Viren POV

"I can't believe I'm going out with you! I mean I always knew that I have this charm about me that attracts males to me but you? I never thought you liked me." Right this instant I just want to strangle myself for asking Shaurya to help me.

The girl he hired as my fake date is loud, obnoxious and clingy.

The moment I saw her in her short pink dress, I knew I made a blunder. Her glossy pink lips won't shut for a second.

"By the way, where are we going?" She asks for the umpteenth time.

Now how am I suppose to tell her that I don't know where we are going. I'm just following the live location of my driver who is following the car, that Paakhi is riding in.

"You will know," I answer and focus on the road.

"Ooh, mystery! I like mysterious guys" she exclaims and clutches my hand.

I jerk off her hand and try calming myself.

"You know in my million dreams I couldn't have thought that Shaurya will ask me to go out with you!" She blabber.

I try ignoring her desirous comments but her obnoxious voice doesn't help.

Promptly I see my driver's location halt in front of an affluent hotel.

The instant text from My driver affirming the location from which we are just 15 minutes away.

I send the location to Arhaan and ask him to book a table there.

10 minutes later, I get a text from Arhaan stating 'Done'.

I take a right turn and park my car in front of the main entrance. I exit my car, toss the keys to the valet and walk to the other side of the car.

I glance at the side to see my fake date, Bri-, whatever, scowling at me.

"Thank you for escorting me," she sneers.

I smirk in delight and enter the hotel.

Entering the Restaraunt my eyes scan the area for Paakhi. My eyes bulge out of the socket when I see a glimpse of her gorgeous self.

She is talking to a guy with shoulder-length hair. I can't decipher who he is but seeing him talking to the magnificence in front of him makes my blood boil.

"Let's sit here," I announce and take a seat directly in Paakhi's line of vision.

"Ahem!" I glance at my side to see my fame date looking expectantly at me.

I look at her confusing, she might have understood my confusion because the next thing I know she glares at me and takes a seat in front of me.

"You know pulling a chair for a girl is mandatory." She sneers adjusting the strap of her dress.

"What do you want to have?" I ask instead of answering her question.

She takes a deep breath and instantly her creepy smiles returns. She grabs a menu and assesses it.

I take that moment to look at Paakhi and feel a surge of accomplishment when our eyes meet and a look of shock pass through her eyes.

She blinks her eyes twice then thrice causing me to laugh internally.

My view of her is maimed by the waiter.

"Good evening, can I get you anything to drink? " he asks in his civil voice.

"A bottle of red wine," I order and with a shake of my hand ask him to leave.

"Oh my God, you even know my favourite drink, you sure did stalk me!" She gives out a snotty laugh and grabs my hand.

I'm about to jerk off her hand but when I see Paakhi starting at our touching hands I intervene our fingers and place a kiss on her hand.

"Aww, you are making me blush," she coo.

I smile lovingly at her, but the thing both of them don't know is that I'm discreetly looking at Paakhi.

The look of hurt that crosses Paakhi's eyes makes a stab at my heart, The sane part of me tells me to stop and leave but the devious part of me encourages me to continue this game.

And in the end, the devil in me won.

While playing with her choppy fingers. Unconsciously my mind made me remember Paakhi's soft and smooth hands.

I'm distracted with my thoughts when the waiter served us our drink, I take a sip of it and stare at Paakhi.

Shortly I hear her melodious voice, she is laughing heartily at what the guy is saying, Making me burn in jealousy. Before Knowing the fact that you love someone it is somewhat easy to see them with someone else but after acknowledging your feelings it is an everyday war.

When I see Paakhi laughing loudly, I instantly knew she is doing this intentionally. Because as much as I know her, she would never laugh so loud in a setting like this. She would say it is disrespectful to disturb the silence here.

So the game is on! 

"Will you do me a favour?" I ask the girl in front of me. I'm regretting not remembering her name. Her eyes widen in excitement and she bobs her head up and down.

"Show me your melodic laugh beautiful," I urge her.

She smiles at me and soon a snotty laugh is heard, some people literally turned in our directions to see if she is okay or not.

The surge of embarrassment made me collect ideas about how to kill Shaurya when I get home.

"Okay, relax," I instruct and made her shut up.

I seriously feel bad for today's generation. They are more focused on look than brain and etiquette.

I see Paakhi smirk at me, enjoying her feat.

I'm still looking at her when she picks up a spoon full of food and seductively feeds the guy. My hold on the hand I'm holding tightens causing the girl to shriek in pain.

I instantly release her hand and apologize, from the corner of my eyes I see her eating a bite out of his spoon.

This is too much.

I promptly get up and excuse myself to the restroom.
I walk inside the restroom and do my calming exercise.

"You should be happy, this is what you wanted right? She is with someone else now, someone better than you." I exclaim to myself looking in the mirror.

"You don't deserve her, you are not for love, remember your oath..." I chant to myself,

Seeing her with someone else makes me furious, she is mine, but I have to let her go.

She will be happy with someone else.

I replay these things in mind. It makes it easy, oh no who I'm kidding it is never easy. I never felt like this for anyone, not even her. Paakhi is someone who talks to my soul.

I regain my composure when a guy walks in. I straighten up my jacket and leave the restroom.

On the way out for a second my attention shifts to a particle of dust on my jacket and in that instant I bump into someone.

I look up when that person apologize,
"I'm So-" she stops mid-sentence when my hand encircle her waist.

If it would have been someone else, I would have instantly let go but this girl, I would never let go.

"Leave me," she utter but do not struggle.

"Why?" I urge seductively.

Her eyes widen for a second and she part her lips in surprise.

Her beautiful sensuous lips are enticing me.

I move an inch and our lips are almost touching, I whisper
"Are you uncomfortable?"

Her subtle warm breath on my lips is making me wild.

"Viren..." She whispers looking into my eyes.

"Yes?" I ask inching a little bit more closely.

"What are you trying to do?" She asks still whispering.

"This" I reply and crash my lips on her. Her warm sensuous lips are still for a second but in a few seconds they start moving, I never thought I would enjoy a sloppy kiss but this girl has effects on me.

I tighten my hold on her waist when she slowly curls her fingers in my hair. I move my one hand to the back of her neck and pull her closer to me, the feeling of excitement that surges through me makes me wonder if I'm a teenager having my first kiss.

"Paakhi!" We jump apart when we hear a yell from behind me.

I see Paakhi's eyes widen in shock, she looks at me and then at someone behind me.

"Yash-" she exclaims, I turn around to look at the man, I didn't know I was in for a great surprise.

Seeing him standing there, I experience dread and anger course through me. He glares at both of us and left.

I feel a bump in my shoulder and see Paakhi running after him.

I don't move, I can't move.

"Here you are, I thought you left me." The annoying brat comments startling me. She comes forward and holds my hand, ignoring the scowl on my face.

"Let's go," I declare jostling her hand and stride forth.
I hear a clatter of heels behind me implying she is following me.

I pay for our drinks and rush out of the restaurant.

Till we wait for my car, I scan the area wanting to see Paakhi and that bastard.

Was he the only guy in this whole world? Is my destiny playing with me!

When I see a glimpse of a black dress far away, I leave the girl there and walk in that direction.

"You-" Paakhi yells when she sees me coming towards her.

"Why did you kiss me? I was on a date with someone else." She chides glaring at me.

My anger from earlier decapitates seeing her glaring cutely at me.

"You kissed me back!" I proclaim amused.

"Wipe that smile off your face." She scolds seeing me smiling at her.

"I can't, " I answer.

"Why?" She asserts.

"Because you look so cute right now that I can't stop smiling," I answer honestly.

I see her trying hard to hold back a smile.

"Why are you doing this Viren?!" She asks heaving a sigh.

"I don't know, I really don't know," I confess.

"You don't get to do this Viren, You don't get to ignore me for a week without a reason and then barge into my life, especially when I'm on a date with someone and then Kiss me." She exclaims angrily.

"Everyone said you are a heartless man but I never believed it but right now you playing with my feelings, It hurts. " she concedes sadly.

Seeing her hurt because of me, a stabbing pain surge through me. My heart constricts as if someone is crushing it.

"I-I..." I try to confess my feelings but the fear of losing her holds me back.

"Yes??" She urges hopefully.

"I just want you to never meet that guy again," I ask instead.

The hope for her face faded and anger takes its place.

"You are an infuriating man," she announces and hits me on my chest.

"You have no right to tell me who I can date or not!" She declares and enters the cab waiting for her.

I see her going away from me, literally going away.

__________________________________

MAANYA POV

"What do you think they might be doing right now?" I ask Adi.

"Why don't you just call her and ask?" Aditi exclaims rudely.

"Why are you being so rude?" I ask hurt.

"Because for the last one hour you have been asking us this same question again and again." She huffs.

I chuckle in embarrassment and say "I'm just excited for her to find love, She deserves it."

"Maybe he is not what she wants," Aditi answers nonchalantly.

"What do you mean?" I pry.

"Nothing, I say let's go out. It can be a distraction for you," she exclaims.

I agree with her and then we together convince Sana. Who was adamant to stay in but Aditi has a way of convincing.

So after 20 minutes we left our house and decided to check out the shopping complex near our house.

"It feels nice to walk like this," Sana exclaims smiling.

"Told ya, it feels good every time." Aditi reply licking her ice cream candy.

"She's not talking about ice cream, you idiot," I clarify.

"Oh, so what?" She asks Glancing at Sana.

"To wander like this and enjoying ice cream with your friends." She proclaims smiling at the mention of ice cream.

"You were not allowed to get out of the house?" I ask sadly.

"My mother-in-law would never let me go outside. For the first 3 years of my marriage, I was locked in the house.
After she passed away, I stepped out of the house." She admits.

"Hmm 3 years, I still have the highest record though." Aditi blurts out.

"Huh?" Sana asks confused.

"Uh-huh, I was locked for 16 years of my life in a house." She announces and bites into her ice cream.

"What?" She yells loudly making heads turn in our direction.

"Shhh..." Aditi scolds her and whispers, "it is a long story, will tell you at home."

"How can she be so nonchalant about this?" Sana whispers to me when Aditi walks ahead of us.

"This her way of dealing with it," I reply looking sadly at Aditi.

"Are you done talking about me?" She exclaims turning back.

I chuckle and tug Sana towards Aditi.

"I was just telling her about the gol gappa stall nearby. " I say instead.

"Oh yes, Sana you should totally try it, it is best!" Aditi exclaims and starts blabbering about it.

I laugh hearing her elaborate the taste and ingredients of it.

"Bhaiya, 3 plates please," I ask the vendor.

He passes each of us a paper bowl and we wait for our turn.

As he cracks the gol gappa and adds seasoned mashed potatoes in it and then dips it in the flavoured mint water, my mouth water on its own accord.

"Mmmm" this sound resonates around us.

We happily munch on our four pieces.

"It was a delight for my taste buds," Sana announces, a satisfactory burp ascertains her statement.

"I know right!" Aditi announces triumphantly.

Before anything else can be said, we hear "Sana Di?!"

We all turn back to see Riya standing there with moist eyes.

She scrambles in our direction and hugs Sana.

Sana slowly stroke Riya's head and asks her to stop crying.

"Ri stop, please. I'm okay." She affirms.

Aditi and I step aside to give the sisters some privacy.

I see Sana smiling at what Riya is saying, whereas Riya is angrily babbling.

"Aww, I need my popcorn." Aditi taunts beside me.

I whack her arm and shush her.
She just rolls her eyes and walks to the bench nearby.

I turn my attention back to Sana and Riya and see Riya tugging Sana towards the car that is parked beside them.

Sana is struggling to get her hand free but Riya seems to be adamant.

I rush forward when Sana calls me for help.

"Riya! Riya," I take a hold of her hand and yank her.

"Listen please, Sana is not ready yet. You have to be patient with her." I try explaining to her.

As if a switch is turned she nods her head in understanding and says, "I'm so sorry Di, I just miss you a lot." The solemn look on her face makes me sad.

"Why don't you come with us to our apartment. We can spend some time together." I exclaim happily.

Both Sana and Riya excitedly nod, "Come sit in the car, I have to make a call home." She declares. While I persuade Aditi, Sana instructs Riya, "Oh and don't tell anyone about me okay."

As Riya steps aside to make her call we settle inside her car.

"A girl's night, I like it." Aditi holler. Causing Sana and me to laugh.

"Okay, so I told mom I'm staying at friends," Riya announces entering the car.

On the way home, Aditi and Riya try convincing Sana and me to allow drinks in our slumber party.

__________________________________

"Welcome to our home sweet home," I exclaim causing Riya to smile.

"Aww, this is so cozy." She announces glancing at our living room.

"Tea? coffee?Juice?" I offer.

"Water please," she asks and takes a seat.

"Where is Paakhi?" She asks.

"On a date," Aditi reply solemnly.

I'm confused with her behaviour,

I fetch everyone water and take a seat beside them.

"Oh wow, it is so exciting," Riya exclaims happily.

"Hmm, So I say let's change into comfortable clothes and then decide what to do," I suggest.

"Oh yes, I need to change but before that, I need to go somewhere," Aditi announces and rushes out of the apartment.

"Where did she go?" Riya asks confuse.

"Only if I can read her mind." I shrug and See Sana chuckle.

"So Riya if you want I have this new pair of pyjamas," I recommend.

She nods her head,

"Come I'll show you the washroom," I instruct and guide her to the washroom.

I saunter to my room and grab the new pair of pyjamas and a fresh towel from the cupboard.

"Here," I hand her the linen and walk back to my room and change into mine.

"Come in," I reply to the knock on my door.

"Listen, I just want to know if we have money to order food or not?" Aditi whisper coming towards me.

"Let me check," I reply walking towards my purse sitting on the bed.

"We have enough money to order some food but we need to find a new event soon," I inform counting the money in my bag.

"Hmm, and what about breakfast?" She asks.

"We will cook something at home," I answer and put my bag in the cupboard.

"Okay, I'm going to change and then see you guys outside," Aditi said and walked to her room.

"Don't forget to drag your mattresses to the living room," I call out and drag mine to the living room.

"Let me help you," I hear Sana say and she shifts the centre table to the side.

I nod in appreciation and assemble the mattress along with the sofa.

"Here," Aditi mumble aligning hers against mine.

"You go fetch Paakhi's bed and I will grab the blanket," I ask her and fetch a bed sheet, blankets and pillows.

"I'm so excited," Riya exclaims and jumps on the makeshift bed.
Aditi follows her and settles beside her.

I take off my slippers and I'm about to step on the bed when the doorbell ring,

"Paakhi's here!" I exclaim excitedly and rush towards the door.

"Woah look, who is home..." I tease.
But the tears in her eyes and the smeared mascara make my heart skip a beat.

"What-" before I can say anything, she rushes past me towards her room.

I close the door and follow her, when I pass the living room, I hear Aditi calling me. So I stop and look at their asking faces.

"What happened?" Aditi asks cautiously.

I shrug and reply," she is crying."

A tense look portrays on their faces.

"Guys, Please excuse us till we talk to her,"  I ask Riya and Sana and indicate Aditi to follow me.

We walk to her room and knock on her door, Aditi tries the doorknob and it turns.

We nod at each other and step in to see her sitting on her bed with her head in her hands.

"P?" Aditi implores and scrambles towards her.

"What happened?" I ask her.

"Did that bastard do something? Tell me you know I will kick his ass." Aditi asks furiously.

"No, it's not him, I did something." She confesses.

"What did you do?" Aditi and I asked simultaneously.

"I kissed someone..." She answers.

"What?!" I shriek shockingly.

"Who was it?" Aditi asks.

She looks at us stressed and when she opened her mouth the thud from outside breaks our moment.

"I'll check," I announce and rush outside.

"I'm so sorry, I was just standing up and then I slipped," Riya explain holding the cracked centrepiece in her hand.

"Riya?!" Paakhi exclaims and dash towards her and hugs her.

"Hi, Paakhi. How are you?" She asks her.

"Perfectly fine." Paakhi exclaim smiling.

"Ya, we can see that." Aditi tease.

"What is wrong with me?" Paakhi asks innocently.

"You look like a mess." Aditi reply.

"A beautiful mess!" Sana intervene.

"I always knew why I like you so much," Paakhi exclaims ogling Sana.

"Don't look at me like that," Sana exclaims fluster.

We all laugh at her, causing her to flush further.

"This calls for some pizza!" Aditi exclaim.

We all holler like kids and cheer.

After few seconds Paakhi excuses herself to go change and Aditi grabs the note pad and we jump discussing the topping choices.

"You look fresh now," Riya tells Paakhi.

Paakhi smile and settles between me and Sana.

"Don't you think this party is a little bit boring," Aditi puffs out.

"What do you say we do?" I ask her scared.

"I think we should..." She professes.

"Huh?!" I pry.

*DingDong...*

"The delivery is so fast," I exclaim in surprise.

"Idiot it can't be Pizza, we ordered just 10 minutes ago." Paakhi tease me and stand up.

"Then who is it?" I ask.

She shrugs and walks to the door.

"What are you doing here? And where are you going?" I hear Paakhi exclaim in disdain, talking to someone.

"Woah, so much beauty under one roof." I hear Neel exclaim charmingly entering or I should say barging in.

"Why are you here?!" Paakhi implores again.

"To give Aditi this," he tells and holds out a bottle of whiskey towards her.

"Oh, thanks," Aditi exclaims and grabs the bottle from him.

"We don't need this," Paakhi chides from behind them.

"Paakhi I know why you are always so grouchy, I mean it is reasonable to feel upset being ugly among these beautiful girls."  He taunts.

I see Paakhi glare at him and grab the pillow from the couch.

"Either you leave right now or I will hit you." She exclaims angrily.

"Oh, I'm scared!" He barb.

"Neel, please," I beg. Seeing Paakhi blazing.

"Okay fine, enjoy ladies." He announces and walks away.

Sana and Riya look amused. These people leave no chance to embarrass me.

"I hate this guy, why does he come to our house." Paakhi proclaims angrily.

"Oh chill, you will get over yourself."
Aditi comments, shrugging her off.

"Girls I was talking about this!" She exclaims raising the bottle in the air.

"I'm in!" Riya exclaims excitedly.

"We can't say no to a guest, right?" She persuades Paakhi and me.

"Whatever," I retort and walk to the kitchen to grab some glasses from the cabinet.

"So how did Riya ended up here?" I hear Paakhi ask.

"Aditi!" I call her in the kitchen.

"Huh?" She answers strolling in.

"Grab the money from my room," I instruct her.

She nods and walks off.

I take the glasses and bottle of ketchup and cheese dip to the living room.

"Here, make some room for me," I ask Paakhi and shove her aside.

"Ouch," she complains and veers aside.

For the third time today the doorbell ring.

"Finally," I hear Aditi exclaim walking towards the door.

"I just love this aroma." Riya exclaim licking her lips.

"Ta-da!" Aditi exclaims hoping towards us.

"I can't wait," Riya exclaim and dig in.

We all follow her and grab a piece each.

After eating Paakhi discard the garbage and I clean the bed.

"Okay now what?" Paakhi asks Aditi.

"Okay, now we play never have I ever!" Aditi exclaim.

We all agree with her and fill our glasses to the top.

"So I will start okay, Never have I ever hit someone." Riya commences.

I see Aditi and Paakhi take a sip.

"Now you go, we move in the circle" Aditi instructs me.

"Never have I ever, shoplifted," I announce.

"Even if I drink this whole drink it would be less." Aditi proclaims taking a sip.

"You always say these things and never explain," Sana protest.

"Oh sweetheart, I'm not drunk enough to tell my sob story." She tells causing Paakhi and me to shake our heads.

"So moving on, Never have I ever cursed in public." Paakhi exclaim.

"Are you guys trying to get me drunk?" Aditi asserts taking a sip. Her glass is half empty now.

I see Riya taking a sip too.

"Now your turn," she tells Sana.

"Umm, I don't have anything to say." She replies embarrassed.

"No Di please, anything?" Riya plead.

"Okay, no problem I'll go this time but for the next think of something," Aditi proclaims.

"Never have I ever dumped someone over texts." She announces.

Only Sana takes a sip causing all of us to tease her.

"We never thought you would do something like this." I tease.

"It was back in my school days." She flushes.

"Aww, our little Sana was a badass in school..." Aditi tease.

"Hush, move on." Sana shrugs attention from herself.

"Okay fine, this time let's spice things up. For every time you have done something you have to chug a whole glass of whiskey ok?" Aditi ask.

"And before any of you object, the punishment for backing off is being a servant for 24 hours." She adds before I can object.

"I'm in!"

"I'm in!"

Paakhi and I blurt together same scared expression on our faces.

"I knew it," she smirks.

"Is it really bad?"Sana asks us.

" bad? It is a torment. Think about cleaning, cooking, washing and anything else the other person ask. Everything on the same day. " Paakhi recite our bad days.

"Then I'm in," Sana blurt immediately.

Aditi and Riya high-five each other.

"Okay Riya, go!" Aditi asks her.

"Never have I ever Kissed my friend's brother." She announces.

Aditi, Paakhi and I look at each other and I chug my drink in one go, remembering Arhaan. The bitter taste in my mouth makes me regret my decision.

Aditi follow my lead and chug her drink.

But the surprising thing is Paakhi chugging her drink.

"You too?" I ask her confused because as much as I know, Paakhi didn't have her first kiss. But she told us that she kissed someone today.

This is so confusing...

"Whom did you kiss? And who's brother?" I ask her.

"No no, you can't ask questions," Aditi asserts.

I see Paakhi sigh in relief.

"Okay, now you go Maanu," she asks me.

"Never have I ever gone to a picnic," I announce sadly,

Sana and Riya chug their drinks. Sana even coughs due to the taste of whiskey.

"We will go together," Riya assure squeezing my hand. I smile at her in gratitude.

"Never have I ever drunk dialled anyone," Paakhi calls.

Riya drinks and laughs out loud.

Seeing her laughing I laugh and Paakhi accompanies me.

"Looks like you guys are drunk. " I hear Adi mutter.

"No no I'm not," I say maintaining a straight face or you could say try maintaining a straight face.

"You look so funny," Sana blurts looking at Paakhi.

"Thank you," Paakhi reply and chuckle.

"You know I was so upset earlier but you guys made me happy, Thank you!" Paakhi holler.

"Why were you upset?" Sana asks her sadly.

"I was on a date with someone else and kissed somebody else." She confesses.

"Hawww!!" Riya exclaim in shock.

"No no it was not my fault, it was his fault, he kissed me suddenly and I-" Paakhi try to explain.

"Did you like it?" I ask her excitedly.

"Huh?!" She looks at me confused.

"Yes, I mean it was magical, I can't explain it in words but the feeling was surreal." She answers with flush cheeks.

"Aww, our Paakhi dear has a crushhhhhhh" Sana exclaim and starts jumping on the couch.

Riya follows her sister and starts hopping.

I find it exciting so I stand up and start bouncing on my spot.

"Paakhi has a crush," we start chanting.

"But he doesn't like me," Paakhi mumbles sadly.

"Who is that idiot, that doesn't like you?" Sana asks irate.

"Your brother!" Paakhi shriek.

"Huh!" Aditi acclaim.

"What do you mean? Who is it? Shaurya?!" Riya exclaims excitedly.

"Not Shaurya!" Paakhi exclaims distastefully.

I see Aditi glare at her. What is happening?!

"I knew it! And I ship you guys, You have my blessings." Riya babble, texting someone.

"How do you know?" Paakhi asks her surprised.

"I have my ways and now everyone knows, and My mom just texted back with a heart emoji." She exclaims happily.

"What did you write Riya?" Aditi asks her cautiously.

"That Paakhi and Arhaan bhai are dating and love each other." She replies in a duh tone.

"What?!" We all exclaim together.

"What did you do?" I exclaim hurt, feeling like crying.

"I can not believe this just happened." Aditi mumble amused.

___________________________________

Updated!

Let me know your views.

Have a great day ahead.

And what do you think will happen next?