Yashvi gathered herself and expressed, "I want to tell you. I need to get this off my chest, Advik. It's been gripping me for the past 23 years." She leaned into him, her back resting against his chest as she sought the comfort of his presence.

"They had me a year and a half later. My mother said he was extremely happy. He didn't love her, and he made it clear that he never would. But he was caring and understanding. It was okay. Love isn't always the central point of a relationship. And it was the same for my mother. She loved him, while he didn't, but he was a good father. He took care of me, showed me love, and spent time with me," she reminisced, her voice tinged with nostalgia.

"Everything was going well, but it changed. You want to know why it changed?" she asked, her tone laced with a sarcastic chuckle, her heart heavy, and her eyes red from the tears she had shed.

"Because he had gone to pick me up from school one day, as my mother was unwell. Siddhi was my classmate in pre-school, and her mother happened to meet him there. She was his first love, and suddenly, Advik, my perfect family started falling apart. My mother told him she was pregnant, but he wasn't happy about it. He began coming home late and leaving early. It was just my mother and me, relying on each other," Yashvi recalled with a sad smile, her mother's face appearing vividly in her mind.

"Sometimes, I wished my mother hadn't fallen sick because then he wouldn't have met that woman. But then I realized that it might have happened later, but it would have happened nonetheless," she continued, a trace of bitterness in her voice as she thought about her father. She held his hand tightly, which was resting on her stomach.

"That woman's husband had died in a car accident. She sought solace in my father, and they decided to rekindle their old romance. When Siddhi's grandparents found out, they asked her to leave, and my father decided to bring her into our home," she whispered, her voice trembling as a lump formed in her throat.

"I still remember the heartbroken expression on my mother's face when she realized who that woman was. The unconscious woman that her own husband had carried in his arms and placed delicately on their own bed was his first love. It was this woman who deprived my mother of the love of her husband. They had a terrible fight that night, and I, a mere five-year-old, watched it unfold while hiding." Yashvi said, her voice filled with heavy emotions. 

"My mother was seven months pregnant, Advik, and when she told him about it, he asked her to get an abortion. He said that he was exhausted from carrying the burden of her, and he just walked away. He didn't even care about his pregnant wife. How could he be so cruel? How could he be so heartless?" Yashvi's voice trembled, tears streaming down her cheeks incessantly.

"He didn't even respect the fact that his wife was the mother of his children. He failed to appreciate my mother and allowed her to leave in the middle of the night with his daughter. He couldn't even show respect for the woman who had sacrificed everything for him and spent seven years turning his house into a home," Yashvi said tearfully, licking her lips and sniffling. Advik gently rubbed her back, his heart aching for her.

"She finally decided to divorce him and returned to her hometown. Her father and brother, however, condemned her for her decision and sent her back to him. You know what awaited us when we went back? My father was playing with that woman's daughter while that woman admired them. She was sitting shamelessly in the house she had broken," Yashvi continued with a bitter chuckle, looking at Advik. His jaw was clenched, tears welled up in his eyes, and he was struggling to control the rush of anger he felt.

"I saw my own father playing the role of another girl's father right in front of my eyes. He would shamelessly pick up his stepdaughter from the same school his own daughter attended, celebrate Father's Day with her. It broke my heart to see him as someone else's father. Why was he so cruel to me? He made me grow up overnight. He promised me he'd watch all those princess movies with me but didn't follow through. He is awful. He's the worst. He couldn't be a good husband to my mother or a good father to me and Darsh. I despise him so much," she cried, holding Advik close, her tears soaking his shirt.

"He is the reason I never dreamt of a perfect life partner, never did the crazy things women do in love, never planned those romantic checklists, never watched Disney movies. He is the reason I never wanted a life partner so much. It used to scare me so much, Advik. What if I were abandoned again? I feared falling in love. I couldn't even live a normal life where I would plan my life with my partner. I hate him so much. He took away all my dreams," she sobbed, hiding herself in his chest. Her lips curled up, and her slumped shoulders ached his heart. It was not the woman whom he saw every day. She was just a little girl feeling herself being abandoned by her own father.

Advik, his eyes closed, tried to absorb all her pain. He whispered comforting words to her, trying to reassure her that she was strong and that her mother, despite all her struggles, had never given up on her self-respect and her children.

"Shh! Shh! You're not going to waste your precious tears on a man like him. He is nothing to you. My wife is the strongest and look at you now. You have grown up so beautifully. The most beautiful soul," he said, wiping away her tears and cupping her cheeks.

"You were raised by such a strong woman, Yashvi. Your mother didn't give up on her self-respect and her children. My wife won't waste her precious tears on that man ever," he reassured her.

"What if you left me too?" She thought, glancing at him, which he understood, without her needing to voice it.

"I am right here. I am never leaving you, Yashvi. You are mine as much as I am yours. Trust me, and trust me, I am always here," he gently whispered, kissing her forehead soothingly. She smiled teary-eyed, nodding at him.

 He held her tightly in his arms, and she eventually fell asleep, while he gazed ahead, as if questioning God for making her go through all that pain.

As Yashvi slept peacefully, her face appeared more relaxed than usual, with a faint pink glow on her puffier cheeks. Advik looked down at her, his heart filled with a mix of emotions. He was determined to make things right for her, to ensure that her father and that woman would have to answer for the pain they had caused her and her mother. 

Picking up his phone, he left the room. He knew Yashvi needed closure from her father, closure over him abandoning her and her brother. Even if her mother had divorced him, he could still be the father Yashvi and Darsh deserved, but he chose that woman and decided to make a family with her, not caring about the fact that he had two children towards whom he had responsibilities to fulfill. He could have still been a father to Yashvi and Darsh without being a husband to Amrita. Above all, he cheated on her, which disgusted Advik.

He video called his parents, realizing how lucky he was to have a loving family. Talking to them, his heart felt light, and a smile appeared on his lips as he promised himself to provide Yashvi with the family she deserves.

-----

Advik checked the clock, then quickly poured the strong masala tea he had prepared. He arranged it on a tray, took off his apron, and set it aside. It was half-past seven, and Yashvi had been sleeping for the past four hours. While he didn't want to disturb her, he had some plans for them, so he decided it was time to wake her up.

With hushed steps and the tray in his hand, Advik entered their temporary room. To his surprise, Yashvi was already awake. She seemed a bit embarrassed and gently tapped her head.

"Here's some piping hot masala chai," he said with a wide smile, his dimples appearing. Yashvi looked at him with curious eyes as a cute yawn escaped her lips. Her entire face was pink, her eyes slightly swollen, and her lips a deep red from biting them, but she still appeared exceptionally beautiful to him. He felt that his respect and love for her had grown even more.

"Thank you. I really needed it. I feel like my head will burst," she said with a frown as she took a cup of tea, sipping it with a sigh of content.

"This feels like heaven," she murmured, and he overheard her as he sat down beside her. His fingers lightly grazed her waist, causing her to gulp as she squirmed slightly, making room for him to sit.

"I can bring you your personal heaven. Want to give it a try?" he whispered seductively in her ear, a smirk playing on his lips and a mischievous glint in his eyes. She bit her lip lightly, causing them to redden more, before taking another sip from her tea.

"No, thanks. I'm good," she said, shifting a little more when she felt his fingers moving seductively in a circular motion over her thighs.

"Advik, don't start something you can't finish," She hissed, slapping over his hand as she rubbed her thighs together, feeling heat coiling between her thighs. She literally felt like a horny teenager for being turned on by a mere graze of his fingers.

"Its not like I can't finish it. Its just you won't be able to handle me." He said with a shrug, his hand shifting from her thighs to her waist. She nudged at his hand, pulling herself out of his embrace as she felt her face turning hot. 

"Don't talk like that," She whispered, hiding her face with her hair but frowned when he pushed her hair behind her ears.

"Like what?" He asked with a relaxed smile and tilting his head a little as he leaned over the cushions.

"Like... like you know exactly what you're doing to me," she finally replied, her voice barely audible. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she continued to hide her face behind her hair, hoping to conceal the effect he had on her.

He reached out, gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. His touch sent a shiver down her spine, and she couldn't help but lean into his hand, craving more of his touch. His fingers lingered for a moment, brushing against the delicate skin of her earlobe, before he withdrew his hand.

"I can't help it," he whispered, his voice low and filled with a mixture of desire and longing. "You drive me crazy, and I can't resist teasing you."

She bit her lip, her heart pounding in her chest. The intensity of their connection was overwhelming, yet undeniable. The pull between them was too strong to ignore.

"Finish your tea," he said, changing the topic and took his phone out of his pocket. She glanced at him and gritted her teeth before getting back to sipping her tea.

"Yashvi, get ready. Wear something that covers you up and is thick. We are going out," he said, seeing her set the cup aside on the tray.

"I don't have many clothes that cover me up. Your sister packed the shortest ones possible," she replied with a sweet sarcastic smile, making him frown as he gave her a look.

"Okay, tell me. What do you like me to wear, Indian or Western?" She excitedly asked, tapping her chin curiously while looking at him with a huge smile.

"What do you mean?" he asked with furrowed brows as he took the tray and stepped off the bed.

"Come on, Zivaah says Mohit finds her irresistible in sarees. What do you like on me?" she inquired, leaning forward and resting her chin on her palms as she shook her upper body with excitement.

"Yashvi, it shouldn't really matter what I prefer to see you in. It's your body, and you should wear whatever you find comfortable. Besides, it's all of you that I find irresistible. Whether you're in a saree, a suit, or a short dress," he said with a warm smile, his eyes brimming with affection.

"You're like my enchantress in a short dress, my seductress in business attire, my innocent beauty in your nightwear, and my goddess in sarees. You're mine in every way, even when you wake up with a messy hair or get dressed to visit a temple with me. It's you who's irresistible to me," he added before kissing her forehead and leaving the room, while she watched him with teary eyes. His profound respect and love for her were unmatched. 

"But I don't have clothes," she exclaimed, recalling their earlier conversation.

"Then wear whatever you find," he screamed from downstairs with a chuckle and packed a lunchbox for them.

-----

"Where are we going?" Yashvi excitedly asked as she watched him start the engine. He just gave her a smile before driving the car out of their house.

"We should take Adya, Adarsh, and Advait with us. What do you say?" She asked, holding his hand, only to receive a glare in return, making her pout.

"I had planned a date night for us, not a family outing for a group of monkeys," he said, giving her a sweet, sarcastic smile. She twisted her face before lowering the window and leaning slightly onto it. It was eight at night, and the road was on the outskirts, so the cold breeze played and tingled her. She closed her eyes, enjoying the scenery. 

Advik looked at her, a soft smile playing on his face. He gently took her hand in his, entwining their fingers together and placed it on her thigh. He enjoyed holding her hand, for no particular reason other than the simple desire to do so. 

She just smiled to herself, gazing at the streetlights and the trees lining the avenues. She tightened their intertwined fingers, her heart beating faster. This man had captured her body, heart, mind, and soul, but she wasn't complaining.

For the first time in ages, she felt truly alive. Before their marriage, her life had been rather monotonous. However, she enjoyed traveling and would save up to go on solo or group trips once in a while. Her mother never really stopped her from pursuing her dreams, and they had no financial constraints. Her mother was a professor of Economics at a reputed college, and she herself had landed a job at Mehrotra's after studying on full scholarships. They weren't exceptionally wealthy, but her mother had always ensured they had no financial worries.

Despite the difficulties, her mother had always ensured she had a good upbringing, nice clothes, a comfortable home. She pondered her complaints about not having a perfect family and realized that she already had a happy family. A mother who loved her deeply, a brother who was fiercely protective and loving. A complete family didn't have to include a father; her mother was a complete and remarkable woman in herself.

These thoughts swirled in her mind, making her feel guilty for the previous complaints. Overwhelmed by these emotions, a sob escaped her lips as her hold on his hand tightened. Advik's eyes widened, and he quickly pulled the car over to the side of the road, unstrapping his seatbelt.

"What happened? Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry, Yashvi. I swear I didn't..." He stopped midway as she hugged him tightly.

"I disappointed my mother, Advik. I was complaining about something I didn't have when she made sure to provide me with everything I desired. She must be so disappointed in me," Yashvi murmured, her eyes teary but she didn't let the tears escape.

"And who told you this? Yashvi, your mother is proud of the way you and your brother have grown up," he whispered in her ears, gently rubbing her back to soothe her.

"I complained about not having a happy family. I already have it, Advik. I've laughed with my mother, played with my brother. She became both a mother and a father to us, even when it was tough for her. You know she went into premature labor. If it wasn't for my Maasi, my brother might not have survived. My mother did everything she could, and look at me, still complaining," she whispered, pulling out of the hug with downcast eyes and slumped shoulders.

"Yashvi, it's human nature. You missed your father because you spent time with him, saw him in front of you, but not as your father. You saw other children being loved by their fathers, and so you craved that. It doesn't mean you disappointed your mother or have an incomplete family. It just makes you human. Sometimes we long for things we've never had, but that doesn't make us bad. Your mother doesn't need a man to complete herself. Look at how she took care of her children and made them so successful. She's proud of her upbringing. You can never disappoint her, love. Never," he said, cupping her cheeks. She absorbed his words, nodded, and sniffed, which made him smile as he kissed her forehead.

"And don't overthink now. We have a date night for us," he said, strapping his seatbelt. He chuckled when he heard her stomach grumble. She gave him an embarrassed smile, but he just laughed, reaching for a lunchbox and placing it on her lap. Her eyes widened before she took the box and he started the car.

"Weren't we going on a date?" she asked with a frown, pulling out a car food tray, and then opening the lunch. Inside rested kadhi, chawal, pickles, and some potato fry. It was her comfort food, one she could eat anywhere and at any time.

"It is a full course meal. Are you planning to ditch our date?" she said with narrowed eyes before taking a spoon and mixing the warm kadhi with rice.

"I said date, not dinner date," he replied with a shake of his head and opened his mouth to eat the morsel she had offered.

"You hate sharing the same spoon," he pointed out, recalling her making a face at sharing the same spoon with Darsh at home.

"We have exchanged saliva if I remember correctly," she boldly responded, taking the same spoon to her mouth and moaning in delight. He poked his lips to the roof of his mouth, shaking his head. She was showing extreme mood swings these days, sometimes too shy, sometimes too bold, and sometimes plain. A full package inside her introverted self.

"My siblings will get a heart attack after knowing how bold their bhabhi is," he thought to himself, shaking his head. He opened his mouth again as she fed him a potato fry.

"You're a great cook and very observant," she said with a smile, tasting the pickle and then making a face at the sudden burst of flavors.

"Honestly speaking, East or West, Indian food is the best. We have so many varieties, spices, and everything tastes delicious. How do you survive your business trips?" she asked curiously, opening a water bottle and gulping it down. He watched her throat bobble as some water escaped her lips, trickling down into her top. He shifted uncomfortably, biting his lip and hummed in response.

"I asked you a question. Answer it. Why are you so sweaty? Is it hot? But the AC is on," she asked with an innocent face, hiding her smirk by biting her lips, making him gulp.

"I just do somehow, and I'm fine," he replied, trying to adjust his pants and letting out a puff of air through his mouth. He tugged at his t-shirt uncomfortably and checked his watch.

"How will I survive fifteen minutes with her?" he cursed in his mind before looking at her, who was happily eating the meal and offering him some from time to time.

A smile crept onto his face as he observed her carefree nature. Two months ago, he was trying to open her up to him, and now she was sitting beside him with a smile after sharing her deepest pain.

-----

Yashvi is an overthinker and the same happened to her in car. From being happy and then started overthinking, it is how life and people generally are.

Thankyou<3