Aarya SS - You're impossible! Part 21 pg 142 - Page 68

When Aarti stepped into the car on Monday morning, Yash asked her if she remembered what he said two nights ago and Aarti rolled her eyes. They had limited interaction with each other the day before as Aarti was busy with household chores on Sundays. But she was not going to admit that his weird behaviour had occupied her mind persistently.

They arrived at her office thirty minutes later and as Aarti was about to open the door, Yash suddenly held her wrist and pulled her towards him startling her. He gently brushed his thumb over her lips and she felt her lips burnt where he touched them.

"What are you trying to do? I did not even say anything! How can I get on your nerves? I thought you said..."

"I just wanted to make sure you remember the rules of the game which you evidently did." He winked at her and Aarti felt like hitting him to wipe away that smirk from his face. She quicky exited from his car still affected by his actions. What is wrong with her husband? He seems determined to drive her insane!

A few hours later, Yash was in a discussion when his handphone vibrated. Normally he would ignore any messages during meetings as all calls were diverted to his office line and picked up by his secretary but his eyes caught the name on the phone screen and the message was from Aarti. He was tempted to check the content as she rarely texted him especially during office hours. But he was the CFO and believed that one should lead by example and getting distracted during meetings, even if it was just internal discussions, was not something he tolerated. Eventually, curiosity got the better of him and he read the message discreetly when Pankaj bhaiyya queried Ramesh about the delays in the glass installation for the Oceanic Project.

"Do not do that EVER again! I do not want to play your silly game!"

Yash could not help grinning. This matter must have really disturbed her that she felt compelled to text him.

"What you mean by THAT? And..." He was in the midst of typing the message when Aprita nudged him.

"Pankaj Sir is asking about the estimated costs of the delay," Aprita whispered.

Yash saw ten pairs of eyes staring intently at him.

"Erm, well we have worked out the estimated costs based on the budgeted..." He explained the costs overruns trying to keep his cool. He could not believe that he allowed himself to lose focus during the meeting just to read Aarti's stupid text. Why did he feel the need to reply her instantly when it was not even urgent?

"If there is nothing else, then Simran will send out the minutes of the meeting and for those action points, I expect the update on the dates we have agreed on. Ok, everyone can leave. Yash, can you stay back for a while?" Pankaj bhaiyya concluded the meeting.

Yash sighed inwardly and just as expected, Pankaj bhaiyya gave him a lecture about paying attention. This marriage was causing his mind to be all jumbled up that he started reading unimportant text messages during meeting. He should really reassess his priorities. And if things could not get any worse, his little brother was waiting to get a report of what happened the moment he stepped back to his office.

"What you mean what happened?"

"I don't know. Everyone said that Pankaj bhaiyya was angry with you during the meeting as you were playing with your phone. Seriously bhaiyya? Is this the exemplary behavior expected of a CFO? You know how strict Pankaj bhaiyya is about respecting everyone's time and ideas during meeting. Why you even..."

"Prateek who is spreading rumours I was playing game? I was replying an important text message. Anyway, how is this news?"

"I knew it. Are things alright between you and Aarti babhi? I do not mean to pry but..."

"Then do not pry Prateek. And what makes you think I was texting Aarti?"

"I can sense something was not right between you two. Even Vidhi babhi said that Aarti babhi was distracted yesterday. Anyway, what did you do to make her angry?"

"What kind of question is that? Like I am solely responsible for all the problems in my marriage."

"So there is a problem in your marriage. You just admitted it. What is the problem?"

Yash sighed. "There is really no problem so can you please leave now? If you do not have work to do, I have."

Of course Prateek took his leave only after reminding Yash about the overdue honeymoon. If only he knew what Aarti's reaction would be if Yash starts discussing their honeymoon plans! Thinking of Aarti, he was remined that he has yet to reply her text.

"What you mean by THAT? And it is not my silly game. Actually you decide the outcome of this game. The ball is forever in your court!"

"Ok, so I will just summarise this and email Pankaj Sir and copy you in the email?" Aprita confirmed with Yash on her task.

"Yup, that's all. Thanks a lot for helping with this Aprita."

"No probs. This is my job anyway. Hmmm..can I ask you something Yash?"

"Ya, shoot."

"Are you feeling ok?"

"Is this about the meeting this morning? I am fine. I just had to reply an urgent text."

"Hmmm...ok. But you also kept checking your phone since the past thirty minutes I am here. You seem anxious about something. I just thought maybe..."

"Nah, it is nothing really. Thanks for your concern though."

What does Aprita mean he was anxious about something? He merely checked his phone to see if Aarti had texted as two hours has passed since he replied her and she definitely did not need a long time to think of a clever comeback. And then he had to confirm that the message was sent since he could have accidentally pressed "save" instead of "send". And he just wanted to ensure that there was reception considering reception was sometimes poor in his office. He was most definitely not anxious about anyting!

After five thirty that evening, Aarti finally replied.

"If the ball is in my court, I will just keep in there since I am not good at sports."

As always, she can be just damn amusing when she chose to. He wondered what she meant by that and got his answer when she started ignoring him at home later citing that she was not going to talk to him unless it was absolutely needed since everything she said irritated him. She was beyond doubt an expert at twisting his words!

Initially he was bemused as she struggled to disregard him and he purposely asked her questions just to provoke her but surprisingly he was uneffective most of the time. To Aarti, it was only absolutely necessary to speak to him in front of Bauji, Maaji and Buaji and they ended up talking about mundane stuffs like if he wanted a second helping or he wanted a drink or what shirt of his should she iron. She would either ask Payal or Vidhi babhi to be the messenger if she wanted to convey something else or simply text him during office hours. Vidhi babhi most likely noticed something was wrong between them but she did not meddle unlike her favourite brother-in-law. Once, Aarti asked Prateek to pass to him tea after dinner and Prateek came with a long list of questionnaire since he thought himself their marriage counselor which annoyed the hell out of Yash.

It was odd that even though he did achieve his objective as they have not argued at all for more than a week, he felt something was amiss. He just could not figure out why he felt that way. Life is supposed to better now right since Aarti was no longer so quarrelsome? Instead, he was losing focus at work. Even Prateek commented that Yash was always checking his handphone during one of his usual visit to Yash's office. Although Yash strongly disagree with Prateek as he only occasionally checked his phone in case Aarti text him as she intemittedly did that and then took forever to reply his messages, he knew that he was not as effective and efficient as before. He mind kept drifting to thoughts of his marriage and knew the problem was Aarti's crazy behaviour. They were visiting her parents for lunch the coming Sunday and he hoped that would put an end to her nonsense!

When Sunday arrived, Yash could tell Aarti was very eager to meet her parents. She was in a jovial mood and despite the "not talking unless its crucial" policy, she chatted with him about the presents she had bought her parents' the day before while out grocery shopping with Vidhi babhi. Yash knew she was close with her parents and she talked with them frequently. She jumped out of the car the moment they reached her parents' place.

Mr and Mrs Dubey were at the door to welcome them and Aarti immediately went to the kitchen the instant they stepped into the house. Mrs Dubey too went to the kitchen to get Yash his tea while Yash and Mr Dubey tried to find something to fill the akward silence. After chatting about work, there was nothing else to talk about.

"I hope you are getting used to married life now that you are both married for more than two months."

Yash pretended to be engrossed watching the television. Are you supposed to answer to statements like that?

"Marriage is about compromise. You know sometimes your spouse may not..."

"Sorry bauji, where is the bathroom? I really need to go toilet urgently." Yash did not mean to interrupt Mr Dubey but he really needed to pee at that very moment. Mr Dubey probably did not have a good impression of him the last time they conversed and Yash knew his current behavior was not helping matters. Why was nature against him?

"Oh, the toilet is just down the hall, near the kitchen." Mr Dubey pointed to him the direction.

Yash could hear Aarti's voice the moment he stepped out of the toilet. He stood by the kitchen entrance and saw Mr Dubey was there. He was standing beside Aarti in front of the table where the food was laid while Mrs Dubey was at the stove.

"This is the best tasting chappati ever!"

"Now Aarti, will you stop pinching the food and putting them in your mouth? I thought you said you were going to help your mother? Is this how you are at your in-laws place also? Eat up all the food even before anyone does?" Mr Dubey teased his daughter.

"No, na. I told you I have to help to prepare everything and I do not get to eat until everyone else eat finish! And I still have to clean up after that!"

"Is this how you help Vidhi? Standing in front of the food and tasting them one by one? Then she must be thinking how unfortunate her sister-in-law is so useless that she..." her mother asked.

"Mom! How can you say I am useless? I cooked all by myself that day when Vidhi babhi was not around. You teach me na over the phone. How can you forget? And Vidhi babhi always say that she is very happy to have me around so I am not useless," Aarti sulked. She knew her mother was teasing her cause that was her way to make Aarti perform housework previously. Aarti hated household chores and her parents used to always make fun of her that she could not do them cause she was useless. Aarti missed those moments with her parents and hugged her dad. She then went to her mom and embraced her from behind and rested her chin on her mom's shoulder.

"Mom, I miss you and Dad so much. I want to stay here." She realised her mistake the moment Mrs Dubey turned and she saw the panic in her mother's eyes.

"Are things ok between you and Yash? Does he treat you well?"

"Yes. I told you na. You always ask the same question everytime we talk."

"I know you think I am always nagging at you about the same thing. But you are my daughter and I know how you are like. I am worried if you say something to offend your in-laws or you start arguing with Yash for no rhyme or reason just to get what you want. You need to learn to give in and don't always insist on having things your way. You ask your father how we always wonder about how you are doing."

"Aarti, you know the Scindia's family is still quite conservative as compared to ours. You never cook before, hated all those housework and have so much freedom here. So we don't know how you are really adapting over there. And everytime we ask you, you always just say things are fine," Mr Dubey added.

"I say fine cause things are fine Dad. Vidhi babhi is very very nice and patience with me. Please stop worrying about me. And I always give in to Yash. Pakka! You see like now, he is the one watching tv and I am the one in the kitchen doing all the work. At his house it is also the same. Mummy, why don't you ask him to serve us while we eat? Then only it will be more than just fine!"

Both Mr Dubey and Mrs Dubey laughed. And Yash chuckled.

"Only you can think of these thoughts. Your work is only food tasting here! Now, bring the food out to the dining table. And Dubeyji, shouldn't you accompany your son-in-law? He must be feeling so out of place by himself in the living room when all of us are in the kitchen," Mrs Dubey instructed both of them.

Yash made his way back to the living room thinking about what he just witnessed. He knew Aarti had to adjust to his family and he was always appreciative that she managed to integrate so well with everyone at home. But he did not realise how dissimilar her life was before marriage yet she never complained about the things she had to do in his household and even planned for Vidhi babhi to get away fully aware that she had to handle everything herself. Now, she made him feel more guilty for blasting her about Payal's incident. How can he feel that she was damn quarrelsome and affable at the same time?

Lunch was surprisingly a pleasant affair for Yash. Aarti was full of chatter and insisted that she knew how to cook all the dishes on the table and her father made her name all the ingredients for those dishes. Mr Dubey even started chatting with Yash about cricket and the team they supported and Mrs Dubey queried about his favourite food. After lunch, Yash offered to help clean up with Aarti since Mrs Dubey must be tired after cooking such a scrumptious meal.

"Maybe I should clean up by myself since you always clean up at home," Yash said as they cleared the table.

Aarti blinked. Did he really just echo her thoughts out? Did he hear her just now? But it cant be right since the living room was so far away and she was not loud! How was it possible that he also felt that way? They must be truly soulmates!

"I feel the same too. Great minds think alike!" She grinned.

"Anyway, I am still not talking to you unless you say that silly game is over," she announced suddenly when they deposited all the plates to the sink. Honestly she was getting tired of this game and wondered if Yash really preferred them not conversing at all. He probably has no issue with their current arrangement since he got his peace. But she was dying to talk to him and missed those silly grins that made her heart pound, the way he shook his head when she exasperated him or the way his eyes light up when he had something smart to counter her. Her heart was foolish and refused to listen to her more rational mind but she had no power over it!

"Then I guess I cannot ask you how you want to split the chores. Do you want me to wash all these dishes? Then you wipe them?"

"Ok!" She prefered wiping them than doing the dishes! How did he even know this? Is this a sign?

"But do you know how to wash the dishes? How come you never use the sponge?" Aarti grumbled when she saw that Yash merely poured the liquid soap on the plate and rinsed it with his hands under running water. She took the plate from Yash's hand and their fingers brushed causing her to feel the same sensation she did when he first touched her to slip on the engagement ring many months ago. She sensed Yash moving closer to her.

"What are you doing?" she whispered, her heart racing.

"Learning how to wash dishes from the expert," he answered against her ear.

She was holding the plate in one hand and the sponge in another and he interwined his fingers with hers. He started caressing her fingers while she scrubbed the sponge on the plate. She sighed and wondered what happened to her decision to push him away whenever he tried to get close to her until all the issues hanging between them were resolved.

"How long are you supposed to scrub the plate?" his lips were beside her ear, his voice hoarse and she could hear the beating of his heart. His fingers, the plate, the spongue and the running water were creating havoc with her emotions that she had to bite her lower lips to suppress a moan. He started blowing behind her ear causing tingles as it was a sensitive spot so she spunned her head and mouthed "No." Their noses touched, their breathing labored and Yash lowered his mouth to hers...

"Your mother is asking how long..."

And the glass plate shattered. They both turned to face Mr Dubey and Yash took a step away from Aarti while Aarti avoided eye contact with her father. She did not know how it was possible that her cheeks turned even redder.

"It's ok, take your time." With that Mr Dubey was gone.

Aarti told Yash to wash the dishes while she would wipe the dining table first and then come back to help him and rushed out of the kitchen. By the time she came back to the kitchen, Yash apparently had finished wiping the dishes and she was in no mood to inspect them. They spent some time chatting with her parents and she was still feeling embarrassed when they left that evening.

In the car back home, Yash told her to forget about the game and she asked him why.

"Honestly?"

"No, lie to me." Why does Yash ask such idiotic question?

He should have expected that. "I just missed our talks." Doesn't she miss them?

For real? He missed their talks too? He was not pretending right? "But you said that I got on your nerves."

"I never said that. Sometimes what you said caused me to get angry and we end up arguing. I just wanted to avoid that but you decided to stop talking altogether which is definitely not what I expected. "

"You miss talking to me more than you want to avoid us arguing?" What did this mean? Why can't she stop smiling?

"Yes Aarti! And you know I did not realise how different life was for you before marriage and I just want you to know that I really admire your ability to fit in with my family and accept our way of life. And you know I am really sorry about that time when I reacted hastily about Payal."

Where did that come from? Why was he sometimes so perceptive instead of his insensitive self? She did not know what to answer so she beamed in pleasure. A short while later, she spoke again.

"Can I ask you something? You missed talking to whom more? Me or to Aprita that time when she started going out with Aman?"

Now where did that come from? How was this even comparable? Yash had told himself that he should count to ten before answering Aarti whenever he felt himself getting riled up. He shook his head and sighed.

"Aarti, it is different," Yash finally responded. Aarti did not show any reactions to his reply and was looking out of the window beside her.

There was something unhealthy that Aarti kept on bringing up Aprita in every conversation of theirs. What is her problem really? Who can he discuss this with? Only Prateek knows about Aprita but he was the last person Yash wanted help from in this matter!