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“Daddy is glowing no less,” she teases in return. “Have you seen him today? He is flaunting his new ‘daddy status’ as if he is the only father in the world.” We both laugh heartily, agreeing that Aksh bhai’s newfound joy as a father surpasses anything we have ever seen.
“Silence, please, ladies,” Aksh bhai shushes us as he enters the room. “You both will wake up my princess!” He hurriedly walks over to the crib, where his one-month-old daughter is sleeping peacefully. Gently, he lifts her into his arms and begins to sway her back and forth, humming a soft lullaby.
“Did you see, Meher? Such double standards,” Bhabhi jokes. “Back when Aksh used to talk loudly all the time, and I would request him to lower his voice, he never used to listen. But now, it seems like ages since I heard him speak loudly. He only communicates in hushed tones, even when we’re alone in the bedroom with the baby sleeping. No one is allowed to speak loudly around her.”
I chuckle while Aksh bhai hides his smile, knowing Bhabhi is right. Still holding the baby, he brings her over to us and starts talking to her instead.
“Princess, don’t listen to what your mother is saying. Daddy is the most soft-spoken man in the world.”
At this declaration, we both burst into laughter again, unintentionally waking the baby, who begins to cry. Aksh bhai scowls at us before gently swinging the baby in his arms again, successfully coaxing her back to sleep. Bhabhi and I appreciate his gestures, realising that Aksh bhai has this adorable and cute side to him that we never knew about.
AYAAN
I am standing with my father-in-law, Pratap Walia, and Dad, talking to a group of familiar faces from our circle. The room is filled with laughter and lively chatter as we all gather to celebrate the naming ceremony of Devika’s newborn baby girl. Although I am enjoying the festive atmosphere, my eyes keep wandering towards the stairs, eagerly waiting for Meher’s arrival. I’m looking forward to spending some quality time with her amidst the joyful chaos.
This week has felt like an eternity, with Meher staying at the Walia House, away from me, to organise and oversee the preparations for this big event. During this time, video calls in the late hours have been our only means of communication. Meher, being the playful tease that she is, took great delight in reminding me how much she missed our shared moments in bed—how she missed waking up wrapped up in my arms, our soft kisses in the middle of the night and our morning sex virtually every other day. Her seductive words made me desperately crave her. Tonight, I am ready to unleash that pent-up desire, swoop down on her like an eager predator on its prey, hold her close and make up for the days we have spent apart.
“You look lost, Ayaan. Everything okay?” Dad’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
I shake my head, snapping back to the present, realising that sharing such intimate details with my and Meher’s father is neither appropriate nor welcome. Dad pats my arm, a comforting gesture that tells me he understands I am missing Meher. Pratap Walia, on the other hand, continues to observe me closely. While he has embraced me as his son-in-law and expressed pride in that acknowledgement, certain unspoken topics linger in the air. Nonetheless, I find pleasure in teasing and provoking him to get a reaction out of him whenever possible. So, I decide to play along and start the banter.
“I can’t wait to take my wife back from here. She’s stayed enough. Next time, no more weekovers!” I tease in a hushed whisper, ensuring our conversation remains discreet.
He responds with a disapproving frown. “This is her house. You can’t stop her from staying here as long as she wants. If you miss her so much, then no one is stopping you from coming and staying here for that period.”
“Did I hear that right?” I inquire. “Is Pratap Walia inviting Ayaan Shergill for a stayover at Walia House?” I mock, sensing his hesitation in turning this conversation into an unintentional invitation.
He clears his throat, caught off guard by his own words, and I seize the opportunity to playfully push his boundaries. “Well, who am I to refuse such a warm invitation? Perhaps I’ll take up on that offer next time, father-in-law.”
Dad offers an amused smile, catching on to the humour. The idea of teasing Pratap Walia subtly appeals to him. It’s a playful exchange that adds a layer of fun to the relationship.
The lighthearted banter would have continued, but I’m momentarily distracted by the arrival of Meher with Aksh, Devika and their little bundle of joy. My beautiful wife gracefully descends the stairs dressed in traditional attire, her eyes twinkling with excitement and joy as she sees me. She takes her time, enjoying the attention while my gaze travels over every inch of her skin. I don’t care who notices us admiring each other during the event. Such is the impact the queen has on her king. Everything else fades away into the background as I focus on her. I offer her a warm smile, silently conveying the longing and love that has multiplied during this week of separation. She bites her lip, acknowledging the same, before hurrying downstairs to catch up with Aksh and Devika.
“Ayaan,” Krish interrupts my thoughts with a pat on my back.
He grins while adjusting his cream-coloured sherwani and asks, “Tell me, how do I look today?”
I can’t help but chuckle at his unusual concern for his appearance.
“Krish, it’s the naming ceremony of Aksh’s daughter, not your personal fashion show,” I chuckle, reminding him.
He raises an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“I know, but I still want to know how I look today.”
“Just like every other day,” I tease. “What’s with the sudden interest in your appearance, Krish?”
He sets his hair with his fingers, his gaze fixed on the mirror behind me.
“Because it’s an important day for me, too,” he says. Anyway, forget about how I look. I know you’ll never admit that I’m more handsome than you. Just give me your best wishes for now; that’s all I need.”
“Best wishes for what?” I ask, confused by his cryptic statements.
Krish’s eyes light up with excitement. “I’m going to tell Trisha that I love her.”
The revelation catches me by surprise, and I smile in delight. My best friend Krish is taking a significant step in his life. Trisha, a valued member of our team, is about to become an important part of his life. Although we have known Trisha for a few years and have worked with her on various missions, their bond strengthened when she joined the team as Meher’s bodyguard. Krish, who has not been involved with women much in the past, has developed a special liking for her. There has been an evident connection brewing between them, and the two have been dancing around each other for a while now. It’s about time he takes the plunge, and I couldn’t be happier for him.
He snaps his fingers to regain my attention, eager to share more about his big day. “Where are you lost, buddy? I’m not doing anything out of the ordinary.”
