Chapter 64 : Coquetry

Psst.

Aadarsh blinked and turned to his brother hearing the annoying whispering noise he made.

"The fashion show is on the ramp," Abhi leaned sideways towards his brother and whispered.

"I am looking at the ramp." Aadarsh muttered. It would have been so much better having Ruhaani on his side, instead of across the room. He sighed, as he realized his thought process. He didn't behave like such a goner even when he was a teenager. Somehow she never left his mind, she had made it her permanent place.

"Bhabhs is not on the ramp, as far as I can see." Abhi teased.

"Shut up!" Aadarsh muttered under his breath, willing his gaze to not go back to Ruhaani.

"Please let's have some fun and drinks in the after party?" Abhi spoke softly, tilting towards his brother to keep their conversation as private as he could.

"Abhi," Aadarsh sighed, exhausted of denying his pleas.

"Please. It's her twenty-first. Let's treat her like an adult for once. Besides it's better she drinks with us around than on her own. And then, you never know, where she would be celebrating er next birthday, she might be in Paris or elsewhere." There was a hint of disappointment in Abhi's tone.

Aadarsh felt that selfish disappointment too. Since the beginning of time, they had all been together, lived under the same roof. To suddenly move across the ocean and stay elsewhere was a big deal for all of them.

Aadarsh blinked. He turned to Abhi. "And you might not be around too."

Abhi's face grew serious. "Yaa.." He sighed. Aadarsh's hope of hearing a no died a brutal death. Abhi was seriously considering the offer to move to the States.

The roar of applause made them turn to the front. Aadarsh was lost in his thoughts as he clapped to fit in the crowd. He was still unsure of what Abhi's decision would be. Usually he could predict his brother's thoughts, his action and his decisions. However it was no longer the case. He felt safer to assume it would be going to the US. At least he could mentally prepare himself like that.

"Okay, call the driver. If he's willing to pick us up at midnight. I am in." Aadarsh spoke. Abhi was right, he had to make most of what her had.

A smile bloomed on Abhi's face. "I love you, you know that right?"

Aadarsh managed a smile, despite the ugly feeling clawing his heart. When people moved away, they changed, their priorities changed, the relationship changed. In most cases, it meant worse for the person being left behind.

***

"Bhaiyaaaa!" Ashvi's squeal made both Abhi and Aadarsh turn around. They had been trying to locate the ladies since the past ten minutes, quite unsuccessfully.

"Finally! Where were you both?" Abhi asked and "Chipmunk why you shouting?"

"Guess what?" Ashvi said with her eyes shining with excitement.

"Pass. Just tell us." Abhi said, his disinterest evident.

"Bhabhs and I got a picture with the Roshan Shergill."

"The dude with six-pack abs who walked the ramp shirtless wearing cow boy jeans?" Abhi asked to confirm his assumption, his interest suddenly growing.

"Yep, him!" Ruhaani smiled.

"That guy can't act to save his life. Only has a good body. I wasted bloody two hours watching his debut movie. I swear I could act better than him and I even look better them!"

"Why didn't you leave the theatre?" Ruhaani asked.

"The actress was Disha Arora." Abhi shrugged.

Aadarsh shook his head.

"Whatever... don't rain on our parade." Ashvi silenced her brother.

"If we are done here, can we move into that hall for dinner? I am hungry." Aadarsh spoke up. He recollected how both Ashvi and Ruhaani had been gawking at the models in the jeans collection. It was stupid to have men shirtless for a jeans collection.

"Yes, but first we need to take some selfies." Ashvi said extending her selfie stick. Ruhaani stood behind her left shoulder while Aadarsh placed himself behind her right shoulder. Abhi stood next to Aadarsh wearing a dazzling smile as he noted two ladies eyeing him from a little distance away.

Ruhaani blinked, as Aadarsh's arm that stretched out behind Ashvi eventually settled on her mid-back. The smile on her lips broadened.

As soon as Ashvi moved on after taking a bunch of snapshots to get her single pictures clicked, Aadarsh stood next to Ruhaani. "Enjoyed the show?" His hand slowly dropping to his side.

"Thoroughly!" she answered, a warm feeling already spreading out in her chest. If someone told her a few months back that there would be a day when Aadarsh would actually want to talk to her about mundane stuff voluntarily, about how she felt about things, stand close to her; she would have probably stared at their face and then laughed out loud.

His gaze drifted down to his coat hanging on her arm. So she had taken off the coat to take a picture with that model who was an upcoming actor with unfortunately zero acting skills. He wondered if the man was still shirtless in the picture. "Didn't take you to be the one to click pictures with celebrities." He couldn't hold himself back from commenting.

"Oh, it was for Ashvi! I didn't even know the guy existed until I saw him on stage." Ruhaani smiled as they watched Abhi take a few pictures of Ashvi, all in different angles and poses.

"You mean gawked." He corrected.

Ruhaani curiously turned towards him. Feeling her gaze he turned to her. He raised an eyebrow questioning her look.

"I meant saw." She replied, her cheeks warming up. She had never seen real men with abs. So she may have been watching quite intrigued but not gawking. "There's a difference between seeing and gawking."

"Exactly. And I saw you gawk." He argued.

"You were seeing me?" Ruhaani asked amused.

Aadarsh stared at her for a beat and then blinked. "Yeah, you were in the way." He dismissed her sudden interest holding back his smile.

"Of course," Ruhaani replied with a grin.

"She was not," Abhi remarked, placing a hand on his brother's back. "Hate to break it to you bro, you were actually gawking at her." He spoke, eventually tossing his gaze towards Ruhaani.

Aadarsh closed his eyes and slowly turned to the other side to find Abhi grinning—ear to ear—at him, like the cartoon character Pari so often loved to watch.

Ruhaani chuckled and looked away, a blush glazing over her cheeks.

Abhi nudged his brother in the side, "Come on, if you're done staring and gawking, let's go get those shots."

"He agreed?" Ruhaani asked turning back to Abhi instantly.

"Of course he did. You think only you can do that?"

"Do what?" Ruhaani asked a little confused.

"Convince him to do things." Abhi said.

Ruhaani scoffed, "he doesn't listen to a thing I say, forget doing what I say."

Aadarsh who was switching his gaze from one to another, turned sharply to look at Ruhaani pointedly. They were talking about him like he was not standing between them. He took offense at her statement. He always listened to her, dammit. More than he should. More often lately. "I listen to you."

"Oh yeah? When I told you let us get drink today, you shut me up by saying I talk too much." She scowled.

"He did?" Abhi remarked, enjoying being the third wheel.

An agitated Aadarsh went on to explain, "I never said it like that. I said—"

"Aadarsh!" A feminine voice interrupted their banter.

"And she reappears!" Ruhaani muttered under her breath immediately wearing a smile.

Aadarsh looked at Sarah and then glanced at his wife. "Sarah, good to see you again." He said as formally as he could. He tried not to focus on Ruhaani's pointed gaze at him. He could almost sense the taunt at the tip of her tongue. He was sure he'd hear it later. He noticed Sarah's gaze drift to Abhi.

"Oh this is Abhimanyu, my younger brother." Aadarsh introduced.

Abhi smiled at her, forwarding his hand to meet hers, "you can call me Abhi."

Ruhaani covered her laugh with a cough and turned around. Aadarsh bit back his smile at her reaction but his eyes glowed with amusement. Abhi threw a warning glance at his sister-in-law.

"Abhi, this is Sarah Malik." Aadarsh further spoke.

"Nice to meet you, Sarah. You looked fabulous on the stage and you look fabulous right now. Is fabulous your middle name?"

Ruhaani's eyes widened and she kept her mouth shut tightly to prevent herself from laughing out loud. Aadarsh itched his temple with the thumb of his right hand while his left hand held Ruhaani's. He subtly met his wife's gaze and shook his head. It would be considered impolite to laugh right now. But God knew, how badly he wanted to laugh at that, just like Ruhaani.

Ruhaani turned around and composed herself and tried looking at Abhi again with a straight face. Gosh, the man needed to work on his flirting.

"You're really sweet." Sarah smiled and turned to Aadarsh. "You never told me your brother's so dashing."

Abhi beamed at the compliment.

Ruhaani rolled her eyes, feeling glad that Sarah's side and back was towards her. She couldn't notice the expressions crossing her face.

"Well, he likes to keep the light to himself." Abhi remarked, grinning.

Aadarsh sighed.

"Bhai, you suck at taking pictures."

Abhi closed his eyes. Trust his sister to ruin his impression on others.

All four turned to Ashvi whose gaze was fixed on her screen as she came forth complaining about the pictures Abhi had taken, probably after making a few reels of the well lit common hall that had huge length paintings on the wall and expensive chandeliers hanging from the raised ceiling.

Aadarsh cleared his throat, "Uh Ashvi, meet Sarah. Sarah that's my younger sister."

Sarah and Ashvi smiled and shook hands.

"So you're the fashion prodigy, Aadarsh often talks about." Sarah said with a warm smile.

Ashvi smiled and glanced at her brother, clearly flattered by the way she was addressed.

"Happy Birthday!" Sarah wished.

Ashvi smiled shaking hands with her, "thanks!"

"You look gorgeous darling. Almost reminded me of my younger self." Sarah remarked her hand reaching out to caress Ashvi's arm. "Oh and your dress is gorgeous!"

"Thanks, you look quite fabulous yourself." Ashvi remarked with a smile.

Sarah chuckled and turned to Abhi.

Abhi gave her his best boyish smile, "Told you!"

Ashvi looked a bit confused but didn't comment. While Ruhaani stifled another bout of laughter, as Aadarsh's grip on her hand strengthened. Aadarsh himself kept his lips straight with difficulty. He exchanged a look with his wife and shook his head.

"Come on let me introduce you to a few folks. I am sure you'll love meeting the team who put together the designs and the show." Sarah suggested and the turned to Aadarsh, "I hope that's okay? I am sure she'll love it."

Aadarsh smiled looking at his sister who vigorously nodded, hinting him to let her go.

"Sure,"

"Come on Birthday girl, let's make your twenty-one memorable." Sarah said enthusiastically.

"Is this some sort of offer only for people who have their birthday today?" Abhi asked.

Sarah slowly turned back at him with a smile. "Well, I would like to say yes, but then who'd want to replace your sweet smile with a frown. Come on."

"Aadarsh," Sarah turned to him.

"Go ahead, Ruhaani and I will go grab some food in the meanwhile." He said quickly, anticipating her invitation to join. His fingers interlocked with Ruhaani's.

"Sure or you could come too..." she suggested, looking at him hopefully.

"I would love to, but we're both starving already. We'll see you around." He smiled.

"Alright then!" Sarah responded, tossing a gaze at Ruhaani that was followed by a saccharine smile.

"God, how do you tolerate that woman and the concentrated, viciously crafted, sweetness dripping off her words?" Ruhaani muttered as the woman left with Abhi and Ashvi.

Aadarsh turned to her. She was still looking at the woman's retreating figure with narrowed eyes and an overall irritated face. The ghost of a smile loitered around his lips.

"If you're done being jealous, I am actually hungry."

"I am not jealous. No way. Especially not of her."

"Sure and my middle name is fabulous." He remarked.

Ruhaani turned to him, her gaze melting into his, and she finally laughed heartily. Aadarsh beamed at her. "Gosh, Abhi needs to work on that." Ruhaani remarked as her laughter faded.

"Told you, I am way more charming than he can ever be." He spoke, with a hint of sass in his tone, leading her towards the dinner hall, securing her hand in his hold.

Ruhaani couldn't disagree. "Well, there'll be one person, at the very least, who would disagree."

"And it most definitely won't be you," he replied, bringing a smile to her face. He was damn right!

***

Amid the dazzling afterglow of the fashion show, the grand hall buzzed with energy and vibrancy. The high-ceilinged space was adorned with opulent decor, chandeliers that dazzled under the different colors lights moving across the room. The ramp had been swiftly removed. A dedicated huge dance floor had replaced it, drawing guests into its pulsating rhythm.

Beats of rock music, peals of laughter and chatter engulfed the hall. People were just enjoying themselves.

To the sides, sleek bars lined up, offering an array of cocktails and spirits. Aadarsh and Ruhaani were at one such bar waiting for Abhi and Ashvi after having a very private dinner in a crowded room. The loud noise didn't deter them from talking. They spoke about their thoughts, opinions on other people and occasionally flirted with the other wearing cute grins.

Ruhaani watched him run a gaze around the room. She was having such a great time with him. It was a treat to be in the company of Aadarsh when he didn't have his guards up, when he let himself lose and be himself. She was growing to love this side of him more.

"You are still having second thoughts about this, aren't you?" Ruhaani asked, shifting closer to him, so that he could hear her voice over the sound of the rock music.

"I don't think it's right," Aadarsh who was leaning his back against the counter spoke and sighed turning to her. "Which responsible elder brother would encourage his sister to drink alcohol the day she attains the legal age to drink?"

"The fun kind," Ruhaani replied with a goofy smile.

A smile tugged at Aadarsh's lips and he turned around to the bar and then turned his head towards her. They wordlessly looked at each other. Their gazes fused with an unknown intensity.

"I understand where you're coming from Aadarsh. Don't worry, they won't become habitual drinkers." She tried to reassure him, placing her hand on his arm.

"I never thought my dad would be one too. He was an occasional drinker, the kind who drank at happy occasions. You know, studies say that an individual is more prone to become an alcoholic if it runs in the family. I just want to protect them both from hitting that low."

"Well then, let's drink to celebrate that at the very least, you are safe, thanks to your awareness and good control."

Aadarsh chuckled, "the wine's getting to your head, I think. How many glasses have you already had?"

Ruhaani feigned thoughtful look and began counting on her fingers. "One, two, three, four, five, six..."

Aadarsh rolled his eyes and she stuck her tongue out like Pari did.

"Just two. Don't worry, as far as I remember there's no alcohol abuse disorder in my family. Also, I have a husband whose pretty controlling when it comes to such things, so I am also pretty safe. So we can both celebrate and have a drink."

Aadarsh snickered, "definitely the wine, Ruhaani!"

"Please do not give credit for my humour to the grapes." Ruhaani deadpanned.

Aadarsh chuckled again, a dazzling smile appearing on his lips as he looked back at her. She was gorgeous. Everything he had ever needed and wanted was right before his eyes. He didn't even know up until this point that he had needed her so much in his life. Just being with her made him feel alive, made him feel that there were more things to life than just thriving his siblings and protecting them.

There was more to life, and she made him realize that.

"On a serious note," she spoke up again, "doesn't it tire you? Being in control all the time. Being responsible for everything that happens all the time."

Aadarsh's smile faltered. "Someone has to. You know what, let's get that drink."

"Hey, you don't have to answer that. I am sorry I brought it up." Ruhaani said quickly, grasping his arm, she sensed his discomfort. "Let's wait for them to come."

"I thought you said we should drink to celebrate." Aadarsh remarked.

Ruhaani tossed him a small smile. She could now literally see his guards coming up, like they did at the moment. He was closing up because he didn't want to talk about it. "I was kidding! Let's go dance," she said, her hand moving along his arm to his hand. "We'll be back when we see them here."

Aadarsh looked at her, slightly surprised at her sudden suggestion.

"Do you want me to add a please to that?" Ruhaani asked raising an eye brow, one corner of her lips lifting up in a mocking smirk.

"Wouldn't hurt..." he replied back confidently, poking the inside of his cheek with his tongue.

"Oh, I won't. Come on." She said sliding of the barstool. Her hand quickly held his hand again trying to drag him along with her. However she only managed to stretch his arm, the other parts of his body didn't shift. He looked at her with wry smile.

She turned to him with a pout. "Come!"

"I didn't hear a please," he teased.

"Oh come on! I am not going to say it."

"Still not!" He remarked playfully.

Ruhaani strode towards him, diminishing all the decent distance between them. "I am not begging you." A fiery spark reflected in her eyes.

"Saying a please is being polite, not begging." He spoke, his gaze gliding down her face to her lips and darkening. He leaned still close his chin over her shoulder. "Begging is something entirely different," he then turned towards her ear, "trust me, this is not making you beg." His voice was husky as he spoke the latter.

Ruhaani gulped the forming lump in her throat, as he pulled away. Goosebumps scattered across her skin as they shared a magnetic eye lock. She felt a gush of anticipation run down her nerves, soaking one particular part of her.

Aadarsh's heated gaze followed the movement of her throat. He licked his lips that were somehow parched right now. His hand slowly began to move to touch her face when he heard Abhi's voice and fisted them, keeping them to his side. Ruhaani blinked out of the reverie and turned, managing a smile.

She felt hot all over, despite the central cooling of the hall, despite the sleeveless dress she wore. She could barely wait to get home. Something told her tonight would be different. He had dropped enough hints for her to know.

"Bhaiya," Ashvi immediately came charging towards Aadarsh's side. "Thank you so so so so much! This is like my best birthday ever." She gave him a side hug and he draped his arm protectively around her.

"I am glad but you'll have to thank Ruhaani. This was her brainchild."

Ashvi immediately extended her hand to hold Ruhaani's. "Thank you Bhabhs, for being so thoughtful. You really made by day. In fact you all did." She looked back at her eldest brother. "Thanks Bhaiya for introducing me to Sarah. She's awesome really. Gosh, why didn't you introduce me to her earlier? You know she knows designers in Paris and when I told her I will be there for my next sem. She said she could put in a word for me and I can be an apprentice to some of the best designers. Can you believe that!"

Aadarsh smiled looking at his sister's happy face. "That's awesome."

"And to that we should all celebrate," Abhi remarked draping his arm over Aadarsh's that was around Ashvi.

Ruhaani smiled looking at them and quickly pulled the phone out of Abhi's hand. "Stay put, I am clicking a picture!" she said and quickly captured the memory of those moments into pictures.

"Thank you," Aadarsh said softly, smiling at her, while Abhi stepped forward and ordered the shots.

"You can still back out." Aadarsh said to his sister.

"Nope. We are drinking to celebrate my birthday and one of the best days of my life."

Aadarsh smiled and kissed her head. "Anything that makes you happy."

Ruhaani watched them with glistening eyes and smile. Gosh, her man was hurting inside but showing affection on the outside. She could feel it in his smile. She slowly walked over so that she stood on the other side of Aadarsh while Ashvi stood between her brothers.

The bartender placed four cute small glass plates that resembled petri dishes with two pieces of lemon each before them. He then placed four shots glass.

"Are we doing tequila shots again?" Ruhaani enquired, making a face. She hated the taste the last time.

"Yep. That's what the birthday girl wants." Abhi answered her leaning on the counter to meet her gaze.

"Eww, I don't like the taste. It's horrible. Good luck Ashvi!" Ruhaani spoke as they dragged the plate of lemon and salt and the shot glasses towards themselves.

"I don't like the taste either." Aadarsh remarked. "This is just for you Ashvi. Hopefully, you'll hate it too."

Abhi chuckled. He explained to Ashvi what had to be done. Aadarsh turned to his wife. "We can order something else if you want. You don't have to drink it , if you don't want to."

"It's fine. I don't want to be spoilsport."

"You won't be... if you don't want it, you don't have to." Aadarsh spoke up.

"No. Let's get this done with."

"Okay, remember... the faster you drink the better."

"Yeah. Lick. Drink. Suck. I know."

"I would prefer Lick. Suck. Drink." Aadarsh muttered under his breath, his thoughts momentarily indecent.

"Okay, so, let me make the toast," Abhi said. Ashvi giggled. "So here's drinking an awfully cheap alcohol to celebrate Ash's twenty-one and the start of her actual adulting. Cheers peeps!"

"Let's take turns," Ashvi suggested and they started with Abhi, who downed his shot and sucked on the lemon like a pro.

Ashvi followed the suit but coughed out the liquid halfway through, making the others chuckle. "Yuck, what the fuck is that!"

"Yeah, that's very accurate description of life after twenty-one!" Abhi remarked and Ruhaani laughed out loud, while Aadarsh helped his sister drink down a bit of the coke to get over the taste.

"We should have tried vodka as we decided earlier." Ruhaani spoke up.

"Yeah, this is horrible." Ashvi muttered.

"We'll get you some cocktail with vodka, you'll love that. Now Bhaiya, your turn." Abhi spoke.

Ruhaani who was smiling gasped as he lifted her hand, sucked the salt off it and then downed the liquid and bit into the lemon sucking it.

He turned to her making a strange face. "This feels like heartburn."

Ruhaani chortled. The trio turned to Ruhaani.

Ruhaani took a deep breath, putting some salt over the spot her husband had just licked and then at the next breath she sucked the salt, downed the liquid. Her face crunched up and eyes closed.

"Yuck!" she gasped putting down the shot glass.

Aadarsh was already prepared with a lemon in hand. He almost anticipated her to not suck into the lemon like last time. He took the tiny lemon piece to her mouth. She sucked on it gratefully holding his hand and squeezed her eyes shut at the sourness.

"This is pure torture. Not doing it ever again." Ruhaani spoke up, drinking from the can of coke to wash down the taste, that Aadarsh pushed towards her.

"I echo." Ashvi spoke raising her hand.

"Good. Count me in too." Aadarsh muttered and they all looked at Abhi who gave a half shrug.

"It's not that..." he saw his brother's pointed gaze and sighed. "Fine. Not doing it again with you guys."

Aadarsh shook his head.

"Can we get something nice to drink. I think I am going to stick to cocktails. No more neat liquids." Ashvi spoke up.

"Good choice," Aadarsh muttered, turning to Ruhaani who shook her head, still trying to get rid off the feel and taste of the liquid. He gently patted her back. "Drink the coke."

***

To say it was a long night would be an understatement. They got home minutes after two at night. Ashvi had already puked twice. Seemingly she didn't digest alcohol well, which was a great relief for Aadarsh. Thankfully, Abhi wasn't entirely drunk too. He was talking nonsense but could walk without a wobble. Fortunately, he was neither in a gloomy mood.

Ruhaani, had been high in spirits. She had danced with him, kissed his cheek on the dance floor and kept smiling at him like a kid on seeing his candy. The only problem with her was her clumsiness. Otherwise she seemed quite alright, although slightly presumptuous.

While Abhi walked to his own room, talking to himself Aadarsh carried his half asleep sister to her room with Ruhaani on his tow carrying Ashvi's handbag and high heels.

Ruhaani watched on after placing Ashvi's heels on the floor near the wall. Aadarsh first laid her in bed, covered her up half way and then woke her up, making her sit.

"Ashvi, I need you to drink some water. Come on, please. You'll feel better."

She sighed and drank from the glass while he held it for. He treated her like he treated his daughter. Ruhaani smiled. That's why she loved that man. He cared... cared so much for the ones he loved.

After tucking Ashvi into bed he placed her phone beside her. "Call me if you need anything okay?" He whispered and his sister hummed in agreement. He sat for a few minutes beside her her make sure she felt okay. She was back to sleeping in minutes. Finally, he got up and walked over to his wife. "Come on," he held her hand.

And he cared for her too. She thought to herself.

"Why you holding my hand?" she asked softly.

"Cause I don't trust you to walk to our room without wobbling." He answered honestly.

"Then why not carry me?" she pouted.

A smile curled Aadarsh's lips. He then left her hand slowly and in one quick move of his arms scooped her up in his arms. Her arms immediately looped around his neck, a smile flowering on her face.

She watched him with that wide smile and bright eyes, as he walked towards their room. "You're a very nice person." She said softly. "I am glad I married you!"

"Not nicer than you, Ruhaani. I don't think there can be anyone nicer than you."

Ruhaani's smile broadened, "You've been saying all the right things today."

Aadarsh put her down as he stepped inside the room. He kicked the room's door shut. His eyes were now steady on hers. "Damn right, and I think I should be rewarded for that." As he spoke his hands glided across her waist holding her in place.

Ruhaani chuckled, moving closer to him. Her arms snaked around his neck again. "Damn right, Mister Sehgal," she whispered close to his lips, "you should be rewarded." Having said that much, she sought his lips with hers and melted into his arms just as their mouths fused into each other's.

• — • — •

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

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