As Rudra opened his eyes due to the ring of his alarm, the first thing he saw was a white paper. Squinting his eyes, he took the letter and read,

"Rudy,

Even though, I promised to be with you, I had to leave you.. I am sorry for leaving you alone but I really hope you would understand.

All the very Best for today and I pray that you rock it out and prove everyone that you can be independent. May God Bless you."

That short note had brought a smile on his face. He grinned and pushed the comforted starting a new day.

~~~~

As Rudra got ready, his phone rang and he slightly expected it to be his parents but it was Maya. Nevertheless, he was happy. As he picked the call, he kept it on the stand in the speaker mode before he enquired where he was. Folding his sleeves, he looked himself in the mirror and replied to her question about his departure," I am about to leave. I have booked a cab.."

Maya just hummed while on the other hand, he took his bag as he heard a horn from his side.

"I guess it's here.. Call you later and take care.." Rudra said and had cut the call. As he closed the door behind him, he saw the car and smiled. Picking his phone, he cancelled his cab and hoped onto Maya's car.

"I thought you had a whole day shoot!" He expressed as he buckled himself.

"Took 2 hours permission!" She said shrugging her shoulders as she started the car. As the car drove a few meters, Rudra picked his phone when his phone panged with a message from Rishi. Deciding to call him, Rudra called him and spoke for a few seconds. He didn't miss to ask about his dad and mom to which he replied that they were doing good. He also hinted them missing him but wouldn't turn left or right from their decision. After a few minutes, as the environment was as calm as the mornings, Rudra asked,

"Had your breakfast?" Rudra asked while she confessed that she she didn't have. She expected an outburst and as the car took off when the signal turned green, the red signal was shown in the car. Rudra, who got a bit angry, bursted out," Maya, you are already getting paler. You know breakfast is the most important part of the day!"

"Didn't feel like having it. Have been surviving on 3 coffees!" She spoke releasing a sigh.

"Maya, when will you learn to take care of yourself?" He face-palmed and asked her with a bit of frustration on his face.

"When you are happy!" She replied within a quick moment making him smile sadly when the car had stopped at another signal.

"I am not asking to leave about them. I know you and I am not going to force you to be happy. And I also know the fact that your fighter mode is a facade." Maya spoke looking into his eyes.

She extended her body and pecked his cheeks. He had a smile blooming on his face. Changing the gear, she steered left and let her fingers meet his and entwine them. Their journey continued yet their mouths refused to speak. When Maya parked her car into the underground parking lot of Rudra's office, he asked her a question that made her smile," Will I ever get to see your parents?"

Maya removed her seat belt and said," You need to meet them at one point. They would already know you since we are on the newspapers from the past few months. I wish you got to meet them. I wish both of our parents were there for us.."

"Shouldn't we meet them? I mean my parents have already met you and have given a verdict..." Before he could continue, she asked," You don't agree to that, don't you?"

"Not unless something major rifts us apart.." He spoke with a tight lipped smile while she just smiled. He looked at her for a few seconds until he said that he was leaving.

Removing her fingers from their conjuction, Maya caressed his face and said," All the Best Rudy!"

"Thank you Maya.." He said and he placed a kiss on her forehead where his lips lingered for a few minutes. As she placed a kiss on his cheeks, Rudra advised in a typical husband's tone," Have your lunch and take care.."

As he got out, he waved his hand while she reciprocated it. Digging her head to the seat, she remembered how her parents had attended the call in the morning while she wanted to tell them about something important. They had picked up the call only to warn her and that they were living peacefully with a 'No Children' tag. It shattered her to the core. Taking the car, she sniffed back as she parked out of the parking ground.

~~~

As Maya was cooking with her headsets on, she yelped because of the sudden back hug she was taken into. Embracing herself in his touch and allowing herself to lean against his chest, she felt his chin drop to her shoulders.

"Tired?" She asked while he just hummed. Retreating herself, she took a good look at her Rudy who was tired.

"The dinner is ready. Go and take bath.." She said and was about to serve the curry when he did something that was unexpected..

He picked her up and she squealed. She asked him to put her down but it all went avail. Atlast, she just looped her arms around his neck with him climbing the stairs. Placing her on the bed in a sitting position, he fell on her shoulders.

"Rudra, go and take bath." Maya advised while he acted as a stubborn kid. He kept his head on her laps as a small baby snuggling to his mother while Maya ran her fingers through his hair strands..

As Maya looked at him for a few seconds, she asked," First day was so tiring?"

"Internship was much better!" He remarked while she let out a small chuckle.

"You keep laughing and I will only suffer!" She bend down and placed a kiss. "Go and take bath. You are getting cranky and sweaty by the minute.."

She complained while he raised his head form her lap in a jolt and asked," I am sweaty and you are looking fresh! Why don't I share some..." He asked with a naughty and mischievous glint.

She got up from the bed and had the run of her life.. As she ran down the stairs, he too rolled his sleeves and ran down as if he was energised. After 2 long minutes, he caught her and caged her.

"Why don't you also get sweaty?" He asked in a husky tone while she blushed.. He yanked her closer as he snaked his arms around her waist. She just ran her fingers through his hair and asked in a hoarse voice," What's cooking Rudy?"

"Nothing. Spending time with my girlfriend! " He said casually with a stress on girlfriend.

"You won't leave me right?" He asked as he caressed her cheeks with his thumb.

Maya was confused at this question during their special moment. She just smiled and rubbed her nose with his and she said," I"

"won't leave" She kissed one of his eyelid and whispered "you!" She kissed the other eyelid. Kissing his nose, she let out a hot breath.

She looked into his eyes with her eyes bore into his. He touched the gap between her nose and upper lip with his thumb pad. He could get the moisture as he leaned in.

"Told you that I will get you sweaty!" He said as he winked. She allowed her fingers to grasp his hair and she pulled it slightly only to hear out a yelp from him. Rubbing her sides, she giggled slightly and moved out of place due to the sensations she was receiving. When Rudra leaned in to kiss her cheeks she sealed the deal with her lips above his.

After a few seconds of initial shock, Rudra kissed each other, joining each other in the dominance to win over each other. With Rudra pulling her closer by her waist and Maya tightening her fingers on his black bushy hair, they were so much into the kiss that the calling bell came as a shock.

As they parted, Maya's hand remained on his shoulder and she kissed the corner of her lips before going away. As she walked, she turned back and winked at him which made him ruffle his hair.

As she opened the door, she got a surprise accompanied with a squeal," Maya Di...." On the other hand, he smiled realising the familiar presence. Walking upto him, he saw that Rishi was asking something to her.

"Are you feverish or something? You are looking so red! " He asked in a concerned voice to which Rudra tried to control his smile.

"It's nothing! It's hot right?" She asked trying to wipe any traces from her face if any while Rishi asked," The AC is on right?"

"Rudra, go and take a bath. Rishi, he is turning very lazy!" She complained as she went info the kitchen giving some time for the brothers..

As Rudra went next to him, he just hugged Rishi. He was about to get emotional when Rishi asked in a mischievous tone," I didn't know that you used female perfumes!"

Rudra opened his mouth but closed his as he didn't have any arguments..

"Rishi, there is nothing as he assume!" Rudra tried to explain while Rishi raised his eyebrows and Rudra couldn't hold any longer as he laughed out. Laughing their hearts out, Rudra sat on the couch while Riahi too slumped next to him, hugging him like eternity.

"How was your first day?" Rishi asked to which he said in a tired tone," Very Exhausting. "

"Anyway, I can't take your sweat! Go and take bath. I will accompany Di in the kitchen." Rishi said and went to the kitchen while Maya was sautéing something..

"How are your studies going?" She asked to initiate a conversation while he said shrugging his shoulders, " Not bad. Having university exam after 3 months."

"When is the due of Rudra's result?" She asked knitting her eyebrows to which Rishi replied scratching his head," I think it's around my exam time itself! What happened?"

"Simply!" She shrugged her shoulders with a smile and handed him a bowl of cauliflower fry. He dived into the fries and moaned in deliciousness. She got her reply without asking him and soon enough, the ladle was taken from her..

"Rish,.." She squealed while he asked half chewing," What should I do?"

"There is nothing to do. It's the last one and I'll finish it.." She said and grabbed the ladle back. Both of them were slightly pushing each other and arguing while Maya slightly calmed down as Rudra touched her..

"What is going on here? I can hear your sounds from the hallway!" He said while she said," It's a conversation between my brother and me! You don't need to interfere!"

He was tongue tied while Rishi raised his eyebrows in pride but the grabbing the ladle game continued and soon enough, she had to give it to him as Rudra kissed her cheek. Rishi did notice that as he tried his maximum to keep his grin to himself. He took the chance and grabbed the ladle.

He heard some sounds and giggles from behind but didn't have the courage to turn behind and check. He indicated, trying to be obvious," I am standing here Bhai."

Maya just pushed him by her palm while he went to the opposite direction.

"Are you still feverish Di?" Rishi asked with a glint of naughtiness while she grabbed the ladle and whine," Rishi.." Rishi chuckled slightly and was about to pick one more cauliflower fry when Maya popped up suddenly," Rishi, uncle and aunt..

"Yes. They are good. The house has become quite now. We were the one who created all the hungama and even they would join." He spoke remembering the old days..

"I ruined all of it right?" She asked with a tone of disappointment while she heard him speak,

"As parents they are right but I guess it's his life to take his own decisions. He isn't a person who gets hooked up easily even if he is so cool. You haven't ruined anything. When minds aren't ready, all you time is some time.." He said and she nodded as she put the stove off.

~~~~

Relishing Maya's food, Rishi had indeed complemented Maya for the dinner while she said that she was playing a host for her small brother.

When Rishi had to say goodbye, Rudra's eyes had spilled some tears.. Somewhere, she felt if she hadn't proposed nothing would have happened and sometimes, she felt that everything would be alright.

With both of them in their thoughts, none of them spoke. With Maya sitting on the ledge, her back leaned against Rudra's chest. Rudra had his hands entwined with hers.

"Rudra, as we have moved in, what is your take on our relation? I mean in front of others..." She asked while he sighed deeply and said," Maya, I don't know if this sounds as feminine but I need some time. Everything happened so fast and I need to be independent before we start living.."

"Take your time Rudra. I am not going to stop you from achieving whatever you want. Go till wherever you want but remember that I am there for you ." She said and he kissed her head.

"Where will I go leaving you?" He asked while she sat straight with his hand still not leaving hers..

"Rudra, you will talk to me if there is anything right?" She asked while before he could answer, Maya's phone rang. Picking it from the table, she saw the caller Id.

Excusing herself, she attended the call and asked," What happened?"

-To Be Continued -