The final parts of the date <3 <3 

I know everyone was waiting for Mishti and Abir to finally dance so I decided to be nice and allow them.  :P :P 
I know I brag too much. I'm a complete narcissist. 

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT WE'RE NEARING 11K READS ALREADY? AND 1.4K VOTES <3 <3 

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE BIG 1.5!!!

You guys are the best :***

Also, I know I have too many comments to reply to. So sorry. Assignments are killing me and I'm not able to dedicate time for this much. Will try to get back asap

A special shout out to naman06love for suggesting the song here though I could kill her for asking me to watch the video 

Also, get ready to bring out your handkerchiefs for the next chapter for I'm hoping there are waterworks everywhere :D 

But before that, enjoy this :)

CHAPTER 25

Abir : No Mishti! I've not brought anyone here other than you.

Mishti (whispering) : But why me?

Abir (his lips near her ear) : Because you're special. Because you're someone who needs to see this place. Because.... Because this is the one place where I can be myself and I wanted you to see it.

Mishti (in the same tone) : Why?

Abir (taking her arm and pulling her close) : Because I........

Mishti froze. As much as she wanted to hear the answer, As much as she needed to hear the answer, She didn't want it to change everything. She had promised herself one last day and she didn't want anything to jeopardise it. Not when she had such few moments left.

Mishti : No!

Abir looked at her surprised.

Abir : No?

Mishti : I don't want to hear the answer.

Abir (cofused) : But you asked me.

Mishti took a step back from him and smiled.

Mishti : When I was young, I always used to wonder why I wasn't like Kunal or Ketki. They were so boisterous, so impulsive. One always knew where they were. Atul and Ananya were the same way. I... I was different. I never backed out of a fight...

Abir : I can't imagine you doing that.

Mishti (raising an eyebrow) : You mean backing out of a fight?

Abir nodded and Mishti chuckled.

Mishti : But my way of fighting was different. I had a way with words. I used to use them to the best of my ability. I knew how to wield them. School was particularly fun.

Abir : Ah! You showed those hoity-toity girls who's boss.

Mishti (laughing) : Well! Unless their brains were big enough to understand my subtle insults, I don't think they understood what I meant. But I was satisfied. I was glad that I'd done that.

Abir smiled. He had heard several anecdotes from Mishti's childhood. But he had never heard something quite so personal. She was telling about how she felt and Abir felt so happy that he was listening to it.

Abir : But what does this have to do with you not letting me answer?

Mishti : I understood words then. I knew what to expect.. I knew how I'd feel before that person told it. Call it my sixth sense if you will. I felt the same tonight. I don't know if the answer you're giving me is true or false. I don't know if it's one that I'd like or not. But I know that it will change us. I don't want that. Tonight I was promised a date and I want it to be just that. Just..

Abir : A date.

Mishti's eyes met Abir's. He nodded and took her arm.

Abir : Well then, Let's continue with it, Shall we?

Mishti consented and asked what they were about to do.

Abir : I really wanted you to wear that saree tonight. I thought it will reflect wonderfully because of the fairy lights. (seeing Mishti's wistful look) Don't look sad, Mishti. I arranged for it.

Mishti (her eyes widening) : You arranged for the saree? What does that mean?

Abir gestured towards the cottage and Mishti glanced inside. She found her saree and a box with bangles and other jewellery. She looked at Abir astonished, then she gave a knowing expression.

Mishti : This is what you were talking to Sallu about?

Abir nodded. Mishti smiled and blew a flying kiss at him. Then she went inside to change.

**********************************************************

Meanwhile, Abir sat on a rocky bench and thought about what he had been about to tell her.

Abir (thinking) : You really were going to tell her the truth? That would have been such a colossal mistake, Abir. I need to hear her yes.. But I can't freak her out. I don't know if she's ready. I don't..
He thought about their conversation and smiled. Mishti had loved this place like he knew she would. This was his sanctuary, This was the first place where he had spoken the words out loud : I LOVE MISHTI. This was the place he'd visited before leaving for Paris. Nothing felt closer to him and nothing calmed him more than this place... except maybe for Mishti.

Mishti : Abir?

Abir looked up to see Mishti wearing the saree he had gifted her. She had matched them with gold bangles and jhumkis.

Abir felt his jaw open before he clamped them shut. He rose and walked towards her. He stood in front of her and touched her cheek once. Mishti looked at him bewildered.

Mishti : Abir?

Abir : Are you real?

Mishti's brow cleared and she smiled delighted. She had actually managed to impress the man so much that he was dazed. She pulled his ear.

Abir (rubbing his tortured ear) : OW!!

Mishti : Am I real enough for you now?

Abir smiled sheepishly.

Abir : You look... You look stunning.

Mishti flushed a faint shade of pink but thanked him.

Mishti : Vaise... I look all dressed up. Will you not change?

Abir shrugged. Mishti pursed her lips that Abir knew she was not happy with this.

Mishti : Do YOU have clothes inside?

Abir nodded.

Mishti smiled widely, like the world's biggest problem was solved.

Mishti : Well then! What are you waiting for? Go on and change.

Abir tried to protest but finally gave in. Mishti was unstoppable when she had something in mind. He went inside where he had a black tux and quickly changed and came out to see Mishti sitting and dipping her feet in the cool water.

Abir joined her, wrapping his blazer around both of them. She looked at him and smiled, but then turned and watched the stream again. She laughed when she a fish jump and splash back into the water.

She noticed Abir staring at her with a pleased look on his face and asked him about it.

Abir : Nothing! I haven't shared this place with anyone before. It feels different. It feels nice.

Mishti (lazily looking back at the water) : It is nice. I'm so glad I have come here. It's so quiet, yet so musical. It's... It's just perfect. (getting up to her feet) One can just lose themselves in this place na, Abir?

She closed her eyes and walked to the pavilion where she twirled around, her eyes closed. Abir leaned against one of the trees content to watch her, but soon found himself walking towards her and taking her hands in his.

Abir : Dance with me?

Mishti (smiling and looking at them pointedly) : We already are.

Abir (smiling back) : We certainly are, Aren't we?

They didn't merely sway to the sounds. Though Abir was playing music from his phone, They ignored it and heard the sounds of nature which seemed to be in sync with their movements. The chirping of the nocturnal birds, the rustling of the trees due to the wind and the stream bubbling.

Tum ho toh lagta hai main hunNa ho toh lagta hai kyon hunTum ho toh udta hai man yehNa ho toh thehra sa hai kyon

Mishti put her legs on Abir's and placed her arms around his neck as he steadied her around her waist and moved them. She couldn't take her eyes off his handsome visage and neither could he, off hers.

Ho sake to rehna tum sath mere
Ho bure ya achchhe haalat mere
Zindagi bhar rehna tum sath mere
Ho bure ya achchhe haalat mere
Sath mere o. sath mere, sath mere

Mishti got down from Abir's legs and took a step back. She looked into his eyes again and averted her gaze immediately. She tried to turn but Abir caught her hand and pulled her close again.

She cupped his face and brought it down. He closed his eyes as she kissed his forehead. Unwilling to let go, her lips trailed the path down his face to his cheeks and finally, his lips. She kissed him slowly. This kiss was different. It had the usual desire, the spark between them but it didn't have the urgency that she always felt with him. Even when they had taken things slowly, there was always a sense of need fuelling her. But now, she kissed him languidly. Like she belonged to him. Like he belonged to her. Scared, she drew back.

Mishti turned around and went to the corner of the pavilion. She watched the night sky. She felt Abir's arms come around her from behind and sighing, she leaned back into his embrace.

Daare saare bechaare neend se haare
Magar humko aur tumko sona hai kyon
Kahin bhi tum na jao
Yahin pe hi ruk jao

Tumhein jaane ki jaldi itni hai kyon
Ho sake tum toh jagna tum sath mere
Bin tere na kat'te din raat mere
Zindagi bhar rehna tum sath mere

Ho bure ya achchhe haalat mere
Sath mere o. sath mere, sath mere

Abir twirled her around once more and then dipped her as they continued to dance. She smiled as he did too. They moved a bit more energetically now. Mishti's smile grew more wide. Abir had always been a good dancer and she had always known it. They had danced together many times. Today was different. It was just the two of them in Abir's magical place and she felt like she was on top of the world. She wanted this night to last, in spite of her confusion.

Apne dil mein banake dhadkan mujhko
Tumhein rakhna hi hoga darte ho kyon
Paagalpan ki hadein todo na aake
Na jaane tumne khudko roka hai kyon

Mishti was lifted by her waist and she was spun around and around until she couldn't help it. She laughed. The spinning slowed. and she bent down to look at Abir's delight at her laughter. She pushed back his now unruly hair and caressed his face as he slowly placed her on her feet.

Main zamin hun tum ho akaash mere
Aur thoda aao na pass mere
Ho sake to rehna tum sath mere
Ho bure ya achchhe haalat mere

Abir kissed her forehead and she closed her eyes at the soothing touch.

Ho sake to rehna tum sath mere
Ho bure ya achchhe haalat mere
Zindagi bhar rehna tum sath mere
Ho bure ya achchhe haalat mere

Mishti placed her head on Abir's chest and closed her eyes.

Mishti (thinking) : Why is it so easy to lose myself in his arms? Why does he affect me this way? How am I going to stop all this tomorrow? The guilt.. The guilt of being with him like this is tearing me apart. Nannu... Nannu is gone but he's still Abir's cousin. How could I betray Nannu this way? But.. Abir! He.... He is the one person I need. What can I do? What should I do? Is this guilt even right? Why does Abir want to marry me so badly? What if he realises I'm not it some day? There are so many questions.

A tear fell from her eye and landed on Abir's hand. He moved away puzzled.

Abir : Mishti?

Mishti looked down and tried to blink away the tears. Abir cupped her face and made her look up. His concern made Mishti want to cry more but she shook her head.

Mishti : I'm fine.

Abir (a bit dryly) : I'm sorry. But you don't look fine.

Mishti chuckled. She supposed Abir had a point.

Abir (making her look at him, in a gentle voice) : What's wrong?

Mishti knew she should tell him that they couldn't do this anymore. She knew she had to give him his answer. But she couldn't. Not when those eyes looked so soft and calming. Not when she felt like everything could be alright.

Mishti finally said the most truthful thing that she could think of.

Mishti : I'm tired.

Mishti (thinking) : I'm tired of wanting you. I'm tired of feeling guilty. I'm tired of not understanding what this is between us. I'm tired of wanting to know if what we have is right or wrong.

Mishti (out loud) : I'm just tired. I've had a bad couple of nights and haven't slept well.

Abir : Ofcourse! Shall we go?

Mishti shook her head vigorously.

Mishti : Please! No! I don't feel like leaving this place. Could we just... Can we stay here Abir? Can we just be here?

Abir kissed her forehead and smiled at her.

Abir : Anything you want.

He switched off the fairy lights and they lay down on a blanket which they spread over the pavilion. They lay down near each other not quite touching but close enough to feel the other person's every movement. For a while, They looked at the stars and spoke about their childhood. Small anecdotes, embarassing stories about their siblings and other mundane matters until Mishti placed a hand on Abir's and turned towards him.

Mishti (softly) : I know today was sort of an unusual date, But it was one I'll always hold dear to me. Thank you Abir!

She kissed Abir's cheek softly and using his hand as a pillow, closed her eyes to go to sleep. But she didn't. She waited until she could hear Abir's steady breathing then looked at him.

Mishti (whispering) : I'm sorry Abir! I feel like I have used you and God knows what else I have done to you. I don't know why you want me to marry you but I cannot do that to you. It isn't fair. I'm so confused and I don't want to hurt you. How am I supposed to marry you when I don't know what I feel for you? 

*****************************************************