os - I Do Love You

I Do Love You

“Alright guys, case closed. Good job.” Rathore paused to look at his team, unable to feign their bubbling excitement. For a minute he almost felt like as if he was a teacher and they were a bunch of high school teens. He squint his eyes as he caught on to the members hushing and signaling something to each other.

“Sameer…” Rathore’s ears perked as he caught on that mischievous tone. There was the naughtiest, cutest and loveliest student of all.

Miss. Sakshi Anand.

Toughening his stance, knowing very well that a trick might be up this child woman’s sleeve, Rathore returned a quick smile to Sakshi. “Yes Sakshi.” The glint in her eyes promised the Sakshi was definitely thinking about something.

Rathore racked his brains in preparing himself for any random verbal attack from Sakshi.

“Coffee.” Sakshi gave an ‘oh so sugary’ smile, chuckling as Rathore sniffed his coffee slightly.

“Don’t worry, kuch nahi daala usme! I know it’s not the usual Ayesha ki haath ka banaya hua coffee but it’s a good one nonetheless.” Ayesha smacked the back of her head with a file and suddenly found the clock on the wall too interesting, completely avoiding Rathore’s eyes.

Rathore opened his mouth to retort when he heard a slight shuffle of paper, to his right he found his second in commanding suppressing a grin behind a newspaper. Brotherly affection filled Sameer on seeing Arjun smile after quite a few days.

If Arjun had to be a student, then he would be one of those rough, silent, mysterious and extremely intelligent boys who would have girls swooning at their feet, though his eyes would remain on one particular classmate.

The quirkiest one.

Sakshi turned to high five Shree when her eyes met Arjun’s.

Cupid attacks! Red spots appeared on her cheek and she hastily turned aside while Arjun nodded to himself and resumed reading his paper.

Hence the cutest girl of the class fell for the mysterious boy of the class.

Cliched love story # 1.

Poor ETF members, little had they any idea about all the thoughts in Rathore’s mind. Even though on the exterior front he did look like a serious officer, mentally he amused himself by reducing them to young lads of sixteen.

Grinning slightly to himself, Rathore brought his cup close to his mouth and took a sip when Sakshi chirped “Waise, tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day so should I do a romantic dinner booking for you two?”

“WHAT!” Rathore spit his coffee, choking momentarily while an embarrassed Ayesha passed him a glass of water, glaring furiously at Sakshi. “Sir,” Ayesha called out to me, and with a little flutter in his heart, Rathore took the glass of water from her hand.

And their fingers met.

Hence the teacher of the class ended up having a crush on the strong, independent girl of his class.

Cliched love story # 2.

Rathore was sure to having heard a grunt and turned aside to find Arjun staring at him, reducing him to dead meat.

Oops, looks like Rathore spit his coffee on Arjun. Giving a sheepish smile, Rathore passed his kerchief to a puzzled Arjun.

“Why is he smiling like this?” Arjun thought and then saw the connection between Ayesha and Rathore. His eyes fell on Sakshi who winked at him slightly, indicating him about the budding lovebirds.

“A wink eh?” Arjun thought and raised an eyebrow stating that he knew about Rathore’s obvious liking for Ayesha even before she figured out. And then he gave her a classic barely there smile.

Sakshi blushed, again.

“Kya sir! Sakshi was talking about a dinner plan for you and Arjun sir… aapne kya socha?” If Sakshi wasn’t enough, her twin of a friend - Shree, spoke up. Giving a high five to Sakshi, Shree chuckled and scowled immediately as Liza pulled his hair “Shree, you do realise that Rathore sir is your senior, right? A word more and who knows, I might end up with the privilege to dissect you!”

“Kuch bhi.” Shree snorted “Liza, to dissect me, I first need to be dead and I don’t you want that. Kyunki agar main marr gaya, who will keep up with your bullshit?”

“Dear Specky Sen, of course you don’t have to be dead! I mean what will I do without you!” Liza sighed dramatically while the others amused at their expense.

“Keeping you unconscious will be more than enough! Sahi kaha na maine, Rathore sir?” Rathore couldn’t stop smiling as Liza raised her eyebrows twice in agreement.

“Rathore sir ki chamchi!” Shree sneered while Liza pouted “Not chamchi. Waise what was your plan? To get Rathore sir and Arjun sir together for a date, Chotu… aisa hi kuch kaha tha kya?” Liza gave an evil grin to Shree and Sakshi as poor Chotu found himself stuck in between friendship loyalty.

Arjun and Rathore looked at each, grimacing at the very thought of a “romantic” date. “Are you crazy?” They both replied, while Shree paled drastically.

“I hate you hate you hate you…” They both glared at each other.

Hence the duo born to be enemies will make sure they end up marrying none but each other.

Cliched love story #3.

“Ok, class dismissed!” Rathore got strange looks at his direction when he realised that he had just verbalised what he thought.

Awkward

“I mean you all are behaving nothing short of sixteen year olds!” Sameer clarified and left the conference room.

“Ab jaa!” Sakshi pushed Ayesha while Ayesha whacked Sakshi once more. “If Rathore sir doesn’t drop you who will!” Shree piped in while a highly embarrassed Ayesha ran out of the hall to save herself from further teases.

“Since my scootie’s broken I’ll take Shree’s. Oh also I have many things to take toh none of you can join me… am sure Arjun will be happy enough to drop you home.” Sakshi burst into peals of laughter as Liza, Shree and Chotu looked like they had been asked to consume poison.

“Arrey, darr kyu gaye! Arjun is barely a monster!” Sakshi pouted innocently while the others gaped at her and coughed when Arjun looked at their blanched faces.

“Sakshi! I need to use my scooter today…” Shree picked up his files while Liza hastily took her bag “And I won a bet against Specky, so he has to be my driver for the next two days!”

“And I am taking the bus, tu chali jaa na sir ke saath!” Chotu quipped and left while Sakshi laughed her heart out, clutching her stomach as she the laughter ceased to stop! “Danger maal ho aap!” Arjun frowned and quietly checked his own reflection for a second.

Was he that scary?

Chiding himself for taking her words literally, he got up and took his files. “Do you want to be dropped home?”

“Neki aur puch puch!” Sakshi jumped and followed him, making Arjun wonder the reason of her excitement.

---

“Woh, in the office…” Rathore started while Ayesha cleared her throat “It was just a prank sir, don’t take it too seriously.”

“Everything was a prank?”

Ayesha turned to look at the windows, blushing ever so lightly as she realised that Rathore was hinting at the blossoming love between the two.

As they reached her building, Ayesha invited Rathore for a cup of tea - out of decency.

Rathore got a bit flustered seeing her parents and tried to excuse himself but her family was warm and the typical Punjabi type.

“Beeji, Papaji, this is Sameer Damsingh Rathore. He’s the chief of Emergency Task Force.” Ayesha introduced while her father shook Sameer’s hand with a puzzled look on his face.

“Beta, was you father Major Rathore? By chance was he at the Kargil War?” Sameer’s eyes widened as Ayesha’s father recognized his own “Yes uncle, but how did you…”

“Ah! He was such a good friend of ours! A few of us used to call him Muchchad sahab due to his never ending love of moustache and that seems… to be genetically passed to you as well!” Amanbir Kapoor laughed heartily and patted Sameer’s back.

Ayesha felt a sudden flutter in her stomach as she saw her father and Sameer gel like two old friends.

---

“Driver! THIS was your excuse to get rid of Arjun sir’s drive back home? Meri bas ki baat hoti toh abhi tereko iss scooter se phek deta!” Shree rambled as Liza motioned ‘bakwaas’ ‘bakwaas’ with her hands.

“Focus on the road! I know I am irresistible but that doesn’t you keep on talking about me!” Liza sneered at Shree while he cursed his luck for dropping her home.

“Once again Miss. Liza, I HATE YOU!” Shree snapped while Liza laughed “Yeah yeah, I love you too!” Her hand flew to her mouth and Shree braked immediately, whipping his head to find Liza shutting her mouth.

Their hearts beat traitorously due to those three words.

“K.. kya?” Shree asked but before Liza could say anything, horns blared at them.

The ride continued with a significantly quieter Shree and shy Liza.

----

“Um… thanks.” Sakshi’s eyes popped out and she gaped at Arjun. “WHAT?”

“You know very well!” Arjun snapped back while Sakshi wiggled her eyebrows “Itni meherbaani kyu?” Arjun shook his head and sighed “You kept your distance, till I finished off Sikandar.” Sakshi softened and smiled a little.

“So that means you figured out what I sort of feel… as in…”

“Yes.”

The duo shared a strange silence.

Arjun looked aside while Sakshi fidgeted with her dupatta “And you’re ok with knowing that.” A slight frown settled on his face as he heard her mellowed voice.

“I won’t belittle you for that Sakshi. Being rude and arrogant is in my forte but humiliating your feelings, no, these things mean a lot for a person.” Sakshi stared at Arjun’s face in wonder and reddened as he caught her looking at him.

“Yaar! This wasn’t supposed to happen! Hot couple se boring couple bana diya re!”

“Excuse me!” Arjun parked at his car and turned aside, “What?” Sakshi feigned innocence, giggling at the puzzled look on his face. “Did I just hear a ridiculous dialogue out of your mouth? What was that hot couple, boring couple?”

Sakshi’s eyebrows rose and she moved her hands slightly “Arrey woh! See usually you are supposed to be insulting you and I am supposed to be loving you in spite of that and then there will be bohot saara jhagda where I won’t be able to get over the attraction… you see some fitoor wala love! Or an angry wala love!” Chuckling slightly, she looked at a shocked Arjun who just shut his eyes.

“You know you’re not real, right?” Arjun looked on while Sakshi shrugged her shoulders “Exactly my boy! But… on a serious note, I felt I would be demeaning the sanctity of your and Roshniji’s relationship if I exp… you know what I mean.” Intertwining her fingers, she looked around nervously while Arjun softened slightly.

“So that’s why you suddenly stopped giving me chais, placing flowers on my desk and interacting with me.” Arjun told while Sakshi looked up “You figured it out?”

“Everyone did.”

Tucking a lock back in place she looked up again at Arjun who returned to his wheel “You know Sakshi, you should find a good guy and settle with him.”

“Found one.”

Arjun rolled his eyes “Not me, idiot.”

Sakshi laughed “Not you, idi… ahem, nothing.”

Yet his grip tightened on his steering on hearing that. Keeping a fake smile on his face he stiffly nodded “Who’s he?”

“You want to meet him?” Sakshi asked, feeling all too excited. A non committal reply from Arjun was all she got. Smiling ever so lightly at his irritation, Sakshi decided to clear the air a little bit. “Arjun, ab kya karoge?”

Arjun sighed slightly as he maneuvered the wheel. “I really don’t know…” He confessed. Stopping his car below her apartment, he continued “Before I at least knew what I have to do… ab jine ki koi wajah bhi nahi mil rahi hai…”

“Hey! To live you need to find the motive Arjun, wajah tumhare paas nahi… tum wajah ke paas jao.” Sakshi’s smile faltered seeing him slightly depressed. Apart from her and Sameer, no one had been aware that Arjun had been diagnosed with major depression disorder post Sikandar’s murder.

The loss of Roshni became even more evident when Arjun finally got out of his revenge and saw his own life.

“Arjun…” Sakshi placed a comforting hand on his shoulder while Arjun snapped up, clearing his throat. “Chalo, you wanted to meet the man of my life na? Come with me, he’s the reason why I am able to be the happiest person in the world!”

“Nahi.”

“Arjun, trust me the meet will be worth it! Aur koi nahi jaanta about him, you’re the first. Please, please, pretty please!” Sakshi pleaded and dragged a reluctant Arjun to her apartment.

“I promise I’ll give you cutting chai! Just like the one in office.” Sakshi jumped while Arjun tried to hide his smile at her ‘bribing’.

After searching through her voluminous handbag she finally pulled out a bunch of keys and tried each and everyone of them, praying whichever would turn out to be her house’s. As Arjun stifled a smile, his hand paused mid air, thinking of the fact that he smiled so much nowadays.

He looked on to Sakshi’s patience, it had been three long years with Sikandar out of his life… though two had been immersed in depression. As strange as it may sound, Arjun was grateful for having that particular disorder. No doubt the days were hellish, but it bridged the gap between Sameer and Arjun.

A guilt ridden Sameer hadn’t known how to approach Sikandar after Arjun had proven and killed the aforementioned man. In his power, all he did was clear off Arjun’s name from the killing.

Yet the old anger bubbled when Sameer stumbled across the fact that Arjun had been digging on Sikandar, solo, a year before Roshni had died. If Arjun had confided in Sameer then this would have not occurred.

Shuttling between his volatile emotions, a concerned Sakshi had dragged Sameer away and pointed at Arjun’s odd behaviour. The man who had got angry at the drop of a hat seemed lifeless, staring at the wall time to time. Sakshi worried about the increasing dark circles and unhealthy weight loss.

If the friend in Sameer had not sprung up in alarm, rushing into Arjun’s home after Arjun refused to pick up for the fourth time… the knife would have slit across Arjun’s veins.

Arjun was grateful to both, Sakshi and Sameer. Even though first Sameer slapped the wits straight back into Arjun, neither Sakshi nor Sameer belittle Arjun for attempting to suicide. For all a person needs during such a phase is immense love, he’s just crying out for help… nothing more.

Over the course of two years when the friends came back together, it barely mattered.

A fond smile etched Arjun’s lips and he was once again, grateful that Sakshi never spoke about that night. Arjun was lost, facing suicidal tendencies and completely unaware of what to do. Sakshi recognised his signs and kept him continuously on her call, rushing over to his home as soon as possible.

Later, Arjun remembered that Sakshi took him to her house and gently pampered him for the whole night, caressing his hair as if he were to be a child. A wave of awkwardness and shy embarrassment filled Arjun when he got up to find himself on her lap.

Guilt, too.

But Sakshi reacted as if nothing had happened at all. Her nonchalant behaviour normalised everything but it left Arjun restless. Did all these moments mean nothing? That’s when he noticed the distance Sakshi deliberately put between him and her.

And that hurt Arjun.

No matter if he spoke the contrary. Arjun couldn’t fathom as to why a sinking feeling arose in his stomach as Sakshi excitedly took him to meet the man of her life.

But she deserved it… probably Arjun was late, he always was.

As Sakshi opened the door of her bedroom and tugged Arjun along, his mouth remained open as he looked at the person Sakshi wanted to introduce.

“And here’s the love of my life!” Sakshi smiled, her eyes softening as her man grinned back at her.

----

“Papaji main…”

“Sure, sure… escort Sameer till his car. And Sameer bete, next time do bring bhabiji with you… at least paaji ke kuch meethi yaadein taza ho jayegi!” Amanbir patted Sameer’s back while Sameer took the blessings of her parents and waited for Ayesha to pull on a sweater.

“World is such a small place! I never knew Kapoor uncle was your father! Babasa used to talk about him during my teens.” Sameer chuckled while Ayesha nodded in agreement.

“Amazing, isn’t it?” Sameer asked while Ayesha frowned “What’s amazing?”

“That in spite of being miles apart, how close people become.” Ayesha smiled in accord when Sameer raised his hand to tell her he had more to say.

“Yet, there are a few people who are so close… yet so far. Three years, eh Ayesha?” Sameer sighed sadly while Ayesha bit her lip in tension. But, there was a fright in her… a fright of getting into a relationship.

Sameer looked at Ayesha’s stoic face and smiled sadly, probably he was the only one who felt it.

Just as he was about to leave, Ayesha gently held his wrist and stopped him. Sameer’s eyebrows shot to his forehead, and he turned around to get a pleasant surprise. “I am not too good with words Sameer, but just that… if you think what you’re feeling is one sided, then you’re wrong.”

Ayesha fiddled with the edge of her sweater while Sameer gave her a tiny grin.

“Looks like I’ll get masa to meet with your parents…. for old time’s sake, what did you think?” Ayesha turned a violent red as Sameer flicked her nose.

Ayesha felt strange, having always been the man of the house, the sudden teasings and cares were getting the better of her.

As she waved Sameer a bye, she suddenly had the urge to wear something in the shade of love - red.

---

Shree gripped Liza’s wrist, stopping her from going to her house.

“Kabse?” He asked, noticing the pretense on Liza’s face “What do you mean by kabse?”

“You said you loved me.” Shree pointed out while Liza positively coloured “It was just a statement…” His heart broke slightly at her admission and he gulped a bit.

“I mean obviously who wants to break the friendship in the name of love…” Liza continued blabbering while Shree looked up, a 100 watt smile on his face.

Liza was denying their love just because she thought it would break their friendship…

Stupid Liza

“Yeah man, I mean love sucks.” Shree told, catching Liza off guard.

“Ww… yeah, like duh…” Liza gave an awkward smile “Now don’t you think if everything related with love gets changed to friendship, it would be for the better.”

Swallowing tightly, Liza nodded “Of course.” Shree clapped his hands and stood next to her “Like you know, instead of Valentine’s Day there should be world friend saving day.”

Liza nodded quietly and fiddled with her bag to get her keys “Love anniversaries should be replaced with friendship anniversaries…”

“Hmm…”

Inching closer to Liza, Shree whispered into her ears “Instead to marrying stupid lovers, they should marry their best friends - even if they want to kill that guy.” Liza’s eyes widened as she stared at the wicked glint in his eyes.

“In short marry me, I love you shai love you raste main ho jayega!” Shree winked while Liza gaped at me.

“Did you have any freaking idea how freaked out I was!” Liza yelled and Shree’s smile dimmed as she picked up her sandal “You gave me a heart attack, you wait Specky Sen! First I’ll kill you, then I’ll marry you!”

“Maa re bacha!” Shree yelled as a mad Liza ran behind him.

----

Arjun cleared his throat and walked towards a small infant wrapped in a soft blue blanket. “Meet my son Mr. Rawte, ab tang karke dikhau. If my boy doesn’t beat the pulp out of you then my name isn’t Sakshi Anand!”

Sakshi took the little baby in her arms and cooed softly. She handed the baby to a scared Arjun’s arms, who just stared at the little bundle of joy in delight.

“So baby, meet Arjun. Arjun, meet baby.” Baby gurgled softly and reached for Arjun’s nose.

“His name is baby?” Arjun laughed slightly while Sakshi slapped his arm. “A name’s not been ready yet. Well since you know I haven’t been pregnant, so biologically this isn’t my child, I found him on one of my independent reports. This poor thing belonged from a horrible family. And mind you, even male kids are just as much in the business as girls. So I took him with me.” Sakshi gently caressed a lock of hair away from baby’s face.

“No one said anything?” Arjun asked, his index finger tickling baby’s chin.

“When will I use my contact’s supercop? I know a few people here and there who own a certain something to me and baby will be mine by the next week, and I do have a legal letter allowing him to stay with me.” Sakshi smiled as Arjun handed baby over to Sakshi.

“Aaja mera raja beta…” Sakshi nuzzled Baby who chuckled slightly. “Well Mausi is here when I am not around, just so you know…”

“You know, if you told me you’re becoming a mother I would have died laughing. But now, this role suits you beautifully…” Arjun sighed as Baby clung on to Sakshi.

“I am selfish Arjun, ever since Papa passed away last year, I couldn’t cope up with anything. No that I had anyone in my life to push me forward…” Arjun and Sakshi shared a soft eyelock and then she cleared her throat. “Baby is my reason to live.”

As Arjun peered over, staring straight into Baby’s large black eyes. He pressed a gentle kiss on Baby’s chubby cheek and smiled “True, nothing like kids. They’re the only ones who repair broken hearts.”

“He likes you!” Sakshi squealed as Baby gurgled in ‘aahs’ and ‘oohs’, especially when Arjun tickled him.

“I want to name him with A.” Sakshi smiled softly while Arjun’s heart skipped a beat. “S…”

“So as to he can be number one in his school roll number!” Sakshi gave Arjun a brilliant smile while Arjun tried to fathom why he felt disappointed.

“You have any in mind?” Sakshi asked, while Arjun looked at the little cherubic baby.

“Abhimanyu. How’s that?” Arjun said, hesitantly… hoping Sakshi would like it.

“I don’t like it…” Arjun nodded and looked aside, embarrassed while Sakshi continued “I LOVE IT! Abhimanyu, waise I have to admit… quite a dhasu name!” Sakshi grinned while Arjun felt a thousand butterflies in his stomach.

“Abhimanyu! Loved the name, hai na baby?” Sakshi pressed kisses to a chuckling Abhimanyu who jumped in joy.

“My bacchu will be no less than the royal Abhimanyu! Arjun putra (son) Ab…” Sakshi stopped immediately and sucked a breath, looking straight into an equally surprised Arjun’s eyes.

It had completely skipped his mind that in The Mahabharata, Abhimanyu was the son of Arjun.

Sakshi felt a tug in her heart and kept on looking at Arjun, his eyes suddenly too warm and tender. Her cheeks bloomed red under his gaze, and Sakshi coyly looked aside, bending to rub her nose on Abhimanyu’s head.

They both were too afraid to say anything, lest it broke the spell.

Except Sakshi shyly whispering “My beta, Abhimanyu.”

And that acknowledgement was more than enough.

----

Two months later

We would like to cordially invite you to the engagement ceremony of Ayesha & Sameer

Ayesha stopped reading their engagement invitation and looked up to find Sameer lost in his own little world.

“Sameer? Does the card sound fine… I mean should there be any further changes?” Ayesha’s smile faltered as Sameer hummed in reply.

Were things going way too fast for Sameer?

Ayesha hated the feeling of vulnerability. Taking a surprised Sameer’s hand she tugged him to the balcony and said “Dekho Sameer, if you’re uncomfortable with the rate of things or you want to change something then just tell me… okay? Or if…”

“Hush! Calm down, obviously I am very happy with this proposal… I was just thinking about you.” A confused Ayesha looked on while Sameer continued.

“You know Ayesh, I am not sure if you really want this. I mean I’ve only found you agreeing with what Aunty and Unc…”

Ayesha looked at her own stupidity, realising that her earlier stiff nature never allowed Sameer to be her protector at all!

There was nothing wrong being independent… but probably Ayesha didn’t know where to keep her barriers.

“Sameer…” Ayesha sighed and looked at his disappointed face.

“See Ayesha, I don’t want you marrying me because your parents adore me or because I love you… if you’re doing something - do it just for yourself.” Sameer took his hand away from hers and put it in his pocket.

“I understand if you don’t want to marry me or if you don’t lov…” Sameer’s words came to a standstill as Ayesha cupped his bristly cheeks and placed a firm kiss on his moving lips.

“I do love you stupid, always have.” Ayesha smiled while an overjoyed Sameer kissed back with equal enthusiasm.

---

“I can’t believe we did it…” Shree panted, looking aside to an equally exhausted Liza.

“It seems… surreal.” Liza said, reaching out to hold his wrist.

“I mean we…” Shree started and closed his eyes as Liza wiped off a few damp strands of hair from his forehead.

“I know…” She smiled, closing her eyes gently as the fact dawned on her.

“We actually completed a mission of chasing a goon without fighting with each other, we actually cooperated in a task!” Shree cried in happiness and hugged Liza who was catching her breath.

Running after goons wasn’t exactly her thing.

(What did you think they were doing?)

“Miss. Liza D’Souza, to mark our first non jhagdalu day… let this man propose you to be his wife!” Shree gloated with pride while Liza jumped like a little child “Wah wah, shadi Ayesha ki aur proposal humara!”

“Great idea, hai na? So tell me yes or no… fatafat!” Shree fake groaned while Liza pretended to think.

“You know what, I don’t care… I love you too much to take a no!” A shocked Liza looked on as Shree slipped on the ring and kissed her cheek.

“I find it difficult to believe that I agree with you.” Liza fake pretended to be shocked while Shree rolled his eyes.

“And haan, chal I love you too!” Liza smiled while Shree twirled her around, later groaning at how heavy she was!

----

“Arrey Arjun thank you so much for picking me up! Legal chakkar main I completely forgot to buy something for Ayesha and Sameer!” Sakshi stopped talking as she noticed Arjun staring at her for a second more than necessary.

Consciously touching her jhumkas, Sakshi gestured Arjun if something was wrong with her. “I knew it, I shouldn’t have put these kundan jhumkas. Or… probably this anarkali is a bit heavy. Wait, hold on to babu while I’ll change into something…” Sakshi ranted while Abhimanyu was more than happy to go into Arjun’s arms.

“No… you’re per… I mean you look perfect.” Arjun stopped while Sakshi felt her traitorous heart beat against her ribs when he caught her wrist.

No Sakshi, you can’t disrespect Arjun further by loving him.

For a minute tears pooled in her eyes thinking about her long lost dreams with Arjun, but she held herself before Arjun could ask. Not that he didn’t notice the sudden sadness in her eyes.

After Arjun exchanged his little greetings with baby Abhimanyu, the trio sat in the car.

Arjun couldn’t ignore the melancholic look on Sakshi’s face as she bought things for Ayesha and Sameer. Somewhere down the line Arjun knew that everything was solely due to him.

He wasn’t blind to not notice the constant love resonating towards him, yet it was her respect towards him which stole his heart.

As Sakshi held on to her chubby little babu in her arms, her face bore a grateful smile as Arjun offered to hold the bags. Arjun stilled as he caught their reflection, the three just looked like a perfect family.

Could he move on?

His trail of thoughts broke as a beggar child asked him to buy a gajra, stating that his wife would look beautiful on them.

Wife.

Arjun’s heart went out to the child and asked Sakshi to stop by the car. Instead of giving her enough cash for a full meal, instead Arjun bought a meal for her.

Knowing the workings of this dirty business, it was unlikely any cash would reach her hand.

Grateful for the meal, the child gave him the gajra for free… yet smiling widely as Arjun placed a crisp note in her hand - promising to help whenever he can.

Sakshi waited for Arjun to come by, meanwhile taking Abhimanyu’s feeding bottle and cooing little songs as her baby drank till his fill. “Bacchi ko maddat ki aapne?” Sakshi smiled and saw Arjun’s eyes fill with fatherly love as he patted a sleepy Abhimanyu’s head.

“You know, we all have been so fortunate.” Arjun smiled while Sakshi nodded her head in agreement.

“Thoda thoda karke karenge na. One day we’ll open an orphanage for all these kids. Gunda mawali ko tum sambhalo, while I’ll look after the angel ones.” Sakshi chuckled as Arjun shook his head at her.

“Waise…” Arjun hesitated and handed her a delicate thread of jasmine flowers.

“Gajra?” Sakshi closed her eyes, taking in the fresh fragrance of the flowers. Arjun nodded sheepishly and went on to open the door, making them sit comfortably in his car. Sakshi felt emotions threatening her as Arjun appeared ever so endearing and loving.

As Sakshi tried to adjust the thread around her head and feed Abhimanyu at the same time, Arjun stepped forward and offered to help her. Her breath hitched as his stubble brushed against her nose, her heart beating due to his intoxicating cologne.

Was it just her or was it the fact that it was taking Arjun forever to tie the thread around the bun?

Arjun closed his eyes and took in the essence of being so close to Sakshi, feeling selfish all of a sudden. Could he ask for this relationship?

Hot tears rolled down Sakshi’s cheeks a Arjun gently caressed her, like a lover.

Arjun’s eyes flew open as Sakshi placed her palm on his chest and nodded negatively. “Please Arjun, don’t do anything that you’ll regret.”

Arjun stepped back, feeling guilt rise in him as Sakshi distanced herself and kept Abhimanyu aside on the car-seat.

How could he tell Sakshi that he had changed his way in thinking about her?

They quietly drove to the engagement party, Sakshi’s silence and distance hurting him.

Even though he was happy for the couple who glowed in love, and also surprised by the sudden love between Shree and Liza, his eyes had been on the woman with a thread of flowers on her hair - Sakshi.

As Ayesha was completely taken by baby Abhimanyu, with Sameer raising his eyebrows at Arjun for having named him… Arjun dragged Sakshi to him on the desolated terrace of Sameer’s mansion.

“Sakshi, why are you ignoring me?” Arjun asked while Sakshi closed her eyes and folded her arms across her chest “Okay, we both know what I have felt and feel for you over the years. But Arjun I really can’t keep on doing this. I can’t be hanging on a thread for you. See, I can handle my emotions, my feelings and rejections… but getting hot and cold behavior from you is something too tough for me.”

“But Sakshi…”

“Arjun, I can’t take it if you wake up one morning to realise everything was a mistake. I’ll die that day.” Sakshi pleaded softly and turned to leave when Arjun grabbed her elbow.

“You have said what you wanted, care to listen to me?” Arjun snapped and shushed Sakshi. “First of all Sakshi, I’ll never use you. And who said I don’t feel for you damn it! I just didn’t want to hurt you… I never wanted you to give your heart to a man who can never love you back!”

Sakshi looked into his eyes, her heart too scared to believe the emotions written in his eyes.

“And…” She asked, waiting as Arjun turned aside, closing his eyes for a brief moment.

“To think that I could never love you back, was just an illusion.” He confessed while Sakshi clutched on her dress, too scared to believe.

This is just a dream, Sakshi whispered to herself while Arjun laughed at himself and walked upto her “I know you can’t believe this because I myself need to come to terms with this. But yes, I am afraid… I have fallen in love with you Sakshi Anand.”

Sakshi looked on in sheer disbelief as Arjun chinned her up, his eyes darkening as he took in the sight of her beautiful face. “May I?” His oddly husky voice sent tingles up her spine.

She replied by pressing her quivering lips on his.

For a gentle moment they stood there, lips pressed together.

“So you just said you love me…” Sakshi broke away and looked at Arjun with joy brimming in her eyes as Arjun nodded and took her into a tight hug “Believe me Sakshi, not just your lover… I also want to be Abhimanyu’s papa.”

Sakshi’s eyes widened as Arjun continued “Watch our son walk around, drop him to school and…”

“Wait, wait, wait… are you proposing me Mr. Rawte?” Arjun grinned as he saw the old glimmer back in Sakshi’s eyes.

“Of course not! I am just asking if Mommy would allow me to be Abhi’s Daddy.” Arjun looked on surprised as Sakshi flung into his arms “I couldn’t have wanted anything more.”

After a few minutes, Sakshi pulled away and straightened her dress “But please remember that there won’t be any suhaagraat or things…”

“What? Why?” Arjun tried to understand the tone behind the playful Sakshi “I mean after all, you just want to be the father of the child… and that ritual is only reserved for husbands.” She winked and tried to run away while Arjun easily caught on to her and pinned her to the wall.

“Who said I don’t want to be your husband… I know it’s a difficult task but I’ll mana..ouch!” Arjun looked up as Sakshi slapped him slightly on his cheeks. “You can’t even romance, God knows what I am signing up for!”

Arjun laughed and placed his forehead on hers “Well, I know that it’s going to be the best thing of my life.” Sakshi ran her fingers across his cheeks and leaned to kiss him “I always knew you were the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“Including the fights.” He asked, pausing to kiss her momentarily.

“Including. Every. Single. Moment.” Sakshi said, punctuating every word with a kiss.

“My my… you’re quite a romancer.” Arjun smirked as Sakshi blushed, holding on to the collar of his suit while he freed her hair from the bun. “Now that the three years I’ve spent moping… uska bharpai toh karna parega.”

Could it be possible to be filled with eternal happiness over a span of few minutes? But Sakshi left all tracks of thoughts as Arjun took her into a passionate, hot yet gentle kiss. Wiping the little tear of happiness which leaked from her eye, he whispered against her lips “I love you.”

“I love you too… always have, always will.”

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I know it’s pretty late for VDay but hey! Who needs just one day to celebrate love? Leave in your comments and likes! Don’t be kanjoos warna makkhi khayenge khoon juice! *ok that didn’t make sense!* Just like if the story fit in well.

Love,

You know who :)