All Strings Attached

Chapter Thirty

"Okay, let's sit out on the balcony there's a cool breeze."

I nod, busying myself with pouring the tea into cups, and put them on a tray. "Sasi!" I call out loud, and realise I might not be in my most organised state.

Slapping my forehead, I turn around to look at Dhushyanth. "Do I look okay?"

"You look hot."

I hiss in frustration and slap his arm. "Do I look like I just made out with you?"

Dhushyanth grins. "Your hair's a bit—"

I hear the giggles before I see the staff entourage and undo the bun my hair is in, attempting to shield myself with Dhushyanth's body.

I ruffle my hair, and clear my throat. "Bring the tray upstairs," I instruct, and leave with Dhushyanth, keen not to make eye contact with anyone else.

"Hi kanna," Sarika Athayya calls out, as soon as we step out of the kitchen. "Where are the two of you off to?" She enquires, her eyebrow raised.

"Meera and Veer are here," Dhushyanth explains to his mother, "we're hanging out in the balcony upstairs. What about you?"

"Just visiting some relatives," she explains her appearance; ready to head out. "I will meet Veer and Meera when I'm back. Is Dhruv home?"

"Dhruv is resting," Dhushyanth explains, "he's had a long day."

"And Prashanth?"

"Working."

"We should ask him to join," I nudge Dhushyanth, who nods at me in response.

My mother-in-law smiles at the both of us. "It makes me really happy to see you two together, so—" she narrows her eyes, seemingly trying to find a word, but she cannot, so she shakes her head— "I can't find the word for it, but it warms my heart to see you this way."

I find myself amused at her compliment, but that doesn't stop me from blushing and hiding in Dhushyanth's side.

She chuckles. "Dhishti theepinchukondi iddharu, ammamma chetha," she tells us, "I will leave now." [Have the evil eye taken off by ammamma.]

~.~.~.~.~

Meera and I sit next to each other on a couch, while Veer and Dhushyanth take the other, leaving Prashanth to relax on the lounger.

"Sita was obsessed with modern family for the longest time," she tells Dhushyanth, "and Ben and Jerry's! Almost every day after uni, she would show up with Ben and Jerry's to watch Modern Family—"

"They are obsession worthy," I defend my choices, "Ben and Jerry's is the absolute best."

"I was constantly waiting for the company to show up at our door and thank Sita for her contributions."

I giggle heartily, swatting Meera's arm. "Shut up."

Meera laughs back. "Dhushyanth, does she bother you to buy her ice cream all the time?"

"I don't have to bother him for it," I tell Meera, feeling a small smile erupt on my face as I continue shyly, "he's had ice cream stocked for me since I got here."

"Aww," Meera coos.

I acknowledge the weirdness of everything I'm feeling right now, and how none of it is like anything I've ever felt before. Is this what it's like to have a husband? To like your husband? To be liked by your husband?

Is it just a mutual like though?

I feel like I'm seventeen again, debating whether or not I like someone, and whether or not they like me back.