A/N: I'm back!!! I'm glad to announce that after a whole month of NaNoWriMo, the prequel to this story, In Love With My Brother's Best Friend is officially finished, making it my first completed story on Wattpad!!! Woohoo!!! If you still haven't checked it out and you want to, here's the link:

https://my.w.tt/UiNb/p3XD6PnS6H

If you want to know how my NaNoWriMo experience is, let me sum it up in 5 words. Sleep deprived, hectic but satisfying. Am I going to do another one next year? Well, only time will tell... For now, here's the next chapter...

P.s., ootd in the story part, you'd understand why once you get to those parts.

***

After the pool debacle, Kabir had left to change. When he returned, he was dressed in a white t-shirt, jeans and a baseball cap.

"You're wearing this for the rest of the ceremony?" Seema questioned him.

"Haan (Yes)," Kabir replied. "I don't have anymore clothes to wear. I even wore all my spares to the other functions. You see, I actually didn't want to attend them but everyone forced me to. I don't even have a suit for tonight. Wait... Correction, I only have a Western suit for tonight."

"Haye Rabba (Oh God)," she said to herself. "What am I going to do with this child?"

Kabir let out a snicker. He has a feeling earlier when he was putting on his clothes that his fashion designer mother would have a mini heart attack when he appeared in front of her. And he was right.

"Chalo mere saath (Come with me)," she told him.

"Kahan (Where)?" Kabir inquired.

"The boutique," she replied. "We're getting you a traditional suit for tonight."

"What about the ceremony?" Kabir asked. "We can't just leave half way through, right?"

"Look around you," she told him. "It's almost over. And I'm sure your doctor wouldn't mind me stealing you for a few moments."

Kabir made a face.

"She doesn't own me," he pointed out.

"No," she responded. "But she's supposed to be looking out for you, right?"

"I guess," he replied.

"So?" his mother asked. "Can we go now?"

Kabir looked around at his surroundings. Well, the ceremony did look like it would be ending soon. Suddenly, he had a thought.

"Just give me one second," he told her before speeding off to Sunny.

Seema watched him tell Sunny something before the both of them went their separate ways. He then jogged up to her.

"I invited Rania to join us," he explained.

Seema almost wanted to laugh. You don't belong to her. Yeah, right!

"Since all the media are here," Kabir continued. "No one will bother with us. So, I thought I might as well take this chance to show her around Goa. I kind of promised her."

Seema nodded. Oh Kabir!

"Shall we?" Kabir said as he ushered his mother away. "Raina will meet us by the car."

"Does she knows which one?" Seema asked.

"Yeah," he answered. "Just don't ask how. You really don't want to know."

"Now that you've said that," she told him. "I really want to know."

"Trust me," he retorted. "You don't. Ah-ha! Driver kaka (uncle)."

Kabir changed the topic, trying to avoid getting into trouble but Seema knew his tactics.

"Raju," Seema asked the driver. "Uss din Kabir ne kya kiya (What did Kabir do that day)?"

Kabir smiled. He hasn't seen this side of his mother in a long time. He kind of missed it. However, when he realized what was going to happen, Kabir signed to the driver to keep it a secret.

"Kis din (Which day), madam?" Raju replied, unsure of whom to listen to.

Seema looked at Kabir, expecting an answer.

"Woh ice cream wala din (That day with the ice cream)," he answered.

"Haan (Yes)," Raju played along. "Uss din, Kabir sir (That day, Kabir sir)..."

"Hi," Raina interrupted before the driver could spill any secrets. Kabir was never more happy to see Raina in his life. "Did I interrupt something?"

"No," Kabir lied. "We were just waiting for you. Let's not waste anymore time. Chalo (Let's go)."

Seema decided to drop the subject for now. After all, she would eventually find out when one of her kids accidentally let it slip.

The three of them then got into the car and left the hotel as well as the media circus. Like what Kabir said, the media people were too preoccupied with the wedding to take note of who was going in and out of the hotel.

"Raina," Seema spoke up, breaking the silence. "I don't want to sound intrusive but do you have a boyfriend?"

"Boyfriend?" Raina asked, her eyes widen in shock.

"Mom," Kabir chided. "Why are you asking her these type of questions?"

"It's alright Kabir," Raina said. "I just wasn't expecting that. No aunty, I don't have a boyfriend. I want to focus on my job right now before I decide to get settled. I don't think it's fair to depend entirely on my partner for everything."

"I see," Seema replied. "That's a good thought."

"Then you should pay me back for this trip," Kabir said, jokingly.

"But you were the one who insisted I should stay," Raina retorted. "I kept insisting on going back that day, remember? Anyway, there's no need to cry over spilt milk."

"Speaking about going back," Seema cut in. "How are you going back?"

"Kabir has volunteered his services to buy me a plane ticket," Raina answered. "After that, I think I'll take a taxi or an auto home."

"And you're letting her do that?" Seema asked Kabir, horrified.

"What else do you want me to do?" Kabir responded. "I can't drop her home, the media-walon will be chasing after me."

Seema then smacked Kabir on his head.

"Ow," Kabir cried out in pain. "Mom."

"Kya issi din ke liye tumhein pal pos kar bada kiya tha (Did I raise you so that I could see such a day)?" Seema scolded. "How would you like it if someone treated your sister like that?"

"I'll be fine, aunty," Raina interrupted. "I'll manage on my own. Kabir's right, he will already have enough trouble with the media. I don't want to add to his problem."

"The media will be the least of his problem if he doesn't escort you home," Seema told Raina. However, it seemed more like a warning to Kabir. "Because I'm sure Ayesha wouldn't let you off the hook as well."

Kabir shrugged. However, a ghost of a smile was playing at the edge of his lips. He had missed interacting with his mother so much. Kabir wondered why it took him 3 years before he reconnected with his mother. Oh yeah... He was drunk.

"We're here," Seema said as the car came to a stop.

They got down from the car and went into the boutique. Raina couldn't help but still be in awe of the shop.

"Raina," Seema called out. "Can you please help Kabir out with his outfit? I don't trust him to pick out his clothes. I'll be there in awhile, I just need to check on something."

"Sure," Raina agreed and made her way over to where Kabir was.

Raina watched as Kabir pulled something off the rack. He already had a suit tucked under his arm.

"Are you going to grab the first thing you see?" Raina asked.

"Yup," he replied. "The faster I get over this, the faster we get to go sight seeing."

Raina stood next to Kabir and examined the pieces he was holding.

"My mom sent you," Kabir guessed. "Didn't she?"

"Yup," she replied. "To be honest, I'm not that great with fashion as well."

Kabir laughed.

"At least you're better than I am," he told her. "I don't even know how this colour scheme thing works."

"You're not that bad," she gestured to his pile of clothes."

"That's because I'm choosing everything in black," he pointed out. "It's usually a disaster if I choose another colour."

Raina laughed.

"You don't believe me?" Kabir asked. "Here, let me show you."

Kabir looked through the rack and randomly pulled out a bright blue sherwani.

"What do you think?" Kabir asked.

She just shrugged.

"You'll have to try it on for me to find out," she replied.

Kabir instantly dragged Raina to where the changing rooms were and changed into the Sherwani.

"What do you think?" Kabir asked.

"It's alright," she replied. "It looks good if you wear it in the day."

"We're choosing something for tonight," he informed her.

"Oh," she said. "Then I suggest we try something else."

"Told you," Kabir replied. "Disaster."

Raina sighed.

"Didn't I say it looked good?" Raina reminded Kabir just as he shut the door behind him. Raina heard some ruffling noises coming from inside before Kabir re-appeared.

"Ok?" He asked.

"Too plain," she commented. "Try something with a bit of colour."

He disappeared into the changing room again. This time, instead of waiting for him, Raina roamed around, helping Kabir to pick out something.

When Kabir opened the door, he noticed that Raina wasn't around and panicked.

"Raina!" Kabir called out. No answer. "Raina!"

He then spots Raina walking towards him.

"Kaha thi aap (Where were you)?" Kabir asked.

"Here," she said passing him a suit. "Try this on."

"Before that, what do you think?" Kabir asked as he took a step back from Raina. Raina took a look at his clothes.

That looked very familiar...

"Don't you already have something like this?" Raina asked in response.

"I see you've been keeping tabs on my outfits," Kabir teased.

"I... I..." Raina stammered.

"Don't worry," Kabir joked. "I won't tell anyone you have a crush on me."

He added a wink before heading back in.

"It's nothing like that!" Raina shouted from the other side of the door. "Don't put words in my mouth, Kabir Varma!"

Kabir snickered as he went back in the changing room to try on the suit Raina brought.

"What in the world is going on?" Seema asked as she approached Raina.

"Nothing mom," Kabir replied from inside the changing room. "I was just teasing Raina."

"Stop teasing Raina so much," Seema reprimanded. "Bechari (Poor girl)."

Kabir couldn't help but laugh. Raina? Bechari? If only his mother knew how much trouble she puts him though. All in the name of rehabilitation. Kabir stepped out of the changing room and Seema stared at Kabir.

Seema guessed this must be Raina's doing as Kabir usually wouldn't choose such clothings. He was wearing a light blue Kurta under a dark grey vest.

"It suits you," Seema commented. "But you're not going to like what I say next. Your dad will be wearing something like that tonight."

Kabir's smile faltered.

"Stop calling him that," he huffed. "He's not my dad."

"Beta (Son)," Seema prompted. "Being a father isn't just about genetics or a name on a birth certificate. A father is someone who cares about their child and who looks after for them. Ravi does a pretty good job with that, can't you cut him some slack?"

"He asked for it, mom," Kabir responded. "One day, he just decided that I just wasn't good enough anymore and kicked me out of the house. Is that how a father should act?"

Kabir went back into the changing room and slammed the door shut. Raina and Seema winced at the impact.

"Is he always like this when he talks?" Seema asked Raina.

Raina nodded in response.

"He's basically a grumpy, moody old man," Raina replied in an attempt to lighten the mood. Suddenly, she thought of something. Raina then started softly singing to Seema. "Main Kya Karun Ram Mujhe Buddah Mil Gaya."

Seema couldn't help and let out a chuckle.

Suddenly, the changing room door swung open with a bang, making the two women jump back in surprise.

"I heard that," Kabir said. "I thought you don't watch Bollywood movies?"

"I never said that," Raina answered. "What gave you that impression?"

Kabir just shrugged.

Suddenly, Seema gasped and begun pushing Kabir back into the changing room.

"Kya hua (What happened)?" Kabir asked.

"I know other girls would love to see this but can you please put on some clothes?!" Seema exclaimed as she handed him a red suit.

Raina took a closer inspection and realized that other than the Kurta that's hanging around his neck like a scarf, the rest of his upper body was exposed.

Raina also realized that despite the damage from the alcohol, his body had started regaining muscles. She then remembered that Kabir told her that he had been working out and she had never been so thankful. Wait...

Raina shook the thought off. What the heck was she thinking about? Kabir's her patient! By the time she had snapped out of her thoughts, Kabir had already disappeared back into the changing room.

"How long have you been in this business," Raina asked Seema. She had to get Kabir's work of art out of her brain.

"Not too long after Kabir's biological father passed away," she answered. "It was just an idea I was toying around with at that time. I never expected it to ever be this successful."

"Please mom," Kabir said as he got out of the changing room. "You're so talented that you could be more successful than Shreya di if you want."

"Don't exaggerate Kabir," she replied. "And why aren't you in your suit?"

"It's a surprise for tonight," he told his mother. "And now, we have to get Dr. Raina Jaitley here, out of that."

Kabir pointed to Raina's dress.

"You're right," Seema agreed. "Come on, Raina. Let's give you a reason to spend Kabir's money."

Kabir frowned at that statement but he didn't dare to say anything and neither did Raina. She just gave him an apologetic look.

***

A/N: I'm so disoriented when I write Kabir now... I practically had to re-read all my previous chapters to get back into this story (and I cringed sooo badly...) 😂😂😂

One more last Goa outing with our favorite couple... And then it's Vishal and Tara's shaadi!!! Then it's back to reality...