Epilogue

"So what now?" questioned Jyotsna, swinging the baby in the cradle as she eyed Arjun with a whimsical smile playing on her lips.

They had been blessed by the arrival of Komal Ranawat, five days ago. The anxiety, the desperation and their dreams had finally paved the way to a beautiful reality. It also brought upon moments of reckoning, several times over, as they realized that if they did not decide upon their future soon enough, they would be caught in a whirlwind of confusion.

"You know, all this time, thanks to your contract, we were married on paper," he started, thoughtfully, his smile morphing into a serious expression as he began to express what was on his mind for several days.

"I remember how frustrated you were about that clause!" she chuckled, reminiscing their banter in the initial days of their relationship.

"Yeah, so I was thinking, we were married for over an year but that really did not change anything for me, then why should I let that tag and the associated insecurities overpower me and let you go?" he asked, noticing the nuances of happiness beginning to glimmer over her already glowing features. The unmistakable gleam of satisfaction in her eyes was just the sign he wanted to assure himself that he was doing the right thing.

"You know, I was really scared during the labor. Not many men really stay by their partners' side during labor, even after years of marriage, but you did, and I know how much courage your mere presence gave me. That moment I realized that I desperately needed you in my life. But more than that, I need your forgiveness, Arjun," she replied, guilt overpowering her as she resolved to take away the burden from her heart before relishing the beauty of love.

"My forgiveness? But for what? Are you not happy with me?" he asked, worried if she was going to refuse him once again and wondered what the reason could be.

"No, I am very happy with you, Arjun. As happy as I was when my parents were alive. You gave me so much comfort, fulfilled every wish of mine, even if it was hurting you. I am sorry that I took advantage of that love and concern. That day when Namitaji apologized to me, I realized that I had so much to apologize for. I forced you to sleep with me, I forced you to have another child not caring about how much it was affecting you, I forced you for million other things, Arjun. I am so sorry," she pleaded, resting her head against his shoulder, letting her restraints down and allowing her tears to flow.

"And you think any random person could have forced Arjun Ranawat to do anything? Jyotsna, I did everything you asked for because I loved you and I still do. It is because of your stubbornness that we could enjoy parenthood today. Yes, it was tough for me to do, I swear, I almost hated you for that," he replied, causing her to sob further when he locked her in his embrace with his right arm and forced her to look into his eyes using his left hand.

"But the keyword is 'almost'. I could not bring myself to hate you, no matter what. I know you have lost your belief in love but trust me, neither did I, before I saw you crumble in front of me. That helplessness, that concern, that pain and that angst taught me that love does exist and you, Jyotsna, are the love of my life," he iterated, before pressing a kiss on her forehead that incited myriads of emotions in her.

"I still don't believe in love, Arjun, but I do believe in you and trust you with my everything. Maybe, love is not as bad as I know it to be. Maybe, it is worth giving a shot after all," she chuckled through her tears before capturing his lips into a soul-searing kiss.

He was shocked momentarily by her bold gesture, but he began to reciprocate and deepen the kiss. She began to smile against his lips as she felt him reciprocate and wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him as close as possible.

Before the things could escalate, they had to break apart by the cry of their newborn which caused them to jump to sides of the cradle, concern marring the features.

"I always wanted to do that though!" giggled Jyotsna as she blushed deeply from the aftereffects of the kiss, making him smirk at her revelation.

"No wonder, it appeared so amateurish!" he teased, as he wondered what had caused their daughter to cry, although he wondered internally if the kid began to cry because of lack of attention.

"Right! Komal needs a diaper change and guess who is going that? You!" she said, picking up the diaper pack behind her and hurling it towards him, right onto his face, for mocking her kissing skills.

"But you did not even let me play with the baby so far and I have no training or experience!" he complained, seeing that she was leaving him to do the task alone.

"Mr. Ranawat, practice makes a man perfect! And looks like you need training and practice in a lot of things, along with changing the diaper! Like kissing," she teased back, smirking at him, slightly patting the child so that she stopped moving while Arjun attempted to remove the soiled diaper.

"Oh really, Mrs. Ranawat! Trust me, I will show my expertise soon and you will be left speechless about my numerous talents! Just wait and watch!" he replied, groaning internally as she just winked at him and staged a walkout, leaving him to tend to his daughter himself, or so he thought.

He was left struggling between entertaining Komal and changing the diaper when he heard her voice behind him,

"If you need help, you only need to ask! But I will exact the payment for the same from you, in a manner I deem fit, along with exacting my revenge. Trust me, Ranawat, I am going to practice till I get perfect!" she teased, joining him, with a wink.

"Pleasure would all be mine!"