'Ho ankhiyan kare jee hazoori,
Mange hai teri manzoori...
Kajra siyaahi, din rang jaaye,
Teri kasturi, rain jagaaye...'

~2 states

NOT EDITED

"This is no time for joke okay!"
She said chuckling nervously as if she didn't want to believe that I was really here. Only for her.

"And who said anything about joking? I'm very much serious right now. I'm standing outside your house!"
I replied back totally serious only to hear silence for a few moments and that made me think if this was a bad idea.

Of course it's a bad idea! You showing up at her place in the middle of the night and asking her to come meet you is not very gentlemanly.

"Aradhya? Are you there?"
I called her out softly when she didn't replied and as if she came out of a trance, she said

"Uhh-yeah-yeah I am!"

"See I am really sorry if this seems too much to you. I swear I didn't wanted to make you feel uncomfortable or—"

"Just be where you are. I'm coming."
And the line went dead. Sighing I kept the phone down, resting my head on the headrest of the driver seat in my car. Maybe I shouldn't have come. Definitely not at such an ungodly time.

Let's just hope she doesn't think of you to be a psycho!

Groaning, I pinched the bridge of my nose when I heard some knocking on the window of the passenger seat. I raised my head only to forget how to breathe for a few seconds.

There stood the woman herself who has wrapped me around her little finger without even putting any efforts and I would be a fool to say I didn't want that.

Damn, she looks really exquisite even in her simplest of form.

"What were you even thinking before coming here? This is insane. What if someone saw us? What if my dad finds out? We'll be doomed. I haven't even informed anyone that I'm here. For my family I'm sleeping without any care in my room and if by any chance they get to know I'm there, then nothing can save us!"
She blurted everything once she settled herself on the passenger seat of my car, trying to keep her tone calm but failing miserably. Her hands doing gestures to prove her point whereas some soft tendrils of her hair fell on her face, escaping from the lose bun she has made. My fingers itched to fix it myself and I went ahead to do the same.

Turning towards her completely, I moved little close, halting her actions at once as she eyed me intently.

"I'm sorry for causing this nuisance!"
I apologised in a low voice audible for her ears, pushing the strands of her dark brown hair behind her ears. My fingertips brushing her cheeks in the process turning her porcelain skin to a beautiful shade of scarlet and she was a sight for sore eyes.

She gasped at the touch, lowering her eyes and I wouldn't have heard her if it wasn't for the silent surrounding us whiIe I smile at her innocence.

"You don't have to apologise. It's not that big of a deal if you came to meet me yet I made it sound as if you committed a huge crime. So I'm sorry."
She explained even though she was nowhere at fault making me shake my head. I still had my one hand over her chin as my thumb moved slowly over her skin in a caressing manner.

"Don't say that. Actually when Myru told me that she had set up a date for us and I missed it, I wanted nothing more than to meet you but my work."
I stopped as an staggered sigh escaped my lips. Aradhya held my hand which was cupping her cheeks making me look back at her. I smiled softly continuing

"Honestly since the time dad has announced his retirement, the work load has increased on me and office is a total mess."

"You were working this late?"
That's the first thing Ms Sharma asked in a stern voice and tried looking at me pointedly which was anything but scary because all she looked was hell cute to me. I smiled biting my lips trying to say something but she beat me to it saying

"And instead of going home to rest after the tiring day you had, you came all the way here. Why?"
She asked softly with utmost confusion yet the prominent concern in her eyes for me and my well-being did something to my heart.

I shrugged looking down and replied in a whisper saying

"Even I didn't had the answer to this. Until I saw you. Here, with me."
A shy smiled decorated her face which she tried to hide by biting her pink lips and her cheeks went red as cherries which churned my stomach with different emotions.

"It's scary, right?"
I questioned softly taking hold of her hands in my own. My lips curving upwards the very next second as she tightened her hold on me.

"What's scary?"
She asked being confused with eyebrows raised.

"This!"
I gestured to our intertwined hands but that only deepened her frown so I further continued

"Our closeness. I mean it's just been a day since we've met and the way you've been on my mind is crazy. This feeling that I feel right now, with you, I've always only heard of it from the couples around me. My parents, bhai and bhabhi, my friends. And to be honest, I found it all too filmy and fictitious until I felt it with you. All of those emotions. I did felt my heart missing a beat when I first saw you yesterday. I did felt my chest bubbling with happiness when you were with maa and talking with her like two long lost best friends. I did felt lucky when you paid a little extra attention to bhabhi on the dining table. And damn I felt the happiest when you said yes to this alliance. Trust me I was dancing from inside."

Aradhya giggled like a child at my last sentence which automatically brought a smile on my face too. Her cheeks were bright red and if I'm not wrong then her eyes got blurred with tears too. I sighed deeply when she moved a bit closer to me and I joined our foreheads together. Our hands still joined together.

"I am not an expressive person, Aradhya. I don't know how to word my feelings out but what I do know right now is I like you and it won't be long before I fall for you!"
She gasped slowly at my words moving back to look into my eyes and I let her have a look into my soul so she knows the genuineness of my words.

"For—someone who's not expressive, you sure know how to leave the person before you tongue tied."
She stated shuttering a little but managing to sound confident. Her eyes casted down in shyness and I chuckled. I knew she easily dodged the part were I confessed I like her but I let it slide too. I recognised my feelings for her already but she isn't obliged to reciprocate just for the sake of it.

"And for someone who is a chatterbox, you sure talk way too less!"
I commented remembering my mother's words who briefly described how no one could shut Aradhya up ever. This girl could talk on anything and everything. Non stop.

She just shrugged slowly, biting her lip while I sighed. I kissed her forehead, removing one of my hand from her's and she closed her eyes at that. Lifting her chin up with my finger, I looked into her brown orbs saying

"Ye duri rakh ke kya hoga, hmm? We are in a fragile bond, Aradhya and it requires both of us to be our most honest and transparent form. You have to voice your feelings to me warna mujhe kaise pata chalega what you're going through? Zindagi bhar ka sath anjaan banke nahi guzar sakte hai na?"
I raised my eyebrows waiting for her response but all she asked with her forefinger pointed at me and eyebrows raised was

"Are you sure this is not the first time you're getting married?"
It took me a moment to fathom what she said and once it did, I smacked her forehead lightly yet she pouted. Like a kid. Like a cute kid. And I melted into a puddle witnessing her.

"Ouch! Lagi."
(It hurt me)
She whined rubbing the spot but I removed her hand away seeing it myself and surely her skin had turned red. Fuck! How sensitive is she really?

"I'm sorry!"
I muttered feeling really guilty, caressing the spot lightly but she held my hand, holding it between her palms and smiling cheekily replied

"I was kidding. Drame karne ki aadat hai!"
(I was being dramatic)
I couldn't help but gush over her cuteness and I smiled shaking my head. She opened my palm keeping her's on top while I just looked at what she was doing.

"I promise!"
She whispered but seeing my confusion she further said

"I promise to be honest with you. To voice my feelings out. To be truthful to you and our relationship. I promise to be myself with you."
She elaborated looking into my eyes which was filled with emotions, too intense for me and I was the happiest listening her. I flashed her my smile and kissed her forehead followed by her sharp nose which made her blush again making me chuckle.

"Suniye?"
(Listen)
She called me out slowly and I was mentally on my knees for her already.

"Kahiye!"
(Yes)
I teased, chewing the inside of my cheek making her smack my arm lightly as she whined. I laughed raising my hands in mock surrender and she said

"I think you should head home now. It's very late and choti maa must be worried for you. Plus you need good rest as well."
She whispered with her eyes casted down and playing with my fingers. I smiled on how she calls mom choti ma but mentally pouted at the thought of going home.

I sighed nonetheless and raised her face, making her eyes to collide with mine and kissed her forehead. For a bit longer this time as she held the lapels of my shirt tightly in her small fists.

"Good night!"
I whispered. My lips still lingering on her forehead whereas all she did was nod in response still being close to me. I smiled wrapping one of my hand around her frame and caressing her hair. She kept her head on my chest, right above my wild beating heart and I'm sure she could here it clearly too.

"Mein jao?"
(Can I go)
I asked slowly only for her to nod but she didn't moved an inch from her position. Someone tell her to stop being this adorable or I won't be responsible for my next actions.

"Aradhya, I can only go when you let me!"
And the next moment she sprang away from me as if she's got caught doing something forbidden. I made her turn to me by cupping her face.

"You can hug me tomorrow as much as you want."
I said smirking a little, referring to our roka which would take place tomorrow or you can say today itself. And if you couldn't guess already, than I was on cloud nine with just the thought of it.

"You should really go. It's getting late."
She stated with red face but stern eyes for teasing her and I laughed again throwing my head back at that.

"Go inside. I will go after you leave."
I stated. She nodded sighing and turned to open the door of the car but suddenly stopped, looking back at me.

"Call me when you reach."
Though her voice was not more than a whisper but I could easily sense the order in it making me smile.

"You don't have to be up for my call. You go have your sleep while I promise to get home safe, hmm?"
Taking hold of her hand, I kissed the back of it but she didn't seem to be pacified by my words.

"No, please! I'll not be able to sleep until I know you reached home safely."
If I knew Aradhya even a little bit then I could detect a certain kind of fear in her voice. But I let it pass, not bothering much about it and cupping her cheeks replied in a gentle tone

"Okay, relax! I'll call you the minute I reach home. Alright?"
She blinked her eyes, smiling and as I kissed her forehead one last time, she got out of the car and inside the gate of her home. Before closing the door, she waved at me adorably making me do the same. Once she closed the door, I smiled shaking my head and turned the ignition of my car on, finally heading home.

~ ~ ~

"You really shouldn't be troubling my wife like this young man! Especially after knowing her condition."
Reyansh bhaiya's voice fell on my ears the minute I entered into the living room. My head whipped towards the dining area and as expected, bhabhi stood there arranging food for me which did nothing but increased my guilt ten folds.

"Bhabhi, I have never said a word before whenever you used to wait up for me till late but this time around you aren't alone. You have to think about yourself and the little life nurturing inside you now. Kyu apni health ko seriously nahi lete aap?"
A big frown was settled on my face as I made my way to her, holding her shoulder and making her sit down on one of the dining chair. But all this selfless woman also known as my bhabhi did was smile at me, taking my hand in her's and said

"I do take my health very seriously, Veer! I'm just in my third month of pregnancy and it's too early for me to be not doing anything and only taking rest. Whole day mumma doesn't even let me take a glass of water on my own. She is on her toes for me always aur shaam ko aapke bhai jaldi aa jaate hai to make my life even better!"
She ended giving a stink eye to bhaiya who was till now seated beside her doing something on his phone but immediately looked towards her offended with her words while I tried suppressing my laugh.

"Was that sarcasm or you were just trying to be romantic?"
He questioned trying to act smart but all he received was her famous glare reserved exclusively for him. Without bothering to reply to him, bhabhi turned her attention back to me.

"Mumma mera dhyaan rakhte rakhte apna khayal rakhna hi bhul jaati hai. With lots of emotional drama and tantrums I make her go to bed early so that she doesn't have to worry about you as well."
(While taking care of me, she forgets to take of herself)
I looked down at her words but she continued in her teasing tone

"And it's not like I have to do this for much longer. Mrs Ranveer Malik jaldi hi aa jayengi to handle you her way!"
(You're wife's going to come to handle you her way)
I groaned at her teasing making her and bhaiya to laugh at my expense.

"Okay go and freshen up. I'll heat the food till then."
Bhabhi ordered patting my cheeks while I nodded but didn't move from my place. Once she was into the kitchen and out of our sight, I looked at bhaiya asking

"What did you do now?"

He looked at me with a very obvious fake smile saying
"I am deeply touched by the trust you have in me, Veer!

I gave him the exact same sarcastic smile and folded my hands around my chest, urging him to explain with my eyes. He sighed looking down once but looking back at me said

"We just had a stupid argument. Nothing more! And I might or might've not raised my voice at her!"
His tone went gradually down as he finished while all I did was glare at him but the man just avoided me as if I wasn't even there digging holes in his head. Sighing I glanced towards the kitchen to see bhabhi making her way towards us.

"No one better than you knows that bhabhi needs you the most right now. She needs your love and care not your anger or scoldings. You better apologise and make it up to her before I go tattle about you're doings to dad. That man will raise hell upon you for troubling his precious daughter."
As soon as I completed, I ran in lightening speed towards my room upstairs lest my big brother beats the shit out of me.

Heaving a deep sigh to catch my breath, I immediately removed my phone from my trouser pocket and dialled that precious girl's number.

My precious girl.

"Hello? What took you so long? You reached home?"
Even before I could say a word, she bombarded me with questions in her sweet voice which was filled with worry and concern bringing a smile on my face. Not wanting to trouble her more, I said

"Yes, I reached a few minutes back!"
She heaved a breath from the other side muttering an okay and then there was silence around us for a while until I said

"Go to sleep now, Aradhya! It's late."

"Yeah! Okay. Bye, good night!"
I smiled wishing her the same and was about to cut the call when she called me out hurriedly

"Ek minute, suniye!"
(Listen)
Iss suniye se pyaar hi na ho jaye mujhe!

Suniye kehne wali se bhi ho jayega.
*big fat eye roll*

"Yes?"
I questioned waiting for her response and she said
"Umm—woh don't sleep empty stomach. Kuch kha lena, okay?"
(Have something)
And there she won my heart all over again. This girl leaves me amazed every time with her words or actions.

"Ji. Kha lunga! Aur kuch?"
Yes! I will. Anything else)
I replied biting my lips in a teasing tone only to hear her shuttering reply as she said

"No—that's all. Yeah! Okay I'm feeling very sleepy now so good night. Bye and—take care!"
She ended the call right after making me laugh imagining her shy face and red cheeks. Aah if only I could pinch those chubby cheeks of her's.

Armano pe kabu rakho, Mr Malik. There's still time for that. And for many more things!
(Hold your horses)

No one asked for a reality check so shut the fuck up!

I made a bad face talking with my own self and made my way to the bathroom taking a quick shower. Changing into my casuals, I immediately went down to have my food so that bhabhi could go to bed already. However what I see on the dining table was a totally different but not a new scene. The two love birds, Mr and Mrs Reyansh Malik were all cozy and romantic with each other with bhabhi seated in bhaiya's lap and his hands wrapped around her. Weren't they not on talking terms just a few minutes back?

They were so lost in their own world that they didn't even noticed my presence. No even when I picked my plate filled with food and not even when I kept gawking at them for a moment. Realising that I'm invading their privacy, I just turned my back with the plate in my hand and said while moving upstairs

"Please make use of your bedroom, guys! We have no wish to watch your pda."

"RANVEER RAJ MALIK!"
Bhabhi shouted yet kept her voice low as to not wake up others and I knew she would be blushing so much right now. I laughed just shrugging, without looking back at them but heard bhaiya saying

"Udne do iss gadhe ko hawe mein, Meeru. As if he'll always keep a one hand's distance from Aru!"
(Let him tease all he wants)
I smiled a small one at that but composing myself, turned to face them and retorted saying

"One hand distance ka toh pata nahi but I'll not behave like a horny—"
(I don't know about one hand distance)

"I dare you to complete that, Ranveer."
Bhaiya warned not letting me complete but did it affect me? Naah!

"—like horny teenagers, bhaiya."
Bhabhi's face went more red if possible as she tried hiding behind my brother who himself was glaring daggers at me. If looks could kill, I would've already been dead.

"You're so gone, Veer!"
He started running behind me but I was fast enough to run in my room and lock the door, laughing hard.

Composing myself I had my food, keeping the now empty plate outside the room for the helper to take in the morning and was on my bed. Sleep engulfing me in minutes owing to the exhaustion and tiredness. But the anticipation of tomorrow was too high.

~ ~ ~
Published on: 22/3/22

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