[32]

Dehradun...

Under the vast expanse of the night sky, Rishit and Vaani sat together on the balcony, bathed in the soft glow of the moon. A gentle breeze caressed their faces, carrying with it the subtle fragrance of night-blooming jasmine. The world around them was quiet, yet the unspoken words between them created a symphony of their own.

Vaani’s feet rested comfortably in Rishit’s lap, his fingers absentmindedly toying with the delicate silver payal adorning her ankle. His gaze, unwavering and intense, remained fixed on her—drinking in every nuance of her expression, as if committing each detail to memory.

Breaking the tranquil silence, Vaani giggled softly and asked, "Ye kya kar rahe h aap Rishit?" Her voice held both amusement and curiosity.

A slow, knowing grin spread across Rishit's face as he met her gaze. "Aapse mohabbat," he replied with effortless charm, punctuating his words with a playful wink.

She raised an eyebrow, a teasing challenge dancing in her eyes. "Why are you touching my feet?" she questioned, instinctively trying to pull them away.

But before she could, Rishit’s hands tightened around them—firm, yet gentle. His voice held a quiet reverence as he murmured, "Aap Laxmi h hamare ghar ki, aapke pair chune se to mujhe punya milega." With that, he bent forward, pressing the softest of kisses onto her feet, his lips lingering for a moment longer than necessary.

Vaani stilled, his words settling deep within her heart. A smile, tender and touched, graced her lips. Overwhelmed, she slowly pulled her feet back and, in one fluid motion, leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his neck.

The warmth of his embrace surrounded her instantly, his arms instinctively encircling her waist, holding her as if she were the most precious thing in existence.

Pulling back slightly, her gaze searched his, and with a rare seriousness lacing her tone, she asked, "What am I to you, Rishit?"

His eyes softened, but within them lay an unshakable intensity. His voice, deep and sincere, resonated with unspoken emotions.

"Aap wo kasti h jisne iss dubte hue musafir ko sahara diya h, Vaani. Aap jindagi h meri, wo jindagi jiska sath main marne ke baad bhi nahi chodunga. You are my everything." His words, spoken with raw honesty, echoed in the silence, binding them even closer.

And then, before Rishit could fully absorb the weight of his own confession, he felt a warmth unlike any other—soft, featherlight, yet searing in its depth. Her lips met his in a kiss that held a thousand unspoken promises.

A single tear escaped from the corner of her eye, slipping down her cheek before landing on his, mingling with their intertwined breaths and sealed lips. A silent testament to the overwhelming love that neither of them had the words to fully express.

Their lips moved in a slow, intoxicating rhythm, eyes closed, lost in the moment as their kiss deepened. The world around them faded, leaving only the warmth of each other’s presence, the soft sound of their mingled breaths, and the wild, erratic beating of their hearts.

Vaani's lips trailed away from his, her kisses featherlight yet searing as they wandered over his jawline, leaving behind a whisper of warmth against his skin. Rishit’s eyes remained shut, surrendering to the sensation, his body responding instinctively to her touch.

She moved lower, pressing soft kisses along his neck, her breath fanning against his skin, making his grip on her waist tighten instinctively. But she wasn’t done—her hands found the buttons of his shirt, fingers working deftly, slowly parting the fabric.

The moment Rishit felt the cool air against his skin and realized what she was doing, a playful smirk tugged at his lips. In one swift motion, he tightened his grip on her waist and pushed her back against the couch. Their eyes met—startled, intense, a silent challenge passing between them as they momentarily froze in each other’s hold.

"What are you doing, biwi jii?" he asked, amusement lacing his voice, his mischievous grin only growing wider.

Vaani, unfazed, merely tilted her chin up in defiance, a proud smile curving her lips. "Aapse ishq," she declared without hesitation.

A chuckle rumbled from Rishit's chest as he buried his face in the crook of her neck, his warm breath tickling her skin. His laughter was soft, reverberating against her, before his lips replaced it, pressing gentle, lingering kisses along the length of her neck, jaw, and collarbone. Each touch sent a shiver down her spine, her breath hitching as her fingers curled around the back of his neck, pulling him closer.

Rishit let himself drown in the moment, savoring the feel of her against him. But after a while, he pulled back, his darkened eyes scanning her flushed face. Without a word, he stood from the couch, only to bend down and scoop her effortlessly into his arms.

Vaani gasped, her hands instinctively clutching onto his shoulders as he carried her towards the bed with steady, unhurried steps. The dim glow of the room cast a golden hue over them, the night sky peeking in through the open balcony.

Upon reaching the bed, Rishit laid her down gently before settling beside her. His eyes, filled with a depth of emotion beyond words, searched hers as he asked in a hushed, almost reverent voice, "May I?"

Vaani held his gaze for a moment, a soft, knowing smile playing on her lips. Instead of answering with words, she reached forward, gripping his collar, and pulled him down to her. Their lips met once more, a silent affirmation passing between them as they melted into each other.

Their lips moved in perfect harmony as they pulled each other closer, eliminating any trace of distance between them. The world outside ceased to exist—there was only this moment, only them.

Vaani’s fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the buttons of his shirt, her heart pounding in anticipation. But before she could continue, Rishit gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing against her cheek with infinite tenderness. His gaze held nothing but love, his voice a soft whisper against the stillness of the night.

"Just let me know if you don’t feel right, I will stop the very moment," he assured her, his eyes searching hers for even the slightest hesitation.

Vaani smiled, her fingers wrapping around his wrist as she leaned into his touch. "Aapse mohabbat meri marzi hai, Rishit… and this is something that will only deepen our bond," she murmured, her voice steady with conviction. With that, she pulled him closer, guiding him toward her neck.

Rishit let out a quiet sigh, a smile ghosting over his lips before he pressed them against her skin, tracing a path from her jawline to her collarbone, his kisses slow and deliberate. His hands moved with care, as if memorizing every inch of her, ensuring she felt nothing but cherished.

His lips brushed over her earlobe, making her shiver slightly in his hold. The warmth of his breath, the softness of his touch—it all felt like poetry written on her skin. Their bodies fit together effortlessly, their heartbeats syncing in the stillness of the night.

Time seemed to blur as the world outside the cocoon of their love faded away. Wrapped in each other’s embrace, sheltered beneath the warmth of the blanket, they surrendered to the depth of their emotions. The night bore witness to their love—not just in passion, but in the trust they shared, in the silent promises they exchanged without words.

And as the night deepened, so did their bond - etched into their soul, unbreakable and everlasting.

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

Bangalore

The clock struck nine, and Vidhan found himself pacing back and forth in his room, his hands running through his hair every few seconds. A storm raged within him, but on the outside, he maintained his usual composed demeanor. His eyes flickered toward the door every now and then, his heart impatiently counting the minutes until she arrived.

And then, finally, the door creaked open.

Vidhi stepped inside, her presence instantly softening the tension in the room. Clad in a simple yet elegant outfit, her face held the same warmth that had always been his solace.

Vidhan wasted no time. The moment he saw her, he moved toward her in swift strides, his lips curving into a smile—one he hoped would mask the chaos inside him.

Without a word, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into a firm embrace. His grip was tighter than usual, as if seeking comfort, as if anchoring himself to her presence.

Vidhi, caught slightly off guard, smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck in return. But as the seconds passed, something about his embrace felt… different. It was almost as if he was holding on for dear life. Her brows furrowed slightly, a flicker of concern settling in her heart.

She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, her fingers brushing against his cheek, her voice laced with worry. "Are you okay, Vidhan?"

For a moment, he almost gave in to the sincerity in her gaze, almost let himself unravel before her. But he was an expert at hiding his emotions. So, he forced a smile and nodded.

"Yes, bas ek meeting ki wajah se thoda pareshan hu," he said smoothly, hoping she wouldn’t see through his excuse. He knew her too well—Vidhi never let things slide easily.

She studied his face for a second, as if trying to catch the truth hidden beneath his words. But eventually, she let out a small sigh and smiled, choosing to trust him. "Ohh… don’t worry. Everything will be fine," she assured him before leaning in to hug him once more.

Vidhan’s arms instinctively wrapped around her again, but this time, a sad smile flickered across his lips. He buried his face in her shoulder, holding on to the moment just a little longer. She was here, right in his arms, unaware of the storm brewing inside him. And for now, that was enough.

After spending a few hours together, talking about everything and nothing, Vidhi finally stood up to leave. She turned to him with a soft smile before stepping into her room—the one right beside his.

Vidhan watched her retreat, his smile fading the moment she disappeared behind the door. The weight of his emotions, the thoughts he had suppressed all evening, came rushing back.

With a heavy sigh, he ran a hand through his hair and leaned against the wall, staring at the ceiling as if searching for answers.

Tonight, just like the last night, he would carry his turmoil alone.

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

It was 3 in the morning, and the world outside was draped in silence, the city asleep under the moon’s soft glow. But sleep evaded Vidhan. He stood in the balcony, his hands gripping the cold railing, his eyes fixed on the luminous moon as if seeking solace in its presence.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on his chest.

"Ye sach mujhe kitna bhi dard kyun na de, but I will never let you know about this," he muttered under his breath, his voice barely above a whisper, lost in the vastness of the night.

His fingers curled into fists as he swallowed the lump in his throat. The truth—harsh, unforgiving—loomed over him like an impending storm. He knew Vidhi deserved to know. He knew she had every right to the truth.

But he also knew… it would shatter her.

"I know this is a harsh truth of our life, and you deserve to know about it. But I also know that it will break you into millions of pieces. That’s why I will never tell you anything about this," he whispered to the wind, his voice laced with silent agony.

The thought of seeing her in pain, of witnessing the light in her eyes dim because of him, was unbearable. He wouldn’t let it happen. He couldn’t.

"I will marry you as soon as possible," Vidhan promised himself, his determination outweighing the ache in his heart. He would protect her—even if it meant carrying this burden alone.

Taking a deep breath, he turned away from the night sky and stepped back into the room. The darkness felt heavier inside, his thoughts following him like shadows.

Lying down on the bed, he closed his eyes, but peace remained elusive. The silence of the night whispered all the things he refused to say out loud. And somewhere between his unspoken words and the moon’s quiet witness, Vidhan drifted into a restless slumber—his heart still carrying a truth he could never share.

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