“Mai kya soch rhi thi, aaj Ahujas ko ghar bula le dinner pr? Jab se shift huye hai ek baar bhi formally invite nhi kia unhe. Unke ghar toh party bhi khaa ke aa gye.”

Her mother said one Sunday. Pratishtha looked at her with twinkling eyes.

“Hmmm. Keh toh sahi rhi ho tum. Bula lo.”

“Sahi hi kehti hu mai. Bas aapko kabhi sahi lagungi thodi. Huh!”

Her mother and her dramas! Her father shook his head and focused on his work.

Pratishtha got ready wearing a simple but pretty palazzo suit. It was the first time Dheer would see her in traditionals and she was excited to see his reaction.

She had even worn a small black bindi, kajal, small oxidised jhumkas, and metallic bangles to complete her look.

“Tu itna saj dhaj ke kyu aai hai?”

Her mother asked as she stepped out of her room and Pratishtha nervously played with her bangles.

“Guests aa rhe hai na ghar pr. Thoda dhanka toh lagna chahiye na.”

Her mother narrowed her eyes at her but didn't comment further. Pratishtha heaved a sigh of relief.

The doorbell rang and she turned towards the door with a whiplash. Seeing her father walk towards the door, she controlled her heartbeats and took a deep breath.

Her father welcomed the Ahujas in and she saw Dheer politely hand over the basket of fruits they got to her mother who smiled and blessed him as he bent forward to touch her feet.

He did the same with her father and till then Pratishtha also walked towards them and greeted his parents.

“Bhut pyaari lag rhi ho.”

His mother said and cupped her cheek while his father patted her head affectionately. She grinned at them and as the couple moved inside with her parents she turned to look at Dheer.

He was looking at her continuously. She blushed and nudged his side.

“You look breathtaking. Kuch kr yaar. Nazre nhi hata paa rha mai.”

He whispered and she giggled while blushing profusely. They all settled and chitchatted for a bit with Dheer and Pratishtha just admiring each other with shy and teasing smiles on their faces.

“Khaana lagwa du bhabhi?”

Her mother asked and Dheer’s mother nodded while getting up.

“Mai bhi chalti hu.”

Pratishtha immediately sprang up and said.

“Arre aap baitho na aunty. Mai hu na. Mai krwa dungi. Waise bhi jyada kuch hai nhi. Saari taiyari ho rakhi hai.”

“Koi baat nhi. Mai bhi aati hu.”

She said and all three of them moved towards the kitchen while the men took their seats. Pratishtha brought the dishes and the men helped arrange in on the table.

Dheer motioned her to take a seat beside him through his eyes and she did so while blushing heavily. She was seated on his right.

As soon as she picked up her spoon, her left hand was engulfed in his grasp. She looked at him wide eyed before looking around the table to see their parents engrossed in their food and random conversations.

“Haath toh chhodo mera. Khaan kaise khaaoge? Right hand hai tumhara.”

She whispered and he smirked while whispering naughtily.

“Left handed hu mai. Enjoy baby.”

He winked and she bit her lip trying to control herself from screaming with giddiness. He didn't leave her hand throughout the dinner and kept holding it under the table.

After dinner, they again took their places in the living room. Their parents conversed like they were long lost friends.

Pratishtha's phone pinged and she saw Dheer's message.

You've seen my room. It's only fair I see yours.

She raised her eyebrow at him and he shrugged.

He then suddenly got up making everyone look at him.

“I'll be back. I need to use the washroom. Which way?”

He asked the last part looking at Pratishtha who immediately pointed towards her room. He thanked her and walked towards the direction not before giving her a sly look.

Not even a minute after he was gone, her phone rang indicating his call.

“Ummm…work call…sorry…mai abhi aayi.”

She too rushed off to her room and just as she closed the door behind her, he caged her between the door and himself.

She gasped and looked at him wide eyed.

“You were cute as a baby.”

He whispered and she smiled. She round her arms around his neck and his went around her waist.

“Aur ab?”

“Ab? Ab beautiful…hot…and sexy.”

He said each word while nuzzling his nose against her neck and ear while slightly biting on it when he said the last word. She giggled and looked at him with sparkling eyes.

He cupped her cheek with one palm and caressed it softly. Her eyes widened seeing him lean in and she placed her hand on his chest.

“K-kya kr rhe ho?”

He continued leaning in and whispered.

“I want a kiss. Can I kiss you?”

“Dheer! Hamare parents bahar hi baithe hai.”

“Just one kiss. Please.”

He whispered and eyed her lips while closing some more distance. His lips now just a breath away. She could feel his minty breath on her lips and involuntarily licked her lips.

Her fingers threaded in his hair as she closed the remaining distance between their lips. He tilted her head to one side while cupping her cheek while the other hand tightened around her waist as he held her closer not wanting to leave any space between their bodies and having her as close and physically possible.

She melted as he started kissing her, savoring her as if she was his favourite chocolate and he was having the taste after a long long time.

She pushed his chest and pulled back when she felt out of breath and they both panted heavily. 

“I love you.”

He whispered after gaining his breath and she looked at him surprised before hugging him tightly and burying her face in his neck while he held her off the ground.

“I love you.”

She whispered, kissing his nose and he smiled. He started leaning in again but she pushed his chest and said.

“Bas ab! Sabko doubt ho jaayega. Pehle tum bahar jaao. Mai work call ka bahana de kar aayi thi.”

She said and wiped his lips which now contained remnants of her lip gloss. He licked his lips and quickly pecked her lips before moving out of the room, leaving her frozen.