Chapter 1

Ritika...

She was anxiously waiting for him...it was her 19^th birthday and it was going to be the best with him...she wanted him to be with her as he was the only person fate had left in her life to depend on... trust on...!!

He was the one who supported her in worse times when her everything was destroyed...she lost her family in that 26.11 Mumbai attack...it broke her insides...Made her more weak and fragile... more than that any of miseries could do.

The reality bolted on her out of a blue...she lost her parents...she was an orphan now...she had no one to care for her...no one to whom she could depend on...!!

A lone tear escaped from her beautiful kohl-lined eye...she remembered everything...why was that nightmarish reality came in her life...why her parents left her to die...!!

If he would have not come in her life...she would be dead at that very moment...he was her friend...her savior...the person who made her live again...helped her to come out of that harsh trauma..!!

He was always by her side...to console her...to soothe that pain which was inseparable part of her life...many times he wiped her tears and many times he let her cry out her heart in his warm embrace...!!

She needed support, but no one was there for her except this friend of her's...every relative who looked so loving and caring before this heart tormenting incident...they were now looking at her with disgust...like she was some kind of ominous creature.

No one was ready to give a damn to this broken soul...who just had lost her life givers...no one was there to take her responsibly...she was left to die a thousands of deaths.

Then he came...who fought for her...who made sure that if she would be crying remembering that horrible sight of dead bodies...those pricing glances of people...he would be by her side to make her feel safe...protected.

Not only he, but his parents and other family members too also accepted her as their own daughter...she became the most pampered one of their family...that too more than him.

After that night...she never expected that she would get this much of care and affection from someone other than her parents...!!

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Nishant...

He was walking with quick steps...crossing the big corridor of his Haveli...eager to meet her...wanted to be the first one to wish her in his own special way...this was the first time she was celebrating her birthday after that nightmare which became the reality of her life.

He wanted her to be with him...to be happy with him...she phased the harshest truth of her life...she had cried a lot sometimes alone...sometime in the cage of his strong arms...!!

He was introvert, but caring; arrogant but helpful...he was the person having sweet nature and charming personality...that sweetness of him only known to her...She was his companion..His friend and his LOVE TOO.

They both were childhood friends...she was so cute and naughty...sometimes annoyed him with her playful sometimes made him laugh in his worries.

He had seen her in worse situations phasing harder ships of life in minor age of 17 only...now it was enough...now he would not let cry any more...this birthday will be the most memorable birthday of her life...!!

He never got to know how he fell for her so intensely in this span of time...when she cried, he cried with her ; when she laughed barely after that incident...he laughed with her...he never knew how the level of their friendship increased to the most pure form of emotions that's we call love...!!

He was going to the terrace to check out all the arrangements he did for this special day of both of their lives...he will make it special for her...today he will let her know what he feels for her...how invaluable she was for him...!!

He was here on the terrace...checked out all arrange carefully...every nook and corner of the place was decorated with so much admiration...he himself did all the things did not letting her know...however it was difficult for him to hide something from his only companion...but he had too.

It was 11.55 now,

He called her up...Hey come to the terrace I wanted to talk to u for something important it is...!!

She knew he would have planned something for her but pretended to be unknown...at this hour...?? What u wants to talk about??

I will tell you but for that you have to come here...!!

Okkk I am coming...!! She said suppressing her laughter...!!

Hmmm waiting for you...he said desperately.

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She went to the terrace clad in her silken red color night rob...her long black tresses were caressing her creamy cheeks making her look enchantingly beautiful...today the glow of her happiness shone on her face just like the full moon on the sky...today she would let him know about her sentiments..!!

There was full dark on the terrace but the starlight made her not to scare instead she was looking for him there.

Nishu ...Randhir...!! She called him twice...it was 11.59.

He sneaked from behind the door and then slowly came out closing it.

She heard him coming but didn't budge an inch from the spot...he came from behind and closed her eyes with his palms softly.

"Happy Birthday Princess." He whispered in her ear.

She giggled and then said... "Why did you call me here? Couldn't you have wished me inside?"

"Hmmm... I have some surprise for you."

"And what is that?"

Come...I will show you...!!

He held her hand and both led to the other side of roof which was decorated with lights and flowers...red roses were spread down to her feet all the way to the spot where most favorite black forest cake was kept...she was walking on the rose petals holding his hand...touched by this much love n affection he showed.

They came to stop in front of the table where a small packet of gift placed with her all favorite sweets n cake too.

She lifted her hand up to bring the knife placed sideways n was about to cut the cake when he place his palm upon her hand...n came on back side hovering her body making her feel shivers...they both together cut the cake.

She was aware of his likings about the eatable decors on the cake so she cut the big peace n fed him mouth full...but he caught hold n made her eat remaining...(jhoota khane se pyar badhta hai na ;) )

Than it was the time...she asked him...mera gift kahan hai??

Mai lana bhool gya...!! He pretended to be guilty.

:o how can u forget...she pouted n revolved around.

He made her swing and fixed an intense gaze that was unbearable for her...u want a gift??

Yes...!! She exclaimed fondly.

If I would say that I am yours...accept me as a gift...than???

She was stunned...her astonishment was beyond description...she wanted to say the same thing which he said..!!

The waves of happiness were getting out of her control...her heart was pondering inside like it would come out at the very instant.

But she was silent...glancing at his exquisite features which had a question with fear of losing her...but where she could go far from this man of her...she loved him...yes she loved with all her heart and soul.

She hid her scarlet face in his manly frame...this gesture gave him courage and he bound his hands around her petite frame...hugging her back with all his love.

They stood there locked in each other's arms...wishing that this moment would never end.

Something clicked his mind n he released her making her go red with shyness...she asked him almost in whispering tone...what happened..??

But he paid no attention swung towards the table n bring that small red box...opened it.

There was a beautiful ring inside it...he revolved himself n kneeled down infront of that red scarlet girl...who was going to be a red tomato :D in some time

He asked with utmost love n passion pouring out from his voice...if I would say that I want to be yours for ever then will u accept...showing the diamond solitaire ring...she never expected this from a person like him to do it in this way, she was utterly shocked...!!

Yes...she whispered in the rhythm of moment...making him happily shout her name loudly...he stand on his feet...n held her hand...made her wear that sign of their pure love...kissed her hand...she was again going to be red with coyness..that somehow made her more beautiful in his eyes...couldn't resist himself from imprisoning her in another cozy hug,

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Dedicated to Dear Apoorva...MURAT_fan