Two weeks later.

Preeta and Karan come out of the hall after writing their exam. Shrishti, Sameer, Kritika and Ayaan were waiting for them.

Shrishti: Di, chale??

Karan (immediately): Kaha??

Kritika: Packing karne, bhai aur kaha??

Karan: Par kis cheez ki?? Preeta, kaha jaa rahi ho tum??

Ayaan: Jiju...

Karan (interrupts): Aise kaise tum jaa rahi ho?? Humari shaadi ka kya??

Preeta gets irritated and keeps her hand on his mouth. He gets lost in her. She looked at him, then, her black eyes drilling into his. He couldn't help but think - He'd never seen such dark eyes with so much light in them. Her eyes were the deepest shade of the richest earth and they spoke of where she belonged. Her eyes shone with the love that was within, the same love that spreads throughout the black expanse of this amazing universe. They are made from atoms born in the brilliant stars, as is the rest of him.

Preeta: Bas karo bajarbattu, kitna bolte ho tum!! Hum sabko packing karni hai...shaadi ki saari rasme Luthra Villa mein hone wali hai na!! Hume kal nikalna hai!!

She removes her hand. He is still lost in her. Sameer and Ayaan giggle.

Preeta (confused): Karan??

He doesn't answer.

Preeta (shouts): Karannn Luthraaaa!!!!!

He comes back to his senses.

Karan (immediately): Haan??

Preeta: Tumne sunna meine kya bola??

Karan: Haan!!

Sameer: Toh chale bhai??

Karan: Kaha??

Kritika: Ghar!!

Karan: Kyun??

Ayaan: Packing karne!!

Preeta slaps her forehead.

Preeta: Chal Shrishti, chal Ayaan...

She turns to leave, but suddenly stops. She could feel his warmth on her. She closes her eyes feeling his touch. The hand appeared from nowhere and tightened on her wrist, white knuckled, strong. He pulls her towards himself and entangles their hands. She turned to fight it but found her feet dragging along the cement as she lost her balance.

Karan(leaving): Tum log chalo...mein Preeta ko drop kar dunga...

Shrishti (teasing): Okay jiju...

Shrishmeer and Kriyan leave. Karan turns to Preeta, who was glaring at him.

Karan (casually): Kya?? Aaj hi exams khatam huye hai...party toh banti hai!!

Preeta sighs, nodding her head in no.

Preeta: Aur agar mein mana kar du toh??

Karan: Tum aisa kuch nahi karogi!!

Preeta: Mein nahi jaungi!!

Karan: Pakka??

Preeta (confused, surprised): Tum mujhse jhagdoge nahi??

Karan (shrugging): Nahi!! Pakka nahi chalogi??

Preeta (confused): Nahi...

Karan (casually): Okay, babydoll!!

Preeta is lost in her own thoughts. She is still thinking, when she is suddenly no more on the ground. She realises that Karan has lifted her in his arms. His arms held her in her place. They felt like the metal bars that could hold her down as she tumbled down a roller coaster or an anaconda that could squeeze her spirit out of her nostrils. His arms were her tragic hero. She smiled at his stubbornness. He carried her to his car and gently puts her on her seat. He sits on the drivers seat. He looks at her, who was lost in him. He smiles and moves closer towards her. She could feel her heartbeat in her throat. She daren't move, she daren't even breathe, she was frozen to the spot. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest...duh-duhn, duh-duhn. Deep heavy breathes sound nearby. The hairs on her arms stood to attention, as a militia of chills march down her spine. The beating gets louder and louder, surely Karan could hear it, he could hear this cacophonous thrumming rhythm. The sound was intolerable, her breath got deeper and deeper by the second. She closes her eyes, feeling his breath on her bare neck. He slowly moves his hand towards her. She grips her dress. She tightens her grip, feeling his hand inch closer to her. He smiles seeing the way he affected her. He grabs the seatbelt and puts it on her and sits back on his seat. She opens her eyes, her heartbeat returns to its normal rate. She looks down, blushing. He smiles and rubs his hand in the back of his head. He starts the car and they drive away.

In the evening.

Preeta and Karan are sitting on the beach. She was looking up at the stars, while he was looking at his moon. A sky full of stars and he was looking at her. She felt his gaze and looks at him. They share an eyelock. There is something about that gaze of his she'll never find in another man, as if in that moment their souls had made a bridge.

Preeta: Kya hua??

Karan (nodding in no): Kuch nahi...

He doesn't shift his gaze from off her. For the first time she saw it. Fear. In his eyes.

Preeta (concerned): Kya hua, Karan??

He smiles faintly and nods his head in no.

Preeta: Nahi!! Kuch toh hua hai...please mujhe batao...

He turns his face to the other side.

Karan: Mein thik hu, babydoll...

She keeps her hand on his shoulder.

Preeta: Tum mujhse jhoot nahi bol sakte, bajarbattu!!

He doesn't reply. His silence said it all. She inches closer to him and he closes his eyes, letting just one tiny drop roll down his cheek. She slowly turns him towards her and notices that one drop, which makes her heart ache. She cups his face and joins their foreheads. He keeps his hands on hers and then lets himself loose in her arms. Unable to control herself, Preeta hugs him tightly. Karan feels at peace and snuggles closer to her. Preeta too closes her eyes.

Karan: Babydoll, mein...

Preeta (interrupts): Shhhh...kuch mat bolo...

After a long, need of the hour hug, Preeta breaks apart and wipes Karan's tears. He holds her hand and brings it towards the left side of his chest.

Karan: Tum...tum kabhi mujhe...

Preeta keeps her finger on his lips.

Preeta: Mein tumhe kabhi chodke nahi jaungi...i promise, Karan...

Karan smiles and Preeta too smiles at him.

Karan: I love you, babydoll...

Preeta gets shocked by the sudden confession. Her smile slowly disappears. She takes back her hand from his. Karan's smile too disappears.

Preeta: Woh...mein...mein...woh...

Karan: Shhh...kuch mat bolo...its okay...mujhe pata hai ki tumhe thoda time chahiye...mein samajh sakta hu...its...its okay...mein tumse pyaar karta hu aur pyaar intezzar karna sikha deta hai...tum jitna wakt lena chahti ho lelo...mein toh tumhare liye puri zindagi intezzar kar sakta hu...

Preeta smiles nervously.

Karan: Chale??

Preeta nods and Karan turns to leave. A tear slips, which he quickly wipes.

Preeta (in mind): Mein jaanti hu Karan ki tum khush nahi ho...par bas thoda aur wakt and i promise hum dono ke beech koi nahi aayega...tab tak mujhe pata hai kya karna hai apne bajarbattu ko khush karne ke liye...

Preeta puts on a smile and runs upto Karan. She holds his hand starts walking, all smiling. Karan gets surprised and smiles too. He looks down at their entangled hands and smiles. He looks up at her. Preeta too looks at Karan. She raises her eyebrows and he nods in no, both smiling from the bottom of their hearts, after a very long time.

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Precap:-
Pre-marriage rituals.