A week passed by. Jai continued his indoor shooting in the city. He didn't try to talk to srishti even though he badly wanted to. His schedule was so tightly packed that he didn't have time for anything. Pallavi also got busy with her film. She was happy living with jais family. Where everyone treated her like their own.

Srishti is the one who started having sleepless nights. She haven't talked to Jai for so long. How much ever she tried to do so. She never had the courage. Besides Jai was busy with his shoots , she didn't wanted to disturb him in anyway. And she always had a sinking feeling in her stomach whenver she saw Jai and Pallavi together. She couldn't figure it out what's going wrong with her.

It was a Saturday and both Jai and Pallavi had their day off. They spent their entire day , talking about the movies. Discussing scripts together. Pallavi was always impressed by the way Jai handled everything. He was a wonderful actor and he knew cinema. She wanted to learn more from him. And he was glad to be her help.

Srishti. On the other side. Tried to talk to Jai in more than one occasion. But she couldn't do so.

By eight in the evening, Srishti walked out of the kids' room since they had fallen asleep early. She made her way towards her room and couldn't help but wonder. What Jai might be doing at that moment. As she entered the room, she was surprised to see Jai and Pallavi sitting together on the couch. They appeared to be engrossed in something on Jai's laptop. With Pallavi's hand resting comfortably on his shoulder. They sat in close proximity to each other, and Jai's eyes were fixed intently on the laptop screen. After a while, they engaged in a conversation. And bursted out laughing. At one point. Pallavi leaned towards Jai while laughing and rested her head on his shoulder.

Srishti kept looking at them. Uneasily. The way Pallavi's hand rested on Jai's shoulder. The way they leaned in close to each other. All of it seemed to suggest a level of intimacy that made Srishti's heart skip a beat. She didn't knew if she was jealous. But she was scared to loose Jai. She knew that much.

Srishti felt a lump forming in her throat. She gently tapped the door and the duo looked up

"Hey Srishti. Why are you knocking? Come inside" pallavi said.

Srishti walked inside the room. She felt jais stare on her.

"You know what, Srishti? Karthik, our childhood friend, is getting married. We were just checking the emails and we've received his invitation!"pallavi exclaimed happily.

"Oh..thats great"Srishti forced a smile. Trying to hide her unease. While Jai's gaze lingered on her. As if sensing her discomfort.

"Jai now please don't give excuses. You have to push your dates and take a day off. It's karthik for godsake"pallavi huffed.

"Stop being a drama queen PP. Let me see what I can do"jai said.

Pallavi smiled and stood up. She didn't wanted to stay in the room any longer. As srishti had come. She knew jais and srishtis marriage happened. Out of misunderstandings. But she also could see the way they both were trying. To talk to each other. She definitely knew that both Srishti and Jai. Meant much more to each other. But they just never realized.

"Anyway....I have a few phone calls to make. I'll leave now. Good night jai"pallavi said.

"Good night pallavi"he got up and gave her a side hug. She hugged him back.

Srishti widened her eyes.
"Why they have to hug just for saying a good night?"her mind voice echoed. She forced herself to keep her composure.

Pallavi walked towards Srishti. And hugged her. Srishti hugged her back. Trying to hold back the pang of jealously she felt a moment ago.

"Good night Srishti"

"Good night pallavi"she forced a smile again.

Pallavi walked out of the room. Jai sat back and continued going through his laptop. Srishti waited for him to look up. But he remained engrossed in his work. She decided to take a warm shower. Hoping the cold water would calm her senses. As she stood under the showerhead. She let out a gentle sigh. Srishti's mind was consumed by a jumble of thoughts.

"Why am I thinking so much about this?" she asked herself.

"They're just friends."

But the truth was. Jai had been spending more and more time with Pallavi since she arrived. And Srishti couldn't help but feel left out. It was as if Jai had stopped noticing her.

"Why am I disturbed? What's wrong with me?" The more she thought about it. The more she knew she needed to talk to Jai. It was the only way to clear the air and understand what was going on.

Srishti came outside. After changing into a comfortable kurthi and palazzo. Her hairs were still wet and she didn't bother to dry her hairs properly. She was desperate to talk to him. Jai was standing in the balcony. Looking outside. Towards the night.

"This is your chance. Talk to him Srishti.."she said to herself and walked towards him. Her heart was pounding with each step. She felt weak.

Srishti stood behind Jai. Waiting for him to turn around. But he remained engrossed in his thoughts. Oblivious to her presence. She moved a bit closer. Her heart racing with anticipation. Finally, at the right moment. He turned back to go. And their eyes met. Srishti felt a lump form in her throat as she gazed into his eyes. Which seemed to bore deep into her soul. She quickly looked down.

"What? Why are you standing here?"he asked. She took a deep breath and looked back at him.

"I....I have to.....talk....I mean we need to....."she stammered. Feeling her palms going cold.

Jai folded his arm's across his chest and kept looking at her.

"Srishti. What are you saying? Stop stammering now. I'm not going to do anything"he said. She sighed and clenched her fist.

"I'm sorry"she said. Finally.

"For what?"

"For....for ignoring you"

"It's not a big deal. I guess you were more comfortable when you were not talking to me"he said and she looked at him shocked

"I...I didn't mean it"

"I don't want to force you for anything either. Good night"he said and walked away from her.

Srishti felt hot tears rolling down her cheeks as she bit down on her lower lip. Trying to hold back her emotions. But it was no use. As the tears soon began gushing out of her eyes. Jai stopped in his tracks and turned back to Srishti. He noticed that she was shivering and her shoulders were shaking. He rushed back to her and grasped her shoulders gently. Srishti looked up at him. Seeing her in tears. Jai let out a soft sigh.

On the next moment she was in his arms. He hugged her tightly. She placed her head in his chest and hugged him back without any hesitation. For the first time she didn't wanted to move away from his embrace.

"I'm sorry Srishti. I didn't mean to snap back at you. But see...I'm so hurt Srishti"he said.

She didn't say anything. So he hugged her tighter. Giving her time. After a minute or so. She came back to her sense and pulled away from the hug. He held her hand. Stopping her from moving away from him. She raised his eyes to look at him. He gently wiped her tears with his thumb. She closed her eyes. Feeling his touch.

"Talk to me"he said.

She sighed and decided to speak.

"I'm.....sorry. I was rude to you. I kept pretending...that you weren't there. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was...I was just...in a mess"she said. He could see how she was feeling guilty.

"It's okay. I understand"he said. She raised her head. To look at him.

"I just want you to be comfortable srishti. I thought we were doing just fine. When I came back from Norwich. I was excited about seeing you again. I wanted to talk to you. Tell you about my day. But when you ignored me. I didn't knew if I had done something. To hurt your feelings. Whatever it is I want you to understand that. I just want you to be happy"he said.

Srishti sighed and decide to speak what was in her mind.

"I'm.....I'm feeling bad"she said.

"About what?"he asked

"About everything. I don't want to stay here anymore"she said.

"But why?"he asked softly. He was hurt. Seeing her hurt

"See it's...you know how this marriage happened" Srishti said with her voice trembling.

"I don't want to be a burden to anyone of you"she added and looked at the ground. Jai looked at her for few seconds. His finger gently lifted her chin to make her look straight at him.

"You aren't a burden Srishti..youre my..."he stopped as she looked at him. He sighed

"You're my biggest fan....my good friend and...my legal wife. Do you think you don't have any rights to be here?"He paused.

"See how the kids love you. They can't spend a single second without you. And Amma, Nannaama everyone loves you here Srishti. You can't just leave like that"he said. Srishti kept looking at him.

"You're important to everyone here. And youre important to me. I know you are worried about the future. I'm too. But as I said. We both need time. So let's just go with the flow"he said.

"I know what you are going through right now. But trust me....we will make this work okay?"He asked and she nodded her head litely.

"Good. So keep your worries aside. And just be my friend again. Because I can't take you ignoring me anymore"he said. She lowered her head again. Feeling bad.

"I'm sorry"

"Don't be. I'm happy that you decided to talk to me. And we fixed things together"he smiled. She nodded again.

"Okay madam. Stop nodding your head. And smile. Like this"he smiled widely. Her lips curved into a smile seeing his face.

"There you go. I told you right. Just keep smiling. You look good when you do that"he said.

Srishtis cheeks flustered hearing him. She realised how close they were standing. And stepped a bit away from him. He left her hand's to make her comfortable.

"Happy?"he asked.

She nodded again. Which made him glare.

"Words"

"Um...yes"she said. He smiled.

"Good. Now go and sleep. You look tired"he said.

"No I'm fine"she said.

"How was your shoot in London?"she questioned. He smiled. Realising that she wanted to talk to him more.

"It was fine"he said.

They stood together in the balcony. The moon shone brightly outside and the cold air brushed against their skin. Jai and Srishti was busy talking. He told her about London. The shoot. And everything. Srishti keenly listened to him. She also told him about her college. And exams.

An hour passed by and they were still talking. She rubbed her palm on her shoulders. When it started getting chilly.

"Let's go inside"he said noticing it.

Srishti nodded and they walked back to the room.

"You should sleep srishti. It's already late"he said.

"Okay"she kept standing still.

"What? You're not gonna sneak out to sleep in the balcony at midnight. Are you?"he asked. Making her shocked. He laughed seeing her face. She looked down. Feeling embarrassed.

They settled down on their respective sides of the bed. While Jai switched the lights off. Srishti kept staring at the ceiling. Clutching the duvet.

"I forgot to tell you. We should attend my friends' marriage this coming Thursday. You will come right?"he asked.

Srishti didn't knew if she was ready yet to go out in public with him. As his wife. But she also didn't want to deny him.

"Srishti? I know you are worried. And we're gonna make our first public appearance together. As husband and wife. But I'm gonna be there with you. And I'll make sure that you are comfortable"he said. Reading her mind.

"Okay"she said with a smile.

"Yeah. And besides Pallavi is gonna be there with us too. So there's nothing to worry about"he said. Srishti frowned inside hearing about Pallavi. But she didn't say anything.

"And after the wedding. I'm gonna take you somewhere"he said.

"Where?"she asked. Curiously.

"It's a surprise"she said.

"But...."

"A surprise is a surprise okay? Good night Srishti"he said smilingly. She sighed.

"Good night"

Jai pulled the duvet. Covering himself and closed his eyes. While he was facing her. Srishti kept looking at him without blinking.

"Stop staring at me. I know I'm handsome"he said. She widened her eyes and blushed. Pulling the duvet up to cover her face. She could hear him chuckle.

After few minutes she removed the duvet from her face. To look at him. Seeing him fast asleep. Her lips curved into a smile. She felt stupid and guilty. For not talking to him for this long. He could make her feel better about anything. Easily.

"Thank you"she slowly whispered. And closed her eyes to sleep. While facing his side.

Srishti woke up in the morning to find the other side of the bed empty. Jai had already left for shoot. She wiped her face. And came outside the bed. Tying her hair into a bun. But suddenly paused seeing a huge bouquet of roses in the table. She walked upto it and took the bouquet in her hand's.

There was small note attached to it.

Thanks for yesterday. Have a good day srishti and hey....don't forget to smile.
- Jai

Her lips curved into a wide smile. And she pressed the bouquet closer to her chest. While her cheeks reddened with blush. She didn't knew what he was doing to her. Yet she knew that it meant so much to her

Somewhere deep inside..she started falling for him.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Precap - Jai , Srishti and Pallavi at Karthiks wedding. Jais surprise

♡ Nila ♡