NISHCHAY
✨

I slowly pulled her closer by her waist and she smiled looking at me.

'Whatttt???' she giggled and I slowly kissed her cheek and she blushed like a rose.

'Coffee!!!' she whispered and I smiled saying

'Return gift' and she narrowed her eyebrows and left a small kiss on my cheek.

'More!!!' I whispered and she giggled saying

'What is wrong with you?' and I pulled her closer saying

'I want some love from my wife!!! Is that an issue?' she giggles saying

'Honestly I think I'm the one who deserves love here Mister Mehra!!!' she says and I suddenly pause. Probably noticing sudden change in my demeanor she holds me by my shoulder and says

'Heyyy Nishchay please!!! I ...I didn't mean it that way...I mean!!!'

'Saanchi I know...but I just wanted you to know I am trying...you are the only woman in my life with whom I like to spend my time, I love to be with you, think about you, touch you, feel you, talk about you but I don't know if this is love exactly. I don't want it to be a namesake one because you don't deserve everything in portions...you deserve it all Saanchi and I just want you to know that I'm putting my efforts!!!'

She smiles and nods 'I know and you don't need to explain...I can feel you Nishchay and I can also see all that you do...You don't need to explain!!!' and I smile pulling her into a hug.

She however smartly gets rid of me and picks the coffee and sits on the chair.

'Hmmmmmm you make the best coffee in the world Nishchay!!!' she moans and I smile asking

'Even better than that doctor brother of yours!!!" to which she almost spat out her coffee and burst out laughing

'What happened?' I ask and she holds her stomach and continues laughing and then says

'I couldn't control laughing when you said Riri is my brother...Have you seen him? I'd rather make a chimpanzee my brother!!!' saying she starts laughing again and I'm curious

'Why I mean...I heard he's your cousin!!!'

'True that!!! But no he's not my brother...we are far from having the sibling bond...in fact can you believe Aaru aunty thought of even getting us hitched but it's only because I and Riri denied it saying we can't tolerate each other as a couple that was never entertained...Aaru aunty would almost choke on her favorite orange juice if she'd ever heard this!!!' she says and although it's all in good health I somehow couldn't digest it.

She continues to drink the coffee and I go and stand behind her slowly massaging her scalp and she's shocked

'Nishhh... Nishchay!!!'

'Relax!!! Close your eyes...your headache will be ok in sometime... just enjoy the massage!!!'

'But Nishchay...'

'I am just trying to pamper my wife...After all I'm the man who cares the most for you... understands you the most.
Correct?' I say and she smiles and pulls my hands to her lips and kisses it.

Slowly I massage her scalp only for her to close her eyes and drift to sleep. I slowly carry her in my arms and get over the bed. I place her soft body over mine. Her face into my chest. It's a single bed and sleeping like this may not be very comfortable but right now having her in my arms gave me all the comfort in the world. Hugging her by her waist, I drifted off to sleep.

✨

My sleep was broken when I heard two people talking and I wonder who they were. I slowly opened my eyes to recall how I am in the hospital and how Saanchi had slept along with me in my arms.

I notice Riya aunty is still asleep and I wonder who it was. I see Saanchi talking to that stupid doctor of hers.

I couldn't hear them talking however I noticed Saanchi telling him something. I walk close to listening to them talking...

'Thank you so much Riri...I love you so much!!!' and my heart aches.

I know it's not in that sense but I don't like to hear those words from her mouth

'Chichi come on...And you can change. This has your clothes and this is your tampons...I know you don't like using them and you prefer sanitary pads but your brand wasn't available so I got you this!!!"

And I'm shocked. He got her sanitary pads??? Wait a minute and he knows the brand too???

'Its ok Riri...I will manage! Thank you! But why did you get the clothes?'

'Ohhh come on Chichi...you have stained your kurta...you need a fresh pair of clothes so I sent a nurse to get a fresh pair of kurta and pajama for you from the nearby supermarket. Look it may not be size large but she said they didn't have the size so she got you a medium. The pants will however go fine. It's 26. Perfect fit...And the bra isn't your brand but pantys are your brand and your size so please adjust!!!' he says leaving me speechless.

I don't know how to react but right now I felt like my chest is on fire.

I simply barge into the washroom and throw water splashes on my face.

There is a limit for everything. Which friend knows what is the brand of their undergarments and the brand of their sanitary pads. I was fuming in anger that I simply smashed my hand into the washroom wall.

SAANCHI
✨

'Thank you so much Riri...and I hope Papa ki Chudail (Dad's witch) is ok? I mean.. how is all the pregnancy hormones doing to her hun???' I asked and Riri rolled his eyes saying

'Dont ask!!! She's showing her true colors!!! It's like she is younger than Aayat now. I mean... she's just 4 months pregnant and this is how she's acting. I wonder what will she do in the upcoming months!!! Indeed a Chudail (witch) for sure' he says and I burst out laughing.

'Ok listen...you are coming home for Aayat's birthday right? She will eat my ears off if you don't join along with Kyra. Your godchild is superexcited to meet her younger sister. Since the day she knows that now you have a daughter who is younger than her. Doesn't matter even if it's just 8 months, Miss Aayat Aahir Sehgal acts like a big big girl. I pity what would happen of her real sibling!!!' he says and I chuckle.

'I will try!!!'

'No trying!!! You have to come...'

'But COVID'

'All norms are followed Saanchi...It's just we family members and you don't have to worry a private jet would pick all family members. Fully sanitized. Just a family affair. Please bud!!!' he says and I smile and hug him nodding a yes.

Just then I hear a loud thud of the washroom door open and I notice Nishchay walking out of the room. I am shocked. I try to talk to him but he doesn't respond.

I don't understand why is he acting like this suddenly. I try to stop him but he doesn't even respond

Riya Pacchi is discharged. Nishchay completes all the hospital formalities but doesn't even utter a word. What is wrong with him???

He doesn't even talk to me even during lunch. I wonder what has happened? He was alright till last night. Dr

Aahir hugs me and takes a leave as Dr Singh had rejoined back his duty earlier than expected. He makes sure to take a promise from me to attend the function with Kyra and Nishchay.

After he leaves I try looking for Nishchay but when he is not to be seen anywhere I walk into his room and see him in the balcony.

But when I try to go closer to him he shouts in one go

'Leave!!!' and I'm shocked...

What is wrong with him?

'But Nishchay-'

'I said GOOOO!!! I don't want to talk to you!!! Anyways you do have better 'friends' who know you more than me right??? Ohhhh wait wait...are we sure they are friends or maybe something else?' he asks and I narrow my eyebrows and try to understand what he is pointing towards...

'Ohhh ohhh how innocent..maybe Mrs Saanchi Mehra has some really cloooose buddies...tell me Saanchi...how close are you both?' and I look at him asking

'Who both?'

And in one go he turns around and crushes the cup he's holding in his hand such that the cup shatters and I'm shocked.

'Your Ririiiiii... your so called best friend or wait... maybe he is special...very special...new crush or new love...what is he Saanchi???'

And I'm shocked.