SHANKAR
✨

Her lips... soft...gentle...calming...at the same time giving me a painfully gushing sense of adrenaline rush so much so that I didn't want to stop. Ever...

Her lips perfectly moulded in my mouth, melting... shock was written over her face as her eyes widened and her hands were trembling. Initially she tried to push me away but eventually her hands circled around my neck pulling me more into her mouth as I felt her tongue indulging in the kiss. Something that had begun with an urgent need had evolved into something even more demanding, teasing and hungrier.

I couldn't help but tilt my neck a little more aligning my mouth to hers as I slowly tried to squeeze in herself into me. My hands freely roamed around the nape of her neck, her back and slowly reached her stomach and my eyes turned moist. I slowly caressed her belly. My feather like touches on her belly probably brought her back into her senses again when she pushed me away. Turning around she broke down badly when I quickly held her via her shoulders trying to remove his palms off her face but she adamantly continued crying when she suddenly shouted

'This is all why we are together Shankar!!! You like my body and somewhere are also attached to this child growing in my belly.' she said and I looked at her unable to argue with her. Yes I love the child growing in her belly. I have an unsaid bond with it from day one but that doesn't mean I don't love her.

'You are the true father of this baby Shankar. You have always took care of this one fulfilling every duty of a father and trust me I'll not seperate you from any of your children but just for this sake or Roshni's sake living together is toxic!!!' she said when I grabbed her shoulders saying

'And who said that I'm with you just because I love our kids alone? I feel for you too Anamika!!! I agree my bond with this one grew earlier than with you but wasn't that the same way with you? You and Roshni bonded before we were tied in this relationship called marriage and I feel that's the beauty of our relationship. They said children strengthen marriages. They become the bridge and symbol of love for a man and a woman. It's the same in our case too.' I said when she shook her head saying

'Our children became that bridge between us but that doesn't mean that we are always forced to walk together on this bridge as a couple. We can just stay parents. You...you don't need to force yourself to-'

And before she could say another word I kissed her on her lips again trying to shut her up. She pushed me away saying

'Mister Nayak please lis-' and I again latched my lips to her lips sucking them like they were the last ounce of strength remaining so I could explain this stubborn woman that I needed her as much as I needed oxygen to live.

'Shankar you don't under-' and I kissed her again, this time pushing my tongue into her mouth ferociously and I also but her lower lip drawing some blood making her scream as she pushed me away and hit on my chest as she shouted

'Shankar STOP!!! Why don't you understand it's not just about physical intimacy!!!' she screamed on top of her voice when I lost it completely and grabbed her shoulders and said

'Exactly Anamika!!? It isn't just about physical intimacy. It's beyond that. Way beyond that. It's about how you make my heart thud everytime you are closer to me, it's about how you make my stomach churn and feel funny within when you just look at me, it's about how you leave awestruck, frozen and mesmerized everytime you just talk...react...smile...breathe!!! I love everything about you!!! How can I not love you baby?' I whisper as I cup her cheeks dearly and her eyes widen. Her lips part and she's unable to say anything.

'You are everything that makes me happy... without you nothing makes sense Anamika!!! Nothing!!! My everything is you...my world revolves around you, begins with you...ends with you!!! I am helplessly, hopelessly, unbearably in love with you!!!' I whisper as I lean closer to her and our noses touch, our breathe mixes and our eyes close. I feel my palms getting wet and I open my eyes to see fresh tears rolling down her cheeks and I wipe them with my thumb fingers when she shakes her head saying

'You ...you are lying!!! You don't!!! The other day you-' and before she begins her rant again I keep my index finger on her lips leaving her frozen. She gulps nervously when I speak up

'How much do you talk Anamika? Ever heard of the something called two-way communication?'

'But Shank-'

'Shhhhh!!! Quiet!!! I've seen this from day one!!! You never let me talk rest complete my statement. It's always your non stop yap-yap!!!'

'I don't yap-ya-'

'Shhhh!!! Else I'll kiss the hell out of you!!! Last time I just gave you a cut on your lip...this time I swear I will gobble them up' I threaten her making her pout cutely and blink her beautiful bambi brown eyes making me smile.

Gosh!!! Why is she so cute?

'You can't talk to me like that!!! I'll...I'll kick your nuts!!!' she says and I smirk as I pull her towards me as I circle my arms around her waist and I chuckle saying

'Someone's turning ferocious? Believe me baby I love it when your pissed!!! Anger makes you go red, inturn making your skin turn slightly pinkish and your cheeks!!!' I whisper as my index finger plays carelessly on her cheek making her gasp when I slowly move it downwards as I trace her neckline and she shudders under my touches and I smirk saying

'Your neck...your skin...you...look hot!!! And sexy when you are pissed' I whisper as my index finger slowly inches towards her cleavage that was teasing me but she suddenly pushes me away saying

'This is not love!!! This is just lust!!! You don't love me!!!' she says turning around and I raise my eyebrow asking

'And if I prove it to you that I love you like no one can and no one will...will you give us another chance? Our relationship another chance?' I ask and she narrows her eyebrows saying

'No!!! I've already decided that I-'

'Tchhhh!!! Dhara is right!!! You are Anika ..No Funika!!! Always a scaredy cat!!!' I tease her when she narrows her eyebrows shouting

'DONTCALLMETHAT!!!'

'What Anika-No-Funika or scaredy cat???'

'I A M NOT!!! And I'm not scared of anyone!!!' she yells when I smirk saying

'Then why don't you accept the challenge? I'll stay here...win your heart...make you fall in love with me-'

'I WON'T!!!' she shouts when I smile saying

'Ahhhh yes!!! You are already in love with me ..it's just that you are angry with me!!! I just have to convince you!!! A little Manao-fy you and then a little seduce you maybe!!!' I whisper closer to her left her when she pushes me away saying

'DONNT!!!'

'Oh come on Anika!!! You need to give me a fair chance ok? I just need to make up for me foolish mistakes...let me woo you...let me show you how much I love you...let me...maybe win your love back?' I ask and she bites her lower lip and says

'You don't need to!!!'

'I want to!!! Please...give me one chance to set things right... Please Anamika!!!' I whisper when she narrows her eyebrows saying

'Only on one condition!!!'

'Anything!!! Just say it!!!' I beg her when she raises an eyebrow saying

'You cannot kiss me, hug me anytime anywhere until and unless-'

'Until and unless???' I ask her curiously when she clears her throat saying

'Until and unless I ask you to do so!!! Which by the way...I would NEVER!!!' she challenges and I smile saying

'Anything to make you mine my whipped cream!!!' I smirk and she rolls her eyes when I slowly whisper in her ear...

'And I promise you!!! You'll ask me...Uh uhhhhhh!!! BEG ME... to ...touch you!!! And that night I'll dictate and you'll ask for more!!! I promise!!!' and her eyes grow the size of tennis balls when I chuckle and she quickly walks towards the staircase when I loudly call out

'Anamikaaa...' and she turns around when I smile singing

Le Jayenge...le jayenge...Dilwale Dulhaniya le jayenge!!!

(Take you along...take you along...lover would take his bride along with them)

When she rolls her eyes and leaves the terrace leaving a small smile on my lips.

Mission Anamika-Manao Anamika-Patao begins now!!!

✨

ANIKA
✨

'Is there any problem between you and Jiju?' Dhara asks when I cover Roshni with her quilt as I kiss her forehead saying

'No!!! Why do you ask?' and she smiles saying 'Because I see him giving you love-sick looks you give him...I'msickofyou looks!!!' she says and I slowly lie down when she plops next to me asking

'Tell me Anika!!! Is there something you are hiding from us? The kids are possessive towards you after that Meet's incident but Shankar Jiju is different Anika!!! He's a gentleman!!! I can say!!! If not...such a rich big shot businessman didn't need to stay in this orphanage. He is even taking the effort to bond with the kids!!!' she says and I simply stare at the roof as I whisper

'Sometimes...efforts are not enough!!! It's important for people to be made for each other!!! You see that Heer-Ranjha Romeo-Juliet kinda love? Shankar and I are two different people!!!' I say when Dhara smiles saying

'And opposites attract!!! The lovers whom you described were all stories we heard of ..we don't know if they were really true or just folklores...they died in each other's love!!! That's emotional, beautiful...but then they are stories Anika!!! Real love for me is accepting each other, adjusting a little, living with each other and growing old with each other.

I don't know...we have never seen any of these lovers but I've seen Shammi aunty and Harmeet uncle...Shammi aunty finds it tough to see clearly after she was diagnosed with glucoma but she still manages to cook for Harmeet uncle inspite of having a house help and a daughter in law because she knows Harmeet Uncle loves her food and on the other side Harmeet uncle doesn't complain when Shammi aunty adds salt to his tea instead of sugar or sometimes serves him burnt Parathas because he's thankful that she takes the effort to make his breakfast even when she finds it tough to see and Harmeet uncle although finds it very tough to walk with his walking stick, manages to go walking with her to the park, to the doctor to always take care of her personally. Harmeet uncle knows aunty finds it tough to chop vegetables so he helps her with it saying he gets bored at home. That's love for me. 70 years in a stretch yet going strong. Shankar Jiju is that kinda man Anika!!! He'll never leave you alone' she says and my eyes turn misty recalling how he left me alone in the middle of the street that night.

I close my eyes hurtfully but then his words, his eye lock, his heartfelt confession appears infront of my eyes. If he left me on the street once, he was also the one who gave me a shelter, a job, my Roshni...he gave me a home. Can he just be saying all of this for the sake of it? All this can't just be lust...his eyes spoke volumes..maybe I need to give this relationship...give him a chance. For his sake...for my sake...for our sake!!!

I caress my belly and look at my Roshni who is in a deep slumber. I kiss her forehead and close my eyes when his tearful eyes reappears infront of my eyes.

Am I too harsh on him? Maybe I need to give us a heartful chance.

He isn't that bad after all.

✨

'He's a monster!!! He's terrible!!! He's an Ogre!!!' argued Nakul

'Didi look at Roshan's hair...it's turned blue!!!' saying Abhinav removes his cap making me gasp as I see Roshan and many other kids hair being dyed to blue, pink, golden...oh my God!!!

'This is unbelievable!!!He can't do that!!!' Dhara says and I give her a look.

Jiju ki Chamchi (minion)

'Dont get to a conclusion so soon!!! I don't think Shankar Jiju did all that and even if he did so...why would he do that?' she asked when Amit said

'Thats because we had an argument with him last night...none of the boys wanted to sleep with him wi-'

'So...we let him sleep in the corridor!!!' said Dinesh when my eyes widened as I asked 'Whatttt???' and they shrugged saying 'We didn't ask him to Didi!!! We just didn't wanna share our bed and quilt so-'

'So you let him sleep on the cold floor in the corridor? Did you all forget that he's your Jiju?' Dhara yelled when Roshan argued

'Not our fault!!! He-'

'Enough now!!! And stop blaming him!!! I know he won't do anything of that sort!!!' I say when Roshan shouts

'Didi you trust a stranger more than us? We are your brothers !!!' he shouts when I argue 'And he is my husband!!!' when the kids look at me with a shocked expression and Dhara gives me a small smile. I look elsewhere when she chuckles saying 'Supportive wifey!!! Nice training Jiju!!!' and suddenly my eyes widen as I turn around and see him standing at the doors of our dining room.

I avoid meeting his gaze and walk out of the room when he suddenly leans a little closer to me as he takes a whiff of my perfume yet does not touch me. I feel his hot breath on the edge of my neck when he simply grabs a Paratha from the bowl when I glare at him and he smiles saying 'I am just hungry!!! I just picked a Paratha...I didn't touch ANYTHING else...Did I?' and I roll my eyes walking away from there. He is so annoying. Ughhh!!!

I had decided to make some sweets as Dhara's inlaws will be visiting us tomorrow as they were coming to give her Shagun (wedding gift) tomorrow. They wanted her to be the perfect Bengali bride and were bringing the saree which they wanted her to wear at the wedding, however they wanted Daarji to purchase the matching jewellery for Dhara.

I somehow didn't like this dictation from Dhara's family but Dhara was happy and Daarji didn't want to spoil it for her. Sharath was a good man and Daarji didn't want these small interruptions although these little incidents left me disturbed. I didn't want Dhara to go through what I did. I knew Daarji had took his own sweet time this time yet something didn't feel right to me.

I kept chopping the dry fruits when suddenly Roshni came running towards me calling me loudly and I looked at her worried little face. She was almost in tears when she spoke up

'Mummaaaa!!!' and I left the plate and the dry fruits and ran towards her asking

'What happened Puttar?' and big drops of tears spilled out of her tiny little eyes when she said

'Mummaaaa...Dadda!!!' and my heart started beating harder.

What happened to him now?

She grabbed my hands and took me to the garden area. All his gunmen and bodyguards were standing there with their eyes wide open...Shock was written on their face.

And then my eyes fell on him.

What the heck???