Does trust have to be earned? Or is it simply a matter of faith?
I just tucked in Ria and walked to the balcony where Virat was sitting with Nikki. I had told Virat about how he asked me earlier if papa had left us again. So, he wanted to talk to him. Virat was in a rocking chair and Nikki was lying on his chest cuddling close.
"How is school buddy?"
"It's okay." Nikki replies in a very low voice.
"um, Is Rob staying away from you?"
"uh-haaa"
"Good boy. Did you make any new friends?"
"I made oneee."
"Acha? what's his name?"
"It's a girl papa."
Virat smiles "Really now? What's her name?"
"Jeanie.."
"Jeanie!? Better behave with Jeanie son. We don't want her parents banging our door. Do we?"
"No." Nikki replies innocently.
"Virat, it's getting late. Everyone is waiting for us." I remind him.
Virat walks inside with Nikki and puts him on his bed and I tuck him in.
"I love you a lot kiddo and I am not going anywhere. Even if I do, I will always come back. You get that right?" Virat asks Nikki.
"You won't leave?" Nikki asks without looking at any of us. Virat looks at me so surprised.
"Never buddy. Not even if you mom kicks me out." Virat smiles kissing his forehead. "I love you."
"I love you too papa.." Nikki kisses him back making Virat grin widely.
"More than mama?" Virat asks laughing.
"I love mama more.." Nikki maintains.
"Virat?" I nudge him.
"Kya? I can't even try?"
We stay for a few more minutes with the kids and join everybody else in the garden. They were all changed and dressed in casuals. Viren and Dad were having a beer chatting; and Blanco was grilling us dinner. Jeevika and Swetha were busy talking about jewelry and shoes.
"We should have some music here, like old times. Bhai, sing something - humare liye nai sahi toh bhabhi ke liye." Virat winks at him, putting his hand around my neck from behind me and pulling me nearer.
Ma was sitting quietly, smiling, looking at Virat who was laughing carefree and relaxed, pecking me on my cheek every now and then. It was just like old times -the whole family together. Virat wouldn't stop teasing everyone around, especially his bhai and bhabi. Ma looks at me and her eyes were filling up and she goes inside.
"Ma! Whats wrong?" I follow her inside as nobody else notices.
She sees me and stops and wipes away her tears. "I am just happy Manvi. We are all together and it just makes me feel so good seeing everyone so happy."she smiles.
But, I know that's not the real reason. She is happy to see Virat like this. I give her a big smile.
"I thought I would never see him like this again beta." She confesses.
"I know! You are glad to see him like this? Turning the whole house upside down and torturing us all with his stupid pranks all day?" I ask her as my eyes start filling up too.
Ma nods her head up and down extending her hands and we hug each other tightly, smiling with intermittent tears. God! today is just such a happy day!!
"Manviii!!! Maaa!!! Bhai is singing, aajaooo.." Virat yells for us.
We wipe our tears and hug again and walk outside. Viren bhai was playing a guitar and Jeevika was sitting curling up onto his hand listening to him sing to her. Dad extends his hand asking for Ma for a dance. Swetha was also dancing with Blanco.
Virat was sipping beer by the grill. I go and take it away from him. "Viraaat!"
"There you are. You owe me one." He pulls me onto him and puts my hands around his neck looking into my eyes with that look that can combust your heart in a second. I smile and look away unable to hold his gaze.
"You are drunk." I tell him.
"That's what a man does when his girl tricks him." He whispers.
I move closer and rest my head on his chest to hide the face splitting smile on my face. I am just happy - no correction - I am happiest girl on the whole planet. He puts his hands around my waist and moves slowly along with me to the rhythm of a slow romantic number Viren bhai was humming so melodiously.
And Virat is singing too - but only I can hear him.
A woman is a mystery
A man just can't understand
Sometimes all it takes to please her
Is the touch of your hand
N' Other times you got to take it slow
And hold her all night long
Heaven knows there's so many ways
A man can go wrong
Must be doin' somethin' right
~~~
Soon after, its only me, Virat, Jeevs and Viren sitting around a small bon-fire the guys made in the garden. Ma and Dad retired early as they had a flight in the morning. Swetha also took off, I think she didn't want to hang out with us couples. I went to sit with her for sometime but she send me back saying she was fine. I was warming my hands in front of the fire as Virat comes with a couple of beers, handing one to his brother. He settles behind me, pulling me close between his legs, making me rest my back on his chest.
"Have some baby" Virat offers me.
I roll my eyes.
"Kyu Manvi? Stopped drinking after having kids?" Viren teases me.
"Haan, sudhar gayi hai Bhai. You remember the time when she got drunk and broke her leg while dancing?" Virat laughs.
"How can we forget that Virat?" Jeevika winks at me.
"I DID NOT break my leg. That was just a sprain. And if I remember it was both you brothers that challenged us, and got us drunk - TO YOUR ADVANTAGE." I complain.
"Right!" Jeevika agreed.
It was a long weekend vacation ages ago, when Virat took me to meet Viren bhai, for the first time; Jeevika was his girl-friend then. Viren was at his university and the party in his house just got too wild for us. Both of them used to work so hard but at the same time, when it came to having fun, they used to be a couple of party animals.
"You are right about that! We should try that again. Right honey?" Viren kisses Jeevika.
"You guys should really get a room." Virat teases.
"Right, look who is talking." retorts Viren angrily, but he gets up holding Jeevika's hand. "We have a morning flight tomorrow. We better go and get some sleep." He tells us.
"I sincerely doubt that bhai." Virat chuckles.
"Abey chal, Besharam." Viren throws a pillow at us and leaves.
"Goood night!!" Virat shouts after them.
"This is so not going to end well." I tell myself looking at Virat. He was drunk. He wraps his hands around me and squeezes me into a tight bear hug. I smile in his embrace. He gives me a big wet kiss on my cheek.
"So, Where were we?" he asks nuzzling my neck.
"Nowhere. Jaan, your doctor would freak if he looked at you right now."
"Shhh!! No doctor, no Ma, no kids. If you do not kiss me in the next 5 seconds. I will scream!!"
I turn around and look at him smile sleepishly. He is just undeniable. I sit up on my knees and kiss his forehead, his eyes, both his cheeks and without thinking for a second, I kiss him on his mouth, taking his lips in. He smiles and I smile too. It was too hot, his fingers were travelling on my back, teasing me and I lean into him, molding my whole body into his, cupping his face with my hands. It felt so heavenly. After a few minutes, I move back and sigh deeply, release the breath that I had been holding while looking into his eyes - they were dreamy, passionate and full of naughty things. My heart flutters and he sighs too. His lips curve into a really big smile and he tilts his head looking at me sweetly as I couldn't stop blushing. He starts singing...
I just heard ya sigh
N' Lean into my kiss
And close those deep-blue-need-you eyes
Don't know what I did
To earn her love like this
But baby I...must be doin' somethin' right
"You must be..because you make me very, very happy jaan." I tell him cuddling into his arms. The fire was keeping us warm but I was still a little cold.
"Really?" he looks down directly into my eyes and pulls me in. He is grinning widely and he is also a little tipsy - effects of the alarmingly high levels of blood-alcohol in the system.
"I thought that was pretty obvious. Stay home for a couple more days." I ask him nicely. He told everyone that he was going back to work from tomorrow.
"I will work for short hours baby. But, I have to go. I have some major scores to settle. Watch out you f**king psychos!!" he shouts into the open air. Watching him like this is hilarious. He is usually so in control and civil.
"Just one more day jaan. For me?" I ask batting my eye-lashes and biting my lip; my fingers lingering at his shirt button.
He stares at me with a half-smile "Are you trying to be cute with me?"
"Me? Cute with you? Why would I?"
"Manipulation." he points out, pushing my hair behind my ear.
"Is it working?" I look up.
"Not a chance baby." He shakes his head, pecking me on my lips.
"Hmmph!" I pout disappointed.
"Why don't you come with me to work? You can improve on your pathetic manipulation skills." He is laughing. He really is evil!
I narrow my eyebrows. He is having so much fun - at my expense. "What will I do there?" I snap.
"We have our own marketing division. I am pretty sure we are short of a creative head."
"Are you now? So, you are filling in for your HR? What else is in your job description apart from twiddling your thumbs sitting in your huge leather chair?"
"Hurt, are we? Just come. If you don't like it, you don't have to go back. I will have a pretty face to look at, all day." He says lifting my chin and grazing my face with his. His face had a little stubble and it pricks my soft skin. It feels so good.
"Hmm..now I am just a pretty face?" I ask, hurt clearly evident in my voice.
"A pretty face, a golden heart and a brilliant mind." He pulls me closer, his face still over mine, and he kisses my hand and slips his face down to the crook of my neck, doing the same. I moan. He is so good at this.
"Are you trying flattery or seduction?" Alcohol seems to agree with him. I am seeing this flirty and playful side of him after a really long time.
"Which one is working?" he chuckles, proud of himself.
"Neither." I burst his bubble.
He pouts. But, he isn't the one to get bumped off a train. "Then how about abduction?" he smiles, grabbing a blanket and covering me with it. Are you cold? We can go inside." He says.
"How very gentlemanly of you!" I retort with sarcasm as his hands move around everywhere inside the blanket making me squirm and I know why he wants to go inside. I am going to keep him here as long as I can. I like him like this. He is laughing at me as I convulse in his arms moaning. I glare at him, but not for long.
"I am a lot of things darling but definitely not a gentleman" he says and he lifts me up in his arms.
"VIRAT!!!" I scream. His hand!!
"Shhh!!! I am fine." He says and walks inside with me in his arms. "I need to settle a score with my wife before anything else." He smiles naughtily.
~~~
Next morning, I am helping Virat get dressed.
"The house feels so empty." I observe. Ma and Dad had gone to Viren's place and they will fly back to India from there. Ria and Nikki are sent off to school.
"Hmm..I have to rush. I have a lot of stuff to catch up on." He says grabbing a tie in the closet.
"You sure you don't want to come? I really meant it. You could start working at Vadhera Global, we have a huge marketing division and I am sure, you will like it."
"Maybe tomorrow. I will stay with Swetha today. I haven't spent anytime with her." I tell him guiltily.
"So, you are choosing your friend over me?" he tried to sound angry.
"Yes!" I take his tie from him as he gets a call on his phone.
"Hi Blanco.." he answers.
"Oh? Why don't you take his number, she will call back when she is free."
"Urgent? Does he now?"
"Manvi, do you happen to know an Ashish Singh?" Virat asks me while still phone.
"Ashish? Um, yeah, in India." I am brooding. What about him?
"Ok, check him and ask him to wait in outer living room." He tells Blanco and hangs up.
I look at Virat. "There is an Ashish Singh, who wants to meet with you. Apparently it is very urgent and he has something important to tell you."
"Oh?" I look at Virat puzzled. Why is he here?
"Who is he?" Virat asks.
"I used to work with him and his kid used to go to the same school as Nikki and Ria. We used to have playdates with his son Monty." I laugh. "Why is he here?" I wonder aloud.
"Playdates?" Virat raises his eyebrow. But, then quickly finishes up dressing and we go out.
What does he want to talk with me? This is so unsual.
Virat comes with me to the living room where Ashish was asked to stay. Blanco and Martin were standing there and there he was - Mr. Ashish, he is middle aged man, probably in his late thirties, he was wearing a blue formal shirt and trousers and he was fiddling with his phone nervously. He looks up at me and Virat and smiles awkwardly.
"Mr.Ashish? Hi! How are you?" I ask. This is so strange. I don't know what to talk.
"I am fine Manvi. I have been dying to see you." He says.
Virat looks at him with hostility.
"Er, this is my husband, Virat Vadhera. I introduce."
Virat does not shake hands with him.
"Oh? So, it is true, you are back with him?" Ashish asks me.
I look at Virat. He has a complete poker face, it is expressionless.
"Yes, Please sit. Why are you here to see me? I don't understand." I ask.
He sits down on a couch across from me an Virat. He has a folder with him and he looks at Virat nervously.
Virat just sits with me. I know he is getting late. I need to send him off fast.
"Manvi, can I talk with you privately for a few minutes." Ashish asks me.
"I don't think that is necessary. You can tell me anything. There is only my husband here." I tell him firmly.
"You mean, he knows?" he asks.
"Knows what?" I ask eyeing him curiously.
"About us, ofcourse."
I am taken aback. WHAT?! "About us? What do you mean?"
"Manvi, I am so sorry. You know, during that time, I had lost my faith in marriage, you had told me that you had too, so that's the only reason I refused. I haven't stopped thinking about you Manvi. I had moved to Mumbai and then Delhi and I kept going places, trying to forget you, but I couldn't. The way you helped me out of my depression; and helped me with Monu. I have never seen anybody like you. I made a mistake, I shouldn't have let you go. You were ready for marriage but I wasn't. Now I am. I am ready to do anything for you Manvi."
What in god's name are you talking about?
"I am sorry Mr. Virat, I have nothing against you. You might be a monster for cheating on your wife but you are a blessing to me. If it was not for your mistake - we would never have met - we would never have become friends and we would never have build this strong bond between us."
Stop talking. What are you saying?
Virat say something. I look at him. Virat was sitting and listening to all this bull shit attentively.
I have searched for Manvi, all over India sir. Finally, one of our common friends told us that she is here in New York and I had to see her. I know you guys are just trying to be together for your kids but what we have is very valuable sir. I think you should give us sometime to figure out our future.
"Manvi, I really need to talk to you alone. Monu also misses you very much." He comes and kneels before me.
"Which common friend told you she was here in New York?" Virat asks him hunching forward.
"Dr.Rahul." Ashish answers too readily.
Virat looks at me.
I am shocked.
The power of speech had left me "What the f**k are you talking about?" I mumble.
"Manvi, listen, I know you are trying to make it work with your husband, but..."
"That's enough. Please move away from her." Virat tells him and there is an under-current of threat and anger in it.
"Please don't be scared of him. I am well-connected, I know people here. I will get you out of here and away from him." Ashish tell me.
"I SAID MOVE AWAY!! I WILL NOT REPEAT AGAIN." Virat is boiling mad.
He turns to Virat. "Sir, I beg you, I really do. I know this is really awkward but I have no other way of approaching her. You locked her in this beautiful golden cage away from me. Or else, I would never have spoiled your day like this. I know how it feels when your ex is with another man.."
And there is howling sound, followed by a huge thud on the ground. It was Ashish. Virat punched him - punched him so hard that he was on the floor, his mouth was bleeding. "Blanco, get him out"
Ashish is now shouting "I have been approached by so many news channels but I haven't said a single word to them. You think your wife is a saint here, this is the proof of all the emails she wrote to me, pictures - Of the time we went out on a dinner, of the time we went on a picnic. Ask your kids, they know me. They used to have sleepovers at my.."
Blanco punched him again, lifted with his collar and dragged him out of the house.
"Martin, have a couple of guys follow him and see where he turns." Virat instructs.
"Yes sir."
"Virat?" My heart was literally thumping out of my chest.
"We will talk about this later. Enjoy your day with Swetha. I really have to go." He comes, pecks me on my cheek. "You okay?" he asks me.
I am scared and shocked out of my wits. But, I manage to nod my head. He kisses me again and walks out; but he grabs the folder that the the psycho had left on the table.
No!
~~~
note: Guys, sometimes I am lazy to pm. But I always post the link on my fb page right after I update. I have created a page for my id and if you like it, u will get the feed. I will continue to post there even after the show ends. So, I really need your support - Coz readers maketh a writer 😊
Thanks for all the comments - I read them again and again and again and it is overwhelming. Thanks a bunch. Please keep reading my work. Luv ~Anu❤️
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