PAAKHI POV

Aditi lean back from my embrace and mutter, "I think Shaurya's cheating on me,"

For a moment I feel like hitting some sense into her because genuinely I thought something happened to the baby.

I meet gaze with Maanya and we both frown at Aditi.

"What made you conclude this?" Maanya asks still sobbing Aditi.

I gently nudge her inside the apartment and into the living room.

"Earlier today, he sent me a text stating, 'The plan is on, no one will suspect anything. Just come before my brothers.' And then he deleted it instantly saying it wasn't for me." She cries.

I look at the disheveled state of my best friend and try consoling her.

"But he loves you..." Maanya mumble.

"Not anymore! He's with me just for the baby!" She jumps out of my embrace and yells.

I look at her stunned. Her emotions are changing like a fan speed.

"Come here and sit," I nudge her back and push her down.

"He proposed you yesterday for god's sake, why would he cheat on you?" I ask.

She stops sobbing and looks at me thoughtfully.

"Then why that text?" She whimpers.

I hold her hand and say, "let's go and find out."

She nods her head frantically and rushes to her room.

"You guys go without me," Maanu sigh.

"Why?! I'll be there for you! And Aditi needs us." I pursue.

She nods dubiously, nonetheless, gets up, and follows Aditi.

I walk into the kitchen and look at the mess. The sink is full till the top and there are wrappers all around.

"What should I wear?" Maanya's voice echoes as she walks to the kitchen.

"Oh, God!" She exclaims sighting the chaos Aditi made in a span of a couple of hours.

"I cleaned the house before leaving and instructed her to look after it." She groans.

I shake my head and walk to the sink to wash the utensils.

Without another word, Maanu begins picking up the wrappers and cleaning the slab.

We work in complete silence, until, "What are you going to wear? I can iron it for you..." Maanu asks.

"I have not decided yet, can you help me?" I plead.

She agrees and scrambles off.

I complete my work and exit the kitchen. Walking past the couch I pick up my phone and make a call to Sana.

"Hello?" I hear her sweet voice.

"Where are you?" I ask her walking to my room.

"I'm with Mom and Aunty." She replies.

"Oh okay, so I called to tell you that we three are going out and may return late." I notify her.

Waiting for her reply, I see a speck of dust on the corridor painting.

"Oh okay, I will stay here then, see you guys." She hastily hangs up.

If not keen on dusting, I would have redialed her.

"Oh, Paakhi!" I hear a disappointed voice, Aditi.

"Your friend is losing the man she loves and you are more interested in cleaning?" She chides.

"Quit being so dramatic!" I frown at her and pass her to enter my room.

Entering in, I see my favorite jumper set on the bed coupled with a comfortable pair of jeans.

Quickly I change into them and walk out of the room to see Aditi pacing the corridor.

I gently lay my hand on her shoulder and squeeze it.

She looks at me with teary eyes and I tug her in my arms.

"Shh...stress is not good for you and baby, and maybe there is nothing to be worried about?" I attempt to assure her.

She nods her head and backs away.

"The driver is waiting for us," Maanya walks in from the balcony and latches the door behind her.

"Oh yea, Mrs.Maanya Singh has a personal driver now." I quip in an attempt to cheer up Aditi.

Maanya blushes and scurries out of the doors. Aditi and I chuckle and follow her, before exiting the house, I switch off all the lights except one small light.

"Do they know we are coming?" Maanya asks me.

"Arhaan invited you, I didn't even get a call from Viren," I whine gently.

"So we are not even sure they will be there or not?!" She frowns at me.

I shrug and enter the waiting car.

"Do you know the address to their apartment?" I ask aloud.

"Den! Not apartment," Aditi intervene after her long silence.

"I know it, ma'am," before I can say anything, the driver announced. I nod thankfully and lean back in my seat.

"How's your throat?" Maanya asks me.

"Better," I reply, caressing my throat.

She nods and looks outside the window.

I look to my other side and see Aditi too busy gazing outside the window. Being seated in the middle seat, I look ahead.

Don't know when and how, but I dozed off.

A light pat on my shoulder wakes me up from my dreamless slumber.

"We have reached," Maanu whisper to me. I nod and exit the car.

Walking inside the Lavish building, I stayed back till Aditi talk to the receptionist and consciously look at the passersby, A woman walking by dressed in a dress worth more than our one event saving intimidate me and I glance at my wrinkled jumper from slouching earlier in the car and discreetly brush it.

"What is wrong with you today? Why are you so lost?" Maanu hollers at me in the elevator.

I don't say anything but realize that no matter what happens, I start comparing the differences between mine and Viren's worlds.

As the elevator bell dings, I shake those thoughts away and put a smile on my face.

Taking a step outside we look around confused. The lights are off, there is pitch blackout.

I feel Maanu and Aditi Intervene their fingers with me. We stand side by side, holding on to each other.

"I don't like this..." I mumble.

"I do! This is just like in movies!" Aditi cheers. I glance in her direction realizing that mood swings in pregnancy are real as hell. She was sad a second before and now she's excited.

"So miss telltale, tell us what to do next?" Maanya asks squeezing my hand.

"Let's count till 5 and then lights will turn on!" She glee.

Her excitement reflects on me and I count till 5 in my mind getting expectations.

"Nothing happened," Maanu deadpan.

"It should have.." Aditi answer sadly.

"I think they are not home, " I say turning around and press the elevator button, the only illuminating thing in this black room.

A depressing sigh from Aditi is shortly accompanied by a loud thud.

I freeze instantly and turn back around.

"Did you hear that?" Aditi asks suspiciously. I feel Maanu's grip tighten on mine.

"We should look more," Aditi affirm.

"Hey, wait, it's pitch black, you can fall..." I nudge her back as I feel her tugging me.

"Oh!" She exclaims.

"We can use our mobile flashlight!" Maanu suggest.

"You couldn't think of it earlier?" I frown at her.

"Not in my eye!" I Swat Aditi's arm away as she directs the flashlight in my eyes.

With an exaggerated sigh, we follow the path illuminated by the flashlight.

"Where should we check first? " Maanu whisper.

"Where do you think voice came from?" I whisper back.

"Upstairs?!" Aditi proposes.

I nod and we carefully ascend the stairs.

As we reach the last few steps, murmuring sounds arise.

"Did you hear it?" Aditi whispers.

I concentrate and feel three different voices talking.

"It's them!" I happily exclaim.

Aditi let go of my hand and rush upstairs. I follow her and stand speechless at the patio doorway.

"Wow!!" Maanu exclaim from beside me.

The sight in front of us is so romantic.

They decorated their patio with few blankets, large pillows, and string lights for a comfortable theater ambiance, and hooked up a projector and screen.

"See, I knew this will surely bring them here!" Shaurya is the first one to break the silence by shoving Arhaan and walking towards Aditi.

He takes her in his arms and places a kiss on her astounded face.
She glances into his eyes and within a second their sweet moment turned into a fierce make-out, so I veer around to look at Arhaan eyeing Maanya uncertainly.

So I decided to help them and push her into his arms. She stumbles into his awaiting arms and Arhaan hugs her.

I smile and revert my gaze at the most handsome man.
Just as our eyes meet, he passes me a heartwarming smile making my knees go weak.

"Hi," he walks over to me and exclaims.

"Hi..." I reply relishing the feel of his arms around me.

He stoops low so that our lips are closer but I take a step back. Looking around I see Shaurya and Aditi gushing and Arhaan and Maanya now kissing.

Viren laughs and places a kiss on my head.

"My goody two shoes, it's just our family, we can kiss in front of them," he announces cupping my cheek and placing a kiss on my cheek but too near to my lips.

The feeling it gives me makes me hold tightly onto his shoulders.

I need more!

When he leans away, I feel sad, it must have shown on my face because he says, " I respect your wishes Paakhi, I can wait till we are alone."

I smile, it's not wrong to kiss in front of others, but I'm not comfortable.

"You did a marvelous job, it's beautiful," I compliment the surroundings.

"Thank you, Bhai did most of the work, I just had a duty to get you guys here," Shaurya replies, coming forth and hugging me and then Maanya.

I meet Arhaan's gaze and walk into his outstretched arms.

"How are you?" He asks looking at the bandage on my forehead.

"It's better," I smile and he nods.

"Are you okay?" I ask feeling tension between him and Maanya.

He takes a deep breathe and reply, "I just can't control,"

"Anger is not good for you both, just talk and sort it out," I reply. But when he looks at me as if I'm crazy, I consciously smile. Did I say something wrong? Wasn't he talking about anger? What else can he not control?

"Let's sit, I'll bring some wine," Shaurya helps Aditi to one of the blankets.

I take Viren's outstretched hand and follow him to the other blanket. I take off my shoes and settle down on the soft fabric.

I see Arhaan taking Maanya to the other blanket but he doesn't sit like others.

I feel sad thinking their marriage is suffering.

"You need something?" Viren asks me.

"I can't drink because of my medicines and you because of your throat..." He clarifies.

I nod and say, " what about coffee?"

He nods with a smile at me.

"Can I have one too?" Aditi pleads with Viren.

Before Viren can nod, both Shaurya and I ask, "did you not drink any today?"

We pass each other a smile and stare at Aditi who huffs and pouts.

"You know Aditi only 200 mg of caffeine for you per day." Shaurya lightly chides. I like how Shaurya is preparing himself for this pregnancy.

"Everyone is going to have a drink and I'm supposed to watch?!" She shouts.

"No baby, if it feels better, I will not drink till this baby comes. We are in this together." He takes ahold of Aditi's hands and declares gazing into her eyes.

I smile gleefully and nudge Viren down to sit beside me.
He nods and settles down behind me, his legs are stretched on my sides and arms around me. I turn slightly and smile at him. He smiles back and places a kiss on my cheek.

I blush and look ahead.

His low chuckle, makes a weird feeling rise within me.

"You guys look so cute together!" Aditi cheer looking at me and Viren.

"Cute?!" Viren asks unhappily.

"Yes brother, you are cute," Shuarya quips.

I feel Viren mumbling curse at Shaurya.

"I never thought I would see a day when Viren will be called cute," Arhaan joins in and we all laugh.

I feel Viren's hold tighten on me and his warm breath fanning my neck.

"You with them?" His voice is as low as a hum.

I feel the heat rising between my legs. This is absurd. What is happening to me?

"We are a hot couple," Viren replies cockily.

I feel a blush rising to my cheeks, not at what Viren says but at what my mind is portraying at the moment.

I think this all-sex talk with Maanya earlier today is affecting me.

So I stare at the said girl and see her eyeing Arhaan with fire in her eyes. Their stare is different from any other time I have seen them.

It's something beautiful, their eyes are gleaming.

"Why are you guys angry with each other?" This time I ask aloud.

Everyone directs their gazes at me.

"Oh God," Shaurya tumbles over in laughter.

"Oh my sweet Paakhi, this is not anger..." He says between laughter.

"This is hunger, hunger for each other," Shuarya answers.

I feel my cheeks blazing. Everyone chuckled at me.

"Hey, don't bully her, she doesn't know that..." Aditi chides to Shaurya while herself giggling.

I feel Maanya and Arhaan smiling at me.

I don't dare to turn around and look at Viren. I can't see the disappointment in his gaze.

What if he thinks that I'm too lame? He has obviously been with many women in his life and I? I didn't even have my first kiss till recently...

"Viren? Did you guys not-"

"That's none of your business, we are here to watch a movie, let's do that," he cuts off Arhaan in between and speaks.

Everyone quit down hearing the speck of anger in his voice.

Is he angry because of me?

"Which movie?" Arhaan asks aloud.

"I'm deciding! I'm pregnant, I get to decide!" Aditi jump in her seat.

"You can't use it every time?!" Maanya huff.

Aditi shrugs and looks at Shaurya.

"Baby, can I decide?" It doesn't take Shaurya a second to bob his head in agreement.

"Whipped!" Maanya and Arhaan exclaim.

I pass a slight smile but my mind is whirling over Viren.

"Paakhi?! Tell her that pregnancy is not an excuse to get everything!" Maanya whines looking at me.

"Let it be," I shrug nonchalantly. She pouts but settles in Arhaans arms.

"Don't worry, Maanu, this movie is one of your favorites." Aditi coos and whisper something in shaurya's ears.

Shaurya nods and I see him browsing Netflix.

"She's the man?" Maanya read out the movie name.

A smile masks my face, it is a good movie.

"I'll get everyone the food," Viren gets up and walk towards the patio door.
I get up and follow him.

He glances at me beside him but doesn't say anything.

"Watch out, why is it so dark?" He warns me and takes out his phone to turn on the flashlight.

Before we can take a step, I feel him grasping my hand.

We carefully descend the stairs and he turns to his left and instantly the room light up.

I expected him to let go of my hand, but when he continued walking towards the kitchen with my hand in his grasp, I stare at him.

Reaching the kitchen, he turns towards me and leaves my hand to hold my face. He caress my left cheek and whisper, "I'm sorry for what happened earlier,"

"Huh?" I ask confuse.

"My brother's..." He responses.

"They didn't have any right to make mock about that," he acknowledges.

I shy away and say, "it's not their fault, I reacted dumbly, I should have known that..."

"Hey, you don't have to be sorry for being you, I feel revivified knowing you, and your innocence, it fascinates me, it lures me to know you and teach you these things." His voice becomes hoarse in the end. His eyes stare at me with fervor.

Don't know what got into me, that I loop my arm around his neck and pull him for a kiss.

As our lips meet, everything else dims. I can feel his heartbeat quicken as I melt into his touch. His lips are hot on mine as our tongues dance around each other.

We pull apart and smile at each other.

"At last, I waited to do this the moment I saw you walking through those patio doors." He comments, resting his forehead on mine.

"Me too," I accept with a smile.

He chuckles and with a lingering kiss on my forehead he completely back away and picks up the tray set on the counter.

I don't know how I never noticed this much food kept on the counter.

"Here," I take the other tray and we both climb the stairs.

"Finally, I was about to come down with a search party!" Aditi exclaims dramatically. I smile and place the food on the ground between our blankets.

Viren takes his previous position and I follow suit.

He wraps an arm around me and I gently lean into his embrace, afraid to hurt him.

_______________________________

MAANYA POV

watching the movie is becoming a difficult task for me.

The warmth of Arhaan's breathing fanning the nape of my neck is stirring the butterflies in my neck.

I shift in his embrace and suddenly feel something poking me in my back.

I'm not Paakhi, I know what it is, so I instantly stand up and say, "I need to use the washroom,"

Quickly descending the stairs, I reach the living room and lean on the wall.

With my eyes close, I take deep breaths.

"What is wrong with you Maanya?!" I chide myself.

"Nothing and that is the problem, my dear wife is perfect! And I'm having a hard time keeping my hands off of you." Arhaan voice in front of me startles me.

I direct my gaze at him and feel him an inch away from me.

We don't say anything, just let the silence prevail.

"Maanya..." His soft whisper elate me.

He extends his hand and gently takes a loose strand of my hair and pin it behind my ear.

His touch sprouts a blazing sensation.

Soon his hand is replaced by his lips, he trails kisses from my ear, along my jaw, and finally to my lips.

I dissolve into his touch, savoring each kiss, then slowly he backs away.

"This wait is killing me," he whispers staring at the bulge in his pants.

I blush crimson and shy away.

"Oh, my dear wife," he whines putting his head on my shoulder lousily.
I caress his head softly.

"See, I told you, who goes down, stays down." We hear Aditi exclaiming.

Arhaan steps back and adjusts his jeans.

I see Paakhi, Viren, and Shaurya following her.

"Did you guys have sex?" Aditi scrunch up her nose.

I blush and attempt to frown at her.

"What?! Seeing you both flushed, I guessed," she explains.

"Did you brother?" Shaurya walks forth and quip.

He and Aditi smirk at us.

"Don't you have something better to do?" Arhaan chides.

Shaurya and Aditi shrug looking at each other.

I ignore them and glance behind them to see Viren and Paakhi talking among themselves, looking at Paakhi's ring.

"Paakhi? Shall we leave?" I grab her attention.

Instantly a frown masks Shaurya, Viren, and Arhaan's faces.

"So soon?" Shaurya scowls.

Aditi frown looking at me.

"She's right, it's already late. " Paakhi agrees with me.

"Can you guys stay for a drink?" Arhaan asks grabbing my hand.

I look at his pleasing face and melt away.

"But we can't drink..." Paakhi reply.

"What about a cup of tea?" Viren suggests hopefully.

I think we all were looking for an excuse because instantly everyone agrees.

"6 cups teas coming up!" Shaurya exclaims walking to the kitchen.

"I'll help you," I say walking to the kitchen.

"I'm coming too," Paakhi joins us.

We enter the beautiful kitchen and I skim my finger on the shining surface.

"Do you know how to make tea?" Paakhi asks puzzled Shaurya.

"I do... it's just we don't cook in this kitchen, so I don't know where everything is..." He replies, skimming through cupboards one by one.

"I do, move!" Viren enters the kitchen and efficiently assembles the ingredients.

I look astounded, I never took Viren to be someone who knows the kitchen aspects.

"You must be so proud Paakhi, having a husband who can make tea, your mornings are set!" I exclaim eyeing Viren's every move.

"Beautiful, I can make good coffee and Maggie!" Arhaan pouts possessively taking me in his arms.

Everyone laughs at his covetousness.

"And for the fact, we are married and not them," he rebukes scowling at smirking Viren.

His smirk fades and now he's the one who eyes Paakhi sadly.

"Even though you guys are, you are on the same boat as us." Viren acknowledges.

"Because of that bastard! If not because of him, then we would have been registered till now!" Arhaan cry.

I squeeze his hand when I see the gloom on Paakhi's face.

"I'm sorry," she murmurs.

Arhaan huff and walk over to her.

"I'm sorry Paakhi, it's not your fault. I'm just frustrated. Ignore me." He apologizes taking her in his arms.

She smiles in his embrace and I smile looking at them.

"The tea is ready!!" Viren exclaims diverting everyone's attention.

We all move to the living room and settle down with a cup in our hands.

"Today was very special, thank you," Paakhi admits smiling at Viren.

I smile at Arhaan and he places a kiss on my forehead.

"Special? I had a heart attack!" Aditi rebukes glaring at Shaurya.

"I'm sorry baby, I knew you would come like this," he apologizes caressing her hand.

"Why not text Paakhi or Maanya?" She inquires.

"They chickened out," he point at Arhaan and Viren.

I glance at Arhaan and he shrugs, "I already argued with her earlier, "

"I can't risk losing her, my image is not very pristine in this case," Viren replies embarrass.

Paakhi holds onto his hand and smiles.

"I knew you love me and trust me..." Shaurya nervously replies.

"Or maybe they forced me to do that," he mumbles clearly for all of us to hear.

A chuckle leaves our lips.

And Aditi coo at her fiance.

"How I would kill to have every day like this," Aditi leans into Shaurya's embrace and murmur taking a sip of the tea.

"I wonder when it will come true, I mean the pace our marriage is following, think how long your will be..." Arhaan affronts.

"But we can't wait forever, our baby will be here in 7 months." Shaurya caresses Aditi's belly tensely.

"We want to enjoy our married life a bit before we become parents," Aditi confess putting her hand on Shaurya's and caressing her belly.

"We marry a week ago and till now we are waiting for our Vidai," Arhaan scoffs.

"God please," Shaurya says hopefully.

"I have an idea," Paakhi interjects.

We all glance at her intrigued.

"Umm..." She nervously meets all our gazes and says," I propose that why not we all get married in court together. I mean I don't want a big fat wedding anyways."

"Me too, all these functions and everything tires me." Aditi glees.

"So you are saying that we three get married on the same day? I mean technically our marriage is the day we register it," I slowly but carefully say each word.

When Paakhi and Aditi nod their heads, in a count of three we three jump from our seats hug each other.

Our cheers and exclamations resonate in the whole house.

"Who will tell mom?" Shaurya asks aloud, pausing her celebration.

We three-step back and stare at Shaurya.

"If you guys want this then we'll find a way," Viren announces taking Paakhi in his arms.

I smile merrily, this day could never end well...

Now I just hope, this plan of our works.

_______________________________

Hey, lovelies 💕

Here's the update, sorry for the delay but my schedule is too tight and I don't want to rush the story.

So thank you to all those who are still supporting me.

Enjoy, and don't forget to Vote⭐ and Comment 💭