*Palak Pov*

Why are they staring at me like that? I thought meeting their stares back and they immediately glanced away. I was lost in my own thoughts from morning because of that person and didn't give much thought about this.

But now they are being too bold and I don't know the reason behind it. Did something happen which I don't know? So, I asked the only person who can answer me directly unlike others.

"They are staring at you? Just ignore them and go home. It's the end of your shift, right?" he asked, not even taking my question seriously.

So, there is really something and he is as usual not being honest. I honestly expressed those thoughts making him stare at me in shock.

"It's not like I am lying to you. I don't want you to feel any pressure. Anyway, someone wrote an article about you being the wife of David. He is still popular you know even after his retirement. So, they are staring at you. He already took down the articles, but the social media is too fast." He explained properly this time and I sighed rubbing my forehead.

"I know you lied for his sake and had to get into this trouble. They will forget it soon and he is trying hard to block all articles. He already called me to make sure no one gives you any trouble." He added with an assuring smile.

"Thank you!" I mumbled, not knowing what else to say before leaving his cabin and decided to go back home still not getting what is he thinking to do all this.

All his actions are definitely not matching with everything he is doing from morning onwards. Am I thinking too much about all this? Maybe... maybe I should have a word with him.

"Bhabhi! Are you my Bhabhi in that way?" I frowned at Jasmine's question as she burst out those words the moment I took a step inside.

"What?" I asked her frowning while Aunty shook her head at her.

"Don't mind her and let her freshen up." She mumbled before glancing at me with a confused look.

"What? Are you ignoring this article, Mom?" Jasmine asked, glancing at her after I returned from my room changing my attire.

Why didn't I think the fact that Jasmine would be able to find about this article matter? So, what should I tell them? And why is Aunty not saying anything and even stopping Jasmine?

"David already said not to give any thoughts to those articles, didn't he? Let's wait for him to return and explain by himself. Don't trouble her like this." Aunty mumbled while I took Eli from the baby stroller which Aunty generally uses while taking care of other things.

"He said that?" I asked, glancing at them and they both nodded making me frown.

In the morning he stopped me from saying anything and then showed an interest in marrying someone else. Now, he is completely striking off all this even near his family.

"He is here." Jasmine mumbled and I turned to find him walking inside while talking to someone on the phone.

"They took down all the articles." He commented hanging up while staring at me and I stared back not saying anything.

He sat down beside before explaining how the people at the party were against us trying to condemn us along with explaining the plan of my brother.

He finished it by saying how I lied so that his plan fails, but somehow the news got out. I continued to listen to his words, but concentrated on Eli, who is playing with my hair.

Why is she so obsessed with our hairs? And mainly of David's but I know I am trying to stop myself from saying anything after listening to his words while questioning about these silly things.

"Were you troubled at work?" Aunty asked, glancing at me in a worried tone.

"Are you fine, Bhabhi?" Jasmine added, staring me with the same look like her Mom.

I stared back at them before glancing at David, who is looking down at his feet. I gave them a nod with an assuring smile not showing my confused look.

Seems like everyone is just worried about me because even Shruthi messaged me asking whether I am fine. He must have explained everyone who is close to his family because none of them asked me whether that article is true or not.

Why aren't they asking whether he is fine or not? He is the one that got attacked by my brother and not me. His reputation and company was supposed to get ruined if the plan succeeds and not the other way around.

More than all that, why is he fine with them being concerned about me and not him? I sighed pressing Eli into my arms wishing all these thoughts just leave my head.

****

Even though I was struggling with all these thoughts for two weeks straight, I didn't approach anyone to ask about them because everyone was acting hell bent that this issue didn't even happen.

While David is just escaping whenever I enter the same room and he stopped explaining the business matters. Jasmine took over, but she is definitely complaining about that.

However, he didn't stop spending time with Eli and just changed the timings. Seems like he is going to work later than me and spending that extra time with Eli.

Somehow, I know I should stop all this before my brain gets damaged. I just need a few answers and I can go back to normal stage where I can ignore everything.

That's why he got completely shocked the moment he entered his study after returning home at midnight. I heard Aunty discussing that he will not be home for dinner as he has a video conference that will take a long time and come home after twelve.

"What are you doing here?" he asked in a shocked tone while I sat comfortably on the couch.

"Are you still planning for revenge, David?" I asked ignoring his question.

"What? What kind of question is that?" he asked, raising his voice.

"A genuine question!" I replied and he gave a confused look before walking closer to me and sat beside me while leaving some space between us.

"You already know how much I regret my earlier actions and why would I do it again." He mumbled glancing at me with a clear confusion reflecting on his face.

"You should know because I don't understand how your brain works. But I have seen this pattern once. I remember you being completely attentive towards me and then ignoring me immediately. That was actually a part of your revenge and you are doing it again right now." I questioned and he flinched when I talked about the past but again gave a confused look at my last sentence.

"I am not getting why you even think like that. I am not taking any revenge and why would I even take revenge. Why would I make the same mistake? Don't think like that, Palak." He pleaded and I sighed unfolding my hands to turn towards him.

I can't believe I am going to say the next words, but I have to put across what is going on in my head to clear my confusion, right? Otherwise, the confusion will never get cleared.

"For the past few weeks you are kissing and touching me as you wish while talking about so many things and now you are dismissing everything that shows that we are actually married with a strong defense. What are you playing at?" I asked and he blinked for a few seconds before shaking his head furiously.

"Now I am confused about what are you thinking, Palak. Do you really want to leave me? Am I asking an obvious question?" he literally talked to himself more than me.

"What are you saying?" I asked him frowning.

"Palak! I don't want you to ever leave me if possible. At least I don't want to give you a chance by myself and for that I am willing to stop the truth coming out or acknowledge it. You want me to have more regrets by telling everyone the truth or what. I will not be able to bear the fact that I let you leave my life because of my own decision." He just continued to blabber while I couldn't understand a single word.

"Again! What are you saying?" I repeated the question and this time he paused to stare at me.

"You said that you will cancel our marriage and leave this house with Eli the moment someone else other than the people in that register room knows about us being married. You didn't mention whether this condition is there even if you say those words and not just me." He finally said those words while I sat there finally realizing what is actually going on.

"Why... why are you shocked?" he asked frowning.

"I... I forgot!" I replied, clearing my throat.

"You what?" he asked still frowning.

"I forgot that there was such condition." I explained, remembering the complete conversation.

"You forgot? Are you serious? Those words were and are still haunting me every day from that day onwards and every time I felt like shouting to everyone that you are my wife, I had to stop myself after remembering it. And you forgot?" he shouted, standing up and I followed his suit not believing the fact that he is shouting at me which he never did before.

"Yes! I completely forgot, but thanks for reminding me." Saying that I started walking towards the door, but he took hold of my hand stopping me from reaching the door.

"I shouldn't have shouted at you. I... those words were really haunting me and from that party when you told everyone about this I was scared thinking about this. That's why I worked this hard to block those articles and everyone from saying those words. These two weeks were pure torture." He slowly hugged me from behind as usual.

"I couldn't even talk to you or hold you all these days. But just forget all that now. No one will talk about it again and you just need to ignore all that." He added in a pleading tone.

So, when he said he was scared it was for this reason. I was confused but didn't think much when he said those words, but now everything is clearing up.

All the confusion and my mind working can take some rest for now. I can't believe I actually forgot the conditions I placed before him while he remember all of that.

"What about the marriage proposals..." why did I guess that I would say something like that as usual.

"Just forget that I talked about this." I immediately added feeling embarrassed before trying to push his hands away but he tightened his hold to pull me completely into his hold.

"I didn't even open the envelope. I was just stopping Mom from talking about proposals for you." He mumbled sighing.

"You thought you got a chance to cancel our marriage, right?" I turned my head to stare at him so that I can check how does his brain work.

I thought he would think I was jealous when I asked about the proposals, but here he is thinking of something else. Jealous? Yes! I can finally accept the fact, even though an unbelievable fact that I was completely jealous when he accepted to check the proposals.

What happened to him? His brain used to work fine before, but now... I sighed before turning my head away. He pressed his lips to my cheek before releasing me and I am not even shocked anymore with his actions.

I walked out of his study room still thinking about his words. I really placed those conditions and that's why he never told anyone. I forgot the whole matter all this time and didn't give any of it much thought.

I was thinking of so many reasons, but it turns I was the reason behind his actions. I sighed entering my room before trying to forget all this and drifted off into sleep.

****

"You really want two photographers, Bhabhi?" Jasmine asked, staring at me in shock.

"Yes!" I replied not at all hesitating.

"Satish is not enough?" Aunty asked, looking at me and I shook my head.

"No! It is better to have someone else to take the pictures along with him." I replied, glancing at one person sitting there with an awkward look.

"Me?" she asked, pointing at herself and I gave her a nod.

"Are you sure?" she asked again and I nodded strongly.

"Why do you want both Satish and Shruthi Di to take the pictures?" Jasmine asked, frowning but changed the duties like I wished.

"Do you remember your first birthday?" I asked back, but she shook her head.

"I don't remember, but I just check the pictures... I got it." She smiled, realizing why I am stressing on the pictures.

"Let's go and get the things we bought from the store room." Aunty said, standing up while glancing at Jasmine and Lakshmi Aunty.

Does she think I don't know what is she trying to do right now? I already took a step to make sure Shruthi doesn't feel left out and what else can I do even if they leave both of us alone here.

When they all left, I glanced at the study room hearing the door being opened with a force. He stared back at us in shock before walking closer to us.

"Planning for tomorrow? Will you be able to finish doing the decorations?" he asked, leaning over me to check the list while I rolled my eyes at his obvious gesture.

If Aunty was here, he would have stood a few feet away, but now he is not hiding even before Shruthi. I glanced at her only to find her smirking.

"No need to fall over your wife like that, David." Hearing her words, his hand on which he was supporting his body to not fall over me slipped making him fall over me this time but he adjusted himself within a second.

"What? How do you know?" he asked in a shocked tone while I glanced at her in surprise.

"So, I was right with my guess. I had a doubt thinking about James's mind, but now it's clear." She replied shaking her head.

"I will go back and I will hang the things that need to be done. Don't put yourself on harm side." Saying that he escaped into his room while I let out a slight smile remembering his scary thought.

He must have escaped thinking about that condition as usual. I sighed, letting the smile slip not sure what to think or do. Do I actually want to do something about it in the first place?

When she continued to stare at me with questioning looks, I briefly explained what happened and the conditions along with it to which she gave a surprised look.

"So, you still love him." She started and I frowned hearing those words.

"At least you know he loves you." She added and I continued to frown at her.

"If you didn't know that he loves you, why would you put that condition in the first place? If he doesn't love you then he wouldn't have felt anything and your idea of revenge would have failed from the beginning. But you knew he loves you like crazy and planned this out. Are you satisfied with your revenge?" she asked not giving a pause making me stop from saying anything.

"I don't think so. If I was not able to be satisfied from my plan even though it is against the people I don't know then how would you when you actually love that person?" she added shaking her head.

"I don't..." she raised her eyebrow hearing my words and gave a smile.

"Are you sure? I had a little chat with Jasmine and she doesn't know how to keep a secret. We gossiped about someone having some moments with someone." I cleared my throat, hearing those words and wishing to kill Jasmine at the same time.

"So, if you hate him then would it have been possible? You were hurt which is for sure, but are you still feeling the same? Just think about it clearly and you will know what you are actually feeling." She mumbled standing up.

I stared at her not knowing what to even say after listening to those words. Can I really check my own thoughts to know what I feel? But what if I get nothing but hurt by thinking about my feelings? Can't I just close my eyes towards them?

"It is again your decision, Palak. We all decided so many things like you said and this time we all are waiting to see your decision. I will go and help them with those things." Saying that she walked away, leaving me alone to sit there with all my thoughts along with others fall around me and they are closing on me in a scary way.

*David Pov*

"Marriage proposals?" I asked Jasmine in a shocked tone.

"Yes! I heard Mom talking about them with Bhabhi just now. I think there are a few proposals here present. What will do now, Bhai?" she asked worriedly and I glanced at Palak only to find her frowning.

She is supposed to be enjoying today along with Elisha and here Mom already made her frown like that. I sighed deciding to stop their discussion, but they both closer to the cake as it is the time we decided have the cake cutting.

We all reached closer and somehow Mom ended up inviting so many people. She ended up inviting even company employees whom she had known for so long.

Jasmine called her friends and now we even had to increase the catering by paying extra which was not a problem, but Palak doesn't know anyone and even Elisha will feel troubled with so many people.

Satish and Shruthi continued to take pictures as ordered by Palak and it's definitely surprising and we all family members stood closer. Suddenly I felt Palak holding my hand and she pulled me closer to her holding Elisha in her arms.

"What is it?" I asked her thinking there is some problem.

"You have to cut the cake along with me." She replied, placing my hand over hers with which she took hold of a knife.

"But..." I started feeling shock and stopped hearing her next words.

"Eli's parents should cut it together to help her." She pointed out and I nodded along with others who were also shocked by her gesture.

Well, they won't say anything because they all know that this is true. But other guests actually think we are a couple unlike our family and friends except Shruthi.

The party was done smoothly and all guests left one after the other except for Satish, Shruthi and Dr. Harsha and his wife, as Palak asked them to stay for some more time.

"Did you both get good pictures?" she asked, glancing at Satish and Shruthi and both nodded while assuring her not to worry.

"I need to say something to everyone." Saying that she stood up before standing in front of us.

"Aunty! You need not look for any marriage proposals for me." She added and I felt happy for sure, but glanced at Mom hoping she will not talk about the ones for me now.

"Because I am already married to David." My eyes widened along with Mom's hearing those words from Palak. What is she doing right now?

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Oops... by the way the words "I forgot" have a speciality in don't leave me 2... anyone remember?

Kind of short one and next one hoping for a fast one... Is it rushed?

How is the chap???

comment plz and vote...