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!"

*******

Abir turned to Mishti ..blocking the newcomer's view purposely as his eyes sweeped her  .,.and asked Mishti to excuse them...

Her eyes enquired and his responded in reassurance..

As Mishti moved away Abir faced Saksham..

" I hoped that I was clear when I told you to stay clear of me..  that day.!"

Abir's words were on point and blunt that Saksham did take a step back..

"Whoa..chill man .. it's been years...and  we've been in same circle but I stayed away till now.. don't you think it's high time we buried the hatchet...?!"

Abir snorted and turned his head ....eyes involuntarily seeking her position...

"We don't have a hatchet to bury...and to break bread with a person who harmed my friend  is not my way of honouring the friendship.."

Saksham winced at the jibe...and respected the way Abir still is...

unfortunately his " friend" wanted him to" harm "her and at that time the temptation blinded him...He did get what he desired .It was a shame though she failed in her objective..

Abir Rajvansh..you never knew..!!!

She rang him up in the morning... asking him bluntly to keep an eye on Abir..and to be honest he was surprised at Piya's command..over years they have met discreetly and spent their passion... without strings..but never she was unsure of Abir as she sounded now..

And he understood the reason now...

walking away from them..

Nothing more to describe her poise...

She moved like a cool golden flame..

Abir's face darkened as he saw Saksham's eyes following Mishti...

He took a decisive step closer to him and warned him in the iciest tone..

" I thrashed you to an inch of your life.. for what you tried to do with Piya..but I will decimate you if you even dare to look at my girl.....I hope you will take the warning seriously this time.and I won't even respect your brother like I did last time."

At the mention of his brother. Saksham retreated...Arms raised in mock surrender..

****

Mishti was confused when Abir told her after the dinner that they were going out ..and that he had already made arrangements to vacate the hotel... But she decided to wait and see...

They walked hand in hand..

Feeling the breeze of the cool air ...

Mishti slid her hands around his arm ...she had worn his coat ..and was wondering why Abir was distracted...

" Who was that guy..?..the one who kinda re introduced himself.."

Mishti asked pinpointing his distraction..

Abir sighed and held her closer..

"Just an old acquaintance and a bad memory..leave it...!"

" Okay..so where are we going....umm.."

She looked around recognising the route.. seeing the Eiffel tower.

" Are we going to Andre's cafe..?"
Abir nodded and smiled at her happiness...

" Wow...I loved the place ...nice ,cozy and with a splendid view ."

" Ah..you liked the view.. good..ab Chalo.."

Mishti was intrigued by the signboard in French outside the glass door..and her wonderment increased as she stepped into an empty cafe...

" Abir yeh itna Khali Khali kyun Hein...koi holiday Hein Kya?"

" Yeah...it's closed for some hours.. maintenance.. work.."

He quipped as he guided her to the rooftop..

Mishti let out a shriek of happiness as she spotted...two familiar figures..

" Mark...! You are back..!.. Hi Andre... Abiir.. you knew Mark was coming and planned this.!!.."

She looked around to find a small enclosure on the rooftop... decorated..

" You look gorgeous madamoisalle.."

Andre bowed and kissed her hand...as Mark happily repeated the greeting with appreciation..

Abir knew how happy she was to see Mark...

Hell ... even he missed the guy ..!

" So you are officially back Mark .. thanks for joining me here..but now can I have my date with My Lady..."

The guys exchanged a happy look and left the couple...

Mishti looked at the subtle lighting and the intimate ambience of the place ..

she ran to the railing.. soaking in the night view as Abir stood mesmerized at the view of her in the back ground of the glowing tower...starry sky ...and the shimmering City lights....

Mishti turned to Abir.....

" You are definitely the best schemer between the two of us...So are we umm.. going to spend the whole night here...?!.."

Abir nodded... holding her gaze....tapping his chin..with a naughty smile....which widened at the sight of her blushing and lowering of her eyes..

Mishti felt him come near and he lifted her chin...

" C' mon .. let's have a nightcap..."

He guided her to the cushions as she spotted the elegent wine arrangements by the side .

" Abir..why do I get a feel that. ..this is not just a date."

Mishti looked at him quizzically..

Abir handed over her the wineglass..

" It's a date Mishti...I do live with you under a roof ..I work.. with you...but.. nothing seems enough for me...I want to love you...to share every smile of you..and to never let you be sad..."

He held her hand in his...

"I didn't know how it would feel to call you mine out loud...and the thing I am going to miss the most when we go back home.. is that..feel....so now ..I want to feel it every moment and make you feel that I am yours.. completely... irrevocably..."

Mishti had tears in her eyes as Abir confessed his feelings...

And Abir's face changed from whimsical to contrite...

" Mishti....I .."

Abir cupped her face wiping off her tears and was amused by her radiant smile..

" Ab tum has rahi Hein ya ro rahi Hein iska pata mujhe kaise chalega.."

Abir asked playfully as she rubbed away her tears..and rested her head on his shoulder.

" Tumhein pata Haina...Tum mere saath Hein toh mujhe rona kyun aayega..I never imagined that I will be lucky enough to meet you again let alone feel your love...and here I am..it doesn't matter where I am...or who all are around me...if you are near..it's enough for me..."

Abir let her finish the sip and pulled her onto her feet..

Gently removing his coat...as Mishti looked at him and the way his fingers caressed her arms...

"May I have the dance.."

His palms held hers as he asked her huskily...the faint music from downstairs was seeping into their conciousness..and Mishti nodded.....

They slowly took the steps ..both chuckling at Abir's missed steps .

later... falling into sync and daring new twirls and dips . laughing..at their pose ..

Slowly..each moment and touch... stoked the ambers of desire...as his eyes feasted on her ...

As their breath quickened ...she held on to him.. rubbing her face onto his bare chest.. swaying gently ...time stilled as both basked in each other's warmth... listening to their  single beat ...

A faint movement at the entry brought back Abir from his trance..... Andre rolled in the cake followed by Mark... ..

"Happy birthday Mishti...!"

A rumbling wish reached her ears... pressed on to his chest.... Mishti opened her eyes and looked up at him.. surprised...!

Even she had forgotten about her birthday amidst all the busy and new experiences...not surprising though...Kuhu and Badimaa were the ones who always kept the tab on her birthday and sometimes surprised her with impromptu cupcake wishes...and then her friends......

She looked around to see the birthday wishes on the wall shimmering at her..

" Abir...all this ...was planned by you .!."

His face glowing with childish enthusiasm..was a heartwarming sight to behold and her face too glowed in reflection...

Mishti moved away from his embrace and blushingly thanked Andre and Mark for their wishes...

After making her blow the single candle.. Abir whispered in to her ear...

"The first of many to come..!"

And got a hoot from Andre..and Mark.. clapped in Joy...

Mishti cut the cake and before she could feed Abir ..he took it from her and fed her ...

Mark and Andre moved in and cut the cake and after helping themselves took leave hastily giving the couple their privacy back...

Mishti turned to Abir...

" Itna bada planning..that too with out a clue to this... celebration.."

Mishti pointed to the lights..cake..and the gifts Andre and Mark have her....

Abir made her sit and hugged her tight...

" It's nothing...and whatever I do.. it will not be even in a competition with what you give me...by being in my life..."

" And I need only you to make me happy..."

Mishti bored into his embrace...

" Now...can I have my share of cake..."
Abir asked her mischievously...and at his look Mishti understood his dangerous intentions..and moved away...

" No ..no ..Abir..no smearing..."

Mishti ran around with Abir following her with the cake..and finally got caught by his strong arm...

He pulled her onto him... smearing a blob of frosting on her lips...and swooping in to nibble.. having his full share that way......and the passion both of them were cautiously keeping in check triumphed over their need for each other....

His lips pressed into hers in urgency as her arms twined around his neck... giving in to his exploration..and taking the pleasure his soft bites gave her.....

Her hands moulded his hard planes over the shirt and then impatiently slid under ...to feel them...

Her lips and her touch were driving him on to a brink...and Abir broke the kiss slowly.. supporting her...he can't lose his control now...this was her special day..and it was more than enough for him that she was in his arms...

Mishti looked at him with  longing eyes..and they widened as Abir turned her around...

A cool touch made her look down to see a beautiful pendent.....the double infinity studded with diamonds...
Abir turned her to face him admiring the delicate golden chain and the pendent...

Mishti trailed her fingers along it in awe ..

" Abir...this is.. incredibly beautiful...lekin..itni expensive..".

She paused as she saw a flicker of hurt in his eyes... which he masked swiftly....

" Now ..you must be tired na..the meet and dinner..then this..Chalo..I'll show you  the loft...you freshen up and rest...I"ll come after seeing off the guys..."

Abir directed her to the side steps of their enclosure and pointed to her a kind of modified attic..

Mishti felt awful as she took to the upward steps ..

Abir did all these things for her and she just had to act ingrate...

But it just slipped out of her mouth...and he should know she doesn't need expensive presents ....

his love and presence held more weight...

But not now...he won't show it ..but it was as though she could feel his hurt..and it was not arrogance of a wealthy man...but genuine hurt..

Her eyes widened at the sight in front of her ...

The attic was partially roofed with glass windows and the cozy sleeping arrangement... Just beneath the exposed  roof and an open plan bathroom.. to the inside..

Everything beautifully decorated....

As she moved taking in the beauty of the minimal lighting and natural moonlight she felt Abir...his touch in the cushions arranged ...the rose petals fragrancing the bath tub...

He did all this by himself...

For her...

***
Abir walked back .. berating himself...

He shouldn't have taken her comment seriously...

Of course he knew she doesn't care much for jewelry..but she wore the one he gifted her all the time...

without any quibbling..

And she was adept in reading him like an open book... he was sure if she did catch his fumble..she would feel bad...

He took the necessary things to arrange before she freshened up..and jogged up..

****

Abir straightened up after setting their wine glasses on the table...then placed  his watch and wallet by the side..

He looked at the clear night sky ..a faint chill in the air...and exhaled..but his breath struck as two hands wound around him...

Mishti pressed her face on his back... nuzzling the warm hardness...

" Abiir..I am sorry...I shouldn't have said that...I love whatever you choose to give me....and I mean it..I am sorry for hurting you..."

Abir kissed her fingers...

She did feel bad and now she is sorry for hurting him.... could he not keep his ego quiet for one day..!

He turned and looked at her...

She stood there... looking upto him....her honest eyes betraying the ambers burning in them....and then her shy lashes making an effort in vain to mask it....

She was waiting up for him...!

His eyes widened at the realization as she lifted her arms to the back of her neck...

The fabric slithered slowly and pooled at her legs..

Abir stood there... definitely shocked and in awe at the beauty unraveled in front of him....

Mishti had thought herself bold  enough to carry out this ..but now shyness enveloped her .. and shot an uncertain look at Abir...

Her eyes held all the innocence and fear...

His eyes zoomed at the glittering pendent resting now in the valley of her orbs... and the subtle shimmering of the waistchain....giving her a surreal look in the night light...

Abir opened his arms...

Just as she surrendered before him in every way....he too submitted himself before her .. unconditionally..

Her eyes widened and the rush of trust and happiness in them was subliminal.. 

His arms enfolded her tightly ...as he pressed light kisses on her hair ... allaying her fears...

After a moment he lifted her chin..his eyes glinting mischievously.....

" To be honest I was wondering all evening whether...uhh.."

Mishti had pinched him at his light joke...

" Seriously...I am amazed..! now they make such gravity defying stuffs too...."

He laughed merrily at the way she tugged her bralette...and scooped her up in his arms.. eying her bare legs... greedily.....to the waiting bed...

**

It was natural for them to snuggle under the duvet and talk as they did on all the nights they sneaked to be together..

But each lingering touch and caress...were registering a high note of emotions..

Both were skirting around..the obvious...  stoking the embers of passion ...by tiny kisses ..cuddles and caresses as they talked about the beauty around them ..

And those tiny kisses cuddles and caresses slowly turned into demanding...

His hands were given free passage and were now roaming on her body with a delight of discovering new curves and dips...

The ecstastic bubbles forming and bursting in the pit of her stomach ..

The goosebumps sprouting all over her body..

The blush deepening into a reddish hue..

The racing thump of her heart beats...

All were elevated to a higher plane...as his lips started their journey on her soft skin to an  undetermined destiny... nibbling and laving all the way... making her tremble with want...

Her fingers fisted on to his silky hair as her heightened senses relayed the smooth chafing of his five o clock shadow...along her sensitive skin...to the dip of her navel...

She jerked as his tongue swirled her navel...

Tiny shockwaves coursing through her..at the onslaught of his ministrations....

Her arched frame.. begged for more and he was more than ready to oblige....

Her hands clawed at his shoulders...and as the intense wave of ecstacy subsided he cradled her in his embrace.. soothing her bewilderment...

She wanted to feel him and tugged at his shirt roughly... causing the button to pop out...

His silent laugh at her impatient act rumbled in his chest and Mishti was a bit embarrassed for a second...

Then to his mild shock she sat up on her knees and did the same honors to the rest of the buttons...just for the heck of it..!

" There ...laugh as much as you want.."

She said craftily as she watched Abir's heartwarming laugh..  .. Laughingly he  pulled her onto him.. and whispered huskily...

" Did I tell you how much I love and miss my bossy girlfriend...!..my fiery girlfriend.."

At this comment Mishti blushed..and Abir caressed her cheeks lovingly...

Her arms wound around him shifting away his shirt on his back...her lips found his and nibbled on its fullness..and then returned his favor ardently as her lips paid tribute to  his chiseled planes ..... inhaling his essence.. making her feel light headed..

Abir stilled when he realized where her hand stopped.....

His eyes flew to lock into hers...in an unasked question .

She nodded her answer... trying to mask her shyness...

She was sitting up as he joined her....his heart skipped several beats as he drank in her moonlit curves...

Realisation that they were wading into unchartered waters..was dawning onto both... being semi clad was not helping at all in reigning or hiding the urge to sate the unknown yearning..

The kisses grew more demanding and the age old instinct to feel skin on skin...was taking over..

He moulded her thin lace clad mounts as she twined her hands around his neck.. letting him so the honors...

He made her turn away.. hugging her from the back.. pressing kisses along the small of her back.. making her arch as he kneaded  her softness....

And then she turned to him...her lips impatiently seeking their solace...

His passion now ..knew no bounds as his fetish was displayed..to him in their pebbled beauty....for him to be taken...

Her fingers dug into his hair.. pulling and fisting... as he inflicted sweet torture to her hardened nubs..

Abir was realising through the haze that he wouldn't be able to control himself if he continued at it..and tore himself away from her ....

" Umm.. Mishti..woh.."

As he took in her aroused glowing look he let out a groan and hugged her tight... looking at the star studded sky...

Mishti knew something was troubling him...and the way he was retreating gave her the clue...

" Abir..."

" Uhmm.."

" You told me that you will wait for me till I trust you ... with out fear or doubt...?"

" Hmm.."

' I am ready...I trust you..and I love you...and you were the only boy I loved ...the only man I love ....and ..and I want you...!"

Abir turned to her ...

" Mishti ..are you sure..this is an important decision for me too..and I don't want you to regret your judgement..,! I won't lie..I want you..just as my next breath..hell even more than that....but as much as I want you now ...I want you happy and safe more..."

Mishti pressed a kiss on his lips... rubbing herself onto him...in answer...and got his reply in kind...

He moved over her...unleashing the tender pangs of passion.... showing her the stars ...even with her eyes closed....

The wave was mutual as they together scaled the heights of passion.. when the time came and he was prepared...their eyes .... even in the liminal haze... held their gaze...

Totally understanding the  value of the gift they were giving and taking...

***

Both lay sated snuggling in a wonderous Bliss...

Abir kissed her a hundredth time... knowing very well that she didn't take the decision lightly..and now it was his responsibility to take care of her ...

Mishti looked up at him as he got up and before she could say anything he scooped her up..and for a moment his eyes were shocked to see the evidence of what he had taken from her ....his eyes misted at the thought of her pain to give him his pleasure...

❣️

Mishti revelled in the way Abir was tender and patient with her...

allaying her fears and doubts...

giving her so much pleasure before she felt the sting...and he was gentle...with her...letting her set the pace..

And even after...he never left her ... pressing kisses on to her hair... holding her in his arms....

The warm water dip he gave her was stinging at first..but then it became soothing... alleviating her pain and soreness..his arms around her soothing away her insecurities...

He had even changed the sheets and made the bed by the time she changed into her nightdress.....the one she used to tease Abir...and came back to the bed..

As they spooned under the duvet... comforting each other in their closeness...Mishti realized that the love she felt for him before this commitment had transformed into a much more deeper ...much more broader and much more Fuller .. feeling..

He  was irreplaceable in her life..

now ...

He became her lifeline..

Her soulmate and her bodymate...

Her Partner in every sense...

*****

Same night New York..

Meenakshii was happily involved in planning  the surprise party for Mishti...

Though Kunal and Kuhu had planned a small family celebration , when Meenakshii suggested about inviting the Saxena's over for the evening dinner...they agreed readily...and Kethu's face glowed...

S

ame night Toronto

Piya looked at the pics send by Saksham..

Happy faces... looking at each other.. with secret smiles..

Last year..they had talked about how he was going to be in the consortium...and she has dreamt herself beside  him ..as his plus one..and center of attention....and now ..

Mishti...!

And what infuriated her further was the fact that Saksham didn't want to involve further...he made that clear to her...and that too pricked her much..

" You used me once and today I got the full brunt of my act when I looked  in his eyes... after all these years.. Now..I am being polite..but. you are not worth Abir's anger a second time... !"

What was with that 20 something girl that made even a committed white collar bully like Saksham turn soft and now he  was telling her... her worth...!!!

Well now it's time to amp up her scheme...

She looked at the calendar...

she was biding the time...to corner him from all sides. And make him hers..!

Same night
India..
Rajgadh.!

The leather clad feet crushed the dry leaves mercilessly.. as a robust figure walked to the courtyard of an abandoned house..

The long and dark shadow of the man as he stood still at the center of the courtyard fell on the house..

As if both were reacquainting after a long time...

***

Back to Paris

Abir looked at the beautiful lashes resting on her rosy cheeks...

The rhythmic ups and downs of her bosom..and the way her palm..rested close to his heart..as if his heart beat was her lullaby...

His mind was overwhelmed with emotions...as if he had everything in the world... right beside him...

The girl who elicited a protective feeling with her widened eyes ..now elicited the feelings of possessiveness and passion within him..

His eyes took in the plump lips...and his heart beat quickened...

And as if  in response she parted her lips ... moved closer to him...

wrapping her arm around him snuggling deliciously....

Abir pressed a light kiss on her hair and cocooned her in his arms...

As his eyelids grew heavy he was wishing to God that this night should never be over.

Little did both the souls knew about the shattering tempest laying in wait for them....just ahead the curve of their life journey..

****
It's a very strange and happy parallel that both Mishti's are celebrating their birthdays today...
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