A/N: So... Kajol visited my city just a few days ago to promote VIP2 and I didn't know it... What's worse was the radio station she did the interview with was like just nearby my house (like a 15 minutes walk)... #sad #sodonewithlife

But thank goodness for YouTube and podcasts, I was able to catch some of the interview so... It wasn't that bad... I guess...

Also, you'll realize in the recent and upcoming chapters, I'll have a lot of #ootd for characters. Reason being it's a shaadi!!! And one thing I've learnt from attending weddings are the food (especially the food) and the clothes are the most important things. Seems shallow? Unfortunately so... But doing my characters' ootds also helps me to write (as what can they do and what they can't do while wearing it, what are the advantages and disadvantages... An example would be Raina and the stairs scene) and it's also a way for you to imagine them like how I envisioned the characters to be... For this chapter, Kabir's disguise is a cross over between the two looks in the media section... Isn't it cute??? XD

Ok, enough rant, back to the story...

***

Kabir and Raina had spent more time than they should had choosing an outfit for Kabir. In the end, Kabir was dressed in black tuxedo with a white shirt. He wore a turban and a pair of thick framed glasses. Raina then slid a bowtie around his collar.

"How do I look?" Kabir asked, grinning from ear to ear.

"It would have been more convincing if you had more facial hair," Raina mocked.

Kabir's smile instantly falters. They spent a good half an hour on this. He then walked over to look at his reflection in the mirror. It didn't look that bad...

"Nevermind about that," she said, hurriedly and headed towards the door. "Let's not waste anymore time, I need to get clothes and find accomodation."

Kabir bit his lips. Should he tell her about the accommodation? She would never agree. But then again, she might consider it if it made sense? But how to convince her?

Kabir cleared his throat, catching Raina's attention.

"About your accommodation," he told her. "Please understand that I say this with the utmost respect and concern for your safety... You're staying with me."

"What?!" Raina half shouted. There was only so much of Kabir Varma that she could tolerate. "I can't stay with you!"

Kabir winced at the shrillness of her voice.

"Hello doctorji," he said. "I'm not going to do anything to you. You can have the bed and I'll take the couch."

"But kyun? (But why?)" Raina asked.

"Kyun ki (Because)," he replied. "The bed is a lot more comfortable. But if you want the couch, I've got no problems with that as well."

"That's not what I meant," she said. Is Kabir that densed? "What I meant to ask was why do I have to stay with you?"

"Oh," Kabir answered. That made more sense. "Because one, the last I checked, the whole hotel is currently fully booked for the wedding. Two, with the sheer amount of famous people, fans and media-walon in town, you'll never get a decent room within this vicinity. Three, there are deranged fans and media-walon out there 24/7. Unless you want weird things to happen to you, which I'd rather not, the safest place would be to stay here. But like I said, this place is fully booked so, I'm your only hope. Four, this is a junior suite, I'm pretty sure there's more than enough space for both of us. And finally, there's complimentary alcohol in the fridge and free flow at the bar. Who knows...? Kya karoon haye... Kuch kuch hota hai... (What to do... Something's happening...)"

"Are you threatening me?" Raina asked, in disbelief. However, they were all valid points. Maybe, except the last one.

"I'm just stating the facts," he told her. "I'll tell you what, why don't we go shopping and I'll show you what I mean. If you still think that you'd like to stay on your own, be my guest."

Fine," she replied, sulking. "Toh chaliye?" (So, let's go?)

They took a few steps before Kabir stopped abruptly at the door, causing Raina to bump into him. She frowned. However, Kabir took no notice of that and checked the corridors for 'unwanted people'. When he was satisfied with the emptiness of the corridor, he signalled for Raina to follow him. When they reached the hotel lobby, Raina finally understood what Kabir meant. There were so many people around.

"The engagement ceremony must have just ended," Kabir whispered to her. "Just stay close and ignore everyone."

Raina nodded and walked closely next to Kabir.

"And keep your head down," he continued. "There must be at least a hundred cameras in here."

Just as he said that, a camera flash went off nearby. Raina jumped slightly. Shut the front door! She immediately dropped her head.

Fortunately for them, no one had recognized Kabir and the both of them had managed to sneak through the lobby without any incidents.

"Now what?" Raina asked as the both of them stood by the entrance of the lobby. Kabir smiled at her.

"Sweetheart," Kabir said in an accent that matched hers. Confusion etched across her face. Sweetheart? What the hell is wrong with Kabir? And what's with the accent? "Are you sure your relatives don't mind us missing out on tonight's events?"

Kabir gave Raina a look. Play along!

"O... of course not," she replied. "I... I'm sure they have other guests to entertain. After all, it's such a grand wedding."

"Well in that case," Kabir said as turned his attention to the valet. "Could you get us a taxi please?"

The valet starred at them, perplexed. Kabir panicked. Were they not convincing enough? Kabir snakes an arm around Raina's waist and she immedietly tensed up.What's got Kabir so touchy feely today?

"Where do you want to go sir?" The valet finally spoke up.

"To the nearest mall please," Kabir spoke, still maintaining his accent and his arm. At least, until Raina smacked it away.

"Ok sir," the valet replied as he called for a taxi.

That was a close one.

After a few minutes, the taxi arrive. Raina thought it looked more like a limo than a taxi. As they got in, they heard the valet tell the driver to bring them to the nearest mall. Something upscaled. An idea crossed his mind.

"Actually," Kabir told the driver as they pulled away from the hotel. Raina was impressed by his ability to keep up the accent. It sounded a bit forced but it was good. "Forget the mall. Bring us to Seema's."

"Yes sir," the driver replied.

"Who's Seema?" Raina asked out of curiosity.

"It's not a who," Kabir said with a smirk. "It's a what. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Just wait and watch."

Raina nodded and looked out the window. Coconut trees, the beach, the sunset... It all looked so beautiful. Raina might even consider thanking Kabir for the trip if everything else went smoothly.

Kabir, on the other hand, was tensed out of his wits. He kept looking behind, paranoid of someone following them. He had even asked the driver to detour from the route or to slow down when a car was trailing behind them for too long.

Raina had noticed his agitation. She wanted so badly to talk to him, to calm him down, but, she knew she couldn't do it without risking exposing Kabir. Instead, she settled with a kind smile. Kabir smiled back but he continued to be on the edge the entire car ride.

***

A/N: It's a very short chapter, I know... I kinda lost a bit of momentum writing this chapter... I promise I'll make it up in the next chapter... More word counts and more masti!!!

Also, I don't know how you do it but a week ago, this appeared on my wall...

And that's after I had just finished writing the part about staying together... I mean seriously, I should give you an award for reading my mind... And because I was saving the surprise for this week, I could only give a smiley face... No offense!!!😅