[75]
The haveli dining hall was warm and brightly lit at night, the long table covered with steaming food-dal, sabzi, fresh rotis, rice, salad, and raita. Everyone was seated, the usual chatter filling the air.
Amisha stood at the head of the table, serving plates, voice calling out.
"Abhiraj! Aviraj! Aryan! Abhira! Aao khana kha lo!"
One by one they came.
Abhiraj walked in first-still in his grey suit from the meeting, top buttons open, hand resting on his cheek exactly where Amisha had kissed him earlier.
Then Aviraj Aryan and Abhira -all three walking in the same way.
Hands on their cheeks.
Exactly like Abhiraj.
All four of them sat down in a row, hands glued to their cheeks, dreamy little smiles on their faces.
Amisha stared.
"Kya kar rahe ho tum teeno...?"
She reached for Aviraj's hand first, trying to pull it down.
Aviraj didn't let go.
She used a little force.
As soon as she stretched his hand away and let go-thapak!
His hand snapped back to his cheek like a magnet.
Amisha's eyes went wide.
Shock.
She looked at Aryan.
Tried the same.
Thapak!
Hand back on cheek.
Then Abhira-tiny hand on her own cheek.
Amisha pulled it down gently.
Thapak!
Back again.
Amisha made a face-half confused, half amused.
"Chalo... khana kha lo."
She sat down at the table.
Everyone else was staring at the four of them-Abhiraj, Aviraj, Aryan, Abhira-sitting in a perfect row, hands on cheeks, looking like they were in some secret happy trance.
Rajveer Papa reached for the onion salad bowl.
He was distracted so while going to salad he by mistake hit the jug and hiss.
Water almost spilled.
Minakshi Ma quickly steadied the jug, rubbed her hand on his where he hit it.
"Arre, sambhal ke..."
He mumbled "sorry", eyes still dreamy.
Amisha watched all this.
She stood up, walked to him.
Moved his hand from his cheek.
Gave him a glare.
He finally put it down.
But the children?
Still not.
Abhira was now sitting on Abhiraj's lap.
He was feeding her roti with gentle care, one hand holding the plate, the other supporting her.
Amisha sat back down and started helping Aryan with his food-tearing roti, mixing dal.
But her eyes kept going to the four of them.
Abhiraj feeding Abhira.
Aryan and Aviraj still touching their cheeks occasionally, stealing glances at their father, small smiles playing.
The whole table was quiet for a second.
Then someone coughed.
Everyone pretended to eat.
But the question hung in the air.
What is happening?
Dinner ended quietly in the haveli dining hall. The long table was now half-empty-plates cleared, leftover rotis covered with a cloth, glasses half-filled with water.
Amisha stood up to help the servants clean the table. She picked up a few plates, murmuring under her breath.
"Main kabhi pappi nahi dungi... kisi ko nahi."
Shushila, who was stacking bowls nearby, heard her and laughed.
"Kya barbara rahi ho, Bhabhi?"
Amisha shook her head quickly, cheeks pink.
"Kuch bhi toh nahi."
Karishma came from the other side, wiping her hands on a napkin. She smirked and leaned close to Amisha, dramatically placing her own cheek against Amisha's cheek.
"Haan, hame sab pata hai. Pappi baant ti fir rahi ho aap..."
Amisha's cheeks flushed deeper.
"Haan... galti ho gayi."
She rubbed her forehead with the back of her hand, embarrassed.
Before anyone could tease more, loud voices rose from Abhiraj's office down the corridor-overlapping, dramatic, full of childish accusations.
Shushila laughed.
"Jaaye... world war ho gayi."
Amisha's eyes widened. She immediately ran toward the office.
Shushila and Karishma stayed behind, laughing softly.
Amisha reached the office door and pushed it open.
Inside, the scene was pure chaos.
Abhiraj sat in his big chair behind the desk.
Aryan and Aviraj stood in front of it, arguing loudly.
Abhira was on the floor between them, looking up with big eyes.
They were fighting about who got the "better kiss" and "best kiss" from Mummy.
Aryan: "Mera kiss best tha! Mummy ne mujhe sabse zyada pyar se diya!"
Aviraj: "Nahi! Mera! Mummy ne mera cheek pe bohot der tak rakha!"
Abhira: "Mera... mera bhi acha tha!"
Amisha stepped in.
"Kya kar rahe ho tum charo?!"
All four heads snapped to her.
Aryan pointed at Aviraj.
"Mummy! Batao kaun better hai-main ya Aviraj?"
Aviraj: "Haan Mummy! Kaun jyada cute hai?"
Abhira: "Mummy... mera bhi!"
Amisha placed a hand on her forehead.
"Mujhe toh lagta hai me pagal ho jaungi yahan pe...
dil toh kar raha hai thode din Nisha ke ghar farar ho jaun."
Abhiraj immediately stood up.
"Tum ja rahi ho?"
Aryan: "Kyun?"
Aviraj: "Mummy mat jao!"
Amisha sighed.
"Arre maine bola mera dil kar raha hai... main kar nahi sakti."
Abhira's face crumpled.
Her lower lip trembled.
Before she could cry, Amisha quickly bent down and scooped her up.
"Shhh... bas bas, beta... Mummy nahi ja rahi."
She rubbed Abhira's back soothingly.
Abhira clung to her neck, face buried in her shoulder, small hand grabbing the neckline of Amisha's kurti and stretching it down a little in her grip.
Amisha didn't notice-too busy calming her daughter.
Abhiraj's eyes went to that small exposed bit of Amisha's chest-soft skin, curve visible from the stretched fabric.
He gulped hard.
Then-without warning-he walked forward.
Picked up Aryan and Aviraj in one smooth motion (one under each arm like sacks).
Aryan: "Papa! Chhodo!"
Aviraj: "Papa!"
Abhiraj carried them toward the children's room.
Amisha followed with Abhira in her arms.
In the children's room, Abhiraj threw Aryan and Aviraj onto the bed (gently).
Put sleeping Abhira down carefully on her small bed.she was alredy sleep.
Amisha changed Abhira into her night dress.
Abhiraj changed Aryan's clothes.
Aryan suddenly looked around.
"Mummy... mera pants kahan hai?"
Amisha pointed.
"Wahan toh hai, dekho."
Aryan ran to get it.
Abhiraj caught his leg and dragged him back.
"Idhar aa tu."
He made Aryan wear the pants properly.
Aryan giggled.
The room filled with soft laughter.
After tucking the children in, Amisha and Abhiraj quietly left the kids' room.
The corridor was dim and silent, only the soft glow of wall lights guiding them back to their own bedroom.
Abhiraj walked in first, having already changed into just loose black lowers-no shirt, bare-chested, muscles shifting under the low lamplight.
Amisha followed, closing the door softly behind her.
She changed quickly into her night clothes-a soft, loose kurti and pajamas-then climbed onto the bed with a tired sigh.
Abhiraj slid in beside her immediately, strong arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her close until her body fit perfectly against his.
His chest pressed to her back, chin resting on her shoulder.
He spoke in a low, warm murmur against her ear.
"Thak gayi ho?"
Amisha hummed, shifting slightly so she could press her nose against his chest, breathing in his familiar scent.
"Sharir se nahi thaki hu... dimag se thaki hu."
He chuckled softly, fingers gently tracing circles on her waist.
"Kyun na hum kahi ghumne jaayein?"
She rubbed her nose on his chest again, voice sleepy and content.
"Naa... mujhe gaadi ki smell pasand nahi hai."
He smiled against her hair
.
"Hato... gaadi se nahi jaayenge."
She tilted her head a little.
"Mere se nahi chala jaayega."
He tightened his arm around her.
"Bike se jaayenge."
She opened one eye.
"Aapke paas hai bike?"
He nodded, voice teasing.
"Haan... Bullet hai."
She paused.
"Kaha? Mele mein jo kal lagne wala hai?"
He laughed quietly.
"Wahan jaana hai toh wahan jaate hain."
She shook her head against his chest.
"Nahi... wahan nahi aata. Sab hame hi ghurte rehte hain."
He thought for a second.
"Toh kahi bahar jaate hain... jahan hume koi jaanta na ho."
She sighed.
"Yahan aisi koi jagah nahi hai."
He kissed the top of her head.
"Shehar mein jaate hain... chalo."
She made a small sound of protest.
"Itna door..."
He murmured.
"Bas 20 minute ka rasta hai."
She finally gave in, voice soft.
"Sab bike pe jaayenge?"
He shook his head.
"Sirf tum aur main.Bachhe nahi."
She turned slightly in his arms to look at him.
"Bachhe kahan jaayenge fir?"
He smiled, eyes soft.
"Wahan jiski wajah se hue hain ye bachhe."
Amisha's eyes widened a little, then she laughed softly.
"Achha lagega unko wahan?"
He chuckled.
"Haan... lagega achha."
He kissed her cheek.
"Thik hai... chalo jaayenge."
Amisha smiled against his skin.
"Okay..."
He kissed her cheek again-slow, lingering.
"Okay."
They stayed like that, wrapped in each other, the plan set.
The night was quiet.
??
It was a beautiful Sunday morning in the haveli.
The usual school chaos was absent-no uniforms, no rushing, no buses. Instead, the house felt lighter, warmer, filled with the excited chatter of children getting ready for a day at Bua's (Megna's) house.
Amisha stood in the children's room, surrounded by small clothes and even smaller humans.
Abhira was sitting on the bed in a simple white and blue skirt with a matching top, kicking her legs happily.
Amisha was carefully making two neat braids in her long hair, tying each with blue ribbons.
"Hold still, beta... ek baar mein ho jayega."
Abhira giggled, turning her head.
"Mummy, fast! Bua ke ghar jaana hai!"
Aviraj was already ready-white shirt tucked into shorts, looking like a little gentleman. He was fixing his collar in the mirror, standing tall.
Aryan was still half-dressed-pants on, but struggling with his blue jacket. He kept pulling the zipper up and down, whining.
"Mummy, yeh jacket ka zeep kharab ho gya hai!"
Abhiraj walked in, freshly showered, hair damp, wearing a casual t-shirt and pants. He immediately went to Aryan, kneeling down to help with the zipper.
"Arre... dheere se. Dekho, aise karo."
He fixed the jacket, ruffled Aryan's hair.
Aryan grinned up at him.
"Thank you, Papa!"
Amisha looked over at Abhiraj, smiling softly while tying the second braid.
"Bas ho gaya, meri princess."
Abhira jumped off the bed and twirled.
" sundar lag rahi hoon na, Papa!"
Abhiraj laughed, picking her up and kissing her cheek.
"Bilkul... sabse sundar."
The children gathered around them, now fully ready.
Aviraj: "Mummy, Papa... hamare liye kuch leke aana wahan se!"
Aryan jumped.
"Mere liye gadi leke aana!"
"Mere liye gun leke ana."
Aviraj leaned close to Abhiraj, whispering dramatically.
"Real wali leke aana, Papa."
Amisha overheard and laughed.
"ey chuhe... nakli leke pada reh,aya bada asli gun.
Doodh ke daant toote nahi hai inke, inko gun se khelna hai woh bhi real."
Abhira tugged Abhiraj's shirt.
"Papa... khane ka leke aana kuchh!"
Abhiraj crouched down to her level.
"Yes kitten, what do you want to eat?"
Abhira thought seriously, then smiled.
"Jo wahan naya milta ho woh!"
Abhiraj kissed her cheek again.
"Okay... le aayenge."
He stood up, clapping his hands.
"Chalo ab car mein baitho. Bua ke ghar ja rahe ho!"
The children ran out excitedly, bags swinging, voices echoing.
Abhiraj looked at Amisha.
"Chalo ab hum bhi ready ho jaate hain."
After some time, Abhiraj stood outside the haveli.
He leaned casually against his black matte Bullet, arms crossed.
Tight black t-shirt stretched across his chest and arms, black pants hugging his legs, hair slightly messy from the wind.
He looked powerful, handsome, and completely at ease.
Amisha came out.
She wore a simple suit-light cream kurti with subtle embroidery, matching pants, hair open and flowing, no makeup, cheeks still flushed from rushing around all morning.
Abhiraj's eyes softened the moment he saw her.
She looked at him and immediately frowned.
"Yes t-shirt achha nahi lag raha tha... change karke aao."
He raised an eyebrow, smiling.
"Achha toh lag raha hai."
She shook her head.
"Nahi... jao, kuch loose achha pehan kar aao."
Abhiraj chuckled, but went inside.
Amisha scratched her cheek, trying to control her smile.
She had told him to change because the t-shirt was tight-too tight.
It made his muscles look very clear-broad shoulders, defined arms, chest outlined perfectly.
She had told him to change because he was looking too good.
Wow.she was being possessive.
Deep down she knew-she was possessive.
Sab honge shehr me,sab dekhenge.me kyu dekhne du.
Abhiraj came back a few minutes later.
Now in a light blue shirt-still fitted but looser than the black one-sleeves rolled up, looking just as handsome but more covered.
Amisha looked at him.
Murmured to herself.
"Ab sahi hai."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Kya?"
She shook her head quickly.
"Abe achha lag rahe ho."
Then murmured under her breath.
"Ab main kuch nahi kar sakti... handsome hai toh woh toh dikhenge hi."
Abhiraj heard.
"Kya?"
She turned her face.
"Kuch nahi... chalo ab."
He sat on the Bullet first.
Kicked the starter.
Thrum... thrum... thrum...
The deep Bullet sound filled the air.
He looked back at her.
"Chalo, betho."
Amisha stepped forward.
She sat behind him carefully.
Her hands first went to his shoulders for balance.
Then slowly slid down to his waist.
She settled, thighs pressing against his back, chest lightly against him.
Spoke softl
"Haan... chalo ab."
Abhiraj smiled to himself.
Kicked the bike again.
The Bullet roared to life.
They left the haveli behind.
Just the two of them.
Wind in their hair.
Road ahead.
And a whole day to themselves.