'If you can't get someone out for your mind,
they are probably supposed to be there.'

________________

Siddharth's POV

We came home somewhere around  6 in the evening, Mom and Dad were talking about Anusha's family and I, being the least interested soul, silently listening to them.
Nothing new, they have been talking about her since forever now.

The only thought running in my mind was where are the files needed for the tomorrow meeting, what else paper work is required.

My parents were very excited to make her their daughter-in-law, were so whipped that for an instant I was certain, if it would have been in their hands, she would be standing beside me right now that too in a bridal outfit.

Damn! I forgot to ask the office updates, need to call Mrs. Sharma.

Dad was already familiar with Anusha and her family, as he know them more than anyone of us, they've met a few times earlier too.
He told me Anusha often comes to office when needed, the staff works better under her observation-- she's that scary?

I was thinking about her in the intervals of time, everytime when I wasn't occupied with my work, it was her invading my brain.

Her shy smile, those demure eyes, that delightful expression, the way she spoke shyly, refusing her father's offer to talk with me  in isolation. 
When angry, her forehead coming with crease lines, everything seems differently special about her. The girl when frowns, she gets capable to scare someone till bones.

I was unable to take my eyes off her and now can't take my mind off her!

After that interestingly awkward trip from the ground to her floor, my expectations of that meeting changed. I realised then and there the girl will last long, longer than I was thinking.

Rather than becoming a spectator I have no other choice.

Denying her after meeting her never felt like an option.

Her refusal to talk in separate made up my mind, the girl is special. More special than I think my parents give her credit for.

"Siddharth, what about you? What is your opinion of her? We 'really' liked her."
Dad asked expectedly highlighting the strength of really in his sentence.

"Umm... Yeah!"
"Dad, she's...good.Fine."
I said directly without any hesitation

*note the sarcasm*
I never felt this sweaty before.

"What!" all gasped,

Talk about exaggerating.

"You. You are saying this?....... I can't believe my ears."
Mom replied in shock

"These words are coming from you? That means you are ready to marry her.
Oh My God! I'm so happy. Finally I can die in peace."
Bebe said hugging me,

"Finally, I'm going to be a mother-in-law. I'm so excited",
Mom said and hugged Dad.

Dad took his one hand out of the pocket, hugged Mom back by his side and smiled looking at her and then at me.

"Stop exaggerating!"
"I just agreed to get married. No big deal."

"Oh, trust me it is." Came Bebe's flying remark
Way eye rolls.

"She is okay with it?"

"Who?" Bebe asked mischevious

I replied suppressing my coy smile
rubbing the he back of my head,
"Ofcourse, Anusha?"

It was bound to happen later or sooner.

"They are already ready for the marriage, Mr Singh already know you. And besides knowing the man I am certain, he must have already had his share of investigation on you and ofcourse us." Dad said smiling, knowing his friend.

"What about the daughter?" I asked curious

"Who Ayusha?" Bebe asked smirking,

I gave her a look, irritated.

Always up for teasing!

"She's also ready" Mom answered smiling,

"Fine by me too" I replied shrugging and left for my bedroom,

"Sure you are" I heard Bebe.

.

.

.

About dinner,  Dad called, Shiva uncle to tell them about our decision.

My parents want me to get engaged as soon as possible because they don't trust me enough to rely on a decision longer, what if I change my mind again?

The chances of me denying this time are less.

It feels like the voice box I own don't remember anymore to say NO.

Shiva uncle said he will ask for a suitable date for engagement to their family pandit. They share few more pleasant words, expressing their happiness. Telling them to give love to their Anusha, my parents ended the call, just to dial another number.

Mom called Sunidhi, informing her about my engagement being fixed with Anusha and the function will be held within a few weeks.

Sunidhi being her typical self gone hyper excited, one could literally hear her screaming from outside the phone.

Night kicked in and I found myself on my work desk, checking the last sheets out.

My phone rang, it was Sumit Jiju, Sunidhi's husband, he called to congratulate me.

The latter wanted to meet me, he was shocked of my sudden change of mind. He had his doubts on me agreeing to make my folks happy.

Only if he knows, it's not my mind this time.

......................................
Following Sunday

I and Jiju agreed to meet in a café in South Delhi. I had some work post lunch and the destination appeared to fall on the route.

He wanted to question my decision, he wanted to know what changed me.

I was sure it was Sunidhi, who must have forced him to do so, she must be wondering I was doing this for Mom and Dad, looking at their liking for the girl I accepted to marry.

What is this thing about her which makes everybody to talk about her constantly is beyond my approach. Anusha was a mystery, I calculated.

I explained myself to him, there was nothing like me thinking about making my parents happy. Atleast not this time.

It will be me sharing a life with her, not my folks only.

I told him, I found her fascinating and find myself attracted to her in a strange way.
As we say some feelings must kept inside,  I didn't tell him what fact I find attractive, it was only for me to know.

Jiju and I were busy talking, when again I saw her.

This time no frown on.
.

.

.

Anusha's POV

Next morning I woke up with an awkwardly different smile on my face.

Needless to explain but I was strangely giddy. But definitely not happy.

I was - shy.

I slept thinking about yesterday's events, I found myself in a condition where it was difficult to digest all in by myself.

I needed to take this out to Sapna, Kaynat, and not to forget Radhika, my dearest best friends.

I called her last night, she hasn't returned any of my calls yet. Not to mention unseen messages.

So after refreshing  and eating breakfast with my family, I instantly texted them and ordered them to meet me at our usual spot, ASAP.

Making a note in mind to call on Radhika's landline, to inform her specially in a different way.

Eating breakfast in a rocket speed I kissed my Mummy's cheek, hugged Papa and left home.

.

................................
In the café

I was late because of the traffic in Delhi. Few things never change, ever busy roads. Sunday mornings as well.

I parked my car outside the coffee shop, in the parking and made my way inside.
My friends were already seated and were busy talking about something, they didn't noticed me approaching them.

I made a bee-line to their table and hugged them, ignoring their suspicious looks.

Telling them my adventure episodes of yesterday never felt so embarrassing. The looks I was earning was more than shy making me to want the Earth to open and swallow me whole.

They all were sharing excited looks all along the story and at the end they all end-up laughing on me.

"So! Our hero is rich?"
Kaynat asked me, 
The straightforward one of our group, married to a criminal lawyer- perfect match for each other- and now have a 2 years old daughter 'Aasma'- named by me.

Perfect? I know!

I love this name. Still have few babies in my list to name the same.

Just kidding!

" Yes...umm...Very actually."
I answered sipping on my cold-coffee with ice-cream,

"Have you guys heard of Khanna steel and industries? He's the CEO and Jasprit uncle, his Dad, the managing director." 
I said nodding lamely to myself.

Making their eyes open wide and heads to bob up and down.

"How does he look like?"
Sapna asked in a teasing tone which questioningly made me blush.

Ignoring his definite appreciable-appealing looks, I decided to keep it low,

"He is pretty good!"

Sensing my lie Radhika and Kaynat gave me a look.

"Fine" opening my eyes wide glaring at them, "he's handsome, jet black hair, big brown eyes, sharp jaw-line, tanned skin, tall about 6'1, broad shoulders, ripped,  and........."

Way drools!

Only if he was someone else. It feels weird to appreciate your would be.

"Stop! Stop! Stop! Can't you see Sapna, already drooling." Kaynat joked, making us laugh and Sapna to glare at her.

"Do you have a picture?"

"Not yet." I said giving her a straight-face,
pursing her lips in thin line she replied,

"Never going to change, are you?"

I shrugged in response.

"By the way, What's your man's name?", Radhika asked again.

"Siddharth khanna" I said blowing air out of my mouth.

With this the discussion of Siddharth the-Mr-the young-the Khanna- continued.

They were all comparing Siddharth with their husband, boyfriend and fiancé. And I found Siddharth best compared to all of them.

"You know what girls? Just admit it already Siddharth's the best among all of them." I announced like a Queen ordering her servants, clapping my hands, dramatically.

Listening to this they all rolled their eyes at me and I just laughed at their reactions.

"Bitter truth of life!" I sighed sipping on the half of my cold coffee, eyeing the chocolate croissant kept in front of Radhika.
Internally planning to buy few for my Mummy as well and even for Ayusha too- the sweet lovers.

For a while Radhika was continuously looking to my left,
"What is it?" I asked

"Nothing" she shrugged again joining back with us.

After few minutes both Kaynat and Radhika were looking at my left,
"Will you tell me what are you guys looking at? It's really disturbing" I asked

Sapna too looked at them with raised eyebrows, she was sitting beside me across Kaynat and Radhika.

"That man to your left, is continuously staring  us or maybe you"
Radhika answered frowning looking down into her plate referring to someone behind me,

"listening too, I saw him smiling once or twice. The man's enjoying."
Kaynat completing Radhika's sentence.

"but I'm not complaining, he is hot!", Sapna said after gazing to the side.

I looked at them questioningly,  turned my head to the direction they were referring to,
Shocked.

Stunned.

Faint.

Heart attack.

Cardiac arrest.

....... I don't have words what I felt at that moment.

You name it, I was suffering.

My jaw dropped, eyes open wide and breathing stopped, it was none other than Siddharth himself, with whom I'll be engaged within a few weeks.

Why me every single time?

Why is he here in Connaught Place at first place, when he lives in Akbar road?

I turned my head back to face my friends, they were looking at me with raised eyebrows, I held my forehead.

I was really embarrassed and once again when I turned my head only to find him still looking at me, with a smirk plastered on his why-so-handsome-face.

I wanted to punch and take that smirk off his beautiful face.

He was sitting with a man who's must be in his early 30s, he was smiling too.

Why?

They heard me all!

I turned my head back again started rubbing my forehead,
"He is still looking?" asked my friends.

They all nodded.

"I'm so dead." murmured to myself.

Sapna asked me looking at him once again,
"you know him?"

"Siddharth! He is."
I said and covered my face when I felt warmth growing all over my face, my cheeks turning red due to embarrassment and what not.

Here he was listening to all my nonsense about him and I was completely oblivious.

I looked at my friends, who were smiling sheepishly to him and teasingly at me.

Heaving a huge breath, I picked my bag up - not before keeping my share of money on the table- I got up from my place, started walking to the exit gate. Using the same bee-line I used to come in.

They were all calling my name, and here I was really embarrassed even to listen to my own name being called in front of him.

I didn't dare to turn back, continued my walk outside, where my car was parked.
My faithful White Hyundai Creta.

After some minutes they too came out smirking, once they came near me where I was standing waiting for them, all of them started laughing.

I was standing blushing like an idiot!

Sometimes I feel like cursing my big mouth.

_____________

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