"Have you logged in?" Sindhu shouted from the kitchen while Karthik was entering his login credentials into his skype account.

"I am almost done" he yelled back.

Once he was logged in, he picked up his laptop and strode towards the kitchen "I am going to our room. The signal's good there"

"Fine. I will be there in a couple of minutes" she replied, stirring the potato curry in the pan.

She joined him on the bed, a few minutes later and found the two guys chatting animatedly.

"Hey Hemu.. How are you?" She said excitedly, resting her back on the headboard while changing the position of the laptop for a better view.

"I am good drama queen. Heard that you are giving your husband a tough time" he said with a smirk while Karthik chuckled beside her.

"Who told you that?" she said fiercely before turning her attention to the person sitting beside her "Did you?"

"I didn't" He said, raising his hands in defense "I think it's your dad"

"I don't believe you" she said, narrowing her eyes at him.

"I promise I didn't" He said firmly, trying to stop himself from smiling "I learnt from someone that one should never discuss their spouses' problems with their friends"

She smiled remembering the talk she had with Swetha before she understood what he meant "You have problems with me?"

"Guy guys please" Hemanth's voice diverted their attention from the argument "You can fight later"

"Fine. Where is your girlfriend?" she asked, seeing his room empty behind him in the screen.

"She isn't here. And um-- I haven't asked her to be my girlfriend yet"

"What do you mean you haven't asked her?"

"I like her; a lot. But, I haven't confessed my feelings yet" Seeing their worried faces, Hemanth added quickly "Don't worry about me. We became close friends and I know that she likes me too. But I want to know more about her before asking her hand for marriage"

Sindhu grinned "You want to marry her? Wow..."

Hemanth smiled "Yes. I am almost sure that she is the one for me but I need a bit more time to gather the guts to ask her"

"I am very happy for you bro" Karthik said happily "So, where is she from? India or US?"

"Though she if from Punjab (India), her parents settled here just after she was born" he replied enthusiastically.

"Oh My God. You are going to marry a North Indian, settled in US. Will your parents agree?" Sindhu said.

"I don't care about their acceptance" he replied, waving his hand as if unimportant "I only want your parents' approval. And it doesn't really matter where a person's from. Does it?"

"Nah. What matters is that you love her. Who cares about region or religion?"

"True" Karthik added, nodding to her statement.

"But, I still want to see her" she said with a pout.

"Next time, ok? Sargun wants to see you too, you know. She said she never heard of a person as crazy as you" he said with a chuckle.

"What the hell did you tell her about me?" she shrieked.

"Just a few things you did while growing up"

She glared "Is that why she's interested about me? Am I some dinosaur fossil, people want to stare at?"

"Trust me, you are far more interesting than a stupid dinosaur that's extinct now" He said with a smirk and Karthik laughed.

"Shut up. I never did any weird things growing up" she defended.

"Really?" Hemanth began with a smug look "Remember the time you complained your towel's dropping off unlike Kajol who managed to dance in it in DDLJ?"

"I was six" she shouted.

"Ok!! Fine, I'll drop that. What about the time when you lost your house keys and told me to unlock the door with your hairpin because it worked in lot of films?"

"You did that?" Karthik yelled, shock etched in his voice.

"I bet loads of people did that. It worked in every film I saw" she said calmly as if that's the most obvious thing to do before turning to Hemanth with an accusing lock "You didn't know how to use that hairpin. It's all your fault"

"But you tried after me. It didn't work then too. Remember?" He added smugly.

"Wait. When did this happen?" Karthik intervened.

"I was young then too--"

"You were 17" Hemanth cut her off, before turning his attention to Karthik "I am her friend boss and I can't tell you everything. You will be running to hills if you knew how crazy she had been"

Karthik chuckled and Sindhu said sulkily "I am not that crazy"

The guys pretended to not hear and she said after a while "How did you meet her by the way?"

A smile fitted on Hemanth's face and he said slowly "Common friends. My roommate's girlfriend is Sargun's friend"

"So---um--is she-um-fine with our friendship? I mean can we still be best friends?" Sindhu asked slowly. Not everyone can accept a bond as strong and close as theirs. Jealousy and issues of who is important can always ruin a good relationship.

"Of course we can be" Hemanth replied very casually "If not I, then who can bear you? No offense Karthik" he added quickly.

"None taken" he replied smiling and Sindhu scowled at him "You can't support him"

"So, life's good?" Karthik asked, ignoring his wife's comment.

Hemanth smiled "Yes. Very good"

****

Karthik was checking the system requirements of his new project when Ravi poked in, without bothering to knock his door, as usual.

"What's up Kar?" Ravi asked casually, sitting on the chair opposite to him.

"The usual stuff. What's up with you? You look excited" he replied, noting Ravi's more than usual cheery mood.

"That's because I am. And since when do you observe others?" he said with a smirk.

Karthik rolled his eyes "May I know the reason behind your happiness?"

"My wife packed me lunch today" he said cheerily.

He smiled "Good. So, we won't be having food wars about my lunch box"

"You never know" Ravi said chuckling "Shall we go to Canteen?"

He nodded and together, they headed to the crowded Cafeteria that's packed with people having an early lunch.

"You know" Ravi began, thoughtfully "A good friend always brings out the best in you---"

"Are you implying us?" He interjected.

He shook his head "I wanted to say Sindhu's friendship brought a change in my wife's behavior"

"Oh" He frowned, not knowing what to say. Should he confess?

"And I know it's got to do with you" Ravi completed.

"What do you mean? Why would you think that?"

Ravi sighed "The day after we returned from your house, she became sensible. I don't know what happened but she started appreciating the small things I did for her. And she didn't complain when I watched a tennis match. I mean that never happened; unless someone's with us"

"May be she understood everything, all by herself" Karthik added quickly.

"Kar, I am not a fool" he said, rolling his eyes "Why would she change suddenly? Unless someone told her something. She even stopped all her activities outside house"

"She did?" Karthik asked excitedly.

"Yes. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. She used to spend every day with her pals but now, she is giving more importance to me"

"That's a really good news"

"Yeah. Though I don't mind her going out with that spoiled brats she calls as her friends, I like this new change in her"

Karthik smiled and he added "And I know it happened because of you"

"I did nothing" Karthik went to his defensive mode.

"Oh, I know you did nothing. You don't have the brains for that" Seeing Karthik's glare, he chuckled "Thank Sindhu for me"

"Sure. So-umm-if Swetha changed for you, don't you think you should make a few changes in you? For her? And may be-uh- plan something that makes her happy" Karthik finally managed to say.

Ravi smirked "Since when did you become an expert in relationships?"

"Shut up. I only--- um-wanted to help you"

"I appreciate it. Thank you. I will think about what you said" He replied with a smile "And maybe we can plan to meet up again. The four of us"

"This weekend?"

"Sure. Swetha's complaining that she wanted to go out. Ask Sindhu if she is ok with it?"

"Oh, she will be; if she gets to shop" he stated making him chuckle.

****

On Sunday, the two couples started from Karthik's house in his Hyundai i10 car, with the guys occupying the front seats while the girls settled in the back.

"So, where to? For lunch?" Ravi asked gleefully.

"We thought Paradise. What do you think?" Karthik replied vaguely, his attention not wavering from the road.

"Um. Uh--" he stuttered, unable to say a proper word when Swetha joined in "I don't like Paradise's Biryani. How about Bawarchi at RTC Cross roads?"

Karthik caught Sindhu's eye in the mirror who nodded with a smile and he said "Fine. Bawarchi it is"

It was almost three when they reached Hyderabad Central, having waited half an hour at Bawarchi to find seats.

As they entered, Karthik caught Sindhu looking at the floors above in wonder. A shopping Mall is definitely her favorite place in the whole world, he decided.

"You can close your mouth. It's just a place that sells clothes" he said, amused by the look on her face.

"I can't help it" she replied, lowering her head "I feel like a kid in a Candy store"

When the three of them chuckled, she added "It's been so long since I went to shopping"

"I don't think it's that long" he said with a smirk.

Not understanding his obvious attempt to remind something, she continued excitedly "Yes, it is. Remember when I last went to shop with my mother? It's that day when we---"

She stopped; seeing Karthik's smirking face and Ravi & Swetha's curious looks.

"Um.. Uh-I - think I should check out the--- uh-- shop" she said, walking away to hide her blush from the three of them.

'You are an idiot' she kept running it over and over in her mind, realizing what she almost blurted out.

"Sindhu--" she stopped in her tracks, hearing Karthik's voice and groaned internally.

"Don't you want my credit card?" he said when he caught up with her.

"Huh? Right" she said quickly not meeting his eye, feeling very embarrassed.

"It's ok" he whispered in her ear, placing the card on her palm "It's only I who understood you"

And before she could comprehend on what happened, he kissed the side of her face and walked away. She gazed back to him and found Swetha striding towards her, trying hard not to smirk.

She definitely saw him kissing her.

"They said they'll check Men's clothes" she informed and Sindhu nodded.

"Shall we go?" she said casually and Swetha agreed.

They checked out tops, leggings, jeans, suggesting each other on what colors might look good on them and selected a couple to try.

When Swetha went into the trial room, Sindhu waited outside. 

In the mean time, she took Swetha's mobile to send a WhatsApp message to Ravi 'Don't let Karthik buy boring clothes - Sindhu'

'He is selecting the usual :(' came a reply.

'No formal dresses please. Some torn jeans and shorts, if possible ;)'

'Are you kidding me? He only wears casual jeans occasionally. And Shorts? Don't even think about it'

'Please. Please'

'I told him a lot of times that he dresses up like uncle but he never listened to me'

Before she could reply, Swetha came out wearing a yellow top and a white legging. It would've looked funny on any other person but looked amazing on her.

"What do you think?" she asked, gazing at Sindhu.

"I think it's perfect" she grinned.

"Are you sure? This is a comic color and I---"

"Let's take a pic then" She clicked a picture and sent to Ravi, asking his suggestion.

"Who did you send it to?" she shrieked in worry.

"Your husband, of course" Sindhu replied, as-a-matter-of-factly.

"Why did you do that?"

"He said 'It's perfect. Just take it'" Sindhu informed, showing her mobile and wiggled her eyebrows playfully, making Swetha smile "Fine. Since-er-you said so"

"I said so?" Sindhu teased "Or your husband said so?"

"Shut up" Swetha said, unable to hide her grin and locked the door behind her to change into another dress.

Meanwhile, Sindhu typed another message to Ravi 'Tell him something to change his mind. Anything. I want to see him in a stylish look'

After a few minutes, between which Swetha came out in another dress and they decided it wasn't that good on her, came a reply from Ravi.

'I told him to try a different look for you. He said you love him the way he is and he doesn't need to change :( Sorry'

She groaned seeing the message and quickly typed 'Fine. If he won't buy, then I will. Send me his shirt and Jeans sizes. And take him to food court or kids area. I don't want him there'

'You don't know his shirt and jeans size? ;) And what the hell will I say when I take him to kids area?'

She blushed seeing his reply. She knew it but wanted to make sure before buying since they have to come a long way to exchange if they won't fit him.

'You can't even lie? My God. Lie that Swetha is pregnant and you want to buy clothes for your unborn baby'

'You are kidding, right?'

'No, I am not'

'Has anyone ever told you that you are crazy?'

'You think I am crazy too :@'

'Who would buy dresses for a baby, a year before he/she is born? Did that thought cross your mind?'

Maybe everyone's right. I may be stupid, after all. Sindhu thought dumbly.

'What are you doing BTW?' she posted, ignoring his comment.

'In trial room. Want to know what I am trying on?' came his cocky reply.

'No. Please' she typed.

After Swetha was done, Sindhu tried hers and selected the ones to buy from her pile.

She took Swetha's mobile again and typed 'We are coming upstairs now. Say something and take him away'

'Fine honey. Anything for you' came Ravi's reply.

Giving the mobile back to Swetha, she said "Thank you. Is Ravi always this funny?"

"Sometimes. I mean - um-our relationship wasn't that great in the beginning"

"Don't worry. Everything will fall in place. Now, you'll have to help me select something great for my husband"

"Sure" Swetha replied with a smile.

Together, they took the escalator upstairs and checked around to make sure the guys left. Once it was confirmed they are not around, the girls moved through different cubicles selecting the ones they liked.

Exactly half an hour later, Sindhu was done selecting a blue shirt with hoodie, a plain white shirt paired with a black jacket, a brown full sleeved t-shirt, a grey sweatshirt, a pale blue torn jeans, a pair of goggles, a sports watch and a couple of shorts.

"Are you sure he won't panic seeing all this?" Swetha asked, as they moved forward in the line at the billing counter.

"I don't know. I will say it's for his birthday if he gets upset"

"Do you think we did the right thing buying them? I mean if Ravi thought he won't wear, then maybe he won't. We shouldn't have selected so many" Swetha said thoughtfully.

"It's ok. I will convince him" she said casually, placing his clothes on the counter and gave her own card as she wanted it to be her gift for his birthday. She wasn't surprised when the bill amounted to more than 30K since the watch alone costed her 15,000 Rupees. While billing her clothes, she used the card he gave.

The guys joined them a couple of minutes later, each holding a bag in their hands.

"Did you buy the whole shop?" Karthik shouted in surprise, seeing more than half a dozen bags in her hand. Ravi went to his wife and took a couple of bags from her hand.

"No. Your credit limit won't let me buy that much" she joked and he glared at her.

Thank God, he doesn't know a couple of bags in Swetha's hands are mine too.

Seeing him a bit angry made her continue "You told me you don't care about money"

"Of course I don't. But, this is--- too much" he said, calming a bit "If you bought this much for a casual shopping trip, I don't know how much you spent for our marriage"

There was almost a bit of humor in his voice but it irritated her "I wasn't enthusiastic for our marriage exactly; if you don't remember"

Having said that, she left them faking a scowl on her face.

Now, he will be busy trying to make it up to me and forget being angry. Yay!!!

"I shouldn't have said that. Should I?" Karthik said to Ravi sadly.

"I think I should say sorry" he added, running after her.

Ravi chuckled seeing his best friend "They are crazy. Aren't they?"

She nodded with a smile and he added "But that's too much. How many bags did she have in her hand? Six or Seven?"

Swetha chuckled showing the three bags in her hand "These are hers too"

"Wow. What did she buy exactly?"

When Swetha completed listing the items, he sighed "I don't think he'll wear them; even if she insisted"

"Let's go. We have to hide these in the car trunk before Karthik sees. Their whole argument would be a waste if--"

"She planned all of this?" he said in astonishment and received a smirk from his wife.

At the parking lot, Karthik pleaded his wife who was leaning against their car "I am sorry Sindhu. I didn't mean to say that"

She turned her head in the opposite direction as if she didn't want to see him and he whined "I told you I am sorry. Please Sindhu, talk to me"

"Keys please" Ravi's voice interrupted him and he gave them from his pocket, not bothering his friend.

Sindhu kept an impassive face not uttering a word and he felt sad "I don't care about money babe. Believe me. If you want to buy more, I will give you all my savings money to prove it"

From the corner of her eye, she saw Ravi and Swetha at the back of their car while Karthik was busy pleading her.

"I don't want your money" she finally said and he winced.

"Please don't talk like that" he said softly.

"Shall we go? What are we waiting for?" Ravi interfered again and Karthik glared at him.

"What man? You can fight at your house. This is a public place" Ravi said in a bored tone.

"We aren't fighting, exactly" he said through clenched teeth.

"Then what is this? Romance?" Ravi mocked.

After bantering for a while, they started their journey back home. Karthik kept glancing at the back seat every few minutes and unknown to him, Ravi and Swetha would smirk at Sindhu every time.

Sindhu got down the car to occupy the front seat when they reached Ravi's house and he whispered in her ear "Please show mercy. He is feeling terrible"

She nodded with a smile and they waved goodbye before getting into the car.

"Are you still mad at me?" he asked slowly after a couple of seconds.

"Are you?" she retorted.

"What? No. Why would I be? You only purchased half the mall"

She chuckled and he sighed in relief.

"I am sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I didn't know what I was saying" he added, thinking that her bad mood subsided.

"It's ok. I wasn't angry with you" she said with a half-grin.

"You weren't?" he asked in surprise "But you didn't talk to me for---"

"I only faked being upset, so that you won't be angry at me for spending so much money"

He jerked the car to stop to see if she is joking or serious.

Seeing the smirk on her face, he crossed his arms and said sternly "So you made me a fool"

"No, I didn't. I am sorry" she added quickly.

"I thought I hurt you" he scowled and it was her turn to feel sad "I am sorry Karthik"

He stayed motionless and it scared her as she began slowly "I am ok with any kind of punishment you want to give"

Seeing him silent, she added fearfully "You know, my husband and I made this deal. If he ever wants to say sorry, he can--- um-- I am going to try the same---"

She stopped mid-sentence and kissed him.

He enfolded her in his arms, tightening his hold while deepening their kiss when he felt wetness on his cheeks and pulled back.

"Shit. Are you crying?" he shrieked in shock, wiping the tears on her cheeks.

"I am not angry at you. Shit. I wanted to give a taste of your own medicine. I promise I am not angry"

Hearing his reply, she started hitting his shoulder with all her force and he flinched "Stop please"

"Will you do that again?" she said, her voice quivering.

"No. Never" he replied instantly and she hid her face in the crook of his neck making him wince slightly with the pain his shoulder endured.

He curled an arm around her waist, sighing heavily.

I am going to have one hell of a life.

Hearing "I Love you" from her, made him kiss her forehead as he thought

But, she's worth it.

---

Thank you for reading sweethearts. Please don't forget to Vote, Comment and Share.

One more chap left (And an epilogue) and this story will be done.

So, have you ever done something filmy? I mean I tried to unlock my dad's desk with a hair pin when it's key was lost. My mom and brother looked at me as if I was mad. Have you done something like that? Or something crazier?

- JANAKI S