Vacation meant more than just a break from work; this time, due to travel restrictions across state boundaries, I would be staying with my long-distance fiancé, Advik, in his parents' home.

I had eagerly awaited this opportunity—to have him close, to gaze into his eyes without the barrier of a cellphone screen, to hear his voice free from the electronic hum of phones.

After a six hour long drive, we finally arrived at Advik's house. With his arm around my waist, he pulled me close as we waited for his parents to open the door.

His mother greeted me with a warm hug, which I eagerly returned, feeling welcomed into their home. However, his father's gaze was more scrutinizing, his eyes lingering where Advik's hand rested on my hip.

It all felt surreal, like a dream come true. With all the time in the world and nothing to do but be with each other, I couldn't have asked for anything more perfec.

Advik gently squeezed my hand and led me towards his room, but his father followed closely behind, holding the door wide open. "Naina will stay in Alex's room," he announced loudly, his disapproval evident.

A tense silence settled between father and son, their gazes locking in a silent battle of wills.

Sensing the growing tension, I quickly retrieved my duffel bag from the floor.

Advik intervened, taking the bag from me and guiding me towards Alex's room without a word.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, I reached for my pen and planner, intending to jot down a list of tasks for the next two weeks.

Advik, seated opposite me, slapped his forehead with his palm in exasperation. "What are you doing?" he asked incredulously.

"I'm making a list of what we need to do over the next two weeks. Then we can decide when to tackle each task," I explained, trying to maintain my composure. But it was clear that Advik had other ideas in mind.

He seized my wrist with one hand and snatched the pen from my grasp with the other, tossing my planner carelessly aside onto the bedside table.

"I'll show you what we'll do for the next two weeks," he declared, his voice laced with determination as he pushed me down onto the bed. Hovering over me, he held my hands firmly above my head at the wrists, his gaze filled with a mixture of passion and mischief.

I gazed into his eyes, a kaleidoscope of love, mirth, and mischief reflecting back at me. I marvelled at the fact that he was mine—forever mine.

As I let out a contented sigh, Advik brought his lips down to meet mine. I felt the warmth of his mouth against mine, his breath sending shivers down my spine. A slight scratch from his stubble brushed against my chin, prompting me to tilt my head back slightly. Sensing my unspoken invitation, he trailed kisses along my throat, his breath teasing and tickling my skin, eliciting a playful giggle from me.

Taking a deep breath, Advik scrambled off of me, his demeanor suddenly serious. "I got you something," he announced before disappearing into his room. He reappeared moments later with a simple white dress in hand.

"Put it on," he ordered softly, his eyes avoiding mine as he handed me the garment. I couldn't help but smile as I accepted the dress, sensing the significance behind his gesture.

As I removed my T-shirt and pulled the dress over my head, Advik's gaze remained fixed on the floor. Once the dress was in place, I proceeded to remove my jeans.

When I glanced up, I caught him looking at me with admiration, a smile tugging at his lips. A warmth spread through me, and I laughed nervously at the intensity of his gaze.

Drawing closer, he reached out to remove my hair tie, gently arranging strands of hair on either side of my face with a tenderness that took my breath away.

Advik was undeniably masculine in many ways, but when it came to me, he transformed into a gentle caretaker, treating me like his own personal doll. He took immense pleasure in dressing me up, meticulously brushing and braiding my hair, and selecting the perfect accessories to complement my outfit. His attention to detail and skilled precision extended even to applying my makeup!

Taking a few steps back, Advik admired his handiwork with a satisfied grin. His eyes sparkled with pride as he surveyed me, and I laughed at his earnestness.

"Beautiful," he murmured softly, his voice filled with genuine admiration. His words made my heart swell with affection.

We finally turned our attention to the task at hand—making our list of activities for the coming weeks.

On top of the list, was learning to ride a scooter, something that would allow me to get around campus easier and also allow me to visit him without having to worry about the bus schedule.

We had borrowed his mother's scooter for our lesson.

He secured my helmet in place and he asked with a teasing grin, "You know how to ride a bike, right?"

I nodded eagerly.

Under the warm afternoon sun, Advik and I stood in the driveway, his mother's scooter parked nearby. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, I awaited my first lesson in scooter riding.

"Alright, Nia, let's start with the basics," he began, his voice gentle and reassuring. "First, we'll practice balancing while the scooter is stationary."

I nodded eagerly, determined to conquer this new skill.

I straddled the scooter, feeling a surge of adrenaline coursing through me. I was a nervous wreck as usual, overthinking and allowing my mind go to the worst case scenarios.

"Just relax and keep your feet firmly planted on the ground," he instructed, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder for support. A ripple of sensation coursed through from where his hand touched me.

Taking a deep breath, I focused on maintaining my balance, resisting the urge to tense up.

Advik stood beside me, offering words of encouragement and gentle reassurance.

"Okay, now let's try starting the scooter," Advik suggested, his eyes twinkling with excitement. He demonstrated how to kick-start the engine

I tentatively followed suit, feeling a surge of pride when the engine roared to life beneath me.

"You're doing great, princess," Advik exclaimed, his smile infectious.

I gradually gained confidence, mastering the basics of throttle control and steering. Each time I faltered, he was there to offer guidance and support.

As the afternoon wore on, laughter and encouragement filled the air, mingling with the revving of the engine and the soft hum of tires on pavement. And amidst it all, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for Advik.

As we lounged on the rooftop that evening, illuminated by the warm glow of the setting sun, I reflected on the journey that had led us to this moment. Our path had been filled with its share of trials and tribulations, yet here we were, together against all odds.

When I gazed into Advik's eyes, I saw my forever reflected back at me. There was an invisible connection between us, an inexplicable force that bound us. No matter how far we strayed or how many obstacles we faced, something always brought us back together, drawing us inexorably closer with each passing day.

Feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of my emotions, I turned away for a moment, seeking comfort in the quiet beauty of the evening sky.

Advik wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close as he leaned against me from behind. His warm breath tickled my ear as he peppered kisses on my cheek and then my temple, his playful demeanor bringing a smile to my face.

"What are you stirring up in that crazy brain of yours?" he teased, swaying us gently from side to side.

"I'm thinking of how much I love you," I confessed softly, my heart overflowing with emotion.

"Yeah, I love me too," he quipped, his playful banter earning him a punch from me.

But as I turned around to face him, I found myself lost in the depth of his eyes, where I saw our future unfold before me like a vivid reel.

In those eyes, I saw our graduation, our wedding day, and the countless adventures that awaited us as a married couple. I saw us navigating the joys and challenges of parenthood, growing old together hand in hand, and cherishing each precious moment along the way.

It was all there, clear as day, in the depths of his gaze—a beautiful vision of the life we would build together, filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities.

But as I smiled at him, his eyes saddened.

Concern flickered in my heart. "What is it, Advik?" I asked gently, sensing something amiss.

His hesitation was palpable as he struggled to find the right words. "I... I want to hold on to today, freeze it in time," he confessed, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

My heart clenched at the raw emotion in his words, but I remained silent, allowing him to continue.

"I'm afraid, Nia," he admitted, his gaze now averted, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He swallowed hard, as if trying to push down the emotions threatening to overwhelm him. "You are the most beautiful thing in my life. And I feel like..." His voice trailed off, his struggle evident.

I reached out and gently took his hand in mine, offering him silent support.

His eyes met mine once more, filled with a mixture of love and fear. "I feel like something bad's going to happen, and I'm going to lose you," he finally confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]