epilogue #2
First, he pulled on a plain white T-shirt that hugged his broad shoulders, muscular arms, and shamelessly outlined every contour of his chest. Then he paired it with dark blue jeans that fit him annoyingly well.
After that, he stood in front of the mirror, running his fingers through his hair before styling it with a little gel. He trimmed the edges of his beard, adjusted his watch, fastened his belt and wrist watch, slipped into his sneakers, and finally...the man practically bathed himself in perfume.
Seriously. From his neck to his wrists..then down to feet.
By the time he was done, I was convinced half the bottle was gone.
Who exactly was he planning to impress today?
My patience finally snapped. I slammed the book shut and stood.
"Where the hell are you going looking like that?" I asked, folding my arms across my chest.
He turned toward me, one eyebrow lifting in amusement.
The idiot actually looked me up and down.
Probably because I was standing there in my shorts and tank top while he looked like he had just walked out of a magazine photoshoot.
"Going to meet someone important," he replied casually. "Thought I'd relive the good old days... when I was carefree, nonchalant... and a bachelor."
"You're not a bachelor anymore," I gritted through my teeth.
Honestly, men should wear mangalsutras and sindoor too. They were far more shameless than women.
He nodded thoughtfully.
"True. Which is exactly why I'm going to enjoy my previous life for one night."
"Ugh... no. You're not going anywhere."
I stepped right in front of him, blocking his path before he could grab the black leather jacket lying on the chair.
Because that jacket.. that stupid jacket made him look five years younger. And what if some random woman threw herself at him? Or he himself...
Eww. Absolutely not.
"Dhwani..." he sighed. "It's just one evening. I'm sure you'll survive without me."
"No, I won't." The words escaped before I could stop them.
A smug grin spread across his face. "Ohhh... possessive wife."
"I am not possessive."
"You're literally guarding the door."
"I am protecting society."
He frowned innocently. "From what?"
"From you."
He burst out laughing. "I didn't know I was a public hazard."
"You're dressed like one."
He chuckled again before gently moving me aside and reaching for his jacket.
I immediately snatched it first and hugged it to my chest.
"No."
He looked at me. "Give it."
"No."
"Dhwani...You're behaving like a child."
"And you're behaving like a man who's definitely going to flirt."
"I'm married."
"Exactly. Start acting like it." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "At least tell me where the fuck you're going... and with whom?"
"Sorry." He slipped the jacket out of my hands in one quick move. "its a secret.."
"With who?"
"Someone special."
"Names?" I asked.
"Confidential." He chuckled.
"Location? Time?"
"Need-to-know basis."
"You're impossible!" I gritted my teeth.
"And you're adorable when you're interrogating me like a CID officer." He leaned down and kissed my cheek.
Although I wiped it away instantly. "I'll put a GPS tracker on you."
"You already have one." His smile widened.
I frowned. "When?"
He tapped his chest with a grin. "You live here rent-free."
"Stop flirting and answer my question!"
He laughed, leaned down, kissed my forehead this time, then winked. "Can't. Boys' code."
And before I could throw a pillow at him... The shameless man walked out of the room looking ridiculously pleased with himself.
I followed him downstairs, but by the time I reached the living room, he had already walked out of the mansion.
I let out a long sigh and dropped onto the sofa in front of Daadi.
She was busy crocheting something, but I could still feel her gaze on me... along with that teasing smile that was seriously getting on my nerves.
Dhrithika and Vedika were sitting there too. Pihu was asleep in Vedika's lap while Dhrithi scrolled through something on her tablet. Yet somehow...I could feel all three of them watching me.
"Aren't you going after him?" Daadi asked without even looking up from her knitting.
"Why would I?" I huffed. "He didn't invite me."
My face was probably puffed up like a balloon by now.
I was so annoyed that if Yugant appeared in front of me this instant, I'd punch him first and ask questions later.
Daadi clicked her tongue. "Men never invite their wives to boys' nights."
Then she paused dramatically. "But wives can always reach there unexpectedly."
My eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"Well..." she shrugged innocently. "Who knows? They might be enjoying themselves with... you know..."
She deliberately left the sentence unfinished.
My heart almost stopped. "With... what?"
Daadi only smiled. "Use your imagination."
My imagination immediately betrayed me.
Boys? That meant Yugant had an entire gang?
"Is there something today?" I asked suspiciously.
Daadi finally looked up.
"It's the last day of the month. Years ago, Yugant and his gang used to go out together every month. They'd spend the whole night outside."
Whole. Night. Outside. With boys.
"What exactly do they do?" I asked.
Daadi shrugged. "No idea. Vedika might know."
My head snapped toward Vedika. "How would you know?"
Before Vedika could answer, Dhrithika spoke.
"Dhwani... I guess Bhaiya never told you. Vedika Bhabhi studied in the same college as Yugant Bhaiya, Samarth Bhaiya and Ishaan."
I blinked before grabbing my own head in my hands.
"WHAT THE FUCK?"
Everyone looked at me.
"They were all in the same college?"
Vedika nodded slowly.
"How did nobody think this was important enough to tell me?"
"It... never really came up," she replied quietly. "It's just a small part of my past."
"A small part?" I looked utterly betrayed. "You knew Yugant... Ishaan... and my Bhai for years!"
She smiled awkwardly.
"You could've warned me about Yugant's college life! You know where they went, don't you?" I leaned forward hopefully.
Vedika bit her lower lip.
"I... Joined them only once. They used to go to a club. I don't know if that's still their plan."
"Oh, nothing has changed," Daadi interrupted confidently. "I heard Yugant talking to Samarth on the phone yesterday. They're going to the same place."
I clutched my heart. "Great. My own brother betrayed me. I don't want to live anymore."
Dhrithika burst into laughter.
"Dhwani, you're reacting like they're planning a bank robbery."
"You don't understand!" I pointed a finger at Dhrithika. "The day you get married and have a husband, you'll understand exactly what I'm feeling."
Dhrithika opened her mouth to reply, then wisely closed it again.
I leaned back against the couch, glaring at the clock as every second ticked by painfully.
"So..." Daadi spoke again, still busy crocheting. "Aren't you going after him?"
I straightened immediately. "What would I even do there? My own husband doesn't want me there."
Daadi clicked her tongue. "Then don't go as his wife."
I frowned.
"Go as yourself."
I blinked. "What?"
"Take your girls' gang and enjoy your own night."
"Girls gang?" I looked around the room. "I don't have one."
I never made friends after... everything that happened seven years ago.
Daadi pointed her crochet needle toward Vedika and Dhrithika.
"You're looking at it." All three of us followed the direction of the needle. "These two sad souls."
"I?" Vedika and Dhrithika exclaimed together.
"Yes, you two." Daadi waved her hand. "You're young women. Go out. Dance. Laugh. Enjoy your lives."
Then she sighed. "If I were your age, I'd have owned that dance floor."
My brows shot up. "I would've worn the hottest dress in the club and made every man forget why he came there."
My mouth fell open. Daadi seriously got born in the wrong century. If she had been born now, half the city would've had a crush on her.
"Go!" she ordered. "Wear those hot skirts, bodycon dresses, backless outfits... whatever girls wear these days."
"No..." Vedika shook her head immediately. "I don't want to go anywhere. If Pihu wakes up, she'll cry."
Daadi looked at her as if she'd said the most ridiculous thing imaginable.
"Vedika."
She put her crochet aside.
"I've raised four children and the fifth one was your grandfather himself."
Everyone laughed.
"Leave Pihu in my room," Daadi continued. "I'll take care of her."
"But Daadi..."
"No buts." Vedika still looked hesitant. Daadi's voice softened. "Go, love. You're still so young. Don't lock yourself inside these four walls because of one man's mistakes."
Her eyes turned gentle. "No woman should lose her freedom because of the presence... or the absence... of any man."
She paused before adding, "Even if that man happens to be my own grandson."
I looked at Daadi with admiration.God... You really sent me into the right family. Those were exactly the words I had wanted to tell Vedika for so many days.
I just never had the courage.
"I don't even have anything to wear," Vedika mumbled. "I'll just wear a kurti-"
"Bhabhi!" Dhrithika stood immediately. "I have everything. Bodycon dresses, skirts, shorts, jumpsuits... come with me!"
She grabbed Vedika's wrist and started pulling her upstairs.
Vedika carefully picked up the sleeping Pihu.
"Are you sure, Daadi? I mean... should I really leave her with you? I honestly don't feel like going."
"Yes." Daadi nodded firmly. "Do exactly as I said."
Vedika finally smiled a little before carrying Pihu toward Daadi's room, while Dhrithika disappeared upstairs in search of outfits.
I turned back to Daadi, still amazed.
"How are you so open-minded?" I asked honestly. "I thought marriage came with a little drama... maybe some daily fights but this family is making everything too easy."
Daadi narrowed her eyes. "Go upstairs before I change my mind."
I immediately ran upstairs, because I knew she could change her mind. And I don't want to take any risk.