|| Meeting everyone ||

***

Both of them started playing 20 questions on the way to Shravas's house.

"Okay, here we go"

Lasya paused for a minute, "What's your favorite color, food, and place?"

He turned his head with a jiff and it would have hurt him cause he abruptly turned.

"Three things in a single question? Wow, impressed yaar",

She narrowed her eyes and gave him a stare.

'Trying to intimidate my little hearts!', he thought shaking his head and a small smile was erupting on his face.

"Hey, why are you smiling?", Lasya asked narrowing her eyes.

"Nothing just thought something. So the answer will be, hm... Colour - blue, food - Mac and cheese and place - Switzerland"

Listening to his answers Lasya was surprised.

"Why are you this surprised?", asked Shravas who stopped the car on the road due to heavy traffic.

"Nothing, it's just that they were all my favorites too", chuckled Lasya.

"Wow, that's great, now my turn", he silenced her. "What's your favorite thing to do in your pass-time?"

"Hm, to be frank, I never used to get free time. But, now I have a bit and in that time I spend time watching web series or cuddling my Ritchie. What about you?" She turned to look at Ritchie who is now snoring slightly. She reached him and ruffled his fur lovingly.

Shravas was lost in his thoughts and the word 'never' from Lasya's mouth touched his heart.

"I will cherish you, Lasya for my life, if only if you give me a chance and you will live a life you dreamt of. I promise you", Shravas promised himself.

"Mine will be, hm... In my free time, I would like to help my dad in his business", Shravas said shrugging his shoulders as if it's not a big matter.

"What? You work in your free time. Oh God, you are so bored!" Rolling her eyes, she got a chuckle from him. "What?" She glared at him

"I am not bored. Everyone loves to be with me. You are the first one to tell that I am a moody person", He rolled his eyes at her in disbelief.

"Really?, then prove to me you are not moody", Lasya smirked at him throwing a challenge.

"When the time comes, I will prove to you and at that time you will have no salvation from me", Whispered Shravas while looking at her intently.

All of a sudden the atmosphere became intense and Lasya seems to distract the thoughts running from her mind, so she chuckled nervously.

"You know what, I never imagined like, I mean you are this friendly, especially with me. I didn't like you at all in the beginning", Lasya stopped as she saw he was looking at her with his eyebrows raised giving her the challenge to continue. But then soon she diverted again, "I mean during the marriage of Tina at Goa, I thought you were some pervert and a control freak. Also when I saw you at my admission, I thought the same at first but then changed when you wished and helped me with the process", Lasya completed heaving a sigh.

"So what about now? Do you like me?", Shravas asked openly as he started the engine. This was now or never and that's why he asked directly. So he can know what she is thinking or at the least, he will come to know what she has thought about him.

As soon as Shravas asked, Lasya turned to look at him to analyze what he meant. His eyes were like a never-ending ocean that was not giving any specified answer but one thing is sure, he has something for her, yes like she thought maybe a small infatuation. But then, she doesn't want to think about it as the chances are too low for her liking. So like a smart person, she counters questioned him,

So now answer me, do you have got any love interests?"

His eyes bulged out of his sockets and he gripped his steering wheel much tighter than before.

"No. no.. not yet" he stuttered and didn't dare to look at her.

"Wow, so you are in love. Great man. You are so whipped. I can see that. Otherwise, you wouldn't stutter to answer a simple question" She started crossing her arms above her chest.

"Now, be a good boy and tell me who is the lucky girl?"

"I told you Lasya. I don't have any. Now, enough of getting to know each other." Turning his head to the direction of the road he then concentrated on the wide road ahead.

"Okay, as you wish", Lasya said and shrugged to look away as her view passed on to the moving buildings.

Lasya didn't bother him again. 'if he wants to tell me, he will surely tell. What's there in to hide? So till then, it's better to shut my mouth' she thought and soon engaged herself looking outside taking the view coming her way.

After 15 minutes of driving, Shravas pulled his car into his driveway and unlocked the car. Both of them got out and Ritchie started barking seeing new surroundings. Lasya patted his head lovingly and whispered good things to him to make him calm and as soon as she said, he kept drooling and looking around.

She let out a huge gasp and covered her mouth with her hands.

"Oh my God, this is your house", Lasya pointed to the building in front of her and turned to look at him. Since he didn't say anything, she continued accepting the truth.

"It looks like a huge mansion, not just a house. You are indeed a lucky man and you are like a prince", Lasya smiled at him and heaved a sigh, and got hold of the chain of her Ritchie.

He giggled.

"Maybe I am lucky, but I am not much into materialistic benefits. I always wanted to live a normal life free from media and free from complexity. You will not understand the difficulties that we have to face whenever we are at an event or family function. Media people come and sometimes eat us alive with their business of poking into everything we do. I just hate it. I always prefer to be undercover hence I can visit ordinary cafés like normal people and I maintained it that way."

Lasya nodded her head in understanding.

"Yes, I understand and I respect your opinion. Neither do I like attention nor materialistic things. I too always live a normal life. I prefer just three meals a day without difficulty and with that, I will be content and I could happily sleep in the night and in the arms of the person I love..." She said the last part as a mere whisper but to her dismay, Shravas has heard it all. She looked around and moved towards the main door as she caressed the door work. It was pure wood with lots of artistic works.

His love for her increased the moment her words left her mouth. This makes her stand unique among the girls he has seen in his entire life. His heart was swelled with pride for choosing her as his love. Within a minute, the main door opened revealing an old lady around the age of 50. She is simply a gorgeous yet simple woman with not so fast dress and heavy jewelry. She was in her free-size kurta with a loose Palazzo.

"Vasu, you came" She hugged him and turned to face Lasya.

"Oh, this must be the person the one you were telling in the morning, right Vasu?" He nodded his head with a smile.

"Oh gorgeous, you look beautiful my dear. Come inside" his mom held her hand and squeezed her. She moved to a side and gestured for them to get inside.

But Lasya hesitated as she looked around with nervousness. Shravas understood and even before she started talking, he responded, "Let me take Ritchie. He will be safe around. He has got playmates here", Shravas took the chain from her hand and moved towards the north side of the compound where from the distance, she could hear some barkings.

"Can I follow you"?, Lasya couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, of course", Shravas said and looked at his mother, "Please give me a minute mom"

"Sure Vasu. Take your time".

Lasya trailed behind Shravas and soon he untied his chain and allowed Ritchie to go and play with his newfound friends.

"Blackie, this is your new friend, our new guest. Treat him nicely", Shravas talked to his dog.

Lasya had a smile looking at them, and followed Shravas back to the house, "He will be good for some time and you shall relax a while"

"I am glad and Thank you", Lasya genuinely said following him.

"Ok, come dear. Please be seated", his mother showed them the way to the living room.

They moved towards the couch and everyone got settled comfortably.

"What is your name dear?", his mother asked lovingly.

"Lasya", Lasya muttered with a smile.

"Aww beautiful name for a beautiful girl. So please make yourself at home. I will go now and get something to eat and drink" She was about to get up.

Lasya got hold of her hand. She patted her hand on side of her couch asking her to sit.

"Auntie, please take your seat. I am sorry to say this but I have to. I don't need anything else now as we had breakfast just a few minutes back in a cozy restaurant. So I am full and I don't think I could eat anything for the next three hours" Lasya said with a charming smile on her face which instantly melt his mom's heart.

She has never seen such an innocent girl that too in this era.

"Oh alright. I will let you go this time. But promise me you will have lunch with us today and spend an entire day here. What say?"

Lasya thought for a while and looked at Shravas who was already staring at her intensely.

'oh God, this family seems to be interested in cracking deals over anything. A typical business family. She mentally facepalmed herself.'

"Of course auntie. I will have my lunch here and will be with you all till evening" Lasya replied.

"Great then. I will make the necessary arrangements for it. Please be comfortable. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask" His mom mentioned carefully looking at her.

Before leaving the living room, his mother turned and looked at Lasya once again and placed a kiss on her forehead. Lasya was surprised to be the understatement for the year. She didn't expect it.

Seeing her affection towards her, Lasya had tears filled in her eyes which are ready to spill out any second but maintained herself by blinking several times just not to show vulnerability side of her in front of them that too on her first visit.

Shravas family is indeed a good one who loves their guest to this level. She was overwhelmed and satisfied seeing or feeling their attention or love.

'Shravas is a lucky man to get a loving family she thought.

Now, they are left alone and with them, the awkwardness came right in time.

"Hey, come on" He reached for her hand and pulled her to his side making her get up from the couch. "I will give you a tour of my house. I guarantee you, you won't regret it"

"Okie Dokie", Lasya giggled as they moved along.

***

They were roaming here and there in his house and she was looking at everything very carefully. She didn't touch anything as if those things are very fragile and will break off once she touches them. She just stood and watched or observed everything to her heart's content. Finally, they reached Shravas's bedroom.

"This is my abode. My bedroom where I love to spend most of the time doing something or the other" He stated and started moving a chair to his study table.

He arranged everything within 10 minutes from laptop to pens and chairs to the internet. Lasya was busy looking around the room and she gasped loudly seeing the view in front of her.

"Oh my God, a freaking indoor swimming pool that too privately" She squealed in joy forgetting the surroundings. Shravas was admiring her with so much love and giggled seeing her excitement.

'You will soon get to use these facilities in your life, my love. Don't you worry? I will make sure you get everything you deserve. I promise I will keep you happy ever' he mentally promised to look at her side.

"I guess, you liked the pool more above everything else in my house" He whispered to her ear from behind nuzzling into her locks of hair. She froze at the proximity and didn't utter a word. She just nodded and mentally facepalmed for losing her sanity once again.

She cleared her throat to give him a comeback. "Yeah, this is freaking good. An indoor pool wow. That too within a bedroom. Your future wife will be very lucky to have this", She said dreamingly without realizing what she was saying.

She turned around to look at him who was already staring at her. "I love the pool but I don't know how to swim. I have a big wish to have a beautiful house even if it's a one-bedroom but it should have an indoor pool just like this. You know, I and my partner together in the pool swimming all night under the moon"

He smirked and moved closer to her. She started taking steps backward and soon she was hit by the wall and was trapped between him and the wall. Her breathing was uneven and couldn't dare to look into his eyes. At that time, she found the floor interesting.

"Maybe I could fulfill your wish", He whispered into her ear slowly his lips touching the tip of the right earlobe. As soon as those words left his mouth, she looked into his eyes and they shared an intense eye lock nobody willing to break the trance. They were out of the lock when her phone started buzzing. She looked around and swiped her forehead and pulled out her phone from the pants. She moved away from him and went to talk on his balcony.

"Hello" she greeted without looking at the caller ID.

"Hey, La. How are you?" She immediately recognized the voice.

"Oh my God, Tina. I am fine. How about you? It's been a long time and I am happy to hear your enthusiastic voice" She knew now Tina will be rolling her eyes out hearing her remark.

"Leave it. I was busy helping my husband in business and what about you? Are you still working, I mean how are you even managing it. And more than that I missed you too much", She smiled listening to her.

"I too missed you and yes, I have been busy with my college work. Lots of assignments and No, I am not working. I left all my jobs just to concentrate on my studies" She heard Tina gasping on the other side.

"That's great. I understand but hope you are managing your expenses. If you need anything please don't hesitate to tell and ask okay" She rolled her eyes seeing her fondness and motherly nature. "Okay, mom. I will surely ask you if I need anything that badly but for your information, I do have very good savings in my account. So don't worry about me. Please be careful and how's my niece doing?" She could hear her Chuckle.

"She is fine. How could you be so sure that it's nice, not a nephew?"

"I don't know how, but my inner voice is telling me that it's going to be a beautiful, very cute niece who loves to be with me," she said with proud lacing in her voice.

"Aye aye captain. I am going to make you my kid's godmother so don't worry. Anyway, what doing now?" Lasya laughed out loud imagining her in the role of a godmother.

"Well, I am at Shravas's house now. Came to complete some college work. We are representing our college in an upcoming national event that is going to be held in Delhi. So yeah, we are preparing for our best" She heard her gasp on the other side of the phone.

"Wow La. You are something you know right? I wish you all the success in your life and for the upcoming event. Also, we should meet soon. Just message me when you will be free from all the busy work so that we shall catch up like our old time"

"Sure, Tina. I will be busy in the upcoming weeks but I will surely message you once I am back from the event. I will have a sleepover at your place to make it up for you" Tina squealed on the phone causing Lasya to switch her phone's side to the other.

"Great. I am waiting for it. Okay bye for now. Take care and please pass my regards to Shravas also"

"Sure, Tina. Bye and take care of my niece also" After hearing her chuckle, Lasya hung up on the phone. She turned around to get inside the room since it started raining. As soon as she turned she is hit by something hard as a rock. She gazed above to look what it is and she let out a squeal due to sudden surprise. It was not a rock, but Shravas's hard-toned chest. Her cheeks started getting a deep shade of crimson and she couldn't meet his eyes due to embarrassment.

"Woah, watch where you walk my girl!", He said with a slight hint of amusement and teasing in his voice.

"I do look but didn't expect you to be here that too this close" she looked at him narrowing her eyes and continued, "Were you eavesdropping on our girl's conversation?"

He let out a chuckle, "Why would I do that and that too listening to girls' conversation?" He held his head with both of his hands as if he is acting and couldn't believe what he is hearing. "Nah, I am alright with my friends and I was looking at something more important than eavesdropping" Soon a frown marred her face thinking about what he meant and what is that more important thing he was looking at. She turned to look around and didn't see anything interesting other than subtly flowing water from the hose near the pool.

"What?" She looked at him with arched eyebrows. But to her dismay, he just shook his head left and right vigorously surrendering himself and raising his hands. He was giving her hints telling them in so many ways that he likes her and loves her to be with her. But she doesn't seem to take it into her head. She raised one eyebrow and stomped her foot for letting her not know what was going on in his witty brain of him.

"Okay, let's get started with the presentation", Saying so, she made herself comfortable in one of the chairs in front of the study table. Both of them were immersed in their slide preparations and didn't notice the time. They heard a knock and turned their heads to the door to see his mom peeking at them. Lasya giggled.

"Mom, you know Right", He shook his head in disbelief, "that you can come inside anytime, right?" She nodded in response.

"Then why are you knocking and peeking at the door? Do you need something?" He asked as he narrowed his eyes at her with suspicion. He knows his mom is up to something but couldn't get what is it.

"Uh...um... Nothing. I just came to invite you both for the lunch. It's already past time", She looked around the room as if she is hesitating to tell something, "Your dad and others are here and waiting for you two at the table. So, Hurry up"

Just like that, she left them as it is. Lasya wondered, what just happened.

Shravas sighed and saved the presentation. He quickly set the system to sleep mode and got up from the chair.

"Lasya, come let's join others for the lunch," He said and lead the way outside the room to the dining room quickly. Lasya was looking around every corner of the house and she is mesmerized seeing the interiors of the house and the costly furniture used made the house look all classy and expensive.

"Did you like the house dear?" His mom asked her out of the blue while heading to the dining hall. Lasya forgot his mom is also accompanying them as she waited outside his room for them to come.

She felt a little embarrassed getting caught when her eyes were just drooling the interiors. "Yeah, it's beautiful. Everything is just perfect"

She turned to her side and smiled. "You have got a very beautiful and elegant house auntie. I am so mesmerized" His mom nodded her head in understanding. "Thank You, dear. I am happy you liked our house. The credit goes to his father. He designed the house and Shravas designed the interiors" Lasya covered her mouth instantly. "And my elder son arranged the furniture accordingly"

"Wow, really wow. But are you serious auntie? Shravas has designed the interiors. I can't really..." Lasya couldn't believe it. She knows he is an intelligent and very studio in college. What she never knew was his taste for interior designing. "But I must say, this is incredibly beautiful. He has got real talent in this field. Also the furniture too. Everything is in place and it shines brightly. Feeling great to meet you" She stated as a matter of fact.

"Yes, we know. He is very passionate about interiors. He does it as his hobby. But he persuaded engineering as his career. We tried to tell him but he also wanted to run his dad's IT firm one day. So yeah, he chose to pursue it. Maybe someday, he may even own his own interior designing company for all we know" His mom chuckled and by the time she finished, they have already reached the table.

****

Thank you so much for reading...
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