Page 63 of One Hellish Wedlock
“Fine,” she said, brushing his hand off and stepping back. “I have planned to surprise your sister at midnight with a cake cutting. And guess what? I wasn’t going to do it alone. I had every intention of waking you up to join me.”
Reyansh froze. So that was the plan. He’d jumped to conclusions far too quickly.
“Fine,” he muttered, feeling like a fool.
“Not fine, Mr. Reyansh Chopra,” she corrected, strolling past him with a smile. “You’re acting like an over-possessive, jealous husband, which we both know you’re not.”
She left the room, leaving him stewing in frustration and guilt. Reyansh exhaled deeply because she was right. He’d acted irrationally.
*****************
Aanya paced the bedroom, checking the time. Fifteen more minutes to midnight. Reyansh stayed seated, laptop open, pretending to work. In reality, his eyes flicked to her every few seconds, drawn to the excitement radiating from her.
“Navya is right,” Aanya murmured aloud. “I’ve no patience.”
Reyansh looked up. “Who are you talking to?”
“Myself,” she replied, unbothered. “I’m talking to my inner self. You have a problem?”
He shook his head in exasperation. She was such a drama queen sometimes. Her phone alarm rang, and she jumped in place, grinning as she turned it off.
“Alright, time for action,” she said, all business now. “I’m heading to the kitchen to get the cake. You get Nani and meet me outside Di’s room.”
She left, leaving Reyansh staring after her. Had she just...orderedhim? For once, he didn’t mind. The surprise was thoughtful, something even he hadn’t considered. No doubt, she was a better planner than he was.
He shut the laptop and left the room.
By the time Aanya reached Radhika’s bedroom with the cake, Reyansh and Nani were already there.
“Reyansh, why are we disturbing her at this hour?” Nani grumbled. “She’s pregnant. She needs rest, not surprises.”
“Nani,” he explained patiently, “Aanya planned a small midnight celebration for her. Just a gesture to make her feel special.”
Nani shot Aanya a disapproving look. “Of course she did. What would she know about the importance of rest during pregnancy?”
Aanya bristled. “Then why don’t you ask your grandson to plan a baby with me? Once I’m pregnant, I’d be more than happy to share my firsthand experience on rest.”
The room fell silent. Nani was speechless and Reyansh? He turned to Aanya, cheeks tinged with pink, stunned by her brutal honesty. Aanya really had no filter and she didn’t care to think twice before she said such one-liners.
“If you’re not interested in celebrating with us, feel free to leave,” she added before knocking softly on Radhika’s door.
“This ismyhouse!” Nani snapped behind her.
“It’s mine too for the next two months,” Aanya turned around, reminding her.
“Enough!” Reyansh growled. “Let’s just do this peacefully. I don’t want Di to know we were arguing on her birthday.”
Aanya smirked. “Finally, someone’s thinking right.”
The door creaked open and Rishi peeked out.
“Jeeju, is she awake?” Aanya whispered.
“No,” Rishi replied with a grin, stepping aside to let them in.
They gathered around Radhika’s bed. Aanya turned on the bedside lamp, and they began singing. Radhika stirred, blinking at the light and the unexpected chorus. She sat up, surprised and visibly moved.
“Oh my God… no one has ever wished me like this before,” she said tearfully.
