It had been two weeks since Srishti shared her past with Sahil and although he made no move to comfort her physically, his words and eyes held enough warmth in that moment.

She had never felt so light and at peace before and it felt surreal. A huge part of her was satisfied with how life was going but somewhere a tiny part was still gnawing at her to know about his past.

Zevah and Aditya were married already just like they were, in private. The process of starting the adoption in the orphanage, was going on and could be completed in any moment.

Also, Ayaansh's first birthday was near. She couldn't believe that her baby was going to be one year old already. Why was he growing up so fast?

"Srishti," She moved out of the kitchen and stepped in the living room where Sahil and Ayaansh were present.

"Yes?" She raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms waiting for him to speak.

"Do you have any plan for Ayaansh's birthday?" Sahil asked and she grinned at him. Their relationship had changed and she could definitely feel it.

He wasn't cold towards her anymore but atleast civil and it surely wasn't because of pity. It felt like he was finally seeing as a human who had feelings as well.

"Nothing great, just the four of us celebrating his birthday here?" She suggested with a hopeful look in her eyes. It wasn't like they could go out to celebrate like a normal couple but she only wanted to make it memorable for them all.

Sahil nodded in acknowledgement and walked out of there. Ever since she shared her past, he had a lot of thoughts running in his mind.

How was she still so cheerful and positive after what she had gone through? She didn't know her real identity and has been living like it doesn't bother her much. Atleast one would think so looking at her.

His thoughts were disrupted and for the first time in his life, he couldn't keep them to himself. He needed to tell someone, anyone, before he went crazy.

As he reached in his cabin and sat on his chair, as his thoughts wandered back to the day he heard her talking to the stars on the terrace.

Srishti was standing on the terrace and staring at the stars with a smile playing on her lips. Ayaansh was sleeping soundly and Sahil was working late.

It seemed like the terrace had become her hideout after she had emptied her heart infront of him.

She stared at the stars in the sky with a smile playing on her lips. The slight breeze touched her face and made her soft curls dance in the air.

She sighed heavily and pursed her lips, the smile never leaving her lips.

"I didn't know I could be this happy." She said talking to no one particular. Sahil who had been leaning on the door and staring at her from the past few minutes, slightly shifted himself as if making himself comfortable to hear her talks.

"I mean, I was happy before this as well but having Ayaansh in my life made me realise that I could be content as well. He evokes different emotions in me that I have never experienced and there's this feeling that I get just by looking at him. It's as if there could be nothing more beautiful than him for me in this world." She chuckled looking down at her hands.

"Now that I think of it, I couldn't have had him without Sahil. He's rude, annoying, emotionless but maybe that's how it is." Sahil's ears now perked up as she mentioned him.

"Seeing him smile was itself a miracle." She joked and he rolled his eyes but yet a smile spread on his face.

"I don't know what is past his about and why he is like how he is and honestly speaking, I do want to know but I'll wait till he himself tells me. I don't have the forever patience and I might also snap sometimes but it'll be alright unless he doesn't separate me from my son." She pressed her lips and tucked her hair behind her ear.

Sahil knew she was still unsure about him and didn't trust him well but when he said that he wouldn't separate them then he would never.

"I just wish for everyone to be happy including Sahil even though he hurts me sometimes." She complained with a frown while Sahil stood straight before turning around and leaving from there.

The memory was stuck in his head and it disturbed him to no end.

"Sir?" Rohit waited for him to respond after he called him for the third time. He seemed lost and knowing something was bothering him, Rohit didn't want to disturb him but work was important as well.

"Sir?" He tried again, his voice a little loud which brought Sahil out of his thoughts. He shook his head slightly to discard the thoughts and looked at Rohit.

"You have a meeting with Mr. Kim in about thirty minutes." Sahil nodded and they went about discussing about other projects and schedules for the day.

The rest of the day Sahil was immersed in work which kept him from thinking anything about Srishti. The only time he was reminded of her was when he would glance at his phone. Strange but he felt like messaging her.

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Srishti was thrilled and excited for Ayaansh's birthday was not far. Her baby's first birthday was going to be memorable, if not the best.

She was somehow content with how her life was going. Of course she had her share of complaints and frustrations from time to time but they would be long forgotten by just a smile of someone's smile.

"Mumma"

Exactly what she was talking about.

She smiled and turned to look at him. He was accessing her phone and when she looked at him, he grinned and showed the phone.

"Dadda." He spoke while keeping the phone on his ear, imitating the talk and she chuckled.

Crouching down, she plucked the phone out of his hand and dialed his number before adjusting it on his ear. Ayaansh squealed and started babbling even before the call was answered which made her laugh.

"Hello," She heard his gruff voice and sighed. No matter how many times she convinced herself that she accepted the reality and that their relationship would never be that of a normal couple, she would sometimes wish for the same.

"Ah, buddy! How are you doing?" Sahil asked with a smile as he walked towards the elevator. He knew people were staring at him with shock but ignoring the onlookers, he kept walking.

He heard Ayaansh speaking gibberish on the other end and it made him chuckle. Rohit palmed his face as one of the employee fainted and he gestured to take her away.

That's what happens when the cold, emotionless boss starts smiling and laughing in one day all of a sudden.

Ayaansh put away the phone after a few minutes and crawled away, leaving his mother to finish up the call. Srishti eyed the phone and wondered if he had already hung up but when she picked it up, she realised he was still on the line.

"Uh Sahil, he's playing." She gave him the hint, waiting for him to hang up.

"I know." Was all he said before both grew silent. Srishti was growing uncomfortable but she also didn't want to seem rude by hanging up first.

"I─"

"I'll be home early today." He informed her and finally hung up leaving her dumbfounded.

She blinked her eyes and then stared at the screen in a dazed state. What was that? Why did he tell her that? He's never informed about getting early or late before. Then why now?

She exhaled shakily and closed her eyes trying to calm her pounding heart. Something was definitely wrong with her heart.

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Zevah glanced at her husband who was seemed quite busy in his laptop. It had been two weeks since they were married and she was still staying in the orphanage.

She needed some time for herself and also she couldn't just leave the kids with someone who had just been appointed there. It was not easy for her to trust just anyone.

Aditya was still patient with her and never forced her to move in with him and she was growing more and more fond of this man.

Their relationship wasn't yet officially announced to the whole world and it was again on her insistence. She feared media would create a ruckus and everything would go out of hand.

"Zevah," The shocked tone of her colleague made her look up and she found Zain staring at her with his mouth agape.

"Hey, Zain." She smiled nervously but he was still staring at her making her uncomfortable.

"You─you got married?" He stammered and she bit her lip. Why couldn't people just mind their own business.

"Yes." She forced the word out of her mouth and gave him a tight lipped smile.

"How? When? With whom?" The questions were fired at her and she felt irritated.

"That is none of your business, Zain." She gritted out and he shrugged in response.

"It was just shocking to see you suddenly married. Anyways congratulations." He said nonchalantly before walking away. Zevah curled her fists and clenched her jaw before closing her eyes.

A soft touch on her hand made her open her eyes and she looked up at Aditya who was staring at her intensely. She immediately looked around in panic and tried to take her hand away but he didn't budge.

"Come to my cabin." He ordered and left and she sighed helplessly.

As she entered his cabin, he locked the door from behind and walked towards her. She didn't object when he back hugged her because one, it felt nice and two, she was too tired to move.

"Why don't you allow me to tell everyone about our relationship?" He questioned looking at her and she sighed softly.

"It's hard. I don't want to ruin your reputation." She replied timidly and Aditya remained calm wanting her to finish.

"There are going to be rumours, Aditya. They'll think you married me out of pity or that I trapped you for money. I don't want any of that." She explained and he stepped back and turned her around.

"So you care about the world and not me?" One question was all and she felt as if a bucket of ice water was thrown on her.

"Zevah, rumours are going to be there even now when I'm talking to you in this cabin but its up to you whether you choose to ignore it or not. I'm not saying it is easy but we can start somewhere right?" He cupped her face and made her understand.

She nodded and he smiled before he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

The moment was ruined when her phone rang and they pulled apart. She took a deep breath as she answered the call and kept it on speaker.

"Zevah! What the hell do you think you are doing? I told you that you're going to get married to this man on Friday and you didn't bother turning up or answering your phone. What the hell is this behaviour?" Her father's voice boomed and she winced.

"Abbu, I told you I won't get married to any person you or Ammi chooses for me." She stated firmly and looked at Aditya who smiled at her proudly.

"You're such an ungrateful brat! Wait till I find you and─"

"I suggest you not to threaten my wife, sir." Aditya cut in and the line went silent.

"Who was that?" Her father asked and she bit her lip in worry.

"My husband." She answered just as Aditya was going to and he looked at her surprised. She gave him a small smile before turning to look at the phone in her hand.

"Husband? HUSBAND? Are you fucking kidding me right now? How dare you get married without my permission, Zevah? Alright now. Wait and see what happens to that waste of an orphanage now. Just you wait." He was raging before he hung up and Zevah staggered as Aditya held her protectively in his arms.

"Nothing will happen to the orphanage, Zevah, I promise." Aditya assured her as she rested her head on his shoulder being tired and closed her eyes.

"I trust you." She whispered as Aditya smiled and pulled her closer.

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