"You have stamina issues!"

• ♡ •

The door opened and Heer was greeted by a cheerful father-daughter duo. She quickly hugged Advi, kneeling down.

"How wa ls your first day?" Advika asked.

"It was fantastic," Heer replied kissing her cheek while Kabir looked on smiling. Heer walked in past Advika when the two issues a warning in unison, "Mom, sandals!"

Heer huffed turning around to quickly get rid of her sandals and dashed to the washroom to wash her hands. She came back with a smile on her face, looking at Kabir and then Advika. "Guess who I met?"

"Shah Rukh Khan?" Kabir asked arching his brow.

"Yeah right!" Heer rolled her eyes. "No guesses?"

Advika shook he read in a negative. 

"Dev uncle!" 

"Who is Dev uncle?" Kabir asked puzzled.

"Aadi's Chaachu, Paa."

"The one who plays badminton with you guys?" Kabir asked looking at Advika.

"Yes!" Heer and Advika answered in unison.

"Okay, so ?" Kabir asked turning to Heer.

"So? Normal people get excited about coincidences like that. I didn't even know he was a runner up of Mr. India contest or that he was into modeling and acting." Heer informed.

"Okay," Kabir drawled. Mr. India like seriously?

"So he plays the role of Manan." Heer spoke while Advika made a beeline for the kitchen to get Heer some water.

"Who is that now?"

"Laasya's love interest." Heer informed.

"Oh!" Kabir somewhat didn't like Heer's excitement anymore. She was excited because a former runner up of Mr. India contest was playing her character's love interest. 

"And about the contract, Raghav spoke to the producer and here he has given the revised contract."

Kabir took it from her and flipped through while Advika came back with a glass of water. Advika and Heer spoke about school and other stuff while Kabir went through the contract.

"What are the timings?" Kabir asked looking up, when Advika went back to the room to finish her homework.

"Morning eight to evening seven, mostly. But they would vary depending on the schedule for the day. This and next week is individual scenes and practice of the dance routines. I have a feeling, it's going to be crazy hectic."

"Sounds like it!" Kabir replied handing her the contract.

Heer met his eyes, "I will make it through it, right?"

"Well, if you manage to wake up early, sure!" Kabir spoke with a hint of smile.

Heer stared at him with eyes reduced to narrow slits. "Why are you mocking me?"

Kabir got up from the sofa, "I am not!" His lips twitched up on one side to form a smirk as he walked towards the kitchen. 

Heer followed him, "You were. Anyway, from tomorrow I want to get up early. I could knock down a few kilos too. So I want you to wake me up at six,"

"Heer, don't joke!" Kabir teased.

"Hey, I mean it!" She folded her arms and leaned her back against the counter. Kabir's eyes landed on her face. His gaze momentarily focusing on her lips. He had an urge to lean to the side slightly and peck them. 

"You don't wake up Heer!"

"Try from tomorrow, I will." Heer answered.

Kabir looked at her and then took a step closer. "You sure?"

"Of course," the words rolled out of Heer's lips while she gazed at him. It was just her hormones going for a ride. She was tempted to kiss him. It had barely been a little more than a week and she was back to the thought of kissing him. Shit, no! She stepped away smiling. "I'll just freshen up!" She mumbled and walked out. Penny to her thoughts!

Kabir sighed. That was one hell of a hot moment. He smiled as he resumed making dinner.

* * *

"Heer, wake up!" Kabir muttered shaking her arm. She turned and slept straight like a soldier. "Hee.." his voice trailed off as his eyes landed on her pouty lips and serene face. He leaned and placed a kiss on her forehead. She was so precious. She didn't deserve to be hurt, no one did. He would make sure no one hurt her again. He looked at her a little longer and then attempted at waking her up again.

"Let me sleep," she mumbled in her sleep turning and pulling the pillow to hug. He tried taking the pillow away but it was a hard task. He sighed before talking aloud, "Heer, wake up. You have to go to the theater. It's already eight you don't want to be late on your first day!" 

Heer immediately sat up. "What?"

"Good morning, you need to go for a jog, it's fifteen past six already. Remember, last night you said you'll go jogging?"

She made a face. "Five minutes more!" She muttered before slumping back and sleeping again.

"Heer!" Kabir exclaimed shaking his head in disapproval.

After five minutes he tried waking her up again. This time she woke up at his second attempt and rushed to the washroom.

Heer stepped out dressed in her joggers and a cotton tee. She noticed that Kabir was dressed in his jog pants and tshirt too. "You're also ..."

"Yeah," he answered before she completed. "That way I can know whether you sleep on a bench or actually jog," he joked.

Heer made a face, "You give me coach vibes!" She spoke as she wore her socks.

"I jog every morning, Heer!"

"Really?" Heer asked surprised as they walked put of the room.

"Well, now since you're an early riser you know!"

"Woah, no wonder you're so fit given your age!" She remarked putting on her shoes.

"I am not sixty, FYI!"

Heer smiled standing up straight, very unaware that she had given him a nice peek a boo. "Fifty then?" Heer teased.

"It's good that you don't wake up early usually. You have the annoying bug syndrome!" Kabir muttered walking out. Did he really look old? He was only thirty six. 

"What's your age?" Kabir asked turning to Heer as they took the elevator.

"I am sixteen." She grinned playfully. "You know like sweet sixteen!" 

"Then I am eighteen!" He replied.

Heer giggled as they stepped out of the elevator. "You're actually non-grumpy in the mornings!"

"Okay, zip that mouth!" Kabir muttered.

"Ahaan?" Heer teased. "Forty?" She teased.

"Heer, grow up. I am sure I look younger than you!"

"So age is a sensitive chord for you." Heer spoke aloud to herself. "You know they say men get naughty at forty but for you its grumpy!" She joked, she was thoroughly enjoying getting replies from him.

"I am not forty, Heer. Now, if you can stop we can start jogging. I usually take the outer jogging path that's the boundary of the complex."

"And how long is that?"

"Five and a half kilometers roughly,"

"Isn't that too much?" Heer asked nervously.

"Come on!" Kabir said patting her shoulder. Heer sighed and began jogging to catch up with him.

Almost fifty minutes later, Heer collapsed on the sofa. Kabir smiled. "You have stamina issues, Heer. Remind me your age." He teased.

Heer glared at him. He stood like he had not been running for he past fifty minutes. "F off, Kabir!"

"Excuse me?" Kabir turned and looked at her horrified.

"I said you're not as old as I assumed." Heer mumbled between her short quick breaths.

"I am not dumb. And the age is thirty six!" He answered walking to the room. After a fee minutes, Heer entered the room. She saw the bed and the comforter and was tempted to have a small nap.

"Don't even think of it," She heard him say. 

"I have nothing to do, ten minutes..."

"No. Once you sleep, you're going to be sleepy the whole day. You're helping me in the kitchen, come on," he spoke.

Heer sighed and followed him. 

* * *

"Hey," Heer greeted as Kabir opened the door. Kabir stared at her dripping from head to toe. 

"Stay, right there and get off your sandals," he muttered while quickly disappearing into the room. He returned with a towel.

"I forgot the umbrella!" Heer admitted sheepishly.

"That's okay, how long have you been wet. The weather is cold Heer. You will fall sick," he spoke worried while wrapping the towel around her. 

"Just the ride back. Luckily, Dev was there, so there was no problem of getting a cab." Heer answered wiping her feet on the mat before stepping in. She picked up her sandals after Kabir took her sling bag. 

"Take a nice warm water bath, the soup is ready!" Kabir informed her putting aside his irritation. It had been five days and all Heer spoke about everyday was Dev. It had begun to bother him. He knew it was just a colleague and good friend of hers but yet Kabir couldn't not dislike the fact. It was eighty thirty on the clock today. 

He entered the room with her bag. Her back was towards him while she was drying herself up. Her kurti stuck to her frame highlighting her curves. The only thought that had spotlight in his mind was Dev would have seen what he saw too. He was being unreasonable and he did not like it. He placed her bag and walked out of the room to check on Advika.

He had started to leave early for work too. So that he could reach back home in time to be at home when Advika returned. Advika was irritated with the new schedule too. She missed Heer's company while playing badminton. Kabir looked into most of Advika's homework too. Heer would barely spend half an hour with Advika over studies. Kabir was prepared for this but he wasn't liking it.

He stood in the kitchen stirring the soup when Heer walked in capris and a pullover. "Is that sweet corn soup?" She asked taking in a deep breath while she walked over to where Kabir stood. "Bingo!" She muttered placing a hand on his shoulder while her other hand held back her open wet locks as she leaned to take in the aroma. While Kabir's eyes were fixed at her. Off late he was very accurately aware of her touches. The scent of her green apple shampoo hit his nostrils. His gaze was stuck at her earlobe. Damn. 

He smiled as she looked at him. "The aroma is fantastic, I can't wait to have some!" 

A smile broke loose on Kabir's face. He was about to take a step closer to her when Advika's voice filled the kitchen, "Mom, I finished it,"

"You did?" Heer asked surpised turning around and walking towards Advika. Kabir focused his attention back on the soup. What was he even thinking? He liked how Heer was more friendly towards him. Maybe she was also willing to let things take their natural course. He didn't want things between them to come in way of her hectic routine.

"You can check it," Advika smiled confidently.

"So, coming to the birthday party discussion, did you make the  list?" Heer asked her.

"Yes, I did!" Advika grinned, pulling out a folded paper from her pocket. 

"Smarty," Heer kneeled and kissed her cheek as she handed her the paper. Kabir smiled longing to get a kiss like that. Well, on second thoughts, he'd prefer it on the lips. 

* * * 

Kabir was walking back to his room after tiding up the kitchen. He was sure Heer was already asleep. Off late she slept early. She was really determined to wake up early, go for a jog and she'd also generally practice her dialogues and a few dance moves at home. He was happy for her. He reached the balcony to shut the door. The entire living room was cold.  He noticed Heer seated on a stool. 

"Heer? " He asked walking in, noticing the guitar in her hand.

"Hey," she smiled back.

He stared at the guitar. The last time she played it she wasn't really in a good mind. 

"I thought I should practice the Birthday song. It's been a while I played it." She replied answered his unspoken question.

His lips drew into a very faint curve. "Isn't it cold here?"

"I love the smell of earth after rain," she spoke looking away at the dark night sky.

"Yes, but it's cold. Come on play the guitar inside. I don't mind," he spoke. He hated the cold nights. It reminded him of loneliness. 

Heer raised her gaze to look at him. His cheek covered with light stubble, his eyes filled with kindness and his comforting aura made her heart melt. If only he had come into her life before. She didn't know if it was right or wrong, but she did wish at times that she had met Kabir instead of Rajeev. She held the guitar in her right hand and followed him in. 

"How are you going to wake up tomorrow if you don't sleep already? You need rest too," he spoke tiding up the bed she smiled pulling the bedsheet from the other end. 

"You sound like my mom!" She teased. "Oh, that reminds me your mother had called today evening. I totally forgot to tell you. Shit. I told her I will call once I reach home." She looked at him worked up.

"It's okay she would have assumed you forgot," Kabir spoke.

"Sure? She won't hold it against me right?"

"You have met my mother, do you think she's the kind to hold it against you?"

"No, your mother is sweet." Heer sighed and sat on the bed. Thinking about her own mother.

"I thought you were practicing the Birthday song.." Kabir spoke up sensing her going down the road of hurt. 

"Yeah, you know what you're right, I should sleep. I will practice this tomorrow!"

"Heer," Kabir spoke up looking at her, "stop letting others affect your mood and what you want to do,"

Heer inhaled sharply and then sat on the bed as she exhaled. She glanced at Kabir and then at the guitar as she held it properly. Her fingers teased the strings and soft chords were heard. She adjusted the strings before playing the Birthday tune. She glanced at Kabir as he laid on his side with his head supported on his palm, propped by his elbow. 

He admired the slow curl of her lips to form a smile that tugged at his heart. He had fallen for her harder than he thought. She made him feel alive again. She made him feel warm on cold nights. Even though the morning was far, she made his heart feel the warmth of the sunshine. She made him feel home again. 

Finally got this done. Hope you all liked it. Would love to know your views on it, like always!♡