chapter 30

Where should we go?" Pragya inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"I have plans already," Ishan replied with a mysterious smile, causing her to smile in return.

"What plans?" Pragya pressed, her interest growing.

"I'll tell you there only," Ishan teased, his eyes twinkling with excitement as he drove off to their destination.

After an hour-long journey, they arrived at their destination. Pragya stepped out of the car and looked around, her eyes widening in surprise as she realised they were at a lakeside area.

Her gaze landed on a luxurious yacht moored nearby, its sleek lines and pristine exterior standing out against the tranquil waters.

"Well, my dear Ariel, first of all, we will go on that yacht for an hour, enjoying some moments there. After that, this lake connects to the sea, so we will go in a submarine to explore the underwater world," Ishan explained, his excitement palpable.

"Really?" Pragya asked, her eyes wide with astonishment at the elaborate plan.

"Well, I don't know what you would like, but Ariel is your favourite, so I thought that exploring the underwater world would make you happy. And after that, there are underwater rooms for us," Ishan added with a smirk, causing Pragya to blush at his thoughtfulness.

As Ishan approached, the salty breeze tousled Pragya's hair, and she sensed his presence before he wrapped his arms around her from behind, engulfing her in a warm embrace.

"Enjoying it?" Ishan's voice, tinged with excitement, broke the tranquillity of the moment as he glanced at the panoramic view before them.

"Very much," Pragya replied, her voice barely audible over the gentle lapping of the waves against the yacht.

Ishan's grip tightened around her waist possessively, a silent declaration of his affection and protection.

"Ishan," Pragya murmured, her heart fluttering at his proximity.

"Let's go inside ,," Ishan suggested, his breath sending shivers down her spine as he spoke directly into her ear. Pragya nodded eagerly, eager for the next adventure.

Once inside, Pragya sank into the plush sofa, her senses overwhelmed by the opulence of the yacht's interior. Ishan hovered close, his presence both comforting and electrifying.

With a casual grace, Ishan shed his coat and began to undo the buttons of his shirt, each movement sending a wave of heat through Pragya's body, tinting her cheeks crimson.

Ishan gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind Pragya's ear, his touch sending tingles down her spine as he drew her closer, his hand finding its place on her waist.

"Ishan," Pragya whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the rush of her own heartbeat.

"Yes?" Ishan's eyes bore into hers, filled with an intensity that made her catch her breath.

"When will we go in the submarine?" Pragya inquired, her excitement bubbling over, momentarily forgetting the intimate moment they were sharing.

"What, yaar, you've spoiled the mood," Ishan teased, his playful smirk betraying his amusement.

"Aww, Ishan, but i am so excited for this," Pragya protested, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment at her unintended slip of words.

Ishan's gaze softened, a fond smile playing on his lips as he observed his wife's endearing enthusiasm. "But seriously, i am excited for that too," he whispered huskily, his warm breath brushing against her ear, causing her to blush even deeper.

"Let me go, Ishan. I need to change clothes," Pragya stammered, attempting to break free from the intoxicating spell of their intimate moment, her heart racing with a mix of desire and nervousness.

"Should I come to help?" Ishan's playful tone carried a hint of mischief, knowing all too well that he wouldn't pass up the opportunity to tease her.

She shook her head, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment, and hastily made her escape.

Soon, they found themselves aboard the submarine, submerged beneath the shimmering surface of the ocean.

"Wow, Ishan, look, it's beautiful," Pragya exclaimed, her eyes widening in wonder as she gazed at the mesmerising underwater scenery, completely captivated by the ethereal beauty surrounding them.

"Nothing in this world can be more beautiful than you for me," Ishan expressed, his eyes locked onto Pragya with unwavering affection.

After their adventure in the submarine, they retreated to their underwater chambers. Pragya slipped into a short dress before settling beside Ishan.

As they embraced, Pragya sighed contentedly. "The night was beautiful," she murmured.

"Every moment with you is," Ishan replied softly, drawing her closer for a lingering kiss filled with tenderness and longing.

Pragya giggled softly as they parted, and Ishan couldn't resist but compliment her, "Did I ever tell you how beautiful your smile is?"

A blush tinted Pragya's cheeks as she shook her head. "No," she whispered.

"Then let me tell you now," Ishan whispered back, his fingers tracing delicate patterns on her thigh, igniting a spark of desire between them. He started trailing soft kisses on her neck, licking it, sucking it. He took a portion of her skin between his teeth and bite it to mark her as his

Their intimate moment was abruptly interrupted by a sharp pain in Pragya's neck, causing her to flinch.

"Ishan, I love you," Pragya confessed, seeking solace in his embrace. "I love you, only you," Ishan assured her, his gaze filled with unwavering devotion as he tenderly caressed the mark on her neck.

"This mark is proof of my love," Ishan declared passionately, capturing her lips in a fervent kiss that conveyed all the depth of his feelings for her.

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Advik and Anika sat in silence as the car glided along the deserted road. Anika gazed out of the window, lost in her own thoughts, until Advik brought the car to a gentle stop.

Startled, Anika turned to him, her curiosity piqued. He met her gaze and opened the door, inviting her to step outside.

"Come outside," he said, his voice tinged with excitement and mystery.

Intrigued, Anika complied, stepping out of the car and onto the quiet road. She cast a puzzled glance at Advik, wondering what he had in store for her.

Suddenly, lights flickered to life, illuminating the darkness around them. Anika's eyes widened in amazement as she beheld the sight before her: a garden adorned with twinkling lights, casting a warm and enchanting glow over the surroundings.

"It's beautiful," she breathed, her voice filled with wonder and awe as she took in the magical scene laid out before her.

As Anika stood there, mesmerised by the beauty of the garden, a man approached her, holding out a bouquet of roses. She glanced at Advik, who smiled and nodded in encouragement.

Taking the bouquet from the man, Anika noticed a small card attached to it. Her heart skipped a beat as she read the words written on it: "Happy anniversary my love." A warm smile spread across her face, touched by Advik's thoughtfulness.

Hand in hand, they began to walk through the garden, the air filled with a sense of serenity and love. Though they walked in silence, their connection spoke volumes, each step a testament to the bond they shared.

After a while, Anika's attention was drawn to a nearby bookstore, its sign obscured from view. Advik noticed her curiosity and offered, "Wanna look at the name?"

Perplexed, Anika nodded, and Advik reached out to reveal the hidden name.

"Anika's Book Nook," she read aloud, her heart fluttering at the unexpected surprise. It was a name that held special meaning to both of them.

Anika gazed at Advik, her heart swelling with affection. "I want our every anniversary here, I want us to come here once a year and this book store will only stock my wife's book" he declared, his eyes sparkling with hope and love. She couldn't help but smile at his sincerity, feeling a warmth spreading through her chest.

"Or maybe our daughter too," Advik added with a playful glint in his eyes.

Anika raised an eyebrow teasingly. "How sure are we that we'll have a daughter?"

"I know, but for a daughter, we have to do something," Advik replied, a mischievous grin spreading across his face, causing Anika to blush.

"But her mother blushes at that topic only," Advik teased, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

Anika chuckled, shifting her attention to the bookstore. "Okay, then I'll write a book about us. Just one copy for her," she joked.

"Trust me, sweetheart, we'll be the most romantic couple—Romeo and Juliet, Heer-Ranjha, Cinderella and Prince Charming—everyone will pale in comparison to us," Advik proclaimed dramatically, eliciting laughter from Anika.

As she watched him laugh, Anika marvelled at how much he had changed in just one year. His smile, once rare and fleeting, now lit up his face with a radiance that she found utterly captivating. It was a precious sight, one that she cherished more than anything else in the world.

"Now, for the last thing of the day," Advik declared with a grin, prompting a smile from Anika.

"Let's head to our penthouse for that," he suggested, and Anika eagerly nodded in agreement.

As they settled into the car, the gentle pitter- patter of raindrops soon accompanied their journey.

"Wow," exclaimed Advik suddenly, his eyes alight with excitement, catching Anika's attention.

"You seem thrilled," she observed, a hint of curiosity in her voice

"It's your chance to experience a scene straight out of a book," Advik explained with a playful glint in his eyes.

"A kiss in the rain?" Anika guessed, her scepticism tinged with a spark of amusement.

"Absolutely," Advik confirmed, his excitement palpable as he stepped out of the car and held the door open for Anika.

With a laugh, Anika joined him in the rain, the droplets creating a magical backdrop for their moment.

"Do you think you are turning into one of those lovesick male leads?" Anika teased, her affection evident in her playful tone.

"For you, my princess, I'd gladly play any role," declared Advik, his gaze tender as he expressed his unwavering devotion

Without hesitation, Anika closed the distance between them, capturing his lips in a fervent kiss. Their embrace was filled with passion and longing, each moment a testament to the depth of their connection. Advik's hands found her waist, pulling her closer as they surrendered to the magic of the moment.

As they reluctantly parted, Anika leaned in, her voice a soft whisper against the backdrop of the rain.

"Can I share something with you?" she asked, her gaze searching for understanding.

"Of course," replied Advik, his tone gentle and reassuring.

"If I were asked to proclaim my love to the world, I'd choose to whisper it only to you," confessed Anika, her words a testament to the intimacy they shared.

They arrived at the penthouse, and she changed into shorts and a crop top while he opted for jeans, leaving his chest bare.

"Well, the surprise was a tent on the terrace. I planned a movie night, but we can do it in the room too," he suggested, to which she nodded in agreement.They both settled into bed, ready for their evening together.

Anika arrived at her father Ram's office with a packed lunch in hand, ready to surprise him with a midday meal. As she entered, she found him engrossed in his work, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Dad, I brought lunch for you," Anika announced cheerfully, setting the meal down on his desk.

Ram looked up from his work, a warm smile spreading across his face at the sight of his daughter. "Thank you, Anika. You always know how to brighten my day," he said gratefully, reaching for the lunchbox.

As they shared a brief conversation about their day so far, Ram suddenly remembered something. "Anika, could you do me a favor and fetch a file from Advik's cabin?" he asked, his tone slightly preoccupied.

Anika nodded in agreement and made her way to Advik's cabin, knocking gently on the door. When there was no response, she pushed the door open slightly and peeked inside, only to find Advik slumbering peacefully at his desk.

"People are working, and the CEO is sleeping," Anika remarked teasingly to herself, a hint of amusement in her voice. Despite the lighthearted comment, she knew she still had a task to complete, so she stepped into the cabin, her eyes scanning the room for the red file her father had requested.

Spotting the file near Advik, Anika couldn't help but pause for a moment to admire him. Even in sleep, he looked handsome and endearing, his features softened in repose. With a soft chuckle, she shook her head at her own thoughts before retrieving the file and heading back to her father's office.

Anika shook her head in response to Advik's question. "No, and secondly, I said crush, not falling in love. Now, onto the second incident," she clarified, and Advik nodded in understanding.

In another memory, Anika found herself on a trip to Singapore with Pragya and Ranya. They had just finished breakfast, and Ranya asked Anika to wake up Advik and Ishan, handing her the smart key to their room.

"Advik, Ishan, wake up," Anika called out as she entered their room, but there was no response. She ventured further into the room, noticing the sound of the shower running, indicating that one of them was already awake.

As she approached Advik's sleeping form, she hesitated, unsure if she should wake him or wait for Ishan to finish in the shower. Leaning closer to him, she observed him for a moment, contemplating her next move. Suddenly, she felt his hand wrap around her waist, pulling her closer to him as he snuggled against her.

Surprised but silent, Anika tried to extricate herself from his grasp without disturbing him. Just then, she felt his lips press gently against her forehead, and her heart skipped a beat at his unexpected declaration.

"I love you," Advik murmured softly, his words sending a flutter through Anika's heart.

But her surprise turned to amusement when she realized he was still half-asleep and mistaking her for his mother. "I love you, Mom," he repeated, and Anika stifled a chuckle, gently disentangling herself from his embrace just as the sound of the shower ceased.

Softly, she made her escape, managing to slip away before Ishan emerged from the bathroom.

"Hey, Auntie is calling you both downstairs for breakfast," she informed Ishan, before quickly making her exit from the room.

"Cutie," Advik chuckled softly to himself, his fondness evident in his amused tone.

Yes it was the sweetest moment, now let's watch a movie " Anika said. "Which movie?" he inquired, expecting a typical movie night.

"Let's do something else," she finally said, voicing what he secretly hoped for. "You sure?" asked Advik, his excitement evident in his voice.

"More than ever," she replied with a smile.And with that, he eagerly pressed his lips to hers, their evening taking an unexpected and thrilling turn.