48. Saath chahiye, sirf adhikar nahi. (I want your companionship too, not just a right on you.)

A/N: her Mami's name is Ragini again. Excuse this bhullakad writer. I wonder what the early signs of dementia are. 😭

•°•

Priya has a very forgiving nature. She is benevolent in the sense that it makes the other person feel guilty for taking advantage of her kind nature. And if they don't, maybe they are just humans without any humanity.

I can't forget what happened last night. Even though she was hurt and angry, it didn't stop her from quickly ignoring all the bitterness just to make sure I didn't cause myself any serious injury. It was my fault, so what gave me the right to act all demanding and upset? I regret taking advantage of her nature. I've done that once, and no matter how many times I tell myself that I won't do it anymore, I get greedy and do it again.

This time around the mistake was mine, so the consequences to bear are mine as well.

Does it make me feel uncomfortable?

So much. Not talking to her makes me feel alone and unheard.

But I'm not shameless so as to keep abusing the emotional power I've on her. She deserves the space after what I revealed to her this morning. In her words, I did it so casually that I put no meaning to it. She was right. I've made a big life decision without even asking for her opinion. Agreed, I had made the decision when she was not a part of my life, but when she became, was it not my responsibility to let her know about it?

If I was in her place, how would have I felt?

Hurt. Extremely hurt.

After all, your partner has the right to know what plans you have for yourself in the future, for they are the ones affected greatly by it.

If we have the power to impact someone else's life because of our decisions, shouldn't we be a little bit considerate and respectful of their feelings? I've always felt having the chance to bring a difference in someone's life is rare, then why do I keep blowing them off? Why do I keep thinking about only myself while disregarding what she might feel?

I was selfish.

So her silence is something I deserve.

And this time, I was determined to keep my silence against it.

She had not been talking to me since this morning. I didn't act up or throw a fit. She called me immature, she was right, but I didn't want to prove it again. I didn't want her to regret marrying me, even though I've given her a lot of incidences to feel the same.

I was on the balcony when Bhai joined me, holding a cup of coffee towards me.

I sighed aloud, not having the mental will to get into another verbal argument with him. He is in that phase again where he feels guilty. I didn't want to fall for it, despite my heart going out to him every time he looks at me with hurt. I think I'm pathetic. I still long for the people who have no regard for me in their minds, yet I hurt the one whose world revolves around me.

I think it's a human tendency. To covet what you don't have, while failing to notice the worth of what you already do.

Wasn't I the one longing for a partner to get rid of my loneliness? Yet here I'm, after disappointing the one who chose me over everyone else, feeling pity for the one she didn't.

He sighed and put the other cup on the surface of the banister, leaning with his arms resting on it beside me. "I've talked to mom. I'm moving out next week. You won't see me home when you come back from your honeymoon."

I didn't respond.

Did I feel guilty? A little bit. But I don't want him to know my feelings. It's embarrassing.

"I admit to what I did, Adi. And I've no excuses to make. I just hope, somewhere in your heart, you have a place for me that can overlook my selfishness and forgive me." He whispered, putting his cup beside the other. "Priya is a very understanding woman," he murmured. "Honestly, if I had heard someone saying those words for me, I would have never considered hearing their side. But she came to me on her own and gave me a chance to explain myself. That was nice of her. It reduced the weight on my conscience." He added softly. "It made me realise there's nothing special about my love for her. She is the kind of person that's made to be loved. I'm lucky she even knows I'm one of the people who has deep respect and love for her in their hearts." He flicked off the tear that fell.

"Can I tell you a secret, Aditya?"

I answered in silence.

"I never confessed it to myself either. I was afraid of becoming a bad person in my eyes." He whispered. "But when you told me Priya is the one you want to marry and she also said yes to you, more than shocked I was appalled." He clenched the railing tightly. "I couldn't believe what I heard. In my head, I continued like a broken record. He? Aditya? My younger brother Aditya? Who can't talk to strangers without stuttering? Who relies on Vikram for every little thing? Who doesn't even have a job that could make him enough to travel by taxi? She chose that Aditya?"

I felt tears blur my eyesight at his words.

"And I was ashamed," he continued. "I was ashamed, that as an older brother, who rarely took interest in his siblings' life, who treated relationships like a chore, who was practically a loser all his life before he started his business, on what grounds was I judging my own brother like that? And if I do that over a love I didn't even have the courage to confess, what does that make me? A fucking loser, that's what." He chuckled mirthlessly.

"At first I used to think luck was on your side, that the universe helped you out and not me, that time worked in your favour and not mine. But no, Aditya. You got her because you wanted her more than me. And it's embarrassing. I claim to love her for seven years, and I still hesitated. That's my mistake, Aditya. I ruined my love with my own hands. You have nothing to do with my heartbreak." His hand came to rest on my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Adi, I'm such a fool that I was ready to damage another relationship in my life. I regret that." He turned to face me, holding my shoulders to make me reciprocate. I avoided looking into his eyes. "If you can, forgive this selfish brother of yours. He loves you. And from now on, he has decided to stop making things hard for you." He hugged me while I stood stiff in his arms. "I'm proud of you, Aditya." His hand rubbed up and down over my back. "You've come a long way. On your own." He pressed firmly, patting my back twice before pulling away to look at me. "If time allows, I would be happy if you call me at least once in six months. I won't try from my side, I know I've no right. But even a message once in a while will make me feel a little better about myself." He smiled softly. "Take care. And have fun on your honeymoon." He stroked my arm warmly before heading inside the house, taking his empty cup along with him.

I picked up the other cup, tasting the cold coffee on my tongue. Given that I hate coffees, it went down my throat far easily this time.

The doorbell rang, causing me to stand up straight in curiosity. Before I could even go back inside the house to check who the unannounced guest is, they did it for themselves.

"Where's my favourite Jij!?" She demanded excitedly.

I chuckled, holding the cup in my good hand as I leaned against the wall at the threshold. "You only have one sister," I reminded her playfully.

She turned to me, shrieking in delight and surprising Meghna who was standing beside her with a glass of water. My parents flinched at the voice while Preeti skipped her way in my direction, almost flinging herself in my arms. The coffee spilled a little because of the impact and mom rushed to take the cup from me. I returned the embrace of my eager sister-in-law.

"How are you half-husband?" She pulled away to grin at me.

I chuckled. "Good. What about you, half wife?"

"Amazing!" She hugged me once again.

I patted her back gently, wondering how much time has passed since I was so comfortable around the opposite gender who's not my direct family. Around twenty-five years, I guess. Women were always a hard subject for me. Even though Nisha Bhabhi tried very hard, I never felt so comfortable around her as much as I feel with Preeti. Maybe it's something Mathur sisters have in their genes. To make people feel at ease.

She pulled away to greet my parents and sister, then she grabbed my wrist and dragged me towards the bedroom. My feet skidded to a halt before we can enter the room but thankfully she didn't notice my hesitation. Opening the door without even knocking, she entered the room unannounced.

"The prettiest Mathur sister is here!" She declared throwing her hands in the air.

Priya appeared pleasantly surprised.

"Uhm, I object," I said in response to Preeti's claim.

She looked at me with a poker face. "Objection overruled, Mr. Shrivastava. Please refrain from interrupting the court's fair ruling."

I scoffed out a chuckle. "You're -"

"If you speak up again, you'll be excused out of the courtroom."

"This is my bedroom." I reminded her sharply.

"Ugh, you killed the vibe. You should have played along until the end!" She grumbled.

"You had the upper hand," I shrugged.

"I plead foul play, my lord!" She begged Priya, instantly and unrealistically changing the judge. "Counsel intentionally interrupted the court's decision, thus disrespecting the Pretty Preeti's Precious Laws!"

Priya laughed.

"More like Pretty Preeti's Prejudiced Laws," I rolled my eyes.

"So you agree I'm pretty?" She smirked at me.

Dang, the girl cornered me good.

"Yeah, but I still object to the Prettiest claim," I answered curtly.

"Whatever. You agree I'm pretty. I may have lost the battle but I won the war." She squared her shoulders proudly.

"Are you watching legal shows lately?" Priya inquired curiously.

"Yes!" Preeti nodded. "Lots of them." She chuckled, skipping her way toward the bed.

"You must have a lot of free time considering you've rehearsed your own nonexistent show, huh?" I taunted as I sat on the couch, draping my arm across the headrest as I crossed my legs.

She stuck her tongue out at me. "Anyway, Di, I'm here to tag along with you both to Sameer's house. We'll also be picking Mama from his place on our way. So get ready, will you? It's already four thirty and Sameer's parents are expecting us at seven." She glanced at her wristwatch.

"Okay," Priya agreed readily.

"Aap ko kya invitation dena padega, janaab? (Do you need an invitation card, sir?)" Preeti said to me sarcastically.

"No, there's no need for that," I replied in the same tone and got up.

"Uhm, wai-wait." Priya cut in weakly.

I looked at her in surprise. She didn't talk to me the whole day and now that she is doing it, is it because she doesn't want me to come along? Okay, that hurts.

"What's wrong?" Preeti questioned.

"Uh, his clothes - they- they'll be here in a few minutes." She nodded slowly.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

She met my eyes and opened her mouth to speak but was stopped by the doorbell. I waited patiently but only got a gesture of her thumb towards the door as a response. When I followed the direction she pointed at, there was no one, well that is until Sheena entered with a hesitant smile on her face, multiple garment bags in her hands. Mom and Meghna followed her, looking curious about the whole predicament.

Sheena dropped them all on the bed and stood straight with her hands on her hips, heaving deep, rugged breaths.

"Here you go, Ma'am," she looked at Priya with a broad smile.

"I'm sorry to ruin your Sunday by making you run around for my personal errands," Priya smiled apologetically.

"Oh, no don't worry, Ma'am. I understand you had other commitments that you couldn't visit the designer yourself. I had no qualms doing this for you. I was free anyway."

Priya smiled and dug through her purse for something. My eyes widened, and I guess everyone's in my family did when she fished out one of her multiple black cards. "Here, take the company card to treat yourself and your roommate to something nice tonight. Maybe dinner or a movie? Or both." She held out the card to Sheena.

"No, Ma'am -"

"Please, I insist. I will feel guilty if you don't accept it." Priya gently placed her hand on top of hers.

Sheena grinned. "I'll be considerate of your generosity."

Priya nodded.

"Whom should I return this to though? Since you won't be around starting from tomorrow for two weeks." Sheena asked thoughtfully.

"You can return it to me!" Meghna raised her hand.

Mom slapped the back of her head, smiling sheepishly at both the women who looked at them startled.

"Uh, return it to my father," I said, catching their attention. "Did you see the man outside in the living room?"

"Ah yeah, I did." She nodded.

"That's him. Give it to him, he'll keep it safe. He's the most responsible one in the house when it comes to money." I smiled at her.

"Yeah, that's a good suggestion." Priya agreed.

"Okay, ma'am. Thank you, sir." She regarded me with a smile. "I'll take my leave now. Enjoy your honeymoon. Bye." She waved at us before excusing herself politely from between my mother and sister. The two awkwardly stepped aside to let her go.

"You sure you trust her with it?" Mom asked her with narrowed eyes.

"Yeah, after all the card has no limit. And it's a company card." Meghna chimed in thoughtfully.

"She is loyal." Priya smiled at them.

"Money can change anyone's loyalty." Mom advised.

"It cannot be called loyalty then. That's deception." Priya stated.

"You know what my Di hates the most, aunty?" Preeti jumped in eagerly. "Two-faced people! She is pretty scary when her trust is broken. And Sheena has been with her for over seven years now. Even if she was deceptive, she would think a hundred times before crossing my sister." She claimed proudly.

Mom forced a smile at her. "I was just saying. Giving her a card, that too one which has no limit seemed too much for me."

"Loyalty is rare, Mom. It needs to be acknowledged and praised for it to sustain." I added softly.

"Yeah," she whispered. "You're right."

"Mom, I think I can smell something." Meghna sniffled the air.

"Oh shit the milk!" Mom scurried out of the room, and Meghna followed her after a wave at us.

We glanced at the multiple bags occupying the bed before Preeti and I looked at Priya in question.

"You- You said that I'm free to buy whatever I want." She mumbled weakly.

I was only capable of blinking at her, my tongue tied in my throat.

"Oh!" Preeti let herself check each one of them ignoring the awkwardness in the air. "Wow!" A phrase she kept repeating over and over as she went through the bags. There were jeans, hoodies, denims, various styles of shirts and pants, and seven different suits, varying in colors, comprising of dark shades. It was like a little store of all sorts of casual clothes as well as formals. "This one!" Preeti chose a checkered navy blue suit with a plain white shirt sans the tie. Now that I notice, almost none of them had a tie. I wonder if that was a special request. "You wear this one tonight!" She slammed the suit on my chest.

I held it by reflex before it could fall to the floor.

"And Di," Preeti went to the cupboard, returning with a satin blue saree in her hands. "You wear this. Matching couple!" She clasped her hands together happily.

"I need to pack all of this in his bags," Priya muttered keeping the saree aside as she went to pick up the clothes from the bed.

"I'll do it. You don't waste time." Preeti stopped her. "Just tell me which suitcase is his."

"The blue one," Priya answered, taking the saree and heading inside the bathroom without sparing me a glance.

I took the suit in my hand, turning it over to check it from all sides.

"What are you waiting for!? Go and change!" Preeti looked at me frustratedly.

I sighed and left the bedroom, wondering whose room can I occupy for a while. Bhai's was out of the question and I don't even want to ask Meghna. Her room always smells like rotten food despite the fact that she is the one who uses up all the room fresheners.

Spotting dad in the living room, I made my way toward him. He turned down the volume when he noticed me waiting for his attention.

"I need to change. Can I use your room?"

"Yeah, sure, go ahead." He nodded, focusing back on the television.

I headed to their bedroom and decided to use the bathroom for more privacy.

The first few minutes were spent contemplating where to put the suit so it doesn't get dirty while I remove my clothes. Then I hung it on the towel rack and immediately stripped off my clothes before gently putting on the expensive fabric. The hardest task was to shove the shirt inside the pants since my broken fingers could only assist so much. But in the end, it was worth it. The suit looked good on me. It was gentle against my skin, but at the same time hugged my body snugly. I checked myself in the portrait mirror, feeling a smile come upon my lips at her warm gesture to make me feel loved and cared for even when she has reasons to not.

"How did I get so lucky, Priya?" I whispered to my reflection.

"How did my son get so unlucky, Ragini Ji?" Mom's unexpected voice startled me.

I cleared my throat and began to fix my cufflinks.

"I mean, I can't believe there's a woman out there who couldn't see my son's worth." She sighed helplessly. "I wonder who's the man who she thought was better than my son. You tell me, Ragini Ji, do you really think there's someone better out there than my Avinash? He is a perfect boy." My throat constricted.

"To be honest, Ragini Ji, I had no hope Aditya will ever be able to find himself a girl. He has always been so introverted, you see. It was so hard for him to talk to people. I thought all his siblings will be married and well settled while I'll have to take care of him for the rest of his life. But he surprised me. Then again, women like Priya are not hard to find. Too focused on their careers, they forget there's a right age to get married. If not for my Aditya, she would have to get married to a divorcee or something." She added pitifully.

I let out a shaky breath, wishing it would have been better if I was deaf rather than hearing this nonsense.

"By the way, Ragini Ji, I contacted the Pandit you suggested. But I don't think talking to him did any good. He said the lack of peace in this house has nothing to do with my daughter-in-law. Maybe I should talk to some other priest. What do you think?"

I opened the door, startling her as she spun around, shock settling on her face at the sight of me.

I didn't wait to hear any more of the bullshit and stalked in the direction of the door.

"A-Adi," she rushed to me, holding my arm tightly. "Ragini Ji, I'll talk to you later." She said hurriedly before hanging up. "Adi, I was just -"

"Was just what?" I looked at her. "Insulting my wife? That's what you do in your spare time?"

She shook her head, clutching my arm desperately.

"Didn't your conscience stop you while you were speaking all of those things?" I asked her softly. "You were a victim of DV, mom. How can you even say such things about your daughter-in-law? Should have remembered the time when you were someone's daughter-in-law and they didn't acknowledge your worth. Maybe that would have stopped you from going this far." I shoved her hold off my arm.

She sniffed. "I was just- I was worried her arrival -"

"How can a person be the bearer of good or evil, Mom? Shouldn't it be their actions, their behaviour, their personality that defines them, and not just their existence? That's what dad taught us." I reminded her. "Tell me one incident, Mom, one incident when she hurt you, talked back to you, looked into your eyes, and said no for something. Did she ever insult you?"

Mom shook her head.

"Did you ever hear her talk bad about someone in the house behind their backs?"

She shook her head.

"Did she ever forget her duties as the daughter-in-law of this house?"

"N-No,"

"Then on what basis did you say all that about my wife?" I asked her.

She lowered her head guiltily.

"I guess you are right, Mom. In the eyes of the world, I was hopeless as a man and she was hopeless as a woman. Maybe that's the reason we found hope in each other." I said, opening the door and stepping out of the room.

Preeti stood not far away, looking at me with a tearful smile. "Gosh, you know how to use your words, huh?" She chuckled, brushing away her tears. "I was actually here because Di sent me to get the snacks your mother made for you. Sources say that you can't digest outside food well, especially the Western cuisine." She eyed me playfully despite the thickness in her voice.

"Yeah," I nodded.

"I don't want to talk to her now though," she muttered disappointedly.

"Ask Meghna, she'll get them for you," I suggested.

"Thanks," she said and turned, but then halted abruptly and faced me once again. "You're an amazing guy. In Pretty Preeti's Precious Laws, all husbands should be like you or they are banned forever."

I chuckled. "Sameer too?"

Her smile flattened. "He's on probation period right now. I'm ninety-nine percent sure he won't disappoint."

"Even if he sometimes does, hold onto him tight," I advised softly. "That's all we want anyway, don't we? Someone to not give up on us despite the flaws we carry?"

Her smile returned, this time more genuine than playful. "Yeah," she agreed softly.

I nodded back. "Meghna's room is that way," I pointed.

"Yeah, I know. I'll be back shortly." She chirped and walked off with the same enthusiasm.

I walked to my bedroom, knocking twice to let her know. "You can come in," opening the door, I halted at the threshold when my eyes fell on the sight of my beautiful wife struggling to pin her pleated pallu on her shoulder. She sighed in frustration, jerking her head to toss back the hair that silkily intruded her task, lingering on her cheeks like a teasing companion to her intentions.

I walked inside, stopping beside her and raising my hands, asking in silence if she wants my help.

She sighed and dropped her hands to her sides.

I pushed aside the strands scattered on her shoulder. She got the gist and pulled them to the other side. I put the safety pin between my teeth as I fixed her pleats before breaching the different fabrics to attach them. "There you go," I whispered.

She met my eyes through the mirror, keeping the contact for a second longer. When she looked away, it was to step away from me. I dropped my arms to my side awkwardly, giving her the space to breathe freely.

Preeti returned with a few heavy bags that Priya put in the small suitcase. I sighed. There's a certainty we'll be paying for the extra weight at the airport.

We left in Priya's car. I took my place behind the wheel, following Preeti's directions to their uncle's house. It was a chawl area, where we had to park the car at the side of the road and walk through narrow alleys to reach their house which was a one-room kitchen with a bathroom and washroom attached outside.

I looked at Priya when she stopped unexpectedly at the little porch, looking around with a frown on her face. I followed her gaze, noticing the broken bucket attached to a rope, the washed utensils kept to dry under the sun and the clothes hanging off the ropes tied to the tree and the window.

She heaved a sigh and entered the house. I walked inside after her.

It was extremely hot inside. The only fan on the ceiling rotated as though it was doing a favor for it to be still working as it is. Her uncle welcomed us warmly. Preeti and Priya had already made themselves comfortable on the edge of the bed while I occupied the chair available.

"Mein ek aur khurchi lata hu, (Wait, I'll bring another chair.)" Her uncle said and entered the kitchen, climbing the wooden stairs that took him to the attic.

Her aunt wasn't in the house but Ketaki came with a tray holding three glasses of water. She offered me first and I thanked her.

"Kaisi chal rahi hai NEETki preparations? (How are your preparations for NEET going?)" Preeti asked her with a smile.

"Good." She smiled back, shifting the tray towards Priya.

Priya took the glass and bent to put it on the floor. Just as Ketaki turned to leave, Priya grabbed her wrist to stop her. With a cautious glance towards the kitchen, I watched as she dug through her bag, producing two envelopes from inside, one thicker than the other. "Give this to Mami," she said, placing the thicker one on the right. "And this is for you and Saransh. Spend well. And let me know if you need more." She whispered. "Where's Mami?"

"She went to Shalini Aunty's house."

"Go to her."

"But Di, this-"

"Go!" Priya pushed her towards the front door.

Ketaki hurriedly left before her father could come.

He did a few minutes later, struggling to carry the chair down. I helped him with it. Once we were settled in the living room, he wondered where Ketaki went.

"She went to call Mami," Priya answered with a smile.

He nodded, diverting the topic toward our lives and asking us about our well-being.

We left when Saransh returned from his classes. He forced himself to greet us on his way inside. Uncle Mahesh looked embarrassed because of his rude behaviour. But Preeti distracted him immediately, clinging to him as she blabbered about how much she missed him. He chuckled, forgetting the reason for the frown on his face. On our way to the car, we met a few of his friends and neighbours, to whom he introduced us proudly. Especially Priya, since she came here after four years. Preeti had to drag him because he couldn't stop telling them about her achievements.

The dinner at the Sameer's house went extremely well. His family was warm and welcoming. And their adorable little three-year-old was the show stealer. We talked about the wedding plans and what can be considered the perfect time for their marriage. Since Preeti wanted a winter wedding, December was chosen according to the auspicious time for the couple to officially tie the knot.

During dinner, Priya and I mostly kept to ourselves as the others dived into casual conversations. Then an unexpected topic came up when I mentioned us moving out of my parents' house after our honeymoon.

"There's a well furnished three BHK apartment one floor down. I suggest you check it out. The owner is my brother's good friend and he is in need of money, so he is planning to sell it off. Yes, Bhaiya?"

"Hmm," Uday, his elder brother nodded in response. "Apparently, he got himself in some pretty high debts. So to pay them off he is planning to sell it off as soon as possible. The market value is around five crores but he doesn't mind even if gets around four and a half. I can talk to him if you're interested,"

Hearing the price had already dropped my heart to enough depths that it'll need years to crawl back to the surface.

"If you don't mind, can we check it out first?" Priya asked.

"Oh yeah, sure. The society secretary has a copy of the keys for this very purpose. I'll get it after dinner." Uday nodded.

"Thanks,"

So here we were, an hour later, looking at the house that's probably worth more than my life.

But it was absolutely stunning.

Every man's dream.

No wonder it was priced so high. It even offered an amazing view of Mumbai city.

I loved it. And from the looks of it, Priya loved it too. The admiration was clear on her face.

"Di, buy it!" Preeti grabbed her arm. "Please, buy it, Di. We can be in the same building then! Oh my god, it's like a dream come true, Di!"

Priya stayed quiet, her eyes searching mine for an answer. I was incapable as a husband to provide this kind of expensive happiness for her, so I looked away.

"Di!"

Priya hummed, not saying anything.

My heart constricted in my chest. I clenched my hand in a fist, forcing myself to stare outside the windows. I was ashamed, of the fact that I'm so cemented on doing everything on my own for her, but failing miserably because I'm clearly not prepared to take on the responsibility.

"Aditya, you're telling me your future plans! Our future plans. Par unme toh mein hoon hi nahi. Sirf aap ho! (But I'm not in them. Only you are!)"

I looked at her as she gazed around the house longingly, her fondness for the place reflecting in her eyes. How is she so understanding when she knows she can clearly afford this apartment in a snap of her fingers even if I can't? Would I have so been considerate of her feelings if the places were switched? The answer is no.

"It's beautiful," I heard say. "But I don't think-"

"What's the token amount?" I interrupted.

Uday looked at me with a pleasant smile. "Thirty lacs,"

My stomach dropped hearing the amount.

I looked back at her, wondering if it was right to take her to the corner to save my dignity in front of the other men. I don't think so.

"Would you be able to arrange seventy-five percent of it while I do the rest?" I asked her weakly.

Her eyes widened in shock. "Uh, uh yea- yeah," she nodded eagerly.

I looked back at Uday. "We want this place. Please get in touch with your friend."

"Oh, that's great!" He exclaimed and left the house while fishing out his phone.

Sameer walked up to me, meeting my eyes with a small smile. "Trust me, I know this feeling." He whispered, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Our apartment, Bhai bought it on his own. I couldn't contribute anything even though I was starting to earn on my own." He patted my shoulder softly.

I nodded, grateful for his words. It made me feel a little better about myself.

Preeti dragged him away from me, taking him to take another look around the house. Priya and I were left alone in the living room. She approached me willingly, stopping a few inches away from me.

"Don't break your savings, please. It's for your education."

I shrugged. "I was planning to apply for a scholarship. I'm certain I'll be eligible for it. The savings were just for flight and living expenses. Maybe I can take up a part-time job there to help me earn a living?"

She bit her lower lip, her eyes glossing over with a sheen layer of tears. "You did this for me, right? So I won't be alone when you have to leave?"

I looked away to hide my tears. I was surprised when she hugged me tightly.

"Thank you." She whispered. "Thank you for everything. Thank you for choosing me among everyone else. Thank you for falling in love with me. Thank you for standing up for me even when I fail to. Thank you for being there when no one else was. Thank you, Aditya. Thank you." She cried on my chest.

I wrapped my arms around her, pressing a kiss on the top of her head as I rubbed her back to soothe her. "You couldn't last a day without me again," I teased.

She chuckled through her sobs. "You just make me so weak." She hit me lightly.

"Do I, now?"

"You do," she confessed. "And you'll always be the only one to do that."

They are such goals 😭❤️

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