We walked and walked holding hands, talking shit, making fun of other couples. For a second I forgot I am a professor.  Naina laughed loudly catching everyone's attention including mine. Pulling her towards me I held my hand against her mouth. It's been 3 weeks since my arrival here. I learned how to relax .

"Have you talked with kainat?." She asked me.

Yes. But no.

" No. What happened?." I asked her.

" Strangely she doesn't talk about her boyfriend. It's like a sudden switch in her." She spoke while I remained silent. Should I tell her or not? Kainat deserves her sisters support.

"A month ago, Kainat came to my house with red eyes. She told me they had problems and she decided to break things off. Apparently, he was asked to go abroad for higher studies but with a condition." I said as Naina looked at me wide eyed.

" What is it?." Naina asked me.

" They want him to get engaged or married if he's willing before joining any college ." I said to which Naina's anger flared up. 

" It is stupid of them to push their opinion and most disgusting to hear that he's blindly following them while being with my sister." She shouted with anger.

" No. He's not engaged to anyone else Naina. Your sister is angry on same reason. To which he suggested her to come abroad and study. As it will be easy to get married after their post grad. I dont know how that can be possible considering he did not inform him father about their love. I mean I don't know even kai is not sure who knows about their love in his family. That night Kai told me he broke things off with her.  I haven't spoken with her but suggested her to go out, explore new places and if she is capable to secure a seat at university, I don't think she needs to prove herself to anyone in future and maybe earn well too." I spoke looking at Naina. She got emotional and hugged me.

" i have not been a good sister to her but I am glad she is confiding in someone. She should definitely go out of India. Work, explore new lifestyle. Life is not all about getting married and finding boyfriends or being too serious about taking responsibility of family." She said lost in her thoughts.

I remained silent. I will never know about siblings relationship but if I have to say something about it, I should credit kainat for playing that role. She is 10years younger to me which caused to be overprotective about her. Someday, when I have kids with Naina I will get to see all the bickering and love between our kids.

Wait.

Kids?

" What are you thinking?." She asked me.

" Kids." I mindlessly blurted out to which she just blushed.

"You are leaving tomorrow, I don't want you to go so early. When will we meet again? I will miss laying beside you.  Should I just come back? I mean my sister will find a way to pay her fee off. Won't she??" Naina talked holding my hand.

" My flight is tomorrow midnight Naina. I will stick by your side whole time ok? Let's go home." I said pulling her with me. We have been to hot springs, different waterfalls, endless picnics and many romantic dates. Silently I fulfilled all the fantasies of dating life she wanted.

***

"You can't just blindfold me." Shouted kicking my leg. I chuckled looking at her. Do I want to surprise her? Yes. Am I nervous? Very much. 

"Open your eyes." I said to which she gasped. I decorated her spare room while she was taking bath. Just the way she always wanted. As Naina moved around to admire flowers I have arranged with racing heart, I got down on one knee.

" Naina." I called her.

"Whattt-" She shouted with wide eyes.

"Shhh. I am trying to be as  romantic as you always wanted me to be." I said gesturing her to come forward.

"Naina, I have seen you since you were a child. Although, my introvert self never imagined I will be here kissing the hell of out of you,  I want you to know Naina, you are what I always imagined as my companion. The courage and strength you show has changed me for good these all months. With you I get to learn new things about myself and experience a different world with you.  Naina, this proposal might sound very cheesy , out of my regular routine but naina you are bane for my existence, object of my every desire and love I am losing myself in you every minute out here which I don't regret at all. " I confessed referring last two lines from The Bridgeton series which she is obsessed with.

Naina had tears in her eyes and chuckled out loud still standing in her place. I could pure happiness and love on her face for me.

" Dear, if I had the chance or guts to confess my love for you, I would have done it for million times over but God has given me a chance to be with you in your most difficult times. I always had a notion, I am here to take care of you but love over the time,  i understood his plans. You were the one who pulled me out of my difficult situations. You my love, has shown me a completely different world. I am so happy to have you in my life Naina. Without you I probably would have been marking exam papers, listening to bickering of students and laying down alone on my bed every single night.  So, Naina will you marry me? Coz baby I can't stand someone holding your hand let alone looking at you.  You are mine. Now will you be mine? Will you be the person to warm my bed at night, caress my hair as I sleep, peck my lips as I try to snore loud and most importantly Stay by my side no matter what happens?." I asked her .

Nerves danced with anticipation waiting for her to reply. What if she's not interested to marry me?

" Will you do the honour of marrying me Naina? Of course not immediately,  I mean I will huh what I meant to say is you can take your time, I will wait for you. I will wait for every family member of yours to settle financially since you know I can't afford to pay but I will be there to hold them together. Am ready to go on any adventurous ride you decide for us. It's ok-." My blabbering was cut off by Naina who kissed me gently. I could feel her tears on my face.

"Gosh, you are so tall even while kneeling down." She said looking at me with red eyes.

"Make me wear this ring Rishu. I am ready to settle down with you. I haven't proposed to you as I thought you need time to accept me in your lonely life. Now that you are asking me, I will never ever leave you.  You are cruel though.  You had to end our vacation with you hanging me in the middle?." She spoke pulling me up on my feet her hands grabbed my hair and kissed me hard while I held her close to me.

"I wanted you to make love to me." She pouted to which I laughed hard. Out of everything I have done , she still got some complaint to make.

"Baby, I want to wait till our marriage." I said looking into her eyes.

" Why? You think I will run away? By the way, I really really really really really loved your proposal and I am happy you mentioned my favorite line from that series." She said circling her hands around my neck.

Holding her extremely close to me I said " Don't you dare even think about it.  You are mine. I tolerated your reckless act of marrying someone else but now I won't."

" Oh maybe I will find someone here until I meet you back at home. Maybe he will make love to me and I will get to enjoy the pleasure." She whispered .

" You are a really horny teenager.  Grow up. " I said pecking her nose.

" Maybe that will help me. I will really really really really really find someone. Here." She mentioned last part in low voice. 

" You need to be punished. Now." With that said I moved her to bed .

My trip here has been on a purpose, I wanted to propose her before leaving and marry as soon as we reach India. But my idea to be with her for lifetime has not changed. I will do long distance relationship for her. My profession can't support her financially and frankly speaking she will be able to save money for our family too. It's just matter of few years or months. Whatever it is I am willing to wait for her. I have done it for over 10 yrs, I will do 10 more for her. Although, I was the one helping her throughout my mind understood its other way around. I learned many things while standing up for her.

Our Scattered Hearts have finally found pieces to be together and that's what I love most about our relationship. 

*************

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Epilogue will be out soon.

Thank you so much for sticking my me . I have enjoyed writing this story so much. It was an emotional experience for me. Do let me know you liked transitions of characters. It's short but I wanted to keep it that way.

Do you all want me to write story about Kainat?

Do you like Rishabh and Naina's character ? It would be really kind if you drop your comments and opinions on it.  After many years I have completed a book. Thanks to my stress, which led me write this beautiful piece. 

Until next time:)