SIRF TUM.....💓❤ (only you)

CHAPTER 37-WITH EVERY BREATH, BUT NOT YET

The air between them hung heavy with unspoken emotion, the last streaks of sunlight bathing their faces in gold. Hariday looked at her—really looked at her—as though she held the beginning and end of every dream he'd ever dared to have.

Then, in a voice that was more breath than words, he said,
"Grow old with me, Mahalaxmi."

She paused.

For the briefest second, her expression wavered—part disbelief, part wonder. Then, slowly, her lips curled into a smile so wide, so full of light, it could've melted steel.

"I'd love to," she whispered.

Hariday blinked. "Really?"

She laughed, eyes shining, and took a small step closer.
"Yeah," she said. "Together we'll create memories... stories no one else will understand. Just you and me."

She leaned in and kissed him—soft, quick, full of promise. Hariday stood frozen for a second, caught in the gravity of the moment. Then he pulled her in and kissed her back, this time with fire. With certainty.

Without a word, he swept her off her feet—literally.

His arms wrapped around her, he spun her once, strong and sure, laughter echoing into the evening air as her hair flew wildly around her face.

Setting her down gently, he pressed his forehead to hers, his voice thick with devotion.

"I just love you, Maha. My words... they'll always fall short of what I feel for you."

She kissed him again, slow and lingering.
"I want our life to be the happiest," she said against his lips.
Another kiss—this one deeper, needier, like she was trying to pour all her hope into him.

Hariday didn't want to let go. Not now. Never.
He held her close as if something more was on the tip of his tongue, something unfinished.

But Mahalaxmi was glowing. Her happiness radiated like morning sunlight. She cupped his face, both palms warm against his skin, and said with excitement surging through her:

"I'll talk to Papa about us. I know he'll say yes. He's going to be so happy—he always liked you."

Before he could respond, she turned, buzzing with anticipation.

Just as Mahalaxmi turned, radiant with joy and eager to run home and speak to her father, Hariday's hand closed around her arm.

Firm. Urgent.

"No."

That single word struck her like a sudden wind. She froze, her smile faltering, eyes searching his face.

"What... what do you mean, no?" she asked, stepping closer. Her palms rested against his chest now, grounding them both. "I'll talk to Papa. You'll talk to Chandra Uncle. That's how this marriage will take place, right? That's how it should be."

But Hariday's eyes didn't soften the way they usually did. There was hesitation—a storm trapped behind his usually calm gaze.

He swallowed hard. "Wanting to marry you... is the one thing I'm sure of," he said, voice low. "But wanting to marry you..."
He paused. The next words didn't come easily.

"Next week."

Mahalaxmi blinked, her brows pulling together. "What?" she whispered. "I don't understand."

He knew this was it—the part he had feared, the truth he hadn't even voiced to Sanjay. The part of him that was still too tied to duty, to the unspoken rules of his family.