Simran

******

"There's another man in my room, and he is not my husband."

I was clueless about what would happen just because of one scream. I had completely forgotten I wasn't at my husband's mansion but at my in-laws' place, where my one scream gathered the entire family right outside our room.

"Who is inside?" Dhruv Bhaiya asked, already looking like he was ready to be in action.

"I don't know...but it's not Kiaan." I didn't mean it literally, though.

"Okay, don't worry... We will handle it...." Namit jiju said. I thought they would go inside, talk to my husband, but no. Dhruv Bhaiya rushed to his room and then came back with a blanket. I didn't know what it was for until they both dashed inside my room. Everyone else followed in. Di, Saavi, Mom, and Dad stood with me close.

Kiaan's back was visible as he was trying to wear his slippers when all of a sudden, Dhruv Bhaiya covered him with the blanket, and Namit Jiju started hitting him with his slipper.

"Namit, stop...." Di held Jiju's arm, trying to pull him away.

"Namit, Dhruv, remove the blanket," Mom said. I noticed her standing there with a bucket of cold water she had fetched from the bathroom in our room. The moment they both removed the blanket, Mom splashed the cold water on him, emptying the bucket. It had him gasp in shock, and everyone else too, because it wasn't any other man but my husband.

And I didn't mean in a real sense when I shouted that the man in my room is not my husband.

Fuck!! What did I do?

He gave his cold gaze to everyone.

"I didn't see anything at all...." Dad muttered and slid away quietly out of the room.

"You all...." Kiaan pointed his finger at everyone and added, "...don't belong in jail. You guys belong in a mental asylum. I should have admitted you all there with Shayla."

"And you...." He pointed his finger at me now. My eyes widened in shock as I gulped in fear.

Mom came in between me and his finger, and I hid myself behind her completely, peeking from behind at his drenched figure.

"Don't point a finger at my daughter...." Mom said. I poked my tongue at him from behind and smiled. It was scary, but then it was fun too. Not everyone gets to witness him that helpless, and I was enjoying every bit of it.

He scoffed and said, "Everyone is mad in this house...." and then walked into the washroom and shut the door loudly, making all of us flinch.

"That was fun..." Namit Jiju said, grinning as he dropped his slipper and slipped his foot into it.

"Yeah, I loved that slipper move..." Dhruv Bhaiya said, laughing with him. Both of their laughs ceased the moment their wives glared at them, and they fell silent, acting like obedient men.

"You said, there was someone else...." Saavi said to me, feeling sad for my husband.

"Simmi, you knew it, didn't you..." Di crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at me.

"I...I didn't mean literally when I said there was another man in the room...."

"Simmi..." Di said as she shook her head at me, disappointed.

"Di, it's not my fault. He was acting sweet. He does not act sweet first thing in the morning. He cribs and nags and gives orders."

"You're right, beta. That's exactly my son and not the sweet kind. Come on, honey, let's have breakfast," Mom supported me, ushering me toward the dining area.

"Mom, I didn't brush, and now Kiaan is in the washroom."

"No worries, beta. Come, I will get you a new toothbrush, and you can use my washroom."

"What about you and Dad?"

"I already freshened up and took a shower, honey. And about your dad, well, he can take a shower in the garden. Who cares?" she said casually, making everyone laugh.

******

Breakfast was quiet and cold because the beast was around somewhere. He had shouted at three people over the call, and everyone was now scared that the next victim of his wrath could be anyone. Saavi and Di were worried about him, though.

Why were they even worried about him? 

It's not like I did anything wrong. Besides, it was my right to be worried for him.

God, I was being way too insensitive for some reason. Well, not just for some reason, but because he talked softly to those two women while he didn't even utter a word to me. I asked him to join us for breakfast, but he said nothing. Yet when Saavi called him, and Di urged him, he nodded. 

Really? Nodded? And he wanted my forgiveness. Huh? Forgive my foot. I was not going to forgive him.

So what if Mom splashed water on him, Dhruv Bhaiya covered him with a blanket, and Namit Jiju hit him with a slipper? It's not like he was physically hurt.

'And you call him heartless, Kudos!' My inner self took a jibe at me again. Sometimes I didn't understand her bipolar behaviour. She would support my husband when I didn't, and would not support him when I would. Crazy!

"Why is there such sudden chillness here?" Grandpa pulled out the head chair and took a seat, looking all happy as he put some fruit on his plate first. He was the only one unaware of the morning fiasco, as he had gone out for a morning walk when it all happened. He noticed the chillness and eventually pointed it out. And who wouldn't, when I was literally shivering because of this sudden cold.

Everyone seemed to be scared of my husband, even his parents. 

To be honest, who wouldn't be? 

First of all, he thought with his anger instead of his mind. He always spoke rage instead of words. On top of that, he was beaten up right in the morning, all thanks to my scream. Now here I was, staring right at my plate and not lifting my gaze because he could come from anywhere, and I didn't want to meet his eyes. Because I still remembered that when his cold gaze settled on me when I tried calling him for breakfast, it felt like my spine froze. Now I just wanted to finish breakfast as soon as I could and hide until he left for work.

But when were the Gods on my side?

Because before I could see him, I already felt his presence, dominating and controlling, getting closer.

"Am I going blind, or is there an actual skeleton our son is carrying?" Dad muttered. Everyone looked up, and so did I.

"It's real," Dhruv Bhaiya whispered, stunned.

"Oh, he is going to turn us into that skeleton," Namit Jiju said and started shoveling breakfast into his mouth as if this was his last meal.

"Guys, chill. He doesn't even seem angry," Saavi tried to lighten the mood, but from where I was sitting, I could feel his wrath simmering in his cold eyes as he walked toward the table, holding Tharki in his arms.

Why was he holding her that close? 

She wasn't even his real wife. 

Was he going to abandon me and accept her?

"Well, I would support him if he gets angry," Di remarked, chewing her apple loudly while glaring at everyone who had joined hands with me in hurting my husband.

"Dhri...," Mom warned softly.

"Maasi, he wasn't at fault," Di said firmly.

I pouted.

"Don't act cute. You know it works. You need to apologize to him, Simmi."

"No, why would she?" Mom's support for me was unwavering.

Di sighed, not wanting to argue with anyone.

"What exactly is happening? Can anyone enlighten me?" Grandpa was still clueless, glancing at everyone one by one, expecting an answer.

"Let's hope this meal ends on a happy note," Dad said dramatically, confusing Grandpa even more.

Kiaan was really close now, and I was also about to run if he came after me. Instead of sitting at the dining table, he asked in a high-pitched tone, "Who got this? And why was it in my room?"

I had asked Enzo to have Tharki delivered here with my other stuff in the morning. Glad he listened, but I wasn't going to tell my husband it was me who ordered the staff to keep Tharki on our bed.

No one answered him. Everyone kept eating. Grandpa, though, was enjoying watching him with a skeleton, and he even clicked his picture, earning a glare from my husband. Grandpa immediately put his phone away and continued eating.

"I am asking something. Who the hell got this?" This time, his voice was sharp, the tone lower but still colder.

I got up quietly, walked to him with small steps, not meeting his eyes. I could only see the marble floor and his shiny leather shoes, which could replace a mirror. When I stopped right in front of him, I didn't look up at him at all, because if I had, I knew I would have been consumed by him completely. So I simply grabbed Tharki, pulled her out of his arms, feeling more envious, and then took her back to the table with me. I settled her beside me on the chair Kiaan was supposed to sit on.

"Everyone, meet Tharki...My husband's second wife. She is new to the family," I eventually introduced her to the family.

Everyone's reaction was a little different. 

Dhruv Bhaiya choked on his food. Saavi rubbed his back and handed him a glass of water, looking at me confused. Di was shocked, opened her mouth to say something, but then shut her mouth as if she was speechless. Namit Jiju laughed, but then hid it with a cough. Mom looked at me with proud eyes as if I had achieved something great. Dad looked horrified and then looked up at my husband with pitiful eyes. Grandpa looked amazed.

"Tharki, say Hi."

I turned on the button so that she could speak whatever data was entered.

"Hi, dear in-laws, I am your Choti Bahu [younger daughter-in-law," she said with an accent, causing Dhruv Bhaiya to cough up more. His eyes were watery now, and he started laughing. Everyone actually laughed. See, they were nice and welcoming to her, but not my cold-blooded husband.

"Welcome, honey...." Grandpa greeted, beaming.

"Thanks, Sugar!!" Tharki flirted with Grandpa.

I was stunned because she had randomly picked that from whatever was stored in her recorder.

Damn it! Did the recordings get messed up?

Thankfully, Grandpa took it sportingly and laughed wholeheartedly, joining the others.

"This is a crazy family. You all need a psychiatrist," my husband announced, staring at us like we had grown two horns.

"Why is he so grumpy?" Grandpa asked.

"He didn't get to come inside me, that's why," Tharki replied.

"Oh man, I....I can't..." Namit Jiju wheezed, laughing while holding his stomach.

'You are crazy,' Di mouthed to me, laughing at my act.

'I know,' I mouthed back, grinning.

"Enzo..." Kiaan yelled, and Enzo came running to him as if he had been waiting for him to call out his name.

Before Kiaan could even say why he had called him, Tharki chirped, "Enzo is his third wife. He takes his name more than he ever took Simran's name."

Everyone at the table burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Enzo stared at us, horrified by what he had just heard, and left without even listening to Kiaan.

Kiaan stayed frozen in rage at everyone, but mostly at me.

"I am not done with you guys. You will pay," he warned, and then his stare settled on me a moment longer, as if his eyes were saying, 'Careful, firefly. I will be watching your every move... and I will strike soon.

Then he left.

"Your son got his perfect match...," Grandpa said to Mom, chortling.

"I know, and I am super proud," Mom replied, grinning at me.

Even though I grinned back, my heart couldn't help but skip a beat at the unsaid warning in my husband's eyes.

I was fucked for sure.

******

Three Days Later

******

I was curious. It was our reception the next day, and everything was kept a surprise from me. I was clueless about the venue, guest lists, and everything. But I could not even nag anyone or plead to tell me anything, as no one was at home. Grandpa had gone to attend his friend's bachelorette party. Yeah, you guys heard it right, grandpa's friend was getting married for the fourth time. I mean, handling one was difficult for me. But hey, he was a man, and when does a man have to handle much after marriage? It's always the woman. I know I am generalizing, but I hadn't witnessed a man doing much. So I guess, lucky him!

Di and Jiju had gone out for an ice cream date. Dhruv Bhaiya and Saavi went shopping. Mom and Dad were still in the office, though. 

And why was I alone? 

Well, because my husband was angry, that's why. It's not like he wasn't there; he was, but he wasn't paying any attention to me at all. He had arrived an hour ago and was in the study room working aggressively. He hadn't talked to me for three days.

Now, who would I annoy?

He had not even glanced at me once. So what if I brought Tharki onto our bed? He was fine before, so how could he not be fine now?

He didn't even share a room with me. He would come back from work when I slept and would leave before I even woke up. Even when he wasn't around, I kept thinking about him, while dancing at the academy, while sleeping, while waking up.

I missed him.

I missed his hug.

I missed his silent vows, his death stares, his obsession, his protection.

There wasn't anything about him I didn't miss.

I wanted him to look intensely at me like he used to before, talk to me, but he had left me craving. He hadn't even said one single word to me ever since that morning.

When, surprisingly, tonight, he came back from work early, I was happy and nervous too. He went straight to the library, which was a small office space too, to work and didn't come to our room. I followed him there anxiously, feeling the need to hear him call me firefly. But he didn't even spare a glance at me. He opened his laptop and started working, and joined a meeting as well. It hurt when he didn't acknowledge me at all. I knew I was wrong to scream like a mad woman and have him beaten up, and now I was regretting it. He didn't give me one chance so that I could make him talk to me, and now I stood at the entrance of the library, watching him work and ignore me.

Multiple ideas were running through my head to please him. One of them was cooking something for him, but I knew he would not eat it at all if he got to know I prepared it. I sighed, already feeling defeated.

All of a sudden, I heard the pattering of water droplets on the window. The rain started pouring in. The hit of rain on the window sounded like synchronous beats without music. An idea crossed my mind. From where Kiaan sat, the window was close, and so was the view of the back garden. Without waiting for a moment, I rushed to my room. Opening one of the cabinets, I pulled out a pair of anklets with small ghungroos attached and laced them around my feet. I descended the stairs, feeling excited like a kid who was going to do something really thrilling.

I had always danced for the world, being in the center of the stage. A lot of people watched me dance, and even if some didn't like it, it didn't matter because there were more who enjoyed it and praised it. But now, I had to perform for an audience of one. This one man was harder to please. I was anxious; my heartbeat grew faster with the idea of what I was going to do. But this was the only way to have him look at me the way I craved and needed. Without wasting any more time, I played a soft, sensuous song and ran out into the rain in the back garden.

The moment the water hit me, it was harsh and cold, like the wrath of my husband, and I shivered. But then it turned softer on my skin, as if apologizing for being so harsh, like it fell with only one intent, to glide over my skin. I closed my eyes and opened my arms, letting the rain drench me as per its wish. The music tickled my ears, and I opened my eyes. I raised my arms, moving my feet. My bangles joined the music, adding their own soft tune, like a love tale. I wished to be seen tonight, not by the world, but by my husband. I wished to be adored through his eyes, so I danced like I was born to please him. My saree got heavy because it got drenched in rain, but it didn't make it difficult for me to move freely. The fabric only became a second part of my skin.

I wanted to see if he was there yet. I wanted to know if his eyes had caught me moving solely for him. But it was too early. Though I soon ran out of patience, so when I twirled, I looked up, only to find a closed window. My heart shattered loudly, its sound echoing through the thunderstorm.

He rejected me. He shut the window instead of watching me dance for him.

My eyes brimmed with tears, burning them up. I stood there as the sky and the rain became witnesses to my defeat. 

When I tried walking away, a grip on my arm yanked me back, causing my back to collide with something harsh but beating. 

It was a familiar touch. It was him. My husband. 

Kiaan's hand snaked around my waist, making my body tremble, and I closed my eyes.

He was there, but he didn't speak. He was holding me, and when his warm breath came in contact with my drenched figure, I couldn't help but shiver more.

His lips touched my earlobe softly.

"Dance," he murmured against my skin.

"Until I tell you to stop."

******

Hi Lovelies,

I hope you all are doing well. 🤗

Did you like Kiaan getting beaten up by Dhruv and Namit? 😂

Not sure about you guys, but Dhruv and Namit surely enjoyed it😂

What do you all think will happen now? 😛

Will Simran dance for his Beast, or will she slip away from his grasp? 🤔

Do share your views about the chapter. It would mean a lot to me. ❤️

P.S -> The next chapter will be published on Friday. 🤗

Thanks,

Shrishtee