|| Anya||

Over the last few months my life has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. I wasn't over Dad's reports yet and then my life dropped the marriage bomb on me. I talked to Dad this morning and he said he had a surprise for me and that I need to be home for lunch. Dad's surprises can either make you feel on cloud nine or give you a heart stroke, I was praying for the former.

I parked the car outside the gate and rang the bell. Mom opened the door gave me a smile which I returned. As I made my way inside I saw Aryan, Dad and an unknown man sitting in the living. All of them started smiling looking at me making me feel awkward. I just smiled and went upstairs to my room. I had a gut feeling that it's something related to me. They only person who could tell me what is happening is Aryan so I immediately texted him.

Come to my room. NOW!

Aryan is a quick reader of the texts he receives and as expected he came to my within seconds.

"C'mon Di we live in the same house, why do you need to text?" He asks.

"Well I could've asked you to come with me but those stares were making me uncomfortable" I say and he laughs.

"Who's that man? I've never seen him before, he doesn't seem to be some relative of ours" I say.

"He isn't. He's Dad's school time friend and.." he stopped. "And?" I asked.

"Your future father-in-law" he said.

"WHAT?!" I screamed. "Don't shout they'll hear you" he whispered. How is this possible? I talked to Dad last night and he managed to find a guy for me overnight. So this was Dad's surprise.

I was sitting on my bed in disbelief when Aryan's phone started ringing. He received the call and said, "Hello".
And after few seconds he said, "okay we're coming". We?

"We need to go downstairs" he said and hanging up. "Why?" I asked, "your father-in-law wants to meet you" he replied. Shit. Why? We moved downstairs and again everyone was staring me.

"Good luck" Aryan whispered in my ear and moved to the kitchen. Dad and the man stood up and came towards me.

"She's Anya, my daughter" Dad introduced me to him.

"Hello Anya, I'm Lakhwinder Gill" he forwarded his hand to shake. We shook hands and he said, "good to meet you"

"Good to meet you too sir" I smiled. "Let's have a chat guys" Dad announced. Oh no, why do I need to talk?

"I don't think that's necessary" Lakhwinder uncle smiled. Thank God! "Did you tell her about tonight's plan?" He asked. Wait, what plan?

"No, not yet" Dad replied and then turned to me. "Well Anya, me and Lakhwinder have planned a dinner for you two tonight" he said.

"Two?" I asked. "For you and my son, we can't move forward without taking your nods" Lakhwinder uncle laughed. Why so early? We don't even know each other. I don't want to go.

"Umm.. I'm sorry but I can't go tonight, I've a meeting till 7" I lied.

"It's okay, Shub has practice till 7, you can meet at 7:30" Uncle said. Looks like I don't have any other option. The entire universe wants me to meet this guy Shub whom I don't even know. God save me!

"That'll be fine" Dad replied. "Yeah sure" I said faking a smile.

"I think I'll take a leave now, it was nice meeting you after so many years" Uncle said smiling. "Yeah it was great meeting you too, and I hope the meeting goes well" he said and turned to me, "you know what I mean" he finished and I nodded. Lakhwinder uncle left after this and I immediately ran to my room, Aryan followed me. I sat on my bed holding my head in between my palms.

"You okay?" He asked concerned​, "this is happening too fast" I groan.

"I know sis" he says sitting beside me and wrapping his right arm around my shoulders. "Who's this Shub guy? And what does he do?" I ask him.

"You don't know yet?" His eyes widened. I shook my head.

"Di, you're getting married to SHUBMAN GILL, the cricketer" he said emphasising on the name leaving me in shock.

"WHAT THE-? ARE YOU SERIOUS?" I asked almost shouting. He nodded and I was in disbelief. I was talking to THE Shubman Gill's father downstairs? And I have a date with THE Shubman Gill? This was too much for me to take and I felt like my brain can explode any moment.

"Di you okay?" Aryan asked nudging me. "What is happening with me Aryan?" I say.

"Don't say like this, and he's a nice guy I think. You're lucky that you're getting the chance of marrying him, millions​of fangirls out there are dying to meet him" he explains.

I was about to say something when something strikes my mind.

"Isn't Shubman Gill already dating someone?" I ask.

"Yeah he was until few days ago, the girl broke up with him and now he's single"

"Sad" I say, "I think I should leave now, I need to go back or else my boss will kill me" I said and left. Staying at home was becoming difficult for me cause I was getting a shock every minute so I decided to leave for office. I went downstairs.

"Bye Dad" I said before stomping my foot outside the house.

"Don't be late, I'll text you the address" he shouted loud enough to make sure I heard it. I was hoping for everything to go well tonight.

||Shubman||

"You ready?" Abhay asked entering my room while was setting my hair. "Almost" I reply.

"Seriously Shub? You're wearing this to your date?" Abhay asked pointing at my jogger pant and t-shirt.

"It's not a date and yes I'm wearing this" I reply in an annoyed tone. I wasn't​ ready for this meet, neither the marriage so basically I was trying my best to make sure the girl refuses to marry.

"You're going to meet your fiancee​, don't you wanna impress her?" He asked.

"She isn't my fiancee, I don't even know her name. I'm going only for mom and dad" I reply.

I checked the time, it was 6:45 . Dad told me to reach there on time which means I need to leave now.

"I'm leaving now" I said and was about to leave but Abhay came and stood in front of me blocking the way.

"Do you really think I'll let you go like this" he smirked.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Take off these clothes, you ain't wearing this. Let me check your wardrobe" he said and went to examine my wardrobe. As instructed, I took off my t-shirt. Abhay fetched my favourite black blazer, white shirt and light blue ripped jean.

"Go wear this" he said handing he those clothes. "Dude but - " he cuts me off saying, "just do what I say" he said making a straight face. I went to the washroom, wore it and came out.

"You look good now" he complimented me smiling. Abhay really wants me to get hitched cause even he feels it's the only way I can forget her.

"I need to leave now, I don't want Dad to scold me at this age" I said which made him laugh.

"Be nice to her" he said before I left which I ignored.

I went downstairs and fetched my car's keys and left. The restaurant wasn't really far from my house. I reached the restaurant in ten minutes.

I went to the reception and asked for my table as Dad had already reserved one. She led me to the table and thankfully the girl wasn't here yet. I thanked the receptionist and sat there waiting for my so called 'fiancee' to come.

||Anya||

I parked my car outside the restaurant where I was supposed to meet Shubman. I had so much work piled up in office that I completely lost track of time. I checked the time before stepping out of the car, it was 7:45 which means I'm late. I didn't have time to go back home and change my clothes so I was still in my office attire, that is white top and pencil black skirt.

I rushed to the reception and asked for my table. The lady pointed at the tableand my bad, Shubman was already there doing something on his phone. I thanked the woman and approached the table.

"I'm really sorry, I had a very important meeting. Sorry to make you wait" I apologised.

"It's okay" he said getting up from his seat, "have a seat" he added.

"Yeah thanks" I said settling in.

"I'm Anya, Anya Singh" I introduced myself.

"Shubman Gill" he said, "I know" I smiled and he nodded. By then a waiter arrived asking for our order. Shubman was inquiring about their restaurant's best dishes and in the meantime I was busy admiring his features. I do watch a lot of cricket but I never paid any attention on looks. All my female collegues have a huge crush on him and now I know why. He's actually very handsome. He has perfect teeth, sharp jawline, mesmerising eyes. How can someone not fall for him? He had alluring features.

"You want something?" Shubman asked bringing me out of my zone.

"Umm.. actually I'm not really hungry so I'll take coffee" I said. The waiter left after taking the order.

There was silence after this. I was looking at Shubman and he was busy looking at everything but me. I stopped staring him and looked outside. After few seconds he spoke.

"How's this suppose to happen?" He asked.

"What?" I asked.

"Look let's not complicate things, I'll be straightforward with you, just answer my question" he said and I nodded indicating him to go ahead.

"Why do you want to marry me?" He asked rudely. He's not being sweet now.

"I didn't say I want to marry you, my parents want me to marry you, that's why I'm here" I replied.

"We can't get married" he said making a straight face.

"Why?" I asked shocked.

"Cause I don't like you, you ain't good enough for me" he said harshly which made my heart ache. How can he say this to me or any girl?

"How do you know that? We haven't even talked yet" I say raising my voice a bit.

"I just know okay and don't you dare raise your voice"

"Or maybe you ain't good enough, that's why your girlfriend left you, isn't it?" I said almost shouting.

"How dare you bring my girlfriend in this?" He shouted, anger evident in his eyes.

"Who are you to say that I'm not good enough without even knowing me? And I never wanted to marry you" I shouted.

"If you really had so much problem with me then you could have just said no to your parents" he said.

"You could've said no too" I say defending myself.

"I can't cause my parents like you and the only way I can get out of this is if you say no" he said harshly.

"I can't say no either cause I love my family and they want me to marry you" I replied. Before he could say anything, I stood up and picked up my bag to leave.

"What? Where are you going?" He asked. "I can't stay with you here any longer, no one talks to me the way you did Mr Gill" I said and left, he didn't try to stop me.

I went to my car and checked the time, it's 8:15. I can't go home now cause if I go this early, everyone will understand that the date didn't go well. Also, I don't want them to see my pissed off face. I can't disappoint Dad. I decided to go back to my office and finish my pending work which might help me to forget this half an hour I spent with Shubman.
___________________

I finished up my pending work and left the office. I went to the parking and sat inside the car. I tried igniting the engine but it didn't start. I tried several times but failed. I came out and searched for someone who can help me but unfortunately even the watchman was on leave today. It was midnight now and I won't even get a taxi now. I picked my handbag and decided to walk to a bus stand.

I started walking and never in my life I've been this scared to pass the street near my office. It was dark and deserted. It's not really safe for a girl to walk alone at this time in Delhi. Sometimes I even felt like someone was following me but I continued walking.

After some ten minutes I heard the sound of a car stopping behind me so I turned to look who it is. Someone stepped out of the car and when I realised who he is, the only words that left my mouth were - "what the hell, you?"

||Shubman||

I was driving back home when I saw a girl walking on the footpath. It's midnight and not safe for a girl to travel alone so I decided to drop her. I stopped the car behind her and stepped outside. She turned and I was shocked to find that she was Anya. Before I could say anything she spoke.

"What the hell, you?"

"Anya" I said in disbelief, "what're you doing here?" I asked.

"None of your business" she said.

"Let me drop you" I offered, "I don't need your help" she said and started walking again.

"Get in the car Anya, it's not safe I'll drop you home" I tell her softly but she continued walking.

"Get in the car Anya" I raise my voice a little, still she didn't respond.

"GET IN THE CAR ANYA!" I shout banging the roof of my car. She stopped but didn't turn. "Please" I added. She turned and approached me.

"Why?" She asked harshly. "I care about your safety, I'll take you home safe" I replied.

"Why do you care? You don't even like me" she says.

"Cause I know I can't run away from this, neither you can. Our fate has brought us together and it's better if we accept this. Now please get inside the car" I tell her opening the door.

She didn't protest this time, instead she immediately slid inside the car and I closed the door. I went to the other side and took over my seat and started driving. We neither talked nor looked at each other.

"Shit" she muttered.

"What's wrong?" I ask, "my battery is dead, Dad must be worried" she said.

"You can use my phone" I offered her passing my phone.

"Thanks" she said and took it. She dialled some number and started speaking.

"Yeah"
"I'm sorry"
"I'm with Shubman"
"I'll be home soon, bye"

She hung up and returned my phone and said, "Dad" and I nodded. She told me the directions to her home and we reached there in ten minutes. Her entire family was waiting for her near the gate. I stopped the car and went to the other side to open the door for her. She came out and we approached her parents.

"Where were you Anya? We were so worried" her dad was the first to speak. Anya was about to say something when I started speaking.

"I'm sorry for the delay sir, I'll introduce myself​ first. I'm​ Shubman Gill" I said, "we got so much engrossed in talking that we completely lost track of time" I lied.

"My car's engine didn't start so Shubman had to drop me" Anya tells them.

"Oh it's okay kids, this happens" her father said smiling. "You want to come in and have something?" He asked me.

"No thank​ you, my parents must be waiting for me so I'll leave now" I said and they nodded.

"Goodnight son" Anya's father said, "goodnight​" I said and started walking towards my car.

"Thank you Shubman" Anya said.

"Anytime" I smiled which she returned. I got inside my car started driving my way back.