DRISHTI'S POV

As I closed the distance between me and Rakshit, I felt his warm breath against my skin. I let my fingers find their way through his messy hair and glide along the nape of his neck. My heart was beating so fast now, I was almost afraid that it would pop out of my mouth. Almost. Because I could not feel anything, not anymore. Our lips weren't touching yet, but the proximity of our lips was enough to send the butterflies rumbling in my stomach. I closed my eyes, letting the excitement and anticipation wash over me. I knew that maybe what we were about to do was wrong, terribly wrong, but I couldn't help it. I could feel Rakshit's breathing, hear the synchronized beating of his heart -

The door banged open and the romantically dark room filled with light. I blinked, taking my time to realize what was happening. There - in front of the open door, through which white light poured in, stood two figures. Sikhar and Divya. There mouths hung open, amusement evident in their eyes.

I immediately realized the position we were in and pulled apart from Rakshit. I felt his hands leaving my waist, the warmth gliding away with it. He looked flustered, embarrassed even. Apparently, he has never been caught kissing a girl by his younger brother and his would be wife.

Divya - Di! Rakshit! We are sooo sorry! We didn't know that you would be - er - in -

Sikhar - Bhai?! You said you and bhabi had nothing romantic - then, what was this?

Divya - Wow, this is so beautiful!

I saw Divya staring at the starry ceiling above us.

Sikhar tilted his head to examine the ceiling.

Sikhar - Wow, bhai. Looks like you have gone through a lot of trouble setting this up for bhabi.

He smirked.

Divya - Shooting stars! Sikhar, why haven't you ever done anything like this for me?

Divya pouted.

Sikhar - I will have to take lessons from Rakshit bhai. I never knew that you were so romantic, bhai!

Rakshit - Sikhar, Divya, it is nothing like what you think it is. These two weeks have been very hard on Drishti, harder than us all. Just to lift up her mood, I thought that I would surprise her. It is just that - nothing more -

Divya - Oh, yeah? And may I know why were you about to kiss my sister if it was 'just that'!

Me - Divi!

Divya giggled. I had missed seeing her laugh.

Rakshit looked as if he had never been this embarrassed in his entire life.

Divya - Okay, fine, fine. You are husband and wife now. And Rakshit, you may kiss my sister.

She looked at me if she was expecting us to kiss in front of her.

Me - Divi! Stop it please! Why did you both come here anyways?

Sikhar - Actually, bhabi, we were searching for you both. But you weren't in your room. So, we thought of checking here. Umm - Divya has left some thing back at the Sharma house and er - we thought -

Rakshit - You thought that if you could go back to retrieve it.

My heart sank at the thought of having to step foot in that house again.

Rakshit - Sikhar, I don't think we should take Divya and Drishti. I will go with you. Just give us a list of everything you need from there.

My husband is so thoughtful. Okay, shut up Drishti, have some shame! You were just caught in the act of kissing him!

Sikhar - Yeah, bhai, you are right. We can go tomorrow, after work.

Rakshit - Yeah, sure.

I noticed Divya was still staring at the starry ceiling.

Me - Divi, do you like this?

Divya - I love this, di, how romantic!

Me - Yeah, you and Sikhar can have the tent if you want. I will finish my novel in our room.

I looked at Rakshit, hoping that I had not hurt him by this gesture of mine. To my slight surprise, he smiled.

Rakshit - Yeah, after all, itne mehnat se banaya hai maine! Have fun, you two!

He got up. I followed him. I picked up my novel from the the table and headed out of the door, Rakshit at my heels.

                                ~

The late evening sunlight poured in through the open windows, casting deep shadows all around the room. Rakshit closed the door behind him, but did not lock it. I sat at the edge of the bed, resting my novel beside me.
Okay, so now, things have become even more awkward between us.
Rakshit was about to pick up his laptop from a small desk at a corner of the room, maybe he would go back to working on his files. But I wanted to talk to him, there has been something else that has been bothering me. 

~ "Rakshit, can we talk?"

He looked up from his laptop. Rakshit walked up to me and kneeled down on the floor, resting his hands upon mine on my lap.

~ "Sure. Is something bothering you?"

I nodded my head.

~ "Tell me, Drishti. What's worrying you so much?"

~ "Can I ask you a question?"

~ "Yeah."

~ "Does love exist?"

He looked down, his eyes fixed to the floor. I couldn't understand if he was averting my gaze on purpose.

A minute passed. And then another. I thought that he would not answer, but then, he suddenly looked up and made eye contact. He fixed me with one of those determined gazes of his.

~ "Yes, love exists."

His voice was soft but firm.

~ "How do you know? Have you ever fallen in love?"

Another pindrop silence prevailed, but he didn't break the eye contact. He clasped my hands firmly and looking into my eyes as if he was afraid they would vanish, he said -

~ "Yes, I have fallen in love."

I stared back into his eyes, unable to drop the gaze. He has fallen in love, with whom?

~ "How did you know it was 'the one'?"

~ "I knew, Drishti. I knew. Because she made me feel what no else ever did. Because, when I was with her, I was the happiest. Her laugh, her talk, her walk, everything was so special about her. Because, when she came near me -"

He came a little closer. I felt my heart thumping in my chest.

~ "My heart started beating at an abnormal pace. And when she touched me -"

He let his hand slide against the side of my face, along my hairline.

His touch sent electric sparks down my back.

~ "I felt electric sparks initiate everywhere in my body." 

My breathing got heavier. I felt him come closer.

~ "Drishti, you will know that you have fallen in love when you find yourself at a loss for words while describing a certain bond with a certain someone."

What was our relationship again? Husband and wife? Friends? And that is when I realized, our relationship was nothing more than a contract.

~ "Rakshit, our relationship is a contract, isn't it?"

I saw surprise spring in those deep, jet black eyes of his.

~ "Drishti, why do you think so? Who said our relationship is a contract?"

~ "You said it the day you married me."

~ "What do you mean?"

~ "You said that we have no obligations against each other. We can live our separate lives happily. We will have the freedom as of before marriage. Rakshit, relationships are all about trust, understanding and entitlement. Our marriage is a contract."

I felt my eyes sting.

~ "Drishti, that is not what I said -"

~ "But this is what you meant."

He took a deep breath.

~ "You got me wrong, Drishti. I never said 'we'. I said 'you'. You have all the freedom as of before marriage. I don't want to enforce this relationship upon you. But I never said that I don't want to commit to this relationship, Drishti. Our relationship has full commitment from my side. I trust you. And you have your full rights upon me as a wife, if you wish to exercise them. And as I have told you before, Drishti, I am always here for you. Anything you need "

~ "Right, Rakshit. And as always, it is all about what you want."

~ "What do you mean Drishti? I do not expect anything from you -"

~ "Have you ever asked me if I want to commit to this relationship?"

I felt my voice rising.

~ "Drishti - that is why I said you have full freedom -"

I put a finger to his lips. He stopped talking.

~ "Sssh, Rakshit."

I bent down. There were just a few inches between our lips now.

~ "What if I don't want the freedom? What if all I want is to commit to this relationship?"

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