Chapter 118: chapter 118

SRUTHI"Are you sure we have to go on this trip?" I ask, glancing at Madhav. I pull a white, flowery shirt and blue jeans from my wardrobe, holding them up as I wait for his answer.I hear the zip of his backpack. "Damn sure.""But we just came back from our honeymoon," I argue, folding the white shirt and putting it back. I don’t even know where we’re going, and I don’t want to risk my nicest clothes getting dirty.My brother left for Noghot Jail at dawn. I still don’t understand why Nisha did what she did. Even though her betrayal stings, I’m relieved that the constant threat is gone. For the first time in a while, I don’t have to live in fear.This morning, I thought I’d be going to school, but Madhav surprised me with an announcement. He has planned a day trip. He’s keeping the destination a secret. All I know is that I have to pack pajamas since we’ll be staying the night away from home and returning by tomorrow morning.He’s practically glowing with excitement, while I can’t quite shake the exhaustion of the past few days. I’m not fully on board.“Seriously? You call what we had a honeymoon?” Madhav teases, stepping behind me.His scent surrounds me, warm and familiar, and I can feel the heat of his body close against my back. A small shift would bring us into full contact.Madhav reaches past me, sifting through my clothes until he picks out a dark green top with half sleeves. He drops it into my hands with a smirk.“Not forcing you,” he says, meeting my raised eyebrow that says, Really?"But I’ve never seen you wear this before," he explains. "You’ve been staring at your wardrobe for half an hour, so I thought I’d help you out."A small smile tugs at my lips. I drape the green top over my shoulder and place my hands on his collar. He’s wearing a gray polo shirt, fully ready for the trip. We had our breakfast, and I informed the school about my leave. One day or another, my school is going to fire me for taking so many leaves. I’m already dreading the lecture I’ll get from my principal when I return tomorrow. But what can I say? All that scolding is worth the smile on my husband’s face.I pull him a little closer, rising onto my tiptoes. “You remember every outfit I wear?”“Yeah, I do,” he replies with a mischievous smile. “I notice you more than you realize.”“What’s your favorite outfit of mine?”“That navy blue cocktail dress,” he murmurs, his voice dropping low, making my stomach flutter. “But I also love your baggy outfits.”I feel a flush rise to my cheeks. Then I answer his earlier question, “If that wasn’t a honeymoon, then what is?”Madhav’s hands find my waist, pulling me closer with a smile that’s almost dangerous. “A honeymoon, Sruthi, is about a couple spending time together in privacy. We had to post pictures of that trip for everyone to see, so it doesn’t count. Plus, I was too focused on the mission to spend my time properly with you. Besides, a honeymoon isn’t complete without a hot and steamy night.”I gasp, realizing exactly where his mind is going. “You!” I try to shove him, but he catches my hand and pulls me even closer until only a breath separates us.“Just come with me on this trip,” he says, his voice softening. “I’m burned out after everything that’s happened. We’ve barely had a moment to ourselves since our confession. I know it might sound selfish, but I want you to myself for the next twenty-four hours, without any interruptions. Can you give me that?”I wrap my arms around his neck, leaning into him. “Yes. I’ll give you my time—and more.”The next moment, his lips meet mine. A rush of warmth spreads through me, sparking a need for more. The fact that we’re finally just a normal couple with no drama settles in as our kiss deepens.We both pull back at the same time, gazing at each other with a kind of longing. Who would have thought I’d actually enjoy kissing Madhav?“I’ll wait outside. Take your time to get ready,” he says, placing a soft kiss on my forehead before leaving the room.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥The climate is mild as Madhav drives us in his old convertible. We’ve been driving for more than an hour. Madhav knows where he’s going because he isn’t using GPS or Google Maps. I’m not sure how this car is still running, but somehow, he keeps it going.“What’s the story behind this car?” I ask as the wind blows my hair into my face. I gather my loose hair and tie it in a ponytail.“Not much of a story. I just love it. This car kept me company whenever I felt lonely. I’d take it and drive through the city to clear my head.”“That sounds pretty sentimental,” I say, glancing over at him. “So, where are we going?”“Guess,” Madhav says with a smirk. Apart from the excitement, he looks a little nervous. I rack my brain, trying to think of a place that would make him look nervous but me excited.“Are we going to a snake park?”Madhav scrunches his face in disgust. “A big no.”“Hmm. Then, a theme park?” I ask.“What are we, kids?”I gasp. “You don’t like theme parks? They’re the most romantic settings in every drama and book!”“How can it be romantic with a huge crowd?” Madhav asks, looking horrified. “It might be great for the couple, but imagine what it’s like for everyone else there with their families—a public nuisance. Besides, where would you even get privacy?”“On top of a Ferris wheel,” I say confidently.He raises an eyebrow, considering it. “Interesting choice. But that’s, what, ten seconds of privacy? That’s not enough for me. I told you—I want you for a whole day.”“So, where?”“You’ll know when we get there.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥Another half hour or so passes before Madhav suddenly stops the car. Expectantly, I look out the window, but there’s nothing around us—just a long stretch of road with plants lining either side. I’m starting to get annoyed because all we’ve done is travel, and he’s still not telling me where we’re going. I’m grateful for the breakfast we had this morning because I don’t think I’d be this patient with an empty stomach.I turn a questioning glance on Madhav, who takes something out of his pocket. I frown at the black piece of cloth in his hands.“I want you to be blindfolded before we arrive,” he says, offering it to me.“You’re giving this way too much build-up,” I grumble, taking the cloth and tying it around my eyes. Madhav helps secure it, checking to make sure it’s tight before starting the car again.In a few minutes, we’re on a bumpy road before he finally pulls to a stop.“Can I take it off?”“Not yet,” he says, opening his door and stepping out. My side door opens, and he takes my hand, guiding me down. I feel his arm around my shoulders as he leads me forward, and I hear the creak of a gate opening. There’s a faint scent of flowers in the air.“I’m not sure if this will live up to the hype, but I hope you like it,” he whispers, untying the blindfold.I slowly open my eyes, and the sight before me renders me speechless. I stare at the place, then back at Madhav, hardly able to believe it.“How… how did you know?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.In front of me is a beautiful white, single-story house surrounded by a flower garden and bordered by a white picket fence. It’s exactly like the dream house I’d pictured on tough days—the kind of place that feels safe, quiet, and full of love.Madhav looks a little embarrassed as he admits, “I overheard you once, talking about how you didn’t want a man who’d shower you with riches, but someone who’d give you a house with a garden and a white fence. You said it was the kind of place you’d feel truly happy in.”He laughs softly. “That was two years ago, Sruthi. Back then, I was frustrated. No matter how hard I tried, you still hated me. I had no idea how to make you fall for me. But when I found this house, I bought it on a whim, just in case… just to have one thing that would make you like me.”There are moments in life that make us feel an infinite, overwhelming gratitude. We feel lucky, terribly lucky, to have someone in our lives. That’s exactly how I feel as I look at the man standing before me, the man who took a passing comment to heart and created a dream for me.I pull him into a tight hug. “Don’t you dare disappear on me, Madhav.”“Whoa, why the sudden dark thoughts?” he asks, wrapping his arms around me with a gentle squeeze.“You’re spoiling me too much. I’m afraid I can’t imagine a life without you,” I answer honestly. “So, either stop spoiling me or promise to stay with me till my last breath.”“I’ll choose the latter,” Madhav says with a chuckle. “Shall we go inside?”“Yes!” I nod excitedly. “I know we can’t live here permanently, but… can we make it our getaway? Our little escape from the world?”“Of course,” Madhav answers. “And someday, maybe we’ll retire here. Just the two of us.”I can almost see it—that future where we’ve grown old together, living peacefully in this little white house surrounded by flowers. I can see us sitting on a porch swing, watching the sun go down, or tending to the garden together, bickering over weeds and which flowers to plant next. I imagine our children visiting with their families, filling the house with laughter and noise, and us spoiling our grandkids with sweets before sending them back to their parents.It’s a simple vision, but it feels warm, solid—like the foundation of something real and lasting.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥