As she stood enjoying the breathtaking view..

Mishti thought of how close they have become in the past few days...how he proved himself to be a caring loving and a supportive partner.. with whom she could open up about  anything and everything...and be any one she wished to be..

Her Last week was hectic...

The unusual workload and stress for both of them...

The outing of her secret...

Abir's panic and guilt...

And all along that he planned this trip to Paris.!!

*****

Mishti was intrigued by the way Abir was stacking up his work...

They have started having work sessions at home too... though after finishing off the work part the sessions always turned to talk and fun....

But in the office everything was more rushed ..

He was certainly increasing his pace for the past four days...and she was under the impression that month ends were always hectic until she heard some one complaining...

And today he even skipped lunch...told her not to wait for him...and when he came back tired ..she had to ask..

" Abir ...is this okay to go at this rate...??.You are working too hard...here and at home too..and not even letting me to feel the brunt...I feel you are doing my share of work too..."

Her tone was concerned...and he pulled her near  him...

They were in the ensuite..She had arranged sandwiches and coffee.for him...

" Nothing like that Mishti...this is the normal pace ...and umm..I may be needed to go to an on-site meeting..soon  so just making sure my absence of three or four days won't affect the business.... managing some 80 odd franchisees and other subsidiaries should be smooth...and since they depend directly on my decisions..I'd like to appraise  each and every point..so that they can move on smoothly even if I am not available ..."

Mishti felt a tug at her heart...which became intense with every passing second...

He was going away...!

And this mad rush is to clear his schedule..

So she would be managing her end from here if he needed anything urgent or routine...

He drank the coffee and stretched himself on the chair... evidently tired..

" So let me help you ...let me take a look at one or two franchisee.."

Mishti offered and Abir smiled widely..

" Always ready to learn huh..okay..will assign some to you...let me know your appraisals by tomorrow... Now c' mon here.....I missed you..."

He hugged her.... rubbing his nose onto the open V of her dress..and was slightly surprised by the possessive way she held him ...

On the way back home .. 

Mishti suddenly asked him to change the route...Abir was surprised at her request..but did what she asked....

The car turned into a well kept lane ...and Mishti asked him to stop in front of the  house at the end of the lane..

Representative Pic 

" Is this..? Mishti this is a lovely place... WOW..!"

Abir got out of the car and looked around in wonder..as Mishti opened her door..

" And I never knew this place existed so near to our home.."

Mishti smiled at his enthusiasm...

" All credit goes to Chotima and Kuhu...Of course I loved this on first sight...but this is Kuhu's..so.."

Abir looked at her quizzically but remained silent...

" Chotima asked me to show you the house.." 

Mishti took the keys and Abir let out a low whistle...

" What...She wanted you to see this..I don't know why you are taunting her all the time..."

Abir's face changed a bit but Mishti being busy in opening the door didn't see the way his face hardened.

Mishti entered the minimally furnished hall through the foyer with a small fireplace at the corner..the house was as spacious as their Greenville apartment but more cozy.......

Abir looked around and then mounted the wooden stairs .. leading to a vast hall..with two bedrooms on one side .. another on the far side..

" Kuhu wants to put up her studio here...."

Mishti told Abir and as she walked ahead Abir held her hand..

" Tell me...why is this Kuhu's home than yours..?!..I am getting a distinct feeling of  sadness from you...batao mujhe...tum sad kyun ho rahi ho..."

Mishti looked at him..

" You know na...my parents didn't think I am an important part of their life...they just upped and left me ...and my Dadi..she was the second wife of the person whose son  was harmed by her son..she too couldn't keep me there...just by stroke of luck or destiny I ended up with the family of their daughter in law...

And...there I met Shaurya uncle and Varsha umm Aunty..,I used to call her V ma.. copying Ananya di...she is two years elder to me..and there was much much love in their family and all loved me too...."

Abir pulled her to him in a pacifying hold ...as she unburdened herself..

" Then one day just like that everything changed..I never knew the magnitude of what happened then...but honestly I couldn't understand how V ma could love me all that time ...and not accept Kuhu..I always knew Kuhu is crazy for the family..she never had..and feel a bit guilty for getting V ma's love and care even it was just two years.."

" So now you are over compensating for the love Kuhu should have gotten... that's the way your mind working..huh..!?"

Abir hugged her tight...

Her losses were immeasurable...but still she always looked out for Kuhu..

Mishti felt herself calm in his arms...

She perked up and  made him sit .. outlining her intentions regarding the house...and how near she is to achieving her goal...

Abir sat wide eyed as Mishti laid out her plan..

" Oh God..you are .. amazing Mishti...Kuhu is going to get a buzz.."

"And not a word to your pyari behna...Mera surprise jab hoga tab hoga...use kharab mat Karna.."

" Okay but only on one condition... take me to your room. I'll think about it after..... "

Abir walked into the far side one ..

Mishti followed him ....

"This.. this is your room.."

Abir looked at the comfy shelves and the view out of her window...

And looked at her... entering.. noticing the way she was trying hard to smile...

" Tum smile aise sad kyun banati ho..ab Kya pareshani Hein..?!"

Abir was puzzled as she moved away from him to the window...

He hugged her from back..

Alarmed at seeing her ready to cry.. Abir said frantically..

"Oh God..ab meine Kya Kiya... Mishti..I am sorry but Maine Kiya Kya Hein...?"

Mishti laughed through her tears at his antics...

" Kuch bhi nahin...woh..umm..Tum jaa rahe ho...toh thoda zyaada Ajeeb feel ho Raha Hein..that's all..hum Ghar chalein..?"

" Mein.. mein kahaan jaa Raha Hoon..?" 

Abir was now perplexed..

" Tum hi tho keh rahe the...on site meeting.. keliye.."

Mishti rubbed her eyes...as she felt Abir shaking....in laughter..

" Mujhe rote hue dekhkar ab tumhein hasi as Raha Hein..?.mujhe tumse baat hi nahin Karna.."

Abir..made her turn to him...

" Mein do din keliye jaa Raha Hoon... hamesha..uhh"

Mishti cupped his mouth as tears now pooled and brimmed from her long lashes...

Her slight frame trembled lightly..

Abir realized his slip...and frowned at the somewhat overwhelming effect his words had on her...

He hugged her tight... gently rocking her ...

"Sshh...I am not going anywhere without you...tumhare Bina mein reh paoonga Kya...aisa tum soch bhi kaise liya?!"

Mishti looked at him in disbelief...and shook her head..

" No.....it's okay.. tum itne over exert karke time nikaal rahe ho is meeting ke liye.... important nahin hota toh tum woh on site meeting schedule nahi Karthe na...it's totally silly of me...you have to go many places..and it will be ridiculous if I tag along ..it's just that I would miss you..aur ab aise Choti Choti baaton pe Rona bhi aa jata Hein... stupid pills..!"

Abir frowned...

" What!?...pills..? What pills? Mishtii...batao!"

Mishti realized her slip but before she could cover it up Abir caught on to it..

Her blush and evasion sparked in the clue and Abir joined the dots..fast..

" Oh God Mishti...Kab se..?"

He made her look at him...his eyes widened in mixture of awe , happiness and concern for her..

" Woh..uhmm..5 days..I consulted Nihaal and he got me a  consultation with Chotima's gynec.."

Mishti looked away a bit worried...and as the silence extended she looked at him...

He was shaking his head like anything...

" That's why he was so stealthily advising me about talking to you... lekin Tum.... suddenly yeh decision kyun liya..?"

Abir looked at her and his face softened at seeing her shy away from him..

He was ready to wait for her...to love him and trust him enough to take the decision on her own...and of course he would have taken utmost care of her...and there she goes proving her trust on him and  taking a risk...

His brows furrowed as he wondered why he thought of it a risk...as he pulled her onto him... loving her more than he did minutes ago..

****

At dinner..

Kunal was celebrating his sem break and  planning for trips with his friends..

Kuhu and Kethu eyed him jealously as he announced his plans one by one..

Nanu had recovered and seated along with Rajshri..who now ventured out of her room more often.. enjoying the kids talks...

To Mishti''s amazement Abir told the family about his on-site meeting.. with the executive members of the consortium.....and that Mishti will be coming with him..!!!

Meenakshii and Parul were happy that both were getting along well and Parul appreciated Abir for giving Mishti this opportunity...

Rajshri was sceptical..but a look at Meenakshi and Parul gave her confidence..

" Waise bro ..aap jaa kahaan rahe ho..?"

Kuhu asked as Mishti too looked up for the answer..

" The meet is at Paris...and .." 

Before he could say further Kuhu let out a shreik...

" OMG ..Paris..wow.. Mishtiii"

Kunal snickered...

"Koi fayda nahin..Hein... Mishti Bhai ke saath jaa raha Hein..kaam se time Milne wala nahin Hein.."

Mishti was sitting still as Kethu nudged her...

" Lagtha Hein Mishti ko bhi abhi pata Chala Hein..shock mein Hein ..Kya?!"

Nanu..was smiling silently and looked at Abir approvingly..

Kuhu was about to say something but Kunal eyes her not to reveal...their plans...

" Umm..well..we need to do some pending appraisals so Mishti..."

Abir looked at her and Mishti nodded.

" Well at this rate I see a paperweight definitely coming your way Bhai.."

At Kunal's comment all laughed and Mishti sent a darting look his way..

****

Abir waited for Mishti... his face in a brooding concern...

On their way back home he was silent as he was overwhelmed by her gesture and trust...and as soon as he was free to look up he did a cursory search...and was a bit alarmed...

Mishti''s emotional state did surprise him today and now he got the cause..and was waiting for her to tell him her distress...

***

Rajshri watched her daughter keenly as Mishti  sat beside her bed...

" Tum theek ho na beta...yeh tension kahin..flight ke bare mein soch ke toh nahin..."

" It's okay Badimaa... ab utna problem nahin Hein...umm..thodi tensed toh hona hi hei na..ek dum se Bol Diya ki Paris jaana Hein...aur itna important meeting mein assist Karna..that too in two days..."

Kuhu came in hearing this...

" Waah..!..it's the first time I am hearing you making wimpy excuses for an opportunity like this..Mishtiii...! You used to take challenges head on...so do it na...aur bro se thoda shopping ka time bhi request Karna... please.."

Rajshri warned Kuhu with a look seeing that Mishti was genuinely tensed...

" Chalo..ab Abir ko wait mat karvao...aajkal woh bhi thoda zyaada kaam Kar Raha hei...jaldi niptakar theek se so Jao... Kuhu tum bhi thoda padhayi Karo aur so Jao.."

****

Mishti noticed Abir's  pacing as she entered his room...

He stilled as he saw her and exhaled a breath..

" Abir... Yeh Sab..Paris .kahin tum mere silliness ki wajah se yeh decision toh nahin liya....and a meeting with such a significant body..are you sure..??"

He walked past her to close his door and turned to her ... opening his arms..

And she ...who was in dire need of an emotional support homed into them...

"Mishti...I have seen you catching up and learning the ropes fast...so I am sure you will excel my expectations regarding the meet...but are you sure about your decision..?."

Mishti looked at him and Abir continued as his tone turned worrisome...

" I looked up and found out that this umm ..pills... affect you in many ways...and I don't want you to take risks...the first thing I wanted to do was to call Nihaal and blast him for giving into your decision..but he did tell me to talk to you...so..are you sure Mishti...?."

Mishti was relieved that Abir didn't lambast Nihaal...

She made him sit on the bed and cupped his face..

" Abir...many women choose this option as it is safe ..and I didn't go for an Over the counter pill...I took advise of a medical professional who inspite being a good friend didn't prescribe me the pills then and there...he checked my medical records and then consulted with an ob/gyn..and since it was good timing for me to start the course he even filled out the prescription at Dr.Alice's advise..

And both of them mailed me the do's and dont's as well as any side effects I may suffer...umm..it  take some time to adjust given my history.."

" But do you really want to do this...I mean I... did you feel pressured to take this decision.. I umm was never subtle about my wants...but..I am not okay with this if you felt like doing this for me..."

Abir's open confession about his feelings made her heart swell...

He was being concerned about her physical as well as emotional well being...and feeling guilty about putting her in this position..

" Well..let me introduce myself...I am Mishty Agarwal..and I ve been known to take decisions on my own. I don't like any one interfering in my matters...and as I have been lusting after a hot body...with so - so packs, intense Amber eyes ..and cute...lips.. I. thought it would be cool...to...ouch."

She was scooped up and she held on to her dear life as Abir swung her around.....

" So disappointed to know that I am just a warm body for you...and besharam ladki...lusting after me.....that too at your boss....Mera advantage Lena chahthi Hein...poor me..!!"

****

Mishti laughed at this memory and turned back to her room...

They were staying at Four seasons... opulence in its grandeur...as it was the venue for the Annual meeting of the exec committee members of the consortium..

At home everyone were excited for her big event...Paris was warmer and Kuhu and Kethu went riot during her packing that she had to push both out of her room...it was just a 3 day official trip for her ..

And how fast it changed to a fun filled day..She was flabbergasted to find out that they came a day earlier..and it was Abir's plan all along to show her Paris in its full glory...

And how both of them enjoyed the Parisian hospitality... after visiting the Napoleanic Arc de Triomphe they had walked back along the Champs Elysees, one of the most fashionable streets in the world, and she was in awe of pretty Parisian architecture. It is a shopaholic's dream place and Mishti did the minimal shopping for Kuhu Kethu and Kunal..and made Abir select some casuals for him too..

After the on foot excursion they had reached the Eiffel tower..and Abir had taken her to Andre's  cafe ..a high end one from the look of it.

Representative Pic : rooftop with Eiffel tower

 Abir introduced her to Andre's family.his mom and brother.....as' Mon amore !' with a glowing smile as he pulled her into his arms...

Mishti was blushing hard and Andre's mom gushed over her ...and they were told to stay back for dinner...

By the time they walked back to the hotel...arm in arm....it was late and both kept up with their professional etiquette...since many a dignitaries and their staff were accommodated there.

****

Now as she dried her hair she felt proud of the way she conducted herself.. Sitting beside Abir and taking one or two questions on his behalf..and how effortlessly she could mingle with others...

Abir had soughted her sometime after  she had moved away from him...

"You are a natural Mishti...I am proud of you..love you..."

He had whispered into her ears... discreetly..

The chairman had announced that they were hosting a dinner party in the evening...

She had panicked at the invitation.. worrying what to wear.. but to her surprise a parcel was delivered to her room..

A beautiful but familiar dress .. waiting for her...with a note..

" My showstopper... dazzle away..!"

She had seen this dress at Chanel yesterday.. while they were window shopping.!

And Abir.....

She had loved it and was amazed by the way his eyes detected her nuances..

 She was relieved that the dress came with an ensemble of accessories ... otherwise she would have ruined the line of the dress..

He had told her to get ready in two hours and she had pampered herself in the time..

The dress fitted her perfectly and as she stood finishing her look.... she imagined Abir's response... with a shy smile..

And on the dot there was a knock on her door..

An excited Mishti took her matching shoulder bag and ran to the door..

***

Abir was immensely happy.,

His Mom had happily send Mishti with him...and he had enjoyed her surprise at his plan of a day out in Paris..

And they had a gala time ... playing tourist and having fun in the little time they had ...

And the happiness he felt in calling her his love in public ..exhilarated him..

He just came back after making all arrangements to make her birthday a memorable one... He knew his girl was not into glitzy events..but loved cozy.. ones..

And how she made him proud in the meet..

All were vying to know who she was when the meet ended and he was congratulated for her efficiency by some... although he did have a problem with the way a particular person took interest in her..but now he  brushed off the negativity and stood at her door...eager to see whether his imagination  was more beautiful than the  reality...

There ...she stood before him...!

A vision in rose gold...unadorned ....yet ethreal..!

And his imagination conceded defeat...

She was everything he imagined and much more..

Representative Pic

The fabric.. moulded her in a way that she looked fuller...and fitted her like a glove.....and he wondered,....!

At that moment he didn't care about the dinner or party ...he just wanted to enjoy her every inch with the dress on and then....

" Chalein."..

Her enthusiastic voice and the shy smile at understanding the glowing desire in his  widened eyes...pulled him back.. from acting on his raw instincts...

" I will be the most envied man of the evening..."

He pulled her onto a tight embrace... letting her know the effect she was having on him...

Being a professional dinner event Abir was not able to keep at her side always...as he too was in demand with the seniors who were impressed with his feat in the field of international hospitality..

As the dinner progressed with mild Parisian music in the background..and taking advantage of a break Abir's eyes searched her...and found her.. engaged in an animated talk with none other than the chairman..

He joined them and when the senior left commented .. lightly smacking her with his shoulders..

" Winding everyone on your little finger are you..?"

Mishti looked at him mischievously..scrunching her face ..

" Jealous much...! Are you..ehh?"

Before he could give her a perky reply someone tapped his shoulder.

As Abir turned his eyes lost its warmth..his jaws tightened a bit ..

The one person who kept clear of him all these years and till now has taken up the courage to approach him...

"Hello...Saksham...!. Saksham Rana...I hope you still remember me. Abir Rajvansh!"

****