Chapter 51: Annoying

Aanya swatted away his hand. “Don’t mess up my hair.”

“It’s already messed up as it is.” Aakash rolled his eyes.

“Don’t mess it up even more.”

“…now who’s acting like a child?”

“We should always be kids at heart.” She retorted.

“…” Aakash was speechless. “It’s only a problem when I am being like that? It’s fine when it’s you? Girls…”

“You better not be thinking ‘Girls’, Aakash.” Her tone of voice immediately made him abandon his current train of thought.

“Hahaha…what do you mean? I wasn’t thinking that…”

“Sure.” Aanya gave him a knowing look.

As Aakash ran a hand through his hair chuckling, Aanya nestled her head into the crook between his neck, eyes staring up at the ceiling.

“Did you notice? We came back to talking about school again somehow.”

“Our conversation came to a full circle.” Aakash chuckled.

“If only life could be like that too.” Aanya heaved a sigh.

“What? You want to go back to sit and study in classrooms like when we were kids?” He quipped.

“You know that’s not what I meant. Stop trying to be funny, you’re terrible at it.”

“What if I said it was just to annoy you?”

“…doesn’t it just go to show that you can never act like a grown-up?”

“Weren’t you the one who was advocating being kids at heart a few minutes ago? Hmm?” Aakash poked her cheek.

Swatting her husband’s away, Aanya immediately retorted, “Being kids at heart and always acting like one are different. Also,” She smiled cheekily, “Here’s your present for successfully annoying me.”

The sudden elbow to the side made Aakash jump in surprise and pain. As he jolted, Aanya pushed away from him to fall back onto a pillow, pandiculating as she did so.

“Hey, that hurt!”

“It was meant to.” Came the swift reply accompanied by a large yawn.

Turning to his wife, who was laying on the, looking thoroughly exhausted, Aakash couldn’t help but chuckle, “Weren’t you all talkative and active a while ago? What’s with the sudden change?”

“Reached my quota of energy usage, mentally and physically, for the day.” Aanya stretched her body again.

“For many days and also long overdue. That’s what happens when you let work intrude upon every second of your life. Learn to take a break and leave things other people can do to them.”

“…And there you go again. You aren’t going to leave it until I give Parikshit and Naina the job of overseeing the function, are you?”

“Well, I might…or maybe not.” Aakash’s eyes twinkled. “A stubborn mule needs a hard-headed companion to keep her in check, don’t you think?”

“Is that why we get things done? Because we lock horns and you sometimes eke out a win?” Aanya raised a tired eyebrow.

“It could also be coz I’m so cool that you wanna listen to what I say-”

“Rejected.”

“Worth a try.” Aakash shrugged.

“…fine, I’ll give it some thought. Now, leave. Let me get some sleep. I’ll cook dinner later. Wake me up.” She tried shooing him away.

“Against you, ‘give it some thought’ is almost a yes.” Aakash got up laughing. “When you set your mind to something, you almost never listen to other opinions, except when it’s something work-oriented.”

“This is related to work.” Aanya pointed out.

“Nope, it’s about assigning yourself less stuff. That’s personal.” Stretching his arms and legs after getting off the bed, he grimaced, “Oof. My legs have gone to sleep.”

Rubbing them vigorously to get the blood flowing, he added, “Also, I’ll wake you up for dinner, not for cooking dinner. You’re finally getting some much-needed rest, I’m not going to let you spoil it for yourself.”

“I do sleep at night, you know?” Aanya smiled tiredly at her worrywart spouse.

“Late! And wake-”

“Yes, yes, I know. ‘And wake up early’. You don’t have to say it. I’ll rest.” Chortling softly, she added, “Anyway, whoever says no to sleep?”

“You do.” The words flew by with lightning speed.

“Okay, whatever.” Aanay pursed her lips in irritation. “Just go and let me sleep then, you annoying old man.”

“For god’s sake…we’re the same age!” Aakash’s eyes turned heavenward. “How am I old?”

“Conceded.”

“Good.”

“But you’re still annoying, at the very least.”

“…”