61."Sometimes I Wonder If All Of This… Is Just A Dream."

[KRISHNA'S POV]

I sat on the bed in one of the rooms Renuka had arranged for us, my laptop resting on my lap. I just ended the call after speaking with Keerthi and Anasuya. It was already 10 pm, and outside, the darkness stretched out, accompanied by the soft hum of distant voices and laughter from the ongoing celebrations.

The girls were with Renuka, enjoying the mehendi ceremony. After all, it was her big day, and the air around the house had been buzzing with excitement since we arrived. When we first got here, we all freshened up and then joined the rest of the family as they prepared for the pre-wedding rituals. I had stood on the sidelines, watching the ceremonies unfold, a mix of tradition and joy in every gesture, in every prayer. The girls had been quickly swept up in it all, busy with the rituals, leaving me as more of an observer.

The rituals carried on until 8 pm, after which we all sat down for dinner—a delicious spread that was as comforting as it was filling. But after dinner, the mehendi function began, and being a tradition mostly for the women, I quietly excused myself, retreating to the room.

Now, here I was, alone in the room, with only the faint sounds of the ongoing festivities filtering in through the walls. I could hear the occasional burst of laughter, the hum of conversations, and the clink of bangles as the women admired the intricate designs being drawn on their hands. It was the expected noise of a marriage house, filled with life and celebration, but somehow, in the quiet of my room, it felt distant—almost as if I was in another world.

I let out a quiet sigh, my fingers tapping lightly on the keyboard. Work had a way of grounding me, offering a small escape from the whirlwind of activities outside.

As I focused on my work, I heard the soft creak of the door opening. I looked up and saw Aamukta entering the room, her eyes gleaming with mischief. I couldn't help but smile at her entrance. She locked the door behind her and walked toward me, her smile widening.

"What's going on, Cutie pie? Don't you want to get mehendi on your hands?" I teased, still smiling.

Aamukta shook her head, her expression playful. "There are so many people waiting to get mehendi. It's taking forever, and I got bored. So I thought I'd come here and hang out with you until it's my turn," she said, before climbing onto the bed next to me. With a mischievous grin, she picked up my laptop and gently placed it aside, settling onto my lap and facing me.

I instinctively wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer. "What are you up to, Cutie pie? What if someone comes in?" I asked, half-amused and half-concerned.

Aamukta giggled, her hands resting on my shoulders. "That's why I locked the door," she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "No one's going to interrupt us. But tell me," she leaned in a little, "why are you sitting here all alone while the fun's happening outside?"

I chuckled softly, her closeness warming the quiet night. "Nothing much, just some work."

Aamukta looked puzzled. "Working?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

I chuckled softly, nodding. "Yes, work. You know, a lot has been happening lately. I'm just checking if everything's going smoothly. Like our recent project for farmers, Farm Direct. Then, we're managing Marvel India now, which is exciting, but also a lot to handle. And recently, we acquired shares in both Netflix and Hotstar, so there's that. We're trying to figure out what shows and movie rights we should buy for those platforms, planning future content strategies."

She listened intently, her fingers tracing light patterns on my shoulders as I continued. "Then there are our NGOs and all the other things we're involved in. As you know I own 40% shares of Bheeshma Organics, and my brother is the CEO there. We're thinking about merging Bheeshma Organics with our company, Nirvana. It's a big move, so there's a lot to consider."

Aamukta's eyes widened slightly, absorbing everything I was saying.

"On top of that," I added with a grin, "I promised Rajamouli sir that I'd write a story for a movie, so that's been on my mind too. And... I'm also thinking about my next novel."

("A/N: Could you please suggest some novels and movies?")

Aamukta sighed softly, resting her head on my chest. "That's a lot of work," she murmured, her voice a mix of concern and admiration.

I chuckled, gently running my fingers through her hair. "Haha, it's not just that, Cutie pie."

She lifted her head, her eyes widening in surprise. "There's more?" she asked, almost incredulously.

I reached out, rubbing her cheek gently with my thumb. "Of course there's more," I said, smiling. "I'm planning to buy shares in some major South Korean companies—Samsung, Hyundai, LG Electronics. And I'm also thinking of going to South Korea."

("A/N: If you'd like an arc set in South Korea, please let me know. Also, feel free to suggest some movies or K-dramas for reference. Again, I repeat, if you want, I can write that arc.")

Before I could finish, Aamukta interrupted, her curiosity piqued. "South Korea? Why there?"

I smiled at her enthusiasm and explained, "South Korea is one of the largest markets for skincare and cosmetics. In the future, it's going to be the global leader in that industry. I'm planning to buy a company there, something that fits into our larger strategy. The demand for quality skincare is only going to grow, and I want to get ahead of the curve."

Aamukta looked at me with a mix of admiration and amusement. "You've really thought this through, haven't you?"

I nodded, my hand still gently caressing her cheek. "Yeah, it's all part of a bigger plan. It's not just about business, though. I want to create something that can make a positive impact—whether it's with our organic products, supporting farmers, or even something as simple as skincare. Everything we're doing now is laying the foundation for something bigger."

Aamukta smiled softly, her eyes reflecting warmth and pride. "You're always thinking ahead. But just remember to take care of yourself too."

I leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I will, don't worry. Especially when I've got you all to remind me."

Aamukta looked up at me with her usual cute pout. "But why are you doing so much work?" she asked in a playful, almost innocent tone.

I chuckled, running my fingers through her hair. "Cutie pie, sometimes I wonder if you really studied law," I teased. "You know, to do all the good things we want—like running the NGO, helping people, and building something meaningful—we need money. And in today's world, money is power."

She nodded with a knowing smile. "Of course, I understand. I was just teasing you."

"Yeah, yeah, you understand," I said, raising an eyebrow at her.

She playfully punched my arm, and I grinned at her. "But all this work doesn't feel like a burden to me," I said, my voice softening. "Because I have my beautiful family and my lovely, sweet four life partners by my side."

Aamukta's eyes lit up with mischief as she smiled. "Only four, huh? So no more in the future?"

I met her gaze, grinning, and leaned in closer. "Who knows… maybe," I teased, my voice low.

She gasped, her playful frustration bubbling over as she lightly punched me again. "You slumbug! Pervert!"

I laughed, catching her hand and pulling her closer, the warmth between us undeniable. "Haha, I'm not a pervert, okay?" I said, still grinning.

"Yes, you are!" she shot back, still smiling, her eyes twinkling with affection.

We both laughed together, the playful banter between us filling the quiet room.

I smiled softly and pulled her into a tight embrace, feeling her warmth against me. "You know, Cutie pie," I began, my voice low and thoughtful, "sometimes I wonder if all of this… is just a dream."

Aamukta, nestled in my arms, looked up at me with wide, curious eyes. "A dream? Why?" she asked softly.

I sighed, glancing away for a moment before meeting her gaze again. "I have everything, don't I? A happy life, money, a beautiful family, friends… and then there's you. And the other girls who love me so deeply. Sometimes it feels too good to be true. Things like this only happen in dreams." I paused, my voice faltering slightly. "And that scares me. Scares me because if it really is a dream, then maybe we never met. Maybe I'm living a life without you all, and… maybe you're with someone else, not me."

Before I could finish, Aamukta, her eyes glistening with unshed emotions, pressed her lips to mine. It wasn't a soft, tender kiss like usual—it was filled with urgency, with a rawness that caught me off guard. Her sadness flowed into the kiss, and for a moment, everything else disappeared. I could feel her pain, her need to reassure me, as if she was terrified I might vanish with my words. I responded by gently cradling her face, returning her kiss with soft, comforting strokes, trying to soothe the storm I had unintentionally stirred.

After what felt like an eternity, we slowly pulled apart. Her breath was shaky, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and love. She rested her head against my chest, and I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close.

"Don't say things like that," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. "It hurts. I can't imagine my life without you, Krishna. Not me, not the others. None of us can. You're not just part of our lives—you are our life." Her voice wavered, and I could feel her sadness sinking deep within her, mingling with my own.

I smiled softly, my heart warming as I gently held Aamukta's face in my hands. Our eyes locked, and I could see the flicker of emotions swirling within her, a mix of love and lingering sadness. "Don't worry, okay?" I said softly, my voice sincere. "I'm sorry for what I said."

With that, I leaned in and kissed her again. Our lips met, igniting a familiar spark between us. This kiss felt different, charged with the unspoken words and emotions that had filled the space between us moments before. I hugged her tightly, feeling the warmth of her body against mine as our tongues danced together, a playful yet passionate battle. My hands roamed gently over her sides, exploring every curve and contour, relishing the sensation of her skin beneath my fingers.

After what felt like both an eternity and just a fleeting moment, we finally pulled apart, breathless. I rested my forehead against hers, our eyes still locked, and whispered, "I'm sorry, okay?" My heart raced as I searched her gaze for understanding.

"Okay," Aamukta replied, her smile returning, lighting up her face and easing the tension that had hung in the air.

With a playful sigh, she lay down on top of me, her head nestled into the crook of my neck. I gently wrapped my arms around her, holding her close, feeling the steady rhythm of her breath against my skin. The world outside faded away, replaced by the comforting warmth of her presence.

As I stroked her back softly, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Here, in this moment, everything felt right. It was just us—lost in our little bubble amidst the chaos of life and the wedding festivities. I savored the sensation of her weight against me, her heart beating in time with mine, and I couldn't help but smile.

Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through the cozy atmosphere, drawing us back to reality. "Hey Krishna, Aamukta! Open the door!" Raji called from the other side.

Aamukta quickly jumped up, she hurried to the door. She opened it, revealing Raji, who stood there with her hands full of intricate mehandi designs, the earthy scent wafting into the room. Raji's eyes darted between Aamukta and me, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.

"Aamukta, what did Krishna do to you?" Raji asked, a teasing tone lacing her voice.

Aamukta pointed playfully at me, her lips curving into a smile. "This idiot said some stupid things that made me feel like this. Ask him!" she declared, a mock pout on her lips.

I raised my hands defensively, chuckling softly. "Hey Raji, it's not like that," I tried to explain, but my words fell flat as Raji ignored me entirely.

She turned her attention back to Aamukta, her expression shifting to one of excitement. "Aamukta, you have to go now. It's your turn to get mehandi! Ammu and Anu are calling for you." Raji then shot me a playful glare, as if I were the one holding her back from the festivities.

With a quick nod, Aamukta looked at me, sticking her tongue out playfully as she run away.

Raji pushed the door open with her legs, her hands stained with mehandi designs, leaving a faint trail of earthy fragrance in the air. She walked over to me, a playful glint in her eyes. I quickly raised my hands in defense. "Hey Raji, it's not like that!"

Ignoring my protest, she climbed onto the bed, sitting on my lap and facing me. "Now explain," she demanded, her expression a mix of curiosity and mischief.

I held her waist, feeling the warmth radiating from her. "Well, I was just talking to Aamukta about everything that's been going on—my work, our projects, and I mentioned how happy I am. I guess I just got a little too philosophical about it," I said, trying to convey my feelings as best I could.

Raji let out a frustrated sigh, shaking her head slightly. "Are you an idiot, Krishna? Don't you know Aamukta is the most emotional among us? Why did you say those things?"

I shrugged, a sheepish smile creeping onto my face. "It just happened, okay?"

Another sigh escaped Raji's lips, but this time she smiled at me, shaking her head. "You are such an idiot, Krishna."

"Yeah, I know. But don't you feel anything after knowing what I said?" I asked, genuinely curious.

She shrugged, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Why should I?" With a soft kiss on my forehead, she added, "I know that's impossible."

"You're right," I replied, smiling back, feeling a warmth spread through me.

We talked for a moment, sharing a light banter that made the atmosphere feel lighter. But soon, Raji stood up. "Anyway, let's go outside. Don't sit here all alone," she said, motioning toward the door.

I nodded, following her lead as I stood up. Just then, Bujji burst into the room, a ball of energy, his face lit up with excitement.

"Krishna! Raji! Varun called for you two! We're doing a little campfire outside! Let's go!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious. Without waiting for a reply, he dashed out of the room, leaving us with smiles on our faces.

I looked at Raji, feeling a rush of anticipation. "Let's go!" I said, grinning.

"Yeah, let's join the fun!" Raji replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

(A/N: If you'd like to support me, please use this UPI: omgadekar29@oksbi "Om Gadekar". If you do, please let me know your webnovel name so I can recognize you.)

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