Her hazel brown eyes twinkled with shine as she looked up in the sky at the falling rain. An unknowing smile formed on her lips. She extended her hand to feel them with water and looked back at me with the same shine and twinkle in her eyes as she laughed wholeheartedly. I smiled along involuntarily looking back at her. 

I thought she will be mad when I woke up and was greeted by the heavy rainfall on the second consecutive day of our short trip to Meghalaya. But here is she, drinking her hot Chai along with Pakoras and sitting in this small shade. This is the thing I love the most about this woman in my life. She knows how to enjoy even the smallest thing in her life. She always just craved, for one thing, love. 

She was happy when she heard that we won't be getting network here until we are out of this small village, beside the electricity was on and off but that didn't bother her for once. She was happiest being in nature. The last time I saw her this happy was when she told me about cracking the deal in London then when when she got admitted to masters, when her book got published, and gained immense praise and lastly at our wedding.

We have been on the wandering spree for the last couple of weeks. We first visited Sikkim and stayed there for more than a week then we took our time to enjoy the places in between until we ended in Shillong which is the capital of Meghalaya. We then made our way to Cherapunji after staying at Shillong for a day. It is a small village so we went for a homestay here considering there aren't hotels around and have been stuck here for two days because of this heavy rainfall.

Meghalaya, the wettest place in the world, is a hilly station in the northeast and is also known as 'The adobe of clouds'. It is most easily accessible of the Seven sister states of North East India. Pixie rainforests, living root bridges, commanding vistas with roaring high waterfalls, mountain drives under dramatic clouds, spotless villages, mysterious natural caves, crystal clear rivers, bright blue natural pools, and the ridiculously friendly people, that's how you would define Meghalaya.

During the British rule of India, it was called as 'Scotland of the East'. Sorry to dive into deep but my wanderer soul and job just makes me go into the deep of every place I visit. I love exploring different places by going into a deeper history and learning about their culture.

Anyway, so Meghalaya is our last destination and later we will be off to Delhi again from where I need to catch a flight to Chile right away and she would be staying in Delhi for longer at my place as she has said specifically. Sorry, our home now. I was happy to let go of this offer and was ready to stay back for at least a few months with her but she convinced me that I shouldn't waste any opportunity until I'm getting one because we don't know what comes following it so we should grab it and make the most from it. I still fought for sometime but it's Zivah Chandra and you just can't win any argument with her. Well, at least not me. So I called Mark and told him that I will be joining the team. He was happiest to hear the same.

I looked at Zivah who was on bickering spree but thankfully this time it was the old lady who owned this small place where we stayed. The people are sweet as sugar here and we got along with them in no time. I smiled a little when a little girl threw sprinkles of water on Zivah making her laugh hysterically. I shook my head looking at that innocent soul. The thing about her I love the most. She is transparent. She shows what she feels. There is no other side to it.

It still makes me smile a little when I look back at the crazy journey we had. I never thought I will love someone else this crazily after what Mira did with me but I am glad Zivah found me and kept on holding onto me. She always says that I have saved her but in reality, she has saved me. I was in my deepest shit trying to hold on my life when I met her.

She still keeps on asking me why did I stop to help her on the highway and I keep giving her the same reason as always. But in reality, I don't know. I just felt I should help her and I am glad I did. She was that drug I couldn't resist and I wanted more of her every time I met her. She had something in her which kept me drawing towards her. I knew what I was doing might hurt her and me in the process but I still wanted her with me. I became selfish not bothering anyone. 

But I knew I crossed all the limits I kept between us when we spent the night at Rupath's farmhouse. It made me feel disgusted with myself. Sure, I have had one night stands with women after Mira cheated on me but I never intended to do that with her. She has always been special, unlike the girls I spent my time with in the past. She was not the girl who would give herself to anyone just like that. I knew she had feelings for me and I knew what I did was wrong. That's when I thought of packing my bags and vanishing like a coward. 

10 days! It took me 10 freaking days to gather the strength to face her again. Like I expected she accepted her feelings. Her crying face broke my heart into a million pieces and I cursed myself even more. I wasn't scared to accept my feelings but I was more scared of what follows. I was scared of the fact that she will leave me the same way. She had a choice of someone who was superior to me and who was perfect for her. Who suited her high-class lifestyle and who could afford the comforts of life and put them at her feet.

I felt a pang of insecurity when Vihaan came back in her life again when I thought he was long gone. I saw the confusion in her eyes which made me even more reckless. That's when I knew how much deeper I have fallen in love with her. At that moment, I just wanted her to smile widely forgetting her sorrows. I didn't care if it's me or Vihaan. I just wanted her to see happy. That's why I let her go. It hurt like shit and I thought I couldn't live again. It was the worst. Worst than the first time. I couldn't think straight. I became reckless and just wanted to go away from everything. Sonia kept on asking for the first few days to call her but I couldn't. I was scared if she has gotten back with Vihaan and that would have been worst for me. I shut myself from the world.

But I broke Rupath along with me. My brother, my best friend who stayed with me through thick and thin. I was guilty as hell. I didn't have the courage to face him after what I did and my shame didn't give me the strength to go and talk to him. I didn't have the courage to go to Delhi again that's why I took back to back projects and made myself busier. It was tiring and hectic and I knew I was destroying myself along the way but I still went for it as I thought it was the best.

Those two years I spent away from Delhi were personally the most draining years of my life. I was glad to be away from Mira's drama. That was the only thing good. I had gotten the right to choose my projects because of my dedication towards the work and mending myself along in any situation. I chose the remote areas where people couldn't reach me. Sometimes in deep inside the forest, sometimes with white snow around until the miles and sometimes in the middle of the desert. It's when I got to London I came in range and the first call I got was from Kunal asking me to come to Delhi for Parth.

I won't lie when I say this but I hated Vihaan when I saw him holding her hand in London. Just the thought of them being together made me go mad but I thought if she is happy then it's all worth it. I still created a scene and ended up being an idiot. I doubted the love of this woman who kept loving me even when she didn't know if she would meet me again. She stood by my side when her own parents were against us, especially me. She willingly held my hand when I didn't have much to offer. Her parents sure made me wonder about my own capabilities but she never doubted me even once. 

She was ready to let go of her comfort and be by my side. She was happiest being in my small house. I saw her laughing wholeheartedly when Malini Dadi made some jokes. She has blended into my normal life as she has always been used to live like this. I can't give her the comfort of her castle where she has stayed like a princess for all these years but I have promised myself to not let that smile on her face fade away ever.

I try to stay in touch with her as much I could. I know she gets worried and cares for me when I go to remote areas of the world but not even once I heard her complain about her. Yes, we do have fights many times but those are over some stupid reason because of her constant mood swings byt I guess that makes us even closer to each other.

I guess now I believe it more clearly that everything that happens in your life has a reason and those events lead us towards each other. I feel like I have grown as a better and mature person today. I have my own little family. My career is going great. I am getting more recognition in my field. I have started writing blogs about my journeys which get millions of hits. People praise my work and have good things to say. I have been promoted. Everything is going great and that scares me a little. Whenever I have thought everything is going great something just fucks up. 

"That look doesn't suit you, Kashyap." Zivah said taking the seat beside me with her ever glowing smile. I smiled a little to her.

"What are you thinking?" She said holding my arm and pulling me a bit closer. She doesn't move but we need to move according to how she wants us. That's how she is. The princess of her castle! But I don't mind at all. Never have.

"About the rain, Chandra." I lied looking up in the sky. I don't want to make her worry else I don't lie to her ever. Anyway, I can't lie as she catches me right away.

"Let's just go na, Ved." She said putting her chin over my shoulder as she gave me a pout, "It won't stop."

"It's heavy, Zivah." I said looking at the front and then back at her. She frowned and moved away from me. I chuckled. She has no idea how cute she looks with her crooked eyebrows and pouted lips.

"We are sitting here since yesterday. Looking at the sky." She said with pure irritation. 

"Let's go?" She said again and looked at me. It's a sure tough task to handle her when she gets frustrated or irritated or angry. She has a little anger management issue and it's definitely no joke to make her understand a few things. She is like a stubborn child who always has had her ways and got what she wanted. She comes from a privileged family so I can understand her. It took me some time but I guess I have mastered the art of handling Zivah Chandra now. 

Besides, she learns things on her own once that anger is gone away from her nose. She has settled so well with me so that shouts loudly. 

"No, we will be going into the forest and there will be waterfalls and stuff and I don't want to take any risk with you." I said shaking my head. She groaned loudly.

"But isn't it amazing to go into the forest with rain?" She asked with even more frustration. I let out a sigh and looked at her.

"With light rain." I said but her frown was still intact as she didn't say anything and kept looking at the rain.

"We will go once it gets a little lighter." I said as she got up and stormed inside the house making me chuckled a little.

Yes, she is not perfect, neither am I nor our relation is. But we are learning every day. We have gotten closer than before and our bond has grown stronger. She might be stubborn but I am no less and we know how to handle each other. We have huge fights and we make up in no time, sometimes it takes a little longer but we don't give up on each other.

I met Mira after my wedding and she gave me a grand ignore. I have never been this glad for anything in my life till now. Zivah made me understand that sometimes forgiving gives us inner peace and it's not like forgetting their mistakes but freeing ourselves from negativity. There are loads of things I learn from her and I am still learning.

I sometimes wish my Aaji and Aaba would have gotten to meet her. I am damn sure they would have treasured her as well. That's how she is. She is the kind of person who makes you fall in love with her. She comes out as a typical rich brat but she will definitely make you fall for her as the time will pass. She knows how to love people, how to cherish them. She has craved love all her life so she knows the value of having people around.

Mira asked me on the day of Alizeh's sangeet as to why I love Zivah this much. I don't think she will ever understand what I say. I got everything and more than what I deserved ever since Zivah has entered my life. I don't want anything else and I don't even think I would be able to live if she ever decides to leave me. Just that thought makes me feel sick.

I adjusted myself on the bench as the rain felt ruthlessly on the ground. I let out a sigh and shook my head a little. Zivah came out of the house with a small plate and gave a glare to me which I returned with a small smile. She rolled her eyes and got seated beside me again.

"I learnt how to make pakoras." She said forwarding the plate towards me, "Have some." I gave her an amused look.

"I thought you are angry?" I said taking the plate in my hand. She rolled her eyes again and put the strands of her hair back which came out the messy bun she had. She thinks she is a mess but I think otherwise. 

"Please, Kashyap, have I been angry at you for more than a few moments? It's you who keeps fighting always." She said shaking her head as I raised my eyebrows.

"Excuse me?" I asked as she burst into laughter making me smile along with her.

"Have some." She said gesturing at Pakoras. I nodded and took a deep breath giving some dramatic expressions to tease her. I love how annoyed she gets. I took one piece and put it in my mouth as she looked at me carefully. It was actually good but I am not telling.

"How's it?"  Dhe asked with a smile.

"Okay." I said with a shrug and making a face. The smile on her face was replaced by a frown.

"Screw you!" She said hitting me and got up to leave. I put the plate down to the side and held her pulling down. She stumbled and ended up beside me putting her weight on me.

"Let me go, asshole." She said gritting her teeth as she struggled in my arms. I put my chin over her shoulder and pulled her closer as her back rested on my chest.

"You shouldn't talk with your husband like that. Remember that's what your Dadi said." I said in a low voice remembering the exact words she said when Zivah referred asshole to me in Delhi. It's a normal thing for us but her parents and grandparents don't like it.

I would dislike it if she stops calling me with that special name. I love it when she shouts at me with those irritating and annoyed expressions.

"I am talking with my best friend at the moment. Ask husband to come out later." She said and tried hard to push me away but my grip was stronger on her fragile body.

"Later?" I asked with a smirk and kissed her shoulder.

"You suck, Kashyap." She said as I let her go. She shifted and threw irritated expressions at me.

"It's amazingly delicious. Better than the first set I ate before." I said as a small smile formed on her pink lips.

"I am sorry for being rude." She said in a low voice as she snuggled with me. 

"Let's go, Chandra." I said putting an arm around her little body. She looked at me with twinkling eyes that were hungry for new experiences. One out of hundreds of the other things that make me amused of her.

She never shies away to try our different things. She is always up for learning new things and is curious. No matter how much people taunt her about her amazing cooking skills, still she doesn't give up. She still tries and makes the whole kitchen a mess but I get to taste a new dish every time I arrive in Delhi or in New York specially made by her with full of love. She still sucks and she knows it but that dish still tastes best to me. 

I put the backpack on my back as we started walking by the road with our raincoat jerkins. We took a taxi which left us at Tyrna and we were needed to walk from here in this rain. There were people who offered to carry our luggage but we don't have much and we can carry our two backpacks.

The rain was still a little heavy but better than before. I have handed my monopod to Zivah while I carried my camera. That crazy girl was running around and shooting everything as she laughed out crazily. I chuckled looking at that pure soul. She has learnt to enjoy life and that too to the fullest so I guess now I should learn something from her.

We walked through the rough path of stairs as we were hiking down to a village called Nongriat and planned to stay there overnight. There are just 3200 steps down to the village. Yup just! It is a remote village so yet again no phone signals. We walked our way down with water flowing on the path down and making everything sloppy. The trees surrounded us from everywhere with the sound of birds and crickets becoming our melody. 

I held Zivah when she slipped and tried to balance but that crazy girl started laughing again. Some bypassers smiled at her stupidness but that won't stop her. She was too busy shooting the surroundings and me with amusement in her eyes. 

"So, Kashyap, how do you feel?" She asked sliding her arm around my neck and pulling my closer so we could fit in the small monopod screen. 

"Heaven." I said with a chuckled as she pecked on my cheek making me smile wider.

"And tell us in brief where are we going?" she asked again staying in the same position and managing to walk with me so I just thought it's better to stop before she actually slips and falls.

"We are heading towards Nongriat which is a remote village." I said getting seated on the stair down. I know it is wet but anyway we are drenched already. Zivah got seated beside me and held the monopod so we both are in the frame.

"Explain your love for remote places as you just vanish inside them." She asked dramatically. I made a thoughtful face.

"It gives me peace and maybe connect me with nature. It reminds me that there is so much beauty around you and you should appreciate it instead of putting your head into your mobile always." I said and smirked looking at her. Zivah let out a laugh.

"I can now tell. It's just so..." She said and turned the monopod around to shoot the beautiful surrounding.

"You know there is no word in the dictionary that could describe this place and my feelings." She said and point it on my face yet again. I gave her an irritated look to which she started laughing.

"Let's go." I said shaking my head and got up. She held me tight throwing her arms around me from the back making me almost slip.

I let out a sigh of relief. She laughed again and started walking ahead of me pointing the monopod around and talking something in the camera.

I took some shots of her in between and chuckled looking at them. She looks bad in candids? Then we need to redefine the term bad for people as they might mistake it.

After walking for about an hour we reached the single route bridge and then another one and a half hour for double-decker bridge, after which there was this beautiful village. I am used to these kinds of hikes and this was really nothing but my beautiful wife was exhausted and I had to carry two backpacks. Of hers and mine.

Still, she refused to move any further saying she can't move her legs. I gave her a look which she ignored and asked me to carry her as well if I am in a hurry. I finally gave in and invested the time in taking the pictures of birds and stunning views in front of us. It was truly breathtaking. I got seated beside Zivah on the stairs as we just stared ahead in the view. No one bothered to speak anything as we were too mesmerized by what was in front of us. The dark clouds surrounded those green mountains and were showering them as those mountains draped themselves with the white fog. It felt as if clouds have come down to greet the earth. I smiled when she rested her head on my shoulder as I gave her a light peck on the head. We intertwined our hands together and just stayed there in the silence. The water was falling on us unapologetically as the cool breeze made us shiver in between but we weren't bothered about anything. These are the moments when I feel blessed. In the arms of nature with my most favorite person beside.

Zivah finally agreed when I lured her with food and I was glad she didn't make any stops further.

But her exhaustion was long gone when we reached the double-decker bridge and once she saw the natural pool. She gave me that blackmailing look when she handed me my monopod and went running to dive into the water and poor me had to find us a homestay.

Zivah was all drenched when I joined her again. She managed to pull me inside the pool. We posed for some selfies looking total disasters but that's fine. I kissed her cheek by holding her tight as she laughed her ass out. The monopod made sure to capture everything. I'm sure down the road somewhere when we look back in our 80s, we will be having some amazing stories to tell. We will be laughing out loud at our own stupidity.

We then saw the popular Rainbow Falls after a long hike on slushy, unmade, and often rocky trails. There are so many stunning sapphire blue pools, unnamed waterfalls, and single root bridges along the way. It felt blessed to be surrounded by nature. The rain had stopped long back when we reached the village but the droplets falling from the trees of the forest made no apology.

The sun sets here pretty soon to rise up again way early. It was a little dark when we made our way back into the house. We spent some time along with the owners of the house and other tourists as Zivah was on spree recording everything on the monopod. 

The food was made in their style and their famous dishes. One of them being Doh-Khlieh which is a delicious salad dish made from minced pork, onion, and chilies.

"The food is amazing," She said getting emotional which made me kind of confused. I gave her a questioning look to which she rolled her eyes and focused on the plate in her hand.

"Why are you being emotional over that?" I asked to which she gave me an irritated look as if I should read her mind. I haven't learned that art yet and have no intention to do it.

"You won't understand it," She said shaking her head and got back to eating.

"Okay?" I said with confusion but didn't stretch the topic as it's not good for my health.

People started singing and dancing once the dinner was over by sitting around the bonfire. I captured those moments in my camera and I just know my next blog is going to be even better with my most favorite travel partner by my side.

I let out a laugh when I saw Zivah singing putting her hands in the air. I wanted to capture her but she looked at me and gestured to sit beside her. I just obliged. There were just two more groups. One of the people around our age and other a little older. We shared our stories and it was good. The owners explained us about their culture a bit more. They shared a few facts and things about their state and village, about their food and how they live in this forest with heavy rains which lasts throughout the year. I envy them to be very honest.

The people around the village sleep early and so we had no choice as there was no point in staying up as basically it was dark around and just looking inside that deep forest will scare the shit out of anyone. Still, we decided to stay for some more time on Zivah's insistence. We sat outside in the front yard on the stairs under the thousand stars in the sky.

"I can understand you now even more, Ved," she said holding my arm tight. I took her hand away and moved my arm around her shoulder as she rested her head on it. 

"What you might be feeling. I just saw your happiness and excitement but I can relate you more now. I promise I won't ever take this feeling away from you," she said and kept looking in the sky as a small smile crept across that beautiful face.

"Thanks," I said in a low voice and pulled her closer to me. She adjusted herself and looked at me.

"You don't need to be. I should thank you for taking me here and making me experience this. I don't have enough words to tell you how happy I have been throughout this trip. I..." she said and stopped as she blinked a few tears. I tilted my head and looked down at her with worry. 

"Hey, what happened?" I asked moving my hand from around her to cup her face with both hands. I made her look at me as she laughed a little. The kind of laugh she gives away when she feels stupid over something.

"I am just so happy for whatever I experienced in these past days," she said looking with her innocent hazel brown eyes. They were crystal clear just like her heart. She seriously is this little innocent kid by her heart, so pure. I chuckled and kiss her forehead lingering there for a little longer. 

"You are crazy. You know that right?" I said taking her in a tight hug. She snuggled with me and chuckled a little.

"You are lucky," She said staying into my arms.

"I sure am," I said as we both let out a laugh.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," I said in a low voice as she pulled back from the hug.

"Will it be appropriate if I kiss you here?" she asked and I gave her a look.

"What?" I asked giving unbelievable expressions. She raised her eyebrows. 

"I don't think so," I said looking around making sure no one is there as I don't trust her and I don't want anyone to hear her as well. She started laughing looking at my feared face.

"Whatever," I said with a frown and she pulled me closer by wrapping her arms around. I tried to push her away but common I couldn't. I am going to miss this warm hug when I will be in Chile in a couple of days. So I am trying to take more out of every moment we are having right now.

"Let's go," I said as she frowned but agreed with a nod and I was glad for that. She gave me a quick peck on lips as I smiled and ruffled her hairs and got a hit from her.

Zivah snuggled with me when we were inside our room and on the bed.

"It's kinda scary to sleep with the forest around but I love it," she said wrapping her arms around me. I chuckled and pecked on her forehead.

"Aren't you tired from the long day?" I asked playing with the strands of her loose hairs.

"I was but it's long gone now," she said looking up at me with a big smile. 

"I always knew there are places like this which feels like heaven but damn! Experiencing it is just on another level. I honestly don't think I would have enjoyed this much without your perfect planning about everything," she said adjusting in my arm to find the comfortable place and I guess she did as she stopped and smiled again.

"Thank you and I am glad you liked it this way," I said.

"I love love loved it. We should plan more trips like this. Backpacking. I love it," She said with a wide smile that went from one ear to another. Right at that moment, I knew she was being genuine and she actually enjoyed it. I wouldn't have been happier.

But that smile vanished as she put her head on my chest and started playing with my T-shirt. The thing she does when she is sad or nervous.

"What's wrong?" I asked looking down at her.

"Life is going to be normal again after two days," she said with a low voice. I let out a sigh.

"You are still so inclined towards negativity," I said. She chuckled a little and looked up at me.

"What to do. I barely get time to spend with my husband," She said with a small smile and moved back looking at me.

"I am sorry," I said putting the strands of her hair back. Zivah smiled shaking her head a little.

"As I said, don't be sorry for doing something you love, my love," she said dramatically making me smile.

"Don't go there, Zivu," I said as a smirk formed on my face and irritation gathered on her face.

"I will kill you, Kashyap, and then throw your body into this forest. No one would be able to find you," she said through gritted teeth as I started laughing.

"Don't laugh. I'm pretty serious," she said crooking her eyebrows.

"Alright. We have to wake up around 4 in the morning so get some sleep," I said adjusting in the bed and making myself comfortable.

I saw Zivah's eyes widened and I knew what will be coming next. She can sleep at 4 in the morning but couldn't wake up at the same time. I am a morning person and she is a night owl. Totally opposite in everything we do but still somehow we fit together.

"What? 4? Why?" She asked pulling away comforter as I gave her an irritated look.

"Hmm..." I gave her a questioning look and shifted in my position to look at her, "Because there are some natural unnamed pools around here so we will see them, and then we have to go back."

"We need to reach Tyrna by noon and then Sohra by evening so that we will go back to Shillong and then could take our flight back to Delhi," I finished in a lazy and tiring voice. I just want some sleep now.

"You talk too much," She said yawning and pulled the comforters above her.

"We can achieve that by starting a little late also?" She asked and I shook my head.

"Zivah," I said sternly. I seriously can't afford to miss our flight as I have the next flight the same night we reach Delhi.

"You took almost 3 hours reaching this village which was a down trek so just imagine what will be your condition going upwards?" I said making her understand. I can tell just by looking at those stairs and that rough road as to how much difficult it is gonna be. She glared at me.

"Shut up. I wasn't exhausted, okay?" She said with irritation.

"Do you really want me to believe that?" I asked raising my eyebrows. She stayed seated there getting fumed.

"I carried your backpack along with mine which you weren't able to," I said pointing out. She let out a sigh and looked at me with annoyance.

"It wasn't like I couldn't carry it but I was just exploring the nature around," She said throwing her hands in the air dramatically. I raised my eyebrows again giving her unbelievable expressions.

"Can't you just go along with that?" She asked pouting me as I started laughing again putting my head back on the pillow.

"Don't laugh. Stop," Zivah shouted as I widened my eyes looking at her.

"Shhh... You will make everyone awake. This is no hotel room," I said talking in an extra low voice. As if that will make up for her earlier shouting.

"Sorry," she said pouting again. I chuckled.

"It's okay," I said as she snuggled inside the comforters and got comfortable.

"Good night, Kashyap. Wake me up when you are ready," she said shifting in her position and closing her eyes. I shook my head and turned off the lights.

Surprisingly enough Zivah woke up early and was ready before 4 in the morning. I can tell just looking at her gorgeous face how excited she is for another 2 hours trek. Which will be taking us extra long for sure.

The upwards trek was quite strenuous, I won't lie. The steps were high and steep, and it made legs tremble mid-way up. I was actually worried about Zivah as she was exhausted even before we were midway. But she didn't let it show.

"Let's just stop for some time," I said looking at her. She looked at me being breathless.

"Why? I'm good," she said putting a smile and taking deep breaths. I sat at the side of the path on the space I found.

"I'm exhausted. Let's just stop for some time," I said and took a water bottle from the backpack.

"Okay, if you want to," She said keeping her backpack down as she sat beside me.

"Here... Just take small sips and not too much," I said offering her the bottle. She let out a sigh but took the bottle as she sipped just two sips like told. I smiled at her for listening to me even if that waa just this once.

"You okay now?" I asked taking the bottle from her hand again and stuffing it inside the backpack.

"Yes, I'm fine just I wish I would have gone for treks since before. It would have helped me too," She said taking out the raincoat jerkin she wore as the humidity was making us sweat like pigs.

"That's fine," I said.

"I will get used to sooner or later," She said with a shrug. I nodded.

"No doubt. I'm scared that you might go on hiking every weekend," I said with a chuckle but that was gone when I saw her eyes twinkling as if I gave her some amazing idea.

"Oh shit, why didn't I think? That's some great idea," She said clapping her hands. I gave her a look of disbelief but she ignored me right away.

"I will take babu along. It's gonna be fun," she said. I shook my head getting up again.

"You are unbelievable," I said as she started laughing and put her hands around me.

"This was the experience for life, Kashyap," she said still holding me tight in her arms. I looked down at her.

"Thank you so much for the best gift ever," she said with a big smile and so many emotions flashing through those hazel brown eyes. I had the urge to kiss her right there but I can't as it's really inappropriate where we are.

I just gave her a small smile as she held my hand and started walking again as the chatterbox started in no time and I had no option but to listen to those rantings like always. But still, no complains!

💫💫💫💫

I packed my bags hurriedly checking all the documents and most importantly my ID, Visa, and passport.

We reached Delhi at noon and now I have to report to the work. I have a flight to Santiago, Chile, in the night. I and Zivah made a short visit to meet Dadu and Dadi who looked happy seeing us again.

Sometimes looking at them makes me feel like my Aaji and Aaba are still with me. They are exactly the same and love me like I'm their own grandson. Just talking with them helps me gain the strength I need on some bad days.

Well, before I reported just to Rupath and sometimes Parth but now? I have to report about my whereabouts to Rupath, Parth, Dadi-Dadu, my mother and father in law and then most importantly to my dear wife. I smiled widely just thinking about my extended family.

Rupath and Renee are in Paris currently along with Kunal and Laksh. Parth is still in Bangalore. So I won't be seeing them until I come back again.

"When will you come back?" Zivah hugged me from the back locking her arms around me waist. Looking at her always makes it difficult for me to leave.

I held her hands and broke the hug as I turned around to look at her. She pouted at me.

"I won't go if you don't want me to," I said as she chuckled.

"Just go and live your dream. I will be waiting for you to come back right here," she said smiling. I gave her a small smiled and moved my gaze down.

"What happened?" She said putting her hands on my neck making me look up at her.

"I just am sorry for making you worried, for making you wait. I know I don't give you enough time but..." I was saying but she pecked me on lips making me stop midway.

"But I'm not complaining, never have and never will. I love seeing the excitement on your face every time you tell me stories about your adventures. I don't want that to go away ever," she said and wrapped her hands around my waist. I pulled her close keeping my hands around her.

"Besides, I will get bored seeing your face 24/7 so it's good," she said and I let out a laugh

"You sure are a born writer," I said pecking in her forehead.

"Make sure to stay in touch whenever you can. Take care and just be safe, okay?" She asked with worry visible in her eyes. I hate it but I can't do anything about it as I'm stuck between the two things I love the most in this world. My career and her and I can't compromise on anyone.

"Okay," I said with a shake of my head.

"And don't do anything reckless. No matter who provokes you," she said further with a frown. I know she was pointing at the last time when one arrogant dude from the team provoked me for a bike racing on the rough snow-covered valley road in the mountains. Okay, I admit it was stupid of me to fall for his tricks and my bike slid but I managed to escape.

I didn't want to tell her this but I didn't want to keep any secrets so I just let it out in front of her. But later Rupath and Parth got to know about it and I have heard a lot of shouting.

"I won't. That was a one-time thing," I said defending myself. She deepened the frown.

"You shouldn't have told me then," she said and pushed me away.

"Zivah, you worry too much," I said wrapping her in my arms again.

"Come back soon," She said pressing her lips against mine. I kissed her back hungrily exploring every part of her mouth like I was kissing her for the first time.

No matter how many kisses we had and no matter how many nights we spent together, it's just never enough. I won't ever get tired of her. I always want more and more of her. I wanted to tear those thin fabrics coming in between us but time won't allow me to have anything more. I have to wait until I get to see her again and that's not going to be easy.

We pulled back breathing heavily but didn't let go of each other. I saw the same expressions on her face which I get to see every time I am about to leave. It makes me frustrated and sad and angry at myself for letting her go through this.

She connected our lips again showing passion and love. I kissed down her neck and jaw as she breathed heavily pulling me closer to her. I got back and connected our foreheads.

She smiled a little when I pecked on her forehead cupping her face.

"I have made Rajma Chawal for you in your Delhi style," she said pulling me out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen.

"What?" I asked not believing what I heard. Rajma Chawal?

"Sit there," I did what was being said. I went to the living room and got seated on the couch.

"I learned from Malini Dadi when I came here last time. I don't know if it's good enough but I have made sure that you won't get poisoning," she said with a shrug and got my plate to the living room after filling it.

"I know how much you love it," she said with a smile. I nodded with a adoring smile for my dear wife and took a spoonful to my mouth.

This time I am not lying when I say this that it actually is good. Like actually good.

"You seriously are getting better at this," I said taking a spoon and another.

"Is it good or you are just making me happy?" She asked knowing my tactics by now. I chuckled.

"It's really good. Like honestly," I said shaking my head but focusing on my plate.

"You sure you don't want to go to your castle?" I asked raising my eyebrows. Zivah nodded a little.

"This is my castle, Kashyap and I will be staying here," She said with a full smile. I chuckled again.

"You don't like being alone," I said again. She let out a sigh and shook her head a bit.

"Yes but I want to try this out," she said giving me an assuring smile. I nodded but didn't say anything more.

Zivah drove me to the airport. I refrained her from coming but when had she listened to me anyway. She followed me till the terminal. I am definitely sure that I saw her blink the tears away. Even after being with me for 3 freaking years, she hasn't learned to say goodbye but that's a good thing actually.

I cupped her face and pecked on her forehead as she closed her eyes holding my jacket. It was hard and I was trying to put my best smile on. But the thing is she sees through me and I feel naked under her gaze. It's like its impossible to even put an act in front of her because she gets me in no time.

Zivah gave me a small smile as she put a hand on my cheek. I gave her an assuring smile promising to be okay and to be back again in her arms soon. I know it's just temporary but it still makes me feel void inside me. Like something is snatching away from me.

But this is still way better than when I left her at this same airport not to see her again. At least now I know when I will be back she will be here for me. I am going to stay in touch through video calls or voice calls or even chats.

She waved me off as I entered the terminal after showing my documents. I felt heavy but full of excitement for the next adventure in store for me. I can't wait to have some life changing experiences and then snuggle back to her again.

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Finishing off this book with Ved's POV. For the last time let us know what you feel about this one.

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Another book completed and it feels so good. :)

Signing off for now.

Loads of love to all of you. ❤️