NEW FF. UNBREAKABLE BONDS Chapter 43(UPDATED PAGE 44 - Page 19

CHAPTER 18

"Mummy can I have a shower today?" Shanti asked her mother. Sugni was preparing to give her sponge bath.

"No baby" Sugni said. "The doctors said we have to wait a few more days before that...in the mean while I guess we have to make do with a sponge bath again." She said. Shanti made a face that made Sugni smile.

"Is the cut hurting?" she asked looking at her.

"Not much..."

"ok...if you feel any different you tell me right.!" She said.

"Yes mummy."

A week after her operation Shanti was discharged from the hospital and now she was back at home. Sugni had strict instructions to follow on the home care she had to receive. She was progressing well and after a few weeks, she should be well enough to return to school and start her normal life.

During her stay at the hospital, Shanti's teacher visited and left her some schoolwork she could catch up on when she was ready. So Sugni was beginning to tutor her at home, slowing getting her adjusted back to some normalcy.

"Is uncle Vickram coming today?" She asked.

"Yes he will be here...later... he has work to do." She said.

"Good he can help me with my homework..." She said.

"I can do that...besides he will be here late and you might be tired."

"no I won't be ...I'll rest now so when he comes I'll be ready." She said.

"So why can't I help you...yesterday we did it on our own." Sugni said.

"He makes it fun!" She said

"And I don't?" She asked. Looking at Shanti she gasped when Shanti shook her head no.

Leave it to her daughter to speak her mind.

"Shanti...you really like uncle Vickram don't you?" Sugni asked as she laid the clothes out on the bed and brought the bowl of warm water to start her bath.

Hamm" She said nodding. Lifting her arm to be washed. "He is very nice." She said

"Yes he is..." She said. "you really like spending time with him right?" She asked.

"Yeah" Shanti replied, as her mother dried her skin and started to change her clothes. Sugni smiled. She sat on the bed and combed through her hair.

"How would you feel if he was a permanent part of our lives?" She asked nonchalantly...as she observed her.

"Permanent? What does that mean?" She asked looking at her mother curiously. Sugni thought about the best way to explain this to a five year old.

"Shannu...see Uncle Vickram and I have a special relationship...we...we love each other. A lot ,and when two people love each other like we do they get married and share their lives with each other" She said "Uncle Vickram has asked me to marry him..."

"Marry him?...you mean like Betty's sister did?" She asked. Referring to a wedding, she attended of one of her friend's sisters, where she was asked to be one of the flower girls.

"Yes...yes like that!" Sugni said. Remembering how excited she was walking down the aisle throwing flowers with her friend.

"NO! No you can't marry him!" She said alarmed.

"Shannu?" Sugni asked stunned by that reaction.

"Tell him you don't want to...Mummy you can't marry him." She said getting visibly upset.

"Shanti...why are you saying this...I thought you liked him...I don't understand?" she said.

"No I don't like him. I hate him!" She said.

"SHANTI!...you can't talk like that!" Sugni said sternly, shocked by her reaction. Where was this coming from? Taking a deep breath and not wanting to upset her further she said.

"Calm down...What is wrong? Hmmm tell me baby...you get along very well with him...I don't..." Sugni was interupped by a knock on the door that indicated Vickram had arrived. Hmm the one time he arrived early.

Tell him to go away." Shanti said. As she lay on the bed and closed her eyes. An indication that she was mad. It was a reaction Sugni could count on one hand with fingers remaining the amount of times she saw Shanti angry over something..

"Shanti...behave yourself...you are being rude and I don't like it...I'll be back." She said. Picking up the bath water she made it to the living room where she opened the door to reveal Vickram.

"Hey did she have her bath?" he said as he walked in noting the bowl in her hands.

"Yeah...let me just get rid of this." She said turning towards the kitchen.

"Ok ...Is she awake?" he asked going towards the room.

"Umm yes but I would not go in there if I were you." She said. "I'll explain in a minute." She said as she left leaving Vickram staring after her confused.

Sugni returned to the living from a few minutes after.

" HI!' She said going up to him and hugging him.

"Hello!" He smiled kissing her on the cheek.

"So what's going on?" He asked

Sugni sighed heavily as she sat on the couch patting the space beside her.

"Well we were talking and I decided to tell her about us. "

"Hmm. How did she react?""

Well that is the strange thing. See, it was all going well; but the minute I mentioned that, you asked me to marry you she freaked. I mean she got upset really upset. I don't understand it. I was trying to get to the bottom of it when you came. I don't understand." She said giving him a bewildered look.

"One minutes she is excited asking me if you are coming and wants you to help her with her homework and the next minute she says she doesn't like you anymore "

"hmm...Ok that is confusing...maybe I should talk to her."

"I know. But I don't want to upset her much...her cut isn't healed yet and crying or moving about to much will just irritate it." She said. "It's just that she seemed to be in a rally happy mood I thought it would be a good time."

"I understand...I promise I won't upset her...let's just see where she's coming from...if she gets too upset. I'll drop it" He said.

"Ok" She said as they got up and went to the room.

Vickram knocked on the door as he walked it.

"Can I come in?" He asked Shanti who was lying on the bed.

"NO! Go away!" Shanti said as she pulled the covers up over her head.

"Shanti!" Sugni said. "I told you about being rude," Sugni said walking towards the bed

She stopped when Vickram shook his head.

"Hmm I see my little princess is angry at me...why?' he asked. Taking a chair from the corner of the room and sitting at the side of the bed.

"You can't marry her!" she said her voice muffled under the covers

"No...no...Shanti...if you are going to tell me something you have to look at me, not hide. So come on move the covers. Please." He said.

After a few moments, she removed the covers from her head,

"That is better..." He smiled. "Now tell me why can't I marry her?'

"Because she is my mummy..." She said.

"I know that...she will always be your mummy... We getting married won't change that." He said.

"Yes it will!" She said. "I know...you can't marry her... go away she won't marry you." Shanti said rudely

"Shanti! You cannot speak to Uncle Vickram like that, this behavior of yours is not nice and I don't like it. Now you apologize to him now." Sugni said sternly ignoring Vickram who was shaking his head. Sick or not she was not going to have a rude child.

"I am sorry.!" Shanti mumbled. She turned her face away frm them he reyes filling with tears at being scolded by her mother.

"it's ok...come on sit up." He said softly. She did as she looked at her mother who was still looking at her seriously then to Vickram then at her lap.

"Hey...no don't cry...no one is mad at you ok." He said wiping her eyes.

"We are friends right?" He said.. She nodded, her head was bent again.

"Well even friends sometimes get mad at each other, but then they try to work it out."

"So tell me what's bothering you...hmmm?" He asked. "Why don't you want us to get married?"

"Because...because ...you'll take her away...and I won't see her no more." She said softly.

"What?" Vickram said... "No. That's not true..." He said as it began to dawn on him the reason for her weird behavior.

Yes it is...Betty's sister got married and then Betty said she can't see her sister no more because he took her far away. And now you want to take my mummy away." She cried..

"Shanti no..." Sugni said coming to stand next to Vickram at the side of the bed. She exchanged a glance with Vickram as it became clear what was wrong. .

"Hey Shanti...look at me... "Vickram Said. She looked at him. So that is why?...you think I am going to take her away from you?" He said. She nodded.

"No ...never!" He said ..."Shanti look I love you and your mom. She will always be your mummy and she will always be there with you, because the two of you are a team the two of you are a family. I just want to join in this team as a part of your family." He said looking at her.

"Now if we are going anywhere we go together...the three of us...cause families stay together. And when we get married you'll have even more family...and more people who love you...you'll get a grand ma...some cousins."

"Cousins?" She asked

"Hmm you remember Adi and Amtira who came to visit you at the hospital"

"The pretty lady?" She said.

"Yes..." He laughed. "Well they are also a part of my family. So you see you're getting a whole lot of people in your life" He said.

" Do You really think we would leave you alone by yourself?" he asked

"Betty's sister did," she said.

"Well that is because ...she was starting a new life with her new family...and she will come back to see Betty I am sure. Our situation is different...we would like to start a new life as a new family with ALL of us."

"Shannu...I'll never do anything without you baby...you know that." She said as she knelt at the side of the bed looking at her.

Shanti stared at the two of them for a moment in silence.

"Well now that you know I am not going to take her away from you...I am going to ask you now." He said as he looked at Sugni. He took Shanti's hand in his and looking at her seriously, he said,

"Ms. Shanti Mathur," He said formally causing her to blush and giggle at being addressed so formally.

" I love your mother and I would be very very very sad...if I can't marry her, and it will make her sad to if she does not marry me. I promise to take care of her and you, to love you and to be here for you always. So may I marry her with your blessing?" He asked.

Sugni looked at her mother. "I don't want you to be sad mummy."

"So you won't mind if we get married?:" she asked.

"You can...I don't mind." She said.. Sugni let out a sigh of relief as he leaned forward and hugged her.

"Come here'" Vickram said, he lifted her onto his lap as he hugged her gently. "Thank you , Princess...you have made us very happy right now." He said, smiling. "For a minute there you scared me young lady.' He joked.

"I am sorry." She said.

"it's Ok. I know that this can all be a little scary and confusing for you. We will have some changes we will all have to get accustomed to." He said. "But if you ever have questions or confusion you can ask your mom or me Ok."

"OK." She said.

Good. "

"Now that that is out of the way...I hear you have some school work you wanted my help with. How about we go to the living room and work on that huh." He said as he set her on the floor and stood up holding her hand.

"Ok." She said. Sugni grabbed her book bag from the corner and handed it to him.

"I guess I'll go fix you two some snacks" she said "Milkshakes?" She said.

"Yeah cool!' Shanti smiled once again reverting to her happy self. Sugni and Vickram looked at each other and exchanged smiles as well, relieved that the mini crisis was over.

****\\\\////**

The next hour was spent concentrating on her school work which managed to pick up fairly quickly on despite missing out from the lessons in class.

After she finished her reading lesson, she closed the book.

"Very good!...that is it for today you keep this up you will finish this book soon!' Vickram Said. "Any questions?' He asked.

"Do we have beaches here?" She asked referring to the lesson in the book.

"Yes...but it is far away few hours' drive, you ever been to the beach?" He asked

She shook her head.

"Well...I'll take you there ... how about that."

"Really?" She said excitedly

"Sure"

"Tomorrow?" She asked.

"No...um when you get all better and the Doctor says you can...Ok"

"OK...'

"Mummy did you hear that we're going to the beach!!!" She said

"Yeah. Very good." Sugni said from in the kitchen where she was tidying up.

"Ok let's pack up your books." Vickram said as they began picking up the books and pencils into the bag.

"Uncle Vickram?" She said after she finished her task.

"Hmmm?"

"If you get married to my mummy... will it be like in the book? She asked

"What do you mean?" He asked

"I mean like the family...with a mummy and a daddy and m...you'll be like my uncle daddy Vickram.!"she said.

"Oh...yes I guess...in a way..."He chuckled...but don't you think that is a long name for me." He said.

"Well what should I call you?" She asked looking at him curiously.

"Hmm..see when we get married...that will make me your step-dad...which is just like a dad." He explained. " So you can call me whatever you wish if you want to call me daddy or dad or my name, Vickram or anything you are comfortable with. Take some time and think about it...hmm?" he said.

She got quite for a while thinking over what he said..

"I don't have a dad"

"I don't have a little girl ...but if I did I would want her to be just like you" He said genuinely. She smiled

Sugni cleared her throat

"Mind if I interrupt this serious conversation." She said. "It's somebody's bed time.'

"Ahhh..." Vickram said. "I see..."

"Tell Uncle Vickram good night and thank you!" Sugni said.

"Thank you...'night." She said as she stood up.

"Good night princess, have a great sleep." He said as he kissed the top of her head. She walked with her mother towards the room.

Vickram leaned back against the couch and closed his eyes; what an evening this was turning out to be! He hoped that he did manage to put all her fears and doubts aside, which she had earlier. He was beginning to see that Shanti was not only smart but also and intuitive child. He smiled as he replayed the conversation she they had about what she should call him, at least it told him she had no problems with the marriage , unlike his mother who was now giving him the cold treatment, hoping he was sure that he changed his mind. Although she acted like nothing was a miss, but the minute Sugni's name came up she got all tense. He pretended he did not notice, because he was doing as he said and not going to argue with her about this. He was confident once they got married, she would eventually thaw out.

Vickram opened his eyes when he felt a light tapping on his forearm. He smiled thinking Sugni came back from putting Shanti to bed. He was surprised to see Shanti standing at his side instead.

"Hey I thought you went to bed." He said.

"I am going I just want to tell you that..." She got quite as she looked down.

"What is it?." He asked. Instead of answering him she came forward and hugged him, stunning him.

"I thought about it... I'll be your little girl and you'll be my dad. So now we both have what we didn't." She said as she looked at him and smiled.

. Vickram looked to see Sugni standing to the entrance of the room looking at them with a watery smile on her face. No doubt feeling the same emotion, he was feeling.

"Thank you Shanti...I'd like that very much." He said.

"Ok...Good night!" She said again kissing him on the cheek.

"Good night.". He said as he hugged her back, then released her as she went back to her room.. Vickram suddenly felt choked up looking at her. The simplicity and the wholeheartedness with which she accepted him as part of her life were stunning to him. It was in that moment he lost his heart again, to this little girl who now an equally important part of his life as her mother was .

Originally posted by: Vinnie79

Hello Ron..
Thank you for your comments... I hope you enjoy the rest of it. Yes we all know how they messed up the show but in this Story MT actually loves her sone and although she understood she made some mistakes with him... right now all she wants to see is that he is not hurt again.
The Same with Adi an Amrita...So in my story you can say Vickram has alot of support where he did not have in the original show.!!!

Originally posted by: payal7

A very well written chapter

As I read the chapter the Shanti-Vikram relationship being built reminded me how SugVi relationship was built on mutual respect, friendship and then love (different kind obviously) - the same building blocks.

Shanti is soo sweet.

Originally posted by: JulieD

Beautiful chapter Vinnie. Love how you captured the Shanti-Vikram relationship.

Looking forward to the next

Originally posted by: ronshaan

well it took me allot of time today but eventually i read the new chapter

im happy that shanti accepted vikram

and hey .. that taddy uncle hehehehe i remember some one call vb a teddy hehehe .. any ways nice progress

CHAPTER 19

"Whew...that was close!" Sugni said joining him in the living room after she put Shanti to bed.

"Is she asleep?" He asked.

She nodded. She turned to look at him, "thank you, the way you handled it and explained it to her..."

"Well...of course she would feel confused and scared...it is a big change for her. And we should do all we can to reassure her that she will be fine. I am just happy that she accepts me." He said. Placing his arm around her as they cuddled on the couch.

"She dose...you know it is strange how fast she had bonded with you, but from the time you brought her home, she has looked up to you. I guess you were helping her when she was most scared and, lost and , so to her you're her hero!" She smiled. "And just now...when she came back out...it says just how much she dose love you."

"Did you tell her say that?" He asked.

"Me...no that was all from her...sometimes na she says things that even I wonder how she sounds so grown up...but she always says what's in her heart..."

"Just like you!." He smiled.

"Does she know about him though? Have you ever told her?" Vickram asked. She must have wondered, right?"

"Hmm she has...she came home from school one day and asked where was her dad, after the teacher explained abut families. For a moment I was shocked...I did not know what to say before she never asked about it. I simply told her that her dad was not with us and it was always the two of us, and that every family is sometimes different, some have both parents, some have one, the mom or the dad and some even have just the grandparents. She seemed to understand and accept it, and thankfully did not ask anything else about where he was or why he was not with us, because honestly I have no how to answer that. I know it will come up one day." She said, looking at him.

"Well let's wait and see...just be as honest as you can with her, she will be fine." He reassured her.

"Hmm you are right I guess...we will cross that bridge if we meet it. Preferably never!" She said.

"Hmm...listen we have more pressing matters at hand." He said.

"What is that?'

"Well Amrita is in her "let's give MAMAji a big wedding mood". I am afraid if we let her have her way we might end up doing something as grand as the independence day parade...I have been bombarded with wedding designs , clothes, food and what not...and the only reason she is not at your door step is because we told her Shanti needs rest and not excitement..." He said. "She is more excited about it than we are!' He said a look of horror on his face.

Sugni laughed. " And Maaji?" She asked

"Maaji is acting like she not hearing any of it, which Is impossible, if you ever saw Amrita when she is excited about something. She was taking cooking classes, which had some new and some weird dishes on her table for months , before that was her drapery crazy I got new drapes in my room weekly, you never know, and now all she wants to hear is a date and they house will be turned upside down. I am trying to tell her the simpler the better, she thinks the grander the better... what do you want?" he asked .

"Me?" She asked.

"Yes I promised her I would tell her your "wishes" so she could put it in her planning."

"Thakur Mallick...I am happy with a simple wedding. A nice mandir wedding is good...nothing big or showy, but blessed by Sita miya, and those closest to us...that is all." She said.

"Well I am with you there...now we just have to convince the wedding demon." He said., as Sugni laughed.

"I'll talk to her...but I am glad she is so happy about it...I just wish Maaji was to."

"She will...maybe not as we want it to be but...she will." He said.

They were quite for a while just enjoying each others company. The night was quite except for the soft music that was playing on the little radio in the back ground.

"You know...I am really lucky you are not like the other Thakurs...to think what would happen if you were...baap re! " She said., she looked at him with her eye her eyes shining with mirth

"What does that mean...?

Simple...the way you charm every one na...Amrita, Shanti...even Rita...hmmm you could easily have had bedni's lining up for you...with those big brown eyes and innocent face...Just think...if you were one of those Kadoos (sour) Thakurs na...haai...what would Have happened to me...Thank god you have better sense..." She sighed

"Aacha? Really...are you saying I am to charming?" He asked, a light blush covering his cheeks as he smiled

"Too much!" She said..."Oyee see..." she teased ,she giggled, as his face got redder. He looked adorable when he was embarrassed.

"Hmmm...I don't know...you don't seem affected in the least!" He said.

"Ohh I am...no doubt." She said.

"Well then...can I charm you into giving me a kiss?" He whispered looking into her eyes. Bringing his head closer to hers .Now it was turn to get shy as she turned her face away, so that he ended up placing the kiss on her neck instead.

"See...all that big talk... for nothing huh?" he said softly kissing along her neck line that caused shivers up her spine. He may blush easily but her Thakur Mallick was not a shy man that was for sure. She thought as his kisses reached her jaw line. Sighing happily, she turned her head towards him as she gave into his request and kissed him.

The creaking sound from the window got his attention as he looked up towards the room.

"What?"She asked

"Shanti?" he said.

"She is asleep...she won't be up until the morning,. The door is closed." She said, the medication had her sleeping like a log. .

"Hmmm" reaching over he switched off the lamp at the side table leaving the room in semi-darkness the light in the kitchen spilling into the living room, and the street light outside lending a soft golden hue to the room. Sugni looked at him curiously.

"Just a precaution..."He said not wanting to to be caught unawares on the off chance she came looking for her mother.

"Ohh!" She said

"Now where were we?" He asked rubbing his nose against hers affectionately.

"Right here..." She said wrapping her arms around his neck as she kissed him.

Moving so that they were both lying on the couch without breaking the kiss, the both got lost in each other and the moment; for once just two people in love with each other, without the weight of the world bogging them down.

The quite sound of the night lending to the intimate atmosphere, as kisses became more deep and intimate, as touches more bold and daring, as breaths mingled and fingers entwined. As passion slowly ignited in Sugni, with it came a boldness s and confidence she never had before.

Vickrams hands went under her shirt caressing her skin, making her breath caught.

"Thakur Mallick...!" She breath...

"Vickram..." he said

"Hmm Vi-vickram...?" She said, his name sounding a bit funny on her lips.

"Hmm?" He said... looking deeply into her eyes as he brought his forehead to rest on hers..."What is it...?"

"Uhh...I forgot..." She said kissing his throat lost in the moment and her confidence raising a bit ; her hands began wandering slowly undoing the buttons on his shirt. She touched him, this time making his breath catch as he jumped a little at the unexpected contact.

"Sorry! " She said, shyly. Unwillingly flashes of the past came into her head, of other times nights where a simple gesture could mean a night spent in tears.

"Don't be! its ok" he said ..."There is no need to be shy with me Sugni...I understand ..." Sugni froze at that comment.

"What do you mean?" She asked, "Understand what?" As she pushed against him until she was looking at directly at his face. Vickram blinked, sensing the subtle change in her demeanor.

"Huh? What's wrong?" he asked.

"What did you mean by that?" She asked.

"Nothing!" At her look, he sighed. "I know that a lot happened in the past...that can sometimes change us..." At her look of confusion,...he said "Sugni what I mean is I know where you were, and all that happened with him and none of that makes a difference to me...but there is nothing to apologize for ...ever." He said, He shut up realizing he was rambling and probably spoiling what was a good mood up to this point.

"It does make a difference!" She said. "Remember once you told me there was a difference between a bedni and Thakur and when two people are in love." She had a faraway look on her face ... "I understand that now...what did you think that it was fun being with him?" She asked.

"No Sug..." He said...but she continued, her mind ina different place maybe.

"There is nothing fun about having a drunken man grope you and there is nothing you can do about it because you are nothing more than a piece of property he paid a price for, something to be used at his disposal, whenever he wished regardless of your thoughts on the matter." She said "And to make it worse, there is no one to blame for that but yourself"

"I am sorry Sugni I did not mean..." He said as she blinked, coming back to the present.

"Shhh... I know you didn't. I'm sorry, I don't know where that came from" She said. She caressed his face "It's just...there is a difference ...and it's you" She said looking into his eyes , the love she was feeling for him at this moment it was almost overwhelming, as she tried to find words to express her deepest thoughts. "when you look at me, I see so much love and caring and acceptance that sometimes I wonder if this is some dream and I am going to wake up. "

She caressed his lips, "When you kiss me, I feel special, as though everything is right in my world."

Moving her hand so that their plams were entwined ,"When you touch me...I feel beautiful in a way that I never have before."

Tucking her head on his shoulder, he automatically wrapped his arm around her. " And when you hold me in your arms I feel safe, I feel like I am home, like I belong here.. There is no one else for me, there never was and there never will be. I promise you that!"

Vickram looked at her, as he wiped the tears that were spilling from her eyes... he did not know if it was possible to love her any more but he did. Whatever tabulations life had thrown at them, it had to finally give up and let them be, together as it was meant to be. No matter what the future held for them ...they would face it together, stronger than ever.

"I love you...so much." He said as he wiped her tears.

"I love you...!" She smiled. He bent his head as he kissed her again, passionately, deeply, Again getting lost in each other and the moment, with toe curling mind numbing kisses.

"you are so beautiful..." He whispered in her ear, his hand wandered to the open buttons of her shirt as he caressed her soft skin. Sugni felt the heat creep up in her face as she buried her face in his chest running her fingers through his hair. She could feel his eyes looking at her . She felt his lips peppering kisses from her cheeks down her neck, along her collar bone and further down.

She felt herself shivering at the intimate touch, as her heartbeat went into overdrive. "Haai Sita Miya!" She whispered, she was sure she would forever be a permanent shade of red now.

The bolder part of her wanted to reciprocate the action, but she shy part of her brain was holding her back...she never dared to before...but this was Vickram, her Thakur Mallick. Finally, she gave in to her emotions as she as she moved her hand to caress his chest. Pretty soon all her thoughts were out of her head as she completely gave herself over to the moment.

"OH...gosh...Wiat...I think we should stop..." Vickram sighed as he stopped her hands from wandering, and sat up slightly, looking at her breathless.

"Huh?" She asked confused, as she opened her eyes. She looked towards the room door that was still closed all was quite.

"It's ok...I told you na she won't get up." She said, as she tugged him back.

"I know...that's not it." He said sitting up and letting out a loud breath as he shook his head as though trying to clear it. He began redoing the buttons on his shirt..."but we better stop right here"

"Why?" Sugni asked, feeling a bit hurt by his sudden reaction. "What's wrong?" She asked trying to sound indifferent but not quite making it.

"I think we should wait until after we're married...hmmm I mean we waited this long...a little while more is ok right?" he said.

"oh...I don't mind.!" She said...as she blushed deeper, she could not believe she just said that. She closed her eyes embarrassed, as she herd him laugh.

"I am sure you wouldn't..." he said, as he pulled her up to sit as he straighten her clothes. Sugni kept her eyes closed not sure she could face him. She could feel his eyes on her as he buttoned her shirt.

"But I want to..." He said softly as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. "Because...it's what you deserve and I want to do this right with you.." Slowly she opened her eyes to look at his smiling face. She stared at him for a few moments, then hugged him close totally speechless by his gesture.

"Besides...when I finally make love to you I want to do it properly, not with fare of getting caught. Hmmm?"

"I guess you're right." She said..."I can wait a little bit."

"Yes...we will get married soon." He said.

"How soon?" She asked looked at him.

"Axious are we?" he teased as she blushed, as she playfully smacked him on his shoulder.

"Before Shanti goes back to school...how about that? As soon as you get the all clear from the doctor that she is alright enough to pe a part of the wedding...we'll do it." He said.

"OK" She sighed happily.

Well I guess I better be going then..." he said.

"NO!!! Stay a while longer...please.." She said tightening her arms around him.

"I would love to..." He laughed... "But if I do..." He kissed her cheek..."I'll end up going back on my word...and you don't want that do you?" He asked.

"I don't mind..." She said kissing him.

"Hmmm...I will remind you of those words sometime in the future..." He teased.

"but for now ...let me go..."

"OK..." She sighed sadly realeasing him.

They stood up and walked hand in hand to the door.

"take care...I'll see you tommorw..." She said.

"yes!...good night ...Love you." He said as he left.

Sugni closed the door behind him as she smiled. She felt light, as though she was floating in the air. She showered and changed getting ready for the night, as she checked on Shanti who was also fast asleep. She could not recall the last time she felt this happy and contented with her life.

She made her way back to the couch where she picked up one of the throw pillows hugging it close, she could smell the cologne on it that reminded her of Vickram. She closed her eyes, as she drifted off to sleep. She said a silent prayer to Sita Miya thanking her for all the blessings in her life !