A Love Unscripted (Slow Updates)

15. Fluffy

Aliyah was now sitting in her living room setting her shopping list and checking in her balance to ensure a smooth shopping process. Although Shivansh has told her that he will take care of every necessary thing, like makeup products, jewellery, clothes, etc., required after marriage, she still needed to shop for some essentials for the marriage functions. She is busy checking on her list while waiting for Shivansh to call her as they have decided to shop for everything together.

"Wasting money for nothing," her mom's voice made her heart ache, but she didn't show it and patted Fluffy, who came running to her with his belt.

"Mumma, I am just going to buy some dresses for a function and a wedding dress." She calmly told her, not wanting to create any scene.

"Still, we have given you a budget; don't overspend anything or shop for unnecessary things," she warned her, making her nod.

"Bhaww," Fluffy looked up at her and barked, making her frustrated.

"Fluffy has no bad manners; she is older." Aliyah lightly scolded him, not wanting to spoil their mood, but it was too late.

"Such an ungrateful dog. Listen, you little hairy scumbag, she will be leaving this house forever in just 14 days, and then you have no one to support you here. So better start to behave, or else I will not even think twice before throwing you out of here. Get it," her mom tried to hold Fluffy by his belt, but Aliyah held him close, embracing him, trying to protect him.

"Mumma, please don't do this to my baby; he is my only support. Don't say this, please." She tried to protest, but her mother's temper was already high.

"Oh really, then take him to your home after marriage and trouble your in-laws because we are not running any NGO to feed these useless babies of yours." Her mother shouted, making Fluffy bark at her, making her move towards him, but Aliyah was already holding him close.

"See how ungrateful he is, still barking at me. Aliyah, I am warning you: take him with you or abandon him at any of the shelters or jungles; I don't care. But I am not going to tolerate this hairy monster in my home after your marriage." Her mother punched her hand on the sofa and reverted back to her without leaving a crying Aliyah behind.

Aliyah held Fluffy's face, breaking the hug, and kissed his face while crying her heart out. Even the thought of her pet or leaving him was sending an unknown fear and shiver down her spine. He was her support system when she was almost giving up on her life. She cried looking at Fluffy, who was now whining, not knowing why she was sad, and started licking off her tears and clutched to her.

"I will never leave you, my baby; please stay with me. I need you more than anything in my life. You will never leave me, right?" She asked him, making him bark in response, making her smile and kiss him, hugging him tight.

A loud screeching sound of the tire echoed as the sleek black car came outside the mansion. The tinted window of the car slid down, and he leaned forward to look towards the entrance of the mansion, searching for Aliyah, whom he had messaged a few minutes earlier about his arrival. His eyes lit up in an instant watching her come out of the gate but frowned seeing her dog clutching to her chest like his life is dependent on her. He grinned his teeth watching them come closer, not wanting that fluffy monster to destroy his shopping time.

The more she came closer to his car, with anger clearly visible in his dark eyes. Not because she was clutching Fluffy but due to her tear-stained face. She quickly opened the door and sat in the passenger seat, still hugging Fluffy close to her chest while he too had tears in his eyes. Her trembling body, tear-stained face, and some murmurs were enough to break Shivansh's heart into pieces. He quickly unbuckled his seatbelt and leaned towards Aliyah, slowly cupping her face, making her look up at him with teary eyes.

"My baby, why are you crying, huh? Someone said something to you, Jaana? Please don't cry. Tell me, maybe I could help, please." He said, wiping off her tears as his own eyes were moist seeing her state.

She looked up at him and tightly clutched Fluffy into her embrace, breaking his heart more and more.

"Jaana, how could I help you if you wouldn't share your problems with me? Please tell me, did your mom say anything to you, or something else?" He asked, cooing her, as her sobs were now being subsidised.

"My baby," she muttered, looking at Fluffy, who was now gazing at Shivansh.

"Yes, baby, he is our first baby. Did someone say something to him? Is he ill? Should we go to the vet?" He said, patting Fluffy with one hand while the other one was busy creasing her face, not wanting to make her feel unwanted.

"No, no, my baby is fit, but..." she said, looking at Fluffy, who was now dozing off in her lap.

"Then?" He asked if she wanted to drink water, or else she would start hiccupping.

"Can you fulfill my one wish, Shivansh, please?" She looked at him with a hopeful voice, not being sure he would agree to it or not.

"One wish is too little, baby; just order me, and I will bring the whole world for you," he said, sitting back, still creasing her face.

"Can Fluffy stay with us in Rathore Mansion after our marriage?" she asked, making him smile at her and hold her hand.

"You don't have to ask, baby; I already said. He is our first baby; of course he can stay with us." He said kissing her hand. She inhaled sharply and kissed Fluffy, who was now asleep in her lap, and smiled at Shivansh.

"Thank you so much, Shivansh. You don't know what sort of relief your words hold for me." She said and tried to make Fluffy comfortable in her lap.

"Don't thank me ever, Jaana. I love you; it is my duty to make you feel comfortable." He said and got down from the car, moving towards her.

"Give him to me; I will settle him behind, or else your legs will pain." Aliyah passed him a warming smile and carefully passed Fluffy to him. He opened the back door of the car and settled him in the back seat, quietly not wanting to disturb him while Aliyah kept admiring her man.

He closed the door and again moved towards her, making her wear her seatbelt to which she resorted.

"I can do this, Shiv." She tried to do it, but Shiv was way too adamant to do this for her, making her huff and let him continue. He smiled and kissed her forehead before heading towards the driving seat and wearing his seatbelt.

"You should often call me that," he said, starting the car, making her confused.

"Sorry? I couldn't understand." She asked, being confused, What is he talking about?

"Shiv, you should call me that from now on." He smiled and drove off in the car towards the mall.

Aliyah looked at his smiling figure as the shock on her face was now transformed into a hue of red blush. Shiv, she called him Shiv. It was unplanned yet natural, looking like her heart wanted to do it, to give him a nickname just like he had given her. It looked like it was made for him, and to her surprise, he accepted it wholeheartedly. She glanced at him as he kept on driving, with a smile lingering on his lips. His hand reached for hers, entwining their fingers above the gear, making her heart skip a beat. As he pressed a gentle kiss on her hand after changing the gear, it sent a wave of comfort through her. All the memories of the confrontation by her mom at home were vanished with his presence. And she realised she is exactly where she is meant to be, him by her side, and all the worries look like a bad dream.