The beginning

Chapter 10

Deepika woke up utterly disoriented the next morning when her alarm rang at eight. It took her several minutes to realise that she was in the guest room of her apartment, still fully clothed but somehow under the covers. The last thing she remembered was walking to Ranveer's car. How had she ended up here? She got out of bed and noticed that her phone was plugged in to charge and a water bottle was on the table next to her. Had her parents come to surprise her? She had a vague recollection of her father saying something. No one else was so thoughtful. 

She walked out of her room, excited, and stopped short at the sight of Ranveer sprawled on the sofa, hugging a pillow to his chest and smiling in his sleep. Of course it was him. She blamed her lack of sleep for not immediately thinking that he'd been the one to bring her home and take care of her so well last night. She smiled fondly at him. He looked like he was having a very good dream. 

She watched him, loathe to wake him and spoil it. "Deepu," he murmured and she jumped guiltily, thinking her staring had disturbed him. Then she saw his closed eyes and blushed when she realised he'd called her name while fast asleep. He must be dreaming of her. The thought that a dream of her could make him so happy filled her with warmth. She reached out and ran her fingers slowly through his sleep-mussed hair, smoothing it back from his forehead before leaning in and laying a gentle kiss on his brow. His eyes fluttered open as she leaned back. 

"Good morning meri jaan," he whispered. His voice was still scratchy with sleep and his smile was wide and loving. 

She blushed. "Good morning," she replied. 

"Mmm, no kiss?" he pouted. 

She blushed again before leaning over and brushing his lips gently with hers. He sighed happily and looped his arms around her neck, pulling her in. When she broke the kiss he frowned. 

"Why are you dressed?" he asked. 

She was confused. "Why wouldn't I be?" 

He blinked a couple of times and she watched his eyes widen with awareness. "You're real," he whispered, then, "You just kissed me!" He had a loony grin on his face. 

She hit his shoulder lightly. "Ranveer!" 

He sighed. "Best way to wake up, ever." She blushed at his words and the soft look in his eyes. "Please kiss me again?" he requested. "Now that I know I'm not dreaming," he clarified. She leaned in and obliged. They kissed softly for a few long moments. "Happy birthday, baby," he said when she broke the kiss. She blushed and leaned in to kiss him again when they were interrupted by the sound of keys rattling in the front door lock. 

Deepika sighed and sat up. "That must be Bharti. What would you like for breakfast?" she asked Ranveer as she headed to the front door to undo the deadbolt. 

"Omelette and toast will be fine," he called out to her, getting up from the sofa and folding his blanket. Apparently the moment was over.

"Good morning, Bharti," he said to Deepika's housekeeper as she bustled into the apartment with the newspaper and a basket full of vegetables and stopped short at the sight of him. 

"Good morning bhaiyya," she said, and he thought he detected a slight smirk on her face. "Late night?" she asked. 

"Yes," he replied, "I drove your didi home after our shoot last night and she insisted I stay." 

"I did not! Did I?" Deepika gasped, looking up from where she stood at the kitchen island perusing the paper. 

"You totally did," he smirked. He watched as she turned a pretty shade of pink and fled up the stairs mumbling, "Bath, I need a bath."