Ayesha's POV

It was the next morning, and the first thing I noticed after opening my eyes was the ring I was wearing.

Yesterday, I didn't get the chance to properly process everything, but now that I was fully awake and alone, I could finally let it all sink in.

I'm engaged to Zeeshan Kapoor. The same pain in the ass I love with all my heart.

...and I wasn't dreaming.

"Oh God," I gasped loudly. God knows how much I had dreamed of this day, and now that it had actually happened, it felt so surreal.

As I brought the ring closer to my eyes, I could already feel the weight it carried. But the fact that the man who slipped this ring onto my finger would never hesitate to do anything for me overpowered every doubtful thought that crossed my mind.

No way in hell would I let myself think of anything that could ruin our relationship or the sacred love we share, no matter what.

Taking a deep breath, I freshened up and went downstairs to have an early breakfast with my whole family.

"And there comes the star of the day, our new bride, our Eshu di. Drum rolls!" Pari shouted, causing everyone to turn and look at me as I walked down the stairs in my mismatched pajamas, looking almost homeless.

Shaking my head, I sat in my usual place after smiling at my family, and there she went again.

"So, Eshu di, what do you feel right now?"

"Sleepy and hungry," I deadpanned. Oh, how much I had missed this chaotic monster, but she didn't need to know that.

"Aapse na hone wala," she sighed and thankfully returned to her breakfast, making me chuckle.
(You are hopeless.)

After that, we focused on having a hearty breakfast and catching up on each other's lives, something we all desperately needed if you ask me.

As I stepped out after taking a relaxing shower,
Priyu Di said, appearing out of nowhere, "Quickly go and wear this blouse and petticoat. I'll help you drape the saree."

"Excuse me, lady. You cannot barge into someone's room when they've just stepped out of the shower," I mock accused Di.

She gently placed the clothes in my hands and said, "There were days when I bathed the same body that just stepped out of the shower, so go," before pushing me back inside the washroom.

Chuckling, I changed into the blouse and petticoat and braided my hair to get some heatless curls because I simply hate using any kind of heat on my hair.

As I stepped out, Di quickly helped me drape the beautiful cotton saree and put on my jewellery.

"Jiju and his family are here, and they're waiting for you downstairs," Pari said, walking in with a mischievous smile just as I was about to apply some lip gloss over my lipstick.

"Are you done, Eshu?" Bhabhi asked as she walked in, followed by Bhai.

"Yes, Bhabhi. All done," I said, turning around.

The ladies gasped with huge smiles on their faces, but my brother wasn't looking at me. He was staring at the floor.

"We're waiting for you both downstairs," Bhabhi said before stepping out with Priyu Di and Pari, closing the door behind them.

"Bologe nahi kuch bhai?" I asked softly as I walked towards him.
(Won't you say something, bhai?)

"I..." he stuttered. "I always knew this day would come, but now that you're stepping into this beautiful phase of your life, I can't bring myself to let you go."

"No way in hell would I stop eating your head, Bhai. It's always going to be the same," I said, even though we both knew it wasn't going to be the same.

"Promise me that you'll always run to your Bhai whenever life gets hard, even when you're a granny with no teeth remaining." He held out his hand.

I narrowed my eyes at his last comment, but letting it slide, I placed my hand in his and said, "I promise."

"Let's go. Zeeshan must be having a panic attack downstairs," he said with a chuckle as he gently pushed me out of the room.

Shaking my head, I held his hand, and together with my brother, my rock, I walked downstairs to begin a new chapter of my life.

"There she is," Aunty said with a wide smile as she got up from her seat and pulled me into a long, comforting hug.

"Go and sit next to Zeeshan," she said as she pulled away.

I nodded with a smile.

And that's when my eyes met his. He was sitting in the middle, waiting for me to join him, looking absolutely breathtaking in that beige kurta pajama.

He looked at me and just... looked, without blinking.

So I raised an eyebrow at him.

Wordlessly, he placed his hand over his heart and sighed dreamily.

Idiot.

When I was about ten steps away from him, he started getting up, probably to help me before I fell flat on my face. But Pandit Ji grabbed his arm and said, "Aap kaha chale yajmaan?"
(Where are you going, boy?)

"Apni ardhangani k paas," he replied, making our overdramatic cousins hoot, and me? Well, I pretended I hadn't heard him.
(Towards my wife.)

"Aapki ardhangani aapke hi paas aa rahi hai zara sabar kariye," Pandit Ji teased.
(Your wife is coming towards you, have some patience.)

Wow. This was the only thing left. Pandit Ji teasing us, as if our friends and cousins weren't enough.

"Lijiye aagyi," Pandit Ji said with a chuckle as I stood beside the seated Zeeshan, who raised his hand, probably intending to help me sit down.
(There she is.)

The dude had forgotten that he used to be my trainer too, and I could probably sit down without falling or needing any help.

Before sitting down, I touched Pandit Ji's feet. He blessed me, and then I took my place beside Zeeshan, who smiled softly at me.

Chachi instructed me to cover my head with my pallu, which I did. Zeeshan followed suit by placing a handkerchief over his forehead as Pandit Ji applied tilak to our foreheads.

In no time, both of us were completely focused on the hawan, falling into a comfortable rhythm, with my hand resting on Zeeshan's while he took care of all the rituals.

Zeeshan's POV

"Samagri dijiye," Pandit Ji instructed.

Ayesha's Chachi nodded and went to fetch the samagri for the hawan.

In the meantime, I let my eyes admire the love of my life, who looked absolutely divine with that pallu covering her head. It brought me back to that day when we sat beside each other in front of the hawan kund.

So I leaned a little closer to her and muttered, "In front of the hawan kund again?"

Smiling knowingly, she replied, "This time willingly."

I didn't know my heart was capable of racing even faster because of just three words, but apparently, it was. And I wasn't complaining. Ever since the day I met her, I'd lost control over this organ, or any organ, figuratively speaking.

Exchanging smiles, we continued with the pooja. Soon, it was over and we were walking towards the beautifully decorated spot where we were supposed to sit for our roka ceremony.

As we walked, I could feel my steps halter on its own, the reason? It was a comment made by a woman I have never seen here, " I just hope he doesn't end up cheating on her like his father did. The same blood flows through his veins, after all."

She was right. The same corrupt blood did flow through my veins.

But could it overpower the love that flowed through them?

Would it make me lose my mind and do something I'd rather die than even think about?

Would she... believe them?

Before this chain of disastrous thoughts could completely consume me, I felt a soft, warm hand slip into mine.

My eyes followed the sight of that hand and there my eyes met her warm ones...filled with rage.

Did she...believe them? Should I just kneel in front of her and beg for her to not believe them? Should I-

" I Know you better than you know yourself and my husband can never be an impotent idiot." She whispered, bringing me out of my thoughts as she dropped a tender kiss on my cheek, making me release the breath I didn't even know I was holding.

She called me her husband.
As in h-u-s-b-a-n-d kind of husband.

Feeling giddy, I looked at her, though her eyes remained fixed on that woman who ran away shortly from there with her friend. I was sure of one thing, she didn't care about the corrupt blood that runs through my veins and that was enough for me.

I could live my whole life with those taunts as long as she doesn't care about them. And according to me, that would be forever.

A win-win situation, isn't it?

"Let's go." she dragged me, figuratively of course. I willingly let her.

I mean, who wouldn't love the love of their life, their cute little wife, showing her authority over us? I certainly would.

She could put a leash on me, and I wouldn't complain.

Soon, we were seated in the middle with our families surrounding us as though we were the eighth wonder of the world.

"What do you think? Should we run away from the spotlight and go anywhere but here?" She whispered, leaning slightly towards me.

"According to me, I should probably pick you up and run. We wouldn't want you to fall in this saree, do we?" I replied. A little teasing wouldn't hurt.

As expected, my sentence earned me a smack on my knee, while a beautiful shade of red adorned her face.

"Roka shuru kare?" Mumma asked.
(Should we start with the roka ceremony?)

"Ji bilkul," Chachi replied, smiling softly.
(Yes definitely.)

Soon, our laps were filled with gifts, envelopes, and other ceremonial items, while our mouths were stuffed with sweets.

At this point, I think I'd had enough sweets to last the rest of my life. And judging by the expression on her face, I think she had too.

But obviously there was one thing remaining.

As soon as our families cheered, announcing that the roka ceremony was officially complete, I handed everything from my lap to Vidit and knelt in front of her.

She confusedly looked at me which was understandable but my side of the family definitely understood the reason which made them cheer louder.

Looking straight into her eyes, I pulled out a pair of anklets I'd personally purchased for her.

They were the lightest anklets I could find, considering our profession and her love for minimal jewellery.

Gently lifting one of her feet from the floor onto my knee, I carefully fastened the anklet around it before doing the same with the other.

Though I had wanted to kiss her feet but we were in the middle of a room filled with people staring at her and knowing her, she would've killed me for she would've killed me for giving everyone yet another reason to tease her after the stunt I'd already pulled.

"Ab hui na baat pakki." Vidit whistled high-fiving me, shaking my head at his overdramatic reaction. I winked at her before getting back up and taking my seat beside her.
(Now they are officially fiancees.)

She shook her head with a smile, her soft flushed cheeks enhanced that glow she always had.

I raised my eyebrow in question when she didn't look away, which led her to look down at her lap with her blush deepening and there went my heart skipping multiple beats altogether.

"The food is served," Chachi announced.

All the guests headed towards the backyard, where the food had been arranged, leaving only us, our siblings behind, except the elders.

"It's time for the guests to leave anyway. Let's eat with the elders," Bhabhi suggested.

We all nodded and settled comfortably on the floor after safely placing all the gifts to one side.

I deliberately chose the spot beside her.Discreetly, of course.

And I had my reasons.One, I wanted to stay close to her. Two, I had noticed her feet hurting while we were sitting, and I wanted to massage them..

Once she had settled comfortably, I gently placed her feet on my lap. She tried to pull them back saying, "What are you doing?" But I didn't let her and just simply tightened my hold on her feet.

Thankfully, she didn't argue and let me do my work, carefully pressing her feet just enough to ease the ache without causing her any pain.

"Thank you" she softly whispered, before she leaned against the headrest of the sofa and closed her eyes, fighting the exhaustion.

"So jiju.." pari, my youngest sister-in-law and an adorable little one, scooted a bit closer.

"Yes, little one?" I asked.

"Is Ayesha di your first love or your last love?" she asked, curiously.

My lips curved into a genuine smile at her curiosity. My eyes found their way on Aayat's face before I replied, " There's no concept of first or last love for me, Pari. Ayesha is my only love"

Aayat didn't say a word but her lips twitched into a small but genuine smile.

Pari nodded vigorously with a smile before leaning over to whisper something into Aayat's ear and returning to her seat, causing my love's smile to widen.

Okay.That secret wasn't meant for me, I guess.

Sighing softly, I focused on massaging her feet as the rest of our group busied themselves with their pointless banter. Honestly I had zero energy to socialize.

However, soon, I found myself glaring at the asshole of my best friend who had spilled fucking ice cream over my kurta and wasn't even guilty about it.

"My bad" he said, shrugging his shoulders.

Only if we were not sitting with the elders, I would've shown him exactly how bad it was.

"It's okay" I replied through gritted teeth, smiling sarcastically at him and that asshole just patted my shoulder and went back to eating that damn ice cream.

" Come, I'll show you the way to the washroom." Aayat said, I nodded confusedly at her.

I had visited this place enough to know the way to the washroom. Still,I quietly followed her as she guided me to the washroom.

"I'll be outside." she muttered as I opened the door of the guest washroom on the ground floor.

"No need." I muttered waiting for her to walk in first then I followed her inside.

"So?" I asked, taking a hand towel out of the cabinet.

"So?" she countered, leaning against the basin.

"What was the reason behind this little accident?" I clarified as I rubbed the damp towel over the ice cream stain.

"No reason. I just wanted to spend some time with my man away from everyone's attention," she shrugged casually, making my heart skip another beat or two...Again.

"Oh yeah?" I asked, placing my hands on either side of her and trapping her between me and the basin.

"Any doubt?" she asked again, leaning back as much as the basin allowed.

"No doubt," I replied as I leaned closer.

"Waise..." she started.
(By the way.)

I looked at her, waiting for her to finish her sentence," Aap kuch bolege nahi? I wore a saree for the first time."
(Won't you say something? I wore a saree for the first time.)

The same saree that had me stare at her embarrassingly with my mouth hanging open until my sister reminded me to stop the moment she walked downstairs.

"Kuch bolne kayak chodha kaha hai aapne." I stated the obvious, my eyes staring deep into her warm ones.
(You've left me with no words.)

"What-" she asked in confusion.

"For the first time in my life, I regret taking a vow." There, I admitted it.

And it was a fact, the way my hands itched to pull her into my arms by her waist and do something I'd vowed not to or to bury myself in her embrace and simply... stay there for as long as I can.

"Too bad, you already did."she whispered, draping her hands around my neck. My grip on the basin tightened.

"Are you testing my self control, my jaan?" I asked, softly, resting my forehead against hers.

"Am I, baby?" she whispered, taking a tiny step closer to me.

Hell yes she was. And I might just lose it.

"I am very bad at self control, you know." I replied, tilting my head sideways, slightly.

She slowly slid her hands from around my neck to my waist, making my heart flutter at the unexpected touch and just when I was about to pull her into my arms, she pushed me away and said, " too bad, you must stick to your vow."

....and she left.

Leaving me breathless and confused that it took me full five minutes to process what had just happened.

My sweet torture.

I smiled to myself, properly cleaned the stain, and then joined the others. This time, I made sure not to look away from her.

Not when she threw a cute glare at me. And certainly not when everyone else teased us.

Ayesha's POV

Two days had passed since our roka ceremony, and yesterday evening, everyone returned to their respective homes, leaving me, Bhai, and Bhabhi reminiscing about those two chaotic yet unforgettable days.

Right now, I was in Zeeshan's car as he drove me to the CBI office. Even though I'd told him I'd drive myself, he was already waiting for me when I walked downstairs after getting ready.

"You can stop here. I'll walk," I said once we were about five hundred metres away from the CBI office.

"No," he said, shaking his head.

"They're going to find out about our relationship," I reasoned.

"They should," he muttered with a shrug, making me sigh at his stubborn ass.

"It's okay," he whispered softly, intertwining her fingers with mine. I nodded in response, one day they had to find out. Might as well be today, I guess.

"I'll handle the chaos," he assured, I nodded with a sigh.

I know he would, but who was going to question him? Considering his bitch face, No one.

"Teach me how to act like you." I said.

"Act like me?" he asked, confused.

"Yeah, glaring at the other trainees till they run away or making that bitch face that makes you completely unapproachable, I might need it today." I deadpanned.

He gasped dramatically, "that's rude."
I simply rolled my eyes and together we stepped out of his car.

Talk about bad luck, because the first thing I saw when I stepped out was Bharat and Isha gaping at us wide-mouthed .

Zeeshan ignored them and holding my hand in his, he led me into the building.

Oh lord save me.

"I'll kill you." I muttered, looking down, trying to avoid as many curious eyes as I could.

But I couldn't have done that for that long, obviously, because the moment we were alone.

Or more specifically, when I was left at their mercy, I was bombarded with questions.

"Are you in a relationship with him?"

"How long have you guys been dating?"

"Did you join the CBI academy because you wanted to be close to him?"

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"Were you planning to keep it a secret until you got married?"

"Wait... are you already married to him?"

I looked at them and just...looked at their curiosity and ridiculous theories.

"Are you guys going to shut up?" I shouted, which immediately gained their attention and they finally zipped their damn mouths shut.

"Yes we are getting married soon and no I don't want to discuss anything about my relationship with him. Are we clear?" They pouted at my response but nonetheless nodded, for which I was grateful.

"Let's go. It's already time for our meeting," I muttered, and together we headed towards the conference room.

By the time we reached, our seniors were already seated, making us quickly scramble for chairs and settle down within a minute.

"Zeeshan will join us shortly. Let's begin the meeting anyway," Naman Sir said as he stood up.

For the next hour or so, he briefed us about a case that had originally fallen under the jurisdiction of the Mumbai CBI office but had now been transferred to our branch.

"All of us seniors have decided that it would be best to expose you to cases like these since you'll be dealing with them quite often throughout your careers. Which means all of you will be leaving for Mumbai with me tomorrow morning. The flights have already been booked, and I expect everyone to reach the airport at 8 a.m. sharp. Am I clear?"

"Yes, sir," all of us replied in unison.

He nodded.

"There's no fixed time frame for this case. It could take a month, or in the worst case, six months before we return. Inform your families accordingly, and I expect each one of you to report tomorrow morning. You may take the rest of the day off to prepare."

Replying with another "Yes, sir," we left the conference room carrying the case files to go through the details.

Since we'd all been given the day off, Ritika and I took Zeeshan's car and drove home.

Of course, not before informing him and asking my driver to drive his car back to the CBI office.

Thankfully when I arrived my brother and sister-in-law hadn't left for their respective jobs so I took my time and informed them about the case, not forgetting the fact that it might take me six months to return.

I was going to miss my brother's dream project's inauguration ceremony but nothing could've changed at this point.

Though I apologized and he understood my turmoil because he gave me the biggest hug possible but the guilt was worse than that .

Anyway, just as I was about to head towards my room, Zeeshan walked in and the very first thing he said was, "Can I accompany you?"

"No." I chuckled, he wasn't coming to Mumbai, neither was Vidit Bhai, it was just us and a few other senior officers.

"They should've sent me too. As your officer in charge," he muttered as we walked towards my room.

"Mhm," I replied, a smile automatically finding its way onto my lips, as it always did whenever he was around.

"You're not understanding, Aayat. How am I supposed to live without you for almost six months?" And that, ladies and gentlemen, was my grown man whining with the cutest pout imaginable.

"I'll call you everyday." I reasoned.

"Not enough."

"I'll call you twice a day, video calls."

"Not enough."

"Thrice?" I bargained.

"No-"

"Say that once again and I'm going to throw you out of my room." I deadpanned, looking at him with a done expression.

"But, what am I supposed to do without you, for six months?" He muttered, looking down with a cute pout on his face.

Oh my heart.

"maximum 6 mahine ki baat hai bas. I might return sooner. " I replied, sitting next to him.
(It's just a matter of maximum six months. I might return sooner.)

Packing could wait, I need to console my big baby first.

"6 minute bhi door nahi reh pata mai aapse," he said, looking at me with those eyes that softened only for me. "There's no way in hell I'd want to stop you. I just wish I could accompany you... or at least stay close to you."
( Staying away for even six minutes is a torture for me.)

"You know you can't," I sighed.

"I know I can't." He nodded understandingly.

"Let me hug for a bit longer then." He tilted his head in question.

Wordlessly, I slipped into his arms, tightening my hold when he hugged me back.

Neither of us made an attempt to pull away, not even when one of the househelps quietly dropped off some snacks for us.

"I need to pack." I muttered.

"Mhm." He replied, tightening his hold.

"I should get up."

"Mhm" he made no signs to leave me, making me shake my head.

Who would've known this big ruthless CBI officer would be this clingy?

Not that I mind, if anything, it is adorable.

"Okay, I have a lot to pack." I reminded him once again.

"I'll help you. Bas thodi der aur aise hi rehte hai na," he reasoned. I stayed quiet, letting him hold me for as long as he wanted.

A few hours later, just as promised, he helped me finish packing. After that, we both crashed.

Me on my bed.Zeeshan on the sofa.

The next morning, we barely got a chance to talk amidst the chaos of breakfast and saying goodbye to our families before we left for the airport in a hurry.

"You better not turn into a panda by the time I return. Get proper rest," I warned as he drove me to the airport.

"I won't." He chuckled.

"Don't skip meals," I added.

"Aur kuch?" he asked, glancing at me with the soft smile I already knew I'd miss the most.
(Anything else?)

"I'll miss you," I muttered, absentmindedly playing with his ring while trying to keep my emotions in check.

"I'll miss you more." He replied.

And then we fell into silence, I was trying to savor these moments of peace with him and the comforting feeling of being closer to him.

"Chale?" he asked softly after parking the car.
(Shall we?)

"chalo," I replied reluctantly.
(Let's go.)

Giving my hand a gentle squeeze, he let go before stepping out. I took a few deep breaths before getting out of the car myself.

And then I gave him one last long hug
and said, "Dil chodh kar jaa rahi hu aapke paas, dhyan rakhna."
(I'm leaving my heart behind with you, keep it safely.)

"Khud se bhi zyada. Come back soon." he replied, dropping a lingering kiss on my forehead.
(More than myself. Come back soon.)

Without looking into his eyes, I simply nodded and walked towards the terminal, where the rest of the officers were already waiting for me.

Abhi toh baat pakki hui thi aur ab doori aagyi, shit!
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