"I made my way to our cabin and started to prepare for today's interview and some paperwork. Once I had done I went to my Manager and gave away my leave form. She just smiled and asked, " What's so special on Friday?" I sighed and explained the reason. She just laughed at me and said all the best. I don't know what's so funny. But soon it was Friday. Today is the day I need to face my father's friend's family."

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Today is the day I need to face my father's friend's family. 

Am I ready? Hell no! I am just dying inside out. God, I need to clear my mind otherwise I would go crazy. With that I took a long hot shower and this is exactly what I need. I remember that they will be joining us for lunch and its already 11!

Mom and chithi are busy cooking while my sisters help them. My father and his brother are making sure everything is in right place. 

And me? My job is just to relax and get ready. You know just great! I came out of the shower and wrapped myself in a big fluffy towel.

I did my routine and was about to wear my dress but then I thought that makeup will be good to while away the time. Sure it kept me busy and decided to wear salwar instead of saree. 

I said to my father that I can't wear a 'Saree'. It's just a meeting so why not wear comfortable clothes and have a relaxed conversation. God, Why am I feeling like I am about to be interviewed for that house daughter in law position?

But whatever I was thinking just gone out of the window. I heard a car park in front of our house. It's just 11:30 am! What the hell they are early! My mom knocked on my door and asked me to come down.

I still haven't done my hair. 'Oh God please help me!'

I groaned and pulled my dress out and then wore it in a record time and got done with my appearance. I stood in front of my mirror and adjusted my hair. I guess I look presentable enough. Get a grip, deep breaths! I chanted to myself.

After having some motivational speech to myself, I got down the stairs and there they were standing in the  center of our living room. My eyes locked with dad and he gave me his warm smile.

" Come here, Kanna." My dad gestures me to come over and I built up some confidence and moved my body to where he was. I let out a small smile and greet our guest.

" This is Shristi, my elder daughter." He introduced me as my sisters were already past the introduction part and my dad asked them to sit down.

I don't know what to say and as of right now it's simple that I need to be cool. That's when their son looked at me and gave a small smile and I returned the same.

He looks good and seems to be my type. 

'But he is not anything like the one we saw at the party' my subconscious remained me and my eyes widened at that thought. Why the hell am I comparing this guy with him? God, this is so frustrating.

"So, How are you my friend? It's been a long time since I had seen you?" The man who looks same as my father's age asked my dad. 

" Yeah, last time I saw you in Vellore for a case and I haven't got time as I was busy dealing the cases here and I'm good with my family." dad answered his dear friend.

Have I mentioned that my dad is a police officer? well, he is Assistant DGP and my uncle is a regional manager for the southern railway of India.

" Your house looks good with all these decors. Is there anything special today that you had decorated your house?" He asked my dad. 

I just looked at my dad and frowned at what he said. What does he mean by that? All these were done for them right?

My dad laughed and said, " Yes, Ganesh. It's a special day for us. One of my friend's family is coming over to our house for lunch and to see my daughter for their son."

" Oh, Good. I think I might have come over the wrong timing?" He asked dad.

To that my uncle politely replied, " Nonsense, It's not bad timing at all. You are always welcome to our home." The lady just smiled happily with the response given by uncle and looked at me.

 " If I ask something you won't mistake me right?" She asked looking at my dad and he replied 'No... not at all'

" Well, We are also looking for a perfect match for our son and I would like to ask your daughter's hand to my son. Maybe, if things work out between them they can be married with our blessings, Right?" She proposed her thoughts to dad and I was shocked with her response.

While his son face resembled the same shock expression which I had from his mother's proposal.

" Mom, I am not ready for marriage and please can you not embarrass me in front of everyone?" He whisper yelled at his mom but I'm sure everyone heard what he said.

" Hmm...I am grateful that you openly asked for my daughter's hand but then, It's totally up to my daughter. She is the one who is gonna live her life and it's her decision. But if we think practically why not give them a chance?" Dad said to them.

He turned towards me and asked, " What do you say? Kanna?" What the hell am I supposed to answer him? And he also giving me that look whenever he needs my help.  I sighed and cleared my throat. 

" Okay, Dad. But you know my condition." He just smiled and asked their son if he has any concern. He hesitated at first but later gave in with a defeated look.

My dad asked me to take him over to the terrace and speak with him in private. I looked over to my sisters and they just smiled at me. 

I sighed and asked him to follow me and reached my mom's safe heaven 'Terrance garden'.

" You guys have a beautiful terrace garden! Did you plant these?" He asked me.

And I replied to his question, " No, it's all my mom and my sister and I might have helped a little." He just nodded.

" Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Akash and I work as Technical Manager at Infosys." he said to me and I introduced myself to him.

" I know this is awkward, But I'm sorry for my mother proposal. She always speaks her mind without caring about other's opinion." Akash said to me and I nodded.

" I need to tell you something. I wasn't ready for this meet and I just came over here to my sister's house and my dad said that one of his old friends is nearby and to drop them over. I seriously haven't got any idea they will be proposing this idea." He just kept on blabbering to me. And I can't help but smile at him. Thank god! He is just as nervous as me.

I'm not the only odd one out, I thought to myself.

" You don't need to explain it and I can understand your point." I said to him and he let out his breath as if got free ticket to Goa.

" Thank you, But the point is I already love someone and she is my everything. Every time my parents talk about marriage, I just escape from that topic and today I got caught in this drama." He said and I grin to myself that I am free from one and one more to go.

" Why haven't you express your feelings to your parents? I am sure they would understand you and will do something about your relationship." I encourage him to tell about the girl he loves to his parents.

But he sighed and said, " It's not that and I think I'm not ready for marriage right now. The girl I love is still studying and she needs some time to achieve her dreams and it's selfish on my part to bring her into a mess right now. That's why I avoided this talk at any cost with my parents."

" Well, Can you imagine spending your life with any other girl other than her?" I questioned him and he smiled at me.

" Definitely not! She is it for me and no one else." He said with dreamy eyes and I cleared my throat to get his attention from his dream land.

 " Then explain this to your parents and let them know how you feel for her. Make them realize she is your happiness and you will be happy with her. They will understand eventually and everything will come in accordance." I said to him.

" You are right. I need to fight for our relationship and my parents. Thanks for your advise." He gave a huge smile to me.

" Well, what are friends for then? I mean... If you want... Will you be my friend?" I asked him hopefully and gave my hand for a handshake. 

He smiled and said, "Of course, I am lucky to have a friend like you." Which made me smile in return.

With that, we made our way downstairs. But I wasn't expected to meet is that those golden-brown eyes which was haunting me these past few days. When he looked at me, It was just like the first time I had seen his eyes. In that moment, it was just us and no one else. Then his eyes travelled behind me and frowned at Akash and then he tighten his fist like he is gonna beat the shit out of him. I wonder why?

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I was in the gym when I got a call from mom. She asked me to be home soon. I don't know what is up with her now. I packed my bag and made my way to the car and got in.

I turned on the FM and the song which 'she' danced gracefully played through my music system and I smiled at that thought of her. I must say this song had recently become my favourite and maybe her thoughts also.

https://youtu.be/rpc43hOKy0A

Whenever I hear this song it's like she is around me and I can't get her out of my mind. It's like she is a constant thought which has fixed by my heart to my mind. I reached home and parked my car in the drive way. Then got my bag and made my way inside there I saw my mom and Madhu cooking breakfast.

" Mom I'm here! What's so urgent you called me?" I asked her while stealing some diced carrots from the plate.

 "Ew... You stink! Go and shower first. We need to talk to you about something  important." she said without even sparing another glance at me. While Madhu is busy eating her tea with some biscuits. 

I rolled my eyes at her and got into my room. I placed my bag in the cupboard and got into my bathroom for a hot shower. After taking my own sweet time, I got out and dressed in sweat pants and a t-shirt then made my way down but stopped on track when I saw my sister's bed filled with clothes and she was talking to herself. 

" What's this Taru? Is your wardrobe full that you don't have enough space to get your dresses inside?" I teased her but she gave me shocked expression as if I has grown two heads. She pinched herself and mumbled something 'like is this dream' or something.

" Not so funny bro, I can't decide which dress to wear and what do you think about these dresses? which one will be good on me?" She asks and holds out 3 dresses on her arms.

" How do I know which one will be good? Try those dresses and see for yourself." I said to her and in turn She threw her dupatta at me. I caught it and chuckled at her.

" I feel so sorry for whomever is gonna marry you. Can't even suggest which dress would be good and on top of that you own a business in the textile sector." she said to me.

I smirked at her and said, " First, let's discuss this If I marry someone and then if she asks me about clothes she won't be wearing one and..." she just pulled out a disgusted face and tried to push me out of her room 

" Eww... I don't even want to know what you will do with her. Now, get out of here and let me have some peace." With that, she practically threw me out of her room and slammed her door on me.
 
With that I got down and got my newspaper and started to read the important business column while my little brother 'Tarun' was busy watching something on Tv and had the remote with him.

"Can you switch to a news channel, Please?" I asked him but he didn't even spared a look at me and continued watching his program. At the same time Harish joined us with a file in his hand and passed on the file to me my signature. While I was reading the document Madhu came over sat near Harish.

Suddenly, the same song which reminds me 'her' started to play and I groaned  loudly which caught their attention on me. 

" What happened?" Madhu asked me but I cleared my throat and mumbled 'Nothing' but my brothers had a knowing smirk.

" Yeah, That's nothing. He groaned because that song remains him of someone special. Am I right brother?" Tarun teased me and I gave him a finger to shut his mouth while Madhu shook her head and smiled at us.

"Really 'someone special'! and who that might be anna? ( means brother) " Tarika asked me.

"He is just playing around. It's just...hmm... I already heard this song play twice in the morning. Nothing else." I said to them and trying to concentrate on my file.

" And you didn't think of that girl when you hear this song?" Harish asked and raised his eyebrows at me while I mumbled a 'no'.

"Anni, You know I still remember that girl and I must say she looked very beautiful and her body looked ho.." Before Tarun could finish the sentence I threw the pillow hard on him to shut his mouth. I don't want anyone to call her ' hot or gorgeous ' only I get to praise her and nobody else, I thought to myself and everyone laughed at my action. 

I was about to get my little brother and teach him a good lesson but then mom called us for breakfast and that little bastard fled away from me. I shook my head at him while a small smile formed on my lips. Once we got to the table mom served us and dad started to talk about something. I looked at him when he mentioned my name.

" Mrithun, You don't need to go to your office today. We are leaving to my friend's house for lunch and you are gonna meet the girl who you should have met on Sunday. But it's okay and don't even think of ways to escape from here." He informed me.

I stopped eating and looked at him. I was about to argue with him but my mom beat me and said, " Please, get ready beta. Just this once! Can you do it for me please?" She pleads with. I just nodded my head and left the table without a word been said.

What the hell is wrong with these people. I sighed and took a shirt and pants from my wardrobe and got dressed. It looked semi-formal but it's okay. By the time I got down everyone was ready and inside the car. I don't know what's gonna happen today. Fuck it!

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Authors note

Finally, Shristi got to see him again. This getting interesting.

Costume for Shristi and Mrithun.

Stay safe and happy

#loveyourself😎

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