"Feelings never do make sense. They get you all confused. Then they drive you around for hours until you're right back where you started"
- Blair Waldorf

Sorry for the short chapter. Will try to make it longer next time. Also, this chapter is a bit all over the place cos our Ajeeb Rajvansh is very confused. So I've tried to contradict and frustrate the hell out of him. Don't be alarmed by his topsy-turvy thoughts.

CHAPTER 24

Abir didn't feel like going home and since he had cancelled all his meetings, he couldn't go to office as well. Frowning, he decided that the club would be his choice and he set off, all the while thinking about Mishti.

His pride was rather pricked. Mishti had refused him not once, but twice. It probably wasn't wise of him but he had assumed that Mishti would be glad to marry him. Who wouldn't, after all? But instead, she had said being unmarried was far better than being unhappy with him. She wasn't wrong with her reasoning, but she was wrong nonetheless.

For he knew that their marriage would not be an unhappy one. They were clearly compatible in the physical aspects of marriage but it was more than that.

Mishti was smart, mature, sportive, graceful, dutiful and most of all, comfortable around Abir. And he was fascinated by her, he knew that much. Whenever she was close, All Abir could do was feel happy and proud.

Abir raked a hand through his hair. When they married, she'd be Elite Number 6, have wealth and would be the wife of one of the most coveted bachelors in all of Rajkot. What the hell else did the woman want?

Mishti would be a wonderful wife for Abir.

If only she would realise it for herself.

He shook his head. He was deluding himself. Mishti was not averse to marrying him. But what she had said was true. If last night had not happened, would he have asked her to marry him? Probably not.

Marriage.

It had been an impossible dream for him. He had never expected to marry. But this girl with her sweet smile and her passionate spirit had bewitched him. She had turned his life upside down. Yes, He had not thought of marrying her all this while but now he could not stop thinking about it.

Mishti Abir Rajvansh.

No, Mishti Singhania. She had refused him. He should be done with it. It was her choice. He should not be bothered.

Why did it bother him then?

He had had no valid response for her questions. Why did he want to marry her? Yes, she was perfect on paper. But that was not the reason. He had no words to describe what he was feeling.

He knew what Mishti wanted. But it was something he could never give.

A love match.

The thought made him straighten up. She had confessed her belief in love matches ages ago, and he had scoffed at her, showing her that attraction was equally as powerful as the love in which she placed such faith.

She could not honestly have refused him because she was holding out for love. He shook his head, frustrated at the very idea that she would risk her future with a rejection of his proposal because of some childish fantasy she refused to release.

The very idea was preposterous. He'd had enough of thinking about it.

He entered the club and headed over to the bar. Ignoring the half filled tables, Abir sat down near the counter and ordered a scotch. As he sipped the drink and nursed his bruised pride, the loud commotion from the tables made him turn around.

Seeing that the hubbub was coming from Jai Khanna's table, Abir decided to ignore it. However, Jai had spotted him and was now waving jovially in greeting and beckoning him.

Jai : Abir Rajvansh! Just the person I wanted to see. Better get that money ready.

Abir : Money?

Jai : Eighteen lakhs! That's what you owe me right? Have it ready by this weekend for I will have won my girl by then.

Abir made a fist with his hand but did not make any other movements. He raised an eyebrow and smirked at Jai.

Abir : Your girl? You really think the lady will accept you?

Jai : As if she has any other choice? Believe me, she will be plenty grateful when I go and propose this week. As it is, No one wants to marry Mishti Singhania and yesterday, she was so happy that I took her out to the exhibition.

Abir couldn't handle it any longer. Before Jai could blink, Abir had punched him in the face and he was now lying on the ground, sporting a cut lip.

Abir : That day, I accepted all your wagers and I said that Mishti Singhania would never agree to marry you. I would say she is 1000 times better than you but that would be an insult to her as she is incomparable compared to a buffalo like you. I am so confident that she will never say yes to your proposal that I am prepared to double the amount should I lose. Thirty six lakhs... No, Make that a round forty lakhs that I'll owe you if she says yes.

Wiping his hand and shaking his head in disgust, Abir turned to leave, but stopped and looked at Jai once more.

Abir : I am not the best epitome of a gentleman out there but even I know there are limits where women are concerned.

With that, he walked out of the bar, saying nothing, telling himself that his behavior had been in defense of a lady to whom he was greatly indebted.

It was easier to convince himself of that reasoning than to consider the emotions that created a turmoil at the idea of Mishti becoming Mrs Jai Khanna.

Mishti Abir Rajvansh.

The thought haunted him the entire way back home.

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Mishti walked into KP's store and waited to receive the clothes that Anya, Kuhu and she had ordered. She was glad of the distraction. Abir's visit had thrown her and she didn't feel like hiding in her room. The same room where she had kissed Abir senseless just last night.

She sat down in the salon waiting for KP to come. Soon one of her assistants came and handed Mishti a glass of water.

Assistant : Miss Singhania! KP says she will be over in just a few minutes. She's sorry but a customer came in just after she called you. In the meantime, She's asked you to come and sit in the trial rooms where she can show you the dresses.

Mishti : Very well! Kuhu and Anya will be here soon but I might as well come and see the dresses now.

She followed the assistant inside and greeted KP, who came forward to hug her.

KP : I'm so sorry, Miss Singhania! I wanted the afternoon to be free for you. Unfortunately, We have a most insistent customer and she refuses to come later.

Mishti's lips twitched at the thought of a customer being so unreasonable that even KP was made to behave so unprofessionally.

KP : I will go and get the clothes. Excuse me a moment. By the way, she should be done with her fitting so she'll be coming out in a few minutes. Hope you can handle her.

Mishti nodded and sat down, amused at KP's antics. The door opened and all amusement vanished from her face. The overly obnoxious woman was none other than Natasha, Abir's ex-girlfriend.

Mishti stared at Natasha's beautiful features-- Her sexy yet ethereal face, her wonderful figure and in contrast, she couldn't help but feel pale and plain. She understood why Abir didn't seem to feel any sort of feelings for her beyond regret and gratitude. Why would he when he was used to women like Natasha?

Trying to squash this feeling of inadequacy, Mishti stood and decided to wait outside for Anya and Kuhu but a hand caught hers and she turned around to face Natasha.

Natasha : I think it's time that Abir's girlfriends had a conversation with each other.

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To everyone who guessed Natasha, Good catch :P 

Wonder what she is going to tell? Why does she want to talk to Mishti? :o

Let's try for 92+ votes and comments... Thank you all <3