They say when you want to achieve true love you have to go through a very tough examination. This examination is one of the toughest examinations of love. It is as difficult as crossing a river of fire. There are very few people in the world who can withstand this test of love. And the lovers who succeed in this test belong to each other for births to come. Perhaps no test is more difficult than the test of love and the result of any test is not as precious as this test.

He was panting heavily, his breaths moving up and down in a rhythmic motion. As he stepped inside the house, he shut the door from inside and ensured that it was locked. His breaths were still faster, his heartbeats were very fast. He declined to the floor. One of his hands was occupied holding a shaker in his hand. He had been jogging and performing exercises for the past one hour as a part of his daily routine which was set for the past four years and the only thing that hadn't changed in this period. Nirav closed his eyes for a few moments. The moments from the past flashing before his eyes and he couldn't contain them. He knew he had confined himself within the walls of the house and created a safe space for himself in all these years.

Nirav breathed deeply as he opened his eyes. He walked cautiously step into his bedroom, just to discover upon entering that something was usually strange. His arms were feeling the room's chilled. Then something drew his attention. He realized that the air conditioner was on, which he hadn't left on, as far as he could recall.

There before him was the person he had been waiting for for almost three weeks. A cozy grin extended to his mouth's corners..

"Janu! You're back." With excitement, he said. In front of him, on the bed, lay a familiar figure. He stood up right away and gave her a jaw-dropping embrace.

"Jaanu!Yes, you are back, very much so"As he embraced her, he let out an enthusiastic shout.

"Oh my! Nirav, get away from me, you're all sweaty," the annoyed yet endearing voice said.

"Janu, I will not allow you to leave my sight. He remarked, "I missed you so so so much," as he lay beside her, kissing her all over the face and giving her a firm back hug.

"Haan! Chhodo mujhe kitne gande ho, niru kya kar rahe ho! "Mujhe hug kar rahe ho aur pure paseene mein bheege huye ho," Jahnavi said in a childlike manner. Though she had been missing the warmth of his arms for the past three weeks, she was still thoroughly enjoying herself and felt grateful to be in his embrace.

"Nahi main apni Jaanu ko kahin nahi jaane dunga, tum mujhe chhod ke kahin nahi jaogi Jaanu, tumhein toh pata bhi nahi hai maine tumhein kitna miss kiya... pure teen hafte se gayab thi aap madam ab main aapko kahin nahi jaane dunga kahin bhi nahi, khud se door toh bilkul nahi" he said as he pulled her closer in his embrace.

When Jahnavi eventually turned to face him, a smile appeared on his face. Gently, he kissed her forehead once more. Despite their strong refusal to acknowledge it, there was undeniable desire in their eyes; they had both missed each other tremendously.

Jahnavi sat straight looking into his eyes. She cupped Nirav's face in her palms. "Tell me Nirav how much did you miss me?" She asked softly looking into his eyes.

"I am not lying Jaanu, you weren't here for the last twenty-one days Jaanu and trust me I missed you terribly each and every minute that you weren't here. I had been so restless in all these days. I was seeking for your presence and you weren't here Jaanu. Sometimes I felt as if I will end up doing something grave. Time rushed to bite me. Can't you read my eyes?" He said emotionally, and Jahnavi's eyes turned wet hearing him.

"Tum mujhe chhodke fir toh nahi jaogi na Jaanu?" Nirav inquired, looking for validation in her gaze. Jahnavi wrapped a warm embrace around him. Hearing his moving remarks had caused her eyes to well up with tears. She was aware that although Nirav didn't miss her, he did miss having her close by.

"Dekho tum aisi baatein mat karo Nirav main..." she couldn't say anything further. She pulled back her words as realisation of reality dawned upon her. "Main tumhein chhodke kabhi nahi jaungi, kahin nahin, I promise" she assured him placing a hand on that of his.

Nirav again looked into his eyes for assurance and she nodded looking into them. She softly kissed his temple and parted the hug.

"Tum thak gai hogi na, tum so jao thodi der, main bhi nahakar aata hun, fir hum saath mein nashta karenge haan Jaanu?" asked Nirav and she nodded with a smile at him. He took his towel and went to the washroom to take a shower.

Jahnavi smiled as he walked into the washroom. A lot of memories from the past appeared before her eyes. Her eyes fell on a picture in front of her. A picture that carried the memories from the past, the bittersweet memories that she had in all these years that she was married to Nirav. The day of their wedding had been a blur of rituals and forced smiles. Marrying Nirav had seemed like the right thing to do, a way to support each other through the pain.

Nirav and Jahnavi had been married for the past five years and known each other for more than that. It had been five years since she and Nirav had been married, a union forged not out of love, but necessity. The two had been with each other in the hardest times of their lives. In the weakest moments of life where they needed each other's they had been there for each other. They shared a soulful connection which was beyond blood and relations, a celestial bond.

In all these years both of them had seen the ups and downs of life together. Both of them supported each other in every sorrow and trouble of life. Both of them had lived every moment together. They had known each other very well in the bitter and sweet moments of life. In these five years, Nirav and Jahnavi became close to each other soulfully.

A smile came to Jahnavi's face as she remembered those moments from the past. The sound of the washroom door opening snapped her back to the present. Nirav walked in, his face a mask of refreshment. He was surprised to find his wife scrolling through her phone instead of sleeping. A smile made way to her face as she completed her task He knew she was sleep-deprived. He knew being a workaholic she had not even slept for so many days. In the years that followed, Jahnavi had poured herself into her work.

"Why didn't you sleep, Jaanu? Itne waqt se soi bhi nahi, vahan tour pe bhi nahi soi hogi thik se?" He questioned peering at her. His eyes laced with concern.

The doorbell rang, breaking their reverie. She rushed to the door, thanked the delivery person, and laid out the steaming idlis, crispy dosas, and aromatic sambar on the dining table. The smell filled the house, a comforting aroma that reminded her of happier times.

Nirav's eyes widened in surprise when he saw the spread on the table. "You ordered this?" he asked, a hint of amazement in his voice.

Jahnavi smiled, a little shyly. "I thought you might like it. It's been a while since we've had a proper breakfast together."

Nirav stood still for a moment, the weight of her thoughtful gesture sinking in. He walked over to her, his eyes softening. Without a word, he pulled her into a tight embrace. Jahnavi's heart swelled as she felt his arms around her, the warmth of his body coercing through her

"Jaanu you are a sweetheart," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "This is so sweet."

She hugged him back, feeling the tension in his muscles gradually ease. "I'm glad you like it," she murmured, her cheek pressed against his chest.

As they finally pulled apart, Nirav's eyes met hers with a newfound warmth. "Let's enjoy this together," he said, gesturing to the table.

Jahnavi nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. They sat down and shared the meal, the simple act of eating together feeling like a small victory. It wasn't a complete healing, but it was a start—a step towards rekindling the connection.