"Why are these saree pleats getting tangled?!"

Gauri muttered in frustration.

Today she had decided to wear a saree because Maithili had told her that they would be performing a Puja in the evening. Gauri knew how to wear one... but handling the pleats always irritated her.

After struggling for several minutes, she finally tucked the saree properly into her petticoat.

When she looked up—

Hriday was standing there.

Still in his office attire. One arm holding his coat, the other his laptop bag. His hair was damp with sweat from rushing home. His white shirt clung slightly to his body, and the top three buttons were open because of the heat.

"Sweetheart... are you planning to take away my breath?" he said softly.

Gauri smiled and walked toward him.

"Don't say things like that... never say that," she murmured, gently taking his coat and bag from his hands.

He didn't protest. He liked letting her take care of him.

She placed everything neatly on the table.

"Sweetheart, you look beautiful," Hriday said, stepping closer, trying to wrap his arms around her.

Gauri quickly stepped back.

"You need to freshen up before hugging."

"Why?" he frowned playfully.

"Because Mom is going to perform a Puja this evening."

Hriday froze.

He turned as if to leave for a shower, then suddenly stopped and looked at her again. Gauri was smiling shyly.

"Wait... sweetheart. You called her M-Mom?"

He looked genuinely shocked.

"Yes. Why can't I?"

"No, no—you can! It means you read my message and made—"

"Yes," she interrupted softly. "I read your message and decided to call them Mom and Dad... like my husband does."

Hriday's smile widened. He stepped forward again.

"No, Hriday. First take a shower. Then you'll get a hug."

"But sweetheart—"

"Hridaaaay, please."

"Okay, okay," he surrendered dramatically.

He was about to leave when she stopped him again.

"Hriday, wait."

"What now?"

"I brought your clothes here. You can use this bathroom. All your essentials are inside."

For a second, he looked surprised. Then his expression softened into something warmer.

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

"Okay, okay. Go take a shower," she pushed him lightly.

He walked inside.

"And take the towel!" she added, handing it to him.

After changing, Hriday stepped out.

One of the staff members saw him exiting the room. Hriday immediately narrowed his eyes.

"You didn't see anything, right?"

"N-No, sir," the staff replied quickly.

"Good."

Hriday adjusted his sleeves.

"Where is Gauri, by the way?"

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

"Why did you call her by her name?" Hriday asked sharply.

The young man looked confused. "S-sir... everyone calls her by her name. You also do the same."

"You talk a lot. What's your name?"

"Sir... sorry?"

"Sorry? That's a unique name," Hriday said dryly.

"N-no sir! I mean—I'm sorry for talking too much."

Hriday studied him. He looked young.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-two, sir."

"So you're still a kid," Hriday scoffed lightly.

"What's your actual name?"

"Srijan, sir."

"You shouldn't call Gauri by her name from now on."

Srijan blinked. "Then what should I call her, sir?"

"What do you call me?"

"I call you Sir, sir."

"Then you'll call her Ma'am. But not in front of my family. Understood?"

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

"Yes. And come to my study after the Puja. I'll give you some money to buy proper clothes."

Srijan's eyes lit up.

"Thank you so much, sir!"

Hriday nodded once before walking away.

For some reason, the thought of someone else casually calling her by her name didn't sit well with him.

She was his.

And he wasn't even sure why that mattered so much.

Vivek arrived at the Shekhawat house in the evening to deliver an important file to Hriday. They were dealing with a new foreign client. The company already had a branch in London, and now they were planning to expand to Singapore.

Hriday was extremely excited about this deal.

As Vivek walked inside, he noticed the staff were busy with preparations. He was about to ask someone to call Hriday when he saw his boss already coming downstairs toward him.

"Good evening, sir."

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

They both sat on the couch in the living room.

Vivek observed him carefully.
Sir seems normal today, he thought silently.

"Sir, the contract papers have arrived. I thought you might want to check if everything is in order."

Hriday took the file and flipped through a few pages.

"I'll read it later. Mom has arranged a Puja. Come, you should join too."

"No, sir. I'm fine."

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

A voice interrupted them.

There stood Maithili Singh Shekhawat, draped in a beautiful blue saree, looking elegant as always.

She walked straight toward Hriday and, without warning, held his ears.

"Ouch, Mom!"

"What kind of boss are you? You didn't even insist he stay for the Puja? He always comes here!"

She released his ears. Hriday rubbed them dramatically and glanced at Vivek. Vivek immediately looked down.

"Ma'am, actually sir did tell me to attend the Puja, but I refused," Vivek clarified.

Hriday shot his mother a look that clearly said, See? I told you.

Maithili ignored him and turned to Vivek.

"Is there any urgent work? If not, you can attend the Puja. But if it's important, I won't stop you."

Vivek swallowed nervously.

"Actually, ma'am... my wife is pregnant. She stays at home alone. Our families are in Kolkata, so I have to take care of her. In two days, my mother-in-law will come to stay with us. But today she has a doctor's appointment."

"Oh my God, congratulations, Vivek!" Maithili exclaimed warmly.

Vivek smiled genuinely.

"Look at that, Hriday. Your PA is married and going to be a father. At least learn something from him."

Hriday raised an eyebrow.

"You want me to become a father without even marrying?"

Thap!

He received a firm slap on his back.

"Ouch, Mom! Stop!"

"Shut up. I had decided I wouldn't talk to you. Today I thought I'd break the ice and speak to you again... but your behavior is making me reconsider."

Hriday's expression softened instantly.

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

Vivek couldn't help smiling at the sight of his powerful boss pleading like a child.

Maithili ignored Hriday and turned back to Vivek.

"Go home and take care of your wife... and your baby."

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

Vivek stood up.

"Goodbye, sir."

Hriday nodded.

Vivek walked out of the mansion.

As the door closed, Hriday glanced at his mother.

The Puja preparations continued in the background... but something else was quietly healing between mother and son.

"By the way, Mom, what is this puja for?"

Hriday asked curiously, his eyes still wandering around as he searched for his wife—but couldn't find her anywhere.

"You never take interest in pujas, so why are you asking now?"

Maithili replied while arranging flowers neatly on a plate.

"Mom, I'm just curious to know!"

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

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

Maithili explained.

Hriday nodded quietly and slipped a marigold flower behind his back.

"Mom, I'm going."

He stood up and walked away. Maithili watched him in confusion. A few minutes ago he seemed so curious, and now he was leaving as if nothing had happened. She simply shook her head at his behavior.

Meanwhile, Gauri was in the kitchen preparing bhog for the puja. A few maids were helping her.

Her saree pallu was tucked at her waist. Her hair was tied in a messy bun, and her face was covered with a mask.

"All the dishes are ready. You all take them to the temple. I'll bring the kheer,"

Gauri instructed.

The maids nodded and left with the prepared dishes.

Gauri filled a plate with kheer and stepped out of the kitchen.

Hriday stood there, looking at the marigold flower in his hand, lost in thought. But the moment he saw her coming out, his face brightened instantly.

His eyes lingered on her waist where the saree was tucked in. He swallowed, unable to look away.

Gauri placed the dish inside the temple and turned back—only to find Hriday standing right in front of her. She looked at him in confusion.

He glanced around quickly, then held her wrist. Gauri glared at him, but he gently pulled her beside a pillar. With the staff busy around the temple, he seized the opportunity and led her to a quiet corner.

"What are you doing?"

Gauri whispered, trying to free her hand.

"Nothing. Just loving my lovely wife."

"Leave me!"

"I didn't hold you just to leave you,"

Hriday replied with a playful smile.

"The puja is about to start. Mom asked me to bring Ganga jal."

"Don't worry. I'll take just two minutes."

"What—"

Before she could finish, Hriday gently turned her around so her back faced him.

Gauri suddenly felt shy for no reason. She closed her eyes as she felt his cool fingers touch her waist while adjusting her slightly closer.

"Hriday..."

she called softly.

He removed the clutch from her bun and carefully placed the marigold flower in her hair.

"Beautiful,"

he murmured.

Gauri turned to him in disbelief.

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

He nodded and smiled. Then he leaned toward her cheek to kiss her, but she quickly turned her face, and his lips brushed the space between her neck and ear instead.

He kissed her there.

Gauri pushed him lightly.

"Hriday, we're having a puja at home. We can't do this before the puja,"

she said seriously.

"I'm just asking for a kiss, sweetheart. Just a cheek kiss!"

"Hriday, before puja we cannot,"

she insisted firmly. For her, a puja was sacred, and she wanted everything to be pure.

"You're acting like we're planning something much bigger before the puja,"

he teased bluntly.

Her cheeks flushed red instantly. She covered his mouth with her hand.

"Hriday!"

she hissed.

"I'm going. You'll never understand."

She walked away, and Hriday followed right behind her. One of the staff members glanced at them but immediately lowered his eyes when he noticed Hriday.

Gauri entered the temple. The priest was already seated. Maithili and Shikar were sitting at the puja place.

Maithili glared at Hriday as he entered. He simply smiled innocently and sat behind Gauri.

When the priest announced that he would sprinkle the shanti jal, everyone bowed their heads.

Gauri noticed that her saree was near Hriday's feet, and since it was considered inauspicious for the holy water to fall on feet, she carefully adjusted it.

Hriday smiled at her thoughtful gesture.

Then, while everyone had their eyes closed, he quickly leaned forward and kissed her cheeks.

Gauri's eyes widened in shock and embarrassment. She glanced nervously at the priest, who briefly looked up but lowered his gaze again after seeing Hriday's stern look.

Hriday was thoroughly enjoying her flushed cheeks.

Gauri quietly pinched his arm.

"Ahh!"

Hriday exclaimed softly, making everyone look at him.

"What happened, Hriday?"

Shikar asked.

"Nothing, Dad. An ant bit me."

"Kamla, last month we did pest control in the mansion, right?"

Maithili asked.

Kamla nodded.

"Do it again—and from a different company this time,"

Maithili ordered seriously.

"Mom, I'm fine. No need to do pest control again,"

Hriday protested.

"Why not? Today an ant bit you. What if some dangerous creature enters next time?"

Shikar added.

Hriday muttered under his breath, "I always thought only Mom overthinks... now I think Dad does too."

Gauri heard him—and pinched him again, harder this time.

"Ahhhhh!!"

And this time, it really hurt. 😆