When I finally went back into my bedroom with a glass of milk, I found Bhairav Ji seated on the bed with both twins lying beside him. He was rubbing their chests gently, and it seemed like they were getting quite sleepy as well. I closed the door and kept the glass on the bedside table.

"Sab so gaye?" He asked as I took the children and placed them in the crib.

(Is everyone asleep?)

"Ji. Mai Aradhya ko doodh dekar aa rahi hu."

(Yes, I just gave the milk to Aradhya.)

Bhairav Ji hummed, and right before I could give him the milk, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me onto his lap. "Ah!" I shrieked in surprise, but it didn't faze him. When I tried getting up, he wrapped his arm around my waist, making it impossible to move.

"Har samay mujhse bhaagti kyu ho?" He sighed.

(Why do you keep running from me?)

I glared at him, "Chodiye! Dadi aapko daantengi nahi. Mujhe hi hamesha aapke karan daant milti hai."

(Let me go! Dadi will never scold you. I'm the one who faces her wrath every time for your actions.)

By normal custom, a pregnant woman had to stay in her maternal home from when she was carrying for 7 or 8 months, and had to be there until the children were a few months old. But as I didn't have a home to go back to, and since my husband was a tyrant, Dadi made the rule that he was to sleep away from him for the first few months. Even Maa had told me the same.

"Theen mahine beet gayi hai, meri gilehri..." He caressed my hair, "Aur aaj raat sabki dhyaan shaadi par hai."

(It's been three months, my dear... And tonight everyone's attention is on the wedding.)

I glared at him over my shoulder. Bhairav Ji loosened his grip at that time and leaned back on the headboard, "Tum kai dino se thaki hui ho... Shaadi aur bacho ke karan. Isliye aaj raat paas aana chahta tha... Par theek hai, agar tum chahti ho toh mai dusre kamre mei jaakar so leta hu."

(You've been looking quite tired for the past few days... Because of the wedding and the kids. So I wanted to be with you tonight... But alright, I'll go sleep in the other room now.)

I crossed my arms and turned away, "Aap yeh sab isliye keh rahe ho kyunki itne mahine so aap mera istamal nahi kar paye. Isi kaaran aap yaha ho, hai na?"

(You're doing all this because you couldn't exploit me for the past few months, right? That's why you're here.)

He blinked at me, then reached for my face as I kept frowning at him. His gentle thumb stroked my cheek. Bhairav Ji hummed, "Haa bilkul... Tumhare sapno ka rakshas toh mai hu." He smiled, teasing me.

(Of course... I'm the monster in your dreams.)

"Ho aap rakshas!"

(You are a monster!)

"Par biwi apsara hai..."

(And my wife is a nymph...)

My eyes widened while my cheeks turned crimson. I'd be lying if I said he didn't give me butterflies. God, that smart tongue of his could make me come undone in a matter of seconds, no matter how tough I appeared to be.

Before I could stand up, he wrapped both his arms around me and pulled me towards him. I fell back on his chest while struggling to free myself.

"Chodiye!"

(Let me go!)

"Rakshas se bhaagne ki himmat? Ab toh tujhe khaana hi padega..." He rasped against my ear before pressing soft kisses on my cheek. I kept fighting, I kept struggling. But Bhairav Ji didn't let go of me. His lips brushed my temple, but that was about it.

(How dare you run from the monster? Now I'll definitely have to devour you...)

I panted as I gave in. Why was I even fighting him? It was his calmness that drove me insane.

Bhairav Ji released me when I stopped squirming around. I didn't know why I felt so furious as I turned to face him. He had that calm, collected look on his face. His was too handsome that it made me want to rip him to shreds.

I squeezed the collar of his shirt, glaring at him viciously. He didn't fight anything. Bhairav Ji took a deep breath as he relaxed back on the headboard.

I hated being vulnerable. I hated it so much.

Bhairav Ji gently held the back of my head and pulled me towards his chest, mumbling, "Apne aap se aise kyu lad rahi ho? Bacho ka dekhbaal karna utna aasaan nahi hai jab tum khud ek bache ho."

(Why are you fighting yourself like this? It's not that easy to take care of kids when you're a kid yourself.)

His words did something to me as I pressed my face against his chest. My heart was heavy. There was so much hurt that had built up over the months.

Whenever the children cried, whenever I felt like I was doing something wrong with them, it had always been there. I felt so overwhelmed. But who could I even tell? Complaining about motherhood would be considered silly and insolent. Who could I confide in?

As I clutched my husband's shirt, tears slowly streamed down my face. He wrapped both his arms around me at that time and kept stroking my hair.

"Maaf karna, Sanjana..." His voice was very solemn and comforting, "Mai tumhare paas aur jaldi nahi aa paya. Mujhpar thoda bharosa rakho, meri gilehri. Tumhara hi pati hu... Mere paas aa sakti ho... Kisi bhi cheez ke liye. Kabhi kabhi gussa karunga par tumhare liye bahut mayne rakhta hu."

(I'm sorry, Sanjana... I couldn't comfort you sooner. But trust me a little, my dear. I'm your husband... You can come to me for anything at all. I might be short-tempered, but I value you very much.)

Bhairav Ji tucked a lock of hair behind my ears. It felt nice to be held against his chest like that. It had been so long since he held me. We were always surrounded by his family or the maids, but tonight everyone seemed distracted. I was happy that the spotlight was far from me.

"Aradhya se baat ki?" He asked softly.

(Did you talk to Aradhya?)

"Ji... Aapko lagta hai ki woh sundar hai?" I glanced at him.

(Yes... Do you think she's pretty?)

My husband pondered over my words for a while, "Sabhi aurat theek thak hi dikhte hai."

(All women look alright.)

I pulled away from his chest, "Toh kya mai bhi aise hi dikhti hu?" I muttered. Then why the hell was I dressing up every day?

(So do I look 'alright' as well?)

"Tum nahi," He cleared his throat, "Tum khaas ho."

(Not you. You're special.)

"Kaise khaas hu?" I cocked a brow.

(How am I special?)

Bhairav Ji smiled and squeezed my chin, "Mere liye bani ho. Tumhari har cheez..." He brushed his thumb over my lips and grazed it down my neck. I stilled when the man purposefully brushed his hand over my choli and stopped at my waist. His arm hooked around me, and with one firm tug, I was pressed against his chest again. The look in his eyes took my breath away.

(You're made for me. Every little thing about you...)

"Than se mohini ho..." He hummed, his dark eyes didn't leave my face.

(Your body is absolutely seductive...)

I pressed my index finger on his lips, "Acha? Aur mann se kya hu Thakur saheb?"

(And my heart? What am I, Thakur Saheb?)

He kissed my finger and squeezed my hand against his face, "Mann se hmm... Bachi ho."

(You're a child at heart.)

"Mai nahi hu bachi!" I retorted, "Aap budhe ho. Baal bhi safed ho rahe hai!"

(I'm not a child! You're an old man. Your hair is turning grey as well!)

Bhairav Ji pressed our faces together. Our noses touched, and he brushed his beard against my cheek while I scrunched my face.

"Maan liya memsaab, budha hu. Par kya aap is budhe se pyar nahi karti?"

(I agree, Madam, I'm an old man. But aren't you in love with me?)

"Nahi!" I turned my face away, my cheeks red. He pecked my cheek without hesitation. My eyes widened.

(No!)

"Thoda bhi nahi?"

(Not even a little?)

I glared, "Nahi."

(No.)

"Mithayi ka dabba dilau, toh bhi nahi?"

(Even if I buy you a box of sweets?)

I cocked a brow, "Sirf mithayi?"

(Only sweets?)

"Sone ka kangan bhi dilaunga."

(I'll buy you golden bangles as well.)

"Aap Thakur hai, phir bhi sirf utna hi?" I turned away ignorantly.

(Only that much? Despite being a Thakur?)

"Heero ka gehnee launga tumhare liye... Sone ki sadiya bhi pehen lena meri gilehri. Aam papad, mithayi, kheer... Jo kuch bhi chahe, sab kuch dilaunga."

(I'll buy you jewellery made of precious gemstones... I'll drape you in golden saris, my little squirrel. Aam pappad, kheer... Whatever you need, I'll get it for you.)

He held my chin and turned me to face him. By now, I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

"Aapne daru pee hai?"

(Are you drunk?)

"Zyada nahi."

(Not a lot.)

"Isliye aise baate kar rahe hai..." I shook my head.

(That's why you're talking like this...)

Bhairav Ji smiled at me, and before I could process it, he claimed my lips in a gentle kiss.

"Pyar ki baate sach hai, Sanjana."

(My confessions are true, Sanjana.)

I felt butterflies inside me. My skin had turned a crimson color as I stared down at my hands, still squeezing his shirt.

My husband sighed, "Bahut der ho rahi hai... Hume sona chahiye. Jaakar light off karke aao, warna bache bhi jaag jagenge."

(It's getting late... We should sleep as well. Go turn off the lights or the children will wake up as well.)

I got up from his lap hesitantly and after turning off all the lights, I returned to bed. Bhairav Ji held me close, his arm wrapped around my waist, while I hugged his chest.

When I looked up at his face, I realised that he was trying to sleep. He looked at peace. But how could he be at peace even when we were so close? It had been months since we got a chance to be together like this, and yet why didn't he want to make love?

I brushed my leg up his seductively. My anklets tickled his calf, forcing his eyes open.

"Sanjana...?"

"Bhole mat bano," I mumbled and leaned in to kiss his neck, "Mahino se aapko aise akele pakadne ke liye intezar kar rahi thi."

(Don't be naive. I've been waiting to catch you alone like this for months.)

Bhairav Ji closed his eyes and let me take over.