Daksh's POV

Adored in the most beautiful sari that I had always loved to see her in, there she stood the person who had stolen my dad's heart at the wee age of 20, had given birth to me and had been the person to whom I had always turned to get advice.

With steady and light steps I made my way towards her, though I had various experiences of failing to sneak up on her I had always stick to this little mischief; with the delightful knowledge of the smile that would adore her features.

With just a few steps astray, I saw her settling the knife with which she was working as she spoke, "You can give up on it now Daksh, come help me with preparing the food."

"You know you should at least try and let me win for once?" I asked, finally giving up on my task and hugged her from behind.

My hand that had earlier failed to even reach around her legs would now engulf her in the most protective embrace.

My mom, the only person who had been my escape from this whole world, she was the one who would make me smile in the most darkest of clouds, she would know the best way for me, she is basically the reason my life existed.

"So what brings you here today?" She eyes me with suspicion as I fidgeted with things around me. My hands did trembled a bit, as I scratched the back of my head and took hold of her hand, feeling her presence and looked down.

It didn't take even a minute for her to make me look at her as she raised my chin with the help of her forefinger and thumb.

"What is it Daksh?" she asked, her eyes sending out all the love that she had in for me.

"I met her Maa, I think I have finally met her." I said, my cheeks heating up a bit as I tried to shy away from her. But she knew me better, as she made me look right into her eyes and asked,

"If you did than what's the problem?"

"I don't know Maa, it feels as if she would just go off in the air even if I walked a bit closer to her, she – "

"You know Daksh," she took hold of my hand and smiled at me once again and said, "If you think she is slipping off your hands, its time you held on to her tightly and confess your heart. Nothing is more powerful than the heartfelt words."

Patting on my cheeks she walked out of the room, while I sat there, my eyes following her steps and my diary in my hand.

***

Mitali Jain

"Why, don't you like it that I am here?" Standing up from the sofa, I as well made my way toward the window and stood beside him, overlooking the busy roads of Mumbai.

"No... I, it's not easy to"

"Jai, it's true I do not have feelings for you, how can I when I don't even know you properly? But then there is one thing I know, you are a very nice man, Jai, if it's okay with you, I would like to keep on meeting you, may be as friends or say anything, I would like to know you as a person."

I waited for him to say something, but he laughed, "Trust me when I say this, never had I thought the person to whom I would say that I love you, would ask for my friendship."

It was ironic but as well funny. I was basically friend-zoning him after he confessed his feelings for me.

"How about a coffee?", I asked trying to muster up the best puppy dog eyes as I could.

"All right, let's go."

****

Walking inside the doors of Khayali Kithabh I once again let out a huge sigh. Walking towards my favorite table, I saw Shakti asking Rey to make my usual as she went off to look for the other customers.

While I, I could only sit there lost in my thoughts, Jai's words were again and again buzzing in my mind, how confidently had he said it once again. And the most amazing thing was that, I could remember it again and again as if he was saying them at that very moment.

"I am sure I can make you fall in love with me again." He said and smiled at me.

"And how can you be so sure about it" flabbergasted, I asked.

"Mitali, you know, it's not that difficult to not fall in love with you, and then again it's not that difficult to not express it and let you know about it, and I am sure," he leaned in a bit towards me, with his breath fanning my face, and surely it might have grossed me, thinking how awful it might smell, but surprisingly it didn't, rather it made me tingle all over, as he continued.

"I am sure that my heart will be able to convince yours, and it seems it's not that my charms aren't really fading or unaffecting." He eyed me with his piercing gaze and did I realize how my breath was caught in my throat and I was breathing heavily.

The flip of the bright colored invitation letter fell on the table, as I looked at it and then my neck strained up towards my Brother who stood there for a moment and then shook his head at me and sat back on the chair right opposite to me.

I looked back at the invitation card and then at my brother with my eyebrows rose, as if to question him about the flashy object on the table. But he decided to ignore me and called out to Shakti and said, "Can I get a black coffee without sugar."

Shakti gave him a bright smile and walked off from there. Whereas my brother decided to ignore me!

"Naveen, what is this?"

"It's an invitation letter." He stated and went back at looking around. Before I could say anything else, it seemed Shakti had his order already ready as she brought it along with mine, but as well took notice of the invitation letter and said,

"Ohh, this is the invitation for the ball that the business society of India conducts every year right? I didn't know it was already the time for it."

"You have been to it?" Naveen asked stupidly and it seemed Shakti was in a great mood as she laughed at him and said,

"Ohh yes, we used to get invited for this every year when-", her words subside as she realized what she was talking about. Taking a deep breath I took hold of her hand and said,

"Shakti I think that table needs you." nodding her head, she walked away from there as I narrowed my eyes at my sweet brother.

"What is it now?" I asked him. I somehow knew what it was, but I wanted him to say that, and was as well reluctant yet somewhere excited for, the ball was meant for the business man, which meant everyone will be there – including Jai Kapadia.

"Please come with me, I want you to be there, even Dhaksh, veer and Jai-"

"I know who all will be there; umm can Shakti come with us?" I asked hoping against my hope.

"You sure, she looks quite disturbed." Naveen's and mine eyes went off towards the said person as she kept herself busy amongst her customers.

"I want her to face it once in for all. No more hiding and running away, and I am sure, you are here to protect her."I smiled at Naveen who returned the same smile.

Naveen and Shakti would have always qualified the criteria for brothers and sisters more than then two of us did. And if he made sure that I was well vaccinated even if I had a small fever, you wouldn't want to know what lengths he would go to protect shakti.

"Alright, you talk with her, I will arrange for her pass, and Mitali the date is 25th July of this year."

"Very funny, now give me your credit card." I said, keeping my opened palms right in front of him as he scowled at me and then my hands.

"I and Shakti have to shop, and this is for you." his scowled deepened even more as he muttered something under his breath and pulled out his wallet and gave me his credit card.

Smiling at him I was about to walk towards Shakti when he asked,

"ohh, by the way, what happened with Jai?"

"Why, didn't he tell you this time?" I asked this time it was my time to scowl at him.

"He did, I want to know what you have to say?" Naveen had this mysterious smile on his face which seemed unsettling. I leaned down on the table and said, "You need to remember you are my brother, Naveen."

"I sure am, but when I know something whose result is going to be in my interest than why not play-cupid?" He winked at me as I leaned in even closer and said with greeted teeth.

"No, Naveen, you will let this matter be no more cupids of yours."

"let's see." I narrowed my eyes even more at his smiling stanza as he sipped on his black coffee whilst walked back towards shakti, took hold of her hands and pulled her towards the counter. I called out to Rey and said, "She won't be available for the rest of the night and on 25 make sure you two are free, so find a replacement or whatever." With that said, we two walked out, with shakti trying to pull her hands off mine and pleading me to let her go.

****

25th of July, 2008 

The venue was something I had always thought these parties would be. Getting out of my brother's car I walked with him by my side inside the beautiful entry of Sahara. This being my very first time being here, as any person would have, my mouth fell open as soon as I looked over the entrance than the lobby area.

The entrance to the Sapphire at Sahara Star is grand and over-the-top. I was completely blown away by the tropical oasis-like setting of the venue. A large variety of plant life, water features and natural stones that were tastefully laid out in the entrance had a welcoming effect on anyone.

The ambiance was even more beautiful, the contemporary and modern ambiance of The Sapphire at Sahara Star was decorated in neutral tones and soft accents. Wooden paneling was found throughout the room which is grounded by the soft carpeting. Accent lighting also added a touch of warmth and elegance.

It did scream a lot of money, how sophisticated and expensive each of these things here were, and if ever I wasn't proud of my brother earlier, I surely did now.

Not because he could afford to be somewhere like here, rather he made himself capable enough to be here. We were about to enter into the hall when a fleet of reporters walked towards us and began questioning and flashing off their cameras as they clicked many pictures.

The sudden sharp intake of breath and a warm and beside me made me realize the presence of Shakti. I took hold of her hand and gave it a small squeeze.

"It will be okay Shakti, see Rey is doing as fine. Just breathe; they can't do anything to you." I tried to reassure her but, even my heart was beating loudly, though it was my first time to something like this, Shakti had her own reasons.

"Mr. Jain, how are you acquainted with Ms. and Mr. Ahuja?" one of the reporters asked.

"Mr. Ahuja, does you being here mean that you are going to take over your Dads Position once again?" the other fired.

Before my brother or Rey could say anything one more question was fired away at us.

"Mr Jain, we haven't seen you coming to any of the parties with a plus one, may we know who is this beautiful lady beside you?" at the lime light being on us, I and Shakti covered a bit.

I felt Naveen squeezing my hand as he confidently smiled at the reporters and said,

"Thank you very much for your questions and concerns. This is my little sister, Mitali, and I would really appreciate if you all would let me and my friends the Ahuja's enjoy the night, if there is anything worth to be known by you all we will let you know, but this evening is just for us to have a small get away. Now if you all could excuse us?" with that said, he asked Rey and shakti to walk ahead and then smiled at me and nodded his head towards the door.

I took hold of my brothers hand and whispered, "I am proud of you." the later smiled at me and once again gave me a reason to scowl at him as he said,

"If anyone you should be proud of then it's him."

And then my eyes went towards him, dressed in a perfect three piece suit, his hair set perfectly with the gel, clean shaved such that his jaw line and the Adams apple that I realized looked so hot was very well visible and looked even more delicious as he smiled and would gulp down something making it blob up and down.

For God knows how long I kept on staring at him, assessing him, when all of a sudden his eyes met mine, as a gasp left of my mouth.

And shall I say, my heart did skip a beat as it pained sweetly as he smiled at me. 

A/n 

Hello peeps, 

with this chapter being released, I can proudly announce that the story is reaching to its first part's end. one or two more chapters to go for it. 

no this story wont end there, I have divided this story in 3-4 parts what they are would be realized at the end of each part, so when the last chapter for this part comes do read the authors note to find out what it is about. 

but before that, tell me what do you all think about this chapter... is the story going good? please let me know your views and support me and the characters by voting and commenting on the story. 

thank you for all your support

keep smiling, 

enjoy your weekend, and 

Happy Reading 

cuteminger A.K.A Yadni