"Are you still going to say you're better than me?"

• ♡ •

Heer had never felt so much peace in her heart. She had never felt so loved  so protected as much as she felt in his arms. With no words exchanged, he had held her hand and led her to the room. Heer was ready to follow him anywhere he took her. A little part of her did anticipate him to make love to her. She wouldn't shy away, she had decided. She wanted to give herself to him. She wanted him to know that she was always there for him. There was this heavy emotion in her heart. She wanted to be the knight to rescue him. 

However, Kabir had other plans. He had settled on the bed beside her, pulled her close gently and then covered them with comforter. His hands smoothly reached the curve of her waist as he turned his head towards her. Heer didn't resist in anyway. Frankly, she was tired of resisting. He was worth the mightiest risk, even a heartbreak involved. Deep down, her gut told her, he wouldn't harm. But then, she had felt the same for Pranav. He had left her hurt and broken too.

"Stop," he said, softly but assertively.

"What?" Heer whispered, her thick black eyelashes flickering.

"Overthinking," he answered, the tip of his thumb reaching to rub away the slight creases on her forehead. Next, his body moved closer to hers, his knee touching hers. Heer's breathing was hyper. Her body couldn't relax when he was so close. If anything, she felt an adrenaline rush. He closed his eyes while Heer kept watching his face. So serenely, just like a calm lake on a full moon night.

After a few minutes passed, his eyes slowly opened and met hers. He leaned closer, his lips kissing her forehead, "sleep!"

Heer took a deep breath, suddenly aware of how exhausted she actually was. She slowly stretched out her arm placing it around him. His eyes instantly sparkled looking at her. Heer felt her cheeks heat up. She caught the slight upward move of the corner of his lips. She smiled, closing her eyes. She could hear his breaths. As seconds grew into minutes, everything faded.

The early rays of the sun filtering in from the east facing window caused Kabir to wake up. He had forgotten to draw the curtains over it last night. His eyes fully opened to a sight of sleeping Heer right next to him. Her hand over his torso and face snuggled close to his chest. Her chestnut brown hair was clumsily sprawled over her neck and shoulder. He gently pushed it behind and peeled her arm off his body. It was then that he realized that she had her leg flung over his thighs. A smile graced his lips. His palm reached for her thigh. As much as he loved having Heer wrapped around him, he had to check on his daughter. It was Friday and he didn't want her to be late for school. His eyes immediately went up to the wall clock.  Eight! Damn, he had slept in. The immense light coming in from the window was now clearly explained. Advika had probably slept in too.

He turned to Heer. He sighed letting his head fall back on to the plump pillow. He turned his head sideways looking at Heer. His heart filled with adoration for her. She was so broken on the inside, yet so beautiful. He knew how it felt to be broken and alone. He at least had Advika to live for. He wondered how hard it must have been for her, after losing everybody she ever loved. He could understand why it so difficult for her to accept him. The good part was, she had accepted his daughter wholeheartedly at least. 

Eventually he shifted her leg away from his. He got of the bed, taking care to put the comforter over Heer after. She immediately pulled the comforter close, still very much asleep unaffected by the movementon the mattress. Kabir grinned, she definitely could sleep through an earthquake.

* * *

"Hey, princess, feeling better?" Kabir asked his daughter as soon as she entered the kitchen after brushing her teeth.

"Yes, Paa," she answered moving towards him. Kabir wiped his hands and took his little girl in his arms, moving towards the stool. 

"Does it still itch?" He asked making her sit on the kitchen stool, punctuating his question with a kiss on her temple.

"No, it's fine. Mom's still sleeping?"

"Yes, mom is still sleeping," he answered with a smile, analyzing his daughter's arms. There was no sign that her skin had been itching half a day ago. 

"Why didn't you wake me up? I missed school today." She frowned. She hated missing school especially on Fridays. The only day they had assembly and music hour. Two fun things in a single day.

"Because... you were not well. I thought you should take rest." He answered. It had been a while since he had slept so well that his biological clock didn't open his eyes when the worldly clock struck six.

"But I am okay," she argued placing her chin on the kitchen island and observing the seeds in the bowl that had sprouted. "Paa, there are tiny leaves growing from these seeds." She exclaimed in astonishment.

Kabir smiled, "See, I told you. Seeds can give rise to plants."

"Yes, roots, leaves and stems also. It varoes from plant to plant."

"Impresive Advi! Are you liking science now?" He asked getting on the other side of the island to get her milk ready.

"Yes. Mom makes it interesting. Even the teacher is good this time. She is not strict. She doesn't mind if we ask her a lot of questions. You know yesterday Mrs. Gayatri took us all to the garden outside Principal's office. She showed us different types of leaves, flowers and plants."

"Good morning!" Heer greeted walking up to the stool on which Advika sat. "How's my strong girl doing today morning?" She asked wrapping her arms around Advika who immediately reciprocated the hug leaving her cup of complan milk unattended.

"Good. I missed music class today. Miss Rose was going to teach us a new song."

"No worries Advi, I will teach you when we know which song." Heer assured her holding out her arms to analyze her itch marks. "Does it itch still? Is it burning?" 

"No, Mom. I am okay. Paa also checked." Immediately Heer glanced at him who briefly nodded in agreement. 

"What about the legs, and your tummy?

"No itching. Mom, I am fine." Advika repeated. 

"Hmm, good!" Heer smiled and leaned to kiss her cheek, her arms still wrapped around the girl.

Kabir just couldn't look away. It warmed his heart to see Heer's love for his daughter. Soon, Heer sat on the stool and her eyes met his. He wondered if she would still go about denying that the kiss meant anything to her. Something about her eyes told him that this time she wouldn't. Or maybe he was just being too hopeful. He tore his gaze away from her and focused on making the idlis. 

Heer just couldn't look away from him. Last night was... surreal. She didn't have the heart nor the courage to reject him anymore. She couldn't keep Kabir out of her heart. Not when he had owned her entire heart. 

"Heer!" Kabir said louder this time. 

She blinked looking at him. "You okay?" He asked. She nodded quietly, noticing the cup of tea that had been placed before her. His eyes continued to linger on her warily.

"Mom, can we go practice running after breakfast?" Advika broke the eye contact between the two of them. 

"Yeah, sure. Let's finish your science project after first, by then the breakfast will settle in our stomach. We can go running then."

"Okey-dokey!" Advika replied slicing the idlis placed on her wide mouthed bowl. 

"Wait, running why?" Kabir asked looking up puzzled.

"Because I am taking part in the two hundred meters running race," Advika answered with a proud smile.

"YOU are training her for running?" Kabir asked Heer with mocking smile.

Heer's eyebrows furrowed, "why?"

"Nothing." He muttered turning away.

"Are you trying to imply that, I am not good at running?" Heer questioned.

"I am not implying anything, Heer," he replied looking up, "but it's a universal truth that you aren't good at running."

Heer narrowed her eyes at him, "I beat you last time, FYI."

"No you didn't. You were panting and begging to stop!"

Heer blinked her eyes, meeting his gaze again. "No, I wasn't."

"You were!" He mumbled loud enough for her to hear. She simply looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"Stop arguing. We can have a running race and decide who runs faster," Advika suggested.

"Good call!" Kabir smiled, "we'll see who is better." He glanced at Heer with a challenging smile.

"Challenge accepted!" She stated raising her cup to her lips. His eyes still on Kabir.

Heer was still having breakfast when Advika excused herself to watch TV. Kabir sat on the stool beside her eating his breakfast while going through the newspaper. Heer silently read the articles from the page that was towards her. 

"Kabir, I forgot to tell you yesterday." She suddenly spoke getting his attention. "Ahh, there is a party today. The drama is releasing  on the OTT platform tonight, so they've thrown a party."

"That's amazing. I will drop you, if you.. "

"No," Heer cut him off instantly. "I want you to come. I mean it's a family invite."

Kabir smiled and then looked at her thoughtfully. "Are kids allowed? I mean parties like those generally don't..."

"I think they are. There is a kids section too." Heer answered with uncertainty. "I will confirm with the team, once. But I think as long as she sticks with us there shouldn't really be a problem."

"Okay," he answered.

Kabir was hoping she didn't bring up last night and was glad when she didn't. She sat beside him reading through the articles on the even pages, until he was done with his breakfast. He picked up the dirty dishes when she walked out to open the door, it wa probably the house maid.

"Kabir, yesterday..." Heer had spoken entering the room.

"I don't want go talk about yesterday." Kabir answered promptly.

"But I was just.." 

Heer was once again interrupted mid way when Kabir got off the bed with his laptop in his hand. "I have a few things to review." Saying that he walked out of the room totally avoiding any conversation about the previous day.

He entered the kitchen and placed his laptop on the perfectly clean marble of the kitchen island. There was no way he was going to hear her say that last night was nothing. Minutes later he heard footsteps. It was Heer. 

"Kabir," he heard her call out. Sighing he turned to look at her irritated, "What?"

"I just wanted to..."

"No, we are not talking anything about yesterday." He muttered annoyed. Couldn't she just let it be?

Heer looked at him oddly. "I just wanted the cookies we made yesterday. I liked them."

Kabir stared at her dumbfounded. Oh, she just wanted those cookies. "Right," he muttered blinking. He moved past her to the cabinets. He opened one and brought out a jar. He turned around and handed it over to her. Heer silently opened the jar and pulled out two cookies and gave it back to him. She turned around and walked out of the kitchen with a wide smile on her face. Once out she broke into a soft laughter. "We are not talking anything about yesterday!" She mimicked him.

Kabir felt stupid. She wasn't even talking about whatever happened the previous day. He went back to his laptop with a stupid smile making to his face. "I just wanted the cookies!" He muttered her statement to himself.

* * *

"Heer, give up already! You are out of breath." Kabir spoke as he jogged beside her. 

"No way, I am ..." she winced as her legs hurt. She had been running with  Kabir for a little more than ten minutes and was already tired. While Kabir seemed energetic enough to run for another fifteen minutes or so. 

"Heer, stop," this time he held her wrist causing her to come to a halt. He guided her to the bench and she quickly made her way to it and sat on it, panting. While Kabir stood before her observing her. They had literally started off like bullets. Heer was one hell of a competitor. 

"Here," he spoke a minute later, stretching his arm out to give her the water bottle that he had jogged with all along. 

"Thanks," she mumbled taking it from his hand. She laid he rhand back on the benchea back rest, breathing deeply. 

"Are you still going to say you're better than me?" He asked grinning with his hands on his hips.

She opened her eyes and shot him a look. "You made me eat too much breakfast," she reasoned.

"Really, Heer!" He muttered stretching his arms. Heer's eyes were quick in noticing his muscles flex. Seems like he was after her mind now that he already had her heart. One hell of a sexy man! She had once read that affection towards someone can make one feel more aroused or make the person seem more attractive. She definitely could vouch it was true. 

"How long have you been going to the gym?" Heer's curiousity stumbled out in the form that question.

"For years now. I started gym when I was in final year." He replied recollecting the fact.

"Wow. Were you a fat?"

"What!" He exclaimed looking at her.

"I mean, you know... You cook so well, so you obviously ate what you made."

"No way! Misha and Maanav were always happy to eat, plus I had friends who encouraged me a lot to cook so that they could eat."

Heer giggled, "not in touch with them anymore?"

"Nah." He replied shrugging his shoulders. "What about you?"

"No," came her reply and her smile faded. 

"I wasn't fat, for the record." He replied trying to bring that smile back on her face and he succeeded.

"So, you went to the gym to impress the girls huh?" She teased.

An amused smile made it to Kabir's face. He sat on the bench beside her  stretching his legs out. "Well," he spoke putting his arm on the backrest of the bench, behind Heer. She looked at him and his heart performed a somersault. "I didn't have to impress girls, I was a natural." He winked with a smug smile.

"Yeah, right. I am totally buying that from you." Heer mocked him, looking ahead.

"Ask Maanav if you want!" He suggested confidently.

"I am going to ask Misha!" Heer looked at him again with a bright smile.

"No," he half laughed, "she's the wrong person to ask."

"Why so?"

"Because she loves to falsify facts when they put me in the good books,"

"That's so mean," Heer spoke dabbing her index finger on his bicep.

"Really? And she's not mean? You have no clue. Only now she's toned up her meanness. She was a terror girl. That's nothing she would fight like a cat. Scratching, pulling at our hair. She was a dynamite when she was a teenager. Thankfully over the years she had human-ed up."

"No way, Misha is so sweet." Heer exclaimed with surprise.

"Please. I think she got into more fights in school and college, than me and Maanav combined. There were times when either of us had to intervene to contain the situation."

Heer smiled, "That's sweet." She couldn't recollect anything endearing about her bond with her brother. 

"What you thinking?" He asked seeing her zone put of their conversation 

"Just like that. Misha is so lucky to have you and Maanav. I can't even recollect memories like that about my brother. Our parents didn't prefer co-ed schools. Maybe the eight years age gap also kept us away. He had his own stuff to see." She felt his hand place on hers and looked up at him with a smile.

"Do you think Misha would like to come to the party tonight?"

"Why? No. I have had enough dose of her this week. It's just going to be you me and Advi." He replied with a charming smile.

"Okay, anyway we will meet on her on Saturday night."

Kabir looked at her puzzled, "What is on Saturday night?"

Heer frowned, "you didn't see the group? Misha put up the invitation, ther ris a celebration at her mother in laws place. She's been discussing on that group about it."

"Oh, no, I muted that group. It only consists of Misha ordering people." Kabir spoke pulling out his phone from his pocket. "What's the celebration for?"

"Karwa-chauth," Heer answered looking on as Kabir unlocked his phone.

He turned to look at her dumbstruck, "you believe in that too?"

"What do you mean? It's what everyone believes in since ages."

Kabir looked a little pissed and went on to scroll through the chat window. "Heer, you don't really have to fast and all okay."

"I want to!" Heer spoke puzzled at his reaction. He stared looking straight into her eyes.

"Your call."

"Let's go, Advi would be thinking we are such slow runners." He suggested getting on his feet. Heer nodded still thinking about his sudden shift in mood. 

* * *

"Paa, I am a big girl. I can stay alone." Advika repeated when Kabir asked her to get ready. She had very recently learned that kids stay home when parents go for parties at night. Kabir guessed it to be yet another learning picked up from the English children movies. 

He looked at Heer, waiting for her input. She looked at him and then at Advika. "I think she's big enough to be at home by herself. Anyway she'll go to sleep." Heer pointed out to Kabir.

He shifted closer to Heer, "Are you crazy? She's only eleven!" He whispered.

"She's big enough, Kabir. She will just watch some movie and go to bed. We will lock the apartment from outside. She can alway call us if she needs anything. That's how she's going to learn." She tried explaining to him in a hushed voice.

Kabir looked at her running out of counter points. "Okay!" He turned to Advika to give her a long list of do-s and don't-s. 

* * *

"Heer are you sure she'll be fine?" He asked her as they entered the elevator. 

Heer straightened the bracelet on her hand as she answered, "Yes, she will. She's a big girl now. Trust me, she will be fine."

Kabir nodded, taking a deep breath. His eyes finally taking the time to observe how pretty his wife looked. She looked splendid in the deep dark forest green gown, which had a single shoulder. Her bare left arm glowed strikingly against her dark dress. His eyes reached hers to find them staring at him. She pulled the corners of her lips upward. He couldn't tell if it was makeup that made her cheeks appear pinker or his gaze. The shape of her eyes were enhanced with the eye makeup she wore. They appeared darker than usual. He led the way out of the elevator to the car. He could hear her heels make sound against the floor as she followed him. 

Heer took a deep breath as she followed him. She was insanely drawn to him. His perfume which tantalized her senses didn't help. She couldn't help but stare at his perfect form dressed in black trousers a stripped tshirt with a black blazer on it. In the elevator she had taken a good look at him. She couldn't say what was more tempting the urge to kiss him or undress him. 

* * * 

The two of them had been mostly silent throughout te drive except for discussing the directions to the venue. Kabir got off the car and handed the keys to the parking valet making his way to her side. The staff directed them towards the entry. 

"So," Kabir finally spoke up putting his palm against her back. Leaning sideways, towards her face, he asked, "Is this you taking me out for a date?"

Heer's eyes widened and she glanced at him. His eyes met hers with a half-smile on his face. His right eye brow curved upward as though prompting her to answer. "Kabir," Heer uttered becoming anxious.

"Heer, we are in a relationship. Accept it. Trust me, lying to yourself or me isn't going to help. Just let things fall into place, we'll be okay. Trust me."

Heer had stopped walking and was now staring at him. Her heart beating loudly as though wanting to answer instead of her mouth. She needed to take the leap of faith. This was the moment. She didn't have the heart to back out, she never had. But this time her mind showed little resistance. Kabir made sense. She was only lying rejecting him and her feelings, hurting both of them in the proces. "Okay," she whispered cautiously.

Gradually, his lips pulled up into a heartfelt curve. He extended his arm for her to take. She took her sweet time, gently wrapping her palm around his arm. She looked up at him and his smile caused her lips to for one. "Ready to walk, Mrs. Heer Jaisinghani?" 

And there, her heart went into a frenzy beating session. Her smile blooming and her cheeks warming up. Oh boy, this man literally was a magician. Heer prayed silently while her eyes stared at him. She had intended to pray for her heart to be safe but instead ended up praying to God to always keep that dazzling smile on his face. She nodded and with slow steps they began to walk to the wide open entrance doors. 

There was so much she felt in those brief moments. There was so much they went on in her mind. It was so fast that she couldn't even understand. "Kabir, wait," she uttered, tightening her arm around his arm. 

He looked at her with concern spread out on his face. Before he could ask what was wrong she said, "It's overwhelming..." her voice was heavy coated with emotions.

"Heer," he whispered standing before her. His hands reached to cup her face. "Stop overthinking, okay?"

"I can't Kabir." She replied restlessly. His gaze swept around and then he held her hand leading her to the tree that stood under the shadow of the building. It was dark around the tree.

She stared at him, tears shining in her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her taking her into his protective embrace. "It's just me, Heer. Please don't overthink it. I love you, I promise I won't hurt you."

She immediately grabbed onto his blazer melting into his tight embrace. She closed her eyes, staying in his arms. She felt at peace. She didn't have to runaway, she had to just be there in his arms and stay there. Many seconds later, she loosened her hold around him.  She opened her eyes. Her tears had disappeared, they hadn't stained her cheeks. He gently loosened his arms and looked at her. Heer smiled, she had always wanted someone to look at her like that...with care, concern and endless love.

"You okay?"

"Yeah," Heer answered pulling away her arms. He withdrew his arms looking at her carefully.

"Are you judging me?" She asked feigning disappointment. 

"No, I wasn't. I was just making sure you didn't ruin your make up by crying. Didn't want people to get scared in there." He spoke with a smile playing at the corner of lips as he pointed to the entrance.

Heer wrapped her arm around him smiling, "So what did you conclude?"

"I think it's safe to walk in with you on my arm,"

"Let's go then." Heer spoke taking a step ahead.

Kabir smiled walking towards the entrance. He felt light, like a big load had been lifted off his chest. He just hoped that he'd make it to the innermost shell of her heart. 

Woosh!

Thanks for patiently waiting up, this time it took more than usual to post this part. Would love to read your thoughts on it. 

Also, I made minor edits to the chapters 30 to 35, mostly correcting typo errors. For those who save it for offline reading, can save it again.