Kajal singed the courier receipt taking the envelope. Walking back in she plonked next to Tarun as he pulled her closer, placing a peck on the side of her head, ''What is it?''

''Invitation to Royal Jewel Exhibition.  They will be showcasing all different styles and patterns being followed till date. Also, few pattern and designs which are not available anymore.'' Replying she dumped the invitation in corner snuggling closer to him. He smiled wrapping his arms around her, ''You should go''

''You don't want me here.'' She said with a curled lip which received a peck, ''I want you to go because  it is something related to your dream.''

''I can skip this year.'' She said smiling to him

''You should go because you are making a new beginning. Who knows, someone might be waiting to offer you a dream project.'' He explained moving his fingers through her thick hair.

 ''Its about a week Tarun , and I don't want to be away for that long.'' She cribbed. He hugged her, ''Its just a week, and we will stay in touch.'' She didn't reply , instead buried her form deep in his arms.  After a moment she pulled apart, ''Let me cook.''

Tarun pulled her back, burying his face in her neck his whispered, ''Let's order Pizza, you love it I know.''

She pushed him quickly getting off the couch, ''No Pizza, it all goes here.'' She pointed towards her waist. Tarun smiled, licked his lips taking a slow long look of her waist down to her hips. She understood, cursing him she threw a cushion on him she quickly ran away to the kitchen

***

''Kajal, as soon as you reach the hotel you will message me your room number and emergency contact details.'' Tarun instructed her. She just kept twirling at her place like a child watching him with a smile. He went on and on and then she suddenly placed a peck on his cheek pulling him close, ''Miss me husband.''

''I already am. Promise me, you will take care of yourself.'' She nodded. They held each other for long before she walked inside the departure gates. Tarun watched till she disappeared from his eyes. His heart suddenly felt heavy, he wanted to be with her. 

Tarun leaned on his seat after getting in his car. Everything suddenly turned colorless and empty around him. With a deep breath he accelerated his vehicle driving back home, his mind replying all his moments with Kajal, his Kajal.

Even at work he couldn't give in 100 percent, his mind was distracted. She had messaged him her hotel details. She kept messaging him whole day , yet he felt distracted. He wanted  to finish the project before the dead line but his mind seemed dead. 

''Tarun, what's wrong?'' Praveen asked, he had been noticing visibly disturbed Tarun since morning and decided to check on his friend.

''I am worried about Kajal. I didn't wanted her to miss on something she loves but I am scared as I know Robin too will be there.''

''She can take care of herself.''

''I know, I shouldn't have let her go.'' Praveen stayed silent, his eyes on his friend who sat with his head in his hands looking broken.

''Tarun, what is Kajal to you?''

''My everything, my life.'' He answered 

''Do you love her?''

''Isn't that obvious.''

''Did you tell her? Have you confessed your heart?''

''No! I should...she should know that I love her.'' His eyes snapped at Praveen, the latter smiled with a nod. Tarun got up, ''I am leaving for Jaipur now, and will be back with her. I will put a request of working remote.''

''don't, I know you won't work  so just send a leave application.'' Praveen teased. Tarun just shook his head and left after giving his friend a thankful hug.

***

Kajal went through the schedule, she had to attend a dinner and an introduction ceremony. She huffed, though she had been attending the exhibition for past 2 years and she loved being here but not this year. She wasn't interested in jewels and gems, because she missed her real jewel , Tarun. She smiled as she recalled his numerous calls , he confessed he missed her terribly . o did she, she decided not to stay for week. She decided to leave in three days, she had made her presence and that was enough. She had decided to let the representative of big brands know about her going live. That bough another glimpse of Tarun in-front of her eyes.

Freshening up, she stared at her clothes. Tarun had selected and packed her luggage , narrating how she looked in each colour. She picked up a marble white chiffon saree with a halter next blouse. Pulling her hair up in a high bun. She completed her look with while danglers in ears and silver tinged makeup. 

Kajal made her way down to the main hall confidently , her head held high. She wanted to make an impression. The news of her going live was burning news, she had already received coffee and meeting requests and she had decided to meet all  then here. 

She greeted the known faces and received accolades, wishes for her new venture. She got numerous visiting cards  and offers. She accepted with a promise to think about the offers. Moving to the drinks counter she ordered herself an orange juice, her jaw had started hurting smiling for so long. She took a deep breath of relief as the tangy liquid quenched her parched throat.

''How are you Kajal?'' A familiar voice greeted her. With a deep breath, she stretched her lips into a smile to greet The MD and owner of biggest jewelry brand ENCHANTED, Tahilani .

''Hello to you Mr Tahilani.'' She greeted him with a smile. The elderly man read her face, she wasn't nervous , instead she looked confident and happy, ''You never mentioned about going independent. ''

''I never thought about it but then I realized that people paying me thought they can buy me to take any kind nonsense. I won't work where I am not heard.'' Kajal came out clean

''Kajal, I am sorry for not paying heed to your words during our last meeting but I assure this , that it won't be repeated in future.'' Tahilani tried to pacify her

''You said that Robin helped in branding ENCHANTED, you looked sure about getting someone as good as me then why this compromise.'' She taunted

Tahilani rubbed his forehead, ''I will double your fees.''

''Hire someone else , at the triple price. I will work on one third of my previous fee but won't compromise on my respect. I think you should re think about your offer.'' She excused herself greeting the CEO of another brand. Tahilani's anger was growing by leaps and bounds. He could see what he was losing as his competitors started flocking her.

''Get Kajal back or you are fired.'' He threatened Robin before walking off. Robin gulped, all evening he had been staring Kajal as if she was some kind of food. He had turned desperate  for her. He was determined to convince her any how. 

Kajal walked out into the garden area and took a table , needing some lone time after hearing all kinds of ranting. 

''Kajal, how have you been?'' He  tried to strike a conversation

''If you are here with the proposal  of your boss, please don't waste mine and your time.'' She replied disinterested.

'' I am here to talk about us.'' He said 

''There is no us''

''Kajal, I love you. I have been in love with you for past two years. It had been  just you, I have loved everything about you then why him? He couldn't see beyond physical appearance.'' 

Kajal smirked, '''You just answered your own question. Tarun never tried to force his feelings, even when he was confused he respected me, he was ready to leave me for my happiness But you just kept pushing me for your own selfish needs.''

''I loved you. How is it wrong to make you realize   what's right of you.''

''Robin, I am not interested in this discussion . I am not interested in you or Enchanted proposal and If you do not leave now, I will make sure to create a scene.'' Kajal's was loud enough to grab attention and Robin no option but to retreat .

Kajal could no longer stay in the party, she quickly made her way back to her room. Robin's words disturbed her. She gave up her plan of staying back for three days, she decided to leave next morning. She wasn't feeling safe.

***

Tarun rushed out of the airport and took cab to the hotel, he had booked himself a room in the same hotel as Kajal's before boarding the flight. Though , he had no plans of spending time in it he just wanted to be on the safer side. 

His heart filled excitement , love and hope. He suddenly had knew dreams filling is mind and heart. There were a million things he wanted to do for her and with her. He wanted this life, rolling down the window he allowed the wind to caress his face. He recalled all the moments in Shimla, their engagement, wedding, first few days. Her drunken drama , their kiss and many more.  He loved his wife and dearly. Tarun knew what he wanted to tell her , something she had been waiting to hear for so long. Though, she had compromised and decided to accept their relationship, that made her more deserving to hear them out. She suffered all because of him, yet she decided to settle what he offered.

Making his way to the reception, he impatiently kept tapping the table waiting for his keys. The receptionist took all her sweet time, occasionally smiling at the handsome man who wasn't interested in her , even a bit. She briefed him about all the services before he made his way to his room. 

Tarun looked irritated at the bell boy who gave him the tour of his room, he just smiled and banged the door shut. He counted till 20 and ran out of the room to see his wife, though it was half past mid night he was sure she would be awake, just like he was.

Kajal sat in the hot water tub, her eyes closed and head leaned against the tile. She had tried to sleep but couldn't, Robin and Tahilani's continuous persuasion had left her disturbed. She missed Tarun, she was sure his arms would give the comfort she was looking for. 

She was sure that a warm water bath would help her calm the agitated nerves but peace seemed to be a far target. Kajal opened her eyes when she heard continuous ringing of the door bell. Her nerves started tensing thinking it to be Robin, she decided to give him an earful and threaten against complaining  to security.

Getting into a white long robe she marched to answer the door, ''What...'' her words died when she found Tarun smiling at her, in same clothes which he wore in the morning.

''I married you because you were my choice, because I had never been with someone so strong and beautiful at the same time. I had fallen for you in Shimla but was too scared to accept. Others opinions took over my real feelings, you bought out my strength . You made me the real Tarun. AND I SO LOVE YOU KAJAL.''

''You came here to tell me this.'' She asked, smile on her lips and tears in her eyes.

''Yes, it was important and more than anything.''  She laughed with her tears and jumped on him. Tarun held her tight in arms, lifting her off the earth he moved in , kicked the door shut and switched on the door not disturbed button. 

Kajal kissed his cheek, ''Thank you!''

''No! Thank you for giving me a chance when I wasn't even worth it.'' He slowly put her down, still holding her to his chest. Cupping her face in his palms, he kissed her forehead eyes , cheeks, nose and then came to her lips. 

''I missed you.'' She confessed

''Me too and this is why I am here.'' He replied holding his darling wife to his chest. Tarun didn't miss Kajal's  disturbed state. She stood grabbing his shirt hard in his fists, ''Kajal, is something wrong.''

''How can it be? When you are here'' She replied rubbing her face on his chest. ''I like your dress by the way.''

She suddenly realize she was just in a bath robe. Embarrassed, she quickly moved out of his arms, ''I will be back.''

He pulled her back, ''No, it makes my job so easy.'' She wriggled , her cheeks heating up. Tarun pecked her nose, ''Go dress up and I will be waiting.'' She smiled and quickly changed into her night clothes, later joining him in bed. 

They lay together in silence, ''Oh , just one minute.'' With that she jumped off the bed, grabbed her laptop and started typing vigorously. Tarun slowly followed, locking her from behind to the table , he snuggled his face   into her neck making her shiver. His lips trailed across her ear , biting her lobe. Moving back, he inhaled deep into her hair placing a peck there. ''What are you doing love.''

''Booking you a ticket for tomorrow's exhibition. I want to show off the man I love, and to you what I love .'' She replied with a child like enthusiasm.

Tarun smiled, lifted her up bridal style walking off to the bed. Placing her on the bed, he hovered over her taking all of her, ''And I want to show the world the most beautiful woman on the planet.''

''Do you really find me beautiful.''

He smiled reading the doubt in her eyes, leaning further he once kissed her lips deep, moving down he kiss the exposed skin of her chest , Coming to face level he left an emotional kiss on her forehead, ''When someone kisses your forehead, it means you are their world. Now , do you remember how many times I have kissed your forehead.'' Kajal's breath hitched, grabbing his collar she pulled him closer sealing her lips with hers. She was finally his wife.

***

Robin ordered the best Lillie,  he knew she loved them. He had decided to surprise her. He ordered her favorite breakfast , dressed up his best and made his way to Kajal's room.

Kajal stirred at the continuous knocking of the door, they switched off the door bell not wanting to be disturbed any how. When the banging didn't stop, she lifted herself up. ''What's wrong?'' Tarun asked pulling her down.

''Someone is at the door, I will check.'' That made him open his eyes, he looked at her and her form covered in white sheet, ''No, I will. Stay here.'' 

Tarun pulled up a robe and walked to door, ''what the hell you are doing here?'' Robin asked agitated, finding Tarun in Kajal's room and in a robe.

Tarun smirked leaning against the door, he replied, ''That should be my question. What the hell you are doing this early outside my wife's room.'' The voice came angry. Kajal quickly dressed up and moved to Tarun's side. 

''You really love him don't you?'' Robin asked in a heart broken voice. Kajal moved closer to Tarun, ''Yes, I have always just loved him.'' 

Robin looked from kajal to Tarun, the flowers fell off his hands . He walked backwards, turned and left quietly. He finally gave up. Kajal huffed, ''I wished he would have understood before.''

''he did, now. '' She nodded leaning on Tarun. They were ready and excited about their new beginning.

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I wrote this one as I will be finishing this next week. Next will be Epilogue. Also, I am planning to publish this book after editing it. If anyone of you haven't started reading it , please do as once I start editing, i will pull this down.

Do drop in your views and comments.