"You know, I'm going to cut all that hair and make you bald" Devaki announced, holding her son's hair in a fist "once you're asleep".

Aman pulled his hair off her hand "ouch! That hurts maa".

"He's right maa...leave his hair" Amrita came inside the room, holding a plate full of Lays chips in her hand "you never know. There could be a lot of lice".

Aman snatched the chips from her and gobbled some "why're you eating junk food?it's not good for you".

She frowned "I'm only craving spicy food and snacks...I can't help it". He shook his head "no..you should eat healthy food..give this to Rishab. He's a junk anyway".

Everyone laughed except Amrita who smacked his head "next time you talk about him like that..."

Aman stopped his laughter just in time "I was kidding okay?"

"Yeah...I know how funny you sounded" she glared at him. Even when they were kids, it was with him she picked most of the fights. Amit, being a diplomat usually stayed out of their fights.

"I still don't understand how baba managed to find a clone exactly like Rishab" Aman said, faking a serious tone "he even stutters like our father".

Amit looked away so his sister won't see him laughing. Amrita snatched the chips from her brother's hand and hit his wrists, spilling the chips on the floor.

"Will you both stop it?" Devaki intervened "you're behaving like you're still in secondary school.. shameless kids!"

There was a happy environment in the Shrivastav household ever since Aman had arrived with his brother.

Devaki's joy knew no bounds as she hugged her son teary eyed. After seeing her, he temporarily forgot his bitterness and resentment and actually enjoyed the moment.

Amrita though silent initially welcomed him with open arms and within no time the siblings were bantering with each other about everything and anything.

Everyone were happy except for his father who neither showed any consideration that his son was home after a long time nor he gave an inclination that he was interested. He went on like his usual routine as if nothing new had happened. Aman ignored him just like he had.

"You're staying till the wedding right?" Devaki asked, after his sister had left the room as her phone rang.

Aman stared at Amit who gave a guilty look and shifted uncomfortably "I'm here for a week maa" he said in a low voice.

"Oh" she forced a smile but he could sense her disappointment as she tried to hide her tears "it's okay...there's still six days left".

He held her hand and kissed it, his heart forming a lump of grief "I wish I could stay but...baba..."

"I'll convince him" she said immediately "Amit will try to talk to him..don't worry". Amit didn't answer but simply nodded.

"Maa?" Amrita came in once again looking frustrated "maa? When are the caterers coming?"she groaned.

"Around six" Devaki replied and shook her shoulders "don't fret over small things....worrying is not good for you at this time".

"I'm fine..." Amrita sat next to Aman "although Rishab didn't want me to host the dinner".

"Yeah...that sounds just like our dear brother in law" Aman began "tell me..does he still wear Dixcy underwear?"

Behind him, Amit who was busy browsing on the phone let out a snicker which he quickly covered it with a fake cough. Devaki glared at her son and waited for Amrita to react. She simply stared at him for a while and he was sure she was going to do something nasty but she gave a small grin "actually he doesn't" she shrugged "he's changed a lot".

"Seriously?" Aman raised a suspicious eyebrow and she nodded with a smile "he doesn't allow me to do any household chore...and he takes care of me like a small child. He even pampers me a lot". Devaki nodded in agreement.

"Whoa! That's a great transition from a jerk to a full blown family man!" Aman thumped his fist "making babies really does wonders".

She didn't smile "yeah...you know how he loved kids and yearned to have his own".

"Yes I remember" Aman said as if by trance "I remember how he stopped you from continuing your job and put a complete full stop on your interior designing career and how our father supported him in his decision. Finally he got what he wanted".

Amrita exchanged a worried glance at her mother who immediately shook her head at her son.

"Sorry if I was harsh" Aman added hastily even though he wasn't "but you guys wanted me here..and I warned Amit I would be my old pathetic self but he wouldn't listen".

That brought a smile on his sister's face "it's okay...I'm only glad you're here with us".

"Just for a week" Aman reminded them and Devaki snapped "yes you said that already....we won't stop you. Go wherever you want to".

Just then the door jerked open with full force and their father peeped in "where the hell were you? I've been calling you since an hour".

Devaki got up immediately from the bed and walked towards him "couldn't hear you jee" she forced a smile.

"Yeah...the house has become a marketplace" Shekhar rasped "with all the screams and cackles...get me a cup of ginger tea". Again, ignoring his other son he turned to Amit "I've to discuss something important..meet me in my room".

Amit nodded and his father left. Aman patted his sister's arm "come on...let's finish the Lays".

She pouted but took out another packet. "See you later guys" Amit called out and got up to go.

"Sure...once you're done washing baba's ass" Aman chuckled and Amrita laughed as they both high fived after he had left with a sour face.

◇◇◇◇◇

Sakshi checked her reflection in the mirror after she had alighted from the car and walked with her parents towards the elevator.

She wore a pink salwar suit with a simple embroidered shawl and looked every bit traditional. 'Don't wear tight clothes..Shekhar doesn't like women wearing such clothes' her father had chided once. And she hadn't forgotten that...ever.

"See that apartment?" Ranjit pointed towards tbe left end of the ground floor as they walked in "Shekhar said they're planning to buy that..it's a three bedroom apartment and costs a fortune but it was Amit's idea to go on with the deal" he beamed "God bless my son in law".

Sakshi simply smiled; she knew her father's thirst for money and his greed was never ending.

"And that land in Pune is on sale too.. Shekhar said they're looking for a good buyer" Ranjit continued his badger, much to her annoyance "I told him not to settle for a penny less".

Sakshi was glad they reached the apartment and her father finally stopped as the door was already open and they could hear voices outside.

It wasn't a small meet as Sakshi had hoped. Huge crowds always made her uneasy and awkward.

There were few guests whom she didn't recognize and understood to be Amrita's in laws. The rest were cousins and relatives whom she had seen during her engagement.

Shekhar was the first one to spot them and gave a hearty smile while shaking hands with Ranjit who apologized for no reason "I'm so sorry for being a little late...traffic was running heavy".

"You're perfectly on time" Shekhar smiled even wider "no worries..please come inside".

The men gathered around the huge living room and the ladies walked inside.

"Sakshi!"squealed Amrita as soon as she saw her and gave a bright hug "wow! You look so pretty in pink".

Sakshi smiled back although she didn't return the excitement. Sometimes she never understood Amrita.

"Are you searching for Amit?" Amrita teased, observing her. Sakshi blushed "what? No!"she squealed "I was searching for Devaki auntie".

"Liar" teased Amrita "he's upstairs with his cousins".

Sakshi didn't know what to say to that and suddenly remembered the box she had in her hand "I forgot to give you this".

Amrita looked at the contents and Sakshi observed her expression. She didn't look pleased "I'm not very fond of dessert these days...but thanks anyway".

"I didn't have time to prepare anything else" Sakshi explained politely, hoping she would atleast appreciate her efforts"you know my shift...it's very hectic".

"It's okay" Amrita smiled "no one forced you to prepare anything...you can relax. Besides, maa cooks here and we have maids too...you need not worry at all".

Sakshi couldn't understand whether it was a polite explanation or a jibe at her skills. Nevertheless, she simply nodded.

After the refreshments were served, ladies gathered on the dining room and the balcony while the men had their banter in the huge living room.

"Why don't you go upstairs beta?" Devaki said politely "you must be bored listening to us ladies".

Sakshi obeyed and walked upstairs to see the floor was indeed exciting as there were lot of youngsters.

"Sakshi isn't it?"a girl who seemed to be almost her age approached her "do you remember me?I'm Amit's cousin Veera".

Although Sakshi couldn't place her, she greeted the girl and realized they had already met during the engagement. Soon, she was surrounded by few more of his relatives who kept chatting with her.

Finally, her eyes sought Amit who was approaching her with a bright smile on his face. He was always smiling and she liked that about him.

"Hi" he said stepping close to her "where were you? I was waiting". Even though they talked hours on the phone but rarely met, she felt tongue tied when she saw him so close.

"I was downstairs" she managed to utter "I met your sister". He nodded "yeah...she was too excited".

"I'm really happy for her" she said meaning it. He didn't reply but took her hand, much to her surprise.

This was new to her as she had never been so close to him other than phone conversations. She felt her heartbeat rise when he said "let's go to the balcony".

Wordlessly, she followed him as he led her to the huge terrace garden with an adjoining balcony.

She sat next to him on the large porch swing and felt awed by the architecture "this is beautiful, especially the swing" she whispered, looking around the view.

"Yeah...it was Amrita's idea" he stated, her hand safe in his as he scooted closer.

"Someone might see us" she pointed out, wondering how on earth they were going to get privacy.

"Everyone are downstairs" he smiled, raising her hand and bringing close to his lips as he kissed it "you look amazing".

She gasped at the sudden gesture "you mustn't do that". He toyed with her fingers "why not? Two more months and you'll be begging me to do...more".

She blushed to the roots of her hair "don't say such things!"she squealed,pinching his arm lightly "if my father sees us like this, you're dead".

He leaned closer to her "if my father sees us like this, we're both dead".
She threw her head back and laughed and he joined in.

Feeling much more comfortable, she leaned against his shoulder "this is so peaceful" she remarked.

He kissed the top of her head and rocked the swing lightly "which one? Me or the ambience?"

"Both" she replied, as they simply embraced each other and the beauty of the silence that followed.

"I had to tell you something" he said after a while and she nodded, expecting another naughty comment from him.

"I've been selected for the training programme among us five employees" he beamed "it's a huge development for me". She clasped his hand "that's great Amit".

He kissed her hair softly "they're sending us to US as part of the programme".

She suddenly raised her head "what? The United states?" He nodded "yeah...it's a great opportunity for us... I can't leave it".

"For how long?"she asked, her enthusiasm suddenly wavering. He bit his lip as his smile faded "for a year...or two".

"A year?"she almost screamed and moved a little farther from him "when are you supposed to leave?"

He tried not to look guilty "probably after three months". She gaped at him as her face drained of colour "that's precisely a month after our wedding".

Unknowingly, tears gushed on her face and he held her in his arms "hey! I'm sorry okay?"he spoke softly "I didn't want to make you cry...I swear".

She moved away from him "how can I stay alone...without you? What about me? Please take me with you...I can't stay here all alone".

Why was the universe conspiring against her?she could only wonder in pain. The very thought of staying with his family, especially his father brought her fear.

"Sakshi? This is for our own future sweetheart" he coerced her "once I'm settled there, we can go back together and stay there forever...don't you want that? To have our own family, our own little sanctuary?"

She thought for a while; he did have a point. After having constantly scrutinized by her father all her life, the only thing she wanted now was...freedom. And Amit was offering just that...with a small sacrifice of course.

"Okay" she forced a smile "just make sure we're together...I can't simply stay here all alone".

He wiped her tears and kissed her forehead "okay...but my family isn't all that bad you know" he tried to joke.

She smiled "I'm not saying they are... I only want a little space in my life". He pulled her close "that's why I love you so much...you're so forthcoming".
She didn't return the endearment but held on to him.

Did she love him? She couldn't know. To her, love was something two people shared together. It was two dimensional. For her, love meant being loyal and trustworthy. And Amit was both, atleast that's what she thought with the limited amount of time she had come to know him. That was enough wasn't it? With trust, love would come.

"If you two are officially done making puppy eyes with each other, the elders are calling" came a voice from behind them and Sakshi immediately pulled back from Amit who looked bewildered but amused at the same time "we weren't making puppy eyes" he told his brother.

"Sure sure" Aman rolled his eyes and his gaze lingered towards Sakshi who had a confused look on her face "hi..even though my douche brother hasn't even introduced you yet, I'm Aman...his split half" Aman gave a small smile.

Sakshi stared at him, not able to grasp the joke but Amit frowned at him and turned to her "don't mind him...he's got a weird sense of humor..pretend it's funny".

Sakshi didn't smile as the conversation her father had about this guy somehow perturbed her. For the first time, she noticed him clearly.

He looked nothing like his brother. When Amit had a neatly trimmed hair, his twin had a mane with tousled hair all over the place and even had a stubble on his chin as opposed to Amit who was always clean shaven. He was taller and leaner than Amit who was shorter and stockily built.

"Pleased to meet you Sakshi" Aman greeted "but something tells me you are not so pleased".

Sakshi composed herself "I was surprised..." she said defensively "so you're the prodigal son".

Aman grinned "that was harsh..". Sakshi smiled "well...you're nothing like your brother".

"Yeah...but you're everything I imagined my brother's fiancee to be" Aman gave a mock salute "you're picture perfect daughter in law...".

Sakshi was irked by the comment but the guy hadn't stopped there "I bet you'll fart exactly when your husband wants you to". And without waiting for her reaction, he walked out but not before yelling "come downstairs before the search party arrives".

Amit looked at Sakshi who was fuming "your brother's rude!"she snapped, despising every bit of his twin brother.

"I know...he isn't usually...don't know what's gotten into him" Amit tried to diffuse the tension.

"He's insensitive and foul mouthed!" Sakshi gritted her teeth "what kind of a man talks to a woman like that?"

"Relax...he's a little weird, I told you before" Amit smiled as they got up to go.

"Thank God I don't have to put up with him" Sakshi said gladly but stopped in an instant "oh my God! Is he coming for the wedding?"

Amit laughed "no he's leaving in a few days". Sakshi relaxed "thank God! I pray to never cross paths with him ever again".

She was clueless....

Hi everyone!!
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Have a nice day ahead ❤❤❤

P/S : this story is a little intense than the rest...you are warned🤞