*Aslesha*

I reach Viraj's house, which I'm still very much fascinated by, a little after an hour. I'm exhausted.

I ring the door bell and Usha tai opens the door. "Arre aao aao beta" she says opening the door wideer and ushering me in.

"Mai tumhara naam bhul gayi wapas" she says guiltily. "Aslesha" I answer. "Aashi is fine".

"Haaa Aashi yaad rahega. Chalo mai tumhe tumhara kamra dikhati hu" she says and I follow her.

She shows me the room beside Viraj's one and I gulp. Right beside him?

It just has a bed and a small cupboard and is half the size of Viraj's room. But it's more than enough for me.

"Tum settle ho jaao, mai nikalti hu" she says and leaves.

I look around and sigh. I can't believe that this is happening. I fall back on the bed and close my eyes.

"Get up!" Viraj directly barges into my room and I jerk up.

"What the hell? Aise kaise direct ghuss gaye? Knock nahi kar sakte the kya?" I glare at him.

"Mere hi ghar me mai knock karu?"

"Ghar tumhara hai lekin ye room toh mera hai na" I shout at him.

"Itna drama kyu kar rahi ho itni si baat pe" he groans.

"Itni si baat? What if I was naked" I exclaim and his eyes widen. He pauses for a moment and looks at me from head to toe.

"Lekin nahi ho tum" he says. His voice sounded deeper than before.

Men!

"Hoti toh?"

"Vo tab ka tab dekh lenge" he says and my mouth falls open.

Seriously? Tab ka tab dekh lenge?

"I can't believe you just said that" I say shaking my head.

"Well.. I did. So shut up now. Mujhe abhi ke abhi biryani khani hai. Banaao" he says.

I get up and walk to his kitchen without another word. That's what I'm here for anyway.

"Chhaas bhi chahiye khaane ke baad" he calls out from his room as I continue making it.

After some time I knock on his door. "Khana ready hai" I say and he nods.

I start going into my room when he stops me. "Oye".

He has not once taken my name. I've noticed it. I turn and look at him, my eyelids feeling heavy.

"Tumne khaaya?" He asks and I frown. Why does he care?

"Mujhe bhuk nahi. I just wanna sleep. Aur kuch chahiye ya mai so jaau?" I ask.

A look of concern forms on his face but he hides it within a second making me confused whether I actually saw it or not. It's just my exhaustion making me see things now I guess.

"Ok. Go to sleep" he says and walks away.

I close the door and do just what he said. Go to sleep.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

The next morning when I open my eyes, I see that it's 9am. I want to go back to sleep but this is not my house, aur Viraj ko bhi bhuk lagi hogi. Isse pehle ke vo aake mujhpe wapas se baras jaaye, I'll make it.

I quickly shower and change into a white ganji top and faded torn jeans.

"Good morning" I say to Usha tai as I see her vacuuming the floor. She smiles and continues her work.

"Viraj kaha hai?" I ask.

"Subah se unke gym room me the. Abhi thodi der pehle beach pe gaye hai" she answers.

I gulp as the image of a sweaty Viraj doing push ups flashes in my mind. Subah subah hi aise khayal? Chee.

I decide to make aloo parathe. Viraj is still not back yet. Ja kar usse bulaa ke laati hu. I go to the backside of the house and stand on his balcony and see him. I literally faint.

He has a small towel around his neck and joggers which are hanging dangerously low below his hips. That's it. Utna hi. No shirt. No fucking shirt.

He walks slowly coming towards the house and stops when he sees a small puppy. He lifts him up and tickles his neck. Can I click a picture? Am I watching a movie or something? He's so stunning.

He really has become more muscular. Broad shoulders, six well defined packs and that v line.

Look up! Aur neeche nahi.

And now finally I can see his tattoos. But he wears a shirt. Ugh!

"I made parathas" I say breathlessly.

What the fuck?

He nods and walks inside along with the puppy and I follow him. I serve him and he gives some of it to the puppy. "You like it champ?" he asks him and he wiggles his tail and barks. I smile. He starts making coffee as I make toast for myself.

Just make it fast and run away. Run away and hide below your bed. Can't he properly button up his shirt? Think about other things.. like like..

His abs?

No nahi na nako ille.

I should think about today's shopping. Aaj Paro ke saath shopping jaana hai. Rudra ne bhi bulaya hai Viraj ko I guess. I wonder what he'll wear for the wedding. Jarurat nahi hai waise. Shirtless bhi aa jaayega toh thik hi-

"Are you stupid? Heyy!" Viraj waves his hand in front of my face and I blink.

"Huh?"

"Toast jalaa diya tumne. Idiot. Kab se aawaz de raha hu. Aankhe khol ke soti ho kya?" He asks and I flinch.

Great.

I take the black toast out and throw it in the bin. Then I pour a glass of milk for myself and drink it.

"Kuch kha lo. Kal se kuch khaya nahi hai tumne" he says and forwards the plate of parathas to me. I frown but eat it anyway.

Bhook lagne pe jyada zubaan chala ke faayda nahi. Kya pata bhuka hi rehna pade fir.

"Viraj-"

"Sir" he cuts me off.

"Excuse me?"

"You call me sir. As long as you're in this house you're going to call me sir. I'm not Viraj for you. I'm your boss" he states.

"Boss, sir? Are you into some Christian Grey kinky stuff" I ask and I see the tip of his ears turn pink.

Is Viraj, the blue eyed God, blushing?

"You call me sir or you're fired" he says shooting daggers at me.

"Fine" I say rolling my eyes.

"Bolo ab"

"Kya?"

"Tum kuch bolne wali thi"

"Arre ha.. bhul gayi" I groan.

"Yaad aaya yaad aaya. Aaj mujhe Pari aur Rudra ke saath lunch ke liye jaana hai aur mai shaam tak wapas aaungi. I'll make lunch though. Whatever you want" I say.

"Rudra ne mujhe bhi bulaya hai" he says, his voice sounding a little offended. I knew it waise, but I like to rile him up. Love to actually.

"Tumhe bhi bulaya hai?" I ask looking at him up and down making an expression like I can't believe it.

"Ha toh. Mai uska best friend hu!" He says.

"Kaash vo bhi tumhara hota. Fir tum usse aise akele chhod ke bina bataye kahi jaate nahi" I say before the words register in my mind.

But it's too late now. The damage has been done. Trigger pull kar diya, par goli mujhe hi lagne wali hai.

"What did you just say?" he asks stepping forward.

"Kuch nahi" I say, my voice sounding like the minions.

"A girl like you is in no position to judge me. Samjhi?" He asks coming so dangerously close that our bodies are almost touching. Almost.

A girl like me.

I gulp and nod. I can't seem to look away from his eyes, where there's a storm brewing. He's looming over me and I just feel like pushing him away or... Pulling him closer?

I just feel like.. doing something.

His phone starts ringing and he steps back. I let out a long breath which I didn't know I was holding.

"Yes" he says and I start to wash the dishes.

"Great. Will be there in an hour" he says and hangs up.

"Ek ghante me ready rehna" he says and leaves.

I look at his retreating back. I should seriously get myself a brain to mouth filter.

I get ready within an hour and just change my top letting the jeans be. I wear a pink off-shoulder top and nude strappy heels. For once I want to match his towering height.

I go to the living room. Viraj is not here yet so I go outside. Thank God it's a clear day today. I see that beside his bike there's also a sedan parked there. Wow. Truck aur cycle bhi rakh hi deta.

He's filthy rich, no doubt. I still feel so proud of him. I smile and take the gardening jug that is nearby and start watering the plants, all the while touching some of the flowers. I could spend a lifetime here. Such a serene and peaceful place.

I see a butterfly and try to chase it so that it comes and sits on my finger. Movies me toh aisa hi dikhate hai. But that's why they are movies. Sab fake. The butterfly flies away.

"Ha jaao! You colourful piece of shit" I say twisting my face.

"Wow"

I jump back and see Viraj leaning on his car with his hands deep in his pocket, looking at me. His eyes are dancing with amusement as a blush creeps on my cheeks.

He looks amazing in his moss green shirt and jeans paired with white shoes.

For how long has he been watching me?

"Ab bhi mai akele jaau ya fir..?" I ask changing the topic.

His face becomes expressionless again. "Baitho" he says and gets in his car and I sit in the passenger seat. Now that we're in an enclosed space I can feel his presence more.

I can smell his cologne which is a heady combination of forest and spice. That hasn't changed. I hope it never does.

He connects his phone to the music player and puts it on shuffle. Phir le aaya dil starts playing and I stiffen.

Just what the situation needed.

Phir le aaya dil majboor kya keeje
Raas na aaya rehna door kya keeje
Dil keh raha use maqammal kar bhi aao
Wo jo adhoori si baat baaki hai
Wo jo adhoori si yaad baaki hai
Wo jo adhoori si yaad baaki hai..

Viraj starts driving with one hand on the steering. He starts humming the song under his breath and a sad smile breaks on my face. His voice is magical. I can't hear him clearly but still, I've heard him before and his singing is wonderful.

I sit there silently, so that I can hear all the lyrics he's singing. After that song Give me love by Ed Sheeran starts playing but he turns off the music player.

Within a few minutes we reach. But not the platform where we take the ferry. It's some other place but this is sea facing too.

While I'm looking at the sea in front of me, Viraj has opened the door for me. I gape at him. Why is he being a gentleman now?

I get out of the car and frown. There are not many people here. In fact nobody is here.

But then I see another man who is wearing a suit walk towards us.

"Mr. Sachdev, good afternoon" he says and then looks at me after shaking his hand. "This is Miss Mathur" Viraj says and I refrain from rolling my eyes.

Miss Mathur? He doesn't even specify who I am? His friend? Girlfriend? Maid?

"Glad to meet you ma'am. I'm Sanjeev Raut" he says shaking my hand and I smile at him. He's probably in his late 40s.

"She's ready" he tells Viraj and starts walking as we follow him.

Who's ready? She? Koi ladki bhi aa rahi hai humare saath? Usse ready bhi karna pada? Viraj ki fiancee toh nahi? I clench my teeth together.

"Isn't she beautiful" Mr. Raut says as I'm walking a few steps behind them.

"I love her" Viraj says and I quicken my pace. Love? Love? Kon hai ye?

I let out a long breath when I see her. It's a bow rider.

"Isn't she beautiful ma'am?" Mr Raut asks me.

"She is" I agree looking at her. So this boat is a she.

I see the name on it. Yayaver. What does it mean?

"Thank you. You've done a great job" Viraj says and gives him an envelope from his pocket.

"The pleasure's all mine. Please sir can I get an autograph. My son is a huge fan" he says.

"Just bring him to meet me someday" Viraj smiles but gives his autograph. Mr. Raut leaves.

"So you now have your very own personal bow rider" I ask not being able to avert my eyes from it.

"Yes"

"And it's all yours. Just yours"

"Very own personal ka yahi matlab hota hai na" he says and I roll my eyes.

"Please tell me that you're taking me in this" I say joining my hands and literally begging.

"Baitho" he smirks and gets in. I jump in.

"Tumhe chalane bhi aati hai" I ask in awe. Isse kya nahi aata?

"Sit down will you? Put on that life jacket" he tells me avoiding my question.

"Tum toh nahi pehen rahe" I say.

"Har chiz me behes karna zaruri hai kya? And I'm your boss not the other way around. Do what I say" he says.

I make a face when he turns around and wear it. And then he starts it. And off we go. Or should I say fly? There's water splashing on both sides of us with the loud roar of the engine. I laugh loudly like I'm a little girl enjoying her first park ride. Oh wow this is awesome.

I see that Viraj is smiling too. It's just blue everywhere. The sea, the sky, his eyes. And it's like falling in love with him all over again.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

"Veer!" Pari hugs him tightly and Viraj does the same. I suddenly feel very jealous. Not of Pari, but the fact that she gets to hug him. I told her on the phone to behave nicely towards him.

Kyu ki agar bigger picture dekhe toh mai cheat ki thi. Viraj fault me nahi hai.

"Kaminey where the hell did you go? You're a star now. Paise wali party ha. Utna hi bhaari gift bhi dena. Waise tumhari Dhoni se pehchaan toh hogi hi. Usse bulaao na shadi me vo free ho toh" Pari starts blabbering and Viraj laughs.

"Chatter box. You look more beautiful than before" he says pulling her cheeks.

"Mai yahi khada hu" Rudra says crossing his arms.

"I missed you asshole" she says and then looks at me "We missed you" she says again giving him a sign. I glare at her.

We're having lunch now at Rudra's place and then we're gonna go shopping. We cancelled the idea of eating out because Viraj doesn't have his bodyguard here. But the store we'll be visiting is going to keep everything private.

Why? Well because Viraj is the brand ambassador of their clothing brand. Itna hi hai toh mujhe free me dilaa de kapde. Paise bach jaayenge.

During lunch it's mostly the three of them talking. I am happy to see Viraj happy so I keep my mouth shut. Mere bolne se waise bhi iska mood off ho jaata hai.

After an hour we reach the store and it's like Viraj ki shaadi hai. Everybody starts greeting him and stuff.

But then the manager has a talk with their staff and they start acting normally. Thank God. I couldn't stand that designer eye fucking Viraj.

We sit together as Pari gives the designer instructions on how she wants her outfits. She is noting down everything. Rudra just nods to everything Pari says and Viraj is busy on his phone. Chatting with his fiancee I guess.

After a while Pari and Rudra go for their measurements. I look through the rows and rows of the designer lehengas and sarees. Even I need to take something. Sangeet, mehendi, cocktail party, haldi fir shadi. Shadi iski aur paise mere khatam honge.

Viraj too starts looking through the men's wear. He'd look so handsome in a kurta. Or in a suit. He'd look handsome in a sack too.

I am looking at one outfit to wear during the Sangeet ceremony when Viraj suddenly appears behind me.

"Iske piche ka kaha hai" he asks and takes the blouse in his hand like he's holding a cockroach.

"It's called backless. Idiot" I say and take it back.

"I'm your boss!" He growls.

"Boss voss ghar pe. Yaha apna muh band hi rakho" I say suddenly feeling angry.

He frowns and leaves. I don't even feel like buying that outfit now. But later I find a better one. Mehendi aur Sangeet ka toh ho gaya. Even Viraj buys something and then Rudra and Pari come back down after we make our payments.

Kitna mehenga hai yaha sab. Aage ke dus shaadiyo me chalaaungi inhe. But it's worth it.

We have some snacks later and decide to leave. Rudra and Viraj are planning their bachelor party the whole way.

I keep my shopping bags home on the way and then Rudra and Pari drop us near the marina. Now that they've left, the tension between us is back. The whole ride is silent. When we reach home I make him dinner and go to sleep after having it.

That's how it goes for the following two weeks. Wake up, make breakfast, make lunch, do something idhar udhar ka kaam, make dinner, sleep.

The next week Viraj goes to meet his mom for a week and papa is back so I tell him everything. He forces me to tell him the truth about my brain tumor, even after I tell him that he's now engaged. But fir vo unka vohi fix dialogue maarte hai end me.

Tujhe jo sahi lage kar, bass khud ko taklif mat de.

I'm working like a machine and it's killing me that the guy who I love, who once loved me, have to behave like strangers.

Tomorrow I have to go back. The guys are having their bachelor party today.

Papa has gone to Hyderabad where one of his aunt stayed. She passed away.

The sound of my ringtone wakes me up. I squint looking at the flash. After blinking a few times, I'm able to see the name.

Viraj.

I gasp and sit up.

It's past 3.30 am. Why is he calling me now? Is he not at the party.

"Hello Viraj are you ok?" I ask.

"I hate you. You know that right" he slurrs on the other line. He is completely drunk.

"I hate you".

~•~•~•~•~•~•

Well well well. We've experienced drunk Aslesha. Let's see how drunk Viraj is. Sorry thoda time laga update karne me. Was a little busy. Please vote and comment if you liked this chapter. Ily :)