Radhika's POV

"What do I say?!" I ask him feeling both nervous and shy.

It is not as such that I have not been in this position before. I have been proposed in my college but when a guy who you love tells you that he loves you equally or maybe more. How do you react to that?!

His face twisted in a lopsided smile."I guess you are supposed to give an answer to the person when they tell you that they love you."

Oh my god! He wants to hear me telling him that I love him too. I have never done this before but then I realise it's a foreign feeling for him too. For someone like him it's more difficult to open up to me.

That's when I realise that when you love someone it's just better to tell them because that constant fear and anxiety about how they will react will end once and for all. I will tell Arjun that I do love him. Yes I will tell him but...

"Radhika baby, I..." He starts to say something but quickly swallows his words back when he hears footsteps behind him.

He actually doesn't even turn back and knows that nurse is standing behind him. So he walks to my side and stands near to me.

"Hello mam how do you feel now?!" She asked me politely.

"Much better." I reply with a smile.

I feel her staring at something so I follow her gaze and fume when I realise she is staring at my husband. I know my husband is a handsome man but that doesn't mean she can stare as she pleases. Feel free to look away!

Arjun is not at all giving her any attention which is good. He is looking  at me but something tells me that he knows that she is admiring his looks. How on earth will he not know?! He is Arjun at the end of the day. I know he can read people well.

"Actually mam your boyfriend has to fulfill few formalities." She informs in a saccharine tone.

Boyfriend! Seriously?! Okay I get it my nuptial chain is hidden under my hospital gown. I don't like her addressing him as my boyfriend. He is my husband and more than that I don't want to give her any hope that she can make a pass at him later.

"He is my husband not my boyfriend." I said sternly.

Arjun gives me a teasing smile and I know instantly what he is thinking.

"I will be out in some time." He tells her shortly.

I think this is the first time he talked to her or said anything since she is here. He doesn't like other people breathing down his neck. He prefers solitude over company. That's how he is.

"Can I just say you guys make a very good looking couple?!" She pays us a compliment.

Still I don't like her staring at my husband's chest. Why are his two buttons open?! He cannot put on a free show like that.

"Oh yeah and we are soon going to be parents." I say as I hint at my small baby bump.

"Well congratulations to both of you."

"Thank you." Arjun tells her in a plain tone.

She finally leaves us alone and on our own. I did not like her but I realise it wasn't her fault actually. It was natural and it happens. If a man like Arjun walks by you, you cannot help but stare at the perfection this Greek God has.

"So did I see the green monster lurking baby?!" He teases me.

"What does she think of herself to stare at you like that?! She was practically drolling! I was tempted to tell her to wipe the drool." I pursed my lips together in anger.

"It's just handsome face they stare at. No one knows and no one can imagine what lies beneath it." He says in a firm tone.

I feel the tension in the air because I know what he is hinting at. He doesn't hold himself in high regards. I accept he doesn't think he is good but I know he has been good to me. I think he has shown me that side of his which he has not shown anyone yet.

"It's all your fault. Why are you roaming around shirtless?!" I try to distract him by scolding him.

"Shirtless?! Only two buttons were open and you call that shirtless!" He plays innocent.

Yes that cannot be called shirtless but it still shows too much of what should be seen only by me! If they get a trailer like this then they can only imagine what a hit the film is!

"You know what I mean. Come here let me button those for you." I pull him close by his hand.

I button up his shirt which is all wrinkled right now. He doesn't look his usual self today. He hardly wears wrinkled clothes. He likes everything to be perfect. Today he looks like he has been out in the sun. His hair is messy and not pushed back but pushed down to his eyes. Still he looks good anyway. I think this is more like casual Arjun.

" Now that's better." I pull his shirt little down to smoothen the wrinkles.

"You are jealous, aren't you?!" He tells me in a 'I know it' tone.

"No not at all. Why would I be jealous?!" I say in a dismissing tone.

"I like it may be I should parade around shirtless."

How dare he?! How dare he come up with such an outrageous idea?! Yeah how about I roam around wearing shorts and mini skirts?!

"Yeah do that and you can sleep on the couch." I add warningly.

He chuckles at my reaction and closed the distance between us. He cupped my face and kissed the top of my head," You knows it's only you baby." He adds in a honest tone.

I feel I must reciprocate in some way so I kiss him on his lips. He just needs a push, doesn't he?! He takes over the kiss and kisses me in a hot, passionate, fiery and a demanding way. He holds my face tightly to keep me in place as he relishes my lips. I love it when he kisses me like that as if he is staking a claim on me.

I feel his hand roaming around on my body. His hands find their way to my breast as he gives me a firm squeeze and I moan in to his mouth. I realise that the door is not closed so I push him away gently. Both of us are panting. This so wrong on so many levels. We cannot make out here when I know someone can just barge inside with the door unlocked.

"What?!" He looks upset with me.

"The door...its not closed." I manage to say between my frantic breathing.

He turns to look at the door," Yeah."

He tilts his head and glances towards me," I can't wait to take you home." He kisses the tip of my nose affectionately.

I know what he wants from me. He wants to make love as soon as we reach home. I think in his case, sex makes him feel secure and gets his mind on track. I am eager to feel his love and care too. Now that I know he loves me, I can relax. This is what I wanted, right?!

I don't think so he has ever been so loving and caring to me before. I shouldn't be saying this because he has always taken care of me even when he hated me but today is very special. I will always remember this day until my last day on earth. I still can't believe he said he loves me and I just feel scared that all of this will disappear! Now I don't even want to go there.

I feel my cheeks getting hot," Even I can't wait to go home."

As I think about all of this, I realise that love doesn't always end well. My dad loved my mom or he believed he did initially until he lost interest in her. I have seen people in my college break up and move onto the next person just like that. What if Arjun gets bored of me one day?!

He lifts my chin up," What's wrong baby?!"

"I am just scared." I tell him as I look at him with fear in my eyes.

Fear of losing him, fear of losing what we have together. I think Arjun didn't just married me by force but he also forced me to love him as well. What I mean is no one has really given me their time like he did. I mean I had everything before, name it what you want but still there was an emptiness in my heart. Now if I lose him, I won't be able to take that blow of fate!

"Scared of what?!" He probes me more.

"You know I have seen people fall out of love so many times in my life. What if you..."

He cuts me off," You are stupid to be worried about that. My love is infinite baby. When I love someone then that is forever. My love doesn't have an expiry date baby!" He had pinned me down with his gaze that resembles a hawk's.

I feel his holding my chin gently  turns to gripping it tight. I feel his anger as he feels that I am undervaluing his love but I have to be sure.

"What if you get bored of me?!" I ask him as I reveal my worst fears.

I will feel lost if he isn't there to make me feel how much I belong to him. Even if it's ordering me around then too he is the only person who has been constant in my life.

He shakes his head,"Bored of you?! I won't ever get bored of you. Listen baby I have seen the world more than you will ever see. I have been with a lot of women and none of them could hold my interest for too long. Even the most beautiful girl would seem plain and boring to me the other day. I was like that. I think I have to keep my boredom at bay otherwise it will start affecting my work and I cannot afford that. I wasn't emotionally attached to any of them. None of them could achieve what you have without even trying. I cannot get bored of you because you are real not like others. You are not desperate neither a whore nor a golddigger. You are you, my Radhika. You are all things I ever wanted in a girl. You make me wish to come back home. Months ago I use to come back to an apartment that was painted black just like my soul but now I die to come back to you because you give me hope of normalcy which is very hard to find in the kind of life I live. You are going to give me my first child and you should be only thinking about this baby nothing else. Stop over thinking things." He assures me in a soft tone that I know he only uses with family.

With that, he kissed my forehead," I have to complete the formalities so I will be back in some time."

I wrapped my arms around his neck as I press my lips on his cheek," Come back soon."

He looks me in the eye," I will love."

***************************

Finally we are home! I see Sam and Mariam aunty at the doorstep of the mansion. Somehow my gaze travel to Lily standing in the gallery of her room. I feel her eyes on Arjun. I understand it must be very painful for her to see the man she loved all her life with someone else. Also that someone else is not just a fling but his wife who will stay in his life forever.

To my surprise, he waves at her and she waves back at him. What is happening here?! When are these two back to being friends?! For a change she also smiles at me! What did she have in her breakfast today?! She gives me her dimpled smile and I notice how pretty she is. I mean I am not jealous as I know I am also blessed with fairly good looks but Lily is beautiful too. Her eyes are so green but they also pass off as greenish blue from far.  She is a very beautiful woman who I know is a headturner. I don't actually have anything against her and I do wish that she finds her happiness. I think if we act civil towards each other then we won't have any problem. I don't actually want to have ill feelings because a mother's heart is connected to her unborn child. I have to nurture my baby with good and positive thoughts.

Instinctively I place my hand on my baby bump  feel connected to my baby and once again I am snapped back to reality. A smile graces my lips as he snakes his arm around my waist.

"You okay baby?!" He asked me out of concern.

I nod my head in assurance. It's okay Radhika, it's his past and you cannot change it no matter how much you dislike it. What you can do is grow together in a healthy relationship. Just think about what is best for your baby.

After all welcoming with fun and fallore, I am finally settled in my bed. I make a face when I see Arjun entering the room with a glass full of milk in his hand. Yuck! This is the part I don't like about my pregnancy.

He gives me the glass,"Baby here is your milk now common down in one go."

"I don't feel like drinking it today." I pout.

"That you say everyday but you know you have to." He chuckles.

"Can I please skip this today?! Just for today please." I make a puppy face.

"No you know it's not happening so stop making faces and down in one go." He takes my hand holding the glass to my lips.

"Arjun..." My words drown in the pool of milk that pours into my mouth as he thrust the opening of the glass into my mouth.

He always does this. I hate him for this. He will always make me drink it by hook or by crook.

After every last drop is inside me, he finally let's go and gives me his brooding smile,"See you create fuss over this unnecessarily everyday." He says as he places the now empty glass on the side table.

He wipes the last trace of milk from my lower lip with his thumb. What am I?! His child for him to even wipe my mouth!

I glare at him," I hate you." I say as I pinpoint him.

"Really?! Let's see what you hate me for?! For taking care of you and my child. Is that so baby?! Then you can hate me as much as you want but I will do what I am supposed to do." He smirks.

I turn my face away in anger but a tiny voice in my heart makes me see sense. Radhika, everyday you give him attitude over this milk ritual but he still continues doing it for you and baby.

I shift closer to him and snuggle in his chest. He turns his head towards me and wraps his arm around me.

"So you don't hate me anymore."

"I don't hate you it's just that I am starting to feel you are treating me like a child rather than your wife." I say honestly.

He pecks my forehead," Are you complaining?! You are carrying my baby so just take it as if it's the baby I am treating like my child." He continues with a evil grin," Hey! You shouldn't complain! I, the Arjun Mehra has become your personal nurse. You know I haven't taken care of anyone the way I take care of you." He adds lastly with sincerity in his tone.

Just like that I am floored by his confession. He has not taken care of anyone and I was left all alone to be attended by househelps after my mother disappeared. If it gives him joy to look after me then who am I to complain?! Like he said, it's not everywhere you are privileged to have a nurse like Arjun Mehra!

That evokes a chuckle from me taking him by surprise. He cocks his brow in a way that tells me he knows I am laughing at him.

"Laughing at your husband. Not nice!" He gives me an admonishing look.

"I think it's fun sometimes." I reply with another chuckle.

He looks at me hard and for a moment I am scared but the next thing I know I am being tickled left, right and centre by him unmercifully.

"Laugh more, laugh more." He says in a teasing manner as he continues to tickle the death out of me.

"Ah please no please....I am sorry please." I beg as I toss and turn on the bed to escape him but he has me pinned down by his own body as he is hovered on top of me.

"This isn't fair." I whine when he has finally stopped with his tickle torture.

"Who said it's always going to be fair?!" He smirks.

I try to tickle him but he doesn't feel anything when I try to tickle him in between the armpits. I gasp in shock when I realise he is not ticklish.

"I am not ticklish baby. My mom use to try but I didn't feel anything so she gave up." He affirms my observation.

"Have you tickled anyone before?!" I ask him suspiciously.

Now I am getting all this horrifying  images of him and Lily in one bed and Arjun tickling her! I know she is the closest to him among all other women he had a past with.

"No I think it's too personal on so many levels." He replies monotonously.

Thank God!

"Then you must also respect my personal space."

"Oh yeah?! I will show you what is personal space." Saying so, he begins tickling me again making me laugh and cry at the same time. This is everything I wanted and more than I had ever wished for.

To be continued.....