An Inconvenient Flame

Chapter 29

As I step into the restaurant, I see Aditya, Rudra and Rahul, already seated at the table. Rahul waves from across the room, Aditya raises an eyebrow and Rudra? Well, Rudra's grinning like he's about to dish out all the gossip. Looks like it's going to be an eventful evening.

"Always keeping us waiting?" Rahul rolls his eyes as I stride towards the table.

I nod at Rahul's jest with a sly grin. "Well you know how it is. I have to make an entrance." 

Rudra leans forward, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Speaking of entrances, you'll never guess who I ran into the other day." He pauses dramatically before blurting out, "This misters missus!"

Aditya cocks a brow. I can't help but suppress a grin, It's been about thirty five days since that chance meeting of Rudra with Ishika, but the memory is still fresh in my mind.

Rudra's animated retelling is both entertaining and slightly exaggerated, much to Aditya and Rahul's disdain.

"Picture this," Rudra begins, his hands gesturing wide as he sets the scene. "This giant right here having a petite and delicate wife, like a little bird." Aditya's Lips twitched while Rahul and Rudra burst into a full blown laughter attracting unnecessary attention.

I glare at them, undoing the top two buttons of my shirt. "She is hardly a little bird. The girl is highly volatile."

Rudra dismisses me, "Ofcourse ofcourse, I am just saying you two make for quite a contrasting pair." He pauses, considering his words, " She is a pocket size thing."

" A pocket size thing? Really Rudra, Man you have a way with words." Rahul grins in amusement.

"Rudra enough. Stop objectifying my wife." My face tightens.

All three of them grins at me showing of their teeth like they are advertising for a fucking toothpaste company. Idiots.

" And for your information She is Divya's little sister."

Aditya's expression change, he has met Divya's complete family during her marriage, Ishika included.

"You mean Divya's sister Ishika is your wife Ishika?" He frowns. "She is seven to eight years younger than you. Is this wise?"

" Talk to my mother about that. I was completely unaware of my wife's identity until the wedding day."

His expression remains unchanged. "Don't worry it's not an issue. Belive me when I say it. She is damn intelligent."

" And what do you mean by that?" Rahul says.

" She has secured a full scholarship for her doctorate studies at Cascadia Northwest University in Seattle." I reveal, a hint of pride coloring my words.

I was shocked when she informed me that all the four universities have accepted her application but Cascadia is the only one offering her complete scholarship. It's hard to get accepted for all. That's when I realised my wife is smart.

My friends stare at me in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of surprise and bewilderment.

"Cascadia Northwest University? That's one of the top research institutions in USA!" Rahul exclaims, his eyes wide. "A full scholarship for a doctorate program is no small feat."

I nod, a small smile playing on my lips.

Aditya's brow furrows as he processes this new information. "But a doctorate program last for 5 to 7 years and sometimes even more, how are you both going to manage?"

" Plus Ivaan in the picture?" Rahul adds.

" Now who is this Ivaan?" Rudra tilts his head in confusion.