"The heart that's meant to love you will fight for you when you want to give up, pick you up when you're feeling down, and will give their smile when it's hard for you to find yours. They will NEVER get strength from seeing you weak, power from seeing you hurt, or joy from seeing you cry. The heart that's meant to love you wants to see the best of you, not the hurt you! Never forget that."

---Trent Shelton

At Ravi's home, Ravi's mom Vidya opened the door. "Hii aunty.." Abhi and Arjun hugged her and said greetings.

" You both have time now to see this aunty," she faked anger.

" Aunty,I missed you soo much, you become more beautiful than the last time I saw you," Arjun flattered her.

"You naughty child, you too become sweeter than last time," Vidya laughed.

Seeing Aadhya beside Abhi, she asked in surprise," This is Aaradhya??"

"Hello aunty", Aadhya touched her feet to take blessings.

Vidya gave her a bear hug."God bless you dear. You look so cute and sweet. Ravi said I would like you for sure. Now I believe him."

With smile, Aadhya returned her hug.

"Let them come in, you are making them stand outside," Ravi's father Ramesh said looking helplessly at his excited wife.

"Ah..come in, come in. "Vidya let them in. Aadhya greeted and take blessings from Ramesh.

Vidya liked Aadhya at first glance and took her to sit beside her, the two of them hit it off in their conversations. Her smiles never ceasing, she asked Aaradhya about all the various fun and interesting things of University. Then Vidya told her a lot of amusing things about Abhi.

Midway through their talking,Ravi's mother finally stood up and, acting enigmatic, pulled Aadhya with her,"Aadhya, come with me," and took Aadhya to her room.

Vidya presented her a Saree and jewellery.(A/N: It's our tradition to present Saree along with Indian saffron (Pasupu) and vermillion, when married daughter or newly wed daughter in law come home.)

"Aunty, that...why all these now.." Aadhya declined softly.

" Aadhya, listen to me.. you're very lucky ma. Abhi is very good boy. If I had a daughter, I would have made him my son-in-law," Vidya chuckled and continued..

" My son Ravi and Abhi are same to me. Abhi seems cold and indifferent but there's love and warm heart behind that cold demeanour, people who understands him will know it. Take good care of him ma, I can see that he loves and cares for you a lot. When I went to order jewellery for my future daughter-in-law, I ordered some for Abhi's future wife too. Here, you wear them," Vidya handed jewellery to Aadhya.

"But, aunty.."

"Take it ma, you are like my daughter-in-law. See, you'll like them." Vidya opened a box and asked," How is it? You like it? Is this saree good? This will be very good on you, can you wear it for aunty?"

Seeing her affection, Aadhya nodded her head.

Aadhya liked the saree. The saree color was good, contrasting against Aadhya's skin which made her look more fair.That type of stunning beauty and the attitude together was attractive enough to move somebody's heart.

After she got dressed, Vidya kissed her on forehead with motherly love and said," See, my girl looks like an angel."

Aadhya hugged her and said "Thank you, aunty."

"Now, come on let's go downstairs," and take her to living room. When Aadhya walked out of the room, she unconsciously slowed down her steps.

Because Abhinav who was talking with Ravi's father suddenly broke from conversation and turned to look towards her. That gaze seemed to turn from calm to flamingly hot in an instant, the intensity of the stare almost causing her to retreat.

After looking for a few seconds, he finally removed his gaze and continued his conversation. Seeing her, all of them in the living room complimented her and Aadhya said thank you with smile then went to take seat beside Abhi.

"How do I look?" Aadhya asked Abhi in low voice that only two can hear.

Abhi stood up suddenly and asked Vidya for kajal (Kohl) then kneeled on one knee in front of Aadhya, took her foot in his palms and made her put her foot on his knee then take some kajal with his finger tips and make a dot on sole of her foot.(A/N: Kajal is thought to ward off the evil eye. Here, it's like he's expressing she looks too magnificent which may attract evil eye.)

Aadhya blushed with all others looking at her. Vidya didn't let them leave before dinner.Ravi's mom treats Aadhya like a princess and gives her a great time.

As it's getting night, Abhi take leave from them, before going Aadhya hugged Vidya," Bye aunty, thanks for the great time aunty."

"Bye ma, come again." Vidya kissed on her forehead affectionately.

Abhi dropped Arjun at their family Villa along the way and drove towards Aadhya's dormitory.

While they were a street away from Aadhya's dormitory,Abhi braked the car, took a turn into a small sidestreet and stopped his car,turning to look at her,his eyes full of tenderness and affection only for Aadhya.

Feeling his gaze on her, Aadhya asked "What's wrong?"

"Nothing,just thought that I never had a chance to look at you in saree,it's too alluring that I want to hold you and take you home with me. So..,stopped to look a bit more." His elbow pressed against the steering wheel, his long fingers holding up his chin. His gaze was overflowing with his love for her.

Aadhya's face slowly painted with blush because of his words. The air stilled and rapid heartbeats can be heard.It was not certain who caused whose heartbeat to become rapid and uneven.

Aadhya's pair of honey brown orbs starred at him, brimming with light.The brilliance was enough to make him loss control and drawing him towards her. Abhi couldn't think of any words to describe her beauty at the moment. He wanted to use his hand to cover her eyes. This way, maybe his heart wouldn't beat so wildly.

Aadhya can't tell whose heartbeats sounded loud. Aadhya cleared her throat, struggling to move her gaze towards the window. She tried to act natural and said, "There won't be parking space at dorm at this time... You don't have to drop me off at the dormitory. I can walk back on my own."

"I'll park and then I'll walk you there." Abhi said parking his car.

After Abhi parked the car, he walked Aadhya back to her dormitory. The campus was bit quieter than usual.Walking side by side on the footpath of the campus under trees, the stars shining down, Abhi take her hand into his palm and interlacing their fingers naturally.

Seeing her in daze, Abhi asked "What's wrong?"

"It's just, that..I feel like this is a dream."

"Huh..?"

"I think, I have been in one sided love with you for too long. This is all too sudden. I'm not used to any of this." Aadhya explained.

"Am I too unreachable for you?" Abhi couldn't help but ask.

"Umm.. you used to avoid me, so I thought..."

Abhinav's stopped his steps. Aaradhya didn't manage to react before she was encircled in his arms. A clean and strong masculine scent overwhelmed her sense of smell. She was confined within his arms, unable to move, her chin on his shoulder. She couldn't see anything but heard him say beside her ear, "I avoided you.... because, I'm afraid that I couldn't control myself from loving you but eventually I ended up falling head over heels for you ..." His warm breath tickled her ear.Aaradhya hugged him back and buried her face into his warm neck.

Aadhya could feel Abhi's warm breath on her face and her ear tips turned red. Abhi felt that his wife was extremely cute, so he couldn't help but place a kiss on her cheek.The dry and slightly warm lips pressed down. The gentle kiss was like a floating flower, resting on her cheek for a moment before flying away as if it was a butterfly.

Badum, badum, badum ....

Each heartbeat felt like it was going to break out of her chest, and ten thousand butterflies flipped through her chest,creating a windstorm no one else knew about.

His clear tone deepened and deliberately spoke in her ear knowing her ears are sensitive "Does it seem real now?"

"Umm.." Aadhya buried her face in his chest.

"Abhi.." Aadhya lifted her head slightly to look at Abhinav as she spoke. "Why do you like me? It can't be because I'm attractive or wealthy, you yourself is rich and can have any one of pretty ladies who are more attractive than me with your background." She don't know how breathtakingly beautiful she looks in his eyes.

Although she herself fell in love with Abhinav,she didn't understand why the other cared for her so much. She genuinely wanted to know why Abhinav, someone who is excellent and outstanding in all aspects, would fall for her?

Abhi couldn't help but laugh, "Bangaram.. (A/N: BANGARAM- It literally means Gold. But it actually has an inner meaning and cute emotion to that name. Since Gold is a precious metal, it conveys that he think of her as a PRECIOUS ONE.) You're more attractive and impressive than you think. Don't think that you're not worthy of me, I'm afraid that I'm actually not worthy of you."

Abhi looked down and saw the despondency expression on Aadhya's face.He then pulled her closer to him, "I like what I like.If you want a reason,then I guess.. It was the first time I met you on the next day you were born. Actually thinking back on it now.I didn't even think much of it when my mom let me and Arjun to see you.Maybe I was a little curious, but that was about it.But that first time I saw you.. I remember not being able to look away. That little girl smiled at me innocently and hold my finger in her little palms. It was like I had just found something 'very precious' to me. I can't help but want to be near you.That day I vowed myself to protect you and never let you go.Honestly, you don't have to do anything.Just having your quiet calmness near gives me the motivation to keep moving forward."

Abhinav did not use "more precious," meaning there was no intent at all to even compare.

Abhinav gripped Aadhya's fingers between his. Having the feel of their entwined fingers,made her feel like she was cocooned in a warm embrace, putting her heart at ease.

"Abhi, I can be headstrong, stubborn, even unreasonable at times, but don't give up. Just talk to me about it. I really like you and I want to spend my life with you. You are very good to me. I'll try my best to be good to you." Aadhya sighed in relief after letting it all out. She knew, she could be headstrong and difficult to deal with. She didn't want that aspect of herself to hurt Abhi, so she was letting him know beforehand.

Abhinav listened carefully when she said.seeing her finish.wrapped his hands around the person in his arms tightly, his voice was serious and solemn,"I know.I am willing to tolerate your waywardness and irrationality, you just have to be yourself,just do it.. whatever you want to do.I will always be your backing."

"Now, it's what you said, don't regret your words later.I won't leave you afterwards." Aaradhya smiled, buried her head in Abhi's neck and pecked the mole on the nape of his neck.

"Okay." Abhi hooked his lips and ruffled her hair, "I won't let you go."

05/06/21

♡♡♡♡♡

Image credits goes to rightful owners and creators.

Heyy my lovely readers,

So how's the chapter?Tell me your views about it..

Also, thank you for all your comments. I read all of them

Keep reading..Stay safe..love you all..♥️

See you all in next update..

Thank you all...💕

___To be continued 🥀