ᴇx-ʙᴏʏʀꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅ, ɴᴇxᴛ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

Chapter 78

Yuvaan

"Don't control then." She whispered.

Did I hear that right?
Did she really give me the consent?
I looked into her eyes. She is saying yes.

Without a second thought, I slammed my lips on hers and held her close. She held me tight, startled by the sudden impact. I kissed her gently, and she very briefly kissed me back. She wasn't being herself entirely.
No worries baby.

I smiled against the kiss as I noticed her body relaxing at my touch.
Oh God, I missed her lips. I missed the way she tasted. I missed the way she felt.

Her lips still tasted the same. Her matte pink lips, with the vanilla taste. I continued to kiss her for a while until I let go as I noticed us both getting breathless.

I held her hand as she looked at me, her face red as she turned her eyes away, looking down.
"Nishu...." I said and she looked at me, "You still use the same lipstick I got you?"
She blushed and nodded.
I chuckled, "How is it... how is it still there?"
"I..." she hesitated.

"Don't hesitate. Tell me." I said holding her hand, "I won't judge you or think of anything."

"I only used this lipstick, after you... you got it for me." She said, looking at me then down.

I stared at her. I thought she was done with me. I thought she forgot about me, but here she was, still using the same lipstick. Here she was, still living in the time where we were together.
None of us ever forgot each other.

I pulled her closer and kissed her once more, then kissed her forehead, "I... I don't know what I did to deserve you."

She looked at me, but didn't answer, just smiled. Then, she came a little close to me as I noticed it start raining. I chuckled and wrapped my arms around her, "Are you cold?"
She nodded.
"Let's go inside then." I said and we got up.

We came inside and she locked the door while I went into the kitchen. I put the chai on the stove, and while making chai, I kept on thinking about our kiss. It's been 4 years since I last kissed her.
It's been 4 years since I kissed anyone.
There's been no one since her.

I smiled as I touched my lips where her taste still lingered. Her lips were an addiction - and now I'm addicted again. I looked outside and watched her see a TV show, admiring the dog in the show. I smiled.

Things were going good.

I came outside with the cups and gave it to her. She smiled and took one and I sat down next to her. She took a sip, "It tastes nice."
"Why, thank you ma'am!" I said.

She chuckled and continued to have it. I ate in silence until she suddenly spoke, "You know I've been here."
I looked up at her and then the TV, where she was looking, "There? How is it?"
She looked at me, "It's in Chicago. I spent 2 weeks there. A staycation and a work trip."

I looked at her, then smiled. Then, I leaned into her as I watched her get alert. I kissed her slowly and then grabbed the remote from behind her and switched off the TV. She watched me in confusion, and so I cleared it, "I want to know more about your life there. Will you tell?"

She smiled and nodded, "Where do I start?"

"Anywhere. It's your story. You start, you lead." I smiled. I just wanted to hear her talk.

"Okay..." she said and crossed her legs and sat. I smiled because I knew that the crossing her legs means she's in the mood to yap, "So, I reached Chicago in August... 2 months after we..."

"I know, don't say that. Continue." I quickly said. I don't want her thinking that.

"So while I did my masters, I was able to work part time in this consulting firm. The firm had many benefits, like trekking weekends, night and staycation parties along with the usual perks which American companies offer."

I nodded, listening to her intently.

"... So I went to this mountain range as part of one staycation and trekking weekend. We started on Friday morning and got back Sunday afternoon. We watched the sunrise on Saturday morning and it was gorgeous. Look!" She came closer and opened her photos to show me the pictures.

I watched her explain each photo in detail. I smiled. I wasn't understanding everything but I didn't need to. I just wanted her to yap!

After a while, I noticed her getting tired, "Are you sleepy?" I asked her.
She nodded, "A little."
"Then why aren't you telling me that?"
She hesitated, "I... I thought you weren't."

I sighed, "Nishu, do you remember how you were before? How you used to boss me around all the time? You can do the same now. I know it'll be difficult for you to be 100% yourself but I want us to try... and don't worry, I won't force you. If you ever can't be like yourself again, it's completely fine. I want you however you are."

She smiled at me, "Thank you."

"Dosti ka ek usool hai madam, no sorry, no thank you!" I teased as she chuckled.

"Don't quote SRK, he's mine." she said.

"Acha!" I smirked, "but you're mine, so how does this work?"

"You're third wheeling your own marriage then." She said softly, chuckling.

I chuckled and sighed, "That I am bro, that I am. I'm stuck in the middle of you and SRK."

"You are." She said, laughing.

Laughing.
I heard her laugh, after 4 years. She laughed.
I felt an instantly coming on my face while she yapped about SRK.

She stopped and then looked at me, "Sorry, I... I got carried away." I was about to answer but she continued, "But you know how I get when it comes to SRK, because you gotta get used to it."

"I'm used to it." I chuckled.

                                       ~•~

The next morning, after I finished showering and my bathroom business, I got down in track pants. I don't bother wearing a shirt anymore.
Nishu doesn't care.

I made chai for us while she came down 20 minutes later and started to heat the chai from the microwave. I got on a call with work and then called Mom to discuss all the functions related to the wedding.

Vamika's wedding was in 4 days, and all the preparations looked good and we were all really excited about it. I got on a few calls with the venue and all teams involved. The food was sponsored from Ghar, so it was in-house, and we weren't worried about that because I knew Aaji would do a great job at it.

"Is everything ready?" I asked Mom on call.
"It is, but Yuvaan, I wanted to ask if... if we can come stay with you guys till the wedding?"

Nishtha came and took the phone from me, "Is that a question? Maa this is your house, you don't need to ask, just come." She said.

I smiled, "Exactly. Nishtha is right. Why are you guys asking? Just come."

"God bless you two! Okay, we'll be there in a few hours. The house is getting decorated to host the wedding, so we need to give them space."

"You don't need to explain Maa," Nishu said, "I think you guys should come fast and if there's anything I can do, please tell me."

"Don't worry Nishu. It's all in control. Acha! I got to go, we'll be there in a few hours." Mom said and cut the call.

I looked at Nishtha and smiled. She had directly gotten up and started to arrange the whole house, ready for them to come. I watched her and then got up and followed her as she went upstairs and cleaned her room.

Then, I realised something. I walked to her and held her hand, "Nishtha?" She hummed in response and I continued, "If my parents are coming then don't we need to...."

I looked at our rooms and she understood, "Oh."

"Yeahhhh." I said, looking confused.

"I... I'll move my stuff in your room then." She said, smiled and then carried on cleaning.

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