Pranay's pov:

She's here.

Curled up in my arms like she never left. Her soft breaths brush against my neck, and for the first time in seven days, the ache inside me eases. But not entirely.

Because somewhere during her absence... I changed.

It's strange, you know? How someone becomes your morning, your night, your reason to look at the clock and count hours. I didn't know I was this person , the one who stares at her photo on the fridge while sipping coffee, or sleeps hugging her pillow like it could breathe.

I look at her now, her eyes closed, her lips curved in the faintest smile. She's here. But I haven't told her what's raging inside me.

I press a kiss on her forehead, and she stirs.

"Aishu?" I whisper.

She opens her eyes lazily and hums, "Hmm?"

"I've realized something."

She looks up, brows knitting softly. "What?"

I take a deep breath. My heart is thundering, but I owe her this. I need to say this.

"These seven days... they tore me apart. Every single minute without you felt dull. Even the things I loved - photography, editing, music,everything felt half-alive. And I kept thinking, why? Why is it that the world looks pale when you're not around?"

She's looking at me now. Really looking. Her hand slips into mine, fingers interlacing tightly.

I continue, my voice shaking slightly, "It's because... I love you, Aishu. I've been in love with you for a while now, but I didn't know it, or maybe I was just scared to admit it. But these days apart made me realize... I don't want to live a single day without you. Not as just a duty. Not as a comfort. But as the love of my life."

Her eyes well up. But she says nothing. For a moment, silence hangs heavy between us , thick and trembling.

My heart drops.

Did I mess it up? Was it too much? Too soon?

I try to pull back slightly, but she suddenly grabs my hand tighter, her voice cracking as she speaks.

"You want to know something, Pranu?" she whispers.

I nod.

"Before you came into my life, I was... surviving. Not living. Just... getting through days, one bland routine at a time. My world was a grayscale - no joy, no light. I wasn't even allowed to laugh,talk loudly...I used to pretend I was okay , but I felt invisible."

Her voice breaks as tears roll down her cheeks.

"You... you didn't just love me. You found me. You showed me colors. You introduced me to the world — to travel, music, photography, dreams. To myself. I didn't even know I could smile and laugh like this until you became mine."

She throws her arms around me, burying her face in my chest. I wrap her in the tightest hug I've ever given.

"I love you so much, Pranu. So, so much. More than words, more than I ever knew was possible for someone like me," she says, sobbing softly.

I hold her tighter. "You don't know what that means to me..."

"I do," she whispers. "Because I feel the same."

We pull apart slightly, but only enough to see each other.

Tears glisten in her eyes, but her lips quiver in a shy smile. And I can't stop staring at her. At the way she's looking at me — like I'm her whole world.

"Aishu..." I murmur, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Hmm?"

"Do i have the permission kiss you now."

She nods, her voice a breath. "Okay..."

I lean in, slow and gentle, giving her time. Our foreheads touch first. My hand finds her cheek, warm and wet with emotion.

And then... our lips meet.

Soft. Tentative. Full of every unsaid word and every stolen glance from the past months. Her hands grip my shirt tightly, and I pull her closer, like I'm afraid she'll fade away if I don't.

The kiss deepens slowly - not rushed, not wild. Its like pouring every emotion we have into this kiss.

When we pull away, she rests her forehead on mine, eyes closed, breath shaky.

"That..." she whispers, "was worth every wait."

I chuckle softly, stroking her hair. "We're home, Aishu. Finally."

She smiles, cheeks glowing, lips still trembling with that kiss.

"Forever home," she says.

And in that moment, I know.
This isn't just love.
It's everything.

Saisha's pov:

I don't know how long we stayed like that , wrapped in each other's arms, hearts still racing, cheeks damp with happy tears. That kiss... it was everything.

But suddenly... he grew quiet.

Too quiet.

His arms loosened slightly around me. His eyes, just moments ago glowing with affection, now stared into the distance. Blank. Unreadable.

"Pranu?" I called softly.

No response.

"Pranay?" I tried again, concern lacing my voice.

Still nothing.

I leaned forward and cupped his cheek. "Hey... talk to me..."

He blinked and turned toward me slowly. And my heart clenched.

Tears. In his eyes.

"Pranu...?" I whispered, panic rising.

"I'm sorry, Aishu..." he choked out.

"What happened? Why are you apologizing?"

He looked down, unable to meet my eyes, his voice shaking. "I'm sorry I didn't give you a grand proposal... Not like the ones in those books you read. No fairy lights, no ring hidden in cake, no fancy setup... You deserved magic. And I... I just blurted it out like when i  am in an emotional mess."

My lips parted in surprise.

Oh, Pranu.

That's what was bothering him?

I could've laughed , if I wasn't too busy feeling like my heart might burst from the sheer tenderness of this man.

"Mr.Pranay Mishra," I said, sitting up straighter and cupping his face, "do you really think that matters to me?"

He finally looked at me, a frown tugging at his brows.

I smiled through the warmth in my throat. "You silly, sweet man... I've craved love my whole life. Not fancy words. Not candlelight or Instagram moments. Just someone who looks at me like I matter. Someone who misses me when I'm not around. Someone who feels things for me — real, raw, and imperfect."

His frown softened.

"And you," I continued, brushing his tear away, "you didn't just say I love you. You meant it. Every trembling word. Every broken breath. That was real. That was everything I ever dreamed of — and more."

His hands found mine again, gripping them like he was holding onto a lifeline.

"You're my fairytale, Pranu. The kind I never thought I'd have."

His eyes welled up again, but this time, with a smile trembling on his lips.

"I just... I wanted it to be perfect," he whispered.

I leaned in, resting my forehead against his. "It was perfect. Because it was you."

And then we both started laughing — that silly, emotional, relieved kind of laughter that comes only when two people realize... they've found home.

He pulled me into his arms again, this time tighter. Warmer.

"You're never getting rid of me now," he murmured against my hair.

"Wouldn't even dream of it," I replied.

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