Guys, I am really sorry I couldn't update yesterday because I was not in right mind. Due to this COVID I heard a lot of bad news yesterday. Kindly stay home, stay safe.

KIRATI'S POV

When Veena said that my dad is calling, without my knowledge my body started to shiver as if it is winter. I don't know somewhere I am scared. My dad is my biggest pillar of strength. If I ever lost his trust or if he ever scolds me then I will break down for sure. I took my phone from her as if I am getting a huge rock. Dev held my hand and gave me a look at that time. I felt that everything will be alright in that look.

"Put the phone in speaker Kiru", Dev sir said. "But Dev..", before I can complete my sentence, he himself put the phone in speaker.

"Appa (Dad)", my voice came as a mere whisper. "What is this Kiru? I never expected this from you", this was the first sentence my dad spoke and tears started flowing out like river.

"Appa (Dad), I swear I didn't do anything wrong. It is just", my dad didn't let me speak.

"I thought you are treating me as your friend more than your dad. You didn't even tell that you like someone", my dad's voice is not in anger. I sensed it. Where did that like someone come from?

"Mr. Adith Khurana called me and said that you and Adidev like each other. Also they want you to become their daughter-in-law soon. Also this chaos of media happened due to some rivalry towards their company it seems. Well, I was so much angry on you when I saw the picture and was about to call you but before that your future father-in-law called me and explained me the situation. Also they are very good people I must say. You have chosen a very good partner for you dear. I am so happy for you but at the same time I am angry because you didn't utter a single word about it", my dad completed.

What story he is saying? I mean when did I like Dev? Ofcourse, that's why I let him kiss me. If I didn't like him then I wouldn't have let him kiss me. But marriage, I never thought about that. One more thing, how did Adith sir came to know about me, is this marriage happening to save their family's reputation or something? I should first tell what happened.

"Dad..", Dev stopped me. "Uncle, I am the one who said to her not to tell anybody until we are sure about our feelings. It is not her fault. Please don't me angry on my Kiru. I want to marry her as soon as possible with all your blessings.", Dev said. Man, this guy should be given the award for the best story teller. I mean sure about our feelings. First of all, when did I tell this guy that I have feelings for him.

"Well, the way you ogle at him would have given him some hint", my brain mocked me. Sometimes, I hate my own brain.

"Hi Adi, even you are here. Yea, Mr. Adith told me that you are with Kiru to control the situation. I am happy that my princess is going to marry a guy like you who loves her as much as I do.", my dad said with lots of hope on Adi. Wait a minute, they are speaking as if they are some long lost friends.

"Dad, just listen", before I can finish Dev started. "Unlce, you don't worry I will treat her like my queen. She will never ever cry hereafter in her life", Dev said admiringly looking at me. I am going to sue this guy now.

"Ok, Kiru your mother will speak to you afterwards. Actually Adi's family has asked us to come to Mumbai tomorrow. We have booked flight tickets, please come and pick us tomorrow morning. See you tomorrow then", saying this my dad cut the call. I have a lot of things to process. I mean, just today I got a scandal, suddenly my marriage is getting fixed and tomorrow my parents are coming here to confirm my wedding. My head is spinning.

"Kiru, are you ok?", Dev asked me. This man, how dare he? I started hitting with the pillow that was in my sofa.

"What the hell are you doing woman?", Dev asked me by pulling the pillow from my hand.

"What am I doing? What the hell were you saying to my Appa (Dad)? When did I tell you that I liked you? Where did this marriage thing come from?", I started throwing my questions at him.

"First calm down for god's sake. You didn't tell me that you like me. But I know you like me, because you let me kiss you twice", Dev said and "TWICE", Veena and Arjun Anna both shouted.

"Yes, we did kiss twice. You are not a girl who will let anyone kiss you. But you didn't oppose me at all. If you didn't like me, then you would have slapped me across my face right there. Moreover, we have some connection girl, from the first time I met you. There are girls who used to threw themselves at me but for the first time I have seen a girl who gave me taunt right in front of my face even after knowing I am her boss. I started liking you from that moment. After this nonsense scandal, I told my parents how I feel about you, yesterday night itself they got to know about you Swetha aunty sent the picture of me kissing you in cheek", Dev said scratching his neck and blushed. He looks cute when he blush, I want to pull his cheeks. What are you thinking Kiru? Back to earth.

"I knew it. When mom gave her the saree what she has chosen for your fiancé that time itself I was shocked because she used to say at any cost she won't give that saree to anyone else. But how dare you kiss my sister twice? Anyways, I can't get someone who is better than you for Kira. So I accept your proposal for my sister. I won't spare you if she ever cries because of you", Arjun Anna warned him.

"Aww, I am so happy. My bestie is going to get married. Kira, this is not fair yaar. You are going to get married before me now. But still I can dance in your sangeet. You Mr. Adidev, I want everything best in my bestie's wedding. Designer lehenga, her jewels, her make up, everything should be perfect. I am sure she is going to look like a Disney princess on her wedding.", Veena said dreamily. Am I a cartoon? These people are planning my wedding without my consent.

"Guys, I should be the one who should plan my wedding and Dev what is all this? I am not ready for my marriage yet. I am sorry but this is really fast. I don't even know you", I told him the truth.

"Oh come on Kiru, ok let me keep like this. You don't love anyone. So someday, you are going to marry a guy who your parents chooses. What do you know about him? Nothing right. Atleast here, you know about me. Moreover, we have our whole life, to get to know each other.", Dev said.

He is right. In arrange marriage, that's the case. But he is my boss and It is not a normal arranged or love marriage. This is happening due to this stupid scandal.

"No Dev, you are not understanding. What will your parents think about me? I mean who will welcome their daughter-in-law who get caught on a scandal with their son. You are my boss. What will the people in our office will speak about us? If it is a normal marriage then things are different", I told him what I felt.

"Kiru, why do you care about the people? They will always speak some nonsense. They just want some gossip to speak about. Only, if they life our lives they will understand the difficulty. The society knows only to blame not to give solution. And I am not marrying you because of this scandal alone. You know yesterday itself, how I felt about you then what happened today", Dev asked me.

How will I tell him that I don't want his parents or himself to think about me as a gold digger? Or some girl who is characterless. I am scared. I mean the apartment people who knows me for these many years spoke so rubbish about me then what will his parents say?

"Kirati", Dev said my name and came near me and knelt down.

"Kirati Maheshwaran, I have never proposed anyone in my entire life. I feel I am really not even good at romance. But I want to try this once. I don't know when I started liking you, I will never say it is love. But it is something beyond like. Every time you smile, my heart flutters. Every time a tear drops from your eyes my heart shatters. I want to be with you in every step you take in your life hereafter. I won't say I will be there to support you before you fall but I will there to get you up and make you run again in the journey of life. I want you to be with me in all my happiness, sadness and madness as well. I want you to be my partner in crime when I tease Vishu, Veena and Arjun. Will you change your name from Kirati Maheshwaran to Kirati Adidev Khurana?", Dev proposed me.

What should I tell him?

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~Kiruthijay