♡Gaurav's POV♡

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?"

I lower my gaze to avoid the piercing gaze of my two best friends AND non-biological parents, Jay and Durga.

During my emotional breakdown after breakup with Tanushree, they had practically adopted me by taking care of me and my home. I can never forget, Jay forcing me to take a shower and cracking silly jokes to lighten up my mood. Whereas Durga stuffing food in my mouth.

They had stayed with me for a few days and Jay worked from my home, while Durga took a few leaves from her office. They had stayed glued to me at each minute of the day, supporting and encouraging me unconditionally.

They are a part of my life since childhood and I love them as my soul siblings. And by the way, they are married to each other. Love marriage and how that happened is still a mystery to me. Because Jay is a naughty baby by heart, always joking and teasing someone. While Durga is a serious adult, who plans and calculates every step before taking.

It's a perfect combination of love is blind with opposites attract.

Coming back to present, my mother called them first to invite for the Roka ceremony. Because my family is grateful for their support in my life and treated them as a part of the family.

And naturally they were happy to see me settled in my life as they had also tried to send me on a few dates. But I never found interest in any of the girls and came home back after eating dinner.

That's why Roshni is a perfect choice for the marriage. She won't be a lover or wife to trigger my painful memories unintentionally. She will be a friend to fill my life with new memories and ease my pain.

But I won't force her to help me, she has her own pains to handle. I sometimes wonder, what would have happened with her, which make her bitter and cold. I wish, I could make her confess, not for my curiosity, but to provide her comfort. The pain in her eyes is sometimes heartbreaking.

Well coming back to Jay and Durga, I can never lie or hide anything from them because they never judge me and vice versa. So, when they arrived and started asking questions about Roshni, I shared the whole truth about the arrangement.

NOW, they are furious with me for getting into it.

I am so dead.

"So, Mr. Gaurav Khanna is not getting hitched. He is getting into a freaking arrangement, right?"

Experiencing the all time funny Jay to turn furious is the scariest thing and suddenly I feel like a school kid, who is called in the Principal's cabin for not doing homework for 5 days in a row.

And this is just the beginning.

Durga asks, "What makes you think this Roshni is not a gold digger or lying about her past to you?"

"Durga, she cannot trick me because I don't even know anything about her past" 

I regret opening my mouth IMMEDIATELY.

Because their eyes widen in shock and they stand from the couch before marching towards me. They pin my back to the wall and yell, "ARE YOU CRAZY?"

"We knew everything about Tanushree, still she cheated on you? Then on what basis are you trusting this girl?"

I sigh, noticing the stress lines on his forehead and open my mouth to explain, only to be interrupted by Durga, "How can you forget that Tanushree kept you in false hopes and back stabbed at the end?"

I release my arm from Jay's hold, only to hold both their hands together. I take them back to the couch and sit in-between them and take a deep breath.

"I agree, I was a fool at that time. But I remember each and everything clearly to not repeat such a massive mistake. Trust me guys."

They didn't argue, but seem relax and I continue, "I know that Roshni is practically a stranger to me, but I have done a background check on her. She is related to Harsh and"

"Harsh? Pratham's neighbor? Tanushree's brother Pratham's neighbor? Are you kidding me?"

Yup, I dated my best friend, oops ex-best friend's sister.

But after she cheated on me, Pratham disowned her and apologized to me for weeks. Eventually I forgave him because technically it wasn't his fault. His sister was an adult and can make her own decisions.

So, me and Pratham became "just friends."

Still Jay and Durga didn't forgive him and that's why I go to hangout with him alone sometimes. He has no friends apart from us. It wasn't just me, who had suffered, even he lost Jay and Durga that day. I have tried to patch them up, but failed miserably.

"We let you meet Pratham because you have a forgiving heart, Gaurav. But that doesn't mean, you will bring a random girl at your home as your wife."

And here comes my over protective non-biological mother.

"Roshni is not a random girl, Durga and she has no concern with Pratham. I doubt, if she has ever seem him in her life and our meeting at Harsh's place, my overhearing her conversation on anti-marriage with her friend, which made me talk with her and me sensing the betrayal in her features. Everything was a pure coincidence. In fact, the day I went to talk with her, a guy had come to see her for marriage. It was pure luck that alliance got rejected and I got a chance to propose her."

Durga retorts with a glare, "You are saying, you got a chance to propose her as if you are unconditionally in love with her. It's a freaking arrangement, a compromise, Gaurav. Why are you jumping to marry her? Why can't you wait for the right girl?"

Before I can react, Jay speaks, "I swear man, there are plenty of girls, she is not the only one left."

I knew, this is will not end well. But they have every right to know and NOW.

I gear up to start explaining them again, but I get a notification from Roshni.

Her - Our collage and edited pictures are all over the internet with #NewLoveBirdsInTheNest
My relatives haven't stopped calling since 2 hours.

I groan. Alia.

My sister is an expert in photography and a social butterfly. She can spread anything on her social networking accounts without much efforts. That means, our whole set of relatives, friends circle, neighbors, friends of friends or may I say EVERYONE would have known about my and Roshni's alliance by now.

Me - I am sorry, my sister is a bit childish. I will ask her to remove the posts.

Her - It's okay. Everyone has to know, she has just reduced some effort of our parents. Mine are pretty happy to confirm the word. So, don't lecture her unnecessarily.

I smile at her words, only to hear two deadly voices, "Why the hell are you smiling?"

I sigh and open my mouth to speak, but I am again interrupted by a message from Mahek, this time.

Mahek - Mr. Soon-to-be Groom, go and get a gold chain for your Soon-to-be Bride. We have plenty of work. Take Durga with you for selection and get the best one.

Durga will kill me.

I face her to find her eyes, burning with anger and I smile sheepishly before showing the message to her. She rolls her eyes and shake her head in negative.

"Come on, your only non-biological son is getting hitched and along with Mom Dad, I need blessings from you and Jay as well."

"We are not giving our blessings for this arrangement."

I sigh and stand to make my way towards my room to grab my wallet, while announcing, "You both are coming and that's final."

I smirk, hearing them sigh in defeat.

Yes, I am their spoiled brat and I make them fulfill my wishes.

#

The trip to the shopping mall was pretty funny. I was smiling and whistling for my victory, while my non-biological parents were glaring at me for misusing their love.

But they have spoiled me, what's my fault?

We selected a knotted gold chain for Roshni, which was Durga's choice and I paid before exiting the store. Then Jay being Jay complained to be hungry. I swear, he will eat 5 course meal and still say, I am starving from 2 days.

Anyways we started walking towards the elevator because Durga has Escalaphobia, fear of escalators. So, we always take lift or staircase.

As we were walking, I caught a glimpse of Roshni, standing near the bench with many bags. She was checking inside each bag, while holding a page, probably a shopping list.

Should I introduce them with her? They are still annoyed with my decision to marry her? What if they say something out of their protective nature and she might get offended?

Before I can make a decision, I hear Durga cursing profanity under her breath, which is rare. I face her in curiosity and find her glaring at our right.

I follow the direction and my steps halt on the spot.

Tanushree.

I felt my chest tightening at the mere sight of her, but soon my attention is grabbed by something else.

Tanushree is walking towards Roshni with a smirk and completely oblivious to our existence.

Shit. Tanushree is approaching Roshni!

I take a step towards them, only to be held back by Durga, "Why the hell are you going towards that b!tch?"

"I am not going for Tanushree, I am going for Roshni."

She frowns in confusion and I point at Roshni, who is still reading the paper. Her eyes widen in shock and I again make an attempt to walk ahead as Durga leaves my hand. But now Jay stops me by holding my arm.

"Wait. If Roshni is aware of everything and going to be your wife then she should be prepared for handling such situations."

Before I can convince him to let me go for helping Roshni, Tanushree taps on her shoulder. Roshni turns with raised eyebrows and I catch the hint of confusion in her eyes.

"I saw your pictures on the internet. You are quite famous today."

I am not forgiving Alia for this. She must have sent to Tanushree as well, my sister hates her with burning passion for betraying me.

Roshni smiles in embarrassment before explaining, "My sister-in-law is quite a social butterfly."

Thank God for the mall to be empty and silent or else I wouldn't be able to hear their conversation. 

Tanushree feigns a concerned face, "But I feel pity for you."

Roshni frowns in confusion and Tanushree continues, "You will be marrying a guy, who had left his family and home for someone. You are the second choice in his life and usually, seconds don't get that importance. They are treated as the doormat."

"Who do you think you are to comment on my and Gaurav's relationship?"

"Tanushree, your fiance's ex-girlfriend."

Then Roshni does something, which leaves all of us dumbfounded.

Roshni hugs Tanushree.

Yes, even I can't believe my eyes and before I can recover from the shock, Roshni pulls away and says, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so much."

Jay nudges me with his elbow and whispers in confusion, "Are you sure about marrying this girl?"

I was still shocked, so didn't reply and Roshni tells Tanushree with a grin, "I am so happy to meet you Tanushree. I just can't express in words, how thankful I am for your efforts in making Gaurav what he is today."

WHAT!

"Otherwise boys at the age of 18 or 19 are busy partying, having affairs, going to trips with friends and you know, some even take drugs. But you my dear, you didn't allow Gaurav to get into any bad habits instead you made him work hard for his future. Today at the age of 26, when others are hardly able to buy a car from their own money, he has a home with car and lots of savings. That's all because of you."

Just like Tanushree, even we three are watching Roshni as if she is an alien.

What is she trying to do?

"Then you left him after years of giving motivation, after converting an irresponsible boy into a responsible man, only for me to enter his life and enjoy the luxurious lifestyle with least involvement of the in-laws. That's so sweet of you."

Tanushree rolls her eyes and retorts, "If you think, these fancy words will make your situation any better then you are highly mistaking. You don't know everything."

She smirks devilishly, which I know is not a good sign and informs, "My relationship with Gaurav didn't just include efforts and motivation. We had sex quite often."

"You may have sex with him, but Gaurav, he made love to you. It wasn't lust or selfishness for him. He loved and cared for you unconditionally, unlike you."

Till now, I was trying to release my hand from Jay's grip, but after Roshni's words, I stopped my efforts. I didn't expect Roshni to backfire Tanushree and defend my feelings. While Tanushree seems frustrated with her positive approach on the information.

"You will never be able to satisfy him on the bed because only I can. He will forever remember me and that will ruin your marriage with him. He will regret his decision and leave you."

"This is cheating, Gaurav lied to me. He said you were his girlfriend, but you are turning out to be his hooker."

Roshni lowers her gaze and stomps her foot with fake sadness. Then peeps at Tanushree through her long eyelashes with mischief to find her fuming in anger.

"How dare you?"

"What 'how dare you?' My assumption is absolutely correct. All you are only telling is that you are good on bed or satisfying his sexual needs. I didn't hear about his other needs or special gestures and efforts, reserved for him."

She takes a step closer and asks, "Or did you tell me, how he deals with business problems or family issues? How he keeps himself motivated even after sacrificing the enjoyment to work day and night? How he manages to deal with his family after they were little disappointed with his decision? How he controls his urges to take vacation for a few days to enjoy his life? Anything, you can answer for me?"

Damn she is a fire.

Roshni chuckles before asking her, "What happened? Don't know anything apart from his sexual needs or may I say yours because even you got something from it. Right?"

Tanushree had nothing to say, so she just glares at him, much to Roshni's amusement who states, "And you were trying to make me jealous of your relationship with Gaurav, which is merely of a customer and hooker. Nothing else. But you know something, I read a survey on the internet that men like innocent women on bed, while women love experienced men."

I chuckle as Roshni pinches her cheek and states, "Thank you Tanushree for spreading your legs and exposing your dignity to make MY man experienced. I am grateful to you."

"Bloody hell! What is she?"

I hold back the urge to laugh at Durga and Jay's reaction to her words, while enjoying the scene.

"Plus, I will help Gaurav to deal with his business or family issues. I will not only motivate him to work day and night, but also give him the chance to enjoy his life. I will help in managing his family and take him on vacation for a few days to enjoy his life. I will give him everything, he deserves. So, I doubt Tanushree that he will ever remember you because I will not be his second choice, I am his FIRST BEST."

Roshni winks at her with a smirk, hitting the perfect nerve, which makes Tanushree walk away after a death glare. 

But the moment she is out of sight, Roshni panics.

Yup, the fire died and nervousness grew.

"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. What have I done?"

She removes her phone from her purse and makes a call, while biting her nails of other hand.

"Candy, I did something."

Roshni sits on the bench and starts narrating the conversation in brief before asking, "Now how do I tell Gaurav that I called the first love of his life a hooker and insulted his relationship by calling him customer. He will be disheartened, but I can't even hide this encounter. He even has every right to know."

I couldn't be any more impressed with her. She didn't have to tell me as our relationship didn't have any commitment or the need to share everything. Yet she is worried to share this encounter because it will hurt me.

But frankly, I am not hurt. Roshni didn't insult me or my feelings, she just showed Tanushree the mirror of truth, which I didn't have the courage to do. In fact, she defended my emotions, respected them and didn't allow Tanushree to insult my efforts or love for her.

I thought, Roshni will just be a roommate or casual friend to me, however now I am confident, we will be great friends and supporters to each other.

"And now I am going to bump into my ex. Just fantastic."

She stands from the bench, while disconnecting the call and stares ahead with stone expression as a man around her age, approaches her. His evil smirk and eyes give me negative vibes.

"Fancy meeting you, darling. I saw your pictures with someone, read that you are getting engaged."

"That's none of your business, Danish."

Though her face is devoid of emotions, I can sense the pain in her eyes and the stiffness in her posture. She is facing a tough time to control her emotions and tears from escaping her eyes.

"Of course it is none of my business after you left me two years back for money."

What? She left him? I thought, he left her. But money? No. I don't think so, the pain is crystal clear in her features. There must be some other reason.

Roshni retorts with a glare, "Money? Seriously? Danish, I was standing with you when you didn't even have INR 200 in your pocket. I helped you in your studies when you failed to afford tutors. I trained you for different computer courses to increase your knowledge and potential to get a job. I gave you my opportunity to work because you needed it, but you never turned up and that job was taken away by an outsider. I took care of your health and consoled you during your family issues. I never ignored your requests to meet me and adjusted time even during my exams or when I had Papa's work."

I want to slap Danish 20 times on each cheek then kick his stomach 10 times. Bloody rascal.

"And when I left you, you had a stable job and your parents were no longer worried about their future. If I had to leave you for money then I would have left you when you had plenty of problems. The maximum portion of our limited meeting time was spent in me either consoling you or trying to find a solution for your problems. I had dedicated my life to you. But I left because after every effort I invested in those 6 long years, I was still getting excuses for your side of efforts. You gave me excuses of us being unmarried and not living together. Though when you needed me to put efforts, those same excuses were never allowed for me to use. Then Mr. Danish, then I left you for my self respect and not money."

"I would have done everything for you if you would have stayed longer."

"Longer? I waited 6 long years."

He continues to glare at her, but says nothing and a traitorous tear finally escapes from her eyes. She was breaking and I need to support her.

I didn't realize when my feet begin to move on their own accord and I find Danish is making an attempt to touch Roshni's cheek. But I wrap my arm around her shoulder to pull her closer to my body.

"Next time if I saw you around my fiance then I swear to God, I will make you regret your present as well as past actions."

I continue to glare at him till he reluctantly turns to walk away and I lower my gaze to meet with her moisten ones.

"He...he was-"

"I know, I heard everything."

"Even Tanushree?"

I nod and she apologises, "Sorry."

I shake my head and wrap my other arm around her waist to pull her for a hug as I saw fresh tears welling up in her eyes. I rub her back and try my best to provide comfort. But she clutches the end of my t-shirt in her fists instead of embracing me back.

"Sshhh don't worry, you said the right things. She deserved it."

I pat her head and lift my gaze to find my non-biological parents, smiling at me. They show their thumbs in upwards direction and mouthed, "We approve for her."

I got the approval of the most important people of my life, my non-biological parents.

And at that moment, I realized, I have selected the PERFECT GIRL.

************

That's all for now.....will update next part as soon as possible.....hope you liked this part, do give your reviews...till then Keep Smiling and Take Care

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