More than just Feluda (Fanfic)

She knows

"Is it done?"

"No, sweetheart. Wait..." He carefully wound the end of the bandage on and fastened it properly with a pin.

Kaaki smiled slightly at the nickname while working on her own knitting in a cornerside chair. She still wondered how different this Felu was from the usual cold, non-chalant one until a few years ago. Marriage does change people.

"Hmm. Done."

Keeping everything back in the transparent plastic box with medicines, he closed it shut and stood up. Hesitating and lingering in place for a while, he finally said, "Do you need any other books Sindhu? I'll bring them from our room."

She didn't really need them, but could read the look in his eyes. He was just finding reasons to come back and stay longer.
"Y-yeah... Sure..."

He quickly went out with the box and returned with two books, probably new ones that he had got from the nearby library. Staying there for some more time talking to them, Kaaki finally had to mention the time to him.
"By the way it's 10:30 now, Sindhu needs to sleep. You should go to your room too."

"Oh, uh- yes..." He got up and looked over to Kaaki, who was finding something in her drawers. Seizing the opportunity of Kaaki's back turned on them, he softly took a peck at Sindhuja's cheek and whispered good-night to her. Then wishing a louder good-night to Kaaki, he left the room.

She stared at the door from where he had just gone, the red colour rising in her face. Kaaki sat back on the other side of the bed and slowly said, "I guess I'll have to move you back. Your husband is getting bolder with it day by day..."

Turning to Kaaki, she looked down flustered.

"No, really! I feel like an evil mother-in-law for no good reason..."

She didn't say anything.

The next day everyone was shifted back in place, but before that the whole family sat in their room playing cards until late as was the new Saturday-night custom; for a good time and to make Sindhuja feel better. The game was soon over and he showed everyone a few of the millions of card tricks that he had learned from god knows where, followed up by a light scolding from Kaka about staying up until late.

Tapesh and Kaka got up, leaving the room while Kaaki stayed back to talk to the remaining two.
"Felu, I'm trusting that you both will be sensible now."

He looked at her and back to Kaaki. "Yeah..."

"Good. Take care."

She nodded while he followed Kaaki out. Closing the door, he sighed and sat besides Sindhuja on the bed, locking eyes with hers. She read the question they were asking and nodded, and was immediately taken in a tight embrace.

She separated and held his face in her hands.
"I told you, it was just a matter of some days... See?"

He smiled touching them. "Yes..."

He took her hands in his and kissed them.
"Rosogolla..."

"Hm?"

"I missed you."

She rolled her eyes. "Getting sentimental again, are we?"

He looked at her seriously. "No. Did you know that Topshe still kicks and moves around while sleeping? It's impossible to have him beside!"

She blinked. He kept the serious face.

Then slapping him on the shoulder, she asked trying to sound angry, "So you missed me only because I don't hit you while sleeping?"

He raised a brow. "Well, I kinda like to get hit by you- the other way... Not get hit like this!"

She slapped his shoulder again. "Ew, stop it! "

He pouted a little and kept a finger shushing away his own lips.

"Yes, that's good." She tried to hide her smile. "See, you're so much better when you quietly obey me."

He spoke, the finger still crossed in front of his mouth. "In that case, I'm always better; because I always obey my wife."

"Oh my! Is it?" She raised a brow.

"M-hm." He nodded.

She laughed and shook her head while he kept staring at her, brown eyes melting like dark honey and lips in a strange admiring smirk.

She stopped. "What?"

"What?"

"Stop looking like that."

"Like what?"

"Like... Just..." She couldn't find the right words, despite trying to collect her thoughts as much as she could.
"Mitter Babu; Just... Don't get stuck in me so much."

He forgot to breathe for a second. Had Kaaki slipped out something to her?
"What do you mean?"

She looked down. "I mean... You know... You're getting really touchy and all about me... It's not good."

"Why?"

She frowned. "Don't you understand?? You- you'll be suffering more later!"

"I don't understand. And- I think you're unwell again." He declared stroking on her hair with a shaky hand.

"No, I'm alright. I-" However, he was right. She was feeling dizzy and heavy again.

"Wait, sleep here properly first." He helped her lie back on the bed.

She held onto his hand while he continued stroking her hair with the other, sitting besides her.

"I- I was saying... Afterwards... You..." Her speech driveled and slurred.

"Shh... We'll talk later. Sleep now."

"When I'm not there..."

"Sindhu, that's it! Sleep now!..." He said alarmed.

"No, Listen!... You..."

"Will you listen to me for once?! Please sleep quietly!... Please!"

"If... When... When I... die..."

"Rosogolla! Stop!" He pressed her hand anxiously.

She didn't say anything more and her eyes drooped. Probably blacked out.

He sighed and removed the fingers clasped around his hand. Getting up and turning the light switch off, he slipped onto the bed by her side and pulled the blanket on both of them. He just lay there for several minutes, without batting an eye. Without gathering enough strength to close his eyes.
She knows.