Nitya is really happy nowadays. Things were improving between her and Aarav. They usually slept while talking to each other. She even had a word with her mother and got to know that her father also stopped drinking after that day and started paying more attention to her mother.

It was one normal evening and Nitya was waiting for Aarav to arrive. He was late and out with his friends.

Nitya was a little worried because of what she heard earlier.

Aarav was late and she called him to ask him where he was.

He picked up the call but she frowned hearing loud music from the background.

“Aarav?”

“Nitya! I was about to call. Thoda late ho jaaunga aaj. Don't wait up for me for dinner. Actually mere ek friend ka birthday tha aaj jo mai bhul gaya tha. And wo and baaki sabne mujhe office ke neeche se hi utha lia. I'm with them right now. Wo party de raha hai toh thoda late ho jaayega.”

He explained and Nitya smiled.

“Koi baat nhi. But koshish kriyega jyada late na ho. Enjoy!”

“Yeah-

“Abbe Aarav! Phone neeche rakh aur ye daaru le bhai! Aaj ye kanjoos saara kharcha kr rha hai. Loot le bhai!”

“Umm…I'll talk to you later. Bye!”

She trusted him but somewhere she was afraid if he would give in. He was still learning to control his temptations.

It was close to 1 am when the doorbell rang and Nitya ran towards the door. The bell rang for a few seconds louder as if someone fell on it or pressed it out of his senses.

Even her mother-in-law came out of her room hearing the continuous ringing.

Nitya opened the door and her eyes widened seeing his condition. His hair was disheveled and shirt tucked out of his pants. But what shocked her most was the man he was trying to hold steady.

“Hey! Sorry! This is my friend. Umm…iss halat mai isse ghar chhod deta toh disown ho jaata bechara. Isliye yaha le aaya.”

“Aniket hai ye?”

His mother asked and Aarav nodded sheepishly.

“Iss bewakoof nai aise bell bajai? Subha hone de! Iski pitayi toh mai bhi krungi.”

She mumbled and went back to her room. Aarav transferred his drunk friend into the guest room and came back to his.

As soon as he entered his room, Nitya hugged him tightly. Aarav was shocked because this was the first time she was hugging him. Their first hug.

And a proper hug. She had her arms wrapped tightly around his torso and her face buried against his chest. His hands too wrapped around her waist and back and he held her securely.

“Are you okay?”

He asked softly while caressing her hair and she looked at him with twinkling eyes.

“Thank you for not drinking tonight.”

He raised his eyebrow and round his arms around her waist pulling her closer.

“How do you know I didn't drink? Maybe I just had a little ki kisi ko pata na chale.”

She shook her head and smiled.

“I know you didn't. Agar drink kri hoti toh aap mujhse nazre nhi milate. Itna toh jaan gyi hu aapko.”

He smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.

“Aur kya kya jaan gyi hai aap?”

She bit her lip and blushed.

“Yahi ki aao itne bhi bure nhi hai jitna maine shuru mai socha tha.”

He kept his forehead against hers and sighed in content. Having her in his arms felt like heaven. And he was so happy he didn't drink tonight.

“I won't lie! I was tempted to. But then I imagined you leaving me and the thought of that drink didn't tempt me anymore.”

She smiled with her eyes still closed. He rested his face against the crook of her neck and hugged her tightly. She felt herself melt in his arms.

His embrace felt warm and she felt safe and protected. She loved hugging him and being in his arms. And with the way he held her, it seemed like feelings were mutual.

None of them were ready to let go. If possible, they hold on more securely.

“I'm falling in love with you, Nitya.”

He whispered while still holding her and felt her hold loosen for a moment before she held on tighter. She didn't say anything but her gesture conveyed her unsaid feelings.

A few weeks have passed since Aarav's confession and since then he had become very clingy. 

Nitya was combing her hair before bed. She had just completed braiding her hair when Aarav back hugged her. She got startled at first but then relaxed and blushed.

“Kya kr rhe hai?”

“Tum har din thodi aur khubsoorat ho jaati ho ya mujhe tumse har din thoda aur pyaar ho jaata hai?”

He asked keeping his chin on her shoulder and she blushed red. 

“Kuch bhi!”

She looked away feeling timid but he continued to hold her and look at her with that love filled gaze.

“Bas bhi kriye ab.”

She whispered feeling shy because of his intense gaze.

“Koshish kr rha hu. Trust me! Par meri biwi hai itni sundar ki nazre hata nhi paa raha.”

She bit her lip and lowered her lashes.

“Aapko sharam nhi aa rhi aise flirt kr rhe hai?”

“Apni biwi se flirt kr rha hu.”

“Aap na…chhodiye mujhe.”

She blushed profusely and started to get out of his arms but he held her wrist and pulled her back such that she bumped into his chest and her hands rested against his chest.

“Nhi chhodunga! Jaao kaha jaaogi.”

“Aarav!”

He nuzzled his nose with hers and she bit her lip trying to control her smile. He too smiled and kissed her forehead. He then kissed her eyelids making her smile. Her breath hitched when he kissed her cheeks one by one.

She shut her eyes tightly when she felt his breath against her lips. Aarav looked at her expression and smiled. He kissed her forehead and moved away. 

She frowned and held his hand making him pause.

“Aap…aap ruke kyu?”

He smiled at her question and took a step closer to her.

“Kyunki tum ghabra gyi. And I won't do anything which makes you nervous.”

He again moved back and she again stopped him by holding his hand. This time he frowned. She stepped towards him and cupped his cheek before closing her eyes and placing her lips on his.