Only 2 hours are left for Akshita's birthday. Smita is waiting eagerly for her arrival. Its been hours of her departure with Akshay. She brought her favourite mango cake from bakery. Candles, balloons and her gift, everything is ready.

Akshay is thankful to Akshita who saved her from that cheap lady. Rest of the event went smooth and they are returning to home. He stopped the car in front of bakery and collected the cake. He bought ice cream, chocolates, candies with chocolate cake.

The door bell rang and Smita ran towards door "Shona you are... She stopped when driver is standing in door way with various bags. She gave him way to come inside. She cleared the table for him and he placed everything on it. Akshita came and throw her shoes as always.

" Shona, keep your shoes.. "she stopped talking when she find at the door. She watched, no, almost stare him and then averted her gaze. He is dressed in a tuxedo today. Hairs were gelled on one side. His beard were freshly shaven which gave a freshness to his appearance. He removed his leather shoes at side and Akshita copied him. He moved towards her and she faked a smile to him.

Is it necessary to always look handsome?

Her heartbeat raise with his each step towards her. She wanted to co parent with him. She knew he will come more often. They will meet again and again. She thought she will manage like everyone but its more difficult than she imagined.

"I'll... No... I.. arrange.. the... things" she stuttered and moved towards kitchen to bring knife and other things.

"I'll help." he said while removing his coat and bow ties. He rolled sleeves to the elbow. Shirt is inclined to his perfectly shaped body. Akshay never looked more manly than today. She felt he is enjoying to display.... Smita dropped the idea immediately. He doesn't like women that way. Why he would do that? Its just an illusion. Yes, its an illusion, this is correct explanation of it. She chanted mentally.

She brought mango cake from fridge and opened box of chocolate cake.

"Two, two cakes" Akshita chirped and clapped from behind.

"Shona stop sneaking around, wait outside." Smita said and she scoffed.

"You don't acknowledge other's emotions." he commented

"Huh?" she is clueless what he is talking. "if she will stay here there is no surprise."

She placed both cakes on table, then scattered rose petals around it. She placed ballons around the corners of room. "Happy birthday Akshita" is written on the wall behind the table. She was searching something and there is a hand.

"You are searching this?" he handed her box of candle. She forward her hand to take it. His fingers brushed her hand and she moved her head in denial. She repeated her chant "its nothing, its illusion, don't feel it." She felt his gaze on her and she smiled again. She doesn't knew someday smiling will be this difficult.

She start placing candles on and regret leaving her hairs open today. Its not only blocking her vision but also deteriorating the design on cake. A hand gently removed her hairs from her face.

"Thank you." she said meekly. He moved towards her.Her heartbeat raised.

"What are.... He handed her a rubber band to tie her hairs and left the room. " her inner voice mocked her. She is glad she didn't said all those cheesy novel lines. What he must have thought about her.

Akshay can felt impact of his presence over her. Her stuttering voice showed her nervousness. She is unable to make a judgment. Candles were right in front of her but she failed to locate it. He is one hundred percent sure she is nervous but..

"Akshay, Shona." she called from inside and Akshita ran surpassing him to the room. Smita lited all candles in the room and switched off the lights. She gesture him to come as Akshita already take her place. He sat at one side of Akshita and Smita sat on the other. Akshita blow the candles and cut the cake.

"Happy birthday to you,"

" Happy birthday dear shona"

"Happy birthday my princess"

Akshita feed the cake to Akshay first and then Smita. Both Akshay and Smita feed her the cake. Smita applied some cake on Akshita's face and she repeated the same with her. She then moved towards Akshay

"Shona, no.. Smita tried to stop but her efforts went in vein. Akshita climbed on his lap and applied cake all over his face. Smita watched her with angry face and she clutches her father for escape.

" It's okay, I'll clean it. "he said and Smita nodded. Akshita's face lights up. He moved towards washroom and something hit her.

Smita ran towards the washroom. He is inside the washroom, that is not her concern. He is washing his face and she tip toed towards hanger to collect her undergarments. She pick up everything and turned around. He is standing right behind her, looking her attentively.

"I was.. just.. She uttered while hiding it behind her back. His eyes moved behind her and she followed his gaze. Oh shit one bra is still hanging on the hanger.

" Its not your type. "he said

" Huh? "

" I mean you were not fan of lace..

"Just shut up.." Akshay placed his hand on her mouth.

" Mumma, Dad"Akshita is calling them from outside.

" I am in washroom princess, your mother must be in bedroom. "Akshay replied. Smita stomped from there after her exit.

Akshita asked her dad to stay for the night and for Smita's dismay, he agreed immediately. Both father and daughter decided to watch 'Cindrella'. They adjusted themselves on couch with bowl of popcorn. Smita decided to clean up everything. She placed remaining cake in freeze. Clean the dishes and placed it in respective drawers.

"Akshay you need something?" she asked him when she find him in kitchen.

"Yes, I came to take water bottle." He made an excuse. Vaibhav's words ringing in his mind.

" Be a man. Take your chance with her. Find out her presence makes the difference for you or not? How she reciprocate to your proximity? Figure out things and work on it"

"Here" she forward her water bottle. There is arm length of distance between them. He moved towards her and didn't take the bottle. She bend her hand to place it on the counter top of kitchen. She count his each step cautiously. Her back is hitting the wall. She is trapped between refrigerator on one side and window at the other side.

He stand just in front of her, folding his hand on his chest. There is enough space for her to runaway but she stay rooted on her place. She didn't make any attempt to leave. Her eyes were fixed on the floor and he finished the remaining distance between them. One hair strand is falling on her face and he placed it behind her ear. He caressed her face with back of his hand.

"Akshay...

" hmm..

"Akshay, listen..

" Hmmm..

"Akshay, you are not paying attention to me?" she blurted

"I am paying 100% attention you."

"Look."

"I am looking."

"Don't take this route please." her warm breath is touching him.

"Why?" he hold her face in his hand.

"After so many efforts things are cordial between us."

"You think this is cordial. We are standing in compromising pose, our desires at all time high. I can feel the tension and you feels the same. There is no turning back from here." his hand intertwined with her hand. He squeezed it gently while placing another hand on her waist. She didn't blink for a second, staring him in disbelief.

" Its real. "he whispered in her ears, putting full stop on her doubts. She blinked her eyes and her expressions showed, she expected everything to disappear. He never knew it will be this difficult. She is in denial despite of several hints.

" Where is my Akshay? "she hold his collar suddenly. There is anger on her face.

" Smita, I am Akshay. "

" No, you are not Akshay. He doesn't act like this. He never behaved like this.He is not into these kind of things. My Akshay is very shy person. He has difficulty in expressing his feelings. He never talk like this.

Tell me what you did with him?"she slapped him. Her nerves were high. she is bubbling with anger and ready to hit him by a vase.

" I am Akshay and I can prove it. I can tell most intimate things of you. "he gain her attention." You have an rectangular birth mark just above your pubic hairs and two moles at the right inner thigh. "he blurted and sound of vase breaking echoed in whole house.

He saw her falling on floor and he ran towards her. He held her in his arms. Tears were flowing from her eyes " Its okay, we'll be fine "he caressed her back.

A/N I congratulate all my readers who is celebrating Onam today.