'Man ka mauji, Ishq toh ji,
Albeli si raaho pe le chale!'
~mbkd

"Hey! Are you ready?" I asked coming out of the car and leaning against it with the phone to my ear.

"Yes, yes. On my way. Just a minute!" Came Aradhya's rushed reply and I could clearly guess she was running on her way till here.

"Sambhal ke!" Shaking my head, I tried reprimanded her gently and the next moment she appeared, coming out of her house and to me.

"I'm hereee!" Chuckling at her stretched reply, I balanced myself last minute as my fiancé dashed straightaway into my arms, hugging me tightly.

"Good morning!" She showed all of her teeth while saying that and I squeezed her cheeks though carefully. I tend to do that a lot lately but she didn't seem to mind so I guess it was a win win for me.

"Someone's quite chirpy this morning!" Removing a piece of hair from her face, I pushed it behind her ear and she shrugged at my words.

"I'm chirpy most of the mornings, just so you know. But tell me how do I look? Am I dressed appropriately for our brunch date?"
Aradhya twirled in front of me, showing off her outfit and my heart thudded in my chest. Unfiltered and carefree Aradhya is clearly my favourite. One who isn't pretending or hiding her beautiful self from me and I'd never ask for more than this from her. Her honesty and trust is all I need.

She had adorned an oversized yellow sweatshirt with faded black jeans and her hair in a low bun. Her face was bare except for the tint she had applied on her cheeks and lips for that flush of colour as taught to me by my sister. Aradhya also had the necklace I gifted her in her neck and the engagement ring on her finger. Apart from that she had nothing on. A pair of white sneaker shoes completed her look and as I gave her a once over, I had this urge to simply gobble her up because she looked too cute right now.

"Ranveer?" She shook me by my shoulder bringing me out of my fiancé land.

"Huh?"

"How do I look for our brunch date?" She asked again but this time with her hands around her chest and I straightened up.

"You look amazing, cupcake, but how do you know I'm taking you for a brunch? I don't remember saying anything like that!" I looked as confused as I sounded.

"You specifically mentioned not to have anything at all because you are coming to pick me up and we are going "somewhere". So I assume even a five years old could guess that food is going to be involved in whatever we are doing!"
She air quotes the word 'somewhere' and I only shook my head. This was just one proof that my brain stops working in front of this woman. Though she was right about the brunch date, there was something else planned for her as well and I bet she has no idea about that.

"Acha meri Einstein, now will you please sit inside the car so we could get going?"
I opened the car door of passenger side for her while talking and her cheeks turned a darker shade of red at my words. Applying that blush was a waste of her time and product. Dropping a kiss on the crown of her head as she sat inside, I closed the door and rounding the car, took the driver's seat.

"This will keep me full till we reach wherever we are supposed to!"
Aradhya stated and that made me look at her who had the bouquet of blue tulips nestled in her lap and the bar of kitkat in her hand that she must've taken from the back seat where it was kept. The way she was giving heart eyes to that stupid chocolate, I felt jealous of that fucking thing. The woman has ruined me in worst ways possible.

"Can you open it for me?"
She passed the bar of chocolate to me and with a sigh I took it from her and did as she told, handing it back to her. She took a bite and moaned in satisfaction while I had to hold the steering wheel tight and clench my jaw at the effects it had on me. Wearing the seatbelt and asking her to do the same, I started the car.

"Where are we going?" Aradhya asked with her mouth full of chocolate and the satisfied moans still leaving her lips. Shifting as subtly as I could in my seat, I cleared my throat before responding,

"It's not too far. You'll see for yourself shortly!"

She nodded gobbling down the chocolate and still continuing with her moans.

"Adhya, don't make that noise!" Keeping my voice as normal as possible, I requested.

"What noise?" She asked while taking another bite and that forbidden sound left her lips again. Turning the music on and increasing the volume a bit, I tried distracting myself as much as I could till we reached our destination and we didn't exchange a word.

"Ranveer, tissue?" Aradhya muttered who had chocolate smudged all over her fingers and near her lips as well. I parked the car and searched for the box of tissue but once I knew there were none, I removed my handkerchief from my pocket and taking hold of her hand, started cleaning her fingers followed by the corner of her lips.

I should prepare myself to get tortured wherever Aradhya is concerned because the woman could simply just be breathing and I'd be on my knees for her.

"Thank you!" She whispered once I had cleared all the evidence of chocolate from her lips and hand. My eyes connected with hers and I clearly felt her taking a sharp intake of breath as I moved so close to her that our noses touched. Tilting her face up by cupping her chin, I placed my lips of her juicy petals and gave a deep peck, moving back the next second.

"You are only allowed to thank me this way henceforth. Understood?"
Her big almond eyes went even bigger at my words but she nodded her head in a yes nonetheless. Dropping a kiss on her forehead, I got down the car and opened the door for her to do the same.

"You're kidding me!" She exclaimed looking ahead at the place I'd brought her to and I chuckled anticipating that reaction.

"This is my favourite cafe—how did you? Kaira helped you?" If only it was that easy. I did ask that Kira kheera for help but the girl had her lips sealed. She sure didn't want me to win Aradhya over more than I already have, according to her.

"No! I went to your other best friend. The good one amongst you three!" My answer made her squint her eyes at me.

"I'm the good one amongst the three of us, Mr Malik!" I chuckled at her response which only aggravated her more.

"Kira kheera and Preet would bed to differ, cupcake. They say and I quote "you're pampered and spoiled more than a baby!"

"Blasphemy at it's peak. I'm so not leaving them once I get my hands on those two traitors!"
She stomped her foot and started making her way inside the cafe, Bandstand pantry. Shaking my head at her antics, I started following her with a little smile on my face. This Aradhya was surely new but this version was also her most genuine self so I'm only glad that she deems me worthy enough to be her most true self in front of me.

Together we sat in a corner away from the crowd which provided us our needed privacy and I handed over the menu to her.

"I'll have one egg benedict with blue berry smoothie and one chocolate truffle cake as well!"
The waiter noted that down and then turned to me.

"I'll have your Mediterranean salad along with an espresso. Thank you!" He nodded at me and went away to get our orders. I turned back to look at my fiancé who had a smile which she was trying to stifle.

"I can't—kiss you here so I'm just going to say thank you. For bringing me to my favourite place!" With her eyes down and her fingers playing with my ring on the table, she whispered in a slow voice and I mentally cooed at her cuteness. Her red cheeks and ears only adding on to her beauty. If something so small and normal makes her blush so much, I can only imagine what will happen if I actually give her a reason to blush. I'm getting ahead of myself but I didn't care.

"That's okay. You can kiss me in the car to show your gratitude!" She slapped the back of my hand for teasing her and I wholeheartedly laughed, enjoying her shyness.

"Can I have your phone?" I forwarded my phone to her without any question which she unlocked with my face and scrolled through my apps.

"Ranveer, social media ke naam pe you only have Instagram on your phone?"

"I hardly get time to leisurely scroll through that as well so it's surprising the app is still on my phone!" I shrugged while my little fiancé continued judging me with her eyes.

"I am opening your insta!" Not finding any words of resistance from me, she went ahead with that and started with whatever she was trying to decode in that app. While she was busy in her mission, our order arrived. Aradhya snapped a photo of the same on my phone and turned the screen to show it to me.

"How's it?"
She asked. She just captured the food and beverages along with bit of my hand and it was a cute picture. That's going in my locked photos for sure.

"It's cute!" My response made her smile as she pulled the phone back to herself, getting comfortable in her seat.

"I'm posting this on your story! I hope you don't mind."  Without even needing my response she posted the story and turned the screen back to me again and I shook my head in amusement at her childlike glee over something so small. Again.

"And I also started following myself through your account and added me in the close friends list. You're welcome!" She showed me all of her teeth at that, handing me my phone back and I actually laughed at this package that I've got also known as Aradhya Sharma.

"I'm not active there, cupcake. I hardly open the app!" I said keeping the phone aside and she shrugged as if that didn't matter.

"Now you will. I post half of my life there." She sipped on her smoothie and went ahead to have a bite of her eggs. By eyebrows furrowed at her words.

"That's not safe!" She gulped down her morsel and shook her head at me.

"My account's private, Ranveer. Only people whom I know personally follow me. Relax!"
I nodded somewhat convinced and started with my food. We were talking in between here and there when my phone rang. Aradhya blinked her eyes at me to attend it and I picked it up.

"Bol, Myru?"

"Bhai, sorry to disturb but mumma wanted to remind you to please discuss with Aru bhabhi regarding the dates for the wedding!"
My eyes went to my fiancé who very subtly tried taking a bite from my salad but noticing my gaze, pulled her hand back, looking here and there. Shaking my head at her antics for the hundredth time, I fed her a bite which she ate with a sheepish smile.

"Hmm! Yeah, I'll do that. Anything else?" I asked my sister trying to focus on the phone call.

"Yes! I've informed everyone to reach on time like you said. We'll leave by two! That'll be okay, right?" I looked down at my wristwatch at her question and currently it was 12:23pm.

"Yes! That'll be fine. Rakhu?" I couldn't talk on this topic in front of Aradhya since she wasn't aware of anything.

"Alsooooo did someone hack your insta? I see a story posted there?" Of course, my sweet little sister would ask me this. I chuckled shaking my head which made Aradhya to look at me confused.

"Nahi, you're bhabhi posted that!" Aradhya looked away, trying to hide her smile probably getting an idea of what I was talking about while Myra snickered from the other side.

"Of course! Apki buddhi aatma se toh kya hi expect kar sakte hai!"

"Okay! I'm ending the call!" If only I could murder my sister in her sleep. But my father would kill me the next moment with his gun. So that wasn't happening.

"Sureeeeee! Don't forget to hide me from all your r rated content. I'm your little sister and I don't want my innocence to be ruined anytime soon!"
I think I can kill her and make it look like an accident while I'm at it.

"I'll ruin your fucking life if you say a word more, satan's errand girl!" She laughed like a hyena at my words and I ended the call right after rolling my eyes at the absurdity. Aradhya was glaring at me for using the F word and I sighed.

"She was getting on my nerves!" I exclaimed as if justifying myself. She shook her head, clearly not buying it and continued with her eating.

"Myru said mumma wanted us to select a date for the wedding!"
Her hand stopped midway at my words. My eyes tracking her every movement and expression. It has been a week to our engagement and our families had talked with the pandit ji regarding a suitable date for our marriage. There were three auspicious dates. One in the end of this month that is 27 th October. The other in the next month and the third date was in mid January, 17th. Our parents left the decision on us saying whatever date we choose, they'll happy with it and somehow Aradhya and I still haven't talked about it. Until now.

I had a feeling that my fiancé here was trying to avoid the conversation but I knew her better now.

"Let me know what's going on in that tiny little head of yours once you are done talking with yourself!" I sighed folding my hands around my chest and continued looking at her while she fidgeted with her fingers, her head ducked down. A minute or two passed like that until she pushed her chair more closer to me and hid her face in my shoulder with her hands wrapped around my right arm. Her breathing heavy and hold tight.

"Adu?" I called her out as I caressed the back of her head with my other hand. She hummed not moving an inch from her position nor showing me her face.

"Talk to me, baby!" She was silent as her warm breath passed through me and made a shiver run down my spine at the proximity. I gulped discreetly while waiting for her to say what she wants.

"I like the date which is in January!" She finally muttered still being hidden in my arms and I chuckled.

"See. It wasn't that hard now, was it?" She removed her face, looking up at me with a pout. I kissed her forehead a few times and her lips turned into a smile.

"I'm just—so scared. It feels a little overwhelming. To leave dad, Chachu, chachi and bhai! I mean—I know there's no way out. I'm just trying to buy myself as much time as possible but it would never be enough. There won't be a day where I'll be completely ready to leave my house in which I've grown up in and have made so many memories. Along with that I also have to understand that I wouldn't be doing justice to you and our relationship if I keep letting my fears play with me. If I keep delaying our marriage. So I just want thoda sa zyada time. Aap samajh rahe hai?"

I smiled cupping her face in my hand and kissed her nose.

"Mein nahi samjhunga toh kon samjhega. I totally understand where you're coming from, cupcake. We can't ignore or downplay the fact that it is going to be a lot more difficult for you to adjust than me. You have to not just leave your home but also your parents, your family. You will only have me while I'll still have my whole family for me. You don't have to feel guilty or explain yourself for needing a little time. If you want we can just let the marriage be. We'll think about it when you feel is right."
She shook her head in negative at my words.

"We'll get married in January itself. I don't want more time than that. I want to start my next year with your surname behind my name!"
My heart constricted in my chest at her words. If it was in my hands, I would've made her Mrs Aradhya Ranveer Malik right this moment but I couldn't snatch that from her at any cost. She deserves her time and her big fat Indian wedding and she'll get nothing less than that.

We finished our food with few talks here and there and the waiter brought our bill when we were done.

"We're going to have a serious problem if you are so much as thinking to pay!"
My voice was as hard as I could manage with this woman of mine who was rummaging through her handbag. Without answering me, she removed a lip balm sort of a thing and applied it on her lips, followed by smacking those juicy petals of her together. I clenched my molars because she tested my patience every second. With her words and with her actions.

"Relax, big guy! I only have a lip balm, a blush and a body mist in there. I can't pay even if I wanted to. So go ahead and do the honours."
She rolled her eyes as she finished her sentence and I chuckled. Placing a two thousand rupees note, I gave it to the waiter. Hand in hand, we left the cafe and I opened the passenger door for Aradhya to get in. She bit her lower lip as she turned to me instead.

"Aap mujhe ghar chod rahe hai?" Putting a strand of her hair behind her ear, I tried controlling my smile which was threatening to spread on my lips.

"Apko nahi jana?" I questioned instead which made her look away from my intense gaze.

"I mean—it's just been an hour we were together. We have the full day to ourselves. It's a Sunday so we could spend some more time together. If—you don't have anywhere else to be, of course."
She kept fidgeting in her place, not looking at me. Holding her chin between my thumb and forefinger, I turned her face up to look at me.

"I can have a busy as fuck day and still come running to spend some time with you."

My breath hitched in my throat at his words. His husky baritone voice doing weird things to my body. I don't know if I am noticing too much but the way his eyes darkened, he would've surely kissed the hell out of me if we weren't in public.

"For now, we have to reach somewhere. There's this surprise waiting for you." My eyes widened in question and in surprise at his words.

"What surprise? Tell me?" He chuckled gesturing me to sit inside the car with his eyes and I hurriedly did like the good girl that I was. He came to the driver's seat and we fixed in our seat belts.

"Tell meeeeee? Where are we going?" I was so close to whining or I was probably already whining as I held his arm and shook it. The man just chuckled as if he finds me funny and booped my nose.

"Sabar. Ever heard of that?" A groan left my lips at his answer.

"If you had no intention of telling me than why bring it up in the first place!" Leaving his hand, I folded mine around my chest and huffed like the grown up kid that I was.

Is it too soon to show my childish true colours? What if he realises the level of stupidity I bring to the table and runs for the hill?

From the corner of my eyes, I saw him trying to control his smile which was enough to bid bye to my worry and I continued my act of being angry.

"How would it remain a surprise if I tell you what it is?" Yes. He has a point. Which he always has but that wasn't my problem. I kept silent continuing to look out of the window. Hoping he reveals what he's planned.

"You are seriously not going to talk to me just because I'm not telling you what the surprise is? We'll reach there in like 20 mins and then you can see for yourself, Adhya!" He tried explaining as if talking to a kid since I wasn't behaving any better than that. Biting my lips in contemplation, I looked at him.

"Okay. I'll keep quiet till we reach! If we take more than 20 minutes to reach then I'll eat your ears and won't stop until you tell me what it is."
He nodded his head sincerely and turned the ignition on.

His hands on the wheel and eyes concentrated, ready to drive. The dark navy blue shirt that he had worn with white pants was looking a little to hot on him for something so basic. His hair tousled in a rough manner. My fingers itched to roam in those. The length of his hair wasn't too short nor too long. Just perfect for a woman to play with. My eyes next moved to his sharp nose then those pink lips of his. So full and so manly.

I gulped the lump in my throat, biting my lower lip. The taste of his lips still fresh in my mind. Leaving the dangerous territory, I looked down at his veiny arms, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up. His big hands and thick fingers holding the steering wheel and for some reason, I clenched my thighs together.

"Not those eyes, cupcake!"
I looked away as if caught stealing at his deep voice. Blood rushing up to my face, ears and down to my neck. Way to embarrass yourself, Aradhya.

"I'm on a time crunch here and you looking at me with those eyes isn't going to help the situation!"
My chest heaved up and down as I took deep breath to calm myself. It felt as if I've run some miles when in reality I was just ogling at my fiancé. My handsome as hell of a man. Praying to the almighty and gathering enough courage, I turned my face looking at him and before he can register what was happening, I moved closer to him, dropping a long peck on his lips and before it could escalate to something more heated, I settled back in my seat. As cool as a cucumber.

"What was that for?" He whispered, probably still dazed in the aftermath of my actions and I wasn't any different.

"I don't wish to elaborate. Let's get going. You only have 16 minutes now." There was silence for a little too long before he blew out a long breath, roamed his hands on his face and shifting in his seat, started driving. Thanks to Mumbai traffic and today being a Sunday, we were well behind the time I had given to him but I was smart enough to not say a word after the stunt I pulled.

After 25 minutes or so, we reached— is this?water kingdom? What in the world is happening? Ranveer got down the car and coming to my side, opened the door for me.

"Ranveer?" I questioned, still in daze. I couldn't believe I was here. Without responding to me, he held my hand in his and started pulling me with him.

"Why are we here?" Holding his hand back in my grip to halt his step, I asked in a small voice. He cupped my face in his big hands and kissed between my brows.

"You regretted not being able to make memories when you had the chance. You have it now. Make as many memories as possible. All of your childhood dreams will be fulfilled, Adu! Everything will be ticked off the list, I promise. You just live those moments to the fullest. Like little Aradhya would've lived, I'll be right behind you!"
My throat was clogged up, a sob ready to escape. Tears lining my eyes as he answered. Never in my wildest dreams I would've imagined this happening but it was, right? Ranveer was making it happen for me. He was healing something he didn't broke. Kis ache karam ka fal hai ye mere? I don't think I deserve this man. But would I die trying to be worthy of him? Yes. A hundred times.

"There's no one here?" I questioned as he pulled me with him inside and I looked around only to see the general staff in matching uniforms roaming around but no other person.

"You have us!" A voice came from somewhere. Myra? I turned back to see all of our friends there and our siblings as well waving at me. Everyone from Sahil, Tarun, Sahiba, Myra to Preet, Kaira, Meera bhabhi and Reyansh bhai. My brother was standing amongst them as well with a stupid glare of his own because we were still not talking. He liked throwing tantrum more than me sometimes like the princess that he is.

I just couldn't believe my eyes. I think I'll faint. What in the freaking hell—no heaven was even happening? After letting everything sink in, it wasn't hard to guess that Mr Malik here has booked the place just for us or if I dare say just for me.

Turning to Ranveer, I threw myself in his arms and he chuckled wrapping his hands around my waist, holding me tight.

"I——"
I gulped not having proper words to thank him for what he's done for me. My grip tightening on him each second and I felt myself tearing up all over again. A shuddered gasp left my lips when he moved his hand from my head to the small of my back in order to calm me down.

"I didn't do all of this for you to cry. The moment you're tear drops, I'm taking all of us back home right away."
I nodded in no still sticking to him, at his words. He kissed my cheek and the shell of my ear, breaking apart.

"If you're done jumping his bones then shall we start with the actual fun?"
Sahil, also known as the most ridiculous person ever, commented and my face heated up. Others laughed at my misery since it was oh so funny. I simply held Ranveer's right hand and pulled his middle finger out, flipping Sahil the bird which made everyone laugh even louder, holding their stomachs. The poor guy kept glaring at me while I moved away with the girls to the changing room so that we could live in the water for the whole day.

I changed up in appropriate swimwear which Preet and Kaira had packed for me and applied a lot of sunscreen all over my legs, hands and face.

"Meera bhabhi?" I called her out as she was braiding her hair and she turned to me.

"Thank you so much for doing this for me. I had no idea Ranveer was planning this but I'm really grateful for all your efforts. Thank you!"
She sighed and tied up a rubber band at the end of her hair.

"You would've thanked your brother as well if he did something to make you happy?"
I looked down, biting my lips at Sahiba's question who now stood beside me with her hand on my shoulder.

"You wouldn't because he's your family and just like that we are your family as well now, Aru! Don't make us feel any less by thanking us!"
Meera bhabhi stated and I hugged her the next moment while she held me close, kissing my temple. I think I found big sisters in these two that I never had and I'm so glad.

"Besides I have my own selfish motives to be here. I don't remember the last time Reyansh let me take a step out of our house so might as well enjoy it till I can!"
Breaking the hug, bhabhi stated rolling her eyes and I giggled. My eyes moved to Myra who was looking at us with a smile of her own.

"Please don't make me repeat Meera bhabhi's words!" She put her hand forward before I could even open my mouth to say something and I kissed her forehead. Giving her a hug as well. Meera bhabhi and Myra along with Sahiba left, going outside the changing room leaving Kaira, Preet and me behind.

"I'll break her nose if she thanks us as well!" Kaira muttered, her hands folded around her chest as she pinned me with her gaze.

"You have my blessings!" Preet replied nodding her head and I pouted. Opening my arms, I silently asked them for a hug and they were quick to run to me. Three of us sharing a long group hug.

Who says trio doesn't work? I mean look at us?

"Guys?" I murmured, still being in the hug and they hummed for me to go ahead.

"I—I think I'm falling for him!" They better knew who I was talking about or I'm personally killing them.

"FUCKING FINALLY!" - Kaira

"THANK GOD!" - Preet

Both of them shouted together in my ears making me break apart, glaring at them.

"Mujhe laga tha agle janam hi aisa kuch sunne milega!" Kaira being the over dramatic bitch that she is, said. I groaned at them which they obviously ignored and took me outside, pulling me with them.

All of us enjoyed so much that I could die happily that day. I tried each and every ride even though I was scared out of my wits but I knew I had to make the most of the moments. I danced like a lunatic in the rain dance. Played in the wave pool for hours. Took every ride with Preet and Kaira and pissed my brother more than I already have by pretending to drown in the pool. That made Ranveer to give me an earful but we'll ignore that.

Reyansh bhai stayed around Meera bhabhi all the time as she roamed around, hardly playing in the slides and Ranveer was a little bit of spoil sport himself, trying to lecture us about safety every two seconds. There was a point when everyone gave up getting tired but Myra, Sahil and I were unstoppable as if this is the last time we'll ever get to be in a water park.

All in all I made some of the most precious memories of life there with people who mattered the most to me. Younger Aradhya who just lost her mother could never believe this was actually her life. She had so much happiness and beautiful life to see. My eyes moved around in search of the man who made this possible for me and as if feeling my gaze, Ranveer looked right back at me from where he was sitting under the shade in that shorts and tight fitted t shirt of his. His time in the gym definitely paid him well with the way I drooled at his strong physic.

He raised his eyebrows at me in question and I shook my head, looking away as I felt my face heat up.

My heart bursting with all the feelings I have in me for him but not being able to put it words. I just hope I gather enough courage to let him know how much he means to me and what I feel
for him.

•••

So how was this? Honestly Ranveer is such a green forest it makes me cry!

Don't forget to share your thoughts and votes. Will see y'all tomorrow.

Till then bye and take care 🥺🫶🏼