When Randeep reached the sets in the morning, he was upset. Last few days, he had been hating Sameer... the stupid behaviour of this character was keeping him away from Ashi. He had to keep his hands off her, talk rudely and show anger. After the shots, she was spending time with Ayesha and Kristina... he could hardly talk to her.

All his resentment flew out of the window when he was handed the script.

"Tumhe gusse mein rehnna hai, Randeep." The director told him when he sat for the shot in the music room with a beaming smile on his face.

"Haan, woh main... woh kuch aur soch raha tha." He mumbled, embarrassed.

"Jo soch raha hai uska time nahi aaya hai abhi." Sumeet sir's voice made him jump from the seat.

He had come to visit the set when he heard the interaction between director and Randeep.

Seeing the colour drain away from Randeep's face, he patted his back, "Iss umr se guzre hain hum beta... pata chal jata hai... bas itna kahunga koshish karte raho... ho sakta hai kismat khul jaye."

"Jee sir... kya... kya matlab... samjha nahi main." Randeep stuttered.

Sumeet sir let out a deep laugh, "Koi baat nahi... main sab samajh gaya... tum scene ki taiyari karo."

Randeep realised things were getting out of hand. If Sumeet sir could see through him in one glance, Ashi would come to know before he got a chance to ask her properly. He had to do something about it.

The scene was shot in one take, to his annoyance. For once, he was not happy with their capability to act so well.

"Teen, char take ho jaate toh kya chala jaata... pehli baar mein hi okay kar diya." He grumbled to himself as he changed into other clothes for next scene.

"Ashi, all well na? Koi problem toh nahi hai?" He asked his heroine before the next shot.

Her brow perked up, "Kaisi problem?"

Question for a question.

"Matlab, woh pichle scene ke baad..." He suddenly didn't know why he brought it up.

She stared at him for a few seconds, then burst out laughing, "Mujhe nahi par lagta hai tumhe problem hai... arre yaar, tumne sirf haath pe kiss kiya tha.. usme itna kyon irritate ho rahe ho... maine toh tumhe cheek kiss diya fir bhi dekho I'm cool with it... c'mon, we are friends... itna toh normal kisi dost se milte hain toh kar lete hain... tum na, Randeep, bohot choti choti baat ki tension lete ho."

His poor heart was again shedding bucketful of tears... first, he didn't get to kiss her... second, she called it a 'choti si baat'... third, she said she kissed her normal friends... last, and the most horrifying one, she had friendzoned him.

Their schedule continued at a steady pace, with him mustering up courage number of times to tell her, and failing to do so at the last moment.

At the time of ITA, 2019, he was nominated for best actor. He and Ashi went separately, as they had decided long back to maintain distance in public, owing to the heavy shipping that was being done on all SM sites.

He was seated with some friends when Zain waved at him, calling him over. What he showed flipped his heart, making him grin ear to ear. For him, this was the award... he did not feel even an ounce of regret when he didn't win.

Zain had made a recording of the iv Ashi was giving outside. She was asked who she was rooting for and she had said with a beatific, heavenly smile, "My hero... he's nominated."

When she was asked who's her hero, she had blushed, "Randeep, Sameer."

Even the interviewer had commented on the glow on her face while saying this.

He was extremely happy on the sets next day. When everyone said how they felt he was the most deserving, he had happily commented that this show was his award.

When the show came to the point where their relationship was discovered by the family, he couldn't bear the way her character was slapped. His eyes brimmed with real tears.

"Tez lag gaya kya? Sorry yaar, shayad flow mein haath fisal gaya." Chandresh ji apologised when he saw an upset Randeep after the scene where he had hit him.

"Nahi sir, aisa kuch nahi hai." He quickly flashed a smile.

After some gruelling scenes came the time of their engagement. His breath truly lost its way when he saw Ashi in the red saree. She was looking no less than a beautiful bride. He itched to tell her on the sets itself. But the cameras were too close and he knew if his lips uttered a single word, the fans would lip read and start the game of shipping with even more vigour.

No, he had to wait for a private moment.

If she looked beautiful in the morning engagement, she was breathtaking in the second one. He couldn't stop looking at her, with a big smile pasted on his face.

"Aunty lag rahi hu na?" She noticed his gaze on her.

"Wife lag rahi ho meri." He muttered.

"Kya lag rahi hu?" She craned her neck, unable to hear him.

"Wohi, jo bani ho... Sameer ki hone wali biwi... marwadi dulhan." He came back to his senses before doing any damage.

A few more hiccups later came the day of their wedding. Each and every ritual had given him the feel of his own wedding. Haldi, mehndi, sehra bandi, sitting on a ghodi... he was a real dulha.

And he could have been one... had it not been for his elder brother. Bhai had come to watch the shoot when they were taking pheras around the holy fire. Not paying attention to the number of times that had gone around, they were about to complete the fifth phera, which would have solemnised the marriage in real, when his brother called out to stop them. Ashi heard him and halted suddenly, making him bang into her. Had she not heard it, he would have gone ahead, pretending ignorance.

As everyone laughed about it, he was finding it hard to mask his disappointment. Ashi was talking to Ayesha and other girls, holding one hand to her chest. He believed she was saying how she got saved.

"Kya sachmuch Ashi aisa kuch nahi chahti? Kya jo main mehsoos karta hun woh bas ek tarfa hai? Kahin aisa toh nahi mera yeh sapna bas ek sapna ban ke reh jayega?" He was lost in thoughts.

"Oye, kahan kho gaya? Chal, maang bharne ka time aa gaya... kabse chahta tha tu yeh karna... Ashi ke birthday se... aaj tere saare sapne poore honge." Sanjay shook him.

And Randeep beamed again, taking it to be a good omen. When he was wondering about the fate of his dreams, Sanjay had talked about one being fulfilled. The statement timed perfectly with his thoughts, bringing him out of the gloom.

The feeling of putting vermillion in her hair and tying the mangalsutra was such an ecstatic experience.

"Isko shaadi kyon nahi maante? Yehi toh karna hota hai asli wali mein bhi. Bhar di na maang... toh ban gayi woh meri dulhan." His thoughts were on an overdrive when everyone started clapping and cheering. He looked back at Sanjay and Raghav. They hi fived at him. He did the same from where he was.

Later, they came to know it was deciphered by fans as a reference to five pheras.

What he did not understand was the need to get a new wig for Ashi. The funny twist to the story was causing a lot of embarrassment to the character. And he was not happy with the behaviour of his character as well.

"Agar real life mein tumhare saath aisa hua toh tum kya karoge, Deep?" Ashi asked him suddenly, catching him off guard while he was thinking how differently he wanted Sameer to behave.

"Main kabhi nahi chahunga ki mere liye koi apni appearance badle... agar aap kisi ko pyar karte ho toh woh aapko har haal mein achha lagega." He replied genuinely.

"Har baat mein serious kyon ho jaate ho? Yaar, ek baar soch ke dekho na."

She widened her eyes, rolling them dramatically while waving her hands in air as if she was telling a horror story, "Tum shaadi ke baad pehli baar apni wife ko dekhte ho, expect karte ho ki woh pehle se bhi zyada sundar lag rahi hogi... makeup and all you know... aur uske aise noodles jaise baal tumhare saamne aa jaate hain... toh kya reaction hoga tumhara?"

"Aisa kyon hoga, Ashi... itne achhe baalon ko noodles banane ki kya zaroorat hai?" He did not want to see the picture she was painting.

"Arre main kaunsa tumhari wife ke baal perm karne jaa rahi hu? Bas sochne ko bola hai... agar... agar ho jaaye aisa toh?" She stressed on the scenario.

He pursed his lips, not liking the phrase 'tumhari wife'.

Seeing him go silent again, she swatted his arm, "Sapne dekhte rahoge ya batoge bhi?"

He took a deep breath, turning to her with a smile, "Mere liye woh hamesha best hogi... agar usne aisa kuch kiya jisse koi aur uska mazak udayega toh main usko apne peeche chupa lunga lekin kisi ka criticism face nahi karne dunga."

She stared at him, then grinned, getting up from her chair to come to him, "Khade hoge kya?"

Not waiting for his answer, she tugged at his arm. The moment he stood up, she hugged him tight.

"Tum bohot cute ho, Deep... woh ladki sach mein bohot lucky hogi." Her voice was music to his ears.

Holding her in his arms like this was the requirement of next scene as well. It was supposed to be her dream, where Sameer accepted her hair style, calling her his Madhuri.

But what happened in the next scene was something he could never forget... never.

In fact, after a few months of show going off air, he had put it up as his Ig story, announcing the same to the world.

Ashi was standing in front of him, her pallu around the head, while he bent down to her height, leaning toward her, with closed eyes, expecting a kiss... a proper one, because it was Naina's 'shaadi ke baad' now.

He leaned twice, as each time he forgot to close his eyes, staring at her beautiful face... mesmerised by the dark eye makeup she was given, along with ruby red lips.

"Aankhen band kar leni hai... jaise hi jhukoge." The director reminded him again.

He didn't forget this time.

But there was another problem.

"Ashi, chehre se pallu peeche karo... tumhara profile clear nahi aa raha." Director called out to her.

She pushed it back a little, looking at him. He shouted 'Perfect'. She turned with a jerk. Same moment, Randeep leaned with closed eyes, thinking that the shout was for camera rolling.

And their faces touched each other, her lips landing directly on his.

They were frozen for a moment, till she stepped back.

"Abhi kahan bola tha action? Tumhe bhi zyada improvisation karna hota hai, Randeep." The director chuckled.

Ashi had turned red.

"Sorry." They both blurted at the same time.

"It's ok." The voices were chorus again.

It was the first time he had seen her like this... and without a question.

He was equally tongue tied... whatever had happened had happened in front of the unit, seen by at least fifteen people. Thankfully, there were no co actors to tease them endlessly.

After the shot, director patted his back, whispering, "Shaadi ka gift mil gaya tumko."

That night, at home, he relived the moment innumerable times... and each time it filled him with the same euphoria.

The touch of her soft lips... it was a dream come true. He lightly touched the tips of his fingers where he had felt them.

"Kaash, yeh sach ho jaaye." His prayer resonated in the room.

His expectations of some nice, cosy scenes after marriage were dashed as the upcoming episodes had nothing like that, dealing with his onscreen mother, mamaji, a baby born to his bhabhi and footage of other family members.

But he was excited for the Ooty trip now. It was a perfect place and just the right time to confess to Ashi.

They met quite a few fans on the way, clicking pictures with them in the aircraft as well. But his eyes never left his onscreen wife. The outrageous wig had also started looking good on her.

The honeymoon was meant to be a dry one in the show, owing to Naina's ignorance about intimacy. But Randeep did get a fair share of hugs and kisses.

The day they were to shoot for his bare chested scene was the time he saw a hint of nervousness on her face. Though he had once given such a scene during their college track, there was considerable distance between them at that time. But today, he had a good scene.

"Nervous ho?" He asked her in a low voice, sitting with a towel around his shoulders.

They were sitting next to each other on the chairs, waiting for the camera to set up at the right angle.

"Pehle aisa scene kabhi kiya nahi hai maine." She was indeed shaky, forgetting her questions for once.

"Don't worry, main sambhal lunga." He assured her, placing his hand over hers.

She covered his hand with her other palm, looking at him anxiously, "Sachi sambhal loge na? Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha kuch bhi."

"Trust me, mujh pe chod do." His soothing voice did calm her down a bit.

When he walked up to her during the take, she was supposed to keep her eyes downcast. But Ashi continued to throw sideways glances at him. His heart thudded in real. Was she checking him out...

Was Ashi checking out Randeep... because Naina wasn't supposed to do so with Sameer.

When he held her wrist, making her come crashing to him, her palm fell flat on his heart, instead of the shoulder. And his heart bloomed under her touch.

In excitement, he pulled her harder against himself than he was asked to. Though the voice track was to be added later, which was to be Ashi's voice over, he could hear the words 'dhak-dhak, dhak-dhak' quite clearly now as well. Pinned against him, he could feel the wild beat of her heart against his bare chest.

When he closed the distance between their lips, it was ultimate test of his patience. He was asked to keep his gaze on her lips... as if he could look elsewhere.

Her lips quivered... he didn't know she was living the character or it was real... but he could feel their softness from his memory.

How he wished the kiss could have been completed.

Randeep was not sure it was true or his imagination, but Ashi had some shyness in her behaviour in the shots after this. They were shooting outdoor. She was not the same chirpy Ashi that she always was... even avoiding to look at him directly. When they gave the scene in toy train, the director asked them to do just about anything... to show that they were enjoying as a couple. Here again, he assured her that he would handle the romance factor. And he did. The scene was okayed in one shot.

Some romance, some arguments, a little anger... and Ooty track was over.

Ashi's sudden lack of usual ease around him made him hold back the plan of telling her his feelings.

Once back in Mumbai, she slowly returned to her normal self, in the company of their friends.

He still wasn't happy. The scenes were just not what he wanted them to be... the track had almost non existent romance. All they did was fight in all scenes. He was okay with the story, as such misunderstandings were bound to happen in the circumstances that were being shown but he didn't understand why two people who were so much in love for last so many years not shown as getting closer when they were finally with each other. However, he couldn't question it.

But when he was given a free hand one day, during a soft scene with no dialogues, he loved the shoot.

"Ashi, tumhe zara peeche hatna hai aur Randeep, tum pyar dikhao... thoda romance, thodi masti... paas laane ki koshish karo... jaisa theek lage waisa kar lo... mujhe pata hai tum best scene de doge." Director had told them.

"Offo, ab ismein kya karein?" Ashi curled up her lips, touching her nose with them as she stood with hands on waist.

"Tum bas mujhe follow karna... main sambhal lunga." He assured her yet again.

The scene turned out aesthetic as they moved around the living room in slow motion. His pull made her land on his chest. The script didn't have any dialogue, but he added one on his own. She followed him, as he had asked her to do, and growled when he equated her with a lioness. She looked so adorable that he just pulled her to plant a kiss on her cheek, surprising everyone, including her. The unit was used to his improvisation by now. No one stopped the shooting.

The track moved with the same equation till it was time to show their shifting to Mumbai.

And one day he was informed that they would be shooting SR before winding up the shoot of this house. He didn't know what to say. The moment of consummation of marriage was one he was waiting for and Ashi was dreading.

"Deep, mujhe bohot darr lag raha hai." She had held his hand tight, unknowingly.

He was too dazed to even register what she was saying. Dressed in a pink nighty, she was looking like a candy... he wanted to tell her how much he loved this colour on her.

"Dekho, tum na mujhe cue dete rehna... mujhe samajh nahi aa raha main kya expression dun... tum batate rehna theek hai ya nahi... sun rahe ho na... kar loge na?" She tugged at his arm, bringing him out of his reverie.

"Hmm.... haan... lekin mujhe karna kya hai?" He asked, having heard only her last few words.

"Bas improvise mat karna... jitna likha hai script mein utna hi." The director laughed, hearing his question.

Ashi looked away... he didn't miss the blush that was spreading on her cheeks before she robbed him of the view. His own cheeks burned up at the implication of these words.

"Theek hai, sir." Was all he could say.

When the camera started rolling, and they were to shoot the scene upstairs, his fast heartbeat became even faster. This closeness was something else. Inspite of the instructions given by director, few things happened on their own. Only when he saw the footage later did he realise how he rubbed Ashi's arm with the belt of her nighty, how his toes messaged her foot, how his nose glided over her cheek and nose... all this wasn't mentioned anywhere in the script. But her hand inside his shirt was. Still, the way she slipped her fingers in stealthily after opening a few buttons made him realise that Ashi was much more sensuous than he thought.

Sleep was far away from his eyes that night, the scene playing on a loop in his mind.

"I love you so much, Ashi... kaise bataun tumhe... kyon nahi samajh leti tum... itne question puchti ho... ek baar yeh bhi puch lo ki Deep, kya tum mujhse pyar karte ho?" His stood in his balcony in frustration, watching the sun come up to slowly wash away all darkness.

Again, he saw it as a positive sign.

Mumbai track showed their struggle to achieve their dreams. How the dreams changed with time and how they helped each other was the highlight of this part. Ashi had become more comfortable with the close romantic scenes. Seeing his expertise, mostly the director just explained the situation and told him to go ahead. He was more than happy... giving wings to his fantasies. Most of the times, less than half of the shot footage was included in the episode. There was a huge furore from the fans, who felt cheated at the scenes being edited brutally. What they didn't know was that those scenes were totally Randeep, not Sameer.

All he needed to know was he whether he was with Naina... or Ashi.

When she received the Kalakar award for best actress, he was exhikerated. He was first one to congratulate her when she reached back the set after coming back from Kolkata.

"Main bohot khush hun tumhare liye." He gave her a box of chocolates.

"Bas sirf chocolates? Kanjoos ho kya?" Her question zapped him.

Her giggles made him breathe easy, "Taang kheech rahi thi tumhari. Thanks for these. Waise yeh mera pehla award hai toh special hai mere liye... bilkul iss show ki tarah."

He gloated in her achievement more than her when others came with their congratulations.

Everything was going smooth... till one day the axe fell on their show. He did not believe in the beginning. How could such a loved show be asked to discontinue. When Sumeet sir finally confirmed, the entire unit was crestfallen. One look at Ashi's face and he knew she had cried in her green room. He was no better.

The upcoming episodes were like a fast forward of the show that had 1000 episodes story planned.

Everyday, someone or the other from the cast got emotional. And Ashi cried almost with everybody.

In the last week, they were shown as parents of a baby girl. Last two episodes brought them back to Ahmedabad, showing a family reunion first and then a friends reunion at school, where the show ended finally. The day they shot for this episode was Ashi's birthday. He wanted to make it so special for her this year... but the heavy atmosphere dampened his spirits again. The beautiful dance sequence they shot for the last episode was extremely entertaining but the pain of it being the end was evident on everybody's face.

Ashi was not even in a position to speak to the channels who had come to interview them. She somehow managed to give a few pictures with a smile, then vanished to her room.

Randeep had, however, given iv, along with Raghav.

And he had given more hints to fans, mentioning about the strong connection of fate that he felt... the most obvious one being the beginning and ending of the show shoot coinciding with his and Ashi's birthday.

The entire fandom descended into a dark abyss of gloom. They had tried hard to save the show, trending madly on SM but it could not save the show. He did feel bad for them, understanding their emotions and attachment.

The truth hit him in real sense when he didn't get to meet her for a few days. It made him restless. He was spending time with his friends, Zain and Abhilash.

It was a few days after the show would have aired the 500th episode... the day he had planned to pour his heart out to her finally. But now the chance was lost.

"Chal Rd, let's go." Zain nudged him, asking him to get dressed.

"Mujhe kahin nahi jaana." He wanted to sulk in the confines of his home.

"Chup kar ke uth ja, warna teri story bana ke daal dunga... hashtag aashiq ke saath." Abhilash directed his phone camera towards him.

"Par jaana kahan hai?" He sat up wearily, knowing Abhilash was very much capable of doing what he was saying.

"Award show... Gold Awards... main invited hun... tum dono mere saath chalo." Zain replied.

Without much interest, Randeep accompanied his friends... and was on cloud nine once he reached there.

Ashi... in pink... was getting herself clicked, giving bytes to channels.

Was this an omen again? He wanted her to wear pink if she accepted his proposal... the party would have been around this time only. And here she was, wearing pink, looking like a delicate princess...

Only thing missing was his proposal.

"Abhi jaa... ya toh tu jaa ke bol de ya main bol deta hun." Abhilash was done with his lost in love look.

Randeep instantly punched him, "Bhabhi hai teri."

"Abe toh main tere liye hi bolne jaa raha hun... apne liye nahi... teri bhabhi ke haathon marna nahi hai mujhe." Abhilash clutched his stomach.

But Randeep didn't agree. This was not the time. But his hopes had revived again, seeing one part of his expectations fulfilled.

Next few weeks he didn't get a chance to meet her. He visited Jhansi, spent time with his family, visited friends and relatives, had a great time but missed her every single moment.

The twist of fate made it impossible for them to meet... when he was in Mumbai, she was away and when she was available, he was travelling.

They spent the new year with their set of friends. However, staying away did not lessen his feelings, it rather strengthened them, making his resolve stronger.

When he won the best actor award in the presence of his parents, it was a dream come true moment that he wanted to share with her. As if the fate was waiting for him to wish for it, her number started flashing on his phone screen.

"Congrats Deep... sooooo happyyyy for you... sach mein yeh award tum sabse zyada deserve karte ho." Her over excited voice was the sweetest sound for his ears.

"Thank you... par tum kanjoosi kae rahi ho ab." He smiled.

"Maine kya kiya?" She asked.

"Wohi toh... kuch kiya hi nahi... bas aise sookha sookha congratulations bol diya... yaad hai maine tumhe chocolates diye the?" He reminded her.

Her laughter resonated on the phone, "Bhukkad... de dungi... next week milenge na Indore mein, tab jo mangoge de dungi."

And his heart had picked up pace again... not only for the meeting but with the words that had stunned him.

Was she hinting at something... was she saying that she was ready if he asked... was she prompting him... was she showing her accepatance...

Was she also in love... with him...

The thought filled him up with such relish that he couldn't wait to meet her.

Few days later, they met at the airport while going to Indore for ITA 2020 as they were both nominated.

She promptly threw her arms around him, enveloping him in her trademark supertight hug.

"Ek baar fir se congratulations." Her chirpy voice made him ecstatic.

"Yeh tumhare liye special wala chocolate." She handed him a huge bar of Cadbury's Dairy Milk Silk.

"Lekin mujhe yeh nahi chahiye tha." He couldn't hide his disappointment.

"Haww... kyon? Fir uss din kyon kanjoos bola mujhe?" She pouted.

"Uss din tumne kaha tha na ki jo main mangunga woh dogi... maine abhi maanga hi nahi." He reminded her.

"Aisa kaha tha? Achha, yaad nahi... theek hai, bolo, yahan airport pe jo mil raha hai usme se jo bhi pasand hai bata do... pakka milega." She looked around at the shops.

"Yahan toh abhi ek hi cheez pasand aa rahi hai mujhe." His eyes did not leave her.

"Kya?" She instantly looked back at him.

And courage left him again...

"Umm... tumhari yeh chocolate... yehi best hai... thank you." He took the chocolate, wanting to kick himself.

When he saw her in the evening, he was stunned. She looked ethereal. The midnight blue of her outfit brought out her creamy complexion, the hair making her look absolutely enchanting and glamorous.

"Aaj tumne black nahi pehna?" He asked, finding his voice after staring at her without blinking for a few minutes.

"Achha nahi lag raha kya? Sabne toh bola bohot achha hai." She looked down at herself.

"It's beautiful... sach bol rahe hain sab... ekdum heroine lag rahi ho." He praised.

She beamed, lifting her gown to walk towards her seat.

They sat with their set of friends initially, waiting for the category to be announced.

When he lost out on the best actor award, he left the premise, a little upset when Ashi didn't win either.

When he got the call, it was a pleasant surprise. He rushed back.

The announcement of the new catefory of Best Jodi Award was made and their names were read out.

His beaming smile was mirroring his happiness... the names taken together, the best jodi recognition... it was like God was giving in writing that they had to get together.

He tried to hold her hand but she was busy keeping her gown in place. When they were handed the mic, he watched with misty eyes as she thanked everyone, including her family and fans. He did the same.

They took the same car while going back. Once they started, he looked at her, his eyes filled with all emotions that were tumbling in him at this recognition.

"Ab toh humein best jodi ka tag mil gaya hai." He said.

"Kitna achha lag raha hai na? Hamari jodi ke liye hamare fans ne kitne votes diye hain... I'm really thankful to them." Ashi glanced at the award in her hand.

"Ek vote mera bhi tha." He said in a quiet voice.

She turned to him, "Sachhi? Tumne vote kiya? That's so cute, Deep."

"Pata hai kyon?" His heart had almost stopped beating.

"Kyon? Kyonki sab maante hain isliye." She stated.

He shook his head, "Kyonki main maanta hun isliye... Ashi, tumhe nahi lagta hamari jodi sabse alag, sabse best hai?"

"Of course hai... tabhi toh yeh award mila." She agreed, missing the point.

Before he could say further, they had reached the hotel. He sighed, cursing the short distance.

Next day, they left for Mumbai by different flights.

Next few weeks were busy ones for him as he had some prior commitments.

And now, he was sitting in his house, thinking about the live FB session with Anu Ranjan ma'am scheduled for next day. He would be meeting Ashi first time after the award night.

And Randeep was hell nervous.

Ashi looked absolutely adorable in black jump suit. The shots for promos were not easy for him. He just couldn't bring himself to look at her directly.

During the iv, he stole a few glances at her. When it was his turn to speak, her eyes on her were making him conscious and he forgot what he was saying a couple of times.

And she prompted him.

His heart jumped... she remembered all these things about him.

When he disclosed that his real name was Deep, she was amazed... she had always called him that.

Once the iv was over, and they stepped out to leave, he finally looked at her directly.

"How are you, Ashi?"

"Ab yaad aaya hai yeh puchna?" Her question was ready.

"Yaad toh tha par himmat nahi hui." He gulped, not able to look away.

She stood looking at him for a few minutes.

"Ek baat puchun, Deep?" She said in a serious voice.

"Pehli baar puch ke sawaal puch rahi ho." He couldn't stop the smile.

She didn't smile back, rather her serious face wiped his as well.

"Kab tak, Deep?"

"Kya kab tak Ashi?" He was puzzled.

She took a deep breath, "Kab tak tum Ashdeep banne se rokoge humein? Sirf Samaina hi nahi, Ashdeep bhi best jodi hai."

His mouth fell open.

"I love you, Deep."

He stood rooted for a few minutes, not sure if it was real or a dream... then his face broke into the widest possible grin.

"Can I get an answer?" Her question brought him back from his la la land.

"I love you too, Ashi... I love you so much... do saal se... main kabse batana chahta tha par... " He blurted.

"Ek saal se toh main bhi sunna chahti thi... par tumne bola hi nahi." Her statement did not end in a question.

"Tumne sawaal nahi pucha iss baar." He grinned.

"Kyonki mujhe mera jawaab mil gaya hai." She flashed her beautiful smile.

He spread his arms. She happily came to him, wrapping her arms around him, giving him the tightest hug.

He breathed out in relief, before asking, "Kabse Ashi?"

"Jabse shaadi hui." She answered.

His mind went back to the day of their accidental kiss.

"Toh ab jo kaam adhoora choda tha woh poora kar do." He wasn't sure she would understand.

"Kuch toh tum bhi kar do, Deep." She tilted her head to look up at him, still in his arms.

When his lips met hers this time, they had no need to step away for several minutes.