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London
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Pilot Samuel Ferguson greeted Raghav with a firm nod as he and Shriya arrived at the Heathrow Airport private runway space.

Shriya was reluctant to travel with Raghav but really didnot have an option of quitting so decided to go with the flow. She was feeling much better and well rested after two long days of doing absolutely nothing. Raghav was on one final call before boarding the plane. Shriya stood far not wanting to intrude his private conversation.

Raghav who was having a conversation on phone when he looked at her staying five feet away from him. He gestured her to come towards him which she politely denied. He came forward and gave her his phone to talk to which she gave a clueless expression.

"Its Arihaan! He wants to talk to you". Shriya then realised that he called her for a reason. She didnot want to get close to him. She knew Raghav was being nice to her as he was either guilty or just being kind for old times sake.

She always maintained a distance from her kids as subconsciously she did not want her political legacy harm them. It was her biggest fear. Her father was murdered due to political turmoil. Raghav was also deeply involved in politics but she trusted him with the children's protection more than herself. Overthinking about worst possible things has become her daily routine. She would spiral about awful situations that could happen in her life and worry about it.

Looking at her hesitating to talk to Arihaan, Raghav realised something is terribly wrong and he was missing some major parts of puzzle.

"Do you think someone will tap your phone Raghav?" She questioned calmly but lines of anxiety were visible on her forehead.

Although Raghav nodded his head negatively he was beginning to understand that there is so much he doesn't know about her. He was surprised and mentally noted that he needs to find out about the reason for her fears as she is an extremely strong person. He did not want to stress her so chose not to question but calmly placed a hand on her shoulder and said

"Sweety! Just talk to him. He is waiting. He will think you don't want to talk to him. You know he has all your genes of oberthinking so be quick! And no my phone cannot be tapped".

Shriya hesitantly took the phone and said "Duggu! Baby! I will come to you soon. Till then will you be a brave boy and take care of yourself?"

Arihaan replied from the otherside "Ofcourse Mom! Safe journey! I will also take care of Berry and Cookie! Bye"

Shriya gave a kiss to the phone and had a wide smile. Raghav felt happy as he has seen her smile genuinely after a while.

Raghav extended his hand gesturing her to hold it while climbing steps. She reluctantly held it as he tightened his hold and helped her climb the steps towards his charted plane.

Shriya looked at the interiors there were six luxurious seats and she found one window seat baby pink with a unicorn design and she gave Raghav a look.

He replied "What! Why are you giving me that look Sweetu? It's my daughter's seat. Isn't it obvious?"

"You are spoiling her Raghav!" Shriya complained.

He replied saying "You mean just the way you spoil Arihaan".

"That's not fair! I barely get to pamper him in forever! Besides my Duggu has become so mature and he is a responsible and sorted kid".  Shriya now sat on the left corner on one side as Raghav was seated on the other side in the right hand corner. There was a walking space and two seat distance between them.

"My Tweety is also a very responsible and mature girl. She sings lullaby  everyday to put me to sleep" Raghav replied turning to face her.

Shriya questioned "How many toys and chocolates you bribe her with to do all these things?".

R: Actually none! Those are her general gifts.

They removed their seat belts after the flight took off.  There was awkward silence. Shriya indulged herself into a philosophical book. She was reading a lot of Buddhism and calmness these days. Raghav was engrossed in his laptop preparing a strategy for the next meeting.

Shriya stretched her hands after a while realizing that she was around Raghav she straightened and sat maintaining a professional posture.

Raghav who looked in her direction quickly took his eyes away as she caught him looking at her. Shriya was now hungry and the air hosts were on the other side in their space.

Shriya stood up and searched for food only to end up in the bar counter. She searched the draws and counters for any food but she found only roasted peanuts and she was allergic to it.

Raghav soon joined her and sat beside her on the bar counter. After a long silence he spoke "Shall I make a drink for you Shriya? Don't hesitate".

Shriya smirked sarcastically and said "I don't consume anything intoxicating Raghav. It's not like I am judging people who drink but I don't do it".

Raghav nodded and said "Let me call someone and you can order food. He passed her a tab showing the menu".

The food arrived and Raghav was on his seat. Shriya felt weird eating alone on his plane with him not eating anything.

She quickly took another plate and sat opposite to him. Raghav was perplexed and said "I won't eat anything Shriya".

She took a spoonfull of pasta and forwarded towards his lips and he ate it. She continued once again despite his refusal. He couldn't deny so it was now his turn to feed her and he fed her with another spoon.

Shriya made a face and said "You are just like Duggu Raghav! You are actually hungry but lazy to eat".

"Really! and you are just like my Tweety! Who will not eat until everyone around is eating along with her". Raghav replied.

They both laughed imagining Reya's commanding baby voice.

Raghav saw her smiling content for a while and questioned "Are you okay Shriya?"

Tears spilled from Shriya's eyes as she said "Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and cry. I am absolutely fine. Don't bother about these" She said wiping her cheeks.

Raghav pulled Shriya on his lap and patted her back as she laid her head on his chest.

Shriya got up to leave but he held her hand and made her sit  beside his seat. There hands were entwined. She sat in silence and comfort.

Shriya rested her head on his shoulder when Raghav said "Sweetu! I miss you"

Shriya looked up and replied "I miss you too Raghav!"

They both looked at each other with longing in eyes when Shriya stuttered  "I w..was re...reading a book Ra.. Raghav".

Raghav replied "Hmm.. Fine Sweetu".

She was hesitantly going towards her seat when Raghav pulled her on his lap and kissed her ferociously. Initially she was overwhelmed but she gave in with equal passion.

They broke the kiss and Raghav closed the cabin doors with the remote control  also let the dark blinds down.

Shriya was catching her breath and saw the lights dim all she could see was the evening clouds before sunset.

She was feeling weak on her knees. Somewhere she knew she might regret it and was giving in too fast but before she could say anything Raghav made her sit on his lap again and questioned "May I?"

She reluctantly nodded. Raghav kissed on her forehead and said "You are my wife Sweetu! I will respect your desicion. You can take your time you know. You don't have to give in to physical pleasure if you are not interested".

Shriya got up from his lap and moved away. She felt weak in her knees. She walked here and there for a while and came back to him.

Raghav said "Shriya! You can ask me any question you know. Now that it's only the two of us here. I think we should talk".

Shriya looked above his shoulder in his eye and asked "About coparenting?"

"Anything! You ever wanted to and hesitated". Raghav replied.

Shriya said "That's not fair! Since ironically we are communicating. I think it is only fair if both of us get to question. One at a time. You go first".

R: Aliright! Why did you take up law?

S: I felt I could really contribute as I have a lot to say especially for the people who don't have a voice and are labeled bad things by the society.

S: My turn! Don't you think you are being insensitive towards Shirav? I feel he is feeling ignored by everyone.

R: He is just different and overall a silent child. He is not particularly attached to anyone.

R: When was the last time you visited your therapist?

S: About six months ago. She suggested me to write down and it's helping a lot.

S: If you plan to get married again I want to keep all the children. I won't stop you from visiting them but I just feel it's right for everyone.

R: That's not a question Shriya. Besides I am not interested in marrying anyone. I thought I made it clear several times that I love you and will not be able to love anyone else.

Shriya lowered her gaze and looked away from him. Her voice became more softer and lower.

"Do you remember the first time you confessed your love for me Raghav?"

Raghav replied "In London! Before your birthday? Before you found out about Arihaan".

Shriya replied "Nope! In the camp! Before the campfire. When you gave me your watch and said all your precious time belongs to me. We both were intoxicated. I remembered this after a long time one time when I was pregnant with Arihaan and the memory stayed forever".

Raghav scooped her closer to him "It always felt right being with you Sweetu! We were teens when we fell in love and did not really know what it was. Growing up things got messed up. I was a fool not realizing it".

Shriya replied "I was always smart unlike you".

Raghav questioned "What's bothering you Sweetu? What do you want to say?"

Shriya took in a breath and breathed out again saying "A lot actually! I am ..you know in love with you... I am feeling suffocated to ....not be able to forget and move on.... and we are getting divorced...This is not how a 'to be divorced' couple behave...I mean I was sitting on your lap....You keep kissing me and I kiss you back. We were literally about to make love a few moments ago and I was giving in. We are only supposed to co-parent. You keep telling me you will not marry again but in my head I am constantly making myself ready so that when you marry again I will not be heart broken. You know....and ...it's just not easy for me on so many levels..."

He claimed her lips once again. This time she let her hands roam in his hair. He further moved towards her neck and collar bone leaving a hickey there. She tried to stop herself from moaning. One thing lead to another the cabin witnessed their love.
.....
....
..

Tears of ecstasy streamed down Shriya's eyes. Raghav covered her naked body with a duvet. "Mrs Shriya Raghav Reddy! I am only yours. I will not marry anyone ever and regarding divorce we are still married let's first try to mend our marriage before thinking of life after divorce and coparenting".

She said looking at her feet "Why don't you trust me Raghav?"

Raghav replied holding her hands "I always trusted you Shriya till that day.  But why did you seek comfort in that guy?"

Shriya pulled her hands away from his mercilessly replied "Fine! I never thought I will stoop to this level of explaining myself to you on this matter but let me just do it. I DIDNOT SLEEP WITH HIM RAGHAV! I DIDNOT SEEK COMFORT IN HIS ARMS. HE HUGGED ME. MY BRACELET WAS STRUCK ON HIS SHOULDER AND I WAS TRYING TO REMOVE IT. WHY WILL I SLEEP WITH HIM? DO YOU THINK I AM CHATACTERLESS?"

Raghav who was suddenly enraged looked away from her and said "I saw a footage of you going to his hotel room the previous night. I did not believe it despite you lying to me that you were going to meet Serah and went to meet him. But I lost it when you hugged him intimately.

"I WAS NOT. YES I MET HIM THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. I LIED TO YOU. Were you ready to listen at all Raghav? He was innocent and I had to prove it and guess what I have a news for you. He is my half brother. He is my father's son. So your useless suspicion doesn't mean anything. But I am deeply hurt that you think I can sleep with any man". She turned behind.

He pulled her closer caging her in his arms and said "I am sorry Sweetu!"

Shriya cried louder and punched on his chest and said "You did not have any right to break my heart".

He kissed on her left eye and said "I am sorry Sweetu! For not being there for you when you were pregnant with Zoro"

He kissed her right eye "I am sorry for not trusting you in that Aravind Bharadwaj case".

He held her hands and said "I am sorry for breaking your heart Sweetu! Will you let me fix it? Please"

Shriya nodded her head in a no. "I told you I don't have anything to offer you as I myself was broken when you proposed for marriage back in the day. Today I have only one thing to say I am tired Raghav and am so tired that I am not able to take the responsibility of children also. There are so many things you have no idea about. There are really bad people out there threatening all the time".

Raghav held her cheeks and said "Nobody will ever harm you Sweetu! I promise you that."

Shriya said "I am not bothered about myself. They killed my dad! I am worried about the children".

"Raghav will you promise to take care of the children if they kill me?" Shriya questioned.

Raghav with enraged eyes placed a finger on her lips and said "Shh! No such thing will ever happen".

He hugged her tight imaging the possibility of loosing her and decided not to leave her.

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A/N:
He guys!

A lot has happened.

This is the longest chapter I have written.

How was it?

What will happen now?