Ashwini's POV

I froze. 

As soon as dada’s voice boomed in the bathroom, my breath caught in my throat while my eyes got closed tightly. 

I could feel him, near me. His warm breath tickled my cold shivering skin while he moved away a bit.

I breathed hardly and than — 

“Take it and change, we are leaving.” he pushed a towel towards me while I gulped before taking it with my shivering hands. 

The only sound that reverberated was of my bangles as they clinked together with my hesitant movements. 

I didn't even glance at dada, I can't. What will he think of me, NOW!!!?

but we weren't doing anything!

But he doesn't know it!

They fought yesternight, ASHWINI CHANGE AND RUN DOWNSTAIRS YOU STUPID GIRLLL!!

My mind screamed as I hastily locked the door while my body still trembled after what just happened. 

The closeness. 

The water. 

His voice. 

The explanation. 

My anger. 

His attitude, as always. 

That unknown fleeting touch. 

It was all too much for my poor heart to handle. 

I tried to compose myself as well as my saree which was too difficult to wear. 

I gulped while thinking about my brother and him. I hope they don't fight now. My hands moved hurriedly, non-systematically, my mind too occupied with his thoughts — not my brother and his thoughts — actually only brother’s thoughts. 

Why will I THINK about him!?

I don't THINK ABOUT him!?

He is a — STUPID MAN, WITH HIS STUPID EGO.

I unlatched the door while preparing myself for the upcoming interrogation session with my brother. He won't leave me today. 

My feet brushed through the end of my saree while my bangles chimed together— their sound echoing in the eerily silent corridors of THE KULKARNI BHAWAN. 

My heart slammed against the ribcages while my mind was still stuck in that time where his after shave filled my senses. 

KALA JAADU KIYA HAI MERE BHAI KE DUSHMAN NE MUJHE PAR!!

My hands fisted on my saree as soon as I heard my brother’s voice. I descended the stairs while my eyes caught my brother seated with Vardan in his lap as they discussed something. 

A smile of its own form touched my lips as I saw both of them playing something in dada’s cellphone. 

I quickly made my way towards the kitchen not wanting to face my brother with his favourite — POISONOUS BLACK COFFEE — eww!

I hate KAALI COFFEE!

I entered the kitchen only to freeze on my place when my eyes fell on — him. 

Who gave him permission to enter inside the kitchen —actually MY KITCHEN!

Not knowing what to do — I CLEARED MY THROAT!

BEHRE HAIN KYAA!?

I DID IT AGAIN. 

No response. 

What should I do!?

If he doesn't move away from the stove, how will make that KAALI COFFEE!?

Suniye?

Chee yrr, Ashwini!

Mr. Kulkarni?

No way!

Ughh!

And then — as if the universe finally tried to listen to all of my prayers — he turned around. 

His squinted eyes fell on me and he sucked in a deep breath while looking away, as if he didn't expect me here at this time.

He looked at me like I AM SOME ATHEIST WHO HAS ENTERED IN THE TEMPLE!

I scrunched my nose at his reaction while stepping forward to take out the mug for the COFFEE. 

I huffed loudly when he didn't move away from his place. 

“I’ve already made the coffee” I chose to ignore him while taking out the mug from the drawer. 

“Aapko  sunai kam deta hai kya?” He closed the drawer from the other end while stepping beside me with a safe distance between us. 

[Do you have difficulty in hearing?]

“Aapse zyada sunai deta hai” I gave him a tight lipped smile while shuffling through the cabinets, ignoring his presence. 

[I can hear better than you]

“Dada ko thandi coffee nahi pasand” I murmured while taking out a mug for myself. 

[Dada don't like cold coffee]

“Aapke dada ko toh mai bhi pasand nahi hu” 

[Your dada don't even like me]

Inko kya hua!

My hand fingers tightened around the edge of my pallu as I stopped twisting it the moment he answered back with this much sass. 

THIS OLD GRUMPY MAN CAN DO THIS — I DIDN'T KNOW, ACTUALLY. 

HE NEVER TAKES INTEREST IN TALKING & ALL.

humesha muh fulae hue rehte hai!

Just like those grumpy fufajis in every Indian wedding. 

I was barely able to glance at his way as all the nervousness crawled upon me as soon as I found him taking interest in my talks. 

His presence is very intimate.

Not from today but from all those seven years I’ve known him. 

When my brother took him to our house for dinner, the first even day my teenage self met him. 

The quiet, charming, demanding personality he carried even in that time was enchanting — the kind of personality that didn't ask for any attention but still managed to get it.

I rushed outside my hold on my saree getting tighter as soon as I neared the couch where Vardan and dada were seated. 

“Mumma” my little naughty boy doesn't even know what is happening around him!

‘Yes, baby?” I bent down to take him in my arms as he ran toward me with his arms open widely. 

I kissed him as he giggled on my neck while hiding his face there. 

I walked forward towards dada as I felt certain someone was following me with that cup of coffee. 

“Here” he kept the cup on the table with a loud clink making sure to take dada’s attention. 

“Konsa zeher dala?” I knew dada wouldn't shut his mouth up! Aakhir bhai kiske hai!

*Taping my back*

“Ek kodi na barbaad karu terpe, zeher ke paise Dena toh durr ki baat hai” my eyes widened while he sat adjacent to dada drinking the coffee without even pushing it any further. 

“Motherfu—  DADA, V is also here, have some shame. Kal ladai karke aao logo ko samajh nahi aayi kya!” I shrieked when Dada was about to kick his leg. 

“Vini, go to your room” 

I gave vardan to the maid as she took him to his room while I looked at both of these grown men who can't even spend a day like grown ones with each other. 

“Dada, please stop this and why did you guys fight yesterday, huh!?” I stepped towards him demanding answers while he looked at me silently. 

“He started all of  it,” Dada said while pinged towards his dear enemy. 

“I didn't.” he said while huffing a large annoying breath. 

“Agar tu tameez se baat kar leta na toh  kuch hota bhi nahi, samjha?” he said while standing up from the couch, his hands stuffed in his pant’s pockets. 

[None of this would have happened if you had spoken to her respectfully]

“Behen hai meri, samjha!?” dada stepped towards him but before he could go near him — I stepped forward tugging at dada’s wrist slowly. 

‘Biwi hai meri, samjha!” his voice echoed in my ears as he fully turned around while looking at me. 

•°. 🪷*࿐

My hands brushed through the soft fabric

of the towel he gave me in the morning all the memories rushed back as I tried to bottle them up again.

I clutched my saree more tightly when I remembered that everyone would be here anytime.

his mother, father, harsh bhaiya, Nisha, Naqsh and Aryan.

He doesn't like me. The only thing I am sure of is - his cold demeanor towards me.

I looked at myself and - CHEE! KITNI EWW SAREE PEHNI HAII MAINE!!!

I dipped my head in my hands in embarrassment as I realised he also saw me in this saree.

I quickly got up while taking the towel with me.

I came here in his room to return his towel before he comes here but now I don't want to keep it here.

I just want it.

For myself.

I turned around while my long braid swayed behind me, my bangles chimed together while the anklets - they didn't jingle, they were quiet, too quiet.

I was about to open the door but it got open before I could even go futher towards the doorknob.

The air shifted - sandalwood, spice, something I can't name of overshadowed the surroundings and breath hitched.

I quickly shifted behind while clutching the towel to my chest as my eyes fell on those dark black polished shoes.

My gaze was zeroed on the floor.

I quickly stepped aside, clutching the pleats of my saree with the other hand.

He is busy with some papers in his hand and his mobile phone in the other.

I stepped out of the room while trying to gain my composure.

I will change in V's room.

I unlocked the door of his room only to find him asleep.

My eyes fell on him as he was all covered with a duvet for the first time or else I would have found the duvet on the floor.

I can't change my saree here, he will wake up and if he does, I won't be able to do any single work.

I turned around — towards his room.

I don't have any choice.

I entered inside quietly not wanting to get noticed by him.

No. No at all.

But before I could even ask him anything he entered inside the washroom with his clothes.

I breathed audibly.

He is going to have a bath.

It's his routine.

I turned around taking my saree, I fastly undid my saree and started to drap the new one.

My hands worked faster in nervousness, what if he opens the door? What will he think of me!?

That I want his attention —

BHAGG!!!!

WHY WILL I WANT HIS ATTENTION!?

HUH!?

I was almost done when the washroom's door got open and my hand froze on my pallu which fortunately is pinned securely.

I rushed towards the dressing table, taking out my bangles and wearing the other ones, ignoring the one who has just stepped in my — dressing table's direction.

I kept the bangles on the table securely and turned aorund without messing anything.

But—

I heard that—

The sound of glass — breaking.

My eyes widened as I turned around and he looked at me, like he knew it is going to happen.

He stood there, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

Anirudh gifted me these bangles. My classmate. He has joined the army now. We barely meet and he gave me these bangles at my wedding, because I asked him to.

I crouched down —

"Go, I will manage this" he muttered while taking those broken pieces.

"No, thanks" I gave him a tight lipped smile while sliding those broken pieces towards me.

"If you get hurt by these, trust me the consequences won't be in your favour like always."

ACHAA. NAHI WHAT DOES HE EVEN THINK OF HIMSELF!? HUH!?

"zyaada na baniye mt aap, samjhe!?" I pointed my finger towards him while we both were still picking up those pieces.

"Ek toh you broke them and  now you are ordering me around." I glared at him while muttering under my breath.

"Why are so stubborn? Acha, ha behen bhi toh kiski ho" he said his tone edged with his 2 KODI KA SARCASM!!

"Abhi dada ko call kr dungi, durr hatiye!" I said while folding my hands as I stood up and he was still there picking those pieces, ignoring me.

"Dad"

My head swept around as V ran towards our direction with the telephone in tiny hands.

"No, V don't come here." I stopped him while taking him in my arms.

"No, mumma. I want to talk to dad, first." He said impatiently, almost coming out of my arms, leaning towards him.

"What happened, V?" He took him in his arms while taking the telephone from vardan.

"Tawll, sam" he said.

Call. Sam — wait — WHAT!?

"Why baby?" Acha pyaar se baat karna aati hai inhe.

"He ashked me to tawl him whenevel you go neal mumma, he shaid you ale halmful fol mumma" my eyes widened, coming out of its sockets, when he said it out loud.

"Let's call him" he almost dialed dada's number —

"No, why are you calling him?" I shrieked almost jumping on my place.

"You were also remembering him, let me have a talk with him, now." Arre yrr.

"Ha toh laaiye m baat krr lungi" I forwarded my hand.

"You better go and do whatever you want to" he ordered — DID HE JUST ORDER!?

"Dekhiye suniye, yeh naa kaali-kaali aankhein mujhe Matt dikhaiye" I said while pointing my finger towards him.

Vardan giggled in his hold while clapping loudly as he wiggled out of his hold.

"Mumma, scowled papa.yeah!" He did a little dance while singing this repeatedly.

My ears burned while my cheeks flushed as I realised my voice was too high pitched.

I looked at him with the corner of my eyes. His jaw was cleaned, hands were tightly wrapped around the telephone as I saw how beautifuly those veins were visible and his eyes — those black eyes they were zeroed on me.

Shit.

WHY I LITERALLY DO THIS WITH MYSELF, EVERYTIME!?

"I-I didn't s-scolded h-him, V" I was too flustered, embarrassed and nervous under his burning gaze.

A knock.

THANK GOD!

"Sir, everyone is here" I breathed in relief when someone said out from the other side of the already opened door.

I gulped when he didn't move. I did. I strided towards the exit.

I descended the stairs and found everyone.

I went towards his father bending down to touch his feet but he didn't let me, he just patted my head.

Giving me blessings.

Turning towards his mother, I was about to touch her feet when he hugged me and kisses my forehead, lovingly.

Harsh bhaiya touched my despite my denial and Nisha — I hugged her before she could do the same.

NAQSH was asleep.

And than —

My eyes fell on ARYAN.

He came towards me, slowly. Hesitantly, nervously — he stood in front of me — than crouched down — touching my feet.

His tiny hands, those long hair, and those grey eyes everything is different from him.