Author's note: Hey everyone I hope you all enjoy reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. It was fun to write a happy chapter after a while. The vacation will be divided into two parts as it was getting really long, but I wanted to add a few happy moments.

Please don't forget to vote and comment.

The past three weeks had been beautiful, to say the least. Both of them had tried to spend as much time with each other and Dhruv as possible, but the fear of them getting caught had never let them truly enjoy their time together. Something they were both hoping this week away from the populated city would solve.

Every single day, he would pick her up from work and drop her home with Good Bye kisses. On some days, they would have dinner together in her apartment, but they really hadn't gotten a chance to actually live together because they didn't want to risk exposure in a less than ideal way. Despite everything, Shaurya and Dhvani talked every night for hours about anything and everything. The first good morning, the last goodnight, the continuous 'I love you's.'. It was almost like they were in the beginning stages of dating again. The only difference was that back then, they would pass notes to each other in class, but now they texted and called each other. They reminisced about old memories and shared the ones that they made without each other over the past years. Something that they were both happy about was the fact that Dhruv was not the only topic they discussed. While Dhruv was an essential part of their lives, they didn't want him to be the only reason they rekindle their relationship.

When Shaurya sent flowers to Dhvani's office, she felt the same butterflies she did when he had given her the rose on their first date. Shaurya, too, felt a spike in his dopamine level every time his phone buzzed because he wished it was a message from Dhvani. They hadn't talked about where the relationship was heading, but they could feel that it was in the right direction.

They even made love to each other the day Dhvani came to his house to discuss a new advertising campaign that might prove to be beneficial to his career.

As they cuddled and basked in the warmth of their lovemaking, she looked up to his study his face for a second and then went back to laying her head on his shoulder. "This is going to be so scandalous if someone finds out that Shaurya Gupta slept with his publicist." Dhvani joked as she drew circles on his bare chest. "I am going to get fired if my work finds out I am with you discussing your projects in this manner. They have a strict policy about maintaining strictly professional relationships with your clients."

Shaurya laughed and raised her face by a slight tug under her chin. "You are such a rebel. And you know what your rebelliousness does to me." He had joked and kissed her before making love to her again.

The day of their trip had finally arrived.

Unfortunately, there were no direct flights to Kasol from Mumbai, so they still had almost two hours of road travel left. Shaurya, on the other hand, had taken a completely different route two days earlier to avoid any unnecessary attention.

Dhvani hated flying. Blocked ears, bumpy take-offs, scary landings, unhygienic conditions on some flights, on top of the fact that you were locked up in a metal tube thousands of feet above the ground seemed like perfectly valid reasons for her to hate flights. And this trip was even worse for her because she was travelling after quite a while and it made her so queasy that she had to throw up. Dhruv, on the other hand, was so excited about his first flight trip. He was practically bouncing with excitement the entire journey in his seat. He loved the special treatment he got by being a first-class passenger, the colouring books, chocolates and cold drinks he sneaked when Dhvani was napping. Apart from countless questions, he also demanded that she write down points that he dictated so he could tell his father later and not miss anything.

"It's fine. I got it from here. Thank you so much!" Dhvani said to the airport official who had just helped her haul the baggage off the carousel and on to the trolley.

"No, Ma'am. I have been asked by my supervisor to ensure you are dropped safely to the car." The man replied with a friendly smile and began pushing the trolley through the Kullu Airport.

"Shaurya," Dhvani murmured under her breath and began following the attendant. Her one hand held Dhruv's hand while the other was trying to balance her purse and call Shaurya at the same time. She hung up when he didn't answer the call but kept the phone in her hand in case he called back.

Dhruv kept his head down and pouted up a storm as he walked beside his mother. She sighed when she saw Dhruv narrowing his eyes at her. It was all because she didn't let him investigate how the baggage carousel worked by riding on it. She was happy and proud that her child was active, inquisitive and emotionally advanced compared to children his age; however, it was getting draining for her at times, especially with Dhruv growing up. People had been saying this forever, but now that she was a parent herself, she really believed it- Parenting is not for the weak-hearted.

"It's really fine. You don't have to do this." Dhvani said to the agent again.

"The exit is not very far." The man said as he continued to walk ahead of the mother-son duo. "Who is coming to pick you up, Madam? Your husband?"

Dhavni felt awkward at the sudden question thrown to her. "Actually-"

"My Papa is going to send a car to pick us up. He is waiting at the hotel for us." Dhruv answered for Dhvani.

"Which hotel are you staying at?"

Dhvani tugged the lapels of her jacket closer together because they had reached outside, and the cold air hit her. Living in Mumbai for this long really seemed to have reduced her ability to bear the chilly weather. "We are going to Kasol." She replied with a small smile.

"You can just leave the bags here. I'll load it in when the car arrives." Dhvani insisted when Shaurya didn't pick up the phone again.

The man shook his head politely. "I'll help you, Madam. It's no problem."

Dhvani sighed and redialed Shaurya's number. Cradling her phone between her shoulder and ear while she crouched down to zip up Dhruv's jacket. "Hello, Shaurya." She said when he finally answered her call.

Dhruv's face instantly brightened up when he heard his father's name. She smiled and squeezed his face before standing up.

"Yes, we are outside the airport. Where is the car you were supposed to send?"

"Yeah! I see it." She said and tugged at Dhruv's hand and began heading to a very unsuspicious looking car. Something an upper-middle-class family would be able to afford. It was parked a little further away from the business near the arrival gate.

"Papa sent a black car for me, just like I asked," Dhruv announced happily.

"Thank you so much for all your help." Dhvani smiled after the man help after he loads up their luggage in the trunk.

"No, Ma'am. That's not necessary. You both have a great trip." The man said, shaking his head when Dhvani reached for her purse to tip the man.

"Mumma, I want to sit in the front," Dhruv announced when Dhvani reached for the handle of the back seat.

She smiled and ruffled his hair. "Okay."

"Papa!" Dhruv yelled, utterly delighted to see his father sitting behind the wheel, although he was wearing dark sunglasses and a baseball hat.

"Shhh..." he chuckled and moved his up and down to tell him not to yell.

Dhavni quickly sat into the car before pulling Dhruv into her lap and hurriedly shut the door. Dhruv immediately threw his arms around his father's neck.

"What are you doing here?" Dhvani asked Shaurya and intertwined their fingers with a wide smile when he reached for her hand.

"I missed you both so much that I couldn't wait," Shaurya said, grinning back.

"You just met us two days ago, before leaving for the airport." She rolled her eyes but was just as happy to see him. Not seeing him for even as long as 48 hours was proving to be difficult for her.

"I don't think I can stay away from both of you for even that long. I am so excited to spend this week together. Just us." He said, bringing her hand to his mouth and kissing it. "I am so happy to see you."

"What about me?" Dhruv demanded as he pulled back.

"I am the happiest to see you," Shaurya said, kissing his cheek. "How was your flight?"

"So much fun! Papa, you know-"

Loud honking interrupted what Dhruv was going to say next.

"Dhruv, go sit in the back," Dhvani instructed as she put on the seatbelt while Shaurya turned on the car.

"But-"

"We'll switch later." She placated.

"Why do mom and dad always get to sit in the front?" He grumbled as he took his seat in the back.

Shaurya slowly maneuvered the car out the parking and into the picturesque highway to Kasol.

"So many mountains." Dhruv marvelled as he placed his hand on the window and watched the passing mountains.

"You know where Mumma and Papa are from, Dehradun, there are just as many mountains and prettier than this," Dhvani claimed with a proud grin on her face.

"Does Nanu also live there?" Dhruv asked, not taking his eyes off the view.

Shaurya and Dhvani exchanged a glance. Unsure of what to say. Luckily they didn't have to say anything because Dhruv got busy in his chatter.

Shuarya reached over and caressed her cheek with his knuckles when Dhvani stifled another yawn. "Sleepy?"

She nodded and lay her head against the window. Before she knew, she fell asleep. The last thing she heard was the chuckles from Shaurya and Dhruv.

Dhvani's eyes fluttered open when she felt someone shook her shoulders lightly. "What's wrong?" She asked as she rubbed her eyes and sat up a little. She noticed her door was open, and Shaurya was hovering over her. She smiled slightly when he pecked her lips.

"We are here." He laughed and stood up straight.

She stretched her arms above her head and grabbed her bag before taking his hand and getting out of the car. "Seriously?" She gasped when she noticed where he had brought them.

"You don't like it?" His face fell at her reaction. He had thought she would like the villa that was far away from the tourist-filled areas and in the middle of all the greenery that she had always claimed to love.

"That's not the point." Dhvani shook her head and stepped forward and looked around. "Please don't tell me you bought this." She put on a small smile and waved at Dhruv was playing on the swing set in the garden.

"Lucky helped me rent it from Airbnb." He said as he wrapped his arms around Dhvani from the back. "If you don't like it-"

"I love it. It is so beautiful, but Shaurya." She turned in his arms to face him. "You rented this villa that could house more than 20 people for just the 3 of us. It's too much."

"This is the only way I could ensure we have the necessary privacy. What is the point of all this money I have earned in the past few years, if I can't pamper my son and wi-" He paused and studied her face. She didn't look as upset as he thought she would, she just looked wistful. "I mean, my son and you." He said, after clearing his throat.

She pushed his arms away. Sitting on the bench outside the main gates, she ran her fingers through her hair. "I feel like I am using you."

"What?"

"Yeah." She sighed. "You keep giving me these expensive gifts and I can't-"

"Shut up, yaar." He scolded and came to sit beside her. "Do you even hear yourself? That thought has never crossed my mind and never will because I know you. You are not one of those people who take advantage of people. You are too honest and innocent for that." Dhvani opened her mouth to argue, but Shaurya held his hand out to stop her. "When we were in school... you sold your cellphone the time I needed to go for the Under 18 tryouts, remember what you said to me?"

It was funny how you felt comfortable with giving to the people you love, but awkward when you received something in return. "That I'll give you everything I can afford, and it's not fair if you stop me. But-"

"No, buts. Back then, you paid for everything. You studied and worked part-time so that we could eat with 'our' own money and not your father's. It's my turn now." He wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "I love you, and I want to give you the best of everything. You and Dhruv both."

"And don't worry. I am just paying for the housing. You are going to be taking care of the restaurant, grocery and activities bills. I am not that rich." He announced, and he nuzzled her nose with his nose.

She wrapped her hands around his arm and lay her head on his shoulder. "We'll will work out, right?"

"Of course. We'll make us work..." He said immediately. "...Baby."

She instantly sat up and looked at him with her lips twitching in amusement. "What did you just call me?"

"Baby." He drawled and fought off the blush creeping in his cheek. "Didn't you always complain about me not using any endearment for you."

She blinked rapidly till she finally realized Sharuya wasn't joking and then burst out laughing.

"I am sorry." She hurriedly yelled and held his hand to stop him from walking away. "Shaurya! I am just joking."

"Don't ever complain about me being unromantic again." He snapped and walked over to the car to take out their luggage.

"Call me that again." She demanded as she followed him and took his hand in hers.

Both of them walked past the gates and entered the villa.

"Too bad!" He huffed. "You lost your only chance."

"Baby, are you mad at me?" She teased.

"Cut it out." He warned.

"Don't be mad, baby." She squeezed his cheeks and slightly shook his face with her free hand.

"Dhvani!"

"Baby...."

He sighed and shook his head. She was never going to let it go!

Dhvani giggled as she watched Shaurya stomp his way, much like Dhruv.

She was about to follow Shaurya when she heard some sounds from outside the gate. However, when she turned around, there was no one.

"Mumma!"

Dhvani shook her head at herself and closed the gates before walking up Dhruv and Shaurya.

"There is a swimming pool too," Dhruv announced as he ran to the sliding glass doors.

"It is a lovely house." Dhvani looked around the living room of the villa. "I love the chandelier. The furniture placement she colours scheme. Everything is just perfect."

"Let me show you the rest of the house." Shaurya picked up Dhruv and began showing them around the house.

They finally made it to the second floor where the bedrooms were. "I get my own bedroom? It's so big. I love it." Dhruv clapped his hands in excitement.

"If you want. You can have your own bedroom." Shaurya replied, laughing.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Dhruv jumped to show his pleasure.

"Don't get too excited. I don't think he can fall asleep without me." Dhvani whispered to Shaurya.

"Oh, God, Dhvani! Get your mind out of the gutter. That's not what I was thinking." Shaurya defended.

"Uh-huh! Your grin is more than enough to tell me what's going on in your head." She poked his stone-hard stomach with her finger.

"You both like it?" Shaurya asked and sat down on the couch after their tour.

"I love it so much," Dhruv yelled and as ran to his father. "Thank you, Papa!"

"You are very welcome." Shaurya picked up Dhruv and placed him on his lap. "And what about you?"

"I love it too. Thank you so much!" She said and sat beside him.

"Can we swim in the pool?" Dhruv asked, jumping on Shaurya's lap.

"Not today." Dhvani shook her head. "It's very cold outside. We'll go tomorrow. Okay?"

Dhruv sighed and gave his parents his puppy dog eyes.

"Mumma is right. It's very cold outside, but I have other fun things planned for us." Shaurya said, brushing Dhruv's hair away from his forehead.

"Like what?"

"Like PS4, puzzles, games, we can even play soccer in that empty room. And then we'll go out for dinner. Okay?" Shaurya asked.

"But Mumma doesn't play PS4." Dhruv pointed out.

"Don't worry. You and Papa play PS4. I'll catch up on some sleep." Dhvani assured and stood up. "Before that, let's go have a shower. Come on!"

"Dhvani, Can I?" Shaurya asked as Dhvani helped Dhruv out of his clothes.

She smiled and nodded. So, Shaurya helped Dhruv shower while Dhvani sat in the bedroom watching TV and ordering lunch for them.

Dhruv came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist looking so adorable that she had to snap a picture of him. Being Trupti's nephew, he seemed to have no problem in getting clicked. Shaurya then helped Dhruv get dressed into a fresh pair of clothes and even brushed his hair for him.

"Okay. Go pick out what you to play."

Dhruv ran out of the room, and Shaurya walked up to Dhvani, who was taking out her clothes to wear after her shower.

"Since I helped Dhruv shower. It is only fair that I give the same option to his mom." He ran a finger along the length of her arm, enjoying the way her skin pebbled.

"Papa!" Dhruv yelled from the other room.

"I guess Dhruv's mumma will have to wait." She laughed and stood on the tip of her toes to kiss him. "Thank you for planning this trip for us."

He shook his head and wrapped his arms around her to pull her closer. "Thank you for coming on this trip."

"Listen," Dhvani began softly. "I know this is supposed to be a vacation, but... I brought work here."

"Dhvani," Shaurya almost whined.

"I know I am sorry." She cupped his face and looked at him apologetically. "Rajveer would have cancelled my entire leave if I didn't convince Kritika Ma'am that I would get the work done during my break."

"Is Rajveer harassing you? You have been working so hard for the past weeks." Shaurya asked in all seriousness.

"I think he is angry because I told him that I am getting back with Dhruv's father when he blatantly asked me out two weeks ago, which is why he is doing all this. He continuously asks me about you, and I have to keep avoiding him. It's so awkward."

"What a jerk." Shaurya snapped. "If you want, I can talk to him."

Another progress. Shaurya had begun to understand boundaries. "You are going to make it worse." Dhvani shook her head and placed her hands on his chest. "Remember how I told you I applied for a position at V 'n A? I got an email this morning that I have been shortlisted."

"Congratulations, Dhvani!" Shaurya said with a grin. "I am so happy for you."

"Thank you! But nothing is confirmed yet. And I need this job till I have another one. So, please don't do anything that will spoil this."

"Fine." Shaurya acquiesced. "But if that guy does something-"

"If he does. I'll make two phone calls. One to you and one to the police. I promise." She assured and hugged him.

"Good." He said as he hugged her back.

"Now, go and play with Dhruv till I go have a quick shower. I ordered lunch while you were in the bathroom. Let's eat that and then I'll take a nap so I can start working." She ordered. "I don't want to work tomorrow, so I'll try to get as much done as I can today. I promise."

"Yes, Ma'am!" Shaurya did a salute and walked out of the room.