"Let's drop the kids at the kindergarten" Armaan said
"Why?" Janani asked with a frown.
"They will be bored out of their wits while you people do the shopping. If dropped at the kindergarten, they will happily play with the other kids there. Ananya will keep an eye on them too" Armaan said
"Hmmm. When I think about it, you are right" Janani said
"Your husband is always right, Mrs Verma" Armaan said cheekily, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer.
"Is it?" Janani asked, making a mock doubtful face.
"Do you have any doubt, Mrs Verma?" Armaan asked huskily, leaning towards her.
"Maybe I do" Janani answered back playfully
"Maybe I should just kiss you into submission" Armaan whispered
"What are you waiting for then?" Janani countered and Armaan didn't spare another second before capturing her lips with his.
Hot. Scorching hot.
She didn’t know who kissed who first. It was unspoken communication, her hands cupping his jaw, devouring him, while his hands found her bare waist, caressing them in a way, making her tremble all over.
"You are so beautiful," he rasped, his mouth leaving hers to trail a path of fire down her throat.
When he hit the ultrasensitive spot between her neck and shoulder, she gasped and arched to give him better access.
He took full advantage, nuzzling and exploring until she dug her hands into his shoulders and demanded more.
"Maan? Bhabhi? Are you guys ready? It's getting late" Aadesh's voice, accompanied by the knock on the bedroom door startled them out of their passionate haze.
"Damn!" Armaan muttered under his breath
"Yes yes. We will be out in a moment, Aadesh" Janani, somehow found her voice and answered him.
"Okay. I am waiting downstairs" Aadesh said and they heard his retracting footsteps as he walked away.
"Once the wedding is over, we are going on a vacation. Just you and me" Armaan said
"What about the kids?" Janani asked with a frown
"Well, they have two sets of grandparents. I am sure they will be more than happy to look after the kids when we are away" Armaan said dryly
"It's not right to leave the kids and go on holidays" Janani said
"I have told you this several times. I am telling you again. We need alone time as a couple. It is necessary to build our relationship. And Janani, nobody is going to blame you if you leave them for a couple of days" Armaan said, cupping her face gently.
"It's nothing like that," Janani said, avoiding his eyes.
"I know you sweetheart. You are worried if they will feel neglected by any of your actions. You don't want them to feel as if you love them any less because you didn't give birth to them" Armaan said
Janani wrapped her arms around his torso and hugged him tightly.
That is one thing that gives her immense worry. If any simple action of hers causes hurt to either of the children, she will never be able to bear that.
"How hard is it to get it into your head that you are the best mother in the world. Ava and Advi adores you. Stop worrying over nothing" Armaan said
"I am trying" Janani said with a pout.
"You are not trying hard enough. Just get it out of your head that you are their step mother. You are their mother. Their beloved momma by heart. That's all that matters. They are my blood, but even I won't be able to love them more than you do" Armaan said
"That's a lie" Janani said, chuckling through her tears.
"No. It's the truth. If someone asks you who you love the most in the world, what would be your answer?" Armaan asked
"Ava and Advi" Janani said, without skipping a beat.
"There. See. That's what I told you. If someone asks me the same, my answer would be you, Janani" Armaan said
"What?" Janani asked, looking up at him in shock.
"I do love my children more than myself, but not more than you, sweetheart," Armaan said, dropping a kiss on top of her head.
"I love you, Armaan Verma" Janani whispered, before leaning up to kiss him on his cheeks.
"Now, straighten your saree and let's go down before Addy sends a search party up" Armaan said
"Oh yes! Shreya and her family must have reached already. It's not good to keep them waiting" Janani said and hurried with the last minute touch up.
****
"Hey Shreya. How are you?" Janani asked, pulling Shreya into a bear hug
"All good bhabhi. Where are the kids?" Shreay asked
"At the kindergarten. We will pick them up after the shopping" Janani said
The Iyyer couple greeted the Verma family with a smile.
They got themselves busy with the wedding shopping.
Shreya tried various lehengas on her, but they weren't satisfied by the ones there.
"Maybe we should custom design one" Aadesh said thoughtfully.
"Aaha! You seem to have done research on this" Janani teased her brother-in -law.
"There's nothing like that, bhabhi" Aadesh said, sheepishly, making everyone laugh.
"Anyways, it seems like a good idea. That way, Addy wouldn't see the lehenga before the wedding too" Janani said
"What? Why can't I see the lehenga?" Aadesh asked with a frown
"Just like that" Janani said, with a shrug.
"She didn't let me see her lehenga either. I had to wait till the wedding to see it" Armaan quipped
"What nonsense" Aadesh breathed out
"But the wait will be worth it, brother. Trust me on this" Armaan whispered, only for his brother's ears.
"If you say so" Aadesh mumbled
"Yes. Let's finish the rest of the shopping and then go to some boutique. I am sure, Armaan knows the best women's attire designer in Mumbai" Janani said, making Armaan frown
"What do you mean by that?" Armaan asked
"Uh! You got designer clothes for Ava, Armaan" Janani pointed out with a laugh, earning a glare in return from her husband.
They got themselves busy shopping, when Janani received a text message.
'Mrs Janani Verma,
Please meet me at the Buns and Beans Cafe, tomorrow morning half past eleven. I will be waiting for you. I advise you not to let your husband know about it. This is related to him. If you really love him as you claim, do come.
—A wellwisher'