I woke up to an empty bed, my hand instinctively reaching out for Jaana's warmth. But she wasnât there. The cool sheets where she usually slept brought a frown to my face, and for a moment, I wondered if I'd dreamt the entire thingâher beside me, wrapped up in my arms, soft breaths filling the room. But no, the sticky note on the bedside table brought me back to reality.
*"I'm in my own room now. No room sharing until the wedding begins. My exams are near, so I'll be going to college early. Sleep tight, and miss me all day... and maybe even in the night."*
I couldn't help but chuckle, shaking my head. That woman knows how to drive me insane. A teasing little minx, my Jaana. I could picture her writing that, smirking as she anticipated my reaction. My little wifey. Playful, smart, and the only person who could wrap me around her finger with just a few words.
I tossed off the covers, the thought of her making my heart race faster than usual. The wedding was coming soon, but this whole *'no sharing a room until then'* thing was killing me. How was I supposed to last that long?
I made my way to her room, unable to resist seeing her before she left. I knocked softly on the door, not wanting to disturb her too much if she was studying. "Jaana, my love? Can I come in?"
Her sweet voice, thick with sleep, called back. "Just a minute, Abhimaan!" I grinned, already imagining her in her messy ponytail, probably throwing on a pair of jeans as she rushed to get ready. A few moments later, she opened the door, and there she stoodâhair tied back, her eyes still a little sleepy but glowing with that familiar spark of mischief.
"Good morning, !" she chirped, standing on her toes to peck my cheek.
I pulled her in close, breathing in the fresh scent of her shampoo. "Good morning, my little wifey. You sure know how to tease me, hmm? Iâm supposed to miss you all day... and all night too?"
She laughed, the sound light and contagious, her lips brushing against my jaw. âThatâs the plan. Youâll miss me, wonât you?â
âMaybe,â I teased, sliding my hand around her waist, pulling her tighter. Her body pressed against mine, soft and warm, and I could feel her heartbeat quicken. âMaybe not. But I think itâs you whoâll miss me more.â
She raised an eyebrow, challenging. âOh really?â
I smirked, lowering my voice. âYeah, because the next time I get my hands on you, Jaana, there wonât be any exams or notes to save you.â
Her breath hitched, and I saw her pupils darken with desire, but before I could savor the moment, she slipped out of my grasp, that mischievous grin playing on her lips. "Nice try, but I have a class to get to. See you later, Abhimaan." With a quick wave, she was gone.
I stood there, watching her disappear down the hallway, a mixture of pride and frustration blooming in my chest. My little wifey had me wrapped around her finger, and she knew it.
The day dragged on, each hour longer than the last. I tried focusing on work, but my mind kept drifting back to her, to the way sheâd looked at me this morning. My thoughts constantly interrupted by the memory of her lips, the way her body fit perfectly against mine. I couldnât concentrate, not when every fiber of my being wanted to be near her.
By afternoon, I gave in and sent her a quick message. *"Missing you, Jaana. Canât wait to hold you in my arms tonight."*
Her reply was almost immediate. *"Focus on your work, Mr. Husband-to-be. I'll see you soon."* But even through the screen, I could feel the teasing smile behind her words.
As the day crawled toward evening, a call from her security team had my pulse spiking. Thereâd been an incident at her college. Some idiots had been throwing insults, calling her names, linking her to my past mistakes. My anger flared, and my first instinct was to storm down there and make sure every single one of them regretted crossing her path.
But I knew Jaana wouldnât want that. She had her exams, and she didnât need me causing a scene. Still, I couldnât sit by and do nothing.
By the time her exams ended, I was already waiting outside her college, holding a pink rose bouquet. My heart raced as students began to pour out of the building, but all I could see was her. She looked exhausted, her shoulders slightly slumped, and my heart twisted in my chest.
But then her eyes met mine, and the tiredness melted away. Her entire face lit up, and she came running toward me like she hadnât seen me in weeks. Before I knew it, she was in my arms, clinging to me as if I was her lifeline.
I twirled her around, her laughter filling the air, and for a moment, the world shrank to just the two of us. Her arms wrapped around my neck, her breath against my skin, and my heart hammered wildly in my chest. I kissed her forehead softly, feeling her melt into me.
"Missed me?" she whispered, looking up at me with those big, brown eyes.
âMore than you know,â I murmured, brushing my lips across hers, just enough to feel her tremble in my arms.
She giggled, her cheeks flushed as she buried her face in my chest. âYouâre such a sap, Abhimaan.â
âYou love it,â I said, pulling her closer, my voice low. âAnd you love me.â
Her giggles turned into a soft hum, her lips brushing against my neck as she whispered, âAlways.â
The rest of the evening was a blur. We went for a walk, hand in hand, her teasing me about being too protective, me reminding her that she drives me insane in the best way possible. We even stopped by a bookstore, her favorite, where she spent far too long browsing while I watched, admiring every little thing she did.
As we left, she surprised me by buying a bouquet of flowers for my mother. *"For Maa,"* she said, beaming up at me, and my heart swelled with so much love for her that it was almost overwhelming.
By the time we got home, I couldnât resist pulling her aside. With a swift move, I pinned her against the wall in the hallway, my hands framing her face, my body pressing against hers. Her breath caught in her throat as I leaned in close, our lips barely inches apart.
"Abhimaan," she whispered, her voice trembling with anticipation.
"I canât wait for the wedding," I murmured against her lips.
Her lips parted, and with a soft sigh, she pulled me in for a deep, hungry kiss. Time seemed to stand still as I lost myself in her, in the taste of her lips, the feel of her body against mine. The world outside could waitâright now, she was all that mattered.
When we finally broke apart, both breathless and flushed, she smiled up at me, her fingers brushing against my jaw. "I love you," she whispered, and in that moment, I knew there was nothing I wouldnât do for this woman.
"Forever, Jaana," I whispered back, sealing the promise with another kiss.