*David Pov*

"Palak!" I whispered her name again to make sure everything is real and not just a dream.

I really hope right now I am not in a dream holding her in my arms while lying on the bed in her room. Will I be in my room the moment I open my eyes?

"Hmm..." she made the same sound like before not saying anything else and I frowned more hearing the same response.

"What is it?" she finally asked when I stopped calling her.

"What if... what if you disappear from my hold when I open my eyes?" I asked honestly not wishing to keep that doubt in my head.

"I could!" she replied and this is just confirming that all this is really a dream.

"But if I hold you back, it wouldn't feel like that. Right?" she asked, turning around in my arms before I felt her arms holding me back.

"David!" she called after a few seconds and I slowly opened my eyes only to meet her stare.

"Still a dream?" she asked, shifting her hand to place it on my cheek before caressing it.

"You are not angry at me?" I asked and she nodded patiently.

"You are not going to leave this place?" she again nodded this time smiling.

"You love me?" she again nodded, but paused understanding my question.

"It's okay!" I whispered when she just stared at me with a frown covering her face.

She may need more time to fall in love with me again, but the fact that she is not angry at me anymore and also that she is going to stay here without leaving is more than enough.

I smiled, thinking about our earlier actions the way we stumbled to the bed while kissing and not pausing for a second. Whole night we slept together with her in my arms and all this is definitely real.

"David!" she suddenly called breaking my thoughts and I glanced at her smiling.

"I love you!" she mumbled, staring at me with a surprised look and I stared back at her with a shocked look covering my face after hearing those words.

"David?" she called, frowning when I continued to stare at her without saying anything and I broke out of my shock this time with her voice.

"Really? Like really?" I asked to make sure I hear something else while she is saying other things.

"I guess it's my fault that you are not believing anything I am saying right now." she mumbled sighing before snuggling into my arms while caressing my back.

"It's not your fault." I assured her before smiling while thinking about the shocks she is giving me from yesterday.

I guess the tables have turned because I was the one to shock her until now while she is doing it without giving me a small break.

"I love you so much, Palak." I mumbled hugging her tightly before glancing at Elisha's crib where she is moving.

"I guess I am a bad father." I added, frowning and she immediately glanced up frowning after hearing those words.

"Why?" I caressed her face before glancing back at the crib.

"All this time I was wishing to be able to be present when Elisha wakes up in the morning and hold her first. But now I want her to wait for some more time before waking up." I explained and she smiled hearing those words.

"And I just remembered her presence too." I added shaking my head.

"Then am I a bad mother? I didn't remember her presence until you talked about her." She pointed back and I glanced at her in surprise for shocking me yet again.

"It's okay! There is still some time for her to get up." She assured me and that just made me to kiss her again at least until our daughter gets up while ignoring her protests that we need to brush our teeth.

"I need to go before Mom or Jasmine wakes up." I mumbled releasing her but she frowned not releasing me.

"So? What will happen if they are already up?" she asked and I opened my mouth before closing it not sure about what to say.

"You don't think we are really having an affair, do you? You are my husband, David." She added and I stilled hearing those words.

"Palak! You are surprising me too much today." I pointed out and she nodded understanding my words.

"I guess I want to say whatever I am thinking without restricting myself." She explained sighing and I immediately held her back.

"I am not complaining." I assured her fearing she will stop it because of my words.

"It doesn't matter even if you complain. I will just do it without stopping." She shrugged closing her eyes and drifted off into sleep.

However, I couldn't sleep and just stared at her sleeping form while caressing her face in between and not disturbing her at the same time.

I didn't let even Elisha disturb her when she woke up and made sure to pick her up before she start crying and placed her beside Palak after changing the diaper.

I couldn't help but get back on the bed beside them while staring at both of them. Elisha stayed awake playing with me as I stopped her from approaching Palak.

But her sleep got disturbed when we heard a knock on the door and I immediately sat up holding Elisha in my arms while she sat up yawning.

"You should have woke me up. Aren't you getting late for work?" she asked, frowning after glancing at the clock before getting down from the bed and walked closer to the door to open it.

"Bhabhi! You are still not ready? You will get late for work. Mom asked me to get Elisha so that you can get ready." Jasmine asked, stepping into the room and paused when she found me sitting on the bed.

"Oh! Er... sorry for disturbing." Saying that she turned around to leave the room.

Palak smiled, looking at her back and then glanced at me saying, "See? No one would think weird if you stay here."

"I have to make some changes to your room and then we both will shift there." She added taking out her clothes.

"I can just shift to this room." I pointed out, but she shook her head.

"You have work to do and it will be better if we shift to that room. Why? You don't want to stay there? Because of James?" she asked, glancing at me.

"No! It's just it will take some time to make the needed changes. So..." I trailed off getting down from the bed, still holding my daughter who is staring at us silently.

"You can stay here until those changes are made." She mumbled forwarding her hands and I stepped closer to hug her with my free arm but she shook her head before pointing at Elisha.

I sighed, passing her into Palak's arms before shifting to leave the room by passing her, but she held my arms with her free arm before pressing a kiss on my cheek making me smile.

****

"Are you going to scold me again for forcing her about anything later?" Mom asked the moment I sat for breakfast.

"Sorry about yesterday, Mom." I mumbled clearing my throat.

"Got it cleared with your wife?" she asked, leaning back before glancing at Palak who is acting as if everything is not about us.

"Mom! Didn't I tell you that Bhai stayed in her room?" Jasmine suddenly joined the conversation and I glared at her while Mom smiled shaking her head.

"Palak informed me yesterday that she will shift into your room. Will you handle all the changes that need to be done?" Mom asked, glancing at me and I nodded without hesitating.

"I can get it done, Aunty." Palak finally joined the conversation.

"I want to do it." I assured her and she sighed nodding.

"Bhabhi! You can't listen to his every word. You still need to be firm on your decisions." Jasmine warned her and I really glared at her.

"You don't want my autographs anymore? I am no longer retired." I pointed out and she widened her eyes remembering that fact.

"I am just accepting my husband's wishes." Hearing Palak's words, my irritation slipped and a huge smile appeared.

"Mom! They both left me and we are here for each other, right?" she asked glancing at Mom.

"I have my granddaughter." Mom said playing with Elisha and we all laughed looking at Jasmine's disappointed look.

I glanced at Palak's face who is continuing to tease Jasmine and I placed my hand over hers, feeling great that she decided to sit beside me today instead of opposite me.

"Yes?" she asked, thinking I wanted to say something because of which I held her hand.

"Do you have any specific changes in mind or shall I get it done like yours?" I asked, thinking of a question and she shook her head saying she doesn't have any specifications before turning back towards Mom and Jasmine.

I left for work before her as I was already late and tried to concentrate on my work, but ended up still thinking about her words. I couldn't help but smile in the middle of important conversations no matter how much I tried not to.

"Today?" I asked, groaning when Satish called me.

"You have to practice if you are back into this even though not completely." He pointed out.

"Okay! But just for an hour." Saying that I finished my remaining works and left for the racing track after allotting the works for the directors.

The moment I reached there, I found him waiting for me and we finished the training first before reaching the refreshments.

"I asked you to participate in just a race, but she made you cancel your retirement completely." Satish commented passing the water bottle.

"Don't tell her as of now. I didn't explain completely and I want to do it by myself." I mumbled checking the time and sat down after making sure there is still time for my next appointment.

"I actually wanted to apologize to you. I didn't know the situation and always tried to make you stay away from Palak by saying how she is married to... I am sorry about that." He mumbled, looking down and I smiled shaking my head.

"You didn't know and what you did was right if we didn't hide the truth. So, no need to apologize." I waved him off, but he shook his head.

"No! I crossed the line a few times and those words must have hurt you. I am really sorry and I owe you one." He mumbled and I sighed accepting his words, knowing well he will not calm down until I do.

"Those things aside, how did you manage to hide everything from me. I still can't accept that fact." He added frowning.

"I had to otherwise she would have left me." I pointed out and he rolled his eyes hearing that.

"She is really important for you." I stared at him hearing those words for a few seconds.

"Of course! She is my wife. You wouldn't know the importance as you are still single." I explained in a serious tone and he frowned for a second feeling confused before glaring at me.

"Continue! Continue saying those words. Enjoying the married life already? Just wait until you both have to lead that life normally. Palak is not a normal girl and will definitely make you work hard." He mumbled while cursing me in the middle.

"We have been like a married couple all the time, but just behind everyone." I mumbled shrugging, but still looking forward to any new changes that can happen from today onwards.

After leaving the track, I reached the hospital hoping she didn't leave the place as of now and found her still treating a patient so just sat in the car waiting for her.

"David?" I glanced at the voice calling me and found Dr. Harsha near the entrance, walking out when I stepped out of the car thinking she finished her work.

"To pick up Palak? She just finished, I guess. I saw her going into the locker room." He said walking closer to me and I nodded smiling.

"You both are really married? Damn! I should have known when James was trying his best to make her forgive you from that time. I just commented how it is wrong for him to do so. He didn't share it even with his friend." He shook his head sighing.

"Bhai was respecting Palak's wishes." I explained and he waved off not wishing me to explain.

"I know! He cared for her as far as I saw and I guess just as a friend. I actually thought he liked her when I saw him smiling freely and being happy even in his last days when he used to spend time with her. But it was just as a friend I guess." He smiled, thinking about those times and I cleared my throat nodding.

She walked out of the building after five minutes and he already left for an important work. She gave a surprised look finding me waiting for her and I already sent her car back home.

"Were you waiting for long?" she asked, approaching me and I shook my head, smiling before opening the door for her.

"Are we going home now?" she asked when I started driving and I smiled hearing her question.

"Want to go on a date?" I asked glancing at her.

"It's already late. Let's go some other day." She replied, leaning back and closed her eyes.

"I talked to Dr. Harsha just now and he said that he felt Bhai liked you because of his behavior around you. What do you think about it?" I asked directly not wishing to keep it to myself.

She opened her eyes, frowning when she heard those words and turned to stare at me before asking, "Is that something you ask your wife?"

"I am just asking." I mumbled looking away.

"He was really happy at that time. And he was that happy for most of the time when talking about his family. Don't go thinking about any other things." She explained shaking her head.

"But if he was really happy just because of me and maybe because he fell for me, what will you do?" she asked turning in her seat to look at me.

"Nothing! It was his feeling and I can't stop my feeling just because of that." I mumbled without pausing to reply.

"James would be rolling his eyes right now for involving him in that ridiculous query. And must be scolding Chief for saying those things near you." She smiled, saying that and I smiled back.

"I wish he was here to see that you forgave me and accepted me." I mumbled shaking my head really wishing for that.

"Do you think he wouldn't know this would happen? Why do you even think he placed those conditions for me?" she asked sighing.

"He placed different conditions in his will for that sake and he was always sure about us." She added staring outside.

We both stayed silent for the rest of the time till we reached the home. I stopped her from leaving the car and pulled her closer after removing my seat belt.

"I love you, Palak." I whispered, kissing her and she kissed back with a smile covering her face. She didn't let go for a few minutes and held me closer before we both stepped out of the car.

****

"What? You are leaving?" I asked, staring at her.

Everything was fine for the past two weeks and I finished making changes to my room so that they can shift to mine and I need not go and stay in her room.

Even though I was with her every day it doesn't feel like we both are living together and our things are in different rooms and it felt weird, but we can finally start living in one room from today onwards.

"Yeah! Dad has been trying to contact from the day we returned from the party. I was rude to him for a few days, but started talking to him normally. He even gave the evidence he has regarding the accident where James and his wife... and he is changing too. He is wishing to see Eli and wants us to stay with him for a few days." She explained glancing at Mom and me.

"You need not stay there for that." I pointed out.

"I don't want him to come to this house and cause disturbance for everyone's mind. He still has the hand in helping Bhai roam around after causing harm. And meeting outside is not comfortable." She pointed back and I don't have more words after that.

"It's just for this weekend." She added, giving a smile and I sighed, hearing that while Mom smiled at me.

"She will not stay there completely." Mom assured me and it actually felt like she is teasing me.

After that, she just left with Elisha while I sat with Mom for dinner along with Jasmine. It was kind of a silent dinner as even Jasmine was missing Elisha and Mom stayed quiet not disturbing us.

"Bhai! Were you angry at me when I was talking about how Bhabhi is James Bhai's wife and everything?" Jasmine suddenly asked, glancing at me and I coughed suddenly hearing those words.

"No!" I replied, shaking my head.

"Then at me when I talked about the marriage proposals?" Mom attacked this time and I frowned at both of them.

"I said so many things other than that. Were you really hurt and got anger towards me?" Mom just continued not giving me a chance to say anything.

"I couldn't talk to you about this by myself and it's a good thing that Jasmine asked about it." She added sighing.

"Mom! I... I got hurt for sure, but then that hurt made me realize how bad it was for Palak. I didn't have a right to get angry at anyone because the situation was like that because of my actions. If I had done what I was supposed to and wanted to then everything would have been fine or maybe not, but it wouldn't have been this complicated for everyone. So, don't ask such questions anymore and it is better to forget all that. I am enjoying every moment right now after she forgave me and that's enough." I assured both of them and they both calmed down hearing my words.

"We are happy for both of you too and even for Elisha." Mom smiled and I smiled back, nodding before glancing at the empty seat beside me where Palak sat all these days after accepting me and sighed to finish my dinner properly.

*Palak Pov*

"Palak! I have got your room cleaned. You can rest there after we have our dinner." Dad awkwardly passed the words after clearing his throat.

We have been able to talk normally, through the phone for the past few days, but now it feels more than awkward after going against each other all this time.

All this time I have seen him being disappointed with the decisions I took and me being disappointed with the way he handled my brother's issues ad mine from the beginning.

Now, it's just completely different and it's normal to feel awkward I guess. I gave him a nod while staring at the way Eli is getting comfortable to be with him.

If he hadn't accepted the fact that my brother is on the wrong side, then I would have never allowed him to be this close to her. But now... now isn't it better to let go of the past and that will not involve my brother for sure.

"I got a crib fixed in your room. I... I bought a few things." He added playing with her and she is definitely enjoying the new person's attention.

"She would have been fine on the bed." I mumbled, but gave him a nod kind of understandable because even Aunty bought one along with David that time.

After having our dinner, which includes surprisingly, my favorites, I walked into my room holding Eli as my luggage has already been sent into this room.

I couldn't help but pause the moment I took a step into the room. It's been a few years since I returned home and this room... this room really became a stranger's room, but again as my own at the same time.

I placed Eli's sleeping form in the crib before looking around the room to find the old things and must have spent like one hour before deciding to take some rest.

However, the moment I laid down on the bed after freshening up I heard a knock on the door and I opened it only to take a step back in shock.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, frowning while he took a step into the room before closing the door behind him.

"I missed you!" he replied, pulling me into his arms and I rolled my eyes, hearing that, but hugged him back because maybe I too missed him.

"Is she sleeping?" he asked, shifting to stare at my face and I gave a nod, but the moment I replied, he pulled me in for a long kiss.

"Aren't you feeling uncomfortable to be in this house?" I asked, pulling him to the bed feeling dizzy after his kiss.

"Kind of! I mean he used to stay in this house and it's still awkward to be near your Dad, but... but it's fine as long as you are here I guess. He even sent me to your room without saying or asking anything." He added the last words in a surprised tone.

"Why would he ask anything? You are my husband, David. Why are you making me say it again and again?" I asked frowning at him.

"Maybe because I like hearing those words from your mouth?" I shook my head, but couldn't help but smile understanding his reason.

"I am addressing you as my wife near everyone like I wished for all this time and I like hearing the same from you." He added hugging me.

"No wonder Jasmine is teasing us. We are behaving as if we just got married and being too sweet all the time." I mumbled letting him hold me.

It's not like I am complaining, but somehow sweet words are flowing out of my mouth before I can react and he tries his best to do it all the time.

"We kind of just got married, right?" he mumbled and I sighed, closing my eyes feeling tired after thinking too much about Dad and everything.

"Did he buy that for her? She kind of have like three cribs now. She is going to outgrow them soon." He commented and I nodded as I thought the same.

"They will not go waste for sure. We can use them for our next baby and there is Jasmine too." I pointed out and my eyes immediately opened realizing what I just said.

Damn it! Why? Why all the time? I closed my eyes to act as if the words I just uttered are nothing. However, when he tightened his arms around me after hearing my words, I had to open them.

"What is it?" I asked, turning around to glance at him.

"I heard the second pregnancy will be more critical because of your condition." He replied and I nodded because I heard it along with him, but I didn't think much of it as the second pregnancy was out of the question at that time for me.

"Let's not think about all that for now. Are you not tired? Let's go to sleep." I mumbled clearing my throat before shifting to lay on the bed and he followed my suit.

"I will try to accept him too, and make him accept me. I don't want you to have any more hard time because of any of us." He mumbled pulling me into his arms.

"Don't try hard for all that. Even I don't want you to have any hard time. I wanted you to come here with me but I thought it is not that easy for you to do. That's why I didn't ask you. You should have stayed back at home and I would have returned after this weekend." I explained and he placed a kiss on my forehead.

"We have to spend our time separately because of our works and other things. At least let's stay together during the times when we can. I don't want us to waste any time where we can be like this." He said making me smile.

"I have been smiling a lot recently." I commented and he added, saying, "Me too!"

****

"You both have been very good by not talking about business matters for the past two days." I complimented them happily as we will be going back to our home tonight.

"She is very active." Dad commented, ignoring my words and I guess he doesn't want to be parted with her.

"She will choose the professions she wants to." I joined my words before he starts planning to make her into a business woman and pressure her later.

They both laughed hearing those words and I sighed in relief when I realized he was not thinking about all that at all. I guess I will take some time before completely letting go of my fears or thoughts about Dad and accept him completely.

"So, when are you both going to get married publicly?" Dad suddenly asked glancing at us.

"We are already married." I pointed out frowning.

"I mean like with guests and other arrangements instead of just marriage registration." He explained sighing.

"We don't plan on doing that." I replied before glancing at David, who is looking down with a frown covering his face, which made me realize that he definitely don't have the same thinking like me.

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I felt tired writing their communication... like the communication is must for all the couples in any relationship but i really felt tired... Now they have another seriosu communication to go through...

Is it rushed??? *closing my eyes*

So, the next one could be a chapter or epilogue based on the lenght i am going to type... it depends on my typing i guess... :P So, the next one could be last before epilogue or epilogue...

I am trying my best to finish this before my birthday... so, i will try my best to finish this story before this weekend *fingers crossed*

How is the chap???

comment plz and vote...