ISHQ-E-MOHABBAT

24. pagphera ??

Abhiman's pov:

I remained seated in the car, my eyes fixed on the college entrance. The sun had set, casting a warm orange glow over the bustling streets. I had been waiting for what felt like an eternity, my patience wearing thin.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Mayura slipped into the passenger seat beside me. Her eyes widened in shock and surprise, her face pale.

"Abhimaan! What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

I smiled, my eyes never leaving hers. "I came to pick you up, Jaana. I couldn't wait any longer to see you."

Mayura's gaze darted around the car, her eyes lingering on the tinted windows and the security team stationed outside. "But...but how did you know when my classes ended?"

I chuckled, my heart racing with excitement. "I have my ways . I always know where you are."

Mayura's face flushed, her eyes sparkling with a mix of surprise and delight. "You're crazy, Abhimaan," she whispered, shaking her head.

I leaned over, my lips brushing against her ear. "I'm crazy for you, Jaana. Only for you."

As I pulled back, Mayura's eyes met mine, and I saw the love and adoration shining in them. My heart swelled with pride and possessiveness. She was mine, and I would do anything to keep her safe.

As we drove away from the college, Mayura's fingers danced across the screen of her phone, selecting a playlist that made her eyes light up. She turned to me with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Let's listen to some music, Abhimaan!" she said, her voice bubbly and carefree.

I raised an eyebrow, hesitant. I wasn't a fan of music, preferring the silence of my own thoughts. But how could I say no to her? She was beaming with happiness, and I was relieved to see her okay, happy.

"Of course, Jaana," I said, forcing a smile onto my face.

Mayura's face lit up even more, and she leaned over to kiss my cheek. "Thank you, Abhimaan!"

As the music filled the car, I was surprised to find myself tapping my fingers on the steering wheel. Mayura's enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn't help but be drawn in by her joy.

She sang along to the lyrics, her voice sweet and melodious. I listened, entranced, as she lost herself in the music. Her happiness was palpable, and I felt my own heart swell with love and adoration for her.

As we drove through the city streets, the music became the soundtrack to our own little world. Mayura's laughter and singing filled the air, and I felt grateful to be by her side, to be the one making her so happy.

For the first time, I understood the power of music, the way it could bring people together and create moments of pure joy. And I knew that I would do anything to keep Mayura smiling, to keep our little bubble of happiness intact.

As we continued driving, Mayura's phone rang, breaking the spell of the music. She answered, and her expression was cheerful like in an instant. She really liked my family.

"Hello, maa, "  she said, her voice sweet.

I could sense a change in her demeanor, a subtle tension creeping into her body language. I glanced over, concerned.

"Yes, maa...I know...I didn't forget...Okay, maa ..I will... Take care ."

As she hung up, I asked, "What's wrong, Jaana? You look worried."

Mayura sighed, her brow furrowed. "It's just my mother. She reminded me that we didn't complete the pagphera rasam after our wedding."

I frowned, unfamiliar with the term. "What's that?"

Mayura explained, "It's a tradition where the bride visits her paternal home with her husband after marriage. We didn't do it because of the...situation."

I nodded, understanding.

"Hey, why the long face, Jaana?" I asked, noticing her lingering concern. "Don't you want to visit your family? It'll be a great opportunity to catch up and complete the tradition."

Mayura forced a smile, trying to brush it off. "Of course, I do. I'm just a little... apprehensive, that's all."

I teased her playfully, "Ah, come on! You're not excited to leave me for a while? I thought you'd be thrilled to get away from my constant supervision."

Mayura chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You're something else, Abhimaan."

But I knew her too well. There was something she wasn't telling me, something that was causing her distress. I could see the faint shadows of worry in her eyes, the slight tightening of her jaw.

Little did I know, Mayura was hiding a secret, a painful truth about her family that she didn't want to burden me with. She didn't want to worry me, didn't want me to know that her family had never truly accepted her, that they had always made her feel like an outsider.

But I would find out soon enough, and when I did, I would make sure to be there for her, to support her and love her even more fiercely.

The next morning, I woke up to find Mayura already getting ready, her movements swift and efficient as she packed her bag and prepared for the day ahead. I lay in bed, watching her with a gaze so intense it felt like I was trying to imprint her image on my mind. It was as if I feared that if I blinked, she would vanish into thin air.

As I observed her, I noticed a subtle furrow on her brow, a faint crease between her eyes that hinted at worry. My instincts urged me to ask her what was wrong, to demand she share her concerns with me. But I resisted, sensing that she needed space, that pushing her would only make her retreat further.

Instead, I got out of bed and approached her, my bare feet padding softly on the floor. I wrapped my arms around her from behind, pulling her close, and nestled my face into the curve of her shoulder.

"Hey," I whispered, my voice husky with sleep. "I'll pick you up at 8 pm, okay?"

Mayura's body relaxed into mine, her tension easing slightly as she nodded. "Okay, Abhimaan."

I held her for a moment longer, breathing in the scent of her hair, feeling the gentle rise and fall of her chest. Then, with a soft kiss on her shoulder, I released her and headed to the bathroom to start my day.

The unspoken understanding between us hung in the air like a promise – I would be there for her when she needed me, and she would face her worries knowing I had her back.

As we sat down for breakfast together, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and familiarity. We had fallen into a routine, Mayura and I - breakfast together at home, lunch at our respective college and company, and dinner together whenever our schedules aligned. But it was in these moments, when we were together, that I felt truly at home.

There was something about sharing a meal with her, about watching her laugh and smile as we talked about our days, that made me feel grounded and at peace. It was as if the world outside receded, and all that mattered was this tiny bubble of time we shared together.

I looked at her, her eyes sparkling in the morning light, her hair tied up in a messy bun, and felt my heart swell with love and gratitude. She was my haven, my sanctuary, my home.

As we ate and chatted, I realized that it wasn't just the food or the conversation that made me feel this way - it was the sense of belonging, of being with someone who understood me, who accepted me for who I was. Mayura was my rock, my confidante, my partner in every sense of the word.

And as we finished our breakfast and went our separate ways, I knew that I would carry this feeling with me throughout the day, a reminder of the love and connection we shared, and the sense of home that we had built together.