𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐭�...

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⋆｡‧˚ I wanna be where you are,
no matter the distance ˚‧｡⋆

The morning light slipped through the sheer curtains, casting soft golden rays across the room.

The air smelled like her shampoo and the warmth of last night's cuddles still lingered in our sheets.

She was curled up against me, her head resting on my chest, our legs tangled like they had a 온라인카지노게임 of their own.

I could've stayed like that forever—but of course, life had other plans.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand.

I reached out lazily, careful not to wake her, and checked the screen.

Jija ji

Of course.

He was probably about to start yelling about how late we were.

I slid to answer, my voice still hoarse from sleep. "Morning, jiju."

"Kab aa rahe ho dono?" he said, straight to the point. "Mujhe aur Adya ko nikalna bhi hai honeymoon ke liye. Mummy papa wait kar rahe hain tum dono ka."

I rubbed my eyes and sat up slightly. "Bas, on my way hi samjho. Ten minutes, max."

I cut the call and turned to look at her.

She was still snuggled into me, eyes shut tight like she was dodging responsibility.

"Lavs..." I whispered near her ear. "Wake up, jaan. We need to leave. Your whole family is waiting. Even Adya and Aditya have to leave for Greece today."

She groaned. "Ugh... just two more minutes. Please."

I shook my head, already grinning. "Nope. Not happening."

Before she could protest, I slid my arms under her and lifted her off the bed.

"Ishaan!" she squealed, her voice muffled in my shoulder. "Let me pee first, you villain!"

I burst out laughing, almost losing my balance as she squirmed in my arms. "Then go! Fast! We need to be at your house in ten minutes."

She landed on her feet with a dramatic huff and rushed to the bathroom.

⭑.ᐟ

She slammed the bathroom door behind her like I was the villain of her dreams.

I could still hear her mumbling inside — probably cursing me sweetly.

I chuckled, shaking my head and grabbing my watch from the table.

While she freshened up, I quickly changed into a crisp white shirt and jeans, ran a hand through my hair, and checked my phone again — 8:43 AM.

Ten minutes, huh? Not happening.

But then again, it was Lavika.

I knew ten minutes actually meant twenty-five with her.

"Jaan, hurry up!" I called out.

"I'm coming!" she yelled back. "I swear, mujhe chilla ke uthane ka toh shaq hai tumhe!"

I laughed louder. "Aur tumhe har waqt sone ka!"

She walked out two minutes later, wearing my oversized hoodie, hair slightly messy, rubbing her eyes like a sleepy cat.

And damn, she still looked ethereal.

"I need coffee," she muttered.

"You'll get coffee at your place. Let's go."

She gave me a puppy face, which nearly worked—nearly.

"Nope. No emotional blackmail. Let's move."

I grabbed our stuff and locked the apartment while she finally tied her hair in a loose bun.

The ride down the elevator was filled with sleepy yawns from her and amused glances from me.

As we got in the car, she tucked her legs up on the seat and leaned against the door.

"Are you this annoying every morning?" she mumbled, eyes half shut.

I smirked while starting the engine. "Only with you, sweetheart."

She smiled, and that was all I needed to see.

That soft curve of her lips that made every little moment feel worth it.

The city was already awake, buzzing with honking autos and chai stalls in full swing.

The route to the Mehra Mansion wasn't long, but Lavika kept murmuring things under her breath—

mostly complaints about morning routines, people who wake others up with calls, and how she should've stayed single if it meant more sleep.

"You done with your dramatic monologue?" I teased as we turned into their street.

"Not yet. But I'll pause for my bhab's sake."

"Good call," I grinned.

As we reached the Mehra gates, a guard opened them before I could even honk.

They were clearly expecting us.

I parked, stepped out, and opened her side of the door like a gentleman.

She rolled her eyes, but took my hand anyway.

"Let's go meet your family," I said, nudging her lightly.

She gave me a sleepy smile. "Let's go meet your in-laws"

And just like that, we walked in hand-in-hand, the door already open, with laughter and voices coming from inside.

Adya and Aditya stood in the hallway with their suitcases, both dressed casually and radiating that just-married glow.

"Saale sahiba," Aditya said, spotting me first. "Finally!"

"Aa gaye dono! Bas tum dono ka wait ho raha tha," Adya added, rushing over to hug Lavika.

"Sorry sorry," Lavika mumbled, hugging her. "Yeh villain utha ke laya zabardasti."

"Mujhe blame mat karo," I raised my hands. "Jiju ka phone aaya tha."

"Achha, chalo, ab sab aagaye toh ek coffee toh banti hai before we leave," Aditya said, walking towards the kitchen.

"Coffee toh main bhi le lungi," Lavika yawned.

"Mera hoodie waapis mil skti hai ya england tak pehen ke jaana hai?" I smirked.

"Shut up, Ishaan."

⭑.ᐟ

As Adya and Lavika went off toward the kitchen, I stayed back with Aditya.

He gave me that familiar, teasing smirk and clapped a hand on my shoulder.

"You look like a man who didn't sleep much," he said.

I chuckled. "Wrong. I slept peacefully. With your sister snoring on my chest."

He pretended to be offended. "Oyee! You better watch your words, saale sahiba."

I laughed harder. "Relax, jiju. Just stating facts."

Before he could respond with another fake threat, aunty appeared from the hallway, her eyes immediately softening the moment she saw us.

"Ishaan beta," she said warmly, walking over and pulling me into a light hug. "You two came just in time."

"Good morning, aunty," I greeted, respectfully. "Sorry for the delay. Someone didn't want to get out of bed."

She chuckled knowingly. "I'm used to it. Waking Lavika is a battle we've fought for years."

And then came uncle — sharp suit, strong voice, same commanding presence Lavika had inherited.

But the moment he looked at me, he gave a slight nod and a smile.

"Ishaan," he said. "You're welcome."

"Thank you, uncle," I replied with a firm handshake.

He looked over at Aditya and Adya, who had now joined us with mugs of coffee. "Yes, they'll be off in a few hours. Greece, right?"

"Greece it is," Aditya confirmed proudly, sipping his espresso.

Lavika came and leaned against me with her cup, still in my hoodie, hair tied, looking like she hadn't fully woken up yet.

Uncle cleared his throat — not in a stern way, but in that way dads do when they're preparing to say something meaningful.

"You both will be heading back soon as well, right? To England?"

"Yes," I nodded. "In a day or two. We came mainly for Holi, but... spending time here has been refreshing."

He looked at Lavika, who now turned serious for a moment.

"Papa, I'm happy," she said softly.

That one sentence — it melted him.

He didn't say much after that.

Just placed a hand gently on her head and nodded.

That was enough.

Adya came to Lavika and wrapped her in a hug. "I'm going to miss you. But I'm also ready for this trip."

Lavika smiled. "Post every detail. I want outfit pics, hotel views, aesthetic cafes... everything."

"And you'll give me a full update on your life too," Adya winked.

Aditya stretched and looked at me. "You're stuck with her till I get back, okay?"

"I'm honored," I replied playfully.

Lavika made a face. "I'm standing right here."

They all laughed again — the easy, familiar laughter of a family that had seen drama, weddings, fights, and love... and still stood strong.

⭑.ᐟ

Once Adya and Aditya had left, the air in the house felt quieter.

I exchanged a glance with Lavika, and we both knew that this was the moment for us to finally have some time alone.

We waved goodbye to her parents and made our way toward the living room.

"Whew," I exhaled, collapsing onto the couch. "It's been a crazy few days."

Lavika laughed softly, her voice warm and light. "It's always crazy with our families around. But I wouldn't have it any other way."

She sat beside me, resting her head against my shoulder.

For a brief moment, we were just two people enjoying the quiet.

But as always, with the calm came questions.

Her parents soon joined us in the living room, and I could feel the weight of the silence before the inevitable came.

"So, Ishaan," her dad began, his voice soft but firm as always, "What's the plan for you two? When are you thinking of making it till mandap?"

I froze for a moment, unsure how to respond.

Of course, we had talked about it — many times, in fact — but the question still caught me off guard.

I glanced at Lavika, who was now biting her lip nervously.

Her parents were waiting, expectant but not forceful.

I knew they cared for her, wanted what was best for her, and somehow, that made this conversation even more important.

Her mom was the next to speak. "We've known you both for a long time, Ishaan. You're like family to us. But... I have to ask, have you thought about marriage yet?"

The words hung in the air like a heavy weight.

I looked at Lavika, who was still leaning into me, her fingers softly playing with the edge of my shirt.

She seemed uncertain, but I knew she trusted me to answer for us both.

Taking a deep breath, I met her parents' eyes. "We've thought about it, aunty, uncle. A lot, actually."

Her father raised an eyebrow. "And?"

I chuckled nervously. "And we're taking it slow. We're happy with where we are right now."

Her mother smiled softly, but there was a hint of curiosity in her gaze. "Slow is good, Ishaan. But not too slow. You both seem like you're in a good place, but when you know, you know, right?"

I felt Lavika's hand slip into mine, squeezing it gently. "We're figuring it out, aunty. There's no rush, but we're getting there."

Her father nodded thoughtfully, his gaze softening. "I understand. Just know that we'll support whatever decision you make."

Lavika let out a small sigh of relief and leaned her head back against my chest. "Thanks, papa. Thanks, mum. You know we don't like rushing into anything."

Her mother smiled and reached over, patting Lavika's hand. "We only want the best for you both. Whenever you feel ready, you'll have our blessing."

There was a brief silence as we all absorbed the exchange.

And then, her mother, with a mischievous smile, added, "But remember, Ishaan, no one ever really knows when it's the 'perfect' time. Sometimes, you just have to jump."

I laughed, and Lavika rolled her eyes, though I could tell she appreciated the humor in her mother's words.

Lavika turned her attention back to me. "See? Now you have to deal with my crazy family, too."

I kissed the top of her head. "I think I'm managing. I'm starting to enjoy it."

And in that moment, I realized that no matter how much her family teased us, no matter how much pressure there was to take the next step, I was in this for the long haul.

With Lavika.

For her, I'd do whatever it took.

Her father clapped me on the back one last time. "Take your time, but don't take too long. We'll be here when you're ready."

⭑.ᐟ

Later, when we were finally alone, the house was quieter, the world outside still.

Lavika and I sat in comfortable silence on the couch.

She was resting her head on my chest, fingers twirling my shirt, lost in thought.

"Ishaan," she finally spoke, voice soft. "Do you think we're ready?"

I thought about it for a moment, unsure how to express the weight of my feelings. "I think... we'll know when the time is right. We don't need to rush it. I'm happy with where we are."

Her hand slipped into mine again, and she squeezed it gently. "I just want to be sure, you know? I don't want to make any mistakes."

"Neither do I," I whispered, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face. "But we're in this together. And I don't think anything's going to change that."

She smiled, her eyes softening with the warmth of the moment.

"I love you," she said quietly.

"I love you more," I replied.

⭑.ᐟ

As the quiet settled around us, I found myself reflecting on the conversation with Lavika's parents.

They were right, of course.

The idea of rushing things felt foreign to me, but it also felt like there was so much weight behind what they were saying.

Was I ready for that kind of commitment?

I loved her—no doubts there—but was it enough?

I glanced down at Lavika, who had her eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought.

Her head was resting against my chest, her fingers still tracing small circles on my hand.

I could feel the rhythm of her breath syncing with mine, and it felt like the entire world was just us in that moment.

"You okay?" I whispered, breaking the silence.

Lavika lifted her head slightly, her soft brown eyes meeting mine.

She smiled faintly. "Yeah. Just thinking."

"About what?"

"About us. About what we talked about with my parents."

I nodded, understanding her need to process it all. "I know. It was a lot. But hey, we're not in any rush, right?"

She paused for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip as if contemplating her words.

"No. But... I guess part of me still feels like I should be sure. About everything. About us."

I tilted her chin up gently, so she was looking straight at me. "You don't have to worry. We don't need to have everything figured out right now. We've got time. And we've got each other."

Lavika let out a breath, her body visibly relaxing as if my words reassured her. "I'm glad you're here, Ishaan. Really. I don't want to make decisions just because of pressure."

"Good. Because I'm not going anywhere. And when we're ready, we'll make those decisions together."

She smiled, her eyes twinkling in the soft light of the room.

She kissed me on the cheek before resting her head back on my chest.

The gentle hum of the city outside seemed to blend with the calm between us.

Everything felt just right.

⭑.ᐟ

A little while later, after we'd both gotten lost in our own thoughts and some quiet moments of peace, I stood up and stretched.

"Alright, let's get moving," I said, grabbing my jacket. "We've got a little time before we have to go back. You ready?"

Lavika slowly sat up, her face lighting up. "Where are we going?"

I grinned at her. "I thought we could take a quick walk. Get some air before heading back to the madness of our families."

She raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Are you sure it's not just an excuse to spend more time alone with me?"

I chuckled, walking toward her and offering her my hand. "Guilty as charged."

She took my hand, and we stepped outside into the warmth of the evening.

The streets were quieter now, the sounds of Mumbai muffled under the soft glow of streetlights.

We walked side by side, talking about everything and nothing—our plans for the future, the next steps in our lives, and some lighter moments from our families that made us laugh.

It felt like the perfect balance of intimacy and freedom, and I couldn't help but feel content in this moment with her by my side.

As we reached the park nearby, we sat on a bench, enjoying the simple pleasure of each other's company.

Lavika leaned her head on my shoulder once again, her fingers lacing through mine. "You know, I never thought I'd be here. Sitting with you like this."

"Why's that?"

She shrugged lightly, her gaze distant. "I don't know. I always imagined things would be more... complicated. But with you, it just feels natural. Like this is where I'm supposed to be."

I smiled, my thumb gently caressing her hand. "Same. It feels right. Like we've always been here."

We were silent for a few minutes, just enjoying the night air and the comfortable silence between us.

Finally, Lavika spoke again, her voice soft but filled with determination. "I want us to be strong, Ishaan. Whatever happens, I want us to face it together."

I looked down at her, squeezing her hand. "We will, Lavika. We always have, haven't we?"

She nodded, her gaze meeting mine. "Yes. And that's why... I think I'm ready. Whenever we decide it's time... I'm ready to take that step with you."

My heart skipped a beat, hearing her say that.

There was no rush, no pressure, but hearing her voice that certainty made me realize just how aligned we were in all of this.

"I'm glad to hear that," I whispered, pulling her closer to me. "Because I'm ready too."

⭑.ᐟ

After the quiet walk through the park, we made our way to Lavika's family home, a place that had become as familiar to me as my own.

We didn't have the luxury of time to relax, though.

We still had a lot to talk about, and Lavika's parents were always eager to catch up.

The moment we stepped into the grand entryway of the mansion, Lavika's mom, Mrs. Mehra, was already in the living room, preparing tea.

She had a warm smile, one that always made me feel at ease, but today, there was something different in her eyes—perhaps a touch of concern mixed with the usual hospitality.

"Beta, you're back already? How was your walk?" she asked, gesturing for us to sit.

Lavika leaned against the wall with a soft laugh. "It was nice, Mom. We needed some time to breathe before everything gets chaotic again."

I smiled, watching Lavika and her mother exchange knowing glances.

It was easy to see where Lavika got her warmth and caring nature from.

As we sat down, her father, Mr. Mehra, came in, wiping his hands on his trousers after having just come from his study. "I hope you two are having a good time," he said, his voice calm yet filled with a sense of control.

Lavika nodded, then playfully added, "We're managing, Dad. Just a little tired. But don't worry, we're here to spend time with you both."

I could feel the quiet tension in the room, a sign that her parents had something they wanted to address.

Lavika's mom set the tea on the table and sat down beside us, her eyes not leaving Lavika's face.

"You know," Mrs. Mehra began, her voice gentle but serious, "you both are still so young. But life is not easy when you live between two countries. The back-and-forth, the constant traveling—it's not sustainable in the long run." She paused, letting her words settle in the air.

Lavika and I exchanged a glance.

I knew what was coming.

This conversation had been inevitable.

"Mom, I get what you're saying," Lavika replied, her tone calm yet thoughtful. "But we're figuring things out, okay? We're not in a rush to make any big decisions yet."

Her father gave a small sigh, walking over and sitting beside her. "I know you are both doing your best. But you must realize how hard it is to be away from family so much. You both should consider settling here. In India. I understand you both have your lives in England, but there's only so much you can balance before it becomes too much."

I felt a weight settle on my chest as I processed what he said.

They were right.

It wasn't easy, constantly moving between two different worlds, but was that really what we wanted for ourselves long-term?

I looked at Lavika, silently asking her what she thought.

"I think Mom and Dad are right," Lavika finally said, her voice soft but firm. "It's difficult to live here and there all the time. After marriage, we'll settle here, near our family. It just makes sense."

Her mom smiled, her relief palpable. "Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. India is home, Lavika. No matter how much you love England, your roots are here. I know your father and I will be more than happy to have you both around."

I nodded in agreement, a smile tugging at my lips. "Yes, aunty. We will definitely make it work. After marriage, India will be home for us. Near family, near you both. I promise."

Lavika squeezed my hand under the table, her fingers brushing mine gently.

I could feel the warmth of her touch, and I was certain that we'd make this work, no matter what it took.

I knew we were at a point in our lives where we could build our future together, but there were sacrifices we'd have to make, and living between two countries just wasn't one of them anymore.

"I'm glad to hear that," Mr. Mehra said, nodding. "It's important to have family around. And I know Lavika is already planning how we'll celebrate the wedding. But remember—marriage is just the beginning. It's about the journey together, as a family. And we want you both to stay grounded in that."

Lavika's mom chimed in with a soft chuckle, "Yes, beta, you both will have plenty of time to figure out the big decisions. But for now, just take it one step at a time. Enjoy your time here before you go back to England."

I felt a sudden wave of warmth wash over me.

In this house, with her family, I realized just how much I had come to appreciate these moments.

I had once been the outsider, the one who didn't fit into this world, but now... it felt like I belonged.

Lavika leaned her head on my shoulder and smiled up at me. "I think we should take a little break. Spend time with you all, before we head back."

I nodded, brushing my hand through her hair. "Agreed."

Her father smiled at us, a proud, knowing look in his eyes. "Good. And remember, after the wedding, it's not just about the two of you. It's about family. And we'll always be here."

⭑.ᐟ

A while later, as the evening wore on, we found ourselves once again surrounded by Lavika's family.

Her parents, though initially concerned, seemed relieved to know that we were making plans for the future that made sense for both of us.

We spent the rest of the night chatting, laughing, and enjoying the warmth of family—something I had never truly experienced until now.

I realized that no matter where life took us, Lavika and I would always have our families to support us.

And that was more than enough.

⭑.ᐟ

Later that night, after dinner, Lavika and I retreated to her room.

The whole mansion felt quieter now, the soft hum of distant conversations and the flickering lights outside providing a calming backdrop.

As soon as we entered her room, I pulled her into a playful hug, making her giggle.

"I'll never get used to this," I said with a grin, my arms circling around her waist. "It feels so comfortable here. I never thought I'd say that, but I think I've found a second home."

Lavika smiled up at me, her hands resting against my chest. "I'm glad you're starting to feel that way. It means a lot to me."

I pulled her closer, teasingly brushing my lips over her forehead. "Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't like being in your room. It has a certain... appeal to it."

She raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Oh really? Well, I can't say I blame you." She leaned back on the bed, her eyes sparkling. "I guess we should enjoy the time we have left before we head back to England."

I grinned and moved closer to her. "That's the plan. But no distractions, alright?"

"Oh, don't worry, I've got my own plans." Her playful tone made me raise an eyebrow in amusement.

I bent down, my lips hovering over hers. "Really? What plans are you talking about?"

Before I could kiss her, she pulled away with a laugh. "You'll see. But first," she reached over to her drawer, pulling out a soft, plush pillow. "Let's have some fun before we get all serious."

I laughed, grabbing the pillow and tossing it back at her, starting a small, playful pillow fight.

The sound of our laughter echoed through the room, filling the silence of the mansion.

It was a rare, perfect moment, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for the simplicity of it all.

The way we could be ourselves, laugh, and not worry about anything else.

After a while, though, I noticed Lavika's teasing had turned into something more—her fingers brushing over my arm, her eyes soft and playful.

I could see the mischief in her gaze.

"Alright, I think I've had enough of this game," I said, a grin tugging at my lips. I got up, stretching lazily. "I'm going to the guest room."

Lavika shot up from the bed, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement. "What? You're leaving already?"

I chuckled, taking a step back. "I need my space. I can't let you distract me too much tonight."

She walked toward me, blocking my way with a playful pout. "Why not stay here? No one's going to know. Everyone's asleep."

I couldn't help but laugh at her boldness. "Really? You're going to tempt me that way?"

Lavika's grin widened as she wrapped her arms around my neck. "I can make it worth your while."

I feigned a thoughtful expression, tapping my chin. "Hmm... tempting, but I'll still go to the guest room."

She sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. "Fine, you win this time. But next time, no guest room. Deal?"

I smirked, pulling her in for a quick kiss. "Deal. But for now, I'll take my leave. You can't blame me for trying."

As I stepped away and headed toward the door, she called out after me, a teasing edge to her voice. "Next time, you better stay in my room. Or else..."

I turned around, catching the glint in her eye. "Or else what?"

"Or else, I'll make sure you regret it," she replied, her voice soft but confident.

I smiled, the playful tension between us making the night feel even more alive. "I'll keep that in mind."

⭑.ᐟ

Later that night, after a long day of family, laughter, and playful moments, we both found ourselves back in our respective spaces—me in the guest room, Lavika in hers.

But I knew this wouldn't last long.

Tomorrow, we'd be heading back to England, but for now, it was enough to just lie there, thinking of how we'd spent the day—together, happy, and at peace.

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