52| Cravings

Started writing on 23rd January 2021.

Completed on 24th January 2021.

Word count : 3891 words

________________________

– A Y A A N –

"But it was late than us. Diya and I went into a real relationship months ago than yours. Also, yours was a fake relationship in the starting!"

"What?" We heard Dhruv saying.

Shit!!

Dhruv doesn't know about this!

Except divya and me, only Shrey and Natasha know this.

"Should we go to meet them?" I tried to hide the topic.

"What did Shrey mean by fake relationship?"

"What fake relationship? Shrey likes to joke all the time." I laughed.

"Don't try hiding the topic. I want to know."

"Okay." I sighed, "But, don't tell anyone about this. I don't want anyone to stress thinking about our past, especially our parents." I said and he nodded. "I and Divya..... we didn't love each other from the starting."

"What? Then why did you marry my sister?"

"She wanted to please your parents and I wanted to marry her."

"What the hell is going on? Can somebody explain it to me?" Dhruv shouted for the first time. I've never seen him losing his cool!

"I can explain." Shrey said.

"Is it about your life?" Dhruv asked and Shrey nodded in negative. He turned to me and asked, "May I know what is this all about?"

"We never married because we love each other, it was always a beneficial marriage." I said. He was about to hold my collar when I stopped him. "I liked her from the start and that's why I proposed the idea of marriage to her. Trust me. But this is all past. We love each other now."

"Okay, I trust you this time. But, if anything happens to my sister, I won't leave you."

"Do you think I would let anything bad happen to her? She's my wife and I love her. I can even die for her!" I said.

"Really? But I don't want my sister to become a widow. You need to live. If she loves you then I don't have any problem with this lie of your relationship. And, I won't tell this to our parents. I don't want them to worry about things which are already done." Dhruv said and I nodded.

"Thank you." I said and he nodded, "Should we go and bring them back?" I asked and they nodded. Driving through our respective cars, we reached Natasha's place and went up to her apartment. We rang the bell but no one opened the door. "What to do now?"

"Let's break the lock?" Shrey said which came out like a question.

"We are not thieves. Think of any other way."

"I have spare keys." Dhruv said.

Seriously?

Why was he quiet all the time then?

"Why do you have the keys of her house?" Shrey asked him.

"I'm her husband. Who do you think would have the keys? What if she's in emergency?" Dhruv asked and we decided to be quiet. Opening the door of her house, we walked inside but saw no one.

"Where are they?"

"Maybe in the party room." Dhruv said.

"Party room?"

"The room she made for pyjama parties." He said and we nodded while turning the knob of her so-called pyjama party room. We entered inside and saw the room empty, but decorated in a too girly form.

"They're here." Dhruv said from the living room. We both walked out and went into a room; the bedroom and saw them sleeping peacefully on the bed.

"Let me take her back with me or she'll complain of back pain." Shrey said and went towards Diya.

"I'll go too." I said while walking towards Divya.

"I'll stay here, then." Dhruv said.

"NO!!" We both shouted at the same time.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because she's my sister and I won't let you be with her before your wedding." Shrey said and I nodded.

"And you didn't let me meet my wife before our second wedding. Why would I leave this chance?" I smiled sarcastically and carried Divya in my arms. "You should go too, Dhruv. Go." I said and he nodded before leaving her place. Locking her house, we went back and I drove with Divya to our home.

And as a heavy sleeper she is, she didn't even wake up in all those movements!

Carrying her inside, I made her lie on bed after changing her clothes. I sat beside her after taking shower and kissed her lower abdomen lightly, greeting our child, "How are you baby? Your mom is being angry on your dad. Please make her understand that he loves her. Good night and be healthy."

Keeping my towel aside, I tugged a strand of hair behind her ear and lied beside her, finally drifted into sleep with her in my arms.

×× ××

– D I V Y A –

I turned on my side and felt a hard yet warm cushion under me. The music coming from beneath produced such a soothing effect which could calm anyone.

Just the perfect sound.

Hugging the cushion more tightly, I threw my leg over it and kissed that valuable thing lightly. Feeling something crawling over my back, I rubbed my back and again cuddled onto that cushion.

I wanted to wake up but then, I wanted to sleep!

But I had work in office too..... So I decided to wake up...

Opening my eyes lightly, I saw someone's throat near me. I moved my head a little up and saw Ayaan's jaw touching my nose. I was at Natasha's place right? When did I come back?

I yawned and patted his chest lightly. "Ayaan!" Again patting his chest, I tried to wake him up but he didn't even move a bit. Declaring my loss I kept my hand on his chest, which was already naked.

He never wears his shirt after taking shower on a hot summer night!

My fingers themselves started to dance on his skin. Hearing a growl from my stomach, I knew I was hungry. "Divya, don't tickle me like this."

"Why? Is this only your right?"

"Hmm... I've patented the right of tickling." He mumbled while turning to my side. Pulling me closer, he tangled his legs with mine and kissed my temple before closing his eyes, "Sleep. It's too early to wake up."

"But I'm hungry."

"Huh?" He flickered his eyes open. "At this time?"

"There's no perfect time to feel hungry."

"Then what do you want to eat?"

"Porridge."

"It's the first time I'm hearing someone craving for khichdi! You hated it right? When did this love for porridge start?"

Well, it's weird for me too.

I could never tolerate it's smell, let alone eating it!

But now I want to eat porridge!

"I don't know, but I want it." I said proudly.

"I know why you love it."

"You know?"

"Don't underestimate me. I'm already prepared for our pregnancy. I've read many books in advance."

"Really? You touched books?" I asked and he glared. "I mean, it's new and strange to my ears. Nevermind, you were going to tell me something, right?"

"Hmm... You love porridge because I love it too."

"Huh?"

What was he trying to say?

"It's not you who's craving for porridge but this little champ inside you." He smiled and pulled me closer to him, leaving no space in between. "Thank you once again for making our life this happy! Thank you for being with me everytime I need you. Thank you for making every moment this memorable! I love you." He said and was about to kiss me but I kept my palm in between.

"Let's brush first. We can continue this later." I said and was about to get up when he pulled me back on the bed and tickled me hardly. "Ayaan..... wait!" I couldn't control my laughing self. It was hard to stop.

"Sorry. I didn't hurt you right?"

"Ofcourse not. You weren't hurting but tickling me. And please stop using thank you, sorry and please."

"But you yourself are saying please."

"Okay, sorry, I won't." I said and he glared. "I mean I won't use these words, okay? And you shouldn't use it too!" I said and he nodded. Walking down to the kitchen after brushing, he started making porridge while I sat on the slab.

"Can you make some hot chocolate too?" I asked while flickering my eyelashes in a cute way.

"But don't you think it's a weird combination? Porridge and hot chocolate?"

"Please..."

"Okay then. We'll have your hot chocolate too." He said and I nodded. Time went by in chatting while preparing everything. "Here you have your hot chocolate. It's good that you asked for it in morning."

"Why?"

"Shrey told me, how he wakes up at midnight to fulfill his wife's demands." He said and I laughed. "What?"

"Nothing." I shook my head in amusement, "Don't worry. You'll go through that soon."

My poor husband!

"Hmm, I'm pretty poor." He nodded while walking towards me. When did he hear me? Does he have the power of telepathy? "Don't worry, I can't hear your thoughts. You said it too aloud." He said and stood near me.

"What?"

"What what?" He asked and wrapped my legs around his torso while carrying the mug filled with hot chocolate.

"I'm hungry."

"And I'm hungry too." He said and crashed his lips on mine while roaming his hand under my shirt. Holding my back tightly with his arms, he deepened the kiss while you pulling me closer to him. "You know, you smell delicious."

How can someone smell delicious?

Nevermind.

He took the mug over me and tilted it a little, letting the liquid inside fall over my shoulder blade.

Did I forget to tell that my t-shirt wasn't there on me, anymore?

Leaning forward, he kissed my shoulders lightly and licked the chocolate off my skin, slowly and sensually.

Wasn't it too erotic?

Not able to control myself, I started tracing his chest and muscles while he was busy in giving me wet kisses all over my neck and shoulders.

"Hey bhagwan! Ab yahi dekhna baaki reh gaya tha?" I heard a voice and pushed him back. I saw dadi standing with Natasha's dadu, ofcourse turning their back to us. (Oh God! This was the only thing left to see?)

Ayaan was naked from up while I was in my camisole!

As soon as the cooker whistled, I jumped off the slab and searched for my shirt. After finding it, I struggled in wearing my shirt. Just when I was about to leave the kitchen, the mug of hot chocolate fell from my touch and broke down on the floor.

Everything was in mess now!

It was going to be a long day!

××

Bringing another file, I yawned while checking the words before signing it. "Divya darling!" A voice shouted in highest pitch. Ofcourse Maya!

"What happened Maya! Let me work. I don't want to lose my salary."

"Okay, but see this first." She said and forwarded her phone to me. I looked inside the video and saw Natasha with Dhruv in a press conference. "I thought to convey this to you. Rest is upto you." She said and I stood to leave. "Where are you leaving? Give my phone back!"

"Just a minute." I said and ran out towards Ayaan's room. Opening the door, I barged inside and saw him looking at me with shock. Ofcourse! He was discussing something with the members of food department. "I'll come later."

"Wait! We're done." He said and they nodded while leaving, "What happened?" I pulled a chair to his side and was about to sit on it but he pulled me on his lap.

"What are you doing? I'm not here to joke! I want to show you a video."

"Do I look as if I'm joking?" He asked and I rolled my eyes. "Wait a minute! Don't tell me that you want to show me some porn sort of a thing. I'm not interest, that too in office." He said and I hit him hard.

"Can't you think straight?"

"Okay, sorry! What do you want to show me?" I said and resumed the video of the press conference.

"So, is it true that you're in a relationship?" A reporter asked and she nodded. "May we know how long it's been?"

"Almost four months."

"But what was the need of this sudden press conference? Are you planning to marry?" They asked and she frowned while looking towards Dhruv. All the time he had that stoned expressionless face, but while turning to Natasha, he smiled and nodded.

"Yes. We are. We're already married in papers and would be marrying traditionally in the upcoming days." She looked towards the camera and said. The shock and tension in the atmosphere was easily visible.

I switched the video off and smiled. "Finally they made this official in public!" He said and pulled me close.

"Hmm..."

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Really?"

"My head is aching." I said and he pressed his fingers on my forehead. "What are you doing?"

"Helping in relieving your pain. Now shut up and let me massage your head." He said while carrying me towards the couch.

"What will your employees think when they see their CEO massaging his wife's head?"

"They will think that their boss is extremely caring. They will do nothing but raise their bars for the qualities in their boyfriends and husbands."

"You really never leave a chance to boast about yourself?"

"Yes... Now close your eyes and relax. Stress is not good for you and baby."

"Hmm....." I hummed before closing my eyes, eventually drifting into a nice sleep.

××

"Divya, stop!" Dhruv shouted while I was going to applying haldi on him.

"I won't leave this chance." I said and took handful of haldi in my palms.

"It's not Holi!" He warned.

"I know this too." I said and poured it over him. He made an irritated face and I laughed, "I went through this two times. Yet you're irritated in your first time!"

"Why are you teasing him?" Mumma asked.

"You only love your son."

"Sibling rivalry! I can't help." She shook her head in disbelief and went through the arrangements.

"What happened?" Ayaan asked and slid his arms around my waist from my back.

"What are you doing?"

"Now, don't say that we're in public. I've had enough of this excuse."

"You!" I shouted and got an idea in my mind. Taking my palms near his face, I rubbed haldi on his cheeks and he looked at me with shock.

"What was that? Do you want to have our haldi again?"

"No."

"Really?" He said and bent down to rub his cheeks with mine.

"Why did you do this?" I shouted and he chuckled.

"You won't understand. Let's make through your brother's haldi." He said and I nodded, "Well..... if you have a plan regarding another haldi of ours, I don't mind. What say?"

"Idiot."

"Hmm... But it's not good to curse your husband. Let's enjoy watching everyone teasing your brother." He said and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"I want to eat icecream."

"No."

"Why?" I turned to him and looked at him with shock. Why can't he let me eat icecream?

"Because it's not good to have cold things, especially ice-creams. It won't be good for your throat and our baby. You can ask for something else."

"Nothing. I don't want anything." I said and he rolled his eyes.

"Okay, enjoy."

××

"Divya! Are you ready?" I heard Ayaan shouting from outside while I was dressing. Perfect!

"Coming." I shouted, "No wait! Come here." I asked and he came inside.

"What happened?"

"My back. I can't zip it."

"Gladly." He sighed and zipped my blouse while intentionally touching my back for too long. "Well... Divya..."

"Yes."

"Don't you feel anything?"

"What should I feel?" I asked and his fingers travelled to my waist.

"Goosebumps." He whispered in my ears while stroking my waist lightly.

Such a teaser!

"Nope."

"Really?" He asked and I hummed. Pulling me back towards him, he pulled me instantly and caged me between his arms. "You know. I really feel....."

"What?"

"To kiss you." He said and placed his lips on mine. Pulling me up in his hold, he walked towards the dressing table and threw all the things down.

"What.... Why did you throw everything?" I asked. He shut me up by his kiss and made me sit on the table. I slid my arms around his neck and ruffled his hairs. Travelling his hands to my back, he unzipped my blouse from back and slipped his hand inside. "Wait!"

"What's the matter?"

"We need to go out. We can't do anything now."

"Okay!" He shook his head, "Let's go." He said and started to leave.

"Wait! My blouse." I called him back and he zipped the chain at back. Wearing bangles in my hand, I walked down with him and saw guests already present there.

How would I eat the things I crave infront of guests?

I walked around and greeted the guests. This party was for me, ofcourse. "Good evening auntie!" I greeted the same auntie who was always behind me, asking me about my pregnancy status.

"Good evening beta. How are you?"

"I'm fine auntie. And this time, I'm pregnant!"

"Yes, I heard that. That's what the party about." She laughed and I could do nothing but smile in front of her. "How long have you been?"

"Around three and a half weeks." I said and she nodded. "Auntie, I need to attend other guests too. Till then you can enjoy." I said and ran away from her until I felt myself being dodged by a wall. "Shit!"

"Where are you eyes?"

"Here." I pointed my fingers towards my eyes and he laughed.

"My wife is really going insane! What if you tripped?" He asked and I narrowed my eyes. "Let's go. Don't you feel hungry."

"Really? Don't you think I need to meet everyone. They're here to meet me." I said and he rolled his eyes.

"Aren't you being narcissistic?"

"Really? It's you who boasts about himself, not me."

"Okay. Now, let's go and eat. You can't remain hungry while thinking about guests!" He said and I nodded while walking towards my food. As soon as my gaze went towards those sweets, I gulped all the saliva inside my mouth.

Well, I was hungry!

I wanted to eat chocolate cake!

Filled with chocolate chips.

That too a big one...

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing." I said and he nodded while dragging me towards the dinner area. I stopped in between and he looked at me weirdly. "What happened? Don't you want to eat?"

"Not that. I want to eat cake. Chocolate cake!"

"But-"

"Please..." I pouted and he chuckled.

"Okay, let's go." He said and I smiled. I quickly ran towards my cake and stuffed it inside my mouth in a go. "Easy, easy. Cake is not going to run anywhere. Slow down."

"Do you want to eat it too?" I asked and he nodded in negative.

"I don't like chocolates."

Really?

"Then why do you always snatch my hot chocolate?" I asked.

"I love to tease you, my wife. Don't worry and eat your cake."

"Idiot!" I snapped.

"Everyone's listening."

"I know." I narrowed my eyes and elbowed his stomach. He winced in pain and I turned towards him. "You're alright. I'm sorry, I just..." I was apologising but he started laughing. "What?"

"You're scared this easily!"

"You!"

"Were you going to say, "You are so good! I love you"?" He asked in a cheesy voice.

"Iiiidddiiiiootttt!!!" I said and turned my back to him.

Why have I married a pure narcissist?

×× ××

– A Y A A N –

Bidding all the guests bye, I went back to my room and saw my wife sleeping peacefully. I lied beside her and gazed her features. And that pout on her face was so cute!

But she wasn't like that in the beginning. She used to walk around with her ice-cube face. Well, that runs in her family. Dad, Dhruv and Divya, all have that same quiet-bossy aura.

Now, when she's carrying our child, she has became exact opposite of what she was. In the starting, she was rude but caring. She always carried that bossy attitude with her. When we confessed our love, she became more open to me. Gladly!

I'm grateful that she never felt uncomfortable with me. If she ever had, I would have done everything to make her comfortable and open with me.

I still couldn't believe how she wore that black negligee on the night I had accident. We weren't even that close during those days, still she had the confidence to wear that dress! How I controlled myself after seeing her is still a mystery! Only I know how I diverted my mind from her look.

And now, when she is carrying another life inside her, she has changed into an unknown yet lovely personality. And I love this change.

She moved her mouth, as if she was eating something. Only she can feel food while dreaming! Sighing, I moved down and pulled her shirt up to get a clear view of her waist. Nearing my face to her belly, I nuzzled my nose there and kissed her waist.

"Hey baby! Are you sleeping? I don't think so... You know, your mom wanted to eat icecream today but I denied her. It's not good to eat it, right! You too shouldn't demand her for these things. Although you're pretty small in size now, you would be big and healthy if you eat lots of healthy food. So ask her for nutritious food instead of ice-creams. Hmm? And, your dad won't be able to sleep with you tonight. I need to complete my work. But I promise that I'll come back in few hours. Good night and don't disturb your mother." After talking with our child, I kissed Divya's belly and took my laptop out. Sitting on the couch, I resumed reading the files and plans.

Going through the celebrations, I couldn't risk our company. So, celebrating during day and working at night was the only option left for me.

When I competed my work, Sun was in the process of rising. Sighing, I stretched my arms and crawled over the bed until I reached my place. Pulling her in my arms, who was by the time hugging a pillow, I ruffled her hairs and closed my eyes to sleep.

When I woke up, I felt the bed beside me empty. I looked around the room and saw her sitting near the mirror. "What are you doing there?"

"Have you checked the time?" She stood up and asked while wearing her earrings. I turned my gaze towards the clock and it was already noon. How come I slept this long?

I sat back, resting on the bedrest and saw her applying lipstick. She was wearing a lehenga. Was there something today?

Our anniversary? Nope.

Her birthday? That passed just a month ago.

Oh God!

"I overslept?"

"You obviously did. Who told you to work this late?" She asked. She was sleeping right? How come she know about it?

"How come you know it?"

"Pillows aren't that comfortable. And, I and mom are leaving for Natasha's mehndi. Eat your food on time."

"I should be the one saying that. By the way, what do you mean by, pillows aren't that comfortable?" I asked and she shook her head before leaving. "Where are you going before answering my question? Wait!" I asked but by the time, she was already out.

Sigh!

*****

TIED TOGETHER BY LOVE 💍

How was the chapter?

Btw, anyone who still loves Porus?

That nostalgia hits hard!

It's been more than two years since that show ended and I couldn't help but remember the time when we waited impatiently for it to start everyday.

And I was always like, calm down and stop drooling over Laksh (Porus). Your parents are sitting just beside you!

Those days were amazing!

Till then, big huggies!

Lol! That sounds like Huggies (diapers).