Winner of Wattpad India Awards 2020 (Judge's Choice) in the New Adult category.
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"The lights are cheeky, you can't live without them, and yet if you get too close, they'll blind you. Darkness? Well it doesn't cheat. It's cool and soothing. It's r...
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"You're here."
"And you were out for hours after locking the door on me."
"I thought you won't be back until I physically dragged you from Sakshinagar."
Now on his feet, he reached for her. Two long strides and she too was on the porch step, lifting her heels, linking her fingers behind his neck, resting her chin on his shoulder. Crumbs of the Parle-G he was feeding to Chikki grazed against the skin her sari left exposed as his hands found her back to pull her closer. She didn't care.
He was here.
Madhu's heart was racing a mile per second from the memory of her panic just moments ago. For five days this panic had been a constant companion, ever-present beneath the surface of her skin, nudging her when she allowed her mind to think of the worst. A reminder of something not quite right. And now her brain still couldn't register he was here, safe and in her arms. She needed to repeat that to herself. Over and over again.
Perhaps he was experiencing the same, for his hold tightened and he almost lifted her off her feet, murmuring into her hair, "You smell like Marigolds, it's nice."
He didn't though. He smelled of sweat and smoky tobacco. Not nice at all. She pulled back as far as he would let her, which was only far enough to look at him. "When was the last time you ate?"
"I had lunch, yesterday."
"And your first thought was to feed Chikki instead of yourself?"
"Someone had to."
"I feed him!"
"Bland milk-roti he doesn't like."
"You'll make him fat."
"It's a sign of love."
The dog in question barked as if in agreement. Nakul laughed a deep guttural laugh, bringing his forehead to down to hers. "God, I missed you."
Tears pricking at the corners of her eyes spilled over. "Nakul I—"
A loud rumble sounded from behind her, making her jump and turn around, moving away from his embrace though still keeping her fingers laced with his. She wasn't ready to completely let go.
Satish was here with his scooter as promised, exactly on time. Suman was seated sideways behind him with Vinita in her arms and Kavita standing in the front holding the handlebars.
Madhu waited a beat and then, as expected, tense faces cleared. It was hard to tell who was happier to see Nakul. Kavita hopped down, running towards them and giggling when Nakul released Madhu's hand to hoist her up so she could cling to him like a monkey.
Handing him the house keys, Madhu left him to greet his sister and approached Satish.
"Hey umm, sorry for the way I acted back then I was just...sorry. Thanks for bringing them home."
