[58]THROW HER.
The winter sun had just begun to warm the room, soft golden light slipping through the heavy curtains.
The air was crisp but the room was cosy (windows closed, heater humming low).
Abhiraj was already up and ready.
White shirt (crisp, sleeves rolled to elbows, top few buttons open, showing the strong line of his chest).
Brown tailored pants, watch on his wrist, hair neatly combed but still a little tousled from sleep.
No one could tell he was a father (he looked young, sharp, the same dangerously handsome man who turned heads without trying).
He stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his collar, when he glanced at the bed.
Amisha and Aviraj were both still fast asleep (mother and son out cold like Kumbhakaran after last night's midnight mission).
Amisha on her side, mouth slightly open, hair wild.
Aviraj curled beside her, tiny fist near his mouth.
Abhiraj smiled softly.
Then walked to the bed, leaned down, and carefully lifted Amisha into his arms.
She hummed irritably in her sleep, eyes still closed.
He carried her to the bathroom (her legs immediately wrapping around his waist, arms looping around his neck even unconscious).
At the door, he grabbed a towel, shifted her weight, and playfully splashed a few drops of water on her face.
She jolted awake.
"Abhiraj!"
He chuckled, stepped in, and gently "threw" her onto the bathroom counter (more like placed her firmly).
Towel tossed at her.
"Bathroom mein feka kyunki soyi hui thi.
Paani daala taaki bathroom mein bhi mat so jaana.
Aaj naming ceremony hai maa-beta dono so rahe ho jaise Kumbhakaran."
Then he closed the door on her indignant squeak.
Outside, he leaned against it, grinning.
Mission "wake the queen" complete.
He turned back to the bed.
Aviraj was stirring now.
The door knocked softly.
Minakshi Ma entered, carrying a small brass bowl of warm sarson ka tel and a soft cloth.
"Beta... malish kar doon pote ki?"
Abhiraj stepped aside.
"Ji Ma."
Minakshi Ma smiled, placed the bowl down, and immediately made the baby naked (diaper off, clothes off).
The room was warm, windows closed-no cold air.
She warmed the oil in her palms, started the malish (firm, loving strokes-legs, arms, belly, back).
Aviraj gurgled happily, kicking his legs, enjoying every second.
Abhiraj watched, leaning against the almirah.
He spoke, half-horrified.
"Ma... aap humko bhi bachpan mein aise hi kutti thi?"
Minakshi Ma looked up, laughing.
"Haan! Aise hi kutti thi tum teeno ko.
Tel laga ke achhe se malish, phir dou bana ke pehlwan jaise bade hue na?"
Abhiraj nodded slowly, eyes wide.
"Haan... fir toh kutto... ahm ahm... matlab karo malish."
Minakshi Ma burst out laughing.
"Jyada muh mat banao.
Iske fayde nahi dikh rahe?
Mere saare bachche pehlwan jaise hain.
Waise zyada main nahi Dadi karti thi."
Abhiraj muttered.
"Hm... sahi hai. Fir toh kutto... matlab achha hai."
Ma finished the malish, wiped him clean with a warm cloth (no bath too cold), and handed Abhiraj the beautiful white outfit with gold embroidery and matching cap.
She kissed the baby's forehead and left.
Abhiraj dressed Aviraj carefully (the little one looking like a prince handsome? No, straight-up cute).
Then the bathroom door burst open.
Amisha stormed out in just a towel, hair wet, eyes blazing.
"Mujhe bathroom mein kyun feka?!
Woh bhi soyi hui!
Upar se paani daala!"
She marched toward him, pointing.
Abhiraj was playing with Aviraj, bouncing him lightly, pretending to ignore her.
She put the baby carefully on the bed, turned back.
"Main baat kar rahi hoon! Bolo! Mujhe bathroom mein feka kyun?!"
He covered her with her shawl immediately (she was in just a fucking towel).
She kept scolding.
He listened, face innocent.
Then, when she paused,
he leaned in and kissed her.
Hard.
Deep.
Hands in her wet hair, lifting her slightly off the ground, backing her against the almirah wall.
The scolding stopped instantly.
She melted (anger forgotten, towel slipping a little).
He sucked her lower lip, bit gently, tongue stroking hers until she was breathless.
When he pulled back, her eyes were dazed.
He smirked.
"Ab bolo... bathroom mein feka kyun?"
She huffed, but couldn't hide the smile.
"Badtameez."
He kissed her forehead.
Then picked up Aviraj and walked out.
"Mujhe chheda... chhodungi nahi aapko main."
She stood there, shocked, blinking.
Then came to her senses.
"Mujhe bathroom mein feka... paani se bhiga diya...
baat bhi nahi ki... pagal bana ke bhag gaya..."
She stormed to the almirah, pulled out a beautiful shining brown saree.
"Aaj toh jala ke rakh dungi.
Dekhte hain kaun bhagta hai."
And with that determination, she started getting ready (beautiful, fierce, ready to make her husband regret teasing her).
The naming ceremony awaited.
And Amisha was going to look like a queen out for revenge (the best kind).