"Sachi mohabbat zindagi mein sirf ek baar hoti hai aur jab hoti hai, toh koi bhagwan ya khuda usse nakamyab nahi hone deta..."

~Veer Zara

❥

"Aur meine hamesha apne dil ki sunni hai!"
(And I've always listened to my heart)
Giving him a smile, I left him alone making my way inside with a prominent blush and a happy heart. He's everything I could've ever asked for and I am content knowing what my answer will be. He didn't promised me moons and stars or tried coaxing me into saying yes by his sweet words. He was his most real and unfiltered form in front of me and that's what helped me in taking this decision. His honesty attracted me towards him.

"Lo Aradhya bhi aa gayi!"
(Aradhya's here as well)
I was lost in my or should I say his thoughts when Meera bhabhi's voice fell on my ears. And again I was the centre of attraction with everyone eyeing me and gazing behind me as if looking for someone.

Ofcourse the someone you left in the garden!

"Ranveer kaha reh gaya, beta?"
(Where's Ranveer, beta)
Choti maa asked in a soft tone and before I could give her any answer, I heard the man in question himself. His rough yet gentle voice too clear to me giving away the fact that he's very close to me.

"I'm here, maa!"
Everyone kept looking at us both weirdly. What? Why giving these looks folks? Gulping, I shifted my weight from one leg to another, fidgeting in my place as we both were being pinned down with their stares. I and Ranveer looked at each other confusingly not knowing what the hell are we supposed to do? Arre kya ho gaya hai yaar?

"Now that Ranveer and Aru are here, we should all have our food. It's dinner time already!"
Aarav Bhai exclaimed breaking their nerv racking stare and I couldn't be more thankful to him. Everyone nodded making their way to the dining area when I discreetly went to my brother and asked in a hushed tone.

"What was that?"
My brother oh so innocently frowned asking

"What was what?"

"Do not fool me, Bhai. You know what I'm talking about. Sab hum dono ko aise kyu dekh rahe the?"
(Why was everyone looking at the both of us weirdly)
He sighed making me sit beside him as everyone took their place at the dining table and replied

"Ranveer's sister might or might not have revealed when she came back after calling you guys that the chances of you both saying yes is very high. Like very high."
What? That was the reason everyone was giving us those weird looks? I could see it on their faces ki mann mein sabne hamari shaadi bhi kar di hogi already. This is so damn embarrassing.

"But it's not her fault you know. I mean she just likes you so much and wants you to become the part of their family that she couldn't control her excitement. Her intentions are pure, baby!"

"You don't have to defend her so much, Bhai. It's not like I'm gonna say anything to Myru. She's too good for her own self and I love her already so that's okay!"
Bhai raised an eyebrow as if trying to mock me and said

"Ek din mile hua nahi usse aur itna pyaar. Yahi harkat meine ki hoti toh apne jutti se mera sar phod dena tha tune!"
(It's not even been a day and you have so much love for her already. If I would've done the same thing then you wouldn't have hesitated before beating the hell out of me)
Controlling my laughter at his cute cribbing, I replied

"Firstly because she's a sweetheart unlike you who's nothing but an irritating monster and secondly stop getting jealous, brother boo!"

"Aru, I'll chop your hair off if you call me with that stupid name and koi jealous welles nahi ho raha hu mein.
(And I'm not jealous at all)
I smirked trying to hide the cheeky smile which so wanted to grace my lips at his cuteness. Yes he's a monster but he's cute too. Only for me.

"Whatever makes you sleep at night, brother boo!"
He glared hard at me but I just showed him my thirty two sets of teeth which was enough to turn his glare into a soft one and his lips to form a small smile.

"Aradhya, you can't have your food properly if you keep talking. So eat first and then talk as much as you want. I'm sure Aarav isn't going anywhere!"
Ranveer ordered in his stern yet gentle tone who I noticed was seated right in front of me but at his words my gaze immediately shifted to dad. Why you may think?

Because bickering with my brother on the dining table isn't new for me. I do that every time and often neglect the food in front of me and always it was dad who used to stop my blabbering, ordering to eat properly first but this time it wasn't dad. It was him. It was a bittersweet moment for me honestly because the realisation dawned upon me of not always having my father by my side to take care of me and happy because it was Ranveer whom I was trusting in this whole journey.

It was scary that I trusted a person so easily, with whom I've spent hardly few hours but my heart is happy with the decision so it can't be bad, right?

"Mmmhh, Shalini aunty, this kofte are so freaking delicious. It's amazing. Infact everything is so damn tasty. I cannot stop eating right now!"
Myra's exited voice filled with food brought me back to the present and everyone laughed at her antics. Chachi smiled at her adorably saying

"You don't even have to stop eating, bache. Mann bhar ke khao and I'll pack some leftovers just for you especially. Jab mann kare tab kha lena!"
(Eat when you feel like)
Myra just nodded her head in excitement still trying to eat every dish when I saw Meera bhabhi picking up the bowl of fruit custard and my heart stopped for a second.

"Bhabhi, don't eat that!"
I anything but shouted and her hands stopped in the middle. Everyone was shocked at my sudden outburst and were looking at me with thousands of questions in their eyes.

"Kya ho gaya, Aru? Any problem?"
(What happened)
Reyansh Bhai asked me in his warm tone. I just shook my head playing with my fingers under the table and replied nervously

"Actually, that fruit custard has papaya in there and it's---not good for bhabhi to have during---this time!"
Strings of relieved sighs escaped everyone's lips as they all smiled. However I was concious under a heated gaze as the intensity was so strong that I knew whom it belonged to. Raising my lashes I looked infront of me making my brown orbs to clash with Ranveer's black but I wasn't able to hold his gaze for more than five seconds. There was such a strong emotion swirling in those plain yet beautiful eyes of his that I felt my whole body getting shivers. The good ones.

"I'm really sorry, Meera beta, I should've taken care of it. It just slipped my mind. Please forgive me!"
Chachi apologized even though she was nowhere at fault and that's what choti maa told her as well

"Don't be silly, Shalini. It's not at all your fault. Relax, please!"

"Yes, aunty, you don't have to feel bad for anything. It might've slipped your mind with so many things to look after so please don't be sorry!"
Bhabhi calmed her down and she just nodded with a grateful smile while we all had our food happily.

❥

"So what have you kids thought, beta? What is the decision ?"
Choti maa asked and her tone was filled with hopes of hearing a positive response.

"Tell us honestly whatever you guys feel. If you want to meet again or get to know each other---"

"It's a yes!"

"We're ready!"

To everyone's surprise, I and Ranveer responded together which made me a blushing mess and he avoided looking at anyone.

"Telepathy toh dekho!"
(Look at the telepathy they have)
Everyone laughed at Myru's comment further adding to the redness of my cheeks whereas he tried glaring at her making her pout. This little ball of cuteness. Choti maa stood up from her place and coming to me, cupped my face placing a kiss on my cheek.

"I'm so so happy today. Welcome to the family, baby!"
I smiled shyly avoiding eye contact with the man sitting in front of me and gazing at me. All were happy with our decision and hugged each other with strings of congratulations going around. I looked at my dad who had the biggest smile on his face as he talked with Raj uncle about something so happily.

My chachi getting a bit emotional and chachu was trying to cheer her up while sporting a big smile himself. Next I searched for Bhai who stood alone, little away from everyone, looking at me with a smile but the tears lining his eyes couldn't be missed by me and that was enough to drop a tear from my eyes too but the very next instant it was wiped away by someone.

"I know it's going to be way more difficult for you but I promise to be there for you and with you on every step we take in this journey!"
Ranveer whispered, his voice too soft as if he'll raise his voice and I'll break down even more. I looked like a kid in front of him as he was bent to be face to face with me. His thumb brushing away my tears gently with a frown on his beautiful face. I looked around us discreetly and luckily no one paid any attention to us.

I just held his big hand which was cupping my face. The warmth emitting from his hand felt like a warm blanket on a cold winter morning.

"I trust you!"
I whispered looking in his eyes and my words brought a discreet smile on his lips which flipped my heart as his eyes shined. This man is so damn precious.

And all yours!
For the first time I happily agreed to my subconscious.

After talking for some more time, the Maliks were all ready to bid adieu with the promise to meet soon. I hugged choti maa, followed by Raj uncle and Reyansh Bhai kissing my forehead lovingly when Meera bhabhi came and gathered me in her arms completely.

"Humari thik se baat bhi nahi ho payi par ab toh puri zindagi hai baat karne ke liye nahi, my official devrani ji?"
(We couldn't even talk properly but we have our whole life for that now, don't we)
She asked cheekily and all I could do was blush looking down which made her giggle, taking me in her arms again.

"I'm very happy with this alliance, Aradhya. You're the best thing which could've happened to him!"
She whispered in my ears raising my heartbeat and on cue my eyes went to him who was talking with my dad. As if feeling my gaze on him, he raised his eyes looking at me so I immediately averted my gaze, not wanting to get caught red handed. Just as bhabhi broke apart, Myra took me in a bear hug the next second making me chuckle at her excitement.

"I can't wait to meet you again. I love you already, bhabhi. So so much and sorry if I said or did something stupid!"
I broke the hug after hearing her words and said

"Dare you ever say sorry, Myru for being your true self. If you have grown to love me in just one meeting then you're no less than a little sister to me as well. And there shouldn't be such formalities between a relationship bounded by heart!"
She just smiled, her big dimpled smile and giving me one last hug, broke apart. Everyone were still talking among themselves when Meera bhabhi tugged my hand as she was standing beside me and gained my attention.

"Can you take me to the washroom, Aru?"
She had an expression of a kid on her face while saying so and I smiled nodding my head. Holding her hand, I took her to the bathroom crossing the hall, excusing ourselves from everyone and she went in to do her business. I was standing outside in the corridor lost in my own thoughts but a certain scent brought me back to the presence. This smells so much like him...No. He can't be here? In a flash I looked behind me and surely the giant man was standing there with a respectable distance between us yet I was able to know his presence.

'Everything aside, but you guessed it's him by just his scent? Now that's something!' Spoke miss subconscious.

NOT NOW, PLEASE!

"Guys, I'll be out in like five minutes so please make it quick!"
That was Meera bhabhi kind off shouting from inside the bathroom and Ranveer only rolled his eyes before holding my wrist gently and taking me a bit away from there. At this point I didn't even knew what was going on and this man's proximity wasn't helping at all.

So this was planned? Bhabhi and Ranveer did this all purposely? Only so that we could meet alone? Again?

"Yes."
I heard Ranveer speaking and I raised my eyebrows at him in question but the very next moment I really wanted the earth to open up and swallow me at what he said next.

"You were talking out loud so I answered your questions."
My cheeks flared up for the nth time today and this was enough to make him smile cheekily.

"I just wanted to talk to you before going home and somehow I figured that you would've felt shy if I did so in front of everyone so took some help from bhabhi!"

Melting. I'm melting. I can't handle this. I can't handle HIM. This man isn't real. He cannot be and if by any chance he is, then I really lucked out with him.

"I don't know when we'll meet again but I hope it's soon."
Ranveer whispered in his husky voice, closing the distance between us a little as I played with my fingers. My heart picking up it's pace rapidly at his words and cheeks getting redder every passing second.

"Take care of yourself, hmm?"
He asked softly caressing my chin with the back of his hand. A gesture so innocent yet so sensual that it jumbled up my thoughts badly but nevertheless I nodded looking at him through my lashes which curved his lips upwards as he sighed.

"Bye!"
He murmured over my forehead, pressing his lips there for a kiss making me hold his shirt in my fist. The feel of his warm lips on my skin and the goosebumps on my body felt too good to be true. They really said the truth that forehead kisses are always the most special ones. Though his lips barely touched me for a mere few seconds but the warmth that it gave me was something I haven't ever felt before.

"Mein jao?"
(Should I go)
He asked creating some distance between us and even though I wanted to say a no surprisingly, I just nodded my head in yes without looking at him and just as he turned to go, I held his hand halting his steps as he looked back at me.

"Go safely, okay?"
He nodded with a smile at my words and kissing my temple for one last time, he left while I sighed taking a deep breath at this sudden emptiness I felt. This is all so weird that a person I didn't even knew till yesterday has started to affect and mean so damn much to me but that's what fate is I guess.

Meera bhabhi finally came out of the bathroom with a cheeky smile on her face making me blush but without saying anything, she held my hand and moved to the hall. Bidding final bye to us, the Maliks settled themselves in the car with just Ranveer in a separate one. Before settling in his car, he blinked at me with a small smile and I returned the same with a blushing face making him smirk in return.

This cheeky Malik! 

~ ~ ~

"Aru, uth jaa chal!"
(Aru, get up)
I groaned pulling the duvet over my face hearing the most annoying voice first thing the next morning that belongs to my brother.

"Get lost, bhai."
I muttered from under the sheets in my groggy morning voice but when has this idiot son of my chachi ever listened to me? He made a 'tsk' sound and jumped right on me. Yeah! You read that right. This elephant sized man literally jumped on me yet was careful not to hurt me.

"You donkey, get off meeee! Arrghhh!" I anything but shouted a little more than needed kyu ki drama karna toh banta hai!

"Aye, don't scream you stupid girl! Mom would hear you and scold me for troubling her precious daughter!"
Bhai pulled the duvet off my face, glaring at me but that didn't scared me even a bit so I just pushed him away and got up from the bed in a cranky mood. Leave it up to my big brother to always ruin my mornings.

"Well I would give anything to see chachi woop your annoying ass!"
I was about enter my bathroom when his next words fell on my ears

"Ab toh kaafi kam time hai na mere paas to irritate and annoy you. Shaadi karke chali jayegi tab toh nahi kar paunga aise pareshaan. Bear with me till then?"
(I anyways don't have much days to spend with you. You'll get married and you'll leave me)

Tears blurred my eyes the very next moment and I straightaway dashed in his arms, hugging him like my life depended on him. Wiping away the tears which slipped my eyes, I broke apart punching his chest continuously whereas all he did was smile at me cupping my face.

"Say something like this again and I swear on everything bhai that I'll never talk to you again."
I warned pointing my index finger at him like a kid.

"Okay. Okay. Shaant sweetheart! Calm down!"
He requested wiping away my tears and pulled me back in his arms. I sighed in his warmth whispering

"Mera rishta unse jud zaroor raha hai par apse tut nahi raha, bhai! You'll forever be my go to person, my first best friend, my inspiration, my guide, my father figure anndd my unpaid driver for the rest of our lives. Even after my marriage!"
(My relationship is forming with him but that doesn't mean that it'll weaken our bond)
His expression was worth watching as he heard my last few words.

"Way to ruin one's mood, Aru!"
I chuckled pinching his cheeks making him frown as he swatted my hand away.

"Aur waise bhi aap toh aise emotional ho rahe ho jaise mein aaj hi aap sab ko chod ke jaa rahi hu.
Abhi bohot time hai shaadi hone mein!"
(You're getting so emotional as if I'm getting married today itself. There's still a lot of time for that)
I exclaimed nonchalantly.

"Bade papa(Aradhya's father) got a call from Raj uncle few moments back and he was talking about doing the roka tomorrow and engagement maybe in few days to make it official!"

My eyes widened in shock at the information my brother gave me whereas dread fill up my whole being. They want to do the roka already? I mean isn't it too fast? We've just met once and had a talk for hardly an hour. I mean yes I really like him and he's perfect and I want to get married to him but this is just too fast. Or maybe I'm over thinking it? I don't know but one thing I'm sure about is that I am scared. As hell.

•••
Published on: feb 17/22

Do vote and comment your thoughts ☺️

Till then bye and take care 💕