Chapter-53 |•|

I am back

Author's POV

Sitaara snuggled into Abhi as sunrays were peeking through windows falling on her eyes. Abhi propped his head on his palm with his elbow on the bed, looking at her with a smile, caressing her cheeks.

"Wake up birthday girl" he cooed in her ears making her smile and hug him.

"I want to sleep more, Mani" she mumbled in his chest. He chuckled.

"You need to wake up. It's already 8 in the morning, Love" he whispered. She hummed.

"I want to have my breakfast here itself," she said opening her eyes.

"It's ready, sweetheart. Your food is waiting to jump into your stomach" he said. She opened her eyes wide and sat up.

"Where is it?" She asked.

"On the nightstand. Go and fresh up" he said. She nodded and rushed inside the washroom meanwhile he arranged breakfast on the breakfast table. Sitaara came outside tying her hair into a bun and was shocked to see Abhi standing in his v-neck vertical striped black shirt paired with light grey shorts with a chocolate bouquet in his hands. She giggled.

(Abhi's outfit)

"Happy 25th Birthday, Love," he said. She smiled and took it. Pulling him with his shirt, she pecked the corner of his lips.

"Thank you, husband" she whispered huskily looking into his eyes. He smiled caressing her cheeks.

"You are very beautiful, Sitaara. Really! So beautiful both inside and out. Do you remember? Once you told me that I faced many problems which led to the beautiful life I have today?" He asked bringing his face closer to her with his eyes fixed into her. She nodded playing with his stubble.

"Today, I feel it's true. I feel like I have lost many things only to have you in my life. I was in dark all these years only to rise in the sunshine you bring to my life. I waited all my life, 28 years of life only to see you with me for the next 50 years" he said smiling.

"Maybe it's true," she said chuckling. He too chuckled and kissed her forehead.

"It's time for breakfast," he said.

"Let's eat then," she said. He mumbled an 'okay' and took her to bed. She saw a flower bouquet with ballons and 25 numbered ballon. She clapped her hands excitingly.

"Thank you," she said hugging him. He kissed her crown. He placed a breakfast stand in front of her and placed all varieties of South Indian breakfast.

"I know you only eat our traditional food, so this," he said. She smiled.

"Why these many?" She asked.

"I don't want you to compromise anything when am with you. So I made all these" he said.

"You made? All these?" She asked. He nodded.

"You are lucky to eat my handmade food," he said.

"Make me luckiest feeding too," she said blushing.

"Gladly, love," he said and both fed each other. He wiped her mouth with a tissue and kissed her forehead.

"Now, take your bath. Go, I arranged your clothes" he said. She nodded.

"Did you take bath?" She asked.

"Why? Do you want me to join?" He asked with a smirk. Blood rushed to her cheeks. Composing herself, she smirked.

"I don't think you can handle my hotness, husband" she winked at him and walked into the bathroom. He scratched his nape blushing and remember the first day of their marriage where he asked the same and she snapped at him.

"We have surely come so far" he mumbled jumping on his toes with hands stuffed in his shorts.

"Suddenly, Adhira and Aastha barged into the room.

"Woah! Someone is trying to be romantic huh?" Teased Adhira.

"Your sister's spell on him, Adhi. I have never seen my brother in the kitchen in my whole life and today he prepared breakfast, that too typical South Indian food and not one or two but literally 6-7 types'' said Aastha. He rolled his eyes.

"Did you both get gifts for my wife?" Asked Abhi.

"We don't have such bad habits; gifting and all. Tell us if you ordered food, we will eat stomachful" said Aastha.

"Then get gifts ready for my wife and I think you guys know what you have to do next," said Abhi. They nodded.

"Seems like you invited us to this reunion for your wife, not for a break," said Adhira.

"Great realisation, Vadhina (sil/bhabhi)" said Abhi walking out of the room smirking.

"Abhi" she whined. He chuckled.

Sitaara came out of the shower in a bathrobe and saw all the girls in her room.

"What are you guys doing here?" She asked.

"What's with you and your husband, always ask us 'what are you doing here?' can't you both as us something like, 'Do you guys need anything?' or-"

"Stop! It was my mistake to ask you, people, that" said Sitaara rolling her eyes cutting off Aarya.

"Here, for now, wear this saree Akka. Then, we will go somewhere, you can change again then" said Akhira.

"So many birthday surprises! Am loving it" said Sitaara jumping.

"Soooo maaanyyyy!!" Girls sang in unison. She giggled and wore her pista coloured saree. She was about to fill her partition with vermillion and was about to wear her mangalsutra, Abhi came inside.

"Not that, I have brought another one for you," he said. She nodded. He came and stood behind her looking into her eyes through the mirror. She blushed at his intense gaze.

"You look beautiful" he whispered and slid her hair to the other side and brought mangalsutra around her neck and hooked it at her nape after placing a wet kiss there making her shiver. She bit her lips preventing herself from moaning making fool out of herself in front of girls.

"I saw you getting irritated wearing that large one along with the wedding chain I tied on our wedding day and even you had rashes, so I bought this. Do you like it? If not, I will get another one for you" he said.

Her eyes filled with tears remembering Viraj who also used to put her preferences in first priority and he, himself selecting mangalsutra for her. She nodded her head vigorously.

"I loved it. It's simple and cute" she said tilting her head to look at him. He grinned as if he achieved an Olympic award.

Turning her to him, he took a pinch of vermillion and filled in her partition. This is the first time he did it after their marriage.

"My woman, my Sitaara. Sitaara Abhimanyu" he whispered with tears in his eyes and kissed her forehead.

"Mr Chowdary!! We will be glad if you notice us" said Disha. He glanced at them for 0.5 sec and turned back to Sitaara. She chuckled looking at the girl's shocked faces.

"When I have a beautiful wife to admire, why do I look at you girls?" He said looking at Sitaara.

"Let's take a pic of us" he whispered. She nodded and turned to the mirror. He fished out his phone and brought his phone in front of them, looking into the mirror, he captured a pic of them. Standing beside him, she side hugged Abhi looking at the camera with a shy smile and redness adorning her cheeks while he wrapped his arm around her waist, smiling at the camera Abhi took a selfie of them together.

"Perfect" she squealed and kissed Abhi's cheek making him shock again. She giggled at his face and kissed his cheek again. He smiled at her transformation.

"Bye," he waved at the girls and took Sitaara with him out of the room. Sitaara went to her in-laws and touched their feet to take blessings. Aman-Sakshi, Suman- Anjali blessed her.

"You are lucky to get him as your husband," Mridula said placing her palm on Situ's cheek. Sitaara looked at Abhi who is already looking at her with a smile.

"Indeed am lucky" she whispered.

Later, they all had breakfast while Sitaara's served them.

"Am missing, Vikram. Yesterday night he called me late night and wished me" said Sitaara to Abhi. He hummed.

"Girls told we are going somewhere, where are we going?" Asked Sitaara. He smiled and drank water. Gulping water, he turned to her.

"You wanna know where?" He asked. She nodded.

"Get ready by 11'O clock. I won't be there with you. I will be at the venue. Though if you understand my plan while getting ready, just don't speak. Okay?" He asked. She nodded.

After sometime,

"What are you girls doing to my face? What's happening here?" Hissed Sitaara sitting on a stool in front of the mirror as girls were working on her face.

"Your husband's order," said Sisira applying make-up.

"Am not understanding anything. Why this gown? You guys too wore dresses like bridesmaids" she yelled whining.

"Situ, stop whining! You are ruining makeup" yelled Adhira and Sisira. She shut her mouth pouting. Aastha made her butt length hair into a beautiful bun.

"I got it!! I got it! I got it!" She screamed jumping.

"What?" Asked Aarya.

"Mani's plan" she squealed happily.

"Very glad. Now give a last glance at yourself, we need to go" said Adhira. She nodded and checked out herself while other girls wore their dresses.

"Vadhina(sil)" Dhruv knocked on the door.

"Come in" shouted Sitaara. He came inside and first his eyes fell on Akhira who was looking beautiful. He stood there froze looking at her while she too froze looking at him in a black suit.

Sitaara cleared her throat bringing them out of trance. Dhruv looked at her smiled.

"Gorgeous" he breathed out.

"I know," she said smirking.

"Shall we go?" Asked Dhruv.

"My father will take me right!!" She said.

"You are already married. So, I, Naman anna are taking you there" said Dhruv. She nodded. Akhira covered her head with a white vile. Dhruv gave her last glance before taking Sitaara's hand in his and they moved out.

She saw her family in the hall. She grinned at them like a kid. They smiled back with tears.

Naman opened the car door for her and she sat inside with difficulty due to her gown.

"Get into another car," said Dhruv to Akhira when she was about to sit in the same car he is driving.

"Stop this, Dhruv. Can't you be like before?" Asked Akhira. He gritted his teeth.

"You know what, just fucking be out of my sight" he whisper-yelled at her and sat in driving seat and before she sit inside he drove away.

Blinking her tears she sat in another car and they all drove to the place where Abhi and his friends are waiting for.

Naman got down and opened the door for Sitaara. She smiled and put her hand in his and got down the car.

She stood at the entrance of the decorated arch leading to the altar. She smiled with tears.

''Raj'' called Sitaara hugging him from behind while he was cooking.

"Tell me," he said placing one hand on hers which is around his torso.

"I want to marry you in Christian style. Shall we?" She asked.

"We will. Your wish, my command Madam" he said. She grinned.

"How about at Goa, beach wedding? I want to get married at the beach wearing a princess gown and you will be wearing a black tuxedo. Amazing!!" She said. He turned to her and pulled her to him by the waist.

"We will! Once we get married in our traditions, I will make you mine once again in Christianity style. Promise!" He Said.

"Pinky promise?" She asked showing her little finger. He chuckled.

"Pinky promise," he said looping his finger around hers.

"Vadhina (sil)" called Dhruv bringing her out of her past. She smiled at him.

'Mani is filling your promises, Raj. You found him for me, isn't it? To fulfil your leftover wishes."

She thought smiling looking at the sky.

"I will hold her hand, we are her best friends," said Riaan and Arjun pushing Naman and Dhruv and standing beside her.

"No we will hold her hand, we are her BIL's" said Naman and Dhruv pushing Riaan and Arjun.

"You four should have become bridesmaids," said Disha rolling her eyes. They moved away scrunching their nose.

Sitaara showed her hand to Aman. He smiled coming towards her and she looped her arm around his.

"My daughter" he whispered kissing her crown. She smiled.

They walked inside and saw Abhi standing at Aisle talking to Rishi and Anish. He wore a black tuxedo looking devilishly handsome.

"She is here" whispered Anish and Rishi. Abhi's heart started racing as if it's his first time at the wedding. He turned back and his breath hitched. Sitaara was walking to him with a shy smile holding a flower bouquet in her hands. She was looking extremely beautiful like an angel in her princess gown. Her hair stands were falling free from her hair bun making her look beautiful.

Tears filled in his eyes seeing her beautiful smile, unlike her smile which she flashed on their wedding. Her eyes are screaming happiness becoming his once again. Everyone smiled seeing him crying.

(Imagine Abhi's reaction like this👆)

Disha, Akhira, Aarya and Sisira were walking behind her with a bunch of flowers in their hand. Arjun winked at Aarya making her blush.

Aman put Sitaara's hand in Abhi's and stood with other family members.

"Before we take our vows, I want to say something, Sitaara," said Abhimanyu loudly. She nodded.

"Taara, my sweetheart, I love you baby. I don't expect you to say 'yes' just beaches we have come this far. I don't want to live in a bubble I created assuming your love for me is true. Today, am gonna take another step that paves a path for us, please, be honest. I don't want to hurt my already bruised heart. If your 'no' is genuine, am happy. For the rest of my life. And if your 'yes' is to just not hurt me, then kindly understand that you are gonna hurt me and yourself for the rest of our life. Please be honest and say your answer from what you feel is correct. I don't ask you to listen to your heart and all shit, because you are broken, your heart is broken and broken things only remind us of the pain but not the bright the future. Think about what is right for you not what others feel right for you. Don't let your past decide your future, accept your present and say your decision. Once we got married forcefully, in a position where we just want to run away from the wedding if we get a chance. Now, I am willingly want to make mine once again as you dreamt; a Christian wedding. You still have a chance to run away. This time no one gonna stop you, Sitaara. Once we take this forward step, there will be no backoff. We will be together forever. Now, am asking you Ms Sitaara Dev Shetty, will you become Mrs Sitaara Abhimanyu Chowdary once again?" He asked loudly. She smiled with tears and looked at her friends. Riaan, Arjun and Aarya nodded her head.

"Yes, I want to become Mrs Sitaara Abhimanyu Chowdary again. Together Forever" she too said loudly. A tear rolled down his eye.

"I love you," he said.

'Right now! I don't care that blackmailer. Both my families are here. Right in front of me. My man is here with me to start a new beginning with million of hopes and forever love for me in his eyes. I don't want to prioritise some material things over my Mani. I just need his presence beside me. I want to be selfish one last time.'

She thought smiling.

"I love you too," she said as tears made their way down her eyes. He nodded his head vigorously numb to emotions biting his lips to control his sobs.

"Love you so much, Sweetheart. Will never make you regret trusting me and putting your heart in my hands" said Abhi. Everyone smiled. Abhi and Sitaara turned to father and gestured him to start.

"Abhimanyu, do you take Sitaara Dev Shetty for your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?" Asked the church father. Abhi looked at Sitaara who is already looking at her and he smiled. Turning to Father, he replied.

"I do," said Abhimanyu in his deep masculine voice.

"Sitaara Dev Shetty, do you take Abhimanyu for your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?" Asked the Church father.

"I do," said Sitaara.

Church father nodded and prayed for the couple. Then he asked them to exchange the rings. Aarya came forward and gave the ring to Abhi. He took Sitaara's hand in his and slid the ring in her finger. Arjun came forward and gave ring to Sitaara. She took Abhi's hand and slid the ring in his finger.

"You may kiss the bride" Said Father.

Abhi looked at Sitaara. She nodded. He leaned to her and cupped her cheek.

"Together Forever" he whispered and pressed his lips on hers after kissing her forehead. Giving a brief kiss, they both pulled back.

Then they came back to the resort after a little photo shoot in their wedding dress.

They both went inside the room and closed the door, Abhi hugged her tightly.

"Thank you, Sitaara. Thank you for accepting me" he said.

"Thanks to you for accepting me. Giving me my privacy all these days. Respecting my feelings. I love you Abhimanyu" she said.

"Love you too, sweetheart," he said kissing her forehead.

"Beautiful" he whispered looking at her face. She blushed. His eyes fell on her lips.

"Can I, Sitaara?" He asked.

"Whenever you can. Am yours" she whispered. He leaned to her lips smiling and connected their lips. Moving their lips together, he lifted her in the air a little while she cupped his neck angling her face.

Unknowingly to them, they ended up in bed with her under him. He pulled back and kissed her forehead.

"Not now. Some other time" he whispered and got off her. She nodded blushing.

They both changed their dresses. Sitaara wore a lacy white top paired with a peach skirt reaching below her knees and Abhi wore a white shirt paired with light grey trousers.

They all had lunch and went to explore Goa apart from beaches as they already spent most of their time at the beach. Sitaara switched off her phone so that she don't have to worry about the threatening calls and messages. They went to churches, waterfalls, wildlife sanctuary, Anjuna flea market and Abhi booked VIP tickets for a concert. They enjoyed it a lot there. At last, at 11:30 at night, they came back. They made Sitaara cut the cake. Aarya and Arjun have them Maldives honeymoon package as they knew Sitaara's always wants to visit there. Aman and Sakshi an ancestral place to Sitaara. She denied it initially but when Abhi asked her to accept, she did. And others gave many more best gifts.

"You won't give anything to me?" Asked Sitaara to Abhi.

"How about giving in our room? Hmm?" Asked Abhi pulling her closer.

"Mani..." she whined.

"Fine! Fine! Actually, my gift is at home and I want to take you somewhere" he said scratching his neck.

"Where is it? Am not tired still" she said. Abhi looked at Anish and Rishi. They nodded their heads.

"Let's go then. We will come tomorrow morning. And these guys will be heading to Hyderabad and we both, to the Maldives. Our Maldives tickets are scheduled for one week from tomorrow" said Abhi. She nodded.

Waving at their family, they came out of the resort. Holding each other's hands he took her to the car and opened the door for her and sat beside her. His driver started the car.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"Don't talk anything. Am nervous" he mumbled. She chuckled.

"The great Abhimanyu Chowdary is nervous!!" She exclaimed laughing.

"What do you think of me?" Asked Abhi out of blue. She looked at him as if he had grown two horns.

"Look, Sitaara, am self-controlled and will never force myself on you. Unless you give yourself willingly, I won't touch you. Just because we fell in love, that doesn't mean we can take our next step. I will wait for you even if you take years but never judge me okay? Express whatever you feel. I don't want you to suppress your inner self from me, sweetheart" he said in a single breath. She held his palm and kissed it.

"I love you" she whispered.

"Love you too, baby," he said pecking her forehead.

The rest of the ride went silent. Soon they reached their destination. He opened the door for her.

"One second," he said. Sitaara nodded.

He ran to bodyguards and gave them instructions coldly to which they nodded emotionlessly. He came to her and went to some man.

Abhi talked something with him and they hugged each other.

"Vasanth, this is my wife, Sitaara Abhimanyu and Taara, this is Vasanth, my classmate in high school, he owns most of the yacht in our country," said Abhi. Vasanth shook his hand with Sitaara.

"Hello, Vadhina(sil), Am Vasanth, you can call me Vasu," said Vasanth.

"She will go with Vasanth. She is not good with calling anyone other than me with nicknames" said Abhi pulling Sitaara closer taking her hand out of Vasanth's hold.

"He didn't change even after 10 years. Still possessive over everything which is his. He literally fought with me in the chemistry lab when I used his beaker for some experiment. He behaved as if he brought that from his home" said Vasanth. Sitaara giggled while Abhi rolled his eyes.

"But, you are lucky to have him in your life, Vadhina(sil). He will literally torment us with his love" said Vasanth chuckling. Abhi smiled.

"If you are done, you can leave. Collect your yacht tomorrow" said Abhi.

"Enjoy, Man! Bye," he said and hugged Abhi. Abhi pulled back and took Sitaara into the luxurious yacht.

"Are we gonna spend our night in this?" She asked.

"Yes!" He said and took her to the dining area which the sea can be seen. He arranged a candlelight dinner at the deck.

"I know it's pretty late to have dinner. I thought we would come back soon. Let's taste little" he said. She smiled walking to him.

"Am liking your surprise, husband" she whispered.

"Thank you," he said and helped her to take her seat. They were served the waiter of the yacht and went the waiter went away.

"Is he going to stay with us?" Asked Sitaara.

"No! Except, you, me and two sailors no one will be there," said Abhi. She nodded. They both had dinner talking about many things as the yacht was sailing in the water.

"Come, I'll show you around," said Abhi holding her hand. He took her to the living room, kitchen, the other side of the deck.

He stood in front of the bedroom door fiddling his fingers and shifting on from one leg to another.

"What happened?" She asked touching his arm.

"Iloveyou" he said in a single breath. She giggled at his weird behaviour.

"I know that. Why did you stop us here?" Asked Sitaara.

"ListenSitaaraIwanttotakenextstepinourrealationifyoudontwantititsokayIunderstand" he said like an express. She burst out laughing.

"Mani, am Taara, your Taara. You don't need to get tense. Calm down" she said. He took a deep breath.

"First let's go inside, Taara. You will understand" he said. She nodded. He opened the door. They both entered inside and she stood rooted seeing decorations. The whole floor is filled with flowers, candles. The room is having good enough fragrance to turn on. In total everything is screaming is romantic.

"Listen, Taara. No forcing okay! Don't leave me because I took this step. I will clear everything in a second if you are not ready. As I promised I won't cross your privacy and would like to give you time. If you don't like this room. Let's shift to another room. But please don't leave me, baby" he said. She looked at him amused.

"Shall, I clean everything? I will" saying this he walked to the bed to pull off decorations. Sitaara ran behind him and stopped him.

"No, it's okay! Let it be" she mumbled blushing.

"No! I don't want to force you. I should have asked you but Anish and Rishi asked me to keep it as a surprise. Tomorrow I will kick their asses" he said and was about to pull off again, she stopped him.

"Am ready. It's not forcing. I love you and you love me. We are married and taking this step with mutual consent isn't wrong. Okay?" She yelled.

"You ready?" He asked.

"To become yours by all means. I know this is early but...but I want to be yours. I don't want to lose you too. Once I delayed everything and was hurt badly. Now, I don't want it to happen to you. Now, I love you. Make me yours before God do something wrong with our fates. Am scared. I feel something bad gonna happen and before it happens, just make me yours" she cried in his chest remembering Viraj.

"I will never leave you. Nothing will happen to us. We will be together forever" he said cupping her face and wiping her tears.

"I... I..." he trailed off.

"If you do this 'I...I...' thing or talking like express, I will push you in the sea" she yelled at him. He nodded.

"I don't want any barrier between us. So, am not gonna use any protection" he whispered. She blushed and nodded.

"No one-"

"Only us. Everything is settled. Completely private" he said understanding her thoughts. She nodded

"Ready for a pleasurable experience?" He asked. She nodded. Abhi made Sitaara sit on the bed. She crawled back looking into his eyes while he maintained the same, intense, eye contact unbuttoning shirt. She gasped when she trailed her eyes down his shoulder and her eyes stuck on his toned chest and his abs. Throwing his shirt away, he got on to bed crawling towards her like she is her prey.

"Do you trust me?" He asked placing his knees on either side of her while she sat holding her breath seeing her hot and sexy husband for the first time. She nodded not trusting get words.

"Words. I want you to answer me in words, sweetheart" He said nearing his face to hers. She licked her lips and looked away.

"I-I d-do, Mani" she mumbled. He smirked. Ducking his face to her level, he placed his lips on hers. Cupping her face, he angled their faces and deepened their kiss.

She flinched when his hand went to her breast kneading them softly. He pulled back immediately and looked at her to see her with closed eyes.

"You surely want it? I can wait" he said. She took a deep breath and hugged him.

"Am scared, Mani. Am..am sti-l-l a virgin" she whispered burying her face in his neck. He smiled.

"Am not gonna hurt you, baby. I will go slow. I don't care if you are a virgin or not, I loved your soul, not your body. And, this will happen only if you want" he said cupping his face. She smiled and kissed his lips tenderly. He smiled kissing back. She felt her back on the bed with him hovering over her and he took her to an ecstatic world introducing her to many emotions.

On the other side,

''Arghh....Sitaara" screamed a Man throwing all the things in his room.

"You slept with that bastard? You married that bastard again? You kicked my feelings for you again with your feet?" screamed the same man looking at Sitaara's pictures in which she is smiling brightly.

"I will kill this bastard too. Inch by inch. I will make sure even his body won't be suitable for post mortem. I will give him a much more painful death than your dead lover Viraj" shouted The man throwing acid on Abhi's photo and laughed.

"My dear cousin, Viraj Sehgal, get ready to invite our your lover's husband to you. He is gonna face a much more brutal death than yours for touching my Sitaara. My Sitaara. I came back. The old me came back. The beast in me came back and save your lover's husband from me" shouted the man at Viraj's photo frame and laughed evilly again.

"Maldives! You both are going to the Maldives! That Aarya and Arjun gave you a honeymoon package for the Maldives? I will make sure, even they face brutal things but I won't let them die. Hope Abhimanyu Chowdary come back home safely" mumbled the man looking at pics of Aarya and Arjun giving tickets to Sitaara.

"I am back!!" He Screamed.

***************

Finally, Sitaara and Abhimanyu got married!

Abhi and Sitaara became one by all means.

But, are they gonna have a peaceful life?

Stay tuned for many more twists!

Surya.