Hey darlings, happy reading 💜 See, I have updated earlier this time. *pats on the shoulder proudly* 😜🙈

At Sharma mansion, there was a lot of changes being visible in Bani's behaviour since the past two weeks. She was slowly being back to her old self and sometimes she was even showing her mischievous side by pulling crazy pranks on her mom and Tapish. Aayush and Tanvi were genuinely happy to see their naughty daughter again so they didn't let Tapish to scold her whenever she played tricks on him.

Bani was lying on Tanvi's lap while smiling to herself, thinking about the prank she and Sid pulled on Veer when Tanvi was giving her head massage.
Tanvi : Beta, why are you smiling? Is there something that I'm missing? (She asked in amusement)
Bani : Mumma, do you know something? (She asked while her fingers playing with her mangalsutra)
Tanvi : What is that?
Bani : Just now I asked Sid to pull a prank on Veer and he successfully did that without getting smacked by Veer. (She giggled)
Tanvi : Really? What was that prank about?
Bani : Oh it's nothing serious. I just asked Sid to make up a story like I went for a date with another man last night and as I expected, Veer eavesdropped our conversation as suddenly I heard his scream and then the call was disconnected. (She snickered)
Tanvi : What? Why did you do that? Stop playing with his emotions, Bani. Did you forget what papa told you yesterday? Veer has been so depressed without you and he is totally behaving like an emotionless person since you left him. (She sighed with disappointment)
Bani got up from her mom's lap when she felt a little bit guilty for making him suffer alone there.
Tanvi : Go back to him, dear. He is really missing you a lot.
Bani : No mumma, let it be like how we decided it to be. I really need to be away from him for some time. I'm learning to be independent, mumma. I don't want to depend on him anymore like I did for all these years. I don't want to give him the chance to take my love for granted again. (She muttered the last sentence under her breath but it was heard by Tanvi)
Tanvi : I understand, beta. But make sure you don't take his love for granted just because he did that to you. It's not an easy task to maintain a healthy husband and wife relationship for lifelong. You guys really need to make efforts to save the relationship and keep your life balanced. You know, sometimes it is okay to be dependable because you guys are going to share the responsibilities equally so don't ever let the conflicts affect your relationship. Always remember that the efforts should be from both sides not just one-sided. Do you get what I'm trying to say? (She asked in a serious tone)
Bani : Yes mumma, I get it. Don't worry I will never let this break to affect our relationship. I believe in Veer more than myself so I'm sure he will never neglect our relationship as he already learned enough lessons for lifetime. (She chuckled and Tanvi hit on her forehead playfully)
Tanvi : Ahaaan? (She raised her eyebrow) Don't talk like you're really an expert in maintaining an healthy relationship. I'm sure there are mistakes from your side too but what Veer did was more than yours so you're escaped for this time. (She smirked and Bani rolled her eyes)
Bani : Oh yeah, actually I forgot to whom I'm speaking now. I know you will never fail to back up your precious son-in-law as always. I'm the one who is always left alone.
Tanvi : Stop your drama, Bani. Don't forget that I'm your mother. (She winked)
Bani : Mumma! It's waste talking to you. I know you don't love me anymore. You better go to your precious son-in-law and carry on with pampering him as usual. (She stomped her foot, getting up from the sofa grumpily)
Tanvi : Awww I'm sorry, beta. But I agree with you, he is always my precious son-in-law because I'm sure no one can put up with you as much as he does.
Bani : Arghhh! I hate you, Mrs Sharma! (She groaned angrily before leaving to her room to which her mom's laughter increased)

Another two weeks passed in the blink of an eye and finally the one month break was over. Veer wasn't able to sleep the whole night as he was impatiently glancing at the time between each 5 minutes while waiting for the sun to rise. He took a shower in the crack of dawn as he couldn't waste another minute by staying away from his Bani and quickly left to Sharma mansion at 7 in the morning.

At Sharma mansion :
Bani's family were having their breakfast when they heard the doorbell sound.
Aayush : Who is here early in the morning? It's just 7:20am. (He looked at Tapish amusingly)
Meera : I will go and see, papa. (She held her 7 months belly securely and went to open the door to see Veer grinning from ear to ear with a bouquet in his hand)
Veer : Hey, bhabhi. How are you?
Meera : Veer? What are you doing here early in the morning?
Veer shrugged while still grinning like an idiot and passed by her into the house.
Veer : Good morning, everyone. (He chirped cheerfully)
Aayush : Hey, Veer beta? Good morning. Come and join us for breakfast.
Veer nodded and walked towards them while his eyes searching for the person he was dying to see since a month.
Tanvi : Veer beta, come and join us. (She called when she saw Veer's eyes searching for someone around the house)
Veer : Aunty, where is Bani? She is still sleeping right? I knew it. She is not a morning person. I will go and see her first.
Saying this, he literally ran towards the staircase but Meera stopped him.
Meera : Veer, there's something you need to know. (She said hesitantly)
Veer : What is that, bhabhi? Faster tell me. I can't wait to see my sweetheart after a long time.
Meera : Wait here, I have something to show you.
Veer : Okay but be fast please. (He said impatiently)
Meera was about to climb the stairs but Tanvi stopped her.
Tanvi : Meera, you don't have to climb the stairs. Come and sit here. I will go and bring it.
Tapish : Yes, Meera. Did you forget that doctor has advised you to not to climb the stairs in this condition?
Meera : Okay, I'm sorry. (She went and sat beside Tapish while Tanvi went upstairs)
Aayush : Veer beta, why are you standing there? Come and sit here.
Veer : That's okay, uncle.
After few minutes, Tanvi came back with a letter in her hand.
Tanvi : Veer, this is for you from Bani. Open it and see. (She said, passing a letter to Veer)
Veer's eyes widened, he gulped in fear and inhaled deep breath when he took the letter from Tanvi.
Veer : What is this? Please say it's not like what I'm thinking now. (His voice trembled with a lump in his throat)
Tapish : What are you thinking now?
Veer : She left me again?
Veer's mind voice : Please say no.
Tapish : Read that letter first, Veer.
Veer nodded and opened the letter. He exhaled deeply when he recognised Bani's handwriting in it.

Hey Veer,

I know you will be devastated when you read this letter so I'm going to apologize in advance for cheating you this time. I'm sorry, Veer. I guess you will have to wait for a few more weeks to meet me. I had left Mumbai three days ago to a place where you wouldn't be able to find me. I'm sorry for disappointing you but I really felt the need to extend this break between us and I'm sure you would never agree to this so I did what I felt the best for us. Please don't try to search for me. I promise I will be back to you sooner than you think so please wait patiently for some time more. I know you will hate me so much while reading this letter but I swear I will make amends for everything once I come back to you. Till then take care and do not hate me please.

With love,
Your Bani.

Veer dropped the bouquet from his hand by the time he finished reading the letter. Tanvi placed her hand on his shoulder, offering him an apologetic smile to which he sighed and walked away without listening to any of them. He felt deceived when Bani extended the break and left him without taking his consent. He knew he would never agree to the extension but at least he would have tried to convince her to change her mind if she had told him earlier about her plans. He stopped the car at an abandoned place after driving cluelessly for hours. He took her letter and re-read it until a lone tear escaped from his eye.
Veer's mind voice : I hate you, Bani! I swear to God I really hate you so much for making it impossible for me to hate you completely when you left me alone for the second time. I fucking hate you with all my heart! (He punched the steering aggressively)

A few weeks later....
Veer barged into a conference room when an important meeting was going on. He opened the door and his eyes immediately wandered around restlessly until he met a pair of eyes which widened when they met his pair of eyes.

He walked into the room with his gaze fixed on those eyes until a person stopped him.
Veer : The meeting is over. Everybody Out Right Now! (He ordered)
All the members in the conference room gasped at his sudden entry except only a person whose lips curled into a grin. Veer eyes were still fixed on that person when he heard a woman's voice behind him.
The woman : But who are you? How can you barge into the conference room just like that? Leave this place before I call the securities! (She shouted at him)
Veer turned around and glared at the woman who shouted at him.
Veer : And who are you? (He raised his eyebrow challengingly)
The woman : I'm the senior Marketing Manager of this branch!
Veer : And I'm the CEO of this company! (He exclaimed in the exact high-pitched tone the woman was using on him, making her look at him with wide opened eyes and mouth)
The woman instantly closed her mouth when Veer smirked at her reaction.
Veer : How can you don't even acknowledge your CEO?
The woman : I... I know junior Singhania is the CEO but I did not- (She was cut by Veer)
Veer : Whatever! I guess no one is having impaired hearing here. What are you guys waiting for? Get out! (He yelled and within seconds everyone left the conference room except Veer and the other person there)
Veer turned to stare at the pair of eyes again until his soft gaze turned into anger mixed painful ones.

Both shared an intense eyelock without keeping a track of time on how long they have been staring into each other. Veer was the first one to break the eyelock by looking away as he was too shocked to accept the fact that his sweetheart was standing there in front of his eyes after a whole 53 days. Bani stepped forward when Veer was rooted to the spot.
Bani : Veer. (She whispered and he raised his eyes to meet hers again)
Veer sighed, glaring at her angrily and turned away to walk to the door but stopped abruptly when he heard an unexpected word from her.
Bani : Sweetheart?
He turned and looked at her to see her smiling genuinely at him. Bani walked to him, touching his left cheek to confirm if he's really standing there or it was just a hallucination. Veer instantly grabbed her right wrist and pulled her closer by locking her hand with his behind her back.
Bani : You are here. (She beamed with happiness)
Veer : You left me alone there. (He grumbled)
Bani : But you are here for me.
Veer : I really wanted to slap you for leaving me alone there. (Bani chuckled at him and turned to show her right cheek to him)
Bani : Slap me with your lips.
Veer smiled, placing a long kiss on her right cheek.
Bani : Uffff, what a romantic slap, sweetheart. (She chuckled again)
Veer : Sweetheart? Hey, that's mine.
Bani : I'm always yours.
Veer : Stop being too cheesy, sweetheart. (He smiled contentedly for being able to call her sweetheart again)
Bani : I don't mind being cheesy to my one and only husband.
Veer : As if I would allow you to have another husband. (He rolled his eyes and Bani slapped his shoulder with the other hand)
Bani : I don't need your permission for that.
Veer : Trust me, you will definitely need my permission, sweetheart. It's your legal husband speaking here. (He winked at her)
Bani : Okay, my legal husband. Shall we go to my cabin? We don't want to entertain our staffs here, do we?
Veer : I don't give a fuck about anyone out there.
Bani : Ufff, watch your language, patidev.
Veer : Shut up. (Saying this, he left her hand, wrapping his arms around her and hugged her tightly)
Bani : Veer, there is a cctv in this conference room.
Veer : I said I don't give a fuck. Keep quiet and hug me now. (He ordered and Bani gladly wrapped her arms around him, placing her chin on his shoulder)

Bani : Veer?
Veer : Hmm?
Bani : I guess we are hugging for more than 10 minutes already. I think we should go out before our staffs misinterpret the situation here. (She tried to break the hug but Veer being Veer, he tightened his grip around her petite body)
Veer : I don't care. Please hold me for a while. I really missed feeling the warmth of your body so much in the last 53 days.
Bani : Did you count the days? That's so girlish. (She chuckled)
Veer : I have been counting each second too.
Bani : Oh really? Then tell me how many seconds it has been since we last met?
Veer : Shhh keep quiet, wife. Let me feel you peacefully.
Bani : So you lied to me? You did not count the seconds. (She giggled, slapping his back)
Veer : Baby?
Bani : Hmm?
Veer : You have lost few kilos, haven't you?
Bani : I don't know. Even I feel like you have lost few kilos too.
Veer : I do. It's because my system was not digesting food properly without you. (He said, faking a sniffle)
Bani : Awww, I'm flattered. (She said sarcastically)
They both giggled together, tightening their grip on each other more if possible.
Veer : Why did you leave me alone there? You told me about a month only but who gave you the permission to run away from me for extra 23 days?
Bani : Actually I was- hey wait! How did you find out that I'm here?
Veer : I have my ways, sweetheart.
Bani broke the hug and looked at him questioningly. Veer opened his eyes when she broke the hug abruptly and pouted at her.
Bani : Don't give me that look now. How did you find out that I'm here?
Veer : Why do you care when you left me all alone there? At least be glad that I came here crossing oceans for you. (He pouted again, bringing a smile to her lips)
Bani : You know what? I expected you to be here the next day you received the letter there but I didn't know that my husband is so stupid to take 23 days to find my location. (She smirked, making his eyes go wider)
Veer : What? Really? Then why the hell you came to Australia leaving me alone there? Can't you stay somewhere within India?
Bani : But I thought you will guess this place as it's one of my favorite place since Tapish bhai and Meera bhabhi used to stay here. (She pouted)
Veer : Yeah, my fault. It totally slipped out of my mind. Okay tell me now. Why did you leave me there?
Bani : Because I wanted to see if you will come for me or not. (She giggled, testing the tiny level of Veer's patience)
Veer : You!!! Arghhh you played well, Bani! I really hate you for playing with my feelings.
Bani : I can see that. That's why you travelled all the way from India to Australia just for a person you hate. (She grinned at him)
Veer glared at her and turned to face the opposite direction. Bani went to stand in front of him but he turned into a different direction again.

Bani : Okay baby, I'm sorry. Let me explain you. (She tried to touch his face)
Veer turned away making her groan helplessly. She encircled her arms around his neck to make him stop turning away from her.
Bani : Veer, listen to me first. When I was there during the last days of our separation, I wasn't in a good state of mind. I felt like I really need to extend the break because I didn't feel like coming back to you at that time. I agree I took a hasty decision to fly away from there to avoid you because I knew you would never allow me to extend the break if I had told you but trust me I never took that decision wholeheartedly. Moreover, it did not take much time for me to regret my decision once I came here. I really wanted to come back to you but at the same time I felt like I have to stay away from you for a few more days. I was really confused until I spoke to your mom last week. She even told me that she would let you know about me and ask you to fly here the next minute but I stopped her. I really wanted you to come here on your willingness and I decided to wait for you here until that. (She explained him like explaining to a baby)
She did not shift her gaze away from him for even a second while explaining him her perspective and noticed tears forming in his eyes.
Bani : Veer? What happened to you? (She panicked)
Veer : I love you, sweetheart. (He instantly pulled her into his embrace again)
Bani : I love you more, Veeru. (She chuckled and Veer smiled wholeheartedly, hearing the word Veeru from her)
Veer : I missed you so much.
Bani : Me too. (She broke the hug and kissed on his forehead)
Veer smiled, cupping her face to kiss her but Bani stopped him by placing her palm on his lips.
Bani : Not here. Let's go to our penthouse.
Veer : You mean Tapish bhai's penthouse? (He chuckled when Bani groaned at him)
Bani : I have been staying here since 3 weeks so it's mine now! (She said in a strict tone and pulled him along with her)
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To be continued....

PRECAP :
Veer : Sweetheart, I heard that you went for a date with another guy when we were apart. Is that true?
Bani : Oh My God! Veer, how did you know it? Who told you this? Please don't get mad. It was just a friendly date and I strictly told him that I'm married when he kissed me.. Oops I blurted out. (She quickly covered her mouth with her palm, showing an innocent face to him)
Veer : What??? He kissed you? How dare he!!! Who the fuck is that scoundrel? (He asked angrily while gritting his teeth)
Bani's mind voice : Wow what an acting! I'm really impressed with my own acting skills. Ufff, I can happily nominate myself for the next Oscar Awards. (She smirked while boasting herself)
Veer : Why the hell are you smirking now? (He raised his eyebrow and Bani quickly composed herself, showing her innocent face again)

With love,
Zaara 💜