Bhairav Ji was about to get up to reach for the aloo sabzi on the table, but I got up before him. "Aap baithiye," I smiled as he eyed me and served it for him with love, "Aapko aur chahiye?"

(Please sit. Do you want more?)

"Nahi," He shook his head, "Thoda pani lekar aao."

(No, bring me some water.)

"Ji," I retired to the kitchen. I could feel the eyes of everyone else on us since we behaved very differently compared to last night. Well, I had no reason to stay upset with my husband since he was going to let Saarang stay with me.

"Saarang kaha hai?" Bhairav Ji asked quietly as I poured a glass of water for him.

(Where's Saarang?)

"Ab bhi so raha hai... Raat ko der se soya tha na," I replied.

(He's still sleeping because he slept late last night...)

He hummed, "Haveli mei sabhi ek saath baithkar khaate hai. Tumhe usko chupke se rasoi mei khaana khilane ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Kal se yaha baithkar khayega."

(Everyone eats together in the Haveli. You don't have to feed him in secret in the kitchen. He should sit with us and eat from tomorrow.)

"Ji," I couldn't stop smiling. Even Maa and Dadi shared relieved expressions. Even though my husband's heart was made of stone, he wasn't entirely cruel.

After Bhairav Ji left for work, Saarang woke up and strolled into the kitchen. He tugged the end of my sari sleepily, "Didi... Bhook lagi hai..."

(Didi... I'm hungry...)

"Bhook lagi hai?" I smiled and ruffled his hair. "Jaakar baith jao, mai khaana lagati hu," I replied. Saarang was thrilled as he skipped out of the kitchen. I served him breakfast at the table, and as I was pouring chai for Maa and Dadi, they teased me.

(You're hungry? Go sit down. I'll bring breakfast.)

"Bahurani, kaise mana liye apne Thakur saheb ko?"

(Bahurani, how did you convince your Thakur saheb?)

My face flushed red at Dadi's question.

"Zaroor kuch maya kiya hoga... Aur Saarang ke padhai ke baare mei Bharav ne kya kaha?" Maa Ji smiled.

(Surely you must have put him under a spell... And what did he say about Saarang's education?)

"W-woh... Mai padhaunga, Maa..."

(I- I'll teach him Maa...)

"Par tumhe toh kitabon se nafrat thi... Kaise padhaoge?" Dadi smiled.

(But you hate books... How will you teach him?)

"Mai padhaunga..." I whispered once more and retired to the kitchen. Saarang clung to me the rest of the day as I cooked and instructed the maids regarding chores.

(I will teach him...)

"Padhai kare?" I smiled at him, but I was surprised to find him more excited than I, "Haan!"

(Let's start studying?)

(Yes!)

We sat in the living room, next to the diwan that Maa and Dadi sat on. Saarang was fascinated as I wrote alphabets on a notebook for him and pronounced it out loud. He began reciting them after me, but sometime in between, I felt awfully nauseous, so I had to go to the bathroom. When I returned, Saarang was very much invested in reading the letters. I felt quite motivated to teach him because of his interest.

The landline rang, and I got up to answer it.

"Ji?"

"Sanjana, kya kar rahi thi?" It was Bhairav Ji on the other end. My heart raced a little as I held the phone with both hands.

(Sanjana, what were you doing?)

"Ji woh Saarang ko padha rahi thi..."

(Ji, I was teaching Saarang.)

"Ah. Mai dopahar ghar nahi aa raha. Tum daftar aa sakte ho? Khaane ke saath."

(Ah. I can't come home for lunch. Can you come to my office? With food.)

"Mai...?" I asked with wide eyes.

(Me?)

"Haan, mei pratiksha kar raha hu." He hung up. When I told Maa and Dadi, they were surprised as well. They told me that it would be better to send one of the servants, but I felt like I wanted the fresh air too, and Bhairav Ji wanted me to deliver his lunch. I couldn't disappoint him after he had done so much for Saarang.

"Saarang, Didi thodi der ke liye bahar ja rahi hai. Tumhe yeh saare akshar bees baar likhni hai, theek hai? Is kitaab mei likhna. Wapas aakar mai aur padhaungi."

(Saarang, I'm going out for some time. You have to write all these letters twenty times, okay? Write in this book. I'll teach you more once I return.)

He nodded happily and began writing the letters in his messy handwriting. I smiled and went to the kitchen to pack Bhairav Ji's lunch. Maa asked me to go in the car, but the servants had been dispatched for different errands by Bhairav Ji, so none of the cars were available.

"Mujhe raasta pata hai, Maa. Aap chinta math kijiye."

(I know the way, Maa. Don't worry.)

She was hesitant to let me go alone, so she asked two of Bhairav Ji's trusted men, Gopal and Fateh, to guide me to his office. I covered my face with my pallu and walked down the busy roads with them. Fateh was in his mid-fifties, while Gopal was much younger, probably in his twenties.

"Fasal kitni achi lag rahi hai..." I said aloud, looking at the beautiful golden crops on my right. Farmers were working hard over there. Fateh told me that most of the farmland that we passed by belonged to my husband. After harvesting, the produce was sent to his factory in the city.

(The crops look so good...)

"Factory pe woh kya banate hai?" I asked curiously.

(What do they make at the factory?)

"Everything made from wheat is available at the factory, Thakurain Ji. And Malik also has all the milk products prepared there. The cattle are tied near the fields. Their milk is sent to the factory every day, and a portion of it is sold in our market as well."

(Everything made from wheat is available at the factory, Thakurain Ji. And Malik also has all the milk products prepared there. The cattle are tied near the fields. Their milk is sent to the factory every day, and a portion of it is sold in our market as well.)

"Ah..." I nodded in understanding. It made sense as to why he was so rich now. He had been making huge profits in the city for many years.

"Garmi bahut hai..." I mumbled, fanning myself. Maybe it was starting to make me feel dizzy as well. The men paused, panic on their faces, "Thakurain Ji, aap chahe toh hum ek bail gadi mei ja sakte hai..."

(It's so hot...)

(Thakurain Ji, if you want, we can go in a bullock cart...)

I felt annoyed the moment Gopal mentioned my weakness. I wasn't that vulnerable. Besides, I could already see his office in the distance. Why would I need a bullock cart to cover the small distance?

"Aage chalo. Mai theek hu," I retorted and walked ahead. They followed me, and by the time we reached the steps of his office, I felt really famished even though I didn't want to admit it. 

(Keep walking. I'm fine.)

Villagers were waiting outside his office to meet him. Some of them looked too troubled, some others whispered of how terrifying and unpredictable he was. Bhairav Ji wasn't greedy about money like his Father. His values were built on trust and loyalty. There were many who had borrowed money from him, and they were waiting to pay him back in installments with a reasonable interest.

The moment the villagers recognised who I was, they bowed their heads respectfully, "Thakurain Ji, Namaste..." They offered polite smiles, and I returned the gesture, "Namaste."

Two men were guarding the office door, and they bowed as well. However, they didn't allow me to enter his office, "Kshama kijiye Thakurain Ji... Malik abhi vyasth hai... Aap is vakt andar nahi jaa sakti."

(Forgive us, Thakurain Ji... Malik is busy right now... You can't enter at this time.)

I glared at the man who said that, "Kyu nahi ja sakti? Unke liye sirf khaana hi to layi hu."

(Why can't I go inside? I'm only here to give him lunch.)

"Par..." The men looked terrified of me. I ignored them and pushed open the door. They wouldn't dare to touch me, I knew that. Bhairav Ji had already broken the hand of the boy who had offered me chocolate at school. The memory made me shiver.

(But...)

Inside, I found him at his table, listening intently as a woman cried. Her veil was slipping, and there was a baby in her arms. Bhairav Ji looked up, his brows creasing, "Sanjana?"

I glanced between him and the woman. She stood up when she saw me and bowed her head, "N-Namaste Thakurain."

"Namaste..." I mumbled, not fully trusting her.

"Malik, maaf kijiye, Thakurain Ji-"

(Boss, we're sorry, Thakurain Ji-)

Bhairav Ji raised his hand as he glared at his men, who fell silent instantly. He came towards me next, and I felt a little terrified because of his scary frown and the way he towered over me.

"Bahar intezar kyu nahi kiya?" He muttered.

(Why didn't you wait outside?)

I pouted at him, "Mai kyu intezar karu apne pati ko milne? Haveli se itni dur chalkar aayi hu... Mai thak gayi thi dhup mei... Aapko meri thodi bhi fikar nahi hai?" I asked while glancing at the woman in the corner. She was listening to everything nervously.

(Why should I wait to meet my husband? I've walked this far from the haveli... I'm exhausted because of the heat... Do you have no concern for me at all?)

Bhairav Ji took a deep breath before leading me towards a door near his desk, "Andar jao. Mai aata hu."

(Go inside. I'll come in a while.)

I felt my heart burn in jealousy as he went back to his chair. The woman sat back down, and they resumed talking softly. The second room was a little more spacious. There was a nice carpet on the floor, and even the skin of a tiger adorned the wall. I sat on the couch, before which there was a short table. My mind kept wandering to the weeping woman as I laid out lunch for Bhairav Ji.

A few minutes later, I heard the woman thanking my husband before leaving. He came into the room after that and closed the door.

"Woh kaun thi?"

(Who was she?)

"Kanya Mothelal. Suraj Mothelal ki patni. Tum janti nahi," he mumbled as he sat next to me on the couch.

(Kanya Mothelal. Suraj Mothelal's wife. You wouldn't know.)

"Aap unse kamre mei akele baath kyu kar rahe the..." I mumbled, looking away as he reached for his bowl of food. Bhairav Ji studied me for a while as he ate.

(Why were you talking to her alone in a room...)

"Suraj kisi aur ke saath sheher bhaag gaya, apne biwi aur bache ko chod kar. Woh isliye udaas hai. Uske paas ghar chalane ke liye paise nahi hai..."

(Suraj has fled to the city with someone else. He has left his wife and child behind... That's why she was upset. She doesn't have money to run a home...)

I gasped, leaning towards him, "Aur phir?"

(And then?)

"Aur phir kya? Maine mana kar diya. Pati patni ke beech mai kyu tang adau. Suraaj ne mujhse bhi paise udhaar liye the. Aaj tak wapas nahi kiye. Isiliye uski patni ko daftar bulaya, poochhne ke liye ki byaaj ke saath kab chukaane ka iraada hai. Par usse milne ke baad mujhe lagta nahi ki woh aurat yeh qarz chuka paayegi. Aur aise akeli rehna bhi uske liye theek nahi hai. Ghar aur zameen uske naam par hai, isliye maine kaha ki agar woh saari jaaydaad mere naam likh de, toh main uske liye maaike jaane ka train ka ticket karwa deta hoon."

(And then what? I refused. I'm not going to involve myself in the matters of husband and wife. Suraj has borrowed money from me, and he still hasn't returned it. That's why I called his wife here to know whether she has any intention to pay me back with interest. But after talking to her, I realise that she won't be able to do it. And it's not safe for her to live alone like this. Their house and land is on her name, so I suggested that she write it off in my name. In return, I could get her a ticket back home.)

I was quietly listening to him. All of it felt so complicated... and heartless. That poor woman had to pay for her husband's deeds. But I couldn't exactly find fault with what my husband had done either. He wasn't a saint, and gifting her a train ticket was the kindest he could do.

"Aap bahut chaalak hai," I whispered.

(You're very cunning.)

He chuckled lightly, "Chaalak hone ke bagair is duniye mei jee nahi payenge, meri gilehri."

(You can't survive in this world without being cunning, my dear.)

I sighed and served him more curry. Bhairav Ji nudged me at that time, "Tumne kha li?"

(Did you eat?)

"Ghar jaakar khaungi," I replied.

(I'll eat after going home.)

He clicked his tongue, not having it. I was surprised when he placed his plate on my lap, but I immediately pushed it back on the table, "Aapke thaali se kaise kha sakti hu?"

(How can I eat from your plate?)

Bhairav Ji narrowed his eyes at me before commanding me to stand up. "A-aap kya kar rahe hai...?" I mumbled as he took my hand, pulling me towards him. "Mere god me baith jao," he told me softly. My face flushed as he pulled me down on his lap.

(Wh-what are you doing?)

(Sit on my lap.)

"Kisi ne dekh liya toh...?"

(What if someone sees us...?)

"Koi puche bina nahi aayega," he sighed, "Maine mere ladko se bol di hai. Khaana khathe vakt kisi ko bhi voh andar nahi bhejenge... Aaram se kha lo." Bhairav Ji took the plate in his hands, and he made a small morsel before bringing it to my mouth.

(Nobody's going to come here without permission. I've told my boys the same. They won't send anyone inside while I'm eating... So relax.)

"Aap khila rahe hai?" I asked, a small smile on my face.

(You're feeding me?)

He hummed, and I felt butterflies inside me as I ate from his hand. Bhairav Ji smiled to himself, seeing how happy I had suddenly gotten.

"Vishwas nahi ho raha..." I said aloud, getting more comfortable as I slid my arm around his shoulder.

(I can't believe it...)

"Kis baath ki?"

(What do you mean?)

"Aapne isi haath se toh mujhe maara hai," I replied, eyeing him.

(You've hit me with this same hand.)

Bhairav Ji sighed, "Maine is haath se bahut saare logo ka bahut kuch bigada hai... Maine bhi kabhi socha nahi ki isi haath se apne biwi ko khilaunga." I giggled, leaning into his neck and clinging to him happily as he fed me again.

(I've ruined the lives of many people with this hand... I myself never thought that I'd be feeding my wife with this hand.)

"Par maanna padega... Jalti bahut ho."

(But I must admit... You get jealous easily.)

I froze, staring at his smug face, until I grazed my painted fingers down his Adam's apple, "Aap bhi kam nahi ho."

(You're not better than me.)

"Mera jalna toh banta hai," he smiled.

(I'm allowed to be jealous.)

"Mera bhi banta hai," I replied instantly and pressed my index finger to his chest, "Jaise mai aapki hu, aap bhi sirf mere hai Thakur saheb. Mujhe pasand nahi jab aap auraton se baath karte ho... Aur agar kisine aapko chua bhi, pata hai mai kya karungi?"

(Even I'm allowed. Just like how I'm yours. You also belong only to me, Thakur Saheb. I don't like it when you talk to other women... And if someone touches you, then do you know what I'd do?)

"Kya karogi?"

(What will you do?)

I took the end of my braided hair and kept it under my nose to make it look like a mustache. "Haath kaat dunga!" I imitated him, and Bhairav Ji laughed out loud. I had never seen him laugh like that before. He had always been so serious and angry. The sound was rich, and the rumbling of his chest made me blush even more as I smiled at him.

(I'll cut off their hand!)

"Zyada hasiye math," I said, pretending to appear serious, "Meri alawa kisi se bhi aap pyar nahi karenge. Aap vaada kijiye."

(Don't laugh too much. You should promise me that you won't love anyone but me.)

Bhairav Ji nuzzled his face against my neck, tickling me and peppering me with kisses. "Tumhare siva kisi aur ke baare mei sochna bhi mushkil hai, meri gilehri. Itni khaas hai mere liye."

(It's hard to even think about someone besides you, my little squirrel. You're so special to me.)

I giggled, "Thaali gir jayega!"

(The plate will fall down!)

"Koi baat nahi, biwi ko hi khaa jaata hu..." he rasped in my ear, biting my neck, and I moaned.

(That's fine, I'll eat my wife instead...)

We suddenly heard the front door being pushed open, "Mujhe milna hai unse! Mai unse milne ke bagair nahi jaa raha!" A loud male voice shouted. I clutched Bhairav Ji's shoulder, my heart racing wildly as even he paused.

(I need to meet him! I won't leave without meeting him!)

"Nahi jaa sakte malik ke paas-!"

(You can't meet Boss now-!)

"Barrister hu-!"

(I'm a Barrister-!)

Our door was pushed open as well, and three men appeared. Two were Bhairav Ji's men who were trying to stop the barrister from entering. Their eyes went wide upon seeing the compromising position I was in. I scrambled to pull my veil down, and they lowered their eyes in respect. I could tell that Bhairav Ji wasn't pleased at all.