18+ content. Read at your own discretion.

.....

Raavi lit up a few candles, fiddling with the satin ribbon tied around her waist, continuously peeking to check the time.

She had managed to convince Gaurav and Shashank to stay over at their partner's place for the night, which involved some promises about cooking chicken biryani that she did not intend to keep, if everything went well today.

But if that bhoothnath did not show up on time she would-

The door bell rang and she excitedly went to open the door, only to be greeted by the delivery boy. She grumbled and accepted the food, smiling at him because it wasn't his fault that her dumbass boyfriend was late.

Immediately followed by the first, the second bell rang, and Raavi opened the door uninterestedly, greeted by the sight of her boyfriend in tracks and vest, carrying a bag of groceries.

"Khasak, chipkali." Shiva nudged her aside, keeping the groceries in the fridge and shelves.

"Tu..." Raavi walked behind him a she arranged the utilities, "Tujhe yaad nahi hai aaj kya hai?"

"Aaj kuch hai kya?"

She gaped at him, as he walked into the living room and plopped down onto the sofa, surfing through his phone lazily.

"Tujhe sach mein yaad nahi hai?" She asked him, her voice getting small, almost hurt.

The door bell rang, and no one moved to get it.

"Chipkali, darwaza khol."

"Nahi. Mood nahi hai."

"Khol na darwaza!"

"No."

"Just trust me, open the door!"

Raavi frowned at him, annoyed and grumbling as she opened the door for the third time, greeted by another package.

"Package hai, ma'am. Raavi Joshi ke liye."

"Par maine kuch nahi mangaya. Kisne bheja hai?"

"Shiva Pandya."

The lady handed over the basket to Raavi, who took the basket in surprise, closing the door and keeping the basket on the table.

"Surprise?"

"Tujhe yaad tha!" Raavi squealed, as he walked towards her.

"Of course." Shiva smirked, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "Mujhe kis type ka aadmi samjha hai?"

"The kind who is likely to forget an anniversary or birthday?" She chuckled, unwrapping the touille on the basket, to find 2 hot chocolates, some pastries, donuts, chocolates, croissants and a tub of ice cream.

"Flowers are too cliché." He shrugged, and was engulfed in a hug, surrounded by the sound of her tinkling laughter. "Toh maine humare favourite café se sab manga diya."

"I love it!" She took a bite of the chocolate, breaking a piece and feeding it to Shiva.

"Happy anniversary, Shiva." Raavi whispered, the chocolate being taken out of her hand, as he leaned in to kiss her.

"Happy anniversary, Chipkali."

"Tch!"

"Happy anniversary, Raavi."

He kissed her, biting down on her lip as her arms wrapped around him, pulling him closer, slanting her head to deepen the kiss, stumbling on their feet to the middle of the living room.

His hand travelled up to shape her skull, tugging lightly on her hair so that he had more access to kiss her, earning a soft moan from her.

The need for air caused them to break apart and do something as simple as staring into each other's eyes, every time seeing the same twinkle yet the intensity increasing each time.

Raavi looked up at him, like he had brought the stars and planets for her, pressing  a few buttons to play a song, stretching out her palm,

"May I have this dance, Mr. Bhoothnath?"

Shiva smiled, placing his hand in hers and arm around her waist, close enough that he could smell the coconuts and almonds in her hair, the familiar melody of a certain song echoing in the room.

Lag jaa gale ke phir,
Ye haseen raat ho na ho
Shayad phir iss janam mein
Mulaqaat ho na ho

Raavi swayed in his arms, drowning in his eyes, so willingly, not sure when or how she fell so in love with him, never regretting it for a moment. Every moment with him was like a bright ray of light, filling the cold empty part of her soul with warmth; a warmth that had been missing for a long time until he came along. And she wouldn't exchange it for anything in the world.

Shiva watched her sway in his arms, shying away and looking at her feet before looking back at him with a smile that always made his heart melt. A year ago if someone had told him that he'd be in his living room, with his Chipkali in his arms like this, he would have laughed. But it was real, all so very real, and he wouldn't change a thing.

Lag jaa gale
Ke phir ye haseen raat ho na ho
Shayad phir iss janam main
Mulaqaat ho na ho

"Tujhe ye gaana yaad hai, Shiva?" Raavi whispered, resting her cheek against his shoulder.

"Of course. Maa ka gaana, unka cassette tape sunn rahe the hum terrace pe." Shiva softly pressed his lips against her hairline.

"Did you just call my mother 'maa'?"

"Ab ye toh nahi bol sakta na ki 'teri maa ka-'. Kitna bura sound karega!"

"Maa ne matchmaker play kiya tha kya ek saal pehle?"

"Highly possible, can't deny."

Raavi giggles against his skin, his laughter vibrating through his chest, as she looked up at him again.

Hum ko mili hai aaj
Ye ghadiya naseeb se
Ji bhar ke dekh lijiye
Humko kareeb se

"Mujhe kuch kehna hai. Rokna mat, okay?"

Shiva nodded, her tiny palms resting against his chest, visibly struggling to let her words take over her emotions.

"Ek saal pehle, jab mai tere paas aayi, I was scared. Bohot dari hui thi." Raavi fiddled with the threads of his vest, "Mai kahi bhi jaa sakti thi, par mujhe sabse safe tere paas lagta hai, Shiva. Only you."

"Bhale hi humara jhagda hua tha, aur tune mujhse kaha tha ki tu mujhe bachaane nahi aayega. Par tu aaya. You were there for me when I needed you the most. The only one." She looked up at him, tears crinkling at the corner of her eyes.

Phir apke naseeb mein
Ye baat ho na ho
Shaayaad phir is janaam mein
Mulaqaat ho na ho

"Pata nahi kaise, but I fell in love with you, and I don't regret a single moment with you in this entire year and all the years we have ahead of us. Every moment I'm with you, I feel like I'm the best version of myself, and you make me want to be a better person."

She sniffled, and Shiva brushed away her tears, tucking her hair away from her face to get a good look at his emotional chipkali, who was making him emotional about their time together.

"What I'm trying to say is," Raavi looked into his eyes, and Shiva knew she was piling onto her emotions,

"I love you. And I always will, till the end."

Paas aaiye ki hum nahin
Ayenge baar baar
Bahen gale mein daal ke
Hum ro le zaar zaar

Raavi wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face into his chest as she cried, overwhelmed by feelings she didn't know would hit her with this intensity, all of a sudden.

Shiva let out a tiny chuckle, cradling her head and nuzzling his face in her hair, wondering how she could cry so much.

"Kitna senti hoti hai, sweetheart. Dehydrate ho jaayegi aise."

For which he got a swat against his shoulder, and a few more tears.

"Ae, phoolkumari. Look at me."

Ankhoon se phir ye
Pyaar ki barsaat ho na ho
Shayad phir is janam mein
Mulaqat ho na ho

His fingers shaped her jaw, his thumb caressing her cheeks slowly, as he looked into her teary eyes, that were now a bit swollen from crying. But, no matter what, those doe-like eyes would always make him fall harder and harder for her, every single day.

"Teri tarah senti baatein nahi kar sakta." He said, wiping her nose with his handkerchief,

"Par vaada karta hoon, tere saath humesha rahunga, jaise bachpan se raha hoon. Tujhe protect karunga, tujhe harr buri nazar se door rakhunga, mere sarr pe naachne dunga bina 'oof' kiye. Shiva naam hai, Shiva. Shiva apni Raavi ko kabhi akele nahi chodega, kabhi usko apne se door nahi karega. I promise you that, Raavi. I promise."

Lag jaa gale
Ke phir ye haseen raat ho na ho
Shayad phir iss janam main
Mulaqaat ho na ho

Shiva engulfed her in a tight hug, as if they'd mesh into one this instant, burying his head in her hair, her arms around his neck, swaying to the melody of the music that slowly faded away.

They stayed that way, in the middle of the living room decorated with fairy lights, the silence of the night pulling at their heartstrings much more, until Raavi held his hand and pulled him into their room.

"Shiva?"

"Hmm?"

"I have a gift for you, but....."

"But?"

"You can't tell Maasi, okay?" Raavi bit her lip nervously as Shiva nodded.

He watched her in anticipation, as she untied the red satin robe she was wearing, tossing it aside to stand in front of him, a certain coyness in her eyes.

"What the hell?" Shiva whispered, in absolute surprise, taking in her barely-there satin red and black lace baby doll, that didn't make it past her thighs, her hair tumbling over her shoulders and chest, covering what shouldn't be.

"Listen to me." She tugged on his wrist, pulling him closer, "Tune apne birthday waale din kuch kaha tha. Aaj jawaab laayi hu."

"Yes to whatever you're going to ask."

"Arre! Sun toh le pehle!"

"Tujhe sacch mein lagta hai mai sunn raha hoon, when you look like this?" He whispered in her ears, tracing his fingers down her arms.

"I'm ready, Shiva."

Shiva turned his to look at her, not believing her words, as she stood on her tip-toes and cupped his face, close enough for their noses and foreheads to touch.

"Pata nahi tujhe aise kyu laga, par mai sirf tere saath comfortable hu. I want it to be you I experience this with. Only you."

He opened his eyes, a moment of softness lurking before the energy zapped in the room, a delectable view in front of him, as her tightened his hands on her waist.

"Pakka? Soch le." He whispered, nibbling her earlobe, "Phir mat kehna junglee bhaloo ne noch liya."

"Soch liya." Raavi replied, stepping back as Shiva cornered her against the wall.

Their eyes met and the sexual tension between them made an entry. Shiva held her hand and pulled her till their noses were touching. He cupped her face, kissing her forehead, eyelids, nose and looked at her, clearly dragging this out to tease her.

Raavi groaned. She needed him to be rough, no, she wanted him to be rough. So she held his vest tightly, smashing her lips on his. Attacking him like a ferocious lioness, wanting to taste him, know him, feel him like she had never before.

Shiva's arms moved to her waist and he pulled her till their chests were pressed against each other. He growled, fingers pressing into her waist, sure to leave a mark as he bit her lip, swiping his tongue over hers, leaving her wanting more.

She instantly gave in to the warm intrusion, yanking on his hair to angle his mouth better, finding the crevices she was well-versed with by now.

"This dress is so flimsy, I could rip it off without even trying." Shiva whispered, trailing kisses down her jaw, toying with the straps.

"Don't you dare!" Raavi huffed and gasped, his teeth grazing over her delicate skin, "I paid 3000 bucks for this, tere jeb se paise kaatungi agar tune- ohh!" She moaned, as he pulled the strap and left it suddenly, causing it to snap against her skin

"Dekh lenge." He huskily replied, her nimble fingers working off the vest from his body in record time, tracing the curves that always had her in a fix, his hands gripping her bottom.

"Up."

Raavi kissed his neck and shoulder, her legs coming round around his waist, as he hoisted her above and onto the wall. They couldn’t get enough of each other as they moved their lips and hands over the other's body, exploring, feeling, expressing their love.

Shiva detached themselves from the wall, walking towards the bed, Raavi's legs still wrapped around his waist. Lowering her onto the mattress, he peeled her dress off, pleasantly taken aback to find out she was wearing just the dress and nothing underneath.

"Easy access." Raavi giggled, followed by a harsh moan.

Shiva latched onto her breast, licking, sucking, teasing her. He bit down on her hardened pebble, suckling on it to soothe the pain, rewarded by her choppy breathing and scratch marks over his shoulder.

She moved her hands down to the hem of his pants, tugging on the waistband, when he stopped her, an uncertain gaze lurking in his eyes.

"Tu pakka sure hai na? Dekh, mai nahi chahta tu regret-"

Raavi couldn’t help but laugh as she pulled him by his neck to give him an all consuming kiss, enough to make him forget the questions and uncertainty in his mind.

“Pakka.” She said, breathless. "Ab apna muh dusre kaamo ke liye use karega?"

Shiva smirked as his lips moved over her torso, his hands caressing her pebbles. He took his time kissing her body, memorising every path he took, her nails digging into his shoulder, gripping his hair. Her moans were getting louder as he moved towards her core. He tenderly kissed her inner thighs, marking her, which led her moans to get louder. Shiva continued his attack on her inner thighs slowly moving up to her core.

“Wait, wait, wait.” breathed Raavi as she felt his breath on his core.

"What?" Shiva looked up, and his gaze while he was a hair breadth's away from her core was enough to turn her feet into jelly.

Raavi shifted her feet, and rested her leg over his shoulder, providing a clearer view and more access to her core.

"I think this would work better." She winked at him, instantly yelping when he leaned in and kissed her core. She jumped under him, his tongue trailing her folds, slow and torturous, a familiar tightness forming in her pit.

Without warning, he plunged into her core, the sounds she was making music to his ears, his thumb rubbing against her nub, causing her to moan louder and the pit tighten further. The taste of her on his tongue as she cried out, writhing in pleasure above him, made him realise he was giving her this pleasure, which he’d get to give her for the rest of their life.

She was on Cloud 9. The feeling was thousand times better than anything ever before. The thought of them, stripped of their clothes, pleasuring each other, somehow turned the key further in .

Shiva looked up, now flicking his tongue over her nub and the sight enthralled him. The most gorgeous woman, his woman, in his arms, beads of perspiration on her forehead as she cried out in pleasure, one hand in his hair, gripping right while the other fondled her breasts.

"Shiv- Aah!" Her moans started getting louder and her breath shorter as he inserted and hooked his finger, increasing the tempo slightly. Adding another digit, he stretched her out, his tongue rolling and licking her nub, his fingers finding the perfect spot as she arched her back.

"I... Mm...Aah!"

Shiva kissed her core, coiling his fingers further, and she fell apart in his arms, with a string of strangled noises, calling out his name as waves ecstasy washed over and over.

He held her, letting her ride out her orgasm, until she lay there, heaving but glowing in contentment, trailing butterfly kisses up her body, firmly kissing her lips, allowing her to taste herself in his lips.

"Where did you...." Raavi gasped, curling her fingers into his hair, "Where did you learn to do that?"

"I'm not letting out my secrets, sweetheart." Shiva whispered, groaning and dipping his head into the pillow as Raavi's hands went past his tracks and gripped him.

"Stop that."

"No."

"Chipkali, stop that-"

"I said no."

Raavi tangled her legs between him, flipping them over, leaving bite marks, kisses and bruises all over his body, peeling away at his tracks, his length straining free.

"Don't you dare-"

But he didn't have time to finish his sentence, as she curled her lips over his length and took him in, without warning.

Shiva sunk his head into the pillow, as Raavi played a quick game of tit for tat, bobbing her head over his length, grazing her teeth slightly, making him hiss.

Nothing sounded better than the sound of pleasure escaping his mouth. Shiva Pandya, the Chattan Pandya, at her mercy, his fingers sunken amongst her locks, as she licked and pleasured him, just like she wanted to.

Shiva looked down at Raavi, her hair tumbling over her shoulders and back, her head moving back and forth, that pretty little mouth of hers doing things he never expected her to.

Whatever she was doing, wherever she had learnt it from, was definitely working because he could sense himself at the brink of pleasure, and if he let her go any farther, he'd be finishing right then and there.

He leaned forward and pulled her up by the neck, letting go with a pop, flipping them over and trapping her underneath himself, her hands crossed and held over her head by him.

"Not like this. Next time."

She smirked at his expressions, clearly frazzled and almost on the edge. "I didn't know you had such a big-"

"Now you know." He patted her cheek, quickly reaching over for the box of rubbers and wrapping one around his length, aligning himself at her core. Raavi perched on her elbow to have a look, and panicked a bit, thinking of how it would stretch her out; she was pretty brave a few minutes ago.

Shiva saw the look of apprehension in her eyes, and kissed the hollow of her neck, “Sweetheart, you trust me right?”

“Sabse zyaada."

"Tell me if it hurts, okay?" He brushed the sweaty hair strands on her forehead away, entering her slowly and stretching her out.

Raavi gasped, as he entered her completely, her nails digging onto his back an indicator for him to stop. Shiva pressed several kisses onto her forehead, cheeks and lips, as he moved slowly within her, giving her enough time to adjust.

"You okay?"

"Mhmm." came her hoarse reply, a single tear escaping the corner of her eyes as a reaction to the pain and intrusion, his forehead resting on hers as he wiped it away.

"I'll stop if you need me to." He whispered, and Raavi vehemently nodded at the idea of it, circling her hips to show him how much she wanted him, needed him.

They slowly picked up pace, moving together, in sync, in and out, over and over to the rhythm of their heartbeats and moans, which were the only sounds in the room.

"Faster." Raavi whimpered, anchoring herself to him as tightly as she could, a gutteral moan escaping her lips as he hit a particular spot, again and again.

She wrapped her legs around him, grinding herself to the movements of him within her, as he held on her waist, suckling on her hardened peaks, pacing up in er urgent command.

Her body was on fire. He was touching her skin in every way possible. The feeling of him inside her, his hot breaths on her skin, the sheer intensity of every thrust and she felt herself ready to tumble over the edge again.

Shiva looked at the love of his life, writhing under him, with him sheathed in her caverns, moving faster, chasing their peaks. Eyes rolled back, nails scratching his back, sounds of their ecstasy vibrating through their bodies, his vice grip I her waist that was bound to leave marks. All him. It was all him.

Shiva picked up pace, grunting and moaning as they neared their peaks. He reached between them, pinching her nub, which threw her over the edge.

Raavi screamed and arched into him, as her pleasure overrode all her senses and left her boneless and spent. Shiva gritted his teeth and let her ride out her orgasm, chasing his own pleasure until he came apart with a feral grunt, still moving within her as he collapsed over, gasping for breaths.

Spent and tired in a lover's tangle, Shiva pulled out of her, as she whimpered, turning to her side as they stared at each other, leaning in to share the softest kiss they ever had.

Many moments later, she watched him get out of bed, walking over to carry her to the washroom.

"I can walk." Raavi argued tiredly, as Shiva set her down on her feet, and she wobbled terribly, holding on to Shiva for support, who scooped her up again with a cocky smirk.

"Okay, maybe I can't walk." She sheepishly admitted, as he placed her under the warm shower, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Shiva," Raavi called out softly, her hands curling around his biceps. "This is not only an anniversary gift."

Shiva smiled at her insinuation, but decided to play dumb, resting her back on the tiles and holding her up. "Matlab?"

"You can claim this gift anytime." She whispered, and he chuckled, capturing her lips within his. "You're really good at return gifts. Mujhe nahi pata tha you were this good!"

"Now you do." He pecked her nose, gazing into her eyes. "I love you. So much."

"I love you more." Raavi replied, hugging him.

Only then did they realise, they were still standing undressed, under a warm shower, their cores still sensitive from their activities.

Raavi swiftly turned around, guiding Shiva's hands on her waist towards her core, kissing his neck.

"Maybe we should practise some more."

"You'll be sore tomorrow, darling."

"I don't care."

That was all he needed to hear, as his fingers found her core, water streaming down their bodies, the walls a sole witness to sounds of their love making.

.....

Raavi woke up to a blaring alarm clock, and almost threw it across the room, shutting it off and rubbing her eyes, tired and spent from all their activities.

After making love to her in the shower, Shiva took her against the wall, causing them to go boneless and tired, cuddling up next to each other, their sleep taking over almost instantly.

She turned onto her side, pulling the blanket over her, his hands on her bare thigh and his nose barely an inch away from her face, snores escaping his lips and his messy hair falling over his forehead.

Reaching up, she gently pushed away his hair, tracing his eyelids, nose, lips and beard, when he suddenly caught hold of her hand, to her shock wince she expected him to be asleep.

He turned towards her, eyes half-open, gazing at her sleepily, while she admired him in the early hours of the day.

"Puri raat mehnat karake," Shiva said, his voice hoarse and deep, "itni subah pareshaan karte hue sharam nahi aati?"

He kissed the inside of her wrists, as she scooted closer, placing her palm on his cheek, while he turned to face her and wrapped his arm around her waist, closing his eyes momentarily.

Her thumbs traced his cheekbone, unable to believe that he was here, this close to her. He had been, for a year and a day now, but in her heart, she didn't even expect this. She never thought they'd ever talk again, let alone be friends, and fall in love this hard.

A single tear trailed down her nose as she blinked, and Shiva's hand came up to wipe it away, tipping her chin up in question, her voice dropping to a mere whisper.

"You just make me so happy."

His eyes softened, pulling her into a hug while she tucked her face into the crook of his neck, holding onto him tight.

"Kitna senti hoti hai." Shiva kissed her hair, which only made her cling onto him like her namesake.

She stayed that way in his arms, not wanting to be anywhere else, but her stomach and alarm clock had other plans.

"College nahi hai tera, Chipkali?" Shiva asked, breaking the hug.

"Hai. Par jaane ke haalat mein nahi hoon. I can barely walk, and I blame you." Raavi pointed at herself, which made him chuckle. "I'm also hungry, toh mujhe kuch banana padega. Tu sote reh."

Before Shiva could protest, she reached over for his shirt and her shorts, buttoning it up half way and walked, more like wobbled, into the kitchen to fix them some breakfast.

Within moments she felt a strong pair of arms around her waist, kissing a sweet spot on her neck, deepening the marks from last night.

"Aise romance karega toh khaana nahi milega."

"Mujhe bhookh kisi aur cheez ki hai." Shiva whispered, swiftly turning her around and trapping her in his arms and the kitchen counter.

Just as he was about to kiss her, a shrill scream came from the kitchen entrance.

Raavi jerked her head to the side, to find Gaurav and Shashank at the door step, with their backs now facing them, while Shiva and Raavi also screamed on instinct.

"Humne kuch nahi dekha."

"Shiva, mere bhai, humne sach mein kuch nahi dekha."

On instinct, Raavi his herself behind Shiva's large form, until she realised she had had the brains to put on a pair of shorts under her oversized shirt earlier.

"I'm wearing pants, you dumbasses."

They peeped over their shoulder and sighed in relief, turning around completely only to realise Shiva wasn't exactly wearing anything except his track pants.

"Tum dono kab aaye?" Shiva asked, tucking his hands into his pockets.

"Kal raat ko."

Raavi stood beside Shiva, giving him the same look he was giving her, because they both weren't exactly quiet last night and neither were the walls soundproof.

"Kal?" Raavi asked, nervously, fiddling with the button on her sleeve. "Maine kaha tha aaj se pehle nahi aana!"

"Haa. Par hum jaldi aa gaye. Bohot kuch suna humne." Gaurav gave them a knowing look, and Raavi closed her eyes in embarrassment.

"The walls aren't exactly sound proof, you know that right?" Shashank said, shaking his head.

Raavi banged her head on Shiva shoulder, over and over and over, while Shiva tried to blabber for reasons.

"Woh toh.... Kaha fasa diya, kameeno." He muttered under his breath, blurting out a series of sentences, "Aisa nahi hai ki tum log nahi karte, theek hai na? Kitni baar toh maine hi pakda hai, apne apne item ke saath. Sofa koi jagah hoti hai sex karne ki? SOFA?! Tum dono ke wajah se sofa hi badalna pada mujhe, woh sofa fek diya maine. Toh zyaada shaane mat bano samjhe?"

Gaurav and Shashank bit their lips, before bursting out into uncontrollable laughter  high-fiving each other, almost falling to the ground.

"Ab pagalo ki tarah ky-kya has rahe ho?" Shiva asked nervously, mentally hitting himself for ranting.

"Hume toh kuch nahi pata tha. Tune hi sab bataya." Shashank said between fits of laughter, while Gaurav tried to help him off the floor.

"Hum toh abhi 2 ghante pehle hi aaye hai. Isliye kehta tha, ek baar Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara dekh leta humare saath, aaj ye nahi hota." Gaurav laughed, and Shiva shoved them, walking off into his room.

"Mai.... I'll just-" Raavi stuttered, running off into the room, leaving behind their roommates laughing on the floor.

"Apne expressions chupana toh seekh lo, gadhedo!"

.....

Weeks later.

Shashank opened the door, taking the takeout parcels and placing them on the table in front of Raavi and Shashank, when Shiva's phone pinged, an email appearing on his phone.

"Shiva?" He called out, noticing that the email was from a university he didn't recognise.

"Haa kya hai?" Shiva called from the washroom, clearly taking a shower.

"Koi British University se mail aaya hai tujhe hai. Important lagta hai."

Seconds later, Shiva tumbled out of the washroom with just a towel wrapped around his waist, grabbing his phone and eagerly reading the mail, his eyes widening in happiness, replacing the fear a few seconds before.

"I GOT IN!" Shiva jumped in excitement, whopping and cheering while everyone stood confused.

"Kya?"

"Got in where? Raavi is still right here-"

"Shut up, Shashank. Gadheda."

"Pichhle mahine, I had applied for a university scholarship program through college during the senior's recruitment week." Shiva explained, cheeks hurting from smiling. "Aaj mail aaya hai. I got through!"

Pin drop silence later, everyone cheered and hugged him, congratulations and chaos in the room.

"Pehle kyu nahi bataya?!"

"CONGRATS, PHATTU!"

"Oye hoye, NRI banega tu!"

Shiva hugged everyone, earning many kisses from Raavi while she muttered how she had the smartest boyfriend ever and she was so proud of him.

"Wait, toh college ka kya?" Gaurav asked.

"Dean sir se permission mil gayi hai! Jitne din waha rahunga, utne dino ke liye mujhe present mark kar denge, college ke taraf se represent kar raha hoon! Baaki notes mai sambhaal lunga!"

"Jitne din rahega waha, matlab?" Raavi asked, her voice getting small.

"I have to shift there for the whole course, I need to attend that University in person for the degree." Shiva said, suddenly voice falling flat in contrast to the excitement before.

"How long?" Her voice quivered.

"8 months."