"koi dil bekaboo kar gaya,
Aur ishqaa dil mein bhar gaya...
Ankhon ankhon mein woh lakhon gallan kar gaya oye...
Ohh rabba mein toh mar gaya oyee, shadai mujhe kar gaya kar gaya oyee..."

~Mausam

❥

"If you don't reach here on time then I'm serious when I say this Ranveer, I'll disown you!"

My mother's cute way of threatening me brought a smile on my face. A first smile in the entire day after working my ass off in the office. Trust me being a CEO and managing everything is no joke. Though I've not yet officially become the CEO but the work load isn't any less. With numerous projects and meetings to look after, it gets really difficult to even take a breath in peace but I would rather grind myself than let my father take the pressure. He's done enough all his life to give us the life we have today and now I don't want him to do any further. He and maa will enjoy their time together, take that world tour they dreamt of when they were young without having to worry about anything. They sacrificed their youth to give their children a secure future and now I want them to live that days again. With just happiness and happiness only.

"Don't worry mere Papa ki jaan, I'll be there on time I promise!"

I replied controlling my smile but the next second burst out laughing as she warned me saying

"Tum mere samne aao, Ranveer. Nahi maar maar ke tumhara bharta bana diya na tumhare hone wali biwi ke samne phir dekhna!"
(You come in front of me, Ranveer. I'm so going to whoop your ass in front of your would be wife)

And this was my cue to cut the call.

"Maa, network problem. Can't hear your voice. Byeee!"

I ended the call even though she was saying something which I knew was just another teasing for me. This has been going on from the moment I've said yes to meet her.

Aradhya.

According to my mother she's a perfect match for me. She's soft spoken. She's humble. She's understanding. She's genuine. She values family and cherishes it with all her heart. She's beautiful on the inside.

You're talking as if it wasn't you gaping like a fish out of water after seeing her photo. That was my inner voice throwing his not so sarcastic gig on me.

And honestly, I was really cleaned bowled in just one glance. As cliche as it sounds, she looked just so delicate. Like one touch and she'd break. Her face held innocence. Innocence which should be treasured at any cost. She should be treasured at any cost.

I was whipped in the first glance itself but honestly her beauty was a added bonus because if she really was like how my mother described her to be then there's no one who could stop me from saying yes to this alliance. From marrying her and making her mine. Lost in her thoughts, I reached Sharma mantion and parked my car in the garage. Damn I looked like a total mess. I had removed my jacket and the sleeves of my of my shirt were rolled up till my elbow. My hair was in every direction and I looked visibly tired. Here goes my first impression.

Seeing one of our car parked in the garage only confirmed the fact that my family is here already and I just hope my mother won't start scolding me in front of everyone for arriving late. Bachi kuchi izzat bhi chali jayegi. Huffing, I rang the doorbell and it was opened almost immediately by one of the helper who smiled and bowed down to me a little in respect. Returning the smile, I patted his shoulder and hurriedly made my way inside.

"I am really sorry everyone. There was a lot of work and back to back meetings which kept me occupied. Though it's not a very good excuse to keep family waiting but trust me if it wasn't important, I wouldn't have taken this long. Sorry Anil uncle, it won't happen again."
I apologized first thing the minute I entered only for my family to look at me weirdly whereas the Sharma's had a smile.

"No problem, young man. We can understand how hectic work can get at times. Don't be so hard on yourself and come have a seat."
Anil uncle assured me and patted to the space beside him for me to sit. Relieved after hearing his words, I smiled and firstly touched his feet and he gave me a warm hug in return. I did the same with Raghav uncle followed by Shalini aunty and gave a brotherly hug to Aarav.

"So soon to be CEO, how's office treating you?"
Raghav uncle asked in a joking manner making everyone laugh. I chuckled shaking my head and said

"Honestly, I was happy just being the COO, but this old man couldn't see my happiness and dumped all responsibility on me. Announcing to the whole world that I'll be the next CEO!"
My family snickered at my poor attempt on sounding funny while Raghav uncle and others laughed.

"Please! This old man knows how capable his sons are to handle the responsibility given them!"

My father's words brought a big smile on my and Reyansh bhaiya's face and the others agreed on this.

"Bhabhi, Where's maa?"
I asked Meera bhabhi in a hushed voice sitting beside her as everyone were talking among themselves and I noticed the absence of my mother. A certain someone was missing too but I couldn't ask about her now, could I?

"Mumma humari soon to be maybe devrani ji ke sath kitchen mein hai!"
(She's in the kitchen with my would be sister in law)
Aur isse kehte hai khud ke pair pe khulhadi maarna. Mujhe puchna hi nahi chahiye tha jante hue ki aisa hi jawab milega. Yet I didn't missed to notice how my heart skipped a beat at the possibility of her being my---

"Aa gayi Aradhya."
(There she is)

Bhabhi mumbled just for me to hear and I looked up only for my heart to leap out of my chest. For the first time ever I was not looking at my maa but at the girl who was beside her. The one in blue suit with blush so beautiful on her porcelain skin and a very non existent smile. Yet a smile so contiguous that it could put the stars to shame.

Ek jhalak mein shayar ban gaye Ranveer babu, not bad!
(You've become a poet in a single glance, not bad)

Royally ignoring the voice in my head, I kept gawking at her like a creep who's seeing a girl for the first time in his life but even if I tried i couldn't help myself. Her gaze was down and she was yet to notice my existence until my maa saw me and called me out loud gaining her and others attention as well.

"Finally you decided to grace us with your presence?"
I motioned maa or more like pleaded her with my eyes to not say anything here to which she only gave me a glare, twisting her face in mock anger while I smiled at her drama and cuteness. Maa held Aradhya's hand and made her sit beside herself and started talking with her like a long lost bestfriend. Bhabhi and Myru joining them just a minute after and the women were lost in a different world altogether. And this gave me ample amount of time to drink in the beauty of the girl in blue. How her round eyes would crinkle even with the smallest of laughter. How her sharp yet cute nose scrunched with whatever Myru was telling her. And how her knees were bucking up and down after every two minutes.

She hasn't even given me a second glance which is sad. Ab itni bhi buri shakal nahi hai meri.
(I don't have that bad of a face)

The great Ranveer Malik getting self conscious. Good going brother!
Ek toh koi mere andar ki awaaz ko chup karwao yaar!
(Someone ask my subconscious to keep quit)

"You'll scare the poor girl away, Veer."
I snapped out of my not so obvious staring session upon hearing my bhaiya's words. My ears turning a bit red for getting caught while I ducked my head down and silently picked up the glass of water kept on the table in front of me and started gulping it down whereas my dear brother thought it was better to laugh at my state.

"Why don't we let Bhai and bhabhi--I mean Aradhya to talk alone. They would get to know each other properly!"
Out of everyone it was Myru who said this out loud and my eyes again flickered with her's and at the same time her brown orbs clashed with mine for a second but it was enough for me to see the nervousness in them which made me smile internally finding it cute.

"Ofcourse, they should. Aru, take him to the back garden beta!"
Anil uncle said looking at his daughter who meekly nodded, standing up. Getting a nod from my mother, I stood up too heaving a sigh and followed Aradhya silently. We didn't dare utter a single word as we moved out of the house towards the back of it were there was a huge open space surrounded by greenery and beautiful flowers with a seating arrangement in a corner which looked cozy enough.

"This is beautiful!"
I muttered unconsciously and owing to the silence around us, she heard me clearly as she continued looking down as if the ground was the most interesting thing and thanked me in her soft voice.

"Shall we sit and talk?"
I urged motioning towards the seating area and she agreed with a nod of her head so together we made our way there and sat with a respectable distance between us. For a minute or two nobody said a word but as the silence started becoming unbearable I initiated a conversation

"Hey, I'm Ranveer. And you already know that but let's introduce ourselves officially, yeah? I'm Ranveer Malik."
I put my hand forward making her to look at my forwarded hand then to my face. With a smile she held my hand for a handshake replying slowly

"Aradhya Sharma."
But my focus was on how cold her hand felt in mine. It was freezing making me worried for her.

"Your hand is freezing cold, Aradhya. Are you okay?"

She kept her gaze on me for a little longer and nodded her head frantically, breaking eye contact as she replied

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm good. Just a bit nervous I guess!"
She slipped her small dainty hand out of mine making me miss her touch immediately. What the hell is really happening to me? From never looking at a girl before to behaving like a roadside Romeo for this woman, I've surely hit my head somewhere.

"Hey, please relax. Calm down okay! There's nothing to be nervous about."
She nodded smiling faintly and only I knew how badly I controlled myself to just hold her hand back and caress it until she feels good. I don't have the right to do that as of now and strangely I want to change that fact.

"Aradhya, if I have to be honest then I'm too not sure of what we should be talking about right now. We've met to take a decision about the next step in our life but before we've discussed our past, how can we think about our future, right?"
She casted me a glance with her mesmerizing eyes but didn't interrupted and I took that as my cue to continue

"I've done my schooling and college from Delhi. Then for about two years I was in London and came back after completing my degree. Bachpan se hi mera interest business mein tha toh passion ko hi profession banane ka socha. I started working as my dad's secretary to know the intricacies of work. Fir got promoted as an employee than manager and so on. Kyu ki bhaiya ka hamesha se lawyer banne ka sapna tha aur business mein unki dilchaspi rahi nahi toh he and dad decided to make me the CEO and hand over the company. Though sometimes I feel that it's all being given to me in a silver platter but everyday when I hear my dad talk proudly about my dedication and capabilities, I think that yes, maybe I do deserve all this."
Aradhya's eyes held an emotion so tender in her eyes that I wanted nothing but to gather her in my arms and hug the life out of her. No Ranveer. Be a good man and keep your hands to yourself.

"I hope I'm not boring you?"

"Please keep going!"
She whispered shaking her head in no and I couldn't help but gush over her cuteness. Bhagwan bachaye mujhe iss ladki se.

"I drink occasionally with friends and family but always in my limit. When I was in college, I had even tried smoking cigarettes and weed once but bhaiya ne pakad liya tha aur zor se chapped lagayi thi tab se unn sab chizo ko dekha tak nahi hai."
(Bhai caught me and slapped some sense in me)
I explained hurriedly so that she doesn't misunderstands me whereas her eyes went wide at this piece of information.

"It's a shock but since you said it was a one time thing, I believe you!"
Amused by her words and adorable expression, I scooted a little bit closer to her saying

"And trust me your believe means the world to me!"
Pink hue spreaded on her flawless skin as she ducked her head down, fidgeting with her fingers and damn she was a sight to see.

Smooth flirting skills, Malik.
My subconscious patted on my back while I just frowned.

"I am a very moody person according to my mom. Actually according to every person who's close to me. No one knows when I would behave like a five year old for my mom's attention or start barking orders on my poor employees for any silly mistake. They even say that I have a bad temper aur gusse mein mujhe kisi cheez ka hosh nahi rehta par jab gussa shant hoke apni galti realise karta hu toh samne wale ko mana ke rehta hu. Thoda akdu hu par dil ka saaf aur ye meri khudki observation hai!"
(In anger I  in don't realise what I do but the moment I realise my mistake, I make sure I repent for it)
I completed pointing a finger at myself and she giggled pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. Damn this girl is so going to be the death of me.

"I'm a bit possessive for my people. Okay not just a bit but very possesive. To a point where you might find this trait of mine toxic. I know I could've easily hid away this fact but I didn't wanted to hide it from you. Not when there's a possibility of us being in a relationship as delicate as husband and wife."
My voice turned softer at the end of my sentence and she kept looking down biting her lower lip. God, don't test my patience. Weaving fingers through my already messed up hair, I took a breath.

"Aradhya, you don't want to say anything? Maa told you've done your masters in event management?"
She nodded at my question further saying

"I completed my course and also have CSEP certificate to start a company of our own "Shubhtithi". Infact the process has already begun. Me and my two other friends Preet and Kiara have invested a small amount to give it a kickstart. Though it's a small company with hardly forty to fifty employees working under us, but we've already managed two engagements and one business party successfully and our clients were very happy with our work. I'm sure in near future, with our hardwork and perseverance, we'll take it to new heights!"
The way her eyes shined and the smile which was plastered on her face while she talked about her work, her passion was so fucking contagious that I could die to keep that smile intact. And not to forget that this is the longest she's talked to me without hesitation or nervousness and that fact alone made me giddy. Baby steps, Ranveer.

"Bhai, everyone is calling you both inside. The dinner's ready."
We heard Myru as she had came to call us with one of the helper. Did we really talked for that long that it's night from evening already? I didn't even realise were the time flew by. Aradhya was just opening up to me and I didn't wanted to end our conversation already.

Look at you sulking like a kid who's been deprived of his favourite candy!
SHUT UP, ME.

"Myru, just give us two minutes. We'll be there!"
I exclaimed as I saw Aradhya standing up and turning to go but her steps halted at my words. Giving us both a toothy smile, my sister went away making me sigh at her adorable nature. I took a few steps standing just behind Aradhya who's back was to my front.

Don't scare her away!
Trust me I won't.

With a respectable distance between us I leaned a little towards her ear, hearing her take a sharp intake of breath as I said in my husky voice

"We can meet for a few more times if you want to get to know each other. Though I'm sure about my decision, I know it takes time to trust someone specially when the decision is to spend the rest of your life with that person. There's no hurry!"

"Often a calculated decision turns out to be curse for you while the one taken from heart is a boon."
My own heart picked up it's pace at her words as she turned to me decreasing the distance between us literally and figuratively. Her brown orbs filled with innocence looking directly in my black ones. The redness of her cheeks giving tough competition to cherries and all I could think of was protecting her from every evil, including myself.

"Aur meine hamesha apne dil ki sunni hai."
(And I've always listened of my heart)
Throwing a heart tugging smile my, she left me all alone going inside the house while I was ready to faint any moment now. As her words ringed in my ears again and again, I couldn't help the goofy grin from appearing on my face as I pumped my fist in the air, behaving nothing less than a hopeless teenager.

Ms Aradhya Sharma, I'm so going to make you Mrs Aradhya Ranveer Malik! I won't make you regret your decision and I promise this to you and myself. Unaware with the fact that my  journey won't be a cakewalk.

✧ ✧ ✧

PUBLISHED: JAN 22/22

The pretty pretty banner is made by grngroses and she's so talented at what she does. Thank you once again for the help babe😚🤍

Did you like Ranveer so far and their first meeting?

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Till then bye and take care 😚