Suddenly Shlok's sleep was interrupted and he slowly opened his eyes hearing sobs.

He looked at Dhwani skeptically. She was facing her back to him.

"Dhwani" he called but she did not turn.

"Hey" he placed his hand on her shoulder this time and turned her gently.

He got worried when he saw her face smeared with the tears.

"What happened?" he neared her a bit cupping her one cheek.

She kept sobbing.

"Dhwani. What's wrong?  You need anything? Or anything happened?" he asked as his worries went on increasing.

He wiped her cheeks softly.

"Sok" she hiccuped.

"Tell na. You are scaring me" he narrowed his eye brows.

"Zorro" she pouted sadly.

He for a second could not understand.

Then he realized what she actually meant.

"Dhwani. Don't cry please" he pleaded her.

"See early in the morning I will call your Zorro. Okay? Now it's late night. We shouldn't disturb their sleep right?" he asked and Dhwani looked at him pouting.

"I'm not getting sleep Sok" she looked at him.

He slowly dragged her in his embrace and patted her head.

He hummed a tune which instantly cooled Dhwani and she started falling in the deep slumber.

After a while when looked down found her sleeping peacefully and his lips curved up.

He leaned placing a soft caring kiss on her forehead and caressed her hair gently.

The night was new. He never had let anyone so close to him. And he had never ever tolerated anything of this level for anyone.

Dhwani was changing him though  and he did not minded it for the first time in his life.

As he was closing his eyes he felt a knock on his door.

He quickly walked to the door and looked at Dhwani while he opened the door checking if she is still asleep.

He turned his gaze and found Ansh barging inside.

He acted quickly and held Ansh and pushed him out and closed the door behind slowly as he saw Dhwani stirring in her sleep.

"Shhh" Shlok closed Ansh's mouth as he was ready to blurt.

"Stop" he whisper yelled glaring Ansh.

"She slept just five minutes back Ansh. She will wake up" he whispered and dragged Ansh with him as he was trying to go towards the door.

"Is she fine? I don't think so. I feel so restless like she is not good" Ansh looked at Shlok helplessly.

"I'm sorry" Shlok apologized when he realized it was really rude the way he behaved. But he really did not wanted Dhwani's sleep to be disturbed.

She was tired due to the heavy make up and ornaments she was wearing from the time the rituals began.

"I understand totally" he said raising his eyebrows.

"But she is tired. I really wish you talk to her right now because believe me she was missing you just some time ago. But I thought we will disturb you so I somehow convinced her to sleep" he looked at Ansh as his expressions changed.

"I'm sorry" Shlok looked apologetically.

Ansh looked at Shlok. He found care and concern for Dhwani.

And it did not stay there but touched his heart too.

Now he knew he did best by getting Dhwani married to Shlok. He is that one life companion she deserved and needed in her life.

"I.... I'm sorry" Ansh held his forehead and took a breath to calm himself and finally that heart of his gained the regular speed.

"You're okay?" Anika who was standing a bit aside came to him and placed her hand on his chest looking at him worried.

"Yeah.. " he looked at her and she smiled at him weakly drawing Her hand back and stretching her lips embarrassed.

"Bro" she turned to look at her brother who was actually amused at that awkward yet cute moment between his sister and Ansh.

Anika hugged him and smiled closing her eyes and Shlok rubbed her shoulder.

"By the way that was cute" he whispered and she blushed smiling at him and gave a light punch on his chest.

"Can I see her?" Ansh asked still restless.

"Sure. Only if you spare some time with my little sister" Shlok smiled and Ansh gave him a tight lipped smile and walked towards the room.

He slowly opened the door and neared the bed where Dhwani was sleeping with a huge smile on her face.

He carefully caressed her hair controlling his urge to break down.

It wasn't that he met her after years, months or not even a day has passed. But it looked like he had spent a major part of his life without her.

And he hated that feeling.

"Zorro" she whispered in her sleep and that held tear dropped out of Ansh's eyes.

He emotionally looked at her. He kissed softly her forehead and looked at her for some more time.

"Missed you so much Pooh bear" he softly said kissing her palm.

He unwillingly walked out of the room still staring Dhwani who now hugged the cushion and was in her happy dream land.

He walked to the living area and found Anika sitting beside Shlok and he caressing her hair lovingly.

"Sorry baby" Shlok apologized.

"What for?" Anika looked up at her brother.

"You have to come till here. And for Dhwani. I should have called Ansh when she said she is missing him. I was a bit selfish that I did not wanted to disturb my sister without realizing how will Ansh be happy when his Pooh Bear is restless Here" he caressed her hair.

"Even if you had called Ansh would have ran like a maniac as soon as he heard bhabi's voice" she chuckled.

"Don't get annoyed baby boo. He is just worried for her" Shlok spoke and Anika sat up facing her brother.

"I am not annoyed bro. Actually I like him due to Dhwani bhabi only you know?" she smiled.

"How?" Shlok asked confused.

"You know Ansh used to be always late on the First class and have to miss it as our professor used to close the door on the face when we are a minute late also. I used to watch him stand outside and write down the notes of the class. Though he could not hear what the professor used to say but he used to ask his classmate."

"And again you are late?" Ansh looked up at his Principal who crossed his arms.

"Again little sister?" he nodded his head when Ansh did not reply.

"She won't eat the breakfast if it is not prepared by me" he said cutely.

Anika who was standing there looked at him confused.

"And you have to work extra due to your sister's extra sleep" the Principal nodded his head.

"No regrets sir. I love to do anything and everything for her" he smiled back and the Principal walked from there leaving the smiling Ansh.

Anika stood there looking at him dreamily.

"I thought the man who can love his sister to that extent can love me also with the same intensity isn't it?" she asked Shlok excited.

"He was so cute that day. I really wanted to eat him" She hugged the cushion.

Shlok smiled at his sister and his eyes moved to Ansh who gulped in embarrassed.

Ansh gave him a shy smile.

"And he was so.... "
"Ansh" Shlok called out purposely so that Anika stops blurting out further.

She covered her mouth with her hands and her eyes went wide.

She gulped in scared and turned to Ansh who was avoiding eye contact with her and she gave a sheepish yet nervous smile.

"Tu tho gayi Anika" she whispered smiling forcefully as Shlok enjoyed the look on her face.

"We will leave now" he said and Anika nodded her head and gave a side hug to Shlok and walked from there following Ansh.

As they were near the car Ansh stopped and Anika hit his back and closed her eyes cursing herself.

"Um. Sorry" he turned to look at her.

She looked at him sceptically.

"And thank you" he smiled at her.

"Why are you saying me those two words can you please elaborate?" she asked and it made Ansh's smile widen.

"Sorry for spoiling your first day in my I'm sorry our home and then thank you for not eating me that day" he folded his lips and she narrowed her eyebrows embarrassed.

"Can't you just not delete that word from your memory?" asked she.

"No" he nodded his head.

"Please" she pleaded.

"Not happening" he crossed his arms.

"Oh no" she spoke to herself Ansh watched her amused.

"What should I do to erase it?" she asked innocently.

"Try something more embarrassing someday and it will occupy my mind" he touched her nose with his finger and she watched him dazed.

By the time she came out of her shock and realize it wasn't any dream she heard Ansh calling her.

She excitedly walked to the car and sat inside the car and Ansh drove off the car towards Rawat Mansion.

The next morning arrived with a bright smile on Shlok's face. He opened his eyes when the sunlight touched his face.

He lazily stretched his hands and turned to look at his right where Dhwani was sleeping hugging the cushion.

Her face was covered with some hair strands.

He gently moved them aside and looked at her cute face.

'Can my morning be this beautiful' he thought in his mind while he kept staring her face.

He covered her with the quilt and walked out of the bed to reach the room door.

He opened it and his mother was ready to knock on the door.

"Mom" he complained as she knocked his head instead.

"You woke up so early today Shlok?" she looked at him surprised.

"I knew you will be on the door to knock it to wake me up. And I did not wanted Dhwani's sleep to be disturbed" he walked passing her.

"I did not come to wake you up by the way" his mother said with a serious face.

Shlok turned to her confused.

"I came to wake Dhwani up. It's her first day in the house and so many rituals are pending. Like rasoi rasam,  muh dikhayi etc" she said walking inside the room.

"Dhwani" she called and Shlok tried stopping his mother.

"Mom... Mom. " he held his mother who was ready to shake Dhwani.

"What are you doing?" he looked at Dhwani who stirred in her sleep.

"She will wake up" he whispered.

"She have to" his mother imitated his accent.

"Mom please. Let her sleep. You want food right I will order for you okay?" he  asked her and she fumed listening to him.

She jerked his hands and glared him.

"It's not about food you fool. It's about rituals" she screamed and Dhwani woke up with a jerk.

She sat looking around.

"You woke her up mom" Shlok complained and walked to Dhwani.

She rubbed her eyes and pouted looking around.

"Zorro" she cried and Shlok looked at her helplessly.

"Shlok.." his mother called him sternly.

Dhwani wiped her face and looked at her mother in law.

"What happened Maa. Why are you angry at Sok? " she asked forgetting that her sleep was disturbed.

"Nothing Dhwani. Mom was just... "

"Dhwani it's already 8 in the morning and you are sleeping?" Shlok's mother asked and Shlok rubbed his temple annoyed.

"Were you angry because of me?" she asked.

"No...  No...  Dhwani" Shlok interrupted her.

"I was" his mother spoke and he rolled his eyes frustrated.

"Mom. I have told you that she will be in this house the way she wants okay. You cannot force her to follow some stupid rituals and make her life hell" Shlok stood infront of his mom.

"She is daughter in law of this house alright and she has to follow the traditions." she said crossing her arms.

"She is my wife and I still have rights to decide what she will do and what not" he said stiffly.

"Sok" Dhwani walked and stood beside him.

"Sorry maa" Dhwani held her ears cutely.

"Don't scold Sok. I will do whatever you say" Dhwani pleaded and her mother in law looked at Shlok who was annoyed.

"Good. At least you value my words" she walked to the table where she had placed the Saree.

"Wear this and come to the kitchen beta. Today it's your rasoi ritual. You have to cook the food" she walked out and Shlok stood there nodding his head.

"What was the need to agree Dhwani?" he held her by her shoulders.

"I can't see anyone scolding you because of me Sok. It was my fault" she pouted.

"It wasn't. You were tired and you needed rest" he cupped her face and she looked up at him.

"It's  okay if I listen to Maa. She says for my good only right?" she smiled at him.

He dragged her into a hug and she smiled covering him.

"You won't wear that" he pointed at the Saree.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because I don't like it" he lied.

"Then I will not wear it" she snuggled in his embrace and he smiled weakly patting her head.

Dhwani walked out of the room after she took a shower and wore a top with three fourth jeans.

"What the hell?" she heard her mother in law's shriek and jerked.

"What are you wearing? I told you to wear the Saree right?" Her mother in law looked at her from top to bottom.

"But... "
"I told her" Shlok interrupted her.

"Shlok why did you? " his mother asked furious.

"I don't want her to wear the Saree mom. So please stop pressuring her" he stood beside Dhwani who watched her mother in law nervously.

"Fine" Shlok's mother took a deep breath to calm her burning anger.

"Come Dhwani" she held Dhwani  by her wrist and walked towards the kitchen.

But she was stopped when she felt a hold and turned and found Shlok holding her other wrist.

"You will be alright na?" he gave her a emotional look.

She smiled at him and he left her hand and she continued to walk following her mother in law.

Her mother in law explained Her how to cook and she nodded her head but she hardly could remember anything.

Her mother in law guessed it and sighed.

"If you want to know anything ask me okay" she looked at Dhwani who nodded her head and smiled weakly.

After her mother in law walked out of the kitchen she turned the stove on and placed the vessel on the stove.

She poured some oil and sprinkled one spoon full of mustards and it started to crackle scaring her.

She panicked and held the hot vessel in her hand and it burnt her skin.

"Zorro" she cried with whatever strength she had in herself.

Ansh who was tasting the kheer Anika made coughed as if his heart heard his baby sister's cry.

"Bro" Diya looked at him annoyed.

"Oh that was rude" Ashish said forming an 'o' with his lips.

"I'm sorry" Ansh woke up and walked away from the chair.

His coughs did not stop.

"Ansh" Anika walked behind him holding a glass.

She made him drink the water and still the coughs did not stop.

She made him look up and patted his back and his coughs subsided.

"Was that so bad?" she asked nervously.

He nodded his head. He stopped himself from blurting out that he was worried for Dhwani. He had already created a scene last night when he suddenly felt she was not good and found her all okay.

What if this was also a false alarm? What if it wasn't?
His mind and heart battled.

Shlok held Dhwani's hand and looked at her painfully. His eyes developed tears and he could feel her pain.

He dragged her and placed her head on his chest and patted it.

"Shh.... " he gulped the sore lump down.

His mother brought a tub full of water.

"Shlok. Dip her hands" she said worried.

"I had told you na mom. You did not listen to me. See what happened now" he anguishly looked at his mother who felt guilty.

Dhwani looked up at him nodding her head.

"I'm sorry. I can't remember many things at a time. It wasn't maa's fault" she pouted.

"Shhh" he rubbed her shoulder and took her to their room.

He made her sit on the bed while she kept sobbing.

He brought a aloe Vera gel and applied it on the wound.

He kissed her forehead caringly and his eyes dropped the tears.

"Sok... "she looked at him.

"Don't cry" she nodded her head.

"I'm sorry" he looked at her.

She nodded her head and hugged him burying  Her head in his chest.

He wiped his face and took his phone and dialed Ansh's number.

Dhwani who looked at his phone screen panicked.

"Why are you calling Zorro?" she asked.

"So that he knows" he stood up.

"No... No...  Bhuddhuram. Don't call Zorro" she roamed infront of him.

"He should know this" Shlok said to her.

She did not found a way to stop him and immediately held the towel on the bed.

"Ahhhh" she screamed and Shlok dropped the phone and neared her.

"Dhwani..." he held her hands.

"Why did you do that?" he  looked at her.

"Don't call Zorro please. If he knew he will drive like crazy to reach me and he might hurt himself" she looked at him.

"You know once I fell down and he was in office and he drove so rashly that he met with an accident and his head was bleeding. So much blood" she spread her hands horrified.

"Please" Ansh heard Dhwani's voice on the phone.

"Don't call him. He will be disturbed" she said and Ansh smiled hearing her.

He disconnected the call and looked outside the window.

But his heart was not feeling good and he did not knew why?