Diksha's POV:-

I was drowned in my thoughts when some of Aakarsh's cousins and Sejal came and took me to the dance floor, where my husband was already present and denying something requested by his employees and cousins.

I pushed all the thoughts about Nayana and her weird behavior back into my mind and concentrated on the moment. These moments aren't coming back, so I must cherish them.

Did I tell you, it surprised his office employees to know that I am their boss' wife? Everyone was too amazed to say anything when they came to meet us on stage except Vivaan sir. He knew about Aakarsh and me.

"Ma'am, please ask Sir to say yes to the first dance of you two. We all are eagerly waiting." I heard Vivaan Sir asking me to convince him.

Oh, God! So, this was what they were requesting of him. I looked around and noticed that everyone was looking at us only. Considering I have never been the center of attention of these many people, my hands started sweating.

No wonder he was denying it, too!

"Being quite courageous, Vivaan!?" Aakarsh asked him in an intimidating voice, raising one of his eyebrows.

"Just tonight, sir." Vivaan smiled sheepishly, as he knew his boss wouldn't scold him for this.

"Obviously, they are dancing. Play the music!" It was Neev shouting at the DJ while Sejal pushed me towards my husband.

"What the..." A shriek left my lips involuntarily while the guests laughed.

"Careful." Aakarsh pulled me into his arms, steadying me on the floor.

It surprised me how fast the lights dimmed with us being on the focus and a romantic number played in the background.

Are we seriously doing it? In front of so many people?

"What happened?" Asked my husband, noticing me gulp audibly.

"There are so many people here!" I was getting conscious. One glance at the crowd and the sense of nervousness crept in again.

Aakarsh, whose arms were holding me like I'm his prized possession, smiled softly at me as he drew me closer and tried to ease my apprehension.

"But all I can see is my beautiful wife in my arms!" He flirted, rubbing his nose against my neck and inhaling my fragrance.

"What are you doing? Weren't you just denying the dance?" I kept my voice low, pushing his shoulder. Trying my luck in hoping he could drop the idea of dancing.

"I was, but since we have to do it, as they won't let us go, why not do it wholeheartedly?" Aakarsh whispered with hooded eyes.

Next, I know, He took my hands and kept them on his shoulders while snaking his arms around my waist. Anything that I could feel out of his grip was extreme possessiveness!

"I'm nervous!" I admitted to Aakarsh, looking around once again. Though it was hardly visible now that the lights dimmed, I can feel everyone's gaze on us, increasing my nervousness.

With a tug, I was pulled dangerously close to him, feeling his warm breaths fanning my cheeks. Not even an inch was left between us in the name of space. He started swaying us slowly, all the while looking deep into my eyes.

Perhaps my soul, too!

The beautiful smile playing on his lips made my heart flutter. "Keep your eyes on me and me only!" He commanded in his deep voice but sweetly, blocking my senses from the rest of the world. In response, all I could do at the moment was nod. So nod I did.

I don't know whether it was his real demand, or he wanted me to feel relaxed while dancing, but everything else blurred immediately, leaving him at my focal point.

How did he hold so much power to bring out my deepest emotions with that one desirous gaze? Yes, he had sensuous desires in his eyes, which he didn't try to hide from me.

My heartbeats picked up a pace; they started to hammer against my ribs. I'm sure my tease of a husband felt it as his eyes shone with a new gleam, or mischief precisely.

My stomach somersaulted when Aakarsh opened his arms, spinning me on the floor.

I don't know what song was playing. I didn't know what steps I was blindly following. All I could see were his eyes looking at me like I'm his most prized possession.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you're looking tonight and how hard it is for me to control myself until we are alone?" His deep voice, though barely audible, sent a series of shivers down my spine, blocking my leftover sanity.

Goosebumps erupted all over my skin as Aakarsh roamed his lazy fingers on my bare waist. To say it didn't excite me would be an understatement. Somewhere deep down in my heart, I was thrilled to explore more of his playfulness while we danced.

At this point, I almost forgot we had an audience watching us. Moving closer to his lips while he kept swaying our bodies, I replied, "Not in words!" 

As a response to my sudden boldness, I heard him inhale sharply when I moved my face away again. He twirled me again, this time holding me in a cozy back hug.

I felt his lips closer to my left ear. "Who even wants to express in words, my lady!" He whispered, placing small kisses on my sensitive skin. "All I'm waiting for is this party to get over, so that I can sweep you off your feet and tell you how beautiful you are..." He paused, suddenly twisting me to face him. "... Till the next dawn!"

I swear my breath stopped for several seconds. His passionate gaze hold me captive before he flickered his eyes to my lips. The dance was forgotten; now we stood straight in each other arms.

I dared not to decode that sudden strange look on his face!

As if clearing my unsaid doubts, Aakarsh leaned slightly, making my eyes widen. But before his lips could touch mine, a loud round of applause broke our reverie, saving us from public embarrassment. We moved a bit away from each other.

"And this was our star couple!" The host announced as the music stopped. "You all can join the dance floor now." He ended, smiling at the people eagerly waiting to shake a leg.

We stepped down from the dancing floor and were greeted by random praises from people. While saying thank you, my eyes caught a certain someone looking at me with a burning gaze. Her red eyes looked scary while she clenched her jaws at me. I rolled my eyes just to piss her off, which did work. She left the spot glaring at me. However, internally, the questions were back in my mind.
Why is she behaving like I am the villain of her story? I should find out soon.

"Krish, you kids have your dinner. We will join soon." Said Maa,

"Okay!"

Aakarsh led me to a private dining area which was arranged for our close family only.
Neev, Vidyut, and Sejal followed us. Needless to say, they had teasing smiles plastered on their faces.

"Thank god you clapped at the nick of the time, Neev Bhai," Vidyut said as we took our seats around the table.

"With the ghost of desperation possessing your brother these days, I came well prepared," Neev smirked, looking at us.

"Shut up!" Aakarsh replied in a bored tone, unfazed by their comments.

Whereas my entire face was burning with embarrassment; I avoided looking at the men. By that time our dinner was served. However, no longer did I decide to avoid them, my best friend pulled my leg.

"But seriously, had Neev been a second late, we would have — ouch!" she yelped in the middle of her words as I kicked her leg under the table; that, too, hard!

"The food will get cold. Eat!" I said, beating her as she was just going to burst out on me.

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Writers POV:-

"I don't care who you're bribing, just get me out of here, Dad!" Neel snapped frustrated at his father.

"That is what I'm trying to do, Neel. Had you not blind trusted that girl, this would never have happened!" Abhay scolded him,

He came to meet him in the evening after many arguments with the senior officers. They were reluctant to let him meet Neel out of visiting hours but, he somehow managed by taking help from one of his many acquaintances in the police hierarchy.

Neel glared at his father, clenching his jaws. "You know what would really have been great if you had the spine to take your rights all those years ago." He leaned over the table and looked into his eyes, "Because of your frailty, I am still struggling." Neel hissed,

Abhay has had enough of his reckless behavior. Agreed that he couldn't get all that he desired, but that doesn't mean his own blood will disrespect him like this.

"Mind your language, Neel, I'm your father, not your servant whom you can treat as you please." Roared Abhay,

"Exactly. You're my father. The same father who couldn't even get his son out of this hellhole quickly." Neel's attitude calmed down a bit looking at Abhay's red face, but he was still in taunting mode.

"I've talked to our lawyer. But no one can do anything before the first hearing." Abhay replied, but his eyes were still blazing fire. "One more thing, even if you come out sooner, you can't claim Maninagar's property with your designated project." He informed, calming down. He might be angry at his son for his reckless behavior but in the end, the father in him was restless to get his son out.

"I know, police have caught the blueprints of that project," Neel replied flaring hai nose. "It's a waste now."

"So, what have you thought? What would be your counterstep?" Abhay asked, zooming his eyes at Neel's tired features. 

"They are going there next month, right?"

"Yes, the court has ordered so." Abhay tried to guess what was going on in his mind. "Why?"

"If I don't get that property, then Aakarsh would have to pay the price with everything including his family." Neel gritted his teeth, "Get in touch with Manoj before Aakarsh goes Maninagar, Dad." a sinister smile formed on Abhay's face, believing his son will get their revenge.

Little did he know what time has decided for them.

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Diksha's POV:-

We reached home by 12:30 am. Vidyut crashed on the left side of the sofa, throwing his coat away, followed by Neev. Aakarsh, I, and Sejal sat beside them. Tired from the party, almost everyone went back to their rooms. It was only our parents and grandparents sitting with us.

"Isn't that your bags, Mumma, Papa?" I frowned at the three blue trolley bags kept beside the sofa.

"Yes, it is!" they agreed.

Looking at my parents' luggage out in the hall, a course of panic rushed through me.

Are they leaving already? No, I haven't even hugged them properly yet!

"Are you going back now?" I inquired, trying to keep my voice down.
Please say no!

"I..." Papa started, but Aakarsh beat him to it and smiled at me.

"They won't go anywhere, Diksha!" I snapped my head at him.

"Also, You don't have to wait some long hours to meet them now." His words caught my attention.

"Krish, what are you saying?" Asked his grandmother, confused.

"I'm giving her the gift, Nani Maa, as I promised.," Aakarsh replied calmly, without removing his eyes from me.

My eyebrows creased themselves. "Promise?"

"Mm-hmm..." He hummed before taking my hands in his. "Remember, you told me. It scares you that you would have to wait for some long hours to meet them?" He smiled, reminding me of my words from two months back.

'It scares me that I would have to wait for some long hours before meeting them. It scares me, Aakarsh.'

I nodded slowly, somewhere already guessing that my husband had eased my pain already... that he had given me the best gift a girl could get. I waited in anticipation for his next words.

"And I promised you I'll fix this even before you know, remember?" He asked again, this time looking deep into my eyes.

His words from our conversation that day rang loud and clear in my ears.

'I promise I'll fix this before you would even know!'

'How would you fix this?'

'Do you trust me?'

'It may sound cliché but more than my life.'

'Then do trust me.'

I shook my head again, keeping my tears at bay.

"This is my gift to you. My promise. I have fixed it. You won't have to stay miles away from your parents." He squeezed my hands, flashing the heartiest smile. "They will live in Delhi now."

I sat numb for a moment. Did he really do this? How?

"Wha... I mean... you...." My words were caught back in my throat; nothing came out.

"Ask them!" He signaled through his eyes.

I turned to my parents, trying to get a confirmation.

"He is right, beta. We are not going back." Papa assured, smiling at me.

"But your job doesn't allow transfer in the retirement period." I was still confused. "Didn't they say you have to quit and..." I gasped, suddenly realizing something. "Don't tell me you left your job, Papa?"

If that were true, I could never forgive myself. His job & duty was like breathing to him.

"No, my child. I didn't quit my job. It is your husband's deed. Even I don't know how he did that — convincing the higher-ups, but somehow your stubborn husband got me transferred here permanently." Papa looked at Aakarsh with a proud expression before revealing the most beautiful part. "I tried to refuse, as it doesn't look good if we stayed with our married daughter. But he said he can't see tears in your eyes."

I glanced at Aakarsh, who was also looking at me. I can't express what I was feeling right then. As an only child, I was always afraid of this situation. Never had I ever thought my future husband would consider my feelings to this extent.

I just wanted nothing but to squeeze him into the tightest hug, but the audience that we have here will be the witness of a moment I want private only.

"But even then, you did what you were adamant about. You argued to live in the government-allotted bungalow, instead of living with us." interrupted my father-in-law in a complaining tone.

"Yes, because that is the right thing to do."

"But what is the problem in–"
"No, Mrinal, please don't insist. Your son has already given us more than we desired. This would go against my ethics." Papa declined my father-in-law's proposal before he could even complete it.

"Okay, as you say!" sighed Dad, giving up in the end.

"This was very uncommon in our times. Husbands hardly listened to their wives, let alone thought about her worries." Aakarsh's Nani said, getting everyone's attention. She had her lips curved into a strange smile.

Is that a taunting smile??
Is she going to criticize this step by Aakarsh?

Fear crept inside my nerves. My smile vanished, and my heart raced at her weird expression. I shared a look with my husband.

"Maa, what are you saying?" Krishna Maa asked, getting concerned over the same thing.

"I am saying that I am very proud of my grandson. Having thought of your wife's pain, you have shown how to be a wonderful husband already, Krish." With Nani's appraising word, I got my breath back. Aakarsh smiled at her and give me a look that said 'Did you hear that?'

I wanted to roll my eyes at him for being so full of himself, but this incident was actual proof of his wonderfulness. Everyone else smiled except both fathers and grandfathers.

"Even we are good husbands." Said Aakarsh's grandfather, scowling at his wife. He received enormous support from the other three senior men as they scowled too.

"She doesn't mean you all are not good husbands. She said Krish is a wonderful husband. And you can't argue." My Nani backed Aakarsh's grandmother, and the ladies shared a teasing laugh.

"It all seems fun until you two remember Krish has set a high bar for you two." Krishna Maa pointed at Vidyut and Neev, who were laughing at the senior men's scowling faces.

In an instant, their laughter disappeared and their eyes widened like saucers.

"What the hell?" They shouted, and my husband smirked at them. Sejal stared at Neev with suspicious eyes as if trying to know his thoughts.

"I am —"

"Okay, kids, it's very late now. Go to your rooms." Announced the grandparents, getting up from their seats. Our fathers went behind them.

"Come, beta, let's officially get you to your room." Said Krishna Maa to me as she and my Mumma came toward us.

I got up from my seat with Sejal, only to get stopped by my impatient husband. He stood up immediately.

"But shouldn't she go with me, Mumma?" Aakarsh said in a hurried tone. 

My impatient husband!

"No, you can't go with her." My mother-in-law dropped a bomb on him.