🎶 Playlist 🎶

Kaho Na Pyar Hai Movie Soundtrack

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Na Tum Jaano Na Hum
(sung by Lucky Ali)

https://youtu.be/e-17yS9QFDE

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𝟏𝟎

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[5th July, 2006]

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CARLISLE GLANCED WARILY FROM his son to his future daughter-in-law, lacing his fingers that steepled against his lips as he surveyed the pair in calm expectation.

Judging from the discomfort on Edward's face, it was safe to say that Bella insisted on having this meeting with Carlisle and he wanted to ensure he assisted them with whatever they needed. However, neither of the pair had been able to open up about the issue that plagued them.

He sighed, opening a desk drawer before pulling out a stack of parchment. "Both of you, I would love to help but I'm not the telepath here. If I cannot help you then I have some research I need to do."

Bella sat up straighter, rolling her eyes when Edward leaned further back into the chair. "That's...what we came here for."

"What she came here for," Edward pointed out.

Carlisle raised a brow, neatly replacing the stack in the drawer. "Oh? Enlighten me then." He couldn't dampen the nagging suspicion that he was about to assume the temporary role of a therapist. Edward snorted at that.

The flush in Bella's cheeks confirmed such and with a final questioning look in Edward's direction, he paid attention when the girl spoke.

Bella cleared her throat. "Is...is it possible for Edward and I to be physically intimate?"

Nodding slowly, Carlisle understood what she was asking but he struggled with his surprise and the need to keep himself in doctor mode. "Do you mean...without penetration?"

Bella's cheeks further darkened as she nodded, unable to look him straight in the eye. He almost chuckled. This should be interesting.

"Don't be ashamed, Isabella. It is a perfectly fair question and reasonable expectation from your partner." He gave Edward a pointed look before continuing. "I see no reason to abstain from physical intimacy during your period of engagement." Ignoring Edward's look of shock, he continued. "Bella, there is always a risk, but once you are willing to communicate then there should be no problems. In fact, it is very normal for couples to want to become more...acquainted with each other's bodies before consummation."

"Are you kidding me, Carlisle?" Edward scoffed, jumping to his feet. "Kissing is a feat in itself. So many things could go wrong. One bad move and I could literally kill her."

"Yes, a level of restraint will be required until you can trust yourself enough, son."

Bella shook her head, closing her eyes for a brief moment before meeting Edward's eyes. "I'm willing to do anything. I'll even tell him to stop if I feel like I'm uncomfortable or in danger."

Pacing, Edward struggled to keep his temper at bay. "What happens if it's too late, Bella? What if you never get to that point?"

Bella neared her fiancé, sliding a hand on his shoulder and squeezing. "I trust you, Edward. Completely."

The doctor smiled, a somber feeling in his chest. "But he doesn't yet trust himself." He paused. "I have a few suggestions." Whipping out a legal pad and pen, he wrote a small list and handed it to Bella.

She peered at the writing, a frown appearing as she recited them. "Cuddling in the nude. Talking in the nude. Extended kissing sessions. Sensate focus?" Her cheeks ripened further as her eyes ate up the words. "Mutual... masturbation? Oh my God."

"Yes. I think...watching each other self-pleasure at the same time is definitely a way to exercise greater self-control." He rose from his office chair, moving towards the window where the mountainous view beckoned him. Darkening in the dreary evening. "And, yes. Sensate focus is simply touch. Focusing on each other's bodies as if you're meeting it for the first time." Jodha's silky hair became one with the curve of dark forest winding along the horizon. "Noticing the softness and warmth. How the skin reacts to the attention of a loved one. How their breathing staggers. How their body moves in reaction to you." His hands tightened into fists at the thought of her face caged in his hold, her perfect skin hot beneath his fingertips.

Violent need pierced him, filling him with an indescribable ache. Then he caught himself, forgetting that the son with the most intrusive gift was in close quarters.

"But, most of all," he added quietly, "it's about the pleasure derived from wanting to touch that special person, and keep on touching them for as long as you can. When it comes to mutual masturbation, well..." He surveyed the appalled pair, restful in the knowledge that they had a long way to go sexually. "I think that's self-explanatory."

Whipping out the paper from her grasp, Edward scanned his inky scrawl - pure anxiety shadowed in his expression. "Do you honestly think I'm capable of doing this Carlisle?"

"Of course you are." Returning to stand next to his executive chair, he gestured to the couple. "If the physical intimacy seems too much right now, start small and work your way up. Being comfortable in the nude with each other might be better but since I'm not a sex therapist, don't take my word as gospel. Do some research together, get curious. In fact, I think the Denali sisters will have more information in terms of human-vampire sexual interactions."

"Minus the blood-drinking, of course," Bella piped up, causing the men to chuckle. "We should contact them, Edward."

"I'd rather not," he deflected smoothly, his struggle not to wince clearer to Carlisle than his human fiancée. "We'll start slow with this list, if it means this much to you."

Carlisle lifted a finger in subtle warning. "If things get overwhelming, for either of you, slow down or stop and try again another time. Don't try to rush the process. And, most importantly, have fun."

Nipping at her bottom lip, Bella gave Carlisle a shy nod. "Thank you so much, Carlisle."

"Anytime, my dear."

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"THIS LOOKS PERFECT, CARLISLE."

"I vehemently refute that statement."

Alice's chipper countenance and good-natured eyerolls were met with the good doctor's own bafflement as he surveyed himself in the floor-length mirror.

"Why not? You look hot. Jodha won't be able to resist you." The easy, familiar way Jodha's name fell from Alice's lips proved just how much of a household name little Miss Absalom was becoming to his family. It was as if they already knew her, and the anticipation of finally being able to meet her was probably getting to them.

Still, he wasn't about to let his daughter bully him into wearing something that he wasn't sure he felt entirely too comfortable with.

Certainly, the simply sequined black kurta proved to be a snug fit, duo-tone scarf draping around his neck and he had to admit, he looked quite great in the East Indian wear. Becoming a smug bastard there, Cullen.

Yet, a part of him felt it wasn't right to wear it. Even if the event called for it.

Tugging on the collar, he shook his head. This would be the first time he accepted an invitation to an East Indian event. Always on the fringes of his awareness, the garba never really seemed to be something that would interest him. Energetic dancing wasn't his cup of tea and it seemed too wild than he would care to admit.

Still, he wanted to show up for Jodha. To experience her interests in any capacity and create opportunities to observe her where she thrived the most.

But he knew it wouldn't be right to show up for the first time decked out like he belonged. Because he didn't. Not really.

Sighing, his daughter threw up her hands in defeat. "I already see you're not gonna wear it so I'll assemble the usual for you."

"Thank you, darling."

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Brother and sister glanced at each other every now and then on the trip to the grounds, a question in their eyes when it came to the suspicious actions of their favourite pixie. Esme, at the almost forceful insistence of Alice, accompanied him to the event. 

"To keep an eye on him," she teased, a mischievous sparkle in her gaze.

Everyone knew that Carlisle, as their coven leader, wasn't too ecstatic about the idea of needing to be babysat but an undercurrent of conjoined agreement made the patriarch cave to her demands. Alice saw something only she and Edward knew about and Esme needed to be there to make sure it happened.

Carlisle learned a long time ago not to question Alice's nature when it came to the outcomes of her visions. No one ever went against what she told them to do but never did she tell them what the consequences would be if they did. If there were consequences, he wasn't too sure how it affected Alice or the overall unfolding of a person's destiny. Nor did he know how the person's destiny affected the collective fabric of intertwined souls. All he knew was that he listened and he met the one person he'd been searching for his entire lifetime.

Esme's voice brought him out of the reverie. "I'm excited to meet your mate."

He smiled, shaking his head at a recent memory of Jodha's longing to meet his wonderful sister and thank her personally for the flower. "She'll be very excited to meet you as well. Trust me."

"Do you think we'd look out of place there?" For a vampire, Esme worried ten times as much as the average anxious human being. Nevertheless, it was a valid concern and Carlisle tried his best to reassure her.

"According to Jodha, in the midst of dancing and revelry, no one will have time to make a fuss about it." He took a deep, unnecessary breath.

"I just feel terrible that we never thought to attend before."

"I understand, but it's never too late to start, hm?"

Esme hummed, her tone teasing. "After all, your true mate is here now. Might as well get used to her bringing vibrancy into your dull life from now on."

"Hilarious," he murmured dryly, causing her to chuckle.

Yes, Jodha definitely was going to be loved by everyone.

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Hi. Long time no see. I hope you enjoy this filler chapter. The garba will be next from Jodha's POV.

-HEAVEN