Hey darlings, happy reading and happy weekend 💜

Veer and Bani were driving towards the place where he had planned for their dinner date. He tried initiating a proper conversation with her for a few times but she clearly showed no interest in it.
Veer : Bani? (He called her for the nth time)
Bani, who was looking outside through the window turned to him with an exasperated sigh. Veer pouted, hearing her sigh.
Veer : Baby....
Bani : Veeranshu! What is your problem now? You are annoying me!
Veer : But I'm just trying to have a conversation with you. (He said sadly)
Bani : Okay, go ahead. (She crossed her arms against her chest and turned away)
Veer : Guess where we are going now? (He asked excitedly)
Bani : I don't know.
Veer : Come on baby, don't be a spoilsport. Guess and say.
Bani : I don't know. Just go wherever you want. (She said uninterestedly)
Veer's mind voice : If this was my old Bani, she would have pestered me with her weird questions and wouldn't stop eating my brain until we reach the place. (He frowned)
After some time....
Bani : Veer?
Veer : Yes, Mi amor? (He chirped)
Bani : How's Nisha doing now? Did you talk to her recently?
Veer : Oh yes, I called her two days ago. She is very busy with her wedding arrangements and you know something? I spoke to her fiancé too. He is such a nice guy and chummy too. Just like me. (He giggled and Bani rolled her eyes)
Bani : Okay.
Veer : Bani, why aren't you talking to her? She's really disappointed with us when I told her that we won't be able to attend her wedding. I think we should attend— (Bani cut him)
Bani : How can I face her and her parents, Veer? I killed their son with my own hands. Because of me they threw him out from their lives 3 years ago and now they have lost him completely. (She stated guiltily)
Veer : But they despised him for his own deeds, Bani. Nisha told me that their parents weren't mourning over his death anymore. They are trying to move on from it that's why they even preponed her wedding too.
Bani : Enough, Veer. I don't want to talk about this topic anymore.
Saying this, she closed her eyes and leaned against the seat without waiting for his reply.

Ten minutes later, Veer stopped the car as they reached their spot. He turned to Bani and gently tapped on her shoulder to wake her up. She instantly opened her eyes and looked at him. He smiled and asked her to get down to which she obeyed and got down silently. She looked around the surroundings and turned to Veer to see him grinning at her widely.
Veer : How's the surprise? Do you like it?
Bani : Why did you bring me here? (She asked impassively and his face instantly drained of color)
Veer brought her to the place where he confessed his love to her for the first time. It was an open space near a lake which was beautifully decorated for a private dinner date.

Veer : I thought you will love it. This is a memorable place to us right, jaan? This is where we confessed our love 1 year and 8 months ago. And yeah, not to forget about our first kiss too. (He giggled)
Bani : First kiss? You don't even remember when we had our first kiss, Veer. (She groaned and walked past him)
Veer : Huh? But we had our first kiss here right? I remember it clearly. (He frowned and walked behind her)
Bani : Whatever.
Veer : Allow me, please. (He stopped her when she was about to sit)
Veer, who wanted to be chivalrous, pulled a chair for her to which she politely refused to sit and went to sit on the opposite chair. He sighed in defeat and sat on the chair he pulled earlier. Bani placed her hands on the table while looking at the surroundings and Veer placed his hands on hers. She turned to him and slowly pulled away her hands with an unpleasant expression.

Bani : Why are you doing this, Veer? Did you forget that you are a CEO now? Why are you wasting your time here with me instead of looking after the company which depends solely on you now? (She narrowed her eyes at him)
Veer : Bani, please let's not talk about it now. I really want to spend some quality time with you. It has been months since we didn't express our affection towards each other and I'm already guilty about my previous behaviour. Can you please give me a chance to repent my mistakes? I promise I will never give my priority to anything before you again. (He confessed genuinely)
Bani : You don't have to do it. I'm not seeking for your attention anymore, Veer. Please don't waste your precious time for me and— (She was cut by Veer)
Veer : I'm not wasting my time here, baby. In fact, now only I'm using my time wisely. Nothing else is important to me more than you.
Bani : I know I feel so pathetic that's why you are trying to show your sympathy right? But don't worry I know how to handle myself and I don't want anyone to show their fake sympathy towards me! (She yelled in frustration)
Veer : No, I'm not being sympathetic towards you baby. Trust me, I just need one more chance to prove myself to you.
Bani : What's the need to prove yourself to me? It's not needed, Veer. Don't worry I'm not seeking for your attention anymore. I have gone through so much in my life that makes me even more stronger than I was before. (She said coldly and looked down at her fingers)
Veer : Ba— (He was cut by her)
Bani : Let's eat first.
Veer : Okay. (He sighed)
They both had their dinner silently with Veer stealing glances at her while Bani ignoring his presence and eating her food. Once they were done, Veer passed a glass of champagne to her but she refused it.
Bani : I don't want to have it.
Veer : Are you sure?
Bani just nodded at him. Veer put back the glass as Bani got up there and walked to the lakeside.

Veer followed her and hugged her from behind by resting his chin on her right shoulder and his arms wrapped around her petite waist. Bani stiffened but didn't push him away. She hated to admit it but deep inside she was sincerely seeking for his love, affection and warmth that he provided her earlier.
Veer : Gharwali. (He uttered, nuzzling into her neck)
Bani just hummed while staring at the stars.
Veer : I love you. (He whispered, nibbling on her earlobe)
Bani : Stop it, Veer. We are at open area.
Veer : But there's no one here, wife. This place belongs to us for tonight.
Bani : It's okay just leave me. Let's go back home. (She tried to move away but he tightened the hug and locked her hands with his)
Veer : Don't move, wife. Let's stay here for some more time please.
Bani sighed and gave up protesting with him. Veer nuzzled into her neck while placing wet kisses there. She slowly closed her eyes and leaned back against him.
Veer : Bani?
Bani : Hmm?
Veer : I want to ask you something. (Bani opened her eyes and instantly moved away from him)
Bani : Don't go there again! (She pointed her finger at him with a glare)
Veer : But please I really want to know about it.
Bani : Just stop it, Veeranshu! This is why you brought me here? Let's go back home right now! (She ordered him and started walking towards the car only to get stopped by him)
Veer : Bani please! I really want to know about it. You restricted Sid and the others from telling me the whole thing and I didn't force them as it's your place to tell me. It has been 16 days since that incident took place, Bani. I have waited for longer than I could so now I can't wait anymore. Please tell me how did you fall into his trap and why the hell did you obey him and let him ruin your peace the whole time? I have only heard from Nisha's point of view but I don't know how and when did he enter into your life again. Arghh please tell me I really want to know about it now! (He yelled at her irritatedly)
Bani froze at her place when she heard him. Suddenly she felt shortness of breath and sweat beads rolled down her face and neck as she clenched her fist in fear. She again got a glimpse of shooting Dheeraj to death in front of her eyes. Veer didn't get to notice that she was having panic attack there as he was facing her back. He heard her taking sharp breaths and instantly rushed to her when she started trembling with fear.

Veer : Bani??? (He quickly held in his arms when she was about to lose her balance) Baby, just calm down okay? Relax first. Look into my eyes and keep breathing. Don't think about anything else. (He rubbed her back continuously) Shhh relax. Come on, breathe in slowly... yes just like that... and breathe out now.... slowly (He kept guiding her and she followed while taking deep breaths) That's it, your breathing is getting normal. Relax first baby. Now close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Just inhale and exhale slowly. (He said with one hand rubbing her back and another hand caressing her hair)
Bani slowly closed her eyes and leaned on his chest. She kept breathing as he told while listening to his heartbeat. Veer stood there embracing her while rubbing her back until her breathing was normal.
Veer : Baby? Are you feeling better now?
Bani : I'm feeling dizzy. I want to go back home now. (She muttered while hugging him)
Veer : Okay, let's go. (He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and slowly guided her to the car)
He sat on the driving seat after settling her on her seat. He ignited the engine and accelerated towards their home.
Veer : Bani? (He touched her shoulder)
She opened her eyes and hummed.
Veer : We have reached home. (He said and unbuckled their seat belts)
Bani nodded and slowly tried to get down but failed as she was feeling dizzy.
Veer : Wait here baby. I'll help you. (He quickly got down and jogged towards her side)
Bani : Veer? Why are we here? (She asked when he picked her up in his arms)
Veer : We are going to stay here tonight.
He announced and walked to their apartment with her in his arms. Bani closed her eyes and pressed her face on his chest while letting him walk to their apartment.

He put her down once they reached their apartment and unlocked the door. Bani was about to step in but he stopped her.
Veer : Wait, not yet. Just wait here, swee.. Bani. I will be back.
Bani : Why? I'm feeling sleepy. Please let me in, Veer. (She tried to walk inside but he stopped her there and ran into the house)
Bani leaned against the wall, staring at the door while waiting for him to let her in. He quickly came out with an aarti thali in his hands.
Bani : What is this for? (She asked, being shocked with his abnormal activities)
Veer : This is for my lovely wife who is coming back home after a whole 16 days. (He grinned and performed her aarti)
Bani : Vee— (She was cut by him)
Veer : Shhh, come in first gharwali.
He held her hand and they stepped into their home together. He made her sit on the sofa in the living room and went into the kitchen to put back the aarti thali.
Veer : Baby, do you want something to drink? Like tea, coffee or juice? (He shouted from the kitchen)
Bani : Veeranshu! I'm not your guest. Please don't overdo it. You're really annoying me! (She yelled being annoyed)
Veer : Okay fine, calm down.
He said in a sad tone and just brought a glass of water for her.
Bani : Thanks. (She glared at him and snatched the glass from him)
Veer : Are you feeling hungry? Do you want something to eat?
Bani : Veer!!!
Veer : Okay sorry, relax. I won't ask you again. (He gestured as he zipped his lips and Bani turned the other side, rolling her eyes)
Bani : How do you manage to maintain this house so clean and tidy even when you were staying there with me?
Veer : Hmm actually I always come here during the weekends and clean it.
Bani : Oh okay. (She turned to look at him when he held her hand)
Veer : Can we stay here again after this?
Bani : I don't want to be alone again, Veer. (She pulled back her hand)
Veer : Why alone? I will be here with you baby.
Bani : Oh yeah, like how you were here with me, sticking onto me 24/7 when I needed you the most, right? (She asked sarcastically and Veer's face paled)
He got up and crouched down in front of her, taking her hands into his while Bani just gave him a blank stare.
Veer : Bani... (He paused and took a deep breath) See, I really repent all my mistakes. I shouldn't have ignored you while getting engrossed in the CEO competition. It's my fault and I admit that maybe I took your love for granted, sweethe... Arghh baby please don't mind me calling you sweetheart. I'm calling you that since our childhood and it's really difficult for me to.... Damn it's leading to another topic now. Veer, shut up and focus first. (He scolded himself, making Bani to smile for the first time after that horrible incident took place in her life) Baby, I admit I took your love for granted because I thought we have our entire life to spend together so I wanted to focus on my career life first but later I understood that I failed to realise I lost a diamond while I was busy collecting stones. (He wiped the lone tear escaped from his eye and continued) I'm extremely sorry for that, Bani. I promise I will never repeat those mistakes of mine again. Because of my carelessness, that scoundrel took advantage of your situation. I'm really sorry for everything. I still remember on the day I made you my better half, I promised your parents that I will always protect you but I failed to keep my promise. I'm really feeling ashamed of myself. Please forgive me this one time and I promise I will never ever make you feel neglected by me again. You know right, I can't live without you and I swear I don't want to relive these 16 days of our lives again. It was really unbearable for me and it made me realise how you felt in those 2 months when I ignored you. I'm sorry for everything. Please give us another chance baby. (He completed with tears flowing down his eyes)

He placed his head on her lap and wrapped his arms around her waist. Bani also had tears in her eyes but she wiped them away and controlled her emotions. All of his words registered in her mind well but something was stopping her from forgiving him. She didn't want to go through the same pain she felt from the last 2 months again in her life as she had no energy left in her to fight alone.

Veer wiped his tears and looked up at her when he got no response from her. He realised that she was lost in her own thoughts as she was staring at the blank wall without blinking her eyes. He got up on his knees and cupped her face.
Veer : Bani?
Bani shifted her gaze from the wall to him.
Veer : Are you alright?
Bani : I... I'm feeling sleepy. (She said and quickly got up from the sofa)
Veer also got up and followed her when she walked into their room.
Veer : Wait. (He held her wrist when she was about to get on the bed)
Bani : Veer, let's talk tomorrow. I'm sleepy. (She said, not trying to meet his eyes)
He moved closer to her and cupped her face with his right palm while gently caressing her lower lip with his thumb.
Veer : Hmm can I kiss you?
She stiffened and inhaled a sharp breath which was not gone unnoticed by him.
Veer : It's okay, Bani. Chalo, let's sleep. (He smiled at her and laid her on the bed)
He pulled the blanket on her and caressed her hair before going his side of the bed.
Bani : Veeranshu? (She whispered)
Veer turned and looked at her. Bani shifted closer to him and placed her head on his chest while wrapping her right arm around his waist. He smiled feeling content and wrapped his arm around her, taking her into his embrace.
Bani : I need some time to move on, Veer. I can't forget everything easily. I have gone through so much and you were not there for me when I needed you the most. I know you took my love for granted. Maybe it's my fault too to be clinging onto you always. We both got our own lessons, Veer. For you to never take anyone's love for granted and for me to never depend on anyone too much. It's not easy to forget and forgive everything overnight, Veer. Just give me some space and time for everything.
Veer : I understand you. (He smiled and kissed on her forehead)
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To be continued....

PRECAP :
Bani : Veer? What did you say?
Veer : I concur. Let's live separately for a month.
Bani : Are you sure? See, you don't have to force yourse— (She was cut by him)
Veer : Don't ask me again. It's better we part ways before I change my mind.
Bani : Okay then. Let's leave this house today. No meetings, phone calls or texts. We shall not find for any excuse to meet each other in this one whole month. Is that clear? (She asked in her bossy tone)
Veer : Wait I'm not done yet. I said I will agree with you on one condition. (He smirked at her)

With love,
Author 💙