Chapter 48

LadyMeringue

@LadyMeringue

A/N: Hey there everyone! :D :D Here is the next update! :D :D

Warning: The chapter content is 18+, so all below the stipulated age are advised to give this a skip. Also special credits to The Magnitude of These Small Hours for inspiring me here. :)

Happy Reading! :D :D

Ranveer opened his eyes softly as he found the warmth of sleep fading away, a comfortable yawn escaping his lips in a sigh. Adjusting his sight to the dim light of the cabin, it took him several minutes to realize where he was before the events of the previous night flashed across his mind, his eyes widening in stunned disbelief. But surely it must be a dream! The most beautiful dream he'd ever had for life could not be so benevolent upon him. It must be a trick of his mind to ease away his wounds, oh yes, a clever trick.

But the moment he titled his head towards his right, his eyes met the most breathtaking sight he'd ever seen in his entire life until that point of time. Ishaani remained asleep upon her side facing him, wearing nothing but the most heartwarming smile upon her face apart from the chain around her neck. Her arm was curled around Ranveer in a cuddle while her fingers rested upon his chest, her breathing even. 

The moonlight streamed into the room graciously as it illuminated her features all the more, Ranveer instantly knowing that the moon beside him was nothing short of an ethereal beauty, something that even the actual moon would fall short of. The moon had stepped into his life and upon the threshold at long last, chasing away the darkness with her presence alone as Ranveer was beginning to feel a new kind of happiness that he'd never ever felt before.

Ranveer sighed contentedly as he continued to gaze at her, unknowing and unaware about the time that passed by for his eyes never once tired drinking in her sight. He gently tucked away the hair falling upon her face that obstructed her face from view slightly, his fingers trailing behind through her hair with such effortlessness that made him wonder whether this was actually true or was some kind of fantastic imagination of his own. Ranveer noticed that the rains had stopped long ago, the night now calm. 

And so was he.

He pulled the sheet above them a little higher as he pressed a soft kiss upon her forehead, his eyes still taking in the most beautiful sight that even heaven couldn't provide. This was the smile he'd yearned to see upon her face, the same smile that made his life worth living and his heart feel the solace of a lifetime. 

It was he same smile he'd prayed for against the shooting star on the night of his birthday.

And the fact that he'd managed to do both was something that made him feel immensely tranquil, knowing that even though it would take time for their wounds to fade away completely, tonight was the beginning. They were both now just a step away from letting go of their past completely even though what that last step would take, he did not know. But time did heal all wounds eventually. Or maybe it was love. Or maybe they would go away only with death.

Who knew?

But nothing mattered to Ranveer anymore as he shut his eyes in prayer to the Almighty to give him the strength to make every single day the happiest of her life, knowing that he was the reason behind it. The next moment, Ranveer felt a pair of lips gently brush against his own, her tender fingers trailing along the side of his neck lovingly. This was no longer a dream, he knew as he smiled against her lips. It was now a part of both of their realities.

Opening his eyes once their lips parted, Ranveer could feel the breath catch in his chest when his gaze met Ishaani's, her coal orbs twinkling in the moonlight with a beauty that made him lower his own in reverence. Ishaani cupped his cheek gently.

"It feels so dreamlike, doesn't it?" whispered Ranveer as his fingers now caressed her cheek, Ishaani shutting her eyes at the relaxing sensation. The smile upon her face grew broader.

"It is dreamlike, waking up to seeing your face the first thing the moment my eyes open," replied Ishaani in the same whisper as she pushed open her eyes, the twinkle in them growing stronger when she smile upon Ranveer's face at her statement. He kissed the button of her nose softly.

"I have something to show you before we leave from here. Are you up for it?"

"What is it?" asked Ishaani in return, her curiosity aroused. Ranveer pushed himself up to rest his back against the rest of the bed and she did the same.

"You'll have to come with me somewhere for that," replied Ranveer as he gently slithered out from bed, Ishaani looking reluctant to leave the warm comfort of the same. But she obliged nonetheless.

Pulling her into a warm embrace when he saw her unwillingness to walk, Ranveer pulled her feet upon his own and now took baby steps towards the washroom, lost in the scent of roses and vanilla. Both of them couldn't help but feel strong and alive as they found themselves beaming and bubbling, wondering what had hit them. It took them both a couple of second to identify the feeling before it dawned upon them - it was happiness.

Ranveer pushed open the door of the washroom and switched on the lights, Ishaani's tangled hair shielding her face against the piercing track spotlight from above while he blinked a couple of times in the sudden brightness before reaching to adjust the dimmer to the side of the door. Ranveer's eyes fell upon the mirror - the sight of them wound together enough to nearly bring him to his knees as he stroked her face lovingly. She felt weightless, arms wrapped around him as though she could hold on to him forever while he did the same.

Bracing her to him with one arm, Ranveer used his other hand to open the glass door to his cavern shower, shutting it behind him adeptly. Turning the knob open, Ranveer let the warm water rain down from the ceiling upon the two of them, their strained muscles relaxing with the heat of the water. Ishaani pressed a kiss under Ranveer's jaw before uncurling herself from her hiding place in the warmth of his neck.

She met eyes with Ranveer as he caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb, both of them spellbound as the images from the last hour flickered between them - passionate, intoxicating memories with sparks of hot and sweet they knew would never fade no matter where life took them from that point forth. Ranveer bent his head as though in prayer as the water continued to fall against them, his lips brushing against her own while Ishaani's fingers combed through his hair, his other arm winding around her waist.

Ranveer pulled her into a lock, full and deep, his heart throbbing against his ribcage with the intensity of the love he felt for the woman. He heard her own beating the same way against his in that moment, neither one of them willing to break contact as they grew familiar with the other's essence, fingers trailing a lot more smoothly. Jerking her face away from upon his, both of them were left struggling for oxygen for a couple of moments before Ranveer lowered his mouth to gently suck upon her neck.

He traced their steps behind until his body pinned her across the now-musky glass, sandwiching her before resuming his attention upon her neck. He nipped at the taut tendon he found along as he let his stubble scrape along her collarbone, making her shudder in salacious delight while he revelled in the throaty moan that escaped her lips. Ranveer pinned her arms against her sides as he now sucked at her fingers slowly tastefully, letting his tongue do the rest while Ishaani writhed against him, kissing his shoulder first before trailing along his chest.

Ishaani let her lips kiss the scar upon his chest before flipping sides, pinning Ranveer against the wall now in a speed that surprised him. He shut his eyes, the water still falling upon them with the same intensity as Ishaani's nails now grazed all over his skin, her lips travelling along boldly. Her fingers worked in ways that left him aching for more, her tongue and lips travelling along terrains that made him groan with dark pleasure. When he found himself losing control with what she was doing to him, he pulled her up against him once again.

Ranveer titled her chin upwards, their eyes meeting with the same intoxicating passion that made Ishaani part her lips involuntarily as a gasp left her lips. Ranveer smiled slyly, nudging his nose against hers as his fingers pressed against the small of her back, bridging away all the unncecessary gap. Taking opportunity as Ishaani remained too lost in his gaze, Ranveer claimed her lips with his own, his tongue working its way into her mouth with a speed that made her tremble in dizzying pleasure, pushing his name against his lips in the same desire-filled moan that sent him to the teeters of delight.

Her arms circled around him as his fingers palmed her delicate flesh softly, Ishaani groaning against his lips while his other arm remained around her waist in a protective curl. He continued kissing her with the same devour as Ishaani let her fingers trail through his hair, enjoying the stars that she was beginning to see every time she shut her eyes and felt his lips against her own.

Finally separating after a playful interlude that neither of them managed to get enough of, Ishaani smiled against his lips and turned off the water from behind, leaving one last peck upon his lips before finally parting.

Ishaani let Ranveer leave her first and trailed back into the washroom, the latter giving her the space she needed as he shut the door behind him. Walking towards the mirror above the basin, Ishaani took in her appearance, suddenly astonished. There was a strange glow upon her face that made her dead features come to life, her eyes never so alive in these six and a half years the way they were staring back at her from the mirror in that moment. Her lips now knew to smile effortlessly as she eyed Ranveer's handiwork, the heat rising up her neck and into her cheeks.

Leaving the washroom when her eyes craved to see Ranveer again, Ishaani slipped on a bathrobe and re-entered the room, her eyes instantly finding Ranveer near the fireplace. He'd now donned a white full-sleeved t-shirt and black tracks, his face brightening upon his sight. Her eyes now scrounged for something decent to wear before they fell upon his strewn shirt.

Lazily slipping on his shirt that fell short of her knees decently, Ishaani shut her eyes, feeling his warm scent from his shirt that was now nowhere close to what she'd experienced the previous night. For days on end, she'd slept with the vest he'd left behind for her on the night she'd fallen weak. But now that she knew what Ranveer was truly made up of, the scent upon his clothes was not even remotely close to what his essence actually felt like. And even before she could say anything, she felt him perch his lips to the side of her neck, hoisting her into the air and into his arms bridal style.

She nestled her head into the crook of his neck, greedily taking in her scent as she felt the soft fabric of his T-shirt brush against her skin. She didn't bother opening her eyes as she felt Ranveer begin to walk, her arms circling around his neck protectively. She felt a blast of the misty, fresh forest air enter her lungs with a powerful gush of air that made her senses suddenly alert as Ranveer continued to walk for a little distance until he came to a halt. She still felt lazy to open her eyes and tried sensing her surroundings by simply feeling them instead, the experience satisfying.

Moments later, she felt Ranveer set her down upon something like a blanket while her head met something rather plush, her eyes opening softly. But her breath didn't quite leave her. The sight etched before her was mesmerizing - the entire lakeside lay in front of her while the moonlight streamed upon the still surface from somewhere behind, the shrubs and nature around the lake enticingly pure. Ishaani realized that Ranveer had brought her along the empty clearing near the lakeside, sheltered by the sheaths of the trees overhead that formed a cove-like structure protecting the land from any extreme weather.

Ishaani looked at the sky to see billions of stars twinkle in the sky the same way they had upon the beach back at Salmona Villa. There was something electric about its sight in that moment as indigo began to leave the shelter of twilight, the sky beginning to encompass lighter hues of blue at the edges. It was as though the sky was alight with the sparkles celebrating the spirit of life, dedicating a part of their celebrations to the souls below whose entire story they'd remained witness to.

Ishaani felt Ranveer lie down beside her, and turned to look at him, awestruck.

"How do you even find places like these?"

"I don't find them. They find me," replied Ranveer sheepishly and Ishaani rolled her eyes at him. Both of them stargazed in silence for a myriad of minutes before Ishaani spoke again.

"How come there's a blanket and pillow in wait for us? I didn't see you take anything outside."

"Whenever I stay behind at the resort, I spend the nights here and end up sleeping here as well. So the staff keeps the arrangements ready before hand," replied Ranveer casually, now watching some fireflies float in the distance. Ishaani nodded her head and smiled rather coyly at the thought of what she was about to say next.

"Convenient enough. I guess we can tick of three things off our bucket lists tonight then - you learning how to fly, a tryst in the wooden cabin and my first kiss with my true love in the rains."

Ranveer tilted his head in her direction, suddenly confused.

"Wait, I understand mine, but how does your item get ticked off? We've kissed quite a few times before that, the first being in the cabin."

"I kissed my true love for the first time last night. Remember the criteria I voiced out?" A look of understanding crossed Ranveer's features, the sides of his lips pulling itself into a relaxed smile. Ishaani did not look away from the breathtaking view of the sky.

"That does make sense. I guess a tryst in a wooden cabin doesn't sound so silly to you now, does it?" asked Ranveer suddenly in a daring cheek. Ishaani chuckled in response, looking torn between amusement and exasperation.

"It's still silly to me that it was all you could think about when we this close to dying."

"I guess its our fantasies that kept us alive then. We had so many to complete," mused Ranveer. Ishaani sighed, wondering how something as far fetched and fantastic as their fantasies spoken in the heat of a moment were something they'd actually completed five-sixth of.

"You've completed your Top 3," remarked Ishaani after some time when Ranveer continued to rub his thumb gently across the back of her palm. She loved the gesture a lot even as a child.

"I guess I can die in peace then. I've already been granted four graces," joked Ranveer. Ishaani's head shot in his direction, her eyes angry even though she didn't say anything. Moments later, a shrewd smile graced her features, leaving Ranveer bewildered.

"You aren't going anywhere till you take me along the Great Barrier Reefs. I guess we were destined to complete our fantasies together, like everything else," replied Ishaani confidently and Ranveer understood what she was trying to reply, seeing a lot more logic into it that was meant to.

"Well, we've even roamed quite a few places of the world together apart from just becoming the people we are today," he continued, steering the topic away from dangerous waters. After the magic of the previous night, Ishaani knew that he didn't want anything hampering the tranquility between them. There was a lot more to come till before dawn broke out.

"Mumbai, Manali, London, Sydney... and now Surat, that's in the coming. We've come a long way, the two of us," mused Ishaani as she ticked off the places upon her fingers, both of them staring at the skies now that smiled back at them benevolently.

"It's been extraordinary," remarked Ranveer in a soft whisper, Ishaani catching the emotion in his voice. She understood the underlying meaning of his statement, now blushing softly.

"It truly has been," she agreed before pausing, wondering whether now was the time to speak the words that were threatening to fall away from upon her lips. Following her instinct, she did.

"How does it feel, being just a step away from letting go now?"

Ranveer's had snapped in her direction, their eyes meeting with the same powerful energy that seemed to snuff out their breath every time they met gaze like that. His eyes widened as though not having anticipated that Ishaani would come on to it so soon.

"How did you-"

"Wounds take time to heal, Ranveer. And when they are the wounds of a lifetime, it's definitely going to take a lot more than a night's hot, strong concoction of love to help them heal and fade away completely."

Ranveer nodded his head, looking evidently glad that she was on the same wavelength as he was upon this. It was no hidden fact that her own step was still rooted up the cliff just like his was.

"What happened last night was certainly enough to give both of us a good push towards giving this a second chance. Maybe someday, we'll get the other half off the push that'll push us off the cliff edge completely, given that we're both dangling partly suspended right now," added Ranveer, turning to look at the sky again while Ishaani did the same. The clouds had returned, hiding away the little prickles of light.

"I couldn't agree more. Oh look, it's raining!" exclaimed Ishaani when the clouds thundered, light water droplets falling around them even though they remained protected. They watched the rains as though from a window, the sight unbelievable yet true.

Ishaani still couldn't fathom what kind of world she was living in at that precise moment.

Both of them remained silent as they watched the rains, their minds at peace. Their thoughts floated through abstract realms, enjoying the other's presence as the rains kept fluctuating in intensity - sometimes hard, something light. At one point of time, the moon broke through the sky bravely, the sight forcing a question into Ranveer's mind that made his blood go cold momentarily.

"Ishaani, can I ask you something?" Ishaani looked at him, his worried tone catching her attention. She nodded her head, taking his hand upon her stomach just like she would as a child. Ranveer shut his eyes and fired his question at the speed of a bullet.

"What if... what if on the 30th, we're still unable to let go? That life doesn't give us a second chance for some reason?"

Ishaani remained silent for several minutes before replying finally.

"Then perhaps we let time take its own course. But to the real question whose answer you truly seek, I won't have any regrets at all. Not anymore after what we've shared tonight," replied Ishaani truthfully after pondering upon his question with a cool mind, the answer finding itself readily upon her lips. Ranveer nodded his head, relaxing slightly.

"Its something I can live the rest of my life upon," spoke Ranveer in a dreamy voice as his expression matched his tone, reliving their moments from some time ago. Ishaani couldn't help but smile at him as the adjectives floating into her head at his sight made her blush, secretly thankful that he couldn't read her precise thoughts in that moment. So she decided to steer her thoughts to what she knew they were both fantasizing upon.

"Then why don't we make it a little more complete? Tonight isn't over yet. We still have till dawn, and you've brought the two of us right to the brinks of paradise right now. Why not complete the night amidst nature? Let's watch the night change to dawn amidst the stars and the nature around us, healing each other a little more on the way."

"However you wish, Princess Moon. Your wish is my command," he whispered in response as he turned himself upon his side, eyeing her with a love that stirred something within Ishaani's soul.

"Then fill my world with stars, Mr. Prefect Perfect. You know the way."

Ranveer smiled at her as Ishaani lessened the distance between themselves, pulling him into an embrace. The rains continuing to descend in a loving fall as their lips met, the Universe now bearing witness to their love. Ishaani knew that it was about time that she loved him the way she wanted to just like the way she'd let him in the shower, her eyes never once leaving his own. Ranveer remained silent as he continued to stare at her, Ishaani sensing that he'd stopped breathing the moment her lips brushed against his own, his eyes shutting in response.

And yet Ishaani didn't shut her eyes this time as she watched every single flicker of an expression upon his face, the experience much more rewarding than she'd expected it to be. She let her fingers brush against his face lasciviously, watching the smile upon his face grow broader and broader as the painful wait of the moment grew longer. She gently pulled his fingers up in the open and kissed them teasingly before sucking at them slowly, making Ranveer gasp. Her heart gushed with even more happiness at what her touch could evoke within him as she finally pressed her lips against his own after a torturous wait.

Her finger trailed underneath his ear and he groaned, Ishaani taking him for her own the moment his lips parted further and stealing him of all defense as she let her tongue explore his mouth in a raunchy swish. The soft splattering of the rain around them extended the ecstasy of the moment by long, slow minutes as Ranveer's fingers grasped Ishaani's own, pulling her above him. Ishaani let him drown in her love that made him lose sense of his surroundings as clothes abandoned them soon enough, both of them safely tucked away under the sheaths of nature amidst the blankets around.

They could feel the soft splashes of the rain water spraying upon them with the weight of a feather, the feeling welcome. Ranveer remained to her mercy this time, letting Ishaani take him to the crevice of a entirely new paradise as she returned his love with the flavour of her own. She left no stone unturned in exploring every single terrain pertaining to him, Ranveer's heart racing with the same pace it did whenever he'd return from an exhilarating run.

And yet this was far better than any run he knew for he knew that he'd never been made to feel so loved and cherished all his life the way Ishaani was beginning to make him feel in those moments. She drove him on the skirts of an orgasm time and again, her name spilling away from upon his lips in a throaty mantra that only made her relish the power she had upon him as she now balanced the scales of give and take between them, her heart at its happiest. The heat of their love engulfed them with the same earth-shattering intensity as the skies accommodated more companions of blue and green, faint pink joining the party of the onlooking colours soon while yellow and orange promised to break through eventually.

Ranveer and Ishaani snapped their eyes open simultaneously through their intoxicating bliss, eyeing each other with the same respect and admiration they'd come to love about each other as they looked at the sky. The clouds had now moved away with the stars still twinkling in the billions, the canvas holding them growing diluted in colour. Dawn was closing around them and so was the intensity. Ishaani felt Ranveer hold her at the brink, the tension in her building steadily as it skirted time and again, but never reached breaking point.

Even though she knew that Ranveer was sailing along the same boat, she realized that he'd taken control as his eyes twinkled not unlike a star, suddenly finding herself now sandwiched between himself and the blanket. Ranveer let his fingers, lips and tongue run all over her - neck, chest, stomach, thighs, Ishaani feeling instantly fuller as he pressed her further into the blanket.

And just when she thought that he couldn't surprise her anymore, he did.

He lowered his mouth to her neck and gently heated the exposed flesh at her sore spot with his lips before sucking, resuming his assault on her neck and scraping the grit of his unshaven jaw over her collarbone. When the next moan rose from her chest, she reveled in it, now wanting him where she was aching for him.

But to her dismay, Ranveer separated himself from her suddenly, cold air rushing upon her form and making her shiver in spite of himself. The cold air felt bitter after the constant warmth his body provided against hers, the feeling unwelcome. She'd barely made demands for him to embrace her back when his body resettled upon hers, suddenly parting her with sinful skill. His length pressed heavily all along her opening, grinding slowly back and forth, sawing at her, and Ishaani could have sworn it was the hottest thing she'd ever felt. In seconds, they were both quite literally purring as an orgasm began to build deep within her, buzzing low. Only one thought cycled on repeat in her head.

Inside. Inside. Inside.

Ranveer nestled his face in the crook of her shoulder amd smiled against her blade, the delicious friction continuing to bubble with the same pleasure she'd come to love about their moments even though having tasted the best, she knew she wanted more. The feeling of his terrain passing underneath her was exquisite, the building layer of silk between them making the pleasure of the moment intoxicating.

"Ranveer..." she moaned softly against his ear when he sucked at the lobe of her ear in return, rubbing his nose under her jaw. The wait now grew excruciating even though the kind of rhythm they were beginning to build up was undeniable tasteful. The increasing intensity of her moans were proof of the same.

In the zero-gravity of the months after her mother's death, Ishaani had careened her way through her marriage, giving far more than she took. In an effort to prove she was still alive, her bedroom persona took on an almost theatrical abandon, feigning expressions she couldn't feel. She'd been a very quiet lover otherwise.

But she was not going to be quiet with Ranveer. Never. She was never going to be quiet again. Only this time, it didn't feel like an act at all

Ranveer separated himself from her embrace as he stared at her, her face soaked in the love she felt for him. He eyed the pendant upon her neck before kissing it softly while Ishaani heaved in anticipation, now held upon the edge.

Ranveer started up again in the same slow tempo that now felt unbearable after those few seconds of rest and Ishaani's mouth formed a surprised 'o', even though no sound escaped it. Ranveer didn't miss the look upon her face even though he continued to stare at her not unlike a child staring at its most prized possession, knowing that it was about time to make this the most memorable dawn of their lives after walking through the night.

Ranveer continued to form the same hazy rhythm as Ishaani's head rolled upon her shoulders, finding herself seconds away from coming - or passing out, one or the other. Her eyelids grew heavy as she pressed her cheek into the soft plush of her pillow, her fingers slackening from his grip as he held on to her hands for support. Ranveer pulled her lips into his own passionately before parting away, snapping her back into her senses.

"Watch the dawn, Ishaani."

Before Ishaani could process the breathtaking thought, Ranveer's fingers left her own and tightened on her hips, their eyes locking as the first stroke of yellow broke across the sky, scattering the stars all over the place. In one fluid motion, Ranveer lifted her an inch, bringing her heels off the floor as their legs puzzled within each other's, the moment at hand now as he gave in to her finally.

One thrust.
He didn't miss his mark, not even a little. Somewhere in her brain, a single thought weighed anchor and began floating - they fit together perfectly.

One thrust.
Fast and vicious, so contrasting from his very first thrust back at the cabin.

One thrust.
Her body swallowed him whole, and he hit her deepest wall. An ache to silence the stretch.

Ishaani's eyes took in the haze of the changing colours of the sky as yellow spilled across a little more, finding herself halfway through as her eyes caught Ranveer's gaze that never once left her own. He stroked her cheek lovingly and saw the change across Ishaani's features, knowing that she was inching closer to coming through as his eyes took in the changing colours of the sky alongside with a smile. Just like he planned it. Ranveer held her gently as her lips fell open, his name falling out from upon her lips in a slew as though in reverent prayer, her eyes opening and closing. The stars began to fade away from the sky even though they remained burned firmly against her eyelids as her senses went to a toss with the way Ranveer was making her feel in that moment.

Just when Ishaani felt her orgasm begin to subside, Ranveer brought his fingertips to her, pressing hard on her small collection of nerves and circling once, twice, trampolining her back up high as he latched his lips upon her own. Ishaani was barely aware about the orange that finally broke across the sky as she shut her eyes, letting him guide her through the rest of moments remaining before the sun finally broke across the sky.

Ranveer held Ishaani through what she couldn't believe was the longest orgasm she'd had up until now as she felt her body tighten and loosen around him a hundred times in the space of a second. Their lips parted, Ishaani's eyes opening softly as the sky grew warmer, the sun ready to break through anytime now. Ranveer clenched his jaw with the effort to hold back, to not spill himself inside her just yet as he wanted them to come in tandem this time.

The sun cracked across the horizon the exact same moment as every muscle in Ishaani's body collapsed, both of them spilling simultaneously as her lungs caught up, feeling her blood rush back up to her head while Ranveer let out a shaky gasp, both of them feeling their world spin as dawn broke out at long last. Ranveer fell into Ishaani's embrace tiredly and their fingers slackened, both of them gulping in the much needed air while her fingers caressed the back of his hair lovingly.

When the last shiver left her body, a sloppy smile bloomed upon Ishaani's lips, both of them sighing contentedly. She titled her head towards Ranveer to find the best gift of her life impossibly in wait of her yet. The moment their gazes met Ranveer smiled at her, his smile brighter than the power of the dawn as his original smile finally broke surface, engulfing her into it entirely.

It was the smile that she yearned to see in all those years; the smile that lit up her entire world as her heart felt the surge of its warmth and basking in the strength of its glow. The smile was right there upon his lips as they continued to stare at each other, his smile infecting her. She returned the broadest smile that she could muster, the passion of their moment falling gentle as they suddenly felt years younger, the burdens from upon their shoulders falling off while the bonds upon them slackened.

This was the moment they'd lived all their lives for; the moment that made it all worth it. 

Ishaani pulled Ranveer in for one final peck, their foreheads damp as the nature around them bloomed green. The birds sang in unity as they flew above, the world a newfound paradise as the skies grew lighter and lighter. Separating from the kiss, Ranveer and Ishaani let their foreheads kiss as they held on to each other, falling asleep in the other's embrace for the second time that night, their smiles still plastered upon their faces.

"Ah, look who's here!"

Ranveer and Ishaani took a seat across Finch and Monica the moment they spotted the couple seated in the dining lobby of the resort, yawning softly. Finch and Monica were halfway through a conversation that looked serious enough when the two intruders made their presence known. Finch instantly relaxed back into his chair while Monica looked worried, eyeing both of them keenly. Neither of them batted as much as an eyelid even though they could feel sleep hover upon their senses still.

"Where have the two of you been?"

"Talking," replied Ishaani rather coolly and Finch snorted into his cup of coffee, Monica shooting him a dirty look. Ranveer oddly enough, remained composed.

"You missed dinner... The two of you must be starving," spoke aloud Monica as she placed an order for two plates of toast with sauteed veggies along with a plate of pancakes to go, juice and coffee to accompany. Ranveer and Ishaani gave her a grateful look, speaking at the same time.

"We're not that hungry, Mon."

Both of them looked at each other and flushed. Monica continued to eye them shrewdly but Finch spoke on her behalf this time, the sharp crystal blue of his eyes tearing apart the two targets across ruthlessly.

"I'm sure the two of you have had a good time devouring the desserts."

Ranveer cocked an eyebrow at Finch while Ishaani pursed her lips, neither of them saying anything as the images from the previous night flashed across their minds, both of them turning a shade rosier just at its mere thought. Monica shoved a twenty dollar note towards Finch rather grudgingly, the latter pocketing it with utmost delight before setting his cup of coffee down and leaning forward, his posture suddenly lawyer-like.

"We're parents to two children now, my beloveds. You don't need to say anything for Papa to know."

Ranveer rolled his eyes at his friend as he continued to relax back into his chair but Ishaani's face gained excessive colour, both Finch and Monica having their eyes upon her. From beneath the table, Ranveer interlocked his fingers within Ishaani's own and she looked up finally, her eyes twinkling. The coy Ishaani fled adieu the moment her skin came into contact with Ranveer's, leaving behind only the woman who cherished every single lingering second of what they'd shared from the previous night to the breaking of the dawn. 

And so she spoke with nothing less but pride.

"Desserts were definitely the best." Finch eyed them curiously, a small smile making its way up to his face satisfactorily. He noticed the look Ranveer and Ishaani exchanged between themselves that remained nothing short of awestruck reverence.

"You have Papa's blessing, dearly beloveds. About time at that," he muttered underneath his breath and both of them gave him a deadpan look. Monica remained silent as Ranveer and Ishaani turned to look at her, curious about what she had to say after the way Finch seemed to extract the answers he required in less than five minutes.

"Well?" asked Ranveer when Monica didn't look like she'd be breaking her silence any sooner, Ishaani suddenly feeling slightly apprehensive. Even though she and Monica had grown close in those four days, she couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by the psychotherapist at times the same way she'd feel intimidated by her mother all through her childhood and adolescence.

"I hope you went in for more than a single round of desserts," replied Monica at long last, flashing them a sly smile.

Ranveer and Ishaani gave her a flabbergasted look, the latter almost choking upon her glass of water before Ranveer managed to ease her up. Sobering down after a couple of minutes as the four of them broke into a fit of laughter, a comfortable silence now prevailed as Finch and Monica continued to have their breakfast, the two late arrivals joining them the moment their respective plates arrived. Taking advantage of the same, Finch finally looked up and spoke rather sincerely even though the playful twinkle in his eye didn't go amiss by anyone of them.

"I hope you've had a great stay here. Your first trip to Sydney has been a very memorable one, Ishaani."

It took a single glance at each other around the table to know that they all agreed to it rather strongly.

The luggages were stowed into the respective cars as the bellboys saw out the guests leaving the resort at eight in the morning, helping several more arrivals to their rooms. Ranveer and Finch stood talking to the manager about the overall feedback of the customers for the hotel's third anniversary package that was a raving hit, sorting out the last minute expenses while asking the manager to submit a report about the same.

Ishaani and Monica stood by the corner and discussed a few last minute trivial matters before the former left for the airport with Ranveer. The two girls now looked close to tears as they hugged each other, the newfound bond of friendship between them pleasant and welcoming, promising to see each other soon. Departures were never easy, and so was the case with the two women who didn't enjoy the experience any better now that they'd just begun knowing each other so well.

Ranveer and Finch walked up to their respective partners, the latter pulled Ishaani into a warm hug while Ranveer did the same with Monica before the two men gave each other a bear hug. And then, Ranveer did something that he'd not done for a long, long time with Finch. He let himself cry upon the blue-eyed lawyer's shoulder openly while the latter gasped, hugging him back and letting a couple of tears slip of his own. Monica and Ishaani stood with their arms around each other, the sight in front of their eyes remained extraordinary until the two men separated.

"You've turned human again, mate."

"I don't know what I'd have done without you, Greg. You've stood by me all this time so selflessly..." began Ranveer and Finch rolled his eyes at his friend.

"I like you human, not sloppy. Get your ass moving already, Vaghela! You have a flight to catch in four hours," shot back Finch at a lame attempt at being stern, quickly trying to hide away his tears. Ranveer smiled rather slyly.

"Macho, eh?"

"Yeah, I'm going to go some place private and bawl my eyes out once you leave," replied Finch sarcastically and all four of them laughed knowing that in spite of the tone, it was exactly what he was going to do. Finch continued, his tone suddenly serious.

"I've waited for a long time to see you happy like this, Vaghela. Don't relapse," he warned before turning towards Ishaani once again.

"Make sure he doesn't relapse. He's your responsibility now."

"You've risked your life in a tennis match and with vases flying over your head for us. I won't let it go in vain," promised Ishaani and both of them laughed, Ranveer scowling at the duo. Ishaani pulled Finch for a second hug, both of them whispering the same thing.

"Thank you for giving me back my friend."

They smiled at each other before separating, Finch giving Ishaani a quick kiss upon her cheek before she hugged Monica again, conveying her love to Michael and Claire alongside. Ranveer and Ishaani sat in the Audi the moment the valet brought their car around, leaving Finch and Monica waving at them as they set the car into motion and steered it out from the resort's premise, making their way now directly to Point Piper.

Both of them sat in silence as they felt a newfound connect with life, something they'd both lost touch with since a long, long time. And as Ranveer drove on smoothly, Ishaani couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt when she realized that she'd not met the single-most important person that she was meant to meet in Sydney, feeling the wish grow stronger and stronger until she decided to voice it out at long last.

"Ranveer, would you mind making a small detour before we head back home?"

"Where do you want to go?" asked Ranveer, bewildered.

"The cemetery," was all Ishaani replied and Ranveer gasped, understanding what she wanted to do next. He gave her a reassuring smile, surprised that she still remembered about her. But then again, that's what he loved about Ishaani - her capacity of gratitude and love.

"I'll join you as well."

"No... I want to go in alone. This is something that should have happened a long time ago, but better late than never," replied Ishaani as she shrugged her shoulders, Ranveer nodding his head.

"Alright. I came around here on Sunday when I went for a run so it's okay. Third row to your left, tenth stone. I'll wait for you here but be back soon. We need to reach the airport soon."

Ishaani nodded his head as Ranveer took a left instead of a right, the car making its way smoothly until it came to a halt in front of the church. Ishaani took a deep sigh before she stepped out from the car, Ranveer giving her a reassuring smile as she bought a wreath of white roses just before entering the cemetery from a vendor selling them.

Following Ranveer's directions, Ishaani managed to find what she was looking for as she walked along the neat, well maintained rows of the tombstones while the winds blew by pleasantly, the sun warm. Ishaani read the inscription upon the tombstone when she arrived at the one she was in search of, a lump suddenly rising up her throat.

Ishaani laid the wreath upon the stone and took in a deep sigh, speaking what came to her heart in a moment. She did not bother with speeches and prepared notes for this was a heartfelt conversation she needed to have. 

Pushing away the stray flowers from the stone, she began.

"Hi there... Um, er, this is Ishaani here. We've obviously never met before but I guess we both know everything about each other. But I had to meet you today because this should have happened long ago. So here I am, and I just want to say... thank you. Thank you so much for taking care of Ranveer in my absence, Ritika. For keeping him alive, for keeping him thrashing and for never letting him lose his will to fight. Thank you for staying by his side when he needed a companion beside himself to break his fall, for sacrificing your love for his own and for your big heart to always let me linger between the two of you."

Ishaani paused for sometime as tears threatened to break forth, composing herself with great difficulty before continuing.

"Maybe your heart was too good to live in a world like this but you didn't deserve to go the way you did. But I do hope that you do find happiness there above with your parents. Thank you for always respecting me and accepting me and trying to reconcile the two of us even though you knew what its cost would mean. I admire your courage and your selflessness that I don't think I'd ever be capable of even though I would never have let Ranveer leave you like that. Thank you so much for coming into our lives like an angel. Into Ranveer's life like an angel when he needed a miracle the most. Thank you for being the miracle of his life and for keeping him alive long enough for me to heal him now."

Tears left her eyes now but she wiped them away, taking some time before she spoke again.

"And right here, right now, I promise that I'll never leave him again. I'll never let the world even as much as look at him with a bad eye. All this time, he's been my shield. But now... I'll be his shield and no matter what, I'll never stop loving him. Even though his love is way greater and purer than mine, I will give this everything I have. He's put one foot in the air and very soon, I'll make him take the plunge entirely. All this time, his love has been enough between the two of us but I promise to give him so much love for both of us that even this lifetime will fall short for it. And maybe along the way, I'll be able to erase the Chirag's name and existence from my mind and make it a part of our untold stories. Who knows?"

She sighed, taking a deep breath as she snapped her eyes open, her heart gushing with a strange adrenaline rush.

"But all I know now after the extraordinary moment we shared the previous night is that I want to wake up to this every single day for the rest my life until my last breath. This is worth it all. He's worth it all at the end of the day. He's always been worth it. Thank you for listening to me so patiently and I hope you know how much I really admire and respect you. Maybe if you were here with us today, I have a feeling that we would have definitely hit it off. But I need to leave for now because Ranveer is waiting for me. It was great meeting you and I hope that we meet again soon. And know that you have people who love you and remember you over here till today."

Ishaani kissed the tombstone before making her way towards the car again where Ranveer sat in wait of her, looking worried. When Ishaani reclaimed her seat, Ranveer spoke in a concerned whisper.

"Met her?"

"I did. It was better than I expected it to go," she added and Ranveer smiled, his smile making her smile as well before he spoke again, surprising her. 

"I think we have another short stop-over to make before we head back home and then to the airport."

Constructive criticism will be more than welcome and sorry for any typos. :D :D

Next chapter:
Chapter 25