A/N

Hello guys!

So here's the next update! Tried to update as soon as I could! Enjoy!

Happy reading!
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Swayam's POV

"What is that?" She asked making me whip my head at her. Shit! She saw it! What do I do now?

"N... Nothing. Nothing Pia" I replied and bit my tongue for stammering at moments like these. She raised an eyebrow at me and slid down the bonnet. She walked to my side and I immediately showed my hand which was holding the box, into my jacket which I later realised that it must not have gone out of her notice. I mentally cursed myself because a kid can hide his chocolate better than I did. I nervously smiled at her.

"Really Swayam? If it were to be nothing, you wouldn't be lost in your thoughts seeing whatever is in your hand, from past 15 minutes or so. So, spill" she said, folding her hands in front of her chest and looking at me expectantly. I know now I have no escape now. You dug your own grave Swayam!

I slid down the bonnet, nervously, thinking of ways if any, to escape this situation. I am afraid that she might recall something, seeing the pendant. I don't want to put her into anymore stress than she already is. She walked and stood in front of me, looking at me.

"Err... Pia... This is a gift I had bought for you..." Well, that wasn't a lie. This was actually a gift I had planned for my Sharon. Her expressions turned to a surprise one but she hid her smile, just like Sharon used to do to put up a serious face.

"Then why didn't you give me and why are you hiding it from me?" She asked sternly and I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

"Actually... Actually Pia..." I stuttered and felt as if my tongue was tied and I actually didn't knew what to tell her.

"Actually what Swayam? Tell me..." She asked again, but this time softly.

"I don't want to stress you out more than you already are!" The words left my mouth even before I could think what I was saying. Shit! I saw her frown in confusion and sighed in relief. She didn't understand it completely.

"I think... I think that our closeness of yesterday made you go through the nightmare and the attack. I don't want to put any pressure on you, you are stressing Pia! I had bought this yesterday itself and brought with me to gift you but seeing you in that state in the morning and later, so upset while shopping, I didn't feel it's the right time to give it to you..." I said, very carefully balancing my words. It was neither whole truth nor whole a lie. Frankly I said whatever came to my mouth. Her hands fell down and she looked up at me, more like, glaring at me.

"Really Swayam? Did I once say my attack is because of you or I am upset because of you? Stop overthinking everything!" she shouted on me, making me jump in my place, scared of her shouting suddenly. Maybe seeing me afraid or what I cannot point, her eyes softened. She turned towards the city and kept looking there for few seconds. Then suddenly walked to me and stood right in front, so close to me with just few inches of gap in between us.

"Listen carefully Swayam. Though I might be going through a lot, but being with you is my decision. I am willingly into this and nobody can pressurise me to be with you... Understood?" She said, her voice still laced with a hint of anger but she was looking straight up at me. I looked down, not able to take her hurt for my lie but it was needed. She silently held my hand in took it between both of her's.

"Look at me Swayam... You don't put any stress on me. Infact, I feel relieved after spending time with you. Whatever my mental condition is, let it be there, don't bring it in between us. I really lo..." She stopped abruptly, making me smile slightly because I can guess what was coming out of her mouth. But only if she knew, being with me itself is a huge pressure on her brain.

"I... I really love spending time with you. I enjoy it. I feel happy. I feel relaxed... Do you understand?" She corrected after a small break in her talk and all I could see was the sincerity in her eyes. This made me so happy that even though she is Pia for now, she is with me because of her true feelings and not because others said to. She was happy and that made me happy and relaxed.

"Now won't you show me what you brought for me?" She asked taking a step back and joining her hands, looking into my jacket like a excited kid, making me chuckle at her. Let's take this risk. I have no other option either.

I removed the box from my jacket's pocket and took a step forward, opening it and turning it to face Pia. Though everything was dark around, the headlights of the car gave us enough light to see the design. Her eyes grew wide and she held my hand and pulled it closer to her, in order to look at the pendant keenly. She was for sure, admiring the elegance and I was busy admiring her. She looked beautiful in the dim lights of the headlight, smiling joyfully.

"This is so beautiful Swayam..." She said looking up at me.

"You really liked it?" I asked, though her face was enough to tell the answer to that. She nodded enthusiastically.

"But what is the meaning of this? I didn't understand. And pendants like these, have some meaning to it" she asked and I gulped, but kept a smiling face. What do I say now? We haven't even confessed our love yet, to give away the meaning that my Sharon had said.

"That is for you to find out and you will find out the meaning, when the time is right" I said and pulled the box towards me and closed it.

"Take this and keep it with you and if you feel to, wear it sometime" I said and forwarded the box towards the her. She didn't take it from my hand, even after a minute, making me frown and I looked at her, only to find her smiling at me.

"What?" I asked confused.

"Do the honors yourself Mr. Shekhawat" she said stepping forward and I raised my eyebrows.

"Are you sure?" I asked, a victory smile and a little smirk dancing on my lips. Instead of replying, she she just turned around and pulled her hair to the front at a side. I gulped because that didn't make her nervous, but it surely did make me. The dress she has worn today was sleeveless with a spaghetti strap and that leaves me with... A lot of self control!

I took the pendant and the chain attached to it and held it in my hand. I forwarded my free hand towards her neck and tucked some strands of hair into the others at the side, which caused my fingers to brush over her nape. She visibly jerked a bit with contact, maybe because my hands were cold, but didn't say anything. I smiled thinking she still has the same effect of me on her.

I quietly pulled the chain around her neck, not wanting to tease her and make her uncomfortable. I was hooking the chain but it doesn't seem to clip together. I tried two more times but it still wasn't fixed. I pulled the chain of the hook side away, to see it's opening bent. Dammit! I didn't even see it beforehand. Great!

Sighing, I bent down and opened the thin metal with my teeth and suddenly felt her shiver. That made me realise that I am so close to her skin. My breath fanned her nape and I could feel goosebumps arising. I pulled back just a little and slowly hooked the chain finally but I could feel her heavy breathing by the movement of her shoulders.

Closing my eyes and controlling my urge to kiss her neck, I opened my eyes again. I left the chain but traced my hands to her waist and held it, back hugging her. She leaned into my touch and kept her hand above mine. We stayed like that for some time.

"I am sorry" she said and I frowned. I turned her to face me and she wasn't looking up.

"For what?" I asked and waited for her to take her time to reply.

"I just... I am sorry Swayam for earlier today. I was upset and that just ruined your shopping too..." She said and I sighed in relief. Only this? I was scared thinking about what I have done now!

"And why were your upset?" Though I knew why, I wanted it to be out of her mind. I don't want her to keep everything to herself and start opening to me.

"I want each and everything of this marriage to be best. I don't exactly know how much you are excited for the wedding but I am very much. You know, I have a rough plan in my mind. How the functions can be, how the wedding will look like and much more... Today when the dress I liked was rejected by you, I was a bit sad but when we both loved a dress, it was sold out. I want to look my best and I somewhere knew, that I won't look my best if not for that dress. It's like, it just took my heart with it..." She said and I knew she was hiding the main reason and this was just another reason for diverting my mind but I didn't say anything and remained quiet. I could see the little moisture in her eyes as she ended and she quickly wiped a tear the was to roll down her cheeks.

"I know you must be thinking what a immature behaviour it is, but this is what I felt and I don't understand myself why I had reacted like that" she said chuckling and little but her voice was heavy. She again raised her hand to wipe the tear but I held it and let the tear flow. With my other hand, I tucked at her chin and raised her face to make her look at me and as soon as she looked into my eyes, a couple of more tears flew down.

Not being able to see her in this state, I encircled my arms around her and kissed both her eyes one after the another. I pulled out, but still my arms locked around her and she looked up at me.

"Today what happened, is gone. But from now on, don't you dare cry for such a silly reason. I understand very well how much this must be important to you but get one thing clear in your mind Pia... No matter what you wear, dresses, jewelleries, accessories those all are just material things. YOU. You are the real beauty and those just work as an add on. I don't care what is your appearance because it is you who is in it. These things doesn't matter to me. Its you who matters. I care least about what you wear or how you look, because anything you wear, you are bound to look beautiful" I explained to her, softly and she was looking at me all the time. Suddenly, she hugged me tightly to which I too hugged her back after a fraction of second. She was hugging me really tight and I feel she would hug me even more tightly if it was possible.

"Thank you so much Swayam... I feel so good and lucky to have you" she said and her voice was muffled due to our hugging position. I smiled and hugged her back as tightly as she was doing to me. This feels so good...

Her grip loosened after sometime and she pulled out a little but still holding me by her hands. I took a deep breath in and looked at her. I leaned in and kissed her forehead, cupping her face. I don't know why I did that, it just felt to do that and I did. She smiled up and me and our faces were just inches apart. I looked into her eyes and saw that she was looking at me with all the love she had for me. She was so vulnerable and open at this moment that I fell in love with her eyes all over again.

I noticed her eyes going to my lips and she looked up again at me and that shy smile look of being caught. She again looked at me lips and into me and leaned in a bit. I wasn't sure if this wouldn't effect her but if she wanted something, I am more than happy to give it. I too started leaning in and closed my eyes as our lips were very close.

Suddenly she turned her face and kissed at just the side of my mouth, making a shiver run down my spine and ran out of my hold. I opened my eyes, to she her smirking at me, standing at the door of the car. I glared at her for what she did.

"Take it Mr. Shekhawat! This is my revenge for leaving me flustered yesterday by kissing me in front of everyone and winking too..." She shouted at me, showing her tongue to me and opened the car door.

"This is not fair!" I whined, walking upto her side of the door, pouting and she just simply smirked at me. How I want to kiss her senseless right now but this bloody door is between us.

"Everything is fair in love and war..." She said, resting her hand on the top of the door and looking her diva self completely. I leaned in a bit, close to her face smirking and saw the nervous change on her face.

"And what is this...?" I asked in a whisper. She didn't reply for few seconds but started leaning in and angled her face towards my cheeks.

"Love..." She whispered huskily in my ears and quickly pulled out and slid into the car, chuckling at my shocked state. I came out of shock and playfully glared at her. She giggled and looked ahead. Sighing, I walked towards the the driver seat. Where will you go my dear wife? You cannot get away doing that. You are definitely going to pay for this because whatever you do, in the end, we are to end up together, alone.

I slid in and looked at her, to which she looked out of the window but I could see her cheeks turning pink. I started the engine and drove towards our home.

Pia's POV

I felt irritation on my eyes and turned to the other side and found some relief. Just as I was about to fall into sleep again, my alarm had to go off and I shut it, groaning. Instead of getting up, I just pulled the duvet over me, trying to fall back into sleep again.

"Get up darling!" I heard Sid yell, making me open my eyes straddled. I glared at him and sat up, groaning.

"Sid let me sleep for some more time" I slurred and was about to lay down but he stopped me from holding my duvet in his hands.

"Sleep all you want after your marriage because it is already 12 in the noon and if you don't get up now, you will have to face the wrath of mom and puffed eyes due to oversleeping" he said and the sleep flew away with the mere mention of the time. Oh shit! It's 12 already? I have so much to do, when will I do everything? Today is mehendi and I am getting up this late... I better rush now!

"Yes! You must. So be quick and come down for lunch" Sid said, getting up from my bed making me groan. I want to sleep more.

"Stop groaning like its a torture on you. It wasn't me who came late last night after a long drive. Be thankful that mom didn't send me early" he said, smirking but I just smiled remembering what all happened yesterday. It was special. Everything about him is just so special. My heart fluttered as I recalled what all he confessed yesterday and I couldn't be more happier that he is opening up to me too...

I was upset because, I had an accident and forgot everything. I know nothing about who I was or how I was. I had promised to myself while moving on that, irrespective of anything, I shall always live the moment to the best. My wedding is something I didn't even imagine but when it was confirmed, I had dreams and that dress was really gorgeous. I myself don't know why I made such an issue out of it, but it hurt when I heard it was sold out...

But I hadn't expected Swayam to say all that and make my mood good. Everything he said, was so heartfelt that it worked like a magic on my mind. I am falling in love with him, over and over again. I looked down at the pendant and held it in my fist, feeling the beautiful moment again...

"Oh Hello! Stop day dreaming about your to be husband and get ready quick!" Sid said, bringing me out of my trance and I glared at him.

"You, get lost first!" I shouted and threw a pillow on him which he dodged effortlessly and walked away, chuckling. The teasing is never ending! Sighing deeply, I removed the duvet over me and started doing my chores for today...

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"You look beautiful beta" mom said, kissing my forehead and I smiled at her. The day passed so quickly and now, here I am, sitting in front of the dressing table in my room, dressed in a lehenga choli of emerald green, with the work of golden. It was simple, yet elegant and I thought it would be perfect for my mehendi.

It was almost 5 and the auspicious time for mehendi was from 6. As per the traditions, mehendi which is henna, is to come from the groom's home. Since we were doing it on a small scale, we decided that it shall be together under one roof, i.e. in this house itself. I am eagerly waiting to see Swayam dressed up in an Indian outfit!

We strolled down and dad and Sid appreciated me very much and now, I was sitting at a sofa and looking everywhere at the amazing decorations. The house was decorated with flowers and coloured curtains. At a corner, I saw Vicky fixing something, standing up on a ladder and Nil was helping him out. I turned my gaze to see Simmi and Kriya walking towards the sitting arrangements made for guests, with huge trays in their hands. Rinni, Amar and bharat were looking after the food arrangements and only Rey was missing. Well, I don't even doubt a bit where he would be.

Just as I was about to get up, we heard the honking of car and mom and dad rushed to the door. They are here. They arrived. I could physically feel my heartbeats increasing. I was continuously gazing towards the door and saw Swayam step in and greet my mom and dad, with his family entering behind along with Rey.

I scanned him and no doubt he was looking so beautiful in the light pista green colour kurta he was wearing, with a golden stole around his neck. The kurta hugged his arms as he joined his hands for greeting and you could easily make out the muscles under them. Damn! He is looking so hot too... The colour just suits him so much!

After he wished all the elders in front of him, as if he knew where I am, he immediately looked at me and smiled, more like smirked at me. Shit! He caught me checking him out. I smiled back and it felt as if my heart would fall out any moment. Damn Pia! Why are you behaving like a teenager? Relax! It's just Swayam! He was continuously gazing at me, scanning my appearance completely which made a little cautious and I shifted slightly in my place.

They all walked into the hall and I greeted my in laws and few of their relatives too, as mom introduced me to them. As I was done greeting everyone present here, I stood at a distance, while the elders talked only to realise that I was standing right next to Swayam. My heartbeats started raising with just the thought of it and I could feel his presence right behind me, his chest almost touching my back.

"Don't you know that checking out someone when they are not aware of it is bad?" he asked muttering, so that only we both can hear it. I felt heat raise to my cheeks and I fake coughed to cover it. I felt a hand creep on my waist and I jumped at the sudden contact. I realised it was Swayam's and I side glared at him.

"Swayam! Remove your hand! Someone will see!" I whisper yelled at him and he tightened his hold at the side of my waist. I looked down at where he was holding and was relieved that my dupatta covered it for me already. But what my blushing face? How and where should I hide it?

"Answer me first..." He whispered again and I smiled at one of the relatives who was looking at me.

"It's not bad when you are checking out your own fiance" I muttered, smilingly so that no one can make out that something is going on. Even Swayam was doing the same.

"So you agree that you were checking me out..." He said and I mentally cursed myself for making it more obvious than it already was. I didn't reply and stayed at the same position, smiling at whoever passed by, looking at us.

"Swayam leave... Someone will see us and the teasing would be never-ending" I muttered and immediately felt his grip tightening even more, but not at all hurting me. How does he manages to do this?

"Let them then... Because you look so gorgeous that I doubt I can keep my hands to myself today" He whispered, shrugging and I rolled my eyes but at the same time, felt as if my heart would fall out, thumping so loudly.

Just as he was distracted a little by an aunty, I immediately walked out of his grip and turned to face him. He raised his eyebrows at me and I showed my tongue, walking backwards. He smiled shaking his head and I lost my heart to that smile of his. Suddenly, I bumped into someone and that brought me out of my trance. I turned around to look it was Simmi and I sighed in relief.

"Thank god you walked away from him. I was about to come to you guys and say that you both were being too obvious now" she said smirking and I felt heat rush back to my face. Some people did notice afterall!

"Now come on, you should get ready for the mehendi to be applied on you. The artists are already here" Simmi said, practically dragged me to the sitting arrangements made for the ladies and beautifully decorated one for me to sit. I was being dragged there and I looked around, to see all the elders coming in here.

Mom came forward and made me sit comfortably on the cot like seat and my to be mother-in-law came forward with the thali which was beautifully decorated with flowers and the mehendi was kept in the middle of it. Mom took one of the cones and applied mehendi to my hand. It is a ritual that the mother should start the mehendi. She looked up at me after she was done and I could see her eyes were moist. I nodded her a no and she got up smiling. The artists then started their work on my hands and legs...

I was sitting for almost like two hours now and my back was seriously hurting from the stiff position I had to maintain. I just looked around and smiled seeing the happy atmosphere around. The elderly ladies and relatives were seated and some artists were applying mehendi to them... The traditional songs were being sung along with dhol and the younger ones were dancing on it in the middle of the hall, taking small breaks from time to time. Kriya, Simmi and Rinni were completely charged when it came to dancing and few of my cousins joined them too.

In short, it was how a wedding house would be. I am absolutely in love with the air that's filled here. Giggles, laughs and energy was all over the place. This is basically a ladies ritual so all the works were being taken care by the men of the house.

I didn't miss the occasional stares from Swayam, standing at different places in the hall, talking to some relatives of his side and some of mine. He would even wink at times making my eyes grow wide and I looked here and there, to see that no one noticed and I glared at him, to which he chuckled, smirking at me. I didn't even looked at him, since this incident few minutes ago.

Though all the functions were to be held at a low scale with only family, the elders insisted on inviting some close relatives and friends and we had no say in it.

"What name is to be written?" One of the artists asked me, who had been working on my right hand. I opened my mouth to answer but someone cut me in.

"Umm... Write Jaanu" it was Rinni and I glared at her while others giggled.

"Ew... No. Write Swayu..." Kriya said from the other side and I gave her a serious look too. Have they gone mad?

"Don't listen to them. We don't write such things in the mehendi. Write his name, Swayam or just the initial will be fine too" I said, before Simmi could suggest something. Everyone laughed at my irritated face and I quickly eased it.

"What's happening here girls?" We heard a aunty ask and I looked up to see Swayam's cousin aunt as much as I can recall from the introduction, standing near us.

"Nothing much aunty, just deciding what name is to be written on her hand" Simmi replied and I slightly smiled at her. I don't know why, she just didn't seem to be radiate that positive vibe for me. I brushed over the thought and looked at the name that was being designed so that it will be tough for him to find out. It's just a fun after marriage ritual and I already cannot wait for it.

"Swayam!" The same aunty called his name, shouting and he looked in our direction from where e was standing.

"Come here my boy!" She called him like anyone would call a kid and he excused himself to the person he was talking with and started walking towards us. My heartbeat increased with every step he took towards me, continuously looking at me without any care that many might notice it. Once he was standing in front of me and beside aunty, I shyly looked up at him and he gave me a dazzling smile which I returned too.

"Oh my! You both are so lovely!" The aunty sang and I internally rolled my eyes whereas Swayam scratched his nape.

"That they are!" Kriya agreed making me blush a little. By now, even Swayam's mom and Taani were here, standing near me.

"Now leave all these things... Swayam beta, sit and let them apply some mehendi on your hands too" aunty said and Swayam didn't seem shocked as I expected him to be. Instead he looked tensed.

"It's okay aunty, I am fine..." He said, trying to avoid putting it on and gulping. Looks like someone is not a fan of mehendi...

"How's that possible? No! You must apply some mehendi too..." She held his wrist and Swayam looked at his mother with puppy eyes. I felt to laugh at his face right now but controlled it somehow.

"Swayam, sit and let them apply mehendi on your hands too. It was a tradition before but with time, you men just avoided doing it. A little small design atleast?" Swayam's mom pleaded and he sighed. I love this about him. He respects aunty so much that he always obeys to her. Making an artist get up from my right side, aunty made him sit there, diagonally in front of me.

"Please, just a simple one..." Swayam requested to the artist who was in front of him, kneeling down and holding his hand, about to draw something.

"Okay just write our dear Bhabhi's name atleast" Taani teased and he nodded in agreement, smilingly.

"What name should I write?" She asked and before anyone could say anything, the cousin aunty jumped in saying the name which immediately made my smile drop.

"Ofcourse Sharon!"

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A/N

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