A/N: Hello, how's everyone doing? Sorry for disappearing for such a long time... Christmas usually gets a bit crazy around the house and now that it's over, I finally had enough time to sit down and write (and aptly publish on the last day of the year 😂😂😂)...

#ootd in the media and music in the story part...

***

Kabir has never felt so free in a such long time. He walked the streets freely, took pictures only when he wanted (or rather when Raina and his mom wanted), he didn't have to behave in a certain way or worry about people chasing him. It was pure bliss!

Sometimes, he wonders about his life if he wasn't a star. Would things be as complicated as it is now? However, despite of all the trouble he goes through, he wouldn't trade his life for anything.

Their last stop before heading back into "captivity", was a church. Raina had recognized the church the first time they went out as a few Bollywood movies had been filmed there. Kabir thought it would be a good place to 'end' the 'tour' as it was the closest tourist attraction to their hotel.

Raina waltz up the stairs, almost as if in a jovial sprint. Kabir followed after, slowly trotting behind. His mother had a phone call from Arjun to attend to, so, she stayed behind in the car.

To be honest, Kabir wasn't a deeply religious person. When he was a child, he would begrudgingly follow his mother to the temple only because she would buy him ice-cream after that. So, Kabir chose to stand by the stairs and watched as Raina roam around, wide eyed.

Kabir looked away to check on his mother only for a split second before finding Raina talking to a priest, who had magically appeared out of thin air. It was almost out of a scene of some Bollywood movie. Where the heck did he appear from?

After a few minutes, the priest left and Raina walked over to him.

"What were the both of you talking about?" Kabir asked.

"The priest was just telling me about the church," she replied. "It's beautiful isn't it?"

"Yeah," he muttered. "I saw you light a candle just now. What did you ask for?"

"It's a secret," she answered. "We better get going. If not, we're never going to get ready in time for the wedding ceremony."

"Why don't you head down first?" Kabir proposed. "I need to use the gent's."

Raina nodded and went down the stairs. When she was near the bottom of the stairs, he walked to the church but stayed by the entrance. His eyes were fixed on the candle Raina had lit earlier.

Whatever she asked for, please give it to her, he silently err... prayed? Kabir wasn't even sure what he was doing. All he knew was that whatever Raina asked for, she deserves to have it. She had after all, given him a second shot at life. This was the least he could do. She's a good person. A bit annoying but if you look past that, she's actually quite nice. Ok, I'm done. Err... Woh Christian log kya kehte the (What did the Christians say)? Hallelujah? Amen? Sorry, I don't know how to do this. To be honest, I don't even know half of the prayers my mom says. Ok, bye."

He quickly walked out of the church and returned to the car. He found his mother and Raina laughing about something.

"What's so funny?" Kabir asked.

"Nothing," his mother replied. "You should bring Raina over. She's really a fun person to talk to."

"And then we can trade embarrassing stories of Kabir," Raina joked.

"Or maybe I should send you home," Kabir remarked. "And who knows what interesting stories I might hear from your mom instead?"

Raina turned into a shade of a tomato. Her mother would love more than anything to do that.

"I'm going to take your silence as a yes," Kabir assumed.

"Don't you dare," she retorted.

"Is that a challenge?" Kabir playfully questioned.

"Kabir," Seema spoke up. "I hope you do realize that Raina is a doctor."

"Of course I do," Kabir replied. "She's my doctor."

"Good," Seema said. "Then, I also hope that you also realize that she can make your death seem accidental."

Raina immediately burst out laughing as Kabir scowlled. Seema's his mother, why was she supporting Raina?

"Mom," he whined. "I'm your son, why are you helping her?"

"Because she's helping you," Seema answered.

Kabir just turned away and sulked further in response. Raina, on the other hand, understood the gravity Seema's statement.

The three of them soon arrived at the hotel and parted ways.

***

Kabir has been avoiding this since he found out that Tara and Vishal were dating. Dressed up in his brand new suit, he walks up to Di and Raina's room and knocked.

He was grateful that Raina was the one that answered instead of Di. He didn't feel like explaining his presence to anyone.

"Kabir?" Raina uttered, surprised by his presence. "What are you doing here?"

"I know we agreed to stay away from each other but I might... kind of... need you," he told her. "For the ceremony... Later..."

"Any particular reason?" Raina asked.

Despite being dressed up like a supermodel (although Kabir kept reminding Di not to do so), when Raina was in her doctor mode, there is no mistaking her profession.

"Are we seriously having this conversation out here?" Kabir questioned.

"Sorry," she apologized. "Please come in. Di had to leave early so it's only just us."

The two of them made their way into the room and sat on the couch.

"Ok," she said. "Please continue."

"I err..." Kabir fumbled. "I'm afraid that I'll lose control like I did during the engagement party. This whole time, I had you by my side to help me through everything. This feels like the ultimate test for me, I really need your help."

"I'm pretty sure you'll be fine," she answered. "But I'll stay with you. "

"Thank you," he said.

"I'm going downstairs now," she told Kabir. "I'm supposed to meet Di at the lobby in 5 minutes. Apparently, she wants to find a good spot to stand so she can steal Vishal's shoes."

Kabir laughed.

"I can't believe she's still at it," he said. "What is she? 12?"

"Oh come on Kabir," she chuckled. "What happened to your sense of fun?"

"That's a first coming from you," he remarked.

Raina made a face.

"I can be fun," she muttered.

"If reading an entire encyclopedia is your idea of a fun," Kabir smirked. "Then, yeah, you're fun."

Raina rolled her eyes at his response.

"Now, if you're planning to sabotage us," Raina warned as she tugged him off the couch. "I'm letting you know in advance that it's not going to work."

They then made their way out of the room and to the lift.

"Who said I was trying to sabotage anything?" Kabir questioned. "On the contrary, if you ask nicely, I'll help. Aur waise (And by the way), I'm from the girl's side."

"Right," she said, unconvinced. "Lines are blurred when it comes to mutual friends. I'll only believe it when I see it."

Kabir just smiled at her as the lift doors opened. The two of them made their way down in silence.

When the lift door opened, they found Di directly in front of it. It was as if Di had been waiting for them.

"What took you so long?" Di asked. "Aur Kabir ki saath (And you're with Kabir)...?"

"Long story," she replied. "Shall we?"

Raina indicated for Di to lead the way.

"I'll see you girls later," Kabir said as he waved to them.

The two of them waved in response. Kabir watched until the two of them disappeared, blending into the crowd.

His eyes then scanned the crowd, with a look of determination in his eyes. When he finally finds the person he was looking for and Kabir walked over.

"Rahul sir," Kabir called out.

"Oh Kabir," he replied. "Hi."

"Hi," Kabir sheepishly responded. "Can I talk to you in private?"

"Sure," Rahul answered.

Kabir then ushered him to a quieter part of the hotel.

"So," Rahul continued. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I want you to listen to this," Kabir responded as he handed Rahul his phone and a pair of earphones. "It's my latest piece."

Rahul put it on and played it.

"The intro sounds good," Rahul praised. "Did you do this all by yourself?"

Kabir nodded.

O Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
O Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
O Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Ghar Aaja, Ghar Aaja, Ghar Aaja Aa

Kyun Desh-Videsh Phire Maara
Kyun Haal-Vihaal Thaka Haara
Kyun Desh-Videsh Phire Maara
Tu Raat-Biraat Ka Banjara
O Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Ghar Aaja, Ghar Aaja, Ghar Aaja Aa...
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Sau Dand Badan Pe Phaile Hain, Har Karam Ke Kapde Maile Hain

Kaate Chahe Jitna, Paro Se Hawaon Ko
Khud Se Naa Bach Paayega Tu
Todh Aasmano Ko, Fhook De Jahaano Ko
Khud Ko Chhupa Naa Payega Tu
Koi Bhi Le Rasta, Tu Hai Tu Le Hasta
Apne Hi Ghar Aayega Tu

O Nadaan
O Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Ghar Aaja, Ghar Aaja Ghar Aaja Aa...
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja

Kaga Re Kaga Mori Itni Araz Tose Chun Chun Khaiyo Maans
Kaga Re Kaga Mori Itni Araz Tose Chun Chun Khaiyo Maans
Re Jiya Re Khaiyon Na Tu Naina Mor
Khaiyon Na Tu Naina Mor
Piya Ke Milan Ki Aas
Khaiyon Na Tu Naina More, Khaiyon Na Tu Naina Mohe
Piya Ke Milan Ki Aas

O Nadaan
O Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Ghar Aaja, Ghar Aaja, Ghar Aaja Aa...

Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja
Nadaan Parindey Ghar Aaja

Rahul took off the earphones then passed them and the phone back to Kabir.

"Well," he remarked. "That was unexpected. Intensed."

"And it'll make a very good track on my come back album," Kabir smirked.

"You're always ahead of yourself, Kabir," Rahul pointed out. "But that's what made me sign you up in the first place. I'll see you in my office next week Monday, we'll discuss that album of yours then. For now, I want to enjoy the wedding."

Kabir smiled.

"Thank you, Rahul sir," he replied. "I won't let you down again!"

Rahul laughed and patted Kabir on his back. Rahul then ushered Kabir to the beach where the ceremony will be taking place.

He smiled at the sight that greeted him. This was exactly what Tara had always wanted. Unlike the first time he saw the setup, he didn't feel any grudges or any ill-feelings towards everything. Kabir was just... Happy. Maybe Raina was right, he'll be fine.

"So now that you aren't marrying my daughter, I'm invisible to you?"

Kabir turned around at the faniliar voice. It was Tara's mom.

"N...no aunty," he sputtered out. "It... it's not like that. I thought you guys hated me. I didn't know how to approach you."

"We did for a while," she replied. "But Tara explained everything."

"It still doesn't justify my behaviour, he told her. "I'm very sorry for all the trouble I caused. I should have acted more civilized."

"What's done is done," she said. "You can't change the past. However, if you ignore me one more time... Just you wait."

"I promise I won't," he laughed.

"I'm glad that you came," she told him. "It really means a lot to Tara."

"It means a lot to me too," he answered. "It didn't feel like that initially but now that I've had time to think about it, I'm glad I came."

She smiled.

"How true are these rumours about you and this doctor?" Tara's mom asked. "Rania...? Riana...?"

"Raina," he corrected. "Dr. Raina Jaitley."

"Ah," she remarked. "They're true then."

"What's true?" Kabir asked, confused. "What rumours?"

He prayed that it was nothing and that he didn't need to explain things to Raina and the whole world.

"I might have overheard Tara's conversation with Diana that you seemed to be smitten with this doctor?"

Kabir was going to murder the both of them. Just you two wait until after the wedding! What in the world were they thinking?!

"It's nothing like that aunty," he explained. "Dr. Raina's my therapist and my friend."

"She's that girl who danced in the Sangeet right?" Tara's mom asked.

He nodded.

"No wonder the girls were so excited about her," she realized. "She's very pretty."

Kabir didn't know how to respond to that. He just ran his hand through his hair, nervously.

"She's with Di if you want to meet her," he responded instead.

"It's alright," she responded. "There will be more opportunities in the future. Maybe if you ever decide to come over for a visit, you can bring her along."

Kabir laughed. His mother said the exact thing about Raina.

"We'll see," he answered.

"The baarat will be arriving soon," she said. "I hope to see you around more often, Kabir."

She then walked off, leaving Kabir alone again.

***

A/N: This part is kind of a filler part till I get to the serious part in the next chapter a.k.a., the shaadi... But good news, Kabir's got his job back and well, Tara's family doesn't hate him... Her mom, at least...

That's all from me this year... Thanks for all the support and I hope to see you all next year!!! Happy New Year!!!