Maahi woke up in the morning, stretching her legs and arms. She turned her head sideways to realize she'd fallen asleep sometime during the movie and didn't even remember it. Her laptop was on the side table and Parth was nowhere in sight. She sat up in concern and looked around for her phone. She didn't have any unread messages from him.

She pushed the covers aside and walked over to the desk where her laptop was. On top of it was a hotel notepad with a message scribbled on it. Surprisingly, she learned he had neat handwriting. It wasn't printed, but it was clearly legible and a mixture of normal and cursive print.

Morning, love. Didn't feel like waking you up... text me when you're up? I have the keys.

She grabbed her phone to message him.

Maahi: You took my keys?! How could you lock me in my own room?

It was just a bit after 7 in the morning, so she understood when his reply didn't come right away. Shaking her head, unable to believe he did that, she walked into the washroom to freshen up. Twenty minutes later, she walked out wrapped in a robe and a towel over her head covering her damp hair.

Parth: It was either staying the night there or leaving. I wasn't sure if you'd be okay with me staying and I obviously wasn't going to leave with the door unlocked.

She smiled, touched at his concern then.

Maahi: Thanks, I think, but now I can't go to the gym :(

Parth: Haha, sorry. I'll try to be there soon?

Maahi: Nah, it's okay. Take your time. I'll just go tomorrow. I already showered.

Parth: Sure?

Maahi: Yes! We still on for later?

Parth: Definitely. :D

Maahi: see you then! (:

After ages, she was feeling giddy and looking forward to the plans being made. She decided to enjoy every bit of it instead of wasting it overthinking, wondering if she should be welcoming this.

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Parth walked out of the guest room. Nikita was making breakfast and she looked up at finding him there, "Oh. Hey, I didn't know you were here. I thought you and Maahi went out?"

He chuckled, walking over to plop a piece of scrambled eggs in his mouth, "No, sis. We were both here when you and hubby dearest came in last night." Nikita's expression dropped. "You know, you really should give someone a heads up."

She tried to not be too embarrassed as she defended herself, "Hey, it's my house! Anyway, shut up and eat." She pushed a plate in his direction which he happily took. "By the way, mom called to inform your stuff is back home."

He went to the pot of coffee and poured some for himself in a cup, "Yeah, I got the notification from the movers too."

Sitting at the coffee table, she asked with genuine concern, "Parth, what are you doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"This, with Maahi. You couldn't even keep a girlfriend for more than a few months when you'd be in the same place as them, and now? Long-distance; do you really think it's going to work for you?"

He sat as well, "There's always a first time, Nicky." She didn't look convinced, and so he added. "Okay, yeah, I know it's over reaching and I may be in over my head here, but is it wrong that I want to give it a try? I really think we could be something. I already know I really, really like her. What she makes me feel is different than what I have ever felt before for anyone else. Our situation right now may not be ideal and even she needs some time off after this divorce. I think in some way it works for both of us. We'll each have our space and get a chance to explore what we have."

She wanted to support them. She knew that if it did work out, they'd make a great couple. But, was she wrong in having her inhibitions? She knew both Maahi and Parth very well. She knew she was playing the devil's advocate but as a person who cared for both of them, she wanted them to be sure about what they were getting themselves into. She didn't particularly want to see either of the two hurt if it wouldn't work out. "It won't be easy."

"I know."

"Barely seeing each other. Only phone conversations. When you do see each other, it'll be one of you driving up or down."

He chuckled, "Yes, sis. I know what long-distance relationship means."

She sighed, unsure whether to be happy or not with his determination. "Okay, just saying."

He stood up and brought her head to his torso in a comforting hug, "Thanks for worrying about us, Nicky, but we'll figure it out as we go."

She offered a smile, "Yeah, I hope so. I just had to give my obligatory warning to you too."

"Me too?" He questioned picking up on it.

She chuckled, quickly offering up the information. "Yup, gave one to her yesterday."

He nodded taking it in. The fact that if she hadn't brought it up told him, Maahi was still willing to give this a shot. It seemed to boost his confidence and reassure him that yes, it will be difficult but given that both were willing to try, it could somewhere make it slightly better to go about this. It was a fighting chance.

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Parth and Maahi visited the zoo during the day and the Observation Deck, also called Philly from the Top, during the evening. Luckily, it was always open till 9 at night. That gave them the perfect time to visit during the evening. The view from the 57th floor overlooking the city could be counted as nothing short of breath-taking and marvelous.

Parth had his arm dangling off her neck as she stood half to his side leaning towards the glassed rail. Her feet were going to bear the brunt of all the walking she'd done today. Having been pushed into the adult life of behind a desk for the better half of the day, in and out of sessions, she had lost the habit of outdoor activities.

Bringing her head back against his chest, she announced. "As much as I loved today, next time, we're going to some amusement park."

"Seriously?" He questioned, certainly having noticed how tired she looked, and yet she wanted to go to an amusement park which may require even more walking.

"Oh yes, as much as I appreciate the museums, sculptures, art, history, whatnots, I prefer activities that are more... fun. Hands-on. Rollercoasters. Waterparks. Paint-ball. Hiking. Climbing. Those used to be more my thing."

He had his eyebrows arched in surprise. "I would have never guessed that."

She laughed, turning about to face him. "No surprise, we don't really know each other. The last few years... I just had to compromise a lot because I knew he wasn't going to take me anywhere."

He smiled, his hand coming to her cheeks and the back of his fingers grazing against it. "Well, we can go anywhere you want."

Looking into his eyes, she couldn't help but smile back. It was contagious. If she had only assumed Parth wouldn't mind going anywhere, his words further confirmed the idea. Suddenly, she felt sad that tomorrow, he'd be gone and she had no clue when she'd see him again. They hadn't truly discussed it. It was as if both were prolonging the conversation – as if not talking about it wouldn't make it real.

Noticing her lost in thought, he continued the conversation with a heavy heart. "So... ever been cliff diving?"

She blinked as well to return to the moment, shifting back a bit so she could look properly at his face instead of having to tilt her head back. "Not yet, it's on my list though."

He grinned, offering. "Oh, you definitely need to. The rush, it's like nothing else. The first time we went was, I think, I was 17. We all were taking a trip to Canada in the summer breaks."

He realized how this new relationship between them was just the same. Diving in head first and having no idea what to expect but it still brought about a rush of raw emotions that he wouldn't trade for anything else.

Maahi pointed out, "You guys take vacations to so many places it's hard to keep track of where you haven't been."

He laughed, assuming Nikita must have shared many of the stories. "Yeah, we do, don't we? And then when college started, I'd go pretty much every month with my friends to some nearby place or the other. Just to get away from all the stress of studying."

She teased, "Dude, you've been living my dream life."

He took a step forward to close the distance between them. With his hands on her hips, he responded. "Nothing is stopping you from having that life now. Life is all about second chances, Maahi. It's up to you to see them and seize them at the right moment."

She bobbed her head to the side, "I suppose that's true... but you know, bills don't pay themselves."

He rolled his eyes in humor, "Just humor yourself, love. Start out small. I'm not saying drop everything and take a spontaneous month-long trip to Europe. Just go somewhere different when you can over the weekend and bit by bit, put your life back together."

She breathed out, "Yeah, I know. I'm going to try."

He leaned in and captured her lips in a quick peck. "Good," he said to announce his approval. Resting his forehead against hers, he teased, "And do remember, there's a guy two hour away who'd show you the world if you'd let him."

She couldn't hold back the laughter and pinched his cheeks, "Oh Parth, that's sweet but also very cheesy." He rolled his eyes pulling away. Her laughter simmered and she reached forward for his arm to stop him, "Hey, hey, sorry. I didn't mean to offend you."

His lips curved up in a smile, "Not offended. But you get my sentiments, yeah?"

"Yeah," she whispered kissing his cheek.

He put forth his other cheek, "This one feels jealous of the other."

She chuckled thinking how much of an adorable goofball he was and proceeded to kiss it when at the last moment, he turned his head and kissing her on the lips, a deep kiss. She breathed out another giggle over his lips, seeing through his act and reminded of their very first kiss. It might have been completely accidental then but this one was certainly pre-planned and intentional. She lightly swatted his chest for good measure, but she wasn't at all irritated by his playful nature.

Her eyes fluttered open to witness the cheeky grin putting his teeth on display. "How about some ice cream? My treat." He suggested and she nodded. It was dark out anyway and other than the massive skyline, the place was going to close as it was.

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The two of them sat in an ice-cream parlor sharing a huge cone of strawberry cheesecake placed upside down on a plate and drizzled in caramel sauce. It was a small hip café type of place, but their desserts might as well be fancy enough to be deserving a place in some high-end restaurant.

She kept stealing the cheesecake cubes and he did notice. At first, he let her until he stole the last one. She made a face. He forwarded his spoon towards her, baiting her. She fell for it, opening her mouth – only for him to move it last minute and plop it in his mouth. She gaped, giving him the coldest glare that she could manage.

Bending his index finger, he beckoned her to come closer. She huffed, refusing to. It didn't stop him from crossing his foot to the leg of the chair and pulling it closer. She almost squealed when it moved. Before she could scold him, his lips met hers. With a double take, she leaned back at the sudden connection of his cold lips against her own – thanks to the rush with which they'd been downing down the ice cream.

Bringing his palm to the base of her neck, he nudged her head closer to his once again. She had no idea what was going on in his head. She only knew one second, she sucked in a breath when his tongue grazed her closed lips, causing them to part, and the next, tingles spread down her spine with the seductive move and the piece of cheesecake swept into her mouth.

She didn't need to look at a mirror to know her cheeks were burning and that they'd have turned into a deep shade of red. Her pale skin would have done little to hide it. The fact that he was bold enough to do that in public unnerved her further. She hadn't before shared such an intimate kiss in public.

It was true: he was brewing up all the raw emotions in her and she did not know whether to be scared of falling or welcome it with open arms because it may as well be the first time in life she was feeling this way.

For the longest seconds after, she couldn't meet his eyes. She did, however, mumble turning her spoon about in her fingers absentmindedly. "Um, thanks."

"Mhmm," he answered choosing to not embarrass her further. When he'd stolen it, this was not in his mind. But, the second he had offered to feed her, the image had entered his mind. Then, how could he pass up the opportunity to intimately kiss her? He was trying to make most of the limited hours he had with her.

Her eyes followed from his spoon scooping up a bite to his face. To her, he looked to be in his own world, nowhere bothered by their PDA. It had never made a difference to her earlier when their first meeting itself, she'd learned that he had had 9 girlfriends before. And she wasn't his 10th, but they were heading there, weren't they?

Suddenly, it made her feel a bit insecure. Such a feeling for any girl should be normal. It's a natural emotion, after all. And yet, she pushed the thought out of her head telling herself it was too early for her to start feeling insecure. He was with her right now, so why should be feel as such? He had never given her the impression of holding her past against her and how could she not return the favor? She couldn't self-destruct this thing between them before it could even go somewhere because she felt jealous and insecure out of nowhere.

With a heavy heart, she asked. "So, um, what time are you leaving tomorrow?"

His eyes locked with her and the spark in them dimmed at bit at the reminder. Putting the spoon in the plate, he answered. "Right, around 10 I think. Roads will be clear by then and I can get there by lunch time."

"Oh okay. Uh, text me when you leave?"

"You won't come to see me off?"

She felt nervous asking, "You want me to?"

He left that on her, "It's your choice," though he knew he would have very much loved it if she would come. He didn't know how she'd feel by putting her on the spotlight by making her give her answer right there, he looked past them at the waiter so he'd bring them the bill. She stood up to quickly inform she was going to make a trip to the washroom.

While she washed up her hands, she wondered. A deep part of her told her to go. Not only had he really helped her out over the month and pushed past his quick weekend trip for her, but they also had a personal relationship now that surely went beyond friendship. The kisses they'd been sharing were proof enough.

The only part turning this into a debate was that she wasn't good with good-byes and she didn't know how it would make her feel watching him leave, uncertain as to when they'd meet again and how exactly their relationship would continue.

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