Abir had been more than excited to show Mishti around, in truth he’d been thrilled. He’d longed to show her more of his world as well as show her off to his world and actually gift her something meaningful, he got the impression she’d never been given a lot and he wanted nothing more than to be the person to change that. Buttoning up his coat, he blinked fast to ensure he wasn’t dreaming as she made her way down the stairs dressed in a knitted cream jumper and denim blue jeans “Wow, you’re beautiful” and he meant it with every fibre of his being, she looked so homely and so undeniably his that it took his breath away.

His comment caused a pink blush to bloom across her cheekbones, dropping her head so her hair cascaded around her face, she smiled shyly “Thank you”.

Using his knuckle to tip her chin up, he stood “Don’t look away from me, please?” He wasn’t sure what exactly she did to him that made him a grovelling beggar at her feet, but he didn’t mind, she was worth that and so much more.

“Sorry” she kept his gaze.

“You have nothing to be sorry for and I’ll keep reminding you of that until you know” he vowed. “Shall we go?”

Oatie whined at her feet sadly as he watched them head to the door.

“Is he not coming?” Mishti had only loved one person in her life before and that was her grandfather, ever since meeting this dog the amount had doubled, now her love for him knew no bounds and she hated to see him looking so sad, that and the fact she felt uncomfortable being alone with her husband after her revelation she was sure would end up making him spur from his kindness and become the type of man she was used to. Every now and then his actions would speak volumes till it screeched in her ears that she was wrong and he was different from what she knew, but then the memories of him shoving her away and walking out alongside the familiarity of him calling her a silly girl rung at a higher pitch in her head to remind her that she wasn’t mistaken about his reality.

“Unfortunately, Oatie gets seasick, so no” he stroked behind his ears as he spoke, “But we’ll bring him back something” draping a shawl over her shoulders, he smiled.

“You want me to cover up?” As expected the possessiveness that endangered her many times before had come back within him.

“From the cold, not people’s eyes, now” he crossed his arms, a frown on his lips, “Why would I want to hide someone so beautiful from people? Surely that would be a crime?”

“Really?” She perked up, holding the material a little closer so she could inhale his comforting scent of spices and oak.

“Really, now” he swung the door open, “Allow me to show you my safe haven”. Stepping onto the boat, he nodded his head at Hans and held his hand out so she could join him, a rough chuck;e warming his chest when she toppled into him “Clumsy” he swiped her cheek with a gloved finger, eyes shining with mirth, once upon a time he felt it impossible to feel this happy, but then she came along.

Wrapping her arm around his waist, she didn’t bother to fight his hold as he held her to him, instead she snuggled her face into the soft fabric of his coat and held onto him like her life depended on it, at a time like this it did, he was her life jacket and without him, she would drown in the sorrows of what she had done and what had been done to her. Drifting her eyes over the opaque waves that lapped lovingly against the boat, she sighed, far too taken in by the beauty that she didn’t realise they’d arrived near the next port of dry land.

Holding out his arm so she could tuck her hand around it, he lifted her onto the ground “Now, every Monday I come to a pottery class and I know that it’s wrong of me to spring it on you, but there’s someone I want you to meet”.

Gulping loudly, she scratched at her throat, her voice thick with worry “Who?”

“Oh, no one scary” he reassured, “I just didn’t say before because I thought it would make you uncomfortable, but this person means a lot to me and it would mean a lot to me if you agreed to meet them, but if not then I will cancel” batting his eyelashes childishly, he bobbed on his feet. He knew he’d done wrong by not pre-warning her beforehand, but he hated seeing her so fearful.

Mishti licked her bottom lip “If you want me to then okay” but she couldn’t imagine anything worse, the last time someone had said this to her it had ended with meeting Saul’s other woman who was far more lovelier than she could ever hope to be, if this was the case today then she’d have to accept that her husband was never going to be hers and that she wasn’t worth even a spare glance.

“If you want to” Abir gestured to the building, “Then you take the first step, I never want to force you into anything, okay?”

Just like that, she made her way forward, if it meant this much then she’d do it, this was the least she could do.

His smile widened as they entered the heated small room and hung his coat “Mishti, this is Kunal, my brother” he pointed to the younger man at the front of the room with a white apron over a blue sweater that was rolled up to his elbows.

Before relief could settle in another woman stepped out in front of them, black curly hair smacking her cheeks “And what about me, won’t you introduce me?” Her hands were on her hips, a mock scowl on her face.

Laughing, he leant forward to hug her “Mishti, this is” he stopped upon seeing the green hue on her face, “This is Kuhu, Kunal’s wife”.

“Oh,” the smile returned, shyly she raised a hand and waved her fingers “Hello”.

Pulling her into an embrace, she swung her around “Oh, she’s beautiful, I’m so happy we finally got to meet you, I cannot tell you how much Abir talks about you whenever he texts Kunal, Mishti this, Mishti that” she rolled her eyes.

Abir’s eyes widened “Uh, she’s lying” he pulled his wife back, guarding her with his body “Shh, you’ll scare her” he admonished quietly.

Running forward, Kunal slapped his hands on his cheeks “So this is my sister in law, I hope my brother doesn’t bother you too much” he fell forward when he got elbowed in the ribs by his older brother, “See, abusive” he tutted.

Glancing up at him, Mishti smiled “No, no he’s not” intertwining their fingers, she squeezed his hand, this had been what she’d been waiting for, a loving husband and a happy family and it didn’t matter that she only felt it would last while they were here, she would take it because she knew exactly what she’d be in for when they could finally discuss what she’d said before.

His chest clenched, stomach flipping at the adoration in her eyes, for a second he was blindsided by her, unable to look away till he saw snapping fingers in his sight. “Yes?” He huffed.

“You two need to join in” Kuhu pulled out a long bench, “Can’t wait to see what you two lovebirds make” then she turned to her own husband “Why don’t you ever look at me like that?”

He gasped “I do, you just don’t see”.

“Are you calling me blind?”

Uh oh, an angry wife meant a very unhappy life “No, of course not, you see everything, don’t you?”

“Yes, but never you looking at me like that, you know where you’re sleeping tonight” she stormed off.

Chasing her, he held his back “Baby, not again, I’m already in pain from last week” he nearly wept.

Ah, Kunal and Kuhu are finally here, woo-hoo! Kuhu is not related to Mishti in his story though, but I’ve been so excited to bring them in! Now, if you’ve seen the film Ghost you’ll know exactly what the next chapter holds and if you haven’t, GO AND WATCH!  

Also, check out my Adiya/Mishbir agent fic called Shades Of Onyx And Ruby: https://my.w.tt/NpQ3b1e2w4