SOHAM'S POV

"I will come with you" I suggested.

"No, you go to office. He asked me to come alone " my dad said wearing his shoes.

"That's all?  I will drop you then" I said .

" Dad,  I -" I tried to talk but he spoke before me.

" Soham,  I will do anything for your happiness. If your mom was here,  she would have done the same. For me it's only you son. I don't have anyone else." with that said he left me alone with tears filling up my eyes. 

I sat down on floor and looked outside. It's gloomy. Rain pouring down without any mercy in Mumbai. Dad insisted that he will  go by auto as he can reach safely and on time.  Aahana's father called my dad requesting him that he wants to meet my dad alone.  She hasn't talked with me since four days,  I didn't call her up.  Not wanting to sound desperate,  I just texted her if the girl whom she brought to our orphanage is doing good or not.  She replied with thumbs up and that's it. 

Maybe she doesn't know how to say to my face that I m not good enough for her.

Maybe her dad wants to just say few good things about me and decline my proposal. 

With heavy heart and disturbed mind I reached my office.  Just like any other employee I punch my finger with frustration and enter my area looking around the floor.  Every one is drenched or partially wet. 

I should have given them holiday.

" Sir your schedule for today is bit tight.  " someone came knocking my door and started informing me about my meetings , signatures and all. 

Why can't I concentrate! 

" What is your name? " I asked him.

" Dubey sir " he replied politely.

" Can you send some coffee?  I will go through my schedule on my own.  And those who couldn't attend office today don't consider their absence as leave.  Just keep this between us,  will you? " I asked him.

" Sure sir,  no problem " he replied.

I reached safely.  Don't worry. 

Message pinged on my phone making my nerves go crazy.  I don't know what her dad will decide.  I really don't understand why can't I be there?  Why can't she just tell me about it!? 

Not thinking much about my personal life,  I started work,  trying not to keep anything in pending for my dad to finish it.  With rains pouring down at extreme levels,  I have decided to cancel not so important work and give my workers half day off. 

"Thank you sir "

"Thank you sir "

" Have a nice day sir "

As I sat there in conference room looking at the time which shows its almost lunch hour I heard my people greet me happily while walking out of the room. 

Is it over?  Did you reach home? 

I messaged my dad who replied instantly saying all roads were clogged and he couldn't travel hence he's staying at Aahana's place . I didn't want to risk his life and make him tire so I was happy that they provided hospitality to him in this worst time of season. 

Did everything went fine ?

I messaged him.  To which he just replied with thumbs up.  I was annoyed.  I wanted some information about his meeting with her dad. Knowing my dad,  he won't talk with me unless we both sit together over cup of coffee.  Suddenly my phone rang making me still in my place. 

Aahana?

" Hello? " I answered her.

" Where are you? " she questioned me directly.

" At office.  What happened? " I asked her back.

"They gave half day for my college.  My car is stuck in knee length water.  I am not able to start it.  Is your office close by?  Can I come there?  I am stuck somewhere on road.  Can't even see where i am going" she spoke making me worry.

" Are you at college?  Why don't you go back if it's near!  " I suggested.

" I am on my way to meet you dumbo!  Now I am stuck. " with that said our call disconnected making me wonder what exactly did she say . I called her back.

" Aahana,  where are you exactly?  I can't tell you any direction if you don't tell me your location " I said.

" I will send you location!  That's good idea!  Wait! My car is starting!  Offo!  These roads! You send me your location! Now! " she shouted over phone making me laugh.  I immediately sent her my location and waited for her to reach till my office.  It took her almost one hour to reach me.  Since my building has parking space all my employees left for home,  she could easily park it .

" Thank god,  your parking area is on first floor.  Imagine me swimming through everything! " she joked laughing a bit.

" What's in basement? " she asked me.

" Garden " I replied handing her a small towel.

" Garden?? " she was shocked to hear.

" Yeah,  this my maternal grandmother's place.  Mom planted few botanical plants.  She loves gardening.  It's like some green house.  We didn't change it while developing this building.  That's the reason our parking area is on first floor.  " I replied.

" That's cool. I hope water doesn't clog there " she said.

" No it won't.  It will be stored in underground storage tanks.  Excess water seeps into it.  " I replied.

" Wow!  So planned.  Impressed! Where are your employees? " she asked me.

" Half day " I replied.

"You were on your way to meet me? " I questioned her.

"Yeah " she smiked looking at me.

" Why suddenly? " I asked her as we walked to cafeteria .

" I had exams this whole week.  " she replied while I selected tea for her. Holding the glass letting it fill in with hot liquid I looked at her urging her to continue.

" I wanted to see you today at any cost.  " she said as I nodded my head.

" Why? " I asked as I was bit curious now.

" I missed you" she replied lowly taking glass from my hand.  My smile automatically widened hearing her say that. 

" Me too" I replied as we both sat to have our chat.

" Your dad asked my dad to meet him today. " I started.

" Yeah.  Uncle is staying at my place today!  There's so much of water on roads! Don't you dare call him up and ask him to come back OK?" she warned me.

" Aahana,  what have you decided? " I asked her directly as I didn't know how to question her around.

" Why do you think I have decided to see you? " she questioned me back. 

Because you missed me!  But are you ready to marry me?!

" Why do you think I will swim through these waters in my car and reach you? " she asked me as we both sipped our tea.  I was calm.  I wanted to say but I want her to tell me directly.

" Soham,  not everyone talks like you.  Directly to the face " she said smiling widely.  That struck cord in me!

So it's a yes! 

" Yes? " I asked her excitedly.

" Mmmmmm.. Hhmmm" she replied in a sing a song way smiling widely. 

Her smile!

It reminded me of my dad.  He used to bring my moms favourite chaat and leave it on table asking her to see the surprise for herself.  My mom being a straight forward person expressed everything openly but my dad,  he's calm,  silent and does everything in a quiet manner just like how Aahu did now. 

Not everyone is same !

" Are you not happy? " she asked me standing in her.

I am jumping in joy Aahu!

And I did.  Yes!  I jumped so high that she thought something has happened to me.  As I calmed down,  I kissed on her cheek making her eyes go wide with surprise. 

" Thank you.  Thank you so much" I said smiling widely. 

"Not so soon.  You have to tell me everything " she spoke.

" What is it? " I asked her.

" Who is the person you love most other than your mom?  Was that person your first love or crush?  " she asked me.

Time has come for me to go back to past! 

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