Kaushal POV:

I slammed the door behind me and regretted the next moment. First I'm sure I woke the Priyam. He is light sleeper and that poor lady now have to bear consequences of my deeds. Secondly Mom's glare made sure I should be aware of my age and not to pee in pants.
I could have avoided this only if I had control on my hands not to bang the door.

Its not like I'm sneaking out. I have already told to everyone my reasons but whom I'm kidding. Mom knows me more than I know myself.

Yes, Sujoy can handle this case but I couldn't miss the chance to escape from the sight of the woman with whom I was supposed to be tonight.

I ignored the glare of Mumma and disapproving looks from my sisters and walked towards the exit door. Behind me I can hear Mumma telling some excuse to guests for my sudden departure that too leaving my newly wedded wife on her first day in this house.

I sat behind the wheel and was about to start the engine but suddenly heard a knock on the window of car.

Sujoy signalled me to open the door and once I did he settled on the passenger seat. I raised my brows and he shrugged like we are going for some night walk.
Rolling my eyes I gave the life to engine to moved ahead towards hospital.

Sujoy is my diaper friend and now brother in law too. My twin sister Koshi and he had love marriage and they are blessed with a baby girl now.

While driving couldn't help but think, I shouldn't have behaved like that with Adita. Her reasons were genuine but now a days I don't even myself know what I do. When Kanak closed her eyes to never open again, I thought I can't do single parenting thing but now having a partner in this who is not my Kanak is making me feel like first option was better.

I know Adita is a girl who is beyond my destiny. She deserve a  better man in her life than me but Kanak wouldn't have given Priyam to her on her last breath if she wouldn't have seen something in Adita. If Kanak has trust in Adita more than me then that's something I should not protest but my mind cannot be in peace leaving my life, my Priyam in the hands of someone who is not me. I can't trust even my shadow when it comes to Priyam.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't see suddenly a dog coming on road. I immediately pulled the break.

" Nahi, nahi, jane do mujhe! Bhagwan ke liye chhod do mujhe. Main marna nahi chahta. Mere do chhote chhote bachche hain." ( No! Please let me go. For God sake don't make me die. I have two little kids to take care.) Sujoy begged me dramatically but seeing my glare he stopped his ranting.

"I didn't ask you to honour me with your presence. You just get down and help yourself with a cab to go back home. Wait,but you have only one child. Are you two expecting again?" I said annoyed.

"No no, we are having handful on our single child only. Ah..Actually this is very famous dialogue. I always wanted to try but medical profession never gave chance." He faked sad face.

"Are you kidding me. In this situation you want to fulfill your dreams?" I was seeing red now.

"What did I say wrong? You are distracted even that dog got to know now. Let me drive okay? In fact if you are dreaming about your newly wedded wife then I'll suggest go and enjoy the night. Its not late you know." He winked.

"Get lost before I push you out of running car Sujoy." I lost my patience. This is what I was talking about. Even if a person talk nicely with me in return I just bark

"Calm down angry young man! I was just pulling your leg. But on the serious note. Do one thing, rest your brain. You can't go like this in hospital, can you? You take rest meanwhile I'll drive." He patted my shoulder.
With this we exchanged our seats.

This reminds me of my life. It resembles. So peaceful and no hurdles. You think you can drive smoothly but who knows a single move of fate and you lose your all peace of mind.

Kanak was very possessive for me. I still don't get how can she gave our Priyam to Adita but she always preferred Adita for Priyam for reason even I don't know. But.. She can never see me with any other woman. Can she watch us from where she is now?

What will she think of me when she see me with Adita? On wedding altar when I was putting vermilion in the Adita's hair partition only I know the pain of my heart. Neither I can betray my love nor can forbid this woman in front of me to demand her marital rights. I can't forget the whispers of women accusing me to not hold my desire even for a year. Ashes of Kanak's body didn't even loose temperature and here I replaced her with another woman.

But the reality? Who knows? Who are they to accuse me?

'Kanak, you know how much I love you right? I would have never done this if I had option. Never question our love' I sighed.

I took out all this on Adita. Poor girl! The first thing I will do to apologize once I reach home.

But no! Didn't her eyes hold the same accusations when she got our marriage proposal? No! What if she assume anything wrong of my apology? Leave it. If she is mad on me, better. We will maintain distance from each other.

My thoughts took halt once Sujoy parked in front of hospital I got down and moved ahead but stopped hearing footsteps behind me. He was still trailing behind me.

"Did Koshi throw you out of house?" I growled.

"My love will never do that to me." He replied cheekily.

Rolling my eyes I moved towards Dr. Arun's cabin but didn't find him there. I sat on the chair, took out paper from bag and was going to through patient's medical history.

Seconds later found my tail behind me, Sujoy! But this time he didn't seem in funny mood.

"Are you sure you want to go ahead with this surgery, Kaushal? You know I can handle this, don't you? I have done study on this case. Now can you go home?" Not getting any response he sighed.

After few minutes, I saw Dr. Arun coming towards cabin and suddenly I got cold feet.

Quickly putting papers in Sujoy's hands I explained hurriedly," I can't do this Sujoy! My mind is not at peace. I cannot cheat on my duty. Its about someone's life. I tried but I know I can't concentrate on operation table."

Before he can say anything, Dr. Arun entered and I put my hand in front to shake which he gladly denied taking me in a hug.

"Dr. Kaushal, long time no see. I hope all good. Anyway let's discuss the case first. You have to start surgery sharp 3:00am because Dr. Maheshwari has decided to give anaesthesia dose at 2:30." He looked so young energetic even in his late 50's.

"Dr. Actually I came here to tell you that I can't go ahead with this case. I'm not feeling well." I replied looking guilty.

"Oh, I see! You could have told me on phone dear. Why came so far?" He looked concerned but still I was trying to find any lace of disappointment but luckily didn't find any.

"You are my ideal as well as my teacher. I didn't want to disappoint you."

"Oh come on. Its not a  problem Kaushal. I know you are a very dedicated doctor plus it's not complicated case. Dr. Sujoy already know about the patients medical details. He will do that. I wanted you to do this surgery because a year ago you were also doing research on this field. It would have given you more practical experience. Anyway, next time. Now you take care." He patted my shoulder and duo immersed in case study.

I sat in the waiting area. I'm disappointing everyone. Mom, Adita, seniors....! Frustration killing me. Feeling a hand on shoulder I found Sujoy standing there.

"Go home now. Don't think anything right now, I repeat anything okay? You take car I'll come by cab. If you find any shop open buy a ice cream for my Koshi please." And he again went on his Romeo mode.

"I'll wait." I replied shaking my head.

Don't know when my eyes drooped but when I opened my eyes back on someone's shake the wall clock showed 4:49.
Sujoy gestured me saying "Let's go. I'm done."

Reaching home I thanked my stars for making sleep everyone. I twisted the knob but before I open the door I realized its my room only now.

Ignoring etiquettes whining I went ahead and the view in front of me made me totally awed. Perfect just like my dream. My baby and my wife sleeping on bed and me quietly coming suppressing the foot sound now wanting to wake them up. But instead of my Kanak there is Adita and this thought was enough to make me sour.

After getting changed I was sitting on the bin bag wondering where I'm supposed to sleep now.

There was no couch in my room. Being in middle class family we never put couch in each room beside that, this room is always locked when I live in Chennai.

Priyam's stirring made me jumped there but he was sound asleep when I checked him.

I sat on the floor itself keeping head on the bed getting comfortable position to straight my back.

Adita POV:

Buzzzzzz Buzzzzzz

I woke on the vibration sound coming under the pillow and started patting fingers on the mobile screen still with closed eyes.

'Why sun has to wake up so early every morning' my mind yawned.

Saying morning to it I opened my eyes slowly stretching my arms.

And boom!

I'm at my in laws' home and Kaushal is sleeping there at place of cherry in the top.

When he came back and why? He said he will come back in morning.

' 6:00am.is morning for everybody darling, of course except us. We two only consider it as midnight. Now hurry up before your MIL comes with hunter to wake you up.' It again faked a smile.

Oh yeah! First day and in-laws plus relatives. Pretty dangerous combination. I headed towards washroom collecting clothes what I'm supposed to wear as new bride.

After doing my all morning chores I came back in room to find him still in same position. Why he slept like that when he could have slept on bed keeping aside pillow?

'Ain't you gonna show your humanity on him' my mind melted on him even before me.

I would have if he hadn't shown me his attitude last night. Justifying my action I turned to mirror.

'He was awake entire night saving someone's life' and here my so called kind hearted mind started bawling out its eyes seeking my mercy.

I sighed. Why can't my mind be on my side anytime?

I went to him and shook him by shoulder. He woke up on mere touch.

Oh, so Priyam got this feature from his father.

"Go and sleep on bed. Your back will hurt in this sleeping state I guess." He immediately climbed up on bed nodding his head and slept within few seconds for my astonishment.

How can anyone sleep within seconds!

I turned back to mirror and continued getting ready. Within few minutes I was ready.

My head turned to door on a knock. Kaushal sat but I signalled him I'll check so he laid down back.

Mom was there , may be to call me for Muh dikhai ceremony. She looked behind me and then smiled looking at me.

"Are wah! (wow). Already all ready. Good. I came to wake you up. I know you are not a early riser." She smirked. I turned my head sideways to hide my embarrassment.

She giggled saying," Come, let's go. Everyone is waiting down there to meet you."

We started descending the stairs, she holding me by my shoulder with her one hand whereas other holding my palm.

"You know, when I was here a day old bride I was also very nervous. That day I realized when a girl wear saree for first time she always needs a hand of her mother to hold her for few steps. Your mom did her part but here I'm your Mom right?"  I smiled and she continued with hiding my face with veil.

"Everyone just want to meet you. Don't be nervous. Sit there with everyone for sometime and I'll send you back in an hour. In this three day you can't do any household chores. You should eat only sweet food but if you don't want to, I'll not force you. Its our custom. On forth day you just have to make any dish. I'll help you in that." She briefly explained about the the rituals on which I just nodded.

Once we reached on last stair many young girls joined us.
They made me sit on sofa with my sister in laws beside me.

Later each women lifting my veil and showering me with blessings and some of them with gifts too.
It was kind of awkward but didn't bore me because of Koshi Di and Swara's banter.

After like a half an hour I saw Koshi Di standing suddenly with hurry and welcoming a chubby women.

"You definitely don't have taste in choosing Daughter in law Subodhini. No wonder Kaushal chose his wife by himself at first. Is this girl any kind of punishment for that poor boy to be widower in young age?" She lifted my chin and said mockingly to Mom.

Seeing my frown Swara whispered beside me to ignore.
That scary lady turned towards me and kept note of two thousands in my hand saying, "Manage with this only darling. I already gave a heavy amount to the first wife of Kaushal. God knows what that poor man has in his fate. If you also die I'm not rich enough to pay here every year to his every new wife."

A loud gasp can be heard in the room.
"What? Don't tell me you all felt bad. Nothing wrong right? Anyway such second wives just know how to trap rich and broken men." She chuckled and started to exit.

I curled fist to prevent myself to loose my control. I already had tears filled eyes with rage.

Suddenly that note was snatched from my hand. Kaushal took that note and threw in that lady's palm.

"Keep this with you too aunt. I don't want to add any more thing in your bankruptcy. You are my best friend's mother. How can I take you out on streets because of my weddings. I hope this will help you to buy today's ration." With this he left the house and that lady too didn't wait to leave.

Chitchats were stopped. Koshi Di gestured me to follow her and she came with me in my room.

"Ignore her Adita. She is just like that. She can't say good words to our family because her son married me against her wish."

She left but my mind strucked on the second wife part. Does everyone think like this about me?

Not reaching at any point I shrugged and looked behind to see my son still sleeping.

I smiled and got him ready after waking him up.

Entire day went pretty good except that fiasco. Well it had to. My life can never be less adventures which fate proved half and a year ago.

I was done with supper and was making bed when Kaushal came with an extra blanket and pair of pillows.

"I won't sleep on floor if you are mistaken by any chance." I exclaimed.

Rolling his eyes he started unfolding blanket on floor.
"Who told you to sleep there? It's for me. I can't sleep daily like yesterday like you two are my lord and I'm worshipper."

He turned and continued," Just make sure he doesn't sleep in wet diaper even for sometime."

I raised my brow, "I will not rape you, you know? You can sleep on bed. I also don't kick in sleep."

"You don't have any problem sleeping me on bed with you." He doubted.

"No. Why will I? Be sure your dignity is safe with me. Well I'm sleepy. If comfortable, join me." I took Priyam from her crib and tucked him in middle of bed with me on side.

"Start packing from now itself. I don't want any excuses or rush on last day. We are departing for Chennai after three days." With this he switched of  table lamp from his side making my jaw dropped.

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•**•*•*•*•*•*
Muh dikhai is a ceremony like reception where relatives comes to meet new bride.

Hello!

How are you all?
Angry!!!!!
Oops! I'm sorry for delay.
I had reasons but that will look like excuses. So leave that.
First tell me, how was the chapter?
Kaushal's POV!!!! Any word for him?
Both got married but the real phase starts now to face the world.
And what's with this half and a year ago? Again and again it comes.
Anyone interested to know?
How about we get to know in next update?
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Don't forget to comment how us the new cover. The image was sent by aaradhana_adithya and I loved it.
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See ya in next update!