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ow, the next chapter after this target is completed.

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आँखें तेरी, आँखें तेरी कितनी हसीं
कि इनका आशिक, मैं बन गया हूँ
मुझको बसा ले, इनमें तू
कि इनका आशिक, मैं बन गया हूँ
मुझको बसा ले, इनमें तू
मुझसे ये हर घड़ी, मेरा दिल कहे

तुम ही हो उसकी आरज़ू
मुझसे ये हर घड़ी, मेरे लब कहे
तेरी ही हो सब बातचीत
बातें तेरी इतनी हसीं, मैं याद इनको जब करता हूँ
फूलों सी आए, खुशबू
रख लूँ छुपा के मैं कहीं तुझको
साया भी तेरा ना मैं दूँ
रख लूँ बना के कहीं घर, मैं तुझे
साथ तेरे, मैं ही रहूँ

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Siddharth kept his head in her lap, the silence between them growing heavier with each passing second. He could feel her soft breaths against his hair, but she hadn't spoken a word, not even moved.

It wasn't her silence that unnerved him-he was used to her quiet nature-but this stillness was different. It was too quiet, too heavy.

Minutes passed, and he felt her fingers lightly brush against his hair. For a moment, he thought she would run them through his strands, but instead, she gently pushed his head up. It wasn't forceful, but it was deliberate. Sidharth resisted for a fraction of a second, unwilling to let go of the solace he found in her lap, but her intent was clear.

He sat up, watching as Noor rose to her feet, her movements swift yet graceful. Before he could even look at her face, she turned away, walking towards the door. His eyes followed her every step, and for the first time in his life, Sidharth felt a pang of fear settle deep within him-a fear unlike any he had ever known.

He feared her reaction.

Not her anger, not her disappointment, but her silence.

He could face the world and conquer anything, but her disapproval was something he couldn't bear. His life revolved around her; his world began and ended with her. He could endure anything, but not her silence.

She disappeared for a few moments, and Sidharth's mind raced. He didn't regret what he had done-he never would-but now, for the first time, he feared its consequences on her. His chest tightened as he sat there, fists clenching on his lap.

When Noor returned, she carried a small box in her hands. His breath hitched as his gaze darted between her face and the box, but she didn't look at him. Her eyes were focused on the floor, her expression unreadable.

Sidharth's jaw tightened. He needed to know what she was thinking. He needed to see her eyes, to read the emotions swirling within them. But she didn't look up. Instead, she silently took his hand, her touched feather-light, and guided him to sit on the bed.

He watched her every movement, his eyes never leaving her. Then, for the first time, she raised her gaze to meet his.

Her eyes.

They held so much, an ocean of emotions threatening to spill over. Pain, fear, anger, and something deeper-something Sidharth couldn't name-shone in her tear-filled gaze. It was as if she carried the weight of the world in those eyes, and in that single second of connection, Sidharth's heart twisted painfully.

But just as quickly as the moment came, it was gone. Noor broke eye contact, and he felt the loss like a physical blow.

She knelt in front of him, and Siddharth's body tensed. His instincts kicked in, and he shot to his feet, reaching for her wrist.

"Noor, yeh aap kya-"

(Noo, what are you -")

Before he could finish, she looked up again, her gaze hard, commanding. It froze him in place.

For a man as powerful as Sidharth, it took only one look from Noor to make him obey. He sat back down, his hands resting on the bed.

Noor opened the box, pulling out antiseptic and bandages. She didn't say a word, her silence cutting through him like a blade. She took his hand, carefully dabbing the antiseptic onto his knuckles. The sting barely registered-his only focus was on her.

Her hands worked with a precision that betrayed her inner turmoil. She didn't look up, didn't acknowledge his presence beyond her task. And it killed him.

"...Noor," he whispered, his voice breaking slightly. But she didn't respond.

His desperation grew. He tilted his head, trying to catch a glimpse of her face.

"Cherry," he whispered again, his tone softer, pleading.

Still, nothing.

Then, he felt it-a single drop landing on his knuckles. His breath hitched as he realized she was crying. His heart twisted painfully, the sight of her tears breaking something inside him.

"Kuch boliye na, Noor," he pleaded, his voice raw with emotion. But there was no reply.

(Say something Noor)

He couldn't take it anymore. His other hand reached for her wrist, his grip firm but gentle. "Aap naraz hain?" His voice cracked, desperation seeping into his tone.

(Are you angry?)

Silence.

It wasn't just a need anymore-it was desperation. He would give anything, do anything, just to hear her voice, to know what she was thinking.

"Mujhe kuch toh boliye," he begged, his voice trembling.

"Main aur chudiyaan le aaunga aapke liye. Bindi aur sindoor bhi launga... par royiye mat. Mujhe kuch toh boliye."

("I will bring bangles for you. I'll also bring bindi and sindoor... but please don't cry. Say something to me.")

But she didn't.

He was spiraling, drowning in his own helplessness, when Noor finally looked up. The emotions in her eyes made him freeze.

"Dar gaye the hum, Aarth," she said, her voice soft yet heavy with unspoken emotions.

("I was scared, Siddharth.")

And just like that, Sidharth's world came crashing down.

He froze at her words.

Her voice, soft and trembling, pierced through him like a dagger, twisting deep in his chest. He felt an ache, sharp and unrelenting, spread through his heart. His breath hitched as he looked at her face. Tears streamed silently down her cheeks, their path glistening against her soft skin, and it felt like the world had stopped moving.

Each tear felt like a weight dragging him into an ocean of despair, guilt, and something far more profound. The sight of her, so fragile yet so full of strength, made him feel as though he was breaking apart and being remade all at once. His throat tightened painfully, his voice faltering.

"Aapko mujhse darne nahi hai, Cherry,"

("You don't have to be afraid of me, Cherry,")

he began, his words barely above a whisper, his hand itching to reach out, to wipe away her tears.

"M-mai apko kuch-"
("I would never-")

But before he could finish, she looked up, her eyes locking onto his.

And he stopped.

Her gaze wasn't just looking at him-it was consuming him, unraveling every layer of his being. Her eyes were filled with unspoken emotions, raw and overwhelming, like a storm raging within her but held back with sheer will.

Pain, fear, love-it was all there, all at once, too much yet not enough. He couldn't look away.

For the first time in his life, Sidharth, a man who had faced everything the world could throw at him without flinching, felt powerless.

Her gaze held him captive and stripped him of everything he thought he controlled. He forgot how to breathe, forgot everything but her.

And just as quickly as she had ensnared him, she broke the eye contact, leaving him aching with the absence of her gaze.

Her eyes dropped to his chest, and he followed her line of sight, his heart hammering against his ribs. Then, he felt it-a featherlight touch against his chest, just over his heart.

Her fingers traced the cut there, her touch so soft it was almost painful. Sidharth looked down at her hand, his eyes following her every movement, as though her fingers were etching themselves into his very soul.

Her voice, soft and trembling, yet carrying the weight of something he couldn't name, broke the silence.

"Apse nahi, Aarth-"
("Not of you, Aarth-")

He looked up sharply, his breath caught in his throat. Her eyes met his again, and this time, they didn't hold back. They were everything-an ocean of emotions that seemed endless, threatening to drown him in their depth.

"Aapke liye dar gaye the hum,"
("I was scared for you,")

she finished, her words hitting him like a tidal wave.

The air between them shifted, thickening with something unspoken but undeniable. Her gaze spoke volumes, far more than her lips ever could, and he understood it all-her fear, her love, her pain. It was all there, laid bare for him to see.

In that moment, Sidharth knew. She wasn't afraid of him-she was afraid for him.

Sidharth was still trying to gather himself, his emotions swirling out of control when Noor raised her hand. Her movements were soft and deliberate, her fingers brushing his skin with a tenderness that struck something deep within him. She cupped his cheek, her palm warm against his face.

He didn't dare move, didn't dare even breathe as her voice, trembling with emotion, broke the silence.

"Bahut pyaare hain aap hume, Aarth."
("You are so dear to me, Aarth.")

Her words were like a balm and a wound all at once. She repeated, softer this time,

"Bahut pyaare."
("So dear.")

The silence that followed was heavy, not with awkwardness, but with the weight of something so profound that it demanded its own space to be felt. Noor's gaze shifted from his eyes to his knuckles, the sight of his bruised and battered hand making her pause.

Without a word, she gently took his injured hand, her fingers lightly grazing over the rough surface. Sidharth watched her, mesmerized, as she raised his hand to her face. The back of his fingers brushed against her cheek, her skin soft and warm against his calloused touch, making his heart feel the warmth.

When she looked back up at him, her eyes were brimming with emotions he could not fully comprehend but felt deeply in his chest. Her voice, heavy with unshed tears and a tenderness that broke him, whispered,

"Itne pyaare ki aapko aisa dekh ke hume dard hota hai. Dil mein chubhan hoti hai."

("So dear, that seeing you like this hurts me. It feels like a thorn piercing my heart.")

Her gaze didn't waver as she looked deep into his eyes, and for a moment, Sidharth thought he might lose himself entirely in their depths. Then she added, her voice almost a whisper, but so raw it felt like a scream to his heart:

"Saas nahi aati mujhe, aap pe ek bhi kharoch dekh ke, Aarth."

("I can not breathe when I see you in pain, Aarth.")

Her words hit him like a wave, crashing over the barriers he had spent years building. His chest tightened, and his heart thudded so violently that he thought it might burst.

Her gaze dropped, and for a fleeting moment, Sidharth felt the loss of her eyes on him as if it were a physical blow. But then he saw them-small drops of her tears falling onto his hand, mingling with the wounds he had inflicted in his rage.

The sight of her tears broke something within him. His throat constricted, and his fingers twitched as if reaching for her on their own.

This was it. The moment when the weight of her emotions, her care, and her pain for him collided with the depths of his own obsession and love for her. The air between them was thick with a longing that neither of them could escape.

Siddharth finally whispered, his voice breaking under the intensity of the moment, "Noor..."

But she didn't answer. Her emotions swirled within her, too intense to name, too powerful to suppress. She had carried these feelings for what felt like an eternity, but tonight, the weight was too much to bear.

Her eyes found his, and in that instant, the world around them disappeared. She straightened her back slightly, closing the small gap between them. With trembling hands, she cupped his cheeks. Her fingers, soft and warm, brushed over the rough stubble on his face, as if memorizing every detail of him.

Sidharth didn't move. His sharp, piercing eyes locked on hers, but there was a flicker of something softer in them tonight-a vulnerability she rarely saw. It wasn't fear or hesitation, but an unspoken emotions, as though he, too, was trying to feel the moment.

Noor's heart pounded violently, its rhythm echoing in her ears. Yet, her mind was utterly blank, her thoughts drowned by the surge of emotions flooding through her. Her love for him had always been there, simmering just beneath the surface, but now it threatened to overflow. She couldn't hold it back anymore.

Leaning closer, she pressed her forehead gently against his. The connection sent a shiver through her, and her eyes fluttered shut for a brief second. Her lips parted to speak, but the words refused to come out at first.

Her fingers moved slowly against his cheek, sliding slightly up and down, as though she was grounding herself. When she opened her eyes again, her gaze met his, and the intensity in them felt almost unbearable.

"Pata nahi kab aur kaise..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "Par..." She paused, her breath hitching.

(I don't know when or how... but...)

Her hand moved again, this time trailing down the edge of his jaw, as if she was trying to hold onto him in a way her words couldn't. Every touch felt like a confession in itself.

"Pyar ho gaya hai apse, Aarth," she finally said, her voice trembling but unwavering. "Be-imtihaan pyar ho gaya hai."

(I've fallen in love with you, Aarth... endlessly, deeply in love.)

A lone tear slid down her cheek, glistening like a crystal under the dim light of the room. It lingered for a moment before falling onto Sidharth's hand, still resting by his side.

His grip on her bare waist slackened slightly, as if the weight of her words had momentarily stolen his strength.

Noor didn't move, her eyes still locked on his, searching for something she couldn't quite name. She didn't need him to say anything yet; this moment wasn't about his response. It was about her laying her heart bare, about the love she could no longer keep hidden.

She closed her eyes, letting the sensation of the moment wash over her. The confession had left her feeling exposed, but it was also liberating-a feeling so powerful it felt like flying and drowning at the same time.

The silence between them stretched, fragile yet profound. Noor's heart, which had been racing like a storm, now felt as if it were carrying the weight of the universe. She noticed how Sidharth froze-his breathing halted, his gaze locked with hers yet distant, as if tethered to a thought he couldn't grasp.

Her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady herself, but the flood of emotions was relentless. Noor's fingers moved slightly, almost instinctively, the smallest gesture breaking the stillness. It was enough to bring Sidharth back.

His dark eyes bore into hers, and she saw it-the flicker of vulnerability, the unspoken words he wouldn't allow himself to say. Noor's lips curved into a faint smile, one so soft it seemed to carry the weight of her surrender. It wasn't just a smile-it was her heart opening, laying itself bare for him to see.

Her tears, hot and brimming, traced the curve of her flushed cheeks. Her lips, trembling yet resolute, parted to let out the words that had been imprisoned within her for so long.

"Par aaj jab aapko dekha, toh pehchan hi nahi paaye..." she began, her voice barely above a whisper, thick with emotion.

("But today, when I saw you, I couldn't even recognize you...")

Her eyes glistened as they searched his face for something-perhaps understanding, or maybe courage to continue.

"Laga ki aap toh woh Siddharth the hi nahi jinse hamari shaadi hui..."

("It felt like you weren't the Siddharth I married...")

Sidharth's grip on her waist tightened ever so slightly, a silent acknowledgment, a reassurance that he was still there. Noor felt the warmth of his touch seeping through her skin, anchoring her, steadying her trembling form. She didn't stop.

"par jab aapne humari taraf dekha..." her voice faltered, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her, "...uss waqt samajh aaya-"

("But when you looked at me... in that moment, I realized-")

The words hovered on her lips, heavy and raw, their weight making it difficult for her to breathe. Sidharth's hold on her waist grew firmer, his chest pressing against hers. His heart thundered beneath her touch, a rhythm that matched her own.

Their foreheads touched, their breaths mingling in the stillness. Sidharth's fingers moved to her face, cupping her cheek with a tenderness that made her heart ache. His voice, low and husky, cut through the silence,

"Boliye na..."
("Say it...")

His eyes were darker now, their intensity pulling her in, drowning her in their depths. Noor smiled softly, her tears shimmering like stars against her flushed face. That smile-it was enough to light his world.

"Ki aap toh Siddharth Singh Rajvardhan the hi nahi..." she whispered, her voice trembling but unwavering,

"...aap toh mere Aarth the uss waqt."

("That in that moment, you weren't Siddharth Singh Rajvardhan. You were my Aarth.")

Her words hung in the air like a sacred vow, wrapping around them in a cocoon of raw, unfiltered love. Sidharth's heart stopped for a moment, the storm within him quieting. Noor's confession was not just a declaration; it was a balm, soothing every wound, healing every scar.

Noor's voice trembled as she continued, her emotions brimming like an overflowing river, yet her resolve to confess remained firm. She leaned back slightly, her hand still caressing his cheek, her thumb brushing against his jawline with a tenderness that made his breath hitch.

"You weren't Siddharth Singh Rajvardhan in that moment," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her emotions. Her gaze bore into his, her tears now spilling freely.

"Aap mere rakshak the..."
("You were my protector...")

Her words hung heavy in the air, wrapping around them like an invisible thread. "Jo insaaf karta hai apni patni ke liye, jo uska badla leta hai"

("The one who seeks justice for his wife, the one who takes revenge for his wife.")

Noor's fingers moved to his shoulders, clutching them for support as her legs felt weak beneath the intensity of her emotions. Her tears wet his shirt, but Sidharth remained still, his gaze never leaving hers. His grip on her waist tightened as if silently asking her to continue.

"Us waqt, aap bas mere the, Siddharth. Na Rajvardhan, na duniya ke liye ya kisi aur ke liye..." she said, her voice breaking into a whisper.

("In that moment, you were just mine, Siddharth. Not a Rajvardhan, not anyone else's in the world...")

Her lips quivered, but she pushed forward, her love pouring out like an unstoppable tide.

Sidharth's breath hitched, his heart pounding in his chest. His hands, still firm on her waist, pulled her closer, their foreheads once again touching. The space between them felt charged with a million unsaid words, but Noor wasn't done.

"You didn't just fight for me," she said softly, her voice trembling but sure. "You made me realize that I have fallen for the person who protects me, respects me. If i hadn't fallen in love with you till now. I did. At that moment again."

Sidharth's breathing grew heavier, his chest rising and falling with an intensity that seemed impossible to contain. Without a word, he shifted, one hand still firm on Noor's waist as he moved to stand. Her heart raced as she felt his other hand slide down, his fingers brushing against her thigh.

With a slow, deliberate movement, Siddharth guided one of her legs, parting it gently and positioning it around his waist. His touch was firm yet careful, a silent plea for her to follow his lead. Noor's breath hitched, and before she realized it, her other leg followed, wrapping around him completely.

Her arms found their place around his neck as she clung to him, her body molding into his. Sidharth pulled her closer, his arms tightening around her waist, holding her as though letting go wasn't an option.

He buried his face into the crook of her neck, his breath warm and uneven against her skin. His chest heaved against hers, his heart pounding so loudly that she could feel it reverberating through her own body. His breathing, harsh and unsteady, filled her ears, drowning out every other sound in the room.

Sidharth's body turned cold, his nerves alight as his heartbeat echoed in her ears. She could feel his nails digging into her waist, his hold unrelenting, but it didn't hurt-it never could. Instead, it felt grounding, like he was anchoring himself to her, to the only thing that kept him steady.

His voice came then, low and broken, almost a whisper against her neck.

"Hold me, Cherry... hold me," he pleaded, his tone raw with desperation. "Warna meri jaan nikal jaygi..."

("Or I'll lose my life...")

Something inside her melted completely, surrendering to his need. Noor tightened her hold around him, her arms wrapping with all her strength as though she could shield him from the world, from his own pain. Her fingers tangled in his hair, soft and soothing, grounding him as much as he was grounding her.

For a moment, time stopped. They stayed there, lost in each other's presence, the silence around them heavy with unspoken emotion. Noor could feel his trembling, the way his chest rose and fell erratically, and it only made her love for him swell.

Tears filled her eyes as she leaned closer to his ear, her voice a soft murmur. "Mujhe garv hai aap par, Aarth..."
("I'm proud of you, Aarth...")

She brushed her lips against his ear lobe, leaving a soft kiss there, before speaking again.

"Hum aapki patni hone par fakr mehsoos karti hoon... Aur Hum aapse bepanah mohabbat karte hai, itni mohabbat ki aapke bina saans lena bhi mushkil lagta hai..."

("I'm so proud to be your wife..." And I'm so deeply in love with you, so much that breathing without you feels impossible...")

Her words shattered whatever walls Sidharth had left. His grip shifted, his hold tightening as though he could fuse her into himself. His face buried deeper into her neck, his body trembling with the weight of her words.

Noor felt it-the way he was silently breaking and healing all at once, the way her confession filled the void he had carried for so long. Her fingers ran soothingly along his back, her tears mixing with the intensity of the moment.

He didn't need to say anything. The way his arms held her, the way his heart beat wildly against hers-it was enough. Noor closed her eyes, letting herself drown in the rawness of his love, the depth of his need.

Sidharth couldn't speak.

They stayed like that, tangled in each other, finding solace in a love that consumed them both.

Noor's words kept echoing in his head, louder than the thundering of his own heartbeat. "I'm proud of you," He had never heard those words before, not in his entire life.

Pride, love-things he had believed didn't belong in his world. Not for him.

For a man like him, love was a weakness, an illusion, a tale of betrayal that was meant to be avoided at all costs. Power, control-those were his foundations, the things that kept him breathing, moving, and existing.

But in front of her, all of it crumbled.

His chest felt heavy, unbearably so, as if her words had unlocked something inside him that he didn't know how to face. Vulnerability. Need. A raw, consuming ache that made it hard to breathe.

Sidharth's hands trembled slightly, a rare crack in the controlled demeanor he always wore.

His grip tightened around Noor, his arms pulling her just a little closer. She was still in his lap, cradled against him, her soft warmth sinking into his very skin. Her words-"I love you, Sidharth"-had shattered something inside him, leaving him bare in a way he wasn't used to.

Vulnerable. Exposed. Seen.

Words felt too fragile, too inadequate. What could he possibly say to match the intensity of what she had just confessed? How could he, a man who had spent his life guarding his heart with walls of steel, can make her feel the depth of what he felt?

He looked at her, his dark blue eyes searching her face. Noor's cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly parted, her breath soft and uneven. She wasn't looking at him with fear or hesitation. Her gaze was steady and open, and it broke him. She wasn't just in love with him-she trusted him. With her heart, with her soul, with everything she was.

He wasn't prepared for this. The walls, the belief, he'd spent years building around himself felt useless now, crumbling under the weight of her love. He wanted to say something, to give her the words she deserved, but they wouldn't come.

His mind was a storm, his heart pounding so violently that he swore she could hear it.

And she-Noor-was so still, so quiet, like the calm within his chaos.

Oh, she was. His peace. His solace.

Her head rested against his shoulder, her delicate fingers gripping his shirt as if she didn't want to let him go. Her closeness was soothing and tormenting all at once.

His breath hitched as his gaze dropped to her face. Noor's cheeks were flushed, her lashes trembling ever so slightly as if she were too shy to meet his eyes. But when she finally did-when those wide, doe-like eyes looked up at him-it was over for him.

Her confession struck with the force of something he couldn't fight or control. A lifetime of betrayal and calculated walls crashed against the unrelenting tenderness in her words.

There was only her, still hanging in his arms, her delicate arms circling his neck, and the way her shy, hopeful eyes sought his.

Sidharth tightened his grip around her waist instinctively, as if afraid she might slip away. His chest burned with emotions too raw, too overwhelming to name. For the first time, he wasn't the powerful man in control of his world. He was vulnerable.

His gaze dropped to her lips, and a thought-desperate, unrelenting-screamed in his mind: Feel her. Let her know.

"Noor..." he whispered, her name a prayer on his lips.

Her breath caught. She didn't move, didn't speak, but he could feel her body tense slightly in his embrace. Her lips parted, just barely, as if she were about to say something, but nothing came out. The air between them grew heavier, charged with something neither of them dared to name.

Sidharth's hand moved before he could stop it. His fingers brushed against her cheek, trembling slightly as they trailed down to her jawline. He tilted her face upward, his thumb grazing her skin in a touch so soft it was almost reverent. Noor's breath hitched again, a sound so faint it was almost a whisper, but he heard it. He felt it.

"Can I..." Sidharth's voice faltered, rough with desperation. His thumb lingered on her cheek, his dark eyes searching hers for something-permission, reassurance, anything.

"Can I kiss you?"

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she didn't breathe. She felt the weight of his words, the unspoken plea behind them. He was asking, but there was no mistaking the command in his gaze, the way his lips hovered so close to hers as if he wouldn't survive another second without her.

Noor's heart raced, her chest rising and falling against his.

She couldn't bring herself to speak, but the look in his eyes, raw and unguarded, made her nod. It was small, barely a movement, but it was enough.

Sidharth didn't wait. His lips brushed against hers softly, hesitantly, as if testing the waters. Noor froze, her breath catching at the sensation. It wasn't just a kiss-it was a claiming, an unspoken promise wrapped in tenderness.

Her lips trembled against his, shy and uncertain, but she didn't pull away. Her hands clutched at his shirt, her body leaning into his as if drawn to him, even against her own hesitation. Sidharth deepened the kiss slightly, his hand sliding to the back of her neck, cradling her gently but firmly.

There was no rush, no urgency-just the quiet intensity of two souls finally finding each other. Sidharth tilted his head, his lips brushing hers again, softer this time, lingering as if he wanted to memorize the feel of her. Her breath mingled with his, warm and uneven, and he felt a shiver run through her.

When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against hers, their breaths tangled together. Noor's cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly swollen, and she refused to meet his eyes. Her shyness only made his chest tighten further.

Their noses brushed as if the distance between them was too much to bear. Her eyes fluttered open, and he caught the dazed, shy look in them-a look that ignited something deep inside him.

He wanted to stop, to give her space, but he couldn't. Not when his heart was racing like this. Not when her presence was the only thing grounding him.

"Cherry..." he whispered her name like it was a prayer, his voice rough, laced with emotions too raw to contain. His thumb brushed her cheek, tracing the curve of her jawline as if memorizing every inch of her. He didn't know what he was feeling-it was chaotic, consuming, and new-but he knew one thing: he was getting consumed by the moment.

Her lashes fluttered at his touch, and she tried to look away, her shyness taking over. But Sidharth wouldn't let her. Gently, his hand tilted her chin upward, forcing her to meet his gaze.

And in her eyes, he saw everything-her love, her shyness, her silent acceptance of whatever he offered. It undid him.

Without a word, Sidharth leaned in again. This time, there was no hesitation. His lips claimed hers softly but with more certainty, as though he was trying to communicate everything he couldn't say. The kiss was deeper, more intentional, carrying the weight of unspoken feelings and a desperation to feel her, to keep her close.

His hand slid from her cheek to the back of her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair as he tilted her head slightly, deepening the kiss. His other arm tightened around her waist, pulling her flush against him. Noor's breath hitched again, a soft, involuntary sound that only spurred him on.

"Ahh,"

Her lips parted under his, and he took the chance to explore her further. His tongue brushed hers, slow and deliberate, as if savoring her, and the moment ignited a soft shiver that ran through her. The world around them blurred into nothingness; there was only her warmth, her softness, and the way she responded to him with hesitant, delicate movements.

To Sidharth, the kiss wasn't just an act-it was his way of showing her what he couldn't yet put into words.

He wanted her to feel how much she mattered, how much she had already become an irreplaceable part of him, even if he didn't fully understand it himself.

Noor, caught between the intensity of his kiss and the tenderness in his hold, felt her heart race in ways she never thought possible. Her hands, still clinging to his shirt, tightened as if anchoring herself to him. Her body was pressed against his, her every sense consumed by him-his warmth, his scent, the way his lips moved against hers with a mix of passion and reverence.

Sidharth broke the kiss slowly, but his lips lingered near hers, brushing softly as if he couldn't fully let go. His eyes, dark and unreadable, locked onto hers, searching for something he couldn't name.

And then, as if drawn by some invisible force, he leaned in again. For the third time tonight.

His lips met hers once more, softer this time, but no less consuming. This kiss was gentler, slower, almost as if he were savoring every second. His hand cupped her cheek again, the pad of his thumb brushing over her skin in a silent caress.

It was a kiss that spoke of worship, of need, of the overwhelming tenderness that only she could draw from him. And Noor, though shy and overwhelmed, didn't pull away. She leaned into him, her body trembling slightly, letting him take the lead, trusting him with a vulnerability she had never shown anyone.

When Sidharth finally pulled back for the second time, his lips hovered near hers, his breath mingling with hers as they both struggled to steady themselves. Noor's eyes fluttered shut, her cheeks flushed, and she buried her face into his shoulder, unable to meet his gaze.

Sidharth's arms stayed wrapped around her, holding her as if she might vanish if he let go. His lips brushed the top of her head as he whispered softly, his voice barely audible but firm enough to reach her heart.

"Cherry"

Her fingers tightened slightly on his shirt in response, and Sidharth smiled faintly, pressing another lingering kiss to her temple before shifting her gently in his arms.

Sidharth's hands lingered at Noor's waist as he gently guided her to sit on the bed. His movements were slow, deliberate, as though every action was imbued with a depth of feeling he couldn't fully comprehend. He knelt at her side, not in a moment of submission, but in an act that felt almost reverential. His presence was heavy, as if the room itself had bowed under the weight of what he was about to say.

His fingers reached for hers, pulling both her hands into his. The contact was firm but tender, and as his gaze lifted to meet hers, there was a flicker in his eyes-something unspoken, a storm he couldn't fully articulate. He didn't know what he was feeling. He didn't even understand why it hurt so much, why his chest tightened every time she was near. But in that moment, his entire world was her.

He held her hands close to his chest, pressing them against his heart as though he could convey everything he felt through this simple gesture. His voice was low, almost a whisper, as he looked up at her, his emotions raw and vulnerable.

"Aap sach mein mujhse pyar karti hain, Cherry?" His words were soft, but there was an intensity behind them-an intensity that reflected how deeply he needed the truth. He wasn't asking for reassurance. He was seeking confirmation of something that felt as though it could unravel everything he knew.

(Do you really love me, Cherry?)

Noor, still a bundle of nerves from the kiss, nodded slowly. Her cheeks remained flushed, the lingering warmth of their kiss still pressing against her skin. She didn't know how to respond, how to give him the words he so desperately needed, so she simply nodded, her heart pounding in her chest.

Sidharth's gaze never wavered from hers as he cupped her palm gently, bringing it to his cheek. His lips brushed over the soft skin of her hand, a kiss that was reverent, almost sacred. When he pulled away, he met her eyes again, and for the first time, Noor saw the vulnerability in his expression. His eyes sparkled with something-something that resembled childlike wonder, as if he was seeing her for the first time, but with a depth that only time could build.

She noticed it then-the way his eyes had become red-rimmed, as though he were fighting something back. The usual cool detachment he carried was slipping, and she saw the warmth in his face, the way it flushed under the weight of his emotions.

And for a brief moment, it seemed as though he was teetering on the edge of something-something both beautiful and painful.

Sidharth's voice trembled slightly as he spoke, his gaze never leaving her face.

"Main, mera Astitva... sab kuch, sab kuch aap ke samne ke jhuk jaata hai." He paused. His voice was heavy with emotion.

"Mitt jaata hai. Aur bachti hai toh sirf aap. Mujh mein bachti hai, toh sirf aap, Cherry."

(I, my existence... everything, everything bends before you, understands you, fades away. And the only thing that remains is you. What remains in me... is only you, Cherry.)

Noor could feel the weight of his words in her soul. She fully understood the depth of them,the meaning was clear-he was giving her his very essence, as though he had nothing left but her.

His hand, still holding hers, moved slowly down to her ankle, and Noor's breath hitched. His touch was gentle, yet possessive in a way that sent shivers through her. The way he looked at her was like he was lost in some deep, emotional abyss, and she was the only thing that could save him.

"Jo aaj aapne kaha hai, jo aapne diya hai... karzdaar ho gaya hoon main aapka, Cherry."

(What you've said today, what you've given... I've become indebted to you, Cherry.)

He spoke, each word a weighted promise, an affirmation of the power she held over him. His gaze never left her as he slowly raised her ankle, pulling it gently into his hands. The act was tender, yet the way he lowered his neck, kissing her skin with reverence, was a worshipful display that left Noor breathless.

As he pulled back, he met her gaze once more. His eyes were intense, but there was something else now-something softer, almost desperate, as if he couldn't bear the thought of being without her.

"Is karz se kabhi mujhe mukt mat kariyega." His voice cracked, low and almost painful as he spoke.

(Never release me from this debt.)

The words were raw, poetic, and full of longing. He wasn't asking her to save him-he was asking her to hold him, to never let go. And in that moment, Noor understood something deep in her chest-the weight of the bond between them, one that neither of them had fully realized until now.

She couldn't find the words to respond, but her hand reached out instinctively, resting on his shoulder as she felt the tremble in his body. He was fragile in a way she hadn't seen before, and as she touched him, she realized that he, too, was seeking something-something only she could provide.

The room seemed to fade around them as the silence between them grew heavy, charged with unspoken emotions, raw and real. Sidharth remained on his knees before her, lost in the depth of his own feelings, and Noor... she was no longer just a shy girl in his presence. She was the center of his universe, and she could feel the gravity of his devotion.

"Aarth?"

Noor whispered in the silent environment. Sidharth looked up.

"Hmm?"

His throat is heavy with his own emotions.

"Karz nahi hai ye, haq hai aapka. Hume, hmare vishwash ka, Pyar kamaya hai apne. Hum pe haq hai aapka"

(This is not a debt. It's your right. You have earned me, my trust and love. You have the right over me)
_____________________________________

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