Next morning was a hectic one. They headed to their office and were lost in the piles of documents and papers. They almost started working like robots. After that night's incident at the hospital, Rihaan was in no mood to listen and understand anyone.

He was very much worried about his Dad's condition. Radhika, being an idle soul mate couldn't see him brooded over that issue. She suggested working in the alternate shifts. Forenoon session will be handled by her in the office while Rihaan will attend his dad in the hospital and a vice versa in the afternoon.

Radhika and Rihaan could hardly spend time together. They were immersed in their professional tasks balancing with that of Rishab's duty. Rajita, the busiest mother of Rihaan used to be running around them at times, taunting regarding the less business growth. Rihaan used to rage but, Radhikaa used to calm him down.

One day it's Radhika's shift at the office, around 10 am...

" Where is the Mehta's' project file? " Radhikaa hushed at Shravan.

" I'm sorry ma'am I couldn't find It. " came the lame reply.

"How could you be so careless? It's an important contract. Mr. Mehta is our client from the very beginning days of our company. This is our 10th project with them. Every deal went well till now. I don't want our reputation to get degraded this time." She retorted.

" I'm sorry ma'am. Just give me 15minutes. I'll check once again." Shravan quivered.

After, few minutes Shravan returned to her.

" Ma'am ... " he crooned.

" Got the file? " Radhika questioned.

" Ma'am, probably the file is in Rihaan sir's cabin."

"What do you mean by that? Where ever may be the file go and get it." She muttered.

" Ma'am sir's cabin is locked."

" Locked? Rihaan will be coming in a couple of hours. I'll take it from him. You leave." She replied and resumed to the work.

Rihaan never interferes with her work. Mehta's' project was really a huge one and she was given the responsibility to deal it. Rihaan was working on the French delegates meeting lately. She was quite surprised to know that the file was in his cabin. She thought of asking him but, carried away by her work.

Later that night, the duo was heading home ...

" I Hope Papa, will be discharged soon." Radhikaa muttered.

" Yeah. Even I wish so but, the doctor said it may take a couple of week's time to discharge" replied the exhausted Rihaan.

" You are looking very tired Rihaan. Are you alright? " She asked in concern.

" Hmm ... I'm good Ruby. Don't worry." He smiled slightly.

They drove home and Rihaan asked if she could cook for him for which she accepted happily. Even after a hectic day, she enjoyed cooking for his beloved hubby. Later that night they sat for supper in their dining room.

" I think we need a maid. " mumbled Rihaan.

" Hmm ... I too feel the same. We will be busy working all day and reach home late at night. Even we rush in hurry in the morning. Just look around... our place is turning shabby day by day." Sighed Radhika.

" Don't worry Ruby, we will find a maid soon. " he muttered, savoring the soup.

Their hectic life style repeated for few weeks and Mr. Rishab was sound enough now. He was discharged and taken home while Rihaan skipped his meals often in these weeks, turned pale and weak.

" I've booked the tickets for tomorrow's flight. " announced Rajita.

"What? Dad is getting better now and I can't afford sending him US with you. I can't trust you anymore. There will be no one to take care of him there." Hushed Rihaan, in distress.

" He is my husband Rihaan. I'm not going to stay here. We need to leave. " Came the stern reply from Rajita.

" But Mom ... You will be busy and Dad still needs some rest. I think it's better to leave him here. I and Rihaan will take good care of dad. Dad will come back after a month or two. " Mumbled Radhika.

" Fine, it's up to you. I'm leaving tomorrow." stated Rajita.

" Good to know that. "Replied Rihaan and went away.

Rajita went back to US the next day while Rishab was taken care by the couple. They got a maid to take care of the house and of course Rishab.

One day, Rihaan came home late and Radhika was waiting for him at home.

" Looks like, you are skipping meals Rihaan" Radhika, worried eying him.

" I am completely alright Ruby. " Rihaan muttered.

" You are turning pale and weak day by day Rihaan. Just look at yourself. You can't take care of Dad until and unless you are healthy and sound. " She spoke in concern.

" Okay, I'm hungry. What did you cook tonight? " He asked, loosening the tie.

" Paranthas " she mumbled, handing the towel.

They sat back at the dining table and he inquired about his dad and she answered that he was asleep.

" Ruby... " He crooned, having a bite.

"Hmm ..."

" Don't you feel wrong with our lifestyle? ' he inquired.

"As in? "

"Hmm... nothing. My assistant Lekha is a married woman too." He muttered.

" Hmm ... so? "

" She took a week leave. She said that it's been long spending a quality time with her hubby. That remained me of you. Do you feel the same? You don't have any complaints regarding our hectic schedule. " He asked.

" Rihaan, it's not like that. I know you pretty well. Currently we have many issues to take care of. Firstly, Dad and then our new business, of course we've got all our clients from the previous firm of yours but, it's ours now. An enlarged one, which needs much more time and attention to get a good fame." She replied, holding his hand.

" Hmm ..."

" So, don't feel bad about me. I'm quite happy and yeah, I'll definitely tell you if I need your time in private" she said with a wink and smile and Rihaan smiled at her antics.

Radhika used to take good care of Rishab. She used to come home early in the evening and used to spend some time with him cooking his favorite dishes and watching football matches. With the aid of his daughter-in-law, Rishab recovered well.

Few months passed and Rishab who was completely well, returned back to US happily, blessing a happy life to the duo.

One night, Rihaan rested on their bed and Radhika asked, " Rihaan ... I wish to go and meet my family once. "

" Hmm ... Anything special Ruby? " he asked, rummaging the pages of a magazine.

" Nothing special. It's been almost 6months Rihaan. Now that, our business is quite good and Papa went back, I wish to go." She muttered.

" Okay Ruby. I understand that you are missing your family. I'll book the tickets for tomorrow's flight then. " He spoke.

" No, I've got the meeting with Mehtas' tomorrow. I'll go day after tomorrow. " She said, resting beside him.

" As you wish Ruby. " he mumbled.

" I'm gonna miss you." She said sweetly, embracing him.

" Hmm... how long are you going to stay there? " he asked, hugging her back.

" 1 week" she said, closing her eyes.

" So long " he muttered, placing a peck on her eyes.

" Would you like to join me? " she asked, turning pink.

" I wish if I could but, I'm sorry Ruby, you know how hectic it is ..."

"Yeah, I know... that's alright." She said, cuddling.

" Ruby ..." he crooned.

"Hmm "

" Are you sleeping? " he asked.

"Hmm... I'm really tired Rihann" she murmured in half asleep.

Radhika went into deep slumber and Rihaan's sleep was miles away. In these 6months, she never left him for a single day. They used to have a hectic schedule in the day time but, nights were always prettier. They used to share many things. Their mushy cuddles and sweet talks were almost like an addiction for him. She made him a homely man and now he can't imagine leaving her for a week time. He was admiring his sleeping beauty the whole night.

He wished to say that he is going to miss her so much but, he couldn't utter a word. He smiled at his image in the mirror thinking if he could ever express his feelings to her.

-- To be continued.

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Love

#Amrita