"I am definitely rubbing off on you."

• ♡ •

"Heer, Advi, what's taking you girls so long?" Kabir asked as he barged into his room where the mother daughter duo had been since almost an hour. He looked at his daughter standing on the bed dressed in a baby pink lehenga. Her little hands were raised and she was looking at the fan while trying to blow on the back of her palms.

"Advi, what are you up to?"

"I am trying to dry the nail polish," she answered analyzing her nails.

Kabir's lips curled up and he turned to find the mother before the mirror. She was applying lipstick. He took opportunity of her lack of attention on him to check out the beauty at display. The soft material of the saree was wrapped around the frame. She stood leaning forward towards he mirror to have a closer look on her lips which caused her hips to curve outward. Kabir blinked after taking a good number of seconds to stare at that round curve. Heer was definitely a sexy woman. The fact that they hadn't had sex since past four days was totally reflecting in his thoughts. 

"How do I look?" Heer asked turning towards the man she had given her heart to, only after making sure the deep red lipstick was coated evenly on her lips.

"Nice," he uttered, taking a good look at the front profile. He loved how the deep green color made her skin appear strikingly fair and tempting. The pallu of the saree was elegantly put over her shoulder and hung down her arm. The deep red blouse with short sleeves looked gorgeous, and flaunted her toned arms.

"Seriously? Just nice?" She asked twirling around.

"Paa, she looks utterly-glittery-pretty!" Advika spoke up from behind. 

Kabir was too busy digesting the sight of skin the big round cut of the blouse beautifully displayed. 

Heer raised her eyebrows questioning him. He glanced at Advika and when he was sure she wasn't looking he leaned forward and left a peck on her lips, "beautiful!" He whispered. And then there it was again, the blush on her face like the fresh blossoms of rose gardens. It was endearing how little gestures had a bigger effect on her. 

Over the time he had spent with Heer, he had learned that Heer was a bold woman but so fragile. She was a pack of surprises. She would blush at the smallest compliments and take the lead like a boss when it came to talking dirty. Small gestures made her smile instantly. Little things mattered to her. Kabir was enjoying every little part of knowing the real Heer. 

"Mom, can I touch to see if it's dry now?" Advika's voice broke their eye lock. 

Heer moved past him smiling. "Let me see." 

"Girls, you both need to come down. Mom has been worrying about the pooja delaying and not happening by auspicious time." Kabir spoke looking as Heer blew over Advika's nails, closely analyzing them. 

"Yes, we are done!" Heer replied looking at Advika approvingly. 

"You look ah-ma-zing!" Heer exclaimed animatedly and Advika giggled squealing a you too. Kabir looked on with a wide smile when his daughter kissed Heer's cheek and Heer quickly returned it with love.

"And I feel left out," he spoke making a face walking towards the bed while the two giggled looking at him. The two shared a look and then turned to him.

"Papa, take a chill pill!" Both exclaimed in unison and then broke into giggles. Kabir put one arm around Advik and the other on Heer's waist. 

"I need a group hug!" He spoke and the two readily moved closer. His eyes met Heer's, he mouthed a thank-you. Breaking the hug Kabir effortlessly carried Advika in his arms. "Let's go, princess!" He spoke kissing her cheek.

"Paa," Advika squealed delightfully. 

Heer looked at them go. Her smile slowly fading. Kabir was a wonderful man. He was so humble and affectionate that it was hard to not love him dearly. His thank you stuck to her mind. He had no clue how thankful she was for him and Advika. Perhaps she'd never be able to put them in words. She smiled, blinking her eyes to do away with the tears that had started forming. She forced a smile and quickly followed their trail.

* * *

Diwali meant guests and visiting other people's home. However,  this time Mrs. Jaisinghani had clearly made it clear out the other ladies of the neighborhood that they were expected to drop by at her place because her son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter would be home. 

Heer was amazed how happily her mother-in-law introduced her as her eldest daughter-in-law and Kabir's wife, to the families who paid them a short visit. She was loving the feeling of being around family. However, she wasn't expecting her mother to come by too. She had almost forgotten that she was holding a tray full of sweets when she spotted her mother enter into the living room with her mother-in-law. She was dressed in a punjabi suit as usual, albeit a very heavily embroidered one. 

She gulped and hurriedly turned around and made a beeline for the kitchen. She placed the tray on the counter. She wasn't ready to face her mother. Frankly, she didn't want to. 

"Heer," she heard Kabir's voice and turned. One look at him and she knew, he knew. 

"I don't want to..."

"No, Heer. You're running away. It's okay to feel the way you do. It's okay to be mad at someone and still love them dearly. Heer, please don't runaway, I don't want you to regret not taking this chance." He stepped closer to her and gently rubbed her arms. "Go talk to your mother Heer."

"I don't want to." Heer muttered looking away.

Kabir let out a deep breath. Gently cupping her face he made her look at him. "Heer, you never know what tomorrow holds. If there is a tomorrow, I don't want you to spend it regretting thinking of what you didn't do today."

Heer thoughtfully looked at him, biting on her lower lip. 

"What are you scared of Heer?"

"Of being disappointed yet again." She confessed. "You are right, Kabir. A part of me still loves her and ... I don't want that part to ever give up on her." She spoke and stretched her eyelids wode apart to keep tears from welling up in her eyes.

Kabir nodded with understanding.  He could relate to Heer's situation. It somewhat reminded him of his relationship with is father. But he was earnestly trying to forgive his father. He had started acknowledging his presence when he wa sin the room, he was playing carom with him, exchanging a few words with him throughout the day. He was even trusting his father to take care of his daughter when he wasn't around to do so. And it felt nice. It felt nice to let go of the grudge against someone you once loved. They were all baby steps, but he was proud of himself. 

In the past few months, there had been a new dawn in his perspective. Living in the past was wasting your present. He had been doing it for too long until Heer came by. He didn't want to be stuck in the past. It was tiresome to just exist. It was far better to accept what your now is and make it worthwhile. 

"I know it's not easy Heer. But, whatever, I am with you, right here, okay?"

Heer's lips slowly curled upwards, "okay!"

* * *

"Heer beta, look who is here!" Her mother-in-law exclaimed cheerfully. Heer smiled placing tray on the table. As much as she would have loved to have Kabir around, she had decided to do this on her own. 

Her mother immediately stood up with happiness struck face which only injected guilt into Heer's mood. Her mother rushed to her side and she was eventually engulfed in the warmth of her hug. 

"Oh dear! It's so good to see you, Heera." She gushed and Heer found herself wrapping her arms around her mother. She missed being called Heera. She missed her mother's warmth. That strong rose scent, which her mother always carried around thanks to the cream she used since decades. In that moment, Heer felt extremely vulnerable. Tears welled up in her eyes. 

She wasn't the only one crying. Her mother pulled away to have a look at her face. She loved the feeling of her mother's hands cupping her face. She saw the tears in her eyes, they left her bittersweet. "It's so good to see you." Her mother whispered gently rubbing her tears. 

"It is.." she managed to say forcing a smile. 

"I will let you too catch up," saying that Mrs. Jaisinghani excused herself into the kitchen. 

Heer looked at her mother as a deep silent fell over them.

"I am sorry, Heer." Her mother spoke as heavy tears fell from her eyes.

"I am sorry too Maa!"Heer said in a heavy voice. Her mother pulled her in a bone crushing hug. 

Minutes later, Heer was seated beside her mother on the sofa. Her mother wouldn't leave her hand. Only small talks happened. Her mother went on saying how pretty she looked in a saree, asking about Advika, asking about Mumbai. They were joined with her mother-in-law who brought in a tray full of dry fruits.

"Kajal Jii, please, do not be so formal. I have just had samosas at a friend's place and I am really full." Mrs. Dhillon spoke smiling at Kajal.

"Oh this is nothing, you need to have the pakodas that I make after this." Kajal joked. "So where is Bhaiya and kids? You didn't bring them?"

Heer caught the very minute fall of her mother's smile. "Bhabhi Ji, you know how is it during Diwali. Rakesh Ji is expecting a few friends over and someone needs to be home so Jatin and Anita stayed back. 

"Oh! Maybe you can take Heer home for a day or so but not more than that." Kajal spoke smiling, "The house is vibrant with them here otherwise it's just me and him." She said referring to her husband.

"Yeah, Heer you should come down tomorrow." Her mother spoke up brightening up at the idea.

Heer forced a smile, "in two days we are going to go back home anyways Maa, so .. "

"Oh, at least you can come down tomorrow. I am sure everyone would love to see you." Her mother exclaimed.

"Yeah, okay." Heer muttered not wanting her mother-in-law to sniff the tension between her and her family. She wasn't naive to not catch the fact that her family didn't really care. 

"Why don't you show your mother around? I will have the starters served to the people outside." Kajal spoke looking outside the window at the group of men including her husband laughing and helping the kids with the firecrackers.

"Sure," Heer muttered. "You don't need my assistance?"

"No, no. Anyway Kabir has been begging me to let him into my kitchen. He's frying the pakodas, as we speak." The woman smiled, her eyes narrowing with joy just like Kabir's did.

Heer showed her mother around the house. They then sat in her room. 

"Heer, you are happy, right?"

"Does it really matter?" Heer scoffed.

"It does, Heera." Her mother answered placing her hand on Heer's.

"Really?" Heer asked bitterly. "What will you possibly do if I say no?" She asked mockingly.

"Heer," her mother exclaimed. 

Heer pulled away her hand. "Why are you here? For formality?" She asked trying not to tear up.

"Heer, I came here for you."

Heer looked at her mother with tears shining in her eyes. "He doesn't care, does he? Does he know that I am still alive?"

Her mother looked at her helplessly with tears rolling down her cheeks. She had nothing to say because Heer was right. Her father didn't give a damn about his only daughter.

Heer scoffed. "So, Jatin is still following his footsteps?"

"Heer," her mother whispered sadly.

Heer wiped her tears. "It's okay, Maa. You should also stop..." she looked around unable to complete her sentence. 

"Shut up, Heera!" Her mother lightly tapped her cheek. "A mother can't stop loving or caring for her kids. I will always.." her mother's voice trailed as the emotion took over her senses. 

Heer broke into tears and scooted forward hugging her mother. Hee mother placed her hand in her back as she cried silently. " I  love you Heera, and nothing will change that." 

Guilt bit deeper into Heer's heart listening to that. She resented herself for saying things like she was dead for her. She held on tighter, "I am sorry, Maa." She let her heart take charge of her tongue. 

She felt her mother kiss her temple and smiled through the tears. Nothing could beat a loving mother's kiss. 

* * *

"Heer?" She heard Kabir's voice and realized she had just been staring at the patterns of the pillow cover for a while now. 

"Are you okay?" He asked gently shutting the door before making his way to sit before her.

"Yeah! I was just tired." Heer spoke trying to smile. "What happened  to you? The kitchen sucked you in?"

He smiled broadly, "I was teaching mom my special tasks!" 

"Really?" Heer smiled looking at him with a radiant smile.

"Yes. So, you cried your eyes out again?"

"No, I didn't." Heer answered as casually as she could.

His hand came up to left cheek. He looked at her, his thumb gently caressing her cheek. "If you think by redoing your eye makeup you can trick me into believing everything is okay, then you are wrong."

Heer stared at him her smile fading. She then looked away from his eyes. "Hiw closely do you look at me?"

"Let's just say very closely," he answered leaning closer, his lips an inch away from hers. Then gently he pressed his lips against hers, seconds later he steadily pulled back. "Come on, dinner is ready." He spoke getting off the bed holding hand.

"I don't have an appetite, Kabir."

"Hmm, you want to be alone?"

"Maybe..." Heer muttered looking away. 

"Okay, be alone. Anyway everybody at home likes paneer malaise tikka gravy so no food will be wasted."

Heer's stomach immediately sent a punch nerve signal to her brain, if that was even possible. She turned to look at him. "Fine, I will come."

"Well, the choice is yours!" He muttered walking out of the room.

"Hey, I am coming!" Heer muttered clumsily getting off the bed following his trail.

* * *

"Now, " Kabir spoke sitting on the bed comfortably, "tell me what's been running in that head of yours since your mother left."

"There is nothing," Heer spoke shrugging her shoulders lying down on the bed. As usual Advika had chose to sleep with her grandparents. She enjoyed the stories they told her apparently. 

"Okay, good night." Kabir smiled and turned away switching off the bed lamp.

Minutes passed. Heer's mind kept looping her meeting with her mother. She looked at Kabir. She hated how he was not being pushy. She was used to his habit of not giving up. She scooted closer to him and hugged him from behind. Kabir smiled looking down at her crawling palm on his chest. He placed his hand over her palm. 

"Thank you..." Heer muttered.

"Now, what was that for?"

"Not giving up on me." Heer said softly.

"Heer?" He whispered trying to turn around but she didn't allow him ot hugging him tighter.

"Only Maa came today..." Heer stated and then fell silent. Kabir gently caressed her palm which was on his chest waiting for her to eventually spill out what had been bothering her. 

"No one else came because they don't care about me." Heer spoke and tears began forming in her eyes.

"You're a good father, Kabir. I wish my father was like you." She spoke kissing his shoulder blade as tears sprinkled down. Kabir let out a deep exhale. He felt his heart contract in pain at her plight. She didn't speak anything for a few minutes. He grasped her hand and dragged it to his lips placing a kiss there.

"Heer," he said softly.

"I am okay." She answered.

"Will you let me turn?" He asked feeling helpless.

"No. This is good!" She muttered placing another kiss, this time against the end of her neck, on his skin just before his shirt's neckline began. She smiled closing her eyes, she didn't want to drench him in her tears anymore. She just wanted to shower him with all the love she could.

* * *

Heer grumpily got off the bed. The house was silent. It was still dark. She rushed to the washroom. She hated her bladder's timing. Stepping out of the washroom she looked around and then at her phone. It was just four am. She climbed back in the bed, almost at the same time Kabir looked up at her. 

"What time is it?" He asked sleepily.

"Sleep, it's only four!" Heer mumbled shifting closer to him inside the blanket. She curled her arm around him while he locked his leg over hers, resting his face and inch away from hers. 

* * *

Heer woke up to soft caresses on her tummy. She had an idea that they were her dear husband's fingers. Taking he time she opened her eyes to find him looking at her.

"You know this is borderline creepy?" She muttered looking at him lazily.

"Well, I am used to waking up early. And here I don't have anything to do."

"So you decide to wake me up?" She mumbled before a soft yawn escaped her lips.

He smiled sheepishly, pullingput his hand from underneath her tshirt "sleep!" 

"Hey!" Heer muttered sitting up. "That wasn't bad.. "

He looked at her, his hand reached out to settle her hair. "You want to go out for a walk?"

"Seriously? And here I thought you were thinking about something fun."

Kabir chuckled, "snooze for five mins, we are going walking!"

Heer happily fell back in the bed pulling the blanket closer.

* * *

"Kabir, slow down." Heer muttered as she jogged behind him. They had decided to walk around in the park that was a block away from his house. "We were going to walk and you're running. It's not fair!" She argued trying to catch up with him. 

"Heer, come on, till that bench and then we will sit for sometime." He called jogging ahead.

After ten minutes, they were finally sitting on the aforementioned bench catching their breath. 

"Don't you feel we are the most stupid human beings on earth? I mean look at the park... it's almost empty. Everyone's partied hard last night and are all sleeping in. While, we like idiots, are here." Heer spoke breathing deeply.

"Milady, you need to do some serious work on your stamina!"

"Well, for my age I am good!" 

"What are you sixty?" He mocked looking at he with a grin.

Heer smiled broadly, "I am definitely rubbing off on you."

Kabir's lips twisted with amusement. "What are you trying to say?"

"That you are becoming a more cheerful person with witty remarks instead of a grumpy man!"

"Heer, stop with that word. I am not, nor ever was grumpy. It's irritating."

"Grumpy grumpy grumpy Kabir!" Heer teased sticking her tongue out.

"You're such a kiddo!" Kabir muttered pushing her hand which was trying to poke him away.

Heer laughed heartily snatching the water bottle from his hands.

"Don't drink too much!" He warned, given that they had to walk all the way home.

"It's not vodka, honey!"

Kabir tried to hold back but ended up chuckling at it. "Isn't it ironic to put honey and vodka together?"

Heer smiled, "it's like you and me... and I am definitely the vodka!"

"I disagree, if I am honey, then you are definitely winne the Pooh!"

Heer threw her head back laughing. "That's cute!"

"Come on let's go back," Kabir spoke standing up.

"What? We just came. Anyway it's only seven, what will we do going back so early?"

He shook his head at her. She made a valid point. He was about to give in and sit when a thought crossed his mind. "How about Pooh shows how much he loves honey?" He remarked after looking around to make sure they had no audience. He raised his brows suggestively while Heer looked on bewildered.

"That's a very... bad... pick up line pr whatever ot was."

Kabir looked at her with confusion. "What else could I have said?"

"Hmm,"Heer hummed thoughtfully. "How about Pooh gets some more honey in its pot!"

"Eww, Heer." Kabir reacted. "That's...worse than mine."

"What?" Heer shrugged her shoulders. "When you talk sex it's supposed to be dirty."

"Shhhh!" Kabir hissed covering her mouth with his palm. "You're loud!"

Heer smirked pulling his hand down, "I thought you liked me loud!" she spoke suggestively, which made Kabir's eyes go wide. "Oh Kabir!" She faked a moan. 

Kabir blushed and covered her mouth again, smiling widely. "You're a bad girl!" He asserted.

Heer loved how she got him to blush with her words. That blushy smile on his handsome face was serenity to her soul.

"Let's go!" He spoke pulling his plam down. 

Heer's lips twitched up on the corners. "I thought you like it bad!" Heer spoke as they began walking again.

"Heer, please, shut that mouth!" He muttered holding back his grin.

"I thought you liked to do that!" Came another witty statement from her.

He stopped and turned to her, stepping closer to her. "Heer, shut up or I swear I am going to really..." he leaned closer. "Keep you waiting!" He whispered the completing phrase. The way he stared down at her lips, Heer was all hot for him. Their suggestive talking had only made her look forward to their little time of love.

After, that Herr quietly followed him. The tension between them had just gone up with that statement from him. Heer wasn't going to take that warning lightly. He may be man of less words but he was definitely a man of all the right actions. 

The house was still quiet when they reached and Heer followed him upstairs to their room. She had barely turned after shutting the door when she was pinned to the door. He looked at her with intensity that could cause earthquakes. His body steadily came close to hers until a contact was established. His fingers trailed down her arms and latched the door. 

Heer was appalled how it felt like their first time again. She leaned closer to meet his lips with hers but he dodged away. "Kabir," she muttered desperately. 

He turned his face to the crook of her neck. "I need a shower."

Heer closed her eyes. Here, she was all prepared to go with him to the deepest of hells and the highest of heavens and all he cared about was taking a shower?

"With you!" He added, nibbling at her neck. 

Heer let out a deep exhale. Oh, yes! That was a good idea. She opened her eyes, sinking her teeth into her lower lip as he continued to nibble at her skin whilst his hands slipped under her tshirt. Oh, rabbit was the right words for him. 

* * *

"Heer, I can stay around. I will just be a call away." Kabir spoke looking at her through the rear view mirror.

"Kabir, I will be okay. I promised my mother that I would spend the day with her. Besides it's been a while I have been shopping on these streets."

"Okay, but call me if you need me." 

Heer nodded withal  smile. "Take care, bye!" She said before getting off the bike. Kabir rode back home where Advika and his parents were waiting for him to visit the Kanpur zoo. 

"Paa, I also want to be on the bike." Advika requested when he returned.

"Okey-dokey! Papa, you two can come in the car." He told his father. 

"Okay then. Be careful."

Kabir nodded putting the helmet for his daughter. "There you go, ready Princess?"

"Yes!" Advika squealed.

Kabir quietly watched as his father helped his daughter get on the back seat of the bike. "If you get tired tell, Papa. You can sit in the car with us." He spoke.

"Okay, Daadu!" Advika smiled.

"Hold on tightly, Advi!" His mother spoke. 

"And here we go!" Kabir spoke riding away at a fairly slow speed. While his daughter giggled joyfully. He smiled remembering the first time he had taken Varsha for a ride. The same giggles, the same tight hold around his torso. He hoped wherever Varsha was, she was happy for him. 

"What time will Mom be back?" Advika asked as they stopped at a signal. Although she didn't like the idea of he another not coming with them to the zoo, she had agreed to let Heer be away when she had told her that she wanted a day out with her mom. Advika could only feel how badly her mom wanted to be with hers. Anyway it was a matter of one day. Then she would be going to play badminton with her mom again.

"By when we reach back home, I think. If not we will call her and pick her up."

"Then she will have to sit in the car with Daadu and Daadi." Advika pointed out.

Kabir smiled, "Yes, princess!"

Ah, finally! A long chapter hope it compensates for my irregularity on here. I hope you all are doing well and taking care of yourself and family.  :)

And, how do you find the new cover?