"It's freezing outside." I close the windows noisily, taking a moment to cup my fingers around my nose and mouth, blowing warm breath.

"Bears usually retire into hibernation during this time," he grins, lifting the blanket, signalling me to join. "Would my bear like to go underground too?"

"Well, if the underground has a hot-water bag like you, why not?" I chuckle, throwing off my hoodie and sliding into the cosy little space created under the blanket, promising me a night of warmth. I scoot closer, straight into his arms and fold myself like a little baby, snuggling against him for heat.

"Just a hot-water bag?" he mumbles, drawing me tighter. Gently parting the curtain of hair, he presses his face into the crook of my neck. The affection only makes me sigh deeper.

"No, you are a blazing furnace," I giggle, hugging myself closer to him, soaking in the melting aura of love and comfort. It is perfect. The only thing that could make it more perfect would be a ring on my finger.

Don't get me wrong, I am not a desperate girl. But when you are twenty-six and it's been four years since you started dating, a girl obviously has thoughts of finally settling down, once and for all.

He is still kissing me occasionally, cheeks, forehead, hair, in silence. His lips are soft and hungry, and the gentle display of affection makes my cheeks feel hot. That is what I like best about us. We never need conversation to keep the romance going. Silence is just as good a catalyst to feel adored.

"So, what do we do tomorrow?"

"Umm...hmm?"

I obviously haven't been listening because my mind still is stuck on gold hoops in little velvet boxes.

"Tomorrow. What are the plans for New Year's Eve?"

"You sound like all the other messages out there in my chatbox, lying seen from the drop-down menu and swiped away," I laugh, playfully sliding my cold hands under his thermals.

"Oof, you are cold...brrr..." He flips around suddenly and scoops me up from the bed, so I am on top of him, trapping my legs between his thighs. "Unfortunately, you can't swipe me away. You lost that chance when you swiped right into my DM four years ago."

"You texted me first." My voice sounds constipated from his squeezing the air out of me.

"Don't beat around the bush. What are your plans for tomorrow?" he whispers into my ear.

"You know having no plans for the thirty-first is completely okay..."

"Because I might have something planned for tomorrow..."

"Wait, what?" I stop my usual boring rant at once.

"Yeah, I was thinking it's been four years and you know..." he trails off. My heartbeat picks up pace. Where is he going with this?

"No, I don't know," I say almost breathlessly. "What?"

"It's a surprise and you will definitely like it and for the record, I am winking, since you can't see me in the dark," he laughs.

"You'll kill me from the curiosity," I whine.

"Good things come to those who wait."

Is this it? Is he finally plotting that proposal long due? What would I wear if he asks me out? I haven't shaved. But it doesn't matter, anyway. Is this even true? My thoughts are running away with my brain.

"So, tell me what I should wear tomorrow?"

"You could put on these baggy pyjamas for all I care. You know you don't need to dress up for me." He places a gentle kiss at the little cleavage peaking from beneath my shirt. His lips leave a trail of lingering warmth, and all I can think of is how I crave to tear his clothes and devour him right there. But first things first.

"So, we're not going out?" I face him and continue fiddling with the hair on his chest.

"Do you want to go out?"

"Not really. I'm just trying to guess what you have planned," I admit sheepishly.

"I wanted to stay in. The New Year's eve here is not a very safe place to roam outside with you, not to mention the possibility of drunk drivers running us over." He laughs, but he is right and I have to admit it. Safety first. There is no point in imitating others.

My thoughts spin again. Not going out, so it may not be the proposal I have hoped for after all. Maybe he is making a lovely dinner or something. A bubbling feeling of affection rises deep inside me. This man beside me had been so nervous about gifts all the time. Though not very good with presents, he had never let an important occasion pass without making me feel special.

"Whatever you have planned would just be perfect," I whisper, placing a kiss on his lips. He responds with a satisfied 'mmm' as we continue kissing deeply while the fog settles outside, enveloping the city in smoggy grey.

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I wake up to the sound of the tinkering of pots and pans.

"Right on time up and working as always," I groan, dragging the covers over my eyes. I hear footsteps in a while and feel the bed dip on his side. And the cold winter air hit my back as he snuggles into the blanket.

"Rise and shine, sleepy panda." He murmurs at my ear before grazing my earlobe.

"Ooh," I wince from the sudden sensation running through my body.

"So turned on early in the morning?" he chuckles.

"You know ears are sensitive..." I turn around and hug him tightly, drifting off anew, still drowsy.

"It's eight am," he says again, kissing my temples.

"What?" I am fully awake now and I sit up suddenly, throwing the covers off. "But I set the alarm for seven. I have a morning shift that starts at eight..."

"Well, good for you, because you're taking leave today," he says, sliding off and going to the kitchen.

"But why? I thought we are doing things this evening," I pout, though secretly thrilled I have missed the alarm, or have I? I pick up my phone and check the clock. Sure enough, my alarm which is set for 'everyday' is off. I smile to myself.

"Nope, I want to pamper you all day," he says from the doorway and lo behold, there is a tray laden with breakfast.

"Breakfast in bed? Someone is on fire!" I laugh, scooting off to freshen myself up.

After breakfast, we end up binging two rom-coms and then proceed to do some dusting and cleaning, which soon becomes an impromptu crazy singing session with even him joining in with his deep voice. Lunch is a sumptuous affair with my favourite aloo parantha (potato stuffed flatbread), navratna curry and paneer, followed by coconut laddoos for dessert.

"When did you cook all these?" I ask between mouthfuls of delicious gravy.

"While you were in the shower." He winks mischievously.

"Come on, not that long..."

He holds up his screen and sure enough, he has used a stopwatch to record time. 49 minutes. I kick him under the table. He laughs more and goes back to his food.

We end up under the covers again with a book. I read it out aloud while he lies with his head on my lap, playing with locks of my still drying hair. In between my unnecessarily dramatic dialogue delivery, comes an unnecessarily big yawn.

"Sleepy bear," he comments, taking the book from my hand and getting up. "You take a nap while I watch something again, okay?"

I scrunch my eyes and yawn again, sliding down on the bed, and he tucks me in.

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The room is dark when I open my eyes.

"Oh shit! How long have I been sleeping?" I reach out for my phone in alarm. 6 pm. I sigh in relief. Winter days are so unpredictably small.

"Babe," I groan, getting out of bed and shuffling to the door.

No response

"Babe?" I open the door to the bedroom.

Still no response.

A wisp of panic rises like curling smoke.

"Where are you?" I move faster, from one room to the other, frantically searching for him, but he isn't there. The emptiness of the house is scary. I run to the front door. Open!

He never leaves the front door open if he goes out while I am asleep. So where is he?

I rack my brains to remember where in the house I haven't checked yet. With my heart hammering in my chest, I run across the living room and throw open the door leading to the balcony.

I stop short where I am. Tiny twinkling fairy lights adorn the railing and there is a canopy made with my old white dupattas with more fairy lights draped artistically over it, giving the entire place a golden hue. Hanging from the ceiling are origami flowers and beautiful paper cranes in pastels.

"Wow," I breathe, taking in the view.

"Oh, you are awake! I'm not done yet." He gives a little dimpled grin, his beautifully misaligned teeth making it look like the best thing on earth and heaven together.

"What is all this?"

"Our New Year dinner date." He points towards the folded blankets and cushions he has just arranged for seating. On one side, a mini table is sitting with a big casserole, two small glass bowls, and two china plates.

"What's for dinner?" I ask, still bewildered.

"See for yourself." He lifts the cover of the casserole.

"Momos!" I squeal.

"Don't fall off the balcony in excitement. I won't be able to find another girlfriend," he chuckles.

I roll my eyes, moving away from the railing.

"I am not dressed for the occasion." I blurt. He points at his own trousers and loose T-shirt, shrugs and goes back to fluffing the cushions.

"Pajama party it is!" I throw my hands into the air.

"Only for the most beautiful girl ever." He holds out his hand and drags me beneath the canopy. He then takes both my hands into his broad palms and gently squeezes them. "I know I am not very good at professing love or making gifts, but I want you to feel that I cherish you every day, every moment..."

"Shh." I put a finger to his lips. "I know."

And then I kiss him. Our lips fit smoothly, lingering longer than usual, enjoying the cosiness of our connection. He breaks the kiss for a moment and pulls at a ribbon and the canopy closes around us like a gossamer curtain. Then his lips are back on me, soft and savouring.

"So, where are the momos from?" I ask between kisses.

"YouTube," he mumbles. I draw back for a second and look into his eyes.

"Wow, first time making momos. Should be fantastic, like everything else you make."

"That's for you to try," he whispers breathlessly.

"I don't know what to say." I feel the words catching in my throat.

"Before you say anything, there is something else."

My heart stops a beat. There is so much intensity in his eyes that I almost melt into a puddle.

He fumbles in the pocket of his shorts and draws out a small velvet case.

My hands fly to my mouth.

He places the box between us and nudges it towards me. I can see him biting the skin off his lips. He is definitely nervous. I take the box and flip it open. Inside it is a tiny piece of paper. I frown and look at him, but he is staring at the note as if he wishes to vaporize it.

I open it with shaking hands and there is a six-line poem.

Four years ago, I could have never known

That you and I would become a 'we'

So many more memories to make

So many new places to see

I just want to seal this once and for all

Will you go ring shopping with me?

And the paper drops from my hands. I can feel warm tears running down my cheeks.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to buy a ring without you choosing what you like. This is a bad way to propose I know but..."

"You are a lovable idiot!" I cut him off and pull him into a tight hug.

"So, is it a yes?"

I look into his eyes and kiss him in response as the first of the new-year crackers hit the sky. And we continue kissing, the love between us burning hotter than the fireworks in the sky, soldering our lips together with the promise of a lifetime.

❄️❄️❄️