Earlier that Day:

It was 10 am, Sunday morning, and Chandrika had requested Akanksha to check on Vaidehi. Normally she was the first one up, so when Vaidehi still hadn’t come downstairs, Chandrika was worried that Vaidehi may not be feeling well. Akanksha agreed and bounded up the stairs. Now that her mother mentioned it, she was also worried. Bhabhi hadn’t slept in except for the one day her period cramps were really bad. Even then, she came downstairs early, but left to rest in her room the rest of the day.

Humming under her breath, she knocked on the door. “Bhabhi!” She normally left the door unlocked, but it was still manners to knock. Hmm, why hadn’t she answered? She always answered, even if it’s to say she’s busy and can’t get to the door. “Bhabhi, aap theek hai?”

(Bhabhi, are you all right?)

No response. She pressed her ear against the door. Not a sound. So, she wasn’t in the bathroom either. Okay, now Akanksha was worried. Knocking again, she said, “Bhabhi! Main andar aa rahi hoon.”

(Bhabhi, I’m coming inside.)

Unlocked as always, the door opened with barely a swish, well-oiled as it was. Akshu opened her mouth to call out again, but her jaw only dropped further seeing the sight in front of her. A swarm of flies could fly into her mouth, and she wouldn’t even notice. Bhabhi was clearly wearing Veer bhai’s shirt and he was shirtless. He was hugging her waist tightly, with his head slightly bent and snuggled into her chest.

One of Bhabhi’s hands was resting on the pillow next to her, her open hair falling on it, while the other was at the edge of Bhai’s ear, her fingertips touching his hair. As if she was stroking her hand through his hair, but it relaxed during sleep. The blankets were bunched at their waists, but their entangled legs were clearly outlined underneath the rest of the blanket.

Hai Bhagwan (Oh God), they had advanced to this stage in their relationship? Well, maybe they were there before, too. It was obvious Bhai and Bhabhi were getting closer now, and Akshu, along with everyone else, loved to tease them about, ahem, certain parts of marriage, but she didn’t really need to see it. Wow, Bhai’s back muscles were looking really good, and Bhabhi’s arms were so toned and sleek, maybe she should start working out and doing yoga, too.

Hey girl! Get your brain back on track. Well, well, well, looks like Bhabhi finally got our sadu Bhai to fall in love with her. (Sadu-grumpy) Akanksha smiled madly, then clicked a quick picture of the soundly sleeping couple. Her best piece of blackmail yet! And a super cute picture- she was sure Bhai and Bhabhi would appreciate it later.

She closed the door quietly, then scurried back down the hall, plugging her Bluetooth headphones into her ears. “Bhabhi! Bhabhi!”, she began shouting loudly as if shouting over the noise of her headphones. She banged on the door, three times. “Bhabhi! Bhabhi, aap theek hai?!” 

(Bhabhi, are you all right?!)

Vaidehi opened her eyes, what was that incessant banging? Was that Akshu shouting? Oh God, the sun was shining bright through the windows, she must be really late. Forcing her squinting eyes open, she replied, “Haan Akshu, main theek hoon.”

(Yes Akshu, I’m fine.)

“Acha theek hain, ek ghante mein khane ke liye neeche aa jaiye.”

(Ok, come downstairs to eat in an hour.)

“Haan, aa jaungi.”

(Yeah, I’ll be there.)

Veer grumbled at the noise and gripped her closer, snuggling his head more into her chest. Vaidehi gently tried to pry herself out of his hands, but he woke up. “Itni subhe kaha bhag rahi ho, biwi?”

(Where are you running away so early in the morning, wife?)

“Itni bhi subha nahi hai, uthiye ab aur mujhe uthne dijiye.”

(It’s not that early, get up and let me get up.)

“Kya? Pati ko theek se good morning nahi bologi?”

(What? You’re not going to say good morning properly to your husband?)

Veer lifted his head and smirked at her, the drowsy eyes and messed-up hair making her heart skip a beat. Vaidehi averted her eyes from his quickly, to keep herself from staring shamelessly, and she could feel a blush creeping up her cheeks.

“Good morning,” she whispered, “Now get up.” He only moved closer, dropping his gaze to her lips. “That’s it? No, I deserve something sweeter.” He was about to kiss her when she slipped her hand in between, cupping her palm around his lips. “Morning breath.” She quickly pushed him off her, surprising him, and got up, rolling her feet to the ground. As she was about to get up, she felt his hand hold her wrist. “You denied me a simple kiss, and I had plans for so much more.” She wriggled her wrist, trying to get it out of his grip.

Concern laced his tone and his voice softened, “Are you sore?” She nodded slightly, not daring to look back. “A little.” He let go of her wrist and began to get up. “Let me…” Before he could finish, she got up and dashed into the bathroom, slamming the door shut and calling out that she’d be done in fifteen minutes. “…get a bubble bath ready so you can soak. I guess not.” Veer chuckled to himself. “Sharmagayi.”

(She shied away.)

He checked the time on his phone. Wow, it was later than expected. Raghuveer left to freshen up in the guest room, but by the time he came back, his wife had disappeared from their room. 

Vaidehi leaned against the bathroom door, taking a deep breath. “Bachgayi main. Sab kuch aaj hi hona tha kya Bhagwan-ji? Agar Akshu galti se andar aa gayi toh? Aur yeh admi, kabhi bhi kahi bhi shuru ho jaate hain. Upar se period bhi abhi aana tha. Thank God, matlab aapko, ki this is a black shirt, aur bed pe bhi kuch dhaag nahi dikhe.”

(I escaped. Did everything have to happen today, God? What Akshu accidentally came inside? And this man, he can get started anytime, anywhere. And I had to get my period today. Thank God, I mean you, that this is a black shirt, and there are no stains on the bed.)

She quickly washed the barely visible blood stain on her husband’s shirt and kept it with the rest of the clothes that needed to be laundered. She bathed and dressed in record time, choosing to wear one of her most comfortable, dark brown sarees.

Walking into the kitchen, she was relieved at successfully avoiding her husband. She was feeling shy and self-conscious from the night before, and to top it off, she was on her period. It’s not that she felt any shame in sharing that, but she didn’t broadcast it either. “Beta, tum theek ho? Itni der se uthi, tabiyat to theek hai?”

(Beta, are you ok? You woke up late, is your health okay?)

Chandrika and Aparna were in the kitchen preparing brunch. Chandrika cupped her face, while Aparna stepped closer, nodding in concern. “Nahi Maa, Chachi, main theek hoon. Bas kal thodi thaki hui thi, aur aaj periods bhi aa gaye.”

(No Maa, Chachi, I’m fine. I was just a bit tired yesterday, and I got my period today, too.)

“Arey, toh tum yahan kya kar rahi ho? Kamre mein jaake rest karo, na.”

(Arey, then what are you doing here? Go rest in your room.)

“Nahi Maa, abhi tak toh soyi thi, ab mujhe kuch kaam karne ka mann hai.” Anything to keep me busy and distract me from the cramps.

(No Maa, I slept until now, and now I feel like doing some work.)

“Pakka?” “Pakka, Maa.”

(Pakka- sure)

“Theek hai, par zyaada nahi, hmm?”, Chandrika warned her.

(Okay, but not too much.)

Vaidehi nodded and smiled, joining them in their preparations. When Veer saw Vaidehi with his mom and Chachi in the kitchen, he tried to help. But his Chachi only shooed him out, claiming he was too slow and they were already running late. His mom was quite excited to put him to work, but seeing Vaidehi’s lack of interest, she gestured for him to leave. Raghuveer left to sulk in his study, plotting ways to spend the rest of the day with his wife.

Veer was the last one to arrive at the dining table, and Vaidehi had managed to seat herself between Chandrika and Akanksha, leaving only one seat for him several spots down on the other side of the table. Everyone silently laughed at his banked annoyance, and all throughout the meal, Vaidehi could feel a pair of eyes trained on her. After eating, everyone settled in the living room for chai and coffee.

Priya, Vaidehi and Yagnik brought out coffee for everyone, but Chandrika handed Vaidehi another cup, telling her that Veer was in his study and wanted his coffee brought there. “Aur haan, agar janab ko zyaada kaam nahi hain, toh usko yaad dilao ki family ke saath bhi time spend karna zaroori hain.” (Oh, and if mister doesn’t have too much work, remind him that spending time with family is also important.) Chandrika had seen more of her son in the past few months, after he had married Vaidehi, than she had in the past several years. But there was still room for improvement. It wasn’t that he didn’t love his family, but he wasn’t the most expressive, and over the years, he let the business take up all his time, which had become a habit he couldn’t escape.

Vaidehi had been avoiding her husband all morning, but she couldn’t avoid it now, so she took the coffee cup her mother-in-law handed to her and knocked on the study door. “Come in.” While walking at a snail’s pace to the study, Vaidehi had come up with the perfect plan. She opened the door to the study but didn’t step inside. “Main aapki coffee lekar aayi hoon, lekin Maa aur baaki sab chahte hai ki aap sabke saath baithkar thoda waqt bitaye. Issiliye, main aapki coffee living room mein hi rakh rahi hoon, aur agar aapko peena hai, toh wahan aakar peelijiye.” (I’ve brought your coffee, but Maa and everyone else want you to spend some time with them. So, I’m putting your coffee in the living room. If you want to drink it, you’re going to have to come there.) Vaidehi had held on to the doorknob while speaking, so she immediately shut the door and speed-walked back to the living room, hoping that her husband wouldn’t catch up to her and stop her.

Fortunately, he arrived a few minutes after her, and everyone’s faces glowed at the thought of finally spending time with Veer. After a while, all the youngsters decided to watch a movie in the home theatre, but Vaidehi crept out after a half hour. It was an action movie she had watched multiple times with her brother, and it wasn’t a particular favorite of hers. But the boys had Veer sandwiched between them, insisting that he had to watch it. However, she was really craving brownies, so she went into the kitchen and got busy whipping up her famous brownie recipe. Akshu, who was sitting closest to Vaidehi, smiled as her Bhabhi left the room. Now’s the perfect chance. Biding her time, she too crept out, and joined Vaidehi in the kitchen. 

Setting her chocolate milkshake aside, she flipped her phone, which had the picture she had taken that morning, and flaunted it in front of her Bhabhi. Vaidehi’s eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hand. As if it wasn’t enough that she was still too shy to face her husband, now her sister-in-law had incriminating pictures. She blushed hard before smacking Akanksha on the shoulder. “Kanku, you cheating witch! Did you take that this morning? And who gave you permission to sneak into our room?” “Please Bhabhi, not Kanku.”

Akanksha shuddered as the horrendous nickname left her mouth. “But yes, I took it this morning. Maa was worried when you didn’t come downstairs for so long, and as for Bhai, we all thought he was in the gym. And I didn’t sneak in, technically, because I knocked, and called your name, and listened to make sure you weren’t in the bathroom, THEN warned you I was coming in and entered your room, which was unlocked as usual. Then, after clicking this gorgeous picture, I made a whole bunch of noise and pretended to wake you up like it was the first time.” Vaidehi huffed and narrowed her eyes. “So proud of yourself, aren’t you.” “Of course, Bhabhi, but don’t worry. I won’t do anything to you, you’ve done so much for me, that would just be evil. This baby is for blackmailing bhai.”