Mehendi & Moonlight || Ana

Chapter 29:: Stairs of Progress

"It's nice to see your deep admiration for elders. You do help around a lot." Nisha's father spoke with a ghostly smile causing Kabir to swallow. 
He gave him an awkward smile, "Of course, uncle. It's my pleasure. I admire you a lot." 

He looked around, spotting Nisha a few meters away from them. With a tilted head, she was examining them. 

"What's happening here?" Her voice reached his ears as she came closer to them. 
"Ah. We're just talking." Her father spoke, raising their interlocked hand as Nisha gasped, "What is that—"
"Ah! I held his hand as a token of admiration." Kabir's mouth was twisted in a rictus as he spoke. Catching the hint, she held in her laughter. 
"That's nice of you both. Keep talking."

She raised her brows at Kabir and left while he stared at her. 

"So, what do you think about the current politics?" His father asked as Kabir cleared his throat, trying to appear charismatic.
"Of course. The current politics is in bad shape, the government won't be able to progress at all!" He hoped whatever he forced out of his mouth aligned with her father's thoughts. He had overheard a few political conversations of the elders and caught a hint. 

But he had no idea of the current politics.

He used to at a time, but he was too busy with work and Nisha to focus on those anymore. 

—Time skip—

Nisha stared at the food, "Is there any lemon?" 
Priti gave her a clueless look, "I don't know. Let me ask Shams if he can get an—" 

Her voice was interrupted by Kabir approaching their table with a small plate of nicely cut lemons. He placed it near Nisha and smiled, "Does anyone want lemons?" 

She blinked twice, wondering if it was the power of telekinesis. 

"Wow, that's cool! Nisha was asking for lemons just now." Priti said as he gave her a knowing raise of his brows.

He walked to her seat and grabbed two pieces of sliced lemons, serving them to her. 

Her head turned back, catching a good look at his face. The small smile on his lips made her heart warm up, "Thank you, Kabir." 

"Anything for you." He spoke and walked away as Priti choked on her naan.

"Wait a minute. Did he just—"
"You eat!" Nisha shushed her, heaving out a deep shaky breath. She looked at his back, knowing well he was intentionally doing this to her. 
A soft frown coated her face when she noticed Kabir showing a thumbs-up to Adil who was smirking. 

A sonorous scoff escaped her lips. 

So that's the secret. 

After eating, they all settled on a few chairs as the elders and kids returned to the cottage. 
Shams and Priti were spending time alone while the boys were out somewhere, busy smoking. 
"Why am I always sitting alone?" Nisha groaned, scrolling her phone mindlessly, her thoughts returning to Kabir repeatedly.

He didn't smoke.

Then, where was he? 

A soft gasp escaped her lisp when she felt two warm arms sneak around her shoulder, hugging her from behind. 
She turned her head, smiling when his face came into her vision. His pretty, delighted face.
"It's me." He gave her a bright smile, melting the bitterness she was feeling. Turning back, she hummed, "I know." 
"I tried so hard to get to you tonight." 
"You ended up having a full family reunion, isn't it?"