However, Maira didn't even glance at him as she walked past Mayank.
Surya stood there, his expression paralyzed, a familiar feeling washing over him. He had become accustomed to her presence—for better or worse.
"General," Maira sweetly addressed him, her tone dripping with saccharine charm. Surya knew all too well that the sweeter her words, the closer he was to trouble. It was a game they played, one he was all too familiar with, yet helpless to escape.
His wife had firmly instructed him not to consume more than three cups tonight, yet he had foolishly ignored her advice once more.
Maira smiled coyly, but her hand danced around his waist, pinching him. The sharp jolt of pain surged through him, but he remained stoic. Around them, guests exchanged glances, astonished to see the imposing General with a woman; they had never seen him with anyone.
Surya and Maira hadn't held a grand wedding ceremony; their union had been a private affair known only to a few close friends.
"Hubby," Maira cooed, her voice laced with feigned sweetness, "could you come to the corner? I really want to talk about something."
"No," Surya replied curtly, though every fiber of his being betrayed him as he followed her, his expression as guarded as a stone wall. No one sensed the undercurrents of conflict swirling between them.
Maira, however, had long since learned to read between the lines, her understanding of him profound. She saw the flicker of emotion in his eyes, something others couldn't perceive.
As Mayank observed their interaction, a pang of discomfort settled in his chest. They looked so much like... a married couple. But how was that possible? He shook his head, trying to dispel the thought.
As soon as they reached the corner, Maira seized his ear and twisted it, bringing forth a sharp pain that Surya quelled behind a stoic facade.
"I told you not to drink, but you never listen," she scolded, her voice edged with frustration. She was harsher than usual.
But Surya remained unmoved. After all, the softness of her voice had always drowned out their spats, and this harshness felt foreign, almost surreal. Since their marriage, he had spoiled her far too much, yielding to her every whim, and now she wielded that power with confidence.
Maira sighed, the tension between them beginning to ebb. Looking at him, she softened. "You need to drink this hangover soup; otherwise, you'll regret it in the morning."
He complied, knowing well that she always prepared for every scenario. Her foresight never ceased to amaze him. As he sipped, Maira dabbed at his mouth tenderly and adjusted his collar and hair, her affection evident in each gentle gesture.
With their moment of tension behind them, they returned to their daughter, Maira's laughter ringing like music. Mother and daughter engaged in animated chatter, their joy palpable. Meanwhile, two men stood somewhat awkwardly at a distance, their eyes locked in a silent duel.
Surya finally turned to Veer, his son-in-law, the sternness of his voice betraying nothing of the fatherly instinct swelling inside him. "If you ever hurt my daughter, I won't hesitate to take action."
Veer merely smiled, an easy grin that belied the seriousness of his father-in-law's words. He nodded, acknowledging the weight of Surya's warning without a hint of fear.
The General continued to watch him, a predatory glint in his eye, as Maira grew increasingly annoyed by her husband's protective antics. She playfully tugged at his arm, pulling him closer. Surya reluctantly stepped behind her, yet his glare remained fixed on Veer, a warning of sorts that felt both fierce and protective.
When Maira caught her husband's gaze directed toward Veer again, a frustration only a wife could muster surfaced. "Enough of this childishness!" she exclaimed, hitting his arm lightly, her eyes narrowing in a death glare.
Surya lowered his gaze, surrendering to her authority. No matter how fierce he was in life, he was forever softened by her presence.