Ananya's POV :

"You go Ananya" said Janvi as she cut the tomatoes into neat slices and placed them inside the pieces of bread, "You go to that concert thing. Go with Kishan".

"I've decided to go but Mom and dad will kill me if they find out".

"They won't find out and they won't kill you", said Janvi "Because they'll be busy with something else."

"What...what are you going to do?" I asked, tensing up.

She turned around and grinned at me, "I'm going to confront them about Shaheer".

"No!" I almost screamed, "There'll be too much drama, Janvi".

"It's high time, your parents and I had a talk about this", she said with a determined glint in her eye, "I'm going to marry Shaheer and they'll have to agree to it."

"What are you going to do about the guy they're asking you to see?" I asked anxiously "Reject him on the face?"

"I'll think of something", she shrugged.

"But you know what mom and dad will do. There'll be a city hall debate. He's a Muslim and a photographer. Have you thought about that?" I asked concerned, "I'm really worried about you Jan".

Janvi smiled, "Babe, the only thing you need to worry about is what you should wear tomorrow. I'll worry about everything else".

                                     ~~~~~

"What if I don't like the food?" I asked Arjun later that afternoon as I leaned in towards the door holding what was to be my date outfit, "If it's a restaurant, at least I don't have to worry about wasting the food".

Seriously! I was so embarrassed to be talking like this to my brother. But what could I do? I desperately needed him. This was my first maybe-date and personally I was feeling that it would've been better if Kishan hadn't called me to his home.

"I don't think the food will be that bad", Arjun said after doing some serious thinking "A guy won't call a girl he likes, to his home for dinner, so confidently if he's not sure about the food. Besides I think he's trying to make you comfortable. And even after all this, if the food actually sucks, then just tell him. Don't feel guilty to say you don't like something, if you say it in a really kind way."

"I'm still nervous Arjun", I said warily.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Arjun pulled my leg, "I can if you want. Besides, I'm not exactly looking forward to see the matchmaking event that's going to take place here. I have a feeling that it's not going to be very pleasant".

Arav came inside the room right in time to hear this. He instantly started his own argument.

"So then should I sit here and suffer alone while you're both away on a hangout?" he asked "If you both are going, I'm also coming".

This was a new and even bigger problem.

"Neither of you are coming", I snapped "This is a date guys. Don't turn it into a family bonding picnic."

"Okay you go on your own then", Arjun said "I'll sit here in my room making no noise and pretending I don't exist. And staring at my Kendall Jenner wallpaper".

"Kendall? Really? What's so special about her? She's just a tabloid favourite", I muttered.

"She is a youth icon, hon", Arjun replied.

"Yeah and I'm the prime minister of India", I said.

"You're about to go on your first ever date in less than an hour and you're here making fun of my celebrity crushes?" Arjun asked.

"I'm not sure if mom bought my story", I said suddenly "She looked so suspicious. Especially since you're not coming".

"Then just tell her the truth", Arjun said.

"Are you serious? I'll die!", I snapped.

"Why don't you tell her openly?" Arjun asked.

"That is the problem in this house, isn't it? Nobody ever says anything openly", I grumbled before walking out.

After I got ready, I went back to Arjun's room to get his green signal for my date-but-not-exactly-a-date look.

I had listened to Arjun. I hadn't overdone it. But I had done it. The best tee and jeans I could find, a dash of BB cream that I had borrowed from Janvi, some eyeliner and lip gloss.

"I don't know why girls think guys shouldn't know that they care", Arjun had said "Come on, we like to know you've put effort. We feel wanted. The key is to show that you like them but not that you need them".

"Per-fect", Arjun said in clean approval, looking at me, "Should I ward off the evil eye from you? Hey what happened? Are you going to cry?"

"Arjun I'm lying at home", I croaked suddenly "What if I'm becoming bad?".

"Oh God! An listen", Arjun said grabbing my shoulders "I've lied at home all my life! For things worse than this. You're lying only to have some fun. A little bit fun never hurt anyone. Besides, it's not like you're not going to sleep with Kishan".

"Alright", I said somewhat comforted "I look okay, right?" I asked again glancing at the mirror.

"You look stunning! Just go and have fun! Pity, you can't sleep together yet"

"Arjun! I'm going to make a fool of myself, you wait and see".

"Relax! If by the end of today, he doesn't realise what an amazing person you are, he is a.."

"Shithead", I completed.

"Exactly!"

"But I feel like puking", I complained.

He took up an empty Pothys shopping bag from the bed and held it out infront of Ananya's mouth, "Better before than during", he shrugged.

                                      ~~~~~

"You two are going alone?" mom asked as I was getting into my heels, in the verandah. I had told mom and dad that I was going to Pooja's house and then we would go to the beach from there.

"We're not going alone mom, we're going together", I said.

"But still you're both alone. You sure you don't want Arjun coming with you? Should I ask him to come with you girls?"

"Mom! I'm not their bodyguard", Arjun yelled from the living room.

"See mom? We don't want that loser with us. We'll be fine."

"The beach isn't that safe at night these days", mom said looking thoughtful. I was scared that she might change her mind and say 'no' suddenly.

"Mom! Half of Chennai is always around Marina. It's never not crowded. We'll be safe", I said.

"Okay then, be careful. Text me after reaching", she said.

With a bit of guilt, some excitement and a lot of nervousness I said goodbye to mom and walked out.

Here's to my first ever date!