"She is Kabir's wife!"

• ♡ •

Heer felt extremely awkward around Kabir after she had literally cried in his arms. She had thanked him and that was it. They never spoke of it again. It was Thursday evening and they were headed to the Family Dinner. Heer had put on an Indian dress. She was meeting her in-laws and thought it was only fair to dress up a little Indian. She had taken the care to wear her nuptial chain that she didn't wear on a day to day basis. It was a deep myrtle green colored gown type dress whose flair stopped a little a little above her ankles. It had full sleeves and a minimal golden work at the ends. A golden chiffon duppata went with it. She had left her hair open. 

She glanced at Kabir. He didn't seem to like the idea of attending the dinner although the dinner had been arranged at the roof top of his five star restuarant. Heer knew it was to do with his not so cordial relationship with his father. 

"Mom, what sign is that for?" Advika quizzed looking at the board.

"That's no U-turn sign. Like the last one you saw had just the U shape. But this one has a red line drawn over that U shape. Which means we cannot turn around from here. " Heer explained.

"But what if someone wants to go back from here?" 

Heer smiled looking around, "then the person will have to take that road and then turn to the left." She spoke pointing to the lane that went towards the left. 

"Basically what the ant does, go around!" Advika muttered sitting back in her seat.

"Yeah, something like that," Heer smiled looking at her. She glanced at Kabir as her smile wavered, thinking about what had happened last evening. It was, well, a rather queer happening although it was perfectly normal. 

Heer had started teaching Advika about the basics of where she shouldn't be touched and all that. Advika was a very behaved girl. They also had the manners class in school which covered a good deal about personal hygiene and things they shouldn't do in public. 

However, last evening when she was watching a movie with Advika, Heer had caught Advika touching herself time and again. She had immediately smoothly had a conversation with her  about it. Advika had told her that she liked touching herself between the legs. Heer had very patiently told her to not use anything to touch herself and never to do it before someone. 

Heer understood that it was the puberty hitting her. She had given her all the dos and don'ts again. But she hadn't spoken about it to Kabir. She didn't even know if she should. But technically he was her father and he obviously had a right to know. Heer was still in two minds. 

"Mom," hearing the squeal Heer was broken out of her thoughts. 

"Yeah?" She asked turning back, "the sign went behind."

"Sorry," Heer muttered. 

"You okay?" Kabir aske glancing at her.

"Yeah," Heer forced a smile. 

* * *

Heer smiled at her mother-in-law who went on gushing about how beautiful Heer was looking. She glanced at Kabir their eyes metting for a few seconds before Advika got all the attention. Heer was relieved.

"Heer, meet Rohan. Rohan this is Bhabhi Number two, Heer." Misha introduced her fiance to Heer. Heer smiled cordially shaking his hand. 

"Heard a lot about you," he spoke flashing a smile at Heer.

"I have to say the same," Heer smiled back glancing at Misha while Rohan chuckled.

"I hope you've heard only good things," Rohan grinned glancing at Misha who was blushing slightly.

"No, I told her all your shortcomings and how bad you are," Misha spoke up. 

"And you're still marrying me Milady. There must be something that's so good about me," he challenged with a smirk.

"Just my grace, you know!" Misha teased him back, smiling at him. 

Heer smiled, while Kabir looked on.

"Anyways, let me introduce me to my in laws," Misha said taking Heer to meet Rohan's parents and uncles and aunts. After pleasantries were exchanged they all sat at the long dining table that had been arranged at the roof top of the restaurant. The rooftop are was just reserved for them. A few waiters stood by the side waiting to get orders. Heer note Kabir looking around to see if everything was in place.

"Mom, I want to pee," Advika said.

"Come, let's go," she toldher and then turned to Kabir who had already heard the two of them. He nodded pointing in the direction of the washroom. 

Heer walked out minutes later making her way towards the table when her eyes fell on the two people who had joined the party. Heer's jaw dropped as the man turned such that his side face came to view. "Please, no," she whispered as her eyes took in the familiar physique. Rajeev Thakur. 

"Mom?"

"Mom?" Advika tugged at her hand this time.

Heer looked at Advika dazed. She couldn't go before him. No. Not after all the years. She didn't want to see him. She didn't want him to see her. She looked back at him. Yes, it was him. He had changed but yet she could recognize him by the dimples on his cheeks when he laughed. 

"Mom, let's go.." Advika tugged at her hand.

"Yeah..." Heer breathed out as her heart plummeted. She quietly walked towards the table passing he man who stood at the end of the table. She could only hope he didn't recognize her. Yeah, she had changed too. She wasn't the same. She had long dark brown hair now instead of black, her cheeks were fuller, she didn't wear fake lenses anymore, she had put on considerable amount of weight and fat blanketed her. 

"Heer," Misha called out just as Heer passed her chair. She looked up as color drained her face. Oh, she should have changed her name too. 

Kabir's brows furrowed as he noticed Heer's face. It was as though someone had given her a shock. Advika sat on the chair beside him but Heer stood rooted at her spot. She turned slowly. 

"This is Sanjana, Rohan's sister. " Misha said introducing the woman. Heer glanced up and smiled quickly keeping her face turned towards Misha so that her hair wouldn't let Rajeev catch a glimpse of her face. 

"And that is Rajeev, Rohan's first cousin." Heer exhaled. She quickly looked at him not in the eyes and nodded. 

"She is Kabir's wife!" Misha smiled. "And...where's Advi?" Misha asked Heer puzzled. Heer seized the opportunity turning around, "She's there," she quickly walked away. "Advika, Misha bua is calling you." Heer said her cheeks were hot and hands cold. Advika quickly got off the chair walking towards Misha's chair, which was five chairs away. 

Heer sat on the chair beside Kabir, where Advika was sitting. Kabir looked at her observantly. She was literally sitting facing him. 

"Heer, is everything okay?" He aske softly. Her eyes met his. 

"Yeah," she pulled her lips into a momentary smile. Kabir looked up towards Misha and Rohan's cousins who had just arrived. The tall guy, was looking towards them. Maybe at Heer. 

Kabir glanced at Heer and then back at him. His eyes met the guy's. He looked away quickly. "Do you know him?"

Heer looked at Kabir. She didn't know what to say. She was still settling with the fact that it was him standing there in flesh and skin. 

"Heer!" Kabir whispered. 

"I am okay," Heer muttered drinking some water.

"You are not. You're acting weird. What's happening?" 

"Mom, I was sitting there."

Heer turned to Advika, before she could say anything her mother-in law whi sat a chair away spoke up. "Arey, Advi, sit with Daadi today." 

Advika smiled and quickly got on the chair talking to her grandmother. Heer quickly turned to look at Kabir again. 

"Heer?" He proved again.

She leaned closer, "Rajeev, Rohan's cousin. I know him."

Kabir's gaze swiped up and landed at the guy who was sitting silently. The name rang a bell. "Okay, who is he?" Kabir asked.

"It's him," Heer whispered her gazing dropping down at the fork.

"You mean your ex, he's the one who..." Kabir glanced up and then back at Heer shocked. He quickly composed his face into a neutral expression. He placed his hand on Heer's, gently rubbing her cold hand while he looked at the people on the table. His gaze went to the man again. He was dressed in a light blue shirt, had a good built. He had jet black hair and dark eyebrows. He was relatively silent after seeing Heer. Before Heer was introduced the man was laughing and cracking jokes. 

"Just pretend you don't know him for now," Kabir whispered. 

"Yeah," Heer answered. 

The dinner passed very slowly for Heer. She occasionally spoke to her mother in law. Strangely, Kabir kept talking to her about food. Heer sensed that he did it to distract her. The Thakurs were doing most of the talking with the senior Jaisinghanis and Misha. Kabir's younger brother and his wife were the only missing people from the family. They were to arrive the following day from the US.

The dinner and dessert were done. Everyone seemed in a celebratory mood except Kabir, Heer and Rajeev. As they headed out to the elevator lobby Heer stuck to Kabir's side. They took the elevators in groups. Unfortunately for Heer, Misha, Rohan, Rajeev joined the three of them in the elevator. She felt Kabir's hand hold hers. He nodded at her reassuringly. Nothing helped Heer. Rajeev stood right in front of her silently. She couldn't help but look up st see him. His head was tilted as he was reading the number on the display screen. 

He had changed for better. If he looked handsome six years back, he looked thousands time better now. His shirt clung tightly to his frame highlighting the well tones muscles beneath. 

"Kabir Bhai, I must say, I have never eaten anything better. Now I understand why Misha pressed on you selecting the caterers for the wedding.

Kabir smiled formally. 

"You haven't eaten what Bhai cooks, that's the seventh heaven. " Misha remarked smiling. "And these two ladies are the lucky ones who have Kabir as their in house chef."  Kabir have Misha a tight look which meant please shut up.

Rohan smiled, "Advika, do you like Papa's cooking more or mummy's?"

"Mom, doesn't cook. Only Paa does." Advika answered. Heer forced a smile and Kabir glanced at her. Heer could feel Rajeev's gaze on her. 

"That's because her Paa doesn't like anybody cooking in his kitchen." Misha spoke up in defense.

Rohan grinned, "Oh, I see!"

The elevator doors opened on the ground floor and Heer was relieved. Rohan and Rajeev walked out followed by Misha. Finally, Heer and Kabir walked out with slow steps.

They were making their way towards the exit when Rajeev turned to glance back. Heer's eyes met his. Heer shouldn't have for she just couldn't look away. It seemed like forever since she had seen those eyes. Hurt, pain, heartache they all came rushing back. She saw his gaze drop to Advika. 

Kabir was pissed at the audacity of the man to turn back and stare at Heer. He left her when she most needed him in the rudest way possible and now was looking at her like a love sick Romeo. He turned away and Kabir glanced at Heer. A fear gripped his heart. Did Heer still have feelings for that man? Would she go back to him if he asked her to? Would she leave Advika and him? He looked at Advika who held on to her hand. He could only hope that nothing would change.

Soon goodbyes were exchanged and the Thakur family left in their three cars. Heer was about to go forward to take the blessings of her father-in-law when Kabir held her hand. "You don't have to!" He said aside to her. 

Heer looked at him and then at his father. She smiled apologetically as Kabir held on to his hand. Kabir's mother intervened quickly hugging Heer. "It's so nice to see you with Kabir and Advika. May God always keep you happy together. It's late, Kabir drive home safe. See you all tomorrow!" Her mother in law gave her a warm smile, caressing her hair. 

"Bye Adu!" Mrs. Jaisinghani said bending to kiss Advika's cheek.

"Mom, please, it's Advi, don't spoil her cute name." Misha reprimanded.

Mrs. Jaisinghani smiled, "Sure my Misri."

Misha made a face of distaste at the nickname her mother had given her, glancing at Kabir. Kabir looked on amused although his amusement didn't reflect on his lips.

"Heer, you were so quiet today. Seems like Kabir Jaisinghani's side effect." Misha spoke pouting throwing an arm around Heer's shoulder.

Heer smiled a little. 

"Do I have to get you drunk to be a little interactive with others?" Misha asked teasingly.

"Shut up!" Heer whispered with slightly wide eyes. 

"They didn't hear!" Misha whispered back smiling.

"Okay, then the resort's taxi is here. See you all tomorrow!" Misha said giving the three of them quick hugs.

In silence the three of them sat in their car. Kabir glanced at Heer who seemed lost in her own thoughts while his daughter was almost close to asleep on the backseat. He wondered if he should share with Misha about Rajeev and Heer. She was going to be a part of that family. He thought she should know. But then Heer had said that Rajeev never had told his parents about them. So that meant only Rajeev knew and Heer. Of course he knew too. He focused on the road, playing the radio to help him do away with his thoughts.

Did anyone see Rajeev returning that too so quickly? ;)

Anyway, would love to know your thoughts.