"Actually, you can be really sweet at times!"

• ♡ •

Heer stood alone in the balcony, the cold breeze biting at her skin. She placed her hands on the railing, running the entire conversation in her head. Her heart was chained with fear. She was angry at everything. He liked her and wanted a relationship from her. Didn't he know she sucked at it? Whatever they shared was so beautiful then why would he let it go? There was no way she would repeat the same mistake again. Those kind of relationships always started well and ended bitterly. She didn't want to loose whatever she had with Kabir. She closed her eyes and leaned getting a grip on the panic consuming the peace of her heart. 

Minutes passed. She couldn't get the image of Kabir's face expressing hurt out of her head. She felt guilty. He was always there for her and in return for everything, she mercilessly lashed his feelings. When had she become so insensitive? But couldn't he understand that allowing a normal relationship of that of a husband and wife could harm them both. 

He still loved Varsha. She had had enough of bitterness that came with loving someone in that way. For once she thought she was doing right. Their friendship was perfect. Why did he want more out of it? 

Silent tears streamed down her cheeks. She didn't want to hurt him. He was the only one who was there for her and now she hurt him. Maybe he wouldn't even want to talk to her again. Her heart plummeted. Kabir and Advika were the only people she cared about. What if Kabir didn't want her to be a part of their lives anymore? Fear consumed her. No, she couldn't stay away from them, from Advika. She wiped her tears and walked in to apologize. 

She stepped inside and shut the door. She noticed that Kabir had laid out the extra mattress on the floor. He was sitting on the sofa with his head thrown back against the head rest. Heer's guilt only intensified. He didn't deserve the harsh rejection. But she was so scared. She had panicked and reacted. She had to apologize and make him understand that what they had was beautiful.

"Kabir," she called his name softly.

Kabir inhaled sharply hearing her voice. He didn't want to talk to her. She had just shredded his heart. She wasn't wrong, he was. He was stupid enough to believe she felt the same way for him. It made him sick of himself. He has moved on from Varsha to give her place to Heer, the place of being his rightful wife. Heer wasn't here to be his wife. She was in their lives to be Advika's mother and she was doing that well. It was him who was the greedy and he had crossed the very same line that he had laid out in the first place. 

But a small part of him was angry with Heer. Did she not see how much he liked her, respected her and cared for her? Was it wrong to wish to be there for her. Was it wrong to wish she could be there for him when he needed someone? Did he not deserve to be cared for, to be understood, to have a companion he can confide everything in?

"Heer, I am sorry. I ... I will sleep here."

Heer felt her heart squeeze in pain. He didn't meet her eyes. He had just proposed to her and she had made him feel ashamed about it. "You shouldn't be," she spoke taking slow steps. "I am sorry, Kabir. I shouldn't have.... reacted like that. And you don't have to sleep here. It's your home..."

Kabir finally looked up at her. "I think we need some space.."

"I am sorry, Kabir." Heer spoke sitting beside him. 

Her apology only hurt him more. He didn't want her pity. "Heer, let's drop this? Go sleep, we will forget that this night ever happened. I don't know what I was thinking...to even say that." Kabir muttered looking at nothing in particular.

"Kabir, I hurt you,  and I am very very sorry for that. But I...we are in a good place Kabir. I don't want to complicate whatever is in between us. You can ..."

"I will sleep here." Kabir cut her off, looking away.

"Okay," Heer spoke softly and got to her feet. She made her wya into the room feeling miserable. Kabir sighed, her words echoing in his mind.

* * * 

Heer had been worrying about whatever happened last night since the moment she had started brushing her teeth this morning. She walked out of the room to find the living hall tidy. With slow steps she made her way to the kitchen. She was surprised to find just Kabir there. "Good morning," she wished walking up to the kitchen island.

"Morning!" Kabir mumbled glancing at her and then put his attention back on stirring the onions in the pan.

"Where is Advi? Is she okay?" Heer asked, winding her pony up  into a bun.

"She is still sleeping." Kabir answered glancing at her. He was trying hard to not let his mind go to the previous night. But just having her there he couldn't help but think how different things would be if she said yes.

"I will check on her," she told him and left the kitchen. He was acting normal. That was a good thing yet it left her very uncomfortable. She settled on the bed beside Advika's sleeping form. She leaned and kissed her forehead curling her arm around her head. The back of her fingers of her left hand touched her forehead. She was still flushed with fever. 

Heer settled on the bed and snuggled with the girl. Her arm protectively curling around the girl's waist. She just felt terrible. She didn't ever want to be separated from Advika. 

* * *

Kabir decided to check on Heer and Advika when Heer didn't return even after fifteen minutes. He entered the room to find Advika cuddled up to Heer, her body hugging Heer's. He leaned on the door frame looking at them, a smile making it to his face. He was happy that Advika had Heer. Heer had surely filled the void that Varsha's demise had left in his daughter's wife. He turned on his heels and silently left the room. 

* * *

Four days had passed. Heer was glad that Kabir was being the same way he was before that night happened. But there was something that was off. She just couldn't understand. They spoke properly to each other. However, there was something that just wasn't the same between them. Heer couldn't put a finger on what it was.

The rehearsals were going on in full swing. Her days flew by. The time at home was mostly spent with Advika. The fact that Kabir was slowly drifting away was sinking into her skull. She didn't know what to do about it. She just felt horrible. She didn't even know what was going on in his work life. She was just counting the days when the theater would be over. 

"Okay, everybody. We are doing it from the top, I am giving you all a fifteen minutes break. I know it's pretty late, but we need to do this before the trial run," Raghav spoke aloud from the front row.

"God, this is crazy. I am super hungry." Heer glanced at Shalini who stood beside her. Shalini was the other lead of the play, who played the role of her sister.

"By any chance do you still have that yummy rolls in your lunchbox?" Dev asked. 

Heer smiled, "Sorry, all over!"

"I am so jealous of you. You get to eat such yummy food every damn day!" Shalini mumbled as they made their way off the stage. Heer smiled, she was right. She was very lucky. Kabir made food for the three of them in the morning. The three of them took packed lunchboxes every morning. 

"Think we have to settle for the fast food for now," Shalini spoke wearing her jacket.

"Chowmein, fried rice, yada yada?" Dev asked as he grabbed his jacket and then umbrella.

Shalini grinned, "The very same."

"I am going to have Fired rice, today!" Heer answered as they made their way out to walk to the nearby diner. "Dev, Shalini,  can you guys please order, I will just talk to Kabir," Heer request standing out.

"Sure!" He smiled and walked in after Shalini not before mouthing a thank you to her. Dev didn't hide it from her that he liked Shalini. 

Heer quickly dialled Kabir's phone number.

"Hello,"

"Hi, all okay?" Came Kabir's voice. Heer smiled, she didn't call him often when she was out. But when she did she always received the same response.

"Yeah, everything is okay. It's just that Raghav wants us to stay over for another practice. He wants the trial run for Friday to be perfect. So it may take another two hours or so," she spoke looking up at the grey skies.

"Okay. Grab something to eat." Kabir spoke.

Heer heard him thoughtfully, "Kabir,"

"Hmm,"

"Can you come to pick me up?" 

"Is Dev not around?" Kabir asked his voice growing concerned.

"He is, but it's pretty late. I don't want others to think... I mean.."

"I will be there," His answer came, a smile curved up Heer's face.

"Thank you," Heer said gratefully.

"Eat something!"

"I will. Bye." She answered ending the call. She smiled, after the past few days she finally felt nice talking to him. She didn't want Kabir to think that she had anything going on with Dev. Neither did she want any of the other artists to think that way. She was aware of the fact that many of the artists thought she shared a great chemistry with Dev. Some of them even thought they had something going on just because they came and left together. They sure knew that she was married but they seemed to conveniently forget that fact.

* * *

Heer smiled as she noticed Kabir talking to Raghav, once the lights went on. They both had smiles on. Wondering what they could possibly be talking about she went back stage to drop the props. 

"Heer is a terrific performer, I am so glad that she's a part of our team." Raghav told Kabir, who smiled cordially.

"Really, Kabir, I am very fortunate that I ran into you guys. I have seen performers who end their career in this field after marriage. But Heer is a lucky girl to have you backing her dreams."

Kabir smiled, "She's courageous and hardworking. I think that is what matters."

Raghav smiled patting Kabir's shoulder, and walked away.

"Hey," Kabir heard Heer's voice and turned around.

"Hi!" Kabir greeted with a small smile, his eyes meeting hers.

"Hey, Kabir," a surprised Dev exclaimed walking towards them. "Didn't trust me to drive your wife back home huh?" Dev teased.

Kabir noticed Heer's expression go solemn. "Oh, I totally did, but I had to make up for a little tiff," he lied smoothly. Heer looked at Kabir with slightly widening eyes and amusement set in. 

"That's sweet!" Came Shalini's voice.

A blush crept up Heer's cheek, "Umm, Kabir this is Shalini, and Shalini this is.." she introduced.

"Your husband," Shalini completed for Heer extending her hand to shake Kabir's. Kabir smiled shaking her hand.

"I must say, you have magic in your hands," Shalini remarked with a grin spreading on her face. Kabir's smile dropped and he looked puzzled at his hand. What?

"Uh, she means she loves your food, just like me!" Dev spoke up.

"Oh," Kabir mumbled forcing a smile, glancing at Heer.

"Heer, you must definitely accept his making up!" Shalini smiled at Kabir.

Heer smiled awkwardly. 

"What was the tiff about?" Dev piped in curiously. "For as much as I know, Heer has never complained about you..."

"Dev, grow up. It's their business!" Shalini muttered rolling her eyes at him.

"Was just curious," Dev shrugged.

Shalini turned to look at Kabir, "Nice meeting you, Kabir. I should get going, it's pretty late."

"Sure, would you like us to drop you?" Kabir offered cordially. Heer glanced at him. Since when did he become so sweet to everybody?

"Oh, thanks Kabir. I have my own vehicle. Besides I think you should focus in making up to your wife!" She winked grinning. 

Heer blinked uneasily. Shalini just passed a wink to Kabir. She wasn't the only one shocked, Dev was too. Shalini was, well, a very uptight person. It had taken two weeks for her to warm up to Dev and her. And she definitely didn't flirt around. But wait she wasn't flirting, right? She was just being a little friendly. But still it weirdly riled up Heer.

"Shall we then?" Kabir turned to Heer. 

She nodded, "I will be back in two minutes." Saying that she left.

"Drive home safe you two, see yaa" Dev grinned and walked away. Kabir felt a strange satisfaction. 

* * *

"The city looks so peaceful," Heer commented as the breeze from the car's window blew at her face, whispering secrets into her ears. 

"It does," Kabir answered.

"Thank you for coming to pick me up, Kabir," Heer said softly fidgeting with the button on her bag that laid in her lap.

"Well, it's been a while since I drove after twelve in the night." Kabir spoke easing the pressure on the accelerator.

"Advi is asleep?"

"Yeah obviously. She might be a little upset on you." Kabir answered earnestly.

Heer exhaled audibly, "I will make it up to her. You aren't... mad at me, right?"

"Why would I be mad at you?"

"For not being what you wanted... you clearly wanted  a stay at home wife who could be there for Advika.."

"Heer," Kabir cut her off. "You are more than what I wished for. I don't think anybody could love Advika the way you do."

Heer smiled, "Actually, you can be really sweet at times!"

Kabir chuckled softly and that made Heer happy. She was glad that they were finally going back to being normal.

"So, Friday is your dress rehearsal?'

"Yep! I have an off tomorrow!"

"And you're happy cause you get to sleep in?" Kabir couldn't help but tease her.

Heer rolled her eyes, "I feel sleep deprived off late. And that's not why I am happy. I just... want to be at home with Advi and play badminton with her. She's been holding that against me."

Kabir smiled, "she has!"

"So you share your lunch with your co-actors?" 

Heer smiled, "just my contribution in making you famous!"

Kabir gave a toothy smile, "well, Shalini's contribution was, well, flattering."

Heer grinned, "So you like being flattered?"

"Well, which guy doesn't like being complimented by a beautiful woman?"

"Okay, so you're on the list too!" Heer muttered.

"What list?"

"Charmed by Shalini's charms!" Heer announced.

"Okay wow, so who else is on it? You?"

"Well, she's talented, and fine, she has a pretty smile and maybe she looks good but I am straight!"

Kabir's eyes widened for seconds, he definitely didn't expect her to say that. Heer glanced at Kabir, "what?"

"I didn't mean it that way!" Kabir clarified. Their eyes met. Of course he knew she had interest in men.

Heer nodded and looked ahead. That was weird. "Dev, Vivian and Karan are on the list. Dev is always flirting with her," she told him deviating the attention from what she said. He obviously knew she was straight. The fact suddenly reminded her that she was attracted to him. She looked out of the window. She hated it when she found herself attracted to him. 

Kabir found more satisfaction hearing that. He just didn't like the idea of Dev being around Heer. But he was glad to know that Dev had his eyes on Shalini. She was indeed a very pretty woman. And that brought him back to Heer. "You're jealous of her?"

"Me? No way. Why would I be jealous of her?" Heer asked reacting to be surprised.

Kabir's stopped his lips in time from curving up. Heer definitely was jealous. He would have love to rattle her up but he didn't want to risk hitting the wrong nerve. "Heer, you're pretty too. So if there is even a little bit of that green monster in you, let it out. Jealousy isn't good when you're on the same team."

Heer's lips steadily curved up and she turned her head to look at him. "Told yaa, you can be really sweet!"

Kabir smiled driving the car into the aprtment complex. 

"You don't seem to be tired at all after working the whole day." Kabir spoke as he parked the vehicle.

"Well, Chinese food, may be the reason!" Heer spoke turning towards him. At the same moment, Kabir put his hand on the passenger seat for support as he turned around to watch the pillar behind the car. Their gazes met as their faces aligned, their lips mere inches away. Kabir's gaze dropped to her lips as instantly as hers dropped to his. Crap! He hated how her proximity got his hormones dancing. 

Heer realized she had been gawking at his lips. She turned away. All she could think at the moment was how well he kissed. She definitely needed some sleep, her brain was going crazy. Yeah, sleep with him on the same bed. She hated how her mind went to that one place she forbid it from running to - having desires to be intimate with Kabir. Unconsciously she rolled her lower lip in and bit at it. Stupid temptations.

That very brief moment had Kabir frustrated. He was trying his best to be the friend to Heer, that she wanted. But he somehow always went back to seeing her as his wife. Having hots for Heer wasn't going to help in anyway. It would just make things worse. 

In silence, they walked to the elevator. It was the slowest and the most suffocating ride ever. Kabir couldn't help but notice that she had on a very fitting kurti on that hugged her at all the right places. Any other time he wouldn't find it eye catching but right now did just as her lips which were slightly parted.

Heer had never know such strong sexual tension. She forced a smile as she looked up at the numbers changing on the display screen. She was very aware of Kabir's every movement like how he put his hand in the pocket of his trousers or how he glanced at her. She had never felt this intense and urge to press herself against a man's body and kiss him away forgetting the world.

The elevator bell ran and Kabir stepped out swiftly making it to their door. Heer followed him with slow steps her eyes fixed on his back wondering how it would be to have her fingers run up and down it. She slammed her eyes shut. This wasn't right. She shouldn't be seeing Kabir that way. She entered inside quietly when he held the door open. The house was dark except the golden night lamp they kept on in the hall. 

Heer slipped her block heels off and turned slightly to see Kabir do the same to his shoes. She needed to get away from him. She quickly made her way to the room. Kabir let out a sharp exhale once she was gone. It was as though he had taken some strong dose of aphrodisiac. He walked to the kitchen to have a glass of water to cool himself a bit. When he entered the room he found Heer wiping her face and hands with a hand towel. 

He dropped his keys at the table. Heer walked past him to the cupboard her hands brushing his. He inhaled sharply, "Heer, I.." he turned around. He didn't have anything to say, frankly. 

She turned to look at him. The urge to throw herself at him was too much to hold back for Heer. "Yeah?" She asked taking a step closer.

"I.." he didn't know what he was doing or saying as he stook a step closer. His gaze dropped to her lips. 

In split seconds, their lips had united. Kabir's arms were around her waist pulling her closer and hers around his neck as she kissed him with raw passion. She was his ultimate aphrodisiac.

Sorry to keep you all waiting. This one took a while. Waiting for your thoughts and views, eagerly!