【 Don't forget to vote⭐】
Arya's POV
Dinner at the Singhania house was never quiet, but tonight the chaos had a theme-me and Abhinav.
"Bhai has a meeting in Goa," Avni announced, way too happily, as if she had been waiting to throw this bomb all evening.
Her grin widened. "And guess who should go with him?"
The spoon nearly slipped from my hand. "Mumma..." I whispered, looking helplessly at her.
But Mumma was already smiling, eyes twinkling. "It's a good idea. Arya should go."
"Mumma!" I gasped.
Avni didn't stop there. She leaned forward with a wicked grin. "Honeymoon vibes!"
I coughed hard, choking on my water. Arjun slapped the table, laughing so loudly the whole room shook.
"Avni, enough," Abhinav's calm but firm voice cut through the teasing. Still, I saw the corner of his lips twitch like he was holding back a smile.
"Bhabhi's blushing," Avni sing-songed, and everyone laughed again.
My face burned hotter than the curry on the table.
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Next Morning - Leaving
Abhinav was already near the car, luggage in place. He looked up as I approached, his gaze scanning me once, then softening.
"You don't have to come if you're uncomfortable," he said quietly.
I shook my head. "I want to."
Something flickered in his eyes-surprise maybe-but he only nodded. "Then let's go."
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Abhinav's POV
Arya was quiet, twisting the edge of her dupatta like it held secrets. When the plane lifted, she pressed to the window, wide-eyed.
"It looks like toys," she whispered, forgetting I was beside her.
I should've looked outside too. Instead, I kept watching her reflection in the glass.
For the first time, I thought... bringing her with me wasn't going to be a distraction. It might just make this trip better.
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Arya's POV
Goa Arrival
Goa hit me like a splash of color-the salty air, the crowd, the sound of waves somewhere close.
Abhinav was already on a call, his deep voice professional, unfazed by the chaos. By the time we checked into the resort, my heart was thundering.
And when the balcony opened to the endless sea, I couldn't stop staring.
"Avni will call this a honeymoon, won't she?" His voice came from behind me.
I spun around, startled. He was leaning on the doorframe, arms crossed, an almost-smile teasing his lips.
"She... already did," I muttered.
His gaze lingered a second longer, amused. "She's not entirely wrong."
And then he walked back in, leaving me to blush against the ocean breeze.
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The Next Day
Abhinav's POV
Meetings. Calls. Presentations. My day was supposed to be packed, but somewhere between spreadsheets and contracts, I kept glancing at my watch.
Because I knew she was waiting back at the resort.
When I returned for lunch, she was on the balcony again, sketching the waves in her diary.
"You draw?" I asked, surprising even myself.
She jumped slightly, hiding the page. "Just... nothing serious."
I leaned a little closer. "Show me sometime."
Her eyes widened, and she nodded quickly, tucking her hair behind her ear. For reasons unknown, the simple gesture made my chest feel lighter.
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Arya's POV
Evening
He had a gap between meetings and suggested a walk by the beach. My heart nearly leaped.
The sand was cool under my feet, the sea roaring beside us. Abhinav didn't talk much, but his hand brushed mine-once, twice-before finally closing around it.
Warm. Firm. Reluctant to let go.
People passed, couples laughed, the waves splashed higher. Still, his fingers stayed locked with mine.
"everyone might see us," I whispered, half-teasing, half-nervous.
He glanced down at me, calm but certain. "Let them."
Something melted inside me.
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Later That Night
Back in the room, he loosened his tie, exhaustion written on his face. Still, he asked, "Did you like it here?"
I nodded. "More than I thought I would."
Silence stretched, comfortable this time.
Then, unexpectedly, he said, "I'm glad you came."
My heart stuttered. His words weren't grand, but the sincerity behind them was louder than anything Avni could ever tease.
As I turned off the lamp and lay down, I found myself smiling into the dark-because for the first time, Goa didn't feel like his work trip.
It felt like ours.
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Arya's POV
I thought it would be another evening of him buried in work calls. But when he told me to "be ready by seven," my stomach knotted with nervousness.
"Where are we going?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
He only gave that infuriatingly calm smile. "You'll see."
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The driver dropped us near the private stretch of beach. My breath caught when I saw it.
A small white tent stood under the stars, fairy lights strung all around it, glowing softly against the night. Cushions scattered on the sand, a low table set with candles, the sea just a few steps away.
It was like something straight out of a dream.
I turned to him, speechless.
"You like it?" His voice was low, almost hesitant.
"I... love it," I whispered.
And for the first time, he looked almost shy.
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Abhinav's POV
She looked ethereal-her saree fluttering with the sea breeze, her eyes reflecting the lights. I had arranged this to make her smile, but the truth was, I was the one who couldn't stop staring.
We sat together, and the dinner began-simple, soft music playing in the background. She laughed when I tried to feed her dessert and got cream on my fingers. I laughed when she finally took revenge by pushing a spoonful straight at me.
It wasn't grand. It wasn't loud. It was us.
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Arya's POV
After dinner, we didn't go back immediately. The waves called to us, and somehow, we ended up walking barefoot on the sand. He didn't let go of my hand, not once.
The silence between us wasn't heavy anymore. It felt like something was shifting, melting, settling into place.
I stopped suddenly, looking up at him. "Why me?"
He frowned slightly. "What?"
"You could've had anyone, Abhinav. Why agree to marry me?"
He studied me for a long moment, the sound of the sea filling the gap. Then, softly-
"Because you're real."
My throat tightened. I didn't know what to say.
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Abhinav's POV
The wind tossed her hair across her face. Without thinking, I tucked it back, my fingers lingering against her cheek.
She didn't move away this time.
Her lips parted slightly, her eyes holding mine.
"Permission?" I asked, my voice barely audible.
Her breath hitched. She nodded.
This time, I didn't stop at her cheek.
Our lips met-gentle, hesitant at first, then deeper, surer, as though all the teasing, all the restraint had finally broken.
Arya's POV
The kiss left me breathless, my lips tingling, my heart pounding so loud I thought he could hear it. The waves crashed, the fairy lights flickered, but all I felt was him.
Before I could speak, his arms suddenly slipped around me, strong and certain. With one swift motion, he lifted me-bridal style.
"Abhinav!" I gasped, clutching his shoulders.
He only smiled, eyes locked on mine. "I'm not letting you walk back tonight."
My breath caught. The way he said it, the quiet determination in his voice-it wasn't just about carrying me.
It was about us.
The fairy lights shimmered above, the sea roared behind us, but the world blurred. There was only his arms around me, the warmth of his chest, the safety in his hold.
He set me down gently inside the white tent, my saree spilling around me like a cascade of fire. His gaze lingered, heavy and unshakable, until I felt my cheeks burn hotter than the candles flickering nearby.
"You're beautiful," he whispered, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
My breath caught. "Only yours."
Something in his eyes shifted then-something raw, unguarded. He leaned in, his lips finding mine again, slow and sure.
And the night unfolded from there-touches, whispers, stolen breaths. He kissed away my nervousness; I melted into his restraint. Each layer of hesitation slipped away with my saree, replaced with closeness that felt inevitable, like it had always been meant for us.
When we finally came together, it wasn't rushed. It was tender, overwhelming-like the sea itself had folded us into its rhythm, like the stars had been waiting to witness this moment.
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Morning
Arya's POV
The first thing I felt was warmth. Strong arms circled me, his chest steady under my cheek.
When I blinked awake, I found him already watching me. My breath hitched. "Abhinav..." I whispered, quickly hiding my face in his chest.
He chuckled low. "Good morning, Mrs. Abhinav."
I groaned. "Stop staring like that."
He tilted my chin up with his finger, his eyes twinkling. "I can't help it. You're glowing."
I gasped, smacking his chest lightly. "Abhinav!"
His laughter filled the tent, warm and teasing. "What? I'm just stating facts." Then his tone softened, more serious. "Are you okay?"
I met his gaze and whispered, "More than okay."
Something unspoken passed between us, and then he pulled me back into his arms, holding me close as if the world outside didn't exist.
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At dinner, Avni bhabhi couldn't resist. "So, how was Goa, Arya?" she asked, a sly smile on her face.
Before I could answer, Arjun leaned forward, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Yes, bhabhi... did you enjoy your honeymoon?"
My fork clattered against the plate. "Arjun!" I hissed, cheeks flaming.
Abhinav, on the other hand, was annoyingly calm, sipping his water like nothing happened. Then, with the faintest smirk, he added, "It was... memorable."
Everyone burst into laughter. My face turned crimson while Abhinav sat back, looking utterly victorious.
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Night - Balcony
Later, away from the noise, I stood on the balcony, staring at the moonlit sky.
Arms slid around my waist, pulling me back against a familiar chest. "What are you thinking?" he murmured against my hair.
I smiled softly. "That everything feels... surreal."
He turned me around, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Get used to it. Because I plan on making every day just as surreal for you."
I couldn't look at him without blushing, so I hid my face against his shoulder. He chuckled, pressing a kiss to my hair.
And under the silver light of the moon, wrapped in his arms, I realized-this is home.
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Thank you🌷