- - - - ♡ - - - -

 tu chup hai toh yeh darr lagta hai 

apna mujhko ko ab kaun kahega

♪

- - - - ♡ - - - -

Sharanya and Nikhil reached the dining area to find his mother doing the cooking. Sharanya left Nikhil's hand to go help her.

Nikhil watched the women work quietly in sync. He picked up the parcels he had brought and took them to kitchen.

"I bought some kebabs, vegetarian ones." He said to none in particular, placing the paper bags on the counter. He walked back to sit at the dining table. He kept looking towards the kitchen, trying to gauge his mother's mood.

"Did you give out the advertisement to put the apartment on rent?" His mother asked.

"I have told Pratik to do that." He lied. He wasn't ready yet to put his apartment on rent, not yet at least.

Soon Shreya and Saahil also came in. Everyone was silent. The dinner was a quiet affair until Shreya spoke up.

"All okay? You all seem unusually quiet."

Each looked up and around.

"Everyone's tired," Mrs. Kumar spoke up. "How did your day go?"

"Okay-ish. I will leave for Jaipur on Friday." She said.

"It's confirmed?" Her mother asked.

"Yes, it is."

"Okay, did you get time to look at the bio data I sent you."

"Maa, not again. I am not interested in marriage right now."

"Just go through the photos. I am not asking you to marry right away. At least see if you like any of them."

"Get Saahil married first, he's elder to me." Shreya muttered.

"Shut up," Saahil retaliated, staring at his sister with threatening eyes.

Shreya rolled her eyes.

"See he's picking out peas again." She pointed out. "He's not ready for marriage yet Maa. You need to teach him how to eat all the vegetables first."

"And when you don't eat cauliflower?" Saahil pointed out.

"That's because it's hard for body to digest and it causes gas and bloating." Shreya argued.

Mrs. Kumar shook her head chuckling. "You two learn to eat your dinner quietly."

"By the way, these kebabs are good." Saahil complimented looking at Sharanya.

"Nikhil bought them from Tandoori Corner," Sharanya said plastering a smile for a bit.

"Nice," He said glancing at Nikhil.

Sharanya turned to Nikhil, wondering if it was a coincidence or Nikhil knew that she loved those specific hara-bhara kebabs from Tandoori Corner.

Once dinner was done, Sharanya and Mrs. Kumar cleared the table and then disappeared into the kitchen.

Nikhil slipped out of the room. He was about to go up the stairs, escaping any chance of conversation with his siblings when Saahil called his name approaching him.

He hoped, Saahil didn't bring up Aisha or whatever happened. Nikhil didn't want to create another scene. But if he ignored and walked away, that would again be on him. He didn't want to upset his mother. Finally, he stopped to listen to what he had to say.

"We haven't spoken ..."

Shreya looked between her brothers as she sat on the sofa flipping mindlessly through a magazine. Every time they were in a room together she got anxious. They were like a recipe for disaster.

"I just wanted you to know that I am sorry for the way things went. I didn't call Aisha she just came and she was talking to me... until Sharanya... uh,"

Nikhil nodded, "I need to make an important call," Saying that he quickly climbed up the stairs. Was he blaming Sharanya for the entire thing? Nikhil was confused. He found it better to walk away than listen to Saahil. Otherwise he would end up snapping at him. And worsen what was between them.

Saahil sighed.

"It was a good effort," Shreya mumbled.

Saahil settled beside her on the sofa.

"What happened today?" She asked curiously.

"Cat fight," Saahil joked, though his eyes had seriousness.

"Aisha and Sharanya they had an argument or something?" Shreya quizzed.

"Yes!"

"Wow, so I should be prepared for two more people getting at each other's throats in this family. Oh man, I think I should consider marriage, now."

"Shut up, stupid! And, for the record, Aisha and I broke up, remember."

"So you say, but you still clearly have feelings for her."

"She's... intense and complex. I can't deal with her." Saahil sighed. "And, honestly, I am scared. She has a knack for running away and lying."

"So you think it's better if you run away?" She looked up at him. "You're running away too, from your feelings for her."

Saahil scoffed, "right now, I am trying to categorize everything she told me into—was a lie and was real. That's if there was anything that was real."

Shreya gave him a side hug. "Oh, you're heartbroken!"

Saahil placed his hand on her arm with a little smile. "I knew she'd be trouble for me the first time I saw her."

Shreya smiled. "Don't worry I am here to give you company... not getting married any time soon. So you won't be lonely."

"More like you'll be here to annoy me," Saahil muttered, only to get shoved away.

"I am being kind, idiot!" She muttered.

"Oh, God, manners Shreya. No one will want to marry a hooligan."

"Are you talking about yourself?" She smirked.

A smile threatened to form on Saahil's face. "Let's watch something interesting," He piped picking up the remote of the television.

Nikhil stood at the railing, looking down, hearing his siblings. He had sauntered out of the room while on a call and had ended up hearing their conversation more than anything the person on the other end spoke.

Sharanya was probably bang-on right when she had told Saahil, that he had lost his siblings. He couldn't picture himself fitting there with them. When did he ever! He walked away, this is why he didn't want to move here. He'd constantly be reminded that he was a misfit in the family.

* * *

"Amma, I am sorry for everything that happened today," Sharanya spoke as she cleared the kitchen counter.

Her mother-in-law turned off the faucet and turned to her.

Sharanya lowered her gaze, nervously fidgeting with the piece of cloth she had in hand.

"It's okay," Sharanya heard and looked up at her, with her eyes widening a bit.

"Go, take some rest, I will take care of that." The older lady said.

Sharanya felt relieved. "No, Amma, I will do this." She said turning and quickly putting back the things in place.

"What was your mother like?'" She heard her mother-in-law ask.

Sharanya turned to her slowly, tears rapidly forming in her eyes. She quickly looked away wiping them using the back of her hand. "She.. she was very nice. She loved cooking and uhh, she uh, was..." She bit her lower lip holding back a sob.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned abruptly.

"Come here," her mother-in-law said taking her in a hug.

And she couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She broke down once again. She missed her mother a lot. And finally, finally, she felt she could have a mother figure in her life again.

* * *

Sharanya entered the room after spending quite a lot of time with her mother-in-law. They had sat at the dining table talking about their past. Sharanya was surprised when the older lady opened up about her parents and how she missed them. She heard patiently when Sharanya spoke about her late mother. Off late, Nikhil's mother was being very welcoming. It felt nice.

They finally had a heart-to-heart conversation. Sharanya felt lighter. At least she knew that Nikhil's mother didn't hate her.

She reached the bed to find Nikhil sleeping with a book and glasses on his chest. He had probably slipped into slumber while taking a break from reading. She picked up the book and his glasses and placed them on the nightstand. She pulled up the blanket to cover him.

She paused momentarily to just gaze at him. She was grateful to have him in her life. He cared for her. She couldn't forget how he was always by her side when she was low. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Thanks," she whispered, before walking away to change into her night clothes.

After changing, Sharanya slipped into bed beside him. She sat, with her head against the headboard. It had been hard day, an emotionally challenging one. She wished she could take a break. Life was moving very fast.

She picked up her phone, and typed a message to Gargi.

Did you tell Nikhil that I like hara-bhara kebabs from Tandoori Corner?

She received an instant reply.

Who else would? ;)

Sharanya:

You haven't slept yet?

Gargi:

You haven't too. What's up?

Sharanya:

Was just going to sleep.

Gargi :

All okay?

Sharanya:

Yes.

Gargi:

That's a pretty clipped response. We can talk now..

Sharanya:

No, I am tired.

Gargi:

Got some action in bed? ;p

Sharanya:

Gosh, you are more excited than I am!

Gargi :

Wow!

Interesting, you are excited. That's some development I wasn't aware of.

Sharanya:

Sleep Gargi. Good night.

Gargi:

Dodging huh. Fine I won't pester you. By the way, you told Nikhil about the reunion right?

Sharanya:

Not yet. I will ask him tomorrow.

Gargi:

What do you mean ask? Tell him that he has to be your plus one.

Sharanya:

I am really sleep. I will tell him... good night.

Gargi:

Your message says so too. Good night sleepy head.

Sharanya sighed keeping the phone aside. She would have asked Nikhil if he spoke to her properly. Tomorrow perhaps.

She laid down, pulling the same blanket over herself, shifting a little closer to him. She stared at him, placing her arm around him. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes.

* * *

Sharanya was puzzled with Nikhil's behaviour the next morning. He was being distant again. Clipped greetings, no smiles, only nods and shaking of head to her questions. What was wrong with this man?

She decided to have a proper conversation in the car when they left for work. She rushed down to help her mother-in-law in the kitchen.

"Good morning Amma," she greeted.

"Good morning, light the lamp in the Pooja room first." She instructed.

Sharanya nodded and walked out in a hurry.

"Sharanya, the rangoli too!" She heard after her.

"Okay Amma," she said back.

An amused Saahil walked into the kitchen. Last night he was surprised to find his mother having late night conversations with Sharanya. It was something unexpected.

His mother was rigid when it came to Sharanya. His mother wouldn't get tired sharing her anxiety with him about Nikhil and Sharanya and how she was always doubting if Sharanya was right for Nikhil. He sensed a little bit of hostility towards Sharanya in his mother. Well his mother held that hostility for Aisha too.

But seemingly she was finally putting her guards down or at least making an effort to.

"Good morning," He greeted sitting on the counter.

"Saahil, no sitting on the counter." His mother reprimanded.

"It's cool Maa. My trousers are clean."

"No guarantee they'll still be once you get off." She said.

"So, you had a change of heart... for Sharanya?"

"What do you mean?" Mrs. Kumar asked narrowing her eyes.

"You're being less of a Hitler mother-in-law you know."

"Shut up Saahil. I am not listening to your nonsense, again."

"No. It looks like you're finally taking my advice and being kind to her."

"It's not like I am rude to her all the time." Mrs. Kumar spoke in her defence.

Saahil chortled. "You are like the seventies mother-in-law who can't digest the fact that her son's got a good wife."

"Saahil, get off that counter and go away."

"It's nice. Sharanya deserves a little bit of your big heart, don't you think?" Saahil spoke up seriously.

Mrs Kumar sighed and opened her mouth to say something but closed her mouth when Sharanya entered in.

"Good morning, Sharanya!" Saahil greeted.

"Good morning," Sharanya greeted back forcing a smile. It was awkward facing the family after yesterday. They all knew how rude she could get. She wondered what they thought of her after last night.

"So, what's with different juices every day? Some sort of diet you follow?"

Sharanya looked up, noticing Nikhil enter the room. "Nothing specific. Just that they're good for health."

"It's better than drinking coffee everyday first thing in the morning," Mrs. Kumar spoke up looking at Nikhil. "Isn't it Nikhil?"

"I am hungry," He said sighing.

Sharanya quickly picked up the glass of orange juice and then the pot of coffee. "What's the preference today? It's orange juice."

He looked at her squarely, taking the glass of juice from her hand. She smiled, a little. He still looked pissed.

Sighing she retreated back into the kitchen.

"I can have a cup of coffee," Saahil said. Sharanya nodded quickly pouring out some in a cup for him. Her eyes meeting Nikhil's. He looked away as soon as their gazes met. Something was definitely up. And Sharanya was determined to figure it out.

* * *

"Are you mad at me or upset over something?" Sharanya finally spoke up as the car turned onto the main road. Nikhil didn't look up, he kept his eyes glued to the iPad screen, as they sat in the back seat.

"Nikhil, can we talk, please?" She said. Her hand slowly resting on his.

He sighed looking her.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Nothing." He muttered looking away. He knew he was being unreasonably difficult. But it hurt him, it bothered him that she had time for everyone but him. Like he was last on her list. Like he was everyone else.

"Nikhil, please. If you don't tell me what's bothering you, there's no way I will know. I can't read your mind. Why are being like this?"

"You were ignoring me. Friday night, I wanted to talk, you didn't. Saturday you went out with Maa. Sunday, you were busy with your friends. The other days you have work. You can also take a leave to go out with Maa but you don't have time for me." He exclaimed annoyed.

Sharanya stared at him. That was ... very unlike Nikhil. He looked irritated and sounded pissed. She took a few seconds to process it all.

He wanted to spend time with her. The fact had an odd impact on her romantic heart. Of course, she was reading too much like always.

She held back the smile that threatened to take over her face.

"You are angry because I don't spend time with you," she repeated. "And that's why, you try to avoid me ... like all the time?" She couldn't help the mocking tone that became very evident.

Nikhil turned to her with annoyance written on his face. "I avoid you, really?" He shut his iPad, turning away momentarily to turn back sharply to look at her. "You are avoiding me. And I have no clue why!"

"I.." Sharanya gaped. "I am not avoiding you. Why would I do that? I was just..." She gulped, "a little angry. Because you didn't even tell me that you had plans for Sunday. Like an idiot I made butter chicken for you, I didn't stay long at Gargi's place, so that we could spend time."

Nikhil looked at her surprised. "That's why you were ignoring me?"

"Yes, because I was pissed." She shrugged. "I don't understand, why are we fighting over this?"

"I am not fighting. And you started all this." He shot back.

"Really? I started it? You were the one who wanted coffee instead of juice."

"I had juice today.." He argued, puzzled.

"But the other day, you didn't drink the juice I made. You wanted coffee."

"Really? So now, that's why you're going to be mad at me?" He scoffed.

"I am not mad at you, Nikhil!" She asserted. "I am just stating facts. You are the one who tries to avoid drinking juice. You are the one who avoids me. You are the one who always has excuse of work. "

"Wow," Nikhil uttered. "And what about you? You have time for Saahil not for me. You can go to an exhibition with Shreya but can't go out for a walk with me. Yesterday, again, I waited for you and God knows what important business you had."

"I can't believe we are fighting over this." Sharanya exhaled looking away. She was doing everything to be perfect. Couldn't he see that. Nikhil looked out of the window too.

She turned to him, "I am just trying to fit into your family, Nikhil."

Nikhil turned to look at her, "You don't have to. You fit into my life and that is enough. It's been years, and I have never been able to fit into my family." He shut his mouth from saying anything else and looked away.

Sharanya saw that the car was slowly approaching her drop point. She took a deep inhale. Her mind was cluttered. She needed time to make sense of everything. Maybe not saying anything at the moment would be the best approach.

"Bye, have a nice day, " she said turning to him.

He turned to her as she got off the car., "you too!"

She bent down and peeped in from the window, looking at him. She waved her hand. He acknowledged it with a nod. Oddly he felt much lighter after that argument.

* * *

Sharanya:

Nikhil and I fought. Like a proper fight.

Gargi:

Yay. Finally! So how does it feel?

Sharanya:

No time for jokes. I am scared. It's hardly two months to our marriage and we are fighting already.

Gargi:

Fighting is good, especially in your case. You two... particularly you, try to avoid arguments and make people like you. If you fight with him instead of giving up, then that means you're just becoming a good wife.

Sharanya:

I don't understand you at times. I think it was my fault. What do I do?

Gargi:

Woo him.

Sharanya:

Ugh, I have a lot of work and I need a solution because I am really tired of fighting with him. Give me a solution.

Gargi:

You won't like it but...

Seduce him. Half the problems go away like that.

Sharanya:

Gargi, please be serious. I don't want him to be mad at me.

Gargi:

Duh. Just talk to him in a calm way. Don't go all attack mode, just listen to what he has to say and then explain your perspective. As easy as that. If there's still something you two can't agree on then acknowledge that you two have different takes on whatever it is and accept it and respect each other's opinion.

I feel like a relationship helpline now.

Sharanya:

Why how many people have you helped up until now?

Gargi:

Two. Waiting for my third.

Sharanya:

TTYL. Meeting.

* * *

Nikhil had pushed his first meeting for the day and sat doing nothing but reflecting on the conversation he had had with Sharanya. He had never pictured Sharanya as someone who'd snap back, at least not at him. But she did and how!

However now that he looked back at their conversation, he realized that Sharanya was also trying to do the same thing he wanted. To spend time with him. She was trying to fit into the family for him. Why else would she do that?

He meant it when he said it that she didn't have to fit into his family. She fit seamlessly into his life and that was more than enough.

He didn't know what to do so he did what he thought could help him figure out. Text Gargi.

Nikhil:

Hey, sorry to bother you. But I had a situation. I think Sharanya is a little upset over something we differed on. I am not sure how to make it up to her. I don't think a sorry or chocolates would be enough. What should I do?

Gargi:

Just have an open conversation with her. Listen to her perspective and share yours. Once you both have a clear understanding of each other's perspective it will become easier to resolve whatever the issue is.

Nikhil:

Right, I think that makes a lot of sense.

Gargi:

P.S. – Take her for a date afterwards.

Nikhil :

Sure. Thanks a lot.

Gargi:

Always a text away. :)

* * *

"You won't believe what a happening morning I had today!" Gargi said as soon as her husband slumped onto their living room couch.

"Well at least one of us had an interesting morning. Mine was filled with boring meetings."

"So, Sharu and Nik fought. And they both texted me to find a solution."

"Those two are kids." Arun remarked with a grin.

"I hope you didn't play some stupid trick on them. You gave them sound advice right or you convinced them to do something stupid?"

"Oh I was tempted to trap them into doing something stupid for each other. But, it's their first proper fight, so I was a good friend and gave sound advice."

"Good."

"And I told Nik to take Sharanya on a date and he replied saying— sure thanks!" Gargi burst into laughter.

Arun couldn't help but laugh looking at his wife. "That man is something else."

"Oh, you should see the way he texts me. It's like he's writing mails."

Arun chortled. "Poor guy, don't make fun of him."

Gargi grinned. "He's cute. But I am happy that he's making efforts. Yesterday he wanted to know Sharanya's favorite food."

"He's doing exactly what I used to do. I used to text Sharanya, once in a while . Sometimes I still do."

"That's because you men, have pea sized memories and low EQ when it comes to remembering sentimental things. You'll remember the number of Sachin's centuries but you won't remember your woman's favorite eatery or favorite song."

"Pehla Nasha, Pehla Khumar," He sang, leaning and kissing his wife's cheek.

"That's like my second favorite, now," she said shaking her head in disapproval.

"Really? And first is..." He quizzed.

"Aag laga de baby fire," she sang with a seductive smile.

"Oh, God, your dirty jokes . You're going to be a mumma now, so grow up "

"Really, hypocrite dadda? You laughed for an hour that night!" She said with a wide grin.

"I was drunk what do you expect? Even your stupid jokes work on me then."

"Get lost traitor!" She mumbled, but he hugged her with a hearty laugh.

* * *

Nikhil entered the kitchen to find Sharanya there. He had left the office early only because he wanted to sort put things between them.

"Hey!" He said nervously, standing outside the kitchen, at the other end of the counter.

"Hi," she said, wearing an apprehensive expression. She quickly turned around and brought him a glass of water.

He took it from her hand, gratefully. She looked at him as he downed some of the water.

"Uh, I am sorry for this morning." She spoke up hesitantly.

"No, I am sorry. I was reacting more than responding."

"Me too." She said looking down at the pumpkin she had chopped.

Nikhil's gaze dropped down to the chopping board and momentarily the pumpkin distracted him. "Boring dinner today." He remarked.

Sharanya passed him a weak smile, "its rich in vitamin A and C."

"Yeah," He said, half-heartedly.

"You um, freshen up, I have made sweet corn soup today."

Nikhil met her gaze. "What about the morning..."

"We'll talk.. without fail, tonight."

Nikhil pulled a stool and sat. "Let's have the conversation right now, before we find more reasons to be unreasonable."

"I wasn't unreasonable," Sharanya muttered.

"You were." Nikhil argued, maintaining a calm tone.

"I was reasonable. You didn't tell me you had plans on Sunday." She asserted.

"You didn't ask me." He pointed.

"You don't ask me but I still tell you," she replied.

Nikhil looked at her tired. "We are going in circles, Sharanya."

"And you started it again."

"Excuse me," He said placing down his palm. "I am trying to sort this." He said his finger moving between them.

"Hey, good evening people," Saahil greeted entering the kitchen, to get his bottle of cold water as usual. He turned to look at them.

"Saahil, can we have some privacy?" Nikhil spoke up firmly.

Sharanya turned to stare at Nikhil.

"Um, sure." Saahil said with a bewildered expression and walked out with the bottle of water.

"What was that?" Sharanya mumbled.

"That was that. I am not going away until we resolve this. You go first tell me your side of things. What do you expect from me?"

Sharanya sighed placing down the knife. "I have already told you. I felt bad that you didn't even tell me where you went. The least you could do was drop a message and let me know that you won't be home for dinner."

"Noted. Next time I will keep that in mind." Nikhil said. "Anything more?"

"No," she muttered.

He stared at her.

"Go ahead, tell me your side... what do you expect?" She spoke looking at him.

"I just want you to spend some time with me. I just want to go for those walks at night, because that's the best part of my day. And I was angry, because suddenly everything else mattered more to you."

Sharanya stared at him. She felt giddy. He made her feel important. His words made her realize that finally there was someone at the end of the day who wanted to spend time with her, be with her. She had no guts to tell him that she felt the same way. It would become too cheesy and they'd probably become awkward around each other. She didn't want that.

"Okay," she said softly.

"I am done." He said exhaling sharply, drinking the remaining water in the glass.

"Thanks, for those kebabs yesterday."

Nikhil looked up at her, "I was trying to make up."

Sharanya passed him a smile. She then leaned on the counter gesturing him to come closer. Suspiciously, Nikhil bent forward, his face close to hers. She wanted to kiss and make up? Sweet, he thought.

"There's surprise for dessert, my idea of making up," she whispered into his ears.

He finally smiled, she had no clue how seductive that sounded.

"Ahem, if you two are done, can I enter?" Shreya asked from the doorway. They both immediately turned to the doorway to find Shreya and Saahil looking at them with amused smiles.

"I guess not done yet, I told you," Saahil said to Shreya, with a cocky grin.

"No, we are done." Sharanya exclaimed, pulling away from the counter.

"Yes, our conversation over." Nikhil said straightening up. Couldn't they like give them two more minutes. It was their first make up after a fight. And now, it was ruined.

Sharanya glanced at Nikhil as he made his way out, a blush creeping up her face.

"Good to know that the private conversation is over bro," He remarked stressing on the word private and Shreya stifled a laughter.

"Shut up!" Nikhil mumbled on his way out. 

• • • • •

Early chapter because there won't be any this weekend.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. :)

-Anami!♡

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