About twenty minutes later, Narain, Anuradha and Nila walked into the café. While Nila charged straight towards the play area, Narain and Anuradha searched for Shiva and Shalini among the occupied tables and spotted them seated at one in the side, engaged in a conversation with the elderly couple seated at the next table.

"This plan will not work now. Give them at least a week or two first." The elderly lady remarked in disapproval.

"But there's no harm in trying now, Latha," stated the elderly man. "Let them try. Who knows, they may be open enough for it."

"They won't. Why don't you believe me when I say something the first time? The first plan is something that will work. But this one won't."

Anuradha approached their tables, followed by Narain. She frowned a little, wondering what the elderly couple were arguing about while Shiva and Shalini watched them in silence. "Hey!"

The elderly couple fell silent at once upon noticing her and Narain behind.

"Hello, dears. Nice to see you here." The elderly man immediately covered up for the sudden silence.

"Hi, Uncle. How are you feeling now?" inquired Narain.

"I'm fine as ever!" The elderly man smiled and patted Narain's arm.

"Is your cough better, Uncle?" asked Anuradha.

"Oh, yes, yes! Much better."

Narain and Anuradha smiled as they seated themselves at Shiva's and Shalini's table.

"Well, it's getting late. We better be on our way. Take care, dears." The elderly couple stood up and walked off past their table.

"Take care, Uncle, Aunty."

The elderly man glanced back and discreetly showed a thumbs up in Shiva's and Shalini's direction. That didn't go unnoticed by Anuradha, who glanced from Narain to Shiva, feeling puzzled.

"What was the thumbs up for?"

"Nothing, just simply," answered Shiva.

"Just simply?" Anuradha was obviously not satisfied with that answer. She shifted her glance to Shalini. The moment Anuradha's gaze landed on her, she knew her friend was surely hiding something from her.

"Yea, to carry on... since they are leaving."

"Smiley, what-" Anuradha started speaking in a low yet demanding tone when Shalini countered softly, "Sweety, you seem to be smiling more these days. Is there something you haven't told me?"

"What? No, nothing like that." Anuradha was quite taken aback. Why do you ask if there's something I haven't told you? I would tell you first if there was anything. Is there anything I haven't told you? She pondered for a moment. Oh, about Narain? How would I tell you that? Definitely not in front of him.

The two ladies remained silent for a moment, putting an end to the conversation before they joined Shiva's and Narain's casual conversation.

After chatting for almost an hour and paying the bill, Shiva glanced at Narain. "It's getting late. Shall we make a move?"

"Yeah." Narain stood up.

Anuradha glanced at them and turned to Shalini, who checked the time in her mobile phone first.

"We'll go first." Shiva glanced at his wife and Anuradha.

"Okay, we'll come in a few minutes," responded Shalini.

Shiva headed out of the café, followed by Narain.

Why few minutes? We usually leave together. Anuradha glanced at Shalini, who slipped her mobile phone into her purse and turned to face her friend. "Shall we go?"

"Not yet. Shiva wants a few minutes to talk to Narain about something."

"Oh, what is it about?"

"It's between them. I didn't ask."

"Okay."

"Anyway, you tell me, Anu. Haven't you started looking for another place yet?"

"Another place?" Anuradha felt uneasy at the very thought of it.

"Yeah, you were talking about having a look at another apartment the other day, right? Or have you forgotten about it and decided to settle with Narain by any chance?"

Anuradha glanced at Shalini in shock for a moment before lowering her gaze to the table again. After a long silence, she uttered, "It wouldn't be enough if I only decide that, right?"

"What?" Shalini smiled a bit.

"He also has to say, no?"

"So, you like him?" Shalini watched her friend carefully.

"Yea I do. A lot." Anuradha finally glanced up at her friend again with a small suppressed smile and confessed. "I love him." She sighed, tugging at her purse. "And I know he loves me too."

"Really? I'm so happy for you, sweety." Shalini smiled and squeezed her friend's hand gently.

"Yea." Anuradha reciprocated the smile.

"Have you told him that you love him?"

Anuradha shook her head no. "But he knows."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Anuradha pondered for a moment with a small smile cropping at her lips. "The best part is that he loves me too. He indirectly confessed it to me today, you know."

"Really?"

"Yes." Anuradha glanced up at Shalini with gleaming eyes before narrating the indirect confession of love by Narain at the bazaar earlier in the evening.

After listening her out, Shalini smiled wide. "Wow, that was beautiful."

"I know right!"

"What did you do then?"

Anuradha's smile faded. "Nothing. I wanted to tell him that I love him then. I didn't know if I would be able to voice it or not but I just went forward thinking I'll try. But by then, he said it's time to go and we left there and came here."

"Oh." Shalini's face fell. "But you could have still told him, no? You know we wouldn't mind even if you guys came late."

"Yea but no, there were people around and also Nila."

Shalini pursed her lips. "The people would have been minding their own business. You didn't have to worry about them. But Nila was there, hmm. Guess it wasn't a good day for you to have Nila with you."

"No! How can you even think like that, Shal? She's our bundle of joy! Since she was a baby till today. Why, she's even the reason I realized how good a person he is, we became friends, close like family and everything." Wait. "But love came it's own way." Anuradha bit her lip to hide the smile tugging at the corners.

"Okay." Shalini smiled again.

"Any day with Nila around is better than good! Don't ever worry like that for us again just because Nila was around. She's our baby. First baby. For both of us." Anuradha paused for a moment before averting her gaze. "Anyway, now I feel it was a good idea I didn't tell him then."

Shalini frowned. "Why?"

"I don't know. I just felt that was better."

"But then, when will you tell him?"

"Not yet."

"Why are you delaying it, Anu?"

"I don't know. I kinda wish he would say something or show like he wants me and he's sure of that. I mean when I'm with him, it feels so beautiful like I'm in a dream. But then, it's such a wonderful dream, too good to be true. That I'm scared this bubble might burst and I might realize it was just a dream. Not reality."

"Why do you feel like that, sweety? Take it positively. He would never hurt you."

"I really don't know. Perhaps it's because my happy bubble has been burst many times before. When Dad himself called me the first and last time. When I had been with Raghav, and thought he won't ever leave me. When my baby.... I know Narain is different, he won't hurt me like that. But still..." Anuradha trailed off. I need a guarantee. I don't want to be broken again by any chance.

"Sweety, first of all, forget about the bad things. It's not easy but when you know Narain won't hurt you like that, then why not keep those other memories aside? You know you love him and you know he loves you too. Then, what's there to fear? Just say it and clear your mind. At the most, he might need more time to think and decide. But even still, at least he won't hesitate to tell you when he's ready if you tell him everything in your mind clearly."

"I'll try, Shalu."

"Better try it sooner than later. Otherwise, I'll have to tell you to find another apartment and move."

Anuradha glanced at Shalini in shock. "What? Why would you want me to move from his place?"

"So that at least then he will tell you to stay or you will tell him that you won't go." Shalini bit her lip trying not to break into a grin, seeing Anuradha's expression of shock. She would never leave Narain. Obviously.

That was the first plan suggested by Uncle and Aunty. It is when the threat to loose looms that the true realization of love comes. Sometimes people have to be pushed apart for them to realize how much they need each other and how beautiful and important it is to pull back together.

Anuradha remained silent for a moment. "By the way, don't tell Shiva or Narain anything, smiley. If he does tell me something, it should be because of his own will. Not because he feels forced to tell me because of myself, or you or Shiva." But I really want him to tell me to stay. He won't let me go, right?

"Okay, but don't waste too much time and you know you can ask me or Shiva if you need any help anytime."

Anuradha smiled at Shalini, just as they were alerted by Nila's call.

They stood up and turned as Nila ran up to them. "Where did Daddy and Papa go? I can't see them."

"Oh right, they are waiting outside, Nilu. Come, let's go. It's been more than a few minutes." Shalini glanced at Anuradha with a smile before they headed out of the café.

* * *

As Shiva and Narain walked a few steps towards the parking lot, Shiva glanced at Narain, who was looking back in the direction of the café.

"Hello, what's over there?"

"Uh, nothing. Anu and Shalini haven't come yet."

"Anu and Shalini?" Shiva chuckled a bit.

"Yeah, why are you laughing for that?"

"Nothing, I just remembered how you used to say 'Shalini and that girl' before when you couldn't bear the sight of Anu or the mention of her name."

"That was long back."

"Really? I thought it lasted till just two months back."

"What are you coming to say, Shiva? Leave it, no? We are friends now."

"Yes, friends!" Shiva smiled. "No doubt, you are very happy, thanks to her."

"Anyone will be happy if she's around."

"Oho, I see." Shiva smirked. "But you're wrong."

"What?" Narain frowned.

"If that was the case, then you would have been happy from the time you knew her. But you were always arguing with her before. So obviously you're wrong there, dude."

"Yeah, but after I realized about her and became friends-" Narain began to explain when Shiva added, "And eventually fell under the spell of love."

Taken unawares, Narain glanced at Shiva for a moment while Shiva coolly looked straight ahead towards the car park.

Narain averted his gaze as he agreed. "Yea, eventually."

Shiva smiled. "Finally, it's out. So when are you going to tell her? I mean, propose to her."

"Oh no, I have no idea how to propose to her. But I've already told her indirectly."

"Okay, what did she say?" Shiva frowned a bit.

Narain averted his gaze once again. "I didn't really give her a chance to say."

"What are you saying?"

"There were people around and it didn't feel like the right time. So I distracted her by telling her it's time to go."

"What?" Shiva slapped his hand to the side of his forehead. "Are you mad?"

Narain remained silent, looking away at a distance. He regretted what he had done at first but then he knew he wasn't.... He shut his eyes tight. Even he couldn't understand what was his problem. He loves her and she loves him, then what could be the problem? The fact that the two most important women in his life before her had promised to stay but left too suddenly. His mom and his wife, who had been more of a friend as well. One unintentionally and the other intentionally.

Though he tried to tell himself he did not fear, there was a fear holding him back. What if, Anu would leave him someday, unintentionally or intentionally? She wouldn't. He didn't want her to. But he didn't want her to be forced by him to stay. If she stayed, it had to be at her own will. He had learnt a lesson when he had forced his wife to stay against her will and she had brought death upon herself as a result. He knew Anu would never do that. But he would not repeat the same mistake again.

"Are you the same Narain who encouraged me to go propose to Shalini last time? I thought people get wiser with age. Have you lost it, man? That day at the bus stop with people around, Shalini was waiting to return home and you were the one who signalled me to go ahead at the last minute when I hesitated before walking straight towards her. Was that a perfect moment? No, right? She could have slapped me, ignored me or gotten me into trouble with the people standing around and boarded the bus. Thank God, she didn't."

"Yea, but...."

"So what if there's people around? They might not even know you or be bothered about you. I can't believe you didn't clear everything right then and there. It would have been the right moment. Time will just keep flying past us; it won't stop. It's our job to catch up with it or we'll end up as the losers. Look, don't keep waiting for the perfect right moment. It will never come. Just take the moment, say and do what you have to and make it the perfect moment."

Narain quietly nodded in agreement. He knew his friend was right. He should tell her. He didn't want to make the same mistake twice but there was nothing wrong in proposing his love. Whether she accepts or not, he will accept her decision. But he wouldn't force her to decide immediately or stay against her wish. Why delay it further? He should tell it to her clearly as soon as possible.

"Okay, forget about what already happened. Tell her what you have to say and don't make it too late or she may end up moving to another apartment."

Narain glanced at Shiva with a small frown. No, she won't go... right?

"Ah, they've come." Shiva smiled as Shalini, Anuradha and Nila approached them. "Shall we go now?"

"Yea, it's getting dark."

The friends parted ways and Shiva, Shalini and Nila walked over to their car while Narain and Anuradha headed to his car.

Narain stumbled upon a stone in the path and kept walking.

"Hey, careful." Anuradha frowned at him.

"Yea, I just didn't see the stone."

"Don't you ever look where you're walking?"

"I didn't fall onto you, right? Keep quiet and walk."

"Ahaan, your wish? Get lost."

Shalini and Shiva glanced at each other with a knowing smile, hearing their friends' argument.

"You're telling me to get lost? My car is right here. I can easily go, leaving you here." Narain continued, smirking at her.

"You'll go without me?" Anuradha glanced at him, pretending to be shocked before grinning. "Not a problem! I know how reach home on my own."

"Okay, bye! See you at home." Narain grinned as he took a swift stride past her towards the car.

Anuradha quickly sprinted over to the car, reaching it first before turning to face him with folded arms. "I reached the car first so you can't escape without me even if you wish."

Leaning against the side of the car, the two of them burst out laughing at their own silly argument before slipping into their seats and returning back home together.

* * *

Later that evening, Anuradha was standing simply in the balcony, smiling for no reason.

"Anu! Oh, you're here." Narain smiled upon noticing her in the balcony and joined by her side.

"Yea." She smiled before looking back out at the horizon.

"What are you looking at?" He raised his eyebrow.

"Nothing, just simply standing here, enjoying the breeze." She paused. "I like this balcony... this apartment... everything. And you."

He smiled but remained silent. Say it now, Narain. Just say it. But her eyes on him made his throat dry.

Anuradha glanced at him for a moment and then averted her gaze. Why don't you say something? Why don't you cross this gap between us? Tell me I'm yours. Do something. She waited for a long moment but he did nothing, just enjoying the breeze in the balcony next to her. Disappointed, she folded her arms, looking away. Unfortunately, Raghav is better than you in this, Narain. He knows how to talk me into anything and everything with his words. So he wins in this. What? Why am I thinking about him? No, no, forget it.

You are the one I love and you have won me in every way without saying much. But I wish you could speak like him and reassure me. No, what am I saying? Why am I even remembering about him suddenly today? Don't I have any other job? Idiot. Anuradha shifted on her feet as she realized she had spoken the last few words in her chain of thoughts aloud.

"Who?"

"I was talking to myself." She smiled meekly.

"So you realized that?" asked Narain with an impish lopsided smile.

Anuradha frowned. "Realized what?"

"That you are one."

"That I am one what?"

Narain turned and slipped out of the balcony without answering.

Realizing what he meant, Anuradha turned to find that he was gone. She stepped back into the living room to see him seated on the couch, with his laptop on his lap. If you sit like this innocently with your laptop, did you think I would leave you for what you said and say 'Aww, so sweet'? I won't.

She grabbed a pillow from the couch and charged straight towards him. "You! You're calling me an idiot?"

"Hey!" He quickly moved his laptop to the table at the side and grabbed another pillow. "I didn't say that, you only called yourself one." He held up the pillow against her in defence, chuckling while she hit him playfully with her pillow a few times.

As the pillow in his hand fell to the floor with her blows, Narain reached out and grabbed the pillow in her hand while Anuradha held onto it tight.

He tried to pull the pillow away but holding onto it tight, she fell against him on the couch and their lips brushed against each other's. They froze for a moment as they could feel their lips so close, right against each other's. Forgetting everything for a moment, they kissed for the first time softly and so intimately.

Meow! A very loud yawn from Veena shook them breaking their sealed lips at once. Narain reeled back in shock and averted his gaze. Anuradha stood up and turned away at once, feeling a little light-headed on the impact of the kiss.

Narain stood up and headed back to the balcony, still overwhelmed by what had happened between them.

In a trance, Anuradha walked straight towards the kitchen without a thought. She knew she was smiling like an idiot but she just couldn't suppress her smile. She held the counter for support till her head seemed to have cleared up. That had felt like ecstasy wrapped in a moment. Oh my God, yes. That felt so right. I want this. I want you, Narain. Everything about you. All my life. I am yours, right?

Narain felt numb standing in the balcony with a small smile playing on his lips. His feet felt restless. That had been beyond beautiful. Nothing has ever felt this perfect, the way you have been for me. You won't leave me and go, will you?

After getting a hold of himself again, Narain returned to the living room and opened his laptop.

The distinct sound of Anuradha's phone ringing softly reached his ears at once.

"Anu!"

Anuradha stepped out of the kitchen after regaining her composure and approached him. "Yea?"

"Your phone's ringing."

"Oh, it won't be anything." With a bored expression, she headed to the bedroom to check her mobile phone, which was charging.

Narain remained silent.

She walked out of the bedroom in a moment, visibly annoyed and showed him the screen of her mobile phone. "It was just an ad."

"Okay, thought it might be someone else or something important."

"How many times have I told you that I don't get important phone calls outside working hours? And it's a Sunday evening."

"Okay."

As Narain turned back to his laptop, Anuradha asked, "What are you doing?"

"Nothing, just thought I'll check my work."

"Work? On a Sunday evening?"

"Umm yea."

"You know what? We should lock you and my dad in a room and let you workaholics work to heart's content!" Anuradha rolled her eyes.

"Why?"

"To see who can last there longer." She answered with gritted teeth.

"There's no need for that. I will be able to tell if I meet him once." Narain chuckled.

Anuradha glanced at him impassively. "It was just a joke. And you don't have to. I can tell that he will surely last there longer than you."

"Okay. Talking about your dad, you've never really mentioned about him before. Do you call him often?"

"No." Anuradha turned away with a curt answer. Let's end this conversation here please. "You carry on with your work."

She turned on her heel and headed to the kitchen while Narain watched after her. He put his laptop away and decided to help her make dinner instead since there was nothing important for him to do that night.

He walked into the kitchen to find her standing there in silence. "Hey, what happened?"

"Nothing." She turned and glanced at him. "I was just thinking what to cook for dinner." She covered up quickly.

"Oh." While she was still lost in thought, he opened the fridge and looked what they could make for dinner.

"What are you doing?"

He stood up and turned to face her. "I kinda want dinner tonight, not tomorrow. So I thought I'll help you make."

She frowned at first and then narrowed her eyes at him. "Like I haven't made dinner on time before?"

"You have... but seeing the way you're still thinking about what to cook for dinner now, I wonder if we'll be able to get it by tonight so let me help you, yea?"

"You!" She hit his arm pretending to be angry before the two of them brushed it off with a laugh.

* * *

Later that night, Anuradha walked past the piano in the living room, letting her fingers trail lightly along its row of keys, in a pensive mood. She stopped and turned back to face it again. She remained quiet for a few seconds with a small smile on her face, just brushing her fingers on the keys as she recollected her last composition and traced it without pressing the keys hard enough to make a sound.

Narain, who had strolled out of the bedroom, stopped by the door upon noticing her silent stance by the piano. In the meantime, little Veena had trotted over to him and rubbed her head against his leg and curled up, with her head resting on his feet. He squatted down and stroked her head before carrying her in his hands as he strode over to seat himself at the couch in the living room.

While caressing Veena tenderly, Narain glanced up at Anuradha. Her fingers were running swiftly along the keys but no music was heard as she barely pressed the keys.

"What happened? Starting trouble, is it?" asked Narain when her fingers stopped moving abruptly.

She glanced at him through the corner of her eye in surprise as she had not realized his presence in the room. "No, not like that. I was just simply remembering my last composition."

"Shalini had said that you know a lot of different piano compositions."

"Yeah, I do. I used to play a lot."

"Oh, will you please play something for me?"

To be continued...

A/N: Hey peeps! Hope you liked the chapter.

Love comes with insecurities, specially when it's the second time. Hearing the words of their friends, do you think Narain or Anu might propose soon? Waiting for your comments on this chapter. :)

Please vote, comment and share. :)