Every evening, I'd spend a few minutes on the terrace. It was the most peaceful spot in the Haveli, and the evening sun was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. As I picked the dried clothes from the line, I couldn't help but adore the red ball of fire sinking graciously in the sky.

I had never been able to understand how people adored sunrises, because I loved sunsets more than anything. A sunrise was always a reminder that another ruthless, tiring day was starting... While a sunset made me breathe in relief. I had survived another day. The many birds that cawed and flew over my head sounded joyous. After the long day, they were going home to rest. Even I'd be able to lie in bed soon and drift into my world of relaxation. I hugged the clothes against my chest and quietly watched them. Two little sparrows chirping around each other under the evening sun looked so adorable.

"Kya soch rahi ho?"

(What are you thinking?)

I nearly jumped when Bhairav Ji appeared from behind me. He leaned back on the parapet wall, watching me, and occasionally glancing at the sky. I hugged the clothes tighter. Where did he come from?

"Kuch nahi..."

(Nothing...)

He eyed me. Not in the cruel way like two days before, as I refused to sleep on the bed. It was kinder, curious, but I still felt intimidated.

"Idhar aao," he mumbled.

(Come here)

I blinked at him. Why me? Why now?

When he continued to stare at me, I had no choice but to take a few steps towards him. My heart was pounding in my chest. Why did he suddenly want to be close like this?

"Nahi..." I hesitated when he was about to take the clothes out of my hand.

(No...)

"Kuch nahi hoga, mujhe de do," he replied and took them anyway before keeping them on his lap.

(Nothing will happen, give them here.)

"Agar neeche gir gayi toh phirse dhona padega, Ji."

(If they fall, I'll have to wash it again)

"Aur paas aa jao... Phir neeche nahi girenge," he replied and took my hands before pulling me closer.

(Come closer... Then they won't fall.)

I was staring down at the clothes on his lap as I stood between his legs. If anyone were to see us like this, that would be embarrassing. Bhairav Ji held both my hands, his thumb gently caressed them, and... it felt good.

"Aap upar kyu aa gaye...? Agar kuch chahiye, toh mai neeche aati."

(Why did you come upstairs...? If you needed something, I would have come down.)

He hummed and turned my hands to inspect my palms.

"Haath toh bahut thaki dikh rahi hai, meri gilehri."

(Your hands look quite tired, my darling.)

I tried to pull away immediately. My hands were always ugly after washing clothes. I didn't want him to stare at it any longer.

"Bure hai... Chodiye-"

(They're bad... Let go-)

"Maine bura kab kaha?" He leaned down and kissed my palms, startling me.

(When did I say they're bad?)

I tried to pull away with even more force, but his grip on my wrists was firm.

"Koi dekh lega... Chodiye-!"

(Someone might see us... Let go-!)

"Kyu bhaag rahi ho aise... Itni jaldi kya hai?" he muttered, pulling me even closer. It was impossible to breathe now.

(Why are you running away from me? What's the hurry?)

"Ladna chod do, Sanjana."

(Stop fighting it, Sanjana.)

His voice was calm, almost like a soothing balm. It felt surreal that he wasn't upset at me for trying to move away. I stopped squirming and quietly stared at our hands.

"Aadha kaam naukaraniyo se karva do... Maa se baat karunga. Ab se mai yaha hu toh tumhari aadhi dhyan mujh par honi chahiye, kaam par nahi. Tumhare haath aise thakne nahi chahiye, samjhi?"

(Make the maids do half the work... I'll talk to Maa. I'm here from now on, so your attention has to be on me, not on the chores. I don't want your hands to get tired like this, understand?)

I nodded hesitantly. Bhairav Ji smiled for some reason. He kept his hand on my head to measure my height, which matched his chin.

"Aise neeche hokar baith raha hu, phir bhi itni choti hai?"

(I'm not even standing straight, but still you're this short?)

I glared at him when he said that, lifting my chin proudly and straightening myself.

"Aise paas aane par aapko sar jhukana padta hai na mujhe dekhne ke liye? Par maine suna hai ki Thakur Ji kisi ke saamne sar nahi jhukate."

(You have to bow down to look at me, right? But I thought the Thakur Ji never bowed for anyone.)

His smile widened just a little as he gripped my jaw. I flinched because I thought he was about to hit me.

"Umar ke saath zubaan bhi tez ho gayi hai, eh? Par ab bhi bachi ki tarah darti ho... Kyu? Agar tum mein kuch kehne ki himmat hai, toh baad mein uske anjaam ka saamna karne ki himmat bhi honi chahiye."

(Along with your age, you've become quite sharp-tongued, huh? But still you get afraid like a child... why? If you dare to say something, then you should be brave enough to face the consequences as well.)

I gulped, "Aap... gussa nahi hai...?"

(You... are not mad at me?)

"Mai aise cheezo ke liye gussa nahi karta," he replied, letting go of my face. "Maine pehli baar tum par gussa kiya aur haath uthaya kyunki tum galat thi. Aur galthi ko pyar se samjhana mai nahi jaanta hu. Abhi tumne jo kaha, woh galat nahi... kaafi chaalak tha."

(I don't get mad for things like this. The first time I got mad and hit you was because you were wrong. And I don't know to cure a mistake with love. Whatever you said now, it wasn't wrong... On the contrary, it was quite clever.)

He pinched my nose the next instant, "Lekin zyada hoshiyari dikhane ki bhi zaroorat nahi hai."

(But don't try to act too smart.)

It didn't hurt, but I found his scolding annoying. The man truly had some kind of bipolar illness. One moment, he appreciated me, while the other, he made me regret everything.

"Acha ab mai jaa rahi hu... Bahut kaam hai-"

(I'm leaving now... I have a lot of work-)

I froze when he wrapped his arms around my waist. "Ah!" I gasped when he pulled me closer, "Chodiye na... Kya kar rahe hai!"

(Let me go... What are you doing!)

"Ab bhaagkar dikhao, meri gilehri."

(Try running away from me now, my darling.)

His eyes were dark, and the feeling of his arms around my waist made me tingle all over.

"Ji..." I was on the verge of tears, "Dadi dantengi..."

(Ji... Dadi will scold me...)

He took a deep breath, "Mahine ke karan? Kab khatam hota hai...?"

(Because of your periods? When does it end...?)

I shook my head as though he had talked about something that wasn't meant to be uttered. Bhairav Ji clicked his tongue, "Tumse shaadi ki hai, Sanjana. Jo puch raha hu, uske liye saaf saaf jawab chahiye mujhe."

(I married you, Sanjana. I want clear answers for everything.)

The man was so very stubborn. I couldn't escape from his questions at all.

"Kal..."

(Tomorrow...)

He hummed, "Theek hai. Do din baad Ramakanth ke bete ki shaadi hai. Mujhe daavat di hai."

(Alright. Two days later, it's Ramakanth's son's wedding. I was invited for it.)

"Ah..." I fidgeted with the end of my sari. He hadn't stayed in one place after reaching home. He never would.

"Tum bhi aogi saath. Aur Keshav bhi."

(You'll accompany me. Along with Keshav.)

I blinked at him, "Mai?"

(Me?)

"Haan. Ab se mai jaha jau, tumhe saath le chalunga. Wahi chahti thi na?"

(Yes. From now on, wherever I go, I'll take you with me. That's what you've always wanted right?)

Was he being serious?

After all these years, he was finally acting on that little wish of mine from childhood.

"Aap..." I hesitated, "Har jagah saath leke chalenge?"

(You'll take me everywhere with you?)

Bhairav Ji leaned forward suddenly, causing our noses to bump. His eyes were unserious, nonchalant, but it still made my heart race.

"Phir mai akele chala jau?"

(Should I go alone otherwise?)

"Nahi!" I replied immediately.

(No!)

My husband smiled. Just a little. Just a tiny curve of his lips and a soft glimmer in his eyes. He looked beautiful up close like this... Too beautiful and manly that I'd have a heart attack any second.

Before I knew it, Bhairav Ji pecked my lips.

My eyes widened. I could feel my entire body turn numb. Wh-what had happened?

It wasn't even anything too dramatic. Just a touch of our lips. A brief spark that caused a thunderstorm inside me.

I jerked back instantly, and one of his washed shirts fell on the floor. In my hurry, I tried to pick it up, but my forehead bumped against his knee.

"Dhyan se... Kya kar rahi ho?" He sighed, pressing his palm to my forehead.

(Be careful... What are you doing?)

"W-woh... Kapde..."

(Th-the... Clothes...)

"Kuch nahi hua kapdo ko. Yeh pakad lo," he straightened himself and handed me all the clothes on his lap. Bhairav Ji shook out the shirt on the floor before handing it to me.

(Nothing has happened to it. Hold this.)

"Phirse dhone ki zaroorat nahi hai. Daag nahi laga hai," he told me.

(You don't have to wash it again. There's no dirt on it.)

I turned to leave because my heart was already pounding. I didn't know how to react. But not even one step back towards the stairs, and I felt my husband's firm hand on my shoulder. He slid his arm around me casually as we climbed downstairs. Even though it was intimidating, I liked how we were becoming close.

"Aaj raat bistar par so lena," He mumbled, as if it was the most normal thing to say.

(Sleep on the bed tonight.)

"Ji?" I gasped.

His hand pressed over my mouth the next instant. "Aaj raat neeche nahi soyegi. Thand lagegi. Pyar se bol raha hu... Agar baat nahi maani toh aur bhi tareeke hai manane ke liye-"

(You won't sleep on the floor tonight. It will be cold. I'm asking you politely... If you don't listen this time, I have other ways to make you obey-)

I shook my head in fear. My husband smiled like the devil he was.

"Kaha soyegi aaj raat?" He demanded.

(Where will you sleep tonight?)

"B-bistar par..."

(O-on the bed...)

He nodded in approval before patting my back, "Ab jao." I was more than eager to sprint out of the lion's claws. I clutched the clothes against my chest and hurried down the stairs, leaving him behind.

(Run along.)

My lips still burned from the kiss.