I have so much work to do but I ended up writing this instead of working on my assignments or studying for exams because I desperately needed some stress relief. I don't know if it's up to the mark, but I do hope it cheers you up a bit amidst all the negative news coming from IB these days.

**

When Shashi Chandna walked into her younger daughter's room, she wasn't surprised to find clothes scattered all around. Since coming home last night, Surbhi had been panicking about what she would wear to her and Nakuul's double-date with VirUshka today, and very apparently, she still hadn't found a dress. Even as Shashi looked on, Surbhi started muttering curses under her breath, before full on crying like the drama queen she was. Shaking her head, Shashi started picking up the clothes from the floor, even as Surbhi kept on dumping more. Finally, after thoroughly examining one dress from all angles, she squealed hugging it close to her chest, and wriggled in a mini dance. It was then that she noticed her mother.

"Areh mumma, aap kab aye?" She asked, collecting a pile of clothes in her hands and strewing them in the wardrobe, earning a glare from her mother who was carefully folding each one of them.

"A while back," She replied. "You were too busy being a nautanki."

Surbhi giggled at that and kissed her mother's cheek.

"Okay mumma, ab I need to get ready. Nakuul aata hi hoga." It didn't escape her mother how her eyes lit up as she said her boyfriend's name, and she smiled. This boy was bringing a very positive change in Surbhi's life, and she couldn't wait to meet him.

About an hour later, a car stopped in front of their house, and out walked the charmingly handsome, Nakuul Mehta. He was wearing a white shirt with blue jeans, and peeking out from their living room window, Pranavi and Shashi couldn't help but swoon.

"Aaj toh aur bhi zyaada hot lag raha hai!" Pranavi remarked, while her mother nodded. The two were so busy in their checking out session, that they didn't realize when Surbhi came and stood behind them.

"Ahem ahem," She couched, making her sister and mother jump. They stared at each other in horror, then smiled sheepishly.

"We were just, uhm, admiring his car..." Pranavi said, making Surbhi burst out in laugher.

"You two are such cuties," She said, taking the both in a hug. "And I know my boyfriend is hot, but bechara didn't sign up to be stared at creepily by my sister and mother!"

"He did sign up for it by being so handsome, though," Pranavi muttered, making the other two chuckle.

"Okay guys, I should get going. But wait, how do I look?"

Twirling around in a pretty, floral-printed blue dress that reached her mid thighs, Surbhi looked lovely. She had pinned up a few strands of hair at the top and let the rest of her curls open, and in her hand was a cute little Gucci wallet.

"Super pretty, darling," Pranavi and Shashi gushed, before waving her out of the house. Not nice to keep Nakuul Mehta waiting for so long!

Smiling, Surbhi left her house, and walked up to Nakuul. She looked radiant, her hair flying in the light wind, hips slightly swaying and making the hem of her dress bounce. Nakuul couldn't help but stare in admiration. She was beautiful, and she was his. The mere thought could make his entire world lighten up.

"Hey gorgeous," he whispered as she reached him, and to his surprise, she gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Dad is out to play golf with his friends, and mumma and didi don't mind," she said as means of explanation, with a wink. Nakuul grinned at that and gave her a kiss back on her jawline.

"Shall we?" He asked, opening the door for her.

"We shall," Surbhi replied while getting in. She was giddy with excitement about their double-date and Nakuul could see that clearly. Starting the car, he told her she looked beautiful.

"Thank you," She said shyly. "But tell me, are we going to some hi-fi restaurant? Am I underdressed?" She frowned at the last part, suddenly feeling like she was underdressed, and contemplated asking him to turn the car so she could go and change.

"Actually," Nakuul said, casually, "We're not going to a restaurant."

Surbhi raised her eyebrows quizzically, and he continued.

"We're going to their house."

"We are WHAT?" Surbhi all but screamed, making Nakuul heart's skip a beat. He had to grip the steering wheel tighter so as not to cause an accident. "Why didn't you tell me?" Surbhi had turned towards him at this point, her face showing clear distress. Nakuul shrugged his shoulders.

"Why would it have mattered?" He asked, focusing on the road. Surbhi looked at him like he was dumb.

"Um, I would have taken the time to freak out more, that's what! Nakuul, you can't just not tell me we're going to Virat and Anushka's house!"

Nakuul chuckled and took one of her hands resting on her thigh, intertwining their fingers.

"I'm sorry, love. I didn't know where we were going either, until Virat called this morning asking us to come over. I thought you'd be okay with it, so I said yes."

"Of course I'm okay with it," Surbhi mumbled, caressing his fingers with her thumb. "It's just, I'm having a major fangirl moment. I'm sorry to freak you out like that."

Nakuul laughed, and since the car was stopped at a red light, he leaned in to place a kiss on her cheek.

"It's okay. And you know what I read on Instagram the other day?"

"What?" Surbhi asked, interested.

"That if your girlfriend doesn't go psycho on you from time to time, is she even your girlfriend?"

Giggling at that, Surbhi leaned her head against his shoulder, and they continued on their way to Virushka's house.

**

"You have such a beautiful house."

"Thank you, Chandu. We bought it just before marriage. Could you pass me the salt?"

Surbhi didn't know what she was more delighted about. The fact that she was in Virat and Anushka's gorgeous apartment in Worli; that she was currently gossiping with Anushka while also helping her prepare lunch; or that both Anushka and Virat, upon coming to know the nickname Surbhi's friends used for her, had started calling her Chandu. The huge smile was just not leaving Surbhi's face and she had stopped trying to appear casual, at this point. Entering their house, she had downright told them that she might faint any moment due to the overwhelming feelings she was having, and they had all found it adorable.

"You know, Chandu," Anushka started after a while, stirring hot garlic sauce in a pan, "I'm so glad you came into Nakuul's life. I sometimes wondered whether he would ever give time to anything other than cricket. We tried to set him up with a few girls at times, thinking that if he started dating, it would reduce some of the stress, but to no avail. He wasn't interested in any of them."'

Surbhi glowed at that. He was only interested in her, she knew.

"Nakuul is an amazing guy, Chandu," Anushka continued, the smile on her face saying she genuinely meant it. "He is someone who would take bullets for his friends, if it came to it. You know, a few months back, before getting the position of the Captain, Virat was going through a rough spot."

Surbhi vaguely remembered it; although she hadn't been into cricket then, she had heard how Virat was consecutively giving poor performances on the pitch, making some people question his position in the team.

"Nakuul had been offered the position of the captain then," Anushka revealed, making Surbhi surprised. He hadn't mentioned anything like that to her. "But he had declined, saying that as his senior, Virat deserved the spot more than him. In fact, he had fought with their coach to make sure Virat was made captain, having the faith that his best friend would redeem with this new-found responsibility. And indeed, it worked magic."

Surbhi hadn't realized when her eyes had become moistened, and she hastily wiped away a stray tear. Looking over through the open kitchen to where Nakuul and Virat sat talking and laughing in the living room, Surbhi heart filled up with a sudden surge of adoration for her man. He was inexplicably beautiful, inside out.

It was when they were almost done preparing lunch when the boys entered the kitchen and took their respective ladies into a back hug. Surbhi couldn't help but blush, as Nakuul wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and whispered into her ears-

"I missed you. Can't wait to get out of here and have you all to myself again." Saying that, he nibbled on her earlobe for a second, before backing away. Surbhi was completely flushed and had to pat her cheeks to cool them down.

Settling down for the delicious lunch Anushka had cooked and Surbhi had helped prepare, the four of them had a gala time talking about everything under the sun. They shared anecdotes from their childhoods; crazy college stories; and Nakuul and Virat left no chance to embarrass each other with behind-the-scene stories from the stadium. It was only in the evening, after cups of tea and cookies that Virat had baked- one of his hidden talents, apparently- that Nakuul and Surbhi finally left. Before leaving, they made plans for future meet-ups, Anushka and Surbhi already thrilled about shopping sprees the two would indulge in when time would permit.

"This was so much fun," Surbhi said with a gleeful sigh as they drove away to Nakuul's house. He nodded; it was indeed fun, and he loved how well she got along with his friends. In fact, Virat and Anushka were their friends now, and he wouldn't be surprised if he found out that they loved her more than they did him.

By the time they reached his house, the sun was setting. Nakuul suggested they sit in the balcony for a while- it gave a majestic view of the sunset. Surbhi happily agreed and they settled down on one of the chairs, cuddling while looking at the horizon, sipping some wine at intervals.

"I love this place," Surbhi said softly, her head resting against his broad chest. "I can't imagine waking up to this view every day. It must feel so good."

Nakuul wanted to say something then, something about how she would be able to see this view everyday if she moved in with him, but he knew it was too early in their relationship for that. As much as he wanted to spend every possible minute with Surbhi, he had no qualms about taking it slow.

After all, he was planning to make this relationship of theirs last a lifetime, and beyond.

So, instead of replying, Nakuul simply kissed the top of her head. When the sun had set, and it had gotten dark, they walked back inside.

"What does my baby want for dinner?" He asked, and Surbhi beamed at all the pampering she received from him.

"Anything you'll make. Oh no, wait- can we have lasagna? With lots and lots of cheese? And um," She bit her lip in concentration, "yes, I know! Brownie with ice-cream for dessert! Perfect!" Her eyes were wide and bright like a child's, and Nakuul was looking at her in awe. She must have misjudged his expression, because suddenly, her face turned pink in embarrassment.

"Shit, I'm sorry. I'll have anything. I was just-"

She couldn't continue, because Nakuul interrupted her with a short, but sweet kiss on the lips.

"I'll go and get the ingredients ready, then we can sit and talk for a while before the cooking if you're not too hungry?"

Surbhi nodded, slightly dazed by the sudden kiss, before following him to the kitchen.

**

I wanted to give some romance in this chapter, but then decided against it because it would take longer to add and also would make the chapter lengthier. Next update should have some, hopefully!