Complexity of the relationship

Before starting this chapter I want to tell you something that I had started a new story named "Falling For My Husband". That story is totally different from this one and also the male protagonist is not like Adrijay. So, do check it for once.

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Sarika smiled slightly at his words and walked along with him.

As they passed through the hall, Adrijay's gaze fell on Sarika. Seeing her walking with Devansh, he became lost in thought.

Just then, Kishori Ji said, “Samdhan Ji, Samdhi Ji, you and Shlok should go and rest for a while. There’s a party in the evening, and since you’ve just arrived from your journey, you all must be tired.” Then, turning to Adrijay, she said, “Go, show them their rooms!”

Adrijay snapped out of his thoughts about Sarika and led Diwakar Ji, Krishna Ji, and Shlok to the guest room. Mohit followed them, carrying their luggage.

About an hour and a half later, when Sarika and Devansh returned home, Vishakha, who was serving food to everyone in the hall, saw them together and was puzzled. But before she could approach Devansh, Kishori Ji called her over, leaving her with no choice but to go to her.

Devansh quickly freshened up and sat down for lunch. Adrijay, watching him with suspicion, asked, “Where did you go?”

Looking at him calmly, Devansh said, “I went to the temple with Bhabhi.”

Adrijay stared at him for a moment, then shook his head and continued feeding Tanishk.

Devansh let out a relieved sigh and blinked at Sarika. She nodded slightly and continued serving everyone.

After lunch, Sarika and Vishakha managed the kitchen work. Once they finished, Vishakha went to her room, and Sarika went to the guest room.

As soon as Sarika entered, Tanishk and Adhik, who were chatting with Diwakar Ji and Krishna Ji, smiled at her.

Sarika smiled slightly and asked, “Hmm… so, what’s the discussion about?”

Tanishk excitedly said, “Mumma, do you know? Nana Ji and Nani brought lots of gifts for me, Bhaiya, you, and even Papa!”

Hearing this, Sarika looked at Krishna Ji and Diwakar Ji. Diwakar Ji smiled and said, “Why not? After all, we are meeting you all after such a long time, so we had to bring gifts!”

Sarika took a deep breath and sat beside them. Looking at the children, she said, “Alright, now you two go and rest because there’s a party in the evening! Nana Ji and Nani also need to rest, right?”

Tanishk and Adhik nodded and left.

Once they were gone, Sarika looked at Diwakar Ji and Krishna Ji and said, “What was the need to bring all this? Anu just got a job. How will you manage everything?”

Diwakar Ji smiled and said, “We’ll handle everything, dear. But after so many years, we couldn’t come empty-handed to our daughter’s in-laws’ house, could we? That’s all. It’s really nothing much.”

Sarika looked at him for a moment and then changed the topic, asking, “By the way, why did you both suddenly come? I mean, I had made you promise, Baba, Maa… I didn’t want Maa Ji to say anything hurtful to you again or insult you. I can’t bear to see that, Baba.”

Tears welled up in her eyes. Seeing this, Diwakar Ji wiped them away and said, “Oh, silly girl! Nothing like that will happen this time because our son-in-law is with us. We didn’t want to come because of your promise, but he booked our tickets and insisted so much that we couldn’t refuse.”

Sarika was shocked. She couldn’t believe that Adrijay had persuaded her parents so lovingly—he who once didn’t even speak to them.

Lost in her thoughts, Sarika was brought back when Shlok, stepping out of the washroom, said, “Baba, it’s not such a big deal that you’re praising him so much. Calling us here was his duty, which he never fulfilled before. I don’t know why he suddenly did now.”

Hearing this, Diwakar Ji glared at him and said, “Shlok, that’s enough! What is your problem with our son-in-law? He called us, didn’t he? It’s not like he didn’t. Besides, he is a good man, so stop saying such things about him. Just look at how well he takes care of your sister! And yet you still talk like this?”

Seeing them argue, Sarika intervened, trying to calm the situation. “It’s okay, Baba. Anu’s anger is justified. And anyway, this is between jiju and saale. Why should we interfere? They will sort it out themselves. Right, Anu?”

Though reluctantly, Shlok nodded. Sarika sighed in relief and changed the topic. “Alright, tell me, did you both face any trouble coming here?”

Diwakar Ji smiled and said, “No, we didn’t face any trouble.”

Sarika sat beside them, talking with them.

Meanwhile, in his room, Adrijay paced restlessly, waiting for Sarika so he could give her the saree he had bought especially for her. But as she didn’t come, he finally gave up and decided to go out to look for her.

As he searched, he reached near the guest room and stopped in his tracks when he heard Sarika laughing. Peeking inside from the doorway, he saw her and Shlok laughing over something. Seeing her so happy, Adrijay felt a sense of relief and a warm smile appeared on his lips.

After watching her with love for a few moments, Adrijay decided not to disturb this small, happy moment with her family. Silently, he walked away and headed toward the kids’ room.

In the evening,

Sarika entered the room and quickly opened the cupboard to select a saree for herself—the one Yamini Ji had gifted her on Holi.

Just then, Adrijay walked in, yawning. Seeing Sarika picking out a saree, he swiftly took out a saree packet from his bag and walked up to her, embracing her from behind.

Sarika, who was in the middle of selecting a saree, froze in place, her heartbeat quickening. It is said that when a husband comes close to his wife, she experiences many emotions in that moment. But closeness does not always mean physical intimacy—sometimes, just a touch or a warm embrace from a husband can bring a deep sense of peace, lightening the burdens of pain. Sarika was feeling something similar.

It wasn’t that Adrijay had never been close to her before, but he had never expressed his love in this way. His gestures were new to her, making her heart melt again and again. But in that very moment, she recalled the words Adrijay had once said to her:

"Yesterday, when I came close to you, you didn’t once complain about back pain. You were enjoying it, weren’t you?"

"The moment I say something affectionate, you forget your place. Do you know how women like you should be treated? Just the way I used to treat you before. You don’t deserve love or respect!"

"What are you trying to prove? That I am desperate for you, huh?"

"If you don’t get attention, you start craving it in any way possible!"

Those words reminded Sarika that she meant nothing to Adrijay. Then why did he come close to her? Why did he constantly try to win over her innocent heart? She had no answers to these questions.

A silence settled on Sarika’s face. The happiness, the peace she had felt from Adrijay’s closeness disappeared the moment she remembered his harsh words.

Seeing Sarika standing silently, Adrijay whispered in her ear, “I brought a gift for you! Close your eyes first, then I’ll give it to you.”

Without saying anything, Sarika closed her eyes. Smiling, Adrijay stepped back, turned her towards him, and placed the saree packet in her hands before telling her to open her eyes.

Sarika opened her eyes quietly and stared at the packet with empty eyes.

Seeing her hesitation, Adrijay said lovingly, “Open it!”

Sarika obeyed, unwrapping the packet to reveal a beautiful peach-colored saree with Kanjeevaram work. It looked stunning.

Adrijay, noticing her lack of reaction, asked nervously, “What happened? You don’t like it?”

Lowering her gaze, Sarika said, “It’s very nice.”

Hearing this, Adrijay’s face lit up with joy. He said excitedly, “Really? If you like it, then wear it right now! I bought this saree especially for this function.”

Sarika looked at him for a moment, then nodded and turned to leave. But before she could go, Adrijay pulled her into his arms, brushing his lips against her neck as he murmured, “I know you’ll look beautiful in this saree. The moment I saw it, I imagined you in it... You truly are so beautiful, Sarika.”

A shiver ran through Sarika’s body, her eyes shutting instinctively.

Adrijay turned her towards him, cupped her face in his hands, and gazed at her downcast eyelashes, his lips moving closer to hers. Realizing this, Sarika clenched the saree tightly in her hands and thought to herself, “Please, I don’t want to come close to you. Stay away from me because every time I do, I only get insults and harsh words in return. I don’t want to go through that again.”

As these thoughts raced through her mind, she shut her eyes tightly. She didn’t want to be close to Adrijay, but she also didn’t have the courage to refuse him—otherwise, she would have to face his anger.

Without considering her emotions, Adrijay leaned in closer. Just then, Tanishk suddenly entered the room, pushing the door open. Startled, Adrijay immediately pulled away, while Sarika breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Tanishk.

Tanishk ran to Sarika and said, “Mumma, get me ready quickly! My friends will be here soon!”

Smiling, Sarika sat him on the bed, took out his clothes from the cupboard, and started dressing him—completely ignoring Adrijay.

Meanwhile, Adhik also entered the room, and Adrijay began getting him ready.

After dressing Tanishk, Sarika took her saree and went to the washroom. By then, Adrijay had also finished dressing Adhik and sent him downstairs with Tanishk. He then took out his own clothes and began changing in the room.

A few minutes later, Sarika emerged wearing the saree. The moment Adrijay saw her, his gaze froze, and his feet moved toward her instinctively.

Unaware of his gaze, Sarika stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her saree and combing her long hair. Just then, Adrijay took her hand. She looked at him through the mirror, let go of the comb, and pulled her hand away.

Still smiling, Adrijay gently began untangling her hair and murmured, “It’s been nine years since our marriage, yet you still blush like this.”

Hearing this, Sarika lifted her eyes and looked at his reflection in the mirror with empty eyes.

Adrijay, who had been watching her closely, felt disheartened by her lifeless eyes. But masking his emotions, he continued fixing her hair.

Meanwhile, in another room, Vishakha was getting ready while Shivika helped pleat her saree.

After dressing her, Shivika smiled and said, “You look so beautiful, Vishu!”

Smiling, Vishakha replied, “Thank you, Bhabhi!”

Shivika said, “Alright, come out soon. I’ll go check on your brother and Nihal. They’re not here yet.”

Vishakha nodded, and Shivika left the room.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Vishakha admired herself and said, “You have no right to look this gorgeous, Vishu!” Then, with a smile, she added, “Dev will be stunned when he sees me today.”

Just then, Devansh sneaked up behind her, smirking mischievously, and said, “Not just stunned—I’m on the verge of fainting! Vishu, what have you done to yourself?” He made a dramatic, worried expression.

Vishakha quickly turned to him and asked, “Why? Don’t I look good?”

Trying to hide his smile, Devansh replied seriously, “No! Not good at all, but—”

Before he could finish, Vishakha’s face fell. “I dressed up just for you, but if you don’t like it, I’ll change. But it’ll take time... You know I struggle with sarees, and Bhabhi put so much effort into dressing me…”

Before she could continue, Devansh placed a finger on her lips and said, “Shh! You talk too much. I was just teasing you. The truth is, my Vishu looks absolutely stunning, exactly how I like her. You know, you look so gorgeous in traditional wear.”

Hearing his words, Vishakha’s heart pounded, and she blushed. “Thank you, Dev,” she said shyly.

Devansh smirked. “By the way, if Bhaiya sees you blushing, he’ll probably faint, because according to him, you never blush!”

Vishakha glared at him, making Devansh laugh as he kissed her forehead. “Okay, okay, stop pouting now! Let’s go, the guests have started arriving.” He extended his arm, and Vishakha smiled, taking his hand as they walked out together.

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