Okay, I know it sounds very childish but ... TSOUHD CROSSED 90K+ READS!!!!! *happy tears rolling down my cheeks* I CAN'T TELL YOU ALL HOW HAPPY I AM RIGHT NOW!!!! *grinning like a fool*

Honestly, when I started the book, I had no idea it would gain this much popularity (I know it's not millions of reads, but still) and so it's obvious for a girl, who's first novel has received such tremendous (no exaggeration), to be so elated.

I'm really very grateful to everyone who read, voted and commented on the book, and still continues to read these one shots and hopes for the sequel to get updated (er... its sounds plausible right, that I have Vitamin D deficiency) soon. It's because of you all, that I'm still writing (hold on, did I mention my create section has 15 published and 6 yet to-be published books?) and continuing my torture to keep you waiting for my updates (any TSOUHF reader here?).

I know half of you might just skip to the part where the real content is (my notes aren't that boring, though, to be honest!).
But I'm smart enough (Haha!) to save this for the last! It's my request to all the lovely ghost readers (ooh I love ghost stories btw), to please vote on the book and increase its chance to win Your Story India contest!! Pretty please *puppy face* (if my puppy face don't melt your heart, then, buddy, you're heartless :p)!

Okay, enough of my blabbering now and here, enjoy the Women's Day Special Update!

P.S. It doesn't have just one POV, nor only one style of narrative! ;)

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One Shot #14
It's Ladies' Time, Bo... Men!

First Person Narrative #1 (Anaisha)

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the flowers are er ... whatever they do, and here I am, lying in my super comfy bed, cuddling with my hubby (who hasn't shaved for last two days and so his stuble is pricking against my skin, and I'm helpless). It's quite romantic, though, I mean we are still a newly wedded couple, just celebrated our first wedding anniversary some 20 days back. So, yeah it's quite romantic and plus we're on our second honeymoon (I know, I know, it's exuberant *wink*) to one of the most romantic places of N... whichever world, Amsterdam (TFIOS casualty, I guess).

"Bir," I say lazily, "Please order coffee for us na."

Bir, or Dr. Kabir Thapar, as he's best known in NLHRC, my lawfully wedded hubby, just responds with a 'Hmm...'.
Is that even a legal for your hubby to reply with a 'Hmm...'? Isn't it a girl's birth right to do so?

"Bir? Are you listening? I want COFFEE!" I shout in his ears, and he just returns a cheesy smile to me. Something's fishy!

"But why do you want coffee? We can do something else, you know we're still a honeymoon couple." he says, like I really don't know that we're on our honeymoon, second honeymoon to be specific. He plays with a few strands of my hair, his other hand lingering near my lips. I need to control!

"Bir, you know, baby, I would love to do 'that' something else with you, but right now, I want a coffee because I need to get ready and go for the tour of this beautiful city of Freedom. And you too better get ready, or else Mr. Husband, I'm so not talking to you, nor any 'it' for the rest of our honeymoon!" I threaten him, because it works most of the times or atleast my expert Leher Bhabhi has told.

My hubby dearest frowns, and sits up straight on the bed. Did I say he looks cuter with a frown? I feel like I could melt ... okay, exaggeration! But c'mon, my hubby's cute! Super cute, actually!

His frown intensifies. Oh, so he's trying to pull a me. Let me show him who's the boss here! I frown angrily, and he smiles. I told na, I'm the boss!

"Fine, I'll order coffee and breakfast for us. You get ready." he says, defiant.

"Okay, Bir. And haan, please shave," I say. Moving closer to him, I seductively add, "You are hotter with a clean shaven face, and I can hardly resist you!"

His face lightens up, and I decide to give him a small reward for this. A quick peck on the lips, and I left for the bathroom, to get ready for the tour of this lovely city.

First Person Narrative #2 (Khushali)

It feels so strange to me. One month back, my husband and I were in grave danger. And now, here we are, in city of Freedom, Amsterdam, cuddling with each other in our honeymoon suite. Bliss, right? I know.

"What do you want for breakfast, wifey, eggs and toasts, or ... me?" my hubby asks, very romantically.

"I would've preferred you, but I'm really hungry. So, I want eggs and toasts, and yes coffee as well," I reply innocently, trying not to laugh. But it's awfully hard, especially when Sidharth makes the most funniest faces (he thinks that's cute, my husband I tell you!).

He picks up the dialler and orders breakfast for us, while I brush my hair. After that, I go and stand in front of the window, the entire city of Sin (or Freedom) comes in my view.

"It's beautiful."

"But not more than you," my hubby adds, standing beside me. I smile, and continue to gaze at the serene view infront of me.

Some minutes later, we have our breakfast. The food, to be honest, is yum! Even the simplest dishes are just delicious! And I really gotta thanks Mayera for suggesting this hotel to Sidharth, who was damn confused between two other hotels.

"Sidharth, I want to go out today," I say to my husband, who's busy playing with my hair. We are back to the bed now, watching some Dutch movie, which neither of us is able to understand.

"We'll go tomorrow, I have some other rocking plan for us," he replies hoarsely, lightly biting my earlobe.

But I know his tomorrow will never come! Since the time we came here, four days back, he's been telling me 'we'll go out tomorrow', but we never do! And I'm gonna not let him waste our one more day inside this hotel room!

"Fine! If you want to stay here in this room, stay! But I'm going out. I want to have a tour of Amsterdam before our honeymoon ends and we go back home," I say, sounding as serious as I could mange.

It seems to do the trick as Sidharth sits up, letting me get up from the bed.
"Okay, we'll go out together." he says, vanquish.

Aww, he looks so cute, sitting like a five-year-old, whose wish hasn't been granted. I grin and peck him on his cheek, running towards the bathroom soon after. Otherwise, my husband would find another reason for not going out, even today!

First Person Narrative #1 (Anaisha)

"Bir, c'mon, hurry up, we should get going now," I tell my husband who's picking up his wallets and other important stuff (read few meds, a map, and blah blah).

"Just a minute, Anu," my husband replies briskly.

I start tapping my foot on the floor, I'm not really a patient girl. He comes out after five minutes, ready to leave for the tour. Oh, and yeah, he continues to shower compliments for my navy blue sleeveless knee length dress, which I matched with baby pink converse sneakers and my powder pink Caprese sling bag.

First thing first, he looks damn hot! I mean, I love him for his personality and all, but can't deny that he's quite good looking as well. And there's something very sexy about his white shirts. that just makes me drool over him. Not just him but every men, white just makes them look enchanting and gentlemanly, listening, boys? And add blue denim jeans to it, a perfect outfit for a romantic day out!

"You wait here, I'll go and check about the tour timings." He tells me, walking over to the reception. Well let him do that, I'll just wait here, giving myself time to think about the blissful year we've spent with each other.

We got married last year in February, and this year was our first anniversary. But sadly, we had to celebrate without each other as Bir had to attend a medical conference in Sydney, and I had to accompany Dr. Anuj to Mumbai for a special case. When we got back to Delhi, we decided to celebrate our anniversary in some exotic location, and what can be better than Amsterdam? So, here we are.

"There's only one tour today, and that too for only ladies," my hubby informs me, evidently amused.

"Oh, but why so?" I ask, surely I'm forgetting something, but what?

"Today's International Women's Day, and thus, this tour is arranged, along with sponsored meals." Kabir answers me, a strange gaiety in his tone. But whatever he's thinking, I'm not gonna cancel my plan now!

"Oh, okay. Cool then, you stay in hotel, I'll go for the tour with all the other ladies. It's our day and I think I should spend it with humans of my gender, relishing on our girl power. And anyway, you didn't want to come in the first place only, so you stay here, I'll join the ladies." I tell him, smiling.

"Hey..." he tries to speak something, but I've already approached the receptionist.

"Excuse me?" I say, and at the same time, I hear a familiar voice.

I turn to see who is this person, only to become pleasantly surprised!

First Person Narrative #2 (Khushali)

"Do you really wanna go out?" Sidharth asks for the umpteenth time, irritating me to the core!

I keep my phone inside my handbag, and glare at him. I mean I get it we are on our honeymoon, but honeymoon isn't only about being locked up inside a room for the entire freaking duration of it!

"Sidharth, if you don't want to go out, then it's fine. I'll go alone. You stay here. No one's forcing you!" I irritably grunt.

He seems horrified on this, typical husband! My Di always used to crib to me about Jeeju not accompanying her for shopping or another place where there was a zero chance of romance, but will always expect her to accompany him wherever he go. Even Sidharth's like that!

"Arre, no, wifey. It's not like that. I was just confirming if you still wanna go for the city tour, since it's Women's Day today. And I thought you would want to celebrate it with me," my husband tries to sweetly cover up, making me grin.

"Aww, Sidharth, that's a very sweet thought. But I would rather go for the tour than stay inside the hotel doing absolutely nothing apart from 'it'. And you know, going for the tour is better, since you can buy me gifts as well. After all, it's International Women's Day today, and I know my Sidharth would love to pamper me with gifts."
I think my answer has made my hubby tongue tied and he just nods in reply. And I must add, he looks damn adorable when he nods like a kid! But I can't go mushy on him, now!

"Yeah sure, let's go!" he says a few minutes late, forwarding his hand to me.

We walk hand-in-hand towards the elevators and wait for it. While I have chosen a peach colour floral print knee length dress, with black flats and a matching Caprese black satchel bag, Sidharth's in a grey sweatshirt and black denim jeans. And honestly, that's very unusual him, because my husband loves to dress in formals, all the time!

"I'll just inquire about the tours for today, you wait here." Sidharth tells me, pecking my cheek. I say okay, and he leaves for the reception.

While he's conversing with the receptionist, I recall our journey, from awkward spouses to this madly-in-love couple. It seems surreal to me that even after all the things that happened in last some months, all the drama and emotionally charged situations, here we are, with each other, enjoying our actual honeymoon, just a month before our first marriage anniversary. And yes, since we won't be able to fly out for our anniversary, partly due to work and partly due to our families who wants to organise a grand party for us, Sidharth planned this trip for us. I'm impressed by my hubby, and smitten, too!

"Bad news, wifey. There's no tour for couples today, it's only for ladies because of Women's Day. I think we should go back to our suite now." Sidharth informs me, in a hurried tone.

No ways I'll go back to our suite now! I know well if not today, then I won't be able to have a tour of Amsterdam. And I can't afford that. I mean, I have heard (from Raima) so much about the history of Amsterdam and read (hundreds of books) on this city and its literature, that it will be demeaning and disrespectful to this city by going back to our suite!

"No, Sidharth, I don't want to go back to our suite. I'll go with the ladies group for this tour. After all, it's Women's Day, and I should better spend it with people of my gender, and cherish in our unified power!" I coolly tell my hubby, who's jaws drops to the floor on hearing this. But I don't care, I need to see Amsterdam!

I walk towards the reception, while my husband tries to say something to change my plan. But it's too late!

I approach the reception and say, "Excuse me?"
But just then, I hear another voice, which sounds very familiar, say this. So, I turn around to who's the owner of this voice, only to get exhilaratingly suprised!

Third Person Omniscient Narrative

"KHUSHALI!?"
"ANAISHA!?"

Both the women shout at the same time, startling their respective husbands. Kabir and Sidharth, both anxious, come towards their wives and find them hugging each other.

"What are you doing here?" they ask at the same time, happiness radiating from their facial expressions.

"For my honeymoon!" they answer, again at the same time. Their husbands just shake their heads, they are on honeymoon, too.

The women starts to converse, completely forgetting (or ignoring) their husbands. The husbands converse amongst themselves, passing sympathetic looks to each other, every now and then. The women realises while talking that they are going for the same tour and becomes ecstatic again, having a known company for the tour.

"I'm so glad that you're here, Khush. It'll be so much fun to have your company for this tour." Anaisha says, gratified.

"Yes, even I'm glad to have you accompany me. We'll have loads of fun and yes, shopping as well." Khushali replies.

As soon as the word 'shopping' hit the husbands, it's too late for them. The wives turns to their husbands and asks for the debit cards, that too without speaking a single word. The helpless husbands, give in to their demands, handing out their cards.

"But what about us? What we'll do?" Sidharth asks, the women halts in their tracks.

"Yes, Anu, what we'll do to pass our time?" Kabir adds, mirthless.

"We don't know. Boy stuff, maybe!" Anaisha shrugs.

"Yeah!" Khushali adds, smirking. "Let's go, Annie."

The women resumes their conversation, leaving the husbands behind.

"Wanna have a drink?" Sidharth asks, sighing, having no other idea.

"Yeah sure. And you know there's a gaming centre in this hotel. They have the latest Call of Duty game, and even Star Wars and Battlefield." Kabir replies, grinning now.

"Let's make this time memorable." Sidharth suggests, grinning as well.

"Yes, let's go, since our wives are gone for the day. We'll play the games without any interruption." Kabir adds, merry.

They give each other nods, and start walking towards the gaming centre, much to the ladies' dismay, who are thinking their husbands will miss them. But, men will be men!