And his hand also...
felt that device.
He didn't say a word.
Just… felt it.
Once.
Twice.
His fingers stilled.
For a fraction of a second—his eyes flickered.
Not panic.
Not shock.
Calculation.
Pure.
Instant.
Then—
his expression smoothed out.
Like nothing happened.
Like this was… expected.
He placed the pillow back on the bed casually.
And looked at me.
"Continue," he said under his breath.
I blinked.
What?
His gaze sharpened slightly.
Not at me.
A warning.
Play along.
Right.
Mic.
I forced a small breath.
Stepped closer.
Placed my hand on his arm.
Light.
Natural.
Like nothing was wrong.
"You didn't even say sorry," I muttered, keeping my voice low—but audible enough.
His eyes held mine.
And suddenly—
his hand slid to my waist.
Firm.
Possessive.
My breath hitched.
Not expected.
"Sorry?" he repeated softly.
There was something dangerous in his tone.
Something layered.
"For what?"
I swallowed.
Act.
Right.
"I was angry… and you just—picked me up like that!" I whispered, trying to sound annoyed.
His thumb pressed lightly against my waist.
A warning.
Or control.
Or both.
"You were about to create a scene," he said calmly.
"And you're my wife."
The last word lingered.
Deliberate.
For whoever was listening.
I clenched my jaw.
His eyes darkened slightly.
But his expression?
Unchanged.
"And yet," he leaned a little closer, voice almost a murmur,
"You're still in my room."
Silence settled between them, thick and heavy.
His grip loosened slowly.
Then—he stepped back.
Distance.
Again.
Like he never touched me.
Like nothing happened.
I exhaled quietly.
My heartbeat still uneven.
He picked up his phone.
Walked towards the window.
And only when his back faced me—
his tone changed.
Barely audible.
"Don't react."
My spine stiffened.
"Someone's listening."
My fingers curled slowly.
So I was right.
This wasn't random.
This wasn't coincidence.
This was—
planned.
Or worse…
ongoing.
I glanced at the pillow again.
Then at him.
He didn't turn.
Didn't explain.
Of course he wouldn't.
Vivaan Malhotra doesn't explain.
He observes.
Controls.
Waits.
After a few seconds, he spoke again—
normal tone now.
"Sleep."
A command.
Dismissive.
Like the conversation never happened.
I stared at his back.
Frustration rising again.
Questions.
But I said nothing.
Just walked to my side of the bed.
Laid down.
Facing away from him.
Silence returned.
But this time—
it wasn't empty.
It was watched.
I couldn't sleep properly that night.Every small sound felt… intentional.As if the walls themselves were listening.
------------------------------
Another day.
Another rasam.
This week was surely going to be tough.
Imagine.
Me and this guy.
Yes - THIS GUY!!!
are in a silent war.
And the family expects love and romance.
I rolled my eyes irritated at the thought while wearing the other saree.
Heavier this time.
Why?
Muh Dikhai
Sighs
I also want Muh dikhai.
Of that person who fitted that mic device in the pillow.
And on top of that,
My husband.
My own PERSONAL husband.
Didn't give a damn about everything going on.
I remember that specific day, of the first rasam.
"Bhaiya, I know you are allergic to smile but atleast pretend to be happy." Naina said to him during the full family photoshoot.
Both eldest sons of the family, and their wives.
"I am" he responded flatly.
Naina looked at him with disbelief. Then at me. Then back at him.
"You are a bad actor also then. Can't even pretend to be happy." She complained.
"I don't need to be. Let's leave that profession to Rushaan." He responded with a hint of smirk.
Somehow that made my lips twitch too.
Rushaan glared at him with a mock smile.
"Oh sure, why don't you try once? it's not as easy."
"Certainly, I don't have a wish to stake my company and act nice enough to break souls of innocent women. My wife's more than enough for me." Vivaan said calmly.
He squeezed my waist silently, in an assurance.
And maybe I loved that. MAYBE.
Being his.
Because forget disrespecting me, he never lets others disrespect me too.
Just one flaw.
I hate when he mocks me.
Meanie, baddie, idiot, dumb...
Wait, am I thinking too loud? What if he hears.
I peeked up at him through my eyelashes.
He squeezed my waist again.
Okay that was mean, rude to me.
Pretending to smile I whispered in his ear
"Trust me, when if you squeeze my waist once more, I am gonna kick you atleast 20 times while you are sleeping and positions won't be good."
He looked at me.
Surprised
Wide eyed.
And his lips twitched.
H... He smiled.
Weird.
Naina noticed that and asked me.
"Bhabhi aisa kya kaha aapne bhai ko ke woh pehli baar dhang se muskura rahe hain?" (Bhabhi, what did you say to bhai that he is smiling properly now)
Now, what should I tell her.
Because the words I said were soo sweet...
That even I didn't know.
Imagine you want to beat someone; you threaten them and...
it makes them happy?!
"Nothing just, insisted him to smile." I responded back.
"Wah bhai, aap itni sunte ho bhabhi ki?" Naina teased him.
(Wow bhai, you follow bhabhi's words so much.)
"Yes, because I don't have a death wish." He responded back to her sarcastically.
A small smile appeared on my lips remembering that moment. We had to do photoshoot that specific day only.
Reason?
Vivaan's bua ji had to leave urgently.
Yes, I know this may sound weird but,
Given my husband's nature-
Even if I slap him in public, I barely hope that he'll even shout.
But that mental torture for weeks, will be horrible for me.
So no, I won't even do that.
And secondly, He keeps his moustache, neatly trimmed.
Which makes him more handsome.
The last thing I want is to slap him and let people expect it's a love bite.
I looked at myself in the mirror, while wearing that white and pink peacock earring.
I was wearing a peacock themed lehenga.
The skirt was in white colour. All chiffon and net.
And at the border of it, were these embroidered feather design of peacock.
It was further designed with silver crystal chains and pearls, with that sparkling effect of glitter.
And the blouse?
It was all silver and shimmery.
All sparkling.
With a sweetheart neckline.
Over it I wore a dupatta, silver and white net.
Tucked from my waist to my opposite shoulder.
Subtle makeup.
And minimal but enough jewellery.
Suddenly,
a knock-on door.
He entered.
With Naina.
"Bhabhiiiii" She squealed excitedly and came near me. "You are looking soo soo beautiful, like literally so beautiful." She exclaimed.
"Right Vivaan bhaiya?" She turned to him.
He was staring.
Without blinking.
For a moment I thought he was again assessing.
Again summing me up.
But no...
His eyes didn't blink.
"bHAI." Naina raised her voice slightly and Vivaan's eyebrows furrowed up.
After a pause.
He silently came near me.
Removed the necklace I was wearing.
My peacock themed necklace.
And replaced it with the one he gifted me on the first rasam.
The red diamond necklace.
"Perfect now."
He whispered in my ear with such a low voice that it even vibrated in my mind.