"I'll always be there for you, in your bad and good times."

Aahana couldn't recall when she had drifted off to sleep, but she found herself in Atharva's arms when she woke up, her back pressed against his broad chest. If this wasn't home, she couldn't fathom where else. She tried to withdraw from his embrace, but he let out a groan of protest and tightened his hold around her midriff.

"Aahana, please. Not so soon." He buried his face in her hair, finding comfort in her presence.

His gesture made her smile. She relaxed and turned around to face him. Feeling her gaze, he cracked his eyes open and placed a kiss on the tip of her nose, gracing her with a lazy smile, the kind that was filled with adoration and warmth, making her heart stutter.

"Good afternoon," she said.

"Good night."

"Come on!" Aahana chuckled, glancing at the clock. "Let me go. I have to prepare lunch."

"But I want to spend more time with you."

"After lunch, I promise."

Atharva wanted to say no, but he was starving, so he loosened his grip, and she took that as her cue to get out of bed.

"Did you not find any maid yet?" Atharva asked her as he followed her to the bathroom.

She splashed water on her face and dabbed the water droplets dry with the towel. "No." She looked at him through the mirror and shook her head. "Two were to come in the morning for an interview, but I don't think they'll make an appearance."

"We will find someone, don't worry." He circled his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.

She hit his stomach with her elbow, forcing him to step back. "If you are skipping work, you better come and help me in the kitchen," with that said, she padded to the kitchen, feeling a little exhausted even though she had slept for fairly long hours.

She had just piled up the veggies on the counter when Atharva appeared beside her. She handed him a knife and chopping board while she brewed a fresh pot of coffee. She really needed it.

"Aahana?" he called after some time, his voice wavering a little.

Aahana poured the coffee in two mugs, humming in response.

"I was thinking, uh, if I should tell Dad about Urvashi?"

"Will you?" She handed him his mug and stared at him when he didn't respond.

His eyebrows were knitted, his eyes focused on the wall in front of him. Aahana could tell he was contemplating his decision again. In a way, telling Harshvardhan would be painful; after all, he had always looked at Urvashi with rose-tinted glasses, but he should definitely know the truth.

"Yeah," he said after a beat of silence. "I'll tell him soon. I mean he is my dad; I don't want to hide things from him."

Aahana nodded and touched his cheeks, smiling up at him. He smiled back in return, leaning down to kiss her lips but a loud knock on the door made him straighten back.

"Guys, please!" Nisha shook her head, scrunching her face in disgust. "Keep it to your bedroom."

Atharva rolled his eyes. "Why are you here so early?"

"My job, my wish. I was tired, so I came for lunch. Is it ready yet?"

"You'll have to wait for some time."

Nisha groaned but nodded. She grabbed an apple juice from the refrigerator and took a sip of her drink. The doorbell rang and they frowned, exchanging puzzled looks with each other.

"Who is it now?" Atharva asked.

"Let me check," Nisha said and walked out of the kitchen, returning after a few minutes. "She is here for the interview."

"Oh!" Aahana exclaimed as she made her way in the direction of the drawing-room with Nisha and Atharva. "But I had scheduled two interviews."

"At least one of them is here. Just see that you don't get jealous." Nisha teased.

Aahana's cheeks heated up. "Shut up. I wasn't jealous." She playfully smacked Nisha's head.

"You wish!" both Atharva and Nisha said in unison.

"Go to hell." She narrowed her eyes at them. The siblings laughed in response.

Aahana unlocked the door for the lady to step inside. Her eyes took in the interior of the house, then stopped at them. She gave a polite smile, and Aahana returned it, gesturing for her to sit. "I'm Aahana, and this is my husband Atharva and my sister-in-law Nisha."

"I'm Pooja." She nodded at them.

She wasn't as young as the previous maid, in fact, from her appearance, she must be married, Aahana thought. It wasn't like their age mattered as long as they did their job well, but she didn't like it when they stared at Atharva with dreamy eyes.

"So, have you worked somewhere before?"

"Yes, I work in the neighbourhood."

"Can you manage your time if you get the job here?"

"Yes."

"Alright then! You have to do the cleaning, washing, and cooking three times every day except Sunday for four people. Sounds fine to you?"

"I can do it."

Nisha brought the form and handed it to Pooja. "Please fill in the details. We will do the verification and get back to you in a day."

She nodded and smiled at them once more before quickly filling up the form and handing it to Aahana. "Thank you. Do you have somewhere to be right now?

"I am free today."

"Perfect! Do you mind preparing lunch right now?"

"Ok. Where is the kitchen? Do you have any preferences or allergies?"

"Not really," Aahana said.

"Yeah, I want to eat butter paneer." Nisha grinned.

"Ok, lunch should be ready in an hour then."

Once she disappeared into the kitchen, Nisha locked the door and turned towards Aahana. "Are we testing her cooking skills?"

"Yep! Let's see if she can make delicious food, only then she will pass."

"But she didn't stare at Bhai, so I think she passed. I mean this is the main criteria, right?"

"Nisha!" Aahana heaved a sigh. "When are you going to let it go?"

"It's fun." She shrugged.

"I-"

"Okay, that's it, Nisha," Atharva said, pulling Aahana to his side. "No more teasing my jealous wife."

Aahana was about to nod when his words registered in her head. She huffed and with a sweet smile, she marched towards the bedroom. "Bye. I don't want to talk to you."

Nisha and Atharva gaped at her retreating figure. "Sorry, Bhai, I didn't mean to upset her."

"It's okay." Atharva waved it off like it was nothing and went after Aahana. He opened the door and found her on the bed, her eyes closed.

He climbed on the bed and combed his fingers through her hair. "Are you mad?"

"No, but I feel drained. I am going to take a quick nap before lunch."

Atharva's smile turned into a smirk. "Is it because we—"

"Stop right there." Aahana blushed.

"What? I didn't say anything."

"Yeah, yeah." She rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

Atharva crawled under the sheets and slid his arms around her. Aahana thought he wanted to rest, but his wandering hands suggested otherwise. She was tired, but she didn't mind the ache because with it came pleasure. Everything around them dimmed, and all they could feel and hear was each other, mouths together, bodies one, pushing and pulling, incapable of stopping themselves until their desperate cries mingled with perspiration and passion filled the room. And then, they were there. Satiated.