Manika was sitting all grumpy. Prem and Sarla were also sitting little sad. Pragya was looking at Abhi weirdly and he was smirking on his own like he achieved something precious. Raghuvendra was still in his room and Aalia left for college.

Manika (whined)- This is not fair....!!!

Abhi (chuckled)- What...!! You guys want us to marry, Right ..!!

Sarla - But this is not the way we want. We want to cherish all the functions in your marriage.

Abhi looked at his parents and they both nodded immediately.

Abhi - You guys wanted me to marry her before we go to Italy. So this is my condition. If you guys are not agree I can go with her without marriage too. (giving a look to Manika) Then don't blame me If you will have grandchildren when we return next year.

Pragya (shriek loudly)- Abhiiiiiiiii.......!!!!!

Manika hit on his shoulder and he chuckled.

Manika - Ok Fine...!!! I agree...!!!

Prem-Sarla - We too...!!

Raghuvendra (who finally came out of his room)- But I am not...!!!

Abhi (twist his lips and mutter under his breath)- Hitler...!!

Pragya coughed when she saw that Raghuvendra heard it and giving glare to Abhi.

Abhi - What's your problem now ...?? You said you don't let me tag along if we don't marry. So I am ready to marry,(slightly irritated) So why are you poking your nos.....(Pragya coughed loudly and he realized what he was going to say) I..I mean...Why are you not agreeing now...??

He gave a sharp look to him and he gulped. Pragya shook his head in no to her father and he twist his lips.

Raghuvendra (to Abhi sternly) - I want to talk to you alone..!!

Abhi widen his eyes and looked at Pragya who shrug her shoulders.

************************************************************

Pragya was sitting on sofa thinking something deeply. Raghuvendra and Abhi were inside the his room and her eyes were glued to the closed doors. Although Raghuvendra knows how much she love Abhi but he never like him. His behaviour changed towards him from that day . She always try to convince his father for him and he accepted too that he will be okay if they will marry one day. Then what makes him upset now, She is too worried .  She love her baba a lot and his acceptance for this relation means a world to her.

In Raghuvendra's room

Raghuvendra was sitting on a swivel chair and Abhi was standing in front of him.

Raghuvendra (sternly) - Sit...!!!

He looked here and there to see any chair but there was no one. He looked at Raghuvendra expectantly to tell him where to sit but he was looking at him like he want to eat him raw. He gulped and bend on his knee and sit on floor muttering 'Hitler' again.

Raghuvendra (in a stiff voice) - You love Princess...?

Abhi looked at him incredulously like..Really..!! He was asking this. He thought he will said the first thing to not to marry her because don't know what's the reason but he never liked Abhi.

Abhi - Yes Uncle..!!

Raghuvendra (accusingly) - From when...?? I thought you never like my princess...!!!

Abhi (gulped but spoke confidently)- I never like her because I always love her. It's just I took a little time to realize it...!!

He nodded uninterested and then spoke again.

Raghuvendra - If I say 'NO' to your this condition of marrying her within in a day..??

Abhi (smiling) - I know you will not say 'NO'...!!

Raghuvendra (raising her eyebrow) - And why so..?? Because I clearly don't like you...!!

Abhi - I know that too. But I also know that you love her more than anything..!! And you want her happy (his lips twitch in a small smirk) And her happiness  lies with me..!!

Raghuvendra (snorted) - Don't know why she loves you this much..!!

Abhi (chuckled) - Are you Jealous..????

He said it casually but when he have a look on Raghuvendra's face he widen his eyes.

Abhi (shouted amusingly)- No way...!! You are jealous that she love me more...!!! (Raghuvendra twisted his lips and something sink in his mind) That's why you never like me..?? Right...!!!

Abhi gave him a knowing smirk and he tried to make unreadable face but failed miserably. Abhi laughed loudly.

Raghuvendra - HA HA VERY FUNNY....!!! (making irritated face) What...!! She is my daughter...!! I should be the first man in her life whom she love unconditionally but don't know what she saw in you that her love for you increasing more n more in spite of you hurt her every damn time.

His laughter died and a layer of guilt spread across his face when he remember all the time when he hurt her.

Raghuvendra (continued without looking at him)- You know it was her 10th birthday when you didn't appear in her party first time . She asked Manika many time but she too didn't know where you left. She didn't cut her cake and left to her room crying because she wanted it to be with you. I tried to pacify her and make her to come out and cut her cake but she didn't come. I thought she was child and missing you as she thought you as her best friend which you never reciprocated. But from that b'day to the last one, She always wait for you to come. But you never did and like every year she left her cake without cutting. (in a cracked voice) You will never be able to know how much you mean to her. You just hurt my princess everytime and only I know how much she cried in nights because she never wanted us to see her broken.She is my princess and I feel helpless when I can't do anything to cheer her up. I always see her with bright smile when you are around her And I felt angry and(in slow voice) jealous that how can you make her happy just with your presence and here I am trying from years but I never got that shine which you bring in her eyes.

He stopped and finally look at Abhi who was looking at him blankly. Tears were ready to flow from his eyes but he was stopping them.

Raghuvendra - Abhi....

Abhi looked at him and finally the tear trolled down from his eyes.

Raghuvendra (genuinely) - But I am happy that you love her too. I just want her happiness...!!!

Abhi (bend his head in shame)- I never thought that my absence hurt her this much. Mom forced me everytime on her b'day and pampered her so much which always irked me. So when Mom tell me to come with her on her 10th birthday ,I made an excuse that she can go and I will come in 5 minutes. I left the house and stayed at park and came back very late. Mom and dad was beyond angry on me which annoyed me more because they were angry because of her. I shut my room and promised myself that I am not going to attend any of her birthday from that day. So I always left early morning and came back late. But last few years I......(he was about to say something but stop realizing that he was opening up to him) But now I realized what she mean to me. I love her so much and can't imagine my life without her. I promise you uncle that from now on...I am not letting her shed a tear because of me or because of anyone else.

Raghuvendra (smile mockingly)- I know , when you are with her..!!! She doesn't need anybody .(Abhi smiled and he continued) But I too have a condition...!!

Abhi (quirking his brows)- And what is it..??

Raghuvendra (sternly)- Stay in control till you two come back . I want her to concentrate on her work than other things.

Abhi (muttered under his breath)- Why everyone is thinking that I will pounce on her as soon as I will be alone with her...!!

Raghuvendra - Did you said something..??

Abhi (with a tight smile)- I will TRY...!!

Raghuvendra glared at him and he shrugged.

Abhi - What..?? She will be my wife ..I can't guarantee you..!!

Raghuvendra - Then I have to rethink about approving your marriage.

Abhi (winking) - Still can't guarantee would be Father-In-Law..!!

Raghuvendra (glaring at him)- Dare you lay a finger on my princess till next year...!!

Abhi (standup and about to go shrugging but tilt his head and spoke mischievously )- You never know..!! May be I did already...!!

And with that he left the room smirking leaving a confused and then fuming Raghuvendra behind.

***************************************************************

Pragya rushed to him as soon as he came out of the room.

Pragya - What did he say..?? He is okay with our marriage naa...?? Did he say no..?? Tell naa ...Why are you not telling anything..???

Abhi who was staring at her intently engulfed her in a bone crushing hug. She looked perplexed but she was taken aback when she felt wet on her shoulder. She immediately part away and cup his face worriedly.

Abhi (in a cracked voice) - I..I am sorry...!!!

Pragya started panicking to see him like that. She was thinking what her baba said to him. Did he say no for their marriage or did he tell him that he can't go with her to Italy. Her eyes  immediately became moist to imagine both the possibilities but she controlled herself and asked him.

Pragya - Why are you sorry..??

Abhi - For hurting you all these years. For not coming and wishing you on your birthdays. For my every mistake which brought tears in your eyes.(hug her again) I am sorry Fuggy..!!! I am really very very sorry..!!

She hugged him back and think to light up his mood.

Pragya (teasingly)- If you will complete your challenge ,May be I will forgive you...!!

Abhi smiled in relief . There was still lots of things going in his mind that he want to confess her but he kept it aside for now and gave her a flirty smile.

Abhi (teasing back)- You are very eager for the challenge..I see!!

Pragya hit his chest and he dragged her close and place a soft kiss on her neck. She shivered and clutched his T- Shirt from his shoulders. He inhaled her scent and rubbed his nose on her cheek. He placed a tender kiss near her lips teasingly.

Abhi (winking at her)- So, would be wifey, Ready to loose the challenge.

Pragya (innocently)- But, no one is here..!! Everyone left for tomorrow's arrangements. How will you win then..??

Abhi (chuckle)- Didn't you listen... Practice makes a Man Perfect. So let me just practice it for now. I don't want anyone to say that I am a bad Kisser..!!

Pragya (immediately)- But you are not a bad kisser..!! (He looked at her amusingly and she realised and blushed)

Abhi (ask huskily)- Is it..??

Pragya bend her head and turned crimson.He lifted her face by placing a finger under her chin and leaned towards her. Her heart started beating fast. He closed her eyes and about to place his lips on hers when she pushed him and run giggling. He ran a hand in his hair and run behind her.

Pragya (laughing)- You are going to loose..would be husband...!!

Abhi (trying to catch her) - We will see wifey...!!

Pragya stopped and looked at him amused and he winked. She slowly stepped back when he came towards her. Her back hit on a door as he came further. She tried to escape but he encased her placing his one hand on wall from one side and on door from other side. He smirked and move his face closer to her.She shut her eyes breathing heavily. He too shut his eyes and about to kiss her when he felt she was pushing him again..But this time stronger. He too stay fixed in his position still coming closer to feel her lips.

" Abhi ...stop " Pragya's voice came in a whisper but from a little distance. He furrows his brows but jerked immediately and said in a husky voice.

Abhi (husky voice) - Now there is no stopping for me to claiming those petals. I am going to compensate for all the years (Abh....her voice came again but he put his finger on her lips. He felt different but continued) There will be no talking now.

He moved further when Pragya scream loudly.

Pragya - Abhiiiiiiiiiiii......!!!

He jerked and open his eyes. He immediately remove his finger from the lips and look at the person horrified. Raghuvendra was giving him deadly glare and he retreat back instantly realizing he was going to kiss Raghuvendra.

Ewwwwwwwwww.......!!!!!

Abhi (giving dirty look)- Why are you standing in her place...??

Raghuvendra (angrily) - I told you to keep your hands to yourself. How dare you try to kiss my princess...!!

Abhi - You spoiled my kiss..!! I should be angry not you...!!(with a smug smirk) I told you before only I can't guarantee..!!

Raghuvendra - I am not going to leave her alone with you for a second now...!!

Abhi (drag her from behind him)- She is going to be my wife in less than 24 hours..!! (teasingly)And I don't appreciate if you invade in our privacy...!!

Pragya was just looking at them with wide eyes. They were discussing this in room. And when Abhi said the last line she look at him horrified that he was talking to her father about this. She removed his hold from her wrist  and stepped back dumbfounded not really knowing what to tell them.

Raghuvendra - Princess , come with me...!!

Abhi - Only for today I am letting her go with you Father-In-Law.(smirking at him) Because from tomorrow, She will be all mine...!!

Raghuvendra dragged her giving a glare to him and he winked at him. He scrunched his face and shut the door. Pragya looked at their antiques amused. Something surely happen in that room and she has to find it. But she is now sure that she is going to loose this challenge and she is more than happy to loose from HIM.

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Hope you like it.

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Finally they will be going to Italy in next update.

Till then
Be happy and keep smiling.