‘Truth or dare?’ Abhinav raises his eyebrows. ‘How old are we, Naina?’

‘Come on, Abhi. Don’t be a spoilsport,’ Pooja complaints. ‘This game is always fun.’

‘Unless you are scared of the investigation that comes along with it, Abhinav Gupta,’ Naina adds.A mischievous smile is playing on her face.

‘Don’t challenge me, Naina Kumar,’ Abhinav smiles and places the empty champagne bottle horizontally on the centre table.

‘Why are you so quiet?’ Pooja asks Vivaan who is sitting besides Naina holding his champagne flute and looking lost in his thoughts.

‘Huh? What?’ Vivaan comes back in the living room from wherever he was wandering. ‘Nothing. I am fine. Just thinking about next week’s meeting in Delhi. This client is very important for us.’

 Abhinav gives an understanding nod to Vivaan. ‘Yeah, a big fat client. Are the marketing guys done with the presentation?’

‘Stop discussing work all the time, you two,’ Pooja interrupts before Vivaan could answer Abhinav.

‘Okay, okay, Mrs. Gupta. No more talks about work,’ Abhinav pulls an invisible zip on his lips and comes closer to his wife.

‘Let’s spin the bottle,’ Naina says in an excited voice and spins the bottle on the table. It revolves for a few seconds and stops pointing itself towards Abhinav.

‘Oops! The first scapegoat. I will choose Truth.’ Abhinav laughs. ‘Who wants to grill me?’

‘I will, I will,’ Naina almost jumps on the sofa like a kid.

‘Just look at her,’Abhinav chuckles. Vivaan simply closes his eyes in embarrassment. ‘Go ahead, Naina.’

‘Okay. Did you never really had any other woman in your life before Pooja? Be honest.I mean it’s difficult to digest this fact with a handsome and rich man like you,’ Naina asks.

‘What kind of a question is that, Naina?’Vivaan protests.

‘No. That’s okay, Vivaan,’Abhinav smiles. ‘Moreover, she is not the first person who has asked me this question.’ He looks at Pooja sitting cosily next to him. Then he looks back at Naina and replies, ‘No, Naina. Pooja was and is the only woman in my life. May sound strange but this is the biggest truth for me.’

Pooja grabs Abhinav in her arms and kisses him.

‘Awww,’ Naina says. ‘No offence, Pooja. I was just a little bit curious.’

‘Not a problem Naina. Both of you are like a family,’ Pooja says. ‘Let’s continue the game,’ she spins the bottle.

 

‘Abhi, what are you doing? Naina and Vivaan are leaving,’ Abhinav hears Pooja’s voice coming from the other end of the closed bathroom door.

Abhinav splashes some water on his face. He pulls the hand towel from hanger and pats him dry.Heavy dinner, champagne and above all the game has made him a bit queasy.Even after eleven years of marriage and two kids, Abhinav often comes across the question Naina asked half an hour ago. Is the word ‘infidelity’ written somewhere on his face? Silly Naina and her silly questions. He thinks. Only if she knew the full truth.

Anyway, it doesn’t matter. He is waiting eagerly for the Delhi trip. The client meeting will be over within a day and he will get some alone time with the person he loves the most in his life at present. Although Abhinav doesn’t like to mix business with pleasure, but this is the only option left where nobody can doubt him. The touch, smell, cuddle, kiss everything makes him feel rejuvenated, even his wife couldn’t give him this happiness. Of course, Pooja is the only woman in his life. But Vivaan, he is the love of his life. Abhinav hates the sight of Naina around Vivaan. He….

‘Abhi, are you listening to me?’ Pooja knocks the bathroom door.

‘Coming darling, just a second,’ Abhinav adjusts his hair and opens the door.

 

‘Vivaan, will see you in the office on Monday,’ Abhinav hugs him and caresses his back softly.

‘Sure, and we need to discuss plans about the Delhi trip,’ Vivaan looks straight into his eyes. Abhinav nods.

‘And we should plan an outing soon once these two are back from Delhi,’ Pooja holds Abhinav’s arms.

‘That sounds some more fun,’ Naina chirps as she gets inside the car. The Guptas and the Kumars wish good night to each other, happiness of a fun frolic evening clearly visible on their faces. But only Abhinav notices Vivaan’s jealous and detested look at Pooja before they drove into the busy streets of Mumbai.