She wanted to count days. She had secretly been doing it. It was 21st day, today. But her inner soul was telling her, it was wrong.

Counting it could jinx it.

The term of her relationship.

But she wanted it to be forever. With Gods's grace, she had never felt so happy and completed before. She loved the way Shrey was behaving mature in their relationship. She felt at ease.

"I too had a dream of a start-up before. It's a hard way, I tell you. But my dream was lost before I could even plan on it. Rishabh needed my help in dealing with his departmental strategies. Family business was more important and dream was forever skipped," Shrey said slowly, snaking his hands around her waist while she stared at the setting sun.

Sakshi breathed slowly. "We both can think about it, when my studies would be completed. We can maybe, try something that merges with your family business. A little portion that won't offend Rishabh and will only expand the business. My brother will support us."

Shrey laughed hard. "Your brother? Why do you take his name in between these conservations? I am almost on an edge of getting my anxiety attack."

Sakshi smiled goofily, turning around to wrap her arms around his neck. She was hesitant at first when he told her about it the first time. Sakshi had never dealt before with a person with anxiety problems. But asking it to Shrey, discussing with Aarush and studying about it had made her accept it slowly. Enough now that she could behave normal and not pity him for being a victim. In the end, it just made her adore him more for these little struggles he was suffering to survive each day.

At least, he was able to make jokes on this topic, instead of staying worried.

Her eyes pierced his as she whispered, "It's necessary so as to keep reminding you that in the end, you will have to cross him. Only then, we can be married."

Shrey rolled his eyes and smiled slowly. "That's a long way. First, I want you to complete your studies. You yourself said, you didn't like how Pihu is distracted by husband and kid all the time."

Sakshi nodded quietly.

"You need to complete your degree and then, we can think about marriage. I will even tell my parents then. At least, that won't make them think you are that younger than me." He joked.

Sakshi chuckled and looked at him. "I still get shudders at thinking how Bhai will react when we will tell him about us-"

"Shhh. . . Don't think about it right now. Or I won't be able to sleep tonight," Shrey said while shaking his head. "My brother is no less himself. He keeps bugging his mom about getting married to that NRI girlfriend of his. But he can't since Tau ji still hasn't recovered and also because of my case, there was lot of money wastage. . ."

Sakshi stared at him, watching him breathing hard. He was absentmindedly rubbing his fingers over the bare skin of her waist and she liked it. Since the day, his case was solved, he has recovered well in health.

His eyes had the same brightness again that she missed earlier. Plus, there was a new warmth in them. He had been taking care of her more than himself. Whether it was her studies or just pampering her.

She loved how there were less gifts and more conversations like these. He hadn't even dared to touch her. It was her who had always been intiating their make-out sessions.

"What are you thinking?" He murmured, pushing the strand behind her ear.

She had her eyes on those lips, demanding to be kissed but how could she spit it out from her heart. Shrey had been really opposite of how he had been when they were younger. He was keeping his distance and she knew why.

The case had left a great impact on him. He was always quiet whenever Aarush and Aditi would return in the morning from his flat, even when she herself would tease them over having sex.

She blinked and gulped the water that had been filling her throat as she imagined themselves getting intimate.

"Are you staying? Aarush and Aditi will be gone for tonight too."

Shrey nodded casually. "Of course, it's better to be protected under my gaze than being alone," he chuckled, making her smile. "But isn't it getting too much? Aarush isn't studying anymore?"

"He covers it all, you don't know. I can never underestimate him." She said, shaking her head. "I was thinking. . ," she bit her lip.

Shrey stared at her, observing the hesitation in her eyes. "What is it?" He asked, now looking concerned.

"I saw condoms in Aditi's room. Unused," Sakshi spoke, gulping and getting shameful when she saw the change in Shrey's eyes. He looked frozen. "I mean, I had been thinking about it lately. Being an Indian girl, especially from a medium-level kind of orthodox family, I don't think it's normal asking about having sex before marria-"

She stopped just as she saw his lips curving and watching him bursting out in a loud laughter. Shrey leaned ahead, his face turning red as he calmed down slowly.

"Oh, love. You are way too innocent, Sakshi."

She was hell confused as she chuckled, "A girl asking about sex, isn't innocent."

Shrey laughed more, now ready to roll o the cemented shelf he was sitting on. He calmed down slowly, taking breaths while looking at her in adoration.

"You really don't know the truth, Sakshi. The world is changing and so are our thoughts. Whether you are Indian or not, from an orthodox family or not, it doesn't really indicate if you would ask for sex before marriage or not," Shrey explained. "If you are bold enough, believe in your partner and love, no one can stop you from enjoying your moments."

"Not even these stereotypes," he said, shaking her waist with his hands as if playing with a baby.

Sakshi narrowed her eyes at him, while inside she was embarrassed because the main point of her question was ignored. "How do you know? You know so many girls like that?"

Shrey sighed. "Sakshi, listen to me, carefully." He watched her gulping as he pulled her closer between his legs. "If you ask me about having sex, I won't judge on the basis of your nationality or how religious or orthodox your family is."

Sakshi stared at him, speechless. "So, you aren't judging me?" She gulped as all her insecurities came in her mind. "I was worried if you would because it's just third week and I am a virgin. And my brother's so strict. You would think that it might be because of my company. But I swear, I am not influenced by Aarush and Aditi too-"

Shrey shook his hands on her waist again. "Hey! I said, I am not judging."

But Sakshi lowered her eyes, now feeling mortified. "I don't want to be looked as like one of the girls you have had sex with before."

Shrey's lips parted, he was about to shake his head at her when she looked up at him with glossy eyes.

"It's just that I have imagined it only with you. It's just you, Shrey. Life is so unpredictable, I want you to make me yours. It's hard to imagine those moments without wanting them desperately. I. . ." She spoke out, lowly. "I want you to be my first and last."

Goosebumps risen on his arms, Shrey was speechless. He had realized already that she loved him more than any other could. But he hadn't felt so much special before. He felt loved and blessed.

"Of course, I will be." He murmured slowly, blinking while looking in her dark eyes.

The sun had set already and now lights had started to lit. Fresh breeze blew her hair while he nodded slowly.

"I will be your first and last because you are only mine."

Sakshi gasped faintly, her cheeks reddening slowly. She collected her lips and felt her throat getting tight. Her heart was fluttering and she thought, she would fly any second.

"So, tonight-"

"But tonight," Shrey took a long breathe. He caressed her hair, running his fingers through them. ". . . isn't the right time."

Sakshi frowned, "Why?"

Shrey shook his head mildly, looking in her eyes. "I am touched that you trust me so much, Sakshi. But I can't touch you that way-"

"Why? Don't you find me attractive?" She asked hesitantly. "Or that hit on your dick was way too harsh?" She clenched her jaws.

For a moment, Shrey was shocked but then he chuckled. Because secretly, he was turned on by her mild anger.

"I was beaten in false rape blame, Sakshi. I don't have the heart to even touch the girl I love," he reasoned, "before marriage."

Sakshi stared at him. "But we trust each other. You know, I am not like that woman. This is my consent anyway-"

"I am controlling hard not to do it. I myself feel the urge to do it all the times, Sakshi. But-"

Sakshi tilted her head in disappointment. "But you said, I am yours. Then, why not? I have never experienced-"

"The time will come, Sakshi." He promised, blinking slowly. "You are mine, no one can change it. But before we get one by body and soul, I want to call you mine in front of your family, my family, everyone and God."

Realization hit her face as she straightened her head and breathed out. She was amazed as the Shrey of four years ago wouldn't have thought this way. Truly, the bad times are lessons learned.

"I love you," she choked out, hugging him immediately.

Shrey wrapped his arms tight around her, smiling to himself while he rubbed her back. "I love you more."

Sakshi pulled away only to ask back, "Can't we even do like oral?"

Shrey wanted to laugh at her and he did but not before saying, "Let's ask your brother that."

Sakshi gasped while Shrey got off shelf, jogging on the terrace as she ran after him, trying to slap him.

He clutched his stomach while asking, "Do you even know what's oral?"

Sakshi flared her nostrils angrily and started walking towards the stairs. She got off while Shrey rolled his eyes.

"Sakshi!" He called out for hundredth times when they reached the flat downstairs. He bolted the door afted him and grabbed her by the waist, turning her around.

Before she could even look in his eyes, a pair of lips caught hers in a vibrant kiss, melting her then and there.

_______

The winter vacations were just a week away. This was the time, he needed to work. A month had been wasted by not calling his parents and skipping the whole procedure, thinking that he would be able to find out about the boyfriend.

"I don't understand, how you can't just follow them." Kabir sneered at his cousin.

Mihir glared back at him. "Well, blame me for not being born as a stalker. I am doing the best I can, brother. But the boy comes in a car. They barely leaves the building." He hesitated before saying, "I guess, they just spend time at the flat only."

Kabir's eyebrows raised along with the fire in his eyes. He looked disturbingly calm except for those colored eyes, staring far at a storm that he was planning to bring.

"What about her roommate? She too stays there?"

Mihir reluctantly answered, "Aditi is busy with Aarush. They are mostly out these days, dates and his own flat."

Kabir's jaws clenched as he observed the night sky from the window. "Without her roommate, he stays with her. What does that mean?" He asked, his voice turning rough.

Before Mihir could even speak, Kabir growled out. "They have been doing a lot and you couldn't get a single photo."

Mihir flared his nostrils and got up from the chair. "I have been trying continuously. But if you just call your parents, we won't have to do that much. Her Aunt is ready, it's just her brother you have to impress and Sakshi's wish won't be looked at."

Kabir breathed harshly, his eyes bloodshot from the rejection he felt already by listening to her deeds.

"Her wishes. Oh, I will show it to all of her family. . ." He breathed angrily. "I was quiet for a month, because of my job. I thought, your mom would do the work. But Rathore managed to put another comma. . ."

He turned around and walked in the room, looking at Mihir. "They wanted to see my parents. Right? Now, they'll meet my parents and if they sent my parents without a Yes for this proposal, I will fucking ruin this girl."

Mihir sighed heavily. "I'll get the pics, bro. While you call your parents. Vacations are coming, even you can go to Chandigarh. It will sync and don't worry, we will have a Yes."

Kabir chuckled humorlessly. "Worried? Me? It will surely be a Yes and soon, not just from her family, even from that girl too."

Mihir's eyebrows straightened while inside he shook his head. He knew, his cousin was obsessed with Sakshi.

God knows what he'll do to win her.

_______

"What do you think?"

From here, there won't be any stretch. There will be thrill more than the drama.

It took me quite a time to get back to the story. Now, I am glad at what I have planned and revised. It will all be fun, at least for me. I hope, it will be for you too.

Let me know what you feel.

Please vote and comment because only I know, how much I missed seeing all your comments and love to all those who keeps encouraging and asking about updates. (I apologise for all the delays. Life is tough.)