A/N: Pictures of what the characters are wearing for the engagement function. The closest I got to a real life Indian wedding would be my cousin's "Chinese-Indian hybrid" wedding that happened like 10 years ago... So, just so you know, I'm writing the wedding based on movies (Shandaar and YJHD to be more specific), my cousin's wedding and help from ira131 and a friend of mine who refused to be named (Idiot! I know you're reading this!!!)... I don't plan on writing out the ceremonies (for obvious reasons) but if there's anything wrong, please let me know... And please let me know if there's anymore of you awesome people who's willing to help this bechari writer...

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For the entirety of the next week, Kabir avoided Raina, Ayesha and Sunny like the plague. He spent most of his time in his room and only re-appeared to eat. Needless to say, Ayesha and Sunny were worried out of their minds. Especially, when Kabir had a history with hiding alcohol and drinking to the point of oblivion. However, they had noticed during their meals that Kabir was completely sober and there were no traces of alcohol on him.

Kabir had also cancelled his weekly session with Raina for the next two weeks on the pretext of being too occupied with packing and getting ready for the wedding (which was partially true). Although, he did continue with his daily update, it only consisted of a three words long email. Clean. No alcohol.

On the other hand, Raina was frustrated with both the situation and Kabir. Why couldn't he give her a chance to explain? Was he going to hide from her forever? And why wasn't he interacting with Ayesha and Sunny? She had tried contacting him but he either ignored her call or his phone was completely switched off. Heck, he wouldn't even reply her emails.

Soon, the week flew by and before he knew it, Kabir was standing alone outside of the Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom in Goa, where the all of Tara and Vishal's wedding ceremony were to be held.

When Kabir first arrived, he was swarmed by a sea of media-walon. He knew better than to give them any statements or comments regarding the wedding so, he kept his mouth shut and only posed for pictures. Once the pictures were taken, he was ushered to the hotel reception to collect his room key and to have his bags sent to his room.

He looked around the surroundings and a pang of jealousy hit him. If it weren't for the breakup, it would have been their wedding. Kabir even recognized some of the details that Tara had mentioned when they were together. The beige and gold themed decorations, the beach view wedding, the open air mandap (pavilion)...

The "official" engagement ceremony would be starting in a while but Kabir couldn't bring himself to go into the ballroom. Ayesha and Sunny would only be arriving later that day; as Ayesha couldn't get that day off, meant that for now, he had no one to force him to join in the celebrations. He was just about to walk away when the door suddenly opens to reveal none other than the groom himself, Vishal Banerjee.

Vishal was dressed in a simple black kurta pajama with a modi jacket. To be honest, Kabir thought he looked more like a guest than a groom. But that's just how Vishal Banerjee is... Or how Kabir remembered him to be. A simple man with simple pleasures.

"Kabir?" Vishal said, shocked. "It's so great to see you." Vishal then pulled Kabir into a quick hug. Kabir, on the other hand, made no attempts to return the gesture. "Aap yahan kyun khade ho? (Why are you standing here?) Come inside."

Vishal placed a hand on Kabir's shoulder to usher him in but Kabir pushed it off.

"I can handle myself," he told Vishal. His face was blank, completely devoid of any emotion.

"Ok," Vishal shrugged. "I'm glad you came. I wasn't sure if you'd wanted to."

"I didn't," Kabir replied coldly. "It was Ayesha and Sunny's idea."

Vishal tensed up. He really wasn't in the mood to fight. He's getting married, for goodness sake! Wasn't it supposed to be the happiest time of his life? Then, why is his friend... His best friend... Acting like an ass? This wasn't the reunion Vishal had in mind.

"Teen saal ho gaye, (It's been three years) Kabir," Vishal sighed. Why couldn't he just accept what happened and move on? They all did. "Three years. When are you going to let it go? What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?" Kabir retorted, his voice raised slightly. "You stole my girlfriend and now, she's getting married to you! That's what's wrong!"

"She broke up with you, dude!" Vishal shouted. He was sick and tired of this. "I didn't do anything at all! Ok, fine. I'm sorry. Khush? (Happy?)"

"You know what?" Kabir said, annoyed. "Let's just go in. I'm sure sab log aap ko intezar kar raha hoon. (I'm sure people are waiting for you. )"

Kabir pushed past Vishal and entered the ballroom. Kabir stayed as far away as he could from the crowd and from the ceremony. He was even seriously reconsidering his decision to attend the rest of the ceremonies. Maybe he could slip out and take a flight home before Ayesha and Sunny arrived? It wasn't like anyone would notice. The paparazzi had already had a feast earlier outside when he arrived, that should be enough for publicity, right? God, where was Raina when... No! He wouldn't allow it. Not until he's figured out what's the deal with Rahul Oberoi. Speaking of Rahul Oberoi, he too was missing in action. Were Ayesha and Sunny with him? Or Raina? At that moment, a waiter came up to him and offered him drinks. Without even thinking it through, he grabbed his usual. Whiskey on the rocks.

Before the glass could reach his lips, Kabir suddenly felt the glass being yanked out of his grip. He had already expected to receive an ear full from Ayesha or a sarcastic comment from Sunny. However, when he remembered that they wouldn't be arriving for another hour or so, he looked over.

"Raina?" Kabir said. Shocked would be an understatement.

The sight that greeted him was far from what he had expected. Raina was dressed in her usual plain office clothes which was, a huge contrast to the other designer clothed and heavily accessorized guest. Her normally straight hair was slightly curled and she carried a small brown backpack with her. Kabir could see that just beneath her spectacle frames, hints of pink were beginning to creep onto her cheeks. A side effect of downing what was supposed to be his glass of whiskey.

"Tune sahi kaha tha, (You're right)" Raina said, wincing slightly as she could feel the burn of the alcohol going down her throat. "I'm the only one who can keep your mind off Tara and Vishal without you touching alcohol."

He was silent. What was she doing here? How did she even get in? How can she handle drinking that thing? Was she even allowed to drink? Stop!  If he wanted answers, he is going to have to ask her.

"What are you doing here?" Kabir asked. "I thought you had work?"

"You invited me, remember?" Raina told him, nonchalantly. Right... But how did she get in? "My last appointment ended at 3. I took a flight straight after. While you were too busy ignoring everybody, Ayesha and Sunny managed to somehow get me onto the guest list."

"I..." Kabir was rendered speechless. He looked away. Kabir had never expected her to accept his invitation. She had seemed so reluctant. And then, after the clinic fiasco... He really hadn't expected her to show up at all.

Raina used the wave of silence as a chance to explain herself.

"Uss din jo bhi hua... (Whatever that happened that day...)" Raina started. "Iss ki liye (For that), I'm sorry..."

"For what?" Kabir asked almost instantly. "Rahul Oberoi or me finding out?"

"Both," she replied. "It was never my intention to hide it from you..."

"But your boss asked you to," he said, completing her sentence. That was the most logical answer. Unless she was lying.

Raina nodded. She then rummaged through her bag and pulled out a file.

"Your report," she told him. "Or at least a copy of what Rahul Oberoi has."

Kabir took it from her and frantically started looking through it. It was just some generic report. Biodata, treatment details, withdrawal symptoms, medications... He shut it almost instantly.

"Issme toh kuch nahi hai!" (There's nothing inside!) Kabir's voice raised in excitement.

"Exactly," she told him. "I'm your doctor. YOU are my priority, not my boss and definitely NOT Mr. Oberoi. I'm here to help you, Kabir. You can trust me."

But what if she's lying? What if what's in this file is different with what Rahul Oberoi has?

Before anyone of them could say another word, everyone in the ballroom suddenly erupted into a thunderous applause. Their attention immediately shift to the stage.

For the first time in three years, his eyes lands on Tara. She was gorgeous in her golden studded gown. His gaze then moves to her newly ring adorned finger. He forces a smile on his face and claps along. He does the same when Tara places the ring on Vishal's finger. Raina places her hand on Kabir's shoulder as a sign of support. She could feel his body tensing and shaking under the pressure of it all.

"Kabir," she called out to him.

"I'm fine," he said through gritted teeth. His eyes were still on Tara. She was so happy while he....

"Kabir," Raina calls again.

"I said, I'm fine," he replied. This time, a little louder. "Leave me alone."

"No," Raina said as she forcefully positioned him so that he would to look at her. "You are NOT fine and I am NOT leaving. Stop running away from your feelings, Kabir!"

Tears immediately spilled out of Kabir's eyes as he pulls Raina into a hug, hiding his tear stained face on her shoulders. Raina, taken aback by his actions stumbled a bit before returning his hug. She gently rubs his back to comfort him. Raina knew that as much as he hated to see this, he needed this to convince himself that Tara was really Vishal's and that there was nothing else he can do. She knows that Kabir was tying to learn how to let go but torturing himself isn't going to help.

"Kabir?" Raina asked him. "Do you want to talk about it?"

He shook his head. No.

"Do you want to go somewhere else?" Raina asked.

He nodded. Good.

"Ok," Raina said as she gently prys him off her.

Kabir steadied himself and uses the sleeves of his sherwani to wipe his face. His expensive, black designer sherwani! Raina winced and handed him a pack of tissues instead. He laughed.

"What's so funny?" Raina asked.

"You're such a clean freak," he replied as he waved the packet of tissue in her face. "That day in my house... And now... Kyun? (Why?) Can't take a little dirt on the sleeves?"

She rolled her eyes. Kabir is such a child!

"I'm just trying to help," she said with a huff. "If you don't want my help, I'll just leave."

She tried walking away but Kabir reached out and grabbed her wrist, stopping her.

"I'm sorry," he told her. "I was just messing with you."

She wanted to give him an annoyed look but instantly melted as soon as she saw him smiling.

"It's ok," she replied. "But you're right, I am a clean freak. Doctor hoon main (I'm doctor), it's in my job description."

They shared a laugh as he led them out of the ballroom. Despite all his doubts, Kabir was glad that Raina was with him.

***

A/N: Do you think I'd keep them away for too long??? (Maybe... XD) This chapter originally came up to almost 4k words so I had to spilt them up into two chapters... This is the shorter of the two chapters... The next chapter which is longer will out tomorrow... Still doing some last minute checking and editing!!!