Chapter-18 It's Ours.

Then her eyes fell on the third thing, he left behind other than money and the bunch of keys. Her lips curved instantly in a smile when she recalled that moment, when grandpa handed over her that bunch and said,'' from today on, this house, my Kabeer and everything we have belongs to you too." but then got sad again remembering the current scenario, she was in.

With money she could understand that he left money because it's not about money at all, but then why did he leave keys instead of keeping them in a drawer as usual. " Did it mean that it's something related to this house. But what.", and again this "what" made a comeback in her mind, like an unanswered and unsolved mystery now. Suddenly her eyes fell on a notepad beside and she shivered thinking that this was the thing he was looking at before leaving.

Suddenly, she felt that she found all her answers." Oh god. did he know. did this hurt him that much. Did he see this? Of course, he did. God knows what he understood but now she definitely knew that what hurt him and how she had to calm him." finally she sighed in relief but then realized that she only got answer of her confusion but still she needs to calm him, sooth him and heal his pain she unknowingly reasoned for.

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Other side of the house, Kabeer sat disappointed and angry. He was thinking and mumbling," how could she do this? I knew she was keeping it a secret, but this. How can you Muskaan?" It might be a small matter for everyone but for him definitely not.

Even after trying hard and he couldn't digest that she was. She was so scared to give him that book and stationery list because she didn't feel comfortable to use his money for this. "His." Like seriously. When he saw that notepad and opened it playfully, the drawn list of books and stationery with their estimated value and then that cut that she definitely did to minimize the amount. Must be tried to adjust in the amount she had. and that word "YOUR ROOM" made its way into his mind. Though he didn't want to but couldn't help but to think so many things that not only raised his anger but eventually made him more devastated.

Suddenly a knock caught his attention and she entered with a plate. Softly she said, “Let’s have dinner. You have not eaten anything since evening, not even coffee. So, let's have dinner here only."

Now it's time for his confusion, but as he was angry so replied angrily, without looking at her, "keep it here. Right now, I am not feeling like eating anything. I will eat whenever I want to."

Muskaan got scared of his cold response but said again sweetly, "why do you want to eat alone, when I am here for you?"

"It's my life and I will do whatever I want to. Don't worry about me, I am habituated to eating alone for so many years." Now this was turning into an argument. He actually needed some assurance, some answers but didn't want to ask.

With a faint teary smile, she lifted the plate, made a bite and brought that near his lips. He looked at her and rushed in anger, stood near windows clutching the frame tight and said, “do you think it's a joke? Well, when you didn't care even, me too will not ask any question? You are here to fulfill your responsibility, aren't you? So, keep this food here and go. You didn't need to worry, when you never considered me as yours. I will eat like always. After all it's my room, my house, my money, isn't it?"

Muskaan was simply traumatized seeing his condition because she knew that he was hurt but he was not only hurt, he was broken. Though she couldn't understand the exact reason, she knew that something else was definitely connected, might be something from his past bothering him so much. But whatever it was, let it be. she just couldn't see him like this and instinctively she took some quick steps and before one could blink her eyes, she flung her arms around and wrapped him and rested her head on his chest.

He jerked but before could react her sweet voice echoed in the silence of the room. And she said very sweetly, “who told you this nonsense? Of course, of course you are mine, and this home, your room, this person, and everything around belongs to me only. I am Muskaan Kabeer Mittal after all, remember."

There was something magical in her voice that calmed him instantly. And wrapping his hands around her tightly, still he asked, this time not with anger but complaining like a kid, “Then, why did you say yesterday, you will change your room according to me?"

Muskaan replied slowly but honestly, “I am so sorry, if you feel this bad for that. But that was just a moment. I never meant that. Actually, it was all so sudden, that I couldn't think of anything else. But that doesn't mean that I don't think you as mine."

"Sudden, okay, I agree, but what about those books and fees scribblings in your notepad? Is that sudden too?" of course he was not an easy nut to crack.

Muskaan replied softly but a little hesitant, “that was nothing. Actually, I was a bit embarrassed telling you that my fees for last semester are also due. In that house, when I.."

Now Kabeer replied, finally calmed," Muskaan, no need to think about those things again, okay. Whatever, you want, you need, just tell me once, I promise I will bring that for you. Dream High, fly high and I promise I will always stand by your side. Don't hesitate for anything from now on, whatever I have is not only mine but ours in every sense, okay."

Muskaan slowly pulled back and looked at him lovingly and said, “I never thought that someone can ever think so highly of me."

Kabeer cupped her face very tenderly and replied, “Muskaan, you are not only special, but the most special for me. Never be harsh on yourself, or else, I will be very sad." And once again pulled her in his arms.

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" Muskaan, can I say something?" he asked when she was finally preparing for Sleeping after a quite jovial dinner with his banters and tantrums by her side. She hummed only in response but turned his side to listen.

He started a little hesitant, but slowly said to her, “Muskaan, me… I mean... my life..." he stammered badly.

She was confused by his hesitation and slowly held his hands and nodded a little in assurance. Maybe it's her courage that he spoke again," Muskaan, other than grandpa, for the very first time, I have someone special in my life. Promise me that you will always be by my side. And don't ever do that again. Don't ever make this ours of our to yours or mine. okay."

Without uttering a word, she shifted a little and hiding herself in his arms slowly murmured, "I promise." although she wanted to ask so much why he said the first time, why didn't he mention his parents but somehow knew that this was not the right time.

Hiding her in himself, slowly he tightened his embrace and said stroking her hairs and pulling her some more, he said annoyingly, “you know, my friends always gossip about their wives unstoppable shopping spree and expenses and me, I can't even do that."

"Oh, that's why you want me to take you shopping. So, you can gossip on your back." The reply came instantly and just the same he thought before.

He looked at her, broke out from his arms, lifted her head a little, she was looking like a cute little button with a puffed mouth and pouty lips.

Pursing his lips to refrain from smiling he nodded a yes cutely and naughtily.

" what… you… I..'', and she rolled to sat but laughing wholeheartedly on her cute anger he pulled her again in his arms and dropped a soft kiss on her hairs without her knowledge, before closing his eyes for a blissful slumber, while she too peacefully sleeping cocooned in his arms.