Karthik grinned hearing her as he pulled back, gazing into her eyes "I Love you too"

They stood like that, staring at each other when Sindhu yawned.

"Are you feeling sleepy?"

She nodded, yawning again "I have been feeling sleepy all through the ride back home"

"I don't know how you will stay conscious during our journey tomorrow"

She grimaced "I forgot about that. May be if I get proper sleep tonight, I might not feel that way tomorrow"

"Then go to sleep. Its already late" he said, pulling back.

When she went to change in the wash room, he changed his clothes and tossed himself onto the bed.

Sindhu joined a few minutes later, looking tired and worn out.

"What took you so long?" he questioned, pulling her close to his chest.

"I had to remove my makeup" she mumbled wearily.

"Good night" he whispered, kissing her cheek and she drifted into sleep without replying back.

Karthik was surprised to find her sleeping when he woke up at 9 the next morning. She didn't wake up even after he got ready. Not wanting to disturb her, he ventured into the kitchen where Padma was busily cooking.

"Sindhu isn't awake?" She asked, noticing him.

When he shook his head, she chuckled "I guessed so. Poor girl didn't have a proper sleep all these days"

"What do you mean?" he asked casually.

"She said she couldn't sleep because it's a new place although I know that's not the reason" she replied, giving him a cup of tea.

"She is sleeping like a baby now"

"I wonder why" Padma taunted making him smile.

"So.. Um.. We are leaving today"

"Why? It's weekend. You can have fun today and tomorr--"

"No. My friend is alone at our home. We have to go back"

She sighed nodding "Ok then. But you have to promise to come back again"

He smiled "I promise"

"Go and wake her up. She will be on bed all day long if you leave her like that" She said, giving another cup of tea for her.

He thanked and headed back to his room.

Sindhu was sitting on the bed, already wide awake but looking grumpy.

"Good morning" she greeted, tying her hair in a ponytail.

"Morning" he replied back smiling.

After Lunch, they started their journey back home in their car. Though it would be a long journey, Karthik was glad to have Sindhu's company. However, she didn't say a word ever since she got into the car which he felt is so unlike her.

"What happened?" he asked, unable to hide his curiosity.

"What?" she asked slowly, looking a bit shy.

"Why are you so calm?"

"I don't know what to talk" she replied awkwardly.

He smirked "You didn't have that problem before"

"Shut up" she smiled.

After a few seconds of silence, she asked slowly "How is Tulasi? I am sure she will give me a long class"

He chuckled "She is fine. A bit angry at you actually"

"Really?" She asked, in what looked like fear to him.

"Even I am angry at you" he replied, his demeanor suddenly turning serious as he added "What have you been thinking leaving everything like that? Me like that"

"I am sorry. I thought you'd be happy" she mumbled.

"Me and happy? Without you?" he asked, looking at her like she's mad.

She threw her arms around him burying her face in his neck as she mumbled slowly "I am so sorry.. I won't do it again"

He sighed wrapping an arm around her waist while the other is still on the steering "How can I believe you? You said that last time too"

Removing herself from the comfort of his arms, she looked at him "I promise"

"Let me see if you're going to keep that" he said harshly.

"Please don't be mad at me" she requested, looking very sad.

He slowed the car before stopping it at the left hand side of the road.

He pulled her into his embrace and said softly "Look, I am not mad at you. I am just-------just hurt that you could think of leaving me. We are husband and wife, aren't we? We are supposed to stick together and solve our problems; not run away when a situation comes. I know I haven't been the best husband but I will try to be one"

"I will try to be a good wife too" she mumbled out a reply.

"Good" he replied, kissing her forehead and started the car.

Sindhu never liked journeys since she feels sleepy and cannot enjoy the ride. She wanted to stay awake for Karthik but that seemed like a really tough task.

"Are you feeling sleepy again?" Karthik asked with a frown.

She grimaced nodding "I hate this. Why should I feel sleepy?"

He chuckled "It's ok. We will have Tea; it might help you"

"I don't know if that will work"

He stopped the car at a road side stall and both of them got down. After having a hot cup of tea, they started their journey again.

"It's so stupid to have Tea in this hot climate" Sindhu grumbled.

"But we don't have a choice" he replied patiently.

Soon, Sindhu started her usual mindless chatter which kept Karthik out of boredom. Whenever she felt sleepy, they would stop to have Tea before continuing their ride.

After dinner, Sindhu couldn't help it any longer and slept off in her seat.

Seeing her sleeping with her arms tightly wrapped around herself, Karthik reduced the AC in the car and tried to concentrate on the road.

When they are an hour and half away from Hyderabad, his eyes started drooping down and he stopped the car to close his eyes for few minutes.

"What happened?" Sindhu asked, getting up from her sleep.

"I am feeling sleepy" he replied, shaking his head to ward off the sleep.

"Oh. I will drive then"

"It's OK. We can take a break. I don't want any risk with you feeling sleepy"

She rubbed her eyes "I don't feel sleepy while driving. Come on, let's shift our positions"

After Karthik got down, not having the strength to argue with her, she took a water bottle and washed her face before going to the driver seat.

Karthik stretched his seat for a comfortable position while Sindhu ignited the car. It took less than a minute for him to fall asleep when Sindhu drove the car in silence observing him every few minutes.

Sindhu was weary by the time they reached home. She didn't have the heart to wake him up and tried to sleep in her seat, leaving the car ON.

When Karthik woke up, sunlight was peering through his window making him close his eyes momentarily. When he opened them again, he realized that they reached their apartment. When he saw Sindhu asleep, he took his mobile and messaged to Tulasi.

Five minutes later, she came down and he got out of his car.

"She is sleeping" he informed her when he saw Tulasi looking around the car.

Tulasi sighed, her attention shifting to the driver seat of the car "Why did you tell me to come down then?"

"I want your help to carry her upstairs"

She smirked "Don't tell me you don't have the strength to carry your own wife"

He smiled "Trust me. I already did that a couple of times"

With Tulasi's assistance, he took her upstairs and laid her down on their bed.

"Do you want to sleep? I will cook breakfast by the time you guys wake up" Tulasi offered.

"Thanks. You are a savior" he replied, yawning again.

Tulasi left them, locking the door while Karthik joined his wife on the bed.

Sindhu woke up an hour later only to be surprised to find herself in their room. She got up quietly, so as not to disturb her husband and headed to the kitchen.

"Good morning" Tulasi greeted, seeing her walk towards the kitchen.

"Good morning" she yawned "What time is it?"

"7:30. Shall I get you something?"

"I think Tea will do for now" she replied, stretching her body which seemed numb because of their car ride while Tulasi poured tea into a cup.

Sindhu sipped quietly from her cup when she found Tulasi observe her seriously.

She kept the empty cup on the counter and looked at her, in the eye "Ok, I agree. I am an idiot"

"What?" Tulasi asked, confusion etching on her face.

She cleared her throat "I meant you were right about everything and I was an idiot to not realize that"

Tulasi grinned "I know I am right"

"And I am sorry for everything I've put you through guys" she said awkwardly.

"It's ok. All's well that ends well. I hope you and Karthik don't take things for granted now"

"Thank you" she said, wrapping her arms around Tulasi "For everything"

Tulasi returned her hug "It's nothing to what you guys did for me"

They stayed silent for a couple of seconds until they heard Karthik "Whoa.. What is happening here?"

They pulled away the same time while Karthik continued to gape at them in confusion.

Tulasi rolled her eyes "Ugh!! Don't be such a drama queen"

He cracked a smile "What? Can't I have my share of fun?"

"You are becoming too much like Sindhu now" she replied, biting back her smile.

"Hey" Sindhu complained, hitting her arm playfully and the duo laughed at her.

"Seriously" Karthik chuckled as he added "The two of you looked like a couple when I entered"

"Karthik!!!" Both the girls shrieked, hitting his arms as they joined him laughing.

---

Thank you for reading. Please Vote, Comment and Share.

I know it's a filler chap. Next one is going to be fun, though. 

I have been busy with my exam and so I didn't have time to edit. I copy-pasted directly from my lappy. Sorry if you find mistakes.

Tulasi is soon going to exit but she will have a separate book; a short story of about 4 to 5 chaps. I didn't want to make this story a mess by adding her part too. I hope it's ok with you guys.

Please post your views on what you think about the story so far. I love reading your comments.

- JANAKI S