'Nit Khair manga sohneya mein teri,
Dua na koi hor manda!'

-Raid

Not edited

"ARADHYA SHARMA!"

I flinched at my name being shouted so loudly and it was non other than my best friend Kaira. My other best friend, Preet, seated beside her and giving me murderous glare and this only meant I'm in deep shit.

"Where the hell are you lost?"
I gulped, fidgeting in my seat at Kaira's question and just shaked my head in a dismissive manner which made her question me further

"From last five minutes Preet is asking if she should book the same vendors we had book for the last event but all you did was stare at your fucking laptop like your non existent boyfriend is gonna pop out of it anytime!"

"Kaira, language."
Preet reprimanded her like the mom of our group that she is and the only thing Kaira did was roll her eyes.

That's my best friends for you. We are all the same age but with very contrast personalities. You have Kaira Khanna, the impulsive, over enthusiastic, over dramatic, potty mouthed, tomboy who won't like people easily but once she does, she'll be ready to give her life to you. Single child of her parents so naturally pampered a lot. Then comes Preet Singh, the mother of our group. You want to take an advice, you go to her. She'd be your unpaid guide, help, motivator, therapist and many more things. The pillar that hold us all together and keeps us all going with her unconditional love. Is an orphan yet the way she has handled herself and become the woman that she is, is so damn inspiring and heartwarming. May god showers her with everything that she deserves.

And what can I say about myself, I'm the Acha bacha of the group. That's everything you all should know.

"Aru, is something troubling you? You've been lost since the moment you've entered the office today. You know you can share with us right?"
Preet asked taking hold of my hand and using the gentlest tone and I just smiled at her in awe at how easily she understands our misery without us voicing them out. Guess that's what friendship is all about.

"She can share matlab? She has to share with us. Aru, you've taken the spotlight from quite sometime now and that's all the patience I have. So spill whatever you have to say fatafat!"
Big mouthed. I told you'll already. Rolling our eyes at Kaira, I heaved a sigh preparing myself to blurt all that's taken place yesterday.

"Actually, there is something that I have to share with you guys!"

"No shit Sherlock!"
Kaira sassed giving me a bored look which just made me crib like a child
complaining to Preet

"Tell her to stop being sarcastic for a minute."

"Kaira, kabhi toh serious ho ja?"
(Can you be serious for once)
Preet said strictly, glaring at her which made her sigh as she kept her finger on her lips, indicating me to continue and I smiled cheekily.

"So I wanted to say that—"

"Don't tell me you're pregnant?"
Kaira interrupted me again, even before I could complete my sentence. Preet groaned angrily, holding her head while I shouted

"What?"

"Yeah I mean I know I tease you all the time saying how boring your love life is and how you could really use a guy friend to spice up your life but that doesn't mean you go have a one night stand with any random man and get pregnant with his baby?"

"Kaira, shut the hell up!"
I cried in frustration but when has she ever listened to anyone? She just went on and on like a broken tape.

"I mean I will still support you okay, I'm very progressive that way and I'm sure our jag mata (Preet) will do too but you should've thought about your family, Aru. I mean what would your dad feel if he gets to know that his daughter is expecting a daughter or son without even——"

"I AM GETTING MARRIED, YOU DONKEY!"
That was it. This shut up the big mouth of Kaira and there was a pin drop silence in the cabin. The faces of both the girls were so comical that in any other situation I would've laughed like hell but right now the tension was high. I waited for them to come out of the shock and the first one to shriek and hug the life out of me was Preet.

I hugged her back smiling to the fullest. She broke apart saying

"That's such a good news, Aru! Omg I can't believe this. I mean when did all this happen?"

And so I told them everything which took place yesterday. From dad convincing me to give this a shot to the families reuniting, getting to know the Malik's, getting to know him, saying yes to the alliance and going to get rokafied tomorrow itself.

"Tomorrow's your roka and you are telling this to us now?"
Preet sulked crossing her hands on her chest making me go all awe on her.

"Even I got to know about it in the morning itself! They want to do the roka to make the relationship official and the engagement in few days!"
I explained heaving a sigh getting those jittery feelings again.

"Tu khush hai?"
(Are you happy)
That was the first thing Kaira asked which made me smile to the fullest pulling her in a hug. This is what I was talking about. She'll tease us, irritate us and annoy us to no extent but that's only because she loves us to no extent.

"I'm really happy. And nervous?"
I said or more like questioned making her laugh at me.

"Do you like Ranveer?"
It was Preet this time and within a heartbeat, I replied

"I do. He's everything I've asked for!"
They both hooted at this making me groan at my stupidity as blush covered my cheeks turning my face warm.

"Finally! Our girl won't die virgin!"
Kaira jabbed giving me a dirty smirk. Preet found it too funny with the way she was rolling on the floor with laughter and all I could think of was how to kill this annoying shit standing in front of me who was also my best friend.

"I regret the time I became friends with you!"
I pointed my forefinger in front of her face.

"Oh, of course you do! Now that you're going to be wife of Ranveer Malik. The hot shot billionaire!"

"Urrghh! I don't wanna talk to you!"
I stomped my foot on the ground turning to go away but Kaira held my hand, engulfing me in a hug.

"I am happy that you are happy!"
She whispered gently which now turned my frown into a smile as I hugged her back. Preet too joined us making it a group hug as we laughed and giggled like teenagers. Ahh, what would I do without these buffoons!

~ ~ ~
Bidding bye to Kaira and Preet, I sat in my car and the driver started towards home. It was a hectic day at work and I could now feel the exhaustion seeping in me. I closed my eyes, resting my head on the window when I heard my phone ringing. Groaning I picked it up without bothering to look who has called.

"Hello?"

"Hello? Bhabhi, it's Myra here!"
And all my tardiness went out of the window just like that after hearing the voice. With shock and confusion, I glanced at the number on the screen before speaking sceptically

"Myru? How did you get my number?"

"Don't ask bhabhi! It was a real task but I always get what I want and nobody could stop me from contacting my bhabs. Anyways, are you free right now? Please say yes? Pretty pleaseeee?
I chuckled thinking how I actually missed her cuteness overloaded with goofiness.

"Yes, I'm very much free, Myru!"
I replied even though I wanted nothing more than just to fill my tummy with Chachi's delicious food and sleep in my cozy bed like a hog but I had no heart to turn Myra down. I can go for few more hours just perfectly.

"Amazing! Can you come to Prithvi cafe then? My friend ditched me so I thought why not have dinner date with you since this place is close to your home?"
She asked in a requesting manner as if I'll say no.

"Of course, I'll be more than happy to join you. See you in ten?"

"Omg! Perfect. I'm waiting here!"
Myra squealed while I smiled to the fullest feeling her excitement through the phone. Ending the call, I asked the driver to take me to the cafe and in the meanwhile called my chachi dearest to inform her about the change in plan. In exactly fifteen minutes, I reached the cafe.

"You're hereee!"
Even before I could come out of the car, a loud shriek caught my attention which was none other than Myra herself. Laughing, I took hold of my handbag and coming out the car completely, hugged her to which she reciprocated by wrapping me tightly in her arms.

"How are you?"
I asked once we broke apart, cupping her face as she smiled widely at me.

"I'm perfectly fine now that I get to spend time with you!"
She giggled like a small child and taking hold of my hand, started dragging me inside the cafe.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you one thing."
She stopped suddenly looking at back at me with a very weird smile and different mischief in her eyes.

"What?"
I asked dreading for no apparent reason yet my heart started beating loudly.

"Ummm, I might've forgot to tell you that Veer bhai is going to give us company too!"
She legit ran away from me, sitting down on the corner table and smiling cheekily from there at me. For a few seconds, I just stood rooted at my place processing whatever she said and once it did dawned upon me that I'm going to see him again, a shiver ran down my spine. A part of my heart telling me how desperate I was to actually meet him and how my desperation really paid off.

Taking a deep breath, I made my way to Myra taking a seat for myself in front of her.

"So you planned all this purposely?"
I asked fake glaring at her to which she smirked at me proudly before saying

"Of course I planned all this. I mean as much as I know you till now, I knew you wouldn't have taken the first step and let's not even talk about my brother."

"What did he do?"
I asked trying to sound as disinterested as I can though even his mention was doing some weird things to me.

"That's the whole point. He did not do anything!"
She cribbed, glaring at nothing in particular while I was confused as hell. Looking at my confused state, she sighed jutting her lips in a pout and further elaborated

"I gave him your number from my own hands but you know what he did? He did not even glanced at it."

Okay!
That's not at all disappointing.

"He said when Aradhya feels right, she'll herself give me her number and at that time I wouldn't have to take it from someone else!"
She completed with a shrug.

Ek hi dil hai mera! Kitni baar jitenge ye?
(How many times is he going to win my heart)

"I mean brownie points for being a thorough gentleman but itna sidha reh kar kiska faida hua hai? He doesn't know that you're going to be here though. I just told him that it'll be one of our sibling's date!"
Myra stated rolling her eyes making me smile and exactly at that moment, her phone rang.

"Veer bhai, did you reach?"

My ears perked up at the name with heart beating wildly. Something is definitely wrong with me.

"What? But that's not fair! You said you'll make it here anyhow?"
She whined on the phone and I could already figure out what would've happened but I held onto the tiny bit of hope. Trying to pacify my stupid self.

"Okay, fineeee! You owe me one."
She groaned before giving me a sorry look as she ended the call.

"He isn't going to come."
It was me who said this which only made her pout more.

"He said there's some important work which really needs his attention!"
I just blinked my eyes in assurance but only I knew how disheartened I was feeling from within. Taking out ten minutes for us from his oh so busy schedule wouldn't have harmed him, right?

Damn you, Mr Malik for ruining me this way.

"But I'm sure if he would've known that you're with me too then he would've come running here on one leg. My bhai is smitten by you for real!"
And just like that, Myra's words brought back the blush on my cheeks in full force. I ducked my head down in order to hide my red face but she was quick to notice it and tease me with his name for the rest of the time.

Though I felt a void of not having Ranveer with us but I and Myra spent a gala time together. With her goofiness and cute stories about their childhood, there wasn't a single dull moment or awkwardness at all. It almost felt like we were two long lost best friends reuniting again. After filling our hearts with beautiful memories and tummy with delicious food, we left the cafe.

"Myru, can I have your bhai's number?"
I asked softly almost hesitantly as we waited for our drivers to bring our respective cars.

"Sure, bhabs I will send you Reyansh bhai's number right away!"
Myra answered trying very hard to maintain a straight face as she pulled my leg which made me groan like a kid, pouting my lips.

"Don't tease me, please! You know who I'm talking about!"
She giggled pulling my cheeks which made me huff.

"Okay okay, I will send you your to be husband's number, alright?"
I nodded, biting my lower my lip to stop the shy smile which was threatening to take place on my lips at her teasing reply.

"I'll see you tomorrow, bhabhi!"
She gave me one last hug before settling inside the car.

"Drop me a message when you reach, okay?"
I almost ordered looking at her through the open window.

"You should do the same!"
Myra replied back in the same tone making me giggle as I nodded my head. Once her car was out of my sight, I sat in mine and after exactly eight minutes, I was home.

"Dad, not againnn!"
I groaned angrily seeing my father in the lounge area with an iPad in his hands. Chachi rolled her eyes at us with a smile as she did her usual wrap up in the kitchen. That's the usual night scene in this home. Bhai and chachu would be sleeping like hog already.

"Aadat se majboor hu, sweetheart. Can't really do anything about it!"
(Bounded by habit, sweetheart)
Dad replied in his defence raising both his hands up in surrender. Throwing my handbag on the couch somewhere and removing my sandals in two different directions, I sat beside my father, keeping my head on his shoulder and wrapping my arms around his hand.

"I've told you more than thousand times to not wait for me. I don't like it when you compromise on your sleep after working in the office all day just to see me!"
My voice muffled as I snuggled in his shoulder more. Keeping the iPad aside, he pulled away from my arms making me crib at the loss of warmth but only to sigh in contentment as he wrapped both his hands around me.

"And even I've told you so many times that I don't and I cant sleep until I see your face before sleeping. After going through all the chaos in the day, I seek my peace in you, beta! Mera sukoon ho aap!"
(You're my peace)
Leave it to my father to always make me emotional with his simple yet heart tugging words. He kissed my temple caressing my hair with his fingers.

"Ditto!"
I replied hiding in his chest and a laugh erupted from him making me smile too. We just sat there in silence until I heard footsteps coming close to us and I knew very well who it was.

"Bhai, off to bed now. You asked for ten minutes with Aru and it's already more then twelve minutes. Get. Up."
Chachi deadpanned, standing in front of us and pointing her forefinger at dad who was frowning like a kid right now.

"I'm going okay! You don't always have to be bitter with me."
Chachi gasped at his words while I rolled my eyes at the woman for her drama.

"You'll see my bitterness when I will change your diet plan. Making it even more healthier and bland for your tastebuds!"
And that was enough for my father to put his weapons down. Threaten to take away his chole bhature from him and he'll be on his knees for you.

"Shalini, beeti baaton pe mitti pao! Mujhpe itna zulm karke tumhe kya milega?"
(Let bygones be bygones. What will you get being so strict with me?)
He tried doing damage control with his sugar coated words but if only it was that easy to coax chachi Sharma.

The argument went on and on between the both while I silently stood up and started making my way to my room.

"Chachi, please bring my bourvita milk in the room once you're done here!"
I said stopping midway on the stairs.

"On my way, betu!"
Chachi replied before going back to bickering with dad which made me chuckle.

Yes, I still drink bournvita. And I'm very much addicted to it. It's an addiction that harms no one so don't judge. Whoever said that bournvita are for kids can shove it up.

Coming in my room, I straightaway went in the bathroom and took a quick shower which relaxed me to great extent. Wrapping a bathrobe around my body, I made my way to the walk in closet, changing into my night clothes.

"Aru?"
I heard chachi's voice and tying my hair in a bun, I came out of the closet.
She was standing with my handbag in one hand and glass of bournvita in another.

"You're phone was ringing from quite sometime!"
As soon as she said that, suddenly the bulp in my head lit up and I ran, snatching the bag from her hand almost giving her a heart attack. I removed my phone and unlocked it, surely Myra has left almost ten messages and four missed calls. Damn, she must've been worried for no reason.

Without wasting anymore time, I dialled her number and waited for her to pick up and she did almost on the last ring.

"Hello?"
I heard a slurry reply from the other side and it only gave away the fact that she had slept already.

"I'm so sorry, Myru! I totally forgot to message you when I reached. It really slipped out of my—"

"It's okay bhabhi! I think you reached home safely. I did too and right now I'm way too deep in slumber so we'll talk tomorrow,okay? Bye. Sweet dreams. Good night. Take care. Love you."
And just like that the line went dead while I kept looking at the phone screen for a few seconds before giggling at the mad girl's antics.

"Seems like you're jelling well with the new family!"
Chachi stated bringing the glass of milk to me which I happily gulped down in one go. She raised her eyebrows at me in a teasing manner and I tried to hard not to blush but of no use. For the next half an hour, I ranted all the happenings of today to her and she had a riot listening to Myra's plan of bringing me and Ranveer together and how badly it failed. Controlling her laughter she said

"I swear that girl is too cute but hundred points for taking the efforts to bring you both together!"
I nodded, totally agreeing with her as I chuckled myself.

"And asking for Ranveer's number herself, that's the most daring thing my Aru has done till now, right?"
I groaned at her teasing, hiding my face in the pilllow as I laid down on the bed, face down.

"I've had enough teasing for the day, chachi and I don't have more room for you. So bye! I'm feeling sleepy!"

She laughed loudly but having mercy on me, left my room not before kissing my head and covering me with the quilt. After making sure that she has finally left, I turned sleeping straight on my back and picked up my phone to do the one thing that I was dying to do.

Any guesses?

No I'm not going to call him. Nope. Not that courageous yet but I will surely text him. So hurriedly saving his number which Myra has sent me, I texted him— but wait

What do I text him?
Urghhh, at moments like these I feel like crying.

Or as Kaira says, you should cry on the fact that you've no expertise in this department!

Shut up subconscious if you don't want to die.

If I go, I take you with me. Because I am YOU, idiot!"

Urghhhh Okay let's think with a calm mind. Biting my lips to a point that I drew blood but I couldn't care about that right now.

'asked for your number from Myru maybe because I thought I had the right to? The same way you should've taken my number with every right, from her!'

Okay, before I overthink this—sent.

My heart rate was abnormally fast as I buckled my knees up and down in sheer nervousness. I hardly waited for a minute before the message was read and then there was a call on my phone and I was ready to bid bye to this world looking at the caller id.

Ranveer...

Accepting the call with shivering hands, I placed it on my ear without saying anything. The room too quit and my heavy breath resonating clearly.

"Hello?"
Damn, his voice is so freaking husky and smooth. It did weird things to my body. Things I've never felt before and surely never at such intensity.

"Aradhya?"
He called out again when I still didn't said anything and kept mum like an idiot. Was I twisted to think that my name from his mouth was such a turn on. I think I really am twisted. Yet, I didn't replied. I couldn't physically as if someone has sealed my lips. My breathings were already harsh but what he said next was enough to take my breath away.

"Ab aap kuch bolengi bhi ya mein apki saasein pehchanne ki aadat daal lu?"
(An: someone translate this please:)
I could feel he was smirking even on the phone as his words made my face hot and I'm sure my cheeks had turned to the darkest shade of red. Goosebumps appearing on my skin and butterflies dancing in my tummy.

"Okay then I'm cutting the call!"
He declared from the other side and as if I got my voice back, I almost freaked out saying

"No, don't do that!"
I smacked my head at my stupidity but heard his reply which was filled with naughtiness

"Well, now I won't!"
And again there was silence between us but the smile on my lips was not ready to leave. He cleared his throat from the other side and asked

"So is it true?"

"What is true?"
I asked back in confusion. My eyebrows furrowed together.

"That I have the right?"
He elaborated referring to the message I had sent while I blushed like hell all over again.

"As true as it can get!"
Where's my filter?

That I don't know but I'm grateful it's gone for good! *eye roll*

But if I'm not wrong then I heard him taking a deep breath.

"I'm sorry I ditched you guys today. I didn't even knew you were also going to join. Myru called me afterwards to give me a long lecture on the blunder I made."
He apologised though he wasn't really at fault.

"Would it have made any difference?"
I asked timidly in a whisper. Almost anticipating his reply.

"It's been 27 hours, 15 minutes and 8 seconds to be precise I've last seen you and considering the fact that you've been on my mind for 27 hours if not less so yes it would've made a huge difference."
My grip on the phone tightened at his reply as my heart fluttered, beating obnoxiously loud, so much so that I knew he could hear it through the damn device.

"Aradhya?"
Someone tell him to stop taking my name. Okay not really but Aradhya never sounded this good to my ears before.

"Are you still there?"
He asked again when I didn't responded at all.

"Hmmm!"
That's all I managed to say. I know great communication skills.

"You won't say anything?"
He asked in a soft tone which was filled with hesitation and I replied

"I don't know what to say honestly!"
I chuckled nervously, pulling the quilt up to my chin.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?"
I sensed guilt in his tone if I knew him even a little bit and I smacked myself the second time for making him feel this way.

"No. Don't even think like that. It's just that I get really nervous and I don't really know what to speak. It's just my cautiousness I think."
I replied pouting in the end like a freaking kid. There was some weird noises in the background confusing me but before I could point it out, he asked

"Are you always this nervous and cautious?"
I nodded in no but then realised he couldn't see me so mumbled a low no.

"So am I someone special?"
He asked again with a hint of mischief in his tone which made me smile cheekily as well.

"Maybe!"
I answered in a small voice with a light giggle but gulped the next moment hearing his deep chuckle from the other side.

If I don't open my eyes tomorrow morning, please come after this man.

"But we'll have to change that. And for that we should start somewhere right?"
I hmmed not really knowing what he's trying to imply but his next words cleared my doubts and gave me another shock for the day.

"Aradhya, kuch mangne ka haq hai?"
(Can I ask for something)
His gentle tone and choice of words were my undoing.

"Yes!"
I responded softly because clearly there was no room for me to say no.

"Come out of your home, please?"
I jumped out of my bed at his reply. My eyes wide open in shock. No. Huh! He's got to be kidding me. He can't be here?

"This is no time for joke okay?"
I asked chuckling in a dismissive manner but I should've known this man better.

"And who said anything about joking? I'm very much serious right now. I'm standing outside your house!"
And I legit fainted right that moment.

He's here? HE REALLY IS HERE.

~~~

PUBLISHED: MARCH 5/22

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Bye and take care ❤️