Started on 2.10.2020

Kashish gets a call from Sujal while she was busy putting the ironed clothes into the cupboard in the evening. Closing the cupboard she heads towards the bed where she had tossed her mobile earlier. Sujal's name flashing on the screen, today instead of bringing a smile on her face gets her tensed. She knows that he wasn't in best of his moods when he left for office this morning. Even making him to have the breakfast had itself been a task for Kashish. Finally she had to warn him by saying - 'Sujal agar tumne nashta nahi kiya to main bhi nahi karungi.' And of course Sujal can stand anything but any kind of interruption in Kashish's normal and happy life especially on his account, that is just not acceptable to Sujal. Then happened what only Kashish and Sujal's Mumma are best in doing - convincing Sujal! Sujal finally sat on the dining table and was forced to have his breakfast, simultaneously he fed her too from his plate. Kashish wonders what could be the reason of the call. She gets tensed. She hopes that everything is fine between Sujal and CG, that they didn't end up arguing on certain topic at the office too.

"Sujal!",

she addresses him instead of the normal hello, out of anxiety and tension.

"Kashish!",

he takes his name with all of his love and concern for Kashish as he realizes that she got nervous and tensed, merely by hearing her voice.

Kashish takes a deep breath and her throat chokes out of emotions for Sujal, realizing that everything is fine at his end and it is just a normal call.

"Kya hua Sujal? Achanak call?",

asks Kashish, calming herself down.

"Kya kar rahi ho?",

asks Sujal, calmly, resting back on his chair, staring at the ceiling and imagining how Kashish must be looking at the moment while she converses with him.

Sitting on the bed, Kashish replies,

"Kaam kar rahi thi. Abhi thodi free hui hun."

"Ahmm... aney mein late hoge kya?",

asks Kashish, turning a bit sad.

Smiling, Sujal teases,

"Haan shayad ghar atey atey late ho jayein hum."

Kashish knits her brows in confusion,

"Hum?"

"Haan hum! Tum aur main - Hum!",

smiles Sujal, his eyes twinkling with love for Kashish.

Kashish cascades her eyes, smiling, blushing on hearing him.

"Ab sharmao to mat Kashish. Hum ab boyfriend-girlfriend to nahi rahe jo tum iss baat ko sunn kar sharma gayi. Ab to tum Mrs. Kashish Sujal Garewal ho, puri duniya janti hai ye to.",

teases Sujal.

Kashish shakes her head, blushing profusely, keeping her eyes cascaded.

"Tumhe kaise pata ke main sharma rahi hun?",

asks Kashish, narrowing her eyes, blushing and smiling further.

"Tum jitni baar bhi ye kahoge na main utni baar sharmaungi.",

adds Kashish, with all the warmth of love for her dear husband.

Sujal's heart fills with fresh love for his dear wife.

"Haaa!!!",

Sujal takes a deep breath and chooses to reply to her question first,

"Tumhari harkaton ko mehsus karne ke liye tumhe mere ankhon ke samne rehna parhe, ye zaruri nahi Kashish. Jiski har saans mein Kashish basi ho, uss Sujal ko Kashish ko dekhne ke liye inn ankhon ki kya zarurat?"

Kashish's heart throbs hearing that.

"Sujal Kashish ko sirf dekhta hi nahi balki usse mehsus bhi karta hai!",

adds Sujal.

Kashish knits her brows as her feelings for Sujal increases manifolds.

"Aur main puri koshish karunga ke tum kabhi sharmana band na karo.",

teases back Sujal, trying to increase the level of her emotions.

Kashish blushes further, shaking her head.

"Tum ye jaan bujh kar karte ho na?",

asks Kashish, acting to be scolding him.

Sujal laughs silently, enjoying witnessing a teased Kashish. Teased on his account!

"Kya kiya maine?",

asks Sujal, with a motive to tease her.

"Achaaa tumhe nahi pata tumne kya kiya?",

asks Kashish, narrowing her eyes, blushing, smiling, enjoying this tease.

"Mujhe wakaye nahi pata maine kya kiya!",

Sujal used the same tone as he used once when they were in a relationship.

Sujal stays confident that his tone and words would bring back the memories of the moment they shared once!

*Flashback*

"Kashish...",

calls out Sujal, following her on the road.

"Kashish tum mere sawal ka jawab diye bina nahi ja rahi ho.",

warns Sujal mildly, staring her throughout, whilst walking behind her.

Kashish couldn't help herself from enjoying her laughter especially after the elevator incident. His being teased by Kashish just adds in to her laughter.

"Aap humesha aise ghuma-fira ke sawal kyun puchtein hain?",

asks Kashish, turning her face to her right, whilst continuing her walk ahead, stil not facing him directly.

Sujal pays attention to her each word, following her, staring her.

"Kyun? Kya ye sawal bohot mushkil hai?",

he teases her, smiling infectiously, knowing how much is the question affecting Kashish and how much will his this tease will increase the affect.

"Please! Ye mera personal mamla hai. Mujhe pareshan mat kariye.",

Kashish controls her accelerated rate of heartbeat before saying so. Accelerated not only because of the walk but also because of the tease and the effect of Sujal that never cease to leave her in his presence around herself.

Sujal laughs secretly further.

"Aur waise bhi... main apke sawalon ka jawab kyun dun? Jab aap kabhi nahi dete mere sawalon ka jawab.",

asks Kashish, knitting her brows, as if very serious about it, turning her head again to her right, still not facing him directly.

"Arey ye kya sawal jawab laga rakha hai?!",

asks Sujal, a bit irritated.

"Konsa sawal?",

asks Sujal, confused and also in full mood to tease her.

"Dekh dekh kalke Laila-Majnu!",

teases a man who had witnessed them last day too.

Kashish doesn't fail to hear that and she turns out of awkwardness and embarrassment. Her earlier smile vanishes as her cheeks get creeped up by blush immediately upon hearing the words. 

Sujal too of course doesn't fail to hear them but he doesn't mind. Afterall that isn't a big deal even if they are being teased because they are being teased as a pair and it isn't Kashish who is being teased alone. 

Kashish cascades her eyes out of shyness. Sujal looks towards her, enjoying witnessing her reaction.

"Laila-Majnu nahi Romeo-Juliet bol!",

teases another one.

Kashish feels extremely shy.

"Haan yaar!",

says another.

"Ye sub apki wajah se ho raha hai!",

scolds Kashish mildly, her heart throbbing inside her chest because of the tease. This feeling turns out to be a new one. Though blushing and smiling, she tries to knit her brows to let Sujal know that she is seriously upset on being teased because of him.

"Meri wajah se?",

asks Sujal, whilst walking behind her just inches a part, indicating towards himself with his index finger, showing his surprise on hearing Kashish's words.

"Par... meri wajah se kya ho raha hai?",

asks Sujal, walking to the other side.

"Haan...! Kal yahan apko....",

complains Kashish, knitting her brows, as if seriously upset on him.

"Kal yahan mujhe?",

provokes Sujal and changes his position, walking to the alternate side of Kashish.

"Kya?",

asks Sujal, teasing her, knowing that she won't be able to say it out clearly as her shyness would become an obstacle.

"Apko wo sub karne ki kya zarurat thi?",

asks Kashish, blushing, trying to hide her smile.

"Par maine aisa kal kiya kya?",

asks Sujal, with a motive to tease her.

"Acha....",

asks Kashish, almost like scolding him for acting over smart, turning her her to her left, though not looking towards him directly.

Sujal changes his side again, trying to irritate her on purpose.

"To apko nahi pata?",

asks Kashish, as if boiling with anger, but all fake.

"Mujhe wakai nahi pata maine kya kiya!",

says Sujal, acting to be so innocent, looking towards Kashish.

"Kal apne yahan kya kiya?",

now this starts getting on Kashish's nerve - his constant tease, she acts to be turning serious now.

"Kal maine kya kiya?",

asks Sujal, still in a teasing tone, changing his position yet again.

"Apne subke samne....",

Kashish looks towards him whilst saying so, as his constant resistance begins to get on her nerves, makes her feel frustrated.

"Maine subke samne...",

Sujal asks, acting to be serious about knowing what exactly did he do!

"Apne khuli sadak par mujhe....",

says Kashish, in a single breath, out of suffocation, but suddenly realizes what she was about to say, as her heart skips a beat suddenly.

She cascades her eyes out of shyness; her rate of heartbeat increases and blush creeps her cheeks afresh, she goes serious.

Sujal stares her, standing behind her, smiling in satisfaction that finally she got hold of Kashish with these words of hers, he succeeded in turning her go speechless and shy!

He changes his position again, walking to Kashish's right, staring her throughout with a smile of naughtiness and satisfaction on his face.

Kashish meanwhile tries to calm down her accelerated rate of heartbeat.

Walking to her right side, while Kashish looks away out of shyness, Sujal holds her by both of her upper arms and makes her to turn and look towards himself.

They stare each other with pure love in their eyes. Kashish waits for him to speak, her heart throbbing inside her chest out of anticipation of what he would say next.

"Kal yahan.... subke samne... khuli sadak pe...",

Sujal begins to ask, staring her throughout, smiling teasingly.

"...maine kya kiya?",

he completes.

Kashish after cascading her eyes for a brief moment, looks back towards him again.

Sujal gives her that one intimate stare that churns Kashish's insides.

The cloud growls and heavy wind blows. Rain drops kiss the ground. Kashish cascades her eyes as if she has got a reason to escape from Sujal's constant heart warming stare. But Sujal he doesn't give up staring the most precious and gorgeous thing in his life - Kashish! Aiming in making her to go weak on her knees!

Kashish stares him back, smiling, blushing, although it becomes difficult for her to continue with the stare, but she enjoys gauging Sujal's reaction and his tease.

When the clouds growl again, Sujal looks towards the sky for a brief moment, then looking back towards Kashish, he says,

"Jo tum na keh saki...."

Kashish waits for him to complete, her heart throbbing inside her chest.

"Wo inn ghatao ne keh diya.",

completes Sujal, staring her lovingly.

Kashish smiles wide out of shyness, avoiding to look towards Sujal.

*Flashback ends*

Blushing upon remembering the moment they shared once, Kashish complains,

"Tum achi tarah jante ho mujhe kaise chup karwana hai."

Sujal laughs hearing that.

"Kashish agar main itna sa bhi nahi janunga, to ab tak jo maine tumhe samjha; tumhari choti-choti harkaton ko sirf dekha hi nahi balki unhe parha bhi; wo waste nahi ho jayega?",

smiles Sujal, teasing Kashish.

Kashish smiles and blushes.

Realizing it, Sujal teases her,

"Ab tum firse sharma rahi ho!",

and purses his lips to hide his laughter from her.

Kashish goes serious, as if offended by his words and asks,

"To ab main sharmaun bhi nahi?"

Sujal laughs a little and says,

"Nahi nahi... zarur sharmao.... magar mere samne sharmao na. Mujhse durr reh kar sharmane mein kya faida?"

"Ye kya baat hui? Tum jab mujhe sharmane par majboor karoge tabhi to sharmaungi na? Ab maine kaha tha tumse ke aise phone par aisi baatein karo ke mujhe sharm aye aur main sharmaun?",

asks Kashish, acting to be disappointed at him.

Sujal laughs secretly at Kashish's adorability.

"Aur agar main kahun ke tum mere samne hi sharma sakti ho meri baat par to?",

teases Sujal, as if turning into a dominating husband.

Kashish's smile vanishes hearing that, her heart skips a beat at the possibility of his turning into a dominating husband. Her cheeks turn red hot out of anticipation.

Sujal teases her,

"Kya hua? Imagine nahi kar pa rahi ke tumhara Sujal dominating husband bhi ho sakta hai?",

Sujal purses his lips again, enjoying teasing her.

"Tum... tum jao yahan se... kaam karo apna. Bekar mein mujhe pareshan kar rahe ho.",

says Kashish, turning nervous, shy, hesitant all at the same time.

Sujal laughs hearing that.

"Acha suno jaldi se taiyar ho jao main bus adhey ghante mein pohnchne wala hun.",

says Sujal.

"Aur main bahar hi wait karunga tum aa jana jaldi se.",

says Sujal.

"Theek hai.",

smiles and blushes Kashish.

"Bye!",

smiles Sujal.

"Bye!",

smiles Kashish.

"I love you!",

says Sujal, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

Kashish smiles and blushes but doesn't reply to him.

"Arey tum bhi bolo.",

insists Sujal.

"Bolna zaruri hai?",

asks Kashish, teasing him.

"Bohot!",

says Sujal, acting to be serious.

"Kyun agar nahi bola to iska matlab main pyar nahi karti?",

asks Kashish, folding her left arm and resting it under her right elbow, her eyes narrowed with determination.

"Tum mere alawa kisi se pyar waise bhi nahi kar sakti!",

smirks Sujal in confidence.

Arching a brow, taking it as a challenge, Kashish says,

"Achaaa???"

"Jee haan!",

says Sujal.

"Ye apki galat fehmi hai!",

replies Kashish, showing off.

"Really?",

asks Sujal, arching a brow, smiling.

"You just wait and watch Mr. Sujal Garewal!",

she challenges him.

Laughing a little, silently, Sujal says,

"And you just hurry up Mrs. Sujal Garewal!",

he chooses to take this name to irritate her, laughing silently.

"Sujal... tum jao yahan se. Bye!",

says Kashish, acting to be irritated.

"Haan aur tum ready ho jao jaldi se. Bye!",

smiling, Sujal ends the call.

Kashish smiles and shakes her head, ending the call.

'Tumhari awaz mein khushi ki jhalak pane ke liye taras raha tha Kashish. Thank you!',

smiles Sujal, thinking about Kashish.

*****

Sitting inside his car, standing in front of their home, Sujal calls Kashish.

"Kahan ho tum?",

asks Sujal.

"Main to tabse tumhara intezaar kar rahi hun. Tum kahan tak pohnche?",

asks Kashish, removing a particular strand of her hair with the behind of her hand and as a result of which the besan gets rubbed on her forehead at the corner. Her mobile stays tugged in between her left ear and shoulder.

"Tum ghar se niklo fir left mein aa jana wohin intezaar kar raha hun.",

guides Sujal.

"Wahan? Kyun? Ghar aa jao na change karlo; fresh ho jao, fir chalte hain.",

says Kashish, hoping that he doesn't deny, as she lied that she is ready, this way she would buy time to get ready.

"Nahi Kashish main ghar nahi aa raha.",

declines Sujal.

"Kyun?",

asks Kashish, continuing with her work, making pakodas for everyone. 

"Agar ghar aya to tumhare saath ek romantic date ki jagah family outing ho jayegi humari puri paltan ko lekar jana parhega.",

Sujal rolls his eyes.

That sounds like a plan to Kashish.

Getting excited, she says,

"Arey waah! Ye to aur acha hai na. Subka mind fresh ho jayega. Chalo na Sujal sub mil kar dinner ke liye chalte hain. Hum sub youngsters.",

proposes Kashish.

"Haan haan Kashish sirf wo log hi kyun aas paas ke pados mein koi youngster ho jo jana chahe unhe bhi puch lo.",

taunts Sujal.

"Kabab mein haddi!",

taunts Sujal, under his breath.

But that doesn't go unheard by Kashish. Narrowing her eyes, Kashish dares him to reply,

"Kya kaha tumne?"

"Kuch nahi!",

says Sujal, ignoring.

"Maine sunn liya hai!",

says Kashish, showing her anger.

"Haan to galat kya kaha? Tum bhi ajeeb ho Kashish ek romantic outing ko family outing banane pe tuli hui ho.",

Sujal shows his disappointment.

Meanwhile Kashish turns off the gas, plates the pakodas; washes her hands and heads towards her bedroom.

Hrishi happens to pass by her and stops abruptly, taking backward steps he calls out Kashish,

"Bhabhiji!"

Kashish stops abruptly and turns to look towards Hrishi.

Sujal too wonders what made Hrishi to stop Kashish.

Inclining towards the mobile, Hrishi says,

"Big B, Kashish Bhabhi ke liye ek extra packet besan ka lete ana, lagta hai inhe besan pack lagane ka bada shauq hai.",

teases Hrishi.

Kashish looks away irritated.

Hrishi grabs the opportunity and quickly takes a snap of Kashish's.

He then with his hanky wipes off the besan from her forehead.

Kashish blushes and smiles in awkwardness.

Hrishi too laughs and walks away after teasing,

"Continue with your romantic talk Bhabhiji."

Kashish blushes closing her eyes.

"Kashish?",

calls Sujal in confusion.

"Haan... hello.",

says Kashish, getting out of her state of blush.

"Ye Hrishi kya keh raha tha?",

he asks, knitting his brows.

"Ah... kuch nahi Sujal.",

Kashish tries to end the topic.

Sujal's phone beeps at that moment.

"Ek minute ruko.",

he says.

Meanwhile Kashish reaches her room and puts the mobile on the bed switching on the speaker.

Sujal smiles wide checking the message. Putting the phone on his ear again he says,

"Ye Hrishi bhi na family group mein bhejne wale messages mujhe personal chat par bhejta hai."

Kashish knits her brows, whilst selecting her dress, hearing Sujal.

"Kya message?",

she asks.

She hears her phone's beep and checks the group message.

She finds her picture that Hrishi clicked, posted in their WhatsApp group by Sujal.

She blushes out of shock, though not smiles.

"Ye... ye meri...",

she trails off, out of utter shock.

Sujal purses his lips realizing her state of shock.

"Sujaallll.....!!!",

she shouts in awkwardness.

"Aaram se Kashish.... mere kaan badey sensitive hain itna chillao mat.",

teases Sujal, laughing.

"Main... Main Hrishi ko nahi chorungi.",

says Kashish, out of embarrassment.

"Kyun? Kya kiya mere bhai ne?",

asks Sujal, acting to be serious.

"Tum aur tumhara bhai. Dono hi mujhe kitna parshan karte ho.",

complains Kashish, disappointed.

Sujal laughs silently.

"Kya zarurat thi group mein ye bhejne ki Sujal?",

asks Kashish, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

"Arey to kya hua itni achi pic to hai.",

teases Sujal.

"Itni achi pic hai?",

says Kashish sarcastically.

Sujal laughs.

"Dekho... dekho Sanjana ne bhi dekh li pic.",

says Kashish, getting tensed again.

"Haan to dekhegi hi na.",

says Sujal, enjoying teasing Kashish.

Kashish goes tensed when she finds someone typing in the group.

"Oh god! Wohi type kar rahi hogi.",

says Kashish, getting nervous.

"Haan and I am excited to know ke wo kya kehti hai.",

says Sujal, showing his excitement.

Kashish rolls her eyes.

"Did you roll your eyes Kashish?"

Sujal skips Kashish's heartbeat by asking that.

Kashish goes self conscious.

"Nahi... nahi main...",

she begins to explain herself but gets intervened by Sujal,

"To ab tum mujhse jhoot bhi bolne lagi ho Kashish?"

Kashish shuts her eyes and takes a deep breath.

Opening her eyes she scolds him,

"Maine kuch nahi bola Sujal!"

Sujal purses his lips, enjoying witnessing Kashish irritated.

"Bolne to wali thi na?",

he teases her further.

"Uff!!!",

curses Kashish.

Sujal laughs silently again.

"Ab tum rok rahe ho isse ya nahi Sujal?",

asks Kashish, feeling awkward being teased by her family.

"Arey tumhari badhi hui dhadkano ko main kaise rok sakta hun Kashish?",

teases Sujal, despite the fact that he understands that she is asking him to stop the teasing going on on their Whatsapp group.

Kashish narrows her eyes, finding him impossible!

Sujal understands what kind of reaction she must be giving at the moment and that makes him to laugh all the more but he keeps it silent.

He teases her further, by adding seductively,

"Haan magar badhi hui dhadkano ko aur zarur badha sakta hun!"

Kashish blushes profusely hearing that, though she doesn't smile.

"Badhaun?",

teases Sujal.

Kashish cascades her eyes, smiling in shyness.

For once she turns bold and says,

"Badhao!"

Sujal arches a brow hearing that, smiling further seductively.

"Kya pehna hai tumne?",

he asks, lovingly.

That skips Kashish's heartbeat. She realizes where this conversation is leading towards.

"Sujal!!!",

she exclaims in disbelief, that he really asked her that.

"Haan mujhe to tum humesha hi pehn kar ghoomti ho apne galey mein; apne dil mein bhi rakhti ho humesha mujhe... magar uske alawa...",

teases Sujal.

Kashish blushes and shakes her head, smiling.

"Aaj se pehle tumne kabhi aise nahi pucha.",

she says, feeling shy.

Taking a deep breath, adjusting in his seat Sujal says,

"Humare beech agar ek normal relationship hota, to zarur puchta."

That makes Kashish turn serious.

"Sujal...!!",

she trails off.

"Jaldi batao.",

Sujal shows his impatience.

"Maine wo suit pehna hai jo tum last week mere liye laye the.",

says Kashish, shaking her head and smiling in shyness.

Sujal smiles and says,

"Apne baalon ko right side se hatao, left side mein le aao, so that I can get access to the right side of your neck."

Kashish feels extremely shy, but does as Sujal guides her.

"Hmm...!",

she replies in hesitation, after having done as asked by him.

"Ab maine dheere se tumhare exposed neck par kiss kiya!",

he says in a hushed voice, making it sound all the more intimate.

Kashish shuts her eyes and knits her brows, feeling his lips on her exposed part of neck.

"Sujal...",

says Kashish, feeling uncomfortable upon hearing such words from Sujal.

"Hmm?",

asks Sujal.

"Mujhe... mujhe bohot ajeeb lag raha hai.",

says Kashish, trying to indicate him of her discomfort.

Sujal acts to be excited,

"Really? Kashish tumne bataya nahi! Kabse?"

Kashish opens her eyes wide hearing that.

"Kya kabse?",

she asks confused.

"Tumhe aisa feel ho raha hai?",

asks Sujal.

"Kamse kam apne pati ko to bata deti ke tumhe ajeeb feel ho raha hai. Doctor se appointment lun kya?",

asks Sujal and purses his lips, knowing that now she would understand.

And she does understand perfectly.

"Sujal tum... tum...pagal ho! Bilkul pagal!",

says Kashish, blushing in shyness, unable to understand how to bring this awkward situation to an end.

Sujal laughs out loud.

"Acha chalo ab aao jaldi.",

says Sujal, smiling.

"Aati hun.",

smiles Kashish.

"Aur haan.... ab aadat daal lo, jo pehle maine kabhi nahi pucha; kabhi nahi kiya, wo ab puchunga; ab karunga!",

teases Sujal.

Kashish's heart flutters hearing that and she blushes in shyness.

"Bye!",

smiles Kashish.

"Bye! Jaldi aao.",

smiles Sujal.

Kashish quickly washes her face and gets ready, applies kajal and lipstick and leaves.  

*****

As Kashish enters into the car, Sujal asks,

"Kisi ne dekha to nahi tumhe aate?"

Kashish chooses to reply to him lyrically,

"Nahi main ayi hun chupte chupate.",

she smiles teasingly.

Sujal laughs hearing that and continues with the fun by saying,

"Der kardi badi zara dekho to ghadi.",

whilst beginning to drive.

"Ohhoo.... meri to ghadi band hai.",

says Kashish, trying to hide her amusement.

Sujal takes her mobile and shows the home screen flashing the time, whilst driving, and sings,

"Teri ye ada mujhe pasand hai."

Kashish laughs.

Sujal laughs too.

"Tumhe pata hai mujhe tumhari awaz bohot pasand hai. Especially jab tum gatey ho.",

Kashish gives him compliment.

Sujal arches his left brow, whilst driving.

"Kya baat hai! Waise tumne mujhe gatey hue kab sunn liya?",

asks Sujal.

Kashish looks towards Sujal, smiling teasingly.

Sujal looks towards her for a brief moment, before focusing on his drive.

"Bataun?",

asks Kashish, teasingly.

"Haan batao.",

says Sujal, eager.

"Jab tum nahate ho tab.",

laughs Kashish.

Sujal widens his eyes in disbelief, smiling in surprise.

"Tumhe sharm nahi aati apne pati ko nahate hue sunti ho?",

teases Sujal.

Kashish's fit of laughter immediately comes to an end and she says,

"Haan to sunti hi to hun konsa dekhti.....",

she stops abruptly and widens her eyes as she realizes what she was about to utter.

But Sujal catches her red handed, understanding what she was about to say. He arches his brow, smiling teasingly and prompts her,

"Konsa kya??"

Kashish goes self conscious and cascades her eyes.

"Ahmm....",

she says in awkwardness.

"Ahmm.... haan agey??",

teases Sujal.

Kashish takes a deep breath and narrows her eyes on him,

"Sujal...!!"

"Bolo na Kashish. Sunn raha hun.",

he says ever so lovingly.

Sujal enjoys Kashish state of shyness.

Sujal laughs, taking mercy on Kashish and lets the topic to go.

Kashish shakes her head, keeping her eyes cascaded in shyness.

*****

Soon they reach in front of a park, lighted only by street lights that surrounds the park, Sujal stops the car. They exit and enter the park.

Kashish inhales the fragrance of flowers that surrounds her the moment she enters the park. She smiles and says,

"Mujhe laga hum kahin bahar restaurant mein jayenge."

"Tumhe jana hai?",

asks Sujal, smiling.

Kashish turns to look towards Sujal, smiling throughout and shakes her head into negative.

Her smile and gesture tell Sujal that she indeed is enjoying here. He smiles wide, realizing that he knew she would enjoy being here than in some fancy restaurant.

They begin to walk together through the corners of the park, taking rounds, walking slowly, leisurely.

"Aaj ka mausam bhi kitna acha hai.",

smiles Kashish, closing her eyes, looking heavenwards, letting the soft breeze to kiss her face.

Sujal smiles looking towards her and slowly cascades his eyes, never stopping the walk.

Kashish opens her eyes and looks towards Sujal to find him serious.

She too turns serious and asks,

"Kya hua Sujal?"

"Ghar ke haalaat ki wajah se tumhe main khush bhi nahi rakh pata Kashish.",

says a guilt ridden Sujal.

Kashish's heart clenches hearing that. Holding him lightly by his upper arm, whilst walking ahead with him, Kashish says,

"Main khush hun Sujal. Agar tum mere saath ho to main humesha khush hun."

Sujal looks towards Kashish. Kashish smiles.

"Aur rahi baat ghar ke haalaat ki tumhari aur meri zindagi ka first prefernce to humara parivaar hi hai na Sujal? To agar unki wajah se tum mujhe waqt nahi de pa rahe, to kya tumhe lagta hai mujhe iss baat se tumse shikayat hogi?",

asks Kashish, looking towards Sujal.

Sujal looks into her eyes, and finds sincerity and honesty in them.

"Aaj kal ghar ke tension; office ke kaam ka tension itna rehta hai Kashish ke ghar akar tumhare saath kuch pal bita bhi nahi pata. Bohot thak jata hun. Bus mann karta hai ke so jaun; kisi se kuch baat karne ka mann nahi karta.",

confesses Sujal, sadly.

"Main janti hun Sujal. Aur humara roz baat karna zaruri bhi nahi. Hum kahin nahi ja rahe; aur jahan bhi jayenge ek saath jayenge, to baat karne ke liye to puri zindagi hai na?",

smiles Kashish in understanding.

Sujal smiles wide staring Kashish and embraces her into a side hug.

A ball in almost a size of a small balloon comes rolling down towards Sujal.

Sujal picks it up and finds a small kid of around four or five year coming running towards him to get the ball. Sujal picks up the ball, bending to the kid he asks the kid upon his reaching him,

"Ye ball apki hai?"

The kid nods in affirmative in shyness.

Sujal smiles and forwards the ball to him, bending down to the kid. As soon as the kid forwards his hands to grab the ball, Sujal pulls it to his back. The kid laughs. Sujal and Kashish laugh too, enjoying the sound of his laughter.

Forwarding it again towards the kid, Sujal teases him by saying,

"Lo!"

But the moment he extends his hands to take the ball, Sujal once again pulls it back. 

It doesn't take much time for the kid to understand the game, he laughs each time Sujal manages to pull the ball behind him. Kashish enjoys witnessing the scenario in front of her eyes, laughing.

Soon the kid turns impatient and begins to almost cry.

This hurts Kashish and she slaps Sujal lightly on his upper arm, looking at the kid throughout and says,

"Kyun tang kar rahe ho usse Sujal?"

"Rukko na!",

says Sujal, staring the kid throughout, gauging his each reaction, enjoying it.

The kid looks towards Kashish innocently, as if asking her to have pity on him and help him in getting back the ball.

Kashish understands his expression and pulls the ball out of Sujal's hold.

Sujal stares Kashish in surprise.

Widening her eyes on Sujal, as if scolding him silently, Kashish turns to look towards the kid, smiling she forwards it to him.

He accepts the ball. Sujal smiles looking towards the boy, who is smiling too.

"Thank you!",

he greets Kashish and gestures her with his hand to get down to him.

Kashish bends down to him, smiling in confusion.

Sujal too gets curious to know what does he have in his mind.

As soon as Kashish bends down, the boy kisses her softly on her cheek.

His innocent and sweet gesture warm Kashish's and Sujal's heart. They smile wide.

Having kissed Kashish, he runs to leave, when Sujal pulls him back, holding him by his waist.

Kashish smiles. Sujal sits on a bench and makes him to sit on his lap. Kashish sits next to Sujal.

"Kya naam hai apka?",

asks Sujal, smiling.

"Sharim.",

replies the boy, shyfully.

"Sharim! Bohot pyara naam hai apka to.",

says Sujal, smiling.

"Apki Mumma kahan hain beta?",

asks Kashish, pressing his right cheek lovingly.

He points towards his mother.

Sujal and Kashish smile looking towards his mother who remains engrossed in gossiping with another lady.

"Main bhi khelun kuch der ball se?",

asks Kashish extending her hands in front of Sharim.

Sujal looks towards Kashish, his eyes filled with naughtiness. While Kashish remains oblivious to his stare on her.

Staring Kashish throughout, Sujal teases her by saying,

"Haan beta apki Aunty ko balls se khelne ka bohot shauq hai."

His words come as a surprise for Kashish.

She turns to look towards Sujal, her rate of heartbeat increased.

"Main bachchi nahi hun Sujal jo balls se khelne ka shauq ho mujhe.",

scolds Kashish, mildly, smiling at him.

Sujal laughs.

Sujal focuses back on Sharim and says,

"Acha apne friends ke naam batao."

Sharim begins to count on his fingers,

"Afraz, Uzair, Naushad aur Visaal."

Now the last name comes as a surprise for both Sujal and Kashish. They notice how Sharim had blushed while taking Visaal's name.

"Visaal!",

Sujal and Kashish say in unison, smiling sheepishly.

They look towards each other, controlling their fit of laughter.

Their taking her name in unison make Sharim to smile and blush. He covers his face with both of his hands.

That makes both Sujal and Kashish to laugh together.

"Arey tum sharma kyun rahe ho?",

asks Sujal, teasing him.

"Pata nahi!",

says Sharim innocently.

"Acha ye batao ladkiyon mein sirf ek hi friend hai tumhari?",

asks Sujal, enjoying witnessing Sharim's shyness.

Kashish turns her face and laughs secretly, shaking her head.

"Haan. Usne mana kiya hai kisi aur ladki se baat karne se.",

replies Sharim.

Kashish no longer could control her fit of laughter upon listening that.

She laughs out loud, looking heavenwards.

Sujal too laughs.

"Usne.....",

Sujal laughs further and fails to complete his line.

This makes Sharim to feel shy all the more.

Kashish then asks him,

"Aap darte ho usse?"

Sharim nods his head in 'yes' in shyness.

Kashish controls her laughter and says,

"Main hoti to aise friend se kabka friendship tod deti. Jinse hum darey wo friends thodi na hote hain."

She stares Sharim sheepishly to gauge his reaction to her words.

"Main bhi nahi baat karta usse, magar wo roz mere liye chocolate lati hai.",

he says, his eyes twinkling with excitement upon mentioning about the chocolates that his friend brings for him.

That makes Sujal and Kashish to laugh again.

"Acha to aap usse isliye baat karte ho kyunki wo apke liye chocolates lati hai?",

asks Kashish, laughing at his innocence.

He shakes his head into a 'yes'.

Sujal laughs too, closing his eyes and shaking his head.

Indicating into a 'no' with his index finger, Sharim says,

"Magar ye baat aap meri Mumma ko mat batana."

"Kyun?",

asks Kashish, knitting her brows, excited to hear his reply.

"Mumma mujhe chocolate khane nahi deti.",

he says and makes a puppy face.

Laughing, Sujal says,

"Apko pata hai meri Mumma bhi mujhe chocolates khane nahi deti.",

and makes a sad face.

Sharim looks towards Sujal softening his eyes as if he could feel Sujal's pain of not being able to have chocolates, aptly.

He kisses Sujal on his left cheek as if trying to console him.

Kashish laughs at his innocence.

Sharim blushes, smiles looking towards Kashish when she laughs.

"Magar meri Mumma kehti hain ke kabhi kabar chocolate kha lene mein koi burai nahi hai.",

says Sujal, whilst bringing out a bar of chocolate from his pocket.

Sharim's blush deepens and a big smile stretches on his lips, his eyes twinkle out of excitement upon seeing the chocolate, knowing that it is for him.

Sujal and Kashish enjoy witnessing his reactions.

He takes the chocolate from Sujal's hand in shyness. Looking towards Kashish, he points towards her and says,

"Aap bohot ache ho."

Sujal widens his eyes hearing that, smiling throughout.

Kashish's heart flutters hearing that, she smiles wide.

"Acha beta...  chocolate maine di aur tareefein inki ho rahi hain?",

says Sujal, pointing towards Kashish, staring Sharim, his eyes twinkling with love for the boy.

Sharim laughs out loud, throwing his head back in sheer fun. Kashish and Sujal laugh too.

His mother happens to reach them at that moment and asks him to come along. Sharim immediately climbs down Sujal's lap and bids them goodbye. Sujal and Kashish too wave bye to him and tell his mother,

"Bohot pyara hai apka beta."

His mother smiles and leaves with Sharim.

Staring Sharim throughout as he leaves, Sujal says,

"Kashish, bus aisa hi ek beta dedo mujhe."

Kashish cascades her eyes, blushing, feeling extremely uncomfortable upon hearing that. 

They get up and walk together.

"Acha? Jiski class mein girlfriend ho?",

asks Kashish, narrowing her eyes on him.

Sujal laughs.

"Arey simple hai mera beta mere upar jayega, so handsome to hona hi hai usse. Ab wo chahe na chahe ladkiyan to waise hi uske peeche peeche aa jayegi.",

Sujal shows off, throwing attitude.

Kashish stares him in disbelief, whilst walking next to him.

"Oh hello!..."

Her merely saying this makes Sujal to laugh, closing his eyes.

Kashish continues,

"Tum jo aiyene mein khudko niharte rehte ho na, ye soch kar ke tum badey handsome ho, to main tumhe bata dun ke koi handsome-wandsome nahi ho tum samjhe.",

Kashish rolls her eyes.

Sujal enjoys seeing Kashish jealous and teased, he laughs looking towards Kashish and embraces her by her shoulders, walking leisurely with Kashish. Kashish keeps her face turned away from Sujal, showing her fake anger.

"Acha? Madam kabhi issi chehre par aap marmiti theen.",

he teases her, while Kashish tries to get out of his embrace, which she fails in doing.

"Ye apki galat fehmi hai Sujal Sir!",

she says out of anger, emphasizing on Sir.

Sujal arches a brow, smiling infectiously, hearing her addressing him as 'Sir' after what feels like an eternity.

"Miss Kashish, ab mujhse kaisa sharmana? Bata do such ke tum meri smileeee ki deewani ho gayi thi.",

teases Sujal, blushing and smiling, stretching the word 'smile'.

Kashish controls her fit of laughter somehow hearing that and teases him mirroring his way of uttering 'smile' saying,

"Oh pleaseeee.... Sir!",

and acts to be glaring him, narrowing her eyes on him.

"Acha? To fir tumne mujhe propose kyun kiya?",

Sujal takes Kashish by surprise, asking her this.

Kashish's cheeks turn warm hearing that. She goes nervous.

Sujal arches a brow, smiling infectiously, waiting for her to reply.

"Ahmm... wo... main...",

Kashish fails to understand how to react to that.

Sujal's smile stretches further, witnessing her reaction. He chooses to tease her further,

"Haan... haan... tum... tum...!! Agey...??"

Taking a deep breath, Kashish glares Sujal and says,

"Galti ho gayi thi mujhse. Bewakufi thi meri."

Sujal laughs hearing that.

"Kash maine kabhi bola hi nahi hota.",

says Kashish, keeping her eyes cascaded, showing her disappointment on herself.

"To kya hua main keh deta!",

says Sujal, raising his shoulders for a brief moment.

Kashish looks towards him and shows her doubt,

"Tummm??"

That skips Sujal's heartbeat and he turns serious.

"Haan aur kya? Tumhe shaq hai?",

asks Sujal, unable to believe that she doubts him.

Rolling her eyes, Kashish says,

"Bohot."

Sujal stops abruptly, ending his embrace on her, he holds his waist from either sides, knitting his eyebrows, he asks Kashish,

"Tumhe lagta hai ke agar tum mujhe propose nahi karti to main bhi tumhe kabhi propose nahi karta Kashish?"

"Aur nahi to kya.",

says Kashish and rolls her eyes.

"Main to tumhari patience test kar raha tha, magar tum desperate nikli isliye khud hi akar mujhe propose kar diya!",

says Sujal, looking away, showing off.

That hurts Kashish, she looks towards him in disbelief.

"Main.... main tumhe desperate lagi thi Sujal?",

she asks in utter shock.

"Haan aur nahi to....",

Sujal turns to look towards Kashish and stops abruptly upon witnessing her angry glare.

He quickly changes his tone and says,

"Nahi... nahi desperate nahi... matlab...",

he gets intervened by Kashish, pointing her index finger towards Sujal, Kashish warns him,

"Ab aana tum mere paas fir batati hun kon desperate hai main ya tum."

That skips Sujal's heartbeat. He widens his eyes in utter shock.

Kashish begins to walk away. Sujal follows her quickly to calm her down.

"Arey... Arey Kashish mera matlab wo nahi tha...",

he begins to rectify his mistake.

But Kashish, she is in no mood to listen to him.

"Rehne do Sujal. Ab mujhe kuch samjhane ki zarurat nahi hai tumhe.",

she says out of anger, and sheer awkwardness.

"Ab aana tum mere paas...",

says Kashish in her anger.

"Arey Kashish.... tum... tum gussa kyun ho rahi ho?",

asks Sujal, scared by the fact that he disappointed her and got her angry.

 Kashish suddenly turns and pointing her index finger towards Sujal states him clearly,

"Aur haan aaj main Mumma ke saath soungi aur tum Papa ke saath souge, unke room mein!"

"Kyun????!!!",

Sujal shouts in irritation, stopping abruptly.

Kashish rolls her eyes and begins to walk again, turning her face to the front.

"Kashish tum janti ho na mujhe mere pillow aur blanket ke bina neend nahi aati!",

Sujal tries to mend the situation by making her realize.

"Tum apne sarey zaruri saaman apne saath le ja sakte ho Sujal. Chaho to pura wardrobe shift karlo apna unke kamre mein aur main Mumma ke kapde apne kamre mein le aungi.",

says Kashish, blazing with anger.

That irritates Sujal further.

"Waah Kashish waah! Humara kamra tumhara ho gaya; Mumma-Papa ka kamra unka kamra hai, aur mera??? Mera konsa kamra hai uss ghar mein??",

asks Sujal, shouting at her in frustration and irritation.

"Abhi to fir bhi Mumma-Papa ke kamre mein rehne de rahi hun Sujal, agar zyada natak kiya na tumne to guest room ka darwaza dikha dungi tumhe samjhe?",

scolds Kashish, looking towards Sujal in anger.

Sujal's chest expands and contracts in quick succession, his cheeks turn hot out of anger,

"MUJHE GUEST ROOM KA RAASTA PATA HAI!!!",

shouts Sujal, unable to understand how else to react to that.

"VERY GOOD!!",

retorts Kashish, still not looking towards him.

Kashish walks away. 

Realizing that Kashish is serious, Sujal runs after her, shouting at her,

"Kashish sunno to..."

"Acha baba tum desperate nahi ho!",

says Sujal, frustrated.

But may be he is too late to say that. It doesn't affect Kashish a wee bit.

Kashish stops again and turns to look towards him, knitting her brows, all serious.

Sujal stares back, wondering what has she to say.

"Tum mujhe kabhi kuch nahi kehte the Sujal. Apni feelings ko humesha apne dil mein chupa kar rakhte the. Zuban par ek baar bhi nahi laye ke tum mere barey mein kya mehsus karte ho.",

she begins to put in front of Sujal everything that she used to feel during the time when they hadn't confessed about their feelings in front of each other, but deep down they knew that they were getting attracted towards each other; rather falling in love with each other.

Sujal stares her all seriously. His rate of heartbeat begins to pick up pace again as he realizes that this has turned into a serious and intimate discussion. He stays quiet, letting Kashish to pour her feelings in front of him. He gets curious to know what has she kept hidden in her heart for this long.

Kashish begins to feel her throat getting choked gradually as she relives all the emotions that she had once felt and hadn't ever shared with Sujal until tonight.

"Magar haan, ye zarur chahte the ke main tumhare bina kuch kahe tumhari feelings samjh jaun.",

says Kashish, her heart throbbing inside her chest.

Sujal knits his brows tighter.

"Uss din party mein sub kuch theek tha. Tum khush the; mujhse theek se baat bhi kar rahe the. Main khush thi, ye soch kar ke shayad ab humare beech koi galatfehmi nahi rahegi. Shayad ab sub kuch normal ho raha hai. Shayad ab jo sapna main dekh rahi hun hum dono ke liye, uski taraf hum dono milkar agey barh rahe hain.",

says Kashish, slowly, seriously.

Sujal stays speechless.

"Magar kuch hi palon mein aisa kya ho gaya Sujal ke tumhari ankhon mein apne liye apnepan ki jagah gussa nazar aya mujhe?",

asks Kashish.

Sujal softens his eyes on Kashish.

"Mujhe such mein nahi pata tha Sujal. Mujhe such mein nahi pata tha.",

confesses Kashish, staring Sujal throughout.

Sujal keeps staring her.

"Jab puch rahi thi tab bhi tumne kuch nahi kaha. Jante ho kitni darr gayi thi main?",

asks Kashish, feeling that moment all over again.

Remembering those eyes of Sujal filled with anger towards Kashish, she shivers.

Her throat chokes again as she says,

"Bohot.... bohot mushkil se tumhare kadam meri taraf barh rahe the Sujal. Acha lagta tha mujhe tumhara mere aas paas hona. Meri ankhon ke samne hona.",

she smiles, although her eyes turn teary.

"Jab koi cheez humein bohot mushkil se miley na Sujal, uske khone ka darr humesha humare dil mein rehta hai. Aur main janti hun ke tumse achi tarah ye baat koi nahi samjh sakta.",

saying so Kashish stares Sujal.

Sujal stares her back, innocently, his eyes filled with guilt and innocence.

"Waisa hi darr uss din mere dil mein tha, tumhe lekar!",

confesses Kashish, holding her tears.

Her words hit Sujal! He feels guilty.

"Ek baar khulkar kehkar to dekhte ke tumhe mera Piyush ke saath rehna pasand nahi!",

says Kashish.

"Humesha har baat kehkar hi batayi jaye ye zaruri nahi Kashish.",

he looks away out of anger.

"Haan, zaruri nahi hai Sujal. Jis tarah maine kabhi tumhe khulkar ye nahi bataya ke Piyush aur main sirf ache dost the, aur kuch nahi.",

says Kashish, softly.

Sujal grinds his teeth out of anger, still not looking towards Kashish.

Kashish places her left hand on his right cheek, lovingly and forces him to look towards her.

"Wo sub kuch mere liye naya tha Sujal. Tumhe samjhne ke liye mujhe tumhare saath ki zarurat thi.",

she whispers, staring him, her head tilted towards her left, her brows knitted, her eyes turned teary.

Smirking, Sujal asks sarcastically,

"Mere saath ki?"

"Tumhe sirf Piyush ka saath chahiye tha Kashish.",

taunts Sujal, looking towards her.

Kashish goes quiet for a brief moment hearing that, getting hurt by his words.

"Meri har koshish yahi rehti thi Sujal ke main sub kuch waisa karun jaisa tumhe pasand tha. Piyush inn sub mein kahan aa gaye Sujal?",

asks Kashish, softly.

"Piyush ke saath mera hona kabhi meri majboori hoti thi, kaam ki wajah se; to kabhi ek zid; gussa, jo mujhe tum par aata tha jab tum mujhe khulkar nahi kehte the ke akhir kyun napasand tha tumhe mera Piyush ke saath hona.",

says Kashish, frustrated.

"Main Piyush ki izzat karti thi Sujal. Fir kyun tumhari nazron mein mera Piyush ke saath hona khatakta tha?",

asks Kashish, desperately.

"Kashish meri zindagi mein aise kuch hi log hain jinhe main purey dil se apna manta hun - Mumma, tum, Hrishi. Aur jo mere hote hai; wo sirf mere hote hain!",

says Sujal, staring her sternly.

Shivers run down Kashish's spine witnessing his possessiveness in his eyes. 

"Nafrat hoti thi mujhe iss baat se ke tum apna waqt mujhe na dekar Piyush ko deti thi!",

says Sujal, spitting venom through his words, knitting his brows tight, glaring Kashish.

Kashish's breath hitches hearing that.

"Sujal tum ye kaise expect kar sakte the ke main apna har lamha tumhe de dun?",

asks Kashish, wanting him to stay practical and not get emotional.

"Nahi Kashish, fark iss baat se nahi parhta tha ke tum apni zindagi ka har lamha mere saath nahi guzarti thi; fark iss baat se parhta tha ke tum apna waqt Piyush ko de rahi ho, jiske... jiske intension tumhe lekar kya the, ye main shuru se hi janta tha. Tajjub iss baat ka hai ke tum nahi samjh payi usse!",

Sujal shows his disappointment in Kashish.

Kashish stares him in utter shock.

*****

Kashish keeps staring Sujal for further few moments. Sujal stares back.

"Suffocation!",

she utters.

Sujal knits his brows in confusion hearing that.

"Suffocation hoti thi Sujal jab tum ek taraf mujh par pura haq jatate the aur dusri taraf mujhe ye tak nahi batate the ke kya rishta hai humara!",

says Kashish, tears roll down her cheeks as it becomes impossible for her to control her emotions.

Sujal's cheeks turn warm hearing that.

"Aisa hi hun main!",

he states, with no regret.

Kashish looks towards him, her eyes turned soft; she herself turns timid in front of him hearing his reply.

"Aur mujhe saaf-saaf baat karna pasand hai!",

says Kashish, staring him throughout, fresh tears roll down her cheeks.

Sujal turns his hands into fist witnessing her tears but doesn't make any effort to wipe them.

"Piyush se jab haath milati thi, mujhe koi hesitation nahi hoti thi, jante ho kyun?",

she asks.

Sujal stares her.

"Kyunki mera dil saaf tha!",

says Kashish.

"Aur tumse haath milate waqt do (2) baar sochti thi....",

says Kashish, staring him throughout.

"Kyunki tumse pyar tha!",

she confesses.

They stare each other. Their hearts fill with love and warmth for each other.

"Uss din... uss din aur bardasht nahi kar pa rahi thi! Nahi chupa pa rahi thi aur apne juzzbaaton ko!",

confesses Kashish, her eyes turn teary again.

"Tum par chillane ka mann kar raha tha! Puchne ka mann kar raha tha ke akhir kya galti hai meri? Kis baat ki saza mil rahi hai mujhe?",

Kashish raises her voice in frustration.

Sujal could feel her emotions aptly and feels guilty of becoming the reason for making her to feel so!

"Jab mujhse aur bardasht nahi ho paya to faisla kiya ke bolkar apne dil ki baat tumhare samne rakhne ki himmat agar nahi hai mujh mein to likh kar bata dungi. Isse.... isse mujhe tumhe face bhi nahi karna parhega.",

Kashish cries as she pours her deepest emotions for Sujal in front of him.

Sujal doesn't intervenes and enjoys listening to whatever Kashish is holding in her heart.

"Thak gayi thi tumhari unn nazron se bachte-bachte jo sirf mujhe dhundhti thi aur jab main samne aa jati thi to mujhe andekha kar deti thi!",

confesses Kashish.

Her words pinch Sujal's heart.

"Jin ankhon mein main humesha pyar dhundhti thi unn ankhon mein apne liye gussa, nafrat pakar mujh par kya beetti thi, ye tum kabhi nahi samjh paoge Sujal!",

says Kashish.

"Inn sub baaton ko khatm karna chahti thi main Sujal. Aar-paar karna chahti thi. Ya to hum ek hain; ya humare raaste alag hain, ek conclusion mein ana chahti thi. Mauke diye the tumhe Sujal. Intezaar kiya tha. Itna aasan nahi hota Sujal kisi bhi ladki ke liye ek ladke ke samne apni dil ki baat rakhna; apne juzzbaatton ko khol kar rakhna. Magar kabhi kabhi ye karna parhta hai, tab, jab wo jisse wo ladki pyar karti hai, uske juzzbaaton ko samjh kar bhi anjan bana rahe. Uski ankhon ko parh kar bhi andekha karde. Akhir unn dono mein se kisi ko to pehla kadam uthana parhega na?",

asks Kashish, more tears roll down her cheeks.

Sujal tries to wipe her tears but Kashish takes backward steps not wanting him to touch her. Sujal knits his brows further out of frustration.

"Ja hi to rahi thi main Sujal. Tum kyun aye mere peeche?",

she demands an answer from him.

Her words immediately remind Sujal of the day when Kashish had put her feeings for him in front of Sujal.

"Kashish...",

Sujal begins to calm her down but Kashish intervenes,

"Agar nahi aate uss din mere peeche; nahi puchte mujhse kuch, to shayad main kabhi nahi batati ke main....",

she looks towards Sujal.

Sujal waits for her to complete, holding his breath, staring her intimately.

"Pyar karti hun tumse!",

says Kashish, pouring her feelings in front of him through her words.

Kashish was about to say further, but Sujal covers her mouth with his palm. Staring deep into her eyes, he replies,

"Main bhi!"

They stare each other further. Unable to resist their emotions any longer, they hug each other tightly.

"Apne juzzbaaton ko mere samne rakhkar tumne kuch galat nahi kiya Kashish. Kisi par pyar jatane se kaisi sharm?",

asks Sujal, smiling lovingly.

Kashish, keeping her eyes closed, tightens her hold on Sujal. Sujal tightens his hold on her too, smiling. Slowly smile stretches on Kashish's lips too!

-THE END-

(23.10.2020)