A giggle escaped Anandi's lips as she snuck a glance at her goofy husband who gobbled on his favourite halwa on the other side of the table. Anandi and Shiv had been married since three months now and it was their second visit to Udaipur post-wedding. Though they were yet to take the final step in their relationship as Shiv wanted to give her all the time she needed, but in the past three months had graduated to be comfortable around each other. It had just a day since they arrived at Kesar bagh and eating together with the family now seemed a habit to Anandi. She stifled her giggle as Ira raised a brow in her direction and Mahi stared at her confusedly. Trying hard to suppress her laughter, she shook her head in shyness and returned to her plate. An easy silence descended upon the table as everyone continued to savor the delicious food Anandi cooked while she kept on stealing glances at him and giggling under her breaths.
"Kya baat hai Anandi bhabhi aaj aapki nazren bhaiya se hat hi nahin rahin?" Mahi teased as he caught her staring at him with an impish smile on her lips. A rosy flush stained her cheeks as everyone round the table sent smirks in her direction.
"Shiv tum jaldi se khana khatam kar lo…Alok ke kuch purane friends aane wale hain…unhein tumse kuch important kaam hai" Ira informed as she stood up to clear the table. Seeing Anandi join her for the work Ira held her hands and said, "Anandi beta main kar lungi…tum jaake araam karo"
"Nahin ma…aise kaise. Aap kam Karen aur main ander chali jaiyun.Balki aap araam se papa ke guests ke saath rahiye ye sab main kar lungi" she assured smilingly. Beaming lovingly at her beautiful daughter-in-law, Ira took her hands into her and said, "Main bahut lucky hoon Anandi jo mujhe tumhare jaisi bahu mili…lekin beta abhi tum kam nahin kar sakti.Kabhi kabhi to tum dono yahan aate ho. Jetsar main poora din kaam mein uljhe rehte ho…atleast yahan to thoda araam karo. Aur agar aram nahin karna to woh karo jo tumhara man kare…tv dekho…kitaben padho ya phir chaho to papajee ke saath gardening karo" Ira ordered as she asked Meenu to take Anandi with her. Now she had no option but to spill her husband's secret. After all he was about to meet some guests. Gesturing she tried to call out to Shiv stealthily only to be caught red-handed by Mahi who winked at her teasingly. And even spite of best of efforts she couldn't tell him what she wanted to tell.
In her bedroom:
Anandi shuddered her foot irately as Shiv didn't pick up her call another time. She needed to talk to him as soon as possible. Walking out of her room she scanned the hall from upstairs to catch a glimpse of him and communicate her message. But he couldn't be seen anywhere. Alok's guests had arrived and they asked to see him. It was then that she saw him trailing towards the hall and her heart missed a beat. She needed to stop him. Gathering the pleats of her sari she took a leap and ran downstairs. Shiv was just about to step in the hall when a little but firm hand shot grabbed his wrist and pulled him behind the curtain. Shocked his heart missed a beat! A drop of cold sweat ran below his neck as he saw his innocent wife standing just a centimeter away from him, clutching tightly onto his wrist. They were so close that they could almost feel the other's breathes stirring there withins. Anandi's heart did a massive flip as she felt her gentle bosom brushing against his sturdy chest. She had never felt something like this for anyone…ever. And this wasn't the first time. In the past few days, she has had the same feeling whenever he came closer or they accidently touched. There was no denying he turned her on in ways he didn't even know. Breaking her chain of thoughts she tugged him closer as he tried to step back in surprise.
"Anandijee waise mood to mera bhi yehi tha ki hum dono akele mein kuch romance karen par kya karen dad ke guests ko naraaz nahin kar sakte na" he smirked encircling her from the waist and pulling her closer. Feeling extremely shy from his comment she looked away blushingly as he slowly grazed his fingers across her bare back playing leisurely with the doris of her well fitted blouse. The mere brushing of his fingers on her back sent shivers down her spine. Blushing beetred, she gasped for air as the sensuousness of his touch left her breathless. "Collector sahab koi dekh lega" was all she could manage to speak.
Tightening his grip around her waist he kept a hand under her chin and made her look into his eyes."Dekhne deejiye" he chortled enjoying the shy nervousness on her face.
"Kya sochega?" she sighed still looking away.
"Yehi sochega ki Jetsar ki Sarpanch kitni shararti hai" he chuckled as she gaped at him surprised.
"Main??Maine kya kiya??" pouting, she pulled back sheepishly.
"Sab kuch aap hi ne to kiya hai!" he winked pointing at her tiny fist that clasped his wrist firmly. Moving her hand back with a shudder she trailed off.
"Aisa kuch bhi nahin hai…woh to main bas aapko ye batana chahti thi kay….."
"Sarpanch jee ab rehne deejiye…ab agar aap mujhse door nahin rah pa rahi thi to ismein sharmane ki kya baat hai" he smirked, keeping a finger on her lips and again pulling her closer. Now she knew innocence won't be the way with him. Striding a step in his direction, she shot a grin at him and poked him in the belly,"Theek hai mat suniye meri baat…aur udvaiye apni khilli".
"Aooo...anandi wahan nahi…mujhe gudgudi hoti hai" he giggled trying to shove her fingers off.
"Acha! phir to bahut mazza aayega" she grinned and attacked his ribs, tickling him mercilessly. "Anandi pls mat karo…aaooo! Anandi NOO!" Helpless, he wheezed under his breath trying hard not to make other's aware of their little private moment. She chortled and hopped still pouncing his belly when he caught hold of her wrists and leaped her closer. As their eyes met, she gave him one of her most affectionate look ever. "Aapne mujhe Anandi bulaya" she huffed, her lips twitching into a happy smile. Surprised, he thought for himself and realized she was right. He called her Anandi!Not Anandijee 😳
"woh actually baton baton mein pata hi nahin chala" he blushed running his fingers through his hair. Giggling at his gesture, she looked up met his eyes. "Par mujhe pata chala…aur achcha bhi laga. Aage se yehi kahiyega" she flushed, trying to look away. Smiling surprisingly at her, he decided to play along.
"Lekin ek shart pe" he whispered tucking a strand of her hair beside her ear and curling his hands around her neck.
"Aur woh kya?"
"Yahi ki aaj se aap bhi mujhe collector sahib nahin, balki mere naam se bulayengi" he demanded leaving her with warmth on her cheeks.
"Nahin collector sahib, main nahin kar paungi" she looked down trying to retreat. Holding her back firmly he kept a hand under her chin and sighed, "koshish to karke dekhiye"
"mujhse nahin kaha jayega collector sahib"
"Pls mere liye…ek baar…aap koshish bhi nahin karengi?"
Looking intensely at him, she glanced across his features and kept looking at him soggily. Closing her eyes she recollected all the moments they had spent together, From the day she met him to the day they united in the ever-lasting bond of marriage, every moment played in front of her eyes like the leaves of an old fairytale. Breathing vehemently, she gathered all her might in her throat and gave her vocal chords the ecstasy of a lifetime. "SHIV.." her voice reverberated loud and clear. The resonance in her voice sent an undercurrent down his spinal column as hormonal rush gushed in his veins. No one had ever said his name like this…never!
Still breathing hard, she slowly opened her eyes, forcing some held back tears trickle down her rosy cheeks. Wiping her tears with the tip of his finger he cupped her face lovingly and planted a gentle peck on her forehead. "Thanks Anandi..." was all he said to her as the two of them lost themselves into a passionate eyelock. A few moments passed with the two of them still looking at each other, when suddenly Ira's call broke their moment of love. Startled, she shook in nervousness.
"ma aa rahi hai…aap pls jaiye"
"Han par ye to bataiye ki aapne mujhe roka kyun tha"
Anandi suddenly remembered that she had actually stopped him for a reason and as soon as reality dawned upon a giggle touched her lips once again. Looking grinningly at him she lifted his collar and said, "Aapne ulti tshirt pehni hai"
"Kya!", shocked he looked down at his t-shirt as she broke into another giggle.He couldn't beleib he had been wearing his T inside out since so many hours now and dint even come to know of it.
"Main kabse aapko ishara kar rahi thi…par aap hain ki kuch samajhte hi nahin" she teased still giggling uncontrollably.
"Han to theek hai…ismein itna hasne ki koi baat nahin hai…kabhi kabhi aisa ho jata hai" he sulked trying to cover up making her enjoy his irritation all the more.
"Anandi hasna band karo aur mujhe ye batao ki ab main kya karoon…agar bahar jaunga to papa ke guests dekh lenge aur bula lenge. Main aise nahin jane wala wahan" he pouted making her chuckle helplessly.
"Ab to sirf ek hi raasta hai…aapko ulti T-shirt pehen ke hi jana hoga" sniggering she patted him on his shoulder. Seeing her making a fool of him, he raised a brow, the usual smirk accompanying it."Waise ek rasta aur bhi hai!"
"Acha! Aur who kya?"
"Main yahin par change kar leta hoon!" he bent down and whispered in her ear. Her eyes widened as he simpered notoriously.
"Aap mazaak kar rahe hain!!"
"Jee nahin mazaak to aap samajh rahi hain"
"Kya! Shiv koi dekh lega! Pagal ho gaye hain kya"
"Han…aapke pyaar mein!"
"Shiv bachon ki tarah mat bartav keejiye…agar aap ye sab karenge to main ja rahi hoon"
"Kyun? Aapko sharam aati hai kya?" he pinched her nose crisply making her whine in pain.
"Ahh! Shiv meri nosepin!! Aapko na kuch pata nahin chalta" hitting him on the shoulder she tried to free herself from his hold.
"Are u sure mujhe kuch pata nahin chalta?" he sneaked leaving her in a broad smile.
"Aap na bahut shararti hain sach mein. Sahi kehte hain aapke dost…aap sirf seedhe-saadhe dikhte hain. Hain nahin" she remarked pinching him on his arm.
"Ouch! Anandi itni zor se???…ye to lal singh ke injection se bhi zyaada dardnaak tha!!" he groaned rubbing his arm.
"Shararti bachon ki yehi punishment hoti hai" she retorted poking his mischievous instinct.
"Ab to aap phir meri sharart dekh hi leejiye!! Ye t-shirt to main yahin change karunga"
"SHIV PLS! Koi dekh lega"
"To phir pehle sorry bolo"
"Sorry! Huh! Apke sapno mein"
"Acha! To phir main bhi ye t-shirt nahin utarunga…apke sapno mein!"
"Shiv aap aisa kuch nahin karenge"
"Main to wohi karunga jo mujhe karna hai…jisse sharam aati hai woh aankhen band kar sakta hai" hearing his words she shook her head in disbelief and was about to cover her eyes with her hand but stopped midway.
"Waise main kyun aapni aankhen band karun…besharam aap hain aur aankhen main band karun!"
"Mat keejiye maine to nahin kaha ki keejiye…agar aapko sharam nahin aati to beshak mat keejiye" he declared smiling wickedly at her and took off his T.
"I can't believe this" she looked away blushing hard.
"Ab aap yahan dekh sakti hain" he mumbled pulling his t-shirt back in place.
"Aap sach mein bahut bade chupe rastam hain" she commented nodding her head in disbelief leaving him in a grin.
"Achcha, ab agar main bahar nahin gaya to kaun kitna chupa rustam hai ye sabko pata chal jayega" pulling himself back he began to trail off the curtain. As he strode further, she grabbed him back by his wrist. Pulling him near, she whispered, "Kal jab maine poocha tha ki meri chain aapke button mein adhne se kahin aapko lagi to nahin…to jhooth kyun kaha?" she scolded leaving him jaw-dropped.
"Aapko kaise pata ki mujhe…?"
"Bas pata hyai!" she confessed whisking him gently on his chest where her chain last night had scratched his skin.
"Waise mujhe nahin pata tha ki meri sarpanchnee mujhse bhi zyaada chupi rustam hai" he teased naughtily.
"Chupi rustam ki baat nahin hai…main teacher hoon aur apne sare vidyarthiyon ka dhyan rakhna meri duty hai. Aap papa ke guests se mil aaiye phir main dawa laga dungi" pushing him away she moved back, their hands still caught up, fingers still intertwined into each other's.
"Ye guests kahin gayab kyun nahin ho jate" he sulked refusing to let go of her hand. Shaking her head giggling, she pushed him out. "Jaiye ab!" she ordered. Walking ahead. he glanced back at her and whispered, "I love you"! 😳
"And I hate you!! " sticking her lounge out she ran off while he kept sulking throughout his dad's formal gathering 😆 😆
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