Naina smiled looking at her brother as he kept looking at the wall.
"kya soch rahe ho bhai?" Naina asked.
(what are you thinking brother)
"Kuch nhi" Padmanabh replied sipping his tea which turned cold.
(Nothing)
"Haha... mujhe batao" Naina said keeping her teacup down.
(Spill it out)
"Nothing to say, I was on a business meeting and decided to meet you and the kids" Padmanabh spoke keeping the teacup on the table.
"How is Vrishali? It's been a long time that I have spoken to her" Naina said.
"She is doing good, I spoke to her last night. Her exams are going on, I think her exams end on Friday" Padmanabh said.
"Time surely flew soon, how many months passed that she went to New York?"
"Three months"
"It's already three months? Don't you miss her Pacho?" Naina asked. Naina already know that he accepted that he likes Vrishali in front of their grandparents. Her grandmother immediately called Naina to tell her that their introvert Pacho finally fell in love for the first time.
Padmanabh rolled his eyes taking the biscuit. He has been spending most of his time in the office knowing he would be missing her if he goes to the palace.
He makes sure that he calls her on alternative days. Even though their calls are not more than five minutes that's enough for him.
"Pacho... You need to tell her how much you love her. Don't strain yourself, if you miss her go and meet her. I know ma is forcing you to meet Harika" Naina said keeping her hand on Padmanabh's.
Padmanabh looked at his sister in surprise, "how do you know about that?" Padmanabh asked.
"Papa (dad) told me that ma is trying to match fix between you and Harika. He even told me that ma was bad-mouthing about Vrishali when Vrishali was passing the hallway"
"Ah?"
"On the day when you announced that Vrishali is going to New York. Before you could reveal it, ma was talking with papa saying how you don't feel the bond with Vrishali. That's the reason you are deciding to send her to New York. Papa turned his head and he saw Vrishali passing the hallway. Papa thinks Vrishali might have heard what our mum said"
"I don't know about all this nor Vrishali told me about this" Padmanabh spoke. Maybe that's the reason Vrishali was so upset and ignored him. She thought everything in the wrong way.
"Pacho, why would Vrishali tell you about what mum said? It wouldn't sound good to complain about our mum to you. Maybe that's the reason Vrishali kept it to herself. You should start opening up about your feelings for her. Before mum does something behind your back break your bond with Vrishali without you knowing" Naina said.
Padmanabh know what his mother can do if she doesn't like something or someone.
"Isn't it too fast? She just moved to New York and me..." Padmanabh became too shy to admit his feelings on Vrishali to his sister. He never had a conversation with his sister like this before.
It was his sister who would come to him to talk about her relationship and Padmanabh would calmly listen to her.
"Pacho you are not asking Vrishali to come back. You are going there to confess your feelings before it's too late. You guys are married for six months and still shy to admit it" Naina encouraged her brother.
"What if she gets disappointed seeing me?" Padmanabh asked.
"Why would she feel disappointed seeing you? She would be happy to see you there. I believe if you don't visit her Vrishali would be disappointed" Naina spoke.
"But didi (sister) I... I don't want to hurry anything. I want to wait for Vrishali. If I confess my feelings, Vrishali must feel like she has to answer back to my confession. I don't want to make her stand in a position where she has to choose her career or me. You know what I mean... I don't want that" Padmanabh spoke about his thoughts.
"Pacho, you don't have to hurry things in your relationship. It's like dating your wife while you are married. Many people take baby steps in their relationship and you two will be doing the same. In a way you two are doing the long-distance, the same will continue but you will let her know your feelings on her before it's too late. And Pacho I dated your jiju (brother-in-law) while I was in my first year. We were in a relationship, took our careers seriously and also our love seriously. We balanced it and I'm sure you two can balance it" Naina said.
"In reality, if Vrishali wasn't married to you, she would've dated someone or be in a relationship. Now nothing changed, she is married and if she likes you she would be dating her husband. Simple..." Naina added.
"What if she doesn't like me back?" Padmanabh asked his biggest fear. In these three months with Vrishali being away, he realised that he fell for his wife without him knowing. Even though they never had any physical interaction, he fell for the peace and comfort that he felt when he is with Vrishali.
He was an introvert and was always alone. Maybe some part of him wanted to connect with someone and needed someone to be there where he can go after a tiring day.
While teaching and cooking for Vrishali Padmanabh fell for her. Everything was new to him with Vrishali.
Naina chuckled, "then court her Pacho, make her fall in love with you"
Arjun entered the hall with the kids, Akshay and Akshita yelled in happiness when they saw their mamu (uncle).
"Mamu!" (Uncle)
"Mamu!"(uncle)
Akshay and Akshita ran towards their mamu. They hugged him tight as Padmanabh smiled. Naina and Arjun looked at each other before laughing.
"Someone missed their mamu so much," Naina said.
"What a surprise Mamu! I was missing you" Akshay said pulling away but still holding on to Padmanabh's arm.
"Me too... Me too... I missed you too and also mami (aunt). Where is mami? You brought her with you?" Akshita asked.
"I miss you too, no I didn't bring your mami (aunt) as she is in New York" Padmanabh spoke stroking Akshita's cheek.
"Awe, I wanted to see her" Akshita pouted.
"You will meet her soon gudiya (doll)" Naina said.
"How was the meeting?" Arjun asked taking a seat beside Naina.
"Good"
"Mamu (uncle) are you staying today?" Akshay asked.
"Yes"
"Can we go for a ride in your car?" Akshay asked. Akshay is weirdly obsessed with cars and bikes. He loves the car Padmanabh drives.
"Sure"
"He is obsessed with cars and bikes. He says he wants an electronic car" Naina said.
"I will book the electronic car then," Padmanabh said.
"No Mamu (uncle) papa booked the car, you buy me the helmet and the jacket," Akshay said.
"Akshay, what did I tell you? It's not needed. You are going to drive the electronic car in our home" Naina said.
"It's fine Didi(sister) Akshay can ask me anything he wants. I will give it to him" Padmanabh said ruffling Akshay's hair.
"I love you Mamu, you be the best," Akshay said kissing Padmanabh's cheek.
"Haha... Stop spoiling him" Naina said and Arjun laughed.
"What my cupcake wants?" Padmanabh asked Akshita picking her up and making her sit on his thigh. Akshita wraps her arm around Padmanabh.
"I want to have cupcakes Mamu (uncle). Mummy only gives one cupcake saying it's not healthy but I love cupcakes" Akshita says.
"You are not going to buy her any cupcakes. We had to remove her teeth because of tooth decay" Naina said.
"Hmm"
"I'm serious Padmanabh"
"Okay"
Padmanabh spoke with the kids while Naina stood up to make something. Arjun sat there listening to his kids talk with their mamu.
"You two go and change your clothes. I will wait for you here" Padmanabh said.
"Okay!"
"Okay" Akshay and Akshita yelled running to their rooms with Naina following behind.
Padmanabh spoke with Arjun about the present business in Mumbai while Naina helped the kids get ready.
*
"Which one do you like?" Padmanabh asked Akshay as they are in the motorcycle gear shop.
"I don't know, every helmet is too good. I can't choose" Akshay replied.
"I think this looks good on you," Padmanabh said pointing to the black helmet. Akshita is looking at the jackets and gloves in awe. Her eyes glued on the black small jacket. She ran back to where Akshay and her Mamu stood.
"Mamu... Mamu..." Akshita said pulling on Padmanabh's sleeve.
"Yes?"
"Mamu, can I have this?" Akshita asked pointing her chubby finger at the jacket which is put on the display.
"You like it?" Padmanabh asked.
"I love that, I want that" Akshita replied.
"Why do you need that? You won't ride any bike or car" Akshay said. Akshita's shoulders slouched down as she pouted her lips.
"Akshay, say sorry to your sister. If she wants that then she will get it. When you grow you should buy anything your sister asks okay?" Padmanabh said looking at Akshay.
The little boy listens to everything his mamu says. "Okay!"
"Is that jacket her size?" Padmanabh asked the salesman.
"It's actually boy's jacket sir but it can be worn by the girls. Yes, it's her fit sir" the salesman said.
"Okay, we will take that"
Padmanabh spent an hour in the store as Akshay decided on what he wants. In the end, Padmanabh bought him all the biking gare and a backpack.
"I love you so much Mamu!" Akshay said bouncing on his legs. Padmanabh smiled nodding his head.
The driver carried their bags while Padmanabh held Akshay's and Akshita's hands. They walked into the doughnut house.
"What you want to have?" Padmanabh asked.
"Hmm" Akshay and Akshita looked at the display. Padmanabh suddenly reminded of Vrishali's sweet tooth how she gets excited seeing the sweets.
He pulled his phone out to text her. The only person he texts is Vrishali. He is not a huge fan of texting and talking on the phone.
"I want to have the chocolate and pink doughnuts," Akshay said.
"I want to have two chocolate and two cupcakes," Akshita said.
"Good evening sir, ready to order?" The lady asked politely.
"Good evening, we will have three chocolate doughnuts, one strawberry doughnut, two chocolate cupcakes and one expresso coffee" Padmanabh gave the order.
The lady typed on her computer and gave the bill to Padmanabh.
"That would be seven hundred rupees sir" Padmanabh gave his platinum card to the lady to swipe it.
Padmanabh took their order and walked towards the empty table. He helped Akshay and Akshita sit which didn't go unnoticed by the people around them.
Padmanabh knew people are looking at him and some even took a double-take. Padmanabh sipped his coffee while the kids ate their doughnuts.
"Mamu when is mami retuning?" Akshay asked.
"When she gets her holidays," Padmanabh said.
"Can we talk to her?" Akshita asked.
"If mami isn't busy she will. Let me ask her" Padmanabh said dialling Vrishali's number.
Vrishali is teaching Aryan for the next exam when her phone started ringing. She looked at the screen to see Padmanabh's name. A smile broke on her face as she stood up.
"Haha, baby babe is happy getting a call from her husband" Aryan teased. Vrishali rolled her eyes going to the balcony to answer the call.
"Hello?" Vrishali said with a smile on her face. She always looks forward to his call.
"Hi"
"Wassup?" Vrishali asked sitting on the chair.
"Are you busy?" Padmanabh asked. Akshay and Akshita looking at him with hopeful eyes.
"No" Vrishali replied.
"I'm with Akshay and Akshita. They want to facetime with you" Padmanabh said.
Vrishali's eyes widen as she looked down at her attire. She looks like a homeless girl wearing a hoodie.
"Can you give me five minutes? I will facetime you" Vrishali said ending the call. She rushed into the room scaring Aryan.
"What was that girl! Slow down..." Aryan said. Vrishali entered the washroom to wash her face. She made a face looking at herself.
"They are men's face wash" Aryan commented watching Vrishali from the doorway.
"Doesn't matter" Vrishali replied washing her face. She combed her hair and turned towards Aryan.
"Presentable?" She asked him.
"You look the same" Aryan commented.
Vrishali rolled her eyes before going back to the balcony. She face-timed Padmanabh, this is their first time doing a facetime.
Padmanabh nervously accepted the facetime, he looked at Vrishali's face and kept staring... observing her face, he is seeing her face after three months.
"Mamu, are you going to show mami or not?" Akshay asked fiddling in his seat.
Vrishali chucked and Padmanabh's ears turned pink. He handed the phone to Akshay and Akshita peeked in.
"Hey Akshay"
"Hey Akshita!" Vrishali said with a huge smile on her face.
"Hi mami (aunt)"
"Hi mami!" Akshay and Akshita said in happiness.
"How are you two doing?" Vrishali asked cutely looking at them. She missed them too.
"We are good, Mamu came to meet us but you are not there," Akshay said.
"Yeah..."
"You three came out?" Vrishali asked.
"Yes... Yes... Mamu got us motorcycle gear and jacket and helmets..." Akshita said with wide eyes in excitement. Vrishali chuckled seeing their excitement.
"Oh really? So you two must be happy"
"Yes, we are so much happy! Mamu always gives us whatever we want. If you want something ask Mamu. He will get that for you" Akshay said.
"I will remember that" Vrishali replied.
"What you want mami?" Akshita asked.
"Like now?" Vrishali asked.
"Yes, you want something?" Akshita asked. Vrishali playfully thought about it while the two kids watched her curiously.
"Hmm... Right now I'm carving Indian sweets" Vrishali said truthfully. Padmanabh rolled his eyes but nothing less he smiled. He knew she would ask something relating to sweets.
"Sweets? Who asks sweets when you can ask for a bike or a car or money from mamu" Akshay says with a confused look.
"We don't want big things from mamu like you," Akshita said looking at her brother Akshay.
"Because you are stupid"
Vrishali laughed as both the siblings started arguing. Padmanabh shook his head taking the phone from their hands. Vrishali blew away looking at Padmanabh who is looking damn hot.
"How is your exams going on?" Padmanabh asked.
"Mami has exams?" Vrishali heard Akshay ask in the background.
"Yes"
"They are going good, practicals were hard. The theory is good but needs a lot of remembering power" Vrishali said.
"Hmm, don't stress yourself and don't forget to eat on time," Padmanabh said. Vrishali gaze shifted to Aryan who is looking at her with his body leaning on the glass door. He is trying to hear her...
"Noted" they spoke for a while before Padmanabh ended the call as they need to go home and Vrishali has to prepare for her next exam.
"When I'm going to meet your hot husband?" Aryan asked Vrishali as she unlocked the balcony door.
"I don't know when I'm going to see him, how would I tell?" Vrishali said.
"Then tell him to come to visit you" Vrishali shook her head.
"I don't have guts to tell him that and he is busy"
"Lol, did you see your see face while talking to him? You have those lovesick eyes. It's clear that you miss him" Aryan said.
"Haha, I miss him and I told you that already"
"You should tell him not me" Aryan patted Vrishali's head.
"Joke... I don't want to end up like an idiot after telling him"
"You won't, just tell the man. And I think even he misses you."