A/N : Hey guys, I am sorry for this late update. Kinda got busy with studies. I might be slowing my updates again due to work. But still there would be updates for sure. Just giving you all a head's up. I hope you enjoy this one. 1670 words it is. ❤️

Stay safe, Anushka#

This chapter's dedicated  JohnDoe16for his sweet words.

Anah's POV

The car came to a halt in front of my house as I started gathering my things. "So, good night I guess". He said. You should step out now Anah, what are you waiting for, he already said goodnight.

"Won't you come inside?" I asked. "Do you want me to come inside?". Stupid man, I know he is playing but he won't hear it from my mouth. "Well khala would be angry if I let you go without even asking for tea or coffee".

Trying hard to convince haan! My inner self mocked.

He looked at his watch "Coffee at 1:40 am doesn't sound bad though. I'll have a cup". I grinned at the thought of spending more time with him. I don't know but I get this unsettling feeling whenever he leaves me.

Alot of people might disagree with my take on my feelings as he happened so fast in my life after such a major loss that it scares me that this dream would be over soon and I'd be left alone again.

"Back to earth Anah? Did you changed your mind?" Shaking my head in a no I stepped out. I was checking something in my bag when my heel twisted. "Ah!" Bracing myself for the hit only realising it never came.

Opening my eyes I realised Shourya held me from the front while my head almost on his shoulder. Sighing hard I relaxed in his hold. " Watch before you go. I don't want any harm to happen" I smiled "..to the rock". Punching his shoulder I got back on feet and gave him a cold look.

He chuckled and shuffled my hair. " Anah what's going on" We heard Papa's voice as I stepped a bit away from him. Shourya went and touched his feet to take his blessings.  "Sir I was just dropping Anah home when she invited me in for a coffee"

" It's too late for coffee beta, Gayatri ji must be worried. I think you should go home. Maybe come tomorrow for tea" he said cutting Shourya off.

He gave a tight smile and nodded. Before he could pass by me I held his hand slightly making him stop. " Papa how about we invite them to dinner tomorrow what say?" I looked at both of them. Papa gave a straight look and nodded. " Sure why not?"

Looking at Shourya " Come tomorrow? We'll talk then" he smiled and nodded. " I'll see you inside Anah". As soon as dad went away he pulled me close in a tight embrace.
My heart skipped a beat at his actions.

"I'll miss you" he said in my shoulder. My heart melted at his words. What is this boy doing to me. " Hey! You should better leave me right now or else if papa saw he's going to beat you to crap. I don't want my guy to be beaten up" I said too soon to realise the meaning of my words.

"Your guy haan? Don't worry tomorrow officially I would be your guy as you would be my girl". " Ew! Cheesy" he chuckled, "Just to make you smile".

Soon he was in the car as I waved at him. I can't wait for tomorrow. Walking in the hall I found papa sitting on one of the chairs as he called me to sit beside him " Papa why are you up so late? I messaged khala that I would be late and Shourya would be dropping me. It's not good for your health to be up this late".

"I hope you made your decision Anah". I frowned " Decision?" Yes, about Shourya". I looked away from his gaze. "Anah he is a nice man and I know he won't cross his limits but I don't appreciate you going out this late with him".

"Papa!" I exclaimed as I never expected him to say such words to me. "Don't you trust me enough? It's my life papa, you and bhai brought Shourya in it and I can't be more grateful but just because you are my father that doesn't change the fact that I make my own decisions. I never thought that you didn't trust your values that you incorporated in me."

"Anah beta, listen it's" I cut him off "I respect you papa, I do but that doesn't mean that I have to put a stop on my life and be constrained in time limits. I trust Shourya and that should be more than enough for you guys to trust him".

I said and went straight to my room. Entering inside and throwing my bag on the couch I just sprawled on the bed staring at the ceiling as today's events churned in my mind in cycles. "It was such a good and a bad day, you are so stupid Anah. Why did you got so angry at papa when he misjudged Shourya's intention? Now are you going to fight with your father over a boy".

But he is not just any boy..my inner self retorted.

Sighing and making a mental note to apologise in the morning, I went to bed ignoring the notifications of my phone.

I woke up by the sound of my phone ringing. Putting a cushion on my eyes and reaching out for the phone on the side table, I frowned when didn't felt anything. Getting up ajar I gave a look across the room through my half opened eyes which fell on my bag on the couch.

Quickly getting up and hissing immediately as my toe hit the side table I wobbled to the couch. 2 missed calls from Shourya. It was just 9 in the morning. Quickly dialing his number he picked up in the first ring " Are you okay?" We both asked simultaneously.

"I am fine". Again we said simultaneously. We both chuckled as I sat down. "Sorry didn't meant to worry you, I called because maa wanted to talk to khala and she was not picking up her phone so thought to call you. Did you slept well last night?"

I nodded" I did, what about you?" " Naah missed you alot" I blushed. " Give me a minute I'll give the phone to khala" I quickly retorted changing the topic.  Walking outside my room, bare feet, phone clung to my ears.

" I am so worried about today's dinner Anah" he said making me halt. "What why?", "Last night I don't know, sir seemed a bit upset with me, what if he changed his mind about our relation and would he let me court you?"

His words made me awe. He is just so caring. " Shourya, we'll make him understand. We are together in this. Even if he disagrees initially, we'll stay resilient" his chuckle made me frown.

"What's so funny Mr. Singh?",  "Well I don't know I just imagined your cute resilient face while saying that, soon to be Mrs. Singh" my heart shuddered at his last words.

"Oh Shourya! Stop it with your flirting and give me the phone" bhabhi said into the phone and snatched it I guess because there was some commotion.

"Hi bhabhi! Goodmorning". I wished while walking towards kitchen. "Anah we'll match up for tonight, I am wearing brown, what about you?" I smiled. "Brown it is then". "Ok ok, maa wants to talk to you".

Before I could say thankyou to her about the food last night maa spoke  "Anah beta, how did it went last night? Did you eat the food? Was Shourya good to you? " She asked all together while I chuckled. Mother things!

"Yes maa, I liked the food. Please say thankyou to bhabhi on my behalf and Shourya as just as good like always. Oh, it went good I was able to cure almost all the patients". I said while entering the kitchen.

"Khala, maa wants to talk to you?" I said. Khala gave me look and I realised that I have been calling Gayatri aunty as maa this whole time. A blush crept my cheeks as I looked everywhere except khala.

Giving her the phone I just turned on my heel and ran to my room. Quickly setting out the clothes for the day I was about to hit the shower when khala entered. "Offcourse Gayatri ji, yes yes, we'd be waiting for you all. Salaam" as she hung up my nerves ticked.

"So Anah, since when did you started calling Gayatri ji as maa, are you hiding something from me?" I gulped. "No, no, Why will I hide anything from you khala, it's just umm she asked me to call her maa since I was missing mumma yesterday and she noticed".

It's not a lie okay, I was missing my maa when Gayatri maa told me that. Though the whole truth? She'd know that soon. Her eyes watered as she tried to hide it from me. " Oh khala" I hugged her as she sniffled in my shoulder.

"Ilah must be so happy in the heaven Anah, to see that her daughter finally found someone to fill in her shoes". "Khala you always filled maa's place and even Gayatri maa can't take your place away. I have two mothers, I should be the one thanking the heavens"

She smiled while wiping away the few shedded tears. "Okay, enough of crying. You go take a shower and then help me if you want". After she left I looked at my reflection in the mirror and found a smile lingering.

"These days I have been smiling alot, I am so thankful to meet somebody like Shourya, maa. Bhai, I wish you could be here to see my happiness. This might be the best promise made for my life".