Keshav's PoV:

I was smiling and greeting the guests who had come for Bhabhi's baby shower. But I froze entirely when I saw her.

Blue sari...

She had worn it!

My heart bloomed with joy as I navigated my way through the crowd to catch her. I didn't give a fuck if anyone saw us.

But Sanjana beat me to it and held Payal's hands, "Hay, hay, kitni pyaari lag rahi ho!" She squealed.

(Hay, hay, how adorable you look!)

Payal was blushing as she smiled at her. Her eyes slowly drifted towards me, and she pulled down her veil.

Sanjana glanced at me over her shoulder, "Kya chahiye?" Her tone quickly radiated annoyance. What had I even done?

(What do you want?)

"K-kuch nahi... Mehmano ko sweekar kar raha tha," I muttered.

(N-nothing... I was just greeting the guests.)

"Phir aise mat ghuro," She huffed while dragging Payal with her.

(Then stop staring like that.)

"Akele aayi ho?" I heard Sanjana ask.

(You came alone?)

"Mm. Maa ne bola tha. Jagdish toh jaane ke khilaaf tha..." Payal sighed.

(Mm. Maa asked me to. Jagdish didn't want me to go...)

I'd have to catch her alone somehow.

Almost all the women and kids were gathered in the inner courtyard near Bhabhi. I went upstairs and sat with my brother. It was only an excuse to watch Payal better from there.

She looked so happy while dancing.

Her smile was so beautiful.

I held my breath the entire time while watching her twirl with Sanjana. God, I'd do anything to keep her smiling like that.

Anything.

Maybe I was staring too hard because Payal glanced up at me once. Her cheeks turned crimson, and she looked away before someone could notice. Even I did the same. We'd have to think of a way to be together without causing much of a scandal... But it was so frustrating to be apart like this.

When Sanjana got busy with preparations for the feast, I had to stay with Raghu. He was crying because he felt too tired after dancing for hours.

"Chachu... Chachu, Maa...?"

"Woh dekho, us ped mei chidiya ne ghar banayi hai!" I pointed up at a tree to distract him.

(Look, look at that tree... A bird has made a nest up there!)

"Kaha?" He whispered, staring up curiously.

(Where?)

A woman cleared her throat behind us.

I turned in surprise to find Payal. Her veil didn't cover her face entirely, so I could still see her lips.

"Raghu ko idhar dijiye. Thakurain Ji puch rahi hai," She told me, a small smile playing on her lips.

(Hand Raghu over to me. Thakurain Ji is asking for him.)

"Itni rasmiat se kyu bol rahi ho....?" I whispered.

(Why are you speaking so formally...?)

Payal took Raghu from me while glancing around her. There were people around, talking among themselves. Nobody was noticing us, thankfully.

"Kisine sun liya tho?" She whispered back.

(What if someone hears us?)

Raghu easily went into her arms and hugged her while crying for his mother. I watched her rub his back while whispering that she'll take him to Sanjana soon.

"Neeli sari peheni ho... Matlab manzoor hai?" I smiled.

(You're wearing a blue sari... Does it mean you agree?)

Payal rolled her eyes and pulled her veil down lower, "Mere paas sirf yeh sari thi. Mujhe ab jaana hoga."

(I only had this color. I need to go now.)

Liar.

She was just running away again.

As I watched her turn and walk inside, something stirred in my heart. The way she talked cutely with Raghu gave me butterflies. One day, I dreamt of watching her like this as she carried our baby in her arms. Just thinking about it made me blush and smile like an idiot.

One day... If God was on my side...

Even later, I leaned against the front doorway, watching everyone smile and talk joyfully. Payal was near Sanjana at all times, making it more convenient for me to steal glances at her.

As it was late in the afternoon, I realised that she'd have to go home soon. The thought of her returning to the clutches of the monster still made me feel awful.

I didn't want to stand there anymore, getting worried over when she'd be leaving, so I went back to my room.

She had worn a blue sari as I asked...

But did I really have permission to take her away from everything?

Or was this going to last till my brother and Maa found a suitable girl for me to tie the knot?

Not even half an hour after I returned to my room, the door opened and closed in a hurry. Payal stood there, her back pressed against it. Her cheeks were crimson as she watched me seated on the bed. She was lucky that I was decent.

"Bina kuch bataye aise kaun chala jaata hai?" She muttered.

(Who leaves like that without saying anything?)

"Kya kar rahi ho yaha...? Agar kisi ne dekh liya toh? Ghar kyu nahi gayi abhi tak?" I frowned.

(What are you doing here...? What if someone sees us? Why haven't you gone home yet?)

Payal glared at me now, "Aap chahte hai ki mai wapas chale jau? Theek hai-"

(You want me to go back? Alright then-)

"Nahi!" I grew panicked and caged her between my arms against the door.

(No!)

"Mai bahut khush hu ki tum yaha par aa gayi..." I smiled, "Bahut khubsurat dikh rahi ho, Payal."

(I'm really happy that you came here... You're looking so beautiful, Payal.)

I had wanted to tell her that from the moment I saw her in the blue sari.

She blushed, "J-jaanti hu... Mai Ghar wapas jaane se pehle aapse milna chahti thi..."

(I- I know... I wanted to meet you before I could go home...)

"Acha kiya..." I grinned and leaned closer. She was a little shorter than me and it looked cute to tower over her like this.

(You did the right thing...)

"Bahut achi khushbu bhi aa rahi hai..." I sighed and closed my eyes while leaning into her neck.

(Even you smell incredible...)

I could see the goosebumps on her skin as she closed her eyes. Her hands almost trembled as they pressed against the door nervously.

My nose faintly brushed against her cheek. Payal gulped. Her breathing was labored as well. I wondered why she was so frightened. Why was she thinking so much?

Slowly, I slid my hands down the door and held hers. Payal opened her eyes slowly at that time. Her breath steadied a little more as I squeezed her hands reassuringly with a smile.

The fear in her eyes was because she thought I'd use her too... Just like everyone else in her life.

It dissipated quickly, and her lips trembled. There were tears in her eyes as she leaned towards me. I wrapped my arms around her, protecting her from the world. I'd keep her like this in my arms forever if I could.

I kissed her forehead.

It only made her sob worse as she clutched my shirt. Life had been so cruel towards her... I wanted to fix her broken heart.

"Aap... A-aap... Sach mei bachayenge...?"

(Will... Will you really... Save me...?)

"Bilkul," I whispered, "Tumhe hamesha khush rakhunga, Payal. Bharosa karo."

(Of course. I'll always keep you happy, Payal. Trust me.)

She hugged me tighter. It felt like nobody had hugged the poor thing in a long time.