Shiva had to do it differently. He can't just say "Raavi, I love you." How would he bring up the topic at home, where she had hundred things to do?

He always helped her out. He had so many chances to tell her. But, it was a very emotional conversation to have, and it can't be done in 5 minutes.

He wanted to tell her that he can't live without her. If she leaves, there will be nothing left of him. He couldn't stand any other fragrances apart from her jasmine scent.

How much he desired to hold her, hug her, kiss her without feeling any guilt.  He wanted to shower her with all his love, hold her in front of everyone, take her on romantic dates.

How he longed to explore places no one else has before, with her consent of course. He wanted to know how it feels to be with someone, the shiver under their touch, the breathlessness.

Everything.

How he dreamt of having a family with her. A mini Raavi, if he had the choice.

How can this sort of discussion be done in a hurry?

He needed time.

~~~

"Shiva hum kaha jaa rahe hai?" Raavi said, putting on some lipstick. "Tune bola hum picnic pe jaa rahe hai lekin baarish kabhi bhi ho sakti hai."

"Bas tayyar ho na, tujhe jagah accha lagega." Shiva put on his watch.

He looked at her in the mirror. She wore this beautiful, flowy blue dress, hair half-up.

No one was home when they were leaving, so they'd leave a message later.

Raavi seated herself behind Shiva, wrapping her arms around his chest.

He wondered if this was the last time she'd do this?

The speed of the bike, combined with soft winds, made Raavi's hair fly, and Shiva could feel her smiling. He just knew.

A hill arrived before them. Shiva wanted to bring her here. This was the place he knew, and wanted her to know. Nothing was more perfect than this.

"Thoda chadhna padhega, but worth hai." Shiva gestured towards her.

Reaching the top of the hill, Raavi took a deep breath in. Instantly, it felt so relaxing. It was peaceful. Exactly what she wanted.

"Shiva, ye kitni sundar jagah hai. Par yaha koi aur kaise nahi hai?" Raavi said, sitting down on the grass.

"Ye meri apni jagah hai. Koi aur nahi jaanta. Sirf mai jaanta hu, aur ab tu." He sat down next to her.

"Tune kab dhundhna ye? Aise hi nikla tha kya, sabse khoobsurat jagah dhudhne ko?" Raavi chuckled.

"Aisa hi kuch samajhle. Woh jo neeche mandir dekha tha na humne, udhar hum aksar aate the. Mai sochta tha, udhar upar se nazara kitna sundar hoga. Toh chadke aa gaya yaha. Koi aur aayega bhi nahi, kisiko explore hi nahi karna." Shiva smiled at her.

"I didn't know ki tujhe nazare itne pasand hai. Par sacch bolu, ye picnic se kai guna better hai. Thank you :)"

They sat in silence, looking at the view below them. Suddenly, Shiva got up, and Raavi looked at him for an explanation.

"Phal todke laata hu, tu enjoy kar, mai yaha bohot baar aa chuka hu, ab teri baari."

Raavi waited for him to come back, when she heard her phone ring. It was her little 6 year old nephew, Rahul.

" Hello!" "Kaisa hai mera baby?" "Maa kaisi hai?" "Ghar aana hai? Aajao." "Shiva? Woh kuch nahi bolega, woh samajh jaayega. I'll be waiting" "Bye, I love you!" Raavi had a brief conversation with him, he wanted to visit for some days.

She heard a noise behind her, and saw that Shiva had dropped all the fruits.

...

Shiva used to plant trees here when he was a kid, these trees had a few fruits, over which he had all rights. He usually leaves them for the birds. What better occasion to pick these fruits?

He happily chose the best fruits, and was walking back, when he heard Raavi on the phone with someone.

" Hello!" "Kaisa hai mera baby?" "Maa kaisi hai?" "Ghar aana hai? Aajao." "Shiva? Woh kuch nahi bolega, woh samajh jaayega. I'll be waiting" "Bye, I love you!"

I love you. This angered him. Here he was, trying to tell her all he felt, and she was out there, showering love for someone else. And she didn't bother hiding it?

All the fruits fell from his hands. Raavi looked back, and got up to help him with the fruits.

His eyes were filled with anger, more than disappointment. But Raavi failed to notice.

"Yeh kaha se mile? Maine itne saalo mai nahi khaaye hai!" Raavi squealed at the fruits.

"Haa mile udhar woh ped se" Shiva answered, irritation dripping in his voice.

Raavi frowned at him. "Tujhe kya hua hai? Tera mood kyu off hogaya?"

"Kuch nahi" He replied, very rudely.

"Bol na Shiva, abhi toh itna khush tha, suddenly woh gussa wala dushman Shiva ban gaya." She couldn't understand why he was pissed off.

He looked at her, and only then did she notice the anger in his eyes. "Kisse baat kar rahi thi phone pe?"

"Woh-" She went to answer, but her phone rang again, it was face down, so she didn't know who called.

Shiva picked up the phone and threw it against the tree a little behind them, smashing it.

Raavi was shocked. "SHIVA TU PAGAL HAI KYA MERA PHONE TOD DIYA!" She ran to inspect her phone.

It was smashed. There was nothing that could be done.

"Mera phone kyu toda?" Raavi yelled.

"Kyu? Tere aashiq ke call ka intezaar tha kya?" Shiva furiously accused.

Raavi made a confused face. What was he talking about?

"Shiva, bolne se pehle socha kar. Kis type ki aurat samajh rakha hai tune mujhe?" Raavi frowned.

He grabbed her by her arms rather hard, and backed her up, until she was firmly against the tree.

"Sab suna maine. 'Hi baby. I love you. Shiva samajh jaayega' Mujhe duffer samajh rakha hai kya?" He said, grabbing her tighter.

"Shiva mujhe dard ho raha hai, please. Haath chod. Please." Raavi cried. She was sure there were marks on her arms by now, just like there were tears in her eyes.

Shiva glanced, and let go. But he was still furious.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled.

"Sorry? You're sorry? Itna bada ilzam lagane se pehle, mujhe dard pohochane se pehle, socha nahi tune?" Her voice cracked.

Now she was pissed.

"Aur agar woh mera aashiq tha bhi, toh kya kar leta? Tujhe farak kyu padega?" She rose back.

"Kyu farak padh raha hai tujhe, Shiva?" She pointed a finger in his chest, with every word she said.

"Bata, chup kyu hai? Nahi hai jawaab?" She asked again.

"Bata na!" She yelled.

"PYAAR KARTA HU TUJHSE!"

- - - - -

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