I Found You

63.

The living room was a mess, full of bridal essentials, sarees, jewellery boxes, bangles, cosmetics and neatly packed gifts, waiting to be arranged in the designated suitcase.

Adhira sat cross legged on the floor, packing the sarees in a big open suitcase beside her.

Across from her, Devika was arranging the bangles with the dresses, while on the other hand, Ashi was occupied with arranging gift hampers and adding ribbons on it.

"Yuvaan, exactly in five minutes give the phone back to Bua." Devika's voice held a firm edge as she turned towards her son, who lay sprawled on the sofa, completely engrossed in his game.

"Ten minutes, Mumma." He protested, his eyes glued to the screen.

Devika sighed, shaking her head before returning back to her task. "Maa, should we pack the lehenga along with the sarees or keep it separately?"

"No," Amrita replied from the chair nearby, observing everything with her experienced, keen eyes. "It would be sent separately."

"Gudiya," She adjusted her glasses, leaning forward with her phone in her hand. "Apni saas ka number nikaal kar de beta."

"I'll remind them again—they have to come early with us to the function hall."

Adhira took the phone from her, quickly dialling the number. "Yeh lijiye." She said, passing it back.

As the women continued to do their tasks, their soft conversation filled the room until Adhira's phone rang in Yuvaan's hands.

Barely glancing at the screen, he noticed Vikram's picture flashing before pressing the green button and putting the call on speaker.

"Bua," He called out, approaching Adhira. "Fufaji ka call hai."

Before she could grab the phone, Vikram's deep voice rumbled through the room.

"What's my baby doing?"

Silence.

A moment of stillness before realisation crashed into Adhira like a tidal wave. Heat surged up her neck, fingers scrambling to turn off the speaker.

Ashi and Devika burst into laughter at her reaction while Taiji pressed her lips in a thin line to suppress a smile.

"Hello," Pressing the phone to her ear, she hastily moved into her room, closing the door half way behind her.

"You blush a lot." His voice held a teasing lilt and she could almost picture the smirk playing on his lips.

She rolled her eyes, sinking onto the edge of her bed. "You called me barely an hour ago. Aapko office mein koi kaam nahi hain?"

A low chuckle rumbled through the other end. "Kaam toh hai par dhyaan nahi hai."

"Accept kar." He said, switching to video call.

His lips curled up immediately as his gaze met hers through the screen. Adhira could notice him lounging back in his chair, his tie loosened, the top two button of his shirt undone, giving a peak of his chest.

Unbothered. Unapologetic.

"I've been sitting here, trying to focus on work but all I can think about is how I'd be devouring you tomorrow night."