Better Together

62 | romance

Abhi rolled his eyes, "Damn right, big brother!"

"The powder is in the cabinet below," she answered Abhi's query and turned to Aadarsh with reprimanding eyes. Off late he was being rude and inconsiderate towards Abhi and Ashvi. Just like once upon a time he used to be with her.

He simply held the cup of tea for her. "Your tea..."

She took the cup from his hand, stepping close to him. Aadarsh's gaze distractedly looked at her face. "What..." she began to whisper to him, but another voice interrupted her.

"Bhabhs, where's the kiwi?"

Ruhaani turned to find Ashvi standing before the open fridge, her gaze scanning the contents. "I have kept all three fruits out, for them to warm up a bit."

Ashvi turned around, shutting the door of the refrigerator and Ruhaani pointed to the kitchen island where one apple, one kiwi and few grapes were kept on a big steel plate.

Aadarsh stared at the fruits and then slowly moved his gaze back to his wife. Why did she have to be so damn thoughtful all the time?

"Cool!" Ashvi smiled at her and then gave her eldest brother an eye-roll and a mocking smile, as she took a plate and knife and walked over to the kitchen island.

Ruhaani quickly turned back to Aadarsh. It was apparent from the way the other two gave looks to Aadarsh, that the latter had said something to them.

"Sit, have your tea. We'll make breakfast together, after." He said, picking the other cup of tea. He wondered why she hadn't protested about all the work she had to do all by herself on the second day of her period. It was unlike her to put up with something unfair. Then he recollected how she had prepared the entire dinner last weekend. Of course, this was one of her many ways of caring.

Abhi who had heard that turned around to look at his brother. He was surprised to find them standing so close, looking at each other like the world around them had ceased to exist. An eyebrow lifted up just like one corner of his lips. If it were any other couple he wouldn't be surprised. But it was them! He watched on as Aadarsh ushered her to the kitchen stool, helping her to get on it like she couldn't manage all by herself.

The smirk on his face transformed into a genuine smile. It was now evident that they had evolved from mere family members to something more significant in each other's lives.

Yes, Ruhaani giving him an earful and not understanding him had hurt. He always thought she understood him very well. That was one of the things he really loved about the whole thing. His brother's wife was his best friend.

However, it appeared she understood and cared for his brother more. He couldn't hold grudges, especially not when all he had ever wanted for his brother was someone who would prioritize him, who would love him unconditionally, and who could make him believe in love again.

Ruhaani was all that, perhaps more.

"Ash, is it just me or can you also smell the romance in the air?" Abhi remarked, pressing the button on the machine.

Ashvi giggled, looking up and across the kitchen island. Ruhaani sat on a stool hiding her face behind her cup while Aadarsh stood close beside her with his own cup in hand. While the former clearly was flustered hearing the comment, the latter was as cool as a cucumber as though he had never heard the comment.

"Don't jinx it bro, happens once in a blue moon." Ashvi remarked, with a teasing smile.

"We are right, here!" Aadarsh finally spoke up, slightly irritated. He wasn't the unbearable husband they painted him to be.