The dress that Sindhu wore when she went to her in-laws house was attached. Someone asked me how she looked. So, here it is..

---

Karthik was lounging on bed, thinking deeply about everything Sindhu confessed that afternoon. Loving him without even knowing his name, agreeing to marry him, staying strong amidst his irrational behavior, fighting for his love; all of this seemed so unreal to him. Yet, it can't get any more real.

How can someone do so much for a person, expecting nothing in return?

How was he so lucky? What good did he do in life, to get a partner like her?

Sindhu stirred in her sleep, adjusting her head on his chest making him run his fingers through her hair, unconsciously.

"You aren't asleep?" Her soft voice shifted his attention to her.

"It's not even 9" he replied, playing with her hair.

"Or you are thinking too much" she stated casually, as if it's the most obvious thing.

Her statement made him chuckle. How can she know so much about him?

"I assure you, my thoughts are quite rational" he said with a smile.

"What should I do to make you forget the past?" she asked seriously.

When he stayed silent, she added "Karthik. There's no use being stuck up on what already happened. We have a bright future and that's all that matters"

"I know. But--- But, I can't forget everything I did to you. Everything I said to you."

She groaned "You did nothing. I was the one who agreed to marry you, when you made it clear that you hated me. I was--- Wait.. In the afternoon, you told me you liked me the first time. What was that?"

He sighed "It's the truth"

Seeing her perplexed at his answer, he said "When I first saw you in your house, I was very angry--"

She intervened "Clearly. You were glaring at me the whole--"

"You don't understand. I was angry because I liked you. I was angry because I was worried you'd make me forget Tulasi"

She looked confused "I don't get you. Shouldn't you be happy if I'll make you forget Tulasi?"

He ran his fingers over his hair "May be. But at that time, I didn't want that. I didn't want to forget Tulasi. It felt like being unfaithful to her"

"She was married"

"I know. But I couldn't help feeling it. I was---" he shuddered, remembering that day "I don't want to talk about it. Please let it go"

"Fine, I will; if you stop digging the past"

That's almost impossible. But if it makes you happy, I can try.

He nodded making her smile and snuggle into his arms.

As minutes passed, she dozed off while his disturbing thoughts never left his mind. He still remembered the first time he saw Sindhu, at her house.

She looked beautiful in the red saree she wore that day. He really liked the color on her which is why he bought a similar one as a gift for their six month anniversary.

He liked her the minute she stepped out of her room. Like Sindhu said, he felt the connection too but he wasn't ready at that time. He wasn't ready to let go Tulasi.

He was angry at his mother for bringing him there, angry at Sindhu for looking so damn perfect, angry at himself for liking the way she looked when she's not the woman he loved. And the way she tried to be a perfect wife later, only augmented every negative feeling.

He couldn't digest the fact that she replaced Tulasi in his life which was why he was angry and put off with her, all the time.

Now when he thinks about it, all of that seems silly and childish to him. He behaved like a retard then, and even today; even if it's just for a moment.

He shouldn't have said those words to her; or to his mom.

He remembered that he's yet to apologize to his mother and left the room, carefully sliding out of her arms. It's almost half past nine but he's sure his mother would be awake; thinking about him.

When he heard her voice, he said "Hi mom"

"It's late Karthik. Why did you call now?" she asked, in worry.

"I—um—I wanted to say sorry for everything happened today. I am so sorry for shouting at you."

"That's alright. But, I am not the one you're supposed to---"

"I already told her mom. And she forgave me, as usual" he replied with a chuckle.

He felt his mom smile "She is a great girl, isn't she? What is she doing?"

"Asleep. I don't know how long though; since I came out"

She chuckled "Then get going. We will talk tomorrow"

"Mom?"

"Yes dear"

"Thank you so much for everything. I don't want to imagine wha---"

"Don't thank me Karthik. I did nothing but find a nice girl for my son. It's her that changed everything"

He stayed silent for a while before saying "Good night mom"

"Night Karthik"

Disconnecting the call, he crawled back onto bed snuggling close to his wife.

"Where did you go?" she mumbled sleepily making him smile.

"Nowhere. Sleep" he said, kissing the side of her face.

****

When Sindhu complained of getting bored, staying all day long at home, Karthik took her to Snow World the next day.

Snow World is an amusement park in Hyderabad in a vast area of 2 acres. It is India's first and the biggest snow park in the world.

Once they were done paying for the tickets, they were given warm clothes, gloves, fresh socks and heavy boots. After all the visitors were ready with their protective clothing on, they proceeded in, where tons of artificial snow was layered on the floor.

Irrespective of age, people engaged in snow wars the minute they stepped foot inside. Kids rolled on the floor, playing with snow while elders danced in merriment to popular English songs and Bollywood numbers.

Karthik and Sindhu joined a young group of couples, dancing along with them, having the time of their lives. When the snow fall started, the cheer and madness was taken to another level.

Kids and elders alike, queued for the snow tube slide and the atmosphere inside turned festive; full of fun and laughter. After frolicking in the snow and dancing until they are exhausted, Sindhu joined the queue for snow sliding while Karthik stayed back.

He cheered for her while she slid down an ice sled and then later went to the counter that sold hot beverages.

"Umm.. This is amazing" she said, having a hot cup of tea.

"It is, isn't it?" he said while blowing his nose with a hand kerchief.

"You caught cold?" she asked worriedly.

He nodded "It is so cold here"

She laughed "Of course it is.. It must be Zero degree Celsius temperature in here"

"I know; such an amazing feeling to experience this"

"Actually, more like a huge relief in this hot summer climate" she replied, sipping tea.

After their one hour is up, they left to the waiting room where they returned their warm clothes and walked out of the amusement park.

After a late lunch, they went to Prasads IMAX where they watched 'Mission Impossible 5' since they loved Hollywood Action films. The rest of the day was spent leisurely strolling around the city before they rode back home and the day ended with their sweet love making.

****

Karthik made arrangements of their project success party in a 3 star Hotel named 'Delight' (Their Company can't afford a five star one).

Since his team members are young and unmarried, only he and Ravi are coming along with their spouses. He invited Ravi only after consulting his boss Shekhar since the expenses will have to be bore by the company and Shekhar being a friend to Ravi, agreed instantly.

Karthik wanted to ask Ravi all about his life. In spite of trying a million times, he couldn't spit the words out. Realizing that he's no good at stuff like this, he left the matter to Sindhu.

May be her experience of watching hundreds of Romantic films will be of some help in this matter.

He chuckled at the thought.

A table for ten was already arranged at a corner when his team members ushered in. After few minutes, Ravi ambled to their table with his wife and told that their PM couldn't come as he was busy with another team's project in the pipeline to be delivered.

Sindhu was the last to enter and he was relieved seeing her. He requested that he'd come to pick her up but she denied saying that he need not worry and that she can take care of herself.

She occupied the only empty seat left; beside Ravi's wife Swetha. The couples sat, facing each other's spouses and Karthik winked at her as a gesture to do whatever she planned.

She only smiled as a reply.

After few minutes, Karthik noticed that the two women were introducing each other with polite smiles while he tried hard not to stare at his wife who looked very beautiful. She was wearing the red saree he purchased for her and he thought, she looked gorgeous in it, as usual.

"Karthik" Ravi's voice jolted out of his thoughts and everyone's attention on the table shifted to him.

"So, do you think we can complete it?" Ravi repeated, making him frown.

"Can you repeat what you said? I don't—err-- understand what you said" he asked, looking clueless.

"Well, you would've; if you stopped staring at your wife" he said, trying to suppress a smirk while all his team members sniggered seeing him look like a deer caught in headlights.

"I wasn't" he argued but Ravi gave him a disbelieving look and he understood there's no use fighting with him.

"Looks like you wrapped your husband in your little finger" Swetha's statement brought Sindhu out of her shy and awkward moment. She looked around, noticing everyone back to their private conversations before turning to Swetha.

"Actually, I think it's the other way around" she said with a light chuckle.

"Don't tell me you dance to his tunes" she said disbelievingly.

"It's not like that" Sindhu retorted "We make small efforts to make each other happy"

"Oh. I heard you quit your job" Swetha said casually, trying to change the subject.

"Er—Yes. I stay at home"

"All day long? Don't you get bored?" she asked, waiting anxiously for her answer.

Sindhu looked at her husband who was discussing something serious with Ravi, as she answered "I do sometimes but seeing his smile after he returns from office makes me forget everything"

Swetha nodded, looking at her husband interact with his best friend cheerfully. It's very rare to see him like that.

"I heard you went to Kerala. It must be great over there" Sindhu conversed, trying to get her to open up.

"Yeah, we did. It was amazing" She replied with a smile, reminiscing the time she spent with Ravi.

"You are very lucky. I heard Kerala has amazing landscapes and looks like God's own place"

"Yes. I've never seen a nicer place. The backwaters—wow, everyone should visit that place, at least once in their lifetime---" And Swetha rambled about the places they went with big wide eyes, explaining how astounding the trip was.

Even Karthik and Ravi stopped their conversation and listened to her, seeing her exciting smile.

"Yeah, you should really go there" Ravi added, looking at Karthik after she stopped talking.

"Well, do you want to go?" he asked an excited Sindhu and she nodded eagerly.

"Next summer?" he said fervently and she nodded again.

After the boys immersed in their own conversation, Swetha cast a sideways look at Sindhu "He said next summer. Aren't you going to say something?"

"Am I supposed to say something?" she asked, looking clueless.

"Yeah. I mean next summer is too far away; like a year from now"

"Oh, that. Its fine" Sindhu replied carelessly.

"What do you mean its fine? What if he was just saying that, only to get off your back right now? You know, men tend to be like that" she said in a whisper.

"Come on. If he said next summer, then there must be a reason. Else, why would he postpone?"

"And you believe him? Just like that" she said, looking surprised and amazed.

"Of course I do. I am his wife. If I don't believe him, then who will?" she said chuckling.

When Swetha stayed silent, she added "I don't know why you are worried. Not all men are alike. Yeah, majority of them can be douche-bags" Both chuckled at that "But, few are really good; like your husband Ravi. You are lucky. He is a great man"

Swetha gaped at her husband affectionately when Sindhu added again "But, mine is greatest"

Both of them laughed at her statement and their husbands looked at them in amusement not understanding the reason behind their smiles.

After a few seconds passed in silence, Sindhu called her husband "Are we going to sit and chat all day long? Where's the food?"

"Can't stay long with your mouth shut, can you?" he teased and her mouth dropped open, seeing everyone chuckling.

"I ordered already" he added seeing her frown at him.

"How do you know what I'll have" she said with a pout.

"I know that you eat anything with Chicken. Even if it's a pig disguised as a chicken" he replied with a smirk making Swetha and Ravi smile.

She glared at him "I don't and I've never eaten a pig"

"That's what I am saying. You don't know the difference between a ----"

"Owwww" Ravi groaned clutching his leg painfully "Sindhu. It's my leg that you kicked"

"Shit. I am sorry Ravi. I thought its Karthik's. I am so sorry" Sindhu added panickedly and to everyone's surprise, Karthik burst into laughter seeing them.

For a few seconds, the only sound heard in the table was his chuckles and Ravi's silent groans. Sindhu turned her gaze to everyone in the table and was surprised to see his team members gaping at him in awe. One guy even rubbed his eyes, as if anticipating it as a dream.

"I am sorry" she said sweetly, looking at Ravi with innocent eyes.

"Don't look at him like that" Karthik intervened, turning to Ravi "Dude. She is anything but innocent"

Ravi sighed "I can't help it Kar. She is forgiven"

Sindhu chuckled "Thank you"

The food soon came and everyone took to eating, immersed in their private conversations.

"You should come to our house one day. We can have fun" Sindhu said to Swetha who nodded with a smile "May be this weekend?"

"I will ask Ravi if he is free"

"Even if he is not, you are coming" she almost ordered.

"Sure" she replied with a smile.

---

Please Vote, Comment and Share.

I am sorry to keep you guys waiting. I know this chap isn't that good. My mind stopped giving me new ideas for this story. I don't want to spoil the plot and I don't want to write something routine.

This book may have slower updates but Tulasi's story won't have that problem. So, the big question.

Will Karthik and Sindhu make an appearance in Tulasi's story? 

Yes, they will.. That'll happen after the ending of this book.

Thank you so much for the never ending support. Have a nice weekend.

- JANAKI S