It had been more than two months since Ayaansh took his first steps. Now he would be seen walking around in the house with his little squeals and screams.

After that awkward encounter between Sahil and Srishti, both had avoided each other like a plague but eventually because of Ayaansh they had to face the other.

Time had been flying, it seemed, as Ayaansh was already nine months old. He was growing up way too fast and it didn't quite sit well with his Daddy Malhotra as well.

Srishti had once overheard him talking to Ayaansh when he thought she was not around.

"You are growing up way too fast buddy. Can you stop? I mean I know you have to grow up and stuff but honestly growing up is such a trap. I wish I could stop this." He grumbled and Ayaansh giggled at his father who smiled in return.

She knew he was just having fun with their son but something was missing. His words had left her in deep thoughts and she couldn't help but wonder about his family.

Another day when Aditya had been playing with Ayaansh, she couldn't stop her laughter because of his goofiness. She had also noticed the strained relationship between him and Zevah but didn't really got time to ask any of the two about it.

She sighed and looked at the time, it was past ten at night and Sahil still wasn't home. Ayaansh was sleeping in his crib but she didn't understand why was she waiting for him?

Was she starting to behave like a wife already?

She heard the door open and knew he was home. Few minutes later, he entered the room and his eyes first landed on Ayaansh's crib. A smile formed on his face and he looked at her but soon his poker face was back. Srishti made a bad face and said nothing as he proceeded towards the bathroom to freshen up.

"Mr. Malhotra, can I ask you something?" She spoke as he walked out of the bathroom after twenty minutes. Sahil looked at her and raised his eyebrows before settling beside her on the bed.

Oh yes, she was still staying in his room with his but solely and solely for Ayaansh. She couldn't just take him away from his father and she couldn't even keep him in a separate room.

"What is it?" He asked looking at her and she nervously glanced around the room before her eyes landed on him.

"Where─where are your parents?" She stuttered and his face remained stoic. She swallowed as he didn't reply even after a few minutes.

"Mr. Malhotra ─"

"Have I ever asked you about your life or your parents? Have I ever interfered in your life?" The question was simple and she was tongue tied.

"I haven't. So I expect the same from you." The bluntness in his tone made her flinch and she looked away not saying a word. It hurt, true but he was right in his place.

No one spoke anything after that and both of them slept with their back towards each other.

It was around three in the midnight when Srishti woke up hearing Ayaansh's cries. She hurriedly moved towards his crib and picked him up, patting his back and rocking him to calm him down. It didn't work and he wasn't hungry either.

Sahil woke up too and walked towards them. Srishti eyed him worriedly as she kept rocking Ayaansh whose face had turned red from all the crying. Sahil took him from her arms and walked around in the room.

Almost ten minutes passed but Ayaansh was still crying and it worried both of them. Srishti walked towards him and kept her hand on Sahil's which rested on Ayaansh's back. With the other hand she caressed his face, wiping his tears as he stared at his mother with teary eyes.

Few minutes passed and they stayed in the same position. Ayaansh sniffed and rested his head on Sahil's shoulder still staring at his mother who hummed softly with a smile on her face.

Unconsciously, Srishti leaned in and rested her head on his shoulder, concentrating on her son who wound his one tiny hand around his father's neck and the other went to rest on his mother's face.

Sahil was very well aware of her resting her head on his shoulder and he had tensed the minute she touched him but later relaxed when Ayaansh's hand went around his neck. The warmth that suddenly spread throughout his body was inexplicable and he couldn't help but relax.

Slowly Ayaansh's eyes closed and he slept soundly in his father's arms. Srishti smiled and kissed his hand before moving back realising what she had done. Embarrassed, she avoided looking at Sahil who commented nothing and just walked towards their bed with Ayaansh.

"Let him sleep on the bed today, between us." Sahil said and placed Ayaansh on the bed whereas Srishti who wanted the same, just quietly walked towards the bed and settled on her side.

This time they slept facing each other but their eyes rested on the tiny bundle of joy between them. Srishti smiled and held his tiny hand in hers before closing her eyes. Sahil stared at her and her hold on Ayaansh before doing the same with his other hand.

That is how the Malhotra family slept that night with Ayaansh in between and his parents holding his hands.

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The next morning, Sahil was the first one to open his eyes and he found his hand enclosed in someone's warmth. Blinking his eyes he looked clearly and found Srishti's hand resting over his as his rested on top of Ayaansh's stomach.

He didn't want to admit it but her touch was comforting and warm. He found himself liking it and that was the reason he immediately withdrew his hand but cautiously to not wake them up.

Unfortunately, Srishti opened her eyes and stared at him with a frown. She looked like a lost kitten as she blinked her eyes rapidly to shoo away the sleep. Her eyes then fell on Ayaansh who was sleeping peacefully and the next second snuggled closer to him.

Sahil stared at her intently wondering why could he not avoid or ignore her like other women. Was it because she was his wife already? Or because she was his son's mother? Or maybe because he's been intimate with her? The feelings poured out but he couldn't deal with them.

Sighing, he got out of bed and kept some pillows on his side for Ayaansh's safety before heading to the bathroom. By the time he freshened up and walked out, Srishti was awake and placing Ayaansh in his crib.

She then tied her hair in a bun and gazed at their son for a few minutes with a smile before turning around. Sahil stood there watching her every move and as she turned, he noticed as her smile dropped and she looked around nervously.

Did he make her nervous?

He took a step towards her in daze and she fumbled more avoiding his stare. When he stood infront of her and she still didn't look at him, his fingers grasped her chin and made her look at him which made her gasp.

"What's wrong?" He asked and she just stared at him wide eyed before shaking her head frantically.

"Do I make you nervous?" He was curious. Her eyes narrowed and she pushed his hand away scoffing.

"As if." But she didn't meet his eyes and it almost made him smirk. When he spoke nothing, she peeked a glance at him only to find him smirking which made her furious.

"Stop smiling." She snapped and his smirk only widened.

Clenching her jaw she closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself but her eyes snapped open when she felt his presence too close to her. Her breath hitched as he leaned down and brushed his lips on her ear.

"You definitely are affected by my presence."

And then he was gone, leaving her breathless.

What was that? Why was he behaving so different unlike his usual cold, aloof self?

She didn't realise she had been standing on the same place and staring at the door for more than five minutes until she heard Ayaansh's whimper.

Snapping out of her daze, she quickly walked towards Ayaansh and lulled him back to sleep with her thoughts still stuck on Sahil.

On the other hand, Sahil was sure that whatever he was feeling was mere physical attraction towards her and nothing else. He will soon be able to get his feelings in control and everything will be back to normal.

But was it that simple?

────────

Aditya had been discussing about a deal with his client when he spotted Zevah outside his cabin, chatting with some guy. She was smiling and laughing occasionally as if having the best time and it made him clench his jaw as he looked away.

He couldn't even concentrate on what the person before him was saying. All he could see was Zevah laughing with some other guy which made him mad with fury.

"Excuse me." He gritted and stood up abruptly marching towards her.

Zevah felt her breath hitching as she noticed Aditya storming towards her with a pissed off face. She gulped and prayed to spare her but seemed like the prayers were unheard.

"Are you done chit chatting, Ms. Zevah Qureshi?" She heard his hard voice which made her curse herself.

"Sir I ─"

"If not, then you are allowed to continue by all means but not here. Get out of here both of you and chit chat all you want. I don't pay you for this nonsense." He spat harshly and she visibly flinched. He ignored the tightness in his chest and glared at them one last time before walking away.

Zevah watched him leave and a small tear slipped from her eye which she wiped hurriedly before getting back to her work.

Rest of the day he didn't bother checking on her and she didn't mind going infront of him. Avoiding each other seemed more easy to both of them.

At the end of the day when she left the office premises, her colleague with whom she had been chatting came towards her.

"Hey Zevah, if you don't mind I can drop you home." He offered politely and she smiled shaking her head.

"No it's alright Zain, I'll manage. Thank you." She declined politely but he insisted until she heard his voice which made her stiffen.

"She said she'll manage, Mr. Zain." Without another word, Zain scurried away and Zevah looked around for a cab ignoring his presence.

"Let's go." He declared and held her hand, dragging her to his car before shoving her inside. Zevah fumed and tried to get out, but he settled in and locked the car before she could leave.

"What the hell is your problem?" She gritted and his hold on the steering tightened until his knuckled turned white but he said nothing and started driving.

During the entire ride, none of them spoke anything. When they reached, Zevah looked at him one last time before moving out of his car with a sigh.

"Do you think I don't know why you are pushing me away?" His question froze her and she couldn't take another step further. Did he really know?

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