As I promised on Instagram. Even after the target (on Instagram) wasn't complete, I'll upload because you all really tried.💋💋

Now, the next chapter on-
‼️Next upload on monday‼️

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Noor frowned, hearing him, and a soft pink blush rushed to her cheeks, making her look even more adorable. She quickly lowered her gaze, her lashes fluttering as she tried, once again, to free her hand from his hold. But Sidharth? Oh, he wasn't letting go. Instead, he threw his head back, a deep, heartfelt laugh spilling from his lips, filling the entire room with warmth. His laughter was loud, carefree, and beautiful.

Noor couldn't help it-her lips curved into a shy smile, her heart fluttering wildly. But before she could even process it, she felt something warm against her cheek-a kiss, soft yet teasing. And then-a tiny bite.

She gasped, eyes widening in pure surprise. Her fingers rushed to her cheek as if to confirm what had just happened, and she looked up at him, her lips parting in disbelief.

"A-Aap bohot badmash ho gaye hain!"

("Y-You have become very mischievous!")

She narrowed her big, innocent eyes at him, pretending to be mad, but her cheeks were giving her away.

"Pehle wale hi Sidharth ache the, jo bolte hi nahi the!"

("The old Sidharth was better, the one who never used to talk!")

Sidharth chuckled, his heart melting at her little complaints. She was just too cute, his Noor.

His cherry.

His everything.

He leaned in, lowering himself to her level, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Aap bolengi to pair se chup chaap waise wala Sidharth ho jaunga."

("If you say, I will become the same silent Sidharth again.")

Noor's eyes widened in panic. She instantly shook her head.

"Nahi, koi zaroorat nahi hai!"

("No! There is no need for that!")

Sidharth smirked. "Kyun?"

("Why?")

Noor frowns, her serious expression fading into one of pure innocence. A small, shy smile played on her lips before she did the only thing that felt right-she leaned forward, quietly resting her head against his chest. Her tiny fingers clutched the fabric of his shirt, holding onto him like he was the most precious thing in the world.

Sidharth, who had been holding her hands all this while, gently lifted them and placed them around his shoulders. Noor, as if instinctively, wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his warmth. A soft, little hug. A moment so perfect, it felt like magic.

Sidharth smiled-no, he beamed. His little wife, always so hesitant, always so reserved, was now clinging to him like he was her safe place.

And wasn't he? Wasn't he her home, just like she was his?

Then, he heard it-a soft, breathy sigh. A whisper so delicate, it felt like a prayer.

"Woh wale Sidharth bas ache lagte the..."

("That Siddharth was just nice...")

Her hold on him tightened just a little.

"Par iss Sidharth se pyaar hai..."

("But I love this Siddharth...")

Sidharth froze. His heart, which had been beating steadily, skipped a beat. And then another. And then another.

His arms tightened around her, pulling her impossibly closer. His breath hitched, his throat tightened, and his entire world stilled as her words settled deep inside his heart. Slowly, he leaned down, pressing the softest kiss against her forehead, his eyes fluttering shut.

She loved him. She loved him. She loved him.

Oh! He can't get enough of the feeling. Not now, not ever.

He took a deep, shaky breath, inhaling her scent-sandalwood and jasmine, a scent he could never get enough of. His voice was thick with emotions when he finally whispered,

"Bhagwan ne mere kisi ache karmo ka phal bana ke aapko bheja hai mere liye..."

("God has sent you as the reward for my good deeds...")

He held her tighter, almost as if afraid she would disappear, his heart swelling with something so powerful, so overwhelming.

"Pata nahi mera kya hota aapke bina..."

("I don't know what would have happened to me without you...")

And just like that, he knew-he would spend forever proving just how deeply, madly, endlessly he loved her.
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.

The evening air was cool against my skin, carrying the scent of earth and fading jasmine. My fingers traced slow, tentative lines along Siraj's forehead, feeling the warmth of his breath against my palm. He was a magnificent creature, and though I still felt a little hesitant, it was nothing like before. My fear had softened into something gentler, almost like admiration.

Behind me, It was Sidharth ji. His presence was warm, strong, and steady, like the quiet glow of a lantern in the dark. His chin rested lightly on the curve of my neck, his breath brushing against my skin in a way that sent shivers down my spine. His arms wrapped around me-one hand snug around my waist, the other guiding mine as I touched Siraj. My heart fluttered, beating in rhythm with his closeness.

I leaned into him, into the comfort of his embrace. It felt like home, this moment. Siraj neighed softly, shifting slightly beneath my touch, and I smiled, feeling a little more at ease.

Sidharth Ji wanted to spend some time here before we left. Which we can do any day now. The thought of leaving the haveli was bittersweet. I loved it here-the quiet nights, the endless skies, the way time seemed to slow down & the closeness we shared.

But I missed my tulip garden, my cherry.
More importantly, Sidharth Ji was missing his appointments. As much as this place had become a part of me, so had the life waiting for us beyond these walls.

I closed my eyes, savoring this moment, letting it sink into my bones. His arms around me, the golden light of the setting sun, the quiet whisper of love that hummed between us. If only time could pause, just for a little while longer.

I was lost in peaceful moments until I felt Sidharth ji leaning toward me, his warm breath fanning against my ear. A soft shiver ran down my spine as I heard his whisper, "Come."

Before I could respond, his hand around my stomach loosened, and instead, he intertwined our fingers together, his grip firm yet gentle. With a light pull, he guided me away from Siraj. My fingers slipped from the horse's forehead. As Sidharth ji led me toward the car, I stole a glance at him, my heart swelling at the quiet confidence he carried.

Sidharth ji let go of my hand for a moment, stepping forward to open the trunk. As the lid lifted, my breath hitched. Inside, the space had been decorated-soft, warm-toned fairy lights twinkled faintly against the darkness, casting a golden glow on the small cake placed delicately in the center. A few pastel-colored balloons were gently tied at the corners, swaying with the breeze, adding a subtle charm to the setting. It wasn't overwhelming or overly extravagant. It was just... beautiful. Thoughtful.

A smile stretched across my lips before I even realized it. My eyes lifted to meet Sidharth ji's, and he was already watching me, his lips curved into a small, knowing smile. My heart thudded against my chest. He never needed words to make me feel special. He always found a way in the quietest gestures.

Still holding my hand, he pulled me closer, guiding me to sit on the edge of the trunk. The space was just enough for both of us. As I settled, he turned back, reaching for the cake, then twisted slightly to face me again.

"Cut it, cherry," he whispered.

The name. The softness in his voice. The way his eyes never wavered from mine.

My fingers trembled slightly, not with nervousness, but with a quiet happiness I couldn't contain. He never left a single chance to make me feel loved. Even without confessions, his actions spoke in a language only my heart could understand.

Slowly, I reached out, but instead of picking up the knife alone, I placed my hand over the back of his palm, letting his warmth seep into me. Sidharth ji's fingers curled slightly under mine, steadying me, as together, we picked up the knife. The cool metal contrasted with the warmth of his skin, a balance I had come to love. And with our hands moving as one, we cut through the soft cake, the moment sealing itself into my heart.

I felt his eyes on me. He always watched me like this, a gaze that never wavered, never hesitated but filled with emotions.And though I should've felt shy, I only felt warmth blooming in my chest.

Scooping a small piece of cake, I turned toward him. He didn't say a word, but the slight tilt of his head, the calmness in his expression-it told me everything. I lifted my hand, feeding him the piece with quiet care. His lips brushed against my fingertips ever so slightly as he took the bite, and my breath caught, my cheeks warming.

He didn't look away.

Instead, he picked up a small piece himself, his movements slow and gentle, as he held it up to me. I opened my lips slightly, allowing him to feed me, and the tenderness in the moment made my heart ache in the best way.

"Happy Anniversary Cherry, thank you for coming into my life,"

His gentleness. It always took my heart.

A small smile ghosted his lips, and I felt my heart skip a beat. That smile, the words-it always made me feel like the most special person in the world.

As I swallowed, I let my gaze linger on him. This moment-this quiet, perfect moment-was ours. No noise, no interruptions. Just us. Just the love that he hadn't spoken out loud, yet was I can feel it in every little gesture, every stolen glance, every breath between us.

And I knew, in this very moment, nothing could be more beautiful than this.

We were lost in our moment until we heard Siraj. He hooves tapped softly against the earth as he approached, the quiet moment between us shattering like glass. My breath, which had been caught somewhere between my ribs, finally escaped in a small laugh at the sight of him-majestic yet completely unaware of the tension he had just disrupted.

Sidharth ji rose to his feet, his movement effortless, and for a second, his hand lingered before me. Instinctively, my fingers stretched, drawn by the silent warmth that remained between us, but he had already moved.

Siraj huffed, tossing his mane slightly, and Sidharth ji reached out to him, his fingers stroking along the strong curve of his neck, soothing him in that quiet, sure way of his. I watched, absorbing the stillness of the moment, the tenderness in his gestures. Then, he turned to me, his gaze unreadable, and asked,

"Do you want to ride, Cherry?"

I nodded, but a thought stopped me. "Saree pehni hai humne," I murmured, a soft hesitation lacing my voice.

(I'm wearing a saree.)

Sidharth ji chuckled, the sound deep and rich, as he shook his head. He stepped towards me, and without warning, his hands settled at my waist. Warm. Strong. Bare skin met his touch where the saree's drape didn't shield me, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

He lifted me with ease, his grip firm yet gentle, and placed me on Siraj's back, sideways. My legs dangled together on one side, the way a woman's modesty demands.

Before I could shift my balance, he swung himself up behind me, settling onto the horse with practiced ease. His arms came around me, one holding the reins, the other securing me in place. A barrier and an anchor all at once. His presence surrounded me-steady, protective. He didn't say a word, but the weight of his hand on my waist spoke volumes.

Siraj started walking, a slow, rhythmic pace. The vast fields stretched endlessly before us, the golden hues of the evening sun brushing the landscape with warmth. I held onto the fabric of Sidharth ji's shirt, my fingers gripping just slightly, while his body remained unshaken by the movement. He wasn't rushing today. He wasn't testing speed or control. He was simply letting the world move at our pace.

I leaned against him, my temple lightly resting against his chest. His heartbeat was steady beneath my ear, a sound that felt like home. The silence stretched, thick yet comfortable, wrapping around us like a soft veil. The wind played with the loose strands of my hair, teasing them against his cheek, but he didn't move away.

And then, as the trees whispered their evening songs, I broke the silence, my voice quiet but certain. "Woh Maa ka call aaya tha aaj."

(Umm, Maa, called today..)

The words lingered between us, waiting to be carried by the wind or caught by the man who held me so effortlessly in his arms.

The warmth of his chest pressed against my back, his arms securing me in place as Siraj walked at a slow, peaceful pace. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the endless fields, and for a moment, I let myself sink into the quiet comfort of his presence.

Sidharth ji hummed in response, the sound deep, quiet, like an encouragement to continue.

"Woh keh rahi thi ki, bahut din ho gaye. Milne aane hum dono ko."

(She was saying it's been too long and was asking us to visit her)

Tilting my head slightly, I glanced up at him. He looked down at me almost instantly, his dark eyes softening under the golden light. A quiet moment stretched between us before he finally spoke, his voice calm, steady, carrying the weight of a silent promise.

"Thik hai, yahan se nikalte hi le chalunga aapko."

(Okay, as soon we'll leave. I'll take you there)

A small smile tugged at my lips as I nodded, looking ahead again. And then, just as I was settling back into the silence, I felt the lightest press of his lips against my hair. My breath hitched.

It was a simple touch, barely lingering, but it sent a warmth through my veins, settling deep into my chest.

"Kuch dino ke liye bula rahi hai..." I said, my voice quieter now.

(She's inviting us to stay for a few days.)

Cherry came to a slow halt, and I felt him shift behind me. His grip on the reins tightened ever so slightly. I turned my head and looked up again, just in time to see the change in his expression-a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. His jaw tensed for a brief moment before he exhaled through his nose, shaking his head just slightly, his eyes filled with soft apologies.

"Yahan se jaate hi work pressure bahut ho jayega. Kuch din ke liye nahi ho payega."

(There will be a lot of work pressure once we'll reach. It's won't be possible for us to stay for a few days)

I held his gaze, searching for something in his eyes that he wasn't saying. I nodded slowly, biting my lip in thought before softly offering, "Thik hai, aap hume chhod dijiyega wahan kuch dino ke liye to."

(Okay, you leave me there for a few days then)

His frown deepened.

"Aur mai?"

(And me?)

His question came so naturally, so genuinely, that I had to blink at him in surprise.

"Aur aap apne ghar," I answered with a small smile, as if it were obvious. "Kaam hoga na aapko."

(You at your own home. You'll have work)

But my words did not ease him. In fact, his expression darkened just slightly, a serious shadow settling over his features. And then, before I could react, he was moving. He slid off Siraj smoothly, his strong hands reaching for my waist, guiding me down with such ease that I barely felt the shift. Before I could even steady myself, he was standing in front of me, his dark eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.

"Par mai kaise rahunga aapke bina?"

(But how I'll stay without you?)

His voice was quiet but firm, the weight of his words settling deep into my heart. I blinked at him, my lips parting slightly as my heart thudded against my ribs. The sheer sincerity in his voice, the way his brows furrowed like he was genuinely troubled by the thought-it was too endearing, too much.

A soft chuckle escaped me before I could stop it.

"Mai mazak nahi kar raha, Cherry," he said, frustration lacing his voice. "Mai kaise rahunga aapke bina? Woh bhi kuch din? Yeh nahi aata mujhe."

(I'm not joking cherry. How will stay here without you? That too for a few days? I don't know how to.)

My heart melted. He genuinely sounded scared. It was an emergency situation. His face looked serious & it only made him look cute for me.

I reached up, flicking his nose gently with my fingers. "Sahi kehte hai sab," I teased, my eyes twinkling as I stepped back. "Bawale hai aap."

(Everyone is right. You are crazy)

A ghost of a smile flickered at his lips, but before I could take another step, I felt a sudden tug at my wrist. A gasp left my lips as I collided against his chest, the warmth of him instantly engulfing me. One of his arms wound firmly around my waist, pulling me closer, his touch searing through the thin fabric of my saree. My hands instinctively pressed against his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath.

His grip was firm, his hold protective, like he wasn't ready to let me go just yet. Like he never wanted to.

The air shifts.

One moment ago, we were playful. He was sulking adorably, and I was teasing him like always. But now... now there is something else in his eyes. Something I have never seen before, or maybe, never dared to notice this closely.

A warmth spreads across my chest as I stare up at him, my lips parting slightly.

His dark, intense gaze is locked onto mine, burning-not in anger, not in impatience, but in something so deep, so consuming, that my breath stills in my throat. It is not a fire that scares me. It pulls me in.

He leans in.

Slowly, achingly slowly, until his nose barely brushes against mine. All the time, looking directly in my eyes.

I don't move.

I can't.

My heartbeat roars in my ears as his warmth engulfs me. His breath fans against my lips, his presence so close, so overwhelming that I feel like I'm drowning. But there is no fear. Only an aching, trembling awareness of him. Only him.

His hands tighten around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest. I feel him-his body heat seeping into me, his heartbeat pounding against mine, his breath mingling with my own. Everything else disappears. The wind, the soft rustling of leaves, the distant chirping of birds-all gone. It is just us. Just him.

His eyes hold mine, and for the first time, I feel the weight of everything he has never said. The weight of every unspoken emotion, every restrained feeling, every hidden yearning.

And then he speaks.

His voice is heavy, thick, like he is holding back something impossible to contain.

"Crazy? And what if I say..." His breath shudders. "It's all because my heart beats for you only?"

My fingers clutch at his shirt.

"You live in there, Cherry." His voice is barely above a whisper, but it feels like a storm inside me. "It's your doing. That I don't know how to breathe when you are not near."

His fingers press slightly into my waist, as if grounding himself. "What will you do, cherry, if I say... ki mujhe aab jeena hi nahi aata aapke bina?

(That now I don't know how to live without you?)"

I forget how to blink.

"My heart, my mind, my breath, my existence, my very veins flow with love for you." His forehead touches mine, his words sinking deep into my soul.

"Kya karegi aap agar mai keh du..." (What will you do if I say...)

"I'm crazy, par aapke liye hua. Aapke ek muskurahat ke liye hu. Aapki ek jhalak ke liye hu. Aapke saath ek pal bitane ke liye hu. Aapke pyar me. Kya kahengi aap?."

(I am crazy, but only for you. I exist for your one smile.I exist for one glimpse of you.I exist to spend just one moment with you. In your love. What will you say?)"

I can't breathe. I can't think.

His words crash over me like waves, pulling me under, drowning me in something so vast, so infinite, that I feel weightless in it.

I was not prepared for this.

I was not prepared for him to strip his heart bare, to lay every beat, every ache, every unspoken confession to me.

And now... now I don't know how to react.

His forehead still rests against mine, his breath uneven, his fingers gripping my waist like I might disappear. But I am not going anywhere. I could never.

Because I love him.

I love him so much it hurts.

And yet, my lips refuse to move, and my throat refuses to form words. What do you say when someone gives you their entire existence in a handful of trembling words?

The world around us has vanished. The trees, the sky, the ground beneath our feet. It is just Sidharth ji. Just me. And the love swirling between us like an untamed storm.

And I am helpless in it.

Completely, utterly, beautifully helpless.

His eyes-burning, deep, consuming. The playful glint from moments ago had vanished, leaving behind something heavier, something that wrapped around my chest and squeezed.

I forgot how to breathe.

Sidharth ji was looking at me, his face just inches from mine, his breath warm against my lips, his presence overwhelming. His grip on my waist tightened-not forceful but unyielding. As if even the slightest distance between us was unacceptable.

And then he spoke.

"Kya karegi aap agar mai keh du ki mai aapke bina zindagi kaisi hoti hai, mujhe nahi pata?"

(What will you do if I say that I don't know what life is like without you?)

His voice-thick, heavy, raw-sent a shiver down my spine.

"Ki apke bina bitayi zindagi bhul chuka hu?"

(That I have forgotten the life I lived without you?)

"Ki har waqt mere dil-dimag me aap hoti hai. Har saans me. Har dhadkan me."

(That every moment, you exist in my heart and mind. In every breath. In every heartbeat.)

His forehead touched mine. My lashes fluttered, my body stiffened, yet melted at the same time. I could feel his heartbeat-wild, just like mine.

A soft gasp escaped my lips when he pulled me even closer, so close that I felt every rise and fall of his chest, every ounce of warmth radiating from his body.

My mind-blank. My heart-thundering. My world-him.

I wanted to respond. I should have responded. But my lips wouldn't move.

His fingers traced my jaw, lifting my face, forcing me to meet his gaze-so intense, so unguarded.

"Kya karegi aap agar mai keh du ki ye Sidharth Singh Rajvardhan jo iss duniya me kisi ke samne nahi jhuka..."

(What will you do if I say that this Siddharth Singh Rajvardhan, who has never bowed before anyone in this world...)

"Jo kisi bhi musibat ke samne nahi jhuka. Jiske samne puri duniya jhuki."

(The one who never bowed before any challenge. The one before whom the whole world has bowed.)

"Jo tab bhi nahi jhuka jab zindagi aur maut ka sawal tha."
(The one who didn't bow even when it was a matter of life and death.)

His lips hovered near my ear now, his voice dropping lower, deeper-thick with something unspoken, something heavy.

"Par wohi Sidharth Singh Rajvardhan aaj apni Noor, apni biwi ke ek muskan ke liye hazar baar apne ghutno par baithne ko taiyar hai"

(But that same Siddharth Singh Rajvardhan is ready to his knees for thousands times - for a single smile from his Noor, his wife.)

The world shattered around me.

My breath hitched, and my heart skipped. Heat crept up my cheeks, and my body trembled under the weight of his words.

He pulled back just enough to look at me, to see the storm he had created inside me. His lips parted slightly, as if waiting, hoping.

But what was I supposed to say? How was I supposed to react to this?

He was Siddharth Singh Rajvardhan. A man is unbreakable, untouchable, unstoppable. And yet, here he was, standing before me, confessing in a way that made the earth beneath my feet disappear.

And I-Noor, his Noor-stood speechless, staring at him like I had never seen him before.

Because maybe I hadn't.

Not like this. Not this undone, not this exposed.

His fingers brushed against my cheek, his touch so gentle, so reverent, as if I were something precious, fragile.

"Kya kahengi aap, Cherry?"

(What will you say, Cherry?)

I swallowed.

I wanted to say something. Anything.

But all I could do was stare at him with wide, astonished eyes, as if he had just given me something I never even knew I wanted.

Something I never even knew I needed.

The air had shifted. The warmth of the night, the golden glow of the lamps-none of it - mattered anymore. Noor felt frozen, yet burning. The weight of Sidharth's words pressed into her chest, wrapping around her like an invisible force, holding her still.

His blue eyes, once calm waters, had darkened-stormy, restless. The atmosphere between them was thick, suffocating, hotter than it had ever been.

Noor's breath faltered. A shiver ran down her spine, crawling through her bones, sinking into her very soul. Her fingers twitched, her lips parted, but no words came. The intensity of his confession, though indirect, sent waves of something unknown crashing over her.

She closed her eyes.

For a single moment, she allowed herself to feel it all.

The way his voice had trembled yet remained strong, the way his grip on her waist had tightened, as if afraid she would disappear. The rawness in his gaze, the unfiltered emotions swimming in those darkened depths.

Possession. Devotion. Obsession. Love.

She let it all sink in. Let it consume her, let it make her body tremble with the love she has for him, the the love he was telling. It was too much, too overwhelming, yet somehow, she didn't want to escape it.

She could still feel his gaze piercing through her even with her eyes closed. Still feel his breath ghosting over her lips.

And then, she opened her eyes.

Red. Her eyes, filled with unshed tears, glistened under the dim light. But she wasn't sad. No, the overwhelming depth of what she had just witnessed had left her shaken, left her at a loss for words. And yet, she knew exactly what to say.

A small smile lifted her lips. A mere curve, soft and delicate, yet powerful enough to shatter the man before her.

Siddharth inhaled sharply. His entire body tensed, and then, all at once, something in him cracked. His control, his restraint, his carefully built walls-everything crumbled.

That smile was all it took to clutch him in her grasp, to break him in ways no one ever had.

Noor lifted her trembling hand and gently cupped his cheek. The moment her palm met his skin, he stilled. The heat of her touch burned through him, melting every last bit of composure he had left. The world around them dissolved, every sound, every thought-gone. All that remained was her touch, her eyes, her presence.

Her lips parted, and in a whisper so soft, so fragile, she spoke,

"Bharosa karege. Tab aapke kahe har shabd par hum bharosa kar lenge, Aarth."

("I will trust you. Then I will believe in every word you say, Aarth.")

A tremor passed through Sidharth. His eyes flickered, something shifting within them. The darkness, the wild storm raging inside, slowly pulled back. The weight of her words wrapped around him, grounding him, dissolving every last bit of doubt and restraint.

And then, without a single moment's hesitation, he kissed her.

His lips pressed against hers-not in haste, not in desperation, but with an intensity that left her breathless. It wasn't rough, but it wasn't gentle either. It was a kiss filled with emotions he couldn't voice, filled with all the unspoken words he had locked inside for far too long.

One hand remained firm on her waist, pulling her flush against him, leaving no space between them. The other slid up, fingers threading into her hair, cupping the back of her head as he tilted her face, deepening the kiss.

Noor gasped against his lips, her fingers curling into his shirt. The moment she responded-however, hesitantly, however softly-something in Sidharth snapped. His grip on her tightened, his lips moving against hers with slow, unrelenting passion. He wasn't demanding; he was claiming. Possessing. Worshipping.

Noor felt her knees weaken. His lips moved against hers like a silent promise, like an oath whispered under the stars. His warmth surrounded her, his touch searing into her skin, leaving behind something permanent. A mark, an unbreakable bond.

She felt it.

The intensity. The obsession. The love.

And with the promise of forever, she let herself sink into it.

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