ENCHANTED - BY INNOCENCE (ongoing)

61

This chapter has 3200+ words and ends with a question so make sure you read till the end ❤️

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*** Vinod ***

"Who was it?" I asked as Shanthi closed the door.

"Ms. Kusuma," she replied, holding up the saree in her hand. "She returned this."

"Why?" I asked, my mind immediately running through all the possible reasons. "Do you think this is the snake's strategy to—"

"She went against her husband to give this back to me," she interrupted, "There isn't any strategy."

"What?" I asked, surprised. "Went against her husband? Ms. Kusuma, of all people? Why?" I almost whispered to myself.

"Because she has a good heart," Shanthi replied.

"I wouldn't doubt that," I said knowingly.

Her kindness was well known even among the soldiers. She used to give us sweets and snacks during our time at the intellectuals' compound.

"Do you want to burn this too?" Shanthi asked innocently, interrupting my thoughts as she looked at the saree.

"No... no, sweetheart," I immediately replied. "I think I overreacted. Let's put these back and not make any impulsive decisions—at least not until we know we're in real danger."

"Really?" Her face instantly lit up with a smile. "Thank you, Vinnu," she said, hugging me.

"And..." I said, pulling her back, guilt creeping in for my earlier behavior, "I'm sorry I yelled at you. I was overwhelmed and didn't know what to do."

"Yeah, that was harsh," she whispered.

"Anything I can do to make it up to you?" I asked sincerely. "Do you want to yell at me to compensate?"

She shook her head and held out her palms.

"Draw a peacock," she demanded slowly.

"Sure," I smiled, taking her hands and kissing them. "But let's have dinner first—so the design doesn't keep you hungry."

She shook her head.

"Draw a peacock and feed me with your own hands," she insisted. "Shower me with enough love to make up for the anger."

"As you command, my lovely wife," I replied with a loving smile. "I will draw peacocks, feed you with my own hands, and..." I purposely paused, looking her up and down, "...shower you with enough love to compensate," I whispered.

"That is not what I—"

"Nuh-uh, no takebacks," I interrupted, and she smiled, blushing.

"I'll get the alta," I said, kissing her forehead before leaving, though a part of me still wondered... How would Kusuma Bhabhisa handle her husband's anger? I was sure he wouldn't be pleased with her actions...

*** Kusuma ***

I paced back and forth, nerves twisting inside me as I waited for my husband.

Ideally, I'd want him to not notice anything about the saree, but I knew that wouldn't be the case. He had sharp eyes and a brilliant mind. I was sure he'd spent his entire day on the lookout for similar designs. And God forbid he found one anywhere... he'd want to come home and decode the script.

I didn't even know if it was a script. I didn't even know why I went against him to help Ms. Shanthi. It just felt right. And I didn't know what made me think I could handle my husband... it just felt... like I could.