When Karthik came back to his room with a plate of rice, he found Sindhu in the same position; deep in her thoughts.

She quietly took the plate from him without a word and continued to glance down.

"What are you thinking?" he asked quietly.

She raised her eyes to his "I was thinking what would have happened if Lakshmi didn't come on time"

He sighed heavily "Sindhu... Stop thinking about it. It's over"

"I am just scared. What if he comes back for revenge?"

"He won't. They will be leaving this place in a few days"

Her face instantly relaxed "Thank God!!!"

"Now eat" he almost ordered.

She nodded before looking at him in the eye "Do you know why Lakshmi came at that time. I mean she is no longer working as a maid---"

"She came to give the ironed clothes"

"Lucky me" she said sarcastically making him frown.

"I will go out. I-I need some fresh air" he announced leaving the room.

After he left, Sindhu ate the food feeling thankful for having him at her side. She wished he is always caring like that.

Karthik wanted to leave the house for a while to think properly. Yet, he didn't want to leave his wife alone. What if she was scared again and needed him?

He walked towards his balcony closing the glass door behind him. He didn't understand why he felt guilty about Sindhu. If she went to office like him, she wouldn't have faced this. Yet, he knew women are never safe these days and men like Srinivas are always around.

He couldn't forget the image of her petrified face when he came home. Just seeing her, made him so angry that he wanted to kill Srinivas. Why do men go to that extent just for pleasure of few minutes is something he never understood. Laying hand upon a woman without her consent is a crime and he wished there were strict laws in India for men who did that.

He can't bring himself to think what would have happened if Lakshmi didn't reach there on time. He knew he would have lost Sindhu making him wish he killed Srinivas.

When did Sindhu become so important to him? Why was seeing her in pain, killing him? Why can't he get her scared face, off his mind?

He stood there for almost an hour before going back to his room making sure all the doors are locked.

Karthik was surprised to see Sindhu sleeping on the floor of his room, on a blanket. Though she gets back pain, she must have slept down not wanting to face his anger.

Sighing, he walked towards her and picked her up in his arms, slowly placing her down on his bed. She was sleeping with a frown on her face which he found adorable.

Shaking his head, he lied down beside her, carefully so as not to wake her up. His hands itched to pull her closer but he refrained himself from doing so; he felt like an idiot for even getting that idea.

When Sindhu woke up the next day, she thought she was dreaming again seeing Karthik beside her. He was so close to her that she could feel his breath on her face. Smiling, she observed his face which looked relaxed unlike last night. Her smile vanished when he opened his eyes suddenly.

"Good Morning" she squeaked. What the hell happened to her voice?

"Good morning" he said slowly, closing his eyes for a moment.

"When did you wake up?" he asked, placing his head on his elbow.

"Just now. Um, how did I end up here?" she asked awkwardly.

"Um... I- I brought you here. You were sleeping on the floor and I didn't want you to wake up with a sore back in the morning" he said, getting up to sit while she did the same.

"Um, thanks"

"So.... You want me to stay at home today?"

Her ears perked up "What? No. Not necessary, I am fine. I can---take care of myself now"

He wanted to stay for her? Wow, she thought delightfully. Why can't every day be like this?

"Are you sure you are fine?" He asked, placing his hand on hers.

"I am alright" she smiled.

When none of them said anything, she started awkwardly "Um, thanks for yesterday. I was a mess"

"It's nothing" he said looking very serious all of a sudden.

Shit. She shouldn't have said anything about yesterday. Is he still angry about that creep?

Wanting to change the mood, she said in a teasing tone "Well, I didn't know you can cook so good"

His eyebrows furrowed as he thought about what she said. When he understood that she was talking about the previous day's dinner, he replied casually "Why would you think I cooked for you? it was Lakshmi"

And just like that, her smile vanished.

Karthik instantly regretted saying that. Why did he blurt that out? Sure, he was not ready to cook food since every time he went to kitchen, he remembered the fun he used to have, cooking for Tulasi. She used to love everything he prepared and he is not ready to re-live those memories.

"I-- I didn't--mean-" he stopped himself, before he could do more damage.

Sindhu forced a smile "Don't worry, I didn't mind"

He nodded awkwardly, his eyes looking down at his bed sheet.

"What are you thinking? Your eyes are glued to the bed sheet as if the color is lovely" she said in a teasing tone, again.

"Um, you think it is bad?"

"Your bed sheet?" she asked and he nodded "I think the color sucks"

"You don't like navy blue color?"

She scoffed "Nah.. It looks like my school uniform"

He chuckled and as usual, she swooned hearing his voice. Can this day get any better?

"Ok then. I will get ready" he said getting out of the bed.

After Karthik went to the bathroom, she made her way towards the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Karthik didn't want to leave his wife alone; especially after what she faced the previous day. But, what is he going to tell her? She won't let him stay at home just for her. He has to do something.

"Why are you not wearing formal clothes?" Sindhu asked him, looking doubtfully when he came in track pants to have breakfast.

"I am not going to office" he replied casually, sitting on a chair.

"Karthik, I told you I am fine. You---"

"I have a head ache. I can't go to work today"

She looked at him suspiciously before taking a seat of her own. After they had breakfast, Karthik switched on TV while Sindhu retired to her room.

Karthik was watching India - Australia ODI live match when the door bell rang making him get up unwillingly and open the door.

A guy younger to him by few years stood outside their door "Does Sindhu live here?"

"Yeah. You are----" Karthik had never seen the guy before and was confused on what he wanted from his wife.

"Hemanth. I am Sindhu's----"

"Best friend" Karthik finished. "You are the one from US, right?"

He chuckled "Yes. So, Sindhu told her husband about me. I feel blessed"

Karthik smiled at that "Please come in"

"Sindhu..." Karthik called his wife.

Sindhu came out of her room casually, only to be surprised seeing her best friend standing with her husband.

Her eyes widened in surprise and she blinked twice to make sure she is not dreaming.

"Hemu--" she said softly and rushed into his embrace before he could see the tears in her eyes. God!! She missed him so much.

"How are you drama queen?" he said calmly, stroking her hair.

Tears threatened to come out of her eyes but she was determined to be strong. She pulled out of his arms before pushing him away.

Hemanth's face fell "What happened?"

"Why did you come now? After ignoring for me an year" she shouted at him, not caring that they had company.

"I wanted to see you. I was worried about you ----"

"Really? You worry about me? Now that's news to me" she said, glaring at him.

With a hurt look on his face, he started slowly "I am really sorry. You are the last person I would hurt; you know that"

"I thought like that too, for a while" she said crossing her arms and lowered her head.

"Don't talk like that" he pleaded.

Karthik felt like an outsider hearing their conversation. His chest tightened seeing how close his wife is to, another man. He is almost sure Hemanth is in love with his wife and wished she didn't share the same feelings as him.

"How are you? How's your life in US? " Sindhu finally asked, after staying silent for too long. She can't stay angry at him even if she wanted to.

Hemanth smiled "Everything's good. So--- umm you forgive me?"

"Not yet" she retorted.

"I brought chocolates for you" he said in a teasing tone.

She raised an eyebrow "Is that your bribe because it's not enough"

He cracked a smile "How about a new laptop? A Mac Book"

"How did you know about my lappy?"

"I heard from your dad that it is finally beyond repair" Hemanth chided, remembering the number of times he had to go to service centers to get it repaired.

"Hey----" she protested playfully.

"What? Your husband's lucky that your lappy is beyond fixing. Else, he would have to run after every computer service center in Hyderabad like I did"

"Shut up" she mumbled, trying to hide her smile.

"So, aren't you going to introduce us?" Hemanth reminded her.

She nodded "Karthik - He is Hemanth, my best friend since childhood. Hemanth - Karthik. My husband"

The two guys finally shook each other's hands before they sat on the couch while Sindhu went to Kitchen to bring some water.

"So.. I heard a lot about you from uncle. I mean Sindhu's dad" Hemanth said.

"Nothing bad, I hope" Karthik tried to joke and was rewarded with a smile.

"So, I shall get to cooking. You are staying for lunch" she ordered Hemanth, giving him a glass of water.

"Bossy, as always" he said , rolling his eyes "Learnt how to cook non- veg?"

She pouted, shaking her head.

He chuckled "Making your husband take you to paradise every week then?"

"Not really" Karthik interjected while Sindhu merely shrugged, leaving the room to make lunch arrangements.

"She doesn't threaten you to take her to paradise then?" Hemanth questioned, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

"Why? She likes going there?"

"You don't know?? She used to be totally in love with paradise, once upon a time. So much that she would fake being angry at me for simple issues so that I'd take her there as a peace offering. She used to be such a drama--" Hemanth stopped himself, thinking he was talking too much. This is her best friend's husband and he has to be in limits.

"Is that why you call her drama queen?" Karthik asked with an amused smile.

"Well, that. And, also because of the way she sees movies. Have you ever seen her watch a film? She'd watch a film like---"

"She's a part of it? I know" Karthik completed him again, with a smile remembering the times she watched films while he watched her.

"Exactly. There was this film 'Kal Ho Naa Ho' which I watched with her once. She cried for an hour after the movie was completed and til date I don't know why"

"Because Shah Rukh died in that film" they heard an answer from behind them, only to find Sindhu glaring at the two of them with her arms crossed.

"But, it's a film. A stupid film"

"No, it's not. It is the story of Aman, Rohit and Naina. It is the story of what extent Aman would go for his love to be happy" she explained.

Hemanth bit his lip to stop himself from laughing "Still, it's a film. The ending can be altered anyway; it only depends on the writer's view. It's not even real"

She scowled "You'll never understand"

Having said that, she left the room making Karthik chuckle at her childish behavior.

"Told ya, drama queen" Hemanth chided.

"So... Ummm...Since when do you love her?" Karthik asked him, making sure Sindhu is still in kitchen.

---

Thank you so much guys for reading.

Please Vote, Comment and Share

How is Hemanth by the way? Do you like him?

And how is Karthik's behavior? Do you think he is falling for his wife?

- JANAKI S