"You don't have to keep apologizing."

• ♡ •

During the entire ride home Advika and Heer kept talking. Misha who sat on the passenger seat in the front of the car was overjoyed at the bond the two of them shared. The two were seated on the back seat, close to each other with Heer's arm wrapped around her. Heer was a perfect example of mama bear. Misha could easily make out Advika's pumped up excitement at seeing her mother again. She smile looking out of the window at the night sky. Varsha would be happy. Misha never thought that Heer would form such an endearing bond with Advika, but she did. She glanced at Kabir. His hands were on the steering wheel and his gaze on the road. She hoped that he had found his companion in Heer.

It was really hard to tell his feelings ever since Varsha's demise. Her brother had changed drastically after that loss. He used to be fun-loving, kind, compassionate, friendly and above all a very expressive person. But after Varsha he was no longer that same person. He would be so quiet all the time. No jokes or teasing. She could hardly tell what he felt. Misha had also noted the minor ways in which her brother adopted his late wife's habits. Be it tending to plants which once upon a time he hated or brushing his teeth twice daily. She remembered vaguely how Varsha would push him to hit the gym or go for a jog. Now, he wouldn't miss it for anything. Misha smiled, maybe it was his way of keeping Varsha in his and Advika's life. She glanced at Heer and Advika, the two of them were in their own world. Her smile widened as she thanked God for Heer. She made their lives better.

"Mom, can I sleep with you?" Advika asked as they entered the house.

"Oye, Advi, let mumma sleep comfortably tonight in her room. She will sleep with you tomorrow, okay?" Misha answered, Advika's face immediately fell.

"No. Mom please," she pleaded holding on to Heer's hands. 

"Okay!" Heer smiled giving in to her pleas. She looked at Misha who looked back at her. 

"Come on, go change quickly, you've school tomorrow!" Heer said and almost instantly Advika followed the instructions given. 

"It's okay, the three of us can sleep together. I really don't mind." Heer spoke with a smile holding Misha's gaze again, "She will sulk otherwise."

"Well, I don't have any trouble with that, do you Bhai?" Misha asked with a teasing smile on her face. 

"Of course, I don't!" Kabir answered looking at the two of them, emerging out of his room, after rolling in Heer's suitcase. 

"Are you hungry?" He asked Heer who looked at him. He looked even better in the brightly lit room. It was though he radiated warmth, which filled up her heart.

Misha gave him a pointed look as he went on to explain, giving Misha a look.  "There's a little left over from dinner and also some milk." he explained his question, narrowing his eyes at his sister who was finding great amusement looking at them with folded arms.

"Um," Heer glanced at Misha. "I think I can have some milk." Heer answered. Kabir's gaze was on Misha whose face now had fully ripe amusement written all over it. 

"What?" Kabir asked irked, looking at Misha.

"Heer's hungry give her some milk!" Misha stated with a smirk. 

Kabir sighed, "Go to sleep, Mish!"

"Okay, just say you two want some privacy." Misha chuckled walking towards Advika's room. "Are you hungry!" She whispered to herself aloud amused. 

Heer stared at Kabir, her cheeks burning up to her ears. Only when Misha repeated their dialogue did she sense the unintended pun. Damn! She didn't think it was their way of subtly talking about...dang! She definitely did.

"Heer ignore her, she's been acting crazy ever since she came yesterday. Go freshen up I will heat some milk for you." Kabir spoke, thanks to his sister, even saying that simple statement made him feel awkward.

"Yeah!" Heer muttered flustered walking towards their room. "Kabir," she returned.

"Hot chocolate milk ?" He asked promptly, turning to her. She instantly smiled nodding.  He grinned, "I know." Saying that he marched into the kitchen.

Heer stood at the doorway until he disappeared into the kitchen. He knew. She remembered the words he had said that evening when he was in Kolkata, "I know". Heer closed her eyes reminiscing that moment. There was something powerful in that moment that she just couldn't forget. He surely did know her. In mere months of their marriage, he had started to actually know who she was more than anyone had ever.

Heer sat in the bed after a quick warm water shower. She felt much better, her wariness seemed to have been diluted by the warm water. She quickly dropped Dev a text that they had reached when she saw one from him asking to let him know once they were home. Heer quickly archived and muted the private chat channel with him. She didn't want to upset Kabir. She quickly placed her phone away and got up making the bed for Kabir.

"Hey," she heard Kabir and looked up placing the pillow that he used usually in place. He placed the cup on the table. Heer could feel her glands salivate at the sight. 

"You didn't have to," he spoke pulling the edge of the bedsheet then ticking it underneath the mattress.

"No problem," Heer smiled. Her mind was simply going to into overdrive at the thought of him being so close. 

He smiled and then turned around to pick up the cup. "So, how was your flight? Why did they delay?" He asked as he handed her the cup. Heer gratefully took the cup he handed out, her fingers making slight contact with his. 

"Oh, the airplane had arrived from Dubai. There was some customs issues as we were told."

"Oh," Kabir nodded as Heer went on to sip from the cup.

"How were the last few days?" He asked sitting on the bed. Heer was about to sit on the bed but on second thoughts she walked over to the table and leaned agaisnt it as she took another sip. She didn't want to risk dropping a drop or two on his bed and give him a chance to show his grumpy side.

"Good, hectic." Heer answered. What was wrong with her? Couldn't she form simple sentences? "How had your work been?" She asked trying to cover up for lack of conversation from her side. Plus, she definitely wanted to know what was going on, as ever since his Kolkata visit they had barely spoken.

"It's been..." Kabir looked thoughtfully as though trying to come up with the right words, "hectic," he answered with a smalls smile. Heer nodded taking a longer sip. He definitely knew his ingredients right. Anything he made, from the most simple beverage to the most complex cuisine was always perfect. 

"Heer," he called he rename looking up at her after an almost two minute long pregnant pause. "I am sorry for whatever happened in Kolkata."

Heer's cordial smile disappeared instantly and her mind begged him to not go there. "It's okay Kabir," she replied quickly. "We've spoken enough of it," she added looking down at her cup.

"I shouldn't have said those words Heer. They've been eating me up." He added getting off the bed, then taking a long step towards her.

"Kabir, it's okay. You don't have to keep apologizing." Heer spoke holding his gaze. "Dev asked Shalini out. They have decided to date for a while and see how it goes. That night, I was in his room trying to convince him to not drunk dial Shalini." Heer had no clue why she explained herself to him. But she felt it was right thing to do. His eyes widened a wee bit with understanding.

"We are good then?" He asked softly. Heer looked at him her confusion getting more further twisted. It was like they kept going backwards after every step they took to come close to each other. She thought they were closer. Wasn't that why he was ignoring her? Perhaps not. He was probably ignoring her because he was guilty. 

"Mom," Advika barged into he room. "Are you coming?"

"Yes, I am. Get on bed I will be there in three minutes!" Heer answered and Advika nodded looking between her parents. She quickly walked out, they were probably talking about something important.

Heer looked at him, "We are good. Goodnight!" She said softly walking past him. "And Kabir," she spoke turning partially, "thanks for this!" She raised the cup up. The corners of his lips ascended upwards toward his cheekbones, and the corner of his eyes wrinkled up. Just what Heer needed, his smile. 

With a smile playing on her own lips she walked into the kitchen. If only Advika was there she would have had the opportunity to kiss his cheek. A whim that had cropped up when she had witnessed his soul stirring smile. Okay, maybe she was heading in the wrong direction.

* * *

Heer sat up sleepily hearing some murmurs. She realized it was morning and Advika was probably in for a bath, when she reached for the bathroom door to pee. Almost sleep walking, she reached her room's attached bathroom. She wondered how her bladder was filled up to seek attention every morning just when she was loving her sleep. She stepped out of the washroom and climbed the bed pulling over the comforter and lay back to complete her precious sleep.

"Is she still sleeping?" Misha asked Kabir when he reentered the kitchen after dropping Advika at the gate. 

"Most probably, yes,"

Misha chuckled. "She's a sleeping beauty, huh? It was funny seeing her walk in sleep."

Kabir's lips pulled into a smile, "She is, you know most of the times Advika tries to wake her up only to end up sleeping with her."

Misha smiled, her fingers toying with the ketchup bottle rotating it. "Seems like Heer also knows how to get past your stupid rules." Misha spoke not looking up. She was amazed that her brother was finally talking, talking about Heer.

"Please, she is natural rebel. Getting past won't do justice." Kabir commented as he put together another sandwich placing it on the heating grill.

Misha tried her best to hold back her smile, "So, is Heer going to continue her career in theater?" Misha finally looked up.

"I don't know," Kabir spoke thoughtfully looking at the bread as he applied butter on it. "We haven't got around to speaking about that,"

"Hmm, do you think she will mind that I haven't really attended even one of her shows?"

"Nah, she won't." He answered confidently.

Misha smiled, maybe her guess was right. Kabir had definitely gotten closer to Heer. She glanced at her mobile when it beeped. She groaned, furiously swiping at the screen.

"Rohan?" Kabir asked looking up at her.

"Fifth call from morning!" Misha muttered irritation evident on her face.

"Maybe he is missing you," Heer smiled walking in. She had no clue how she had woken up on Kabir's, scratch, their bed. She had hurriedly taken a shower and got dressed. It was a few minutes past nine. She didn't want to give Kabir reason to be upset.

"Good morning," she wished glancing at Misha and then looking up at Kabir while she sat on the stool beside Misha.

"Good morning," he wished softly, quickly putting the tea to heat. His eyes had taken in her full appearance. She wore a pale yellow tunic with brown tights. Her dark brown hair were braided and left on her left shoulder. Maybe he had just missed he presence around him that made him find her beautiful in her regular appearance.

"What happened?" Heer asked, curious to know what caused Misha to leave her home. 

Kabir folded his arms looking at Misha. She wouldn't answer the reason. She had told him that they fought and that was all he knew. Misha looked at her brother and then at his wife. "I am not talking to him." She answered in a lame attempt to escape the interrogation. The two kept their gaze on her.

"We fought." She added looking up to see if that convinced them. Apparently it didn't.

"He thinks I have become clingy and snoopy! I was just asking..."

"Misha," Kabir interrupted, "you should talk to him. You can't leave home on issues like that. Differences and arguments are inevitable. You can't not talk to him. You should understand Misha, that you need to be mature about this."

"Are you trying to say that you don't want me to crash here?" Misha asked annoyed. 

Kabir sighed, "Is that what you heard?" Before Misha could answer that the doorbell rang. Kabir quickly wiped his hand on the hand towel and walked out of the kitchen.

"He didn't mean that," Heer spoke for Kabir glancing at Misha. "We are more than happy to have you here."

Misha scoffed, running her fingers over her hair. "It's annoying. Rohan gets on my nerves some times."

"That doesn't mean you have to walk out of home," came Kabir's voice as he entered the kitchen. The house maid entered behind him and headed to the samll utility room to get the broom.

"Yeah, you can just ignore him for some time." Heer suggested only to get a pointed gaze from Kabir. She quietly took the cup of tea he held out.

"Mish, the point is.,you don't have to walk away. It's unhealthy. You fight but you stay, because you care for him. You don't just walk out."

Misha fronwed, "Whatever. I need some time!" She muttered getting off the stool. She was on her way out when she turned.

"Oh, Heer, do you have sanitary napkins? I ran out." 

"Uh, yeah," Heer answered, throwing an awkward glance at Kabir. She placed her cup on the kitchen island and got off the stool, while Misha walked out.

"No wonder she's been so peeved about everything!" Kabir commented.

Heer couldn't help but let a chuckled escape her lips. "That's rude!" She remarked.

"Well, it's the truth!" He replied, "and FYI, you chuckled."

"Cause it's funny!" Heer explained.

"Go give her what she needs!" Kabir spoke walking back to his sandwiches. 

Heer giggled walking out. Kabir smiled as he flipped the sandwiches.

* * *

"Mom," Advika squealed running to Heer the moment Misha opened the door. 

"Hey, sweetie!" Heer greeted her as Advika sprang and was on her lap. The girl straddled her hugging her. Heer giggled Advika placed a kiss on her cheek.

Kabir smiled as the two started chatting about school and started discussing their badminton game plans.

"Paa, you will come with us right?" Advika asked looking up at him.

"What will I do there? You have mom to play with you!" 

"Offo Paa, but I taught you." Advika spoke settling beside Heer. "He doesn't get that down to up hit right." She informed her mother.

"Don't worry Advi, mom will teach Paa how to get that right!" Misha exclaimed amused. 

"Yeah, Bua will you come?"

"I am not a badminton person, count me out!"

"Okay, quickly freshen up first and then we will go." Heer spoke placing another kiss on Advika's cheek.

Heer couldn't take her eyes off Kabir when they were in the elevator. She found him insanely attractive when he wore that gym tee with his joggers. And now, that she stood beside him trying to accomplish the task Advika had assigned her, that of teaching Kabir, her womanly hormones were making her feel butterflies in her stomach.

"How hard is doing this?" She asked swinging the racquet in her hand upward in a scooping manner.

"I did that!" Kabir exclaimed. "This stupid cock just doesn't go up like that."

Heer blinked. He should stop calling it cock and call it shuttlecock or birdie. There was no way she was going to tell him that. Her mind was in the gutter at his last statement. It definitely did go up like that.

"Okay wait," Heer spoke placing a racquet down. She stepped still closer to him. Barely an inch long gap between their bodies. She placed her hand over his grip. She guided his hand to take the racquet downward. "Just swing it up, with a slight slant, so that the shuttlecock doesn't just bounce  but makes a projectile."

Kabir eyes went all the way to her face from her hand that was gripping over his. She didn't expect him to turn. In the process, her lips made contact with his shoulder. She immediately leaned back looking at him. She noticed his eyes drop down to her lips. Almost instantly her body reacted by pulling in her lower lip between her teeth in anticipation. 

"Let me try," he whispered. His voice sounding husky. He was tempted to pull her closer and lock their lips into a seizing kiss. This wasn't good. The stupid sexual tension between them scared him. It was so thick, so tempting. He didn't want things to go south because of the unavoidable attraction between them going out of hand.

Heer nodded stepping away. What the hell was she even thinking? She looked on as Kabir's grip tightened on the racquet. Her eyes quickly darted towards Aditya and Advika who were totally invested in their game. As her gaze returned on Kabir, she watched him as he swung the racquet. An overwhelming urge to hug him filled her mind. She quickly picked up her racquet and moved to the other end. Being around him was driving her crazy. Definitely it was because of her hormones. She wasn't desperate at all. Her eyes did a quick scan of his chest and arms, remembering how satisfying it felt to have her lips against his skin. Now she was straying away from her game. 

* * *

"You invited Rohan, didn't you?" Misha asked exasperated.

"I just said we are having a guest over." Kabir spoke as he spread out the mat around the living room table. Heer tried holding back her smile as she provided Kabir a helping hand. Ever since the evening there was this inexplicable attraction brewing between them. Heer tried her best to act normal around him. Even though her mind went back to that one night. She was craving for sexual intimacy and she knew it. But she knew it was best to behave normal around him than to avoid him. Because the more she avoided him by putting distance betweem them, more stronger her temptation would grow. 

"Come on go get ready!" Heer told Misha.

"No way." Misha muttered.

Heer rolled her eyes, pulling Misha by the hand to lead her into Advika's room. Kabir sighed. What was with Heer's over friendly behavior around him? She was practically around him, trying to be of help. He appreciated her thoughtful but he needed to stay away. He just couldn't let history repeat. Not when he knew there was something keeping Heer away from having a proper relationship with him. Ever since that game he felt pulled to her. The last thing he wanted was to give in and let his activated hormones lead him into something more complicated. He needed to keep his distance from Heer but Heer's sudden friendliness and involvement at his task wasn't helping. He prayed that the evening went on smoothly, as he walked back into the kitchen.

Haven't got the time to proof read, hope there are no errors. Do let me know of you find any ! :)