The soft hum from the electric shaver combined with my humming from a song that was currently in my head flowed throughout the bathroom.
I just finished taking a shower and I should have done the reverse but it was already done so I continued with my task.
In between strokes with the shaver I looked at myself in the mirror, making sure I was catching all the places that I lathered with shaving cream until I was jolted out of my task when I heard a loud audible crash in the bedroom.
I was confused and was going to resume into I heard another crash, this time of glass hitting the floor and I dropped my shaver, gripped the towel around my waist to make sure it was secure, before I left the bathroom and headed back to our room.
The scene that was before me had me frozen in place as I could feel my heart started to pump a lot harder than it was before.
The room was a mess.
It was an understatement compared to how I used to live before when I used to have my own room and that is saying a lot as I wasn't known in picking after myself as much.
Clothes were thrown all over the floor, pillows were scattered on the bed along with the blankets as if someone just walked on the bed to scatter the sheets and blanket.
The small coffee table that usually had books or magazines on it was upside down along with the books and magazines laid out haphazardly on the floor.
The glass I hear was of a vase that contained some chrysanthemums and daises that was always replaced every morning by the workers was on the floor; petals and stems in its wake as flower spilled around the wilted flowers.
Before I could fully analyze the room Shraddha came storming in and it didn't take a second for me to know it was because of her.
This time she was carrying a fishbowl that was empty since we never found the time to actually put a fish in it.
There was something in her eyes that seemed deranged and it seemed as if the Shraddha I knew was beyond recognition.
After several seconds ticked by I finally found my tongue.
"Shraddha...sweetheart...what's wrong..." I said stuttering in confusion rather than fear.
"Don't f****** sweetheart me!" she yelled.
She was angry as heck and it didn't take an idiot to know it.
But at the same time I couldn't help break a smile.
She looked entirely sexy...especially when she is angry.
Her hair was messy, showing that she just woke up, she was still in her nightgown that was covered in a robe.
Her face was flushed in anger but still she looked so freaking sexy that even knowing the situation was serious I just wanted to pick her up and spend the rest of the morning trying to cool her off.
The bed was already messy as it is so it wouldn't be much of a big deal when the servants came to arrange it later on.
I pulled on the biggest grin and tried to make sure my next phrase would ooze confidence, ease, yet so much invitation and innuendo.
But I didn't get that chance as it seems that my wife was not that type of angry this morning and it seemed as if the time I was hesitating was pissing her off even more that she flung the fishbowl and thank God my mother so much for insisting in me playing some type of sport when I was little, as I was able to duck and the fishbowl hit the wall that was behind me.
A second less, or more of being hesitant, it would have hit me smack in the face.
That was not amusing.
I wasn't vain nor too self absorbed but I needed my face, looks, and my body for my line of work and if it wasn't in tip top shape there was always someone in line to take my place.
Especially someone younger.
Even if I was only 30, the entertainment industry hungered and lived off on the young.
Anything that was vibrant, youthful, and innocence was such a major attraction for the industry.
I rose back up and this time I looked back at her with anger.
"What the f***? What the literal f***!" I said pissed off.
"You are telling me what the f***? I should be telling you what the f***!" she yelled back.
"I'm not the one messing up the entire room and trying to throw a f****** fishbowl at my head!" I yelled back.
"Darn right I will! I'm not the one whose f****** leaving his wife at home and busily flirting with every skirt, dress, or female leg that you spot around!" she yelled back.
At that I scrunched up my eyebrow.
"What are you talking about? I tell you I flirt for harmless fun. It's never serious." I said confused.
"And I tell you to stop that as I don't like that! Especially all those...things you act with. I see them...I see how they look at you...you might be playing but they're not. Oooppps I take that back. You must not be playing as it seems you are actually doing more than flirting." She said.
"What are you talking about? I didn't do anything?" I said confused.
"Really?" she said.
Before I could say anything she stormed off and she came back in less than a few seconds came back with something in her hand and before being able to look at it she flung it in my direction.
This time it hit smack in my face.
Thankfully it wasn't anything sharp or hazardous in messing up my face but instead a paper...a newspaper.
"What's this? What does this have to do with anything?" I said confused.
She smirked and it quickly disappeared.
"Look at page six under the entertainment/media section...then you tell me if I'm overreacting." She said.
I looked at her confused and went back to the paper to flip through it and what was on the page had me rooted and in shock.
I looked back at Shraddha who had a smug expression on her face as she slowly nodded to herself.
"Yes...Kunal? Is there something you wanted to say? Was it I'm overreacting? That what the f*** in throwing a fishbowl and messing up the room? Go on say what you said earlier." She said.
This was horrible.
This was bad.
Really bad.
No matter what I say I cannot explain this away.
Especially since it was in the newspaper and most likely being repeated on TV...sooner or later it will be.
"Look Shraddha...sweetheart..." I started off carefully.
She nodded.
"Hmmm?" she said with a dangerous grin that spread on her face.
"I can explain this..." I said.
"Really?" she said shocked.
I knew it was more of sarcasm but I still tried.
"This isn't what it looks like..." I tried again.
"For real? So I must be dumb, deaf, and blind for me not to see what I clearly see and hear what is on the TV and newspaper and dumb for me not to process what all my senses are telling me." She said with so much sarcasm.
"No Shraddha...its not like that...this is just a misunderstanding..." I tried again.
"Really? Which one is the misunderstanding? I mean where does it start? Does it start from where it seems her lips are on yours or does it start where her hands are on your arm?" she said.
I really had a good explanation but in the state Shraddha was in...will she believe me?
"Look Shraddha we had a party yesterday at the set...it was a celebration for the release of our movie...and she...my co-star Anita...she was drunk and she surprised me when she pulled me in and kissed me." I said.
"Wow...that explains everything." She said.
I sighed in relief and closed my eyes knowing I missed being literally killed by my wife.
But that was short live as something was thrown on me and luckily it was one of my shoes.
"Bulls***! I'm not an idiot Kunal! I told you...I never intervened in your social life or career around that but I said I didn't like you being around those female co-stars...especially her...especially that thing!" she said while pointing at the paper.
"I seen the way that harlot stares at you and how she flirts with you even when I'm with you...i told you I was uncomfortable with her around you. Okay I take its work but I said don't take it beyond that. But here this is what I see...you lip locked with her!" she said growing angrier each second.
"Shraddha..." I tried but she put her hand up ignoring me completely.
"I don't want to hear it. I'm done. I need to cool off. I'm not staying here with you!" she said and with that she turned around and left the room.
*******************
"Can you not do that...while we are eating?" Anand said.
I gripped on my spoon and stared at Shraddha as soon as Anand made the comment.
It's been two weeks since Shraddha came crashing (in Anand's words) and rather staying with us after she declared her and bhaiyaa were ending their relationship (in her words).
I didn't have to figure out why as the newspaper made it obvious as to what happened.
I warned bhaiyaa about that woman and that I knew what she was trying to do but he insisted he had no choice as it was part of his job.
Plus she was the director's daughter and this was her first film and he had to maintain her "good graces".
Anand at the time was ready to murder Kunal and was ready to put him in an early grave without much convincing more so on Shraddha's part.
I smiled.
No matter how pissed she was at Kunal she still loved him and didn't want Anand to turn him black and blue.
I've seen him at work...especially when a guy was trying to harass me when I was shopping.
Anand beat him up so badly that it took at least three police officers to pull him off the guy.
I cringed at the memory and pulled my attention back towards the situation.
Shraddha was busy trying to breastfeed Dhruv who was covered in a shawl, not showing anything so I was confused as to why Anand was reacting.
"Excuse me?" she said arching her eyebrow.
"I said can you please not do that here...I mean especially since we are eating." Anand said.
"Anand...there is nothing wrong with..." I tried to say to dispel the situation that was starting to become tense.
Shraddha looked at me and shook her head.
"No don't intervene Kittu. It seems bhaiyaa has a problem with me breastfeeding." She said.
"I never said I had a problem with you breastfeeding just that...you have to do it here especially while we are eating breakfast." Anand said.
Yep...the situation was getting tensed by the second and I was worried that someone was going to snap...more so Shraddha.
Her fuse was short and it was snapping more so often now.
"My son is hungry...so are you going to give him food?" she said.
Anand put his hand on his head and then looked back at Shraddha trying to maintain being calm.
"I didn't say anything like that...but you can do it later or at least somewhere else." He said.
"I can't do it later. Not when he is screaming and crying my ears to death. Plus I'm wearing a shawl...wait a minute...these are just breasts. Everyone has them...including you...just not like mine. Heck even Kittu has breasts and I know you must have..."
My spoon dropped on the plate as I could feel color creep up on my face and my stomach became queasy and hollow.
Anand blushed and looked at his sister in mortification and anger.
But Shraddha was pissed and continued onwards.
"Plus, how do you think you got fed when you were younger...mama had to breastfeed you as well. Where? With her boobs!!! So I don't understand the problem." Shraddha said.
"But you could use a bottle! I mean there is more people than just you and your husband this morning." Anand said with more of annoyance.
Her face distorted into full blown anger.
"I don't have my freaking breast pump! So unless you are going to provide me with one or you are going to squeeze out the milk and put it into a bottle for me, you shouldn't be complaining!" She said.
"But still! This is inappropriate it can be done somewhere else!" Anand said.
The situation was going out of hand so I touched Anand's arm and he looked at me.
"Calm down. There is nothing wrong with didi breastfeeding. Dhruv is hungry and there is nothing that can be done about it. Just let it go...plus...her situation right now...just let it go." I said.
Anand slowly nodded as he took a couple of deep breaths while Shraddha continued on trying to rub Dhruv's back softly as he went through a choking fit.
"When are you going back home?" Anand interjected.
"Anand!" I said turning to him shaking my head.
Shraddha smirked.
"So is my brother kicking me out?" she said with a challenging look.
"That's not true. He didn't mean it like that." I said to Shraddha who was going back to her angry state...yet again.
"I never said that but it seems as if you are not planning on ever going back home or anything to solve the situation with your husband." Anand agreed as well.
"Weren't you ready to beat the crap out of him before?" Shraddha said raising her eyebrow.
"That was before processing and hearing everything from his side."
"Of couse! When do men not side and agree with one another?" Shraddha said in mock sarcasm.
"It's not that..."Anand said.
"But it took less than a minute for you to believe him." She said.
"Its not that. Because unlike most people I actually ask people. I spoke to his freaking manager and he complied the same story he said." Anand said.
She sucked in her teeth.
"He works for him so of course the story has to be the same. If he wasn't so good covering his a** he would have been useless person for his job." She said.
" No. I try to look at the facts before I jump and make a decision." Anand said.
She arched her eyebrow sharply.
"Really now? That seems farfetched to one who was ready to throw out Kittu for supposedly talking to another guy." She said.
I shook my head.
"That was a misunderstanding. We were having problems in our relationship but that was my fault and I...we...fixed it. That was in the past but what about you." Anand interjected.
"What about me?" she said.
"You are too hot-tempered, too impulsive, and too reckless. You act before you think sometimes and now you are doing the same in this situation. Do you understand the full implication of what you are doing? You guys have been together for eight years, married for six out of those years. You have an infant son...are you really serious on ending things or is this just another one of your dramatic hysterics?" Anand said.
She sucked in her teeth and before she could respond Dhruv was having a serious coughing and choking fit.
All attention Shraddha was paying towards Anand was disregarded as she looked at her son in panic and was using a napkin to wipe his mouth and was patting his back making sure his coughing wasn't serious.
She continued and he quieted down for a while and saw Anand was rooted in his position as he looked at his sister and Dhruv in concern.
Dhruv soon settled down and his arms were outstretched motioning for something that I didn't understand but obviously Shraddha did as she placed him back under the shawl.
After that Anand got up from the table altogether.
"Anand?" I said looking at him.
"It's okay. I have to get to work...it's getting late. See you in the evening." He said while kissing my forehead.
"Good bye Shraddha." Anand said with annoyance.
"Goodbye." She said with a curt nod of her head as her attention was directed entirely on Dhruv.
*******************
I stared at him as he was kneeling on the ground looking at me with pleading puppy eyes.
I looked past him and saw guys carrying large bundles of roses in his wake and it didn't have to take a genius to realize that he was trying to suck up...again.
However, this time I didn't throw him flat on his a**.
"What do you want?" I said coldly.
Kunal continued with his expression and realizing I wasn't budging...he finally gave up.
He sighed.
"Look I'm sorry Shraddha. I'm telling you the truth that I didn't kiss her. She kissed me. ME! I would never betray you like that nor your trust." He said.
I folded my hands together and just stared at him.
"I'm being very serious. I should have listened but this...that was my job. She was my co-star...I had no other choice." He said.
I stared at him.
"Please come back home. I miss you...I miss our son...please? It's been three weeks." He said while still kneeling on the floor.
My heart panged at that and everything said to believe him but the picture popped into my head.
Plus what everyone was saying around, the rumors, the talking, and the gossiping...my gosh the gossiping.
I didn't have a game plan.
Not at all.
Everything that I was showcasing, the air of confidence, that I was trying to throw at Anand at the numerous of times he kept on throwing that card at me.
"It's your stupid pride and reluctance to forgive." Anand threw at me.
"It's not that! He kissed another woman!" I threw back at him.
Anand looked at me in aghast.
"Didn't you call his manager for yourself, and he confirmed the same story Kunal told you? The same that I told you? Didn't he tell you that SHE pulled him into a kiss and he immediately pulled her off? Do you remember that?!" Anand said.
"Do you remember the countless of other witness who testified the same story as well?" Anand said.
I folded my hands together not admitting that I was wrong and that I blew up a little bit too much but all I saw was that hussy locked lips on him.
There was nothing I liked about her from day one when I visited the set where he was shooting his movie.
She was always too helpful to Kunal.
Always looking at me with annoyance and was rude when Kunal wasn't in earshot.
I did confront her a week ago I was this close in ripping out her hair until of course until I made sure she understood the full package deal she was getting once she decided on leaching full throttle into taking everything I have.
"I told you once already stay the heck away from my husband." I said to her cooly.
She let her smile fall as soon as all her assistants and manager left her alone.
"I told you already we are co-stars...but he could be even greater with me on his arm...than with you." She said with a smirk.
"Really now?" I said with a smile.
"Yes." She said.
She continued to smirk and I lost my smile.
"Then have him." I said simply.
That knocked her off her high pedestal as she looked at me as if said the most craziest and stupidest thing on Earth.
"Of course you see that side of him. The professional side, aloof, tall well compared to your standards, dark, and handsome side. All of that is what you see and all of that of what you see is what you can have." I said simply.
She looked at me confused.
"What do you mean? Of course I see Kunal for him...I mean for who he is." She said.
I smirked at that.
"I have been with him for the past eight years and I know him longer than most and especially you. The Kunal you see is nothing what he has created and has built for the world to see. I'm the only one who knows Kunal, the real Kunal. So if you want the Kunal that he shows...go nuts but in the end...in the grand scheme of things, I will always have Kunal as I'm the only one who knows the real him. Plus of course if you wouldn't mind raising two of his kids." I said offhandedly...making sure I emphasized the last part.
The color on her face disappeared and the smirk she had turned into absolute horror.
Of course I patted myself on the back and wished I could smile and thank my lucky stars that the rumors of her selfishness and bratiness were as true as her vanity.
"Two...two...two...two...two...two..." she went on sputtering.
"Of course. Well our oldest is two while the other is just six weeks, you know still developing and all, but once you take my place you will be in charge of being stepmother." I said with an evil smirk as I rubbed my stomach that thankfully hasn't yet showed so early on.
"Stepmother?" she said and it wasn't possible but she became even paler.
"Of course. You might not see it but Kunal is a wonderful, loving, and really just an adorable father. He adores his children beyond anything so most likely of course we will share custody and when his children are around Kunal disregard any one else." I said.
She looked like she was going to faint and I could feel her mind calculating as she tried to weigh her odds.
"Plus his mother...sure she is busy traveling with his father but when maa ji and papa ji comes to visit...forget wearing outfits like that, or makeup, or that carefree attitude...you have to make sure you play the role of a dutiful wife and daughter-in-law all in one. She is a handful and you have to wait for her on foot and hand.." I said.
That part was more exaggerated but maa ji could be more of a handful and she did complain from time to time.
"Plus you will be so busy either way planning and running the entire household, making sure everything is running smoothly, making sure meals are prepared, helping plan important ceremonies and occasions...you know the important stuff. Oh nannies...forget it if you're thinking about that. Kunal doesn't trust them and rather he have to stay home..." I trailed on.
"I'm sorry...I kissed Kunal...it was all me. Just me. I was playing around and was so excited. He was so handsome and just absolutely gorgeous...but I mean...it was me. Don't go that far. Please...I'm sorry. Just take him back he wasn't at fault. I will clear all the rumors and especially the media. I will make sure when I have my interview next week I will clear all of this and just say it was a slip on my part."
She pleaded...desperately.
I smiled to myself and looked at Kunal who was still kneeling on the floor.
"It's your stupid pride and reluctance to forgive."
"You are too hot-tempered, too impulsive, and too reckless. You think before you act sometimes and now you are doing the same in this situation."
Anand's voice coming back in my head.
I sighed and stared at Kunal who looked defeated but he stared at me squarely in the face holding onto my gaze.
My heart started beating fast.
Sexy idiot.
I sighed.
I fell for this stupid sexy idiot.
There was no point being this mad and continuing on our fight...but I have to maintain some type of foothold.
It wasn't easy just giving in and I wasn't as soft nor as kind hearted and as compliant as Kittu.
I wasn't the most understanding person and was more of action then letting things fall before me. I couldn't be of practical mind most times and I looked at Kunal.
"You're interesting...you're different and not like most girls. Plus you are super cute." He said winking at me.
That was his first line to me when we first met.
He wasjust some kid too busy chasing after singing, dancing, and acting so he could make it big while I was more inclined into becoming anything that could put me on my own two feet without my parents help.
"Stay by my side...I will always make you happy and never make you cry and I will become the biggest star this city...no town...no country...no entire world has ever seen." He said.
His phrase was hilarious and ridiculous in my ears but there was something about the fire in his eyes, the determination in his voice, the confidence, the air of sureness and certainty, and the manner he presented himself that attracted me...that drew me towards him and never looking at anyone the same...not the same way I saw him in.
And more importantly I never ever felt the same about anyone else compared to the love I have for him.
I knew I probably over the three weeks forgave him and wasn't going to throw it away...but then again I was never one to make sense.
Practicality was never in my forte and he knew it once he married me.
At that I smirked and without a word, and especially catching Kunal by surprise I kissed him on his lips.
It was a soft gentle kiss and before he had time to register or even say another word.
"If this ever happens again and if wasn't an actual mistake I will make sure that fishbowl doesn't miss its mark." I said threateningly.
He nodded his head in argument.
I smiled.
"Plus I'm getting tired of roses. Bring me hydrangeas and lilies...maybe some blue and white orchids and then we can get talking about whether all four of us can head back home." I said.
The biggest smile graced his face and he was going to jump until he stopped suddenly and looked at me confused.
"Four?" he said.
I finally smiled and he looked at me in more confusion.
"Oops! Did I forgot to tell you? I went to my doctor a few weeks back and Dhruv is having another brother or sister." I said and with that I turned around and headed back inside the house while leaving Kunal standing there sputtering in confusion, surprise, and I knew with happiness and joy.
I smiled to myself at that when I heard him calling my name and most likely running after me.
****************
