Her eyes shimmered seeing him standing at the door. She pulled him inside and leaped into his arms, for she was seeing him after many days. She was Ruhana Singhania, and meeting her husband after one month had adrenaline rushing through her veins. She looked at him, parting the hug.

"Finally, you're back! Par tumne itna time laga diya?" she said, mocking anger at him.

"Tum mera kaam jaanti ho, phir bhi ye keh rahi ho?" he looked at her, his eyes filled with emotion.

"Achcha, nahi kahungi, tum jaao, naha kar fresh ho jaao. Puja ka samay ho raha hai, mera matlab hai, chaand nikalne wala hai," Ruhana said, concealing her emotions inside her heart.

"Tumne aaj bhi vrat rakha hai?" he asked, his gaze fixed on her face.

"Haan, Vineet! Tumhari salamati ke liye. Main jaanti hoon, mujhe ek din ki zaroorat nahi hai, tumhare liye toh main har roz prarthana karti hoon, lekin kuch dinon ka mahatva apni jagah hai, aur main vo khona nahi chahti, tum jao, ready hoke aao," Ruhana said, her tone soft.

Vineet Singhania, a CID officer, was away on a mission. He had returned home after one month, and it was Karvachauth. He had been aware of the occasion, but her words had left a deep impact on him.

Ruhana, on the other hand, is an interior designer and handles her business single-handedly. She owns a boutique, Elegant Interiors Studio. For the past month, she's been busy with a project and didn't realize his absence. Though his absence has always affected her, she doesn't show it on her face. However, it's been a month and now she's scared for him. Several thoughts clouded her mind and she couldn't help but worry about him. Now, seeing him nearby has brought some peace to her.

He quickly freshened up and wore the cream-colored sherwani that Ruhana had picked for him. He walked out of the room and found her arranging the pooja thali. She looked at him, and he looked surreal in the outfit.

That's when she noticed a bruise on his forehead. She panicked and rushed to him.

"Baitho, main bandaid laga deti hoon," she said, making him sit on the chair.

"Nahi, Ruu, I am perfectly fine," he said.

"Nahi, infection ho sakta hai. Aur bhi kahin chot aai hai?" she asked, her tone concerned for him.

"Nahi, main thik hoon, tum chinta mat karo, Ruu," he said as she continued to clean his wound on his forehead and put a bandaid on it.

Further, she found a cut on his wrist, as he winced when she held his hand. She glanced at him, but cleaned the wound and put a bandaid on the cut. She then looked at him and asked him to follow her to the terrace. Vineet noticed that Ruhana had been silent. Maybe there was something that she was hiding or unable to say.

He quietly followed her to the terrace, and soon they could see the moon rising in the sky. The raw, red-colored moon was shining in all its might. Ruhana quickly performed the ritual, looked at the moon through the sieve, and then turned toward Vineet.

Seeing his face through the sieve, she felt a relief washing over her. Her husband was fine and standing in front of her. There was nothing more she needed. Vineet made her drink the water and also offered her the sweets. She happily took them, and then they went downstairs.

Ruhana quickly laid the table for the two of them. He inhaled the fragrances, and as he removed the lids, he found all the dishes were to his liking. He looked at her and found her smiling at him.

"Baitho, khana shuru karo. Mujhe pata hai tumne pichhle kuch dinon se thik kuch nahi khaya hai, chalo, shuru karo," she said, her tone soft.

"Tumne bhi toh nahi khaya. Pehle tum khaao," Vineet said as he made her sit on the chair.

Ruhana smiled and they shared the meal together. However, there was a comfortable silence prevailing between them. Vineet had his gaze fixated on her, wanting to talk to her. But he knew he needed to wait. Finishing the dinner, he helped her wind up the things and once they retired into the bedroom, he held her hands.

She looked at him. There were ample emotions hanging in the air, and as much as they wanted to address it, they didn't dare to do so. However, he knew he needed to break the ice.

"Ruhana, tum itni shaant kyun ho? Main thik hoon, tumhare saamne hoon, lekin tum kuch pareshan lag rahi ho. Kisi ne kuch kaha hai kya?" he asked, his tone gentle.

"Nahi, Vineet. Main thik hoon. Infact, tum aa gaye ho toh aur achchi ho gai hoon," she smiled, her tone soft.

"Nahi, baat kuch aur hai, Ruu. Main tumhe bahut achche se jaanta hoon. Main maanta hoon ki mission pe tha toh main tumse baat nahi kar paaya aur na hi kuch update de paya. Main jaanta hoon, maine tumse vaada kiya tha ki Sunday ko aaunga, lekin ek hafta aur laga diya. Aaj bhi main tumhare sath nahi tha, kya tum isko leke upset ho?" He asked, he knew it was all bothering her, but she wouldn't say a word.

She looked at him, taking in his innocence and the serene charm on his face. She leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. Vineet embraced her in his arms, and she melted into his warm embrace. She knew it was her safe haven, in his strong arms, embracing her. He began caressing her head. He knew she'd need time to open up. And before he could ask her the first question, she began speaking.

"Vineet, main tumse upset nahi hoon. Mujhe toh tum par garv hai. Tumhare liye kuch karna toh meri khushkismati hai, Vineet. Bas kabhi kabhi mujhe bahut darr lagta hai," Ruhana said, expressing her emotions.

She broke the hug and looked at him. She cupped his face, the warmth of her hands bringing solace to his soul. He knew that she was vulnerable at the moment. It was the same every time he had to go on a mission. However, this time, it was unanticipated, and she didn't complain, but her eyes said it all.

"Mujhe tumse koi shikaayat nahi hai, Vineet. Main jaanti hoon tum mujhse bahut pyaar karte ho. Main jaanti hoon, ye sab mujhe affect nahi karna chahiye. Aur mujhe iski aadat bhi hai, Vinu. Tum bureau jaate ho, tumhara koi time nahi hai, mujhe isse koi dikkat nahi hai. Lekin hoon toh main ek ladki hi na, main bhi chahti hoon tum mere sath raho, mere sath waqt bitao, lekin humare pas bas waqt ki kami hai," Ruhana said, pouring out all her emotions in her words.

"Main bhi busy hoti hoon, kayi baar tum free hote ho par mujhe kaam hota hai, lekin kabhi kabhi mujhe darr lagta hai, Vineet. Mujhe bas tumhara sath chahiye, chahe vo pure din ke baad ho ya mahine ke baad, I can wait, Vineet. Lekin tum chahiye mujhe, at the end of everything, tum samajh rahe ho na?" She said, her tone laced with emotions, her eyes filled with tears.

"Main samajh raha hoon, Ruhana. I promise ab se aisa nahi hoga, main vaada karta hoon," he said, understanding her inner turmoil.

"Toh thik hai, aaj karvachauth hai, toh main tumse ek vaada chahti hoon, karoge?" she asked.

"Mere bas mein hoga, toh zaroor karunga. Tum batao," Vineet replied, cupping her face in his hands.

"Tumhe mujhse vaada karna hoga, ki tumhe jab bhi mauka milega, tum apna har waqt mere sath bitaoge. Mujhe bas tum chahiye, tumhara sath chahiye. Tumne aaj tak apne saare vaade nibhaye hai, Vineet. Ek vaada aur kardo," Ruhana said, extending her hand toward him.

Vineet stared at her for a few seconds, then placed his hand on hers. He knew this would settle the chaos in her heart.

"Main vaada karta hoon, Ruhana. Mera saara waqt tumhara hi hai, lekin tum hi kehti ho, work is worship, hai na? Toh vo zaroori hai. Aaj hum ek dusre se vaada karte hai, ki jitna bhi waqt milega, hum ek sath bitayenge, I promise," he said, his tone gentle, and Ruhana smiled at his words.

Vineet felt his heart at ease with that pretty smile on her face. He leaned toward her and kissed her forehead. She hugged him again, leaning into him, resting her head on his chest. The rhythmic beats of his heart soothed her soul, now, in a long time.

He pulled her chin up, only to look at her face. It had been a month since he had seen her so closely. He cupped her face and pulled her closer. In no time, their lips met, his lips brushing over her soft ones. What started as a soft peck deepened quickly, as they began kissing passionately. Ruhana felt her heartbeat pounding.

She whined when he bit her lower lip, causing her to part her lips. He took his chance and began exploring the corners of her mouth. His hands explored her curves, while she moved her hands up into his hair, clutching it, her lips not leaving his.

After what felt like an eternity, they broke the kiss, gasping for air. She turned away, shying out, but he held her wrist. It was time for burnout; they needed to shed all the desires they had kept hidden in their hearts. He pulled her close, her back crashing into his chest.

He placed his lips on her shoulder, her skin soft beneath his rough lips. She moaned his name, feeling aroused with just a mere touch.

He trailed up along her shoulder to her nape, planting wet kisses all along. She couldn't contain her moans when he hit her soft spot and let out a loud moan, his name, which made him smile. He didn't take a moment in taking further steps, freeing her from her dress. Next, he lifted her in his arms and placed her on the bed, sliding next to her. She hugged him before pressing her lips against his, kissing him softly. Their passion was a testament to the desires and true love that they had kept hidden in their hearts.

After a few seconds, he left her lips and trailed down to her cleavage, planting a trail of kisses. She whimpered beneath him as he trailed down her belly, kissing around her belly button. She moaned his name as he licked the skin around her belly button, his hands busy playing with her bosom, pressing them softly.

She was already aroused, while his actions were taking her to the edge. He further looked at her, his hands finding her love button between her legs, while his lips captured hers in a kiss once again. They seemed like two bodies fitting into each other perfectly. Truly, they perfectly complemented each other.

As their bodies moved in sync, the only sounds heard in the room were their moans and the pounding of their heartbeats. Vineet took another leap of love and faith, entering her, causing her to moan once again. He started gently at first, but then increased his pace, bringing pleasure to both of them. As they reached the climax, a shared pulse of ecstasy flowed through them, their breaths synchronized, and their hearts racing together. The intensity of their connection heightened with each passing moment, culminating in a powerful release that left them both breathless and content. In that instant, all the distance and longing of the past month melted away, replaced by a profound sense of unity and love. They held each other close, basking in the afterglow of their intimate reunion, their hearts now beating as one.

Ruhana lay in his arms, her head on his chest, as she listened to his heartbeat. She kissed his cheek, a small smile playing on her lips.

"I love you, Vineet," she said, her tone laced with emotion.

"I love you too, Ruu, and I will keep my promise this time," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.

"I know, tum mere sath ho na, wahi kaafi hai, mere liye, Vineet," she said, pecking a kiss on his lips once again.

As they lay in each other's embrace, the outside world seemed to fade away at that moment, the aroma of their love lingering in the air as they tried to soak in all the affection, ending the distances between them. They knew that their love was forever and everlasting.

***THE END***