As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the sprawling city of Mumbai, Madhav and Shree went on their much awaited long drive. Shree, wearing a pink frock, sat beside him, her eyes alight with curiosity and wonder, as they navigated their way through the maze of bustling streets and crowded roads.

As they drove, Madhav stole glances at Shree, his beautiful wife, marveling at her beauty in the soft evening light. He couldn't believe that he finally married the woman who made his heart beat so fast.

Her dark locks cascaded like silken waves down her back, framing her delicate features in a halo of ethereal radiance. The gentle breeze tousled her hair, sending tendrils dancing in the air, as she gazed out of the window in awe at the city unfolding before her.

After a leisurely drive, Madhav steered the car towards a secluded cliff overlooking the city. The view was breathtaking, the twinkling lights of Mumbai spread out like a blanket of stars beneath them. Shree gasped in awe, her breath catching as she took in the panoramic vista.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Madhav asked, his voice barely above a whisper as he watched Shree's eyes widen with wonder.

"It's incredible," Shree replied, her voice filled with awe as she gazed out at the cityscape below. "Madhav, this view is absolutely mesmerizing! I never knew Mumbai could look so beautiful from up here."

"It's one of my favorite spots in the city. I come here whenever I need to clear my head or just admire the beauty of Mumbai from a different perspective."

Madhav stepped out of the car and offered Shree his hand, helping her out onto the rocky ledge. They stood side by side, the cool evening breeze caressing their faces as they drank in the sight before them.

"Isn't it amazing how a city as bustling and chaotic as Mumbai can look so serene and magical from up here?" Madhav said, his gaze lingering on Shree's face.

Shree nodded, her eyes never leaving the mesmerizing view before her. "It's so peaceful up here," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the gentle rustle of the wind.

As the wind picked up, blowing strands of hair across Shree's face, Madhav couldn't tear his gaze away from her. Madhav smiled, his heart swelling with love for the woman beside him. With a gentle smile, he reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair from Shree's face, his fingers lingering against her soft skin, his touch sending shivers down her spine.

"Last night was... incredible," Madhav began, his heart pounding with anticipation as he recalled making love to her. "I've never felt such passion, such... intensity before."

Madhav traced the curve of her cheek with the back of his hand, marveling at the softness of her skin beneath his touch. Shree's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue as she remembered his rippling muscles enveloping her, pulling her to his hard and sculptured chest .

"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known, Shree," he confessed, pulling her into an embrace, his eyes alight with adoration as he looked into her eyes and drank in her beauty.

Shree's heart swelled with love at his words. "And you, my darling, why are you so handsome? I can't keep myself away from you!" she replied.

"I love every inch of you," he whispered against her lips, his voice thick with emotion. "But I have to admit, your breasts, they drive me wild."

Shree's cheeks flushed crimson at his bold declaration, a shy smile gracing her lips as she averted her gaze. "You're embarrassing me," she protested, though her heart fluttered with delight at his words.

Madhav chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with mischief. As Shree melted into Madhav's embrace, she felt his warm lips press against her neck and shoulders, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through her body.

"You are so soft, so supple... like silk beneath my fingertips. Like petals of the most exquisite flower, begging to be caressed and adored."

"Stop it!" She giggles.

"I can't help it," he murmured against her skin. "You're just so irresistible. Every inch of you is perfection to me - from the tips of your toes to the depths of your soul."

Shree smiled softly, her fingers tangling in the soft strands of his hair as she pulled him closer. "Stop it," she protested with a smile.

"I can't promise to behave myself," he confessed into her ears, his voice husky with desire. "But I can promise to love you with all that I am, for as long as I live."

"I love you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "More than words can say."

"And I love you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "More than anything in this world."

Unable to resist the overwhelming urge, Madhav's lips began brushing against hers in a tender, lingering kiss. Shree's eyes fluttered closed as she melted into their kiss.

* * * * *

Shree stood in the dimly lit kitchen, the soft glow of the overhead light casting shadows across the countertops as she swiftly whisked eggs and mixed batter for cookies. The sound of the whisk scraping against the bowl was the only noise in the otherwise quiet apartment.

Olivera entered the kitchen, rubbing her eyes sleepily as she looked around the scene before her. She frowned slightly at the sight of multiple bowls of batter spread out on the counter, her concern evident in her voice as she approached Shree.

"What's wrong, Shree?" Olivera asked gently, her brow furrowing with worry. "It's past midnight. Why are you making so many bowls of batter?"

Shree sighed softly, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion as she set down the whisk and turned to face Olivera. "I-I can't sleep," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "I keep dreaming of Madhav, and I just...I needed to do something to keep my mind occupied."

Olivera nodded understandingly, her expression softening with sympathy as she reached out to gently squeeze Shree's shoulder. "I know it's hard, Shree," she said softly. "But cooking in the middle of the night isn't the best way to cope. You need to rest."

Shree bit her lip, her gaze dropping to the bowls of batter before her as she wrestled with her emotions. She knew Olivera was right, but the thought of lying awake in bed, alone with her thoughts, was almost unbearable.

"I-I just don't know what to do," she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur. "It hurts."

Olivera's heart ached at the pain in Shree's voice, her own eyes welling up with tears as she wrapped her arms around her friend in a comforting embrace. "I know, Shree," she murmured, her voice choked with emotion. "But you can't let this consume you. You need to take care of yourself, especially now that you're pregnant."

Shree nodded, her cheeks wet with tears as she leaned into Olivera's embrace. "I-I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Shree leaned into the hug, feeling a sense of comfort wash over her at Olivera's words. "Thank you," she whispered.

Olivera pulled back slightly, her gaze locking with Shree's as she spoke with gentle determination. "You need to get some rest," she said firmly. "I'll sleep next to you if it'll make you feel better.

As the morning sun painted the London sky with hues of pink and orange, Shree bustled around her kitchen, the aroma of freshly baked butter cookies filling the air. She carefully packed them into a box and headed off to the university.

In the canteen, Shree's friends eagerly gathered around as she enjoyed her delicious butter cookies. Their eyes lit up with delight as they sampled the warm, tasty butter cookies, savoring each bite.

"These are amazing, Shree!" exclaimed Helga, her mouth full of cookie crumbs. "You should definitely make more."

Sumaiyah nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you could totally turn this into a business. People would love these cookies."

Olivera chimed in, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "And you could call it Happy Cookies! It's perfect!"

Shree's face broke into a wide smile at the suggestion. "I love that name!" she exclaimed. "Happy Cookies it is!"

As they sat together, enjoying the delicious treats and sharing laughter and conversation, Shree couldn't help but feel a sense of joy and fulfillment.

* * * * *

That evening, Shree's heart raced as she saw the caller ID displaying her Aunt Vimala's name. Taking a deep breath, she answered the call. "Hello, Aunt Vimala," she greeted, her voice tinged with apprehension.

"Shree, is that you?" Vimala's sharp voice came through the line. 

"Yes, Aunt Vimala, it's me."

"Shree, I just heard the news," Aunt Vimala's voice came through the line.

"I knew it was only a matter of time before that Madhav fellow showed his true colors. I suppose that scoundrel Madhav is nowhere to be found, is he?" Aunt Vimala exclaimed, her tone dripping with disdain. "A man like him was never worthy of you. I warned you about him, didn't I? But did you listen? No, you had to go and marry him and now look where it's gotten you. Pregnant and abandoned, just as I predicted!"

"Shree, you've disgraced our family by marrying that low-caste boy and then by sleeping with him and letting him impregnate you! You should be ashamed of yourself."

Shree felt her chest tighten with emotion as her aunt continued to berate Madhav and their marriage. "Aunt Vimala, please," she interjected, her voice trembling with emotion. "I don't want to talk about this right now."

But Aunt Vimala was relentless, her words cutting deeper with each passing moment. "You should have listened to your family, Shree. You should have listened to me and married someone from a respectable family - from our own community, someone who could provide for you properly." She continued, her voice growing more shrill. "We knew he was trouble from the start. And now look at you, pregnant and abandoned!"

"Face it, Shree. He used you to satisfy his lust, and then left you high and dry. You were too naive to see it. He doesn't care about you or that baby growing inside you. You're better off without him."

Shree took a deep breath, trying to calm herself before responding. "Auntie, caste never mattered to me. Madhav was a good man, and he loved me so much."

Vimala's voice grew sharper. "Well, it seems he loves you enough to leave you pregnant and alone! You should forget about him, Shree, and move on with your life. Abort that baby and find someone who deserves you. That man has no intention of coming back to you. He's probably off luring some other woman while you sit there bearing his imbecile child!"

Shree's eyes filled with tears as she listened to her aunt's words. "I agree with you! I will forget about Madhav, and move on!" she said softly, her voice breaking with emotion. "However, this baby is a part of me. I won't abort it, no matter what."

"So, you are going to give birth to that filthy man's baby?" Aunt Vimala spat. "Mark my words, you and the baby have brought shame to our proud lineage. The Gods and Goddesses will not spare you and that baby! The Gods and Goddesses will ensure that you pay for your disobedience. You will give birth to a diseased and crippled infant for spoiling our family honor."

Shree ended the call, feeling as though a dark cloud had descended upon her soul.

Olivera, seeing Shree's distress, rushes to her side and wraps her in a comforting embrace. Shree narrates everything to Olivera. "Shree, my dear friend," she murmurs soothingly, gently rubbing her back. "Don't let her words get to you. You know they're not true."

But Shree continues to cry, the weight of her aunt's words bearing down on her like a heavy burden. "I can't help it, Olivera," she sobs, her voice choked with emotion. "What if she's right? What if I've brought this upon myself and my baby?"

Olivera's heart breaks for her friend as she holds her close, offering what little comfort she can. "Shree, listen to me," she says firmly, pulling back slightly to look into Shree's tear-stained eyes. "You are strong, and you are loved. Don't let anyone make you doubt yourself or the choices you've made."

Shree sniffles, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. "But what if she's right about the baby?" she whispers, her voice trembling with fear.

Olivera shakes her head, her expression resolute. "No, Shree," she says firmly. "You are going to have a beautiful, healthy baby. I just know it."

Shree looks up at her friend, a glimmer of hope shining through her tears. "Do you really think so?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

Olivera nods, a reassuring smile on her lips. "I do," she says confidently. "And you know what? We're going to do everything we can to make sure that happens. You're not alone in this, Shree. I'll be here for you every step of the way."

Feeling a surge of gratitude wash over her, Shree leans into Olivera's embrace once more, drawing strength from her unwavering support. "Thank you, Olivera," she whispers, her voice filled with emotion. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Olivera squeezes her friend's hand reassuringly. "You don't have to do this alone, Shree," she says softly. "We'll get through this together, I promise."