Before their lips could touch, the door was opened and they sprang apart as if touched by a live electric wire. Sanvi’s mother stood at the door, embarrassed.

Sanvi closed her eyes and waited for the Earth to swallow her. Abir got up from the bed and ran out citing an excuse of an important phone call.

Her mother finally entered with the glass of turmeric milk. She kept it on the bedside table and sat in front of Sanvi with a small smile.

“Mai khush hu ki tum iss rishte ko mauka de rhe ho. Khush raho hamesha.”

(I am happy you are giving this relationship a chance. Always be happy.)

She kissed Sanvi’s head and left the room, leaving a blushing Sanvi behind.

Another week and Sanvi’s cast was removed. She had a crepe bandage on her foot. She could walk without the crutches but still had a limp. They were moving back to Abir’s apartment.

He carried her up the stairs and into her bedroom. Covering her with a blanket, he kissed her head.

“Tu rest kr. Mujhe thoda office ka kaam hai. Kuch chahiye ho toh let me know.”

(You rest. I have some office work. Let me know if you want something.)

And with that he left the room. Sanvi laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling. She had to talk to him. Tell him about what she felt and what she had decided.

It was evening when she woke up from her nap and stretched herself. She slowly limped out of her room. 

She saw Abir sitting in the kitchen. He turned when he heard footsteps and helped her sit.

“Hungry? I made sandwiches.”

She nodded and they had their tea and sandwiches. Sanvi was thinking about how to approach the topic.

“Thik hai tu?”

(Are you ok?)

He asked and she looked at him. She took a deep breath. 

“Tu kisi ko pasand krta hai?”

(Do you like someone?)

She asked, making him pause mid-bite. Then he gulped his food down and asked.

“Suddenly ye sawaal kaise aaya tere dimag mai?”

(How did you think of this suddenly?)

She shrugged, trying to act nonchalant, as if her heart wasn’t beating wildly in her chest.

“I mean, you had to marry me like that. Maine kabhi socha hi nhi ki shayad tujhe koi pasand ho. Fass gaya na tu toh mere saath.”

(I never thought you might like someone. You got stuck with me.)

Abir smiled and cupped her face.

“Aisa kuch nhi hai. Itne chhote se dimaag pr itna zor mat daal.”

(It’s nothing like that. Don’t stress your little brain.)

He teased but she kept looking at him.

“Tu kabhi saamne se confess nhi krega?”

(You will never confess directly, right?)

“Kya?”

(What?)

“That you love me.”

And that sentence made him freeze. He looked away and gulped.

“Ye-ye kisne bola tujhe?”

(Who told you th-this?)

“I heard you and bhaiya talking that day.”

He closed his eyes. There was no point in denying it now.

“Sanvi… I…I didn’t want to lose you as a friend also. Tu bhut special hai mere liye. Mera sab kuch. The only person I can lean on. I didn’t want you to see me differently or stop talking to me because of what I feel.”

(You are very special to me. My everything.)

She kept quiet and kept looking at him. When he finally met her eyes, he saw tears brimming in them.

“You know…you have always been special to me too, Abir. Tu aur Pratham, dono mere best friends ho lekin jitna tere saath free and comfortable feel krti hu, uske saath ya kisi ke bhi saath kabhi nhi kia. Tune hamesha mujhe samjha hai, mere ghar wale bhi mujhe itna achhe se nhi jaante jitna tu. Tere saath bina kisi darr ke saath reh skti hu. Khul ke apni baatein, apni feelings share kr skti hu. Kyunki mujhe pata hai, koi aur ho na ho, tu hamesha rahega.”

(You and Pratham, both are my best friends but the way I feel comfortable with you. I never felt with him or anyone else. You have always understood me, my family doesn’t know me so much as you do. I can stay with you without any fear. I can share my feelings, thoughts openly. Because I know, even if no one is here, you’ll always be with me.)

Abir smiled and nodded. She sniffed and continued.

“Pehle sochti thi ki kaash humare beech mai kuch ho skta…phir laga ki nhi…ye galat hai…hum toh best friends hai na…aur best friends ek dusre ke liye aise nhi sochte…phir jab Pratham ne propose kia toh laga ki agar uske aur mere beech kuch ho skta hai toh hamare beech mai kyu nhi…par tab tak mai Pratham ko haan bol chuki thi aur tune bhi koi khaas reaction nhi dia toh mujhe laga ki tu sachme mujhe bas ek dost maanta hai.”

(Initially I used to wish that something could happen between us…then I thought…this is wrong…we are best friends…and best friends do not think like this for each other…but when Pratham proposed so I thought that something is possible between him and me then why not us…but by then I said yes to Pratham and you also did not have any special reaction so I thought maybe you really think of me as just a friend.)

Abir listened to her. Shocked. Surprised. She held his hands and smiled through her tears.

“But I don’t want to deny it or run away from it anymore, Abir. Tu mera best friend hai aur hamesha rahega. But I am in love with you, Abir. As a woman should love a man. And as a wife should love her husband.”

(You are my best friend and will always be.)

Abir held her hand and pulled her into his chest. He dug his face in her hair and cried in happiness.

“I love you, Sanvi! I love you so much.”

She smiled and chuckled, holding him tight. They pulled back and smiled. Abir cupped her face and kissed her forehead. Sanvi looked into his eyes and slowly leaned in.

He pulled her closer by her waist and their lips met in a slow, soft kiss. A surprised moan escaped her lips when Abir picked her up bridal style and carried her towards the room while still kissing her.

He placed her on the bed and hovered over her. They shared an intense contact and he kissed her forehead tenderly before laying down beside her and pulling her into his arms.

Abir was ready for office the next day. He was making breakfast for Sanvi because she was still taking work from home.

He kept the hot and freshly made Gajar paranthas in the casserole and moved out of the kitchen.

The doorbell rang and Abir went to open it only to freeze seeing the person on the other end. Pratham grinned wide and hugged Abir.

“I got a permanent job bhai! I'm so happy!”

Abir smiled despite the situation. He had always wished the best for Pratham.

“I'm just so happy. Tujhse milne ke baad ghar jaaunga, mummy papa ko bhi batana hai. Aur phir Sanvi ko bhi manana padega. Bhut naaraz hogi na.”

(I will go home after meeting you, I have to tell mummy papa. And then I have to pursue Sanvi also. She would be so upset.)

Abir stilled, hearing Sanvi’s name.

“I have to go back tomorrow. Usse pehle usko mana kr, shaadi bhi krni hai.”

(I have to marry her before that after convincing her.)

Abir opened his mouth to say something but the very moment Sanvi came out of their room. Pratham looked at her, shocked and open mouthed. She had heard voices and came out to check who had visited early in the morning.

“Tu-tu yaha kya kr rhi hai? Aur Abir ke room mai?”

(What are you-you doing here? And in Abir’s room?)

He asked, glancing between Abir and Sanvi. And the, as if realising what could have happened, he spoke.