A/N: So, Thor is out and I can't wait to watch it!!! Tickets for this weekend was sold out so, I'll have to wait till next week... Fingers crossed!!! With so many awesome movies releasing at the end of the year, I think I'm going to be broke till next year 😭😭😭

There's music in this chapter and I decided to put it in with the text to make it easier to know when to play. Let me know if this is a better option or do you prefer it being in the media section.

***

The word 'surprised' would be an understatement for Tara. She hasn't expected the last performance at all. And Vishal, how did he find time to practise? He was constantly surrounded by people and then there were the ceremonies...

The Sangeet had ended an hour ago and all the guests had left. Tara retreated into her room where she had changed into a simple t-shirt and shorts. She pulled out her phone with intentions to check her messages but when she saw the time, Tara realized that she only had approximately 17 hours before she became Mrs. Vishal Banerjee. Slightly unnerved by this, she decided to go on a walk to clear her head.

It was late at night and there were almost nobody left downstairs except the hotel staff. Upon reaching the pool, Tara was surprised to find a familiar lone figure sitting on one of the beach chairs.

Kabir.

She waved at him to catch his attention. Kabir immediately waved back and then beckoned her over.

"So," Tara said as she sat down next to him. "What are you doing here alone?"

"Shouldn't I be asking you that question?" Kabir asked in return. "Don't you have some ceremony to attend or have people to meet?"

He then looked at his watch.

"Or catch up on your beauty sleep?" Kabir added.

"The Haldi isn't until tomorrow morning," she answered. "And I've probably met everyone, which means, I'm free for the night."

"Is that a good thing?" Kabir asked.

"Of course," she replied. "It's a very good thing. You know what? Just wait till it's your turn to get married. You'll be praying for people to leave you alone."

Kabir smiled at her.

"And you?" Tara asked.

"Can't sleep," Kabir replied. " And I had a feeling that I'll find you here. Or in this case, you found me. You know, I never got a chance to properly apologize for my attitude... And for everything."

"Then what do you call the debacle earlier?" Tara retorted. "That was like something pulled out of a Yash Raj movie. Or a sappy Karan Johar."

They laughed.

"It was," Kabir remarked. "Wasn't it?"

"I forgave you a long time ago," she told him. "You just had to forgive yourself."

Kabir rubbed his neck nervously.

"Yeah," Kabir murmured. "I'm getting there. And I forgive you too. That night when we talked, I had just came from running into Arjun. I wasn't in a good place and I'm sorry I took it all on you. I also want to say that I still love you, Tara, and I want you to be happy. Even if it means we aren't together."

Tara smiled and enveloped Kabir in a hug. He hugged her back. They stayed there for a while, relishing each other's company. A single tear slid down Tara's face.

Kabir then broke the hug apart and Tara wiped the tear away.

"I have something," he said as he stuck his hand into his pockets. He then pulled out a bottle. "A little something to celebrate."

"Is that...?" Tara asked in disbelief. "Alcohol?"

"Yup," Kabir replied, popping the 'p'. Kabir struggled a little before popping the cap off. "Beer to be exact. I snuck it out of the Sangeet party."

Tara lets out a scoff. She was utterly stunned by Kabir's actions.

"You know you shouldn't be drinking right?" Tara reprimanded.

"It's just a sip," Kabir reasoned. "It's nothing. Besides, Raina won't even know."

"Oh really?" Tara eyed Kabir slyly. "And talking about Raina, how did you get her to dance?"

"It was a dare," Kabir answered. "Now don't try to chance the topic. Beer?"

"Ok," Tara agreed. "I guess one sip wouldn't kill. But let me go first, I need to head back. It's late and like you said, I need my beauty sleep. I don't want to be Bridezilla tomorrow."

"Ok," Kabir said and handed her the bottle. "Just so you know, it's impossible for you to look like Bridezilla."

She raised the bottle as a toast and as an acknowledgement to his last statement. After taking a big gulp, she returned the bottle to him.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Tara said as she gave Kabir a quick hug.

Kabir stood there and watched Tara leave. As soon as Tara was out of sight, he raised the bottle, mirroring Tara's earlier actions. He couldn't help but smile at his 'good fortune'. Tara had forgiven him and he gets to drink without Raina ever finding out. Kabir put the bottle to his mouth for a drink but before even a drop of golden liquid could reach his lips, he heard a very familiar voice.

"Mr. Kabir Varma!"

He quickly hid the bottle behind his back and stood up. Kabir knew he was in serious trouble. Raina hasn't addressed him in that manner in a very long time.

"R...R...Raina," he stammered. "A...Aap (Y...You)? Yahan (Here)? What a pleasant surprise! How long have you been here?"

"Since you told Tara that you snuck the bottle out from the party," she revealed.

His face redden in embarrassment.

"So you heard the whole thing, huh?" Kabir asked.

"Yup," Raina replied. "Every single word. And I must say, Tara set you up pretty well."

Kabir laughed at the realization. Of course, Tara always has to have the last say in every single argument.

"I'm sorry?" Kabir apologized, unsure of what to do.

Raina laughed.

"You're a nice guy, Kabir," she told him. "You're just a bit messed up in the head."

He smiled.

"You're not mad at me?" Kabir asked.

"No," she answered. "I might be disappointed if you actually went through with drinking it. But I'm definitely not mad. You know, I heard that sodas aren't too bad a choice for celebrations too?"

"Then, I guess I won't be needing this tonight," he said as he lifted the bottle into view.

"I guess not," Raina answered. "Unless you want another round of spin the bottle or another round of therapy?"

Kabir shruddered at the memory. As fun as it was, he didn't want to deal with a drunk Raina, especially when the wedding is tomorrow. He was certain Tara wouldn't be pleased to find several hung over people. As for therapy, he didn't mind it anymore but he would rather not have another round of it. Raina's sessions were tolerable but the medicine was terrible, not to mention the withdrawal side effects. Kabir immediately put the bottle down on the beach chair he previously sat on.

Suddenly, Kabir heard music playing from a distance.

"Hey," he pointed out. "They're playing my song."

Raina listened carefully and heard it too. It was faint but she could make out the tune. She remember hearing this song being played on the radio a few weeks ago. At that time, she didn't know this song belonged to Kabir.

"Wanna dance?" Kabir asked.

"Haven't you made me dance enough?" Raina asked, unamused.

"That was for a performance," he said. "This is a personal request."

He held out his hand.

"So?" Kabir continued. "What do you say?"

Raina hesitantly put her hand in his. Immediately, Kabir pulled her into a ballroom stance. She lets out a gasp in surprise.

"Don't step on my feet or hit my head this time," Kabir warned.

"I won't," Raina answered.

They started a bit choppy as Kabir kept count and constantly told Raina in which direction they were headed next. However, very soon, they fell into a comfortable slow waltz beside the pool.

"You know," Raina remarked. "This seems... Romantic. Are you trying to hit on me?"

Kabir laughed at Raina's quirky observations.

"No," he answered. "Unless you want me to?"

"No!" Raina exclaimed. "That would be highly unprofessional."

Kabir nodded in agreement.

A soft sea breeze blew as the pair swayed along to the muffled music. After a while, the silence between them became unbearable. Raina felt awkward, they were always talking or pulling each other's legs. This was too quiet for her liking. So, she decided to break the silence.

"I used to dance with my dad when I was little," Raina reminiscences. "He used to spin me around the living room. It wasn't until I was about 12 that I found out my dad used to be this dancing sensation back in his hometown."

"What do you know?" Kabir grinned. "Our very own Dr. Raina is actually a star kid."

"Shut up," she said, playfully slapping him on his arm. "I didn't tell you that so you can make fun of me."

"I'm not," Kabir stated. "I'm just... Amused... I mean, amazed."

"Kabir," Raina warned.

"Fine," Kabir said. "I'm sorry."

He then absentmindedly started humming the tune of the song, which Raina thought sounded nice. He then begun to sing softly.

Waise To Maan Mera
Phele Bhi Raaton Mein
Aksar Hi Chahat Ke Haan
Sapne Sanjota Tha

Phele Bhi Dhadkan Yeh
Dhun Koi Gaati Thi
Par Abb Jo Hota Hai Woh
Phele Na Hota Tha

Raina now knew why Kabir became such a big teen sensation. He had such a wonderful voice.

"Raina," Kabir said, snapping her out of her daze. "When we're done with all these therapy sessions, can we still be friends?"

"I don't know how that'll work out," Raina admitted. "But sure."

"Cool," he replied.

"However," Raina added on. "I also want the perks that comes with it. Front row seats, backstage passes, exclusive insights..."

"Stop right there," Kabir said, cutting her off. "Now I'm beginning to wonder if I had made the right choice of asking you to be my friend."

Raina laughed.

"That's the least you can do if you're signing up for a lifetime subscription of Dr. Raina's 24/7 consultation," Raina joked.

"Touché," Kabir answered. "Can you believe it? It's been a month since we met."

Raina nodded.

"Time flies," she added.

"Yeah," he said. "And we're going to be flying back to our absolutely boring life the day after."

"You mean, YOUR absolutely boring life," she corrected.

"Yeah, yeah," he reluctantly agreed. "Whatever, Doctorji."

"Why do you keep calling me that?" Raina asked.

"What?" Kabir asked, perplexed. "Doctorji?"

"Yes," she pinpointed. "That."

"You're my doctor," he answered. "What else am I supposed to call you?"

"No," she said. "Not like that. It's like you use it to make fun of me... Or use it like a nickname."

"I don't like nicknames," he replied with scrunched up face. "Except for Ayesha, she'll always be my little Ayeshu. And as for Di, she's been Di ever since I can remember. Now that I think of it, her nickname makes sense. She has always had some elder sister complex going on or something."

Raina laughed at Kabir's last statement.

"Pagal," she said between chuckles.

"That's why I hired you na?" Kabir joked. "To make me un-pagal."

Raina laughed even more. Their dance came to a halt as Kabir couldn't help and laugh along. Raina's laugh was infectious.

"You're funny," she said, after the laughter had died down.

"I know right?" Kabir stated more than asked. "And I'm rich. I'm practically the perfect guy."

Raina giggled.

"Maybe," she replied. "If you lose that ego of yours."

Kabir scoffed.

"Right," he said. "It's getting late and we've got a long day tomorrow."

"Yeah," she replied.

Kabir, being the 'gentleman', escorted Raina back to her room.

"Thank you," he told Raina when they got to her room door. "I would never have had the courage to do all these if it wasn't for you. Who knows? Instead of reconciling with Vishal and Tara, I might probably be drinking myself to my grave right now."

"You should thank Sunny and Mr. Oberoi for that," she replied. "They did this for you."

"I know," he answered. "But I'd like to thank you too. I know that I'm definitely not the easiest patient to care for and I'd like to thank you for not giving up on me."

"In that case," she said. "You're welcome."

"I'm going to head back now," he told her. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," she replied.

Kabir waited until she entered the room before leaving.

"What was that about?" Di asked Raina suspiciously.

"What?" Raina asked in return.

"That," Di indicated at the door. "Woh (Those) goodnight, goodnight."

"We were just saying goodnight to each other," Raina replied. "Di, there's nothing going on between us. If there is, you'll be the first to know."

"Fine," Di said, unconvinced. "But if there's anything else, I better be the first to know."

"I promise," Raina laughed. "I'm going to wash up and head to bed. Don't stay up too late, ok? It's going to be a lomg day tomorrow."

"Yes boss," she replied.

***

A/N: So, what you think of this chapter??? Yay or nay (or Dostana's nahiiiiiiiiiiiiii 😂😂😂)??? Let me know. We've reached the last (and the most important) day of the wedding ceremonies. Yet, there's still so many unresolved Kabir issues... His relationship with his brother, his father, the VKAS reunion concert, his relationship with his 'Doctorji'... *Fingers crossed*

Important news: I'm going to write for NaNoWriMo this year (And not fail horribly like my last year's attempt)!!! I'm not going to submit this book but instead, start a new book and finally, I chose my story!!! Remember I mentioned in one for my earlier chapter that I have this grand love story planned for Ayesha and Sunny? Well, I'm going write that as a separate book and use it for my NaNoWriMo entry...

As we all know, NaNoWriMo is a huge commitment (50k words in 30 days). So, I sadly have to say that Love Therapy will have to take a back seat. I'm still going to update this book but updates will be A LOT slower throughout November... I hope you can understand and continue your support. 🙏 Thank you 😘