My Nepenthe

Chapter 27

"Come one Gauri. Tell me about your trip, you can make coffee later," Anika sulked, making her sister in law laugh.

"Weren't you the one who wanted it in the first place Bhaujai? Now that I started making it, we can talk while doing work," she said.

"But you are talking a word per hour. Tell me properly, how did you two, who went to bring the kuldevta murti for starting our wedding rituals end up getting married. Kitna exciting kahani hai and you are speaking with no eagerness at all," she said in annoyance.

"There is nothing romantic to it bhaujai. We were stuck and Taadaka daadi gave the only way out to save Kamlesh kaaka from disgrace. We had to do it. The only thing good out of it was that Omkaraji didn't start to hate me," Gauri explained making Anika frown.

"You are not happy about it?"

"I wasn't prepared for such a thing."

"Yeah, but are you not happy about it?"

Gauri pondered over the question for a moment. Sure that she didn't want to get married in such a way but she has never been in regret since her husband accepted her.

"I am happy Bhaujai. Very much," she said and Anika grinned widely before embracing her.

"Then nothing else matters. I am happy if you are happy," she said and placed a kiss on her temple.

"So, now tell me the other details," she asked parting.

"What other details?"

"Don't play dumb. You said Om accepted that he likes you."

"So?"

Anika rolled her eyes and said, "Budhu... didn't you both spend the night together? Things should have happened right?"

Gauri still looked confused for a second before realization came to her with a bang.

She gasped before she turned red making her sister in law tease her more.

"Tomato huh? Where did you reach? Level one, two or all the way?"

"Bhaujai! What are you saying?" she whispered in outrage looking around the kitchen to see if anybody heard them.

"Just shut up, will you? Nothing as such happened."

"Why?" came the next question.

"Ye kya sawal hai. Why matalb? It didn't happen that is it."

"Not even kiss?"

Gauri turned away to pour the coffee into the mugs not wanting to answer when she was pestered again.

"Gauri!"

"No bhaujai," she lied with her fingers crossed.

"How can that be possible Gauri, Om seems to be quite taken by you. I don't believe this."

"Uhh... but it is what it is. He is ..ummm, shy may be?"

"Then you could initiate."

"What are you saying Bhaujai, aise kaise mein..."

"Then nothing happened?"

"No."

"Sachi?"

"Haa, sachi."

"Disappointment, that is what I am feeling right now. Lalitha ji's story was far more exciting," Anika said making a face and her sister bit back a smile.

"Leave about me, tell me about your trip. Bade bhaiyya took you to Goa right?"

Anika scoffed before she replied, "My life isn't happening. That is the reason I was asking you to see if yours is any better. Tadibaaz Billu ji doesn't care about anything except work. You know how he is. Also, the trip was only for two days. We had to rush back because of that chantomai kahiki."