Days passed in a flash for Sneha. All thanks to her mid-semester exams.

"Finally, the exams are over! Oye, the plan for tomorrow is fixed right?" Jyoti asked Sneha as they exited their college building.

"What plan?" Sneha asked, as her mind was clouded with so many things right now. The major part of her worry was, as usual, occupied by her so-called fiance and his weird demands/actions.

"Wow! Don't tell me you forgot what we had planned for Holi, Sneha?" Jyoti said sarcastically.

And then it clicked on her. They had planned to spend the morning of Holi at Sneha's house where they would throw water balloons and colours at random people from the terrace. Priya was to join them too.

"Oh! I am so sorry, Jyoti. I mean, you can come and play with Priya because Viraj called me yesterday and he ordered me that he'd pick me up tomorrow morning to go somewhere." Sneha said, a little upset.

"But, tomorrow is Friday! It is not even the weekend!" Jyoti whined.

"I know."

"Then remind him!"

"I tried. It's useless anyway. If he wants something, he makes sure to get it." She said tiredly, unintentionally accepting the fact that he had told her, more than a month ago.

Jyoti could only make a sad face at it.

"This guy ruins all your important moments!" She commented before taking out the key of her scooty.

Sneha didn't comment further.

"Bye. See you on Monday." She said as she walked towards Keshav, her driver who was already patiently waiting for her in the car.

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Sneha was about to change her dress at home when her phone rang. She looked at the caller id and rolled her eyes on seeing the caller's name.

She was already frustrated with her poor performance in the exam. And, on seeing Viraj calling her, she couldn't feel any more irritated.

"Hello?" She mumbled on answering the call.

"Sneha. There's a small urgency at work. I'll have to leave for London tonight." She heard Viraj's voice from the other side. The heaviness in his tone confirmed to her that he indeed was busy. The rustling sound in the background indicated that he was moving around too fast...probably packing, she wondered.

Her brows rose at the information.

"Okay." She answered slowly, although internally she was jumping with joy. This probably was the best thing that happened with her today. Her gloomy day at least had a happy ending. She could now enjoy the festival with her family all she wanted.

There was a short pause from Viraj's side and he stopped packing his bag. He was expecting some sort of reaction from her side, but her straight emotionless reply disheartened him.

"I...would have taken you with me, but you don't have the passport." He said as he sat on the bed. He had no idea why he was explaining himself. But, he felt the need to do so.

"It's okay, Viraj." Sneha said immediately, hoping he would cancel the call soon so that she could call Jyoti and inform her of the good news.

"You are not upset with me?" He asked.

"Why would I be upset? Work is important as well. I understand." She replied.

Viraj nodded.

"I know it is the festival and I promised that we'd celebrate together..."

"It's okay, Viraj. It's not the only festival of the year. Work must always come first." She added.

Viraj took a deep breath. He couldn't understand whether he was happy or sad with her easy agreement.

"I'll call you once I reach there, okay?" He finally concluded.

"Okay."

"Take care of yourself. And, if you need anything, just call me. Okay?" He added with genuine care for her.

"Okay." She said.

"Bye."

"Bye."

Sneha cancelled the call.

'If you really cared for me, Viraj, then you would have asked about my exams also.' She chuckled sarcastically. So, why should she be concerned about his work or business when he didn't care about her studies, she reasoned.

With a light heart now, she immediately called Jyoti and informed her of the happy news.

During the evening, she attended the 'Holika Dahan in her locality along with her family.

"Isn't Viraj bhaiya hypocritical?" Priya mumbled as they changed back to their homely clothes back home.

"Why?" Sneha asked, confused by her sister's sudden question.

"Yeah, I mean, he didn't let you come to our cousin's birthday party. But, now, even when he had promised to take you out tomorrow, he is going against his words just because he has some important work." Priya commented.

"Aren't you happy that he is busy? At least I'll get to celebrate with you as we have always done!" Sneha complained.

"I am happy. But, I don't like this hypocrisy. It's like his schedule is more important than yours!" She explained making Sneha think over it too.

And, it sort of intrigued her too. Viraj always did what he wanted to do. He would rarely listen to her. And this sort of confirmed the theory too. So, when Priya went out of the room, Sneha picked up her phone to make Viraj taste his own medicine.

She would make him go through what she went through when he denied her to go to her cousin's home. If he could be childish, and she could too.

Looking at the time, she wondered if he had already boarded the plane. It was 8 pm after all.

Dialling his number, she heard his voice after the second ring itself.

"Sneha?" Viraj spoke as he stepped inside the plane. His attendant followed him closely while Gaurav and another of his employee were already inside.

"Viraj...I..." She paused, wondering if she was doing the right thing or not.

'He is a businessman, Sneha. His work will always be more important than you.' She encouraged herself.

"Hmm?" He hummed while scanning the graphs flashing on his tablet.

"I don't want you to go." She pushed the words out of her mouth making the love-sick man freeze in his steps.

"What?" He asked as he resumed his walk and sat on his comfy chair.

"I don't want you to go." She repeated.

"Why? I told you the reason." He said, utterly confused by her sudden mood.

"I...It's Holi, Viraj. You have to come."

A small smile finally crept on his lips as he heard the impatience in her voice. So, she was as eager as him to spend time with each other, he concluded. The simple feeling warmed his heart dearly.

"I am so sorry, Sneha! I have a very important meeting scheduled. I just can't miss it. There's too much at stake and I need to be present there to get that agreement." He justified himself.

"But, it's our first Holi, Viraj. Is it not important to you?" She complained.

He took a deep breath at her blunt accusation.

"It is important, Sneha. But, this is...extremely important. The person that I going to meet is not very easy to please. And, if I won't go or if I'll ditch this meeting, he may cancel all the agreements that he had signed with my company!"

"Then meet him on some other day! Why tomorrow only?"

"Don't you think I tried convincing him? I personally talked to his secretary to extend the meeting date. But, he is going on a family trip with his wife and kids on Saturday. So, he won't be available for an entire month. And, this agreement can't be postponed for so long! Try to understand, Sneha." He explained the entire story to his fiance, who had magically bubbled up so much possessiveness for him. In a way, he liked...no...he loved it.

"You too said that I was your family. So, for that man, his family is so important but for you, your family doesn't matter? If that's the case, then fine. I get it. I am not important to you."

"Don't talk rubbish, Sneha. You know what you are to me." His irritation rose. He hated when she raised her finger on his feelings for her.

"It doesn't seem like that."

Viraj sighed.

"Okay, listen, how about when I come back, I take you to..." He was about to propose another offer when she interrupted him. She wasn't going to fall into his trap anymore.

"I don't want to listen to anything. You have to come. I won't talk to you otherwise." She quickly said and cancelled the call.

Sneha smiled at her achievement. She knew he won't cancel his meeting, just for her. And the ultimatum would give her a valid reason to avoid him and make him feel guilty. If she was lucky, he would find her behaviour utterly childish and he might even call off the wedding. She was in a win-win situation, she concluded.

Viraj couldn't believe she just cancelled the call...that too with a clear warning! He looked at the screen for a while before dialling her number again. To his surprise, she cancelled the call.

"Is she serious!" He mumbled before dialling the number again. But, she cancelled again.

"Is everything fine, Viraj?" Gaurav asked in concern as he read his facial expression.

"No! I don't know what has happened to her. Why is she suddenly behaving like this?"

"Who? Sneha?"

"Who else! She just gave me an ultimatum!" Viraj exclaimed, still not believing her.

Gaurav chuckled.

"Seriously? Sneha gave you an ultimatum? For what?" He asked curiously. He didn't know Sneha was like Natasha.

"She wants me to celebrate Holi with her tomorrow or she won't talk to me."

This time, Gaurav full-fledged laughed at him.

"Well, welcome to romantic relationships, Viraj."

"But, my Sneha is not..."

"Every girl is the same, bro. Natasha tells me that always. But, see! Have we stopped talking? So, relax. That is just dialogue. Once you go back to her, give her a diamond jewel and she will melt into your arms just like cotton candy." Gaurav said egotistically.

"You...sure?"

"Obviously. Don't worry, I know women more than you do. So, trust me." Gaurav reassured him.

"Okay..." Viraj sighed. But, the restlessness didn't go away.

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Sneha was totally wet with coloured water, and so were Priya and Jyoti. It was Holi, after all. This was going to be their thirtieth target and the fun they had to throw water balloons at people was immense for them.

After all three of them threw the balloons at the stranger from the terrace, they all hid by kneeling down.

"Sneha, fill more water balloons." Jyoti asked after their laughter slowed down.

And, thus, Sneha got onto work while the other two girls picked up two balloons each to find another target.

"Found anyone?" Sneha asked while still filling the balloons.

"No. But, who is he?" Priya said while looking at the car that just parked in front of their house.

"Oh my God, Sneha! Viraj is here!" Jyoti immediately informed Sneha in a shocked tone.

Sneha's brows furrowed as she stopped filling the balloons and looked at the girls.

"Stop joking with me."

No, seriously, he is here...See for yourself." Priya added as they watched Viraj exit the car and take three medium-sized boxes out of the car.

"He is in London. If he was coming, he would have told me." She still didn't believe the girls.

"Didi, I swear on my life. At least come and see." Priya insisted.

So, Sneha sighed and stood up. Walking towards them, she peeped down on the road and her frown deepened.

Viraj was really here!

'What have I done?' Sneha immediately thought as she connected the dots. Obviously, it was because of her provoking that he was here! How could she be so stupid? She wondered.

"He shouldn't be here." She mumbled.

"Now, he will take you with him." Priya complained as Viraj stood in front of their door and rang the bell.

"I am so stupid!" Sneha whispered, mostly to herself.

"Let's go downstairs." Priya said to which all of them nodded. Her parents were already out to visit the neighbours and celebrate Holid with the elders.

However, unfortunately, by mistake, the balloon from Priya's hand left her hand and it fell directly on Viraj's shoulder.

"Priya!" Sneha exclaimed on seeing the mess on Viraj's shirt. Almost immediately, he looked upwards, only to find his fiancee looking at her sister in horror. It was evident to him now that Priya had thrown the balloon at him.

"So, you have started playing pranks on your brother-in-law, Priya?" He said, loud enough for her to hear.

"I am sorry...I didn't mean to..." Priya began to apologize when Viraj interrupted.

"At least open the door!" He chuckled and looked at Sneha.

She looked at him and then almost ran downstairs to open the door for him.

"Why are you here? You said you had important work to do!" It was the first thing she spoke after opening the door for him. Priya and Jyoti soon followed.

"Happy Holi, Sneha." He wished her while ignoring her sudden questions.

"Happy Holi." She greeted him back and stepped aside for him to enter.

"Viraj placed the three boxes of sweets on the nearest table and looked at his wet shirt.

"Happy Holi, Priya. I am quite impressed by your way of welcoming me." He commented by looking at her.

"She threw it by mistake, Viraj. If you want to change, I can give you my father's shirt." Sneha offered while trying to save her sister.

"It's alright. I'll change later."

"Okay."

"Where are your parents?"

"They have gone out for a while."

"Oh. Change your clothes then. Priya will inform your parents that you have gone with me. Yes, Priya?" Viraj commanded.

They could just nod.

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"You still didn't tell me why you are here? Did your meeting get cancelled?" Sneha asked as she entered the car. She chose to wear comfortable jeans and a half-sleeved top for the day.

"No. I asked Gaurav to attend the meeting on my behalf." Viraj explained as he started driving towards the next destination that he had planned.

"But, you told me that your presence was important!"

Viraj looked at her sideways and smiled.

"I pondered over what you said yesterday."

"I said a lot of things."

"About how my partner's family was important to him but my family was not important to me."

"I didn't mean it in a serious sense..."

"But it made sense. This is our first festival. And, we must celebrate it together." He said patiently.

"What if you won't get that agreement?" She asked curiously.

"Profit and loss are a part of the business. I'll incur that loss. You don't worry about it." He assured her.

There was a momentary silence between them. She didn't know what to say anymore.

"To be honest, it was your warning that made me come back to you immediately." He said while looking ahead.

Sneha looked at him with a frown.

"Warning?"

"Hmm. 'I won't talk to you otherwise.'" He imitated her feminine angry tone from yesterday.

"I don't sound like that." Her frown deepened as a blush crept on her cheeks. So, she immediately looked out of the window to hide her face.

He chuckled at her statement. Of course, she didn't sound like that. But, he enjoyed riling her up. It was fun for him to see her emotionally charged. At least, she'd notice him then.

"I don't want to imagine you not talking to me. You are already so quiet always." He said after a short pause.

"If you want a talkative wife, then you know that I am not the one." She added while looking at him.

"You are a talkative girl, I know. I have seen you with your sister and your friends. You just don't talk to me much." He replied.

She looked at her palms.

"By the way, I am happy that you let me know your feelings. I am glad that you wanted to celebrate the day with me, as much as I wanted to." He added.

Sneha wanted to facepalm herself. It was all her fault. And, now, she had given him false hope and meaning.

"Where are we going?" She asked to change the topic of discussion.

"Somewhere to celebrate together."

"Is Ananya coming too?" She asked curiously.

"Why will she come?" He asked.

"Uhh...I thought so." She said. They had only wished each other in the morning, that's it.

"It's just us." He said.

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"You are not going to change your shirt?" Sneha asked as they entered Viraj's penthouse...the place where they spent the evening of their engagement day.

"Not yet. First, I need to do something." He said and grabbed her hand to pull her towards the balcony, just like last time.

"What?" She asked but he didn't reply.

As they stepped onto the balcony, she saw the entire area decorated with scented flowers and three bowls of colours placed on a table near the boundary. It was similar to the last time, only less intense.

"I haven't applied colour on you." He said as they walked towards the bowls of colours.

Sneha looked at the glossy colours. They were deep red, indigo and yellow. As suspected by her, Viraj took a handful of the red colour and proceeded to apply it to her cheeks.

As was the tradition, she closed her eyes and let him put on the colour. Contrary to her expectation, he had been very gentle and did not smudge the colour all over her face like a moron. He only gently cupped her face and coloured her cheeks partially.

"You look cute." He commented when he had finished his job.

Sneha opened her eyes and wondered why he said that. There was no mirror to see herself on.

"Happy Holi." He wished again.

"Happy Holi." She repeated.

There was a short pause before he reminded her.

"It's your turn now." He said hopefully.

"Oh." She looked at the colours and dipped three fingers of her right hand in the bowl of blue colour. Proceeding it towards his face, she gently tapped the colour on his left cheek.

"Not like this." He said and grasped her palms in his hand. Guiding her hand in the bowl of blue colour, he made her take a good quantity of colour. Finally, she applied the colour on his cheek again...this time, thoroughly, with his guidance.

"Now, I feel coloured by you." He said and gave her his full smile. She wouldn't understand why he felt so happy because of this small act.

Turning her around, he gave her a back hug and made her look at the bottom of the huge building. She noticed a dozen children playing Holi with water and colours near the big swimming pool.

"One day, when our children will play Holi like this, I will remind you of today." He said while looking at the children playing happily.

Sneha's brows furrowed in confusion. Where did this conversation come from, she wondered.

So, she awkwardly looked at the pool.

"I wonder whether our firstborn will be a girl or a boy." He added.

"Why this sudden interest in children?" She asked curiously because he had otherwise never raised this topic.

Viraj chuckled and dipped his chin on her shoulder.

"While I was coming to your home, I saw a man playing with his child in the car. It was a really small baby. But, the man looked really happy. I want that smile too." He said and turned her around. Sneha looked up at him.

"And, I want only you to give me that happiness." He added and then boldly dipped his head to kiss her lips.

Their lips had only touched when her phone rang and she quickly took it out of her pocket by stepping back.

Sneha's ear rang with his words and his sudden interest in children. And, on seeing the unknown number, she became further confused.

"Who is it?" Viraj asked.

"Unknown Number." She said and answered the call.

It turned out to be Viraj's mother, and thus, she stepped aside to talk to her...mostly wishing each other the festival.