Soon, they heard the ticks of heels and their eyes came over a beautiful princess coming downstairs. A beautiful yellow ball gown with golden prints and open hairs made her a mesmerizing doll. His eyes were stuck on her. Her beautiful eyes saw him and her red lips curved in the most killing smile. She was really happy. Her yellow heels were talking on her behalf, setting her triumph.

Sarita nudged Daya and he came back to his senses unwillingly. He never wanted to end the moment.

He moved his hands through his collar of blazer near the buttons and got conscious. He moved to the stairs and gave her his hand. She looked at him and smiled. She slipped her hand on his and he smiled. They both came down and Giresh started the song.

Shreya bowed and so did he. She gave him her hand and he accepted.

Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly

Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise

Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange

Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong

Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast

Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast

Both were lost in each other's eyes, while the others admired them. Shreya was the first to come out of trance and she bowed, which made him come out of the trance.

Daya forwarded his hand and she slipped hers in it. He slowly took her towards the secret garden and she too didn't restricted but wanted this.

They reached there. Shreya once again looked around and smiled. She sat on the green carpet like grass.

Daya saw her and smiled. She pulled him to sit beside her.

Daya (teasing): Mujhe lga tha ki yeh dress pehen kart um ghaas par nhi betho gi.

Shreya (chuckled): Mujhe toh aisa nhi lagta… mujhe yeh ghaas mein bethna bahut pasand hai aur phir thandi hawa ko apne chahre par mehsus karna (she closes her eyes as she felt the wind) aur (she opens her eyes to see the stars) in taro ko thakna, sochkar ki inmein se koi apna mujhe dekh rha hoga.

Daya was just admiring her as she spoke. Her eyes slowly welled up with tears, and he felt his heart pinched. He slowly moved his hand near her and wiped her tears. She closed her eyes and shivered on his touch. He dragged his hand to her cheek. She opened her eyes and looked at him, their lips inches apart.

Shreya (whispered): Aapke saath rehna mujhe pta nhi kyun bahut accha lagta hai.

Daya (smiled): Mujhe bhi tumhaara saath bahut pasand hai, Shreya.

Shreya smiled and Daya distant himself from her. Shreya was still admiring his touch on her skin and closed her eyes, trying to feel it again.

Shreya (suddenly): Mujhe lagta hai, ab hume wapas chalna chahiye.

Daya (smiled): Tum chali jaogi toh cake kaun katega?

Shreya (surprised): Cake bhi hai!

Daya smiled at her expression. He gave her his hand which she held lightly. He made her stand and they went in.

She was surprised and smiling ear to ear when she saw a big cake in the middle of the hall and the whole family surrounding it. They clapped as the lovely couple approached the cake. Shreya took the knife and cut the cake. Everyone cheered and clap.

She first gave the cake to Daya, who made her eat the cake too. She then, fed it to Varsha and Sarita, respectively and so on. She was really happy, it was her best birthday ever.

Soon, everything was over. Shreya took a bath and was in her robe, when the door knocked. She opened the door, to discover Daya.

Daya was lost in her, her locks falling on her cheek, wetting it and her perfect curves; he felt attracted but somehow controlled himself and managed to smile. She smiled back and made a way in for him.

Shreya (smiled): Kya huya Daya? Aap yaha?

Daya (took a deep breath): Tumse ek zaroori baat karni thi.

Shreya (a little confused): Haan, boliye na.

Daya (held both her hands): Shreya, (he looked at her hands and then her) Kyat um abhi bhi mujhe apne parents ke khoon ka zimmedar samajhti ho?

Shreya looked at him with a jerk, trying to read his expressions, which she failed in.

Shreya (looking in his eyes): Aapko kya lagta hai Daya?

Daya (whispered): Main kaise bta sakta hoon.

Shreya smiled lightly and glanced at the floor, before looking at him.

Shreya (sighed): Mujhe pura yakeen hai aap par ab, pehle main nhi jaanti thi aapko, par ab jaan gyi hoon. Nhi kar sakte aap aise…. Vishwaas hai mujhe.

Daya (whispered): Kitna bharosa hai, tumhe mujhpar Shreya?

Shreya (holding his hands on her): Khud se bhi bahut zyaada. Itna ki aapko ek talwaar dedoon, aur yeh sochoon ki aap mujhe nhi maarenge, kisi bhi situation mein.

Daya (disbelief): Itna kyun karti ho vishwaas mujhpar?

Shreya (shook her head in no, smiled): Pta nhi, bas ek vishwaas hai. (looked in his eyes): Lekin kabhi kisi ke saath aisa nhi laga mujhe.

Daya (SmileD): Mujhe bhi.

Shreya smiled and felt like losing herself in the pair of eyes.

Shreya (controlling herself): Raat bahut ho gyi hai, ab mujhe sona chahiye, good night.

Daya (smiled): Good night.

He left and Shreya smiled shyly.

Daya (thinking): Pyaar ho gya hai mujhe, phir ek baar, par is baar sacha pyaar (he smiled)

Shreya (thinking): Shayad phir se dil mein kisi ke liya voh khaas jagah ban rhi hai, shayad phir se mujhe pyaar ho rha hai… kya voh bhi mujhse pyaar karte honge?

She slept thinking and waiting for a new hope.