SUNAINA'S POV

“Surprise,” he whispered, wrapping me softly in his arms from behind.

I slowly opened my eyes, letting them adjust to the bright light.

“Dekhu?” I whispered, turning towards him. He nodded with a gentle smile.

(Can I see it now?)

That’s when I turned, and in bold letters, the label read-

VIHA Legal Services

“This-” I breathed out, too stunned to say more.

“Your office space is ready, Jaan. You don’t have to work from home anymore. You can easily have client meetings in the quiet meeting room, and you can meet your victims without worrying about their comfort,” he whispered softly, his words making my eyes well up with tears.

Everyone thinks working from the comfort of your home is easy. Well, it’s not… not for a lawyer like me. I had been struggling to meet my victims without worrying about their comfort and safety, because many wouldn’t agree to come, and not everything could be said through a Zoom meeting.

“But they said it would take six months to fully furnish my office,” I replied, sniffling.

“Nothing your husband can’t handle,” he teased, earning a soft chuckle from me.

“Shall we go look around now?” he added, still holding me in his back hug.

Slowly turning around, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close. I was overwhelmed by his gesture; his actions spoke louder than his eyes ever could.

His eyes held so much warmth and love, but his actions? They radiated safety and acknowledgement. And I am so glad to be experiencing both.

“Thank you,” I whispered, gently caressing his cheek.

“Your husband’s always got you, Jaan,” he murmured, his voice soft and soothing, like a lullaby.

“I love you,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead before looking deep into his eyes, hoping he could see the depths of my emotions-belonging only to him.

He looked at me blankly, slowly processing my words. “Wha-”

“I am irrevocably, hopelessly in love with you, Ved,” I said, caressing his cheeks softly with a smile.

“Y-you love m-me?” he stammered. His legs gave out, and he sank to the floor. I crouched next to him.

“Only you, hopelessly. I don’t know how, when, or what moment it was. Maybe it was the day I bumped into you? Maybe it was the day you brought me gajras? Or maybe it was when you gave me chocolates in childhood. I don’t know, but what I do know is that I am deeply, hopelessly, and irrevocably in love with you, Ved. I wish to spend a lifetime with you. I wish to do everything I once dreamed of doing with my partner. And I wish to experience all of it only with you,” I said softly, taking his trembling hands into mine. The tears in my eyes made it hard to meet his gaze.

“Jaan…” he whispered, his eyes glistening with tears.

“Do you know what you just did?” His voice was barely more than a whisper in the quiet office.

“What did I do?” I asked, confused.

“You made my heart stop with your confession,” he said, staring at our joined hands-his shaking ones held steady by mine.

“Oh…” I chuckled softly.

“You know, my love for you-it isn’t love anymore,” he began. I nodded, waiting for him to go on.

“It has turned into devotion. I am deeply, hopelessly devoted to you, Jaan. So much so that all I could ever think about was you… even when you were in the US, or when you were forced to stay at your hostel, you never left my mind.

I went to every event you were part of-your school functions, your college events, your graduation, your post-graduation. I was there for every step you took towards success, cheering for you from afar.”

“You know why I stayed in the shadows and never came in front of you?” he asked softly, tears streaming down both our faces. I shook my head, unable to trust my voice.

“Because I was afraid you wouldn’t recognise me. Silly, I know, but that was my biggest fear. And I knew it would break me. So I stayed away, far enough to go unnoticed, yet close enough for my heart to feel content. And for all those years, I was content-watching you from afar, keeping your picture in my wallet, reminding myself I had to be patient and worthy of being yours. Safe to say, every moment of yearning was worth it in the end, because I got you-my Naina-as my better half, my wife.”

His every word-his love, his patience, his resilience-made my eyes spill over with tears of happiness and gratitude.

Happiness because his love was mine, and gratitude because I was blessed enough to be the one he loved.

“I love you so, so, so much,” I whispered, hugging him tightly against my heart. Tears streamed down both our faces, but we didn’t care.

“I love you too, baby. So much it hurts,” he whispered, tightening his hold around me.

Pulling away, I gently wiped his tears with my cotton dupatta. “Such a crybaby,” I teased.

He chuckled and took the other end of my dupatta, wiping my tears. “Aapke ishq mei ye bhi manzoor hai mujhe.”

( I can even do this in your love.)

“Dramebaaz,” I muttered, though a laugh escaped me anyway. He’s so cheesy, I love it.

(Dramatic.)

“But how did you hide it from everyone for so many years?” I asked as he helped me up, pulling me with him.

“They know,” he said, smiling softly.

“They know? Everyone?” I asked, eyes wide.

So I was the only oblivious one?

“Mhm, they do. The youngsters found out when Devesh accidentally saw your picture in my wallet. Coincidentally, everyone was together at the time, so his reaction gave it away. I told Chachi and Chachu myself after I saw you again when you came back from the US.” He said, holding my hands as we walked toward my cabin.

“So even Ashu knows?” I asked, shocked. How could she hide this from me?

“Yes. She was the one who helped me attend your college events and your graduation,” he said, opening a door.

Wow. Ashu, just wait-I’m going to throw you off a cliff, you betrayer of a best friend.

“And this is your cabin,” he said, stepping aside and pulling me out of my murderous thoughts.

I looked around slowly. It was exactly the way I wanted-cozy, yet professional.

“Wow.” That was all I managed to say as I took it in.

“You like it?” he asked, anticipation in his voice.

“I love it,” I squealed excitedly.

“Let’s take you to your surprise, Jaan,” he said, taking my hands in his and leading me toward the bookshelf in the corner of my cabin.

As I walked closer, I noticed a button-so well hidden it wasn’t noticeable from near or far. He tapped on it , and a small screen appeared to enter a password.

“The password is your birthday,” he said, punching it in.

The next moment, the wall slid into the floor, revealing a secret bedroom. It was a small space with a sofa-cum-bed, a compact wardrobe, a vanity table, and even a tiny kitchen and washroom. All in all, it was like a secret little home.

“This is for when you need to relax,” he said, gesturing for me to step inside.

Slowly, I entered, taking in every detail he had carefully put together-like the numerous photo frames with my family pictures and even my favorite snacks.

“How is it?” he asked softly, nervousness evident in his eyes.

“Perfect. It couldn’t get any better,” I replied, giving him my brightest smile.

Later, we had lunch together-he had already ordered it-and after that, he showed me around my office. We even went up to see his office, which was just a floor above mine.

It was almost 6 p.m. when we finally decided to head home for dinner with the family.

“Arre aa gaye tum dono,” Chachi said as we entered.

“Haanji,” both of us replied in unison.

She chuckled and said, “Go freshen up, dinner will be ready soon.” We nodded and walked upstairs to our room.

He opened the door and, as usual, stepped aside for me to enter first. Shaking my head, I walked in-but halted, confused, when he caught my hand and locked the door.

“What?” I asked as he turned back after locking it.

“Don’t you think you’re forgetting something, Jaan?” he said, stepping closer, still holding my hands.

“No?” I said, more like a question, taking a step back.

“I think you are, Jaan,” he muttered, taking two steps forward until I was trapped against the wall.

“Aap hi bata do fir, aisa kya hai jo mai bhul rahi hu,” I said, my heart racing at a dangerously high speed.

(You tell me about it?)

“Do you know what happens after a confession, Jaan?” he whispered, leaning close enough to make my heart skip a beat.

“W-what?” I stuttered, overwhelmed by his closeness.

“A…” he whispered, leaning even closer.

“Huh?” I breathed, my cheeks burning under his soft yet intense gaze.

“A kiss.” His voice was low, his eyes locked on mine, making my heart skip multiple beats and sending heat rushing to my cheeks.

“W-what?” I stammered nervously.

“Yes. They seal a love confession with a kiss,” he said, smiling gently as he leaned closer.

“Oh,” I whispered, at a complete loss for words.

“So… will you allow me to kiss you, Jaan?” he asked softly, his eyes patient as he waited for my answer.

“Yes,” I murmured, looking straight into his eyes, without a trace of hesitation.

He smiled, caressing my cheek with one hand while the other rested lightly on my waist. Just as he leaned in to kiss me, we both flinched at the sound of a loud knock on the door.

“Sir, woh aapko khane ke liye bula rahe hai,” a maid called from outside.

(Sir, they are calling you downstairs for dinner.)

He sighed, resting his forehead on my shoulder. I answered with a quick “Okay,” to acknowledge her.

“Mere gharwale mera ghar basne nahi denge iss janam mei,” he muttered softly, sighing again, making me burst out laughing.

(My family is the main reason I'll not be able to make my own family.)

Gently, I pushed him away and teased, “Better luck next time, Mr. Mehra,” before heading to freshen up.

Later, we had dinner with the family and finally fell asleep in each other’s arms, content smiles resting on our faces.