"You've been hurt and it's okay to cry."

• ♡ •

Kabir entered his room to find Heer and Misha still sleeping soundly. It was ten on the clock. Advika was off to school he had managed to keep her off the room saying Misha and Heer were not well because they are outside.

"Misha, Heer wake up!" He said aloud opening the curtains that covered the window. The sun's rays quickly lit up the entire room.

"Misha," he shook his sister. She stirred and tur ed the other way in sleep."Misha, wake up. Mom wants to talk to you." He lied aloud. "Misha, even dad wants to talk." At once Misha sat up.

"Dad? Where is he?" 

Kabir smirked, "good morning." Misha narrowed her eyes and then looked around. She saw the deep blue dress she wore with the sash that read Bride To Be and then turned to see Heer wearing the sash of Best Dancer. She held her head in her hands closing her eyes as the last evening played in her head. It stopped at Kabir's car. She looked up at her brother minutes later.

"I am Kabir, your brother."

"So funny!" Misha muttered pulling her hair into a bun. 

"How do you feel?"

"Never been better," Misha grumbled sarcastically.

Kabir smiled at her, he didn't know when his little sister grew up so fast. She was actually getting married. "I have made some juice and toast, quickly freshen up." He spoke giving her a hug.

Misha smiled, "You're hugging me. Either you thought I came back from the dead or I landed in an alternate universe."

"Shut up Mish. Go bath, you stink!" Kabir muttered walking around to wake up Heer.

"Heer, wake up!"

In response, she pulled up her comforter and covered her face. He gently pulled it down while Misha walked out of the room towards the one she shared with Advika. Kabir's eyes stayed a little longer on her face. He hated how he felt the need to be there for her. He wasn't supposed to. But with whatever happened last night he couldn't think straight. Heer was not just broken but also lonely deep inside. Nice people didn't deserve that. 

"Heer, wake up," he spoke gently shaking her arm. Her eyelids parted slightly and she shifted. Kabir pulled his hand back. "It's ten,"

Heer's eyes widened and she sat up. "Ouu," she muttered squeezing her eyelids to shut her eyes as a sharp headache announced itself. "Shit!" She muttered rubbing her fingers on her forehead. 

Kabir sighed, "You and Misha got very drunk last night. You're just having a hangover."

Heer inhaled deeply and looked up at him and then baffled she looked around. "How did we come home?"

"I drove you back." He answered moving around the bed to fold the comforter that Misha had used.

"Did I pass out?" She asked turning towards him.

"Huh?" Kabir looked up confused.  He noticed that her dress now hung lower on her chest. He looked fixated his gaze on the comforter.

"I don't remember you coming to pick us up. I remember Oorvi telling us she called you and then we sat on that couch..."

"It's okay, like I said you were too drunk! Freshen up quickly so that you can eat. It will be fine in some time." He spoke.

Heer nodded, at the moment she needed to pee. She got off the bed and walked to the bathroom realizing she still had the dress and the sash on. Her eyes widened, "shit shit shit. I didn't inform, that I will be working from home today..."

"Um, I made a call to your manager saying you weren't feeling well. So he granted you a sick leave today." Kabir spoke up. 

"Seriously?" Heer asked confused. 

"Yes," Kabir said affirmatively.

"How did you get my manager's number?"

"Your phone," he answered.

"And his did you access my phone?"

"Umm, I took your fingerprint when you were sleeping!" Kabir explained.

"That's breach of privacy,"

Kabir sighed. "I did it to help you. I did nothing except calling," he lied smoothly. He did take a look at her gallery. There were a lot of pictures of his daughter with her. A few of his candid pictures which he was sure were clicked by Advika, because a few also had Heer in the background.

Heer sighed thoughtfully. "Fine, thanks." She muttered shutting the door fo the bathroom behind her.

Kabir blew out air and proceeded to make the bed. The maid was already cleaning the living hall. He entered the kitchen to make toast for the two ladies of honor.

"God, I am never drinking again," Misha swore entering the kitchen, looking a little more presentable than before.

"Glad you learned your lesson albeit late," Kabir spoke placing a long glass of a light green juice. "Have that, one of the best remedies for hangover."

"Where's your wifey?" Misha asked sitting on the stool.

"She's up," Kabir answered focusing on buttering the toasts.

A good ten minutes later Heer walked into the kitchen. Kabir looked at her as she silently proceeded to sit on the stool beside the one on which Misha sat. Her dark brown hair almost seemed black as they were wet. Her face looked cleaner sans the dark make up of last night. She had put on a simple tee with pajamas.

"Morning Heer,"

"Morning Misha!" Heer sighed flexing her neck muscles. 

"Sorry, for the hangover. I shouldn't have forced you to the drinks." Misha said apologetically although she actually wasn't sorry. It was great to see Heer loosen up. She was a fun person but when high she was even more fun and herself. "I just wanted you to loosen up and mingle. Didn't want you to feel like the odd one out in the party..."

"Don't apologize, it's okay." Heer smiled and glanced at Kabir. Was he mad at her? She didn't have to drink, and he had told her to call him. But she technically hadn't. He handed her the glass  from across the island. She made a face looking at it.

"What's this?"

"Remedy for your hangover," he said not looking at her.

"Can't I just have some tea?"

"Heer, please drink it. It's to relieve your headache. You can have your cup of tea later." He spoke looking up. 

Heer nodded and quietly started gulping the contents of the drink. It was sour and a gingery sweet flavor as well. She made a face and placed the empty glass down. 

"Bhai, did we do anything embarrassing?" Misha asked carefully studying Kabir's expression.

"Nothing, you two were just giggling."

Heer frowned, she usually was a loud person after drinking. "Sure?" She asked looking at him.

"Yeah," he shrugged, "both of you don't remember what happened?"

Misha looked on thoughtfully. She did remember talking about lap-dance and then giggling. She chose to keep it to herself. She glanced at Heer, "I don't remember anything but mumbling something in your car," she looked at Kabir.

"I don't even remember Kabir coming to pick us up," Heer muttered rubbing her fingers on her head, trying hard to recollect.

"That's okay, so you two eat" he spoke placing the plates filled with the toasts and egg omelet, one before each. Fill up your stomach nicely!" He muttered walking out to check on the maid.

"Last night was fun, nevertheless!" Misha commented munching in the toast.

Heer gave a smile, "It was until the side effects kicked in!" 

"You're a fun person, Heer!" Misha smiled glancing at her.

Heer's lips curved up, "I know," she replied winking.

Misha chuckled. 

* * *

"Hey," she greeted to get Kabir's attention who was working on his laptop sitting at the kitchen island. He did that usually. Misha had gone out with her fiance to invite some of his business colleagues. 

Kabir looked up. He wondered if she remembered the conversation they had had last night before she slept. He hoped not. It would only make things awkward between them. She liked him. Years ago that would have made him proud and boosted his ego but right now it made him uncomfortable. He didn't want Heer to expect a romantic involvement from his side because it would never happen. He had promised Varsha that's she would be the only one. 

"I just wanted to apologize. I mean you wanted me to be sober and be there for Misha. I just..."

"Heer," he cut her off midway, "it's okay. I mean it was a party and you went there because Misha invited you. Anyway, Oorvi was going to stay sober so it's really okay."

"So,umm, you're not mad at me?"

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"Because that's how you are," Heer shrugged.

Kabir opened his mouth to protest but then closed it. He needed to keep the wall between them. No point arguing with her to explain himself.  

"What about Advi? What did you tell her?"

"Told her that the two of you ate outside so you got unwell. She seemed to have bought it. "

"Okay!" Heer nodded glancing at the plants. Curiosity got the best of her, she had wanted to ask him this for a very long time, "What plants are those?" 

"They're herbs,"

"Oh!" Heer muttered looking at them. A silence fell. "Kabir, I will just go out for a while. The seafront maybe..."

"Okay!" He answered focusing on his laptop. "Heer," he called before she could leave the kitchen. 

"Yeah?"

"My family is arriving today. They are checking into that resort itself. Misha will be staying at the resort as well.Day after tomorrow there is a family dinner with their family and ours before the celebrations and ceremonies start on Friday."

"Yeah, Misha told me about it." Heer replied looking at him in the eyes.

"Oh, great, so umm, Friday... you're taking an off?"

"Um, no. I really can't afford to take an off. I told them I will work from home, so I will slip in and out of the function. "

"Okay," Kabir nodded turning back to his laptop.

Heer stared for a few seconds before turning on her heels to leave.

* * *

It was Wednesday morning. Misha was staying with the Jaisinghani family at the resort. So it was just the three of them again. Heer felt that Kabir was acting weird. He was just very distant. But that was how he was. Maybe around Misha, he just became a little sweeter to her. He was back to that grumpy face man that she would love to punch someday. How hard was it for him to just smile? 

She was having breakfast when she got a video call from her mother. It was very surprising to her. She picked up the call but bothering to pick the phone up so that it captured her face properly. "Mom?"

"Heer, how are you beta?"

Heer frowned. "I am fine. What happen?" She asked glancing at Advika and Kabir who were staring at her.

"Nothing. Just called to see how you were doing? How is Kabir? And Advika?"

"Everyone is fine." Heer answered getting irked at her mother's sudden interest in her life.

"That's good, I can't see you properly," came her mother's voice. Heer would have answered back but she was aware of the two pairs of eyes on her. She forced a smile and picked up the phone. 

"Is that Advika behind you?" Came her mom's voice.

"Yes, mom!" 

"Let me talk to her," her mother said. Heer tightened her jaw and drew her lips into a smile. "Advi, that's my mother."

Advika smiled recognizing the face. "Hi, aunty!" 

Heer noticed her mother's smile fade, "Hi beta. How are you?"

"I am good." Advika answered with a smile.

"You should call me..." Heer quickly took the phone away. " I will be back, you eat," she smiled at Advika and stormed out of the kitchen. Kabir sensed the trouble. Obviously, Heer's parents would expect her to call them Naana Naani. But Advika already had maternal grandparents, Varsha's parents who always made it a point to call at least once every fortnight. 

He instructed Advika to eat while he went to the room.

"Please mom, you didn't show any interest in my life all these years. So stop pretending you care. Advika already has her Naana Naani, she doesn't need you all. They genuinely care for her. Please mom, no drama." He heard Heer's voice. She sat on the bed with her back facing the door. He stood at the door hearing it all.

"Heer, grow up. You are Advika's mother now. So obviously we are her Naanihal. Why..."

"Mom, please. I am Heer Jaisinghani and I really want nothing to do with the Dhillon family. You forgot how I was a disgrace to you all? Why all this talking now? You didn't even care whether I was alive or dead before marriage. Why are you pretending to care now?"

"Heer, what rubbish are you talking!" Her mother rebuked.

Heer stared at the screen with tears in her eyes. "Mom, please. You didn't accept my kid before, so why are you pretending to care about Advika? Advika has people who genuinely care for her. I don't want you or anyone else from the Dhillon family to be around her. And... as I said before... make any excuse you want, I don't want anyone to attend the wedding. Don't go mad at me if I chose to ignore you in front of everyone. I don't need you all. I have a family and I am happy. I don't need a namesake family. Heer Dhillon is dead for us... those were the words, right, that ..he said for his daughter?  That you let him say for your daughter. Heer Dhillon died that day."

"Heer...what are you saying?" Her mother wailed.

"I am requesting... you to stop interfering in my life." Heer said clearly. "Stop pretending to show you care by these calls now. I don't need you all. I don't need anyone." With that, she ended the call. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She kept the phone aside wiping her tears but a new stream would come down. She sniffed. 

Kabir stood at the door knowing she was crying. Her voice gave away. She had been so hurt. Weirdly a pang arose in his heart. "I don't need anyone," she muttered to herself sniffing. Kabir looked at her and then outside the room. He should just let her be on her own. He quietly stepped away but then stopped to glance back. It was clear as crystal that she needed someone to understand her to hold her and tell her she'll be okay. 

He turned around and walked towards her. He placed a  hand on her shoulder. She turned to him wiping her tears. "I just.... got emotional." She muttered standing up wiping her tears.

Kabir took two steps towards her and stood before her. "I heard everything..."

Heer looked at him her eye wide open. She looked away her face turning red. Her past, her family everything embarrassed her. 

"Hey," he spoke placing his hands on her shoulder. "It's okay Heer. You've been hurt and it's okay to cry."

Tears rolled down her cheeks. This wasn't her. She felt terrible. She felt his arms around her. She shifted her face a little taken aback by his action. Her gaze fell on his shoulder as his hands rubbed her back. She didn't want to give in, but at the moment she just needed that hug. She closed her eyes hugging him back as more hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She sobbed in his arms. He held her tighter his hand rubbing her back to comfort her.

Kabir didn't know why he was doing it. Why he was trying his best to comfort her? Why did he care so much for her? He didn't know when he had started to even care about what she felt. He wasn't supposed to give a damn. But he was. He did. It just didn't feel right to abandon her like everybody else did. 

Kabir definitely has a soft spot for her. What do you think about the dynamics of the relationship between them?

It feels so nice to write this...💓

Hope you all liked this chapter.