(Oh hello? Where did the queen get lost?)

My cheeks burned red as I glared at him. It wasn't that easy to distract myself from the way I had woken up in the morning. Bhairav Ji's arm had been wrapped around my waist. His chest pressed against my back. Only I knew of the struggle I had gone through to free myself.

"Le jao ise," I muttered, pushing his lunchbox in his hand. Keshav flinched because of the hot tiffin and nearly dropped it.

(Take this and leave.)

"Agar ek bhi dana neeche gira diya toh pura tum khud baithkar safai karoge!" I snapped at him.

(If even one grain falls on the floor, I'll make you clean everything!)

Keshav gulped, glancing at the maids who quietly eavesdropped on our conversation in the kitchen.

"Bhaiya ke saath jagda ho gaya hai?" He leaned in and asked softly.

(Did you argue with Bhaiya?)

"Nahi. Jao. Bahut kaam hai."

(No. Leave me alone. I have a lot of work.)

Keshav sighed and grabbed his tiffin before heading out of the kitchen. Meanwhile, my husband was seated on the Thakur's chair, talking with some farmers. They sat on the floor out of respect, and I served chai for them as Bhairav Ji had asked.

We didn't talk much the entire day. Sometimes he'd ask for matches for his cigarette, or he'd ask for water. Bhairav Ji kept himself busy with work the entire time, and I wondered whether he'd really be going to the wedding.

In the evening, I went into our bedroom to find him working at the table, a cigarette in his mouth.

"Aap taiyar nahi ho rahe?" I asked, going through my cupboard for a good sari.

(You're not getting ready?)

Bhairav Ji hummed, "Sirf kapde badalne hai. Tum taiyar ho jao."

(I just have to change my clothes. You can go ahead.)

I rolled my eyes and stepped into the bathroom. Even after showering and changing into my lovely sari with green and gold patterns, my husband was seated at the table.

Bhairav Ji glanced at me in the mirror. And I thought that would be the end of it, but no... He twisted his neck entirely to ogle at me. I couldn't even dry my hair in peace.

But teasing him was also enjoyable.

I moved towards the mirror on the table to apply sindoor on my hair parting. He just sat there and watched me with dark, hungry eyes.

"Aap jaldi jaakar taiyar ho jaiye... Der ho rahi hai," I told him while wearing my earrings. Just when I was about to wear my waist chain, Bhairav Ji took it from my hands.

(Get ready quickly... Or we'll be late.)

My breath hitched when he pulled me towards him by my waist. His face was in line with my exposed stomach.

"Kitna aur tadpaogi...?"

(How much more will you tempt me...?)

Even though he had said those words to himself, I heard them clearly. My heart was pounding as I squeezed his shoulders. Bhairav Ji insisted on fastening the waist chain around me himself.

My husband did the unexpected as he leaned forward and kissed my navel. It wasn't a peck like that day on the terrace. His lips lingered on my skin. And if anything, his teeth even nipped me. Never had I experienced something so... Erotic.

I pulled away in embarrassment and immediately covered my waist with the pallu.

"Bahar jao," he stood up abruptly, towering over me, "Warna abhi isi vakt tumhe pura kha jaunga."

(Go outside. Or I'll have to devour you right now.)

"K-kya...?" My eyes widened.

(Wh-what?)

My husband pretended to lunge at me, and I nearly sprinted out of our bedroom. He banged it shut. I spent the rest of the evening getting ready in Dadi's room, who looked very pleased by my appearance. She commented that I looked fitting for a 'Thakurain' now.

By the time Bhairav Ji got dressed and came downstairs, I had worn my ghoonghat low. My husband eyed me often, but he didn't comment much since the elders were around. Even Keshav was eager to attend the wedding because of the feast ahead.

"Beta, Rani se keh dena ki mujhe bukhar si hai, isliye nahi aa payi. Aur Amma ke per mei dard rehta hai ghar ke bahar nikalne par. Zyada kuch kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai, theek hai? Par agar tum Seema se baat kar rahi ho toh kuch bhi keh sakti ho. Meri saheli jaisi hai."

(Beta, inform Rani that I couldn't attend the wedding as I'm feeling unwell. And Amma's feet become swollen when walking. You don't have to say anything more, okay? But if you meet Seema, you can tell her anything you like. She's like a sister to me.)

Maa gave me instructions on what to and not to talk to the elderly women that I'd be meeting at the wedding. To everything she said, I nodded and made mental notes.

Wouldn't it be better if I didn't talk to anyone at all and kept to myself in either the kitchen or the courtyard?

"Bahut se log ayenge," Bhairav Ji told me as we got in the Jeep, "Thakurain hone ka matlab samajhti ho na tum? Ghar aur gaon ke sab logon se achha sambandh banaa kar rakhna padta hai. Har kisi se theek se baat karo, izzat do... tabhi log bhi tumhari izzat karenge. Yaad rakhna, Thakurain ko sabke saath rishta sambhaal kar chalna padta hai."

(There will be a lot of people. You understand the meaning of being a Thakurain, right? Be polite and respectful towards everyone you meet... Only then will the villagers respect you. Remember, the Thakurain needs to maintain kind relations with everyone.)

I gulped, "Ji."

(Okay.)

There was adrenaline coursing through my veins as Bhairav Ji drove out of the haveli gates. I was sitting up front with him while Keshav was in the back, talking about college with his brother. I hadn't been to any professional event like this ever in my life. It was my first wedding. My excitement knew no bounds.

We passed by flour shops and the market where I usually went with the maids or Maa Ji. There were women carrying pots of water on their heads through the rich paddy fields. Their silhouettes looked enchanting in the dark. A few large-bellied men were having a conversation on one corner of the road. When my husband's Jeep passed by, they straightened themselves and bowed a little. Bhairav Ji raised his hand in acknowledgement.

It was fascinating how he was respected and feared by everyone...

As the Jeep sped down the road, a balloon seller caught my attention. I had never seen rubber balloons that large. My eyes followed him, but it seemed like he was moving slower and slower until we stopped.

"Ham ruk kyu gaye, Bhaiya?" Keshav asked, and I realised my husband had parked the Jeep on the roadside.

(Why did we stop, Bhaiya?)

Bhairav Ji turned to me, "Tumhe... Woh gubbare chahiye?"

(Do you... Want a balloon?)

"Kya-?!" Keshav snapped but his brother shoved him back, "Tumse nahi puch raha. Sanjana?" He looked at me for a response.

(Wha-?!)

(I'm not talking to you. Sanjana?)

I smiled a little, "Ji..."

(Yes...)

"Us gubbare wale se jaakar ek khareedkar lao," he took money out of his pocket before handing it to Keshav.

(Go buy a balloon from the vendor for her.)

"Bhai se badkar ab toh biwi hai..." he muttered while getting out.

(Wife comes above brothers now...)

"Wahi ruk," Bhairav Ji commanded again before turning to me, "Kaunsi rang ki chahiye?"

(Stop right there. Which color do you want?)

"Laal," I replied immediately.

(Red.)

Keshav rolled his eyes before walking towards the balloon seller. I smiled at my husband, "Aapko kaise pata chala?"

(How did you know?)

He held the side of my face, making me blush. "Tum aise dekh rahi thi... Utna mushkil nahi hai samajhna." His dark and mysterious eyes had a hidden warmth in them. I liked it.

(You were eyeing it like that, Sanjana. It wasn't very difficult to understand.)

"Shukriya..."

(Thank you...)

Bhairav Ji swallowed. His eyes didn't leave my face, and for a brief second, he leaned forward.

"Bhaiya Ji!"

I looked away and tugged my veil lower when Keshav whistled at us. Bhairav Ji retrieved his hand hesitantly.

"Lijiye Bhabhi... Aapke liye bacho ka khilona," Keshav mocked me while handing the large balloon. I was too happy to be bothered by his words. Even Bhairav Ji smiled at me a little before driving ahead.

(Here you go, Bhabhi... A child's toy for you.)