"Srishti....? Srishti?"

Srishti's eyes fluttered open as Jai gently shook her shoulder. Her eyes met. With his confused ones. She sat up abruptly, realizing that Jai was kneeling beside her on the couch in the balcony. She had spent the entire previous night tossing and turning. Her mind consumed by the thoughts of Jai. She couldn't believe that she had fallen for him. But the truth was undeniable. She was head over heels in love.

He kept calling her name. But she felt somehow lost seeing him. Her lips curved into a smile. As she stared at him dreamily.

"Hello?"he ran his palm in front of her. But she couldn't stop her smile.

"Srishti?"he snapped his finger in front of her. Which made her shudder out of thoughts.

"Are you okay? What happened to you? Why did you sleep here?"He asked.

"Huh? Oh. I was.....I was just...."she struggled to speak. Wondering what to say.

"Srishti?"he called her again.

"I...I don't know how I....slept here. I was just sitting here last night....and I fell asleep. Unknowingly"she said. He sighed in relief.

"That was it? I thought you were ignoring me again"he said with a chuckle. To which she lowered her head.

"I need to leave for shoot now. So I just wanted to tell you that. Be ready by today seven. I want to take you out somewhere"he said.

"Today? Where?"She asked.

"Hm...I'm I allowed to say that it's a Date?"jai asked with a smile. Srishti widened her eyes. Her heart skipped a beat. Listening to him.

"Hey relax. I thought it will be nice to take you out. For dinner. My shoot ends early today and I'm free. Is it okay for you?"he asked.

Srishti sighed to calm herself.

"Yes....Sure"she said. He smiled and nodded.

"Okay. I have to go and freshen up now"he said.

She realised that it was early morning. He got up and forwarded his palm. She looked up at him. And gently held his hand. He smiled and helped her to stand.

Srishti smiled looking outside. Feeling the chill morning air. While he walked inside to freshen up. She felt goosebumps in her skin. For some reason. She liked this new feeling. Which she had never felt before. Srishti knew that if she asked Jai, a chance at this relationship, he would probably say yes. But a part of her was terrified. Wondering what exactly was jais feelings towards her.

She walked inside the room after few minutes. He was inside the washroom. She looked at the time. It was only five in the morning. She decided to wait for him. He came outside after few minutes , running his palm through his wet hairs. Srishti kept staring at him until he noticed her.

"Sorry...if I woke you up. You can sleep"he said.

"No. It's okay"she said. Shaking her head.

His phone rang distracting them. Jai went to attend the call while she walked inside the washroom to wash her face.

Srishti stared at her reflection in the mirror with a smile. Water droplets running down her face.

"What is this srishti? Is this you? All this while you knew he was special. But you were so stupid to realise what your actual feelings were. Now he's not just your superstar. He's your husband. The man whom you took the wedding vows with. The gem of a person who did everything to protect you. Who never failed to make you happy. Who always reminded you to keep smiling despite the situation. The guy who made you fall in love. For the first time in your life"

She sighed and closed her eyes.

After few minutes when she came outside. He was dressed and was about to leave.

"Yeah....Ganesh. Okay I'm coming down in five minutes?"he disconnected the call. And dropped his phone in the pocket.

"I'm leaving srishti. See you in the evening"he said with a smile. She smiled back and nodded her head as a yes.

"Words madam"he glared.

"Um....have a great day"she said. He chuckled.

"Sure. You too. Bye"

"Bye"

He walked outside the room. Srishti ran up to the door and locked it once he's out. She leaned herself to the door and blushed heavily.

"Oh god. What the hell has he done to me?"she said and hit her head. With a smile.

Srishti struggled to spend the whole day. Staring at the time. Wondering why it was going slow. She was excited. Nervous and also tensed about evening. But she couldn't wait to see him again. His presence had always made her feel good. But she never realized it on her own.

She stood in front of the mirror. Trying on different kurtas. None of them felt like a perfect date night outfit to her. She was disappointed when she didn't like the last outfit she chose. She sighed and sat helplessly in the bed.

"Srishti?"

Shruthis voice distracted her. She quickly turned towards shruthi. Who walked inside looking at her phone.

"I need your help. I can't find the exact link of this dress online. What are you....."she paused. Seeing the mess in the bed. Where srishtis clothes lay piled up.

"What are you doing?"

"Um...nothing"srishti shaked her head.

"Really?"shruthi narrowed her eyes. Srishti sighed and sat on the bed.

"I'm trying to pick an outfit. Your brother said that. He's....taking me outside. For dinner"srishti said. Hesitantly

"Dinner date? Why didn't you tell me?"shruthi squealed in excitement.

"It's not.....a big deal"srishti gulped.

"Oh and that's why. You were struggling to choose an outfit huh? You want to look nice. I see"shruthi teased her.

"No..I....I don't know"

"Okay. Good"she shrugged. Srishti made a face. Which made shruthi giggle.

"Shruthi please. Help me"

"That's it. That's what I was waiting to hear. Don't worry vadina. I'm here right"shruthi said. Srishti smiled awkwardly.

"Okay. So it's a Date. And it's night time. So you have to shine. Let me see"shruthi went through all the clothes. Srishti had and ended up rejecting all of them.

"I'm gonna ask the designer to come tomorrow itself. Your clothes are too simple for a date srishti"shruthi said with a sigh

"I don't know. I've never been to a date before. What should i do?"Srishti asked.

"No worrys when shruthi is here"

In few minutes srishti found herself. Inside shruthis dressing room. Trying on her designer clothes. She didn't wanted to wear shruthis clothes. But she had a ton. Which shruthi havent worn not even once in her life. They didn't have much time left so they rushed through everything.

"It's good no?"shruthi asked. While srishti checked herself in the mirror after changing.

"Yes but it's sleeveless"srishti said. Shruthi hit her head and went ahead to take a green dress.

"See it's a kurta. It's decent and its green. Don't you dare reject it"shruthi said. Waving the dress. Srishti sighed and took them in her hand's. Before walking inside the washroom.

When she came outside. Shruthi gasped seeing her and gave her a thumps up.

"Perfect"

Srishti looked at the mirror. And smiled seeing herself. She knew she looked nice. She was nervous wondering Jai ever considered her as beautiful. Whenever he mentioned that she looked good. She felt so confident. Within herself.

"You just need some make up and that's it. You're gonna be stealing annayas heart today"shruthi said. Srishti drew a breath as soon as she heard it.

"Oh sorry you guys are just friends"shruthi said with a chuckle. Srishti glared at her.

Just then her phone beeped. She saw the notification and immediately grabbed her phone. It was jais message.

7pm. Be ready ;)

She clutched the phone and smiled inwardly.

By evening. Srishti got ready and stood in front of the mirror , wearing her earrings. Shruthi had done her make up. She looked simple. But breathtakingly elegant.

She drew a sharp breath and filled her hairline with vermilion. It made her glow again.

It was seven and she still haven't heard his car horn. She turned to look at his frame. Which hung on the hall.

"You said seven. It is seven. Where are you?"she asked. Looking at the frame in which he was smiling.

"Stop smiling okay? I'm going crazy over here. Anyway. How I'm I looking? Good no"she asked turning around. She sighed and clutched her dupatta.

"I'm so nervous. I don't know what I'll do"she said. But her lips curved into a smile.

"I don't know what you've planned. But I really hope I could open up myself. To you. Talk to you and tell you how much you means to me. You makes me feel alive superstar. You have no idea what you're doing to me. You.....you are...."

"I'm what?"

She turned back abruptly. Hearing his voice. Jai stood behind her. With a small smile. His eyes met with hers. She gulped. Looking at him. He stepped closer which made her heart pound. She took a step back in response. He took another step ahead. And she stepped back again. Until her back. Hit the wall.

"I'm what srishti?"he asked again. His voice husky. She gulped. Feeling her throat going dry.

"I was just......"

"I heard you"he said. Her pupils widened in shock.

"You said that I mean so much to you. You said I make you feel alive. You said......"he inched closer to her face. Her breath hitched and she leaned back as he leaned himself dangerously close to her.

"You said....I'm doing something to you"

Her gaze went to his lips. Which was so close to hers. Feeling her heart thudding. Palms and feets going cold in tension.

"What is happening to you?"he asked.

"I.....I was.....I don't....know"she stammered.

"But I know"he whispered. Srishti closed her eyes as he lifted his hand. And touched her chin.

"I really do"he said. Leaning more closer. Srishti clutched her dupatta and closed her eyes tight. Waiting for it to happen.

"Srishti?"

"Srishti?"She felt something shaking her shoulder. As she snapped out of her thoughts. She looked around to see Jai staring at her confused. As she stood zoned out. In front of his frame.

"Huh?"she asked. Looking at him in confusion.

"Hello? Madam are you okay? You looked as if you've zoned out. I've been calling you for few times now"he said.

She looked around realising it was just a dream. Her heart was still pounding. She gripped the side of her neck. Trying her best not to show him her nervous face.

"Um...yes....yes I'm fine"she said. And looked at him.

"When did you come?"

"Just now. When I came you were staring at my frame. Looking lost"he said. She wanted to hit her head in the wall.

"I was just....thinking something. The frames. They look....dusty....so I was...wondering if I should....clean them"she said. Fumbling. His brows raised as he looked at her. She just wanted to hide somewhere and never meet his eyes.

"First of all. Cleaning the room. Is not your work. Second of all. Cleaning any room. Is not your work. Third of all. Cleaning this house. Is not your work. You don't need to do anything okay. You're not here to do all these things. This is your house and your room too. And we have so many people around. To do all these things"he said.

She smiled hearing him and tried to hold back. Her grin.

"Right. You're making fun of me now"he said. Faking a glare which made her giggle.

"No...nothing like that"she said. He smiled and that's when he noticed how good she looked.

"You look....so beautiful"he said suddenly. Which made her surprised at his sudden compliment. That was when she actually came back to her sense.

"Uh...thank you"she said. Nervously. He smiled and continued to look at her. Which made her stomach feel churning.

"Anyway. Give me five minutes. I'll change and come" he said and she nodded. He walked inside the washroom. While she sat on the bed and hit her head.

"Stupid. Stop messing things up. You suck at romance srishti"she said. With a sigh.

The next few minutes. She practiced some breathing exercise. And practiced how to behave during the date. Jai came outside the washroom. Looking dashing. As ever. He also dressed simple. But still looked freaking hot.

He had trimmed his beard and moustache. As part of the shoot which made him look more handsome.

She got up when she saw him. He gave her a soft smile and she smiled back.

"Lets go?"he asked.

"Yes..but can I know where?"She asked.

"No. That's a surprise. But I promise you'll love it"he said

She looked down. Holding her stole.

"What happened? Are you okay?"he asked.

"Yeah it's just. I'm dressed like this and if we are going somewhere fancy...."

"Srishti. It doesn't matter. You look pretty the way you are. The dress. The makeup. Doesn't define you. You're simple and you know what. I like that about you. You should be confident the way you are"he said. She smiled wide hearing him. Feeling less tensed. She was right. He could easily make her feel better.

"So relax okay. And I want to make this evening special for you. In every way"he said. She nodded nervously.

"Come. We are getting late"he held her hand and walked towards the door. She smiled and followed him. Until someone walked inside the room.

"Jai...." Pallavis voice intrepted them.

Pallavi walked inside the room. Looking tensed over face.

"Pallavi. Is everything okay?"Jai asked.

"I'm sorry for interrupting. Jai....can you step out for a minute. I need to talk. It's important"pallavi said. Jai slowly left srishtis hand. And walked towards pallavi.

"What happened? You look tensed"he said.

"Just come with me"she grabbed his wrist and took him outside the room. Jai looked back at Srishti who stood still. Staring at him.

"Srishti I'll be right back"he said. To which she nodded. Giving a fake smile.

Once they were out of her sight. She sighed in disappointment. Wondering what was wrong with pallavi.

An hour passed. She was still waiting in their room. For Jai to come back. She felt suffocated sitting in the room. The thought of Jai and Pallavi together. Made her restless.

After sometime she walked towards the balcony. To get some fresh air. She held the railing and stood there for sometime until her eyes fell on pallavi and Jai. Sitting in the bench besides the pool.

Jais arms were around Pallavis shoulder. Like he was consoling her. After a while pallavi hugged him making Srishti shocked. Jai hugged her back without any hesitation.

She felt the lump forming in her throat. She felt deeply uncomfortable. To see them together.

Her eyes filled with tears. And it rolled down her cheeks. As she clutched on the railing. Feeling hurt.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Precap : Jai and pallavis conversation

♡ Nila ♡