A/N: A thousand apologies for disappearing again!!! I'm currently working on another book (still unpublished) and I kind of lost the motivation to write this one... Sorry 😅😅😅

***

Raina was surprised at Kabir's question. She guessed her nani (maternal grandmother) must have told him but she didn't want him to find out that way.

"I am," she replied. "But not so soon."

Raina couldn't understand why but she felt guilty.

"Are you ok with that?" Raina added.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Kabir questioned. "It's your life."

Ouch. That hurt.

Kabir caught the pained expression on her face and realized he might have came off a bit too harsh.

"What I meant was, sure, it came as a surprise but, it's ultimately your choice," Kabir continued. "If you're happy, then as your friend, I'm happy for you."

"Thanks...?" Raina asked more than said. "But that doesn't mean you're getting rid of me that easily. Not until the end of your treatment."

"No one said I was getting rid of you," Kabir said as he scrunched up his face. "I was actually thinking more on the lines of a free London vacation."

Raina rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"You're really so full of yourself, Kabir Varma," she pointed out. "Did you know that?"

"I know," he smirked.

Before Raina could come up with a reply, they heard Sonia calling. "Kabir! Raina! Dinner!"

Kabir's ears perked up at the idea of food. The sandwiches he had on the way hardly did anything to satisfy his hunger.

"I hope you're ready to put on a few kilos," Raina teased. "My mother can get a little bit carried away and nani (maternal grandmother) can be a little bit too affectionate."

"I think I can handle that," Kabir smirked as they made their way to the dining room.

***

15 minutes into dinner, Kabir started to understand the implications of Raina's words.

Half an hour into dinner, Kabir's stomach was ready to burst.

"Here Kabir," Sonia offered as she scooped more rice onto his plate. "Have some more rice."

"That's enough, Soniaji," he replied, trying to get her to stop. "I really don't think I can eat anymore."

"What nonsense," Sonia retorted. "Even Raina's father eats more than that."

"Arre, you hardly touched your chicken," Nani commented. "You should eat more meat. Look at you, you're so thin."

Kabir looked at Raina for help but received a sly smile in reply.

"Mom," she added just for amusement. "Kabir said that he would like to have your signature aloo paratha and pancakes one day. Do you think you can whip up a batch?"

Kabir's eyes widen at her statement.

"Soniaji," he literally begged. "I would love to have them but please save it for breakfast next time."

Raina had to stifle a laugh at Kabir's expression.

"Theek hai (Fine)," Sonia replied. "Are you sure you don't want anymore rice?"

"If I eat anymore, I'll explode," he told her.

"At least finish the food on your plate," Raina urged.

Kabir knew that Raina enjoyed watching him sit through the dinner ordeal but he wasn't going to give her the pleasure of it. So, he continued eating and after cleaning off the plate, he had another serving, surprising everyone.

"You didn't have to do that, you know?" Raina said while walking him to his car.

"I know," he replied. "But I wanted to wipe that smirk off your face."

"Was it worth it though?" Raina asked.

"Kind of," he answered. "Although, I might regret it later."

Raina laughed.

"Your family is really amazing," he told her. "I wished mine was as amazing as yours."

"To be honest Kabir," Raina said. "Your family is pretty amazing as well. It doesn't take much to see how much they care about you."

"Tell that to Arjun and Mr. and Mrs. Desai," he snorted.

"Kabir," she reprimanded. "Be nice."

"It's true," he replied. "Tell me where were they when I needed them the most? And can you give me an explanation as to why my mother decides to side with my brother and step-father all the time?"

"I can't tell you why but from what I can see," she told him. "They care for you. You just need to give them a chance. Arjun wouldn't threaten me of he didn't care."

"He did what?" Kabir asked, shocked.

Raina then remembered he had no idea what happened on during dinner on the night of the Mehndi.

"He thought I was messing around with you," she revealed. "So out of concern he told me that I'd, and I quote, 'never hear the end of it' from him if I did."

Kabir was speechless. Why would his brother do that?

Soon, they reached his car and they bid each other other goodbye.

"I guess I'll see you this Thursday then?" Kabir asked as he got into his car.

"Yeah," she replied. "Unless you're going to drop by unannounced again."

He laughed.

"I'll remember to call you personally if I decide to drop by again," he told her.

"And don't forget to update me about your meeting with Rahul tomorrow," she reminded him.

The meeting! Kabir silently prayed that he would be fine tomorrow despite the dinner he just had. Like I said, I would regret it later.

"Of course," he smirked. "And you know what? It's going to be great, I just know it."

"I don't doubt it," she replied. "You better get going or else you'll be late. Bye."

"Ok, bye," he replied and then he drove off.

When Kabir pulled up at the airport, he got the exact response he had expected. The media was running after him, trying to find out when he had returned and why. Kabir, of course, kept silent the entire time. His eyes scanned through the crowd until he heard his sister calling out his name. He walked up to her and pulled her into a hug.

"Missed me?" Kabir teased.

"It's only for one night," Ayesha replied while pulling away. "It's not even 24 hours since the last time I saw you."

"Oh," he joked. "So you need 24 hours to be able to miss me?"

"Shut up," she muttered as she landed a slap across his chest.

"Hey bro," Kabir said as he pulled Sunny in for a hug.

"Hey," Sunny replied as Kabir released him. "Managed to cope without us?"

"I won't be standing here in front of you if I didn't," he answered.

"That's true," Sunny remarked.

Kabir spotted the rest of his family just a few feet away. He recalled what Raina had told him earlier, about Arjun.

"Arjun!" Kabir called out.

He saw Arjun and his parents stop, looking for the source of the voice. Kabir mustered all his courage and jogged up to them.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi," the three of them replied.

"How was the flight?" Kabir asked.

Arjun stared at him as if he had grown another head. It was his mother who replied.

"It was good," she said. "How's Raina's grandmother?"

"She's fine," he replied. "Just a bruise."

"Thank goodness," she muttered in response.

"What happened, Arjun?" Kabir asked. "Cat got your tongue? Why are you so quiet tonight?"

"I don't know what game you're playing, Kabir," Arjun told him. "But it's not going to work."

"I'm not playing any games," he replied. He then turned his attention to his mother. "Mom, do you mind if I drop by tomorrow? I'll be headed to Rahul sir's office and since it's on the way, I'll drop by for breakfast."

"Of course," she replied, a smile slowly spread across her face.

"I'll see you tomorrow then," he said.

When he turned around, he met with Ayesha and Sunny's shocked expression.

"What?" Kabir asked.

"Are you serious about that?" Ayesha asked in response.

"Of course I am," Kabir answered. "Now let's go home before all hell breaks loose."

Cameras were flashing and people were running after the trio but they didn't bother. They got into Kabir's car and Kabir drove them home.

***

"I can hear you thinking," Sunny told Ayesha as he started drawing circles with his fingers on her back. "You're disturbing my beauty sleep."

Ayesha laughed in response.

It was late at night but the both of them didn't felt tired. Maybe it was from the shock at the airport or they were actually well rested the night before. They just laid on their bed in the dark, basking in each other's presence. The only light source illuminating the room was from the city lights streaming through their curtains.

Ayesha let out a huff of air and turned over to face Sunny.

"I'm worried about Kabir," she revealed.

Sunny gently brushed hair out of Ayesha's face.

"What's there to worry about?" Sunny asked, curious. "He's getting better."

"I can see that," Ayesha replied. "And I know I should be thankful to Raina. It's just that I'm scared she'll harm Kabir the same way Tara did."

"You mean by breaking up with him?" Sunny asked. "But they aren't together, aren't they?"

"Yes to the first," she answered. "No to the second, but, that doesn't mean Kabir's not in love with her."

"Ares you serious?" Sunny asked, a little bit too excited. He then propped his head on his hand, trying to get a better view of Ayesha's face to check her expression.

"It's just a hunch," Ayesha replied. "But entirely possible. Kabir's extremely close to her and the last time that happened, Tara happened. I don't want a repeat of the last 3 years."

"I know you're worried about your brother but you have to stop protecting him at some point of time," he advised. "Just like how he trusted you to be with me."

"That's different," she retorted. "He knows you won't hurt me again, after everything we went through. One day, all his therapy and consultations will stop. And when it does, I don't want him to revert back to his old alcoholic self."

"I see where you're coming from," Sunny finally understood. "But I'm sure Raina will know how to handle that. Besides, it's not like she's disappearing  from the face of the earth. She's in Mumbai for goodness sake!"

"I don't know if you noticed," she informed Sunny. "But Kabir's already having Raina withdrawal symptom."

"Raina withdrawal symptoms?" Sunny looked at Ayesha weirdly. He then put a hand on Ayesha's forehead. "Baby, I think you're coming down with a case of overactive imagination."

She slapped his hand away.

"Shut up," she scolded him. "Despite already being at home, he still chose to hang out with Raina the whole day today."

"Because we were all still in Goa," he justified on behalf of Kabir. "Maybe he also wanted to visit Raina's nani (maternal grandmother)."

"And I'm Jhansi ki Rani (the queen of Jhansi)," she said, sarcastically.

"Ok fine," Sunny relented. "Let's say that Kabir's smitten with Raina. What next?"

"I haven't thought about that yet," Ayesha sighed. "But if I were honest, I'd like it if they ended up together. They're good for each other."

"So we're playing matchmaker now?" Sunny asked as he cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Do you want Kabir to kill us?" Ayesha asked in return.

"We can do it secretly," Sunny grinned.

Ayesha reached over and ruffled Sunny's already messy hair.

"Good luck with that," she joked. "Can we go to sleep now? Kabir wants us up and ready before 8.30 tomorrow. I haven't seen him this ready to go back since... Ever, actually!"

"Ok," Sunny stretched and planted a kiss on Ayesha's forehead. "Good night."

Sunny then lowered himself into the sheets and closed his eyes. There was a wave of silence before he spoke up again.

"Stop thinking! It's too loud!"

"Fine!" Ayesha huffed as she let out a chuckle.

Sunny then reached over and enveloped Ayesha in a one armed hug. He placed his head in the nook of her shoulder and buried his face in her hair.

It didn't take long before Sunny felt Ayesha relaxing in his embrace and soon the both of them drifted into the land of dreams.

***

A/N: So, tell me how this chapter was...

Slight ranting: So many movies!!! So little time!!! And so little money 😭😭😭  I haven't watched a movie since Black Panther!!! And honestly, it was a huge trade off as my spending is either on new clothes, food or movie (and hanging out with friends of course)... And lately (Because my dance classes is on break), I've been prioritizing food so... I also might have gained some weight which may or may not require new clothes 😂😂😂 Ugh!!!

So... Watch any good movies lately??? Let me know... 😜😜😜