Aanya had started going to work. She came back earlier than Abhimanyu on most days because he usually had late meetings with foreign delegates.

“Samantha aunty? Did you make dinner yet?”

“Not yet, dear. You want me to make something special?”

Aanya thought for a moment and then grinned.

“Is it ok if I make dinner tonight?”

“Surprising your husband?”

She teased and Aanya nodded with a soft blush.

"Of course, dear. Just let me know how I can help.”

Aanya made dinner but asked Samantha aunty not to tell Abhimanyu that she made it. She wanted to see if he could tell the difference.

Abhimanyu reached home and searched for Aanya. He found her in their room, combing her hair. He noticed that she had changed into a simple yellow cotton saree.

She had started wearing sarees at night sometimes. And to be honest, he loved them on her. 

Without wasting another moment, he walked towards her, gaining Aanya’s attention as she looked up from the mirror.

A smile spread across her lips and she closed her eyes cherishing his warmth when he bent down to kiss the top of her head.

“How’s my love?”

Love. He had started calling her that from the past few days. She was very excited because of the dinner she made and for his reaction. She turned to him and grinned excitedly.

“Mai aapka hi wait kr rhi thi. Aap jaldi se freseh hokar bahar aaiye. I’m starving!”

(I was waiting for you. Come after freshening up.)

He chuckled and went to the washroom after kissing her knuckles. Aanya went towards the kitchen and asked Samantha aunty to serve everything.

Samantha took her leave early that night to leave the couple in privacy. Abhimanyu came downstairs and saw Aanya serving.

“Why are you serving? Mai aa raha hu na.”

(I am coming.)

Aanya merely nodded and asked him to sit. She stood beside him silently and waited for him to take his first bite.

“Aap start kriye mai kuch peene ko laati hu saath mai.”

(You start I will get something to drink.)

She pretended to go so that he wouldn't question her not sitting. Abhimanyu too didn’t notice the juice jug already there and nodded, tearing the first bite.

Aanya waited with bated breath and saw him take the morsel. He chewed a few times but his pace slowed down. His gaze shot up towards her and he asked.

“Did you make this?”

Her breath hitched. He noticed. How?

“Aa-aapko kaise pata?”

(H-how do you know?)

He finished the morsel and nodded.

“It’s different. The taste.”

Aanya waited for him to elaborate. He didn’t. He tore another bite and chewed it down. Her mood fell a little.

“Umm…different matlab? Achha nhi bana?”

(Ummm…what do you mean by different? Is it not good?)

Abhimanyu shook his head.

“Nhi.”

(No.)

The word came out crisp. Clear. And Aanya’s smile fell completely. She lowered her head and nodded. Her sadness turned into shock when she felt him grasp her wrist and pull her down on his lap.

She gasped and looked at him wide eyed. He leaned closer and whispered in a playful tone.

“Bhut achha bana hai. Aur nhi bhi bana hota…mai tab bhi khaa leta. You know why?”

(It’s very nice. And even if not…I would have had it.)

She shook her head. The way he was whispering things made her body tingle with awareness of his proximity.

“Because I love you. Tum pyaar se jo bhi banaogi…mere liye wo world ke best restaurant ki best dish se bhi achhi hogi.”

(You make something with love….it will be better than  the best dish of the best restaurant for me.)

Aanya couldn’t hear anymore than his confession. It wasn’t a surprise. His actions had made it pretty clear to her that he loved her.

She sighed in content and dropped her forehead against his, closing her eyes. Both his arms went around his waist, holding her in place and he smiled, kissing her forehead once, before resting his forehead against hers again.

“Achha ab chhodiye mujhe…bhook lagi hai.”

(Ok leave me now…I am hungry.)

She whispered, feeling shy as she realised she was still on his lap. Abhimanyu smirked mischievously and tightened his hold on her.

“Mai khila deta hu.”

(I will feed you.)

“Lekin mai aise kaise…aap chhodiye na.”

(But how can I…you leave me.)

She whined and he chuckled. He shook his head adamantly and Aanya frowned.

“Abhimanyu! Mai aise kaise khaaungi. Jaane dijiye na.”

(How will I eat like this. Let me go.)

“Jaane dene ki liye thodi na shaadi kri hai.”

(I did not marry you to let you go.)

“Arre abhi jaane dijiye.”

(Let me go for now.)

She said in exasperation and Abhimanyu shook his head.

“No! I’m not letting you go. Not now. Not ever.”

Aanya smiled and melted a little. 

“Par abhi mujhe bhook lagi hai na.”

(But I am hungry.)

She pouted for extra efforts and he sighed. He let her go reluctantly. She took her seat beside him and they had their food.

Aanya was very excited. Abhimanyu was home and she was waiting for him at their home theatre. He had promised her a movie night and was getting the popcorn and snacks for them.

She clapped like an excited child when he entered with the food tray, making him chuckle and shake his head at her antics.

He took his place beside her and pulled her closer by rounding an arm around her shoulder. She munched on the popcorn as the starting credits rolled.

Abhimanyu was more interested in Aanya and her reactions than the movie. Such a short period of time and he felt that he would not be able to breathe if she ever left.

His thoughts were broken by the sound of her phone ringing. She picked it up and saw the caller id display her mother’s name. Abhimanyu saw it too and paused the movie.

He increased the lighting when he saw it was a video call. Her mother’s face came into picture and Aanya grinned wide.

“Hello mummy!”

“Aanya! Kaisa hai mera bacha? Kitna time ho gaya tujhe dekhe huye. I miss you so much.”

(How are my baby? It’s been so long since I’ve seen you.)

“I miss you too mummy. Kaise ho aap? Papa kaise hai?”

(How are you? How is papa?)

“Hum thik hai. Tu kaisi hai? Aur Abhimanyu?”

(We are fine. How are you? And Abhimanyu?)

“Mai bilkul thik hu. Aur Abhimanyu ka aap unhi se puchh lo.”

(I am fine. And you ask Abhimanyu himself.)

With that she tilted the screen towards Abhimanyu who smiled and greeted her mother.

“Hello mummy. Kaise ho aap?”

(How are you?)

“Mai thik hu beta. Tum batao. Sab thik? Mummy papa kaise hai?”

(I am fine. You tell me. Everything fine? How are mummy papa?)

She inquired about Abhijeet and Manya. 

“Sab bilkul thik hai mummy.”

(Everyone is fine.)

Aanya turned the phone back to herself and pouted.

“Hum movie dekh rhe the. Aapne disturb kr dia thoda sa.”

(We were watching a movie. You disturbed a little.)

Her mother chuckled but felt happy seeing the glow on her daughter’s face.