Everyone who knew Suman Tiwari knew that she was no more a fussy girl, like she had been years before, during her teenage. But that particular day, she could not help but mess around her entire wardrobe, her meagre jewellery collection, her room, everything just in order to have the picture perfect look. Little Dabbu and Preeti stood at the door, weird look at their faces as they watched their beloved Suman Didi, act like the messiest and most insecure person alive, putting a hell lot of more than required efforts in getting ready and yet not liking the final outcome of any of her trials.

Nothing seemed perfect enough to Suman and she needed it to be exactly that. Afterall, it was her first Valentines Date with Shravan that evening. A date where she was planning to propose him.

Seven months and six days had gone by since the six feet four inch Qutub Minar landed at her doorstep with a proposal to feed her 455 calories every damn day. And mind you, he had stuck to his promise like a broken cassette, mixing and matching a variety of chocolates that made 455 calories exactly, every damn day.

Suman never knew she had an inkling for cheese, but since she started keeping all the chocolate wrappers safely tucked in her cupboard, which to say were a lot, she realized she was actually smitten in love. Despite the fact that she didn't eat all those chocolates by herself, the fact that he gave them to her meant a lot to her.

Also, the mighty lawyer Shravan Malhotra harboured a romantic bone in his body too, which honestly came as a surprise to her for the first time when he came to wish her happy birthday at five in the morning, with a bunch of her favorite tulips, which were fresh, and to top it all, he stood outside her house in rain until she came out. And that stupidly sweet guy made an umbrella out of his blazer for her, while he himself got drenched.

Needless to mention, they shared their first kiss that day, full on Aashiqui style, and Suman could not be happier. The feel of his warm lips on her plump ones, while his hands caressed the sides of her waist, still gave her goosebumps.

Since then, there had been many stolen kisses, on lips, on cheeks, sometimes on her forehead, and other times on her exposed skin areas that fascinated Shravan, like her left shoulder blade, or the side of her neck, or her earlobe. She wasn't a docile type either, so she had her own share of adventures with him.

They had been on several dates, but everytime Shravan took her to a posh restaurant, Suman would start cribbing about how the food there didn't taste good, or lack a specific something, sometimes as gross as ginger paste, and it had irked him so much that now they had this deal that Suman would bring her tiffin of great food, cooked especially by her for their lone times. It was weird eating home cooked food sitting in a hotel and hence quickly their get togethers had shifted to parks, temples, movie theatres and any other place that didn't restrict eating one's own food.

Shravan had forgiven her, she knew that. She had seen it in his eyes eventually. When he had first returned, he had his guard up, she had felt it. Though he had agreed to give her a second chance, the fear of being let down was still there in his eyes. With time, Shravan got to knew this Suman that she had grown up to be and had warmed up to her.

They have had a few mature conversations, and he talked in length about how he felt with her betrayal, if he planned to return otherwise, his mother, his days in that dorm room of Oxford, everything! And she had listened with a compassionate hand hold, and misty eyes but had let him ramble everything. It was then that she felt her old chasmish was back, the one who would come and blabber everything to his Sumo.

Shravan was no less, he had grown up to become a shrewd lawyer. He had quickly noticed the difference between Suman and Sumo, and had bugged her also to speak up. Suman had tried her best to dodge that conversation, but had to give up at his persistent ways. He had been guilt ridden to learn how lonely she had been for years in his absence, about her parents, the loan, her debts and the responsibilities that had sucked out the Sumo and made her Suman for her Mami and family. He was proud to know how she alone, stood upto her expectations and opened PCT on her own, and that it had been doing fairly good.

There weren't any secrets between them, they loved each other with their flaws, and cherished every moment they got together. The only thing that bugged Suman was that despite a gallon hints, Shravan was no where near proposing her, and hence, she had taken this to herself, ready to break the stereotype and propose him. Maybe, she would have to take the initiative in their relationship, but she was fine with it until she had him, in her life.

Her menu for the evening was ready. Sev ki sabji and naan, his favorite Daal, fried rice, moong ki daal ka halwa and a separately baked cake for the special occasion.

The place was fixed, the park near To. Uncle's tea stall. She had reminded Pushkar and Preeta thrice to set the table with a white table cloth, two chairs, her special crockery set and some fairly light decoration on the near by trees, a few candles on the table, and a few rose petals. Picture perfect.

Their timings had been cross matched twice. Sharp eight in the evening.

It was almost 6:30 and Suman was almost ready to start crying when Preeti entered huffing, pulled up her elder sister and thrusted a pink long skirt and a white blouse in her hand. Suman looked up confused, and was about to retort but for the first time found Preeti staring back at her, angry. She quietly changed into it, and Preeti paired the outfit with a nice ethnic look jacket and pink danglers from her collection. She curled Suman's hairs a little, did the touch up and then finally turned Suman to face the mirror.

The smile that began to form on Suman's lips, ended as an ear to ear grin that made Preeti chuckle and Dabbu sigh in relief.

Suman found herself looking different from her usual self, but good different and it only made her excited for his reaction. She hoped it will make him kiss her first thing when he arrives and that thought made her blush so bad that Preeti had to cough twice to break her trance.

Embarrassed, Suman picked up her clutch and keys before running out, mumbling infinite thank you to her sister on the way.

Ankhiyan kare ji-huzori,
Mange hai Teri manzori!
Kazra siyahi, din rang jaye,
Teri kastoori, rain jagaye!
Man mast magan, bus tera naam dohraye!

---------

Shravan Malhotra hit himself in the head for the third time in a row, when he stuttered again, even in front of the damn mirror! It was all about one line, four words!

" Will you marry me?", That's all.

But Shravan would falter every time he imagined his Sumo right there, and all his confidence would flow out of the window. He was determined to make this Valentines special for them, and this was the best way. He knew she was waiting, she had given him ample hints.

Sudden talks about how she wanted Tulips in her Sangeet, or Stargazers for her Mehndi, or how she had seen a particular lehnga design online. Also, how so many of her friends were getting married, and even pregnancy at later age is difficult. It had taken him everything to keep a poker face when she talked, and not blush or smile like he wanted to. He had acted like he didn't pick up any hint, and answered only sarcastically like how late pregnancy will protect her from endometrial cancer and how flowers are overrated and too mainstream.

All these for today, when he was sure he would bowl her over and was expecting the evening to see his favorite glint in her eyes. She would start dancing or maybe better, opt for kissing him. He blushed at the thought, and gelled his perfectly set hair again, just to ease out the tension he felt in his nerves.

He still remembered the bouts of electric shock his body had felt when the girl on the train who had appeared fidgety and nervous, shouted not only his name, but a goddamn love confession from a moving train. It was the most unexpected thing that had ever occured to him.

Thus, it had taken him some time to think and contemplate because in opposition was years of accumulated hurt and anger. But his thought process eventually led him to one sane decision, everything is worth a second chance, and only a second chance. So he gave that to his heart, and came back, only to be stupified with kisses at her doorstep and various 'I love you's'.

The next seven months had not been downright pleasure. It had taken a toll over both of them, because ten years change a lot. Sumo and Shravan might have been each other's abode in childhood, but a lot had changed with time. Suman and Shravan had changed with time. So, they learnt about each other again, talked out their issues, had some long conversations and in between all that, stole some kisses and hugs too.

He still vividly remembered their first kiss, and as cliche as it sounds, it was in the rain, early morning on her birthday. She had gone almost frenzy under his touch, but the excitement of their little adventure had left a very warm, fuzzy feeling in the pit of their stomach. And why not? Kissing in the garden of the mighty Tiwari Killa, where every window opens towards the garden was a huge risk.

Baatein kuch ankahi si, kuch ansuni si, hone lagi!
Kabu dil pe raha na, hasti humari khone lagi!
Wooooh! Wooooah!
Shayad yhi h pyaar!

But then, all is well that ends well, and he wanted to give a happy ending to their romance by giving it a new beginning of marriage. He had always known he loved her, but that one evening when a car had almost hit her and she had saved herself in nick of a moment while he had stood frozen on the other side of the road, it had dawned on him again.

Shravan was nothing without his Suman. He needed her for his sanity, for his smile, for his peace of mind. He loved her, loved her more than he had loved anyone or anything ever!

His happiness was flowing through the vibrant sparkle in his eyes, but when he quickly fetched his wallet and keys, running down the stairs, a thought stopped him.

There was one thing left to do before proposing her, and that was seeking his father's permission.

--------

Suman sat fidgeting with her fingers, checking her watch every five minutes. Why did Mr. Perfect had to be late that very day? It was his forte, waiting for her, not hers. It had been more than half an hour past eight and to top all that, he wasn't answering her calls, or messages. She was starting to get worried more than angry. Shravan never did this. He would inform her if he ought to cancel any of their plans.

It was almost ten, while she sat shivering at that very table waiting patiently for him. He had waited for her for far more long hours, hadn't he? She always came at the end. Maybe he was playing games with her, checking if she would give up?

She won't, she was determined enough. She would wait until he actually showed up!

It was almost eleven when her phone rang.

" Shravan? Where are you? Are you okay?", She blasted as soon as she received it. Her concern told him something he really really needed to know. He hummed at her question and it sushed her up.

" Shravan? I have been waiting! Did you forget about our date?", She asked softly, not wanting to sound angry, because something told her he wasn't really okay.

" You are still there? Waiting for me? Its eleven Suman!", Shravan's voice was strained, but the guilt he felt on letting her down had shaken him up.

" I will always wait for you Shravan, I had promised you, remember? I am not leaving you alone, again", Suman was surprised at herself. She didn't find herself getting angry or disappointed at him. She tried understanding what went wrong with him. Maybe that's what we call getting mature.

" Come over to Malhotra Mansion. Terrace. I need to speak to you", Shravan's voice trembled as he pictured what he has expected the day to be and what it had turned out to be.

" Ten minutes", she had cut the call without letting him answer.

A sigh left him, when he held his face in his palms, rubbing it over his face. They had decided communication was their key, so be it.

I have died everyday waiting for you,
Darling don't be afraid,
I have loved you,
For a thousand years.
Will love you for a thousand more.
Love you !

-------

Suman almost ran up the stairs, stumbling twice, ignoring the looks from his family. But nothing in the world had prepared her for the sight she met.

Shravan stood, leaning over the parapet, his eyes had a distant look, with a reddish tinge. Had he cried? His face was passive, but the way he had fisted his knuckles told her something was seriously wrong!

" Shravan?"

" Suman", he turned to face her, a small smile on his face.

She ran up to him, and immediately cupped her face. He moved his own hands to rest over her soft palms cupping his cheeks, as he slightly leaned into her touch.

" What happened?", She was curious and worried.

" I had something very important to tell you tonight, but then I found something more important than that",  Shravan didn't realize he was trembling until he found Suman instantly wrapping her arms around him, letting him rest his head on her chest. Sure it was uncomfortable a little, considering he had to really bend, but it was worth it. A few minutes later, they both settled down on the floor.

" Suman I know you had been waiting for me to take our relationship forward", Shravan confessed, and Suman's eye shot up.

So he had not been that dumb.

" Trust me, I wanted to too, until...", He trailed off.

" Until?",

" Suman! My mom didn't run away. Papa falsely accused her, because he was jealous of her professional acheivements. He could not deal with an ambitious wife. His male ego got hurry, watching his wife pay for him. And then he thought she would snatch me so kept me away from her, under pretences", Shravan spoke it all out, everything that his father had told him, with tears in those aged eyes.

Ramnath Malhotra, had finally confessed it to Shravan, when he got to know that he wanted to propose Suman. It was true that Suman was almost Nirmala's shadow, just like Shravan was his. And he didn't want another love story to began full fledged and then die an untimely asphyxic death. He was afraid history might repeat itself, and hence, he had found it better to let Shravan know the truth.

Suman, on the other hand, knew how much he missed his mother. She had heard him talk about her whenever he was tipsy. He missed her, wanted to hug her, and cry too. She knew it all, and she could not help but feel sorry for him. At least her parents were dead, his mother was right there, and yet he was kept away for years.

When she didn't say anything, Shravan raised his eyes to find tears rolling down her pink cheeks. Unconsciously, he raised his hand to wipe them off.

" You won't say anything?", He questioned.

" How does this stops you from saying the other important thing to me?", She knew the answer, but wanted to hear it from him.

" Suman, I am his son! I am afraid I will break your heart like he broke Maa's", and the cat was out of the bag. Suman smiled, before pulling his hands into hers.

" Mr. Shravan stupid Malhotra, you are his son, doesn't mean you will repeat his mistakes. Also, you don't know your mother's side of story. Maybe, there was some fault from her side too.  Also, for us, our love is important right? And we also know communication is the key. I am ambitious Shravan but I know my priorities, just like you are a little chauvinistic but your love is your strength. We will never be like them, we can never be. They were Ram and Nirmala, we are Shravan and Suman. We are meant to be, baby. Sumo ka Shravan. Shravan ki Sumo!", She giggled by the end of her monologue, but he kept still, staring at her face, for a few long minutes. She squeezed his hands, kissed the back of his plam and pulled him up on his feet.

The next minute he was up for a shock as he saw her going down on her knees.

" Mr. Shravan Malhotra, since you are taking too much time and I am thin on patience, I am doing the honours myself. Will you, please, wake me up everyday for the rest of our lives with a kiss on my cheeks and let me tell our children how beautiful our love story was?", Suman proposed, on one knee, extending him the ring she bought for him earlier.

Shravan took a moment but before she could complain that he took too much time even in responding, he was also on his knees, his lips moving over hers, as they sealed the promise.

"Yes, yes, yes. A thousand times yes", Shravan smiled, his first heartfelt one since the evening, and Suman slid the ring up his finger, the smile not ready to leave her face.

" I had been wanting to kiss you since I saw you. You look ravishing in pink", he complimented her as she blushed deep.

And when she found him taking out a ring, the one that he got made for her, well because he intended to propose too, she could not be happier.

This time when their lips met, it was urgent and passionate than ever.  He kissed her face madly, and her neck, and then her lips again, as she giggled. The moon above blessed the couple with its radiating peace, hoping to keep them this same level of crazy and happy, forever and ever!

You know I will fall apart without you,
I don't know how you do what you do.
Because everything that dont makes sense about me,
Makes sense When I am with you.

Everything that's green girl, I need you,
But its more than one and one makes two.
Put aside the maths and the logic,
You gotta know you are wanted too! ❤️
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The end!

Finally. I hope it compensates for the delay.
Do tell me if and how you people liked it?

Happy Valentines!