The Love In Marriage

13-

Keerthi stirred the chicken,her concentration not wavering,as she added the needed spices into it, waiting for it to turn soft.

"I can make it if you want Ma'am",Lahari, the Rathores' cook,a middle aged lady offered.

"No,no. It's alright", Keerthi smiled,she didn't want anyone else's contribution. She wanted to make everything.

Her everything meant Tandoori Chicken ,Apollo fish in starters, Chicken Biryani and Lemon Chicken in main course and a Chocolate Sundae in dessert.

"Okay",Lahari smiled,"But please call me me if you need something", as she got on with her other works.

Keerthi placed the rice in layers,the rich scent of spices filing the kitchen.

"Smells good. What's cooking?"Sakshi asked as she entered the kitchen.

"Um.. I was just making Biryani", Keerthi said shyly.

"Oh. Anything special?",Sakshi teased.

Keerthi smiled shyly,she didn't want to say she was making it for her husband.

"Vikram really likes Biryani ,you know",Sakshi continued teasing, as she glanced at the rice pot,her heart swelling at the tiny gesture her daughter in law was making for her son. She was no fool. Keerthi was obviously making it for Vikram.

"Um.. I didn't know that. I was just making it casually", Keerthi tried,her face flaming,discomfort written on her face at her mother in law's teasing remark.

"Of course",Sakshi humored her,letting Keerthi be as she left the kitchen.

Keerthi felt even more paranoid now. If Vikram liked Biryani a lot,there was a lot of pressure on her to make it well.

"Calm down Keerthi. It's your signature dish. You won't mess it up",she counselled herself.

Keerthi didn't know why she suddenly wanted to make her husband dinner. She almost laughed thinking of what Vikram's expression might be if she says she cooked dinner ,especially for him.

Truth was ,she didn't know why she was cooking.The fact that she felt she wasn't being a good wife forced her to do something in return for Vikram,after all the effort he had put in their relationship. Her ever active mind somehow convinced ,that her husband wasn't so bad.

She could even learn to like him, eventually.

But as of now,she would like to think they were somewhere close to more than mere roommates but less than friends. Keerthi's heart fluttered as she thought of all the times he held her hands, as Keerthi fought unknown feelings,and the single time he had kissed her forehead.

Keerthi's direction of thoughts scared her,but she wanted to see what would follow. Though she was scared,she was also excited now,what her relationship with her husband would turn out to be,given that she wanted to give hundred percent to their relationship now,losing some of her inhibitions.

Vikram descended from the study room,making his way into the living where his parents were seated.

He looked around. "Where's Vihan?"

"He is at Jai's place",Sakshi replied, as she stood up

"Okay",Vikram plopped on the recliner.

Vihan and Jai were childhood friends,best mates.Both of them worked for his father's company.Vikram wouldn't be surprised if his brother didn't show up home that night.

Vikram was occupied in his phone when he looked around. He wondered where his wife was,but didn't give it much thought as he had seen her going into the garden a while back.