Parth: Listen, I actually have something else to tell you. After your shower, call me back?

After grabbing her towel, she took a detour to the bed to read the message, having heard it chime a few seconds ago.

Maahi: okay

Fifteen minutes later, dressed in orange track pants and gray tank top, Maahi entered her kitchen area with her phone. First, she retrieved items from the refrigerator she would need to make dinner before dialing Parth's number and putting it on speaker again so she could cook at the same time.

Parth answered the call, "Yellow!"

"No, orange." She said talking about the color of her tack pants.

"What?"

Maahi chuckled at her own lame self, "Nothing. What else did you need to tell me?"

"Yeah, that... promise me you won't freak out?"

Maahi rolled her eyes, slicing a potato, "Parth, seriously. Stop starting every conversation with that as if it's something bad."

He expressed his concerns, "This one might be... depending on how you react."

"Okay, tell me and we'll find out."

Walking back and forth around his bed area, he informed. "This morning, my parents brought up the topic of marriage."

She stopped chopping for a second to grasp the news. "Uh... and?"

Cautiously, he continued. "And, I had to tell them about you to get them to drop it. I mean, they don't know your name or anything about you but I had to tell them there was someone."

"Oh."

He paused his back and forth stroll to question her reaction. "Oh? That's all?"

She resumed her cutting as if it were helping her focus and process what he was telling her. "What do you want me to say?"

He sighed, sitting at the edge of the bed. "I don't know, Maahi. Something..." When she continued to remain quiet, he added. "I know I told you I'd wait as long as you wanted and I will. I didn't expect this... but I didn't want to hide this from you either. And don't worry. I know my parents. They won't press this again for some time."

Maahi placed the knife down on the cutting board, formulating her thoughts. "It's okay, Parth. They're your parents. I'm sure they want you settled. I get it. Thanks... uh, for telling me."

He could tell behind her polite answer. "You're freaking out, aren't you?"

She admitted, honestly. "A little, but it's fine. It's just a little unexpected."

"Yeah, it was for me too. Are you mad I told them about you without asking you? I know we didn't get to discuss anything."

"No." She answered wiping her hands, "No, nothing like that. You had to tell them something and honestly... I guess it's good. It's all still new for us but we're adults. We don't have to hide the relationship from our parents, right?"

He smiled, the tension in his shoulders starting to unclench a little in relief. "Right." He caught on to the sincerity in her tone. She wasn't saying this just to assure him but actually meant it. "Arjun was right. This honest communication thing really works, huh?"

She caught on that he might have sought advice from his friend and might have freaked out more than she. "It's the key for any relationship for sure."

Sensing that the conversation was heading to lighter matter now that he had told her all he wanted to that had happened today, she resumed her cooking, turning on the stove.

"I thought that would be trust, love, all that."

"All that is important, definitely, but if you don't express them sincerely when needed, things wouldn't be going anywhere. How do you learn you trust the person if you don't talk things out with them?"

"I can't argue with you there," He didn't even start, knowing she dealt with his day in and out.

She laughed, "Really, Parth, why do you always try to say the opposite?"

"Hey, you know, that's how you get to know each other. Some light debates to keep the conversation going."

She countered, "Why don't you just admit you like irritating me with pointless arguments?"

He laughed, laying back in bed. "I admit that it is fun to see you irritated. It's cute."

"I don't even know why I still talk to you."

"Because you love it when I pacify you after."

She rolled her eyes, "Whatever," though she would have to admit that to herself. Every time she'd grow irritated, he would say the sweetest things to pacify her.

He added to further confess, "More than that, I love pampering you."

Even though he couldn't see, she lowered her gaze as once again. His words touched her heart. She tried to divert the topic, "Did you have dinner?"

He saw through her attempt but went along with an answer, "No, not yet. Mom and dad are out for some social event. It's just me. So, I can eat when I want." He informed and she knew of their house rule to eat dinner together at one time when everyone was home. Some days, it would just be him and his mom or just him and his dad if the other had a night shift at the hospital. "What about you? What are you making for dinner?"

"Simple tonight. Just aloo ki sabzi and chapati, and fried rice for lunch tomorrow."

"You know, I've heard from Nikki that you make really good fried rice. You're going to have to make it for me one day." He said while imagining her cooking for him. Now that... that picture felt good. He couldn't wait for that one day to come.

"I'm sure she exaggerated, but sure. Next time you come over."

"Hmm."

She asked, curious to know what other conversations she was involved in without her knowledge. "What else does Nikki tell you about me?"

He, however, didn't entertain her question. "That, my love, is for me to know. Private conversation between siblings, you see."

She scoffed, "Private, as if. Shut up and tell me."

He teased, "Pick, do you want me to shut up or tell you?"

"Parth." She said his name in quick agitation, warning him to not start this again.

He sweetly answered, "Yes, baby?"

"You know what, go eat and stop annoying me."

He argued, "But I'm waiting for your dinner to be cooked so we can eat together."

If she opened her mouth for a quick retort, no words came out once his words connected in her brain. She told herself she had to be hearing this. "What did you just say?"

He simply said, "You heard me, Maahi," understanding she had been baffled by the sweet gesture.

So what, if they weren't physically in front of each other? This was still the next best and it was just as effective in passing along the message of just what he felt for her that he would do these sappy and small things that could still be very much meaningful. These are the things that would make Maahi realize just how much she was falling in love with Parth - whether she was ready for it or not.

༺༻ ༺༻༺༻

A few days later, Maahi decided to call her father as it had been some time since they'd talked. Just after she had dinner that night, she dialed his number and he answered within the second ring. "Gudiyan, hi. How did you think of this oldie today?"

Maahi smiled hearing his voice and the teasing glimpse in them, "Daddy, c'mon. I don't just call you when I need something. Can't I call just to say hi? See how my oldie is doing?"

He laughed along, happy more so because he heard happiness reflecting in her chirpy voice. That was all he wanted. "You can call anytime, dear. How are you?"

"I'm good. Just work and all, you know? You?"

"All fine here too, nothing to worry about. You're going out and things, right? Don't just lock yourself up with work."

She smiled at his concern for her social life, "I know, dad. I am starting to live. Don't worry about me."

He challenged, "Really? Then what have you done lately that's different other than work."

She proudly answered, "Let's see. I played paint-ball this last weekend and before that, I went out clubbing with two of my friends from work. A couple of times for lunch, I've went out to eat... by myself, yeah, but still, I went instead of sitting in my office room and having home-made food there. Do you need me to go on?"

He denied, smiling along as he was further assured. "No, I believe you. I'm glad you're doing things for yourself now. How long had it been since you went paint-balling? I don't think I've heard you mentioning any sport activities in a long time."

"Yeah, it's been a while." She admitted while throwing in an information, "Parth took me. Surprised me, you know?"

"Really, now? He drove over there for the weekend, was it?"

She sheepishly admitted, "Uh, yeah. He was worried, you can say. It was the night before that I went clubbing and I'd told him I'd text him when I was home but I was so tired and phone died and I forgot so..."

He lightly admonished, "Gudiyan, that's not right, na? The poor lad must have been so worried."

She teased, "Daddy, are you already taking his side?"

He laughed at her insinuation, "Hey, I'm just saying. I can understand, you know? You're my daughter and I still worry about you. Besides, you can say that I am happy to know how much he cares for you already."

"Yeah... how's mumma? Is she around?"

"Uh... no. She had a long day so she's already gone to bed."

Maahi sighed, noticing his hesitation. "She's still mad at me."

It had been as such even before the divorce and that hadn't changed. Anytime she called her father, she'd tried to talk to her. Most time, he managed to make an excuse - like now - but other times when unavoidable, her mother would talk to her but it would be a quick hi and then with some reason or other, claim she was busy and pass the phone back to her father.

Once again, her father tried to comfort her. "Don't let her get to you, beta. She's being stubborn for no reason. Remember this, no matter whether she talks to you or not, you haven't done anything wrong in getting this divorce. It's sad your own mother does not understand but one day, she'll come to her senses and she'll really regret it that day."

She nodded to herself, wanting to believe it but somewhere also not ready to accept it. She was her mother and even if she was upset with her, she felt the need to make further attempt. She just wanted an honest conversation with her... understand what was going through her mind. This silent treatment was nowhere logical.

Thus, she suggested. "How about I come over next weekend?" With it being July 4th weekend, she could visit. "I can get Monday off and stay there a bit longer."

"Oh, dear. You don't have to."

"No, it's okay. I want to. It'll be nice. We haven't all spent time together for years now." She explained how it would be a good chance. Since she's been 18, they've been away in India and the two times they met in those years had not been good times for they were filled with stress. She believed this was what they needed. Perhaps, if they were together as a family again, she had hopes that she could convince her mother and they could salvage their estranged relationship.

Sonu had taken a lot from her in three years but she was not willing to lose her mother because of him.

"Are you sure you want to do that to yourself?" He asked her, hinting it won't be an easy weekend if she came. Her mother was not going to give in without some brutal arguments.

She, however, assured him. "I'm sure. It's settled then? Next weekend?"

He decided to let it be. If he needed to, he would ofcourse step in between and help his daughter out in patching up their relationship. "Okay, then. Next weekend."

"Good... I can't wait."

He added, "And hey, do let your guy know."

"Hmm, but I doubt I'll have time to see him."

He reprimanded, "Why not? You can't spend all the time with us. Wouldn't it be nice to see him?"

"Yeah, but..."

"Gudiyan, I'm not asking you to bring him home. Just... plan something with him too. You get limited time as it is. If you're going to drive down, it only makes sense that you spend some of that time with him too. How else do you expect your relationship to progress, hmm?"

She couldn't argue with the logic there. She knew she would have liked it but she also felt the need to prioritize her mother for the time being, needing her back in her life. "Okay, okay. I hear you. I'll plan on taking some time to see him."

He approved, relieved his daughter understood quickly instead of being stubborn. Though, he did imagine that was because somewhere, she must have wanted that as well but was just worrying over whether it would be right to do so.

After spending a few more minutes talking, he started to yawn and bidding each other, ended the call.

She got ready for bed, thinking she would tell Parth tomorrow. Alas, her impatience and excitement won over and turning in bed, she reached for her phone at the side desk to message him.

Maahi: guess what?

It took him a few minutes to reply as his phone had been on silent while he was working on his case.

Parth: you finally figured out which incentives you want?

Maahi: gosh, do you ever forget anything?

Parth: lol, hardly. I have to have sharp memory for what I do. Anyway, what's up?

Maahi: I just talked to my dad...

Parth: about?

Maahi: you probably shouldn't plan anything for July 4

Instead of answering quickly as he had been, he called her and questioned in surprise, "Are you serious?"

"No, I thought for once I'd pull a prank on you." She answered being sassy.

He rolled his eyes, "Maahi, don't kid right now. Are you really going to be coming here?"

She chuckled understanding his impatience and need to grasp his excitement on the news, "Yes. It's high time I sort things out with my mom, you know? So, I'm going to file for leave tomorrow for Monday when I go into work. I didn't want to tell you until it'd be approved but I guess I couldn't wait."

He grinned catching on to her feelings as well. She was looking forward to it just as much. Sincerely, he expressed talking about her mother, "I'm sure you'll feel better after seeing them."

"Yeah. It'll be a good thing."

"So, July 4th. Can I go ahead and plan the entire day?"

She laughed, "Hold off till tomorrow, okay? Let them first approve it before you get ahead of yourself."

"When was the last time you asked for a leave?" He countered, "I'm sure they'll approve it."

She answered between a yawn, "I'm certainly counting on that."

"Good. I already can't wait."

She went on to tease him, turning sides in bed so her phone was pressed between her pillow and cheek. "Really? I couldn't tell that from your voice at all."

He warned her, closing up his files to call it a night himself for it was half past ten and he had to be up at 6 in the morning, "You know what? Just get here. Then I am going to have my revenge for everything."

"Revenge? Whatever for. I haven't done anything."

"Really?" He challenged walking up to the switch board to turn off the lights, "You tease me too much. Is it wrong to be happy that I will get to see my girlfriend after almost three weeks?"

"I guess you might have a point there." She said, her eyes fluttering close, heavy with sleep.

He could hear it in her voice as he walked back to his bed. "Ofcourse I have a point. I didn't know I could miss someone this much."

Though sleepy, her lips turned up in a smile as she gathered enough courage to whisper, "I miss you too."

"Good night, love you."

"Hmm," she answered in a hum. Her sleepy mind not catching his words and taking it as his normal, 'good night, love'. She dozed off without hearing the last word and with her faint response, he did realize that.

Even if it had been the first time he said it to her, he still smiled while ending the call.

He hadn't imagined that the first time he said them, it'd be like this. Over the phone call when she barely heard him. But still, saying it meant something for him. He was one to never have a proper relationship before. In actuality, he hadn't planned on saying it. It's something that just came out naturally even though it shouldn't have been as it was the first time he'd have said those words to someone he was in a relationship with.

But yet, his feelings were real and there was no reason for him to fight it. With Maahi, he had always known.

He'd told her in their first meet that he hadn't found someone to commit to. So, he dated a lot in his early days and flirted non-stop. Then, after having met her for only a day, he didn't feel the need to. Now, he didn't have to fight the feeling of wanting to commit to her for a lifetime.

And, he couldn't wait till their relationship would be at a point where he could say the proper three words to her while in front of her and not the rushed and casual love you instead of I love you.

Funny how one small syllable word could hold such ginormous meaning.

༺༻ ༺༻༺༻

【 Author Note 】

Super slow updates, I know. As it has been lately and it's the same thing each time. I do not have enough written, honestly. It's hard to find the time and when I do get some free time, I am not quite in the right frame of mind to be writing. I just want to take that rare time to relax and laze around, you know?

I have some tough scenes to write ahead as Maahi visits her parents... Not sure when I will post next as till Dec 7, I have some project, paper, exam, presentation due each week (yup, life of a graduate student!). Anywho, lemme know if you are so far liking the progress of the story!