Chapter-41|•|

Chapter dedicated to all the warriors who tried to win good against evil and wish you all a happy Vijaya Dashami.

Enjoy reading!!

Abhi is not the man you see

Author's POV

"Sitaara" a voice roared in the mansion when Sitaara was helping her mil in the kitchen.

"What's wrong with this man?" She mumbled.

"Go and check yourself. You will know what you did to irritate him" said Anjali chuckling. She shook her head and walked to the gym area tucking the hem of the saree at her waist. Today she wore a baby pink saree paired with a sky blue blouse looking damn gorgeous. She entered inside.

"What is it Naman and Dhruv?" She asked though she knew it was Abhi who shouted.

"It's me who called you, Sitaara," said Abhimanyu gritting his teeth. She let out an irritated sigh and turned to him.

"What is it Abhimanyu?" She asked.

"Where is juice?" He asked pulling her to him harshly.

"Ahh...you are hurting me, Abhimanyu" she hissed as he held her arms in a death grip. His eyes softened and he loosened the hold.

"Am sorry. Why didn't you get my juice?" He asked softly.

"Preethi wanted to serve you, people. So, I let her bring them to you" she said.

"You let a woman who has a thing for your husband send to him? She was drooling over me instead of serving" he whispered. She rolled her eyes making him get annoyed more.

"Leave it! Aren't you aware that I eat or drink only if you serve since our marriage?" He asked.

"Oh! is it? I didn't know" she said.

"Don't be stubborn and drink them. Naman and Dhruv both of you, drink it. Preethi brought it with so much love for-"

*Crash*

Before Sitaara complete her sentence, Abhi picked up his glass and threw it on the wall unable to handle her distantness since yesterday afternoon.

"It broke and juice is spilt on wall and floor, get me another one," he said to Sitaara who was glaring at him.

"Preethi, didn't you hear it? Go get-"

"I asked you not her" shouted Abhi cutting off Sitaara.

"I won't get it for you. Because you threw the glass out of anger which isn't good" she matched his tone. He looked at her gritting his teeth and went away banging the door hardly.

"Arrogant" muttered Sitaara and glared at Naman and Dhruv making them gulp the juice. Giving an acknowledging glance at Anish and Akash she left from there.

*

Sitaara was talking with Aman, Shekar and Suman smiling while Shekar was looking at her admiringly.

"Sitaara" Abhi roared again but she ignored it and resume talking to them.

"Sitaara" Abhi screamed again.

"Go to him, Situ or else he will be mad at you again and angry Abhimanyu is dangerous I say," said Suman.

"I know for what he is calling me, mamayya (fil). He deserves my ignorance to reduce his anger" said Sitaara.

"Sitaara Abhimanyu" he screamed again. She sighed and took a paper and scribbled something on it.

"Geetha aunty, give this paper to Ma... Abhimanyu" she said.

"Sitaara...I sir.. won't allow maids...on his.. floor when...he..is.at home" said Geetha.

"I am sending you, Geetha aunty. That's my floor too. Give this to him" said Sitaara handing a paper to Geetha and going to the kitchen.

Geetha went to Abhi's door, Preethi appeared all of sudden.

"Geetha, give the paper to me. I'll give it to Abhi" said Preethi.

"But, mam... Sitaara asked-"

"Give that to me" shouted Preethi making Geetha hand over the paper and run away. Preethi opened the door and entered inside silently and saw Abhi only in his towel moving to and fro running his fingers in his wet hair. He looked up and clenched his jaw seeing Preethi drooling over him.

"What the fuck are you doing here? Where is my wife?" He yelled at her.

"She sent this note with me," said Preethi forwarding the piece of paper. He looked at it.

What's wrong with this woman?

Why is she involving Preethi in everything?

Why is behaving like this to me?

He took the note from her and saw it's about the outfit he has to wear. He tore it into pieces.

"Ask her to come here and don't you dare step here again. It is the place where I and my wife create memories and make love. Now get out" he shouted at Preethi making her run away.

After some time he heard the door opening sound. Seeing Sitaara coming inside he raged to her and pinned her to the wall.

"Why did you send her here? Don't you know I hate someone invading my private space" he gritted through his teeth.

"I don't know," she said trying to move, he pushed her back to the wall.

"What's wrong with you? Why- "

Before he complete, she pushed him hard and walked to the closet. She picked out his outfit and placed it on the bed.

"Sitaara... sweethe-"

She left the room before he complete his sentence. He let out a sigh and got ready in his casuals.

He went down for breakfast. Sitaara served everyone but him. He was observing her every move like a hawk. She sat on her chair after serving herself. He looked at her angrily with an empty plate in front of him. She sighed and gestured for Sakshi to serve him. He held his hand out at his mother to stop her and looked at Sitaara. She sighed loudly and served him a bulk amount which he never ate. Everyone thought he would oppose it but he ate everything silently and left from there.

After breakfast, everyone was sitting in the living area. Anish sat beside Sitaara.

"Situ" he called.

"Ha anna," she said turning to him and smiling.

"I don't know why you are avoiding Abhi. Here everyone is thinking that you are avoiding him for what happened in the gym area but I don't think it as a reason and I don't want to talk about it, that's between you both, you both are adults and capable of solving it together" he said. She looked down.

"Situ, Abhi is not the man you see. No one in this world knew about the real Abhi except me and Rishi. He is very much shattered Sitaara-"

"I know, his past. That's why he is like that" she said cutting off him. Anish chuckled humourlessly.

"You don't know complete past yet. You don't know anything about him. There is much more mystery about him which made him like this. He is afraid to tell about his other half story which no one knows except me, Rishi and himself. I am requesting you Sitaara, don't push him away when he is trying to come out of his miseries because of you" saying Anish went away leaving her confused.

"Aman, I think we should start getting ready," said Sakshi.

"Yes or else we will be late," said Aman.

"Where are you both going, Athamma(mil)?" Asked Sitaara listening to Sakshi.

"Not 'you both' Situ. It's 'we'. We are going to a ceremony. Go and get ready" said Sakshi.

"No! We won't be coming" shouted Aarya. Sakshi rolled her eyes.

"I don't want to take you either. It's only me, your father, uncles and aunts and Sitaara" said Sakshi.

"She won't be coming," said Abhimanyu making everyone frown.

"You are getting obsessed with Vadhina (sil) anna. Stop this. Let her go" said Naman. Abhi ignored his words.

"It's been 4 days I spent time with you sweetheart. I took a day off to spend some time with you. Don't go" said Abhimanyu sweetly sitting beside her and wrapping his arm around her shoulder. Cousins let an 'aww' sound teasing them.

"It's only two hours, Abhi. I will send her back" said Sakshi. He stubbornly denied it.

"Come one anna more than you want to spend time with her you are insecure that someone will see her. It is clearly shown on your face but you don't need to worry I will be going with them and if anyone looks at my sil, I will pull their eyes from their sockets" said Dhruv.

"No need. I will take care of my wife joining her" said Abhi and kissed Sitaara's temples.

"You sure, Abhi? It's a 60th marriage day of an elder couple of your grandfather's best friends. You will be getting bored as there won't be any youngsters much" said Anjali.

"Then why are you ladies taking my wife where she gets bored?" Asked Abhi.

"Because it's my turn to show my dil to my friends. In every gathering, they used to taunt me of not having a dil yet. They used to brag about their Dil who are not educated as my dil, who are not as beautiful as my dil, who are not kind-hearted, good in character as my daughter in law. I want to shut their mouth with Sitaara's presence" said Sakshi and giggled like a schoolgirl. Abhi let out an annoyed sigh.

"You just impossible mummy. Like seriously? Just because you want to level up yourself you are taking Sitaara?" Asked Abhi in disbelief.

"Yes!! One function can spread single news to almost everyone in my friends' circle. Ladies gossips!!" said Sakshi.

"That's why she is also becoming like you. You feed all the gossips in my ears after coming back from functions. It's annoying" said Abhi. Sitaara glared at him.

"What? Didn't you tell about that uncle whose name I don't even know had a second affair with his friend's wife's sister's husband's brother's wife" he said. Everyone laughed.

"Don't laugh!! It was that aunty who is the wife of the man spoke about, who told me this even when I tried to stop her. Whenever am standing up to leave she pulls me back" said Sitaara with a pout and crying face. Abhi smiled looking at her adorable face. He quickly placed a kiss on her cheeks. She looked at him startled and moved away.

"Let's go. I will get dressed into another one" Sitaara said.

"Even I will also come so that Vadhina (sil) won't be bored," said Aastha.

"No" shouted Anish making everyone whip their heads to him.

"Aastha, you aren't going anywhere. I can't bear tour tantrums again about how other ladies were taken care of by their husbands and other stuff" said Anish making Aastha pout. Everyone chuckled.

"Don't worry Anish. Am not taking her. Your mother strictly warned me not to send her anywhere as she isn't well" said Anjali.

"I and Dhruv will drop you guys and pick you up again. So, no need of drivers" said Abhi. They nodded and went to their rooms to get ready.

Abhi was waiting for the ladies to come. He is looking handsome in his white shirt paired with cream pants.

Just then he heard the sound from stairs. He turned back and his breath hitched seeing beautiful Sitaara in a cream saree. Her partition is adorned with vermillion and her hair is made into a bun. Her necklace is bringing a glow to her face making her look more beautiful.

Her eyes met with his while descending the stairs. His gaze was so intense that it was making her difficult to break eye contact. Suddenly she tripped and was about to fall Vikram caught her bay waist much to Abhi's dismay. Abhi clenched his jaw seeing Vikram who is not ready to leave Sitaara. He let out a fake cough loudly which made Vikram leave Sitaara. Situ thanked Vikram and joined other ladies. They all started moving out.

"Mummy you spoiled our plans" whined Aarya tailing behind them to see off them. Sakshi chuckled.

"I will send Abhi, Sitaara and Dhruv back in two hours. You guys can enjoy yourselves and the whole mansion will be yours. I even gave off to maids" said Sakshi. Aarya nodded grinning.

They all sat in cars. Abhi was driving the car in which men sat and Dhruv was driving the car in which ladies sat. Soon they reached the venue. Abhi and Dhruv sat far from everyone after sharing pleasantries with their relatives while Sitaara was dragged by Sakshi and Anjali. They both were continuously bragging about Sitaara and other ladies wanted were getting tired of their continuous talk about Sitaara. Soon time fled away in a blur. Sitaara has her lunch sitting beside old ladies making crying faces at Dhruv who was laughing at her misery.

"Akka(sis) I think it's better if we make the old couple on stage bless Sitaara and Abhimanyu," said Anjali.

"Yes! Sakshi call Abhi. Let both Situ and Abhi take blessings from them" said Damini. Sakshi nodded and called Abhi.

Abhi and Sitaara went into the stage and took blessing from the elder couple.

"Hope you both live 100 years together with lots of children and happiness. You both made a perfect pair. Looking very adorable together. Never leave each other's hands and never let misunderstanding come between you both" said the couple keeping their hands in Sitaara's and Abhi's cheeks. Sitaara and Abhi nodded and touched their feet.

Later, they both went down the stage. Sakshi informed that they all are going to their friends and would be late. She asked them to go back. Abhi and Sitaara nodded and went in search of Dhruv. They saw him flirting with a woman. Abhi sighed and was about to approach him, Sitaara stopped him.

"The woman he is flirting with is married. Let's watch and enjoy" said Sitaara giggling and started shooting their video. Abhi chuckled observing Dhruv.

"You know you look very beautiful like a fairy who landed directly on to earth from heaven," said Dhruv with a smile. The woman blushed.

"Oh my god!! Please don't say that you are a fairy who came here to bless the couple" he said with dramatic expressions. The woman blushed more.

"Damn! Woman, you are going to be dead if mine with his cute and adorable blushing face of yours" said Dhruv.

"Stop it Dhruv," said the woman and was about to slap Dhruv's hand playfully, he moved back.

"How about me buying you a Coffee or dinner anytime?" He asked.

"Are you asking me on a date, Mr Dhruv?" Asked the woman.

"If it is called as a date, then consider it as a date. Will you come with me?" Asked Dhruv.

"For that, you need to face the wrath of her husband" he heard a man coming towards them.

"Who the hell is he, beautiful?" Asked Dhruv and passed a dirty look at atman.

"Dhruv he is my husband Karan, the top lawyer in our city and Karan, he is Dhruv Chowdary, he is also a lawyer and studying L.L.M.," said the woman. Karan smirked at Dhruv who had a panic look on his face.

"Nice meeting you, Dhruv. I thought I would meet you directly in court for this Saturday's hearing. But see, we met here. Anyways see you again in court and I don't think our talk will be like this as am the one whom you are gonna fight with" said Karan with a mocking smile.

"Bye," said Dhruv and ran away from there. Sitaara and Abhi burst out laughing. They walked to the car still laughing and sat in it.

"Dhruv you are gone in court. I heard he is good at taking revenge on men who look at his wife" said Abhi.

"Why would I be gone? About whom you are talking?" He asked pretending that he isn't getting what they are trying to convey. Sitaara smirked.

"You would be gone for flirting with Karan's wife," said Sitaara laughing showing the video.

"So you guys knew she is married and her husband is also here and you guys even know that this would happen...right!" Said Dhruv. They nodded chuckling.

"Traitors" mumbled Dhruv. Abhi stopped at Pharmacy. Sitaara looked at him confused.

"Why did you stop here?" Asked Sitaara not looking at him.

"Maybe protection needs" blurted Dhruv.

"Dhruv" shouted Abhi and Sitaara and Abhi smacked Dhruv in his head from behind.

"Dhruv, it's going overboard day by day. You need to control your tongue" said Sitaara.

"Vadhina (sil) looking at both of your reactions, I can say Anna is going to buy them and I want twins," said Dhruv. Abhi glared at him.

"Get down," he said dangerously.

"What?" Asked Dhruv with perplexed expressions.

"I said get down" yelled Abhi. Dhruv pouted like a kid.

"Dhruv, apologize," said Sitaara sternly. He nodded.

"Am sorry" he mumbled softly.

"Properly" shouted Sitaara.

"I, Dhruv Chowdary son of Suman Chowdhury and Anjali Chowdary apologize for my beloved brother, Abhimanyu Chowdary and his wife aka his prized possession, Sitaara Abhimanyu Chowdary for teasing them by crossing my limits," he said dramatically. Sitaara smiled looking away.

"Now get down and get this medicine box for Ishitha," said Abhi giving a prescription paper. Dhruv nodded and got down. Abhi turned to Sitaara.

"Taara" he called. *No response*

"Sweetheart" he called. *No response*.

"Sitaara Abhimanyu" he called again. *No response*.

He tried to hold her hand but she jerked it away.

"Taara..what happened? Please talk to me. Why are you punishing me like this?" He said. She looked away.

"Okay! Fine! Don't talk. I'll see how you aren't gonna talk to me" said Abhi and leaned to her placing his palm on her bare waist.

"You look ravishing sweetheart" he whispered huskily and pulled her towards him. Before she could push away, Dhruv got inside the car. Abhi groaned internally and pulled back.

"Not here at least guys. It's a public place" Said Dhruv. Abhi and Sitaara shook their heads muttering 'he will never change'.

"Did you get it?" Asked Abhi ignoring his comment. Dhruv nodded showing the carry bag. Abhi nodded and they drove away to their mansion. Sitaara ran to her room immediately and changed her saree into the grey jumpsuit.

"Did everyone have their lunch?" She asked coming towards everyone. They nodded. She sat on the couch beside Aastha and took Ishitha in her arms and made her sit in her laps comfortably.

"Atha(aunt/mami)" called Ishitha.

"What is it ishu baby?" Asked Situ. Ishitha showed the chocolate cake which was cast on television.

"You want that?" Asked Sitaara. She nodded.

"Okay! Let's go and make it for everyone" said Sitaara. Two and half years old Ishitha gave her a toothy grin clapping her hands.

"You sure you can make it, Sitaara?" Asked Akash chuckling.

"She only knows that in cooking Akash," said Arjun and Vikram. She glared at them and went away with Ishu in her arms.

Sitaara made Ishitha sit on the kitchen countertop and gave her a doll to play with. She picked out all the ingredients required for making cake listening to Ishitha's blabbering about everything, most of which Sitaara didn't understand as Ishitha was speaking in her baby language.

She was battering the eggs, flour, baking soda and chocolate chips in the bowl, she felt a pair of hands encircling her waist from behind and a pair of lips on her neck making her jump at her spot.

"Relax, sweetheart. It's me, Mani" he whispered huskily and placed a kiss behind her ear. She pushed backwards. Turning to him furiously she was about to shout, he kept his finger on her lips.

"Shh...am sorry for my behaviour in the morning. I promise I'll control my anger. Please talk to me and don't be mad at me anymore" he said like a kid and hugged her tightly.

"Leave me, Abhimanyu" she whisper-yelled.

"Never," he said nuzzling his nose in her neck. She clenched her jaw in anger.

"Ishu is looking at us, leave me, Abhimanyu" she gritted through her teeth. Abhi rested his cheek on Situ's shoulder turning to Ishitha and saw her playing with the doll still blabbering.

"Ishu baby, ask atha(aunt/mami) to forgive me," said Abhi in a baby voice.

"Ishu baby asks mama(uncle) to leave me now," said Sitaara trying to push Abhi.

"Atha(aunt/mami) foggie(forgive) mama and mama leave atha" said Ishitha in her baby voice.

"Forgive me, taara," said Abhi lifting his face. She sighed and nodded her head.

"In words please," he said grinning.

"I forgave you Abhimanyu," she said not looking at him.

"Call me Mani and forgive me," he said grinning like a kid. She huffed and glared at him.

"I forgave you, Mani," she said gritting her teeth.

"Forgive me with a smile, taara. Please!!" He pleaded with puppy eyes.

"You are playing with me" she yelled. He chuckled and kissed her cheek.

"Please!!" He pleaded again.

"I forgave you, Mani," she said with a smile.

"Thank you, sweetheart," he said kissing her cheek.

"Situ" yelled Vikram and Aastha coming inside. Seeing them, Sitaara tried to push Abhi but he pulled her to him again glaring at Vikram.

"I thought you were baking cake, Vadhina(sil)" said Aastha smirking.

"I..I..wa..s..was battering the contents-"

:And romancing with my brother" said Aastha giggling cutting off Sitaara.

"No Aastha, I was just helping her," said Abhi.

"Yeah, I can see that. Don't you think they are concentrating on the cake, Vikram?" Asked Aastha. Vikram looked at Sitaara who is still in Abhi's arms. He nodded looking away.

"This guy is no fun!!" Said Aastha looking at Vikram and turning to Abhi.

"Anna you are spoiling my daughter. Look, she is staring at you" said Aastha. Abhi and Sitaara looked at Ishu and found her staring at them. Abhi pulled himself away from Sitaara to her relief.

"Anyways, why did you both come here?" Asked Abhi.

"Why? Did we disturb your time with your wife?" Asked Aastha.

"Aastha" warned Abhi. Aastha chuckled.

"Chill..anna. we came here to help situ Vadhina(sil) and also to feed my daughter" said Aastha.

"Okay! You help her. I and Vikram will join others" said Abhi and pulled Vikram with him forcefully.

After some time they all ate cake made my sitaara and were genuinely complimented her. Unknowingly she waited for Abhi's compliment to which he gave a million-dollar smile with thumbs up. She smiled brightly but looked away.

Later, boys played basketball and girls played indoor games. In the end, they all played cricket. After a lot of compulsion and threats from girls, they decided to go to the mall. They all went to the mall and the girls did the shopping while the boys went to a playoff.

After nearly 2 hours, the boys came back. Abhi saw Sitaara not buying anything. He furrowed his eyebrows and went to her.

"Why aren't you buying anything?" He asked standing beside her.

"It's none of your business" she snapped at him.

"Come on woman, you forgave me and what's now? What shall I do to make you be yourself with me again? Am ready to do anything, taara. Please don't push me away. Am requesting you" he pleaded with her holding her hands. She looked into his eyes which moistened.

For me..?

Is it just because am cold to him?

She saw the pain in his eyes and fear. He was blinking his tears again and again. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes and surprisingly she saw Abhi's image instead of Viraj. She jerked away from his hands harshly and went away. He smiled sadly.

Suddenly Disha's eyes caught Adhira and Rishi.

"Rishi anna! Adhi Vadhina (sil)!" Shouted Disha swaying her hands in the air. They turned towards them and smiled. Sitaara ran to Adhira and hugged her tightly.

"I missed you" they both of them cooed making Abhi and Rishi roll their eyes.

"You both met yesterday morning and spent the last two days together," said Rishi.

"Yes!! We met each other yesterday morning!!" Said Adhira stressing yesterday morning. Rishi shook his head in annoyance. Sitaara took Vanya in her arms and kissed her tiny hands.

"She is sleeping" she whispered caressing Vanya's hair. Abhi looked at them lovingly when Sitaara made Vanya smile in her sleep.

"Am sure, Situ, your sister gonna make me bankrupt" said Rishi. Sitaara giggled.

"She went shopping with you guys the other day and she wanted to shop now again" complained Rishi.

"Situ, when we went back to our home Rishi's mother told us that it's her brother's grandson birthday, so I needed to buy another dress. Was that wrong?" said Adhira.

"Absolutely not. Not at all. You are right. You need to buy, Adhi" said Aastha. Adhira grinned

"She even ask you to buy clothes for that baby boy's marriage which will be held after nearly 2 decades," said Anish. Aastha glared at him.

"No baby. Am telling them about how much you will look forward which will be even after decades. Isn't it needed?" Asked Anish with terrified expressions making everyone laugh.

"Akka let's go to Abhimanyu's place," said Sitaara.

"No situ. We are already late, we can't come today"1 said Adhira.

"You are coming. That's it. Am not taking no from you at all. Kadha Abhimanyu? (Isn't it, Abhimanyu)"said Sitaara sternly. He nodded.

"Also, my mil wouldn't appreciate to let you go without inviting you to home," said Sitaara.

:And, Rishi mom is mad at you as it's been days since you visited her. Why not now? It will decrease her anger" said Abhi. Rishi and Adhira nodded.

They spent some time roaming in the mall. Vikram came to Sitaara and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She smiled at him leaning on his shoulder.

"What happened? I can see you battling with your inner self, what's wrong with you? Even you are being distant with your husband" said Vikram. She pouted her lips as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"I don't know. Am not liking whenever he is touching me. Am not liking to be his wife anymore. Am not liking to stay either in that house or in this city anymore. It's not because they and Mani treat me badly or something like that making me feel it but it's...just..am feeling that am betraying Raj and I can see a different thing in Mani like he is having a thing for me but he shouldn't. I can't reciprocate it back. He is a very good person, I don't want to break him" she whispered.

Abhi was with Anish and Rishi glaring at Vikram. He saw Vikram kissing her temples making him dig his nails in his palms.

"Everything will be fine, Situ! It's just you are pitying him nothing more and he is getting attracted to your beauty. There is nothing and all" said Vikram.

"You think so?" She asked.

"Yes! Did he tell you that he likes you? How does he approach you? Directly intimacy or talking?" Asked Vikram.

"He never told he likes but his eyes tell it. He nowadays sometimes approach me with talks and sometimes with intimacy but in the end, he tries to touch me, Vikram. Is he lusting over me?" She asked.

"Yes! After all, he is also a man. He also needs to fulfil his desires and he found a beautiful girl like you" said Vikram. Sitaara hummed absentmindedly.

Soon they all reached home and Abhi, Rishi and Anish went to Abhi's barroom after Rishi met everyone.

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

Dhruv's flirting and teasing!

Finally, Abhi's patience running thin. Is this start of something?

Vikram's venom-filled preachings? Hope this doesn't bring disturbances between the couple.

Precap:- The big fight

Surya.