The Path to Forever

Part 5

Karan and Tejasswi lay tangled in the blanket, their forms outlined by the soft morning light. His arm was wrapped protectively around her waist, her hand resting lightly on his chest. Their faces were relaxed in sleep, their expressions serene and content. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated love that she hadn't seen in her son's eyes since he was a child. Her heart swelled with joy at the sight of them, and she couldn't help but feel that fate had truly blessed their union.

Mrs. Kundrra stepped back, her hand hovering over the door as she pulled out her phone. She knew this was a moment to be cherished, a symbol of the bond that had grown between her son and his soon-to-be bride. With a quiet click, she captured the image, the camera's flash muted by the early morning haze. She would show it to Mr. Kundrra later, a silent testament to the success of their arrangement.

With a soft smile, she retreated, allowing them to bask in the tranquility of the new day. The house was still asleep, the silence broken only by the distant chirp of birds outside. She knew that today would be a busy one.

The morning light grew stronger, and with it, the tension in Tejasswi's body began to dissipate. She stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open to meet Karan's. He was awake, his gaze intense and filled with a tenderness she hadn't seen before. "Good morning," she whispered, her voice still thick with sleep.

Karan smiled, his eyes never leaving hers. "Good morning," he murmured back, his thumb ghosting over her cheek. "How did you sleep?"

Tejasswi blushed, feeling the warmth of his hand on her face. "I slept well," she said, her voice still laced with the remnants of sleep. "Your arm was quite the pillow."

Karan chuckled, his chest rumbling beneath her cheek. "I'm sorry if I was too heavy," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Tejasswi shrugged, a contented smile playing on her lips. "It was nice," she admitted, feeling a warmth spread through her that had nothing to do with the blanket.

Karan's hand stilled on her cheek, and he leaned in, his breath warm against her skin. "I've never felt this way before," he confessed, his voice low and earnest. "It's like I've been waiting for you all my life."

Tejasswi's heart skipped a beat at his words. She had never felt so cherished, so desired. "I feel the same," she whispered, her voice shaky with emotion. "I didn't know love could feel like this."

Their eyes remained locked, the intensity of their gaze speaking volumes. The room was a cocoon of warmth and comfort, the outside world a distant memory as they basked in the glow of their newfound feelings. Karan leaned in closer, his breath a gentle caress on her cheek. "We're going to make each other so happy," he murmured, his voice filled with conviction.

Tejasswi's heart swelled with emotion. She had never felt so understood, so desired. She reached up, her fingertips brushing against the stubble on his jaw. "I want to believe you," she whispered, her voice a soft tremble.

Karan leaned in closer, his breath fanning over her lips. "You can," he said, his voice a gentle command. "We'll navigate this together. I'll be by your side every step of the way."

Tejasswi's eyes searched his, looking for any hint of doubt or uncertainty. What she found instead was a resolve that matched her own. She nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Okay," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "I trust you."

With that, Karan leaned in, placing a gentle peck on her lips. It was a promise of more to come, a declaration of his intention to cherish her. The touch was chaste, but the fire it ignited within them was anything but. Tejasswi felt a warmth spread through her body, a heat that started in her core and radiated outward.