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Author's POV

As all eyes turned towards the little girl who was looking at her mother with eyes glistening with tears, she immediately turned around to look at the surroundings and gasped, unable to figure anything.

"Angel??? So who's this angel???" Tiasha asked in a baby voice as she walked towards Preetika and slowly sat on her knees, bending to her height.

"Angel???" she asked looking at Tiasha with her innocent eyes as Tiasha nodded.

"Angel is my friend"

"Your friend??? That's great. So you won't introduce your friend to me???"  she asked as Preetika looked around yet again, trying to find out an answer.

"I wish I could. But s----" Preetika was interrupted as Tiasha's phone rang.

"Rudy???" she said to herself, looking at the screen.

"Excuse me for a moment everyone. I will be just back after sometime" she as she excused herself as all nodded and sighed in relief immediately after her departure while Asha threw a glare at her daughter.

"Nowadays you talk a lot Preeti. You know sometimes I feel to give you a tight slap" she raised her hand as Preetika shut her eyes close due to anticipation as Neil ran and stood in between them, hiding Preetika behind him, safely.

"Asha maasi" he said and looked at the little girl hiding behind him as he picked her in his arms.

"Sorry maa, sorry bhaiyya" she said as Neil shook his head.

"Maasi no please. She is a kid. Moreover, my little sweetheart isn't wrong also right???I don't know but you tell and everyone too that her angel is happy because I got married. It's just you all don't say it loud and she did because she doesn't understand all these. It's not her fault in that.  Please don't scold her" he said as Asha nodded and took her daughter in her arms and caressed her face.

"Sorry mera bachha. Maa won't scold you" she said with a apologetic smile as Preetika hugged her.

"Okay now you kids go and play in the park" Asha said as the both kids left while she added, "Achha now you also go and freshen up. I will serve you all the food and then I have to go to other flat also"

"Sure Asha maasi and no worries if you get late, you may leave. We can manage. Already you did so
much for me for all these years and today for us also"

"You call me maasi and it's like mother only and you don't thank a mother "she caressed his face and added, " But yeah, if you want to stay with your wife, tell me clearly. I will depart now only"

"Hey no no no maasi. I didn't mean that" his reply came within seconds as if he knew this was coming while Asha laughed out loudly.

"Ok ok I know everything. Now go to your room. Tiasha is new here. She needs you. Go" she said as he nodded.

Saying that she left the place while Neil also turned around and walked on the other side, towards the room, scrolling through his phone.

As he kept walking from the other side Tiasha too walked back towards the hall when both without noticing their presence, bumped into each other.

"Ouch" Tiasha hissed in pain rubbing her forehead as Neil too did the same.

"Can't you see and walk???" both said in unison, as they looked at each other.

"You???" Neil said and added, "Yeah no wonder"

"Shut up. Ugh anyways, now come here. I have to hit my head with yours again" Tiasha said, sighing as Neil looked at him with a  'Are-you-insane' look.

"What??? Are you crazy???" He asked as Tiasha looked at him, annoyed while he added, "Well I shouldn't have asked the question. You definitely are"

"Ayyyy listen, if I am crazy then you are super crazy. Now stand. I heard that if you bump your head with someone and don't repeat it again, you grow horns on your head" she pouted like a kid while hearing that Neil failed to suppress a chuckle that left his mouth.

"Hey don't laugh" she scolded as he chuckled, rolling his eyes.

"Come on Tiasha. Seriously, grows horns on the head??? You believe this???" he asked, biting his inner mouth to control his laughter as Tiasha pouted like a kid, angrily.

"No no Tiasha. He is trying to fool you. He wants that you have horns on your head. No no. I know this happens" she thought to herself and looked at him and added, "I can't let this happen"

"Hey hey hey what???" he asked, confused as she jumped on her foot trying to match his height as she tilted her head to hit against his temple.

"Arre you are mad or what??? You will fall stupid" he said holding her by her shoulder as she stopped at the position, looking at him with her toes still lifted up.

Both looked at each other, lost in their thoughts as he slowly pushed her down by her shoulders, making her stand on her feet, as his hands rested on her shoulders.

"Fine wait" he said and bent down to her height as Tiasha's heart started throbbing against her chest and he bowed before her and tilting his head,  hit it with her temple.

Tiasha looked at him with the corner of her eyes, as his breath brushed against her ears while he left his grip from her shoulders and took a step back.

"Now be happy. You won't grow horns" he said with an expressionless face, breaking her trance as she looked at him.

"No I mean---I----I---"

"----Not again Tiasha" he said sighing as Tiasha zipped her mouth.

"By the way, it's good you bumped your head again else having two more horns on your head won't look good. You know, the invisible devil horns of yours" he said as a quick laughter escaped his mouth as he walked away, not before passing her a look as she looked at him confused.

"Devil horns??? That means indirectly he called me a devil???" she thought and turned around to see his retreating figure as he too turned back, chuckling.

"This girl is indeed a devil. But a cute baby devil" he thought and finally walked away while Tiasha kept looking at the same way.

"Stupid, idiot and everything. If I am devil, he is---he is---he is monster" she said groaning like a kid but soon a smile broke into her face as she recalled his laughter.

"God really, I really think what this man actually is. One time irritating and annoying and next moment he is smiling and chuckling. Anyways, whatever be it, I just wish and pray to God that he stays happy. I don't want anything else" she prayed as a smile plastered on her lips.

"So this is my room and from today yours too" he said, placing her suitcase at a corner and walked towards the cupboard while Tiasha looked at the room, keenly.

"Well this room and this flat isn't much spacious so if you have any problem you can tell me . Else if you want you may take this room. I will manage somehow" he said as Tiasha looked at him, shifting her gaze from the surroundings.

"No I mean there back at Mumbai my room was big enough and here you know I have only two rooms and one is study and----"

"Neil I don't have any problem in anything. And this flat might be small but not that we can't stay here. Moreover don't worry for me so much"

"But for this one year, you are my wife Tiasha and even if not I can't let you have any problem as a person"

"I know Neil and you never let me have any problem. Anyways don't worry, we will plan accordingly. Now let me go and freshen up. See now it's almost lunch time and  I am feeling tooooooo hungry" she said and walked towards her suitcase when Neil spoke up.

"Your clothes are arranged in the cupboard and the other bag is kept as it inside the cupboard only" he said as Tiasha looked at him surprised.

"Arranged??? But I didn't do. Well Asha maasi arranged it maybe. Ahhh she must have work also. Such a sweetheart" she said and walked towards the cupboard and picked up a simple pink kurti with leggings.

"The lunch is already ready. And Asha maasi left an hour ago so just reheat it if needed. I got a call. I will join you later" he said, looking at his phone and attending the call left the place while Tiasha nodded.

Then she was about to walk away to freshen herself up when her eyes fell on the wall clock and Neil's words clicked her mind.

She was lost in her thoughts and was calculating something as she looked back at the cupboard and a sweet smile plastered her lips.

Then without thinking much she turned around and walked towards the washroom and after freshening herself up left the room.

Then both had their lunch silently with Tiasha exploring the place while Neil in between was busy attending some calls and like that the time passed and both finished their lunch.
.........

It was evening when Tiasha was sitting in the room, reading a book when she heard a knock at the door and saw Neil standing.

She immediately closed the book and left the bed and stood on the ground as he entered the room.

"I hope I didn't disturb you" he asked as she shook her head.

"Hey please don't knock the door. It's your room only and definitely you didn't disturb me" she said as he gave her a blank look and walked towards the window.

"Well it was mine. But now it's yours too. Anyways, I just came here to inform that get ready soon. We need to leave"

"Leave??? Where are we going???"

"Well you remember Nisha aunty??? We met in the morning only" he asked as she nodded while he continued, "Actually she invited us for dinner tonight"

"Dinner???"

"Yes. Actually she was telling that I am back here after few months. Actually I went back because of marriage and since then I was in Mumbai and also Mani prepared the dinner. So you know I am her only food taster" he said chuckling as he recalled his college days.

"Ohh I see. So it's Manisha's invitation for dinner"

"Well you can say that. But Nisha aunty only told. Actually that crazy says that I need no invitation from her to go there. Anyways, please be quick. They all invited so hopefully that I couldn't deny"

"Yeah ofcourse. How could you also. Afterall, if the only food taster won't be there, your dear friend Mani will feel sad. Just give me five minutes" she said with a straight face as Neil looked at her with a blank face.

Then without wasting a second, Tiasha took a deep breath and walked towards the cupboard, taking out a simple yet beautiful yellow anarkali suit and was about to walk away when Neil spoke up.

"Tiasha if you don't want to go I will inform them. See, I am not forcing you to go" he said as she looked at him.

"Why do you feel that I don't want to go???"

"No. I mean after I said that you are giving this serious looks and angry glares. Actually, this look suits me, not you"

"Neil neither I am giving serious look nor that I am angry"

"But something is there that is  bothering you. Now better don't lie because you suck at that part  What----" he asked but before he could complete his sentence his phone rang.

He looked down at his pocket and took out the phone when he sighed, chuckling.

"See, here she calls" he said attending the call as Tiasha looked at him confused.

"Who???"

"Ufffo Mani. Who else" his lips curved into a smile as Tiasha's lips curved into a 'O'.

"Hello"

"Hiii Mani"

"So Mr. Punctual planning to come or I will stab you???" she roared giving an angry pout as Neil chuckled.

"Woah woah woah, cool girl. I said we am coming Mani. Achha, in my life did I ever denied my bestie's invitation " he answered as Tiasha scowled.

"When??? After an eternity??? God here we all are waiting and you remember your surprise"

"Ufff meri maa shaant. Yaad hai mujhe surprise hai. I am coming na and surprise can wait"

"Firstly I am not your mother and secondly, wait??? Seriously???Duffer you now wait. Achha give the phone to Tia. I will talk to her only. You are still a donkey. Such a sweetheart she is. You are lucky to have a wife like her"

"Mani yaar--- wait" he said and forwarded the phone to her as Tiasha looked at him with a  an expressionless face.

"Manisha wants to talk to you" he said, closing the speaker of the phone with his palm.

"Excuse me??? Why???" she asked back.

"Well I ain't an mind reader. How will I know???"

"What will I talk then???"

"God only knows, now take it" he said and placed the phone on her ear as she glared at him and held the phone against her ears.

"Hello" she answered as she heard a scream from the other side.

"Hiiiiiiii" Manisha squealed in extreme joy as Tiasha's eyes widened in shock.

"Achha now tell me tho when you all are coming??? We all waiting. Especially for you only. Neil tho we have known for 7years or so"

"Yeah yeah coming. Just give to ten minutes"

"Oh okay. Come soon dearie. Ok bye. Love you sweetheart"

"Okay. Lots of love to you too" Tiasha replied as she disconnected the call immediately and returned his phone back.

Then she was lost in her thoughts and nonchalantly got ready, applying minimal makeup with pair of long earrings that complimented her look with her nuptial chain around her neck and with a pinch of vermilion in her hairline and her long hair was left open, falling freely from the back.

Tiasha's outfit

(Disclaimer: I owe no credit on the picture used. It solely belongs to the owner and the site from where it's taken)

"Tiasha are you re---" Neil re-entered the room as his voice came as a mere whisper as he lifted his eyes up from his phone.

As soon as he looked in front, at her, his eyes as it was glued immediately yet his face was having an expressionless look while Tiasha became consciousness as she looked back at him.

"Ummm yeah I am ready" she spoke up breaking his trance as she looked away as he too nodded looking at the other side.

"Go---good. So let's go" he said and was about to walk away when he heard a voice as he stopped in his tracks and looked at the direction from where he heard the scream.

"Ahhhhh" Tiasha hissed in pain as she rubbed her fingers and looked at the switch board.

"Tiasha" he rushed towards him and immediately pulled her hand, blowing air over it.

"Are you mad??? Where do you keep your mind??? Or won't you even have one???"

"Oh hello. Stop saying this ok???"

"You just shut up. The switch is on and power is running" he scolded her and continued cursing her behaviour as she looked at him, unblinkingly as he switched the power off.

"Already we are late and now madam I-can-do-everything got a shock. What were you doing haa??? Playing tic-tac-toe with current???" he asked, dragging her to the kitchen counter as she kept looking at him.

"I---my phone---it's battery was dead so I placed it on charging and----"

"Just shut up now ok??? Just shut up. Dare you say a word now. You are an encyclopaedia it seems and doesn't know this much that the switch needs to be turned off at first. But no, it's my fault only. That switchboard was having problem and I just skipped it" he said and took a bowl of cold water and placed it on the counter and dug her hand inside it.

"Mumma, it's cold water and the ice is also cold" she hissed and gave him a frown as he gave a sarcastic laugh.

"Wowww what a information. I didn't know that it was cold water and ice is cold. Glad to know that"

"You----"

"Shhhhh quite. Absolutely quiet. Always in a hurry. Now just put your hand here and keep it. You will feel better. Do you know how dangerous can it become???Stupid" he said, glaring at her as her heart fluttered with happiness, looking at his concern.

"I know what happens and how dangerous it can be too. But I didn't know that plug was defective because the phone was getting charged"

"Yeah I know. Sometimes it does. Actually I wasn't here and it slipped out of my mind too. Don't worry, I will call an electrician to fix it"

"Yeah okayyyyy" she said, dragging the word as he nodded.

"Feeling better???" he asked as he put his hand on the bowl too and gently stroke her fingers with his thumb as Tiasha felt current passing through her entire body.

And for her, this current was definitely more dangerous than the one which gave her a shock

"Yes. I am better" she replied somehow though her voice was barely audible and was smiling as Neil looked at him confused.

"Why are you smiling??? God first time seeing someone smiling after getting a shock. Definitely, you are crazy" he sighed, expressionlessly as he pulled back his hand while Tiasha rolled her eyes.

"Ohh please atleast less than you. By the way, you got scared???" she asked taking her hand out of the cold water, looking at Neil as he shot her a blank look.

"You are fine now I guess. Then do one thing we can stay back, if you want. It's better I guess.  I will---"

"----I will go Neil. It was just a little, very mild current I got. It's nothing. You only made a hill out of a mole"

"I made hill out of a mole??? You know mom says right kabhi kisa ka bhala maat karo. Go and get a shock. Who cares???" he said nonchalantly as she silently chuckled.

"Ohhh so you mean you don't care right???" she asked, yet again making him look at her confused as he opened and closed his mouth multiple times like a fish.

"See Tiasha, if you want to go let's leave now. We are getting late" he said and immediately left the place, passing by her side as Tiasha burst out laughing.

"God he also na" she thought and suddenly her mind clicked on what she was thinking as she shook her head and her eyes gradually turned moist.

"Uffo Tiasha now don't be stupid. You also do what na. Keep your thoughts with yourself only. Don't you know, for a year, he said he will not let you have any problem in this marriage. It's nothing more. Stop thinking" she slapped her forehead mentally while somewhere her heart knew that something was there that was brewing between them.

"Only if my heart could understand this" she thought as her eyes brimmed with tears yet a smile was plastered on her lips.

Little did she knew that it was not only for a year, but a lifetime of togetherness
.......

Neil and Tiasha stood infront of Manisha's door and rang the bell, patiently waiting for the door to open.

"Neil this bouquet is ok right???" Tiasha asked as he nodded while she smiled back.

Then the door opened as Manisha gave a bone-crushing hug to Tiasha and greeted her while she reciprocated the hug.

"Welcome Tiasha. Thank you so much sweetheart for coming" she said breaking the hug as Tiasha grinned, presenting her the bouquet.

"This is for you" she said as she took the bouquet.

"Thank you so much. But this was not necessary at all.