Nitya and Shiv reached home only to see their family sitting there. It was an unusual sight as mostly everyone stayed in their room at this time because of being tired after working the whole day.

“What’s special?” Shiv asked putting his bag aside and sitting beside his mother putting his head in her lap.

“Nothing, we were just showing Meera all of your childhood pics, and then slowly everyone joined,” Anika replied showing something to Meera.

Nitya looked around as no one noticed her and tried to leave, feeling weird to sit here. It was strange for her because she was not used to these gestures, these family talks. Even in her family she was treated like an outcast, so she didn’t want to do anything that might offend anyone. She turned back to go to her room when she heard Aashrit.

“Where are you going, Nitya?” He said in a loud voice and suddenly everyone’s attention was on her.

She looked around to see everyone looking for an answer as her hands fidgeted together “Umm it’s actually………..”

Aashrit cut her off in the middle “Come here” He said patting the space beside him “I have something special to show you.”

She furrowed her brows but still joined him as everyone again got busy with their work.

“What is it bhaiya? Is it regarding the project? We were going but……….” Nitya tried to explain herself knowing how strict Aashrit is towards work.

“Relax bachhe” He patted her head “Leave office work in the office only.” He caressed her head taking an album he was hiding behind his back.

Nitya smiled hearing him. First of all his nickname makes her feel at home, the home which she never had, the brotherly love she never got, the emotions she never experienced, and then the attention that she craved for her life.

She looked at the album Aashrit opened and a lovely pic of a girl came in front.

“how’s she looking?” He asked with a smirk.

And Nitya awed instantly “Oh my God!! Revu you were so cute as a child.” She gushed looking at the picture.

“Which one you are looking at? Show me also.” Revati said taking the album as her laughter echoed the surroundings.

Everyone looked at her with furrowed brows as Revati turned the album towards everyone and suddenly one by one everyone started laughing except Meera, Shreya, Nitya, and SHIVANSH.

“It’s your dear husband Shivu,” Abhishek said rolling down on the floor and holding his stomach.

Nitya's eyes widened as she looked at the picture in Revati’s hand and then at her husband whose whole face turned red.

She saw Shiv standing up ready to snatch the album but she was faster than him and hid the album behind her.

Shivu looked at Nitya with a complaining look as she bit her lips hard to control her smile

“I burned these pictures then how come?” Shiv shouted frustrated as Nitya covered her mouth with her hand.

“You sure you burnt those?” Aashirt smirked at him.

Shiv turned to Abhishek “I gave you those to burn them.” He said accusing tone.

“Sorry bro, but Aashrit bhai’s offer was quite tempting,” Abhi said still laughing uncontrollably.

Shiv knew there was no gain in fighting with them as he turned to Nitya.

“Give me the album.” He said in a serious tone.

Nitya looked at Aashrit who shook his head and she knew she had the support as she shook her head in no.

“Nitya,” Shiv said walking towards her as she moved back.

“No, I won’t. I haven’t even seen all the pictures.” She said turning back and running from him.

“They are not worth watching.” He said running after her but she was already fast.

“But still I don’t wanna miss.” She said looking back only to see him running after her.

Everyone laughed at them as Nitya ran upstairs with Shiv following her.

“Nitya stop!! Don’t run on stairs. I promise I won’t come after you.” He said in a slightly panicked voice making Nitya stop instantly as she turned back.

For a moment she forgot everything as she turned to look at the man who always happens to steal her heart. She stood at her place as Shiv caught up to her. She tightened her hold on the album knowing well he would try to snatch it but instead, he just held her hand walking upstairs.

Nitya looked at his side as she saw him walking up “Won’t you snatch the album?” She asked

with furrowed brows.

“I promised you, I won’t.” He said tightening his hold as they reached upstairs.

“I thought…………..” She stopped realizing there were many things to learn about her husband yet he didn’t break promises.

Shiv opened the door to their room as he gestured for her to enter inside. She quickly went to bed and opened the album while Shiv just lay beside her.

She turned the pages and kept on laughing seeing her husband in cute frocks, and hairbands

“You are so cute Shiv.” She laughed turning the pages.

At one point she put the album aside laughing while holding her stomach. Shiv wanted to snatch the album first but her smile was something he was ready to do anything for.

“I was an unwanted child,” Shiv said making faces and all the smile left Nitya's face as she looked at him shocked. Just the thought of him having such thoughts was enough to cause her pain.

“Shiv,” She said shocked.

Shivansh looked at her and was confused to see a horrified look on her face “I meant everyone was expecting a girl as there were already 2 boys and then I ended up in their arms.” He chuckled and Nitya took a deep breath.

“But still they loved you the most.”

“Don’t know about them but now I sure have someone who will love me the most someday.” He said looking at her with an intense look.

Nitya looked at him and averted her eyes not knowing what their future holds as she tried to divert the topic “What is this dress?” Nitya asked looking at a lehenga-like dress but a little different.

“Oh it’s Rajasthani base or you can say Poshak. My mother has Rajasthani roots so my grandmother sent many girls dress.” He chuckled.

Nitya furrowed her brows “But mamma told me that her father was from Meghalaya” She asked confused.

“Yeah, but my mother’s mother is Rajsthani.” He cleared her doubts as she nodded.

“Your family has relations all over India I guess.” She chuckled looking at his pictures.

“Hmm, they do.” He said admiring her and looking at her beautiful face which had a smile intact seeing his pictures.

“Nitya” He called her and she looked at him raising brows and not saying anything “You saw my childhood pics, why don’t you show me yours too? I mean we should have equality.” He played with his eyebrows.

And all the smiles left Nitya's face as she remembered her childhood. She remembered the shouting, scoldings, silence, and lonely home.

Closing the album she stood up to keep it near the bedside table “I don’t have it. I just have 2 pics one with my mother and the other of my 1st month birthday.”

Shiv sat up in his seat “What? Only two? I never heard this. But anyways show me those two.”

Nitya looked at the envelope she had in her hand caressing it as she sat beside him forwarding it.

Shiv instantly took pics from her as he looked at the first pic in which a lady was on the hospital bed with a newborn baby on her chest as she was kissing her forehead and an instant aww feeling filled his heart.

He looked at her and smiled “This is the most beautiful thing I ever saw in my life.” He said “And I am not lying.” He said admiring the pics.

Nitya took the pic from his hand and looked at the picture but a smile didn’t adorn her face but fear hit her hard. She looked at the picture with utmost attention until she felt anxiety building up inside her. She instantly put the pic aside and looked at Shiv who was busy adoring her other pic where all her family was present except for her mother.

“Aunty is not here,” Shiv asked her.

Nitya looked at him as all expressions left her face “She died that day.” She said and something hit straight in his heart.

He was speechless for a moment not realizing what he was supposed to say. He could never guess her pain and neither could he comfort her for something he never knew how it felt.

“Don’t act like that. It’s been so long, it doesn’t affect me much.” She said taking the pic from his hand and putting it back inside an envelope.

“Nitya  I am sorry,” Shiv said and she just smiled

“Chill young man, we are going to have many uncomfortable talks in the future.” She said standing up “And you look handsome while laughing and joking around, I don’t like this serious shiv.” She giggled and Shiv knew in just one glance that this smile was not real.

“Nitya how …. I mean aunty how…..” He asked wanting to know his wife a little better.

“Not today please.” She requested and he agreed instantly.

“Come here.” He said spreading his hand and asking her to lie her head on it.

She didn’t say a word and just lay there as he pulled her to him. He caressed her cheek kissing her forehead and she closed her eyes.

“I am always here if you ever feel that you need to let out everything.” He said in the most polite voice and she could just nod as she snuggled more into him.

Soon, Shiv heard some sniffles and felt his shirt sticking to his chest and he knew what she must be going through. No words were exchanged between them and he just tightened his hug while caressing her back and kissing her hair again and again.

Nitya didn’t even realize when she went to sleep while hugging him.

Shiv opened his notepad after assuring his wife was sleeping soundly

She is strong. She is emotionally strong. I always knew about her mother but never understood how hard it must be for her to overcome that pain but while talking with her today I realized she carried the pain. I don’t know what else she hides from me but I will fill her with love and just love. I love you Nitya and I will prove it to you until you start saying you are the most beautiful person on this earth. I will support you in your every up and down.