20.

L A S Y A

I massaged my forehead while going through an important file about a new client. Seriously the upcoming project I have taken under was a big shot, and the date was nearing sooner than I thought. I could multitask, but with the shifting and new staff recruitments, I was having a hard time.

My office will be shifted in a week and I've scheduled the opening after two days, once everything's set and I'm satisfied with the interior. And let me tell you, I'm one picky person, I'm specific about everything, and since it's related to my work, it has to be perfect no matter what.

The opening ceremony would be on the day of Dada-dadi's anniversary since my mother-in-law told me that it was an auspicious day. And she has strictly warned me that she'll do a vaastu Puja and whatnot, and she had left no room for arguments.

I didn't want to refuse me even though I don't believe in all this, but she has her own beliefs and I don't want to appear on the bad side. So I left the Mehrotra ladies to decide all the religious things concerning my office.

The Mehrotras were oddly weird but amazing. Especially my clown husband. Yesterday he held me captive in the passenger seat while he continued to drive single-handedly. He didn't take me anywhere special, just drove around the city to help me calm my mind a bit.
But I  have to agree that he looked hot though.

The way he had marched towards us in the Mall as if he would burn down anyone who would get in his way or go against his words. The fire in his eyes had left me feeling something different.
Especially when he drove with one hand and with the other one held both of my wrists. His palms were big enough to cover most of my face, the texture of them rough yet soft.

And when he had rested his forehead on mine and his breath fanned on my face, I felt the oxygen being knocked off my lungs. He was close, too close and I was left withering like a leaf.

This concern towards me was understanding but it was completely new for me to expect something from someone, and like a fool, I'd caused a drama, but alas he had managed to find a way out, like always.

I licked my lips when I imagined the veins on his arms. They were very prominent and a bit greenish but rested sexily. Making him look ten times sexier than he was. I mentally chided myself for the gutter of my thoughts, was I ogling on my own husband's hands, but I had the right to? No?.

Shaking my head I concentrated more on my work.

I checked my phone for the hundredth time but still, there was no message from Prit, irritation filled my bones and I felt furious. I am going to sue the bastard for mentally harassing me, best friend or not I'll file a lawsuit and as childish as it sounds, I know Chachu wouldn't refuse my idea.
Case kar dena hai maine uss kutte per!!Ahh!

[Translation: I will file a case against that dog!! Ahhh!]

Having had enough of the drama, I video-called Sam. And as always the bastard was sleeping. "Bhawk", he answered from the other side after receiving the call. I rolled my eyes at his words and placed my phone on the table, supporting it with the mug.

[Translation: bark!!]

"Uth ja rakshas kahe ki, kumbhkaran ki najayaz awlaad, din ke 12 baj rhe hai", I said. "Hn", a throaty voice escaped his throat and he buried his face back in the comforter.

[Translation: Wake up you demon, the illegitimate child of Kumbhakaran, it is noon in the day]

"Agar kumbhkaran ke baad koi achche se soya hai toh vho meri kismat hai, yaar. Lagta hai bachpan mein jyada jaljeera chat liya tha, haathon ki lakirein hi mit gyi", he whined pouting.
"Us moment bro, us", I replied staring back at him with the same expression as I shook my head in sympathy.

[Translation: If someone has slept well after Kumbhakaran then it is my luck. Looks like I had licked too much Jaljeera in my childhood, that the lines on my hands got erased.]

He nodded and adjusted the comforter properly on his body as his bed hairs came into my view. That's when I noticed he was partially shirtless under the blanket. "Kapde pehnkar soya kar kutte, sharam, laj, lajja nhi hai kya?", I scoffed and he rolled his eyes dramatically.

[Translation: Sleep wearing clothes, you dog, isn't there any ounce of shame left in you?]

"Itni sexy body chupane ke liye nhi banai hai maine, thik hai, aur vaise bhi tujhe kyu itna intrest ho raha hai, tere pass toh tera pati hai na, usko angh pradarshan karne ko bol", Sam replied and smirked at the end. My cheeks flushed up with the mention of Moksh and I avoided looking at him.

[Translation: I don't have such a sexy body to hide it from everyone okay, and by the way, why are you so interested, You already have your husband, ask him to give you a free show.]

"Jyada mat bol tu..", I winced, biting my tongue and patting my flaming cheeks. "Haye dekho kaisi sharma rhi hai chimkandi kahi ki, meri beti kitni badi ho gyi, ladko ko notice karne lag gyi, acchi baat hai teri nazrein teri pati per hai kisi gair mard per nhi, warna kaand ho jata", he widened his eyes sounding horrified at the end and I gave him a done look.

[Translation: You are speaking too much...

Look, how shy you have gotten, I am so surprised, by how much my daughter has grown, she has started noticing boys, it is a good thing, your gaze is not on any other man except your husband or else you would be in huge trouble]

He laughed watching my expressions and tried mirroring them and laughed again. He looked more carefree and back to life. I had lost hope when I saw him broken by the news of Raina, but I'm happy he has accepted the fact and is doing well.

"Enough, ok!", I  announced sounding firm and he sobered up running a hand through his messy hair. "Call Prit", I demanded and watched his expression go from happy to scared in seconds.

"Bhai, pagal hai kya? Marwana chahati hai mujhe? Vho jallad kisi ka bhi call receive nhi karta", he said and straightened up. "It's always his secretary answering his calls and informing about his whereabouts", he added, sleep miles away from his eyes.

[Translation: are you crazy? Do you want to get me killed? That executioner doesn't receive anyone's calls.]

"But still, it's high time he needs to drop the tantrum and return to being the same old Prit", I reasoned. "You sure?", he asked doubtfully and I  just nodded my head.

"Tu bas mujhe bali ka bakra bana, ladai tum dono ki hai, bich mein meri pisai ho rhi hai", he clicked his tongue and muttered under his breath, making a small smile to threaten on my face which I controlled seeing his whining expressions.

[Translation: You just make me a scapegoat, the fight is between you two, and I am getting crushed in between.]

Sam dialled Prit's number, connecting him on the video call and my heart raised in anticipation. My throat ran dry and all the possibilities of Prit not answering the phone and distancing himself more from me clouded my brain. I took deep breaths to control my thoughts and rubbed my sweaty palms.

"Hello?", my body relaxed visibly and I closed my eyes with ease when he finally decided to answer the phone. Sam studied my nervous expressions and I signalled him to continue and he nodded nonetheless.

"Meri Jaan? Kaha hai tu?", Sam spoke, his voice extra sweet making me gag at the endearment.

[Translation: my darling, where are you?]

I heard Prit clicking his tongue in annoyance rubbing his eyes and rolling his neck to get rid of the tension in his muscles. He was sleeping, no doubt he had answered his phone while he was asleep.

If he had been sober, he wouldn't have received the call, especially Sam's call in the first place.

"It's none of your business, and let me sleep, I'm tired", Prit answered, his voice gruff and heavy. He sounded tired and I saw bags under his eyes which were closed. He still didn't have any clue that we were on a group video call. "Vini wanted to talk to you", Sam directly came to the point and my eyes widened as I glared at him.

Prit's eyes snapped open at the mention of my name and he stared at the screen. Our eyes connected through the screen and I noticed his black eyes dilating a bit.
The same annoyed expression marked his face and I saw his jaw tightening. The sleep had long gone from his eyes and he gazed deep into my eyes.

I could read him even through the facade he was trying to pull on. He was genuinely tired, the same way I was. His forehead was wrinkled and his eyes were sunken in from all the countless sleepless nights and somewhere I was the reason behind them. I had managed to unleash the hidden traumas and scares that Prit had managed to hide all these years.

"Prit!", my voice was soft, a mere whisper as I licked my chapped lips. "Yes, Lasya", I winced when he addressed me with my name and rubbed and scratched my eyebrows. And I gulped, visibly tensing under his penetrating gaze.

"Don't, Lasya me, you maroon", I hissed and saw him rolling his eyes. "Or what, hn?", he raised his eyebrows in a challenging way and I clicked my tongue gritting my teeth.

"You know what? Go fvck yourself. Because you partially don't seem to care about things anymore", my teeth grind against each other and his expression changes as he glares at me. The best way to get back to Prit is, to make him feel as if he hasn't been a part of your life. It irks him when it's me, Sam or his loved ones, for the others he won't even give two fvcks or bat an eye.

"Then, I would like some privacy. Don't want to give a free show to some peasants of an audience, do I?", he flashed us a sarcastic fake smile and he made it seem as real as real the Kardashians beauty. And I swear it was too real.

"Prit...", I stretched his name and innocently batted my lashes. "It's my new branch's opening next week and my in-laws are planning to have a religious ceremony", I informed sounding a bit hesitant.

"You didn't inform me", Sam, spoke in the middle, his tone carried disbelief as he dramatically threw his hands up in the air. The blanket slipped from his upper body and Prit glared at him for his display. Sam like a scaredy cat quickly wrapped himself in the blanket like a burrito.

"You know it now", I answered and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. "So?", it was Prit who sounded uninterested in the whole ordeal and sadness surrounding me. I was never familiar or habitual with handling Prit's ignorance. The man never ignored me, not even once in our twenty-eight years of existence.

"You are coming right?", I asked, unsure of his reaction. "I will see", my body visibly relaxed and I eased out my rigid back.

"There's something I need to tell you", I voice out and both of them turn attentive. "I received a tip, they are behind Raina and I doubt it won't be soon when they'll get a hint of her location", Sam turned stiff with the mention of Raina and both of us noticed it too.

Raina was still a sour topic to touch and on the wedding day, it was Prit and I who had handled everything and decided to keep Sam out of the fiasco and irrelevant drama.

"I'll tighten the security and start on a change of location", Prit answered going through his iPad and I nodded absentmindedly. The Agarwals getting a tab on Raina's location would be proved as a threat. Because I know they'll emotionally blackmail her and get her to sign the papers no matter what.

"Prit, I'm sorry. Come back please", I pleaded after a pause. My eyes burned with the unshed tears as I tried to keep my emotions at bay. Something tightened in my throat and I felt the unbearable lump. "Don't make it hard for me, Lasya", Prit closed his eyes and looked everywhere but me.

"Drop this shit now guys, behave as grown-up adults and sought things out", Sam spoke signalling me silently to act more and shed a tear.

"Yaar, vini, roh mat abhi, fir teri pyaari si bhuri aakhein laal ho jati hai aur ser bhi dukhne lagta hai teri", he said sadly and I twisted my lips at his overreacting but resumed trying to wobble my lip when I saw Prit eyeing me secretly.

[Translation: Vini, don't cry now, otherwise your cute Haze eyes will turn red and your head will also start hurting.]

"Sunrise, don't cry baccha. I'm not mad anymore", Prit cooed, his eyes softening. And damn! Our plan worked! Told you.

Prit can un-alive a person without a second thought but he won't see a single tear in my eyes. I just nodded and sniffed, adding some extra effects. I wiped the fake tear that managed to escape my eyes and secretly winked at Sam who passed me a satisfactory thumbs up.

"Does that mean, I'm forgiven now?", I questioned, no trace of tears and Prit shook his head, knowing that we tricked him once again.
"Hm! But not your husband, I will make sure to pass him my piece of advice when I come to Delhi", he answered and shifted comfortably in his bed.

I ignored his remark towards my husband and smiled at him, showing all my thirty-two teeth and he chuckled at my expressions.

"You have been smoking, haven't you?", I questioned squinting my eyes and Prit panicked. "How do you know, I washed my face and ate mint too...", he sounded horrified as he smelled his breath and I rolled my eyes glaring at him.

"You're flushed cheeks and drowsy eyes are giving it anyway, no need to act, you punk", I spat, pinning him with a hard look. "I'm sorry, shaktiman. It's just I was too stressed", he justified, sheepishly rubbing his nape and I raised my eyebrow questioningly.

"I feel stressed too, should I jump off a cliff then?", I scoffed, staring at him not believing his nuisance of an excuse. "You wouldn't dare", his voice turned serious making me scowl scornfully.

"You promised me that you quit it, we talked about it last time, no?", I said to which he nodded understandingly as he appeared guilty of his doings.

Prit was too addicted to smoking and all types of cigarettes during his teenage years when his father re-entered their peaceful lives and created a ruckus.

His addiction led him to a life-threatening risk and we thought of rehab at some point. He was always high and out of control, almost on the verge of losing everything. But then one day when everything went out of control he promised his mother and hasn't touched the poison since then.

He had confessed that he had consumed them quite a few times when he was stressed, which he was now. And the reason was not just me, it was something else bothering him. I decided to let it slide this time as I did not want to prob him more.

We talked for a good thirty minutes before hanging up and it felt like the good old days. I was at ease knowing Prit wasn't upset with me anymore.

That sly fox was in the States for one of his business meetings, but refused to tell us any further. Even though I could smell something fishy I bit my tongue to inquire about anything because, one, he wouldn't vomit a thing in front of us, and second, why worry when Sam and I could find it on our own?

It was already lunch time and I closed my laptop and walked downstairs. Downstairs, near the dining table, I notice all the elders and Radhika bua present with her daughter. I took a deep breath and walked towards them, mentally preparing myself for the drama.

"Shouldn't you be down early, Lasya? Hasn't your mother taught you wifely duties", bua taunted and I closed my eyes. Told ya! The woman won't keep her thoughts to herself.

"I am very well aware about my duties, buaji, but my in-laws aren't orthodox or old school to impose their daughter-in-law", I smiled at her and took my seat.

My mother-in-law smiled at me and asked the servant to serve us. Except for the men, excluding Dadaji and the junior Mehrotras, rest everyone was present at the table.

No doubt Bua had decided to hit the hammer on the hot iron, since Moksh wasn't present, she thought she had the chance to run over me, but who was she kidding?

"Why do you wear white or colourless clothes always, bhabhi? You should wear more colours, you look lifeless honestly", Mehek, Bua's daughter commented in faking sympathy. Even though her name is Mehek, she stinks with her thinking and words.

"Seriously, I don't appreciate you poking your nose in my business, Mehek. Moreover, I wear white, in case that narcissistic self of yours decides to die one day, don't want me wasting time deciding what white to wear, do I?", I whispered the last part silently to her and watched her expression change. She gulped and looked away in embarrassment.

The lunch passed peacefully and then I went back to working on my laptop in the study. Dadaji too joined me in the meantime and helped me with some work. It was almost evening when we finished and took a breath of relief.

"Your work is seriously more tiring than handling business. Even though we deal with a variety of people daily, I could imagine the horror of how much patience you need to have while dealing with your clients and working according to their preferences", Dadaji, sipped on his evening tea, relaxing in his easy chair.

"It's challenging, but I find my escape from reality in it. It's the only thing that manages to keep me sane in this insane world", we shared a laugh at my reply while I gathered all my paperwork and laptop and walked back upstairs.

My back pained and my shoulder muscles were stiff. And only a relaxing hot bath would help me I guess. I entered our room only to freeze on my steps. Moksh was in the room, roaming around with a phone attached to his ear and an open file in his hand.

He wore his white work shirt with basketball shorts underneath. His legs are on full display. I gulped as my throat ran dry and licked my chapped lips. His legs were very muscular, proof of all his work in the gym and they were very-
Sexy.

His lips moved as he spoke with someone on the other side but I couldn't pinpoint anything, all his works fell deaf to my ears as I was too much lost in my world. He had still not noticed my presence since he was busy on the phone call and I was busy ogling at him.

The image of him in his formal shirt but basketball shorts was going to deeply imprint in my head for long enough, at least to last for an eternity.

I felt heat rushing to my cheeks and not cookies for guessing if they were red like a tomato. Because they were flushing in the darkest crimson hue. I felt hotness pulling in the forbidden parts of my body when I noticed his wrists on display with a leather-strapped watch complementing his delicious veins.

Even though I'm no Rapunzel, I would still let him pull at my hair just to watch how his hands would feel wrapped around them or my body.

Moksh was one sexy, hot, handsome, and gentlemanly specimen. He was tall, muscular, buff, charming, a family man and more specifically a keeper, from what I've understood being with him.

I wanted to resist my unholy thoughts and put an end to them but my mind suddenly went blank and I couldn't comprehend anything.

I hadn't forgiven him yet for that night but still, I knew he would pave his way and would apologise sooner or later, at least I trusted him this much to have a little faith.

I gulped my dry throat and blinked my lashes nervously as I felt hot in the cold temperature. I bit my lips and snapped out of my daze when he knocked something off the table. My eyes widened in realisation and I quickly sprinted away from the scene not wanting to be caught red-handed.

My hands seriously itched to run my fingers along his veins and experience the feeling of feeling them under my fingertips. I took deep breaths to calm my racing heart and put an end to all my erotic thoughts.
Lately, I've been having more erotic scenarios than I should. Huff!

Was it normal to ogle at your husband as if he was a 'meal' and you were hungry for ages? Because that's what Moksh Mehrotra makes me feel.