Virat&Manvi ff -Tblby#2 (link for the 3rd thread- Pg 151 :D) - Page 60

Chapter 37

"I love you" he said it again, not because he had any second thoughts but he wanted to witness her reaction, that glint which danced in her pooled eyes, the slight content smile in the edge of her lips and the glow which emanated through the dark.

When Virat slid his hand through her back of the neck and brought her face closer, their nose touched, lips grazed and both of them smiled, smiled till their jaw hurt but they didn't close their eyes... they wanted to capture this happiness and lock it away in their hearts... in their memories.

Moments passed... realization sank and they blinked, breaking the moment completely... Manvi's face turned warm and red and she looked around to make sure that they weren't watched by anyone and was glad when she realized she has walked pretty far from the crowd, she could hear the faint music and remembered that they were here with three others too.

Virat studied Manvi's expression change as she gazed at the poolside which was now lit with many bright lights, they were standing by the backside garden, sheltered with huge trees and fence, he looked at their hand which was now intertwined in a tight grip and when she started to walk away he did nothing but to nudge her to the tree and trap her in between him and the tree, her instant reaction was to stare at him wide eyed but her gaze was soon down casted as he neared.

"Umm... we should go. It's getting late..." her voice was soft, just a whisper but trembled in the end as he slid his hand across her waist.

"Hmm..." Virat nuzzled his nose on her cheeks as both of their breath hitched, Virat felt her fisting his shirt and his belly tightened in knots, the excitement he was feeling to be this close to her now was different from before, whatever he was feeling now was totally uncontrollable and deep, the intensity of the heat which surrounded him was starting to burn him like raw fire... and he realized that this was the fire of need, dangerous and beyond everything which he had felt so far. When Manvi's eyes met his he knew that she had felt that change in him too... the shyness which curtained her face said it all. He approached, expecting her to turn away but also hoping for her to give in... partially guilty for hoping. Their lips touched, for a blinking moment... just like she did when he grabbed her earlier, a painfully short moment, he was ready to take charge but the moment broke when his mobile sent tremors of tickle in between them, Virat groaned... like literally groaned out of annoyance and Manvi turned away to hide her smile.

Virat grabbed his phone, untangling himself from her and breaking that awfully comfortable tangle. His annoyance faded a bit as he answered the call.

"Haan bhai," His voice was controlled and calm nothing close to his heart's state.

"Virat... I didn't want to disturb but we should start our journey back home, Adhiraj already left so we will be joining you." Viren said still looking around to spot the couple.

"Haan bhai... umm can you collect the keys from the reception... we'll join you there?"

"Okay, we will wait for you..." Viren hung up and turned to look at Jeevika who was adjusting her dupatta, he held her hand and moved closer, "Do we really have to go?" he asked and moved closer to kiss her cheeks and pouted when she dodged his attempt and frowned,

"Haan we have to... remember our honeymoon is over and now we have to start working for Devar ji and Manvi's shaadi,"

Viren nodded, then smiled teasingly at Jeevika, making her scrunch her nose in confusion.

"Ek kiss toh chalega..."

"Aap bhi na..." Jeevika laughed but gave in anyway.

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Manvi looked at Virat who hung up the call and then sighed, she was amazed to look at his disappointed face,

"Chalo, we have to go..." he tugged her,

"Ghar?" she questioned knowing the answer already but wanting to talk to him,

Virat nodded then stopped walking, when she didn't walk behind him. "What's wrong?"

"I forgot to collect my dress..." Manvi bit her lower lip distracting him for a second.

"We'll get that and join bhai and bhabi..."

"Where are they?"

"Waiting for us in the reception," he intertwined their fingers again creating a chain of flutter in her heart.

Manvi nodded and tightened her hold on his hand while walking by his side.

When they entered the room, the awkwardness was still there, Manvi didn't know if it was only her or both of them who were turning cold. She loosened the grip on his hand and walked forward to grab her dress then looked around the room to check if they have left anything which belonged to them.

Virat's senses were long gone, what he could all see was Manvi in an extremely romantic surrounding, and clad in a tempting color which was red. There was something about her and that color which made his senses go haywire, was it the color or something else? He cared about nothing when he closed the door behind him and leaned back on it, taking in her exterior slowly and steadily as she moved around the room, doing something which he didn't understand at that moment.

Manvi turned around to face Virat, all ready to make a move out of the room. But her heart almost stopped working when their eyes met, the step she wanted to take forward was left in her heart forgotten and her feet stood rooted to the ground, Manvi didn't realize him walking forward until she felt him draw her closer to him, there was no rush, there was no harshness but her whole body tremble like a leaf on a windy night. This was new, being loved and wanted by a man like him and the whole lot of emotions she was going through was unexplainable, but there was a tiny bit of hesitation in her when he ran his finger down her arms then circled his muscular arm around her dainty waist, there was a tiny bit of fear gripping her heart when his rugged face neared hers and captured her petal like lips in his manly pair of lips in a sensuous and needy kiss. But it was shocking when her heart gave in, eliminating all the hesitation and fear which was starting to overtake her, she sighed into his assaulting mouth and was left helpless under his mischievous hands, Manvi gripped his shoulder as he nipped on her, passing his heat into her and turning her cold form warm and cozy, their zealous kiss would have turned them blue with the lack of air but he moved away to her neck as soon as her back touched the wall, she gripped a bunch of his rich and stubborn hair as he left his imprint on her throat. He didn't want to stop and she could feel herself melt under his greedy hands but Virat sighed when he tilted his head and pecked her lips softly before putting a coma to their moment which was doing nothing but driving them crazy.

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It was two days after their outing. And Virat was still not over the moment he had spent with her, it wasn't just the incredible satisfaction her touch gave him but it was more and he wished he had the ability to let her know that. Whatever he had been going through the last few days, the brewing affection and love his heart had been holding onto was making him restless and it only left him when he had spent hours with her, he had by now understood that his changed behavior was making her nervous but it felt good to know that he could do that to someone who he is deeply in love with. Sometimes he would try being less intense with his actions but that was next to impossible in her presence, it came natural to him and he wasn't sure how he was going to be patient till he gets her all for himself, her companionship for him alone for the rest of his life. He used to sometimes want to think of them together, married and as husband and wife and everything which he picture would only make him more impatient, her hand in his and her life knotted with his, looking at her sleeping form all night and stealing a kiss then and there, it all felt so serene and the excitement it carried often scared him about the consequences.

Virat closed the file and left out a long sigh. Work was the only thing which had mostly kept him sane and distracted from all the negative thoughts his mind would worry upon. But he was tired now, he could work no more. He looked at the time and contemplated about calling Manvi and at least listen to her speak which she rarely did these days, he shrugged as he dialed her number and waited for her to pick up.

"App kaha ho?" Was what she decided to use as the greeting and he knew she had been waiting for him to call.

"I am at office... you?" he could heart people talking at her end.

"Papa is having a bad fever, and the Doctor asked us to do some check ups..."

"And you are telling me this now?" he was already out of the office as he waved at the watchman to open the gate for him.

"I thought you must be keeping busy..." She dragged and he picked up the dullness her otherwise cheerful voice carried.

"Where are you now exactly?"

"You don't have to come... mama hai yahan..." She tried to convince him unsuccessfully,

"I asked where are you?"

"City hospital," Was what he heard before fastening the seat belt and zooming out of the premises towards his destination.

She was seated alone when he reached the reception area, her face sullen and tired. What he didn't expect her to do was jump onto him as soon as he uttered her name. He would have felt embarrassed if this would have been a different scenario, but he didn't even notice people looking at them when he felt her faint sobs. Virat held her closer to him, knowing how close she was to her father and how tough it must be for her to put up with this situation.

"Where is aunty?"

"She went to collect the reports and then talk to the doctor... And Papa is in a room, they are saying that he'll have to stay here till tomorrow..." Her voice trembled as she moved away and tilted her face when he moved away the strands of hair which was framing her face.

Virat maneuvered her to the chair and sat next to her, waiting for Padmini to come out. When she did he understood that the mother daughter duo had been managing the situation for pretty long and wondered why didn't they contact him or any of his family members to give them a hand.

When Padmini saw Virat, her gaze flashed towards Manvi with a frown. But she smiled at him nevertheless. "Beta..." Virat stood up and Manvi mirrored his action, facing the floor.

"Manvi must have worried you also," Padmini started,

"No aunty... aisa kuch nahi hai, I just wanted to drop by and check on uncle, how is he now? What did the doctor say?"

"He says it's a viral fever and there is nothing to worry about, tests are just to confirm his heart's function and all that... you know,"

"Sachchi mama?" Manvi who was silent interfered making Padmini smile,

"Sachchi... Now they have suggested that we let papa stay here till tomorrow morning, so both of you should go and talk to him till I go and fetch our things,"

"I'll drop you home aunty." Virat offered,

"No beta, we came here with the driver, I have to go home and bring few clothes for Prakash to get changed, you stay with Manvi till I come and then take her home with you... Two of us can't stay here." Padmini had rushed out before Manvi could refuse to go back home, and she had sulked all the way till the room while going to talk to her papa.

Virat admired the relationship Manvi shared with Prakash, so easy and love filled, she smiled and laughed along with him but Virat could still see the fear which sat in a corner of her heart, fear of losing a dear one, fear of losing a parent which he knows can take all what they have to get over the pain and loss.

It had been too hard to bring Manvi out of the hospital, Virat had to be strict and even shun her while walking back to the car, and now he could see that she was trying hard to hold up the tears which pooled her eyes, he felt like a fool for being harsh with her when she was so broken and fragile already.

Manvi stayed completely silent till they reached home, her face red and her lips pressed together, Virat felt worse as she ran towards the house without a second glance at him, he walked towards his home, which was looking deserted without his the ladies presence since they were out of the city along with Dada ji, inviting people for their wedding, Viren was lazing around the hall when he walked in.

"Uff... Thank God you made it home, I was going crazy sitting all alone here," Viren complained then walked into the kitchen, "Change and come, we'll have some dinner which I didn't cook by the way," he laughed on his own joke making Virat shake his head.

Viren was talking about various things as he arranged the table with food which he had ordered, and Virat replied him occasionally and even tried to keep up with the conversation. It was only when Viren asked why he wasn't eating anything did he remember that he had left Manvi and didn't even care to know if she had eaten anything for dinner.

"Achcha, I am done. Tum bhi kuch kaalo it is late already. Waise..." Viren was going to continue with his chatter but the beep of his phone distracted him and even brought a huge smile to his face. Virat guessed that it must be his bhabi who was calling his bhai.

"I am going to my room, I have locked the door but please recheck before you go to sleep. Good night," Viren was gone after leaving a pat on Virat's shoulder, who mumbled a Goodnight to satisfy his brother.

Virat took about two minutes to decide his next step and was moving in a lightening speed to reach up to Manvi's balcony, not wanting to disturb Kanthi bi who must have gone to sleep.

Unlike other days, the door to her room was locked from the inside and he had no option but to knock and wait for her to unlock the door... which she took her own sweet time, making him want to break the door.

"Manvi, open please..." he requested, keeping his voice low pitched. He had to repeat it several times before she unlocked but let him push it open on his own.

Manvi walked away as soon as he entered the room and Virat kept the dinner he had packed for her on the table, thinking of a way to make amendments on his heartless behavior earlier.

"I shouldn't have screamed I agree, I am sorry." He apologized, maintaining the distance which she created. "Sorry," he repeated and tried to steal a glance at her pretty face which still carried the same expression. "I didn't want you to worry aunty, she has both of you to manage right?" it has been so long since he spoke to someone like this, such tenderness felt alien for him but he tried to keep himself cool.

"I wanted to stay with papa..." her voice trembled when she turned to look at him, her room barely lit with any light for him to see the wetness her cheeks carried.

"I know... But he will be home tomorrow and you can have him all for yourself," Virat was now holding her by her arm as she blinked her eyes, clearing her gaze and making the tears flow out of her eyes.

"I am scared," she had finally said and Virat drew her petite form into his comforting arms,

"You shouldn't be, not now... not ever," he whispered, then smoothened her tousled hair into place.

"I can't help," Manvi pressed her face into his neck, her lashes fluttering against his skin.

"You will be fine..." he carried her to the bed then took his possession next to her, engulfing her in his warm embrace and comforting her fear filled heart.

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Days passed and things started falling right back into its place... both the houses were starting to glow with that wedding aura again after just months, both the families wanted this occasion to be special and unique and they left no qualms in working for that.

Manvi was cleaning her room as she was advised by her mama even though she wasn't really happy in discarding her old stuff. Manvi raced her head to look at Padmini who walked into the room with a box, and then sighed when she placed it near Manvi.

"Manvi, don't be stingy... chalo put all those teddies into this box," she pointed at the colorful pile of teddies and frowned when Manvi shook her head.

"No mama... aap kuch bhi dene khe liye kaho, but not those... they are my childhood memories,"

"Ab what... you will be getting married in two weeks, are you planning to take them all with you? Kya sochenge woh sab"

"I wont take them, but you can have it here na... jab mujhe yaad ayegi toh mein yahan aungi, mein todi na dur jaa rahi hun," Manvi gave a wide smile to Padmini making her shake her head with a sad smile, then the mother daughter hugged each other with tear filled eyes.

"My princess is all grown up," Padmini squeezed Manvi as she chuckled. "Okay ab bohot hua, don't give away the teddies but sort out your books at least, it will be a good deed if we could give those books to someone.

It was after sometime when Manvi had spotted Roshni's possession which had slipped completely out of her mind, the diary. Manvi's thoughts gloomed, anxiety took control and her heart started bleeding at the thought of bringing Virat's past back to action. Something in her said to grab the diary and vent it all out on him but she thought of the dinner party they have planned for the night and shook her head, denying that underlying request. Today was the day she had been waiting for from a long time. Today was the day where she was going to bring Virat and Rohan to face each other after all the chaos that had taken place. Pooja, Jeevika and Viren were going to accompany them and she was all ready to let Virat and Rohan solve out their difference. She couldn't still speak to Virat about it... not her mistake, his behavior for the last two days had always left her tongue tied and turn crimson from head to toe, the admiration for her in his eyes would make her knees go weak, the occasional soft caresses would never fail to make her heart flutter and his impatience uff... makes her turn all warm and fragile even when she thinks about it, like now.

Manvi kept away the diary on the table absent mindedly as she walked towards the window sill, stealing a glance at his balcony which was eluded... It looked so plain, so boring so unlike hers which was over crowded with flower pots and ornaments. She had already started planning about the changes which she was going to make after their marriage, she would bring colors to his balcony, and she would brighten it up with few geraniums and even orchids and many more flowers to spread the fragrance. Manvi thought of his room which was so alike him, everything about the space represented him, and there should be no doubt when she says she loves it all except one thing, the empty walls, she was going to do something for that too, something special, something they would be able to cherish and admire. Her chain of creative imagination broke when her mother called out for her, Manvi bit her tongue remembering about her promise to help her mother with the dinner preparation. The diary on the table was long forgotten when she dashed out of the room to calm down her mother and save the day.