This night, not only did the jasmine bloom,
But love blossomed between Tara and me.

Yes, I confessed my love—
The love I had buried for years,
hidden beneath layers of silence.

To my surprise, she was the first to propose,
Fragile in appearance, yet fiery in spirit.
She stood before a thousand eyes,
declaring her heart's truth.

I, bold on the outside,
carry a heart tender with vulnerability.
Fate led me to a crossroads,
forcing the weight of a single word: Divorce.

Yet amidst this unraveling, I pray—
Let our love remain indomitable,
a force no storm can shatter.
Let it evolve, growing stronger through the cracks.
Let it endure, unbreakable and eternal.

— From Ishaan's diary, written in the present

TARA'S POV

I stood frozen, glancing at the diary. My eyes flickered to Ishaan, snoring with his mouth slightly open. He looked cute in that posture.

People say that men and women should love each other equally in a relationship. But that's not true in my life.

He loves me more than I love him.

No husband on the verge of divorce would willingly offer such a generous alimony amount. But, Ishaan did. His sponsorship of my and Rivan's education, and his fear that he might hurt me physically—these things only deepened my respect for him.

Will he ever understand that I needed him more than the alimony?

I closed the diary with a satisfied smile on my lips. A newfound confidence bloomed within me, assuring me that the divorce wouldn't diminish my love for him. I drifted into slumber, at peace with the thought that Ishaan loves me more than anyone.

The next morning, I snapped my eyes open as the alarm buzzed. I was stunned to find Ishaan cuddling me. I realized I had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Snoozing the alarm, I began to stare at my lovable husband.

"Good morning, Wildcat!" Ishaan said, snapping his eyes open.

"Good morning, sweetheart!" I replied, snuggling closer to his chest.

"I want to take you on a date tonight," Ishaan announced in a sluggish tone.

"Where are we going?" I asked eagerly.

"Just a dinner date," he murmured.

"Boring!" I mumbled, nuzzling my face into his chiseled chest.

"Then where do you want me to take you?" Ishaan asked, pulling me closer.

"Why don't we try alphabetical dating?" I suggested, making him frown in confusion.

"Alphabetical dating?" Ishaan repeated curiously.

"Yes! From today, we'll go on alphabetical dates. We'll start with the letter 'A.' 'A' for Aquarium. Let's go on an aquarium date," I explained.

"In my life, I've only heard 'A' for Apple. This is the first time my lover is telling me 'A' for Aquarium. So, what's 'B' for?" Ishaan inquired playfully.

"You'll have to figure that out. It's your turn," I replied with a smirk.

"Fine, I agree," Ishaan said with a nod.

I tried to get up since it was getting late for work, but Ishaan had wrapped his arms around me tightly.

"I need to go," I whispered, lifting my head to look at his face.

His symmetrical face bore a broad grin, and his eyes were filled with unconditional love. I was mesmerized by the happiness radiating from him.

Seeing a smile on his lips made me crave them. Ishaan seemed to notice when he caught me staring. My stomach churned as our eyes met.

In his hooded gaze, I saw a burning desire for me. I wanted to focus on my job, but in his embrace, it was impossible.

"Do you want my lips?" Ishaan whispered, nibbling my earlobe.

"Y-Yes!" I stammered, hypnotized by him.

My mind and heart were entirely in his control. Ishaan was driving me crazy. When the alarm rang again, I reached to turn it off, only to catch Ishaan's mischievous smile.

He chuckled teasingly as my face flushed red.

"No, I don't need anything," I pouted, pushing his chest.

I sat up, trying to get out of bed, but he grabbed both my wrists with one hand. I was amazed at how small my wrists looked in his rough palm.

"Let go of my wrists. I need to freshen up," I said shyly, avoiding his intense gaze.

"I'll help you," Ishaan murmured, leaning closer to me.

My breath quickened, my heart yearning for a kiss only from him.

Ishaan raised his free hand, and I thought he was about to cup my face. Instead, his thumb skimmed over my lips, sending jolts of electricity through me.

"Do you want it or not?" Ishaan asked, grazing his fingers over my lips.

"No...Yes..." My lips trembled under his touch.

I shook my head slightly, torn between hesitation and desire. His touch sparked a fiery passion within me. His darkened eyes, clenched jaw, and gentle fingers tugging at my lower lip made my chest rise and fall erratically.

"Shall I?" Ishaan asked, his patience wearing thin.

My eyelids fluttered shut, granting him silent permission.

He slammed his lips against mine, and I melted into the kiss as it deepened. It felt like diving into an enchanted world that belonged to us alone.

A new feeling stirred within me. A certainty that Ishaan would always belong to me.

After the kiss, I gasped for air while Ishaan remained calm, as if in complete control.

"Is this your way of refreshing me?" I asked, blushing and grinning.

"Yes," he whispered, pressing a kiss to my earlobe.

A call from Ishaan's phone gave me a chance to escape his overwhelming display of love. After that, I moved on with my morning routine.

I headed to the kitchen, singing my favorite song with Aunt Rachana. She joined in enthusiastically, her joy matching mine. 

Aunt Rachana seemed genuinely happy to see the smile on my face, but Uncle Nikhil appeared far less pleased with my cheerful demeanor.

As we prepared breakfast, Uncle Nikhil sat at the dining table, his face clouded with grimness. Aunt Rachana served him and me with her usual warmth.

Ishaan's voice called out my name repeatedly, echoing from the living room. I responded from the dining area.

"Tara, I have a meeting to attend. We're going on a date to the aquarium at 2 o'clock this afternoon. I'll pick you up from the office," Ishaan announced, glancing at his watch.

"Breakfast?" I asked, concerned about his health.

"No need. I'll grab something from the office cafeteria. You finish your breakfast and head to work," he replied calmly.

Just as I nodded, Uncle Nikhil's stern voice cut through the air.

"What's going on between you and Tara?" he demanded.

Ishaan's expression darkened instantly, his eyes flashing with pure hatred. Sensing his rising anger, I decided to intervene before the situation escalated.

"Uncle, I will—"

Before I could continue, Ishaan interrupted sharply.

"Dhruv, your favorite boy, must have already gossiped about us yesterday. Why are you asking me now?" he snapped, picking up his office bag from Shyam.

"Enough of this nonsense! This relationship will only bring you pain. It's better if you end things with Tara," Uncle Nikhil argued.

"And on what authority or right are you telling me to end my relationship with her?" Ishaan retorted, his voice filled with fury, his frown deepening.

"I... I'm your uncle..." Uncle Nikhil stammered, faltering under Ishaan's fiery gaze.

Ishaan stormed over to the living room table. I knew what was coming. With a frustrated tug, he yanked the tablecloth, sending the teapot and flower vase crashing to the ground.

The elegant ceramic pieces shattered into countless fragments, leaving the room in chaos. Ishaan stomped out to his car without another word. I let out a sigh, wondering how to handle his volatile temper.

Turning to Uncle Nikhil, who had slumped back into his chair, I tried to offer an apology on behalf of Ishaan to him.

"Uncle, I'm sorry for Ishaan's outburst. I—"

"Why did you confess your love when both of you know your divorce is just two weeks away?" Uncle Nikhil asked, disappointment evident in his gaze.

"Uncle, I don't want the divorce. I love him. He loves me too. But he insists on going through with it. What am I supposed to do?" I admitted, my voice trembling with emotion.

"Did Ishaan tell you he loves you?" Aunt Rachana asked, her excitement lighting up the room.

"Yes, last night in the garden. He admitted it," I replied, my cheeks flushing.

"Oh my god! I'm going to celebrate this with brownies for the family!" Aunt Rachana exclaimed, her enthusiasm contagious.

Meanwhile, Uncle Nikhil remained deep in thought, his expression a mix of concern and uncertainty.

"Uncle, I promise I'll do everything I can to stop the divorce. But I need some time," I assured him, hoping to instill confidence.

"You and Ishaan love each other, yet he wants a divorce. I fear you'll be the one who gets hurt in the process," Uncle Nikhil said, his voice filled with concern.

"Nikhil is right. Ishaan is incredibly stubborn. But if he changes his decision for you, we'll be overjoyed. We'll support whatever you decide," Aunt Rachana added, her smile warm and reassuring.

I nodded, grateful for their understanding. After breakfast, I made it to the office on time. The morning was filled with meetings, particularly with Aunt Malini, and I managed to finish some pending documentation.

Excitement bubbled within me as I thought about the afternoon date with Ishaan. The idea of an aquarium date felt thrilling.

By 1:30 PM, I'd wrapped up my work and packed my things, ready to leave. Just then, Dhruv burst into the office, his face drenched in sweat. He made a beeline for my desk.

"Did Ishaan propose to you?" Dhruv asked, his breathing heavy.

"Yes," I replied, puzzled by how he had learned the news so quickly.

"Tara, are you seriously going to trust that ogre who claims to love and divorce you simultaneously?" Dhruv mocked Ishaan, his voice laced with disbelief.

"What's your problem, Dhruv?" I snapped, irritated by his constant ridicule of Ishaan.

"Same question to you! What's your problem? How could you propose to Ishaan on your graduation day? How can you accept someone who says he loves you but still wants a divorce?" Dhruv's barrage of questions made me sigh heavily.

"Because I believe in my man," I said with unwavering confidence, but my reply only provoked a sarcastic laugh from him.

"Your man? Do you mean Ishaan? Just because he sponsored your education, you've fallen in love with him," Dhruv's accusation hit me hard, sowing a seed of doubt in my mind.

Could Ishaan think the same? That I love him for money?

"No!" I exclaimed, shaking off the unsettling thought. "I've had a crush on Ishaan since childhood, and that crush has grown into love over time."

Dhruv blinked, momentarily at a loss for words.

"But Ishaan doesn't love you the way you love him," he said, lowering his head.

"He loves me more than I love him," I murmured, the thought bringing a smile to me.

Dhruv's head shot up, his expression incredulous. "How do you know? Don't tell me that ogre's one-day love proposal convinced you of that nonsense."

I took a deep breath, steadying myself against his skepticism. "His diary," I revealed, watching Dhruv freeze in shock.

"You read his diary?" Dhruv asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," I replied firmly. "And through it, I know how deeply he loves me."

Without waiting for his response, I grabbed my belongings and headed toward the office exit. Dhruv followed in silence.

As we reached the corridor, I turned to him, my voice tinged with sadness. "You're my best friend. Why can't you support my decision?"

"Because that's what best friends do—they point out the mistakes to help you become a better person," Dhruv replied, his tone heavy with concern. "I'm scared Ishaan might hurt you."

"Why does everyone think Ishaan will hurt me?" I asked, bewildered. "Ishaan would never hurt me."

"He has intermittent explosive disorder, Tara," Dhruv argued. "It's only a matter of time before he hurts you physically."

"Are you waiting for that day, Dhruv?" A deep, commanding voice interrupted our conversation.

We turned to see Ishaan walking toward us. His eyes held a storm, and Dhruv sighed in exasperation at his arrival.

"One day, your true colors will be exposed to Tara," Dhruv shot back before stomping away in frustration.

"Shall we go?" Ishaan asked, his excitement palpable despite the tension that lingered in the air.

I nodded, trailing after him to his car. He opened the door for me with a kind smile, a small gesture that never failed to warm my heart.

The drive began in silence. Ishaan glanced at me, puzzled by my quietness.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.

"Do you think I love you because of the money you gave for my education sponsorship?" I blurted, unable to hold back the nagging fear.

Ishaan immediately stopped the car in front of the aquarium. Turning to me, he said firmly, "No, not at all. I've seen your love for me these past three years. It's pure, Tara."

"Dhruv told me..." I began, but Ishaan silenced me by placing his index finger gently on my lips.

"When we're alone, we should only talk about us," he said in a commanding yet tender tone, causing a grin to spread across my face.

We entered the aquarium together, walking arm in arm. The tranquil atmosphere and the vibrant hues of marine life filled me with joy. The aquarium was vast and spacious, housing a stunning array of rare fish species.

As I pointed out a fish that caught my attention, I noticed Ishaan wasn't looking at the aquatic life. Instead, his gaze was fixed on me, his eyes full of adoration. I playfully made a fish face by sucking in my cheeks, narrowing my face.

Ishaan chuckled, quickly capturing the moment on his phone. His smile, one that I had caused, warmed my heart.

"You should dive into the tank," he teased, his tone light and affectionate. "You look like a fish."

"A fish?" I pouted dramatically.

"No," he corrected, his voice softening. "You're a mermaid—my mermaid."

His words made my cheeks flush, and I looked away, trying to hide my smile.

As we entered the underwater tunnel, I was mesmerized by the view. Thousands of fish surrounded us—majestic sharks, elegant batoids, and the vibrant, multicolored koi fish.

"What's your favorite fish?" Ishaan asked, breaking my reverie.

"Koi fish," I said with a small smile. "In Japanese culture, koi fish symbolize love and affection. I adore their vibrant colors."

He nodded thoughtfully before I returned the question. "What about you?"

"Fighter fish," he replied, his expression tinged with emotion. "Their wings and tails are unlike any other. They're beautiful... and they survive alone in this world."

His smile was bittersweet, and I felt a pang in my chest. 

Was he comparing himself to a fighter fish?

After hours of wandering through the exhibits, we reached the dolphin pool. The charming creatures leaped and twirled in the water, their antics delighting the crowd.

I hesitated near the pool, a lingering fear of water making me freeze. Sensing my unease, Ishaan gently took my hand, interlocking his fingers with mine. His touch was a silent promise that he was with me, that I was safe.

Leaning on his shoulder, I watched the dolphins' mesmerizing performance. A wave of happiness enveloped me, and I wished this moment could last forever. But all too soon, the day ended, and we returned home.

While Ishaan went to his room to freshen up, my phone buzzed with a notification. It was a message from Dhruv.

"You and Ishaan love each other deeply. Has he ever shared the truth—that he's an adopted child of the Divan family?"

The words made my heart skip a beat.

"Ishaan is the only one who knows the truth about his biological parents. Ask him about it. Let's see if he can share this secret with the love of his life."

The message left me reeling, a flurry of questions swirling in my mind.

Was Ishaan adopted?

Who were his biological parents?

I clutched my phone tightly, my thoughts a storm of confusion and unease.

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