The sun was mellow when Yudhveer and Lakshya returned in the afternoon.

Dust on their shoes, the smell of the fields still on their clothes.

Yudhveer walked straight to his room.

He had missed her.

But the room was empty.

No saree rustling.

No soft humming.

No presence.

His brows pulled together.

He checked the kitchen—

Also empty.

Then he heard it—

Yagya's loud laughter floating in from the garden.

Of course.

She must be with the child.

He walked out, and the scene before him made him stop at the doorway:

Yagya was chasing Lakshya, tiny feet thumping on the grass.

Lakshya was holding the toy car high above his head.

"Dum hai to le ke dikha, chotu!"

["Catch me if you can, little one!"]

Yagya tried, giggling at first...

But then frustration bubbled up, and his voice cracked—

"De do na, Chachu..."

["Give it back, Uncle..."]

But Lakshya was enjoying too much.

He raised the car higher and teased again.

Yagya's face scrunched up.

He turned to his mother, eyes watery.

"Maa... Chachu ko bolo na de dene!"

["Mama... tell Uncle to give it back!"]

Before Vamika could answer, Lakshya smirked,

"Ohh... Maa ka laadla. Humesha Maa ke paas jaa ke rota rehta hai."

["Aww... Mama's boy. Always runs to Mama to cry."]

This time, Yagya felt insulted.

He suddenly ran faster, determination replacing his tears.

Seeing this, Vamika burst into laughter, hand covering her mouth.

And Yudhveer saw it.

A strange mix hit him—

Warmth that his wife was laughing...

But a sting in his chest that his brother was the one making her laugh.

He clenched his jaw.

He knew he was being extra insecure.

But he also couldn't help it.

Yagya soon grew tired, panting heavily, tiny chest rising and falling fast.

Softly, Vamika called out—

"Yagya beta, mere paas aa jaa."

["Yagya darling, come to me."]

But he shook his head stubbornly.

"Nahi Maa... main gaadi le kar hi aaunga!"

["No Mama... I'll get the car back first!"]

He was determined... but exhausted.

Vamika could see the wobble in his legs.

So she said gently, politely—

"Lakshya ji... bas abhi usse gaadi de dijiye. Woh thak gaya hai. Aap nahi denge to yeh baat nahi manega... daudta hi rahega."

["Lakshya ji... please give him the car now. He's tired. If you don't, he won't listen—he'll keep running."]

Lakshya gave Yagya a teasing look.

"Yeh le, pakad.

Teri Maa ne kaha isliye de raha hoon... dramebaaz."

["Here, take it.

Your Mama asked, so I'm giving it... you little drama king."]

He handed the toy car to the boy—

then scooped Yagya up in his arms in one smooth motion.

Carrying the child, Lakshya walked towards Vamika.

He sat down right beside her on the garden swing.

And from afar, Yudhveer's eyes narrowed just slightly.

Lakshya gently tried to start a conversation with her.

He softly said, "Bhabhi?"

Vamika looked up from adjusting Yagya's toy and replied,

"Ji?"

["Yes?"]

Lakshya hesitated for a moment, scratching the back of his neck.

"Ek baat poochu aapse?"

["Can I ask you something?"]

Vamika gave a small smile.

"Puchiye na."

["Please ask."]

Lakshya asked carefully,

"Aapki umra kitni hain? Matlab agar aapko nahi batana ho to theek hain."

["How old are you? I mean... if you don't want to say, that's okay."]

Vamika smiled shyly.

"Main 19 ki hoon... ek hafte mein 20 ki ho jaungi."

["I'm 19... I'll turn 20 in a week."]

Lakshya's eyes widened slightly.

"Kya aap 19 ki ho? Itni chhoti?"

["You're 19? So young?"]

Vamika nodded.

"Ji."

["Yes."]

Lakshya didn't push further.

But Vamika herself asked politely,

"Aapki umar kya hain?"

["And how old are you?"]

Lakshya said,

"Main 25 ka hoon."

["I'm 25."]

Vamika blinked.

"Acha... to aap unse 7 saal chhote hain."

["Oh... so you're 7 years younger than him."]

Lakshya nodded.

There was a moment of silence, then, curious ,Vamika asked,

"Woh keh rahe the ki aap doctor hain... aap kis cheez ke doctor hain?"

["He said you're a doctor... what kind of doctor are you?"]

Lakshya nodded.

"Main cardiologist hoon."

["I'm a cardiologist."]

Vamika frowned slightly.

She whispered to herself,

"Car matlab to gaari hoti hain..."

["Car means vehicle..."]

Lakshya heard it and chuckled softly.

"Sahi kaha, car matlab gaari. Lekin main cardiologist hoon—matlab dil ka doctor."

["You're right, 'car' means vehicle. But I'm a cardiologist—meaning a heart doctor."]

Vamika blushed in embarrassment and looked away.

She quickly tried to get up from the swing.

"Aap baithiye... main aati hoon."

["You sit, I'll be right back."]

But as she stood, her foot slipped on the edge of the swing.

Her heart jumped—she gasped—

Lakshya immediately caught her arm.

"Sambhal ke, bhabhi!"

["Careful, sister-in-law!"]

Vamika nodded quickly, still shaken.

At that very moment, Yudhveer arrived from behind the garden gate.

He saw Lakshya holding her, stabilizing her.

A wave of gratitude hit him—

followed immediately by anger at her carelessness.

His voice thundered,

"Sambhal ke nahi reh sakti tu?"

["Can't you be a little careful?"]

Vamika flinched.

Lakshya immediately intervened,

"Bhaiya, jaane dijiye—"

["Bhaiya, let it go—"]

But Yudhveer snapped,

"Tu beech mein mat bol!"

["You don't interfere!"]

He turned to Vamika, frustration pouring out:

"Yeh bohot chanchal hai! Isko kitni baar mana kiya hai—aisi haalat mein jhoole mein nahi baithne!"

["She's so restless! I've told her so many times—don't sit on the swing in this condition!"]

"Ek baat nahi sunti yeh! Na apna dhyan hain, aur na bacche ka!"

["She doesn't listen to anything! No care for herself or the baby!"]

"Jis din ek durghatana ghategi, us din sukoon milega isse!"

["The day an accident happens, only then she will understand!"]

Vamika's eyes filled with tears—

from the scolding, and the humiliation of it happening in front of Lakshya.

Yudhveer scoffed, annoyed,

"Ab kuch bhi bol do to iska rona shuru ho jata hai. Hadd hoti hai."

["Say anything and she starts crying. There's a limit."]

Vamika was about to leave.

But Yudhveer grabbed her wrist.

"Ab kahan ja rahi hai?"

["Where are you going now?"]

Vamika whispered, trembling,

"Rasoi mein..."

["To the kitchen..."]

He snapped,

"Koi zarurat nahi hai. Kamre mein jaa."

["No need. Go to the room."]

He released her hand.

She silently walked away.

Once she was gone, Lakshya said gently:

"Bhaiya, aapka bhabhi ko daantna jayez tha... aap unke ache ke liye hi bol rahe the. Lekin aapko unhe mere samne nahi daantna chahiye tha."

["Brother, scolding her was justified... you're saying it for her good.

But you shouldn't scold her in front of me."]

Yudhveer exhaled heavily.

"Haan pata hai... lekin jab woh aisi laparwahi karti hai na... to main dar jaata hoon."

["I know... but when she is this careless... I panic."]

His voice softened with real fear.

"Mujhe soch kar hi darr lagta hai—agar usse ya bacche ko kuch ho jaye...yeh sochte hi main apna aapa kho deta hoon."

["Just imagining something happening to her or the baby terrifies me.

I lose control."]

Lakshya raised an eyebrow dramatically.

"Yudhveer bhaiya... aap to apni biwi ke pyaar mein pagal ho gaye ho."

["Brother... you've gone mad in love with your wife."]

Yudhveer actually smiled.

"Bohot pyaar karta hoon usse main."

["I love her a lot."]

Lakshya smirked.

"Woh dikh raha hai, bhaiya..."

["I can clearly see that..."]

Then he teased,

"Aap to kehte the kabhi shaadi nahi karoge?"

["You used to say you'd never marry."]

Yudhveer chuckled softly.

"Lekin tere bhabhi ko dekh ke maine apna nirnay badal diya."

["But after seeing your sister-in-law, I changed my decision."]

Lakshya added playfully,

"Haan woh to badalna hi padta... bhabhi itni sundar jo hain."

["Obviously you'd change it... she's so beautiful."]

Yudhveer's smile instantly died.

A dark possessiveness flickered in his eyes.

But Lakshya didn't notice and continued joking:

"Bhabhi ko to aapne le liya... ab bhabhi ki koi behen wagerah ho to batao."

["You already took sister-in-law... now tell me if she has a sister."]

Yudhveer stared at him, expression turning stone-cold.

Lakshya laughed,

"Kya? Main bhi ek khubsurat biwi deserve karta hoon!"

["What? I also deserve a beautiful wife!"]

Yudhveer said in a completely serious tone:

"Phir dhoond le apne liye."

["Then find one for yourself."]

Lakshya sighed dramatically.

"Huh swarthi aadmi."

["Huh selfish man."]

Yudhveer didn't reply.

He simply turned and walked straight towards his room— to his wife, who was crying alone.

Yudhveer walked into the room and stopped.

Vamika was sitting on the edge of the bed, head lowered, wiping her tears silently.

A sharp pain stabbed through his chest seeing her like that.

He closed the door quietly and approached her.

"Chand..."

No response.

He knelt in front of her.

"Babu... meri taraf dekh."

["Baby... look at me."]

She didn't.

Her voice came out broken,

"Aap humesha daante rehte hain... kamre mein bhi... aur baahar dusro ke saamne bhi..."

["You always scold me... in the room... and also outside, in front of others..."]

Another tear fell.

"Meri bhi koi izzat hain..."

["I also have some dignity..."]

Her words hit him like a slap.

Slowly, gently, Yudhveer leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her—

pulling her into his chest.

"Arey baba... galti ho gayi mujhse..."

["Hey baby... I made a mistake..."]

He stroked her back, voice softening.

"Mujhe aise nahi daantna chahiye tha."

["I shouldn't have scolded you like that."]

Vamika sniffled, pulling back slightly.

Her eyes were swollen.

"Nahi... aap humesha yahi kehte ho...

lekin dusre din phir se daante ho..."

["No... you always say this...

but the next day you scold me again..."]

That stung him.

He cupped her face tenderly with both hands, lifting her chin so she had to look at him.

"Toh tere aur humare bacche ke ache ke liye hi bolta hoon na?"

["But I say it only for your's and our baby's good, right?"]

He wiped the corner of her eye with his thumb.

"Ek aisi baat bata de... jo tum dono ke ache ke liye nahi boli ho maine."

["Tell me one thing I said that wasn't for you two."]

His voice dropped, rough with emotion.

"Mera tareeka galat hota hai babu... lekin main sab tumhare hi ache ke liye bolta hoon."

["My method is wrong, baby... but everything I say is for your good."]

His hands tightened around her face protectively.

"Ab bhagwan na kare...agar kuch ulta-sidha ho jaye...

toh tu samajh rahi hai kya hoga?"

["Now if God forbid something wrong happens...

do you understand what will happen?"]

"Sabse zyada nuksaan humara hi hoga."

["We will be the ones who suffer the most."]

Vamika's lips quivered again.

She lowered her gaze, sniffling softly.

Seeing her still crying, Yudhveer sighed helplessly.

Then he reached into his pocket.

"Dekh... tere liye kya laya hoon."

["Look... what I brought for you."]

He took out a small handful of imli candies—her favorite.

He placed them in front of her eyes.

"Yeh dekh... tujhe khaani thi na? Tere liye laya hoon."

["See this... you wanted these, right? I brought them for you."]

He extended the candies towards her, and with his other hand gently wiped her tears.

"Aise nahi rote babu..."

["Don't cry like this, baby..."]

But Vamika kept her hands on her lap, not taking them.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Tujhe nahi chahiye?"

["You don't want them?"]

She stayed silent.

So he decided to tease her.

He stood up dramatically.

"Theek hai... phir main yeh maa ko de aata hoon."

["Alright then... I'll go and give these to mother."]

He turned to leave—

But Vamika instantly grabbed the back of his kurta with both hands.

A soft, childlike voice escaped her trembling throat:

"Nahi... mujhe khaani hain..."

["No... I want to eat them..."]

Yudhveer almost smiled at her cute reaction—

but he held it back, not wanting to ruin the seriousness of the moment.

He turned back, sat beside her, and quietly held out the candies again.

She stared at them... then slowly reached out her hand.

He placed them in her palm gently, as if handing her something priceless.

Vamika held the imli candies tightly in her small palm, her fingers trembling slightly.

Yudhveer watched her with soft eyes, then gently pulled her closer by her shoulders.

Without asking, he wrapped her into his chest again—

a warm, protective embrace.

Her forehead rested against his chest, her breath still shaky.

He whispered into her hair:

"Bas... ab rona band."

["Enough... now stop crying."]

His hand stroked her back slowly.

For a moment, silence settled between them.

But the next second—

Vamika suddenly winced, her body jerking slightly.

Yudhveer instantly loosened his hold, his expression turning serious.

"Kya hua?"

["What happened?"]

Vamika took a small breath and said softly, placing a hand on her side,

"Bache ne laat maari."

["The baby kicked."]

Yudhveer's eyes softened immediately, all his anger melting away.

He stepped closer, voice gentling.

"Kahan?"

["Where?"]

Vamika held his hand gently, guided it towards the spot, and pressed his palm against the place the baby had kicked.

Yudhveer caressed that area slowly, his rough thumb moving in soothing circles over her saree.

He leaned closer and murmured to her belly—

"Kyu tang kar raha hain maa ko? Ek baar nikal tu... bas, phir dikhata hoon tujhe.... sara badla lunga main."

["Why are you troubling your mother? Just come out once... I'll take all the revenge like this."]

Vamika couldn't help it—she laughed softly, the sound warm, affectionate, full of love.

She looked up at him and teased,

"Baccha aur baap dono ek jaise... sirf mujhe tang karte rehte ho."

["Both the baby and the father are the same... always troubling only me."]

Yudhveer's lips curved, a rare, warm smile forming as he kept caressing her belly carefully, protectively, almost reverently.

_______________________

Everyone sat down for dinner.

Vamika quietly served her food—just one roti and some sabzi—thinking it would be enough.

But before she could finish even half of it, another hot roti landed on her plate.

She looked up instantly.

Yudhveer.

Expression absolutely unreadable.

Vamika whispered softly,

"Bus aur nahi... pet bhar gaya hain mera."

["No more... my stomach is full."]

She pushed the plate slightly away, trying to reason with him.

Without looking at her, he said in a firm, strict tone—

"Bhool mat... do jano ka khana kha rahi hain tu."

["Don't forget... you're eating for two people."]

Vamika's lips parted in disbelief.

She looked at the extra roti like it was a mountain she had to climb.

She muttered under her breath,

"Aap bhi na..."

["You're impossible..."]

But she picked up the roti anyway.

Yudhveer glanced at her once—sharp but caring—and she immediately sat straighter and continued eating.

A few minutes later, she again muttered softly,

"Khila khila ke mota bana doge mujhe..."

["You'll make me fat with all this feeding..."]

Yudhveer's eyebrow lifted.

"Kya bol rahi thi?"

["What did you just say?"]

Vamika instantly swallowed her words.

"Kuch nahi."

["Nothing."]

She quietly finished her plate, obedient like a small child forced to eat extra food.

Soon the dinner was done, and the quiet after the meal settled over the house. The clatter of plates faded, the murmured conversations dissolved into the back rooms, and one by one, the family retired for the night.

Inside their bedroom, the air was warm, fragrant, wrapped in a soft orange-gray glow. The single golden lamp dimmed the room in a gentle haze. Shadows moved softly across the walls.

Vamika sat at the edge of the bed, one hand resting over her stomach, her breaths slow. Her body ached — the long day and the weight of pregnancy had woven a dull heaviness into her muscles.

Yudhveer stepped inside.

He noticed everything instantly.

Her posture.

Her silence.

Her tiredness.

He walked to her without a word and knelt in front of her.

"Dard ho raha hai, na?"

["Your body is hurting, isn't it?"]

She nodded faintly.

"Thoda... poore din ki thakaan jam gayi hai."

["A little... whole day's exhaustion has settled into my body."]

He touched her knee gently — warm, reassuring.

"Main hoon na."

["I'm here."]

He guided her gently to lie on her side.

His hands moved slowly — respectful, careful — beginning at her shoulders. His thumbs pressed tender circles into her tense muscles, lifting the strain away with patience and quiet devotion.

She exhaled, a long, trembling breath.

"Yeh... bahut achha lag raha hai."

["This... feels so good."]

"Aaj tu bohot thak gayi hai. Main sara dard utaar dunga."

["You've gotten so tired today. I'll take away every ache."]

His fingers moved down her back, tracing warmth into each knot of pain.

He wasn't rushing.

He wasn't demanding.

He was present — fully, deeply, entirely with her.

He massaged down her arms, over the curves that held the new life inside her, memorizing every rise and fall of her breath.

Vamika's eyes fluttered, melting into the sensation, her tension unraveling under his touch.

The stillness deepened between them — not empty, but full.

Warm.

Soft.

Alive.

The warm, fragrant oil had done its work, easing the deep aches in Vamika's lower back.

But Yudhveer's hands did not still. They gentled, their motion shifting from therapeutic to something more intimate.

His palms smoothed over the beautiful, pronounced curve of her hips, his touch one of pure reverence.

He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her bare shoulder.

Yudhveer whispered, his voice a low, husky rumble against her skin, "Tu kitni khoobsurat hain, Chand... jitne hafte guzar rahe hain, teri chamak badhti hi ja rahi hai." ["You are so beautiful, Vamika... with each passing week, your glow only increases."]

A shiver, entirely pleasant, ran through her.

She turned her head to look at him, her eyes soft with love and desire. "Yeh sab aapke wajah se hai," she breathed out. ["This is all because of you."]

Yudhveer could sense Vamika's desire matching his own; he could feel that she wanted him just as deeply, just as fiercely, as he wanted her.

With a silent, understanding look, he helped her shift onto her knees. He carefully piled soft pillows beneath her belly and chest for support, his movements deliberate and caring.

He nestled behind her, his hands roaming her body in a slow, worshipful prelude.

His fingers traced the sensitive skin of her inner thighs, making her gasp.

"Main kisi se kabhi itna pyar hoga, aise mujhe laga nahi fha," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion as he teased the damp heat between her legs.

["I never knew I could love anyone this much."]

"Ahh...umm!" she moaned, her head falling forward as she pressed back against him, an invitation. "Ab... kripya." ["Now... please."]

He guided himself to her entrance, his hands firm yet gentle on her hips.

"Dheere se, theek hain jaan?" he asked, his voice a tender question. ["Slowly, my love?"]

"Haan," she whispered, her voice trembling with anticipation. ["Yes."]

When he finally, carefully, entered her from behind, it was with a slow, deliberate tenderness that stole her breath.

He filled her completely, a perfect, deep connection that was as much about the soul as it was about the body.

He held her hips, his grip anchoring yet gentle, setting a slow, rocking rhythm that was mindful of the precious life she carried.

"Koi jaldbaazi nahi hai," he promised, his breath warm on her back as he moved with exquisite care. "Sirf hum... aur yeh pal." ["There is no rush. Just us... and this moment."]

"Aise...aise achha lag raha hai," Vamika cried out softly, her voice a mix of pleasure and overwhelming emotion as she met his gentle thrusts. The feeling was profound, a joining that resonated deep within her soul. ["This... this feels so good."]

They moved together in that soft, passionate symphony, his whispers of love and her soft cries the only sounds in the lamplit room. Afterward, as the last tremors of their climax faded, he carefully helped her lie down on her side, spooning behind her. One arm was wrapped protectively over her, his hand splayed across her belly where their child slept.

"Main tum dono se bahut pyar karta hoon," he whispered into her hair, his voice full of sleep and utter contentment.

["I love you both so much."]

Vamika placed her hand over his, lacing their fingers together. "Aur bhi aapse bohut pyaar karte hak," she murmured, already drifting into a peaceful sleep, wrapped in the safety of his love. ["We love you too."]

Yudhveer paused, her confession echoing in his mind, settling somewhere deep in his chest.

For a full heartbeat, he simply looked at her—the woman who had loved him silently for so long.

Then, without a word, he stepped closer.

He cupped the side of her head gently and pressed a slow, lingering kiss to her forehead.

A kiss that wasn't rushed...

A kiss that wasn't casual...

A kiss that told her he had heard every unsaid word she'd been carrying inside her for a year.

His lips stayed there for a moment longer than usual, as if he was trying to pour comfort, gratitude, and something warmer—something more intimate—into her through that single touch.

When he finally pulled back, his breath brushed her skin, Vamika was laying on Yudhveer's bare chest, her breathing still uneven from the intimacy they had shared. Her fingers gently caressed her belly in slow circles, comforting the tiny life inside.

Yudhveer had one arm wrapped tightly around her waist, possessive even in silence.

Suddenly, a thought struck him.

"Chand?"

["Moon?"]

Vamika looked up at him, sleepy eyes soft.

"Kya?"

["What?"]

Yudhveer's brows pulled together slightly as he asked—

"Tu mujhe mere naam se kyu nahi bulati?"

["Why don't you call me by my name?"]

Vamika blinked.

This wasn't expected.

She shifted a little on his chest and said softly—

"Pati ko naam se thodi bulate hain? Apshagun hota hain."

["Wives don't call their husbands by name. It's considered inauspicious."]

Yudhveer scoffed lightly, tightening his arm around her.

"Aisa kuch nahi hota... ek baar mujhe mere naam se pukaar."

["Nothing like that happens... call me by my name once."]

Vamika hit his chest lightly with embarrassment.

"Kya aap bhi... kuch bhi bolte hain."

["What are you saying... you talk nonsense."]

But he wasn't joking.

His voice dipped, firm and expectant—

"Ek baar bula de."

["Say it once."]

Vamika turned shy instantly.

She shook her head.

"Nahi... nahi bol sakti."

["No... I can't say it."]

But Yudhveer was not a man who heard "no" from his wife.

He tilted her chin up with his fingers, eyes holding hers until she couldn't look away.

Finally, hesitantly, she tried—

"Yudh... yudh..."

["Yudh... yudh..."]

Yudhveer's expression changed instantly.

He frowned.

"Yudh... yudh kya kar rahi hain? Yudh karna hain tujhe?"

["What are you doing— 'Yudh... Yudh'? Do you want to fight?"]

Vamika's eyes widened, and she shook her head quickly.

And then, very reluctantly... her voice barely above a whisper—

"Yudhveer ji..."

["Yudhveer ji..."]

Yudhveer froze.

Just for a second.

His chest rose a little deeper, something warm and powerful flickering in his eyes. He liked it—too much. His hand on her waist flexed and pulled her closer.

"Abse tu mujhe aise hi bulaigi."

["From now on, call me exactly like that."]

Vamika's eyes widened immediately.

"Nahi... main aisa nahi kar sakti."

["No... I can't do that."]

He didn't even blink.

"Tujhse puch nahi raha. Bata raha hoon."

["I am not asking you. I am telling you."]

Vamika swallowed hard.

Then she whispered worriedly—

"Ji... Maa ji ko pasand nahi ayega. Wo dantengi mujhe. Phir bahar ka koi sun lega to mujhe hi galat samjhega."

["Your mother won't like it. She'll scold me. If someone outside hears me, they'll think badly of me."]

Yudhveer paused.

He knew she was right.

Outsiders would judge her.

He exhaled deeply, running a hand through her hair.

"...Theek hain."

["...Alright."]

Then he added, more softly but still commanding—

"Tu mujhe humare kamre mein... jab sirf hum dono rahenge... tab mere naam se bulaigi."

["Call me by my name only in our room... only when it's just the two of us."]

Vamika stayed silent.

Not agreeing.

Not refusing.

Yudhveer narrowed his eyes and repeated sternly—

"Samajh mein aaya?"

["Do you understand?"]

Vamika knew there was no way out.

She nodded slowly.

"...Ji."

["...Yes."]

Yudhveer finally relaxed and pulled her back onto his chest, holding her tightly, claiming her as his again.

______________

The morning passed like every other day.

Yudhveer left early for the fields and office work.

Vamika bathed, offered prayers, finished her housework... and then went back to her room.

Little Yagya was playing on the floor with wooden blocks, mumbling to himself.

Vamika sat on the bed, reading the book Yudhveer had given her.

Just then—

"Bhabhi?"

["Sister-in-law?"]

Lakshya stood at the door, bored, hands in his pockets.

Vamika looked up and adjusted her dupatta.

"Ji, kahiye?"

["Yes, tell me?"]

Lakshya asked politely—

"Kya main andar aa sakta hoon?"

["May I come in?"]

She nodded quickly.

"Haan haan Lakshya ji, aaiye na."

["Yes yes Lakshya ji, please come."]

Lakshya stepped inside and immediately noticed the book in her hand.

He tilted his head.

"Bhabhi, kaunsi kitaab padh rahi ho?"

["Which book are you reading?"]

Vamika held it up.

"Woh aapke bhaiya laa ke diye the mujhe... yeh Mahabharat hain angrezi mein."

["Your brother gave this to me... it's the Mahabharata in English."]

Lakshya's eyebrows shot up.

A village girl... married... reading an English book?

She noticed his expression and instantly explained—

"Arey chaukhiye mat... yeh ekdum chote bacchon ke liye hain. Isme aasaan bhasha mein likha hua hain."

["Don't be shocked... this is actually for very small children. It's written in very easy language."]

Lakshya shook his head lightly.

"Haan lekin phir bhi..."

["Yes, but still..."]

Vamika lifted her chin proudly.

"Aapke bhaiya mujhe angrezi sikha rahe hain... unhone yeh kitaab pichhle mahine taufe mein diya tha. Keh rahe the, roz kam se kam 3 panna padhne, tabhi main angrezi sikh paungi."

["Your brother is teaching me English. He gifted me this book last month. He said I should read at least 3 pages every day to learn English."]

Lakshya genuinely smiled now.

"Wah bhabhi, yeh toh bohut badhiya baat hain."

["Wow bhabhi, that's really great."]

Then he added politely—

"Agar aapko aitraaz na ho... toh main bhi aapki madad kar sakta hoon."

["If you don't mind... I could help you too."]

Vamika's eyes widened with excitement.

"Sacchi?"

["Really?"]

He nodded.

So she asked immediately—

"Toh aap mujhe angrezi ka vyakran padha dijiye... inke aate-aate bohot der ho jaati hain. Phir main zyada der jaag nahi paati... neend aa jaati hain mujhe."

["Then please teach me English grammar... by the time he comes home it gets very late. And I can't stay awake for long... I get sleepy."]

Lakshya chuckled softly.

"Haan, pregnancy mein fatigue hona normal hain."

["Yes, it's normal to feel fatigue during pregnancy."]

Vamika froze.

Her eyes widened.

"Fat? Matlab toh moti hota hain na?"

["Fat? Fat means fat, right?"]

Lakshya burst into a soft laugh.

"Nahi bhabhi, maine fat nahi, fatigue bola."

["No bhabhi, I didn't say fat, I said fatigue."]

Then he explained kindly—

"Fatigue matlab thakawat. Mera matlab tha ki garbhvati avastha mein thakawat honi aam baat hain."

["Fatigue means tiredness. I meant it's normal to feel tired during pregnancy."]

Vamika let out a relieved oh.

"Ohhh."

Lakshya smiled and clapped his hands lightly.

"Laiye, notebook dijiye. Main aapko vyakran sikhaata hoon."

["Come on, give me your notebook. I'll teach you grammar."]

Vamika quickly fetched her notebook and pencil from the bedside drawer and sat beside him. Yagya walked closer, trying to understand what they were doing but when he saw that they were studying, he scrunched his nose and resumed his playing.

Lakshya opened her notebook and carefully flipped through the pages. Almost every part of speech had already been taught to her — nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, all neatly written.

But one thing was missing. Adverbs.

He paused for a moment, tapping his finger on the blank space where the topic should have been.

So he decided then and there — he would teach her adverbs himself.

He then wrote neatly—

"ADVERB"

He underlined it and began explaining—

"Dekhiye bhabhi... adverb yaani kriya visheshan , adverb ka kaam hota hain verb yaani visheshan ka varnan karna."

["See bhabhi... an adverb describes the verb."]

Then he gave examples, speaking slowly so she could repeat.

"Quickly."

"Slowly."

"Happily."

Vamika repeated each word adorably with her accent, trying her best.

Just like that time passed and evening came.

By evening, the house was lively again—

maids were chopping vegetables in the kitchen, utensils clinking, Yagya running around the courtyard.

But Yudhveer had only one destination.

His room.

He pushed the door open.

Vamika was sitting cross-legged on the bed, her notebook open, a tiny proud smile on her lips.

The moment she saw him, her entire face lit up like someone switched on a lamp.

She straightened immediately.

"Aapko pata hain? Aaj main adverb sikhi!"

["Do you know? Today I learned adverbs!"]

Yudhveer raised an eyebrow, amused yet tired from the day.

He walked closer, loosening the top button of his kurta.

"Acha? Kaise sikhi tu?"

["Oh? How did you learn?"]

Without missing a beat, Vamika flipped her notebook toward him.

"Lakshya ji ne sikhaya mujhe."

["Lakshya ji taught me."]

A pause.

A small one.

Barely a second.

But enough.

Yudhveer's jaw tightened slowly.

Not out of anger—just instinct.

His nostrils flared for a fraction of a second.

A flicker of heat—jealousy—sparked in his chest.

He hated the feeling instantly... but he still felt it.

His wife...

His pregnant, naïve, soft-spoken, delicate wife...

sitting alone with his younger brother...

learning... smiling... talking...

He forced his face to stay neutral.

Inside, however, his thoughts collided with each other:

"Am I going mad?"

"Jealous of my own brother?"

"He's educated, a doctor... he's just helping her."

"And this is my wife... carrying my child."

"Thinking like this—what a low, disgraceful thing to do."

He inhaled deeply, grounding himself.

He looked at her again—

her bright, innocent eyes waiting excitedly for his praise.

How could he ever doubt her?

She is so pure, unfiltered, untouched soul.

And she is carrying his baby.

He swallowed the jealousy like bitter medicine and forced a soft smile.

"Accha? Adverb?"

["Oh? Adverb?"]

He sat beside her, touching the notebook with gentle fingers.

"Kya sikhaya usne?"

["What did he teach you?"]

Vamika excitedly flipped pages, completely unaware of the internal war her husband had just fought.

"Dekhiye... 'quickly', 'slowly', 'happily'... yeh sab adverb hota hain."

["See... 'quickly', 'slowly', 'happily'... these are all adverbs."]

He nodded.

Still silent.

Still trying to calm the last echo of insecurity.

Inside, he whispered to himself:

"Enough... stop this foolishness."

But the truth was—

he was more insecure than he liked to admit.

He hated that something as innocent as

"Lakshya ji ne sikhaya"

could shake him.

["Lakshya ji taught me"]

He placed his warm hand on her belly—

a quiet claim, a grounding touch.

"Theek hain... achha kiya."

["Alright... you did good."]

But inside:

"From tomorrow, I'll be the one teaching her."

He didn't say it aloud... but the decision was made.

Vamika kept turning pages, smiling like a proud student.

Yudhveer was listening... but only partly.

Inside, one last thread of insecurity still pricked faintly.

Then—

unaware of the entire emotional storm inside him—

Vamika looked up and said innocently:

"Aapko pata hain... main humesha se chahti thi ki mera bhi ek bhaiya ho."

["You know... I always wished I had an elder brother too."]

Yudhveer froze.

She smiled even wider:

"Aur dekhiye... Bhagwaan ne mujhe bhaiya de bhi diya."

["And look... God has given me a brother."]

She touched her chest lightly, her voice sweet,

"Lakshya ji bilkul ek bade bhaiya jaise hain."

["Lakshya ji is exactly like an elder brother to me."]

Silence.

A warm, cleansing one.

Every drop of insecurity inside Yudhveer vanished instantly—

like smoke blown away by wind.

He exhaled a breath he didn't even know he was holding.

His shoulders relaxed completely.

His heartbeat steadied.

Peace returned to his body.

Of course she meant that.

Of course she saw Lakshya as a brother.

Of course she was too innocent to even imagine anything else.

He felt both relieved... and embarrassed at himself.

He nodded slowly, a tiny smile tugging at his lips.

"Haan...bilkul theek keh rahi hain."

["Yes... you're right."]

He placed his hand gently on her head—

soft, affectionate, grateful.

The storm was gone.

He shifted closer, letting his hand settle protectively on her belly.

"Chal, adverb sikha le."

["Come, teach me the adverb."]

She giggled like a child.

And he looked at her with softened eyes—

thankful for her innocence,

thankful for her honesty,

thankful that she was his...

and would always be his.

_________________________