A/N: An update as promised. This one is a lot more longer but more light-hearted than the last chapter.

Warning: Will contain a lot of Kabir-Raina nok-joke and wrist grabbing ahead... I'm not joking... Seeing the total amount of wrist grabbing involved, their wrists would either break or they should just hold hands forever... XD

***

As Kabir and Raina were standing near the end of the ballroom, it took very little effort to slip out. Suddenly, Kabir spotted two reporter and instantly dragged Raina to the nearest stairwell.

"Can you tell me what's going on?" Raina shouted at him.

He hushed her and peeked through the door. He knew that the press would be very interested in him since he was Tara's ex. Ex. He hated that word.

"Kabir," Raina called, her voice in a threatening tone.

"Media-walon," he told her. Oh. Raina had to remind herself she was with a public figure. "Who knows what stories they'll fabricate if they see us together."

Kabir then darted to railings to check if anyone else were there. Raina felt a slight tug and she looked down at her wrist.

"Err...Kabir?" she asked. "Are we safe yet?"

Kabir took another look up and down the stairwell.

"I think so," he said. "Why?"

"Nothing..." she said. "It's just that... Can I have my hand back?"

She gestured to her wrist and Kabir looked down. In the heart of all that running, Kabir forgot that he was still holding on to her hand. He then suddenly released it, as if it were some sort of a disease.

"Sorry," he said.

Kabir took one more look through the door and once he was satisfied, he relaxed and leaned on the door.

"Has it always been like this?" Raina asked.

"Yes," he replied. "All the time."

All the time?! Raina's eyebrows raised in shock. How do people live like that?

"Doesn't it bother you?" Raina inquired. Maybe he got used to it?

"It does," he explained. "But it comes with the job. And that's even not the worst part."

Not the worst part? What could be worse than being hunted down like prey? Being watched and scrutinized like some lab animal... The constant running and hiding... Don't people get tired of it?

"You should read the stories that they write," he continued. "Those are the worst. They made me sound like I'm some spawn of the devil. It's an image that I have to live with for the rest of my life. Do you know how much trouble it has caused me?"

Raina could see the anger burning in his eyes. She pitied him.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't know."

"Don't apologize, Raina," he told her. "If it's anyone who needs to apologize, it's them. Don't ever believe a word of what they say."

A wave of silence fills the air as neither of them knew what to say. Finally, it was Raina who broke the silence.

"So, does this plan of yours come with a change of scenery?" Raina asked, changing the topic. She was getting a bit claustrophobic staying in there. Furthermore, there was a huge chance that someone might walk in on the both of them. It wasn't like they were doing anything wrong but it was just a precaution in case there were any (more) misunderstandings.

"There's the steam room," he said which earned an eyeroll from Raina. "The conference rooms, my room, the janitor's closet, the kitchen, the staff hallways..."

"Is this place really crawling with the press?" Raina asked, cutting him short. Kabir's suggestions sounded more like secret make out places rather than actual hiding places.

"It depends on how many of them THEY invited," Kabir replied. "And if Rahul sir is somewhat involved, then yes. This place would be infested with them."

Raina nodded. In short, they're trapped.

"Our best chance will be to wait for the ceremony to end and then blend in with the other guests," he continued.

"And how long more is that?" Raina asked. She couldn't wait to get out. It was starting to get stuffy in there.

"Half an hour," he replied. "But I can bet that you the guests will not leave until after another half an hour. So, that's an hour."

"An hour?!" Raina shrieked. They couldn't stay here for an hour!

Kabir shushed her and begun looking around. Thank god no one heard that.

Raina slumped against the wall as she looked over at Kabir. Wasn't he feeling hot wearing such a thick sherwani? Raina lets out a huff of air as she took in her surroundings. Suddenly, an idea popped into her mind.

"What if we take the stairs to a different floor?" Raina proposed. "Say maybe the next two or three floors? And we get out from there. Would it still be difficult to sneak out?"

Kabir's eyes widen in excitement.

"Dr. Raina Jaitley," he said as he grabbed her right hand and shook it. "You're a genius! Come on!"

He then yanked her up the stairs, behind him. She stumbled a bit, taken aback by Kabir's sudden movements but managed to regain her footing. Fuelled by excitement, Kabir was moving too fast for her liking. He was practically dragging her up the stairs.

"Kabir," she called after him. "Mere haath chodo." (Let go of my hand. )

He turned around and noticed that she was struggling to catch up with him. Kabir then remembered she was wearing heels and a skirt. He lets go of her hand.

"Sorry," he said. "Bad habit. I'm used to dragging Tara around like that."

A pang of sadness flashed across his face. Fortunately, it didn't take long before his smile returned. It has been a long time since he had sneaked around with someone. He was bubbling with excitement.

"So, how long will you be staying?" Kabir asked, changing the topic.

"Until Ayesha and Sunny arrives," she told them. Kabir's face scrunched up disapprovingly. He thought she was staying for the entire thing. "I have work tomorrow and a plane to catch."

Work? Seriously?

Suddenly, a mischievous thought entered his mind.

"I see," Kabir said. "What time's the flight?"

"10pm," she replied, not realizing the danger that was lurking ahead.

"Are you sure?" Kabir continued. "Show me your ticket."

The couple stopped and Kabir waited for Raina to look for her ticket. After a bit of rummaging, she pulled out her ticket and showed it to Kabir. He took it from Raina as if to take a closer look. Suddenly, the air was filled with a loud ripping sound. Raina's mouth hung open in surprise. Kabir had tore her ticket in half.

"Kabir Varma!" Raina shouted at him. She didn't care if the press were to storm in at that moment. Kabir Varma had just tore her ticket! He tore her only means to get home! Kabir laughed.

"Gussa ho?" (Are you angry?) Kabir asked, playfully.

Raina pushed Kabir aside and stormed up the rest of the stairs. She pushed the nearest door open and it flung open.

"Raina!" Kabir called out chasing after her but she continued to ignore him. Raina had to find a way to reprint the ticket. "Raina! Wait!"

Kabir finally caught up with her and grabbed her wrist. She turned around and flung her bag at him. He let go of her wrist just in time to catch her bag.

"Haha I got your bag," Kabir taunted as he waved her bag around.

Raina stomped her right foot and let out a short cry in frustration. Kabir then walked up to her and returned her bag.

"Gussa ho?" (Are you angry?) Kabir asked again, this time louder.

"Kamaal hai," (Amazing) she said sarcastically. "Upon your sister's request, main aapni saare kam chod diya (I ditched all my work), bought last minute plane tickets just to come to Goa to watch you, only to have you tear up my return ticket, my only way home, aur tum puchti ho ki gussa ho?! (And you ask me if I'm angry?!)"

"You could always take a bus or a train home," Kabir joked.

She grabbed her bag from Kabir and started hitting him with it.

"Kya kar rahe ho?!" (What are you doing?!) Kabir shouted. "Ow! Patient abuse! Help!"

Raina stopped and recomposed herself. Violence wouldn't solve anything. Her only chance was to get to the hotel concierge and ask for help.

"Mazak bhi had hoti hai!" (There's a limit even for jokes!) Raina scolded him and walked away.

Kabir ran and knelt down in front of Raina, cutting her off. She sighs. What now?! Kabir crossed his hands and pulled his ears. He then gave Raina the most apologetic look he could ever muster.

"Sorry," he told her. "Gaalti hui. Mujhe maaf kar do, I promise, aise galti kabhi dubara nahi hogi" (I made a mistake. Forgive me, I promise, I won't make such a mistake ever again. )

"Kabir..."

"Agar aap mujhe maaf nahi karte (If you don't forgive me)," he said, cutting her short. "Toh main aise rahonga, statue ki tarah. (I'll stay like this, like a statue.) Please? I'm really sorry."

"This is not a time for jokes, Kabir," she scolded him. " I need to get my tickets reprinted. Get up."

"Not until you forgive me," he replied.

Raina wanted to murder Kabir Varma.

"Ok," she relented. "Forgiven. Now, get up."

"Does that mean you'll stay?" Kabir asked.

Stay calm, Raina. Breath...

"I can't," she explained. "I told you, I have to work tomorrow, not to mention I have a very important meeting the day after..."

"Aur main?" (And me?) Kabir interjected. "Am I not important? You said you're my friend."

Raina lets out a huff of breath. Kabir Varma is going to be the death of her.

"I know what I said but the world doesn't revolve around you, Kabir," she said to his face. Ouch. That hurts. "I can't just abandon my life to watch you. I have my own life, my own responsibilities, my job, my family... Besides, what am I supposed to wear? It's not like I packed for the entire wedding. And where am I supposed to stay?"

Kabir stood up, dejected. He hadn't thought about that. However, it didn't take long before a mischievous look returned to his face.

Oh no! Kabir! Don't you dare!

"Give me your phone," he told her.

"No," she said. Raina had to put a stop to it. "Whatever you're about to do, stop it right now."

"Ok," he said. Ignoring Raina, he pulled out his own phone and dialled a number.

When Raina saw the caller ID, she ran over to him and tried to snatch the phone away from him. What the hell was he thinking? Her heels made it a struggle to move but it gave her a bit of added height. Even if Kabir were to raise the phone above his head, she would be able to grab hold of it.

Suddenly,  they heard a soft click indicating that the call has been connected.

"Malhotra Psychology & Psychiatric Clinic, how may I assist you?"

"Hello, can I speak with Dr. Malhotra?" Kabir semi-shouted at his phone as Raina tried to pry it out of his hand. "Now? It's an emergency!"

"Don't listen to him," Raina shouted at the phone but she was too late. The line had already been transferred.

"Hello, Dr. Malhotra here."

"Dr. Malhotra? It's Kabir Varma," he said, introducing himself.

"Yes, Mr. Varma. What can I do for you?"

"Dr. Malhotra, don't listen to a word he says," Raina shouted before Kabir could get another word across.

"Raina?"

Dr. Malhotra was confused. Wasn't Kabir supposed to be in Goa? What was Raina doing there?

"Dr. Malhotra, my sister sent Dr. Raina to help me," he explained. This is where the fun begins. "I understand that Dr. Raina is here unofficially and she's supposed to report to work tomorrow. However, her flight ticket has been stolen and... Ouch!"

Raina had used her heels to her advantage and dug her right foot into Kabir's shoe. Seeing that his shoes were made of leather, it wouldn't hurt him too much. However, the impact did leave a dent mark on his shoes. Raina quickly pulled the phone out of Kabir's grip and told herself that she'd apologize for it later.

Phone-less, Kabir bent down to inspect his foot and shoe. What's with women and stepping on his feet?

"Hello, Dr. Malhotra?" Raina said into the phone. "Raina here. Don't worry about the ticket, I'll find a way to get it reprinted."

"Actually, you don't have to worry about that. Just take the whole week off and enjoy the wedding, I'll handle the clinic by myself. Kabir needs you there more than I do."

"But..." Raina said before Dr. Malhotra cut her off.

"Raina, I'm making this your first official offsite assignment."

Dr. Malhotra knew how stubborn and what a workaholic Raina could be. Since she had started working for him, he has never seen her take a day off.

"Theek hai, (Fine)" she replied reluctantly.

"Take care of yourself and Kabir. I'll see you in a week's time, bye."

"Bye," she said and returned the phone to Kabir.

"Dr. Malhotra ne kya kaha? (What did Dr. Malhotra say?)" Kabir asked as he kept his phone.

"Kuch nahi (Nothing)," she told him. "But you got your wish, I'm staying."

Kabir did a little fist pump in the air.

"Chalo (Let's go)," she continued. "We need to get a find a hotel and get some clothes."

"We?" Kabir asked. Since when did things become 'we'?

"I thought uss din tune kaha tha ki  you'll do whatever I say, (I thought you told me that you'll do whatever I say)" Raina reminded him. "Woh bhi (That too), no demands, no complaints?"

Shit. Phaas gaya! (Trapped!)

"Then at least let me change first," he said. "WE are going to get mobbed if somebody recognizes me."

"Fine," she said. "But we'll leave straight after."

***

A/N: I had the most fun writing and editing this chapter. I have never laughed so much while writing before... Special mention to ira131 for the "Gussa ho?" reference. It made this chapter a lot more fun to write :) (I hope it lived up to your expectations...)

What do you think of this chapter? Good? Meh? A little bit too much? Never write again? Let me know in the comments XD Hoped you had as much fun reading as I did writing... Till next time...