Hey Guys! I am sorry for the late update. Was caught up. I hope you will like this :)

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"Good Morning", I wished as soon as I caught sight of my new family. Aunty and uncle were sitting at the table,sipping tea and reading news,while Swetha was as usual behind Aarav. I wonder how this little guy found so much energy to always do mischief. " Good Morning", aunty gave a warm smile as I dragged a chair to sit. " What is the news uncle?", I asked trying to help Swetha catch Aarav as he tried to sneak under the table. "When will you start calling us Mom and Dad?",he said peeking over the paper with a smile. " I am sorry", I grinned. " I need some time to get used to, I guess", I said struggling to keep Aarav from slipping from my hands."Take your time.Your uncle is just joking", aunty glared at him as he disappeared behind the paper. So, nothing is different here,I feel like I am back at home and these are my parents bickering. A big smile appeared on my face. " I will get you some tea", Aunty said getting up. " No no, I will get for myself. You please sit down", I walked into the kitchen.

Ok! Now that was a little too much. This place is new to me and so is the kitchen. How do I find where the tea cups are or where everything else is kept. I stood there staring at the huge cupboard." Lost?", I heard Swetha walk in. I nodded my head,too embarrassed to say anything. She smiled " We know, you are new here. We don't expect you to miraculously work.Take your time to adjust. You are stuck for the life time. Later,we won't let you rest from work even if you want to", she winked. I smiled while she gave me a tour to the kitchen and what to do and what not. Apparently aunty was very particular about her kitchen and there were rules and regulations on how one should use it. I got a little familiarized while my sweet sister-in-law made some tea.

"What would you like for breakfast?Let me cook for you both today,from tomorrow you will have to manage yourself,anyways", Aunty said once she was done reading.What does she mean I will have to manage?Will she not help?Swetha just assured they will give me time! ?" Tomorrow?", I asked . " Yeah. Your uncle and I are leaving to Ahmedabad today. Finally I can take leave from this city for a while", she looked relieved. "Oh!"I said and fell silent. Like I don't know why she is leaving. She wants us to have some privacy. But what is the point? We won't need it."Don't worry, the maid will help you with cleaning and washing, you just have to take care of the cooking", she tapped my hand smiling. She thinks that is a concession? Cooking is in itself a huge deal. I will have to cook and rush to office,come back and again cook. Well, what was I expecting anyways, it is my 'responsibility'. I sighed.

" Viru is still sleeping?", she pulled me out of my self loath. "What is this round table conference for?", his voice made us turn in his direction. Oh my God! He looked so tempting in that unkempt morning hair and a light stubble. He wore shorts and a crumpled tee. He came directly to the chair next to me and landed his gorgeous butt into it. Okay! I am going crazy. I hope I was not drooling all over. Aunty had a sweet smile on her face looking at her son as she reached for him and set his hair. I kept staring at him with a stupid smile on my face when he suddenly turned to me. I flushed and grabbed the news paper lying close to me in an attempt to look sober. He frowned for a minute and tried to pull the paper out of my hands. But I did not let go and that started a mini war. Everyone around us gaped in amaze as we fought like kids over that news paper. " Will you both fight like this when I am away?", aunty said and I left the paper in seconds. He gave me a smirk and looked at his mom surprised.

" Away? Where are you going?", he asked. So, he didn't know too. " I am taking her", Uncle said now gaining his attention. " But why?", he almost whined and I chuckled. " What why. I want to go", she replied with a smile."Look mom, I know why you are doing this. You want us to have our privacy.You don't have to go away for that. We can manage", Wow!So subtle Mr.Viren. I was squirming beside him and I am sure aunty was embarrassed too. "We need our privacy. If you guys don't need it", if aunty was not embarrassed before, I am sure she was now with what uncle just said." How long will she stay away from me? Now you have your wife to take care of you. Give me back, mine", he said like he was asking for his rights. Aunty's face was worth looking at, she was so red with embarrassment and uncle was least bothered. Viren rolled his eyes at that comment," Yeah, right!", he said. "Swetha you will be here, right?". Now, what is his problem? Why is he so desperate for someone to stay back? Does he not want to stay with me?" What? Why will I stay?We have a trip planned so I will be leaving in the afternoon too", she said." I know why you guys are doing all this. Fine, leave. We will manage", he said and everyone started laughing except me.

"You still behave like a kid. Grow up Viru. Soon you will be a father", his mom said and I choked on the tea I had just sipped. Where is she going with this? " Mom!", he hissed. " What? Plan it soon you guys. You are already late. You will have complications", she said like it was the best suggestion. " Kids?We haven't had s-", even before he could finish the preposterous thing he was about to say, I kicked his leg from under the table. He jerked realizing what he was about to say and shut his mouth, quick. " Mom don't trouble them. They are married for just a week now. Let them enjoy", Swetha came to our rescue. He looked at me sheepishly and I glared at him for his loose mouth.

The rest of the day went by in aunty's packing. She gave me some tips on cooking and how to manage the chores. I hoped she would not be utterly disappointed with the way I keep the house. She would know, had she looked at my room that I am a very unruly and disoriented person who can live in a pile clothes lying around. "Don't worry. I know you will manage well", she said as she packed. Let's see. " Viru could be a little unbearable at times. I hope you will be patient with him. He has been through some bad time which he got onto himself", she sighed and I knew exactly what she meant. It annoyed me that she thought it was his fault. I will get that discussion with her but on some other day. " So, he might take some time to adjust to you. Give it a chance. He is a good boy", she smiled. Well, she should have had this little talk before we got married, not now. Never the less, I know everything she was subtly trying to point at, so it did not bother me much. I smiled back at her. I wish she has a similar discussion with her son asking him to take care of me and treat me well.

Finally the time for their departure arrived and Viren and I drove them to the airport while Swetha left to meet her husband. "Are you planning to go somewhere for your honeymoon?", uncle asked as Viren intently drove. That is there too? I questioned inwardly. " Not yet", he replied his focus on the road. " If you are planning, we will sponsor it. Let us know", he beamed. " No dad. You will not do that. If we want to go we can", Viren replied with stubbornness. " Viru, its a gift from us", his mother placed a loving hand on his shoulder. " Mom, gift us something else. We will handle this", he said this time a little softer. His parents looked disheartened at his stubbornness."Anyways, we don't know if we would even be going. Let's see", he added as he parked the car.

We stood in utter silence while they walked in to finish the formalities. The flight would take off in half an hour and I found something to keep me occupied."I want coffee", I said pointing to the famous coffee outlet located to a corner of the space. He looked in the direction and walked towards it with me following him, behind. Since the time we had been married, we hardly spoke to each other barring that one occasion when we were completely intoxicated. I had no idea why he was so silent and it was annoying. He quietly ordered his coffee and handed me the menu. Is he upset that his parents left us alone?Was he so freaked out to live with me?I have never seen him like this before. He was fine in the morning, then what was bugging him now? "Ma'am your order please?", the voice startled me. I composed myself and ordered a cold coffee with an ice cream topping. He sat at a table close to the entrance and was lost in his mobile. I pulled a chair and waited for the order while I distracted myself, I looked around and tried to imbibe the surroundings. The international check-in gate was close to the shop. It was the place that always bustled with activity. Hoards of people come there every day to either receive their loved ones or to see them off. Most of them were youngsters, probably heading out of their nest to pursue further studies. The respective mothers were all a emotional wreck, with tears flowing down their cheeks to see their babies grow big. They had no idea if they would ever come back to them. I have never experience this pain but it was saddening to see so many people breaking away from home. I sighed and concentrated on my coffee when the announcement of the flight's departure echoed in the speakers. Making sure the flight has taken off, we got to the parking and hit the road.

Ten minutes into the drive,"Are you alright?", his voice made me realize that I had zoned out, again. "Huh? Yes of-course. Why do you ask?", I questioned. He continued to look at me for a little long and then nodded his head focusing back on the road ahead. "Where are we going?", I asked when I saw that we were driving away from his home. " To your parents house", he said with smile. His answer surprised me. Is he planning to leave me there? Now that his parents are not living with us, does he want me to stay with my parents? "Why?", I asked him, my voice grim.I was ready to pounce, if he says anything that would hurt me. He looked at me with a confused expression," Did you say why or Wow? I thought you would be too happy to meet them", he furrowed his forehead. " No, I am happy. We didn't plan this before, isn't it? So", I drifted. He nodded in understanding," Yeah. You will be back to your routine tomorrow and would get too busy to pay them a visit. I am sure you guys couldn't talk much with all the ceremonies and rituals. They will be at peace to see you and know you are doing good", he said in a soothing tone. Relief spread through me knowing my doubts were baseless. He really cared, not just for me but also my parents. He doesn't stop amazing me with the maturity with which he approaches every issue. I smiled at him , which he returned back promptly. "Why are you so silent?" I asked,wanting to know what was troubling him. " Silent? No, I am not", he said concentrating on his steering. "Since the day of wedding, probably this is the longest we have spoken. So, don't tell me you are not silent", I said desperate for his answer. He sighed, " Probably this is silly, apologizing this late. I am sorry for that day", he said. Now, I was totally attentive," Which day?", I weighed my words. He handled the steering with one hand while he ran the other through his gelled hair. " Uhmm.The day we went to the resort", he said not looking me in the eye. Color rose in my cheeks at the mention of that night. It was now my turn to look away from him. I hummed , giving him all the space to continue. " I vaguely remember kissing you before i passed out. I don't know weather you were awake or were already asleep. It was my stupid idea to get drunk. I am sorry", he said. I didn't know why but him apologizing for it was saddening inside. Even before I could react, he continued looking vaguely at some space ahead like he was recollecting something." You looked so cute, that day. I should thank God, that I passed out at the right moment, else I don't know what else I would have done", he blushed. Oh my God! Someone stop him, I am having a heart attack and my jaw is aching with me controlling not to blush. "I am sorry", he said,now looking at me. One minute he says something that will sweep me off and the next moment he apologizes. What is he? " I guess you were too sleepy to notice but I responded to you", I said turning away to look out of the window. There was silence for a second after which he chuckled. I looked at him surprised," I was so worried you would hate me. Before you stop talking to me i thought I will stay away", he said still grinning. "Well, you don't have to apologize", I said. " That was one heck of a night. Probably drinking was not a bad idea? We did enjoy", he said, back to his old self. " Yes, it was fun", I said,happy he was back. " You said I am handsome and I make you go crazy", he said and winked at me. Goosebumps started to form on my arms. " I was totally drunk", I said to cover up for my loose mouth. He laughed loud " But i must say, your dance was soo sex-", he stopped and both are eyes went wide at the same time. He blushed rubbing the back of his neck while I laughed at him.

We spent some hours at my home, talking to mom and dad. They were overjoyed to see the both of us and like Viren said, they were relieved. " Is everything fine there?", mom asked me while I was busy looking at the stuff in my room to see if I forgot something." Yeah! Everything is great. Aunty and uncle left to Ahmedabad in the afternoon. Swetha went to her in-law's place. They have some trip planned so they would be busy", I said shuffling through the cupboards. " That is nice but I asked about you and Viren", she said. I turned around to face her and saw how worried she was. I walked to her and hugged."We both are getting along great. He is a sensible guy and I am happy you found him for me. Now, stop worrying about me you guys. You are better than a newly married couple. No responsibilities, loads of time. Go, visit places and enjoy life. Spice up your marriage,mom", I said and she lovingly slapped my cheek. " Your uncle invited us to Mumbai, he said we will see places in and around", she said considering the idea. " Yes!!you should go. Now I would say, don't stop with India, go International. Use up your savings", I winked. She laughed while helping me pack a few things. Dad gave a lecture, similar to what aunty gave me, to Viren about looking after and handling me. Viren wanted to start back early as he had some work he need to finish before joining back at work tomorrow and I had to arrange my stuff. We bid them good bye, with my mom a little teary eyed.All through the drive back home I was scratching my head over what to cook. I didn't know what was available and what needs to be bought. I considered suggesting carrying a take out but refrained. I didn't want him to think of me as a lazy ass who didn't cook. The drive was almost silent with me mulling over it again and again.

The first thing Viren does as we reached, was to throw himself on the couch and switch on the idiot box. I wanted to do that too but I had a herculean task ahead. Just, as I was about to enter the kitchen," Payal", he called out. I walk back in his direction. " What are you doing?", he asked turning away from the T.V to look at me. " Cook?", I more questioned than said." That is not required. Come, let's watch a movie", he said gently pulling my hand. His touch awakened a strange feeling in me and my mouth was going dry." Bu-", my voice was hoarse and I cleared my throat," But dinner?", I managed to say. " We will order a pizza, sit back and watch a movie", he said still holding my hand. He realized it, probably looking at me being uncomfortable and suddenly  let it go. I took a long breath and realized I had hold it all the while. I quickly went and sat  beside him on the couch before he would change his mind about the pizza. The next half hour went in arguing about what we had to order. I didn't like Olives and mushroom while he was against jalapenos and tomatoes. After we reached a reasonable conclusion, we placed the order and surfed his collection of movies. There were some old classics of English and Hindi. Some cult movies and some dangerous horror and thrillers.  He picked one English Classic that he said he hadn't watched in a long time. He was sure I would love it, while I was doubtful about it. I went ahead and decided to give his choice a chance. I only hoped it did not contain any intimate scenes.

" Is this the work you were talking about, to my parents?", I asked him with a raised eyebrow. That took him by surprise while he fumbled for words." No, I will do it after dinner", he said setting up the CD in the player. "It would be late! Do it while you watch. You have watched it before so you don't have to concentrate much", I suggested. He rolled his eyes, "Ok mom!", he whined and got up to get  his laptop. I chuckled at the whining kid in front of me and  wanted to reach for him and ruffle his hair. The order arrived and the movie started. I was surprised that in fact I was liking the movie as it was gripping and the story very unique. He was multitasking trying to watch the movie and do his work. It was apparent he had watched it a number of times before, as he mouthed a few dialogues along with the characters and at times alerted me to pay attention to a certain scene. The pizza was delicious and we fought for the cheese that dripped off the pieces. The movie came to an end with an amazing closing scene and I was content to have agreed to watch it. He was almost done with his work and was wrapping up while I waited for him to finish it. Going back to work tomorrow would be painstaking after a long holiday. I sighed. He looked at me," Why that long face?", he said going back to his laptop. "I don't want to go back tomorrow", I said like a kid who didn't want to go to school. He chuckled. "Neither do I. But, that let's us afford this deliciously cheesy pizza", he grinned. I hummed throwing  back my head on the head rest of the couch. " I will be leaving early tomorrow. I will make breakfast for us and have lunch outside", he said very casually. Did he just say he will cook?Have I gone deaf? He will do that? "You cook?", I asked him for the first time. "Yeah quite a bit", he said shutting down his laptop. "You will help me?", I asked. " Of course, we will share the work. We will cook breakfast and lunch in turns. Dinner we will see, whoever comes first can make it", he said getting up and stretching his arms over his head. "Are you for real?", I asked him and he laughed.

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So, you think they are getting along good?

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