Not very happy with this one but I've kept you all waiting for too long already 😕 also, the number of comments has been decreasing which is really demotivating. Let me know what's working and what's not, please!

QOTD: People who watch Sanjivani, how hot do you think Dr. Sid is, on a scale of 1 to 10?

I'd say about 109293829.

--

Surbhi was a mess during the vidaai ceremony. She wouldn't stop crying and it was in Nakuul's arms she sobbed her heart out, the other family members being too distraught themselves to comfort her. Before long, Pranavi had hugged all her family with a tear-smeared face and drove away to her sasuraal to start a new life. It was with much difficulty that Nakuul managed to wrap up everything in the wedding hall and take his girlfriend and her parents back home, after making sure all the other guests had left. His own parents suggested he stay at the Chandna house overnight to ensure everyone was fine, and he agreed.

"Thank you for taking care of everything," Mr. Chandna said to Nakuul as they reached home, keeping an affectionate hand on his head. The man was vulnerable now, having just married off his eldest daughter, and had been trying hard not to show it in front of others. However, now that they were back home, one could see just how tired he looked. "You can take the guest room, beta."

Nakuul nodded and asked Mr. and Mrs. Chandna to go and take rest, and the two made their way towards their bedroom, Mrs. Chanda still sniffing in her husband's arms. Nakuul now turned to Surbhi who had sat down on the sofa, exhausted. Her face held dried tear marks and she looked forlorn. He held her hand and led her to her bedroom. Turning on the lights, he saw that the entire room was a mess, with makeup and jewelry scattered here and there, since girls from the parlor had helped Surbhi get ready in the house itself. She was too tired to move anything and making a small space on the bed she lay down, while Nakuul got to work. He carefully placed all the things wherever he could, clearing the bed and floor. Once done, he sat beside Surbhi and caressed her head.

"Sweetheart, go and change before sleeping?"

"I'm too sleepy," She mumbled, voice slightly throaty from all the crying.

"But you can't sleep in such a heavy lehenga and all this jewelry. Besides, sleeping with makeup on gives you pimples, no?"

Sighing, she got up but sat on the bed for a while.

"I miss di already," She said, lips tugging down.

"I know baby," Nakuul said as he hugged her from behind. "But you should be happy for her. She's married to the love of her life and will live happily ever after." When Surbhi nodded, he continued- "And right now, you should focus on the love of your life. I'm spending the night at your place for the first time."

Surbhi turned to him with a small, sardonic smile.

"But you're sleeping in the guest room, mister. If papa catches you here, we're both dead."

"He's too distracted to care right now," Nakuul said, leaning against the headrest with his hands behind his head. "I'll sleep here and move to the guest room early in the morning, simple!"

"I'm too exhausted to argue with you right now," Surbhi sighed while moving to the washroom to freshen up, "But if dad does catch us, I'll say you forcefully stayed in my room."

"Sure thing babe," Nakuul replied nonchalantly. After Surbhi had changed into comfortable nightclothes and gotten ready for bed, Nakuul realized that he didn't have anything comfortable to sleep in himself, and stripped down to his boxers. Surbhi shrieked.

"Nakuul, are you crazy? My parents are in this house!"

"What? Don't expect me to sleep in that sherwani, it's been pricking my skin all evening! And don't worry, I've locked the door. If anyone knocks, I'll hide in the bathroom."

"I swear you'll get me killed someday," Surbhi groaned as she turned off the lights and snuggled into his arms on the bed. It was only when she had almost drifted off to sleep that she realized how, just by being with her, Nakuul had managed to lighten up her mood considerably.

--

The next weekend was Pranavi and Sanjay's reception party. While the other functions had been kept mostly low-key at Pranavi's request, this was going to be a lavish one and Surbhi had invited all her celebrity friends-from the television industry and also from the world of cricket. Hence, the luxurious hotel in Nariman Point saw celebrities like Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma entering hand-in-hand, looking gorgeous as usual. Surbhi attended to all her friends happily, elated that her world of acting and cricket were under one roof. It took a hard time keeping the media out since they came hounding to cover this party full of renowned celebrities, but thankfully Nakuul's hired security did a great job.

"You look absolutely glamorous, Surbhi!"

Turning around from inspecting if the dishes in the buffet table were alright, Surbhi found one of her best friends from the industry, Shivangi Joshi. They hugged and got some pictures clicked before Surbhi walked towards the group where her heart stood chatting with his friends.

"Here you are," Nakuul wrapped an arm around her waist as she came to stand beside him. "I was looking for you."

"I was just making sure if everything's okay," She said, caressing his stubble with her knuckles.

"You worry too much," He pointed out, making her scoff.

"Guys, if you're done romancing, let's take a group picture?" Yuvraj asked in his usual cheeky manner. Surbhi and Nakuul rolled their eyes before joining their large gang for a photo. Once done, Surbhi was about to go and tend to some other guests, when Nakuul held her back.

"Let's go up to the terrace for a while," He suggested. Surbhi frowned.

"Nakuul, we can't just leave the party like this! I have to be a good host and make sure everything is alright."

"Babe, they can manage without you for five minutes, okay? This is important."

Surbhi nodded, wondering what could be so urgent at this time, before following him. They used the elevator and made their way to the hotel rooftop. It was mostly empty save a few people having dinner at the terrace garden. Nakuul took Surbhi to one of the more deserted spaces.

"Now tell me, what is it?" She asked, crossing her arms on her chest.

"First you promise me that you won't freak out," He said. That, of course, made Surbhi panic.

"Freak out? Is there something I should be freaking out about?" She exclaimed anxiously. "Wait, are you breaking up with me?" She gasped.

"Why is that the first thing that came to your head?" Nakuul asked, quirking an eyebrow. "But anyway, I'm obviously not breaking up with you because, you know. I kind of need you to survive." Surbhi blushed despite herself.

"What is it then?" She asked, lovingly now, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I'll clarify some things first so that you don't freak out," He started slowly. "First, yes, I have asked your parents. Second, no, you won't be missing a day of work." Surbhi was growing more confused by the minute. "And third, I know I should have told you before but-"

"Are you gonna ask me to marry you?"

Nakuul stopped abruptly.

"Not just yet, no," Nakuul said, looking a bit thrown back by the question. "I think I'd be a few years too early if I did that."

"Yes, you would be," Surbhi deadpanned.

"Anyway," Nakuul continued with a grin, "I should reveal the suspense." Then, instead of speaking, he took something out of his suit pocket.

"What's this?" Surbhi asked curiously as he handed it to her. "Wait, are these..."

"Tickets to the Maldives, yes," Nakuul said with an excited smile.

"But...how?"

"How what?" Nakuul asked, confused. "We'll go on Friday evening, stay Saturday and Sunday, and come back Monday morning. This way, you won't even miss work, and I have already talked to the coach about this small break. Our hotel is booked, tickets, as you can see, are ready, and you don't have to worry about a single thing."

"Wow," Surbhi breathed out, still shocked. "I can't believe you did all this."

"I had to, love," Nakuul said as he hugged her from behind, keeping his chin on her shoulder. "You've overworked yourself so much in the past month, which shooting and preparing for the wedding. You really deserve a relaxing break, and what better idea than to do in amidst the blue waters of Maldives with your amazing boyfriend?"

Surbhi could feel him grin and a wide smile made way to her face. Turning around, she took him into a tight hug.

"You are the best man anyone could ever ask for," She mumbled into his neck, making him chuckle.

"Anything for my girl," He replied softly. As they made their way back to the party again, everyone could tell there was a visible glow on Surbhi's face that had been missing for the past few weeks, and those who knew her well, knew who was responsible for this renewed happiness.

--

Honestly, I was out of ideas, so this is quite a filler. Hopefully, the next one will be better 🤞

PS: Details of the Reception will be up on Instagram.