Disclaimer : Parts of this chapter are for mature readers 18+ only.

For the first time Chandni appreciated the advantages of being at eye level with her husband. She could see all his features so clearly, so up close. Those beautiful brown eyes which have now turned dark and hungry, the sharp nose and the slightly dimpled cheeks which now sported that sexy stubble; but the moment her eyes roamed to the soft pink lips her breath hitched, and she blushed, casting her eyes down. She felt extremely shy and nervous, unable to control her thudding heart, and her not so pious feelings towards her husband. Is this how all newlywed wives feel about their husbands?

For Advay on the other hand, this was the first time he was absolutely sure, without any doubt or conflict about how he felt towards Chandni. Perhaps Chandni's words managed to bring out the natural instincts in him, and gave him clarity about how he felt towards Chandni. Chandni was his, always had been, because she was part of who he is, part of him. How could he ever think of living away from her? His love for her (which he thought as Hatred) was what made him survive those gruelling 16 years, when he waited for the right opportune time of Maha Aarti to come back.

"Chandni Tum Sirf Meri Ho" How many times had he said this to her in his anger, frustration, revenge, jealousy when he was trying to woo her in the Haveli before the wedding?

He uttered those words not knowing that it was what his heart desired all the time. And finally when he was head over heels in love with her, like a fool he thought of letting her go... He won't survive even five minutes without her.

But what about her feelings? Did she think of him in the same way? How could she love him still after all that he did to her? But yesterday night she talked to him as if she was in love with him. He could clearly see her feelings reflected in those beautiful eyes of hers. It was he, who restrained from expressing his feelings, for the fear of raising false hopes for himself.

As he drank in her blushing face and quivering lips, he knew what effect he had on her physically. They always had this attraction between them, but he knew that from his end, it wasn't just physical. They were soulmates, who can't be without one another. But he wanted to make sure that she too felt the same way, and he wanted to claim her in every way; her heart, her mind, her body, her soul. As much as his body and heart ached for her, he was ready to wait till she was ready.

"Chandni..." his deep growl made her body shiver and raised goose bumps everywhere. Nervously, fearing that she might fall off, because her body was going haywire, she clung onto his body even closer.

Advay literally swore under his breath. Unknowingly, with her tiny gestures and movements she was causing havoc in his body. He prided the control he had over his body and desires. It made him survive the onslaught of girlfriends in UK. He had his flings but never got too close to anyone. But with Chandni, every control seemed to have gone out for a toss. Just two days of sleeping in the same bed with her, and getting used to her snuggles, he was craving for her touch all those days he was abroad.

Before he loses all his control, he better get his conscience cleared. He knew this was all new to her and he didn't want to take advantage of her inexperience.

"Chandni... please look at me." He said softly this time.

Nervously, she raised her eyes to him. He was heartened to see the love and shyness in them.

"What you said was true Chandni! I don't know what I was thinking of, when I suggested I would walk away from your life, so you can settle down with someone else. Call me ungrateful, selfish or possessive, I cannot part with you because I can't live without you. You and me... we just belong to each other, our bond is too deep. At least that's the way I feel. I know I caused too much grief for you, and your family but if you can forgive me, I will make it up to you with my love for the rest of my life. "

Chandni saw the outpouring of love and regret in his eyes, and her heart melted for him. Forgiveness and repentance are not something that are declared and felt in one single day. It is a continuous process. Why should she stop him in loving her and showing his true feelings towards her? Isn't it what she always wanted? And she was glad that he finally realised that their connection is too deep beyond this marriage, beyond this physical intimacy and love. They belonged to each other.

She smiled slowly, nervously first and then contently, just like a woman in love, whose love has been reciprocated fully and wholeheartedly by her lover, her soulmate, her Dev.

"I always belonged to you Dev, it just took you a bit longer to realise this. And yes, we have our whole life ahead of us, to make up for the loss, the hurt and pain we both have been through. I might have caused you pain unknowingly too, and I promise I will make up for it with all my heart and love. As I said yesterday, we have to make all the decisions together, work on our relationship all the time. We may think now we are perfect for each other but who knows...there might be plenty of things in future we might fight about, have to compromise on."

"We know each other too well Chandni to fight about petty things" Advay interrupted her.

"Haan but if you don't control your temper and your arrogance Mr Rowdy Professor..." Chandni said warningly.

"Hmm If I don't... what will you do?" He blew softly all over her face and he could literally feel how every part of her body trembled.

"Main itna badbadaaungi ki bhaag jaaoge" She tried to hide her nervousness with her soft chuckle.

"But I think I have found a way to stop your badbad, which I didn't know before." He rasped against her face, pulling her even closer, his eyes now boring into her again, making her tremble all over.

"Achcha?" she managed to whisper.

"Yeah I will just do this..."

He left feather touch kisses all over jaw, but stopped at her mole and unable to control himself, pressed his lips hard on it.

Chandni moaned with her eyes closed as warm blood gushed to her face, the moment his lips touched her for the first time.

Advay slowly moved away from her face.

"Chandni look at me please, I want both of us to see, touch and know how we are feeling. Let's not hide anything. Are you... are you ready for this because I don't want to rush you. I will wait for you as long as it takes." He breathed against her lips.

As Chandni slowly opened her eyes, Advay could see the desire in her eyes matched his own.

"I think we both waited long enough. I didn't want to admit to myself but I missed you a lot." She choked back, and Advay's felt such a deep tug in his heart that he crushed her in his embrace. Chandni raked her fingers through his hair while her other hand felt the hard contours of his broad back.

As they slowly pulled apart, his fingers slowly grazed her back again, and she automatically closed her eyes in response.

Advay thought knew how to get her undivided attention, and finally did what he had been itching to do, ever since he saw her bareback earlier.

He wound his fingers around the doris of her blouse and pulled them hard, and automatically Chandni snapped her eyes open, and arched her chest towards him reflexively. Her pallu slipped just a little, tempting Advay with a tantalising look.

One hand still knotted around the doris, he raised his other hand to cup her cheeks gently and grazed her lips ...tenderly and leisurely, holding a tight rein on his desires, as he wanted her to relax against him.

After some time, Chandni kissed him back slowly starting from his forehead, eyes all along his jaw and chin and finally claiming back his lips. Encouraged by her response, Advay unleashed the desire in him by crushing his lips against hers, tasting and devouring her mouth to the depths, biting her lower lip as Chandni absorbed all his passion and hunger. They paused for some much needed air, and resumed savouring each other at a much slower pace.

Advay slowly stood up still carrying Chandni in his arms, and their lips glued to each other as he carried her to the bedroom. Chandni squealed and protested in vain but he wouldn't let go of her; and supressed her sounds with his mouth. Luckily for them, living room was empty still. Just as Advay kicked their bedroom door shut behind him, he could hear Niru Mama coming back from his stroll with Chotu and calling out to Kajal Masi.

"Dev! What if Masi or Nani calls one of us? It would be so embarrassing. Please let me go." Chandni protested faintly as Advay laid her gently on bed and hovered over her, ensuring his weight is supported on his elbows.

"Didn't you just say we have waited long enough?" He asked her gruffly.

"Yes but.."

"No buts and ifs. Besides the Professor in me wants to ensure that every project I begin, I must see it all the way to its end, even if there are interruptions and obstacles, you know." He retorted with a devilish smirk.

"Are you saying I am like a project to you?" She fumed, trying to push him away from her, but barely managed to move him even for an inch.

"My dear, you are my lifetime project, Thesis, my PhD and everything beyond." He chuckled softly.

Finally giving up hope on pushing him away, Chandni tried to get herself up, but only managed to knock her shoulder against his, making him lose his balance and crash on to her, as he buried his face in the curve of her neck.

As his lips touched her soft spot there and sucked on it hard, Chandni forgot what she was saying, or where she was and clung on to him, as her whole body shuddered violently. Advay rolled onto his back and pulled her gently on top of him as her heaving chest crushed softly against his.

"Do you still want to leave me and go?" he asked her wickedly, as she looked smitten by him and blushed profusely.

****

Outside in the living room, Murli and Shilpa had returned from shopping and started assembling vegetables and groceries ready for lunch.

A small argument broke out between them again as they realised they forgot to buy nappies for Chotu. Nani and Kajal Masi intervened and broke up the fight, and decided that they can ask the driver or Niru Mama later to go back to the shops.

"Where are Advay and Chandni?" Nani asked.

"I don't know Naniji but I saw one of our cars drive past us just when we were returning." Murli replied.

"Hmm but Advay wouldn't have taken Chandni out without telling any of us" Nani mused.

"Arrey Naniji yesterday night I couldn't sleep, and guess what? I saw Advay and Chandni coming back, almost close to midnight. I was worried since she wasn't feeling well too yesterday. Did he tell you he was taking her out last night?" Kajal Maasi chuckled and Nani too joined as they passed it off as newlyweds' eagerness, to spend some time together on their own.

****

There was no other light in Advay Chandni's bedroom except the soft glow from the snow globe from the Kabootar Ghar, as Chandni insisted to close all the curtains and drapes in the room.

"But Chandni I want to see you!" Advay protested, as his sweat glistened body shined as the shimmering light from the globe cast its glow on his naked body.

"I too want to see you but I want to see and feel you like this." Chandni pressed both her palms against his shoulders, slowly moving down his soft chest hair and well-toned abs. Advay drew his breath in as her soft touches made him hard.

Advay followed her example and felt all her curves but with his mouth, sucking and teasing and then claiming back her lips as she made soft groans.

Both were sweating and heaving after sometime as Chandni slowly recovered from her climax.

As he poised himself to enter her for the first time, he could see the naked fear in her eyes.

He paused and slowly caressed her face with gentle kisses.

"Chandu I know you are afraid. But tell me this. Do you think I will ever hurt you, my katto gilheri?" he asked her softly.

Chandni shook her head and whispered back "No Dev, I know you won't hurt me."

"Just trust me and relax. Although I am the one who should be afraid. Look at my shoulders and chest, and all the scratches and hickeys you have made." Advay chuckled.

Chandni looked ashamed and even guilty.

She drew him closer and started kissing everywhere the marks were, as he slowly moved inside her; She ended up biting him hard on his shoulder again as he finally thrust himself all the way inside...

****

Nani, Niru Mama and Kajal Masi gathered around the TV as the popular TV Program Kaun Banega CrorePati ( Who Wants to be a Millionaire) repeat telecast started.

Everyone was eagerly watching it for the next hour, trying to guess the answers to the questions and criticising the contestants, if they got it wrong. Shilpa and Murli contributed too shouting from the kitchen, or running to and fro while checking on the Dal and Sabzi in between. Chotu was peacefully sleeping in his bed beyond all this noise, as per his usual morning nap after the stroll.

****

"Achchu ki mummy, thoda paani pilo." Advay offered Chandni a glass of water from the side table as she cuddled on his chest, exhausted and sleepy, after their long and wild love making.

He felt so content and happy right now, his Chandni finally belonged to him, in every way, with the last bit falling into place. She looked sweet, well-loved and tired, sweat glistening all over her forehead and her sindoor spreading from her hair to the forehead, her swollen lips reminding of their passionate kisses.

She chuckled weakly and hit him on the chest.

"I hate that name, I told you already."

"Arre Bhagyawan lets continue with that till we come up with alternatives. But first drink this." He made her sit up slowly and helped her drink the water.

He propped up some pillows against the head board, drew her against his chest and pulled up the sheets against them.

As he ran his hand through her soft hair, he remarked

"Achchu or whatever his name is, my boy will have the best mother in the whole of Allahabad and Mumbai combined." He kissed her gently on her forehead and looked down at her happily, as she shyly hid her face in the crook of his neck.

After some time she slowly gathered her wits and asked smilingly.

"Why are you assuming it's a boy? It can be a girl too. And why only the best mother? He will have the best father too."

"If it is a girl, I don't want her to be like you at all. Ek Chandni bas hai mere Zindagi mein. And talking about best father, I don't qualify at all. Naaah, Main Akhdu hoon, Ajeeb hoon aur Badtameez bhi. Whatever good qualities he or she is going to get, that will be from you Mrs Chandni Singh Raizada." He rubbed his nose playfully against hers.

"Why are you assuming he will be like you? He can be a sweet boy like Miku too."

"Haan Chandni. I wish he would be just like my Miku." Advay hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead.

"Did you find out anything from the old Dargah?" Chandni cupped his face and asked him gently.

"No Chandni, I haven't been there since I had to go off suddenly to US. I will go there tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?" He asked and she nodded happily.

"Dev, I think we should go outside now. But I am scared as hell. Look at me. How can I face Kajal Maasi or my sisters in this state?" Chandni asked nervously.

"I agree we can't go like this, but I have an excellent Idea... Are your window climbing skills still intact? But you need to change into some kurta or churidar dress first. I got you something from the Airport when I was coming. I completely forgot about it with you fainting and all that."

"But Dev I never wore any dresses before." She began to protest but stopped, after observing her husband's annoyed face.

"Ok..Ok. tell me what to do."

*****

Just then Murli was getting worried.

"Where is Advay Bhayya? I made his favourite Kheer today but it won't taste nice if it gets cold." He groaned aloud while Shilpa smiled at him sympathetically.

Murli's phone buzzed, and he picked up promptly as it was from Advay.

"Murli, I and Chandni are on our way home. Have you guys eaten your lunch?" Advay asked casually from outside the bungalow, where he was hiding behind his car with Chandni.

"Bhayya, we haven't eaten lunch yet. But if you are still at the market square, can you buy nappies for Chotu and bring them along. We forgot to buy them, and I think we are completely out of them." Murli requested.

Advay swore under his breath for this new complication, but now he had no choice but to pretend that they were actually in the Market square. Thinking quickly, he signalled Chandni to hop into the car, and started it, signalling to the security guy to join them at the back. He asked Chandni to apply some lipstick and touch up her skin a bit, to cover for their earlier adventures.

As Advay explained that they had to buy nappies for Chotu, and was driving towards market square, Chandni requested him to take their car to a small medical store in the neighbouring suburb instead.

"Dev, that shop is owned by my friend, and you know they are a small establishment. Every sale will help their family in some way." She explained, and Advay was again appreciative of how thoughtful and kind his wife was.

Once their car pulled near a small medical store named Sharada Stores, Chandni jumped out happily and reached the shop. Advay parked the car in the corner and walked slowly over, as he observed with narrow eyes how happily and enthusiastically his wife was chatting with the guy at the counter.

When she said the shop belonged to her friend, he automatically assumed it was a girl. The possessive Advay in him came to forefront as he reached his wife in two strides, as he glared at the guy at the counter with such intense and hateful gaze.

"Shiva, this is my husband Advay. Advay Singh Raizada. Advay this is Shiva he was my classmate in college. In fact..."

Advay cut her short.

"Have you finished your purchase Chandni? You know we have to hurry. Nani will be waiting for us."

Shiva who was about to greet and chat with Advay smilingly, checked himself as he noticed his brusque behaviour.

Chandni didn't understand the sudden change in Advay's mood but didn't want to irritate him further. She quickly made the purchase. Advay insisted that they buy extra supplies too, and Shiva was very happy, as they had a good margin in sale of these items.

"Chandni, Bharti will be so sorry to have missed you. I will let her know as soon as she is back from the bank. Please come again some other time. It's been so long we had a catch up." Shiva said with a smile.

"Yes Shiva, I will definitely come. Listen...that Assistant teaching job at our college? Is it still available? Can you find out for me?" Chandni asked him just as they were about to return back to the car.

Advay's back stiffened listening to his wife's questions. Why was she asking this guy about that job, and why was she pursuing this without discussing it with him first? Is this what she meant by taking all decisions with consultation?

A surly faced Advay drove the car in complete silence, and Chandni couldn't understand what she did or say, to upset her husband so much suddenly. But she thought it would be best to tackle the issue right now, before they reached home.

"Dev!! what happened? Why are you suddenly so upset? Please tell me because I have no Idea."

"Why are you asking him about the job opening? We never discussed this at all so far." Advay hissed.

"Oh that!! The moment I saw Shiva, I just remembered it that's all, because he is from the same college. I wouldn't take any decision without discussing with you first. Remember what we decided last night. I would never do anything without your knowledge Dev, you must trust me on this." Chandni replied earnestly.

Advay calmed down hearing the assurance in her voice.

"When you said your friend owns this shop, I assumed it was a girl." He said grumpily, stopping the car at the signal.

Chandni laughed out aloud, but changed her expression into a sombre one, as she noticed how grumpy her husband was.

"Dev, Shiva's wife Bharti is my friend but I know him too because we were all classmates. In fact you know him too. Remember Kishen Chacha? Krishna Bharadwaj, he was the assistant to my Baba and Bade Baba all those years ago. Shiva is his son. He used to come to our Haveli and play with us too."

The Signal turned green and Advay recalled Kishen Chacha. He was his Baba's favourite assistant along with Yash Narayan Vashisht. He tried to remember Shiva as a kid and a vague picture came to his mind.

"Once Bade baba left, I mean after what happened 16 years ago," Chandni held back her tears as she still couldn't believe the horrible events of that day.

"Ok as I was saying, Kishen Chacha became assistant Mahant, but Maa had a row with him over something and he was demoted to being one of the priests in the temple. May be he knew what my parents real nature was." Chandni said thoughtfully, as the reality struck her suddenly.

"It's ok Chandni; we don't need to go into all that." Advay said softly.

"No you should talk to him, may be find out..."Chandni paused before continuing.

"Well the main thing is few years ago, Shiva fell in love with Bharti, but Bharti is not a Brahmin. So when Shiva decided to marry her, Kishen Chacha gave him their blessing. But all the priests at the temple, they were very angry with him, and asked him to leave the temple, and even tried to excommunicate him and his family.

Shiva wanted to become a priest too and follow his father's footsteps but after these incidents, he just gave up the whole idea. Shiva and Bharti got married few years ago, and setup this medical store with a lot of difficulty, by taking loan from the bank and generous help from other friends. Kishen Chacha has no job now; he just teaches kids  some private tuitions at home." Chandni said almost tearfully.

Advay felt so terribly guilty after hearing the whole story. He apologised to Chandni straight away, and agreed with her that they should indeed meet Pandit Krishna Bharadwaj soon.

^-----------------------------^

Hello friends.

This is the much awaited continuation of the previous chapter and some readers may be surprised at the speed with which things are moving between Advay & Chandni.

But I can only say this in their defence, they have waited for each for 16 years and the one month long separation had taken its toll too.

all their misunderstanding and differences stem from the web of lies Indrani cast around them but once they are cleared and both are ready to make a fresh start, why do they need to hold back against one another.

Forgiveness and repentance are not one off incidences. Advay need to show his repentance towards Chandni through his behaviour for the rest of his life.

Amongst all the trauma they have been and the more turbulence which is still on its way, let them at least find solace in one another.

And we get to meet new set of characters who might be helpful to Advay and Chandni later.

I would really love to know what your thoughts are on this chapter.

Lots of love

Sesi