Manvi's POV

Aarav opened the door and I closed my eyes out of fear.  My heartbeat increased with every passing second. I lightly titled my head and had a sigh of relief as it was our neighbor standing there. 

"Aarav.. unexpected guest landed at my house can I get some sugar please?" she asked. 

Aarav stepped aside and let her in. I went to the kitchen and got a bowl of sugar, I gave it to her. She smiled and said "Thanks Manvi.. your husband is so much loyal to you that he preferred to remain standing the whole night outside the flat instead of spending the time at my house" 

I was surprised to hear her words, Aarav looked at her and said "Come on Soniya I didn't want anyone to take it otherwise, as you live alone" 

"I completely understand your concern Aarav, you are such an honest and humble person. Most importantly a brave inspector.. Manvi is so lucky to have you as a husband" She said. 

Aarav smiled hearing her words, Soniya left the house. Aarav glanced at me and raised his eyebrow "shall we go?" he asked. 

I shook my head affirmatively and went out of the house along with him.  

He takes out the bike and I sat behind him. Aarav was still at his place, I asked "What happened?" 

"What happened to you? Do you want to fall down?" he questions back to me leaving me confused. 

"meaning?" I asked. 

"Manvi.. we are sitting on the bike, and I will speed up you might fall.. keep your hands on my shoulder" He replied glancing at me through the left mirror of the bike.  

I had completely forgotten about it, as past a month I have been traveling in the car with Sameer. The memories I had with Aarav were taken over by Sameer's love, care, and affection towards me. 

I finally kept my hands on his shoulder and he drove off towards the Taj Hotel. Usually, I enjoyed riding behind his back but today it seems to be a formality. My feelings were mixed, guilt, confusion, and dilemma were rising in my mind. 

Aarav asked "Manvi what's wrong? Why are you so silent?" 

"nothing Aarav" I had no reply. 

He parked the bike and I stepped down of it. He grabbed my hand and pulls me towards the restaurant. Aarav smiled at the man standing at the entrance and said "hey.. Aarav Malhotra" 

He checks the records for booking, he shows him the way and they proceed to their table.  It was the corner table, right in front of the Marine drive view from the window. I sat down and he grabbed his place opposite me. 

The smooth music was playing and within a few minutes, the snacks arrived on the table. It was all my favorite, I chuckled and began to eat. I glanced at him and he was staring at me, I asked "why are you staring at me?" 

"Because I am seeing you after months.." He replied keeping his hand on the table and again fixing his gaze on me. 

I lightly slapped his cheek and asked him to have the snacks. He eats and then orders the main course. He takes out a rose from his coat pocket and forwards it to her. 

"I am sorry.. I know I have been busy but my duty you know I can't get away with it" He apologized. 

I stared at him for a moment and remembered the attacks I had in his absence. I asked, "Aarav is your duty more important than my life?" 

Aarav was left surprised hearing her sudden question. He asked, "Manvi what kind of question is this?" 

I sighed deeply, I took a deep breath before I could ask something the music played loud. Aarav pulls me to the dance floor, it was his favorite song and we danced to it at every event in our college. 

He keeps his hand on my waist and pulls me closer. I was nervous as his touch reminded me of Sameer's presence. He turned me around and my back was facing him. He kept his face on my neck and planted a kiss on my neck. I closed my eyes for a moment and then moved away from him. 

He looked at me confusingly. I run out of the restaurant taking heaving breaths.  I sighed deeply, a hand touched my shoulder "Aarav.. I" I turned and was left shocked to find Sameer standing there. 

I feared Aarav, I said, "what are you doing here??" 

"Just came to see how your husband treats you.. He is good but I am better at pleasing you and keeping you happy" He spoke with a smile on his face. 

I stared at him in a state of shock, I saw Aarav stepping out of the restaurant. I pleaded with him "please go..." 

"why? you aren't happy with him! he should be aware of it" Sameer said.

"no.. please leave Sameer" Sher requests him again. Sameer agrees and leaves from there. 

I had a sigh of relief,  Aarav comes to me and glances at me doubtfully. He asked, "what's wrong Manvi?" 

"Nothing," I said in a smattered tone. Did he see me with Sameer? I tried to read and understand his expressions. 

He questions "then why did you come out suddenly? Didn't you like the surprise? " 

"no, it's not that! I am just feeling tired can we go home?" I asked making up an excuse. 

He agrees and we head back home. He parks the bike and I hop off it. I stepped ahead but he grabbed my wrist. I turned and he asked, "are you fine?" 

I smiles as a response and moved upstairs. I opened the flat door and went straight to the bedroom. I kept my purse on the side table and removed my earrings. 

Suddenly he hugs me from behind and I get shocked by this move of his. He tightened his grip on my waist and placed his head on my neck. I closed my eyes for a moment and he whispers "It has been long Manvi.. I miss you! I missed us... the honeymoon was the only period when we were closer to each other tonight I want to make you feel special" 

I turned towards him and said "Aarav..."

He placed his hand on my lips and stared at me "Shhh... I know I had not given you enough time but tonight it's just us! nothing else, not even your words" 

He approached his lips closer and places them to mine. He began to kiss me, I was completely blank. After about a few minutes I lost control and responded to the kiss. He bite my lower lip to which I moaned opening my mouth. He put his tongue inside it and started exploring it. I put my hand behind his hair while his hands were roaming my waist and back. We broke the kiss when we were out of breath, I started to take heavy breaths.

I looked into his eyes which clearly showed his love and desire for me. He planted kisses on my neck and pulled down the sleeve of my dress from my shoulder with just the tip of his finger exposing the shoulder. He lifts me up into his arms and slowly drops me on the bed. 

He leans on top of me and began to plant soft kisses on my upper body. He stops after a while, I looked up at him. He said "if you are not in the mood I won't do it" 

"No.. Aarav I was just" I could utter anything as the confusion was arising in my mind. My phone beeped, I picked it up and there was the message from Sameer. 

"Tomorrow I had planned a surprise for you! see you at my place at 1" he said and a smile appears on her face. 

"who is there? I am trying to bring that bloody charming smile for hours but just a message gives you such...?" He asked. 

I looked on at him and said "Alisha.. she is coming to meet us tomorrow" I made up the excuse. 

Aarav smiles "oh that's fine.. she must have missed me! so shall we continue?" he asked

"Just a second honey," I say and I step into the washroom. I was nervous, excited, and even confused. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want my husband to know that I had been in someone's arms the day before he arrived. I decided to take a quick shower. I turned on the geyser and stood in front of it. Water seeping through me, helped me relax and I was starting to forget what happened the other night. The shower had raised the bar of my expectations of the night. 

To be continued...