'Tujh Mein Kinara Dikhe,
Dil Ko Sahara Dikhe,
Aa Meri Dhadkan Tham Le'
-Tum mile

A/n: Next chapter only after 600 votes and 300 comments. Not updating before that:)

~~~

"Aru?" I felt warm hand caressing my head and I stirred a bit, my eyes fluttering open from the little nap I was having right in the middle of the living room, spread on the couch in a curled up position.

"Bache, why are you sleeping here?" That's my chachu's voice, I registered. Letting my eyes get accustomed to the light all around, I pinched my brows together and realised where I was. Chachu sat kneeling down. His expression confused while he waited for me to say something. His was still in his formals so that means the men were back from office.

My brain recollected everything that transpired with Ranveer in the afternoon. We had our first ever fight, if we could call it that. The way he spoke to me, the way I spoke to him. How I dashed out and came home only to crash on the couch. I didn't see chachi around and for the next few minutes I chose to cry it out. Even though I didn't want to but it was out of my control. My heart constricting in my chest and throat clogging up so the only appealing option was to let it all out in the form of tears.

I don't know how much that helped because I still felt an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Was I making a big deal out of nothing?

"Aru?" Chachu cupped the side of my face and his warm touch on my rather cold skin made me flinch. His eyes now lining in worry.

"Hi, chachu!" My voice sounded scratchy and I pushed my body up in a sitting position. My dress all crumbled up because of laying in an uncomfortable position.

"Are you okay, betu? You aren't feeling well?" He asked again, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. I gulped, trying to control the surging pain and tears.

"I'm fine—uhm—I was just—too lazy to go up so I slept here while scrolling through my phone!" One thing my family was more than great was in detecting my lies. Chachu looked at me, analysing my pathetic attempt at lying and I looked away from his scrutinising gaze, shifting in my seat.

"What is it?" Told you. Why do I even bother when I know there's no way out instead of telling the truth. But I wasn't going to share my dispute with Ranveer to anyone. I wouldn't like if he shared our personal matters with a third person so I wasn't going to do the same.

"There's nothing to worry about, chachu! Trust me. Please, relax. I'll go freshen up a bit." Throwing a smile as convincing as I could muster at him, I stood up and made my way to the stairs only to find Aarav bhai standing there. His hands folded and gaze nowhere but me. He was trying to study me. Not him, please.

"What happened? Tu Ranveer ko surprise dene gayi thi na? Kuch hua hai?" How did he know that? Now what do I say to his question?

"Mumma told me. She said you were very excited when you went. But you don't look very happy to me right now." His fingers caressed the inner side of my wrist, on the now red scarlet skin which got burnt while making the apple pie. His eyes turned hard seeing the scare and I bit my lower lip a little too harshly because I wanted nothing more than to cry in his arms and complain about that stupid man.

"Aap—apki aankhe thik karwao. Mein hamesha hi khush rehti hu. Let me go, I have to change!" Gulping down the bitter lump, I rolled my eyes trying to appear normal. I tried pulling my wrist out of his hold but he only tightened his fingers, careful not to hurt my wound.

"Ek thappad lagaunga na, saari khushi nazar aa jayegi. Will you tell me what the hell is wrong?" He made me look at him, his jaw clenched as he gritted that out.

"Aarav, leave her hand. What gave you the right to talk to her this way?" Chachu shouted from behind me, taking long strides to where we stood and shoving his hand away from me.

"Dad, there's definitely something wrong and she's hiding it from us. Can't you see that?" Bhai looked all the more pissed at this point and I felt a headache building up.

"And she's not obliged to tell you if she doesn't want to." Chachu's words were firm, his eyes set sternly on his son who glared right back at him, not in any mood to leave the topic and I felt like crying for entirely different reason this time, hating the fact that they were having an argument because of me.

"What's happening here? Why are you shouting at him, Raghav?" Dad descended down the stairs with a frown, probably hearing the commotion and now stood with us. His eyes moving to me before going back to his younger brother. Chachi came out of her room as well.

"Don't question him, bade papa! He is not obliged to answer anyone!" Aarav bhai made a jibe on what chachu said earlier and without another glance, stormed to his room, banging the door while he was at it.

"What did he say?" Dad questioned, clearly still very much confused but instead of replying to him, chachu turned to me.

"Aru, go upstairs, get freshened up!" He patted my head, jutting his chin to my room and passing him a small grateful smile, I ran upstairs, coming in my room and locking the door. Throwing my phone on the bed, I heaved a deep breath, rubbing my face in anguish.

I've successfully ruined everyone's mood as well. Great deed.

Going in the walk in closet, I removed a simple pair of white chikankari kurta with pants to change in and made my way in the shower in hope that it would calm be down but that was only my wishful thinking because I still felt this invisible weight over my chest that made everything worse.

I was drying my wet hair with the towel when a knock went off on my door before it was pushed open and I looked up to see chachi standing there.

I almost thought I wouldn't cry more than I already have but seeing her looking at me as if she knew what has happened, my eyes filled up that very instant with tears ready to drop. She closed the door coming inside and sitting beside me, took me in her motherly embrace. With me only eager for her warmth, I held onto her tightly, hiding my face in her neck.

"I'm assuming something happened between you and Ranveer but I wouldn't pester you to share what went wrong. I think you guys are mature enough to solve it on your own, hmm?" Her soft soothing voice reached my ears and she rocked me back and forth in her clutch like a baby.

My arms tightening on her words and I couldn't have been more grateful to have her as my guardian angel.

"I don't know what went wrong—I—was—I was so happy to finally see him. I wouldn't have ever gone there had I known how busy he was but—" My breathings turned heavy as I tried speaking through my jumbled up emotions.

"Shhh! Calm down, Aru!" Her fingers caressed my back in an attempt to soothe me.

"We didn't had a big fight or anything but somehow it still hurts so much more, chachi! I never expected him to talk like that to me. He's always been so gentle with me. From the time we've met, he's never ever raised his voice ever no matter how angry he is. He cares for me so much, probably more than you guys and that says a lot about our bond but—I just don't know—am I making a big deal out of nothing?" Like a lost kid, I looked at her who only shook her head in negative, giving me one of her motherly smiles.

I didn't even completely explain her what had gone wrong but something told me she'll still erase my worries.

"You are not, betu! And neither is he a bad man just because he behaved that way with you. We're humans, we're bound to make mistakes so at the end of the day we are going to mess up a bit here and there. Do you think your chachu is a perfect man? Do you think we don't have our own share of quarrels here and there? Do you think your Mumma and dad never fought? They did, Aru, because no relationship is perfect and you shouldn't ever be chasing perfection, sweetheart. That's like house of cards. So pretty but when it crumbles, you're left with nothing."

Her words set in me, ebbing away my doubts and insecurities bit by bit.

"Discussing your problems, talking it out, communicating over it and apologising mutually to never repeat it again should be your responsibility because efforts are the only thing that keeps your relationship strong. Going by your talks, Ranveer is wrong, no doubt. But before reaching to a conclusion, try understanding where he's coming from, hear his point of view. You can form an opinion and think of your next steps after that, okay?" Her words gave me a clearer picture of what I wanted to do next and I nodded slowly.

Ranveer is not a man to snap like that. He has his own temperament to deal with but even in extreme situations he's never let me face that wrath so maybe he really has something very serious going on if he behaved that way today? By no means am I finding out a way to justify his actions but a benefit of doubt is something he deserves more than anyone else and I will give him that. This time, I will try showing him the patience and understanding he's always showered on me.

"Bhai is so angry with me. He knows something happened between me and Ranveer. Chachu scolded him because of me as well!" My chin wobbled saying that and chachi kissed my forehead, pulling me in her arms.

"You did the right thing by not discussing your personal matter with any of us. Aarav has always been way too protective about you so his reaction was anticipated but he'll come around eventually, don't worry! And stop blaming yourself for things that aren't even your fault!" She glared at me finishing her statement and I only pouted, snuggling more into her and we stayed like that for a long time.

~~~

"Come everyone, dinner's ready!" Chachi called us all as we were sprawled in the living room. Actually, I was sprawled with my head in my dad's lap and legs in my brother's who ignored my entire existence. Though his fingers has been massaging my feet from the moment I cribbed that it hurt but he still didn't look at me even once.

Subconscious: Itne nakhre kisi ladke ke uthai hote, toh ek aadha boyfriend ban gaya hota ab tak!

Pura ka pura hira jaisa fiancé mila hai, woh bhi bina nakhre uthai. *smirks in delulu*

Subconscious: Utha toh tum uske bhayankar gusse ko rahi ho. *smirks like the evil*

subconscious- 1 , Me- 0

"Let's get some food in our systems!" Chachu stood up from where he sat on the other couch, we followed his suit and right on cue, the bell rang. Informing us of someone's arrival.

"Are we expecting anyone?" Dad asked to no in particular, glancing at the wall clock that read 9:30pm. One of the helpers went ahead to open the door and the person I saw entering inside was enough to widen my eyes and raise my heartbeat obnoxiously.

What in the freaking world was he doing here?

He had his brown orbs set nowhere else but me when he came and stood in the living room. My family looking between him and me, clearly not expecting him here as well.

'I'm not mad but informing beforehand would've been great because some of us really work their ass off here!'

His words from earlier today came rushing back to me and that was enough to bring me out of my daze and look the other side, breaking the eye contact. His piercing eyes still didn't move from me before chachi came in the living room and beamed up, seeing him. What was so good about having him here?

"Ranveer beta, what a pleasant surprise!" She moved to him and took him a hug which he reciprocated, finally looking away from me and touched her feet. He then did the same with dad and chachu and exchanged hugs as well.

"Hi, Aarav!" He passed a small smile to my brother who like the brute that he was, only nodded with his hands folded, his scrutinising eyes set hard on him that I wanted to smack his head for his rude behaviour with my fiancé.

Subconscious: You were not even pleased with your fiancés arrival just a minute back. Want to talk about the hypocrisy?

You don't get a say here. Shut up.

"Didn't knew you were coming! I don't think there's extra dinner for another person!" Bhai commented nonchalantly and I gasped at his audacity to throw an indirect insult like that at Ranveer.

"Bhai, shut up!" I glared at him, my teeth gritted at the anger I felt listening his words. He had no reason saying that no matter what the situation is.

"No, that's fine. I'm just here to meet Aradhya. I'll be on my way in a minute!" Ranveer smiled up, trying to hide the embarrassment and I bit my lower lip wanting nothing more than to crash in his arms. He looked just so tired. His hair dishevelled, eyes worn out, coat missing and stature slumped. Even his beard has grown out considerably. But even in his most unkept form, he was the most gorgeous man in my eyes. He'll always be.

"Please ignore him, Ranveer! He lacks basic manners time to time. We'd love having you for dinner!" Chachu glared at his son who rolled his eyes. Dad ushered him to the dining area and we all moved along.

"Can I use the washroom real quick?" Ranveer spoke up just as I took a seat beside dad.

"Of course. Aru, beta, go take him to your room!" I gave chachi a look when she said that but she went back in the kitchen, ignoring me royally so I huffed and with a teeny tiny eye roll—because that just comes to me like breathing—I stood up and gestured him to follow me and he readily did.

Instead of taking him upstairs in my room like I was told to, I brought him in the guest room here downstairs and gestured to the washroom inside. He kept looking at my face as if he wants to say something but instead, shook his head and went in to do his business. Blowing out a long breath and giving myself a pep talk, I stood there waiting for him to get done. He was out after sometime and without exchanging a word, I walked ahead.

"Adu?" That name in his rough voice stopped me dead in my track and I gulped but didn't turn to him. His scent and warmth engulfed my back and I curled my fingers in a fist to get a grip on myself and not fall weak.

Yeah, I know I decided to talk it out with him but a girl can have her fun right? Call me heartless but I was enjoying whatever was going on right now between us.

"Here. I brought this for you!" With his front touching my back and his voice travelling all the way to my body, he forwarded something and I looked down to see a bar of kitkat in his hand. My heart fluttering up at the small yet sweet significant gesture but I held myself back.

"You think getting a chocolate for me would fix things between us?" Turning my body slightly to him, I asked in a soft voice, gathering courage and looking up in his brown eyes that were fixed on me already.

"Then what would fix things between us? Just say the words and I'll do it. I'm not far from begging on my knees if you want, Adu!" His words and the troubled emotions fleeting through his eyes almost made me week in my knees, my breathing laboured and face hot. Gulping a lump, I decided against replying to him purely because I didn't had anything to say at that moment. He followed me again silently and we sat with everyone to have our dinner.

I did take the bar of kitkat because what's that little chocolate's fault in our fiasco?

"How's everyone at home, Ranveer?" Dad asked, serving himself some rice.

"Everyone's good, uncle!" Ranveer responded with a smile, taking a bite of his food. My eyes moving to him time and again as he sat in front of me. For the first time, I saw him playing with his food and hardly eating anything.

"You're hardly eating anything. Did you not like the food?" Chachu having observed that as well, asked, only to get a head shake in return.

"No, the food's really great!" Ranveer responded and had a morsel.

"He might not have much appetite.  The dessert Aru made would've been too fulfilling, am I right?" Bhai  spoke up and I only sighed internally in exasperation. What was up with him? Couldn't he just drop it for a second? Ranveer only smiled in response without saying a word.

"I must say, you're really lucky. She's never lifted a spoon to make anything of us in her 24 years of life but look, she made a whole freaking dish for you and in the process also burnt her hand. Whether you deserve all that hassle or not, that's debatable!" Bhai went back to eating as if he didn't just blatantly insulted my fiancé right in front of me.

My eyes moved to Ranveer and he checked both my hands that were on the table for the said wound. His eyes turning red and jaws clenching when he spotted the burnt mark only for me to pull my hands under the table.

"Aarav, that's going too far. Stop it!" Chachi reprimanded her beetle headed son, glaring hard.

"She's right. Don't poke your nose in something that's between them!" Chachu tried knocking some sense into him. Ranveer's phone went off that very instant, cutting through the tense atmosphere.

"Excuse me!" He stood up, going away and I threw daggers at my brother.

"That was not done, bhai. You were downright mean to him!" Trying to keep my voice as stable as possible, I let him know and he had the audacity to roll his eyes at me.

"Wasn't he mean to you as well? I'm sure you weren't sporting that long face for nothing." I wanted to tug hard on his hair so that he could see things beyond his brother glasses.

"That does not give you a free pass to insult him left, right and centre. How hard is that for you to understand?" Being done with this stupid human for now, I stood up from my chair, banging the dining table slightly in the process.

"Aru, sit down and relax!" Dad tried coaxing me and held my hand in an attempt to calm me down but that was the last thing on my mind. The argument with Ranveer followed by the argument chachu and bhai had and now this, I was so done with today.

"I'll get going, it's been late already!" Ranveer's voice cut through the glare I was giving to my brother. His eyes moving to everyone before settling on me and as if that was the last string, I felt my lungs constricting and eyes filling up. I blew out a huge breath to control myself in front of everyone.

"I'm going in my room! Go safe." The last two words were directed to my fiancé and then I sprinted up, climbing the stairs and coming in my room.

"Urghhhh!" I screeched in anguish, closing my eyes. Rubbing my face, I tried taking deep breaths to get my shit together. Just a stupid argument with Ranveer and I'm getting this agitated. Lord help me when we'll actually fight on something big.

Subconscious: You know manifestations are real right?

The only thing I know right now is that you're hell irritating. So shut. Up.

"Adhya!" My spine straightened up at once and skin tingled hearing my name in the voice that I could hear my whole life. My back was turned to the door but I could feel his eyes on me.

Heaving a long sigh, I got my bearings and gathering all the courage that I needed at the moment, I turned. Facing him who stood with his hands in his pockets.

"I thought you left?" That came out more like a question from my mouth.

"Yes, I was just going but—" He stopped. My brows furrowed seeing his hesitation on speaking what he wanted. Between the both of us, he's always been the assertive one so his weird behaviour was definitely bugging me a lot.

"Can I get a hug? I promise I'll leave if you want after that!" Somehow those words that he uttered in his soft and unsure voice broke my heart in the worst way ever. His desperate and hopeful eyes only clogging my throat before I ran and dashed in his arms. His hands going around my waist whereas I had mine wrapped around his neck.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, baby, please forgive me." With his face tugged in the crook of my neck and arms holding me tightly against his frame, he mumbled slowly. His warm lips touching my skin and I gulped only snuggling closer to him. His embrace proving to work like a balm, soothing me all over.

Bhagwan ji, don't let us go through something like this ever, please!

I tried coming out of the hug so that we could come inside the bedroom. We were standing on the threshold and I didn't want anyone to walk on us but Ranveer didn't seem to get it with the way his arms tightened more around me. Not leaving his hold.

"Why are you in such a hurry to get away from me?" His words almost made me smile while the way his voice sounded, like a little kid, I wanted nothing but to kiss him hard but that had to wait. For now.

"I'm not trying to get away from you. I just want us both to get inside so that I can close the door!" I let him know, moving my head back so to look at his beautiful face. Beautiful but distressed face and it was like a dagger to my chest.

There's really something that's bothering him more than he's letting on.

Instead of freeing me from his arms like I expected him to, he only picked me up with one hand around my waist and I shrieked, my hands tightening around his shoulders.

"Ahh, Ranveer. Stop!" My legs were dangling in the air but he kept walking and coming in the room, closed the door with his leg and latched it. My face warming up at the close proximity we shared and I hid it in the crook of his neck. His scent and warmth, everything about him was just so welcoming.

He settled me down on the vanity chair instead of my bed like I thought and knelt in front of me. His hands still caging my waist as if he just couldn't afford not having any contact with me physically.

"I'm sorry, Adu! Forgive me?" After a silence of a minute or two where he did nothing but stare at me, he whispered the same words again. This mighty man sitting on his knees and apologising, he could murder someone and I'd still forgive him right now. Okay, that was stretching it too far but you get my point.

Gulping down, I cupped his face in my palms only to feel him coming closer and closing his eyes for a moment. His reaction to my touch fluttering my heart in ways more than one.

"You were so mean. I was so exited to meet you after all these days and you didn't even looked at me. You just yelled at me!" My voice was exceptionally soft and scratchy because of the sob that was trying to break through. My chin wobbling and eyes completely filled up with tears.

"I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry, cupcake! Trust me the remorse of what I did has been clawing at me more than I can ever express. I wasn't in a good state of mind and I'm in no way trying to justify my actions but please, forgive me this time and I promise I'll never ever repeat this. For a moment there I forgot that no matter what the situation is, respect is something that should be a non negotiable between us!" The moment this man showed up on my door, he was forgiven right that instant but his words along with the sincerity he portrayed, it only solidified my decision.

Accept it or not but we live in a patriarchal society where finding men who realise their mistakes was a big deal but here he was, not only regretting his action but also apologising for it and wanting to work in a better way forward in our relationship. So what more could I ask for? It's always and I repeat, always the small gestures that rob your heart.

The phrase that 'If he wanted to, he would!' could be applied so well here. Thanking bhagwan ji for the hundredth time now.

"It wasn't—the fact—that I got yelled at. It was the fact—that you yelled—at me. How could you?" I hiccuped partly because of his words and partly because I still felt bad, landing a punch on his shoulder. He only gave me a troubled look before cupping my face and wiping a tear from the corner of my eyes.

"You want to yell back at me? Or maybe punch me harder? Slap me if you want!" I know he was only joking when he said that, tucking my hair away but in some corner of my heart, I knew he wouldn't stop me if I wanted to go ahead with his given options.

"No, that's not how a healthy relationship is dealt with. I just want you to never ever use that tone on me. You've only spoiled and pampered me more than I already was so I want you to keep maintaining that graph, that's it!" With my lips forming a stupid pout, I ended the sentence. My eyes down and fingers playing with the collar of his shirt.

Ranveer's eyes flickered to my puckered lips, his adam's apple bobbing up and down before he tipped my chin up so I looked at him, "Jaisa aap kahen. Maaf kiya?" Though that wasn't anything to blush upon but me being me, I still did and slightly nodded.

He blew out a breath before parting my knees and moving closer. His hands going around my back and face buried in my hair. I held him to me with a smile of my own, my fingers moving to the nape of his neck and caressing his hair. The way he relaxed further in my hold, I knew he liked it.

"You look so tired!" I whispered because I COULD'NT EVER SHUT UP.

He hummed, still in the same position making goosebumps to appear on my skin and said "I feel tired!" Moving slightly back, I cupped his face to look at him and he frowned.

"Ranveer, you're overworking yourself!" His tired eyes and slump posture was proof enough about that and I wanted nothing more than to take away whatever was bothering him.

"I—" just as he started speaking, there was a knock on my door. That was for sure my brother, my sister instincts told me. I made a move to stand up but Ranveer held me back, gesturing that he'll go.

After the interaction that took place at the dinner table, I wasn't sure if they both should come face to face but I kept my trust on them. Ranveer opened the door and surely enough it was my brother. HA! Told ya!

"Umm—sorry to interrupt but your driver gave this saying you left it in the car!" Bhai forwarded something and I tried peeking only for it to be the tiffin bag in which I had taken the apple pie for him.

"No problem and thank you!" Ranveer took the bag in his hand, passing a smile to my brother who looked more embarrassed that he let on. He made a move to go but then stopped and faced Ranveer again who raised his eyebrows in question.

"Also, I wanted to apologise for being a jerk before. I know it was uncalled for but I can never see her sad and it all came out in the wrong way. From childhood I've been her shield so it took me a moment to realise that now there is this another part of her life where I can't just sabotage and act purely out of my love and protectiveness for her. So, I'm really very sorry!" My brother's words and the depth of his love for me made me tear up all over again.

Remember how I called him beetle headed, a brute, stupid and what not? Yeah, I take all of that back because he was an angel. My angel in disguise.

"You don't have to apologise for anything, Aarav, trust me! I'm a brother myself so I understand where you were coming from. In fact, I'm only glad that she has you to watch over her and love her so much because she deserves nothing less. Although the next time I do anything like this, you've the right to beat me black and blue!" Ranveer replied, trying to brush off his apology and his last sentence made bhai chuckle and I smiled as well.

"Something tells me there won't be a second time to this. Haina, Aru?" Bhai smirked in my direction and I only showed him my tongue—since I am so mature—rolling my eyes and both of them laughed at me.

The audacity!

"No, I bet on my life there won't be a second time!" Ranveer asserted my brother's statement with his eyes only on me and I looked away with red cheeks. His open affection in front of bhai bringing butterflies in my tummy. They both gave each other a hug and I looked up again at that very moment only to adore that sight.

Two most important men of my life sharing a bond. A girl could never ask for anything more beautiful than this. Aarav bhai then left and Ranveer closed the door, making his way to me. I stood up from the vanity stool before he could kneel again and gestured at the bed. Both of us moving towards it and while I sat down, he kept standing with the tiffin bag in his hand.

"Is this the apple pie I made for you? You didn't even eat it?" I asked not able to control any longer.

"Where's the first aid box?" Instead of answering my question, he threw one of his own and I glared at him. A rebuttal was right at the tip of my lips before something struck me and I realised why he was asking for that. My eyes glancing at the burn mark before I looked back up at him. My glare now turning timid just like that.

"Bathroom. First shelf, below the sink!" I pointed to it like a kid and he silently moved there after putting the tiffin bag beside me. In less than a minute he was back with the first aid and sat beside me, taking my left hand that had the scar. I studied him carefully and his eyes were hard with jaw set.

"Zyada dard hua?" Blowing a breath on the scar as if he could feel my pain, he asked in a strained voice but I nodded in a no.

"Why did you not apply anything on it?" He removed the antibiotic ointment for burns and applied it gently all over the wound. Looking up at me, he raised an eyebrow, waiting for my answer but I only shrugged, smiling with all my teeth on display.

"Pagal!" He muttered under his breath, shaking his head and I narrowed my eyes. He looked back at my scar, his thump caressing the area tenderly.

"I'll regret doing this to you, always!" He whispered, his tone filled with so much remorse and I didn't like that one bit. "But it wasn't even your fault, it happened because of my stupidity!" I tried making him understand that by cupping his face and he only gave me a look which screamed 'Really?' and I nodded in return.

"I don't want you apologising anymore than you've already did. Let's please let that be in the past now, hmm?" I joined our foreheads together and he sighed, nodding with a smile that stole my breath away. He then went back to the bathroom to keep the first aid and wash his hands while I made myself comfortable on the bed, laying in the middle with the support of the headrest. I turned the temperature of the AC lower and he came back.

I gestured him to the place beside me and he sat down, throwing one of his arms over my shoulder.

"Now can we talk about this?" I eyed the tiffin bag settled in my lap and he avoided looking at me, attempting to hide his face in my neck but I moved away, glaring at him.

"I didn't had it!" He said heaving a sigh and I rolled my eyes. My agitation coming back just like that but I tried navigating this out calmly.

"Yeah, that's pretty evident. My question is why?" I did hell lot of mehnat only for him to not even taste it?

"How could I, Adu? With the way I behaved with you and you left my office, did I deserve to eat something that you made with so much of affection? I didn't had anything because I knew I first had to earn your forgiveness only then would I eat it by your own hand!" He shrugged by the end of it and I was speechless like every other time because this man just had his way with words. He had told me early on in our relationship that he doesn't know how to express himself and I call bullshit on that.

"I—wait, what do you mean that you didn't had anything?" The bulb in my head lit up when I replayed his words in my mind. Ranveer closed his eyes, muttering something under his breath before opening them and looking at me again. His lips stretching up in a smile but I only gave him a stern look to speak up.

"I didn't had anything for the whole day!" He finally confessed and I smacked my own head.

"What did you do with the lunch that choti ma made for you?"

"I gave it to Rachit, he was going to have lunch outside, anyways!" God, I really don't know what to do with this man sometimes.

"Why would you do that, Ranveer? That's really careless of you!" I gave him a piece of my mind.

"I know but I couldn't help it. After whatever happened between us, I had lost all my appetite to eat anything at all!" He shrugged like that should explain everything and in a way it did. My heart skipping a beat or two at his words.

"Now will you have mercy on me and feed me this? I'm almost salivating at this point!" He jutted his chin to the tiffin bag and I suddenly grew conscious if he'll like it or not.

"Cupcake, come on!" He bumped his head with mine seeing me lost in my own thoughts and taking a deep breath, I nodded and opened the bag, getting the tiffin out and removed the lid. The cinnamon and apple smell wafting in the air.

Even though I had tasted a bit while I made this but I wasn't sure how he'll like it.

"Will you let me be the judge of that?" He sighed, saying that because of course, I said it out loud. Scooping up a bit of the delicacy in the small spoon, I forwarded it to him but before eating it, he kissed my temple making a big smile to appear on my lips just like that.

"So?" I asked when he had the bite, his eyes closing and mouth working before he gulped it down with a groan. His voice hitting at the wrong—or maybe right—place.

"You know this is actually so fucking delicious, I can't even explain!" He all but snatched the tiffin from me and started having it as if he's been starving all his life. My heart blooming at his reaction.

"You aren't just saying that for the sake of it, are you?" Turning my body to him, I asked and he shook his head, trying to gulp down his bite.

"Trust me for someone who has made this for the first time, it's way too good!" Satisfied with his response, I sat there seeing him enjoying that with pure childlike glee, his earlier exhaustion momentarily slipping away.

"Here, have this!" He forwarded a spoonful of apple pie to my lips and I had it. Okay, at the risk of sounding like a narcissist, this was actually so good. I didn't even know the basics of cooking so to achieve this in the first attempt, I almost felt like a pro.

"Can you make this for me once in a week?" After almost licking up the tiffin, he turned to me with a satiated smile which fluttered my heart but I raised my eyebrows, teasingly.

"You're getting ahead of yourself now!" He gave me a stink eye at my response and I giggled, moving close to his lips and wiping at the corner to get rid of the few crumbs stuck there. Before I could take my hand back, he held my wrist in a gentle but firm hold, hitching my breath. With our eyes connected, he brought my thumb back to his mouth before parting his lips and giving my thumb a suck. His scorching hot tongue going up to the length of my finger and swirling in the end.

I crossed my legs at the things it did to my body, my eye fluttering down and cheeks heating red. He left my finger with a sound, my other hand going to hold the front of his shirt in my fist.

"Can I kiss you?" His hoarse voice made me look up at him and I didn't like his question when he should already be doing that. I pulled him closer with my hands behind his neck such that our noses brushed. Our breaths mingling in the most intimate way.

"I don't want you to ever ask before doing that!" I'm always surprised by this surge of confidence that I get to speak what's on my mind in our close moments. Ranveer's eyes darkened even more at my answer and he caressed my jaw with the back of his knuckles.

"I thought consent was sexy?" His lips brushed mine quite deliberately when he asked that and I licked my lower lip to suck at the wetness he left behind. His hand clutching my waist in an almost painful manner, seeing my action.

"It is, it is! But you should also know that I'd never ever deny you so why waste time in consent when we could be doing other important things!" Someone, please bring a tape for my lips because I've seriously lost that filter. I need it ASAP.

Ranveer almost let out a groan, his fist tugging at my hair—not in a hurtful manner—and pulled my face up. Our eyes heated, conveying words we were afraid to say out loud.

"I was dying for the day when you'll be comfortable enough to speak your mind but at this point, I almost regret it!" Before I could respond to that, his smooth hot lips came crashing down on mine, taking my breath away literally and figuratively. I turned my body, taking support of the headrest and pulled him over me partially. His upper body over mine but legs on the bed.

"Don't fucking test my patience right now!" Breaking apart, he glared at me when I didn't let him enter my mouth and I was having a hard time trying to stifle my stupid smile. For some twisted reasons, I always loved teasing him during our make outs because he's just so hot when he loses his gentlemanly calm. All unleashed and taking charge.

He held both my hands in his one—being careful of my wound—and pinned them above my head. My smile getting wiped off and body gripping in fear. The good kind of fear.

"You asked for this!" With that being his first and last warning, he squeezed my cheeks with his other hand such that my lips puckered and he dived straight, taking my lower lip between his teeth and biting on it so hard that I felt the sting all the way to my toes.

"Oouchh!" I screamed but he muffled them taking the opportunity to enter my mouth. Our tongues fighting a lost battle against each other. My legs moved up and down as I mewled under his assault and he seized my movements by throwing one leg over my both, trapping me completely under him.

Subconscious: This is getting too hot. Feels illegal to be here!

Respectfully, leave!

My fingers tugged at the roots of his hair when he sucked my tongue, the lingering taste of the apple pie still present in his mouth, making everything all the more erotic.

I'm just so glad I waited all my life for this man. Best feeling ever. 100% recommend.

"Uuhhmm—can't—can't breath!" I spoke in between when I felt my lungs getting deprived of oxygen and he had mercy by breaking apart but instead of moving aside, he dived in my neck, peppering kisses and sucking gingerly at the hallow of my neck. I heaved a long sigh, as he left my hands. I wrapped them around his shoulder, holding him to me.

"Ranveer, bas!" I whispered with a timid smile, moving my fingers over his spine every now and then but he only moved to my other side of the neck. Repeating his same actions there as well. The temperature around us so hot even with the AC on.

He slightly moved my kurta away from the shoulder, dropping kisses and lightly biting at the naked skin. I dig my nails in his back, my face hiding in his chest at the havoc his touches where creating inside me.

"Please, please!" I don't know what I was pleading for, for him to continue or to stop? He moved his teasing lips along the length of my jaw and coming to my chin, he sucked there and I moaned in whisper, the caress going all the way to my core before he kissed my forehead and getting off, laid beside me on his back and took me in his arms, my face in his chest and hand over his torso, holding tight.

"Me being old school comes to bite me in the ass at times like these and it's all your fault!" His words brought colours to my cheeks like never before but I gasped, looking up at him in mock offence.

"Old school aap, kuch na karne ka decision aapka aur galti meri?" I pointed a finger at myself because I was overdramatic that way and he bit his lips to hide that smile as he nodded.

"Why are you so damn irresistible that my control seems to be in danger every time you are close?" He was playing with the end of my hair and I hid in his chest, shyness taking over me at his words but I had to give a response.

"What can I say, I'm god's favourite child!" His rest rumbled at my words and I smiled cheekily as well.

"Yeah, you really are god's favourite!" His tone suggested that he seriously believes that and I went all aww on him for the nth time. I snuggled closer to him, needing his delicious body warmth but in doing so, I felt something digging my tummy. I looked down to see that Ranveer had something in his pocket.

"What's this?" I pointed out and he followed my eyes to look at his pocket. With a frown, he pushed his hand inside before realisation dawned on him and he closed his eyes.

"Shit. I totally forgot!" He removed it and I was confused as hell looking at the small square box. A jewellery box?

"This is for you!" He gave to it me and I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Me? What is it?" I took the box from his hand and opened it only for my eyes to widen, jaw to touch the ground and heart to beat like crazy.

There lay the most beautiful pair of heart shaped stud earrings I've ever seen. The perfect mix of cute and elegant at the same time. What was happening?

"You told me a few days back that you lost one pair of the earrings you wore on daily basis and you were planning to get a new one. So I got this for you. Did you like it?" I was still very much in shock because I just couldn't register anything, eying the pair of jewellery with total adoration.

"I—when did I tell you?" I don't even remember that we had any conversation on this topic simply because these last two weeks, we only talked to check up on each other and conversed about our day in brief but knowing how chatty I can get, I had full faith I might've slipped that information to him. There's no other explanation on how he got to know about it.

"Two days back! I hope it fits your description of dainty and aesthetic? I had no help from the women in our family so this the best I could do. We can get it changed if you don't—" Before he blabbers anymore, I cupped the side of his face and pecked his lips. His words getting stuck, eyes wide.

"I love this, I love this! Thank you so so so much!" I all but jumped in his lap, straddling him and pecked his lips again. My face sporting the biggest smile. He looked satisfied with my reaction with way he sat comfortably, his hands securely on my waist.

"Pehna do!" I eyed the earrings again, the fact that it was half gold and half diamond, it was just so pretty. Ranveer took it from my hands and made me wear it in the gentlest manner. As if he was dealing with a glass doll.

"Kaisi lag rahi hu?" I asked, moving my face each side for him to see and he only passed me a smile.

"You could put the stars to shame!" Instead of rolling my eyes at his cheesy lines like I usually do, I moved closer, hugging him tight and he held me back, kissing my forehead.

Peace? Yeah, he was my peace in this whole wide world of chaos.

•••

Sooooooo? Did you like it?

Honestly I had fun writing this chapter yaar it was too good according to me.

Do tell me your favourite scenes and don't forget to vote, pleaseeee:)

There's so much more coming in the next one, you can't even guess *smirks like a chudail*

Till then, bye and take care ✨