Infinite Times

27.

Happy Diwali, my sweet sweet
cutie pies 💗.
I hope you all are doing well and enjoying the diwali.

AYUSHMAAN

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I looked up in surprise and said, “Maa?”

There she was, standing in the doorway with my wife by her side. Maa had this look on her face, one she used to give me as a kid when she’d catch me sneaking candy—half amused, half disapproving. And as for my wife? She stood there with a proud little smirk, clearly feeling victorious.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my expression neutral and composed. No way was I going to let them see me flustered.

“Ayush, give her back her phone,” Maa said with a hint of amusement in her voice.

I shook my head, holding the phone a little tighter. But when I looked back, my wife’s smirk had disappeared. She was now putting on the saddest, most innocent face, looking up at Maa with wide, pleading eyes.

“Maa, dekhiye na,” she said in a voice that could make anyone feel guilty. “I asked him nicely, and he still wouldn’t give it back! He even said that in my sasural, I’m not allowed to use my phone or just sit around doing nothing.”

I nearly choked. I hadn’t said anything like that! She was really laying it on thick, making herself look like the poor, mistreated one. I had to bite back a smile; I had to admit, she was pretty good at this little act.

Maa gave me a look, crossing her arms. “Ayush, what’s all this? How could you say something like that to my daughter? She doesn’t need to follow such silly rules, even if it’s sasural. Now, hand over the phone, right now.”

Her tone left no room for argument. Resigned, I reached into my pocket, took out the phone, and handed it back. My wife accepted it with a sweet smile, looking at me with an expression that said, Better luck next time. She then turned and went to the closet, while Maa gave me one last disapproving look before heading out of the room.

Once they were gone, I settled onto the sofa, knowing my wife would come back soon to confront me. Sure enough, a few minutes later, she came stomping over, her cute little face scrunched up in an angry pout. It took everything in me not to laugh.

“Why did you delete it?” she demanded, crossing her arms. “And how did you even know my password?”

I stood up slowly, walking over until I was right in front of her. I could see her trying to keep up her brave, angry expression, but I knew she was starting to feel a bit flustered.

I reached for her hand, looking directly into her eyes. “Maybe you shouldn’t tell people your password so openly,” I said with a smirk. “You know, walls have ears. And as for the video? Well, it’s my video, so I get to decide where it stays.”

She blinked, looking both surprised and annoyed. I couldn’t help but smile a little as I took her phone back and changed the password, making sure she wouldn’t get caught out like that again.

“Hm,” I said, handing it back to her. “Now you know—you shouldn’t go around sharing your password with everyone. Honestly, it feels like I’m teaching an eight-year-old sometimes.”

She glared up at me, clearly not liking that comparison. “I’m not a child,” she said firmly, her voice full of determination.