...6 years later....
... KABIR..

"Mumma!" Araj declared her topic on the mike and I closed my eyes. It was her topic for her competition in her school.

"Mumma!" She repeated again this time with tears in her eyes.
Tears in her eyes were enough for me to break down. Before I could get up from my seat and walk up to my princess, there came her Prince.

"Mumma, mumma woh hai joh humko itna pyaar karti hai ki kabhi kabhi hum khud uss pyaar ko samajh nahi pate, Mumma wo hai joh hame yeh ehsaas dilate hai ki hum kitne ache hai aur humse acha koi hai hi nahi. Mumma woh hai jiski khushi hamari haasi se hai jiska dukh hamare aansou se. Mumma woh hai jo hamari life mai sabki place le sakti hai par mumma ki place koi nahi le sakta. Mumma who hai jiske bina hum jee nahi sakte. Mumma sab kuch hai. We miss you mumma."
(Mom, Mom is the one who loves us immensely, her love is something even we fail to understand. She is the one who make us understand who we really are. She understands us us more than we ourselves can. A mother is the one for whom happiness means our smile and our tears tear her apart. She can replace anyone in our life but no one can replace her. She is the one without whom we can't even imagine our lives. She is our everything. We love you mumma we miss you!) Abeer supported her walking up to her and interlacing their fingers giving her the smile that resembles my wife.

" Mumma Woh hai job Abeer ka dil aur Araj ki dhadkan hai. Mumma Abeer ki muskan aur Araj ki masti hai.Mumma Woh hai joh hamesha hamare sath hai. " I continued getting up from my seat and as if on cue both my kids ran to me. Smiling I knelt down to their level hugging them back.

.... Third person P. O. V.....

Later Buckling both Abeer and Araj to their seat Kabir drove back home. On the way when Kabir told them that they were not going to McDonalds for lunch, the princess threw a fit.
"Give me a break Araj, you don't have the meal anyways you just pick the fries." Abeer exclaimed.

" I will ask Kaka to make a bowl of it for you? how about that?" Kabir tried bargaining and playing the peace maker.

"I hate you!" She pouted looking out of the window.

"Well, you are not being very lovable right now." Kabir murmured which unfortunately the little monster heard which in return earned Kabir a similar look like Preet gives him when she is angry. She didn't respond just ignored him.

As soon as they reached their mansion Araj jumped down the car irking me and Abeer ran behind her to make sure she was fine. Kabir handed the car keys back to the chauffer. At the same moment he received a call from Aryan asking him about Araj's competition. His conversation was disturbed as he heard his kids screaming. Dropping the phone he rushed in only to be surprised by the decorations. The entire room was filled with balloons.

While the table was laid fully with junk food.

Annoyed he looked up only to find his kids embosomed in the arms of her mother. Sensing his gaze on her, she stood up on her feet giving her biggest smile to her husband. But the reply was unexpected.

"Preet Kabir Malhotra. Inspite of me warning you a hundred time not to exert yourself, why couldn't you for once listen." he pointed out.

"I am fine baby, it's cool. " she tried settling the matter.

" Taking a double flight was not cool. Exerting yourself was so not cool" he explained while both the kids held the end of her dupatta.
She kept quiet because she knew she was wrong, once Abeer and Araj were born Preet had completely quit her hospital duties, saying all her time now was for her family. She wanted to be there always to see her kids take the first step, hear their first word. Teach them, play with them. It was only after the kids turned five, Kabir had asked her to continue her medical, Firstly she negated the idea but after a lot of pestering she started attending only a few special cases, and such a case was the reason why she had been in London since past three weeks. But just because Araj called her a day before yesterday and started crying on the call. She took the trouble to change two flight over night and reach home. She halted at Singapore first and later took another flight to fly down to Amritsar.

"Why can't you take care of yourself bloody hell? " Kabir asked raising her voice a bit.

" Are you fighting? " Abeer asked.

"I am talking to your mom, go in and come back in 10 minutes." He stated.

Instead of actually walking away Araj piped in asking
"What is bloody hell.?"
Preet looked at Kabir giving him the I told you not to use bad words in front of the kids look. Kabir looked at the kids confused while Preet tried her best not to laugh.

"It ain't a word for kids, forget it. " Kabir answered.

" How to forget things? " Abeer asked this time instead. That son of a sarcastic mother.

"Get in." Kabir seethed.
"but my fries? " Araj butt in, but Abeer smartly took her away.

Finally Kabir took a seat on the chair tried.
" And you cooked? " he stated.
" I think I should stop telling you anything, you as it is don't listen. " he sighed getting up and moving towards my room. Smiling at the care of her husband Preet followed him to the room. As expected throwing his blazer and tie in different directions, kicking of his shoes he lied down on the bed.

" Real mature Kabir. " Preet muttered.

" Shut up Preet. " Kabir replied.

Walking towards the bed Preet pouted and tried buttering him. " Baby. "

" Don't baby me. " he retorted back. Narrowing her eyes Preet picked up the flair of her grey anarkali she sat on his stomach placing her legs on his either side.

" You are not even happy with me coming back home. " she poured again as he eyed her expressions. Annoyed with his silence Preet hit where she knew will get her a reaction.

"Fine the next time I go I won't even come back." she complained.
Getting her trick and true to her assumption irritated by her words he picked the pillow from underneath his head and smacked it on her face. Just so that she doesn't loose balance he held her waist. Hearing her musical laugh he could not hold back anymore, sitting up he hugged her falling back on the bed.

Flipping their position Kabir hovering over Preet and as always she blushed under his gaze an shivered by his touch.

"I thought you were angry!" Preet whispered tracing his cheeks with her fingers.

"I am and this is how I am going to take it out. " he replied covering the distance between them. But before he could claim her lips their kids walked in their room and Abeer piped in.
" I thought you were angry on Mumma! " Kabir sighed and fell next to Preet.

" No, I am Angry at the two of you. " Kabir groaned.

"You are a very angry person today." Abeer analyzed and Preet started laughing.

"Can we go and have fries now please? " Araj begged.

" I hate you and your dumb fries. " Kabir said.

"Well, you are not being very lovable right now?" Araj threw back his own words on him and ran away followed by her brother and mother.

..... 13 YEARS LATER...

... Kabir...
Collecting the files I moved downstairs to the parking lot rushing g since I knew I was late actually scratch that very late. Driving as soon as possible I decided to take a halt at the flower shop selecting the best of electric blue orchids as a peace offering for my tigress waiting at home.

As soon as I opened the door to the driving seat of my car I heard someone calling my name, I turned around only to find one of my batch mate since our junior college days. We did our man hug thing exchanging greeting. We were talking about everyone and the fun we had when suddenly he pointed out.
"Do you remember the bubbly girl you always used to bully, your best friends sister, urgh I forgot her name. "

I smiled in acknowledgment and nodded answering him, " Preet. " a word which meant everything to me.

" Yeah exactly Preet, how's she, I HAVEN'T SEEN HER IN AGES, she was a masterpiece. " he said laughing.

" Well, SHE'S WAITING FOR ME AT HOME. " I answered with a big smile.
He seemed shocked and happy. Bidding a good bye to him, I got back to reaching home soon. While driving all I could remember was a flashback of memory, where this was what we wanted. This was was we wished for, To last forever.

## Flashback ##

"In twenty years from now, I don't want to be just another name in your life. In twenty years from now I still want to be in your life, In twenty years from now when someone stops you on a street and ask you how you are doing and bring my name up, I don't want your answer to be 'I HAVEN'T SEEN HER IN AGES.' In twenty years from now I hope you say 'SHE'S WAITING FOR ME AT HOME'
I want us to Last Kabir.

## Flashback over ##)

Recalling her words I soon reached home with a smile.  Parking the car ad taking the bouquet of orchids along I moved towards the entrance, but before I could place the key in the key hole the door shot open with a very angry Preet standing clad in a graceful white suit. 

Her hand on her waist, hair tied up in a messy bun with the help of a hair stick. I tried pulling her in my embrace as always but she moved back,  discarding my blazer and tie I followed her inside.
"You're r late. " She stated.
" You're hot. " I tried.
" Doesn't help you,  you are still late and I am still angry. " she replied standing in the kitchen heating the dinner. 

" Preet! " I called her but she ignored.

" Preet. "  I tried again.

" Go freshen up Kabir. " she deadpanned.

I knew she was very angry,  and to be honest she had every right to,  it was our anniversary and I had to attend a really important meeting. She had arranged a surprise party and had to handle it all alone since I had been busy the whole day. I knew irking her would lead to a blast where she herself will end up in tears like always. So I decided to wait and observe which was a really bad idea for our dinner passed away in utter silence.  I was way too used to her constant bickering that it felt really weird.  Even though she was angry we still shared our plate.  Looking at her I could only remember what a wonderful support she has been. Patient and understanding.  No demands no complaints, even on the days I would behave rudely with her she still maintained her calm.  While I was busy thinking she started clearing up the table and the kitchen. Sensing the opportunity I rushed to my room and quickly brought my guitar down.  She was still busy with her back facing me.  Once done she turned around completely in ignoring and started ascending upstairs.  Rolling my sleeves up I tuned my guitar.  Hearing which she stopped but didn't turn. Did I tell you I have a stubborn wife?

Mann ja na mann teri meharbani aein
Mere jehe naal jo nibhayi jaani aein (x2)

Main jinna khafa hovaan
Ho tu ohna hi pyar jatavein

Meriye sardarniye
Ni tenu umar meri lag jaave
Meriye sardarniye
Tenu umar meri lag jaave…

(I started as she stood there,  with her back facing me but I knew she was smiling there)

Gusse vich tainu ucha neeva bol pehne aan
Par tere bina ik bind vi na rehne aan o..
Gusse vich tainu ucha neeva bol pehne aan
Par tere bina ik bind vi na rehne aan..

Ikk ikk pal kaleyan nu
Sohn Rabb di khan nu aave

Meriye sardaariye
Haan tenu umar meri lag jaave
Meriye sardaarniye
Haaye tenu umar meri lag jaave..

(I walked towards the end of the stairs and knelt down on my knees holding my ears making a puppy face. A tear escaped my eye at just imagining my life without her. Turning around as she saw me she ran downstairs making me stand.)

Jiyondi reh ni meri har galti bhulauni ae
Darda haan kite tainu kho na devan sohniye (x2)

Jad matha chumdi aein
Meri jaan jaan vich aave

Meriye sardarniye
Haaye tenu umar meri lag jaave
Meriye sardarniye
Tenu umar meri lag jaave

(I pulled her closer from her waist cupping her left cheek as she closed her eyes.  Kicking off her shoes she stood on my feet kissing my forehead making me smile as I held her tighter pulling her closer)

Teri than te hor hundi chhad dindi mai nu
Hun tak dil vichon kadd daindi mai nu (x2)

Aakad chhanna wale di
Tere bin na koi chal pave

Meriye sardarniye
Tenu umar meri lag jaave (x3)

(

Blushing she turned around and tried walking away,  but I held her wrist pulling her back to me. I moved away her long tresses only to be left shocked, I lightly glided my fingers over her newly inked tattoo. It was my name in her handwriting. I placed feather light kisses Over the spelling of the newly imprinted tattoo.  Immediately turning her around I sealed her lips with Mine. Breaking apart I knelt down and pulled out a pouch containing original pearl and pure kundan earrings.

She gasped in surprise and I knew there was a lecture of wasting money coming around but currently I ignored it. 
"Now please don't start saying this is very expensive,  you know I love spending on you.  It gives me a sense of happiness and success.  Even though you deserve better than what I can give. You deserve everything Preet. " I said but before she could reply I continued.
" Jhuk kar tere aage,  ye iqrar karta hu, mai tum se meri jaan bahut pyaar Karta hu. "
She smiled and knelt down at my level removing the earrings she was wearing and replacing them with my gift.
" I deserve You Kabir. Ager sab kuch mera hota na mai phir bhi sirf apki hoti. Apki Preet.  Apki jaan,  Apki shortcake.  Apki Destiny. " she said taking my breath away.
" Meri Destiny! " I replied pulling her in my embrace.
" All yours! " was her only answer.
And there I had the Girl of my dreams,  the girl who was
DESTINED TO BE MINE!