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The next day, Arjun suggested, "Maybe we shouldn't go tonight."

"What?" She exclaimed, "No, we have to go! I told Parth we'd go. I swear, my ankle is much better today. See, the swelling has gone down too." He didn't look convinced, "Please? I promise to not walk about much. I really want to go."

He gave in against her pleading face, knowing he couldn't say no and make her sad. "Fine, we'll go."

"Yes!" She exclaimed jumping up to hug him. He mentally shook his head while smiling and resting his hands on her back. She didn't even know it but she could make him do anything she wanted and he would let her so long as it meant it would put a smile on her face.

He exhaled while reluctantly pulling back to not get lost in her warm embrace. 'But you are not leaving my side." He put forth the condition and she quickly agreed. Other than family and his friends, she wouldn't know anyone anyway to go wander off. She also saw why he would make that promise. She loved exploring new things so there had been a high possibility that she would get lost somewhere. It reminded her of the time during their honeymoon when they'd gone to the museum and after some time, he had held her hand because he kept on losing her. She hadn't made it easy on him by letting curiosity getting the better of her and wandering around.

That evening, Neha came over so they could get ready together and car pool. After getting dressed, Sanam sat on the bed waiting for him to come out of the washroom. Getting bored, she spotted his tie lying on the bed and picked it up. Putting it around her neck, she started to make a perfect triangle but she couldn't. She couldn't remember how.

"Stupid thing." She muttered seeing that for the third time, she had ended up getting a knot.

"What are you doing?" Arjun asked when he came out, dressed except for his tie and shoes.

She looked up and for a second, froze. He was beyond dashing in formals. He did wear a suit and tie to work, but she hadn't seen him in one until today since she left before him and he would already be home and changed in normal clothes by the time she would return. The three piece was fitted to perfection, hinting at his lean body as well as the biceps.

"Sanam?" She heard him speak, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything back. Damn, looks like seeing him in formals is my weak spot. "Sweetheart."

At that, she did blink and returned to Earth. "Hmm? What?"

There was an amused grin sported on his face. She didn't respond to her name, but she responded when he called her sweetheart. "Why are you butchering my tie?"

"I wasn't." She said but looked down to see he was right. It was all creased up as she had tried to tie it so many times, and failed. "Sorry." She mumbled offering an explanation, "I was bored and I thought I remembered but looks like I can't.

She removed it off from around her neck and undid the knot she had managed once again. He came to stand in front of her and taking it from her, put it around her neck again. She creased her forehead, ready to protest, when she caught on to what he was doing. She glanced down at his fingers close to her chest while he so efficiently tied it. As he tightened it around her neck gently, she looked up at him and it dawned on her. He was standing right in front of her. She inhaled a sharp breath, but he didn't realize.

"There, done." He whispered and moved aside to stand behind her. She saw herself in the mirror in front of them. He gave an impressed look, "The new style suits you."

She squinted her eyes at him for teasing. A tie so did not go on an evening dress. She moved her hair over the shoulder and then loosened it carefully so as to not undo it completely and take it off. Turning around, she slipped it over his head. After tightening it, she went on to fix his collar. Unintentionally, her fingers brushed his skin above the collar. Her eyes blinked up to his but only for a second as she gulped and moved to stand next to him. She was trying to control the attraction she felt.

Why am I looking for reasons to touch him? Her mind was working on its own account. She nodded towards the mirror. Her hand still on his shoulder. "Looks much better on you."

He smiled back at her through the mirror. She about to suggest they go out, when he spoke. "Wait." He went to find his phone. "Before we go..." He trailed off as he unlocked his phone. She thought he'd open the camera app, but instead he opened Snapchat. She didn't know he had one. He aimed the camera at the mirror while wrapping an arm around her so she was at his side and she smiled with him, looking at the screen.

It was just a picture. She was trying not to read into it.

She commented reading his caption. "That's an exaggeration."

"Nope," He smacked his lips. "You are the most beautiful girl in the world."

"Yeah right," She brushed it off lightly, not believing it or taking it seriously.

He insisted, hands on her shoulder and turning her to look at the mirror, "You are because you are beautiful from here, sweetheart." His index finger touched the fabric of the dress above her heart. "Inside and out."

She tipped her head back slightly to look at him. Glancing right back at her, his hand slipped down from her shoulder to her back. His words always melted her heart and even more when she always noticed a hint of honesty in them. He never said anything to her he didn't sincerely mean – she was starting to learn that very well.

She recalled what Neha first told her at her wedding when she first met Arjun. He said a lot of things and always said them before thinking of it first but that only made him honest – a guy without a filter worrying about whether or not he would offend others but that didn't mean that he didn't know when to not say certain things in front of certain people. Still, he never said anything just to impress. He always said what he meant and for her, no compliment could be more beautiful.

His face was so close to hers, barely an inch apart. When she glanced up at his eyes again, she saw them traveling down to her lips. A feeling nagged that he wanted to kiss her. She gulped at realizing he didn't just want to.

He was going to try to.

She didn't think she could blame him. Seeing him, she almost had lost control as well – forgetting they weren't in an actual relationship or truly married.

There was a knock on the door. He blinked and his eyes weren't dilated anymore. He pulled away, dropping his hand from around her, and went to open the door.

"Ready?" Neha asked, oblivious of what she had interrupted.

Arjun nodded and moved aside to let Neha inside. She was wearing a beautiful golden and bright green dress. Neha whistled nodding at Sanam, "Not bad, Arjun." She complimented the dress he had gotten for Sanam. "Doesn't she look so very hot and beautiful at the same time?" She grinned.

Sanam blushed slightly. Neha had a habit of complimenting people with the first thought that came in her head. She'd have accepted it but it only made her blush because she called her hot in front of Arjun. Her eyes flickered to him and he just winked back casually, not affected at all.

How can he act like we weren't just about to kiss?

His ability to snap back to reality bothered her a little.

Sanam compliment back, "You're no less," desperately needing to find some control in the situation. "This dress is perfect for you."

She beamed, "I know!" Then she hooked her hand with hers to nudge her towards the exit, "Mom and dad already left with Anaya. We should get going too." Grabbing her clutch from the living room, they exit the penthouse.

~

Arjun's friends come over to Arjun and Sanam after finally noticing them in the venue hall at one of the best hotels in town. Parth complained, "Gosh, you two. Why the hell are you in the side?"

Josh, however, whistled looking at her. Arjun and Samar both slapped him upside on the head at the same time, making him wince and rub his head. "So violent, man!"

Samar shook his head, ignoring Josh. "Parth's right. The party is over there, guys!"

"Not today," Arjun explained, "Sanam has a sprained ankle."

All of them express concern, and she raised her hand to stop them, "Chill guys." Then she glared at Arjun, "I had a sprained ankle yesterday." She could understand his concern at the time it had happened but not when he was making it to be a bigger deal than it needed to be.

Drake ordered, "Great, then you two are coming with us. Arjun, stop fussing too much. And if you are too worried, carry her if you have to. You haven't built all those muscles for nothing after all."

Arjun had gotten an ultimatum from his friends. He made a face at them. She put a hand on his arm, "Please?" One word, and he was convinced.

He let out a defeated sigh, "Fine."

She smiled a thank you at him and all made their way towards where all the other youngsters were. She was a bit taken aback at Rashi's sudden arrival and straight away hugging Arjun, "Arjun! I've been looking for you everywhere!" She pulled back with a grin on her face and then looked at Sanam, "Oh, hey Sanam, looking good." Even though she had a smile on her face, Sanam knew it was deceiving. Rashi did not like her over spring break, and she had made that known on multiple counts by always sending a subtle taunt.

Still, Sanam smiled at her, "Thanks, you too! The color really brings out your eyes."

Rashi turned confused, wondering if Sanam really meant it. Parth faked a frown, "Come on, Rashi. No hug for us? I feel the love."

Rashi quickly recovered from Sanam's compliment and went on to give him a side hug, "Aww, here." Sanam's eyes traveled to Samar, who winked at her. She realized this was their way of having her back and pulling Rashi away from Arjun. Even though she knew Arjun and her relationship was only for the show, it still made her feel happy that his friends cared about her as well. She did remember Parth had been skeptical in the starting and even went on to confront her and warn her to stay away from Arjun as his way of looking out for his friend.

It meant something to Sanam that they all approved of her now after four months of knowing each other.

Rashi spoke, "Guys, do you remember Tanisha?"

Josh asked, "The chubby one who wore those thick glasses as a kid?"

Rashi nodded, "Yeah, her. She's here, and you won't believe it, Arjun. She's the total opposite now. I think she got contacts and some major makeover. I wouldn't be surprised if her parents got her a surgery for all that fat, you know? And..."

Sanam chose that moment to tune her out. She couldn't understand people who badmouthed others without a real reason. She also wondered why Arjun and his friends put up with her. They were all decent guys from what she had learned by occasional meets. She definitely knew Arjun the best from the lot, and he was not the guy to allow this usually. And yet, he wasn't stopping Rashi.

Sanam told herself to not let it bother her, assuring herself that he must have his reasons. However, when she continued to watch him conversing with her and laughing at something Rashi said, she made the decision to slip out of the group, but paused when her hand tugged. That was when she realized that he had been holding her hand the whole time. How did she not notice such little things about him? Even in a room full of people and surrounded by friends in a conversation she hadn't been involved in actively, he kept by her side in silent support.

Arjun turned to look at her when he had felt his own hand being tugged once she had started to pull away. "I'll be back." Though he was concerned with the distant expression in her eyes, he released her hand from his.

~

author note;

this chapter is long-long, so I decided to split it in two shorter parts for easy read. Here's the first part. I'll post the second later on today once I edit it :)

Above is the picture of the dress that should have been posted in last chapter! 

Their almost kiss... things are moving on and both are feeling the side effects!  Wonder what else happens.. ;) 

As always, vote and comment <3