“Ek aur surprise plan kia hai.”

(I have one more surprise.)

“Kya?”

(What?)

She asked with eyes wide with curiosity.

“We’re going out for dinner.”

Her eyes sparkled and she grinned. He chuckled. She had always been a foodie and loved eating out.

“Mai jaldi se taiyar hoti hu.”

(I will get ready quickly.)

She mumbled and started rushing towards her room. He followed her to take his own clothes and get ready and saw her standing in front of the almirah.

“Kya pehnu?”

(What should I wear?)

She asked confused and he shrugged.

“Jo tera mann kre.”

(Whatever you want.)

She hummed and pulled out a plain bodycon dress. 

“Ye kaisi hai? Earrings complement krenge na isse?”

(How is this? Earrings will complement it, right?)

She asked excitedly. He nodded and left the room to let her get ready in peace.

Her birthday was spent beautifully. Abir and her looked like the most beautiful couple. 

Abir reached home and frowned hearing music coming from her room. Keeping his bag on the couch, he walked towards her room and leaned against the doorframe.

Teri inn baarishon mai

Behti hi jaau mai

Jab tu hai paas mere

Khudko na rok paau mai

He smiled and admired her. She was seated at the edge of the bed, staring into oblivion. A soft smile played on her lips as the song played.

Tu jo ye kr rha hai

Sehna dushvaar hai

Dil ne toh haan kia hai

Hothon pe inkaar hai

He was about to enter the room but then the next set of words played and he stopped. She sighed softly, the smile still playing on her lips and lowered her head as a red hue covered her cheeks. She then looked back up and looked ahead again.

Ye jo mushkil se dil ko salamat rakha

Isme aane du kya tujhko

Toot jaayega dil phir na jud paayega

Issi baat ka darr hai mujhko

He followed her line of sight and that was when he realised that she wasn’t staring into oblivion. She was looking at the pictures on the wall opposite her. His pictures. A hope bloomed in his heart. And his heart skipped a beat when she mouthed the next set of lyrics while looking at his pictures.

Ke ho na jaaye pyaar tumse mujhe

Kar dega barbaad ishq mujhe

Ho na jaaye pyaar tumse mujhe

Behad beshumaar tumse

Haari mai haari mai tere saamne

Haari mai haari mai mere yaar ve

Mai toh jal jaani ve teri aag mai

Kar loon barbaadi mai tere pyaar mai

The song changed and Sanvi turned her head towards her phone only to stop seeing him standing there and a blush covered her cheek at being caught. 

“Yu kab aaya?”

(When did you come?)

She asked as she switched off the Bluetooth speaker.

“Thodi der pehle. I’ll go and freshen up. Phir dinner banate hai.”

(Some time back…Then we’ll make dinner.)

With that he left and closed the door behind him. He kept his heart on his chest and patted his wildly beating heart.

“It's just a song! It's just a song!”

He explained himself that it might not have meant anything and that he should not get his hopes high. Sanvi, on the other hand, blushed and calmed her own heart. She hoped he had not realised she had been staring at his pictures and blushing.

That would be really awkward especially when she knew he didn’t feel anything other than friendship for her.

She was in the kitchen and was looking at the ingredients, when Abir joined. 

“What are we making?”

He asked and she twisted her lips in thinking.

“We can-”

She stopped short hearing his phone ring. He held up his finger and took the call.

“Yes sir? … Yes sir I am…”

He heard whatever the person on the other end was saying and his surprised eyes met hers. She looked at him wide, curious eyes and his face slowly blossomed into a wide smile.

“Yes sir, I understand. Thank you for this opportunity sir…yes sir I understand. I will not disappoint you. Thank you sir.”

Abir disconnected the call and Sanvi raised her eyebrow in excitement.

“Kya kya? Kya hua? Kaun tha?”

(What happened? What happened? Who was it?)

She asked curiously, stepping towards him. 

“Manager ka phone tha. There’s an international project and they are giving me a chance to prove myself. Sanvi! This is such a big thing. If I get this, mere promotion ke chances 50% se badd jaayenge. But if I fail, I might never get this chance again. They blacklist people from international projects.”

(It was the Manager….If I get this, my chances of promotion will increase by 50%.)

“I’m sure you’ll do it! You’re the best Abir. I am so happy!”

She jumped on her toes and hugged him tightly. He chuckled and twirled her around, hugging her tightly.

“This calls for a celebration! Bahar chalte hai.”

(Let’s go out.)

She said and he nodded.

“Yes! My treat!”

She frowned and got out of his arms.

“Teri treat kyu? Mere birthday ki treat bhi tune di thi na. This is my treat.”

(Why your treat? You gave my birthday’s treat too.)

He clicked his tongue and shook his head.

“With me, you won’t have to pay.”

She crossed her arms in front of her chest and raised her eyebrow.

“Achaa? Aur wo kyu?”

(Really? And why is that?)

“Because I am your husband, Sanvi.”

The moment the words left his mouth, both of them froze. The tips of his ears turned pink and her cheeks went red as they stared into each other’s surprised eyes.

And then, she bit her lip and lowered her head in shyness. 

“Ok. I'll let my husband pay.”

And with that she went to her room to get ready. Abir slumped against the counter and a grin started to form on his face as he realised what happened. Was she flirting with him? He scratched the back of his neck sheepishly and went to get ready.

A week later, Abir was leaving for 4 days. He had packed his bags and had just closed the zip. 

“Sab rakh lia na? Ek baar phir se check krle. Dental kit, bathing kit, business suits, night suits, casual clothes-”

(Did you keep everything? Check once more.)

“Sanvi! Calm down! Sab rakh lia hai. I’ll be fine.”

(I have kept everything.)

He held her shoulders and she nodded with a frown. She felt a little worried for him. He cupped her face and smiled.

“Sanvi! I’ll ok okay, meri jaan.”

She nodded and smiled back. His smile reduced as thought crossed his mind.