Her heart hammered when her father got up. Divesh too got up in respect and Ananya looked on.

“Come let's have dinner.”

Ananya felt her heart leap out of her chest as her father started walking towards the dining table without another word.

“Aur haan…”

He turned midway and smiled.

“Jab ghar jaayegi toh kuch lekar jaana. He is right. Kisi ke ghar pehli baar khaali haath nhi jaate.”

He said addressing Ananya and wanted to burst out crying. She hugged her father tightly and smiled at him through teary eyes. He kissed her forehead and patted her back.

After dinner when Divesh left Ananya's mother informed her that her father had already conducted a research on his background and was satisfied that he was from a good family. 

He just wanted to know Divesh's intentions towards Ananya. 

Divesh and Ananya were finally on their second date. She felt much lighter knowing her parents were aware about them and didn't have any problem.

The date was amazing just like the first one. Divesh was dropping her home and they were parked in front of her house.

“I wanted to ask something.”

He started and she raised her eyebrow.

“The day of our book launch. I wanted to take you home. To meet my family. Will it be ok?”

She was slightly surprised not expecting it but nodded. It was about time she met his family. He hadn't hesitated in meeting hers and now that she has realized she loves him, it is only fair.

“Ok then! You're having lunch with my family that day. Pagal ho jaayenge sab ye sun kr.”

He chuckled and she smiled. He cupped her face and kissed her forehead.

“Good night.”

Ananya frowned and said.

“You kissed me on my forehead on our first date also. Second date pr thoda toh upgrade hona chahiye na.”

She pouted and he smiled mischievously. He leaned in and stopped just near her lips.

“Hmm! Upgrade huh?”

Placing one hand on her cheek, he kissed the other one. He kissed her cheek for a few seconds before pulling back.

“Second date ke liye itna hi upgrade. Baaki third date pr.”

She bit her lip and blushed profusely. He looked at her amused. She was bold one second, and shy the next.

“Ab jaao andar before your brother or father comes out. It's too late. Good night. I love you.”

She giggled when he placed a lingering kiss on her knuckles.

“Okk. Good night. I love you too.”

She turned and then realised what she had said in a flow. She forgot that she hadn't told him she loved him yet. Divesh too froze hearing her. 

Ananya tried to quickly slip away but Divesh held her arm. She slowly turned around and pretended to be innocent.

“What-what did you just say?”

“Umm…good night?”

“Nhi uske baad.”

“Kuch bhi toh nhi.”

She said still playing innocent and was surprised when the man actually believed her. 

“Oh! I thought I heard something. Forget it. Good night.”

Divesh was surprised when she kept one of her palms on his thigh and other over his heart and softly kissed his cheek.

“I love you.”

She confessed and Divesh looked at her wide eyed. She giggled at his reaction.

He hugged her tightly and sighed against her neck. His breath tickled her and she smiled.

“I can't believe this is real. I love you so much. So so much Ananya.”

“I love you too.”

She whispered and he kissed her forehead before she went inside her house.

The book launch event was a success. It was streamed live online and the response they received was unbelievable.

But Ananya was too nervous right now. She was going to be meeting Divesh's family in less than half an hour.

Divesh kept a hand on her thigh when he saw her bouncing her leg in nervousness.

“Relax! I knew your parents are going to grill me and even I wasn't this nervous. My family loves you Ananya.”

“You think they'll like this. Mai kuch aur bhi le lu?”

She asked eyeing the gift and the bouquet of flowers she was carrying.

“Iss ki bhi zarurat nhi thi. But it's ok. Breathe Ananya.”

She clutched his hand when he rang the doorbell and took a deep breath. They could hear excited footsteps with loud squeals and voices from inside.

The door was opened by a girl roughly around her age. 

“Hello! Hum sab kabse aapka intezaar kr rhe rhe. Mummaaa! Bhabhi aa gyi!”

The girl yelled in an excited voice and Divesh glared at her. Although he liked how she addressed Ananya but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

“Divi!”

“Oopss! I mean Ananya di aa gyi.”

She gave space for Ananya to enter inside. True to his words, Divesh's family was lovely. And they were actually so happy to see her. Ananya bonded well with all of them.

He was dropping her home and they stopped in front of her door.

“Andar aaiye na!”

“Kabhi aur. It's too late abhi.”

She hummed and stepped forward, rounding her arms around his torso and hugged him. He sighed in content and hugged her back.

“I'm going back to Pune next week.”

He said and she looked at him in surprise.

“Nhi!”

He chuckled and said.

“What nhi? I can't stay here forever na. And ab project khatam, so jaana toh padega na.”

She shook her head adamantly and said.

“Not before you give me a third date.”

He raised his eyebrow and then smiled mischievously.

“You want a third date or…?”

He asked rubbing her lower lip in a teasing manner and she hugged him again.

“Dono!”

He laughed and sighed holding her securely.

“Ok. But you have office all week.”

“I'll take a half day.”

“Ok mam.”

Divesh was going back on Friday and so he planned their third date on Wednesday. Ananya was taking a half day.

They reached the place where they'd be having their date. Ananya looked around in awe. The place was so beautiful.

Divesh took her to a private booth. It was very spacious. So much that they could even dance easily.

“Wow! How did you manage this?”

“Papa pulled some strings. Unke childhood friend ka restaurant hai.”

He said sheepishly and Ananya nodded with an impressed look.

“After you mam.”

He said with a dramatic bow and she giggled. First they had something to eat and then Divesh asked her for a dance.