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This is an unedited draft of the book, meaning there will be several grammatical errors, name mismatches, plot discrepancies, and other sematic errors. If that is something you find offence, please do not proceed further.

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Swati Sandeep

Dheer looked up when he heard the footsteps. Aman Shekhawat was the last person he was expecting to see in his cousin's house. As their eyes met, Dheer got up in shock.

"Hello, kiddo. Missed me?" Aman flashed him a charming smile. Dheer had to resist the urge to wipe the smile away from the face. The man could provoke anyone without meaning to. Dhriti stopped and looked back at Aman. For a second she could not be sure who the man greeted. She was too busy trying to get a grip on her thudding heartbeats.

"What are you doing here, Aman?" Dheer spoke as politely as he could.

"You two know each other?" Dhriti glared at Dheer as if he was the one who was responsible for everything. Dheer nodded his head. He found no point in lying to her. She was the one who knew everything.

"He is Aman Shekhawat."

"His father's employer." Aman finished it for Dheer, conscious of Dev's presence. He was very sure the boy did not know anything about Dheer other than what was told to him. Dheer wanted to protest, but Aman walked to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, in warning. "How is the new job treating you, Kiddo? Everything is fine?"

"What are you doing here?" Dheer hissed in anger again. He did not want more complications. He was already lying through his teeth, Aman could only make things worse for him,

"As I promised, I came here to keep an eye on my investment." Aman flashed a smile and turned Dheer around so he could realize that the other boy was very much present. "I see that you have already made friends."

Dheer took a deep breath as he took the curiocity in Dev's eyes. He had almost forgotten about the boy.

"He is Dev." Dheer reluctantly introduced. "Dhruv Sir's younger brother."

"I can see the resemblance. He has your eyes."

Dheer tensed at the slip. Dev looked equally surprised. "Your boss' eyes" Aman quickly covered up the slip. He was stating the truth. The Randhawa brothers shared the same amber eyes. It suited their rustic persona. A gene that he envied. He wished his children could inherit such stormy eyes, but knowing his luck he was sure they would be stuck with his gray eyes.

"Dev, are you done with your assignment?" Dhriti intervened before they could mess up more. She did not want anyone finding out about Dheer. The boy was turning to be a bane of her existence.

Dev shook his head. He could not focus after he saw Dheer.

"Go and finish it. You don't want to sit up late, if Dhruv finds out you will be in trouble."

Dev bobbed his head and rushed back to his room. Dhruv was very particular about bedtime. If he found out he had neglected to finish his assignment he would end up in big trouble. Dhriti waited until she heard the door close before pouncing on Dheer.

"What the hell are you playing at, Dheeren?" Her eyes flashed with anger. "What is your man doing here?"

Aman's eyebrows shot up in surprise. The way she had morphed from an angel to a vixen gained his attention. The angel image was enchanting, but the fire in her eyes was irresistible. The emerald eyes darkened to a deep shade of green. He wondered if they changed when she blushed as well.

"He is my business partner, Dhriti." Dheer answered honestly. "And you are wrong in your assumptions again. I did not get him here. He does exactly what he wants to do. Like you, he listens to no one."

Dhriti was not willing to buy the lie. "You used him to get to Dhruv...."

"Ouch! That's an insult." Aman drawled lazily, earning a scowl from Dhriti. "I have a sharp intellect, Dr. Randhawa. I don't let people take advantage of me. No matter what is happening between you and your cousin, I am here for a business deal."

"I don't talk to liars, Mr. Shekhawat. Nor do I encourage them in my home. I will cancel the lease for the penthouse. The door is that way. Anyone associated with him is not welcome in my home. Get out."

Aman looked back at Dheer, with an amused smile on his face. "Kya kiya tune, Kiddo? Tere jiji itna kyun bhadak rahe hai? (What did you do, Kiddo? Why is your sister so mad?) Didn't they teach you about first impressions in school? What did you do to upset the lady?"

Before Dheer could answer Akshara joined them. She had left her phone in the car and went to retrieve it. She was completely clueless about the situation. When she saw Dheer she flashed him a warm smile and stepped up to hug him. "How are you, Dheer?"

Dheer nodded his head. He did not wish to upset her in any way. Dhriti was already upset. He did not want Akshu to bear the burn of her anger. He gently stepped in front of her and shielded her from Dhriti's warth. "I didn't ask him to come here. I don't know why he is here. If you do not want to lease the penthouse to him, it is your decision. You don't have to be rude about it."

"He deceived me." Dhriti's eyes blazed in anger.

"And how did I do that?" Aman challenged. He did not like being ignored. The brother and sister were carrying out as if he did not exist. "You placed an ad for the house and I got it through the broker fair and square. There was no deception involved, lady. You had not mentioned anything about not renting the home to your cousin's acquaintances. If that was the case you should have made the clause clear..."

"Don't play me for a fool." Dhriti glared at him. "What business do you have with Dhruv? Mujhe ache se pata hai tum dono kya karna chahte ho. (I know very well what you two are up to.) I will not let you win. Get out before I call the cops."

"On what grounds?" Aman challenged. He did not like being demeaned. He loved the lady's spark, but she was taking it too far.

"I told you the lease is cancelled...."

"You are not the one who signed the lease, Dr. Randhawa. It was Dhruv's signatures on the documents. Let your twin say that and I will leave without an argument. Until then I am here to stay."

Dheer shook his head. When challenged Aman behaved like an absolute moron. Dhriti didn't know that, but he did. He grabbed Aman's hand and turned him around. "Why did you rent the penthouse? What are you playing at?"

"Like I said, kiddo. I like to keep an eye on my investment. And now I am investing in two of the Randhawa's. Where else would I be?" Aman dusted the invisible lint from his jacket, least bothered about the siblings' objections.

"Dhriti does not want you here. So can you please leave? I am not running away. You know exactly where I work. So you don't have to be here."

"Well I disagree." Aman patted his back and stepped away. "And I don't have to explain my intentions to anyone. Not to my partner, and definitely not to his charming cousin. The lease is signed. I paid the money in advance. I have the right to stay. Now if I can have my keys, I will get out of your hair. You two can finish yelling at each other in peace."

Akshu looked from one to another in confusion. She still did not understand what was happening except the fact that her brother was being pig headed again. She grabbed his hand and pulled him back. "You said Dhruv knew about this arrangement. Did you lie to me?"

"I will never lie to you, princess." Anger flashed in Aman's eyes. She was his blood, his princess, he would never deceive her in his dreams. "Dhruv knew about it. I spoke to him in the evening about it. He seemed fine with the arrangement. It is his twin who has objections, which again she has no right to make. The house is in Dhruv's name, not hers."

"This is my home" Dhriti's eyes glinted in warning.

"She is right." Dheer defended her. "It is her home. You have no right to say that." Dhriti looked surprised. She thought he would take her partner's side.

"Aman did not mean it that way." Akshu said before things could turn ugly. Aman never lied, if he said he spoke to Dhruv then he did. "He did not deceive anyone. We wanted a place close to where Dhreer stayed. We asked our agent to find something in the vicinity. We have no idea that it was your home until the agent delivered the lease agreement. And he spoke to Dhruv immediately. I understand that you two don't see eye to eye." She gave Dheer a pointed look, "But I don't think it's fair that you are dragging a third person into this matter."

Dhriti flushed in embarrassment. The calm way in which Akshu handled the matter made her realize her mistake. She had indeed jumped to conclusions.

"I never asked you why you came to India, Dheer." Akshu addressed Dheer, "But you know why we are here. It is business for us. We have no intention of deceiving anyone." Askhu locked her gaze with Dhriti. "My mother adores your brother's cooking. We are here because Dhruv promised to train our staff. Once it is done we will go back home. I have no reason to lie to you. Since you don't want us staying at your place, we will leave immediately."

Aman wanted to protest but she did not let him. "We will find another place, Aman. I don't want to stay somewhere we are not welcome. Koi aur jagagh dhood lenge. Please, behes maat kar. (We will look for another place, please don't argue.)"

Aman nodded his head. He could never say no to his princess. Akshu wanted to leave but Dhriti stopped her. She felt guilty for the way she behaved. "You can stay." She said with a flush. "If Dhruv knows about it, I have no objections."

"But you don't want us here."

"I was upset with Dheer. I thought he got you here."

Dheer shook his head in disappointment. She always assumed the worst of him. Akshu looked at Dheer. She could see the hurt flash in his eyes. There was no doubt that he was unhappy with the situation but there was nothing she could do about it. "Do you have a problem if we stay here?"

Dheer shook his head. He had no issue. Akshu was a good friend. He was happy to have her around. He could put up with Aman for her sake. Dhriti handed Akshu the keyes. She wanted to apologize but could not find the right words.

"We will not interfere in your family matters, Dr. Randhawa. You have my word." Akshu assured her before taking the keys. "I would appreciate it if you did not assume things again."

Dhriti nodded her head. That was the only thing she could do. Akshu had put her in her palace, she was too embarrassed to say anything more.

"And I apologize for Bhaiyu's behavior. He doesn't like it when he is accused without reason. I am sorry he yelled at you."

"I did not yell at her, Princess." Aman's eyes narrowed. He did not want his little princess apologizing to anyone, least of all a vixen.

"You were rude, Aman." Akshu shook her head. "And I think we had enough drama for a day. Let's go." She grabbed Aman's hand and walked away before he could again let his tongue loose. Dhriti sat down, feeling drained. She did not even have the energy to argue with Dheer or listen to the boy's tauts. Even though she deserved them!

When Dheer offered her a glass of water, she looked at him surprised. She was expecting him to gloat.

"Have it. You look exhausted."

Dhriti took the glass because she needed it. She was indeed exhausted. There was something about Aman that grated at her nerves. Never before had a man ever excited and infuriated her at the same time. She needed time to calm herself.

"I did not ask him to come." Dheer felt obliged to clarify. "No matter what happens between us, it will stay between us. He knows nothing about us, I would appreciate it if you kept it that way. Family secrets are not for outsiders."

Dhriti nodded her head. She agreed with him, at the same time she was relieved that he was not getting reinforcements to win. She was fighting on her own, she appreciated an even playing field.

"If you don't want them here, I can talk to Akshu. She is very understanding. They can look for a place elsewhere."

"They paid six months in advance, Dheer. And they spoke to Dhruv." Dhriti shook her head. "They can stay. I should not have made assumptions."

Dheer nodded his head. "Well you do not know me, so you assumed the worst. Now you know differently. I don't need anyone to fight my battle, Dhriti. I can do it on my own. Don't overthink. Go take a shower. You look dead on your feet. I don't fight the enemy when they are down. Not my style."

Dheer rose to his feet. For some reason he did not like seeing her upset. He liked her all feisty.

"So you acknowledged that we are enemies?" Dhriti rose as well, feeling much better already.

"If I say otherwise, will you believe me?"

"Actions speak louder than words, Dheren. I don't buy lies."

"Good, then we know where we stand with each other. Go take a shower. You reek woman." Dheer scrunched his nose and stepped aside. He wanted to rile her up.

"I don't!" Driti hissed at him in anger. She had doused herself with an insane amount of perfume to get the smell of the antiseptic off her. Dheer was being mean on purpose but she could not help but fall for the bait.

"You do!" Dheer chuckled. "Go take a shower. Mujhe bhook lage hai. (I am starved.) I don't want to wait forever for my dinner."

Dheer escaped before she had a chance to retort. Dhriti marched herself to her room and closed the door with a childish thud. She hated to lose and that evening she had lost too many times to count. Only a shower could restore her mood.

It was almost two in the night when Dhruv walked inside, looking exhausted. He was ready to hit the sack and forget about the worries, but was surprised to see Dheer sleeping in the hall. Dhruv was surprised to find him there. The couch was no place to sleep. The boy would strain his neck and end up with a bruised body.

Dhruv gently shook Dheer awake.

"Sone do, girlfriend. (Let me sleep, girlfriend.)" Dheer murmured in sleep. "I am exhausted."

Dhruv smiled when he heard the sleepy whine. Dheer sounded his age, and not like the overgrown adult he pretended to be. The term girlfriend surprised him but he did not question. Everyone has the right to a personal life. Dhruv gently shook him awake. He could not let the boy sleep there.

Dheer whined some more but opened his eyes groggily. He was filled with complaints, but the moment he saw Dhruv he sat upright.

"What are you doing here?"

Dheer took a minute to think. He sighed when he realized what he was doing there. Dhruv had not come back home and he was worried for the man. Dhriti had spoken to him and told Dev that he would be late, but Dheer felt restless. He did not know what was taking Dhruv so long and he did not think Dhriti would answer even if he asked. So he waited for Dhruv's return. He did not even realize when he drifted off to sleep.

"I asked you something, Dheer" Dhruv gave him a gentle nudge.

Dheer shook his head. He was busy trying to come with excuses but his foggy brain could not come up with anything.

"It's okay. You need to sleep. Go back to your room." For a second Dhruv wanted to ruffle the boy's hair but stopped himself at the last minute. He got up and grabbed the boy's arms.

"The couch is not the place to be sleeping. You must be already sore. Go rest."

Dheer bobbed his head, he could already feel the cramps in his lower back. He took a step and winced immediately. Dhruv gently held him and stopped him from falling flat on his face. Dheer winced as he felt a sharp tug on his left leg.

"You got a cramp." Dhruv shook his head. He knew it would happen.

"I am fine, Si..." He hissed again as he set his feet on the floor again.

"That does not look fine." Dhruv sat him down on the couch, and lowered to the ground to examine his leg. Dheer stopped him immediately.

"Kya kar rahe ho aap? (What are you doing?)"

"Relax." Dhruv pushed him back gently and pulled up his pajamas'. He could see the vein pulsing. It was not a muscle spasm and not a sprain like he suspected.

"Let your leg loose and lean back."

Dheer gave him a confused look, but Dhruv pushed him back forcing him to relax. Once he had him in the desired position, Dhruv grabbed his leg and gave it a gentle twist. Dheer cried out in pain, but then he felt instant relief as the muscle stopped throbbing. It had been giving him pain all day.

"When you stand for long hours our calf muscles become weak." Dhurv told him as he rose to his feet. "You need to build on your stamina and work out a little. Focus less on your six packs and more on your legs and arms. That should help."

Dheer sighed. He never had to worry about cramps before. He had a personal trainer at home who took care of all his problems. He never had to take care of himself. "Thank you." He said heartfully.

Dhruv patted his head. Dheer looked so innocent that he could not resist himself. "Jaa so ja. (Go, sleep.) You don't want to be late in the morning."

Dheer nodded his head and got up again. He braced for the pain but he felt nothing. A smile made its way to Dheer's lips. His Bhaiya always had a solution for everything. With the happy thought he made his way to the room, but then remembered the food that Dev had stored in the refrigerator for Dhruv. Dev told him that Dhruv was never late at the restaurant no matter how late he was. He preferred home cooked simple meals.

"Aapne dinner keya? (Did you have dinner?)" Dheer called out before Dhruv would vanish into his room. Dhruv turned around, surprised by the question. No one other than his siblings ever asked about his meals. Dhruv shook his head. He was too caught up in accounts to bother with a meal. Now he felt exhausted.

"Dev placed your dinner in the fridge."

"I am too tired, Dheer. I will have something in the morning. Goodnight."

"Aise kaise aap bena khaye so jaoge? Aap muh haat dho lo, main dinner garam kar dunga. (How can you go to bed with an empty stomach? Go freshen up. I will heat the dinner.)"

"Dheer...."

"Daadi kehte hai ke kabhi kahle peth nahi sona chaye. Aap please fresh hoke aajao. (Daadi says you should never go to bed on an empty stomach. Fresh Up and come to the kitchen.) I will have the dinner ready."

"Daadi kehtey hai? (Did daadi say that?)" Dhruv's eyes softened.

Dheer nodded his head. His grandmother was very particular about it. No matter what happened he was not allowed to sleep on an empty stomach. She always made sure he had a warm meal.

"Tu jake soja. Main das minute me ata hoon. (Go and sleep. I will come back in ten minutes.) I will have dinner, don't worry."

Dhruv did not let him argue and walked into his room. Dheer thought about going back to his room, but Dhruv looked exhausted. The man made sure that he was always comfortable, the least he could do was warm up his meal. Dev had taught him how to do it without burning anything. He knew how to operate a microwave just fine, but it was the stove top that gave him trouble. Thanks to Dev's guidance he mastered a new skill.

Dheer hurried to the kitchen and got the food out of the fridge. The roti's were too cold for his liking but dev showed him how to warm them on the pan. Very carefully he did exactly how Dev taught him. When the roti slightly puffed up he felt like he won a marathon. Before the roti could burn he quickly grabbed it from the pan, just like Dev did and ended up scorching his fingers. An array of curses escaped his lips as he jumped up and down trying to get rid of the pain. He cursed his dumb fingers and grabbed another roti. He had come to warm the meal and would not give up because he was dumb enough to burn his fingers.

This time Dheer was more careful and managed not to hurt himself. Once he had everything ready he placed the warm dinner on the table. His fingers were screaming in protest. Dheer sighed and reached for the ice in the refrigerator but then he spotted the ice-cream. The pain was long forgotten as he eagerly reached for the ice-cream. Chocolate chip cookie ice cream was the one temptation he could not resist. He grabbed the whole tub and sat down to eat.

By the time Dhruv came to the kitchen the tub was half finished, but Dheer was nowhere satiated.

"Is time pe ice-cream? (Is this the time to have ice-cream?)" Dhruv could not stop himself from questioning. Dheer looked startled. For a second Dhruv sounded like his grandfather. He almost braced for the lecture, but then relaxed when he saw his brother instead.

"Dinner is warmed up. Khalo aap. (Have it.)" Dheer said as he scooped up a big spoon. Before he could eat, Dheer grabbed the tub from his hand and closed it shut firmly. He could already see the tub was half finished. He got the ice-cream the day before for Dhriti. It was her comfort food. Dheer always made sure they had some in stock.

"I just started." Dheer complained. He wanted to whine but stopped. Maybe he should not have taken liberties with the ice-cream.

"Finish it tomorrow. We have more in the restaurant pantry. Eat as much as you want, but not in the middle of the night. I don't want you to fall sick."

Dhruv grabbed the kettle and turned on the switch.

"Grab a glass of hot water once it is done." He told Dhuv and sat down to eat. The warm food filled his heart with delight. For the first time someone other than his family had cared enough to offer him a warm meal. Dheer was quickly making his way into his heart. He knew that well.

The kettle clicked and Dheer poured a glass of hot water and got it for Dhruv. He was already yawning, but he sat down with Dhruv. Food always needed company. It was another lesson his grandmother taught him early.

"Finish the glass and go to sleep." Dhruv nudged the glass back at Dheer.

"I am good. You have it."

"Finish the glass, Dheer." Dhruv's tone left no room for argument. "If you had the common sense to not eat ice-cream in the middle of the night, you would not have to drink it."

Dheer sighed but reached for the glass. Dhruv was compensating in leaps for the absence of their old man. Yash only ever lectured him. Dhruv was far worse. He took deliberately slow sips in silent defiance.

Dhruv noticed his actions and shook his head. The boy had too much in common with twin. Dhriti did just that when she could not win an argument with him.

"Kabhi kadha peya hai? (Did you ever drink Kadha?)"

Dheer's scrunched up nose answered for him.

"Sardi lage to Kadha pena hoga. Soch ley. (If you get a cold, you will have to drink Kadha. Think about it.)"

Dheer took a big gulp of the water. The hot water was a far better option. Dhruv smiled and got back to his meal. The boy was not so different from them. No doubt he felt so strongly for him.

"Why were you so late today?" Dheer asked once he was done with the hot water.

"Tomorrow is the end of the month. I had to enter all the invoices on the computer."

Dheer nodded his head.

"Don't you have someone to take care of it?"

"I do, but the man is on leave. There is too much work pending. I will go back early to finish everything tomorrow."

"I can do it," Dheer volunteered. Apps were a child play to him. He knew how to enter vouchers and tally accounts. His grandfather made sure he had all the financial training he needed, starting from basics.

"Do you know how to do the accounts?" Dhruv sounded surprised.

"I had business accounts in college. I can do it."

"So you did go to college?" Dhruv was relieved to hear it. He had assumed the worst.

Dheer nodded his head. "I have a degree in Computer Applications."

"And you want to end up in the kitchen?"

Dheer shrugged his shoulders. He was not in the mood to have the same conversation again. "If you can trust me, I can do it." He would rather work at the system then do the damn inventory again.

Dhruv nodded his head. He could take any help. Though Dhruv knew how to do the accounts he did not have the official training and it took him hours to go through everything. He was not too proud to accept his failures. Dheer flashed him a big smile and got up. He was too tired to stay put.

"We can leave together tomorrow. You don't have to worry about the accounts. I will care care of it."

Dhruv nodded his head. Dheer bounced upstairs, almost skipping a few steps. Dhruv's heart skipped a beat, as he saw the boy stumbling again. If it was Dev he would have not hesitated to go behind the boy and smack sense into him, but the boy was not his brother. He was a stranger. Why did a stranger seem so familiar? Why could he not resist the boy's charm? Dhruv had no answers. If only he knew!

1- Best part of the episode

2- Based on today's episode only what is your take on

a- Dhriti

b- Dhruv

c- Dheer

d- Aman

e- Akshu

f- Grandparents

3- Who was wrong today?