"Why are the saree’s pleats getting tangled?!"

Gauri exclaimed in frustration. She had decided to wear a saree today because Maithili had informed her that they would be performing a Puja at their house in the evening.

Initially, Gauri had been reluctant to ask for help since she wasn’t very adept at handling the saree. Although she knew how to wear one, it was the pleats that always irritated her.

After some struggle, she finally managed to tuck the saree into her petticoat. When she looked up, she saw Hriday still in his office attire—one arm holding his coat and the other clutching his laptop bag, the same one he always carried.

His hair was damp with sweat from running, and his white shirt clung to his body, with three buttons undone due to the scorching heat.

"Sweetheart, are you trying to steal my breath away?"

Hriday joked.

Gauri smiled at him and walked over to him.

"Don’t say things like that… never say that again," Gauri said, gently taking his coat and bag from him. He didn’t protest; he was content to let her do as she wished.

She placed the bag on the table.

"Sweetheart, you look amazing!"

Hriday attempted to hug her, but Gauri stepped back.

"You need to freshen up first before I can hug you."

"Why?" Hriday asked, slightly confused.

"Because Mom is about to perform a Puja in the evening."

Hriday nodded, then turned to leave for the shower, but paused and glanced at her again.

Gauri was still smiling.

"Wait, sweetheart... you called her Mom?" Hriday asked, in disbelief.

"Yes, why wouldn’t I?"

"No, no... sweetheart, you can. It means you read my message and decided to—"

"Yes, I read your message and decided to call them 'Mom' and 'Dad', just like my husband does."

Gauri explained. Hriday’s face softened, and he smiled as he moved toward her for a hug.

"No, Hriday, first take a shower. Then, and only then, will you get a hug."

"But sweetheart—"

"Hriday, please!"

"Alright."

Hriday started to leave the room, but Gauri stopped him.

"Wait."

"What?"

"I’ve brought your clothes here; you can take a shower in this bathroom. All your essentials are inside."

She said with a smile. Hriday was initially taken aback but then broke into a wide grin.

"Thank you, sweetheart, and yes, the food was amazing."

"Okay, okay, now go take a shower."

Hriday walked into the bathroom.

"Here, take the towel."

Gauri handed it to him.

After a while, Hriday emerged from the bathroom, dressed in fresh clothes. As he stepped out, he noticed one of the staff members looking at him.

"You didn’t see anything, right?" Hriday asked sharply.

"No, sir." The staff member replied, nervous.

Hriday then asked about Gauri.

"By the way, where is Gauri?"

"She’s in the temple with Maithili ma'am."

"Why do you call Gauri by her name?" Hriday asked, raising an eyebrow.

The staff member looked around, unsure of his mistake.

"S-sir, everyone calls her by her name... you do the same."

"You talk too much. What’s your name?"

"Sir, sorry?"

"Sorry, that’s a unique name."

Hriday said, surprised.

"No, no, sir, I’m so sorry for talking too much."

The young man seemed embarrassed.

"How old are you?" Hriday suddenly asked, intrigued. He had seen this staff member once with Gauri in the garden.

The man looked at Hriday before looking down.

"Sir, I’m 22."

"So you’re a kid." Hriday scoffed.

"What’s your name, by the way?"

"Srijan, sir."

"You should not call Gauri by her name again."

"Then what should I call her, sir?"

"What do you call me?" Hriday asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"I call you sir, sir."

"Then from now on, you should call her 'Ma’am'—but not in front of my family, okay?"

"O-okay, sir. Can I go now?"

"Yes, yes. And after the puja, come to my study. I’ll give you money to buy clothes."

Srijan’s eyes lit up.

"Thank you so much, sir."

Later that evening, Vivek arrived at the Shekhawat house to deliver an important file to Hriday. They were dealing with a new foreign client and were planning to expand their business from London to Singapore.

Vivek walked inside and noticed the staff were busy.

He was about to ask someone to call Hriday, but saw his boss already descending toward him.

"Good evening, sir!"

"Good evening, Vivek. Come, take a seat."

They both sat on the couch in the living room. Vivek couldn’t help but notice that Hriday seemed calm.

"Sir, the contract papers have arrived. I thought I’d let you check if everything looks good."

Hriday flipped through a few pages of the file.

"I’ll read it later. Mom arranged a puja. You should join us."

"No, sir, I’m fine."

"What do you mean, fine, Vivek?!"

Just then, Maithili Singh Shekhawat entered. She was wearing a stunning blue saree, looking as elegant as ever.

She walked toward Hriday and, without a word, grabbed his ear.

"Ouch, Mom!"

"What kind of boss are you? You didn’t stop him from attending the puja? He’s always here."

She released his ear. Hriday rubbed it and glanced at Vivek, who was looking down awkwardly.

"Ma’am, actually, sir already told me to attend the puja, but I refused."

Vivek explained. Hriday shot Maithili a look, silently saying, "I told you so."

Maithili ignored Hriday's glance and focused on Vivek.

"Vivek, is there any urgent work? If not, you should attend the puja. If the work is urgent, I won’t stop you."

Vivek hesitated, then spoke.

"Actually, Ma’am, my wife is pregnant and she stays here alone. Our family is in Kolkata, so I need to take care of her. My mother-in-law will be arriving in two days, but today my wife has a doctor’s appointment."

"Oh my god, congratulations, Vivek!"

Maithili exclaimed, smiling warmly.

Vivek smiled back.

"Look, Hriday, your PA is married and about to become a father. You should learn something from him."

Maithili teased, and Hriday looked at his PA, then at Maithili.

"You want me to become a father without even getting married?"

Hriday asked, jokingly, only to receive a slap on the back from his mother.

"Ouch, Mom, stop!"

"Shut up, Hriday. I thought I shouldn't talk to you today, but your behavior is making me reconsider."

Maithili sighed.

"Sorry, Mom, beat me as much as you want, but please talk to me..."

Hriday pleaded. Vivek smiled at the sight of his boss pleading with his mother.

Maithili ignored Hriday and turned to Vivek.

"Vivek, go to your wife and take care of your baby."

She smiled at him.

Vivek nodded, getting up.

"Goodbye, sir."

"Take care, Vivek."

Vivek walked out of the mansion.

"By the way, Mom, what’s the puja for?"

Hriday asked, genuinely curious. He had been searching for Gauri but hadn’t found her.

"You never show interest in pujas. Why the sudden curiosity?" Maithili asked, as she arranged flowers on a plate.

"I’m just curious, Mom!"

Hriday said, trying to grab a flower from the basket.

"Hriday, this is the 'Satyanarayana Puja' for the prosperity and well-being of our house."

Maithili explained. Hriday nodded and hid the marigold flower behind his back.

"I’m going now."

Hriday said, standing up to leave. Maithili gave him a puzzled look, wondering why he had shown curiosity earlier and was now leaving without a word.

She shook her head, muttering to herself.

Meanwhile, Gauri was preparing the Bhog for the puja, assisted by some maids.

She had tucked the pallu of her saree into her waist and tied her hair into a messy bun. Her face was covered with a mask.

**"All the dishes are ready. You all take them to the temple. I’ll bring the kheer myself

."**

Gauri said, directing the maids. They nodded and left with the dishes.

Gauri filled a plate with kheer and walked toward the temple.

Hriday, lost in thought, was staring at the marigold flower in his hand. As soon as he saw her walking out of the kitchen, his face lit up.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her as her waistband became visible.

His eyes tucked in her milky waist. He gulped looking at her . 

Gauri put the dish in temple and walked out from temple.

Her eyes meet with him. He is standing infront of her. Gauri looked at him in confusion.

Hriday looked around and hold her wrist. Gauri glared at him , but her pulled her beside a piller. The all staffs are around Temple. 

Hriday took the opportunity and pulled her in a empty place.

Gauri keep on glaring at him. Hriday ignore it.

" App Keya kar rehe hai!"

( What are you doing!)

Gauri asked and tried to free her hand .

" Nothing just loving my lovely wife!"

" Choriye mujhe!"

( Leave me!)

" Chorne ke liye to pakda nehi hai humne!"

( I didn't hold you to leave you.) 

Hriday said. 

" The puja is going to start Mom asked me to bring ganga jal"

" Don't worry I will take just 2 minutes."

" What-"

Gauri couldn't complete her words , Hriday turned her. Now her back is facing him.

Gauri don't know why but suddenly she felt shy.

She closed her eyes feeling Hriday's hand touching her waist to place her infront of him.

His cold touch gave her shiver.

" Hriday "

Gauri called. Hriday took her cluch from her bun and placed marigold on her hair.

" Beautiful."

Hriday said .

Gauri turned and looked at him. 

" You brought me here to put this flower in my hair!"

Gauri asked him. He nodded and smiled. He learns near her cheeks to kiss her. She turned her face and his face fall between her neck and ear.

Hriday kissed there. Gauri pushed him lightly.

" Hriday we are having a Puja in house , we can't do this before Puja. "

Gauri said.

" I am just asking a kiss sweetheart, that too a cheek kiss .!"

Hriday said.

" Hriday before Puja we cannot do it!"

Gauri said firmly as she believes that a Puja is very devine things and she wants everything perfect.

" You are acting like we are making love before Puja!"

Hriday said bluntly on her face. Gauri's cheeks turned red. She pulled her hand on her mouth to stop him.

" Hriday!"

Gauri hissed.

" I am going you will not understand!"

Gauri said , she went from there when Hriday walked behind her. He keep on following her. Gauri saw a staff looked at them then when he saw Hriday he looked down.

Gauri understand her husband is behind her.

Gauri entered in temple. She looked the priest is already there.

Maithili is sitting on puja place along with Shikar. 

Maithili glared at Hriday. Hriday smiled at her and sat behind Gauri.

When the priest said everyone that he will throw the 'Santi jal' everyone bowed down.

Gauri looked at Hriday and placed her  saree on Hriday's feets as it was bad onam to fall the Santi jal on feet.

Hriday smiled at her and kissed her when everyone was already bowed with closed eyes. Gauri eyes popped out in embarrassment. She looked at the priest who looked at after seeing Hriday's glared. 

Hriday enjoyed her red cheeks. 

Gauri pinched his arms.

" Ahh!!"

Hriday said everyone looked at him.

Gauri also looked at him.

" What happened Hriday!"

Shikar asked.

" Dad nothing and ant bite me!"

Hriday said and looked at Gauri . 

" Kamla last month we did pest control on our mansion right!?"

Maithili asked. Kamla nodded.

" Do the pest control again, and from different company. "

Maithili spoke.

" Mom I am fine, no need to do the pest control again!"

Hriday said.

" Why not Hriday, today and ant cut you but what will happen if someone big dangerous creature come inside!"

Shikar said.

" I always thought my Mom's brain works less now I think Dad's too!"

Hriday said to himself. Gauri heard it and she again pinched him.

" Ahhhhh!!!"

This time little bit hard...😆