She then remembered about the umbrella and getting his reaction. She purposely shook the umbrella in front of her as if trying to get rid of the water on it.

But her plan failed when Dheer didn't even notice, let alone give a reaction. Maybe he actually didn't send it. And why would he? It was not like he was actually interested in her. Neither was she, but that was not the point.

Why was she disappointed was the question. 

“I don't think this rain is going to stop anytime soon.”

Dheer mumbled and looked at her. She raised her eyebrow and asked.

“So what should we do?”

“Let's run back to our cars. Yaha khade rehne ka waise bhi koi faayda nhi hai. We reach your car first and then I go to mine and we drive home.”

“Aur tum bheeg nhi jaaoge?”

She asked and he gave her a look as if it were obvious.

“I have your umbrella na.”

“I'm not giving you my umbrella. It's a special one.”

Dheer looked at her for a moment before nodding.

“Well then, you drop me to my car and then go to yours and we drive home.”

She nodded and he again held her waist.

“You can leave me you know.”

“There's not much space under the umbrella. If we don't stick together, hum dono bheeg jaayenge.”

He said and held on tighter and they moved towards his car. He sat inside and rolled his window down.

“Go to your car and keep following mine closely. Baarish bhut tez hai and roads are slippery and unsafe. Mai aage aage rahunga. Just keep following my car okay?”

He said and she nodded. She walked to her car and ignited the engine. As promised, he drove ahead making a clear path for her to follow.

Due to the heavy rain, the visibility was comparatively less and she wasn't comfortable driving in such weather. She was thankful for him guiding her else she would have been stuck until the rain stopped or atleast lightened.

Pratishtha parked in her spot before her home and Dheer parked right behind her. She got out first because the rain was still pouring and went towards his car door.

Dheer got out and straightened his suit before holding her close again. She rolled her eyes seeing his grin.

“You're enjoying it too much, aren't you?”

She asked and he chuckled. He leaned in naughtily and said.

“Oh trust me I am. But I also know you are too.”

Pratishtha looked offended and said quickly.

“Huh! I'm not!”

“Itna toh tumhe jaan gaya hu. If you don't like something you won't let it happen. Aur tumhe mujhse itna toh koi pyaar hai nhi ki mere suit ki tension ho. You could have pushed me but you didn't.”

He said and they walked towards his doorstep and she finally pushed him when they reached under his roof.

But instead of him, her foot slipped and she stumbled. His hands shot out holding her waist and stabilizing her and she clutched his coat from one hand while clutching the umbrella in another.

She looked at him wide eyed and he looked concerned.

“Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?”

He asked helping her stand upright and cupped her face. Her heart skipped a beat and she nodded in daze. His gaze met hers and he forgot breathing. 

Maybe it was the weather or maybe she did see something in his eyes. But before anything else could happen, she heard her name being called. No wait! Yelled.

She turned around to see her father standing at the doorstep of their house and glaring at…Dheer.

Pratishtha quickly mumbled a bye and ran towards her home, careful of her step. She took the bags of fruits out of the car and entered her house while her father still stood there glaring at Dheer.

“Papa?”

“Kya kar rhi thi waha? Kya keh raha tha wo? Itne paas kyu khade the dono?”

He asked in one go and her mother jumped in.

“Paas khade the? Kaun paas khade the?”

“Wo ladka aur ye!”

“Kaun? Dheer! Haaye bhut achha ladka hai. Kitne pyaare lag rhe honge na dono.”

Her father said and Pratishtha rolled her eyes. Her parents were so dramatic.

“Mumma! Papa! Aisa kuch nhi hai. Market mai mila tha. Uske paas umbrella nhi tha. I just helped. Door tak chhodne gyi thi and my foot slipped. Usne girne se bachaya mujhe and isliye thoda close khade the.”

His father's irritated face changed immediately to concerned one.

“Kahi lagi toh nhi na princess?”

“Nhi papa. I'm fine.

“Thanks to Dheer.”

Her mother provided making both father daughter duo roll their eyes at her.

It was Pratishtha’s birthday and luckily it was Sunday so she was at home to celebrate it as she wanted.

“Happy birthday princess.”

Her father wished kissing her head and hugging her tightly. She sighed in his arms and giggled.

“Thank you papa. Mera gift?”

She asked forwarding her hand like a little girl and her father chuckled pulling out a small box. He never disappointed her.

Pratishtha gasped seeing a pair of very beautiful earrings.

“You're the best papa.”

She jumped and hugged him again before running in front of the mirror and quickly trying the earrings on.

“See!”

“bhut sundar. My princess.”

He cupped her face and kissed her head again. Her mother also came out of the kitchen wiping her hands against her pallu and took her in her arms.

“Happy birthday mera bacha.”

“Thankyou mumma. Mera gift?”

“Papa ne dia toh hai.”

“Wo toh papa ka hai na.”

“Haan toh papa aur mai alag thodi na hai. Kyu ji?”

Her father nodded, holding her mother in his arms and Pratishtha rolled her eyes when he kissed her mother's cheek, making her giggle and blush.

She adored them but sometimes their PDA was just urghhh! 

They were just finished with breakfast and Pratishtha was sprawled on the couch lazing around like a princess for the day. Ahh! Birthdays feel so good!

The doorbell rang and for once Pratishtha let her mother see it. She didn't want to get up. But she had to because the person who entered was none other than their neighbour. Dheer’s mother.