Love's Strange Ways - End with you....

Shreya's P.O.V.

I just stepped out from the car and my mobile buzzed. I was getting irritated with these messages. After Vishal went to some business conference, I packed my important things and came here directly. I was so excited for Swati's baby shower. She waited so many years for this; finally she got the happiness she deserved. Thinking about children, where were my evils?

"Momma, look bhaiya has eaten my chocolate."

My almost four-year-old daughter's complains can never stop. She is a carbon copy of Vishal. Same eyes, same expression; Vireya was obviously her daddy's girl.

"What? That was yours? I didn't know. There was no name on it, was there?" Swareya was still licking his messy chocolaty mouth.

"Momma, say something."

I glared at Swareya but in reply he just shrugged. When he does it, he looks more mature than his five years feature.

"Don't worry baby, I will buy you again. That time, only for you."

She smiled cheekily to her brother. Swareya just ignored it. Who knows what he would do that time. Soon, both of them started running in Swati's house. To be honest, I was so tired. Thinking about their father, he was just trapped in conference. I thought bitterly.

And then my phone buzzed again. I opened and as usual groaned.

'Wow you're looking hot. Everybody must be praising you, right? I knew it.'

I looked at my mobile screen to see my reflection. Hot??!! My foot! Pale skin, dark circles; in this age, who will look hot? Why this man can't digest that I am not interested in this crap. Continuously flirting. I put it in my bag and entered the house.

Soon, I was surrounded by some familiar faces. After all these years, everything feels so beautiful. Mili, Nimi and even Dev's wife were here. We shouted like old times. Omg, this was so nice. Soon we girls gathered and asked Swati's condition. And it turned to everyone and their experience at that time.

It was a girly function, so along with my husband, most of the guys were missing. Only Swati's husband was there. When we pushed him to go, it ended in a funny way. That only reminded me about our times. I sighed. Time flew so quickly.

After all the songs, dances, and so much masti, we finally reached Swati's room. At last, we were alone. It reminded me of the times we spent together before.

'What did you wear? That white saree? You looked incredible in it.'

This was the eighth message of the day. How I was looking, I knew it. I didn't want anyone's compliment. I wanted to reply. But went against it. It would only encourage.

"What Shreya? We finally got some time and you are busy with your phone?" Mili asked with irritation. What can I say. I just shook my head. "Sorry guys, it's nothing."

"Nothing? I noticed you were really busy with your phone the whole day. So, who is this romeo? Omg, don't say you have an extra marriage affair." Dev's wife, Radhika vabi was wiggling saying it. I just smiled.

"Who will be that idiot to do this? Did you see me? Two children's mom. There is nothing like that."

And as soon as I said it, conversation started about women's right. That they should be confident of their age. However they look, husbands should appreciate it. And husbands?!!

So it turned to the most interesting topic. Husbands and their faults. Everyone had complains; good thing that they were not here. And when it came to me, about how my husband ignored me, how he didn't give time to me, etc., I couldn't help but chuckle nervously.

Without giving an answer, I just opened my phone and showed some of the flirty messages, by which almost my whole memory was blocked. Yeah right, these messages were from no one but my 9 year old husband. What did you think?

"Did he really send you this?"

I just nodded.

"Impossible, husbands can't do it. There is something missing. May be he sent it by mistake, wanting to send it to someone else."

Good point, but everyday at least ten times, who can make mistakes....

So? There should have some conclusion. Everyone suggested different things. Most of them were useless ideas. But not the last one.

"May be he had affairs outside. This is a way to divert you. You know, husbands start flattering when they have something to hide."

Nah, Vishal couldn't do that. I trust him.

Then what's the meaning of these nonsense messages?

May be something else. Not this. The thought of losing him was so scary.

But as the time passed, I couldn't gather myself. The rest of the day was like that. Even when I reached home along with the children, the first thing I did was walked to the mirror directly. I looked at the reflection. I gained at least ten kilos in these years. It's so tough to look at myself. Home, office, children, their studies; where is the time?

I sighed at the pale face; sleepless night caused the black circles. There was nothing attractive. I wanted to shout. As time was passing, that scary thought became more real. No, this had to be finished. I will talk with him tonight.

I was in a dull mood the rest of the day. When he came and hugged me, I couldn't hug him back. Then, he became busy with children so he didn't notice my mood. After dinner, I took my laptop to finish some design. And then I felt two familiar hands hug me from behind.

"What happened, darling? Today, your mood is not okay. Everything's fine, right?" I just nodded as I couldn't gather any words to ask.

"I saw the picture of baby shower. Believe me, I fell in love again, you were looking gorgeous." I couldn't take this anymore, I removed his hands from me and faced him. "Why the hell are you doing this to me?"

"What did I do, darling?"

"This, everyday fake compliment. False praise. Why? What did you think? I can't see?" I was fuming, feeling the urge to cry too.

In reply, he just closed the gap between us. Holding my hands in his, he looked into my eyes, "Darling, why are you thinking those were fake compliments? I was not faking anything with you. How can I do anything wrong with my darling?"

"Then why are you saying that? You and me, we both know, I am not looking the same like before. My eyes are not the same. My face is not the same. My figure is not the same, for God's sake. There is nothing attractive in me," I said desperately.

"I fell in love with you not for how you look, just for who you are. Although you always look great too." He whispered slowly making me wonder what I should believe.

"But...."

"Shh... no but. If you are looking different, that proves we are growing together, our lives belong together. These swollen eyes show how much you give your everything, day and night to me and my babies. This little extra weight declares how much you care for us." A tear spilled out from my eyes which he brushed off my face tenderly.

"Someone up there must be watching out for me, because they sent Heaven's most beautiful
angel into my life. Darling, you are, and always have been, my dream girl. Even before I met you, your vision was in my mind just as you are." I wanted to say something but he stopped me midway, "You know what? If you want, you can look the same as before, the college beauty queen. Not for me; for you, for your self confidence. Because for me, you will be always my darling first, the wife later. The girl in whose smile I see something more beautiful than the stars."

I looked into his eyes which spoke so much. And I fell in love once more, more beautifully. Only with my Vishal. I hugged him with all I had because I knew, he will be here with me for yesterday's memory, today's love, and tomorrow's dream. No matter what, only for me.

A/N: Inspired from a real story.
I know maybe I couldn't even reflect their original characters properly. Obviously that can only be possible by Rose. But I tried, hope it is good. And if anyone have any doubt about Shreya's look, she is still beautiful. But in another way. Obviously from my view. But after 30, women become insecure. So that's it.

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This one shot was written by NishithiniAhmed.. Congratulations, you have won the second prize! Thanks a lot for taking part in this contest.. You can PM me to get your prize.. :)