4 Once Upon The Middle Of The Story

3 Years ago - Mumbai.

"Shimla," declared Shivani, her eyes glittering with desire she made no attempts to hide.

"Shimla? Here I am, wanting to take you to Switzerland, Paris, Austria - some of the most romantic places on Earth and you want to go to Shimla?" questioned Mrityunjay, puzzled at her choice. Women - he would never be able to understand them, certainly not this one, he thought unto himself. He dare not say it out loud.

"Yes, Shimla... I am a big fan of Shammi Kapoor and I’ve always wanted to go to Shimla and sing Yaaahoooo, in the snow," she reasoned, her hazel eyes wide, the excitement on her face unmissable.

"We are going there for serious business, I am not sure we'll have time for your silly snow games," he smirked, coming over to her, as he made his intentions very clear.

The colour crept up Shivani's cheeks but she refused to acknowledge the rising crimson. Mrityunjay's keen eyes though, missed nothing. He knew the effect his words had on her.

"I am not going with you, if you don't promise to sing and dance around the trees with me," she responded, pouting in mock anger, as her eyes narrowed.

He stood inches away from her, but didn't touch her. "I will carry you away with me," he challenged her.

"I dare you to," she retorted. That was exactly what he wanted her to say. He swooped down and carried her over his shoulders into their bedroom in their palatial house.

3 Days Later - Shimla.

Shivani stood in the balcony of their suite in The Oberoi Cecil. She was content; life was a song. All the nightmares of the past 2 years were over. Her Mrityunjay was with her. She looked over her shoulders and saw his lean, well built frame, spread out on the bed. It never ceased to amaze her, how attracted she felt to him right from the first time she had set her eyes on him and had no qualms in admitting it.

They had planned to go out trekking that day. She walked across to the bed and lay down next to him. His hair needed a good trim. She pushed off the strands that fell on his forehead and placed a tender kiss there.

"I can't believe you are taking advantage of me like this," he quipped, his eyes still shut while pulling her closer.”

Oh shut up! Get up now. The sky's clear today and I want to trek some mountains," she pushed at him.

"Oh no, dance around trees!" he jested, looking at her from the corner of his eyes. She laughed out loud, going into his warm embrace. Her laughter was like the soft notes of a symphony and always filled his heart with joy.