Continue…

Akshita gulped, glancing around at their curious faces before managing to answer in a soft, composed tone.

"Papa, vo jaldi chale gaye the. Unki koi urgent meeting thi."

(Dad, he left early. He had an urgent meeting.)

Adhiraj frowned, annoyance creeping into his voice. He looked done. "I don’t understand why this man works so much. It’s only been four months since he got married."

"He hardly stays at home. You should make him stay, Akshita" Gayetri added, her words coming out harsh and rude. "You’re his wife, after all."

Akshita lowered her gaze, choosing silence over response. Or perhaps, she simply had no answer. 

Her dear husband had left for a business trip just days after their wedding, disappearing for two whole months. And even after his return, he treated her presence like an afterthought. He arrived home late at night and left early in the morning; their paths barely crossed. And on the rare occasions, when they were in the same room by mistake, he acted as if she didn’t exist. And so does she. 

She too has learnt to avoid looking at him because she has no idea how to initiate a conversation with a stranger who was unfortunately her husband too.

Strangers communicated better than they did.

"Dadi, no one can do anything if Bhai doesn’t listen. It’s not Bhabhi’s fault," Veer noticed how Akshita went silent. She looked nervous, so he decided to speak on her behalf.

"Yes, Dadi," Even Avyansh agreed. "Bhai is busy with meetings for the new branch. Bhabhi has nothing to do with it."

Akshita's eyes widened, looking at Gayetri's sore face. She looked at Avyansh and Veer and sent them a silent plea to stop; she didn't want to be the reason for conflict between the grandma and grandsons, but Gayetri scoffed.

"Oh, of course! Why would she be at fault? He should have a reason to stay home, no?" she taunted.

Ouch. That hurt.

Tara, who noticed all this discussion going on, glanced at Akshita with concern, but Akshita remained quiet, her eyes downcast on the floor, her fingers digging into her saree’s fabric as if holding onto something tangible could anchor her emotions.

"Enough, Gayetri!" Adhiraj cut in. "Your grandson is mature enough to understand family values. Doesn't he realise he has a family? That he is a married man now?"

"Yes, Maa," Shlok added. "He should remember his responsibilities. Akshita can’t be expected to handle everything alone."

Gayetri glanced at them, and they all took Akshita's stand. She huffed and walked away, mumbling about her satsang. 

Adhiraj sighed and followed, knowing his wife too well to argue further. After the tension filled the living room lighten a bit as everyone tried to ignore it. Veer and Trisha hurried off to college, while Avyansh shot Akshita a reassuring glance before heading to his study.

Shlok sighed. "I'm sorry, my child, becau—"

"Nahi, Papa, please don’t apologise. Vo busy hain, isliye kisi ko time nahi de pa rahe." She lied and forced a small smile, though the effort felt so exhausting that even she questioned herself what was she saying and why saving him?

(He’s just busy, that’s why he can’t give time to anyone.)

Trilok placed a firm hand on her head. "Har baar uski side lekar use badhava mat do, beta."

(Don’t keep defending him and encouraging his behaviour.)

She said nothing, because what could she say? That she had been doing it so long, she had almost convinced herself it was her destiny? That there is no going back.

"Let's go, bhaiya," Trilok said, and Shlok patted her head before leaving.

Rashmi touched Akshita’s hand gently. "I am sorry, Akshita. I know, it is tough to handle. He has always been like this, but I know he will change. Give him some more time," she smiled at her.

Akshita forced another smile, though inside, something ached. How can she change a man without his will? When he doesn't want to change himself? She’s not a caretaker. And keeping things aside, If she tries-- Then how? They don’t even talk.

"Don't think about all this, Akshita. Mom is biased when it comes to her grandchildren, but she is not that bad. Go finish your work," Bhavna said. "Jiji and I will take care of everything here. The house helpers are also around."

Akshita nodded and headed to her room. She sat on the couch and let out an exhausted sigh. Her mind went to the thoughts where her life had taken her, and she was helpless.

She can't even go to her place. She doesn't want to be a burden on them. Because, according to Indian society, a woman's house is where her husband lives. Her eyes turned moist- she couldn't understand what was going on in her life.

Her husband should be her escape from everything, right? But turned out he is the one she has to escape from.

She just sat silently on the couch. But a few moments later, Akshita’s trance broke when she heard a knock on her door. She stood up and went to open the door, only to find Tara grinning.

Akshita's face instantly lit up. Seeing her smile, she smiled back.

"What brings you here, Devrani ji?" She teased her.

"Just came to check on my Jethani ji," Tara replied, matching her playful tone while entering the room.

Both burst into laughter, the moment a small escape from the weight of reality.

"Bhabhi… can I ask you something?" Tara hesitated.

"Of course," Akshita replied, while gathering her clothes she threw here and there in the morning when she was running late.

Tara sat beside her. "Where is Bhaiya? He didn’t even attend my wedding."

Akshita’s hands stilled over the clothes she was folding. Her smile faded. 

She looked at Tara, who was already looking at her with a curious and at the same tim,e confused expression.

What was she supposed to answer? She has no reply. The sudden question made her take aback. But she sighed, reforming herself.

"As I said, Tara. He’s been busy. Otherwise, which brother would miss such an important day of his younger brother’s life?" she replied, trying to sound convincing, or maybe-- trying to convince herself.

"Yeah… true, but--" Tara was about to say more when her phone rang. 

"Sorry, bhabhi, I gotta go-- Avyansh is calling me. I’ll talk to you later!"

Akshita sighed heavily once Tara left, mentally thanking Avyansh.

"Even I don’t know where he is. How can I tell others when I don’t even know if he came home last night? Or not”

“Sometimes, I wonder… am I really married?”

She closed her eyes and sank into the couch, her heart a quiet storm.

***

In Tara and Avyansh’s Bedroom

"What are you thinking, Love?" Avyansh asked, wrapping his arms around her when he noticed that she was lost in her thoughts.

"About Bhabhi and Bhai’s relationship," Tara admitted.

"Huh? Why?" he asked, puzzled.

"Dadi said Bhai never stays home, and Bhabhi looked so uncomfortable when Bade Papa asked about bhai. Don’t you think Bhai should spend time with her? Even if they are newly married.”

Avyansh exhaled. "It’s true. Bhai keeps himself busy. He often stays at the office overnight."

Tara frowned, turning to him, "Do you think they got married against their will?" She wondered aloud. She was really confused about what was going on in this house.

"I don’t think so. It was an arranged marriage, yes, but they could have refused if they didn't want to. Bhabhi seems happy with the family, and Bhai… I often tell him, but he doesn't listen. He’s just not expressive and has been very busy."

"But who knows how they are when they’re alone? Not everyone is like us, right?" Tara said.

Avyansh smirked, pulling her closer. "Oh? And how are we?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck. "You tell me."

Their foreheads rested on each other’s "You are such a tease, Tara baby"

***

Later that day, when Akshita went downstairs, her mother-in-law, Rashmi called her

"Akshita, can you take this file to the office? Your dad needs it, and he said it should be sent with a family member. Avyansh will accompany you. Take lunch for you and Ekansh too. Have Lunch together."

Akshita’s heart skipped a beat.

She had completely forgotten about him. About her husband.

And if Avyansh is going, then why is she sending her? She wanted to say it out but chose not to. She gave a hesitant nod, silently.

"Let’s go, Bhabhi," Avyansh said, scrolling through his phone as he came downstairs while Rashmi handed her the lunch and the file.

Akshita gulped, not knowing what to do. Her heart thumped loudly, she wanted to run away, but she had no option.

She silently followed Avyansh outside the house and settled in the car, but her nerves were getting the best of her.

"What’s wrong, Bhabhi? Nervous? First time visiting our company?" Avyansh asked as he noticed her tensed face..

She nodded hesitantly.

"Don’t be nervous. Your husband is there too," he reassured her with a smile.

"Vahi toh problem hai," she muttered under her breath while playing with her fingers.

(That’s the problem.)

"Huh? Did you say something?" he frowned

Her eyes widened "N-No, nothing." She forced a nervous smile.

Avyansh smirked as an idea popped into his evil mind " Do you know, Bhabhi, there’s a lion’s den in our office. And inside it, we have a lion."

Akshita paused. She snapped at Avyansh in shock, "Are you kidding me? A lion? Why would you keep a lion in the office?!" She gave him a weird look. What kind of weird kink do they have? Who allowed them to keep a lion in a public place? Aren't the employees scared of the lion?

Avyansh’s smirk widened, looking at her dumbfounded expression, "Aww, Bhabhi, you’ll find out soon."

But before Akshita could question him further, they arrived. She gulped, not because she was standing right in front of one of the biggest companies in the country—but because she had no idea how to face him.

How would he react?

How would she react?

What will they talk about?

Will they even talk?

Hai ye dilo me uljhan, milke kya bole...

“Let's go, Bhabhi”

Akshita adored the building as they walked through it. An employee in her mid-40s greeted them, immediately recognising Akshita.

“Good afternoon, sir and ma’am”

Akshita gave her a nod with a polite smile.

“Bhabhi, She is Mrs Ruby, Dad’s PA. Mrs Ruby, please take Bhabhi to the office. Bhabhi, I will come back after making an important call,” Avyansh told Akshita and left.

Akshita was nervous; she didn't know anyone here, but when Ruby gave her words of assurance.

“This way, Ma’am” She guided her, but when they reached the 8th floor, another employee called out Ruby, which made them stop. He first greeted Akshita and then looked at Ruby.

“Ma’am, Trilok sir is asking for the tax file urgently" He said in urgency, looking at her expression, Akshita could tell how urgent that looked.

“I will, let me just—”

“It's ok, Mrs Ruby, you can go, just tell me the way” Akshita cut her off and said in her soft voice.

“But ma’am”, She hesitated.

“It's totally ok, I can manage” She insisted, not wanting to give any kind of inconvenience to her. Ruby smiled and told her the way, which was on the same floor and left.

Akshita made her way toward the room Ruby had told but when she was about to reach to the knob of the door-- she heard a voice that stopped her.

“Excuse me”, A woman blocked her path. Akshita turned to her

"Miss, where do you think you’re going?" she asked rudely because no one goes inside the office without permission.

Akshita blinked multiple times. She was surprised. “I am going inside the room” She pointed at the room

The girl raised her eyebrow “Do you have an appointment?” She asked

“Ah, No, I don’t need an appointm–” Akshita was speaking when that girl cut off her words in the middle

“No Appointment? and you were entering the room without permission. Do you even know whose office you were entering? Who even allowed you here?” She looked at her from head to toe. 

Akshita felt uncomfortable because it was clear that the girl was judging her because she was wearing a saree.

“You randomly entered? No shame-- Girls like you come here so that you can impress rich–”

“Mind your words, Lady!” This time, Akshita didn't let her complete and warned her, her voice clearly showing that she was offended. 

She may not know her, but who gave her the right to speak like this about her? Now she was crossing her limits.

But before any of them could say anything else, a voice interrupted.

“What’s happening here?” She heard a deep and husky voice, which was quite dominating, to send shivers down her spine.

As soon as Akshita heard that voice,

She froze.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Check out my other books. When I say support me, it means you have to support my other books too-- This time it's my last chance, so please don't demotivate me.

His Innocence- Bestfriend's Brother, childhood sweethearts, crush, shy male lead, dramatic female lead, Comedy, Romance.

Love in Vengeance- Criminal Lawyer × Ceo, strong fl, brother's best friend, family rivalry, accidental pregnancy, Second chance.

She drew stars around my scars (Veer Raghuvanshi's Story)- Professor×student, fake marriage, Romcom, Royal family, Quite Male lead, dramatic female lead, Desi.

INTEZAAR- Old school romance, one-sided, crush, neighbour, Writer main lead, Story of 1970s.

Also, follow me on Instagram for BTS- lostlakshi