15.
{Third person's pov}
Kiara and Ekansh entered inside the Shekhwat Mansion, Richa and Ekansh's step mother, Nidhi were sitting in the living room with a few guests, Kiara looked at Ekansh whose jaw was clenched, he held Kiara's hand and started dragging her towards their room.
"Ekansh, Kiara... Come meet your grandparents." Kiara understood that they were his paternal grandfather and grandmother, But why was he dragging her away.
Listening to Nidhi's word he freed Kiara's hand and walked upstairs with Rookie in his hands, Kiara was confused but she went to greet his grandparents, she touched their feet and they smiled.
"Stay happy and give us an heir soon." His Grandmother said and Kiara just smiled before walking towards their room.
She walked inside and looked at him who was doing something on his laptop.
"What happened Ekansh?" He looked up from his laptop, his expression tense. "Nothing," he said, his voice curt.
He closed the laptop and stood up, pacing the room like a lion caged. "It's just... my grandparents. They knew everything about my father's extra martial affair, but they Never stopped him."
She sat next to him, and took his hands in her. "Do you want me to bring you something? Water? Coffee?."
He shook his head, his eyes focused on their intertwined hands. "No, I'm fine," he said, though the tension in his body belied his words.
He sighed and looked at her, his gaze softening a little. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be so short with you."
"It's fine, Don't worry." She smiled. He looked at her, his gaze softening even more at her understanding.
He reached out and pulled her onto his lap, his arms encircling her waist. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling her familiar scent, finding comfort in her presence.
"You're too good to me, you know that?" he murmured, his voice muffled against her neck.
She smiled and Caressed his hair, "if not me who will?"
He chuckled at her reply, feeling his tension finally start to ease.
He pulled back to look at her, his gaze roaming over her face, taking in every detail. "You're right. Who else but you could handle me on my worst days?"
He lifted a hand and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I don't know what I would do without you, you know that?"
"I will forever be there for you Ekansh." She placed a gentle kiss on his forehead.
His heart swelled at her words, a warm feeling spreading through him.
"Forever, huh?" he teased, a smirk on his face. "That's a pretty big commitment."
He cupped her face in his hands, his thumb gently tracing the curve of her cheek.
She nodded, He couldn't resist the urge any longer.
He leaned in and capturing her lips in a deep kiss, pouring all his emotions into it. His hands moved to her hair, tangling in the soft strands as he pulled her even closer, wanting to erase any remaining space between them.
She broke the kiss once she got out of breath and looked at him, her hands resting on his shoulder. She smiled and placed her head on his chest listening to his heart beat.
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly against him as he leaned back against the bed. He pressed his lips against her forehead, relishing the feeling of her body against his.
"You know," he murmured, his voice low, "I could get used to this. Having you in my arms, feeling your heartbeat against mine."
"And what If I am not there someday?" She asked, The question caught him off guard, and for a moment, he was silent, his arms tightening around her reflexively.
He lifted her chin up so that she was looking at him, his eyes searching hers. "Don't say things like that," he said, his voice firm. "You're not going anywhere, understand? You're mine, and I'm not letting you go."
She smiled and nodded, As they sat there, tangled up in each other's embrace, his mind wandered to the subject of honeymoons.
his fingers tracing patterns on her back, "if you could have your dream honeymoon, anywhere in the world, where would it be?"
"Um I never thought about it," she whispered. He raised an eyebrow, surprised by her answer. "Never thought about it? You've never had a dream location in mind for your honeymoon?"
She shook her head, He chuckled, amused by her honesty.
"Well, you better start thinking about it then," he teased, his hands moving to her waist. "Because we're going to have a honeymoon, and it's going to be unforgettable."
She smiled at his words and they heard a knock, she got up and walked towards the door, she opened it just to witness Richa, "Yes di?"
"Mom is calling you," Kiara nodded, although she was little confused, why would Nidhi call her. She glanced at Ekansh before walking out of the room.
Ekansh watched her go, a frown on his face. He couldn't shake off the feeling that something was amiss.
He got up from the bed and headed over to the window, glancing out at the main hall.
He saw Kiara talking with Nidhi, but he could tell that something was off. Nidhi was speaking to her in hushed whispers, and her body language seemed agitated.
"Kiara can you handle making dinner for 20-30 people, actually Richa is helping me with shopping and the maids are on leave, and Grandmother and Grandfather invited all his kids." Nidhi asked, Kiara was a responsible woman but she never made food for so many people.
"Am I supposed to do it all alone?" She asked and Nidhi nodded, "of course!"
Kiara sucked a deep breath and nodded before walking towards her room again, to change into something more comfortable.
As she walked back into the room, Ekansh looked up from his laptop and took in her expression. He could tell something was bothering her.
"What happened?" he asked, setting his laptop aside.
"Um Aunty wants me to make dinner for everyone, the cook is on leave and your grandparents have invited all his kids for dinner." She explained while walking inside the wardrobe.
Ekansh frowned at the news. He hadn't wanted his wife to be used as help by his family. He knew his grandparents were pretty old fashioned and expected her to play the role of a perfect housewife, but he never expected them to ask her to cook dinner for 30 people.
"Why can't Nidhi and Richa cook? She's not doing anything," he grumbled, crossing his arms.
"They are going shopping I guess." She replied as she came back in the room, this time wearing a loose kurti.
He eyed her outfit, noticing how the kurti was almost see through, and how he could see her figure beneath it. He shook his head, forcing his thoughts to become a little less heated.
"Shopping for what?" he asked, still annoyed by the situation.
"How would I know?" He grumbled under his breath and ran a hand through his hair, "ugh, this is ridiculous. You're not their servant, you're my wife. They can't just demand you to cook for them."
"I can manage, don't worry," she whispered. He walked up to her, his hands coming to rest on her shoulders. "It's not about managing," he said, his voice firm. "It's about them treating you like free labor. You're my wife, not their personal chef."
"You are just overthinking, Husband. It's the first time she asked me to do something." Kiara held his hands, reassuring him.
He met her gaze, his irritation slowly fading.
"I just don't like the idea of them using you like this," he said, his grip on her shoulders tightening slightly. "You're not their housekeeper or cook. You're a new bride and you should be enjoying your time, not slaving away in the kitchen."
..............