AUTHOR POV

Singh Mansion is inundating with the whiff of delicacies being prepared for the Sunday brunch.

"Aditi!" Maanya yells for her attention.

Aditi looks up from her phone and scowls at Maanya.

"Why are you making a face at me?" Maanya asks her.

"You know why!" She rebukes childishly.

"I'm not going to tell you what happened at the den," Maanya chuckles at Aditi's persistence of knowing about the night at the den.

Aditi just pout and get back to her phone.

"Hey listen up, Paakhi and Viren will be here any minute," Maanya announced what she initially intended to say.

"Yess!!" Aditi cheers just as Shaurya and Arhaan join them in the courtyard.

"What's up?" Shaurya asks walking behind their chair and leaning in to place a kiss on Aditi's Head.

Arhaan though takes a seat near them.

"I was just telling them that Paakhi and Viren will be here any minute," Maanya inform.

"Ya, that idiot did send me a selfie of him," Arhaan rolls his eye.

"Really? Show me!" Maanya yanks his phone from his hand and opens the picture of Viren.

"Say whatever, he's hot!" Maanya look appalled at Aditi's comment.

"What?" Aditi exclaims looking at Maanya's stunned expression, Arhaan's amused one, and Shaurya's queasy face.

"Guys, I'm just appreciating what I'm seeing," she shrugs causing Arhaan to chuckle.

"Just look at your husband," he points at his brother who glares at him.

"Babe, you do know that you Singh brothers are eye candies right? I did not say something unusual..." Aditi's blunt reply induces Maanya to blush.

"But you are my candy, I can lick you, eat you do whatever I like because you are mine," Shaurya can't help but roll in laughter as he sees the horror on Arhaan's face.

"Brother this is one of the side-effects of pregnancy, mood swings! sometimes she's emotional, too happy or horny, just like now," Shaurya explains.

Arhaan peeks at Maanya to see her looking at him.

He glances at Aditi's protruding belly and then imagines Maanya all pregnant.

A giddy feeling explodes in his heart thinking about his wife pregnant with their child.

"We will see you both in the garden," Arhaan comes out of his thoughts when he hears Shaurya.

He nods at their retreating figures when he notices Maanya peeping at him.

"Beautiful?" He asks her holding her hand.

Maanya takes a deep breath before meeting his gaze.

"What's on your mind?" He asks her.

She stays silent for a second contemplating her thoughts.

"Do you think we are ready for a child?" Arhaan is surprised for a minute but then he replies, "I don't know, I just know that if God gives us that opportunity, we will be our best."

Maanya smiled at him but still, the fear from her past distressed her.

"We don't have to think about it, love, it's not like we are having a protected sex," he quips inferring to their time in Den.

Maanya chuckled at that and the dampened mood from earlier dissipate.

"Shall we?" Arhaan offers his hand which Maanya takes with a smile.

Walking to the lounge room, they observe everyone walking to the outside.

Just as Maanya glimpses Paakhi, she leaves Arhaan and dashes towards her.

"Paakhi!" Hearing Maanya's voice, Paakhi turns towards her and prepares herself for the impact.

"So happy to see you," Maanya cries in her arms.

Paakhi smiles and caresses her friend back.

Their moment breaks off when Aditi exclaim," Let's eat!"

Paakhi chuckle when Aditi tugs her into the garden.

"You are a selfish bastard," Viren chuckles at Arhaan's comment.

"Jealous much?!" He taunts causing Arhaan to roll his eyes at him.

"Yes, I'm, when you were enjoying your vacation, I was working my ass off..." Arhaan grits.

"Am I the only one who had fun? Or did something happen at Den?" Arhaan's eyes widen hearing Viren.

"What do you mean?" He jerks Viren back and glares at him.

"Did you forget we have a camera at the den? in the lounge?" Viren enjoys the distress on his brother's face.

Arhaan face loses all its color.

"Did you..." He stammers feeling terrified.

"Chill brother, when I saw all the arrangements at the terrace, I turned off the camera!" A sigh of relief leaves Arhaan's lips hearing Viren.

"Guys? Hurry up!" Shaurya yells for his brothers who start walking again.

"So how was your honeymoon? Where did you guys go?" Mrs. Tanvi Singh asks just as everyone settles.

"Mom..." Viren rolls his eyes as everyone looks at him and Paakhi with eagerness.

"Don't mom her! We all want to know!" Aditi jumps in. Mrs. Singh High five her leaving everyone stunned.

"What? This is our usual," Aditi retorts seeing everyone's face.

"We went to Bali," Paakhi answered instead of Viren.

"Wow! How was it?" Maanya asks excitedly.

A massive smile masks Paakhi's face as she remembers the events of her trip.

Maanya and Aditi share a knowing happy smile seeing the content on Paakhi's face.

They both realize now that it was worth it.

"Tell us everything," Shaurya encourages.

The remaining brunch was filled with chatters of their adventure in Bali.

"Children, me and your mom will be visiting Pallavi and Lakshay in Mumbai. We'll be leaving in an hour." Everyone pauses their conversation when they hear Mr.Singh's announcement.

"So sudden? Everything okay?" Viren asks concerned.

"No, Lakshay's mom is not doing well. We should visit her and also Pari was quite upset when she got to know her Uncles are all married." Mrs.Singh tells.

"The last part was most important because she asked me to punish you three every time she calls me." Manav Singh wisecrack.

Everyone smiled at the last part.

"I want to stay for your baby shower but..." Mrs. Singh holds onto Aditi's hand and lets out.

"It's okay, we can postpone it or something..." Aditi assures.

"No No, please don't. Just send me the pictures!" She asserts.

Aditi nods and everyone walks inside the house.

"Your baby shower?" Paakhi asks Aditi as everyone settles in the lounge waiting for Manav Singh and Tanvi Singh to return from their room.

"Ya...we decided to have it two days after you return." Aditi shares the news with Paakhi.

Paakhi excitedly hugs her.

"Do you know what happened with Palak Aunt and Dev Uncle?" Maanya whispers to Paakhi.

Paakhi shakes her head curiously because earlier when she saw they were missing the Sunday family brunch she was apprehensive.

"After what happened that day and seeing Viren all furious. They decided to take time away from everything. They are visiting aunty Palak's family in Uttarakhand." Maanya informs her.

Paakhi feels a mixed feeling of relief and tension.

"You did not break this family, Don't think that," Aditi asserts holding on her hand.

Paakhi nods her head but is still apprehensive.

Maanya notice that and say, "We have so much to prepare for your baby shower,"

Everyone returns their attention to Maanya.

"Where are young to have it?" Paakhi forgets everything and gets back to her work mode.

She misses the excitement and delight of planning events. So now after their marriage, their first event will be their best friend's baby shower.

"Okay, so I trust you guys, do whatever you want." She claps her hand excitedly.

Maanya and Paakhi share an equally enthusiastic cheer.

Guys just lean back and admire their wives.

Their moment paused when House helpers carry luggage outside.

They all line up in the foyer and wait for Mrs. And Mr. Singh.

"Have a safe flight," Viren hugs his mother and whispers.

Everyone says their goodbyes and the old couple leave for the airport.

"I'm hitting the gym," Viren announces ascending upstairs.

"I'll join him," Arhaan follows his brother.

"Babe, I think we should take a nap," Shaurya holds onto Aditi's hand and tug her towards the elevator.

"Do you want to go shopping today?" Maanya asks Paakhi.

Paakhi nods excitedly and says "I will go and freshen up and then we leave in 30 minutes?"

Maanya nods and decides to change too.

Paakhi enters her room and stumbles upon her bags.

"Ow," she cries as she falls.

"Love?" Viren runs out of the closet hearing a thud followed by Paakhi's grunt.

"Why are these bags here?" She cries out angrily.

"I'm sorry, I moved them aside, they were blocking my corner," Viren replies and helps Paakhi.

Paakhi grits her teeth and stomped towards her closet.

She grabs her handbag and with a parting glare leaves the room.

Viren amusingly stared at her retreating back.

'What just happened here?' He asks himself.

Changing into his gym clothes he grabs his AirPods and leaves the room.

On his way, he walks into Dhruv.

"Hey man, how are you?" He assesses him up and down.

"Better Sir," Dhruv curtly replies.

Viren nods and steps aside to continue the walk to his intended destination.

"Sir?" Dhruv calls after him.

Viren turns around and looks at him.

"This was delivered for you," he holds out an envelope for him.

Viren takes the envelope.

"What's this?" Arhaan asks joining his brother fully prepared for their workout session.

Viren shrugs and with a nod directed towards Dhruv, he strides to the gym.

Keeping the envelope with his bottle on the bench, he starts his workout session from the treadmill.

Arhaan takes the bars and starts pulling in them.

_____________________

"What's up with your mood?" Maanya questions Paakhi.

"I'm angry at Viren!" She replies defiantly.

"Why?" Maanya chuckles, finding amusement in Paakhi's expression.

"He moved the bags in the doorway and I stumbled because of them." She murmurs.

"So?" Maanya asks nonchalantly browsing the stores.

"So what?" Paakhi asserts looking at a dress. She rubs material and sighs at the softness.

"You guys are behaving like a typical married couple," Maanya chuckles and twirls around looking at the mirror.

Paakhi ponders over the thought and realizes they are actually.

"Now if it's enough about you, let's buy stuff for Aditi." Maanya tugs Paakhi to the other store.

"Maanu relax," Paakhi tells her as she is tugging her hard.

Maanya ignores her and just then, Paakhi bumped with someone.

She turns around to apologize but the guy doesn't stop he keeps walking looking down.

Paakhi feels weird but she turns around and glares at Maanya.

Maanya smiles at her and they continue their shopping.

_____________________

"Did you do it?" The man leans back into his chair with a smirk.

"Yes sir," the faint stumble in this voice makes the other man happy.

"Did she see you?" He asks again.

"No, I kept my head low," he reply looking anywhere but at the man in front of him.

"Good, now leave," he demands.

The tumbling man leaves the room and closes the door behind him.

"Viren Singh, I hope you didn't forget me..."

_____________________

"What's in this envelope?" Arhaan asks as they both sit down after their workout.

"Don't know," Viren grabs the envelope and looks around for any name aur address except a small joker logo.

He tears open the envelope and takes out the folded paper from inside.

Unfolding it he stares at the three words written in bold.

" I am Back!"

He read it aloud and feel his heart sinking.

"Who is it?" Arhaan asks anxiously.

Viren doesn't reply.

Arhaan grabs his mobile and calls Dhruv.

Dhruv marches into the gym.

Arhaan takes the letter from Viren and shows it to Dhruv.

Dhruv accessed the letter and look at Viren for instructions.

"Get Paakhi and Maanya. But don't tell anyone about this." He orders still contemplating his thoughts.

Arhaan feels a lump in his throat thinking about happening anything to Maanya.

Dhruv rushes out of the gym.

"Why do these problems keep following us?" He murmurs helplessly.

"I don't know but we can't tell anyone else. They will all worry and I don't want Aditi and Shaurya to stress about it." Viren asserts. He eyes Arhaan knowing his brother is a bit emotional.

"Yea, okay." Arhaan nods his head anxiously.

"I'm serious, brother! Don't tell Maanya." Viren again declares.

Arhaan gets up and leaves the gym, thinking a shower might help him.

Viren on the other side sits there anxiously ruffling his hair. He assesses his brain thinking who this person can be.

"Bhai?" Shaurya after his long nap comes to the gym for some workout when he notices Viren sitting with his head held low.

"Did you finally realize after your honeymoon that you need to work out to make Paakhi happy?" He quips. Viren couldn't control the smile he gets hearing his younger brother's nonsense.

"You wish, Paakhi was more than happy!" He retorts.

"Uh-huh!" Shaurya chuckles doing some warmups.

Viren assesses his brother's exhausted face and asks, "are you okay?"

Shaurya thinks for a while before replying, "I don't know how to tell you what I'm feeling. I might be tired but this is happy tiredness. I love working for that little one coming into my life." The smile on Shaurya's voice makes Viren confuse.

"How did you know you were ready to be a dad?" He asks him.

"Never, I don't think I'm ready. But I know I will learn along the way. I have a pretty good example to look up to." Viren smiles proudly towards his brother.

"Why? Is Paakhi pregnant too?" Shaurya asks excitedly.

"Oh no no! I was just curious." Viren defensively replies.

"Did you use protection? How do you know she's not pregnant?" Shaurya nonchalantly asks playing some music.

Viren sits stunned for a minute. They did not use protection, not once.

He was saved from answering when his phone buzzed.

He excuses and walks out to attend the call from Dhruv.

"Sir Paakhi ma'am and Maanya ma'am returned home safely and I'm working on it."

Viren hangs up and speed walks to his room.

Entering in, his gaze looks for his wife.

Seeing her exiting from the closet he marches to her and takes her in his arm.

"Viren?" Paakhi asks surprised.

"If it's about our fight, then don't worry I already forgot about it," she chuckles nuzzling in his body.

"Hate to say this, but you stink," Paakhi stops inhaling and takes a step back from him.

Viren remembers his workout and looks guiltily at her.

"Im sorry, I will take a bath and join you," he rushes to the washroom.

Paakhi chuckles at him and adjusts her clothes that she just wore after coming back.

She then leaves to go to the kitchen to look over dinner preparations.

Viren after taking a bath walks into his closet to grab some clothes.

He discards his wet towel on the bench and changes into his jeans and t-shirt.

Before walking out he remembers how much Paakhi hates him for discarding his wet towel on the bench.

So he picks it up. But on the way, he accidentally knocks Paakhi's jacket.

He bends down to pick it up and observe a sticker. What troubled him was the Jocker similar to the one on the envelope.

He examines the jacket and then calls Dhruv.

_____________________

PAAKHI POV

Waking up to a ringing alarm is very burdensome. But today I'm excited.

Looking beside me, I smile at Viren's sleeping peacefully.

Yesterday, he was stressed. Maybe due to jet lag? I don't know. I asked him a few times but he was not telling anything so I didn't pry.

My thoughts cease when my phone ping.

Taking it, I enter the washroom and open the text from Maanya.

After replying to her, I take a shower and change for the day.

Departing the closet, I see Viren still asleep. So I tiptoe out of the room.

Closing the door behind me, I walk downstairs to the courtyard.

"Morning," Maanya greets me with a warm smile and a steaming cup of tea.

Taking it from her, I settle down beside her.

"I'm so excited to see what Aditi would think of today," I giddily announce.

Maanya cheered with me.

"Do you think she will be fine with us changing her baby shower date?" She asks me.

Yesterday, we got a call from Sana telling us that Riya is leaving for America tomorrow. And we didn't want her also to miss the baby shower.

"We have an apology gift already planned," I smile, and Maanya chuckle.

"Guys will be here in an hour, we should probably have our breakfast. It's going to be a long day." Maanya suggests.

I take the last sip of my tea and stand up.

"I will go to the kitchen," I announce and wall to the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mrs.Singh." the staff greets me.

I greet them with a smile and look around.

"Breakfast is ready, we will start on the food for the baby shower now." I'm startled for a second when the head maid speaks from behind me.

I twirl around and nod in gratitude.

"If you need any help, please let me know," I say, I hate seeing people do my work.

"Mrs.Singh, this is our duty, we got this, your breakfast is waiting for you on the table, of you may..." She dismisses me.

I scramble out of the kitchen and to the dining hall.

"What's with the tension on your face?" Maanya asks as I take a seat.

"I got scolded by Ms.Rosie," I pout.

Maanya chuckles and tells me about the day she was scolded by her.

We serve our breakfast and munch on it.

Just as I'm about to take my last bite, I get a whiff of Viren's scent.

I look at the entrance to see him walking in with Arhaan beside him. Both of them have a tense expressions. But when Viren meets my eyes he passes me a smile and strolls towards us and takes a seat.

"Did you guys start without us?" Arhaan pouts as Maanya arranges his plate.

I pass Viren his plate and sit back because I know Viren likes to arrange his plate on his own.

He is very particular about his food portions.

"We have a long day ahead," Maanya replies.

"Really?" Arhaan asks.

"Ya, we have Aditi's baby shower today." I chime in.

"Today? Wasn't it supposed to be tomorrow?" Arhaan asks appalled.

"Riya is flying to America tomorrow, so we decided to have it today," Maanya replies scrutinizing him.

I peek at Viren beside me and see him holding his spoon tightly, so tightly that when he releases the grip, the spoon is bent.

"Is there a problem?" I ask assessing them both.

"Problem? No problem," Arhaan laughs nervously.

"It's just we didn't know so we didn't reschedule our meetings," Viren asserts.

"Love, it's a lady's type of event. Only Shaurya and Nana will be present in gents." I tell him.

"And your aunties too," Maanya roll her eyes. I feel nervousness bubbling through me because the last time I met Viren's relatives, they thought of me as rude and mannerless.

"Then we should be out," Arhaan quips causing everyone to chuckle.

"Love, you are the most caring and beautiful person I know. You be yourself and they all will love you." Hearing Viren's encouraging words I feel delighted. He always knows what's disturbing me.

"Thank you," I turn my face towards him, and he smiles.

"Are you going to Kiss or what?" We lean back when we head scraping chairs.

"Why do you poke your nose in others' business?" Viren scowl at Shaurya.

Shaurya just smirks as he helps Adi sit down.

I stand up and make them both a plate.

"How did you sleep?" I ask exhausted Aditi.

"I couldn't sleep all night, my back ached." She mumbles playing with her food.

I squeeze her hand with a supportive smile.

When I see her not eating, I take the spoon from her and feed her.

She doesn't object just smiles and eats.

"We have an announcement," Maanya stands up and looks at Aditi and Shaurya.

"Are you guys pregnant too?" Shaurya asks excitedly.

Arhaan choked on his food and starts coughing.

"Beautiful?" He stares at Maanya.

Maanya hit him lightly and then scowl at Shaurya.

"No! I'm not pregnant." She asserts and then with a smile directed at Aditi she says, "Your baby shower is today!"

We all look at Aditi for her reaction.

She looks at me and then at Maanya before nodding her head.

Maanya and I share a confused look.

"Are you not upset we didn't ask you?" I ask her offering her the spoonful of Poha.

She takes the bite and says, "if you guys decided something then I'm okay with it."

I smile and caress her hair for showing so much trust in us.

"That being said, we have a small surprise for you," I say gleefully.

"What?" She asks excitedly.

I look at Maanya who looks at her phone and then nods at me.

"Look," I point to the door entrance.

Everyone turns to look at the doorway from where Sana comes in.

"Umm...not be rude but is Sana my surprise?" Aditi asks scrunching her face.

"Worry not baby mama, this is your gift," she points to the guys walking behind her with lights and camera.

"We have planned you a maternity shoot." Maanya jumps from behind.

Aditi cheers and hugs me.

"Group hug!" She yells at Sana and Maanya.

Soon I have three people over me.

We all step back and see Shaurya fling himself at Viren and yelling, "group hug,"

We all laugh hard when Viren pushes him away and Arhaan whacks him.

"You guys are evil," he rubs his elbow while glaring at them.

"You guys sit in the lounge and I will arrange for the tea," I ask Aditi and Maanya. They nod and escort the guys to the lounge.

"Sana, have a seat and eat something." I tug her to the chair and prepare her a plate.

"But-"

"No buts, eat up." I assert and feed her a spoonful.

She chuckles and takes the spoon from me.

I turn around to collect the plates when I feel someone pull my hand.

I look up to see Viren smiling at me.

"I'm going to the office. Take care," he places a kiss on my forehead.

I smile and peek at Sana to see her busy eating.

So I hastily place a kiss on Viren's cheek.

He smiles at me and whispers, "Today is going to be a good day for me."

I chuckle and wave him goodbye.

"And love, let the staff do that..." He speedwalk before I could reply.

"You should listen to him," I turn around when I hear Sana.

"I know, but I don't like seeing someone else doing my work," I confess.

"I know but look at this way, they are doing their work, and when you do their work they don't like it." She advises.

I think about it and nod my head in understanding.

"Excuse me, please clean the table," Sana asks the nearby maid.

"And can you please arrange some tea for our guests in the lounge room?" I ask.

She nods and starts collecting the dishes.

"So how have you been?" I take a seat beside her and ask.

"Nothing much, just working in the club and then helping out in the cafe at day." She replies.

"Oh yeah, Nona told me you started helping out in the cafe."

"Thank you so much, I was so tense about what will happen at the cafe after we all get married and move this far," I confess.

"Hey, they are like family to me, I m so lucky they accepted me as if their own daughter," she softly smiles.

"They are best!" I smile.

"And what about the club? How are things there?" I ask her.

"Good," she curtly replies.

"Is there any problem? Is Prithvi behaving?" I ask her.

"No Prithvi is great, everything is good." She replies but I sense her thinking deeply about something.

"You know I'm always here for you!" I assert not wanting to come out as prying.

"I know, without you...I'm nothing." She hugs me.

I hug her back and we stay like that for a minute.

"We should probably get to work. People will be here soon." She leans back and speaks up.

I nod and we both hurry out of the house to the garden.

"Thank you for bringing everything out," I tell the staff members who are going to help us decorate the area.

"Okay so now, you three start working on the balloons." I point at the group of men. I assign everyone the task and they all nod and leave to do their task.

"Let's start with placing the decorations around," I instruct Sana.

She nods and we both get to work.

After three hours of hard work, I step back and examine our work.

"Thank you, everyone! This looks amazing." I thank everyone.

"You go check on Aditi and I will see the arrangements in the kitchen." She tells me.

I nod at her and run inside the house.

"Where's Aditi?" I ask the help.

"In her room." She replies and I run upstairs.

"Paakhi!" I stop before entering her room.

"Thank you so much for arranging this. She's so happy. " Shaurya hugs me. I smile at him and rush inside the room.

I see Aditi sitting on her bed with an ice cream in her hand and smiling goofily at the camera.

Being careful of the wires lying around, I stand beside Maanu.

"She's enjoying it!" Maanya tells me jovially.

I smile at her and watch Aditi posing.

"That bunny is so cute..." I whisper to Maanu.

"I know right, Shuarya gifted her," Maanya replies.

"Check this picture," the cameraman shows us a black and white picture of Aditi. I love how beautiful she looks. The main focus is her protruding belly. I can't believe the time flew so fast.

Tears brim my eyes.

"Do I look so bad?" I hear Aditi's voice and I look up at her.

I walk over to her and smile.

"You look most beautiful," I place a kiss on her forehead.

"Now change up, we have guests arriving soon," I tell her and walk out of her room to mine.

Walking to my closet I grab a blue Anarkali suit and rush to the bathroom to take a shower.

After doing my hair and makeup I walk over to my balcony and look down to see some of the guests in the garden.

Taking a deep breath, I leave my room.

On the stairs, I meet Maanu.

"You look so cute," she comments as we descend the stairs.

"You look stunning," I remark, She looks stunning in her suit.

Together we walk to the gardens and greet the aunts.

I try dismissing their keen looks by focusing on the people that matter.

"You girls look so cute," Nona hug us.

I hug aunty and then Nana.

"These arrangements are on the top."
Nana remarks.

I smile at him, "Sana and the households helped too,"

"Everyone did an amazing job." Nona kisses me and I laugh.

"Where is our Mama?" Aunty asks.

I glance at my phone to text Shaurya.

Minutes later, he arrives with Aditi.

Aditi looks beautiful in her golden dress.

She stops at the entrance and waits for the cameraman to click her picture with the props we have.

"How can she be showing this much when they just got married a few months back?" I hear some ladies talking behind me.

"She must be pregnant before marriage." They discuss among themselves.

"This happens when you don't have parents growing up, " I see Nona gritting her teeth.

"Come let's go to her," I tug Nona and Aunty to Aditi.

They all greet each other and Maanya and I look over the arrangements.
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Hey, lovelies ❤️

Did you enjoy the update?

So I would like to apologize for the late update but my exams are going on and I was really busy. But I care about you all and decided to update today.

Please, guys, comment and let me know if you like my work or not, 🥺

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