A few days later.

Virat changed into his nightwear and jumped on the bed hugging the pillow tightly and showering it with kisses.

"Oh my pillow... I loooove You!!! It's been days since we hugged each other. I love you!! Today we'll sleep cuddling each other.

Around midnight.

He heard continuous knocking on the door, which made him fall from the bed in surprise.

Half awake, he scrambled across the room to reach the door, bumping with things and table during his journey. He opened door, much to his surprise.

Sai was standing there in her White Hoodie and Jeans looking like a lost rabbit.

" Sai?!"

"Haan Virat Sir.....!"

His mind gave all the wrong signals.

"Sai what happened? Is everything alright? Is kamal sir alright? What about Usha Maushi? Or is anything wrong?"

"Shh!!! Shaanth! Shaanth!!!!"

"What happened Sai? You're at this time?"Virat asked a bit frustratedly.

So much for some good hours of sleep?

" I know I've disturbed you in a..... Improper time.... Am so so so sorry!!! The thing is I wanna show you a place.....?"

"Can't it wait till morning?" Virat asked groaning.

"Nope! This place looks beautiful at night! If you wanna come.... You can join us!"

"Wait! Who's us?" Virat asked curiously

"Us! Me and Leo!"

He looked at the two choices. One is a good night's sleep. Another is a night out with the love of his life.

Everyone knew what will he choose!

"Okay.... Give me 10 minutes! I'll change and come." He said running towards his room whining about Leo's presence.

__________________

Few minutes later.

"I'll take my car......"

"No Sir! Its just 10 minutes away from here.... We'll go by walk!"

"Okay then! Lead the way doc! Virat said with his usual saccharine smile that's only reserved for Sai.

Outside.

" leo... Baby!!! Slow down Bachcha!!" Sai said pulling him.

"Baby and Bachcha for leo?" Virat asked sarcastically.

"Haan! He's always my bachcha! My jaan...!" Sai started singing praises for leo.

"Where are we going Sai?" He said changing the topic.

"Lake!!" She said excitedly.

"Lake... At this time?"

"Trust me Virat sir... You won't regret it!" She said looking in his eyes.

How can he even say no.... When she pleads him with those puppy dog eyes?!

"How did you convince Kamal sir? About your night out?"

"I didn't! I jumped from the wall!" She said casually.

"What?! Sai are you crazy?! What would've happen if you got hurt? Or god forbid anything serious happens?" He said with hot tears stinging his eyes.

Sai now realised the seriousness of the situation seeing tears in his eyes.

"Am.... Am... Am sorry!!! I didn't mean to.... Don't worry! From next time, I won't do any such stunts!" She promised.

"Promise?"

"Yes. Promise."

Few more minutes of silence.

"Hope it doesn't rain tonight!!"

"Is this Sai Joshi speaking?!" He exclaimed in surprise.

"Yea yea.... Though I love rains.... I don't want it to spoil our plan today... "

_________________

"And..... Here we are!!! Welcome to one of the most magical spot for sightseeing" she welcomed him.

Leo whimpered and sat near Sai waiting for more cuddles.

"Sai.... This is just...... I can't.... Wow!" He said in hiccups as he was lost by the beauty of the nature.

"Didn't I say!!" She boasted happily.

He turned to look at her.

On either side rose cliff of darkness and beneath like a sheet of cold moonlight flowed. She stood there..... Like a damsel who just came down from the heaven

Moonlight brought a comforting beauty to the graphite night.

How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank!
Here will we sit, and let the sound of music
Creep in our ears: soft stillness, and the night,
Become the touches of sweet harmony.
(Merchant of Venice. By William Shakespeare)

She walked and stood beside him.

"Isn't it gorgeous?

" Yes!" He replied, definitely not looking at the moon.

A strong wind blew messing her locks. His hands itched too tuck it behind her ears.

She smiled at him and tucked her locks behind her ear.

"You look so overwhelmed.....!" She said, in a bit of surprise.

He held her hand and turned her towards him.

Wordlessly, he covered the distance between them and hugged hed gently. He could hear her gasp.

"You donno how much it means to me Sai......" He said, overwhelmed.

After the initial awkwardness, she hugged him back.

"What happened Virat Sir?"

"Its just..... Am too happy!!!"

"Why?"

"There's no reason for happiness Sai.....! This nature, this moonlight, even you.... Everything. I never felt so content in my life!"

Sai smiled a bit.
It felt like the first shower of the monsoon, Like a ray of sunshine after a cold winter night, Like a dew drop on the bud, Like a unfurling of a butterfly.

The awkwardness, the insecurity and love he had for her..... Poured through his limbs as he hugged her softly. It wasn't a tight passionate hug. Rather a soft loving hugging filled with gratitude for hee coming to his life.

What seemed like decades later.

They pulled back from the hug at the same time. He could vividly see a pink hue growing on her cheeks under the moonlight.

"Am sorry!" He said.

"Why?"

"I felt so overwhelmed..... I pulled you into a hug... Without thinking about your comfort or consent. Am sorry!"

"Virat sir! We're friends....! There's no sorry and thank you between friends! Samjhla!!"

He smiled in reply. He just hoped he won't remain her friend forever.

Leo jumped on Virat and cuddled him

"This little....." He was about to say when he met Sai's glare.

"I meant.... This little Angel!!"

Sai chuckled.

"How did you think of me.... Bringing here? To this place?"

"Just like that.... It was night. I didn't wanna go alone. I was afraid. So I called you."

"Aniket?"

"I feel safe with you Virat sir!" She said with a small smile making Virat's heart flutter like a butterfly.

Sleep? What's that? He didn't regret a sec that he missed his lovable sleep that night...... His mind was filled with the hug and this petite woman who's sitting beside him invading his thoughts..

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I know this story is going in a fast forward. But its actually needed!

First hug of SaiRat!❤️❤️ Hope you liked the chappy!

I planned to add a poem of mine..... But wasn't confident enough. So I added a small piece from Merchant of Venice by william shakespeare.

Do vote and share your comments.

Will meet soon!