Maya’s POV:

"What??" Arjun exclaimed in shock, his voice loud enough to make my heart race.

I nervously licked my lips, feeling the weight of someone’s piercing gaze on me.

Har samay mere sath hi kyu ese garbar hoti hai bhagwanji ??!! I cried mentally ask my god.

I ignored that person’s intense stare, focusing back on the receptionist, my last hope. 

I know if I didn't get any room..Arjun mujhe taane sunane mein koi kasar nahi chodega..

"Could you please check once more if there's any room available? It's already quite late, and it’ll be difficult for us to find another place now," I requested, my tone more desperate than before.

Arjun, ever the sarcastic one, chimed in with a smirk,

"Ek room se kya hoga bhala…insaan toh do hain na?"

The receptionist tapped away at her keyboard before finally nodding. 

"Yes, we have one room available, but just one, ma'am."

My heart leapt. "Does it have two beds?" I quickly asked, hopeful.

She smiled politely, shaking her head. "No, ma’am, it has only one king-sized bed... and a sofa."

"Oh! There’s a sofa?" I grinned, a glimmer of hope returning.

Arjun raised an eyebrow, nudging me playfully with his elbow. 

"Is sofa ka kya chakkar hai, madam?"

“Uff, ruko na ek minute...baat  kar rahi hoon na mein!" I scolded him lightly, waving him off.

He rolled his eyes but gestured for me to continue.

 After confirming, I hastily booked the room, feeling a small victory.

The waiter guided us to our room, and just as promised, there it was—one large, inviting bed and a modest sofa off to the side.

"So, madam ji, where shall we sleep?" Arjun crossed his arms, smirking at me with that knowing look of his.

 “I told you earlier to book in advance, but no, Miss. Overconfident didn’t listen,” he shot back sarcastically.

“Well, it’s all settled now, isn’t it? Problem solved!” I declared confidently, dropping my luggage on the bed.

His smirk deepened. "Kaha solve ho gayi? Mujhe toh kuch dikh nahi raha,” he teased.

“Are, it’s simple—I’ll sleep on the bed because I’m the girl, and you’ll sleep on the sofa because you’re the boy. Problem solved!” I shrugged as if it was the most logical solution in the world.

“Ohh, hello! Problem tum create karti ho, aur bhugte hum ladke? Aisa nahi chalega! You’re sleeping on the sofa, and that's final,” he said with finality, moving my luggage to the sofa and his to the bed.

“Haww! Aise kaise? Can’t you see how small the sofa is? I won’t be able to sleep!” I whined, pouting at him.

“Haan, aur main toh jaise Lilliput hoon na, right?” he replied with a mock laugh, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

I sulked, puffing my cheeks in defeat. He sighed.

“Alright, here’s a solution—we both sleep on the bed. Happy?” He finally conceded.

With no other option, I nodded reluctantly.

---

Arjun’s POV:

When I stepped out of the bathroom, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of Maya stacking pillows in the middle of the bed, building a makeshift wall between us.

“What’s all this?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“This is a wall, so you don’t cross over to my side in the middle of the night. Who knows what you might do?” she says giving me a side look

"Haan, kyunki mujhe toh bada shauk hai tumhe apni baahon mein lene ka," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.

“Kuch bola?” She narrowed her eyes, catching on.

“Nope, nothing. Just sleep already. Tomorrow we have to pretend to be a couple, remember?” I said, lying down.

“Sirf acting,” she corrected, her voice softer now.

“Haan haan, wahi ACTING,” I chuckled, closing my eyes with a grin.

---

Next Morning:

When I woke up the next morning, the sun had already filtered into the room. Blinking groggily, I turned my head and froze.

Maya was curled up in my arms, her leg draped casually over mine, her soft breath brushing against my face. My heart stopped for a moment. 

The pillows that were supposed to be our barrier? Gone. They were now lying abandoned on the floor, probably she kicked away during the night.

What surprised me even more was that my arm had somehow wrapped itself around her waist. Her hair was strewn across her face, hiding her features, and without thinking, I gently moved the strands away, revealing her peaceful, serene face.

‘Kal toh bahut bol rahi thi ki ..ab kya hua?? Kaun Aya mere side hmm?’ I murmurs gazing at her..

She looked so beautiful, so... natural. Her delicate features, the slight flutter of her eyelashes, the way her lips parted slightly as she breathed—it was all so captivating. I found myself staring longer than I should have, memorizing every detail.

What are you doing, Arjun? Pagal ho gaya hai kya? You're literally checking her out! my mind scolded me, but my heart had its own rhythm, one that fluttered unexpectedly.

Carefully, I shifted her to the side, trying not to disturb her sleep.

As I did, she unconsciously grabbed my pillow, hugging it tightly to her chest, snuggling into it as if it were the most precious thing in the world.

Later we got ready in our wedding outfits.. I came out from the bathroom wearing my pale yellow kurta ..

I look up to see Maya is wearing a yellow color sharara suit..no doubt but she is looking absolutely gorgeous..

‘Ready ?? Toh chale hum??’ she asked, setting her yellow chunni..

My trance broke out. I don't know why I'm behaving like an idiot.

‘Its acting Arjun…mind it’ my brain scolded me again.

‘Hmm ,ek minute.. just let me wear my watch’ I said..

She nods, taking her sling bag and wearing her heels.

We reached the venue in almost 10 minutes as it is quite close to our hotel.

___________________________

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