Rohit was about to hail a cab when he stopped.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw some men and boys whispering and pointing to someone. He turned to look but couldn't see anyone clearly, because of the crowd.

Who cares? I need to get home!

Rohit turned back again, aware of some people still taking pictures of him, but he began looking for another cab.
The murmuring he had heard continued, till someone moved, and he saw what the commotion was about.

Out of the crowd, emerged a double stroller, to which were attached several balloons shouting WELCOME, followed by a woman in a black dress, who was pushing it.

Larki dekhi nahin or sab deewane hojaate hain..

He glanced again, his eyes widening in amazement and his mouth went agape.

'Sona!'
Rohit rushed towards where Sonakshi was pushing through the crowd with Arihaan and Mishaye.
'Oh my God! Sona! SONA! Here!'
Rohit called out, waving.

Sonakshi turned at the sound of her name, above the buzzing of voices, and spotting Rohit, pushed the stroller faster, a big grin coming on her face.

'Baba! Baba!'
Arihaan's voice carried excitement as he tried to climb out of the stroller.

'Rohit!'
Sonakshi reached him, and was about to crash in his arms, when she realised they were being watched by many people, who's whisperings had increased.
She also saw several flashes, where the paparazzi had found something exciting to catch.
She stopped, but Rohit put his arm around her, hugging her to him.

'God, Sona! This is an amazing surprise!'
He looked down at her, feeling a bit stumped. She looked stunning, wearing a sleeveless full skirted black dress, with a printed scarf around her neck. Her hair was open, just the way he liked it, and she wore no jewelry, except for her signature bangles, the jingling sound of which he had missed, the way he had missed her.

'Rohit!'
Sonakshi's eyes became moist, and Rohit shook his head.

'This has to be the best welcome ever! Hey, mera monkey! Meri precious!'
Rohit bent down to kiss Arihaan, and then Mishaye, who had a huge bouquet of red roses in her lap.
She was flailing her arms towards him, and Rohit couldn't resist. He unstrapped her, and Sonakshi picked up the bouquet from her lap, as Rohit lifted his daughter in his arms.
'Oh, my big girl! My princess!'
Rohit kissed her cheeks, her forehead, hugging her to him, as Sonakshi watched with a lump in her throat.

'Baba! Ihaan bhi aaye Baba paas!'
Arihaan also struggled to get off, and Sonakshi reached over to unbuckle him as well.
Rohit took him on his other arm, kissing his cheeks as well.
'Welcome, Baba!'
Arihaan kissed him back, and Rohit let him.

'Oohhh...awww!'
Mishaye cooed, and Rohit looked extremely overwhelmed. Sonakshi stood there watching, and felt a tear trickle out of her eye, surprised at it.

My life! My family! Touchwood!

Rohit finally put the children back in the stroller, and Sonakshi handed him the roses.
'Welcome home, Rohit!'
Her eyes were full of emotion, and Rohit wished they were alone so he could hug her to him. But he knew he would have to wait a bit longer.

'I love you, Sona! So much!'
He took the roses from her.

'I love you, too!'

'Ghar chalen? I can't even hug you here..'
He made a face, and Sonakshi chuckled, as she took hold of the stroller's handles.

'Plenty of time for that..let's go!'
Sonakshi headed towards her car, with Rohit following with a porter.

***************************

'Welcome home, beta!'
Veena hugged him, followed by Naren, and then everyone else.

They all looked so happy to see him, as was Rohit, having spent two months alone in a hotel room. This was actually 'coming home'.

'Hum sab hi aana chahte thay airport, magar bura lagta na..woh reporters jo wahan ghoomte rehte hain, woh to mazaq urrate..nahin?'
Veena laughed.

'Ji, bilkul! Mein to sirf Sona ko expect kar raha tha! I was stunned to see the kids with her.'
Rohit sat with Mishaye in his lap, who was busy trying to cut her teeth on a soother. He kissed the top of her head.
'Or Sonakshi ki himmat thi..akele dono bachon ko le ke, khud drive kar ke agayi..'

'Yes! She is becoming very efficient!'
Naren said, pride in his voice, making Rohit feel the same.

'Jab Dubai ja sakti hai akele, dono ko le kar, to airport to choti si baat hai..'

'Aray, bas! Bas! Zyada tareefain hogayin..itna bhi kuch nahin kiya..'
Sonakshi flushed at the praises, as Rohit squeezed her hand from next to her.
She looked up at him, and saw the respect in his eyes, spreading joy in her heart.

'Rohit! Tum fresh hojao..phir saath mein khana khaate hain..'
Rohit nodded, and gestured to Sonakshi to come with him. She smiled, as Rohit gave Mishaye to Pari, who held her arms out for her, a knowing grin on her face.

Sonakshi narrowed her eyes at her sister, remembering their earlier conversation, and Pari laughed. Rohit noticed the exchange, and questioned her with his eyes. Sonakshi shook her head, brushing it off as nothing, while Pari chuckled.
Rohit took Sonakshi's hand, to take her with him, as the doorbell rang.

It was the Rastogis and Rohit ended up meeting with them too. When he made to leave again with Sonakshi, they were stopped.

'Aray, Rohit! Tum jao fresh hojao..Sona, mein Rohit ka favourite paneer bana ke laayi hun..aao to zara..'
Suman was beckoning to her, and Rohit tugged on her hand ever so slightly.

Sonakshi gave him a shrug, motioning for him to go up. He shook his head, wanting to take her with him. Sonakshi wanted to go too, but she was stuck in the middle.

'Woh, Ma..mein Rohit ke kapray nikaal..'

'Aray! Koi chota bacha hai kya Rohit, jo khud se kapray nahin nikaal sakta?'
Veena interrupted.
'Rohit! Bohot waqt milega biwi ke saath baad mein..thora bohot humain bhi de do..kyun, Suman?'
Suman and Veena shared a knowing look and Sonakshi flushed, removing her hand from Rohit's.

'Par, Sona..'
Rohit protested.

'Baad mein, Rohit! Abhi tum jao..I've already taken out your clothes..'

Rohit made a face, but finally moved up the stairs, as Sonakshi watched him go.

'Ab aa bhi jao, Sona! Ya aise hi ooper dekhti rahogi?'

Sonakshi's head snapped in her mother's direction, and flushing, she followed the ladies to the kitchen.

***************************

Rohit was surprised to see scented candles burning in different parts of the room, exuding a heavenly aroma.

So..she has already made preparations..wow!

Rohit found his t-shirt and pajamas on the bed, and picking it up, hurried to the bathroom for his shower.

***************************

'Ji, Mom! Abhi laayi..'
Sonakshi got up from the table, to go into the kitchen, to fetch the dessert bowls for the chocolate mousse she had made, and just served on the table.

She frowned, as she saw that the bowls weren't there where she had put them, on the kitchen table. She heard the springed door open, and shut, as she opened the cabinet near the wall.
'Mom, mein doosre le aa..what the..'
Sonakshi was startled, as someone grabbed her from behind.
'Rohit!!'
Her eyes widened into saucers, as Rohit held her arm, and pushed her against the wall.

'Who else but me?'
Rohit was looking down at her, intently.

'What are you doing here? Mein to bowls..'
Sonakshi glanced towards the door.

'The bowls are already outside, and everyone busy eating..so its just me..'
Rohit's voice became low.
Sonakshi's toes curled at the sexy tone.

'Rohit! Koi ajayega phir bhi..mein..'

'Sab ki fikr hai, bas apne husband ki nahin! Jo itne din baad aaya hai..'
Sonakshi opened her mouth to speak, but he didn't let her.
'Or jo tarrap raha hai tum se theek se milne ke liye..sshh..'
Rohit put a finger to her lips, as she made to speak again.
'Jis ko ek kiss to kya, ek hug bhi naseeb nahin hua..'
He pouted, and Sonakshi pecked the tip of his finger over her lips, causing his eyes to flare with sudden desire.
'Do you know how utterly desirable you look? This sexy dress, the display of skin..I just want to..'
He paused, and Sonakshi waited, his breath teasing tendrils of her hair.
When he didn't continue, Sonakshi looked up to see his gaze fixated on her .

'Rohit..tum..'
Her voice was no more than a whisper, as he lowered his head, his hands against the wall above her.

None of them heard the door open, but heard the voice that boomed at them.
'Acha! To yeh bowls laaye ja rahe hain..wah!'

Two pairs of startled eyes looked that way.
Veena was standing with her arms folded across her chest, tapping her foot.
Sonakshi looked embarrassed, and quickly pushed Rohit away.

'Woh, Mom..mein to aa hi rahi thi..woh Rohit..'

'Han, han..samajh gayi..jaise hi maine dekha ke der lag rahi hai or Rohit bhi ghayab, I knew yahan hankie pankie chal rahi hogi..'

Sonakshi looked at Rohit, who didn't seem unnerved at all.
'Ab aap log dushman zamana banoge to ek husband kya kare?'
He came forward also, looking as if nothing was wrong.

'Tu to hai hi besharam! Thori der sabar nahin hota! Mein khud hi bowls le jaati hun..tum log lagay raho..'
With a chuckle, Veena picked up the bowls, which had been hidden on the chair, and left.

Sonakshi turned in Rohit, her look accusing.
'You! You liar! You hid the bowls, and told me bahar sab kha rahe hain..tum to bas..'
Sonakshi gasped, as Rohit grabbed her, and pulled her against him.

'So what? Itne din baad aaya hun phir bhi kuch nahin badla..tumhe to bas bahana chahiye mujhe bhagaane ka..or sab ke saath chipakne ka..'
His hands splayed under her hair, and he was surprised to feel her naked back.

'What even?'
Sonakshi squirmed under his hands which were doing weird things inside of her, as his fingers traced patterns over her back.
'Chorro to..ab to Mom ne bhi dekh liya hai..kya sochengi..hum..'

'Tum darrti bohot ho..'

'Or tum besharam bohot ho..'

'Rohit! Aao dessert kha lo!'
They heard Naren's voice through the door, and Sonakshi pushed at him.
'Dekha? Jao ab!'

'Magar mein to..'
Rohit protested.

'No agar magar! Jao na..please!'
She pleaded with her eyes, and sighing, Rohit finally moved towards the door.

'This is far from over, Mrs. Sippy..remember that!'
With that, he swung the door open, and disappeared.

Sonakshi stood there, her heart skipping with anticipation, a smile coming to her lips.

Rohit is back! I missed him so bad!

***************************

'Chalo, ab aap sojao..'
Sonakshi had already told Arihaan a bedtime story, but he was still awake.

'Baba ke paas..'
Arihaan kept saying.

'Beta, Baba neechay Dada se kuch zaroori baat kar rahe hain..'

'Thay!'
They both looked towards the doorway, from where Rohit was coming towards the bed.
'Baat kar rahe thay, magar ab agaye!'

'Baba!'
Arihaan jumped up from the bed, holding his arms out for his father.

'Aray! Arihaan, aap..'
Sonakshi tried, but no one listened to her, as Rohit came forward to take Arihaan in his arms.

'Mera monkey! Agaye Baba!'
Rohit chuckled, as Arihaan began raining kisses over his face.
'Wow! I can see you were missing me!'

'Rohit! Iss ki neend urr gayi to yeh raat bhar jaagay ga..'

'Aray, Sona! Abhi sojayega! Mein agaya hun na..'
Rohit laid down Arihaan on the bed, and plopped down beside him.
'Tum Mishaye ko dekh lo, mein isse sula deta hun..'

Sonakshi smiled, as father and son bonded, as if they had never been apart.
Sonakshi hurried to change and feed a happy but tired Mishaye, who promptly slept in her crib.
By the time she was done, Rohit was almost successful too. She went and sat on the bed, gesturing to Rohit, that she would do the rest, but he assured her, that he had it done.
Rohit lifted Arihaan in his arms and carried him over to his crib, placing him inside, as Sonakshi watched, and removed the scarf around her neck.
She continued sitting there, when Rohit came back her way. She was surprised, when he sat next to her, but then bent over, and put his head in Sonakshi's lap, and straightened his legs. He looked up at her.

Sonakshi smiled at him, and put her hand in his hair.
'Thak gaye?'

'Mmm..hmm..'
Rohit closed his eyes, as Sonakshi massaged his scalp with her fingers.
'That feels sooo good!'

He kept his eyes closed for so long, that Sonakshi thought he had dozed off.

I missed you so much! I can't believe you are here..with me..I can feel you..touch you..

Sonakshi bent her head, and kissed his forehead, ready to move his head off of her, so she could get up. But suddenly, Rohit's hand snaked behind her neck, to keep it there.
Sonakshi made a sound in surprise, and Rohit opened his eyes.

'Kab tak bhaagogi?'
His voice was low, almost husky.

'Mein? Mein kahan bhaag rahi hun? I thought you had slept..that's all..'

'No..'
Rohit shook his head, and pulled her head closer to his.

Angling his head, he touched her lips with his own. They both made a sound in their throats, and Rohit increased the contact. The kiss deepened, as Rohit held her face, to push his tongue against hers. The sound of her moan egged him on, and they stayed in that position, kissing, till they couldn't.
Rohit touched his forehead to hers, and they both closed their eyes, feeling content to be together again.

'Sona! I missed you like crazy. Not a single day went by, when I didn't wish that you were there with me. And don't even ask about the nights..they were so lonely..'

'I missed you too..'

'But I bet not as much as I did..you had the kids..the family..'
Sonakshi could hear melancholy in his voice, and kissed his forehead.

'But you are here now..that's all that matters..'
Rohit inhaled her hair, as they fell over his face.
She lifted her head pushing her hair back.
'Rest kar lo..mein change kar ke aati hun..'
Sonakshi made to lift his head off her lap, but he didn't budge.
'Araam se lait jao..mein aati hun..what?'
Sonakshi asked, as she saw him shake his head.

'Mujhe neend nahin arahi or mein tired bhi nahin hun..'

'Phir?'

'Phir kya? Mere paas raho..door mat jao..'
Rohit sat up, and moved closer to her, his hand coming up to her cheek.

Sonakshi leaned her head against his palm, closing her eyes, as her heart began to race.
'Rohit..'

'Han, mein..Rohit..tumhara Rohit..jis ne bechainiyo mein yeh waqt kaata hai..'
He placed his other palm on her face too, and brought her head closer, till their lips were inches apart.
'I need you..so bad..'
He whispered, before taking her lips with his own.

Not satisfied with just kissing her, his hands began roaming over her, her bare arms, shoulders, her back, lingering.
Sonakshi's head went back, as he found the pulse at her neck, and his lips scorched her skin.

'I've been dying to do that, ever since I saw you at the airport, looking so sexy in this dress.'
His lips travelled down her arms, and he took her hands in both of his, kissing them too, sending shivers down Sonakshi's spine.

'Rohit..'
She whispered.

'I loved that you wanted this as much as I did..'
He paused, when he saw the confusion on her face.
'The scented candles, the flowers, the sexy dress..'

Sonakshi was about to tell him that the candles were Pari's doing, but Rohit didn't give her the chance, as his hands went to the thin straps, holding the dress up. Sonakshi's breath and heartbeat became erratic, her chest heaving.
Rohit bent and kissed the cleavage visible over her deep neckline, and Sonakshi moaned in pleasure.

'Glad you had that scarf on, warna wahan airport pe mujhe scene create karna parrta..'

'Hunh..'

'Jab un sab ki nazren tum pe hoti, to I would have had to punch their eyes out..'

'Rohittt..'

'Yes! Now shut up, and kiss me!'
He was a bit surprised, when she obeyed immediately.
He pulled her closer, as she lifted his t-shirt to touch his skin.

Rohit bent her down with him, still kissing her, and lay her head against the pillow. Looking down at her, he was mesmerised by the vision. Sonakshi..her hair all about her face, her lips open in anticipation. Sonakshi looked at him, her breath rapid.
His gaze was so intense, that Sonakshi turned over, but Rohit wasn't deterred. He moved her hair from her almost naked back, and kissed her in several places. Sonakshi's muscles clenched, till he straightened her on her back again.

'You won't believe the number of times I've imagined us like this in the  days I was away..it seems like a dream come true..'

'I'm no dream..I'm real..'
Sonakshi said, lifting his t-shirt up, and Rohit helped her take it off.

His muscles rippled, as he leaned on his hands, then moved to lower one strap of her dress then the other, baring her breasts to his gaze.
'Oh God!'
He lowered his head, and began kissing the skin he exposed, lowering the dress down her legs with his hands, his lips working their magic over her stomach and navel.

Sonakshi squirmed under his gaze, as he watched her, as soon as she was fully naked.
'Rohit!'
Sonakshi pulled him to her, and he lowered himself fully onto her after removing his pajamas, both groaning at the contact.

'Yes! Oh, God yes!'
Rohit said, as Sonakshi kissed his ear, her tongue coming out to lick his earlobe.
He in turn kissed her skin, everywhere, raising himself to give attention to every part of her.

'Mmm..yes..'
Sonakshi moaned her pleasure.

Rohit was in no hurry, as he pleasured her, and himself, taking his time, till Sonakshi was writhing beneath him.

'Rohit..please..'

'All in sweet time, my love...'
He continued his lips' fiery  journey down her smooth legs.

'I don't think I can take much more! I need you..'
She tugged at his shoulders, pulling him back towards herself, placing his pelvis against hers.
'Now, please..'

When she couldn't stand the torture on her senses any more, Rohit entered her swiftly, causing her to scream her pleasure.
Rohit immediately caught her screams in his mouth, as he began to move inside of her.
There was only the sound of pleasure, loud moans and groans, as their union was completed, and they lay spent..together..in each other's arms.

To be continued..