“You can go now. Mai kal wapas aa jaaungi.”

“No! I'm not going back without you. Tumhe lekar ghar se nikla tha, ab tumhe lekar hi wapas jaaunga.”

“Aarav! Mai aa jaaungi kal subha.”

“Mai ghar nhi jaaunga tumhare bina.”

They had a long eye contact but he was determined. She sighed and nodded.

“Fine!”

He smiled and carefully held her hand lest she shrugs it off again. But she didn't and he held on securely not wanting to let her go.

Her father still had her head hung low in shame. She hugged her mother and started moving towards the door when she heard his voice.

“Nitya beta…mai…mai bhut-”

“Maafi maangna chahte hai? Mujhse mat mangiye. Uss insaan se mangiye jo deserve krti hai. Jinhe hurt kia hai aapne.”

She said looking at her mother and moved out with Aarav still holding her hand. He hadn't left her hand even while driving. She didn't say anything but she didn't hold his hand back either.

They reached home and Nitya saw her mother-in-law still awake.

“Sab thik hai na waha? Aise achanak gyi thi.”

“Ji mummy, sab thik hai.”

Her mother-in-law nodded sensing the tension between her son and daughter-in-law and proceeded to her room after wishing them a good night.

Aarav took her to their room and asked her to sit on the bed.

“Yaha ruko.”

She saw him run around and take out all his alcohol bottles. He put them in a plastic bag and then looked at her.

“I'm going to discard them. Aata hu 10 minute mai.”

“Mai bhi chalungi.”

She wanted to see what he did. Or if he actually gets rid of it. Aarav nodded and they sat in the car again. He drove to the nearest municipal dumpster he saw and got out of the car with the bag.

Nitya watched from the car. She could see his hesitation from his body language but the fact that he actually threw the bottles inside made her smile a little.

His act somewhere showed how much he valued her. He was ready to change his addiction for her. Because he didn't want to lose her. And she wanted to see how much longer he could hold his promise.

He came back to the car and released a deep sigh before holding her hand again. They entered their room again and Nitya went to change her clothes. She came out of the washroom and saw Aarav already in his night clothes and sitting on the bed.

He waited for her to get on her side before turning to her and gently grasping her elbow. That's when she noticed the ointment in his hands.

He squeezed out a little ointment on his finger and gently massaged it on her elbow where she was hurt. He didn't meet her eyes but she could feel his guilt from his body language.

“It's fine. Doesn't hurt now.”

She whispered, feeling a sudden urge to comfort him. 

“I don't know how I-”

He stared but choked on his own emotions and sighed.

“I'm never drinking again. I'm sorry Nitya. I truly am.”

She nodded but didn't say anything again and laid down on her side. 

Aarav had quit drinking 3 weeks back. Nitya was expecting him to succumb to his addiction anytime but he had impressed her with his dedication.

Aarav had felt like giving up and having just one gulp but everytime he thought about it, he would look at Nitya's face and remind himself that he was doing all this for her. 

And because of his dedication and not giving in to his temptation for three whole weeks, Nitya decided to reward him. As a motivation to continue not drinking.

She knew he loved badam halwa a lot. But it took a lot of time to prepare. She had an off from work and decided to make his favourite halwa for him. 

Aarav reached him at his usual time. As soon as he entered his home, the heavenly aroma of the sweet dish filled his senses.

“Wow! Kya khushboo aa rhi hai! Kya banaya hai?”

He asked entering the kitchen and trying to see where the aroma was coming from. 

“Surprise hai tere liye. Fresh hokar aa jaa. Mai khaana laga rhi hu.”

His mother answered while Nitya refrained from turning around to face him knowing the excitement on her face would give everything away.

Aarav was really excited for the surprise. He had an idea because he knew the aroma could be of his favourite sweet dish. 

“Ab toh bta do kya surprise tha.”

He asked after they were done with their food. His mother chuckled and looked at Nitya who blushed a little.

“Jaa! Le aa sabke liye.”

Nitya nodded and got up. She served the halwa in 4 bowls and took them out. She first served her father-in-law. Aarav peeked in his father's bowl and his grin widened.

“Badam ka halwa! You're the best mummy! I love you!”

He took a bite of the delicacy and moaned in delight, making Nitya lower her head trying to hide her happiness and blush. Now that she had started to actually observe him, her husband was really good looking. He had a good body and height.

“It's amazing!”

“Nitya ne banaya hai.”

He stopped mid bite and looked at Nitya who looked anywhere but at him.

“Subha se lagi hui thi. Especially tere liye. Usko bol you're the best aur I love you.”

Nitya looked at her mother-in-law wide eyed. She knew she was teasing her but her cheeks reddened at the thought of him saying ‘I love you’ to her.

Aarav lowered his head as his ears turned pink and he continued eating his halwa to escape the awkwardness.

“Arre bol na!”

“Hn bol dunga mai. Aap so jaao na!”

“Arre private mai bolega wo. Akela chhod do bacho ko thoda.”

His father too teased him and now Nitya wanted the Earth to swallow her. Aarav, on the other hand, cursed himself for saying something like that knowing how playful his parents were.