I hope you remember where the story was :P Sorry for the long break

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"Payal!", I heard someone whisper my name softly over and over again. I don't want to get up! I thought to myself, as I continued to sleep. "Oh God! I never thought you were such a heavy sleeper. Wake up! you will be late", he said and I tossed myself to the other side pulling the comforter further up. He tried some more to coax me out of bed but gave up soon as I heard his foot steps retreat into the hall.

Fifteen minutes into my slumber, I could hear him move around in the kitchen and the clattering of vessels. I opened my eyes to the excitement of tasting his food for the first time. I woke up stretching myself to relieve my stiff muscles. I was about to set the bed, "I will do it Madam", a lady smiled at me from the door. I smiled back with a surprised expression. "My name is Radha. I help madam with the household work",she said moving to the bed and picking the sheets to fold. " You are very pretty. Viren baba is lucky. I have been working here since he was a small kid. I have seen him grow in front of my eyes", she fondly recalled. "Don't worry about these works. I am here to help you. Please go get ready, madam", she added. "Oh no! Don't call me Madam",I said a little embarrassed with being addressed so. She smiled again and the smile was infectious. I could see myself warm up to her and my stay get comfortable with her, around.

By the time I finished my morning rituals, he was already at the dining table catching glimpse of today's news while gulping down the breakfast. He had a frown on his forehead as he read the morning paper.Boxer lazily sprawled near his leg. He was the first to notice me as he perked his ears and raised his head to look at me. He has been wondering who this new person in the house was since the time I first entered after wedding. He is not hostile towards me yet not comfortable too. As I looked back at him, he turned away like he did not care who I was but kept glancing sideways. He was so cute that I could not resist smiling at him. "Hi Boxer", I said breaking his act. He did not turn to look at me but was very attentive now, like he was thinking' What is this woman up to?' As I closed the distance towards him he shifted uncomfortably in his place but adamantly stuck to it. I was about to pat him, when he got up and sauntered away leaving me kneeling on the ground at Viren's feet. Viren looked down at me with a grin and said "Ayushmanbhava".

I punched him on the leg before getting up to take a seat next to him. " Morning sleeping beauty", he said folding the paper and pushing it towards me. " Breakfast is ready. Make yourself some lunch, if you wish. I will have it at the canteen for today", he said taking in the left over milkshake in just one go. "Don't worry about the dishes, Radha aunty will do it. Did you meet her?", he asked. " Yeah. She is a sweet lady", I replied paying attention to everything he was saying. " Here is the spare key. You might need it if you come home early", he handed over a key from the bunch that was placed in a drawer."How will you go?", he asked suddenly realizing. " I will call a cab", I said as that was the only way I knew. " Do that for today. From tomorrow I will drop you on the way", he offered. " Will that not be a burden", I asked wondering if all this was causing him trouble. " Oh! No not at all. Besides, you will drive too so I can have some respite from driving", he said smiling. " I better rush. You have a great day. See you in the evening", he said and walked away.

Breakfast was bread and omlette and it was surprisingly delicious. The omlette had the right spice and salt. It was made crisp while the bread was roasted brown. Along with this, was banana milkshake. It was a bliss to my taste buds as I savored every bit of it. I had no intention of eating at canteen so I diced a few vegetables and tossed them into a pan along with some rice and the home made masala that Swetha showed me the other day. The idea of making some for Viren tempted me but I rejected it as I would not be able to go to his office to hand it over. Radha aunty was a thorough professional as she took care of every bit of the house and its necessities. She was also quite friendly with Boxer as he lovingly followed her around where ever she went,sometimes coming in her way too. When she chided him to get out of her way, he promptly obeyed her yet not leaving her side. " How did he become friends with you?",I asked envying her. " I was here when he came home. Little one it was. Not very difficult to befriend him", she said petting him as he rolled on the floor asking for more. " Don't worry, he will start loving you too", she said noticing the glint in my eye. "Come here", she called,still playing with Boxer. She asked me to pat him gently. He suddenly sat up and was ready to pounce if I tried to hurt him. I slowly put my hand on his fur and tapped gently. Surprisingly, he did not run away this time. I smiled wide as I continued to do it for some more time. He seemed to relax a bit now and I was happy with the progress I made with him. "Bye Boxer", I said but he was back to following aunty. Apparently I was good to pet but not to talk to, just like his master. Good as a friend but not a wife. i laughed at my own silly analogy.After booking a cab and checking twice the contents of my bag,I left to the office to start a hectic day.

Going back to work was not that bad after all, as I loved being in that office and among those people. My team had made commendable progress despite me not being around and I was impressed. Mr. Subbu was all excited to have me back and briefed me up with all that happened while I was away. The last I heard from Priya was the day before the wedding. She was still away on her extended honeymoon and I was sure she would not be back until next week. She was in Europe and with her sister, having fun.  It was good to get back to my job contrary to what I felt yesterday. The day just passed by in a jiffy and before I knew it was time to leave. While I contemplated how to get back home, my dear husband was down waiting for me. "How was your day?", he beamed as soon as I jumped in. "Great!", I said and involuntarily leaned in to hug him. It took him by surprise but he hugged me back and the warmth that it gave me was inexplicable. We remained that way for our own sweet time savoring the moment and I could feel his hold get stronger on my back. I could feel his breath on my neck grow heavier as I realized that this innocent hug was actually going somewhere. Right then some impatient employee of my company started to honk and just like that the moment shattered. He loosened his grip and let me go while he gave me a smile that was even warmer than the hug.

We made dinner together while he chopped and I cooked, all the while discussing various things. It was only during the dinner did he drop the bomb, something that I was least expecting. "Hmm Payal, there is something I wanted to tell you", he said playing with the food in his plate. "Shoot!", I said as relaxed as I could. "This was not planned and I got to know of it just today so don't get mad at me", he warned. " You are scaring me. Just say", I was getting impatient with all the drama he was doing. " I will be away for some time", he said looking straight into my eyes. I looked back at him not understanding what exactly he meant,"Away?", I managed to ask. "Germany. There is an assignment and they want me there", he said slowly. There were many emotions passing through me at that time but I stayed calm, "When do you have to leave and what does some time mean?",I asked calmer than usual. He was surprised, I could say from his face."In a week.It could be anytime between six months to one year", he questioned my intention behind asking that question. I didn't know too but I wanted to know how long do we have before the long separation.  It has been six months since we know each other and then a week of married life and I am going back to being theoretically single again for a long time, I should be happy but I was not. Would I miss him? Maybe. Would I rather prefer he stay back with me? Hell, yes!" Are you angry?", he asked all of a sudden." And why should I be?", I asked. "Well, its just been a week since our marriage and I will have to leave?", he more questioned. "So? Its your job and you can't escape that. I am perfectly fine", I smiled but deep down I was not happy. I just wished he said, "come with me" but clearly he did not have that on mind. He was relieved with my reaction and continued to talk happily about his new assignment. I tried my best to be encouraging despite myself being totally down.

Just before we went to sleep, "So, would you stay with your parents?", he asked. "No, I will be here. Some one has to take care of Boxer and the house", I said plainly. "Shall I ask my mom to come and stay with you?", he added. "Hey, that is not necessary. Let us not trouble her", I replied." Let's do one thing, we shall convince your parents to accept boxer at your place. That way you can stay with them", he joyfully suggested. I could only smile because I was angry and amused at the same time with this guy, I call 'my husband'. "Let's do that this weekend", he said before he slipped into slumber.

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