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Krish called out loudly, “Bhai and bhabhi!” but Sam quickly covered his mouth with her hand.
The two of them were none other than Krish and Sam, each holding a tube of ice cream.
“Bhai, am I missing you so much that I'm imagining you?” Krish exclaimed with flair, causing a laugh to escape my lips unexpectedly.
Maan rolled his eyes at Krish. Why was he always so grumpy? Yet, in our room, he was so sweet. Sometimes, understanding Maan felt more challenging than tackling math problems. I was relieved to have completed my studies without failing that subject.
“Bhai, I missed you so much!” Sam said, wrapping her arms around Maan and passing her ice cream tube to Krish.
“I missed you too, bacche. How have you been?” Maan replied, chuckling softly at Sam.
“Bhai, I didn’t miss you at all! In fact, I’m angry with you and bhabhi. Let’s go! You shouldn’t be with this grumpy man.” Krish insisted, tugging at my hands to leave. I tried to say something, but Maan spoke first, pulling me closer and gripping my hands firmly in his strong, veiny grasp.
“What’s wrong with you? She’s my wife, so she stays with me. Always.” Maan said firmly, his gaze fixed on me as he spoke the last part.
“Krish bhai, you’re really dumb. Look, bhabhi and bhai are together, which means they’ve worked things out.” Sam whispered to Krish, though we could hear her. Was Krish upset with Maan for leaving me? I felt incredibly fortunate to have them as my family.
“Bhai, I missed you so much!” Krish said, planting a kiss on Maan's cheek. Sam and I burst into laughter at Maan's comical expressions. I hoped everyone else was asleep and wouldn’t wake up because of us.
“I told you not to kiss me, Krish.” Maan glared at Krish while wiping his cheek with my cotton chunri.
“How mean! Now you only like bhabhi's kisses.” Krish sighed, and my eyes widened in surprise.
“No, I never gave him any kisses!” I quickly interjected, realizing that Maan probably didn’t like kisses at all. Wait, what was I saying? Kisses? I guess Maan just wasn’t fond of kisses?
Sam and Krish shared a laugh as they gazed at me, but Maan stood utterly still, frozen in surprise.
“Are you okay, Maan?” I inquired, giving his shoulder a gentle shake.
“Yeah... sure, I'm fine.” He replied, his tone indifferent.
“Where are you heading, bhabhi?” Krish wanted to know.
“Maan is taking me out.”
“That's not your concern.”
Both Maan and I chimed in unison.
“Oh, so mean, Maan.” I exclaimed, disbelief washing over me.
“Maaaaaaaaaan.” Sam and Krish harmonized, playfully teasing me. I bit my lip, flushed with embarrassment. How could I forget I was calling him Maan in front of them? What would they think?
