Always and Forever

CHAPTER 10 INTO THE WINDS (2)

He felt so calm breathing the fresh air as he never much came out of the city. He was born and brought up in the big city with tall buildings where even star seeing was difficult sometimes but here, he felt like losing his soul yet finding the meaning of life. The mother nature was cradling his big body. He never came to this side of the country. It was the first time he would travel to the northern mountains, that too with the love of his life.
He came out of the thinking zone as she pulled the whole window pane down and chilly winds splashed on his face. "thankyou sweetheart!" he whispered pulling her more close for the warmth.
"tujhe achha lga mera surpsrise?"
"hmm.. bohtt zyaada.. you took me where I wanted." He gazed at her wanting to take in her lips but he restrained himself with great pain as the driver was looking at the adorable couple from the mirror.
"ohh achhaa to tuhanu pta nahi tha ke aapa manali ko jaa rhe hai .. islai aap puchh rhe the" the Punjabi driver tried to mix up some hindi asking sidharth the earlier confusion.
"hann .. bilkul ..muje laga shayd Amritsar jaa rhe hai" he replied politely.
Shehnaaz laughed loudly at the driver's efforts to grace hindi and mingled with the driver quite easily using all the Punjabi blabber. They went more deep into the hills and wind became more cold. He was loving the soothing effects of cold winds and the beautiful lush green scenarios. There were big green steps of fields down the side cliffs of the roads indicating the technique of terrace farming. It was all green, clean and wintery around. Just the way he always liked. Being a winter baby, he always loved the cold temperatures. They enjoyed the journey clicking pictures of the scenic beauty and videocalling back at home.                                                      She sat facing the window, with her legs on the seat and leaned her back on his bicep as he was lost in the roads. The driver stopped the car at a road side resort. It was a little café kind of place but all open and not covered with walls. Sidharth loved the little place. They came out of the car as the driver said they should stop for a little tea break and breakfast. Although it was almost noon, still they weren't much hungry, yet when the aroma of freshly made parathas reached their senses, a pang of hunger hit them. They did their breakfasts and stretched out a bit after a couple of hours sitting in the car. Sipping their hot steaming teas, sidharth noticed their driver taking a smoke break. Something hit his nerves and he wanted to smoke so bad! You just can't leave a habit in a day ofcourse. He almost left smoking after that incident but a cigarette a day was still there. Somedays were with pure absence of the smoke bud when he was all day with his another addiction, her. But other days the reduced quantity was still desired. He excused himself and went to the driver asking for one. He obliged.                                                                 Sidharth went to one side of the café puffing up. He was so mesmerised with the view. One side were huge hills covered with dense trees and opposite side of the road was cliffhanger. He breathed in the cold winds and let out the hot smoke. Shehnaaz came near to him and wrapped her arms around his body, rolling her eyes at him who was standing with a smoked bud in his fingers. She kept queit as she herself knows how much he was cutting on that habit, ofcourse it would take time. He sensed her quietness and her rolled over eyes.
"ab yaha tuje open mei to nahi FUUUUK sakta na, isiliye ye fuuk raha hu !" he said winking. She let out a small laugh and hit his chest with her small baby fist.
They settled back in the car as she did not want him to smoke more. The driver was still outside. She hugged him closer and rest her head on his chest listening to his heart beats. She loved to do that. He encircled his arm around her securely,
"hum sabse pehle waha manali jaake kya krenge" she asked with tons of excitement enveloping her voice.
"first thing we will have is a good fuck baby. Its been so long." He said so casually wrapping his arms closer and closing his eyes.
Her cheeks gave away the deepest blush. She wacked him on the chest and he opened his eyes whimpering a bit.
"ohh shitt.. are you turning into a tomato baby" he said biting her pink cheeks and slightly twisting her erected buds over the sweatshirt. A whimper escaped her mouth and she snuggled more into his chest.
"achhaaaa .. sun sidhaarth .. ye sab gandi baatein chhod" she said.
Before he could say anything, the driver came back and they started their journey once again all refreshed.
"vese shehnaaz .. tune ye sab plan kab kiya" he changed their heated topic.
"jis din tune muje vaha vada pav vale ke pas ice cream khilai thi" she answered very innocently.
"kya matlab.. ice cream.. mai smjha nhi shehnaaz"
"tere liye chhoti si baat hogi sidharth but tune muje sirf ice cream nahi khilai thi balki meri itti chhoti si baat maan li thi .. mere dil ko chhu gai thi vo cheez usi din socha tha k kuch plan krugi .. tu b bola tha na kahi chalte hai to bs fir mene mere manager ke through sab set krwa lia .. tabhi itna phone mei ghusi rehti to pichhle kuch din .. hotels raaste sab check kre mene and manager ne sab arrange kr dia.. fir shehbaaz ko call kia usne tickets and cab book kr di" she explained.
Sometimes he wondered how this brainless beauty talked soo deep about emotions. Just an ice aream and she fell more for him. He felt more than blessed that he ever thought he deserved.
"kya baat hai meri jaan .. itna dimag lgaya .. apna hi tha ya udhaar lia kisi se" he joked.
And there came a high speed thappad and he felt his left cheek dancing in the chills of the hills. And there started there cute banter where she got hit on her head and he got punched on his waist. The laughters were filled all around. The driver was really shocked how a personality like him got slapped by a jhalli girl and the response was nothing but smiles.
A few more hours of journey made them take another tea break. This time she insisted on the mountain special maggi that was being cooked in the small shop across the road. They enjoyed their tea and hot maggies admiring the weather.
"tujhe pta hai ye dekh .. do raaste jaa rhe hai na .. hum seedha jayenge manali.. aur ye right side manikaran ko jata hai .. boht bda gurudwara hai.. bohtt zyada sukoon milta hai vaha.. bohtt bdi history bhi hai .. natural spring hai yaha .. kehte hai garam ubalte paani ke upr yaha Guru Nanak Dev ji ne phulke bnaye the .. chawal aur chane to abhi bhi boil krte hai vaha pe.. bohtt pyari jgah hai .. mai ek do baar aai hu yaha" she explained the another great place in the lap of those hills.
"to hum idhar nahi jaa skte kya" he asked feeling in love with the place the way she explained.
"muje kya pta tha tu interested hoga gurudware jane me .. mene ye plan mei nahi dala" she replied.
"are to chalte hai na koi na.. ab itni duur aaye hai to chhodna kyu .. jab kismet me ho skta hai jana.. chal na chalte hai.. kitni duur hai yaha se?" he requested.
"yaha se 2 hours hi hai but dekh na abhi sham bhi ho rahi hai fir raat me manali ki roads pe ese he kyu drive krna.. aur manali tak ka sara rasta to dekhne vala hai.. vaha gurudware mei bhi subah subah hi darshan krna achha hota hai .."
"chal aaja na evai apna dimag na lga .. hum driver se puchhte hai inhe pta hota hai sb" he took her to the driver who was sitting with the shop owner.
He shared all his worries and his request to visit the divine place and asked if it is possible. The driver replied " are abhi to aapa duur hai kaafi .. 4 ghante tak aayega jaha se ek rasta manikaran ko jayega aur ek manali ko .. abhi to hai .."
Sidharth eyed shehnaaz who was trying to be oversmart. She looked here and there avoiding his eyes.
"abhi manikaran jayenge to raat vahi ruk jana ap log.. boht hi sundr jgah hai .. inna vadda guru ka ghar hai vaha .. ab jana hai hai to ache se ghuum lena othe.. swere swere matha tek k apa nikal jayenge manali ko.. vaha se manali kuch 2 3 ghante hi hai" the driver continued.
"lekin hmara koi plan nahi hai vaha rukenge kaha .. aur sidharth kese rahega vaha .. ese he kisi ne dekh lia ya kuch .. koi booking bhi nahi hai" she let out all her concerns.
"abbey tu pagal ho gai hai kya .. itna bhi koi bda star nahi hu jo log  daud k aayenge milne .. aur tu mujhe kya naastic smjhti hai .. kese rahuga kya matlab.. bhagwaan sabse upr hai mai manta hu in sab cheezon mei .. smjhi na .. ab bs final we are going there.. and moreover I want to go there with you.. lets take the blessings together and thank together for getting each other." He smiled at her softening his words at the end. She felt so happy listening to his words. She never imagined him going to a divine place with her. The driver made some arrangements as he had some connections and booked them a private suite there. Not much big hotels are seen in that place but the serenity was much more attractive for both of them.
They started their drive and the most beautiful road to manali started. It was the most calmess and wildness felt together. There were lush green mountains to the left and the melting glaciers flowing on the right side. The river accompanying them was sending chills to their every nerve. The winds were like iced vapours. He looked at his apple who was more red now, especially the cheeks and nose. She pulled up her backpack and squeezed a little moisturiser to hydrate her face and avoid the dryness. Then she took again a squeezefull and rubbed her creamy hands on his face. He cribbed and cursed but she successfully moisturised his pretty face.
They reached their destination for the day just before the sun being set. The beautiful little town was dipped in orange hues of setting sun and the steam was seen arising from the rivers. There was a long line of SUVs and people emerging from there. The driver told them not to take the whole luggage as it would be of no use. They are staying just for the night so better just take a few clothes in the backpack. Shehnaaz picked up her little shawl and covered her head to pay respects and face to avoid being recognized. She went outside toward the back of the car and asked sidharth to keep sitting inside. She opened the big bag of theirs and pulled out a few clothes consisting a pair of pjs for both and a pair for the next morning. He saw the packing of both of their clothes and smiled. He understood the need of that big bag now. She threw a big sized hoodie at him to wear. Before closing the big bag he saw that parcel she asked him to get for their exotic reunion after she comes from Punjab, in the bag, he gave a wide smirk and came out to tease her a bit. She nudged him hard and pulled his hood up his head and even tried to pull his hood upto his eyes so that his half face can be covered. They had to walk from there as cars were not allowed from there. They came to the crossing bridge which was over the steaming river and show cased the most beautiful view. He was in love with these mountains and rivers and cold winds. He could stay there forever. With her, ofcourse! A sudden peace was injected in his nerves. He felt the sukoon, he used to feel with her. The place had a soothing effect. It was soo quiet and calm and the sound of water flowing was like a cherry on the cake. The weather was alomost done with the dusk and the grey shades of the night were emerging. He stopped his steps forward and she looked back as she was holding his hand.
"kya hua.. ruk kyu gyaa" ske asked
"hum andr chhupke room me rehne k liye nahi aaye hai na.. yaha beth te hai na thodi der.. vese b andhera ho rha hai koi nahi dekhega" he pleaded.
She agreed seeing his pouty face which a rare sight. The driver went ahead and told them the direction of their stay and gave sidharth his phone number just in case.
They sat behind a little gift shop across the bridge from where the water was fully visible. The cold winds were patting their cheeks lovingly. They just sat there hand in hand and just lived the moment. After some time he pulled his phone and called maa. Actually he videocalled and showed her all the surroundings that he was in love with. She was more than elated seeing her son so content and brimming with happiness. It was after a long time she was seeing his little son like that. Shehnaaz then took the phone and told all about their journey till now about how they ended up there and all the beautiful roads they travelled on.
"next time hum sab aayenge maa yaha ek saath.. kitna achha lag rha hai yah ape .. itnnii shanti mil rahi hai man ko" shehnaaz said being soo excited.
"han sure bacha .. tum dono ki shadi k baad chalenge" maa relpied with a tease.
Sidharth snatched the phone being all red and said good bye. Shehnaaz burst out in laughter and he just rolled his tongue inside his cheeks , his signature way of blushing. He bit his cheeks to control his smile and took her hand to go to their accommodation. She pulled him down back and called her own mother. They both talked more to her parents. He snatched her phone and videocalled instead the voice call and showed all the scenes to her mother. She was so spiritual, she literally covered her head and joined her hands as sidharth showed her a little view of the gurudwara.
"vapis aate huye ghar hoke jana beta" her father asked both of them.
"pta nahi papa.. abhi esa koi plan nahi hai kia tha .. dekhte hai .. ghar aane ka pakka nahi keh skte" she relpied.
"nahi nahi.. hum pakka aayenge.. ab is side pe aye hai to ghar aake hi jayenge.. aap bs hmare aane ki tyari kro" sidharth replied at once cutting her words.
They talked a bit more as her brother joined too. Her father told them about the famous fruits of kullu. They agreed to get a lot of them back home.
"tu pagal ho gai hai .. ese kon baat krta hai ghar pe" he threw his words at her after hanging up.
"thik to bola tha sidharth .. mene ye plan me nahi rakha tha kyuki fir lamba ho jata trip.. vapis jaake kaam b shuru hona hai to mene socha tha fir dobara aa jaugi kabhi araam se" she spoke softly.
"dobara ka kya pta hota hai shehnaaz .. ek do din se kya hi farak pad na hai .. hum ghar hoke hi vapis jayenge .. alright!" he wrapped his arm around her and they started walking to their room.
"ye itni chhoti chhoti galiyan hai ... main gurudwara kaha hai" sidharth asked looking all around while walking.
"vo na andr jaake hai .. subah subah chalen ge vaha.. tujhe pta jo mene btaya than a natural spring vaha pe log ishnaan krte hai .. ladko aur ladkiyo k liye alag alag bnaya hua hai .. vaha pe ishnaan krna bohtt achha mana jata hai .. infact jis jis gurudware mei sarovar hota hai na vaha ishnaan zarur karna chahiye.. sare paap dhul jate hai .. accha mana jata hai" she narrated all her beleifs that was brought up by.
He listened all to her things very keenly and was infact surprised. His little plum knew so many things and she was so spiritual yet so sassy.
"main na us driver ko bol dungi tujhe vaha le jaaye sarovar k paas .. nahana chahe na tu bus hath muh dho lena .. achha hota hai .. muh pe rumaal baandh dungi .. aur mai ladies vali side jaake kr lungi .. I want agr yaha aaye hi hai to normal logon ki trah hi matha teke .. zyada celebrity vali feel nahi leni mujh yaha pe .. smjha .. to chup chap jake subah vaha muh hath dho lio .. bohtt garam paani hota hai .. vo b apne aap" she said being amused of natural hot water spring.
He nodded being an obedient child. They went in their room and slept as soon as they hit the bed. The journey had made them so tired.
The next morning went by just as planned. They both woke up early to the chilled and calm winds. They took their blessings from the main gurudwara and went to all the little places nearby, all early in the morning to avoid any crowd. After having langar, they drove off to their next destination.                                   Shehnaaz called her manager to let him know all the changes they made and about the reservations at the hotel. All were taken care of. The road to manali was the most beautiful one as it was accompanied by the freezing river on the side. People were seen riverrafting in there. It was adventurous for him, for her not so much. They simply ignored and went ahead. They stopped at a small tea point that has its table and chairs at the river banks. They both removed their shoes and sat their dipping their feet in the cold water. And it froze their brains. It was literally melted ice. So cold. He immediately pulled his feet out.
"sidhaarth kya kr rha hai ... rakh na thodi der pani mei .. thodi der me thik ho jayega" she said being annoyed.
"no way.. baby pagal ho gai hai its sooo cold.. tu b bahar nikal"
She made him forcibly to put his feet back. After few minutes when it was still so cold, she obliged and put their feet out. He immediately tried to warm their feet with the bonfire beside their tables inside the sheltered area.
He snuggled into her shoulder back in the car as she wrapped her little arms around her big baby. He was loving the roads and the journey more. He was still feeling cold. She held him tight and kissed his hair. He took a chance and kissed her neck making her loose on nerves. She tried to push him away but he snuggled more deep. She understood the way he was teasing her.
"mera puttuu" she giggled, squishing his face between her plams and very roughly shaking it. He made annoyed faces but was letting her do all she want. She felt such intense love for him sometimes, she just wanted to squish him and squeeze him like a plush toy. Then there came the tunnel. The most cold one. And the darkest. He took his chance and kissed her soflty.
"mera nona baby" she cooed, kissing his nose.
"how in the hell can you call me such names in these high emotions" he asked being confused.
"bula skti hu mai .. kabhi bhi .. kuch bhii .. smjhaa .. bubbuu" she pouted squishing his cheeks.
They reached around noon and checked into their room. It was the most luxurious one with a great view. The whole balcony was separated from the room with the glass sheet. And from there the big snow covered mountains could be seen. It was a view to remember by. The door opened by a small hall way leading to main bed room and a little dining area to the right of the hall way and the washroom to the left of the hall way.
She opened up the luggage and gave him night clothes. He went to take a relaxing shower. She, meanwhile, fell on the bed. She was too tired to shower. She just wanted to sleep. He came back in his full pjs and a full sleeve shirt. He came to the bed and kissed her sleepy cheeks for her thoughtfulness of not packing his shorts in such cold weather. He pulled her up by her arms. She lifelessly sat with her head drooping to one side and eyes closed. He chuckled loudly seeing her being all sleepy or dramatic. He loosened his grip intentionally and she fell down on bed again. He again pulled her up and hugged her close. Her face squishing on his stomach. She lazily wrapped her arms around his torso.
"uth jaa baby.. fresh hoke change krke fir so jate hai"
"pehle so jate hai fir uth k fresh hoyenge" she mumbled in low voice snuggled in his tummy.
He shaked her head roughly making her open her eyes. She made the most angry face and he couldn't help but kiss her. The most rough kiss, biting her lips.
"iise pehle ke mera mood change ho jaaye aur teri neend puri trah se uda du.. uth aur change kr" he said smiling against her lips.
She smiled back with her eyes half closed and raised her both arms above her head. He shook his head with disbelief. She is such a baby. He pulled her top over her head and unhooked her bra. Kissing her beautiful curves, he made her wear a night shirt. Changing her clothes, he tucked her inside the quilt close to him and they both went to a deep slumber. The journey was tiresome.
They woke up at the evening. The sun was set and darkness was all around with beautiful lights of the city. She saw him sleeping beside her holding her close. She turned to his side and covered his face with her palm. He was so warm and soft except for his stubble. She rubbed her fingers over it and his jawline. She moved closer and sucked his lips. He was so deep in sleep. She looked at his peaceful smile in the sleep. She experienced a different kind of love for him after a new milestone in their life. They both did actually. After that hospital visit. The time they were away, they realised how much they missed each other, how much they need each other. There was a desperate need to hold and be held by each other after a tired day at work.
She freed herself from his grip and ordered tea and sandwiches for them. Then she collected all their things scattered here and there to their bag. She went to the balcony and shivers ran through her body due to the cold. She hugged her own arms and watched the beautiful snow hills and city lights. It was mesmerising. She looked back at her sleeping kaddu, she lunged towards him and sat on his stomach making him "oomph".
"uthhh jaaa .. so so ke zindagi jeeni hai tune .. bahar dekh kitna sundr hai sb.." she shrieked bending, near his ears.
He did not react. She lay completely over him and pinched the skin of his neck to make him awake. He just hummed in sleep. Just then the doorbell rang. She took the order and asked the staff to arrange some matress and extra cushions in the balcony. She also gave him their dinner order and asked him to arrange all that in the balcony after 2 hours.
The whole hotel staff was more than excited for sidharth and shehnaaz to stay at their hotel. They wanted pictures with them if it was okay. Shehnaaz asked him to bring them by their room at the time of bringing the dinner. She knew sidharth won't pose out in the reception area where other people would be present.
Sidharth was still sleeping. She again sat on him and hugged him lying on his chest. She slowly kissed his neck.
"hmmm.. kya hua baby" he wrapped his hands around her and asked her soflty as she was queit.
"tu uth hi nahi rhaaa" she spoke settled deep in the crook of his neck.
"thak gya tha baby" he yawned.
"hmm .. budhha ho rha hai ab tu .. no energies left" she huffed.
"tere dimag mei nahi aata kya kbhi ye kaha 40 saal ka Buddha mil gya" he spoke after sometime with a little seriousness, holding her by her waist.
"I like older men!" she winked. "my man" she added.
He let out a small laugh.
"older and experienced .. but tere mamle me tera experience kuch hai nahi khaas .." she rolled her eyes and sighed.
"par thik hai .. ab jesa bhi hai" she continued.
"is it?" he snickered noticing her pebbled peaks protruding out in her white shirt , may be due to cold. He pinched them softly in between his fingers. He could feel her dampened heat on his lower stomach. He pinched harder pulling her closer. She giggled out loud.
"ahaa .. achhaa abhii nahi .. chai thandi ho rhii hai uthh.. dekh mene unhe bola balcony me dinner lgane k liye vaha gadde bichha ke" she pulled him out of the bed.
"urgh, fine" he went with her to the balcony. They sipped their teas and enjoyed the winds. They were talking and enjoying each other's company when the bell rang. He opened, it was the materesses and cushions. They set up the balcony and told them the dinner is just on its way. Shehnaaz was going through their luggage finding something. He suddenly saw more than a few people standing outside their room.
"shehnaaz tune privacy ki baat nahi ki thi kya .. ye log kyu hai bahar..mujhe nahi psnd ye sab" he said.
"are vo mene hi kaha tha" she said finally smiling, maybe she got what she was looking for. He was confused why she called them.
"are vo bs ek photo chahte hai hmare sath" she told him.
Shehnaaz called them inside and they all were nervous and excited especially the lady members of the staff.
"to abhi kyu chahiye picture.. jate waqt le lete" he huffed.
"vo actually sir , kal aap log checkout kr jaoge and hmari kal ki koi shift nahi thi.. so .. plzz just a picture" a staff member requested.
"what.. kal checkout .. itni jaldi .. bs ek din k liye aaye the" he look questioningly at shehnaaz.
She scrunched up her nose and stuck her tongue out as if caught. He could see her reflection in the tv screen as she was trying to zip up the bag.
"vo haan ..vo bs 2 din ka hi tha .. ek din kahi aur ruk gye to .. bs" she tried forming words. She knew her surprise was no more.
"han dikh gai teri shakal.. fine .. nahi puchhunga" he sighed and complied to the pictures.
They settled in the balcony after a small picture session and enjoyed their dinner. After dinner, he popped open a bottle of red wine. They sipped their warm wine in the cold winds. It was intoxicating, winds more than wine. Suddenly something struck her mind. She removed his shirt leaving him bare in the cold weather.
"shehnaaz paagal ho gai hai kya .. ye kyaa kr rhi hai .. mar jaunga thand se" he tried to cover himself with the quilt. Then she ran inside and took the brown bag that she purchased while their way to the airport. It was a 5xl shirt. She came back and made him wear that. Sitting between his legs, she opened her shirt.
"shehnaaz .. kyaa pagal ho gai ho .. balcony me kapde kyuu utaar rhi ho.. koi dekh"
She went inside his shirt before he could say more. She fitted perfectly along with him in that oversized shirt.
"smjhaa.. kutte.. isiliye shirt li thi.. aur vese bhi yaha se kuch nahi dikhta" she said.
The touch of their warm bodies with each other calmed their nerves. There was no visible lust. He wanted to embrace her like this forever. A new kind of peace was experienced. Words were so irrelevant that time. Silence was on high volume. Something so pure that only few get to have this feeling in one lifetime! He pulled her more close into him gripping her waist from inside the shirt. His cold and slender fingers on her warm skin sent shivers to her spine. She snuggled deeper into him, turning a little to her side and hugging him like a curl ball mating their bare chests. Not once any thought of claiming her in this moment crossed his mind. He wanted this moment to be like this. The cold winds, her warm self and their bubbling love.
She woke up next morning to the chirping birds and looked at the tight grip she was in. He held her so tight even in his sleep. How ironic, she thought. Sleep loosens you up and here he was loosened up in gripping her tight! She looked at his morning face, lips slightly parted and hair all messed. The shirt was lying somewhere in the corner. They might have felt uncomfortable while sleeping in one shirt and would have been out of that, she thought! She rubbed her fingers on his cheek while laying half on him. His eyes crinkled in sleep. She smiled seeing him so close to her. Not just physically, emotionally too. She never imagined she will have a real relationship of partners with anyone. No one thinks of another person before their ownselves, however deep in love they might be, these were her always thoughts. But he changed them all. She found something so pefect and real. He proved to her that love written in books and shown in movies does exist. It does. You just have to wait for the right person. And how you know about that? Well. When the right one comes.. everything except him seems wrong.
She outlined his lower lip with her thumb and pinched his plump lip, as if playing with her personal doll.
" good morning" she whispered while nibbling his ears softly.
"good morning" he stretched and turned on her body, pushing his face in her neck. She took him in her arms and moved her fingers on his neck.
"I never thought ke mai aise kabhi bina kuch kiye soungi tere sath" she let out her morning thoughts.
"aise matlab" he replied still half asleep in her neck.
"matlab aise hi .. itna comfort.. kuch kiya bhi nahi bs aise hi so jate hai shirts ke bina.. pehle b kitni baar kia .. itni achhi feeling aati hai" she smiled.
"achaa.. matlab karke achhi feeling nahi aati" he teased.
"nhii .. I mean .. ek alag hi level ki intimacy hoti hai .. itna close feel hota hai with all respects.. I love you" she turned her face and confessed.
"I love you" he reciprocated.