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Isha stepped out of the car, the sight of numerous shopping bags piled in the backseat making her shake her head. The sheer amount of stuff was enough to tell how much they had shopped today. She still couldn’t understand what had gotten into Kajal. Her best friend had practically dragged her from one store to another, behaving as though she was preparing for her own wedding.
Which, unfortunately, wasn’t happening anytime soon—mainly because Kajal had finally decided to move on from her crush. Crush, that was probably the simplest way Isha could describe it.
Not that she minded being dragged around. She didn’t really have much to do today anyway. It was her birthday, but Rudra had told her in the morning that they would go out for dinner later to celebrate. So, when Kajal suddenly appeared out of nowhere and insisted on shopping together, she hadn’t resisted.
As they reached the front door, Kajal suddenly stopped in her tracks.
“Shit! I forgot something in the car,” she muttered dramatically. “You go inside, I’ll be right back.”
Isha gave her a suspicious look but didn’t argue. Shaking her head, she pushed open the gate and stepped into the house—only to be met with complete darkness. Not a single light was on.
Her brows furrowed in confusion as she stepped further inside. And then-
“Happy Birthday!”
The chorus of voices erupted all at once, echoing through the house. The darkness vanished as strings of fairy lights came alive, twinkling from every corner. Balloons filled the room, ribbons sparkled under the glow, and the once-dark hall looked like something out of a dream.
Her breath caught in her throat, a small gasp escaping her lips as her gaze swept across the room.
Her mother stood there, smiling warmly. Beside her were Rudra’s parents, Aradhya, Ansh, Professor Adi, and Shreyansh—each one of them grinning with bright, happy faces.
“What are you guys doing here?” Isha asked, her voice trembling with disbelief and joy. She quickly closed the distance and threw her arms around her mother, hugging her tightly.
“We’re here to celebrate my son’s birthday,” Shreyansh said dramatically, rolling his eyes with a grin.
Isha pulled back and glared at him playfully.
“Of course we’re here to celebrate your birthday,” he corrected, laughing at her expression.
“You’re not even married,” little Ansh piped up, his tiny face scrunching in confusion. “How can you have a son?”
The group chuckled, and Shreyansh bent slightly to look at the boy. Their relationship had softened in the last few days—thankfully Ansh no longer believed Shreyansh was going to kidnap him.
Shreyansh was surprised to find Aradhya in his father’s office when he went their few days back for something. It turned out she was his father’s new secretary.
She apologized for their earlier interaction in the park for mistaking him as a bad person even though he kept saying it wasn’t a big deal.
“Well, right now I don’t,” Shreyansh replied with mock seriousness. “But you don’t need to get m—”
“Uhmm… let’s cut the cake, shall we?” Adi interrupted smoothly, giving Shreyansh a pointed look to save him from further embarrassment.
Laughter filled the air as everyone gathered around, showering Isha with hugs and warm wishes.
“You knew about this, didn’t you?” Isha whispered accusingly when Kajal hugged her next.
“Yea,” Kajal admitted sheepishly, raising her hands in defense. “But before you get mad—your husband specifically told me to keep you distracted until the surprise.”
Isha opened her mouth to argue, but Kajal smirked and leaned closer. “I’ll give you some alone time,” she whispered mischievously before slipping away to join the others in the dining area.
And that was when Isha felt it—his scent. Familiar, intoxicating, unmistakably his. Her heart gave an involuntary flutter even before she heard the soft, measured footsteps approaching.
“Happy birthday, baby,” Rudra’s deep voice whispered against her ear, his lips brushing lightly over her skin. The touch sent an electric shiver down her spine.
“Thank you,” Isha whispered back, her throat tightening with emotions she couldn’t put into words. For some, it might have seemed like an ordinary gesture—a simple surprise. But for her, it meant so much more. After her father’s death, her own relatives had started treating her and her mother like they didn’t exist. Despite having a large extended family and countless cousins, she had always felt alone on her birthdays.
His father’s family never bothered to check how they are living their lives after he was gone. So seeing everyone standing there smiling at her warmly, people who are genuinely happy for her – it means a lot and her husband has done it.
He doesn’t even know it but he’s healing every little thing that was broken inside her as child with his love everyday.
Rudra’s eyes softened with an understanding only he could give. He tilted her chin gently, brushing away the tears that had escaped.
“Hey,” he teased lightly, his thumb caressing her cheek. “I didn’t endure Shreyansh’s endless rambling for hours just to see you cry.”
A laugh broke from her lips at his playful complaint, and Rudra’s own smile deepened. It didn’t matter how much he pretended to dislike Shreyansh—she knew better. He didn’t hate him as much as he claimed. In fact, Rudra valued his presence, even if he wouldn’t admit it out loud.
“Come on,” he murmured, lacing his fingers through hers. “Let’s cut the cake.”
Her hand fit perfectly in his, as it always did. Her anchor. Her biggest support.
The celebration carried on with joy, laughter, and dinner preparations. At one point, Isha slipped away into the kitchen to fetch tissues, only to collide straight into Rudra as he stepped out.
Strong arms instantly steadied her against his chest. His lips curved into a smirk as his gaze lingered on her flustered face.
“If you wanted to be in my arms so badly, we can skip dinner,” he drawled lazily, tightening his hold. “I don’t mind.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks as she stammered, stepping back quickly.
“I was just here for tissues,” she muttered, her face red as Rudra chuckled under his breath.
He reached into the cabinet, pulling out a packet before passing it to her.
“Did you like the cake?” he asked casually, though his eyes stayed fixed on her.
“Yes!” Isha’s lips curved into a grin. “It was my favorite.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” Rudra murmured in amusement.
Before she could question him, he lifted his hand to her face. Her breath stilled as he wiped a smear of cream from the corner of her mouth with a tenderness that made her freeze.He wiped the cream from her face, his thumb grazing her skin before he brought it to his lips, cleaning it with slow deliberation.
His eyes held hers the entire time, dark and unrelenting. The heated look he gave her made her toes curl, a shiver of desire slipping through her body, leaving her pulse racing.
Her mind instantly flashed to another memory of his tongue, her face burning as she quickly shook her head, scolding herself inwardly trying to get away from the memories Not the time, Isha. Not when the whole family is right outside.
Together, they returned to the dining room where laughter and conversations flowed easily. Isha sat beside Rudra, stealing glances across the table at Kajal—only for her eyes to widen.
Wait. Was that… a hickey?
“Move on, my foot,” she muttered under her breath, narrowing her eyes at her best friend. Kajal only raised a brow in confusion, pretending innocence.
Isha pulled out her phone and quickly typed a message.
Isha: Wanna tell me which mosquito bit your neck?
Kajal’s phone pinged, and her eyes widened. Her hand flew to her neck instantly.
Kajal: I’m going to kill him!
Isha: Not before I kill you!!
Kajal: I can explain… 🙂
Isha: You better. Tomorrow.
Before Kajal could reply, Rudra’s father casually asked from the other end of the table, “So, Shreyansh, do you have a girlfriend?”
Shreyansh froze for a second. “No. And I’m not interested in any girl either.” His gaze flickered briefly—ever so briefly—towards Aradhya before he quickly looked away.
“So you like boys then?” his father continued smoothly, his tone calm and free of judgment, though amusement glinted in his eyes. The table suddenly went silent as everyone struggled not to laugh.
“What? No!” Shreyansh exclaimed, his ears turning red. “What I meant was—I’m not interested in any girl right now.”
“Ohh, okay,” his father said with a smirk. “But if it’s the other way, we don’t mind. You don’t have to feel embarrassed about it.”Now the old man was simply having fun teasing him as he smirked playfully.
The poor boy looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole, while the rest of the table shook with barely suppressed laughter.
“Bachche ko preshaan karna band kijiye aap,” his mother scolded, giving her husband a sharp glare. The table burst into laughter at the way Shreyansh’s ears turned red.
Isha leaned toward Rudra, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
“Dad is right, you know,” she whispered, her lips brushing his ear. “You can also tell me about your and Adi sir’s bromance. I’m very open-minded.”
She bit her lip, trying hard not to laugh when Rudra scowled at her words.
(◍•ᴗ•◍)
Later that night, after the guests had left and the house had fallen quiet, Isha sat cross-legged on the bed, checking the pile of gifts everyone had given her. But something was missing.
“Rudra, where’s your gift?” she asked, glancing at him.
The bathroom door opened, and Rudra walked out in a plain black t-shirt and comfortable lowers, his damp hair falling carelessly over his forehead. His presence alone made her heart skip, but his words made her pout.
“I thought the surprise was enough,” he said, feigning innocence as he strolled toward her.
Isha’s expression fell, her lips curving downward as disappointment flickered in her eyes. “You really didn’t get me anything?” she whispered softly, hurt peeking through her voice.
Rudra sighed, cupping her face in both his palms instantly. “Hey, don’t make that face,” he pleaded, his thumb brushing her cheek tenderly. “I was just joking.” His heart clenched at her sadness. He didn’t even know why he had teased—he couldn’t stand to see her upset for even a second.
“Then where is it? I can’t find it,” she asked in confusion, her gaze darting back toward the pile of gifts on the bed.
A faint smile tugged at his lips at her eagerness. “It’s in my office. Wait here.”
Within minutes he returned, holding an envelope in his hand. He handed it to her with a calmness that made her suspicious.
Isha blinked at it, brows furrowed. “You aren’t giving me test papers as a birthday gift, are you?” Her eyes widened dramatically as she looked between the envelope and his face.
Rudra scoffed, shaking his head. “Just open it.”
She tore it open quickly, pulling out the papers. Her eyes scanned the contents, and her lips parted in shock.
“You… you transferred the house in my name?”
He didn’t answer with words—just a soft smile, like he had handed her candy.
”you remember the day when you asked me, what if we had a big fight in future, what will I do then?”
“Rudra will you also kick me out of the house if we had a fight in future?” his moments still as he turned his head his expression mix of confusion and amusement,” what are you talking about Isha?”
“See” she said showing him the news on her phone, after a fight the husband kicked his wife out of the house saying that it’s his house, and his wife went to police station, when police called her husband for enquiry they got into another fight and someone made a video of it.
“ This will never happen” he said taking some ingredients from the cupboard
“Even if I made a mistake?” she pressed, swinging her legs as she was sitting on the kitchen slab while he was cooking
There was no hesitation or doubt on his face as he said,” everything that i own is yours too Isha, and that will never change even if something happens in future,”
She had forgotten that moment, brushing it off as silly curiosity. But he hadn’t. He remembered. And tonight, he made sure she would never doubt it.
“It’s your house now, so even if we ever fight, you can just kick me out instead” he said as she stared at the papers in shock.
Tears prickled her eyes as understanding dawned.
“It’s not just about the house,” Rudra said quietly, his hand rising to caress her cheek. His voice was rough, heavy with emotion. “Yes, we’ll fight—today, tomorrow, years later. Big fights, small fights, because that’s life and because we are human, we will make mistakes- both of us But not for a single second do I ever want you to feel like you don’t have a place in my heart, my life, or my home.”
His forehead rested gently against hers, his breath mingling with hers. “Home isn’t a place, Isha. For me, It’s you. You are my home.”
Her chest tightened painfully, overflowing with emotions she couldn’t contain. She closed her eyes briefly, clinging to him as though he were her anchor, the one who would never let her fall.
“You didn’t need to do this,” she whispered, her voice shaky as unshed tears glistened in her eyes. “It was just a random question… I didn’t even mean it seriously.”
He smiled against her, pressing his lips softly to her temple. “I needed to. Because my wife deserves the best birthday gift.”
Her lips curved into a trembling smile as she whispered, “Did I ever tell you that you’re the best husband?” Rising on her toes, she brushed her lips over his in a kiss full of gratitude and love.
“You did,” he murmured against her lips, grinning. “But I don’t mind hearing it every day.”
His eyes twinkled with happiness, his smile so breathtaking she felt herself drowning in it. Someone once said the most masculine thing a man can do is be soft with the woman he loves. In this moment, Rudra embodied that truth.
His softness is something she will forever cherish because it’s sacred meant only for her.
Isha playfully sighed. “But it’s not fair. What will I give you on your birthday?”
His smirk returned, devilishly handsome. He leaned closer, his voice dropping. “Forget my birthday. I don’t mind a return gift right now.”
Her brows arched in curiosity. “And what do you want?” she asked, almost too eagerly.
“You, me, and our bed,” he said smoothly, picking her up into his arms.
Her laughter rang out as she wrapped her legs around his waist. “So subtle,” she teased, biting back more giggles.
But when he laid her on the bed, both of them froze. The bed was still piled high with gifts.
Rudra’s expression soured instantly, and Isha laughed, biting her lip. “Guess we have to deal with these first.”
She reached for the nearest box—it was Kajal’s gift. Tearing the paper, she gasped at the contents, her cheeks flaring red.
“What is it?” Rudra asked, as he began moving the other boxes to the side.
Isha held up the black lingerie dangling from her fingers there’s was barely any cloth to cover anything. His brows shot up instantly.
“No wonder it’s from her,” he muttered hiding his laugh.
A small note slipped out of the box. Isha picked it up and read aloud, blushing harder.
Have a good night, babe – K.
Rudra’s grin turned slow, wicked, and full of intent as his eyes darkened.
And they did have a very good night not because of good sleep. Because He made love to her like she was his very breath—slow, tender, and all-consuming. Every touch carried devotion, every kiss a promise, as if he was pouring all of himself into her, showing her without words that she was his everything.
That night, the world seemed to fall silent for them alone. The faint glow of the moon slipped into the room, casting silver shadows across their entwined bodies.
His hands moved over her with a reverence that made her shiver, every touch unhurried, every kiss lingering as though he was memorizing her.
When their lips met, it was not just desire—it was love, deep and consuming, as if he was pouring his very soul into her.
She clung to him, her breath mingling with his, and together they moved in a rhythm that felt timeless, as though the universe itself had slowed to witness them.
In his embrace, she felt cherished, whole, and utterly his, and when he whispered her name against her skin, it was with a devotion that promised forever
And he’s her forever, her heart knew it the first time she looked at him and forgot everything. She still do that whenever he looks at her a little longer she forgets where she’s, who’s around her and just get lost in his eyes.
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And I know it’s so random but I can’t believe so many people are reading my story and still excited to read every chapter… Thank you
The next chapter will be soon so plz comment and vote for a little motivation
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