Written in stars (Discontinued)

Naina

Chandhini walked into the main hall after Ataya ji. Her face showed her tiredness. She noticed that Advay was sitting with Ayi. She greeted them and then, sat down on an empty chair. Ataya ji sat beside Khushi. As usual Ataya ji wore the light color clothes with  mala (praying beads)in her hand. 

Advay who had just finished his breakfast, nodded in reply. He noticed the fatigue visible on her face; his anger mounted but he could not say anything to ataya ji. The only option was to let ayi deal with her. He quietly moved forward and took blessings from Ataya ji.

Khushi asked the servant to bring fresh lemonade for Chandhini and Ataya ji.

Ataya ji looked at Advay,'' How's your work going?''

Advay,'' Good.''

Ataya ji smiled proudly,'' Good deeds don't go to waste. You have always listened to your elders. You will only get success.''  She looked in anger at Chandhini from the corner of her eyes,''which is rare in this era.'' She was interrupted by the servant who handed her a glass of lemonade. 

Chandhini ignored the jibe and took the lemonade glass, now being offered to her by the servant. 

Advay had understood the taunt and was about to say something but Khushi quickly said,'' Advay, you needed to attend a phone conference. It's time. Go now to your room. Chandhini, you must be tired. Go and rest. Take your lunch in your room today.''

Chandhini nodded and put the glass on the table. She had barely taken few sips. She felt to tired to eat or drink anything. 

Advay got up and waited for her and then, together they went upstairs. 

Ataya ji,'' How will she rest if he is on phone?''

Khushi hadn't really thought about the excuse she was making. Her aim had been to just send them away before a fight happened between Ataya ji and Advay. But looking at the astute face of her sister in law; she realized that she should say the truth. 

she reached forward and grabbed the glass Chandhini had left,'' She didn't drink it fully. Her appetite is bad too. Since, she fell ill. It has been same. Your brother, I, Veer, everyone is really worried.''

Ataya frowned.

Khushi,'' We didn't want to worry you but the truth is that Chandhini came back after touching the death. It was all due to bad medicine reaction. Her mood swings, the fights. All of those things were because of the side effect of that medicine. We did not know or understood. But now, she is willing to have a baby. Its just that she is still not well.''

Ataya had a shocked expression on her face and she quickly started rolling the mala beads,'' why didn't you tell me earlier?''

Khushi,'' Arnav didn't want you to worry. You were doing your pre-scheduled meditation. It seemed wrong to interrupt you. Chandhini has lost a lot of weight and will need time to recover. But she is not hungry and sleeps less due to some medicines which she still needs to take.''

Ataya ji nodded silently. Her lips moving as she did jaap.

Khushi,'' I know that you only have her good at your heart but her condition is not well. So, if there is any help needed for puja, then you can tell me.''

Ataya nodded. She understood what Khushi was trying to tell her. If she had known the full situation;then, she wouldn't have disturbed Chandhini.

Khushi knew that she didn't need to say anything more about the topic,'' So, what do you want to have for lunch?'' 

...............

Advay waited until he and Chandhini were away from the sight of ayi and Ataya ji. Then, he reached forward and picked Chandhini up in her arm.

Chandhini who was feeling tired, suddenly felt herself being picked up and looked up at Advay. Then, she looked instinctively toward ayi,'' What are you doing?'' She hissed in a low voice. 

Advay quietly told her,'' Advay aviation service Ma'am. Specially for you.'' He quickly carried her upstairs. 

Chandhini felt an urge to smile, her tiredness melting away at his sweet words. She moved her right arm and wrapped it around his shoulder. Her touched his shoulder blade. she lightly moved her fingers on it,'' Oh, what are the charges?''

Advay finsihed climbing the stairs and started to move down the hall toward their room,''Its free Ma'am. Charges will incur on future services.''

Chandhini finally smiled and said,'' So, no hidden cost this time?''

Advay felt himself relax as he watched her smiling face,'' No.''

They had reached the room, so he asked her to open the door as his hands were occupied by her.

Chandhini reached forward with her left hand and opened the door. 

He carried her into the room, moving his foot to close the door behind him. Then, he walked over and laid her gently on bed. Then, he straightened and went to close the curtains. 

Chandhini,'' what are you doing?''

Advay,'' putting you to sleep.''

Chandhini raised a brow and saw him turn of the light. Now, room was nearly dark. Chandhini felt peace. There was something very soothing about a dark, cool room in a hot afternoon.

 Advay came and laid down next to her. Then, he leaned toward her and looked at her face,'' close your eyes.'' With his fingers he gently touched her eye lids,'' close them and go to sleep.''

Chandhini closed her eyes,'' I don't think that I can sleep. I feel too tired to sleep.''

Advay smiled as memories rose in his mind. He sat up and grabbed her legs and put them on his lap and started to massage her legs. 

chandhini was shocked, and she quickly tried to remove her legs but he held on,'' This is not the first time. So, why are you shocked?''

Chandhini felt that it was not right. He was her husband,'' Advay, I will call a servant. Please, don't do it.''

Advay was quiet, then he said,'' when you had learned to run. You would play all day. We all used to get tired to keep up with you. But at night, you would cry because only then you would feel your own tiredness. We all used to take turn to massage your legs, to make you sleep.''

Chandhini never knew about it,''Sorry, I was a troublesome kid.''

Advay smiled,'' No. You were the best kid in world.'' There was suddenly a melancholy in his voice,''You were the first person for whom I took responsibility.''

He suddenly looked at her face and then said,'' I wonder how will our kids be? will they be naughty like you or serious like me?''

Chandhini closed her eyes as feelings overwhelmed her heart,'' I don't know.'' she just wished that he or she will have better luck than her.

Advay seemed to understand her mood. He let go of  her legs and laid down next to her and wrapped his arms around her,'' Did I made you sad again?''

Chandhini,'' No.''

Advay kissed her on cheek,'' Sorry.''

Chandhini opened her eyes and leaned into his chest,'' There is no need.''

Advay breathed in her strawberry scent and didn't say anything further. Slowly, her eyes closed and comforted by his warmth; she fell asleep. 

Advay quietly stayed awake, looking at her sleeping face.