I got off more easily than I thought I would for the scene I caused yesterday at the bride viewing ceremony, and for that I was very thankful.

What I wasn't thankful for was the way Arjun's friend acted and him winking at me before leaving, which made me lose my sleep and replay the events in my head until well past midnight. I love my sleep and I lost it because of him, and I don't even know his name, I won't forgive him for that.

My uncle and I had a serious talk this morning about me joining the STF, he was very strict about me not getting hurt and taking good care of myself, it was obvious that he didn't want to let me go but he decided to since he knew I can be very stubborn. I got teary eyed but I quickly hid it before he could see.

It was better to start everything with God's blessing, so here I was in the temple, in my favorite saree, mindfully praying for a good future and a very handsome and understanding husband for when I do decide to get married while circling the sannidhi (temple) when suddenly, a hand grabbed my wrist and another hand covered my mouth, pulling me back until my back hit the chest of the person holding me captive. Before I could elbow him and get out if his grip he shushed me in my ear to be quiet. Turning around, I met the same eyes that left my home with a mischievous wink yesterday, Arjun's friend.

I tried to wriggle out of his grip and he held me even tighter making it a little difficult for me to move, one of his hand resting on my bare waist in order to hold me close. I went still. I didn't know what to do. I mean I know how to get out of his grip if I tried but..

"Stay quiet for a second, let's just wait until they round the corner and leave." He said, really close to my ear, a hand still wrapped around my mouth.

I turned to him, confusion in my eyes, hoping he would get it and explain what on earth was going on. But he kept his glance straight ahead watching some people praying in front of the smaller sannidhi, I looked to see Arjun's parents and some other people I didn't know talking as the priest handed them the prasath. My eyes went wide as Arjun's Mom suddenly turned in our direction but thankfully we were behind a piller so she didn't spot us.

I pulled his hand away from my mouth.

"Why are we hiding from them? Why do I have to hide?" He was still holding me.

"I don't know how it went on your side but the guy who arranged the ceremony yesterday threw a huge fit and insulted Arjun and his parents, especially for not putting their foot down and demanding to go through with the ceremony. They tried to make him understand but he wasn't having it. It ended up becoming a fight between him and Arjun's Dad." He slowly let go of me, his hand on my waist letting go a little slower than the one on my shoulder. I raised an eyebrow to which he quickly moved away from me.

"I know it's not your fault but if they see you here, right after the big fight yesterday it might cause some unnecessary talks and problems, you know.. I mean, ipudu chudaledante better ga untundhi ani anupisthundhi. (I think it'll be better if you don't see each other now.)" He moved away to stand next to me.

"Both for them and you."

"You may be right. Fine." I turned to see them leaving as a sigh escaped me.

"They're gone. Can I go pray now?" He looked to see them gone and nodded. Eyes still on the entrance.

With a shake of my head, I left him behind and continued to pray for my future, hoping to relax as I sat down on the grass for a moment of peace when someone suddenly sat next to me, bumping into my shoulder. Him again.

"Ipudu yenkavali?" (What do you want now?)

"What's the urgency? Let's chat, I'm bored," he said with a smile that was too confident. I didn't like it.

"Then go do something else."

"Come on, can't we be friends?"

"Why should we be friends?" He didn't seem to have an answer for that.

"Bas, yuhi.." he said with a chuckle while I kept my face expressionless. He stared at me for a few seconds then diverted his gaze to the people passing around.

My thoughts returned to worrying about my decision to join the STF, I know it was going to be hard and I signed up for it but still, it's not that easy of a job. My life will most definitely be on the line. Maybe I was being too ambitious when I applied, will I be able to endure it? The training, let alone the actual job. I was shaken out of my worries by none other than his highness himself.

"Hello, eh lokam lo unnao, bayitiki ra ma, (which world are you in, come out)" he shook my shoulders again. His face too close to mine for my liking. I swatted his hands away, he looked startled then raised his hands in surrender, sitting back down across from me.

"What were you thinking about that deeply?" I didn't answer.

"Come on, tell me. Nene katha, (it's just me)" He lightly punched my arm.

"Neeku endhuku chepali? (Why should I tell you?)" I questioned, he pouted and remained silent though his eyes were still on me.

"This isn't working, let's go get some coffee," he declared after a good few minutes of me being lost in my thoughts and him watching me do that. He stood up and dusted himself off.

"What? Coffee gi kooda raava (Won't you come for a coffee even?" He stood with his hands on his hips, a disapproving look on his face. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Ee disapproving aunty la pose enti? (What is this pose like a disapproving aunty) You look like you'll threaten me with no TV if I don't eat all the food on my plate." He laughed as I stood up as well.

"Apudu osthava? (Will you come then?"

"Will you shut up if I do?"

"I can't guarantee that."

"Fine, let's go."

We were at a cafe not for from the temple, it was small but cute and cozy.

"What would you like to order?" The waiter came over.

"I'll have a strawberry milkshake and garlic cheese fries, you?" I handed him the menu. He looked it over for a couple seconds and set it down.

"Just one chocolate shake, please." He ordered and the waiter left.

"Wait what is your name?" I realised with little surprise.

"You came this far to a cafe with a guy you meet yesterday and you don't even know his name? Devuda, what will people think?" He covered his mouth in a dramatic way mockingly.

"I don't care what people think, people can go fuck themselves, now tell me, what is your name?"

I was slightly pissed even though he only said playfully. I couldn't help it. The years of hearing don't do this, don't do that, you're a girl, what will people think I've been hearing as I grew up makes my blood boil.

"Relax, I was just kidding, it's Vikram or Vicky. What is your name? I didn't catch it yesterday."

"Sorry, it's just those aunties keep haunting my mind," he raised an eyebrow, "you know what I'm talking about. I'm Akshara," I extended my hand to shake. He scanned me for a second then shook my hand. The waiter came back with our orders.

I took a bite of the fries, damn these are delicious. Vicky was stirring the shake with the straw, watching me eat with a slight smile. Weirdo. I pushed fries towards him, gesturing for him to take some.

"So, what were you talking about yesterday, when I came back to get my phone?"

"Something, personal. I don't want to talk about that." He thought for a moment and smirked. I don't think I'll like this.

"Fine, we don't have to talk about that, we can talk about you checking me out yesterday." He smiled while resting his head on his hand, eyes set on me without blinking. Shit, I was hoping he wouldn't bring that up.

"I was watching you suffer to get a phone from under a sofa for at least five minutes, which I could have done easily in one, had my arm been a little longer." His smile fell for a second but quickly returned.

"Then why didn't you?" He raised an eyebrow.

"It was kind of funny watching you struggle. How did you even manage to drop your phone that far back?" It was true, it was funny but he did also look kind of, kind of hot but I will never tell him that.

"I don't know, I just put it in my pocket but I guess I missed or maybe it fell out when I was busy watching you.." he paused "call that old guy a bastard to his face," he grinned.

"You should've seen his face in the way to Arjun's home, it was hilarious. He looked like he'll burst just from anger any time." I couldn't help but laugh, he deserved that.

"God, I hate that guy."

"You're not the only one," he said and lifted his glass to clink. I did the same.

We spent the time talking about a lot of things, we had so much in common. I was kind of surprised. I honestly wasn't expecting him to be this friendly or sweet or genuine but I can't decide that on today itself, this was only our first time talking. Who knows how people are behind their sweet exterior. So I had to wait and see if he's genuine or a jerk. But I was enjoying my time with him.

"Ah, it's getting late, I should get home." He stood up as he handed the waiter the money for or bill.

"Hey, I wanted to pay," he paid before I can even get the cash out.

"You can pay next time, darling."

"Darling?" I crossed my arms.

"Relax, it's just a habit of mine," he smiled, cutely. Ugh! Stop thinking like that.

"Should I drop you?" He asked as we exited the cafe.

"No, I'll be fine, my house is only nearby."

"Come on, I'll drop you, come on," he egged me on as he stared his bike.

"Eh fine, it won't hurt to not have to walk." I said with smile as he laughed. I hopped on and he drove towards my home.

"Wait, stop here," I said as we neared our street, getting off after he pulled over.

"Why? Some rules for girls?" He asked jokingly.

"None like that, but I'd rather not be seen coming home with the groom's friend after I brutally rejected him yesterday." I said matter of factly, he nodded. "Point."

"Bye, see you later," I smiled.

"Bye, I'll call you!" He called as he zoomed away on his bike. Right he did have my number from yesterday. And strangely enough, I was kind of looking forward to his call. Ugh.

That was not so bad for a day after the storm yesterday.