Anirudh, with a tender expression, gently wiped away Vasudha's tears and cupped her face in his hands. He spoke with a reassuring warmth that echoed the sincerity of his emotions.

Anirudh: "Vasudha, shh, stop crying. Meri taraf dekhiye please, meri aankhon me.. Please aisa mat kahiye Vasudha. Hamara rishta ab meri life ka sabse important rishta hai aur hamesha rahega.... I really like you Vasudha..Aur aapko abhi kuch bhi kehne ki zarurat nahi hai kyuki maine aapse apne dil ki baat kahi.. Vasudha aaj mere lijiye mujhse vaada kariye ki aap mujhe hamari puri zindagi aapke paas rehne ki ijazat dengi! Mai aapse yeh toh nahi kahunga ki aap ek specific emotion ko feel hi na karein but will you please promise me ki aap jo bhi feel karengi hamesha mujhe batayengi. Can I get these two promises Vasudha?"

Vasudha still in Anirudh's embrace, lost in his eyes softly yet sincerely muttered: "I promise, Raichand Ji"

Anirudh: "Aise nahi, agar aap sach me promise kar rahi hai hai toh mera naam lijiye, Vasudha. No ifs and buts."

Vasudha, hesitant at first, complied: " I promise Anirudh ji."

Anirudh: "Ek baar phir kahiye na!"

Vasudha places a quick kiss on Anirudh's cheek and repeats herself: " I promise, Anirudh Ji."

Her kiss turns tables and this time Anirudh becomes a blushing mess.

He says: "Ab jab tak aapko yeh vaada nibhana hoga tab tak raichand ji will be out of the picture, aap mujhe mere naam se bulaayengi."

Vasudha nods and places a quick kiss on his other cheek too. This time Anirudh lets go of his self control and asks Vasudha,

Anirudh: " Can I kiss you on your cheek too?"

Vasudha's blush & nod is all it takes for him to pepper kisses all over her both cheeks.
muahmuahmuahmuahmuahmuahmuahmuahhhhh

Vasudha: "Anirudh ji, aap bahut acche hai, I too really like you"

Anirudh's eyes shot up listening to her. Does it mean she loves him too? He tries to pester her.

Anirudh: " Okay Mrs. Raichand but at least tell me what is it that makes you like me?"

Vasudha: " Aapne kahan bataya ki aapko mere baare me kya pasand hai?"
Vasudha & Anirudh continue to stand in each other's embrace when he pops the idea of them telling each other each thing that they like about one another one by one.
Anirudh: " I'll start! Aap bahut pyaari hai Vasudha."
Vasudha: " Aap caring hai Anirudh Ji."
Anirudh: "Mai hamesha aapki care karunga, Vasudha." And he seals this promise with a kiss on her forehead.

While the two were lost in their moment, Anirudh's younger brother Nairit walks in.

Nairit: "Yahan Hai aap dono! Decorator ko akela andar chhod kar"

Embarrassed after being caught like this, Vasudha fidgets with her fingers looking down while Anirudh talks to Nairit.

Anirudh: "Tu yahan kya kar raha hai?"
Nairit: "Mai mithai ke boxes ka order dene aaya tha barabar wali line me. Arun (decorator) ka phone aaya ki aap dono ek dum se bahar chale gaye mujhe laga pata nahi kya ho gaya! Par yahan toh mujhe chachu banane ka groundwork chal raha hai" A grin is plastered on his face.

Vasudha turns crimson red at this remark.

Anirudh: "Chappal se maarunga sahi bata raha hun, saara din bolta rehta hai!"
Nairit: " Ab mai aapka chhota bhai nahi, bhabhi ka bada bhai hun. Thoda aaram se baat karo."

Anirudh rolls his eyes at his words: "Ja decorator se baat kar aage ki humne usse lagbhag sab samjha diya hai, hum dono lunch ke liye jaa rahe hai"
Nairit: "Theek hai, good luck for your date aur meri behen ko time se ghar drop kar dena." (Winks)

Anirudh holds Vasudha's hand and is ready to walk out.

Vasudha (to Nairit): " Aapne lunch kar liya bhaiya?"Anirudh & Nairit are warmed to core by her question.

Nairit: " Ji bhabhi, abhi chhoti chachi ke paas se aa raha hun, aapke haath ke daal-rice kha kar! They were delicious."

Vasudha: " Haha, thank you bhaiya, I'll make them for you whenever you say."

Nairit fakes cough to make Anirudh jealous.
Anirudh: "Ho gaya tera? Tere liye sirf banayengi mujhe apne haathon se khilayengi meri Vasudha!"

Nairit: "Dadi, Maa aur chachi's kam hai jo ab bhabhi ke haath se bhi khaana khaoge aur meri Vasudha haan! Not bad, pehle khud hi aisa baat karte ho aur hum kuch kahein toh gussa karte ho."

Anirudh: " You.."

Nairit: "Yes me, the Nairit Raichand, the favourite devar of to be Mrs. Vasudha Raichand"

Anirudh: " What makes you forget that she's to be Mrs. Vasudha Anirudh Raichand."

Nairit: " Ahh really, Mr. Whipped for my Bhabhi Raichand!

"Vasudha: " Anirudh ji mat daatiye na bhaiya ko!"

Nairit: " Aahahaha, bhabhi ek baar phir kahiye na! Pehli baar bhaiya ko koi kuch keh raha hai! Varna yeh hai sabke favourite, Hamare ghar ke elders ke raaj ne inse koi kuch nahi keh sakta! But bhabhi from today you are our saviour! Itne saal se aapka intezar hai!"

Anirudh whines: "Vasudha aap Nairit ki team me kyuuuu!!"
Vasudha: " Par aap bhaiya ko daant rahe the.. bhaiya upset ho jaate."

Nairit, seizing the opportunity, dramatically removed his sunglasses and wiped fake tears. "Finally kisi ko mere upset hone ki parvaah hai! Bhabhi I love you already. Chaliye mai aapko lunch par lekar chalta hun, bhaiye decorator se baat kar lenge."

With a playful yet assertive move, Anirudh took Vasudha's hand, preventing Nairit from being the first to escort her.

Walking forward he calls to Nairit saying: " Arun (decorator) se baat kar."

Once settled in the car, Anirudh's expression turned a bit jealous, and Vasudha sensed something amiss. Attempting to lighten the mood, she held her ears in a playful gesture, silently apologizing to Anirudh. The gesture worked its magic, and Anirudh's frown transformed into a warm smile. He gently removed her hands from her ears and planted a sweet kiss on her forehead, eliciting a delighted smile from Vasudha.

As they resumed their conversation, Anirudh, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, brought up a more intimate topic.

Anirudh: "Par aap mujhe apne haath se khana khilayengi na?"

Vasudha, blushing uncontrollably, looked down, and Anirudh couldn't help but find her adorable.

Anirudh: "Mujhe mera jawab mil gaya."

He tenderly held her hand and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles, symbolizing the beginning of many shared moments yet to come.

.

.

.

Vasudha and Anirudh arrived at the elegant restaurant, an intimate setting perfect for a romantic lunch date. The ambiance was adorned with soft music, dim lighting, and the fragrance of exquisite flowers. Anirudh pulled out the chair for Vasudha, a gentlemanly gesture that made her smile warmly.

They settled into their seats, and the waiter approached with the menu. Anirudh, ever the courteous host, took the initiative.

Anirudh: "Aaj hum aapki pasand ka kuch khayenge, Vasudha!"

Vasudha blushed at his statement and took the menu card. As they perused the menu, their conversation effortlessly flowed from wedding plans to family anecdotes. Anirudh shared childhood stories, amusing incidents involving his cousins, and Vasudha reciprocated with tales from her own past. The laughter and easy camaraderie between them created a delightful atmosphere.

Anirudh: "Vasudha, aapne apne friends ko bata Diya na shaadi ke baare me?"

Vasudha: "Ji nahi..."

Anirudh: " Kyu? Aap bulana nahi chahti unhe hamare functions me?"

Vasudha: "Anirudh Ji aap sab mere liye already sab kuch kar rahe hai, itni expensive dresses, mera dream decor, everything.. mai nahi chahti ki aap mere liye aur kharcha karein"

Anirudh: "Vasudha aapne abhi bhi ham sabko accept nahi kiya hai na? Aap humein api family nahi maanti na?"

Vasudha: "Nahi Anirudh Ji yeh aap kya keh rahe hai.. Aap sab meri family hai.."

Anirudh: "Kya aapne Pallu Chachi (nickname for Pallavi) aur Nakul Chachu ko apne mann se Kanyadaan karne ke liye allow kiya hai?"

Vasudha: "Ji Anirudh ji..."

Anirudh: "Vasudha jo mai kehne jaa raha hun, woh aapke liye karna bahut mushkil hoga par agar aapne mann se Chachu chachi ko kanyadaan karne ke liye allow kiya hai iska Matlab ki woh aapke parents hai.. Aapko pata hai Pallu Chachi ek girl ko adopt karna chahti thi but Par-dadi ne allow nahi kiya aur aaj jab Chachi hamari shaadi me meri side chodd kar aanpik taraf se hona chahti hai toh kya aap please unki yeh wish puri karengi? Unn par apna haq jata kar? Unhe yeh feel kara kar ki aap unhe apna maanti hai? Unse zid kariye, farmaishein kariye jaise aap apni mumma se karti..."

Vasudha: "Anirudh ji aap sab se kitna pyaar karte hai.. I promise maine chachi ko, aap sab ko apna liye hai bas mai yeh nahi jaanti ki apnapann kaise jatana chahiye..but mai pana Haq chachi par zarur jataungi, unki daughter bankar dikhaungi..."

Anirudh: "Sirf Chachi par Vasudha? Mujh par nahi?"

Vasudha's cheeks turned a shade of pink, and she looked down, hiding her smile. Their meal arrived and their conversations became softer, more intimate. Anirudh couldn't help but steal glances at Vasudha, admiring her every expression.

.

.

.

As Anirudh navigated through the city lights, he couldn't help but notice the enchanting glow reflecting in Vasudha's eyes. Their fingers delicately intertwined, forming an unspoken promise of togetherness. Mukesh's timeless voice wafted through the car, filling the space with the nostalgic melodies of "Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein."

The lyrics resonated, creating an intimate atmosphere that seemed to encapsulate the emotions swirling between them. Anirudh, caught up in the magic of the moment, stole glances at Vasudha, marveling at the serendipity that had brought them together.

Anirudh, singing softly: 

Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein, Khayal Aata Hai 

Ke Jaise Tujhko Banaya Gaya Hai Mere Liye 

Tu Ab Se Pahle Sitaron Mein Bas Rahi Thi Kahi 

Tujhe Zameen Pe Bulaya Gaya Hai Mere Liye

His voice, a blend of emotion and playfulness, was a tender serenade to the woman beside him. Anirudh, basking in the moment, couldn't resist letting his eyes linger on Vasudha, the lyrics becoming a silent promise etched in their shared glances.

Anirudh, adding a flirtatious touch: 

Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein, Khayal Aata Hai 

Ke Jaise Tu Mujhe Chahegi Umar Bhar Yu Hi

The lyrics seamlessly transitioned into a playful flirtation. Anirudh's eyes twinkled with mischief as he looked at Vasudha, teasingly suggesting that the thought of her love dwelling in his heart forever was more than just a passing fancy. The car became a cocoon of their budding romance, and the timeless melodies of Mukesh added a layer of charm to the journey of their hearts.