“Closer!”

She shifted a little again. He whispered to her to come closer again and this time, she reached within his grasp. He snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her flush against his body making her look at him wide eyed.

Both of their hearts were beating wildly. 

“Relax!”

He whispered against her forehead and she calmed a little. He kissed her forehead a few times until she relaxed completely and let herself loose. Neither of them realised when they fell asleep.

The next day, Abhimanyu went to the Registrar along with Aanya to get their marriage registered and apply for her Green Card. 

The first week, Abhimanyu showed Aanya the city as much as he could. The next week, he used to sort out her job formalities so that once they shift to their penthouse, she could join work whenever she wants. 

Aanya didn’t realise when the two weeks went by. She enjoyed her time a lot. Abhijeet and Manya were the coolest in-laws she could have asked for. She would miss their late night gossip and laughter sessions but she also knew that moving here was important for Abhimanyu’s work.

He wouldn’t complain and stay at the mansion if Aanya asked but she knew it would be too much inconvenience to him and he would not even tell her about the inconvenience.

Aanya looked at the huge building in front of her. Abhimanyu held her hand and guided her towards the elevator.

“Yaha se kitni dur hai aapka office?”

(How far is your office from here?)

“Hardly 10 minutes.”

Aanya nodded and then asked after a beat.

“Aur mera?”

(And mine?)

“Almost the same distance.”

She nodded again and bit her lip. 

“Aapne reference lagaya hai. Kisi ne puchha hamare baare mai toh…kya kahu?”

(You have given reference. If someone asks about us…what should I say?)

They stepped out of the elevator and he smirked at her before whispering naughtily.

“You tell them you’re my wife…unless…you want some secret, sneaky romance.”

Aanya blushed and looked away.

“I…I don’t want any such thing. Koi puchhega toh mai bata dungi.”

(I will tell if someone asks.)

“Kyu? Tumhe romance nhi krna?”

(Why? You don’t want to romance?)

She shook her head and he frowned, pulling her closer. 

“Tumhe pasand nhi mai?”

(You don’t like me?)

“A-aisa nhi hai…”

(I-It’s not like that…)

“Toh phir kaisa hai Mrs. Shekhawat?”

(Then how is it Mrs. Shekhawat?)

Why did she feel her bones turn into jelly all of a sudden? She blushed profusely and hid her face in his chest. Abhimanyu couldn’t help but chuckle and kissed the top of her head.

Before he could tease her further, the door was opened by the caretaker of his penthouse, who he had already informed about their arrival and asked to do the necessary arrangements.

“Good morning, Abhimanyu. Welcome Mrs. Shekhawat.”

The lady who seemed to be in her late 40s greeted them warmly. Abhimanyu too smiled warmly and returned her greeting.

“Good morning, Samantha aunty. How are you?”

“I’m lovely as always! And here’s the paste you asked me to prepare.”

She said, forwarding a bowl of yellow paste. Aanya frowned.

“Ye kya hai?”

(What is this?)

“Ye haldi hai. Maa ne kaha tha ki ghar mai enter krne se pehle, I should ask you to make Satiyas at the entrance. Shubh hota hai.”

(This is turmeric. Maa told me that before entering, I should ask you to make Satiyas at the entrance. It’s auspicious.)

Aanya nodded and put her hand forward to take the bowl but Abhimanyu stopped her.

“Maine pakda hai. You make it.”

(I am holding it.)

She smiled and took some haldi on her right hand’s ring finger.

“Yaha bana du?”

(Should I make it here?)

“Aapka ghar hai. Jaha marzi bana do.”

(It’s your home. Make it wherever you want.)

Aanya blushed again and started making the Satiya. She then turned to the other side of the door and made another Satiya. She then turned to him and asked, raising her eyebrow in question whether it was ok.

He showed her a thumbs up and they entered inside holding hands. Samantha aunty clapped and both of them laughed at her infectious happiness.

“Congratulations to you too! You’re very beautiful, Mrs. Shekhawat.”

Samantha aunty said and Aanya smiled.

“Thank you, Samantha aunty. And please call me Aanya.”

The lady hugged Aanya lovingly and nodded.

“I’m really happy he found someone worth spending his life with. He might not show it but being an only child, he had always felt alone.”

“Arre! Samantha aunty! Stop manipulating my wife emotionally. I married her because I liked her. Not merely because I wanted someone around me.”

Abhimanyu reprimanded in a playful tone making Samantha shake her head in a loving manner. Aanya too smiled and tried to tease.

“Aap pasand krte hai mujhe?”

(You like me?)

She had intended to tease him but who was she kidding. This man could not be teased. At least when it came to flirting.

“Jee! Bhut jyada.”

(Yes! A lot.)

The playfulness immediately vanished and a blush coated her cheeks. At this pace, she would do well without any artificial blushes soon enough. 

Samantha aunty sensed the shift in energy and curtly excused herself, leaving the couple in privacy. Abhimanyu took slow, intimidating steps towards her, making her look at him in surprise. 

Her heartbeat went wild and she stuttered.

“K-kya…”

(W-what…)

“Shhh!”

He kept a finger on her lips and she felt her breath hitch. One of his hands snaked around her waist, pulling her flush against his body. Her hands went on his shoulder as a result of the pull.

“Jawab nhi dia tha tumne mera…do you like me? Pasand krti ho mujhe?”

(You did not answer me…Do you like me?)

His question wasn’t playful anymore. He wanted to know. What she felt. And smiled and her hands, which were on his shoulder, went around his neck as she went on her tip toes.

She leaned in and brought her lips closer until they lined against his ear.

“Haan.”

(Yes.)

She whispered before nuzzling her nose against his neck, rubbing her cheek against his and embracing him softly.

Abhimanyu tightened his hold on her and kissed the side of her head. Aanya smiled and hid her face in his shoulder, suddenly realising her actions and feeling shy.

“Come on! Let me give you a house tour.”

He whispered and showed her the entire penthouse. It was three a floored one. When he finally brought her to the master bedroom, he asked.

“So? How is it?”

“Beautiful. Cozy. Home.”

Aanya said the last word looking at him, making him smile softly at her.