***Read before you start chapter***

If you are looking for a complete love story, then sorry this is not the cup of tea for you. I had from the start mentioned that my story will focus on other things like families, function, culture and traditions of India with love. If you don't want these things then please stop reading. This story cannot have each and every part with only Aesha and Arnav. Do not comment negatively.

Thanks
---------_

Yes, it was love.

It was time to finally accept my feelings, to name them and to properly understand them.

This was definitely love. Missing his presence every moment when he was away, his thoughts, his dreams always occupying my mind, trying to sneak any moment possible to meet him, to be lost in his eyes, in his soul. It must be love that made my heart beat faster. It was love that made me worry for him. It was love that is why he already had my heart.

It was love that needed to be confessed.

Normally in books and movies, the male protagonist declared his love in the most romantic way possible. But my life was not a book or movie. It was reality.

I wanted to confess him right here, right now but I knew my boundaries. I couldn't get both of us in trouble in the middle of the crowd which consisted my family.

It was best to wait for the time to create the chance.

"Hi" Arnav greeted.

"Hi" I smiled.

"You look really different." He murmured.

I pouted "I thought I was going to get a compliment from you for trying something different and maybe appreciation for enduring my aunties."

"You talk a lot. It was a compliment." I rolled my eyes.

"Shouldn't be Sonal dee's day for compliments and congratulations?" His wicked grin indicated that he enjoyed teasing me.

"Han han... Go and wish her." I turned my back to him and decided to join my cousins and friends.

"Miss Aesha, you do know that we are in presence of your family and friends." Arnav's statement made me turn back.

"I do!" I rolled my eyes again.

"Then you should know how much I am trying to control myself to not to take you in my arms." He whispered slowly. His words made me shiver. I looked at him wide eyed while he continued to smirk.

"Close your mouth miss. People are watching." He whispered again and snickered. I hadn't even realised that. That evil handsome idiot!

I glared at him.

"Shall we proceed?" He asked gesturing.

I turned back and let him follow my lead.

When we reached near Sonal dee and Kratik Jiju, we found them already acquainted with my friends.

"Dee, look whose here!" Everyone looked up and saw Arnav with observation.

Rahul bhaya and Niya had a wicken grin on their faces and I knew why while my other cousins were just surprised.

"Hey Arnav!" Dee stood up and gave a hug to Arnav. Arnav's words flashed in front of me and I blushed.

"Congratulations dee." Arnav spoke. He handed a gift to her which he retrieved from his pocket.

"Thank you so much." Dee turned towards Kratik Jiju who was now standing too "This is Arnav, Aesha's" she paused and looked at me. Something glowed in her eyes as if she knew." Friend." She finished. Oh god she knew! She knew it all this time! I am so dead.

"Hey dude!" Kratik bhaya shaked his hands while he wished him too.

I introduced all of my cousins to my friends and vice versa. It was a fun filled one.

Soon the pooja started and all the adults asked us to be quiet.

After twenty minutes of pooja and being bored of silence, it was time for ring ceremony. I was so excited.

Elders called Sonal dee and Kratik bhaya on the podium. Maa did arti of both of them. Me and Kratik Jiju's cousin sister were called upon with the rings we were carryings.

The continuous flashes of light from the cameras were the evidence of how important the moment was.

Kratik Jiju's cousin handed over the ring to him and he pulled it out from the case. The ring was made up of gold and had a small diamond that was nestled between a rose shape flower. It was really beautiful and elegant.

Everyone told Sonal dee to show her hands and Kratik Jiju Slid down the ring on her finger. Lots of clapping was echoed.

Then it was time for me to hand the ring to Sonal dee. She took the ring out and slid it on Kratik Jiju's finger officially declaring their engagement. The ring was a small diamond nestled in a square shape which had small carved designs. The claps were again followed.

Everyone took their turns to take photos. I was privileged to have a picture with them alone and standing in the middle while they both hugged me.

It was time for the party and some dancing. The caterers called people to come and eat who wished to.

All my cousins, friends, Kratik bhaya's cousins and me rocked to the music. Though we maintained our limit as elders were there. And of course, Arnav decided not to dance and be the audience. Sometimes he can be so boring.

It was exhilarating to dance without any rules or pattern to follow. This was the moment where you could act silly and no one will judge.

We pulled out Sonal dee and Kratik jiju from the circle of photographers and made them join us to dance. Sonal dee stood there like a shy girl so Kratik bhaya took it on himself to start a waltz dance with her. Of course, it was a little awkward as they weren't a pro in it. Soon everyone formed pairs and started dancing.

I felt someone holding my hand and I turned back to find it was Arnav.

"May I have this dance?" He brought out his hand and bowed down.

I nestled my hand in his and nodded.

He placed one hand on my waist and the other was still holding my hand. I place my other hand on his shoulder and we moved slowly. I was really shy when it came to dance in a pattern.

I had never danced a waltz so it was definitely awkward and being so close to Arnav was another factor.

"Are you going to look at me or not?" He asked. I looked up and realised that I had been staring off in the distance.

"What made you to dance now?" I asked curiously.

"Who could leave a pretty lady alone in the dance floor?" He grinned.

"Hump.." I glared "Come one tell me the truth."

"Its true!" He leaned closer and whispered "this was I can be more closer to you." He pulled back and smirked at the blushing me.

We soon swayed to the tune with the others. Slowly the music came to an end and everyone pulled back from their partners.

Arnav and I also pulled back and created a safety distance between each other.

I looked at Sonal dee and she was in between smiling and blushing.

The new music that now played was a disco song and it recharged everyone with full force.

While Arnav and I decided not to join others. We stood at the side and watched. I felt his hand holding mine.

I looked up panicked at him. He smiled.

"Meet me in the garden in five minutes." He gave a squeeze to my hand and left.

When he was leaving, my chachi was at the entrance and they talked a bit.

I looked here and there to check whether someone had noticed us but found safe zone.

I panicked about how I was going to meet him. Everyone will notice my absence. What was he planning? Had he gone mad!

Aesha, what are you going to do? That idiot didn't even wait for my answer.
Uggh!! Why are men like that?

Aesha, you haven't done a research on men so don't blame everyone!

Only a genius, Mr. Arrogant like Arnav can behave like that.

I saw the time on my wrist watch and it had already been two minutes. If I don't go he will be angry and if I go there are chances of getting in trouble. It was do or die situation.

I checked everyone and saw the highlighted couple of today talking with each other hapilly while elders were busy with the guests. Chachi was also now busy with the food counter. She was feeding Vyaan who was desperately trying to run away to dance floor.

My friends and cousins were busy in dancing. It was right moment to leave without being noticed.

I tried my best to move sneakily. Every step I took was difficult for me. Soon I reached the door but I looked back to check whether someone was watching. When I saw the coast was clear, I slipped out.

I quickly moved down the stairs. The faster I meet him, more quicker I will be back in the hall.

I marched towards the garden decorated with rice lights.

"Arnav?" I called out.

But didn't get any response. I moved more deeper in the garden towards a hedge od bushes and suddenly I was pulled into arms. I shrieked clsing my eyes but my mouth was covered by a hand.

"Ssshh..." I opened my eyes and saw it was Arnav.

He removed his hand from mouth and wounded it around my waist. I took a deep breath.

I punched his chest "You idiot! You scared the life out of me!"

"Sorry" He snickered.

"Why are we here? Don't you know how much trouble we will be in if we get caught?" I shouted more like whispered.

He brushed his fingers from my forehead to chin. My eyes fluttered in response and I stared at him lovingly.

"I really wanted to have some alone time with you." He whispered back.

"But you know--"

He placed his finger on my lips "Shh...Just five minutes. Okay?"

I nodded.

He nuzzled his head in my neck bringing out feelings that I had never known.

"You looked really beautiful today, just like a goddess." He whispered in silence.

"Thank you" I murmured.

"I love you Aesha." My eyes went wide and I pulled back to stare at him. Did I hear right?

"Wha-at?" I stuttered.

He smiled "I love you Aesha Dixit! You have brought out the feelings that I jad never known. You filled the void that was inside of me always. You make me so happy and so infuriating at the same time that I feel like I will burst out. And most of all you made me a better person."

Oh god! He loved me! Arnav Roy, the genius, the all rounder, the perfect loved me!me! Aesha Dixit!

Soon I realised that ny vision had become blurry from the tears. I was so happy to hear his confession.

"Why are you crying?" He asked suddenly nervous.

"Because I love you too." I confessed. There it was finally out. The feeling that had been caged up in my heart was now left free to fly. I had someone who loved me and someone that I could love with my heart.

We were the high school sweethearts who had no knowledge of future, fear of getting caught yet we loved each other.

"You love me?" He asked confused. I nodded smiling.

"Then why are you crying?" He asked frowning.

"Because I am so happy."

Suddenly he lifted me up and spinned me around.

"Aesha,Aesha, Aesha I love you so much." He shouted happily.

"Arnav stop! Someone will hear you out." I hissed feeling dizzy.

He stopped spinning and put me down but still keeping me in his arms.
He was smiling like a fool and I knew I was too.

"Thank you for coming in my life." He whispered seriously. I smlied.

Before I could say something I heard a hustling sound from behind the bushes.

We saw someone step out and I quickly pushed Arnav away from me.

"So this was it?" The person stepped into more light. It was Jenny! Oh no! How much Jenny saw?

"Jenny, I--" I stammered.

She showed up her hands gesturing me to stop speaking.

"What was that rubbish about you both being friends only, miss Aesha?" she spat angrily.

"Jenny, we were going to tell you all." I explained.

"Just stop Aesha! I don't want to hear anything!." She shouted and stepped back. She ran away.

I turned to Arnav and then marched forward to follow her. But Arnav pulled me back.

"Not now." He shook his head. He led us forward with my hand still in his and we were out of graden area.

"Go back first. I will be back after a few minutes. I need something from the car." He ordered. I nodded and wiped the tears that had come after Jenny's outburst.

I slowly went upstairs and peeped inside the door to check first. When everything was clear I went inside and stood at the side of water counter. I picked up a bottle and drank from it.

I was thinking about what happened back there when Nina joined me.

"Hey Aesha, what happened? You look little off." Nina asked worried.

I lookes up with teary eyes "Nina, she knows."

"Who knows and what?" Nina frowned.

"Jenny! She saw Arnav and I together." I whispered.

Nina's lips turned into 'O' in understanding.

"Where and when?"

"In the garden. Arnav asked me to meet him. When he said he loved me, Jenny was there listening!" I whispered again

Suddenly Nina squealed like a little school girl. I watched her wide eyed. I was so tensed and she was happy?
Thankfully due to loud music no one heard her.

"Are you mad? I am tensed and you are happy?" I looked at her weirdly.

"Of couse dumbo! Arnav confessed his love! Did you also tell him?" Realisation dawned on me and I blushed while nodding.

Nina quickly hugged me "I am so happy for you."

I hugged her back.

"Jenny was really mad. I don't know why." I sighed.

"I think she went away home cause she isn't here. Anyway, don't let that spoil your marvelous day. We will deal with her later." Nina brushed up and tried her best to cheer me up.

I looked up and found Arnav joining our friends. He was wearing his jacket now. Guess, it was what he wanted from the car.

He stared at me, right into my soul. His eyes were reassuring me to not to worry.

Everyone were called to take one last final pic with all family and close friends together. So Nina and I joined them.

I tried my best for the rest of evening to be happy for my dee and not let the day be spoilt for her.

It was her day and she deserved the best. So for the moment, I forgot about Jenny and engaged myself in the role of a sister.

Let the time be the judge.

---------------

Hey everyone! I know I said I will be late but I typed this chapter at 2 am because I really wanted to upload it on my birthday which is to today!! Its January 2! So its my birthday treat to you.

Wish a very happy new year! May this year be awesome and blessed for you <3 :D

I hope you loved this chapter :)

Thank you to everyone who voted, followed or commented.

Vote, comment and follow.