Tying The Knot With Ex's Brother

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

The two friends caught on with each other's lives and were glad to be together again. The gossips became even more interesting with the hot tea and the spicy samosas.

"I'm glad everything turned out well for you, but I'm worried about Sid," said Sush out of concern.

"I planned on clearing things with him but never got a chance. But I think he has moved on now," said Ragini after analysing his recent attitude and behaviour.

The second inning of the match had begun when the besties came down as it was time for Sush to leave. She bid farewell to everyone with a humble request to let Ragini hang out with her once in a while.

"Why didn't you invite your friend to our marriage? She seemed upset about it?" asked Sparsh to Ragini while he played with her hair, resting his head on her lap.

Ragini lied, "I invited her but she didn't come because she was busy with work. She was just kidding when she said that."

"Can I ask you something?" Sparsh ran his fingers on Ragini's plump lips. A nod from her made him speak again. "Why did you say yes to marry me? You didn't love me!"

Ragini felt sorry for lying to the man she loved so much, but there was nothing else she could do then. She was willing to be eaten by the guilt of being a liar until the day comes when she could tell him everything without being misunderstood. She was sure he would be able to comprehend her actions and would forgive all her lies and love her the same.

"I didn't love you then because I didn't know you. We had an arranged marriage, remember?"

"Then, why did you marry me?"

"Because my parents liked you."

"And what about you?"

"I didn't know you. You didn't know me either."

"But I loved you."

"Since when? Liar, don't lie!"

"I'm not lying! You know nothing!"

Ragini giggled, covered her face with her hands and said, "I see, you fell in love with me the moment you saw me that day. It was love at first sight!"

Sparsh pinched her cheeks and replied, "You're partly right!"

"What does that even mean?"

"It's secret!"

"I hate secrets. Tell me! I wanna know!"

"Secrets are not meant to be revealed! Let's sleep." Sparsh sat straight to kiss Ragini's forehead and then pulled her to sleep.

Ragini resisted and said, "I'm neither gonna sleep nor let you sleep until you tell me that secret. I'm confused. Did you fall in love with me at first sight or not?"

Sparsh rubbed his nose against hers and said, "Yes, it was love at first sight!"

"That means I was right!"

"Not completely!"

Ragini stared and growled, "Why?"

Sparsh laughed and pinched her cheeks again, "You're the cutest creature to exist in this whole universe. I just love you so damn much."

Ragini growled, "Are you telling me or not?"

Sparsh hushed and said, "Secret!"

"Fine!" Ragini freed herself from his grip and got out of the bed. "Good night, without me!"

Sparsh pulled her back and hugged her tightly. "Where do you think you're going? Do you really think I'm gonna let you go, baby?"

Ragini didn't even look at him, she stared at the ceiling  and didn't react in any way. Sparsh could not hold his laughter and decided to unreveal his 'secret'.

"You wanna know it, right? said Sparsh.

Ragini nodded, her eyes still at the ceiling.

"You have to look at me first!"

Ragini stared at Sparsh with wide eyes which made him laugh again. "God, she's so adorable!" he whispered, though audible to his wife as well.

"So, coming to the point, it's true that I fell in love with at first sight, but, when I fell for you is a secret."

"How is it a secret? The day you came to my house with the marriage proposal."

Sparsh shook his head to Ragini's surprise so she asked, "I don't remember meeting you before that day."

"Did you ever volunteer at hospitals?"

"Yes I did, but... Wait, did we meet at your hospital? But, it's kind of impossible to forget this handsome face!"

Sparsh rubbed his chin while acting cool and said, "You're right, forgetting a man with these looks is beyond impossible. We never met actually. Or I should say, I noticed you but you didn't. You were always busy with the patients and didn't bother gazing at this charming face."

Identifying astonishment at her face, Sparsh continued, "You looked like a kid yourself when you played with the children. I was mesmerized when I saw you smiling when you read stories to the kids who were struggling with their lives. You gave them hopes. Not only the kids, you took care of the adults too, you made sure that they were positive about their recovery. Your presence brightened up everything and unknowingly, I fell in love with you. I began anticipating your visits, I began watching you."

After a pause, he continued, "Wait, do I sound like a stalker? No, no, I only watched you when you visited our hospital. I didn't follow you out of that place. You trust me, right?"

Ragini finally spoke, "So you expressed your desire to marry me and viola!"

"No, actually. Papa wanted me to marry you but I said that I liked someone else and intended to marry her, unaware of the fact that we were both talking about the same person, that was you. Papa showed me your picture with hopes I'd change my mind and guess what, I really did. We all laughed so much after I explained things to them. I guess you've got all your answers now!"

"And you hid all this from me. Liar! You cheated on me!" said Ragini with a hint of anger on her face which was, of course, fake.

"And I'm sorry for that. I had thought of telling you everything after our marriage but you know how things were between us in the beginning! I dared not to tell you all this then, I was scared you'd take it the wrong way and misunderstand me. I couldn't afford to be hated by you or lose you, so I didn't tell you anything."

"Why did you do it today then?"

"You forced me to."

"But you started the conversation!"

"Then, maybe I wanted you to know all this." Sparsh kissed Ragini's forehead gently and said, "My wife should know how much and how long I've loved her for."

"So, tell me, how long has it been?"

"2 years ago, on Christmas. 25th December 2022, I saw you with a Santa Claus hat on and my heart raced at the sight of you, just like it does now."

Sparsh leaned in to kiss her and Ragini gladly accepted him. Her fingers got hold of his hair while her lips were being sucked by him.

"Lemme switch off the lights first!" whispered Sparsh, knowing it's gonna be a tiring night for both of them.