Saarangi smiled and nodded, just as she entered the room, Vairagya pulled her close.
"What are you doing?" Saarangi's eyes lowered shyly.
"Now that you're going to spend the whole day with your mother-in-law, I thought I'd fill up my love quota for the day first…" he said, leaning down to her neck.
"Mister Rajvansh…" Saarangi whispered softly.
"Yes, jaan…" Vairagya said, lightly kissing her neck.
"Please don't…" Saarangi said, blushing.
"I will… try and stop me if you can," Vairagya said mischievously, tightening his hold around her waist.
Vairagya wrapped Saarangi in his arms, she could feel the warmth of his breath on her neck as his lips slowly traced over it, sending shivers throughout her body. Saarangi closed her eyes, her grip on his shoulders loosening.
He lifted his face and looked into Saarangi's eyes, where a deep ocean of mischief and love swirled. "You'll be away from my sight all day, so I deserve a little bit, right?" His voice was filled with loving insistence.
Saarangi's cheeks flushed a soft pink. She knew Vairagya was teasing, but every touch, every word was sinking deep into her heart. She averted her gaze, her face glowing with shyness and an unfamiliar feeling.
Vairagya gently lifted her chin and said, looking into her eyes, "Get ready and come downstairs, my jaan. Let mom's friends turn green with envy."
He playfully touched the tip of Saarangi's nose and smiled.
Saarangi smiled back, nodded, and freed herself from Vairagya's arms to get ready. A faint smile lingered on her face, and a silent happiness bloomed in her heart. She felt that, slowly but surely, Vairagya was carving out a special place for her in his heart.
Saarangi's smile, the rosy tint of her shy face — all showed how much she liked Vairagya's touch. At that moment, her heartbeat was only for him, and no other thought crossed her mind. His loving touches, mischievous words, and possessive attitude all left a deep impression on her heart. For her, in that moment, Vairagya was everything.
A little later, Vairagya stood in front of the mirror in his business suit, styling his hair. Saarangi came out of the changing room wearing a blue Anarkali dress with a pink dupatta. She looked breathtaking. Her loose hair flowed down to her waist, and even without much makeup, she was stunning.
Saarangi came close and softly asked, "How do I look?" Her voice was slightly hesitant.
Vairagya hugged her and kissed her forehead lovingly. "You look mine, jaan."
Saarangi blushed and pressed herself against his chest. Time seemed to freeze for Vairagya in that moment. His jaan, wrapped in blue Anarkali, resting on his chest — it felt like his whole world was contained in that moment. His heart was pounding fiercely, and he wanted to capture this feeling forever.
Saarangi went downstairs while Vairagya searched for his phone.
"Where did my phone go? Did I leave it at the office?" he wondered aloud.
Then his eyes fell on Saarangi's phone. "I'll call from jaan's phone..." he said, searching for his number but couldn't find it. He started dialing but realized the number was blocked.
Vairagya shouted from the room in anger, "Jaan!"
Everyone downstairs was startled.
Shanti ji laughed, "Go, jaan... otherwise someone's jaan will be lost today…"
Saarangi, blushing, ran away.
Shikha's eyes widened in surprise — 'Already jaan for Saarangi on the first day?'
"Yes, you called…" Saarangi said in a nervous voice.
"What's this…?" Vairagya held the phone forward, showing the blocked number on screen.
"It's the phone… you gave it…" Saarangi said innocently.
"Jaan, I can see it too… I'm asking why you blocked my number?" Vairagya asked angrily.
"I... I didn't… how would I? Your number wasn't even saved…" Saarangi replied with innocence.
Vairagya stared at her in disbelief. His first job after getting the SIM was to save his number.
"Are you saying my number isn't saved in your phone?" Vairagya couldn't believe it.
"Yes, when I wanted to call you, it wasn't there. When I went for the Pagphera ritual, and you didn't call once…" Saarangi said with a hint of complaint.
Vairagya was stunned. He had been trying to call her repeatedly, and now she was complaining that he hadn't called.
"I'm sorry, jaan... maybe someone blocked my number by mistake… By the way, did you give your phone to anyone?" Vairagya asked softly, his anger subsiding.
"Umm... no, no one…" Saarangi thought for a moment.
"Remember properly, jaan," Vairagya pressed.
"Yes, oh! Tea spilled on my clothes, and Shikha…" Saarangi remembered.
"Tea? When? Show me, is there any burn?" Vairagya became worried.
"It happened a week ago... it's fine now…" Saarangi said.
"Shall I go now? Everyone must be waiting…" Saarangi said hesitantly, feeling a little shy about going downstairs.
"Yes, go…" Vairagya said lovingly, looking at her. His suspicion about Shikha was growing.
Saarangi came downstairs where everyone was watching her.
"Please don't look at me like that… I feel shy," Saarangi said softly, her cheeks tinged with pink.
"Why, jaan… your husband wouldn't feel shy, right?" Shanti ji teased.
"He wouldn't, for sure…" Vairagya came from behind and said, "If anyone messes with my jaan now…"
His voice was full of loving authority.
Saarangi's eyes widened; she hadn't expected Vairagya to call her 'jaan' in front of everyone. Her heart started pounding.
"I'm very hungry, jaan… quickly serve breakfast. And pack some for Raj too…" Vairagya said affectionately. Saarangi was about to set his plate when Shikha said, "Saarangi, you pack Raj's tiffin. I am Mister Rajvansh…"
"I only want breakfast from my jaan," Vairagya said flatly, his eyes fixed only on Saarangi.
Shikha's face fell, while Saarangi's lips curled into a small smile. She quickly served the plate, but as she was leaving, Vairagya grabbed her hand.
Saarangi looked at him, questioning with her eyes.
"Did you have breakfast?" Vairagya asked.
"No, haven't yet... been busy all morning," Shanti ji complained.
"That's wrong, jaan… sit down and eat," Vairagya said lovingly.
"But I was going to—"
"Sit down yourself, or I won't hesitate to put you on my lap," Vairagya said playfully.
Saarangi blushed and sat beside him.
Vairagya started feeding her with his own hands.
Meanwhile, Shikha watched all this burning with jealousy; her face clearly showed her envy.