedding reception they had been to.

"Sarah!" Aadarsh said like he was delighted to meet her. "You look splendid as always."

Ruhaani forced the smile to stay on her lips. Where was that enthusiasm when he greeted her? It was always taunts for her.

"Thanks Aadarsh! Hi..." she said turning to Ruhaani. "Uh, I am so sorry sweetheart, I am bad with names."

"Ruhaani," Aadarsh said before Ruhaani could.

"Ruhaani, of course!" Sarah said in her sugary voice wearing a smile. "How are you doing?"

"Great!" Ruhaani said with a smile. Her eyes followed the other woman's hand as she held Aadarsh's hand. The urge to swat her hand away was pretty strong but she decided to be mature about it.

"Where's the birthday girl? I would love to meet her." Sarah spoke.

"Oh she was  just around. She's loving the show." Aadarsh replied.

"That's awesome. I would love to meet her."

Aadarsh smiled, "once again, thank you for arranging the passes. It made her day, really!"

"Oh come on Aadarsh, that was nothing. Always here for you."

Aadarsh returned her smile, gently pulling back his hand. "I am sure, I am keeping you from something important."

"Not at all. But I will have to rush. I am walking in the final collection. So I need to get to the dressing room at earliest."

"Oh that's amazing!" Aadarsh said cordially.

Ruhaani simply stood at the spot maintaining her smile and controlling her urge to drag her husband away from the woman.

The woman stepped forward and gave Aadarsh a hug. Ruhaani was almost expecting it. She watched the other woman's hand move up and down her husband's sleeves. Sarah then turned to her and gave her a hug that hardly lasted a quarter of time than the one she gave Aadarsh.

"We'll do that dinner get together soon!" She said with a smile.

"Of course!" Ruhaani said with a sugary smile.

"Not." She added as the woman walked away. She turned to Aadarsh.

"What?" he asked, looking amused.

"You got the passes from her?"

He shrugged.

"In return of what?"

"She's a friend."

"Yeah, of course. You look splendid as always." She mimicked the compliment he paid to Sarah.

"Are you jealous?" He asked in a hushed voice stepping towards her.

"No. I feel nauseated!" Ruhaani remarked walking ahead.

Aadarsh smiled and followed her with quick strides. He slipped his arm around her waist.

"Take your hand off," she said softly.

"Why? You didn't say that earlier. You were enjoying it, weren't you?" He spoke softly tilting his head towards her.

"Aadarsh take your hand off or I am going to peel it off. I don't care what people will think."

Aadarsh's jaw tightened. He dropped his hand. "What's got into you?" He muttered a bit annoyed.

She didn't respond, because she had no answer. Why did she feel like this? Was she jealous? Yes, she was. But why did it make her angry? Why did it piss her off?

"I will use the restroom and be back." She muttered, and turned to the right to move down the corridor that was now filled with just few people as everyone made their way to the main hall for the event. She kept walking ahead to the restroom at the far end of the corridor, instead of taking the narrow passageway that led to the first.

Aadarsh took a deep breath and exhaled. Why was she suddenly acting like this? He wanted to let her be and head inside, but something pulled him in her direction and he quietly followed her trail.

He saw her enter the narrow passageway that led to the washrooms and followed behind her.  He waited outside for her. 

She took over five minutes and stepped out with his coat still hanging on her arm. Her gaze met his. She looked away and then back at him.

"I am sorry, for how I reacted." She said softly walking up to him. He held his hand out and she slipped her hand into his. They quietly began to walk ahead when Aadarsh pulled her into the deserted passageway in the left that led to an emergency exit.

"Aadarsh," she gasped as he placed her against the wall looking at her.

"You don't have to be insecure. Especially not of Sarah."

"I don't like her." She spoke irritated.

"That's actually very evident." He said with the hint of a smile.

"I don't like the way she touches you," Ruhaani spoke up, looking at him. She slowly turned to the side to look away. She hated how childish she was behaving but she just couldn't help herself.

Aadarsh's gaze softened. He touched her cheeks and gently brushed her hair behind her ear. "Look at me." He said softly.

She turned to him slowly, her eyes refusing to meet his.

"Look at me, Ruhaani." He said again.

She slowly raised her gaze to meet his.

"It will not happen again. I promise." He spoke.

"But she's your friend right?" She challenged.

"Yes, she is." He sighed. "But you're my wife."

"Oh you realized? You were flirting with her."

"No I was being friendly. Flirting is what I do with you." He muttered pinning her with his gaze.

A smile tugged at Ruhaani's lips. "Fine, then. Stop being friendly with her."

"Okay."

She looked up at him surprised. He has surrendered instead of winning. It was rare.

They gazed at each other. Ruhaani shifted her face closer to his and then realized they weren't in the most idle surroundings.

"Good!" she whispered.

He tugged at her hand leading her back to the main hall. He was still sinking in his own reaction. He wasn't stupid, he knew Sarah Malik was interested in him. That's why he friend zoned her. She was the wife of a powerful man. She couldn't act on her desires on her own. She would need his cooperation. And she would do anything for him, to win his affection and consent to fulfil her desires. Something he would never do. Which is why friendship with her was beneficial. She had a thing for him and he used that to his advantage, to get things done, to meet influential people and expand his network.

It was not wrong if he was not interested in her. It was not wrong if she just flirted with him and he took that as friendly chatter. It was not wrong if no boundaries were crossed.

But Ruhaani had a problem with that. And he was willing to let go a powerful acquaintance he had in that woman because his wife was jealous. He knew he harboured feelings for Ruhaani, he knew he was falling in love with her. However he didn't know how much of a goner he was, until that moment.

Once upon a time, if Ruhaani had an issue, if she had a problem; he didn't give a fuck. It was her problem and she had to sort it out. However, now the slightest inconvenience to her was his problem, all her issues were his to resolve. He had started caring for her happiness more than anything else.

The feeling was a bit hard to come to terms with. Being in love with someone was one thing. But being mad in love was another. He was edging towards the latter. He could hear the alarms blaring in his head. But he was too far gone to pay any heed to them. He wanted to be Ruhaani's, be hers in every way. Even if that was at the cost of his own sanity. Period.

He felt her hand on his arm. He looked at her.

"I will go sit with Ashvi, Abhi's waiting there." She pointed to their earlier seating area.

He nodded, letting go off her hand. He watched her as she graciously made her say to the front and settle on the chair beside Ashvi. He slowly made his way to the empty seat beside his brother. His eyes going back to her across the room.

• — • — •

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. Looking forward to read your thoughts on it.

Next : Sunday

Don't forget to vote ☆ on the chapters.

—Anami!♡