Page 134 of The Defiant Wife

"Oh?"

"It stays safely inside our room." He smirks and then winks at me.

I narrow my eyes."Should I be concerned?"

"Not concerned."He pretends to think for a second. "Curious, perhaps."

I lightly smack his arm."There are children standing five feet away."

"And?"

"You have no shame."

"None whatsoever." He agrees.

I shake my head, laughing despite myself."You are completely hopeless."

"For you?" He smiles. "Always."

Before I can answer, Rani runs between us carrying a plate nearly bigger than her face.

"Didi!It's cake time!No more romance!The cake is melting!"

Everyone laughs.

Raj signs, “Thank god, I want that cake.” He huffs, while Keshav starts chanting my name loud enough for the entire building to hear.

Within seconds the whole hall joins in.

"Happy Birthday to you . . . "The children sing completely off-key.

Nobody cares.

I look around the room.

At Meher bhabhi sa smiling proudly. Devraj bhai sa next to her, clapping while holding a sleepy Aadhya in his arms.

Poorvi recording everything and Vihaan unaware of the world as he smiles softly, his eyes only on his wife.

Sitara and Dhruv singing through the tablet.

The children shouting my name between laughs.

And Veeraj . . . Standing quietly beside me with his fingers still loosely wrapped around mine.

A few months ago I thought I had built a life.

Today I realize . . . I have built a family.

As everyone finishes singing, I look up at Veeraj.

Without thinking, I stand on my toes and press a soft kiss against his jaw.

"Thank you," I whisper.

He smiles before resting his forehead against mine for a brief second.

"No, Trouble." He gently squeezes my hand. "Thankyou. . . for giving all of us a place to belong."