24 in Chicklit!!! Are you freaking kidding me?

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Sindhu smiled seeing her husband sleeping peacefully with his hand below her shirt, on her stomach. She didn't want to wake him up after a tiring week of deployment but they promised Seetha they'd come to her house.

"Karthik" she whispered slowly "You have to get up"

He mumbled incoherent words, snuggling close to her.

"Your parents will be waiting for us" she said softly, massaging his hair. He hummed in response but made no move to get up.

With a smirk, she slowly started kissing his neck as an attempt to get him out of his sleep induced mind. He hummed softly when she kissed his throat, encouraging her to continue. When she paused to look at his face, he had a smile on his lips making her continue what she was doing.

As she placed sweet kisses all over his face, he suddenly grabbed her waist with his other hand and rolled over making her lie on top of him.

"Aren't you getting up?" she said softly seeing his eyes still closed, to which he shook his head.

It was only when she gave a small peck on his lips, he opened his eyes with a delightful smile.

"I don't want to go anywhere" he said with a pout.

She swooned seeing his expression and was almost sure of having a dreamy look on her face.

"B-but we have to go see your mom and dad" she said slowly, trying to get out of his embrace.

He held her tightly as he replied "We can postpone. I have an idea actually"

She raised an eyebrow urging him to continue "Why don't we stay all day in bed today?"

Trying to stop the blush that's seeping through her cheeks, she replied "Why don't we try your idea another time and visit your parents today"

"I really had a tough week, you know" he whined, trying to make her feel sympathetic about him.

"I know, but they are your parents. They'd want to see you too" she advised him.

He groaned "Fine, we will go. But, you have to promise to wake me up every day like this"

"What? No. No promises"

"Pleeaasseee" he said so sweetly that she almost nodded. Almost.

"Karthik. Please get up. Don't be a child" she whined and he faked a sad look.

When she chuckled at his reactions, he smiled "I like spending my free time with you; even if it's watching stupid films"

"They are not stupid" she complained.

Ignoring her comment, he rolled her over and snuggled into her neck "Let's come back soon ok?"

"We didn't even go and you are already talking about coming back?" she said, unable to hide the amusement in her voice.

He smiled, looking at her "Just informing you, beforehand"

"Fine, as you say. Now shall we get up?"

Kissing her cheek, he got up from the bed giving his hand to her.

****

"How gracious of you to come so early" Seetha said sarcastically, as Karthik and Sindhu entered the house.

"I am sorry auntie. It's all Karthik's fault" Sindhu replied, throwing a glare in his direction.

"Whoa. I got ready as soon as you woke me up. It was you who kept trying different dresses to impress my parents"

"I didn't. You made me change all of them" she argued.

"Guys.. Please" Karthik's dad interfered them, raising his hands to be calm.

"I know my son is capable of doing everything you said" Seetha said, looking at her daughter-in law.

"Mom!!!"

"What? I know your weekend timings. When did you get up exactly?"

"Ok, I got up late. But, that's because we had a busy night" Karthik replied casually.

His parents looked at each other in amusement, trying to hide their smiles while Sindhu almost face palmed herself.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked them, completely oblivious to what they were thinking about him.

Seetha cleared her throat "Nothing. We never expected you to say that"

He looked confused "Was that supposed to be a secret?"

Sindhu was mortified seeing her in-laws reaction when he continued "Why should I hide the fact that Ravi came to our house yesterday? He stayed for dinner and I didn't get to sleep until after he left"

"You were talking about Ravi until now?" His dad asked in puzzlement.

"Yes. What did you think?" He asked, looking clueless at their reaction.

His parents looked at each other with a secret smile before walking away, leaving him alone with Sindhu.

"What's happening?" he asked, feeling totally confused.

"I am going to kill you" she complained, massaging her head "What the hell did you say"

"What did I say?" he repeated slowly, not understanding the reason behind their weird behavior.

"You really don't understand, do you?" she asked, appalled by his question. He shook his head making her continue "You said we had a busy night. What was that supposed to mean?"

He looked puzzled for a minute before his eyes lit up understanding what they deduced.

"I wasn't implying that" he replied slowly, with a slight blush.

"And I thought I am the stupid one" she said sulkily, heading the way her in-laws left.

After lunch, Karthik and his dad sat outside, discussing politics while Seetha took her daughter-in law to her bedroom.

"So.. I see a lot of changes in my son" she started their conversation, looking at Sindhu with a smirk.

She blushed "All good, I hope"

"Of course. I never expected him to be outspoken. He used to be very calm"

She smiled not saying a word as Seetha continued "So, when are you giving me a grandson or a granddaughter?"

Her eyes widened. She didn't expect Seetha would ask her and not her own son.

"I think you should ask Karthik" she said shyly.

"Don't tell me you haven't discussed about that. You can tell me anything"

"Um.. We thought we need a bit more time since we just got back together"

A sad look touched her face as she said "As much as I want a grand kid, I think you are right. You guys need time after everything you faced"

"Thanks for understanding" she replied with a polite smile "And for everything you did"

"Please don't say that Sindhu. You changed my son. You made him happy. I should thank you for agreeing to marry him. You need not listen to me, yet you did."

Sindhu wanted to deny everything she said but stayed silent not wanting to divulge the truth. If Seetha wanted to assume that she only married Karthik because of her request, then let her. What problem will it cause?

Patting her hand, Seetha continued "And look at you two now. Happy and so in love. I know my plan's going to work"

She gave a small smile when they heard Karthik's voice all of a sudden "What plan?"

Standing at the entrance of the door and looking devastated at what he heard, Karthik slowly repeated "What plan mom?"

Sindhu's eyes widened in horror, seeing her husband "Karthik"

"Is it true?" he shouted, looking at his wife sadly "Did my mom request you to marry me?"

"What's happening here?" His dad shouted, walking up to them.

"Is it true?" he repeated, not bothering him.

"Karthik. It's not---"

"Is it true?" he yelled, looking distraught "Did she tell you to marry me?"

"She did but---"

"So, everything that h-happened between us was n-nothing but a fool-proof plan designed by my m- mother?"

Seetha intervened "You are misund----"

"I am not asking you mom" He shouted at her and she was stunned seeing her son's reaction.

"I thought what we had was real" he croaked, as a tear fell down his eyes "I never expected you to hide something this big from me"

Tears poured out of Sindhu's eyes as she realized that for the first time ever, she had no answers for him. What is she going to tell him?

"So, everything was a plan" he mumbled, as if talking to himself as he walked out of the house.

"I am so sorry Sindhu" Seetha apologized, seeing her distraught look "I shouldn't have brought this up"

"What should I do now?" Sindhu muttered, feeling lost and broken.

"You should go talk to him. Explain everything"

"He left already" Karthik's dad muttered sadly.

"Go to your house immediately before he twists everything even worse" Seetha suggested, going towards her cupboards to retrieve money.

She placed a few hundred rupee notes on her palm "Go now"

Sindhu looked at them gratefully before making a run for the door. As she left the house, sprinting towards the road to find an auto, she was surprised to see their car, a few feet away from the house.

She ran towards him, hoping he listened to her before making any inappropriate decisions.

She knocked the window, trying to keep her tears at bay when she found Karthik looking exactly like her. Miserable.

He opened the door and she took the seat instantly, throwing her arms at him "Listen to me please"

"I can't leave you" he mumbled slowly, making her ask him in surprise "What?"

"I don't know what my mom said was true or not but I can't leave you. I don't care about anything else"

"What do you mean?" she asked slowly, not getting what he meant.

"I don't care if you acted like the perfect wife I wanted based on my mom's suggestions. I don't care if you married me because she begged you to. I don't----"

"You think everything that happened between us was a sketch?" she asked, looking hurt.

He observed her face, taking his time until he finally stated "You are not capable of doing that. You are so innocent and pure. And this" he pointed to his heart "is telling me that my Sindhu would never cheat someone; let alone me"

She smiled between tears "No, she wouldn't"

His face contorted to that of pain as he slowly said "Can you forgive me for being an idiot for a moment?"

"I thought you left me here. I thought you are never going to talk to me again" she sobbed.

"I am sorry. I will never repeat that. The moment I stepped out of the house, I knew I said horrible things to you. You can never be the person I blamed you to be. I know that I am your life" he said affectionately, kissing her forehead "I don't know what happened to me, hearing my mom. I was so scared, thinking you did everything only for her."

"You were being stupid" she complained.

"I realized that. What we have, can be miraculous but it is real. Very much real."

She nodded as tears spilled out of her eyes "I promise your mom wasn't responsible for anything that happened between us. I never asked her suggestions or advises. I know that a third person should never come between a couple"

He nodded, sighing sadly "But you agreed to marry me because she reque---"

"NO" she yelled, shaking her head furiously.

"Why would you marry me then?" He said dejectedly "After how I behaved with you. It's ok. It doesn't even matter if she influenced you or not. I have you now"

"You want to know why?" she asked firmly, preparing herself for the moment of truth.

When he nodded, she started slowly "Do you remember me telling you that I lied to Hemanth about loving someone to change his mind"

When he nodded again, she said "What if I didn't lie to him?"

"You loved someone?" he asked, shocked at her confession. When she nodded slowly, he asked "Who?"

"You" she said simply.

"What?"

"Yes.. It's true"

"I don't understand. I didn't meet you, until months or may be years after your confession to Hemanth"

"Shall we go home first? I will explain everything" she said softly, wiping the tears off her cheeks.

He nodded, starting the engine. Million doubts ran in his mind but nothing made sense.

Is he going to hear the biggest secret of his life? Something like he loved Sindhu a few years ago before he lost his memory making him forget everything about her.

He groaned at the direction of his thoughts.

I am either losing my mind or watching too many romance films. What a stupid thought was that!!

Once they reached their home, Sindhu took his hand pulling him towards the couch. She took deep breaths to gather courage to finally spill the beans. She never wanted to reveal but she had no choice.

I may sound really stupid and crazy. But, he needs to know the truth.

"Do you believe in Love at first sight?" She asked him directly.

"What?" He asked in surprise, not at all expecting that question.

When she repeated again, he sighed thinking deeply "I don't know. It never happened to me. Yes, I liked you the first time I saw---"

"What?" she asked, surprised by his confession "You hated me. You—Wait...Ugh.. I think we should discuss my story first"

After a few seconds of silence, she slowly started "I saw you long before we actually met. I volunteered at the same place that you and Tulasi collected funds for"

"You knew about my---"

"I also know that you stopped everything in the past few months"

"I am sorry. I had to pay loan for this house to--"

She held her hand up to stop him "I don't want to know your reasons or explanations. Just listen to me"

He bobbed his head up and down making her continue "One day, I was done with tutoring the kids and was about to start back to home when I saw you enter the building"

She took his hand, looking at him fondly "You won't believe me but my heart literally skipped a beat seeing you. I looked at you in awe as you walked to the matron not paying attention to your surroundings. I felt some sort of connection and stared at you all the time you were there"

"And that smile. That smile you gave to a little kid playing over there is something that's branded in my mind, forever. I don't know what made me do it but I followed you, as if I was trapped in a trance. I followed you in my bike after you left the place but missed you at Khairatabad traffic signal"

"I couldn't sleep the whole night, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I didn't even know your name yet I was in love with you or at least I thought I was at that time. I know that sounds totally crazy but maybe I am crazy; just like you said"

"The next day I went to the matron to find out about you. She told me how you collected donations from your colleagues and helped them in funding. The only information I got about you was that you were going to come again on the last Friday of next month"

"That was the Salary day for Infosys" Karthik intervened.

She nodded before continuing "I counted and dreaded every single day to pass faster so that I'd get to see you again. I even played scenarios in my mind on how I should introduce myself to you" She paused, smiling at the memories of her stupidity "I wanted to impress you; something that I never felt like doing for a guy. I wanted you to like me, feel proud of me and to love me"

She paused, her enthusiasm turning into sadness "But the next time I saw you there, you were with Tulasi. I was heartbroken seeing you holding her hand and looking happy. I kept telling myself that she might be your sister or a cousin but deep down, I knew the truth"

He engulfed her into his arms and she rallied on, laying her head on his shoulder "I followed you guys, nevertheless. I wanted to be sure about your relationship before giving up. You guys stopped at 'Gokul Chat' and I followed you even there. It was very crowded and I stood right behind you to hear your conversation"

"I learnt your name hearing Tulasi. I heard her call you stupid when you explained 'Why Pav Bhaji should be made National Food of our country'" She chuckled as she said that "I was there listening to your whole conversation until I heard you ask her if she informed her parents about your love"

She withdrew from his embrace, looking away "I left after that, not hearing her answer knowing that it was a lost cause. I was disappointed and hurt but I realized one thing. I felt something for you that I am never going to feel for Hemanth."

"Until then, I kept telling myself that I might find happiness with him but then, I realized that it was just a false hope. We were never meant to be and the sooner he knew it, the better it'd be for him and me. I could never love him the way he expected me to and so I confessed to him that I loved someone."

"I don't think he believed me though. A few weeks later, he told me that he was flying to US and I didn't make any attempts to stop him. As days passed, I slowly realized that I should stop living in a fantasy world. We--" she said pointing between them "were not meant to be. But it was not easy. It might have taken a fraction of second to fall in love with you but it took me months to forget you"

"I almost forgot that I loved a guy named Karthik, who I only saw twice and never met until I saw you again in my house. I felt a sense of hope again but it quickly wiped away the moment I realized, you hated me with all your guts"

Placing her hand on his shoulder, she said "I am not going to lie to you but I almost wanted to say 'No' knowing that you still loved Tulasi. But that hope, that stupid crazy hope led me to believe that you are a good man and that you can change one day. I know I was crazy to think you'd love me one day. I know I was still living in my own fantasy world when I decided to say 'Yes' but I couldn't help it."

"If it was someone else and not you, after everything happened that day, I would've never said yes"

"You really trusted me. Didn't you?" Karthik asked, as a tear rolled on to his cheek.

She looked at him tenderly "I had a mad hope that I'll be able to make you fall in love with me. But you were very stubborn. I understood it's going to be an impossible feat, the moment I stepped foot into your life; as your wife"

"It took me a very long time for you to warm up to me. Those were the days I realized what I felt for you all those months ago was nothing compared to what I felt then. May be, I only fancied you when I first saw you. May be, it wasn't even love. I never knew. I was as clueless about it then, as I am now"

He wiped the fresh tears on her cheeks as she continued "Everything happened between us was just fate. We were lucky. It wasn't your mom's plan or something we plotted together to make you fall for me" Tears resurfaced as she tried to explain the problem that started it all.

"Sshhh" He silenced her, by pressing his lips to hers.

She pulled away, taking his face between her hands "Karthik.. You're the guy I almost loved. You're the guy I almost forgot. But you are never the guy I cheated or lied to"

"I know. And I am so sorry" he said, feeling disgusted about himself "I can't ever forgive myself for what I did to you and I don't expect you to"

"You think I am the type to hold grudges? Especially on you?" she said, looking at him sadly.

"I don't deserve to be forgiven" he said, feeling lost.

"Don't talk like that. Please"

"You were hurt by me. All the time" He yelled, feeling angry about himself.

"I was also loved by you. Why don't you see that?" she retorted.

"That's not enough after what I did to you. You lost your best friend because of me. You lost your life marrying me. How can I forget that?" He demanded.

"I didn't lose anything. I would've been in an unhappy marriage, hurting my best friend in