" that I am prepared bro. If my wife is ready" I smirked at him and looked towards Shristi and she blushes even more and everyone laughed out loud. " don't blush too much or your cheeks are gonna hurt baby" I said to her and her eyes widened. She looked cute and it made me chuckle at her."

*****************************************

God, such a shameless man I got over there. Doesn't even know how to speak in front of others. Really? Who the hell cares. He is absolutely awesome. Speaking his mind out. And you are asking why am I blushing. ' Tell them that is human nature.'

Yeah, but at the same time, it's my family. If you can't be yourself before your family and who the hell are you living for? Some constraints should set before others but not for family.

 I can't help but blush at the words he is using at me. I think he is enjoying my embarrassment because he seems to not able to take that stupid, sexy smirk off his face. But again it suits him.

God, Can you send someone here to save me? I think he answered my prayers cause my dad called me. 'Thanks, appa' I thought to myself but I was wrong. I thought my previous situation was better than now. I sighed at the elders in front of me.

Soon everyone joined with others. They asked me to sit with them and Mrithun was seated with my family. They started to interact with me and asked me a lot of questions. Those twins were the worst they literally asked everything I had done since diaper.

I peeked a look where Mrithun was seated, He looked so comfortable and speaking with them like they have been friends for years. I smiled at that, He likes my family but then he caught me peeking at him and he winked at me.

I rolled my eyes at him but the smile on my face says otherwise. 'Traitor' I thought to myself.

 " It's been years since I had seen him so comfortable around others." His mom said to me and gave her confused look.

 " Yes, she is right. I missed this side of him so much. And this all because of you" Tarika commented about his brother. Woah... wait a sec. I haven't even done anything. Usually, They say this dialogue once we get married right?

" Ever since last Sunday, After he met you he seemed to be in good mood and even his playful character and cocky attitudes are back. In short, He is himself from the day he saw you." Tarun finished and his face had a genuine smile and happiness.

 " I had to accept that I knew he would like you the second he sees you. You had him around your hands the moment you were born." His father laughed at me.

I blushed and gave shy smile to them. 

"He didn't even look at girls for years and we thought he started to bat for the same team," Harish said to me and I started to laugh. This caught everyone's attention, I tried to control my laughter but my efforts went futile.

 " Why you have to say like that, I...imagined...imagined him that way. God, it's funny" I said to them and laughed with me.

" What's so funny, that you guys are laughing. If you share we could also have a hearty laugh, Right?" Mrithun asked us. 

" Bro, believe me. You don't have to." Tarun warned him. But he forced us to say.

" I don't. Come on guys tell us." And before I could stop myself I blurted out to all.

 "They thought you started to bat for the same team since you said no to everyone." This made his cheeks turn slightly red and he glared at his family. 

But suddenly his eyes met mine and smirked at me and said, " Well, I also came to know that you were always interested in girls more than boys and you can't stop talking how beautiful that you admire them."

I stood up and defended myself and said " I was like 11 at that moment and a teenager. I thought I should be beautiful like them and nothing else." and wrapped my arms around myself.

He got up and came a little closer to me and teased me, "Is that so... I don't think it is?" 

God he and his stupid smirk. Come on, Shristi don't get distracted. 

" Yes. It is so." And gave him a daring look to argue.

He came closer to me while looking at me and my heart started to beat so fast that my palms were sticky. He leaned down and my breath caught at this. What the hell is he trying to do. His face was near my ears.

 " I know baby cause I could hear your heartbeat fast and indeed you became beautiful and perfect." He whispered those words and smirked at me.

 I always had my insecurity. I don't have a model-like body and other things but when he said ' I looked beautiful ' I could feel the genuineness in his voice and it sent me a shiver over my body.

I looked at his eyes. We were staring at each other like the first time we saw. We both couldn't avoid the attraction between us. I could say it was both physically and emotionally. I never felt this intensity with anyone but him. 

I have felt some attraction before with some but not to what I have towards him. We were both startled when everyone cleared their throat. I was blushing like anything ever since I met him and then I noticed how close we were that to in front of everyone. 'Like you would do something if they aren't here' my mind said and shook my head to clear myself.

We both had the same expression on our faces and we both smiled at each other.

" Mom, you know Shristi dance awesomely and you missed that on Sunday. That's when my brother, Your son met her." Tarun said to his mom and smirked at Mrithun.

 " Really? Can you dance for us? Is it classical?" She asked me. 

" My mom loves classical dance," Mrithun said silently. So that only I could hear. 

" Hum... Yes, Aunty. I know Bharathanatyam and Kathak dance." When I said those her eyes lit up like anything.

" Just one dance, Kanna and you will be her daughter in law." Mrithun's father teased his wife and she slapped his chest and glared at him. 

I smiled at them and looked towards my family, and they gave me an encouraging smile. But before I could play a song on my music system Mrithun said " Can you dance for the song you danced on that day?" 

And I looked at him and he just shrugged and our siblings started to tease him. He just blocked them out and looked at me. It was my chance to smirk at him. Anyway, he asked me so I started to dance to the song he asked.

Once the song started I looked at him and his face reflected something that couldn't figure out how. Most of the time I had my eye contact with him and sometimes at others. Once I finished everyone started to clap. It's been a while since my family saw me dance and they had big smiles on their face. 

" You dance gracefully. Bless you, my child." His mom said to me and I smiled warmly at her.

" Well, I am really lucky to have her as our daughter, Mohan. We all love her a lot. Especially, the twins. They are the ones hard to impress." Mrithun's dad said to my father. 

Dad smiled at his words and said " What about your son, da? They are the one to be living their life. Let them talk at first and we shall discuss once they had talked with each other."

" About that uncle. I want to take her out this Sunday for lunch. With your permission, I will take care of her and bring her safely to your house. You can trust me." Mrithun said to my father with confidence in his voice. 

My dad always likes a person who is confident and bold while speaking. This guy is definitely in good books with my father.

"So you don't want to talk to her right now?" He asked him.

Mrithun replied, " With your permission, I will right now. But I want some privacy when I discuss myself with her about my past. As of now, I can talk with her about her opinion."

My dad understood and gave his permission and then asked me to take him upstairs for some privacy. Once we reached there I thought he would compliment the terrace garden to start a conversation but what he asked surprised me.

" I don't think this place gives us privacy. Can we go up there?" He said and pointed out where the water tank is. I looked at him like he is crazy. 

" Are you crazy or something? What if somebody comes and finds us over there? Won't they get wrong ideas?" I kept on blabbering but he rolled his eyes and kept his fingers on my lips to quiet me. I was stunned and looked at him.

" You talk too much, Shri. Just follow me up. Please?" He said.

 He is definitely crazy. One second he orders and then requests. I rolled my eyes and nodded my head.

 " And for your kind information next time you talk too much my fingers won't be the one to stop, my lips will do. Remember baby," he said and winked at me.

I gulped at his words and I am sure I am not ready. But he started to climb and helped me over there. This was my favourite place. This one has quite a view from this top. It's already 5:00 in the evening and you could see the sun is slowly setting down.

Our silence was comfortable and we were enjoying our surroundings. Birds flying to their nest. Children were playing on the street. I was busy watching around and he cleared his throat. I looked at him and raised my eyebrows.

 " Are you okay with going out with me? If not just say and I will understand." He said with a worried tone. I placed my hands on him and he gripped mine. 

" No. I don't mind and I am looking forward to it. Don't make it worse cause it's my first date." I teased him.

 And he said, " Probably, that you won't go out with any other man." He mumbled and his voice was uncertain.

"Are you okay?" I asked him and I was worried about his mood change.

 " If I say I am okay I will be lying to you. I will explain everything on Sunday and you can decide you want me or not. By the way, Are okay with the arranged marriage? Are you with someone? You can say it to me. I will face it." This time he was blabbering and I giggle at his speech.

" And you say I talk too much I wonder what I will do?" I tapped my fingers at my chin and looked at him.

 He chuckled and said, " Maybe you could do what I proposed to you." he laughed at me while I glared at him.

" And for your question, my answers are 'yes' and I am okay with an arranged marriage. I trust my parents and myself. As for if am I dating someone answer is 'no'. Have you forgotten that I told you Sunday is gonna be my first ever date?" I questioned him and smiled at me.

" Right, I forgot about that. I can't believe you were that baby who I held and made her sleep. Never in million years, I thought that. I heard that story many times but today was different" he said and chuckle at me. 

" Same feeling here dude," I replied.

" Are you okay with this? Your parents told me that you eloped each and every meeting with other girls?" I asked him. I am not sure at what he is gonna say.

He gripped my hand and spoke " I am still ' HERE AREN'T I?' I have this strong attraction with you both physically and emotionally. I haven't felt with anyone and it worries me a lot." He said and hung his head low. 

I got down from his side and stood in front of him. He was sitting on the wall. I held his chin up and openly admitted my feelings to him.

" The feeling is mutual" I shied away and looked down at the floor. Not sure what to say anymore.

He suddenly grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him. Made sure I was between his legs. He hugged me closer and buried his face on my neck. I was shocked but reacted after a few minutes.

I felt relaxed and safe, his strong held me and it was the best. He too became calm and hugged me tighter. It was blissful and we were more comfortable with each other's presence.

I jumped away when my sisters called and I replied we will be down in a few minutes. They mumbled 'okay' and went down. 

" Shall we go?" I asked him and he nodded his head and followed me down. 

When I was about to go through the door he tugged my hand and pulled me towards him and hugged me once again. I can't help but be in his arms like they were meant to be with his warmth engulfing me. I inhaled his Cologne, Boy it was good.

He lifted my head and kissed both of my cheeks and my forehead. His lips lingering there for a few seconds and met my eyes. 

" Sorry, I can't help it." He said and rubbed his neck.

 I was blushing and flustered like anything and good he was smiling at me. I had so many emotions run through me and I looked at him. 

That cocky bastard said, " Aren't you gonna return my kiss?" He asked innocently.

I know that the guy in front of me is anything but innocent. I fake glared at him and slapped his chest. He laughed at me and held my hands one last time and we made our way downstairs.

Everyone was having evening tea and snacks. My mom gave us tea and a biscuit. We were in our word starting at each other from far.

" I think it's time for us to leave da. We enjoyed your company it was fun catching up with you again." Mrithun father said and got up from his seat. 

When those words left his mouth I felt a bit sad cause I won't be seeing him until Sunday. I had a worried expression and Mrithun held the same.

We all said goodbye. Madhu and Tarika hugged me and said goodbyes. We were outside the house. 

I was standing at the corner of our car so that I could see him better. We said bye and they made their way towards their car. But Mrithun turned around and made his way to me.

My heart was beating so fast. He removed the chain from his neck and placed it around my neck. He did this while looking into my eyes. 

Once he did, he turned towards my family and said, " I like her so much. She is it for me and thank you for everything." He answered my dad's previous question. 

My body was stunned at what he said. I had tears threatening to fall over. It's like we have known for years I could feel the bond.

He wiped my eyes and I didn't realize until his fingers made contact with my cheeks. He hugged me once more tightly and place a small kiss on my head. 

He looked at me and said, " Take care and be ready for me baby." And kissed my forehead.

 He smiled at me and made his way towards his car. His family had the biggest grin on their face and they waved at us.

His eyes never felt mine until he has to then he is gone. I turned towards my family and I am sure they expected an answer from me. I said 'yes' and they were so happy for me. I made my way to my bedroom and lied down. I could still feel his kiss on my forehead. With that, I slept like a baby.

*****************************************

Authors note

They both said yes to their proposal. Now that they have will they be perfect for each other? Watch and see. I am excited about their date.

I hope you liked it. Vote and comment.

Stay safe and happy.

#loveyourself😎

**†******†*********†**********†********†**