"Rishi please" Saanvi whined but it didn't affect the person before her who stood silently stirring the Milk, adding cocoa powder.

"Please" She pouted knowing well that it melts him but he turned his head away. Taking the opportunity, she slid between the kitchen counter and him making him jump at his place.
Before he could move away she wrapped her arms around his neck and he stilled at his place not wanting to ruin her Mehendi.

She kept her head on his chest, "Talk to me, Idiot". Sighing, he again started doing his work.

" When did you become so heartless?" She bumped her head on his chest which did nothing to him but surely hurt her. "Ahh! Why don't you do something of your brick of a chest " She hissed at him but as he was on a mission to ignore her he did it again.

Saanvi stood there clinging to him and he kept making his hot chocolate. Once done, he pulled away from the hug and signed her to move forward. Sighing, Saanvi started moving to their usual spot with him following behind.

He carefully kept the hot chocolate on the table and sat on the swing waiting for Saanvi to take her usual place. Snaking her arms carefully around his neck she sat on his lap.

"You won't talk to me ever? " She asked with a sad face and that's where both of them knew Rishi melted. He can't see her upset.
"You always have time for everyone except me" He complained, bringing the cup near her face to take a sip.

"There is so much work, Rishi. We getting married tomorrow " She defended.

"Exactly we are getting married tomorrow and my wife doesn't have even a minute to spend with me. All thanks to my crazy family" Rishi scowled at their family who were very keen on keeping the two away from each other.

Rishi knew Saanvi wanted a full-fledged wedding with all the rituals included. It was her dream wedding so he thought to marry her again with proper celebration. Once he voiced his Idea to the family they were overjoyed. They wanted to plan a grand celebration. "Rishi, I know it was my dream and I can't tell you how happy I am that you thought about this but you know what Rishi I don't want it now. I feel happy just like this. At that time I was just immature. An immature child but now I have understood one thing Rishi it's not the celebration that is important but a partner, a companion who is always beside you. That's the biggest celebration one can have. A partner who is always there to take care of you. Who never lets you feel alone. Who is proud of your achievements. Who is your Solace. I got you and that's my biggest celebration "

That night was full of love and ecstasy for them.

But Saanvi eventually gave into Rishi's demands when he asked for a simple marriage.

All the close friends were called and the rituals begin with a lot of fun and teasing. Rishi being the victim every time. The one who enjoyed the most in this teasing session was none other than Mr. Mahir Sehgal.

They were restricted from meeting each other but Rishi pulled the right string when he said, "Dad if you didn't let me meet Saanvi, I will take all of Mumma's time" Mahir passed it on to his seniors who were possessive about their wives. And they finally let them meet but made sure to indulge Saanvi in some or other tasks related to the marriage making Rishi huff in annoyance.

"Okay fine sorry. Now it won't happen again " Saanvi kissed his cheek making his ears go pink.

"Only 25 ℅  okay " Rishi forward his other cheek. Shaking her head at his antics, she pecked his other cheek too.

"Only 50 ℅ okay " He looked at her pouting, suggesting something with his eyes.

"I know where you are going" Saanvi rubbed the tip of her nose on his. Only she knows how much she wanted her hands to free that time. She wanted to pinch him.

Looking at his innocently dramebaaz face, she pecked his lips but he pulled her into an earth-shattering kiss taking full advantage of her henna-clad hands.

He rested his forehead against hers. "200 % okay" He pecked her forehead making her snuggle into his embrace.

Slowly she gave into her drowsy eyes and slept on his chest, he kept on gazing at her with a small smile on his face.

*
Burgundy Lehenga with heavy golden work that's what she wore as she stepped towards him. A gold necklace was adorning her sleek neck, The long Golden jhumkas were kissing her cheeks and a small simple waist chain was playing on her waist. The sweet tingling of her Anklets was telling him that the wait is over.

She lifted her eyelashes to have a glance at him who was already drowned in her innocent beauty. The intense gaze coated a crimson color on her cheeks.

Taking a deep breath, asking all the butterflies in her stomach to relax, she sat beside her husband who found it the toughest task to tear his eyes from her. He was so busy admiring his princess that he failed to notice the voices that were screaming at him to perform the pooja.

Taking her hand in his he performed the rituals.

As they stood up for the saptapadi, their family cheered. They kept on promising seven lives full of love, trust, care, and loyalty to each other while their daughter kept on dancing looking at her parents playing around the fire.

They promised to cherish each other for seven lives to come. They accepted each other with their beautiful flaws. They promised to be together in times of dismay. They promised to work hard to give their children a comfortable life and they promised to be each other's support always in front of the holy fire.

*
"I thought he was busy with office work when he didn't pick up my calls but who knew this snake was busy somewhere else " Shaurya sniffed looking at Rishi with distaste.

He couldn't believe that his best friend was married and here being the heartthrob of their college days he was spending his Valentine's watching Chota bheem.

"I can understand son"  Mahir patted his head with sympathy.

"Don't you have any shame? Your friend is dying single here and you are getting double. Such a liar he is. " Shaurya glared at Rishi who rolled his eyes at him.

"I know right" Mahir rubbed his back to calm him down.

"Uncle, only you love me. This dog never loved me " Shaurya hugged Mahir being all emotional who happily reciprocated.

Rishi shook his head at their drama.

"Bhaiyu" Meera passed him her most innocent smile as he reached his room door.

"Of course" Rishi took out his credit card and kept it on her palm.

"You are so smart bhaiyu" She hugged him happily.

"Shaan, you wanted that thriller series right? It's in your room" Rishi said looking at the boy who was engaged in a book. It was clear that he was standing there just because Meera dragged him here.

His eyes twinkled as heard about the book he wanted from a long time but his mother banned him from buying any books. He didn't need to be told twice. He hugged the life out of Rishi and ran to his room not before gracing Rishi's cheek with a kiss.

Rishi smiled at the kids and finally decided to get inside the room to meet his wife.

There she was sitting in all her glory looking like an enchantress. His heart rebelled to let out of his chest as she peeked at him through her lashes. Drowning in her beauty, he took unstable steps towards her.

He was so lost in the ethereal beauty before him that he couldn't even form the words. He was taken aback when she squeezed his body in her arms.

She kissed his forehead and he relaxed. "I was serious when I said I love you" She copied his style making him grin. And as his nervousness died down he pulled her onto him, "show me your love then" He suggested to her with a naughty smile.

She connected their petals devouring the sweetness of their love. Clutching her waist he pulled her closer and she crumbled his shirt in one hand while the other was roaming freely in his hair. It was getting intense with passing time.

Minutes later they showered all the love on each other. Drowning in the heights of pleasures, they fulfilled their craving for each other.

*

"Sorry Suchi" The boy cried pleading for her to talk to him but she turned her head away.

"How dare you call my Dadda yours? Now we are no more friends" A 10-year-old Suchi ran inside her house banging the door shut behind her.

"Suchi, why are you banging the door when you can simply close it? " Saanvi scolded but she just Shrugged hugging her, "I love you" She cupped her mother's cheeks and let out a kiss in the air.

" Hmm. Very Convenient. " Saanvi hit her little brats' head lightly who ran away to watch her favorite shin chan.

"Where are you going? It's lunchtime" Saanvi spoke loudly but she had already run away.

Saanvi moved to their room to call her sleepyhead husband and son.
As soon as she entered her room, she found her tiny 3-year-old Risabh lying on his father's chest and both of them sleeping with their mouth open.
This is nothing new for her. Both the father-son duo her sleepyheads. They just need 2 minutes to fall into a deep sleep.

"Baby" Saanvi sat on the bed lightly taping Risabh's back.

"Yes" Rishi whispered lazily stretching his arms.

"I wasn't calling you" Saanvi rolled her eyes at him.

"Son gets to called 'baby' and not son's father? Uff ye zaalim Duniya " He pouted looking at Saanvi making her roll her eyes at him, "Were not you a tight sleeper? " She raised an eyebrow at him, " Neend churai meri kisne O Sanam? Tuneee" He winked at her. Saanvi was amused with his behavior.
"What is with this cheesy behavior suddenly? What are you reading now? " He had suddenly developed an interest in novels. He would read them and then came running to her to show off his knowledge. Once he read a mystery novel and the whole day he ate her head asking "who do you think would have killed Janice? "

"Not yet started but going to reading 'The love hypothesis'" He lifted his fake shirt collars.

"That is why" She gave him an understanding grin.

"Get freshened up and come for lunch now " She ordered him pulling his hair and running out of the room.

Rishi chuckled at her speed. He got up taking Risabh in his arms. It's going to be a tough task to wake up his son.

As Rishi got down with his grumpy son who was continuously glaring at him for ruining his sleep, he saw his whole family already present there. A beautiful sight for Sunday.

He sat on the chair beside his doll who was super excited to find his Dadda and Stuffy awake.
Risabh is like a soft toy. He is so cute as a teddy bear. So he is her stuffy.

She got up to take him in his arms and he happily slid into his sister's arms.
Suchi kissed his chubby cheeks who giggled in response playing with her pendant.

Rishi looked at the duo amused why does he always get grumpy with me only?
Rishi twitched his lips looking at Saanvi who shrugged carelessly.

Everyone in the family was bused looking at the kids. They were on high alert to catch the kids if by chance they fall.
Saanvi could not help but feel delighted looking at their care. She had a hard time believing Rishi's words when he said that he doesn't belong to the Sehgal family biologically.
That day her feelings of respect deepened for the family. How could they? In fact, how are they able to love so dearly. They showered their love on every child equally whether it was Rishi, Meera, Shaan, Suchi, or Risabh. Every child has got immense love and care. Not to forget the good values they have been imparted to.

Saanvi came back to the lunch table when she heard some hushed tone beside her.

She looked beside her to find Suchi sneakily sliding the broccoli on Rishi's plate. She shook her head at them smiling to herself.
Few things never change.
She notices this exchange every time but has buried their secret since 6 years.

It's been 6 years living with them and the Sehgal family has brilliantly proved that it's not the blood it's the value we teach the innocent beings.

"Are not you zoning out too much today? Dreaming of me? " Rishi whispered in a husky voice rubbing her waist with his free hand.

"You think so highly of you" Saanvi made a face at him removing his fingers but nothing could hide that sweet blush on her cheeks.

Chuckling at her shy behavior, Rishi went back to completing his food but not before filling up Saanvi's plate with more food ignoring her pleadings.

"Everyone look here " Meera screamed opening her selfie cam.

"Meera everyone is eating you shouldn't.... "

"Shut up" Mahir glared at Rishi then posed for a picture.

"My shades? " Andy asked and Suchi quickly ran to their room putting Risabh on Rishi's lap.

She came back with shades for everyone and that's how they had a fun-filled Sunday.

*

Hanging the same photo taken during lunchtime, Saanvi glanced at the other pictures which had so many memorable moments.

Not only respect and love. They have given me everything that I had desired for. They have filled my life with happiness.

"Up for a movie? " He asked hugging her from behind.

"Sure" She pecked his cheek and as a reflex, he pointed towards his other cheek too which she happily obliged.

"Let's go then" He said but still didn't remove his hands from her and neither did she want it.

It's solace to be in each other's arms. It's serene to just feel each other's presence.

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Please ignore grammatical mistakes.

I mark this book complete✨.

From the bottom of my heart, I thank each one of you for joining Rishi and Saanvi's journey of love❤.
It feels great❤.

To everyone who has encouraged me with their precious words. I am really touched❤. Thank you for being so kind to me ❤. I cherish your every word❤

Thank you everyone for reading the book and gracing this book with your lovely support❤.