“It absolutely is.”
I cross my arms. “You were laughing with her.”
“That’s what people do when someone tells a joke.”
“Well maybe the joke wasn’t that funny.” I pout. I am being so stupid.
Aditya stares at me for a second. Then starts laughing again.
“Divya.”
“What?”
“You’re adorable when you’re jealous.”
“I am not jealous.”
“Sure.”
“I just didn't like it.” The words slip out before I can stop them.
He goes quiet. The teasing expression fades from his face. Instead something softer replaces it. For a moment we just sit there in silence. Then he reaches out and gently takes my hand.
"The only one I want is you, Divya." He squeezes my fingers lightly. "I am sorry if that hurt you in any way, but trust me if there's someone in this world I had spend all my time with, it's you and Neel." I look at him, searching his face for any lies but the way he's looking at me, it seems like I am truly the only one he sees.
He leans in pressing his lips on mine, I taste the garlic from the panner chilli but there's literally nothing that can stop me from kissing this man. "You're all I want, my wife." He says as he rests his forehead against mine.
I smile, "I am sorry for being so..."
He laughs, "Oh I love whatever you were being," he smirks, "I am your possession, Divya, you have wrapped me around your little fingers." He winks and I swat his chest, chuckling.
“But, on all serious notes, I belong to you, my beautiful wife.” He kisses my forehead and pulls me to his side.
“Next time,” he says, “I’ll cook for you.”
I tilt my head.
“You cook for me every day.”
“Then I’ll cook something better.”
I smile.
“Now you’re just showing off.”
16. GRUMP SPOTTED
DIVYA
The metal shutter slips from my hand with a loud clang.
The sound ricochets through the narrow lane and immediately sends a sharp pulse through my head like someone has struck a bell inside my skull. I press my fingers to my temple and close my eyes for a second, waiting for the dizziness to pass.
It doesn’t.
The morning sun is brighter than it should be. Too bright. Even the smell of the attar bottles inside the shop feels stronger today, heavier in the air.
I bend to pick up the keys I dropped, but the moment I straighten up the ground tilts slightly under my feet.
