Naman is pleased to have Ishika agreeing to their friendship. However, he's well-aware of her childishness and just accepts it, but he's unaware of the crucial decision that she has already taken. Life has been too harsh on her, and she has made a decision for the family she currently has. Little does Naman know that seeing her only as a childish soul is his mistake, perhaps a partial one.

Anamika is glad to know that Ishika and Naman are slowly befriending each other. She watches them as they talk about the designs, and Ishika continually tells Naman all the backstories behind the designs. She has a small smile on her lips as she enters the room.

"Arey wah, aaj itni shaanti kaise hai yahan?" she asks, her tone playful, as she teases Ishika and Naman.

"Huh, what do you mean?" Ishika rolls her eyes at her sister.

"Mera matlab hai, tum dono ek kamre mein ho, aur aaram se baatein kar rahe ho, ek bhi baar ladai nahi ki dono ne," she says, her tone playful and eyes full of admiration.

"Aapki behen ki meherbaani hai," Naman replies, his eyes shining with mischief.

"Oh yes, agar tum meri baatein maanoge toh main tumse ladai nahi karungi," Ishika barges in, her tone ever so playful.

"Arey ye kaisi baat hui?" Anamika rolls her eyes between the two.

"Aisi hi baat hai, Di. Isi ne sabse pehle ladai start ki thi, I gave him the right nickname, isko boldo, isey meri baat maanni padegi. Hoga ye showstopper, lekin designs toh mere hain na, so, he needs to listen to me," Ishika demands, her gaze playful.

"Accha, chalo, maan lunga main, lekin pehle nickname batao. Mujhe bhi pata chale, kya nickname rakha hai tumne?" Naman glances at Ishika.

"Haan, Ishu, bata do, he might like it," Anamika says, her tone playful.

"Haan chalo, batao, fir main decide karunga ki mujhe tumhari baat maanni hai ya nahi?" Naman teases her further, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Tumhe toh maanna hi padega, vaise bhi bandar ko instructions dene padte hain, and you always need instructions," Ishika says, ending her statement with a small giggle.

It took him a while to realize that Ishika is referring to him as a monkey, and the run and chase begin between the two.

"Tumne mujhe bandar kaha?" he asks, trying to get hold of her.

"Toh aur kya kahun? Hamesha bandar ki tarah muh fulaate ho," she teases him, her tone playful, and her grin wider.

"Achcha jiii! Toh tum kaunsi Ms. World ho!" he retorts.

"Tumse toh better hoon," Ishika says, as she runs away from him.

Naman follows her, they keep exchanging words, until Ishika trips and falls on the couch, and Naman falls over her. He places his hands on either side of her, and their faces are just a few inches away. The close proximity leads to her heart beating rapidly. As Naman gazes into her eyes, Ishika feels her heart pounding, for he's never been this close to her. This is the first time they're this close. It feels like they're in a trance as their gazes lock.

She looks away from him, the close proximity with him has left her breathless. Naman looks away and, steadying himself, he turns away, murmuring an apology. Meanwhile, Ishika storms into the washroom to hide her embarrassment at the moment.

*****
Ishika enters the room again only to find Anamika waiting for her. She looks around for Naman, but he's nowhere to be found. Anamika chides her because she seems off.

"Sab thik hai na, Ishu?" she asks, her tone laced with concern.

"Han Didu, sab thik hai, vaise aap yahan? Rehearsal ki taiyari ho gai?" Ishika asks.

"Haan, isliye hi toh main aayi tujhe dekhne. Naman ne kaha ki tu washroom mein hai, isliye main aai," Anamika says, her eyes exuding concern.

"Achcha, chalo, let's finish this fir doctor ke pass bhi jaana hai," Ishika says, and the two head into the auditorium where they practice or do the rehearsals.

As they enter the room, Ishika's eyes meet Naman's, but she averts her gaze, slightly embarrassed about what happened a while ago. She could feel her cheeks flushing, and she couldn't bring herself to look into his eyes.

It's true; some things happen when you do not expect them to happen. Their close, nearly intimate moment is what Ishika didn't expect to happen. Her trance breaks when Anamika calls her, and they start the rehearsals. After a few rounds of practice, Anamika announces that in the end, Ishika and Naman have to walk together as they're the showstoppers and they need to pose as well.

Ishika feels flushed at the moment. It's too much to handle for her; however, it's professional, and she has to maintain professionalism. As per Anamika's instructions, the two souls practice the walk together. However, they didn't look at each other, but as they walked, their hands brushed together, sending a shiver down her spine. She immediately put some distance between them.

An hour later, they finish practicing, and everyone gathers in Anamika's room as she has decided the dates of the show. There are still fifteen days left for the show, and Anamika is pleased with how things are going.

"I am pleased; all of you are doing good. So, we'll wrap up early today," she announces, and soon enough, happy laughs begin echoing in the hall.

"Sab khush ho gaye," Ishika chuckles, her smile never fading.

"Hmm, chalo, I'll make you happy too. We will go to the coffee house. Naman, tum bhi hamare sath aa sakte ho," Anamika says, sending a warm invite his way.

"Nahi, main chalta hoon, mujhe shooting ke liye derr ho rahi hai. Main aap dono ko phir kabhi join karunga," he says, his tone soft yet sincere.

Anamika nods, and Naman takes his leave, momentarily gazing at Ishika. She sighs as he leaves, and it doesn't go unnoticed by Anamika.

"Kya hua? Tune usey mana kiya?" Anamika asks. She knows Ishika can ask him to deny any offer because she doesn't like anyone to hinder their special sister's time.

"Main kyun mana karungi? Wo bandar toh vaise bhi hamare beech mein aa hi jaata hai," she says.

"Ishu, stop calling him that! Uska achcha sa, pyara sa naam hai na," Anamika scolds her, her tone soft yet firm.

"Noo, he's a Bandar, B se Bandar," Ishika says, her tone playful, and today, she's got a slight smile on her face.

Anamika shakes her head. She knows her sister enjoys it all; she loves teasing him, but she's glad about the fact that Ishika has befriended Naman. However, little did they know, Naman is lingering nearby, and he has heard them, especially Ishika."

******
Naman drives off to his shooting location. However, his mind is lingering over that very moment that happened between him and Ishika. She's one of a kind, and she loves giving nicknames, but he knows she does that only to her close ones. So, is he among her close ones?

Hey, that'll be early to say. Maybe she's done so due to their banters.

However, he can't take his mind off that heated moment between him and Ishika. He had felt her fluttering heartbeat.

It's clear that she hasn't been in such close proximity with any other man. Her way of lowering her gaze has left some impact on his heart.

There's a volcano of emotions that he's feeling right now, but he just can't express them. It's not easy though. He needs to wait for the right time.

To Be Continued.