Do Anjaane

Chapter 33

I know I barely posted half a day ago, but I got through editing the remaining two chapters and I wanted to get back to my previous posting schedule, so here you go!

A week later:

Akanksha was preparing to apply for a few Master's programs, since her Bachelor's was about to be completed soon. She and Vaidehi had discussed the possible options, especially the possibility of studying in the United States, but Akanksha had decided to stay in the country. There were great programs within India, and she wanted to stay close enough to her family that she could meet them in a few hours. The rest of the family had supported her decision, and right now, the two were in Akshu's room, having just finished editing a few application essays. 

Raghuveer knocked on the door, but before either of the ladies could reply, he entered the room and shut the door behind him. Akshu and Vaidehi were sitting on Akshu's bed, and their conversation stopped as they looked up at Veer in surprise. He leaned against the wall opposite to them, and simply stared them down. "Bhai, kya hua? Achanak se andar aa gaye aap, aur bohot serious lag rahe hain." "Tum hi batao, Akshu. Ya phir, Vaidehi." 

"Hum? Hum toh sirf college application par kaam kar rahe the, Bhai." "Haan, seedhe seedhe bataiye, kuch pareshaani hain kya?" Vaidehi added. Moving away from the wall, he dragged over Akshu's chair from her desk and took a seat across from them, resting his elbows on his knees. "Akshu, woh paise joh tumne extort ki-" "Bhai!" Akshu exclaimed. She needed to pretend as if she didn't want Vaidehi to know, but she also didn't want their secret to come out. Vaidehi placed her hand on Akshu's knee, "Mujhe pata hain, Akshu. Maine hi inko manaya tha." "Accha?" 

Veer raised his eyebrows at his wife, and Vaidehi could see that his eyes were promising sweet torture. "And why don't you tell me whose account that money was deposited into?" "Mine. That non-profit I told you about, the one that Radhika, Shraddha and I are starting, Akshu told me that she would send me some money for it, and I connected the dots." "Hmmm, ok. But I also needed you to look at a program for me." Once Veer had found out about Vaidehi's educational background and profession, he would often consult regarding any work issues that he felt she could lend an expert eye on. "Of course, Akshu and I were done anyways." 

As soon as they were in their room, Veer caged her against the door. "So, this wasn't a plan between you and Akshu?" Vaidehi's eyes widened, but she shrugged and tried to save face. "Of course not!" But after a few seconds, she couldn't hold it in any longer. After all, a prank should only be taken so far. "Ok fine, maybe we did plan it. But, I did not have Akshu take that picture of us! She showed me afterward, and I may have lent her a helping hand." "You know you could have just asked me for the money?" Vaidehi sighed, "The money wasn't the point, I knew you would have donated it anyways if I asked. But, it was just for the fun of the prank." 

"Lekin ab madam, you've been caught out, and you'll have to face the consequences." Veer hauled Vaidehi over his shoulder and fell on the bed with her. All her breath left at once as she fell on the bed, but before she could scramble away, Veer started tickling her. "Ah, nahi! Chodiye, please!" Between her squirming and her laughter, she managed to roll on top of him, and decided to take revenge, tickling him. Unfortunately, Veer wasn't ticklish in the least. He leaned back on the bed, smirking, as Vaidehi looked at him in shock. "You're not ticklish?" "No." Quick as a blink, he rolled them over again, hovering over Vaidehi. Immediately realizing his intent, she whispered, "Woh program...?" "There's no program, darling. This is all I have planned for us tonight..."