“I understand. But if Aisha doesn’t like her here, she won’t stay here. We can arrange a secure stay for her but nothing at the cost of our peace.”
My mom looks like on the verge of breaking her silence and I wonder if she is going to give him a peace of her mind the way she would give to me.
“Fine,” she bites out. “What’s the use of having family abroad if they won’t be any help?”
“Maa, don’t start,” I say standing up. “She can stay.”
* * *
“Aisha,” Reyansh calls me out from behind as I storm out towards my car.
“What?” I turn around and see him walking towards me
We haven’t talked much this morning. I made sure to wake up before him so after last night we wouldn’t have to talk too much. I was a bit shy remembering everything. Not only that when I woke up this morning, his head was buried in the crook of my neck while his hand was too close to my chest. Not thatI mind but I was way too flustered for somebody who has been with this man for more than six years now.
“Are you okay?” he asks, as I open the back door and keep my office bag there
“Of course,” I say. “Why would I not be?”
“Because,” he pulls me towards him so I am facing him. “Now, tell me. Are you sure you want Chhavi to come and stay here? I will talk toMaaif you are not.”
I sigh, as if she will listen to him.
She will just pull her typical mom blackmail mode and use it on him.
“She just gets on my nerves. She is so spoiled. She doesn’t even listen to anything you say and you know she passes so many backhanded comments on me and our relationship.”
I pour my heart out in front of him as he patiently listens and my heart slowly warms up at the feeling of us falling back in routine. It feels as if nothing has changed.
“I know. But I will be here. You won’t have to worry. I knowMaawon’t say anything to me when I set the record straight with her.”
I nod. That’s also true. She might make faces and glare at me but she respects her “damad” too much to say a word to him.
“Now, can you tell me why you have been avoiding me?” he asks and I find myself struggling to maintain eye contact with him
“I am not avoiding you,” I lie straight through my teeth.
“And I am not in love with you. Baby, at least tell a lie we both can believe.”
I roll my eyes even when my cheeks turn pink not even because of my makeup.
“I am not. I just got busy with getting ready and all of that.”
He gives me a look, not believing me a bit.
“You know I am going to miss it?”
“Miss what?”
He cups my cheek and leans down to whisper in my ear. His hot breath tickles my skin and I find myself nearing his touch like a magnet.
“I am going to miss the feeling of you under me, at my mercy, when I am at work.”
Reyansh Carter
Aisha is stiff in my hold, and I am not able to hide my smile at all. Nor do I make any effort to because I want her to know that I meant every word.
“Are you mad?” she says, bewildered, even when her own body gives me her reaction.
