Diya's pov...

I love him but, I don't know why I'm hesitating to say that to him. I really want us to be real loving couple. I want him with me. I want to love him eternally but, nothing starts until I confess my love to him. So, I decided to confess my love to him today. Yes, on Christmas. He always loves Christmas and I wanted to add the love and be part of his happiness.

After work, I got home a little late. I took a hot shower to ease off my body pain. Working at the restaurant and also working on the decorations made me tired and I didn't get proper sleep the whole week. Then, I searched my wardrobe and finalized a saree, after a long search. I wore a red plain saree and I put a little makeup. I just curled the bottom part of my hair and finally, looked at the mirror. The saree was just perfect for me and it outlined my body curves.

Then, I wrapped his Christmas gift. I had bought him a watch. I bought it during the Christmas shopping. It looked really classic and also it was his favorite colour black. When, I was wrapping the gift. My eyes caught the wedding ring on my hand. This ring unites us. It reminds me of my wedding. The day that changed my whole life. The day when I became Mrs.Edward Ryan. I'm thankful to God for giving him and making me the luckiest person.

Our Apartment people had organised Christmas party downstairs and Edward had gone there. How am I going to confess? Thinking this, I left the gift on the table so as to give it to him privately. I went downstairs to see the crowd. How am I going to find him in this crowd? People were busy moving here and there to see the stalls. I started searching for him when

"Hey, Diya" One of my restaurants regulars stopped me.

"Hey hii, Maria. Do you live here? I haven't seen you in this area" I asked her. She's an American in her mid 30's. She once tasted her friend's lunch which was from our restaurant and Maria like it very much and became our restaurant regulars.

"My cousin lives here and my children wanted to come here for the celebrations"

"Oh, that's nice"

"Do you live here, Diya?" she asked.

"Yes..in third floor"

"So, it's Indian wear. Red really suits you"

"Thanks for the compliment"I said, smiling at her.

"You are married right? Where's your husband? What's his name?"

"Yes, I'm married to Edward Ryan. Actually, I'm searching for him in the crowd"

"Edward Ryan. Is he an American?"

"Yes" 

"Wow. that's nice" she said and continued to speak about random things that doesn't even relate to me. God why is she talking so much?? Right now, I want to see my husband. Please lord!! I just need to escape. Help me

"Uhmm..I'm sorry. Actually, it's getting late. We will meet at the restaurant" I said and didn't wait for her reply and started searching for him. I searched him for the next five minutes. But, it was so much crowded. When

"Excuse me" I heard a voice

Tamil - "Ipo yaruya athu"
( Now, who's that?) I rolled my eyes and turned back to see a man. I had never seen him before.  Why is he calling me?

"Are you Mrs. Edward Ryan? I'm sorry if it's not you" he said, looking at me with his creased eyebrows.

"Yes, I'm Diya Edward Ryan. Sorry, Do I know you?" I asked him. Even I was confused.

"I'm Lucas, a cop. I'm Ryan's friend and also I handled your case" he said, leaving me even more confused.

"Oh, nice to meet you. But,  Case?? What's that?"

"Did he not tell you? The three men who harassed you got caught but we didn't file the case. Ryan told me not to file a case and not to pull your name" He said and I was beyond shocked. What?? When did this happen? I had no idea.

"Can you tell me in detail? Ryan didn't say this to me. But, I would like to know" I asked him.

"Ohh. He didn't tell it to you but handled it well. I think you should know this. The next day after the incident, he called me and we visited the place. John told us the place. We checked few CCTV clippings and got to know their faces. He told me not to file a case and not to involve or disturb you. But, he was very much angry and we caught them after a long search at noon. He dragged them to a place where no one could see and beat them black and blue. They begged him to leave and told that they won't do it again. But, he didn't leave them. He asked me to continue and after some time, he left them. But, you know what? Ryan is really funny. Before leaving them, he wrote doctor prescription and gave it to them. He said that he was doing his duty as a Doctor. They were shocked and ran to save their lives" He said, laughing. Then he continued

"I know him since our school days. He is such a nerd but cool, popular guy. All girls would go behind him and we would be irritated and jealous to see him getting all the attention" he said  and was interrupted when his phone vibrated. So, he looked at me and said "I saw you in the camera. Now, I wasn't sure if it was you. Anyways, nice meeting you, Diya. Stay safe and have a great Christmas"

"Thanks, Lucas. Merry Christmas to you and your family" I said as he smiled and walked away.

I was beyond shocked. I moved to the parking lot and held the pillar. I couldn't believe all this. I had no idea about this. Ryan, he...he punished those filthy guys. Tears rolled down my eyes thinking of the incident. Ryan punished them. Ryan punished them. He thought of my feelings and also he did hurt me by involving me further. Previously, I asked God what did I do that deserve that life? Now, What did I deserve to get a husband like him? I'm sure I wouldn't have found a man like him back there in India. God has given him to me and I should give him all happiness. I was so foolish to not say my love to him all these days.

Thinking of all these, I searched for him and found him "At last, there he is" I murmured but stopped when I saw him talking with a group of mens. He saw me while talking.

I gestured my hand to continue and waited there near the ice cream stall. The decorations were really good, all Red. There were photo booth with Santa. It was very crowded there. Children were standing in a queue. Then, there was some reindeer games and they had also arranged dinner and drinks on one corner. In other corner, there were karaoke station of popular Christmas songs.

I was waiting and looking at him, more precisely admiring  my husband. I have no words to state how much happy and lucky I am. He made me the happiest person. He did all this behind my back and taught them a lesson. Oh!! Come fast, Edward.

"Till when have you planned to only gawk at him" I heard a voice and turned to see Linda. She looked beautiful in her red dress with matching accessories.

"Stop it. I have decided to confess to him today" I said, blushing.

"I hope it happens" she said  laughing as I frowned at her.

"Where's John and Sofia?"

"They both are there. Sofi wanted to take a pic with the Santa" she said, showing me the place.

"Sofi is really a sweetie pie" I said, thinking of her. She is very cute and kind, just like Linda.

"Yes, she is" she said when we saw John coming towards us.

"Hi, my beloved sister" John smiled widely.

"Hii, my sweet brother" I greeted him and chuckled.

"So, waiting for Edward?"he asked me and I nodded.

"She is going to confess today. This is really a shocking news which I thought would never happen" she said, laughing and I glared at her.

"Woo...Awesome. At last, my poor friend is going to have some romance. God knows how he stayed pure and controlled all these years" John said and they both started laughing.

"You don't believe me right? Just wait and see tomorrow. Don't just give him a clue and spoil the plan" I said, looking at them.

"Oh!! So, you have planned something. We won't be able to tell him anything even if we want to" John said, pulling sofia to him. She was trying to walk away from us.

"Why?"

"We thought of visiting my sister's house" Linda said, pulling her hair back in a pony.

"That's great"

"What is great?" Edward said, joining in with us. I blushed a little but tried to hide it. There comes my husband. My beloved husband.

"We are going to my sister's house for Christmas" Linda said

"Great. Then, have fun guys"

"Yeah, you too man. Merry Christmas" John greeted us and they walked away.

Edward turned to me and behind his back, I saw Linda turning back, giving a thumbs up and winked. God!! this girl.

"What are you looking at?" Ryan asked me.

"uhmm..nothing"

"Ok. You look gorgeous in this saree" he said, making me blush.

"You look handsome too" hearing this, he would definitely be shocked.

"Did I just heard it right? Someone is complimenting me" he said, laughing.

"This is my first Christmas. It's really nice here"I said, changing the topic.

"Yes. Do you want ice cream?" he asking me, looking at the stall behind.

"Yes" I said, smiling widely showing my teeth.

"You look like a kid now" he laughed and walked to the stall. Then, he bought me a chocolate cone and a butterscotch cone for him.

I looked at my watch. There was still 45 minutes for 12. But, it was perfect timing.

"Hmmm. Can we go back home now?" I said, looking at him

"Actually...It would be great here at 12. Shall we wait for some more time? Since it's your first Christmas. You shouldn't miss this" he said, not knowing for what am asking.

"Yeah..but, I am having headache. Nothing serious but, it would be better if I go home" I said

"What??....Ok, then, let's go home. It's nothing but some greetings, carols and nonstop fireworks" he said, taking a look at our surrounding. Aww, my hubby wants to see this. He acts like a kid in this. 

"Yes. Let's go, then" I said and we walked home. Don't be disappointed Edward, you would never regret coming with me today.

-×-×-×-×-×-

Precap - "I..Edward..I" I closed my eyes. Come one Diya, say it.

Hope you guys liked this chapter.

Next update - Monday night or Tuesday.

~ 1870 words ~ ( unedited )