3| Ulfat

🦢 Aankhein kitaabi tu khole to padhlu,

Kajal si likkhi chappi kahaniya teri mere saiyaan 🦢

"Chalo Maya. Aur kitni der?" Arjun called for his wife as he glanced at the time on the watch sitting on his wrist.

Come on Maya. How much longer?

"Bas 2 minute dijeye." Came Maya's reply from the walk-in closet.

Just give me 2 minutes.

Arjun huffed as he knew Maya is going to take way more than just 2 minutes. If they don't leave in another 20 minutes, they will surely be late for Aashna's parent-teacher meeting.

It has been 5 months since they got married and the first couple of weeks went by in finding their rhythm as a couple. They gradually settled into their married life and understood their relationship as time passed.

Maya had settled well into the role of a responsible wife to Arjun and a nurturing mother to Aashna. The nature of her job allowed her to dedicate her whole attention towards her new life. Her morning starts with taking care of Arjun's pre-workout snack, getting things ready for him before he leaves for his office and cooking breakfast for him sometimes. She also prepares him lunch and sends it to the office in the afternoon.

She then tends to Aashna; getting her ready for school, having breakfast with her and sending her off. When Aashna returns from school, she helps the little girl in doing her homework and plays with her. Once, she's asleep around 8 pm, Arjun arrives. The couple eats their dinner together,  sharing their daily activities and chatting on some light hearted topics.

Arjun had started to make space for Maya in his personal life. He had started to open up to her and share things with her, be it from his legal or illegal business. It felt nice to be able to talk to someone about what was going on in his mafia organisation. He of course filters out whatever he thinks is unnecessary for Maya to hear, like gory details or miniscule information about things. Maya always listened carefully to him as if it were the most interesting talk in the world. She would also remember almost everything he said.

Maya was always concerned about Arjun's safety whenever he would leave for a meeting in his illegal business. Maya had started to ask him to send her texts about how the meetings went. Arjun did forgot a couple of times in the beginning but in that case Maya would text or call him inquiring about his wellbeing.

After a month, Arjun realised just how much he likes these simple text exchanges between him and his wife. He had ever since made a habit of texting about his every meeting to her. He would even text her if he'd gotten any new contract or had signed a deal with a company in his legal business. Maya would always congratulate him and make some kind of sweet dish to celebrate the same. He loved these small gestures from his wife.

He hadn't realised when he had started to like her. Everything about her had started to pique interest in him. He loved her food, he loved listening to her shayaris and all the dinner dates that they had everyday meant so much to him. He had started to fall for her but hadn't realised it yet.

Maya had started to get so attached with him, she'd fear what she'll do even for a moment when Arjun's not around. She had started to trust him immensely. She loved cooking for him and doing his little chores for him. She loved how every time she made coffee for Arjun, he would immediately recognise the taste of it and appreciate her although she prepares it same way chef or the other house-helps would.

Maya had developed a soft corner for him and started to respect him even more than she used to before they got married. His dedication to his daughter, his work and now towards her, earned a special place in her heart. She too had started to develop feelings for him but hadn't realise it.

"Ready!" She announced as she stepped into the bedroom.

"Finally." Arjun said as he got up from the bed and looked at Maya.

She was dressed in an off-white kurti set, looking nothing less than a dream. Arjun involuntarily heaved a sigh when she gave him a smile and started walking towards him. Stopping in front of her husband, she gave him a small twirl.

"Kaisi lag rahi hu?" She asked. She was wearing heels so her face was nearer to Arjun's now.

How do I look?

"Beyhad sundar." Arjun replied with a smile.

Very beautiful.

Arjun kept his one hand on her waist, bringing her closer, and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Arjun kept looking at her, memorising her face, observing every little detail. Maya couldn't help but blush at the constant gaze of her husband. Arjun caressed her now pink cheeks with adoration filled in his eyes.

They've been closer physically and have started to open up with each other that way as well. They've been making each other comfortable with each other's presence and touch, taking their time with their intimate relationship.

Arjun dipped his head to place a kiss on Maya's head when she suddenly jerked her head away and sneezed.

"Bless you." Arjun said.

"Thanks." Maya replied.

"Kabhi kabhi lagta hai mere 2 bacche hai." Arjun said shaking his head at his wife.

Sometimes I feel like I have two kids.

"Kya matlab?" Maya said as she kept her hands on her waist and gave an annoyed expression to her husband.

What is that suppose to mean?

"Aur nahi to kya. Kya zarurat thi baarish mei khelne kudne ki?" Arjun said as he thought back to the scene he walked in on the day before.

What else am I suppose to say then. What was the need to play in the rain?

It was around 7:30 pm when a very tired Arjun walked into an unusually silent house. None of the house-helps were present and both his girls weren't in sight as well.

"Maya? Aashna?" He called as he walked into the living room. He tried calling Maya's phone and heard it ring in the house itself. He walked into the dining room and found it lying there on the table, along with Maya's dress' stroll.

"Where are these two?" He mumbled to himself and walked towards the kitchen.

As he crossed the door to the garden, he heard the sound of laughter coming from outside. The voices were the ones he wishes to always return home to, his girls'.

He walked outside and saw his wife and his daughter dancing in the rain. Both the girls had their hair down and they were drenched from head to toe. They were dancing on some song playing over the speakers, enjoying themselves to the fullest.

A smile formed on Arjun's lips as he quickly clicked some photos of them when Maya had Aashna in her arms. The girls wore the biggest smiles on their face and were so lost in their own enjoyment that they didn't even hear the camera click.

Arjun looked at the photos he had just clicked and choosing one of them, he put it as his wallpaper.

"Maya, Aashna. Chalo aandar aa jao. Bimar hona hai kya?" Arjun said as he asked both of them to get inside.

Come one now, come inside. Do you guys wish to fall sick?

"5 minute aur bas." Maya said.

Just 5 more minutes.

"Please papa." Aashna said and gave him the puppy eyes. Arjun always melts at his daughter's puppy eyes and the little girl knows it. She isn't as innocent as people think.

"Fine. But only 5 more minutes." Arjun said and the girls nodded.

True to their word, they got inside the house within 5 minutes but the damage was done. Aashna wasn't that sick but Maya has been sneezing a lot ever since.

"Aacha theek hai na. Ye dekhiye ke hame maza kitna aaya." Maya said as her eyes twinkled at the memory.

Okay fine whatever. Look at the brighter side, we enjoyed so much.

"2 pal ke maze ke liye health bigad li. Kya logic hai." Arjun sarcastically said.

For enjoyment worth mere minutes, you've spoiled your health. What logic is this?

"Aap kya jano maze kya hote hai. Aap bade boring hai." Maya said giving Arjun the side eyes.

What do you know about enjoyment? You are a very boring person.

"Mai? Boring? Abhi batata hu mai kitna boring hu." Arjun said as he grabbed Maya's waist and started tickling her.

Me? Boring? Wait, I'll show you just how much boring I am.

She threw her head back and started giggling like a school girl. Tears started forming in her eyes from all the laughing and her stomach had started to hurt as well. Arjun had started to laugh as well, listening to his wife's melodious giggles.

"Okay okay sorry. Stop, Arjun please." Maya said in between her laughter.

Arjun finally stopped at her pleas and circling his hands around her waist, he brought her to his chest. Both their laughter died down after a moment and now they were basking in the comfort of each other's embrace with smiles on their faces.

"Ek baar jo dekha tumhe haste hue,

Maine dekha hai khandaron mai sheher baste hue."

When I looked at you smile, it felt like I looked at a city being built on a previously abandoned land.

Maya said looking in Arjun's eyes. He couldn't help but dip his neck and place a soft, romantic kiss on his wife's lips.

"Mai kabhi kabar soch mai pad jata hu k koi shaks itni gehrai se kaise soch sakta hai." Arjun said looking deep in his wife's eyes.

Someday I wonder a lot about how might a person think so deeply about things.

"Mai to kuch bhi nahi hun shayaron ke samne jinki likhai padhke mai badi hui hun." Maya said as she blushed even more at all the praises that were being showered upon her by her husband.

I am nothing in front of all those poets whose works I've been reading growing up.

"Haa par isme koi shak nahi ke you're truly gifted, sweetheart." Arjun said and caressed her already red cheeks.

Yeah but there no doubt about the fact that you're truly gifted, sweetheart.

"Bahot shukriya." Maya said with sincerity.

Thank you so much.

"Ab aap ready hon to chalein?" Arjun asked as he glided his hands down her arms and clasped his left hand with her right one.

Now if you're ready, shall we leave?

"Haan. Aap gaadi mei bethiye, mai Aashna ko le kar aayi." Maya said as the couple exited their room.

Yes. You wait in the car, I'll get Aashna.

"Theek hai." Arjun said and descended downstairs while Maya went towards Aashna's room.

Okay.

~ Maya's dress ~

~ x ~

How are we liking their chemistry so far?