Anusha's  POV

It was my convocation.

I was with my fellow batchmates having photo sessions. Posing for dozens of pictures. Happiness I was feeling wouldn't be an accurate word.
I was finally done with the study point in my life. I was ecstatic.

Mumma, papa and Siddharth were here. To celebrate with me.
I was shocked when Papa asked Siddharth, to attend my convocation ceremony, I was half prepared with the answer of having some work important.
But the guy left me astonished, he immediately replied in agreement.

He said 'he would be glad to be present in my big day.'

I was already in college when they came with Siddharth in his car. All happy and jumpy. The smile my mother was radiating was a topic I am yet to discuss.

When I was called up on the stage all three of them stood up from there places shouting my name and clapping for me. Embarrassed was altogether a different thing, I was in love with my family.

I shook my head smiling widely at them, they are all the same.

When I approached them Mumma and Papa hugged me congratulating me.
While Siddharth was just standing smiling at me. He too congratulated me and shook my hand formally, I smiled in response.

I was pretty sure, if my parents wouldn't be there this man in front definitely would've wished me in a way only he could manage.
My batchmates knowing about my engagement took few pictures of me with him as well.

After the photo session, I reached where my parents were sitting and we started to make way back home.

We were back in his car. I didn't bring my car because I knew later Siddharth will be there.
We were going to Khanna mansion as my would-be-in-laws, had organised lunch for celebrating my graduation.

I was seated in the back seat with my mother, Papa was sitting on passenger seat beside him.

We were talking about my future plans.
I told them about my recruitment in one of the best hospital in South Delhi.

"When are you planning to join then?" Papa asked me

"they want me to start after one month as there department head is on vacation. They want me to join in his presence."

"Ok. Good."

" How far your hospital will be from our house?" Mumma asked

"It will be around 30 minutes drive" I replied

" And from Siddharth's new house?" Papa asked

" I guess it will take 30 minutes from there as well,"
Siddharth said looking towards me through the rear mirror.

"Perfect! its close from both of her houses," Mumma said smiling.

I blushed.
The mention of my new house reminds me of my birthday.

My first kiss.

Shut up Anusha!

Stop behaving like a typical girl.

I looked out of the window blushing.

The sweet memories of my birthday flashing in my mind. I looked over the rear mirror and found Siddharth already looking my way, he noticed me looking and winked at me.

There is something about this man, he make me feel different. I've never been this weak before anyone never had the power to make me nervous.
But he make me nervous and clumsy whenever he is around. Which is the exact opposite of my personality.

I turned my head and continued looking outside the window trying hard to hide my cherry red face. The time we've spent together was making me turn red.

Holding hands.

The party night.

The meeting with my friends at the café.

My birthday.

He was making me feel strange. There was a strange feeling in my stomach when he is around. Whenever he was holding me. Whenever he touches me.

I don't know what came over me but I've started putting more effort on myself. I've started wearing makeup from a little to a bit though it was hardly noticeable but still.

I wanted to look beautiful in front of him. I wanted to match him.

Why?

I don't know but wanted to.

I spent my nights thinking about him after my birthday. Thinking about how my life going to be after our wedding, with him in his house and in his new house.

I don't know why I was feeling this way but he was making me think about him all the time. And I think I like thinking the way.
.

.

Siddharth's POV

Shiva uncle was sitting beside me. I was more than relieved if Anusha will be sitting here beside me, I won't be able to control myself from holding her hand.

It was like an involuntary action- she's close then hold her.

Way to make the situation embarrassing.

Knowing she was close anxiety grows by itself, I was stealing glances of her. The glances were reciprocated which only escalated my eyes.

The girl sitting on my car's back seat was soon going to be my wife.
But before being wife, she was already someone important, someone I could not get enough of no matter how many times I tried to have my appetite filled . Damn, Anusha you are going to be the death of me. I wanted to shout.

I fall in love with her harder every passing day. She has that magic which can hold eyes, she is capable of making everyone look at her without any special effort.
The girl always remain unaware of the eyes following her, her head high and chin up, she looks at everybody through her nose.
Little did I knew she was habitual of the stares. She aware of her beauty.

I wanted the same Anusha. The Anusha so confident.
The girl she is with her friends, the girl she is at her home with her family and the same Anusha when she is with my family.

I wanted her to get used to me, if this what stopping her.
I wanted her to trust my affection.

Whenever I'm around she was shy, she turned into a cherry. Try to hide away from me.
It was not like I didn't like it, I was secretly enjoying the different version of the girl when around me. The verison only I had witnessed.

I made a wish the same to have the same verison of Anusha, the Anusha I saw in our apartment for the first time.
When she held my hand by herself dragging me to different rooms.

I wanted both of them. The different shades. I wanted both the shades to be mine.

I yet don't know why I kissed her, but I couldn't control the emotion.
She was looking  kissable the moment. I wanted to feel her lips, the seemingly soft peach lips.

I didn't had the content of my heart when I pulled back. The dip I felt her head gave when I pressed my mouth on hers made me clench my fists to my sides. It took everything in me not to pull her close and hold her still- have my self satisfied.

We reached home, Mom had arranged a small celebrating lunch.
We all were seated across the dining table. Anusha was helping Mom to bring dishes to the dining table.

It was like seeing my future in front of me.

I was in love with the view.

Whenever I found myself with her alone, the atmosphere around us turned out to be intensified and warm.
Only if she knows. I wonder if she has felt it too.

I wanted her beside me all the time I wanted a girl like her in my life. Only she has that magic that can make me fall harder. I was goner I knew when I called my assistant by my fiance's name.

Yes! I was that knocked.

This girl sitting in front of me was everything. In my whole life, I've been looking for her in every single girl I have ever dated before.
Only the image was never clear, it was blurry and now that I have her here in my eyes, it was only her I can see.
The thing to wallow upon was her being in front me completely oblivious of my strong feelings for her.

I had my confession my love to her all written and announced, but the hidden words were the feelings I have every time when she is around.
It is pure and strong, if she can read my mind I wanted her to freakout.
I was adamant to reflect my intentions to her.

She will definitely freak out, turning red like a cherry I was also aware.

After lunch, our parents were sitting in the lawn deciding date for our wedding as Pandit ji has also graced us with his presence.

The date decided for the wedding was the 12th of April.
1 month from today exactly.

Our mothers were happy and excited.
They were worried about the preparations that are to be done, as the wedding was only one month away.

I looked towards Anusha, I was anticipating a shy girl, where I came face to face with a blank face. She was quite not saying anything, she smiled when she was congratulated but the smile was not real. She was wearing a fake smile.

Without saying anything she stood up, excused herself to go inside. She needed water that's what she said.

I was worried wanted to ask her what was wrong. I wish I could read minds that day.

Like a sister knows what runs in her sister's mind, Ayusha, closely followed her elder sister behind.

I couldn't help my self, I followed without making any noise.
I know it was not good of me to eavesdrop or to hear someone's private talk but...she was my wife. The voice in me defended.

Ok! Ok! Not wife but soon to be wife.

They were standing in the kitchen behind the island.
Anusha and Ayusha both leaning against the island. I was hiding behind the kitchen entrance. Untill that day I never felt like thief in my own house. The things this girl makes me do.

"Ayu, you know I'm happy but I don't know why something is bothering me inside. I want to have my pace."

"Now what is bothering you? Di you think too much yaar! Pace!" Ayusha replied with a huff

"I don't know I'm just scared," Anusha said

Scared?

"Scared? Di there is nothing to be afraid about. Can't you see how much he loves you. That man out their adores you like anything."

"I am aware, Ayusha." Anusha said through her teeth

What is in her mind?

"Di everything will be alright okay. Relax! They all love you so much specially Jiju. Whatever is in your mind do tell him, I guess he will understand." Ayusha said.

There was something Anusha was afraid of, I had to find that out. I had a mental note prepared. Something was bothering her. Only her sister was are of, it was tempting to rely on her sister but it was my ego to find out by self.

I wanted to earn Anusha's trust to tell me herself.

Whatever it was, I would finish her every fear. I made a promise.

"I hope Di Siddharth jiju won't laugh after listening to your stupid dilemma." Ayusha said while poking Anusha's shoulder.

"Thats why I was not telling this to anyone from so long and now I'm regretting  telling you
" Anusha said angrily.

She was glaring at her sister.

"You never understand me. Always making fun of me and my problems."

" Acha sorry. Don't be mad and now smile you are getting married in a month. My fatso is finally getting married." Ayusha said while squealing.

"Di I'm so excited. We have a lot of shopping to do and lots of preparations" by now she was jumping.

" We? Oh please, it will end up me doing all the work by myself at my own wedding. You can't do anything without me. I wonder what will you do after me."
Anusha said with a lopsided smile on her face.

"Oh hello! Down on earth. Ok! Thank god we are getting rid off you. And from next month onwards Khanna family is going to tolerate you. I pity them already."
Ayusha said to her with a smirk on her face.

"Ooh really"
with this Anusha giggled and started tickling her sister.

Then they were both laughing.

Anusha was laughing full heartedly.
She had a real smile on her face. It felt like my heart beats were depended on the smile.
There was this thing about Anusha, in a moment she is cold as ice and in a few seconds, she is soft as cotton. The girl was easy to melt and easy to freeze.

Not wanting to spoil the sweet sister moment I left them alone.

I was on my lawn helping our parents to decide venues and catering companies.

Dad called a wedding planner.
He said he was the best wedding planner as far as dad knows.

_________________

As if he saw the pleading in my eyes, he nodded "If you are the moon I'm the stars. There are millions of me across the sky."

He smiled " You won't be able to escape anywhere because you are surrounded by me."

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