When You Least Expect It!

Something to go on..

The alarm clock buzzed on the bedside table. Mithila switched it off. Looking at Avani, who was still in deep slumber, she got up to get ready.

It was her first day as a daughter in law in Sahniyals' house. She wanted it to be perfect. So she decided to make breakfast for everyone.

She got ready and went into the kitchen. It was quite early so most of them must be sleeping. The maid in their house was cleaning up the kitchen. She smiled at Mithila.

"Bhabhi sa, why did you get up so early?" She asked.

"I wanted to make something for breakfast for everyone." She smiled at the maid.

"As you wish Bhabhi Sa." Maid smiled at Mithila. She started telling basic cooking stuff to Mithila. She tried to remember everything in one go.

She decided to make methi bajra puri and chutney for breakfast. She started preparing for the same when she heard someone coming in the door. It was her tormentor from last night wearing his jogging attire and sweating through it. He was leaning against the doorframe with crossed legs slowly chugging the water bottle he held in his hand.

There was no one in the kitchen except these two. It  was still early so most of them might be sleeping. Mithila was having palpitations again. She turned towards kitchen and busied herself in kneading the dough.

Kunvar slowly sauntered towards her and stood beside her leaning against kitchen counter. He kept looking at her with hooded eyes. He noticed everything, the way she avoided his eyes, her breathing quickened, she kept licking and biting her lips. She was looking ravishing in her newly wed bride look with a mustard colour saree and golden blouse. Her hair loose with front portion secured neatly with a beautiful klip matching her saree. The chuda (bangles) on her wrist kept kinkling as she kneaded the dough.

Mithila was anticipating some kind of physical torment coming her way. But he barely came in her vicinity. He kept his distance alright. He kept the bottle aside at the same moment Mithila gripped the dough tightly. But nothing happened. Kunvar left the kitchen without saying anything. Mithila was confused and just a little amount of sad.

She contemplated some reasons for his sudden aloofness. Maybe he is angry for last night. They were alone she could have let him do what he wanted. Why does she have to be so coy!

During breakfast everyone kept praising Mithila for her amazing cooking. But Kunvar kept quiet and smiled in between. He never moved his eyes from her though. She kept adjusting her saree and hair involuntarily. Even she didn't know why her heart was hammering so much. One more heart was restless as Mithila and that would be Avani. She could barely eat anything. Kabir got worried a little but didn't say anything. Since last night all he could think about was those wild eyes and pink lips. His dreams were infested by them rather more vivid images of what could have been if they were not interrupted. But he has to take it slow. She was on edge here.

"I think I will go home today." Avani suddenly announced. Kabir jerked a little. Everyone was confused. They all assumed she will be here till reception.
"No way!" This was Kaveri. "You are not going anywhere till reception." Kaveri said in finality. "If you want to attend college you can do it from here. And if you want to meet your mom Kabir will take you." Kabir was more than excited for it.
"No!" Avani said suddenly. "I mean why to bother anyone." Avani tried to pacify the situation. "I will go myself and come back on the reception day if that's what you all want. I mean I think I am overstaying my welcome in a way." Avani said looking at her lap.

Mithila was already hurting with Kunvar's behaviour on top of that now Avani wanted to leave. She was close to crying. She sat beside Avani with earnest expression on her face. She wanted someone to be there for her. She was confused and really needed help. "Please stay. " She said softly to Avani. Kunvar observed her demeanor but didn't say anything.
"Avani beta" Ramkishan started in a fatherly voice. "We need your lively attitude in our house always. But we think we might be able to get you only for few days so let us be. Plz stay. It will be really good for Mithila since everything is new to her and you will be a familiar face for her." He finished with a smile.

Avani chanced a glance at Kabir who looked at her with unreadable expression. But she agreed begrudgingly.
Mithila smiled at her.

Ramkishan left the table first followed by Kabir and Kunvar. Samar followed his wife into the kitchen.... Getting something to go by maybe... Hee hee...

Mithila kept glancing at Kunvar's retreating back. Maybe he has a lot on his mind. The reception, the Ganesh Pooja and all. Maybe he is focusing on that right now. Or maybe he is giving her time to wrap her head around a little.

Whatever it was, she never thought she would crave for his attention this much. Maybe he is angry or maybe hurt knowing that what he wants is in front of him but he can't have it.

She helped Kaveri to clean up a little while Avani started packing her bag in the guest room leaving only outfits for remaining 2 days.

Mithila approached Kaveri who was packing the leftover food to be put in the fridge.

She approached her cautiously. What she was about to ask was a little awkward and she needed a lot of courage for the same.

"Di," she called her.

Kaveri's turned towards her and asked,
"What is it? You look like you are about to cry or fly off!" She chuckled a little resuming her work.

"I think Kunvar sa is angry with me, or hurt or both I guess." She said.

"What makes you think that?" Kaveri was curious now.

"He is not his usual self.... If you know what I mean." She said shyly looking away.

"Hmmm..." Kaveri wanted to torment her a little, "No I don't know what you mean." She said feigning innocence. "Can you elaborate?" She said stifling her laugh.

"Di!" Mithila whined a little. "Please don't play with me now. I am serious. You know today morning we were alone in the kitchen ... I thought... I don't know... I mean..." she was lost for words or maybe too shy to say them out loud.

"What did you expect?" She asked probing her a little.

Mithila let out a cute frustrated sigh and turned, "let it be Di." She said and tried to leave, but as soon as she did, Kaveri held her tightly from behind laughing along with it.

"Ok ok sorry sorry so sorry." She said looking at her from side. "So you expected him to do something like what I am doing to you right now, or maybe.... More??" She said mischievously.

Mithila put her palm on her face blushing to the core.

"No... I mean.." she stuttered a little, "he is not even talking to me Di."

She turned slowly facing her. "Last night he came to my room." She said avoiding Kaveri's eyes .

"Hawww! Devar sa couldn't resist could he??" She said smiling a little, " and then what happened?" She said suggestively wiggling her eyebrows.

Mithila thought her whole body will be on fire with this interrogation.
"Nothing happened Di!" She said to clarify the situation, "But I think that's why he is angry. I mean I don't have much rather any experience in these things, I think boys get impatient with these things right? I mean he is being denied of all these things he wants to do since a long time. He... might have... you know.... Lost interest?" Mithila said dejectedly.

Kaveri knew Mithila was going on a wrong track here. "First of all... NO! There is no way Devar sa has lost interest in you or the things he wants to do to you." Mithila turned a hundred shades red. Kaveri continued, "But if you think you need to have a talk with him to clear out some things then we can definitely arrange something."

Mithila was confused now.
"Are we going to the office now? I mean I don't think that's the place where I want to discuss all this with him." Mithila thought the idea of going to the office was a tad bit weird.

"Of course not!" Kaveri exclaimed, "You guys need privacy and time to discuss all this. So...... I am thinking something else." She said thinking about the plan she has already started cooking in her head.
"I think Devar sa is going to thank me to no end!" Kaveri said it more to herself than to Mithila.

Mithila got butterflies all over her body thinking of various ways this plan might turn into!