It's been nearly a week since the confession on terrace. Nothing much changed. It did change. Well, she has put away plans to leave the town, is reopening her boutique thanks to the money Anirudh had gotten her as a compensation. Yet... she is not happy.

When was the last time she hugged him? Or he hugged her?

On the terrace?

They talked a bit whenever she was feeding pigeons, or when he visited her boutique but... is that what lovers do?

She sighs, watching the sun set from the terrace. She's at his place now. And in both of their favorite spot. Just a while ago, Maari was with her. She watched as his pigeons raced with some other ones and won. Well, he won the competition too, she ran downstairs to witness the rowdy ceremony... crowd parted ways so she could reach him.

When she smiled at him, he smiled back.

She congratulated, he said thanks.

Then... he went back to the crowd with Adith and Sani.

*sigh*

The other day,

He visited her boutique...

Thrashed a guy who asked her name and called her beautiful.

Poor thing was only 19. He was a young boy arranging the fabrics and newly ordered sewing machines for her.... He only asked her name! And called her well, it's good to be praised. What's wrong with sweet innocent praise?

'Maari, you know he's only being a sweet boy...'

'You don't know maa, boys need to be disciplined.'

Then he dragged the poor boy with him and left.

In the street the other day,

Maari was drinking his usual chai.

'Maari... I'm going to temple.'

He looked at her and smiled which is a gift itself because he usually would frown.

But--

He got up. "Okay."

Threw the paper cup in a bin.

"Go on ahead. Now no one will trouble you ."

*Present**

Devi sighs again...

"Couldn't you see I was only trying to say I wanted some of your time...." she complains biting her lip.

With a sigh, she returns to look after the pigeons. Time for an evening feed...

That's when a thunder begins to rumble in the sky.

Sky has already dimmed.

Lightning has begun to flash. She quickly pulls down the covers on the piegon arena

"Oh you're here, maa."

She jumps at that voice. Without looking at him. She returns to finish her work.

"I can say the same, Maari."

she can't help but look a moment later, their eyes meet briefly.

"It looks like it will rain," Maari says plopping down on the charpai, "maybe you should leave soon. I sent Adith, Sani home too."

"Mmhmm."

She nods, hiding a bitter smile. More rumbling in the sky...

"Hey are you listening? Come, I'll drop you home."

Finishing her work, she washes her hands, dries them on a towel. "Yeah."

"Did you watch all the matches? Our pigeons won again."

She did. And she knew he's so happy about it. She's happy too... At least he's talking to her so it's normal right?

"Yes."

She looks at him to find him talking to one of the pigeons sitting on his shoulders. Just when she likes what she sees--

He gets up with a start--

"Oh, it's drizzling!"

She looks up. Yes indeed, the wind blowing is strong... she barely catches her dupatta before it can fly off. She can feel his eyes on her for a moment and then--

"Come, let's hurry.."

He turns his back on her, ready to climb down the stairs. She calls out to him.

"Maari!"

He looks at her.

"It's okay right? We're together now... so why are you being distant?"

Surprise is what she finds on his face. Then he grins mischievously walking closer to her-

What is he doing?

"What do you want ma?"

Is he teasing her? She begins to move past him, "nothing. Let's hurry home."

But he catches her wrist and pulls her to him.

She ends up against his chest, looking into his eyes as he puts his arms around her.

"Is this what you wanted?"

Her jaw drops then she pouts. What a tease!! Can he tell her heart is racing?

"Hmm?"

As he squeezes her close, she nods, "yes... I wanted you close."

"Really?" he whispers in her ear, "I told you, if you keep saying those things--"

"Then what?"

She pulls back a little to look at his face.

"Then I can't guarantee what happens."

There's his new catch phrase. Isn't it?

"What will happen?" she decides to push her shyness away and speak her mind, "I want to know..."

"Anything can happen..." he says, tracing her bottom lip with his thumb.

The rain comes falling down... quickly drenching the two of them yet she asks him again...

"What?"

He answers her question by swiftly kissing her on the lips. Her heart races, nearly exploding as their kiss intensifies much like the rain around them.

This is what she wanted. Probably...

Her hands find their way into his hair as he pulls her closer. She presses herself more into him, their hearts now beating as one, loud enough for both of them to hear.

She opens her mouth letting his tongue entwine with hers. She's never been kissed like this. It leaves her breathless.

Just when it becomes too much, he releases her, choosing to place a soft kiss beneath her ear.

A soft sound escapes her lips--

The chill of the rain and his touch causing her to shiver.

"I told you... " he whispers, "I can't guarantee what happens..."

"Hmm..." she wraps her arms around his neck, smiling at him, looking at his rainkissed face, "what if I said it's okay with me?"

"Is it?" he chuckles gazing into her eyes.

She never saw him look this happy. She's glad that he is just as happy as her. This means he loves her just as much, no?

"Then there's no escape now.."

He tightens his hold on her lifting her up by the waist, spinning her around. Both of them are soon lost, soon dissolved in laughter.

When he sets her down, he pulls her closer again.

She rests her hands on his chest.

"Should we go inside?" he asks when she shivers again.

"No.. but what if someone sees us?"

He laughs at her question. "No one's gonna be here."

She laughs at that ..

Both are soon lost in their own world, looking into each other's eyes..

****

But someone indeed has come up... and has gone down the stairs again, rain soaking his uniform...

He only has come to say 'Hi' to both Maari and Devi.. but looks like his company is not needed.

"I thought I'd be okay... but seeing you with him... I'm not okay, candy..."

Anirudh rushes from there as if someone's chasing him...

****

FIN!

SagelRunsh, RuVineet, this chap is for both of you.

And me... haha after ages, I wrote something lil more romantic. I think XD

Thank you!