✨ Proud of him ✨

Samantha

He was hurt and seeing him like this breaks my heart to no extent. Growing up with a single father, I have known that men are super strong but looking at Abhimaan makes me believe this even more.

Men are not only strong, they are one of those beautiful creatures of God.

I tell you, if there is a right man in your life who treats you so well, be it your father, brother, boyfriend, husband or even a male friend, you are just blessed.

They just make your life better even if theirs is falling apart.

It's been six days since that drastic night happened and everyone around barely smiles. There is an awkward silence in the house and personally, it's uncomfortable.

Abhimaan has barely spoken to me about that night. We talk, we work together and we get a good amount of time to be with each other yet he never brought up that topic. Even though I chose not to bring it and to be honest, I don't know how he feels about that.

I know it's not easy for him but there is a part of me who is skeptical too. I really want Maa and Abhimaan's relation to get better. I mean they both need each other but on the same page, I don't want to force things on him.

"Maa.... You love cooking, don't you?", I asked her while I was helping her with the breakfast.

"I love cooking....", she smiled but I caught the sadness in her tone yet I chose not to say anything. She is upset since that night.

As we served the breakfast, Abhimaan came and Papa was already sitting in his chair. He sat beside him and Chachu and Chachi also took their seat. Amaira and Armaan were not at home so it's just the six of us. Maa and I also took our seats as we ate our breakfast in silence.

We all got busy with our work while Abhimaan was talking about a deal with Dad meanwhile me and Mumma were sitting together.

"Mam, there is a parcel for you", one of our house help came to Mumma as she handed her the parcel.

"For me?", Maa asked surprisingly but took it anyways.

She looked at me and I looked at her confusingly. Maa unwrapped the box it and there was a jewellery box inside it which had our Company's logo. She looked at me again, "Samantha, is it yours?", she asked back when I just nodded.

She opened the box and her eyes widened in shock, there was a set of beautiful gold bangles inside it and it was from the same latest collection of our brand. "Maa....", I said not being able to reciprocate anything.

Dad also looked at us with the same expression, we all were passing each other an unknowing look when we heard Abhimaan's voice, "There is also a note inside the box", he said in his cold voice.

Maa took the note and opened it and I couldn't see anything except tears brimming in her eyes, "Maa, what happened?", I shook her shoulder but she didn't utter a single word.

I looked at Abhimaan and let me confirm you, Abhimaan is the most expression less person you will ever meet. You just cannot comprehend anything by his face.

I often doubt it the world is collapsing and the people are rushing to save their lives, this man will stand on his feet, his one hand inside his pocket and the other tapping on the phone.

I turned to Maa and the tears started flowing down her cheeks. I took no time taking the note from her hand and read it.

"Happy Birthday, Mom!

~ Abhimaan

Before we could comprehend anything, Abhimaan came to our side and took the box from Maa's hands. We stood up in silence then Abhimaan, as usual, did the unexpected. He took out the bangles from the box and held Maa's hands. He barely took a second to slide down the bangles through her wrist.

"Happy Birthday, Mom!", he said in his cold voice and bent to touch Maa's feet. She stood in utter shock but tears didn't stop flowing down her cheeks as she kept her hand on his head.

He straightened up himself, "Samantha, I have a meeting within an hour so I'm leaving. You can have a day off today", he said softly to me and I just looked at him in shock.

"Dad, we will discuss about this client later", he said to Dad and left the mansion not before digging his head back to his phone.

"Maa....", I hugged her tightly.

"Samantha....", she started sobbing in tears.

"Samantha, tune suna naa....? Abhimaan ne mujhe Mom kaha. Ye sach hai naa, Samantha..bol naa.... Ye sach hai naa? Main koi sapna toh nahi dekh rahi?", she cried heavily and I smiled back at her with tears eyes.

"Ye sapna nahi hai, Khyati. Ye sach hai. Tumhare saalon ka vishwas jeet gaya aaj....", Papa said with teary eyes and I wiped off his tears.

"Mera beta.... Mera Abhimaan....", Maa cried and I rubbed her shoulder to console her.

"Khyati, this is the magic Samantha has done to him. Thank you so much, Samantha. You have no idea what you have done today", Papa kept his hand on my head.

"No, Papa. This is your love and affection. This is Maa's years of belief that Abhimaan will accept her one day", I replied back, my eyes failed to hold back it's tears as I hugged Maa and Papa.

My tears failed to deprive how happy I was. After some time I let them be in their moment and got back to my room. Because my husband (my boss) gave me a day off, why not plan something for Maa's birthday?

I thought when my phone rang, "Ji boliye....", I said after picking up the call. It was from Abhimaan.

I heard him chuckle slightly, "Bahut khush lagi rahi aap, mohtarma?", he said in his flirtatious tone.

I blushed at his remark before replying, "Woh mere patidev ka jadu hai", I knew he was smiling.

"Samantha...."

"Ji...."

I heard him sighing, "We can arrange a surprise for her", did he just read my mind?

My smile bright up hearing him, "For whom, Abhimaan?", I tried playing along.

He coughed back, "Umm....her...."

"Her? You mean, Amaira?", I chuckled inwardly.

"Samantha, I'm talking about her", he repeated himself.

"Oh, now I know. Chachi, right?", I said dumbfoundedly.

"I'm talking about.... Mom....", I smiled at his words.

"I mean you know I'm not good at this so you can plan anything you like. She doesn't fancy crowds so it can be just us", I realised he knows everything about Maa.

"Don't worry, Abhimaan. I will get everything done", I assured him before we ended the call.

I smiled to myself when I knew nothing could get better. Today is really a special day so it needs to be celebrated. And by then, I knew what I had to plan.

I took no time in getting ready and driving off to my cafe. It's been days since I came here the last time. I have thought to restart it but in a better way. So, I gave it a small break but it's always an emotional turn coming here as this place is so close to my heart.

Surprising how a single place can hold so much emotions inside your heart?

I unlocked the gate and got inside. I kept my bag aside and started cleaning the room. After a few minutes, Armaan and Amaira also came to help me. We started decorating the backyard and shifted the table and chairs there. Then, I checked on Abhimaan and informed him about it.

He was happy hearing it as he will come with Maa, Papa, Chachi and Chachu. After that, I baked cake for Maa and also some cookies and sweets. Then, I cooked variety of foods in which my two munchkins helped me. I also asked Abhimaan to bring Ruhaan and he would be coming here anytime.

___________________________________________

"Arey Samantha, kidhar le jaa rahi ho mujhe?", Maa asked as I kept my hands over her eyes. Everyone was finally there. Me, Abhimaan, Maa, Papa, Chachu, Chachi, Amaira, Ruhaan and Armaan. And trust me, this little world of joy means everything to me.

I can't be more true about how each one of them has accepted me with open arms. They have shown me immense love and care and now it's my turn. They are my family now. Abhimaan is my family now. And I will do whatever it takes to make him smile.

What Abhimaan did today take a lot of courage and he finally did it and I cannot thank God enough. Abhimaan proved me right, he is the man of his heart and I knew it.

I'm proud of him today and I just wish he gets whatever he loves in his life. It's been months since I'm married to him and nothing else felt better. I never expected anything from this marriage but gradually Abhimaan started becoming a major part of my life.

I cannot believe myself that he is the same Abhimaan from the day of our Engagement. Our cold encounter, our fights, our arguments and what not, but a part of me started believing in him more than I ever believed on someone.

In fact, if I ever trusted anyone after my Dad, it's Abhimaan. I feel good when he is happy. I feel proud when he works hard. My heart shatters when he is in pain. My days and night have started revolving around him. He is everywhere I need him. He stood beside me when I felt under confident. He made me love my own body even more. And everything couldn't be more perfect with him.

There is so much for him inside me and if you hold an undefined emotion for someone, a part of you always lives in fear of losing them.

We made Maa cut the cake and we celebrated her birthday. She is not a big fan of huge celebrations, she just loves to be around everyone and she looks extremely happy. It's almost evening and everyone is busy with each other and was trying different dishes I cooked for them. Maa and Chachi were busy in praising my cookies. Papa and Chachu were busy talking about some random political news. Armaan and Ruhaan are busy annoying our sweet Amaira. This trio can't be more dangerous.

Well, I roamed my eyes around in search of the one my heart is craving to look at.

"Where is he?", I thought as I started looking for him. Everyone was in the backyard so I got inside the hall. The hall's lights were turned off, "What happened to this light now?", I murmured when I felt a pair of an arm grabbing my waist.

With one soft swift, he pinned me to the wall and I breathed heavily, "God, you scared me....", I said slowly looking at his well sculpted face.

Abhimaan's face was blooming even though it was dark around the walls, "Biwi ko darr bhi lagta hai, I didn't know this", he said rubbing his nose over my neck.

His touch sent shivers down my spine as I tightened my grip on his shirt, "Abhimaan...."

"Ji...."

"Koi aa....jayega....", I almost moaned when he started leaving soft kisses over my neck.

"Only if that can stop me from kissing you....", he said hoarsely.

I noticed his eyes shined through the darkness as his hair were little messy. His beard was spikey than usual and he looked hotter with his rolled up sleeves.

"Abhimaan.....", his hands roamed around and my body showed nothing but the desperate move to feel his touch.

"I love my name on your lips, Samantha", he said leaning forward to my lips. I smiled softly as he cupped my cheeks and bent forward.

I closed my eyes, my lips dry enough to meet his, "Abhimaan....", I widened my eyes.

"Hmmm....", Abhimaan eyes were still closed as he proceeded to land his lips on mine.

"Hmmm ke bachhe main nahi Maa bula rahi hai", he widened his eyes in shock as we heard footsteps in our direction.

I realised it's been a while since the lights are off, "Samantha....", she called me as I bit my lips to not get caught.

I looked at Abhimaan, "Kya hua? Why did you stop, huh? Minutes ago you said nobody can stop you from kissing me....", I whispered back to him while supressing my laugh at his reaction.

His face became pale when he pushed me behind the curtains and hide my whole body with his tall figure, "Shhhh.... She will listen....", I smirked back at his terrified reaction.

"Awwww..... Someone is scared now", I murmured slowly while he gave me a cold glare to shut my mouth.

"Samantha, are you here? Beta, from where can I turn on the lights?", I heard Maa's voice.

"Ab kya karu?", I said slowly.

"Mujhe kya pata", he said unaffectedly.

"Maine toh sirf hall ki switch band ki thi", I widened my eyes at his words.

"Are you serious? Abhimaan, did you really do this?", I asked as I couldn't believe him.

"I saw you coming inside so I just wanted to....", I glared back at him.

This man is impossible.

"Tharki!", I said in annoyance.

"What did you just call me?", he looked at me in disbelief.

"Tharki", I repeated proudly.

"Don't you dare use that word again, Samantha."

"Tharki, tharki, tharki", I challenged him when he slightly pulled my hair.

"How dare you, Abhimaan? Nobody touches my hair and you pulled it", I gritted my teeth in annoyance.

He is going to pay for this.

"Haa toh? Ye loh phir se kar diya", he pulled my hair again and chuckled at my reaction.

I crunched my nose, "And now you will pay for this", I said pointing my fingers at him.

And within our fight, we almost forgot that Mom was almost inside the hall when I heard Papa's voice. "Khyati, bachhe kaha hai?", he asked coming inside the dark hall and me and Abhimaan looked at each other still hiding behind the curtains. Abhimaan's jaw dropped with an embarrassment of getting caught like this. I smirked back at him when an idea popped inside my head.

In no moment, I grabbed his collar pulling him closer to me, "Samantha....", I kissed his both cheeks, then his forehead. I started leaving soft kisses all over his face.

"Are you mad, Samantha? We will get caught", I ignored his words.

"As if that can stop me from kissing you....", I said in the same tone as his. I left soft kisses over his white shirt's collar.

"You messed up with the wrong girl, Abhimaan Malhotra", I showed my tongue to him while he kept looking at me in shock. I took no time in getting out of the curtains, "Aayi maa....", I replied Maa who was there with Papa as I moved ahead and switched on the lights.

They turned back and I was standing at a safe distance from Abhimaan when he got out of the curtains, "Arey beta woh....", Maa couldn't complete her words when her eyes fell on Abhimaan.

I laughed inwardly looking at him, his face was loaded with red lipstick's marks, it took no moment when Abhimaan realised what I meant when I said messing up with me is something he shouldn't be doing.

I acted all shy in front of Maa as I shifted back the lock of hair behind my hair, "Maa woh....", I blushed hard but laughed inwardly.

Abhimaan passed me a deadly glare when both Maa and Papa chuckled slightly before rushing out of the hall.

I started laughing heavily looking at his face, "Samantha ki bachhi....", he gritted his teeth as I ran to save myself from this man (as if I really wanted to be saved).

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Ye dono pagal hai I mean aise kon karta hai bhai? 🤣

Hass lo hass lo, aane wale update mea rona bhi toh hai.... 🥲