I stalked further, slowly, eyeing her every mischief laddened gesture. Her honey eyes, darkened with desire. They shone, twinkled, and lured me in as if giving me an illusion of a simmering light at the end of the tunnel. She cautiously stepped back, the corner of her lips tugging upwards as if the cupid ready to pull it's bow and aim straight at my heart. And it indeed aimed right, my racing heart was enough proof I guess.

I wonder how this woman collided with my messed up life. May be she was sent to collect my broken pieces, but in my own rage, I shattered her completely. And didn't even feel any remorse. That must be the reason I've always suffered. I thought my prayers were never heard, so I stopped asking for anything long back. God did hear me. He was a little late to send his Angel. And when he finally did, I was a complete devil to see any good in her.

How can she still want me after all that I did to her? Is she real or a beautiful dream that'll end someday?

Fate took her away from me five years ago. But today, here she is, smiling so innocently at me when I was always the reason of her tears. Was it possible for someone to be so selfless? So giving? He had gifted me with such priceless beauty, and all I did was to disregard and disrespect her existence.

Instead of worshipping the path she walked on, I laid thorns for her to bleed for I felt satisfaction in her pain? I was a monster.

She moved along the length of wooden shelf, hiding herself in the flowing lace curtains. I found myself closing the distance between us. She had her back pressed against the wall, her shy eyes casted down. Gently cupping her chin, I tilted her head up to look into her eyes. She blinked and believe me that was one of the most precious moment of my life. She spilled innocence and grace.

"Stop looking at me like that.", She whispered and my heart fluttered at the sound of her lucid voice.

"Like what?", I asked in whisper, afraid to break this fragile bubble of rare moment we had ourselves preserved in.

"Like that.", She mumbled, her words dipped in naivety.

"I don't understand.", I said honestly. I don't know how I was looking at her. I just know that I was admiring my small world in a matter of few moments.

"I don't either.", She bit on her bottom lip, nervously assaulting it as she ignored my eyes.

"Tell me. Say what you want to.", I urged her softly, nudging her chin with my knuckle.

"I- I don't know what to say.", Her brows pulled together, confusion clearly obvious on her face. "You're behaving different.", She shrugged.

"Different as in?", I asked.

"I thought you would pounce on me but here you are, like an artist studying his art.", She murmured as she raised her head to meet my eyes.

"Well, I'm confused. What to worship first.", She gasped as I said that. "Your eyes, they talk and I'm eager to listen every tale they've to share. Your body, it's a book. I don't know which page of it may hold something unbelievable. I'm an avid learner, Rivaah and I can't wait to study you. This time in complete depths. And even after studying you completely I don't know if I'll be able to describe you in words. All I can do is point to colors and say that you're as distinct and as different as them.", My mind boggled fearfully as tears poured out and trickled down her face. "Hey, did I said something wrong?", I asked, going through my past spoken words to realize where I went wrong. Again.

"Only if you had loved me like this before.", She whispered brokenly and all I could do was look at her with guilt covering my every inch.

"I was stupid. I'm sorry.", I said in a hushed tone. My every ounce was wet with an overwhelming amount of regrets. And all I could do was apologise. I can't take away the pain I made her go through. How I wish I was that strong.

"Stop being a poet now. This doesn't suit you.", She chuckled as she struggled with her tears.

Every drop that leaked from her eyes made me more ashamed of myself. Leaning down, I kissed her tears away. She relaxed, her shoulders sagged down as she closed her eyes. Threading my fingers through her silky raven locks, I tugged at them and her face inched closer to me. She was breathing heavily. I could feel her every soft exhale on my skin.

My lips descended down to capture her softness. The moment her lips touched mine, everything around me faded away as if it never existed before. The kiss was not like any other I've had. This one was slow, and eerily soft. As if winds were whispering a tale to the trees. Unexpectedly her hand reached behind my back, resting on my spine and sending it's warm through my thin white shirt. She pulled me closer, and my hand fell to her hip. Holding her for this moment. Because it belongs to us.

She moaned arching her back ever so soflty and I felt her faint heartbeat against my chest. "Rivaah....", I whispered as I tasted her sweetness, her name was a musical mantra for my heart. It beats with enthusiasm at the sound of it. Savouring the way she melted against me, completely giving up in my arms, I felt my soul drinking a gulp of bliss that tasted nothing but heavenly.

For the need of breath, I pulled away but couldn't stop myself after a second. I nuzzled the crook of her neck with soft kisses, so very soft and faint as if whispers. My arms drew her in, passion thriving in my every vein as I felt the crave to connect with her deeply. She trembled in my embrace, her body unraveling itself as I explored her with gentle kisses. She arched her neck back, making room for me to taste her sweetness. I bit on the skin where her neck and shoulder meets, and when she hissed I soothed the aftermath of torture with my tongue.

"Kabir.", She moaned my name, prolonging every letter as if saying it for the first time.

"I love you, Dove. I love you so much.", I said kissing behind her ear shell and she completely broke down in my arms. Her every sob pierced my heart, stabbing me for giving her the pain that she never deserved. I held her close. She emptied herself completely, locking her arms around my neck and pressing herself in my chest as if I'll disappear the very next moment she leaves me.

I bit on my bottom lip, nuzzling my face in her shoulder as I struggled to keep my own tears in. They don't deserve to be out. They don't deserve any escape, not when her precious tears are wasting themselves.

"Shh. Dove. Please. Stop.", My voice shook at every word.

"I-", she hiccuped. "I'm afraid to sa-say it back. I- I don't want to end up heartbroken again.", She cried after saying that and an arrow painfully ripped my insides apart. The pain was agonizing, it was undescribable and had no medicine to heal.

I wanted to kill myself for making her like her this. The Rivaah I had seen six years ago was like a gush of fresh air, ready to spread a smile on tired traveller's face. And this, the broken and insecure one, I'm to blame for her this condition. What had she wanted from me, honesty? And what did I give her? Lies, betrayals, never ending nightmares!?

"I know. I was a monster. I'm so sorry, Dove. Trust me this once and I'll lay world to your feet. Just one more chance.", I begged as I looked into her moisture laddened amber eyes.

"I've already given you. Just don't betray me please. I won't be able to take it anymore. I'll completely shatter. And Reyansh needs me. For him, never betray me.", She pleaded in return.

"I'll win your trust back. That's my promise.", I smiled, exposing my vulnerability to her. She did the same as she gently placed her lips against mine.

Unlike last time, this kiss held millions of unsaid words and drove with force. She tugged me closer, wrapping her arms around my neck and thrusting her tongue through the seam of my lips. I gave up and submitted to her with a soft smile. Just like last time, she got excited to lead the kiss and her tongue delved deeper, boldly exploring every corner of my mouth. My hands ran up and down her waist, rubbing her skin but mostly wanting to peel off the layer that hided her body from my eyes.

When she pulled apart, it was to breathe.

She laid her head on my chest as she panted. Her hand caught mine one, entwining our fingers together. "My feelings for you are so strong, they sometimes scare me.", She mumbled as she drew circles on my palm.

"Don't be scared. I'll protect each of your vulnerability as my own.", I whispered pressing a kiss on her head.

Stepping back, she tugged me towards the daybed and I agreed with her request. She sat down and pulled her legs up. Placing her chin on the knees, she fixed her eyes on me and I grew restless. "Sit.", She said and I found myself abiding with that request of hers too. Her eyes remain still on me, and I averted mine down to avoid looking at her.

My brows furrowed together when I saw her swelled legs. "What is this?", I asked as I gently wrapped my fingers around her ankle and pulled her feet on my folded leg. Placing it on my thigh, I looked at her with frown.

"It happens in pregnancy.", She said in response.

"Does it hurt?", I asked tentatively.

"Not much.", She shook her head.

Ignoring her words, I began gently massaging her feet to rid of whatever pain she was feeling.

"Kabir, you don't need to do that.", She attempted to pull her legs back.

"I want to.", I said and continued what I was doing. Minutes later, she dropped her chin on her elbow across the window pane. Staring and admiring the snow fall outside.

"I want to eat something.", She spoke after a moment of pause.

"Like what?"

"Cake?", She looked at me with a grin.

"You want to eat cake?"

She nodded her head after sitting straight.

"I can make one for you.", I said and she gasped before scooting closer. I chuckled at her excitement.

"You know how to make a cake?", I nodded and she didn't left a minute to stand on her feet and pull me along with her. She dragged me out and I glanced at my abandoned work before shaking my head and following her to the kitchen.

She raised her arms up, and I smiled before picking her up and placing her on kitchen counter.

"Can you tell me where the ingredients are?", I asked as I wore the apron and stole a glance around.

"Kabir!"

I turned to look at her with my eyebrows raised up in question. Her mischief filled eyes made me suspicious and I tilted my head to side as my eyes narrowed at her.

"I've a fantasy.", She spoke enthusiastically.

"That is?"

"Just wear the apron and sweats. No shirt.", She said biting on her nails and I held my jaw from dropping down to touch ground.

"You're such a pervert.", I snickered.

"Shut up!", She deadpanned before giving me a puppy look. "Please! C'mon don't act pricey now!", She rolled her eyes.

I decided to oblige with her weird demand. Removing the apron that I had recently tied, I dropped it beside her and pulled my shirt off.

"Oh wow!", She ogled.

"Aren't you a shameless little pervert.", I smirked moving closer and placing my both hands on her either sides.

She giggled before her hands adventured boldly over my upper body.

"You're so ripped.", She whispered in awe.

"And I can rip you apart.", I growled near her ear and she shivered.

"Go and make the cake.", She pushed me back with a teasing smile on her face.

"Your wish is my command, Dove!", I mocked her a salute before tying the apron and getting the ingredients one by one as she pointed their location out.

"You've something here.", She said pointing at my cheek while I was mixing the batter.

"Remove it.", I said and moved closer to her.

She leaned ahead, placing her warm lips on the spot and licking it away. "Hmm. Sweet.", She hummed with a moan.

"You're such a tease!", I remarked as I felt myself hardening while she just flipped her silky hair behind her shoulder.

"Work faster!", She reprimanded me.

"Yes, ma'am!"

After setting the cake batter inside oven for one hour, I made the icing.

The oven beeped and she was first to get down.

"Careful, Rivaah.", I said and she smiled sheepishly at me.

I checked the consistency of cake with toothpick and it was completely done. Pulling it out, I left it on the kitchen counter to cool off.

"Is it done?"

"Let it cool down first.", I said as I made the cone of strawberry flavoured icing for the cake.

After another hour, I was done.

Slicing a piece, I presented it in front of her on a plate. She took a bite and moaned. My lips turned up in a smile when she closed her eyes in satisfaction and her legs bounced excitedly.

"This is so good!", She squealed. "How I wish Reyansh was awake. He would have loved it!", She sighed.

"We'll keep some for him.", I said and she nodded.

"Rivaah?", I will probably regret saying this.

"Hmm?", She was completely immersed in devouring the cake.

"What do you think of Pooja and Aarav getting married.", My wife, mirrored me as she choked on the cake.

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