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Viren's POV

" Give them a call Geet. Let us discuss a date for the wedding. I will not take leave again until a month before marriage. So whatever we ought to talk or discuss let's do it in these few days." my father told my mom. "One month? that's it?How should just the both of us manage everything Krishna. It's your son's wedding, at least now you take a long leave." my mother almost pleaded. It had been two days since we declared our decision to our parents. I still cannot accept that I would be married. My parents have literally cornered and got the decision out of us. Payal and I have shared a very good friendship and were comfortable with each other. I had been clear that I would take time to accept her as a wife and she took it quite well.The fact that she was also doing this owing to her parent's pressure would make it easy for us. I hope thoughts of Sneha will not ruin everything for me. For all I know I would be married before her and I wish to see her reaction. What?Why do I care how she will react? What do I want from it?Sometimes I wonder what am I turning into. I just wish I won't cross paths with her ever again.

" Swetha, why don't you extend your stay until marriage. You can help your mom", my dad interrupted my sister who was busy running after Aarav. "I don't know Dad. I should talk to Avinash about it", she said and that gave my darling nephew time to knock down a flower vase. "You also talk to him Geet. She will help you in the shopping and stuff. Of what help would I be in these things" he said hoping my mom would let him go. "If not in shopping, there would be other things that you could do. Please take two months leave Krishna" she declared. They bickered like school kids and my head started to hurt
I had loads of shit in my head that I was already over thinking about.

" Oh! stop it both of you. Is the marriage fixed already? Why are you both arguing right from now? Take one step at a time.Please!" I snapped not able to withstand further." Yeah.He's right. Let's talk to them first" ,my dad took the opportunity to divert the topic." Padma called yesterday, they want to talk to their pandit and call us on an auspicious day",she said." Auspicious day to call?" ,me and dad exclaimed at a time and started to laugh.Mom shot us a disgusted look which made both of us shut up instantly, "But I will be here only for few days", my father has always been against staying away from work for longer periods ." Its their belief,don't make fun of it. I told Padma to tell them you will be here only for two days.She said she will inform.Let's see."

I have not disclosed about Sneha to Payal yet. I tried to do it the last time we met but could not get the courage to do it. This is important and I have to tell her very soon. I just hope she takes it in a right way. She did not seem like the possessive and jealous type. She is one heck of a girl, seeing her smoke blew my mind the other day. It is such a relief to have someone who does not fuss about your way of life. It was because of Sneha I quit smoking. Of course that did me good but her nagging, Oh my God! It was unbearable. I really admire Payal in some aspects. She was surely an asset to her company and it was always a pleasure to discuss work with her. I was glad I got to know her apart from work. She had a mischievous side to her that I found pretty amusing. She actually pushed a gay artist onto me and laughed at it to no end. That was so embarrassing. She was actually cute laughing like that.Just when I was thinking she must be such a boy to make fun of such things, she blushed at my cheeky comment. I never knew she could actually blush. The funny part was that she got caught. She had great things in mind that she wanted to work toward. My respect for her increased ten fold after knowing her inner side. The best thing that we have in common is our love for pets. She is so crazy that she convinced her parents to come over to my place to just play with Boxer.

"Bro! Stop dreaming and hold Aarav",Swetha yelled making me come out of the train of thoughts. That was when I realized I was smiling to myself like an Idiot. "What has Payal done to you. Look at yourself. You are all red", she pinched my cheeks. She was a mother of a 1yr old and still  behaved like a kid. I swatted her hand off and glared at her." Your defence is quite amazing kiddo. Glaring at me like that! It won't prove anything. In-fact it strengthens my words", she laughed. "Whatever! do you want me to help you with this rascal or you will handle him yourself", I threatened. He was so naughty that at least two people had to always be around him. " Fine!I won't tease you", she huffed and I gave her a evil laugh. Aarav who was looking at all this innocently suddenly grasped a fistful of my hair and pulled it making me yelp. "Way to go son!", his mother cooed giving him a kiss on his cheek.

*
Payal's POV

"I am so happy Vinuta. I am really indebted to Padma for this", my mom was animatedly discussing over the phone with her bff. Vinuta aunty had been out of town and just got back today. She was thus almost the last person to know about the 'great' news."Yeah! We will plan for a grand wedding.Ofcourse Vinu you are a part of our family. You should assist me in everything", she said beaming, I have always seen aunty by my mom's side since the time I knew her. " Dowry? We do not know yet. We have not got so deep into the discussion. Anyways that should not be a problem.She is our only daughter, any amount they ask for, we will give them. We want our daughter to be happy. I asked Padma to convey this", I shook my head and sighed. Dowry? that is just such a stupid custom. I will not let my parents waste their hard earned money for something like this. I was going to make it clear to them.My mom noticed my expression yet continued her little chat ,"Yeah!We were going to meet panditji today and ask about a good date to meet them and discuss about the remaining things" she said and they went on further about some good places where the wedding could be conducted and where the wedding sarees could be purchased and things like that. Finally after almost an hour my mom put down the phone smiling wide.

" Mom I know you are happy. I am happy too. But no dowry and I am serious. If you guys offer or if they ask, I am going to change my mind." I said almost making it sound like an ultimatum. My mom looked at me like she knew this was coming, " Its our custom Payal, don't try to poke your nose into everything. This is not your concern. Let us deal with it" she said like she was not going to entertain anything else on this matter. "Dad I am very serious. Don't you people offer any dowry. Should I have some respect for him or not? Why should we give them dowry? Am I not earning or is he not earning? I am not ok with it and that's final" I said and left the room. I faintly heard their discussion after that" I don't know what to do of her. She has a problem with everything. Too much of liberal thinking. It is partly your fault, you let her get away with anything she says" she said targeting my dad. " She's right Rajju. Children these days are responsible and matured enough to see things as they are. We should appreciate that." my darling dad always took my side no matter what. I sighed realizing I will be missing all this once I am married." Yeah Yeah your appreciation gave her this lineance" she said and I could imagine her glaring at him.

*

I don't know why was Viren so late today. He was supposed to pick me up at five and it is almost six. He could have at least texted saying he would be late. Idiot! I don't know if swearing your fiancee is allowed.Gosh! 'fiancee?', that made me blush and just then Priya walked in. Damn! why do I get caught blushing. Always!

"Ahem!Some one's turning into a tomato", she said propping her chin on her hands. I was caught and there was no way out, I grinned at her. " Where is the lover boy? Is he running late?",she asked studying me closer. "Looks like it and lover boy?Seriously Priya?", I said as her lips formed a smirk. " What are you still doing here?I thought you would have left", I said trying hard to change the topic." Well I have a fiancee. I can go on a date too". she laughed." Alright! I did not stop you. When is he coming?If mine comes first, I will get you both intro-", I was cut short by her phone ring. " Sorry babe! My guy is here. Some other time. I am eager to meet Vi- him", she said and gave me a weird smile before walking out. Even before I could prod deeper into her reaction, I got a call from Viren asking me to meet him at the gate.

*

Viren's POV

Are my eyes betraying me? This cannot be true. Is that really who I think it is? Why is she coming out of Payal's office? What the hell is happening here! It can't be her. It can't be Sneha. Even before I got a proper view of the girl who just walked out of the office gates, she got onto someone's bike and left. My eyes might betray me, but my heart? Why do I feel like it is her? Why should this happen now? I heard someone tapping at the window shield but I had no intention to turn my attention. I was still looking at the retreating figure of the bike with that girl on it. The tapping on the window grew louder and it annoyed me. Whoever it was could wait but they were clearly impatient. I gave up and looked at the person standing at the other side of the car. Payal!

"Hey! Sorry, I was just thinking about something", I lied. She raised a questioning eyebrow at me and smirked. What does that mean? " You like her?", she asked mischievously."Wh-what?", I stuttered and beads of sweat started to form on my forehead. " The girl who you were so busily oggling at!", her smirk grew wider. "What ar-are yo-u talking about", I stammered and cursed myself internally. She laughed suddenly, " It is ok Viren. You can still look at girls. I won't object it. Provided you won't object me looking at hot guys", she said wriggling her eyebrows. I gave a nervous laugh, " Sure", I said as nothing else came out of my mouth.

I had to ask her, it was eating me. After driving some distance in silence, " Who was that?", I asked trying to sound casual. " Isn't she gorgeous?", she teased. " Nothing like that", I said hoping she would buy it. " Oh! Come on. Admit it. You were bowled by her", she pressed. You have no idea, I thought to myself but just kept quiet. " Anyways, she is my colleague and a good friend. Her name is Priya and she is engaged", she stressed on the last part like she wanted me to know. Relief spread over me as I realized that was not Sneha. "That was her fiancee on the bike. Aren't they cute?", she asked in a sing-song voice. I chuckled ," Yes. They look so much in love". Their chemistry was just so apparent in the few minutes I got to see them."Right! I am so happy she is with Kailash and not with that jerk", she said, scrunching her nose like she hated whoever he was. "Jerk?", I questioned looking at her. " That is one long story. In short, he was her ex-boy friend who could not convince his parents to get married to her".

That hit me like a bat on my head and I halted the car even without my knowledge. Two things about this rung a bell. There is still a possibility that it was Sneha and Payal hated that 'jerk'. That would mean if I told her about my past she would hate me too.I could see my idea of telling her about it go down the drain.

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Warning! More drama ahead :D

Happy Holi all!