Niharika

******

I was very tired. All the events were enjoyable but tiring as well. I came out of the shower and found my phone ringing. I frowned looking at the unknown number still picked it up thinking it might be urgent.

"Hello," I said after picking up the call but regretted the moment when I heard that annoying voice.

"I heard this angelic voice after so long. I missed you."

"Shivani."

"So you remember me? I thought you would have forgotten me. By the way, it's Ms. Oberoi for you." I rolled my eyes at her attitude.

"Right now I am not in the office so you can't order me around. If you want to discuss something about the deal then come to the office instead of calling me at odd hours." I had totally forgotten that we were working on a deal with her father and she never left any chance to tag along with her father.

Why? Well, she was obsessed with Dhruv.

"Odd hours? Looks like you are out of London because here in London we don't call 10:30 p.m odd hours. I am sure you must be with your looser cop fiance." I was oblivious to what was wrong with her. She loved to hurt me, that was her second favourite thing because stalking Dhruv was her first.

"Don't you dare say anything about him?" I yelled.

"I am not even interested. I called you to talk about the project."

"But I am on leave and..." She interrupted me and said, "I know you are. Give me Dhruv's number then. I will talk to him directly about the deal."

The nerve of that lady. She had been after him for the last seven years but Dhruv had never paid attention to that leech. He even had to change numbers because of her.

"The last I remember it was your father who we were dealing with." I didn't want her to get involved in this deal. The more she stays further, the better for us.

"I know but dad gave me the responsibility of this project. Now don't waste my time and give me Dhruv's number." That was the worst news I received. If Mr. Oberoi had handed her the project, it meant her visit to our office was going to be more frequent.

"Dhruv is on leave and had asked me not to spread his number to the unimportant people in his life," I stressed the word unimportant to let her know what she meant to him.

"Shut Up!" she yelled and I had to put the phone a little away from my ear.

"Are you done with your yelling? I need to sleep now."

"I will teach you a lesson very soon. Just once let Dhruv's grandfather accept the proposal I will throw you out from his office and his life as well," she said and cut the phone. Good for me, finally I would get to sleep.

I turned around and found Jai staring at me with his concern-filled eyes. It was evident that he had heard my conversation with that witch a while ago.

"You heard it, didn't you?"

"Maybe," he replied smiling.

"Did I do well?" I was nervous as it was the first time I gathered the courage to finally take my stand.

"You were awesome. Never let people like her get into your nerves," he said pulling me into a hug.

"Thanks." I nuzzled his chest feeling his warmth.

"For what?"

"For being by my side."

"Always love, by the way, what did she scream in the end?"

"The same about the proposal her dad had offered grandpa, the proposal of her marriage with Dhruv." I knew Dhruv would never let her enter into his life and I was glad that he finally found his love and was with her.

"Poor girl, still living in her imaginary world." Jai chuckled thinking about her condition while I slapped his arm playfully.

"I hope she doesn't create any mess."

"She won't even if she does Dhruv will handle it like a pro. And if she tries to do something I will put her behind the bars" he said.

"Now come, let's sleep you seem tired." A lot of relatives left after the marriage only so Jai had booked a room for both of us. We hadn't got time to spend with each other in the past few days. I was about to sleep when my phone beeped with a message. My eyes widened looking at the text sent by Stephen.

"Jai, I need to talk to Dhruv, now."

******

Dhruv

******

What was he doing here at this time I thought, looking at my cousin standing in front of me.

"Hi, Bhaiya," Ryan said and walked past me.

What The Hell was that?

And just when I was about to go inside I saw two devils looking at me innocently. If I hadn't known them I would have fallen for their innocent look. Smiling they too walked past me and went inside.

"What the hell you guys are doing here?" I asked following all three of them to where my Saavi was.

"Chubby Cheeks."

"Marshmallow."

"Saavi Bhabhi."

I had no idea what sin I had committed that God had graced me with those bunch of idiots. Saavi was dumbfounded too, looking at the three of them.

"We missed you," they said together.

Missed Her? They had met her around an hour ago. I was going to kill them certainly.

"I brought chocolates for you." Ryan gave her a packet full of chocolates while Arjun and Kiaan were busy admiring the room.

"I will sleep here tonight," said Kiaan.

"What?" I was startled at my brother.

"Yeah, this small room is beautiful and..." Cutting him off in mid I said, "If both of you will not get out of here trust me I will grab your neck and...."

"You are threatening us. Your own best friends." And then the drama of my other best friend started. I was thinking whether the synonym of Arjun was drama.

"The world is really cruel Arjun." Kiaan placed his hand on Arjun's shoulder pretending he is hurt.

"You are right. If not for me then at least think of your brother." Arjun accused me and I was out of words.

Oh, God! Give me the strength to handle them, please. I had only one option left. After doing a little drama they involved my tired wife in their nonsense stuff and I thought to text Maasi. I was about to text her when I saw a message from Kiaan. I looked at him suspiciously while he gestured me to check it.

"We are distracting Chubby Cheeks, you go out, Niharika is waiting for you."

Nodding I went out and found Niharika and Jai waiting for me.

"What's wrong?" I queried looking at their worried expression.

"I am sorry for troubling you at this hour but you need to see this." she forwarded her phone to me. I saw the news article that made me worried too.

"How did you got to know about it?"

"Stephen texted me to inform you and one more thing, Shivani is back and now is handling the project her father was handling previously."

"We will leave tomorrow anyhow, this mess needs to be handled by me. Inform everyone." Niharika agreed and left and after a while, Ryan, Kiaan, and Arjun left too.

My important investors had denied working with me. The loss would be huge and I needed to find out who was behind all that. I thought to make the culprit pay for the deed.

I closed the door and went to the balcony where Saavi was standing, enjoying the cold breeze.

Holding her from her waist I kept my chin on her head.

"I am sorry, love." I had promised her that I would show her Jaipur and other cities of Rajasthan but the certain change of events was not in my favour. She held my hand that lied on her stomach and turned around, "I will have to break a promise," I said not meeting her eyes. I felt guilty not for not being able to keep my promise.

"Which one?"

"I had promised you that I will show you Jaipur but some urgent official work came up that needs my attention and presence. We will have to leave tomorrow only." I looked into her eyes but didn't find any disappointment, instead, she was smiling at me lovingly.

"That's it? It's fine and your work is more important. I don't want you to stress over that."

"Thank you."

'How can someone be so understanding?', I thought.

"You don't have to be thankful. Besides, all I want is to be by your side, it doesn't matter if it's Jaipur or London." I smiled hearing her and leaned in for a kiss. I kissed her slowly while she responded. Reluctantly I had to stop otherwise things would have taken a different turn and I didn'6 want it to happen like that.

Pulling back I joined our foreheads and said, "You go and change. We should sleep now."

"You should change first."

"But....."

"Go Dhruv." Without arguing I took my nightwear and stepped inside the washroom that was decorated with red and white roses just like I wanted. If not for those investors I would have been enjoying myself there with my wife. My desires started to take over me but I shrugged off my thoughts.

'Calm down, Dhruv.' advised my inner self. I took a cold shower and went out where she was already waiting with her clothes in her hands. I laid myself on the bed and talked to Stephen about the matter. The door to the washroom opened revealing my sweetheart. Keeping her lehnga away she was standing at a distance fiddling with her fingers.

It was quite obvious the nervousness still persisted in her system. I extended my hand to her and smiling shyly she held it while I made space for her on the bed.

She laid down and I buried my head in the crook of her neck holding her tightly. Her breath got hitched but I didn't move back or budged. I was hell tired and that was how my tiredness was going to vanish.

******

Saavi

******

That was the most intimate position we had ever slept in together. There was not a gap of an inch between me and Dhruv. My breath hitched at the proximity and my heart was racing faster.

"Dhruv," I called him softly but no reply came. I caressed his hair lovingly and he had already slept. He was tired and I didn't want to disturb his sleep. After a few minutes, I too got comfortable with the position we were sleeping. Soon, the weariness took over me as well and I slept holding my husband.

******

I groaned in sleep hearing someone's voice. I was too tired to open my eyes but when I felt the familiar presence around me and a soothing touch on my cheeks I smiled and opened my eyes slowly.

"Good Morning, love," Dhruv said smiling at me. He was looking handsome in his casuals.

Sitting on the bed I asked, "When did you wake up?"

"Half an hour ago."

I looked at the time and panicked. It was my first day after marriage and I slept this late.

"Dhruv, why didn't you wake me up? It's 10:30. What will everyone think of me now? Shit! How can I be so careless?"

"Sweetheart, hey, no one will think anything. Most of them are still sleeping." Dhruv said holding me back on the bed.

"I didn't have the heart to wake you but we have to leave. You can sleep on the plane as much as you want. okay?" he said.

I nodded and got up to get ready. Dhruv instructed me not to wear any Indian attire as it might be uncomfortable while traveling. I thought to wear some casual Indo western. When I was about to enter the washroom Dhruv stopped me by holding my hand.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Wear this," he said placing a dress on my hand and left.

I wondered if he even knew what his small gestures does to me.

Smiling like a fool at his gesture I went inside the washroom. After I was done, I went out.

"You look beautiful," Dhruv whispered to me when I was combing my hair. His lips lingered on my earlobe giving me new sensations. He had moved my wet hairs to my left shoulder and looking at me in the mirror he placed a kiss on my neck. My eyes got closed involuntarily at his act. He held me from behind nuzzling on my neck. The dress I was wearing was covering almost every part of my body making Dhruv groan as he couldn't find many areas to place his kisses. Turning me around. he looked into my eyes and then at my lips. I knew what was coming. He captured my lips and my hand went to his hair. He sucked my lower lip. It wasn't a slow kiss like always. The kiss was filled with passion. He nibbled on my lower lip and I gasped giving him the entrance. He tasted every corner of my mouth. I didn't know how to react to the sudden intimacy of us, all I knew was I was liking his touch, his kiss. He was dominating the kiss as if his desires were overpowering him. We both pulled back when we were out of breathing. He looked into my eyes again before moving his lips on my jaw kissing me there. He went down to my neck and left wet kisses on the exposed area of my skin. He kissed every part of my face making my heart go wild with his sweet torture.

His one hand was holding me tightly while the other was roaming all over my back making me go numb at his touch. "Dhruv," I called breathlessly when I felt his hands going towards my breast. He moved back and pulled me to his chest. None of us said anything for a while and all we could hear were the sound of our heartbeats that was beating wildly.

"I am going to sue those investors." I heard him and opened my eyes. He was not looking happy.

"What investors?" I frowned as I didn't understand what he meant.

"Nothing sweetheart, come let's have breakfast," he said ignoring my question.

"What about others?" I thought we were about to have breakfast with everyone.

"Most of them are done with their breakfast while others will have it on their way back," he said and fed me the delicious food, but it was nothing in front of the food Dhruv cooks.

"What are you smiling at?" I didn't realize I was smiling thinking about the food Dhruv cooks for me until he asked me.

"Thinking about the food cooked by you," I replied honestly.

"So someone is missing it?"

"Terribly," I replied. Dhruv was amused looking at me, I had never opened to him that much even I was surprised at myself but it felt good.

"I will cook for you as soon as we reach our home in London," he said. The term "Our Home" felt so pure and bliss.

"Our home?"

"Yes muffin, our home," he said placing a loving kiss on my forehead. After we were done with breakfast we went to meet everyone. I felt emotional, even when I didn't know those people for long but they had made a very special in my heart.

Everyone promised that they would come to meet us and the reception which was to be held after a week. Namit's family left first and then Adya's family left. I met with everyone and Aditi was coming with us to London. Our flight was at night but we checked out in the afternoon only as we had to board our flight from Delhi.

We reached the airport at night and everyone was tired. Everyone had dark circles around their eyes but thankfully I had taken a nap on my way to Delhi. I was not sleeping but I was defeated in front of Dhruv's stubbornness. He had made me sleep forcefully in the car on our way to Delhi.

I had to use the washroom so I excused myself telling Dhruv that I would be back soon. He nodded and let me go. After I was done I washed my face and felt a little fresh and just when I was about to go back to Dhruv my eyes fell upon one person whom I hated from the bottom of my heart, whom I had thought I will never see again. But how could I be so foolish? I was in her territory, I was the one at fault. I took steps backward breathing heavily and thinking about all the worst memories of my life.

I had started shivering and was praying to God. I didn't want to be seen by her. She had not seen me but was coming in my direction.

I was feeling weak, my vision got blurry with my tears and my accelerated heartbeat was not letting me at peace. I thought I was getting better but one sight of her and I was back to being miserable, weak, pathetic. I never liked this feeling, I didn't want to feel weak.

Dhruv, where is he? I...I want to see him. What if she takes me away again? No!

I had slumped down in the corner feeling terrified and scared. I started to lose consciousness when someone pulled me in his embrace. Slowly my breathing started to get normal and calmed down. There was only one person who had the power to do so, my Dhruv.

"Muffin, I am here. Your Dhruv is here." I held him tightly while he pulled me up with him. He led me to where everyone was. I had pressed my face into his chest trying to hide while I had crushed his tee-shirt holding it too tightly.

Everyone got panicked and worried about looking at me but none of them asked anything. Dhruv made me sit and took a seat beside me as I had not left him even for a second. He started rubbing my arms, my back trying to calm my nerves.

"You are with me now, I won't let anything happen to you, don't worry," he said kissing my hair. He was getting up but I didn't want him to leave me.

"Dhriti and Maasi are here, I will be back in five minutes."

"Don't leave me."

Cupping my cheeks he wiped my tears and sat beside me again, "I am not leaving you. Here take my watch and look at the time, the minute hand will reach nine and you will find your Dhruv beside you I promise."

I left him and fixed my gaze on the watch. There were still thirty seconds left but I had been pulled to the same muscular chest. He had come back early and I took a breath of relief.

After around fifteen minutes Dhruv told me that it was time for us to leave. After going through security checking we went inside Dhruv's private jet. I was gloomy and so was everyone looking at me. I tried to be normal but I couldn't. I felt bad for troubling everyone but I didn't have any choice, it was not in my hands.

After the plane took off grandpa said, "Saavi, beta, go and have some sleep.", but I didn't feel like leaving.

"No grandpa, I don't want to. I want to be with you all." I replied. Being with them was better instead of being alone where my thoughts and tainted memories would start to haunt me.

"Beta, you are tired, have some rest for a few hours," Maasi said caressing my hair lovingly.

"But..."

"Dhruv, take her inside." I had refuted Dhruv when he had asked me to take a rest in the room but going against grandpa's decision didn't seem right to me. Even Maasi and Ashok Uncle was telling me to have some rest.

Arjun and Kiaan were trying to lift everyone's moods. I thought it's better if I sleep for a while, maybe I would forget everything. Dhruv made me sleep on the small bed and laid beside me caressing my hair.

I had laid my head on his chest like always while he was doing magic with his fingers in my hair.

"Dhruv."

"Hmmm."

"Why didn't you ask me what had happened to me?" I wanted him to ask me what was wrong, but that guy loved me to the core that he would try every possible thing to make me forget the things that hurt me.

"You should sleep, love." I raised my head from his chest and looked at his face. He was in deep thinking and looked sad as well.

"What happened?" he asked caressing my cheeks.

"I saw my mother today," I replied. I couldn't hold my past to myself. I knew Dhruv would never leave me.

Before, I was scared, what if I lose him, but not now, the person whose love was unconditional for me would never leave me and will embrace me always.

Even if I wouldn't have told him he wouldn't have asked, but he needed to know as he held every right, right to know my past, right to know me inside out.