The soft morning sun had long given way to the harsh glare of noon when Raman Bhalla finally let his gorgeous bride leave their bridal suite.

He kept one arm protectively around her, the other frequently touching her face, turning her around for the little kisses he wouldn't stop bestowing on her.

It had been like this since he had woken her this morning. She had been dreaming of him, of his lovemaking, and had not realised that the dream had turned into reality, that her insatiable husband had staked his claim on her again. She had moaned as she was kissed into awareness, her body recognising his even as her sleep befuddled mind protested.

It had been a slow languorous awakening, his hands and mouth slowly but expertly exploring every inch of her body, caressing and stroking her bare skin until she cried out in the agony of the ecstasy only he could give her.

Her heart had thundered as she had wrapped her arms around him, pulling him even closer to her, suddenly desperate in her unconscious need for him, her wonderment that she had ever lived without him, without this passion that they shared. He had encouraged her response, controlling the rhythm of their lovemaking until they both crashed into each other in thundering waves of release.

"Good morning" he had whispered afterwards, rolling off her and pulling her on top of himself.

"Badmash" she had replied softly, nestling into his chest, her hands entwined tightly with his. "Raat ko bas nahi hua tha?" (Didn't you have enough last night?)

He chuckled at that, puzzled himself at how his need for this woman just could not be satiated.

"Bas to abhi bhi nahi hua madam" (I still haven't had enough, madam) he laughed, pulling his hands out of hers, caressing her back, his hands dipping lower until she smacked him away, rolling off him and the bed.

His eyes feasted on her as she stood up, her limbs aching, her heart content. She blushed under his relentless gaze and grabbed at a sheet, wrapping it around herself as he sat up, chuckling at her sudden coyness.

"Ab kya chupana?" (Whats the point of hiding now?) he asked as he reached for her, but she had stepped away from his outstretched arm, rushing to the bathroom.

His laughter had followed her as she stood before the full length bathroom mirror, dropping the sheet to observe herself, blushing at the evidence of their frenzied lovemaking.

"Let me see what I've done" he had followed her in, and he stood behind her now, his equally bare body pressed against hers as he observed her in the mirror. She blushed and closed her eyes as he ran his fingers over the marks that evidenced the havoc his hands, his tongue and his teeth had created all night long.

"Dard hota hai?" (Does it hurt ?) He asked gently as he turned her around, his fingers gentle on her neck, drifting further south, following the redness he had inflicted.

"Umm hmm" she whispered. "Ab aap jao na. Let me shower"
(You go now. Let me shower)

He scooped her up suddenly, over her protests, striding into the oversized luxurious shower cubicle with her. "Dard maine diya na, I'll make it better. No, no buts" (I gave you the pain, I'll make it better)

He had turned on the water, the warm flow engulfing them as he softly lathered soap all over her. She was reminded that he had done the same in Rajasthan - marking her all night long, and then soothing her in the morning. Only this time, he had added the shower to his repertoire. Well, it was a ritual she could get used to with no problem she decided.

Later he had insisted on helping her dress, selecting a sari from the suitcase Rinki had helped him to deliver to the suite, tying the dori of her blouse, his eyes undressing her even as he wound the fabric around her curves.

But they had finally made it out of the room now, and were in the lift on their way to one of the hotel's luxury restaurants.

She was in some other dimension right now, somewhere between reality and fantasy. Her body ached, her senses were heightened, every colour seemed brighter, every sound clearer. And his touch. His arm on her shoulder sent a thousand lightening bolts of pleasure through her, his lips on her cheeks brought back endless memories of the night past. She smiled awkwardly at the scandalised aunties in the lift as her incorrigible husband bestowed yet another lingering kiss on her cheek.

He looked so handsome today, his white shirt, the top two buttons left open, over his snug blue jeans, his freshly shaven face, those warm brown eyes hooded with satisfaction, his short spiky hair still wet from the shower he had shared with her.

She giggled like a carefree teenager as he whisked her past the open mouthed aunties, his arm now around her waist, his fingers lingering on her bare skin. She pulled self consciously at her sari as she sat down, grateful for the high necked blouse which covered most of the marks on her neck.

He grinned wickedly at her.

"Rehne do" (Let it be) he whispered as she tugged at the sari pallav, wrapping it around herself like a shawl.

Her task completed, she turned a pouting face towards him.

"Kya Raman, abhi ghar bhi jaana hai, mein mummyji aur papaji ke saamne kaise..." (What Raman, we have to go home too. How will I ever face mummyji and papaji..)

He smiled back soothingly, arching his brows. "Kuch nahi dikh raha hai jaan. Tumhe kya lagta hai, mein tumhe ghar mein kisi ke saamne sharminda hone doonga? Kabhi nahi. Aur phir, yeh nazara toh sirf mere liye hai, hmm" ( Nothing is showing my love. What do you think, that I would let you get embarrassed before the family? Never. Besides, this sight is only for me, hmmm)

She looked gratefully at him and he proceeded to spoil the effect by adding "Lekin haan, kuch dus pandra aisi high neck wali blouses zaroor kharid lena. Kyunki ab toh yeh har raat hoga" (But yes, buy some 10-15 more high necked blushes like this, because this will happen every night now)

The waiter arrived before she had the chance to retort and she waited as Raman ordered their brunch, idli for her, chicken for himself. The man had barely left, when Raman grabbed her hand.

"Aise hi har raat ko mujhe sulana hoga, aur aise he har subhah tumhe jagaoonga" 
(You'll have to put me to sleep every night just like this and I'll wake you up every morning just like this)

The grip on her hand had turned into a caress and the laughter in his eyes was mixed with an intense emotion. "So I don't know how you'll manage, and how many new blouses you'll need to buy, but you had better get used to ...this, Dr Bhalla."

The look in his eyes was turning Ishita into jelly, but she was determined not to let him turn her into a trembling mess again. "I'm sorry Mr Bhalla" She strove to keep her voice flippant. "Lekin aap kuch bhul rahe hai"  (But you're forgetting something)

"Kya?" His sexy voice was husky, meant just for her, and it sent shivers down her spine, even as his thumb and forefinger drew lazy circles on her wrist. "Kya?' He repeated, as she closed her eyes, his touch fast unravelling her taut self control.

"Ruhi" she gasped, pulling her hand away, as her husband sat back with a satisfied look on her face. "Hamari beti. Usse mein ne promise kiya hai, ki woh hamaare saath so sakti hai, in our bed"  (Ruhi, our daughter. I've promised her that she can sleep with us, in our bed)

"Well, then, you'll just have to tell her that she can't." He replied, scowling.

'Raman, no" she protested as the waiter arrived with their food. "Ruhi kitni insecure hai. She needs me."

"I'm more insecure" he replied, serving idlis onto her plate. "And I need you more"

"Raman ab Ruhi se compete karoge kya aap?" (Raman, are you going to compete with Ruhi now?)

"Haan, tumhare liye sab se compete karoonga." (Yes, for you I'll compete with everyone)

"Bilkul bache ho aap" (You're such a child)

"Woh toh nahi hoon. That I'm not. Do you want more evidence ?"

"No" she laughed loudly. "But Raman..."

"You can spend all day with her. You can put her to bed every night" he told her gravely, tearing a piece of idli and putting it into her laughing mouth. "But once she is asleep, you madam, are all mine. All night."

Ishita blushed as she chewed on the idli. She had never imagined that she would be wanted in this way.

After Subbu left her, she had imagined marriage to be a compromise, entered into to please her parents, a companionship but with no expectation of love. Certainly not this fevered desperate romantic love that she felt for this man, and that she knew he felt for her.

They had moved from dislike to friendship to love to desire. They had loved secretly, had endured the suspicion and distrust of their loved ones, had fought many battles together, surreptitiously, unable to declare their intent publicly. Even when the secrecy was over, her insecurities had remained. Yet he had stayed by her, had assured her of his love. He was a part of her now, and whatever life threw at them, whatever trials came their way, she knew he would stand steadfast with her. As she must for him.

And for all the trials they had already faced, whether it was the accident from which he had rescued her, the snowed in chalet, the custody case, their secret wedding, her parents insistence on her marrying Abhi, Ruhi's kidnapping attempt, her injuries, his getting shot at by Ashok - for all these trials, there was a greater one ahead, one which would test them, their relationship, their new found family. Adi.

She hadn't realised her eyes had filled with tears until he reached over, his eyes shadowed with concern and caught a drop with his thumb.

"The idli is not that bad is it? Acha listen, don't cry yaar, one night a week, she can sleep with us one night a week....ok, two, but you'll have to make it up to me...the rest of the time"

She swallowed and nodded her head, not trusting herself to speak.

"Kya hua?" (What is it?) His voice was infinitely tender, as he realized it was not their sleeping arrangements she was upset over, and she felt the tears prick her eyes again. 

"Kuch nahi" she shook her head. "Nothing. I...I just love you so much, that's all"

"Toh isme rone wali kaun si baat hai yaar? " he cupped her face in his hand, forcing her to look at him. "Itna bhi bura nahi hoon na. I'm quite a catch actually" (So why are you crying about it? I'm not that bad am I? I'm quite a catch actually)

"I know" She blinked back the tears which were threatening again, and smiled tremulously at him. "Raman, Adi..."

"What about Adi, sweetheart?"

"He will be with us next week Raman, and he will feel so alone , everything will be so new for him, so strange. and I know, the way I was behaving yesterday around your friends, jealous of the attention you were paying them, I know it's going to be difficult for you, balancing time with Adi, and our marriage...everything is so new and I guess I'm insecure ... I can't quite believe that you, you love me, but Adi, Adi has to come first Raman. I have to remember that you have to put him first. Aap...aap Adi ke saamne mujhko zyaada importance mat dena. Please, focus on him when he gets home. After all, Shagun kaisi bhi ho, uss ki Ma hai, and Adi ko toh yahi lagega na, ki mein ne uss ki mumma ki jagah le liya. So please, aap ussko kabhi akela feel mat karne dijiye. I'm an adult, I can understand, lekin woh toh sirf bacha hai na Raman" (Please don't give me too much importance in front of Adi. After all, whatever Shagun is like, she is his mother, and Adi will feel I took his mother's place. Please don't ever let him feel he is alone. I'm an adult, I can understand but Adi is still a child Raman)

Raman had stopped eating as Ishita spoke, and he now put down his cutlery, and grasped both of his wife's hands in his.

"Tum itni achi kaise ho"  (How are you so good?) he asked her simply, his eyes moist now. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, how an angel like you came into my life."

"Promise me" she persisted. "Mein Ruhi ko sambhal loongi, lekin Adi ko aap apna saara dhyaan doge." (I'll look after Ruhi, but you have to give all your attention to Adi)

"Only if you promise me that you'll always be by my side. Tum kabhi mera saath nahi choodogi na Ishita? Mein yeh sab akele nahi kar sakta. Pehle Ruhi, ab Adi. Mujh mein... Mujh mein akele ladne ki taaqat nahi hai Ishita. Adi and Ruhi, they'll both grow up, go on their own journeys, but you and I, we are going to be together, always. And Adi will need us both Ishita. I can't parent him alone. I need you. Don't ever leave me, Ishita. Promise me."

She knew what he was asking from her. He had given his heart to her, his battered shattered heart that Shagun had tossed aside. He had put his faith and his trust in her. He had made her the custodian of his family. And he wanted the assurance that his faith was not misplaced, that his heart was secure, that his family would not shatter again.

She clutched tightly at his hand in hers.

"Never" she promised, looking deep into his eyes. "I'll never leave you Raman. I'll never leave our family."

He nodded and pushed his plate aside.

"Have you eaten?" He asked her gruffly, pulling her up, wiping at his eyes

"Haan. Ab ghar jaa rahe hai kya?" She patted her own eyes dry, understanding his need to escape the intensity of their discussion.(Yes, are we going home now?)

"Ghar kal jayenge" he told her, clutching her hand possesively. "Abhi wapas kamre mein jaa rahe hai" (We will go home tomorrow. Right now, we are going back to our room)

"But Raman..."

"Chup" They had reached the lift lobby and he pulled her into his arms right there, unheeding of the concierge or the foreign guests staring at them curiously. "No more buts and ifs. Ghar hum kal jayenge. Abhi mujh ko tumhari godh mein sar rakh ke rona jo hai"
(Quiet. No more ifs and buts. We will go home tomorrow. Right now, I have to cry in your arms)

She tried to pull away, but he held her fast against him.

"Kyun Raman?" she whispered, touched by the emotion in his voice, conscious of his tautly reined in emotions.
(But why Raman?)

"Because I've finally come home" he whispered. "Duniya mein sab ki ek jagah hoti hai, ek makaam hoti hai Ishita. Aaj mujhe meri wohmakaam, woh jahan mil gayi. Is liye mujhe aaj ro lene de. Itne saaloon se akela tha, kitne asoon pi li mein ne. Lekin aaj mujhko jee bhar ke rona hai. Because I'm not alone anymore Ishita. I'm not alone anymore, because I have you."
(Because I've finally come home. Everyone has a place, a destination in this world Ishita. Today I've found my place. That's why you need to let me cry today. I was alone for so long, I've suppressed so many tears. But today I need to cry my heart out. Because I'm not alone anymore Ishita. I'm not alone anymore, because I have you)

Mein tera hi rahoon
Tu meri hi rahe
Na ho yeh faasle oh meri jaana

Kahi bhi tu rahe
Kahi bhi mein rahoon
Na tutte yeh hoslen saath nibhana

Mil gaya mil gaya mera jahaan
Ho gaya ho gaya tu jo mera

Mohabbat ke safar
Ka rahi umr bhar
Mein ban jaunga agar tu ho raasta
Siyahi se waqt ki
Dilon ke pharth par
Likhte jayenge apni daastan

Mil gaya mil gaya mera jahaan
Ho gaya ho gaya tu jo mera

Tu sooraj ki dhoop hai
Mein sardi ki hoon subah
Mere har ik marz ki tu hai dawa

Mein jab bhi dekh loon
Tujhe kareeb se
Lage mil gaya hai mera khuda

Tu poora chand hai
Mein sagar ki leher
Koi toofan uthe choolon tujhe agar

Aa lag ja tu gale
Rahe na koi kasar
Mein bhi kuch sawar
Hoga tera asar

Mil gaya mil gaya mera jahaan
Ho gaya ho gaya tu jo mera