As I poured the milk carefully into the glass, I realised that I had filled it too much. It would be difficult to carry it up the stairs. I glanced at Maa Ji, who was busy instructing the servants about something. I took a quick sip from the glass while she wasn't looking. Now the glass seemed carryable. I set it carefully on the tray, and Maa Ji came towards me.

"Dhyan se upar lekar jaana, theek hai?" She told me as I carefully lifted the tray in my hands.

(Take the milk upstairs carefully, okay?)

"Ji," I smiled at her.

Maa inspected my face closely, "Tumne chupke se doodh piya hai kya, Sanjana?"

(Did you secretly drink the milk, Sanjana?)

I froze. My eyes widened at the accusation. How had she found out?

"W-woh... Maa... Kuch zyada hi doodh maine glass mein daal di toh- um-"

(Because... Maa... I accidentally poured a bit too much in the glass.)

"Acha..." She whispered and lifted my chin to meet her gaze again. Maa took the pallu of her sari and wiped my lips and the thin line of milk under my nose. She was smiling a little, "Agar aur doodh peeni hai toh bata dena, beta. Theek hai?"

(I see... If you want more milk, then tell me. Okay?)

My eyes twinkled at her words, "Sach?"

(Really?)

"Sach. Aur chahiye?" She chuckled softly, caressing my cheek.

(Yes. Do you want some more?)

"Aaj raat nahi... Main kal piyungi!" I grinned, my face flushing slightly.

(Not tonight... I'll drink it tomorrow!)

"Tumhari marzi, bahu. Ab jao, Bhairav intezar kar raha hoga."

(Your wish, dear. Go now, Bhairav must be waiting.)

"Ji," I nodded and carefully carried the glass of milk upstairs. Bhairav Ji sat at the table, engrossed in work as I cleared my throat. He looked up, raising a brow.

"Aap yeh peekar so jaiye, chalo," I told firmly.

(Come on, drink this milk and go to sleep.)

He took the milk from my hands and took slow sips. I used that chance to put all his books and papers aside. He watched me quietly as I took even the pen from his kurta pocket and put it neatly away in the drawer.

"Ho gaya?" He asked, setting the glass down and watching me, "Araam se kaam kar raha tha, aur tum aa gayi. Aaj Dadi ke saath jaakar so jao, bahut kaam hai-"

(Are you done? I was working peacefully, and you came here. Go sleep with Dadi for tonight, I have a lot of work.)

"Nahi!" I whined immediately and squeezed his shoulders, hugging him and clinging to him desperately. "Nahi sona Dadi ke saath..." I mumbled against his neck.

(No! I don't want to sleep with Dadi.)

"Sanjana..." He sighed in frustration, "Kaam hai."

(Sanjana... I have work.)

"Aap sheher mei bhi hamesha kaam hi karte hu. Aap mera bilkul bhi parvah nahi karte... Kitne bure ho aap."

(Even in the city, you're always busy with work. You don't care about me at all... You're so bad.)

"Chup reh," he finally snapped, pulling away from me. He pushed my arms away and pointed at the bed, "Jaake chup chap so jao. Dimag math kha."

(Be quiet. Go to sleep. Stop eating my brain.)

My face brightened immediately, and I happily climbed onto the bed, falling headfirst on his pillow and taking in his lovely manly scent. But to my dismay, I fell asleep before Bhairav Ji even came to bed.

In the morning, when I woke up, I was snuggled against his chest. I wanted to slip out of his arms carefully without disturbing him, but I was awful at it. The moment I stirred, he cracked his eyes open and looked at me.

"Sanjana..." he hummed in his sleep and leaned towards me. My breath hitched when he buried his face in the nape of my neck. The tip of his nose tickled my skin, and I squirmed in his arms, feeling awfully flustered.

"A-aap itni jaldi kyu uth jaate hai?" I whispered.

(Why do you wake up so early?)

He pulled back a little, still staring at me sleepily, "Pata nahi, magar subah subah tum bahut pyari dikhti ho, meri gilehri." He pressed a gentle kiss on my forehead. I blushed furiously as I stared down. My heart was pounding.

(I don't know. But you look very adorable in the morning like this, my little squirrel.)

"School nahi jaana aaj?" He asked in his morning voice.

(Don't you have school today?)

I felt sour the moment he mentioned school. I hated it. I was always teased for one thing or the other, "Haan..."

(Yes...)

"Phir aaj mai lekar jaunga tum theeno ko," he replied softly before turning the other way and resuming to sleep. I got out of bed quickly and fixed my sari in the mirror before hurrying downstairs to help Maa in the kitchen.

(Then I'll take you three to school today.)

"Uth gaye bahurani?" She taunted when I hurriedly took aatta from the storeroom to make puri. I blushed at her words, "Maaf kijiye, Maa. Agli baar se jaldi uthunga."

(The queen is awake?)

(I'm sorry, Maa. I'll wake up early from tomorrow.)

She shook her head. I stayed with her and cooked breakfast for everyone, including lunchboxes for the men and myself. And by the time I was done, it was really late. The family sat down to eat while I rushed upstairs to the bathroom to shower and get ready for school.

Only if I didn't have to go. I could have relaxed at home.

I braided my hair in front of the mirror and tied a ribbon on both ends of my hair. Bhairav Ji came into the room at that time and sat on the chair next to the dressing table, watching me and spinning the Jeep's keys in his hand.

"Suniye... Mai ghar nahi ruk sakti?"

(Listen... Can't I stay at home?)

"Baste mei kitab rakh lo," he replied as nonchalant as ever. It was in vain to argue with him.

(Pack your bag.)

I kept the schoolbag on the table and kept all the important books in it. A paper slipped out of one of the books at that time, and Bhairav Ji caught it. It was the result of a test, and I saw the edges of his lips curve up a bit, "Yeh kab hua tha?"

(When was this?)

"Woh... Do din pehle..."

(Two days ago...)

"Ah, bade ache number hai. Bahut badiya."

(You've gotten nice marks. Good job.)

He patted my cheek softly, his eyes on me. I felt my whole body turn red as I took the paper from his hand and shoved it back into my bag. I couldn't look at his eyes anymore. Just before leaving the room, Bhairav Ji put the speck of Sindoor on my forehead, and I draped the dupatta around myself.

"Chalo," he guided me outside, his firm hand on my shoulder. I took blessings from Maa, Baba, and Dadi before following Bhargav and Keshav towards the Jeep.

(Come on.)

"Daftar aa jaana baad mein. Kaam hai," Baba Ji told my husband, who nodded, "Ji. Jaldi aa jaunga. Sanjana, aage baith." He turned to me suddenly. I glanced at Bhargav and Keshav, who made annoyed faces, "Par Bhaiya... Aap hamesha Sanjana ko bithwathe ho aage."

(Come to the office later. There's some work.)

(Yes. I'll be there. Sanjana, sit in front.)

(But brother, you always let Sanjana sit in front.)

"Biwi hai meri," he cut them off with that one sharp line while I lowered my gaze, my face red with embarrassment. There were butterflies in my stomach. He always made me feel so funny inside. I felt like I had a crush on him.

(She's my wife.)

The drive to the school was noisy. The brothers talked about countless things while I stayed silent, listening to everything with a smile on my face. It was always so lively whenever Bhairav Ji came home. I didn't want him to go back to the city at all.

"Kya soch rahi ho?" Bhairav Ji cupped my chin with his hand, his eyes fixed on the road.

(What are you thinking?)

"Kuch nahi..." I whispered and pushed his hand away. Keshav and Bhargav were watching us.

(Nothing)

"Tumhare Bhabhi ko school mein koi tang karta hai kya?" He asked while glancing at his brothers in the rearview mirror.

(Does anyone bully her at school?)

"Bhaiya, kya batau," Keshav began dramatically, "Bahut ladke hamse aakar poochte hai ki kya yeh hamari choti behen hai, aur yeh bhi poochte hai ki Bhabhi ka kisi aur ke saath chakkar hai ki nahi. Par jab ham unse bolte hain ki aap dono ka vivah ho chuka hain, wo phir hamare samne se bhi nahi guzarte. Itni dar hai Bhaiya, aapse."

(Bhaiya, what can I say? A lot of guys ask us if she's our little sister, and they even ask if she likes someone. But when we tell them that you both are married, they don't even cross paths with us anymore. They're so terrified of you.)

My husband hummed and brought his large hand to caress my head, "Aakhir meri hi to hai." I pushed his hand away, startled. Bhargav cleared his throat loudly, just to tease us, and even Keshav laughed at this.

(Afterall, she's mine.)

"Aap wapas sheher kab jaa rahe ho...?" I whispered.

(When are you going back to the city...?)

"Kal subah."

(Tomorrow morning.)

"Mujhe bhi le chaliye, na..." I looked at him hopefully. Bhairav Ji exhaled, retrieving his hand and resting it on the wheel instead.

(Take me with you...)

"Thoda aur badi ho jao, phir le chalunga."

(Grow up a little, I'll take you after that.)

"Main abse badi hu!" I huffed, pouting at him.

(I'm already big!)

"Ab bhi bachi ho," he replied, ignoring me entirely. I didn't talk to him again until we reached school. Everyone got out of the Jeep. Bhargav and Keshav walked ahead after saying bye. I was about to follow them when a hand gripped my schoolbag, pulling me back.

(You're still a kid.)

"Kaha jaa rahi ho?" Bhairav Ji asked calmly. I couldn't fight him. I couldn't run because he was far too strong and taller.

(Where are you going?)

"Class."

"Kuch kahe bina?" He cocked a brow.

(Without saying anything?)

"Chodiye!" I tried to pull, but his voice was dangerously cold the next time.

(Let go!)

"Meri taraf dekho, Sanjana. Aisi bartaav karogi toh kabhi Sheher se nahi aunga."

(Look at me, Sanjana. If you behave like this, I'll never return from the city.)

I turned immediately, my eyes wide as I stared at him.

"Naam kya hai tumhara?" He crossed his arms, leaning back on the Jeep.

(What's your name?)

"S-Sanjana..."

"Naam kya hai tumhara, Sanjana?" He asked again, staring into my soul.

"Sanjana Bhairav Chaudhary," I whispered, color rushing into my cheeks as I lowered my gaze. His hand came to grab my ear, pinching it slightly, "Kya mai sheher cricket khelne ke liye jaa raha hu, huh?"

(Do I go to the city to play cricket?)

"N-nahi..." I whispered, tears stinging my eyes because he twisted my ear a little.

(N-no...)

"Kitni baar bolu ki kaam hai. Tumhare saath waha jaakar maze karne ki samay nahi hai. Kabhi nahi sunti."

(How many times should I tell you that I have work. I don't have time to play over there with you. Why don't you listen?)

"Ab se sunungi... Chodiye na," I squeezed his hand, begging with teary eyes.

(I'll listen from now... Please leave me.)

Bhairav Ji let go of me, "Jab samay ayega, tab tumhe lekar jaunga mere saath. Ab bhi bahut choti hai. Samjhi?"

(When the time comes, I'll take you with me. But now you're very small. Understood?)

I gulped and nodded. "Theek hai, ab jao class. Aur kisi ne tang kiya toh kya bologi?"

(Okay, go to your class now. And if someone bothers you, what will you say?)

"Chote Thakur ki patni hu," I replied, remembering the words he had clearly taught me before.

(I'm the wife of Chote Thakur.)

Bhairav Ji smiled at me, a genuine smile that made him look so handsome. He brushed his knuckles against my cheek, looking content, "Ab ja sakti ho."

(You can go now.)

I bent down and touched his feet for blessings at that time. He never expected it, but then I ran back towards my class. I paused as I stood by the pillar, glancing back at Bhairav Ji as my chest heaved.

He was standing still, his arms crossed, the faint smile on his face as he looked at me. I kissed the palm of my hand and blew him a kiss, giggling. My friends had taught me that.

He looked amused as I chuckled and hurried back to class.