Enjoy Reading (:

Please read the Important Note in the end (:

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Flashback:

One Month Ago:

It has been more than one month since that night when Kabir came home late and each passing day was full of bliss for her and sunshine for him.

They still haven't let anyone doubt their relationship. Though Ritu suspected that Zara was happier now a days but she didn't dig as they had their own boundaries.

In this time they had come closer, at least Zara felt much more connected to him than ever.

He still didn't say that he likes her or anything but Zara didn't care. She knew that she was being blind in love and that was the conversation they should have but felt that she didn't need words.

People promise each other world and life time of happiness and companionship. Her mother did too. But they break those promises all the time.

So, why run for words? Also, she has to admit she was scared about the talk and what if it didn't turn out in their favour. She didn't want to lose him, not yet.

She loves him and he is attracted to her. That she knew. And that was it for now.

Though she sometimes wanted to hear words but then bit her lips for overthinking too much.

Don't be pushy Zara. What if the only good thing in your life goes away because of that? Also, she wasn't sure if she has the strength to stand up if he leaves her, not yet. Not that she thinks he will leave her like that. He is a gentle man.

Also, he looked troubled now days. He didn't say it but she noticed that he has stopped playing guitar. Though his behaviour towards her was completely normal and she was happy to provide him little comfort.

"Sunshine" She heard him calling her and her chain of thoughts broke.

"Yes Bir." She looked up from the unread book in her hand and noticed him smiling at her, genuinely.

"I was thinking that we could go out for dinner tonight." He said and rubbed his neck nervously.

Why was he getting nervous? It is just a dinner right? Then she realised that it was indeed a big deal because it was the first time he was asking her out for dinner... like proper one.

So can she assume that it's a date?

"There is nothing inside the fridge and we should eat outside sometimes, right?" He explained as he noticed her silence and Zara shook her head.

So that's the reason. Stupid Zara, always thinking too much. But still she will think of it as date. Because it's between two people who are at least attracted to each other.

"Sure." She said and stood up to get ready.

"You can wear a dress if you want. The place we are going doesn't have many people. We'll have privacy." He said knowing fully well that she didn't like to wear dresses in crowd and she smiled at his understanding.

"Sure. Give me half an hour." She said and he nodded and left after kissing her cheeks.

***

True to his words the restaurant he brought her was really private. But don't places like these need prior reservations? May be he knows the owner.

Whatever it was, she was glad to be away from public eyes. They placed the order and sat in silence before he broke it, as always.

"Tell me something about you adult life that I don't know." He asked with a smile.

"Well, then you will also have to tell me something that I don't know." She said, feeling curious.

"Is it a condition?" He asked raising his eyebrows.

"No. It's a request. But you are not obligated to fulfil it." She said softly and he looked at her intensely, as if trying to figure out how her thinking works.

She would never force him, into anything. He was so good, so kind and patient with her. She can never think of demanding anything from him.

"I will answer Sunshine." He said in a strong voice and she smiled.

"Okay, so it's not a big deal or anything but here it goes. So you remember when I asked you to call me Sunshine. Here is how I got that name." She said and smiled with fondness.

And this time Kabir stilled.

God No!

Zara....Why this?

Anything you could have said but why are you saying this?

Because it will make him feel guiltier than he already is.

Her words, her honesty and her simplicity everything reminds him about the lie that he is living.

But he can't do anything now. The game is too elaborate and complicated now.

So he put on the mask of prince charming that he never was and listened to the story that she was sharing as her secret.

One which he knows so damn well.

***

Zara put her hand above his and continued.

"You know that I did my residency in my home town, where dad shifted again after I left for college. He has his memories of growing up there so he went there after so many years and thankfully people there don't have time to gossip now. So it wasn't bad.

Anyways while I was doing my residency, I used to see the school and other places where I was bullied and that reminded me of the fact that how mental health is important for children in primary and middle school too.

So I decided to take a small initiative from my side and become their mental health in charge. But I didn't have the courage to go into the school over there as it has so many bad memories so I went to the other school that I went after we left my hometown.

It was at one hour distance, from our home. I was a mental health teacher, there. Well, you can't really teach it but I used to give them small activities and we did some stuff.

Anyways, I only took class once a month because of the distance. I can't take it in any classroom as all of them used to come together, so I took class in their auditorium which was really dark.

And I don't like darkness, and that was when I decided that my name should be something that will give me and them a hope that there light after every darkness.

So, we came to the agreement that they will call me Ms. Sunshine and hence the name." Zara finished her tale and looked at him expecting any reaction but he kept quiet for few seconds.

"I mean, I know it's silly and stupid but it means something to me." She tried to cover up feeling uncomfortable and Kabir came out of his trance and immediately held her hands.

"It's not silly and stupid. It is really meaningful. Not many people can think of turning their childhood experiences into something productive and take good out of everything bad that happened. You are a good person, Sunshine." Kabir said in a real appreciative tone and Zara felt really good after telling him the truth.

Even though she didn't lie to him, she felt as if she was hiding something big from him.

Well apart from her feelings that it. But they are hers and she has the right to disclose them when she feels comfortable. Also, about his accident, that she was the one who treated him.

But she wanted to know his feelings before telling it all. Because if he doesn't want her in his life for long time then why tell him truth and make him feel obligated to stay? Her mom married her dad because of family's obligations. The outcome was not good.

She came out of her thoughts when waiter served them the dinner and they started eating.

As they finished the main course and waited for dessert Zara asked him, "Bir you still haven't told me anything regarding your adult life."

And he smiled at her, this time sinisterly.

"I was in an accident before I joined this hospital." He dropped the bomb and as expected her eyes widened at his words.

Well, I won't be the only one to feel guilty, Sunshine.

Let's remind you about your guilt, shall we?

He said and started his story.

The one she knew but can't speak up.

The one he knew that she knew but will still speak.

***

"Before joining this hospital I received some disturbing news regarding my friend, Samar about whom I told you. I wanted him to get his love, but I was angry at something and so I drove without paying attention to my speed on one way and was about to collide with a truck but avoided it and ended up hitting a tree on the side way.

I was taken to hospital and suffered many injuries. I was in coma for around two months but I treated by a wonderful team of doctors whom I am still thankful too.

After that day, I promised sweetie pie that I won't drive recklessly."

Kabir completed his short story and was looking at Zara waiting for her reaction.

Dear Lord!

Why this is happening to her? Zara thought.

Here she was in this fine restaurant, sitting with this man she loves to death and he is being so truthful to her and she was lying to him so much!

She really wanted to be honest with him and wished that she could tell him everything regarding her crush on him since college and how she was the one that treated him when he was in coma.

But she couldn't. Because he just said that he was thankful to those doctors and if she said that she was one of them, he will feel obligated. Also, it would need so much of explanation.

So she cleared her thoughts before speaking.

"Bir! You should be really careful regarding your driving. Thankfully you were saved on time and came out without any major injuries. But never take your life lightly. You help your friend but when you are driving your attention should be on the road and nowhere else. Promise me that you will take care of your life and never take it lightly." Zara spoke in sincere voice and Kabir looked at her silently before saying, "I promise Sunshine."

They had the dessert and left the place to go to beach as Kabir suggested.

They were walking on the beach with her heels in his hands and his jacket over her shoulders.

God bless him!

"I love beaches." Zara said.

"I could feel your excitement." Kabir spoke and she pouted but walked slightly in water.

The cold water touching her feet made her feel really good. She felt like she was washing away her lies with it.

"Sunshine, no you are not getting inside the water. You could slip."

But Zara pouted and ran away with him following her.

"No. Not that side. It's secluded." Kabir shouted as he ran behind her.

"That's why I love it here. I could really spend some time with myself and clear my thoughts whenever I'm in some dilemma." She explained as he catch up with her.

"You are full of mystery Sunshine." Kabir said and then realised the irony of it.

She was not at all mysterious. She was easy, like breathing.

It was him, who was caught up in web of lies and has all the mysteries in the world.

"Bir....I'm not at all mysterious. You should ask my kids that. They always say that Ms. Sunshine can never keep any secrets." She said as they settled on the sand and he offered her a smile.

"You love kids, don't you?" He asked and she nodded fondly.

"Not more than you." She said dreamily and then realised how it sounded.

No.

That's not happening now.

"I mean you also love kids so much! Look at you around kids; in hospital and in the orphanage too. You became paediatrician for this reason only, right?" She covered it casually and noticed that he has gone quiet.

He was looking at her intently, like it was the first time he saw her.

"You are beautiful." He said which was completely off the topic and Zara was stunned because it was the first time in months that he complimented her.

He then leaned towards her and kissed her in the moonlight and she reciprocated with full passion.

It was the best date, she will ever have.

Everything was perfect.

***

Perfection doesn't exist in reality, Zara. I wish I could say that to you.

Anyways, Bir is so... I don't have words for it. How easily he brought down the guilt trip?

And Zara, my Sunshine, she is also hiding so much right?!

Both of them are playing this game. I wish I could stop it at once but as Bir said, it's too elaborated and complicated now to stop.

So let's go with flow. And let's move on to the time where the ending of such beautiful relationship began. Thoughts about their relationship or lack of one, till now?

Imp Note:

There's an award contest going on Wattpad by ThetaTelugu in Swan Books. Here readers have to nominate the books. Thanks to my beautiful readers I was made aware of the contest and I would really appreciate if you guys can nominate Fated To Be Together and Planned To Be Together there.

DTBT is not on wattpad so I don't think it could be entered. You can nominate only once. Under Section 1 Romance Genre. So I would he really happy if you guys can nominate the books FTBT and PTBT there. To those who already did, a big thank you 🖤

Also, silent readers do vote and comment. It means a lot to a writer and encourages me to update faster.