The Path to Forever

Part 10

The door creaked open, and they sprang apart like teenagers caught by a parent. Meenu poked her head in, a knowing smile on her face. "Dinner's almost ready," she said, her eyes twinkling. "But if you two need a bit more time..."

Karan rolled his eyes good-naturedly and planted a quick kiss on Tejasswi's cheek before stepping back. "We'll be there soon," he said, his voice thick with affection.

Tejasswi nodded, her eyes shining with unshed tears. She couldn't believe how quickly their relationship had progressed, from strangers to confessed lovers in the span of a single week. She felt a swell of warmth in her chest, a feeling she had never experienced before.

Karan watched as she turned back to the stove, her hands steady as she stirred the simmering pot. He couldn't help the frown that crept over his features. He wanted her attention, craved it like a man dying of thirst craved water. But she was so busy with his sisters, fitting into the role of daughter-in-law so perfectly that it was as if she had been born to it.

With a sigh, he leaned against the doorframe, his arms folded over his chest. The kitchen was a hive of activity, with Meenu and Poonam chatting away as they worked. Tejasswi's laughter tinkled through the air, a sweet sound that made his heart ache. He knew he should be happy that she was getting along so well with his family, but all he could think about was the time they were losing together.

Tomorrow, her parents would arrive from New York, and the house would be even more crowded, the air thick with the weight of expectations. The thought of not being able to steal even a single moment alone with her was unbearable. He had to find a way to claim her as his, to make her his in every sense of the word before the world intruded on their newfound love. As Tejasswi stirred the pot, Karan stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She leaned back into his embrace, the warmth of her body a comfort against his own. "Tejasswi," he whispered into her ear, his voice filled with longing.

She turned to face him, her eyes searching his. "What is it?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Karan took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. "Tomorrow, with your parents arriving, I know we won't have much time to ourselves," he began, his voice a soft rumble. "But tonight, I want to make it special."

Tejasswi looked up at him, her eyes searching his. She knew what he was asking, and she felt a thrill of excitement. She nodded, her voice a little too eager. "Okay," she whispered, her pulse racing.

Karan's smile grew, his eyes lighting up with relief. "I've got something planned," he said, his voice low and conspiratorial. "But you have to trust me."Tejasswi nodded, her heart racing. She had never felt this way about anyone before, not even the boys she had casually dated back in New York. There was something about Karan that made her feel alive, something that made her want to abandon all her inhibitions and throw herself into the fire of love. "I trust you," she murmured, her eyes never leaving his.

The evening passed in a blur of laughter and chatter, with Tejasswi's parents' impending arrival the only shadow on their horizon. Karan was attentive, making sure she was included in every conversation, his hand never leaving her side. She felt like the most important person in the room, the center of his world. As the clock ticked closer to midnight, she grew more and more nervous about the promise he had made earlier.