Nine - Payal

One month later

"I really don't see why I'm being subjected to this." Payal huffed as she was forced to sit at the dining table.

"Because you've been eating far too many meals in the train." Her mother answered, lacing her fingers under her chin. Rohini came out of the kitchen just then, laying the table. Aniket was in there, helping her. Meanwhile, Payal's father came out his bedroom with a packet of medicines in one hand and a packet of dates in the other.

"I haven't skipped any meals Ma. I just can't be late to work!" Payal complained. "Wait, what was a packet of dates doing in your bedroom?"

"They weren't in the room." Her mother answered, as her father began to take out the different medicines she needed to eat. "Your father remembered I hadn't taken the antacids when he took the dates out of the fridge."

"And why are dates being included in your diet?" Payal asked.

"Iron." Aniket answered, coming out with several sandwiches on a plate. "Dates are rich in iron. Mom's hemoglobin needs to be upped."

Payal rolled her eyes, but allowed it. One side effect of her mother's medication was a drop in hemoglobin levels and severe weakness due to it. An iron-rich diet could help raise hemoglobin levels, but the medication reduced it faster than the food could bring it up. The fastest solution was a blood transfusion, but Payal's mother hated those and would do anything to avoid them. It was better to exhaust all other options before trying to convince her that blood transfusions would be the best way to deal with the issue.

It was one month since the biopsy and related tests had taken place. The biopsy had come back with the conclusion that her mother had a chronic myeloproliferative disorder (or CMD, as Payal and her family had abbreviated it). But while almost all her symptoms indicated chronic myelogenous leukemia (a type of CMD), the test for it came back negative. Twice. They were now awaiting results for the next set of tests to determine which type of CMD Payal's mother had. In the meantime, Vivaan had been right about the medication. It reduced the WBC count, but her mother had suffered side effects too, acid reflux and resulting sickness being the most common one apart from the reduction in the hemoglobin levels. The medicine stopped seven days after her mother started taking it, but the medication to counter the damage done was still continuing – antacids, vitamin cocktail, etc. For the most part though, she had begun eating properly again, although spices were preferably avoided. Vivaan had said that since they didn't know the cause, every time the white cell count rose, the medicine would have to be taken and the cycle would repeat until they found the cause. It was not the perfect solution, but it was the best one available.

Her mother's health was worse when she was on the medication than when she was not, and as a result, managing the house fell largely to Payal, Aniket and Rohini. Since all three were had to get to work as well, housework was divided - Aniket and Rohini took over the kitchen, and Payal managed most of the other duties. Payal's father, who was initially shocked and in denial, had finally come around and had appointed himself the primary caregiver. He had retired just three months ago, so he was the perfect candidate, since he was home all day long and could attend to her mother's needs easily.

The additional responsibilities of the house meant Payal barely had time for herself, let alone for Vivaan. The past week had been horrible, with both of them stealing 5-10 minutes to call each other once a day. Not really what she envisioned as 'dating'.

"Your father and I think we should go ahead with the engagement." Her mother's words brought her out of her reverie. Payal choked on her sandwich, coughing it out while her brother patted her back.

"Engagement? When?" she asked. Of all the things her parents could be worried about, this was what they chose?

"Whenever yours and Vivaan's schedules are in the clear." Her mother said, watching her carefully.

Payal sighed, understanding why she was forced to eat breakfast with the family today. "Mom, I can't talk to him for more than five minutes a day without something interrupting either of us, and you want us to get engaged?"

"Why do you want to wait?" her mother asked. "We agreed that you will get married after Vivaan's residency is done, but you agreed to engagement, didn't you?"

"Now isn't the time!" Payal argued. "You think we would be happy getting engaged in the midst of all this? At least wait until you're healthy Ma."

Her mother shook her head. "My condition is a long battle. Vivaan said it himself. I don't think we should wait until I recover from it. It's on and off anyway." She explained.

"Besides" Payal's father said, nudging three dates toward her mother. "A happy occasion is just what we need to up everybody's spirits. Vivaan's family probably planned the engagement much earlier, but they are waiting for us to initiate, considering the situation."

Payal looked at her half-eaten sandwich, her thoughts conflicted. She did not have any problem with the engagement, but she wasn't sure if Vivaan would agree to it. He was hesitant with the idea of engagement itself. Or he had been, the last time it was discussed between them. Payal wasn't sure if she had been able to convince him. On the other hand, as much as she wanted to wait until her mother's health was better, she understood her parents and Vivaan's parents' point of view too. There really was no reason to wait anymore.

"Well then, you can talk to Vivaan's family about this, I guess." She said, smiling despite herself as her mother smiled. "Just talk. Don't start on the plans until Vivaan confirms. He's busier than I am." She added.

"But you don't have any problem?" her mother asked.

"I don't." She smiled, getting up and kissing her mother's cheek. She picked up her half-eaten sandwich. "Now, I really have to get going. I'm late. See you later!"

What would Vivaan say?

As she watched the city flash by, Payal's phone vibrated with a text. Clutching the handle grip tighter, she adjusted herself to be able to see her phone in the moving train.

V- Good morning! Reached work?

P- Good morning! On the way. What are you up to?

V- Day off, remember? Just woke up :P

Payal could have smacked her forehead if her hands were free. She had totally forgotten that he had a day off today. Usually, the days when Vivaan's shifts at the hospital were over early; or days when he had an off were date nights. But there was nothing planned for tonight. Her phone vibrated.

V- Are we on for tonight then? Only if you're free.

P- I'm up for it. But I might get late.

V- How late?

P- 9.30?

V- Because you'll go home first? What if I pick you up from work?

P- You're gonna drive all the way from Parel to South Bombay  and then back up to Andheri on a weekday night? I don't think you will be in a good mood by the time we start dinner. :P

V- We'll eat somewhere in South Bombay. I know your salary and mine together can afford that much. :P

P- Okay, so that means it's a date at the sandwich guy's stall near my office building then.

He sent a couple of laughing emojis.

V- I'll make it special, don't worry. Meet up at 8?

P- Okay. Its a date! :)

***

"Just message once when you see him. We won't disturb after that." Payal's father said.

"Will do. Did Ma take her medicines yet?" Payal asked, taking the last turn toward Marine Drive. Vivaan had said he would meet her there.

"Yes. I haven't forgotten any of your instructions. And Aniket-Rohini will help with anything that needs more than one person. You go and enjoy. It's been a while." Her father said. She could hear the smile in his voice.

"Okay." Payal acquiesced. "I see him already." She said.

She finished with the greetings, and raised her hand to catch Vivaan's attention. When he finally saw her, he smiled, making his way toward her. She gestured for him to stop, indicating that she would go to him. But he didn't stop, meeting her midway.

"Hi." He said, with a bright smile.

"Hi yourself." Payal greeted, finally able to see what he wore. He had decided on an unbuttoned light blue shirt, with a plain white t-shirt underneath; and blue jeans with white sneakers, which he claimed were his favorite. His light brown eyes had their usual gleam and his hair was slightly messy, his preferred style.

"You had to change?" he gestured at her outfit. Ever since she had met Vivaan, Payal always kept an extra pair of non-formal clothes in her office cupboard, where she stored her blazer for negotiation meetings. There was always the possibility of spontaneous date nights, like today. She glanced down at her own outfit – black jeans and a yellow top with the designs cut out (so she had to put on a black camisole underneath); and her wedge sandals that she wore to work. It was not formal, but not completely casual either.

"I had to attend a meeting today, couldn't wear what I wore to work for a date. I'd look completely out of place." Payal joked, but stopped when he didn't respond. She looked up to see his intense stare.

"Vivaan?" she asked, tentatively snapping her fingers before his eyes.

He blinked, shaking his head, a small smile on his face.

"What is it?" Payal asked.

"Just... that color really looks great on you." He said, after a moment of hesitation. "Shall we?" he gestured for her to move ahead with a smile.

As they walked, Payal continued to feel a sort of hesitation from him. They were walking close enough to hold hands, but he was being a gentleman as usual. Maybe that was the problem? They had been dating for about three months now. There was no set guideline for taking next steps, but couples were comfortable with at least holding hands by now. But then, circumstances were not normal in their case. Their confession about liking each other was with a promise of marriage, and they had to compromise with their elders by agreeing to an engagement if they wanted to wait for marriage. And just when they had started to get by that obstacle, Payal's mother's diagnosis threw them off kilter again. In all that had happened in these last three months, with work taking just as large a chunk of it all, they hadn't had any time to just be together. Was that stopping them somehow?

But even if it was, how was she to correct it? It wasn't as if they hadn't had any contact at all. They did hold hands occasionally, and Payal would never be able to forget the comfort Vivaan's embrace had offered that night when her mother's diagnosis had broken her. Nor could she forget the worry and concern he had for her when he had visited ever since. But that embrace, that hand-holding, had all been  for reassurance, for comfort. To be specific, her comfort. She had been so focused in pleasing both families, and taking care of her mother, that she wasn't thinking of the one person who stood by silently, supporting her, despite losing out on their time to be together. Vivaan was supposed to be her partner, someone equal. But it felt as though only he was thinking for her, making her his first priority; whereas she... wasn't.

That needed to change.

She hesitated for just a moment, before gently taking his hand and slipping her fingers between his. She felt him turn to her questioningly, but looked straight ahead, hoping to hide her blush. A moment later, he interlocked his fingers with hers, making her smile. His hand around hers was warm, his grip just perfect.

"How is aunty?" he asked, after a moment of quiet.

"Not tonight." Answered Payal.

This time she did look up at him when he looked questioningly at her.

"Can we just be us tonight?" Payal asked. "Just Vivaan and Payal, out on a date. No sick family members, no strenuous work schedules and no fast approaching deadlines. Can we just focus on one another? It feels so long since we have done that." She was hesitant about upsetting him, but she also had a feeling he would welcome the change.

She knew she was right when he smiled, a relief in his eyes that wasn't visible before. "Of course, I'd love to do that." His voice held appreciation and warmth.

The café he had chosen was a quaint little place. South Bombay was one of the areas that still retained the British era construction and culture. Most of the buildings in this area hadn't been changed ever since before the freedom struggle. And that could be said for some of the cafés and restaurants as well. Others were just built to keep up with the old city culture. This café was started more recently, but was old style, and had pretty tiled interiors in white and black.

As they ordered, Payal caught him stealing glances at her every now and then, as though waiting for her to say something.

"What is it?" she asked him, when she caught him for the third time.

"I know we promised to just be us tonight, but are you sure you don't have anything to ask of me?" Vivaan's voice was a soft whisper.

Payal frowned, confused as to what he was playing at. "I don't understand."

Vivaan sighed. "Deepa aunty called me today. She wanted to know if I was okay with our engagement happening sometime this month." He said.

Payal groaned. Her mother was really pushing her case.

"And she also told me that you forbid her from taking the planning forward with my family even though you were okay with it." He continued. "Because you wanted to talk to me first."

Payal sighed. "I don't see why she had to call you about it unless we're getting engaged tomorrow." She whined.

Vivaan smiled, reaching out and placing his hand over hers across the table. "She's your mother, and she has as much right to call me as she has on you. But that's irrelevant." He said, as though the statement was not supposed to cause her heart to melt. "Why don't you share whatever it is that is bothering you? We are partners Payal, equals. I have a share in both your happiness and your troubles, don't I?"

Payal had to look down to hide the emotion welling up as tears in her eyes. Why was he so understanding?

"So, you're okay with the engagement coming up soon?" she asked him.

"I don't have any problem with it happening this month, or even a couple months later. But you and your family might. And I know your mother will never accept that as a reason. So, tell me. How is aunty? If you have the slightest hesitance in her not being up to this, tell me. I'll just say I can't make any time yet." He said.

"She wants it to happen as soon as possible." Payal said. "She would probably push us into marriage using her health, but she knows not to rush us so soon. Though I kind of get her point. Her health condition has changed her perspective a lot. Quite a few times, I've caught her thinking deeply on what would happen to me when she isn't... isn't here anymore." Payal couldn't stop the catch in her voice at the end.

She felt Vivaan's hand on hers again.

"She's going to be fine Payal. She'll pull through this, don't worry." He whispered, his fingers entwining with hers.

"I know." Payal struggled not to cry, to hide her fears. "It's just... the prognosis and finding the trigger is taking so long. I can't help but be afraid that this might not end well. And when she gets talking about it all, she keeps repeating that she's worried that I won't have anyone for me. She's so stressed about that."

"She's a parent. She'll always worry about her only daughter. But one fear she doesn't need to have." His eyes blazed with a determination as strong as his next words. "You are not alone. You never will be."

All Payal could do was nod with gratitude. Anything more and she would cry.

"But weren't you against getting engaged so soon?" she asked remembering the day he had said getting engaged would mean too many responsibilities.

"I still do. But it's what you and both of our families want." He said, sighing. "If it's what everyone wants, I don't mind."

"But it does." Payal argued. "It does matter what you want. It's your engagement too. Didn't you just say we're equals? If this isn't what you want, you won't be happy and that is something neither our families nor I want."

"Of course I'll be happy." Vivaan reiterated. "I want you in my space and in my life, Payal. Never doubt that. Getting engaged to you is the first step in that direction. Why will I not be happy about it?"

"But you didn't-"

"I was not okay with getting engaged this soon, yes." He cut her off. "But that was before the situation with your mother happened. I saw how we pulled through it, how we were able to find time together even through a hard time. And more importantly, it didn't distance us, it only brought us closer. If we can pull through that, we can pull through an early engagement as well." He explained.

Payal wasn't convinced. Before they started dinner, she had the realization that the circumstances were causing them to focus less on each other. And Vivaan felt it brought them closer? That didn't make sense.

"How exactly did the circumstances bring us closer?" she asked.

He shook his head, amused. "The two days I saw you come to terms with your mother's diagnosis; and the way you've handled everything since then. You've unknowingly let me know so much about you in that time, Payal. You not only came to terms with the situation really soon, you also ensured stability of your family. In your mother's sickness, you have stepped into her shoes and managed to do exactly what she has done all these years. You are the reason your family is together, fighting her illness. With such strong support, it's obvious aunty has to pull through. In my eyes, not only are you beyond brave, Payal; you are just as compassionate, able to read the unspoken feelings and emotions of any person just as easily as they would have spoken it aloud." Vivaan explained.

Payal found herself staring at him. The way he had described her... he almost seemed in awe of her. And yet, how did he notice all this about her, but not understand that whatever she had achieved, it would not have been possible without his support?

"Not that you aren't vulnerable. Everyone has weak moments, but you, you didn't let it overpower you. You worked your way around it, and you've come out stronger. Knowing my family and myself, I couldn't have asked for a better partner in my life." Vivaan said. "I thank my lucky stars that I never could say no to the proposal, irrespective of my reservations. I'd be a class A idiot if I let you go." He concluded, making Payal laugh at his words.

"How can you see so much in someone else, but be blind to your own good qualities?" she asked him, when the moment of levity had subsided.

"My parents have been my support system all my life. Whenever I have faced any problem or a sticky situation, I have always turned to them to find a solution, and it never failed. But this time, the situation was such that I could not confide with my parents. They were both already scared, and I couldn't tell them of my fears or my dilemmas. That day, when I came to you with my mother's reports, I was utterly lost, Vivaan. I had lost the only source of guidance I trusted in. If you have observed me pulling it together over the next few days, you have yourself to thank for that." Payal confessed her thoughts on the matter finally.

"You had all the right in the world to do only the bare minimum and step aside, which was to offer comfort and share our sorrow. But you didn't stop at that. You made it your fight too, and stood by my side when I really needed it. You stepped in my parents' place and became my guide when I was lost. And it was all without any personal gain or benefit for yourself. That tells me you are truly good at heart, Vivaan. And you are strong pillar of support to your loved ones – someone who I can rely on when in need. You say you're lucky you didn't reject the proposal, but I'd say I'm the lucky one." She continued, gently squeezing his hand.

Vivaan was quiet for a moment, staring at their interlocked hands.

"Thank you" he said eventually. Confused, Payal raised her eyebrows. "You just proved what I said earlier. The situation has only brought us closer." The look in his eyes was one Payal had never seen before, nor could she name it. It was a mix of pride and awe and adoration; and it made her blush deeply.

When they stepped out of the café, Payal started toward the station, but stopped when she felt his hand holding hers again.

"This way." He said, gesturing in the opposite direction, toward the sea.

"But why?" she asked, letting him tow her nonetheless.

"I promised to make it special, remember?" he said, with a smile.

It was after ten in the night. The crowds around Marine Drive had thinned a bit, though not completely gone. Vivaan led her towards a relatively un-crowded spot. The tide would be on the rise soon, spraying the observation deck with salty seawater, but for now, it was quite dry.

Vivaan sat down, patting the space beside him and looking up at her with a smile. Payal couldn't help but laugh at his completely clichéd romantic idea; but she sat down beside him. The night seemed relaxed, with no sound but the waves beating against the rocks beneath them. The sky was clear above, with the stars in sight. It was picture perfect. Payal had always thought the Marine Drive to be an overused idea for a date, but sitting here beside Vivaan made her rid of that assumption. It wasn't the place; she just hadn't been here with the right person yet.

"So, does it feel special yet?" he asked, after a few moments of watching the waves.

Payal looked at him; he was smiling while looking at the waves, his face clear of all tension, all worry. He finally seemed at ease; and Payal hadn't realized just how handsome he looked when he let it all go. He looked at her then and the lights from the city behind them reflected in his eyes, making them shimmer and dance with the lighthearted expression on his face.

She couldn't help it. Seeing him so much at ease stirred something within her. Smiling as wide as him, she laced her hand with his all the way up the elbow, and laid her head on his shoulder.

"It's perfect." She said, looking out at the sea, placing her free hand on his arm. "Thank you."

Vivaan had gone utterly still at her movement. But he relaxed when she leaned on him and thanked him. He lightly squeezed her hand, interlocked against his.

"You seem more... open today." He said, after a bit.

Payal lifted her head and looked up at him. He was already looking at her. "And, I shouldn't be 'open'?" she asked him.

"No, that's not what I meant." He said after a moment. "I just... what brought all this on? Call it curiosity but why this sudden change?" he asked.

The wind picked up, ruffling the loose strands of hair that Payal usually tucked back behind her ear. But she refused to pay attention to it right now. "I just figured, you know, that we haven't really focused on getting to know each other, on being with one another, what with mom's diagnosis and the engagement looming. Before we both said yes, those few weeks we chatted and called, we were completely focused on each other, even though it was all virtual. But it's like after saying yes, we haven't been able to take it any further. It's been one problem after the other. I appreciate the care and concern from your side and I also admire that you're putting my family situation before us." She smiled as she remembered his comfort, feeling similarly at peace by sitting beside him at the moment.

"But?" he asked, snapping her out of the memory. She realized she had stopped mid-explanation.

"I want to be able to do the same for you." She said. "Obviously, I would never wish for a circumstance like mine in your family. But without that too, I want to be there for you. I want to be able to comfort you on your rough days, to be able to make you smile, to make you feel... at peace. Just like you have done for me these past few weeks."

He sighed. "So, you're doing all this because you think I want it?" Vivaan asked. "That's isn't what I had promised you, Payal. Besides, comfort and support can be shown in multiple ways, not just by holding hands or hugs and such. And you definitely don't have to do it just because I did so. You don't have to –"

Payal cut him off mid-sentence. "I know I don't have to. But I want to." She explained, looking straight into his eyes. "I want to adjust the boundaries."

He just stared at her for a moment, before slowly lifting his hand. He gently swept away wayward strands of her hair and tucked them behind her ear, before cupping the same hand at the side of her face and tilting her face up to look at her eyes. He continued to do that for a while, his hand warm and calm on her skin, but her heartbeat quickening with his touch.

"You really are serious about this." He whispered.

Payal frowned, the bliss of his touch abating with his words. "And why would I lie?"

"To please me." he said, simply. "My attraction to you has never been a secret between the two of us. If you were thus motivated, I want you to pull back, no matter how much I want it."

Just as Payal opened her mouth to protest, he put a finger to her lips to silence her. The touch raised goosebumps on her arms. "But I can see that is not why you're doing this. And so," he lifted his finger, letting his hand fall to their entwined hands between them, "it's a moot point."

"Good." Was all Payal could say, still struck with the ease with which he made his point.

"And it makes me happy, deeply happy, that you want to be on the same page as me." he continued, holding both her hands in his.

Payal smiled, suddenly embarrassed and relieved at the same time. She ducked her head into his shoulder and he laughed, wrapping one arm around her.

"For a person who speaks her mind always, you can be surprisingly shy when it comes to subjects like these." He teased, his free hand tucking the wayward strands of her hair, as the wind messed it up again. This time, his fingers lingered as he traced her hairline and then the rim of her ear, causing her to shiver, yet again, at his touch. As though feeling it, he wrapped his free hand around her, tucking her into his chest. Payal sighed in contentment, never having felt something like this before.

Although this wasn't their first hug, it would be the first time he held her as a man would a woman.

***

"Sir, please understand the situation on our end as well. We cannot have a mutual non-compete clause. My client is the service provider and it is our products and services which are at stake, but apart from a payment obligation, there is nothing at stake from your end." Payal said, controlling her frustration. The negotiation was going on for more than half an hour now, and the counterparty was nitpicking every clause in the agreement.

"All very well, but it is our policy to not have non-compete clauses in such cases." Said the legal representative from the counterparty, making Payal sigh inwardly.

"I cannot agree, sorry. This will have to be discussed internally. Let me get back to you on this." She said.

"We can connect later this week to discuss your final stance then?" Asked Mr. Sen.

"Sure. We will revert in the next two days on this." Payal assured, marking the agreement in her calendar for internal approval.

As the room cleared, Rohan sighed. "Sherman will have our hide if we don't close this agreement this week. They are already live with the services."

"Yes, so Sherman can see what has to be done here." Payal snapped. "Mutual non-compete, really?"

"There are idiots everywhere, Payal. Calm down." Rohan said, chuckling.

Payal huffed, picking up her laptop, phone and notebook; and exiting the conference room. Rohan followed her out at the same time. Her phone beeped, a message from Vivaan.

V- 27th of this month is apparently a "shubh muhurat"  (auspicious) day for our engagement. Is it "shubh muhurat" for taking a leave? :P

Payal quickly checked her calendar. 27th was a Friday. Perfect, the weekend would be off anyway.

P- And if I said no?

She didn't have to wait even a minute.

V – I'll just have to wait that much longer to be called your fiancé.

Payal knew she was grinning like a foolish person, but she couldn't help it. 27th  was just three weeks away.

P- Oh, we wouldn't want that. Of course I'm okay with it.

V- Singing 'Manma Emotion Jaage re' at a really loud voice.

Payal raised a brow in confusion. Vivaan and singing? Then the phone beeped again.

V- Ignore. That was my best friend. He's the one singing, not me. And God, its embarrassing.

Payal laughed under her breath, before opening her family group chat on WhatsApp to ask if 27th was okay.

P- Why is there no update on my family's end? I didn't get a call from them.

V- I got a little overexcited when Ma-sa called. Texted you first. Pretty sure someone from the elders will be calling them soon.

Payal smiled.

"Ohho. Look at Miss Perfect, blushing at her phone screen." Payal looked up to see Sunaina, another team member who had joined work recently.

"Looks like the engagement date has been decided, right Payal?" Rohan asked, showing her laptop screen to Sunaina, where 27th was already marked up. Payal gasped in surprise, trying to take it back from him, but he held his hand higher, making her stretch up to reach it.

"Rohan, we're at work. Please don't be a child." She said sternly.

"Hello?" Payal whipped around to find Sunaina holding her phone to her ear. "Hi Jiju!" she gushed. (Jiju - Brother-in-law)

"Sunaina!" Payal groaned. "Give it to me."

"Ooooh look Jiju! Payal is monopolizing your time. She doesn't want me to talk to you." Sunaina's eyes had the glint of mischief. She ducked to other side of the partition as she moved away from Payal's grasp. "Why, Payal? Afraid Jiju will fall for me instead?" she teased.

Payal finally managed to snatch her phone from Sunaina's hands. "Not afraid of that happening." She huffed, exerted from all the "catch the parcel" being played.

"Oooooooh possessive!" yelled both Rohan and Sunaina as Payal shook her head, blushing. She held up the phone to her ear. "Hello?"

"I really, really want to meet you right now." Was the first thing he said.

"Nothing is stopping you from my end." She said, amused.

"Come downstairs then."

"I-what?" Payal asked surprised. "You're here?"

"Yes. I had some free time between shifts. Just got here. I'm standing outside your office building." He spoke so casually, like it was no big deal. But Payal knew how difficult it was for him to get out in between shifts like this. Without saying a word, she cut the call and ignoring her colleagues shouting behind her, ran as fast as her heeled sandals could carry her out of the cubicle.

Out the office and in the hall, waiting for the elevator would be torture, so Payal took the stairs. As she climbed down the last flight of stairs, she ran out to the lobby and to the main door of the building. Outside, she skidded to a stop seeing him just inside the gate. His hair was windblown, and he wore jeans and a t-shirt. His eyes shimmered in excitement.

Then he spread his arms wide open, and Payal couldn't resist anymore, cliché Bollywood moment or no.

She ran down the steps and straight into his waiting arms, laughing with him. There was no hesitation in wrapping her arms around his back and hugging him as tight as she could. It seemed completely natural to want to do it.

"Gods, I'm so happy." She laughed. "We're getting engaged in three weeks!"

She pulled back to see his gaze on her, warm, soft and tender. Releasing one hand from where it had wrapped around her back, he placed it against her cheek, his touch just as warm as the setting sun.

"Yes. Finally." He whispered, his eyes alight with happiness and an unnamed emotion. And then time stood still as he leaned in. A brief moment of panic went through Payal as she realized she wasn't ready for this. She leaned back slightly, hesitant and very aware of her inexperience. Vivaan paused as he looked at her, and the look in his eyes changed as he understood what was going on in her mind. Still, he leaned in. Suddenly embarrassed, Payal closed her eyes.

A moment later, she opened them in surprise when she felt his lips touch her forehead. It was very brief, and extremely light. And yet, her heart stopped, and picked up in double speed. She looked at him as he leaned back. He was smiling, the unnamed emotion in his eyes predominant.

"You set and adjust the boundaries, remember?" he whispered, his palm still on her cheek.

His words reminded Payal of the first time she had indirectly confessed her physical attraction to him on their last date, nearly a week ago. Just as she had then, she shyly ducked her head into his shoulder, letting his hand move from her face and wrap tight around her. And just like that day, she sighed, utterly content.

"Who are you and what did you do to my best friend of over six years?" came a voice from behind them.

Payal and Vivaan jumped apart. Rohan was standing in the entrance of the building, arms crossed over his chest and an incredulous expression on his face. Beside him, Sunaina was staring shamelessly at Vivaan.

"One. This is a public place. Two. Never in all the years since I am friends with her, did I see anyone manage to fluster Payal and make her shy. And three. Did I mention PDA is not as socially accepted in India?" he ranted.

"Calm down, Rohan." Payal soothed her friend. "It's just a show of affection." But she could feel her blush as she said it. Rohan was unaffected.

"In public. That's like, the dictionary definition of PDA." Rohan said.

Payal rolled her eyes at his antics. "Vivaan meet Rohan Kapoor, my colleague and best friend. And that's Sunaina Kalra, my colleague. You guys, this is Dr. Vivaan Mehta. He's the one you have all been obsessing over the last few weeks." Payal introduced.

Vivaan put his hand out to shake Rohan's hand. "Nice to meet you. Payal has told me a lot about you." He said conversationally.

"And I know a lot about you too." Rohan said, straight faced. "I'm only going to warn you once. I won't call Payal my sister or anything close, because she isn't. She's my best friend. And I have always protected her like a best friend does. She doesn't open her heart easily, nor does she just give it to anyone. The fact that she chose you is the only reason I'm backing off; and if I get one inkling, or one tiny doubt of you hurting my best friend, I will destroy you; I promise you." He spoke quietly, but his tone contained the threat. "And promises of destruction from lawyers are not to be taken lightly." He added.

Payal blinked in surprise. She wasn't aware Rohan was so protective about her. He hadn't really accepted Vivaan as the best choice for Payal, but the manner he adopted was not just dislike; he was positively hostile. No one, let alone Vivaan, could handle a sudden attack like this with patience. This was bound to escalate. Desperate, Payal looked at Sunaina pleadingly, asking for her help to diffuse the situation.

"Um, ah, Vivaan, do you have any younger brothers by any chance?" she asked. Payal could have smacked her forehead in indignation. But the tactic worked and the tension between the two men reduced.

"I do have a cousin, but he's taken already." Vivaan said with a smile.

"Dang it." Sunaina muttered.

"Anyway" Payal spoke loudly. "I'm signing out for the day."

"I'm not picking up Finkleson's agreement, Payal." Rohan warned.

Payal tried for her best wounded puppy expression. "Please Rohan? Sherman will kill us! You said so yourself earlier."

"If you're immune to my flirting, I'm immune to your puppy dog faces. Also, Sherman will kill you, because you're leading that contract." Rohan countered with a smirk. "So, it's your call. Let's go Sunaina." He led the still drooling Sunaina back upstairs.

Payal glared at her best friend's retreating figure. "Some best friend." She muttered.

She turned to Vivaan. "Sorry. This client is really annoying. I have to pick it up today if I want it to be approved by day after." The temptation to leave work had never been this insistent as now. How was this fair?

Vivaan merely took her hand and drew her to the shadow of the large tree in the compound. As the sun had set, darkness had started falling. Under the cover of the tree, they were pretty much hidden from prying eyes.

"It's okay. I just wanted to meet you once and congratulate you." he held her hand as he spoke, low and in a whisper.

Payal raised an eyebrow. "You drove from Parel to Nariman Point only to say congratulations?" she asked. "Which you still haven't said by the way."

"I was about to, but we were... interrupted." She could hear the smile in his voice as he said it, the memory of his lips on her forehead returning in full force.

"Well, no one stopping you from saying it now." She tried to sound all casual as she said. In her heart, she wished he would kiss her on the forehead again. It had conveyed everything, his happiness, and his care and concern for her.

She gasped as he pulled her closer by her waist, putting her hands on his chest to steady herself.  He leaned in, her hands on his chest giving no resistance at all, and kissed her on the forehead yet again. "Congratulations, you're one step closer to being Mrs. Payal Vivaan Mehta." He whispered in her ear. Payal felt her smile widen listening to the name.

"Congratulations to you too." She wished him, laying her head on his chest and wrapping her arms around him.

He laughed softly. "You know, when I first met you, I never thought you'd be this shy blushing woman who's in my arms right now."

Payal refused to look up. "I was never like this before. But then you came along." Her words were muffled by his t-shirt, but she knew he heard her, because his grip around her tightened. Smiling, she looked up at him. "You're special."

"I'm honored." He replied with a warm smile.

They stayed that way for a bit, swaying in the others' arms; until it was time to leave once again.

"I'll call you soon." He said as he got into the car.

Payal nodded, sighing as heleft. It would be a while before they met again.