“Is your university giving you this many books?”
Hriday asked, sitting beside her bed.

“Yes.”
Gauri replied, knowing Hriday was just trying to strike up a conversation. Today was a holiday from the university, and Mr. Mathur had left for Chennai because his mother was unwell. Gauri, too, had the day off from the office.

“Don’t you have work?”
Gauri asked, pulling her attention away from her notebook.

“Yeah, a meeting at midday, but for now, I’m free.”

“You’re free?”
Gauri asked, her eyebrows raised.

“Yes, I am.”
Hriday said, smiling, hoping she would spend some time with him.

“Actually, I need your help with something—could you draw something for me?”
Gauri said, her tone slightly hesitant.

“Drawing? And me?”
Hriday asked, horror crossing his face.

“Yes, I know you're a good painter, since I’ve seen how beautiful your handwriting is.”
Gauri teased, watching as Hriday’s chest swelled with pride.

He felt a flutter of satisfaction—every husband loves being praised by his wife.

“Actually, sweetheart, I think you’re misjudging your husband’s talents. Let me help—wait, I’ll write this for you instead.”
Hriday said, glancing at her notes.

“No, Hriday, you don’t get it. This is a project, and it has to be my handwriting. Our professor is very strict and checks to make sure everyone’s writing is the same. But you can help me draw—it’s not like she knows what my drawing looks like.”

Gauri handed him a blank sheet of paper and a pencil.

“Sweetheart—”

“Hriday, please!”
Gauri pleaded, her patience thinning.

“Okay.”
Hriday’s heart melted at her request.

He took the pencil and looked down at the diagram she handed him.

“I’ll give you the easiest one,”
Gauri said, pulling out a picture.

“What the—”
Hriday’s jaw dropped when he saw the cell diagram.

“From now on, I hate biology!”
Hriday groaned.

But Gauri didn’t seem to hear him. She was absorbed in her work, writing with great concentration.

He tried to focus on drawing but couldn’t help glancing at her every few seconds.

“Sweetheart, I think I got a call.”
Hriday said, standing up and walking toward the balcony to take a call from Vivek, who was giving him details about the meeting.

When he returned, he was once again engrossed in the drawing.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Hriday opened it, only to be shocked to see his mother standing there.

“What are you doing here, Hriday?”
Maithili asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I... I came here to help Gauri.”
Hriday explained, looking embarrassed.

“You came here to help Gauri?”
Maithili asked, her tone skeptical.

Hriday nodded, showing her the drawing.

Maithili walked inside, noticing Gauri was deeply focused on her studies.

“She’s been studying non-stop since morning. I thought I’d bring something for her to eat.”
Maithili said, motioning to the maid behind her, who entered with a tray of fruits and milk.

“Gauri, eat first, then get back to studying.”
Maithili insisted.

Gauri stood up but looked tense as she saw Maithili standing there.

“I saw Hriday is helping you,”
Maithili said with a kind smile.

Gauri nodded nervously.

“Don’t worry, beta. I don’t mind. If Hriday’s happy to help you, that’s all that matters. He’s always off at meetings and business calls anyway.”
Maithili reassured her, offering a warm smile.

“Mom! Look what I drew!”
Hriday exclaimed, proudly showing his mother the diagram.

Gauri’s eyes widened as she looked at the drawing.

“Oh my god, Hriday… I mean, Hriday sir... the drawing... I didn’t know you could draw so well!”
Gauri exclaimed in awe.

Maithili chuckled at her reaction, while Hriday just smiled.

“You don’t know, Gauri. Your ‘sir’ here is very talented. He won several medals for his drawing skills.”
Maithili said, her voice filled with pride.

Gauri looked at Hriday in surprise. He appeared shy, looking down at the floor.

“Mom, don’t praise me so much!”
Hriday protested, but Maithili only shook her head with a smile.

“Why shouldn’t I? I don’t have two or three sons—I have only one! I’ll praise him as much as I want, hmm... don’t stop me.”
Maithili said, laughing softly.

Gauri admired the bond between Maithili and Hriday. It was clear how much Maithili adored her son.

“Alright, I’m leaving now. Gauri, you keep studying, and Hriday, help her. I’ll tell the chef to make something special for lunch. Your father will be joining us, and Papaji is coming this weekend.”

“Finally, Dadaji is coming!”
Hriday said, excitement creeping into his voice.

“Yes, I think he spends most of the year traveling for his trips.”

“Yes, Dad and his gang,”
Hriday replied, laughing lightly.

At lunch, Shikar glared at his wife across the table. Hriday immediately noticed the disapproval in his father's expression.

“Dad, stop glaring at Mom.”
Hriday said, trying to diffuse the tension.

Maithili continued eating, seemingly unbothered by the glare.

“Hriday, you don’t know what your mother did!”
Shikar snapped, his voice sharp.

“I know. Today, Sanjana aunty and the Ranawat family are coming for dinner.”

“You knew about this, but why am I hearing about it only now?”
Shikar asked, frustration evident in his voice.

“Because you’d make a fuss, like you always do,”
Maithili said, not looking up from her plate.

“Oh really? You think about me like that?”
Shikar retorted, his voice full of irritation.

“Yes, Shikar. And I want you to behave well with them tonight. Otherwise, I’ll go to Sister’s house.”

“Why are you going to Sister’s house?”
Shikar demanded, now visibly annoyed.

“I miss her,”
Maithili replied, her tone soft.

“You don’t miss Maasi, Mom. You just want to punish Dad.”
Hriday chimed in, his voice light but teasing.

“Whatever your Dad thinks, Hriday.”
Maithili said, waving her hand dismissively.

“Maithili, you’re not going anywhere. That’s final.”
Shikar said, standing up abruptly and leaving the table.

“Mom, do you think Dad will show up for dinner tonight?”
Hriday asked, his curiosity piqued.

“He will,”
Maithili said, a small smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

Later that evening, Gauri wore a beautiful blue kurta and left her hair open. She brought coffee for Hriday in his room, waiting for him to come out of the bathroom, dressed only in his pants. He looked like he had just finished his skincare routine.

As soon as she saw him, an unexpected feeling stirred within her. Her periods were affecting her, and she felt a rush of desire.

“Sweetheart, what a surprise. Coffee for your husband?”
Hriday said, stepping closer.

Gauri swallowed hard and took a few steps back.

Hriday, sensing her unease, reached out and pulled her closer.

“Why?”
He asked, his voice low.

“Wear your clothes first. Otherwise, I’ll leave.”
Gauri said, feeling embarrassed.

“Am I standing here naked?”
Hriday asked, raising an eyebrow with a playful grin.

“Hriday!! Stop being shameless!”
Gauri retorted, her face flushing red.

“Okay, okay, I’m putting on clothes. But you have to help me.”
Hriday said, grabbing a shirt and handing it to her.

“I can’t,”
Gauri refused shyly.

“Then I won’t wear anything, and I’ll stay like this in front of you. If you leave the room, I’ll follow you. The whole staff will see us together, and you remember that promise to help me, don’t you?”
Hriday teased.

“Okay, okay! I’ll help you.”
Gauri relented, helping him put on the shirt.

Hriday smiled, feeling her hands tremble as she buttoned it up. He loved how nervous she was in their closeness.

“Sweetheart, stop being nervous. You’ll be the one to claim me, body and soul, in the future too.”
Hriday

murmured, his voice tender.

“Hriday...”
Gauri whispered softly, as he pulled her closer, his chest pressed against hers.

“You’re so shy, I adore it. Now, please finish buttoning up my shirt.”
Hriday said, his voice teasing.

Gauri nodded, hurriedly buttoning the shirt. Hriday chuckled, brushing his lips against her hair.

“You make me feel things I’ve never felt before.”
Hriday said, holding her close in his arms.

Gauri closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the depth of his love.

“Now, go. Mom and Dad must be waiting.”
Gauri said, gently pushing him away.

Hriday held her shoulder firmly.

“Sweetheart, I want to tell you something. Do you know who’s coming for dinner tonight?”

Gauri nodded. “Yes, Mom’s best friend, Sanjana aunty.”

“And her brother, Dhiraj Ranawat, and their niece, Disha Ranawat.”
Hriday said, his voice tinged with bitterness.

“Oh.”
Gauri replied, sensing his discomfort.

“Gauri, I need to tell you something, and I want you to believe me.”
Hriday said, his tone serious.

Gauri frowned, but nodded. “Okay, Hriday.”

“Sweetheart, my mom wanted me to marry Disha.”

Gauri froze, her eyes widening in shock.

“But that’s in the past. Remember the first day we came here? Their whole family came to discuss the proposal, but I refused. I know this must be hard for you to hear, but I wanted to clear this up so there are no misunderstandings between us later.”

Hriday’s voice was gentle, sincere.

Gauri nodded, understanding.

“I only love you, sweetheart. I dream about you, I breathe for you... only you.”
Hriday said, his gaze tender.

Gauri felt her heart swell with love as she cupped his face and kissed his forehead.

“I think you already know my answer, Hriday.”
Gauri said, pulling away from the kiss.

Hriday smiled and leaned his forehead against hers. “But I wanted to hear it from your sweet voice.”

“Hriday—”

Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted them.

“What??!”
Hriday snapped, annoyed.

“Sir, Maithili ma’am is calling you.”
The servant said.

“Hmm.”
Hriday sighed, stepping away.

Gauri pulled slightly away from his embrace. “Go, Mom must be waiting.”

“Yeah, probably. But I’ll be waiting for your reply, sweetheart.”
Hriday said with a smile, before stepping out of the room.

Gauri smiled to herself, feeling her heart race.