RESTART

chapter 12

It had been three months since Jeevika and Abhiman had gotten married, and while their relationship was slowly progressing, there was still much to explore between them. The moments they shared were filled with warmth and care, but both knew there was still room to grow—especially as Jeevika was also preoccupied with finding out more about her past life and the betrayals that had led to her death.

One morning, while they were seated at the breakfast table with Abhiman's family, his mother brought up a suggestion that caught everyone’s attention.

"Abhiman," his mother said, setting her tea down and looking at him with a knowing smile. "Tumhe yaad hai na, tumhara London ka business trip aane wala hai? Teen mahine ke liye? Toh maine socha… kyon na Jeevika bhi tumhare saath chale?"

Jeevika looked up from her cup of tea, surprised. "Main? London?"

His mother nodded. "Haan, tum dono shaadi ke baad kahin gaye bhi toh nahi. It could be like a honeymoon. Tum dono thoda waqt bhi saath mein bita sakte ho, aur Abhiman ka kaam bhi ho jayega."

Jeevika felt her cheeks grow warm at the mention of a honeymoon, and she quickly glanced at Abhiman, who was smiling softly to himself.

Before Jeevika could respond, Veer jumped in, grinning from ear to ear. "Honeymoon! Ab toh maza aayega! Bhabhi, aap aur Abhiman bhaiya London ja rahe ho honeymoon manane!"

Jeevika’s face flushed a deeper shade of red, and she quickly shook her head. "Arre, Veer, aisa kuch nahi hai. Yeh bas ek trip hai, aur unka business ka kaam bhi hai."

But Veer wasn't ready to let it go. "Business ke naam pe honeymoon! Bhai, yeh toh ekdum solid plan hai! Ab London mein sab romantic jagah ghoomne ka chance milega bhabhi ko. Abhiman bhaiya ka kaam toh secondary hai!"

Riddhi, not one to miss a chance to join in on the fun, smirked. "Haan bhabhi, Veer bilkul sahi keh raha hai. London ka mausam, romantic jagah… aur tum dono… wah wah!"

Jeevika buried her face in her hands, her embarrassment evident. "Tum log bas mazaak bana rahe ho," she muttered, trying to ignore the heat rising to her cheeks.

Veer leaned closer, teasing her even more. "Arre bhabhi, sach mein! Ab aap socho, ek sundar sa evening walk London ke parks mein, Abhiman bhaiya aapka haath pakad ke chal rahe honge… aur phir koi romantic dinner bhi!"

Riddhi added, "Aur phir Thames ke paas boat ride… chandni raat mein! Kitna cute hoga na, bhabhi?"

Jeevika was speechless, her mind swirling with both the teasing and the idea of spending three months with Abhiman in a completely new city. "Tum dono bas karo," she managed to say, but the teasing continued.

Through all this, Jeevika noticed Abhiman sitting quietly, watching the entire exchange with an amused smile. He didn't seem bothered by their teasing—in fact, it looked like he was enjoying it.

Abhiman finally leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a playful smirk. "Toh, Jeevika… tumhare khayal se yeh honeymoon wala plan kaisa hai?"

Jeevika shot him a look, still trying to compose herself. "Tum bhi Abhiman?"

He chuckled softly and leaned closer, his voice low enough for only her to hear. "Main toh bas dekh raha hoon ki tum itna sharmana kyun ho… kya tumhe London mein mere saath thoda romantic time bitaane ka mann nahi hai?"

Jeevika’s heart skipped a beat. She could hear the teasing in his voice, but there was also something sincere in the way he asked. She looked away, trying to hide the smile that tugged at her lips. "Mujhe toh bas tumhare kaam ka soch ke tension ho raha hai."

Veer, overhearing their little exchange, chimed in again. "Arre bhabhi, tension lene ka nahi, dene ka! Abhiman bhaiya ka kaam toh waise bhi set hai. Tum bas unko apni romance waali training do!"

Riddhi laughed and clapped her hands. "Haan bhabhi, waise bhi tum hi toh sab kuch karti ho! Romance bhi tumhe sikhana padega!"

Jeevika glared playfully at them both. "Tum log kabhi nahi sudhroge!"

Abhiman, clearly enjoying all of this, finally decided to step in. "Theek hai, Veer, Riddhi. Tum logon ne bahut mazaak kar liya. Ab main apni biwi ko bataa doonga ki honeymoon ho ya na ho, hum London mein acha waqt zaroor bitayenge."

Veer and Riddhi groaned in mock disappointment, but they couldn't wipe the smiles off their faces.

Jeevika looked at Abhiman, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves about the trip ahead. While she still had so much on her mind—especially about her past life—there was a part of her that was looking forward to spending more time with him, away from everything else. It would be a break from the constant questions and a chance to focus on the present, on their relationship.

"Toh, tay hai?" Abhiman asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Tum mere saath London chal rahi ho?"

Jeevika took a deep breath, smiling softly as she nodded. "Haan, chal rahi hoon."

And with that, the teasing turned into reality. They were going on their first trip together—a mini vacation, honeymoon, and business trip all wrapped into one. Whatever lay ahead, Jeevika knew that these three months would bring them closer and perhaps, even offer her the clarity she had been seeking.