A few minutes later, Karan was still in the kitchen with Maria, checking that everything was on track. He asked her to have the table set and also instructed her to move Daksh and Divya’s luggage to the guest room, telling her they would be staying the night. Maria smiled knowingly, nodded, and stepped away to carry out his instructions.
When Karan pulled out his phone to glance at a message, he suddenly felt familiar arms wrap around his waist from behind. Mishti had come into the kitchen and hugged him, resting her cheek against his back.
He turned at once, drew her to him, and gently pinned her against the cool marble counter, with his body shielding hers.
“Thank you,” she said, looking up at him with shiny eyes.
Karan knew exactly in what context she was thanking him. So, he did not question it. Instead, he bent and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.
“I like seeing my wife happy,” he replied. “So, you don’t need to thank me for that.”
Mishti’s eyes filled all over again, emotion threatening to spill as she held on to him, feeling once more just how deeply he loved her now. She slid her arms around his neck, and Karan instinctively pulled her closer, as if the space between them did not deserve to exist.
“Karan Wadhwa is officially ticking all the husband goals boxes now,” she murmured, her lips curving. “You really are breaking your own record, you know.”
He arched a brow, amused. “You’re keeping count?” he teased. “I didn’t know that. So, tell me, do I get something if I cross a milestone?”
“Anything,” she replied, leaning closer, her breath mingling with his.
Their faces were barely inches apart when he suddenly smiled to himself. That smile confused her instantly.
“What?” she asked, searching his face.
“I was just remembering you with Pari,” he said, smiling again. “The way you held her, cradled her. Someone already has great motherly skills.”
Mishti pouted, narrowing her eyes playfully. “That’s because I have to babysit my grumpy husband sometimes and tolerate all his tantrums.”
“Is it?” His hands slid lower, from her waist to her soft b*tt curves, pulling her flush against him. His voice dropped. “Do you also keep count of how many swats you give your dear husband?”
She blushed, but did not pull away. “I do. That’s because I’m obsessed with his arse,” she said shamelessly. “Not my fault, is it?”
That was it. Karan leaned down and captured her lips in a deep kiss. The sound of it alone tempted them to keep going, his hands kneading her soft curves, holding her pressed to him. A warm desire curled between them.
It was Mishti who finally pulled back first, breathless. “We have guests,” she whispered. “And I don’t want to look flushed the whole evening. Divya Bhabhi will notice, and she’ll tease me about it for the rest of my life.”
Karan eased back, too, but did not let her go. His arms were still secure around her as she looked up at him.
“Now that you’ve patched things up between me and Daksh bhai,” she said, “there’s still one thing left to do. And it should be your next priority.”
“And what is that?” He was genuinely confused.
She frowned at him. “How can you forget? Abhimanyu and Komal?”
Karan let out a slow exhale, already guessing where this was going.
“This weekend, we are going to Komal’s father, Dr Sharma,” Mishti continued, “and officially ask for her hand for Abhimanyu. We’ve delayed this enough, Karan. Not anymore.”
He pressed his fingers to his forehead dramatically. “I have no problem with Abhimanyu getting married,” he said. “But that doctor Komal…”
Mishti gently hit his arm, already knowing he was only joking now. “Enough of your Tom and Jerry with Komal,” she said. “And I already know you two are getting along just fine.”
“We’re just adjusting,” he replied, shrugging lightly. “For your sake and for Abhimanyu’s.”
Mishti chuckled, then leaned in to kiss his cheek. “That’s why I always say,” she murmured, “Karan iss duniya ke sabse achhe pati hai.”
Karan felt something warm settle in his chest. Earlier, he hadn’t deserved those words. Back then, she had told them to keep up appearances, to make things look normal in front of others. But now, when she said it, he knew she meant every word.
He pulled her closer again, lifting his hand to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “That’s because Mishti iss duniya ki sabse achhi patni hai. Period.”
