The rising sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky. Golden fingers of sunlight lit up the scene. The just-risen sun shone softly on the city streets, bringing with it a flurry of early-morning activity.

Today when I and Abir drank coffee at his flat he requested me to stay for a while so that even he will take shower and join me in the park for jogging.

I agreed for a simple reason, I could spend time with Arya and Aryan. Though they were sleeping but it felt peaceful to watch them resting with innocent smiles. Aryan looks more like Abir in his behaviour but Arya has all Abir's cuteness.

"Come on you are acting so lazy! Arya and Aryan should stop calling you Ms Powerful, Ms Strong and all stuff. They should call you Ms Lazy!" Abir rolls his eyes at me as I sit on the ground to take a rest.

"Oh please! I am human not a machine!" I glare at him.

"Get up, still two rounds are left" He forwards his hand, people around watch us with a head full of questions.

"I swear I'm not gonna join with you for jogging again" Holding his hand I get up and dust myself.

"This is going to be our daily routine now" He smiles at me, "I am enjoying your company"

"Why?" I ask with raised eyebrows.

"I don't know!" He shrugs looking down, "Now stop wasting time. Let's go" He drags me with him and the next second we were running around. The sweat dripping from everybody running in this park is enough for me to get irritated. But this man oh-so-gently jogs beside me, his fresh shower smell is more than enough to relax me.

"That was something" I take a seat on the bench after completing two rounds.

"Yeah!" Abir drinks water, now his fresh shower smell is mixed with his sweat, I move a little to stay away from that eww smell.

"What's wrong?" Abir asks seeing my strange behaviour.

"You are sweating, Eww!" I hold my nostrils between my thumb and forefinger.

He looks confused a little then chuckles, "As if the smell of sweetness is dripping from you"

I look at myself, maybe I am sweating but that's all because of him. He made me run extra rounds, Arya was right he is so strict sometimes!

"Aren't you sweating Ms Agarwal?" He arches an eyebrow at me, moving closer.

"Yeah, maybe a little" I look away from him not wanting to inhale his smell and hold my breath.

He moves away chuckling, seeing my irritated face. I leave my breath!

"Sweat is natural!" He gets up wearing his bag, "Let's go to the nearby cafe and have something. You look tired"

"Aren't you getting late? Besides, you have locked Arya and Aryan at home" I follow him as he walks somewhere.

"It's still 8:30, being the boss go to the office at 10:00. Arya and Aryan will get up and take shower, till I return they will be playing or fighting" I nod at his answer, these three are complete with each other.

"Daily routine from the time we shifted here" He shrugs, reaching the cafe he holds my hand. I look at our hands then at him, he is simply looking forward and walking.

My eyes wander around to find few boys staring at me with those dreamy eyes, I smile at Abir's concern for me. Though I can fight and take care of myself but being cared for by someone else who hardly knows you is so sweet.

"So what do you want to eat or drink?" He asks as we take a seat on the corner table.

"Maybe some juice, Shreya will make breakfast anyhow" I reply looking at the menu.

"Two Apple juice please" He replies to the waiter and smiles at him politely.

I frown, "How do you know I want to drink Apple juice?"

He looks at me blankly for a minute before replying, "Actually I wanted to drink it so thought even I'll order the same for you!" He fake chuckles.

"Still, you should have normally asked me if I drink Apple juice or not!" I mean come on he can't order just like that, "Mr Rajvansh are you spying on me?"

"Seriously!" He rolls his eyes as he mumbles something to himself.

"Are you cursing me?" I slam my hand on the table not-so-angrily.

"Easy there girl" He widens his eyes as he looks around and gives everyone fake smile.

"Did you cruse me under your breath Mr Rajvansh?" I ask again in a high voice.

"Take it easy! Why will I curse you?!" He shrugs, "You seriously have anger issues, Violent Lady!"

I open my mouth at his statement, "What?! You! Urgh," I get up from the seat irritated while he sits there with a silly smile.

"Hey! Boy, are you troubling the girl?" A man with so long height and a strong body appears out of nowhere.

I look at Abir who is rolling his eyes, "Stop doing that!" I snap my fingers at him.

"Let's go, we really need to get out of here before you burst out" He gets up ignoring the giant man and drag me with him.

"No! I'll drink juice and leave" Losing his grip on my hand I turn around.

"Hey, How dare you drag her?" The giant man's voice forces me to turn around, my blood boils as I see the man holding Abir through his collar. But what the hell is Abir waiting for? Invitation? Couldn't he just push him away!

"Relax man! There's nothing like you think" Abir says with a quiet-loud voice.

"I don't think anything, I have seen everything!" That's it my patience time is over. Our problem is our own problem! He shouldn't have entered!

I glance here and there to find the waiter holding our juice tray and looking at the scene in front of him. Moving quickly I pick the Apple juice glass and throw it on the giant man!

Sorry, Apple Juice! I know you are my favourite but this man is double my height and I can't easily pull him away!

"What the heck?!" The man looks at me shocked before leaving Abir's collar.

"Mishti" Abir holds my hand while I am still busy glaring at the man, "Have you gone mad?" I glare at Abir for acting stupid!

"How dare you, girl?" The man raises his voice at me, people gather around us, a few laughing at the man's juicy state.

"How dare you? And don't raise your voice! Your height may be double than me but my voice is triple than yours" I snap my fingers at him, I had to look up to see his face and my neck pains a little.

"Mishti, it's fine, let's go now!" Abir holds me through my shoulders and I push him away glaring.

"Give me money!" I demand looking at the man who is gritting his teeth and wiping his face with tissues.

"Which money? I was saving you from this boy not doing robbing money!" He glares at me which I don't like at all.

"At first I don't need anyone to save me. Secondly, I threw Apple juice on you and you are going to pay for that" I smile at him sweetly batting my eyelashes.

"Is she insane?" He looks at Abir then at everyone.

"Yeah, I am!" I nod at him positively. The next moment someone drags me, I see Abir who is giving a look which says 'Unbelievable'.

The next second he takes me in his arms, "I ask sorry to you on her behalf" Abir apologizes to the man.

"What the hell? Why are you saying sorry? If you want to apologize then apologize but not from my side. I.." I stop saying as Abir glares at me and I had to stop unwillingly.

"Sorry from her side again" He smiles at the man and walks out of the cafe with me in his arms.

"Jerk!" I slap on his arm and mutter under my breath.

"It's you who is cursing!" He says rolling his eyes.

"Now put me down Abir" I kick my legs in the air, irritated.

"No!" He shakes his head looking ahead at the road.

"What a pleasant surprise!" I hear the very familiar voice, Abir stops walking, I look front in shock to see Sam and Shreya with that evil smile.

"Perfect!" Shreya winks at me as she takes our photo on her phone.

"I mean we were waiting for one long hour for you to return after giving coffee to Mr Rajvansh so that we can leave for the park and you didn't even think to inform us before leaving!" Sam says sweetly as she gives me a fake smile.

"Put me down" I whisper slowly to Abir.

"Oh, sorry!" He quickly puts me on my feet.

"I am sorry guys. I wanted to inform you guys but I forgot and after reaching the park I thought to inform you but then I realized my phone isn't with me" I explain my situation.

"Nice excuse but try something good next time. You could have informed us through Mr Rajvansh's phone as well" Sam looks at me suspiciously.

"By the way what was that?" Shreya gives me a teasing glance, "Mr Rajvansh did you guys last night.." Shreya looks at Abir as she entwines both her hands. I look confused at her then my eyebrows shoot up in shock understanding what she means, Abir chuckles slowly.

"I don't take advantage of anyone! Besides your friend isn't easy to handle so doing that stuff is out of syllabus question" Abir shrugs with a little mischievousness in his eyes.

"Your Badi maa" Sam passes her phone to me, taking the phone I move a little away from them.

"Good morning Badi maa" I smile to myself glancing back at my friends and Abir who have started talking with each other.

"It's fine maa. You complete your work and then come here" I answer when maa says sorry for not coming here as Bade papa is stuck in some business work.

"Yeah! Currently, I am planning the plot, after 2 months I'll take action. You can come after I finish my project as I'll be free that time"

"Abir? There's nothing like that maa. He is a good man" I look at Abir, "So are his children"

After talking for few minutes with Badi maa and Bade papa I come back to the place where these three are busy chatting.

"Really? Then we should sometime go on action challenge" Shreya states excitedly.

"She's right! We three are action lovers!" Sam takes High-Five with Shreya.

"No, No, I don't wanna hurt you, ladies!" Abir chuckles.

"Abir, you shouldn't worry that these three ladies are going to hurt you" Shreya and Sam say in unison as they put an arm around me.

"Let's see that! I have to go now getting late already" Abir says looking at his wristwatch, "Bye girls" He turns around to leave then turns around again, "Bye Mishti" he holds my gaze for a while smiling at me then disappears from there.

"Oho! Bye Mishti!" Sam teases me mimicking Abir's voice.

"Sounds ugly from your mouth!" I glare at her before leaving from there.

They follow me as they say behind me, "That was rude! You are completely drowned in Abir Rajvansh.

Sometimes, even I wonder why do I stay friendly with Abir when I hate being close to boys?! Maybe, because I love his kids.

✧✧✧

The day was hectic with we three being busy in our new case planning. I pick Arya and Aryan from their classes in the afternoon. These kids are so well-mannered, I just said them we three are busy with work and they sat silently doing their work. Playing with toys. Few times I found Aryan carefully watching us working, no doubt he is sensible than Arya.

It was 7:30 in the evening, I stretch my arms and push my tiredness away.

"I'll spend some time with them," I say to Sam and Shreya who nod in positive still busy at work.

Entering the kitchen I take three ice cream tubs from the fridge, "Who wants ice cream?" I show the ice cream tubs to Arya and Aryan, Arya runs towards me quickly while Aryan puts the toys in the bag before following his sister.

"I'll be back, Abir will be here in a while" I nod at my friends who pass a sweet smile to me.

Friends like Sam and Shreya are rare to find. They know when to support me when to tease me, when to leave me alone and when I need them. I would never have forgotten the pain of my broken marriage if Sam, Shreya, Badi maa and Bade papa weren't with me.

I take Arya and Aryan to my room so that we don't disturb Sam and Shreya. "So, you guys felt too bored today? Sorry" I hold my ears apologizing to them as we three settle on my bed.

"It's okay! You are giving ice cream that's what matters" Arya licks her lips and I chuckle slowly.

"Even I love ice cream, a lot" I pinch her nose cutely.

"Now quickly give that to me" Arya bats her eyelashes as she forwards her hands, I keep the ice cream tub in her hands and pass one to Aryan.

We get busy eating our ice creams but Aryan breaks the silence, "Are you a secret cop?"

I widen my eyes at him, "N..No!" I shake my head quickly.

"If you can't say the truth, you should just say I don't want to answer. There's no need to lie" Aryan shrugs just like Abir!

"Here" Arya puts a spoon full of ice cream on her brother's cheek.

"Arya!" He looks at her sadly.

"Bro, last time you had put the entire ice cream tub on my hairs" Arya giggles, "So revenge time" She puts the half-eaten ice cream of Aryan on his hairs.

"Gosh!!" I suppress my smile, they look so cute! Aryan with an irritated face and Arya with a cute giggling face.

"Hello," A voice from the door demands our attention, "Ice cream holi again!" Abir giggles as he enters in and takes a seat beside Arya.

"Papa, I finally got revenge!" Arya hugs him happily.

"Good" Abir giggles, the next second his smiling face fills with a horrified expression as Aryan puts Arya's ice cream on his hair.

"Aryan!" He looks at him with a shock.

"I'm not sorry for it! Last time I had put ice cream on Arya and just because she was crying you did the same with me. Now, even my revenge is done" Aryan shrugs laughing.

The three looks at each other then burst out laughing as they share a family hug. Then Arya and Aryan turn around to look at me while Abir still keeps his arms around them.

"Come," The duo says in unison, my eyes get blur as few tears start forming in my eyes. Through my blurry vision, I see Abir smiling at me and blink his eyes as if asking me to warm up my cold self. I dash myself in them, Arya and Aryan wrap their arms around me while Abir's forehead touches mine.

"Everything will be fine, if not today maybe someday for sure" Abir whispers, I know those words are for me, I want to ask why is he saying this to me but words don't come out of my mouth.

"Everything will be okay, Mishti" He whispers again in a soothing tone then moves his head a little down as he brushes his hairs on my nose.

I open my eyes and glare at him as I realize he just applied ice cream on my nose which was on his hairs, he smirks at me and we move out of the hug. The first thing I did was Sneeze continuous three times.

The three giggle at me, "I hate you, Abir" I grit my teeth.

"Don't expect a 'same to you' from me!" He shrugs, "Arya, Aryan go wear your bags"

As soon as they leave he sits next to me, "I know you love kids. Consider Arya and Aryan as yours!" He cleans my nose with tissue paper I had to take a sharp breath and my eyes close in anticipation.

"Good night, Mishti" Pressing my hand in assurance he looks into my eyes for a minute then leaves.

"Good night, Abir" I whisper slowly but I know he heard it as he stood for a second then again walked away.

"Take care" He adds smiling before closing the door.

How does he understand me so easily? How does he know what I need?
How does he read me through my eyes? How?

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How was it?

I really hope you guys liked it.

The upcoming updates are going to be very interesting, there's something new to come in MishBir's life! 😉

Thank y'all!