Abir P.O.V

"Bhai!" Ketu called out my name, I hummed to her as my eyes were glued to the papers in front of me. I had got back home early as we had to visit gynec which we couldn't last time because maa preponed her body checkup and as promised I accompanied her resulting in our postponement of our gynec visit. But I did take her out on the drive where we had ice cream together and a walk on Carter road.

"Idhar dekhiye na!" She pleaded making my eyes shift from the paper to her only to get snowed as she looked resplendent in the lehenga.

"Dulha kaha hai?"

*Kya?"

"Bohot acchi lag rahi hai. Kisi dulhan se kam nahi lag rahi"
I was about to tease her but then those words of her ringed back in my ears.

"Sacchi?" She asked excited,

"Haa!" I walked up to her, to take a bit of kajal from her eyes but she backed out perplexed.

"Kaala teeka lagane ke liye kajal chahiye tera"

"Aww thank you Bhai. Pr eye makeup kharab ho jayega so please"

"Maine already laga diya hai!" Responed my wife entering our room.

"Acchi baat hai! Itni acchi lag hi rahi hai kisi ki chodo mujhe dar hai meri nazar na lag jaye" I could see the confidence rising in ketu with each word of mine.

"Photos?"

"Yes Please" she loves to get her pictures clicked. Grabbing my phone I was quick to get her clicked, she didn't needed much instructions about how to pose, what to do, how to stand she was just good at it cause we did it earlier too.

"Dekh to le kaise aae hai!" Suggested my wife to her sister in law.

"I trust bhai with photos" she replied honestly, "but not with signs" she added which made me halt and think. Why would she say that? The last time I took her signs was when I bought the textile industry but she doesn't know about it.

"Itna bharosa. Me to pacchas baar dekhti hu ki meri photo acchi aa rahi hai ya nahi" Mishti explained.

"Bhai ke haath me camera hai to photos acchi aani hi hai. No doubt" the appreciation did make my chest swell. The word made me realise I do have a camera.

After a good photosession of half and hour, she had to leave to attend her friend's wedding, according to her plans she was about to book an cab which didn't seem to work cause no driver was accepting her request. Finally I had to jump in saying "I will drop you and pick you up too" which definitely meant one more time postponement of our gynec visit but it's fine. Right now Ketu is more important. She is all ready, so decked up so happy I don't want to spoil her mood or let that smile go off. Her happiness matters to me even if it means me being the driver. I could have sent her with the driver, but my mind doesn't allow it. I don't think anyone else in the world could keep her safe as much as I can.

Ek to upar se itni acchi lag rahi hai pata nahi kab kya ho jae. I have this constant fear that someone might steal her from me, somehow I am not able to fight that fear back.

Soon we were in car heading towards the wedding location,

"Toh Aarav se move on Kiya ki nahi?"

"Ho jayega"

"Uss gorilla me pasand kya aaya tujhe?" I giggled over the thought only.

"Abhi Mera rone ka mood nahi hai baad me kabhi!"

"Accha chal ye to bata, wo to itne dino se relationship me tha tb bura nahi laga jo sirf shaadi pr bura lag raha hai?"

"Relationship tutne ke chances hote hai na. Aur isse pehle bhi to relationship me tha"

"Point hai. Ye bakwas chod, kuch khayegi?"

"Nahi"

"To mujhe taane kyu khila Rahi thi?*

"Kya matlab?"

"Sign ke baare me taana maara photos khicte waqt"

"Wohh!"

"Ha wohi"

"Jaane dijiye uss baat ko"

"Aise kaise batana to padega"

"Uss din me aapke room me massager lene aai thi, aapke table pr sab kuch bhikara hua tha to maine sb aache se ekhata rakh Rahi thi tabhi mujhe paper Mila jispe mera naam bold me likha tha to obviously maine padha.."

"Textiles ke ownership ke paper the"

"Jis pr aapne mujhe bagair dekhe sign karne bola tha"

"Maine socha tha tujhe batane ke baare me pr phir mujhe tera reaction kya hota pata tha isliye nahi bataya"

"Wo sb thik hai pr aapko sach me lagta hai ki aapko ye karna chahiye tha?"

"Of course. Isme galat kya hai?"

"Galat? me ek aise company ki owner hu jiske baare me mujhe koi idea nahi hai.."

"Company me sambhal raha hu. Mujhe idea hai kaafi hai" I knew this would happen when she would know about it.

"Mujhe textile ka t bhi nahi aata hai, ek to internship me itni gaaliyan kha rahi hu. Mujh se ownership handle hogi lagta hai!"

"Meri baat ek baar sun le agar kuch galat lage to Ladna mujhse"

"Hmm"

"Abhi company me chala raha hu, mujhe textile ki aadhi spelling to aati hai. Tu aaram se apni zindagi jee. Agar tujhe kabhi interest aaya to tu aakr company chala sakti hai. Filhaal ke liye wo meri company hai tu sirf paper pr owner hai, toh relax kr!" She thought a lot about it before agreeing to it.

"Waise tujhe pata maine tujhe papers pr owner kyu banaya?"

"Meri financial security ke liye"

"Nahi"

"To?"

"Agar kuch unch nich hogai to police tujhe utha ke le jaayegi kyuki owner tu hai"

"Aap hai na bachane ke liye"

"Wo to me hu"

As we reached to her destination, she was about to get out of the car "ek second!" I was quick to get out of the car and open the door of her side.

"Aaiye rajkumari" she just laughed at it before climbing out of the car with her heavy lehanga.

"Kuch chahiye to phone kr. Aur nikalne se 20-25 minutes pehle phone Krna me aa jaunga. Jab tk me na aau tu ye venue chod kr raste pr nahi aayegi"

"Me bacchi nahi hu bhai!"

"Mere liye hai! Yaha kitna time rukne waale hai?"

"Ek ded ghanta!"

"Shaadi hai na tere dost ki enjoy kr le thoda, aaram se aa. Dekh abhi 7:20 ho rahe hai me tujhe aaram se 10 baje ke aas pass lene aata hu."

"10 baje tak ka mujhe pata nahi agar me bore ho gai to me aapko phone karungi"

"Apni hi dost ki shaadi me kon bore hota hai?"

"Me! Mujhe nahi pasand ye socializing"

"Agar tu kisi se baat nahi karegi to bore hogi hi na"

"Mujhe nahi pasand!"

"Meri liye ek baar try to kar"

"Ek baar bs"

"Saare ki saari dishes taste karna phir Ghar aake batana kya best tha." Her friend's father is also rich, and it's his daughter's wedding which man won't spent every penny he earned for his daughter. Even the location is one of luxurious location available in Mumbai.

"Me khaana ghar aakr khaungi yaha nahi!"

"Seriously! Itni acchi shaadi ka khaana chod kr ghar ka khaana khana hai tujhe?"

"Ha. Me bahar ka khana nahi khaati"

"Khaa le meri maa. Itna kyu sochti hai?"

"Nahi"

"Me bhi dekhta hu tujhe Ghar pr khana kon deta hai Chup chap shaadi ka khana khake aayegi"

"Mujhe nahi khaana"

"Arey teri bhabhi itna bhi accha khana nahi banati. Kha le yaha ka me kisiko nahi bataunga"

"Kuch bhi"

"Thoda sa taste to kr phir teri shaadi me bhi to caterers wala chahiye na"

"Nahi karni mujhe"

"Phir bhi dulha to dhunda padega na"

"Kyu?"

"Dulhan banke ghumege toh!" She giggled at it adding charms to her beauty.

"Iss shaadi ka dulha pasand aaye to bata de bhaga le jayenge" we snorted at the thought of it.

"Na. Iski pehle bohot girlfriend thi. Aisa piece nahi chahiye"

"Phir shaadi kaise honi di ladki ke father ne" cause I won't ever choose or let ketu marry a playboy

"Beti ne jaan lene ki dhamki di aur pitaji pighal gaye"

"Kiski jaan?"

"Obviously khudki!"

"Ohh! Kaise dost hai! Dur raha kr aise dosto se"

"Phir pata hai.."

"Bataiye na"

"Uske boyfriend ne uske saath break up kar liya"

"Kya? Kyu?"

"Bakwas reason ki abhi time nahi hai and all"

"To shaadi kaise ho rahi hai?" I was too into this gossip, cause gossip with sibling isn't gossip it's sibling goals.

"Wahi to pata nahi chal raha. Sb achanak se ho raha hai. Upar se Shaadi itni acchi jagah pr hai lekin jyada relatives bhi nahi hai.. kuch to gadbad hai"

"Dal me kuch kala nahi yaha to puri dal hi kaali hai. Tujhe kya lagta?" She is very much in this data transfer process, she likes to do it especially when the other person is also invested.

"Ab jaakr puch bhi nahi sakte. Shaadi ke din breakup ke baad ki story puchna accha bhi nahi lagta na"

"Ladka inki barabari hai? Ya jyada hai?" I asked about the financial status,

"Kaha, ek startup hai aur filhaal job kar raha hai. Na thik se job karta hai na start-up. Dono nahi chalte"

"Phir to pakka jhol hai. Lekin Chodo hume kya. Jo shaadi kr raha hai wo dekhega"

"Ha. Hume kya. Humara koi matalb hi nahi hai"

"Paise.."

"Hi Ketki di!" Came a voice of a girl from behind, as walked to us, greeting ketu asking why she didn't attend the before rituals.

"Bhai ye dulhan ki behan hai, sharon!" She highlighted the relation so that we don't spill something. Seriously Sharon! You don't live in America you live in Mumbai. Ketu introduced me to her,

"Hi. Sharon" I didn't forward my hand for a shake but she did so to not embarass her I did shake a hand with her.

"Me chalti hu!" She left as she had to attend a call.

"Iski maa ka naam kya hai Rachel?"

Ketu broke out over it,

"Nahi, Agatha!"

"Sach me?"

"Nahi!"

Few of her friends passed by after greeting us,

"Aap jaiye! Ek to ye trackpant pehan kr aaye hai!"

"Ab mere kapdo se problem hai!"

"Of course. Aapki image nahi hai to kya hua meri to hai"

"Accha!"

"Ha!"

"Mera bhi din aayega!"

"Chalo me jaati hu!"

"Ruk ja ek aur photo to lene de!"

"Aur?"

"Hmm ek aur!" She posed once more as I fetched out my phone to take her pictures.

"Ek photo tera crush.. jo ab tera nahi raha usse bhejne ke liye. Ussi ne to ye naya phone select Kiya hai"

"Ab aap mujhe hr baar chidhaoge kya? Me jaa rahi hu bye!"

She walked away to the wedding while I stood there thinking she would leave me the same way some day. Dulhan bankar!

To tease her I did send one photo of her to Aarav, I will just lie to him saying galti se forward hogaya.

Getting back home the whole ride I kept thinking about ketu's marriage. Why does she have to leave me, our house, our family? I don't want her to.

Fuck these society norms!

"Abhi jaye gynec ke pass?" Was the question my wife asked me, and I just gave her a seriously look cause we are 20 minutes late already and will take more time to reach. Time is something a person should value. What would be our impression on the doctor when we were supposed to be there by 7:45 PM and we will reach on 8:30 PM. Such a low class!

"Sab kuch time pr ho zaroori thodi ha. Agar wo doctor abhi bhi clinic me hai to jaate hai na"

"Appointment 7:45 ki thi. Accha lagega itna late"

"Isme accha lagne waali kya baat hai. Agar wo clinic me 9 baje tk hai to jaate hai na"

"Ye tumhe sahi lagta hoga, mujhe nahi. Waqt ka koi importance hota hai ya nahi"

"Aap ek baar check to kijiye clinical ka time kya hai"

"Thik hai" I know she won't listen to me, I had to follow her orders.

"Dekho 8:30 tk ka hi time hai clinic ka!"

"Abhi bhi jaa sakte hai agar car me drive karu"

"Nahi jaana mujhe. Ho gaya ab. Mil gayi mann ko shaanti"

"Thik hai!" She went away making faces as she got defeated. It would be first time she shutted up! Did I win?

Ohh! Yeah! "Did you just accept your defeat?"

"Ha!"

"Suprising!"

"Isme haar manne waali kya baat hai. Ab clinic hi band hai to na aap kuch kr sakte hai na me."

"Ye bhi sahi hai"

She got busy with her work for my company, as I got busy too. Alexa kept playing songs in the background, the song Jaane kyu log pyaar karte hai played as usual my wife was singing it in her voice.

"Abir!"

"Hmm" my eyes still on the papers in front of me,

"Idhar dekhiye na"

"Bolo bhi kaan khulle hai"

"Nahi! Meri taraf dekhiye"

"Ajeeb ho yaar tum" turning my chair so could face her I enquired her problem.

"Aap iss gaane me kisi support karte hai, Amir ya preity?"

As the song continued, stating pros and cons of love,

"Me apne kaam ke side hu! Kar lu?"

"Bataiye na. Please"

"Tumhari side hu! Itni acchi biwi di hai partner ne. Kisi aur ki side kyu lu?" I didn't wanted to answer her question, knowing very well that topic isn't made for me.

"Baate ghuma ke hogayi! Ab boliye"

"Rabbit mujhe nahi pata"

"Jo bhi lagta hai bol dijiye"

"Chodho na kaam karte hai" I turned back to face my laptop but she didn't want me to do it. She is adamant on getting the answer, why does she wants to talk on a topic I hate. I don't do it to her, if she even slightly dislikes something I try to avoid it.

"Nahi dena jawab mujhe" I made it clear by the time the song ended starting another one.

"Aise kaise. Bataiye na"

"Gaana bhi change ho gaya ab to" first time it felt like Alexa was on my side. As the starting music ended and the lyrics intiates I understood Alexa could never be on my side. Never ever!

The song played was Hame Tumse Hua Hai Pyar, Ham Kya Kare,

Hame Tumse Hua Hai Pyar, Ham Kya Kare Aap Hee Bataye Ham Kya Kare

She is always going to be her malkins chamci!

"Mujhe phir bhi janna hai"

I know she won't leave this topic until she gets an answer,

"Depend karta hai ki tum kisse shaadi kr rahe ho"

"Ye kya jawab hua?"

"Mera matlab hai agar tumhara partner accha ho to, tum Preity ki side hoge aur agar partner kharab ho to obviously Ameer ki side"

"Jawab to sahi hai. Ab aap ye bataiye ki aapki partner kaise hai?"

She walked up to me, resting her both hands on the armrest of the chair looking into my soul with a crooked smirk,

"World's best!"

"Good!"

"Aur tumhara partner kaise hai?"

"Mera partner... Umm sochna padega"

"Achha sochna hai tumhe" grabbing her I made her sit on my lap tickling her with one hand as the other held her in place.

"Nahi.. nahi please"

"To kaisa hai tumhara partner?"

"Bohot bura hai"

"Tumhari toh" I tickled her more to the point she had to accept the fact.

"You are the best bss please"

Giving her time to get back, I kissed her cheeks as I couldn't go further cause as usual our door was open, anyone could barge in that wouldn't make any change to me but she will get uncomfortable. She clinged to me humming the song as it continued

"Kahne Lagi Bechainiya, Abb Dooriyaan Hai Mushkil Badi"

Joining both of them, we three together completed the song

Panchhi Piya Pardesiya, Kaise Jiye Ham Abb Yeh Ghadi

Aap Se Aarju Hai, Aap Se Jindgi Hai, Aap Ke Bina Ham Kaise Rahe

Hame Tumse Hua Hai Pyar, Ham Kya Kare, Aap Hee Bataye Ham Kya Kare

Hame Tumse Hua Hai Pyar, Ham Kya Kare, Aap Hee Bataye Ham Kya Kare!

My wife was smiling like an idiot,

"Kya?"

"Kuch nahi" she muttered as she muffled her laugh,

"Khaana khaane chaliye. Time ho gaya hai" she didn't make a move to get out of my hold.

"Tum jao me aata hu" still she didn't move, sighing I turned my chair to the desk working as she clung to me. Placing a quick kiss over her hair I continued working.

"Uhmmm" she kind of purred making me chuckle.

The phone ring took my attention, it was ketu. Answering call rabbit kept the call on speaker

"Bol"

"Lene aa rahe hai na?"

"Abhi?"

"Ha please. Meri social battery drain ho gayi hai"

"Accha aata hu" I agreed to her cause she wished to only spend one hour but she called me after 2 hours.

"Jaldi aaiye. Aapke shortcuts use krke"

"Ha. Khaana khaya?"

"Nahi"

"Thoda sa to try kr le"

"Nahi"

"Bohot ziddi hai yaar tu."

"Aaphi se sikha hai "

" To bahar ka khaana khana bhi sikh leti"

"Aap aayenge ya nahi?"

"Aa raha hu. Ruk ja thodi der"

"Jaldi"

Disconnecting the call, my wifey looked up at me,

"Ghar waale humare moment ko kharab karna acche se jaante hai. Expert hai usme"

"Ab kya hua? Aaram se baithi to ho"

"Wahi to hum saath me aaram se baithe hai ab aapko jaana padega. Sb ke sb romance ke dushman hai"

"Aarav number one pr hai "

"Uski zaroor peechle janam ki koi dushmani hai"

"Wo to hai. Bande ki timing ekdum exact hoti hai"

"Mann to kr raha tha ki uski suhagraat ke time jaa kr uske room ka darwaja zor zor se khatkhatau, ya phir usse pachas baar phone lagau"

"To karti na mujhe bhi maza aata"

"Me thoda busy thi"

"Accha tum busy thi.. kaha? Kya kr rahi thi" although I knew the answer I like to tease her. Her cheeks turned pink as if reliving that night.

"Shut up"

"Humare romance ke dushmano ki list to lambi hai, Aarav, Nanko, jugnu"

"Aur ketu bhi"

"Ye galat hai. Bechari rarely humare beech aati hai. Agar hum teeno saath me car me jaa rahe ho to chup chap peeche baith jaati hai taaki hum saath me baithe" I explained softly as I lifted her up and placed on bed.

"Ha phir bhi"

Grabbing the keys an idea struck me, "chalo mere saath"

"Kaha?"

"Ketu ko pick krne"

"Dinner?"

"Teeno milkar bahar dinner karenge. Tumhare saath time spend bhi ho jayega aur ketu ka bhi kaam ho jayega"

"Maa?"

"Mera naam bata dena"

"Unhone hi rakha hai"

"Tumhe wahi kuhu ke haath ka khana khaane me maza aata hai?"

"Chaliye"

She went to inform maa that we won't have dinner at home to which maa definitely bhadak gai, cause food was ready. And she has another rule stating agar bahar ka khana kha rahe ho to Ghar pr pehle hi bata do taaki khaana km bane.

I didn't accompany my wife this time I stood outside hearing her get a word from maa, sometimes it's necessary for my wife to get an earful from maa. Kyuki maa kabhi rabbit ko datti hi nahi hai.

As Aphrodite walked out giving me I won't spare you looks, we settled in our car initiating our journey.

"Mera naam bata dena! Kuch fayda nahi hua. Gaaliyan padi. Kitna gussa Kiya maa ne"

Chuckling at her situation I focused on my driving which irritated her even more.

"Maa ko na shastra ki zaroorat nahi hai yudh me"

"Ab pata chala Darna zaroori kyu hai?"

"Aur nahi to kya. Pata nahi kb kaha ki konsi baate nikal rahi thi, aap samajh kr mujh se hi ladd rahi thi"

"Maa ko ek ek chiz yaad rehti hai, jo tum kab ka bhul gaye hoge lekin maa wo usse yaad rakhegi aur phir uss baat ka bhi phirse sunayegi"

"She has elephants memory"

"Aur nahi to kya" my phone ringed calling out Aarav, my wifey who was sitting on her lovely passenger seat answered the phone keeping it on speaker.

"Ye aapne ketu ka photo kyu bheja hai?"

"Maine? Ketu ka photo? Tujhe? Nahi to"

"Ha. Ketu ki pic bheji hai aapne mujhe"

"Ruk me check karta hu" wifey checked it for me showings I did share a photo to him.

"Arey wo galati se ho gaya hoga."

"Thik hai. Waise ketu bohot aachi lag rahi hai"

"Aakhir behan kiski hai?"

"Aapki hai aur kiski!"

"Phir..Arey sun to wo ketu ko koi pareshan kr raha hai office me"

"Kon?"

"Pata nahi, baato baato me ketu ne kaha ki internship me usse gaaliyan padti hai. Pata chale to usse sidha fire kr de mujhse puchna bhi Mt"

"Dekhta hu"

"To kaisa chal raha hai honeymoon?" Rabbit teased him, he wasn't able to answer that making obvious he was blushing.

"Condom ka stock hai ya khatam ho gaya?" I questioned getting a few slaps from my wife on my arm.

"Kuch bhi"

After a few more teasings we ended the call, only for my wife to lecture me about why did I handed Aarav a work when he is on his honeymoon. My sister is more important than his honeymoon.

"Glati se kaise send ho gayi picture?" She enquired

"Arey wo chiddhane ke liye bheji thi ketu ko.." ohhh no! Abir apna muh band rakha kr.

"Isme ketu ko kya chiddhana?"

"Ketu keh rahi thi ki photo quality acchi nahi hai, to maine kaha ki Aarav ki choice hai to usne kaha ki Aarav ki choice hi kharab hai and all isiliye usse chiddhane ke liye photo bhej di maine Aarav saath me ye bhi likhne waala tha ki phone kharab hai lekin phir wo jyada ho jata" expelled out quickly making a story through the tricks I learnt from her and she bought it.

Thanks partner ketu ka secret bach gaya.

But it's question to think, jo ketu meri shaadi ke baad apna sabkuch meri wife se share karti hai, usne ye baat sirf mujhe kyu batai? Ye baat to wo rabbit se bhi share kar sakti thi.

Shut up Abir don't over think, she is your sister, obviously ketu has more deeper and stronger bond with me than my wife.

As we picked up ketu, she started sharing about how her event went, what she did, what all items were there which she didn't taste. Even if I would have been on her place I would have done the same, but now it's enough. She should have outside food also.

"Ye yaha kyu Jaa rahe hai hum?" Ketu questioned as I turned car into parking of a restaurant.

"Khaana khaane!" My wifey replied,

"Ghar pr krne waale the na?" She counter questioned,

"Maine kaha tha na me bhi dekhta hu tumhe kon khaana deta hai ghar pr. Ab bahar khaana kha chup chap" she made some faces but agreed. She eats outside food when we are together.

Getting a table we ordered food and sat there chitt chatting about the event she just attended and a few other things.

Soon the food was served for us to eat, Ketu got a little conscious about her clothes as she just attended a wedding.

"Kitna tension legi ha? Hr baat me 100 chize to sochti hai. Ab mujhe dekh me kya pehan kr aaya hu? Track pant aur t shirt! Koi dekhta nahi hai ketu. Kisiko kuch nahi padhi. "

"Me apni baat kr rahi hu bhai, maine itna heavy lehanga pehna hai, log kya soch rahe honge" she explained softly,

Her every word just pissed me off more but I have to deal with it calmly cause removing those thoughts from her mind is crucial.

"Wo dekh fourth table wall side me," both of them saw the women I was talking about,

"Usne kaise kapde pehne hai, isse aache kapde to tu ghar pr pehanti hai, hai na? Road side nahi lag rahi? I mean itne acche restaurant me koi aise sadakchap kapde pehenkr thodi aata hai" I did it on purpose cause I know both of them will be furious listening to it. Rabbit looked in my eyes nodding in no asking me to not say so much but for its needed right now.

"Arey uske baju vale table pr dekh itni acchi ladki aur ladka kaisa hai, chii. Langur ke haath angur. Uss ladke ke kapde dekh kaise colour gaya hua shirt pehna hai, thik se press bhi nahi hai, aur wo aurat..."

"I know where this is going bhai. Please"

"Jb pata hai to aise bakwas kyu karti hai? Itni der se yaha baithi hai inn ko notice nahi kiya tune? Waise hi inhone bhi tujhe notice nahi kiya. Tu iss duniya me kisi ke liye utni important nahi hai jitna to sochti hai. Hr koi sirf tujhe nahi dekhta. Logo ko apne kaam hote hai, wo apni zindagi me busy hai tere baare me sochne ke liye time nahi hai unke pass. And for god's sake tu Mumbai me rehti hai. Yaha koi kisi ki zindagi me jaak kar nahi dekhta."

Aphrodite placed her hand on my thigh under the table, indicating to stop, glancing at her she was saying ' it's enough it got too much' through her eyes. I obliged to her,

"Aur waise bhi agar koi tere baare me kuch soch bhi raha hai to sochne de. Tujhe usse koi farak nahi padna chahiye."
Parrot tried to put some wisdom in her brain.

Ketu didn't reply to any of us just resumed eating, my words replayed in my head telling me how wrong I am,

"Me ye nahi keh raha ki tu important nahi hai, tu important hai, mere liye, maa ke liye, nanko ke liye, rabbit ke liye.."

"Konsa rabbit?" She enquired,

"Teri bhabhi!"

"Kuhu bhabhi?"

"Meri baat kr rahe hai!" Begum sahiba cleared,

"Nickname! Accha hai" ketu teased,

"Tu na bhabhi bulaya kr rabbit ko"

"Nahi, di accha hai!"

"Tu samjh bhi rahi hai tu kya kr rahi hai. Tu humara rishta hi badal rahi hai" yeah cause her sister means...

Earlier I didn't have much problem with me but now as our relation has changed to a proper husband and wife wala it feels a little awkward. I have been requesting ketu since long to call my wife bhabhi but she doesn't take it seriously.

"Aisa kuch nahi hota"

Wifey sat there enjoying our banter, the topic got changed real quick.

Paying the bill, we moved towards our house but as our ritual we did have ice cream and then reached home.

Being done with all her work, wifey laid on bed beside me forcing me to shove away the laptop and cuddle her. Angling my neck downwards, I brought my face closer to her to get a kiss,

"No" her index finger rested over my lips, having no other option I kissed her finger, got back to our cuddling position.
Pecking her forehead, "To kal jaye gynec ke pass?"

"Kal nahi mujhe office me kaam hai"

"To parso chale jaate hai"

"Aapko kaam nahi hai?"

"Hai. Pr me apna schedule adjust kr lunga na"

"Adjust?"

"Taana maar rahi ho? I get it"

"Nahi to. Kuch bhi"

"Sb pata hai mujhe."

"Aaye bade antaryami"

"Hu me. Pata nahi tumhe?"

"Ji baba ji maaf kijiye mujhe nahi malum tha"

"Idea accha hai!"

"Kis ke liye?"

"Role play ke liye" and she did two of her most favourite things together first uttering shut up and the other hitting me. I have kind of got an abusive wife but ab kya kare yahi piece likha hai zindagi me.

"Ek baat puchu"

"Hazar baar kaha hai permission ki zaroorat nahi hai" I uttered a little irritated by her question.

"Gynec ke pass kyu jaana hai?"

"To avoid pregnancy" it was on tip of my tongue

"Aapko bacche kyu nahi chahiye?"

"Aise baat nahi hai begum sahiba. Mujhe abhi bacche nahi chahiye. Baad me kabhi dekh lenge" making her understand softly

"Kb? Kyuki mujhe to Aisa lagta hai we should talk this out clearly"

"Of course" I sat up and made her too, my shoulders squaring as I faced her my eyes locked into hers

"Suno, me abhi baccho ke liye ready nahi hu..."

"Kb honge?"

"Maybe do teen saal me"

"Do teen saal me aisa kya badal jayega?"

"Bohot kuch. Me chahta hu ki hr ek moment me khud bhi jiu tumahre saath. Me koi moment miss nahi karna chahta apne kaam ki wajah se. Aaj tk sabne mujhse yahi complain ki hai ki me apne kaam ko jyada importance deta hu atleast mere bacche to na kare."

"Ab aap mujhe taana maar rahe hai"

"Nahi. Ye taana nahi hai, sacchai hai. Tum complain karti ho na ki me tumhe time nahi deta, aur sirf tum nahi maa ,ketu sb yahi kehte hai. To ye mere baccho ko to pass on na ho"

"To kya bacche hone ke baad aap apna kaam chod denge?"

"Obviously nahi begum sahiba. Lekin mujhe mera business itna to settle karna padega na ki agar me mahine me sirf do chaar din bhi jau to kaam ho jae. Jisse company apne aap function kr sake, meri jyada zaroorat na ho"

"Aur aapke hisab se ye business itna settle do teen saal me ho jayega?"

"Utna to nahi hoga pr me utna busy nahi rahunga jitna ab hu. Sach batau?"

"Hmm"

"Mujhe personally maa se bohot shikayat rahi hai, kyuki unhone kabhi mere saath waqt hi nahi bitaya. No doubt ki wo sb mehnat humare liye hi thi, pr wo jo din hote hai na wo wapas nahi aate.." the mere words took me back to days when I used to beg maa for her time but she didn't had any. After a point I understood that she's never going to have time for me, I used to hate her, I became harsh towards her. And baba he would spend his whole day with me in a sober state, that made me feel important making me lean more towards baba. Being a kid I failed to understand why maa behaved like that, but growing up I started to realise my mistake. Baba was an alcoholic and a slacker so someone had to stand up for the family and maa did it.

Thanks to the idiot gorilla who made me realise this otherwise still I would have been in that delusion of aversion of maa. One day in my old office I had a fight with maa where I said many hurtful words to her, she left silently. But then I got a 5 panne ka bhashan from that gorilla about maa, surprisingly he was right.

Maybe he knew the worth of it because he never had it, whereas I didn't value it because I had it effortlessly.

"Kaha kho gaye aap?"

"Uhmmm kuch nahi" nodding in no I looked away from her

"Keh dijiye"

"Arey nahi sach me kuch nahi soch Raha tha" her palms reached mine trying to squeeze them but didn't make any difference to me physically but emotionally it did a lot

"Me nahi chahta ki humare baccho ka pehle word, first time jb wo crawl karenge, pehla step, pehle bite, First day of school, first birthday
Kuch bhi miss Karu. Mujhe wo saare pal jeene hai, socho humare bacche ne apna pehla word hi papa kaha aur me office me rahunga, koi matlab hi nahi raha phir.

Ye pal shayad baccho ko yaad na rahe, pr mujhe to rahenge na zindagi bhar ke liye" my voice is barely as a whisper I could feel my chest constricting.

"Abir" she called out tenderly as her fingers rested beneath my chin making me look into her eyes,

"I understand. Me bs chahti hu ki hum dono same page pr rahe isiliye baate clear karna chahti thi"

"I know. Isme tumhari galti nahi hai, galati to meri hai. Tumhe to bacche chahiye me hi bass... Sorry" my eyes darted down not able to meet hers.

"Nahi, nahi Abir" her hands holding my face opposite to her as I slowly met my orbs with her.

"Mujhe bhi abhi bacche nahi chahiye. Wo sneha pata hai aapko usne apna business band karne ka socha hai because wo pregnant hai. I mean itna bada sacrifice! Me bhi pehle apna career set karna chahti hu"

"Konsa business hai uska?"

"Handloom sarees"

"Bech rahi hai to mujh se milne bolo"

She couldn't help but chuckle at my words, slapping my arm lightly

"Kabhi to apna business dimag side me rakha kijiye"

"Ok sorry. Continue" I acted innocent dismissing the burden that was just felt.

"Ha to aapko jaise aapka business set karna hai waise hi mujhe bhi apna career set karna hai. Aur mujhe nahi lagta ki me abhi baccho ke liye ready hu. Wo ek bohot badi zimmedari hai"

"Me bhi wahi keh raha hu. It's not the right time. Isiliye protection is zaroori"

"But we use condoms phir gynec ke pass jaane ki kya zaroorat hai?"

"Condoms sirf 97% safe hai. Aur me koi risk nahi lena chahata"

"Ye sach bhi hai ya Friends dekh kr bol rahe hai?"

"Sach hai"

our little talk continued until she came up with an idea of calling Aarav as it was almost 1:30 AM the perfect time to disturb them as they are on thier honeymoon.

Calling him, he answered the call on the second ring itself,
surprising us a little he talked in a whispering yet very awake tone.

"Aise kyu baat kr raha hai?"

"Wo Myra so rahi hai na. Bechari ki tabiyat bohot kharab thi"

"Kya hua usse?" My wife asked out of concern as the phone is on speaker.

"Period cramps!" He answered softly,

"Take care of her" wifey uttered. Once she was done I removed the phone from speaker, moving it close to my ears,

"Ek second ha" moving away from her I walked to the balcony so she couldn't hear our talks.

"Toh laal zhandi?" Referring to her periods which stopped him from going close to his new wife

"Ha"

"Bechara honeymoon pr hai"

"Ab kya kare. Lekin abhi time hai"

"Don't tell ki peeche ka dwaar" that's gross and seriously unhygienic. Moreover bechari itne pain me hoti hai aur inko sex karna hai.

"No. Nahi. Maar dalegi wo mujhe"

"To agar wo maan jayegi to tu karega?" That's very stupid of him, I would disown him

"Nahi. Kya kuch bhi soche jaa rahe hai. Apni train ko break lagaiye."

"Teri baaton ka kuch aur matlab nahi hai. Mujhe pata tha tu gira hua hai lekin itna?"

"Aap sunenge meri baat?"

"Nahi. Tu meri sunn ye jo tu soch raha hai na uske liye purana me alag saza hai. Tere liye alag tel garam ho raha hai..."

"Ek aur hafta baaki hai"

"Ha to chaar din to chale jayenge bache teen hi din"

"Isiliye to me soch raha hu ki apna honeymoon thoda extend kr du"

"Tu pagal hai? Konse nashe kar raha hai? Mujhe wo sb nahi pata. Tu agle Wednesday wapas aa raha hai that's it"

"Thode aur dino ki to baat hai"

"Kitne?"

"10"

"Matlab Friday ko wapas aa jayega"

"Nahi. Wednesday se das din. Matlab 28 ko"

"Wapas mt aa udhar hi reh ja! Zaroorat nahi hai. Ye naukri chod de. Udhar hi dhoond le ek nayi job. Let me tell you waha koi boss tujhe mahine bhar ki paid holiday nahi deta"

"I know. Isiliye to aapke yaha kaam karta hu"

"Shut up yaar. Wo jo cartoon rakh ke gaya hai na tu ek kaam nahi karte dhang se. Hr chiz detail me samjhani padti hai."

"Please. Pehli baar sab khoobsurat lag raha hai please"

"Ab zindagi bhar sb KHOOBSURAT lagega. Kaam kar lo"

"Kuch din aur rehne dijiye"

"Nahi"

"Please"

"Ek baar mana kiya na maine" he kept asking and I kept denying unless I got bored of it, so I just ended it with a

"Soch ke bataunga" even though I am going to say yes to him.

"Jaldi"

Disconnecting the call I walked back joining my other half in the king size wooden bed,

"Aise kya baat thi jo mere saamne nahi ho sakti thi?"

She crossed her hands over her chest pushing up those two beautiful parts of her. My gaze lingered on her chest admiring those curves of her.

Down. Abir. Not tonight.

No means no.

"Timepass"

"Phir bhi yaha baith kr baat kar sakte the na"

"Boys talk" casually answering her, I took the new maroon blanket covering both of us.

"Mere saamne nahi kar sakte the?"

"Nahi!" I slided down laying on the bed, switching off the lights waiting for her to do the same.

"Aisa kya keh rahe the?"

"Nahi bata sakta. Aajao" patting the place beside me which had a maroon coloured bedsheet over it.

"Kyu?"

"Agar kr sakta toh balcony me kyu jata?" Counter questioned softly my voice being below my normal decibel.

"Mujhe janna hai phir bhi" she slid beside me. Her head rested over my left shoulder, the warmth of her body seeping into mine, I wrapped my arms around her fingers tangling in her hairs, feeling the softness and little bit of oil of her locks,

"Me usse bs chidha raha tha ki Myra ko periods aaye hai and all" I know she won't stop until she gets her answer. She is quite adamant.

"Ohh. To isme kya boys talk bol dete"

"Hmm" I hummed as I shifted to my left side securing her in both my arms as it gave peace to me not to my cock definitely but we can't do anything about it.

Silence acquired the room as I moved closer to my sleep closing my eyes,

"Abir!"

"Hmm" my eyes still closed,

"Ek sawal hai!"

"Hmm"

"Suniye na thik se"

"Kaan khule hai rabbit"

"Look at me"

Ye ladki aur iska 'look at me' se obsession mujhe pasand hai ek to neend aa rahi hai mujhe lekin phir bhi biwi hai meri "bolo" bending a little I looked into her eyes.

"Aaj tak aapne life me aisa kya kiya jisse aap regret karte ho?"

"Seriously? Raat ke 2 baje tum mujh se ye puch rahi ho?"

"Ha"

"Ab jawab jane baigar sone nahi dogi" I know her stubbornness

"Nahi"

"Sochne do"

As my brain tried to fetch through all the memories I realised there were many things I regret about, like loving the wrong girl, not being available for my sister misbehaving with begum sahiba, not living upto anyone's expectations, losing maa's gold jewellery from her wedding that was mortgaged, couldn't help nanko from getting addicted, the accident with Harsh. Damn that accident. I shouldn't have let him drive that day. That's why I keep requesting my wifey to drive safely

"Aap itne acche hai ki aapne kabhi kuch galat nahi kiya?" The sarcasm in her question did hit me on.

"Nahi. Bohot bura hu." Well that's what I am realising now. How bad I have been in my life. So many mistakes that I have made. My gaze dropped eyes scanning the darkness as my mind flooded with those memories where I have failed.

"Kya kuch bhi?"

"Hazar chizze aise hi jinhe me regret karta hu" my eyes not on her but somewhere else

"Itni kaise ho sakti hai?"

"Mere liye hai. Batao konsi sunni hai?"

"Jo bhi aap batane me comfortable ho"

"Mera na ek dost hai Harsh. Mera room mate tha college ke time. Usse bike racer banna tha, itni tez bike chalata tha ki lagta tha jaise agle hi pal jaan chali jayegi" a smile spread across my face as I recalled his antics, his infectious laughter. our bond was so well known in the college that people would question me about him if they spotted me alone.

"Phir ek din aise hi shaam ko hum bahar ghumne jaana chahte the, usne kaha ki bike pr jate hai maine mana kiya bhi, jaise tumhe dreams aate hai na ki kuch bura hone wala hai waise hi mujhe uss din instinctively feel hua ki kuch to galat hai isiliye maine harsh ko mana bhi kiya ki aaj nahi jaate lekin wo mana nahi"

Her head shifted from arms to my chest resting over my heart as it's beats slowed down with those horrific memories, of him lying with blood all over his body and the broken leg.

"Phir?" Her head tilted up to meet my eyes,

"Phir... Wo apna humesha ki tarah bike tez chala raha tha, wrong side se truck aai aur accident ho gaya.." her grip on my t shirt tightened.

"Uske pair ka operation hua, rod dala hua hai.. wo ek saal coma me bhi tha..."

"Aap? Aap to thik the na?" She panicked hearing about him,

I shrugged trying to downplay my own injuries "Of course mujhe kya hoga !" A wry smile crept on my face "helmet usne nahi maine pehna tha..." The irony wasn't lost on me

"Baaki kuch chote mote fractures the jo 6-7 mahine me thik ho gaye pr harsh uski to zindagi barbad ho gayi na. Kaash uss din wo helmet usne pehna hota maine nahi" I whispered the regret still fresh.

Her eyes filled with empathy as she reached up gently to brush my hair strand behind my ear, "Abir, ye aapki galti nahi thi"

"Kaise?" I demanded my voice rising as I couldn't contain my emotions.

"Galati to meri bhi thi na, me usse kaise bhi karke mana sakta tha, hum rickshaw ya taxi ya chal ke kaise bhi jaa sakte the. Maine apne instincts ko nazar andaaz kiya... Upar se helmet bhi khud pehen liya. Meri galti nahi to aur kya hai?"

Her eyes never left mine, her expressions were tender and understanding, "aapne try Kiya na. Aapne harsh ko samjhane ki koshish ki, lekin wo nahi mana. Ye aapki galti nahi hai"

I shook my head with mixed emotions regret, guilt and frustration, "nahi, Chaand. Agar maine uss baat pr jyada zor diya hota to shayad wo accident nahi hota"

Her hand enveloped mine, her touch comforting me in between my emotional turmoil, "Jo hona hota hai wo to ho jata hai na Abir. Agar aap log chal ke bhi jaate the to bhi shayad accident ho hi jata na! Uska din hi kharab ho shayad"

Her words struck a chord and for a moment I considered the accident wasn't entirely my fault but the years of guilt won't fade off just like that, "pata hai chaand. Wo jb hospital me tha na, me roz jaata tha usse milne pr wo react hi nahi karta tha. Me roz bhagwan se yahi kehta tha ki bs harsh ko thik kar do,.." I trailed off the memories still painful.

"aur pata hai jis din mujhe harsh ki behan ka Phone aaya ki usse hosh aagaya. Mere pair harsh ke ghar ki taraf mude hi nahi..." The shame and guilt etched my face

"Kyu?" She questioned genuinely confused

"Mujh me uski aankhon me dekhne ki himmat hi nahi thi... Mujhe nahi pata tha ki me usse kaise milunga, usse kya kahunga, kuch nahi.. bss kuch pata tha to ki accident me meri galti bhi thi."

"Phir kab mile aap Harsh se?"

"Kabhi nahi. Aaj tak nahi. Wo guilt wo regret ne mujhe kabhi harsh se milne hi nahi diya. Chaand"

Her eyes filled with compassion as she listened to my confession. She squeezed my hand gently, her touch being a comforting balm for my frayed emotions.

"Aapne apni taraf se sab kuch kiya. Wo accident hona hi tha, aap kab tak bacha paate Harsh ko, jyada der tk nahi. Aap agar waha hote bhi ya nahi wo accident hona hi tha." She exclaimed trying to give me reasons to not be in the guilt.

I felt a lump formed in my throat as I Listened to her words soothing the pain and the guilt that had been festering for so long

I looked at her searching for reassurance for forgiveness, but most of all I was searching for a way to forgive myself. Her words worked as a balm to my soul, but I knew I still had a long way to go.

"Pr chaand.."

"Shhh" she hushed me with her finger. "Abhi pr vr kuch nahi. Mujhe itna pata hai ki isme aapki galti nahi thi aur aapko iss baat ka itna stress nahi lena chahiye." I couldn't comprehend an answer to give her.

I felt a wave of emotions wash over me as I looked at my moon, her words, her touch, her presence everything about her is a reminder for me that I am not alone, there is someone who cares of me, someone who wants me to heal, wants to get off the guilt.

"Aur vaise bhi abhi almost 3 baj rahe hai, please soo jaate hai bohot neend aa rahi hai" she said her voice softening "Subah office bhi jana hai hum dono ko. Please" she requested

"Hmm" I nodded as she rested her head over my chest trailing off to her sleep.

I laid their awake mind racing through the thoughts of the past, wifey's words did bring me some comfort, but I couldn't shake off the guilt and the responsibility that had been weighing over me for years.

Glancing at my chaand she was fast asleep. Her peaceful expression were stark contrast to my inner turmoil that brewing inside me.

My eyelids grew heavier, my body scummbing to the exhaustion that had been building up for hours. I felt myself drift to sleep my mind finally quieting down.

*******

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