Samaira slowly stirred in her sleep. She could a sense a delicate touch on her forehead. Then it slowly shifted to her neck. She could feel the presence of his long fingers on top of her skin. His hand was withdrawn shortly post which she heard a sigh of relief.
She smiled slowly as she recognized the person. She knew what the sigh was about. Her fever was gone. She could feel her energy that she had retrieved. She no more felt cold. But when she opened her eyes, he had already walked out of the room.
Though the fever was gone and she got back her verve, there was still a tiredness embracing her body. So, she decided to sleep for a bit more time.
She fluttered her eyelash and closed her eyes, falling contently into the arms of sleep.
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Ayush broke into a smile when the lift he was in, halted at the gynaec department for some of the doctors to exit. Her thoughts filled his senses instantaneously. He was very much delighted when he came to know that she was fine now. He decided to talk to her about the previous night once he reaches back home.
He wanted her to get rid of all her misunderstandings and understand that she was much much more valuable than she actually thought.
Ayush's smile got deeper when he thought about the turns that his life took. He never even imagined that he would be bound by marriage to Samaira when they met for the first time. Everything was quick and unexpected that he didn't get proper time to digest the facts. But now he was happy that he did and it somehow felt good. He too had the thoughts of being a cheater but all of that vanished when he saw her sacrificing nature. Praniti was one beautiful,priceless phase of his life which he would always cherish. But Samaira had turned to his present and future which he would always look upto. Samaira was a woman who married him to fulfil her best friend's last wish and the promise she did and also to be mother to his child,caring less about what the society would talk about her. After all this he would be terribly wrong if he doesn't keep her happy and feel loved. And that was how, he started taking efforts to make her smile mirthfully. But he realized that slowly he was falling in love with that particular, intoxicating smile which made him forget everything around him. It did not take him much to understand his own feelings. And once he did was determined to make her feel the same.

Ayush tucked his fingers into his pockets and smiled sheepishly, remembering the faces she made when he said some stupid things.

The doors of the lift opened and he walked out into his department.
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Samaira sipped the coffee that was kept on the dining table, covered with a lid. It was not too hot but it was made extremely according to her taste. Extra coffee and less sugar which Ayush found bitter and she found exhilarating. But she knew that he liked to make the so called bitter drink according to him for her.
She walked to the balcony, taking the mug with her.
The smile didn't disappear but stayed nonchalantly in the corner of her naturally glossy lips. Such was the magic even the slightest mention of Ayush did to her. She loved how he made her stay cool when she was facing hurdles. Not everyone had the gift of sensibility like he did. She had seen him checking her phone that day but she was impressed when he stayed unaffected and waited for her to talk about it.
Her mind wandered over the events of last night and she wanted to bump her head into something for talking like a fool. She was more impressed with the way he behaved last night.If she was at his place, she would have definitely lashed out.
She sighed softly and finished her coffee.
After a few hours , she found her phone ringing while she sat reading a magazine. She picked it up promptly and pressed to to her ear.
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Ayush stared at his phone's screen in confusion mixed with curiosity. There were four missed calls from Samaira. He had just gotten out of the hospital with Reyan and Prarthana. He couldn't attend the calls as he was inside the OT.
He called her back quickly and she ensured him that everything was fine and asked him to come back home fast.
Despite of her assurance,he could feel tension rising within him.
Suddenly, his phone pinged with a text message . It was from her itself.

Don't die out of tension and bump into something. I want my car and kids safe.

He chuckled inwardly. Soon the text was followed by another one.

And you too.

He shaked his head and proceeded to the parking lot.
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Samaira was almost jumping in happiness when he reached home.Ayush could only observe her cheerful self quizzically. Here he was almost ran to her with fire on his back but she was literally, grinning with tearful eyes like a teenager who passed with a whole lot A's.

He walked to the balcony where she was standing and made her face him.
"Why did you call me? "he asked in a curious tone.

"Yeah.. That.. I got a call from the police station. "she stated without taking her eyes away.

"Excuse me, what!??? And why are you so cool? What did they say? "Ayush was literally knocked out of his senses. Why was she taking this with so less seriousness?And why didn't she tell him about this earlier?

"Ayush.. Relax.. I'll be proven innocent. The child died out of a genetic disease that cannot be recognized during pregnancy. The doctor who did the Post Martem had called."she stated making him feel relieved. To be more precise, extremely happy.

"Is it? I knew it! "he exclaimed, catching hold of one of her shoulders.
Soon, he changed the smile into a frown.
"But why didn't you tell me about this all the while? And he should have called me first. Do I not have the right to know that? "he asked, evidently displeased by the fact that she didn't care to tell him about this all the while. All though, he struggled to hide the naughty smile creeping up his lips.

"He had called you but you didn't pick up and I just didn't want you to be nervous."she said, drooping her head to look down from the balcony.

"Okay fine. I want to tell you something now. "he said, leaning on the railing and she looked up at him.

"Samaira, last night... I know it must have been your bad health that must have been talking but still, I want you to know that you've never been a cheater. Please don't even think of yourself like that. You're one precious friend that Praniti has made. "he halted to read her face and she nodded, a smile lurking on the corner of her lips.
"She can never be angry at you if you.... By any chance...... um.. love me. She would be only thankful to you for always being by my side.. And.. Being a mother to Praniti. She was generous enough to put her family's and your happiness before everything. But.. You.. You were generous enough to fulfil her wish and giving me your support, without thinking what people will cook up about your character. "he stopped abruptly as he saw her eyes welling up. But he decided to continue .
"And that's what makes you... Dearer to me. You don't know how inestimable you are. Understand your own worth and value Samaira. Your heart is bigger than you think. It would be a sin to call you a cheater. And I should never have questioned your friendship with Praniti. I'm sorry. I just wanted you to think properly. Trust me,the bond both of you shared is the purest one I've ever seen. "he put an end to his words and he could see her eyes overflowing with tears. She wiped them away.
"Ayush.. "she called gently. Her voice was shaking.
"I..swear.. Nobody has ever... Ever made me feel so good about myself. So I'll be wrong if I still hide a little something from you. "she said slowly.

Ayush eyed her to speak.

"Ayush.. If it weren't for you, these few days, to be more precise,the days after this case would have been the most dreaded days of my life. But you.. You made them the heartiest ones of my life. And I have also seen you spending sleepless nights, reading mine and similar case files to make sure that I'd be safe. Though you were all cool outside, I was able to sense that anxiousness inside. But you hid all of it and almost joked around like a kid so that I don't remember anything that saddens me. And the way you took care of me when I had fever as if I was a small baby and the way you behaved to me last night. I never expected that from anyone. I know it was hard for you to get over Praniti's loss but you did and you made an effort to make our marriage work.You remained an unwavering source of support. If you could do all these so that I remain happy and feel... Loved. Why should I deny myself,Ayush?"she halted her speech as she felt his stare, penetrating into her soul.

"I can never be as good as Praniti or replace her. But I swear, I will love you with all my heart. And now talking in your cheesy language, that day you put your signature on my painting but now you have it imprinted on my soul. "she stated,hopelessly breaking into a light chuckle at her own pick up line.He reciprocated the same, then slowly wiped away away her tears and cupped her cheeks.

"You can never replace Praniti and she will always have special place in my heart. But my heart belongs to you Samaira....always and forever. "he said joining their foreheads. Samaira smiled heartily, exhibiting all her happiness on her face and that was all what mattered to him. They experienced solace in each other's arms they as they melted in their own embrace. Joyous tears filled their eyes and rolled down their cheeks.
The emotions they experienced at the moment was beyond expressions. They could never be able to put into words.

"Mumma! "They withdrew from the hug as they heard Ryan's tender voice. They looked around to see the three little chubs walking to them, hand in hand. The enlargement of their smiles was irresistible. The kids were scooped up by their parents in the nick of time.
The children were showered with wet kisses by their parents who were glowing in bliss.Theirs were now a perfect family, brimming with unadulterated love and ecstasy.
They did not know if their life was going to be a happily ever after. But one thing they were certain,whatever happens, they will be beside each other, holding hands,like flowers that never wither.

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In a desert of adversities, often visited by the blazing winds of ambivalence, Samaira bloomed like a Desert Lily, treasured by the heartwarming rains of unconditional love showered by Ayush.
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THE END

OK! So... I. Really don't know what to say. I can't thank you, my dearest readers enough for the love and support you have showed me. It really means a lot and you ppl be will do close to my heart. When I started writing this story I never expected to garner so much of reads. This story had no hot sizzling romance nor shocking twists. But still, you decided to give it a shot and made me feel so so good with your votes and comments .
Samaira&Ayush will be two characters who will be always cherished by me. It still surprises me that, today, laying on the bed at midnight, I don't have anything more to think about them.
Once again, I thank all of you my readers from the bottom of my heart for the unfaltering support and upright love. I'll always be grateful to you.
This chapter is dedicated to each on of you.
Special dedication toPenfolk for always helping me out whenever I approached you. Fluer-de-cerisier DevaDDK SweetyDarlingLover cutie_pixie123 Radhika402 Aru_pranu lucky03m &SamairaRajput
for the magnificent covers
sweety_4ever_asf & PremaSubramaniam394 for their loving n frequent requests for updates.

So, after an epilogue,Iam winding up this story and also calling it quits with romance genre for a while.

Adioz
Chris