Jai and Srishti kept avoiding each other after their unexpected kiss. Both didn't knew how to face each other. Jai was worried about his own feelings. He was in two minds. Guilt. And worry. He didn't wanted her to misunderstand him.

Srishti on the other side was totally lost. She tried to keep herself busy with works. But she couldn't stop replaying that moment in her head.

Both of them didn't go downstairs for lunch too. Kumari served Jai lunch in his room itself when he told her that he had a meeting. Srishti made an excuse of studying. Skipping her lunch.

At night post dinner. Jai was in his room. Going through some important documents in his I pad. He wanted to apologise to Srishti for what he had done. But he didn't knew how. She had her dinner with the kids. And Jai knew. She was avoiding him.

As soon as he heard the footsteps outside the room. He was sure that it was Srishti. He immediately covered himself with the duvet and pretended to sleep.

Shruthi walked in and found Jai asleep in the bed. She grabbed his duvet making him startle.

"Srishti. Im sorry for what I've done. I don't want to face you now please"he said and Shruthi looked at him confused

"Annaya?"

Jai opened his eyes. To see shruthi. Looking at him with raised eyebrows. He sighed and sat up on the bed.

"It was you"

"What is it? Why are you asking sorry to Srishti?"shruthi asked sitting next to him.

"What? That's.....nothing...you didn't sleep yet?"he asked.

"Answer me first"she glared at him.

"Shru I'm tired. I have to sleep now. I'm getting back to shoot tomorrow remember?"he said.

"Excuse ha? I knew something was wrong. Will you tell me or not? Else I'm gonna ask srishti"she said. Jai dropped his head down. Realising that his sister won't stop until the spills the truth.

"Promise me that you won't tell anyone"he said and she nodded.

He narrated the morning incident and how it ended with their kiss. Shruthi couldn't stop herself from giggling.

"And then she just.....ran out of the room"he concluded. Shruthi bursted out laughing once he finished talking.

"Can you tell me where i was being funny?"jai rolled his eyes.

"Sorry. Can't help it. But this is....insane. You're feeling bad because you almost grabbed her into a kiss. And heck. It can't be even called as a kiss. Infact it is a humiliation to kiss. It was Accidental. I don't know why you are feeling bad about this. You didn't mean to do that. Do you?"she asked.

"No. I didn't. And that's why I wanted to apologise to her. I don't know how"he said.

"Annaya....in case if you had forgot. Srishti is your wife"shruthi said.

For a moment jai froze. As he was reminded about what relationship do they actually share. Srishti was his wife. It gave him weird feelings. Feelings which he never had before.

"We....are just good friends now"he said and looked away from shruthi.

"So that's it? You're gonna keep seeing her as your best friend forever?"she asked.

"You know how everything happened shru"he said.

"Yeah. But I also know. That you both are meant to be"she said. He leaned to the headboard.

"She's a good girl shruthi. And she's innocent. I've never seen anyone like her before. I feel good whenever she's around me. I don't want srishti to be uncomfortable. She had already gone through a lot. I want her to be happy now. I mean. Really happy"he said.

"Are you falling in love?"shruthi asked teasingly.

Jai smacked his sisters head.

"What?"

"I don't know which wretched time I decided to talk to you openly"jai groaned.

"Right. I should be charging you now. For free therapy classes"shruthi giggled.

"Whatever.....I feel really bad that i can't even face her now"

"Relax annaya. I think you should talk to her now. Tell her that you didn't mean to do it. And it was just an accident. She will understand"she said.

"Did you see her around?"he asked

"May be she's with the kids."

"Hmm"

Jai waited for Srishti to come back. To the room. But she was with the kids. Trying to keep herself busy. Time was nearing eleven. Jai lay on the bed. He knew srishti was not ready yet to talk to him. And that's why she was still avoiding him. He also had a flight to catch in the morning. After dimming the lights he fell into sleep.

Almost by 12. Srishti slowly walked inside their room only to find him fast asleep. Without making any noise she walked inside the washroom and freshened up herself. Once she came back she saw his bags packed. And kept on the couch. Her lips curved into a sad smile. Realising that from tomorrow. For two months she's not going to see him.

Last time when he went outdoor for shooting. All she felt was relief. But one month had completely changed her feelings for Jai. Her admiration for him had only increased.

She sat on the bed looking at him. He looked like a baby in the sleep. She covered him properly with the duvet and smiled to herself. Knowing that he was feeling guilty for the morning incident. She didn't wanted his apology. She knew he didn't mean to do that. But every time she think about it. It sent shivers down her spine.

Srishti lay on her side of the bed. And continued staring at him. And she didn't knew when. Sleep occupied her.

The next morning. Srishti woke up by six. Jai was still fast asleep. She went ahead to do her morning chores. And walked downstairs to help kumari in the kitchen. She knew since jai is returning back to shoot from today. Kumari would be very much incharge in making his favorite breakfast

"Good morning Maa"srishti wished kumari. Making her smile.

"Good morning srishti. Raju awake yet?"she asked. And she shook her head.

"This boy never listens"

Srishti took the tea tray and went to serve the elders. Who were gathered in the living room. With their morning conversation. Just then Ganesh walked in. So srishti offered him a cup.

"Good morning srishti madam"

"Ganesh anna. Please don't call me that. You're elder than me. You can just call me Srishti"

Ganesh smiled at her and nodded his head.

"Ganesh....what time is the flight?"Krishna asked.

"Morning ten sir"ganesh replied.

"Is Raju still sleeping?"Kumari asked.

"No madam. I spoke with sir this morning. He must be freshening up"ganesh said.

"Good. Srishti. Can you please go upstairs and check on Raju? He's already getting late"kumari said. Making srishti startle. Her palms went cold at the thought of even facing him.

But she knew if she couldn't do it now. May be she won't be able to face him later.

On reaching their room. She let out a breath and pumped her fists. Walking inside. Jai was sitting in the couch. Tying his shoe laces. With phone pressed to his right ear by his shoulder.

"Yes Ashok. I'll meet you there. Can you call Ganesh when you are free. Okay fine. Bye"he said and hung up the call.

Just then he noticed srishti at the door. Standing quietly.

"Hello Madam. Why are you standing there? Come inside"he said and got up.

She walked in hesitatingly. He walked closer and stood. Right in front of her. She kept her eyes on the ground. Making him sigh.

"Look at me Srishti"he said.

She slowly raised her head. Looking at him. He gave her a soft smile.

"Tell me how I'm I looking? Handsome right?"he asked. Making her smile.

"Thank god. I know after yesterday. It was quite awkward. I didn't knew how to face you and I'm sure you felt bad too. But I really didn't mean to do it Srishti. It was my mistake. I'm really sorry"he said. She opened her mouth to speak. But before that the helpers walked inside the room. To carry jais luggage's downstairs.

"Yeah. You can take them"jai said and turned towards Srishti. Once they left.

"Srishti. Come on talk to me. Atleast let me know that you're still angry or mad at me"he said.

"I'm....I'm not angry with you"she said finally. Making him sigh in relief.

"So?"

"I...I just wanted some time. It was my mistake too"she said.

"Okay. Good. So we both agreed it was a mutual mistake. And it won't happen again. Right?"he asked and she nodded. Jai smiled inwardly seeing her face. His phone started ringing. Startling him.

"Yeah Ganesh? Okay I'll be downstairs in five minutes"he said and dropped the phone in his pocket.

"So.....I'm leaving"he said.

Srishti didn't knew why. Suddenly she felt a pang in her chest. Her eyes welled up. For some reason she didn't wanted him to go.

"Take care sir. Have a safe journey"she said.

Jai nodded his head.

"You too. Take care and concentrate on your exams Okay. I'll keep in touch with you and don't you dare to ignore me again"he said making her smile and chuckle at the same time. He smiled back.

"Bye"

"Bye sir"

Jai walked towards the door but srishti stood still. Watching him silently. But to her surprise. He suddenly paused and came back to her.

"Srishti....are we friends now?"he asked making her blink.

"Answer me"he said. When she was silent.

"Um....Yeah...I mean yes"she said.

"Okay. So is it okay if I give you a goodbye hug"he asked. She looked at him. Shocked. And surprised.

"Can I?"

Srishti lowered her head back to the ground and slowly nodded her head. Jai smiled and stepped closer to her. Her heart pounded feeling him close. He wrapped her arms around her and swiftly pulled her close that she was completely in her arms. Srishti closed her eyes. Her tears fell on his shoulder. And then he felt her hugging him back. That made him smile more and tighten his hold around her. Srishti shivered feeling his breath near her neck.

They stood like that for over 30 seconds before srishti decided to break the hug. She lowered her head and stepped back. He smiled at her.

"Take care. I'll miss you Srishti. Bye"he said and walked outside the room. Without waiting for her reply.

Srishti stood still. Feeling him going away. She closed her eyes as more tears came rushing down her eyes. She didn't knew why exactly she was feeling bad. But she knew she didn't wanted to go away from him.

Jai took the lift to downstairs. After bidding bye to everyone. And taking blessings from the elders he walked outside towards the car. Along with Ganesh.

He paused when he was about to get inside the car. His heart felt unusually heavy. He looked back at his family who was waving at him. But he was disappointed when he didn't see srishti anywhere.

"Sir....it's time"ganesh said. Making him nod with a sigh.

He got inside the car after waving back to his family. He lowered the glass window of the car. Looking back again. And suddenly he felt her gaze on him. He looked up and saw her standing in the balcony. Looking at him with tears. His lips curved into a big smile seeing her. She slowly smiled back and waved her hand at him. He waved back. Feeling his heart jumping in joy.

The driver started the car. And soon drove outside the compound. Both Jai and Srishti looked at each other. Until they both disappeared from each other's sights.

Srishti felt a sudden loneliness engulfing her. She went back to their room. He wasn't there. She recalled their hug. And smiled to herself.

"I'll miss you "

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Precap : Srishtis conversation with shruthi about Jai, Jais unusual feelings

♡ Nila ♡