Bengal, Chatterjee Residence

Anirban was trying to hide his smile, as he sat on the chair and drew it towards the table.

He was loving it. He was loving the way his Mini was playing hide-and-seek with him, with her veiled desires. She wished him to do everything to her, yet pretend as if she was unbothered. And today, he saw a different sense of softness in her eyes, probably when he asked her to stay for him. The way she abruptly lowered her lashes, and leaned against him after that; she was bold yet was shy. She was wild yet soft and sensual. Pretending to be unaffected, yet her innocent eyes yearned for it.

She was trying to hide her smile everytime he uttered something sensual to her, her cheeks flushed deeply and how she had closed her eyes to feel him kiss her. Heck, like that he wouldn't even mind her that pretentious frown, as long he had the opportunity to watch that frown trying to prevent itself from softening with his words; he was definitely enjoy every bit of it. 

His eyes trailed over to Saudamini, who was standing and watching everyone take a seat with a soft smile. Her long hairs were pulled to one side, head draped with the edge of her saree.

Back to her normal self.

Sometimes, seeing her so collected, one could only imagine how wild she could turn actually. 

And only Anirban had the right to turn her wild. 

Saudamini flickered her gaze to him repeatedly, and he bit his lips to hide a cryptic smile. He watched her gulp a bit, and look away and take a seat beside; perhaps understanding that mischief behind the glance. She looked down at her dinner plate, pressing her lips together.

Adorable as heck!

"Mini dear, are you feeling alright by the way?" Meghmaala questioned out of concern.

Anirban cleared his throat lightly, and Subhankar seemed to have got that. He covered his mouth with the back of his palm, clearly indicating he was trying hard not to chuckle. And seeing Subhankar like that, Anirban was having a difficult time to control himself from snickering too. The former gave him a hopeless shake of head, trying to hide his smile. 

Saudamini's eyes widened discreetly, as she tried to look around, "Yes Didi...." 

Meghmaala nodded with a small smile, "It's nothing, just keep yourself hydrated," 

"Yeah Mini.....don't burden yourself,"

"Yes Maashi," She nodded, peering at them. 

Saudamini felt like turning into a puddle of embarassment, while Anirban and Subhankar were trying there best to stay sober. Her cheeks were flushed deep red, she kept on peering at Anirban, her jaws turning warm watching him enjoy every moment of it. Oh God, where was she stuck? 

Anirban further decided to tease her, silently stretching his feet towards her underneath the table, and brushing her toes slightly with his, causing her to flinch immediately. Saudamini bit her lip now, trying not to react as a servant walked up towards her and Anirban to serve rice. She instinctively curled her toe, trying to glare at him, but when did it even work on him? He nudged her feet teasingly, with a light smirk on his lips. 

She shifted her feet underneath the hem of her saree, but he smirked further and skimmed away the hem with his toes, and lightly caressed her feet further. The butterflies erupting in her stomach was now too much to handle.

"Let me eat peacefully..." She finally managed to mutter, after seeing everyone indulged in gossiping with each other. 

"Mini," Anirban gushed, blinking playfully at her.

"What?" She whispered at him with slightly furrowed brows.

"You're too adorable," He winked at her, and immediately her little frown was replaced by a bit of shocked expression. As expected, she looked around to ensure if anyone heard them.

"Oh my dear virgin eyes...." Subhankar mumbled, trying to drink water from his glass to hide his sarcastic smile. Saudamini brushed away the strands of her hair, cursing herself from choosing a place with Anirban and Subhankar. The two exchanged glances through their cryptic smiles and eye movements, and what they understood and snickered about, only they knew.

 Definitely making fun of her.

Next time, she would sit beside Tripti on the other end, she made up her mind. 

.

.

.

Night had already fallen, the cool soothing breezes playing with the curtains and the faint moonlight peeping through. The fragrance of jasmines was floating around, all thanks to the trees of them planted nearby. 

Saudamini glided the comb through her thick hairs, untangling the knots. Anirban had created a mess with them, while curling them in his fingers repeatedly.....while they made love. He was impossible. She breathed in and shut her eyes, biting her lower lip as she untangled her tresses. A smile was threatening to erupt on her lips, but she was trying hard not to let it etch. She peered at her husband through the corner of her eye, who was lying on the bed beside her, flipping through a book with a lopsided smile on his face.

Indeed, jubilant after teasing her to death throughout the day! And she? She couldn't do anything about it!

She knew he was enjoying every inch of it, his eyes showed it all. And she, she always fell in his trap; the sweet trap which he laid for her, with his mischief, his passionate gaze and flirtateous words. 

And as much as she wanted to deny, she liked all of it.....

Her fingers worked on twisting her hairs into a long braid, while lowering her lashes while pressing her lips together. And within a jiffy, she felt Anirban's finger hooking to a few of her hair strands that was pushed behind to flicker in front of her ear; he wasn't even looking at her, instead his eyes were fixed upon the book which he was holding with his free hand.

Saudamini's gazed snapped at him, and his smile widened, as he unabashedly began to flicker that curly strand of hair back and forth with his fingers.  And a goofy smile on his face was making it too difficult for her to purse her lips from smiling.

"How is your health now, Mini dear?" Anirban faked his aunt's accent, causing her to side eye him nervously.

"You're alright right? Did you drink water?" 

"S-so? So what?" Saudamini gulped, looking away, "It's all your fault, after all....."

"Oh yes, and you're the epitome of innocence aren't you?" Anirban smirked, flipping towards her side. 

"Look, I...I was just saving my self-respect, okay?" She blinked, keeping the comb away and pushing back the strands of her hairs. Anirban snickered, shaking his head, "Of course, of course. I mean, like really- you look like a statue of innocence from outside, but internally-" He bit the corner of his lips. 

"Wildness is hidden in every inch of you!"

"It's nothing so, Anirban-" Her jaws flushed, as she was thinking of something to counter him. But he playfully raised his eyebrows at her, causing her to press her lips together briefly, "And by the way, what do you think of yourself huh? That you can fool me that easily?" 

"Hnn?" Anirban confusedly raised a brow.

"I know everything about you and h-how you lied to my mother," Saudamini exhaled, narrowing her gaze at him, "Why did you say that I am the only woman you laid eyes upon and all those things?" 

"What...?" Anirban blinked, gulping slightly. How did she know about it?

"Now don't you act innocent Anirban," Her brows furrowed a bit, "You have flirted with women openly before me, didn't you?"

"So what? I-it was before my marriage okay? And who told you all this?" He sat up straight, his face showing that he had been caught. 

"You just did it to flatter everyone..." Saudamini looked away, lowering her lashes. It was not that she was hurt, she couldn't be, given that she too had loved Satyakaam once upon a time. But Anirban gushed of things like an ideal man should.

"Uff, Mini.....who says all these things to parents?"

"Then you didn't have to tell them only!" Saudamini argued back, "Why did you lie? You also lied to me!" 

"Gosh, it is not even lying okay? It's partially true," Anirban exhaled, giving her a sheepish smile. He knew that he had been caught and there was no way he could escape, "I admit I did flirt and all that, but I had no intentions of marrying that time and all that, okay? You are the only woman I wanted to marry!"

"But you gave them false hopes, didn't you?"

"I was just, just...kidding with them Mini," Anirban blinked, "It was just harmless flirt...nothing serious,"

"You kissed their palms, gave them flowers and instilled hope in that you will marry them, right?" She gave him a sharp look.

"Mini-"

"What Mini? First you tell me why did you lie to me and everyone?" 

"Arrey, is this something to be worthy of anger? I told you right, I had no intentions of marrying them," Anirban started to chuckle nervously, while Mini shook her head, "But you lied to me right? And now pretending to be all innocent! And now, now you're trying to laugh over it as well...." She exhaled, looking away.

"Is it?" Anirban's lips curved into a smile, as he held her arm and pulled her close. Her breath hitched as she landed against his chest with a confused glance, while his lips gradually curved up, "Fine then, I admit that I am a liar, a flatterer and all that," He wrapped her one arm around his neck, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "So, about you then? Are you a washed leaf of tulsi then?"

"And you never lied to me?" 

"W-why will I lie to you?" Saudamini stuttered, angling her head sideways as Anirban brushed the tip of his nose against her cheek; and again thousands of butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she shut her eyes tight.

When will this magic of Anirban stop affecting her?

"Fine then, let's open your notebook of lies too...."

★★★★★★★★★

A/N

🌝Jhooth ka khaata bara jabardast khulega lagta hai

Signing off for today!

Nushkie