After visiting Kavita’s house and meeting her friends, the evening had flown by faster than either of them expected.
Her friends too showed up as they heard the news from other that she had visited with her husband.

All together they had a lot of fun, her friends teasing her about her and Vijay and Vijay soon joining in with them.

And by the time they finally left, her cheeks hurt from smiling too much.

It was almost 11 p.m. when they reached Vijay’s house.

The gate creaked softly as they stepped inside. The house was quiet—too quiet. The lights were dim, the air calm, clearly signaling that everyone had gone to sleep.

Kavita slipped off her sandals carefully, lowering her voice instinctively.

“Lagta hai sab so gaye hain,” she whispered. (Looks like everyone’s asleep.)

Before Vijay could respond—

“Aa gayi bahu rani ghoom ke?” (So the queen daughter-in-law has returned from her outing?)

The thick, unmistakable voice made both of them look up.

Dadi—Sunita—stood midway on the stairs, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

Kavita froze.

Vijay straightened immediately.

Sunita slowly walked down the stairs, her steps steady despite her age. They both moved toward her.

“Haan dadi,” Vijay said with an easy smile. (Yes, Dadi.)

She looked at Kavita, then at him.

“Hmm… theek bhi hai,” she said thoughtfully.
“Par aise itni jaldi maayke jaana theek nahi hota.” (Hmm… it’s fine, but going to the maternal home so soon isn’t considered proper.)
“Ek–do mahine baad jaate hain nayi shaadi ke baad.” (Usually, one goes after a month or two after marriage.)

Kavita’s fingers tightened around her dupatta.

Before she could say anything, Vijay spoke calmly.

“Chhodiye na dadi,” he said gently. (Please let it be, Dadi.)
“Kavita ko ghar ki bahut yaad aa rahi thi,” (Kavita was missing her home a lot,)
“toh socha le jaaun.” (so I thought I’d take her.)

Sunita studied him closely.

“Tumhari taraf se faisla tha?” (It was your decision?)

“Haan,” he replied without hesitation. (Yes.)

There was a brief silence.

Then Sunita exhaled softly.

“Yaad aana galat nahi hai,” she said, her voice less sharp now. (Missing one’s home isn’t wrong.)
“Bas darr hota hai kahin mann zyada hi na atak jaaye.” (One just fears the heart may get too attached.)

Kavita looked up, surprised.

“Par jiska pati samajhne wala ho,” Sunita added, glancing at Vijay, (But when the husband is understanding,)
“uska mann kahin atakta nahi.” (the heart doesn’t get stuck anywhere.)

Vijay nodded respectfully.

"Raat ho gayi hai. So jao dono.” (It’s late. Both of you go sleep.)

Kavita finally let out the breath she’d been holding.

“Ji, dadi.” (Yes, Dadi.)

The room was dimly lit, the quiet broken only by the faint sound of the ceiling fan humming above them.

They lay side by side on the bed, facing the ceiling. Kavita held the edge of the blanket between her fingers, her mind still replaying the day—the laughter, her mother’s voice, her home.

After a few moments of silence, she turned her head slightly toward Vijay.

“Thank you…” she said softly.

He turned to look at her, confused.
“Kis baat ke liye?” (For what?)

“Mayke le jaane ke liye,” she replied. (For taking me to my parents’ house.)
“Aur bina soche samjhe mera saath dene ke liye.” (And for supporting me without a second thought.)

Vijay let out a small breath, almost a laugh.

“Ismein thank you kya?” he said gently. (Why are you thanking me for that?)
“Tumhara ghar hai woh.” (That’s your home.)
“Pehla toh tum nahi jaogi, toh kaun jaayega?” (If you don’t go, then who will?)

Kavita’s eyes stung.

She turned fully toward him now.

“Sab itna aasaan nahi hota na…” she murmured. (It’s not always that easy.)

He met her gaze, steady and calm.

“Mere liye hai,” he replied simply. (For me, it is.)

That was all it took.

Kavita smiled, turning back to face the ceiling. She pulled the blanket closer, her body finally relaxing.

A few seconds later, she felt him shift slightly, the back of his fingers brushing hers—light, almost accidental.

But neither of them moved away.

The day’s exhaustion settled in.

Within minutes, Kavita’s breathing evened out, sleep claiming her softly.

Vijay glanced at her back facing him, his fingers twitching to move closer to her but he didn't, he held back. The guy sighed tucking in then his lips spread with a faint smile remembering her smile the day, how she was so happy, her talking with her family, her teasing, shy, naughty nature was all he wanted to see.

She had looked alive.

Most importantly the short stories and poems she had written. She writes so well he thought when he read her writings in her house. And he has so many things to ask her. But he has to wait and ask in the right time.

Somewhere between all of that, he realized something else too.

He didn’t just feel responsible for her happiness.

He wanted it.

He wanted to be the reason she smiled like that again. Wanted to protect that light before the world—or even this house—dimmed it.

His fingers curled into the bedsheet.

Slowly, almost unconsciously, he shifted closer. Not enough to touch. Just enough to feel her warmth.

Kavita stirred.

Her shoulder relaxed.

A tiny sound escaped her lips, barely a hum, as if she knew he was there even in sleep.

Vijay froze for a second—then exhaled softly.

“Pagal ho gaya hoon,” he murmured under his breath. (I’ve gone mad.)

He smiled again, this time softer.

Carefully, hesitantly, he reached out only this time, he didn’t pull back.

His hand found her waist and he hugged her. Kavita shifted too, now relaxed and moved closer to him. Vijay's heart beated like crazy. Without another thought he laid down properly and slept.

Author: SORRY FOR THE SHORT CHAPTER :(