It had been more than two and a half weeks in the hospital, and today was finally the day I was allowed to go home. Though my right leg and hand were still in casts, the doctor had said I could continue my recovery at home. The rain was pouring outside, droplets falling on the car window, creating a soothing rhythm.

I chose to go with Abir, rather than to my parents' house. It wasn’t a difficult decision—Abir felt like home to me. He had been my rock through everything, and the thought of being with him filled me with a sense of peace and comfort.

As we drove, I watched Abir's focused expression as he navigated the rain-soaked streets. His hands gripped the steering wheel, his jaw set in concentration. He glanced at me every now and then, giving me reassuring smiles that melted my heart.

A mischievous idea struck me. I wanted to lighten the mood and maybe have a little fun. With a sly smile, I slowly placed my hand on Abir’s thigh. His reaction was immediate. He stiffened, his eyes widening in surprise as he glanced at me.

"Mishti," he said, his voice a mix of amusement and warning. "What are you doing?"

I gave him an innocent look, biting my lip to hide my grin. "Nothing," I said, my voice sweet and playful. "Just...feeling close to you."

Abir chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "You’re trouble, you know that?"

I laughed softly, enjoying his reaction. "Maybe. But you love me anyway."

He let out a deep breath, clearly trying to keep his focus on the road. "You’re impossible, Mishti."

I moved my hand slightly, feeling the tension in his muscles. "But you like it," I teased, my fingers tracing light patterns on his thigh.

Abir’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, and he shot me a look that was both exasperated and affectionate. "You’re going to be the death of me," he muttered.

I giggled, feeling a thrill of excitement. "You can handle it," I said, my voice dropping to a whisper. "Can’t you?"

Abir’s eyes darkened slightly, a smile playing on his lips. "Just you wait until we get home," he said, his voice low and promising.

My heart skipped a beat at his tone, and I felt a rush of anticipation. "I’m looking forward to it," I whispered back.

As the rain continued to fall outside, creating a cocoon of privacy within the car, the air between us crackled with tension and unspoken promises. The drive seemed to stretch on forever, each moment filled with playful teasing and stolen glances.

Finally, we pulled up to our new home. Abir parked the car and turned to me, his eyes filled with a mixture of love and desire. "Ready to go inside?" he asked.

I nodded, feeling a surge of excitement. "More than ready."

He helped me out of the car, careful of my casts, and we made our way inside. The house was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the stormy weather outside.

As soon as the door closed behind us as I settled onto the couch, Abir turned to me, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Now, where were we?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.

I smiled, feeling my heart race. "Right here," I said, reaching up to pull him into a kiss.

The kiss was slow and sweet at first, but quickly deepened as our emotions took over. Abir’s arms wrapped around me, careful not to hurt me, but holding me close all the same. I felt safe, loved, and completely at home in his embrace.

As we pulled back, breathless and smiling, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. And in that moment, surrounded by the warmth of our new home and the love we shared, I felt truly happy.

I looked up at him, his eyes filled with a mix of love and amusement. I couldn’t help myself; I leaned in and gave him another quick peck on the lips.

Abir chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Alright, let's prepare brunch now, okaieee, my sweetheart?" he said, his voice playful and affectionate.

I grinned at him, feeling a flutter of happiness in my chest. "Brunch sounds perfect," I agreed.

We made our way to the kitchen, which was spacious and bright, with plenty of counter space. Abir helped me sit on a stool by the counter, making sure I was comfortable before he started rummaging through the fridge and cupboards.

"What are we making?" I asked, watching him with a smile.

Abir turned to me with a thoughtful expression. "How about something simple and delicious? Maybe some omelets, toast, and fresh fruit?"

I nodded enthusiastically. "That sounds great."

He started gathering ingredients, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. The sound of rain tapping against the windows created a soothing background, and the cozy warmth of our new home made me feel at ease.

As Abir cracked eggs into a bowl, he glanced over at me with a mischievous grin. "Want to help, or are you just going to supervise?"

I laughed softly. "I think I'll supervise for now. My one good hand isn't very useful for cooking."

Abir pretended to look disappointed. "Such a shame. I guess I’ll have to do all the hard work."

I stuck my tongue out at him playfully. "You’re doing great, Chef Abir."

He chuckled, shaking his head as he whisked the eggs. "Alright, Miss Supervisor. Keep an eye on me and make sure I don’t burn anything."

" Hamaari eye toh aapke upar hi hain chef sahab " He laughed at me.

We continued to chat and joke as he prepared brunch. Abir moved around the kitchen with ease, occasionally glancing at me to make sure I was comfortable. I couldn’t help but feel incredibly lucky to have him in my life.

Once everything was ready, Abir set the table with a flourish, placing a plate of perfectly cooked omelets, golden toast, and a bowl of fresh fruit in front of me. He poured us both glasses of orange juice and sat down across from me, his eyes twinkling with satisfaction.

"Bon appétit," he said with a grin.

I took a bite of my omelet and moaned in delight. "This is amazing, Abir. You really outdid yourself."

He smiled, looking pleased. "Glad you like it."

As we ate, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for this moment. Despite everything we had been through, we were here together, building a new life and creating new memories. And in this cozy, rain-soaked house, I felt a sense of peace and happiness that I had longed for.

After we finished eating, Abir cleared the dishes and came back to sit next to me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close.

"You know," he said softly, "I’m really happy you’re here with me."

I looked up at him, my heart swelling with love. "Me too, Abir. Me too."

Mishti and I settled onto the couch after brunch, her head resting comfortably against my chest. The rhythmic sound of rain tapping against the windows created a peaceful backdrop. I looked down at her, my heart swelling with love. Her hair was spread out messily across her face, and her hand was clutching my shirt, as if even in sleep, she wanted to stay close to me.

She looked so serene, so beautiful, and I didn’t want to disturb her. But I knew she would be more comfortable in our bed. Gently, I slipped my arm beneath her and lifted her into my arms, careful not to jostle her too much. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake, her face remaining soft and peaceful.

As I carried her to our room, I glanced outside and saw the rain was still coming down, casting a calming, almost hypnotic spell over everything. I carefully placed her on the bed and then moved to dim the lights, wanting to create a cozy and soothing atmosphere for her. I led her to the large, transparent window where we could watch the rain together.

I returned to the bed and lay down beside her, pulling the blanket over us. Mishti stirred again, her eyes fluttering open for a moment before she snuggled closer to me, her head resting against my chest. I gently caressed her hair, my fingers brushing through the soft strands, as I watched the rain outside.

The room was bathed in a soft, dim glow, and the rain outside provided a gentle, comforting soundtrack. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace washing over me. I looked down at Mishti, her face relaxed and her breathing steady, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for this moment.

I continued to stroke her hair, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. This was all I ever wanted—to be here with her, to hold her close and make her feel safe. I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, whispering softly, "I love you, Mishti."

She murmured something in her sleep, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. I held her tighter, my heart filled with love and contentment. As we lay there together, the rain continued to fall, and I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, with love and strength.

In that quiet, rainy evening, everything felt perfect. Mishti was here with me, safe and loved, and that was all that mattered.

As I lay beside Mishti, listening to the rain, memories began to flood my mind. I remembered the times she had confided in me about the pain and hurt she was experiencing.

Her parents' neglect, the bullying at school, and all the moments when she felt utterly alone. I was halfway across the world then, studying and setting up my business abroad, and I hadn't been there for her. The thought still weighed heavily on my heart.

Mishti would often leave my messages unread, and after countless attempts to reach out, I had stopped, assuming she needed space. But now, I wished I had tried harder. Maybe things would have been different.

During those college years, I met Ishika Raghuvanshi. She was Vishal's sister and had been interested in me from the first day. Despite my best efforts to keep our relationship strictly platonic, Ishika would act clingy and post stories on her social media, making it seem like we were more than just friends. It was frustrating, but I tried to handle it delicately.

I remembered the day I confronted her. We were sitting in the campus cafe, and I finally decided enough was enough.

"Ishika, we need to talk," I said, keeping my tone gentle but firm.

She looked at me with those wide, hopeful eyes, and I felt a pang of guilt. "What is it, Abir?"

"I appreciate our friendship, but I don't have feelings for you beyond that. The stories and the way you've been acting...it's not fair to either of us."

Her face fell, and she looked away. "I thought...I hoped you'd change your mind."

"I'm sorry, Ishika. I just can't give you what you're looking for."

After that conversation, things had cooled between us. She kept her distance, and I thought she had moved on. When I graduated, she wasn't around, and I assumed she had found someone else or simply moved forward with her life.

But about a year later, I saw the news. Ishika Raghuvanshi had attempted suicide. The headline hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt a mix of shock, guilt, and sorrow.

Could I have done something differently?

Was I partially to blame for her despair?

As I lay there, these memories mingled with the current reality. Mishti stirred slightly beside me, and I tightened my arm around her. I had failed to protect her before, but I wouldn't let that happen again. I kissed her forehead gently, vowing to be there for her, to love her, and to make up for the lost time.

No matter what the past held, my future was here, with Mishti. And I would do everything in my power to ensure she felt loved and safe.
___________________________________

Mishti stirred in her sleep, her movements gentle as we lay cuddled together. Her head was nestled against my chest, her breathing soft and even. I woke up too, feeling her warmth and presence beside me. I glanced out the window and saw the sky painted in shades of purple and pink, the evening light casting a serene glow over everything.

I looked back at Mishti, who seemed to be sleeping peacefully. Her face was relaxed, a slight smile playing on her lips. I couldn't help but smile too, feeling a surge of love for her. this moment, with her in my arms, felt perfect.

Suddenly, Mishti's eyes fluttered open. She looked up at me for a brief moment before quickly closing her eyes again, pretending to sleep. I chuckled softly, recognizing her playful act.

I gently caressed her face, running my fingers along her cheek and brushing a strand of hair away. "Good evening, sleepyhead," I whispered, my voice filled with affection.

She remained still, trying to maintain the pretense, but I could see the corners of her mouth twitching as she fought to keep her smile hidden.

"Mishti, I know you're awake," I said, my tone teasing.

She couldn't hold back any longer and opened her eyes, finally giving in to a shy smile. "How did you know?" she asked, her voice soft and a bit raspy from sleep.

"I have my ways," I replied, leaning in to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. "And besides, I can always tell when you're pretending."

She giggled softly, and I felt a warmth spread through me at the sound. "Fine, you caught me," she admitted, looking up at me with those beautiful eyes that always made my heart skip a beat.

We lay there for a moment, just looking at each other. I could see the traces of her earlier pain in her eyes, but there was also a glimmer of hope and happiness. I wanted to make sure that she felt loved and cherished every single day.

"How did you sleep?" I asked, my hand still gently stroking her cheek.

"Better, with you here," she replied, her voice sincere and tender.

"Good," I said softly, leaning in to kiss her lightly on the lips. "That's all I want."

She blushed slightly, and I couldn't help but smile at her reaction. "You're making me feel shy, Aise mat dekho" she murmured, her cheeks turning a lovely shade of pink.

"That's my intention," I teased, giving her another kiss. "I love seeing you like this."

She playfully swatted at my chest, but her eyes were full of affection.

" Mishti , ek baat puchu " I said while holding her fingers in my hands as she comfortably settled her head on my chest .

" Haa , pucho na " she glanced at the room then at me .

" Why didn't you reply to my messages , when I went abroad ? "

She stirred and looked at me .
" Abir woh i saw a picture of you with a girl. Mtlb I saw it daily abir . So I thought aap relationship me ho . Isliye I-I "

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Chapter after a long time !!!!

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~ Author T