Janaki clapped her hands as I brushed her hair gently. Even though not long, she still had a head full of hair just like her brother. I smiled while taking a bunch at the top and putting on a hairband.

"Kitni pyari dikh rahi hai Janu!" I pinched her cheeks while pressing kisses on her face. Janaki giggled and squealed.

(Janu's looking so cute!)

Raghu tugged my pallu at the time, trying to say something. "Mere laal ko bhi chahiye?" I tickled and kissed his little head as well. Saarang was sitting beside me as well, holding one of his textbooks.

(Does my darling want a kiss as well?)

"Mai... Mai neeche jaa raha hu," my little brother mumbled and was about to slip down from the bed when I wrapped my arms around him tightly and pulled him towards me.

(I... I'm going downstairs.)

"Didi! Chodiye!" He groaned.

(Didi! Let me go!)

I wouldn't let him feel left out just like that. He was my baby too. I loved him just as much as I loved the kids.

"Tumhe bhi chumma dena hai," I squeezed his cheek while he tried to fight me. I gave him a firm kiss on the cheek, and Saarang began giggling, "Gudgudi ho rahi hai! Didi!" He squealed even more as I tickled his stomach. But then, Saarang turned to tickle the kids and me as well. They were enjoying every bit of it.

(I need to kiss you as well.)

(It tickles, Didi!)

Saarang paused when he heard the bathroom door shut. Bhairav Ji had stepped out of the shower and was busy searching for his shirt.

"Kitaab pado," I told Saarang and made sure the kids were away from the edge of the bed before helping my husband.

(Read your book.)

"Aaj shaam jaldi aunga," He told me as I went through the cupboards to search for a neat shirt.

(I'll be back early this evening.)

"Aaj shaam ko kaam nahi hai?" I asked in surprise. He shook his head while buttoning the shirt, "Shaam ko kuch log yaha aayenge. Unke saath yahi rahunga."

(You don't have work in the evening?)

(Yes, but I'll work from here. A few people are coming.)

"Kamaal hai..." I mumbled to myself while helping him with the sleeves.

(Great...)

He caught my hand abruptly, "Nayi chudiya kyu nahi pehen rahi?"

(Why are you not wearing the new bangles?)

The children were watching us. Didn't he have any shame in touching me before them?

"Sh-shaam ko pehenungi. Mandir jaate waqt," I pulled my hand away from his grasp and resumed fixing his sleeve.

(I'll wear them in the evening. While going to the temple.)

Bhairav Ji hummed, his eyes fixed on me. He pushed me against the table a little, stepping way too close than necessary.

"Bacho ko chumma de diya... Ab pati ko nahi dogi?"

(You kissed the kids... You won't kiss your husband?)

My face reddened even more. I refused to look at him or the kids. "Kaise baate kar rahe hai?" I muttered.

(What are you saying?)

"Deti ho warna zabardasti le lu?" He whispered.

(Are you giving it or should I take it forcefully?)

Those merciless eyes of his held no hesitation. I felt a chill run down my spine when his hand curved around my waist, pulling me terribly close to his chest.

"Kyu?"

(Hm?)

He taunted. I was unable to breathe in that moment, but I tried pushing him away, "B-bache dekh rahe hai..."

(The k-kids are watching...)

Bhairav Ji turned to glare at the kids. Saraang pressed his hand over Janaki and Raghav's eyes before shutting his own eyes.

"Tumhe kuch dikh raha hai, Saarang?"

(Are you seeing anything, Saarang?)

"N-nahi Jiju! Kitna andhera h-hai!" My brother exclaimed in fear.

(N-no Jiju! Oh, it's so dark I can't see a thing!)

"Samajhdar ladka..." My husband smiled to himself. His hand held the back of my neck as he pulled me into a kiss, making me gasp into his mouth. I was melting away in his hold.

(Smart boy...)

Even though we had been physical last night, there was always a different charm when he kissed me. It felt like I belonged to him and nothing else mattered. It was magical. My eyes closed on their own as the man stole my breath away. His tongue teased mine, and I could only squeeze his shirt when I felt out of breath.

Bhairav Ji pulled back at that time. His warm breath fanned my flustered face. The man brushed his thumb over my lips before tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.

"Shaam ko ghar lautthe waqt meri gilehri ke haatho mei nayi chudiya dikhni chahiye. Theek hai?"

(When I return in the evening, I need to see the new bangles on my little squirrel's hands, okay?)

I blushed even more and stared down, "Ji..."

He gave Janaki and Raghav a kiss each and patted Saarang on the head, "Didi ka khayal rakhana."

(Take care of your sister.)

After my husband left, Saarang came near me with his arms crossed, "Maine sab kuch dekh liya." He said aloud in the kitchen.

(I saw everything.)

"Kya dekh liya?" I muttered and pushed him out of the way when he refused to let me pass.

(What did you see?)

"Jiju ne aapko aise paas kheechkar... Aapko aise... Aise chum rahe the!" My brother scrunched his face and stuck his tongue out.

(Jiju pulled you close to him... And he... He kissed you like ugh!)

Aradhya began laughing at this while the maids giggled among themselves.

"Saarang!" I yelled at the top of my voice. Just as I was about to smack him with the ladle, he sprinted out of the kitchen. "Jhoot bol raha hai!" I hissed at Aradhya, who chuckled, "Mujhe pata hai. Gussa mat karo bechare par."

(He's lying!)

(I know, don't be mad at the child.)

"Kya dekh rahi ho?!" I snapped at the maids, who immediately wiped the silly smiles off their faces and got back to work.

(What are you looking at?!)

After lunch that day, Aradhya and I got dressed to go to the temple. I compelled Saarang to come with us as well.

"Hum Payal ko bhi bulate hai," She smiled at me while fixing her pallu in the mirror.

(We should call Payal as well.)

"Payal?" I blinked, "Hmm, theek hai."

(Payal? Hmm, alright.)

After taking blessings from Maa and Dadi, one of the drivers took us to Payal's home first. Raghu was in my arms while Janu was in Aradhya's. I was relieved that the children weren't too restless as they felt sleepy after lunch.

"Thakurain Sahiba! Aiye, aiye! Aapka kaise aana hua?" Jagdish's mother greeted me cheerfully. I smiled and touched her feet for blessings, "Aradhya aur mai mandir nikal rahe the, Kaki. Humne socha Payal ko bhi saath lekar chalu... Maa Ji ne bhi puchne ko kaha tha."

(Thakurain Sahiba! Come inside! How come you're here?)

(Aradhya and I were going to the temple, Kaki. We thought we'd take Payal with us as well... Maa Ji told me to ask her.)

I lied just so she'd be convinced even more. Jagdish's mother called Payal at that time. She looked quite surprised as she came out to the verandah, wiping her hands, "Thakurain Ji? Aap yaha?" 

"Inke saath mandir jaakar aao. Aur mere beta ka janamdin aa raha hai, uske liya puja ki intezam bhi karke aao, jao," her mother-in-law instructed her. Payal only nodded, but I noticed a mild glint in her eyes. She was relieved that we had come to fetch her.

Since Jagdish was turning 21 soon, I realised that he'd be graduating this year. Which meant that even Keshav's college life was coming to an end. Even though I didn't care about Bhargav, I'd be sad if Keshav were to leave for the city to take care of Bhairav Ji's factory. In a way, he had been my best friend since the day I set foot in the Thakur Haveli. I'd definitely miss him.

Payal got ready quickly, and even as she put on her footwear, Kaki kept giving her unnecessary instructions. Kaki also requested that I keep an eye on Payal as she was 'absent-minded' and 'foolish' when left alone. Aradhya and I glanced at each other. We were so grateful that Maa Ji was nothing like this woman.

I noticed Payal take a breath of relief as she got into the Jeep. My daughter was immediately in awe of the stranger and insisted on being held by her. When Janaki leaned up and kissed Payal on the cheek, she smiled.

"Shukriya... Mujhe bulane keliye," she turned to us, almost cheerful. I had never seen that side of her.

"Aaj se agar hum roz saath mandir jaaya karein, toh kitna achha hoga... tum kya kehte ho?" Aradhya grinned. I was all for it, considering we were the only ones who could make Payal happy. Even though she put up a tough act always, I knew she was beaming on the inside when we asked her.

a/n - sorry for the late update. started my corporate life recently. its hell :')