[31]

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the room. Vaani stirred slightly, her head resting comfortably on Rishit's arm. As she blinked her eyes open, she found him already awake, gazing at her with an affectionate softness in his eyes. A gentle smile played on his lips, his expression serene.

Noticing his unwavering gaze, a smile graced Vaani’s lips as well.

"Good morning, patidev," she murmured in a sleepy voice, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.

Rishit's smile widened at the warmth of her touch. "Good morning, biwi ji," he whispered, responding with a tender kiss to her forehead. Her eyes fluttered shut instinctively, savoring the delicate moment.

After lingering in their cozy embrace for a few more seconds, Rishit slowly unwrapped his arms and sat up. Stretching slightly, he glanced at her with a teasing smirk. "Main ready ho jata hoon, phir aap ho jaana," he said, his tone light.

Vaani simply nodded with a soft smile, watching as he made his way toward the washroom. Her eyes unconsciously followed his retreating figure, a warmth settling in her chest.

A little while later, the two sat at the dining table, quietly enjoying their breakfast. The clinking of utensils was the only sound filling the space until Vaani decided to break the silence.

"Rishit, aaj aapko office se jaldi aana hai," she stated, her tone leaving little room for argument.

Rishit paused, his curiosity instantly piqued. "Okay, but why?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Vaani narrowed her eyes at him. "Har baat par how, why kyun puchna hota hai? Kabhi kabhi bina kisi sawal ke bhi baat maan liya karo," she huffed, her frustration evident.

A chuckle escaped Rishit’s lips as he reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. "Okay, okay," he relented, his gaze amused.

"Achhe se aa jaana," Vaani reiterated, her tone firm.

Rishit nodded, his eyes glinting with warmth.

Once they finished breakfast, they walked toward the parking lot together. The cool morning air carried the distant hum of city life, blending seamlessly with their quiet companionship.

As they reached their respective cars, Rishit turned to her with a hopeful smile. "Should I drop you to your office?" he asked, a certain eagerness lacing his tone.

Vaani, however, merely offered a tight-lipped smile. "No," she replied firmly.

His face immediately fell, and a small pout formed on his lips.

Seeing his reaction, Vaani couldn’t help but chuckle. Stepping forward, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a warm embrace. Rishit responded instantly, his arms securing around her waist as he lifted her slightly off the ground.

They held onto each other for a moment before pulling away. Still holding onto the hope of changing her mind, Rishit tried again. "Should I drop you?" he asked, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Vaani sighed, shaking her head. "No, Rishit," she repeated, this time her tone slightly firmer.

Another pout formed on his lips as he watched her walk toward her car. Yet, as she opened the door, he found himself smiling again, watching her with quiet fondness.

Before getting in, Vaani turned back, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Byee, jaldi aana," she called out, her voice soft yet insistent.

Rishit nodded with a chuckle, watching as she finally drove away. With a lingering smile on his face, he, too, got into his car, heading toward his own office.

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

The evening air carried a hint of impatience as Vaani sat in the living room, her eyes flickering toward the clock every few seconds. Her fingers drummed against the armrest, irritation bubbling within her.

"Main toh time se aa jaati hoon, par janab ko hamesha late hona hota hai," she muttered under her breath, her frustration evident.

Crossing her arms, she huffed, "Aane do aaj, batati hoon inhe."

Just as she was about to pick up her phone, the doorbell rang. Her eyes narrowed as she stood up and strode toward the door. Swinging it open, she found Rishit standing there, a charming yet tired smile on his face.

His smile, however, faltered the moment he noticed what she was holding—a broom.

Vaani stood there, her expression composed but her tight-lipped smile giving away her intentions. The broom rested lightly in her hands, but her stance screamed trouble.

Rishit swallowed hard.

"Aap aise kyun khadi hain?" he asked hesitantly, his voice laced with caution.

Vaani’s smile didn’t waver. "Aapka swagat karne ke liye, patidev," she said sweetly, yet her tone carried an unmistakable edge.

Before Rishit could respond, she took a step toward him, the broom in hand. His eyes widened in alarm. Without thinking twice, he turned on his heels and bolted across the living room.

"Arey, maine kiya kya hai, Vaani?!" Rishit exclaimed, dodging her as she chased him around the couch.

"Kya kiya hai? Maine jaldi aane ko bola tha na! Par nahi, aap toh late hi aayenge!" Vaani huffed, swinging the broom playfully as he ducked.

"Arey sorry baba, bas thoda kaam aa gaya tha," he said between breaths, still running.

Vaani halted abruptly, placing her hands on her waist. "Aisa kaunsa kaam tha jo mujhse bhi zyada important tha?" she demanded, her eyes boring into him.

Seeing her stop, Rishit also came to a halt, panting slightly. "Arey… main raste mein rukh gaya tha," he admitted hesitantly.

"Kahan rukh gaye the?" Vaani pressed, her suspicion growing.

Rishit sighed. "Aap kitne sawaal poochti hain!" he groaned, taking a step toward her.

But before he could get closer, Vaani swiftly pressed the back of the broom against his chest, stopping him in his tracks.

"Mere sawaal ka jawaab dijiye," she said, her voice rising. "Kahan rukh gaye the? Aisa kya tha jo mujhse bhi zyada important tha? Boliye!"

Rishit exhaled sharply, shaking his head at her relentless questioning. Without another word, he reached out, grabbed the broom, and tossed it aside. Before Vaani could react, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

Their chests collided as a small gasp left her lips.

"Nothing is more important to me than you," Rishit murmured, his gaze dark and intense before he closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a deep, fervent kiss.

His lips moved across hers, pouring all his unspoken emotions into the kiss. Vaani, however, remained still, refusing to respond. Noticing this, Rishit hesitated, slightly pulling back. But before he could retreat completely, Vaani grabbed his collar and pulled him back in, kissing him with equal passion.

Their lips moved in perfect sync, their earlier argument dissolving into the heat between them. Rishit tightened his grip on her waist, leaving no space between them, as if grounding himself in the moment. Vaani, too, wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, losing herself in his embrace.

Their kiss deepened, growing more fervent, as Rishit captured her lower lip, savoring the softness. Vaani responded in kind, her fingers tangling in his hairs as she kissed him just as fiercely.

At that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the argument, not the time, just then lost in each other.

As their lips moved in sync, lost in the passion of the moment, Rishit tightened his hold around Vaani and effortlessly scooped her into his arms. Without breaking the kiss, he settled onto the couch, pulling her onto his lap.

Their bodies remained entangled as the intensity of their kiss deepened, neither wanting to let go. But after a few minutes, the need for air forced them to part. Their foreheads rested against each other, breathless and hearts pounding in unison.

Vaani slowly lifted her head, a teasing smile playing on her lips. Her gaze trailed from his eyes to his lips, then lower—to his slightly exposed chest where the top two buttons of his shirt had come undone. A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes as she admired the sight before shifting her gaze back to his.

Rishit smirked when he caught the subtle shift in her eyes. "Haaw, kitni besharam biwi mili hai mujhe," he teased, his voice laced with amusement.

Vaani arched a brow, her lips curling at one side. "Toh abhi thodi der pehle aap kya kar rahe the?" she countered, her tone just as playful.

At her words, Rishit didn’t waste another second. With a swift movement, he pinned her against the couch, capturing her lips once again. This kiss was deeper, more urgent.

When he finally pulled away, his gaze roamed over her. Dressed in a deep blue saree, her slender waist was teasingly visible as she lay beneath him. His fingers itched to trace the soft curve of her skin, but instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.

Vaani’s eyes widened slightly as she sat up. "Isme kya hai?" she asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

A soft smile tugged at Rishit's lips as he flipped open the box, revealing a delicate silver waist chain. The intricate design shimmered under the dim lighting, looking like it was made just for her.

"This is what made me late," he murmured, holding it up for her to see.

Vaani’s lips parted in surprise, her fingers grazing over the fine metal. A smile broke across her face, her earlier irritation melting away instantly.

Rishit leaned in again, his breath fanning against her skin as he whispered, "Let me put it on you."

She shivered as his cold fingers traced along her waist, carefully securing the chain around her. Her eyes fluttered shut at the sensation, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

Once done, Rishit tilted her chin up with his finger. "Open your eyes, biwi jii," he said gently.

Slowly, Vaani obeyed, her gaze locking with his. In the next instant, Rishit scooped her into his arms again, making her gasp as she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Rishit, what are you doing?" she asked, slightly breathless.

But he said nothing, just smiled as he carried her towards their bedroom.

Upon reaching, he gently laid her down on the bed and settled beside her. Wrapping his arms securely around her, he gazed at her with warmth and something deeper—something unspoken yet profoundly understood.

"Aapko kya laga, main kya karne wala hoon?" he asked, his tone turning playful again.

Vaani’s cheeks flushed instantly. "K-kuch bhi toh nahi," she mumbled, looking away.

Rishit chuckled before his expression softened. "Vaani," he called, his voice shifting from teasing to serious.

She turned to look at him, sensing the shift in his tone.

"I won’t touch you until and unless you give me permission to," he said, his voice firm, filled with nothing but respect and love.

A warm smile spread across Vaani’s lips. Without hesitation, she closed the distance between them, resting her head against his chest.

Rishit pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, pulling her closer. "Good night, biwi ji."

"Good night, patidev," she whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek before closing her eyes, wrapped securely in his arms.

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

Banglore

Vidhan stepped into the dimly lit room, his movements slow and burdened, as if each step carried the weight of the world. In his hand, he clutched a file—one that now held the power to shatter dreams. As he entered, he quietly shut the door behind him, the soft click echoing in the heavy silence.

His gaze remained unfocused as he trudged toward the bed, but before he could reach it, his knees buckled. He collapsed onto the floor, his body curling into itself as he sat against the corner of the room. His hands trembled as he clenched the file against his chest, his breathing uneven. His eyes, brimming with unshed tears, fluttered shut before he buried his face into his knees, trying to stifle the storm raging within him.

FLASHBACK

Earlier that evening, on his way home, Vidhan had made a stop at the hospital to collect their medical reports.

Stepping into the doctor's cabin, he was greeted with a neutral yet unsettling expression.

"Come in, Mr. Ahuja. I was waiting for you," the doctor said, his tone unreadable.

Vidhan smiled politely as he took a seat across from him. "I came to collect the reports," he stated casually, completely unaware of the gravity of the moment.

The doctor, however, remained serious, his fingers interlocked as he hesitated for a brief moment.

Noticing the shift in his demeanor, Vidhan’s own expression sobered. His heart picked up pace. "Is everything fine, Doctor?" he asked, a flicker of concern creeping into his voice.

The doctor exhaled slowly before replying, "Your reports are absolutely fine, but…" He stopped mid-sentence, reluctant to continue.

Vidhan's grip on the armrest tightened. "But?" he prompted, his pulse quickening.

The doctor met his eyes, his tone measured yet firm. "But there is something in Vidhi’s reports that you both need to be aware of."

Vidhan felt his breath hitch. His fingers twitched, his mind already racing with worst-case scenarios. "Aur woh kya hai?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, yet laced with desperation.

The doctor sighed before delivering the blow. "Vidhi has only 15% chance of becoming a mother.."

For a moment, the words didn’t register. Vidhan sat frozen, his mind refusing to process what he had just heard. And then, like a tidal wave, it hit him.

His eyes widened in shock, his jaw slackened, and a deep ache bloomed in his chest. "Kya…?" The word barely made it past his lips. "Can't she be a mother?" His voice cracked, thick with emotion, his throat constricting as if the mere thought was suffocating him.

The doctor nodded solemnly. "Chances bohot kam hain."

Vidhan’s world crumbled in that instant. A painful lump formed in his throat, and he struggled to swallow past it. His hands balled into fists as he tried to contain the overwhelming emotions crashing over him.

FLASHBACK ENDS

Back in the present, Vidhan sat motionless on the cold floor, his body shaking as silent tears finally escaped his eyes. His heart ached—not for himself, but for Vidhi, for the dreams she had nurtured, for the pain she would have to endure.

His gaze dropped to the file in his hands, the harsh reality etched onto its pages. He wanted to be strong for her, but in that moment, he felt utterly powerless.

Vidhan’s voice trembled as he whispered into the emptiness of the room, his sobs breaking through the silence. "How will I tell you all this, Vidhi?" His words barely made it past his quivering lips, but the weight of them pressed down on his chest, suffocating him.

Tears streamed down his face, uncontrolled and relentless, mirroring the storm raging inside him. His entire body shook, the ache in his heart intensifying with each passing second. His sobs, once muffled, grew louder, raw with the pain of a truth too cruel to bear.

"I don’t want to imagine your reaction when you find out," he muttered, his voice thick with anguish. "I know this will break you… and I—I won’t be able to see you like that."

His grip on the file tightened, his knuckles turning white as he clutched it against his chest, as if holding onto it could somehow shield Vidhi from the devastating truth it contained. But nothing could.

The exhaustion of his emotions, the sheer weight of his grief, slowly drained the strength from his body. His sobs gradually quieted, replaced by the hollow echoes of his pain. Eventually, his body gave in. With tear-streaked cheeks and trembling hands still gripping the file, Vidhan fell into a restless sleep on the cold, unfeeling floor.

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