Chapter-14

YOU ARE AN EXCEPTION, SWEETHEART

Author's POV:

Abhi woke up early in the morning and saw his wife sleeping at the extreme corner peacefully. He did his morning business and went for a jog.

Sitaara's phone started ringing disturbing her sleep. She frowned and lifted the call without seeing the caller ID.

"Hello" she said in her sleepy voice.

"Sitaara Abhimanyu Chowdary, do you remember that you are at your in-laws?" She heard her mom's angry voice.

"I do, mummy. So what?" She asked and looked at other side of the bed only to find it empty.

"So what?? For godsake Sitaara grow up. You are married now and still it's me who is waking you up. Go and help your mils now orelse I will come there and swoop your ass in front your inlaws" scolded Mridula.

"You know I thought I could sleep peacefully after marriage but no, even after marrying you are behind me. You are so cruel mummy" she said pouting. Mridula chuckled.

"How was yesterday night, Situ?" Asked Navya and Kyathi together. Sitaara thought for sometime about what they are talking, when she understood their intentions her eyes went wide.

"Vadhina(sil) just shut up" shouted Sitaara. They laughed.

"Stop laughing" she shouted again. Just then she saw Abhi coming inside sweating profusely. She turned to other side.

"What is daddy doing?" She asked.

"Waiting for another grandchild" she heard Akhira's voice.

"Akhira just shut your mouth. Actually you should have got married instead of me. You are speaking which you shouldn't" said sitaara.

"Akira don't irritate her, she must be tired all the night. Let her take rest" came Adhira's voice from other end followed by group of laugh.

"You know what, just fucking go to hell" she yelled and hung the call.

She rolled on her stomach and looked at Abhi who is checking messages sent by Vinay, his P.A.

"Abhimanyu" she called. He hummed still looking into phone.

"Are you going inside bathroom now?" She asked. He looked at her smirking.

"Why? Wanna join me?" He asked. Her eyes went wide.

"You asshole!! Mind your tongue before you speak" she yelled at him sitting up. He looked at her with rage.

"I don't appreciate the tone and language you speak Sitaara" he said dangerously.

"I don't appreciate the cocky replies you give Abhimanyu" she snapped at him.

"You know what..just leave it" he said shaking his head in annoyance walking to bathroom. She ran to him and stood infront him.

"What? Am getting late for office. Move" he said.

"Change the painting in room. It's so scary like ghost houses" she said.

"It's my room and I won't change it according to your wishes" he said.

"It's my room too and you have to change it" she said stubbornly.

"Sitaara I won't change it. I like black and let it be. You will be here only for six months. Let's not make any changes" he said calmly.

"But Abhimanyu this... this is giving only bad vibes. To work better and to stay positive we need to use some bright colours. It will change our mood into happy one" she said looking around with a pout.

"My life is all dark always. This bright colours on walls aren't going to change the fact" he said emotionlessly gulping the pain.

Did I make him sad? His voice seems to be so painful.

"Abhimanyu" she said cupping his cheek. He looked at her confused at her sudden acts.

This woman has hit her head somewhere early in the morning!

She won't even let me touch her little finger and here? She cupped my face now.

Strangely it feels so good.

"You've got a beautiful, understanding and peace bringing wife. Your life won't be dark anymore" she said trying to be a motivational speaker which turned out to be self-boasting. He rolled his eyes.

Yes! It won't be dark anymore but darkest.

If you boast yourself like this I would better prefer sitting in dark rather than listening to your talks.

"And.."she trailed off.

"And?" He questioned raising his eyebrow.

"And now, this wife of yours needs to go to bathroom" she giggled pushing him and ran inside bathroom.

"Sitaara!! Mad woman, come out. Am getting late for office" yelled Abhi. Sitaara laughed.

"10 minutes Abhimanyu. Please. Am already late. Your parents must be thinking me as a lazy girl" she yelled from inside.

"This is fucking annoying, Sitaara. You should've woke up early then" he yelled.

She peeked her head out of the door pouting and looked at him who was facing his back to her.

"Abhimanyu let's do one thing" she said.

"What?" He asked without turning back.

"From tomorrow wake me up before you go for jog. By the time you come back I'll get ready and as a gratitude I'll arrange your clothes and files. Deal?" She asked.

"I'll do my stuff, I don't need your help and am fine with waking you up because I don't have to listen to your nonsense like today" he said still facing his back to her.

"You are an asshole who don't realise my ways at you to make you happy. You were all sad and was like gulping your pain but I distracted you saying the words which you considered as nonsense. I hate you" she said pouting and closed the door with a thud.

"Feelings are mutual sweetheart" he yelled and smiled when he realised how she diverted him from his sour mood.

"Stop smiling Mani" she said from inside.

"Am not smiling and who is this 'mani'?" he asked.

"Don't deny that you smiled, I can sense it and Mani is you from Abhi-man-yu" she said stressing the word you.

"As you gave a nickname, I paid it back giving you one" she added. He chuckled at her childish behaviour.

"You are such a kid, Taara" he said and flat his back on bed. Her breath hitched listening to name 'taara' again but she felt good. It remained her of her Raj and tears escaped her eyes.

Abhi expected a comeback from her but not getting any comeback he closed his eyes.

After 20 minutes Sitaara completed her business and realized that she didn't get her clothes. She peeked through door and saw that Abhi is sleeping. She wrapped towel around her which Abhi arranged it for himself and ran into closet.

She dressed herself in a red chudidar and braided her butt length hair neatly. She wore her diamond studs and her wedding chain. Applying vermillion in her partition, she moved out.

She didn't see Abhi on bed and heard water sound from washroom.

He was awake!!

"Mani you were awake all this while. Weren't you?" shouted Sitaara.

"Yes!! I was awake and even saw you running to closet like you have seen a ghost" he yelled.

"You idiot!! I thought you were sleeping" she yelled. He peeked his head out of the door.

"Assuming things is your problem, Taara not mine and you know what, just stop this weird habit of talking and making others talk when we are inside bathroom'' he said smirking. She glared at him while he looked at her legs.

"BTW, your legs were sexy" he said and closed the door immediately.

"You are an asshole and a pervert" she yelled at him and moved out the room. Abhi laughed remembering her flustered face.

She is looking beautiful and hot too in red he thought.

Sitaara went downstairs and greeted her fils, Abhi's grandparents. She went inside kitchen after offering her prayers in temple room.

"Good morning athamma (mil)" she greeted Sakshi and Anjali. They smiled back greeting her.

"You look really good in red, Sitaara" said Sakshi. Sitaara chirped a thank you blushing.

"How may I help you?" She asked looking around the kitchen.

"You don't need to help, Sitaara. Just watch us making dishes and then you will be preparing them on sundays. Okay?" Said Sakshi and smiled at her.

"Okay. But I can't let you both work just like that. Assign me some work. I'll do it and will be watching too" she said.

"For now there is nothing sitaara. We both completed everything" said Anjali.

"Am not a good dil right? I made you both work and didn't help too" said Sitaara looking at her feet. Sakshi came forward and put her hand on Sitaara's cheek.

"You are our daughter more than our dil, Sitaara. Did you see Aarya, Aastha or Disha working? No! You too don't need to work, just learn cooking that's it and working all the time in the kitchen won't make you perfect dil Sitaara. The way you represent our family, your morals makes you perfect dil" said Sakshi. Sitaara smiled at her.

"You know you have a beautiful smile. It is the first thing that attracts other people towards you and it's so serene to watch your smiling face" said Sakshi. Sitaara smiled again with a flushed face.

"Where is Aarya? Didn't she wake up yet?" Asked Sitaara. They chuckled.

"She will wake up at 10, as Aastha is also at our home, Aarya, Aastha and Disha will be spending their night talking and will be sleeping during day" said Anjali.

"You people don't object it? I mean in our home my grandfather made a protocol that everyone has to be present at dining table. If even a single person is missing he will make everyone starve untill they join us. I didn't compare the situation. It's just I grew up like that so...I found it different though I know Aarya from childhood" she siad.

"We don't object anything, Sitaara. In our home we are not obliged to follow any particular conditions. We gave our children freedom to do anything they wish and even they won't be doing anything without telling us. May be they will hide secrets like crushes, love and all but they share among themselves and will help eachother" said Sakshi.

"But you are gonna meet different characters in these cousins. They won't be similar at anything, like Abhi is matured and does everything with perfection except organizing his room, Naman is calm and conservative, Dhruv is super active and has a very loose tongue, Aastha is girly and behaves like mother to everyone, Disha is a rebel kid and clumsy and you know about Aarya" said Anjali. Sitaara smiled nodding her head.

"Good morning vadhina (sil)" said Disha from behind. Sitaara tuned back and greeted her.

"You are early today?" Asked Anjali.

"Due to wedding I took leave from college and as it's last year of mine, I need to be regular and also I have to attend an early lecture today" She said taking an apple from fruit basket.

"Am leaving bye" She said.

"You didn't have breakfast, Disha" said Sakshi.

"I'll have something from canteen" said Disha walking out of the kitchen.

"I've made your favourite aloo paratha. Let me pack tiffin for you" shouted Anjali making Disha stop in her tracks.

"God!! Make it fast Mummy" shouted Disha.

"I'll pack for her. You both continue your work" said Sitaara. They nodded. She immediately packed box for Disha and ran out of the kitchen.

Just then Abhi came out and saw Disha waiting impatiently.

"Are you going to college?" Asked Abhi. She nodded.

"How are you going? Your driver is on off today" said Abhi while Sitaara ran to Disha with box.

"Anna then arrange a driver to drop me at college. Even cab may take time to arrive" said Disha while Sitaara was zipping the box in her bag.

"Are you okay with Dhruv dropping you?" Asked Abhi.

"Hell no! He would be flirting with my college mates and I've to bear them replying at their stupid questions to know about him" said Disha.

"Are your college girls intrested in me, Disha? Actually I need Supriya's number, do you have it?" Asked Dhruv. Disha glared at him.

"Supriya cut her ties with me because you flirted with her and her bestfriend at a time" shouted Disha angrily.

"My good luck! She was hell irritating girl and I asked you, her number so that I could get her sister's number" said Dhruv. Sitaara widened her eyes while Abhi and Disha were neutral.

"Anna make sure he won't be seen around my college. He is an idiot" complained Disha to Abhi. Dhruv rolled his eyes.

"Actually Disha, Vinay(Abhi's P.A.) is gonna pick me up today. I'll ask him to drop to you. Is that okay?" Asked Abhi. Disha's face glowed like a chirstmas tree hearing 'vinay'. She nodded her head vigorously.

"Okay, he will be here anytime soon. Wait for sometime, I'll call him" he said taking out his phone from pocket.

Sitaara arranged table for everyone and everyone seated.

"Good morning Vadhina (SIL)" greeted Naman. Sitaara greeted back with a smile. She served everyone and sat beside Abhi serving in her plate.

"Anna, many of my friends liked Vadhina very much, they even asked her number" said Dhruv. Abhi looked at Sitaara who was smiling and turned to Dhruv.

"Give them my number and next time if you bring any of your friends to family functions I will prohibit you from attending Ceremonies" said Abhi calmly yet dangerously. Dhruv nodded gulping.

"Even my friends loved Vadhina(sil) very much. You don't know anna she became a celebrity in my college" said Disha.

"How do they know Vadhina(sil)?" Asked Naman.

"Social media!! I posted Anna's and Vadhina's marriage pic" said Disha.

"Delete the post Disha" said Abhi.

"Why? You both were looking perfect and received my compliments for it" said Disha. Sitaara and Abhi looked at eachother and averted their gaze immediately.

"Sitaara don't like socializing. She don't feel comfortable as she always hid her identity that's why I didn't let our pics out except one in which Sitaara was not clear" said Abhi and continued eating.

Sitaara smiled secretly at the fact that he gave importance to her privacy and comfort while all the family members smiled at him teasingly. Disha agreed and went away with Vinay as he reached mansion. In between Anish and Aastha joined them for breakfast while Ishitha and Aarya are still sleeping.

"Why are you late, Ani?" Asked Abhi with poker face. Anish looked at Aastha who was ignoring him.

"May be even he had his first night" muttered Dhruv but it was heard by everyone.

"Shut up, Dhruv" warned Aastha and Anish while Sitaara was looking at him shocked.

"Don't get shocked Sitaara. Get used to his loose tongue. He don't have filter to his mouth" said Anish. Sitaara smiled.

"We are leaving to our home today as all the wedding rituals are done" said Anish after sometime. Suman who sensed Aastha reluctant behaviour turned to Anish.

"Ani beta stay for another week" said Suman.

"We would love to mamayya but our pending work is to be completed. Mine and Aastha's presence is needed at company" said Anish. Suman looked at Aastha apologitically to which she turned her face away. Anish smiled at his wife antics.

"Okay!! When are you guys leaving?" Asked Aman.

"After breakfast" said Anish.

Tears filled in Aastha's eyes. Even after 3 years after their marriage she still cries whenever she has to go back her inlaws house which is only 1 hour distance from Chowdary mansion. Sitaara who observed tears in Aastha's eyes cleared her throat.

"Anish anna" she called softly.

"Yes, Situ?" Said Anish looking at her.

"I know Aastha Vadhina's presence is needed at office but can you give off to her for only today. She must be tired and I want to spend time with her. Please" she said. Aastha looked at Anish hopefully.

"But-"

"Abhimanyu will drop her in the evening, isn't it Mani?" She asked. Abhi nodded his head.

"Let her stay till evening Ani. I'll drop her and Ishu by 6'O clock" said Abhi. Anish nodded making Aastha grin like a kid. Sakshi looked at her dil with a smile.

"Vadhina (sil) you called anna as Mani. Is it nickname for him?" Asked Naman. She nodded her head vigorously making everyone chuckle.

"Is it good?" She asked. They all nodded their heads imitating Sitaara's earlier act. She giggled.

"Sitaara" called Aman. She looked at him sitting straight.

"Yes mamayya (fil)" she replied.

"Why don't you join in our company? I've seen your resume from Aarya and I must say you are quite impressive" he said.

"Don't offer her job daddy. She will run away again. Many youngsters die to get placed in our company but here, madam dodges the interview" taunted Abhi looking at Sitaara.

"What do you mean, Abhi?" Asked Suman. He narrated their first meet and how she dodged the interview. Everyone laughed hearing that she hid in washroom. She pouted.

"I hate you" she said to Abhi and pinched his thigh.

"Ouch.. stupid woman. It was quite hard" he hissed in pain.

"You deserve it" she said.

"Leave the past, Situ. Would you like to join now?" Asked Aman.

"I would love to mamayya (fil) but may be after 6 months so that I could spend time with our family and knowing them but I can help with company matters till I join and will get trained under you at home if you would like be my mentor" said Sitaara.

"That's thoughtful of you Sitaara and yes, I would train so that you can perform well once you start working" said Aman smiling.

"Thank you mamayya(fil)" she said smiling.

Later, Abhi went to his room to get his files. He was searching for the files, Sitaara came inside.

"Mani" she called. He hummed rummaging in the desks.

"Are you searching for something?" She asked.

"Am not able to find my blue file, could you please help me?" He asked. She smirked.

"I'll do my stuff, I don't need your help" she imitated his words which he said earlier. He glared at her and she giggled helping him.

"Come on, here it is, I found it" she said.

"Uh! Thank you so much, Taara" he said taking file from her hand and ran out in hurry. She saw his coat lying in couch.

"Who the hell will forget wearing coat? Stupid fellow" she mumbled and walked to couch. She picked it up and went downstairs. She saw Abhi stepping out of the house.

"Mani" she yelled. He tuned to her and saw coat in her hands.

"Who will forget to wear a coat. God!! I just want to laugh now" she said making him wear his coat.

"I usually carry coat in my arms and will wear it in car. So I forgot" he said.

"Did you forget because you were in hurry or you forgot seeing the beautiful girl in front of you?" She asked with a teasing smile.

''I forgot seeing you and my mind was wandering how could a girl look...'' he trailed off eying her from head to toe with a smirk and completed his sentence ''...so ugly'' he said smirking. She punched in his stomach playfully. He chuckled making everyone shock.

"Bye" he said and turned to go but something within him stopped. He turned back and walked to Sitaara who was looking at him confused.

He cupped her cheeks and leaned to her and placed a peck on her forehead. She smiled with tears remembering Raj who used to kiss her before going out.

"Enjoy yourself with our family" he whispered softly and went away leaving everyone shocked.

"Vadhina you already started changing him in good way. After 4 years we saw him laughing. After 7 years for the first time he showed some emotion" said Naman. She smiled.

"Thank you, Vadhina. In just 4 days of your marriage life you brought us a hope that our Abhimanyu will be back" said Naman side hugging Sitaara. She too gave have him a side hug and pulled back.

Rest of the day went jovially. Girls played many games, talked about everything like they are best friends since childhood, they clicked very well as Sitaara and Aastha are shopaholics.

Sitaara was feeling Ishitha smashed apples, Naman came home.

"Aastha akka are you ready?" He asked

"Yes I am" Aastha said adjusting her bangles.

"Where is Abhimanyu. He should drop her right?" Asked sitaara.

"Yes but anna is struck up with pending works so he sent me to drop akka at her inlaws" said Naman.

"He should have come right? Didn't he want to send off me?" Mumbled Aastha with tears.

"I'll ask him to meet you personally. Now, don't cry while going" said Sitaara hugging Aastha.

"Your husband is an arrogant idiot" said Aastha. Sitaara chuckled.

Aastha and Ishitha bid bye to Choudhary's and went away.

Later sitaara spent some time with everyone. In just one day she noted everyone's food timetable.

At dinner she waited for Abhi but he didn't turn up. She served everyone but didn't have her dinner even after everyone insistance. She sat on couch in living room waiting for Abhi.

"Sitaara go and have your dinner. It's common for Abhi to come late. Sometimes he won't even come home for 2-3 days if work load is heavy" said Aman

"It's okay mamayya(fil). I'll wait for him. He texted me that he would be home soon" she said. He nodded and went away. Slowly everyone went away.

Sitaara ringed to her parents talked to them. She and her father, Dev spoke for about 1 and half hour. Realizing that she made her father sacrifice his sleep, she hung the call. She laid on couch waiting for Abhi and dozed off.

At 1:30 A.M. he came back and saw Sitaara sleeping on couch. He frowned.

"She didn't eat anything, Sir. She was waiting for you" said a maid. He nodded and walked to Sitaara.

He felt happy that someone waited for his arrival. Earlier Sakshi used to wait for him but he made her understand not to wait for him. Sitaara was breaking walls that he built after his tragic past. He is afraid to bring her close to his heart. He is afraid that he would hurt her, he is afraid that she would break his heart after once she heal him that's why he always tries to be cold with her ignoring his feelings for her since he saw her in his office. He don't know if his feelings for her are just an attraction or love but he knew, the moment she fell in his arms, the feeling for her fell deeper and now her small gestures, like serving him, waiting for him, wanting to accompany him while eating, making him wear coat, naming him in a unique way, every tiny thing done by her for him making him ecsastic and he felt like it's a dream

He knelt before her and placed him plam on her cheek. He caressed her cheek slowly with his fingertips.

It feels like a dream, Sitaara. Running behind you for years even when I didn't even see you, protecting you from every evil, crushing on you just listening about you even though never even once we saw eachother, praying for you, trying to get more information about you from Aarya and now you being my wife, is..is all just like a fairy tale. You know I want to laugh hard seeing you as my wife which I always wanted since I was 7 years old yet I didn't want you in my life, my dark life. Hope you go away from me, far away before I become that same old teenage boy who was your secret admirer and bodygaurd, again dreaming a life with you he thought smiling and caressed her cheeks.

"So soft just like cotton balls" he whispered and smiled, tucking a hair strand behind her ear.

"Taara" he called. She woke up with a jerk as he was so close to her and his face looked like someone placed a magnifying glass infront of his face.

"You idiot, you scared me. Who the hell will try to wake up bringing their face closer like that" she whisper-yelled at him. He smiled sheepishly.

"Why didn't you come early? Aastha Vadhina(sil) cried that you didn't send off her. She was expecting you Mani. With in 2-3 days make your schedule free for 2 hours and meet her. Okay?" She said sternly.

"Okay, I'll meet her. Will you serve me, am feeling hungry" he said.

"Go change into something comfortable, I'll reheat the food for you" she said. He nodded and went away while she walked to kitchen.

"You shouldn't have wait for me, Taara" He said walking to her as she arranged table for him.

"Who said I was waiting for you? I talked to my parents till now and closed my eyes and you came" she said not looking at him.

"Then why didn't you eat with our family?" He asked hiding his smile.

"Don't get your hopes high. I wasn't waiting for you. You are still an asshole who to me who called me with names" she said and sat in chair.

"Fine! Am sorry for my earlier behaviour. I didn't mean to behave like that. It was out of my control due to my di...due to my anger. I didn't mean those words. Please forgive me, am sorry" he said.

"I will forgive you if you get me chocolates daily while coming home" she said. He agreed grinning.

"I never thought you would forgive me this easily" he said.

"I forgave you but the woman in me whose character was questioned didn't forgive you, neither will forgive you" she said.

"I deserve that Sitaara" he said.

"Why can't we be friends. It's only 6 months we are gonna spend our time together. Let's not ruin them due to stupid fighting" said Abhi. She looked at him smiling and nodded her head.

"I never thought you would ask this and also be close with someone" she said.

"You are an exception, sweetheart" he mumbled.

"What? Did you say something?" She asked.

"Even I never expected that I would be like my old self again" he said and quickly changed the topic with next question.

"Will your family accept our divorce? Where will you go after divorce?" He asked.

"My family will definitely kill me if they come to know about our deal and I'll go to Mumbai and spend my last days with my people over there" she said thinking about Viraj's family.

"Last days?" He asked narrowing his eyes.

"Yes..last days..I mean..the days till I die" she said.

"Don't talk about death, Taara" he warned.

"Why? Are we gonna live on this planet permanently?" She asked with slight chuckle.

"Stop this bloody discussion, Sitaara. Will you?" he whisper-yelled banging the dining table slightly. She flinched at his sudden change in behaviour. Seeing her flinching his eyes softened.

"Am sorry, I just can't control my temper but I'll try" he said and went away leaving half eaten food. She looked at his retreating figure in shock at his sudden change in behaviour. She put the dishes in sink and washed them. Wiping her hands she went to their and dozed off into sleep after gulping the tablets without Abhi's notice.

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

i

taara is such a manipulator. Isn't she? She diverted Abhi's mood!

Disha and Vinay? Let's see!

Dhruv and his flirty ways! You will witness much more flirty ways of him.

What might be the actual reason behind Sitaara objecting to work for 6 months specifically?

Abhi's untold feelings and truths! Sitaara being perfect wife? Well, she has her own reasons for it!

Finally! They negotiated friendship!

But Abhi being a nut case ruined their happy moment with his anger!

Don't you guys think, he has a reason for it? He has!

To know more stay tuned and let me know your views in comment section.

Precap:- Dhruv's flirting with Sitaara. Sitaara's prank. Abhi bursting out.

Next update may be in next few hours.

Surya.