Chapter 2

IArmageddonI

@IArmageddonI

---

Shree gripped Liza's wrist, stopping her from going to her house.

"Kabse?" He asked, noticing the pretense on Liza's face "What do you mean by kabse?"

"You said you loved me." Shree pointed out while Liza positively coloured "It was just a statement..." His heart broke slightly at her admission and he gulped a bit.

"I mean obviously who wants to break the friendship in the name of love..." Liza continued blabbering while Shree looked up, a 100 watt smile on his face.

Liza was denying their love just because she thought it would break their friendship...

Stupid Liza

"Yeah man, I mean love sucks." Shree told, catching Liza off guard.

"Ww... yeah, like duh..." Liza gave an awkward smile "Now don't you think if everything related with love gets changed to friendship, it would be for the better."

Swallowing tightly, Liza nodded "Of course." Shree clapped his hands and stood next to her "Like you know, instead of Valentine's Day there should be world friend saving day."

Liza nodded quietly and fiddled with her bag to get her keys "Love anniversaries should be replaced with friendship anniversaries..."

"Hmm..."

Inching closer to Liza, Shree whispered into her ears "Instead to marrying stupid lovers, they should marry their best friends - even if they want to kill that guy." Liza's eyes widened as she stared at the wicked glint in his eyes.

"In short marry me, I love you shai love you raste main ho jayega!" Shree winked while Liza gaped at me.

"Did you have any freaking idea how freaked out I was!" Liza yelled and Shree's smile dimmed as she picked up her sandal "You gave me a heart attack, you wait Specky Sen! First I'll kill you, then I'll marry you!"

"Maa re bacha!" Shree yelled as a mad Liza ran behind him.

----

Arjun cleared his throat and walked towards a small infant wrapped in a soft blue blanket. "Meet my son Mr. Rawte, ab tang karke dikhau. If my boy doesn't beat the pulp out of you then my name isn't Sakshi Anand!"

Sakshi took the little baby in her arms and cooed softly. She handed the baby to a scared Arjun's arms, who just stared at the little bundle of joy in delight.

"So baby, meet Arjun. Arjun, meet baby." Baby gurgled softly and reached for Arjun's nose.

"His name is baby?" Arjun laughed slightly while Sakshi slapped his arm. "A name's not been ready yet. Well since you know I haven't been pregnant, so biologically this isn't my child, I found him on one of my independent reports. This poor thing belonged from a horrible family. And mind you, even male kids are just as much in the business as girls. So I took him with me." Sakshi gently caressed a lock of hair away from baby's face.

"No one said anything?" Arjun asked, his index finger tickling baby's chin.

"When will I use my contact's supercop? I know a few people here and there who own a certain something to me and baby will be mine by the next week, and I do have a legal letter allowing him to stay with me." Sakshi smiled as Arjun handed baby over to Sakshi.

"Aaja mera raja beta..." Sakshi nuzzled Baby who chuckled slightly. "Well Mausi is here when I am not around, just so you know..."

"You know, if you told me you're becoming a mother I would have died laughing. But now, this role suits you beautifully..." Arjun sighed as Baby clung on to Sakshi.

"I am selfish Arjun, ever since Papa passed away last year, I couldn't cope up with anything. No that I had anyone in my life to push me forward..." Arjun and Sakshi shared a soft eyelock and then she cleared her throat. "Baby is my reason to live."

As Arjun peered over, staring straight into Baby's large black eyes. He pressed a gentle kiss on Baby's chubby cheek and smiled "True, nothing like kids. They're the only ones who repair broken hearts."

"He likes you!" Sakshi squealed as Baby gurgled in aahs' and oohs', especially when Arjun tickled him.

"I want to name him with A." Sakshi smiled softly while Arjun's heart skipped a beat. "S..."

"So as to he can be number one in his school roll number!" Sakshi gave Arjun a brilliant smile while Arjun tried to fathom why he felt disappointed.

"You have any in mind?" Sakshi asked, while Arjun looked at the little cherubic baby.

"Abhimanyu. How's that?" Arjun said, hesitantly... hoping Sakshi would like it.

"I don't like it..." Arjun nodded and looked aside, embarrassed while Sakshi continued "I LOVE IT! Abhimanyu, waise I have to admit... quite a dhasu name!" Sakshi grinned while Arjun felt a thousand butterflies in his stomach.

"Abhimanyu! Loved the name, hai na baby?" Sakshi pressed kisses to a chuckling Abhimanyu who jumped in joy.

"My bacchu will be no less than the royal Abhimanyu! Arjun putra (son) Ab..." Sakshi stopped immediately and sucked a breath, looking straight into an equally surprised Arjun's eyes.

It had completely skipped his mind that in The Mahabharata, Abhimanyu was the son of Arjun.

Sakshi felt a tug in her heart and kept on looking at Arjun, his eyes suddenly too warm and tender. Her cheeks bloomed red under his gaze, and Sakshi coyly looked aside, bending to rub her nose on Abhimanyu's head.

They both were too afraid to say anything, lest it broke the spell.

Except Sakshi shyly whispering "My beta, Abhimanyu."

And that acknowledgement was more than enough.

----

Two months later

We would like to cordially invite you to the engagement ceremony of Ayesha & Sameer

Ayesha stopped reading their engagement invitation and looked up to find Sameer lost in his own little world.

"Sameer? Does the card sound fine... I mean should there be any further changes?" Ayesha's smile faltered as Sameer hummed in reply.

Were things going way too fast for Sameer?

Ayesha hated the feeling of vulnerability. Taking a surprised Sameer's hand she tugged him to the balcony and said "Dekho Sameer, if you're uncomfortable with the rate of things or you want to change something then just tell me... okay? Or if..."

"Hush! Calm down, obviously I am very happy with this proposal... I was just thinking about you." A confused Ayesha looked on while Sameer continued.

"You know Ayesh, I am not sure if you really want this. I mean I've only found you agreeing with what Aunty and Unc..."

Ayesha looked at her own stupidity, realising that her earlier stiff nature never allowed Sameer to be her protector at all!

There was nothing wrong being independent... but probably Ayesha didn't know where to keep her barriers.

"Sameer..." Ayesha sighed and looked at his disappointed face.

"See Ayesha, I don't want you marrying me because your parents adore me or because I love you... if you're doing something - do it just for yourself." Sameer took his hand away from hers and put it in his pocket.

"I understand if you don't want to marry me or if you don't lov..." Sameer's words came to a standstill as Ayesha cupped his bristly cheeks and placed a firm kiss on his moving lips.

"I do love you stupid." Ayesha smiled while an overjoyed Sameer kissed back with equal enthusiasm.

---

"I can't believe we did it..." Shree panted, looking aside to an equally exhausted Liza.

"It seems... surreal." Liza said, reaching out to hold his wrist.

"I mean we..." Shree started and closed his eyes as Liza wiped off a few damp strands of hair from his forehead.

"I know..." She smiled, closing her eyes gently as the fact dawned on her.

"We actually completed a mission of chasing a goon without fighting with each other, we actually cooperated in a task!" Shree cried in happiness and hugged Liza who was catching her breath.

Running after goons wasn't exactly her thing.

(What did you think they were doing?)

"Miss. Liza D'Souza, to mark our first non jhagdalu day... let this man propose you to be his wife!" Shree gloated with pride while Liza jumped like a little child "Wah wah, shadi Ayesha ki aur proposal humara!"

"Great idea, hai na? So tell me yes or no... fatafat!" Shree fake groaned while Liza pretended to think.

"You know what, I don't care... I love you too much to take a no!" A shocked Liza looked on as Shree slipped on the ring and kissed her cheek.

"I find it difficult to believe that I agree with you." Liza fake pretended to be shocked while Shree rolled his eyes.

"And haan, chal I love you too!" Liza smiled while Shree twirled her around, later groaning at how heavy she was!

----

"Arrey Arjun thank you so much for picking me up! Legal chakkar main I completely forgot to buy something for Ayesha and Sameer!" Sakshi stopped talking as she noticed Arjun staring at her for a second more than necessary.

Consciously touching her jhumkas, Sakshi gestured Arjun if something was wrong with her. "I knew it, I shouldn't have put these kundan jhumkas. Or... probably this anarkali is a bit heavy. Wait, hold on to babu while I'll change into something..." Sakshi ranted while Abhimanyu was more than happy to go into Arjun's arms.

"No... you're per... I mean you look perfect." Arjun stopped while Sakshi felt her traitorous heart beat against her ribs when he caught her wrist.

No Sakshi, you can't disrespect Arjun further by loving him.

For a minute tears pooled in her eyes thinking about her long lost dreams with Arjun, but she held herself before Arjun could ask. Not that he didn't notice the sudden sadness in her eyes.

After Arjun exchanged his little greetings with baby Abhimanyu, the trio sat in the car.

Arjun couldn't ignore the melancholic look on Sakshi's face as she bought things for Ayesha and Sameer. Somewhere down the line Arjun knew that everything was solely due to him.

He wasn't blind to not notice the constant love resonating towards him, yet it was her respect towards him which stole his heart.

As Sakshi held on to her chubby little babu in her arms, her face bore a grateful smile as Arjun offered to hold the bags. Arjun stilled as he caught their reflection, the three just looked like a perfect family.

Could he move on?

His trail of thoughts broke as a beggar child asked him to buy a gajra, stating that his wife would look beautiful on them.

Wife.

Arjun's heart went out to the child and asked Sakshi to stop by the car. Instead of giving her enough cash for a full meal, instead Arjun bought a meal for her.

Knowing the workings of this dirty business, it was unlikely any cash would reach her hand.

Grateful for the meal, the child gave him the gajra for free... yet smiling widely as Arjun placed a crisp note in her hand - promising to help whenever he can.

Sakshi waited for Arjun to come by, meanwhile taking Abhimanyu's feeding bottle and cooing little songs as her baby drank till his fill. "Bacchi ko maddat ki aapne?" Sakshi smiled and saw Arjun's eyes fill with fatherly love as he patted a sleepy Abhimanyu's head.

"You know, we all have been so fortunate." Arjun smiled while Sakshi nodded her head in agreement.

"Thoda thoda karke karenge na. One day we'll open an orphanage for all these kids. Gunda mawali ko tum sambhalo, while I'll look after the angel ones." Sakshi chuckled as Arjun shook his head at her.

"Waise..." Arjun hesitated and handed her a delicate thread of jasmine flowers.

"Gajra?" Sakshi closed her eyes, taking in the fresh fragrance of the flowers. Arjun nodded sheepishly and went on to open the door, making them sit comfortably in his car. Sakshi felt emotions threatening her as Arjun appeared ever so endearing and loving.

As Sakshi tried to adjust the thread around her head and feed Abhimanyu at the same time, Arjun stepped forward and offered to help her. Her breath hitched as his stubble brushed against her nose, her heart beating due to his intoxicating cologne.

Was it just her or was it the fact that it was taking Arjun forever to tie the thread around the bun?

Arjun closed his eyes and took in the essence of being so close to Sakshi, feeling selfish all of a sudden. Could he ask for this relationship?

Hot tears rolled down Sakshi's cheeks a Arjun gently caressed her, like a lover.

Arjun's eyes flew open as Sakshi placed her palm on his chest and nodded negatively. "Please Arjun, don't do anything that you'll regret."

Arjun stepped back, feeling guilt rise in him as Sakshi distanced herself and kept Abhimanyu aside on the car-seat.

How could he tell Sakshi that he had changed his way in thinking about her?

They quietly drove to the engagement party, Sakshi's silence and distance hurting him.

Even though he was happy for the couple who glowed in love, and also surprised by the sudden love between Shree and Liza, his eyes had been on the woman with a thread of flowers on her hair - Sakshi.

As Ayesha was completely taken by baby Abhimanyu, with Sameer raising his eyebrows at Arjun for having named him... Arjun dragged Sakshi to him on the desolated terrace of Sameer's mansion.

"Sakshi, why are you ignoring me?" Arjun asked while Sakshi closed her eyes and folded her arms across her chest "Okay, we both know what I have felt and feel for you over the years. But Arjun I really can't keep on doing this. I can't be hanging on a thread for you. See, I can handle my emotions, my feelings and rejections... but getting hot and cold behavior from you is something too tough for me."

"But Sakshi..."

"Arjun, I can't take it if you wake up one morning to realise everything was a mistake. I'll die that day." Sakshi pleaded softly and turned to leave when Arjun grabbed her elbow.

"You have said what you wanted, care to listen to me?" Arjun snapped and shushed Sakshi. "First of all Sakshi, I'll never use you. And who said I don't feel for you damn it! I just didn't want to hurt you... I never wanted you to give your heart to a man who can never love you back!"

Sakshi looked into his eyes, her heart too scared to believe the emotions written in his eyes.

"And..." She asked, waiting as Arjun turned aside, closing his eyes for a brief moment.

"To think that I could never love you back, was just an illusion." He confessed while Sakshi clutched on her dress, too scared to believe.

This is just a dream, Sakshi whispered to herself while Arjun laughed at himself and walked upto her "I know you can't believe this because I myself need to come to terms with this. But yes, I am afraid... I have fallen in love with you Sakshi Anand."

Sakshi looked on in sheer disbelief as Arjun chinned her up, his eyes darkening as he took in the sight of her beautiful face. "May I?" His oddly husky voice sent tingles up her spine.

She replied by pressing her quivering lips on his.

For a gentle moment they stood there, lips pressed together.

"So you just said you love me..." Sakshi broke away and looked at Arjun with joy brimming in her eyes as Arjun nodded and took her into a tight hug "Believe me Sakshi, not just your lover... I also want to be Abhimanyu's papa."

Sakshi's eyes widened as Arjun continued "Watch our son walk around, drop him to school and..."

"Wait, wait, wait... are you proposing me Mr. Rawte?" Arjun grinned as he saw the old glimmer back in Sakshi's eyes.

"Of course not! I am just asking if Mommy would allow me to be Abhi's Daddy." Arjun looked on surprised as Sakshi flung into his arms "I couldn't have wanted anything more."

After a few minutes, Sakshi pulled away and straightened her dress "But please remember that there won't be any suhaagraat or things..."

"What? Why?" Arjun tried to understand the tone behind the playful Sakshi "I mean after all, you just want to be the father of the child... and that ritual is only reserved for husbands." She winked and tried to run away while Arjun easily caught on to her and pinned her to the wall.

"Who said I don't want to be your husband... I know it's a difficult task but I'll mana..ouch!" Arjun looked up as Sakshi slapped him slightly on his cheeks. "You can't even romance, God knows what I am signing up for!"

Arjun laughed and placed his forehead on hers "Well, I know that it's going to be the best thing of my life." Sakshi ran her fingers across his cheeks and leaned to kiss him "I always knew you were the best thing that ever happened to me."

"Including the fights." He asked, pausing to kiss her momentarily.

"Including. Every. Single. Moment." Sakshi said, punctuating every word with a kiss.

"My my... you're quite a romancer." Arjun smirked as Sakshi blushed, holding on to the collar of his suit while he freed her hair from the bun. "Now that the three years I've spent moping... uska bharpai toh karna parega."

Could it be possible to be filled with eternal happiness over a span of few minutes? But Sakshi left all tracks of thoughts as Arjun took her into a passionate, hot yet gentle kiss. Wiping the little tear of happiness which leaked from her eye, he whispered against her lips "I love you."

"I love you too... always have, always will."

---

I know it's pretty late for VDay but hey! Who needs just one day to celebrate love? Leave in your comments and likes! Don't be kanjoos warna makkhi khayenge khoon juice! *ok that didn't make sense!* Just like if the story fit in well.

Love,