When Sindhu woke up the next morning, she found Karthik sleeping peacefully with a smile on his face. He made her feel so precious the previous night, that everything happened seemed like a dream to her. He made her, his' in every possible way that for the first time ever in her life, she felt complete and perfect. He made her perfect.

With a small smile, she brushed his hair off his face and took in his appearance.

Why does he look so good in the mornings?

"How long are you going to watch me?" His voice broke her reverie and she looked at him when he slowly opened his eyes.

"I don't know. As long as it pleases me" she replied boldly, hugging the comforter close to her chest.

"Is your husband so good looking that you can't keep your eyes off him" he questioned with a smirk.

She smiled "May be"

He grinned and she asked quietly "How long are you awake?"

He smirked "You wouldn't want to know"

"What do you mean? Don't tell me you haven't slept all night" she said, shaking her head with a smile.

"How can I sleep knowing my beautiful wife is right beside me---"

"You think I am beautiful?" She intervened, looking at him lovingly.

He pulled her close to his chest as he spooned her and said "I do". Kissing her bare shoulder, he added "I think you are beautiful, inside and out."

"Really?" She asked softly, making him smirk instantly.

He turned her towards him and her smile disappeared seeing his smirk.

"No. Not now" She answered, understanding him.

"But, a rule is a rule. And I am going to kiss you now"

When he neared her face, she closed his mouth with her hand "No Karthik. Not now"

"Why? It's just a kiss. We have done so much--"

"I haven't brushed my teeth yet" She replied uneasily, losing her hand off his face.

He looked horrified "So am I. So what?"

"Haven't you heard of morning breath?"

"Don't you know that almost every human has it?" he shot back.

"No.. Please" she requested making him sigh as she placed her head on his chest and cuddled closer.

"Are you angry at me?" she asked slowly.

He kissed her hair "No, of course not."

"Then why are you so calm? You would've teased me by now if you are not angry"

He smiled at her answer "You just caught me off guard. I didn't expect that answer from you"

She sighed heavily, kissing his sternum "Aren't you going to be late for your office?"

"I will be, but I want to stay like this, with you" he replied earnestly, wrapping an arm around her while pulling her close to his body.

"Are you alright?" he asked her, after a few minutes of silence.

"Do you know how many times you asked that question since yesterday?"

He chuckled "I just wanted to make sure that you are fine"

"I am more than fine. Happy?" she asked, looking at him with a smile.

"Very" he grinned, kissing her forehead.

"I should get up. I don't know what time it is and I am yet to prepare your food" she said, sitting up while hugging the comforter and looked around to find her clothes.

"Karthik.. Where are my clothes?" She turned to look at him who was trying to hide his mischievous smile and she added hurriedly "Where did you hide them?"

"Why would I tell you if I hid them?"

"Ha Ha very smart" she replied sarcastically, adding "Tell me where are they?"

"I will tell you only if you kiss me" he answered with a smirk making her groan.

"Karthik.. You will be late"

"I don't care" he replied leisurely.

"Why are you doing this?" she whined.

"I am waiting" he said in a sing- a song voice.

"Fine" she snapped and inched close to him, who looked enthusiastic when the doorbell rang making him groan loudly.

"Won't you get the door?" she questioned slowly, smirking at him.

"Don't think this is over" he replied, getting out of the bed and headed out.

When did he get into track pants? Did he change at some time in the night?

So it's true that he didn't sleep then?

Clutching the comforter close, she got up and bolted the door lock. She tried opening the cupboards but to no use; she checked for her saree under the bed and even in the wash room but didn't find anything.

She looked around not knowing what to wear when her gaze landed on the hanger that held Karthik's clothes. She smiled, walking towards it.

Putting on a blue shirt of his and a track pant, she opened the door. Whoever has come must have gone by now and she would taunt Karthik for being so stupid to leave her.

"Karthik. Who is ---" Her words got lost in her mouth when she saw her mother-in law, Seetha standing in the middle of living room, gaping at her in shock.

Even Karthik was standing with his mouth wide open, staring at her dress and she groaned inwardly for being so stupid.

"Hi auntie" She greeted awkwardly, waving her hand.

Seetha stared at her dress for a while before replying "Hi"

She turned to her son "So, now will you tell me why is your house like this?"

Karthik felt very uncomfortable not knowing what to explain. Deciding that it's better to tell the truth, he started shyly "Mom, we celebrated yesterday. I mean I kind of planned a surprise for her since we completed six months of marriage"

Seetha nodded, looking proud of her son "Wow. You did a great job then"

When neither of them spoke, she continued "Aren't you getting late by the way?"

"Yes, I am" he replied, leaving the room in a hurry.

She turned to her daughter-in law "Since you woke up just now, I assume you haven't prepared breakfast"

Sindhu nodded embarrassed and she continued "Go and brush your teeth. I will start cooking"

When she walked away, Seetha smiled feeling very happy with the way things turned out. One has to be a fool to not understand what happened between the two of them. Her son's eyes showed how much he loved his wife and she is glad with the positive change in him. She always knew Sindhu is the perfect girl for him.

She was chopping vegetables when Sindhu returned and told her to sit back. However, she turned to the sink and started washing the utensils from last night.

"I will do it auntie. Why don't you relax?" Sindhu said calmly, cutting veggies.

"It's ok. You continue cooking, I will wash them"

Sindhu sighed knowing that Seetha won't listen to her. She added the contents in the pan and started stirring when she heard Seetha "So, what surprise did my son plan yesterday?"

"He let me shop with my mother, gave me a gift and even cooked for me" She replied with a smile.

"And decorated the house too" Seetha replied, beaming at her.

"Yes" she said with a shy smile "So.. Um how come you are here this early in the morning?"

Seetha smirked "I came to visit this auspicious temple nearby and guess what, my prayers are answered almost instantly"

Sindhu blushed not knowing what to reply, when she heard her continue "I think it's better if you get ready too. The three of us can sit together"

"It's not done yet" Sindhu replied, making Seetha say "I will take care of that. Go have a bath now"

She agreed and walked to her room hoping Karthik unlocked their cupboards by now. She closed the door behind her and checked them only to be disappointed again.

Karthik came out of the wash room in just a towel when she was about to walk away and she said directly "I need my clothes"

He smirked, pulling her into his arms "You look mighty fine in mine"

"Karthik.. It's not the right time to flirt with me. Your mom is here"

"I know. I was worried seeing her at the door step. It was so embarrassing when she started asking why I looked different. But then you stole the glory away from me by coming out in my clothes"

She blushed, turning away "Don't remind me.. I thought I could tease you but in the end, I looked like an idiot in front of your mom"

He laughed "I don't know what I am supposed to say then. Sorry or Thanks"

"Don't say anything. Just give my clothes"

He smirked "You give me what I asked and I'd hand you the keys"

"Now? Your mom is---"

"Mom is in the kitchen. It's ok" He replied smiling.

"You are incorrigible" she said through gritted teeth.

"Are you going to listen to me or not?" He asked, making slow steps towards her while she walked backwards until she hit a wall.

"Now you are trapped.. So?" He said slowly, staring at her lips.

Entranced by his look, she moistened her lips and raised her head towards him when he bent to reach her. Their lips were inches away when the door beside them flew open and they heard Seetha "Sindhu.. Have you------ Oh My God.. I am so sorry.. I will leave"

Sindhu pushed him away instantly and groaned "Look what you did now"

"Shit. I am sorry. I didn't expect her--"

"How am I going to face her now? This is humiliating"

"Won't you check up on why she came here?" he asked after a few seconds of silence.

She nodded grumpily, leaving the room.

"Auntie... " she called when she saw her by the stove, looking embarrassed herself.

"I came to ask if you added salt. I am fasting today and so I couldn't check." Seetha answered her unspoken question and she nodded awkwardly.

"I didn't" Sindhu replied before turning back "I will leave for bath then"

When she returned to her room, Karthik gave her the keys to cupboards and she hurriedly walked into the bathroom with her clothes.

Karthik and Seetha were seated at the dining, waiting for her when she returned from bath.

The two of them ate in silence until Seetha spoke "Drop me at the main bus stop"

"Aren't you staying?" Karthik asked calmly.

"No, I visited the nearby Balaji temple and so came here. Your father is alone at house"

"Fine then" He replied casually.

While getting up from his chair, Karthik found that Sindhu's done eating and so took her plate to the kitchen, along with his.

"I never knew my son is such a sweetheart" Seetha mumbled under her breath.

"Me too" Sindhu blurted before realizing who she confessed to. Blushing slightly, she added "I mean I never expected too but he is."

Seetha smirked but said nothing seeing Karthik return. He headed back to his room when she smiled at a shy Sindhu "Why don't you two come one weekend? I never called you after marriage because that's the only time in a week you get to know each other. Now that everything is fine, why don't you visit us this Saturday?"

"Sure auntie. I will tell--"

"No mom. Not this week." Karthik interrupted her.

"You don't have time for your mother?"

"It's not that mom. I am busy with my project and I might have to work this weekend"

"Oh.. Alright then. Come whenever he is free" she informed Sindhu, walking away from the living with her son.

Sindhu felt sad seeing Karthik leave. Knowing that he's going to be busy until the project is delivered, dreaded her; if only she could do something to make him stay at home or lessen his work.

She noticed him looking at her longingly, while putting on his shoes. She nodded, trying to smile while he's looking at her like he is leaving his life behind.

"Ahem" Seetha's voice broke her thoughts as she heard her "Karthik. I will be waiting for you in the basement. Why don't you say bye to Sindhu and come down"

When Seetha left them, Karthik turned to her with a smile and walked towards her "I can never understand how my mom knows everything"

She chuckled "Well, she is your mother. So, yeah"

He pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear "You take care, ok?"

"I will be fine.. You have to eat mess food today"

He shrugged "That's ok.. I can manage for one day" and added after a few seconds in a teasing tone "Do not eat the whole pastry in the fridge. Leave some for me"

"Hey--" she said, slapping his arm playfully while he chuckled.

Staring into each other's eyes, they hugged at the same time, as if on instinct.

"Don't miss me too much ok?" Karthik said in a teasing tone that made her smile again and tighten her grip on him.

After a few seconds, they pulled away and he took a step back when he heard her "Karthik--"

When he looked at her, she wrapped her arms around him again and pressed her lips to his.

When he pulled back, she said softly "Have a nice day at work"

"I will" he replied with a bright smile.

His mom was patiently waiting by his car when he reached the basement. With a smile, he opened her door and then occupied his seat.

He drove the car in silence, in spite of feeling his mother's stare on him.

When he couldn't take it any longer, he finally asked "What?"

"Nothing. I was just wondering if you have something to tell me" She said with a smirk.

He smiled shyly "Thank you"

"You know as people grow old, their ears won't be as effective as before. You have---"

"Thank you mom" he almost yelled, though still smiling.

"That's better. See.. Moms always know what is good for their sons" she boasted.

"Mom.. Now stop being over dramatic. I deal with it, at home already"

"Sindhu?" She questioned and he nodded with a loving smile.

"It's so good to see you smile after a long time" his mom said, feeling happy for him.

"It's good to be happy again" he confessed slowly "I feel like a fool sometimes. I had her right in the palm of my hands and I grieved for someone who I later realized had been just my friend all along"

"We all do mistakes Karthik. It's ok"

"I hurt her so much mom.." he said guiltily.

"You can make it up to her. Looks like Sindhu forgave you already"

"Yeah she did" he said fondly.

"So you love her" she stated with a grin.

"So much Mom... So much" he replied softly.

---

Thank you so much guys for reading. Please do not forget to Vote, Comment and Share. 

I don't feel like writing these days.. I think I am scared that this story is ending which is way I couldn't just concentrate. I haven't written a new chap in the last two weeks.. I will try though.. 

Anyhow, I entered Wattys2015. I know I don't have a chance among the tons of popular books in Wattpad. Still, giving it a chance.

Have a nice day... :) 

- JANAKI S