"Wounds take some time to heal," Sonakshi spoke to a patient as she finished bandaging the girl's hand.

"Dr Dixit. We have a surgery case to assist with Dr Ahuja," her co-worker Ashish reminded her.

"I never like the way Dr Ahuja treats us, students. He expects us to be already perfect in all the types of cuts and needle and suture sizes we need for the surgery. I know we need to pre-study but the amount he makes us prepare is exhausting," another student Ritu complained.

"This is AIIMS. We worked hard to get here. Don't you think we need to be perfect?" Sonakshi turned to her classmates.

"Let's go!" Ritu urged her friends and walked out.

Sonakshi and her friends came out of the operation theatre with their Professor, Dr Ahuja, after the surgery. She walked to the parking lot but could not find her car at the place where she had parked it. Instead of her car, she was greeted with the sight of her husband, who was just back from a business trip in South Africa. She walked up to him and hugged him.

"I missed you," she whispered into his ears.

"I missed you too," he whispered back.

"I don't believe you," she said playfully.

Dev moved back to look at his wife. She looked like she had lost some weight. Dark circles under her eyes conveyed that she had been staying up till late to study.

"What should I do to make you believe me?" Dev asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Anything works," Sonakshi smiled.

Dev moved closer to Sonakshi, encasing her in between his arms and the car. Sonakshi squirmed at the intensity with which Dev was looking at her. His intense gaze made her blush as he moved closer to her face.

"An ice cream would be wonderful," Sonakshi pushed him back playfully.

"Are you sure you don't want my soft lips right on your lips as proof?" Dev moved back closer.

"Getting really desperate, aren't we?" Sonakshi raised an eyebrow and now moved closer to her husband.

Dev smiled slightly before placing his lips right on Sonakshi's lips. He pinched her slightly on her back and she opened her mouth and released a slight moan. Dev took this chance to enter her mouth. His tongue explored her mouth. He could feel his wife trying to fight for dominance but was failing. He stopped once he felt Sonakshi would lack oxygen.

"You're a good kisser," Sonakshi confessed after taking in some air.

"You are not so bad yourself. Been almost a year since marriage. 2 weeks left for the wedding anniversary. Let's go on a honeymoon, darling," Dev proposed.

"You want to sleep with me? Don't you already do that?" Sonakshi chuckled.

"I cuddle you, jaan. You know what I want," Dev smirked at her and kissed her forehead.

"Desperate man," Sonakshi chuckled, "We'll see. We are just moving ahead well. I don't really know what to say."

"If you still are trying to accept me, it's fine, Sonakshi. I understand. I won't force you for physical intimacy. I will never do that. I hope you trust me that much," Dev said, looking at her.

"I trust you," Sonakshi affirmed.

"Do you still want an ice cream?" he asked his wife while opening the door of the passenger seat for her.

"Yes," she said.

"One ice cream for my Doctor Needle," Dev chuckled and started the car.

"I get that I am a surgeon, but why do you insist on calling me doctor needle? Call me something like sweetheart," Sonakshi whined.

"I've already come up with something. I'll let you know very soon," Dev smiled.

Sonakshi and Dev drove to a nearby ice cream parlour, enjoying the light banter and comfortable silence that filled the car. As they entered the shop, they were greeted by the sweet aroma of freshly made waffle cones and a colourful display of frozen treats.

Sonakshi scanned the variety of flavours available, her eyes sparkling with delight. Dev watched her with affectionate amusement, knowing how much she loved her desserts. They ordered their favourite flavours and found a cosy corner to sit and savour their treats.

Between bites of ice cream, they talked about their day. Sonakshi shared the challenges she faced during the surgery, expressing her frustration with Dr Ahuja's demanding teaching methods. Dev listened attentively, providing words of encouragement and reminding her of her incredible skills and dedication.

"I know it's tough, Sonakshi, but don't let Dr Ahuja's expectations get to you," Dev said softly. "You're a brilliant surgeon, and I've seen firsthand the passion and care you bring to your work. Keep believing in yourself."

Sonakshi smiled appreciatively, grateful for Dev's unwavering support. They continued to enjoy their ice cream, exchanging lighthearted jokes and relishing the simple joy of being together.

After finishing their treats, they decided to take a leisurely stroll in a nearby park. The evening air was pleasant, and the setting sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink. Hand in hand, they walked along the winding paths, relishing each other's company.

As they meandered through the park, Sonakshi couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over her. Being with Dev always had a way of soothing her soul and making her forget the stresses of her demanding profession.

"You know, Dev, sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky to have you in my life," Sonakshi confessed, her voice filled with genuine warmth.

Dev smiled and gently squeezed her hand. "Believe me, Sonakshi, the feeling is mutual. You bring so much light and love into my world. Every day with you is a blessing."

They found a secluded bench beneath a blooming cherry blossom tree and sat down, enjoying the tranquillity of their surroundings. As the soft petals danced in the breeze, Sonakshi leaned her head on Dev's shoulder, finding solace in his presence.

"I've been thinking," Dev began, breaking the comfortable silence. "Since our wedding anniversary is approaching, how about we plan a special getaway? A second honeymoon, if you will."

Sonakshi lifted her head and looked at him, a mixture of surprise and excitement in her eyes. "That sounds wonderful, Dev. It's been a while since we've had some quality time away from the demands of work and everyday life. Where do you have in mind?"

Dev grinned mischievously. "Well, I've been doing some research, and I found this beautiful beachfront resort in the Maldives. It's known for its pristine white sand, crystal-clear waters, and luxurious accommodations. What do you think?"

Sonakshi's eyes widened in delight. The thought of spending time in a tropical paradise with her partner was truly tempting. "Dev, that sounds absolutely amazing! I can't think of a better way to celebrate our anniversary. Let's do it!"

They spent the rest of the evening immersed in dreams and plans for their upcoming getaway, their laughter and shared excitement filling the air. Sonakshi couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of joy and anticipation. She was ready to embrace this new chapter in their relationship and deepen their bond even further.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the park, Sonakshi and Dev made their way back to the car, their hearts brimming with love and anticipation for the future. They knew that their journey together would have its ups and downs, but with their unwavering support for each other, they were confident that they could overcome any obstacle.

"Neha! Where are you?" Ishwari called out to her daughter.

"Coming, Mom," Neha said while coming down the stairs.

"Here are the wedding invitations we've printed. Any changes in the design you need?" the mother asked.

"Can I get a change in the groom?" Neha asked.

"How many times do I have to go through the same topic again, Neha?" Ishwari retorted, irritation lacing her voice.

"We're back home," Sonakshi and Dev walked into the house with tubs of ice cream in their bags.

Ishwari's irritation disappeared and turned into a smile seeing her son. She walked up to him and hugged him, and gave him a kiss on his forehead, "Welcome back. Well done on the deal in Cape Town. You made a good offer. Your dad and I are really proud of you."

"Thanks, Mom. I'll be up in my room with Sonakshi for some time. We'll be down at dinnertime. She looks tired," Dev said.

"That child doesn't eat sufficiently, I tell you. Nutrients this! Nutrients that! From tomorrow I shall check how much she is eating," Ishwari shook her head.

Just as Dev was about to walk up to his room, he saw his sister looking at the wedding cards. He could see the sadness in his sister's eyes. He wanted to say that he understood how she felt but even he knows nothing would help.

He just sighed and walked up to his room. His wife walked out of the room after a shower and was now drying her hair. Dev walked up and engulfed her in a hug.

"Move away!" Sonakshi screamed, "You did not take a shower yet."

"Haw! An hour ago, you ran to hug me and now you're pushing me away!" Dev pouted.

"You big bunny," Sonakshi pulled his ears, "Go take a shower."

"I am. I am going," Dev said and walked into the bathroom.

Sonakshi sat down on the couch and opened her laptop to read the news. She opened the Times on India, and what she saw made her lose her voice. Dev walked out after the shower to greet the sight of Sonakshi's eyes looking horrified at what she was reading on her laptop.

"Sonakshi," Dev called out, expecting her to turn and look at him.

Dev moved closer now to see what she was reading. His eyes widened as he looked at the photos and the article. There were pictures of him and Arpita hugging each other and pretty close. The article was filled with pictures of their relationship. 

Sonakshi closed her eyes. She wanted to believe that it was all fake. But, she knew it wasn't. Her husband had loved her sister-in-law.  He had assured her that it was all in the past but the recent photos said otherwise. The title of the article stands out a bit too much.

Devrath Dixit spending Gala time with Arpita Saxena. Love Birds spotted at Cape Town.

HI READERS 👋

And here I come again to apologize to you. Here is the chapter that was supposed to be published long ago

WORD COUNT: 1800 WORDS.

Please tell me your thoughts.

I'll publish the next chapter Tomorrow!

THANK YOU, ALL MY READERS, FOR READING MY BOOK AND SUPPORTING ME. YOU ALL HAVE BEEN UNDERSTANDING MY DELAYS IN WRITING. I LOVE YOU ALL ❤ ♥ 💖 💕

CHEERIO