NISHCHAY
✨

'This is for you Saanchi... Nishchay's mother sent it to you!!!' Mumma said and I looked elsewhere.

I didn't understand why Akshar informed them about my marriage. They never cared. This was their way of sending love to me. And I didn't want their 'gifted' love.

'Mumma...you need not have to get this co-ordinated with Akshar. You know I don't like to take things from them both.'

To which Mumma kept a hand on my shoulder and said
'It's their right and their duty both Nishchay. You may cut yourself from relationships but in reality you never can. And by the way your parents were very happy for you both' she said and Saanchi smiled.

I didn't care.

She opened the both which flashed a designer silk saree along with a filthy expensive diamond necklace.

'Aunty this is too much! I.... I can't take it' Saanchi said trying to give it back to Mumma.

'Good! She doesn't need those. I can buy things for my wife.' I told Mumma and suddenly I realised the way I addressed her.

Wife!!! Wow!! That escalated fast I guess!!! Saanchi looked elsewhere but that's when Mumma said

'Shagun he Puttarji (It's a good omen son!!!) It's a blessing from your parents. And honestly if Saanchi can take the gifts I have her...Then these are from her in-laws. I don't want you to interfere here Nishu. It's her choice about how she wants to build her relationship with her in-laws. Don't interfere!!!' she strictly said and Saanchi slowly accepted the gifts.

Mumma slowly walked towards me and Saanchi and asked us to bend to her height. She was shorter than both of us. She put on her glasses and cupped both our faces with a hand each and smiled with tears in her eyes saying

'Today I feel I can happily go back to Chandigarh without any fear. My Kyra is now blessed with both her parents. Thank you bacchon (children).' saying she smiled while tears rolling down her eyes and she slowly kissed mine and Saanchi's foreheads.

'I am going back to Chandigarh tonight!' she said and we both were shocked.

'Mumma you know there is going to be a lockdown!!!' I tried stopping her. I wasn't ready to let her go. Call me selfish but her presence here in this house made me much more confident. Without her presence how am I going to manage everything???

Saanchi and I??? Damn no!!! That's going to be tough.

'Exactly Nishchay. Before the lockdown I want to reach home. There are a lot of responsibilities. I heard schools are going digital. It's going to be online classes. I will have a lot of responsibilities. And anyways I think you both must give each other some space. Learn to adapt towards each other.'

'But aunty...just another few-' Saanchi tried to request her again but Mumma was quick saying

'I am not going to be a fishbone to the newly weds. Learn to accept and live with each other as my children. I expect Kyra to soon have some siblings. Make my Gammy again!!!' she said embarrassing Saanchi and me.

Soon Mehek came to Mumma saying
'Everything is done aunty!!! And here your bag is also packed. Your train is at 8:30pm...I think we must leave now' and Mumma tapped her cheeks muttering a quick 'Thank you Puttar'.

Before leaving the house Mehek said
'Ummm Nishchay...Kyra was very tired so she slept along with Sufi at my place. I will bring her tomorrow morning along with breakfast for you both. Don't bother cooking. Just.... enjoy yourselves' saying she winked at us and before I could say a word she closed the door leaving Saanchi and me all alone in my 3bhk house.

Fuck!!!

✨

'Why did you tell them Akshar'

'Nishchay they are our parents...they deserve to know this and anyway Saanchi deserves it. She is the daughter in law of Mehra household. You didn't give her a lavish wedding at least this much she deserved buddy!!!' Akshar said leaving me speechless.

'By the way why are you still sitting in the living room. Tonight you shouldn't be with me...you should be with Saanchi!!! Shoo from here!!!' he said and I rolled my eyes. Before I could answer the answer the call was disconnected.

Damn!!! I was sitting in the living room for the last 1 hour. Trying to avoid confronting her. It was even more difficult now knowing the fact that she has feelings for me. I didn't want to hurt her but being with her was also not easy. How am I going to tolerate some other woman in the room I did it with Sudeshna the very first time.

That room still had the fragrance of that night. I could still remember how she melted in my arms. We had wild sex that night followed by a lot of promises I made to her naked under the moonlight. How can I forget those promises? I removed her photographs from the bedroom but the room still had her essence every single corner. How do I delete those memories from my mind?

I closed my eyes and huffed.

Man up Nishchay. You have to move on. You can't give Saanchi the rights of a wife true!!! But you cannot deny the respect and comfort she should be given.

It's a king sized bed. We could share it. Come on I can't sleep over the couch like a tv serial hero because there after a few episodes the hero and heroine consummate their marriage but here in our lives that episode is never going to come and I can't die with a back pain living all my life on a couch. The bed is safe. But won't it be uncomfortable? Damn!!! Stop thinking so much about it Nishchay. Man up!!!

In one go I opened the bedroom door and I noticed how the bed was decorated with flowers and candles. I cleared my throat. This one's going to be really embarrassing. I thought she was in the washroom but then I noticed the cupboards were all open.

As much as I remember, her clothes were all set up in the cupboards already last night. Then how come she...wait a minute... where is she?

I walked out of the room looking for her and then I noticed the guest bedroom lights were on. The door was slightly ajar. I stood at the door and noticed Saanchi had changed from the heavy lehenga to her tshirt and night suit but looked funny as she was struggling with her flower cladded bun and head gear and jewellery. I smiled. She suddenly saw me and said

'Nishchay!!! Ummm...Hi...I actually...I mean the room...I thought this room was free so why not take this room...you...don't have to overthink' she tried to gather words and I was slightly embarrassed but I felt extremely overwhelmed to have someone as understanding as Saanchi.

'This is your house Saanchi. Feel free to make yourself comfortable! And if you don't like this room and want to stay in that room feel free to kick me out. I will take the kitchen and if you think I am not worth your kitchen too...throw me into the bathroom!!!' I said and the next second she burst out laughing.

I felt relieved seeing she wasn't uncomfortable because of all those decorations in my room. She tilted her head a little only for her to wince in pain with a loud 'Ouuuuch' and I chuckled.

'Need help maybe?' I asked and she was shocked however she slowly nodded saying

'Yes please!!!' I smiled and walked towards her trying to check which chain goes where and what was pinned to which chain. There seemed like a few dozen of pins out there. I slowly began to unhook the chains before going for the pins.

'Ahhhh...This is more complicated than pulling out a cesarean without an epidural. She said making me chuckle.

'Sit here!!!' saying I made her sit on the chair near the dressing table and began removing the pins while she kept crying 'ahhhs and uuuhs' and I couldn't stop laughing.

'You must really stop making such sounds. This room is next to the corridor. You never know Mehek might be sticking her ear onto one of the walls like a lizard and trying to listen to us. She has a really dirty mind.' I said making her laugh out loud.

'Dont worry!!! These are pain noises and not pleasure noises you Dumb Mehra!!!' she said and I raised an eyebrow asking

'And how do you know that Miss Virgin Saanchi!!!'

'Excuse me!!! Did you forget I'm a gynecologist! I know it all and much better than you!!!' to which I finally managed to pull out the long Gajra (flower garland) off her hair and said

'There is a difference between theory and practical ok!!! Don't show off your skills. If you advise people...don't forget I made Kyra!!!' I said proudly to which she rolled her eyes standing up finally removing the last pin off her hair letting her long lush hair free finally massaging her head saying

'Doesn't matter skills fade away!!! You might have even forgotten how to...you know...' saying she burst out laughing and walking away when in one go I held onto her wrist pulling her towards me in one go and her limbs touched mine and her eyes clashed against mine while I smirked saying

'A lion even out of practice...is still a lion baby!!! Don't provoke it!!!' I said while suddenly her playful eyes were showing signs of shock and that's when I realised...

What the hell was I doing?

In one go I let go of her and she looks all flushed. Unable to face her I walked out of the room all embarrassed. I practically ran into my room and hid myself under my quilt on my bed trying to calm my racing heart.

What was I even thinking about?

After getting rid of all those decorations I finally hit the bed but sleep was far away. The moment I shared with Saanchi few minutes ago was still playing in my head. I quickly flipped around and opened the drawer of the side table pulling out a picture of Sudeshna. Suddenly I felt ashamed of behaving like that with Saanchi. She was here for Kyra and I was trying to talk to her the way I spoke to Sudeshna once upon a time. I felt guilty. I didn't feel like sleeping and my eyes fell upon the cupboard which had my alcohol bottles. I slowly opened the cupboard only to find it empty.

I was shocked. Where was my alcohol??? I was mighty pissed and I knew it was definitely Saanchi who did that. I wanted to confront her but somehow what happened few minutes ago didn't let me walk towards her room. If facing her was the cost of getting my drink tonight I was better off without alcohol. I slowly lied down again hugging my Sudeshna's picture to my chest. It took a lot of time however gradually my eyes felt heavy and I didn't know when sleep engulfed me.

✨

I could hear the tinkling of the bangles which made me smile. The same jasmine fragrance hit my nose and I could hear her giggles.

Her thin anklets made the 'Chan Chan' and she slightly twisted the loose end of her saree pushing it into my ear making me tickle.

I wiggled saying 'Donttt!!!'

But like always she was adamant...

'Sudha...don't yaar!!!' I yelled but this time she slowly brought wet strands of her showered hair and slowly spread it onto my face annoying me but when I didn't move I heard her curse...

'Lazy Mehra!!!' and just when I realised she was about to leave I slipped my hand into her sleek waist and flipped her over and turned in one go climbing upon her.

'Where are you going Mrs Mehra!!! You must have thought about it before you escape!!!' saying I pulled out the loose end of the red saree off her chest which always made her look super sexy. I began feeding upon her like a hungry man. I kissed her neckline and jaws endlessly while I heard her moan.

I slowly moved towards her little mouth cupping her face and said
'I love you baby!!!' but suddenly I noticed she disappeared in thin air and I began searching for her. And in one go I woke up.

Sunrays fell on my face throwing reality onto my face. It was a dream. Just a dream. She is gone. Long gone. I closed my face with my palms trying to recall her beautiful face but who are we kidding she's never going to come back. I slowly walked outside the room only for me to flinch as I saw a lady in a red saree standing in the kitchen.

Am I still sleeping? Am I hallucinating???

My legs like it had a brain of its own started walking towards the figure in the kitchen.

I couldn't help but utter....

Sudha???