Page 197 of One Hellish Desire

“Is it?”

“Fine,” she shrugs. “Those shoes are mine too and that black saree.”

I grin seeing them bicker. Daadi holds her laugh.

“Vikram, I got a few things for Maahi. Hope she likes it.” Mom mumbles.

“She will. But what have you got for her?”

“Some designer jewelry and the rest… she will tell you herself.”

Mom’s naughty wink makes me wonder what else she bought. I assume she means some sexy stuff but won’t ask her directly. It’s better to find out from my wife.

“And Maa,” Mom turns to Daadi, passing her a bag. “This is the holy book you were talking about. We managed to find it in a bookstore.”

Daadi is pleased and thanks them.

“Don’t thank me, Maa,” Dad replies. “Meera insisted we keep looking until we found one. We hunted all the bookstores in the city and finally got it.”

Daadi’s eyes moisten with tears seeing Mom’s efforts.

“Thank you so much, Meera. It means a lot to me.”

Mom nods gently and then rises. “I have to go. It’s already 6:00 pm.”

“Go? Where?”

“Spa appointment. I’ve taken one for me and Maahi. I will pick her up on my way.”

Spa? I’m overwhelmed.

“Do you want to join us?” Mom asks Daadi, who instantly declines.

“No, no. What will I do there?” Daadi resists.

“Spa is for everyone, Maa,” Dad interrupts. “You should go. Meera will add one more person to her appointment. Not a big thing.”

Mom nods in agreement, but Daadi keeps resisting and promises to join them next time. Mom hurries back inside to get ready and leave. Seems the appointment is at 7:00 pm, and they will return before dinner.

While I’m still busy chatting with Dad and Daadi, my wife’s message pops up on my phone.

‘Your Mom is taking me out for a spa. Will be late. It was her idea totally and I couldn’t deny.’

I reply to her.

‘Missing you bad. Get the best treatment done at the spa tonight. I want you all relaxed before I exhaust you again tonight.’

She sends me a blushing emoticon in response, which brings a smile to my face too. Can’t wait to see my wife tonight?

MAAHI

I’m giving instructions to my assistant when Aunty knocks on my cabin door. I hadn’t expected her to come inside my boutique. Thought she would call me from her car.

“You have a beautiful store, Maahi,” she says admiring my work around. “I’m sure there’s something for me here too.”

Oh! She wants to really know, or is she teasing?

“Do you want to check something?” I nervously ask, as she is family now and her feedback matters.

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