"I am...and I will be with you always", nikhil said holding Avantika's hand in his.

He gave her a tissue and she wiped her dress with it. She was wearing black, that's why the stain wasn't visible but she was feeling sticky.

"Do you believe me??", nikhil said looking at avantika while she was trying to clean her dress.

Avantika looked up and stopped wiping her dress.

"Yes...I trust you and I don't care about what palak says", she said, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Thank you", he said.

"For what??", she said raising her eyebrows.

"Because you took stand for me", he said smiling at her.

"I had to take Mr. Malik because you are my patidev (husband)", she said joining her hands in front of him.

Nikhil sniggered." How bad I was thinking about avantika. I thought that she would rob me but she is really a pure hearted person. Now I promise that I will try my best for this relationship. I know we both don't love each other but think we will slowly fall in love.", nikhil thought to himself

____________________

Next day

Avantika's POV

I was going through some important files in my room when nikhil came out from washroom. He had tied a towel around his waist. When I saw him, I lowered my gaze.

He first looked at the wardrobe for his shirt. Then he looked around and saw the shirt which I had ironed and placed on the bed.

"Thanks avantika", he said taking the shirt.

"Welcome", I said still looking down at files but with a blush spread all over my cheeks.

He went in front of the mirror and stared to get ready. I slowly walked out of the room, leaving him there.

I closed the door as I moved out with a smile stuck at my lips.

I came down.

"Good morning", I said to abir who was sitting at the dining table.

"Good morning", he replied back.

"Bhaiya, where is siya bhabhi??", I asked.

Suddenly his expressions changed. He seemed to be surprised and said, "Bhaiya?? From when did you started calling me that??".

"From today", I said.

"You don't need to call me that...Just call me abir", he insisted.

"You are elder to nikhil so you are my elder brother too", I said.

"Okay fine", he chuckled.

By the time, siya bhabhi and kavya chachi came holding trays of meal.

"Good morning avi", chachi said.

"Good morning chachi", I replied taking the tray from her hand and placing it on the table.

"Avi, can you just call samar for breakfast....actually he has the entrance exam today so, he has to leave soon", she asked.

"Sure chachi", I said and left for his room.

As I entered samar's room, I saw him holding a book in front of him but he didn't seem to be reading. I slowly went towards him and snatched the book.

"Bhabhi??", he looked at me questioningly.

I saw that he was holding another book inside it.

"What were you doing??", I asked looking at the book in his hands.

"Actually bhabhi....", he stammered.

"Tell samar!!", I asked him.

"I don't want to become a businessman but bade papa and papa are forcing me to do so.....I want to become a fashion designer bhabhi", he said.

"Talk to them about this. You shouldn't do business studies if you don't want to. You should do whatever you like and if you're happy being a fashion designer then follow it", I told.

"They will not understand bhabhi", he said getting up. He looked really stressed.

"Why?? I am sure they will be happy in your happiness", I said putting my hand on his shoulder.

"Before this nikhil bhaiya had also tried", he turned and looked at me. "He wanted to be a music artist. It was his passion, to be a singer, to be a musician but what did bade papa do!! He ruined everything and now bhaiya is doing what he never wanted to do".

"He wanted to be a music artist?? I never thought papa could do this with him", I thought to myself.

"Avantika, samar!! Come on!! You both are standing and talking here...chachi is calling you both for breakfast!! Come fast", siya bhabhi said.

"Coming bhabhi", I said.

Siya bhabhi smiled and went out.

"Bhabhi, please don't tell this to anyone", samar said holding my hands as entwined his hands with mine.

"But...."

"Please bhabhi"

"Okay fine. I will not tell anyone", I said putting my hand on his cheek.

__________________

I came back to my room after the breakfast. I took my files and departed for the office. For the whole time, I was thinking about samar and nikhil. How can bade papa do this to them?? How can he force them to do the things which they have no interest in??.

I entered my cabin, all worried about samar. I quietly sat on my chair and opened my laptop.

There was a note placed there. I opened it:--

I will finish the work soon today and we will ho home together.

~~Nikhil

It instantly brought a smile on my face.

Someone knocked on my door.

"Come in", I said.

He was nikhil.

"Nikhil you?? What happened?? You were going to see the site today", I said.

"Sshhhh!!", he said putting his finger on my lips.

"Can't I spend sometime with my lovely wife", he said holding my hand and placed them on his shoulder.

He then snaked his arms around my waist and slowly started dancing.

"I wanted to say something", he said.

"Say", I said.

He dangerously came close to my earlobe. I closed my eyes. He  whispered in my ear,

"I"

"Love"

"Y...."

My phone rang and I opened my eyes.

I saw here and there but nikhil wasn't there.

I ran to my table and picked up my phone. It was site inspection manager, Mr. Kulkarni's call regarding the new site.

"I think abir bhaiya has the papers of the area", I told.

"Okay mam....I will take them from him", he replied.

"Ya sure", i said and cut the call.

I was imagining nikhil. But why?? I am getting mad.

I sat again to work but I couldn't concentrate at all.

My mind just flashed up with all the memories of nikhil. Our marriage, our first night, the way he took stand for me in front of the media, our late night dinner, Longoval trip, the seven stone game and the last night conversation.

I looked up and saw nikhil sitting in front of me on the table, showing his cute smile.

I rubbed my eyes and saw again. Again he wasn't there!!

I think I am in love!!!

No no no!! This can't be!!

But what if I am in love??

Mere dil ko ye kya ho gya...
Mai na janu kha kho gaya....
Kyu lge din m bhi raat h....
Dhoop m jese barsaat h....
Aisa kyu hota h baar baar.....
Kya isko hi kehte h pyar.....