Chapter 58 Attractive Husband's
She leads Rimjhim upstairs to the second floor, where there is a partitioned gym area both sides have gym setups. I point to the left side and say, “He is probably over there.”
Rimjhim nods. I then step into the right-side gym, where Samar is doing push-ups. His sweaty muscles glisten, his slightly damp hair frames his handsome face, and his chiseled body is hard to ignore. I pause for a second, caught off guard by how attractive my husband looks.
I place the protein shake on the table and say, “Protein shake,” then turn to leave.
But Samar’s voice stops me. “Wait.”
I halt. Samar stops his workout, wipes his sweat, and walks toward me. I scrunch my nose and say, “Go take a shower first!”
Samar smirks and replies, “Don’t you think you’ve been talking a lot lately?”
I cross my arms. “So? God gave me a mouth to speak! Huh… now hurry up and come for breakfast!”
Samar glares at me playfully, but I have already won that round and walk off.
Meanwhile, Rimjhim steps into the left gym and spots Vihan furiously punching a bag. His hair is messy, gloves on his hands, and his defined abs stand out. Rimjhim walks toward him, but just as she gets close, the punching bag swings toward her face.
Vihan quickly grabs it before it can hit her.
He turns and looks at her, and for a moment, he is stunned. Rimjhim looks absolutely ethereal.
With his deep voice, Vihan asks, “You? Here?”
Rimjhim stammers, “I… I just came… randomly.” And with that, she turns and runs off, flustered. Vihan stares at her retreating figure, utterly confused.
Rimjhim hurries back to the kitchen, her breathing uneven. I look at her with concern. “What happened?”
Rimjhim tries to catch her breath. “Nothing…”
I smile. “Alright. Sit down. I’ll start breakfast.”
Rimjhim hesitates, then says, “Can I help? Please?”
I look at her hopeful face and can’t say no. “Okay, let’s cook together.”
In the dining area, family members gradually gather, and Ruhi, freshly ready for college, walks in with a bright face. She has taken a short break from her studies earlier, but today marks her return to campus life, and she is brimming with renewed energy.
Everyone takes their respective places at the dining table. Meanwhile, Vihan sits silently, his eyes scanning the room, subtly searching for someone Rimjhim.
His gaze moves from corner to corner, but she is nowhere to be seen. There is a restlessness in his demeanor, a silent desire to see her, perhaps even talk to her yet words remain unspoken.
Just then, the kitchen door opens, and I and Rimjhim enter, each carrying bowls in our hands. Rimjhim has made something with her own hands for the first time, a small but meaningful gesture.
As soon as Ruhi sees us, she lights up and exclaims with excitement, “Wow, Sister-in-law! What have you made?”
Rimjhim, slightly shy, places her bowl on the table. Ruhi leans in to look and gasps with delight, “Gajar Halwa! My favorite!”
Mr. Ajay, with his usual warmth, smiles and says, “Child, serve everyone, please.”
I begin serving breakfast, and Rimjhim takes care of the halwa. Mr. Ajay is the first to take a bite. His face immediately lights up as he says, “Wow! This is really delicious.”
Rimjhim and I exchange soft smiles for Rimjhim, that one compliment is priceless.
Ruhi tastes it next and happily adds, “Seriously, Bhabhi, this is awesome!”
Vihan, quietly watching, picks up his spoon, tastes the halwa, and then looks at Rimjhim. His eyes blink gently, as if trying to convey something that his lips can’t.
Samar, on the other hand, eats the halwa quietly, finishing it all without saying a word. I clench my teeth and glare at him, my eyes seem to say, “Can’t you at least say thank you?”
But what strikes Rimjhim the most is Mrs. Shobha’s silence. She doesn’t even touch the halwa. Without uttering a word, she finishes her breakfast and leaves. Rimjhim’s smile fades, replaced by a quiet sadness on her face. Her eyes lower, her spirit dampens.
I notice the change instantly. I gently squeeze Rimjhim’s hand and guide her to sit, saying softly, “Come on, you should eat too.”
Even Ruhi notices Rimjhim’s sadness and looks concerned, Trying to lighten the moment, Mr. Ajay says, “Maybe your mom isn’t feeling well. Otherwise, gajar ka halwa is her absolute favorite.”
Though he tries to comfort her, Rimjhim understands the truth behind the words. Mrs. Shobha is still not ready to accept her.
Vihan, feeling conflicted, stands up and leaves for the office. His mind is in turmoil, and he can’t even meet Samar’s eyes. He isn’t ready to face him not yet.
After Vihan leaves, Samar too gets up and heads for work. He maintains his usual stoic demeanor. Ruhi leaves for college soon after.
In Shekhawat Mansion, Neeti is wrapped tightly in a blanket, trembling violently in her room. The weather outside is already chilly, but Neeti’s condition makes it worse she is burning with fever, her body shivering despite the heater blazing in front of her. Her cheeks are flushed red, and tears well up in her eyes from the discomfort.
Just then, the door creaks open, and Shorya walks in holding a tray. On it is a steaming hot bowl of vegetable soup. The moment his eyes fall on Neeti, his face turns red with frustration. He speaks in a stern, raised voice, “Happy now? You’ve made yourself sick. Why don’t you ever listen?”
Neeti doesn’t respond. She doesn’t even look at him. She simply turns her face away, her expression distant and cold.
Shorya walks in, sets the tray down on the table, and moves closer to her. Gently, he helps her sit up and places the bowl of soup in her hands, saying in a softer tone, “Come on, drink this soup quickly. Then take your medicine.”
Neeti, however, replies stubbornly, “I’ll do it myself. You should worry about Sunaina instead.”
Shorya’s face changes the frustration fades, replaced by confusion and hurt. He takes a deep breath and says quietly, “Neeti… why do you bring Sunaina into everything? What has she ever done to you?”
TO BE COUNTINUE...!!!