I was just finishing grading some assignments when Kruti walked into the room, her expression determined and her phone in hand. That look on her face always made me nervous. It meant she wanted something, and I was going to have to either argue or give in.
"Devvvv," she started, drawing out the single syllable of my name in a singsong voice.
I sighed, already anticipating the storm. "What is it now?"
"I want to go to the mall," she said, smiling brightly, as if her cheerfulness would make me more agreeable.
I raised an eyebrow, leaning back in my chair. "The mall? For what? You're supposed to be studying."
She rolled her eyes, walking closer. "I've been studying all week! I deserve a break. Besides, I need a few things."
"You don't need anything from the mall," I replied, trying to keep my tone firm.
"I do!" she insisted, sitting down on the armrest of my chair and leaning toward me. "You'll see when we get there. Please? Just an hour."
I glanced at her, then at my laptop. "Kruti, I have workâ"
"Come on," she interrupted, placing her hand on my shoulder. "You can work later. You don't even like sitting at your desk for too long. And... you know you like seeing me happy, right?"
I glanced at her briefly, my laptop balanced on my knees. "You can go by yourself. You don't need me for that."
She gasped, clutching her chest as if I'd wounded her. "How dare you say that? What kind of husband are you? I'll get lost in the mall without you!"
"You're not a child, Kruti," I said, typing away on my laptop.
"But I am your wife!" she shot back, leaning closer to block my view of the screen.
I looked up at her, her puppy-dog eyes locking onto mine. This woman knew how to disarm me, and she wasn't afraid to use that power.
"You're impossible," I muttered, closing my laptop.
Her grin widened. "Is that a yes?"
I stood up, grabbing my wallet and keys. "One hour. That's it."
She practically squealed, grabbing her bag and rushing to the door. "You're the best!"
"Yeah, yeah," I grumbled, following her out.
The mall was chaotic, as I expected. People everywhere, the loud hum of conversations, and endless shops with neon signs flashing deals I couldn't care less about. Kruti, however, was in her element.
"Dev, look at this!" she called out, holding up a scarf from one of the stores. "Isn't it pretty?"
"It's fine," I said, barely glancing at it.
She frowned. "You didn't even look!"
I sighed, turning my head to actually see it. "It's... nice, Kruti."
Her eyes narrowed. "You're just saying that. You don't even care."
"Because it's a scarf," I replied, crossing my arms. "It's not life-changing."
She stuck her tongue out at me, tossing the scarf back on the rack. "What kind of husband are you?"
"You dragged me here, remember?"
"And you agreed," she shot back, heading toward another store.
I followed her through what felt like every single shop in the mall. She tried on dresses, looked at shoes, bought some makeup, and even dragged me to a store that sold scented candles. I had to admit, seeing her this happy was worth the mild annoyance.
"Dev, smell this," she said, shoving a candle under my nose.
I inhaled, then coughed. "What is that? It smells like... burnt sugar and flowers."
She laughed. "It's caramel rose! Isn't it amazing?"
"It's horrible."
"Your taste is horrible," she retorted, putting the candle back.
Despite her complaints, she kept pulling me along, making me carry her shopping bags as she continued her spree. I trailed behind her, watching as she laughed and chatted with salespeople, her energy seemingly endless.
"You're enjoying this way too much," I muttered as she added yet another bag to the growing pile in my hands.
"Of course I am," she said, grinning up at me. "And you're here to make it even better."
I rolled my eyes but didn't respond. She was being herselfâfree, happy, and unapologetically playful. It was a side of her I hadn't fully appreciated before, and I couldn't help but smile a little, even if I was exhausted.
By the time we left the mall, my hands were full of bags. She insisted she could carry some of them, but I refused.
"You made me come here," I told her. "At least let me do this."
"You're such a gentleman," she teased, walking beside me.
I rolled my eyes but didn't reply.
"See? This wasn't so bad," she added, swinging a small shopping bag as we walked.
"Speak for yourself," I replied, shifting the heavier bags in my hand. "My arms feel like they're going to fall off."
"Oh, don't be so dramatic," she said, laughing.
I glanced at her, unable to suppress a smile. She looked genuinely happy, and for a moment, I forgot about my aching arms and the long day we'd had.
We were about halfway home when Kruti suddenly slowed down, her steps faltering.
"Kruti?" I asked, glancing at her.
"My heel hurts," she admitted, wincing as she shifted her weight.
I looked down at her feet. She was wearing those ridiculous heels she always insisted on wearing, even though they weren't practical.
"I told you not to wear those," I said, setting the bags down.
"I didn't think we'd be walking this much!" she said defensively.
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Come here."
"What?"
Before she could protest, I bent down and lifted her into my arms.
"Dev!" she exclaimed, her arms instinctively wrapping around my neck. "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" I said, adjusting her weight.
"You don't have to carry me!" she protested, but her tone lacked conviction.
"Do you want me to leave you here on the sidewalk?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She huffed but didn't argue further. Instead, she rested her head against my shoulder, her voice softer now. "You're such a softie, you know that?"
"I'm not," I said quickly, my cheeks heating up.
"You totally are," she said, her grin audible in her voice.
"I can walk," she said, although she didn't make any effort to get down.
"Sure you can," I said sarcastically, starting to walk again.
She huffed, resting her head against my shoulder. "You're impossible."
"Says the woman who dragged me to the mall," I shot back.
"Admit it, you had fun," she said, looking up at me with a smirk.
"I had fun carrying all your stuff," I replied dryly.
"You're so grumpy," she teased, poking my chest.
"Stop squirming," I said, trying to keep my balance.
She laughed softly, her voice light and carefree. Despite my irritation, I couldn't help but smile.
When we reached home, I carried her straight to the living room and set the bags down.
"Okay, put me down now," she said, wiggling in my arms.
"No," I replied, tightening my hold slightly.
She looked up at me, confused. "Why not?"
I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. I couldn't tell her the truthâthat I was enjoying this. That holding her like this felt... right.
"Dev," she said, her tone teasing. "Why won't you put me down?"
I cleared my throat, avoiding her gaze. "Because I don't trust you to not start running around again."
She raised an eyebrow. "You're lying."
"I'm not," I said, but my voice lacked conviction.
She smirked. "You like this, don't you? Carrying me like this."
"Don't be ridiculous," I said, my ears burning.
"You totally do," she said, laughing. "Look at you, all flustered."
"I'm not flustered," I muttered, but I could feel my face heating up.
"You're blushing!" she accused, pointing at my face.
"I'm not," I insisted, finally setting her down on the couch.
She sat there, still laughing. "You're so cute when you're embarrassed, Dev."
"Stop calling me cute," I grumbled, turning away to hide my face.
"But you are," she said, leaning back and crossing her arms. "Admit it, you liked carrying me."
I didn't respond, heading toward the kitchen instead.
"Dev!" she called after me, her voice full of amusement.
I sighed, shaking my head. She was going to be the death of me.