''Are you two planning to leave the bed today?'' Sheela asked knocking Kajal's room door. It had been half past 9 in the morning and the couple hadn't stepped out yet.

Tarun stirred and Kajal who had been sleeping peacefully with her head on Tarun's chest stretched her arm. As her mother's words started sinking in, they both jumped up. ''Shit, I am late.'' Tarun got out the bed a little embarrassed . Kajal pressed her lips, last night he held like there was no tomorrow and now he got nervous with his mother's little teasing.

She slowly stepped out of the bed, walked to him and pecked his cheek, ''Good morning!''

He smiled and returned it with one on her forehead, ''Will mom tease us?'' He  asked nervous.

She smiled staring at his worried face, ''She will, just don't react. If you do, she won't give up.'' She replied and watched his nervousness grow. For some time she enjoyed his discomfort , as he kept fumbling with things. Her heart couldn't trouble him more, she huffed, ''Tarun, I am with you, calm down.'' And he did immediately. It surprised Kajal how they understood and trusted each other after so many hiccups. She thought if it was love.

The thought of Love took her back to Robin, her mood turning bitter. Tarun noticed the sudden silence, ''Hey, what's wrong?''

''Was thinking about yesterday. I don't know how he caught hold of my phone. I thought, I left it at home but when office boy retuned it to me and I checked the sim, I realised it was his work.'' She shared her heart

''About how, you have a bad habit of leaving your hand bag unzipped and often unattended. About him, I would suggest you take your decision.'' Tarun replied

"I am not going to work with him ever again. If Enchanted wants me, they will have to see to it that Robin doesn't cross my path.'' She made her decision clear.

''Can I ask you something but don't thrash me.'' He said to lighten the matter. She nodded with a roll of her eyes, ''You are married to a man who hurt you, and you had the option of a man who loved you madly. Why didn't you chose him?''

Kajal looked at Tarun for a little longer, ''Because I wanted a man whom I could keep terrified for life.'' And then she laughed. He watched her laughing with adoration. Cupping her one cheek with his palm he pressed his lips on to the other a little harder awakening every fibre of Kajal's body. Her  laughter died as she blushed profusely, he smiled victoriously, ''I now know how to shut you.'' She decided to stay quiet.

The couple got teased by Sheela on the breakfast table with Kajal trying all to make her mother stop. Tarun gave Kajal a thumbs down look which she answered stomping his foot.

He took his leave greeting his inlaws and winking at his wife. Sheela cleared her throat and Kajal decided to scold Tarun later for providing her mother a chance to tease her.

***

Tarun couldn't wait for his day to end. He had a big smile stretched over his lips recalling their small moments. He was worried about her too, the incident a day before had left him disturbed too. Robin's act of stealing her phone had left Tarun disturbed , this could have been dangerous. What if Robin had plans to abduct her? What if he was just waiting for to step out? Tarun wasn't comfortable about Kajal working with Robin but he didn't wanted to interfere as it was her passion.

He kept thinking while browsing randomly. Something caught his eyes and he smiled. He quickly located Praveen, interrupted his discussion with another colleague and dragged him into a corner, ''Now what?'' Praveen asked

''You have cousin who is software developer and enjoys doing freelancing work. Well I have a project for him.'' Tarun had  Praveen's  attention. Tarun enthusiastically briefed what he was planning and Praveen started smiling, ''Isn't it great idea?'' Tarun asked

''Leave the idea. Answer this, some time I had asked what did you feel for Kajal and you replied that it was care. Do you still feel the same?''

''Praveen you are distracting me.''

''I am asking you a question, answer it.'' Praveen challenged 

''Later, for now just tell your cousin that I would pay the amount per hour but I need it to be the best.'' Tarun walked out of office, leaving a smiling Praveen behind, 'You know what you feel, all you have to do is confess.'

When Tarun came back he was greeted by a full house. His parents had come down to meet Arun and check on his health. He greeted them moving his eyes to his wife who returned his smile. Tarun felt energised without any refreshment. The couple missed their parents enjoying the silent exchange. 

Devyani cleared her throat, ''Kajal, why don't you come and sit with us.'' Kajal obliged a little embarrassed for being caught. Dveyani's eyes went to her son, who still sat their ogling at his wife , ''Are you going sit in these clothes for ever.''

Tarun fumbled , ran away to change and later joined his family. They shared dinner where Bishts had all good to say about their son in law, that made Mehras proud of their son. 

Tarun walked his parents out when they decided to leave. Devyani hugged him, ''you made me proud.'' Tarun just smiled, Davyani took his hands into hers, ''Tarun, I hope you aren't doing this because I chose Kajal.''

He understood his mother's worry, he held her by shoulders , ''Mom, this time its my choice. I am taking this slow so that I don't make mistakes.''

Devyani's smile turned into a big grin, she hugged her son feeling over the moon. ''I am waiting for my turn Mom.'' Kajal took a step hugging her mother in law, Devyani had always been a big support to her . It was difficult to find a woman who would stand with her daughter in law and not with her only son.

''Please visit us.'' She requested

''Visit, we are planning to come and stay with you.'' The answer came prompt from Kajal which took everyone by surprise. They were aware that divorce case was still on and none had yet withdrawn it but now hearing Kajal, Devyani developed a hope that may be divorce was forgotten if not withdrawn.

 ***

Once Arun was stable, Tarun and Kajal shifted back to their apartment. As Tarun got busy with his job she decided to take a break. Robin's act had left her a little disturbed. Enchanted was a leader in market and Robin and been doing a great job. There was no reason they would sacrifice him for her. Kajal huffed disappointed, Robin had the power to destroy her career. She shook her head, she was never the one to fear but she did fear this time, she loved what she did. She decided to design in spare time but couldn't focus  but wasn't able to focus. Kajal locked her book in the drawer and decided to focus on her relationship, right now it was her priority

Tarun browsed the details and grinned wide. He pecked Praveen's cheek hard for the help which made him cringe. He was excited to show it to Kajal. He   drove back to give her the surprise, he was dying to see her expression after receiving his gift.

He kept pressing the door bell till she answered, ''What's the urgency?'' She asked

He pinched her cheek walking in and dragged her to the couch , ''I have a surprise.'' Tarun switched on his laptop and kept on her lap. ''Check this out.'' Kajal sat surprised, overwhelmed , shocked as Tarun displayed the dummy website by name, ''KAAJAL's''. The initial were done like that of  a jewellery design. ''Kajal, you can advertise your designs through this. I have a full marketing plan ready. Why should you be hidden behind while a brand claims all the money? You will put a glimpse pf your upcoming designs here and let the brands come to you. You don't have to worry about that Robin or enchanted...'' He went on and on as she sat watching his face, her heart brimming with emotions, ''You did this for me''

Tarun kept the laptop aside, cupping her face he wiped the wetness with his thumb pad, ''You are the brand Kajal , then why should you worry  about somebody giving you or not giving you a project. This will attract small brands to do business who have been overshadowed  by bigger names. This won't be an instant success, but definitely a beginning.''

She moved closer and buried her form into his arms, she was overwhelmed that he noticed her worry and cared about it. His effort regarding her interest touched her heart deep, she was happy , very happy, ''Let's just close the divorce case Tarun. I don't want it, not now not ever.''

''But I haven't answered your questions.''

''I don't want any answers. I am content with what I have, and now I don't want to lose it. I think I can adjust just with likeness as I am getting so many packages with it. Who knows love might bring more pain.'' She replied a smiled stretched on to her lips

He flattened his cheek over her head holding her to his chest, "did you like my idea ?"

"No, I am hugging you because you were looking gloomy." She replied with a frown, after a minute she added, " off course I loved it. Thank you!"

He pulled her cheeks, "lets have dinner then."

She nodded getting up. She wanted to kiss him for his sweet gesture  but couldn't bring herself too. Her courage fled her body with the mere thought and she was left with heated cheeks and a madly beating heart.

He helped her  arrange the table as she watched him with a sweet smile. After dinner they decided to take a walk in the lawn of their building complex. They walked in silence,  and for  the first  time in life Kajal loved  the silenced that flowed between them. The night felt beautiful and winds seemed to be signing her favourite melodies. 

" the weather is good." She broke the silence

"Yeah, in few weeks winter will kick the door." He replied. Tarun cursed himself for talking nonsense. But he didn't  know what to speak at the moment, he felt stupid talking about season to her. He shook his head, "you said something." Kajal asked

"We should go back" He again cursed himself, and followed her back to the house.

Kajal lay on her side quietly, waiting for Tarun to hug her like he did every night . Some where she still feared that he might just get over with her. She didn't wanted to lose him but opening her heart completely  left her scared of heartbreak. Kajal closed her eyes curling her body, though she agreed to compromise but her heart yearned for love,  his love. She wanted him to love her way she did.

Tarun heard a faint sob, he immediately pulled her into his arms, " hey what's wrong?"

Nothing , I guess something went into my nose." She replied a little relaxed. Tarun placed a peck on her cheek, "Turn  to me" she did, he looked into her brown eyes and found them pained. Tarun wrapped his arms around  her slender form pulling her to his chest, "I could never stand your tears. From  day one, when you first cried because of me I so wanted to punish myself. Am I the reason for your tears right now?" He aske worried

She buried her face in his chest and replied controlling her sob, "No! Its just stupid me." It was taking all her control to hide what she felt so deep for him. He rubbed her back caressed her hair to comfort her. He wanted to know what bothered her so much, he didn't  wanted her sad or crying for any reason. Holding her in his arms he moved back, with two fingers he lifted her chin up. Those fiery eyes had strange control over his heart but today they looked gloomy. His insides churned , Tarun's head dipped as he bought his lips closer to hers. He stopped waiting for her to refuse, she didn't and his lips met hers melting her doubts pain and fears. Tarun inhaled deep , the loops of his arms tighten around her automatically as he started deepening it. Her toes curled as a strange ache covered her body. She felt like drowning in a deep ocean but didn't wished to be saved, not now not ever.

Tarun broke the kiss , he pecked her swollen lips and then kissed her forehead deep. He pulled her closer to his chest and whispered, "Sleep Kajal, I will always be here with you" she smiled and gave in to the night waiting for her new beginning.

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Few more to go , coming up a beautiful confession and happily ever after. Got some time so wrote this

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