After the brush incident, Aashika started maintaining a distance from Dhairya. Dhairya acted as if he didn't care but inside he was getting affected by her indifference.

Aashika was sitting on a swing in the courtyard of the mansion. She was examining an art piece made by her intently when Dhairya approached her.

Dhairya came near her, contemplating whether to start a conversation or not. Aashika's head shot up sensing a familiar warmth, the one she got accustomed to. She stared at his face, looking through his empty yet deep grey eyes. She cocked her eyebrows silently asking him about his sudden presence.

He coughed, clearing his throat before speaking.

"uhmm about that day, I really don't know why did you overreact but I ....."

He took out a small box from his pocket handing it over to her. Aashika opened the box almost hastily not at all curious or intrigued. Seeing the content inside her eyes widened. She closed her eyes shut as a single tear slipped down her left eye.

"You fixed it?", She whispered

"Yes, seeing you lashing out on my two exotic vases I kind off understood that you had something for this brush and I .... I", Dhairya hesitated to complete the sentence.

"Never mind, I thought to fix it as a mark of apology maybe.", he finally accepted.

A faint smile broke out on Aashika's lips hearing him confess that he wanted to apologies by fixing that same brush.

"I tried my best, see".. He showed her the precision of his work tracing the area which was broken before.

Aashika looked at him, her eyes finally showing a hint of admiration and relief.

"But I am curious about one thing.", he spoke up with hesitation trying to analyse her reaction before continuing further. Seeing her nod, he started again.

"Why did you react that way for a brush that too so old?"

Aashika's face lost its smile as the memory of her past seemed to hit her.

Dhairya noticed the sudden change in her demeanor, but stayed silent.

"It's because............." Aashika started narrating a small incident of her past.

************************

It was Aashika's 10th birthday. After a small celebration She was sitting alone on the terrace of her house shedding tears looking at the sky above.

She did this every birthday, enjoying her day with friends, celebrating with her uncle and aunt, getting gifts and treats etc, but surrounded by the serenity of night she used to shed tears for her deceased parents.

"Why did you guys leave me alone to face this world. You know mom, every annual day my friends present a gift or art to their parents, and the look in their eyes.... I crave that. Uncle and Aunt are no doubt caring but mom , dad your daughter misses you".

"Everything isn't in our hands Aashika", Inayat came near to her, keeping her hand on her shoulder, an act of comfort and support she rarely showed to anyone.

Inayat was just 16, but too mature according to her age.

"We can't change our fate but choose our destiny atleast. " Inayat pulled out a box, handing it over to her.

Aashika opened the box only to find a beautiful paint brush in it.

"This brush belongs to mom", Inayat declared, her young heart clenching yet face void of emotions.

"She was a wonderful artist, and her paintings.... they were unreal, you know Dad met mom in an exhibition where she had put up an auction for her painting.",Inayat couldn't hide the slight hint of excitement in her voice discussing about their parents.

"This time I want to handover this brush to you, it's one of her most precious possessions maybe not valuable enough but .....", her voice broke a little which she managed to cover up.

"Happy birthday little one, stay happy always", Inayat whispered, hugging her sister tightly providing her much needed comfort.

************************

Back to present

Dhairya listened to her attentively, guilt slowly washing over his senses as he realised her attachment with her mom and her possessions.

"It's not only mom whose memories are stored in this brush. This was the last gift Inayat didi gave me. This brush reminds me of the last hug we shared so many years back. I... I miss her too .... I felt as if I lost her even though she is always around..", her voice wavered slightly as she abruptly wiped away her tear symbolizing her angony.

Dhairya felt helpless seeing her situation. He wanted to reach out and comfort her but at the same time he couldn't let his ego down.

That night, Aashika shared a piece of memory with her husband... this might result in formation of something stronger between them ... maybe...

************************************

I entered in my room, the scent of peach making an extravagant combination with my sandalwood collagen hitting my nose reminding me that I am a married man now... But does it make any difference.

"Inayat.....", I called, looking around for her.

Strange.. she wasn't in the room. I looked in the balcony and checked the washroom doors but she wasn't in the room.

I went downstairs searching for her when suddenly----

"Zain.", my mother called me, I turned around facing her. It was the first time after years I heard her addressing me. I felt a sudden surge of emotions depicting hate, hurt, anger but the most prominent one being longing. The longing for her love and affection that I never got from her.

I controlled my emotions, masking it with a façade of indifference but .. but my eyes still betrayed my tries and efforts, with pain still evident in them.

"Yes?", I asked my voice, a little gruff and vulnerable?

"For the business party ,..I want you to inform Inayat and Aashika about it", she spoke, her tone measured as if she was trying to hide her true emotions.

'So she only wanted to inform them... expectations suck!"

Before I could reply anything, Dhairya budged in.

"When did you start caring Mrs. Oberoi?", he mocked.

"Ever since you got married", she remarked firmly.

I let out a painful chuckle.....

Why can't I hide my feelings and emotions like ... like all of them ?

"I know. I was looking for her only, because Dad already told us about it, just like always he need not require much time and courage to talk to us right?", I more like mocked her.

She turned away walking into her room....

I released my breath which I did not realise I was holding. Calming the storm of doubts and insecurities, I went towards the kitchen to drink water.

As I approached the kitchen, I could hear the clinking of vessels... I entered only to find Inayat preparing something.

"What are you doing?", I asked her. She jumped on her place startled by my sudden voice.

"You scared me damn..", she spoke keeping a palm on her chest.

My eyes travelled down locking on her hand kept on her chest which was heaving up and down rapidly.....I subconsciously licked my lips imagining my hand place there instead of hers.

Inayat followed my gaze and her eyes widened.

"Shameless", she muttered under her breath breaking my trance.

"Uhmmm , Inayat I had to talk... so", I stuttered badly.

"So... your gaze would travel at all wrong places huh", She mocked which seemed more like a cold threat.

"Well .. I wasn't do...see...seeing any thing"

"You said you don't tolerate lies and now lying.... Shameless", she teased.

I fell silent, why does she have such an effect on me. From the very first day she makes me feel jittery.

I scratched the back of my neck before speaking.

"You didn't reply my question", I tried diverting the topic.

"I was making tea for myself and Dad.. and this milkshake for Shourya. He had especially asked for it so...", she poured the content into a glass.

"Would you like to have something?", she asked.

"Nah, I am good for now.", her presence seemed to ease my inner turmoils.

The earlier encounter with my mother, her 'to the point' curt words, feeling of loneliness all were gone just by a look of hers. Though she called herself a devil, she held an angelic power within her.

"Inayat..",I called her back making her stop on her track.

She turned around silently waiting for me to speak.

"Uhm, oky so we have to attend a business party tomorrow evening", I told her.

"So? You want me to come?"

"Yah .. dad asked for it. Dhairya and Aashu are also coming.",

"Oky I'll be ready", She spoke before turning around to leave for Shourya's room.

************************************

I first walked towards Dad's study where he probably was working on a project, something which needed my attention.

"May I come in", I knocked at his cabin. He nodded seeing me at the door. I made my way inside his cabin.

I kept the cup of tea on his table which he acknowledged with a small 'thank you'. He then asked me to sit down.

"Inayat .. I want you to look up at this project along with Zain. You guys can have a deal signed between your companies but this particular deal shouldn't at all go to the Singhania's", his tone came out hushed and menacing at the mention of Singhania's.

Anant Singhania and Shrikant Oberoi had once been each others life and now are after each others life.

There were a lots of rumours rising about the sudden enmity of The Singhania's and The Oberoi's, but none made any sense.

"I prefer keeping buisness aside at home dad.", I replied...
"But I assure to ponder upon it".

I got up taking my leave.

As I entered the living room I could hear soft music playing in the background.

This was something new I had seen in a few days .. music in the deadly silence of Oberoi mansion felt strange yet euphoric at the same time.

As I followed the symphony of music ... I came across a rare yet heart warming site of ............

Shourya and Aashika dancing care free on the beats of music. Both of them really suck at it tbh yet they were looking so carefree and were enjoying them selves.

Looking at me, Aashika stopped....

"Kya hua Bhabhi.?", Shourya too stopped finally looking at me.

"You guys suck at it trust me", I particularly teased them. Shourya pouted while Aashika .. she seemed unfazed.....

"Don't pout Shourya, Bhabhi is right ... tum log bandar lag rhe the",Dhairya exclaimed in amusement.

Aashika's eyes widened as he took out his phone showing them the recording.

"Isse toh mai viral krwata hu abhi", he teased

"Delete it Dhairya....:", Aashika started running behind him as we both watched their chase.

Dhairya hid behind the pillar popping his head out time to time teasing her.

Shourya let out a chuckle seeing Dhairya climbing on the couch trying to make things difficult for her.

"Bhabhi ... apni hieght pr work out krna cahiye tha aapko .. complan and all you know...", Shourya was cut off in between by a pillow....

And thats how a sober dance date between 'Bhabhi Devar' turned out to be a full fledged fight between the three.

"Dhairya.. Inn dono ka toh samjh aata hai .. but tum toh yrr mature ho", I exclaimed in amusement seeing him throwing cushions on Aashika.

I had never seen him so carefree in my life. I must say he laughed more these days.

This week had changed a lot between us.

"Shourya, stop running around .. your milkshake is kept on the table have it"

"Haww mere liye kuch nhi", Dhairya chimed in.

"Apni biwi ko bol tu ..", I retorted, smirking.

************************************

I entered my room all done with the trio. Zain wasn't inside the room. I could hear the sound of water running inside the washroom.

I made my way towards the wardrobe checking the outfit for tomorrow's event.

I really don't remember the buisness clients name or even the reason for this event ... anyways who cares

Its just about a few greetings, a bouquet and drinks ... done and dusted.

The door of the closet creaked open as Zain made his way out. His hair wet with water which he was drying using a towel. He looked all fresh but his eyes held exhaustion of the day.

"Inayat, Dad told me about that deal...", he hesitated a little.

"As you know about the risks and consequences..... if you want you can back out. I will not compell you to do anything against your.....", I cut him off by saying.

"No one can force me into anything Mr. Oberoi... Everything I agree for has a purpose."

"And I'll confirm my availability tomorrow.", I was firm with my words.

"Inayat", he spoke after a good 1 min silence.

"Do you think this marriage would work?", he asked.

After the ice cream date, Zain started opening up to me... himself. He voiced out his feelings as if it was his right..

"I thought you wanted us to stay as strangers under same roof"

"Maine aisa kab kaha?"

"The words you said on the first day of our marriage, how can you kill, sleep and all that crap"

"Well, I know there is definitely something more to it, and Ardhangini I really don't want to live rest of my life in silence at least.", he walked nearing me.

"Silence has become my companion Zain", I turned away.

"Then give me a chance to replace that shrieking cry of silence with echoes of laughter for us", He hesitantly took my hand in his drawing soothing circles on the back of my palm making me close my eyes.

"Puri jindgi toh issi trh kaati hai, ab kya hi badal jaayega"My voice wavered a little, he was breaking through my walls already.

"And about giving this marriage a chance, I never considered it as a mere agreement. My silence and coldness might make you think otherwise but........" He cut me in between

"Let me get through your shell Inayat" He almost pleaded making me go all silent, contemplating about what to speak.

"If you are willing too then maybe you will get a way through my inner self"

My brain wanted to deny everything but .... my tongue defies

"Maybe?"

"Maybe..."

************************************

Everything going alright
Chlo kalesh krwaye.....

Next ch will blow your mind with twists.
😈😈

How was this ch?
An comments or suggestions?

Vote and comment guys

Next ch. On Saturday...

Till then

Tata
Yours
PRAYA
***********************************