A much deserved year-end break welcomed Raj ji, Rekha and me. We were finally done with one year of our respective courses. The bandwidth for a happy family time increased and that lightened and brightened the aura amidst us. With Dev who could now talk a few words, was essentially our sole entertainment. Quite complimenting to that, he also enjoyed all the spotlight he received.

This also became a reason for my mother to visit us quite frequently. She eased into the family and tried her level best to make up for the lost time. Somehow, these visits became her way of coping up with Baba's loss. We felt like we were trying to be a cohesive family, just simply trying to be together and happy!

The world felt fair and just again!

Raj ji had just another year to go while I had four more. Even though it was a vacation for all of us, Raj ji did take out huge chunks of time in preparing for his placements. This made Manish also visit us as often as possible and created a platform for Sindhu to drop by. The three of them poured their heart and soul into the preparations and I prayed that they'd get what they deserve!

My mother was still kept in the dark with regard to Manish and Sindhu's relationship. It was only fair of them to approach once they had their life and career sorted. Therefore, Raj ji and me also support this decision.

As for me, I was enjoying my medical student life and I was just 4 years closer to actually pursuing my dream. This was the time to relax and enjoy! I intended on doing that from the bottom of my heart.

"Pavi?-"

It was a call from my husband who brought me back into reality. The afternoon rays just seeped through the curtain drapes. Dev was comfortably sleeping on my lap and I tried to move as minimal as possible to wake him up from sleep.

"Hmm?"

Raj ji walked to the bed and crawled next to me. He gently took my hand stroked it. I looked at him in the eye and smiled. He came as close as he could and kissed my lips as fully as he could.

Mm, that's my heaven!

"What is it?", I whispered.

"How did you know that I had something in my mind?"

I laughed.

"We've been married for two years now Raj ji. Of course I know-"

"Pavi-"

"Hmm-?"

"I love you."

"Hmm!"

"Just 'Hmm' ?"

"Hmm!!"

He laughed at me.

"God, I am the luckiest man in the world!"

I grinned and blew a kiss in the air.

"Will you tell me what happened?"

"I received a mail saying that this year placements will not happen in our campus. It will be hosted in our main campus, which is in Mumbai. I just don't know how to react to that-"

"You should go!"

"What-?"

"Yes, you should go! Sindhu and Manish are going to be with you, so what is there to overthink in this?"

"Pavi, we've not stayed even a single day away from eachother-"

"Ji-?"

"And we have Dev-"

"Ji-"

"And how can I even imagine to not wake up next to you-"

"Raj ji!", I hissed so loudly that Dev almost woke up.

He looked at my face with utmost sincerity.

I reached out to his face and held him with both my hands.

I then caressed his cheeks and his firm beard. I reached out to his collar and pulled him to give him the deepest kiss we've ever shared. Out of breathlessness, we broke the kiss. I looked at him and said, "Raj ji, this is a  fresh first to us. If we have to survive long distance, then so be it. You have to stay there as long as you get placed and the placement season is for 2 months. I do have holidays for that period. I also have the complete family to help me out with Dev.

Of course I will miss you. I will miss all of what you can give and provide. But I know for sure that our love can sustain a temporary physical distance.  This gap is just to bring us both even more closer to our dreams. I will call you and we will ensure that everything is going to be fine."

"Why don't we temporarily rent a house there? Manish and Sindhu also can live with us-"

"Raj ji, you are going there to get a job. That needs a lot of focus. Having us around may not give you this kind of an environment-"

"You make a fair point-"

"Yes, I do-", I laughed at him.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"So, no hmm?"

"Ji-", I laughed at his tease.

Dev slowly woke up as his little mouth made a big o while he yawned.

My family is just so perfect and it is challenges like the "fresh firsts" that make it even more so!

***