All Strings Attached

Chapter Twenty One

My mother asked when I was accompanying Dhushyanth to Kurnool and followed up with advice on hydration, and eating nutritious food to make sure I have enough energy and don't fall sick due to the expected heatwaves.

Sarika Athayya made it abundantly clear that I was absolutely welcome to Kurnool, just as Thathayya had. There was absolutely no mention of campaigning from anyone in the family, and my father-in-law seemed resolute in not mentioning the elections to me, or around me.

"You don't have to tell me right away," Dhushyanth says, "take your time." His hold around me loosens, as he retreats, and I snap back to reality, realising that I had taken too long to respond to his proposition.

"I'm just considering," I start, turning around to look at him, "I don't know anything about Kurnool, I've never been there, and I don't even know if I can help—"

"You don't have to help with the election," Dhushyanth insists, readily, a flicker of hope lightening his dampened features. "I just think it would be good for you to be around people, since it would just be you over here."

Oh.

I raise a single eyebrow, challenging the notion that I would live here, or even be lonely. "I have lived alone, before," I point out, "I didn't have two maids and two drivers when I was living in Bangalore. I lived by myself."

Dhushyanth's eyes narrow slightly. "This isn't Bangalore."

"I could visit Meera," I add, "I could do so many things, and be so many places, it does not have to be that I live in this house by myself."

"Visit Meera for how long?" Dhushyanth asks. "She lives in a joint family, in Delhi, you couldn't possibly want to live with her family rather than your own?"

I open my eyes widely. "My family?" I mock. "Who might that be?"

I swear I see a faint blush on Dhushyanth's tanned cheeks as he bites down on his lower lip with his perfect white teeth and looks away.

He looks down at the grass and back up at me, his hands propped on his hips. "Thathayya," he answers, training his eyes on me, as a smirk lifts his lips, "My parents, your Athayya and Mamayya, my brother, your brother-in-law." Dhushyanth's deep, loud voice dips into an intended sexy undertone as he continues, leaning into my face, "me, your husband."

I feel my ears heat up as the grin on his face widens. I had certainly played for this reaction, but I don't think I considered how I would respond to it.

It's my turn to look away, as I tuck my hair behind my ear.

"Your law degree does serve you well," I concur.

"I'm glad you think so," Dhushyanth teases, "just, don't think I didn't notice how you were being a Public Relations expert this morning."

I look at him, my eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?" I ask, trying not to let him see through me.

Dhushyanth raises a single eyebrow. "Mhm?" He challenges my act.

"I don't know what you mean," I declare, and sidestep him so I can walk back into the house. I need to get out of these clothes and get into something comfier.

He blocks my move, shaking his head. "You can't leave while I'm still talking to you."

"Can't I?" I ask, cocking my head to the side.

"Why don't you try?"

I feel the excitement brewing within me as I smirk back at him, and I know we both know exactly what I'm going to do next.

I attempt to step to the side, effectively causing him to move and run back into the house from the other side, laughing along with Dhushyanth who calls out for me, "Sita!"