CallerTune

The Wrong Timing!

"Missed me?" I said, pushing the door open.

Silence.

"Gem?" I glanced at the bed- she was asleep, curled up like a stubborn kitten.

Her phone rested beside her, the screen glowing faintly with a paused video. I reached over and picked it up-
yes, I know it’s wrong, but sometimes curiosity wins.

The title flashed across the screen: Top 10 Pati ki hekdi kaise nikale.
(Top 10 Tricks to Take Down Your Husband’s Ego.)

What the…?

I rewound the video, a smirk tugging at my lips, and then my curiosity deepened. I opened her Instagram- again, bad move, but I had my suspicions.

And there it was. Confirmation. She was MidnightMuse. Unfortunately.

I locked her phone immediately and placed it back beside her. I left the room dark so her sleep wouldn’t be disturbed, quietly moving to my closet. Pulling out casual clothes, I changed quickly and settled on the couch for the night.

The next morning, she was up before me.

probably in the kitchen.

After my shower, I still couldn’t decide if keeping my identity as PaperKnight was smart or stupid.

Heading downstairs, I found her exactly where I’d guessed- at the kitchen counter, hair tied loosely, sleeves rolled up, focused on mixing something in a steel bowl.

"We have cooks for this, you know" I said, leaning on the counter. "And my cousin and some relatives are coming today. It’s going to be a crowd- you don’t have to cook for everyone."

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and gave me that look.
"Mr. Ahuja, just a reminder- today is my first rasoi. I don’t care if you have ten cooks, I’m doing what your parents asked me to do."

She rolled her eyes. "And if you care so much, why don’t you come help me?"

"It’s your thing, why would I interfere?" I said casually, reaching for a glass from the cupboard.

Her voice shot up an octave. "Seriously?!"

"Okay, okay! fine! I’ll help you" I surrendered, meeting her dangerously narrowed eyes. "Can I at least drink some water first?"

She pointed at me with the rolling pin like a weapon. "Yes. Please."

Lucky escape.

After gulping down the water, I joined her. I chopped potatoes, peeled almonds, and stirred the halwa while she prepared kheer and aloo puri.

"Not bad" she said after tasting the halwa.

"Thanks" I replied, oddly pleased.

We set the dining table together, waiting for my parents.

"Did you make this together?" Mom asked as she walked in.

"Yes" I nodded.

"Waah" she smiled. "He’s never cooked for us. Looks like he’s changing." She threw a teasing glance at Chavvi.

Chavvi blushed, and something in my chest tightened unexpectedly.

Before I could dwell on it, a voice boomed from the doorway.
"GUESS WHO’S HERE!"

Abhishek stormed in, backpack slung over one shoulder, tossing his jacket onto a chair before touching my parents’ feet.

"Namaste!" he grinned.

"BHAIII!" he shouted, arms wide open.

Oh, no.

He hugged me so tightly I could barely breathe.
"Neil, my bro! Sorry I missed your wedding! exams just ended yesterday!"

"It’s fine.." I said, patting his back.

"Where’s bhabhi?" he whispered in my ear.

"Behind me" I muttered.

"The girl with the cute dimples?" His brows wiggled.

I shot him a warning glare.

"Ohooo! Jackpot, huh?" he smirked.

He walked up to her. "Namaste, bhabhi!"

"Bhabhi, how did he manage to pull a baddie like you?"

"Do you have a younger sister?" he added.

Chavvi giggled. "No."

"You look cute, bhabhi" he said.

I punched him lightly in the ribs.

"Ouch! Bhai, that hurts!"

"You! come with me!" I said, dragging him to the terrace.

"What’s wrong, bro?"

"Listen, Abhishek, it’s not what you think. Chavvi and I made a deal- not to interfere in each other’s lives-"

"So… you’re saying I can flirt with her? I have a chance?"

"Saale! Flirting with my wife in front of me?"

"But you just said you don’t even consider her your wife" he shot back.

"Look, you know Kabir? He started this chaos. He gave me an account- one that belongs to Chavvi. She doesn’t know…" I told him everything about the ID exchange.

"So you...."

A voice cut through the air.
"So… you…"

We both turned.

Chavvi stood there, eyes wide, lips parted in shock. She heard everything ?