OS: Because You Loved Me

"…Geet ko insaaf milega…main dilvaunga usse insaaf..."

The words resonated in her ears.

She would get justice for the crime committed against her – he'd get her justice.

For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right

She watched him silently in awe as he said those words. It wasn't so much a statement, as it was a promise. She knew in her heart that he would follow through, just like he always did. She watched silently in awe as he took her hand into his, gripping it tight and then pulling her along with him as he walked out of the candle lit room.

The fury was apparent on his face as she looked at him.

She said nothing and just let him lead her to wherever he was going. With her hand safely secure in his own, she knew she had nothing to worry about.

For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful, baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through
Through it all

As they nearly raced through the house, her mind jumped to all the instances when he'd helped her without so much as asking why. She remembered the times he'd saved her life when her brother and his goons had come after her, when she'd nearly been run down by a rampant driver who paid no attention to the road he drove on. She remembered the countless times he'd saved her self-respect and come to her defense. Be it on the dance floor when her saree had ripped or in the hall of his house when she'd left her dupatta in his hands due to her haste. Be it when he told her that she didn't need to dress in micro-mini's to look beautiful, or when people of the office called into question her relationship with him. Be it when the manager at the restaurant had criticized her status, or when Rassika had criticized her education.

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me, ooh, baby

She remembered how infuriating that man could be. Be it when he so calmly announced that she could do nothing without him, or when he had dragged her out of the out house that first night. Be it when he yelled at her for simply bringing him flowers, or when he had talked down to her because she was a woman. Be it when he had insulted her character, or when he'd tried to make her jealous. Be it when he tried to have her confess her feelings when he hadn't confessed his own, or when he'd kissed her in front of the entire office staff leaving her blushing all sorts of red.

She remembered the times that he'd given her the strength to push ahead, to be independent, to stand up for herself, to give a damn about what the world had to say. Be it the time he'd hid a file so she would have to come back to work regardless of her wounded pride, or be it the time he'd told her to throw caution to wind and be who she was regardless of what people thought.

He had believed in her when she hadn't believed in herself. He'd given her strength when she had none left. With him by her side, there was nothing she couldn't do and nothing she couldn't face.

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love, I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me

Maybe, I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because
I was loved by you

She found it amazing that no matter what the situation or what the circumstance, he always found his way to her when she was in trouble. Every time her steps had faltered, he'd been there to give a helping hand. Every time her eyes shed tears, he'd been there to wipe them away. Every time – without fail – he had been there.

She remembered his love for her. Be it his indirect confession under the moonlight night when he put the ring on her finger for the first time, or his not so subtle hints at the bar. Be it when he asked how could she think of leaving him, or when he said that he'd thought she was his and only his. Be it him taking care of her knowing that she was pregnant with another mans child, or him loving her unconditionally despite that fact. Be it him pulling back when he could have pushed forward in Manali, or when he said in very clear terms that she was his and only his. Be it him asking to bring the person that ruined her life so she could punish him, or him promising to let the matter drop all together if that was what she wanted. Be it when he'd caught her from falling off the stool at the office, or when he'd eaten two plates of papaya so she didn't have to eat a single piece.

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

She was who she was today because of him – simply because of him. His faith in her, his belief in her is what had given her strength and courage. His trust in her is what allowed her to reveal her deepest, darkest secrets. His love for her is what gave her the will to open her heart again.

You were always there for me, the tender wind that carried me
The light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

She was brought back from her revere when she suddenly felt the cool night air against her skin. Blinking away the tears that she hadn't know had formed in her eyes she saw they were out in the garden of Khurana Estates. They were surrounded by lush grass, beautiful roses and sparkling lights. His fast pace slowed down just a bit as the approached the clearing.

"Maan," she said in a whisper she barely heard herself.

He stopped.

Of course he heard her. He was the only person to hear her cries even in a crowd.

He stopped, but didn't release her hand.

"Maan…" she started but was quickly cut off.

"Tumne mujhe pehle kyun nahin bataya Geet?" he asked.

She knew it was a rhetorical question, he didn't need an answer to that.

"Tumhare saath…Dev ne…mere khud ke bhai ne…" he said softly as he let her hand go.

A piece of her heart broke.

"Aagar saachai janne ke baad aap mere saath nahin…" she began.

Almost instantly she found a finger on her lips silencing her.

"Chup…bilkul chup," he said.

He let his hands travel to her shoulder and pull her in slightly before he continued.

"Tumne sooch bhi kaise liya ke main tumhara saath nahin dunga?" he asked. "Kaise sooch liya?"

She lowered her eyes in shame because she had no answer for that question. The fact that she not only though it, but said it out loud made her red with embarrassment.

"Ek baath kaan kholke sunlo Geet…dobara nahin kahunga," he said.

He used one hand to lift her face to him, yet still she couldn't meet his eyes.

"Maan Singh Khurana…marte dam tak…"

As the words hit her ears, she looked up and automatically her hand went to his mouth. Never say such things, her eyes pleaded with his.

She felt him smile under her palm before he pulled her hand down and took it into his.

"Maan Singh Khurana, marte dam tak tumhara saath dega," he said.

Geet felt a tickle on her body as his hand crept up to rest on her stomach.

"Tum dono ka saath dega," he finished.

Tears sprang to her eyes and a smile appeared on her face. Wrapping her arms around his neck and raising to her tip-toes, she leaned up and did something she'd never done before – she kissed him. Her lips gently brushed against his and instantly she felt his body stiffen in shock, but a second later, she felt his hands go around her waist and draw her closer to his body as he deepened the kiss.

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

When the kiss ended, she laid her head against his chest and listened to the steady beating of his heart.

He was a special man, this Maan Singh Khurana.

Selflessly he'd molded her into the woman she was today – strong, happy, independent and in love. He'd been by her side, he'd wiped her tears, he'd saved her life, he'd given her will the live and fight, he'd given her trust, he'd given her smiles. But most of all, he'd given her love – for that she'd always be grateful. His belief was her strength, his smile was her life, his trust was her heart – his love was her life, because that is what made her truly blessed.

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cause you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

He really was a special man, this Maan Singh Khurana – and he was all hers. He'd made her who she was, who she'd never thought she'd be. All…all simply because he loved her.

I'm everything I am
Because you loved me