Ved started prepping for the halwa when Vanisha stopped him.

“Aap-aap mujhe bata do. Koi aa gaya toh achha nhi lagega.”

Ved stopped and then looked at Vedant. He motioned something making Vedant salute like a soldier.

“He’ll warn us if someone comes. Now may I?”

She nodded and watched him roll his sleeves as he got ready to make the halwa. The veins on his forearm became prominent as he stirred and she stared. Her gaze moved from his hands to his face.

How had she never realised how good looking he was? She quickly averted her gaze when he looked her way and he smirked.

“Focus Isha!”

“I-I am.”

“Ummhmm! Mujh pr nhi, halwe par.”

He teased and she blushed. She stood there blushing for a few minutes when he clicked his tongue.

“You’re not focusing.”

He complained and put the ladle with which he was stirring the halwa aside, held her arm and pulled her in front of him. He caged her between himself and the counter and she gasped at his move.

“Focus!”

He whispered in her ear from behind while picking up the ladle again. Her heart hammered in her chest and she bit her lip to prevent herself from making any noise. His chest brushed against her back each time he moved and she could feel the hard contours of it. His proximity made it hard for her to breathe.

She got out of his cage and stuttered.

“Mai-mai dekh rhi hu.”

She eyed the halwa and he finally laughed. He held the back of her head and placed a soft kiss to her forehead before going back to his halwa leaving her a blushing mess.

Everyone like the halwa and gave her gifts. As soon as they got inside their room, Vanisha grinned and bounced on her toes.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Aapne mujhe embarrassment se bacha lia aaj. And see! I got so many gifts because of you.”

She said excitedly and he chuckled. He loved that smile on her face and would do anything to keep it intact. He hugged her behind and kept his chin on her shoulder. She gasped and heard him mumble.

“Well, mission successful then!”

“W-what mission?”

“Mission make my wife happy.”

He grinned at her and turned her in his arms such that she faced him. 

“Why do you love me so much?”

She asked, resting her chin on chest and gazing up at him.

“I don’t need any reason to love you. I just do. Love with reasons are deals. Aur pyaar mai sauda nhi right?”

He quoted the song and she smiled. Maybe one day, she could give him the love he deserved. 

Things were good between them. They were closer emotionally if not physically. Ved took so many efforts to keep her happy so she made sure she made efforts to get to know him better.

She knew he liked his food to be extra spicy so she made sure to add some extra spices or keep green chilies on his plate. She knew he liked old Hindi songs. She knew he liked to sleep on the right side of the bed. She knew he liked the smell of new books. She knew that he liked taking walks in the garden barefoot. She knew that he was a cuddler.  She knew he liked it when she massaged his shoulders after an exhausting day. She knew he loved to tease her and make her blush.

Vanisha woke up and stretched herself. As usual, Ved was up earlier than her. She heard the shower running and blushed again. Why? Because Ved had been leaving the door open for her, his way of teasing her, by saying that she was welcome to join whenever she felt like. Not like she would do that, but the thought still made her blush profusely.

It had been nearly a month since their marriage and things were great. They have not gone on a honeymoon yet because when he asked where she wanted to go, she denied saying she wanted to go when they were more comfortable in their relationship as a husband and wife. 

They enjoyed their mini dates in their room itself. Watching movies while cuddling into each other and talking till late at night. She was slowly realising that what she felt for Vedant was not the romantic kind of love. Maybe she had a crush on him but that was it.

Because what she thought she felt for Vedant is nowhere compared to what she had started to feel for Ved. He made her feel alive and free. He makes her feel safe, loved and cherished. But what he makes her feel the most is the feeling of being home.

Lately, his arms had become her home. Looking into his eyes had become her favourite pastime. Listening to his heartbeat had become her best lullaby. 

Vanisha had just returned home from work. She freshened up and had some fruits. She had just come back to her room to fetch her phone when she heard it ringing. A smile formed on her face seeing Ved’s name.

“Hello!”

“Hi jaan! Are you home yet?”

She hummed and heard some shuffling from the other side.

“Great! I’m just getting off work. I'll be home in an hour and a half and I want you to dress up for a date.”

He said that so casually but she felt her heart stop for a moment. A date? With him? Her first date. With her husband.

“Date? With you?”

“Who else woman? I’m your husband!”

She bit her lip at his possessive tone and hummed again.

“Kaha jaayenge? Kya pehnu?”

“I have something for you in my almirah. The packet that I got yesterday.”

She grinned wide and squealed excitedly.

“I knew it! Mujhe pata tha wo mere liye hai aur aap jooth bol rhe hai.”

When he had entered the room with the shopping bag in hand, she got excited asking if he got something for her but he had blatantly lied and said that it was for a colleague whose birthday was coming up in a few days.

She heard him chuckle and he disconnected the call asking her to get ready. She quickly rushed towards his almirah and opened the bag.

It was a deep red coloured saree with a backless blouse. She draped the saree and then looked at herself. It looked so good on her. She then sat in front of the mirror and started putting on light makeup.