"I don't like you, Mr. Grumpy-face."

• ♡ •

Kabir pulled up his SUV in front of Tanya's house at fifteen past twelve in the night. Oorvi one of Misha's friends had called him to pick up his sister and his wife. Kabir got off the car, dialing Misha's phone number. 

"Hey, Oorvi?" 

"Hello, Kabir."

"Yeah, I am out," Kabir spoke looking at the door. 

"Umm, I will just be there." She replied and the call ended. A minute later the door opened. Kabir was greeted by a woman dressed in floor-length black gown. "Kabir?"

"Yeah," he answered awkwardly. Seems like Heer and Misha were totally wasted.

"They are super drunk!" Oorvi grinned. "Come on in!" 

Kabir entered the house behind her. The living hall's walls were decorated with posters of Misha and windows were decorated with fairy lights. Mattresses were laid out in the middle of the room and two girls were already asleep there, perhaps passed out. 

"Mish, Heer, come on girls Kabir is here!" Oorvi spoke. Kabir's eyes fell on the two drunk women who were giggling. Kabir sighed. 

"Hey, my big bro is here!" Misha exclaimed excitedly getting off the couch, walking up to him. 

"Mish, how drunk are you?" Kabir asked as she hugged him.

"Oh, shut up big bro, it's my party!" Misha slurred slightly. One watchful look at her eyes and Kabir knew she was high. His eyes drifted to Heer who was giggling to herself. Great!

He looked at Oorvi who was trying to convince Heer. "Oorvi, just help Misha to the car, I will get her," Kabir spoke noticing her failed attempts. 

"Sure," Oorvi smiled relieved and helped Misha tot he car while Misha snorted uttering odd phrases.

"Come on Heer, let's go home,"

"Mr. Grumpy is here!" Heer smiled looking up at him.

Kabir raised a brow and looked at her. Mr. Grumpy? He forced a smile, nodding, and reached out to help her up. "Come on,"

"This place is nice. I like this couch." Heer pouted at him as his hand held her arm.

"Heer, you like the bed at home, don't you? You can snuggle and sleep."

"With Advi?" She asked.

"With Advi," he answered affirmatively a little amazed.

"You don't like her sleeping with me..." she complained as she walked beside him. He had put an arm around her waist to help her walk without stumbling.

"No, it's not like that..." he spoke glancing around. The room was a mess, there were glittery things all around, packets of junk food and empty beer cans and liquor bottles. 

"Wait," she squealed suddenly and then bent down to pick up something from a couch. It was a satin sash. Just like the one Misha was wearing which read Bride-To-Be. Kabir peered at it closely, this one read Miss Best Dancer. His lips curved up a little as she put it around herself. "That's mine!" She squealed proudly.

"Best dancer?"

"Yess!" She uttered aloud. "Kabir, you should have seen me dance today. After a very very very very very long time, I actually set the dance floor on fire." She gushed. Kabir quickly held her hand, "the door is there." He led her to the doorstep.

"Do we have to leave?" She asked stopping, "this place is cool."

Kabir sighed, "Heer,  I will let you sleep with Advi."

"Advika?" She asked as a big smile came to her face.

"Advika!" He nodded.

"Why aren't you like her? Sweet, happy, lovable, cute, adorable..." Heer went on with adjectives. Kabir was amazed at how attached Heer actually was to his daughter.

He helped her sit in the back seat with Misha and quickly thanked Oorvi.

"Sorry for bothering you, I didn't know why Heer got drunk. She had no plans to..."

"Yeah, I know. Misha sort of tricked her into drinking in the game. Anyway, Misha knew I won't be drinking cause of my pregnancy. So, it's perfectly fine. Everything was in control. Just the girls got a little high and drowsy." The lady smiled.

"Thank you!" Kabir muttered nodding, "would you want me to drop you somewhere?" 

"No, no. I am staying over. All the girls who were supposed to get back home left with their partners. The others are all asleep. Good night!"

"Good night!" Kabir shook his head for a formal greeting and quickly sat inside he car. He looked at the two behind who were talking about something and giggling.  He just hoped they didn't wake up Advika. He wouldn't want Advika to see them like this. Maybe he could sleep with Advika and let these drunk girls sleep in his room. 

"Bro, the party was amazing. We had so much fun." Misha spoke. "Right Heer?"

"Absolutely, you were a terrific host babe!" Heer spoke kissing Misha's cheek. Kabir caught that from the car mirror. He shook his head. Too drunk. 

"Did you know that your wife is an awesome dancer?" Misha asked patting Kabir's shoulder.

"I know..."

"Ooo... did she give you a lap dance huh?" Misha chuckled.

Heer was giggling too. Kabir sat tight-lipped focusing on the road.

"Your brother is boring Mish, he wouldn't even let me give him a lap dance!" Heer replied and again the two began giggling.

Kabir blew out air from his mouth. The two drunk ladies were totally embarrassing him. For a few fleeting seconds, he did have an image of Heer dancing before him. He inhaled hoping the girls wouldn't remember anything tomorrow morning. He needed to deviate from the topic. "What else was good at the party?"

"The toys!" Misha squealed, Kabir's eyes widened briefly. "Those blowing whistles that went Poooo.." with that again the two of them started giggling. Kabir shook his head. Seemed like the ladies had the time of their lives. He noticed that Heer was now looking outside he window smiling as they were driving along the seafront.

"We had a Fifty Shades Of Grey game you know.." Misha chuckled, "Jennie won it and Heer was runner up."

Kabir's eyes widened at that. Misha was talking too much now. Heer wasn't paying any attention to them. "Misha, what's written on your sash?" He asked to keep Misha from talking about other details of their all-girls party. He was still finding it hard to digest the little information that Misha had given. What did they even have to do at that game? He wondered. 

Kabir drove into the apartment. Now was the time for his next task. To manage to get these two upstairs. He didn't want to wake up his daughter with the possible commotion. He looked at the two thoughtfully. He switched on the child lock mode.

"Let's go," He spoke opening the door and a sleepy Misha stumbled out. He quickly shut the door. One at a time was his plan. He left Heer alone who looked on confused. He quickly carried his sister towards the elevator. He laid her on the elevator floor pressing the button. He took his shoe off placing it to prevent the elevator from closing once they opened on the fifth floor. He quickly unlocked the door and carried Misha and put her on the couch hurrying back down to Heer.

After a good ten minutes, Kabir was finally able to get Heer inside the elevator. She was mad at him for leaving her alone. She was still not drowsy like Misha was. She kept saying how bad he was to her. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Drunk women were a curse. 

"Come on, Heer."

"I don't like you Mr. Grumpy-face," she folded her arms not showing any signs to move out of the elevator. Kabir sighed he really wished he could carry her like he carried Misha. But Heer was taller and slightly heavier. He couldn't carry her with the risk that his hands might give away and drop her. 

"Heer, you like Advika right? I will let you snuggle with her remember. You like to sleep right? I will let you sleep." He tried the same thing.

Heer looked at him as though contemplating and moved out. She stumbled and would have met the floor had Kabir not put his arm around her. His arm curved around her waist smoothly, her hands were on his shoulder for support. "I am okay, Grumpy."

"Evident!" Kabir muttered under his breath and walked her into their room. He made her sit on the bed. 

"You don't like. Why?" She asked holding his hand. 

Kabir was caught off guard. Her scent, the sight of her lips, and the plenty of skin flaunted courtesy to her off-shoulder dress was messing with him. Plus having his arm around her was not helping. "Heer, sleep."

"I don't want to..." she muttered looking around. "I don't know who am I? I can't find myself..." She muttered running her fingers through her hair. 

"Heer, just sleep okay? You need sleep," he spoke gently putting his hand on her shoulder. He pulled it back as his skin made contact with hers. 

"What have I done to you, you don't like me? Why? Why does no one like me anymore? Why does no one love me?" She grumbled, looking crestfallen.

"Advika loves you Heer," Kabir spoke up feeling bad for her. He now knew that Heer was vulnerable on the inside no matter how happy and strong she portrayed herself on the outside. There were insecurities behind her smiles. 

"Yeah, Advika..." Her lips pulled into an upward curve. "She is the only one who loves me. Others all have only taken me for granted. Rajeev, Bhai, Maa, and Papa." Her voice trailed. "He never loved me anyway." She spoke painfully. "You're nice Kabir. You love your daughter so much. I like you. I really really like you." She said holding his hand. 

"You know they say.... a woman.. wishes her husband to be like her father. But for me... I wish my father was like you, Kabir. You're nice. You're sweet. You care. You love. I like you, Kabir. And, I am sure Advika does too. And... Varsha too wherever she is. She will be proud of you like I am." Heer spoke in a heavy time with occasional hiccups and smiled at him through her tears.

Kabir was stumped. He sat still staring at her. Heer had said too much. He couldn't digest it all. Her words were still echoing in his ears when she circled her arms around him and placed her head on his shoulder. "Always be there for Advika no matter what, please. You're nice, stay like that." She spoke in a hushed slurry voice. 

Heer's words had moved Kabir. It had been a while since anyone had told him that he was good. Ever since Varsha's death, he had only heard people say that he wouldn't be enough for bis daughter. It was weird how he felt extremely emotional at the moment with tears blurring his vision. He put his arm around Heer closing his eyes. He finally felt like someone was there who saw what he was actually, beyond what he showed. 

Slow minutes passed, only when her head shifted a little he realized their position. He pulled away from his arm and tilted his head sideways to see Heer asleep. He gently held her face and laid her head on the pillow. He put her legs up and gently peeled the straps of her heels, removing her footwear. He left the pair on the side. He pulled the duvet over her. His eyes staying longer on his face. Her words echoing in his ears. He leaned closer and ran a hand over her forehead all the way to her hair. 

He quickly went out and carried in his sister and made her sleep beside Heer. He got the tiara and footwear of Misha. He pulled the duvet over her, kissing her forehead. He glanced at Heer. He needed to calm his running thoughts. Heer said she liked him. He sighed switching off the lights.

Now, that was another vulnerable moment for Heer. Her bottled up emotions are finding a way out. Would love to know your thoughts.