"No one else matters but you."

Aahana was fast asleep like a baby when she was forcefully awoken by the ringing of her phone. She knew whoever was at the other end was going to die because she hated when people messed with her sleep. It was the only thing that put her in peace and she could always weave her own dreams. It relaxed her, washing away all the tension from her body. Also, which girl liked to miss her much-needed beauty sleep?

She hit the button so hard and was about to scream but the voice she heard silenced her. It was her mother. She swallowed and rubbed her eyes with the pad of her fingers as she heard her mother sob and yell. Aahana couldn't comprehend her words, but she could very well sense what her mother was talking about.

"Who told you?" she asked calmly, stifling a yawn.

"Jay!" Her mother cried. "How could you not tell us?"

"Mummy, please... " Aahana gritted her teeth, already feeling the anger bubble within her, wanting to murder Jay. He couldn't keep a simple promise, that ass. She should have known though, he was always like this when it came to hiding things from family. "I didn't want to worry you all, besides, I swear I'm okay now." Aahana was tired of repeating these same words again and again.

"Fracture is not okay Aahana. What if something had happened to you?" She groaned when she heard her mother burst into another round of fresh tears.

Oh, my emotional mom!

"It is nothing. I'm here now, aren't I?"

"We are coming to see you."

"Mummy, no—" The beep went off, and she hurriedly tossed the phone on the bed before marching into Atharva's study. Why did she bother to explain when they didn't want to hear her? In a way, they had a right to know, and hiding from them wasn't the best idea. So go ahead and sue her for trying to be a good daughter. She didn't bother to knock and went inside, standing in front of him to get his attention.

He ignored her for a moment, but when she didn't budge, he knew something was definitely wrong. He looked up from the file he was buried in, and her expression confirmed his assumption.

"What's wrong?"

She took a deep breath and slid into his lap, making herself comfortable before she spoke. "Jay happened."

He froze, taken aback by her casualness.  His heart thumped erratically, and he pushed her shoulders slightly, motioning for her to get down. She frowned and shut his file, telling him to take deep breaths and relax because they were, after all, husband and wife. A little bit of affection was innocuous.

She was aware that she was pushing his boundaries, but she had to give it a shot someday. The sooner the better.

Mild discomfort slithered through him, but as she nestled her face in his chest and rubbed his arms, his lips stretched into a smile. He exhaled a sigh and wrapped his arms around her waist, his hands resting on her lap.

Honestly, it felt very natural and themselves.

"Elaborate."

Aahana sighed exasperatedly and told him about the traitorous Jay, who was soon going to be executed for informing her family.

"It's okay if they want to see you. What's the problem here?" His eyebrows furrowed when she finished.

"My mother." Aahana looked up at him. "She is incredibly emotional. Wait until she sees me..."

Atharva chuckled and shook his head. "Don't worry. We'll be fine."

Oh, Atharva wished to swallow his earlier words. Aahana was so accurate about her mother. She cried hysterically, clutching Aahana tightly when she saw the plaster, and Aahana couldn't do anything but stand like a statue and console her mom. Her father was helpless when it came to his wife because her tears flowed as if she had already lost her daughter. And Naina? She just giggled, finding the whole scenario entertaining, much to Atharva's horror, who stood with a blank expression, absorbing everything.

Worst of all, they suggested Naina stay for Aahana's care. And, not wanting to disrespect them, Atharva agreed with a curt nod.

"No!" Aahana said. "Don't you have college, Naina?" She knew how Atharva felt about other women, let alone in his house, and this was going to be a huge step for him. She wasn't sure if he was ready for it.

"Nah. I am free for the next 10 days."

Aahana glared at her sister and frowned in discontent when her parents nodded happily. "Now that this is settled, we will leave. Don't trouble them, Naina, and take care of everything your sister needs."

Naina nodded with a smile before they left.

Her excitement knew no bounds as she dragged Aahana onto the couch. Atharva gave Aahana a slight nod before excusing himself to his study room. When he came out later, he saw the two of them engrossed in conversation, and he couldn't help but smile when he heard Aahana laugh at something Naina said. He walked past them into his room and dressed for his office. His muscles were tense, and he was unsure if he could pull it off. Mrs. Roy was not Aahana, and he despised all other women.

When he approached them, they were still chatting as if they hadn't met each other in ages. Naina noticed him and immediately shut her mouth, staring at him with wide, awe-filled eyes. Aahana rose to her feet and looked at Atharva.

"I've to go to the meeting. I'll be back in few hours."

She smiled and took his hand in hers for assurance. "Okay, you can do this."

Atharva smiled back and squeezed her hand. "Bye."

"Bye," Aahana whispered faintly and watched him leave.

"Aww, Jiju loves you." Naina voiced, sounding happy.

Aahana blushed and shook her head. Only if she knew. "Who asked you?"

"It's just so adorable." Naina sighed dreamily. "I wish I get as lucky as you in the future."

Aahana chuckled and hit her arm playfully. "My sister will get the best but first, focus on your studies.."

Naina grinned. "Of course. Now about my crush, y'know I saw him yesterday again and oh my god, he looked so hot..."

With that, the two sisters caught up like the old times. Naina told her about her college life and the courses she opted for, then about this boy she had met and how he had asked her to be his girlfriend but she denied. Aahana listened with a big smile until the topic shifted to her marriage. Her eyes widened when her sister asked her all the juicy details of her love life. She blushed profusely and told her to shut up.

Aahana had nothing to tell because her marriage life was vanilla but she couldn't let her sister know that. She tried to act nonchalantly but her sister wouldn't give up.

"C'mon di, in few months it's going to be a year to your marriage. Have you thought of a baby?"

Aahana gulped and didn't know how to change the topic. Her sister looked at her for an answer and she stared at the carpeted floor. "Oh yeah, soon. We are taking it slow."

She couldn't tell her sister the real reason.

"This is too slow. My friend's sister got married after you and she is 4 months pregnant."

"Which one?"

"Arey, Hansika's sister Rishika, she was your batchmate too, and wait- you are trying to dodge my question."

Aahana sighed and toyed with her shirt dress. "I'm not sure. I need more time."

"You love him right?" Her sister asked slowly.

She nodded. "I do. I love him and I trust him too but I don't think this is the right time."

The door opened and Atharva walked in, his tie loose and his suit jacket in his arms. His eyes met Aahana's and he forced a smile onto his face.

"Mummy sent your clothes earlier. You can unpack and settle down." Aahana told Naina, pointing to the room at the far end of the hall.

Naina took that as her cue to leave and she nodded quietly before slipping away.

"How did it go?" Aahana patted the space beside her.

"Uh okay." He tossed the jacket on the table and slouched down, leaning back on the couch.

"You sure?"

He turned in her direction and stared into her eyes. He shook his head finally. "It was good until Mrs. Roy decided to flirt with me. I was close to a panic attack, and I fired her."

Aahana's mouth opened as her eyes went wide. "She is married I thought."

He nodded with a shrug. "She is, but she didn't seem to care."

"Whatever. I'm glad that bitch is gone."

Atharva cracked a smile at that. "You look hot when you are jealous."

He watched her cheeks redden. She smiled shyly at him and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his face lower. Her nose brushed against his, a gentle, feather-like touch.

He shivered. His hand automatically went around her waist, holding her close.

"What are you doing?" He breathed.

"Being the wife."

He looked down at her and shook his head slightly. "I'm not sure."

"I know." She cupped his cheeks and placed a delicate yet meaningful kiss on his forehead.

She pulled away when she heard his phone ring. Atharva frowned in confusion and grabbed the phone from his blazer pocket only to find his father's name flash on the screen.

"Why is he calling so late?"

"I don't know Atharva but you should answer."

"Hello?" Atharva sighed into the phone.

"Uh um Atharva. Your mother-"

"What now?" Atharva interrupted rudely, "Have you seen the time dad? It's too late. We will talk tomorrow."

"Something's wrong with your mother."

Atharva's fingers paused on the hanging button and he willed himself to listen to his father. "She went out in the afternoon and came back now, drunk. She is doing this often but she never acted like this before. I'm worried sick and so is Nisha but she won't tell anything."

That made Atharva scowl, "Dad, let her be. You should go and sleep too. Good night."

He saw Aahana narrow her eyes at him after he ended the call without letting his father speak. She shook her head in a disapproving manner but kept quiet.

Atharva knew he should have treated him much better, at least now that his father was growing old. But any word about Urvashi made his blood boil.

"You don't teach me. He is my dad." Atharva sounded pissed as he glared at her. He strode into his room and she followed him with an innocent look.

"I didn't even utter a word." She smiled which made him glare harder.

"I'm not a kid, I know you wanted to."

Aahana grabbed his arm gently and turned him around to face her. Her soft gaze met his and he stood still, mesmerized. "You aren't a kid, I know but your father deserves better."

He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a groan. Why did she have to be right always?

Her fingers grazed his cheek gently and he melted right there, right then.

She took his hand in hers and made him sit. She kneeled down in front of him. "I know you dislike her but you do love your father. He has already faced too much. Please don't trouble him."

A slow smile spread on his lips and he wondered how he got so lucky. Aahana was perfect, so perfect for him.

She smiled in return when he called his dad again and talked more nicely with politeness lacing his tone. This time he let his dad speak as much as he wanted to and he realized how selfish he was being, depriving a father of his son's love. They chatted for an hour or so, his father asking about his work and his relationship with Aahana. He sounded so much old and tired for which Atharva promised to call later, telling him to take care of himself and his health. His father hung up with a soft good night.

Aahana was grinning from ear to ear when Atharva all of a sudden secured his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. She collided hard and fast with an "oomph" escaping her lips. He said nothing as he buried his face in the crook of her neck, his warm breath tickling her skin. She snuggled against him, letting out an audible sigh of contentment.

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