"How many guest did you mentioned?" I inquired staring at the hall before us.

"Five hundred!" Diya was sounding displeased. I gave a last glanced at the empty hall and stared at my alarmed friend.

"Hadn't you checked the capacity of the hall?" I interrogated as it was her department. From choosing the venue, food items, furniture arranged, to arranging the stay for the guest. I looked after other details. "Mrs Fashion Queen will be provided with another opportunity to mock us."

"I can deal with the mock but what about the engagement ceremony. We can't make it here." She sounded lost. I nodded walking into the hall. My brain searching for any alternative to solve the problem. My legs took me towards the balcony. My eyes wandering around the pleasant view.

"Aachal! We are in such a trouble and you're enjoying..." I gestured her to stop as she was shouting her lungs out in anxiety. My eyes rested on huge area near the pool-side. A place of resort that wasn't of any use.

"What about that area?" I pointed at the portion. "It open-field could easily carry thousands of guest. The view would be beautiful from there as well." I suggested glancing at my friend for her opinion.

"That's seems a good..." she was going to jump in happiness but halted in mid. "Shlok Oberio had specified that each function should have a warm interior. Highly adding to take place around close walls." Diya shook her head. "He won't approve of that venue." She disposed it off.

"We are left with only that alternative for the night. Later we can come up with another venue. Don't forget he had chosen a destinated wedding on a mountain." I shook my head at his mesmerising way of wedding.

"Why are you so against him?"

"Because... he seems so full of himself. Just for the sake of business he is on verge of risking his child future. How can a father be so cruel?" I shook my head fuming in anger.

"Your increasing love for his daughter is making you to hate him." She shook her head. "Aachal, you don't even know the reason behind their wedding." She was trying to convince me that her Mr Hot wasn't a cruel human.

"So, what? I can feel it! That marriage is just done for convenience. And it's going to affect that innocent soul, severely." I announced and my eyes locked with the set of black orbs. His stern exterior not giving whether he heard my words or not.

"Mr Oberio," Diya gasped in fear. He was standing on the doorframe that connected the balcony with the hall. "It isn't like..." Diya had opened her mouth to provide justification on my behalf. While I kept my face straight. My eyes not moving an inch from his. Displaying that I wasn't afraid of his position nor his anger.

"Anaya was searching for you." His eyes fixed on me though he was addressing Diya. "You better make it fast or she will lose it." It was warning but he made it sound harmless. I could feel Diya hesitating for a minute, my eyes strolling from him to her. Her orbs filled with concern. Was she that scared of his power? Was I that unaware about his position?

"Should I repeat myself?" A growl escaping from the depth of his chest. I could feel a shiver ran down my spine as those words reached my ears. It sounded, deep, cold, and filled with warning. Much contradicted from the words he uttered before.

Diya shook her head vigorously as he glanced at her. "Then leave..." and as a clue Diya rushed from the balcony sparing me a concerned look. I darted my gaze from her to the furious monster staring straight into my soul. He took a step forward and I attempted not to let him glance at my building anxiety.

"Haven't I warn you to stay away... stay away from my life." With each word, he took a step forward. I walked backward determined to have space between us. My that move made a smirk to plaster on his face. His brows raising in question but satisfied with my action. "I intimidate you..." he seemed content with the revelation. I frowned, glaring at his satisfied self.

"No! You don't!" It was childish but I couldn't let him be satisfied. My eyes determined to question him back, to argue but never let him settle for the win.

"I don't..." the smirk wasn't leaving him. As mere inch was left between us. "I don't?" He repeated providing me with last opportunity to back off but I was adamant to not lose before him. I could feel his warm breath on my sensitive skin as he voiced those words out. I lowered my gaze not able to glance at that intense black orbs. It seemed as if it was filled with numerous emotion that couldn't be depicted. I could feel him leaning towards me. I was getting uncomfortable with our proximity, I was going to step back but I felt a large arm wrapped around my waist.

His sudden grip pulled me further into his chest. My eyes making direct contact with his intense orbs. My breath hitched, my mind turning foggy. Not a part of my body moving to object his move. He was staring straight as if uncovering my every layer. Driving deep into my soul. As if he wanted to discover every mystery I held. He leaned further towards my face, the overaccelerating heart making it unbearable to breath. I closed my eyes in defeat not able to deal with the overwhelming and indescribable feeling my heart was undergoing.

"If you don't want to end up with fracture, you better don't dare to move an inch back." His deep, low voice whispered in my ear. His warm breath lingering my sensitive skin. "And I got the answer that whether I intimidate you or not?" I could hear a hint of chuckle at the end.

I jerked open my eyes. "You don't!" I bounced back making him to grin at me. I couldn't believe I was seeing him smiling at me. That arrogant jerk!

"I get it why princess is so fond of you." He whispered not moving an inch. Our nose could have touched if I had turned towards his direction. "You are same like her... stubborn, furious kitten..." he pinched my nose. I widen my eyes as he shook his head at me. And without sparing another glance he walked away from me. I stood stunned staring at his retreating figure. What was he even?

Had he called me a kitten? Wait! He smiled at me. And not to forget a pinch on my nose. I rubbed the portion. It hurts! But that's not the problem. Ugh! I need to shove him away. He was an arrogant-ass and nothing more.

At the exact minute my cell rang. I glanced at the Id anticipating it would be Diya but rather an unknown number was displayed on my screen. I frowned in debate whether to pick it up or not? Concluding it could be of business I picked the cell.

"Hello..." I waited for the other line to speak up.

"Hello, Aachal Das?" A voice deep but having a childish enthusiasm spoked from the other side.

"Yes..." I hesitated not recognizing the caller.

"Tanmay Chopra, here." He seemed full of energy, full of life.

"Oh!" I didn't had any appropriate words to respond with.

"I had heard of you been in Kerala. I was waiting for your call but didn't met with any... Hmm, I wanted to know your schedule so we could find some time, to talk." He hesitated making it certain it wasn't his usual work. Arranging date with random girls.

"I am quite busy for two days, what if we arrange it after it?" I inquired not really planning to go on date. I wasn't interested in him but I couldn't reject him directly.

"Yeah! Sure, it's not a problem." He voiced out. And I was waiting for him to hung the call. "So, do inform me the location and time. I will be waiting..." with those words he hung the call. During our short conversation he made me realise that he was interested in our meeting and that he wasn't use to such setting. Guys were messing with my mind. I needed to concentrate on the work in hand.

---

"You had talk with the manager?" I asked as I was glancing at the portion around the pool. The event was going to take place in night so we weren't in need to cover the roof. Sky filled with stars would be cherry on top.

"Do you think it's good idea?" Diya seemed doubtful about my suggestion. "Shouldn't we inform it to Mr Oberio?" I narrowed my eyes at her.

"So, he gets another reason to show how arrogant ass he is..." I rolled my eyes as she gave a glare.

"I just don't understand why you have to be so cold towards him. I understand your first impression wasn't good with him but that doesn't..." she stopped as she turned to glance at someone behind me.

"Not again!" I muttered in my breath as I turned to glance at the person. I wasn't aspiring to meet that asshole again.

There stood a stranger offering us with his beautiful smile. He seemed one of the guest for the event as he had engulfed himself with the set of professional cloth. I doubted if they were going to attend the wedding with such professional attire. His set of orbs dancing from Diya towards me. He took an approaching step towards us.

"Hello, ladies!" His eyes again moving around us. "Never thought that in real you looked so breath-taking." His eyes resting on me. Those sets of black orbs shining in delight. I stared at him with confusion. Who on earth was he?

"Tanmay Chopra?" Asked a shocked Diya. I darted my gaze at my friend. She was staring at the individual with wide eyes and open mouth. "What a pleasant surprise!" She exclaimed in astonishment.

Tanmay Chopra! I shook my head. My eyes spying the person a minute longer. He seemed a rich business man. Nothing sort of a guy I imagined when I talked on the cell. A person who was younger, happy-go-lucky kind of a person. A human much carefree in nature. He won't bother to look after business, such a boring occupation for such a guy.

This Chopra was someone else! I shook my head as I realised Diya was deeply engrossed in a conversation with the stranger. Seemed like he was one of her crush. Not desiring to spoil the moment I took a step to walk back to my work. A grip on my wrist stopped me from turning away from them.

"Am I that boring as you planned to walk on me?" His curious, mischief orbs planted on me as he demanded an answer.

I passed a smile at his playful attitude. "It isn't like that!" Waving it away, "I wasn't planning to interrupt the conversation going on." Diverting my gaze from him towards my friend.

"You can never interrupt us." Diya jumped in, engulfing her arm around my shoulder. "Don't mind her!" Her eyes directed at Tanmay. "She doesn't get comfortable on first meet but once you know her, you won't wish to leave her." The same statement that she had repeated on various occasion. And it was accurate to the core!

I wasn't comfortable making friends but once they initiated and we end up as friends. I knew how to stay committed to it for years to come.

"That's seem interesting as I don't like leaving people." He commented his eyes set on me. Those words had a certain connection with me. It pierced my heart. My eyes stared at him a minute longer, he provided me with a smile but I could feel hidden pain in those orbs. Who was he? Why my sixth-sense was indicating something about him?

"Muma..." a sudden melodious voice broke my trace from him. He averted his gaze from me. A sudden emptiness making a place in my stomach. What was it? I couldn't depict what was it but there was something.

The tiny arms engulfing around my knees. Her face burying in my dress. "I missed you..." she sighed in relief. My heart calming a minute her touch was felt as if she was medicine to my cure. A shelter to my devasted body. My hands reached her soft, small one.

"Angel..." I called her out attempting to let her grip loosen on me but she wasn't listening. "Don't you want to play with me?"

"Yes..." she choked indicating that she was crying. Her grip loosen I turned kneeling before her. Those tiny orbs were rolling tears down her chubby cheek.

"Hey..." I protested pulling her into a hug. "Shh! Good girls don't cry..." I muttered, a tear rolling down my cheek. I wasn't aware my heart had craved for her so much till she was in my arms. Crying her heart out! I felt guilty for allowing her misconception to grow. She had started considering me as her mother and that would affect her in future. She would be forced to label someone else as her mother.

I wanted to pull away but my heart was craving for more. Not listening to it I departed from her. Those set of brown orbs were staring at me with sadness, question and a hope. I cupped her chubby cheek, brushing off the tears rolling down her cheek.

"Hey won't you listen to me?" I scowled her, showing my fake glare.

"You are crying as well..." she muttered brushing off tears from my cheek as well. I closed my eyes feeling her touch. Her small hands and caring gesture were warming my cold heart. Indicating that I had some deep everlasting connection with that innocent soul.

"I am not talking to dad." She grumbled making my eyes to open. "He took me away from you." She pouted, folding her arms around her chest. "And due to my anger he brought you back..." she muttered wrapping her tiny hand around my shoulder and nuzzling her face into my neck. "I won't let you go away... again..." she repeated making my heart to ache at those words. I could feel her craving for her mother. She was longing for her for years.

I wrapped my hand around her back, stroking her hairs. I wish I could assure her that she would accomplish in the task but it was impossible. I was a stranger to her and soon would disappear from her life. I couldn't assure myself that after the wedding she would have a blissful life because I couldn't trust Anaya. She wasn't interested in giving Ridhi her mother but more aspiring for the attention she would be offered on achieving the title of Mrs Oberio.

It was making me question if Shlok Oberio did really love his child? Because any father won't make his daughter life a living hell.

"I wasn't aware that you have a daughter?" Came an interrogation from the guy standing few distance away from us. His orbs busy spying the girl in my arms.