"So a little birdy told me yesterday, that you guys are throwing us out?" I squint eyes at the Mehrotra-Sahdev members.

"Little birdy as in Sahil Sahdev? And we meant get a place of yourself but okay." My father replies with an eye roll. That's it!

"How can you—"

"Cut the crap. We all know kitne laddoo phoot rahe hai teri dil mein." My mother cuts me off. I look at my brother for any support, but he has their blood in his veins and of course he's a Zaalim now!

"Ahaa. It's because you guys need—deserve the space. We want you guys to focus on your relationship now." Samyak Papa oh-so-sweetly says. "Actually, to be very honest... I want all of you to move out now. We need the space now." He continues and gives his bestfriend a look and both of them smile cheekly. The food in my mouth turns bland. That's not the image I wanted early morning!

"Geez!" Suhana and I shriek together.

"Vasectomy. Vasectomy is what you both need!" Sahil points at my father and his before leaving the breakfast table with his coffee mug.

"Ye ladka itna bigad gya hai na." Avni Maa shakes head at her son, who gives no fluffs to anyone and just walks upstairs to his room. That hot fluffer! I wanna gobb—

"You're drooling." My bestfriend murmurs in my ears, I gulp and swipe the tissue on my mouth to remove the drool.

"What about Bhai? And Suhana?" I clear my throat before facing the elders. "Don't worry. They are moving out soon enough." My father replies back.

"Main toh kabse hoon ready tyaar." My bestfriend hums under her breath and I snicker. You get why we are bestfriend?

"I can't wait to have the house all to ourselves." My father says happily, like he isn't sitting here and offending us kids.

O bedardeya... yaar bedardeya— Ahaana!

"You guys coming?" Says my boyfr—? Fiancé? To-be husband? Sahil, it is!

"Yup." Suhana and Bhai reply back, quickly finishing their breakfast and I focus back on finding peanuts from Poha.

"Tu nahi aa rahi?" I hear his voice directly behind me, I shake my head. "I have to go to Mehr Works. I am not coming to the office today." I turn sideways looking up at his face. Why do you think I am dressed in sweatpants, Mr. Sahdev? Is your dum-dum empty? Too soon for the common sense to leave you, sorry for your loss.

"If you have time after work, go check out some flats. Hood will accompany you, okay?" He asks, my eyes narrowing with each of his words. He's not serious, is he?

"What do you mean Hood will accompany me? We decided to go see them together." I stand from my chair. All the hustle bustle stops around us, I know exactly where their eagle-ears are.

"Yeah, but I am busy today and waise bhi tu jo final karegi chalega mujhe." He replies, our mother coos behind me and I snap my eyes at them, then back at the audacious man in front of me.

"You know what? I'll have kids as well with Hood only while I am at it, you beetle headed!" I scoff at the idea and the man, and walk away from the place to not end up throwing another juice glass over him.

"Shea!" He yells behind me. I don't turn around. "Pathar kha lo aap!" I keep that to myself. "Ahaana yaar." I hear him following me but I am already in my room by then. He walks inside and closes the door behind him, I pick the pillow and throw it on his face.

"Okay! Fine! Don't go with Hood. Aa jaunga baby. Stop it." He tries to come closer but I throw another one at him.

"Shea!" He pulls me from my elbow when I go to pick up the last pillow from the other side of the bed. He jerks my body to his chest. "Nahi. Jao aap. Main sab Hood ke saath hi kar lungi. Shaadi. Making love. Babies. Grow old." I yell in his face, he fists some my hairs and pulls my face closer to his. Our mouth in direct line. Just a breath distance between our lips.

"Four. Meet me downstairs at 4. We'll see the houses and then have dinner out, okay?" He whispers over my lips, I don't stop squirming in his arms and try my hardest to pull away. The key word here being, try.

"Take Hood. Main toh nahi aa rahi!" I tell him, his hold on my hair strands turns rougher, I push my nails in the back of his hand. "I am no itsy bitsy little girl you can manhandle like this." I glare.

"You are itsy bitsy little British returned princess of mine, baby!" He chuckles before pushing us down on the bed. I groan under his heavy weight. "It's my second day, you elephant!" I try to shove him off, he gets down my body but keeps his legs thrown over me.

"You're making me crease my suit." He shakes head, appearing disappointed.

Tenu suit suit karda— Okay. What is wrong with you? You're in between a fight!

"I am not even sure why we're getting married." The words are not out of my mouth before he zips them lips with his. Oh boy!

"Mm!" He hovers over me, kissing the soul out of me. I tug on his hairs. His lips are softer then the fluffing clouds. His groaning every now and then makes me more desperate to have him touch every place of my fluffing being. The kiss... it's sweet. It's effortlessly sweet, messy but sweet and everything I love and have craved for since I last kissed him, two hours ago, before his walk of shame out of my bedroom.

"What about now? You still not sure?" He breathlessly whispers, it take me a second too long to come down the high and realise what he's saying or if he's even saying something or not.

"I thought so." He chuckles placing a kiss on my nose and his hand goes to my stomach. "Still hurts?" He asks, I shake my head in negative. He spent the night before with me. His finger never stopped massaging my lower abdomen and getting me horny--gives side eyes. He took care of me last night and didn't let me take the medicine. I felt better then every other second day of my period. The continuous hot water bag through out the night helped with the pain. His weight over my back and legs over mine, helped with the back pain and leg pain. And not to forget the finger-licking... delicious... heavenly cheesecake and ice cream, he got delivered for me in the middle of night-- that helped with everything. Literally every-fooking-thing! Took away all my sorrows and pain and even helped with that orgasm of mine. Food-gasm.

Tere sang laagi.. preet mohe-- Are you seriously singing for desserts now?

"I'll message when I am done with work. Don't make me wait or come upstairs. When I say meet me downstairs, I mean meet me downstairs. I am not stepping down the car." He makes me understand like a parrot. He wants to be a total gentleman and come all the way up here to take me? Okay. I'll let him. Can't have Hood's princess crying now, can I?

"And look for other houses as well, we have to finalise the flat in a day or two. The interior work should be done before the wedding festivities starts. Also, when are you meeting the wedding planner?" He gets up from the bed and straightens out his clothes, I keep laid down like the raita I am.

"Suhana and Falak are meeting her. I am helping Mothers organise the Roka and I also have to get Mehendi." I show him my palms. "Aaj hi?" His face scrunches up in disgust. He hates the smell, like really really hates it. I shake my head in no. The Roka is on 22nd October. Five days from today.

"What are you and Advik doing? What about my outfits?" I pathetically pout up at him. I don't, don't want to design my own wedding clothes. I also don't want to get my outfits from somewhere else.

Okay. In short, I want these three-- Suhana, Advik and Sahil to handle my outfits. Princess needs to rest well and not worry over anything.

"Your outfits will be handled by me. Especially the wedding day lehenga. For now, you rest or go bitch about me with our parents. I'll go, I am getting late." He turns to leave, I hold his wrist and pull him back. He looks at me in question. I gesture at my body with eyes, he tries to leave. "Pagal ho gyi hai tu... Don't push me to look at you like that. I will not be able to hold back." His voice grows husky, I pull on his hand making him lean down to his waist over me with his palm beside my head.

"What do you mean like that? Hone wali biwi ko gandi nazron se nahi dekhoge toh kisse dekhoge? Who is asking you to hold back? We are both adults. Stop with the 'not before marriage' thing with me. I don't believe in such things." I garland my hand around his neck, pulling him even more closer. If I make him lean even a little bit more-- he's gonna fall down over me and we both will be hurt.

"I believe in that. I am not doing you until I have my name attached with yours. And I know you want the same too... it's just your periods. You always are horny when you're on periods. I have noticed this in the past as well. You used to look at me with a different intensity then as well." He mumbles keeping his nose over my forehead, I moan, breathing in his body scent.

"You're not going to help me with this, right?" I fist his collar, he denies. "Fine. I'll do it myself." I remove my hands and push on his chest slightly. He places a kiss over my nose then forehead, and his hand comes on my neck. Pressuring just a tiny bit on it. New kink unlocked, darn!

"I am leaving the door open. And both of us know, how lazy you're. When I said, wait. Just fucking wait. I'll see where this lustful side of yours is next month." He breathes roughly, I close my thighs. Oh, fookity fook. This man is delicious!

"Sahil! Now you ain't getting late, hai na?" The door bangs loudly, both of us jerk apart. my heart thudding wildly in my chest with the sudden shouting. Ye mera bhai hi meri maut ka kaaran banega! And if he continues with this behaviour, I don't think he's ever getting to be a Mamu.

"Bye." He whispers and smooching my lips, walks away. I keep laid out in the same position but smile when I notice how he made sure that my brother didn't get a look of me sprawled out so messily. He also closed the door behind him. And then the fluffer didn't even wants to say those three words!

•

Ofcourse. I didn't get ready by 4'o clock. And of-effing-course, I didn't meet him downstairs like he asked me to. I was slurping on my strawberry shake sitting on Sahdev couch, with both the mothers beside me doing the same while all of us watched Netflix. Chill and Netflix with Momma's!

"Are you kidding me!?" Comes the voice disturbing my chill moment. Oh, come on. Not this beetle headed human being again!

"Ahaana!" He screams.

"Kya?" I ask, my eyes stuck to the scene in front of me. Kiss... kiss... kiss— "Sahil. Sahdev!!!" I don't scream. I screech, from the bottom of my throat. Standing up to face that burnt marshmallow!

"I. Asked. You. To. Meet. Me. Downstairs!" His clipped tone tells me the level of anger he is on. But guess, who gives an eff? Not me!

"Yeah. You also asked for a naïve little fiancée, guess who got this fine woman who doesn't take anyone's order instead?" I push him out of my way and walk towards the main entrance of Sahdev household. "You coming now?" I turn back when I don't hear his angry footsteps following me.

"You're going in this?" He looks me up and down. I shrug. Stolen sweatshirt and joggers? Comfortable enough! Oily hairs? Who cares?

"We're going house hunting, Ahaana. I am not taking you out for late night ice cream. Go change!" He seriously needs to look for that manual on me that I'd like to believe he lost with all the drama going around him. I give a look to both the mothers who fakes as if they are just watching the chandelier and their surrounding. My mother even swiped a finger on the coffee table and shook her head at Avni Maa.

"What did you say?" I pretend that I didn't hear him. Just in case, he wants to correct himself before my 'feminist with a bucket of period blood' side comes out. It's my second day, it's basically a river flowing down there. You don't want to fight me!

"I said. Go. Change. I am not taking you out in this *again, looks up and down my body* whatever you call this." Oh. He did not!

"You effing tarter sauce. How dare you, crappity? You know what, I don't want to shift with you. You can shove this new home of yours up the muffler of your car." By the end of that rant, I don't know why, but my eyes well up making my throat heavy. A tear slides down my eye and I make quick move to leave. "Shea!" He pulls me with my elbow. "Why are you crying yaar?" He murmurs wiping my tears away.

"I seriously don't know what... what I have done to you.. but if you don't like the way I look.. or dress... just tell me straight forward and leave me. S-stop looking at me with judgement in your eyes. I know I have no meat on my body. I know I look malnourished... but there's nothing I can do abo--"

"Are you mad, Ahaana? Where did all of this come from in just a second? Fuck! Baby. I asked you to change because-- I don't mean to offend you... but you look like a teenager dressed like this. In these clothes and these pigtails of yours. I am sorry, but you really look like a little girl and to be frank, it kind of gets weird outside. Everyone looks at me like I am harassing you... if I get even a little touchy with you." He cups my cheeks making me look up at his eyes, his thumb wipes off my tears.

"And not to mention, they won't let us even see the house, let alone finalise it, if I tell them we'll be shifting after our marriage. Your short height doesn't really help." He started with 'don't mean to offend you' and then went ahead and offended me. The smooth fluffer!

I can't even stay angry with him since I all too well know, he is saying the truth. The owner of shanky donuts once threw him out because he kissed my cheeks, thinking he's forcing himself on the little me. I was in high school and he was in college. Our siblings didn't even try to save him, they let the owner toss him out. Aah! Good old days.

"So.. can you please.. I request you, please wear something that makes you look like an adult?" I'll listen to him just this once since he said please. "Okay but only if we stop by to see Coco and Oreo after dinner." I cross my arms.

"Deal." He forwards his hand to shake, I do it. "Give me five." I run towards my room.

Already knowing what I am wearing, I pull everything out. Throw them on the bed and look for the dry shampoo. I do two things at once.  Dry shampoo and cleansing my face. Then brushing my hairs and mixing a little bit of foundation with my moisturiser and slathering it on my face.

After my hairs are done and looks a bit better, I throw the outfit on and quickly slip on the sandals. Taking out a bag, I apply a lip tint both on my lips and cheeks. I look at the watch. 7 minutes, good enough!

I walk back to the man leaned against the main entrance of Mehrotra house. Our mother standing in front of him, just talking about the light of their life. Aka. Me!

"I can't believe you're not showing it to me!" I hear his mother say, she even pouted. Now you know where we got this trick from? "I can't believe he gave that to you and not me. I should be the one gifting it to her, you buy another one." I hear her. Huh? What they talking about?

"I hear gifting and some her. Tell me it's me." I show them all of my white pearls. Sahil glares at his mother. "Kya birthday surprise plan karoge re aap!" He shakes his head in disappointment, I keep myself from laughing at the cute face my to-be-MIL makes.

"She'll still love my gift and not yours!" She makes a huh face and leaves. I meet my mothers eyes who looks at me with the same gaze she's been looking since I came back.

I didn't have the courage to talk to my parents yet. I talked about everything with Bhai when we spent that one night together, but not my parents and I have been here for almost two months now. Especially now it scares the living heck out of me, when the wedding preparation has begun. I want to talk to them the soonest possible, but I don't know how?

"I'll be back soon, Mumma." I move my eyes away from her, gulp down the lump in my throat before looking back.

"We'll be waiting bacha." I feel these words means a lot more than just the reply to my sentence, or maybe it's just me back in my overthinking mode. I take a step closer and kiss her head. "I love you." I whisper, just like I do every day as many times as possible.

"I love you more, Ahaa." She whispers hugging me. "Bye."

"Bye Momma." I wave at her and then behind her where my mother in law is standing calling someone, Sahil slips our fingers together and tugs me towards the elevator.

"You don't have a middle ground, no? It's either being at the lowest or the supreme most." He looks at me in the elevator mirror, I blow him a kiss. "I either dress to beg or to kill petty humans like you." He shakes head at me, I ignore his eyes, going back to gazing at myself.

"So.. we never really had any conversation about this..." I clear my throat once we settled in the car and he's driving us to Waheguru knows where. "About what?" He looks at me for a second before turning his attention back tot he road.

"About us.. moving. I mean why are we moving? Or is it just for me or you wanted this all along for us?" I turn sideways, facing him completely.

"I think more than you or me, our parents and grandparents wanted us to move out. I mean they did give that flat to us." He states almost appearing as if he had never thought about this that deeply.

"Did you at least discuss this with them?"

"Actually.. it was your father who started sending me options since we returned from Leh. I ignored them initially, but than I thought why not. I mean we do need to be alone now." He looks at me. "I don't think we'll be able to focus on our relationship if we are living with them. Also, I don't know about you, but it'd be totally weird for your father, brother and I. And it scares me that we'll have a little fight and you'll go running to Mehrotra's."

I know that. Not the fight part but I totally get the whole point of living with the families. The women who lives in joint families, doesn't live with their own family. In my case, things are totally different... and not to forget weird. I don't think I have it in me to be around my family and not live with them, I mean like staying at Sahdev's would be weird for me. Or see them in the eye after I get married. Noooope! The mere thought scares me out. What if my father hears us? What if we are being naughty and he catches us? Uh huh! Moving out it is.

"Do you think... we'll be able to make it work? Living alone? We've never been alone for more than few hours. Ever. It's hard... you know... making a marriage work. Handling a house." I don't look at him. My heart suddenly feeling weird. What if we can't do this? What if living alone zucks? What if we end up getting div—

"Ahaana! Stop it." I snap my gaze to him. "Come out of your head." He takes my hand from my lap and kisses it. "I am not saying we will have a smooth, happy relationship. Of course there's gonna be fights, disputes but that doesn't mean our marriage won't work. We know how much our parents love each other and at the same time we also know how badly they fight. But they never gave up on each other. Never. If you think I'll let you go this time... you're offending me here, baby. I will fight tooth and nail with you, but I won't ever let you leave me or give up on us ever again." He says after the car is parked. His words doesn't entirely take my anxiety away, but they do settle my heart a bit.

I look at the building in front of me and realise I have seen this one before. Many times. "This? This is Ahuja's?" I ask looking for the board. "Yeah. Realised you would want to be closer to the families. You know if you ever wanna throw a tantrum." He grins. I chuckle. This is the newest residential building in our area. And like just 1.5 kms away from our ho— parents home.

"It means we'll have the same grocery stores and everything?" I ask, my voice chirpy. He gets down the car and rounds it, coming to open my door. "That depends if you like the house or not." He says forwarding his palm to me. I put my hand on his.

"Our parents actually came here to see this one yesterday. Everyone loved this, so I am hoping you would too." He says walking us to the towers. Checking in with the security guard, he takes me towards the elevator.

"What about you? What if you don't like this?" I push myself closer to him, until I am completely snuggled in his arms. In a side hug. His lips brush my hairs. "Your hair stinks." I give him a look that clearly says, 'don't even get me started, I'll kick your arse to the moon and back.' He laughs rubbing our noses together.

"Okay, not to sound corny. But, tere saath toh main jungle mein bhi rah loonga. Bas tera saath chahiye." I look at him with fifty shades of disgust. "Yup! Very corny! And not to forget cringey. Yikes, Sahil!" I try to push him away, he chuckles in my neck keeping me attached to himself.

The elevator stops at 19th floor, he takes me towards the 1907 and we head into the already open door and see a man waiting for us. Sahil introduces us and Mr. Rathore gives us all the details about the building, society and obviously the flat. We see the rooms. Mr. Rathore tells us all about the size and than we talk about price. After he's shared everything he wanted, he gives us the booklet which contains all the information, he then steps out leaving the two of us alone.

We head into the balcony. "What do you think?" Sahil asks after a few minutes. "What do you think?" I repeat his question, he shrugs.

"It's nice. Spacious. The society is new, the view here is good.." He says the last thing looking at not the view but me. I snort. "I like it. Not to forget it's close to our parents." He nods his head behind me, I follow his gaze and realise we can almost spot the top of our parents building from here. "Also..." He nods at the 'E' tower of this society. It takes me a minute to spot whatever he's trying to show me. On two different floor of the same tower, there's two weirdos jumping and waving at me. Weirdos? I mean my bestfriends. What?

I look again. "Suhana and Falak?" I murmur to myself. "Suhana and Falak." I hear him say behind me. His arms comes on the balustrades caging me from both the sides, his warm breath hitting my bare shoulder. "They were some of the first one to buy homes here when the construction work started, they got the same tower, I tried to find one for us in the same tower but they are all sold out in 3-4BHKs."

"Can we please finalise this? Please?" I sa-- chirp turning sideways to see him. "Are you sure? You want this or you're doing this for the assholes." He gives a look behind me than back at me.

"This has everything, I want. I love this. Pretty please with sugar lumps on top? Or all bitter things you like." I pout. He smiles and places a kiss on my cheeks. I walk towards the master bedroom "I'll talk to our parents, you can cal--"

"Chethi chethi aaja. Falak nu vi call kar le." I speak on the phone and than call my mother. "Are you coming? We are finalising the house, Mumma." I ask her but get answer from my MIL shouting. "On our way, Shea." Avni Maa shouts.

"Did you guys leave already?" I ask when I am sure my mother is back on the call. "Nahi, Rudra is changing. You want something?" Mumma asks.

"Haanji. Can you please go to my room and look for my cheque book in my wardrobe? It's in the second drawer in a blue folder named 'Bank Docs'." Before I can get her reply, the phone is snatched away from my fingers. I hear my mother say, "Ahaa? Are you mad? Are you trying to pick a fight with hi--"

"Shi Maa. Aap aa jaaye bas sab." I look into his eyes, the tick in his jaw scares the living heck out of me. I spot Yug, Suhana, Falak and my brother behind him. Sahil takes a step closer, but before he can say anything, Yug steps in between us. "Calm down." Yug mumbles to him, his hand on his chest. "Not today. Don't ruin things on the same day again. It's a big day, Sahil." Yug tries to speaks gently almost as if he doesn't wants me to hear him, but I hear him clearly. Same day?

Yug wraps his fingers on my wrist, but so does Sahil on my left hand. "Shai. It's going to be our home--" His fingers brushes the skin of my ring finger. I should be sacred but I just feel weird pitter patter in my heart-- Happy pitter patter. "Just some more hours... phir batata hoon main tujhe."

lagta hai.. dil teri... shaamat aayi hai-- Oh. Fluff you Biatch!

"Mr. Sahdev." All of us look at the stranger-- Mr. Rathore. Sahil presses down on my ring finger before stepping away from me and walking out of the bedroom to the man. "How do you do this? Itna talent, Shea?" Yug teases, side hugging. I whine. My brother follows his best friend. Falak and Suhana walks to me. "He's gonna fuck you into another dimension." Falak whispers. "Falak!" Suhana screeches, making the three of us laugh.

"See, I understand pissing Sahil off is in your bones. Just like it is in mine. But... uska bhi toh kuch haq hai na, Ahaa? On you? On the life that you guys are entering into? Uska haq mat cheen na usse... bahot mushkil se he's getting to do all of this. I remember him looking out of the balcony the whole time, when we were signing the paper works for our flat." Yug says, I look at my bestfriends. Falak wraps her hand around my shoulder.

"I know once you get a whiff of this 'girl boss' thing, its hard to let someone else take care of you... but what about him? He spent two decades taking care of you and than having no one to look after, believe me, he needs this more than anyone. Sometimes its hard for us as well... since we have started working, but we know and understand that these men... when they are in love and loyal to their women, all they want is to spoil them, cherish them, bring the world to their women's feet. Its not about the money always, sometimes its about the sense of security... that you would let only him take care of you and no one else. That only he can make your day with a single flower or a fucking ring or a house. Waise bhi you already got him--" Falak walks us to the door, my eyes fall on the man going through the paper work.

"Shut up!" I pinch her skin, my eyes stuck to my man. As if he could feel my eyes, he looks up... gestures me to come to him. Falak lets me go. "You wanna go through this?" He asks forwarding the papers to me. I shake my head in negative and stand on my tip toes. "Thankyou for the beautiful house, to-be husband." I place a kiss on his cheeks, almost the corner of his lips. "I love you!" And I move away, leaving him standing with that dumfounded look.

•

After the house was finalised, all of us ordered food and had dinner there on the floor of our new house with our old people. Sahil stayed mum throughout the entire thing, my mother and brother giving me a look every now and then. Yeah, I know whose side are you guys on. But just know that I'll make it upto him like this... like this. *Ahaana tries snapping her fingers mentally but zucks at it.* Ahaana has a blasting surprise planned. Ahaana gonna rock his world.

Dharti hila de... laade lishkaare-- Ahaana!

"You not taking me to meet Coco Oreo?" I ask when he goes to press the button of our floor, his finger goes down and he presses the button to their floor. Suddenly, my heart starts thumping loudly. Breath erratic. The elevator pings opening and he starts walking first. I follow him. He unlocks the door and we head inside, Coco and Oreo stops their howling and rush to us. he gives them both a rub and walks away. I scratch their ears and let them lick me.

Our fur babies now has a house and they won't have to stay locked into this place alone anymore. It always worried me when I got to know that they live alone here. I mean I understand they were always looked and cared for every hour but still, keeping them here broke my heart. But I couldn't do anything. Now I cannnnn!

Sahil checks on their food and water bowl, and finds them full. He starts walking towards the bedroom. I follow him. He goes to unlock the door, I quickly open my handbag and look for what I want. I feel my heart thumping not in my chest but in my throat. The seconds feels like hours, the key turns and he pushes the door open. His foot stops as he takes the room in. Even Coco and Oreo stops their barking and looks at him. He takes another look at the room before turning to face me, his face creased in confusion.

I get down on my knee, opening the ring box. He looks at me wide eyed, still in daze. A tears falls out of my eye before I even begin to say anything, his eyes waters as well. "I know I am not the easiest to love. I know I carry a lot of baggage and traumas and tantrums. I know I am really weird and silly and full of ship. Not to forget crazy and idiotic biatch. But, you will never find another piece like me on this planet ever again, I can guarantee you." I look away from his eyes for a mini second, before continuing...

"Someone who can make you angry and love you at the same time. Someone who can fight with you and fight for you. Someone who can make you smile and then want to punch a nose or a wall. Someone who can make you cry and wipe your tears and worry away. I may not be the perfect and best version a man would want in his wife, but I am the only one who can love you with all she has and more." I say between my tears, he falls down to his knees, tears running down his face. He cups my cheeks.

"Our journey isn't perfect. We're far from being the perfect goal couple. But you won't ever have someone looking at you, like you're her answer to every single question. I am not easy to love and I know I try to make it even harder with my insecurities, imperfections and stubborn-ness. I know I pick unnecessary fights and call you names and curse weirdly. And I have hurt you the most, broke you in the worst ways possible and I know you shouldn't believe or ever trust me. But, today, I am here in front of you... on my knees... asking... begging for one chance. One chance to let me shower you with my love. One chance where I can take care of you, our house and our relationship. One chance where I can be your strength and not weakness this time. One chance, where I hold and kiss you to make memories and hug you more tightly and kiss you longer for the lost times. One chance to make sure you never go to bed upset, and give you all my attention even if, it's just me whining and calling you names or mentally singing weird songs. One chance, where I stand by you in rough times and in better, where I get to show you and the world that I love you unconditionally... desperately... insanely and especially hopelessly." By the end of my confession, the soft sniffing turns into full blown wailing mess. With tears and sweat running down my face. The shivers in my body never stopping and as the minutes passed by, I felt coldness seep into my bones-- as if he's gonna say no.

"You've given me all that I didn't deserve since I was a little baby, and I want to spend the rest of our lives... loving you with all that I have and don't and being loved by you. I kinda wanna make you mine and spend the rest of our lives making you crazy with my tantrums. So... Will you? Marry me, I mean?" With my heart in my palm, I barely whisper the last words. I don't know why.. but I murmur-- sing but in a whisper because my voice is lost with all the emotions, "tujhe jeet jeet haaroon, yeh praan praan waru... haaye aise main niharu... teri aarti uta--"

I am cut off by his lips. He's kissing me. He didn't reply, but he's kissing me-- does that mean what I think means? The slight bite on my tongue brings me out of my head, his hand goes between us, on the ring that I am fisting now. I try to break the kiss, needing the answer first. He doesn't lets me and bites on my lower lip. Almost whining in my mouth, his one hand on my fisted one and the other entangled with my hairs. I still make him pull away when I feel his tears still streaming down and feeling that more then me, he needs to inhale.

"Ahaana yaar--" He complains trying to pull me back in the kiss, I put palm over my mouth, his face creases in frustration.

"Answer. I need words and you know that." My voice comes out muffled. He forwards his hand, "put the damn ring on and let me kiss the oxygen away from your body."

"So.. is it a yes or no?" I pull the ring back when he tries to push it in his ring finger. "Tu pagal hai kya?" He looks at me with squinted eyes and creased forehead. I don't say anything, just waiting for him to give me a fluffing answer.

"Yes. You spoiled brat. A million fucking time yes! I don't know why would you even ask me such a dumb question! Actually why would you even ask me this? We have our Roka/ engagement/ Path in five days." He motions at the room behind us. I don't feel like giving such an expensive ring-- that I paid for-- to this man who's being so rude to the Ahaana Mehrotra. He doesn't really deserve this. The princess in me is offended!

His phone rings, cutting the train of my weird thoughts. He pulls it out, still seated on his knees just like me. "Mar gya kya beha— bhai mere!?" The anger with which Yug started speaking, and kind of trailed off in a sweet as fluff fake voice, told me he has someone around him. It can be the girls. I've heard them talk alone and I don't ever wanna hear those words ever again. They abuse so bad. The worst part, it's all in Hindi and just so effing disgusting and... plain traumatizing.

"Huh?" Sahil is in daze. Daze of my lovely, beautiful and not to mention emotional... proposal.

"Don't tell me you forgot. Sahil, please bang your head to the nearest fucking wall and snap out off whatever Ahaana is doing with you." Yug shouts from the other side. He's getting angry. Suhana has a thing for Angry Yug. My bestie getting some tonight?

"Shea. Slap him with your left hand." I don't know why, but I do it as soon as Yug says. "What the fuck, baby?" Sahil yells palming his right cheek. His eyes go to my hand, and then to the phone attached to his ear. Just like that, he comes back in his senses.

"Shit. Shit. Shit. Give me two, Yug." Sahil stands up, looks around a second-- the first thing the fluffer does is, capture me on my knees with the ring in my hand and then the decorated room. I give him a look that should scare his last 12 generations. "I said, yes baby. Put the ring on." He gives me his hand, my heart starts its pitter patter again and I slip the ring on his finger and then kiss the back of his hand. He tugs my hand making me stand. I circle my arms around his neck and place a kiss on lips.

"I love you, Sahil." I murmur over his mouth, he hums and smooches my lips, before pulling me towards the main gate. Coco and Oreo follow us out. Sahil gets down in front of him. "I will come see you in a bit. And stop howling, the neighbors are threatening to call the cops. The sound-proofing is doing nothing!" He boops their noses and kisses both of them, Coco howls but follows Oreo in the house. Sahil shuts their door and pulls me to the elevator. At this point, he's just heaving me.

"What's wrong?" I ask him when he doesn't stop tapping his foot in--impatience? Worry? Our parents were out for a walk, did something happen with them? Oh My God!

"Sahi--"

"Nothing. Nothing is wrong, baby. I'm making things right." He pulls me in a side hug and kisses my head, the elevator opens on our floor and we find all four of them. And they were breathing fire... at Sahil. Not my problem! Imma go sleep this day away.

Yeh raatein... yeh mausam... nadi ka kinara--

"Ahaana!"

"Huh?" I look around me to see Falak and Yug going towards the elevator, my brother and Suhana already poofed. It took me a second to look for the correct sleep refence song. A second. What are they? Witches? And what about Suh getting some action?

"Come with me." Sahil says and we both walk towards the stairs. I mean why even bother asking? Jab reply ka wait hi nahi karna tha?

Oh my beloved fluffy bed, I shall come to you in a while! 

It wouldn't be a surprise for me if my mashed potato head were in its right place. All the signs were in front of me. But, as I said. Head in its right place. When I had that moment back in London. Arey! The one where I fell face first in the middle of the road. Yes, that one. I guess the Doctors failed to identify the misplacing of my stoopid head!

The moment I step foot on the terrace, I see it all. This was my moment to shine. To go into the state of daze-- where to be frank, I am round the clock.

Jokes aside... maybe I wasn't ready. Ready to see him go down on his knees for me. The moment he slid down to his knees. Everything came rushing to me. I knew I am living one of my biggest dream. Dream to have him propose me to be his girlfriend--wife. To be his wife. To not only get in relationship with him, but also a new life where it's just us. Our love and us. Our forever. Our happily ever after with heck lot of craziness and dramatics.

"I hope the spoiled princess in you is satiated now? I know part of her died when you went down on your knees for me." We both share a chuckle. "I am not going to be sappy, as you've already beat me to it. That will forever remain a bruise on my man ego. But the one, the one side which is insane about you-- about your laugh, your glares, your eye rolls, your snarky sassy self... that part is overwhelmed with l-- devotion, attachment and... uh.. warmth."

"The correct and simple word is 'love' but okay.." I cut him off. He glares. I gesture a zip lock motion on my lips. He shakes his head at me and moves a little bit to pull out a ring out of his jeans pocket. No box. Just the ring. How careless can these boys be?

"I have nothing to say. Literally not a single word, because I feel you've used all the words for the both of us. So I'd rather just simply hand this to you." He takes my left hand, but doesn't makes me wear the ring. Holy mother of diamonds!

"I don't know if you remember or not, but it was of Dadi Maa. She gave this to Dadu some months before she passed away, saying it's Ahaana's-- Sahil ki biwi hi pehnegi ye. And today, I am handing this to you as our engagement ring. It's been with me for more than 6 years now. I remember being mad at you one day, and I threw this ring somewhere in the wardrobe. I came back home that night and cried when I couldn't find it. Begged Dadi Maa for forgiveness, and told her that I will give this to you the soonest possible and a moment later, I found it. I have always said this, and I'll say it again-- our souls may have had their own connection, but it was the love of our grandparents that sealed us together. For me, they were our fate and we were 'Blended by fate.'"

"I want us to move on Shea. I want us to have our much awaited happily ever after, whatever happened had to happen for us to be so into each other. I also believe that it just made our connection stronger. If you didn't leave and we some how ended up getting married so early, I don't think we would have the kind of patience and l-- adoration that we have today. We wouldn't have made growth in our professional life or grow as a person and I think overtime that would have lead to misunderstandings and frustration. How ever the journey was, it was ours and I'm delighted and thankful to have us found our way back to each other."

"You've always been the keeper of my soul and holder of my heart. I cannot imagine my life without having you to annoy me or piss me off. So, will you annoy me forever? And give my heart a home?" He waits for me to answer. I wait for him to say the words. When I know, he's not going to continue. I speak, "Don't you think you're forgett--"

"Just say yes, you British returned brat! My knee hurts, I think I have a stone under it." I laugh out loud, cupping his cheeks and smooching his lips. I move away just a tiny bit from his lips. "Yes, baby." He pulls me back into the kiss, his fingers pushing in the ring while we are madly kissing each other.

"Bhaag ke shaadi karle?" This is the first thing I say after we break the kiss. "Chalo jao, sojao. I know neend chad gayi hai tere dimag mein." He shoves me towards the terrace door, I wail, walking back into his chest.

"I wuv you." I murmur, he kisses my head. "Just say it, you know you want to." I look up at his face. He kisses my lips and then continues giving those little kisses again and again. "Bolo naa.." I crib.

"Pahle sorry bol." He says, I look back confused. "Ghar ka payment karegi tu?" Ohhh. Thatttt. He lightly pinches my wrist, I hiss, slapping his hand away but he keeps me close to his chest with the other hand.

"Sorry." I give him a pout. "Jaa soja ab." He smacks my ass. Yes! Holy guacamole! Why did I find that good?

"You said sorry bol phir bolunga." I say when he starts walking us towards the terrace door. "Maine bola tu sorry bol. Aise kab bola phir bolunga? Chant mat ban." He turns slightly and locks the door.

"This is my last and final warning to you, if you bring money into our relationship ever again, I'll--"

"Divorce me?" I say pouting. "I'll never make love to you and never let you see Coco and Oreo. Ye divorce word toh tu dictionary mein se hi hata le." This time he smacks the back of my head. You get why I say he's always manhandling me?

"So how will this marriage work if you never sleep with me." I whisper, my head tilted back to look at his face, his leaned down. "Kitni desperate hai na tu?" He whispers back. Our lips brushing as we speak.

"Aapke liye? Hadd se jyada." He starts to descend the stairs, I tug on his wrist, gesturing at the stairs. He sits down and I snuggle up in his lap. "Thankyou for coming back to me." He says after some beats of silence.

"Why didn't you ever come out of the Airport? Suhana said you visited three times but never came out." I ask, hugging him more tightly.

"Bas... himmat nahi hui." He replies softly.

"I missed you so much." I look up into his eyes, hoping he could see the truth in them. He smiles and kisses my lips. "I know baby. I know." His lips then brush on my forehead.

"Go sleep." I hear him say and just hum in response. "Don't you need to change?" He breathes in my ear. This time I whine. I hate periods!

I pull away from his chest and stand up, he stays seated. "Sona nahi hai?" I ask him. "I have to go check up on Coco and Oreo. Even clean all this." He motions his head at the terrace door. "Help karu?" He shakes his head in negative. I wave turning to go, his fingers on my wrist stops me.

"Say them again." He murmurs softly, I smile, leaning down to cup his cheeks. "I love you so much, baby." I kiss his forehead. "I wanna hear them every hour, ever minute, every fucking second." He says looking into my eyes. I rub our noses together.

"I will keep on saying them every second of the day."

"Go. Or I am not letting you sleep tonight." He warns.

"Main toh kabse h--"

"Besharam aurat... soja jaake." He glares making me laugh out loud. I kiss his lips again before turning around and going down the stairs. "Mera ba--"

"Yeah, it's in the flat. I'll bring it." He replies before I can complete. I smile at my man and go to the Mehrotra house, leaving him sitting there, smiling like a complete fool.

The ring feels heavy but warm on my fingers, and my heart's never felt this happy and light ever. I got my forever and nothing makes me happier than that.

The beginning of my crazily happily ever after...

Waheguru...