Mishti and Abir entered their room after a heated confrontation with Meenakshi. As Mishti entered the room, Abir stared at her in awe. Mishti’s courage to stand up to his mother’s tyranny, had pleasantly surprised Abir. He knew that Mishti was his angry violent chorni for a reason. Abir never failed to notice that whenever any harm had befallen him, Mishti had always been the first person to fight for him and protect him. When she found out about his Baba's malicious intentions, she risked her life to save him from any ensuing trouble. Surely, he was upset with her for putting her life at stake, but he was also always surprised by her strength and determination. Mishti loved him fiercely and all her actions were a testament to this truth. He always took pride in Mishti that despite the curveballs life had thrown at her, she never stopped loving. She had risen like a phoenix from the ashes, trying rebuild herself bit by bit. Her insecurities and anxieties made her only human, and Abir was proud of Mishti for the fact that she embraced these problems and strived to be a better person. Mishti had brought happiness to Bade papa and Badi maa, after they lost their daughter. For Abir too, she was the sunshine in his life. She brought warmth and unconditional love, which he always craved for, but never received from his parents.
Mishti sat down on the bed, while she felt Abir’s hazel brown eyes gazing at her. She raised her eyebrows, with a smile on her face, in their classic way of silently questioning each other. Abir sat down beside Mishti, engulfing her in a tight hug. He put his one hand on Mishti’s head and the other on her back, while she rested his head on his chest. Abir kissed the top of her head, whispering with a warm smile, “I love you Mishti. I am so proud of you today.” Mishti tightened her grip on him, and responded, in a voice heavy with emotion, “I love you too Abir. Maine kaha tha na, ki agar koi bhi tumse badtameezi karega, toh use mera angry violent troop dekhna hoga. Aur aaj maine bas wahi kiya. Tum mere liye humesha se ladte aaye ho Abir. You have always been my rock. Aaj meri baari thi. Maa ko samjhna hoga ko woh humesha tumhe control ya blackmail nahi kar sakti.” Abir, who could feel the wetness of his shirt, gently broke away from the embrace. He cupped Mishti’s face and brought it to his level. Mishti was crying and Abir felt a pain in his heart seeing her like this. Holding onto Abir’s hand that cupped her face, Mishti continued, “Tum sirf pyaar deserve karte ho Abir. Only and only love. Maa ko yeh kyun nahi dikhta Abir ki woh yeh sab karke tumhe chot pahuncha rahi hai. Main tumhe aur hurt hote hue nahi dekh sakti Abir.” She started sobbing even harder. Abir tried to calm her down, wiping away her tears. Abir requested Mishti in a gentle voice, “Shhh. Please Mishti rona band karo. Please. I am fine Mishti. Jab tak tum mere saath ho, mere paas saari khushiyaan hai. Tumhe rote hue dekta hoon toh bohut dard hota hai yaar. So please Mishti don’t cry?” Mishti hugged Abir tightly, her hands wrapped tight around his waist, while he caressed her head. They stayed in the embrace for sometime, till Mishti stopped crying. Mishti broke the hug, sniffing. Abir asked worried, holding her hands, “Tum theek ho?” Mishti nodded with a smile. Mishti wasn’t unaware that Abir had buried his pain somewhere deep down in his heart. She wanted him to share his pain with her, like she did. Yet, Mishti reminded herself that this wasn’t right time to discuss about the issue, as she knew that Abir would surely laugh it away. Once they were at their house, she would make sure they slowly opened up to each other about their unsaid pain. The process would be a long and emotional one, but it was necessary for them to heal.
Abir looked at Mishti with sparkling eyes and said, “Mishti you are most wonderful women I have ever met. Your resilience never fails to astonish me.” Mishti answered, “Abir, main humesha aapne aap ko doubt karti rahi. Lekin jab tum meri life mein aaye, tumne mujhe mujhe apne decisions par bharosa rakhna sikhaaya. Kabhi dost bankar, kabhi humdard bankar, aur aaj mere life partner bankar. Aur iss baat ke liye I will always be grateful to you. Tumhaara meri life mein aana ek bohot khoobsurat miracle hai Abir. Your seize the day attitude has always inspired me to never give up. Tum toh sapno waalein prince charming se bhi better ho. I cannot wait to start a new chapter of our life with you.” Abir was lost for words. He brought her hands to his forehead and then to his lips and kissed them softly. The gesture conveyed more than words could, and Mishti read his silence. Mishti rested her head on his shoulder. His taut shoulders always provided her comfort and peace. Mishti sighed and said sadly, “I will miss this room Abir. Humaari kitni memories judi hui hai iss room se. Yaad jab main Kunal ke bachelors night ke time tumhaare ghar aayi thi aur tum mujhe iss room main le aaye the.” A smile spread across their lips as they recollected that incident. Mishti continued, while she laughed, “Tum puri tarah se drunk the aur tumne apna naam Aiber bataaya tha. Tum sach main Ajeeb Rajvansh ho.” Abir continued narrating the incident with a sly smile, “Aur phir main tumhaari god main sar rakhkhar so gaya!” Abir leapt and rested his head in Mishti’s lap, re-enacting that moment. Mishti blushed at this and playfully hit his chest, saying, "Tumhe yaad tha? Mujhe laga ki tum bhool gaye because you were under the influence of alcohol.” Abir pouted and said, “Main itna bhi drunk nahi tha okay? Woh toh pata nahi kaise humaari juice main sharaab aa gayi.” Mishti pulled his cheeks and imitated him, “Tum complain karte hue kitna cute lagte ho, Nautanki Rajvansh.” Abir chuckled at this. Mishti continued to recollect the memories attached with the room, “Pata hai Abir, issi room main maine apni painting dekhi thi aur main believe nahi kar paayi ki tumne meri painting banayi thi. I guess main maanene ke liye hi ready nahi thi ki koi mujhse itna pyaar karta hai ki usne meri painting banayi.” Abir held Mishti’s hand and said, “Tum ho hi itni amazing ki koi bhi tumse pyaar kar lega. Lekin iss life main tum sirf meri ho! Baaki sab log better luck next time.” Mishti giggled at his joke while stroking his hair.
