Chapter 39
'Uh Nivi? Are you ok?' Viren asked the words hesitantly and Nivi honestly didn't know if she was ok or not. She felt like she wasn't really standing there but watching herself from a distance. She thought she'd been ready for it earlier but now she realised she hadn't even been close. It slowly started to sink in and Nivi desperately tried to think of something to say but her heart was beating too loudly for her to think straight. She couldn't seem to look at Viren as he stepped closer to her. He took both her hands in his as he spoke, 'Nivi...?'
Nivi looked up slowly and although the sun had set, there was still enough light for Viren to see that she was blushing and it took her a few tries before she could meet his eyes. 'Nivi, main tumse bohth pyaar kar tha hoon...I love you. I think I've always loved you...' Viren looked straight into her eyes as he said the words softly, trying to make her see all the love he felt for her.
He saw Nivi try to smile as her eyes filled with tears and he could see the answering love in them; he'd always been able to read her face easily and now he felt his heart was about to burst with happiness at the love he saw there. He tried to keep his voice steady as he laughed quietly and said, 'Phir se rone lagi Moti..?!'
He wiped her tears slowly and kept his hand on her cheek, 'Nivi, tumhe kuch nahi kehna?' Nivi hadn't said a word since she'd read the note, she didn't know if she could without bursting out into tears. She didn't know why she was crying, she was happier than she'd ever been in her life but his words had done something to her. She shook her head and swallowed, 'Viren...main...' She felt more tears roll down her cheeks, over Viren's hand. She smiled through them trying to show him she loved him too.
Seeing the smile on Nivi's face made his heart sing and he slowly leaned forward and kissed her on her forehead softly. He wiped her tears again and then pulled her into his arms, feeling like his whole life had been moving towards this moment. Nivi's head was resting on his shoulder and after a few seconds she whispered 'I love you Viren' and he hugged her even tighter and felt tears in his own eyes as he smiled into her hair.
Nivi hid her face in Viren's shoulder after she spoke and felt like she was floating as he held her. She couldn't believe she was standing here with him, it felt like a dream, like she'd wake up any second. In the back of her mind she knew she would have to think about this all calmly at some point but right now she just wanted to enjoy the pleasure of being with Viren and not worry about anything else for a change.
They stood that way for a while, neither of them saying anything till they heard a car door slamming shut at the front of the house. Nivi jumped as a second door slammed and pulled away from Viren quickly, 'Viren...how late is it?! That must be Papa with Dadi!' How could she have forgotten them?! She looked around in panic and Viren put his hands on her shoulders. 'Shh it's ok Nivi, you go inside and I'll go round the side of the house, ok?' Nivi blinked at him for a second before nodding; she felt nervous even though that would be easy enough for Viren to do. 'Ok Viren, bye!' She tried to walk past him into the house but he laughed and grabbed her wrist.
'Wait a sec Moti, that's it: bye?!!' Viren tilted his head and shook it in disappointment, as if she'd let him down but Nivi's eyes widened in disbelief; it was fully night time now, what would they say if her father found them? She tried to stay calm, 'Viren! If Papa sees you, you won't have time to say bye to anyone!' She tried to pull her hand back but Viren held on stubbornly and Nivi felt her heart melting at his expression; despite everything, she just wanted to hug him... but she had to make him go so she closed her eyes for a second before going to stand closer to him, trying not to let her breathing go crazy.
Viren was so surprised by Nivi's turnaround he let go of her wrist and she put her hand on his cheek shyly, 'Please go Viren, I'll see you soon ok?' Viren couldn't help but nod and as Nivi took her hand back he quickly turned his face and kissed her palm, watching as she gasped and then blushed. She pulled her hand back and whispered 'Bye!' before running back into the house.
He stood there for a few minutes feeling stunned and almost giddy with happiness and he felt like he'd never be able to get rid of the silly smile on his face. He looked down and realised he still had Nivi's flower in his hand so he left it on the railing by the back door, hoping she'd find it and carefully made his way round the house, almost feeling as though he was in a dream.