With the sun setting down near the horizon on Maya's left, she sighed as she was feeling tired. If it wasn't worth her sleep, then she would strangle him. Stopping the car, she looked at him while he finally revealed," There is someone who wants to meet you."

Was it her father and mother? Was it Rudra's parents? Who were they? Maya's mind raised so many questions while Rudra shook her and said," Only a few more seconds.."

She looked at him expectantly and as he got out with the answer, she too got out with so many questions clinging onto her.

"Just a few more minutes.." He said and got outside. Giving a thumbs up, he went to her seat and saw her hands being folded across her chest. He knew she was cranky and even angry but there was also some curious mirth in her eyes which he didn't miss.

As Rudra lead the way, she walked through the beautiful surroundings. The watchman greeted him as if he knew Rudra well and also passed me a small smile. With the sounds of birds chirping, squealing of a few kids and a few other sounds, she walked admiring whatever came in her way. But the curiosity lead the way as she would be happy if either of her parents were there waiting to bless their daughter on their decision.

In these months, Maya had kept on calling them and on a hopeless day, she just called them. To her surprise, her father attended the call. There were no typical conversations which used to happen way before Maya entered showbiz but her father exchanged some cols conversations.. She had hinted him about her marriage with Rudra to which he only hummed. She felt happy and a weight off her back after talking to him. He expressed that there was nothing and everything was fine and good. As the elevator sound broke her trance, she entered inside with Rudra looked at her through the mirror.

As the lift opened to a floor that was dimly lit with orange fairy lights, he opened the door of a flat and she saw an unfurnished flat. Soon enough, he felt her fingers entwined with his which made her look upto him and heard his husky voice,

"Welcome Abode, Mrs.. Maya Rudra Jaisingh.."

"Rudra, this flat.." She stopped as she looked at him for an answer.

"It's our new Abode!" He announced with his hand on her shoulders. It was unfurnished with no paint yet it was very clean. She was happy for him, for them but she expected something else when she said someone. With none to be called or anything, she pressed a tightened smile on her face. As he held entwined his fingers with her, he lead her forward and showed her around. It was a 2BHK which was spacious and lavish according to Maya.

As Rudra showed her, they finally reached the balcony and she loved the scene through it. It seemed to take away a part of her distress and sadness. On the other hand, Rudra was happy on being able to manage this BHK and close the deal. A house which would soon turn into his, rather their home. A home filled with love, passion, themselves, their kids..

As she turned his face towards her, he looked at her gesturing what had happened seeing her tight lipped smile to which she shrugged her shoulders before she stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. The kiss in the balcony where the sun was setting was perfect for a picture and it was well known by a woman who snapped the picture at the perfect moment! Hearing a click, she turned back quickly and saw a woman with her camera. Looking at Rudra with a confused gaze, she heard a boom sound which made me look at the photographer again. Soon, a man or rather Rudra's best friend, Ritwik, popped from the side making her smile.

"What a romantic pose during the sunset!" Ritwik said teasingly while the blush on Rudra's cheeks couldn't get any redder. Maya didn't know why but she was feeling a bit uncomfortable. All these things were too fast to process but her face held a small smile.

"By the way, this is Natasha! My to-be wife!" Ritwik announced proudly with his hand on Natasha's shoulder while she smiled before congratulating them. As they walked forward to each other, Natasha shook her hands with Maya.

"I am Natasha and I am a freelance photographer. I have a studio of my own!" She said and Maya said, "I am Maya Jaisingh, an actor and an undergraduate.."

Natasha nodded while it took a few moments for Maya to open up completely. Before they could gel well, Ritwik spoke," I am officially inviting you to our engagement on Saturday.. Hope that you will come to join in this auspicious and important event of ours.."

Maya just nodded excitedly and said," I will be there for both of you." As both of the men put their hand over each of their girls' shoulder, Ritwik asked," Liked the flat?"

She looked at Rudra and said," Loved it! But painting and others are left, right? "

Rudra responded," We'll do it together. I have talked to the paint companies and saved some templates.."

He handed over a template from his pocket before Natasha had called her. As they spoke a few more things and showed her the photos, Natasha understood that Maya was well connected to the pictures, understanding somewhat Ritwik had revealed..

"Go on Lovebirds! We will leave now. Enjoy!" Ritwik said after a few minutes and making Rudra smile and wrap his arm around her. Before leaving, they didn't leave a stone unturned to compliment them and asked them to get married soon.. As they left, they closed the door with Ritwik winking at her.

She smiled softly while he noticed her being a bit down. Throughout their conversation, she was a bit off. At first, he thought it was just a temporary glitch due to her physical exhaution but something was indeed troubling her emotionally.  He just asked her even though he didn't expect a reply but she hugged him tightly before confessing at last," I thought... It was so silly.. But when you said 'someone'.. I thought either my or your mom or dad was here.. You know? I know it's silly but..."

She just sighed while he retreated her from his form and said," They will indeed be in front of us very soon.. It's okay.. I have informed them about this when I called Mom and Rishi.. A few months back, they wouldn't even pick my calls but now, Mom talks to me here and there.. After a few months, things will be much better.."

He consoled her and she just nodded before she said," Congratulations Rudra for your new home!" She said while he tucked a strand of hair behind her ears and said," It's Ours!"

They stood for a few minutes, loving the silence after which Maya asked," So, when will we start?" Maya asked excitedly to which he said," The bathrooms and necessities in the kitchen are set up. So I was like thinking to come here on Friday evening and Go from here on Monday Morning. The distance is also less.."

She just hummed as she inspected the mix of colours they would like to have.

"Why don't we give it to the painters?" She asked while he said," It's our house right so I thought we will do it. If you are free, you can accompany me!"

As she sat down with her back against the wall, he warned her," Maya, it's dirty! Get up!"

He extended his hand and she sighed before she took his hand but pulled him down. He landed next to her due to her sudden pull making her shift a bit.

"Nice space!" She remarked and he looked at the ground.

"It will itch!" He said trying to make her get up while she asked," Sometimes, the result can also be sweetened right?"

He opened and closed his mouth since these were his lines. As he leaned against her, she dropped a small kiss on his head. Caressing his stubble which had grown in these months, she asked," How is Natasha?" Maya asked and he looked at her, not understanding the question at first but she asked him how she was, how they had met and all.

He replied sitting straight," I have only met her twice. I think she is a woman who has the same opinions and personality as Ritwik..."

"And Yes... Their families have met and even talked about the dates!" He added while she asked with her knees pressed against her front," Arranged Marriage?" Maya asked to which he retorted," No. They met at a family function where she was the main photographer and person with other cameramen."

She just hummed as she was in thoughts. What was the status of their relationship? They said they would get married. They were each other's to-be for the past few months and even now. For now, they were living together but.. Rudra is settled now... So should she ask about it or just leave it according for the time to decide?

She felt a nudge by him who looked at her while she shook her head in negative before circling her arm around his. She was into it again but his head on her shoulder made her concentrate on him more than the progress..

~~~~

That night, they talked with each other and also shared a kiss which lasted for a few moments. Neither of them regretted it. Laying besides in each others' arms, Maya just wished that they would stay on forever. She wanted a happy ending unlike the mishaps in the past. As Maya looked out through the window, with Rudra driving the car, he said," That's a thick one.."

"Hmmm. It's the first one after your stunt." She replied while straightening her dress and opening her camera to check whether her lip gloss and eyeliner were to a point. On the other hand, Rudra smiled as he reminded the day! He never knew the person whom he admired would be in his life let alone think about marrying her. As she walked out, he walked to her and asked her to go but she held his hands while he shook his head in negative. She tightened the hold and said," I don't want to leave you behind. You should be with me!"

As soon as they entered the mall, their photos were captured by the cameramen and reporters asked so many questions while the security personal let him and her inside without any further problem.

As she sat next to him, on the VIP Row a few meters away from the stage, Rudra asked her," Would it be boring?"

"It wasn't boring last time. Do you want to do the honours again?" Maya asked playfully to which Rudra replied after he showed like he was thinking about it deeply," Nah! Better luck next time.. For my defense, your answers would be my bae.."

Patting on his shoulder as if she was appreciating him, she said," Until the questionnaire starts, it might be boring but there will be lots to smile since your Maya is with them.."

"My Maya?" He asked teasingly to which she said in a bold and husky voice," Yours and Yours Only!"

Soon the event started and Maya was called to stage. The director started giving details of the film and every person started to introduce themselves as the characters of the film. As Maya introduced herself as Shikha Rudra, he was surprised! She hadn't told her about this before! She spoke and as she mentioned Rudra, she winked at him making him smile goofily. He had his hidden camera ready and he would click pictures when her eyes were not on him..

As the questionnaire started, he felt smiling at the answers they were asked about to film. It was a thriller movie in which Maya is playing a small role but an important one itself.. Soon a question popped which was asked to Maya," There is news that your next film is going to be a romantic one.. (Maya nodded). What is Rudra's take on this?"

"He supports me thoroughly in my decision and profession. I am lucky about that! "

"What if he is uncomfortable?" The reporter counter-questioned while it was getting interesting for others. Maya replied in a bold tone," I guess you should talk about your wife being uncomfortable on those topics.."

It indeed created a spark and so many chatter boxes were let loose. The reporter had sat down while Maya looked at Rudra who gave her a thumbs up.

"You have been doing an array of different films covering almost every genre rather than romance! How do you feel about the next film which is based on romance?"

"I am excited about it. The shooting has already begun and it's a different exposure, as a whole. Shivin and I have a good camaraderie between us even before the film had commenced a month back. That camaraderie indeed helps us when it comes to the time where we are preparing the scenes. So, we are comfortable with whatever the script demands us to do."

The phrase 'script demands' did something in him. All these years, she had refused to get intimate due to that incident but since she was coming out of it, the idea of her doing something intimate hit him somewhere. Lip-locks and romantic scenes was what he had heard but hadn'tasked Maya since he knew that she would tell him. He was squirming in his seat uncomfortably while he smiled at Maya who asked everything was fine through her eyes.

The mic had been passed and there were several questions he could laugh at on their camaraderie but he was feeling a bit uneasy about Maya playing the role. Not that he was against it but.. He felt a bit.. It was a tough spot.

He smiled roughly at that as he had also been a witness to the romantic scenes she had been playing on the screen for at least eight years. But now it was all different. She was his now.. That question and answer made him feel uneasy.

The next thing which flashed in front of him was their moments which he wouldn't forget at all. Their lip-locks and their moments made both of them blush. Even now, he felt something opposite he shouldn't be feeling. Maybe feeling like a male chauvinist?

He heard Maya concluding," Even though it's a small role, the film itself is a big thriller which would keep you on the edge. So don't forget to watch it on... (she counted with her fingers 1, 2, 3 ) and the cast shouted,

" On April 5 "

As she came off the stage, she was snapped with the celebrities. He was feeling good and had tried to make peace with it but his smile was snapped when he heard some people muttering," I heard that they both are even getting intimate very close!"

He curled his fingers into a fist before going to Maya who smiled at his arrival. She side-hugged him and he was uninterested which she took note.

"All well?" She asked and he nodded with a small smile...

~~~~

As he peeped into Maya's room, he knew that she was taking a bath since she was tired after the ceremony... Walking into the workout room opposite Maya's room, he opened the door and searched for the cover in which she had the new script. Or more precisely the script which stole his mind. Tactically, he had asked her where it was and whether she had the script with her to which she replied genuinely that it was in her workout room.

She also revealed that she was reading it today morning due to its writing extents. She remarked it as a 'very romantic and believable story which has its own extremes'.

As he searched through the cabinets, he saw many diaries and books in which she had written her feelings and her experiences each day. That was long ago. Searching for the cover, he finally found his target.

Switching the lights off, he just switched on the lamplight there. Under that, he read... As he went further, he saw many scenes where she and Shivin would share moments he and Maya still didn't have.

Even Maya and Him had their share of romance but it wasn't as good as how it was scripted in the story. It was a good story for which she could bag so many awards.

As he finished reading the whole script, he kept it inside the cover and placed it where it was. Switching the lights off, he went outside and closed the door.

~~~

As Maya came out, she saw Rudra sitting on the chair with his shoulder muscles all tensed up. She had been noticing this from the time they had come out of the mall. She thought it would wash away after a bath but she could see that it was something that couldn't be washed within a few hours.

"All well?" She asked closing the door of the bathroom. He took one good look at her before he stood up and asked in a cold tone," Why didn't you tell me about your new film... ummm.. the romantic one?"

"You don't interfere in my working space or even ask about it. So, why should I tell you?" She asked in a confused manner while he walked towards her and asked,

"Why didn't you tell me it was from a romantic genre?"

"How does it matter?" She asked while he gripped her forearms and growled,

"Don't you think it matters when the script has so many intimate poses, scenes and kisses in it? Should I not know it?"

~~~~