'Kehde toh banjaaun beraag main,
Kehde toh main teri maaya banu'
~Brothers

"Will you explain the blunder you have made which are making headlines in the country right now?" Dad glared at me. His hands folded and eyebrows pinched. Everyone looked between us and by everyone I meant my father, Aradhya's father, my brother, her brother, her chachu, Tarun, Sahil, Rachit and Aradhya herself. All of us were currently occupying the board room.

She was settled beside me and I was playing with the end of her dupatta with my fingers, under the table. The softness of the fabric intriguing. She had adorned this very simple pink coloured suit and it will be the biggest lie of the century if I said that I wasn't star struck in the first glance.

"Ranveer, what are you doing? Raj Uncle aap se baat kar rahe hain!" I frowned when she snatched her dupatta from my hold, sternly looking at me. Sighing, I sat straight in the chair with both my hands on the table.

The incident which took place yesterday was spread like wildfire in the news and the very next day all of us were called back to Mumbai and summoned here. I made my bed so now I had to lie in it.

"Dad, I know what I did was not the right thing but I couldn't help it. He—"

"You couldn't help it?" Dad cut me off with a stronger glare and I looked down. My angry genes came from this man and he was worst than anyone when poked the wrong way.

"You beat the shit out of someone in a damn club
without caring about the consequences and you're telling me you couldn't help it?" He shouted raising from his seat and I clenched my molars, gulping down my anger. Anil uncle held his hand, asking him to sit back down but he didn't. His gaze fixed on me.

No one dare say a word and I felt a soft feather like touch coming up on the table and holding my left hand, nimble fingers linking with mine. Aradhya gave our joined hands a squeeze, holding tightly.

"I'm sorry but consequences can be damned where she is concerned, dad! I agree what I did was wrong but any man even thinking to look at her the wrong way will face the same fate. I'll gladly do it again!" The chair pushed back harshly in the silent room when I stood up and marched out of there. With long strides and vexation flowing through my veins, I threw the door to my cabin open and shut it back loudly.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, I closed my eyes and took deep breaths to calm myself down but it didn't fucking help. Opening the button of my coat, I removed it and threw it on the couch. Next moving on to folding the sleeves of my shirt.

I don't know what I was angry for? Was I angry that I left that scum bag who dare put his hands on my woman alive or the fact that the news got up to the media who were having a gala because of it right now or that out of all the people, my father didn't understood where I was coming from? He would've done the same had he been in that situation then why couldn't he acknowledge the emotions I felt?

"Ranveer—" Aradhya entered inside my cabin, breathing heavily. She closed the door behind her and came to me. I avoided looking her way simply because it was just yesterday I had given her a promise that I'll control my anger and here I was, already failing miserably.

"Idhar dekhiye!" Her voice was soft when she said that but I didn't. I still looked the other way so she cupped the side of my face and turned me to her. Her eyes holding all the warmth and affection that I was afraid I wouldn't find.

"Calm down, please?" She whispered, coming closer and wrapping her hands around my neck. Her sweet vanilla scent engulfing me in a state of trance.

"I didn't mean to behave that way with him but I just couldn't—"

"Shush. I know, I know. You don't have to explain it to me, Ranveer." I heaved a strangled sigh upon her words as she cut me off, kissing the base of my chin and passing me a smile. One that ebbed away all my anger and all I felt was tranquility.

Subconscious: the next time you get angry, let's just ask her to smile. Will save a lot of people's live!

"Let's sit down first!" She started pushing me gently to the couch, her palm of my chest and I pulled her along. I sat on the couch and as she made a move to sit beside me, I tugged at her hand and she fell in my lap with a gasp. Both of her legs on one side and my arms securely around her tiny waist.

"Okay?" Removing a piece of hair from her eyes, i asked. She gulped with blush flaring up but adjusted herself comfortably, sitting close.

"More than okay." Finally I felt my lips tugging up in a soft smile and she cupped my jaw, tracing my skin with her fingers. Her touch fluttering my eyes close.

"You know right, Raj uncle wasn't wrong!" After silence of a minute or two, she stated in a faint voice and I heaved a breath.

"You think I was wrong?" She only glared at me on that one before sighing and slumping against my frame.

"That's not what I'm implying to. But you also have to agree it wasn't the best way of dealing with the situation. The incident has spread crazily all over the news. Everyone is talking about you. You're about to take over, Ranveer, and any kind of bad publicity will not work in your favour. That's what your father is worried about so tell me, is he wrong if he wants to look after you?"

She thinks he's worried about my image? Oh, she couldn't be more wrong.

"He's not worried about me!" Nuzzling my face in the crook of her neck, I whispered and her hands held my arms tightly, her body wriggling in my hold.

God! Can I just gobble her up at once?

"Ranveer, how can you say that? He's your father!" Fisting my hair and pulling my face up so that I looked at her angelic face, she deadpanned.

"Exactly, he's my father so I know how his brain works, cupcake. Now will you please stop talking like his lawyer and be my fiancé for a minute?" She pouted at my words and my gaze flickered to her rosy lips. Moving close, I gave her a peck, making a sound and she sat wide eyed. Not believing that happened.

"You have a one track mind!" Gaining her composer and looking down, she whispered with red cheeks. I wanted to bite on those so bad that I could cry like a child deprived of his favourite chocolate.

"No, I have a ridiculously gorgeous woman as my fiancé who made something as simple as breathing a very difficult task so excuse me for being utterly smitten by her!" Covering her face with her hands, she hid herself in my chest and whined while I laughed, keeping her close.

"Apko chal ke sorry bolna hai!" She looked up at me saying that, referring to the grand exit I made from the board room.

"Apki sui waha se hati nahi ab tak?" Chuckling, I asked back only for her to roll those pretty big eyes at me.

"You wish!" She moved away from me but hissed in pain holding the back of her head. Her hair was somehow tangled with one of my shirt's button and I pulled her back to me.

"Wait, don't move. I'll remove it!" Untangling her strand of hair which was entrapped, I remove it properly and straightened her hair with my fingers. Caressing her scalp lest she felt any pain.

"Tie your hair!" I jutted my chin to the black rubber band she had on her wrist. Aradhya's hair were almost waist length so I can only imagine how she managed keeping it open. She did as I asked and made a bun with few tendrils framing her face. My eyes tracing her every delicate feature. From her button nose to those petal lips I've had the privilege of tasting so many times. Then my eyes moved to her cheeks to her ears. A little pair of earrings—jumkas—settled in her piercing. I flicked the teasing piece of jewellery with my forefinger and it danced back and forth, enticing a smile out of me.

My fingers moved from her earlobe to her neck where I felt her pulse beating frantically. Aradhya gulped at my touch at her sensitive skin, dots of goosebumps appearing and my eyes darkened seeing the effect I had on her. As male chauvinist as I might sound, my ego grew up tens times exactly that moment.

"Ranveer," My molars grind with heartbeats going crazy upon her breathy whisper of my name. Her right hand going around my shoulder and she shifted closer to me as if there was an invisible magnet.

I was suddenly so tempted to give her a hickey right at the hallow of her neck, where her pulse beat. The urge to see that purplish red mark on her pale skin because of me was hard to ignore. I have wanted to leave a mark on her every time we were close but I don't know what was holding me back. Probably the thought that Aradhya wouldn't approve of it. But having known her a lot more better now and knowing that she craved our closeness just as much I did, I had no reason to back off today.

"I'm going to give you a hickey, baby. Do you want me stop?" With one hand around her waist and other around her upper back, I pulled her closer, asking that because does anything comes above her consent? No.

"N—nahi!" Her response was a shutter as she held the lapels of my shirt tightly. Her chest heaving up and down touching mine and cheeks all flushed. Gulping a lump as I saw her surrendering herself to me, my face dipped to the left side of her neck, pulling her dupatta aside. Closing my eyes, I took a sniff of her scent like the creep that I was when it came to her.

My nose traced the length of her throat and she only pulled close with her hands in my hair. I peppered feather like kisses all over her warm skin and breathed in her neck. Parting my lips, I took some of her smooth flesh and sucked on it for a bit before leaving it with a sound only to take the now moist skin between my teeth and biting on it. Hard.

Aradhya wriggled in my hold but I seized her movements, my fingers digging into her waist.

"Aaah, Ranveer!" She whimpered, tugging hard at the ends of my hair. Blood rushing south in my body at her torturous moan, her name from my mouth never sounding so sinful. I took the bruised skin back in my lips and kept sucking on it for a long time, trying to tame the sting but the way my woman sighed in my hold, it only meant my actions where doing the exact opposite.

Dropping last few soft kisses on her neck, I moved away and cupped her face so that we looked at each other, "Does it hurt too bad?" My eyes moving between her and the bruise which had now turned dark red.

"Will you go back to doing what you were if I said yes?" She asked in a hoarse voice and my eyes clashed with her, a smirk making it's appearance on my lips. This woman can be meek as hell on so many things but the way she never backs off from saying what was on her mind when we shared such intimacy, it'll be my death.

"No. I think we've had enough for the day." She jutted her lower lip out with the saddest look hearing me and I swear on my life I wanted cage her in my arms so she never left my sight.

"Then no, it doesn't hurt at all!" I threw my head back, laughing at her antics and she tried stifling a shy smile before crashing in my arms and holding me tight. My hands keeping her close.

His laughter always hits straight to my heart. My body reverberating by the sound of his deep chuckles. His eyes crinkling in pure contentedness and his lips beaming. Absolute male wonder at it's best.

"This smells like you!" He took hold of my dupatta—he seemed borderline obsessed with that piece of cloth—and sniffed it. His actions bringing colour to my cheeks and lips started spreading in a shy smile.

"Veeeeeer!" We heard Sahil's loud voice right at that moment and he knocked on the cabin door once, pushing the knob to enter without even waiting for permission. Before he could see us in this position, I sprang up from Ranveer's lap, trying to tame up my appearance and look as calm as possible.

"I—did I interrupt a make out session?" All of that work for nothing. Sahil wriggled his eyes from between me to his best friend who was still seated on the couch with one leg thrown over the other as if we just almost didn't get caught. His nonchalant attitude staggers me at times like these.

"Did you had anything important to say or you're just here to remind us of your painful existence?" My fiancé who looked the happiest just a minute back was now back to being his disgruntled self and I gave him a look for his mean choice of words which he blatantly ignored.

"I've come to inform that you've been summoned by your father in the board room along with Aru!" Sahil let us know with a smile as if he never heard Ranveer say those words to him. He then turned to leave without hearing our reply but only to look back at us again. At me specifically.

"Is that a hickey?" Earth ji? Please, just open up a little bit and let me make a home under you? Mera ho gaya iss duniya se.

My cheeks might be surely giving tough competition to beet roots with the way I felt myself blushing, looking down. Ranveer stood up at once and coming in front of me, covered the bruised part with my dupatta properly.

"Not. A. Word. About. This. Outside." Ranveer punctuated each words in a low and clear voice to his best friend who only smirked like devil's incarnation.

"Act fool. Act fool. Act fool. Act fool!" Singing and whistling that, he went out and closed the door behind him. Ranveer pulled me to him with my elbow and tucked my hair away.

"I'm sorr—"

"I don't want you apologise so please don't ruin it by saying that?" I cut him off and he sighed, closing his mouth and pulling me in his arms. Everything about this man was just so extraordinary, even his hugs felt out of the world with the way I get completely hidden in his arms while he holds me tight against him. The dangling of my legs are always mandatory when we hug. Breaking apart after a good minute or two, he kissed my head and together we moved back to the board room, hand in hand.

"I'm sorry, dad. I shouldn't have walked away like that!" Ranveer looked down, apologising to his father and I tightened my hold on his hand.

"I'm only accepting your apology because I don't want to kick you out of here in front of that girl standing beside you!" Everyone chuckled at Raj uncle's response and I internally pouted, looking down with a red face. Ranveer only shook his head and pulled a chair for me to sit, taking his own place beside me.

Sahil was continuously looking at us with that haunting smirk which was making me conscious in my seat but noticing that there were elders around, he straightened up, sobering his expression. And I was really thankful for that. He could tease me all he wants but his care couldn't be hidden.

"Okay! We really have to find a way with this news out in the open. They've gotten to know about Aradhya and they wouldn't let the matter slide. Before they make her life anymore difficult by chasing her at any given point, we'll have to come up with a solution to keep their mouth shut!" My eyebrows furrowed together listening to Raj uncle say that to no one in particular.

This was about me? I thought we were here to discuss on the scene that had happened in the club where Ranveer beat the shit out of that person?

"I told you my father isn't worried about me. He cares for your safety and comfort a lot more." Ranveer whispered from beside me and I looked at him, trying to process the information.

Instead of curbing his son's deed that could literally put him in bad light, Raj uncle was worried of the media getting to me and making my life difficult? The realisation made me gulp a lump as I gave a glance at my father in law.

"We could give an official statement of them being engaged? That'll stop them from spreading pitiful rumours and they'll not try chasing her everywhere she goes. It would also cut down the fire that Veer's action has spread." Reyansh bhai threw in that suggestion and everyone silently mulled over it in their heads. I honestly liked that idea. Almost felt like a win win for me. It's way good than reading stupid speculations made on us by them every day and see them try bringing Ranveer's image down even more.

"Beta, are you fine with that? Do you think it's a smart move to announce your and Veer's engagement?" Raj uncle directed that question to me, wanting my opinion and he just won my heart even more. I can't be enough grateful of this family that I get to call mine.

"Yes, I don't mind—" Before I could even complete what I wanted, I was cut off very rudely by none other than Mr Ranveer Malik.

"Don't do it to placate the matter when you aren't comfortable with the idea of making our relationship public just yet!" He has turned his body to me. His eyes stern and jaws clenched which forced me to take a deep breath.

"What's with that tone? Have you forgotten how to talk with a woman? With your fiancé for that matter?" Reyansh bhai spoke up in an edged tone before I could. Our fathers and everyone else, silent spectators.

"I wasn't trying to be rude with her, I was—" Ranveer started off to clarify himself but this time, I interrupted him.

"I thought you knew me enough by now to know that I wouldn't simply agree on doing something if I'm not comfortable with the idea myself!" That shut him up and he rubbed his face, heaving a long breath. This guy was just so easy to aggravate, we definitely should be working on that.

"Raj uncle, I think Reyansh bhai has a point. The media wouldn't leave our back until they get what they want so might as well save both of us the trouble and announce it. One day or the other we have to do it anyways so why not when the situation demands?" I voiced out my thoughts and he nodded, thinking it over. Others seeming to agree with me as well.

I felt Ranveer's hot stare burning a hole at the right side of my face but I didn't dare turn to him.

"Since you don't have any problem, we should go ahead with this then!" Raj uncle said and everyone nodded as well.

"Does my opinion matters because the last time I checked, she was getting married to me!" Ranveer pointed in my direction and I looked the other side , trying to hide my blush.

"Pathetic that you have to ask because it really doesn't!" Everyone laughed at Sahil's answer and my fiancé only scratched the corner of his eyebrow with his middle finger in response. Aarav bhai and Tarun, Rachit trying to stifle their snickers.

"Aru, I'll suggest if you can avoid doing outings publicly, at least for a few weeks till the matter settles down. The media would want to get access to you so it's for the best. I know I'm asking for a lot at this point but—" Reyansh bhai tried making me understand and I only nodded in agreement.

"It's okay, Reyansh bhai, you don't have to explain yourself. It's for my own good so I'll keep it mind, don't worry!" I passed him a smile and he returned one of his own.

"I'll get going now, I should head back to office!" I let everyone know and giving them all a hug except for Ranveer who looked like a child deprived of his favourite chocolate, I picked up my tote bag and made my way out of the board room. From the glass mirror, I looked back inside only to find him sitting grumpily in his seat, looking down. God, he looks too cute right now to be ignored this way. I don't have the heart to leave without bidding him proper bye.

Subconscious: Aaj kuch toofaani karte hai?

Kar hi lete hai. Why should boys have all the fun? He takes so much efforts to make me feel special all the time so this is the least that I can do. With a different giddiness surging through me, I entered back inside the cabin and everyone stopped whatever they were doing. Their eyes settled on me and I felt one person's stare the most.

"Did you forget something?" My father asked seeing me standing at the door like a fool.

Subconscious: Abort. Mission abort.

"Yes, what happened?" My father in law asked this time.

Too late. We can't abort now.

"If you forgot something than collect it and leave. We are discussing some huge ass things here!" Sahil exclaimed with a bored look but instead of getting offended by his words, I only gave him a cheeky smile and looking nowhere else but my fiancé, I ran up close to him, bending down to his face and kissed him on his left cheek. His warm skin touching my lips and my face flamed. His lips parting in surprise, clearly not expecting me to do that with our family around. His eyes going down in shyness that enticed a low giggle from me.

Bhagwan ji, thank you so much for blessing me with your finest creation. I'll never not be grateful.

"Mera kaam ho gaya. Bye!" Not giving anyone time to say anything, I dashed away from there and came out, closing the door behind me. My chest going up and down with adrenaline still rushing through me. My phone buzzed in my hand and I almost jumped in my place.

Ranveer: Thanks for that. I had a mini heart attack but I'll have hundred more if you are the reward. Go safe❤️

I chewed my bottom lip harshly reading his message. I chose not to reply for my own good and left Malik corporations, coming in the parking lot and sitting inside the car behind the wheel. Turning the ignition on, I threw my dupatta on the passenger seat when I remembered of the hickey and as if on instinct, my fingers reached up to my neck, touching the now dark purplish mark.

Moments from Ranveer's cabin flashed in front of my eyes and I gulped with goosebumps on my skin. My cheeks heating up all over again and I sighed in my seat, my head on the headrest. Even without being present here, he was capable of evoking such emotions from me and that only made me close my eyes, my face hidden in my palms. The man has ruined me and how.

I should cover this before reaching office or else Kaira just wouldn't let me live in peace. Fetching a concealer from my bag, I dabbed it on the mark, hiding it as efficiently as possible. Once satisfied, I straightened my shoulders and finally started the car, reaching office.

~~~

"Aru, bache, niche aa jao. Lunch is ready!" Chachi called me from downstairs and I closed my laptop, putting a break on work.

"Coming!" I let her know before closing my eyes. My pupils hurt because I've continuously been in front of the screen for straight four hours now. I was working from home today so that was the reason of me being in my bedroom. Picking up my phone, I opened it only to shake my head seeing my message which has been delivered to Ranveer exactly an hour back but I was still waiting for a reply.

"Kya hai khane mein?" I back hugged my chachi coming down while she was making a plate for me.

"Nothing fancy. How does daal rice with aloo fry sounda?" She asked, now turning towards me and cupping my face.

"Heaven. I'm dying to eat it!" I like my fancy dishes but daal chawal was ultimate love and you can't deny that fact. The comfort and homely feeling this simple dish provides, nothing beats that. Both of us sat down together and had our lunch talking here and there. I didn't know I needed this quality time with my chachi. It had been so long since we just sat down together and shared daily instances and gossiped like crazy.

"When are you planning to start with the wedding shopping? We only have limited amount of time left in our hands!" I made a whining noise at her words. Just thinking about shaadi shopping was going to make me cry.

"We have a lot of days, chachi, don't worry! I was thinking to do my main lehenga shopping with Ranveer but he's really busy these days. Maybe once he gets his schedule free, we'll start on it!" She nodded at my words, not questioning me further.

It's been exactly two weeks since I last saw Ranveer. Yup, that's correct. The last time I met him was in his office regarding that media fiasco. His work has been really keeping him on his toes and I don't blame him. I can't even imagine running a company so big all alone but I miss him. A lot. I miss spending time with him. He still never forgets to send me those pretty bouquet of blue tulips along with a kitkat everyday at my office but it doesn't feel enough. I hate myself for not being understanding but I can't go on like this anymore.

It has been more than a month since we have met and this is the longest we've gone without seeing each other. I don't know how he's handling it but I definitely feel like crying. It's funny how a month back I didn't even know about his existence but now he's suddenly become the center of my existence.

We used to talk every night on call about our day and that has been put on hold more or less. He reaches home really late so I always insist him to take proper rest. His health will always take preceding before every other thing. But now it's as if my heart craves to hold him once. To just hug him tight—till I start smelling like him—and breath the same air as him.

"Aru, your phone's ringing. Pick it up?" Chachi's words brought me out of my head and I looked at my phone, desperately wishing for it to be Ranveer's but my hope died down brutally seeing one of the vendors call. Excusing myself, I attended it and come up in my room. After getting done with that, I checked if there was any reply from Ranveer and seeing none, I felt like shouting on top of my lungs in irritation.

This feeling of wanting to be understanding but still dying to have him all for myself gathered frustrated tears in my eyes but I blew out deep breaths, trying to control my emotions.

"It's okay. It's fine. It's just a matter of few days! Once he gets free, he'll come running to me." I tried pacifying myself, rubbing a hand on my chest. My phone pinged with a message and a big smile instantly bloomed on my face upon seeing his name.

Ranveer: Hey! I'm sorry for not replying earlier. Was busy in a meeting. Just got done!

Me: That's fine❤️ How did it go?

Ranveer: It was good. Difficult client to deal with but good nonetheless.

Me: Okayyyy! That's great to know. Umm—I wanted to ask you something🥺😬

I kept my fingers crossed while sending that. My heart beating loudly in anxiousness.

Ranveer: Hanji, bolo?

Me: It's been ages we've gone out together and there's this carnival thing happening in Juhu tomorrow. Can we go there? It'll be really fun and we'll finally get to spend time with each other. I miss you, Ranveer

My eyes teared up all over again confessing that but I blinked them away. Instead of getting a reply, he called me and I picked up in the first ring itself. My throat clogging up and heart rate going berserk.

"Adu!" He sighed as soon as I answered. His tone low and resigned. I closed my eyes to tame down the disappointment that I felt weighing on me.

"That sounds a lot like no!" Keeping my voice in check, I replied.

"Cupcake, trust me I miss you more than I can ever express in words. I've drowned myself in work but there hasn't been a single second where I don't think of leaving everything and coming to you just so that I get to see your face and hug you close to my heart but I have responsibilities and I can't ignore them, na?" He tried making me understand and the helplessness in his voice was like a dagger to my heart.

I'd rather be his strength than his weakness at any given point.

"Hush, I understand, Ranveer. It's okay!" I replied in a soft voice and he took a breath of relief from the other side. I wish I could take him in my arms to save us both the torment.

"I promise, once things settle down here, the first thing I'll do is surrender myself to you!" A chuckle left past my lips at his flirty words and desperate tone and I bit my lower lip, shaking my head.

"Okay, Mr flirt. I'll hold you to that!" We talked for a minute more, mostly me reminding him to take his meals on time and then bid bye, ending the call. I fell face first on my bed and groaned in the pillow at this vulnerable feeling that I felt.

~~~

"Hi, Aru! How are you, beta?" A smile instantly made it's way on my lips hearing choti ma's voice as soon as she picked up my call. It was the next day and I was planning to do something special for Ranveer. I was only hoping to succeed

"I'm very good, choti ma! How are you? How's everyone at home?" I asked while removing a dress for the day to wear.

"All of us are doing great! Aaj Ranveer ke jagah uski maa ko phone kiya? Koi special reason?" Her teasing tone from the other side brought the colours back on my cheeks.

"Haww! As if this is the first time I'm calling you and are you only his mother? Mere kuch nahi ho aap?" I threw back my words with a pout that she couldn't see. Her laugh from the other side was the first thing I heard.

"Acha, meri drama queen, my bad! Tell me what happened because I know there's something you need!" My jaw touched the ground in shock because how did she know? Mother's instinct are faster than light I tell you.

"Woh—actually—mujhe na—" I fumbled with my words because how can you not while asking your mother in law about your fiancé's favourite dish? Urghhh, this was difficult than I thought.

"Arre jaldi bol, subah Panvel nikalna hai!" I heard Sahil's voice from the other end and I gasped.

"You? Tum waha kya kar rahe ho?" Did this guy had nothing better to do than to laze around?

"Kyu? Tumhare sasural pe sirf tumhara copyright hai? I came here to have aunty ke hath ka khana. Tumhari kyu jal rahi hai?" My cheeks flared up at his remark and I all but groaned.

"I can't deal with you right now. Choti ma ko phone do!" I ordered.

"Seedhe seedhe bolo na ki comeback nahi hai. Huh!" I rolled my eyes at that one but kept quite.

"Aru, ignore him. All of us have been doing that for years now. Aap bolo apko kya bolna tha?" Choti ma's voice came from the phone followed my Sahil's crying and I giggled.

"Woh—I was thinking to make something for Ranveer. He's been too busy with office work and we haven't met in a long time so I wanted to surprise him. Can you tell me his favourite dishes? Maybe I can try making it with chachi's help and take it to Malik corporations myself?" Gathering all of my courage, I blurted that in one breath, taking a huge sigh after finishing.

"Oh, but I already made lunch for him and Sahil was about to go give him that!" Her reply made me blank for a second. I didn't know what to say to that.

"I guess I'll do this some other time then—" my voice was instantly low just like my mood but choti ma cut me in the middle before I could complete,

"No, we can do one thing. He loves apple pie a lot. He has a sweet tooth so you can make that? Sahil will drop off the lunch box to your house so you can take both of it to Ranveer, how does that sound?" As choti ma explained that to me, I was jumping here in glee.

"Okay, yes! We can definitely do that. Thank you so much for the help, choti ma, you're a saviour. I love you!" She laughed at my excited reply and said the same back to me. Quickly bidding her bye, I hurried downstairs and started fetching my chachi dearest because let's be honest, I would never be able to pull this off in this life without her help.

So I all but dragged her out of her room and explained her what I wanted to do. She agreed but only after teasing the life out of me and I was used to it by now. Hurriedly collecting everything we needed, I gathered it on the kitchen counter and opened a recipe of apple pie on YouTube so that there's no room for mistake.

After a lot of screaming, bickering, creating chaos in the kitchen and also burning my hand, the dessert was ready after close to forty minutes and honestly I was so proud of myself for making that. For someone who doesn't know even the basics of cooking, this was an achievement for me and I was so excited for Ranveer to taste this. Now I only prayed with fingers crossed that he likes it too.

I took a quick photo of the masterpiece that I created and posted a story on Instagram. Requesting chachi to pack this for me, I ran upstairs to change and got ready in a really pretty sundress. Giving one last glance to myself in the mirror, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my anxious nerves.

God! I was finally going to see him after two whole weeks and the butterflies in my stomach made me feel as if I was going to meet him for the first time. Taking my sling bag, I left my room and came in the living room to see Sahil sitting there, talking with my chachi.

"Here's the apple pie!" Chachi passed me the bag and I took it from her hands.

"And here's the lunch!" Sahil gave me a bag with his patent teasing smile and I took that as well, trying to hide my blush. He urged to drop me to Ranveer's office saying he was headed that way and I only agreed with a nod. Together, we left my house and in the next twenty minutes we reached our destination.

"Thank you so much, Sahil. For all the hassle that you took. It proves that you can be good when you want to!" Coming out of the car, I exclaimed smiling up at him cheekily. He only rolled his eyes with a smile and coming out, gave me a side hug, kissing my temple.

"Don't make it a habit!" Was his reply and I mouthed an 'of course' under my breath.

"Drop me a message when you reach back home safe, yeah?" I blinked my eyes in assurance to his question and he finally left. I took a deep breath, glancing at the tall building and entered inside. The receptionist on the front desk only passing me a smile upon seeing me and I returned the gesture, taking the private elevator to Ranveer's floor. My brows furrowed together upon reaching his floor since it was all empty. Even Rachit wasn't present behind his desk. Shrugging, I made my way to Ranveer's cabin and instead of knocking, I entered inside with all of my teeth on display.

"Hiiii!" Both my fiancé and Rachit who was inside his cabin, turned their heads up my way and were shocked seeing me there to say the least.

"What are you doing here?" Ranveer's distant voice wiped my smile off but I didn't let it deter my spirit.

"Surpriseeee! I was dying to meet you!" It was probably the fact that I was away from him for so many days that I didn't care saying that even when we had company. Ranveer gave a look to Rachit who only nodded his head once and left us alone, closing the door behind him.

I kept shifting my weight from one leg to another when Ranveer didn't make a move to get up from his chair and come to me. Both of his elbows on the desk and hands closed in front of his mouth. His eyes which are always warm, now pinning me under the weight of his stare.

"Who asked you to be here?" He repeated his earlier words, now standing up from his place and coming ahead. His back taking the support of the desk. I couldn't help but feel my heart shatter at his cold words.

I was expecting a kiss or he could give me a hug at the very least but what was this strange behaviour for?

"Why are you talking like that? You aren't happy seeing me?" I raised one eyebrow with a question of my own and he sighed, looking heavenwards before looking back at my face. His eyes tired and just so empty.

"Are you mad that I didn't inform you before coming?" My voice was stern purely because I didn't want him to see how much his indifference was bothering me.

"I'm not mad but informing beforehand would've been great because some of us really work their ass off here!" He tried keeping his voice low but ended up raising it anyways by the time he was done and I took a step back not expecting that.

His words weren't mean per say but it still hurt me more than it should. A huge lump forming right in the middle of my throat and my eyes burned, tears ready to fall. I've seen worst than this so why was this affecting me so bad?

Subconscious: Because the lightest of blows from the person you didn't think would ever hurt you, hits the most.

As if something snapped inside of him, he looked remorseful the very next moment but the damage was done quite well already.

"Adu, I didn't—" I raised my hand up and he closed his mouth back, not completing his stupid apology.

"Not right now, Ranveer. Don't!" He only shook his head and took a step in my direction only for me to move back. My action halting him in his steps, as if that hit him in the gut.

I never even imagined today taking a turn like this.

"Please, just listen—" He tried again, gulping down but I shook my head.

"No, I think it's time that you listen to me!" He bowed his head down as if a kid getting scolded and I wanted nothing but hug him tight. I clenched my fist, stopping myself from doing that.

"If you would've just told me to get lost from here, I would've done exactly that but you don't get to make a low jab at me like this because news flash, everyone in this world is working their ass off one way or the other!" I wiped a tear from the corner of my eyes before it drops and he kept looking down, taking everything I threw at his face.

"Fortunately for us and unfortunately for you, we know where to draw the line between personal and professional life. But I guess this is my reward for being patient and understanding all this while!" He snapped his head up listening that and begged me with his eye to let him say something to clarify himself.

But I was done for the time being. He could go to hell for all I care.

"Anyways, choti maa sent lunch for you and there's apple pie as well because it's your favourite. I made that myself and thought to surprise you. Hope you like it. Not that I care if you don't. Bye." Shoving the said things on his desk, I gave him a last glare and turned to go.

"Cupcake, please give me a chan—" He tried speaking up in an anguished tone, his large hand grasping my wrist but I held myself back.

"Come to me when you're done being a jerk!" Snatching my hand from his firm hold, I all but ran from his cabin, ignoring his constant calls. Rachit kept glancing at me when I came out but without a word, I took the elevator and left.

My mood ruined and heart a stupid mess.

•••

Okay, don't throw chappals at me y'all.

But did you guys liked the chapter? Who do you think was wrong in this?

Let's see how our green forest but currently a stupid Ranveer wins his cupcake back. Hehe!

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Till then bye and take care 🫶🏼