FARI
✨

His gaze never left my face. It was intense. Very intense. And I was melting under that gaze.

'Shall we?' he asked and I like a little lost puppy asked 'Shall we what?' and he chuckled. He slowly wet his upper lip with his tongue trying to control his smile and finally said...
'Go inside!!! Shall we go inside?' and that's when the second hand embarrassment hit me hard.

My gutter brains!!! Damn!!!

I nodded and we walked inside. He went silent looking at the room and I bit my lower lip. My room was a complete girl room. And he blinked his eyes profusely.

'Ahmmmm yeahhh growing up I was a barbie princess fan... everything in here is mostly pink!!! I know it's too much pink but I think you must be ok! I know you love pink too!!!' I said confidently

'Well not really...white is my favorite color!!!'

'Ohhh please.. just because your house is painted white you can't claim that!!!'
I argued

'Fari...most of my stuff are white... white car, white chopper, white office decor, white suits!!!'

I scowled saying...
'But then why do you have the highest number of pink boxers?' and his eyes widened and I closed my mouth and shut my eyes close.

Can someone give me a glass of water! I wanna drown!!!

But the next minute I felt a hot breath of air near my left earlobe, just above my neckline...
'How do you know???"

I started fumbling...
'Ummm...I....I....'

'Say it Lil Dove! How do you know!'

'Liar!!! You are wearing a pink one right now! I saw when you bent dow-' and yet again I closed my mouth.

Damn you big mouth!!!

His eyes widened in shock. I wanted the earth to swallow me right now.

Fuckkkkk!!!

'I....Ummm...I'll use the restroom!' saying I tried getting away. 'Tried'!!! But the next moment I felt a tug on my wrist and my back was pressed against his hard chest. I almost choked on my saliva when he whispered into my ears...

'Never knew my WIFE observes me so much!!!'

I tried getting off his hold. The more I wiggled more his grip tightened.

'Let go Alexander!!!'

'What if I won't Fari?' he asked and I suddenly got a naughty idea. I turned around and sweetly smiled at him. Battling my eyelashes I looked at him while he narrowed his eyebrows. I slowly took his hand that had held my wrist... bringing it closer to my mouth and in one go I bit his wrist. He jumped making a 'Ouchhhh' sound and hissed while I laughed out loud and ran out of the room.

'You little minx!!! You gonna pay for this!!!' he said while I was giggling and I ran into Riya's room. He was following me but the minute he saw me enter another room he huffed. I showed him my tongue and shut the door. As expected Riya was sleeping. I snuggled into her quilt and shut my eyes closed yet my heart was beating like a drum.

Alexander was driving me crazy!!!

✨

'Areyyyyy Mr D'Cruz you haven't eaten anything..try this!!! This is Sannas...these are Mangalorean special idli fermented in toddy and this is Mangalorean special pork bafat!!! I insist you try this!!!' saying my aunt Nivea went on serving him while Alexander made a face.

He was not a morning person. His breakfast usually consisted of light breakfast which he already had but my aunt were pouring love in form of food on him. He was looking at me for help. I pressed my lips tightly and said...

'Aunty...why don't you serve Alex...Kokkisan (Rice and wheat flavoured Mangalorean cookies)...he loooooves sweets!!!" I said and Alex glared at me like he would eat me raw rather than the Sannas and pork while I stuffed my mouth with some more cereal trying to hide my laughter.

But then suddenly Nisha suddenly came infront and fed him the Kokkisan and I clenched my fist tightly.

'Its ...it's ok Miss Dsouza I'll eat myself' Alex was protesting but Nisha was hellbent in feeding him.

'Oh come on Mr D'Cruz... little... just a little...I specially helped mom in making them...for you!!!' she said and I grit my teeth. Alex kept saying a no and I was irritated with Nisha being over friendly with him.

In one go I called out...
'Nisha!!! Stop!!!'

'Why...you said na he likes sweets!!!"

'I was just teasing him! He doesn't like sweets! Stop it!' I said in a firm tone.

'But atleast...he can taste na...maybe he'll like-'

'Nishaaaaaa! Enough! I know what my husband likes and doesn't! I can take care of it. So ... please' I said in a firm tone which actually shocked my aunts who were on the table. Aunt Blandina was clearly pissed with me for raising my voice upon her daughter but she was getting on my nerves.

Alice threw me a surprised look while Hodlimai and Riya were smiling. And then my eyes met him. He smirked and silently stuffed a piece of Sannas in his mouth trying to hide his smile.

Damnn!!! Did I overdo it???

✨

'But you guys go and buy the dresses...I hate shopping Alice...give me any other job...dealing with caterers, arrangements, invitations, floral decoration management... anything!!! But not shopping please! I hate it!!!' I whined while Alice shouted...

'Nothing doing...even Riya didn't want to finalize her wedding gown without you! Imagine...all other girls get their wedding dresses ready months ago and here is your sister who was waiting for you! Come on...you can't ditch her!!!' she said and then my eyes fell on Riya who gave me a sad smile.

Strangely she looked quite low since I met her today morning. I looked at her closely when Alice said...

'She missed you Fari! She's been quite low offlate...glad you came early...now my little daughter in law would finally give me a heartfelt smile.' and I looked at Riya. She hugged me warm. Something didn't feel right but then I let it go thinking it must be wedding jitters.

'Let me call Ray as well...he also has to purchase some clothes for the Roce ceremony' Alice said when a sudden voice boomed from behind me...

'Well Ray is a little caught up with the meeting with the Australian clients Alice... Nevermind...I wouldn't mind joining you folks' Alexander said eying me which made me feel a butterfly park in my stomach. The way he looks at me damn he makes me go nuts.

We kept looking at each other when Alice said...
'Are you coming for Ray's sake or someone else's sake? I don't trust you Villain D'Cruz!!!' she said and Alexander simply walked closer to me infront of everyone while I kept taking steps behind...what the heck is he doing infront of Alice and Riya...

Suddenly my butt hit the dining table and my breath hitched. His blues were pouring into my eyes. He bent closer to me and I closed my eyes. His musk cardomom fragrance hits my nose and suddenly retreats back. I opened my eyes as I felt a crackle noise. I see him crunching an apple and he smirks saying...

'You can take it anyway you like Alice...I'm sure Mrs D'Cruz wouldn't mind!!!' I said while I quickly added...

'Its Farenne!!!'

'Fari!!!'

'F A R E N N E ...Farenne it is!!!' I whisper yelled

'Chuck it...it's anyday...lil Dove for me!!!' he said whispering into my face and I gulped nervously.

'Would you like to shop with me Mrs D'Cruz?' he asked and although I had the inner me doing a little happy dance I rolled my eyes muttering...

'Huhhh you wish!!!'

But then suddenly I heard...

'But I wouldn't mind joining you Alexander...my choice is excellent in colors and classy designer clothes...'

It was Nisha. She had already dressed up in a black frock which stood just above her knees. Her thick make up actually made her look like she was ready for a party and not for shopping.

'Lets go Alexander?' she asked holding his forearm and I felt like someone added fuel into the fire burning in my chest. I clenched my jaws but controlled my anger.

'Nisha...I think'

'Well I think it's a great idea Miss Dsouza!!!' and my eyes almost popped out. This time it was Alexander.

Like what the heck is wrong with him??? He really wants to go shopping with her??? Like her???

'Shall we Miss Dsouza???' he asked and she smiled gripping his forearm sticking to him like his second skin saying...

'Ofcourse Alexander!!!'

And that's when I grit my teeth.
How dare she call him Alexander!
Only I can call him that!!!

'Its Mr D'Cruz for you Nisha!'

'But I don't mind if Miss Dsouza calls me by my name... she's such a sweetheart after all' and I wanted to actually dig his grave into the nearby graveyard.
Asshole!!!

And next second they didn't even wait for my response and simply started walking towards the car when I quickly said Alice...

'Ill join you folks!!!'

The hell I would let her alone with him!
Witch!!!

✨

'This looks so good on you Fari!!! You must buy this!!!' saying Alice showed me a gown. Although my eyes were on Nisha who was sticking to HIM every now and then and I was regretting my decision to come shopping with these folks.

'Fariiii' Alice called me out and I was out of my trance. I looked at the dress. It was a beautiful baby pink colored strapless gown with a long slit. Although it was beautiful but somehow it was too revealing.

'I can't wear this at the church wedding!' I said and Alice smiled saying

'I know you Mangalorean Catholic girls wear your wedding red saree for family functions for the initial first year of marriage and honestly you will look like a doll Fari...and don't think I'm judging you for your proximity with Al...it's just that I hope you are sure of what is between you both. I just don't want you to feel hurt. My brother is at times heartless although I see he is completely different man around you but at times...it's better to be double sure! Just know your stuff' she said and I smiled.

'Woooow this is a beautiful gown! Thanks Alice...I think I'll buy this' saying Nisha pulled the dress from my hand and suddenly Alice stopped her saying...

'Firstly...it's not Alice for you! It's Aunt Alice. Fari is my sister in law...and she can call me Alice...for you it's Aunt Alice! And this...is what I chose for my Alice's bride for my son.... HER nephew's wedding!!! So please find yourself something else will you?' Alice said firmly and although Nisha was pissed she forced a smile on her lips hiding her embarrassment and walked aside...

Suddenly Riya called Alice to look at some designs and I kept analysing the dress. It looked way too modern.

'Its a gorgeous dress! But... forget it!!! You can't carry it!!!' said a voice and I turned around. It was Alexander.

'Excuse me??? What do you mean by I can't carry it?'

'Well some dresses require guts and confidence to carry them! You need to be... bold and sexy to wear that...

You...ummmmm...you wear that...' saying he showed me a full sleeved navy blue colored gown and said...

'Thats more like you!!!'

'Boring' he said the word in my ears and I shot him a look.

What the hell does he think of himself??? I can't carry this??? Just sometime ago he was all drooling over me and now he was all flirting with my cousin.

How dare he challenge me!!!
I'll show him!
Jerk!!!