Chapter-12

An early update as I may not update tomorrow!!

STOP SNIFFING LIKE A DOG

Author's POV:

Sitaara's sleep was disturbed by a knock. She chose to ignore it. She heard knock again. Groaning she covered her ears with pillow.

Knock knock!!

"Argh...Ved anna I know it's you. Stop disturbing my sleep. Tell Thatha (grand father) that am not joining for breakfast today" she yelled.

"Sitaara" she heard a feminine voice followed by a soft knock. She opened her eyes and her eyes fell on yellow sacred thread around her neck.

Shit! Shit!

Dumbo!! Situ you are married!!

It's your in-laws house!!

My inlaws!? Sounds... good?

Knock knock!!

Slapping her forehead she got down the bed hastily and opened the door forgetting the dress she wore.

She saw Sakshi with a huge smile but looking at Sitaara her smile changed into shock. Sitaara looked at herself forwning.

God!! It's a beautiful morning!! That too at my inlaws!!

Fuck off I'm sleeping!!

Seriously, Sitaara?

Sitaara looked up smiling awkwardly while sakshi's expression were still in shock.

"Athamma(mil) sorry... actually I was feeling uncomfortable so...Aarya gave me these when I requested her. I won't wear them again. I will even throw all my shorts and tees. I will not buy again too. God!! What am speaking!? Athamma, please don't mind. I didn't brush..right! That's why am blabbering-" she stopped seeing Sakshi laughing.

"My cute Dil!! It's okay!! You can wear whichever clothes you are comfortable with. But... don't come outside the room like this" she requested last part. Sitaara thinned her lips.

"Am sorry" she whispered.

"Don't apologise, Situ. I don't have any problem with your clothing nor anyone in this house are gonna question you. I just told you not to come out in shorts because Abhi don't like it as they are few male workers too" said Sakshi cupping her cheek. Sitaara smiled nodding.

Sweet lady!!

"Here, for now wear this saree as you and Abhi have to offer prayers today. Later, when your family comes change into another one as you will be attending few rituals" said Sakshi giving a box. Sitaara nodded.

"I hope you didn't feel any uncomfortableness while sleeping as it's a new place" said Sakshi.

"No!! I slept peacefully. Besides, Aarya was with me. So, yeah I didn't feel any uncomfortableness" she said smiling. Sakshi nodded.

"I will leave now. Take bath and come fast" said Sakshi and went away. Sitaara closed the door and leaned on to it. She looked at the saree in her hands.

"How shall I wear this?" She mumbled and looked at Aarya. She stood up straight and walked to Aarya keeping the saree box on couch.

"Aarya!! Wake up" she said patting her cheeks.

No response!!

"Aarya" she yelled shaking her.

No response!!

Is she dead?

No, she is breathing!!

"Aaru, wake up!! Aaru wake up!! Aaru, wake up" shouted Situ in her ears making Aarya jump in her spot.

"Situ!! Bitch!! Why are you shouting? You are disturbing my dreams with Arjun. He was about to kiss me but you ruined it. And why the hell are you here?" Shouted Aarya.

"Open your eyes properly and look at me" said Situ keeping her hands on waist.

"You look sexy!! Those legs of yours too" said Aarya giggling and earned a smack on her head.

"You know, your mom saw me like this!! I was hell embarrassed. Have a look at the print on shirt. 'Fuck off I'm sleeping' seriously, Aarya? Didn't you find any other tee?" Asked Situ sitting on bed and palmed her face.

"Mom saw you like this?" Asked Aarya.

Did I use an alien launguage before?

"Yes!!" Said Sitaara rolling her eyes. Aarya burst out laughing.

"Mom..saw..her dil..in shorts..on..fi.rst day? You..should ha.ve..wa..ke me up. I mis..sed the ch..an.ce to see your embarrassed face and mom's shocked face" said Aarya between her laugh. Sitaara hit her with pillow.

"She didn't say anything. Infact she gave permission to wear anything in which I feel comfortable. But she requested me not to come out of the room if am in shorts. Your mom is such a sweetheart, aaru. I liked her already" said situ smiling.

"You love her soon too. Not only her but our whole family. They are very broad minded even my grand parents" Said Aarya. Sitaara nodded smiling.

"Now please help me with this saree. I will come back after bath" she said standing on her feet. Aarya nodded yawning. Sitaara went into bathroom and freshed up. She came out wrapping herself in towel.

"Hot baby!! I don't know how my brother gonna control himself around you" said Aarya. Sitaara cringed. Not at the compliment but at the second line told by Aarya. Aarya too said intentionally as Situ have to move on making her realise that she can't stuck on the man who is no more in this world.

"Now, make it fast. Athamma(mil) asked me to come soon" said Situ. Aarya nodded and helped situ in draping saree.

"You look beautiful, Situ" said Aarya smiling checking out Sitaara.

"Raj likes me in red dress dresses" said Sitaara smiling checking herself in mirror.

"Abhi anna too likes red dresses and am sure he will drool looking at you" said Aarya. Sitaara's smile faded.

"I will go now. You too fresh up and join us" said Sitaara applying vermillion in her partition.

"Nah!! I have to continue my beauty sleep" she said jumping on bed.

"Aarya-"

"Increase the temperature of ac situ. It's so chilling" she said cutting off Situ. Sitaara shook her head at Aarya and increased the temperature. Checking herself once again she moved out.

She went to kitchen and saw her mother in laws preparing breakfast.

"Good morning" she wished with a smile.

"Good mo..oh my God!! You look beautiful, Situ" shouted anjali, Abhi's aunt.

"Thank you athamma (mil)" she said blushing.

"Do you guys want me to help?" She asked but in real she doesn't know any work from kitchen except serving.

"It's okay, Situ. Mridula(Situ's mom) told us that you aren't good with kitchen chores. But don't worry I will teach everything. Actually, in our home we won't allow maids to enter kitchen for cooking. So, you need to learn cooking for sure" said Sakshi.

"Am sorry!! I'll learn soon" she said. They smiled nodding.

"Then, what shall I do now?" She asked pouting.

"Here, serve this tea to Abhi's grand parents" said Anjali forwarding a platter with tea cups and kettle. Sitaara nodded and went to living room where Abhi's grand father was reading newspaper and Abhi's grand mother was chanting mantras looking at devotinal songs playing on television.

"Grand pa!! Grand ma!!" She called sweetly. They smiled.

"Good morning" she greeted forwarding their cups.

"Good morning, Sitaara" they greeted back smiling and took cups from platter.

Abhi who came from jog saw Sitaara serving tea to his grandparents. He was mesmerized by her beauty. He was staring at her with a beautiful smile which is a rare one. Her wet butt length hair is making her look beautiful. Vermillion, sacred thread dangling around her neck, red saree which is complimenting her fair skin are enhancing her beauty. Suddenly his eyes fell on her milky waist and he couldn't take his eyes off her waist.

"Abhi, are you planning to stand at door for rest of the day?" Asked his grandmother giving a teasing smiling. Sitaara looked at Abhi who is in t-shirt and track pants. Sweat dripping out from his hair.

"No!! I was just thinking about something" he said not looking at Sitaara. She too averted her gaze adjusting her saree.

"Yeah..we know what you are thinking. We saaww yoou" said his grandparents singing last part giggling like school girls. Rolling his eyes he ran to gym area. Sitaara to went back to kitchen.

"Situ beta please serve this energy drink to boys. They are in gym area. They must have completed their excercise and tell Abhi not to eat anything untill you both lit diya" said Sakshi. Sitaara nodded and went to gym area with help of directions told by Anjali.

"Good morning, boys" she greeted Naman, Dhruv, Akash, Anish... Abhimanyu?

"Good morning vadhina(sil)/ Sitaara" greeted Naman, Dhruv, Akash and Anish while abhi didn't even spare a glance at her.

"Here are your drinks" she said excitedly. They nodded smiling and took their juice.

"You look beautiful, Vadhina(sil)" said Naman. She smiled.

"Isn't she, anna?" Asked Dhruv. Abhi looked at Sitaara who was already looking at him. They both quickly averted their gaze.

"My drink?" He asked ignoring Dhruv's questions. Boys frowned.

"Athamma(mil) told me to remind you that you shouldn't have anything untill we both offer our prayers" she said plainly taking glasses back from boys.

"Look at me while you talk" he said coldly. Boys frowned at his tone. Anish glared at Abhi.

Sitaara ignored him royally and walked out of the gym area. Naman, Akash and Dhruv stiffened their laugh.

"She is perfect for you, Abhi" said Anish chuckling and patted his shoulders.

How dare she insult me?

Abhi swatted Anish's hands and went to his room. They chuckled.

Sitaara was helping her mils in kitchen. She felt a tiny hands wrapping around her legs. She looked down and saw Ishitha, Anish and Aastha's daughter.

"My baby woke up? You look pretty in this frock Ishu" she said lifting Ishu in her arms. Ishitha giggled and Sitaara kissed her cheeks.

"Sitaara, ask Abhi to come fast. Your father in law's can't stay hungry for longer time and they can't eat untill you both do pooja" said Sakshi. She nodded.

"Ishu baby, will you guide me to mama's (maternal uncle) room?" She asked. Ishitha nodded. They both went to Abhi's room but didn't find him.

"Mama might be in washroom" said situ to Ishitha. Ishitha nodded. Sitaara made Ishu sit on bed while she was Observing the room.

Am I going to sleep in this scary place?

It looks like ghost room!!

Black! Black! And black!!

She heard door opening sound and Abhi came outside only in towel.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"I came here to inform you to come fast. Everyone are waiting for you" she said not looking at him.

"I told you to look at me while talking" he said dangerously. She looked into his eyes which are emotionless.

Just like him!!

"We are getting late for pooja" she said looking into his eyes. He nodded.

"Wear any dress other than black" she said looking at outfits he selected with her left hand on her left hip. He frowned.

"I mean since it's pooja we shouldn't wear black" she said. He nodded.

"Wear this one" she said pointing at one of the outfit he kept on bed. He nodded.

"Can't you talk? How can I know that you are listening to me?" She scoffed and said putting both her hands on her hips. He rolled his eyes.

"I think you should realise something?" He asked. She gave a confused and questing look. He pointed himself telling that he is half naked.

"I know" she said shrugging her shoulders.

"Aren't you feeling shy?" He asked.

"For what?" She asked.

"Your husband is standing shirtless infront of you. I heard girls will blush looking at shirtless guys" he said. She laughed.

"Come out of your illusion, Abhimanyu. Not all girls are like that and I am neither feeling shy nor affected by you being shirtless" she said.

"Why?" He asked and took a step closer to her.

"Girls get affected only when they have feelings towards the man and I don't feel anything for you so am not affected" she said shrugging her shoulders.

"Oh!! Is it? You aren't affected by me?" He asked smirking and raised an eyebrow at her moving closer to her.

"Yes" she said honestly. He suddenly pulled her to him placing his palm on her bare waist. She shivered at his touch but kept a cold face. He smirked.

"Now?" He asked

"No" was all her reply. He pulled her more to him leaving no gap between them.

"Now?" He asked. She shook her head in denial. He smirked and leaned to her. He buried his face in her neck and placed his lips there.

Sitaara gasped and pushed him.

"Didn't I warn you not to touch me? Don't play such cheap tricks with me. I don't even care or bother to look at you even if you roam around me all naked" she yelled at him.

"Atta(aunt/mami)" they heard Ishitha's voice.

"Fuck" cursed both Sitaara and Abhi in unison realising that Ishitha saw everything.

She turned to Ishitha smiling and lifted Ishu in her arms.

Bipolar woman!!

Just now she was angry at me and now she is smiling!!

"Shall we go baby?" She asked kissing Ishitha's cheek. Ishitha nodded.

"Mama(uncle) kisssh(kiss)" said Ishitha. Abhi nodded and bent to her level. His aftershave smell hit her nostrils.

He smells amazing!!

Stop sniffing like a dog, situ.

"You look beautiful Ishu baby" he said and kissed on her cheek. Ishitha giggled and kissed her uncle's (Abhi) cheek.

"Atha is feeling jealous of your beauty, Ishu. Look, she is glaring at us" said Abhi to tease situ.

"Izz(is) it true, atha(aunt/mami)?" Asked Ishitha.

"No baby. I agree you are very beautiful but am not jealous. You know, your mama has some mental disorder and he speaks stupid things all the time like a mad man. Boochodu!! said Situ dramatically and glared at Abhi. Ishitha latched her palms on her mouth dramatically.

(Boochodu= kidnapper, a term used to scare kids describing a bad man)

"Mama you are kidnapper? So, you will kidnap kids? And me too? Then, pull off my eyes, cut my limbs, then sell me off to bad men?" Asked Ishitha and hugged Sitaara's neck to hide from Abhi's gaze.

"What the fuck?" He whisper yelled at Sitaara. She suppressed her laugh at his expressions.

"This what you tell to her? She is my only stress buster and now she is asking me if I kidnap kids hiding herself from me in your neck" he said throwing his hands in air.

"So, you are not? I thought you were a kidnapper looking at your grumpy face" she said to piss him. He glared at her gritting his teeth.

"Come soon. Everyone are waiting for you, boochodu" she said winking at his angry face and went downstairs.

After she went away a smile appeared on his lips. He sat on bed and looked at the outfit.

She is different. Every girls drools over me, literally eye-rape me, here, this girl who happened to be my wife didn't even glance at my upper body. I never saw a girl like her.

Intimidating. Happy- going girl. Cute. Emotional.

All in all she is different.

He thought.

Abhi went down running his fingers in his messy hair. He ran his eyes through at everyone but didn't get a glimpse of Sitaara in between many relatives. Many of the relatives stayed back and few came in the morning as still wedding rituals are yet to complete. Suddenly he saw Preethi winking at him and gave a flirtous smile followed by a flying kiss. He clenched his jaw and fisted his fingers.

He went to her and pulled out the chair she sat making her fall on butt.

"What the hell Abhi?" She shouted.

"Smile now. Come on woman! Wink and blew a kiss again" he taunted.

"I dare you repeat such cheap things at me and I don't care to smack your face infront of everyone. Don't you have shame to wink, blew a kiss and smile in such a way at married man?" He yelled at her making everyone flinch.

"What happened Abhi?" Asked Akash.

"Ask your sister, Akash. I rejected her on her face n number times but still she pull out of her cheap tricks" he said gritting his teeth.

"Abhimanyu" called Sitaara holding his hand. He whipped his head to her dangerously making her step back in fear at his intimidating gaze.

"I know I don't have a say in this but this not the way you treat your cousin. She just had feelings for you and she is still 20 Abhimanyu, she might not understand few things. They think it as a casual thing. It's not their mistake but it's their age. You should let it go or explain her calmly" she whispered but he saw something in her eyes.

From which planet did she come from?

Definately from Pluto which disappeared years ago!

Who the hell will tolerate a girl who has feelings for her husband?

He stared at her amused and blinked his eyes. Once. Twice. Thrice and looked away nodding his head. She smiled at him.

'An eight wonder!! This man never cares even if his mother's tries to calm his anger but one touch, one look and few words brought him back to sane person' thought Anish and smirked at Abhi who showed his middle finger at him.

"Woah!! What black magic did you spell on my nephew? He fights for you. He listens to you. He disrespects his aunt for you. Tell me bitch, what you did to him to wrap him around your little finger in just 20 hours after your marriage?" Shouted Haritha, Abhi's aunt making all the relatives gasp. Tears filled in Situ's eyes.

"Black magic? She doesn't spell any black magic at me. It's her nature which brings any person into sane mind. My behavior towards anyone has nothing to do with her. I reciprocate what I get from people" said Abhi gritting his teeth and glared at Haritha.

"What did you address her? Bitch? Huh? Didn't you see the who is the bitch here? It's your daughter. Teach her some manners so that she doesn't behave like a bitch hitting on married man, trying to break my marriage. Dare you ever raise my voice against my wife again or use cuss words on her again, I don't even care our relationship and throw you out of my mansion" he screamed.

"Abhimanyu" said Sitaara holding his arm with her left hand and her right hand held his palm. He closed his eyes to control his rage.

"We need to do pooja right? Come let's go to temple room" he said intertwining their fingers and started moving to temple room. He heard Haritha's voice again.

"If you bring some street dog to home, it will bark like this only anna. This street dog Abhimanyu, today he is shouting in my mansion at me" yelled Haritha at Aman, Abhi's father.

Abhi halted in his tracks and closed his eyes. His hands were shivering and his body went rigid. Every thing in his past was flashing infront of him.

"Haritha" shouted Aman

"Am done taking this shit from you, Haritha. Dare you say anything to my son and its not him but I will throw you out this house. You called my DIL with names on her first day in her in-laws and you dare to call my son street dog? Before you say this mansion as yours remember that you are standing in the mansion my son bought with his hardwork. Now, the owner of this mansion is Sitaara. Keep a check on your words when you speak to owner of this house" Screamed Aman making Haritha shut her mouth. Sitaara was looking at everyone confused as she was never exposed such fights before even though hers is a huge family.

"Mama(maternal uncle), am sorry on my mom's behalf. Abhi am sorry again. Please don't mind anything and Sitaara, am extremely sorry" said akash joining his palms. It's became his usual habit to apologise everyone on his mother behalf.

Sitaara nodded with a smile whereas Abhi stood at his spot like a pole closing his eyes. Anish was looking at him worried.

"Abhi..."called Anish placing his hand on Abhi's shoulder.

"Am fine, Ani" he said and looked at Anish with a poker face.

"Are you sure?" Anish looked at Sitaara with a nervous smile and turned to Abhi "Do you wanna rest for some time?"

"Am perfectly fine, Ani. You don't worry" said Abhi and tried to smile but failed miserably. Anish looked at his friend understanding his hidden pain he is carrying since he is born.

"Mummy, shall we start pooja?" Asked Abhi. Sakshi nodded.

"Come" saying this Abhi took sitaara with him inside the temple room.

They both did pooja together. Sitaara sang a devotional song leaving everyone shock.

She gave aarthi to everyone with a smile and turned to Abhi to give aarthi.

"You are such a horrendous singer. Sing one more time and this mansion may collapse" he said teasingly. Sakshi hit his arm while Sitaara glared at him.

"He is an idiot sitaara. He is jealous of your singing abilities. You were awesome" said Anjali. Sitaara smiled

"Jealous of her? For her horrible voice?" Joked Abhi sarcastically. She hit him in his stomach.

"Say that again am gonna chop your tongue. Then, you can't even speak to taunt me" she threatened him playfully. Everyone laughed.

Soon they all had breakfast. Abhi and Situ got ready in simple yet elegant clothes for rituals. Shetty's family too arrived. Sitaara ran to them and hugged them tightly. They performed few rituals.

"Abhi, fill your pocket with currency notes. In next ritual your bil's(Sitaara's brothers) will demand so much money. Am telling you based on my experience, they aren't gonna leave you untill they make your bank account zero" said Rishi. Adhira smacked his head.

"Stop scaring him. My brother's aren't that cruel. It's just for fun. Even you are no less, you demanded many things in one of the rituals. Why don't you say about it" said Adhira.

"She is right. There will be a playful ritual and you are asked to demand something. Don't back off okay? Ask everything you want and Shetty's have do it without a second thought" said Anish.

Abhi just nodded with his signature poker face. Anish and Rishi shook their heads at his expressionless face.

Soon they all completed all the rituals. Sitaara packed her clothes happily as she and Abhi has to go to her parents house.

They bade adieu to Choudhary's and sat in car. In whole car ride Sitaara was talking to Vedanth who was driving and Abhi was on his phone.

They reached Shetty's Mansion. Maids started taking Abhi's bags to Sitaara's room.

"Why are you guys taking his bags to my room?" She asked maids. They looked at her grandfather. She too turned to him.

"Where do you want him to sleep, Sitaara?" Asked her grandfather mockingly.

"This mansion has many rooms. He can stay in any room he like. It's his wish" she said shrugging her shoulders. Her grandfather sighed and gestured maids to continue their work. Sitaara pouted.

"Take Abhi to your room, Sitamma. He will sleep in your room" said Dev. She nodded frowning.

"Come" she said to Abhi who came back after attending the call. He nodded and followed her.

"Sitaara" he called as they were ascending steps. She hummed.

"Who is that lady with your father and uncles in photos?" He asked though he didn't want to. He don't know why but he felt different emotion looking at that lady's picture which made him ask her.

"Ohh..she? She is my aunt. My father's only sister. She was Princess of Shetty's" she said looking at him.

''She looks exactly like you. BTW, why didn't she come to our wedding? Not only wedding, she isn't seen anywhere anytime?" He asked as they entered her room.

"She loved a man but my family didn't accept him. So, she eloped with that man and from then she disappeared from earth like she never exist" she said. He nodded sitting on couch.

"My baby...I missed you" she jumped on her bed and mumbled in her pillow.

"Didn't you guys never searched for her?" He couldn't help but ask her due to unknown curiosity within him. She sat up and looked at him.

"First of all, you wanna know who is that man she loved?" She asked. He looked at her raising his eyebrow.

"Vikram's Father, Suresh uncle" she said. He looked at her confused.

"She was in love with him. But suresh uncle was rival of Shetty's. So, my family didn't accept him. The next day she eloped. My family didn't search for her then, as they were very mad at her for choosing Suresh uncle over us. But within in a week Suresh uncle got married to another woman, as a result Vikram born. Seeing other woman insted of my aunt, my family searched for her but we didn't find her. Not even till today no one knows where she is, if she is alive or not, but there wasn't a single day my father regretting for not searching for her immediately" said Sitaara.

''What's her name? When did this happen?" Asked abhi.

"Sita! Sita is her name, everyone used to call her Sitamma it seems and all this happened nearly 30 years ago. Police arrested Suresh uncle too as a suspect but he was proved innocent" she said. Abhi nodded.

"Am named after her. That's why my father calls me as 'sitamma' whereas others call me as situ" she added grinning.

She looks beautiful with that smile.

"Then, how come you and Vikram are bestfriends even after all this happened?" Asked Abhi.

"My parents never set limits with whom I can be friend. He was my childhood friend and it continued like that. When I was in my engineering 1st year I came to know about all these. Just because of past which we can't change, why should I cut my ties with him? Even Suresh uncle was proved innocent" She said shrugging her shoulders. He nodded.

"Anyways, leave it. Go, change your clothes" she said. He nodded and went to bathroom with his clothes meanwhile she changed herself in PJ's. She was in closet looking at Viraj's pictures with teary eyes.

"Sitaara" called Abhi startling her. She immediately closed her locker.

"You scared me" she said keeping her hand in her chest. He just stared at her.

"What were you doing? When I came here you hid something and closed the locker clumsily?" He asked raising his eyebrow.

"That's none of your business" she said arrogantly.

"There is something lying little outside. A photo?" He said moving to locker to hold the photo which happened to be Viraj's. She immediately stood inbetween him and locker.

"Don't touch anything of mine. They are personal" she said. He rolled his eyes and step back. She sighed in relief.

"I don't care about your things too" he said though he was curious of what she was hiding.

"Then move out of the closet" she said.

"Don't use that tone at me" he warned dangerously and moved out.

"Asshole" she muttered and hid everything properly.

She came out and saw Abhi sitting in couch talking in phone.

"You have any girlfriend?" She asked after he hung the call, making him look up.

*****************

Precap:- Abhi's nightmares. Reception and first night.

Sakshi is very kind isn't it? Unlike few mils she didn't push Sitaara against her comfort zone.

Crazy grandparents! Teasing Abhi.

Haritha! Evil woman.

She hurted Sitaara infront of all the relatives. I hate her.

Abhi standing for Sitaara again!

He don't seem bad! What do you guys think?

Sitaara's aunt? I wish she is happy wherever she is!

I am in love with Sitaara's and Vikram's friendship. She is a true friend who didn't break her ties even after knowing that Vikram's father is partially responsible for her aunt's missing.

Do you guys doubt if Abhi had a girlfriend in past? If yes, is she the reason behind his miseries?

What made Sitaara ask Abhi about having a girlfriend? Hmm?

*Don't know for now*

Bye bye, Tata!

Stay tuned for knowing more and let me know your views in comments.

Surya.