19. TEASINGS
Vivan leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting from the food to Aarvi sitting across from him. For the first time, he really looked at her, not as the girl he was forced to marry but as Aarvi.
Her saree pallu kept slipping from her shoulder, and each time, she'd fumble nervously to fix it, her lashes lowered, never quite meeting his eyes. Something about that small, restless gesture tugged at him.
Without thinking, he asked, "Do you feel uncomfortable in saree?"
Aarvi's spoon paused midway. Her head shot up, startled her eyes went wide. For a second, she looked like he had asked her to spit her secrets instead of something so ordinary.
He cleared his throat quickly, caught off guard.
"Uhm, I'm just asking because... I've always seen you in saree.
I'm not saying it's not good, it is, but it must be quite uncomfortable for you.
" His brows lifted slightly, teasing now.
"Like... you can't wear it in the bathroom, right? It'll get wet."
Aarvi blinked at him, lips parted. Then, after a moment, she gave the tiniest nod.
"And..." his voice softened, curious, "you even sleep in saree?"
This time she answered, her tone low but steady. "I only had sarees in my luggage. The house I was supposed to marry into... they told us strictly their daughters in law would wear only traditional clothes."
Something flickered in Vivan's eyes. He didn't speak for a few seconds, just studied her face. Then, with a suddenness that surprised even himself, he said, "Do you wanna go shopping with me?"
Aarvi froze. For a moment, there was nothing but pin drop silence in the room. Then, almost hesitantly, she whispered, "I... is this a pity-"
But before she could finish, he cut in quickly, flustered, "N-no, it's just-"
"I will."
Her answer came too fast, cutting him off. Both of them stilled, staring at each other in disbelief.
Vivan's jaw eased, and though he tried to keep his face unreadable, something warm spread inside his chest.
It wasn't pity. God, no. It wasn't even duty. I just... couldn't stop picturing her in clothes she chose, not ones forced on her by someone else's rules.
And the way her eyes had lit up, nervous yet hopeful, I couldn't remember the last time I seen anyone look at me like that.
Vivan stood up after finishing his food. He adjusted his watch, straightened his shirt, and said calmly, "Get ready. I'll be downstairs waiting."
Without waiting for her reply, he left the room.
Downstairs, his mother was arranging something on the dining table when he walked up.
"Where are cha-" he stopped in the middle realising that they are not supposed to respect now.
He huffed and asked again "where are they?" he asked.
"They left already," she replied softly.
He gave a short nod. "Alright. I'm going to shopping with Aarvi."
The glass in her hand almost slipped. She stared at him, eyes wide. "Shopping? With Aarvi?"
"Yes." He didn't hesitate, just said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
She blinked at him, still stunned. What got into my son today? she thought, watching him sit casually on the sofa and scroll through his phone, as if nothing unusual had happened.
At that exact moment, the front door opened. Vedant and Prisha stepped in, chatting about something, but stopped short at the sight before them.
Both stared. Vivan at home?. At this hour?. Sitting with his phone instead of being at the office?.
Vedant was the first to recover. "Bhai? You... here?"
Vivan slowly looked up, his gaze flat. "Why? Can't I be here?"
Vedant stuttered, "N-no, I didn't mean it like that-"
Prisha, sensing her brother's rising annoyance, quickly cut in, "Ah, he didn't mean anything, bhaiya. Come, Vedant." She grabbed Vedant's wrist and all but dragged him into the kitchen.
Once inside, they both cornered their mom, whispering urgently.
"What is happening?" Vedant hissed.
Their mother sighed, putting down the tray. "Vivan said he's taking Aarvi for shopping."
Both of them froze. "WHAT!!" they whisper screamed together, their eyes went wide.
Without wasting a second, they dashed upstairs, storming straight to Aarvi's room.
Knock knock.
Aarvi opened the door and got surprised. "Vedant? Prisha?"
Before she could ask further, they pushed the door wider and slipped inside, shutting it behind them.
Prisha clasped her hands dramatically. "So... bhabhi ji, our stone-hearted brother is taking you for shopping?"
Aarvi blinked, utterly confused, embarrassment crawled up her skin. "I... I don't know..."
Vedant smirked, leaning against the cupboard. "Don't act innocent, bhabhi. Do you have any idea what a miracle this is? Vivan bhai doesn't even take us shopping."
Prisha nodded with mock seriousness. "Exactly. We have to beg to go shopping with him. And here he is, playing personal driver for you." She clasped her hand, giggling. "Bhabhi, you've worked magic"
Aarvi, flustered, shook her head quickly. "N-no, it's nothing like that... he just-he just asked-"
Vedant chuckled. "That's the point. He asked. Our Vivan bhai never asks. He orders."
Prisha giggled, nudging Aarvi gently. "Careful, bhabhi. At this rate, next time he'll be asking what color bangles you like."
Aarvi's smiled awkwardly, her eyes darting toward the floor. "S..Stop" she whispered, her voice betraying her embarrassment.
But Vedant and Prisha only exchanged a mischievous look, their grins growing wider when a voice echoed faintly from downstairs.
"Aarvi! Don't take forever."
Aarvi froze, her pallu half in her hands.
Prisha gasped dramatically. "Oh my god. Did you hear that? He's calling you. Don't take forever Aarvi just go" She mimicked him.
Vedant clutched his chest like he'd been shot. "I think I'm going to faint. Since when does bhai sound like a husband?"
"Shut up," Aarvi muttered, fumbling with her pleats.
Prisha quickly rushed to her side, pretending to help "No, no, bhabhi. Today's special. You're going shopping together it's basically a date."
"It's not a date" Aarvi squeaked, horrified.
Vedant laughed. "Relax, we won't tell bhai you think so."
Aarvi's head snapped up. "I don't"
But before she could defend herself further, Vivan's voice carried up again, sharper this time. "Aarvi, I said I'm waiting!"
Prisha smirked. "Ooooh, look at that impatience. He can't wait to leave with you."
Aarvi said loudly this time. "Please stop..."
Vedant leaned against the door, grinning. "Alright, alright. We'll stop. But bhabhi-" he winked, "-don't forget to pick something red. I hear our bhai secretly likes that color."
"Vedant!" Aarvi gasped, mortified, while Prisha burst out laughing.
Downstairs, Vivan ran a hand through his hair, muttering under his breath. What's taking her so long?