09.

KAINAAT
"Aarav!!!" I shout at him whining like a baby cause he just spilled the batter!! Which took me so long to make! "I am so sorry baby I'll clean it" he says softly making me sit on the countertop.

He cleans the mess and comes to me "come let's have some food and watch your favourite movie" I nod my head in no. "Nope, I am going home, bye!" I tried to get off the counter top, but he traps me between the cold marble and his muscular gigantic hulkish hands. I again tried to move.

Key word: Tried.

"Aarav leave me" I voice out in a stern manner. "Not in his life time darling" he says slowly picking me up in a bridal style from. And making me sit on the couch.

As Aarav set me down on the couch, his gaze softened, and he brushed a strand of hair away from my face, tucking it behind my ear with gentle reverence. "I'm sorry, love," he murmured, his voice a warm caress against my skin. "I didn't mean to ruin your hard work. Let me make it up to you."

With a tender smile, he disappeared into the kitchen, returning moments later with a tray laden with delectable treats and a bottle of wine. As he settled beside me, he draped a cozy blanket over our laps, enveloping us in a cocoon of warmth.

As we indulged in the feast he had prepared, Aarav's eyes never left mine, his silent apology echoing in the depths of his gaze. With each shared laugh and stolen glance, the tension melted away, replaced by a serene sense of contentment.

As the credits rolled on the screen, Aarav turned to me, his expression earnest yet playful. "I know I can be a handful sometimes," he confessed, his thumb tracing patterns on the back of my hand. "But I promise to always make it worth your while."

In that moment, with his unwavering devotion and boundless love enveloping me, I knew that no matter the challenges we faced, we would always find solace in each other's arms. And as we shared a tender kiss beneath the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the window, I realized that this man, with his imperfect perfection, was my forever.

NAINA

My body shivers with the sight in front of me, sweat beads all over my forehead, tears well up in my eyes. The smell of blood, the huge explosion. Everything flashes in front of my eyes.

I jolt open my eyes, sitting on the bed with the support of the headboard, my breathing was heavy, sweat all over my body.

It was a nightmare.

Again.

2th time in the week.

I clutch the t-shirt in a fist trying to catch my breath. Suddenly the door of my room opens up and I see papa look at me with worry and tension in his eyes.

"Naina dear" he says in a worried voice coming to me and taking a seat beside me on the bed. "What happened beta?" He asked me in a soft and calm voice, I couldn't help when a tear escaped my eyes.

I hug him tightly. My safe place. Who says that only blood relationship matter. Mine is stronger than any blood related relationship.

My papa.

My saviour.

I calm down in his embrace as he slowly pats my back whispering sweet things in my ears. "It's okay beta I am here with you, always"

"I love you papa" I confess still not breaking the hug. "I love you too Naina" he says breaking the hug and looking at me with soft eyes. He wipes the lone tear which escaped my eyes.

"A nightmare?"he asked me a soft and slow voice, I nodded my head agreeing as he continues "it's okay go get freshen up, we are waiting for you" patting my cheeks before existing the room.

I make my way inside the bathroom take a short but hot shower. After changing my clothes I look at my phone to check the time. 8AM!!??? I slept for 15 HOURS!!? I DID NOT EVEN WAKE UP FOR DINNER LAST NIGHT!!??

I check my temperature to see if I am okay, huh? Anyways I gotta run down for din- breakfast ya that's the right word. Taking my phone I went downstairs, where all the family members were waiting for me.

"Uth gai finally kumkaran" a manly voice says and I immediately snap my head towards the voice. "Dhruv?" My voice was more of a question with full of astonishment. "Yes darling that's me" he says coming to me.

["finally woke up sleeping beauty"]

I immediately hug him tight sucking the life out of him. "Kaha maar gaya tha Itne saal" I ask him still not breaking the hug. "Meri hone wali biwi ki khubsoorti pe" i break the hug and look at him with disbelief.

["where were you all this years"]

["My soon to wife's beauty"]

"I am getting married!!!" He announced his voice full of excitement. All of my family members congratulate him while I am still trying to process what my school best friend and I-will-never-marry-man just told me.

"Yes Naina I am getting married accept it now" I snap my head towards him, "how? When?" I bomber him with questions as a slow chuckle leaves his mouth.

"No Dhruv get this straight you left just after graduation 12th class and then you suddenly form back after what 12 years!? And you tell me you are getting married! A man who never ever even looked at a girl is getting married!!? How should I process all of this! And that to when I just woke up after sleeping for so long after ages just to see your face!!" All of the laugh hearing me, Dhruv keeps his hand over shoulder and says

"Kismat ka kheel" in a way to over dramatic manner. "Let me have breakfast" I say getting enough for today and taking my seat as he settles beside me.

["The game of destiny"]

We complete the breakfast, and me and Dhruv move towards the garden sitting there. "I heard you are also getting married?" He asks me breaking the silence. "Ya I am" I say looking at the sky which is looking so beautiful. "To whom?" He asks me. "Reyansh Singhania"

"HIM!!??? the same guy you used to talk about non-stop back in hight school!! The head boy of our school!!!? HIM!!?? YOU ARE GETTING MARRIED TO HIM!?!!" He says all in one breath, the shock evident in his voice and face.

"Yes baba yes him only" I tell him calmly tapping his shoulder.

"Woah man, destiny was in your favour" he said making me smile widely.